Few new things.

Not had much time to post anything in the past few weeks with been busy at work. Not had much time either to buy much so just thought i'll put up the few things i've bought in the past few weeks.

First up is YMC Nam Shirt, which once i seen i couldn't resist the colour of it to be honest, and at half price from YMC i couldn't say no when i seen it.

Next up is Universal Works College Shirt, i had my eye on this for quite a while but i thought at £110 it wasn't worth the RRP but when i saw it knocking around for £30 again i couldn't resist paying that for it, it's a really nice shirt and worth the £30.

Last piece of clothing up is just a Norse Projects Tee, was in need of just a plain t shirt and when i saw these in the sale i couldn't say no for around £25. It's a nice t shirt just to wear, it's perfect just to put one under a overshirt.

Last new thing that i've got is that i got a new bike, maybe jumping on the bandwagon but i've wanted a bike for a few months now just to get out and do some miles, so finally got round to getting one last week. Already been out on it a few times and i've got to say i love it at the moment. It's a Cube Attention 2013.

A week away

A few weeks back i went to Salou for ten days, during my stay there with my family and girlfriend we went on a day trip to Barcelona. Was a really enjoyable visit to a city where i had never been before. It was tough walking round the shops in 30 plus degree heat. I was surprised by how little men's clothing shops that were around the city, just had your usual big city shops such as Gucci, Chanel Burberry and Dior. To me these are not my kind of shops, whereas my girlfriend loves these types of shops with her trying to convince that she needed a Burberry mac in the 35 degree heat outside. We also visited the Cathedral in Barcelona which we just stumbled upon luckily rather then actually looking for it, this was a nice sight to see and one of them things people go to Barcelona to see.

New Wallet

It's been a few months since i've made a post since i've been busy with other stuff and not buying too much stuff but i'm back now and hopefully keep to the blog this time.

Today i was out just having a shop around with the girlfriend when i stopped and seen a Calabrese zip wallet for only £9.99, i've been after a new wallet for a while but never really found once that i wanted until i seen this, which will be ideal for being out and about and at the football and overall i'm impressed with it and can't grumble for the price i paid. It's just one of many purchases i hope to make in the next few weeks. All which will be getting put up on the blog.

Weekend In Paris

Paris, definitely worth a visit! From the beginning to the end it was constantly eye catching. The shops, the people and the food all brilliant. Like most other cities, you get the usual people randomly sleeping on the streets but mattresses outside of Ralph Lauren was a shock. Amongst the constant reminder of poverty and obvious beautiful scenery the scams took full force when my girlfriend got her iPhone 4 pick pocketed, within a split second as she stepped off the metro it was gone. With not a running bloke or a touch in sight. A low point, stepping into the police station but it did not deter my custom or my girlfriends.

We did the obvious sight seeing, by foot and metro. The metros are a complete god send because its far too easy to step one wrong foot out of A.P.C. and end up on the other side of the city. The miles you walk are necessary for the experience, amazing architecture and some very smartly dresses people. Rue St Honore, boasted some serious labels for both casual and high fashion lovers alike. You could be strolling past a Stone Island and stumble along Gucci or Prada, with the odd Ferrari and Porsche thrown along the street to make sure it looks extra expensive... Recession? Not down Rue St. Honore. 

The temptation just to spend ridiculous amounts of money is within a mile radius at any point in Paris, I'm still contemplating some A.P.C jeans the shops just sell the clothes very well; from the interiors, the layouts, and the french shop assistants its a different ball game compared with the lonely streets of Middlesbrough. 

We also visited Le Bon Marche, a must see for any department store lover. Its not like Harrods which is now just a tourist hotspot, its wear the french buy their clothes to look french... brands including Ralph Lauren, A.P.C., Woolrich and much more all under one roof ! It doesn't take the usual department store layout its definitely a bit classier, which was a recurring theme throughout the city. 

I'm a fussy eater, i thought id struggle for food however as a steak lover you can't knock it. Other than the french cuisine there's plenty of food places to eat based on nationality... with the large amount of american tourists, came a lot of American style food places which i couldn't knock. The Hard Rock Cafe in Paris is definitely worth a visit for guaranteed good food and a massive menu. And the area surrounding the Moulin Rouge proved to be a livelier area with a lot of different places to eat, if you turn left facing the Moulin Rouge that is, if you turn right prepare to judge the dirty old basterds sneaking into the cheaper XXX nude shows... not exactly the Moulin Rouge efforts to say the least. But in hindsight, wish we'd booked up for the Moulin Rouge looked worth the trip there alone and my girlfriend suggested it. Not bad at all. 

The last day, was the rainiest day of the trip and as it was a Sunday most places were actually shut. This day should be used to do the touristy things next time, id set this day aside for solely that. We visited the Pont D' Arc bridge over the Seine, one the loveliest sights in Paris a bridge covered in Lovers Locks, so we had to put our own lock on too and threw the key into The Seine. Just another, among many other reasons to go back to the city of Paris.

Things i want in the next few months.

Paris Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning around 7 o'clock i will be setting of for Paris, i've been looking forward to this trip since it was booked back in July. I am looking forward to touring the shops also seeing the sights of Paris. Having been once before to watch England a few years back, but i didn't even manage to see the Eiffel Tower. I did see Beckham make his 100th cap for England, that's about it. I really can't wait to get there, also it's a dream of my girlfriends to go there, so it will be pleasing.

We are flying tomorrow from Leeds, on the hour and half flight which shouldn't be too bad, having my iPad to keep us company. Then when we arrive in Paris, we are getting the train across to Paris from Charles De Gaulle airport, having looked this up should only take us around a hour.

Having just finished packing, maybe thinking i have packed abit too much for the four days we are in Paris. Having packed four shirts, three pair of trousers, three coats and three pair of shoes/trainers, but with the 22kg we are allowed i couldn't turn down the chance to take around 22kg.

Except a lot of Paris post and pictures once I'm back!

For a boring Wednesday night.

Casual Co Midtowns

Another Casual Connoisseur product that sells out within the day it is released. Normally not a fan of 5 panel's, but i took the punt and went for it. Great valve for the £30 paid compared to the Norse Projects you can pick up off e-bay for silly money. Lightweight tough wearing five panel cap in Beige and Navy nylon ripstop, air ventilation to side, fully adjustable strap, subtle woven tab also you can get the Lightweight chambray five panel cap in light and indigo cotton. I went for the navy nylon, and i'm looking forward to it's delivery, yet another promising Casual Connoisseur product.

Carling Cup Winners 2004

Eight years ago today brought the greatest day of my life when i seen Middlesbrough Football Club lift there first ever trophy. It was the first trophy in our 128 year history. The final was a great game, we managed to go 2-0 within the first 7 minutes, with goals of Joseph Job and a two footed penalty from Bolo Zenden. We had thought that would be game over but typical Boro doing nothing easy, we give away a sloppy goal to Bolton through a mistake from our goalkeeper. The moment that final whistle went i had never been happier in my lifetime. When the little fella dropped to his knees, what a moment. He was quoted as saying it was better winning the Carling Cup with Middlesbrough then it was winning the World Cup with Brazil,  just shows what they club means to him. At the end of the game, our shy chairman Steve Gibson even came down and joined in the celebrations.

I will never for get the moment when all the lights went out in the Millennium Stadium and Tin Tin Out String For Yasmin came on and two soldiers walked out the Carling Cup trophy in there hands, it had red and white ribbons on. I will never forget that moment! Then when Gareth Southgate lifted the cup it was amazing scenes all over. Then the players came round the pitch dancing and celebrating, i always remember George Boateng and Bolo Zenden doing a daft dance together, always a cup final celebration isn't complete without Rocking All Over The World. What a day it was and i was only 13, but i will never forget that day.

Wiwt

Universal Works Fell Jacket
Albam Shirt
YMC cords
Superga

Perfect for a nice day out shopping.

Latest Purchases

The first picture is a pair of Garbstore Govt Chinos, a bargain for £60. Really nice pair of chinos having come last week.

Second up is a Garbstore Coverall jacket, another bargain for £68. With me been a small in all clothes, i decided to get this in a small, but i am really disappointed with the fitting of this. With it been too short on the arms and badly fitted round my back, i think i will have to sent it back.

Third up is the Casual Co Weir, i've been after it ever since i got Berghaus Trango a few months back and i was finally able to get my hands on it.

Noel Gallagher

Well after seeing Oasis a few years ago, i didn't think alone he would perform better and he only went and did. I couldn't believe what a performance he put on. Playing songs from his new album with the High Flying Birds and playing some classic Oasis which included Supersonic, Mucky Fingers and ending with Don't Look Back In Anger. The latter song had every person in the whole arena on there feet singing along. He really did blow the roof off.


It was my first experience in sitting at a gig and it's safe to say that i will never do it again, for a start there was a pregnant women sat in front who didn't look to comfortable at been at a gig also there was two blokes behind me moaning when we stood up to sing and have a dance. I couldn't get over that people actually went on like this at gigs, i was jealous seeing everyone bouncing around on the floor. It ended up with us just standing to piss the blokes behind us off cause they were complete bell ends commenting on us throughout the gig. Throughout the gig i enjoyed the banter Noel was having with the crowd, like he was taking the piss out of Newcastle's new ground name The Sports Direct Arena, then commenting on the antics of Mario Balotelli which give the crowd a laugh. 


The gig was possibly one of the best i've been too, it would of just been that bit better if i was stood up. I would give the gig 9/10.

Noel Gallagher tomorrow night.

Tomorrow evening i will be in the company of Noel Gallagher and his high flying birds in Newcastle. This is going to be my first ever time sitting at a gig, i don't know to feel about this. I can imagine it been dreadful when you see everyone bouncing around on the floor and your just stood in your seat. Well after seeing him with Oasis a few years ago i am well and truly looking forward to his performance especially after seeing him perform at the Brits last night, but i don't know how the likes of One Direction, Bruno Mars come out with awards and the likes of Noel Gallagher and Arctic Monkeys don't come away with anything, but hey that's modern music these days. I also heard that Noel will be playing a few Oasis hits such as Lyla, Mucky Fingers, Whatever and Don't Look Back In Anger, which will be beauty. I'm really looking forward to seeing him live once again, hopefully it isn't the last time.

A goal for the Main man.

Last night's 3-1 victory at Millwall has put us back in the play off positions, still with a game in hand on a few of the teams, so for every Middlesbrough fan it is promising to be a exciting run in. Last night's victory came courtesy of two goals from Marvin Emnes who after two minutes of the game i was tweeting to say how terrible he is/was. Also there was first goal for the club for Curtis Main, funny enough a year yesterday Main played in his last game in the Conference for Darlington. Bet this lad can't believe his luck! Last night also involved a return for Barry Robson to the midfield, even at 33 he is our best player FACT!

Also i'm glad to get my prediction of 3-1 correct.

Millwall away tonight

After Millwall's heroics in the earlier round's of the FA cup means we have to travel down there midweek, which was something i didn't fancy after already forking out for the train a few month ago for the game meant for last Saturday. Plus we have a few mid weeks games coming up over the next month i would rather go to, i.e Ipswich and West Ham. Hopefully the re-arranged game against Ipswich will be a free one courtesy of MFC. Highly doubt it.

Since we were back to winning ways after last week's 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest, i reckon we will go the Den tonight and give a good performance and i reckon we can come away from the capital with all three points. Three points will take us back into the play off's and hopefully it will mean we are going onto a good run in. A good run in is important if we want to get into the top 2/play off.'s. With such players as Barry Robson who last week signed a pre - contact with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps and Nicky Bailey regaining fitness we are nearly back to a full strength squad which will benefit us a lot in the run in.

Prediction for tonight 3-1 Boro!

Homeland

I don't know if many people watched Homeland on Sunday evening, but if you did miss it i'd recommend that you catch up in time for Sunday's episode. 


Centers on Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody, who returns home eight years after going missing in Iraq, and Carrie Mathison, a driven and maybe mad CIA officer who suspects he might be plotting an attack on America.


While watching the first episode they are many unanswered questions. Has he been converted against the Americans? Is Carrie mentally ill? What was his hand movement about? Is his wife going to leave him?


I'm really looking forward to this series, it's the first series that has got me hooked after one episode for a very long time. 

Latest Purchases

Last week i was just browsing on the casual co forum and spotted that they had some left-over stock, just managed to get myself a jumper for only £10. I managed to get the red one and it came yesterday, right bargain for £10 and another quality piece from Casual Connoisseur yet again. The second purchase i have made over the last few days is a Highland 2000 Cable Knit Hat, i bought it from superdenim and for only £23 all in. I'm looking forward to that arriving.                                                                                

Been away for a while.

After been on a training course for two weeks, i haven't had the chance to blog. Well back to last weekend it is, after a six hour journey home to then get on a train for five hours to Ipswich then the game gets abandoned after 37 minutes wasn't a good start to the weekend. And after all this i read that Ipswich still wanted to charge us for the return leg. They wanted to charge us half of the ticket price, which i think is shocking for 750 fans who have travelled 300 miles to watch there team and already paid £25 for match ticket and get to see 37 minutes. Anyway it was a disappointing 37 minutes because i don't think we even had a shot!

Missed Games.

With been away for two weeks, i managed to miss our home games against Sunderland in the cup and Forest in the league. I managed to catch the Sunderland game on the tv, we really impressed me and what impressed me the most was that the final 11 on the pitch had nine home-grown lads in it which made mr proud and not to mention Connor Wickham cost more then our eleven on the pitch HA HA. Also we managed to get our first league win of 2012 against Nottingham Forest, which has put us back in the picture of promotion.

Away for a week or two.

From tomorrow i'm away on a course so no blogging for me. Only time i'm home, i'll straight back on the road to Ipswich next Saturday to watch hopefully something better then a 0-0, like i seen tomorrow in snowy conditions. Woeful that's all i am gonna say about today.

Well back on to the next two weeks away, i have been looking around for something to watch while away, so i decided to get Series 1 and 2 of Luther the BBC drama hit. It involves Idris Elba (The Wire) who is a detective tormented by the darker side of humanity, Luther shines a light where others fear to tread.

Hopefully this will keep me entertained, having to put up with missing the FA cup replay against Sunderland on Wednesday night.

What i'm wearing today.

Universal Fell Jacket
Edwins
Norse Project Overshirt
Quoddy's
Universal Socks
Casual Co Members Weir

Away Game Midweek

After the ups and downs of the cup at the weekend, it was back to the league. After dropping from 4th to 8th the night before it was important we got back to winning ways after three straight league defeats.

It was Leicester away, the big spenders of the division. Not really fancying our chances and even less so after they took the lead straight away in the game through David Nugent. Then we hit back not long after through Australian Scott McDonald.

  As the second half started, we were the better team but then started to sit back as the game went on, looking like it could be the fourth straight defeat, then on 80 minutes a moment of brilliance from Tony McMahon made it 2-1 "Boro". This was looking like back unto fourth place we go, then on 86th minute a mistake from the goalscorer allowed Beckford in to score from close range to make it 2-2. Before the game i would of took a score draw, but if you asked me on the 81th minute i would of wanted the win.

Roll On Palace at the weekend!

How many different colour coats do Leicester stewards have?!

Latest Purchase

After spending the night in Newcastle, the next day i found myself in End Clothing. As soon as i walked in i seen the coat i was have looking for. It was the Universal Work Fell Jacket. I just had to have it. Looking forward to its first outing at Leicester away tomorrow.

Weekend

After the trip to Stadium of Light and seeing Barry Robson's goal i had already lost my voice, but after this i made my way to see The Maccabees in Newcastle which ensured my voice had totally gone. It was my first time in seeing The Maccabees and i was really impressed, after listening to them for years they really sounded the same live. I will now have to go and see them in Middlesbrough in March!

What A Weekend Ahead.

Apart from working tomorrow, this weekend has the makings to be a good one. Sunderland away on Sunday followed by The Maccabees in Newcastle on the night.

After a 5 hour queue in arctic conditions to get this, hopefully it'll be all worth while. They have been arguments all over about our allocation of only 3,000. I personally reckon we could of took well over 5,000. But never mind this, it'll be a great day and hopefully we'll nick a win, as it goes the magic of the cup!