Tag Archives: The Guide Liverpool

This Could Be….

It’s no secret that my 2017 dating escapades have been right up there on the crazy scale and so, on the very last day of the year, I’m vowing to do it all again in 2018. No regrets, these are the guys that made up a year in the dating game.

I have to give an enthusiastic high five to the multitude of dating apps that have aided my year as a singly, as hours of message tennis, back and forth until someone plucks up the courage (usually me) to arrange a date, has provided a number of fun adventures…..and a few I’d rather erase from memory. Bumble is my current fave but with a jam-packed January on the cards, I’m going to swerve the apps for a while and see how I get on in full 3d, rather than swiping for love!

online-dating-meme

You know what’s worse than being stood up? Meeting your date knowing they bare face lied to you. I have an issue, a deep rooted issue from way back when –  I don’t date guys shorter than me. It stems from a lack of confidence (I know, me!?) and a crappy experience when I was 17. It is what it is and I’m really upfront about it.

This year I’ve matched with no less than 3 blokes who’ve sworn blind they’re 5ft 10, yet stretched up on tip toes to kiss me hello. Why? Why lie about it? Don’t smoke, be up front about your height and DON’T LIE! Am I asking too much?

Anyway, here’s to the guys that make up my dating history for 2017, the good, the bad and the awkward…..

The suited and suave, the epic first kissers, the muddy proposers, the man in uniform, the engineer, the one off the telly, the model, the chef, the property tycoon, the high school sweetheart, the one who made me laugh so much it hurt and the one who said he missed me, just a little, tiny bit. It’s been one hell of a ride.

Huge shout out to my best boy and girl friends who have listened, laughed, encouraged and offered up advice this year. I love you all very much.

chuck1

Initially I was all up for big New Year statements such as ‘no more f^&k boys or chasing men who aren’t available’, ‘I’m working on loving myself’ and ‘I’m letting love find me for a change’, but in reality, I really quite enjoy meeting new people and seeing where it goes. I’ll be writing my column on How to be Single in Liverpool over at The Guide Liverpool so keep your eyes peeled for regular, honest and frank accounts of my escapades there.

So while I’ll be focussed on my amazing kids, my bloody awesome job and training for GNR this year, I’ll still be playing the game, in hope there may just be a Prince Charming, Mr Big or 1970’s Harrison Ford out there for me. This could be the year I find my happily ever after.

Happy New Year Guys!

 

Tagged , , ,

Walk Like an Egyptian in the heart of Liverpool

Today I saw the ancient world version of a tweet. Seriously!

I was filming for The Guide Liverpool at World Museum this afternoon for the press view of Ancient Egypt: A journey through time, two days ahead of the official opening….and it knocked my sarcophagus off!

 

IMG_2217.JPG

Not sorry about my Will Smith red carpet pose!

 

Having visited the Egypt gallery regularly for many years (more than I’m willing to admit) both as a child and with my own brood, I expected to find a revamped space with much of the same artefacts we’ve come to know and love. What I discovered was so much more.

I learned more about our city’s links with the ancient world in the 20 minutes I wandered around the gallery and spoke to the team behind this mammoth project, than I could ever have imagined. From scarab beetle tweet-like messages and guy-liner to 10- stunningly presented mummies in all their finery, the entire 1,000 square metre gallery is phenomenal.

 

IMG_2213

Thebes/Liverpool we’re all the same when it comes to looking sharp and nailing those eyeliner flicks!

 

Head on over to The Guide Liverpool for our video and all the details about the official launch on Friday 28th April at 10am. If you do one thing this Bank Holiday weekend, discover a little bit of Ancient Egypt in the heart of Liverpool.

Kate x

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Five More Years

I have every intention of writing a St Patrick’s Day piece today, given it’s the celebration of all things green, white and orange, but having logged into my website, poised to type, something way more important was brought to my attention.

It turns out that I started blogging 5 years ago today. I’m mega chuffed about this coincidence for a number of reasons. 1 – because I will never forget this anniversary ever again, given the date, 2 – I have another excuse to go for a drink, and 3 – its been FIVE years….wow! I’m absolutely chuffed to be able to confidently say that I love writing now even more than I did back in 2012.

low-back-herniated-disk-before-and-after-prolotherapy-cure

Yep…..it’s goosed!

Having launched myself into the passenger seat of my car, one sunny spring day back in 2012, I slipped and ruptured two discs in my lower back, and thus a writing career was born! Actually it was more like the following 9 months of daily agony that encouraged me to write as there was little else I could do while I waited for neurosurgery to fix it!

Who’d have thought that my humble, little Geordie’s Girl blog, and the comfort it gave me to get though months of insomnia, waiting around in hospitals, and the early days of recovery, would blossom into a year at college to gain my NCTJ qualification, a junior writers job, many freelance roles, radio broadcast opportunities, my first ever hosting gig and of course my beloved editorial position with The Guide Liverpool. All that from a slipped disc, not bad going huh?

lucky-st-patrick-day

If I’ve learned one thing from this rollercoaster journey its that luck, Irish or otherwise can only get you so far. Hard work, determination and integrity are the real stepping stones to the top.

Here’s to St Patrick, and five more years!

x

 

 

 

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sorry I’m Late…..

Slightly disgusted that it’s taken me until March 9th to post my first blog of 2017, but in all honesty, I’m late for most other things too.

Hello! Happy New Year, Happy Australia Day, Valentine’s Day and whatever else I’ve missed in the last few weeks. Assume you’ve all completely abandoned any New Years resolutions by now and are, like me, pretending to have a go at Lent instead? As well as being late for stuff I’m also incredibly undisciplined.

Moving swiftly on….

Global Scouse Day

2017 has been epic so far. I’m rushed off my feet with work as The Guide Liverpool goes from strength to strength. I’ve stepped in front of the camera on a number of occasions and (thanks to our ridiculously talented videographers) it looks like I did an okay job! Check out all the action from Global Scouse Day here. (Ps, scouse pizza is the bomb).

Lord Mayors Fashion Show

I’m (just about) still on course to show a capsule collection of military chic couture at The Lord Mayor of Liverpool’s Charity Fashion Show on March 30th at the Devonshire House Hotel. I’ve absolutely no idea how I’ve pulled this off because there really aren’t enough hours in the day to keep up!

Titanic

I did manage a little trip over to Belfast with my curly girl a couple of weekends ago. We had a ball exploring the city together and spending the best part of £50 on tacky gifts to bring back home. You can read our very serious review here.

Radio City Cash for Kids

Looking ahead, I’ve just become ‘Face 38’ in the Radio City Cash for Kids 1000 Faces Campaign. The charity are looking for 1000 local faces to sign up and raise just £100 each for local children and their families facing hardship. It’s an incredibly worthy cause, I’ve pledged my support and you can too here. Alternatively just give me some change or you know, like £100 the next time we meet up. That would be great thanks.

mathew street

Aside from work I’ve been back on the dating scene, which let me enlighten you, in your 30’s is an entirely different ball game to being 21 and full of confidence! Luckily Liverpool is an amazing city for a night out and any place you can dance your little heart out to an 80’s covers band until 2am on a Tuesday morning is alright with me….and him.Eric’s Mathew Street – You guys rock!

mcm comic con

I’m ridiculously excited to be reporting on MCM Comic Con Liverpool this weekend (March 11-12) and cant wait to be surrounded by passionate people (including my curly girl, mad RWBY fan) who nail their cosplay costumes every single time! How many Jokers do you reckon I can get a selfie with? Check out all the details of which TV stars are attending here.

mib awards dress

So lucky to be working with designer Alice James again after she ‘dressed’ me for last year’s Merseyside In Business Awards. This time I’m attending the James Bulger Memorial Trust Black Tie and Tiara Ball in support of my lovely friend, Jay Hynd as he hosts the star studded event, and Alice James has stepped in to help me update a vintage gown I fell in love with over a year ago…..all will be revealed on March 18th at the Crowne Plaza, Pier Head.

There’s tickets still available and if supporting the charity isn’t enough to make you snap up a ticket, boyband 5ive are headlining the entertainment! Tickets here.

Just don’t be late!

 

 

 

 

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Boxing Day Musings

Hello again all, I hope you had a very merry Christmas?

It’s Boxing Day, 3:40pm and I’ve lost sight of my living room carpet again for the second day running, which is a sure fire sign that my children have been spoiled, and more to the point, I am fully relaxed!

 

merry-christmas

My 11 year old daughter lining up my wine glass for a classy Christmas photo!

 

Springing up off the sofa to throw the vacuum around or repeatedly ask my dudes to tidy their new toys away is just not on the agenda……well not until tomorrow.

I’ve not written very much on the blog in the latter stage of this year, mainly because work has been insanely busy and writing for pleasure had lost its appeal. I’ve succumbed to the more convenient few lines on my Facebook page instead, but it’s on my resolution list to write here a lot more.

As 2017 draws near (I filed my NYE nightlife copy this morning!) I’m reminded of the importance of taking a moment to just breathe and put things into perspective. Yesterday news spread around the world that another pop legend, George Michael (I’m a big fan), had passed away and coupled with quite a few glasses of festive bubbly, I found myself sobbing watching Love Actually on my own, feeling incredibly sad.

Professionally I’ve enjoyed some soaring highs this year. Joining The Guide Liverpool as a graduate, being promoted to Head of Editorial Content and working with some of the industry’s brightest stars had been phenomenal.

 

maggie-alphonsi

Huge career highlight for me, a masterclass in rugby with the legend that is World Cup Winning Rugby Player, Maggie Alphonsi MBE at Liverpool One.

 

Personally I struggled to come to terms with a couple of crashing lows that just as my friends and family assured me, would take time to heal. It also took a wonderful long weekend in Paris and a whole lot of laughs.

2016 has been a real up and down year for a lot of us. So many high profile deaths, personal challenges and bouts of illness, yet I’ve had my fair share of mind-blowing experiences and opportunities and so looking back, I can’t complain.

I’m starting the new year planning and designing my first ever clothing collection, ready to grace the catwalk of the Lord Mayor of Liverpool’s Charity Fashion Show in March. Paying homage to my military upbringing and a mark of respect to those who have served and those who continue to keep us safe.

Also, I’m absolutely delighted to report that I’m joining Hugh Baird College as an industry representative in an attempt to help media students gain valuable experience of the industry while building their portfolio’s and contacts list. Super chuffed about this!

 

mib-awards

The Guide Liverpool Team. Director and Presenter Jay Hynd, Videographer David Wright and me and the MIB Awards following our nomination for Best Creative Business

 

And as if that’s not enough, The Guide Liverpool continues to grow and 2017 is going to be absolutely belting. We’re constantly evolving and adapting to how the public wants to consume information, whether that means me taking part in the Santa Dash 5k with a Gopro strapped to my head (yep I did that) or recording live from gigs and events right across the north west, I’ll be part of the hardest working team around, bringing you all the action as it happens.

As you look back on 2016, I hope you can say you lived life to the full? If not, keep it in mind as 2017 rolls around and make it a year to remember for all the right reasons.

Happy New Year x

 

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cineworld Edge Lane: A Tribute

The Guide Liverpool sent me to Cineworld, Edge Lane yesterday as the cinema prepared to close its doors for the last time.

cineworld pic

I’ve made so many awesome memories at Cineworld over the 20 years I’ve been going there and I’m slightly gutted that I ended that rein having to watch Ghostbusters as my last film, but hey ho! Having a chat with the staff and wolfing down a huge bag of popcorn made it worthwhile.

You can read my full review on The Guide Liverpool here.

Thank you to Megan, Vicky, Ian and all the staff, past and present as you are the stars of this show.

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Pen For Hire

I’m finding it really difficult to concentrate today what with minute by minute social media updates from all my favourite journo’s at London Fashion Week.

But in order to join them, I must develop my own empire….sleeves rolled up…

“No-one can be successful for you.”

The world of work is a fickle one, and how to go about securing employment has mutated into an unrecognisable beast since I was last looking for work.

I fondly remember leisurely activities such as leafing through the paper, circling the job ads I thought I had a good chance of getting and posting (yep people, actually going to the post office and posting) a CV and longhand covering letter……and waiting weeks for a reply.

Do you remember how the job centre used to be? Those wall-mounted boards with all the hand written job ads placed on them? You’d write down the reference number and talk at length with an advisor about your chances of getting the job and how a role in nuclear physics at Sellafield might not be the most suitable position. (Genuinely applied, must have been feeling particularly optimistic that day).

Fast-forward to 2016 and applying for jobs, contracts, gigs, whatever you want to call it, is most likely done from the comfort of your sofa, bed, kitchen table with a response likely within hours rather than weeks.

Turning recruitment on its head entirely, apps and sites such as LinkedIn encourages employers to find you! Interviews conducted via Skype and Face-Time are common place and ensuring your online presence is as squeaky clean as your interview outfit is paramount.

Networking has taken centre stage when it comes to self-promotion in the jobs market. Liverpool is more like a village than a city, as a population of incessant talkers (I was told I can talk for NATO earlier this week…adding that to my cv) just a friendly conversation can lead to all manner of connections as everyone seems linked somehow?!

I love nothing more than getting to know people and hearing about their work, which should stand me in good stead being a journalist, right? Well the time has come for me to test that theory as I step out of the ‘trainee’ shadows and make good on all the conversations and training I’ve had over the last few months.

img_5586

My first contract has been confirmed this week and I’m absolutely delighted to have been welcomed into the fold at The Guide, Liverpool. Joining a team that is dedicated to brining you the best ‘What’s Happening’ guide to our amazing city is a brilliant first step.

You can read my recent professional work in the Show Reel section of the site here.

 

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,