There and Back Again

Why I Celebrate Thanksgiving

2011-11-28T20:55:00.001Z

Albino pumpkin

I warn you, I've gone mental. Mental for PUMPKINS. I've had a Thanksgiving pumpkin-filled weekend. It's been amazing.

Mantle Pumpkin

I've been celebrating Thanksgiving for a while. It all started at uni when I used to live with an American and she made us all do a Thanksgiving dinner and it was a whole heap of fun. And then I went to actual America, and had ACTUAL Thanksgiving, and I was sold. I mean, a four day weekend where you literally do nothing but eat yummy food? I'll repeat that: Four days. Nothing. Yummy. EAT.

Sign me up.

Pie of Pumpkin

And so I came to wholeheartedly embrace this quintessentially American holiday to my bosom. I have henceforth always taken that Thursday and Friday off of work and plan to continue doing so. But this year was the first year I decided that I would cook a proper authentic Thanky G feast all by myself like a GROWNUP.

Half-Eaten Pumpkin

On the menu was a turkey, cranberry and cornbread stuffing, sweet potato with marshmallow topping, maple roasted parsnips, green bean casserole all covered in lovely turkey gravy and finished off with a pumpkin pie. I don't think there was anything on that table that didn't come into contact at some point with either maple syrup or cinnamon or both. Yum.

And I'm really impressed with my friends that they didn't run scared by some of the above (yes, that was sweet potato with MARSHMALLOW - which exploded everywhere but that's another story!), they all gave it a go. It was DEE-licious.

Munchkin Pumpkins

And it was lovely to share the feast with good friends, good wine and a good stretchy pair of pants.

Oh yes, the pre-Christmas diet started again today. I'm already having syrup withdrawal symptoms. Hold me.

Boom Boom Boom. Even Brighter Than The Moon Moon Moon

2011-11-06T19:03:00.001Z

Baby you're a firework

I love love love firework night! The bonfires, the wrapping up warm, the hot dogs, the drinking, and the fireworks. Ooh sparklers too, I almost forgot those guys.

Neon pink rain

I find it really weird that fireworks can provoke such emotion in some people, myself included. When you see a really impressive firework display, it's such a spectacle and so dramatic. Usually a crowd of people is involved and the fireworks are there to mark an occasion so you're all there having this shared experience and it's just bloody lovely. I mean, when they let off a couple of rockets at the end of the Milton Keynes Foo Fighters gig in July I lost my shit and actually started blubbing all over my best friend. Possibly a few randoms too. Which now just seems stupid. But THAT is the power of the humble firework.

Burning leaves

But bonfire night marks the point in the year at which all things autumn are in full swing. The bonfire makes the russet and golden leaves on the trees glow so they too seem aflame. The smell of hot dogs and mulled wine is in the air, and you're all bundled up in your warmest scarves and coats, waving your sparklers (or in my case, spinny glowstick thingy) in the air like you just don't care. And the fireworks are the exclamation point to the whole evening.

All of the lights all of the lights

I think it's such a shame that so many of the firework displays in London haven't gone ahead this year because the council's can't afford it. Ally Pally and Clapham were cancelled. I love that we have this event in the British calender so I really hope this is just a sign of the economic times and not of the tradition dying out. I mean the American's have the fourth of July, the French have Bastille day, so this is our thing!! We need to keep it alive! With that in mind, I made my way to the other side of town to Battersea Park and I'm really glad I did, the fireworks were epic. I mean, it was super busy, and there were crazy queues for food, but I managed to snarf some hot dogs JUST before the fireworks started. Boom!

Spinner love

Whilst the fireworks were really impressive, I thought the bonfire was a bit of a let down but then maybe that's because I seem to compare every bonfire to the EPIC BALL OF FLAME I experienced in Ottery St Mary many moons ago. That was like a 20ft beast of a fire that burnt for days, so I guess it's not really fair to have that as the yardstick. Everything's going to fall short.

Purple rain

I hope there's more displays to choose from next year. I don't want to live in a world where we've forgotten our god-given right to, once a year, burn our (non-toxic) rubbish and let off some highly dangerous chemical explosions in the sky in an ORGANISED MANNER!! This is our tradition! Long may it reign.

Crazy Stupid Pumpkin Love

2011-10-30T19:43:00.001Z

Pumpkinny wumpkinny

Oops. It's been a while since I've written anything here. I guess I haven't been doing anything that noteworthy. Although to be honest if I have to really fully analyse the situation, I could probably chalk up at least a whole two weeks being lost to scouring the internet for photos of Ryan Gosling. If you are that way inclined, may I recommend this website.

I've been to see him in Drive (the soundtrack literally won't leave my ears) and Crazy Stupid Love this month and might be a LITTLE BIT obsessed. Honestly, I have no idea where the time goes. I could literally stare at him for hours. Excellent example of the perfect man. Well done to everybody involved. If I ever met him in the street I think the only appropriate reaction would be to give him a standing ovation. The Ides of March is the next Gosling cinematic offering and I'm already rubbing my legs in anticipation. And don't even try and pretend you aren't too.

Next of (pump)kin

So ANYWAY. Enough of my lusting after Hollywood celebrities. What a contrast between my last post and this! Last time I was reporting from the front line of the unexpected but fully welcomed and fondly remembered late summer 2011 heatwave (RIP)... and now here we are, clocks gone back and dark evenings closing in, wrapped up warm, central heating on, surrounded by pumpkins and fake blood.

It's no secret, I love Hallowe'en. This was a love that was spurred on all the more from my experience of a full-on American 'We'en during my time in New York. I'm not sure Britain will ever quite reach those heady heights but it doesn't stop me trying year after year!

I have actually purchased a further four pumpkins of varying sizes. True story.

The past five years or so have been spent constructing elaborate costumes and getting very very (very) drunk. This year I've decided to take it easy, by purchasing a whole armful of pumpkins and getting my carve on in front of the umpteenth showing of Ghostbusters. Which to be honest, is probably more fun and with less hangover.

Altogether now: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... MASS HYSTERIA!

Last Days of Summer

2011-10-02T16:21:00.000+01:00

Bee-ay-yoo-tiful beach

But, Mr Weatherman, what have I done to deserve this? An extra week of summer. On my week off. On my week off BY THE SEA. Noone could have planned it better. I think it was the universe's way of making up for my lack of summer holiday this year.

I've spent this week back in Bournemouth with the rental units. And it's been a week of brunch, cinema, dinners, baking, beach and generally lazing around doing very little. I've been uber busy at work over the summer so I really needed this. I'm not really looking forward to going back to work tomorrow, but I think I'll be feeling more refreshed for sure. Which will last approx half an hour, before I'm working out how long til I can next take time off. I swear, someone needs to just pay me for hanging around chatting. I mean, I'm really good at that, you'd get your moneys worth.

Beach Bird Stalking

I've spent the last couple of days at the beach. It's been the most weird thing to be lying on the beach, surrounded by people in their bikinis in October. OCTOBER! I mean, in mere weeks we'll all be carving pumpkins! Normally, I'm not a fan of unseasonal weather, but I guess I need to add a caveate to that. I'm not a fan, unless the weather is unseasonably WARM. Anything that increases the amount of time I can spend on a beach gets the thumbs up from me.

Cake and lashings of ginger beer

I took the opportunity of a bit of time on my hands to treat the fam to my baking skillz. I chose the Apple Crumble Hummingbird Cupcakes to have a go at for two reasons. One, autumn = apples. And two, this recipe is EPIC. You have to stew the apples for the apple cake filling, then make up the cake batter as standard, then bake the cakes, then make custard FROM SCRATCH, then leave it to cool, THEN bake crumble for the topping, THEN whip cream to mix with your cooled custard and THHHEEENNN assemble all your toppings. I mean it took all day, I couldn't do this on a normal weekend.

Crumbly in my tumbly

Some people wouldn't have the patience for all the different stages, but I kind of like the luxury of spending all day creating something a bit spesh. Plus, I've never made custard properly before - it's actually surprisingly easy.

The cakes turned out really yummy, the custardy topping was unusual but actually worked really well to give the apple crumble effect.

Nomz

Indulging in one of these guys with a nice cool glass of ginger beer in the last summer sun of the year in the parental backyard was a real treat.

Now, when's my next holiday?

Run to the Beat of my Biscuits

2011-09-25T23:00:00.000+01:00

Maritime Museum, Greenwich

In case you didn't know..

This weekend I watched my best mates boyfriend, J-Man Jizzle* complete an amazing achievement - he ran the Nike Run to the Beat half marathon and we are all very very proud of him.

(*Not actual name. Name that I call him. Largely against his will)

He's training to run the London Marathon next year, and this race signifies the furthest he's ever ran so it's a huge deal.

Cheerleaders (although I think I was better AND I didn't have balloons!)

Arms outstretched, J-Man at the 11 mile mark, only two to go!

However, the day was not without its drama. The day was lovely and sunny, but we think the heat got to him because 150m before the end of the race, J started to slow and come to a stop. Even the encouraging screams from two old lady spectators couldn't help him. A random man (we're not sure whether it was a fellow competitor, a marshall or a member of the crowd) came to help him over the final finish line, before poor old J collapsed from heatstroke/exhaustion and had to be taken to the medical tent.

He is now fine, just needs to rest up and get lots of fluids, but it just goes to show what a huge effort it is to complete these things and how amazing it is that he crossed the line. I'm so impressed. Props. Massive props.

Greenwich Observatory, obvs

Love the smell of biscuits in the morning

Other than that dramz at the end of the race, the rest of the morning had been really fun. There's always a great atmosphere at these events - I'm a natural cheerleader of life in general, so I love that it's socially acceptable on such occasions to scream COME ON ALEXXXXX!!! in random stranger's faces. Not that I do that at any other time, OF COURSE.

I'd baked some Apple & Oatmeal cookies for our group to eat whilst we were waiting for J to appear at our vantage point at the foot of Greenwich Park, and they were just the ticket for a sunny autumnal mid-morning snack.

Leftovers

Of course I gave the majority of the cookies to J and his girlfriend (not that he could appreciate them at that point in his poorly state), but I kept a select few back for me. And they were just the ticket to soothe my aching hands (from clapping) and scratchy throat (from aforementioned stranger-face-screaming). I mean, really I worked JUST AS HARD. Right?!

No, I know: not right. I joke.

Well done J-Man Jizzle, Jam Master Jay. SO PROUD.

Friends With Benefits

2011-09-18T22:03:00.001+01:00

Stacked

Before anyone gets excited - not thooose kinds of benefits.

I've just come back from a delightful weekend in Brighton. I have a friend who has just moved to a gorgeous flat moments from the seafront (and also, Preston from Big Brother fame, apparently *sounds shit celeb spot klaxon*) and a bunch of us went down to visit. They are all friends that I met as we all did the same New York exchange programme and I love it when we all get together. It usually involves good food, good drink and good chat. Including but not limited to X Factor contestants and Youtube video analysis. Don't judge. You know you do it too.

Halloumi and houmous. Never have two finer 'H's been stuck in a sandwich

We started with lunch straight off the train at a great place, Bill's. It was a wicked weekend brunch spot, popular with the crowds, so a bit of a wait - but very worth it. Set up in a former greengrocers, the decor played off of the industrial functional feel of the building. Food was good honest well-sourced ingredients and I can confirm, they give good hollandaise. What more do you want in a brunch purveyor?

A girl keg!

Then later, it was some kick-ass food back at the flat in front of X Factor. We cracked out the housewarming gift of a vintage medicinal-esque drinks dispenser with a cocktail recipe invented on the hoof (i.e. we had gin and they only stocked appletizer at the local shop - was pleasantly delicious).

NYC corner. Every home should have one.

This concoction accompanied the brilliant menu of Pulled Pork Tacos, Avocado and Onion Salad and Crunchy 'Slaw. All Martha inspired and all finger-lickin good. I've gotta have these girls over for dinner soon and I can safely report the bar has been set high.

Feast

This was all devoured in front the X Factor and swiftly segued into feeding our (HEALTHY) appreciation of various divas on YouTube. Celine, Whitney and Mariah. In any order.

I literally want nothing more of a Saturday.

Faith Hope & Charity

2011-09-11T17:54:00.001+01:00

Crypt-ic

First off, can I just apologise profusely at the poor quality of these photos. I originally took my beloved SLR with me to document my day, which lasted approximately 30 seconds until the red flashing low battery symbol of impending camera-less doom entered my life. What an amateur.

So I was stuck with my trusty iPhone which has very recently acquired an obscene amount of scratches on the lens protector. So the photos come out all smudgy. I mean I guess I GUESS I could have tried to dupe you all into it being some Hipstamatic effect to make the photos more "arty"/"scene"/"whatever" but y'all would have seen straight through that. So instead you'll have to make do with my grovelling apologies.

Victorian Crypt Roof

So what is all this? Where have I been? What are the smudges obscuring from your eyes? I know. Sit down, take a load off and I'll begin.

Yesterday I decided to venture up the long steep winding hill to Highgate Cemetery. Highgate has a fascinating history, but is probably most famous for being the final resting place of Karl Marx. The Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust run daily tours of the west side of the cemetery.

Marble sleeping lion, marking the grave of George Wombwell, a famed Victorian menagerie exhibitor

The first thing to note about Highgate is that it is so beautiful and peaceful. In the past, cemeteries have always kind of creeped me out - all those regimented rows of stone markers often under the shadow of a foreboding church. But Highgate is a romantic woodland, almost a fairytale environment. That sounds a strange thing to say, but it's an enchanting place, and I didn't feel at all uneasy. The tour guide we had explained, interestingly, that it hasn't always been like that. When Highgate first began, everything was very austerely manicured - but over time more and more trees have been planted, ivy has overgrown and nature has taken over.

Final resting place of Tom Sayers, a renowned Victorian bare knuckle fighter, with a marble carving of his trusty dog, Lion

Our guide pointed out a handful of the noted examples of the thousands of graves at Highgate. Some of the most beautiful I tried (badly - again SO SORRY for the smudges) to photograph. There was the grave of the famous Victorian menagerie exhibitor George Wombwell. He famously owned a lion, called Nero, who was apparently so placid, children could ride on his back without fear. His tomb has a huge carving of a sleeping Nero on top.

I also thought the grave of a famous Victorian bare knuckle fighter, Tom Sayers, was particularly poignant. It had a marble carving of his dog, Lion, who went everywhere with him and was (get this) chief mourner at his funeral. He died a hero due to a famous fight with an American champion of the day which was so long and so bloody that it had to be called off and declared a draw as neither would quit, and Lion is depicted sleeping at the foot of his tomb. I'm a sucker for anything to do with dogs, so this stuck out in my mind.

Sleeping angel carved out of marble

This final tomb, you can just about make out in the terrible terrible photo (AWFUL) the form of a sleeping angel. This is unusual - normally the angels are carved so that they are standing over the graves. This angel has been carved sleeping on a cloud. You can't really tell from my photo, but it's very intricate and very beautiful.

There's an awful lot of history at Highgate, as it's been a working cemetery since 1839. If you've never been and are into that kind of thing it's a really interesting way to spend an afternoon. The ivy and overgrowth that make it so special are also unfortunately destroying the tombstones - the Friends of Highgate have a painstaking ongoing programme of work carried out by volunteers to restore those badly in need of repair and the main source of income for this comes from donations and tour fees. So please do go and visit.

And take better photos than me.

Tea and Cake

2011-09-04T18:55:00.003+01:00

Tea, cake, flowers. Win.

Haven't baked any cakes for a couple of months (and my waistline has not just thanked me but rejoiced, holding a party in my honour, because of it). But fear not waistline - I am giving most (save half of one cake - yes, saintlike I know) of this batch away to OTHER PEOPLE. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Behind the scenes trivia: Noone actually drunk that cup of tea. It was for show only. I'M SUCH A FRAUD.

I've been wanting to try out the Hummingbird Earl Grey Tea Cupcake recipe for a while. And what with this being the last weekend we can really get away with feeling summery until next year (its knits, tights, bundling up warm, and cold extremities from now until March people!), and I feel the subtle light flavouring is more suited to warmer days, I decided to have a bash at these now, before it's too late and all I crave in a cupcake are cinammon, ginger and big bold Christmassy tastes.

Now, disclaimer: I don't actually LIKE tea. I know, I know. But I'm much more of a coffee girl, what can I say - slave to the bean. ...it's part of the reason why New York was such a good idea for me. They, like I, live off the stuff.

Behind the scenes trivia: The cakes got eaten though. Not by me you understand. Nope.

Having said that, I am living proof that you don't have to like tea (let alone Earl Grey tea) to love these cakes.

The Earl Grey flavour (lemony, bergamoty, tea-y(?)) is really subtle, light and refreshing and just seems to go so well with the plain sponge and butter frosting.

Just the ticket for the last summer Sunday afternoon. (When it rained. Predictably).

But I Couldn't Find The Broom Cupboard

2011-08-21T19:55:00.001+01:00

TVC

This weekend I went to visit the famous doughnut-shaped BBC Television Centre, which has played home to nearly all of your favourite British shows of TV history past, and also still some of your current faves. Strictly Come Dancing (which comes live from Studio 1, the back wall of which is in the above photo with 'Television Centre' on), Blue Peter, BBC News, Live & Kicking (and Going Live!), and the Broom Cupboard (anyone remember that!?!) and countless sit-coms and chat shows were all filmed here, the list goes on and on and on.

The site is currently up for sale, as part of measures to address a lack of spending cash-dollar in the BBC, which I think is a real shame given its rich history - but as its days are numbered, what better time to partake in a tour of the building?

Bring Me Sunshine

The tour is really interesting, you get to see inside the news centre, inside Studio 1 and explained all the ridiculous intricacies of how to set up the custom built studios for a live set. They also give you the chance to see some of their star dressing rooms as well, and hear some of the stories of the countless stars the centre has played host to since the 60s.

Sadly, however, you don't get to see the Broom Cupboard. Or Edd the Duck. I know I know, but don't let that put you off!

The Helios statue in the center of the doughnut

I mean, more than anything it was such a thrill to stand in the same concrete halls that some of the world's most famous people have been to. The tour guides had loads of stories of some of the craaazy things those celebs get up to. Mariah Carey apparently requested a box of puppies as part of her rider once, so she could stroke them to "relax" before her appearance - AMAZING. Totes on the same page with that idea. However, the good old BBC politely declined to provide. Wish I could have seen that conversation.

Studio 1 - The same studio doors the lovely couples of Strictly burst through straight after performing their dances!

The building is very much of its time - it reminded me in many ways of my old school building, with classic 60s fixtures and fittings. In fact I'm pretty sure they could have got away with filming Grange Hill in the TV Centre corridors, it's definitely got that vibe. But the datedness of the building just serves to remind you of just HOW MUCH history is sitting within those walls. It's fascinating.

Blue Peter, the world's longest running children's show - the studio board from the last time it was filmed at TVC this summer. It's now moved to the BBC studios in Manchester

The tour also gives you the chance to flex your presenting muscles and test your TV charm. You get to have a go at using the technology that is used to present the weather (so confusing!), and also get the chance to volunteer at using a dummy studio to present the news! My trusty housemate KINDLY volunteered me, and then videoed it, but there's is no way on God's green earth that anyone else is ever seeing that. Let's just say, I ain't no Moira Stuart.

Back of Studio 1

I kept my eye out for any famous faces that might have been working there that day, but as it was a weekend it was quieter than normal and I was out of luck. In hindsight I really should have booked for a Saturday once Strictly is back up and running again, as all the cast would then be in the building rehearsing for that evening's show - GODDAMMIT! Maybe I'll go again - the tours are only a tenner, so really cheap fun thing to do, so I highly recommend going before it is sold and it's too late!

So, I've Knitted A Crop Top...

2011-08-14T13:51:00.001+01:00

Wrap Stitch Shoulder

Yes. I've knitted a crop top. A. Cropped. Top. Probably technically about half a top. For me to wear on my own limbs. As someone who until fairly recently had been carrying a significant amount of extra poundage around (I'd been calling it 'holiday weight' for about 5 years - it was time to get real) this is a pretty big deal.

Excuse the shit* on the end of my bed (*not actual shit)

I mean I'm still not rake thin or anything (who wants to be?!) but it actually isn't quite so much the sartorial nightmare I had started to fear it would be.

I mean there's a few rules that I've self imposed to make sure it doesn't look ridiculous ('Pair with high waisted stuff ONLY' being one of them - noone needs to get an eyeful of my blindingly white untoned stomach) but I kind of like it.

High waist = minimal blindingly white stomach

The pattern was another Kim Hargreaves from her most recent Spring/Summer collection, called Sizzle. Not sure if that's a reference to how SIZZLING HOT I look in it (haha, I jest, I jest).

I was drawn to it because the pattern has stripes of wrap stitch detailing in, which are the bands of the wider spaced stitches you can see. The sizes of the wrap stitches are randomly varied, which gives a kinda sorta laddered effect to the fabric that I really liked and was really eager beaver to try my hand at. Turns out it's super easy.

Totally photoshopped the tanned skin. I need a holiday. I realise this is irrelevant.

So I have about two weeks to wear this until summer is technically over and flesh-flashing becomes inappropriate and BANNED for another 6/7 months. But hey, when you hand-knit stuff this shit takes time.

But pretty pleased overall - I wear cropped tops now. And a KNITTED one at that. I literally never thought I'd see the day.

The Success of Frozen Yoghurt as a Cultural Phenomenon

2011-08-07T21:47:00.003+01:00

Frae = yay!

There are quite a few places you can get frozen yoghurt in London these days (including the recently imported to Selfridges foodhall from the US, Pinkberry - an NY fave). It's a fairly new phenomenon in the UK with various local chains popping up, but my favourite - mainly because it doesn't have a hideous name (take note, Snog and Yog) is Frae.

Fro-yo, bro

So why, is everyone all like, 'Dudes, Fro-yo is the best thing since sliced bread. Mr Whippy is sooo passe'?

Well, I've thought about it, and I'm here to explain. Frozen yoghurt is pretty much the best thing you can eat on a hot summers day (Ha! In London? If only. See: outside my window) for the following reasons: 1) It's delicious and 2) It's fat free. Yes, fat free. It's DELICIOUS and it's FAT FREE. These two things almost never happen at the same time, and for that, I do believe frozen yoghurt to be one of the best things on this earth. I will forever wonder why this invention didn't take off sooner.

Oreos & chocolate chips

Of course, the choice of toppings that you add can drastically reduce your smug angelic 'ooh, aren't I being good and stuff' glow, but even with a few chocolate chips and mini Oreos its a much healthier alternative to your traditional ice cream, and just as nice.

Demolished within approx 10 seconds of this photo being taken

I highly recommend, for anyone dipping their toe in this concept, the Frae on Camden Passage in Islington. It's perfectly located for a dessert after a meal at a local eaterie or a pitstop midway through pottering around the gorgeous vintage shops in the area, or even just because.

In fact, mostly just because - let this be a lesson to you. There is NO SHAME in planning your entire day around frozen yoghurt. Once you try it, you'll understand. You'll understand and you'll thank me.

Why Amy Winehouse Was So Frigging Brilliant

2011-07-31T23:34:00.001+01:00

Bye Bye Winehouse (Photo credit)

It's been just over a week now since the news broke of Amy Winehouse's death in her beloved Camden residence. As of yet, we still don't know the exact hows and whys, but one thing will remain true regardless. It was a tragic end to the troubled life of one of this countries best talents of recent years.

Like undoubtedly many others I've spent a lot of time this week revisiting the pinnacle of her career, the Back To Black album. The album was released in the autumn of 2006. I was entering my third year at uni, and I had just had the worst summer of my life. I'd had my first (and only) bitter taste of heartbreak after a messy breakup with my first serious boyfriend of three years.

I just remember this album being around, and Winehouse had tapped in to the pure unadulterated despair of a broken heart. This girl knew those dark thoughts that swirl around the minds of the jilted, knew the self-destructive pain of rejection. You don't want me, I'm a mess, noone will want me, I become the mess and the vicious circle keeps spinning in a horrible self-fulfilling prophecy. This album was amongst the soundtrack of that time for me, and as often happens with great music, somehow listening to it made me feel that I was not alone. It helped me to start feeling better.

I watched a documentary the other night on Amy's life and I can't remember what channel it was on but it talked about her entrance essay for stage school at 12 or 13 where she wrote that her ambition was for people to hear her voice and just forget their troubles. Well, she certainly did that for so many people myself included, and it is just the saddest saddest thing that she was not able to do that for herself.

She clearly led a troubled existence towards the end of her life, living out some truely awful scenes in the public eye, both on stage and off.

But I'll always remember her for her raw special talent and her ability to sing with her broken heart on her sleeve and make magic. She had her issues, but when she had it together she was so frigging brilliant.

And I hope that's how she'll keep being remembered.

Wedding Details

2011-07-30T18:58:00.000+01:00

Sugar flowers handmade by the bride herself - better than any cake I could make!

I love weddings. Even if I don't really know the betrothed couple that well, there's something about sharing that special day with them that gets me all teary eyed. It will become part of their history and story as people, and you are contributing in some small way to the narrative of their lives, to tales that they will tell for generations. Its a privilege.

Last weekend I attended the wedding of a good friend of mine from uni - there was a big group of us that all lived together for the first two years of uni. She's an absolute diamond of a girl, and we are all super super happy for her that she's getting married, to a really sweet guy (who ticks pretty much all the boxes of her list of essential husband qualities she made in our first year!!) so it was a real 'meant-to-be' day. This appeals to all my Disney-influenced romantic tendencies!

Party favour

There are certain moments in a wedding that I always enjoy as they tend to happen at pretty much every one you go to - the moment when the bride makes her entrance, and the look on the grooms face, the first kiss as a married couple and father of the bride speech to name but a few.

But the best bit of weddings is seeing all the little details that make it unique and special and completely 'their' day.

Barn chic

Last weekend there were so many of these. The vintage car that they drove from the church in. The wedding cake that was decorated with a huge cluster of hand crafted sugar flowers, made by the bride no less! The beautiful barn adorned with fairy lights, bunting and flowers in the middle of the Dorset countryside that hosted the reception. The exhausting but damn hilarious ceilidh. The mismatched crockery that held the afternoon tea - of course the wedding breakfast would be afternoon tea! The bride is famed for her tea obsession. The tables were all named after different teas, and even the party favours were a selection of gourmet teas.

Vintage crockery

It was completely and utterly their day, and so beautiful.

Dorset Days

2011-07-11T21:26:00.004+01:00

Lulworth Cove. Pirate-friendly.

I've been on a trip back to the homeland this week. The homeland being Dorset, where I was not born, but certainly bred.

I go back to Bournemouth quite a lot to see my family, but this week I had an EXTRA reason to make the trip down south.

One of my lovely friends from uni is getting married in a couple of weeks, and held a somewhat unusual hen festivity. Kayaking around Lulworth Cove! I would literally expect nothing less from the former treasurer of Exeter University Canoe Club.

You might think thats a little dinghy. It's not. It's a pirate ship.

Having never kayaked before I was convinced I would be the first to capsize, but actually nothing of the sort happened and I actually really enjoyed it! As you can see the weather was super gorgeous, and the water really was that blue.

All in all, I highly recommend kayaking - the only downside is the enforced wetsuit situation. The less said about that the better. There's a reason there's no photos of me ACTUALLY kayaking.

Sip, savour & quaff

It was also my beautiful (see above) sister's birthday yesterday - and whilst most of the day did not go as planned (long story involving an ambulance *alarmed and concerned face* and various minor health complaints amongst various family members *bewildered and sad face* and a broken cake *MASSIVELY FUCKING ANGRY FACE*) we did have a brief moment of calm at our latest Bournemouth eaterie obsession - The Larderhouse.

Artisan coffee station - with added plastic bag on table ambience (apols)

The Larderhouse's shtick is fresh local ingredients (check), with seasonal menus (check) and a heavy emphasis on really frigging awesome coffee (check, check, a thousand times check). I mean, what the heezy is not to love!?

It was really warm yesterday and I was all hot and bothered from all the DRAMZ so didn't have a coffee this time, but they do that lovely pattern thing in the cappuccino foam which I will get a picture of one day!

Mushroom & chorizo tart - FIT

Food-wise the daily-changing menu is normally short but all the choices almost always all sound delicious - so never an issue with finding something good! I went for the mushroom & chorizo tart as I have had a massive craving for chorizo lately. I love charcuterie, so sue me. It was lovely, creamy yet salty and all round lip-smackingly good.

Ginger beer - beverage of kings

It's a great place for brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks - a local gem that I intend to reward with my trade as much as I can when I go back to visit the rental units. And by 'as much as I can' I OF COURSE mean that I intend to take up residence.

Yes. More Cakes.

2011-07-03T19:00:00.051+01:00

Crumbs!

This week was a triumvirate of cake-worthy events. Someone was leaving work, someone else at work was celebrating a birthday, and it was also the final week of Wimbledon.

In honor of all three I had a go at the Strawberry Cheesecake Hummingbird cupcakes following the success of last weeks chocolate variety.

Yummy biscuity topping

These cakes are a bit different because they have chopped fresh strawberries on the bottom, which are baked with the plain cake batter on top. This means the strawberries go all soft and jammy at the bottom. They are then topped with cream cheese frosting and crumbled digestive biscuits.

So a bit like an inverted strawberry cheesecake with added cake sponge. All in all - the bomb diggy.

From punnet to cake tin

The sunny weather we've had this week along with the tennis fever that has swept my house (Poor Murray *sniff*) has made this the perfect accompaniment to the long hot tennis-watching evenings.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off seeing the Foo Fighters LIVE tonight and am at this very moment right in the thick of the crowd, off my face on excitement. I can't stress this too strongly - I am currently breathing the very same air as Dave Grohl.

Who knows whether I'll ever be able to rejoin normal life again?

Baking Hot Bake Day (aka How I Stupidly Agree To Things & Then Do Them, Stupidly)

2011-06-26T21:25:00.003+01:00

Chocolatey goodness

Wowee what a scorcher! Today in London, it has been super mega hot. I've been sweating like a hott mess today - mainly due to the production of these beauties, a classic Hummingbird recipe, natch.

Stupidly, STUPIDLY I agreed to bake some cakes for someone's birthday at work on Tuesday. I'm busy tomorrow night, so it meant that I spent this afternoon slaving away over a hot oven to crack out these chocolate bad-asses.

I know, I know. I am nothing if not selfless.

Get ready for your close up

I convinced myself it was a great idea to try and use all the batter I had to fill 12 cases even though I knew deep down I was overfilling. I know, what an idiot.

So it meant that they all exploded out of their cases. Which meant I then had to trim them all to a normal size with a knife and hide all evidence of my handiwork with oodles of frosting.

I then stupidly proceeded to go ahead and make far too much frosting. So basically I have a bunch of cut off cake bits, and a whole cup of leftover frosting sitting in my fridge right now. I'm calling it "Chocolate Cupcake: Deconstructed" and serving it up as such to my unsuspecting housemate.

Coffee and Cake.

But it's ok, because only you and I will EVER KNOW. I think I've done a good job of hiding my stupidity on this occasion. Now don't go telling anyone.

A Very Knitted Birthday

2011-06-19T17:30:00.001+01:00

Storm: A tunic with eyelet panels

BEHOLD! For I hereby present to you what I believe to be the best quality knit I ever did knit! And how did this great work of craftmanship come about? Well, I'll tell you.

It all started about 6 months ago. At Christmas, when descending on the rental unit's house for the festive period, I brought with me every knitting pattern book I own, and presented them to my mum with one simple prospect.

"Mother!" I exclaimed, for that is her name. "Mother, I have a proposition for you. I hereby agree to knit you one item of clothing, for your birthday in June. This will be your present. But you have to choose which pattern you want from these mags. Get cracking - I need a decision by January 1st. Loveyoubye!"

The button, the button, whose got the button?

And choose she did. The pattern was 'Storm' from Kim Hargreaves Heartfelt collection. I love Kim's designs and eagerly await any new pattern books released.

Her designs are always fresh contemporary, modern designs, inspired by current trends and what is showing on the catwalks each season - about as far removed from what anyone normally thinks of when they think of knitting patterns. A pullout from the middle pages of 'Yours' magazine, this ain't!

Follow the eyelet stitched road? No? No. You're right, that doesn't work.

ANYWAY, back to Mum. She'd chosen Storm, and the colour of wool, so the challenge was set. Her birthday was in June so I had six months to complete something half decent, worthy of gifting as a respectable present.

Storm was an interesting knit as you end up knitting it all in one piece, by joining the two front panels at the back neck and just keep knitting to complete the back. So there is no seam on the shoulders. This made it quite easy, and it ended up being quite quick as its a big chunky knit too.

Sleeve me alone

So, I had visions of this being something that was being knitted right down to wire - staying up all night to get this finished on time, amped up on coffee. But no, no, it was all ready and finished in plenty of time. It got packaged up and sent to her for her birthday last week via the medium of Dad's Courier Service and all was well.

I haven't yet seen her in it, but I am told that it fits really well, and that it keeps her warm (a knitted item of clothing providing warmth? WHO KNEW?!). However, I was horrified to learn that it was also apparently, when worn on her actual birthday last weekend, slightly dampened by an impromptu rain shower!!! Yes! Yes! I know! This is bad! Wool and water do not happy bedfellows make! But don't panic - I have been reliably informed that it has in fact recovered with no visible damage. Phew.

Although, I did of course warn that this can never happen again or I might have to confiscate it. Because, I'm quite proud, it's turned out real good. Which when you're knitting for someone else, is always best.

The Brunchfast Club: Kentish Canteen

2011-06-12T20:18:00.001+01:00

Of course, the coffee was mine.

YES! It's a new post about brunch! High fives everyone! I know I know, I've missed it too.

As a new resident of North London, the main benefit of this, (aside from the vastly reduced commute to work) is the multitude of yummy exciting eateries within easy reach.

Salads and tings

Last weekend, in need of brunch-like sustenance, housemate and I decided to check out Kentish Canteen on the recommendation of our new pretend BFF/obsession Giles Coren.

Mere metres from the tube station, Kentish Canteen offers a pared down simple menu with all the usual brunch suspects available. As soon as you walk in, the theme of homage to the NW5 locale is prevalent, announcing the postcode in huge letters above the door, and the wall dedicated to large arty photography of the surrounding area.

Cakies

I'm a huge advocate of local eateries versus chain restaurants, so I liked that this place takes its inspiration from good old K Town, which has that London-village type feel. When done well, this approach can create and enhance the neighbourhood feeling and create a real community space, and when centred around good honest food done well, I'm a big fan.

Eggs Royale

So yes, the food. Housemate and I both went for various egg/hollandaise based dishes - I the Eggs Royale, and he the Eggs Florentine. We both agreed that the hollandaise sauce was amongst the best we'd had. Rich and velvety, it went beautifully with the perfectly poached eggs.

Poached eggs - action shot

I thought I'd also make a point about the service. I noticed amongst reviews I've seen that while generally the food has got the tick in the box, there are a few negative comments around the service received. As far as I could tell while I was there, the service was absolutely fine. The staff were friendly, and even offered us our second drinks for free as there was a slight delay in our eggs coming out (to put this in context, I hadn't noticed there was a delay at all - so it must have been very very slight as I am notoriously impatient when it comes to food!).

Mid-brulee

After eating my delicious Eggs Royale, I was starting to feel a little full. But then I locked eyes with the specials board. 'Lavander Creme Brulee!' it declared. That is nothing if not a call to action, I was powerless, POWERLESS to resist. There are few greater pleasures in life than tapping the top of a pristine creme brulee caramel top until it cracks into those gorgeous golden shards of sugar glass, like some kind of stained glass window of a gingerbread house. I defy anyone to be able to pass that opportunity by.

Housemate and I decided to share, given our full stomach situations and I'm very glad we did as it was HUGE.

HUGE but delicious. I'm very fussy when it comes to creme brulee: as we all know when done well it can be but heaven itself. But if the skill is not there, it can be a big fat mess.

No mess here, the top was perfectly caramelised, with a smooth rich creamy vanilla custard underneath with just a hint of the subtle lavender which gave it a lovely flavour.

Rosy

And so, with that lovely post-brunch full-stomach fug looming over me, I left Kentish Canteen with a happy belly. And I will most definitely be returning.

What Goes Around Comes Around

2011-06-05T22:50:00.001+01:00

Opposite Ground Zero

There are only a handful of world events that will take place in my lifetime that I imagine that I will be able to recall in weirdly vivid detail exactly where I was, what I was doing when the news reached me.

Sunday May 1st 2011 was one of these, and one directly related to another such event. I was getting ready for bed, in my hotel room in NYC, having spent a wonderful evening at the theatre and eating cheesecake. I switched on CNN, for background noise more than anything, when it very quickly became clear that something major was on the brink of being announced.

St Paul's churchyard

It was being reported that the president was about to make an announcement, tonight. Nothing was confirmed but it was reported that supposedly Osama Bin Laden had been killed, and the information that was coming across the newswires was that it was due to US military action.

I stopped what I was doing and waited. This was huge.

The morning after, there was no question about it. I had to go to Ground Zero. The pictures the night before, at the White House, in Manhattan, cities all over America, had been of defiant jubilation. The chants of 'USA, USA, USA' echoing into the night sky.

Reporter

But the next day, at the site that bore the awful pain of the event that started this all, there was no ugly bullish arrogant chanting by the keg-swilling frat boys.

There was quiet relief. There was recognition that whilst this victory would not be the full stop to this, the gratitude that justice had been done for New Yorkers today was thick in the air. It is all too rare in this world that evil gets its comeuppance, so the sense of dignified karmic retribution was one to be thankful for.

Land of the free and home of the brave

I've written my thoughts on 9/11 before, about as eloquently as I am capable of, so I'm not about to rehash it here. But suffice to say, as I think is clear from my ongoing laments that I don't live in New York anymore, this city means more to me than any place ever has in my life, in ways I couldn't even have imagined.

So to be there, for this moment of triumph over the spectre that has hung like deathly shadow over the city for the past 10 years, was very special, and something that I will never forget.

This was my last day in New York City this time, but I'm happy to say that it was easier to leave it this time. Because as my dad (that font of all wisdom!) always says, if you don't leave - you can't come back again. And I will... and it won't take three years next time.

No Sleep Til Brooklyn

2011-05-30T17:44:00.001+01:00

Brooklyn Bound

One of my favourite things in NYC is Brooklyn Bridge. I don't think I'll ever tire of its views, its stature, the fact that it is so unmistakeably New York. I love the twin gothic towering arches, the web-like suspension wires and the wooden rickety walkway with the rushing city traffic zooming over the East River underfoot.

Caught in a web

One of my favourite things to do in the whole world is walk across Brooklyn Bridge, on a sunny day, end up at Brooklyn Bridge Park, and laze in the sun with this stunning bridge as a backdrop. Perhaps a little stroll up to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for some more spectacular views of the city.

Showing the bridge a little love. Some say too much.

In the summer, Brooklyn Bridge Park plays host to one of my favourite things - its one of the sites in the city that has a free movie summer screening programme. There is nothing better than making the journey to the park after a long days work, kicking back on a picnic blanket with a hot dog and a classic movie. The screen is set up so the bridge is in the background and as night falls, you bask in the city lights and truly feel that there is nowhere else on earth you'd rather be.

Aw at the random cute couple.

Sadly, on this trip, it was too early in the year to catch one of those screenings, and too overcast and windy a day to do much walking. But even to wander to the centre of the bridge, and get inspired by the architecture. I have about a bajillion photos of this bridge but every single time I come I always find something new to catch my eye. It's so romantic, so breathtaking and so completely New York.

Which makes it so me.

Up Town, Down Town, Turn the Beat Around Town

2011-05-25T22:03:00.002+01:00

Railtrack gardens

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yada, yada, yada. So you went to NY. WE KNOW. But what did you actually DO there?

That's what I imagine you (dear reader) to be saying right now. If not saying, thinking. And if you weren't actively thinking it, you probably secretly were deep down but you just didn't KNOW you were thinking it. So now you know, that I know, that WE ALL KNOW.

Capiche? Good.

Diagram of bell sounds

So here be some of the highlights of the stuff and ting I got up to this time round. One of the top things on my to-do list (that didn't involve eating) was to go and see the High Line Gardens. These hadn't been opened by the time I left and I'd always found the concept intriguing so was keen to visit in person.

It was quite a chilly and windy whilst I was up there, but the gardens were really pretty. One part that was particularly interesting was one of the Public Art installations on the 14 St Walkway (for that is where I entered the park). Here, Stephen Vitiello's 'A Bell for Every Minute' chimes the sound of a different bell recorded from somewhere in the New York City each minute, with a chorus of all the bells at the top of the hour. The above photo is the map of where each recorded bell sound is located physically. There were famous bells such as the Stock Exchange bell, the United Nations Peace bell, but also more everyday bells such as diner bells, bike bells etc.

It was really pretty to listen to and the sounds fill the space and echo out into the city. Definitely worth a visit.

Nomnomnom

I ate a loooot of food this trip, despite having (I think) contracted tonsillitis which flaired up for the duration of my trip. But, true to form and trooper that I am, I didn't let it hold me back from literally eating my way around Manhattan. The above photo was taken by my friend at the height of the tonsillitis pain, and I was eating the only thing that could possibly have soothed my throat at that time.

Rice pudding.

I don't normally like rice pudding but the only place IN THE WORLD that I will eat it is at Rice to Riches. On this occasion I chowed down on the cheesecake flavour with an Oreo cookie topping. Divine.

My fave

No trip to NYC would be complete without a snap of my favourite building in the world, naturally. Our hotel was only a few blocks from the art-deco masterpiece that is the Chrysler, and we had a pretty awesome view of it out the window of our room. Bonus.

I wanna dance!

I also really really wanted to see another show on Broadway. While I was living out there I saw many shows (including one memorable occasion when I stalked Mario Lopez at the stage door and he completely blanked me. BAD Mario Lopez.) and they are always wonderful. This time I saw Billy Elliot. The storyline was so moving, BOY can those kids dance and of course, I loved the Elton John-penned score. My only gripe is that sadly, Americans just CAN NOT do a Geordie accent. Hell, I can't even do one and I'm British. I mean, they tried their best, but I couldn't understand what the heezy they were trying to say half the time.

Shame, as it was otherwise awesome. Think I'll try and catch it in the West End and see if the British version is better. (I think, probably, with the natural accent advantage)

Cheese? CAKE?

And of course, no evening at a Broadway show is complete without dessert at Junior's after the show. Junior's cheesecake is a New York institution. When I lived over there, whenever my boss and I wanted to sweet talk someone into doing something for us at work, we would run across the street to Junior's in Grand Central, buy a brick-like slab of their gorgeous cheesecake and use it as bargaining collateral. Worked every time.

Their slices are the size of my face, this was a chocolate mousse cheesecake and though there was willing (dear god was there willing), try as I might, I just could not finish it. SO GOOD.

When can I go back?

Anxious

2011-05-22T22:05:00.000+01:00

It's been a looong looong time. Too long.

About a week before I was due to fly out to NYC, the first time I'd been back since I lived there, I started getting really anxious. What if I went back, and it wasn't as good? Or it had changed? My time there was so completely life-changing, and I truly feel that I've never felt like I belonged, that I fitted in, that I was meant.to.be anywhere else but there. It's the most amazing, beautiful city and I love it like I've never thought I could love a place before.

True dat.

On the plane, as the captain announced we were about to start making our descent into Newark, I practically had my nose pressed up against the glass, my heart was thumping in my chest, just waiting for that view. As we broke through the clouds and the plane brought is in to land, I had to swallow the lump in my throat as the relief rushed over me that I was BACK. Back back back back!

Bright lights bigger city

I needn't have worried. Of course there are bits that are new, and slight things that have changed (pedestrianisation of Times Square being one of them - brilliant idea) but from the moment I landed I felt the same as I ever did. I felt right back at home, with a spring in my step and a lift in my heart. I got that magical buzz back that I just can't get anywhere else.

Intersection

It was an amazing trip, I caught up with old friends, visiting some old favourite places and some new places along the way. There is a lot more for me to show here on the blog. But I just wanted to kick off by saying that it seems that although I've been away for three years, I feel like I will always belong there. And that is such a relief.

Roaming Georgetown

2011-05-19T22:00:00.002+01:00

All neighbourhoods should have a pink bike on the sidewalk

I'm back! I came back. Call off the search party. I didn't go to America, elope to Vegas with a New York waiter and settle down. Mores the pity.

So here begins the first of many posts about my travels Stateside.

I asked the owner if I could live here. He slammed the door. There endeth the lesson.

My first stop was DC to visit a great friend of mine. She was a fellow intern on the same exchange programme as me in New York, and we have been friends ever since. She is currently studying at Georgetown University at the moment, and I am jealous as all hell.

Pretty pavement posies

Georgetown is a gorgeous part of DC, one of the most historic parts of America, with dollhouse architecture, and my friend lives in one of the cosy leafy little back streets off the main street. She gets to wander through streets such as these EVERY DAY. Whilst I am off at boring WORK in stupid LONDON, she gets to study and learn and have things such as KEG PARTIES. For the sake of balance: I SUPPOSE she also has things such as finals, but I'll conveniently gloss over those, much like I tried to do while I was at uni.

My point is, noone has keg parties in London. I wouldn't even know where to go to get any red cups. PFFFT.

Brass accents

(Can you tell I had a little trouble coming home?)

New Home!

2011-04-10T19:19:00.000+01:00

Well wishings

Apologies for the hiatus.. AGAIN, although in my defence this one was somewhat planned.

I have been a-moving! I've finally moved from Greater London into lovely leafy North London and so far, and I know it has only been a week, but I am loving every minute of being right in the thick of the city action.

Sunny kitchen windowsill

It's not a huge palatial flat that I've moved into by any stretch of the imagination, but it is light and bright and cozy and it makes me happy so really that's good enough for me.

Movie corner, full of my highbrow film collection including such gems as Spongebob Squarepants: The Movie

These are a few snaps of the corners of my new home that make me smile right now.. the cards from friends and family atop the original fireplace with my vintage glassware on display. The merry pot of pink flowers enjoying my sunny kitchen window (present from my sister).

Love a made bed

My old, battered Gone With the Wind poster next to my DVD collection, a freshly made bed, the leafy cool view from my bedroom window, and the stunning handmade vase made by my very own lovely Holly as a house-warming gift.

I love hearing the birds chirp in the morning

I'm in the process of working out some kind of way of house-warming this tiny space without causing overcrowding or annoying the new neighbours - but I'm very excited as I can't wait for everyone to see it.

Holly P original that goes so well in my living room

But just to let you know, in the interests of full disclosure, although these corners are all very lovely, there are various other areas that need a bit more TLC and a few bits and pieces that I need to find homes for. But I have loads of ideas, so hope to show you all as I try them out. I'm excited.

Birthday Drama

2011-03-20T22:18:00.000Z

To paraphrase Lady Gaga: I was born that day-heyyy

What a WEEK I'm having! I have literally been busier than several hives of bees. Not only have I been moved onto a new exciting but demanding project at work, but I've also been trying to organise moving house (stress central!), advertising for and interviewing several prospective housemates after my original to-be housemate flaked out on me (HONESTLY), organising some kind of activity to celebrate my birthday only to then have my phone stolen that night! So on top of everything else I had to deal with police reports, insurance claims and new phone contracts.

PHEW.

Oh nana... what's my name?

So I had every intention of blogging last weekend about my birthday, but I think, given all of the above, its understandable why this is a week late!

Even though everything and its mother seems to have come at once (isn't it always the way?!) my birthday was (until the phone incident) a nice calm amidst the storm of activity that has become my life these days.

Liberty oven gloves. For SHOW ONLY.

I spent a lovely day with my current (but soon to be ex - nooooo!) housemate Holly. We went to old favourite Wahaca for lunch - where they presented me with free birthday churros, complete with candle! Always a pleasure never a chore. Then, I have no idea how we made room, but we wandered over to Gelupo to sample some of their dairy delights. So scrummy.

Later on that night we had another lovely meal at The Real Greek in Hoxton before heading over to The Book Club for drinks and dancing until the wee small hours. It was all going so well until about 2.30am when I realised my phone had been taken from my bag, which put a slight dampener on what had been a brilliant day.

His name is Gerald.

But as is eventually the way with these things, everything seemed to work out in the end - an old friend confirmed he would like to become my new housemate, my phone was due an upgrade anyway before it got stolen so I walked away with a brand new one the very next day (and as it was iPhone to iPhone I lost NO data whatsoever - SCORE!) and I had lots of gorgeous presents to cheer me up from the stress and strife!

Hummingbird and Magnolia books, pretty glassware, exquisite oven gloves and a new stuffed animal friend were amongst my haul this year - I am a very lucky girl!

So basically the moral of this story is, that when the shit hits the fan - it's nothing good friends, good food and a stuffed owl can't remedy.

Bread & Cakes and Time & Space

2011-03-06T21:32:00.001Z

Meringues are the new porn

It really is birthday season in my family. Last weekend my cousin had a birthday party, and this weekend it is the turn of my dad, who is 57 years young today!

I invited my parents up to foggy London town for a little birthday weekend break. My dad is really into science and astronomy so I thought it would be nice to take him to Greenwich for the day.

Bready.

While we were in Greenwich we stumbled upon a Paul Rhodes bakery, which was amazing and everything a bakery should be to me! We are all massive bread and cake fans in my family, and a Paul Rhodes bakery is a real artisan treat. The smell of fresh bread hits you as soon as you walk in and there are delicate homemade cakes for as far as the eye can see.

Bake em away toys.

It's super popular and it's not hard to see why! So we snaffled some of their wares as a birthday treat, my dad went for the pecan tart, my mum for the chocolate cupcake and I came away with one of those sexy meringues. SO good.

Rental units

And boy did we need the treat! We had just walked up and down the epic hill to Greenwich Observatory. It was a really cold and blustery day, and I was complaining about the wind constantly, but actually in reterospect - I really wouldn't want to climb that hill in the height of summer. I'd be an unsightly sweaty mess, and that's never good for anyone.

Hope springs eternal

On the way up, I spied some snowdrops on the hill. I didn't see ANY snowdrops last year so got really excited about these. I'm huge flower fangirl (Top Tip: get me a bunch and I'll do anything) and I always find snowdrops such cheery l'il guys. It means SPRING IS NEAR!! Hope, light, warm is just around the corner, which is just what you need to be reminded of at this time of year.

Dad-dad-daddio

We spent some time wandering around the exhibits at the Observatory (all free - bargainous!) and paid a small charge to watch one of the shows at the Planetarium, which we all enjoyed, but mainly because the chairs are in a recumbant position so you can watch the ceiling. We've decided this is the way forward for cinema generally.

Greenwich has a really lovely olde worlde villagey feel to it, I'd love to go back again soon and explore the markets and perhaps also the Naval College. Maybe one for the summertime.

But most importantly for me my dad had a happy dappy birthday and that's reason enough for me to scale a mountain and scoff a meringue!

Paper Faces On Display

2011-02-28T21:28:00.002Z

Lethal Cocktails. Deadly.

Forgive me. Normally I try and post on a Sunday. Yesterday I was unable to do this and the above photo pretty much sums up why. Dirty filthy hangover.

On Saturday, my cousin celebrating turning 21 by holiding a super brill-pants party.

Biffday boy

Above handsome fellow is my aforementioned 21 year old cousin. The theme of the party was a Masquerade Ball, hence the face gear. He doesn't just dress that way for fun you know. Or maybe he does. I didn't ask.

The best bit of all parties - CAKE

There was lots of yummy food, and yummy cake. And quite a lot of alcohol.

Yeah, don't be fooled. She's drunk as a skunk!

Seriously, a LOT of alcohol. At one point my mother (above) was even doing tequila shots. Ha! I love her.

Also don't be fooled. I probably fell down right after this was taken.

Oh to be 21 again! I had a similar big family/friends party for my 21st, and it was so much fun. I love my family get togethers, everyone gets very very merry and laughs a lot. Sometimes we even dance. And there is a 99% chance that bacon sandwiches are served the following morning so really, life doesn't get much better.

The Brunchfast Club: Ludo Lounge

2011-02-20T22:35:00.000Z

Cake. Is there anything finer?

This weekend I've been visiting my parents in my hometown of Bournemouth. Not for any particular reason (apart from I'm quite attached to my hairdresser there, and my roots needed doing!) but being quite family orientated I like to go back and visit as often as I can.

Whenever I go back and visit we like to do at least one thing altogether as a family, whether it's watching a DVD or going to the cinema, eating a nice home-cooked meal together or, as we did today, going to brunch.

Decisions decisions

Ludo Lounge is a fairly new addition to our local area. It opened in March last year, and quickly became a firm favourite amongst locals. Honestly for the first six months after it opened you couldn't talk to anyone without someone shoehorning it with a sledgehammer into the conversation. "So, er, I've got these really bad bunions..." "Oh my god, you know what you should do? You should totally check out that Ludo Lounge place, they do this amazing eggy bread stack. Bunions SCHMUNIONS!"

It became a bit of a standing joke.

Vintage lampshades and b&w photos

But I think it spoke volumes that simply having a decent, independent eaterie open in the area was the talk of the town. It is something that sadly, all too often (with a couple of notable exceptions), is few and far between in Bournemouth, and something that the town is crying out for. People are bored with the same old chain restaurants that fall distinctly short in terms of atmosphere, quality and service. People want somewhere interesting, unique to relax in with good quality, tasty food and simple, good customer service. I don't think it's much to ask for, and I think the tide is slowly starting to turn. And about time too.

Eggs benedict with smoked salmon

We spent a great couple of hours this afternoon enjoying a lazy brunch, pondering over the papers, chatting and debating (read: arguing - but thats just how we roll) - laughing and eating. The food is really nice - there are daily seasonal specials as well as old standards and, brilliantly, an all day brunch menu. My obsession with brunch is well documented, and so of course, I heartily approve of this. I had the eggs benedict today with a side of wholemeal toast, perfect for dipping into the runny poached eggs... mmmm.

Gosh, my mouth just filled up with saliva.

My brother's standard order

Of course, if you're not in the mood for brunchfast food - burgers are also an option. Which is great news for the likes of my brother who I don't think I've ever seen refuse a burger. And that includes our family holidays to France where they make them out of actual horses.

So, in summary, basically yay for independent eateries - everybody vote with your stomachs and wallets - and your life will be improved approximately 73%.*

*Actual percentage not known.

Birthday Pavlova

2011-02-13T19:48:00.000Z

Meringu-erang!! (as in Bang-er-rang!!... Anyone? No?)

Well, it took one failed attempt (Note to self: don't add the sugar too quickly because you're in a rush.. slowly does it, or the egg whites collapse and then you tear your hair out - It's 'Not Worth It'), but I finally got there! My very first meringue! Woohoo!

Refrain from drooling, your keyboard will thank you

Pavlova's normally strike me as a summer pudding, but I have made this one to celebrate Holly's birthday today. It was the perfect alternative to a birthday cake, as she was being whisked off this afternoon for a chocolate afternoon tea, so I thought she wouldn't want anything too heavy after gorging herself silly on scones and petit fours.

I used a Delia Smith recipe, which was very straightforward and easy to follow. As I've already mentioned, my first attempt did go completely wrong, but that is because I was worried I was overwhisking the egg whites and so tipped in the sugar way too much at a time. Start adding sugar when the peaks start to stiffen, take it a tablespoonful at a time, and whisk for 10 seconds between additions and you will be left with a sexy glossy stiff mixture. Boom ting.

Berry berry good

So I'm now absolutely knackered after a busy weekend of birthday festivities, on Friday we had dinner at Pizza East and then boogalooed til we puked at The Book Club. (Not ACTUALLY!) I might might have got a little bit boozy and may may not have been able to move until 2pm on Saturday. But this is merely rumour and has not yet been confirmed as fact. So don't believe everything you read folks!

Right time to tuck into that palava pavlova before I get overcome and start rubbing my face in it.

Wait, what? No.. I would never do that.

Honest.

Going Back

2011-02-06T21:24:00.000Z

I can't believe this was taken just over 3 years ago. It blows my mind.

I'm so excited. You may have guessed why. I'm going baaackkk!

Sadly, not forever. Just a holiday, after Easter. But it'll be my first time back in NYC since I left in September 08, and therefore likely to be quite emotional.

But I don't want to spend my whole time there blubbering like a big girl - I'm also SUPER excited about visiting some of my old favourite places: Bubbies, Brooklyn Bridge (♥), Guggenheim, Central Park in the springtime, cannoli in Little Italy, maybe a little Magnolia visit for old times sake and then a stroll along Bleeker, Banana Republic/J Crew/Sephora at non-redonculous prices, a show or two on Broadway, Cafe Wha?: MY GOD the list is endless!

Stealth

But I also have a huge long list of things that I want to do that I haven't done yet. Balthazar, Abraco, Momofuko, and the recently re-opened for brunch (BRUNCH - only my most favouritist thing!) Minetta Tavern are just a few of the places I want to eat my way through. And of course since I left, there's Topshop NYC to check out (and laugh at the extortionate prices), and I'm desperate to see the High Line Gardens.

Miracle on 34th St

Basically I have way too much stuff to do and not enough time to do it. Some editing will be needed.

But it's going to be magical, amazing and beautiful. I can't frigging wait.

The King's Swan

2011-01-30T18:11:00.002Z

Natalie Portman in Black Swan (Photo credits here)

I love this time of year for movies. In the run up to awards season all the big guns start getting released. Yes we've already had the pleasure of Inception and The Social Network (not seen and on the LoveFilm list/seen and loved, respectively) and the superb Toy Story 3, but January is the time when the front runners get their time to shine on the silver screens for us to see what all the Hollywood noise has been about.

Last night I went to see Black Swan. I was looking forward to it because I loved the idea of a thriller set in the gruelling world of professional ballet. The pain they put on their bodies, the pressure of a cutthroat profession, the beautiful dancing and costumes and stories they tell. OH THE MELODRAMA! Surely this would be right up my alley?

First things first - props to Natalie Portman, holy crap, she puts the method in method acting. I read somewhere she lost 20 pounds to play the role of Nina and trained as a ballet dancer for a year before filming started and boy did it show. It was an intense and believable performance of a young woman carrying the burden of prima ballerina. Loved Winona's brief appearance as the cast-aside hasbeen fallen star of the New York ballet (especially in that scene - at the risk of getting too spoilery - I haven't been able to go near a nail file since), and Mila Kunis was a welcome laid-back rebellious foil to Portmans uptight lead, and it was nice to see her not in comedy mode. And she can also do lesbian sex scenes too, so you know, there's something for everyone.

Mirrors were used in nearly every scene to convey the split personality themes, and the use of black and white and dark and light with flashes of (literally) blood red to punctuate key moments in Nina's descent into madness were the right aesthetics to set the mood. If anything I felt the soundtrack borrowed too much from the book of cheesy old-skool horror (scary moment = LOUD CHORDS!), but I can forgive that, as the storyline was so gripping (butt-clenchingly so) and the cinematography so gothicly gorgeous.

Colin Firth in The King's Speech (Photo credits here)

The other Big Movie That Everyone Is Talking About is The King's Speech. I went to see this a couple of weeks ago and loved loved loved it.

I've never been Colin Firth's biggest fan. I mean don't get me wrong, he's not on the hate list (see: Tom Cruise, Nic Cage, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley - and that's just for starters) but he never really struck me as a stand out actor. I was never part of the whole Mr Darcy wet shirt brigade, thought he was alright in Bridget Jones, pretty inoffensive in Mamma Mia (although nothing was more offensive in that than Pierce Brosnan's singing, but that's a whole other story). But then along came a A Single Man and I saw him in a whole new light. Well, a whole new different kind of role to be precise.

This guy can act. And he's proven it all over again in The King's Speech. I've never suffered from a stammer but I've heard from people that have that its the most suffocating, frustrating feeling. Firth really portrays the lifelong struggle of a pretty ordinary guy, with a loving wife and doting daughters, suffering but muddling through with an almost dibilitating afflication, when fate deals him a cruel blow. For this ordinary guy just so happens to be a member of the Royal Family, and is forced to take on one of the most public roles of all - the King of England - against one of the most turbulent political times of recent history. The country is on the brink of war, his brother has abdicated, and the world needs to see England has a strong confident ruler.

Firth brings out the frustration, the fear and the tragedy of this poor man and his situation. But also demonstrates the inner strength in the character. It is a heartbreakingly real performance and had me laughing and crying, sometimes at the same time. Helena Bonham-Carter is, as always, fantastic as his loyal and forthright wife, our dear old Queen Mum, and Geoffery Rush is also excellent as the antipodean voice coach who, after initially getting off on the wrong foot, went on to become Bertie's lifelong friend and confidante.

I really hope The King's Speech does well this awards season and flies the flag for Brit cinema this year. Roll on the Oscars on Feb 27.

Work In Progress

2011-01-23T18:08:00.003Z

Give Me Work To Last Me All Of My Life

Today I thought I'd share my current project that I'm working on. Mostly on Sunday afternoons in front of movies I've seen a thousand times before (today's offerings: Muriel's Wedding and, er, The Wedding Singer. Wow, if we could just ignore the subtext there. I'm sure it means nothing)

This is a cross-stitch tapestry, a set that I got for Christmas from my super housemate and even more amazing friend, Holly.

Hanging by a thread

The set comes with everything you need to get started: pattern, backing fabric, tapestry thread and needle - which meant that I picked it up a couple of days after Christmas and could just get cracking.

It's also huge. You can't really tell from these pictures but this is shaping up to be a substantial piece of work. I have no idea where I'm going to put it, but I know it's going to look beautiful. I've always loved cross-stitch since I was little. There's something about the rhythmic back and forth motions, and the neatness of the tiny little crosses all lined up in a row that appeals to me. I haven't done any for ages as it kinda got superceded by knitting in my craft repertoire but I'm really glad that I have this mammoth project to get me back into it for a little bit.

Rob Ryan and Emily Peacock. Match made in craft heaven.

As you can see, it's a set that's a collaboration between Rob Ryan and Emily Peacock. Which made it the perfect gift for me. I've been aware of Rob Ryan's work for a long time now. He usually works with paper, and has the most intracate, delicate, touching of designs. If you ever get the opportunity, please check out some of his work. Or better yet, buy it.

Needle your way out of this one

Emily Peacock, I hadn't heard of until just before Christmas when some of her tapestry cushion designs were featured on Kirstie's Homemade Home. Or it might have been Kirstie's Homemade Christmas. Or Relocation Relocation. Who knows, but Kirstie Allsopp was definitely involved. Holly and I both were watching that programme and commented on how we loved the cushions featured. Apparently, she originally tried to get the kit to make those cushions but they had all sold out, so picked up this one instead. I'm actually happy about that because that means that a) I get to make my very own Rob Ryan and b) I actually prefer this design.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get back to it. This tapestry won't work itself you know. I hope to show you the finished article soon.

Plus also, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore are totally about to get. it. on. Woop woop!

War and Peace

2011-01-16T20:50:00.001Z

NNNEEEEAAAAOOWWW. That's a plane noise.

I last went to the Imperial War Museum when I was 14 on a school trip and it's always been on my list of places to return to since. I was really taken with the exhibits on display back then, particularly the Blitz and Trench "experiences" - for a kid with an extremely vivid imagination it was a fantastic way of bringing the dusty history books from school to life.

So this weekend I finally went back. I remember the atrium with the wartime planes hanging from the rafters being impressive back then, and that certainly hasn't changed. But the main thing I really wanted to see on this visit was the Holocaust Exhibition.

It was certainly not easy viewing, and I have no pictures of that exhibit as it just didn't feel appropriate, its such an emotive and horrific subject, but I would very definitely recommend it. One of the most horrific things for me is how the Nazi beliefs became so widespread and more and more extreme in such a relatively short amount of time, to be able to get that many people think and believe or at the very least accept that this was the right thing to do sends shivers down my spine.

So, on a lighter note (if there is such a thing in war), I found the rest of museum really really super geek-fest interesting. From the mock-up of a war time house to the sweets and toys on display from that era - I don't know what it is about that period (30s/40s) but I can't get enough of it at the moment! The politics, the fashion, and what it was like to live during that time. It's still within living memory but seems so alien to my generation as we haven't had to cope with anything remotely like that.

The perseverance of the human spirit through the most awful atrocities of war was the biggest theme I saw running through the tales that the artefacts had to tell. And that is what makes me smile. That and this poster:

Roger that

Will I Hold It Against Her?

2011-01-12T21:47:00.001Z

This caption is dedicated to photo credits

Just so you know, I do more than bake and knit and trapse around London. I also love music and movies and spend a lot of time with both. I think it's high time that side of me got more of an airing around here. So, step forward Britney Spears, as my first subject.

Those who know me, know I love the Spears. Hell, who am I kidding, I have a healthy appetite for most things pop, diva or slightly dramatic. Which means that I have followed the car crash ride that is Britney Jean Spears' career since it started way back in 99 and I too was a fresh faced school girl with pigtails, staring at the clock and tapping my fluffy pen-topper until 3.30 rolled around.

So, this week I have mostly spent my time getting just a little bit excited about the new single which was released to the world the other day. Links have been torn down left, right and centre across the interwebs but I believe good old Perez is still working. Here, have a listen:

Well, it's no 'Toxic', but it's definitely on the right side of 'Born To Make You Happy'

I don't know what I was expecting but I'd heard loads of good stuff doing the rounds about how totally brilliant awesome it was. But, sadly, I walked away feeling underwhelmed if anything. There were bits I would give the definite thumbs up - I love the nods to dance music, and the dubstep break is genius, although I can't help but wonder at the decision of including such a reference to a genre that isn't hugely mainstream outside of the UK yet. Will America take to it? Who knows about those guys. Oh and how could I forget: 'hazaaaayyyy'?! - HELLO! - best bit of the whole song.

But I have to say, if I'm going to try and put my finger on it, the chorus is what lets it down - the melody doesn't ever really take off, and I know Britters has never demonstrated the most expressive of voices, but it is almost monotone in delivery. I think it's definitely the right direction, I am much more of a fan of her uptempo, slightly edgy stuff than the earlier more commercial offerings (think 'In The Zone' onwards, although 'Blackout' is clearly her best work - clearly being in the midst of one hott mess agrees with her, musically-speaking) but it's just missing that somethin' somethin' to push to the next level.

Shame Britney. Shame. 7/10. MUST TRY HARDER.

If anyone needs me, I'll be listening to Britney's Greatest Hits and writhing around with a python to remind myself of better days.

So is this one

My Ovaries Hurt

2011-01-09T17:30:00.002Z

Tiny hoody for a tiny person

Don't jump to conclusions. I haven't been that kind of busy while I've been gone. So shhh.

Teeny tiny buttons

No, this cutest cutest knit is a wee little hoody for a friend of mine who had a baby at Easter. Yes I know, Easter was a while ago - but I have been super clever and knitted for a one-year old, so this should fit. I hope it fits. It better bloody fit.

Pocket detailing. For keeping your baby money and baby keys and baby mobile in. I think. I mean, I assume.

I finished off this little knit last night, sewing on the finishing touches, like the cute buttons and sewing the casing for the weeny waist cord to keep babies tummy warm. It's now ready to be sent to its owner, but just had to post about it before it left my hands because its so SCRUMMY CUTE. I mean, come on, even if you're not remotely interested in babies - it has to stir something in you. I mean, look at the TINY SLEEVES!

An icord. Nothing to do with Apple.

From a knitting point of view, it was really satisfying to work up. It was a Rowan pattern, called 'Jay', and had lots of interesting detail that I'd never done before, like a hood and a waist icord - so it was nice to attempt these things for the first time on a smaller version, as if it went wrong it wasn't too much hassle to put right.

Also, I don't know if I've mentioned but this thing is teeny tiny. TINY. So it was really quick to do, which is always nice for those impatient among us (i.e. me).

They even do up and everything.

Seriously the best thing I've ever knitted. My ovaries have hurt a lot but I'm sure it's been worth it.

Now, someone restrain me from contacting the nearest sperm bank.

New Year Culture

2011-01-04T14:00:00.003Z

Last piece of Christmas until next year. Sad sad times.

Yesterday it was the last day of my festive break before returning to the daily grind of "normal" life. Not sure, but you might be able to tell I am really reluctant for this time of year to end, there is just a hint of that coming through. A tad!

I had returned from spending a lovely time with my family on Sunday afternoon and so had the first Bank Holiday of the new year free to do something fun!

My housemate Holly, her boyfriend Jonathan and I had decided we were going to check out the current exhibitions at the Design Museum. We had a lovely walk along the Thames from London Bridge, past Tower Bridge to get to the museum. It was a very cold, typical, steely grey, London winters day, and I think I even spied a few flakes of snow, but I have always enjoyed walking along the river.

Spotted: The backs of Holly and Jonathan (or HoJo), bottom right.

I also love Tower Bridge, I see it most mornings on my way into work and it never fails to cheer me up. It's such an iconic sight, a true London landmark. And by that I am using the Matt Groening definition of iconic - whereby if you see something in silhouette it is instantly recognisable. That's how he designed The Simpsons characters don't you know? And you can have that fact for free. Tell it at parties. Go nuts.

Le Pont de la Tour. Continental.

The exhibition we were particularly keen to see was 'Drawing Fashion'. It was a reterospective tour through a collection of artwork which charts the history of fashion illustration. It was absolutely fascinating to see the important and prominent role that this artform had for the fashion industry in the days before photography was mainstream. The 90-odd year old copies of Vogue on display behind glass from the 1910s and 1920s were amazing to view. Mainly to note how thin they were compared to the hefty tomes published on a monthly basis these days as they are now stuffed full of ads. And as photography took off in the 1930s, grew in terms of technological ability and became the default method of capturing fashion, how the role of fashion illustration changed, and what the future holds for it... all made for a very interesting afternoon.

Photography was banned in the museum itself, but Holly HANDILY bought some postcards in the gift shop of her fave illustrations, which I then duly stole in order to demonstrate what I have been waffling on about below:

Illustrative

I can't decide whether I prefer illustration or photography as a medium for documenting fashion collections. I am a keen photographer, and love to look at fashion photography in the likes of Vogue et al, but some of the artwork I saw on display this afternoon was absolutely stunning and I hope both still continue to have important roles in the future.

The exhibition is running until March 6th so if you are remotely interested in fashion or art, get yourself down there.

Reboot

2011-01-03T19:04:00.004Z

Cos nothing fuels a reboot like a cappuccino

Hi, remember me?

No? Don't blame you. I last clicked 'Publish' in Oct 2009!! That was like, a whole other decade ago. Christ.

My blogging career stalled abruptly then due to those issues with my camera I was alluding to over the last posts I wrote here. Eventually the camera gave up the ghost, and it has SHAMEFULLY taken me until now to get a camera that is good enough to enable me to slip back into the blogging saddle again.

And I've really missed it! I love photography, I love writing, and I love connecting with new people - it was my little creative outlet and I let it shrivel up and die. I'm sorry to any readers that I may miraculously still have and most of all sorry for myself. Sad times!

But, it's a new year, a new start and a reboot for There And Back Again so I want to kick off on a positive note. Let's chalk 2010 up to a camera-less blogging void, and start fresh now in 2011, with a new camera, new exciting adventures to be had, new friends to be made and hopefully reconnecting with some old ones along the way.

Here's to a Happy New Year, and a happy new era here!

Berry Good Beading

2009-10-11T11:27:00.005+01:00

On the turn

It's autumn. It's fall. Whatever. The leaves are turning. Crunchy piles of russet, golden and orange gather on the pavements just begging you to kick, jump and stamp in your new boots.

Bejewelled berries

Hedgerow berries sit plump and juicy, embellishing the dense foliage of the wayside, imploring you to gorge yourselves in delicious gluttony, be you bird, beast or morning commuter.

At least, that's how it goes in my mind.

Inspired by the latest AW09 trend for all things shoulder, (and certainly with those gorgeous glimpses of berries adorning trees and bushes not too far from my mind), one of my latest projects that I worked on whilst I was laid up recovering from my op, was this sweater.

Shoulder to Shoulder

When the shops first started receiving delivery of their first AW stock drops in late August/early September, I went to check out what the new season would have to offer, and found many shops doing variations on this theme. Plain sweaters with shoulder-based embellishments. I liked the idea of this look, but did not like the idea of paying the ridiculously inflated prices on what was essentially, an average quality jumper with a few sequins sewn on.

So I did what any self-respecting amateur seamstress would do, and did it myself!

I look moody. I was going for "fierce". This is why I am not America's Next Top Model.

I found that this way, I could search for a good quality of jumper that I knew would last, and design the embellishment to exactly the design that I wanted. It was also a lot of fun!

I found a plain black v-neck fine knit sweater in Gap, which was lovely and soft. It also fitted really nicely. Now that I had my base, I took a trip to the crafter's dream that is John Lewis' Oxford Street Haberdashery. I knew that whatever I was going to sew on would have to be lightweight, as the sweater was a fine knit and wouldn't be able to support too much hardware. So sequins or beading was the order of the day. When I spied the small pot of these tiny golden beads, I knew they would be perfect.

The whole thing worked out a lot cheaper than the original jumpers I was eyeing up in Topshop et al, and I have something unique that I have made with my very own lily-white hands.

Please do try it yourself, it doesn't take long, and the satisfaction and ever-so-slight smug factor of saying 'Oh this old thing? Well, actually, I made it myself' is way worth it. Believe.

Take Me To The Hospital

2009-09-23T15:51:00.006+01:00

Get Well Sooooonnn (I am trying)

Hello. I am writing this from my Magical Sofa of Recovery. This weeks post has been slightly delayed as on Monday I had to go into hostipal (hospital) to have an operation.

Don't worry or anything, it wasn't anything life threatening, it was just a simple key-hole procedure to remove my gall bladder. My gall bladder was naughty and didn't work properly. That's not what I wanted, that's not who I was. So it had to go. (If you can guess the film reference, I officially love you). Yes, readers, that is the way I roll. If you don't work for me, you get culled. Because, after all, don't I deserve love? And jewelry?

I call this Early Morning Canula (brought to you by my iPhone)

Kidding. Kind of. Anyway, even though it was a straight forward, fairly common procedure, it was the first time I have ever had to go into hospital, and certainly the first time I have ever had to deal with the scary scary crazy world of general anaesthetic.

However, despite my extreme nerves, the op all went well, and I am now on the road to recovery. A bit sore, but I have lots of pain meds that I like as they make me all sleepy.

(A la Homer Simpson) Bed goes up, bed goes down; bed goes up, bed goes down

I should be back to normal-ish in about 10 days, and aim to use the time that I am not sleeping doing lots of knitting/crafty things from the aforementioned Magical Sofa, so hopefully I should have lots to show you for my period of convalescence!

Until then however, please enjoy the following chooons from my hospital playlist:

I sang this constantly all weekend:

And of course, no playlist is complete without a bit of Dave Grohl (le sigh):

P.S. Big thank you to all the staff at the Annie Zunz ward at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. They do an awesome job :o)

New Beginnings

2009-09-13T19:08:00.005+01:00

Cutie Booties.

I don't know why, but September, and the beginning of autumn has always felt a lot more like the beginning of the year to me than January. Maybe they are feelings that have hung over from the days when it meant the beginning of the academic year. The last days of summer always feel like the end of something bigger than just a season, and often lead me down the path of taking stock of what I have accomplished in the last 12 months (job/life in London town; growing my awesome hair) and what I want to achieve in the near future (to master fair-isle knitting; go to Australia; find the perfect pair of boots).

Who knows, but this weekend, the weather turned a distinctly crisper, milder corner and I took that as a sign to pack away all my summer clothes for another year and dig out all my warm jumpers, coats, scarves, hats and gloves. Autumn is here, and I'm ready.

For the stylish bambino on the nursery block.

I guess it's fitting that this weekend when I have been preparing for the new season/year ahead that I also finished knitting booties for a brand new person setting out on their first ever year in this life. These are for a beautiful baby girl, daughter of a friend at work, and I have very much enjoyed making them.

Unlike socks, (which can drive me up the WALL, and often lead to me lamenting the fact that people are born with not one, but two feet), booties are a lot quicker to make, and so I don't get that familiar dread on finishing the first sock ('You mean, I have to do that AGAIN?!'). It's still enough of a novelty to get me to persevere.

Pretty cute detailing on the cuff. Frilly.

The pattern for for these was also varied enough to add interest over the course of knitting the booties, with lacework on the cuff, and front, and ribbing down the leg.

So, anyone who knows me and is planning on spawning either now, or in the far distant future: take a good look. All your kids will be getting these.

If you're going to start your first year, it really should be in style, no?

Knitty Gritty:

Pattern: Baby's Bootikin from Knitting Vintage Socks, Nancy Bush

Yarn: One skein each of 2 colours of fingering-weight yarn

Needles: Set of 4 1.75mm dpns

Family Affair

2009-08-30T18:50:00.003+01:00

Boscanova Cafe

Earlier this summer, I got out of the city and went to stay with my family for a couple of weeks in Bournemouth. I had a lovely time hanging out with them and catching up. Now that I live away from home I don't get a chance to do that for such a length of time anymore and I miss it.

On my last day, we went for a family lunch at Boscanova Cafe. If you're ever in the area, check it out. It does really good brunch. Trust. Get the pancakes.

The house chili.. and I haven't just ruined that shot by tucking in... not in the slightest..

What I like about Boscanova, is that it's one of the few (oh so few) really good independant eateries in Bournemouth. Everything is made fresh, with mostly, feel-good, healthy ingredients. This time I got the special, which was the house chili. It was delicious.

Bro-fo, coke float.

Although, if you're anything like my brother, you'll choose a coke float. Some things, by their very nature are not made with feel-good, healthy ingredients.

But if they were, I don't think they'd taste quite as awesome, no? And why say no to a little bit of awesomeness in your life?

Cappuccino-a-go-go - I love how the chocolate flecks reflect the speckled wood. Er. Well done me.

I, being the caffeine, Starbucks-obsessed girl that I am, had to have a cappuccino. Which came in a decent sized mug. That is also, quite a little bit of awesome.

---

Er, irrelevant, but:

P.S. Download Calvin Harris' new album. Do it now. You'll never regret it. Er, also irrelevant but, I just want to give him a nice big cuddle.

Lemon Drizzle, Bizzle Schizzle

2009-08-23T17:35:00.005+01:00

Lemon Drizzle

Right, so my camera is working again. Seems it's like me. It won't get out of bed unless it's shown a bit of attention!

So I'm back. I'm back on a regular basis. And I'm glad, I've missed this weekly-ish process of capturing little gorgeous moments in my life and taking time to reflect on them. They are hard to see sometimes, but they are there.

But first I have a bit of catching up to do on what I've been up to this summer.

In June it was my Mum's birthday, or bizzle schizzle, as I am known to call these things. I was keen to make this a special birthday, as I had missed her 50th last year as I was having the year of my life, in the best city in the world.

Bizzle Schizzle

To celebrate the occasion, and make it one of the best birthdays ever, I invited Mum, and my sister to visit me in London. They stayed for a few days. We hit up Wahaca, with all its yummy Mexican delights and copious glasses of mojitos. We went to see Oliver! in the West End, with the always awesome Rowan Atkinson, totally owning the role of Fagin: we were all on such a high when we left the theatre. And then, for an extra special amazing treat, my sister and I treated Mum to afternoon tea at Claridges. Mum, as an avid lover of both tea and afternoons (she can't get out the house before noon) was in her element.

But of course, all of that paled in comparison to the super amazing Lemon Drizzle Cake that I made her.

I didn't want to make a chocolatey or heavy cake as we were in the midst of a super HOTT heatwave, so I wanted something fairly light and summery. In the end, I followed Jamie Oliver's recipe, and it worked a treat. As well as lemon juice and peel in the cake mixture and in the drizzly sticky yummy icing, the recipe called for a lemon sugar syrup glaze to be made and poured into the cake once it had come out of the oven. I used a cocktail stick to prick holes all over the cake so that the glaze could seep right down deep.

Once cooled and iced, the cake was moist, lemony, sweet and summery. Perfect Lemon Drizzle Bizzle Schizzle for the Moomin Mama. Big love xxx

And in Any Other Business:

1) Am I the latest one to the Alphabeat party or what? I have just discovered This is Alphabeat. What a slice of perfect pop

2) I am all over Around The World. Promise. I am just waiting for some photos to be developed before I can crack on!

Enforced Hiatus Kinda

2009-07-17T22:20:00.006+01:00

A photo from the archives... *sniff* ...RIP camera

I know. I KNOW!

My last entry was May. MAY!

I feel I owe an explanation. I swear, I was never meant to be away this long!

Basically not long after the Brighton trip in my last entry, I did, what can only be described as one of The World's Most Stupid Things, and accidentally spilt water on my camera. My camera: my pride and joy.

Since then, it hasn't really been the same. It is temperamental: works sometimes, and other times not. The latter being normally when I really really need it to. Sad mother-humping times.

I have been hoping that the situation would be rectified by now, but it really still isn't. I am still being let down by my camera. And without pictures, I feel my blog is hugely hugely lacking, hence no updates.

On the bright side, I'm saving for a new camera, and in the meantime intend to update when I have managed to get anything out of my existing broken one.

Thank you for all the comments on the last post, especially those people who have found me through Dapper Kid. I am the next person to take part in his Around the World project and am super excited about it. Don't worry, even if I have to beg, borrow or steal a camera to document that, there will be an entry on here about it!

So apologies if updates are going to be sporadic for the foreseeable future, but I hope to get everything back on track as soon as is financially, and camera-ly possible.

Peace and love homies xx

Foolish

2009-05-05T19:44:00.011+01:00

Something is afoot..

Friday evening. 5pm. Scores of hard working ordinary people leave the office. They flood onto the sun-dappled streets, each step a little lighter. Each pace, their shoulders more relaxed. Every second, the frown lines start to melt away.

But this Friday, more so. Because this Friday there is the long delicious prospect of three clear days ahead. Three days to be filled with fun. With sun. With the prospect of anything-goes.

For this is the Great British Bank Holiday.

Beached

Ok, well, maybe it's not always the sun part. But the fact is that when a bank holiday happens, the only place to go is the beach. Where the mere wisp of possible sunshine is grabbed onto and strangled with both hands; willing temperatures to soar, if only in our minds. Where one ray peeking from behind a cloud, is the only excuse you need to shed your normal clothes and parade around in something that you would feel a little chilly in sitting indoors, if truth be told.

Pleasure

Last weekend, was one such weekend. And we were actually lucky enough to have one really super massive hot late spring day. One of those days when, if you sit still, and bask in the sun, a cardigan feels like far too stuffy a thing to be wearing. One of those days that gives you a tantalising glimpse of the long summer of potential ahead.

I literally can't sea enough food

We took the decision earlier that week, that weather permitting, we would take a trip to Brighton.

Weather certainly seemed to be playing ball, so one 40 minute train ride later, we rolled into the station and found our way down to the shore.

End of the pier fun

I grew up in another British seaside town, Bournemouth, so I never really had the drive or the inclination to travel to somewhere that was essentially the same, in my mind, but stony of beach (as opposed to Bournemouth's sand).

What a fool.

Frontin'

Brighton reminds me of Bournemouth, in as much as it's by the sea and comes with all the usual seaside trimmings.

But it's that much nicer in so many ways. The architecture is far more historic. You don't have to pay just to walk on the pier. Stones really aren't that uncomfortable to sit on.

Recline why don't you?

Brighton is prettier, quainter yet still with a cool edge. In comparison, Bournemouth is like its younger sister who tries too hard. And ruins their (probably) quite naturally pretty face with far too much make-up in an effort to keep up. And by that I mean, it's built far too many modern buildings and entertainments completely unsympathetically to its historical surroundings, so that the seafront is no longer quaint, but rather garish and loud.

Fro-yo in The Laines

And don't even get me started on the shops in Bournemouth. It's long been a sore subject with me. There are slim to no independent boutiques, eateries or pubs in the centre of town any more, rather everything is a corporate sellout. In contrast, not far from the beach, Brighton has a lovely shopping experience known as The Laines, with very few chain stores to be found.

Carousel

I mean don't get me wrong, I love a lot of things about Bournemouth's surrounding area. The New Forest, The Purbecks and the gorgeous town of Christchurch all have a dear place in my heart.

But Bournemouth itself has lost its way.

If you want to see a big British seaside town done well, and done right, go to Brighton.

Can't get enough of those waltzers..

Like Bournemouth, but better.

Keep Me Posted

2009-04-26T16:01:00.006+01:00

Wish you were here...

Everybody likes post. I know I do. Especially unexpected post. Not bills, or junk mail, but proper post. Just those little notes to cheer people up, make someone's day, tell them good news and let them know they were thinking of you.

Postcards: 30p; Gemstones: 1.50; Labour: 2 hrs; Having someone know you care: Super Safe, Yo

These postcards were something I made when I moved to London to let friends and family know of my new address. Rather than send the lame "I've moved" pre-prepared notelets you can buy in shops that have no personality whatsoever, I decided to find the cheesiest London postcards in the world and customize them by gluing individual gemstones spelling out "I've moved" instead.

I suppose that yes, it did take longer than just filling in the template of a pre-prepared notelet. But that's not the point. The point is I used my creativity, my hands, and time to make something small but unique to send a message to the people I love. And to me, that's worth it.

Goodies from afar!

There's someone else who knows the value of post for making people feel special. Amber from CodeForSomething has recently been on a bit of a travel extravaganza in the Far East. She wrote a post that touched on a lot of the points that I have above, and ended it with the generous offer of sending a little token something from her travels to anyone that wanted it.

Pamphlet from Barbie Shanghai

I entirely agreed with everything she had to say on the subject, and of course, I was not going to let an opportunity for fun post go to waste!

I emailed Amber to let her know where to send her post to, and waited. I was really only expecting a postcard, but Amber did so much better than that!

Good luck money

She had sent me lots of small tidbits of her travels: Asian money (I believe this is good luck?) in a red envelope, an explanatory postcard, and a pamphlet from the super massive Barbie store in Shanghai! I thought that was so thoughtful, as when Amber reported on this mecca for brand-lovers everywhere on her blog, I had commented to say that I loved the look of it. So to include this was super special!

Thank you Amber! And for the rest of you, think about how personalised post makes you feel, and next time you have the opportunity, take some time out to try and help someone feel the same. It'll make someone smile. Promise!

Easter egg-cerpts

2009-04-14T22:21:00.007+01:00

"I've nested on a cake... and what?"

I'd recommend you get a nice cup of tea/coffee/insert your own favourite beverage here, before you start reading this. It's a bumper post of epic proportions.

I've taken a wee mini break from blogging to fully immerse myself in all that Easter had to offer. As you can see the first thing I did was to make an Easter cake, from my Kitchen Revolution book. Unfortunately, whilst it looked lovely, the mini-eggs that were supposed to be found throughout the cake, all sunk to the bottom. Boo! But it gave some wayward chicks a home for a few days, so it can't be all bad!

One a penny, two a penny

For Easter weekend, the whole family gathered together at my aunties house. After an Easter Sunday breakfast of hot cross buns, the Easter Egg Hunt planning begins.

Making tokens of chocolatey affection

After the eggs have all been hidden, the briefing of the troups begins: laying down the ground rules (it was wet, so all indoors; and no pushing, shoving, biting, scratching, eye-gauging or fish-hooking).

Dad = full brief mode; Troups = bemused

After the briefing, the specialist egg-finding equipment is dished out (ok, plastic bowls), and let the finding commence!

Happy happy joy joy

My brother was quick off the mark, scoring four mini eggs in quick succession after a particularly fruitful root around the mantlepiece.

The staircase was less successful

The troups scoured high and low: no ornament or book was left unturned!

Until, finally, success. All tokens (to be exchanged for big boxed eggs) and mini eggs were accounted for.

Later, in the afternoon, sunshine and roast dinners sprung forth:

And then, later, much much later, the best part of Easter, the ceremonial eating of all your Easter eggs as fast as is physically possible without making yourself ill.

And we're all pros at that..

***

Hope everybody else had a great Easter weekend!

Where She Only Needed To Add The Treacle

2009-03-30T19:16:00.006+01:00

Fork off... it's mine..

On Saturday, I bought two important additions to the house. One of these was a flan dish, and the other was a rolling pin.

Now, I thought, this is brilliant. Not only can I make nice tarts and things, but I can also chase my unruly housemates around when they misbehave, in a comedy fifties housewife fashion.

Plate courtesy of Holly Patton's GreenGate collection

No, let's be serious. The rolling pin was so that I could make my very first attempt at pastry from scratch! None of this shop manufactured malarky! Actual, old-fashioned flour, butter and eggs pastry. And what better to do with it than to make a nice, lovely, gorgeous, sticky and sweet treacle tart?

Don't you just want to rub your face in your screen right now? No? Just me?

With cream. Yes, lashings and lashings of gorgeous cream.

Oh, in other news, I joined the gym today.

These two events are unrelated.

"After listening to you guys for five minutes, I know I'm still drunk..."

2009-03-23T20:08:00.003Z

History matters... It's only Natural..

Yesterday was Mother's Day here in the UK. Last year I made my thoughts on the subject perfectly clear.

This year, I was once again, nowhere near my mummy, but I did send her a lovely rose bush and a lovely biscuit card from these guys. She loved both, it is reported. Never fear, I will be seeing her at Easter, so I am not neglecting Mummy Lj.

Nevertheless, I and two other rogue housemates were set adrift on Sunday with not a lot else to do after the rounds of maternal-based phone calls.

So we decided to take a trip to the Natural History Museum.

I've been to the Natural History Museum many times when I was younger. And I always had the best time. I love that it hasn't changed an awful lot even since the first time I went, and yet the exhibits are still as enthralling as the first time I saw them as a kid. An odd mix of the wonderfully familiar and the excitingly new.

And it's educational, you can't beat that.

Concentric

I love that my mum remembers going as a girl and being in awe at the huge dinosaur skeleton exhibit in the entrance hall, and that I have the exact same memory from some 25 years later. As do thousands of people up and down the country.

I love the beautiful architecture of the building, and the many buttons there are to press!

And as much as I love love love New York, their Museum of Natural History is a stark disappointment and falls far short of the London version.

One of the other benefits of going to the Natural History Museum, is that you are not far at all from another amazing place, The Hummingbird Bakery.

What would life be like without cupcakes? Let's all hope and pray we never have to find out..

We chowed down on a couple of these bad boys and headed home. We talked rubbish on the train (standard), and were actually entertaining (or odd, you decide) enough for one fellow passenger to actually turn off his music and listen to our conversation as his preferred source of in-train entertainment.

Everybody seemed to be in a good mood, and the sun was shining.

Good times.

Sprung has Spring

2009-03-18T13:00:00.004Z

Sprung has totally spring, yeah?

Oh yeah, sprung has totally spring...

Blossom: courtesy of the many trees I am passing on my walk to work at the moment. Bliss.

Birthday flowers: courtesy of Holly Anne Patton.

Thank you!! xoxo

***

Also, big thanks to Jules of Candy Hearts who has given me my first ever award, y'all:

Ooh, award, shiny award.

Apparently, or so the story goes, these awards are doled out to blogs that are deemed to invest and believe in Proximity - nearness in space, time and relationships. Blogs that are exceedingly charming. To bloggers that aim to find and be friends (can't argue with that).

I am supposed to go on and tag bloggers that I think are the embodiment of the above. So (Hm, decisions decisions...) I am tagging:

♥ Of course, Helen from Little Doll Face (someone who is as lovely in person as she is in blog)

♥ Carrie from WishWishWish (even though she's super popular she still manages to make time to comment over here!)

♥ Amber from Code For Something (she remembered to wish me happy birthday and always writes amazing content!)

♥ And finally, Deana from Dooder City (she's fabulous and from Williamsburg therefore she's for the win!)

Spread the blog love this spring, dudes...

***

The Wombles of Wimbledon Common Are We

2009-03-16T20:45:00.004Z

I got down in the grass to take this. Like a womble. Except I didn't pick up any litter.

Sunday was amazing. Sunday was the day that Spring Sprung Forth into My Life. And with gusto no less!

We woke up, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping. I opened the window and could smell the soft sweet fragrant smell of the blossom from the trees outside. Clearly it was not a day to be spent indoors.

Holly, Laura and I (we're housemates, but I like to think of us musketeers. Because there are three of us. Original? No. True? Actual? Why, yes, yes it is.) took a lovely little crazy tram ride to Wimbledon.

Wimbledon, for those who are not schooled in such things, is a suburb of London, and it's on the tube network, yet far enough outside to feel like a little village of it's own. And of course, every June, something happens with some tennis.

However, we went there, to potter in the shops, womble on the common, and eat delicious cakes.

Ok so, clearly, this post is going to involve a hell of a lot of drool, at least from me... So feel free to let rip..

Ah yes, the cakes. We went to the Wimbledon branch of Paul's. Paul's specialises in yummy, French fayre. Les sandwiches! Les tartes! Les tasses du the! And, something that very much amuses my bouche...

Thats chocolate and vanil...*droooooooooooolll*

Les macaroons!! Les yummy! OH oh, but of course, let us not forget les pieces de resistance...

Wow. My gosh. I mean, seriously, my mouth has just filled with saliva...

LES ECLAIRS....!!! This one had chocolate cream on the inside. Oh yes it did. I kid ye not. Bon appetite indeed.

After chowing down on all these amazingly rich treats, we had to work it out. Work it off. Work it down. You know, balance the inputs with the outputs yeah? We needed to take a wee walk around the common.

Aw, old couple in the background. Aw.

And by wee walk, clearly I meant find the nearest bench and stalk old people with my camera.

Beautiful!

The Brunchfast Club: Smith's of Smithfield

2009-03-08T19:43:00.003Z

Beef, Benedict, Bloody Mary = BRUNCH

Now it's no secret that I am a fan of brunch. Oh who am I kidding? I am possibly the worlds biggest fan of brunch. If I could eat only one other meal, it would be brunch. All the way. Brunch. Remember that..

Smiths of Smithfield = SOS; Clever, no?

So when my friend Isabel suggested brunch on a lovely, early-spring, London Saturday, well lets just say she didn't exactly have to twist my arm.

We decided to go to Smith's of Smithfield. Run by John Torode, of MasterChef fame, I'd previously been before in the evening when it transforms into a popular post-work City drinking hole, however on weekend mornings it promised to offer a pretty satisfying brunch menu. So we decided to check it out.

Smile kids, you're on the internet!

As you can see, the interior has this heavy industrial feel which compliments its location right across from the Smithfield market perfectly. However as there is so much light in the space it doesn't feel at all cold or dingy.

But to more important matters. Food. Ahh, yes, the food. I ordered (and this is no word of a lie) pancakes & maple syrup, and then the second breakfast option of bacon, eggs and toast. I then proceeded to amalgamate the two dishes onto the same plate and pouring the (sadly, limited) portion of maple syrup over the whole sexy lot. This attracted stares from fellow diners, but you know what? I didn't even care that sweet and savoury brunch items on the same plate are somewhat of a culinary faux-pas in the UK. I ate every single bite with relish and I bloody loved it!

When All At Once, I Saw a Crowd...

2009-03-01T14:51:00.001Z

A host of golden daffodils..

Daffodils are jolly, daffodils are happy, daffodils are positively upbeat y'all...

Daffodils are fun, daffodils are pretty, daffodils bring the sunshine in...

But most of all, daffodils mean hope, daffodils mean dreams...

And daffodils mean spring is finally here...

Cakes of the Pan

2009-02-25T20:20:00.003Z

For those that don't know, this is the oft-spoken-about but lesser-spotted Holly. She's a pancake whiz.

And so it came to pass that the greatest day of the year was yet again upon us. It is a day for celebration, for rejoicing, for merriment. For eggs, for milk, for flour. For maple syrup, for bacon, for sugar (yes really, keep reading).

It's Pancake Day is what it is, and it is, quite frankly, my favourite day in the whole goddamn year.

Holly's so good at pancake making, she can iPhone it up and do a pancake all at once. That pancake was the best one.

I didn't celebrate last year in America because I pretty much had pancakes every Sunday as part of what I (and possibly others, who can tell) like to call "brunch".

But on a normal year, when I'm not living my life in foreign countries, I abstain from any pancake eating as much as possible throughout the year in preparation for this momentous occasion. Because it makes them taste that much sweeter. The anticipation is electric.

What a tosser

Throughout my university years, it was the beautiful Holly that kept me sated every Pancake Day. She was the undisputed Champion of the Toss; the Master of the Batter. In short: the Princess of Pancakes. So you can imagine how fantastically excited I have been that I managed to move myself in with her just before the greatest of days arrived again!

Check the skillz, man

And this year, Holly did not disappoint. She rustled up a hefty batch for all of us, and lo, it was good.

But, what did I ever do in return for all this kind pancake flip/tossing over the years you ask?!

Why but of course! I introduced Holly to the best pancake combo literally known to man. All men. On earth. That ever lived.

There it is.. hit me with the good stuff...

A hefty stack of pancakes. Plus bacon. Plus maple syrup*.

Try it. Have it. Make it. Make it and put it all up in your mouth. I promise you, your mouth will love you forever.

*Or, if your local shop has decided that maple syrup is not to be stocked on Pancake Day, we found honey also works. It's also a healthier albeit slightly inferior substitute.

Vintage Birthday Beret

2009-02-15T15:21:00.002Z

This birthday was handmade from head to toe. Or card.. whatever.

Big news! I found wifi!! Free wifi!! So I am able to bring you this post from a table in the Barbican on a Sunday afternoon, which I am typing whilst listening to all the podcasts I have fallen behind with since being in London without proper internet access for the last two weeks. Oh Claudia Winkleman, President Obama and Woman's Hour, I've missed you!

Hopefully I will be moving into my permanent base (with actual internet!) next weekend, so normal blogging (and reciprocal blog comments) will resume!

So what do I have to show for myself for the last two weeks? Well, I am settling in well in my new job for those who were wondering. And to pass the time without the internet I have been working steadily away at my super friend Holly's birthday gifts.

The card, I made myself with my new interchangeable blade craft scissors. But the thing I am most pleased with is the beret..

Knitty Gritty:

Pattern - 'Vintage Beret' from Rowan Magazine No. 44

Yarn - Two skeins of the recommended Rowan Wool Cotton. I used it in French Navy.

Needles - 3.75 mm for the ribbing, changing up to 4 mm for the main body of the hat

Yeah, I keep my hats on my digital radio... don't you?!

I used a pattern from one of my Rowan books that I got in the mail all those weeks ago. As can be expected from a Rowan pattern it was really easy to follow, and well written and quite a pleasurable, fairly quick knit. I'm not sure why, but I expected it to be knit in the round... but no, it's knit on regular needles and then you sew up the seam... clever huh?

Talking of seams: can I just take a moment and marvel at the genius that is mattress stitch?! This was my first ever foray into seams and of witnessing the wonder of this miracle. At first I was sewing quite loose, so I could see what I was doing (as per the advice of my knitting bible) and was skeptical, as it didn't look like it was going to do anything spectacular, and possibly ruin at the last minute all my hard knitting work: sabotaging and spoiling the final look of the piece.

But no! I worked a few inches, and then pulled tight, and LIKE MAGIC... a beautifully invisible seam was born!! Very professional.

So, now that I can do seams... I am now looking forward to getting my next project on the needles: my very first item of clothing. I'm toying between what to choose, but I think it will definitely be a cardigan (I am the cardigan queen). I literally can't wait.

So Long, Fare Thee Well, Pip Pip Cheerio, We'll Be Back Soon

2009-02-01T14:26:00.003Z

Case closed..

Packing? Yes, I've been packing. As some of you may be aware, since I came back from New York in September, I've been looking for a job in London. And some of may also be aware that that search came to an end just before Christmas, when I finally found my dream position.

I'm such a fan of luggage tags as labels...

Well, it's taken until now for all the arrangements to be finalised and for me to finally be able to move to London and get stuck into my new, first, proper job since leaving university.

So that's right, I'm finally leaving my hometown properly for the first time, and I'm very excited! However all this means, that while I'm getting my new home in London sorted, I will have sporadic access to the internet, so I'm not sure when I will be able to blog again, so it's a short intermission around here for a few weeks.

...Promise!

But don't worry, I will be back as soon as I can, with more tales of London, knitting, baking and anything else that pops into my brainbox. And all is not lost, until then you can always follow me on Twitter if you are into such things. But I'll miss you guys and I'll definitely be back soon! Wish me luck!! x

Merry Good Luck Job Socks

2009-01-31T00:09:00.005Z

Anyone else find the wool socks on sheepskin rug styling ironic? No? Just me? Ok..

At last! Here it is, the long awaited 'Where is all this knitting she talks about anyway?' post! Yes, I think I've mentioned that since around the end of November I've been teaching myself to knit. This started as a cheap way to give Christmas gifts as I was unemployed, but I quickly learnt that I really, really enjoyed it. And that it's not actually that cheap, so it's actually a bloody good thing that I did enjoy it!

I found that the best tip I can give anyone that is looking to start to learn how to knit but is perhaps a bit intimidated is, get a damn good book that explains everything in language that you understand, with beginners projects that are inspiring and progressively more challenging so as to keep you interested. The book I found that really worked for me was Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook. I'd heard of the Stitch 'N Bitch movement from when I had spent time in New York, which was what appealed to me initially, but the book is actually really well written (and most importantly written for my age group so you don't feel like you're getting old before your time!) and has everything you could possibly want to know about knitting! It has step by step diagrams and instructions for all stitches you would ever need to learn, as well as projects to try out.

From using that book as a foundation, I quickly got the knitting bug for more challenges, and found The Purl Bee and Ravelry. These are two great knitting sites (Ravelry being more of a community: think MySpace for knitters) that have inspired me and taught me lots about knitting! There are also a lot of great knitting bloggers out there who stitch up some gorgeous work that get my fingers itching too!

But all you really need is that great foundation and the knitting world is literally your oyster..

These are the socks chillin...

So anyway, back to my finished knit! I found these socks on The Purl Bee, and thought they would be the perfect gift for my dad, not only for being my amazing father but also for being my most regular blog reader!

He, like me, has been suffering with unemployment-itis recently (damn credit crunch *shakes fist*), so I thought they would be a great gift to cheer him up. Especially since I now have managed to find a job and am no longer to be his day-time companion. I thought they could be his Good Luck Job Socks. Kind of like the job interview version of pulling pants. No? Another thing that's just me? Ok...

I found the pattern to be the perfect pattern for me to follow for my first socks, as The Purl Bee doesn't use any confusing abbreviations (at least not without explaining them first!) and includes plenty of pictures so you can check your progress.

And these are the socks having a rest...

So for all those who are looking to give it a go, here are the vital stats for you:

Knitty Gritty:

Pattern - The Purl Bee's Socks for Giving

Yarn - I used Jaeger Matchmaker Merino 4 Ply which I've found to be a lovely yarn for socks

Needles - Four 3.75mm double pointed needles

But what the socks love doing the best is to be worn!

And of course, one of the best things about knitting is seeing the finished knit be worn by the recipient. I have my fingers crossed that they do what they were knit for... Good Luck Job Socks!

It Ain't Too Much for Me to Jam

2009-01-20T18:41:00.010Z

Tea with jam, jam and bread.. or cake, whatever...

I've been really wanting to make a jam-based culinary treat for a couple of weeks now. I don't know, there's something so warming and wholesome and perfect for winter about a warm, jammy cake. And after the sparkle of Christmas is but a distant memory, and yet it's still bone-chillingly cold outside and the warmth of the sun on your skin seems such a long way away, a few baked treats are just what you want to cheer the winter melancholy. Plus, you know, we've got pantloads of Grandad's jam to use up before it goes bad...

But after Roly-Poly-Gate when everything went terribly wrong, I had to regroup and find a recipe for something less complicated. You know, a recipe that doesn't demand that I know the difference between length-ways and width-ways and other "rocket science" details such as that.
To inspire me and get my confidence back that I could actually produce something with jam in it that would look and taste like it's supposed to, I dug out my copy of Michael Jackson's Dangerous album, and spent a good hour or so dancing along to (I'm sure you know where this is going) track numero uno on repeat... Jam:

Remember when Michael Jackson was the coolest thing on the planet? Ahh, good times..

On the fifth repeat, it was then that I realised: you know what? It bloody ain't too much for me to jam, Michael, you're so right! Man, that guy is wise, have you ever listened to his lyrics? It's good stuff guys. Except for Blood on the Dancefloor. What the hell that's about is anyone's guess...

And so I took another look in Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer, and decided upon Mary Poppins' "Strike-Me-Pink!" Raspberry Jam Cakes.

...And this was just my portion. Oh, you think I'm kidding..

Despite my apprehensions in my baking ability, I managed to carry out the very easy instructions, and they turned out exactly as Jane described in the book: light enough so that you can eat large quantities as Mary Poppins has a large appetite (yeah, I tested that out); small enough so that they can be eaten in two or three dainty bites as Mary Poppins is, well, dainty;

There's nothing that isn't improved with jam in the middle: TRUST

And, all the jam is contained in the middle, so you don't get your fingers sticky. Mary Poppins never got sticky fingers. That would never do.

I don't mind so much about that though. All I care about is that it ain't too much for me to jam... uh-huh shamawn.. hee-hoooo

Postal Pick-Me-Up

2009-01-13T21:31:00.006Z

Sparkly Goodness

I've been feeling foolish today. It really only boils down to one reason. Essentially, I attempted to make a jam roly-poly (adapted from Jane's Mrs Beaver's Marmalade Roly-Poly in her super fantastic book) and I went and bloody rolled it up the wrong way. I did it longways instead of widthways. And it didn't really make that much difference to the taste, but the look of it was not as good as it should have been. And I was so looking forward to blogging about it.

So, I'm a fool, a goddamned fool I tell you!!

Luckily, I got something in the post today (again!) that cheered me up. A while ago, I won a competition that the lovely Frassy held! And today my prize arrived!

Choooons

The main part of the prize was a CD of Frassy tunes. I'm excited to listen to this. Candy for the ears I'm sure!

And then there was...

Hello Kitty fun

Sartorial delights

... lots of sequins, pinking sheared fabric squares and cutout's of hearts and gorgeous model images... all because:

..So there!

Right! Frassy loves scrapbooks. Unfortunately, I do not scrapbook.... but I do have a soft spot for organized chaos and inspiration, in the form of noticeboards. It's such a snapshot of people's personality and I love the fact that it can be constantly updated and changed without too much fuss..

My favourite part of my room

I love my noticeboard. And obviously, what I keep on there changes as my likes and inspirations and tastes change. A few things that are on there at the moment are photos of friends, bows I've collected, some kind of penguin reference (standard), a porcelain dramatic mask from my gran and postcards from things that remind me of New York.

But there is space for some of Frassy's lovely giftage to intermingle with all this lovelyness! Yay!

But I am most excited about this that I discovered in amongst the sparkle:

Score!

More?!!?!? Awesome! I look forward to it... Thank you Frassy!!

Who Here Likes Post? Yeah, Me Too...

2009-01-10T00:57:00.007Z

This is me perusing...

I've been doing a lot of the above in the past couple of days. And by 'a lot of the above' I don't mean sitting on my ass. I mean reading!

Reading, because with my Christmas money from kindly relatives I did a little bit of interwebs shopping last weekend, and in the last few days, BEHOLD what has arrived in the post for little old me:

My new cook book (Note in the background my current knitting project. Oh, and my beloved penguin)

This is item number one, Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer, a delightful gorgeous cookery book written by Jane Brocket, she of yarnstorm fame. I've been reading Jane's blog for just over a year now, and so remember when she first mentioned the concept of this book, and have wanted to get it ever since it was published at the end of last year. It's such a cute idea for a book, especially for those who read lots of the classic children's books in their youth, as I did.

You know the stuff, Enid Blyton, Noel Streatfield that kind of deal. I don't know about anyone else, but The Famous Five were like crack to my small childlike brain.. I literally couldn't get enough of it, and remember staying awake way longer than I was supposed to reading by the light of the hallway lamp under my bedroom door, just so that I could find out who the "bad-guy" was. Ha, it still makes me feel kind of criminal even admitting it now, as my parents do read this!

Anyway, back to Jane's book. Basically in all the old children's books there were always amazing descriptions of food that they ate to sustain their adventures, and Jane has basically come up with recipe's based on lots of fondly-remembered food scenes in classic children's books.

I really recommend this book for anyone who liked reading as a child, and fondly remembers salivating as they read about delicious foods such as hot buttered crumpets, creamy porridge, sardines, hot cocoa, tongue sandwiches, ginger buns, cherry cake and, indeed, ginger beer that seemed ever present in these fabulous stories but were distinctly lacking in real life. Just reading it as a book in its own right was a lot of fun, and brought back memories I didn't realise I still had. But I cannot wait to try out some of the recipes!!

***

The second package of exciting fun that I got in the post contained these beauties:

Knitting magazines. No, I'm not 65. Knitting is actually cool. And/or hip.

Two of the current Rowan knitting magazines available. I have been leafing through this all day, and already my current knitting project seems far too boring, and to be taking twice as long to finish now!!

I really like a lot of the designs in the Studio magazine, as that magazine is a lot more trend-led rather than focussing on classic knits, although some in the regular Rowan magazine are beautiful as well. Again, I am chomping at the bit to get some of these on my needles!!

I aim to do a proper knitting post giving a lot of links that I have found really useful in the last two months as I've learnt to knit from scratch. This will likely come once I've finished something that I can actually show you (i.e. not a secret Christmas gift) and I hope that will be soon!

Until then, I'm going to continue to watch the post. You never know what else might come through the door!

Oh, Nine? ...Back to Work Thank Yous!

2009-01-05T00:10:00.009Z

Crafty

So, I took a brief hiatus over the festive period. I mean, I think I deserved it, what with all the baking and the job-searching and the interviewing. And the eventual rewards that were reaped (a job, people... I got a job, in case you forgot!). So I had a lovely Christmas and an awesome New Year just chillaxing, maxing, relaxing all cool with friends and family.

And now it's back to work. It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new mother-humping year... and it's January. And January... means one thing: Thank you cards!!

The aggressively named 'make!' by Cath Kidston

My lovely friend Holly had helpfully gifted me the new Cath Kidston craft book Make! for Christmas. As she knew that I was all about the crafting, having recently got into knitting (now that Christmas is over, and all my secret Christmas knitting projects are complete, I am now able to blog about my new favourite thing to do! Expect a post all about it very soon!).

It was all I needed for inspiration for actually MAKING my OWN Thank You cards this year.

I gathered up a bunch of old Christmas and birthday cards, and used the patterns given in the book to trace and transfer to make my own cards.

It was really easy and fun to do and I did four cards in one afternoon. Luckily, four is all I needed!

I need a manicure...

All that's left for me to do now is to write them, address them and send them off!

A Reason to Celebrate

2008-12-17T21:34:00.004Z

Champagne and Christmas Rocky Road

So I've been busy these past few weeks. A lot of that has been to do with Christmas. And another large part of that has been to do with my new hobby: knitting (more on that coming very soon).

But the most important factor in my busy-ness (not business, thats something different) is the fact that since I got back from New York, I have been looking for the perfect job in London town, to start my next big adventure.

*droooooooool*

And this afternoon, just after putting my attempt at Christmas Rocky Road in the fridge to set, I got a phone call, offering me a job that I interviewed for a couple of days ago in London.

I had interviewed for this job, and I felt it had gone well, but I didn't dare get my hopes up in case it was for nothing, as had happened so many times since September. But at the same time, there was something about the job, it seemed so perfect, and so what I wanted to do, with just the right company, for a great starting salary. I wanted it so badly, but I didn't let myself believe yet.

And then the phone call came.

I couldn't have chosen a better day to make the Rocky Road, as it goes so well with the bottle of champagne I have been saving for a couple of years for a special occasion.

Coin in the cork for good luck

Best Christmas present ever! I'm so happy!

Advent

2008-12-03T22:12:00.002Z

Anything that involves me eating chocolate every day is a winner!

So every year at the end of November, my nan buys all her grandchildren an advent calendar.

This year, she's really excelled herself, because she has bought this masterpiece from Thorntons that not only has a chocolate for every day, but also has four huge bonus-sized pieces of chocolate, that do not appear to be assigned to any particular day, and (and!!) one of those has my bloody name on it! My whole name! Not just the Lj part, the whole shebang!

I'll tell you something for nothing, that's pretty cool. And when you come from a large family like mine, it saves any arguments over whose is whose.

Yesterdays chocolate: duly ingested

And not only that... it also has the best thing ever on it: penguins. I love penguins. Some might say a little too much. I can't help it. They are just so goddamned cute when they waddle along. And when they're cold they huddle together. Penguins are for the win.

And I'm not just saying that. Look:

Heading for the next chocolate treat

I even have a penguin that sits on my bed. So I wasn't making it up. I really do love penguins a little too much.

And chocolate.

And Christmas... but you'll hear all about that this month.

Merry Happy Advent Goodness!

Exporting Thanksgiving to Devon

2008-11-30T18:14:00.003Z

BFFs (Beautiful Fucking Friends)

Last Thursday it was Thanksgiving. Last year in New York, this was my favourite holiday. And it made me very sad to think that it just doesn't exist in England. I mean, what can be better than a whole day, set aside to do nothing but eat yourself silly and get some serious down time with the people you love. I mean, you don't have to buy presents or decorate really, it's literally pretty much all about the people and the food. Or even really just the food. Let's face it, the reason I loved it was essentially the food. Who am I kidding!

This year, my lovely friend Holly, had planned a trip back to her parents house in Devon and invited me and our friend Laura along. It was then that I realised that this trip just so happened to coincide with ThankyG!! And when you combine that beautiful coincidence with a mother that just loves to bake, what you get, is in fact an amazing four days with amazing food (I'm still dreaming of the sweet potato pie), with amazing people. In the cutest village in the West Country: Salcombe.

I wish to own window boxes such as this

Now, I went to university in Exeter, Devon. So I am well informed, and have researched thoroughly the fun factor of most of the Devon coastal towns. And Salcombe wins hands down.

It's got sun, sand and sea. It's got the cutest boutique shops. It's small and village-like, yet even in the wintertime it's still got life and character.

The steps to Dusters, where we had lunch one day

I love the flowers in the window boxes, and the many, many, yummy places to eat.

Who doesn't love bunting?!

I love the ferry that goes back and forth across the water to take sunbathing tourists to and from the beaches on the other side of the bay. I love the quaint village vistas that greet your eye every way you turn.

Drooooooolllll

I love the ice cream colours of the houses and shops. And I can literally not get enough of the hot pink institution that is Cranch's Sweet Shop.

But most of all, I love the seascape views of the bay.

Especially when the sun is going down.

This Thanksgiving, I am goddamned thankful that there are places like this in the world. A little slice of lovely.

Oh and for those sweets at Cranch's.

And oh yeah... for that sweet sweet potato pie.

Pikelets Are Not a Small Fish (Alternate Title: How to Make Your Dogs Jealous)

2008-11-20T21:46:00.003Z

Look at that face. He wants what my sister has. But he's not getting it. Oh, it's hard being a dog.

It's late autumn. And it's getting way cold. The leaves have given up, my fingertips have given up, and quite frankly, we could all do with some warmth in our lives.

That is why, there is nothing better than late afternoon tea on a late November day. With rounds and rounds of crumpets and pots and pots of hot tea. It really warms the cockles.

The other day, I decided I would make crumpets from scratch. Except I didn't decide that at all, I decided I would make the cousin of the house of Crumpet: the humble Pikelet.

I always thought pikelets were a small fish. Kind of like a scampi/whitebait type deal. So whenever anyone offered me some pikelets, I turned my nose up and said "No FREAKING way! Fish, in the afternoon?! You be crazy!".

Imagine my surprise when I found out yesterday from HFW (literally loving his book) that they are in fact the lovechild of a crumpet and a crepe! Continental! And that making them from scratch seems distinctly simple. And something that I should attempt.

All you need for pikelet fun

Now, to get the lovely crumpet-esque holes to form when you cook pikelets, you need yeast in your batter mixture. And yeast is special because it's alive. Which kind of freaks me out. But because of this, it needs to be activated and nurtured, coaxed and cajoled into releasing its rising powers into your batter.

Which all this essentially means you should make your batter in the morning, if you want to have pikelets as it gets dark (which these days is around 4.30).

Apparently fresh yeast is better to use, but I didn't have any, so used some dry yeast. Which worked just as well.

Now, this is what I had to do, according to the mighty Hugh, and it made more than enough to fill up four people so that they could hardly move and make two dogs very jealous.

Step 1: Measure out 250g of strong white bread flour and 250g of plain flour. Wonder what the goddamn difference is.

Step 2: Sift this floury goodness into a large bowl, along with 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Step 3: Next you get your yeast (fresh or otherwise, prepared as per the instructions on the packet) and crumble/pour in. A bit at a time add 500 ml of lukewarm water. The fact that it's lukewarm is very important, as I discovered. If it is too hot, the yeast gives up the ghost and dies all up on your batter. And if it's not hot enough, then, like me, it just won't get out of bed and be active at all.

Step 4: Beat it all together for a couple of minutes, then cover the bowl with a warm, damp tea towel. And then put it somewhere warm. I put it in one of our kitchen cupboards which is next to the boiler pipes. You're going to leave it there for up to two hours for the yeast to work it's magic, so if you're anything like me, you'll give the yeast a little pep talk, say "Good day sirs", and close the cupboard door.

Step 5: Wait two hours, or until the sky is a lovely shade of pink/purple:

Step 6: Get your bowl out of the cupboard, or wherever you put it. The batter should have risen some what, if the yeast heeded their pep talk at all.

Step 7: Dissolve 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in 150ml of lukewarm whole milk. To make the milk lukewarm I just popped it in the microwave for about a minute. In case you haven't noticed these crazy yeast boys are fussy when it comes to temperature. Stir the milk mix into the batter a bit at a time, until the batter is the texture of thick paint. You probably won't need all of the milk, I didn't, but that's ok.

Step 8: And now! The fun part. Grease up a nice big frying pan, or, like in my case, a griddle pan, if you have one. Get it all nice and sizzling hot. And make like pancakes. Ladle a small amount of batter at a time in smallish circles on the pan.

Step 9: Once the top gets little bubbles forming and drying out, its time to flip them over.

Step 10: Cook them for about another minute on the other side, and serve straight away whilst they are still way hot.

Step 11: You can serve them savoury, with cheese, and butter. Or sweet, with sugar or jam. But I warn you of this. If you serve them anywhere near your springer spaniels, they will not leave your side, or take their eyes off you.

Step 12: Make said dogs jealous by tucking the heezy in.

Ah, pikelets, fun for all the family, on an autumn afternoon.

Seafood on the Seashore

2008-11-12T22:13:00.002Z

Mudeford Quay. Which I thought was pronounced 'Kway' until I was about 13. I'm special.

Today, my dad and I did something that I haven't done for years. Literally, many moons. And it's something that always reminds me of being a little girl.

We took a trip to Mudeford Quay.

Mudeford is a little seaside village between Bournemouth (my home town) and the next town along the south coast of England, Christchurch.

I was always really scared of falling in and drowning in this bit of water when I was little.. I think it was because of this sign..

When I was a young whippersnapper, my dad would take me and my sister (and later my brothers) to Mudeford every so often.

I'm not really sure why, as there was not really a lot there for kids to do, apart from crabbing. In the summer, there are always group after group of kids hanging over the railings, dangling crab lines into the sea. Each group, had a bucket of water, ready to house the crabs in when they caught them. From sun up to sun down, the lines would go up and down, and there would be periodic cheers every time a crabalicious bounty was secured and carefully transplanted to its temporary home. And then at the end of the day, when it came time for tea, the crabs were counted, scores tallied, and all thrown back in.

Lobster net sunset

Thinking about it, it's a pretty goal-less endeavour. But I do remember it being hours and hours of fun. Especially when you caught too many crabs, and they formed an escape committee, climbed on top of each other and out of the bucket, scuttling sideways off into the distance, and freedom.

Oh, fun times.

Back of the net

But that's a summer activity. In winter time, there's nothing here. Yet I always loved coming. I think it's the beautiful views, the tempestuous sea that makes me feel so alive, and the food.

Oh yes, the food.

There's a cafe at Mudeford, for you to go to, if you wish to have a cup of tea.

But we never go there.

There's even a pub, if you wish to have a pint of beer.

But we never go there.

We go to the best place.

Mudeford Quay Fish Stall.

For these:

Check out my immaculately manicured nails. On second thoughts, don't.

Always a pot of prawns, a cocktail stick and lashings of secret seafood sauce.

Ever since I can remember.