Saturday 31 March 2012

To See, To Do, To See

Photobucket

Photobucket

It’s official - the sunny spell is over. What are the odds that that was actually the full extent of our British summer? Yeh… I wouldn't put millions against it. So did you guys make the most of it? We definitely did - two weeks packed with fun and frolics, gallivanting and giggling; from Camden to Amsterdam, from Taco Bell to the zoo. We managed to catch numerous movies (very rare when he's working) and even squeeze in a picnic. Here's this week’s To See, To Do, To See for you.


To See: If you're feeling glum, bummed, depressed, down and out or just a little bit low (we were tired, this works too), 21 Jump Street is a must see. It's a complete no-brainer that had us in stitches every two minutes - the icing on the cake? The presence of fittie Channing Tatum (think Dear John, yum yum); so in case the humour's just a little boorish for you girls out there, you know you've got eye candy to tide you over. 9/10


To Do: My new number 1 for spending those long, warm afternoons has to be picnicking - embarrassingly enough, this sunny spell saw me have my first adult picnic (by which I mean before this, my only recollection was of sitting on dad’s knee as a pig-tailed, frilly-dressed-and-socked little girl) - sandwiches jammed up, basket piled high, we chose Shenley Cricket Club for our picnic in the park.


To See: If you've been half awake for even half a second over the past fortnight, you can't have missed news on the film that's breaking all box-office records; The Hunger Games. Based on a novel by the same name, the film stars Jennifer Lawrence as a teen forced to compete in a televised death match against other youths in a future North American society where a privileged Capital city oppresses the people of 12 outlying worker districts. Thrilling yes. But in my opinion, predictable as well. 7.5/10


xxx

Friday 30 March 2012

'Spring' in My Step

Photobucket

New layout. My OWN domain (www.thediaryofmissraj.com). Tons of sun. Blossom everywhere. Cuddles with my boy. Giggles with mum. It's Friday. It's Spring. Dad's birthday weekend. Cannelloni for dinner. Blue Zenzer. The Hunger Games. Enough said. Thank God It's Friday!


xxxx


Photobucket

Thursday 29 March 2012

Hang-Up

Photobucket

Well as they say, all good things come to an end - so as we wound up the last of his holidays and my freedom (I'm now near enough a month away from my first exam - though I may as well be on summer break, the way I've been gallivanting!), we decided on Monday to do it with a bit of a bang; when you were younger, nothing quite denoted "school holidays" like a trip to the theme park - and so we thought, why the hell not?


As a kid, I can't say I loved theme parks; while my brother dragged us from ride to ride, I'd stand, nervous and wary, counting the loops and turns, watching peoples' distorted expressions, assessing whether or not I could hack it - soon enough butterflies and a mild sensation of fear would take grip so mum and I'd be left peering up at the huge loops and big falls, waiting, as dad (unwillingly, trust me) and brother were whizzed around. So I quite surprised myself on Monday, then, when I started on Stealth, which accelerates from 0-80mph in under two seconds. It felt like the undoing of 22 years of unnecessary hang-ups. #soproudofmyself! Wishing you all a sunny Thursday.


xxx


Tickets for Thorpe Park cost a ridiculous £42 pp - make sure to shop around, 2for1 deals are often easy to come by. Alternatively, booking online and in advance can save you some pennies. We learnt this the hard way.

Wednesday 28 March 2012

The Ideal Home

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Yes, yes, I hear you - it's a little odd that though I'm nowhere near owning a home of my own (not even within touching distance, hell not even with a three-year-long barge pole) I spent a good four hours of my Saturday ooohing over the choice of comfy love chairs at my disposal, ahhhhing over sparkling, glinting chandeliers, ummming over which rustic stove I'd choose and oh wowing over crazy, clever little gadgets that I never even knew existed, let alone thought I needed. Hmmmmm, yeah, maybe I'm jumping the gun just a little.


Nevertheless, it was a day filled with inspiration ("ooh, I'd LOVE that Savan", "We should have one of those when we get our own place Savan” “Buy me one of those please Savan…") and even more so, aspiration. Aspiration towards being able to furnish our own place. One glance at these photos probably explains why I loved it so much; lots of things pink, girly and glittery. In a way, I think it kind of worked out for the best anyway - else I'd probably have wanted one of everything in sight. This time round, he got away with buying me just one (spicy, tangy, totally awesome) box of olives. Not bad ey? ;)


xxx


From the Ideal Home Show Website:


Open from March 16 - April 1 2012 at Earls Court London, this multi-award winning 17 day show is currently bringing together more than 600 quality exhibitors from all over the UK to offer a unique shopping experience for all areas of the home, including ideal Interiors, ideal Home Improvements, ideal Gardens, ideal Gadgets, ideal Food, ideal Housewares, ideal Shopping and ideal Woman. Whether you are looking for inspiration for a home project, redecoration solutions or just a fantastic day out the Ideal Home Show 2012 has everything you need for you and your home all under one roof.


Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Monday 26 March 2012

Back to Amsterdam

Based on the shortest city trip in the history of mankind, a WHOLE two-days in the city that is Amsterdam (yeah, so I definitely know what I'm talking about), here are MY recommendations for your first time there. Wishing you all a good week.

1.
Photobucket

2.
Photobucket

3.
Photobucket

4.
Photobucket

5.
Photobucket

1. The first, and most obvious recommendation would be a walk along the scenic canals. Criss-crossed by bridges, a grand total of 165 canals encircle the city and within the pockets of land that their eclectic network creates, you can find shops, galleries and innumerable cafes. We didn't have time for a tour - but hopefully next time?


2. It's important not to miss the chance of a sneaky peek at the Red Light District. As a tourist, you'll be nothing more than a voyeur - anyways there are always more people watching than participating with the District having the surreal atmosphere of a sexual theme park:- a sort of "Alton Towers" for consenting adults if you like.


3. Visiting one of the Amsterdam coffee shops is a truly unique travel experience. They all sell coffee but their primary income is derived from the sale of cannabis based products to either inhale or eat. Under International treaty provision, the Netherlands cannot legalise cannabis but in practice you can carry up to 5 grams of the drug without fear of prosecution.The first of the Amsterdam Coffee shops came into existence in the 70s and they have become an established and iconic feature of the city's famous tolerant and relaxed reputation.


4. Try. Amsterdam. Food.


5. My final suggestion (can’t say recommendation, I didn’t actually have time to do this) would be a nose around one of Amsterdam’s many museums. It’s a city steeped in history, culture and symbolism, for example the home of diarist Anne Frank. This is definitely a must on my list for next time.


xxx

Sunday 25 March 2012

Review: Masala Zone, Earls Court

Photobucket

As it turns out, plans to hit Brighton yesterday, the single nicest day of the year so far, pretty much went to pot. Sort of overslept by a good two hours you see. Hmmm. Spirits all but dashed, we were about to give in to despondency and spend the day moping when a light-bulb moment struck. With eyes and ears all over the place (trust me, I have my sources) I'd heard nothing but praise for the Ideal Home Show in Earl's Court. Gadgets, Girly Bits and Good Grub? What's not to like? Armed with an Oyster, an iPhone and (a very lovely) Boyfriend, off I trudged through the tube to spend the day meandering up and down (very, very crowded) aisles flogged with stalls displaying any and every home and lifestyle improvement idea conceivable. As this deserves a post in its own right, I'm going to let the exhibition lie for now and tell you instead about dinner. Food first, as always.


I'd been eyeing up Masala Zone for a while - probably since I'd wandered past their Covent Garden restaurant and seen, to my delight, several hundred Rajasthani rag dolls suspended from the ceiling - so spotting the restaurant as we wandered away from the exhibition was a rather pleasant surprise (especially as I’d planned a birthday meal there last week but failed to deliver - yes, again!). Noted as one of the most popular Indian restaurants around London, it sets itself apart by way of an authentic menu (none of this chicken tikka masala business) coupled with efficient, informed service (very often lacking at Indian food joints) and a visually unique experience. They serve up everything from mouth-watering street-food (tangy savouries eaten at street-side stalls, probably the main form of eating out for the Indian urban populace) to a full-on traditional three course thali - the way Indian families eat at home.


Photobucket

Photobucket

Total masala fiends, we opted for two of the street food style starters and a main of Masala Chili Paneer; tasty, spicy, tangy and an all-round taste-bud-tingling experience. The service surpassed expectation and even better, there was plenty to look at whilst we waited on our food (Masala Zone Earls Court showcases canvases by a female tribal artist from East India). Definitely the place to begin if you’re searching for the real nosh.


Photobucket

xxx


Masala Zone Earls Court, 147 Earls Court Road, London, SW5 9RQ


Saturday 24 March 2012

Summery Saturday

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

It's been unseasonably warm in London these past two weeks; sunny, mellow and just generally lovely. Perfect for lazy picnics, long walks, summery cocktails and general summer gallivanting - we're thinking Brighton Pier tomorrow. How's your weekend looking?


xxx

Thursday 22 March 2012

A Little More 'Dam

So I thought I’d accompany the rest of my Amsterdam pictures with the regular ‘To Eat, To Drink, To See’ type post - but for lack of time, and clearly, I’m just a little bit keen, I’m leaving you with a picture post today (Think Amsterdam Tourism should pay me for this, no?) I'll definitely be back to fill you in on the do’s and do nots at some point over the weekend - but until then, here’s wishing you a happy, sunny Thursday. Keep smiling.


xxxx


Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Wednesday 21 March 2012

A Little Bit of Heaven

Photobucket

You know what they say; you can take the girl out of the city but you can't take the city out of the girl. I'm a fiend for new places - always strange, bustling and unknown; as for Amsterdam, it's forever etched in my heart as my first (albeit super-short) trip with the bf, as completion of six magical months together and, yes, you guessed it, as the waffle capital OF THE WORLD. Uh-uh. Before you interrupt. I know what you're going to say. But no. I need taste no more waffles before I testify because it's impossible to make one yummier. IM-PO-SSI-BLE.


So yesterday's antics, to satisfy a burning waffle craving?


Photobucket

Photobucket

Yeah… I didn't have any choice. Thinner, crispier and not quite the same; but still sufficient to hit that sweet, waffly spot. Recipe is here.


xxx

Monday 19 March 2012

Amsterdam: First Impressions

As first impressions go, Amsterdam didn't shock me as I'd been told it would. With the reputation the RLD's cultivated the world over, I'd expected notoriety, garishness and sleaze. The reality was very different - littered with cheesy sex-shops selling blow ups and other outrageous toys, the multi-cultural community of prostitutes, junkies, cops and coffee shop owners intermingled freely along its streets as tourists 'window-shopped'. It's an old and beautiful part of the city too with its long, narrow, winding cobbled streets and rickety old buildings leaning at odd angles. Surprising? Yes. Surprising that a city can be so wholly liberal and tolerant. Shocking though? Definitely not.


A whirlwind trip in its entirety, it would be unfair of me to even try and pretend I know much about Amsterdam at all. What I can tell you, though, is that the city serves up THE best waffles in the world. Freshly made, dusted with icing sugar, smothered in Nutella and topped up with whipped cream, I munched my way through a shocking 4 of these in 30 hours. Ouch. Ask if you're going any time soon. For now, here's my first impression. More tomorrow.


xxx


Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...