Rosie Corriette

Notes from a retired blogger

Author: Rosie

  • Tinder Tales

    Tinder Tales

    A couple of weeks ago when I shared my Thoroughly Modern Mother Dilemma I completely left out any mention to online dating; the reason why? It’s because I’ve come to the conclusion that it is a whole mini saga in it’s own right. Dating has never been the smoothest of past times, so the lure of streamlining choices and saving time, all from the apparent comfort of your sofa was a big draw for me… Oh how naive I was. Don’t get me wrong there have been plenty of moments of laughter: both ‘I don’t know whether to laugh or cry’ and ‘I’m definitely laughing at you, not with you’.

    Digital dating is an absolute minefield – with compatibility tests and costly monthly fees after the initial trial period is over, I got to thinking that the fairly innovative and instantaneous approach of Tinder was too good not to try, plus there’s still moments when I think I’m in with the cool crowd as I cling to my twenties, so if it’s good enough for the hipster who have more street style that I have junk in my trunk then who am I to give it a miss.

    I initially signed up a couple of years ago and did it over a cuppa with my friend, we thought it was hilarious – it was, at least at first – we couldn’t believe how gratifying it was to have Roman emperor like power with the simple swipe of a finger. But the hilarity was short lived.

    Tinder-Tales-Modern-Motherhood-Dating

    Soon I discovered that almost every male within 200km was on Tinder, yes even some of my friend’s husbands – talk about modern day dilemmas and hideous awkwardness! Then there were the men who were weird and did little to hide it after the initial exchange of pleasantries once matched.

    However my abiding memory of Tinder has to be one particular match: Within seconds of matching, I received the following message: Hi, I’m going to cut the small talk, would you ever consider having sex with me? Now I’m not sure what I find more disturbing? The fact he sent this or that he was showing as being less than one kilometre from my house; meaning the likelihood that he knows who I am or we pass each other by on a regular basis is higher than me succumbing to the dessert menu after I say I’m on a diet!

    I slipped into a cycle of being horrified by what I saw, deleting the app, vowing never to go on again, fast forward three months, downloading it again and finding myself back at square one. This continued until three months ago when I finally succumbed to the fact that Mr Right isn’t lurking behind a swipe of a finger or a bombardment of dick pics…. EWWWWWWWWWWWW

    So with a Tinderless phone and a promise to steer clear… what now for the time strapped single mama? Do I keep on with the world of digital dating and accept that it’s populated with the freakier of the species (maybe I’m a beacon that attracts them?!?! I’m the lighthouse for undesirables in the dating world!) or acknowledge that not all things digital are better – did I really just say that – and attempt to find a date the old fashion way, in person.

  • Print Publishing Vs. Online Publisihing: A Seemingly Double Standard

    Print Publishing Vs. Online Publisihing: A Seemingly Double Standard

    I spend a lot of time on Facebook as part of my job so it’s no surprise that I learnt of the impending #Brandgelina divorce on Tuesday afternoon. It didn’t take long for my social media timelines to be flooded with the Jennifer Anniston GIFs; for what it’s worth I find these infantile and really rather unnecessary, this circus like modern day commentary is akin to digital voyeurism. I also find it rather indicative of our perceived priorities as a society that there were more visible posts about the newly filed for divorce than meaningful conversation about the continuing atrocities in Syria.

    But this is not what this post is about. The question I am asking is: since when did there become double standards for online publishing as opposed to print publishing? Do they even have to hold themselves to the same standard? What do we expect as both print and digital consumers of information?

    This afternoon Refinery29 UK’s Facebook post popped up on my feed about how the New York Post had put a photo of Jennifer Anniston on the cover laughing and how that was ‘not cool’. Whilst I completely agree, it didn’t take much scrolling back through their timeline to find their roundup of all the best Jennifer Anniston reaction GIFs with the quote, “And that, my friend, is what they call closure”. Do Refinery29 UK see no double standards? Is it ok for online information sources to jump on a pop culture moment but not print? And is it ok that they call said print publication out when they have done seemingly the same thing?

    Refinery29-UK-Brandgelina

    The articles were written by two different contributing writers so one could argue that they represent differing opinions that aren’t necessarily contradicting of each other. However print media has many different writers and yet these very quickly set the tone for that particular publication and is often steered… Hello editing.

    In a media landscape that is a far cry from what it was five years ago, never mind twenty, and one that will continue to evolve at lightening pace is this to be expected? Or should online publishing be held to the same standard as print? Yes the way we as a world access and consume information is more instantaneous than ever, yet does that mean that editing is null and void and do we even care if it’s contradictory as long as we get our hands on the latest GIFs.

    To be regarded the same as print, surely online publishing must operate within the same defining parameters to deliver content to it’s varying audiences, and must hold themselves to the same high standard as which they judge print.

  • Want It Wednesdays | 21st September

    Last week reminded us what a difference a day can make with British weather, on Thursday I was wearing a mini shirt dress with zara sandals and just over 12 hours later I was getting battered by the rain (hello drowned rat look) on my commute into the city.

    With today heralding the official start of autumn, I’m all about the boots and these New Look khaki ankle boots with cleated soles are perfect for chucking on perfecting that on the run look, and with the appearance of ankle boots comes the need for full length jeans. As we hurtle towards October, I find myself without a pair of jeans that don’t have ripped or raw hems. Black jeans are the name of the game in the colder months and these simple black jean jeggings from River Island will be long enough to avoid the sock shaming of peeping ankles!

    I’m still yet to find a new scarf that’s warm and cosy without itching the actual life out of me; I’m starting to think I may need to bite the bullet and buy a cashmere scarf, and with this one from Uniqlo coming in at a surprising £39.90 it would appear that high street cashmere is becoming more and more affordable. P.s. I’m loving the dark grey, just as versatile as black just a bit more fun.

    Talk within the Corriette Clan has turned to my Mum’s 60th Birthday next year – she’s having a fabulous party and we’re already eying up outfits. We saw this Reiss Nessa dress at the weekend and both my Mum and sister said it was such a Rosie dress… The structured and puffed sleeves and ther barely there hue of grey make it the perfect modern classic party piece, it’s definitely made the shortlist.

    After a visit to Ikea yesterday with my friend Emma, I admitted that I have far too much make-up after I seriously debated buying a MALM toyboy to house it all. However that hasn’t stopped me lusting after this MAC Trip The Light Illuminating Powder from The Star Trek range; come on just look at it, I know I can’t stop – I love the lustre of different pigments, it’s so dreamy.

    Talking of lusting, the minute I saw these Ella pointed pumps from Pretty Ballerinas on Instagram at the weekend I fell in love, i’m not sure if it’s the colour, the suede of the gold love enveloped in a swirl of a heart but these are fast becoming a Rosie need.

    And finally, let’s talk about the Louis Vuitton Pallas compact wallet. Ever since I was pick pocketed nearly two years ago, I haven’t had a full size purse, instead using coin purses as I still can’t find ‘the one’. I think it’s fair to say the hunt is over, now to justify a month’s housekeeping on a purse that would leave me with no money to put in it. Ah the quandaries of balancing Louis Vuitton and mothering duties… the struggle is real.

    So there you have my wants for the week, Let me know what you’re loving, hating and wanting yourself.

    Happy Wanting!

    Want it Wednesdays - September 21st

  • The Relaunch of The Greyhound

    The Relaunch of The Greyhound

    Popping to the pub for a quick one with Boo is not a sentence I ever imagined myself saying but then The Greyhound, Carshalton is so much more than a pub; and a stroll through the graveyard for a midweek Mummy and Boo early evening date is so much more than just a quick drink. It’s a chance to watch her sit there ‘like a big girl’ watching the swans in the pond and for us to catch up with what’s been happening at school plus there’s always a strong possibility that we’ll stay for dinner… I have yet to resist the magical powers of their amazingly tasty pie of the day!

    Last week we were invited by Young’s to celebrate the reopening of The Greyhound after an extensive refurbishment, it’s always been really nice in there so I was interested to see what changes they had made… we weren’t disappointed. It’s The Greyhound we all know and love but just that bit nicer, that bit more social, feels even more part of the community – which has a lot to do with Colum and Anne Marie who are renowned for their warm welcome.

    Young's-the-Greyhound-Carshalton-Pies

    Boo settled down to a taster of their chicken, ham and leek pie which was such a success she cleared her bowl and asked for more. Meanwhile I sampled some of the new brands available at They Greyhound including Camden Town Brewery beer and Beckett’s dry gin, which is not only delicious and perfectly balanced in flavours but is distilled down the road in Kingston-Upon Thames.

    Next came the opportunity to explore the two new signature bedrooms overlooking the ponds. The only word I can think of is wow… who knew such slices of sheer luxury exist a mere three minute stroll from my house and who can resist ‘that’ view of our very lovely Carshalton ponds. I think it’s fair to say Boo has found her favourite spot.

    Young's-The-Greyhound-Carshalton-hotel

    With weekend brunches, high-speed Wi-Fi, unforgettable roasts and everything in between, The new and improved Greyhound is the village destination reimagined for the modern family.

  • Asda’s Beauty AW16

    Asda’s Beauty AW16

    A while back in summer, Boo and I headed to Asda’a beauty breakfast at The Soho Hotel. We were greeted to a room full of tasty treats and all the beauty brands from Asda – Boo made a be-line for the tasty macaroons and the good enough to eat bubble bath collection by Let Them Eat Cake, yes you really can have your bathtime smelling of very berry cupcakes – Boo couldn’t believe her eyes or nose!

    Bathtime-at-asda-bubblebath-review

    Andrew-Barton-hair-range-at-Asda-review

    Whilst Boo was drooling over bathtime I got the chance to meet and chat with the lovely Andrew Barton as he introduced his No Weight Hydrate range. Designed for those with oily roots and dry ends, it features ultra-light formulations with Moroccan Aragan oil and coconut milk to infuse essential moisture into your hair. I love Andrew Barton’s mantra, ‘Dedicated to creating real looks for real women’.

    Andrew-Barton-celebrity-hairdresser-at-Asda

    Next I discovered my new and here to stay skincare secret: Nspa. I got my hands on most of the new range and hand on heart they’re giving some of the luxe products I’ve loved and used for years a bug run for their money – so much so that I dedicated a whole vlog to talking you through the range…

    nspa-available-exclusively-at-Asda

    Anyone who knows me, know that I love the smell of bergamot so you can imagine my happiness when I discovered the brand new uplifting and revitalizing bergamot and orange blossom collection; they smell divine and the body oil is a total dupe of the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Miracle Oil – and at a fantastic £3 you can guess which one I’ll be stocking up on.

    nspa-at-Asda-beauty-review

    And that’s the cherry on top of a very good beauty offering from Asda; the prices are so good you have to look twice, every item featured in this post costs less than £8, proving that quality doesn’t always have to come at an eye watering price.