After-work drinks in Soho

As promised, I am going to let you guys in on the catch –up I had with my friend Chloe on the night of the Olympic opening ceremony.

Initially, I questioned my own sanity in deciding to meet up on a) a Friday night and b) during the Olympic opening ceremony in London, but it wasn’t as horrific as I imagined (honestly, I’ve been worried for weeks now, how I’ll get into work and how long it’ll take me to get back home). There was a buzz around Trafalgar and Leicester Squares but I think a lot of it was the typical Friday night, the-weekend’s-started buzz more than anything else. Anyway, we started off by having dinner at Bella Italia which really isn’t much of a find, considering it’s become a massive chain that exists not only all over London, but also all over the country (I don’t know about you guys, but I feel like everything has become a chain, making it harder and harder to find something cute and original). We found a really quiet restaurant on John Adam Street and whilst my pizza was very good, I think Chloe’s meal was rather disappointing. I tried a bit of her garlic pizza bread and wasn’t too impressed either since usually I quite like their food.

After the meal (which we stretched out for hours – as we have the habit of doing with our “chats”) we sought a few cocktails – I haven’t been having the best week at work so a few drinks with a friend sounded perfect! We decided on Balans in Soho. Now as promised, I am going to be completely honest with you guys: as much as I would love to take the credit for “discovering” the cafe and bar, the credit should be given to Chloe’s sister, Natalie who we called up (after a few failed attempts) and got the name and directions of the place. And it did not disappoint! I started off with a Pina Colada and Chloe had a strawberry Daiquiri and they were absolutely delicious. I forgot I was drinking alcohol and sipped it away like a milkshake. I switched to a Cosmo after that – can’t really forget you’re drinking alcohol with that.

They had a few TVs set up too, so everyone was watching the Olympic opening ceremony, with the girls (and guys) whistling away every time there was a camera shot of David Beckham. The place also serves food (which looked very yummy, indeed) which we skipped on (having had a very big Italian meal) but I most definitely intend on returning there for a few more cocktails and will test out their food too J

They were SO good!

Muah,

Roo xx

The 2012 London Olympics have begun...

In deciding to write a blog about London, I realised that I can’t really omit the London Olympics, and what better place to start than the opening ceremony.

I am going to be absolutely honest: my first impression of the ceremony was of slight disappointment. Me and my good friend Chloe headed to a bar (more on that in the next post) and only started watching it all mid-way through (from the little NHS dance) and I didn’t quite get it. Yes, it was very British but it didn’t feel like I was watching the Olympics at all. I mean, the Mr Bean thing was funny but I wasn’t sure how many people outside of Britain would truly appreciate the humour.

Having recorded the whole ceremony though, I was able to watch it all again the next morning from start to finish and my opinion changed quite a bit. Firstly, I LOVED the opening bit of London through history – the city’s history is one of my favourite things about London so to have that performed was pretty awesome! I still wasn’t 100% impressed with the NHS/Great Ormond Street Hospital – whilst it was nice to show our appreciation for them, throughout the whole thing, I did not once feel like I was watching the Olympic opening ceremony.

On a brighter note: my favourite bit of every Olympics opening ceremony is the coming in of the athletes! I love to see all the different players and all these amazing, proud nations (half of which I have never heard of) – and that definitely did not disappoint, especially when Chris Hoy was carrying the flag and got teary-eyed: that was very sweet (did anyone else feel like the Queen looked incredibly bored though?!)! It was at that point that I felt like I was watching the Olympic opening ceremony and from then on, it only got better. I thought the symbolism of the young athletes carrying the torches was absolutely lovely and the lighting of the cauldron was absolutely stunning! So all in all, an amazing finish – with some very good middle bits too! Let’s hope the rest of the Olympics don’t disappoint!

I would love to hear what everyone else thought of the opening ceremony (and the rest of the Olympics)!

Muah,

Roo xx

Hi there...

I’m known to many as Roo and this is my first ever blog. Argh! How very daunting! 

I am a (very) recent law graduate from Exeter University and am returning to London to start a brand new chapter of my life. I left London in the hope that on my return, I’ll appreciate and explore it more and I’m hoping that having this blog will encourage me to do just that! Although some of my close friends consider me to be a “city girl”, I’m not sure that born and bred city girls would agree with them. Instead, I am hoping to explore this gorgeous city – the typical tourist destinations, along with some atypical new-finds – and let you in on my reactions to it. I am not one to be impersonal, so along with my explorations, you can expect posts on my style, some recipes, my loves and hates too. 

I hope you enjoy reading this blog and as I am a virgin-blogger (I sincerely hope that doesn’t have an additional dodgy meaning), please let me know what you think and of ways I can improve on the posts :)

Muah,

Roo xx