Giselle's blog

Catch up with Giselle's latest blog each week right here.

Thursday 11th March

I spent way too much money shopping yesterday. I went in to Oxford to get some new trainers because of all the running I've started doing. I came back with no trainers but about £200 worth of clothes...gulp.

I got a statement black dress from French Connection which I'm going to accessorise with pink neon for the 80's night at The Regal in Cowley this Friday when I'll meet Nathan from Brother Beyond!!! I used to be totally in love with him when I was a teenager...if you have no idea who I'm talking about - he was the Aston of JLS back in the 80's. Go West and Curiosity Killed the Cat are also performing...it's going to be such a wicked night and I've got some friends coming so I can't wait. If you fancy going, you'll find more details here: http://www.heart.co.uk/oxfordshire/win/now-80s/

Having been on a diet for three weeks, I cannot tell you how much I appreciated the meal out I had last night. Shaun and I went to The Fishes restaurant in North Hinksey Village after I heard it was in last year's Michelin Guide. They were having an Argentinian night so I tried steak from there. I know this is quite a statement but it was one of, if not the most delishous I've ever had!

I met a woman called Jo there and it turned out she was one of the owners! She told me about the 'business' trip she took to Argentina. In the nine days she was there, she tried about 300, yes 300 varieties of red wine!!! I can't believe that's her job, lol. Mind you, that must have led to one serious hangover!

Wednesday 10 March

   

 

 

 

You just never know who you might bump into!

At last year's Breast Cancer Care Pink Ribbonwalk at Blenheim Palace I turned round and there - standing right by me was...Rod Stewart! He was there because his wife Penny Lancaster was doing the walk. I was so shocked to see him but grabbed a microphone and asked him for a chat. He was really friendly and agreed to do an interview and have a pic taken with me there and then.

The Ribbonwalk is back this year and the organisers have just emailed me to say they're chuffed to bits as nearly 800 people have already signed up to take part in this year's event at Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds on Saturday 22 May.

It's such a lovely walk and you can still sign up - click here to do it .

Monday 8 March

Okay...what's going on. I ate way less calories than even my diet allows me to last week AND went to the gym five times, but have put on 1lb!!! That's not right is it, lol!!! I was completely bemused and wrote about it on my Facebook page (you'll find me under Giselle Ruskin). Sharon's reply seems to make sense:

Sharon Hayes   I reckon it's the stuff you ate the weeks before...catching up...somone once told me that...if you eat stuff you shouldn't it seldom shows up on the scales until a week later...(often the week you have been good...) and it makes you question why you have put it on rather than lost it...bet next week...you loose alot. xx

Funnily enough, the week before I did eat a whole pizza - plus I had a number of cocktails! I hope you're right about losing it this week Sharon! xx

Friday 5 March

The diet's still going really well... I lost another 2lb last week and am confident I'll be even more 'Kate Moss' when I weigh myself later. I've lost an inch and a half off my hips and even Shaun noticed when he had his arms round me.

I did five gym sessions last week including a new one - cattle bell lifting. I was happily jogging along on a treadmill at David Lloyd when trainer Cameron came up and invited me in to the class. It was one of those, 'it would be rude to say no' moments. I joined in but was pathetic. You have to have the right technique and mine was way out. Never the less, Cameron gave me lots of encouragement and praise. Bet he laughed every time he turned away though, haha.

Thursday 4 March

I may become a Lady!

Shaun is currently Vice Commodore of the Abbey Sailing Club in Abingdon. In a year, he's likely to become Commodore and if that happens, I'll become Lady Commodore. Matt thinks it's hilarious. We'll see who's laughing when he has to curtsy when I walk in the studio, haha.

I got some practice in at the weekend when Shaun presented trophies to all those who won races in last year's sailing season... that included two for himself. Anyone smell a fix, he he? I 'had' to kiss all the winners which is part of the Lady Commodore's role. Apparently making lunches is another... hmmm not so sure about that one, lol.

   

 

 

 

 

Thursday 25 February

The Royal Albert Hall is spectacular! I was there last night for a performance of Cinderella On Ice.

The last time I went, I was about five years old and taking part in a big schools concert during which I sang, "there's a worm at the bottom of my garden and his name is wiggaly woo." Last night's performance was in a very different league.

The ice skating was amazing - at one point they did irish dancing on the ice! The carriage that Cinderalla travels in was made in a very clever way...lots of the characters skated onto the stage carrying individual parts and it formed as they skated together. The whole thing then lit up.

The storyline was different to the original and there was no narrator - but the programme had an easy to follow summary of what was happening in each scene. There was a funny moment when all the sound went... the skaters carried on going but eventually a man in a shellsuit top walked out onto the stage and apologised.  I kind of like it when things go wrong as it reminds you that we're all just human at the end of the day.

I'd defo reccomend a trip to the Royal Albert Hall if you haven't been. There are lots of theatre boxes you can hire out and I thought it would be lovely to do that with a partner or family for a special treat.

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 23 February

 

 

 

 

I've caught man flu...I have a horrible cold and need lots of sympathy, cuddles and tea.

Monday 22 February

After losing 2lb last week, I fear I may have put a fair bit of it back on over the weekend. My housemate David made a yummy scrummy pork roast yesterday and I couldn't resist a second helping of roast potatoes.

On Saturday night, I went out in Milton Keynes for Laura's (Heart's Managing Director) birthday. We went to Revolutions and learnt how to make cocktails... which we obviously then 'had' to drink.

We also had some shots... the Bakewell Tart and Pear Drop ones were most popular with the girls.  We had dinner there too and I went for the 'Vodka Chicken' pizza which sounds all wrong but was oh so right.

After that, it was on to Oceana. I love that club but Laura likes cheesey tunes so I had to stay there - rather than going in my favourite room that plays dance. The only way I could cope with the cheese - and abundance of short men, was to dance the night away. Hopefully that burnt off some of the cals!

 

 

 

 

Thursday 18 February

Wahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I'm one week into my diet and as predicted, I've lost 2lb!!! Yay...I'm super skinny...move over Kate Moss, lol.

Monday 15 February

At last…a Valentines Day that didn’t leave me disappointed!

 Shaun went above and beyond the call of duty. He woke up with a really bad headache so I brought him up a cup of tea, orange juice, crunchy nut cornflakes and painkillers - and gave him a massage. He felt much better after all that and made me a cooked breakfast (which took my diet into account…the bacon was grilled and the egg poached). We then swapped cards…the one he gave me said “Gorgeous with a capital G” on the front and the one I gave him said “The definition of true love…Darling, instead of eating your own chips, why not just eat most of mine.” Hehe. After that, I went upstairs to find not one but two bouquets of flowers on the bed…one of roses and the other of lilies. In the afternoon he drove me out to Bagley Woods and we had a lovely walk…every now and then he’d stop to give me a kissey. Later, we went out for a meal at a tapas bar in Jericho. My diet got lost for a little while – in fact I’ll have to spend the rest of today in the gym…but the restaurant was romantic and the food was yummy so it was totally worth it.

Friday 12 February

I’ve started a new diet. I’ve been meaning to lose some weight for a while but haven’t got round to it. I know I’m not fat, but I feel on the larger side of what I should be and certainly don’t want to put any more on.

I was chatting to Gemma who also works at Heart the other day… she’s slim and toned and I was shocked when she told me she used to be 14 stone!  She doesn’t look like she could get to that size and it made me realise if she can, I can. But I wont – so yesterday, the health kick began.

I’m hoping to lose a stone by April 1st. I’ve already been to the gym three times this week and will keep that up. I’m also watching my calories and won’t eat more than 1500 a day. I did really well yesterday… I had one slice of toast for breakfast, a big salad for lunch and Cajun chicken with salad for tea. I’ve also swapped sugar for sweeteners in my tea.

Thursday 11 February

I’m sick of being subtle about Valentines Day and being left disappointed. So, this year, I gave it to Shaun straight. I told him the bare minimum requirements are a card, flowers and an adventure.

That may sound HM (high maintenance) but I’m not really asking for much… the adventure could be as simple as a walk somewhere we haven’t been before, the flowers could be a few picked from the garden. It’s the thought and effort that matter to me.

Tuesday 9 February

I’m on a Desperate Housewives quest. I missed most of seasons 4 and 5 so am trying to get through them asap as the new series has started. I love Lynette and Tom’s relationship.

It’s hard to explain why but to me, they truly, deeply love each other and represent how a relationship should be. Yeah, they mess up sometimes – but they realise their mistakes and help each other through. Kind of like Homer and Marge in The Simpsons!

Monday 8 February

Meet my new housemates:

David is the crazy one. He loves to party and likes the ladies. He’s originally from South Africa, well travelled and educated. He’s a good cook and has already made us some yummy meals. He’s a happy chappy and really good fun to be around – one of those people who makes you laugh loads.

Lucy is the quiet one. Having said that, she’s really interesting to chat to once you get her jibber jabbering – oh and she certainly comes out her shell when she has a drink or two J She’s very driven in her career. She’s a really nice person and also girlie - I’ve already got her into America’s Next Top Model. Oh…and boys, she’s single!

Germain is the cool one. He’s a bit of a poser (he denies it, but I’m having none of it). I like that he has some good, strong family values even though he’s only 26. He’s got a funny little laugh that makes you giggle. He is also a great cook and the other night I tried a chicken dish he’d made that had coco-cola in it…sounds weird but it was delicious!

Thursday 21 January

My Mum and sister came over for lunch yesterday and we were chatting about the mean things we did to one another when we were younger. Mum said I'd dress my brother Dominic up in girls clothes and then make him sit in a line with my dolls, haha. He then Facebooked me to remind me of the time he was watching a horror movie and I ran in the room with stockings over my face and saucepans on my head, screaming. He absolutely pooped his pants and just thinking about it still makes me laugh out loud. He was no better though, my sisters wrote on Facebook about what he did:

Victoria Grace Ruskin

Dom used to swap my little pound coins for his big 2ps and told me they were better as they were bigger! I believed him, and he used to set traps in the garden where I would fall in a hole.

Sabrina Ruskin

He did that to me too, he'd say come and see the hedgehog in the garden til we fell in a big hole! I did that with the coins to you too Molez! He also tried to pay us 20p to clean his puke from the floor. Giz u didn't do anything too bad, you were just EXTREMELY bossy! lol xxx

We had so many texts in after I told the story on air: Here are some of my favourites:

* My brother really didnt want a baby sister so he tried 2 sell me 4 5Op 2 the lady across the road. Shell from Oxford x

* To Matt and Giselle. When my dad was younger he wanted to be a fireman. Once his sister was in a tree and he poured petrol on the bottom of the tree and set fire to the tree with his sister in it! But then he couldn't turn the tap on to put the fire out. Luckily a passer by saw the fire and helped turn the tap on to put the fire out. Love Katie x

* My husband put his little brother in a box and stuck knives through it. He thought he could be a magician!

* I hung my foot over a cow pat and told my sister to push my foot in...I promised I wouldn't move it, lol, I did! Nikki

* My sister was so nasty to me when I was small! She cut all my hair off, made me put my hand under the lit grill and in the hamster cage so it bit my finger! She also used to dig her finger nails into my hands :( she was the meanest big sister ever!!! By the way ~ her name is Nicola Hanlon and I am sure she is listening. She is the best sister ever now :) Jacquii x

* I put Pedegree Chum in my sisters steak pie one day because she was being horrible to me - I was only ten at the time. Malc, Cowley.

* Hi guys. My 3 older brothers locked me in my bedroom cupboard and told me an old woman lived in there and fed on young children to stay alive! I was terrified to go to my room during the day! Dane.

* Morning, my brother & I used 2 have a bunkbed & I was on toy, one night he decided to take out the top part of the frame that held my matress up. So when I climbed into it, I fell through but because the hold was small I got stuck, so I was in handstand position. When I started screaming and crying, he started taking the rest out, I fell though but flattened him! Revenge was sweet! Haha. Nothing terrible but stuck in my mind for life! Cheers, Liz x

* We had a toy box the size of a small coffin, but it was white and had holes in! I used 2 put my brother in and sit on the lid, knowing he had a fear of claustaphobia. He still talks to me, his big sis after that tho.

* I emptied my snotty nose using my sister's best top. She never wore it again. Cielo.

* I sellotaped my sisters hands to her head x lol x Sorry eddie, Mary. x

* My bro and his friends locked me in a shed and tickled me till I wet my pants!!! still in therapy!!! Julie.

Tuesday 12 January

I started reading the book, "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus". I've had it ages but finally decided to open it up after getting increasingly frustrated. I've often found myself saying to Shaun - and past boyfriends, "how could you be so uncaring?"

It's like, how can someone treat you like that/say horrible things (during rows) when they're supposed to love you?! Well, this book has ALL the answers...it's AMAZING!!! So amazing in fact, that I asked Shaun to read it with me so we could both learn from it and get better understanding.

We're taking it in turns to read a chapter to one another. One of the things I've already learnt is lots of things Shaun and I do are common and 'normal' behaviour. For example, it talks about how guys act when they're stressed: They go into their caves...hide away, need time out to watch footy/play computer games, etc. Women on the other hand need to talk.

They don't need their problems solved, they just need their man to listen, understand and empathise. In the past when Shaun's wanted time out, it's really bugged me as I've felt like he should want to spend time with me. But now I know that it's just the way men are, it makes it much easier to understand and deal with. I won't take it so personally anymore. I'll keep you posted on any more gems.

Wednesday 6 January

I'm so so so so so tired and what's making it worse is knowing just about everyone else (including Shaun!!!) is having the day off coz of the snow.

I went to my sister's in Twyford yesterday afternoon and as I drove home to Oxford on the road that goes through Henley and Bix, the snow started coming down thick and fast. By the time I got back it had started to settle and two hours later, Cowley had turned into a winter wonderland. I've just moved on to a new development there and am so glad I did coz I had one of the best nights ever!

Shaun, my housemate David and I went out the front to have a snowball fight...there were already a few other people lobbing them around so we joined in. More and more people started coming out their houses and joining in and by the end of it there must have been about 30 of us.

I got hit loads of times and some of the balls really hurt...you know what boys can be like, they get a bit too excited, lol. I managed to get a load of snow in Shaun's face but he then bundled me into a bush! I was absolutely soaked.

Monday 4 January

Happy 2010, and it's said twenty-ten, not two thousand and ten (like Matt keeps saying) in my opinion! Me and my sis Moley took her daughter, my niece, Autumn out for a walk yesterday. We took the pushchair around a lake, well part way round.

Trees had fallen over but we treated it like a fun, obstacle course. However, after carrying the pushchair over a third tree we gave up. Not before we decided to both shout as loud as we could though! There was no-one else around so we thought we'd see just how loud we could both shout/scream. Randomly, I chose the word 'hedge' to yell. I think it's safe to say I won that competition, although I did have a slight advantage as Moley had a sore throat.

As we walked home, Autumn who's six months old, gave me a look as if to say, "aaah, life's good.' It got me thinking that babies really do have it pretty darn good, don't they. They get loads of attention and people are constantly trying to make them smile and feel happy. They get fed whenever they're hungry, rocked to sleep and even have their butt wiped. Well maybe the last bit isn't quite so wonderful but they sure have it cushty!