With Pride season just getting started, its time to start thinking about all the outfits and accessories you are going to need and Zatchels has just released a superb collection of leather goods perfect for the occasion. Of course, full disclosure here before I get into it, this item was gifted to me by Zatchels.

I have always been a fan of the classic and timeless style of a satchel. They fit into both the smart and trendy columns and who doesn't appreciate a well-made, high-quality leather bag? I had actually been considering a 'backpack' style satchel for some time so this collection release actually came at the perfect time for me.

If you have never heard of them, Zatchels are a British leather and accessories brand that was established in 2011. They use traditional manufacturing techniques and highly skilled staff here in the UK to create these high-quality leather bags. For 2019, they have created a whole Pride Collection that is designed for men, women and children to wear and celebrate Pride. The collection consists of 9 different styles for you to choose from, each of them decorated with the Pride rainbow flag. In addition to creating this collection, Zatchels are also donating 20% of all sales from the Pride Collection to York Pride.

That bit is actually really important. Over the last few years, it has become quite common for brands to slap a pride flag in their logo and talk the talk about supporting the LGBT+ community. Sometimes that is just face value lip service, but not for Zatchels. They are using this collection to raise money for York Pride and therefore, in turn, all of the LGBT+ organisations that the event is supporting. I am pretty sure that many of you, myself included, would have noticed the 'commercialisation' of our community in recent years. That is why I absolutely welcome and support any company that isn't just resting on a visual 'support' of everything pride stands for and is actively fundraising. The Pride Collection is the start of an ongoing partnership between Zatchels and York Pride in support of the organisation and events throughout the summer.

So let's get into it. Zatchels sent me out one of their 'City Backpacks' to try out and enjoy (which I most definitely am). Straight off the bat, I can tell you that I love the style of this bag. As I said before, it is fashioned in a way that is both smart and stylish. Satchels certainly have that 'old-school' aesthetic, but Zatchels have managed to create a version that looks sleek and modern. The use of the 'Rainbow Flag' is spot-on without being over-the-top and it is definitely a bag that I can pair with a lot of my wardrobe on a day-to-day basis. I am a fan of the backpack style, simply because it works with how I have to carry a lot of extra 'parenting' baggage so I always need to keep arms free. Backpacks work in that sense. If you did want something a little different, as mentioned before, there is a varied range to chose from:
The company boasts that each bag is carefully hand made especially for each customer and this goes as far as personalisation which is offered across a large range of their products. You can opt for a name, initials or perhaps a short personal message. Of course, mine has indeed been personalised with my initials on an engraved leather plaque that sits on the front of the bag. It just gives the whole product that personal touch which I really appreciate. This bag is very much MY bag! (What? I can't be allowed at least one Dad pun?)

True to their word and their company bio, Zatchels have created a strong, sturdy, high-quality bag that is built to last. Being constantly on the go as a parent, I appreciate a bag that isn't going to fall apart on me. The stitching on the leather is visibly thick and strong which means it will hold together well. The straps and buckles are all solid and sturdy meaning that I can trust the bag with a little extra weight too. Naturally, I have only been using the bag a short time so it is early days but I have every faith it will last and so do Zatchels. They offer a lifetime guarantee across their range that covers any manufacturing defects so if the stitching does happen to get a little loose or a strap breaks because of an unseen flaw in the leather, they will repair it for you free of charge!

I am so happy with this bag that I can most definitely recommend it. "Yeah, but it was gifted to you", I can hear you cry but I genuinely love it to the point I am actually looking at Zatchels wider product ranges and considering which one I will be purchasing in the near future. Couple that with the fact that the company are doing their bit for Pride and therefore supporting equality, diversity and inclusion, I am totally on board and I can't wait to continue showing my pride with this bag both at some pride events later in the year and in my day-to-day life.

The Zatchels Pride Collection launches today (May 31st 2019) and can be found HERE


Finally, be sure to show your support by heading over and checking out Zatchels social media on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

Thanks for reading xxx

It has been an awfully long time since I have written an article, or anything for that matter, about a rollercoaster. My passion and enthusiasm for rollercoasters has not really been as strong in recent years. That said, I was having a good 'ole reminisce this morning, listening to my archived collection of theme park soundtrack scores when the music for the legendary Nemesis came on. I have always loved the extensive backstory that was created for the ride which was also superbly narrated by Tom Baker with an eerie but epic soundtrack:

Bewildered and afraid, mentally tortured by not knowing its origins, people turned against it, they fought it, they used everything against it but Nemesis has no fear. They were mere irritants to Nemesis, to be swatted away like flies. It left, to seek sanctuary but it searched in vain. Unwanted, it was jettisoned towards Earth two million years ago. It has remained here ever since, drawing its energy from the Earth's core. 
For centuries, people were drawn to the mysterious place where it was thought to lay buried. They paid homage to the power. They brought gifts. They gave their souls! It's resting place became a mystical place, a place of worship. Few pilgrims returned to lead a normal life, such was their disturbance, such was the gravity of what they felt. Often these meddlers met mysterious ends, crazed by their findings, driven mad by the force. Some simply disappeared leaving only their fear. Nemesis was too disturbing, it defied scientific explanation. It was left to brood in peace. Unexplained, its existence denied. Sanctuary at last. Until today. 
Nemesis was discovered during routine maintenance work in the Forbidden Valley at Alton Towers. A group of workmen complained of dizzy spells, of an uncontrollable force drawing them towards a place where the shadows of two giant oak trees met. The force was overpowering. They were compelled to dig, to seek the source. What they discovered, defies description. The Nemesis had been disturbed, the sanctuary it sought for so many millions of years broken. It was awake. It thrashed crazily in the earth, removing all before it. Like a giant excavator, it sent trees and small buildings hurtling skywards, dementedly it released its anger at being discovered. Crazy, it formed the pit that you see today. 
A security silence fell over Alton Towers while archaeologists and historians nervously investigated. Eventually, they described their worst fears; This was, Nemesis! Nemesis had to be controlled. It took 250 tonnes of steel and 200 men. Not ordinary men, not ordinary steel. Pinned down by this massive structure, it tries to escape, steaming anger. We, merely irritants, now ride it, fuelling its annoyance. It is controlled but not tamed. 
When you ride Nemesis, remember its history. It is awesome. There is no comparison. This is the legend but don't try to understand, don't try to come to terms with it, don't even try to think about it.
Nemesis at Alton Towers. Sit back. It's fright time!

It's that time again! Here is the rundown of the music I was listening to throughout February 2019. I'll get started by looking at the statistics:


The total number of unique songs played and the total play count have taken a big leap this month and that has been because I have been listening to a lot more music at home rather than watching the TV and it shows with the Total Play Count jumping up +204%!!! The Top 20 makes up 19% of everything I listened to which has also led to the average plays per song jumping up a fair bit too.

Getting into the chart, 6 tracks from January made it back onto the chart, 6 tracks were New Entries meaning the remaining 8 had charted in a previous month.

The highest new entry (I am a little surprised it hasn't charted before) was the Britney Spears classic 'I'm A Slave 4 U' coming in at No. 3. It doesn't really need much of a description as we all know it, but it certainly ranks as one of my absolute favourite Britney tracks. Oddly, Britney also claimed the highest Re-Entry spot too, with 'Circus' coming back onto the chart at No. 7.

Another New Entry and one that is a true new release for February 2019. It was literally released on Feb 27th and I've listened to it 7 times already and landing at No. 15. It is the brand new release from Emma Bunton (of Spice Girls fame) called Baby Please Don't Stop. Bunton has always had a bit of thing for the retro, the '60s or Motown vibe and this captures that perfectly. I hope that she gains some really good chart success with it and that she continues to release more given that it's been around 13 years since the last single!


An 'unusual' new entry this month comes from an original motion picture soundtrack. 'Finding Zoltar' is a piece from the 1988 film starring Tom Hanks, 'Big'. The film always ranked highly in my childhood movies and the score fills me with nostalgia and happiness. This particular piece is from the climax of the movie when Hanks' character Josh goes on the final hunt to find the machine that turned him into an adult. It is filled with bittersweet melancholy, through to the eerie theme that is associated with the Zoltar machine and finishing with the resolution. I had been looking for this soundtrack for such a long time and I still remain in shock that it comes from the same composer who was responsible for giving the Lord of the Rings trilogy an epic score, Howard Shore. Coming in at No. 17. I would expect this or other pieces from the score to chart in future months.

Continuing with another piece from a soundtrack, 'Love, Simon' from the film of the same name, came in at No. 4. I won't say too much about it now as I am working on a write-up of the movie to publish soon but I will say that this score is stunning! It is very different from what I would usually expect and enjoy in a movie score which makes me love it all the more.


I have a relatively eclectic music taste and will give anything a go at least once so I am always on the hunt for new music and new styles to explore so if you have any suggestions of songs or even artists for me to check out, feel free to let me know in the comments section below and if it makes it into the chart I'll give you a shout out.

And that is it for My Music Chart for February. The Full Top 20 is listed below:


Thanks for stopping by and reading x

I’m a massive fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race and I have been since all the way back in Season 1 with its infamous lens glare. It still amazes and impresses me how a show about drag queens has become such a global phenomenon. Naturally, as the host and star of the show, RuPaul gets to showcase her latest musical offerings. I have to admit that before viewing the show, I was only aware of the one song, ‘Supermodel (You Better Work)’ but it wasn’t long before I was downloading absolutely everything Ru had recorded.

It is almost a year since the last Disney bracket challenge type thing did the rounds and you can view my answers for that one HERE. Anyways, I was minding my own business, procrastinating on twitter when this one popped up. A Disney Song Bracket. Well, if you hadn't guessed it by now, I am a huge Disney fan and so I gave it a go.

I have to point out right now though, the set up of this one actually saw a few of my favourites go out in the first round which I was most aggrieved to do. For instance, 'I-2-I' from A Goofy Movie is an awesome song and takes me back to my teens so for me, it would have also beaten out quite a few of the other sounds that made it through to the next round from other brackets. That said, it was never going to compare to 'Beauty and the Beast'.

Similarly, 'Hellfire', from The Hunchback of Notre Dame is amongst Alan Menkens absolute finest work. It is incredible. That said, it was up against 'When You Wish Upon A Star'. I mean, 'When You Wish Upon A Star' IS Disney. Not only is it the lead song from the stunning Pinocchio, but it is quite literally the companies 'logo song'! I knew almost immediately that this song was probably going to trump absolutely anything that it faced... and there you have it.

My winner is 'When You Wish Upon A Star'!

What are your thoughts? Have I completely triggered you? Would your bracket have shaped up a lot differently? Let me know in the comments below.

At the beginning of the year, I decided to revive this little feature as it had fallen by the wayside in all the craziness that was getting ready for having a baby!

For those that are new and don't already know or don't have the inclination to go all the way back, I am a bit of nerd when it comes to charts and statistics. It actually makes up a bit part of my 'profession', when I am at work that is. I love looking at statistics, performance figures and charts and I watch a lot of 'Countdown' shows for almost anything!

Those of you that use iTunes will know that it has the play count column which is great but it only shows the total number of plays for the lifetime that the song has been in the library. That feature is great, but it didn't show me what I was listening to on a month by month basis so I went all uber-nerdy and devised a spreadsheet where I can import the data each month and have it calculate the number of plays for that time period and rank the best performers - essentially what I was listening to the most. From that, I decided to share it here and talk about the music I've been listening to because, well, because I can! Don't worry, I don't always discuss every single song on the chart, I usually pick a few highlights.

Naturally, the numbers are not quite as high as they used to be as I am no longer spending up to four hours per day on the commute so I am not glued to my headphones as much as I used to be but nonetheless, I still wanted to track it all, so here goes the chart for January 2019.



Usually, I would compare the total statistics to the previous month but since the last chart was almost a year ago, there really isn't anything useful in that. The stats speak for themselves really. The first column is the total number of unique songs played, in this case, I've listened to 158 different songs this month to make up a total play count of 284. 112 of those 'plays' make up the Top 20.

Getting into the songs themselves, there were 3 re-entries, songs which had appeared on a chart previously. 'Papi' by Jennifer Lopez came in at No.6 because my baby daughter seems to particularly like me dancing around the living holding her while it plays.

Everything else was a new entry which makes sense, given that I haven't tracked the music over the last year. That said there are a few older songs on there that simply hadn't charted when I was tracking such as that version of 'Silence' by Delerium or Breakin' Dishes by Rihanna.

One little surprise was that 'Keeping A Secret' by Bleachers charting at No.14. It was a surprise because I could have sworn that the Love, Simon original movie soundtrack had made a big dent in one of the last charts I did but apparently not. Anyways, I have listened to the soundtrack a lot and it has become one of the most listened to albums on my iTunes. The soundtrack really compliments the film and 'Keeping a Secret' is no exception. If you haven't seen the film I highly recommend it and the soundtrack that goes with it. The song doesn't appear to have an official video, but you check it out below:


Years & Years quite often feature in the chart as one of my favourite bands and their latest offering is their collaboration with Jax Jones called 'Play' which charts at No.11. 'Play' has the expected distinct vocals of lead singer Olly Alexander and their brand of electronic dance that for me, has an almost retro feel. I often find myself thinking their songs are like a modern twist on an 80s track.

I will be the first to admit I have never been a huge Rita Ora fan but I have to say that 'Let You Love Me' got me hooked with it's chilled Ibiza electropop vibe. The chorus has a simple yet killer hook and the cool echoing arrangement of the track make this easy to listen to on repeat hitting the chart at No.9.

'Dangerous' by Kid Enigma & Riton was a bit of an accidental discovery as I probably wouldn't have ever heard it if it wasn't featured in a recent Apple Music x Ministry Of Sound ad campaign. If I am brutally honest, it is a pretty standard house track but with a funky tech sound mixed in. What really made the song stick in my mind and become a repeat player is the catchy lyrics; "I'm so free, I'm so fly, I'm so fabulous, so dangerous" repeating like a chant that I can totally get behind. It came in at No.8 but is bound to show up again in future charts.

Coming in at No.5 was 'Breathe' by CamelPhat & Christoph feat. Jem Cooke. I actually stumbled upon this just browsing iTunes looking for new tracks. This track stuck out as its progressive house vibe really took me back to a lot of the house music I was listening to in the 90s and early 00s. That said, it doesn't sound dated at all. This could definitely feature as a 'cooldown' track towards the end of a big night out.

The Top 3 tracks for January are all brilliant in my opinion. So much so that I feel I need to mention all 3 of them. At No.3 is 'Nothing Breaks Like A Heart' by Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus. I am just going to put it out there that I am very late to the party when it comes to Miley Cyrus. I was just never really interested but I recently listened to her album Bangerz and was actually surprised by how much I liked it. Of course, this new track in which she features is a Mark Ronson track and it is brilliant. I never thought I would like hearing Miley sing so much! A fantastic lyrical song which feels timeless. Add in the infusion of the country genre and it just works. I'm all for having country music (after Kylie Minogue did similar with her recent album Golden) in the mainstream if it's going to sound like this!

I love Fleur East. I have done ever since she stepped out on the stage during her time on X-Factor UK. It is very rare that I can watch that show and genuinely feel that someone had superstar potential to rival the biggest artists in the charts but Fleur absolutely did (and still does). Her first album was a fantastic debut and deserved to have way more success with single releases than it had. Nevertheless, after her recent success on I'm A Celebrity, she is back and I. LOVE. THIS. SONG! I am a little surprised by the lack of chart success it had because people should be listening to this and it should be on heavy rotation airplay! It is a slice of some tribal infused pop and it just makes me want to dance! It is no surprise to me that it was the No.2 track of my month.

I have ended up detailing more of this months top plays a little more than I expected but it has been a good month for music. However and somewhat ironically, the No.1 ended up being a slightly older song that has only been released as an album track. Little Mix released their latest album LM5 in November of 2018 and has produced some big hits in terms of singles but ironically, many of the tracks that I particularly enjoy are not, or are yet to be singles. The whole album is brilliant, but the songs 'Motivate' and 'Wasabi' particularly stand out for me with the latter coming in as this months No.1. It is the perfect example of what I love about pop music because of how it evolves and can be absolutely anything it needs to be. Lyrically it screams of female empowerment which I applaud and support 100% but it isn't exclusive to women. With a line like "all the ugly things you say, come and say them to my face", it is pretty hard not to get behind this potential anthem, even if it is just an anthem for me personally.


I have a relatively eclectic music taste and will give anything a go at least once so I am always on the hunt for new music and new styles to explore so if you have any suggestions of songs or even artists for me to check out, feel free to let me know in the comments section below and if it makes it into the chart I'll give you a shout out.

And that is it for My Music Chart for January. The full Top 20 is shown below.



Thank you for stopping by and reading x

Well of course my Top 9 pictures were all going to include Sophie. She really has been the story of our year. We started out 2018 having only found out we were going to be Dads 10 days earlier which was certainly the best Christmas present ever - a massive thanks to Lisa and her Family goes without saying.