tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71699921513433568432024-02-19T11:20:51.807+00:00There and Back AgainLittle Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-91748192992574640032011-11-28T20:55:00.001+00:002011-11-28T20:57:23.132+00:00Why I Celebrate Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpx_CgKlKEvMy7Po5z_2t-URH8-9xOLjxpf85-ldo5Z1k4C7puu7P0pZuXWiKXUE-2mdC6haHqqvGJWG8gP-z8YIz-HEBP-5dkGWD92FpUixdCfu_dmA9Rpc0CgcyB9GlPV37X8lZRRkA/s1600/DSCF0871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpx_CgKlKEvMy7Po5z_2t-URH8-9xOLjxpf85-ldo5Z1k4C7puu7P0pZuXWiKXUE-2mdC6haHqqvGJWG8gP-z8YIz-HEBP-5dkGWD92FpUixdCfu_dmA9Rpc0CgcyB9GlPV37X8lZRRkA/s400/DSCF0871.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Albino pumpkin</i></span></div><br />
I warn you, I've gone mental. Mental for <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/10/crazy-stupid-pumpkin-love.html">PUMPKINS</a>. I've had a Thanksgiving pumpkin-filled weekend. It's been amazing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeBFm3mmSxjCDG_0Cn2ffIWKfE1kevT5eM75nQYihEhf_2vciF0xNk50QpgwiibLZr2qXGKj_FLx-pAC_a6R1h6-LW_rRFfRIIT6QsCewFBweu_vyXw5o-l86evmb9jpS5L-zcrx-5Qh5/s1600/DSCF0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeBFm3mmSxjCDG_0Cn2ffIWKfE1kevT5eM75nQYihEhf_2vciF0xNk50QpgwiibLZr2qXGKj_FLx-pAC_a6R1h6-LW_rRFfRIIT6QsCewFBweu_vyXw5o-l86evmb9jpS5L-zcrx-5Qh5/s400/DSCF0873.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mantle Pumpkin</i></span> </div><br />
I've been celebrating Thanksgiving for <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2008/11/exporting-thanksgiving-to-devon.html">a while</a>. 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 <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/search/label/new%20york">I went</a> 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.<br />
<br />
Sign me up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYSFgKbBxt4MJ5hug0YN0gnx2KdLH8is-zorm1-n4SBSQ0iHH1ntFbhVkTa1Y7FgEBLalXUT0FDg7tIyVlf0bctrFbsHX7qmV7zIKd624rTZjE5iyRkgaWABSrQCqoEatLLbFrG2L97Yq/s1600/DSCF0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYSFgKbBxt4MJ5hug0YN0gnx2KdLH8is-zorm1-n4SBSQ0iHH1ntFbhVkTa1Y7FgEBLalXUT0FDg7tIyVlf0bctrFbsHX7qmV7zIKd624rTZjE5iyRkgaWABSrQCqoEatLLbFrG2L97Yq/s400/DSCF0876.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Pie of Pumpkin</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wcuHmO6a5QHr42rasksF-JbLgc9XFepfSjY4YCbA5wjmXEWmZCoH6BD_WceGv0D2tNh9nSzQ6JPgnSsE1M6JB1_jm2ceiVPNGHRP9A3z1e10dh8AiOxG-HiYvflg4YVc8cZ-UDYF1jjW/s1600/DSCF0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wcuHmO6a5QHr42rasksF-JbLgc9XFepfSjY4YCbA5wjmXEWmZCoH6BD_WceGv0D2tNh9nSzQ6JPgnSsE1M6JB1_jm2ceiVPNGHRP9A3z1e10dh8AiOxG-HiYvflg4YVc8cZ-UDYF1jjW/s400/DSCF0881.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Half-Eaten Pumpkin</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
And I'm really impressed with <a href="http://www.littledollface.co.uk/">my</a> <a href="http://hollyploves.tumblr.com/">friends</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixfB3Mq-ak5EWIHGOnGeVLvIr2Uljnf9v5-IKQIl371U3BvwvfjieF5BY_StTTcmaI_ereZQFpesdxsyFz5b4rQThCnANaFsBtJi1Z8bR9u_pwsV4lXTtKFMrK3s-agFGvjloJIv_FHB4/s1600/DSCF0882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixfB3Mq-ak5EWIHGOnGeVLvIr2Uljnf9v5-IKQIl371U3BvwvfjieF5BY_StTTcmaI_ereZQFpesdxsyFz5b4rQThCnANaFsBtJi1Z8bR9u_pwsV4lXTtKFMrK3s-agFGvjloJIv_FHB4/s400/DSCF0882.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Munchkin Pumpkins</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">And it was lovely to share the feast with good friends, good wine and a good stretchy pair of pants. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh yes, the pre-Christmas diet started again today. I'm already having syrup withdrawal symptoms. Hold me.</div>Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-40064382671363739832011-11-06T19:03:00.001+00:002011-11-06T19:27:20.814+00:00Boom Boom Boom. Even Brighter Than The Moon Moon Moon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e7wd5ilcvP7N7So4m3inBVAl-5mwECYelgrEbivh-OfxLFRcxITZg5CdiHCSVzVNKkDnLFhpGBCBg4Ij7GvEw-9Z5NtujYOJMvkB8cSwMuuvs0kU3yL3lH96i8GM_p2qr5LnFTgiRUAa/s1600/SNV32269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e7wd5ilcvP7N7So4m3inBVAl-5mwECYelgrEbivh-OfxLFRcxITZg5CdiHCSVzVNKkDnLFhpGBCBg4Ij7GvEw-9Z5NtujYOJMvkB8cSwMuuvs0kU3yL3lH96i8GM_p2qr5LnFTgiRUAa/s400/SNV32269.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Baby you're a firework</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2008/11/cozy-soup-crazy-sparklers.html">love love love firework night</a>! The bonfires, the wrapping up warm, the hot dogs, the drinking, and the fireworks. Ooh sparklers too, I almost forgot those guys.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkp2MVSyDoh9ytALCV2oE-_NEAlYADomCtBLeZPJnhyphenhyphen9TDFfvH-mObChrb7qL1HGx6i58R8Fc8upNIyB-i-9dPCcKilmdI5sCRSeG7Nlf4RLxajqzdX1JAeHx48baDHkDrF84-Iecl5mE/s1600/SNV32273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkp2MVSyDoh9ytALCV2oE-_NEAlYADomCtBLeZPJnhyphenhyphen9TDFfvH-mObChrb7qL1HGx6i58R8Fc8upNIyB-i-9dPCcKilmdI5sCRSeG7Nlf4RLxajqzdX1JAeHx48baDHkDrF84-Iecl5mE/s400/SNV32273.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Neon pink rain</i></span> </div><br />
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 <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/07/yes-more-cakes.html">in July</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdk6-MYucq68P4V96oe6aeCke3n_VCVF2iIEjKCZU5E98Zlsy8HSD1ANrgDiaB-Hym-0qL1TGnyfgGUmjooPTOGRk5Cuf-cx4z2sorWBHK0GJcVUL9_x08L5z9JqQ66ieaakKzY38gFP1/s1600/P1000115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdk6-MYucq68P4V96oe6aeCke3n_VCVF2iIEjKCZU5E98Zlsy8HSD1ANrgDiaB-Hym-0qL1TGnyfgGUmjooPTOGRk5Cuf-cx4z2sorWBHK0GJcVUL9_x08L5z9JqQ66ieaakKzY38gFP1/s400/P1000115.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Burning leaves</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7tBqLza0ZZf7hboudSsCttyxY7mYGSS8hZ20Tuk4OzjrVyfwL3ApTnjr57y2KRdOLrxiM8KdlWeNowm7s4-q9Nmpq8Kfc6bO-ZnHXfJ_vmaFK-NR7X6jrX0TgLK2eVVfJEFjlWtKCoOl/s1600/P1000104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7tBqLza0ZZf7hboudSsCttyxY7mYGSS8hZ20Tuk4OzjrVyfwL3ApTnjr57y2KRdOLrxiM8KdlWeNowm7s4-q9Nmpq8Kfc6bO-ZnHXfJ_vmaFK-NR7X6jrX0TgLK2eVVfJEFjlWtKCoOl/s400/P1000104.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>All of the lights all of the lights</i></span> </div><br />
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. <a href="http://www.londonevents2011.com/alexandra-palace-fireworks-2011.html">Ally Pally</a> and <a href="http://www.londonevents2011.com/clapham-common-fireworks-2011.html">Clapham</a> 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 <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2008/07/happy-independence-day-or-how-too-much.html">fourth of July</a>, 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 <a href="http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200006/arts_and_entertainment/288/fireworks_display">Battersea Park</a> 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!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Mq9zXLvrJ0WgK45JWiri1JjzNlAVF3oKZasUd6EqvqU7PvxbMkRtU0RP8c50SqXIoXUYSFxgRc4z9kHdLwochQ9xJOS_s7jpuYu_mEoqAF3m1lp1i697UayKvEUXQ5vhBcgkBDsooQIe/s1600/P1000099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Mq9zXLvrJ0WgK45JWiri1JjzNlAVF3oKZasUd6EqvqU7PvxbMkRtU0RP8c50SqXIoXUYSFxgRc4z9kHdLwochQ9xJOS_s7jpuYu_mEoqAF3m1lp1i697UayKvEUXQ5vhBcgkBDsooQIe/s400/P1000099.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Spinner love</i></span> </div><br />
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 <a href="http://www.otterytarbarrels.co.uk/">Ottery St Mary</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96b6imGeZFShQm-bA0-qq0gJXMgnTXYQ0p4uijTAbwt9bgXjj_2SfywOCAr7KUA0rCNrXQEfw4VHi2ZzxbQhOq0qAZTnMQq6TUKgvWQL0HSpssrpRLh1fvvpt_Otu60nzOB5jkXJfdYZn/s1600/SNV32271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96b6imGeZFShQm-bA0-qq0gJXMgnTXYQ0p4uijTAbwt9bgXjj_2SfywOCAr7KUA0rCNrXQEfw4VHi2ZzxbQhOq0qAZTnMQq6TUKgvWQL0HSpssrpRLh1fvvpt_Otu60nzOB5jkXJfdYZn/s400/SNV32271.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Purple rain</i></span></div><br />
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.Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-65676521259009713002011-10-30T19:43:00.001+00:002011-10-30T19:44:21.166+00:00Crazy Stupid Pumpkin Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUP8IOWpNaKRnh8M1pmsh4oliRXhj9VBC1HotXf9eLZIr-XNS6cYDREjqJS3VzXHaHA1H6qm3f8JyCBh-LapaPgLpc42ksBuGr9CNZi3kO3YrM2zAlrRv9ElLVGjsHjwuM7EabRx9u1lKA/s1600/DSCF0863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUP8IOWpNaKRnh8M1pmsh4oliRXhj9VBC1HotXf9eLZIr-XNS6cYDREjqJS3VzXHaHA1H6qm3f8JyCBh-LapaPgLpc42ksBuGr9CNZi3kO3YrM2zAlrRv9ElLVGjsHjwuM7EabRx9u1lKA/s400/DSCF0863.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Pumpkinny wumpkinny</i></span> </div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">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 <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0331516/">Ryan Gosling</a>. If you are that way inclined, may I recommend <a href="http://fuckyeahryangosling.tumblr.com/">this website</a>.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I've been to see him in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780504/">Drive</a> (the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/drive-original-motion-picture/id455448129">soundtrack</a> literally won't leave my ears) and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1570728/">Crazy Stupid Love</a> 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. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124035/">The Ides of March</a> 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.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HmSx4m-9krgdFTxheGFzrgIs52A7LKg__ftblZLQOLukwssrPsU3JLdmxo6Axvabp0SrONAkGSIXzhkbKglCShU_i9kL64EmcV_KQzXxbrwUej1w_E9-s8rPu9IctR5EfXWHhk43EVyD/s1600/DSCF0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HmSx4m-9krgdFTxheGFzrgIs52A7LKg__ftblZLQOLukwssrPsU3JLdmxo6Axvabp0SrONAkGSIXzhkbKglCShU_i9kL64EmcV_KQzXxbrwUej1w_E9-s8rPu9IctR5EfXWHhk43EVyD/s400/DSCF0864.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Next of (pump)kin</i></span></div><br />
So ANYWAY. Enough of my lusting after Hollywood celebrities. What a contrast between my last post and this! <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/10/last-days-of-summer.html">Last time</a> 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.<br />
<br />
It's no secret, I <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2008/10/sneak-preview.html">love</a> <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2008/11/things-that-go-bump-in-night.html">Hallowe'en</a>. This was a love that was spurred on all the more from my <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2007/11/happy-halloween.html">experience</a> 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!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVdZbQIzhPSCWFY7XnWZ6Ruagf6aaVObjSTojT0E6n8UJ5pfkGBer9g6KOmGwpVd-ydbkuhqND5FSPWKtGB5gU4o0BZ38zKYUp5-d_Uw4nM3-1NaZHotvqVbAvge6GOl8IMg04TDPa05f/s1600/DSCF0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVdZbQIzhPSCWFY7XnWZ6Ruagf6aaVObjSTojT0E6n8UJ5pfkGBer9g6KOmGwpVd-ydbkuhqND5FSPWKtGB5gU4o0BZ38zKYUp5-d_Uw4nM3-1NaZHotvqVbAvge6GOl8IMg04TDPa05f/s400/DSCF0862.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>I have actually purchased a further four pumpkins of varying sizes. True story.</i></span></div><br />
The past five years or so have been spent constructing <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2008/10/fake-blood-101.html">elaborate costumes</a> 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 <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/">Ghostbusters</a>. Which to be honest, is probably more fun and with less hangover.<br />
<br />
Altogether now: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... MASS HYSTERIA!Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-12158581752159736492011-10-02T16:21:00.000+01:002011-10-02T16:21:55.334+01:00Last Days of Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9oeQmhB8-OEmygitbk7vJ7Dw3eJJWBiUb4JhKI5vu-BGxqF-Rou48QLRHIsqipIPYdspHE_SgYnkGV8pOGvrv3Nzod4Te01q5iQ9XMlfY4jzyp9NwQgtBF4zK8AfnxhWxDKs0_LjPpkO/s1600/DSCF0785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9oeQmhB8-OEmygitbk7vJ7Dw3eJJWBiUb4JhKI5vu-BGxqF-Rou48QLRHIsqipIPYdspHE_SgYnkGV8pOGvrv3Nzod4Te01q5iQ9XMlfY4jzyp9NwQgtBF4zK8AfnxhWxDKs0_LjPpkO/s400/DSCF0785.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Bee-ay-yoo-tiful beach</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
I've spent this week back in <a href="http://www.bournemouth.co.uk/">Bournemouth</a> with the rental units. And it's been a week of <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/07/dorset-days.html">brunch</a>, 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHRJkL4D4obCLFD7aV8w9rPMbVMrUkGi5ntW7P7J4Gx5e53Ugmk0e8RF-9EwYln13UCttRLeyArIBU3KuS0IFEeM1ZxxSTk6DWBLqpyqX6bv4lTcwkW33CVA2cWIb8_YoCOVhP43uqxl-/s1600/DSCF0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHRJkL4D4obCLFD7aV8w9rPMbVMrUkGi5ntW7P7J4Gx5e53Ugmk0e8RF-9EwYln13UCttRLeyArIBU3KuS0IFEeM1ZxxSTk6DWBLqpyqX6bv4lTcwkW33CVA2cWIb8_YoCOVhP43uqxl-/s400/DSCF0793.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Beach Bird Stalking</i></span></div><br />
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 <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2008/10/sneak-preview.html">carving pumpkins</a>! 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR-1UMnBn3rxAsCVjxk5B_0aNnHztpsSf7wQuWM3qdV9Iqhc9kvoFTnXGcz269PIczQiKzmmnAUDwRZc-rltlkGy8s_VGDngYDAF8oVeOwNODVOdw7JBjK5BVyuVDm6jEOI0sC3t4t7ot/s1600/DSCF0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR-1UMnBn3rxAsCVjxk5B_0aNnHztpsSf7wQuWM3qdV9Iqhc9kvoFTnXGcz269PIczQiKzmmnAUDwRZc-rltlkGy8s_VGDngYDAF8oVeOwNODVOdw7JBjK5BVyuVDm6jEOI0sC3t4t7ot/s400/DSCF0809.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Cake and lashings of ginger beer</i></span> </div><br />
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 <a href="http://hummingbirdbakery.com/">Hummingbird Cupcakes</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVMVVe_gVJnoQnqefOiDKHwRS8yaSSOtNsqT2D0qagpSkAszjnOCVjWS8uLluEDFfLqMr6BU4ZZPvYRWUksruLdtktzlmjxYJdGEZWt22kWEHF-l6zqZ7FkbrkjMaYSrvl0hSSoFQ9Ki7/s1600/DSCF0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVMVVe_gVJnoQnqefOiDKHwRS8yaSSOtNsqT2D0qagpSkAszjnOCVjWS8uLluEDFfLqMr6BU4ZZPvYRWUksruLdtktzlmjxYJdGEZWt22kWEHF-l6zqZ7FkbrkjMaYSrvl0hSSoFQ9Ki7/s400/DSCF0801.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Crumbly in my tumbly</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
The cakes turned out really yummy, the custardy topping was unusual but actually worked really well to give the apple crumble effect.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUlLwjOi2nV9VEdPt3YpxlKMfNKAES6CcmaLrxW2AcDKZTwzpogj1-drtwxg_TptcDgSUMqgwtKHYSTyajuKd2DhJmCprO83vsWk0E4GA67wE0D8mYZXAGlGGii5D4hLu_-FsGInocGc6/s1600/DSCF0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUlLwjOi2nV9VEdPt3YpxlKMfNKAES6CcmaLrxW2AcDKZTwzpogj1-drtwxg_TptcDgSUMqgwtKHYSTyajuKd2DhJmCprO83vsWk0E4GA67wE0D8mYZXAGlGGii5D4hLu_-FsGInocGc6/s400/DSCF0807.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Nomz</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
Now, when's my next holiday?Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-44019356253779273952011-09-25T23:00:00.000+01:002011-09-25T23:00:52.558+01:00Run to the Beat of my Biscuits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzinfDzNeMcqdq1o1r1pxuJM8_OSlUTqOeX9mSor6p07bpGaJ65QInTQdQizoZGzjqJ6P43ACiXnTwA6hcPOCrRFZEchvo2MK_FXEaFHgSgDxj-0dAm22ikgMCY1Jie4Wr9T6ohTOm8Is5/s1600/DSCF0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzinfDzNeMcqdq1o1r1pxuJM8_OSlUTqOeX9mSor6p07bpGaJ65QInTQdQizoZGzjqJ6P43ACiXnTwA6hcPOCrRFZEchvo2MK_FXEaFHgSgDxj-0dAm22ikgMCY1Jie4Wr9T6ohTOm8Is5/s400/DSCF0752.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Maritime Museum, Greenwich</i></span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxapOl9lRaP9b-2GJ9eIBukzkFqAZp_lsytxUTo1jlpAIiPWC3PsKHcDoRkWiMAPL0ojE5KmOMuR7ddHuB9XykunrGR5nCX62QrgjKcmz3DjjtBsXUsAwoFL7uJEtVxwG6tobhtJRW4QYy/s1600/DSCF0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxapOl9lRaP9b-2GJ9eIBukzkFqAZp_lsytxUTo1jlpAIiPWC3PsKHcDoRkWiMAPL0ojE5KmOMuR7ddHuB9XykunrGR5nCX62QrgjKcmz3DjjtBsXUsAwoFL7uJEtVxwG6tobhtJRW4QYy/s400/DSCF0779.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>In case you didn't know..</i></span> </div><br />
This weekend I watched my <a href="http://hollyploves.tumblr.com/">best mates</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/j_stretton">boyfriend</a>, J-Man Jizzle* complete an amazing achievement - he ran the <a href="http://www.runtothebeat.co.uk/">Nike Run to the Beat</a> half marathon and we are all very very proud of him.<br />
<br />
(*Not actual name. Name that I call him. Largely against his will)<br />
<br />
He's training to run the <a href="http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com/">London Marathon</a> next year, and this race signifies the furthest he's ever ran so it's a huge deal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhTdw1OXMGyCfeuL-ZZrC63XFXLZoM7wJvuyRmMfOwCZ3ZDMjf5h3YUnrdkpWxxNylH3_zELFHorbEFKBtW6vjVKVm0q2sE5QxqHy79aYLKxO7jXUAX9-ga9u4rG_-sgbHnf_iO1BEDK4/s1600/DSCF0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhTdw1OXMGyCfeuL-ZZrC63XFXLZoM7wJvuyRmMfOwCZ3ZDMjf5h3YUnrdkpWxxNylH3_zELFHorbEFKBtW6vjVKVm0q2sE5QxqHy79aYLKxO7jXUAX9-ga9u4rG_-sgbHnf_iO1BEDK4/s400/DSCF0756.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Cheerleaders (although I think I was better AND I didn't have balloons!)</i></span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1sRN8OALVgoUBviB_F_E9Z9VS6mf4ZnejWncRPSIhIpzkj8S0Ucc-xqacW5f2p_flbj96gE3te_uEJa8x80IUXx2X-S0TjQZEZQC1ffdPBYF9W43YSL6fAufnj58yHkEvlKJVSY046d5/s1600/DSCF0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1sRN8OALVgoUBviB_F_E9Z9VS6mf4ZnejWncRPSIhIpzkj8S0Ucc-xqacW5f2p_flbj96gE3te_uEJa8x80IUXx2X-S0TjQZEZQC1ffdPBYF9W43YSL6fAufnj58yHkEvlKJVSY046d5/s400/DSCF0778.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Arms outstretched, J-Man at the 11 mile mark, only two to go!</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkmUKUgfZQJRP3egoWJ4j3M7aaHgpu-5sA-3KMBX_2Ukn9_-ylcAoAGTKB5MAs1x67vR3M9DSYPfXlOT-VTsWcd0Qm35wEOAETNYZYIhmZXfs-DfHUyvNh5VbOBtpCySHP7hpcVtKfEGj/s1600/DSCF0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkmUKUgfZQJRP3egoWJ4j3M7aaHgpu-5sA-3KMBX_2Ukn9_-ylcAoAGTKB5MAs1x67vR3M9DSYPfXlOT-VTsWcd0Qm35wEOAETNYZYIhmZXfs-DfHUyvNh5VbOBtpCySHP7hpcVtKfEGj/s400/DSCF0755.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Greenwich Observatory, obvs</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcv6BS5tpsWpUtqkd8l4qeAno_1ER0RijwuM00lqBWA45dWol3mbD9mljuDMmw7Kxr0xKChfKTy4taK9Nw2XXEp6PI6JydyHcNDzfhr6axTyzW3YeEUK886RA05_5rPuO-eNuBGdqiFDo/s1600/DSCF0782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcv6BS5tpsWpUtqkd8l4qeAno_1ER0RijwuM00lqBWA45dWol3mbD9mljuDMmw7Kxr0xKChfKTy4taK9Nw2XXEp6PI6JydyHcNDzfhr6axTyzW3YeEUK886RA05_5rPuO-eNuBGdqiFDo/s400/DSCF0782.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Love the smell of biscuits in the morning</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
I'd baked some <a href="http://hummingbirdbakery.com/">Apple & Oatmeal cookies</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkv5EkcM8ecEN2j4fesywkwrbGY2qIgKSbKRtbH2t3K7Bu42uFT89RZaT7lzBplCuVbSK0yGNmWO_3c1Tnow0yUoJgvhC1H8fESFHPvQ8TBBNdcGNSHkcu_OU0sJy8SuyFntyfg5oKogX/s1600/DSCF0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkv5EkcM8ecEN2j4fesywkwrbGY2qIgKSbKRtbH2t3K7Bu42uFT89RZaT7lzBplCuVbSK0yGNmWO_3c1Tnow0yUoJgvhC1H8fESFHPvQ8TBBNdcGNSHkcu_OU0sJy8SuyFntyfg5oKogX/s400/DSCF0748.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Leftovers</i></span></div><br />
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?!<br />
<br />
No, I know: not right. I joke.<br />
<br />
Well done J-Man Jizzle, Jam Master Jay. SO PROUD.Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-31550850879451180572011-09-18T22:03:00.001+01:002011-09-18T22:04:29.746+01:00Friends With Benefits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSc4HVNGxC6TARLrXJv9QIB-2hciyKihGhtXnsATMYlJ8mD0cQPP5VfawdeysjkpHc9WGXhX3GUbrJ6R6R0UOpyahreeNEYa4zZ9ta0Ft20wruvSe9FXftdFxze-whLZXzh1DsgzuDR0A/s1600/DSCF0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSc4HVNGxC6TARLrXJv9QIB-2hciyKihGhtXnsATMYlJ8mD0cQPP5VfawdeysjkpHc9WGXhX3GUbrJ6R6R0UOpyahreeNEYa4zZ9ta0Ft20wruvSe9FXftdFxze-whLZXzh1DsgzuDR0A/s400/DSCF0724.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Stacked</i></span> </div><br />
Before anyone gets excited - not <i>thooose</i> kinds of benefits.<br />
<br />
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, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Preston_(singer)">Preston</a> 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 <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/search/label/new%20york">New York</a> exchange <a href="http://www.mountbatten.org/">programme</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYdWOZnJMsolYJyq_lS56-YNLXQ8b9I1bSPwiicd1vXV1-lq_AYS1xj-kez_SbOTxk2hqJSnSBXf4iiA8ckLiHKh5Mu9xqRkdDP3cPA4a97hAGO83VeKRzE8GUlOOfEMuK8Tq0ls92zMj/s1600/DSCF0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYdWOZnJMsolYJyq_lS56-YNLXQ8b9I1bSPwiicd1vXV1-lq_AYS1xj-kez_SbOTxk2hqJSnSBXf4iiA8ckLiHKh5Mu9xqRkdDP3cPA4a97hAGO83VeKRzE8GUlOOfEMuK8Tq0ls92zMj/s400/DSCF0722.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Halloumi and houmous. Never have two finer 'H's been stuck in a sandwich</i></span></div><br />
We started with lunch straight off the train at a great place, <a href="http://www.bills-website.co.uk/">Bill's</a>. 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?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqS4aRrr42mpI7nlByK4r7FPB8YfpinrQXvbV7CH-u6gUJYIFZsujdph32aB9iwuoTZ8glsqqIwNXePeCKwnzGpPdSvRpRGJhbS5cOMHnwX05DpmhQ4brDVdSD1XCn6PyWqaaWNMhCw6I/s1600/DSCF0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqS4aRrr42mpI7nlByK4r7FPB8YfpinrQXvbV7CH-u6gUJYIFZsujdph32aB9iwuoTZ8glsqqIwNXePeCKwnzGpPdSvRpRGJhbS5cOMHnwX05DpmhQ4brDVdSD1XCn6PyWqaaWNMhCw6I/s400/DSCF0730.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>A girl keg!</i></span> </div><br />
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).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUHpEarsjR053L9znk-snANO_tm_2DqI4V4lvBb0oPF9LbXtt35DNw4Cw7sallV0VoSfLSsH2RQEi1gevRW3uBLwI-3pPsct9WZ8FsES3nZaqMuprU1uFgABeCDdePnUIQ_K0TRofWSxg/s1600/DSCF0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUHpEarsjR053L9znk-snANO_tm_2DqI4V4lvBb0oPF9LbXtt35DNw4Cw7sallV0VoSfLSsH2RQEi1gevRW3uBLwI-3pPsct9WZ8FsES3nZaqMuprU1uFgABeCDdePnUIQ_K0TRofWSxg/s400/DSCF0737.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>NYC corner. Every home should have one.</i></span> </div><br />
This concoction accompanied the brilliant menu of Pulled Pork Tacos, Avocado and Onion Salad and Crunchy 'Slaw. All <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/">Martha</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6ql12z70oLT-t0KissXgBTvVv1bCz5fcU4QeszENGaWMHqVTQ9aM4ekuoEXa-yzbq-J3KteT0nJOKhBmxhpS5fguAenygLnIT_4jHnZnEH0QatV8YniDufjLnevKcSUUuBHE1twgT-P5/s1600/DSCF0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6ql12z70oLT-t0KissXgBTvVv1bCz5fcU4QeszENGaWMHqVTQ9aM4ekuoEXa-yzbq-J3KteT0nJOKhBmxhpS5fguAenygLnIT_4jHnZnEH0QatV8YniDufjLnevKcSUUuBHE1twgT-P5/s400/DSCF0741.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Feast</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">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. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I literally want nothing more of a Saturday. </div>Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-59815296814971812522011-09-11T17:54:00.001+01:002011-09-11T17:56:12.038+01:00Faith Hope & Charity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdcJcT_LW5zBKRYJz0NM78kVb2K8uEArFysA2W7ewvQwugbNbYCG7nu2jbVQs-jXvaaM9-9prnF02yc16Y3I7nBnCiRT0qFOKlzrSK-qGXjWwPe8MwJQHbxMvhY9qRsCRyVBOp-GbK2lF/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdcJcT_LW5zBKRYJz0NM78kVb2K8uEArFysA2W7ewvQwugbNbYCG7nu2jbVQs-jXvaaM9-9prnF02yc16Y3I7nBnCiRT0qFOKlzrSK-qGXjWwPe8MwJQHbxMvhY9qRsCRyVBOp-GbK2lF/s400/IMG_0901.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Crypt-ic</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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 <a href="http://hipstamatic.com/the_app.html">Hipstamatic</a> 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.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvbCP6671gcy8zJnOfUj9nQIY8nMy4NuUjWYt7uTDFJ7uY9lmLfeuJrlzRxIoerI3ebKbXLYO_sgnI9NAfAiaEiGY4STK-0E8rEtIN2ZSR7ASYRg-QhQkhkYMcjFSJBW4_HoltTiTOSXq/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvbCP6671gcy8zJnOfUj9nQIY8nMy4NuUjWYt7uTDFJ7uY9lmLfeuJrlzRxIoerI3ebKbXLYO_sgnI9NAfAiaEiGY4STK-0E8rEtIN2ZSR7ASYRg-QhQkhkYMcjFSJBW4_HoltTiTOSXq/s400/IMG_0913.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Victorian Crypt Roof</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I decided to venture up the long steep winding hill to <a href="http://www.highgate-cemetery.org/index.php/home">Highgate Cemetery</a>. Highgate has a fascinating history, but is probably most famous for being the final resting place of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Marx">Karl Marx</a>. The <a href="http://www.highgate-cemetery.org/index.php/who-we-are">Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust</a> run daily tours of the west side of the cemetery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i46FyQK6_XHXJwdGX0D5hUrF87cVri2HXvLoKljgKYJfiq2hWfnXQQG8mRf1ohZf_f83nsWDDJSdq7rL2F0xXW4qaivuRBhKKpi96CkJ6DKiP_wq-AqSaCKLOh18dQxTthFXw6qbb-6x/s1600/IMG_0911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i46FyQK6_XHXJwdGX0D5hUrF87cVri2HXvLoKljgKYJfiq2hWfnXQQG8mRf1ohZf_f83nsWDDJSdq7rL2F0xXW4qaivuRBhKKpi96CkJ6DKiP_wq-AqSaCKLOh18dQxTthFXw6qbb-6x/s400/IMG_0911.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Marble sleeping lion, marking the grave of George Wombwell, a famed Victorian menagerie exhibitor</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBswOV1a7tlFY3yijZ2CkOJg_YxRGOlw5kkdFdFkyns178e1H8cthEPTJ-diRo5BifGkn24LYCi3FDO19wRIBitnltQo1uWPmJRVZIOry6N8qsLYoQ6SeCKRid4ivg62ndq4KhZ9iGmwr/s1600/IMG_0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBswOV1a7tlFY3yijZ2CkOJg_YxRGOlw5kkdFdFkyns178e1H8cthEPTJ-diRo5BifGkn24LYCi3FDO19wRIBitnltQo1uWPmJRVZIOry6N8qsLYoQ6SeCKRid4ivg62ndq4KhZ9iGmwr/s400/IMG_0918.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Final resting place of Tom Sayers, a renowned Victorian bare knuckle fighter, with a marble carving of his trusty dog, Lion</i></span> </div><br />
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 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Wombwell">George Wombwell</a>. 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.<br />
<br />
I also thought the grave of a famous Victorian bare knuckle fighter, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Sayers">Tom Sayers</a>, 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiFc_nXExKXq6jNlKdwu0Q_i9UHdmunaPI725MA5c8eTXEr0lGcEX63YjE1Hh6y-IYNk7Jl7Qc6cgjfZmWSqaPcYG2mHXA8-PAWnRc4njj9R_CtsCC_HFoJ2-4XJZoTMKH7Uw52ppjgpq/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiFc_nXExKXq6jNlKdwu0Q_i9UHdmunaPI725MA5c8eTXEr0lGcEX63YjE1Hh6y-IYNk7Jl7Qc6cgjfZmWSqaPcYG2mHXA8-PAWnRc4njj9R_CtsCC_HFoJ2-4XJZoTMKH7Uw52ppjgpq/s400/IMG_0920.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Sleeping angel carved out of marble</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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 <a href="http://www.highgate-cemetery.org/index.php/volunteering/why-i-volunteer">carried out by volunteers</a> 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.<br />
<br />
And take better photos than me.Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-89291897310558597942011-09-04T18:55:00.003+01:002011-09-11T01:38:28.641+01:00Tea and Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhTBpgg9Jj09COUbpCGVDp3eM2Hpte4IVJvvP4ECv9tn9Voe-fcKvAlJ_bQ99SX5nV8VhhN61eUF474l3p613LCumZRr47Q__m7lmfHP9tyF0q563hr4yebQE8TV4ITkhl33mNFwee69D/s1600/DSCF0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhTBpgg9Jj09COUbpCGVDp3eM2Hpte4IVJvvP4ECv9tn9Voe-fcKvAlJ_bQ99SX5nV8VhhN61eUF474l3p613LCumZRr47Q__m7lmfHP9tyF0q563hr4yebQE8TV4ITkhl33mNFwee69D/s400/DSCF0702.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Tea, cake, flowers. Win.</i></span> </div><br />
Haven't baked any cakes for a <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/07/yes-more-cakes.html">couple</a> of <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/06/baking-hot-bake-day-aka-how-i-stupidly.html">months</a> (and <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/08/so-ive-knitted-crop-top.html">my waistline</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKusGpn24Hb9LlwxgtEv5l3w9eNF0eCPaEHE4l3AFkAP9okiiWhprlpuRR4vdvaC6GozqoGEVOf_O0sZhAZkQy4DU8DfOQORViiuwrFRmWazI-YXEXrxNBMjK1td8gLQG6locDXyGSLmAH/s1600/DSCF0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKusGpn24Hb9LlwxgtEv5l3w9eNF0eCPaEHE4l3AFkAP9okiiWhprlpuRR4vdvaC6GozqoGEVOf_O0sZhAZkQy4DU8DfOQORViiuwrFRmWazI-YXEXrxNBMjK1td8gLQG6locDXyGSLmAH/s400/DSCF0698.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Behind the scenes trivia: Noone actually drunk that cup of tea. It was for show only. I'M SUCH A FRAUD.</i></span></div><br />
<div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I've been wanting to try out the <a href="http://hummingbirdbakery.com/">Hummingbird</a> 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 <a href="http://www.littledollface.co.uk/2011/08/29/autumn-wish-list/">knits, tights, bundling up warm</a>, 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.</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">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 <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/search/label/new%20york">New York</a> was such a good idea for me. They, like I, live off the stuff.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76CAcDrd1kT0gatfd8uUl6hWesLytxyDk06Mt4JjaBBD-w3ushTSGgyBFy8aGxBMCzd2NMgREJwk342mvCRirxPY2nK_qQssE8Ld3AcW7oXxmI7R1ZJZLa6mu3NN59SqRKX9lRuq7posz/s1600/DSCF0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76CAcDrd1kT0gatfd8uUl6hWesLytxyDk06Mt4JjaBBD-w3ushTSGgyBFy8aGxBMCzd2NMgREJwk342mvCRirxPY2nK_qQssE8Ld3AcW7oXxmI7R1ZJZLa6mu3NN59SqRKX9lRuq7posz/s400/DSCF0699.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Behind the scenes trivia: The cakes got eaten though. Not by me you understand. Nope.</i></span></div><div><br />
</div><div>Having said that, I am living proof that you don't have to like tea (let alone Earl Grey tea) to love these cakes.</div><div><br />
</div><div>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.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Just the ticket for the last summer Sunday afternoon. (When it rained. Predictably).</div>Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-80114862541094835172011-08-21T19:55:00.001+01:002011-08-25T23:36:40.191+01:00But I Couldn't Find The Broom Cupboard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_WdhSzKWoJJfgapsDHgGfcf97fKQ_0APhfVH9KO6mJvBbfuNw_zrDDK-oprumiyTlVv5w8UBXJ7TFQMrP0uuBL2pwtwdhPEPDF0dU-SCxk3k3y-Q9uaWFdMCppDXcm6KjRlSztJNbcen/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_WdhSzKWoJJfgapsDHgGfcf97fKQ_0APhfVH9KO6mJvBbfuNw_zrDDK-oprumiyTlVv5w8UBXJ7TFQMrP0uuBL2pwtwdhPEPDF0dU-SCxk3k3y-Q9uaWFdMCppDXcm6KjRlSztJNbcen/s400/IMG_0843.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>TVC</i></span></div><br />
This weekend I went to visit the famous doughnut-shaped <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Television_Centre">BBC Television Centre</a>, which has played home to nearly all of your favourite British shows of TV history past, and also still some of your current faves. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/">Strictly Come Dancing</a> (which comes live from Studio 1, the back wall of which is in the above photo with 'Television Centre' on), <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/bluepeter/">Blue Peter</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_News">BBC News</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/liveandkicking/">Live & Kicking</a> (and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/goinglive/">Going Live!</a>), and the <a href="http://www.thebroomcupboard.co.uk/">Broom Cupboard</a> (anyone remember that!?!) and countless sit-coms and chat shows were all filmed here, the list goes on and on and on.<br />
<br />
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?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBHAoSWFEta5asstlANl1zBmM5z9PY8HwzDGVBBq-slPCpy28IJIsKKnDW9SX69OCZCN1wCQ9DXZG6hHqRdfXJI3Z-BQpOaArE0lJYjAFkuCUqKQfBlOkIkQLNWDQF1Ovb2VZROsmzcPL/s1600/IMG_0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBHAoSWFEta5asstlANl1zBmM5z9PY8HwzDGVBBq-slPCpy28IJIsKKnDW9SX69OCZCN1wCQ9DXZG6hHqRdfXJI3Z-BQpOaArE0lJYjAFkuCUqKQfBlOkIkQLNWDQF1Ovb2VZROsmzcPL/s400/IMG_0848.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Bring Me Sunshine</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
Sadly, however, you don't get to see the Broom Cupboard. Or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edd_the_Duck">Edd the Duck</a>. I know I know, but don't let that put you off!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtbMGTXtqGwF1xB2x8XQ56u4BCrF58APRDbF-EzrRnntQPP-4z-1ToKj4752W0LC5fTNljxuxW9_ebESVolcNw-txdaqrR77gWEG8-KC4UIqlsz2LSfhb16WgSqVcjWtj2Anj1054w9wv/s1600/IMG_0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtbMGTXtqGwF1xB2x8XQ56u4BCrF58APRDbF-EzrRnntQPP-4z-1ToKj4752W0LC5fTNljxuxW9_ebESVolcNw-txdaqrR77gWEG8-KC4UIqlsz2LSfhb16WgSqVcjWtj2Anj1054w9wv/s400/IMG_0850.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>The Helios statue in the center of the doughnut</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA0x8eW7e4DQzsHifm7kDgJU-xUwqATLRSW1U4jDwiEdfHOQ1RCGPgeexUS7jELzCqfwip7an1qovJge_onT2NsWkN7ExxxKrgXmLeHMViqokbSsOb82YB7uayUuluIpWx0LXYbCIY1HO/s1600/IMG_0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA0x8eW7e4DQzsHifm7kDgJU-xUwqATLRSW1U4jDwiEdfHOQ1RCGPgeexUS7jELzCqfwip7an1qovJge_onT2NsWkN7ExxxKrgXmLeHMViqokbSsOb82YB7uayUuluIpWx0LXYbCIY1HO/s400/IMG_0853.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Studio 1 - The same studio doors the lovely couples of Strictly burst through straight after performing their dances!</i></span> </div><br />
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 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grange_Hill">Grange Hill</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1eg5_oKVmepnZB_aydped3M-8sXT-yvafkuodyLnJN4t82lHRIfc9IF3SXhrZRM_DhA5FEGsa9jRk_aG1ZcVfiwsKYdY1gdeCSXpy84Muqw7mvh2FVDkIMKAsFntBgW2eUGZxyN6X1go/s1600/IMG_0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1eg5_oKVmepnZB_aydped3M-8sXT-yvafkuodyLnJN4t82lHRIfc9IF3SXhrZRM_DhA5FEGsa9jRk_aG1ZcVfiwsKYdY1gdeCSXpy84Muqw7mvh2FVDkIMKAsFntBgW2eUGZxyN6X1go/s400/IMG_0854.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Peter">Blue Peter</a>, 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</i></span></div><br />
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 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moira_Stuart">Moira Stuart</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCej3cohcjPOpKlKxTmoSGcRreJg_p9acfkCaGparLfzDiQ3IRjYlgaSPSJKrXLwmJHRBYrDOnMHTK1tC9I5hHiH60TqygQcHOrN5u1YkATPHHg9lefoDhPSpk7-rJk_bK87ghdPOSmUD/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCej3cohcjPOpKlKxTmoSGcRreJg_p9acfkCaGparLfzDiQ3IRjYlgaSPSJKrXLwmJHRBYrDOnMHTK1tC9I5hHiH60TqygQcHOrN5u1YkATPHHg9lefoDhPSpk7-rJk_bK87ghdPOSmUD/s400/IMG_0845.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Back of Studio 1</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">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 <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/tours/televisioncentre.shtml">only a tenner</a>, so really cheap fun thing to do, so I highly recommend going before it is sold and it's too late!</div>Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-69431281924103580712011-08-14T13:51:00.001+01:002011-08-14T13:52:54.092+01:00So, I've Knitted A Crop Top...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7ZRKJABXm2VKUTWE7AqtmyuVQNVFe_d0L79A8J2mIpdkkcAXZjD37o2IhAGeMDOq6yOI0wTud04M4Yp3kf5TvCufvZw8Y4mJ4Wi01V_qSrCSpjGmmkqMDJerxVOJPUG1gPr-cMTXDskn/s1600/DSCF0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7ZRKJABXm2VKUTWE7AqtmyuVQNVFe_d0L79A8J2mIpdkkcAXZjD37o2IhAGeMDOq6yOI0wTud04M4Yp3kf5TvCufvZw8Y4mJ4Wi01V_qSrCSpjGmmkqMDJerxVOJPUG1gPr-cMTXDskn/s400/DSCF0674.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Wrap Stitch Shoulder</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGcCuTJaVOQfhEO25oSQ9uR446IHPnzdFGcdpSas7NsGdif1EYrDyrh4_-Dx4Xkm8emv3ItqyvQX40R_W9cVil-jCykC1nJfQbGwV17Kn0OAfZaGGdFSieD57mZzB0X7vUueQVyUSwv43/s1600/DSCF0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGcCuTJaVOQfhEO25oSQ9uR446IHPnzdFGcdpSas7NsGdif1EYrDyrh4_-Dx4Xkm8emv3ItqyvQX40R_W9cVil-jCykC1nJfQbGwV17Kn0OAfZaGGdFSieD57mZzB0X7vUueQVyUSwv43/s400/DSCF0681.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Excuse the shit* on the end of my bed (*not actual shit)</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtuATvBWeNGYMzO5COM6O_z9aNosfMuWZpVP17oLm5bb8Xph12l-ZrZSENpfF9oAKTqsG-OOM6Z-SPeD-cLEMJOSMUrRncvRHJOk3VdiPzKBE2fa8xTZcPaemfx7xroRYcrNqTV7ZOsPu/s1600/DSCF0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtuATvBWeNGYMzO5COM6O_z9aNosfMuWZpVP17oLm5bb8Xph12l-ZrZSENpfF9oAKTqsG-OOM6Z-SPeD-cLEMJOSMUrRncvRHJOk3VdiPzKBE2fa8xTZcPaemfx7xroRYcrNqTV7ZOsPu/s400/DSCF0688.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>High waist = minimal blindingly white stomach</i></span></div><br />
The pattern was another <a href="http://www.kimhargreaves.co.uk/">Kim Hargreaves</a> from her most recent <a href="http://www.kimhargreaves.co.uk/acatalog/Whisper_Book.html">Spring/Summer collection</a>, called <a href="http://www.kimhargreaves.co.uk/acatalog/SIZZLE.html">Sizzle</a>. Not sure if that's a reference to how SIZZLING HOT I look in it (haha, I jest, I jest).<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPejXh64sj6O6Hnu2rnc0q8UrjNzi8nZqxQVYz4A8W8n6i5IrtATzh8t5B6dLZkbZU4mpDZbShFggd6Rbk1gFri-1_pZErtyBc9cRGWAv2Ton4yOt5D2Z1og7PnGtGKOzlqfZVFK5LipxX/s1600/DSCF0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPejXh64sj6O6Hnu2rnc0q8UrjNzi8nZqxQVYz4A8W8n6i5IrtATzh8t5B6dLZkbZU4mpDZbShFggd6Rbk1gFri-1_pZErtyBc9cRGWAv2Ton4yOt5D2Z1og7PnGtGKOzlqfZVFK5LipxX/s400/DSCF0673.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Totally photoshopped the tanned skin. I need a holiday. I realise this is irrelevant.</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
But pretty pleased overall - I wear cropped tops now. And a KNITTED one at that. I literally never thought I'd see the day.Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-16286435705813579652011-08-07T21:47:00.003+01:002011-08-07T21:52:25.574+01:00The Success of Frozen Yoghurt as a Cultural Phenomenon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEg4J7AtEL9fvRcaMwPxXv4269AmA1Zy3fDQsx7HxpRIBLEbAuqrl4WJe6xC37Xl1AAaT7l4fn-eodRpBRf5cFaSRXMnxwsFnPzqNkyxY3v7PGqoZxFSlYnvO6IEIZDtgHbnWpqmjHDHmG/s1600/DSCF0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEg4J7AtEL9fvRcaMwPxXv4269AmA1Zy3fDQsx7HxpRIBLEbAuqrl4WJe6xC37Xl1AAaT7l4fn-eodRpBRf5cFaSRXMnxwsFnPzqNkyxY3v7PGqoZxFSlYnvO6IEIZDtgHbnWpqmjHDHmG/s400/DSCF0663.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Frae = yay!</i></span> </div><br />
There are quite a few places you can get frozen yoghurt in London these days (including the recently imported to <a href="http://www.selfridges.com/en/Whats-On/Latest-news/News/Pinkberry-Swirls-Into-The-UK-At-Selfridges_Pinkberry%20Swirls%20Into%20The%20UK%20At%20Selfridges/?brdcrmb_trail=">Selfridges foodhall</a> from the US, <a href="http://www.pinkberry.com/">Pinkberry</a> - 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, <a href="http://www.ifancyasnog.com/">Snog</a> and <a href="http://www.yogyogurt.com/">Yog</a>) is <a href="http://www.frae.co.uk/">Frae</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGWOhs1idNwBFRQo1nGfW-rkSfRxEEPqCKKTfySvgq0qoZUcuChFNb-yfuAf3g-DlgR58VPY8cy92-rxSDFtpGD53Qk5xkMXZolFuCc_cVmN2eWkflBSNR6QCoxyT2f99ASyxIeqAi5P9/s1600/DSCF0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGWOhs1idNwBFRQo1nGfW-rkSfRxEEPqCKKTfySvgq0qoZUcuChFNb-yfuAf3g-DlgR58VPY8cy92-rxSDFtpGD53Qk5xkMXZolFuCc_cVmN2eWkflBSNR6QCoxyT2f99ASyxIeqAi5P9/s400/DSCF0665.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Fro-yo, bro</i></span> </div><br />
So why, is everyone all like, 'Dudes, Fro-yo is the best thing since sliced bread. Mr Whippy is sooo passe'?<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaGh5gqKjBvNGA8G4yOe12sZe7XUao7raLPDy7dpD4mq2JHjiL_-JlCHfc0KfdA0KZwdWy1QigOa0oPLyzwgWxMNKhj-zE2w9FAAmbG2QPpQYHwOV97NhOieS4dEXTXDqLnoO3BhCcQGo/s1600/DSCF0666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaGh5gqKjBvNGA8G4yOe12sZe7XUao7raLPDy7dpD4mq2JHjiL_-JlCHfc0KfdA0KZwdWy1QigOa0oPLyzwgWxMNKhj-zE2w9FAAmbG2QPpQYHwOV97NhOieS4dEXTXDqLnoO3BhCcQGo/s400/DSCF0666.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Oreos & chocolate chips</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4nQjnUda45MuPwA-dYvZubyzw3cl0qVeAntIsfq8LmzmP4M_kCWY1K9pfgmzRbyYrYe6gnce6ZsKVnK54wvE6n0luKgG4qzE4vr1hU9d_YUgb_tTzTHHTueblTQ3TOE_vj5Hskh4rsxi/s1600/DSCF0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4nQjnUda45MuPwA-dYvZubyzw3cl0qVeAntIsfq8LmzmP4M_kCWY1K9pfgmzRbyYrYe6gnce6ZsKVnK54wvE6n0luKgG4qzE4vr1hU9d_YUgb_tTzTHHTueblTQ3TOE_vj5Hskh4rsxi/s400/DSCF0664.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Demolished within approx 10 seconds of this photo being taken </i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-80406445505135535902011-07-31T23:34:00.001+01:002011-07-31T23:35:57.297+01:00Why Amy Winehouse Was So Frigging Brilliant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw7-Nr8vfX5BCgWgTx2XTCx40NeenIWhaEa1yFxD8Buo7zoQaegRAXPIQ2ueUljNbN_e0duKzMhFhL8SWr8ihH8yzgpriVSMBaKEShA79UjPtB4RJd2A5mml7TRFCBCwUOZ1JA3CPz2hz/s1600/Amy-Winehouse-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw7-Nr8vfX5BCgWgTx2XTCx40NeenIWhaEa1yFxD8Buo7zoQaegRAXPIQ2ueUljNbN_e0duKzMhFhL8SWr8ihH8yzgpriVSMBaKEShA79UjPtB4RJd2A5mml7TRFCBCwUOZ1JA3CPz2hz/s400/Amy-Winehouse-1.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Bye Bye Winehouse <a href="http://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Amy-Winehouse-1.jpg">(Photo credit)</a></i></span></div><br />
It's been just over a week now since the news broke of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Winehouse">Amy Winehouse</a>'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.<br />
<br />
Like undoubtedly many others I've spent a lot of time this week revisiting the pinnacle of her career, the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Back-Black-Amy-Winehouse/dp/B000J3FC0Q">Back To Black</a> 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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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 <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-494676/As-Amy-Winehouse-goes-meltdown-teacher-makes-moving-plea.html">entrance essay for stage school</a> 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.<br />
<br />
She clearly led a troubled existence towards the end of her life, living out some <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article265912.ece">truely awful scenes</a> in the public eye, both <a href="http://gawker.com/5813390/amy-winehouses-trainwreck-serbian-concert">on stage</a> and off.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">And I hope that's how she'll keep being remembered.</div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/djXeChT0sDI" width="425"></iframe></div>Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-58503318638017378212011-07-30T18:58:00.000+01:002011-07-30T18:58:53.744+01:00Wedding Details<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQMLc6uCyo9YopsQqjNyK2t8IfmpccHGUvwasYgfJ4-7eekM267qMsdi0naWAnYU1Mnxf708k8j1nje5ZlGzDwgCRUDAt1MPgU5Q9QkC-sQ8SerFr5wHWS_94JjoXWFAkGJIkrQLcdEzM/s1600/IMG_0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQMLc6uCyo9YopsQqjNyK2t8IfmpccHGUvwasYgfJ4-7eekM267qMsdi0naWAnYU1Mnxf708k8j1nje5ZlGzDwgCRUDAt1MPgU5Q9QkC-sQ8SerFr5wHWS_94JjoXWFAkGJIkrQLcdEzM/s400/IMG_0821.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Sugar flowers handmade by the bride herself - better than any cake I could make!</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDJ7gguxKykKPM6GIvMRZiGsZhqfoDzor8sFsOLQ92d8R2MviocHeTWkdBGk2hgAupxSvV8pD7FDVhauS11WWrDO2WBY6F0Izz7nwOIpMio02BxLWvLMG54hZupdIxqWbRCMeP6psT8N1/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDJ7gguxKykKPM6GIvMRZiGsZhqfoDzor8sFsOLQ92d8R2MviocHeTWkdBGk2hgAupxSvV8pD7FDVhauS11WWrDO2WBY6F0Izz7nwOIpMio02BxLWvLMG54hZupdIxqWbRCMeP6psT8N1/s400/IMG_0827.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Party favour</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
But the best bit of weddings is seeing all the little details that make it unique and special and completely 'their' day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnaVlQCRbqmt0D71AfiJk7sLM01SrofmdatLMRvKEEWQUVVNrSf21Xg2o9KzyxakIk7wPn_VhyG2sroZznend2fmDp5z2w8hv1o1t4xjwDLSUlWjltYdnVk-Pb_JFLdM52-rCCDCDG3E5/s1600/IMG_0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnaVlQCRbqmt0D71AfiJk7sLM01SrofmdatLMRvKEEWQUVVNrSf21Xg2o9KzyxakIk7wPn_VhyG2sroZznend2fmDp5z2w8hv1o1t4xjwDLSUlWjltYdnVk-Pb_JFLdM52-rCCDCDG3E5/s400/IMG_0824.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Barn chic</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirSUj8EbAEFk1qxWpnOw8ZevswyBLDnOzm_7FdI9EuzjT8hm318ZGQjCakDfi8yXQfsSeXgXgm4WFaA6ntu_w08zg_OJCS4AvP6tYpvyvfl9ly-ywbhU8hzqOICSZ-xQZqUvK7aGRdB7J/s1600/IMG_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirSUj8EbAEFk1qxWpnOw8ZevswyBLDnOzm_7FdI9EuzjT8hm318ZGQjCakDfi8yXQfsSeXgXgm4WFaA6ntu_w08zg_OJCS4AvP6tYpvyvfl9ly-ywbhU8hzqOICSZ-xQZqUvK7aGRdB7J/s400/IMG_0813.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Vintage crockery</i></span></div><br />
It was completely and utterly their day, and so beautiful.Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-23174644904460654472011-07-11T21:26:00.004+01:002011-07-11T21:33:44.988+01:00Dorset Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3irjIib03ksfDGFgDeCIAcrWxct1B5SFXx0aiqKvwW216qE7V08ep7yHsEpW62XtdGH5UmbCSWSB3g5PAu5FqdqiOA8186N_aHmykCCBaPIc9nmSf9hlG1s_LipSRzH7bBybZ8Pox_Ey/s1600/IMG_0783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3irjIib03ksfDGFgDeCIAcrWxct1B5SFXx0aiqKvwW216qE7V08ep7yHsEpW62XtdGH5UmbCSWSB3g5PAu5FqdqiOA8186N_aHmykCCBaPIc9nmSf9hlG1s_LipSRzH7bBybZ8Pox_Ey/s400/IMG_0783.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Lulworth Cove. Pirate-friendly.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been on a trip back to the homeland this week. The homeland being <a href="http://www.visit-dorset.com/">Dorset</a>, where I was not born, but certainly bred.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I go back to <a href="http://www.bournemouth.co.uk/">Bournemouth</a> quite a lot to see my family, but this week I had an EXTRA reason to make the trip down south.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my lovely friends from uni is getting married in a couple of weeks, and held a somewhat unusual hen festivity. <a href="http://www.jurassic-kayaking.com/">Kayaking</a> around <a href="http://www.lulworthonline.co.uk/">Lulworth Cove</a>! I would literally expect nothing less from the former treasurer of <a href="http://eucc.org.uk/">Exeter University Canoe Club</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3DmSmoLIbzLsKceJ_OITtmGhzOzgPhneWmdaC1r8Vji9s8Ddo5H_-CRs3jx25Vkv1IiIpu1ghAwy66BluaOAKGr7Wk_eHo4iErPCpP3UYl0MIk_ia5-KldjU5OX89OBEKkA86alTidS7/s1600/IMG_0785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3DmSmoLIbzLsKceJ_OITtmGhzOzgPhneWmdaC1r8Vji9s8Ddo5H_-CRs3jx25Vkv1IiIpu1ghAwy66BluaOAKGr7Wk_eHo4iErPCpP3UYl0MIk_ia5-KldjU5OX89OBEKkA86alTidS7/s400/IMG_0785.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>You might think thats a little dinghy. It's not. It's a pirate ship.</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5_vf_ci1masLLPWOq-njzFUzCsdPMtdxd56rnqzWTk4bfs0CrzFSBDorI98JbhVrcu43Dgnfqn6VuGALtvvHGWRpClCZ46E-Xt1gAQr5p1I4EqDHUjB288zSawpPBn0T_ckhI6zE9jDh/s1600/IMG_0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5_vf_ci1masLLPWOq-njzFUzCsdPMtdxd56rnqzWTk4bfs0CrzFSBDorI98JbhVrcu43Dgnfqn6VuGALtvvHGWRpClCZ46E-Xt1gAQr5p1I4EqDHUjB288zSawpPBn0T_ckhI6zE9jDh/s400/IMG_0786.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Sip, savour & quaff</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>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 <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2009/08/family-affair.html">eaterie</a> <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/02/brunchfast-club-ludo-lounge.html">obsession</a> - <a href="http://www.thelarderhouse.co.uk/">The Larderhouse</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5j0FQqVQEeZprQSlGCHeTVi33TwgbnrpvTW_ePCz2wVAuHzauuVi9Glq4f658gcFwTUQ8IEhD1AVizJqd0etjYmPDfWmWUQIARde4lIq0BM7CC6b5l7CUv_wuMO_UD-CgkJSwXMrcKlVr/s1600/IMG_0788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5j0FQqVQEeZprQSlGCHeTVi33TwgbnrpvTW_ePCz2wVAuHzauuVi9Glq4f658gcFwTUQ8IEhD1AVizJqd0etjYmPDfWmWUQIARde4lIq0BM7CC6b5l7CUv_wuMO_UD-CgkJSwXMrcKlVr/s400/IMG_0788.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Artisan coffee station - with added plastic bag on table ambience (apols)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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!? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhFWR9V16Hd1ggCIYwAC8t51Px5Y9D_aLGU1j7d7yc3Z1ihWFyOjA5_OWbFUsBuWY7TndCEC7QcqKRndWsO8nCAh6hyphenhyphen41HVjHbu7C-1_ii-5rSVYkqpUc3CI8s7mayxsyAQR5bd-RnF4z/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhFWR9V16Hd1ggCIYwAC8t51Px5Y9D_aLGU1j7d7yc3Z1ihWFyOjA5_OWbFUsBuWY7TndCEC7QcqKRndWsO8nCAh6hyphenhyphen41HVjHbu7C-1_ii-5rSVYkqpUc3CI8s7mayxsyAQR5bd-RnF4z/s400/IMG_0796.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mushroom & chorizo tart - FIT</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LZmc6_LhTKV0XfQtSK7JgkWi5EVK3QO55663ec3vO0klsoHrPMGgbEKoGu-JL_BznAnWyT6fTgUx_v4Z1VZW6yzYvizzr6l3KzpazBQFUAlVgIa77sRDWyhDnBqucrMZdrR0tVg3Kia4/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LZmc6_LhTKV0XfQtSK7JgkWi5EVK3QO55663ec3vO0klsoHrPMGgbEKoGu-JL_BznAnWyT6fTgUx_v4Z1VZW6yzYvizzr6l3KzpazBQFUAlVgIa77sRDWyhDnBqucrMZdrR0tVg3Kia4/s400/IMG_0790.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Ginger beer - beverage of kings</i></span></div><br />
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.Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-51473910963404731122011-07-03T19:00:00.051+01:002011-07-03T19:00:00.897+01:00Yes. More Cakes.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bSr4z9Lu-yOcQAJyxdzzvCoATe8wy-Tc3B5FeLS_9ua0bUL4GiTD9NxG5FqUTUn4aSlGf7vAlTJlnzIuVKS67TEvdqQimqFYmIdow96yAh6GkGuvKQwvN2rS1m6ypNyjg72qo7raFlwQ/s1600/DSCF0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bSr4z9Lu-yOcQAJyxdzzvCoATe8wy-Tc3B5FeLS_9ua0bUL4GiTD9NxG5FqUTUn4aSlGf7vAlTJlnzIuVKS67TEvdqQimqFYmIdow96yAh6GkGuvKQwvN2rS1m6ypNyjg72qo7raFlwQ/s400/DSCF0654.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Crumbs!</i></span></div><br />
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 <a href="http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/index.html">Wimbledon</a>.<br />
<br />
In honor of all three I had a go at the Strawberry Cheesecake <a href="http://hummingbirdbakery.com/">Hummingbird</a> cupcakes following the success of <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/06/baking-hot-bake-day-aka-how-i-stupidly.html">last weeks</a> chocolate variety.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvrNH2CDo07BtDuA4k_jTf0rNaDRbNen5NAOhxOMEKOT1nKSoqGuWZn43YD0Lelw3z09awek1lURezkf5mD7RbOGYkJrq9tfFmlRq6-rZHRU5iguWLS9RX3tnwPEBKUFHjdI4_BD9SWi2/s1600/DSCF0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvrNH2CDo07BtDuA4k_jTf0rNaDRbNen5NAOhxOMEKOT1nKSoqGuWZn43YD0Lelw3z09awek1lURezkf5mD7RbOGYkJrq9tfFmlRq6-rZHRU5iguWLS9RX3tnwPEBKUFHjdI4_BD9SWi2/s400/DSCF0652.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Yummy biscuity topping</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
So a bit like an inverted strawberry cheesecake with added cake sponge. All in all - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihoOmObh6NU">the bomb diggy</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIlBUUskDhlygNSF2eqJepWrlpV4Hf2YD4hF2ToAqB-BSIe5lm6lrLELLvLgr_HGa56C27_moV11bvTfQDqAH3as3Hx_IODSuukOFdsByJS1XpsgCynM_eeOZbQHQJnjgoomfvHZbIc84/s1600/DSCF0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIlBUUskDhlygNSF2eqJepWrlpV4Hf2YD4hF2ToAqB-BSIe5lm6lrLELLvLgr_HGa56C27_moV11bvTfQDqAH3as3Hx_IODSuukOFdsByJS1XpsgCynM_eeOZbQHQJnjgoomfvHZbIc84/s400/DSCF0658.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>From punnet to cake tin</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off seeing the <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/music/3673122/A-Foo-special-treats-for-fans-of-the-Fighters.html">Foo Fighters LIVE tonight</a> 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>I am currently breathing the very same air as Dave Grohl.</i><br />
<br />
Who knows whether I'll ever be able to rejoin normal life again?Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-21428006948492900412011-06-26T21:25:00.003+01:002011-06-27T00:57:43.597+01:00Baking Hot Bake Day (aka How I Stupidly Agree To Things & Then Do Them, Stupidly)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-8s01h_8FGDC9n-PT0GtDdCTm5n__PItcyjyQJV4_-W8N-dJz0uIsiwXko5mHj_QBSonYhLkjXG6VLLc_YGPbzUMXU2pjpIXh-Z19RNkhVAprP_S8phlx2pkZgSUtk-AeW0a6sOSl68A/s1600/DSCF0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-8s01h_8FGDC9n-PT0GtDdCTm5n__PItcyjyQJV4_-W8N-dJz0uIsiwXko5mHj_QBSonYhLkjXG6VLLc_YGPbzUMXU2pjpIXh-Z19RNkhVAprP_S8phlx2pkZgSUtk-AeW0a6sOSl68A/s400/DSCF0650.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Chocolatey goodness</i></span> </div><br />
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 <a href="http://hummingbirdbakery.com/">Hummingbird recipe</a>, natch.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
I know, I know. I am nothing if not selfless.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdLTtOw5abIAPF8Kyq-2nblEjJudDXgQPxbLwaMc9hy0yNgZ2Kkdzai5RdwKZ2CMxcOJ-_Nhbvq5hkho5ULlqfJl9RPsFxqzxSEbRACdcesAv-mwMboS5FERhY7C3TT0PIuOx0lIxm2y2/s1600/DSCF0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdLTtOw5abIAPF8Kyq-2nblEjJudDXgQPxbLwaMc9hy0yNgZ2Kkdzai5RdwKZ2CMxcOJ-_Nhbvq5hkho5ULlqfJl9RPsFxqzxSEbRACdcesAv-mwMboS5FERhY7C3TT0PIuOx0lIxm2y2/s400/DSCF0651.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Get ready for your close up</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLqMN-1ks3KyVId2zIVXIhNqgfvqE9B-glS_9DCShciyIaXXzJEBks2jlkHb6Y7_V0jZ96n5VNT0lQD6oWolWlyKKL2S3bQSxJPvY17T7a5GIk0c_4-KLpOi8I8vdpdCVsq8q_P2GHqP8/s1600/DSCF0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLqMN-1ks3KyVId2zIVXIhNqgfvqE9B-glS_9DCShciyIaXXzJEBks2jlkHb6Y7_V0jZ96n5VNT0lQD6oWolWlyKKL2S3bQSxJPvY17T7a5GIk0c_4-KLpOi8I8vdpdCVsq8q_P2GHqP8/s400/DSCF0646.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Coffee and Cake. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">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.</span></i></div>Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-74031256078421613192011-06-19T17:30:00.001+01:002011-06-19T22:22:52.658+01:00A Very Knitted Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSogHG19RBQm95k2KxFVCW4Q3LbNFvRcaEeztE1wIxLz8ttPIvQUG-Unv95MoZyYseqp44NWQppFtc0uVtxHUJWt_-T6yyTU0IHaMqW-KhFm2yUzkJerY1Mkrpip2zhrtewb8KzQPblrT/s1600/DSCF0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSogHG19RBQm95k2KxFVCW4Q3LbNFvRcaEeztE1wIxLz8ttPIvQUG-Unv95MoZyYseqp44NWQppFtc0uVtxHUJWt_-T6yyTU0IHaMqW-KhFm2yUzkJerY1Mkrpip2zhrtewb8KzQPblrT/s400/DSCF0637.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Storm: A tunic with eyelet panels</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
"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!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB_-k8mrmlg1gmJD3xjsQBEU4HBsBo8ODX-GHZqIVR2PLWrvhoQuOY7ICHaxTTL1NwMuFKjJ07_efVGHA-RIew4z9Lj6goOGnoxotg78gmdFMJn1XcgeInXaPjRrBQzn1kPUyaSIJsrCY/s1600/DSCF0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB_-k8mrmlg1gmJD3xjsQBEU4HBsBo8ODX-GHZqIVR2PLWrvhoQuOY7ICHaxTTL1NwMuFKjJ07_efVGHA-RIew4z9Lj6goOGnoxotg78gmdFMJn1XcgeInXaPjRrBQzn1kPUyaSIJsrCY/s400/DSCF0640.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>The button, the button, whose got the button?</i></span></div><br />
And choose she did. The pattern was '<a href="http://www.kimhargreaves.co.uk/acatalog/STORM.html">Storm</a>' from <a href="http://www.kimhargreaves.co.uk/index.htm">Kim Hargreaves</a> <a href="http://www.kimhargreaves.co.uk/acatalog/Heartfelt.html">Heartfelt</a> collection. I love Kim's designs and eagerly await any new pattern books released.<br />
<br />
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 '<a href="http://www.yours.co.uk/">Yours</a>' magazine, this ain't!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLNyNrTzdKOI49O0VPS4Rvl3OhqwSHcUJSg685OWCiUkBBHJoYG0wxWQeNHm66VfIK9Yqq3jQQH9d0t3OsUReC1R7wGitaes69CACnc2I77JXl1O7zMuZ-cd5vmzwRoUDRglJAHg2Dy2P/s1600/DSCF0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLNyNrTzdKOI49O0VPS4Rvl3OhqwSHcUJSg685OWCiUkBBHJoYG0wxWQeNHm66VfIK9Yqq3jQQH9d0t3OsUReC1R7wGitaes69CACnc2I77JXl1O7zMuZ-cd5vmzwRoUDRglJAHg2Dy2P/s400/DSCF0642.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Follow the eyelet stitched road? No? No. You're right, that doesn't work.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7cVCmqmKsigRCE7PhcXlvw2XV3ZEELpWAfbom31Kvhduv6zYjdSM9SciKbeK-rrvf79WlKxL6mjkq9WSQj4-BBDeiwOpTIKgdUBkTyG6fkEailfFGgDDUyE3gwFr4ZykdVgqx7U5C7U5/s1600/DSCF0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7cVCmqmKsigRCE7PhcXlvw2XV3ZEELpWAfbom31Kvhduv6zYjdSM9SciKbeK-rrvf79WlKxL6mjkq9WSQj4-BBDeiwOpTIKgdUBkTyG6fkEailfFGgDDUyE3gwFr4ZykdVgqx7U5C7U5/s400/DSCF0639.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Sleeve me alone</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-83403052714857380182011-06-12T20:18:00.001+01:002011-06-12T20:42:36.214+01:00The Brunchfast Club: Kentish Canteen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiZIpjXcir26xO77B_U_MAwyPuaql5qTC3fmak5ytEBwxmOCFgBqDLLQ41YWxjLtcGNtVJYuzJrawar7JFImUnpFenzRUmnvIiQxjk-tlnMRZkT2BZ8s9s6jqk4teuPoXClJVRMcMy1aW/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiZIpjXcir26xO77B_U_MAwyPuaql5qTC3fmak5ytEBwxmOCFgBqDLLQ41YWxjLtcGNtVJYuzJrawar7JFImUnpFenzRUmnvIiQxjk-tlnMRZkT2BZ8s9s6jqk4teuPoXClJVRMcMy1aW/s400/IMG_0755.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Of course, the coffee was mine.</i></span> </div><br />
YES! It's a new <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/02/brunchfast-club-ludo-lounge.html">post</a> <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2009/03/brunchfast-club-smiths-of-smithfield.html">about</a> <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2008/07/brunchfast-club-bubbys-brooklyn.html">brunch</a>! High fives everyone! I know I know, I've missed it too.<br />
<br />
As a <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-home.html">new resident</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_USNYdFf7NVXiPZp5Pjk8ykRSjHQ8okTRxQDEK4gSmNJuakKYTA-Cz35XP-XA23ncWutcKZ0FDE3URw2gFdbBc9FJvSMQpmegHFO1X33e8UgEFlvHYxRL7vk2G_nxNCzbsgnm-AFftpq-/s1600/IMG_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_USNYdFf7NVXiPZp5Pjk8ykRSjHQ8okTRxQDEK4gSmNJuakKYTA-Cz35XP-XA23ncWutcKZ0FDE3URw2gFdbBc9FJvSMQpmegHFO1X33e8UgEFlvHYxRL7vk2G_nxNCzbsgnm-AFftpq-/s400/IMG_0757.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Salads and tings</i></span> </div><br />
Last weekend, in need of brunch-like sustenance, housemate and I decided to check out <a href="http://kentishcanteen.co.uk/index.html">Kentish Canteen</a> on the recommendation of our new pretend BFF/obsession <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/gilescoren">Giles Coren</a>.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVeUKcbL91sc2rCUW51Qdl7Jzi3Shyphenhyphenu0wjUr_V_EHQMJfgC2lq9W0Y3EwlMhYZR8qr6q2FfIjqN5C32LlY2lc92-zcxegE73gQJXqj7mAPhq-yEbhsKJE9-TBBGEvcOCDNVC8AmlBfXVr/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVeUKcbL91sc2rCUW51Qdl7Jzi3Shyphenhyphenu0wjUr_V_EHQMJfgC2lq9W0Y3EwlMhYZR8qr6q2FfIjqN5C32LlY2lc92-zcxegE73gQJXqj7mAPhq-yEbhsKJE9-TBBGEvcOCDNVC8AmlBfXVr/s400/IMG_0756.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Cakies</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghK1vlyB_1Z2b0h5WFqT9LoZcI61u7svMcfIbjvSfh_ahfTxhGAX35D7_nkK8iDcoohEMdkmQf7fGZ98goEg8ZlwDF9tDOsCTTGaLwxA8dn7TBfyR6ZweTjKwyhUzBG5kPVk2s5T2iJ3E5/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghK1vlyB_1Z2b0h5WFqT9LoZcI61u7svMcfIbjvSfh_ahfTxhGAX35D7_nkK8iDcoohEMdkmQf7fGZ98goEg8ZlwDF9tDOsCTTGaLwxA8dn7TBfyR6ZweTjKwyhUzBG5kPVk2s5T2iJ3E5/s400/IMG_0758.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Eggs Royale</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8sThGWDwg6k0Iz6r0CTfiOMl2aYc_4hSGl1GkeKXvVaAlcK-nc5FKr6J3z_RyMDP5-7V4CR7hztLc0o_beM27i8S7cg_J-E48Q_Y8Oc6s2Bp9jT4FZcjhEiYPMp-1nLB19Jo1ik1x2ps/s1600/IMG_0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8sThGWDwg6k0Iz6r0CTfiOMl2aYc_4hSGl1GkeKXvVaAlcK-nc5FKr6J3z_RyMDP5-7V4CR7hztLc0o_beM27i8S7cg_J-E48Q_Y8Oc6s2Bp9jT4FZcjhEiYPMp-1nLB19Jo1ik1x2ps/s400/IMG_0759.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Poached eggs - action shot</i></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>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 <i>very</i> slight as I am notoriously impatient when it comes to food!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjAiHNmqeEBks1XrhWmfDIc186ggB690x1KjbY5wXZC16eqPUrE6mrfwFrsbejw3_PgItPpS7eVVqK_Cbo1C6z3QCHUKjk8m2QruEQrOUrRHPq1Tqm_4fXnvfyBJ0Jj6qaOlFNfrr4CaR/s1600/IMG_0760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjAiHNmqeEBks1XrhWmfDIc186ggB690x1KjbY5wXZC16eqPUrE6mrfwFrsbejw3_PgItPpS7eVVqK_Cbo1C6z3QCHUKjk8m2QruEQrOUrRHPq1Tqm_4fXnvfyBJ0Jj6qaOlFNfrr4CaR/s400/IMG_0760.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mid-brulee</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
Housemate and I decided to share, given our full stomach situations and I'm very glad we did as it was HUGE.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKUWhi6c7eGYEcJq0RgVxErXIZ7-Fke0Fo05GkDEmMuHK3AwSmy7HxkN_dafcsgdu8aUoIZfUOBbVlHsKbAQkyqvmWA_lNsyU8JGmQ-3B1HKgyinv0cJsfwYDe_tXvBPEn0moAN5gsAAt/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKUWhi6c7eGYEcJq0RgVxErXIZ7-Fke0Fo05GkDEmMuHK3AwSmy7HxkN_dafcsgdu8aUoIZfUOBbVlHsKbAQkyqvmWA_lNsyU8JGmQ-3B1HKgyinv0cJsfwYDe_tXvBPEn0moAN5gsAAt/s400/IMG_0753.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Rosy</i></span></div><br />
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.Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-41515074962352164592011-06-05T22:50:00.001+01:002011-06-05T22:51:43.054+01:00What Goes Around Comes Around<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa_Si0FGYHaAxyKBk8ZFXml4smtQ_EpFhM44W52caSBrulEJH-Qj0qV2GuxedO2EEVC0UDxR3tAE1diJuW5zIXJDJx2OPlueloyYIQBFaY1BwplHahIiJYfrCfbRDd5Ac7l7AMvEj7ksu/s1600/DSCF0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa_Si0FGYHaAxyKBk8ZFXml4smtQ_EpFhM44W52caSBrulEJH-Qj0qV2GuxedO2EEVC0UDxR3tAE1diJuW5zIXJDJx2OPlueloyYIQBFaY1BwplHahIiJYfrCfbRDd5Ac7l7AMvEj7ksu/s400/DSCF0607.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Opposite Ground Zero</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/05/up-town-down-town-turn-beat-around-town.html"> at the theatre and eating cheesecake</a>. 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdSZZJi6_cJ7GqbhqUVRnC_x99OJnSBWlL-TtMFESj5eS9E4wpkQ_nHAmTWFuzNRdKSmVGX7DSjoTbgBCcMo1wri2GFmSouU-AUjdNRMcjiQ5qlJyNwdde946lTkZVjAQrXBscD3jIAg7/s1600/DSCF0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdSZZJi6_cJ7GqbhqUVRnC_x99OJnSBWlL-TtMFESj5eS9E4wpkQ_nHAmTWFuzNRdKSmVGX7DSjoTbgBCcMo1wri2GFmSouU-AUjdNRMcjiQ5qlJyNwdde946lTkZVjAQrXBscD3jIAg7/s400/DSCF0616.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>St Paul's churchyard</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>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.<br />
<br />
I stopped what I was doing and waited. This was huge.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tEI3NoEldHKSiuufFkLAlhyphenhyphen2DaymwlEz3HGEZXt3uPNL7EDvmhJQK6l7dUlWV5C8Uclc9cvrkNZc2Krh0y1XR2P7FyRQkQ9dTZsqX2dSw4a5DORUYqm735Mq5iVN-0dEE1wleEa-i2L1/s1600/DSCF0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tEI3NoEldHKSiuufFkLAlhyphenhyphen2DaymwlEz3HGEZXt3uPNL7EDvmhJQK6l7dUlWV5C8Uclc9cvrkNZc2Krh0y1XR2P7FyRQkQ9dTZsqX2dSw4a5DORUYqm735Mq5iVN-0dEE1wleEa-i2L1/s400/DSCF0611.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Reporter</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcvy7X1eCPFrkfn550b86cP4fWTUyqhrPsg5iZ5A8f82OXu9iZO0fjChH-t3WByOiUw_H53WBpNd-ygSl33Ye_AFGHTvpxk1cPu_R2sc6EzgXb46WtAJHCUDnq-f_5l0_DJV0_YzKq-6l/s1600/DSCF0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcvy7X1eCPFrkfn550b86cP4fWTUyqhrPsg5iZ5A8f82OXu9iZO0fjChH-t3WByOiUw_H53WBpNd-ygSl33Ye_AFGHTvpxk1cPu_R2sc6EzgXb46WtAJHCUDnq-f_5l0_DJV0_YzKq-6l/s400/DSCF0617.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Land of the free and home of the brave</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've written my thoughts on 9/11 <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2008/09/nine-eleven.html">before</a>, 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. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">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 <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2008/10/there-and-back-again.html">font of all wisdom</a>!) 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.</div>Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-83329319543639006292011-05-30T17:44:00.001+01:002011-05-30T17:45:44.781+01:00No Sleep Til Brooklyn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYtp31IW799529sEhCiCiN9QvOv4qbYGhOiaCjNiubV-cXWef0AGB50WuT5Unqf4V0pW4BOiEOiK5GmnzEmw7WyVJVX652PnWj_NZdCZh6iqJaGbBod-sTO16gj_hXGeLaNTEuDLZxeRx/s1600/DSCF0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYtp31IW799529sEhCiCiN9QvOv4qbYGhOiaCjNiubV-cXWef0AGB50WuT5Unqf4V0pW4BOiEOiK5GmnzEmw7WyVJVX652PnWj_NZdCZh6iqJaGbBod-sTO16gj_hXGeLaNTEuDLZxeRx/s400/DSCF0559.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Brooklyn Bound</i></span></div><br />
One of my favourite things in NYC is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Bridge">Brooklyn Bridge</a>. 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-AIy-aSSbTclc79CJ1-CQzmhhXVP2Bp6AyVdAEdERjdNsz4n00OjCPJdmft2dYibzXxN_EBNPvtrAzOL0dwSqnF3eGSFCKexLPcIUClLlYlPyiGnmpxcB7zJv24b5MIDRH-Vi8QihLam/s1600/DSCF0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-AIy-aSSbTclc79CJ1-CQzmhhXVP2Bp6AyVdAEdERjdNsz4n00OjCPJdmft2dYibzXxN_EBNPvtrAzOL0dwSqnF3eGSFCKexLPcIUClLlYlPyiGnmpxcB7zJv24b5MIDRH-Vi8QihLam/s400/DSCF0557.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Caught in a web</i></span> </div><br />
One of my favourite things to do in the whole world is walk across Brooklyn Bridge, on a sunny day, end up at <a href="http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/">Brooklyn Bridge Park</a>, and laze in the sun with this stunning bridge as a backdrop. Perhaps a <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2008/04/lil-help.html">little stroll</a> up to the <a href="http://www.nyharborparks.org/visit/brhe.html">Brooklyn Heights Promenade</a> for some more spectacular views of the city.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnCwn-CbWfFzjQrWwvTXONmg_v9Q8ajOuU6kAMuYga1FSfQZrLBcLcjSNsVc0shZlC7H0ldWKV-t6WgnM1PtE_LNkIRpzn_Tb9nxxwJEsWsyUuOK0nBOruTOUmODDzb6B_vJdHUNFmNo0/s1600/DSCF0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnCwn-CbWfFzjQrWwvTXONmg_v9Q8ajOuU6kAMuYga1FSfQZrLBcLcjSNsVc0shZlC7H0ldWKV-t6WgnM1PtE_LNkIRpzn_Tb9nxxwJEsWsyUuOK0nBOruTOUmODDzb6B_vJdHUNFmNo0/s400/DSCF0592.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Showing the bridge a little love. Some say too much.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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 <a href="http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/go/programs-/-events/syfy-movies-with-a-view">free movie summer screening programme</a>. 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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT4URzQ7RNuU2b2KbqeWDKrWnBsYP6e7q8nppiARZUInYVxID55VaXLxTL3W6SB8oH00O64s6wYrceIpDzBEasML-vgiF2bjblCW1PrCvr5phJI9RYbJMJCNwLmqr4PQf3FkN0oPQAu3E/s1600/DSCF0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT4URzQ7RNuU2b2KbqeWDKrWnBsYP6e7q8nppiARZUInYVxID55VaXLxTL3W6SB8oH00O64s6wYrceIpDzBEasML-vgiF2bjblCW1PrCvr5phJI9RYbJMJCNwLmqr4PQf3FkN0oPQAu3E/s400/DSCF0552.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Aw at the random cute couple.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">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.<br />
<br />
Which makes it so me.</div>Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-24759002851762273582011-05-25T22:03:00.002+01:002011-05-26T00:35:11.004+01:00Up Town, Down Town, Turn the Beat Around Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCISZ9zqpsOJBTRWEZd9_3SsG4oVdvfVpVvU2VXKeH7uDZ58P2q3vHHQ-Z1B2rYnhEWSZNhcbKfhi2rVjc6JI6nY-J7fSyDGrhVE3ht7P4d8C5q3wbp4-dfvEKEz1kH0kHdnHzdJEC1UgZ/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCISZ9zqpsOJBTRWEZd9_3SsG4oVdvfVpVvU2VXKeH7uDZ58P2q3vHHQ-Z1B2rYnhEWSZNhcbKfhi2rVjc6JI6nY-J7fSyDGrhVE3ht7P4d8C5q3wbp4-dfvEKEz1kH0kHdnHzdJEC1UgZ/s400/IMG_0723.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Railtrack gardens</i></span> </div><br />
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yada, yada, yada. So you went to NY. WE KNOW. But what did you actually DO there?<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Capiche? Good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-_4ew-PM2zjAvGpKMrcFRprwMC6R2gS93IumKREyUFRbPrwHZ54_XEviO9JAc9l10RApvla7Pt-kL8IkNkfBgdsiAr9bdYDk-TbwjAulEF8JDLQgbX0lPZTH7JiC3uCFZO2onGrF7fVj/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-_4ew-PM2zjAvGpKMrcFRprwMC6R2gS93IumKREyUFRbPrwHZ54_XEviO9JAc9l10RApvla7Pt-kL8IkNkfBgdsiAr9bdYDk-TbwjAulEF8JDLQgbX0lPZTH7JiC3uCFZO2onGrF7fVj/s400/IMG_0721.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Diagram of bell sounds</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> 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 <a href="http://www.thehighline.org/">High Line Gardens</a>. 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.<br />
<br />
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, <a href="http://www.thehighline.org/about/public-art/vitiello">Stephen Vitiello's 'A Bell for Every Minute'</a> 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.<br />
<br />
It was really pretty to listen to and the sounds fill the space and echo out into the city. Definitely worth a visit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzHyTk3s6f1JwR89Tie3XYoAUiZWrozfiUzJC02MpjRf16X_zQckJmDseKR9B9tuS17tB0PFQdoitFNjM2tuc_W7Iec9Is8aEoUt4FAfj1DrazRXKFxU46AmIBlvzvy6yPfcFFoPlgz0j/s1600/230570_10150194807285340_504000339_6912750_3880990_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzHyTk3s6f1JwR89Tie3XYoAUiZWrozfiUzJC02MpjRf16X_zQckJmDseKR9B9tuS17tB0PFQdoitFNjM2tuc_W7Iec9Is8aEoUt4FAfj1DrazRXKFxU46AmIBlvzvy6yPfcFFoPlgz0j/s400/230570_10150194807285340_504000339_6912750_3880990_n.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Nomnomnom</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
Rice pudding.<br />
<br />
I don't normally like rice pudding but the only place IN THE WORLD that I will eat it is at <a href="http://www.ricetoriches.com/puddy.aspx">Rice to Riches</a>. On this occasion I chowed down on the cheesecake flavour with an Oreo cookie topping. Divine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht18GY8bXat6X1cxSe7V1VmBl1-3t_0xtEkyiLer8fohkTbpisSfCQ3zyyr_YlzxtdAVhlJMS0zVswD_-nAo-tICVSqLFSGh-GTbx1PkRhd2qiibRzuHQqcdfBWgSOWuOW3M9pDXVr0kEm/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht18GY8bXat6X1cxSe7V1VmBl1-3t_0xtEkyiLer8fohkTbpisSfCQ3zyyr_YlzxtdAVhlJMS0zVswD_-nAo-tICVSqLFSGh-GTbx1PkRhd2qiibRzuHQqcdfBWgSOWuOW3M9pDXVr0kEm/s400/IMG_0733.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>My fave</i></span> </div><br />
No trip to NYC would be complete without a snap of my favourite building in the world, naturally. <a href="http://www.stgilesnewyork.com/">Our hotel</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzCpxiUqsG8k4yUib4lEjtpAblncPGOjhgFd_7WSpm-gNknN8-C9CWJGKPxYcLsPDPzgs00Mi9d53TqqZX1tKfGOKLqNjjJ1afzk6LshwvXzTSpgnlIPu2Q0X4nqL9EgIIh157tvnL7wd/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzCpxiUqsG8k4yUib4lEjtpAblncPGOjhgFd_7WSpm-gNknN8-C9CWJGKPxYcLsPDPzgs00Mi9d53TqqZX1tKfGOKLqNjjJ1afzk6LshwvXzTSpgnlIPu2Q0X4nqL9EgIIh157tvnL7wd/s400/IMG_0737.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>I wanna dance!</i></span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> 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 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Lopez">Mario Lopez</a> 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.<br />
<br />
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)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4cLMJKP6itx9BusqH2Jpk6qyAPAnHqjwsSlvEI78izehc_2n4RCSv1qubZh19eduWzWRRxIPRGMLS02RTTUKX0ahyphenhyphenB4A5bOZ8qA7_j0GVFaXHyNHKtp8QcEoVrk2R75Doe3wvcz9-_fB/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4cLMJKP6itx9BusqH2Jpk6qyAPAnHqjwsSlvEI78izehc_2n4RCSv1qubZh19eduWzWRRxIPRGMLS02RTTUKX0ahyphenhyphenB4A5bOZ8qA7_j0GVFaXHyNHKtp8QcEoVrk2R75Doe3wvcz9-_fB/s320/IMG_0739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Cheese? CAKE?</i></span></div><br />
And of course, no evening at a Broadway show is complete without dessert at <a href="http://www.juniorscheesecake.com/">Junior's</a> 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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
When can I go back?Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-11820978386765240682011-05-22T22:05:00.000+01:002011-05-22T22:05:05.133+01:00Anxious<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1j4p6wysbAO2WwdMmuYiV5WFlhnAM05UmzXz5gasfKfBrFMlj8rHk3PDVEC6ckWyh1i2bkyurSJdDt60fgpdyJ6is8eEYpaPAjHIBLzufd06ukx9sfQQHkQzbeYxU08p0zoGkjfZmaxq/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1j4p6wysbAO2WwdMmuYiV5WFlhnAM05UmzXz5gasfKfBrFMlj8rHk3PDVEC6ckWyh1i2bkyurSJdDt60fgpdyJ6is8eEYpaPAjHIBLzufd06ukx9sfQQHkQzbeYxU08p0zoGkjfZmaxq/s400/IMG_0734.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>It's been a looong looong time. Too long.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">About a week before I was due to fly out to NYC, the first time I'd been back <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/search/label/new%20york">since I lived there</a>, 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 <i>meant.to.be</i> 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.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaerMk0OJZqW0HvTj6MfNA0Xafbo9Sr4D2nbQqixN3SKMcaA_2Hg2v_Q1imBfmYGU0wd3Ppo7xRzguVUp_rp9Hoa72cd-YnqXQWTA1lPDJ1d8NF-anHhCKDyCPOOqUSgvoR13YMYtJK16u/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaerMk0OJZqW0HvTj6MfNA0Xafbo9Sr4D2nbQqixN3SKMcaA_2Hg2v_Q1imBfmYGU0wd3Ppo7xRzguVUp_rp9Hoa72cd-YnqXQWTA1lPDJ1d8NF-anHhCKDyCPOOqUSgvoR13YMYtJK16u/s400/IMG_0716.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>True dat.</i></span></div><br />
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 <i>that view. </i>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!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OK7l5Ude0AHsXwOE8mM3O4uZNuK9eBahD_TJcWD9OhT0yoXgYKfcFRvsVKiUKwzbngBF9bpvDg_D2hW1nUFIf0VFd6QsioL6U_lMr8ntlnbaMz_oHpyqMyuZOH8YEyA3WJWJXELOaGmB/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OK7l5Ude0AHsXwOE8mM3O4uZNuK9eBahD_TJcWD9OhT0yoXgYKfcFRvsVKiUKwzbngBF9bpvDg_D2hW1nUFIf0VFd6QsioL6U_lMr8ntlnbaMz_oHpyqMyuZOH8YEyA3WJWJXELOaGmB/s400/IMG_0719.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Bright lights bigger city</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQvc9UP9iMh-Bi0gyGOHBJwn2viHQ7F7bF6MILwSZHQSgrp7J1oS-I7eudyvHXSooj7AwudUPXJIJHspFq4i4yCZOp-oCovYCgy1_GIsfSzBgeH4cWMcRNkVJsNBWMR56OM6sfJsOJrzv/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQvc9UP9iMh-Bi0gyGOHBJwn2viHQ7F7bF6MILwSZHQSgrp7J1oS-I7eudyvHXSooj7AwudUPXJIJHspFq4i4yCZOp-oCovYCgy1_GIsfSzBgeH4cWMcRNkVJsNBWMR56OM6sfJsOJrzv/s400/IMG_0735.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Intersection</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div>Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-13277055204007032322011-05-19T22:00:00.002+01:002011-05-19T22:08:03.209+01:00Roaming Georgetown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGgaweQYbQAhOphfpae4qAaI191tHB1aBdwligdqFnyr4zhrdkp3C6_Mdy5WPWzMk7XvBCxnEDeJ9QKe7nSZrIAIAsUq-lgC_LWnIFQlaP5EFNvH7RM1PJF8HebNN_T7zBcaecQyOvl6v/s1600/DSCF0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGgaweQYbQAhOphfpae4qAaI191tHB1aBdwligdqFnyr4zhrdkp3C6_Mdy5WPWzMk7XvBCxnEDeJ9QKe7nSZrIAIAsUq-lgC_LWnIFQlaP5EFNvH7RM1PJF8HebNN_T7zBcaecQyOvl6v/s1600/DSCF0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGgaweQYbQAhOphfpae4qAaI191tHB1aBdwligdqFnyr4zhrdkp3C6_Mdy5WPWzMk7XvBCxnEDeJ9QKe7nSZrIAIAsUq-lgC_LWnIFQlaP5EFNvH7RM1PJF8HebNN_T7zBcaecQyOvl6v/s1600/DSCF0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGgaweQYbQAhOphfpae4qAaI191tHB1aBdwligdqFnyr4zhrdkp3C6_Mdy5WPWzMk7XvBCxnEDeJ9QKe7nSZrIAIAsUq-lgC_LWnIFQlaP5EFNvH7RM1PJF8HebNN_T7zBcaecQyOvl6v/s400/DSCF0547.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>All neighbourhoods should have a pink bike on the sidewalk</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So here begins the first of many posts about my travels Stateside.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqnFSKyLMAoG92MuRWIX8pT4qoK3VThDFl2-9V8cf5DxXf3iYurYsf6wXvHgkh0N1HVKWeP9jhW-Oubq3SFwlzTyxbHJyqpJVtNm8i_ChlBlvbWW-TfkjDT85TuzLg70SUrnkNoQ-jDam/s1600/DSCF0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqnFSKyLMAoG92MuRWIX8pT4qoK3VThDFl2-9V8cf5DxXf3iYurYsf6wXvHgkh0N1HVKWeP9jhW-Oubq3SFwlzTyxbHJyqpJVtNm8i_ChlBlvbWW-TfkjDT85TuzLg70SUrnkNoQ-jDam/s400/DSCF0538.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>I asked the owner if I could live here. He slammed the door. There endeth the lesson.</i></span> </div><br />
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 <a href="http://www.georgetown.edu/">Georgetown University</a> at the moment, and I am jealous as all hell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GIRRFN4qPhfjgyIMbagg9TgZUYrm4hbmaKFz10YF1XJBy8z1_PEfDATYdGyg2JzhYjliOE2P4Zk13EaZ8S2lwzeJuVMWJeDgT3dqnxgctsUrgaeUR5TrVdd-dU5TgCb7v6ei7LICnscc/s1600/DSCF0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GIRRFN4qPhfjgyIMbagg9TgZUYrm4hbmaKFz10YF1XJBy8z1_PEfDATYdGyg2JzhYjliOE2P4Zk13EaZ8S2lwzeJuVMWJeDgT3dqnxgctsUrgaeUR5TrVdd-dU5TgCb7v6ei7LICnscc/s400/DSCF0542.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Pretty pavement posies</i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
My point is, noone has keg parties in London. I wouldn't even know where to go to get any red cups. PFFFT.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTi3mNVAAFsghjBIxE-sHMzOVkLFGnVpjWh8rZvr_rDPenl7DiDtIIjgUEAUrPTwpn0oKE7RXteIEms_jle02eqkCOoPmaPDiCPF8HXrfdYF3uCUtFNRq1Ve2EcRJKSJaA1BlK0FBqHfv/s1600/DSCF0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTi3mNVAAFsghjBIxE-sHMzOVkLFGnVpjWh8rZvr_rDPenl7DiDtIIjgUEAUrPTwpn0oKE7RXteIEms_jle02eqkCOoPmaPDiCPF8HXrfdYF3uCUtFNRq1Ve2EcRJKSJaA1BlK0FBqHfv/s400/DSCF0544.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> Brass accents</span></i></div><br />
(Can you tell I had a little trouble coming home?)Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-33275130896417854552011-04-10T19:19:00.000+01:002011-04-10T19:19:49.047+01:00New Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vavdRUIycKQ9fMkG8vNFxmqV9QE7fzgwRmPVJDlN8sszrkhYKwdzweGNJghZLefKFHIR-I_PvAPIBhJB4kLVyZe4ZwuZ6mPaJ948FqX3CuzS-gv2ny55jeVHeasERsjVisHYo6D6V4LS/s1600/DSCF0508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vavdRUIycKQ9fMkG8vNFxmqV9QE7fzgwRmPVJDlN8sszrkhYKwdzweGNJghZLefKFHIR-I_PvAPIBhJB4kLVyZe4ZwuZ6mPaJ948FqX3CuzS-gv2ny55jeVHeasERsjVisHYo6D6V4LS/s400/DSCF0508.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Well wishings</i></span> </div><br />
Apologies for the hiatus.. <a href="http://littleljbigapple.blogspot.com/2011/03/birthday-drama.html">AGAIN</a>, although in my defence this one was somewhat planned.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJP9daCiyo2NSdfwoE6Ce1Qu0imcpURgIMCEF3WUoC6FMcgVAFG5ebukS8Knr_urCYi6StP00iaF5KUrYHPwf6PXzC_TZb0YENZimyeGhoHwAAVA0FZ66NTR5hUiU_2A5VnFpdmbgB_ZO/s1600/DSCF0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJP9daCiyo2NSdfwoE6Ce1Qu0imcpURgIMCEF3WUoC6FMcgVAFG5ebukS8Knr_urCYi6StP00iaF5KUrYHPwf6PXzC_TZb0YENZimyeGhoHwAAVA0FZ66NTR5hUiU_2A5VnFpdmbgB_ZO/s400/DSCF0513.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Sunny kitchen windowsill </i></span> </div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjfpJIgA4ZvGVQyQ-p18cgrwXkEsNIwx3f6qoC_d9xGcviRUJa994iBd0nB6_HLemwrniti_4IMskd1thdZ8PpesD0Ucjpfe6Asj3yZqmM-322kGU0rJBgmSRtkMHD_2YTB9hdh0Qc5cL/s1600/DSCF0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjfpJIgA4ZvGVQyQ-p18cgrwXkEsNIwx3f6qoC_d9xGcviRUJa994iBd0nB6_HLemwrniti_4IMskd1thdZ8PpesD0Ucjpfe6Asj3yZqmM-322kGU0rJBgmSRtkMHD_2YTB9hdh0Qc5cL/s400/DSCF0511.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Movie corner, full of my highbrow film collection including such gems as Spongebob Squarepants: The Movie</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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). </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV0Oysld3MepZDz8l46YrLAk58Mjc84C4SIj76xCDLF_1hGKFckCxf1za8wjTMVMBDGWZ2EaE_9D-ZQ4SxvH1ITmUX7ok1XK-qmN0OJoqVAoTcZSLBzrabsa_NsGVKRlO3krfU2I6jmEt/s1600/DSCF0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV0Oysld3MepZDz8l46YrLAk58Mjc84C4SIj76xCDLF_1hGKFckCxf1za8wjTMVMBDGWZ2EaE_9D-ZQ4SxvH1ITmUX7ok1XK-qmN0OJoqVAoTcZSLBzrabsa_NsGVKRlO3krfU2I6jmEt/s400/DSCF0505.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Love a made bed</i></span> </div><br />
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 <a href="http://hollyploves.tumblr.com/">Holly</a> as a house-warming gift.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJCDnF9uegM1P8f8q2ubTjMxHO2LsQuB3lQnRGq_KXD9ZqmBfP993M-WsRZu3-Rdij2vFuaR2dIPm9-UuJOdlXFDvKGeZPEQCNbXaaNl1DNkmjtm6_xpUa0Q90TjbQYiLYVFQSy6EzFY_/s1600/DSCF0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJCDnF9uegM1P8f8q2ubTjMxHO2LsQuB3lQnRGq_KXD9ZqmBfP993M-WsRZu3-Rdij2vFuaR2dIPm9-UuJOdlXFDvKGeZPEQCNbXaaNl1DNkmjtm6_xpUa0Q90TjbQYiLYVFQSy6EzFY_/s400/DSCF0506.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>I love hearing the birds chirp in the morning</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33yaa2u36GrLhglY1U9EIEyr_bScDZWQEC_BiNW8PJVACeRilL7QxNiZQWwoLfDZreR2siA9IpISDyleBXIyhhgqQeYCU4NXEJIPh5Rx6XwfFrgTkNH3Znkvq4OtImCEQhvmcKdVaSZaB/s1600/DSCF0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33yaa2u36GrLhglY1U9EIEyr_bScDZWQEC_BiNW8PJVACeRilL7QxNiZQWwoLfDZreR2siA9IpISDyleBXIyhhgqQeYCU4NXEJIPh5Rx6XwfFrgTkNH3Znkvq4OtImCEQhvmcKdVaSZaB/s400/DSCF0510.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://hollyploves.tumblr.com/">Holly P</a> original that goes so well in my living room</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">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.</div>Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7169992151343356843.post-64492723732041655742011-03-20T22:18:00.000+00:002011-03-20T22:18:58.550+00:00Birthday Drama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0Og_AuxALOFcT36nCFQDUT_AdAi15w7B8EpOI6tQltk0Fn3bTja6Tf1tnu0gOK9Zu4XNzp3e5E6ppFLPbm6FDocDX2shySz5VqzCCMu_mza6vg9st1l6YPKP7jpL63oowG6u2S9zxz2g/s1600/DSCF0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0Og_AuxALOFcT36nCFQDUT_AdAi15w7B8EpOI6tQltk0Fn3bTja6Tf1tnu0gOK9Zu4XNzp3e5E6ppFLPbm6FDocDX2shySz5VqzCCMu_mza6vg9st1l6YPKP7jpL63oowG6u2S9zxz2g/s400/DSCF0494.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>To paraphrase Lady Gaga: I was born that day-heyyy</i></span></div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
PHEW.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7uxTceOKQlNX1OicbNwwq2qK0o3NhTM8kaszzv6uem26kbJ00erSRLcHtnvJg9DZuVNA8s68YWUkJ9Mh4De2dhVORB9tAVvOUSrrmhsCeP2-B7PL5bBnjG5942Qjeh2_UWp0DG4uJBvS/s1600/DSCF0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7uxTceOKQlNX1OicbNwwq2qK0o3NhTM8kaszzv6uem26kbJ00erSRLcHtnvJg9DZuVNA8s68YWUkJ9Mh4De2dhVORB9tAVvOUSrrmhsCeP2-B7PL5bBnjG5942Qjeh2_UWp0DG4uJBvS/s400/DSCF0495.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Oh nana... what's my name?</i></span></div><br />
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!<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNfZMPFyfCob5RheV7ca4Izhmhum74kFv41EWTh_Tzaab7cH_4yn3HsRz2byMohc1QXbbQmvLPnJ04zJhMhEThrA7PjafyoKfqhrzC0mjt043cG8ZhXsWmT5ff3Kz8dAgIbihCtGp84yh/s1600/DSCF0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNfZMPFyfCob5RheV7ca4Izhmhum74kFv41EWTh_Tzaab7cH_4yn3HsRz2byMohc1QXbbQmvLPnJ04zJhMhEThrA7PjafyoKfqhrzC0mjt043cG8ZhXsWmT5ff3Kz8dAgIbihCtGp84yh/s400/DSCF0496.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Liberty oven gloves. For SHOW ONLY.</i></span></div><br />
I spent a lovely day with my current (but soon to be ex - nooooo!) housemate <a href="http://hollyploves.tumblr.com/">Holly</a>. We went to old favourite <a href="http://www.wahaca.co.uk/">Wahaca</a> 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 <a href="http://www.gelupo.com/">Gelupo</a> to sample some of their dairy delights. So scrummy.<br />
<br />
Later on that night we had another lovely meal at <a href="http://www.therealgreek.com/">The Real Greek</a> in Hoxton before heading over to <a href="http://www.wearetbc.com/">The Book Club</a> 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.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4gyy0gF664kS3iGJ5UWI_9foVEPYy-KFkilC1O0nP3OidMkuJMsszQ11tx3srAa7u58Y0Asb_18guhFdZMVSPeAj3BTJ7lQoBnEdBWWF07G3tDAemshG6n9vE8114yqKwxg7m0jcQwAB/s1600/DSCF0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4gyy0gF664kS3iGJ5UWI_9foVEPYy-KFkilC1O0nP3OidMkuJMsszQ11tx3srAa7u58Y0Asb_18guhFdZMVSPeAj3BTJ7lQoBnEdBWWF07G3tDAemshG6n9vE8114yqKwxg7m0jcQwAB/s400/DSCF0498.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>His name is Gerald.</i></span></div><br />
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!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hummingbird-Bakery-Cookbook-Tarek-Malouf/dp/1845978307">Hummingbird</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnolia-Bakery-Cookbook-Old-Fashioned-Sweetest/dp/0684859106">Magnolia</a> books, pretty glassware, exquisite oven gloves and a new stuffed animal friend were amongst my haul this year - I am a very lucky girl!<br />
<br />
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.Little Ljhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371573469972636027noreply@blogger.com4