Let's Start With This One...

Good Morning Lovelies,

New Year’s Eve is upon us! The day that marks the end of the year and the time to start anew. I must admit that I am really, truly ready to say goodbye to 2023. Not because it was a bad year, but because it has been one hell of a mad one. Let's make 2024 more fun. Let's be free and embrace life. That is my goal.

However, before that, we must say goodbye to the last year in the right way. The quiet way. I know this may sound boring, but I love to spend NYE reflecting and embracing a less party-based evening. Many times, I spend it with my mum snuggled up watching TV. This year, I will be doing the same thing!

Spending the night in doesn’t make you boring. In fact, it can be a lot of fun and means you can relax a bit more. Here are a few reasons why staying in on New Year’s Eve is the best:

You Don’t Have to Get Dressed Up: Spending NYE in means that you can wear whatever you want. I have worn workout leggings, PJs, my everyday clothes and even put on my fancy frocks as well. My favourite thing is to wear my comfy nightwear because I feel cosiest in it. I couldn’t suggest slippers over heels more.

You Save Money: Most firework displays now charge people to attend them, which I think is quite sad, considering that so many of them used to be free. However, with the option to stay in, you can create your own display or simply watch the ones on the TV free of charge. You don’t have to pay to travel or for tickets into places either.

You Don’t Have To Deal With The Crowds: When it comes to going out, it often comes with the worry of beating the crowds or being amongst some people that you may not like or want to start the new year with. Beating the crowds and staying in with those you love will stop any worries in their tracks. I love a quiet night with my mum and a few other family members best. I can’t deal with the pushing and shoving in crowds aha!

Stream and Strive: Instead of listening to songs you may not like or watching something that isn’t what you would normally, starting the new year with your choice of shows or films is epic. Pop on a streaming service, pick what you want and chill out. Starting 2024 in a peaceful and happy way will hopefully continue for the rest of it.

Pick and Mix Your Own Snacks and Drinks: Going to a party means that you don’t often get to choose the food or drinks on offer. This can lead to a big disappointment when you get to the buffet. With a quiet night in, you can order a takeaway, get in what you want from the shops or simply have a meal of your choice. No worries needed. The same can happen with the drink’s options. In our house, we often have a cup of tea and cheer the new year with our big mugs.

Sleep Is Always an Option: Once midnight has hit, you can stay up or go to bed as soon or as late as you want. No waiting around for a taxi or transport. Just a simple walk up the stairs and into the warmth and cosiness of your forever friend. Bed. The best person and place to start the new year with.

Going out or staying in, there is so much that can be done to mark the end of the year and the start of a new. However, I must admit that with all the choices above, I think I may forever be a stay at home new year’s lover.

Have a wonderful NYE lovelies and a fantastic 2023! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Do you ever have those moments in life where you experience just pure happiness? Like nothing else could be better! Since around March, I have been waiting and wishing some of the days away to see ABBA Voyage. On the 28th December, the dream came true. 

Having heard so much about it, the urge to be in the room where it happens was killing me. For both myself and my mum, the concert felt like a much needed piece of fun in what has been a very emotional year. And my good was it fun! 

Situated in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the ABBA Arena, brands a huge ABBA logo, with music blaring as you walk up to it. Only five minutes away from Stratford station on the bus or right outside Pudding Mill Lane DLR train station, it is one of the easiest venues to get to. However, I will warn you that it does get a little chilly in winter, due to the bars and restaurants all being out in the open. 

Yet, once you are in the main arena, this all changes. The heat is on. Your heart is pounding. Every part of the concert is electric. Watching the stage come to life is like a whole new song book in itself. At first, I kept comparing it to a theatre show, however, I was wrong. It is a concert that can’t be defined. All for good reasons. 

Having booked into the 7:45pm showing, we were told that it should all be over by 9:15pm, as there is no interval and the showings stick to their times. Something they really do. In that time though, your world is completely and utterly changed. Something I know may sound cheesy but it is honestly true. 

As the snowy scenery lifts away, the sounds of The Visitors begins the concert, with SOS, Chiquita and more of their classics following. From the moment the show begins, your head simply forgets that you aren’t really seeing the band perform. The graphics are truly fantastic. The band is electric. Even the speaking parts are brilliant. 

Watching the dance floor below us, you could see everyone was there to have a good time. Especially when the likes of Gimme Gimme Gimme and Waterloo played. For me and my mum, the real winner though, who took it all, was Dancing Queen, which is played near to the end of the concert. With personal connections to the song, my mum jumped up and danced with me when it came on. I blew a kiss to my dad in heaven, held back the tears and let the music flow. It was simply one of those moments in life I will never forget. 

In fact, I will never forget the whole night. Normally, I will admit that I spend a lot of time recording songs or taking pictures at concerts. The team at ABBA Voyage don’t allow for this though. Keeping my phone in my coat pocket let me just enjoy the whole thing. No notifications or emails were checked. No recordings were made to look over later. It was a concert made for the memories.  

ABBA has always played a big part of my musical life because of my dad. I wish he had been around to see it. I know he would have truly loved it! One of the oddest but most gorgeous moments of the night was the empty seat next to my mum. It was as if my dad was there with us. At times, all I could see was him up and dancing or bouncing his knee to the slower songs. I’m sure many people felt similar things.

My gorgeous mum with her ABBA themed Pimms!

I would recommend the experience to everyone lovelies. Young or old. ABBA fan or not. The whole event is like nothing I have seen before but oh my do I want to see it again. Wearing my new ABBA hat, I am officially a part of the ABBA Voyage fan club. If it is what time travel and space is like then sign me up. 

Me and my mum were very lucky, as we managed to buy tickets for £25 each. I would definitely suggest booking tickets as early as you can to save money lovelies, which is what we did. I was a little worried because I knew our seats were high up, but honestly, I don’t think there is anywhere in the arena you wouldn’t get a good comfy view from. And don’t worry if you have a phobia of heights, the blocks are not that tall at all. 

If you are taking little ones, the venue provides ear muffs to help with the noise, whilst also having full accessibility needs if you have any health matters that need extra support. The whole event has been made for each and every one of us. 

Right now, I am in a true ABBA daze. I have a feeling that the names of the songs will now be the themes of my 2024! And if they are then I will be truly happy! I guess what I want to know now is, what’s the name of the game? Will I have a little money in this rich man’s game? I suppose the world will just have to take a chance on me and I will see! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

A few hours ago, on the day I am writing this post, I did something that scared the living daylights out of me, but also made me so proud. At the start of the year, I made a vow to myself that I would have a meal out with my mum at least once in 2023. I haven’t managed a meal out in around two years now. 

It took a lot of preparation and work with my therapist, but I made the decision that I wanted to try and have a breakfast out, when we were away in Blackpool, with my brother Gio and nephew Leo joining us. I have never been out for a meal with my nephew, where both of us would eat at the same time. I can only recall eating out at a meal when he was first born, which is nearly nine years ago. 

At first, I thought I wanted to go to the Beefeater Red Lion in Bispham. I had looked up the menu and decided that for a first go I would stick with my normal breakfast of some cereal, milk, fruit, jam or honey and a Yakult. I knew I would need to take my Yakult and probably some milk with me, as nowhere does skimmed milk, but I was starting to mentally prepare. 

Until it came to the morning of the meal. We decided to go on Saturday (18th Nov). However, after looking up what the Beefeater buffet was like, I got super anxious. So, I went for my second choice. The local Morrisons, very close to my brother's home, which I had kind of seen what it would be like. 

With boxes of cereals on the side and tiny jars of jam, honey and fine cut marmalade, I knew I was two steps in. The only thing that I couldn’t get was my fruit, however, after talking it through with my mum, we came up with a solution. As well, instead of my normal bottle of water, I had gathered enough bravery to decide to have herbal tea instead. Although, I didn’t know what kinds would be on offer until I got there. 

Arriving at around 10:30am, me, my mum, brother and nephew turned up. I was terrified. I started to doubt I could do it. Especially when the cereal I had thought I would have wasn’t there on the shelf. Plus, the team told me that they wouldn’t be able to heat my milk. Yet, with encouragement from both my brother and mum, I managed to keep going. I went up the milk aisle and found a pint of skimmed milk. Then when I got back to the table, my mum and brother took me to the counter and helped me talk to the staff, who were amazing. 

At first I picked up a box of Coco Pops. However, when my eye caught hold of the calories, my worries started to peak. So, I put them down, even though I wanted them and chose the safer option for me of Cornflakes. I then put them down and picked up the Coco Pops. This went on even when I had returned to my table. My insides were in knots. 

Standing at the counter, I also went for a very different option to put on top of my cereal. I normally have some jam on a Saturday morning, to mix it up from the honey I have on other days. Yet, I went for the Wilkin & Sons Orange Marmalade. Something I quickly handed to my mum, who put it in my bowl, to prevent me from changing it. I then picked up a warm mug to fill with tea, having chosen a lemon and ginger fusion to enjoy. 

Once it was paid for, we started to head back to our table to get things sorted. Right then and there, in my hands, I had a bowl, which I hadn’t cleaned. A spoon, which I did not pick or clean. A box of Cornflakes. A mini jar of marmalade. A mug with a lemon and ginger tea bag resting in the bottom of it. We stopped at the hot water station to make this, before picking up some napkins and heading back to the table. 

Right then and there I felt my heart pumping and had to go to the toilet. After a mild panic attack, a wee (sorry!) and a phone call from the toilet to my mum asking her to go and get the box of Coco Pops and put them into my cereal bowl before I came back, I ran some cold water on my wrists and headed back. Just as I did, I saw my family’s cooked breakfasts arriving at the same time. This calmed me down a bit, as I could now see that we would all be eating at the same time, which I find really soothing. 

My Actual Bowl of Cereal!

Sitting down at the table, I added a scoop of marmalade to the bowl and mixed it in. I then poured the milk on top, which I had cold. Something I am not used to due to my love of hot milk and cereal. I then picked up my warm mug of herbal tea and started to drink. My first win of the day, as I realised how much I loved ginger tea again. 

It was then time to tuck into my cereal. Sipping my Yakult first meant that the chocolate on the Coco Pops had time to mix in with the milk. So, when I took a straw to the bowl, I had a chocolate milkshake type cereal milk waiting for me. Once the milk was all gone though, I faced my biggest challenge. The Coco Pops themselves. 

Scooping up my first spoonful, I quickly popped them into my mouth, to stop my anorexia talking me out of it. Whilst I struggled with the first bite, I quickly eased up and before long the bowl was all gone. I had done it. I had won a battle that has taken me 11 months to work up to. I had a meal with my nephew and brother. I had kept my promise to my mum. I like to think that my dad was with us and smiling at me with pride. 

I won’t lie and say that my ED wasn’t having a go at me. It was going wild in fact. Yet, I tried to calm myself down with some of the toolbox trips that my therapist had taught me. I couldn’t wait to share the news. When in Blackpool, battle the ED and win! Soon after we had finished the meal, we left and my mum and I went off to wander around the local towns to help distract me. 

Looking back on that morning, there were many times I could have said I couldn’t do it. I stood in my brother’s living room and spoke to my mum, who promised me no one would be ashamed. I spent the morning watching The Hunger Games films to distract myself. I watched the clock trying to come up with an excuse to say it was too late to go out for breakfast. Yet, I let my rational, the real me, side win. I am proud of myself. 

This moment is the moment I am so proud of that I had to share it with you all because it was my biggest goal for 2023. I didn’t think I was going to achieve it. I did though! Now, I am going to be taking this moment into 2024 with me and hopefully enjoying more breakfasts with my mum from now on. Maybe even with friends. Right now, the day of doing so, my head is going wild, yet, I can’t change what I did. I am now trying to accept it and take pride in it. 

The most praiseworthy moment of it all was hearing my mum say how proud she was of me. That was and is worth all the pain and panic. I couldn’t have done it without them three and I am so humbled and honoured to have them alongside me. A breakfast win made 2023 a proud year for me in the end. Slow and steady will win this race lovelies!

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

As we build up to the new year starting, I wondered what my goals had been for the past year. I wanted to know if I completed them. If I had made the right choices and changes regarding them. So, I decided to look back at all the posts and found what I wanted to do! 

Here is how I got on in meeting or doing the goals I aimed for in 2023…

Working With New Companies and Products On The Blog: Towards the middle of the year, I really got my mojo back to start reaching out to people again. By the end of 2023, I’ve now connected with so many new companies and discovered a whole host of products that have changed my life completely. I am so grateful to those who have allowed me to share them with you too! 

Finding New Opportunities On The Radio: 2023 brought a very uncertain time for those who I worked with a lot on the radio. This led to me not appearing on it as much. Hopefully, in 2024, I can get back on it and out there.

Become Part of A New Group and Learn New Skills: I didn’t really join anew group, but, I have met some amazing people through therapy. I also became a volunteer at my local library and that has allowed me to make new bonds, whilst also learning how a library is run. I completed further college courses and built skills in areas I didn’t even know I could. I am so grateful for all that I have experienced. 

Go On More Adventures With My Family: We didn’t really go on many adventures, yet, we had some big experiences. Heading to Blackpool, I never thought we would be having the afternoon tea experience. It was a dreamy way to spend my birthday. I also didn’t think that our trip to Bognor would end the way it did. However, all of the adventures have definitely made us stronger. 

Read and Write More - Hopefully I Will Reach 100 Books This Year: Okay, so I didn’t make the 100 mark, but I kept up with my reading. I found 2023 to be the year I fell back in love with magazines. I even discovered a joy for ones that I would never have ready before. It’s always nice to hold a closed book, after spending days reading it, falling in love with the characters and the story. 

I don’t think I did too badly aha! 2023 was an odd year that seemed to just fly by. I am proud of myself for what I have achieved and will definitely be writing out goals for next year now! You might even see them sooner than you think aha! 

How did you all get on with your goals for this year? 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

The new year brings hundreds of opportunities to learn how to make, do or see something new! Whether you are young or old, there is always a good time to get stuck into something that will make you happy and your brain healthier. A reason I adore the ideas behind the Gootopia workshops for those aged 18 months to 14 years. 

Based in Lewisham, Brixton and Wandsworth, the fully inclusive London central company hosts workshops, where children can learn how to make their own slime, through a Slime Science Show, before using a mix of colours, scents, add ins and shaving foams if they wish to make it fluffy, to make a giant tub of their own creation. They can also add glow powder at the special Glow Slime Workshops to make the slime really stand out. Something I love about the brand too is that they also run quiet workshops to help those with SEN needs. Anything created during the workshops goes home with the child, making the £15.99 price of the event fantastic! 

Upon hearing about the company just before Christmas, I knew it would be something my nephew would love. However, unfortunately he wasn’t with us in time to go. Luckily though, the team were kindly able to send me a few samples to try with him a few days later. These samples were giant tubs of their Honey Nectar Slime, which had honey confetti mixed in and a honey scent too. 

The team also provided two further giant tubs, which were the Blue Lagoon Slime, with a coconut scent added in, plus, the Kiwi Slime, also scented. Upon opening the honey tub, I was faced with the thick slime, which I have to admit made me a bit nervous. Yet, after seeing my nephew just dip his hand into the kiwi one, I braved it and pulled out the slime. A product I found oddly really satisfying to play with. As you pulled it around and shaped it, the smell really came, leaving a lovely scent on your hands. Not a synthetic one either! 

When kids attend the workshops, they don’t just get to leave with their creations, but also an extra giant tub too, giving them more than one to play with. A factor I think is really important, as it makes the whole at home fun even more enjoyable. 

We spent days playing with the slime. Even now, with my nephew having taken his home, I still sometimes find myself using it to help calm me down. The smells are strong but not to overpowering. They have added in a great amount of confetti, but nothing that leaves a mess everywhere. Plus, they are environmentally friendly too. 

For me personally, I would much rather pay for my nephew to go to the one hour workshops than just buy him some random slime. Not only would he have more fun but from the size of the tubs, fun shows and the interactive elements, I feel like my money would go much further in a more enjoyable manner. 

With workshops running on weekends and the school holidays,the hour slot is perfect for busy families or parents. Plus, the after results lead to more fun to be had for hours afterwards too. If you are also looking for a space to host a party, the company also runs them for around £299 for a party of 15 children. The parties allow for children to experience a longer Gootopia workshop of one and a half hours, plus lots more.

I will admit that I had never heard of Gootopia before the company reached out to me. However, I wish they had had something like this when I was younger. I love creative things, especially science based ones, so this would have been incredible for me. The idea of learning how to make my own slime and getting messy doing so just seems like a great way to spend the afternoon. I may just have to convince my nephew to have his party there, just so I can join in with it! 

Gootopia has a fantastic website, which breaks down everything you need to know lovelies. From booking parties and workshops to school trips, they have something to help accommodate everyone, so make sure to take a look lovelies to find out more about it all. Just let me know when we should all book up to go!

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Tonight marks a very special occasion for me. I don’t head to gigs that often anymore, as I find big crowds a bit overwhelming at times. However, for a long time I have wanted to go to see ABBA Voyage in London. And finally the day has arrived in which I will be! 

ABBA have always been a huge part of my life. All thanks to my dad! Papa Tamburello loved them so much. I mean, watched the Mamma Mia films if they were on TV, even going to the cinema to see the second one, listening to their music all the time and even taking me to see a tribute act based on them. 

In fact, it is that last moment that has inspired this post. Whilst I am at the concert, I will be wearing the Italian flag, with his name and dates on them, around my shoulders. A sign of respect but also a reverse moment in history shall we say. Here is why…

My dad’s love of ABBA caused him to book the tickets for that tribute show in my local town theatre. I had to be around four or five at the time, meaning I had never been to a concert before. Yet, my dad requested that me and my mum get dressed up and ready to dance. He told us he was taking his, ‘dancing queens’ out for the night. So, we did just that.

Jumping into the car, my dad drove us all to the event, before walking with us both hand in hand to the Hertford Theatre venue, where the concert was happening. I was so scared. I remember the feeling of panic bubbling in me. Especially when I saw my dad drinking a shandy, which I thought was beer, as I worried about him crashing the car home. 

When the lights went down, my worries grew. I wasn’t a massive fan of the dark and to suddenly be placed in full flow of it, along with a screaming crowd, was terrifying. I began to cry. 

Looking down at me, I can recall my dad telling me it was all going to be okay. He picked me up and placed me onto his shoulders, away from the people and those around me. We were at the back, so we caused no problems for anyone. 

My mind was blown when I could then see the band on stage. The lights. The outfits. The songs I had grown up with being played out loud. Everyone singing and dancing along. I can remember my parents doing exactly that, holding onto me and each other, as we danced the night away. 

The moment was unreal. It’s a core memory that I can remember every little detail of. My dad made sure we all danced until our feet hurt. When it was all over, he kept me on his shoulders and carried me, whilst holding my mum’s hand to the kebab shop along the road. 

I thought he was the coolest person alive and we were an unbreakable trio. Something I still think now, even though he is no longer with us. There so, I am wearing the flag around my shoulders to dance with him in memory, like he put me on his shoulders when I was little. A guiding support no matter what. 

As soon as Dancing Queen is played tonight, I know I will start crying. ABBA was so important to him that I chose the song to play at his funeral. Now, I can’t hear it without tearing up or crying. They will be tears of both joy and sadness. Forever will I be one of his dancing queens! 

We will be flying the flag for you today Pops! Your two, forever yours, dancing queens! 

Joey X