1. Why did you become a blogger?
2. What’s your favourite thing to write about?
3. What do you find the hardest thing about blogging?
4. Do you have a special Christmas dish that you make every year?
5. Are you a coffee or tea kind of person?
6. What is your favourite food?
7. Where is the best place you’ve ever travelled to?
8. What are your plans for your blog next year?
9. What is your favourite blogger app?
10. What’s your favourite tipple?!
Good Luck!
1. Why did you become a blogger?
2. What’s your favourite thing to write about?
3. What do you find the hardest thing about blogging?
4. Do you have a special Christmas dish that you make every year?
5. Are you a coffee or tea kind of person?
6. What is your favourite food?
7. Where is the best place you’ve ever travelled to?
8. What are your plans for your blog next year?
9. What is your favourite blogger app?
10. What’s your favourite tipple?!
Good Luck!
As you may be able to see my blog has been dormant yet again for a few months, however I have signed up with Emma Drew and her #MyBlogMyBusiness Coaching Course to seriously get to grips with the blogging scene and make positive contributions
As a female who is obsessed with football it seems natural to me to kick off (pardon the pun) again with my thoughts on the World Cup tournament.
As I am now retired this is the first World Cup where I have not had to juggle requests for days off to watch games or to juggle for shift swaps. As rota’s are always planned out at least 1 month in advance I used to have to study the schedule of fixtures and request around England games – wanting to have the day of the game and the day after as a day off. I had to plan all the way to the final to prepare for any eventuality.
This year has been heaven – my time has been all mine. I have been able to watch virtually every game so far – only missing 4 at the most. And by this I mean every game of every National Team. I just love it. In the first week of the tournament this meant 3 games a day! Pure bliss for me. My husband likes it but occasionally I did watch an evening game on our bedroom TV so that he could watch the Soaps and non football related TV! Total role reversal at times.
I will admit that secretly, like many other football fans I had become disillusioned by the English National Team and fallen out of love with them – for me it got to the point that I adopted the Croatian National Team to follow – a Country we visit for holidays as a result of liking their team! But that’s another post for another time! So with that in mind it is so fantastic to see the Country’s love rekindled with the fabulous performances of the England Team led by the cool, calm, collected Gareth Southgate and our Captain Harry Kane, a fabulous role model for the young generation.
As I write this we are through to the semi final of the World Cup against – unbelievably my adopted Nation Croatia! But to set the record straight as much as I enjoy watching Croatia – there is only 1 team for me next Wednesday night – C’mon England – let’s do this!
What is great to see is the joy the teams progress is bringing to the people of Britain – coupled with a heatwave this is turning into a summer to remember. Many of my girlfriends can never understand why I get so excited by Football, I often get asked what it is – well girlfriends – what’s happening now is why! Even non football loving friends have got caught up in this excitement.
If we don’t win on Thursday and the teams journey ends at the semi final stage I will still be very proud of their achievements but if the unbelievable happens and we win – the Country will go crazy and I will tick off a Bucket List desire – to see England win the World Cup.
I dare to dream – “It’s Coming Home”……..
This was the second time I have visited Artisan for the Express lunch menu – the first time was just before Christmas, due to the hectic schedule around the festive season I forgot to write up my review on that occasion! So here goes 2nd time lucky!
Artisan Avenue North, 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BZ
A late lunchtime catch up with 4 girlfriends – we’re all young at heart over 50’s. We had pre booked for 2pm
You enter the restaurant from the Avenue by a small doorway – once inside you have to climb stairs and there is a choice of 2 directions – this can be a bit confusing as to which direction is for the restaurant one of our party ended up in the bar and not the restaurant, and for the record she isn’t someone who regularly gets lost! Once you reach the restaurant there is a welcome area with a desk where a lovely girl took our details and invited us to enter the bar and waiting area. Artisan is very rustic looking lots of reclaimed wood and furniture on display. I have to say we really liked the look instantly. The restaurant area continues with this theme and again it is a very pleasant setting – a long expanse of windows allow lots of light in, although the view from the windows are not the greatest.
As stated earlier there is a member of staff already in place to meet and greet, once seated and having a pre lunch drink a waitress came promptly to take us to our table.
We ate from the Express lunch menu I chose the red pepper houmous and wood fired flat bread, the flattened rump steak (well done) with chimichurri, rocket and courgette salad and a glass of white wine. There was a choice of 2 house whites which was a nice touch.
The starter came on a wooden platter – 2 vary large slices of flatbread and a portion of red pepper houmous and a selection of sliced vegetables. The flat bread was delicious – thin and crispy perfect for my tastes, although I could only eat one! The houmous was a bit bland in my opinion I couldn’t really taste the garlic, although there must have been an adequate amount as Mr Fitz commented on it when I greeted him with a kiss when I got home.
My steak was tasty and cooked how I like it – yes I know, well done meat is so old fashioned but hey I don’t follow every trend! It was served with the simple green salad which I felt was just enough. I chose a glass of Pinot to wash it down with, having already had a pre lunch Three Rivers Gin and tonic from the bar. Note I stayed loyal to my proud Mancunian roots by choosing a local gin from the extensive Gin menu.
Our waiter was very warm and friendly – he did have to attempt to take our order twice due to us chatting and not choosing, but that was not a problem for him, he was patient with us. Food arrived promptly and the all important wine!
The only downsides to the service on this occasion was obtaining our bill, after 15 minutes we had not seen any staff to ask for the bill. I had to go out to reception to ask the girl there if she could find us someone. A waiter then appeared and promptly fulfilled our request.
This is a nice setting for lunch, I cannot comment on any other time of the day. I love the decor and surroundings. Apart from the hitch with the bill I do think the service is speedy when seated. If you wish to have a pre or post meal drink the upstairs bar area is very comfortable and inviting and the choice of drinks available are many and displayed well. The food is tasty and in adequate proportions for a lunch portion.
Myself and my friends would definitely return again. Great surroundings and value for money
Even though we have been married for 33 years this year romance is certainly not dead in this house. Don’t get me wrong – we’re not sloppy or slushy – in fact the opposite – we have a jovial relationship and affectionately send up each others little quirks!
When choosing a Valentines gift for John this year – I am planning on buying gifts of a higher quality than usual because this year John is celebrating his 60th Birthday – I think that entitles him to a years worth of treats. We usually just buy a token gift such as a CD or a T shirt – he collects T Shirts like I collect shoes! Also we are going on our first Cruise this year around the Greek Islands so a couple of choices are with that in mind.
To help me choose I visited Debenhams.com website and created a Mood Board to provide me with inspiration. Here are my choices – for the more mature man in a milestone year who is a chocohoic, including gifts of a humerous nature i.e Silver Dinosaur Cufflinks for my technophobe Dinosaur!
Debenhams Valentines Gifts for Men by Elaine Fitzpatrick You will be able to edit this mural.
Ben Sherman T Shirt Crossbody bag Laurent Perrier Champagne Sweet Hamper Tom Ford aftershave Black leather belt Silver Dinosaur cufflinks
Let em know what you are buying your old dinosaur comment below or email
This year will be my first complete year in retirement from my long nursing career that spanned 38 years. It is also a big Birthday year for my husband John, he will be 60 in October. I cannot believe he is this age already – we have been together 37 years and the time has flown. he may look an ageing balding guy to many but to me he is still the young lad I met.
For these reasons I would like to achieve new experiences and goals plus share lovely moments throughout the year with John.
Here are 18 that I can think of today – not in any particular order of importance.
Anyway – they may not be the most exciting things to do but they are personal to me.
Have you got a list of things to do? If so I would love to hear from you – comment below or drop me an email
Well Happy New Year all and welcome to 2018.
I’m ashamed to say that yet again its been along time since my last post. 3 months in fact!
I can make thousands of excuses but in reality I’ve been multi tasking far too much to the extent that my productivity has taken a nose dive in many areas, not just blogging but in keeping a clutter free desk, mind, wardrobes etc. My competition entries have continued at a steady level but have been less than in previous years. I thought when I retired I would have more time to comp and my prizes would increase too. I find that now I have more free time I fit more in! I’m not complaining – I’m loving life. I have stopped doing any nursing shifts since September and I think that the curtain has now finally closed on my nursing career. I will elaborate more on my thoughts and feelings about this in another post.
I don’t want this to sound like a negative post – in fact I have achieved many positive things this year. I have started to build a part time business as an Ebay reseller and this is building gradually rose to a level I wish to maintain it at comfortably. I know, I know how can I be retired if I’m doing this? I don’t really see this as a job – more a lucrative hobby that keeps the grey cells active and introduces me to new experiences.
I have become addicted to YouTube and watch hours of vloggers. I love watching at any opportunity. There are a few that have become firm favourites – both here in the UK and in the US. So much so that I have taken tentative steps into the world of vlogging and posted a couple of videos of my own – I hope to increase my output throughout the year.
Another activity I have taken part in is enrolling with an Agency to become a TV Extra or Background Artist as they are known today. I have had 3 jobs this year – all in different settings. There is very little money in doing this but it I do it for new experiences in life, in fact many of the other artists I have worked alongside also do it in retirement for the same reasons.
As you can tell I love to try new experiences with my new found free time and freedom.
As I’ve had 3 months free from paid employment as a Nurse I’ve had time to reflect and think about the way forward for me this year.
Restarting this blog is one of my goals.
Have any of you started something new last year that you wish to continue in this years goals – I’d love to hear from you – if only to know that you’re out there and I have an audience
Please feel free to Comment and also contact me via email earlyretirmentrocks@gmail.com
Have fun in 2018
As you can see I haven’t written a post all year – how bad is that? Call myself a blogger!
I can think of a million excuses but I think this year has been a bit of a turning point for me. At the grand old age of 57 I think I can honestly say that I don’t think you ever know who you really are – life and ideas are constantly evolving. You have to adapt to relationships, life stressors and your work commitments.
From my late 40’s my main driving force was my goal off retiring from the BHS at the age of 55. I loved my career but once I’d got to a senior position the good of it quickly wore off, working conditions in the BHS became much more challenging and I wasn’t getting any younger.
Once I’d retired I continued to working part time capacity whilst I eased into retirement. I had ideas about what I may do and these constantly evolved too. Blogging became one of the things that I thought may suit me and my lifestyle. I fabled for a while and decided it was very hard work! I could come up with plenty of ideas to write about but when it came down to writing my posts and publishing nothjngbhappened my brain went into mush. Like a lot of things in my life I was over thinking instead of being spontaneous.
Therefore I let it for quite a while. However I have now reinvented myself a little bit more. I have been establishing a new part time career as an ebay reseller, plus starting an etsy shop selling Vintage fashions and accessories. I can honestly say that I am loving it! Think I was made for this type of role. How this came about is an article and post in itself. Needles to say my small business is building slowly and steadily. I don’t want it to become massive as I still wish to have plenty of free time. I feel this role reflects many facets of the real me!
during the year I have had some fabulous experiences, a girlie holiday with 2 of my closest friends. Holidays and trips away with my lovely husband – we have just celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary. Quality family time and lots of opportunities to be a lady that lunches with friends. Plus I have continued to enter competitions and have won some nice prizes and follow my beloved Manchester City.
I now hope to continue with my blog – it may be a series of shorter posts – I have to work it for me. I am also going to start a video blog – I love talking and can be much more spontaneous,. My first video has already been recorded – I just need to edit it – challenging to say the least and publish.
Anyway thanks for reading.
Can anyone relate to this? I would love to read your comments- please feel free to give me any advice or just say hi to let me know you’re still there!
My email is earlyretirementrocks@gmail.com or comment below.
See you soon Elaine
My penultimate post of this 10 day beauty brawl. Today’s topic is hand cream. As a nurse this has been a beauty staple throughout my career. Constant hand washing and use of alcohol hand rubs has seriously taken its toll at times – see my post about nails
Through use of all these harsh skin cleansing products I have also developed some severe skin sensitivities which took me nearly two years to correct with the use of topical steroids and dermatology input. Thankfully now that period in my life is over but my hands still dry out and become sore quickly. My favourite products have been from the Body Shop – Hemp hand cream and the now no longer available Hawthorn hand cream. Also Elizabeth Arden’s 8 hour creams are fabulous.
For my review I’m trialling Endless Glove from Soap and Glory – I acquired this through a competition promotion run by Soap and Glory. It is described as a 2-1 Moisture mask and hand cream. It can be used as a hand cream alone or massaged into your hands before bed and worn with or without cotton gloves for a deep treatment.
The product description is:
Soap And Glory ENDLESS GLOVE is a new 2-IN-1 MOISTURE MASK and LUXURY HAND CREAM that is so marvelous, it’s miraculous. Formulated with EIGHT-OIL AQUA WRAP, VITAFADE-BC, MACADAMIA & GRAPESEED OILS, POMEGRANATE & SHEA BUTTERS, it creates a deeply protective moisture barrier on the skin and works for 12 hours after you apply it. It’s a dry skin moisturiser for even the flakiest feelers leaving them smooth, luscious & velvety soft.
I have used it solely as a cream applying during the day when required or after having washed up! My scores are:
Packaging: 80/100 It’s in the instantly recognisable pink packaging of Soap and Glory. It’s a nice size – I have the 50ml size which fits nicely in a handbag.
Price: I’m unable to score it on price as mine was free and whilst researching this product it appears to be unavailable at the moment.
Product: 90/100 I liked this product – it applies well and soaks in quickly without being too greasy. My hands felt soft and smooth for a long time after application. It has a very pleasant, not overpowering, fragrance.
Thank you for dropping in to read this review. Please feel free to comment or contact me by email earlyretirementrocks@gmail.com I love to know you’re out there. And remember to hop over to Victoria’s blog before you go.
This is the final post in this collaboration – a big Thank You to Beth Mahoney La Blog Beaute for providing me with the chance to take part.
To end this 10 day collaboration I’m finishing with a concealer.
I have chosen a budget brand Make Up Revolution Focus and Fix Liquid Concealer in 02 Fair I am rapidly becoming a fan of all of the Make Up Revolution products. I have usually used mid to high end priced concealers. Having worked lots of night shifts I can be prone to dark shadows due to lack of sleep rather than bags. Therefore I love a concealer.
This was a snip at £2 and did the job sufficiently. It hasn’t got the quality of the Mac concealer I was using prior to this but for the price it did a decent job.
Packaging: 75/100 Basic packaging, clear tube with gold detailing and black lid. But for the price its what yo.u’d expect.
Price: 95/100 At £2 it’s a steal!
Product: 90/100 At the price it was an adequate product that did a good job of hiding my dark shadows.It lacked the quality of high end products but at the end of the day I would use this again if my budget demanded. Hey! I might even use it anyway as I look to be more frugal in retirement.
Well as Bugs Bunny used to say at the end of Warner Brothers cartoons ‘That’s all Folks!” The final product in this 10 day series of reviews.
Thank you so much for visiting and reading my posts. Please comment below on today’s product or on the series as a whole. Alternatively email me earlyretirementrocks@gmail.com
I would also appreciate if you would follow me to see what I have to say about my new life in early retirement.
Before you go look at what Victoria has got to say in her final post
earlyretirementrocks 