IN THE MIX

I'm going to begin by saying that I think this is Little Mix's best song to date! I'm loving anything that sounds a bit 90's and the fact that Missy Elliot features is a- maze- ing!

I can properly relate to the song topic because I'm hopeless when it comes to picking up my phone, replying or sometimes even having it on... I enjoy a bit of solitude and I can be a right technophobe.

Anyways the girls look fierce in this video, I'm totally loving their styling and I predict that this will be a number 1 truimph for the X Factor winners!

Girl Power and all that!!!

Vanessa Carby

Feeling a little green?

After a turbulent weekend I was faced with even more turbulent news... Professor Green aka Stephen Manderson & his MIC lady had got engaged.

Now I know a lot of my friend's joke that I'm this crazy, stalker fan of Professor Green's but really I'm not and I won't protest too much as that will certainly encriminate me. But here are the loose stats on seeing Mr Green in concert etc.

Times meeting Professor Green: 5
Times seeing him at a concert/ club PA: 11 or 12 times
Times paying to see him in a gig/ concert: Twice (that i can remember)

The last stat could really test my fan status... why is it that I've only paid a handful of times? It's not because he's sh*t, well not in my eyes but I don't normally have anyone willing enough to pay to see him, so I always manage to bag or blag tickets to small gigs that he does around london or I've won tickets to see him as part of a free festival like last years Hackney Weekender.

Back to the news: So it was only last weekend that I put out a light hearted plea to see if I could get a ticket to his Barclay Card gig. To my amazement PG retweeted my tweet and a lovely samaritan let me go with him to the show.

I even went up to Professor Green's now fiance to ask for a picture for my new friend... But only 2 days later I was told the news that I hadn't expected.

It's a funny thing the celeberity and fan world, I've been a fan of the rapper's since I heard 'Be Good To Green' and I have both of his albums. It's a rare sighting when I own more than one album of an artists.' People know how much I rate him as an rapper and of course I'd be lying if I didn't say I had a thing for him... I love white guys and rappers (HI PLAN B!) but I'm not that much of a fruit loop and wish one of the cutest couples in showbiz a very happy life together.

 

Ermmm I can keep on looking for a Pro Green Look-a-likey right?

 

 

Peace x

Vanessa's V-Day speech

With all the excitement of Pancake Day I'd almost forgot about the shadowy lurking of Valentines Day. I remember this time last year going to the gym and feeling a sense of empowerment but also a pinch of glee as I was not the only sad loser without a Valentine. Well this year isn't that much different, although I was asked for dinner, I've been suffering with the bloody flu and couldn't imagine anything worse than sniffing, sneezing and spluttering away besides the masses of love sick couples, eating off a bog standard menu... Thanks to my man friend for the invite though (MWAH!)

Now please don't get me wrong, Valentines Day is fine to celebrate but after my time on the shelf I've realised it's not awful to not celebrate it BUT by god be prepared for all those annoying facebook statuses and pictures. You know the pics I'm on about, of roses, chocolates, as well as those declarations of love. To me it just seems a bit over the top, like a competition to show who has the best partner when it's a bit more sincere to keep it private.

I remember years ago when I was about 10 or 11 asking my mum for some cash to buy her a Valentine's present and for some bizarre reason I popped into Clintons and left with a Horny Devil photo frame... do  not ask (I must have been very innocent at the age and completely blown away with the hearts that adorned the frame.) The present was complete shite and cheesy, which sadly is what a lot of you will be faced with tomorrow. It is the thought that counts at the end of the day, so partners, please don't fret about what you'll be receiving, as long as you're in the company of the one you love, who gives a feck.

Shakespeare wrote- "If music be the food of love, play on." Take whatever meaning from that you will but should you be single or attached, I think food and music are on the menu (that's my day to day quote). I'm going to give you a run down of some of my favourite love associated songs... There's something for the old school, the romantic, the naughty and the "I f*cking hate Valentines Day" person. So grab some good food & enjoy my creme de la creme of mostly loving songs :D

1) G-Unit 'I wanna get to know you.'- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeIeRkNfh5Q

2) Shanice- 'I love your smile.'- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-gz-yddE6Q

3) Plan B 'My love goes down.' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5lGCXiTHaY

4) Bee Gee's 'How deep is your love.'- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpqmGx7meQw

5) Ashanti 'Rock wit you.'- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4_DFoOtvfA

6) Boyce Avenue 'We found love' (Piano version of Rihanna 'We found love')- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I3kgbBp6PY

7) Blackstreet 'Dont leave me.'- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBUz2nkOKsc

8) R-Kelly 'Bump & Grind.'- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAXxkNaRkp8

9) Bob Marley 'Could you be loved.'- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i-gcWdBUb8

10) Marvin Gaye 'Sexual Healing.'- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn4i8bAfnMY

.... And for those that haaaaaate Valentine's Day....

11) Kelis 'I hate you so much right now.'- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3JFwd1bk4Q

Whatever you get up to, remember it's simply a Thursday, so don't stress if your Valentine's Day dissapoints, you could have bought yourself something nice and if my playlist hasn't cheered you up then remember the weekend is not so far away.

Vanessa x x x

Week 3 & Week 4 in the CAAAAN

Good morning!

I did write a blog last week but due to tech issue's I couldn't post it, so here's the low down on last week....

Last Friday the plan was to head into Clapham but I ended up having a slap up meal with my friend's Kelly, Yaisa and Alice. All 3 of them hardly drink so not touching the wine was easily done and being so snowy last week we called it an evening after a big meal and too much coldness in the air.

Last Saturday: Almost stayed in BUT ended up partying in Kingston's Hippodrome and then onto Bacchus for a new house night that I bloody loved.

Thursday 24th: Went to New Slang, downed a litre of Red Bull and had some Soda & Limes and was rather giddy and hyper. At one point I staggered, actually feeling a tipsy feeling. I believe you can make yourself feel tipsy if you want (it's all in the mind, it's like when you were younger and someone would say there's vodka in your drink when it's purely coke and you'd be acting all drunky.)

Friday 25th: Just went to the Slug & Lettuce with my sister Sara where she enjoyed mojito's and I enjoyed Soda & Limes. After slug we headed to The Kings Tun where we had a dance and spoke to randoms who did offer me some of their pitcher after sneaking a bottle of vodka in... He said nobody would know if I had some but the fact is that I would have known and felt guilty to those who donated money... THANKS AGAIN BTW!!!

Saturday 26th: Probably was the most excited for this as I went to see Professor Green at Musicalize with Corall :D It's been about 5 months since I last saw him and I was really far away from him but this was cool as it was a smaller venue (02 Indigo.) There I was drinking my soda and limes of course and seeing Pro G again has now re- lit the burning flame I used to hold for him. No lie that I've met him 5 times and by the 3rd time he remembered me, so this is why I stay away from the front of the stage so he doesn't think I'm a mad stalker. Alas he spotted me in the crowd and we locked eye's a few times. He looked hot and gave an energetic performance like he always does.

So a tip to people wanting to cut down on drink:

• Head to a concert/ gig where an artist you rate is performing (you'll get a natural buzz.)
• Soda & Lime looks like you're drinking alcohol and after a while tricks the mind into getting that happy state of mind.
• Surround yourself with not so hardcore drinkers
• Go for dinner and indulge your palette with great food, not empty caleries.

I now have 4 days to go until I can enjoy a drinky and I half feel like the end is in sight but then half like NOOOOO I don't ever want to drink again. I've just got to get a balance now, no drinking during the week (deffo not alone at least) and probably no pre- drinking on a night out.

I'm really looking forward to a night out in Essex next Saturday and will continue to rack my brain as to which drink will pass these lips on the 1st February.

Please please please help me raise a little bit more for Cancer Research's Dryathlon by donating just a pound or 2. You can text NESS51 to 70070 or head to https://www.justgiving.com/account/your-pages/dryathlete-vanessa-carby

I'd love to have raised at least £50 for Cancer Research UK, so just need £10 more.

Who wants to help? Thanks ;)

Another one bites the dust... Weekend 2: Friday

So in I get from my night out and I'm happy to announce it was another Alcohol- free evening.

I ventured into Surbiton to catch up with my lovely friend Sarah and my mad sister Sara: It was quite nice that once again I had a non drinking buddy (Sarah) and Sara was left to make a dent in the pubs and bars. We started at The Victoria pub where me and Sarah sipped on soda & limes and Slim Line tonic and lime. Next we headed to Hotel Bosco where I managed another soda & lime but then thought I'd get adventurous and try a Virgin Nana Colada (That's a non alcoholic Pina Colada to you!) It was pretty naff to be fair... alsl along the evening thus far us sober sally's were pretty much the loudest people in Surbiton. That was until we got too The Saucy Kettle (a nice family run sports bar that I happened to frequent as a school girl pretending to be in her 20's, as I hid from school teachers.)

We had finally found her calling as the DJ played garage, club classics, dance and hip hop. Whilst there we got the party started on the dance floor and a nice comment was from a man that couldn't believe how lively I was without having a drink.

This just goes to prove to me that I literally am the same without a drink, as long as I'm in good company and I've got music blaring at me, it's mission accomplished.

We had a really fun night and got bigged up by all the pissed as a pudding punters!

Next 

Tomorrow I'll be heading to the gym nice and early, then going to a dance class before my test at a comedy show that includes a free drink (guess i'll be giving that away) and then heading into Mayfair where the free drinks on table with attempt to lure me.

Wish me luck!!! And remember, although some may think "why am i going to donate you money for not drinking?" This really is a tougher challenge than running a 5k run but I'm looking to run for Race For Life this summer.

In the mean time why not donate a denomination of your choice (between £1-£10) to my Just Giving profile? You can text NESS51 to 70070 with the amount.

Thanks,

Ness x x x x

Dryathlon: Weekend One

So the weekend is in full force and I've nearly completed it in all my glory. 

Thursday 3rd January: 

Celebrated my friend's 25th birthday down the pub with a 
few soda and limes... Strangely enough those drinks made me feel rather hyper.

Friday 4th January:

 I braced myself for a mad Friday night with 2 massive Rock 
Star energy drinks. I went into Brixton where I enjoyed a free soda and lime, 
once inside Plan B I bought myself another soda and lime but after the £2.20 
price tag decided to stick to tap waters. Those energy drinks must have done 
something to me or maybe it was just the amazing music that sent me on a natural 
high as I danced the night away. It was such a nice feeling walking home, 
grabbing some food... You definitely last longer when you don't drink (that 
sounds naughty!)

Had my first 3 donations... Many thanks to Aria, Alice and Yaisa :D

Saturday 5th January:

After rolling in last night at 5am and having an excitable 
day going nandos, visiting the gym (a rare occasion on a Saturday as I'm usually 
nursing a tiny hangover) and then best of all booking my summer holiday to 
Ibiza. Hoping all this no drinking and more gymming will have a great effect on 
my summer bod.

Next week I have a gig, comedy show and dinner/ bar date with my friend Sarah... 
How will I fair?

If you would like to donate to my Just Giving #Dryathlon page for Cancer 
Research UK, you can text NESS51 to 70070 or visit http://www.justgiving.com/dryathlete-vanessa-carby

Thank you for reading x x x

Put the drink down! Dryathlon time!

I told my brother the other day about Dryathlon, an idea thought up by Cancer Research UK to raise money and get you fitter and healthier. In lamens terms, the Dryathlete will not touch a drop of alcohol for the entirety of January in 2013...

I've decided that I would like to take part in this and even if I only raise £50 I'd be happy and proud of myself. Now some of you might think this quite an easy challenge but I'm nevous although I know I can do it, I've never had a reason to not drink. I go out and a friend will buy a round, I go to a club and a guy will offer me a drink, I've had a stressful day and that's a good enough reason to buy a bottle of cider. More worringly I've realised just how much alcohol I can put away, I could literally drink some men under the table and that can't be good for my health.

A night not long ago included- 1 large cobra, 1 small becks, 1 can of JD and Coke, 2 tequila shots and a sambuca, 3 jagerbombs, 2 more JD & Cokes and 4 Red Stripes. This was an evening when I had gone to Winter Wonderland armed with my own alcohol, drinks for tube journey to camden, drinks before a bar, drinks in the bar, drinks in a club and then drinks in another club... disgustingly I think I've missed a drink or 2 from this shocking list. I don't drink to this extent every weekend but I'm no stranger to mixing, drinking doubles and accepting drink because I simply like the taste of alcohol.

If you're worried about how much you're drinking but don't want to go teetotal as I've decided, you might want to head to http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/ wherre they have some useful bits and bobs that show you what's normal, challenges and tips on cutting down. Hopefully I'll keep a diary on here so you can follow my progress and Drink Aware also have a 14 day challenge should you want to crack down.

Now you may be thinking but huh you want me to donate you a few quid for you not drinking for 4 weeks & that just maybe that I should run a fun run like they do for Breast Cancer. The thing is, I would love to do a run for charity because even after the amount I drink, I'm extremely physical, strong and have a lot of stamina, so doing a one off run would be easy. However leading my normal and quite social life where drink is forced into my mouth, well that's the tricky bit.

I respect if you would like to wait into week 2 of 4 to track my progress but if you do want to support me, you can by donating to my personal Just Giving account ::: http://www.justgiving.com/dryathlete-vanessa-carby

New Years Eve will be my final blowout and then it's all about soda and limes ;)

Much love,

Vanessa Carby
@Oi_CARBY