Friday 25 February 2011







I know that this blog has been all about Paris since I’ve been home. But I've been so busy this week and last that i haven't had a chance to have some alone time with my camera.


These photos are my favourite from our short getaway.
1. Me in a cafe that we ended up going in to whilst lost!
2. The thickest and tastiest hot chocolate i have ever had. I am craving one right now.
3. Glen in the same cafe as mentioned before
4. Mr Cigarette
5. The view from the most amazing park that the lovely Elisabelle recommended.

This week has been so long i've become really deflated and whilst feeling sorry for my self last night I came upon a picture in a gallery with the quote 'every cloud has a silver lining' it instantly lifted my spirits. I hope you have a great weekend what ever you get up to.

Friday 18 February 2011

Monmartche









When we visited Paris back in 2009, Glen had booked us in to a hotel in Montmartre and had chosen the area because of my love of Amélie. The Sacré Cœur was only 5 minutes away, and walking around the area we were reminded of different moments from the film. That’s why when we decided to go back to Paris we both knew that we had to stay in the same area again. We visited Montmartre cemetery, which admittedly was our second time, but it’s so beautiful that we couldn’t resist. We walked around the cemetery for about an hour, just taking it all in.

Thursday 17 February 2011

Bonjour!







Here are just some of the photo's we took in Paris at the weekend.

We stayed near Montmartre (our favourite) walked around taking in the view and found hidden streets away from tourists. In the day we would stop off for coffee and then as the sun went down it was time to stop for 'vin rouge' and 'fromage'.
Because this was our second visit to Paris, we wanted  to soak up the city and didn't feel the need to visit the same tourist attractions as before. Instead we ate good food, tried to speak our best french, and drank lots of vin.
 It was indulging, fun and romantic. and i loved every minute. I'm already planning to go back. but maybe i should touch up on my basic french first.

photos
1. our view from our window. every morning we would open the window and say 'bonjour' to the city.
2. a cafe close to the hotel. I loved the tablecloth
3. deux cafés. we drank so much coffee. it was superb!
4. sacre coeur
5 . the view from our walk along the Seine

Tuesday 8 February 2011

a new week


I'm so excited about this week.
The sun is shining in London at the moment, and I can't tell you enough how happy this makes me.
I had a great meeting with a friend last night and we're embarking on a very exciting project. (more on that soon)
It's my 4 year anniversary with my boyfriend tomorrow and we're of to dinner in an underground church.
And on Saturday we're off to Paris!

So all in all I'm happy and beyond excited about all of the above!

Photos taken by my boyfriend from his (work) trip to Bournemouth last week. Don't they make you want to take a trip to the seaside and munch on fish and chips?

Saturday 5 February 2011

my week in photos








This week has been productive, creative and fun.
For the past few days I've been looking after my beautiful nephew, and I’m beginning to see what my sister means when she say’s “you don't know what tired is until you have children”. My mum's come to help me and it’s been much appreciated. We've been taking long strolls around Kew, Richmond. And in the evenings we have been hibernating and eating warm and comforting food.

My sister gets back from her trip to Norway tomorrow and I’ll be getting back to my normal routine and lonely boyfriend at home in North London. I'm really looking forward to being home. But I’ll miss this little one. A lot.

also i've been listening to this playlist all afternoon.

Photos.
1. my view from my sister’s house in Kew at 5.30 am.
2. lots of magazines to get through
3. my reflection
4. flower pot bike, spotted on a walk round Kew
5. colourful houses by the River Thames
6. new shoes bought for a nerve wracking meeting that ended up going very well ( i think it was the shoes that did it!)
7. my beautiful nephew Sachin
8. i love the bikes and wellies outside this house.
9.my view from my house in Stoke Newington.

Tuesday 1 February 2011

home made soda bread

I found this recipe whilst browsing through my sisters cookbooks last week. I've never made bread before, (i've made banana bread but i'm not sure if that counts as it's more of a dessert) and i've come to realise how quick and easy it is to make. 


You will need:

1 tablesoon of Olive Oil for greasing the parchment paper
250 g Plain flour ( I used half plain and half spelt flour)
1 level teaspoon of Bicarbonate of soda
2 tablespoons of soft brown sugar
225 ml of Buttermilk
1 pinch of fine sea salt ( i used maldon)
I also used one tablespoon of porridge oats and then sprinkled some more on top before placing in the oven.

1. Sift the flour and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl and stir in the salt. Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk, stirring as you go.

2. Tip it out on to a lightly floured work surface and knead lightly for about a minute, just long enough to pull it together into a loose ball.

3. Put the round of dough on a lightly floured baking sheet and dust generously with flour. Mark a deep cross in it with a sharp, serrated knife, cutting about two-thirds of the way through the loaf. Put it in an oven preheated to 200°C/gas mark 6 and bake for 20 minutes, until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath.

4. Cool on a wire rack if you like a crunchy crust, or wrap in a clean tea towel if you prefer a soft crust. I ate mine straight out of the oven with raspberry jam and salty butter. Oh and a cup of tea....perfect!

enjoy!