bio-chart

I know I only ever look at it when I'm feeling out of kilter, but www.bio-chart.com seems to be pretty accurate. Whenever I am feeling low it tells me that, yup buddy, so I should be.

Float On

Finally got round to having another float - two years down the line at The Belmore Centre near Stoke Mandeville Hospital. I didn't enjoy this as much, for a number of reasons.

Mainly, my introduction was a bit haphazard, and I wasn't sure how you knew when to get out, as I'd been told it was when the music stopped. Which it didn't. And, with your ears being underwater, you can't hear whether the music has stopped or not. So that worried me for a bit. Also, it wasn't in a pod in pitch black, it was in a big bath-shower like room and you could see the light coming in. I think I fell asleep for a bit. I worried more about when to get out. I got out, and it was about the right time - 45 minutes-ish. Then I wasn't sure what to do next as I was due a back massage. I left my therapy room open and a lady came. I didn't have any spa slippers so there was a palaver trying to find those. Then I had to gather all my clothes and take them upstairs to another treatment room to have the back massage.

So I was a bit cross, which doesn't bode well with a float. The back massage was OK. Hot stones were involved, but not once did I feel any pressure, any "Oooh yes just there please." But overall it was a pretty nice way to spend an hour or so. Then I got seduced by some Clarins products I needed. (Well, will need when my others have run out...).

My friend Jacquie has booked us in for some treatments at the Mandarin Oriental as a wedding present - how amazing is that! SO looking forward to that. I was going to have some treatments in Rajasthan but there never seemed any time.

P&P Taj Mahal compressed

P&P Taj Mahal compressed
Originally uploaded by Amanda Longhurst

How many people in the world have had their picture taken on this bench?

The ultimate cliche, but the Taj Mahal is so awesome, it has to be done.

Bollymoon, Jan 2009

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

what do you get your Dad?

Run out of ideas as to what to buy my Dad for Christmas. I've got him and mum a main present, a stereo, but what else? All the mags and papers ever run is socks, scarves, hipflasks and joke golf t-shirts. He doesn't need smellies, alcohol, mugs, books, CDs blah blah.

Redfoot Revolution

Every so often one of those things comes along that makes you wonder how you coped without it. (Sky+; iPhone; Jaeger.co.uk; ebay; those wine bottle openers..). I've just found another one, and I'm having a Redfoot Revolution. These beauties (I have two so far, the Mischa Silver and the Naomi Red) are not only gorgeous foot candy but are SO PRACTICAL I AM GOING TO HAVE TO SHOUT! Each shoe folds into two and then can be popped into a little drawstring bag and into your handbag.

Love this concept so much, and so far as a some-time commuter they've been such a god-send. I don't know about you but as much as I love heels I just can't cope rushing about from meeting to meeting on the Tube/walking around London/hot-footing it back to Euston. As soon as I get that tell-tale ache in my feet I stop, get out a pair of Redfoots, and I'm back into the land of the living.

And girls, even better, they are a mere £25 a pop! I'm going to be buying some for Xmas presents, and oh, maybe another pair for me, something to take on holiday....

And then I emailed the lovely people there and the director Steven emailed me back straight away; I had suggested that I found the website was difficult to navigate and they should do it by colour rather than occasion, and it looks like they are taking my suggestion on board.

I'm having a Redfoot Revolution...

Jaeger #2

Well I couldn't wait for a Jaeger sale - so got me the gorgeous cape (ostensibly for my birthday, like numerous other things...) but got such a good deal anyway. Had ordered the cape (and, well, a Jaeger polka sheer blouse in the sale). I'd got an email saying spend £250 and get the Mya clutch for free - worth £99.

To my horror, when my copy of Red magazine arrived, it had a £15 % off Jaeger offer.... so I emailed customer service, and told them that Red had arrived late (there had been an email from the editor apologising) and the lovely people gave me %15 off anyway even though it was strictly a different promotion. So they refunded me £42, so I got the cape, the blouse and the stunning clutch for £238 when it should have been £470 total. I love Jaeger!

iPhone glitches/issues

Had to send mine back - it didn't want to upload emails without being switched on and off. Still happens sometimes. Other thing is I though it would sync photos from the phone as well as to it - turns out you have to email your photos to your PC. Still, not a big issue. Love the fact you can set any webpage to the home screen. Overall, a big yes. Mind you 02 customer service is either rubbish or excellent - they don't keep very good track of calls and I had all sorts of issues transferring my number over with them saying there were issues when there weren't. And you can get zero to one bar coverage in the Lakes...

Rediscovered The Gap and Jaeger

Thanks to a lust for these delicious Pierre Hardy for The Gap ankle boots, which reminded me of some v similar I had about 15 years ago, I ventured to the store in Covent Garden before a meeting at The Hospital. For once, a productive shopping trip - bought these plus a dusky pink/eau de nil t-shirt and a dark petrol blue three quarter length sleeve top and cream tee - and heavens to betsy at last shops are selling longer length tees, am so fed up with a cold tummy... also swung by Massimo Dutti and scooped up a fabulously fitting denim jacket - I've been looking for one for ages that fits well - and just £50 too.

Am having a bit of a Jaeger renaissance too, randomly found on ebay a black Jaeger jacket with a butterfly silk lining which is exactly the same as the butterfly dress I bought there three years ago for my Nanny's funeral. Love it! Got it for £15! Also snaffled a vintage Jaeger striped cardy and am bidding on some other stuff.

A while back at the store in MK, got such bargains with my loyalty card in the sale - a smashing red/black silk shirt and a black maxi kaftany dress for something like £50 for the two - whereas they were both retailing at I think over £150 each. Am lusting after the cape but at £220 am going to have to hope I can get it in the sale.

Wondering how long Peaches Geldof's marriage will last

Really, I am SO sick of Peaches/Pixie/Alexa/Kate/Angelina/Katie/Jennifer blah blah but really, Peaches' whirlwind marriage in Vegas, how long will it last before an annulment?