We Did It!

It’s official guys, last week my partner Steve and I completed our first 10k race, all in aid of Diabetes UK. I’m not usually one to blow my own trumpet but I am proud to say that we absolutely smashed it!

We took part in the Great Yorkshire Run 10k in Sheffield on Sunday 27 September and as I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, I was feeling more than a little nervous about it as I’m not a seasoned runner and certainly no 10k running pro.

But the day came and I felt excited, nervous and apprehensive all at once. As we gathered at the start line, I was scared but also felt so excited to just get going. I never thought running would make me feel so excited, I used to bloody hate it. The atmosphere was fantastic in Arundel Gate, Sheffield, with supporters standing at the sidelines and cheering everyone on. As we set off, I felt confident, carried along by the sea of fellow runners. We ran all the way along Penistone Road in Sheffield and I was surprised, even though I was effectively running on my own and not chatting to anyone, that I felt relaxed and there was no urge for me to stop like there usually is. That little voice in my head that wants me to slow down, stop running, just generally stop this madness had packed its bags and gone on holiday somewhere and it felt great. I ran a backwards version of the route that I usually take to work, thinking proudly to myself ‘I usually drive down this road in a morning and here I am now, running it.’ I ran past bands playing music to cheer us all on and even jogged alongside a man in a huge chipmunk costume for some of the way (big respect to him for being able to run in that).

As I reached the 5k mark, I spotted the first supporter that I knew – my manager from work and his family. The cheers they kindly gave me really spurred me on again at a point when I may have otherwise begun to flag.

At the 8k mark, I spotted my friends and their two children at the side of the road, and to my delight they had made me a banner! My friend and I have a long-standing joke about our mutual annoyance at the over use of the ‘Keep Calm’ brand (it’s used for everything – just stop it now!!) so she had crafted me a ‘Keep Calm’ banner and her adorable children were there holding the banner. *Heart melts*

Just as I rounded the last corner and was about to take on the hill that ended the race (and the one which I was warned about by a few people beforehand), I took a deep breath and prepared to go for it. Then, I felt a tap on my shoulder and Steve, who was in the group behind mine and so started the race five minutes after me, smiled at me and promptly overtook me. ‘Nooooo!’ I thought, ‘I must chase after him’, but as soon as I tried to sprint, I realised it was just too ambitious, so I returned to my plod and let him shoot off.

Crossing the finish line, I couldn’t keep a big smile off my face, it was an amazing feeling! Later I discovered when looking at the official results on the website, that I had completed the race in 01:05:12 and Steve had completed it in 01:00:44. Definitely a PB for both of us!!!

What’s more, we’ve managed to raise £283 to date for Diabetes UK, which has smashed our original target of £200.

So, without wanting to turn into a running bore (I promise I won’t!) I now feel like I could be hooked and am already counting down the days until Monday 5 October, when  I can sign up to my next 10k race – the Percy Pud Run, Sheffield, in December 2015. (Although after seeing the official footage of me crossing the finish line yesterday, that was almost enough to put me off stepping into my running shoes again. I looked like a hunchback throwing myself over the finish line.)

I’ll keep a little quieter about the next race on the blog, but I just wanted to share this milestone fitness achievement and would like to thank everyone who has offered kind words of support through my blog ahead of the race.

Massive thanks to everyone who has sponsored us and donated money to Diabetes UK, or who has offered  – you are all lovely people!! Huge thanks also to friends and family who came to cheer us on on the day, that completely made it for us!

It’s Not Enough To Just Survive

Tonight I had the pleasure of seeing Sheffield’s home grown artist Neil McSweeney performing in a church on Psalter Lane. As ever, it was an amazing gig, enhanced by a brilliant warm up performance from the soulful Lost Brothers.

Many of Neil’s songs mean a lot to me and bring me to tears, so I thought I’d give him a shout on my humble old blog. The song I’m moved to share right now is Rope to Hang, which sounds an incredibly bleak title but whilst thought provoking, it’s not quite as grim as its title sounds.

Ironically, Neil didn’t sing this song tonight, although he said on stage that he nearly did, but I wanted to share this song in particular because the words have meant a lot to me over the last couple of years. Particularly profound are the words “it can’t be long til you realise it’s not enough to just survive.” So, try and find what makes you happy and go for it, don’t just ‘survive.’

An Evening of Swishing

Just over a year or so ago, I went to my first clothes swap event (a.k.a. swishing) and loved the experience. I’ve intended to go to another one since that first swishing event but haven’t heard about many in the Sheffield area.

Last night, however, I went to an Evening of Swishing, held above the Broadfield pub in the Nether Edge area of Sheffield and organised by Hallam Roses W.I., and my love for swishing was revived! I managed to find a dress, jumper and pair of shoes I particularly liked, but just had to share with you these two gorgeous bags that I also picked up. I absolutely LOVE them!

The latter bag even came complete with a 5 pence piece and this note:

… I’m not sure if this note was intended for the bag’s new owner but I’ll take it anyway – gorgeous, new bag and a confidence boosting note, win!

The goody bags given out by HRWI were a lovely touch, complete with mini perfumes, Lush goodies and room scents. The only downside was that a friend of mine arrived later on in the evening (but still within the stated time that the event was being held) with her bag full of clothes, only to find the event had finished early.

Multi-Coloured Swap Shop

Stock image.

I had a new experience at the weekend… I attended my first clothes swap and it was brilliant!

I’ve heard about clothes swaps before and even intended to go along to one I’d heard about a couple of years ago but never managed to make it in the end, so the concept of clothes swapping was pretty much forgotten for me after that. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I received a Facebook invite to a clothes swap taking place just outside of Sheffield city centre, to raise funds for a mission trip.

I decided to go along and try it out but I wasn’t sure what to expect although, to be honest, I wasn’t expecting it to be a great experience. It sounded too good to be true to simply take along a selection of unwanted garms and expect to replace them with fab, new additions to your wardrobe.

So, I turned up at St Thomas’ Church Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon with a couple of friends and a mild hangover. We each paid our £4 to get in and handed over our carrier bags of clothing that we no longer had a use for.

“Bring what you don’t use, take what you need.”

We were greeted by a selection of tables, rails and even radiators that were draped with clothes, hats and belts, along with a selection of shoes and bags arranged on the floor. I sceptically began rifling through the clothes on the first table I came to and was thrilled when I pulled out a top that was totally my style. My friend followed suit with an item of clothing that took her fancy and then that was it, we were well and truly away, and my hangover was long forgotten!

All three of us managed to find a good few items that we liked, so we were chuffed. The ethos of this clothes swap was “Bring what you don’t use, take what you need.” All clothes, shoes, accessories and even bedding were accepted as long as they were clean and in good condition, so there was a good selection of quality items to choose from – no moth eaten, sweaty t-shirts to be found here.

This event even provided guests with free refreshments, so as we took a break from our swapping to enjoy a cup of tea and slice of flapjack, I was thrilled to spot a couple of people picking up items of clothing from the table that I had donated. It was a buzz to see the items of clothing that you no longer had a use for going to a good home!

Apparently, clothes swaps began in the early 1980s, in response to the increase in consumer culture and they have grown in popularity ever since. It’s a thrifty way to revive your wardrobe and be environmentally conscious at the same time, ensuring unwanted clothing does not simply go to waste.

You can read more here about the clothes swapping sensation in America.

I left the event with a lovely knitted green dress, a beach dress and a belt, and my friends took away a selection of treats too. I, personally, am now a clothing swap convert and cannot wait to find another local event to attend!

Typsy Takes to The Stage

Image courtesy of Psychedelic Snaps

So, I did it!

Last Friday (October 12), I made my debut as newbie burlesque performer, Typsy Tease, at the ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ night, held in aid of St Luke’s Hospice, at The Shakespeare, Sheffield.

I was performing at the charity event along with fellow graduates from the Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque course. As I did my hair and make-up at home that evening, I felt a flutter of nerves and found myself feeling quite overwhelmed once I arrived at The Shakespeare but reassurance from the other lovely ladies who were performing helped a lot.

The first burlesque performer (the very talented Raven Noir, who started out as a burlesque performer this year and hasn’t looked back) took to the stage after midnight and the rest of us clamoured into the doorway to watch her fantastic performance.

I was due on stage around halfway through the set. After being around the other lovely burlesque graduates and seeing their fantastic performances, my nerves had calmed a lot and by the time the compere called out ‘Typsy Tease’, I was excited and raring to get up on that stage!

Although the music I had chosen for my performance (‘Dancing with Myself’ by Nouvelle Vague) could have been a little louder, I’m really pleased to say that on the whole, my performance went fantastically well. I didn’t fall over and my corset didn’t get stuck – these were the two mishaps I was most worried would happen!

I had such fun that my performance seemed to fly by and the next thing I knew, I was back in the changing room and sipping a celebratory glass of ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ ale brewed especially for the event by the Blue Bee Brewery (such a classy burlesque performer! 😉 ).

I’m so pleased that I was able to take Typsy Tease to the stage – it was a fantastic experience and who knows, it could happen again!

Many thanks to Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque for inviting me to perform and thanks to the lovely ladies who also performed on the night for their inspiration and support. I’d also like to say a massive thanks to Psychedelic Snaps for taking so many great pictures of the event that I’ll be able to look back on and smile at! Here are some of my faves…

Typsy Tease is back!

You may remember a few months ago (probably one of the last posts I published – I do apologise for how much of a rubbish blogger I have been of late, but more on that later) I wrote about the burlesque course I had recently completed with Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque in Sheffield. The course which culminated in a fun performance to fellow classmates.

Well, following the graduation performance I never completely believed that I would have the opportunity or true talent/ability to bring my alter ego, Typsy Tease, out of the closet again but, lo and behold, it’s actually going to happen!

Tomorrow night (Friday, October 12), I will be making my public debut as Typsy Tease in a performance at The Shakespeare in Sheffield, the venue which was, incidentally, the same place that I learned to peel off stockings and twirl those tassels in the first place!

The Shakespeare will be hosting ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll‘, an evening of fantastic and varied entertainment in aid of St Luke’s Hospice. There will be live music from South Yorkshire’s up-and-coming musical talent, an auction of artwork from some of Sheffield’s finest artists, a darts tournament, pub quiz, food from the Pizzasmiths, and the night will close with a show from Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque, of which I will be part!

I’m so very excited about taking Typsy Tease to the stage and cannot wait to catch up with some of the lovely, talented ladies I met on my course. I’ll admit that my nerves are growing by the second (and a really anxious dream last night about being stuck without stockings before the performance and having to hunt around shop after shop until I found a pair, but then discovered they cost £1,000 probably didn’t help!) but I’m determined not to let said nerves get the better of me!

I’ll let you know how I get on! 😉

Tramlines 2012 – Another Immense Weekend

Everly Pregnant Brothers wow the Saturday afternoon crowd at the Fat Cat.

This last weekend, Sheffield proved once again just how fantastic it is at putting on a party when Tramlines 2012 arrived in town.

In my opinion, Tramlines 2011 was just unbelievably amazing and a small part of me feared that 2012 might not be able to top that but as ever, Tramlines more than delivered the goods.

I wrote a review of my Tramlines experience this year for the lovely guys over at What’s On Up North – you can read the review in full here.

Graduating in Burlesque

Last night saw the debut performance of my burlesque alter ego – Typsy Tease – at the graduation class of the Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque workshop that I have been attending for the past ten weeks, and what a fantastic evening it was!

I was so nervous before my debut performance of Nouvelle Vague’s version of the Billy Idol hit ‘Dancing with Myself’, so much so that in the days preceeding the performance I was half convinced I was going to bottle it and give up the opportunity to perform my routine to my classmates.

But I’m so glad I didn’t. When I arrived, there was an intimate crowd of classmates and our burlesque tutors Deadly Nightshade and Cherry Du Bois waiting above The Shakespeare in Shalesmoor, Sheffield, where the classes take place. It was really calming and reassuring to feel the mutual support of everyone there, and we all cheered each other on throughout our debut performances.

I was second to perform, following on from a saucy routine from the fantastic Golden Delicious. After a slight cock-up at the beginning of my routine, in which the mouthful of wine (which was actually lemonade) that I had to down ended up all down my outfit (sexy…), I recovered well and went on to deliver my most confident rendition of the routine to date, and had such fun doing it!

A few weeks previously, I couldn’t have imagined being able to ‘peel’ off a corset, create a pair of nipple tassels or even create my own routine from scratch, let alone perform it to other people, but I managed all of it throughout this course and loved every minute of it.

My fellow classmates and performers, Golden Delicious and Daphne Maybe, were fantastic in their performances last night, and a big congratulations goes to Golden Delicious, who won the opportunity to perform her routine at the next Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque show at West Street Live in September!

Taking part in the Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque course has been fantastic and I would sincerely recommend it to any woman looking to learn something different and have a great time whilst doing so. I’ve met some lovely people, learned more about the world of burlesque – from peeling techniques and pin up posing to vintage hair and make-up – and I’ve even been able to unleash my alter ego, Typsy Tease!

Hopefully, this won’t be the last the world has seen of Typsy Tease either, so watch this space. 😉

The next Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque ten-week course begins on Tuesday, July 17 at 7.30pm above The Shakespeare pub in Shalesmoor, Sheffield. For more info, click here.

You might also like to read more about my burlesque adventure here.

Adventures in Burlesque

I’ve been meaning to blog for some time now about the burlesque journey that I recently embarked upon after starting a course hosted by Sheffield-based Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque. I’m only halfway through the ten-week burlesque course but it’s been quite a journey so far, with mixed feelings along the way.

I decided to sign up to the course after going along to the last Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque show at West Street Live in March (Secrets shows are held here quarterly) and hearing about the impending course whilst I was there. The course appealed to me because it is hosted by experienced burlesque performers Deadly Nightshade and Cherry Du Bois, and involves learning about everything burlesque – from posing and pouting to peeling and tassel twirling (eek!).

I’ve had a long-standing love for burlesque for a number of reasons. I love the vintage fashion and glamour, as well as the whole ethos of burlesque. I love that it’s inclusive and women of all shapes and sizes are welcome to take part because it’s about celebrating you, just the way you are! Men are even free to get involved too and there is a ‘boylesque’ craze circulating at the moment. There really is something for everyone.

The fabulous course I’m on has been great so far for building self-confidence. The highs of the first few weeks of the course have included meeting new and friendly people and opening a door into a whole new world, learning about corsets, nipple tassels, pin up poses and how to successfully ‘peel’ off a pair of stockings without landing on your face in a distinctly un-sexy heap! We’ve been encouraged to consider names and personalities for our burlesque alter-egos and at the end of the course, we can choose to take part in a friendly competition, performing a routine of our own to win the opening slot at the next Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque show in September.

The ‘stripping’ debate

There haven’t been any ‘lows’ to the course as such just, for me, there’s been an occasional niggling, insecure doubt about what I could be letting myself in for because I would – if I was talented enough (and that remains to be seen!) – like to use the new skills I have learned to actually perform burlesque. I’ve had the odd doubt about potentially putting myself under the spotlight and performing burlesque professionally, and the occasional slightly negative reaction I’ve had to burlesque has made me think, ‘I hope people don’t think I’m training to become a stripper!’

But burlesque is not stripping. Whilst elements of striptease and nudity are often involved in burlesque routines, as a performer you are not there to get anyone ‘off’. Instead, your performance can tell a story – it can be sexy or it can be comical, satirical or even dark. Burlesque audiences want to be entertained, rather than turned on. To me, burlesque is creative, fun and celebrates all variations of the female form so when I have my insecure moments, I remind myself that these are the reasons I wanted to become involved in this scene!

Anyway, I’m signing off now to dash to the next burlesque class – tonight, we’re making our own nipple tassels! I’ll be sure to keep you informed of the next steps in my burlesque journey. 😉

P.S. Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque will be raising the temperature at its next show at West Street Live on Sunday, June 10th. Doors open 7pm until midnight and tickets are £8 on the door or £7 in advance. You can buy tickets from the Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque website.

601 Boutique launches in Sheffield’s West One Plaza

Boutique interior

Last night, I popped along to the launch event of 601 Boutique in Sheffield’s West One Plaza, a family-run business from a background of football and beauty stocking top quality menswear.

The couple behind the business is Rotherham United FC player Luke Foster and partner Rebekah. The concept for the boutique’s name came from the birth of the couple’s little boy, Taylor, who was born at 6.01. Luke and Rebekah felt that ‘601’ had a unique feeling to it and that is something they have strived to create within the new boutique.

Appreciating that clothing is an important part of our everyday lives but that clothes should also be fun, 601 Boutique stocks a range of quality menswear brands, including Delusion and I Am Generic.

I personally think it’s fantastic to see more independent businesses setting up shop in and around Sheffield and would like to wish 601 Boutique the very best of luck!

To find out more about 601 Boutique, visit the website or follow @6_0_1 on Twitter. Better still, why not call in to the new store and take a look at what they have to offer?

Candy buffet!