Duke of Essex Polo Party: Players and Dukes

Mickey Norcross owner of The Sugarhut

Joey Essex from The Only Way Is Essex

I went to the Duke of Essex Polo Party last weekend. Besides all the muddy muck that swamped my pink designer stilettos, I had a lovely time. Could have had a red carpet entrance though. (heheh..jk.)It was my first real Essex party!

I have to say Essex broads and dudes are so much friendlier with a few drinks in them! Living in Chigwell, you come across a lot of snotty, uptight coke heads, but it was a really great time that evening for me at least. You still get that group of girls that don’t do anything but say what a terrible time they are having and stick their noses up at you. I have to say there were a few in my group.

I was mingling and chatting as my usual socialite self. I met a few T.V. personalities, who really enjoyed the fact that I was a New Yorker.  The music was pumping all night and the energy was high. The bartenders were on parr and the outdoor trailer toilets weren’t half bad.

I only had a band for the Players marquee, but security secretly gave me a band for the Duke’s Marquee. I was trilled and hopped from tent to tent. This will definitely be a party I will be attending next year.

Kirk Norcross from The Only Way Is Essex

Greenwoods vs. Five Lakes

Greenwoods pool facility

Five Lakes pool

I went to a Hen do for a close family friend this week at Five Lakes Hotel and Golf Resort in Colchester. It is in a town called Maldon. We were meant to have a tranquil and relaxing 2-day spa treat at a four star venue.For a £150 each, we got a room for two, a choice of facial, manicure or pedicure, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I chose a mini facial with ESPA products with a scalp massage. I thought it was lovely even though the other girls complained about theirs.  I guess I just got lucky with my lady.

Upon arrival, there was construction in the entry way of the hotel. We all know that is not a good sign from the start. Turns out, they were going under construction all around the hotel including the spa facilites. The ceilings were leaking and falling apart. There was drilling and hammering all hours of the day. Broken tiles and mildew in the showers, locker rooms, and the steam room. This was a ONE star facility.

There were many more things to complain about, too many to list really. We ended up complaining and they offered us a free day at the end of August when construction was complete which included lunch, a choice of treatment and use of the spa facilities.

I have to say having membership to one of the best gyms in Essex (Esporta in Repton Park) with the best spa and pool facilites I have ever seen, really makes everywhere else look like a dump. However, when I went to Greenwoods for a night, the facilites were far better quality than Five Lakes. So, if you are in the mood for a relaxing treat go to Greenwoods. It is a bit more expensive, but well worth it, and definitely a four star spa and resort.

Happily Ever After

A Prince gets married and a villain is killed. It’s a Disney movie here on Earth.  Congrats to Prince William and his beautiful bride, Kate. Also, congrats to Barack Obama and his administration.

I am so glad the death of Osama Bin Laden has finally been announced under Barack Obama’s presidency. He will be up for re-election in a year, so vote! I think justice was served when the Navy Seals shot and killed Osama Bin Laden in that dirty compound he was slumping in for ten years.

Americans should be rejoicing just as I am. I understand everyone wants proof because of all the conspiracy theories that came about during Bush’s administration, but America, I am sorry to say, you won’t get it.  I did think, however, that his whole death is a hoax and they really have him captive for now and staged his death. But I guess we will never know.

It would have been uproar if we did capture him. Al Quada  would be going mad trying to kidnap Americans and Brits all over the place, trying to ransom him out of captivity. That’s why they staged his death and secretly have him in one of their scary, concrete block interrogation rooms. This is my conspiracy theory. (LOL)

Enough of that, it was a wonderful weekend here on Earth. A great number of points awarded to my new monarch and my old democracy. Kudos to you. xx

The King William IV Pub Is Not The Only Way

On a sunny, Saturday in Chigwell, you can drive through the High Street  to find busy shoppers along Brooke Parade, children playing on the grassy knoll across the street, and Essex’s finest  in their Prada shades filling the patio at the King William IV pub.

My husband and my pup, Drake, and I  were looking humdrum and couldn’t figure out what to do on this beautiful day. We decided to take a trip down the street from our home to the pub and bask in the Sun on the patio and grab some lunch.

Upon arrival, we saw an adorable, black lab sitting quietly with his owners. Drake was trilled to meet another pup.  There were only a handful of people on the patio, mostly drinkers. A couple people were eating some lunch. We were please it wasn’t as busy as it usually is on a warm, sunny day after the showing of “The Only Way is Essex”.

I left my husband on the patio to look after Drake and I went inside to order. I stood in line for 15 minutes behind two other patrons who were also ordering food and drinks for outside. When I reached the bar to place my order, the bartender told me she wasn’t sure if they were still serving outside and that she had to check with the manager.

She went to retrieve him and he came over to me, grimaced and told me, and I quote, “If you want to eat outside it will take more than an hour. If you dine inside, it will take about 40 mins.”  I stood for a moment in disgust, and questioningly repeated what he said. He nodded his head and said again that it would take an hour or so for food outside.

I wonder why it would take more than 20 minutes to take a mere five steps onto the patio from the dining room? No explanation as to why, of course. So I told him, I would be leaving and going elsewhere.

I grabbed my pup and my husband and we left that RUDE place and went to the deli across the street.  They really should hire more staff if they advertise themselves on a program knowing swarms of people will want to dine there. FYI their service is not always served with a smile!

Smells Like Green Spirit

I was watching Julia & Julia on the Sky movie channel when I realised I haven’t blogged in long time. Is it because I don’t have much to write about? No. It is because I don’t have the motivation to write. I have plenty to write about though. I decided to remodel one of the guest rooms into a study, so that I have a tranquil place to contemplate and write.

There was a single bed in the room made of real pine. We ended up giving it to a  16-year old boy with a large brain tumor who didn’t have a bed of his own. Mostly coats and winter clothes that needed a place to stay filled that room. I emptied the room and threw out all of the rubbish.

I then, went to B&Q and bought some paint. I looked up in Wallpaper magazine for some tips. I also googled “tranquil” colors. Turns out, GREEN is the best color for tranquility. GREEN is a restful color with calming attributes just like blue. GREEN is also represents health and good luck. GREEN denotes balance, stability, and harmony.

The color I chose is called “Willow Green 2”. My husband likes to call it atomic green and had a face of utter disgust when he walked in after I just finished painting the first coat. Three days, two arguments, and one new £35 can of a paler GREEN paint later, it finally grew on my husband. Once the paint dried, it wasn’t so bad after all. We bought the other can from Mead and Son on Brooke Parade in Chigwell. Turns out they had a Dulux paint mixing system and cheaper  paint than B&Q.

Now, I am in the process of furnishing it. I was thinking of filling the room with a desk, filing cabinet, some shelves and a wardrobe all made of light pinewood. My husband’s grandparents had a wardrobe to match in storage. They sold their villa in Spain and all the furniture came with them to England and bits and pieces are spread amongst three sheds in their back garden. Naturally, I dragged my hub to their house one sunny day this week and retrieved all the pieces to the wardrobe. Now I am going to oil and polish the wardrobe and then my hubster will assemble it and put it in our new, GREEN study. One step at a time.

My Search for a Job

I leave to London in approximately 7 months and I need to find a job. I am leaving Tampa, Florida where I thought I would have tons of connections to get me a great job fresh out of college, but that’s not the case. So what now? Is the question that seems to boggle every graduating college student. I am thinking that eagerly searching online is the first step and checking to see if I have any useful connections to land me a job.

Let’s see I updated my LinkedIn profile, updated my resume, and signed up for Twitter. Today, I also browsed through U.K.’s Monster.com as well as the American Monster.com. I found nothing that would hire me with my lack of experience. I was unable to intern while in college because I had to work full-time.

Oh, I did however applied to  London Burberry through LinkedIn. I don’t have any fashion experience, so I doubt that would get very far.

Chipotle is opening up in London in April of 2010. At least that is comforting to me. I would really miss Chipotle when I left the states. It’s bad enough the weather sucks and even the residents hate the weather there, but the food won’t be nearly as delicious as here in the states. Maybe I should apply to Chipotle?

I am literally starting fresh in London, I know a handful of people. None that could benefit me in my field, I don’t think. Any suggestions?

FBI Agents WANTED!!

Looking for a job?? Of course you are, who isn’t?

Well, if you have a four year degree (yes, that will actually come in handy one day) or at least five years of experience  and have a U.S. Citizenship, The Federal Bureau of Investigaton is hiring 2,000 agents in Tampa.

They are in desperate need for agents and are hiring over 12,000 agents nationwide. Apply today! They also have internship opportunites!

Just think of all the government jobs out there and all of those who didn’t lose their jobs during this recession. This is a great opportunity,  so if you or anyone you know qualifies. Please spread the word. Not just anyone can be an agent, the physical criteria is pretty extensive but check it out.

http://www.fbi.gov/employment/employ.htm

“Obama has Balls…Big Ones!”

U.S. President Barack Obama flew to London yesterday to attend the  G20 Summit.  This was his first overseas trip as an American leader. He was greeted by hundreds of thousands of people. Security everywhere, including Scotland Yard’s finest.

Yesterday,  I spoke with a valued source and a close friend of mine who is a detective for the Metropolitan Police of Scotland Yard.  He was amazed at how fearless my American President was after the meeting.

Apparently, Obama jumped into his vehicle, put down his window and waved to his screaming fans as they drove off.  WOW! Those bulletproof black, heavily tinted Escalades are so heavily armored and  concealing for a reason, right?

Obama demonstrated how we, as Americans, should not be afraid anymore. Hence, the reason for banning the term “War on Terror” to “Overseas Contingency Operations” and trashing the colorful threat level we used to eagerly wait for on CNN.

So lets get some balls like Obama and stop living in fear!!

‘Goodbye’ to the Old and ‘Hello’ to the New!

USF PRSSA had their elections today! Congratulations to the new executive  board I am sure you will all do a fine job.

The new e-board:

President: Heather McDonald

Vice President:  Sara Page

Editor-in Chief:  Kimberly Brimm

Director of Finances: Drew Slater

Director of Special Events: Lauren Ballard

Director of Marketing: Yolanda Robles

Director of Internal Communications: Athena Montes

I hope all of the new members continue to stay involved in PRSSA and try to become committee heads under each one of these  remarkable and professional individuals. I hope this year’s new e-board benefits as much as the 2008-2009 e-board has.

I will miss my e-board and I am so thrilled to have had the opportunity to have shared this experience with them. Much love and congratulations again to the new 2009-2010 USF PRSSA executive board.

Tampa’s Hidden Treasures-Classy and Cheap!

Shall we discuss some fun in the Sun?? Rather than how the government and big businesses suck or how awful it is to be in a recession!

So you have to work during your Spring Break while all your buddies head to Jamaica on a cruise or down to The Keys for S.C.U.B.A. Want to know some really CHEAP and peaceful getaways right here in our Tampa Bay area but still look like your dishing out the dough?!

Shoot down to these spots for a day…

ANNA MARIA ISLAND: White sands, crystal blue water and quiet. The weather has been getting warmer and Clearwater just doesn’t seem to be cutting it anymore. It’s about a few more minutes driving time but worth the extra gas. Set up in Coquina Park and grill out under the trees, and then walk a few feet onto the beautiful white sands and lay out in the sun.

Party Foul: No alcohol on the beach. (But post up near a restaurant and drink at the bar. Hey, at least you’ll be in the AC for a bit!)

Want to go somewhere even more secluded? Get away from other Tampans?

SEBRING: Absolutely nothing to do there, but a day by the lake will be efficient. Grab an order to go at the Panera Bread down the road, then have a picnic at the park with the beautiful lake view.

Party Foul: Lots of retirees. So don’t think you can do a keg stand and stumble around drunk screaming “WhOo!! Spring Break!!”

GINNIE SPRINGS: Rough it out in the woods! Enjoy the crystal clear springs, dive into the scenic caves and build a campfire with some friends.  The water is 74 degrees all year round! There is even a tree rope to swing into the water with..do you dare? Grab your food to grill out with at the local grocery store, rent a inflatable tube and float down the beautiful spring.

Party Foul: Lots of spring breakers, lots of cops too! So don’t try to sneak your buddies in your trunk onto the campgrounds..it’s a felony. Just pay the $15.

HOOTERS: Yes, Hooters! Did you know the very first Hooters is in Clearwater? If you want to take a drive down to your local beach, good ol’ Clearwater, stop by the original Hooters. Those girls will make you feel like your dining somewhere beachy and tourist-y. They have $3.50 wells all day and Snow Crab legs for $6.99!! So, grab a pina colada and some crab legs and don’t forget to say its someone’s birthday! The girls will have an entertaining treat for you! Take pictures with the girls and call it a day!

Party Foul: Clearwater beach is so overdone.

TRAVELZOO.COM: They have some really great deals. Airlines are giving away tickets nowadays! Book a flight out for a day or two to a city you’ve never been before. You can get flights for as low as $39 ( not including taxes and fees). If anyone asks what did you do for Spring Break, you can say you went to Houston (for a day)!
Party Foul: If you stay overnight you have to find a cheap room somewhere.

Even though you can’t spend the whole week lounging out in some tropical island, you can still spend a relaxing day without any money worries or traveling woes.