the happy little world of miss ktp!

Well don't worry I wasn't swept away by the crowds on Oxford Street I just got swept away by Chrimbo excitement.... Just before we ring in the new year I thought I'd look back over 2013..... I started the year by thinking the '13' sounded a bit ominous but in fact it's been ace...who'd have thought I'd have a new job, 2 new stamps in my passport (Turkey & Japan - I know I know I'll post pics soon!) & (fingers crossed) a new house (not wanting to jinx this so won't go into any more detail yet!)?! So without further ado...let's see how I did with my resolutions...eep! ~ FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF Well I did pretty well over the year - I joined a gym, started spinning & kept afloat with deep water aqua aerobics all this mixed with the 5:2 diet meant I lost about a stone (probably put most of it back on now thanks to chrimbo with the folks but back to the gym on Thursday no excuses!)...that mixed with most of my jeans ripping(!) meant I d...

What am I doing?! If you don't hear from me I've been swept away by the crowds! Wish me luck! Ttfn x

& gig tickets in the other it could only mean one thing...Dave Hause was playing in London! I wonder if he regrets saying he likes these as the biscuit mountain grows higher?! First stop before any music could be listened to was grub! We discovered a little gem called The Horatia. Now food was a bit pricey (all coming from Borough market) but was really yummy. The best part? They had loads of ale on offer, sadly I was driving so just had a little Brew Dog but I'm sure we'll be back someday soon! With bellys full & spirits raised we set off to The Garage. I'd never been before but was a great little venue. We arrived just before Dave began but managed to find a perfect spot behind the lighting desk allowing a little squirt like me an ace view! We enjoyed a good old sing-a-long to both old & new songs & giggled along at some of his random ramblings, Prague & Resolution  still remaining firm favourites in the set. Afterwards we stayed around to say hi &...

..is I'm such a shrinking violet, I never like to stand out from the crowd! Now I like to wear colours but I swear my tights weren't that bright in the shop! Well at least I won't get lost...who needs hi-vis with these around?! At least I'm keeping the wedding colours alive next to Carlton! Ttfn x

Otherwise known as an Advent Calendar. Who knew an easily opened  little cardboard door holds the power to stop me snacking.. Leave a bar of choc in the lounge, kitchen or even hidden away I'll sniff it out & gobble it up like it's going out of fashion...put little chunks behind numbered doors & I act like a proper adult with marvelous restraint! I love how my little mind works! Ttfn x

The day has come....Adam has a new love in his life....welcome Mrs Xbox One. I don't mind tho, it means I get lots of bribery bubble baths to give him time to play.... Now I know why Paul & Mike were so generous with my birthday present, good planning guys! Harmony is restored in Chez P! Ttfn x

I am loving it, winter's my favourite time of year! Finally the evenings are dark & chilly so I can snuggle up on the sofa in my new onesie or venture out in my new Superdry coat (which finally arrived, no thanks to Hermes). I know it's only November but I'm already excited about Chrimbo (even though I'm working for a lot of it) I'm using all my willpower to not put up the decorations already! Eager beaver or what?! I just love how everything feels so magical! I'll be getting even more excited tomorrow when we visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. I had this great idea to go ice skating till I found out it was £32 for both of us for an hour....maybe I'll leave that romantical vision in my head...in reality it would been us trying to dodge kids falling over everywhere & then coming in after about 30min cos we're cold & have achy legs! Who says romance is dead?! Ttfn x

I  think I've figured it out...Pensioner! Getting older isn't something that bothers me but it's been more evident in the past few weeks that I'm not such a spring chicken anymore. Case No 1: I went to buy sparklers & it said you would need ID. I worried cos my driving licence still has my maiden name on it so doesn't match my bank card...needn't have worried I was handed them without question (I am 29!). This proves I look older than I feel & they think I'm a responsible adult (which worries me more!) Case No 2: I went to buy Adam COD (the game not the fish) & when I went though the self-scanner the woman came over to agree I was old enough & ticked the box that said 'customer is definitely over 25.' Charming! I'm not the kind of girl that rolls her eyes when they get asked for ID....maybe another point of being old....I see it as a mega compliment?! Anyways I better go & get me slippers ready for a Friday night in with Adam,...

Last weekend after a 3year gap, Ally Pally hosted it's firework display. I'd never been before so it was pretty cool to see the famous building at night in all it's glory! The event was completely sold out & thanks to George & Claire having been before we knew exactly where to stand for a good view. While we waited for the show to start we enjoyed watching other displays all over London from our high vantage point. The show was set to music & lasted about 20min with lasers too. We got lots of ooohs & aaahs for our money that's for sure! Afterwards we set off on the hunt for mulled wine & a hot dog, once the mission was accomplished we went back to George & Claire's for rice pudding & a cuppa! As I was writing this I was thinking how awesome the fireworks had been & how I love this time of year....that was till some numpty down our road set of a whole string of them just now. Ever heard of anti-social hours?! Gr...

I'm still none the wiser! I realised I hadn't finished my post about my birthday road trip to Cornwall (only 2 months late!)...see part one HERE . After we woke up & showered in the corner of the room while the other watched tv (still weird!) it was time for the main part of the B in B&B. I always judge a pub B&B on whether they serve black pudding as part of their Full English or not. Alas there was no  black  pudding but there was Hog's Pudding which I'd never had before & it was really good so we'll let them off! Seeing as the weather the day before had been a bit grotty it was a real treat to wake up to blue skies & sunshine. First of all we stopped off at Par beach & sat soaking up the sun for a bit before setting off to Fowey. Fowey had been recommended to Adam by someone from work & we loved it, such a pretty place! Seeing as we were in Cornwall there were two things we had to have before we went back to the smoke - Corn...

Last weekend was spent rummaging through ma&pa's loft reliving my childhood! Lisa & I had been chatting away about toys we had when we were little so I wanted to see what I still had. It was so much fun going through my suitcase of Slyvanian Families, bags of TY's & a box of My Little Ponies & Keepers. They brought back so many memories, mum & I had such a giggle going through them while Adam just looked scared as things got more pink & glittery as we went on! The best bit was the last box full of My Littlest Pet Shop. Each animal had been packed in a sandwich bag with it's own props & description! I must have spent more time putting them away than actually playing with them! The funny thing was as soon as I started un-bagging them (still keeping them in their groups so they went back in the right places!) I knew exactly what each little animal did & how all the props worked & fitted together....it must be like the Steps dances, filed awa...

Most people would be glad of a few unexpected hours out of the office but why today when my inbox is turning into an incrate?! We came home last night to find our (wonderful hmm) neighbours had been doing some work & had damaged the box with our gas meter in. Adam called the gas board & they've been out 3 times so far & have now capped it. The only thing is I have no house keys....typical! The one time I forget! I'm currently sitting in Carlton with my kindle waiting for: 1. The gas man 2. The courier man with Adam's keys!  Joy! It's a crazy race that I hope the courier man wins!  Not only that I've had no lunch so am getting rather Hangry (hungry/angry! Love it Art&Sam!) & am dying for the loo. Grr think I should just go back to bed & start fresh tomorrow, thing is I can't get to my bed! Argh! It's a vicious circle!  Ttfn x

Life's been pretty awesome these past few weeks thanks to a fab Honeymoon in Japan (many photo posts to follow soon!) We got back last week & I was faced with the challenge of 3500 photos, 3% free on the skybox & about 2000 unread work emails! Now, we have a photo album printed, 20% free on the skybox & about 16 unread work emails. Phew! Now I need a holiday from the holiday! I'm currently enjoying a bit of RnR at a spa for Lisa's 30th & seeing the rest of the in-laws later. Bliss! Ttfn x

As you may have gathered by now I'm an ale gal at heart & when Adam told me we were off for a birthday surprise & I had to be up at 5am he made it all worth-while when we pulled up to the St Austell Brewery in Cornwall. He's a keeper folks! Even though I drove half the way I still had no idea where we were heading till we pulled up to the gates. Adam even had me convinced we were off to buy a pug for most of the journey! We set off on the brewery tour & learnt loads about making ale as we peeped through windows & portholes & grinned like loons when we saw where the Tribute Ale was being brewed, if only I'd brought a straw with me! After the tour came the best bit - the tasting! We got to try 5 different ones ranging from a lager to a stout & Adam found the new love of his life - Smuggler! As we chatted to the tour guide afterwards she let us finish off any bottles we wanted (seeing as they were going to be thrown away anyway!) awesome! ...

A few weeks ago it was our wedding anniversary (now if I felt old saying I was married, I feel even older now I actually have a wedding anniversary!) We started the weekend celebrations on Saturday as I held my traditional "P in the park" (thanks Slink!) at Hyde Park. The weather behaved as we all relaxed in the sunshine. The theme was pink & green seeing as it was our anniversary weekend (I don't think I could have worn any more pink if I'd tried!). It all went swimmingly till I was stung by a wasp (first time ever) now I don't know if I was just being a brave soldier or if it was the ale numbing the pain (I think we know the answer!) but thankfully it didn't hurt as much as I'd feared all these years. Phew! The next day (our actual anniversary) I'd booked afternoon tea at Sketch (see HERE ). I knew quite a few people who'd been & it didn't disappoint! The decor was amazing (it changes every January apparently) &...

You know a wedding's going to be good when it starts with a McDs! With a Chicken Sandwich keeping the hunger monster at bay we set off to the church to see Dave marry Heather. Yay! It was a lovely service with some fab hymns I could warble along to. After a few Kodak moments & a quick catch up with everyone afterwards it was time to grab a taxi & head for the reception.....though why we didn't get a lift in the camper van is beyond me, there would have been more than enough room for us all, Art even tried thumbing a lift but it was ignored! Chuh! After leaving the church last we somehow arrived at the venue first & got dibs on the bubbly & sweets! Ace! After more nattering & more photos we all sat down for dinner. The food was really tasty, there were a few different ales & the cake was the yummiest I'd ever seen/eaten, so I was a happy camper! Then came the dancing.....we made the most of some awesome tracks & playlists we gave ...

...and breathe. Life has been pretty hectic (as always!) so nothing beats a bit of 'me' time at the hairdressers. No emails, no rushing around, just me, my kindle, a glass of squash & someone 'playing' with my hair. Perfick! Just wish I had enough money to do this more regularly than high days & holidays! Was gonna go the whole hog & get a manicure as well, then I remembered I don't like nail files & I always smudge/chip the varnish minutes after I painted them! So looks like it'll just be me & a pot of Rimmel varnish in front of the tv. Hope you're having a lovely Saturday. Ttfn x

Man I feel old! Went to a wedding yesterday with some of the old Uni gang & now we're paying for having such a good time! What happened to feeling rough for a few hours then bouncing back?! So far all we've managed to do is head to the Harvester for lunch & man that took effort! The rest of the day has been spent dozing in front of the tv wrapped in blankets & warm jumpers. Oh to be an 18year old student again! Ttfn x

Well hello there you lovely lot :-) miss me?! Don't answer that actually!  Welcome to the new look 'Happy Little World of MRS KtP' it only took me a year but I finally got round to changing my blog! Huzzah! I feel like I've got my blogging mojo back & this ace new look (thanks to Mr P) has given me the final kick up the bum to get me going. So here I am. Yay! Stay tuned for more updates, I know you can't wait! ;-) Missed ya! Ttfn x

Last week our favorite Cupcake shop that doesn't sell cupcakes hosted one of our favorite singers Dave Hause, it was a match made in heaven! I made my way from work as quickly as possible but knew as I joined the back of a very long queue I wouldn't make it into the shop where the gig was to be held. Thankfully the British weather was unsually kind & they decided to hold the gig outside on the street so that all 150 of us (the shop only holds 50 people!) could enjoy it. The atmosphere was brill as we all sang & clapped along. The crowd grew unintentionally seeing as we pretty much filled the width of Fouberts Place. It meant random people ended up having to watch the gig too, most people enjoyed it, a few people tried to start a scrap as they barged by, I'm sure it didn't help that the whole group of us started laughing at them (including Dave) but hey! Afterwards we had a chance to go into the shop....now come on I wasn't going to pass up a chance to...

especially when the seaside's on my doorstep! Welcome to Camden Beach! Adam, Elisa & I soaked up some late afternoon sun with duck breast sandwiches & Ben&Jerrys while sitting on the beach at The Roundhouse. We felt a million miles away from crowded tourist Camden & it was bliss, even for someone who doesn't like sand! Well worth a visit if you need to get away from all the tourists & fancy a beer in the sunshine in a relaxed atmosphere. I think if we go again we'll be a lot better prepared with beach towels & maybe even a cushion & bucket&spade! Ttfn x

...at Dalston House! If you've not had the chance to visit yet you must! It's brill! We queued for almost 2hrs for 4min photo opportunity but me being me had planned each one to military precision so we got all the ones we wanted in plenty of time! It was such a giggle! If you've not heard of Dalston House before it's a free exhibition by Leandro Erlich & put on by The Barbican (website HERE ). We went the first week it opened but it closes on August 4th so MIMO! It's definitely one of those little gems that make me love being in London so much! Ttfn x

Nothing beats when a childhood friends gets married. A few weekends ago it was Caz & Dave's turn to join the smug married crew & it was awesome! Caz, her sister Helen & I have known each other all our lives & although we don't see each other a lot now it's always like good old times when we get together. It used to be the three of us against the world, whether it was getting stuck in the nets at Twycross Zoo, setting up Domino Rally in the kitchen during school hols or giggling the nights away at Brownie (then eventually Guide) Pack Holiday we were there....I even think they were the ones to Christen me KtP! Another thing we did when we were young was sing in the church choir, the highlight of each month was the weddings (& not cos we'd get paid £1 every time, tho it did help!). We used to sit there before the service chatting about our own big day then once the service started we'd nod at each other if the bride looked really pretty & gr...