What's New With You?

SO, we all know I'm not good at this blog thing- it's never up to date... But this week I'm feeling like giving it another go, and trying to aim to make my blog a bit more regular. So in my first attempt to do this, here's a cheeky view on what's new with me!

I've been on holiday! (Although it seems like an age ago now...) Waaayyyyy back in June, I took a cheeky 10 day trip to Gran Canaria, for my cousin Jord's 21st birthday! Naturally this all-inclusive extraviganza led to lots of eating, drinking and late nights- oh, and a bangin' tan! Our hotel was lovely, and overlooked the coast, and even boasted a roof-top bar and pool! We saw in Jord's birthday celebrating some religous fesival (no idea what it was called...) which was fab- and involved fireworks and running into the see at midnight! But my fav part of the holiday has to be parasailing! It's something I've always wanted to do but have never had the bollocks too, but after a chat with my Auntie Linda it was a go ahead! AND IT WAS AMAZING!

Having been back in the ocuntry a mere 24 hours, I was then reunited with my partner in crime, Claudia. Having broke up from uni at the beginning of May, I hadn't seen her for a month or so, so naturally we were excited to see each other! We were off to London again, this time to see New Designers! We spent a good 3 hours wondering around the exhibition, admiring all the fab graduate work, and wondering how the hell I'm going to cope with the work load over the next year! I gathered hundreds (and I mean hundreds...) of business cards, and spoke to ever knit student I could find!

After the exhibiton, we went off to be general tourists. we started at Buckingham Palace, where Claudia cried at the sight of the Queen leaving... We then drifted between Trafalga Square, Houses of Paliment, and Covent Garden, before ending up at my fav place, Camden Market, to meet Em for a bev and food! TOP DAY!

I've also been learning to ride a horse! I did it for a while when I was younger, but stopped because I had one summer when I was little where my hayfever was horrific... But our Livs got a beaut, and I've even got to trotting with her! Which is an achievement cos she doesnt like many people... (both Liv and the horse)

It was also Liv's prom! I can't believe how much she's grown up! I took her for a cheeky Spoons, because that's how all good nights start, to get her hair done, and then waded through the crowds to get photos of her getting out of Grandad Rog's car!

Oh and also, I'm having a nightmare- I'M NOW IN MY 20s! I had a fab weekend to celebrate, with the best of people! But as I'm not sure how I feel about being 20... well, I'll have to keep you informed!

So here's to many more bevs, a final year at uni, and whatever the next year of being 20 leads too!

Bethan Rose x

More than family..

I've been lucky throughout my life you know. I've had loads of family around me growing up. Some of them blood relatives, some of them hand picked and adopted. I suppose those ones are 'friends' really...

But I've been lucky enough to have a blood relative, my cousin- Jordan, who truly fits into both the family category, and the best friends one!

And today, she's 21! Chances are, she won't see this, but in case she does, I just want to say thank you!

Thank you for being my cousin. My best friend. My first ever best friend. Thank you for being my role model. Walking to school with me when I was a year 7 not knowing where I was going. Thank you for the memories. The holidays. The nights messing about at the social club when we were little.

Have a fab day gal, you deserve it!

Bethan Rose x

My Main Man

SHIT DAUGHTER ALERT! I'm on holiday and not in the country for fathers day! My Dad was gutted- right up until I presented him with a 4 pack of Red Stripe and a beer bucket WITH BOTTLE OPENERS ON THE SIDES! OMG! Anyway, he's a lil' dedication to my main guy...

Dad

I wouldn't say I'm a major Daddies girl, but if I were you I wouldn't get between me and my dad. Or offend or upset me in any way. He will threaten you. I've seen him do it... Like most girls, I think my Dad is the best. But that's because its true. He had the patience to teach me to drive, even though i was a bit shit when I first started... He taught me to ride a bike. He takes me to and from work. He shares his bevs. He fixes my car, even though we both think it's kind of a bit of a dead loss.. Basically, he's an all round ledge!

Grandads

I was never lucky enough to know my Grandad off of my Mom's side. There was a bit of a family fued between him and the rest of the Hoppos, and he died when I was very young.

Grandad Pez however, was my No.1. He was Welsh and barely left the house without wearing some form of garish printed/Hawaiian style shirt. I thought they were a bit cringey at the time, but looking back they were what made him him. Never without a beer in his hand, my Grandad used to play for hours with us in the garden when we were younger. His veggie patch was the best I've ever seen, even though he used to get annoyed when we'd eat the pea pods straight off of the plant! Although he's been dead for more than my life he was alive, he is still by far one of my favourite humans!

Uncles

I've got 6 Uncles. Mick, Chris, John n Dave. Non of them enjoy a photo, so unfortunately you're not getting a piccy... I'm on holiday with Mick at the minute. As much as I love the guy, he winds me up so much! Just like Mick, John is also my God Father! He's crackin'- apart from after a few bevvies when the singing starts... I don't see much of the other 2 anymore... Chris lived with us for a bit, but now he lives back in Liverpool. And Dave? Yeah, Dave lives in Hong Kong. Only see him one every few years, when he comes baring me new Make-up brushes! Although I don't see them all that much, I know they've still got my backs!

My Main Men

Ok, so not all of these I'd class a father figures. But my Dad's best mate Gaz, he's been my Dad No.2 for years... And Uncle Paul, Laz and Uncle Jase, I know they've definatley got my back. As for Chico, well, hedć have my back if anyone ever dared to get near him- normally the volume of him deafens people before they get too close! I love them all dearly, and I'm so lucky to have such a great/big extended family! I wouldn't swap 'em for the World!

I know not everyone is as lucky as me to have such a good bond with their dad as I do, or even to have as big of a group of 'geezers' supporting them, but these guys- they mean the world. I definitely couldn't wish for a better dad!

Bethan Rose x

London's Calling...

London is one of my favourite cities. It's home to my first proper job. It's where I've been to concerts, museums and art galleries. I've got friends who live there. Friends who study there. It's a great city, where I've made many great memories! And so this week, I was glad to be returning for another sneaky exhibition trip!

The Balenciaga exhibition at the V&A was where we were heading! First of all it was so nice to be reunited with some of my uni gals after over a month, and whilst coach breakdowns and road closures lead to a five and a half hour travel down from Derby, it was good to have a good catch up!

Once we finally arrived in London, the V&A was the main port of call! I have to admit- it is my all time favourite gallery/museum! But we were there mainly to see the Balenciaga exhibition!

I have to admit, I didn't think I knew who Balenciaga was, but it turns out I do! Once I'd seen some of his stunning fashion pieces, I knew exactly who he is! And it turns out he was a very talented designer!

After the exhibiton, we had a wonder around the rest of the museum.. I won't bore you with the "inspiration I gathered for uni", so instead here's an amusing photo of me n Claud with a very large statue with a very small you-know-what!

A 4 hour coach journey home and a Chinese finished off a fab day!

Before I go, I just want to mention the 2nd terror in 2 weeks, hitting London Bridge on Saturday. My thoughts go out to all those involved, all those who's lives have been changed by the events. I stand by what I said last week. Terrorism is a selfish act, one of which we shouldn't be fearful off. We must stand together, as a Nation. Never let them win.

Bethan Rose x

Mom's the word!

And yes, I do say mom. Or occasionally mam if I've been hanging round my Northern mates to much. Mom. Mam. Mum. Mother. Whatever you call her, today's a day to celebrate ya' birth giver! But not everyone's got a mom. Some people's moms have sadly died. Some have fell out with them. Some people don't know who there mom is. Personally, being lucky enough to have a fab relationship with my mom, i use today to celebrate and thank her for everything she does for me n my bro. But in all honesty, it doesn't matter which mother figure in your life you're celebrating! Here's my top gals! 💁

Mom. 👪

My moms my rock. She's me bezzie mate. She's the one I can ring in a panic. In a strop. She's the one who picked me up from uni in my first year whenever I had a wobble and wanted to go home for the reason. She's the one who's only worked part time since me and my brother were born, to make sure she could give us as much attention and time as she could (though personally I think she just likes the 4 day weekend now we're older!). She's the one who picked me up the first time on got drunk, drunk, and put me to bed after I puked and bust my nose head butting a toilet (not my proudest moment, but we've all been there...). The list could go on. She's my everything, and I honestly couldn't be without her! No words can describe how much she means to me, I love her so much!

Nan. 👴

3 kids. 9 grandkids. 5 great-grandkids. Nan. Or Nanny Mo- depends who you ask! She's my other bezzie! Whenever I ring her she's always up for a chat- whether it be a moan about the weather, the neighbours, her knees, or just to tell me who's dies that week in the local paper (crude but the deaths page is the first thing she checks!). She looked after us when we were little if mom and dad were at work, and they were many of summer-holiday days me, Tom (my bro) and our cousin Jord played pretend in her back garden out of the endless scraps of carpet and bits and bobs out of the shed... Not to forget 'the goody box'- an age old tradition on the Hopkins side of the family, a big box of chocolates and 'crap' to send all the kids hyper! Still exists to this day... think it's the only reason Tom visits!

Grandma. 👼

I loved my grandma. I still do. But sadly it's always the best ones who died to soon... we used to spend school holidays with her and my grandad, playing trivial pursue, or making things. Every visit entailed a glass of vim to in my Alice and wonderland mug and a pack of salt and vinegar crisps. Every sleep over brown toast and grapes for breakfast. Every Christmas- multi-coloured lights, chocolate baubles and cards taped down the back of the doors. Things you take for granted at the time, but remember for years. My whole family always encouraged me to go down the creative route, for as long as I can remember, but there was a felt pen portrait I did one Christmas that my gran displayed in the living room until the day she died. It was terrible! But she loved it, and I loved her for it!

Aunties. Who aren't Aunties. 👭👭👭

I know? Sounds weird? But my parents group of mates, they're like mothers to me- even if we do call them Auntie. Nikki and Karena have been a permanent fixture in my life for as long as I can remember. I see nikki most weekends when I'm at home- her daughters one of my best mates and her husbands a bit like a father-figure. Although I don't see Karena very often, I know if I'd rang her up now saying I was bankrupt and on the run from the police, she'd pick me up, feed me wine and cheese and hide me in her shed... not in a weird way. And then there's Hiedi, the flapjack making queen! And both Deb and Julie have gave me a job at one point or another! I'm so lucky to have such a good group of gals around me, I know not many people have a support network like I have- even if it does involve a large amount of wine! I'm honestly so grateful!

I know this is all very soppy, but my point is, it doesn't matter whether the strong women in your life are moms, nans, grandma's, aunties, friends, or no relation at all- the point is they're strong women in our life. They support us. They support each other. They make us smile when we're down. They feed us when we're hungry. And they donate wine and cake when you play the 'I'm a poor student until my loan comes through' card! And we need to let them know we appreciate that a bit more often!💪💖

A cheeky photo from our Mother's day out to Lichfield!

Bethan Rose x

PS- I bloody love my dad too, don't get me wrong, but he cant wait his turn and hang on til fathers day!👨