I Miss the Pretty City – San Francisco Shots
First of all I have to say ‘thank you’ everyone who took the time to comment on my last post (the engagement one), I was really touched that so many people had such nice wishes to send our way – you’re all too lovely! So, seeing as I have a minor case of the holiday blues today, I thought I’d share some of my snaps from my trip to San Francisco as it really is a beautiful place (can you tell I miss it already?). I have to say, if you love food and eating out, then San Francisco is a great city to eat out in. There are some wonderfully quirky places, serving food to die for. This trip we tried some new places that have now become favourites including Tartine, Pizzeria Delfina, Kara’s Cupcakes and many more – all super yum! I have to give a special shout out to the brioche bread pudding in Tartine, it’s amazing!!!! It’s not only great for food, the city it’s self is so close some of the most beautiful vistas in California, which this time I actually got to see. We headed out to Muir Woods to see the ancient red wood trees, wine country to see the vineyards/sample the wine and Marin Headland to see the wonderful views and lighthouse. All of these stops are so beautiful and make you feel so small (as they are so big) – which is kind of nice once in a while. We made our travels in a Mustang convertible, and although the weather wasn’t perfect, it did make it all the more magical, you can see all around you, not just through glass – perfect for riding over the Golden Gate Bridge.
He Asked, I Accepted!
I’m back from my travels and this time I bought with me the usual; a tan that won’t last long, a beach basket I’ll never use, way too much stationary oh and, a husband to be! That’s right, after 8 years together Miles and I are engaged to be married. It was all a big surprise, I had no idea and I have to say it was pretty bloody perfect. After a lovely day in Sonoma, visiting vineyards we stopped to admire the view and take some photos around by Point Bontia lighthouse (San Francisco), we slipped down to the beach to catch the evening sun and it was here that Miles hopped onto one knee and whipped out the ring! As you probably guessed, I accepted and the next day we headed off to Mexico as two giddy lovebirds to soak up the sun!
I just wanted to share our good news with you… we are both pretty stoked. Miles is the best person in the whole world and I can’t believe I was lucky enough to find him, and now we get to spend the rest of our lives together. Here’s to one big adventure together!
Fly Away
Hello, sorry for the slight hiatus and no Sunday post this week. I failed to both get my usual weekend bake on and blog – oppss! Anyway, just a quick update from the sofa and the depths of suitcase packing as I’m off on my travels. Back to sunny California (although, right now it’s not so sunny) and a little detour to (very sunny) Mexico. I am pretty excited as we fly in the morning and it will mean me having a whole two weeks away from work and grubby old London.
I’m taking my laptop and camera with me this time, so I’m hoping to do some posts whilst I’m out there and for anyone who interested in a day-by-day holiday update. This all does depend on getting my hands on a glorious internet connection, I’m hoping being the tech capital of the world I should be able to score a connection somewhere.
Well, I’m off to pack, un-pack and probably re-pack, dither for hours and then get into the holiday spirit. I plan to do this all whilst listening to Best Coast (lovely band) and sipping some green tea! Happy rest of the week peeps, fingers crossed I’ll be in contact soon. x
P.S. The tea cup and saucer above was a rather lovely Christmas present from my very dear sister (Hi Han if you’re reading) It’s made by Pip Home.
Out and About – Weekend Adventures
I’m a bit conscious that my blog has become a bit of a cake fest lately, so for all of those who are not so keen on cupcake chat and sugar gazing, here a few snaps of the other things I got up to this weekend. I usually spend half my weekend having a wonder somewhere and the other half in the kitchen cooking and baking. I know, this sounds all very 1950′s housewife, but to be honest I enjoy being creative and cooking/baking it allows me to get it out of my system before Monday come round again. My week’s are usually pretty busy, meaning there’s not a lot of time to cook longer or more involved meals, so I do all the big cooking over the break.
These pictures are a few shots from Clissold Park, Stoke Newington (London). It’s a great family park that’s currently undergoing renovation. The park it’s self leads down to Church Street (where I seem to end up every Saturday morning) as it’s filled with independent shops, lovely cafes and generally a creative feel. The weather was lovely on Saturday, making it the perfect opportunity to grab the camera, my new Charlotte Farmer tote and head out with Miles to soak up the February sun. Other things that have been inspiring me this week have been the Tartine cookbook (I can’t wait to head back to San Francisco in a few weeks to sample their delights), watching Never Let Me Go, heart shaped pancakes and spring fashion (I can’t stop wearing bretons, pale denim and florals. Off to secret cinema tonight, lets hope it a good one! Have a great week!
Valentine’s Day Cupcakes
So, it’s Valentine’s Day in the morning. I have to say the shine of all things heart shaped, pink and love related is wearing a little thin with me now. After years of making a big deal of Valentine’s, I’m starting to see it for what it is – a money spinning drain. That said, I do think that it provides me with a good excise to make something for the one I love and this year I’m only making things, not buying them. My gift this year is cakes, chocolate ones with pink vanilla icing and pink wafer roses. Oh, not forgetting the glitter – you got to have glitter. There were a few other love related items laying around the house so I thought I’d capture them too. I really hope everyone has a happy romantic Valentine’s, I look forward to seeing lots of pretty pictures.
Nutella Cupcakes and Liberty Flowers
These are the Nutella cupcakes that I made for my nephews 10th Birthday. It’s hard to believe that my nephews are 10 and 12 now, I still remember the day that both of them were born – I even gave my youngest nephew his first bottle feed. Happy memories. Anyway, I used the Hummingbird Bakery recipe to make these, minus the Nutella inside them (I ran out). They were rather yummy, well I think so, I only had one. This weekend has been pretty hectic, frantic shopping on Oxford street, mass baking, trip home to Kent and lots of lovely time with the family. Also, I must note, the lovely Liberty print napkins in he photo are a very generous birthday present from my good friend Holly (check out her Tumblr here - it’s pretty). I saw the King’s Speech this evening, it was very good and it was even nicer to go to the cinema with my mum and dad – lovely family time! I hope everyone has a great week, I’l be sure to add the recipe for these in later (sorry, I’m feeling terribly lazy).
A Birthday, a Trip to the Coast and the Colour Orange
So, last weekend was my birthday. I turned 26 in style, thanks to Miles, friends and family. I had a lovely night out in a great 1920′s style bar (reminiscent of Bugsy Malone), Night Jar. I then headed home to hang out with the family and relax a little away from London. I had a lovely time and was throughly spoilt by my sisters and parents. I took a little trip out and about in Whitstable and took a few snaps on my new camera. When I was looking through the shots I realised that my weekend was a little dominated by the colour orange, unlike the other weekend that seemed to be all about yellow. My mum and dad treated me to a lovely new Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag and it just happened to be tangerine, the ball my parents dog was gnawing on was orange and out and about I was attracted to….orange. Thanks everyone for making my birthday ace.
Anthology Magazine
I know I am really late to the party on this one but I had to give a little mention to Anthology Magazine. The last time Miles travelled to San Francisco I put in a special request for a copy Anthology, hence why I am so late on discovery. There seem to be no stockists in the UK and even the US stockists are quite sparse. Anyway, logistics aside, I have to say that this is probably one of the very best print magazines I have ever read. It’s stunning and the content is so interesting and on target. I was so drawn to this issue as the cover was illustrated by one of my favourite designers, Kris Atomic. If anyone gets a chance to read Anthology I assure you won’t be disappointed, it’s like a beautiful book you won’t want to put down.
I was also lucky enough to grab a set of the lovely Ban.do toe clips that have been popping up everywhere. They make you’re shoes feel very special and went down a treat at my work Christmas party (well with me anyway). Ban.do are such a fun and inspiring company, I love their ethos, products and styling – so much fun! Anyway there’s my little shout out to the things that I am loving right now. Have a great week everyone!
Touches of Yellow
Hello, I hope everyone has had a lovely first week of January? Mine has been super busy, but particularly productive – so I can’t complain. I feel a lot more focused this year and I am determined to stick to the goals I set, I’m not letting anything bother me this time (nothing). Last night I went to see Bird Song at the Comedy Theatre and had some yummy Gelupo afterwards (if you haven’t heard of Gelupo yet check out their lovely cafe and flavours on their site here). Miles treated me to the play as Birthday treat and it was lovely, thank you Miles.
As I mentioned in my last post I’ve started a new Tumblr blog to track inspiration and, more generally, things I like. I dream one day, in the not too distant future, of owning a home of my own place so this is a good way to keep a record of all the great homes I find on other blogs. It’s interesting because only having had the Tumblr for a week it is already highlighting to me some patterns in my tastes and I find it quite funny. I seem drawn to anything yellow, sequined, white or mid-century! That’s what lead me to take a look at my home and snap some of my touches of yellow, it turns out I have quite a few….I think I have a thing for yellow?! I just noticed as I went to publish this post that my new blog design has got a lot of yellow in it… doomed!
2011 Goals
Happy New Year everyone! I was thinking about my 2011 goals the other day and I considered keeping them in the notebook I penned them in, things like this always seem quite private really. Then, I got thinking that I’ll forget that I ever wrote them if I leave them in the book, and by March I’ll have achieved nothing off my list. So I settled on the idea of putting them on the internet, where I can’t escape them this year.
I really wasn’t a fan of 2010, to be honest it wasn’t the best year for me. Health woes, stress and bad planning meant that the year was a bit of a non-starter and this New Year more than ever I’m looking forward to a fresh start! Hence the new blog design and a new Tumblr blog for inspiration and more general ramblings.
Here goes with my 2011 goals:
1. Do more with less. Be more efficient, thrifty, and productive.
2. Buy less on impulse, more with thought.
3. Bake a different and new cake every two weeks.
4. Travel more, do more with the time off I have.
5. Stay calm, think logically and try not to get overwhelmed.
6. Moan less and try not to complain so much.
7. Try to understand what makes me happy.
8. Run outside more, I can run outside of the gym, I can, I can, I can!
9. Don’t take people around me for granted – appreciate everyone.
10. Be much much better with money. I’ve never saved in my life and this is the year to sort myself out.
I hope 2011 is a good year for everyone. x