A TASTE OF MY LIFE

It's no secret that everyone loves a cocktail now and then (if you don't, who even are you?), and something I've not previously discussed is my career and all the fun stuff I get to do on the side! Besides my full time job, I help out with my brother's mobile cocktail bar - Piano Bar Events. I run the social media pages, support at events and help out with drinks development.

We recently had some professional photos taken for our upcoming Spring Cocktail Soiree, and I thought I'd take the opportunity to tell you a little bit about what we do and where we came from. 

Piano Bar Events started up with an old piano, an idea and a whole lot of family contribution. We set up our Piano Bar at a whole range of events, create and serve classic cocktails, some of our own creations and also design cocktails specific for a guests event. I love the flexibility of helping out and having our own goals for the year, yet still being able to have a lovely impact during people's celebrations. 

I've popped in some photos above of a couple of my favourite drinks from our recent shoot, the "Italian Blush" and "Cured in New York". Head over to the Instagram page for more details on how we make our drinks, and follow our journey! We've got some super exciting public events coming up, and we'd love to have you attend if you're in the area. 

If you like this kind of snippet into my non-work, non-house-moving, non-fitness life then let me know in the comments and I'll keep the content coming! 

Charlotte. X

THE THINGS NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME

The initial excitement of leaving home or rented accommodation, is something that brings so much happiness you could never imagine. Being able to put your stamp on a house and turn it into a home, and being being an actual adult is a bloody great feeling. But once all that is over, and the real hunt begins, let me tell you - that shit is hard.

Myself and my partner, Dan have been viewing houses to buy for around 8 months now and we still haven't found "The One". No one ever prepares you for the amount of time you'll have to invest into viewing properties, arranging viewings, turning up to a viewing and realising its in the dodgiest area possible.

Earlier this year we found somewhere we were really keen on, and it turns out there were issues with the deeds in the garden.. Next. We then found a property that was a total renovation project but we were up for the challenge. Multiple offers put forward, and none of them accepted.. Now what?

Honestly I can't say I was prepared for the emotional toll of the process of buy a house. The constant disappointment of un-interested Estate Agents, the feeling of having an offer rejected time and time again, the fact that people don't want to sell their homes because of Brexit, and worrying that for whatever reason, your credit rating won't be good enough. Don't forget trying to fit in our full time jobs, and other life requirements!

There have been so many times when I've wanted to give up and throw in the towel, but I've always been a firm believer of "If something isn't meant to be, then thats ok." I know we will find somewhere eventually, it's just such a taxing process and part of me wishes we were taught more about this sort of thing when we were still in school.

What hurdles have you faced when buying a house?

Charlotte. X