8. Cantonese tea for two

Anyone who likes clotted cream and scones has either probably had a cream tea somewhere or afternoon tea at some swanky place.  As a change, we went for Cantonese tea for two (which was part of my mum's birthday present) and we managed to get a great price via Groupon.

This was held at the Grand Imperial (part of the Grosvenor Hotel near Victoria station) and before we went we did not know what would be part of the deal.

To start with, we were asked what type of tea we wanted and then a large teapot with china cups came out (very posh).  After this, a cake stand appeared with 3 tiers of delightful goodies.  The top layer held 3 different starter esk type goodies containing pork, lobster and we think crayfish or prawn.  The middle tier had 2 duck and cucumber pieces on a prawn cracker and then 2 with an array of small diced veg.  To finish (on the bottom tier) was two egg tart pastries and 2 green tea mousses.  We were expected to eat most of this with chopsticks (which for pros like us is normally fine) but due to a few food accidents, we had a little bit of help from our hands and some spoons in the end : )

For me the starter and main tiers were my favourite - they had lots of choice of flavour and were all made differently.  The puddings weren't bad, but for once they didn't really work for me.

The experience overall was really good - great service, nice food and a relaxed atmosphere.

If you're intrigued, I would definitely try it, as I found it enjoyable and tried a few new things : )

7. Digital jobs fair

I have been to the odd really rubbish job fair in the past (mainly just because I have been curious) but due to the fact I am trying to steer my work in a new direction, I decided to go to a proper jobs fair for what I was looking for (I've had an interest in digital technology for awhile, but they didn't used to have careers fairs for it).  This particular one was run by Digital Shoreditch (which is actually running for over another week).

The thing I liked about this one was that it had been well organised.  There were people from various companies to chat to (but all within a circular area - we were in a big top tent - which also fits in with the creative side), a CV and Portfolio surgery done by good digital agencies, some workshops and free food and drink (which I think is important when people are there for a long time).

I was particularly interested in two stalls who I talked to staff at and was very impressed with (Entraprise and Unruly - the latter, even gave me a cupcake after chatting to me - 10 points : p).

I think if you are looking for digital work, you should definitely check them out.  I feel I have some leads now to follow and a little more direction than I felt before.

Go to digitalshoreditch.com to find out more.

6. Beginners course in Henna Tattooing

The aim original of this blog was to try new exciting courses and things I had never done, but it has been hard fitting this in around work etc.  However, I finally got to do one of the things I wanted to:  Henna Tattooing.

Went with a friend of mine to a local centre and did a two hour session.  In the session we had the chance to: look at images about the two main types of henna tattooing and what makes them different, learn how to hold the cones of henna and get used to the tension you need to produce to get the right flow, practised basic lines and shapes and finally created some flowers and leaves with shading.

It's great to learn because you be creative with it and either follow traditional styles (Indian and Arabic) or create your own images.  I wouldn't say I had a natural knack for it, but enjoyed doing it : )  It's also good for trying out designs that you might want done as a normal tattoo, as it is not permanent.

The session was really interesting and made me want to buy some henna and try it on myself.  When a suitable time arises, I will buy some to put on myself for an event : )

Course taken with:  http://twitter.com/#!/tibatraining

5. Wearing and applying shatter nail varnish

I didn't really used to wear nail varnish as I grew up.  I had random colours I had bought at different points, but my mum didn't like me tarting myself up (especially as I always looked older for my age was I was younger).

A reasonably new craze in nail varnish has been shatter nail varnish polish.  You basically put on a base coat, then one or two layers of your favourite colour and then put a fourth layer of shatter proof varnish on top.  This final layer cracks as it sets, letting the other colour show underneath.

I wasn't expecting my trial to be successful when I originally tried it out for a hen-do, but I was presently surprised (should have known, Barry M make-up is pretty good).  It worked fast, efficiently and looked good.

Now I've done my nails again, this time in silver and black - I never knew I could be so trendy : )

4. Buying Princess Shoes

Does anyone remember this advert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUQCQ0LMsb8

Magic Shoes were a massive hit at the end of the 80s, every girl wanted them and most in the end owned them.  Unfortunately for me not only did my parents want me to wear sensible shoes (patent shoes got damaged easily and always had to be replaced) but they did not do these in a wide fitting, so I couldn't have them : (

I spent a lot of my time growing up not getting shoes I wanted because they were either not wide enough or not big enough (I was a size 6 by the time I went to secondary and have now been a size 8 for yonks).

As some of you will know from my other blog, shoes have become slightly more important in my life in recent years (they do nice ones in my size, I have more money than when I was a teen and my interests have changed).

Anywho, I was going to a wedding reception the other day and was originally looking for a nice new dress in TK Maxx, but couldn't find what I was looking for.  I went to have a quick look at the shoes and saw the most amazing glittery silver ones - picture below.

I decided not only because they fit, looked great and would go with my outfit, that I would buy them, but also to fulfil the dreams of my younger self, who never got those magic shoes she wanted (they are also rocket dogs, so quite comfy : p)

They are not red so I won't be saying "There's no place like home" at the end of a long night, but they have filled the void and made the 7 year old me very happy : )

3. Wedding Fair

I went to my first Wedding Fair the other day with my friend.  I had obviously been aware of these events before, but had never had the pleasure before.  I have to say, I expected a lot more free stuff and things to try and it was more like an exhibition than an event as such.

My friend (I will keep her identity hidden, lol) and I went to Alexander Palace for their Wedding event.  My friend had suggested going because she is starting to plan her wedding and had won free tickets to go.

I really like Alexander Palace because it is a spacious venue, so it was a bit of a disappointment that the event was set up in a rather small space.  Also the security guard by accident threw my friends gift bag tickets in the bin with our ticket stubs, so my friend had to prove to these women at a desk that we were here for the wedding event - ridiculous!

My main annoyance about these events is most of the stuff is quite samey and it's only going to these events that you realise this - the main things people try and sell you are:  a venue, a dress, flowers or a cake.  My biggest pet hate was the cake stalls trying to get people to order their wedding cake at their event, but there was no cake to try.  Your cake can look great, but if it tastes like cardboard, no one will eat it.  We did however find one cake stall that did have tasters, it was bad, but I've had better : )

The three stalls however that I really liked and made our trip all the worth making:

1.  A wedding blog stall - a stall where all the items there were hand made and you can go on their blog to find out how to make them for your wedding - brilliant idea!

2. A costumes stall - a stall offering you everything you may need for a themed wedding and venue (if you want that too).  I'm trying to encourage my friend to have a medieval wedding, as her and her fella would look great in those clothes and it would be amazing : )

3. (But definitely not my least favourite) The stall of Danny the Idiot.  He is basically a guy who works with his mate to create balloon creations of any kind for your big day - AMAZING!  At the stall they had palm trees, monkeys, dogs, flowers - it was so cool.  We convinced the guy to give us balloons if we signed up to his mailing list, he agreed : )  I got a flower and my friend got Odi from Garfield : )

The thing I loved about these 3 stalls were they were very different and very us.  My friend and I both like unusual things, we like things that make us laugh and we want to have our own take on things.  Although I'm not engaged yet (my fella doesn't rid this, so he won't see the hint, lol) it did give nice food for thought.

So after our brief trip to the Wedding Fair we went into central London ate, drank and chatted - an overall worthwhile day.  Oh that and the balloon creations - mine is still alive and kicking in my house : )

2. Kisstory

So I went to Kisstory the other day - something I have been meaning to do for ages.


I love so many radio stations, but I love nothing more than to tune into Kiss Fm at 11am for all the best tunes from the past that their station has played (most the time I listen is when I am doing the laundry for the show and I iggle my hips and sing my heart out whilst doing the ironing : p - this is fine until people walk through the space when I'm not  expecting them too : s)


Kisstory was as urban and trendy as I expected it (which is not really my scene) but because we were out for a Hen night, I was dressed up and felt like I fitted in, lol.


Because I am like the song Bitch by Meredith Brooks (look up the song, not as bad as it seems), I very rely go to clubs that specialise in all the different styles of music I like, so it was nice to go to one that played RnB : )


I had a really good time at the o2 (everyone we went with seemed to have a good time) but I can't decide if I'd go again.  Although I liked most of the music, there was a fair amount of Garage (which I do not like) and it just seemed like the sort of thing that was great to try but maybe I am just getting to old for that particular scene.  Doesn't mean I can't still enjoy that music, maybe it just needs to be whilst dancing round my kitchen : )