Memory Lane

It's funny how certain places hold such vivid memories of times gone by, don't you think? It can often be a memory that has long left your conscience but it's as though the town, the park, the road you once walked has it retained and seeks to remind you of the good times, as a nostalgic friend might, each time you return. I was stood waiting for a bus outside the Galleria today when I had one of those 'flash-flood memory' moments - that one summer afternoon a friend and I cycled 30 miles to raise a little dosh for charity - a charity I no longer remember the name of with a friend I no longer know. My only recollection? Fits of giggles, scorching sunshine and for lack of planning(/desire to plan a route), cycling up and down, up and down the same track between St. Albans and Hatfield in an attempt to clock up the 30 miles that no-one was ever really going to check anyway. 

I'm sorry for the AWOL by the way - in between uni + work + own washing/cleaning/cooking (muuuuuuuuuum.....) it's the first time I've even had a moment to write something I want to. Back now though with the promise of prompter posting - thank you for sticking with me guys. Hope you've had a lovely weekend. 

xxx

Making a House a Home

1. You heard. 2. Cozzzzzy. 3. New-found love 4. Flowering dragon-eye tea
Yerrrr, these photos are rather domestic in nature, aren't they? That's sort of how I feel right now - totally engrossed in making the new place my space. A friend quite poignantly commented the other night that "it's getting homier" each time he visits - and you definitely know you're done when you can't actually think of anything you need in the way of a housewarming gift from the parents. #bittookeen. This whole "settling-in" business has been a whole lot more fun than expected though - more successful than stressful, more worthwhile than wearing. Shopping for furnishings, utensils, food-cupboard-fillers and the rest of the paraphernalia - made all the more enjoyable with a flatmate who's fast becoming a really good friend. 
 Hope you're all having a great week too. 
xxx

Tour Guide in St. Albans

There's nothing quite like playing tourist guide in a locale you know and love, don't you think? It forces you to look closely once again at sights you wouldn't usually bat an eyelid for. And what better than wanting a lazy stroll to the cathedral but waltzing straight to the centre of a hustling-bustling food festival? All autumnal, aromatic and bursting with promise, we're pretty sure that THIS is exactly what life's about. 

xxx

A Trip to Bicester Village

Yes, I heard you. There I was banging on about cheesecakes, chocolate cakes and the revelation of Pizza Express take outs - when in actual fact, I was on my way home from Bicester. Got it. Bicester Village. Where to begin. 

When I was first dragged up last year in my less than impressed demeanour (key word - dragged, I really didn't understand the point), it's fair to say I missed all the charm. Big deal, you'll pick up a Jimmy Choo handbag knocked down from £3934857858676 to just shy of £400... but, errrrrm, I don't usually spend even 10% of that on a bag. *Awkward* 

One trip later, a boy's holiday shorts bought, Crêperie Amélie spied, I'm a convert. Cath Kidston, love. Superdry, love. Random kitchenware stores, luuuuuurve. True, I didn't actually buy anything (just moved + student = times of frugality) but I'm pretty sure a pre-Christmas expedition with the shoe-loving, handbag-hunting flatmate will sort that right out. I can imagine it would be right charming with all the fairy lights as well. Must visit. 

xx

Bicester Village Shopping Centre is a designer outlet centre on the outskirts of Bicester, a town in Oxfordshire, England.

50 Pingle Drive, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX26 6WD

Late Night Musings

It's late in the night and I'm having a pretty desperate moment as I type. Continue ONLY if you can empathise. 

Basically, I'm suffering from a super serious, severely severe sweet-tooth craving. You know the type? I'm tired, flued-up, still a tad hungry following a haphazard dinner... and my imagination is swinging gallantly between trashy pick and mix (think flying saucers *mmmmmmm*) and home-baked New York-style cheesecake with raspberry coulis. *gulps*. The thought's just too much. 

What did you say? You didn't know I had a penchant for desserts..? Well you must have missed this then. And this. Oh, and this. Recently homebound from Bicester, we took a Pizza Express pit stop and managed to get cheesecake to take away (for the first time, silly chocolate fudge cake had us waylaid all this time) - but even better... ohhh the memory is flashing before my eyes right now. God help me.

xxx

P.S. This was at the Marks & Spencer Restaurant. WELL up there on my list of memorable sweet treats. 

Sweet Treat Deceit

So you know that awkward moment when your mate comes to see you, rather inconspicuously packs you off to the kitchen with the bashful promise of instant brownies to satisfy the midnight munchies and you have no reason to think anything of it...? 

Only then he hijacks your FB, tweets on your behalf and moreover decides to introduce himself to your readership. Yerrrr, been there?! Oh, okay. Just me then...

All I'll say is thank God the brownies were a little bit of alright. Back tomorrow with a little more time and hopefully a little more to share.

:(

xxx

Man of the Hour

Hi everyone,

It’s Quiche with a Q. Sim’s been busy recently so I’ve been delegated responsibility to blog for the day which she doesn’t really know about (I delegated myself). I dunno what she usually talks about but Ima tell you about myself.

I’m the up and coming pharmacist you’ll be seeing on the front page of The Times for the cure of the common cold… but I’ll tell you a little secret now. *whispers* Just sleep a lot and bunk off work – you’ll be good in two days. But don’t tell anyone, coz this is gonna make me rich, like fortune 500 rich. **

But until my riches, I currently squat, hoping my rights will come in a few years time to be owner of this lovely flat of Sim’s (a.k.a. Miss Raj). For now, I’m stuck making Brownies.

You now know I’m a genius in pharmacy as well as squatter’s rights. Another hidden talent – telling the future. Some call it b*llshit (mind my language) - others call it magic. I call it my street act and I’m telling y’all now, day after tomorrow's gonna happen. I tell you, I see the future. And I do recommend watching the movie, I give it a ten out of ten.

‘Til next time Sim leaves her mac unattended (trust me, I know it’s gonna happen, I seen the future) I’m getting’ the f*ck outta here.

Quiche Man

a Week in Instagrams

I know I've been pants at posting and it's no excuse but I guess it's been a week of... adjustment, of sorts. You know, settling in, getting used to doing everything for myself. It's been enjoyable though - making the flat to feel homey, spending time with my flat mate and munching many-a-goat's-cheese salad with the boy. The best part? The covered bit of the balcony where I can stand and watch the rain. 
Though there does seem to be a black hole in my bedroom, it's eaten about four of my possessions already. :/ Once we've got the broadband up and running (one of the aforementioned 'eaten' possessions, the set-up CD) I promise I'll be back for better. 'Til then, have a great weekend.
xxx

On The Move

I'm finally on my way out (stop whinging Mama Bear, I'm not going to live on the moon) in a state of excitement that I can hardly digest. It's another fresh start for me - 2nd in line after the job. New beginnings are SO important, don't you think? 
It's going to be one busy weekend but we'll meet the other side for sure. HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE! 
xxx

Why Everyone Must Meet Barfi!

Barfi!, named thus because the main character is a deaf-mute charmer called Murphy (only when asked his name, he proceeds to respond in high-pitched excitement, "Barfi!) is possibly THE most heart warming film I've EVER seen. High praise, I hear you murmur, but really, this boy is my Bollywood Sweetheart. Set in Darjeeling in the 1970s (clean, serene and absolutely breathtaking), it unfolds as a touching love story, punctuated, alas by superb Charlie-Chaplin slap-stick style sequences. The icing on the cake - the girl on the right - a former Miss World (who'd have known) who plays the beautiful, innocent, autistic Jhilmil. 
And before you say you can't watch it because you don't understand Hindi, I'll remind you it's about a DEAF-MUTE Murphy. Excuse annulled. Besides, love knows no language... right?! :D
xxx