Well the earth moved for me!

Well the earth certainly moved for me last night, Leicestershire appears to be right where it all happens on the Richter scale - and it wasn't just because I was sleeping on my wonderful new Sleepflex Coolwave bed! http://www.sleepflexcoolwave.co.uk/ Who does know what you're supposed to do when an earthquake strikes? I listened to fascinating ideas like 'stand underneath a doorframe,' 'hide under the stairs' or even 'hide in the bath' - not sure if there's any science behind any of it! All I know is that it sounded like my chimney had collapsed so I hid under the duvet and went back to sleep on the basis that I'd be better able to do something about it in the morning!

Eating at The Belmont

Well one thing I've learnt, is that you may set out to write a regular blog, but life seems to get in the way ... my weekly blog is already one that appears once every three weeks instead ... This week I've had to come down to earth after a glorious 7 days in sunny Austria on the slopes, gazing at blue skies and wondering why I didn't think about getting fit before setting off on a skiing holiday! I've been working on an exciting project this week, the rebranding and relaunch of one of Leicester's favourite hotels, The Belmont. When I moved to Leicester in the early 1980's, The Belmont was the place to meet for an 'early doors' drink after work and I've spent many a happy evening there over the years. As I now live and work outside the environs of the city centre, I don't have many opportunities to pop-in for a swift glass of wine, but it is somewhere I'd recommend for excellent food and great service. The hotel interiors have obviously changed somewhat from the frilly blinds of the 1980's - today's contemporary interiors - modern leather seating in the lounge and bar areas, smart black and metallic for banqueting rooms all bring a fresh new look. You should try it http://www.belmonthotel.co.uk/ !

Blogging and beds

It's been an interesting week, not least because it began with my birthday, which was fun, but also because I'm trying to keep up to date with what's new on the digital media scene - pretty vital for someone whose day job is marketing and PR - http://www.nickystephenmarketing.co.uk/ However, speaking as someone who can't even programme the video without referring to my 8 year old son for guidance, this blogging stuff is new for me! I went to a workshop yesterday where Microsoft's Eileen Brown http://blogs.technet.com/eileen_brown/ persuaded us that blogging's simply something we should do, so it's Friday and I thought I'd have a go.



More importantly, I've really enjoyed the projects I've worked on this week, many and varied ... the first is a fantastic new bed called Sleepflex Coolwave - http://www.sleepflexcoolwave.co.uk/ which I'm promoting - so good that I've put my money where my mouth is and I'm expecting delivery of one in the next couple of weeks. It is over ten years since I last bought a new bed and my other half is constantly complaining of back ache, so I guess it was time to do something about it. I was at the country's biggest furniture trade show last week Interiors 2008 http://www.thefurnitureshow.co.uk/intfurn08/show_highlights.html, so there was plenty of opportunity to try out a few beds - this one's different, because it incorporates memory foam which is incredibly supportive and comfortable, but it doesn't get hot ( a regular complaint about memory foam beds) because it incorporates a plaited foam system that allows air to circulate freely through it. You'll soon see the product advertised in home interest magazines and you can already try it out at Furniture Village stores http://www.furniturevillage.co.uk/ and other leading independent furniture stores around the UK. Do I sound convinced? I am! Well, my first blog done, I'll now work out how to publish and you never know, I might manage to wax lyrical again soon!