There aren't enough hours in a weekend

My limited blogging will be blamed on a hectic weekend last week, followed by a week of me being shattered all week long, leading to me having embarrassingly early nights. This may not be the best excuse, but at the very least, it's true.

Friday didn't have the best of starts; I was feeling anything but healthy. I managed to survive the day, refusing to go home and by the end of the day felt a little more human and so kept my date with Jess who I haven't seen in months! The very last minute plan was to go to Dishoom for dinner and cocktails in Leicester Square was ruined by us refusing to wait for an hour and a half (that's right!) for a table. Instead, we decided to grab a couple of cocktails and some pizza at Fire & Stone in Covent Garden. Having been there before, it was a safe option for some lovely food and the wait for a table was a far more reasonable 15 mins which flew by as we spent it sipping cocktails at the bar. I ordered the Madrid pizza -this had chorizo, prawns, sweet roasted peppers and sour cream- which was absolutely incredible and pretty big too (a good thing too since the cocktails were quite strong!). I love the unique toppings that the place offers; the atmosphere was really nice and chilled and being too full to move, me and Jess stayed for a few more Friday cocktails.

Following an ever-so-slight lie in, I forced myself to go for a run which was probably the shortest and slowest run I've had in years but at least it got me to out of bed and into the fresh air. I later headed out to Hyde Park for a walk in the sun with F. It was the nicest day and a perfectly relaxed Saturday. We went to the Lido cafe for lunch. They had a menu with hot food but it being packed, I wasn't sure how long the wait would be so settled on a sandwich and latte (not the nicest sandwich ever, with a very limited selection). We ended up walking all the way up the Mall, down to Southbank and along the river, ending up by Tower Bridge. It was a lovely walk but I returned home shattered, with very weak legs! In the evening, I went out for a couple of drinks at the Old Frizzle in Wimbledon.

Luckily, I managed to have a pretty relaxed Sunday morning. In the afternoon, I had a visit from Edita and Donatas which was really lovely. I hadn't seen them for a while so it was great to have a chatter and get all the gossip on their wedding developments!

I genuinely had the nicest weekend; the only downside being that I started Monday even more shattered than I started the weekend. Thankfully, we're just a sleep away from yet another weekend - which also looks to be quite hectic! Maybe I should pencil in "sleep and relax" for the weekend after next?!

Good night lovies!

Muah,

Roo xx

Amsterdam weekend

I am alive and well after an amazing weekend trip to Amsterdam with some wonderful friends. I will let the pictures do the talking but to some up; the weekend consisted of a lot of birthday singing (and therefore me blushing uncontrollably), endless walking, some delicious pancakes, many friendly locals and huge amount of laughter and so proved to be a success!

I celebrated the day of my birth with my lovely mum who brought me breakfast, flowers and her famously amazing cake! Spending the day shopping, lunching and finishing the evening with some Prosecco at Notes equated to the perfect relaxing day after a fabulous and busy weekend! Let's just hope with another candle on the cake, I have gained some wisdom! 

Muah

Roo xx

Who needs sleep?

Following my busy start on Saturday, the weekend never really eased up. Although I ended my weekend more shattered than when I started it, it has been a very successful weekend indeed.

Having returned from Westfield’s on Saturday afternoon, I managed to sort my life a bit back at home and even managed to meet some of Natz’s friends over a couple of drinks. I’ve known Natz for almost a year now and it’s so strange to think that I haven’t met some of her closest friends yet; to be a busy Londoner; sigh…  After a couple of drinks, I headed up to Clapham Junction for dinner with F at Powder Keg Diplomacy. The restaurant had the nicest interior; the roof of which made it feel like a conservatory and the entire place had a generally colonial feel. I skipped on a starter and had lemon sole for a main and apple and rhubarb crumble for dessert, all of which was absolutely incredible! Also happened to learn a lesson; I should never order fish with bones; I simply can’t handle eating it like a normal functioning adult! After dinner, we stayed on for some amazing cocktails. I had a lovely evening and stayed at the place until we got thrown out!

On Sunday after not nearly enough sleep, a very short run around the park and breakfast in front of the telly, I headed out to Hyde Park for some lunch with Rosie. We went to the Serpentine and somehow managed to find a free table (no mean feat, at the Serpentine) and had some delicious pizza. After a lunch, we decided to walk some of it off with a mooch around the park but that was cut short with the icy cold wind. I later headed up to Regent Street for some window shopping and returned home absolutely shattered, spending the rest of the evening in front of the telly.

And now the week is over –mine has been incredibly busy and not particularly great- and I am all packed up, ready to fly out to Amsterdam (which will hopefully happen, in spite of this weather we’ve been experiencing).

Happy Friday!

Muah

Roo xx

Let’s try something new

Friday turned out to be more manic than I anticipated. Turns out, my trains function far better during industrial action. The morning started with signal failures, severe delays on my line and a very rushed and squashed me. Work turned out to be absolutely mental; I was rushing around and dealing with some very difficult people which made lunch at my desk not an option. I therefore decided to take a slow, rather relaxing walk to Leather Lane for some lunch.

I have never taken a trip up there, but being a bit sick of all the chains on Fleet Street decided to give the place a try. I didn’t tour too much of the market (it was far too cold) and settled on some quiche with a mountain of vegetables. Being too cold to eat outside, I went back to the office and enjoyed a very delicious lunch whilst catching up on some reading. Turns out the walk was exactly what I needed; I had a far better afternoon (albeit still a little stressed) and finished the day off with gym and sometime in the sauna; leaving me in a far better mood to start the weekend.

I had a very early start to my Saturday; making use of my first (early) birthday present – a driving lesson which Natz and Steph gifted me. I have never had any interest in driving; it’s not something that has ever been important to me and living in London (and planning to continue to do so) I don’t think there’s a point. So Natz decided to introduce me to driving. I had my first lesson this morning and am glad to say I didn’t crash the car or injure anyone. The lesson was interesting and I’m glad it’s something I’ve tried but not something that I want to pursue. I am happy to remain a public transport reliant Londoner. For now at least.

Yes, I looked this good at 7am

With my early start, after a quick shower, breakfast and coffee, I headed up to Westfield to sort out some bits and bops. I will be spending next weekend in Amsterdam and therefore like a true tourist, I needed a guide book which I managed to get. Getting to the shopping centre early meant I managed to avoid the endless crowds, had a fairly relaxing afternoon, a delicious free Latte (thanks o2) and am now home, relaxing in my room with yet more coffee. Bliss!

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Muah

Roo xx

Fresh start in February

As mentioned in my previous post, I had an awful week. I therefore decided that the only way to deal with the horridness was to have a brilliant weekend and start of February positively. I think I succeeded!

Following a much needed lie in on Saturday morning, I started off with a very productive morning with a leisurely breakfast, a trip to the doctor, a running of errands and a very healthy lunch in front of the telly (not to brag or anything, but I can make a delicious salad – yes, such things exist). Having lost complete track of the time, I ended up rushing out of the flat, into a train packed with Fulham football fans, to turn up late at Piccadilly for coffee at the Waterstones’ Costa. Now anyone who knows me, will know that the only coffee chain I go to is Starbucks but being late and all, I didn’t make too much of a fuss and ended up going for the you-can’t-go-wrong-it-latte. I had a lovely afternoon, meeting someone perfectly lovely and new in February. 

I came home to a completely empty flat, enjoying the peace and quiet for a couple of short hours before fixing myself up for a dinner date. I was very glad I did make a little effort since I ended up in a very lovely Italian restaurant in South Kensington, Rocca with F. Being a Saturday and all, the restaurant was full to the brim but didn’t feel chaotic or overcrowded (must be the South Ken crowd!). I had bruschetta for starters, followed by an amazing pizza! I was so full, I couldn’t even finish my main (this doesn’t happen very often) but was convinced (didn’t take much effort, of course) to have a lemon sorbet for dessert. The entire meal was absolutely delicious and it’s a place I would definitely like to go back to (maybe after a little while; we may have overstayed our welcome, a little). 

After dinner, me and F headed for some cocktails at the very well hidden Ognisko – a Polish restaurant and bar. Ognisko too was very impressive. The entire place is set in a house; the bar felt like a massive lounge and the what I could see of the restaurant, it looked like a huge dining room. The barmen were absolutely lovely and incredibly friendly – making an effort to remember everyone – and the cocktails were incredible! Now before you go on assuming that all cocktails were vodka based, I can say that that was not the case (there was however a variety of vodka shots which I did not try). Instead all the cocktails are classics with a twist. I had the Spiced Peach Mojito which was absolutely delicious; I generally couldn’t stop sipping it! I had the nicest evening and returned home absolutely shattered and with a belly filled with delicious food, half a bottle of red wine and peach mojito, I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Following my rather manic but brilliant Saturday, my Sunday was far more relaxed. After a short run, most of the day was spent, tidying, relaxing and reading. I took a trip into Wimbledon for some window shopping but returned home as soon as the temperature dropped. Returning home cold, I spent the evening on the sofa, catching up with the girls (we all seemed to have had very busy and exciting weekends) and finished the evening watching a couple of films with Natz. A perfect Sunday, if you ask me!

Thankfully, the new week proved to be much better than the last. I have been keeping busy at work, putting all my energy into avoiding the flu that I can feel the onset of, and even managed a trip to Southside for dinner at ChimiChanga (which was perfectly nice but nothing out of the ordinary) and a viewing of the Wolf of Wall Street. I heard great reviews from friends about the film and didn’t know too much about it and although very over-the-top and rather intense, the film was actually really good and very funny! And very long too. I didn’t get home till quite late and although I had a lovely evening, today, most of my day was spent stifling yawns. Luckily it’s tube strike-free-Friday tomorrow!

Have a lovely evening everyone!

Muah,

Roo xx 

So long January...

Once again, I must apologise for the inconsistent blogging. A combination of a mental (but great) weekend and the most atrocious week has left little time for blogging and I have never been so happy to say: so long the horrid month of January!

Last Friday was a little hectic with a trip to the gym, a very rushed journey home and a quick trip to Leicester Square which included coffee and drinks (this may have been a second date). Coffee was had at a little Italian cafe right in the square (the name of which I cannot remember but shall find out because it is so cute!) and then we took a trip to Yates for a couple of drinks which had a lovely atmosphere for a Friday. To cut a very long story short: I had a fairly lovely evening with a pleasant guy but didn't think there was a spark between us and so didn't agree to a third date and the guy, who shall be named D didn't take it too well. For most of the week, I was receiving angry, ranting texts from the guy; so much for my theory that after two dates, there is absolutely no pressure or expectation to like a person!

On Saturday, I took the long trip to my parents to celebrate my little brother's 15th birthday which took place earlier that week. I had a lovely time, catching up with the family, having some delicious food, some of my mum's famously amazing cake and generally having a lovely afternoon. I returned home with Chloe, later to be joined by Rosie, spending the evening at home over drinks, endless amounts of chatter and some cheesy dancing in Wimbledon.

Somewhat surprisingly, on Sunday I was feeling pretty good (and not hungover!) and spent the day catching up with Chloe. Eventually she had to head out into the city, whilst I had a visit from Richard. We headed out to Fulham for some Bailey's fish and chips - supposedly the third best fish and chips place in London! - which did not disappoint. I had some lemon sole goujons with chips which was absolutely delicious! The place was teeny tiny and if it wasn't raining outside, I would have happily found a place outside to eat but with the miserable weather, we managed to find a seat inside (just about). I had a lovely day, having a much needed catch up with Richard but he had to head back to Brighton, right about the time that Chloe came back to stay over till Monday morning. As per usual, we spent the evening chattering away, equating to a lovely, relaxing evening.

On top of the angry texts from D, the week has had plenty of disappointments, annoyances and everything in between. The only saviour was after work drinks with Rosie at the Covent Garden Cocktail club mid week. On Friday, I spent the evening at home, chattering away with Steph over a bottle of wine.

The weekend has already been more successful than the week itself, when the lovely Steph bought me some cheering up flowers. I will stop on this positive note and fill in on the rest of the weekend some time soon...

Happy Saturday everyone!

Muah

Roo xx