Birthday Brunching

A few weeks ago, my sister and I wanted to take our mum out for her birthday. A natural choice was brunch- the best meal of the day, the time when anything goes and true meal freedom comes to play.

Amelia (said sister) booked us a table at Christopher's, a rather fancy brunch spot just off Covent Garden. We coupled the brunch with a day of shopping and tea and cake, which of course suited me just fine.

Christopher's is probably the grandest place I could envisage for somewhere to have brunch. It is not your typical cosy café with cushions and teapots galore- instead, the interior is something you would see Blair Waldorf elegantly gliding through in a ball gown. Spiralling staircases, marbled floors, and a cocktail bar aimed at the creme de la creme of cocktail consumers. 

We sat down to brunch and I of course opted for my favourite- Eggs Benedict. This version was ramped up slightly by being made with Parma ham, which I did not object to. 

You can see in the photos below how frothy and light the hollandaise sauce is, something I wouldn't usually expect from it. 

See that froth? See it?

The eggs were cooked perfectly as the yolk oozed out- something I didn't manage to capture on film. I was just too hungry.

Mum went for the same as me, whilst Amelia chose the healthier alternative of an egg-white, tomato and avocado omelette from the 'super-food' menu. 

A photo of me, sipping water and completely unaware of any photo being taken. 

THIS was one of the coolest things about Christopher's, and something that I very very nearly was persuaded to go for instead of the Eggs Benedict- build your own pancakes. In case you were wondering, I definitely would have gone for the buttermilk pancakes with Nutella and salted caramel ice cream. 

Aaaand the exterior, complete with columns and ornate archway. 

Christopher's really is a brunch-lover's paradise. A little on the pricey side in my opinion, so an option for a special occasion or a one-off treat, but the food really was delicious. The selection of menus meant there was something for everyone, even the super-health conscious, and the waiting staff were so eager to please. Next time, I think I'll be seated at the bar ordering from their martini menu whilst sampling each option on the pancake builder.

http://www.christophersgrill.com/

Pastels in Spring? Groundbreaking.

I took advantage of a rare glimpse of the English sunlight and broke out my new Waven jeans for the seeming arrival of spring. 

These pastel mom jeans are something I've had my eye on for ages, but being on a student budget meant that spending that £52 was not something I wanted to do.

Their baggy, cropped fit is perfect for this time of year, where no outfit seems to be appropriate for the indecisive weather that April brings.

I paired mine with a Brandy Melville t-shirt which is so sheer it needed a sporty crop-top underneath to maintain my modesty.

 Another pastel hue is added with these blue Supergas- super comfy and wearable, if very easily dirtied. 

April showers mean that no one is safe outdoors, so I also went with this ASOS raincoat with the polka dot interior. It's nice to know that a four year old could also wear this outfit and it would probably be more appropriate for them. 

Aand here are the jeans again. I really like them, in case you couldn't tell. I'm currently doing the thing where you wear them for 4 days straight but because you are seeing different people each of the days, it doesn't matter. Right?

Antwerp, City of Diamonds.

I gave tickets to Antwerp to my boyfriend for his 21st birthday. Naturally, I included myself in this present and went along too- the best kind of present is one that is also to yourself, right?

The city of Antwerp is one that has held interest for us for quite some time, despite me initially thinking it was a service station in the Midlands. It holds the glittering name of 'The City of Diamonds', something which we didn't care too much for considering our student budgets. 

I decided to book it for mid December, as the lead up to Christmas in a city that does amazing chocolate, beer and seafood seemed like a great place to be. We went for 4 days and 3 nights in total, a perfect long weekend, traveling on the Eurostar early on the Friday morning.

Day 1:

We got the train as early as possible to maximise our stay there, and arrived in Antwerp at around midday, after a change in Brussels. This was the day for pottering around we decided, and looked around the Covent Garden-esque streets. We found a little cafe, where Barney had the first of many Belgian beers, whilst I opted for a coffee to keep me awake after our early start.

Hat: Daisy Boutique

Top: Topshop

Skirt: Zara

The dinner we opted for was out of the Anterp Wallpaper guide, as most of the places we visited were, called 'Fiskebar'. Although this place was more expensive than we had anticipated, the squid was honestly one of the nicest pieces of food I have ever tasted. Well worth the price tag.

We went for both before and after dinner drinks- before, to a bar also from the guide, for aperitifs and nibbles, and afterwards to one of the famous Belgian beer houses, where the beer was delicious.

Day 2:

On the Saturday we visited one of the museums available- a huge glass structure by the port, with panoramic views on the roof and different themes exhibitions on each floor. Some of them had quirky novelty activities, such as placing a message in a glass bottle which you could put into the sand, or hanging a wish in front of a fan to float away. As museums go, this was a fun one.

Coat: Jack Wills

Jumper: Topshop

Skort: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Zara

The Saturday evening was our 'special' evening- the one we set aside for a more expensive dinner and drinks. The bill didn't end up being that far off the other nights, but the food was amazing. Above is Barney's steak tartare- something I was too scared to order, but it was so delicious I ended up getting it on the Sunday night instead. I had a ravioli dish, which didn't look as pretty as the steak, but still tasted pretty good.

Again, we went for beer afterwards, which we did every night. The honey beer was by far a favourite of mine, and I decided to bring back a bottle as a souvenir for my dad.

Day 3:

The Sunday contained a visit to a modern art gallery and a wander round a different area of the city, which was supposed to showcase some amazing architecture. We didn't quite manage to find the designs that the guide spoke of, but managed to sneak in an afternoon sitting in cafes instead.

Jumper: American Apparel 

In the evening, we went to yet another lovely restaurant, with this one being sponsored (ever so subtly) by Veuve Clicquot. We sat in the bar beforehand and I ordered this amazing rose-flavoured cocktail, complete with floating dried petals. 

Monday consisted of buying presents for the family and sipping on hot chocolate, before we made our way back to London just in time for rush hour.

As winter city breaks go, Antwerp was a great choice for us. It was the perfect amount of Christmassy wandering, coupled with a bit of culture and a lot of drinking. To be honest, I'd go back there just for that delicious squid. And maybe a cocktail or two. 

Hungary for Budapest

Before we get started, apologies for the pun in the title. I wanted to get it printed on t-shirts, I wasn't allowed, so it's ended up on here.

After university exams were over, my friends and I took a trip to Budapest, to rid ourselves of the recurring nightmares of failed exams and disappointed tutors. A group of 10 of us toddled off to Ryanair and filled the bunks of a cheap apartment, to see what Hungary's capital had to offer.

We wanted to get a mix of everything whilst we were there- we juxtaposed a trip to the ballet with a cycle on a beer bike, followed by a trendy bar and then off to the club. There was something for everyone on the trip, which was exactly what we were aiming for. 

The ceiling of the bar we went to almost as soon as we had arrived. Included the strongest and cheapest cocktails I have ever tasted, and was also almost completely empty.

I'm wearing:

Top- vintage

Skirt- Topshop

Bumbag- MiPac (seen in every single photo, I apologise.) 

This was taken on a break from the gruelling schedule the beer bike had provided us with. I know the bike sounds awful and touristy (which it 100% was), but it was also one of the funnest experiences of the trip. 

I'm wearing:

Top- Topshop

Skirt- As above

Shoes- Office (men's hehe)

Various suave poses from me throughout the holiday. On the left, we had just visited Parliament. I was feeling important. On the right, we were visiting Instant (the best, and only, club that we went to on the trip).

I'm wearing:

(Left)

Dungarees- Urban Outfitters

Top- Brandy Melville

Sunglasses- ASOS

(Right)

Dress- Missguided. It broke from my vigorous dancing.

A visit to Buda and a day of intense sightseeing. I remained true to my tourist roots and did not remove my bumbag. Not once.

I'm wearing:

Dress- H&M

Sunglasses- ASOS

Shoes- Office

The first night, after a day of travelling and on about 4 hours sleep. Despite our tiredness, it was one of the best nights out I've had.

I'm wearing:

Co-ord set- ASOS

One of the many games of the holiday included the imaginatively titled 'Baggo', which simply involved throwing a bag of wine (removed from a box of wine) and throwing it at people. I didn't really enjoy that game, as you can see.

Most club pictures include a soft glow of sweat upon my brow, and this is no exception. The only remedy for exuberant dancing and a humid, crowded club? Ice-cold cocktails please.

Budapest was brilliant. I'd highly recommend to anyone fancying a short break in Europe, that won't break the bank- everything there was amazingly cheap.

Budapest? More like BudaBEST! Sorry. I'll let myself out.

Where Have I Been?

It's been 7 hours and 15 days.

Well actually,  it's almost been a whole year since my last post on here. Oops. 

I'm sorry, I really am. Since I last posted, I actually started a whole new chapter of my life which was... moving to university. I've pretty much been caught in a whirlwind of clubbing, reading and revising ever since (with the occasional nap thrown in), and posting on the blog hasn't even crossed my mind.

I apologise, I really do.

However! I am back, and this time I am back properly. I vow to post here regularly, giving snippets of my life- the clothes I am wearing, the food I am eating, the places I am visiting. All of that is to come, my dear friends.

I'll give you a quick update of my year, shall I? In bullet point format, every student's favourite way of communicating.

• I am studying English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford. Eep.
• I have discovered the power of a good pair of trousers, and am never looking back.
• I ignored every tutor's sneer and continued my love for DH Lawrence. I'm with you all the way David, don't you worry.
• I realised I'm not quite a functioning adult yet, in that I will never iron my own clothes if I have a choice.
• My spots have nearly gone away, and in their place I have a few fading scars to remind me of my pimple filled days.

And I think that's my year. Here is a photo of me, in case you forgot my face:

Return to Reading

I did mention before that I was planning on returning to Reading Festival. After a disaster experience in 2012, I decided I was finally ready to try out the whole 'festival thing' properly. And that is what I did. I bought a weekend ticket only 4 days before it started, which made the whole affair so much more of an exciting whirlwind for me.

This year, I decided to do it properly. I bought my own two-man tent, a little camp bed so I could have just a sliver of luxury whilst out in the fields, and I packed everything I could think of that would make me just a little more comfortable.

So off I set, weighed down with hiking rucksack, chair, tent, sleeping bag and camp bed. I honestly have never been more exhausted from carrying something. I remember arriving in camp, unleashing the pop up tent and promptly lying in it, downing a vodka and lemonade. That may sound alcoholic, but it's a festival and I was tired and thirsty, ok?

I had a bloody brilliant time. The ONLY downtime was the saturday night, when Ella and I were 90% certain we were going to die of the cold. We huddled together in my tent, as we knew sleeping alone was not an option, and then hyperventilated for about 6 hours over the night. I have never been so cold.

Day one in camp. 

I wore:

Urban Outfitters dungarees (AGAIN)

Joules coat

H&M socks

Sainsbury's wellies

Camp! This was right before we parted ways. A sad moment for all.

I wore: 

Accessorize flowers

Topshop 'Straight Ace' lipstick

Topshop top

Joules coat

Zara leggings

Lovely Harriet and I getting the drinking started. 

Camp looking lovely and clean, as always.

Reading 2014 was a blast. I never had myself pegged as a festival girl, but I truly had a great time. I can't wait to try out others- that is if I can afford it next year with my pitiful student lifestyle. For now, I can just be proud that I made it through a festival- and had a whale of a time.

A Croatian Adventure

Who doesn't love a good family holiday? It's a fortnight of the year when you have the family's unbroken company, which is simultaneously unbearable and totally needed. It leaves you feeling both relaxed and utterly frustrated. Which is exactly why I revel in the annual family holiday.

This year, we tootled off to Croatia. Porec, Croatia more specifically. It's a small town about a three hour boat journey to Venice, and about an hour from Pula airport. No, I'd never heard of Porec either.

The town was just lovely. The architecture reminded me of Italy so much, and the atmosphere was great. Chilled in the day, and at night Millie and I managed to seek out some of the nightlife which turned out to be unexpectedly fun. 

Food-wise, OH MY GOD. It was just brilliant. I love Italian cuisine, and really was not expecting to find it here in Porec. However, it was filled to the brim with lovely Italian dishes, with pizza and pasta cooked to perfection, and ridiculously cheap too.

We stayed in a tiny island just off the mainland, which you caught a five minute ferry to and fro. The island as called St. Nikola, and the hotel we stayed at was the Hotel Island Fortuna. Great hotel, good food, lovely service and amazing location.

The view of the mainland from our little island. There aren't any beaches so we stayed by the pool, but that is a seawater stretch, and I did manage to get in some snorkelling time. 

  

The main town square. Nearby was my favourite restaurant, Artha's. They did amazing vegan and vegetarian food, and I begged my family to go almost every day. I nearly got my way.

You can see our hotel in this picture- looks pretty cool! 

I'm wearing:

 Urban Outfitters dungarees

 New Look bandeau top

Topshop sliders

ASOS sunglasses

How gorgeous are the evening views? 

I'm wearing:

H&M dress

Accessorize sandals

I'm pretty sure I consumed more cocktails over this holiday than I ever have in my life. Mine was the Pina Colada. They also made a mean Sex on the Beach!

We took a boat trip to Rovinj one day, after which the boat stopped in a tiny cove and myself and Millie jumped off and swam. Lovely end to a lovely day.

This was our penultimate day in Croatia. Looking pretty bronzed by this point! 

I'm wearing:

Topshop top

H&M shorts

ASOS sunglasses

Accessorize sandals

Lewis having a ball with me. 

I'm wearing a dress from Topshop.

Here come the disposables! See the tiny cobbled streets? This photo is going up on my university wall to remind me of sunshine, tans and my big sister.

Making new friends whilst in one of the only 'clubs' which was actually very nice. We met a lovely girl out there from the UK- Roberta. The boys were from Austria... not so sure about them

I'm wearing a dress from Missguided.

Let's just appreciate this photo of Lewis and his ice cream. Look at it. Just look. 

Croatia, I miss you. I miss your sunny days, your amazing food, your cool markets and hippy shops and even your distinct lack of sand. I hope one day to return to you, but until then, I dedicate this blog post to you. 

Many thanks to Croatia.