Friday 29 July 2011

My happy place!



To this day, still my absolutel favourite live gig i've EVER been to.  Not sure about you, but I am completely in love with Jack Johnson's music - his chilled tunes transport me to a better place (a place always by the ocean) and are a guaranteed pick me up when i'm feeling a bit sad.

This clip was filmed mostly at his gig in Hyde Park, London a few years ago and yep, I was there! We arrived early to make sure we got a good spot and of course to enjoy G-Love and Ben Harper (the coolest supports ever).  The afternoon was miserable, we got rained on a few times and spent most of it huddled under an umbrella, wrapped in a picnic rug.

BUT, just as Jack was due to take the stage, the clouds parted and the beautiful afternoon sun shone down on us - it still give me goosebumps thinking about (yes, true story, I know it sounds cliche, but it REALLY happened!)

The next couple of hours was one massive sing-a-long, like everyone was an old friend from long ago...

Thanks for the memory Jack!


"Hope"

Shadow walks faster than you
You don't really know what to do
Do you think that you're not alone?
You really think that you are immune to
Its gonna get that the best of you
Its gonna lift you up and let you down
It will defeat you then teach you to get back up
After it takes away all that
You learn to love

Your reflection is a blur
Out of focus
But in confusion
The frames are suddenly burnt
And in the end of a roll of illusion
A ghost waiting its turn
Now I can see right through
It's a warning that nobody heard

It will teach you to love what you're afraid of
After it takes away all that
You learn to love
But you don't
Always
Have to hold your head
Higher than your heart

You better hope you're not alone etc etc

Wednesday 27 July 2011

Femininity...

I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry...

Upon returning home after our cleaner's weekly visit (BEST money i've ever spent btw), I was shocked to discover that while tidying our shoes, she had placed my ever-so-faithful brown Birkenstocks alongside all of Ben's shoes. 

I know there are mixed opinions on Birkenstocks, but I personally love them. I hate to sound like i'm getting old, but they really ARE super comfy and are great if you suffer back pain, sore feet etc etc which I frequently do, especially when travelling.  That's not to say there isn't a time or a place for them though, I wouldn't exactly be wearing them on a dinner date (unless it was to the beach or the park), but wherever I can get away with them - I will.

But perhaps it's time for an upgrade to something a little more feminine. What's your favourite colour?








Monday 25 July 2011

Ben & Jerry's Festival

All you can eat ice-cream!!!

That's exactly what you get at Ben & Jerry's festival - if you're willing to queue up for it that is!  BUT, I personally think it's worth it!  Plus there's some cool live tunes to listen to, fun games to partake in, yummy food to indulge in and of course lots of yummy pear cider to quench your thirst whilst doing all of the above!

All in all, a fab day out :)


The elusive 'wich

The Stage! Ash were amazing!

Beer & Sunshine - perfect mix!

The Big Grill - Steak Sandwich

Air Guitar!!!

Icecream maker in training!

Friday 22 July 2011

Owl Lovin!

Found these little cuties today in the Cath Kidston AW11 preview - one of each please!



Egg Cosy


Needle case


Scissors

Pin Cushion


Tea Cosy







Wednesday 20 July 2011

This is what a wedding should be!

just read about this fab backyard wedding on Hey Gorgeous - love, love, love...  to me, this is exactly what a wedding should be, I actually got goosebumbs reading the brides comments...

and more than anything, i've realised why I have such an obsession with America - we need icecream sandwiches in London - these flavours..wow!


pics @ onelovephotography


What i'd give...

for a little bit of sunshine right now...







all pics @ pinterest

Monday 18 July 2011

A Camping Trip...

A camping trip in Dorset this weekend with Ben's work colleagues for the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival...




The Pro's

- Beautiful countryside
- Great company and getting to know Ben's workmates better
- Cooking fresh caught Mackerel on a coal BBQ
- Discovering our new camping mats are the BEST THING EVER
- Seeing some fun vintage funfair trailers
- Sloshing around in Wellies all weekend



The Con's

- The pouring rain, the gusting wind
- Sleeping on a downward slope, trying to climb back to the top all night
- Sloshing around in Wellies all weekend





Think we'll be investing in a new tent and booking our next adventure "real soon"!

Sunday 10 July 2011

Halftone

Ben has found a fun new iPhone app - Halftone - create your own old school comic books, very cool!

We met Pippi last night, my new favourite sausage dog...  I really DID want to smuggle her home xxx



Thursday 7 July 2011

Rain, Rain, Go away...

I have to admit, the non-event of summer in London this year is REALLY starting to get depressing.  It's nearly half-way through the summer months and I can count on just one hand how many warm days we've had.  Today, just before lunchtime the heavens opened and didn't let up - we had to race to a colleagues birthday lunch just like this (although definitely not looking this glamorous)...


 from wideopenspaces on pinterest

Oh how I crave the hot summer sunshine of Australia!

Friday 1 July 2011

Wednesday Date Night @ Wahaca

Despite being a little late (due to a teeny tiny dilemma with my hair colouring not taking, prolonging my hairdresser appointment), Ben and I managed our first trip to Wahaca since he's been back in London.  Through all of those cold lonely nights in winter, I dreamt of being shacked up with Benny in the funky bustle of Wahaca, one of my favourite places to eat in London. 

For me, going out to dinner is a chance for me to eat food that I can't cook just as well myself at home, things like Indian (i'm NEVER going to make a Lamb Saag THAT good), Thai food (how DO they get that delicate balance of flavours right) and Mexican Street Food!  It's one thing to bash up an Old El Paso Taco Kit, it is, however, a completely different experience to be presented with fresh, flavoursome mexican fare.

To start, we nibbled on some Frijoles & Tortilla Chips, which was a first for us, usually opting for fresh Guacamole.  The Frijoles were served warm with creme fraiche and a sprinkle of cheese...dipping heaven.  Paired with a couple of Corona's, we settled in for a catch-up of our day.

Frijoles!

Ben, who isn't quite as big a fan of Wahaca as I am, settled on the Summer Vegetable Burrito (I think his new nickname should be Burrito-Boy - i'm sure he would eat one every day if he could) and Huarache (which was essentially a tortilla topped with a salad of sorts, but a little too far on the spicy side for my taste).  Being the massive fan of street food that I am, as well as loving eating small bites that arrive on small plates, I opted for the Pork Pilbil tacos (not realising it was the spicy option, oops!) and the absolutely best item on their menu, the Broad Bean and Feta Quesadilla - the perfect balance of crunch, scrummy melted cheese and fresh mint burst. 


Burrito


Huarache

I could literally have one of everything on this menu, but between the beer and the nibbles, I really must listen to my head instead of my tastebuds.  BUT, there's always room to squeeze in some Churros with Hot Chocolate, which we shared to dodge the damage.

Churros!

Apart from the food, I always feel comfortable being in Wahaca, the staff are uber friendly and helpful and the atmosphere is always buzzy and fun - the perfect place for a mid-week date :)