Legally Blonde…and Hot Halliwell

I went to see Legally Blonde the musical AGAIN last night. It might have been my THIRD time and second trip to the theatre in a week, but I still absolutely loved it. It’s such a fun musical and I don’t know anyone who’s seen it and hasn’t loved it.

I was given tickets as Brian McFadden’s sister Susan has just taken over from Sheridan Smith in the lead role of Elle Woods. Sheridan was so fantastic I was worried Susan wouldn’t cut the mustard, but she was brilliant. I took my mum with me and she really enjoyed it too. So much so, she was on the edge of her seat for most of it laughing out loud.

Speaking of hot blondes, I kicked off today with a breakfast date with Geri Halliwell at the Savoy. Ooo la la. It was the launch of her new swimwear range for Next, so while I filled my face with the complimentary and delicious fruit kebabs a load of stunning models swanned around the room in pieces from Geri’s collection. 

Top models with ridiculously killer bodies or not, I’m convinced Geri was by far the hottest chick in the room. I seriously can’t believe she’s going to be 39 in August. She looked incredible. Amazing skin, gorgeous hair…I think I might  have a bit of a girl crush.

She was very lovely to chat to too and said she’d kicked off her career working as a Saturday girl in Next so was mega excited to be doing a clothing range for them. She also said she recognized me from the column. Amazing!

I’ve just got to meet Victoria Beckham and then I’ll have the full Spice Girl set. She’s the big gun too so I’m on a mission to get Posh in the bag.

Look out, VB!

NTAs!

Last night was the National Television Awards at the O2. I was in a mega grump all day (I'm blaming January) but was actually pretty excited when my cab dropped me off because it was my first ever NTAs. I was in a box with a load of other journos and caved under their peer pressure and quit my January booze ban. 26 days of no boozing went out the window and in came the free wine. Meep.


I behaved for about an hour but then wandered down the corridor to gatecrash ITV2’s box - their wine was so much nicer than ours and they had food! It had to be done.

I larked about with Amy Childs from The Only Way is Essex, laughed at Mark Wright eating only the meat from the buffet (apparently he doesn’t do carbs), listened to Konnie Huq banging on about drunkenly losing her mobile phone, told Dave Berry his “box was hotter than mine” (I was talking about the temperature of the room!), chatted to Fearne Cotton about her half marathon training, Kerry Katona about how bloody knackered she is with all the Dancing on Ice Training and made a date on the dancefloor with my new (I think fit) mate Jeff Brazier.

Neither of us made the date, but decided the dancefloor wasn’t ready for us anyway.

I was wearing a feather cape from Topshop, which I love...despite the fact you can't wear a coat over it, put it in a bag OR go within a mile of anything flammable. 

It got loads of attention because everyone reckoned it looked a bit ‘Black Swan’. And thinking about it, it bloody does too! Thankfully I didn’t end up going whacko and I certainly didn’t snog any girls. Eugh, I'm so tame these days.

Jessie's dress pre Champers-gate

The afterparty was fun, but rammed. So rammed Peter Andre almost got me slapped by Kat Slater. As he went to hug me he knocked my hand and my champagne went flying all down Jessie Wallace’s back, all over her gorgeous silk dress and ALL over her hair. Eeeeeek! She turned around and started having a massive go at us. Me and Peter were shitting ourselves and apologizing profusely (and also looking at each other and trying not to laugh like naughty school kids) for about two minutes…and then she burst out laughing and said “Only joking, I don’t care!”

Oh my god. She certainly ain't a top actress for nuffink. I was actually bricking it, because in fairness she had every right to give us a good smack round the chops....but I suppose at least it meant I didn't drink the champagne.

I also had a bit of ‘Black Swan’ banter with the very handsome Steve Jones, chatted weddings with the newly engaged Emma Bunton and had a cuddle with awards host Dermot O’Leary. I’ve known Dermot for years because I used to work on Big Brother when he was presenting BBLB and we had the same media studies teacher at Colchester Sixth Form College…although a few years apart – he’s older than me.  And even though I don’t see him that often anymore, he always says “Hiiii Sonja, how are you?” when he sees me. Top bloke the O’Leary.

Me and Steve Jones...

...and Emma Bunton...

...and Dermot O'Leary

 After my long hike back from Greenwich to Fulham I finally got to bed at 2am. I’d only had three glasses of wine, but that was enough to make me think non-boozing is the way forward.

Dull and boring? Me? I don’t know what you mean, I’m quite sure.

Death By Chocolate

Sometimes events are just like the Wimbledon District line trains. You wait for ages at Earls Court while Ealing Broadway and Richmonds turn up and then two Wimbledons come at once.

And last night was a perfect example. There were two great events and I wanted to go to them both. So I did.

To celebrate the launch of the Priscilla Party Bus me and a load of other journos were picked up on the fun bus and taken to the theatre to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert. I’ve seen it before a couple of years ago and thought it was great, so there was no way I was going to turn down the chance of a trip on the Priscilla bus! Bright pink, with blaring cheesy tunes, disco lights and singing drag queens – what’s not to love?

Certainly beats turning up at the theatre in a cab.

There was quite a good celeb turn out, including most of The Only Way Is Essex crew. I had a chat with Mark Wright who assured me he’s actually a nice boy and it’s just the show that makes him look like a player. Right-O. He’s certainly got a way with the ladies, he offered me a half drunk bottle of coke. Ahh, what a gent.

I made a dash over to Shoreditch House in the interval for the Thorntons’ 100^th Birthday bash. It was literally insane. Talk about death by chocolate! I’ve never seen so much of the stuff in the same room. Ever. There was chocolate fountains, chocolate shots, chocolate cocktail and bowls and bowls of different chocolately delights. It was like Willy Wonker on acid.

Needless to say I ate so much I nearly produced a puke cube on numerous occasions on my way home. Sexy.

I chatted to the lovely Jeff Brazier over a chocolate fountain dipped strawberry or two. He told me he’s loving being on Dancing On Ice because it means he can stuff his face with whatever he wants because he knows he’ll burn it off on the ice rink.

That was his excuse for eating loads of the chocolate, I’m not quite sure what mine was!

Greed or gluttony. Perhaps.

The next day I had lunch with another top Essex lad – Olly Murs. We had a chinwag over a tasty Nandos down by London Bridge. He’s such a nice, normal bloke. I like him. I love that he still drives a fiat cinquecento because he doesn’t want a “poser w*nker car” and I love while Rihanna and the other celeb gang showbizzed it up in Barbados over New Year, he partied on the other ‘normal’ side of the island with his mates.

Yep, definitely a top Essex lad...

...despite his collection of odd hats.

Good Celebs, Naughty Celebs

I had some great QT with one of my best mates from uni today, Stu (or Producer Stuey as he’s known when he’s doing his thing producing Fearne Cotton’s Radio One show). We went to Moosh in Fulham for brunch and both fell in love. With the place, not each other. He’s getting married in September to a very lovely lady.

Seriously that place has best juices and smoothies. Ever.

I had a Green Light which is pineapple, avocado, apple & lime – sounds rank, tastes off the scale lush.
Fearne Cotton’s make-up launch on Thursday was good. Getting a free manicure had something to do with it, but it was also nice to chat to Fearne. She was rocking an amazing Marc Jacobs dress and make-up from her Boots range and looked HOT.

Me and Fearne...

Shame the P.Diddy party wasn’t quite as pleasurable. I was really looking forward to meeting the rap royalty, but he was so late turning up to his album launch at Pigalle and then refused to speak to any press. Man flu or not, that’s slack.

There was quite a celeb turnout at his bash though, including the least hip-hop man going  - Alan Carr. I actually fell over while I was chatting to him and I’d only been drinking water – despite his accusations that I stunk of Lambrini!

Ashley Cole was there too and spent most of the night sat at a table with his mates and texting on his Blackberry while his ‘new romance’ Kayla Collins sat opposite him looking really bored. I chatted to her and she seemed quite sweet, but they actually ended up having a bit of a barney and she headed home solo leaving him to play with the boys. 

...and Kayla Collins

But according to Kayla (above) they’re not dating anyway. She released a statement the next day to say she’s single and still looking for Mr Right. Ashley’s bad behaviour can’t have triggered that, can it? Nope, no way.

Talking of good and bad, I went to see the much talked about Black Swan yesterday. It’s an incredible film and Natalie Portman is amazing as the lead. I can’t believe she actually trained and learnt to become a ballerina. That's dedication.

The film's definitely worthy of the gongs it’s already won, but I have to admit I couldn’t actually wait for it to end. Some of it is really nasty and it all totally messed with my head. I was on the edge of my seat (literally) for most of it and was in a really weird mood for a few hours after I left the cinema. It’s definitely one that stays with you long after you’ve finished watching it.

I had to listen to Adele’s new album 21 to chill me out! It’s the best album I’ve heard in a while, nice one Adele.

In gym news, attempting to stand up just made me realise that going to the gym 6 days out of 7 might not have been the best idea. 

Ow.My.Legs.

Bet they're really glad I've got a diary jam packed full of events next week so they can have a break.

Pain, No Gain (Probably)

I met one of my girlfriends for dinner at  Guy Ritchie's boozer The Punch Bowl last night. The food was as delicious as always (I had an amazing fillet of Sea Bream) and my friend was particularly happy as the place was packed to the rafters with men for her to perv on.

She absolutely loves the gym and spends loads of time there. I admit I love a good trip to the gym too and feel a bit weird if I haven’t run for a while, like I need to get something out of my system or something, but I’ve always thought she was bonkers for getting up at 6am for bikram, then going to the gym for spinning and then going back a few hours later to see a trainer or some other crazy malarkey. But I fear I have now gone equally as gym nuts. 

I was already a member of the very lovely David Lloyd but I have now joined Fitness First because thanks to work it’s only a fiver a month and there’s one minutes from the office so I can go at lunch.

This is no joke or exaggeration - myself and Jess from the column actually sat at our desks today and highlighted, yes, highlighted with pink felt tipped pens, which classes we aimed to do.  At THREE different gyms, no less.

It was like work-out bingo. HOUSE wooo!

Me: “We can do Zumba at Mansion House on a Wed night.”

Her: “Oh and yoga at London Bridge on Tuesdays,”

Me: “And that core class at Monument looks good…”

I’ve been running for years and was actually a bit of a fancy pants star on the running track when I was younger…until I grew boobs and then the running lark went out the window in favour of glugging bottles of Kiwi 20/20. But I’ve carried on running a few times a week for yonks and I’ve tried to be a regular yoga goer. But the workout regime I’ve embarked on this week is off the ridiculous scale.

So far I’ve done this to myself…

Monday lunch – Yoga

Tuesday lunch – Body Attack

Wednesday morning – 5km killer uphill run

Wednesday evening – Yoga

Actually seeing it written down it doesn't seem all that hardcore, but needless to say my legs felt completely like jelly on the tube home. They seem to be all good in the hood again now though so I am still ridiculously excited about a dance class and session with my PT Saturday and a run and swim Sunday.

I am officially insane….but I’m going to just go with it while the whole non drinking lark lasts. Once the booze ban is off, finding time for the gym is really hard because I’m often either drunk or hungover. I’ve done a few hungover/guilt runs after boozy nights out but there’s nothing sexy or fun about running on pure vodka. Rank.

Tomorrow is going to have to be work-out free. I’m going to chat to Fearne Cotton at her make-up range launch in the afternoon and then party (sober) with P.Diddy at his album launch bash. 

Damn those pair of gym-time-eaters.

Can’t wait to see you Friday David L or Fitness F.
Lots of Love, Sonja x


P.S DL you are totally my fave, but Shhh! don't tell FF

Hooray For H'Wood

Any week that kicks off with the news of a trip to LA to cover the Oscars is a great week in my eyes. It’s still over five weeks away, but I am slightly giddy. If only there was a magic cure for jetslag. I’m still haunted by the pain I was in after my LA trip last year. Agghhh.

February’s actually looking like it’s going to be a fun (but slightly killer) month. Before LA carnage, London’s got the BAFTAs, Elle Style Awards and the Brits (all in the space of three days!). I’ll probably have to go back on a booze-free detox in March to recover.

But that’s next month. There’s still another two weeks of Blue January to get out of the bloody way first. Seriously, thank god for Mad Men dvds and David Lloyd. If I didn’t have Don Draper and the treadmill in my life I think I would be in a corner somewhere rocking.

My ONE work night out this week was to the Morning Glory premiere in Leicester Square. I’d already seen James McAvoy at the Soho Hotel while I was having a breakfast meeting and then a few hours later bigcreen big gun Harrison Ford was standing right in front of my face. He does look pretty good for a dude pushing 70 but he was wearing an earring. An earring!! Gross. Rachel McAdams is in the film too and looked particularly foxy in real life. I wanted to walk out after about 30 mins, but I’m really glad I stayed to shovel free popcorn in my face because it actually ended up being a good little flick. Romcom-y but good.

A load of I’m A Celeb peeps were there too and Team Can Associates were out in force - Kerry Katona, Amy Childs and Peter Andre.

Me and Peter...

...and Kerry Katona

I know a lot of people think The Andre’s cheesier than a family size bag of Wotsits, but I’ve got a lot of love for him. Yeah I agree he can be slightly fromage, but he is also a super friendly, decent bloke. And he’s certainly not shy when it comes to handing out the kisses. I might start charging him. Kiss hug, kiss hug, kiss hug…

That ex missus Kate Price has been up to her usual tricks this week. There was supposed to be an announcement from her people on Tuesday – which was obviously about her split from Alex Reid, but the news never actually came. I’ll carry on waiting with baited breath for that one. Yep, I’m on the edge of my seat.

But while she’s got loads of attention, she’s been tweeting pics of her wearing sunglasses from her upcoming new range….I guess she has told us enough times to never ‘underestimate the Pricey.’ She’s a proper shark that one.

I missed the Brits noms and party to spend some QT with my baby nephew. He was over from his sunny home in Dubai with my sister in-law for a few days so I overdosed on cuddles and all things Handy Manny. There’ll be other parties, but it’s not everyday you get your Macbook Pro fingered and dribbled on.

2011 - Let's Go

It was touch and go at the start of the week, but I think I’ve finally built a bridge and got over the January blues. One week of 2011 is in the bag and I’m actually feeling pretty chipper, despite the booze ban I’ve whacked on myself until Feb - after seeing the obscene amount of festive empties at my parents I thought I owed it to my liver to take a break.

Only 7 days in and there’s already been some big new celeb romances. Wayne Bridge has upgraded from his cheating ex to Frankie Sandford and Peter Andre’s announced he’s dating Elen Rives. I actually really like Pete and I think Elen is a top bird so I hope it’s for real and I hope it lasts longer than normal showbiz relationships. And then there’s Chez and Dez and those pics of him ‘kissing her stomach’ on that balcony. Hmm, I’m still not convinced about these two, but hopefully I’m wrong.

The London party scene is dead but I did go to one event this week – the premiere of Cirque Du Soleil’s Totem at The Royal Albert Hall.

Last year I legged it in the interval to go in search of wine, but I was determined to give it another go. I appreciate the skill involved, really I do, and I totally get why people love it, but once again I did a runner after an hour.

I did chat to the lovely, and very loved-up, Kara Tointon before the freaky small bendy people took to the stage though as well as Katherine Jenkins (who confessed she loves to get drunk and flash her knickers!) and Chantelle Houghton who practically begged me not to write anything mean about her. I don’t know why people give her such a tough time – she’s so sweet…and a fellow Essex chick.

I love that green Topshop vest I’m wearing in the Kara pic, but that’s the second time I’ve been snapped in it so onto the massive burn pile it goes. Gutted.

Most other nights this week I’ve been feeding my Mad Men addiction. It’s the perfect replacement for boozing, but I fear I’ve been binging. I’ve been doing about three eps a night. I’m seriously addicted. It’s definitely one of the best things that’s been on TV. Ever. It’s fair to say I am Don Draper obsessed – cheating aside, he’s the perfect man. Surely?

I’m guesting on LBC’s Saturday night live tomorrow and along with that rancid EastEnders story line, one of the things I’ll be chatting about is whether The King’s Speech is an Oscar shoo-in. I thought I best get my ass in a cinema seat to watch it and I can honestly say it’s pretty special.

He’s always lovely but a bit dull in real life, but in films Colin Firth is always such a stud. He is incredible as Albert (the real Queen’s dad) and I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. I’d read good things, but I was surprised at how great a watch it was. 

Go see it!