tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13033816240211450342024-02-07T05:52:16.098+00:00To ELLE and Back... | NYC & LDN LifeStyle BlogTo ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-76579830055064277872014-07-15T13:53:00.003+01:002014-07-15T13:54:40.045+01:00USA: PLATE | Stowe, VT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi0lDZ4alErgP0e7INgxVxnm1Dikh_NSBCdFv6hhStx_N_ZriiBNNTDXtuN3mwlqq-dY8mtEJhJ_5fNYDAPysVFezPaG8DMQ8gYu8w2sElPbz4d1Hj3Ewkaxr7C093deQ7vkHN0lmgB4/s1600/plate_booth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi0lDZ4alErgP0e7INgxVxnm1Dikh_NSBCdFv6hhStx_N_ZriiBNNTDXtuN3mwlqq-dY8mtEJhJ_5fNYDAPysVFezPaG8DMQ8gYu8w2sElPbz4d1Hj3Ewkaxr7C093deQ7vkHN0lmgB4/s1600/plate_booth.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.platestowe.com/" target="_blank">PLATE</a>, a china dish that frequents your kitchen cupboard and dining room table, or, Jamie's latest offering in <a href="http://www.gostowe.com/" target="_blank">Stowe, VT</a>, a restaurant marrying the flavours of local Vermont with her healthy Californian heritage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For those of you that have known Stowe for some time you'll be familiar with the evolution of Thompsons to Jamie's on Main to, eventually, Cafe on Main. Whilst Jamie moved on from running one of our favourite lunch time haunts, March 2014 saw her back on Main with a slightly different offering in her new venture PLATE, with throwbacks to her roots in more ways than one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGS5CgHbuodb2SWonGy9KrTivL3L_myz8OUdSef52I-zI5A5ZjN8InYsFxSPi1b9cMf02Pv1eUlkthO9hQpB5-JUcTm_KxF2XHXhoNqiN3MOnVfhwraA4JZ9a48CKcE30JG3sEgS462s/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGS5CgHbuodb2SWonGy9KrTivL3L_myz8OUdSef52I-zI5A5ZjN8InYsFxSPi1b9cMf02Pv1eUlkthO9hQpB5-JUcTm_KxF2XHXhoNqiN3MOnVfhwraA4JZ9a48CKcE30JG3sEgS462s/s1600/photo.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember these mugs?! And don't get me started on the elephant jugs, I was so enamoured with them I purchased some mice and cheese salt and pepper pots in support!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite the fact that PLATE launched on the night of the worst snowstorm I have ever seen in Stowe, especially when edging into Spring, Vulcan didn't manage to deter too many a friendly face and PLATE was brimming with locals excited to celebrate the return of one of Stowe's most recognised foodie's, an accolade in itself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Upon arrival at the restaurant, even with the silent snowy streets surrounding, you could be mistaken for being sat amongst the warm hubbub of the West Village, New York. This on-trend eatery exudes edgy NYC personality without being pretentious in it's humble company.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I ordered the clams on toast with aioli (no longer on the <a href="http://www.platestowe.com/dinner" target="_blank">menu</a>) to start, which was yummy, interesting and completely different from your typical Vermont fare and chased it up with 'The Plate' veggie burger which was packed with flavour despite the healthy repercussions. They scored major brownie points with me too for the marmalade onions that accompanied the burger as I'm a massive advocate for a sweet and savoury partnership. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I teamed the above with a whiskey sour which was unfortunately reminiscent of a glass of very tort lemon juice but I forgave and forgot because it was Jamie, it was opening night and none of them probably realised what a connoisseur they had on their hands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All in all PLATE is a refreshing slant on New England tastes and a welcome reprieve from all the heavily delicious restaurants in the surrounding Stowe area.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>*Main image taken from platestowe.com</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-48419497633558143852014-07-09T20:14:00.001+01:002014-07-09T20:14:28.502+01:00Thinking about lately | Fear<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWLuwFcYOG8XP2ATauRtMINUeTZD82B5CyvlT0ASJ-5GAZCOpVp066dM9OT0Bg1jDXOvezrWi3Lqf9oFlFwZBnfEOC1xEEMPxNFuC0Fxnno5gql1LJmutCGrI_FTtT12wORPJ2I7vKzE/s640/blogger-image-2085771358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWLuwFcYOG8XP2ATauRtMINUeTZD82B5CyvlT0ASJ-5GAZCOpVp066dM9OT0Bg1jDXOvezrWi3Lqf9oFlFwZBnfEOC1xEEMPxNFuC0Fxnno5gql1LJmutCGrI_FTtT12wORPJ2I7vKzE/s640/blogger-image-2085771358.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Some of the most exciting and life altering adventures I have experienced are those I have been most afraid of but continued on anyway. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Perhaps then it should be fear itself that we should be most fearful of. For fear restricts us, controls us and limits us in the guise of keeping us safe. </span></div>To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-22772611225309245242014-01-01T22:28:00.000+00:002014-01-01T22:33:40.910+00:002013. Life was but a dream.<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1892">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimr67GTSCNEAKiBYpvrTy89vxKGIa7nr9MnSI09CdjasGRcWQy2-yuZdSkZjsOF4Mw0I0BVGVJBxYOJR5cnNCSr-kBGgGoIdW0J5_OZpfSWO9ws9-kYONYDlE3nEP0pSBo_MR7WitxI_8/s1600/2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimr67GTSCNEAKiBYpvrTy89vxKGIa7nr9MnSI09CdjasGRcWQy2-yuZdSkZjsOF4Mw0I0BVGVJBxYOJR5cnNCSr-kBGgGoIdW0J5_OZpfSWO9ws9-kYONYDlE3nEP0pSBo_MR7WitxI_8/s1600/2014.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">13, such an unlucky number and yet 2013 delivered me one of the best years I have ever had. Quite a statement from somebody that had to leave NYC to come back to England, face unemployment until I found a new role and deal with a less than 24 hours lifestyle after a year of no sleep and lots and lots of crazy times. I’ll be sorry to see the back of 2013 but alas I must say goodbye.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1891">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1680">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2013, for me, was the product of my life in 2012 and what a fabulous end-result that was. The year prior, despite an unbelievable opportunity that should have left me reeling that 2012 was the best year of my life, was tumultuous to say the least. It was a year of the unknown, the unexpected, the unusual, the unsavoury, the unmissable, the unlucky, the unhappy and the unforgettable. It was a rollercoaster of situations and emotions that left me both euphoric and devastated, whilst painfully lonely. I reference one early start at my desk. I was in so early that the PATH train still stopped at Hoboken before heading to midtown. Sending frantic texts to my parents for them to call me. It was 6am and I was sobbing down the phone to them, making outlandish statements like <em>‘This isn’t for me…I think I need to come home…It’s not what I thought it would be…I feel so alone…I have no friends…I don’t trust anyone…I’m not being me…’ </em>The last statement was true. I wasn’t being me, this wasn’t me. But I couldn’t tell you where I’d gone either. I couldn’t find her. Where was she?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1890">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1685">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Truth was, I still don’t know what the deal was. Maybe it was the speedy move to NYC, I did so in 10 days from being placed in my job and getting my visa. Perhaps I hadn’t mentally prepared myself? Perhaps it was the lack of sleep because of the demands from my job that no one else on my program seemed to have? Perhaps it was the quick recession into what felt like a return to University? Great at 19…not so cool at 27. Perhaps it was the shady behaviour of certain characters I met along the way? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are many lines of thought that fall hand in hand with my bizarre behaviour that have been considered, debated and defined but quite frankly I’ll probably never really know. And then six months in to my year in New York, and eight months in to 2012, as if it were the climax of all my troubles, my nan passed away and I hit breaking point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1898">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1899">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Time spent back in the UK, for the funeral, with friends that had known me for years and close family meant that upon my return to NY I felt refreshed. Was I still upset? Yes. Did I still face numerous shortcomings? Yes. But somehow I was better equipped to deal with all of them. I tried the whole <em>‘fake it until you make it routine.’</em> NY friends said I seemed different, I was happier, more excited, less stressed. I know that I wasn’t really any of those things. I still went through periods of deep loneliness, uncertainty and fear but I carried on bouncing and exclaiming terms like <em>‘boom’</em> and <em>‘yolo’</em> and <em>‘whatevs’</em> to disguise them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_3459">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1900">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As I bounded into 2013, I prepped myself to start living my life to the maximum in the first three months of the year, and my last three in NYC. Molo and I convened over cocktails at <a href="http://toelleandback.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/The-Wayland-NYC-Indian-Summer.html" target="_blank">The Wayland</a> in alphabet city that first Friday of January 2013 and declared that we were strong, powerful and motivated to be ourselves, do our own thing and ensure that every moment was filled with all the eccentric personality that NYC had to offer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1901">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1903">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was standing up for myself in a way I’d never done before. I wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything. I pushed my way into situations I wanted to be a part of simply because I wanted to be a part of them. I was ballsy (a statement I throw around a lot and is ridiculed by family often). I didn’t do anything I didn’t want to do. I was selfish. I was honest. I was present.</span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1902">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1906">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But come end of March this feisty version of myself didn’t depart as I did NYC. Perhaps my change of attitude had forced the breakage of a bad habit? Perhaps I’d learnt the meaning of life (although I couldn’t tell you what it was)?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1905">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1904">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Whatever the reason, I came to learn very quickly that I wasn’t the same person I was prior to New York and I definitely wasn’t the same person I was in 2012. Friends noticed too which was the best compliment I could ever receive from anybody this year. Not because they were unhappy with the person I was before, she is of course still there in lots of shades of my personality, but because she is simply happy all of the time and if she isn’t then she’ll sure as hell not stay that way for very long.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1907">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1909">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>So why has 2013 been so epically fantastic?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Because subconsciously I carried all the lessons I didn’t realise I was learning in 2012, into 2013, and made my life better than I could have ever imagined, especially post-NYC.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1915">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4705892497MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1388497758233_1908">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I’ve learnt to trust my ambitions and instincts beyond those that influence my life.</strong> Sometimes the people you love and look up to are not always right, sometimes only you know what is right for you and who you are right now. From learning to say no, I’ve landed the perfect job for my aspirations and for everything I learnt in my role in NYC. For once I stuck to my guns and thank god I did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I’ve made new friends</strong>, re-connected with old and developed my NY friendships. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I’ve taken that hunger for new and interesting things to do in New York, back with me to London.</strong> Now my weekends are never dull and I could never be accused of being stuck in a rut. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I’m my own person in every sense of the phrase</strong> and although I might not dress exactly how I used to (yes mum I know you hate that army shirt), I’m going to do it anyway because this is <strong>who I am right now</strong> and I’m going to embrace that because I’m young, so young, and I shouldn’t ever forget that no matter how many of my friends now have families. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On that note<strong> I’ve learnt to appreciate my path</strong>. I’m not on the same journey as you. Constant engagement and pregnancy announcements on my newsfeed don’t fill me with envy and sadness as they did pre-2013. It’s exciting for you and I hope someday for me too. But right now I am enjoying never-ending cocktail sessions, speakeasies, dinners, independence, partying, money and all the lack of responsibility that comes with being just me. One day, again I hope, it won’t be just me and I won’t be as free as I am right now and I never want to look back and think of all the times I could have been leading this crazy, interesting life, but instead I was dwelling over co-dependency and pro-creating. If I had got all of those things when my friends did<strong> I would never have gone to New York</strong> and that, quite frankly, is one<strong> scary concept</strong>.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I am moving outside of my comfort zones more so than I ever
have.</strong> This year I signed up to my first marathon, taking place in 2014, which
if you know me is laughable in itself. I hate exercise, I hate the gym and I am
a terrible runner. But I’m doing it, abroad, on my own and whilst
attempting to achieve a 3hr 35min running time so that I can qualify for the
Boston marathon the following year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And to top 2013 off <strong>I am committing to something</strong>, which I
only recently discovered I have struggled to do these past few years. I am currently in the most hellish house
buying experience and it couldn’t be more exhilarating. If it doesn’t work out
in 2014 then what an amazing learning curve and <strong>that’s the only attitude I can take</strong>
with this absolute nightmare of surveyors, solicitors, estate agents and
vendors.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because that’s what this whole year has been about,
<strong>attitude</strong>. Have it, change it, force it, whatever it takes. <strong>It’s you that has
the power</strong>, I just had to realise that first.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So whilst there were moments of 2012 I despised and
disappointment that I couldn’t have been more carefree in my year in NYC, I
have to thank it and appreciate it with all my heart. <strong>Because 2013 wouldn’t
have been anything without 2012</strong>. They came as a package and whilst it
would be nice to not have a 2012 rear it’s ugly head in future I couldn’t stay
mad at it for long because I’ll always know that a 2013 will be right around
the corner.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I don’t believe in resolutions but I do believe in a
statement that you want to carry forward into the new year. An affirmation, a
motto, <strong>a self-fulfilling prophecy</strong>. In 2012 it was <em>‘Work hard. Play hard. Love
hard.’</em> In 2013 it was <em>‘In pursuit of magic. And more sleep’</em> and so after
careful consideration I bring you my future…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">2014. Focused. Fearless. Fortunate.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rLLzkLO8Sh4" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
</div>
To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-30601643007879834672013-11-17T22:47:00.000+00:002013-11-17T22:57:34.832+00:00NYC: Speakeasy | Shhh! Please Don't Tell!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKN3oKMhQcwZZ2D-fS0-Axd3vhi9XfmlYFACAdUS3bvtqfDHPbrALZIdxZravhlLYExLACddj8n80Yw5itkz-AAXn7Wp5XHVkIOxv_OUlioI7_nh1yG-NaCXuKGreH2eiAk4R6ib8Vic/s1600/SSL24977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKN3oKMhQcwZZ2D-fS0-Axd3vhi9XfmlYFACAdUS3bvtqfDHPbrALZIdxZravhlLYExLACddj8n80Yw5itkz-AAXn7Wp5XHVkIOxv_OUlioI7_nh1yG-NaCXuKGreH2eiAk4R6ib8Vic/s640/SSL24977.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shark and the Mezcal Mule at PDT, NYC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://pdtnyc.com/" target="_blank">Please Don't Tell</a>, or PDT to those in the 'know' is one of New York City's most infamous speakeasies. So infamous that reservations are practically non-existent. In fact my roommate tried relentlessly for months, to no avail. I somehow miraculously managed to bag myself a table for two on my first try and so here's an account as to how you can succeed too, why you should succeed and just what you should drink during your success. #Winning.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Speakeasies are very much 'the thing' right now in US cities and especially in NYC. For those unfamiliar with the term, here's a history lesson folks!<br />
<br />
During the prohibition era, selling, making and distributing alcohol was illegal in the US, I couldn't even bear to imagine that being the case these days, and so secret bars would crop up, serving locals the forbidden fruit, with the hope that they would never be caught.<br />
<br />
Fast-forward 80 years after the prohibition era and no self-respecting individual would be caught in a bar if it weren't a speakeasy. They are so hip, happening and legal now that you have to hustle your way in (another speakeasy jaunt required a code word...but that stories for another day kids.)<br />
<br />
You can only make a reservation at PDT on the day of your proposed visit, so forward-planning is not advised. The booking line opens at 3pm and I encourage you wholeheartedly to be finger, thumb and cell ready as soon as the little hand reaches the 3 and the big hand the 12. If you want to spend months trying to get in to this hot spot then please do as my aforementioned roommate did, leave it a few minutes between calls in hope that it won't be engaged, finish your spreadsheet, make yourself a coffee, attend that meeting. I'm sure August 2014 would be a lovely time to visit PDT. If you want to get in today then follow my lead.<br />
<br />
<i>1. Hit call as soon as it hits 3pm.</i><br />
<i>2. As soon as you hear the busy tone, and you will hear the busy tone, hit the cancel call and repeat call immediately.</i><br />
<i>3. DO NOT TAKE THE PHONE AWAY FROM YOUR HEAD WHILST DOING SO.</i><br />
<i>4. Repeat every time you hear the busy tone.</i><br />
<i>5. Tell your manager you are on an important conference call.</i><br />
<i>6. Make sure you are like a well oiled machine and that your speed of the above action plan improves on each call.</i><br />
<i>7. Die of caffeine dehydration at your desk. Your reservation legacy will live on amongst your friends.</i><br />
<i>8. Do not get distracted with work. This is New York City, you'll be chained to your desk until 10pm anyway, taking 5 now ain't gonna hurt!</i><br />
<br />
If you execute the above strategy accurately you should get through within the first 7 minutes of the reservation line opening and essentially have your pick of times. If you do not get through within those 7 minutes, well there's always tomorrow and practice does make perfect.<br />
<br />
Now let's not get this twisted, I had a great time at PDT but the kudos of me actually managing to get in, teamed with the initial entry of the venue are the two most exciting things about visiting this establishment. It's all about the hype people. I bought into the hype, I was hyped but after the initial hype I think I should warn you that you are eventually just in a bar with a great drink. That's not to say I don't think this is worth the effort and here's why...<br />
<br />
You've jumped out of the 9th street PATH station and hopped into a cab. You ask your cabby to drop you at St Mark's Place between 1st Ave and Avenue A. You amble out and you're faced with an unassuming hot dog shop, <a href="http://www.crifdogs.com/" target="_blank">Crif's</a> to be precise. You meander in and if you're as cool as the badass individual that managed to snag this reservation in the first place you'll know that you're to enter the random phone booth to the left. Please note, only one of you can fit inside this phone booth, again meaning the excitement is already dwindled for the rest of the party. If you're a full-fledged New Yorker then you'll be super-selfish and will make sure it's you that gets to go in. <b><i>Check!</i></b> If you made the reservation, I personally also think it's only fair and if anyone has anything to say about that direct them to this blog, show them what you went through and let them know that you were fired and escorted out of your building post-reservation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYPr3an64zFFnBCGFhGOxEZIGcqmsoLRvq8BTUQUQiRycl3BhdJ6KsyE9AYUbSowa-VlzVXtsWdi2koPhcEZgVYffH_l-CinxcwJXqvihfVezUcVI2ylCCydTo6GWaq8srgP-1xUyfVs/s1600/SSL24979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYPr3an64zFFnBCGFhGOxEZIGcqmsoLRvq8BTUQUQiRycl3BhdJ6KsyE9AYUbSowa-VlzVXtsWdi2koPhcEZgVYffH_l-CinxcwJXqvihfVezUcVI2ylCCydTo6GWaq8srgP-1xUyfVs/s640/SSL24979.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
You'll see a special note asking you to dial 1. The other end of the line will eventually pick up and check that you indeed have a reservation. If you don't have a reservation. <b><i>Pa!</i></b><br />
<br />
Suddenly the wall to the left of you will move and miraculously open, as if a door, and all of a sudden you and your party are in. You'll gaggle and giggle and be generally massively impressed for approximately 7 minutes (the time it should have taken you to get the reservation). And then you're done.<br />
<br />
With a small, intimate and cosy atmosphere it's perfect for this time of year and subsequently impressive date material fella's. My sister and I dined on the Shark and the Mezcal Mule. The Shark, a sea of creamy green goodness that had just the right mix of sweet and sour, whilst the juicy Mezcal Mule had hints of vegetable garden with a kick of spicy. If you're hungry too then you're in luck. PDT very cleverly offers a trusty hot dog menu from Crif's so you can order in, whilst out.<br />
<br />
<i>Please note: No jobs, including my own, were harmed in the research for this blog post.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-60973958743576704072013-11-11T08:31:00.001+00:002013-11-11T08:33:25.431+00:00Thinking about lately | Stowe, VT - A snowy sanctuary<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKZIuGSnuclC43TXtUDJFJVcJ3KAwIQpgg5hFb14yscw1wKzfmEL9D0u9YA6vTrJZh5VJ6fk1u4tJ9yNeav-ewP-88b1rhWm8ymdZ6xl9Xq2kiZFknXZ2hhyxhcU43bnp5zyhIjH1ULo/s640/blogger-image-820179689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKZIuGSnuclC43TXtUDJFJVcJ3KAwIQpgg5hFb14yscw1wKzfmEL9D0u9YA6vTrJZh5VJ6fk1u4tJ9yNeav-ewP-88b1rhWm8ymdZ6xl9Xq2kiZFknXZ2hhyxhcU43bnp5zyhIjH1ULo/s640/blogger-image-820179689.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been keeping myself incredibly busy these last few months because as soon as I slow I become agitated. A quality I'm sure I've picked up from my year in New York. But yesterday I woke up craving the sweet snowy silence of Vermont. A long winding drive through Stowe Hollow. A maple iced coffee from the Black Cap Cafe. A leisurely and picturesque ski down the Toll Road. And an afternoon daydreaming by the cosy stove staring out at Mt Mansfield. I'm craving Stowe. Perhaps it's all the Christmas adverts that have suddenly begun, perhaps it's the promise of winter just around the corner. Or maybe it's the sudden influx of snowy pictures that Vermont are posting as the first flakes are beginning to fall. Whatever the reason, I wouldn't mind slowing if I was there right now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">*Image taken from Stowe Mountain Resorts facebook, view from the top of the Quad.</div>To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-52931164283161462922013-08-12T08:30:00.000+01:002013-08-12T22:30:22.522+01:00Thinking about lately | Getting all my ducks in a row<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last couple of years<i> 'I need to get all my ducks in a row'</i> has been a frequent phrase escaping my mouth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I found it poignant and quite symbolic last Thursday that I took this photo...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPyiZ_hIJmOym24yz6VDUwdRL7jE86eMMHyJTSGFWM7hlXvODDpsT_jStiTCm1o1iP8yIiCbTaHhVoZ1FIay2gNtXFsmFmkQUDPIzbiYoMvC3Fil0FrmmJNKCZTFuMvywFhycHfAidxU/s1600/ducks+in+a+row.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPyiZ_hIJmOym24yz6VDUwdRL7jE86eMMHyJTSGFWM7hlXvODDpsT_jStiTCm1o1iP8yIiCbTaHhVoZ1FIay2gNtXFsmFmkQUDPIzbiYoMvC3Fil0FrmmJNKCZTFuMvywFhycHfAidxU/s640/ducks+in+a+row.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm the most happy I've been for...well I can't even remember. I have a sense of contentment and I am embracing life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really feel that indeed, my ducks are all very much in a row. And I even have the picture to prove it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Happy Monday Y'all!</b></span></div>
To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-88189236718295698772013-08-11T17:34:00.001+01:002013-08-11T17:37:05.913+01:00Love | 40 Days of Dating<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks to the people at HelloGiggles I've been exposed to <a href="http://fortydaysofdating.com/" target="_blank">40 Days of Dating</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Meet Tim and Jessie. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAviTwd_sHvZVnusQEQsI-0jexsBLpjyOerCt23SUYBqvaDQ5vvNWZHphIv8Ja68DNAl4hUzesFpvBuDrcdWhk4pVKI4lDus2_OLdiFR_ZorGOeE9ewI2n4LgVquFBge993IS7PXD5u0/s1600/40+days+of+dating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAviTwd_sHvZVnusQEQsI-0jexsBLpjyOerCt23SUYBqvaDQ5vvNWZHphIv8Ja68DNAl4hUzesFpvBuDrcdWhk4pVKI4lDus2_OLdiFR_ZorGOeE9ewI2n4LgVquFBge993IS7PXD5u0/s640/40+days+of+dating.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These two designer friends are dating for 40 days to try and break their bad dating habits and they've invited us to join them on the ride.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jessie falls in love too quickly and expects too much too soon...sound familiar?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tim is a commitment-phobe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">New Yorkers by choice, this project is brimming with NYC uniqueness. There's something about the city that instills this kind of crazy 'I can do anything' mentality. And seeing it in typeface on their site makes me realise how I need to try my hardest everyday to keep this mentality with me, even though I am so far away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been sat here for the last hour catching up on their 40 days. I'm on day 11 so far and have discovered the following...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. I'm loving the insight into their daily lives not just because of their interesting journey they've embarked on but also because of references to a not-so-average NYC daily life with pit stops at familiar places to me along the way. Just seeing 39th street or the Village referenced makes my heart skip a beat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Tim's video he sent Jessie on day 8 made me grin as much as I'm sure she did. It felt a little like I was in my very own rom-com and I suddenly had to remind myself that: <i>TIM DID NOT SEND THIS VIDEO TO ME!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Apparently he's ended up dating a fair few girls he's met in <i>Whole Foods</i> in the last six years. This made me a, wonder why I never met anyone in the Union Square Whole Foods in the last year and b, I should probably try and shop in the Piccadilly Circus one more often.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>*Image taken from <a href="http://40daysofdating.com/" target="_blank">40 Days of Dating</a></i></span>To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-64375981190604216362013-07-03T13:38:00.002+01:002013-07-03T23:40:21.750+01:00LDN: Star Spangled Banners | Independence Day Events<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHGVIgZjFE7YO-OAj3B_meQ9Hg2x3_6oEstCwOqp4XlprNTcyq_5G-BUIIO2uepK-GrZHkEJqeKkb9bgWtFEWdobwWZTZY_pJISZCPRMCc_y-h6wSVvcjlZQkSgF4LBvfsjZfprS2af8/s960/inde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHGVIgZjFE7YO-OAj3B_meQ9Hg2x3_6oEstCwOqp4XlprNTcyq_5G-BUIIO2uepK-GrZHkEJqeKkb9bgWtFEWdobwWZTZY_pJISZCPRMCc_y-h6wSVvcjlZQkSgF4LBvfsjZfprS2af8/s640/inde.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you're craving a slice of home or you just love all things stars and stripes, just because we're not in the USA doesn't mean that there aren't a host of Independence Day events taking place this Thursday. If you're going to be in NYC this week then head on over to yesterday's post, in which I outline my <a href="http://www.toelleandback.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/NYC-Independence-Day-Events.html">party picks for July 4th</a>. If you'll be LDN based then read on...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's not <em>Nathan's</em> and it's not Coney Island but in true New Yorker style you could partake in </span><a href="http://www.theblueskitchen.com/whats-on/independence-day-hot-dog-eating-competition/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">this Dog eating contest</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> at the <em>Blues Kitchen</em>, Camden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Or maybe </span><a href="http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whatson/independence-day-at-big-easy-article-10925.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">ribs are more your thing</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Liquid connoisseur? <em>The White Horse</em> at Parsons Green should be frequented for <a href="http://www.whitehorsesw6.com/news-events.php" target="_blank">their American Beer Festival</a>....<em>Brooklyn Brewery</em> anyone??</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Speaking of Brooklyn, <em>Brooklyn Bowl</em> is closed in NYC but <a href="http://www.bloomsburylive.com/calendar_event_new.php?id=904" target="_blank"><em>Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes</em> are very much open this 4th of July</a> for LDNers. Okay, okay, not an event per se but hark back to your Brooklyn roots nonetheless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Speaking of non-events...this isn't one either BUT if you're looking for an American way to spend your Independence Day in LDN then look no further. <em>Bubble Dogs</em> is quite frankly the most unique LDN eating digs there are. They are soooo New York. <a href="http://www.bubbledogs.co.uk/home" target="_blank">So clink your glass of champagne in celebration and chow down on their Fourth of July dog</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Finally, promising a <a href="http://www.thedimebar.co.uk/whatson/" target="_blank">Coney Island-esque event, <em>Dime Bar & Diner</em></a> in Clapham are offering <em>"Coney Island Dawgs",</em> themed cocktails and American craft beers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-52376737855990129542013-07-02T09:01:00.000+01:002013-07-02T09:01:57.840+01:00NYC: Star Spangled Banners | Independence Day Events<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hd5gdjTYX1zUel-4qAb7KTZXJDv4tjrHJiWL0jxBnLluwOVa-J0wL8-WhyphenhyphenC8wwUV8RBam4R7taLdxEdFrGkgV-DaizWMbJQSn9gZGR4SPjjA_jZv9LvDzGg_AAEol-WPUVAiL4iFdMA/s960/nyc+glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hd5gdjTYX1zUel-4qAb7KTZXJDv4tjrHJiWL0jxBnLluwOVa-J0wL8-WhyphenhyphenC8wwUV8RBam4R7taLdxEdFrGkgV-DaizWMbJQSn9gZGR4SPjjA_jZv9LvDzGg_AAEol-WPUVAiL4iFdMA/s640/nyc+glasses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you're a New Yorker then this week means there's some public holiday lovin' right around abouts Wednesday afternoon, through 9am Friday. It is of course the USA's famous holiday of independence on Thursday!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last year we laid low and chilled in Hoboken, NJ where we lived, dipping in and out of bars such as <a href="https://plus.google.com/117573348160499851921/about?gl=uk&hl=en#117573348160499851921/about?gl=uk&hl=en" target="_blank"><em>Scotland Yard</em></a>, a British themed establishment but we made sure we did it US stylee with numerous games of beer pong. We completed our day's independence from work with the Macy's 4th July fireworks, which are synonymous with the holiday in NYC. The perfect view could be had from Pier A Park in Hoboken, albeit no musical display could be heard, with the big lights and obtrusive but beautiful structures of Manhattan outlining our backdrop to the sparkling bursts of themed lights above. It was also decidedly more successful than when I saw these same fireworks back in July 2004, in which both myself and my friend ended up with ash in our eye. Yay - result 2012!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wish I'd done more but there's nothing I can change about that now, so instead I've compiled a list of what I consider to be some of the most rockin' events for this Thursday's Independence day in NYC! So, whether you're a native New Yorker or a tourist for the day, see my selection by borough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong><u>Brooklyn</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It wouldn't be Independence Day if there wasn't a bunch of fast-foodies in one of New York's famous beach resorts chortling down as many hot dogs as they can mustar-d! <a href="http://www.partyearth.com/new-york/special-events/nathans-famous-hot-dog-eating-contest-1/nathans-famous-hot-dog-eating-contest-2013-1/" target="_blank">Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island</a> is a holiday ritual that's been shocking and amazing onlookers since 1972. 68 dogs were scoffed by last years winner Joey Chestnut, so if you've qualified for the contest then you've got your work cut out for you...<br /><br />...And if you're planning on hitting up Coney Island but still want to see some fireworks then <a href="http://www.coneyislandfunguide.com/Events/FourthFest-Fireworks_7_4_2013-3638.htm" target="_blank">get yourself down to Coney Island's MCU park</a>. There'll be a "beers of New York" beer gardem, entertainment, activities and more, with 4th of July fireworks to complete!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Quirky movie theater, <em>Nitehawk</em>, is famed for it's comfortable viewing style, offbeat film choices and it's fun spin on it's food and drink accompaniments. I'm still distraught that I didn't make their Halloween session, thanks Sandy, but <a href="http://www.nitehawkcinema.com/series/fourth-of-july-jaws/" target="_blank">they've got an American classic this week with a matinee showing of much loved <em>Jaws</em> (1975) on July 4th</a>. Settle down for this USA oldie but goodie with their Shark Bite cocktail and an Amity hot dog (with homemade beer mustard - wowee!)<br /><br /><strong><u>Manhattan</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you're too lazy to leave Manhattan then <a href="http://www.ironhorsenyc.com/" target="_blank">the Iron Horse, in the Financial District, is holding their annual block party</a>. Grab a picnic table, play some games and stuff your face with some all-American goodness, hot dogs, burgers and pig-roast are all free but you're encouraged to leave a donation to support the Wounded Warrior Project.</span><br />
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Queens</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not made it to Brooklyn's finest pizza palace, <em>Roberta's</em>? <a href="http://robertas.tumblr.com/image/53803718323">Take your chance now as they're hosting a USA themed event in honor of 4th July at the Knockdown Center, Queens.</a> They'll be joined by fellow American taste-makers and NYC based bands to celebrate everything America! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Staten Island</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Historic Richmond Town could not be further removed from the contemporary skyscrapers of Manhattan. <a href="http://www.historicrichmondtown.org/events/details/973-independence-day-celebration">Join them for a colonial-esque afternoon, with quirky activities such as pie-baking contests, to churning old fashioned ice cream.</a></span><br />
<br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Bronx</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Yo people of the Bronx! Where it at? If you know some awesome happenings in the area please comment below...I came up with zilch!</span>To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-19981305242396798232013-06-30T22:26:00.001+01:002013-06-30T22:28:34.871+01:00Housekeeping | To ELLE and Back... Google Reader's bye bye so come find me on Bloglovin<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just a small matter of housekeeping guys. If you happen to get updates from me via Google Reader and would still like to hear from me from time to time then, as you may already know as the blogosphere is alive with these posts, Google Reader goes bye bye tomorrow, 1st July. Bloglovin seems to be the replacement of choice <a href="http://blog.bloglovin.com/2013/03/moving-from-google-reader-to-bloglovin/">so I'm going to let these guys explain it better to you.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I look forward to reaching you via bloglovin, thanks for reading and your continued support. Some exciting posts coming up this week so I hope not to lose you to this switch over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Big love!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Louisa xx</span>To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-11195046835839189152013-06-30T10:37:00.000+01:002013-06-30T16:46:06.663+01:00NYC Room Anthems | Lana Del Rey's Radio<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri13raz2xoSw4L-YCgC6z3vNfr1hfGjvr815URsr051B6MoM40J5bzPndm0JkRghcif00Unc5MbxDD1wHyk0ZP0t9Ibe0glZ5tZk3JmALDcuaDctOuq21d4ZBVrMoITnV259_9IychK0/s604/financial+district+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri13raz2xoSw4L-YCgC6z3vNfr1hfGjvr815URsr051B6MoM40J5bzPndm0JkRghcif00Unc5MbxDD1wHyk0ZP0t9Ibe0glZ5tZk3JmALDcuaDctOuq21d4ZBVrMoITnV259_9IychK0/s640/financial+district+view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Starbucks, Newport, Jersey City, NJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With the sun shining in the UK this morning, already proving it to be a superb day, I couldn't help but be reminded of Lana Del Rey's atmospheric tune, <i>Radio</i>. This song is synonymous, for me, with sunny mornings waking up in Newport, Jersey City. Sun streaming through mine and my cool chick Molo's, window. The water from the Hudson is reflected in the windows in the building opposite, she's sat on my laptop because she still hasn't bought her Mac yet, her ipod blaring the tune whilst I'm forced to go in the bathroom first because that's just how it always is. A cloud of pink sheets befall both our beds and brightens a pretty sad and tired room. Throwing on my Victoria's Secret black and white tank top with PINK emblazoned on the front and my Hoboken map ring, Molo dresses herself in that peach pleated skirt and 80's earrings, long small bag draping by her side juxtaposing my huge suitcase of a bag draping by mine. We make our way out of our building, down the street, the humidity already clasping at our throats. We enter the icy conditions of the Starbucks by the harbour and with iced caramel macchiato's in hand we're set outside on those metal table and chairs, glancing across at the Financial District, Freedom Tower gradually growing. Adorned in our ray ban-esque black shades we're now joined by Ang, then Marina (she's always late) chatting animatedly as we are greeted and left by numerous others that we know, stopping by for their caffeine fix or on their way to the PATH. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then we're on the L train, disembarking at Bedford Ave, queuing to move through those two cage-like gate contraptions. And we're single file up the stairs, back out into that glorious sun, hovering by the flower stall next to Bedford Ave station, eyes set on our destination, the Williamsburg Flea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vogS4gDDNvQ" width="640"></iframe></div>
To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-4295981314307860002013-06-21T09:03:00.001+01:002013-06-21T09:04:48.576+01:00Luxury Investment | 7 Reasons I HEART Our Hot Tub <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3JWJeDKBVjOKxTQXIR9WTowGDXvzueJ7FlJMYQwv53GvKIzyYOb6dx2A4yXY7uMtG8y5Nrore_RGK5F7VdW42Z8AZZZDkXRTRaDHip3luyANAWsSXwoIKngne2fmdrJ_NN75_aMxGXI/s1600/hottub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3JWJeDKBVjOKxTQXIR9WTowGDXvzueJ7FlJMYQwv53GvKIzyYOb6dx2A4yXY7uMtG8y5Nrore_RGK5F7VdW42Z8AZZZDkXRTRaDHip3luyANAWsSXwoIKngne2fmdrJ_NN75_aMxGXI/s640/hottub.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. It's the only sleep drug you'll ever need. Forget ambien all you New Yorkers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Saying that, it's also the best way to start your day. Invigorating.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. When we've had the sunny weather like we have had in the UK recently, it kind of resembles having your </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">own pool. Without the swimming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. But throw in a dusting of snow and your christmas lights and you're in your ski-in ski-out chalet hot tub in </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">St Moritz.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. It's the most effortless entertainment <b>EVER</b>. Future Channel 4<i> Come Dine With Me</i> contestants take </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">note.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. A daily free massage without having to find a boyfriend. Sign me up!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. It's the perfect accompaniment to a grapefruit margherita. Tried and tested.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Friday Y'all - You'll be able to find me, as above!</span></div>
To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-39051785470366978682013-06-20T10:21:00.000+01:002013-06-20T10:21:44.170+01:00Show Your Support | A Chef's Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkaPdwWCIFsNWcP932jMYLxAt38ezebarGQHIELWV_m5haFzhJflhnQAMwD2rq6TNMzKUoW5OqYmMwixIi1RnqijSTXB0y4OoL-SfJVUq9vjnHdoV3KyYJaFK3qwVyHgQQLeNQG2DvoU/s1600/20130619191024-joshboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkaPdwWCIFsNWcP932jMYLxAt38ezebarGQHIELWV_m5haFzhJflhnQAMwD2rq6TNMzKUoW5OqYmMwixIi1RnqijSTXB0y4OoL-SfJVUq9vjnHdoV3KyYJaFK3qwVyHgQQLeNQG2DvoU/s640/20130619191024-joshboat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-chef-s-life">A Chef's Life</a></i>, a foodie documentary soon to be aired on PBS USA, follows North Carolina chef, Vivian Howard, as she meets with locals, friends, farmers and more to discover and educate the PBS viewers on North Carolina regional delicacies and traditions. Vivian and her husband Ben have both worked in NYC as chefs previously as well, which in itself is a substantial accolade for their talents. Now sourcing and supporting local artisan's in their hometown Kinston, NC, with their restaurant, they are helping to regenerate a local economy whilst creating jobs and demand for their communities produce and they want to highlight the importance of this to you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've not met the gang behind <i>A Chef's Life</i> and I've not eaten at their restaurant,<a href="http://chefandthefarmer.com/"> <i>A Chef and a Farmer</i></a>, either <b>BUT</b> I can tell you that the girl that introduced me to them is reason enough to get behind this group and their endeavours. <a href="http://hayleygolightly.wordpress.com/"> Hayley of Tiptoes in the Kitchen</a>, is so good at picking out interestingly incredible places to eat, along with dabbling in her own recipes too that I have officially put her on a facebook warning - if she continues to recommend places I can't get to because of being in the UK and publishes her latest meals that I can't eat too, then she is blocked. That's how awesome she is at making any of y'alls mouths water! And by extension why I trust this recommendation implicitly and want to encourage others to support them too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Although I may not have eaten at <i>A Chef and a Farmer</i>, I have eaten in North Carolina. My visit was a flighty weekend, over way before it began but whilst there I sampled one of my most loved and memorable meals (again thanks to Hayley). The hearty southern fare, with eccentric culinary quirks and a heavy influence of locally sourced products was rife and it was utterly charming, which is exactly how I envision Vivian's restaurant to be also.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Vivian is petitioning for our help to support their passionate but young documentary by donating to their fund in order to complete season one and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">get started on season two. The funds will also facilitate the broadcast of this documentary and therefore the </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"revitalisation of a local economy"</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. My family are huge on local produce and supporting the independents in our area in the UK. We have numerous bottles of wine from our local vineyard stashed in our pantry, my mother recently went and helped make cheese with local carbon-neutral cheese makers Winterdale Shaw and pork is very often purchased from the farm just a stones throw away. Vivian and co's mission, therefore, is very close to my heart and so with that I wanted to further distribute their message.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They have a target of $50,000, of which they have 37 days to reach. <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-chef-s-life">Hear exactly what this projects all about straight from Vivian herself here</a> and see what perks you can pick up for donating, even as little as $25.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After you've supported <i>A Chef's Life</i> and if you do happen to be local to Durham, North Carolina then I'd also suggest you take the opportunity and <a href="http://dishcrawl.com/durhamnc/">join Hayley on her almost sold-out secret DishCrawl</a>. The reason? Hayley's picking!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Main image taken from <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-chef-s-life?c=gallery">A Chef's Life funding page</a></span></div>
To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-15879978203415408482013-06-19T10:09:00.005+01:002013-06-19T10:13:33.678+01:00LDN: Rooftop Bar | Golden Bee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-F4pl6ucoUdsXloVzjf4vSZROixksQkbGfLkGs3u8aoSiYgudZ3bOLOVF2ysM6vovviFJKukdkoJ1B3n3A8oRUySBRdcDAWjg1Hz2h-1ZZzQQAGJVbzwzsoIqcIq4Wh7tMmAcM6vFv8/s1600/IMG_8885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-F4pl6ucoUdsXloVzjf4vSZROixksQkbGfLkGs3u8aoSiYgudZ3bOLOVF2ysM6vovviFJKukdkoJ1B3n3A8oRUySBRdcDAWjg1Hz2h-1ZZzQQAGJVbzwzsoIqcIq4Wh7tMmAcM6vFv8/s640/IMG_8885.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rooftop bars are something of the norm in NYC. Barring Kensington Roof Gardens, I'm not sure I'd been to one previously in London but since my return to the UK I was psyched to check out Shoreditch based, <a href="http://www.goldenbee.co.uk/">Golden Bee</a>. Whilst there isn't much of a skyline view, no Empire State staring back at us with pride, it still ticked a lot of boxes for me and struck me as a "poor-yorker's" version of the NYC rooftop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With white lights twisting around trees and luxury outdoor furniture it had a cool, fun vibe that is synonymous with it's surroundings. The atmosphere was buzzing and rumour has it that reservations are required in order to gain entry. We had a space booked for a friend's birthday downstairs and whilst it was nice to have a base to prop our belongings, if you can get an area on the main rooftop I'd highly advise it. That's where most of our party headed and camped out for the evening. The weather was beautiful, which always helps and the entire venue, both inside and out, was packed with Friday night post-work drinkers. The view that we did have, had a lower east side ambience and with a wall of graffiti art staring back at us, we could be fooled into thinking we were hanging out near 5 Pointz, Long Island City.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whilst Golden Bee had quite an interesting cocktail menu, for some reason nothing particularly wowed me and prices were pretty standard. I spent the evening drinking the cool cucumber martini and mimosa's.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Check it out for summer fun with a party vibe but don't expect an awe-inducing view or jaw-dropping cocktails. It claims to be the <i>"ultimate in cool"</i> and that's what it delivers. You're here for the ambience not the mixologists.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">*Main Picture from Golden Bee Website www.goldenbee.co.uk</span>To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-56789952319414125432013-06-11T08:30:00.000+01:002013-06-11T08:30:04.399+01:00NYC: Mack's Back | Macaulay Culkin's iPod Party June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrzS_lgX80MOQeAX477xZ9u7MCRWqzQCltblSQE_6EHPNSM6S9OgnZpKtxOjDlbVLcPISPmLNFcTgcJOQbmDjszoFjuutQ5QqPrwf6jvupOpFLuS9LiOn45MBNX6iCsEoPnTSwybwenU/s1600/macks+ipod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrzS_lgX80MOQeAX477xZ9u7MCRWqzQCltblSQE_6EHPNSM6S9OgnZpKtxOjDlbVLcPISPmLNFcTgcJOQbmDjszoFjuutQ5QqPrwf6jvupOpFLuS9LiOn45MBNX6iCsEoPnTSwybwenU/s640/macks+ipod.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fear not my friends Mack is back! Younger bro Rory Culkin has been holding the fort at <a href="http://www.lepoissonrouge.com/">LPR NYC</a> on their once Thursday a month party but the real deal will be plugging his ipod in this week, on the 13th June, for what's set to be one of his most outrageous parties yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you're not familiar with this bizarre shindig then you should head on over to <a href="http://toelleandback.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/home-alone-6-macaulay-culkins-ipod.html">my detailed review of last years <i>New Year's Eve in July </i>Party</a>. Basically, our good friend Mack, best known for playing feisty 8 year old Kevin McAllister in the Home Alone franchise, rocks up once a month to (le) poisson rouge, bleecker street, plugs in his ipod, plays an eclectic mix of tunes, pauses for hugs and photo's on occasion, all to some ridiculous mish-mash of a theme. Genius!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTtiERBj6QpkWyDx_FmU7Zev4jghz_zs240o94ZC77ubRTlJAjP57S5r1E_hhnAboyWFWcCJiDOZOQA-_qX6yyu126642Jd5vZ4xDdzLUTOonO6VXpvnZbF0Z9TXND6YBpFvNLQvQndk/s1600/mac+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTtiERBj6QpkWyDx_FmU7Zev4jghz_zs240o94ZC77ubRTlJAjP57S5r1E_hhnAboyWFWcCJiDOZOQA-_qX6yyu126642Jd5vZ4xDdzLUTOonO6VXpvnZbF0Z9TXND6YBpFvNLQvQndk/s640/mac+1.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuO6LtuJBqHQ8eUeuGnHmwOfzJVZwMU1s7dhuio_fwTLQecm3tmURtE8Fy20qPomtvsLnfg6FrypvzaZbngjb1XqSgCVJ-SKGsYjRXo86q92C-7NWpl6hjy1kriP3YENOJcpXZuZYCzU/s1600/179896_625597617840_1255033506_n+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuO6LtuJBqHQ8eUeuGnHmwOfzJVZwMU1s7dhuio_fwTLQecm3tmURtE8Fy20qPomtvsLnfg6FrypvzaZbngjb1XqSgCVJ-SKGsYjRXo86q92C-7NWpl6hjy1kriP3YENOJcpXZuZYCzU/s640/179896_625597617840_1255033506_n+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb6MVZ1pL1_ejSrycUHzLTq1x8o_uE3PpqpurYY-79PbZuVQuvcWuwX7EsdXAPnf8A1PJ9R7BcdCNlwVAYts9BfW3uSW-okN0dp0b_9dXJF7u0KuHxNVuGvUn6ec1sfSmlEQFMLkG-V4/s1600/macks+ipod2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb6MVZ1pL1_ejSrycUHzLTq1x8o_uE3PpqpurYY-79PbZuVQuvcWuwX7EsdXAPnf8A1PJ9R7BcdCNlwVAYts9BfW3uSW-okN0dp0b_9dXJF7u0KuHxNVuGvUn6ec1sfSmlEQFMLkG-V4/s640/macks+ipod2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHxqbHcZWA-mIycXIbnHH2KTAyktXlMOWoeDsFeGeRRsE9u1rnG5woUwZC3EXOBhwwfQMYVy5uEzkOWsSlAVzB6xO5JOE0jY_Sdps14lRInMA4utpHHLBY1y7INgo4kCzCSQZMkzqzgU/s1600/macks+ipod+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHxqbHcZWA-mIycXIbnHH2KTAyktXlMOWoeDsFeGeRRsE9u1rnG5woUwZC3EXOBhwwfQMYVy5uEzkOWsSlAVzB6xO5JOE0jY_Sdps14lRInMA4utpHHLBY1y7INgo4kCzCSQZMkzqzgU/s640/macks+ipod+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This month <a href="http://www.lepoissonrouge.com/lpr_events/macaulay-culkins-ipod-presents-hulk-hogans-slutty-new-years-eve-in-june-dinosaur-prom-night-june-13th-2013/">Macaulay Culkin's iPod presents</a></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.lepoissonrouge.com/lpr_events/macaulay-culkins-ipod-presents-hulk-hogans-slutty-new-years-eve-in-june-dinosaur-prom-night-june-13th-2013/"> Hulk Hogan's Slutty New Year's Eve in June</a></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.lepoissonrouge.com/lpr_events/macaulay-culkins-ipod-presents-hulk-hogans-slutty-new-years-eve-in-june-dinosaur-prom-night-june-13th-2013/"> Party</a>. Doors open at 10pm, entry is complimentary, drinks are a little overpriced, and by overpriced I mean 8 bucks for a red bull, but for unique New York event appeal it has to be worth it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Previously I've attended a <i>Saved By The Bell </i>theme and as earlier mentioned a <i>New Year's Eve in July</i> theme. Both totally awesome.</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UvXRqqr37bE" width="640"></iframe></div>
To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-74281954665608636902013-06-10T08:30:00.000+01:002013-06-10T08:30:02.070+01:00LDN: Monday Monday Monday | Tegan & Sara<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfi5KHGFXwi23c7q19WZtR-ynfziBjtbsFvXCUKtmN8gWq5YyyTo2rDY9joIR0T5u0ANy14b8M2qHDPTRpUVpAR3piaz9_Th1tjPb1_Uyw3tZqE7jzMskErM42VcPkTxrOdNzdgH9ALU/s1600/tegandsarapost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfi5KHGFXwi23c7q19WZtR-ynfziBjtbsFvXCUKtmN8gWq5YyyTo2rDY9joIR0T5u0ANy14b8M2qHDPTRpUVpAR3piaz9_Th1tjPb1_Uyw3tZqE7jzMskErM42VcPkTxrOdNzdgH9ALU/s640/tegandsarapost.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tegan and Sara are in town tomorrow for their gig at the Troxy, Shoreditch, so it seemed only apt that we begin the week with their track <i>Monday, Monday, Monday</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been a fan of these two indie rock chicks since I went to college in Massachusetts. They're very rarely in the UK and for very little time and so I managed to finally get to a gig of theirs back in February, in NYC at the Beacon Theater, fearing they'd never make it to UK shores again. A couple of months down the line and they're bringing that gig to LDN.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Great set and humourous banter from the girls. Tickets are £25.50 and you can purchase them from <a href="http://www.teganandsara.com/shows/">Tegan and Sara's site</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So from Tegan, Sara and I, good luck with the rest of your monday, monday, monday.</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qBaAjYGQdGs" width="640"></iframe></span></div>
To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-19979042376762875742013-06-08T09:30:00.000+01:002013-06-08T09:30:01.372+01:00NYC: Cocktail Crushin' | The Wayland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFUi5ykZ5Zdbe3rhRfN38acsQVx3FqOpT-JsGpvJGxysqWc6E61g3n42SlxVxyAmfN7D4W_uQJa4iQJlNM0BIrnmBXEm_SPeVvxOMnQgv5VX_-cD4h-RdWs1SPGOqLwqBYlD2UzXV3cw/s1600/wayland_4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFUi5ykZ5Zdbe3rhRfN38acsQVx3FqOpT-JsGpvJGxysqWc6E61g3n42SlxVxyAmfN7D4W_uQJa4iQJlNM0BIrnmBXEm_SPeVvxOMnQgv5VX_-cD4h-RdWs1SPGOqLwqBYlD2UzXV3cw/s640/wayland_4.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://thewaylandnyc.com/">The Wayland</a>, a quirky bar in Alphabet City actually has a very Brooklyn vibe to me and I'm sure it wouldn't be out of place on Bedford Ave in Williamsburg. But, down on the corner of East 9th and Ave C, sitting silently and unobtrusively is this watering hole. The simple exterior, with little indication as to what's inside apart from a paper sign letting you know it's cash only, is the perfect cover for what is actually a rustic, candlelit, cosy and atmospheric drinking haven. You'll often see co-owner Jason Mendenhall behind the bar and if he's the one making your drink, all the better!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I began crushin' on The Wayland's menu from the get go but there was one drink in particular that was love at first sip. <i>The Indian Summer</i>. Pine-smoked gin, lime, simple syrup, pear cider and sage. Garnished with what I can only assume is curried salt. Infused with indian spices, including fresh cilantro (corriander to us Brits) resting in the glass, the heat is undercut by the refreshing flavours that stand in unison. It is simply divine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An honourable mention should also go out to the <i>I Hear Banjo's - Encore</i>. This whiskey drink appears with a glass of applewood smoke rested on top. After it's sat for a while place the top glass to your nose and mouth to inhale, and then follow by sipping the whiskey from the other glass. It's like drinking a winters day in a log cabin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To nibble alongside, you should order the <i>Pernil Romero</i> baguette, which is utterly mouthwatering and will have you begging for more. If pulled pork is your thang then you should check out <a href="http://toelleandback.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/DIY-NYC-Pork-Pizza.html?spref=fb">my pizza recreation of this beauty</a> too.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Dz9YsjX9_KTnEQFRSi7i1JBZAcP-IkkJUOeeOEbcG_wfZlGSOBrUNor6ojIb8WXwnHb_G06r_K38Hc94uNZLb7dqgEms86CCcom5JUQxyyrBUhO6eF8ebKIHYqVHH8LbZp8DBr36J4s/s1600/SSL24135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Dz9YsjX9_KTnEQFRSi7i1JBZAcP-IkkJUOeeOEbcG_wfZlGSOBrUNor6ojIb8WXwnHb_G06r_K38Hc94uNZLb7dqgEms86CCcom5JUQxyyrBUhO6eF8ebKIHYqVHH8LbZp8DBr36J4s/s640/SSL24135.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Indian Summer</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoNPhrf9H_uvG1DH6fA3WdahzuJ49rK9i6-aLgylcxI3SbnmNybuwSKuViK5UzxTCi5VqMwIvPHapr78WTWeYM28KypiAMVVnxNo1Q7xjBL9oGkyJqpOMEOvfjO3AJpfn5KSVojMNRaU/s1600/604151_651384864990_1510143648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoNPhrf9H_uvG1DH6fA3WdahzuJ49rK9i6-aLgylcxI3SbnmNybuwSKuViK5UzxTCi5VqMwIvPHapr78WTWeYM28KypiAMVVnxNo1Q7xjBL9oGkyJqpOMEOvfjO3AJpfn5KSVojMNRaU/s640/604151_651384864990_1510143648_n.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I Hear Banjo's - Encore</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Top image taken from www.thewaylandnyc.com</span>To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-75880554300053700002013-06-07T08:30:00.000+01:002013-06-07T15:03:40.616+01:00Happy Friday Y'all | Girls Just Gotta Have Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLH2OWkoqXDQs1G65rx5MHXBdGDmTCexAf7SxIzvxJhbqDdL36WMMheGqXqmtP5Xef5lDBkVI08h54DrMerAJ4m4PsoKYiVOg1503jYNM4mTisMnRBg60BHhRzrHktXSwbcya5f9i2gA/s1600/fridayfun3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLH2OWkoqXDQs1G65rx5MHXBdGDmTCexAf7SxIzvxJhbqDdL36WMMheGqXqmtP5Xef5lDBkVI08h54DrMerAJ4m4PsoKYiVOg1503jYNM4mTisMnRBg60BHhRzrHktXSwbcya5f9i2gA/s640/fridayfun3.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At just 10 years old, Essex born Sophia Grace has more swag in her little finger than I have in the entire of myself, 18 years her senior. This girls tune, <i>Girls Just Gotta Have Fun</i>, to coin a Will.I.am phrase, is "Dope. Mega Dope." And it's the perfect fun feature for a Friday on To ELLE and Back. Plus she smashes a cream pie in some boys face around 3:22, and who doesn't have a list of guys they'd like to do that to?!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Props to our girl, Sophie Grace, for this smile inducing, sick video and beat that's sure to get us all ready for a sunny weekend in both LDN and NYC.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now excuse me, I've got my shades and a pink tutu to find, Sophia style.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SMpL6JKF5Ww" width="640"></iframe></div>
To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-66891317806655190992013-06-06T08:30:00.000+01:002013-06-06T08:30:01.168+01:00Lavender Lullabies | Castle Farm, Kent and Other Purple Stories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHV2XveG0FpilTh3YAfGA7oB-EjHvHzj9hZtipMXrZoOQKBTdr4GkAP3RNBlJdMqKrnU-WAh6fgfmi3gFU8X3YCflFy0SDDBppVed0eTSbxuYgOp9KfZ5MbIDyu08wmaL0jScxyfZNkA/s1600/Lavender+opening.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHV2XveG0FpilTh3YAfGA7oB-EjHvHzj9hZtipMXrZoOQKBTdr4GkAP3RNBlJdMqKrnU-WAh6fgfmi3gFU8X3YCflFy0SDDBppVed0eTSbxuYgOp9KfZ5MbIDyu08wmaL0jScxyfZNkA/s640/Lavender+opening.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sat outside, awaiting our table at french restaurant, <a href="http://www.ilovebuvette.com/">Buvette</a> in NYC 2012, fellow blogger and North Carolina'n friend, <a href="http://hayleygolightly.wordpress.com/">Hayley of Tiptoes in the Kitchen</a>, began to regale me with her dream of discovering an endless sea of purple in the form of lavender fields. She had embarked on a European adventure with her mother the year prior and was adamant that she would be able to cast her eye wistfully on these fields in Provence. Her search became difficult, I forget the specific reason, but nonetheless, just as she had given up they stumbled upon some purely by accident. These Provence fragrant fields were everything she had hoped for and more and were made all the sweeter by the fact she was so certain her dream would have to be postponed for another year. I, in hand, told her about<a href="http://www.hopshop.co.uk/"> Castle Farm</a> in Eynsford, Kent, England. This lavender farm is only a half hour journey from my family's home and is an annual visit for us in July amongst peak lavender season!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whilst pinning away on pinterest on Sunday, I was reminded of Hayley's story, Castle Farm and my love for lavender along with the happiness that their fields seem to encapsulate. So I wanted to share some pictures of our visits there previously as well as some lavender inspired treats from my travels of late and other blogs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Castle Farm's lavender themed events across July, the perfect haven from London one (hopefully) sunny weekend include, massages amongst the fields, wreath workshops, food tastings and tours. All information can be found here on the <a href="http://www.hopshop.co.uk/events/lavender-festival.php">Castle Farm website</a>.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe177wYfFc_qBJZu5hFVGt19x6e-rDMEmYrleNhMuvbF0LggGaej_XnNFBYrV4t8NRbi70EmcnHknY85JOEsLipe7bD15E8_sX7gOnIGU6ghSyngAX33QkugR_pA2cu6-722Oa7R0c8w/s1600/lavender+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOe177wYfFc_qBJZu5hFVGt19x6e-rDMEmYrleNhMuvbF0LggGaej_XnNFBYrV4t8NRbi70EmcnHknY85JOEsLipe7bD15E8_sX7gOnIGU6ghSyngAX33QkugR_pA2cu6-722Oa7R0c8w/s640/lavender+farm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFd2XPpvKHGPH3Q9JNKFEsLMiRvl0PR6eN0HRuGiD-Yi5VmLPYksB3OWMkHw5wsmAGCgYcSw8wdTbrZMPnwo_nl_J7FXV0DEj0XmoaTTk09FvPGr_nbIBpnPRgYpUbGjmM9Xy6twem8Y/s1600/lavenderfarm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFd2XPpvKHGPH3Q9JNKFEsLMiRvl0PR6eN0HRuGiD-Yi5VmLPYksB3OWMkHw5wsmAGCgYcSw8wdTbrZMPnwo_nl_J7FXV0DEj0XmoaTTk09FvPGr_nbIBpnPRgYpUbGjmM9Xy6twem8Y/s640/lavenderfarm2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They also usually have some elegant lavender ice cream and big bunches of lavender to take away for just £2 a pop!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBYCWUBzNTrzSOti4hb4A9R0x55FN84wT9ospY9Y4A62evylJmPDosaJo6KE07IiI1VrJlFd50Hi3wjfk-db8zYtp9CamaKvMKNzmVcSGG9ksHftYxqWr_oMDjtOKNNSHlcNPynC8Mzw/s1600/lavender+bunches.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBYCWUBzNTrzSOti4hb4A9R0x55FN84wT9ospY9Y4A62evylJmPDosaJo6KE07IiI1VrJlFd50Hi3wjfk-db8zYtp9CamaKvMKNzmVcSGG9ksHftYxqWr_oMDjtOKNNSHlcNPynC8Mzw/s640/lavender+bunches.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Picture via <a href="http://elorablue.tumblr.com/post/40271659038/lavender-farm-1-by-yelena-strokin-on-flickr">Elorablue</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I sampled a lavender "marnini" aka martini at <a href="http://www.topnotchresort.com/">Top Notch Resort & Spa</a>, Stowe, Vermont, back in January. The mixologist at Norma's bar there not only told us the exact way to create the lavender syrup but also a fun little story as to how the cocktail came about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There was also an interesting lavender creme brulee from the <a href="http://thebrassrailnj.com/">Brass Rail</a> in Hoboken, New Jersey last July.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And a delicate lavender magherita on my birthday in april from <a href="http://www.loveswan.co.uk/westmalling/bar/index.html">The Swan</a>, West Malling, Kent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With the sun out this week in the UK I've been crushin' on this lavender collins cocktail sourced from <a href="http://www.yumsugar.com/Lavender-Vodka-Cocktail-29633201">PopSugar</a>.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2zIy_UWO5sFHDg4Y0ve63ZSLlgQHHghuUan9Cnsxry-OpYn4vlCo9xJEHq_RXanbg-qoa-8gD8fY2zPapC6wFMX94XnmjzcXh2OKMZd8Rm89KCv0A9I-8-6jyIdIrs29bZUnzB5uTPU/s1600/lavender+cocktail+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2zIy_UWO5sFHDg4Y0ve63ZSLlgQHHghuUan9Cnsxry-OpYn4vlCo9xJEHq_RXanbg-qoa-8gD8fY2zPapC6wFMX94XnmjzcXh2OKMZd8Rm89KCv0A9I-8-6jyIdIrs29bZUnzB5uTPU/s640/lavender+cocktail+2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And this blueberry lavender mojito from <a href="http://fancy-edibles.com/drinks/blueberry-lavender-mojito">Fancy Edibles</a>.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnfYqsUT44ojR7CRwWWN0e7eTDywi9n3iefX7-QJ0sdDMWu3-qNU7lm5de6DXl0Z57iF9s-AWcSAd6zNaNit_bn6ASYkaKwbHlWg8oPwLI40FLb3L5v5bho6EGQCjxS5jOyqYORDScvE/s1600/lavender+cocktail+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnfYqsUT44ojR7CRwWWN0e7eTDywi9n3iefX7-QJ0sdDMWu3-qNU7lm5de6DXl0Z57iF9s-AWcSAd6zNaNit_bn6ASYkaKwbHlWg8oPwLI40FLb3L5v5bho6EGQCjxS5jOyqYORDScvE/s640/lavender+cocktail+1.png" width="478" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Serving lavender sugar to your afternoon tea guests seems seriously dreamy, so I made sure I pinned <a href="http://emporio74.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/decorazioni">Emporio 74's</a> idea to remind me to dab my hand at this...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTVwzkhRIsmv801csp_EegBFT-wSYZH1PyaLu-BSFfllBaRyYMxtpQFnyQ50SE9Kzmyz7PrllgB57cILH0n1yA6SbCL4p61osnJqsl_iKffmlUW-StK-MAjm55YaE29lF8tDQx73kvqM/s1600/lavender+sugar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTVwzkhRIsmv801csp_EegBFT-wSYZH1PyaLu-BSFfllBaRyYMxtpQFnyQ50SE9Kzmyz7PrllgB57cILH0n1yA6SbCL4p61osnJqsl_iKffmlUW-StK-MAjm55YaE29lF8tDQx73kvqM/s640/lavender+sugar.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lest we forget it's fragrant beauty and sleep inducing qualities too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some of my favourites to try were...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Creating your own lavender salts, from <a href="http://www.heartloveweddings.com/2012/11/diy-lavender-bath-salts/">Heart Love Weddings.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Homemade lavender hand cream from <a href="http://allyourbeauty.org/how-to-make-homemade-lavender-hand-cream/">All Your Beauty</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And DIY lavender oil from <a href="http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lavender-oil-how-to-make-lavender-oil-at-home.html">Buzzle</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For more lavender infusions make sure you're following my <a href="http://pinterest.com/louisamcnally/sea-of-purple/">Sea of Purple board</a> on pinterest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-6921411715268156332013-06-05T11:07:00.000+01:002013-06-05T11:07:51.990+01:00FOODIE | DIY NYC Pizza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rzLrkwahu8PeABthQq-Z8UTY0eeCE3c7YUVzY8angNP8KAQlcnferGUyXRGksZnPhJ84283BN5oaLfJ-jCPLrjcr_3DECpEq-u-xyKMn6s4PgG9WrtpQE2H2HZ1mtLb0NHBb-pWiA3A/s1600/IMG_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rzLrkwahu8PeABthQq-Z8UTY0eeCE3c7YUVzY8angNP8KAQlcnferGUyXRGksZnPhJ84283BN5oaLfJ-jCPLrjcr_3DECpEq-u-xyKMn6s4PgG9WrtpQE2H2HZ1mtLb0NHBb-pWiA3A/s640/IMG_0629.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">London in comparison to NYC falls fairly short on the pizza front. So I decided to create a pizza, at home in the UK, that incorporated some of my favourite food experiences of NYC. Enter my pizza blanco with pulled pork!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My topping choice was based on one of my most loved meals at <a href="http://thewaylandnyc.com/">The Wayland</a> in Alphabet City. Their Pernil Romero baguette is to die for and I have been dreaming of taking just one more bite ever since I've been back in the UK. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You Will Need:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pork (suitable for slow roasting)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fresh Rosemary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fennel Seeds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Olive Oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Garlic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Black Pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Red Onion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Balsamic Vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Brown Sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Tub of Creme Fraiche</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cheddar Cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A Kick Ass Dough Recipe - I use this <a href="http://www.toelleandback.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/something-for-weekend.html">Jamie Oliver</a> recipe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Crush the fresh rosemary, fennel seeds, garlic and black pepper in a pestle and mortar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Mix the crushed concoction with olive oil, until it looks enough to marinate the pork in. If </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> you feel like the olive oil is outweighing the hard ingredients then don't be afraid to crush </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> some more and add. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Place the pork in some foil, make some incisions with a knife all over and smother it in the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> sauce you've created.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. It should stand for at least an hour but if you have the chance then overnight would be </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. Wrap the foil up as if the pork is in a parcel and place on the barbecue (we use a pizza </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> stone on the barbecue, hence my decision to cook the pork on here too.) This should <br /> cook for 2-3 </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hours dependent on the size of the pork, but you'll be able to tell it's done if<br /> it's soft and pulling away easy. Throughout the cooking process be sure to check the pork<br /> and if it seems to be drying out be sure to top up with some extra marinade to ensure the<br /> pork is moist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. When the pork is done let it rest whilst you top your pizza.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. Once your dough is ready and rolled, slather the base with a thin layer of creme fraiche.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. Grate enough cheddar over the creme fraiche until it's covered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9. Add four dollops of creme fraiche across the pizza.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10. Slice the red onion and add a couple of small spoonfuls of butter, add to frying pan or<br /> simply cook in a bowl in the microwave. Once the onions have softened toss in some<br /> balsamic vinegar. Cook a little longer before adding some brown sugar to sweeten and<br /> caramelise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11. Add mounds of the caramelised onions to the pizza.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">12. Shred the pork with your hands and add to the pizza also.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">13. Finally add some black pepper to season and place on your pizza stone for the barbecue<br /> or in your oven at 250c for about 15 mins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZdIHnGEDdJfwzxjUTXVF73Pf1eO_fH7lXOE5rqc_gVzESaqbOCtWHcO2yH4gZvDa2umUfr0KH3u2JUeOg-zs3a6nSq4fbgWo3FPp6k7p09VJcTmeJwpt2If41_dtpb7IxygBOKOOEPw/s1600/IMG_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZdIHnGEDdJfwzxjUTXVF73Pf1eO_fH7lXOE5rqc_gVzESaqbOCtWHcO2yH4gZvDa2umUfr0KH3u2JUeOg-zs3a6nSq4fbgWo3FPp6k7p09VJcTmeJwpt2If41_dtpb7IxygBOKOOEPw/s640/IMG_0625.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU7dbloFClGM5KsYhGOhwqnOLzkVn4kSDHTusdlcK0Nl7Z343uHnQXgBB4hYOFwbOdla_cC-EARwdk45WlHSSiPaYyGibX59O9XEPmJ2YURotT94sz4Hbi_MBr4BQ8GU2sEoC-8SvxIc/s1600/IMG_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU7dbloFClGM5KsYhGOhwqnOLzkVn4kSDHTusdlcK0Nl7Z343uHnQXgBB4hYOFwbOdla_cC-EARwdk45WlHSSiPaYyGibX59O9XEPmJ2YURotT94sz4Hbi_MBr4BQ8GU2sEoC-8SvxIc/s640/IMG_0626.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENpf_6rJ1oYfLZ0WNwf0Dakup3Muk15TwORC01m1I1TnlLbx1uVBWyQDfeujD7DNIID965Sw6uGe69Cis1Qy1twBGE85bFH3zUSxusTCqXWIwYHvrfOPlPiInrpm9krsFg27RD6RKJgI/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENpf_6rJ1oYfLZ0WNwf0Dakup3Muk15TwORC01m1I1TnlLbx1uVBWyQDfeujD7DNIID965Sw6uGe69Cis1Qy1twBGE85bFH3zUSxusTCqXWIwYHvrfOPlPiInrpm9krsFg27RD6RKJgI/s640/IMG_0627.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVAX8jR1coMKjRYiiDoTzHv0HOOPrFw_cEzfvhoFmyXVAdyhrQsVMDeOnvVNNNq7ND0Mm_EZAD0ShCiOAcXz0Se7DBb-NIycVaqNH43EY2VjyUbXzc7M5hhe8iExIPDGSKpQ7m3Y1CXY/s1600/IMG_0628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVAX8jR1coMKjRYiiDoTzHv0HOOPrFw_cEzfvhoFmyXVAdyhrQsVMDeOnvVNNNq7ND0Mm_EZAD0ShCiOAcXz0Se7DBb-NIycVaqNH43EY2VjyUbXzc7M5hhe8iExIPDGSKpQ7m3Y1CXY/s640/IMG_0628.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was the first time I've made a white pizza and everything was a total experiment. I'm also one for kind of tossing in a bit of this and that so sorry that there aren't any set in stone measurements of anything, just trust your gut!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Commiserations to my father also. This was part of a pizza cook-off with him, in which even my mothers trusty fave that he made couldn't compete with the Wayland NYC inspired pizza blanco with pulled pork.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In addition, my favourite NYC pizza joint was <a href="http://www.artichokepizza.com/">Artichoke Basille's Pizza</a>, so if you get the chance stop on by.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Meanwhile, if I'm selling London short, please do let me know what amazing pizza places are about that I've been missing!</span>To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-27567833487536622832013-06-04T09:07:00.002+01:002013-06-04T09:07:40.884+01:00LDN: Hermes Festival des Metiers | Saatchi Gallery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXP-w8w71TwAiTpmEr1TwwO617y_zugcJ00TK5FFPV0VO5qczy2C1Zy1FDkzbCs9UXH3RTcD1XBR6iYofrsmrZLxqi3jdXLY9-lV61uJtIMZiVwJSOS6hn7MefYmt6geWERPceAbBtSU/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXP-w8w71TwAiTpmEr1TwwO617y_zugcJ00TK5FFPV0VO5qczy2C1Zy1FDkzbCs9UXH3RTcD1XBR6iYofrsmrZLxqi3jdXLY9-lV61uJtIMZiVwJSOS6hn7MefYmt6geWERPceAbBtSU/s640/IMG_0812.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Run your hand
across the luxurious leather of the birkin bag, watch as a glimmer of a diamond
is set amongst a heavy gold stud, dust your fingers delicately along a rail
of printed silk scarfs. Hermes Festival
des Metiers, recently showing at the Saatchi Gallery for just one week,
transported you to their work space in Lyons and gave you the opportunity to
learn first hand just how magnificently everything is made. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A sensory exhibition
that offered demonstrations, encouraged questions and allowed you to touch
that forbidden fashion fruit, did not disappoint. The travelling workshop meant that every
style diva, whether financially well-endowed or not, got the chance to weigh-in
on one of the most iconic and aspirational brands in the World.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHtOMkAa6fdlrEUJ8xFuVLLrNhhaqAVxJpRIVTDCMuNPXegOo1ASWyNlupyjWnzQOD1KOVrB_MpxX3gbMvou5A5BGpNUmFCbCVT5J1H340NmLXkhyffbb9JdenyhGYOK-g7y7BPxJPUI/s1600/IMG_0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHtOMkAa6fdlrEUJ8xFuVLLrNhhaqAVxJpRIVTDCMuNPXegOo1ASWyNlupyjWnzQOD1KOVrB_MpxX3gbMvou5A5BGpNUmFCbCVT5J1H340NmLXkhyffbb9JdenyhGYOK-g7y7BPxJPUI/s640/IMG_0824.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCgMwphQQG7GP5fDVxEIcPITZeE8S_2Q052WMFTp-m_-tX9SNJr2Mki8LCi1401Y23Ej9q0syAxe5rqWmnqQ7Y1iR6acXWormMaInQ8TXpJvHuWAnMd7fXM5jhKhgukP9qR7a34FaRpQ/s1600/IMG_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCgMwphQQG7GP5fDVxEIcPITZeE8S_2Q052WMFTp-m_-tX9SNJr2Mki8LCi1401Y23Ej9q0syAxe5rqWmnqQ7Y1iR6acXWormMaInQ8TXpJvHuWAnMd7fXM5jhKhgukP9qR7a34FaRpQ/s640/IMG_0825.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEW-5_CWqwP9n1AYKVcP-mKvzdfDCT8U03qvW9_fI3ZDrG3DcWksUYTL4UvYL2w6BA0jN8CfM9CqEup8uUHCdihADI8FCp9z2e19H5m3iio6I_h1in9HgSQ1U2SaHaRMc0k0uFr3jMsww/s1600/IMG_0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEW-5_CWqwP9n1AYKVcP-mKvzdfDCT8U03qvW9_fI3ZDrG3DcWksUYTL4UvYL2w6BA0jN8CfM9CqEup8uUHCdihADI8FCp9z2e19H5m3iio6I_h1in9HgSQ1U2SaHaRMc0k0uFr3jMsww/s640/IMG_0809.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_Z7cGVbYLFZPpKX1r0pP0687P70xj2LjBJYY7Ht4FfMew9WXL1oFeZeA9jcY7yLND2zPAREvNou-kVOtGPdjME3EJgdfRQn45R0isAL8qTRIN8ZGUXDgH0c8e5faBMegxrCUcxFoyls/s1600/IMG_0814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_Z7cGVbYLFZPpKX1r0pP0687P70xj2LjBJYY7Ht4FfMew9WXL1oFeZeA9jcY7yLND2zPAREvNou-kVOtGPdjME3EJgdfRQn45R0isAL8qTRIN8ZGUXDgH0c8e5faBMegxrCUcxFoyls/s640/IMG_0814.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNlENZPwWQiU0fEsbD6HxxIiSRBBLMZkjYDKW-enQnYtAXHSf_iM1Gg3DPMsnHe7n3yDFLVstcJ-11dHPnGvNyuTNX4R-aNz_UUbMaDa8CmrKBWc62KKMA8VkXO43VPv7Oqhr-mvgSho/s1600/IMG_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNlENZPwWQiU0fEsbD6HxxIiSRBBLMZkjYDKW-enQnYtAXHSf_iM1Gg3DPMsnHe7n3yDFLVstcJ-11dHPnGvNyuTNX4R-aNz_UUbMaDa8CmrKBWc62KKMA8VkXO43VPv7Oqhr-mvgSho/s640/IMG_0816.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWXDZbQAZiKKd0Fx5vHJwQYMVafJSqU7ehFTcG8PdEIyZQ3Ljx3HBck678RRdpIR-uKYdLk1bJNcgiEMpTQKlGNA258CNYeOU9wLKxZoicNKe64Glh2TtkcMLQHvszSI24y3B_oGBpEw/s1600/IMG_0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWXDZbQAZiKKd0Fx5vHJwQYMVafJSqU7ehFTcG8PdEIyZQ3Ljx3HBck678RRdpIR-uKYdLk1bJNcgiEMpTQKlGNA258CNYeOU9wLKxZoicNKe64Glh2TtkcMLQHvszSI24y3B_oGBpEw/s640/IMG_0817.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoM2myqx-b5Wqr8nqRLW71xWsqLdKFfQRCDFoBeNXp29oq8GqWznMNLYzrgtCuaQ-CqcACPvwIFZ30RgBADHOWPB954ymQ6jIVQUvG2wW1jyU_ymj2ibLHB7M6q3fWubV0pR2YBOCu_0/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoM2myqx-b5Wqr8nqRLW71xWsqLdKFfQRCDFoBeNXp29oq8GqWznMNLYzrgtCuaQ-CqcACPvwIFZ30RgBADHOWPB954ymQ6jIVQUvG2wW1jyU_ymj2ibLHB7M6q3fWubV0pR2YBOCu_0/s640/IMG_0818.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqyEXP3jMy1G1b2O2j90KdhI01oBlKzb_-wqnxwMr_2jIYmzL3K2633fnbqJRcNigMqO3fBWYTqxrda4O8sx4x_hp-O59Ekoam1UcHizQ_U9GF5pjDWL53yN7tsVY6Cl334MJfAH7pRA/s1600/IMG_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqyEXP3jMy1G1b2O2j90KdhI01oBlKzb_-wqnxwMr_2jIYmzL3K2633fnbqJRcNigMqO3fBWYTqxrda4O8sx4x_hp-O59Ekoam1UcHizQ_U9GF5pjDWL53yN7tsVY6Cl334MJfAH7pRA/s640/IMG_0819.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvtJUdDA4n_wJPsCed8mVc66TznAxVOJY9NM5aAxBeEnp0waDKSNVzHETfrjYaNsLIzu2XE_ZYjrGGOZ4gzPIOegLgvdjx9XdI_vHScxgRZWJa6hi0ZRKx-n-0CRTVLRd2CViNrNoS9A/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvtJUdDA4n_wJPsCed8mVc66TznAxVOJY9NM5aAxBeEnp0waDKSNVzHETfrjYaNsLIzu2XE_ZYjrGGOZ4gzPIOegLgvdjx9XdI_vHScxgRZWJa6hi0ZRKx-n-0CRTVLRd2CViNrNoS9A/s640/IMG_0820.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNSjyN8Tnp8pT2ay5TUo0ojpVORcsbQ-sz_u-t58d0AMsKhPqCpxygSRTIDrKor0iWAc2e3uxQQblTK2xkmQteZeafNM4QJycZndCyYb4HouFXYzkhCRWjpPZ4Jih_QL2ZsPnM_6Bqbw/s1600/IMG_0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNSjyN8Tnp8pT2ay5TUo0ojpVORcsbQ-sz_u-t58d0AMsKhPqCpxygSRTIDrKor0iWAc2e3uxQQblTK2xkmQteZeafNM4QJycZndCyYb4HouFXYzkhCRWjpPZ4Jih_QL2ZsPnM_6Bqbw/s640/IMG_0821.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBL_gbmrU4JGqniYP86SG4b1NY1woUUMw0HPvo0RIl5Gsr4QlG7Z3m5LkLuYB8j0fzDzUxiQYS2myMQniZsuNdsZQO6PZx9GJJqA6-4x5tVx4754u_6amBOKyQV_goi_7Vw7GQ69G0A0/s1600/IMG_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBL_gbmrU4JGqniYP86SG4b1NY1woUUMw0HPvo0RIl5Gsr4QlG7Z3m5LkLuYB8j0fzDzUxiQYS2myMQniZsuNdsZQO6PZx9GJJqA6-4x5tVx4754u_6amBOKyQV_goi_7Vw7GQ69G0A0/s640/IMG_0822.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmu865lhUHXNjRxiMEzLbdpkGn7xogHRyVvJuRB0Xf5TS2oFtYtcBg7WMPkC7lXFtGfXf8bXjpcj_gLoze8NTAVTGHqejkVYW52MVJh6S9xyJ6zw8ofGe_j6S6na4MrLSgBA-W27Of14/s1600/IMG_0828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmu865lhUHXNjRxiMEzLbdpkGn7xogHRyVvJuRB0Xf5TS2oFtYtcBg7WMPkC7lXFtGfXf8bXjpcj_gLoze8NTAVTGHqejkVYW52MVJh6S9xyJ6zw8ofGe_j6S6na4MrLSgBA-W27Of14/s640/IMG_0828.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherCGZJIr0FbTsBJrV4EvY7AuF4JgiHY05OJF4e86nFAiPofN0bNZYae7RozfR9HlLMM-ByfmCnD9eRE95-cUUGJQje4Fa_HHW-PvcB5UT_8YZDcfKWZXhx4INWZ4bqylDfsTg6iF6vFo/s1600/IMG_0826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherCGZJIr0FbTsBJrV4EvY7AuF4JgiHY05OJF4e86nFAiPofN0bNZYae7RozfR9HlLMM-ByfmCnD9eRE95-cUUGJQje4Fa_HHW-PvcB5UT_8YZDcfKWZXhx4INWZ4bqylDfsTg6iF6vFo/s640/IMG_0826.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN_y7GnhbGUP8VNNKA9KTQ7AyxPH8NreCxAHAftfqFXMYH5_R-jYRC5Rz1FBcAldtodga7XJmIZUdjXLBJ6FAsXwf59YnPg-Efcyi_0lQwcuB_kMRfsGs3XL8zUVfVbqQkLNISIHhvuk/s1600/IMG_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN_y7GnhbGUP8VNNKA9KTQ7AyxPH8NreCxAHAftfqFXMYH5_R-jYRC5Rz1FBcAldtodga7XJmIZUdjXLBJ6FAsXwf59YnPg-Efcyi_0lQwcuB_kMRfsGs3XL8zUVfVbqQkLNISIHhvuk/s640/IMG_0813.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">There was even
an hour long tutorial on printing one of their infamous silk scarfs. This, for me, was the most phenomenal demonstration,
as the artist went on to explain that what they were showing us in an hour
actually takes two years to create just the one. This includes making the silk scarf itself,
not just printing. He also went on to
explain that the average Hermes scarf uses 27 colours, today they were only
using 11 for this particular design they were printing but that was very unusual. The most intricate design uses
46 colours. Incredible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN0zO35utoluu2NkxaCiueh0I1O5JreOkxlji3pFK3PmHkenJwioTrMeke1SjfExvkmnNBp5EO3Bnu4mKvGk4dg9FLi_FBe5GK1sdzpC6ehABqJGQAToPNysDUP5I9r0egVCTFT49avI/s1600/IMG_0831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN0zO35utoluu2NkxaCiueh0I1O5JreOkxlji3pFK3PmHkenJwioTrMeke1SjfExvkmnNBp5EO3Bnu4mKvGk4dg9FLi_FBe5GK1sdzpC6ehABqJGQAToPNysDUP5I9r0egVCTFT49avI/s640/IMG_0831.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT6lle4d9mEFn1CikQvt2HIbpw-i9hvY8vvP8UDO3-ZWtumb6p9dSUAX_sFCCeNGbN_sDViTyrt6jnAEq8cyYCId4K_uemIMBsI_Je9tMkO9LYYAHEIlHvdD1FljJC5MbIE3BRB-bQHI/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT6lle4d9mEFn1CikQvt2HIbpw-i9hvY8vvP8UDO3-ZWtumb6p9dSUAX_sFCCeNGbN_sDViTyrt6jnAEq8cyYCId4K_uemIMBsI_Je9tMkO9LYYAHEIlHvdD1FljJC5MbIE3BRB-bQHI/s640/IMG_0835.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKpPjFrqOJGR2n8n79gkRgxLWXPPZ05WDDP5FX7tmnBWnpmbfFZLr0-GQZ8Ud2w50FyhW-MOOWBO6uQNzBMFT9n7kRu0HOxj2g9cEjR9N3EPns-2hba1uxdVwM9dbAQ-mpmYhgn6R71U/s1600/IMG_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKpPjFrqOJGR2n8n79gkRgxLWXPPZ05WDDP5FX7tmnBWnpmbfFZLr0-GQZ8Ud2w50FyhW-MOOWBO6uQNzBMFT9n7kRu0HOxj2g9cEjR9N3EPns-2hba1uxdVwM9dbAQ-mpmYhgn6R71U/s640/IMG_0838.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eOtuMDUOP2T5_kJqBVGx0uB0rfEnDMay_4_9EYKc7tFfMWxNgLRcrY-feyXaIP9AuNeYEqPCUx5_TBrThAVA2OTElo9aR-qA67OHkaYvkjCYkK1pi-eiUylR0dnzWZHyLYqKq55L6GY/s1600/IMG_0839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eOtuMDUOP2T5_kJqBVGx0uB0rfEnDMay_4_9EYKc7tFfMWxNgLRcrY-feyXaIP9AuNeYEqPCUx5_TBrThAVA2OTElo9aR-qA67OHkaYvkjCYkK1pi-eiUylR0dnzWZHyLYqKq55L6GY/s640/IMG_0839.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9c1RzhJefNvmItkw-Bl6p2HSy_LKPrY3u3zxeC7fXpfo3YpxqueOq-FToBPYtg1J7PP6lLOLiNhJjaE1s8e5OBAtyG2ZhROyqeEXDlDrylEA8NtHbfrEge_K0Tylr9YbA4lwpQleZFg/s1600/IMG_0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9c1RzhJefNvmItkw-Bl6p2HSy_LKPrY3u3zxeC7fXpfo3YpxqueOq-FToBPYtg1J7PP6lLOLiNhJjaE1s8e5OBAtyG2ZhROyqeEXDlDrylEA8NtHbfrEge_K0Tylr9YbA4lwpQleZFg/s640/IMG_0840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzLGO2WCVesy5TFDstIvVWdlBkIM68YuP41tUM4bdmSALbTUcdfWp4sWJ8Jv_qofLQX7WUKFmGcgQwbHMQK6FqfNvxWgx5XCXSZrc8J0CKFkEm0tq2nURi0Un3iIYWb1nqYVlSMdKe8w/s1600/IMG_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzLGO2WCVesy5TFDstIvVWdlBkIM68YuP41tUM4bdmSALbTUcdfWp4sWJ8Jv_qofLQX7WUKFmGcgQwbHMQK6FqfNvxWgx5XCXSZrc8J0CKFkEm0tq2nURi0Un3iIYWb1nqYVlSMdKe8w/s640/IMG_0841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wC47RNI5RVJ9s_tbhNMCy2Q2XNPD2D8ZR7bg84rd8GQ9KGWq4FYMxURvcT7vMRWaiUxO8IVE64__R-mMfrxRYnkeaf4B-KoBAmcYq83nMAXO_fIVxTQJGds1ZHUJpaG0UNuPgIM5OBs/s1600/IMG_0842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wC47RNI5RVJ9s_tbhNMCy2Q2XNPD2D8ZR7bg84rd8GQ9KGWq4FYMxURvcT7vMRWaiUxO8IVE64__R-mMfrxRYnkeaf4B-KoBAmcYq83nMAXO_fIVxTQJGds1ZHUJpaG0UNuPgIM5OBs/s640/IMG_0842.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hlzLmdenFMoQoOFJ8rRdyOHxk-r9uvNsHbKQEIn3sy2Y7kgcqG6J0nYouR1E_iLMXev1bepIQYALBZCgAiO3y7MKTYDNZMF1jwIatZDlZa4G7pIxGR97UFkUQQmIxNLNAm1G4EvGZVA/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hlzLmdenFMoQoOFJ8rRdyOHxk-r9uvNsHbKQEIn3sy2Y7kgcqG6J0nYouR1E_iLMXev1bepIQYALBZCgAiO3y7MKTYDNZMF1jwIatZDlZa4G7pIxGR97UFkUQQmIxNLNAm1G4EvGZVA/s640/IMG_0843.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-16555976812956595392013-04-22T00:32:00.001+01:002013-04-22T00:34:59.774+01:00Love that Dirty WaterYou never fall as hard or fast as you do for your first love and for me that was Boston. I've been visiting the city since I was 11 years old and lived just outside it for a short time in 2005 and yet my heart still has butterflies every time my plane lands at Logan, or my Greyhound drops me at South Station. It has a special place in my history and as much as I've grown to love the incredible city that is NYC this last year, New York somehow still never stirs the same feeling inside of me as Beantown does. There's nothing quite like the warmth I feel as I wander it's streets, as the sun hits the Common and as my hands freeze whilst clutching my french vanilla iced coffee from Dunks in sub zero temperatures.<br />
<br />
When I heard the news on monday, via twitter, my initial reaction was shock. Shock that anybody would want to hurt this city in particular <i>"it's the friendliest city in the World"</i>, I thought. Not that any city in the US deserves this kind of act of terror but the fact that it was Boston seemed to really confuse me. After reading <a href="http://www.abostonfooddiary.com/2013/04/boston-my-town-my-love-my-community.html">A Boston Food Diary's post, Boston: My Town, My Love, My Community</a>, I realised why I was regarding this city as if it were a human being, because as this fellow blogger explained, <i>"Boston...It's a personality." </i>And what a personality it is!<br />
<br />
A lot has happened this week and as we all begin to rest our heads on our pillows in preparation for yet another monday morning in which the daily grind shall begin all over again, I just wanted to reflect on how much bigger and stronger my feelings have grown for my first love and it's people, some of whom I am so lucky to call my friends. Your spirit has been unfailing and your personality unfaltered.<br />
<br />
Here's to meandering down Charles Street weaving in and out of boutiques and cafes, to Beacon Hill as you silently make your way through the elegant passages of brownstones, to the beauty of Boston Public Garden as it stands in unison with the more understated common, to the italian sausage stands parked as usual outside old Filene's Basement, to that golden dome that watches over us in confidence, to the Prudential tower as it smiles back at us whilst taking the red line across the Charles to Cambridge, to the twinkly lights, sparkling like magic at dusk on Newbury, to the hustle and bustle that is never angry or selfish on Boylston. To Boston.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/WqXyHon_hD8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/WqXyHon_hD8&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/WqXyHon_hD8&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-36124898328885895322013-01-27T04:30:00.000+00:002013-01-27T17:22:41.306+00:00Return Journey<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nW6uJi2LFwr68Y0mNgAbw6G9oRTDZN0D1dpWrpRzKEzyAz3xHpWzw-MGH6g00PCK35KNX2iHoLpx6TEo_79USeEMjK5ae1WROLYdEgd66Ws87q8TL49cAP-xBE2Matwi2lVfHnoiSog/s1600/SSL24903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nW6uJi2LFwr68Y0mNgAbw6G9oRTDZN0D1dpWrpRzKEzyAz3xHpWzw-MGH6g00PCK35KNX2iHoLpx6TEo_79USeEMjK5ae1WROLYdEgd66Ws87q8TL49cAP-xBE2Matwi2lVfHnoiSog/s640/SSL24903.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the walk home from Newport PATH Station<br />Newport Town Square, Newport, Jersey City, NJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-28905113917647308802013-01-26T04:30:00.000+00:002013-01-27T17:19:40.388+00:00Secrets and Lies<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BV2D1yOHSyI6jAKRnlhGMr7WQayGGKzBZzN8FqKuDn4nl3X_-xVows4_JRd5Rd4P4KmOmXRN28SmHkiFm0rcWaCdddp77EaR6a0sB6yUrC6PHzjWh3p4DFRdslXK8Z9-fwJeUlJAE8E/s1600/SSL24887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BV2D1yOHSyI6jAKRnlhGMr7WQayGGKzBZzN8FqKuDn4nl3X_-xVows4_JRd5Rd4P4KmOmXRN28SmHkiFm0rcWaCdddp77EaR6a0sB6yUrC6PHzjWh3p4DFRdslXK8Z9-fwJeUlJAE8E/s640/SSL24887.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speakeasy, Little Branch<br />
7th Ave, Leroy and St Luke's Place, NYC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1303381624021145034.post-32731104411955631752013-01-25T04:26:00.001+00:002013-01-25T04:26:46.331+00:00I keep dancing on my own...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVZUS9Em0aNh6b5HOlW0sN2iL1JIqCI6DZHg6TodJjHMIM3Ju7NcnE38jN7hgX3MyCns3-uebf67lRHBmKKBtkF19l9pNZAQLXjzMKSFNuYobb5melMREsUxio2yj_Cie4xQq52FcjwA/s1600/SSL24853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVZUS9Em0aNh6b5HOlW0sN2iL1JIqCI6DZHg6TodJjHMIM3Ju7NcnE38jN7hgX3MyCns3-uebf67lRHBmKKBtkF19l9pNZAQLXjzMKSFNuYobb5melMREsUxio2yj_Cie4xQq52FcjwA/s640/SSL24853.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only in Brooklyn, home of hit show GIRLS, would the advert for series 2 be painted on a wall. <br />Berry Street, Williamsburg, NYC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />To ELLE and Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896068333224709935noreply@blogger.com0