Crazy work people

Most of the time Work sucks. But sometimes in the lottery of the workplace you end up spending 90% of your waking hours with some really lovely, and crazy people.Exhibit A:I swear to you one moment he was in a suit then 30 seconds later I saw a flash of neon pink. My stomach hurt we were laughing so much... &nb...

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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Reading Recommendation

There was such hype about this book, and I kept saying to myself "Shall I get it? Is it all just hype? Should I get a samurai sword?" And the answers are Yes, Somewhat but it is still awesome - mostly as it has ninjas and butt-kicking in it and probably No. It wasn't until I was walking to work one day, and an American guy said to his mate "Pride and Prejudice with Zombies man, dude it was cool" I knew it was a sign and had to get it.The Zombies, the Ninjas, the crinolines, the riduculous faux modesty, the sword wielding - need I go on? It made...

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Foodie-in-training: Macarons

In the last while, we've enjoyed some really interesting foods and tastes;UmamiHomemade Curry PowderCoconut Milk, from a CoconutRaw OystersAlmond ButterBut these babies are my favourite so far:I wish I could claim that I have painstakingly creamed, baked, piped and assembled them, but I would be lying (though I do make a mean Melting Moment biscuit - I used to make them for my Dad, and people would steal them out of his lunchbox). Today we 'happened' to pass by a lovely shop selling them in central London, and my cousin has just returned...

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London Living: Carnival

One thing uniquely London, is the Notting Hill Carnival. A melting pot of food, music & dancing, but not for the faint hearted. With Jerk chicken that could burn through steel, cool crisp beer, and eye-watering crowds, we haven't as yet braved the carnival. We were definately considering it this year, until we met the melee of the excited travellers on Central Line. Wow. We definately piked this year (didn't end up going), but next year, Notting Hill Carnival won't know what hit it! M&C SaatchiBest Poster. Ever. Todays...

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August Bank Holiday Family time

I had planned great things for my blog posts today: a recipe and discourse to rival war and peace. However, as things do, life kind of got in the way. We got some pretty boring chores completed, groceries done, gym out the way, and then a last minute decision to catch up with hubby's family, taking my cuz with us. Such a lovely unplanned evening of laughter. We are lucky - it has been a hard few months, but we have come out of it stronger at the end. Happy, healthy and hearty. That's all we ask for. Todays workout: 10 minutes running,...

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Living London: Rainy Bank Holidays

Now, I love London with all my heart (except the part that will always be reserved for Aoteoroa) but the one downside to London - the weather (Oh, and commuting, but we'll leave that for another day!) The quintessential image of London is rainswept, and it well deserves it. It's not normally a torrential awful rain, but just an annoying drizzle that springs on you when you've nipped out without your umbrella. Before I came over I thought it would more like a monsoon to be honest - continuously driving rain - but to be honest as long as you have...

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Best of British Foodie Penpals

I've been participating in Foodie Penpals for awhile, and one month I hooked up with a lovely American lass, and we swapped directly.It was surprising hard to narrow down all the scrummy Best of British stuff (the sweet variety), into a box small enough not to cost the earth, as it was travelling a third of the way around it. What I came up with;Frank Coopers Marmadale - because my Penpal is a Marmalade nut, and I'm told that Frank Coopers is (to borrow an American phrase) "the Jam".Earl Grey Tea bags - the epitomy of Englishness is drinking Tea...

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Gym guilt

I've not been to the Gym for nearly two weeks. There, I said it, I've come clean to the world. Instead we have been out and about, or simply doing nothing (though I think we clocked up a few points on our wander up Big Ben & around Buckingham Palace!)I have been trying to get more mini-excercise in my day though; running other peoples errands (genuinely - my boss loves me right now), walking across the room to speak to someone instead of yelling, getting off two bus stops early and stairs. Oh the stairs I have been running - one day I counted...

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London Living: Greenwich Cable Car

The last leg of our tourist day, was catching the cable car linking the southbank of the Thames near the o2 Arena, with the Northbank to the Excel Centre - both Olympic Venues.I have to admit I'm not great with heights, so I was a bit wary of this one, but knew that if I didn't gird my loins and get on it, I would miss some spectacular views. Once I opened my eyes, and declenched my hands, it didn't disappoint. We stopped off during the trip for a brief beverage stop. We were so lucky to have such a gorgeous day! My friend remarked that she...

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... Sunshine on my window, makes me happy

A weekend round up in pictures. We had such a lovely lazy hazy weekend in the sunshine. 31-31 degrees celcius. Yum.I don't care that the lawns have gone a wee bit brown, I don't care that it's so hot that we haven't seen the cat as she's found a shady spot. I love it - I'm not a sun worshipper by any means, but this summer has been terrible... and I don't expect much from English summers. I think in the last few days I've actually managed to get a tan - changing my skin shade from blue to pale. Shocking right?All kidding aside we have...

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Rivers of London - Reading Recommendation

Peter Grant is your average Central London PC; street-wise, loves his curries, beer and football but not so great at concentrating on the finer detail. It just so happens that one day he takes a statement "from a man who was already dead but still disturbingly voluble." I really enjoyed the clever mix of life in London with a supernatural twist. The characters are flawed and funny - narrated by Peter Grant, it feels that as a character he begins to find himself, instead of being banished the drudgery of the paperwork based 'Case Progression...

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London Living: Battersea Foodies Festival

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