Summer

All posts in the Summer category

Galileo, Galileo

Published July 24, 2013 by iftheshoefits

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There were thunderstorms here in the south west on Monday night – and pretty dramatic they were too.

I thought they might clear the air, reduce the humidity and make life a bit less clammy.  But alas, our Galileo thermometer has stubbornly sat with all of its balls down, which means it’s hot, damn hot, in fact it’s Copa Cabana hot.  Did I mention it was muggy.

It’s this flat, its insulation is inverted – in the summer it’s the equivalent of an oven, in winter we move onto full on Artic survival mode, wishing for a ball to float up.  Just one – that’s all we need.

The fan is still following me around like it’s my best friend, but with Mr ShoeThatAlwaysFits being home again, I have to share – It’s a nightmare.  We have to have it in the middle, so that both of us can feel the cooling effects – that’s a hard compromise to swallow.  I’ll share just about anything with him, but the lovingly circulated cool air – that should be mine first and foremost.  His body being bigger has a more efficient cooling system, so I should get the lion’s share of the cool air.  That’s not selfishness, it’s biology.

The sunshine is still a wonderful thing, but I long for a bit of a breeze, something to make us all a bit more comfortable.  And something that makes you less self conscious when you hug – at the moment it’s very much an eugh moment and I find myself quoting Blackadderisms, “Sticky the stick insect got stuck on a sticky bun”.

The office is a wonderful assortment of aromas too, sweat, feet and nerdy-types over-compensating on the deodorant front are not a pleasant mixture when you work in a recycled air environment.

So, although it’s summer and I’m loving it, just send the breeze my way.

I’m channelling Morecambe & Wise, “Bring me sunshine…”

Published July 20, 2013 by iftheshoefits

Some days I just skip out of bed – I love those days – today is one of them.  Well, when I say skip, I mean more of a jaunty jump.

It’s the sunshine, I’m not used to it.  Give me another week of this weather and I may even be able to acclimatise – another week like this, that’s crazy talk.  What do we think this is?  The summer of 1976 or something.

The good thing about this heat though is that I can eat crisps completely guilt free – I need to get salt back into my body and I think you’ll find that a lovely packet of salt n’ vinegar is a very efficient way to do it.  In a way, I’m following medical advice.

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Delapidation (buffing & puffing for summer)

Published July 19, 2013 by iftheshoefits

The only bad aspect of summer is that your body turns high maintenance overnight.
Gone are the protective layers of clothing & every limb being fully covered. Overnight we need to be silky smooth, glossy & glamazonian.
It’s hard work – we may as well admit it. There’s always something that needs attention – an area needing to be tweezed, waxed, exfoliated, buffed – and that’s without the endless battle to stay moisturised.
No wonder we get hot & bothered.

Difference between the sexes – holiday packing

Published July 18, 2013 by iftheshoefits

There was a gentle debate at work today regarding how many bikinis one of the girls was packing for her week long, caribbean holiday.  She has seven bikinis, and has decided that she needs to pack at least four of them.

A male colleague was visibly horrified, “why would you need four, surely one would do, two if you wanted a choice?”.  The intake of breath from the female contingent was audible.

I’ve travelled a lot through work over the last seven years, and have learned the art of packing through trial and error.  The key to packing is a good list – and a good capsule wardrobe – I only buy things that mix and match.  I make a list of items I want to take, I then make a list of outfits for each day, usually decided by which shoes I want to take.  I then whittle it down to the right combination – which flip flops and wedges go with most outfits.  It works for me every time, but I do need time to plan it.  My worst nightmare is a panic pack.

My other half has a simpler method, he simply counts the number of t-shirts and shorts he needs and packs them (adds a few for emergencies) – job done.  It works for both of us.  We can usually go away for a week long trip with one check-in bag and a small carry on each.  If we can’t – it means I’ve overdone it.

Heatwaving on with my life

Published July 16, 2013 by iftheshoefits

I’m from the north of Scotland, so to me this delightful weather is a heatwave – my blood starts to boil at about 24 degrees celsius so I’m way out of my comfort zone.

This summer reminds me of when we first moved down here in 2004 – I couldn’t believe how much warmer it was than the beautiful (but windy) north east.  And humid – I’d never experienced anything like it.  Neither had my hair.

I do love it though – it’s a bit too hot for me – but I’d rather this than the endless winter we’ve just kissed goodbye to.  At home, we don’t have inbuilt air-con so I just have an electric fan with a long lead that I take into each room – low tech, but boy does it help.  And the other half’s off exploring again, so I don’t have to share the bed – that would make it much harder – he’s big and he’s hairy – not the ideal combo for clammy nights.

But the sunshine brings out the best of everything so I’m happy for it to last all summer long.

My Shoe / Life / Work / Balance

Published July 9, 2013 by iftheshoefits

Some days, you just feel like you have it all.  

Sunshine, an achievable one day to-do list, beautiful & comfortable shoes (god, I really love wedges), and really wonderful friends.

Throw in a couple of new dresses, a beautiful manicure and some custom-made jewellery and I’m in heaven.  End the day with an exquisitely chilled NZ sauvignon blanc – seriously – this is a wonderful day.

I am truly thankful for lovely things and great friends.  

Summer – you’ve got to love it.

Summertime and the livin’ is easy

Published July 6, 2013 by iftheshoefits

It’s Saturday, the sun is shining and I’m only slightly hungover – all in all a good start to the day.

I was at a fabulous friend’s wedding yesterday and I managed to get sunburnt.  There’s advantages to being pale and interesting – but not in sweltering heat.  So I’m going to have to cover up a bit before heading out into the big bad world – although I may have to get my legs out to try and get them slightly more bronzed than alabaster.

The other half is working so I may head into town or to the park to find myself a nice spot to sit and read.  It’ll be hard to avoid the dual temptations of ice cream and delightfully chilled sauvignon blanc (NZ) – but today is a work out day so I must try to desist.

Anyway, off on a meaningful meander.

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