tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39475310950796398972024-03-05T21:24:01.090+00:00Je m'appelle Laura Musings on life by a Cardiff based Francophile. Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-3236055215779795692015-05-18T11:30:00.002+01:002015-05-18T11:32:09.618+01:003 of my favourite blogs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Spreading the bloggin' love, here are some of the blogs I read often which I'd like to share with you:</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.takecourageblog.com/" target="_blank"><u>Take Courage</u></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The pictures on this blog are gorgeous and some real clothing envy always takes hold whenever I read this. There are often DIY tutorials which aren't really my bag but I love the vintage lovin' and the author's personal style. Although links to clothes are provided, it definitely doesn't feel like advertising or that there is a pressure to BUY BUY BUY.</div>
<a href="http://agirlcalledjack.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://agirlcalledjack.com/" target="_blank"><u>A Girl Called Jack</u></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I cannot overstate how much I admire Jack Monroe. This blog is often filled with recipes (anyone who knows me well will know that I am not a natural cook), but what I really love are Jack's more political posts or stories from her past. I find what she has achieved remarkable, and blimin' inspirational. She writes so concisely and intelligently and I often finish the post fist-pumping the air shouting "YES!". She puts into words what I'd like to say, only better.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.befrassy.net/" target="_blank"><u>Frassy</u></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This girl can write. Although I get the impression that<u> </u>majority of her posts are sponsored (a girl has got to eat!) it is the in depth, personal and beautiful writing that draws me back to this blog. There have also been book recommendations which I've taken up and not regretted. The fact that the author lives in both Barcelona and Paris means that the photos are seriously gorgeous and make me want to pack everything in and copy her. Even though I know I couldn't do it nearly as well. She makes full time professional blogging look easy although I'm sure it's not.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Needless to say blogs masquerading as adverts do not interest me but the above all go a bit deepe. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And now, as this has been a bit word heavy, here are some pictures from my weekend</div>
<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/AVvXsEgbwHsaVQXV7BjNat3BzXefGT6kHwEb-aVvb0S9u_pHI8tBREfcS_UPeCTTQcd-l__w0YJAlIh2RZBAOcfJ3L77WyTWcivsHX6SEQsdJn6V8B3ysh8QucttM50lCFR9gtUyM1igeYNIbWFu/s1600/NME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwHsaVQXV7BjNat3BzXefGT6kHwEb-aVvb0S9u_pHI8tBREfcS_UPeCTTQcd-l__w0YJAlIh2RZBAOcfJ3L77WyTWcivsHX6SEQsdJn6V8B3ysh8QucttM50lCFR9gtUyM1igeYNIbWFu/s320/NME.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">checking out the Chalkie Davies exhibition at Cardiff Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEi1Fy4Jsrjcn_krciEjyI8VaOeSbm9dC4s07MMuOnxBZHy_T_NFq5QZiv7vPXZiL1LZKhWmGMPKNovR0n3Xno4Yc9aBcqVvIeOpuIeZVV7BIbYpz3Eu8FrcG2DPQkubZcvfUxob3o9tlXS9/s1600/Voguejoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Fy4Jsrjcn_krciEjyI8VaOeSbm9dC4s07MMuOnxBZHy_T_NFq5QZiv7vPXZiL1LZKhWmGMPKNovR0n3Xno4Yc9aBcqVvIeOpuIeZVV7BIbYpz3Eu8FrcG2DPQkubZcvfUxob3o9tlXS9/s320/Voguejoes.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading Vogue and eat Joe's ice cream at Roath Rec</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhLDoKgCw9_gJT1SrBJx0FyF2vYvsh0CAHpwvD_YEY1kju7c_NbFsz4Kb3wBgVHqxhZfDyqkv8n9ayNCkoIqMJbtyZ6LQPM9w0MScgV6-bcetuM9je0ZlgO3viDARG9Jm-ybpkd-4W8dhnR/s1600/Newyork+Deli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDoKgCw9_gJT1SrBJx0FyF2vYvsh0CAHpwvD_YEY1kju7c_NbFsz4Kb3wBgVHqxhZfDyqkv8n9ayNCkoIqMJbtyZ6LQPM9w0MScgV6-bcetuM9je0ZlgO3viDARG9Jm-ybpkd-4W8dhnR/s320/Newyork+Deli.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for my bagel and enjoying a Snapple at New York Deli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-48983149688101117542015-04-23T14:39:00.001+01:002015-04-23T14:46:13.602+01:00Making the most of life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am someone with a tendency to over think things. Recent gin and tonic fueled chatting about life with some of the closest people in my life in a hot tub in the Forest of Dean last week, along with sucky things happening to people close to us, has put me in a reflective mood. I am determined to to..., to what? Live life I suppose and not stress the small things. So...eat that bit of cake, go to that gig, do nothing, do something, phone your friend, don't phone that friend who always makes you feel bad about yourself, walk, laugh about it, say yes, say no, completely ignore me and make your own list, don't inspect badly taken work lanyard photos to closely (this one might just be me), and realise that there ain't nothing wrong with turning 30 (or any age) this year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Here are some awesome things I have been doing over the last week</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEihHnna5JjuclygPbSvndz9Ypxf5iKStDiFjkEP365HUU4qLaJrZY3tqZ1uzCsux09p_7_CJ7ivbXBe01dRW1Yd_-FKetets3UlJXgEXgQJ29Js55iSQ5eUXSwcjdFJwgFIXRSo1luiizza/s1600/sparkle+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHnna5JjuclygPbSvndz9Ypxf5iKStDiFjkEP365HUU4qLaJrZY3tqZ1uzCsux09p_7_CJ7ivbXBe01dRW1Yd_-FKetets3UlJXgEXgQJ29Js55iSQ5eUXSwcjdFJwgFIXRSo1luiizza/s1600/sparkle+cake.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extremely sweet and delicious cake from Jolly's tea room in Bath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEg42b3ZlbQGdW2VUDGvWn-fl1gaZI6lnpMLkFHUeDyC6_Xi94Sexm-uG_x_1tfYYw4Z8SxeIqTzm0MmsITn8iv_AqBYeGIwFHNftUL6cDJuU2TGB19WszBeftB0IrIOV7owCmTD-gpt3Hzw/s1600/caitlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42b3ZlbQGdW2VUDGvWn-fl1gaZI6lnpMLkFHUeDyC6_Xi94Sexm-uG_x_1tfYYw4Z8SxeIqTzm0MmsITn8iv_AqBYeGIwFHNftUL6cDJuU2TGB19WszBeftB0IrIOV7owCmTD-gpt3Hzw/s1600/caitlin.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeing Caitlin Moran speak in Cardiff last week</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjAb_c7HvDNMyuFX0oK8Ev7voAocuWT0mZEd9v8VRQCNxs3UlAZSVJIEKBhUE5G8PBQYT5bOhtTiV3nD0DZD_yYoCmoXuC58Nx0t4Uve77kJg5KIa8NXC1l2sADO8-zr5c5NoUhMBGZjpzq/s1600/Tintern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAb_c7HvDNMyuFX0oK8Ev7voAocuWT0mZEd9v8VRQCNxs3UlAZSVJIEKBhUE5G8PBQYT5bOhtTiV3nD0DZD_yYoCmoXuC58Nx0t4Uve77kJg5KIa8NXC1l2sADO8-zr5c5NoUhMBGZjpzq/s1600/Tintern.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Tintern Abbey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEh0E5YspqyW3bRnGxjzH-5X-wuWFFSSJuZ9X08b3wRrZRHqqxWOZXJ95gsZAfGAng-FijXXOOYOpnww8siKRh74hZZ-tYAJfLVBHzkiV76V5btLmAdjrRP3bUDu8QvgcS-vHzEfAICdABq1/s1600/Cardiff+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E5YspqyW3bRnGxjzH-5X-wuWFFSSJuZ9X08b3wRrZRHqqxWOZXJ95gsZAfGAng-FijXXOOYOpnww8siKRh74hZZ-tYAJfLVBHzkiV76V5btLmAdjrRP3bUDu8QvgcS-vHzEfAICdABq1/s1600/Cardiff+Bay.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardiff Bay on a Spring evening (we had fish and chips from Top Gun)</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/AVvXsEjN-y1E9G4ApPsxnnQjhx2llLTCqd6glugR5knJsDS2R6Pxj6dLyhGStcYB1ZsMcVtbPohGKKn-zbZkGbYp2zuw96pv12_M_nbCAXdvJIfmxP5VMJtvEs63vrcu2aVjjWEqWXb0stOf0NlO/s1600/Radio+2+folk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-y1E9G4ApPsxnnQjhx2llLTCqd6glugR5knJsDS2R6Pxj6dLyhGStcYB1ZsMcVtbPohGKKn-zbZkGbYp2zuw96pv12_M_nbCAXdvJIfmxP5VMJtvEs63vrcu2aVjjWEqWXb0stOf0NlO/s1600/Radio+2+folk.jpg" height="400" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite the back row at the Radio 2 Folk Awards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-4801567107881588612015-04-08T16:29:00.002+01:002015-04-08T16:31:09.698+01:00Springtime in Cardiff<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Woah it's been ages since my last post. I have been taking my own advice and have taken a pause because, to be truthful, the whole blogging thing wasn't really inspiring me lately. Stupidly, I have allowed myself to be intimidated by the thousands of <strike>adverts</strike> blogs telling me which foundation to wear and what Spring must-haves to buy. Not my thing it turns out. "Shake off the negativity, Laura", I hear you cry. Alright then... here are some awesome things that have happened in my life since my last blog:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
PARIS</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I spent a week with Hywel in one of my favourite places. We ate, walked, saw, slept, talked and generally had a wonderful time. If someone could tell me a place in Cardiff that sells <i>religieuses</i> I would be eternally grateful.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnlZHo0BASoQ9L7ejuH_d8GTu_J-DLNp9hAEqwjkicS2dlfHgYnnT99zaERzlycUOgEyjPFO6m6BsqMfUFW9Ocjn43G7DfDi6Y39frBAO_WUicHpPq3gQjqVjiIV3uzIMhLb83Iu88OxF/s1600/yum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnlZHo0BASoQ9L7ejuH_d8GTu_J-DLNp9hAEqwjkicS2dlfHgYnnT99zaERzlycUOgEyjPFO6m6BsqMfUFW9Ocjn43G7DfDi6Y39frBAO_WUicHpPq3gQjqVjiIV3uzIMhLb83Iu88OxF/s1600/yum.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Preparing for festivals</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ok, so it's only April but we have been buying CDs ready for Green Man and End of The Road. Favourite new discoveries so far include Public Broadcasting Service, Courtney Barnet and Emmy the Great (also looking forward to War on Drugs, Django Django and Super Furries, obvs).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuxqNXy77I8q2Em35F7c0u7tDBT7eaQhezZsx3OqNqVLSbju6sHK6a_QK0AAvM_MJzd7CDt9n0pkC8Kq6hLFwz81GwyABTWpOQrGSO58mMvDtUXH-i29jNQ_ckpznhORc2uaTy_o7hclz/s1600/cds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuxqNXy77I8q2Em35F7c0u7tDBT7eaQhezZsx3OqNqVLSbju6sHK6a_QK0AAvM_MJzd7CDt9n0pkC8Kq6hLFwz81GwyABTWpOQrGSO58mMvDtUXH-i29jNQ_ckpznhORc2uaTy_o7hclz/s1600/cds.jpg" height="400" width="218" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Springtime in Cardiff</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even the less than salubrious Splott looks lovely now that Winter is safely behind us. Also putting washing on the line makes me happier than it perhaps should do.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXByuE95lMDxx5V74YHW4m18x9x5wcne5SLeQVfDutDQQlABzU4d4AtOPzsQgVezPvOTknjjM2IwtQKJDNjE0XyNdMWRlopuhyphenhyphenudmUfdHT_MwvJbvWRe685FiBrb0rprmla0YyLEHMwNY/s1600/blossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXByuE95lMDxx5V74YHW4m18x9x5wcne5SLeQVfDutDQQlABzU4d4AtOPzsQgVezPvOTknjjM2IwtQKJDNjE0XyNdMWRlopuhyphenhyphenudmUfdHT_MwvJbvWRe685FiBrb0rprmla0YyLEHMwNY/s1600/blossom.jpg" height="400" width="355" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy the springtime everyone. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-72554760404946229632015-02-23T11:28:00.001+00:002015-02-23T11:48:58.786+00:00Taking a pause<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is rare for us to have a weekend with no plans what with weddings to attend, hen dos to arrange family and friends across the country to see, Christmas, birthdays etc etc. I love doing these things but every now and then it is nice to take a pause to appreciate Cardiff and relax at home. </div>
<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/AVvXsEglWcT6vk_ifIXSqVkPXaNyYGZSy_z6H6JaUQBuSTwa3cFWr7H_fOUTSw7LXOK5nvVIji2bAnkv50VBgR2tKu-TU3KVLg3q20pjHt1I4JYUiFaaKepn_FbZ5hDWDtui6uk543p60QC8Beaw/s1600/paris+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWcT6vk_ifIXSqVkPXaNyYGZSy_z6H6JaUQBuSTwa3cFWr7H_fOUTSw7LXOK5nvVIji2bAnkv50VBgR2tKu-TU3KVLg3q20pjHt1I4JYUiFaaKepn_FbZ5hDWDtui6uk543p60QC8Beaw/s1600/paris+books.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books to read ready for our Paris holiday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The last three weekends Hywel and I have been able to chill out, wander around Cardiff, eat, read, devour Netflix, go to the market, go to yoga, spend time with each other and get little house jobs done and it has been wonderful.</div>
<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/AVvXsEjwc_daU4-L8cvFHZUdeIyGqMVGh1dUcyO6Eudw7dZwH73mbwRyVeZNYkrtjIByl7aoFLzwqMnURVBgbUmXUDuWTBo3t_EjHSI3No2KZdUTWyjczNnm_bQv2Ru6gQ1lb7zEYcLMqO7gxlwS/s1600/tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc_daU4-L8cvFHZUdeIyGqMVGh1dUcyO6Eudw7dZwH73mbwRyVeZNYkrtjIByl7aoFLzwqMnURVBgbUmXUDuWTBo3t_EjHSI3No2KZdUTWyjczNnm_bQv2Ru6gQ1lb7zEYcLMqO7gxlwS/s1600/tulips.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful tulips</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also sometime feel like a little pause in life is a good idea. I am currently in a job which has its busier periods in summer over the exam session so it is a little quiet at the moment giving me time to focus on other things such as improving my Spanish and French skills (come April- June I wont have time to think so don't feel too jealous!). This is different to my previous job where I was traveling a lot and not necessarily able to spend as much time with friends and family as much as I would have liked. Maybe one day I will take a job that involves me flying off to various exotic places but for now I am happy taking a pause. </div>
<br />
Namaste y'all<br />
<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/AVvXsEiBjQuMvdd2Glc2MrOXwgBm_Exww16kTUD143eZRE1KpYGVBog8gM0cB0UVVNqnYmYvNHNfU_fKQKK6snfDZHKySNc1Bjjx7cvmRkgocdNEGhy9T6RbAEBlsSCN8Oo8sPn5MH7ItwWdBuh8/s1600/wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjQuMvdd2Glc2MrOXwgBm_Exww16kTUD143eZRE1KpYGVBog8gM0cB0UVVNqnYmYvNHNfU_fKQKK6snfDZHKySNc1Bjjx7cvmRkgocdNEGhy9T6RbAEBlsSCN8Oo8sPn5MH7ItwWdBuh8/s1600/wine.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-26912369267492284292015-02-10T13:24:00.001+00:002015-02-10T13:27:18.515+00:005 things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Reading other blogs I have learnt that a common blogging feature seems to be "5 things" so, while never one for trying to fit in with the "cool girls", in the spirit of playing along here are some <i>5 things</i> of my own.<br />
<br />
5 things I liked about the past week:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Walking along the Cardiff Bay barrage to Penarth and having a lovely lunch at Washington tea rooms with Hywel. </li>
<li>Going to Bath for the day with my mum and discovering Mac makeup</li>
<li>Babysitting my super beautiful 18 month old godson and us both surviving</li>
<li>Meeting old friends (Ellen I'm looking at you here) and picking up where we left off</li>
<li>Learning that Hywel will be joining me at End of the Road festival (have you seen the line up? It is fantastic.) Along with Green Man, it is shaping up to be a good festival year.</li>
</ul>
<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/AVvXsEjLxyuDIuq1WMn5TLIMGe60Aztn5otagNEhU11PP_wdDhOY86flgULH7wmiaJ03j_03-pP5bpotvZoW1bFhQVMoQlptzzwIuEv5cihP3k_9nSujVWwKFMt3OuIcip14KdcAIEzR7JpEwWQG/s1600/Green+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxyuDIuq1WMn5TLIMGe60Aztn5otagNEhU11PP_wdDhOY86flgULH7wmiaJ03j_03-pP5bpotvZoW1bFhQVMoQlptzzwIuEv5cihP3k_9nSujVWwKFMt3OuIcip14KdcAIEzR7JpEwWQG/s1600/Green+Man.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Man seems a long way away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
5 things I am looking forward to in the coming week:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Going to Chapter for drinks and food tomorrow night. Sweet potato fries! </li>
<li>Going to see the Wave Pictures at the moon club on Thursday. Saw them there a while back and they are just so so good</li>
<li>Watching the most recent Walking Dead and Broadchurch episodes.</li>
<li>Gettin' my yoga on</li>
<li>Reading and re- reading my Paris books if they ever arrive, ahead of our trip in less the 4 weeks, <i>parfait. </i>I have been practicing my French on Duolingo by the way. It's jolly good</li>
</ul>
<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/AVvXsEgKrTJEbZPngq_scIWFfpb5dY5V2Ysgi8XUHEDIt2H4SMsViYqmN9q5z4hY4jfPhNPZnVruHgM_1pphP7E7jbf_4U_RoPV6N5ONIWLb3gW7YjEQ-mW1u9_CDXUCN18rb2OeoHYK4pN4cDHz/s1600/paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrTJEbZPngq_scIWFfpb5dY5V2Ysgi8XUHEDIt2H4SMsViYqmN9q5z4hY4jfPhNPZnVruHgM_1pphP7E7jbf_4U_RoPV6N5ONIWLb3gW7YjEQ-mW1u9_CDXUCN18rb2OeoHYK4pN4cDHz/s1600/paris.jpg" height="320" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I imagine myself looking in Paris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
</ul>
That's some good reflecting right there. </div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-65055907927059531332015-01-30T09:50:00.003+00:002015-01-30T09:59:56.492+00:00How is it still January?? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The other day the wonderful Hywel went into town and came back with some lovely wool from Tiger (my new favourite shop) for me. Seeing as my every other waking thought seems to be "how is it still January??" I decided to crochet a snoody type thing to keep me warm.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4klgDTu9PM2m47cFbdYIkb9qA7k8kGc05ZrSAnuFE_tA3b4DUn5DlDivn_9xROAJMWYNJnwZUtlTWQHglifHZH-bjCkK3giV7LgMypEZZeE5hBbmFygmEIn0X8FqN7oB54TjXgxrctK8c/s1600/wool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4klgDTu9PM2m47cFbdYIkb9qA7k8kGc05ZrSAnuFE_tA3b4DUn5DlDivn_9xROAJMWYNJnwZUtlTWQHglifHZH-bjCkK3giV7LgMypEZZeE5hBbmFygmEIn0X8FqN7oB54TjXgxrctK8c/s1600/wool.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I browsed the internet for some patterns but then sort of made it up as I went along.<br />
<br />
First I made a chain of 100 (it was quite thin wool) and slip-stitched it into a circle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcEaYXxCi_tdMRGx3YcaBjtd6Ca-zEQvm8shPtmC3QY3C_Lfa8q4ThP0u5KAgirnpysUi0as39xR4KPwh3L6bKpxYcaGLz7uJnvlez9896PO-y_uuLSANvQ7X1aqiYmUGMp8tRJIRyyJc/s1600/chain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcEaYXxCi_tdMRGx3YcaBjtd6Ca-zEQvm8shPtmC3QY3C_Lfa8q4ThP0u5KAgirnpysUi0as39xR4KPwh3L6bKpxYcaGLz7uJnvlez9896PO-y_uuLSANvQ7X1aqiYmUGMp8tRJIRyyJc/s1600/chain.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I did 20 rows of treble stitch. easy peasy<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gq_5j0QskXleIVyCO0YbiR8GshEw9y7bWmN_DadE99FSya6oeMzT0yCogsxxJX_615w7RetBwI85CEhWqIXMfXb-LYQHm5UjZGpivl_nD0HlBvtPw9uks_HotB1w0gqF-axXob8n-JYS/s1600/chain+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gq_5j0QskXleIVyCO0YbiR8GshEw9y7bWmN_DadE99FSya6oeMzT0yCogsxxJX_615w7RetBwI85CEhWqIXMfXb-LYQHm5UjZGpivl_nD0HlBvtPw9uks_HotB1w0gqF-axXob8n-JYS/s1600/chain+2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm going to go ahead and pretend that I added the twist on purpose.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgbaHcsjkYWozWGLjhO5YlkeYzMaTvVQ7odM5AKWmjOJdnLkyfFBiYKnLZ05DkCO3h-KPWnOVfZYpIsmd_tmwKlT2EVxODSdVi7vHoBVupf-BldfO87mvEqgLPmDq7Ry8bppN1GTvdDbo/s1600/snood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgbaHcsjkYWozWGLjhO5YlkeYzMaTvVQ7odM5AKWmjOJdnLkyfFBiYKnLZ05DkCO3h-KPWnOVfZYpIsmd_tmwKlT2EVxODSdVi7vHoBVupf-BldfO87mvEqgLPmDq7Ry8bppN1GTvdDbo/s1600/snood.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
Wonderful!</div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-5600801922061698992015-01-20T10:40:00.005+00:002015-01-30T10:00:03.899+00:00Women I want to be when I grow up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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/AVvXsEiViTnLsmG90Le_W0h83MBpx8KHSl0erN5RRmZitAWi4L5gEUqGchcqyTkhJolv7GWoIWTaHU5GR5tCbTs930iVcYjIcnRntHPOPqMmgdTt9iK0pC_PUvkRRBmpwNzTIFPO4NdqUQdvh05g/s1600/jessica_hynes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViTnLsmG90Le_W0h83MBpx8KHSl0erN5RRmZitAWi4L5gEUqGchcqyTkhJolv7GWoIWTaHU5GR5tCbTs930iVcYjIcnRntHPOPqMmgdTt9iK0pC_PUvkRRBmpwNzTIFPO4NdqUQdvh05g/s1600/jessica_hynes.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica Hynes (always Daisy Steiner to me)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEitYmeAy6VtsoGTNDNc2hitjOy_Gc5q72V776w6FmGK0Jj3m4MNzgfKuhnIWI7ydH34mIzEDfDV9fE0FODNVoCVRm_GZOIUatu60wBPzcuZfSmIQJweXyX0uG3S9ST8Gjl7r3cIjWaEPWtA/s1600/victoria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYmeAy6VtsoGTNDNc2hitjOy_Gc5q72V776w6FmGK0Jj3m4MNzgfKuhnIWI7ydH34mIzEDfDV9fE0FODNVoCVRm_GZOIUatu60wBPzcuZfSmIQJweXyX0uG3S9ST8Gjl7r3cIjWaEPWtA/s1600/victoria.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Coren- poker champion and all round clever woman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEgr2-qnEoQnftkHROgsvDy9_ucAFwbUFN0SI-Sw_dF_ftMzSoqSTrvxWXEGTRWMqEdd-0xLLfxzl4QVI5O_VsWNoQI4V7wxCh0eLZfgLhB8GUS8KDv6ktWyvfS050YGGpFVJly2p3bnJ9Ol/s1600/lauren-laverne-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2-qnEoQnftkHROgsvDy9_ucAFwbUFN0SI-Sw_dF_ftMzSoqSTrvxWXEGTRWMqEdd-0xLLfxzl4QVI5O_VsWNoQI4V7wxCh0eLZfgLhB8GUS8KDv6ktWyvfS050YGGpFVJly2p3bnJ9Ol/s1600/lauren-laverne-07.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren Laverne- Stylish, witty, music laydee DJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEi8oRhmnZLHWKlepigEpxFp1BaMiLrCXfohytYmxE6RJYVte-GltjfvH6LAIai3DQdffe-V_SWMO3Igivv3tRYVPRjyL3wkuHcKI-rsBqGeAKabTp7E5YsgQSRI3WoBVBPGEsoCVziE_SSq/s1600/Tamsin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oRhmnZLHWKlepigEpxFp1BaMiLrCXfohytYmxE6RJYVte-GltjfvH6LAIai3DQdffe-V_SWMO3Igivv3tRYVPRjyL3wkuHcKI-rsBqGeAKabTp7E5YsgQSRI3WoBVBPGEsoCVziE_SSq/s1600/Tamsin.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamsin Greig- superbly funny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;">They come across as witty, intelligent, funny, confident, unique, stylish, perfectly imperfect, all the things I long to be.</span></span></div>
</div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-26693417267064051632015-01-12T12:50:00.001+00:002015-01-30T10:07:42.651+00:00The weekend that was<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It all started with cocktails in Wahaca, then, via a day trip to Swansea, dinner in Chapter, a run in Roath park, custard doughnuts from the Portuguese bakery, and a walk along the Taff trail, it ended with the vigil outside the Senedd for the Paris victims. Well done Cardiff (and Swansea), another amazing weekend.<br />
<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/AVvXsEjOnqHye567WOyldln4O02B_NgBEROojJ7Leb6aYHgT8EP-M4fWpR5KAmHFqkYb761eMam7cgCftKT-0EOiaKohEPzfpfQN1x-SSwXjgLIJhvDLQMOhWhE6yBGJawZEHpQ9ImXZVitTtoDe/s1600/swansea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnqHye567WOyldln4O02B_NgBEROojJ7Leb6aYHgT8EP-M4fWpR5KAmHFqkYb761eMam7cgCftKT-0EOiaKohEPzfpfQN1x-SSwXjgLIJhvDLQMOhWhE6yBGJawZEHpQ9ImXZVitTtoDe/s1600/swansea.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view of beautiful Swansea from the tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This week I will be start to attempt to improve my French by watch the videos by <a href="http://www.commeunefrancaise.com/" target="_blank">Comme une Francaise</a>. She has some great tips. Today I started with swearing because that's how I roll.<br />
<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/AVvXsEgTrykpAEnc4oWJpRbrvLMu0me4hgYUKIZl7n1OvPk1hSwPR6c0CI8i1zTuchMVW27un7tpR_lSaUUz4KNtz50SRIgxFsgE472kHDqQp6BnWyC4e_2REZS8X5lMZ64kdNJm-SwPd9alOsVF/s1600/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrykpAEnc4oWJpRbrvLMu0me4hgYUKIZl7n1OvPk1hSwPR6c0CI8i1zTuchMVW27un7tpR_lSaUUz4KNtz50SRIgxFsgE472kHDqQp6BnWyC4e_2REZS8X5lMZ64kdNJm-SwPd9alOsVF/s1600/breakfast.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">running needs CARBS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Any other suggestions for videos to watch to improve my French?<br />
<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/AVvXsEi7OQDYqAXQVbRnFh9BUnx_0ge6-80vDbRaFvTcvNDJkR6jVMq8fAgechmF1X2zgl0_nv-vtkfrRwsB5YBHYP3VH7w7qDmC9xEmcxH1SBMGQEeU3fvOmLxBY34zNS_M-dhLquJ9UkVE6wXw/s1600/taff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OQDYqAXQVbRnFh9BUnx_0ge6-80vDbRaFvTcvNDJkR6jVMq8fAgechmF1X2zgl0_nv-vtkfrRwsB5YBHYP3VH7w7qDmC9xEmcxH1SBMGQEeU3fvOmLxBY34zNS_M-dhLquJ9UkVE6wXw/s1600/taff.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love this weir along the Taff trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-55931291116871440932015-01-09T10:06:00.002+00:002015-01-30T10:00:21.062+00:00I am sick of....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am sick of:<br />
<ul>
<li>Reading blog posts on what a twenty something English student from wherever bought from Primark/ Lush</li>
<li>Feeling low when someone is better than me at yoga</li>
<li>Feeling happy when I am better than someone at yoga</li>
<li>Thinking I should be more accomplished/ further along in my career/ doing something more interesting when I am quite happy thank you very much</li>
<li>Worrying my hobbies aren't cool enough when all I want to do is read, swim, go to yoga, go running (at my own pace), go to gigs and festivals, watch box sets, sew sometimes, go to new places, spend time in Dorset and hang out with Hywel</li>
<li>Beating myself up for not practicing my French more often</li>
<li>Telling myself I'm fat </li>
<li>Comparing myself to others</li>
</ul>
I think you'll agree that there's a of of negativity for one brain there so I'm going to stop in 2015 and chill the Hell out.<br />
<br />
Happy New Year all <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJlAK_sF4fXF7xb_4Ai47sjQHspFk7TMIenOoAXDwBuL2QQBcRSwJOzeI0p1U92uMTZ21vuhxGqdWL1YwLi-LUrlnK6HP2uAqE8u1XhXYp-Jtvr3UE743PCSpqwhjXTFx4vf_UoI_WCC9/s1600/profile+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJlAK_sF4fXF7xb_4Ai47sjQHspFk7TMIenOoAXDwBuL2QQBcRSwJOzeI0p1U92uMTZ21vuhxGqdWL1YwLi-LUrlnK6HP2uAqE8u1XhXYp-Jtvr3UE743PCSpqwhjXTFx4vf_UoI_WCC9/s1600/profile+pic.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-11597117908849644342014-12-02T16:04:00.004+00:002015-01-30T10:03:58.320+00:00November wrap up- Eating, drinking and gigging<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once again I have neglected my blogger duties because I was just having too much fun.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So November, where do I start. It's been a busy one exploring and enjoying the best that Cardiff has to offer.</div>
<u><br /></u>
<u>Eating and drinking</u><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you didn't already know, the amazing Wahaca opening in Cardiff earlier this month. This warranted a day off work to head on down there. I first tried their Mexican street food style food in Covent Garden and absolutely loved it. The Cardiff restaurant is amazing, very cool decor and exceptionally yummy food. To make things even better, we got free tequila cocktails (slightly lethal). As Wahaca say, if you need lemon and salt with your tequila, you're drinking the wrong tequila. Go. Try. Eat. Drink. You'll love it. Seriously, our friends who have not yet been are sick of us going on about how good it is.<br />
</div>
<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/AVvXsEhPk5f5-Y88E-biBamlF58URckLTEL6-e3NEXENGV_Zu9_xSNKFfDNIJgcGKX2ghnHo10D3PBtHBIuXUKMzMW7eFgiLbw_CdWu0wX2lt2_iOYxImjZAvtM9cu8qo1_M3vT2H8w660z0drVs/s1600/wahaca+drinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPk5f5-Y88E-biBamlF58URckLTEL6-e3NEXENGV_Zu9_xSNKFfDNIJgcGKX2ghnHo10D3PBtHBIuXUKMzMW7eFgiLbw_CdWu0wX2lt2_iOYxImjZAvtM9cu8qo1_M3vT2H8w660z0drVs/s1600/wahaca+drinks.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free cocktails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last week, late to the party as usual, a few of us went down to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StreetFoodCardiff" target="_blank">Depot's Street Food Cardiff</a> event. Wow. The atmosphere they created in an urban warehouse was pretty incredible. And the food, oh the food. There was so much choice but eventually I decided to have a hot dog from Haut dogs (with popping candy on it because I'm such a darn hipster). </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr align="justify"><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvwfxURwALuYNTz8O-tQ7RqEJvny4veB-jZVZPYMIUMNN8nrka0d25BTN2uy2J3EGySboxQe7GVqCNR0EOUbuVysaGL2E7-f0ebq_EKc7qQj64916xTsIo0d2om0y560TMoFx1guGYEC5/s1600/hotdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvwfxURwALuYNTz8O-tQ7RqEJvny4veB-jZVZPYMIUMNN8nrka0d25BTN2uy2J3EGySboxQe7GVqCNR0EOUbuVysaGL2E7-f0ebq_EKc7qQj64916xTsIo0d2om0y560TMoFx1guGYEC5/s1600/hotdog.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hipster hotdog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Then, being surrounded by so much choice, I wanted more food. I very rarely get to go to Bangkok Cafe so I went for the Thai Green Curry. Amaze. By this point my stomacch was too full for anything else but I tried a bite of Hywel's<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> crème
brulée</span> and can attest to it's deliciousness. All this while drinking Prosecco. Oh yes. One piece of advice, be prepared to queue.</div>
<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/AVvXsEiM14WTx-Zp8G2Zl6KdwJdFvIMJpmCFz6A-nourLGKvaoJcdxRe8X6LDEfuKdIuNUdEHKkj5IGePV5d8-j_TVGP33YguIaUqAUXjCou1OzR-3EdKky3wrnuxDUuzMNMaSCESfsgmDhf8x8i/s1600/hot+dog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM14WTx-Zp8G2Zl6KdwJdFvIMJpmCFz6A-nourLGKvaoJcdxRe8X6LDEfuKdIuNUdEHKkj5IGePV5d8-j_TVGP33YguIaUqAUXjCou1OzR-3EdKky3wrnuxDUuzMNMaSCESfsgmDhf8x8i/s1600/hot+dog+2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me being a hotdog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>Gigs</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wave Pictures at the Moon Club, Boy and Bear at Clwb Ifor Bach and the Welsh Music Prize nominees also at Clwb. I saw both the Wave Pictures and Boy and Bear at festivals over the summer but it is always nice to see a band in a smaller venue (and you can't get much smaller than the Moon Club). These bands are fantastic and I loved them. I wish that Cate le Bon had played the Welsh Music Prize gig, and Gruff, and the Manics, and future of the Left, but getting to see The Gentle Good is always lovely. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also went to my best friend's wedding this month and pratted around in the dressing up box.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_b9e7rhELN4EWOjjngAFz5lMjY4uoimghS3lhSBYlq1o7ul_NdlKkpnK9svWmN6ue4uLYACsujucVqKSqoSpYRaBIPyF33s7zVbG5UkvaFkhhtVg00sJB95sGUE0suixQkxygjiwaFCbJ/s1600/marine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_b9e7rhELN4EWOjjngAFz5lMjY4uoimghS3lhSBYlq1o7ul_NdlKkpnK9svWmN6ue4uLYACsujucVqKSqoSpYRaBIPyF33s7zVbG5UkvaFkhhtVg00sJB95sGUE0suixQkxygjiwaFCbJ/s1600/marine.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
That's How for Now folks.<br />
<br /></div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-60580760398985108632014-10-30T11:34:00.001+00:002015-01-30T10:05:18.959+00:00Running like a girl<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>My life in exercise</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>First school: aged 4-8</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Always last on sports day. I was once carried to the end of the running race by the head teacher. Out of pity probably.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Always chosen to do the demonstration in swimming lessons. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><br /></u>
<u>Middle school: aged 9-12</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Belonged to, and later Vice Captain of, Mellstock, one of the 4 houses of the school. This house was renowned for its athletic ineptitude and never ever won a sports cup. APART FROM in the swimming gala. We always cleaned up there.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Was once forced to do a gymnastic display in assembly. Nailed the handstand-forward roll I had been practicing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Played tennis on weekends. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtnIrromQGRnz5ZnStteeTLnvJF6QVqxmmlrZMY7uP571jdgec9Oi4P5IRSmW1VbxHbkIbodu1gI_VlPZ-W79BXu3QIIwSH6QjwPtNC29GyPSdJp3BLlbYyaWkt7sFRUPss6hgU0PEmaX/s1600/Trainers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtnIrromQGRnz5ZnStteeTLnvJF6QVqxmmlrZMY7uP571jdgec9Oi4P5IRSmW1VbxHbkIbodu1gI_VlPZ-W79BXu3QIIwSH6QjwPtNC29GyPSdJp3BLlbYyaWkt7sFRUPss6hgU0PEmaX/s1600/Trainers.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>High School: aged 13:15</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Still hated sports, apart from swimming. PE and games were feared.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><br /></u>
<u>Sixth form: aged 16 and 17</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bunked off all PE classes instead choosing to stay in the common room and talk to boys about music or talk to girls about boys.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><br /></u>
<u>University</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shunned all forms of physical exercise in favour of drinking tea and watching Friends 50 times a day. Swam sporadically.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>Year abroad</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Took dance lessons as a good way to learn French and sound cool.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Swimming pools were grossly busy and full of men in Speedos. I naturally avoided.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>After University</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Took up Pilates, and then yoga. Discovered I love yoga, especially the hot yoga classes at Yoga Fever.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Flirted with spin classes, Zumba and circuits but no true love match was made.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjEyN4xBPdRYI2L9Kzx2XjbGeG7fDxkkoWGBmvMvq4h2jQjoSgPtwhRUqqkrOQCCEh8QtzR1Jq1Lb5ku0fYnlFk08tsSEKISDA6FRw9G24uxfo18IdJ0vTW3TwVB1vLLB3cz6S_EAGKVV/s1600/Running+like+a+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjEyN4xBPdRYI2L9Kzx2XjbGeG7fDxkkoWGBmvMvq4h2jQjoSgPtwhRUqqkrOQCCEh8QtzR1Jq1Lb5ku0fYnlFk08tsSEKISDA6FRw9G24uxfo18IdJ0vTW3TwVB1vLLB3cz6S_EAGKVV/s1600/Running+like+a+girl.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a>It is fair to say I never had that competitive nature so required for most team sports. I preferred to keep myself to myself and participate in solo activities such as gymnastics and swimming. Because of this I always had the mentality that I "wasn't a runner". Back in 2010 my lovely, sporty, energetic mother signed me up for the Cardiff Half Marathon. I reluctantly got training and gradually realised I could run an hour on the treadmill without much of a problem. It appealed to all the things I liked about swimming, yoga etc. I could do it alone, it cleared my head but it had an added bonus of providing a sense of achievement.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since then I run regularly, sometime with massive breaks in between. And often I will hit mental blocks where I convince myself I cannot do it. Running is a mental battle for me as much as a physical one. I have to get over more the 20 years of telling myself I am not sporty enough to do this. So when I read Alexandra Heminsley's book "Running like a girl", I could really relate. Being a runner does not have to mean you are the most sporty person in the world. It just means you like to run. Time and distance are not important. I just do what feels right for me and set my own goals. </div>
<br /></div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-43667904915242329162014-10-24T12:10:00.002+01:002015-01-30T10:05:29.031+00:00I am not going to buy any new make up in November. No I'm not. I'm not<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Boots and I have a ongoing love affair. I go in only needing ibuprofen and come out £50 lighter justifying it with all the Advantage card points I am amassing even though I lost my card a year ago. Hywel and I are currently trying to sell our house so last night I had a little sort out. Just look at all the make-up I have. I only have one face! And this is after I chucked loads away.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzr41RJVPAAyxXlooBxND_79ekx2aIA-mhCC4au580rGexUzR6FJFHDgG6LIfrijSjklWO4rYrO3ZFgKFY7VZS6s-KrZ-9C6hqph3DoKYRhH0_mFU01rK5eDC3HtESjy-qlrQEwTOiKjf_/s1600/make+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzr41RJVPAAyxXlooBxND_79ekx2aIA-mhCC4au580rGexUzR6FJFHDgG6LIfrijSjklWO4rYrO3ZFgKFY7VZS6s-KrZ-9C6hqph3DoKYRhH0_mFU01rK5eDC3HtESjy-qlrQEwTOiKjf_/s1600/make+up.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, no more make-up. For a month. I'm hoping the money I save will allow me to buy those books on my wishlist which I think are just a little too expensive (but still less than that lipstick I impulse bought in Boots last week).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSdBtPDrYNdv3-lIflP_GyhWXHCf0W_cvL16eiF1u0M9SIA5IFKUzf1AaZOMs3fHCH6F1Bg_CJ15-aaFBDAWRd7KZkbzij7SF9s0_ZFRZohAVYjz0PC90ul7T9_LascgPVSvS4quZ0jCq/s1600/lipstick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSdBtPDrYNdv3-lIflP_GyhWXHCf0W_cvL16eiF1u0M9SIA5IFKUzf1AaZOMs3fHCH6F1Bg_CJ15-aaFBDAWRd7KZkbzij7SF9s0_ZFRZohAVYjz0PC90ul7T9_LascgPVSvS4quZ0jCq/s1600/lipstick.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Seriously, who needs 15 eye-liners?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzEVf0whgERtJofTk51hHugIPIW0zRZITMbL-alNTr4U-ILlu5NyKL8czg55rXEARExmsDNNX15cV2y_4ANOw-TjUTAjbY_Rg2wulaRgYNpk_DMhEV4___pnSNen-IaruTqM8E3LTi29v/s1600/pencils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzEVf0whgERtJofTk51hHugIPIW0zRZITMbL-alNTr4U-ILlu5NyKL8czg55rXEARExmsDNNX15cV2y_4ANOw-TjUTAjbY_Rg2wulaRgYNpk_DMhEV4___pnSNen-IaruTqM8E3LTi29v/s1600/pencils.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-5113615496365296242014-10-23T12:42:00.001+01:002015-01-30T10:05:40.588+00:00Power down<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday at work there was a power cut which meant, once our laptops had run out of charge, we couldn't do much work. I decided to take the afternoon off. It's quite strange having an unplanned afternoon off on a weekday. My husband and my friends were in work so it was just me on my own with some free hours to kill. To begin with I did some boring things I've been meaning to do for a while (had my fringe trimmed, booked a dentist appointment) then I though I should actively do something otherwise I might waste my newly acquired free time playing Bejeweled Blitz and watching How I Met Your Mother repeats (not funny but always on TV).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIWMboZtvlNnD8fXw2wwTTzjaXBSWUoDPFmMl96smmWMCWB_2CJVPKcw_vy9-Oo-2vqJIXims_I7rR49tMRqVlKljeXenmDWXrOMNgEWjqGa0BWoGC7G0h-PjqH6TQiqFp6nX7e84nrjj/s1600/tilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIWMboZtvlNnD8fXw2wwTTzjaXBSWUoDPFmMl96smmWMCWB_2CJVPKcw_vy9-Oo-2vqJIXims_I7rR49tMRqVlKljeXenmDWXrOMNgEWjqGa0BWoGC7G0h-PjqH6TQiqFp6nX7e84nrjj/s1600/tilly.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After watching Sunday's Downton Abbey I remembered that I had started making the Margot pyjama bottoms from Tilly and the Buttons' pattern book. My beloved sewing machine broke before I was able to finish these but I now have my mother in law's much better sewing machine, which is actually made for grown ups. I think I might just keep it a bit longer.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS1DVmefvljcankaVE5fewh9NSfn82hj62yOxFSBlLvmPOd7SxrDGXqBFKMkWGRF_ctaqwqnt28BpQ9q8ZEWQ5Wb4w77sUIP9hD-WkWmkDK4sfGbipyWisuuLG5dohwxbspmx58F7hSL3/s1600/sewing+machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS1DVmefvljcankaVE5fewh9NSfn82hj62yOxFSBlLvmPOd7SxrDGXqBFKMkWGRF_ctaqwqnt28BpQ9q8ZEWQ5Wb4w77sUIP9hD-WkWmkDK4sfGbipyWisuuLG5dohwxbspmx58F7hSL3/s1600/sewing+machine.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have sewed many a garment before but always with the knowledge that my infinitely talented mum could help me out if (haha <i>IF</i>) I made a mistake. Not so this time. I was on my own. Tilly's book is so helpful and clear to follow though which really helped. I will confess to making a few slip ups along the way (that piece of lace is not a sexy garter but covering up where I accidentally cut the leg in two) but I am very happy with the outcome. The pyjamas even survived a night of sleeping in them and were extremely comfortable. I hope they also fare ok in the washing machine. </div>
<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/AVvXsEgK62SSEivjMZ7wo8DyKybm0xZfkXbsXc44khT2pe7oSY1TjV3qutNS2jmSWwpgkht5JLburQWyS2dMCPTZal83Z-kYugEgtMRpQrpreZbCTad8xEQrH1TickTOHyMldgbxJRri_wDA1KwL/s1600/pjs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK62SSEivjMZ7wo8DyKybm0xZfkXbsXc44khT2pe7oSY1TjV3qutNS2jmSWwpgkht5JLburQWyS2dMCPTZal83Z-kYugEgtMRpQrpreZbCTad8xEQrH1TickTOHyMldgbxJRri_wDA1KwL/s1600/pjs.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-46779485067470705112014-10-06T12:59:00.001+01:002015-01-30T10:05:48.696+00:00Bunking off work (kind of)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Friday Hywel and I took a cheeky half-day off work to go to town, shop, eat and go to the cinema. There is something about walking around town on a weekday that always makes me feel like I'm bunking off (mitching, skiving, whatever you want to call it). I used to love it when I had a doctor or dentist appointment or something and mum would take me around the shops for a bit before driving me back to school. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><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/AVvXsEh40REg6kXLWmfj1SxeqXpOdYTU5FKkHc4Nedqyzr9s-2KppDa89jivyby44GBMqohNccuEc5nHNBHeIoWJ_QQ21t1Yd-b8yI6HVmJz9DGJP3-u_8vF9dZRwR838V5flOTCRurkTrAVjjKT/s1600/sophies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40REg6kXLWmfj1SxeqXpOdYTU5FKkHc4Nedqyzr9s-2KppDa89jivyby44GBMqohNccuEc5nHNBHeIoWJ_QQ21t1Yd-b8yI6HVmJz9DGJP3-u_8vF9dZRwR838V5flOTCRurkTrAVjjKT/s1600/sophies.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie's on High Street Arcade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First stop on our bunk was Sophie's C<span lang="FR" style="line-height: 115%;">rêperie
in the high Street Arcade </span>for what turned out to be the perfect lunch. We have tried other <span lang="FR" style="line-height: 115%;">crêperies
</span> in Cardiff before (naming no names) which have been disappointing but Sophie's was amazing. Hywel has cheese and ham while I went for the complete which is basically cheese and ham with an egg. They were really filling and <span lang="FR" style="line-height: 115%;">très délicieuses. </span> Go there! </span></span></div>
<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/AVvXsEj01AawwFgGjbiuCLyvt5FdJcAVGx_1N_wpHv2bfLuvs3VIgmu6wJSTzkSFT1EP3BKVDxev6kmsFKdqQWoPWqjwdj0kxLulLGWxfcmHs3nEAB5jaF8BkG-yqWBPlyzlbIf2jWxLi5kP5xbm/s1600/crepes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01AawwFgGjbiuCLyvt5FdJcAVGx_1N_wpHv2bfLuvs3VIgmu6wJSTzkSFT1EP3BKVDxev6kmsFKdqQWoPWqjwdj0kxLulLGWxfcmHs3nEAB5jaF8BkG-yqWBPlyzlbIf2jWxLi5kP5xbm/s1600/crepes.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Crepes!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After shopping some serious bargains we went to see Gone Girl at the cinema. I loved this book and was a bit worried the film would be a let down but I really enjoyed it. I think Rosamund Pike in particular was extremely well cast as Amy. Even though I knew what was coming, the suspense was just right.</span></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I am massively aching as I power marched the Cardiff half yesterday with my mum. We smashed our predicted time with the help of sheer determination and free doughnuts (serious thanks to all supporters, especially ones with free baked goods). With my aching comes an insatiable hunger. Send food please.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEij9xPwUI088H9g-qQqjXgf3pP49BTC5lrfDFNZ64B6EAS6D5eDM_HKkWoBijyDxlJ8bCj-rk4iKm5TMiG5N8GrLeXs_qxFjQ7dkXHKiwCxUHYaoncpuyPOWb1yxKz1wZeAJHS0iW5POe1i/s1600/medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9xPwUI088H9g-qQqjXgf3pP49BTC5lrfDFNZ64B6EAS6D5eDM_HKkWoBijyDxlJ8bCj-rk4iKm5TMiG5N8GrLeXs_qxFjQ7dkXHKiwCxUHYaoncpuyPOWb1yxKz1wZeAJHS0iW5POe1i/s1600/medal.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My well deserved medal</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-28340254053947959602014-09-30T12:03:00.004+01:002015-01-30T10:10:35.515+00:00September<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So just like that September is over....and what a busy month I have had. Despite some low points (being ill and cancelling our trip to Brighton), I have had a pretty good time. One of the highlights being going to see First Aid Kit at Colston Hall in Bristol. What a great band! What a great venue! I has only previously been to the O2 Academy in Bristol so the Colston Hall seemed very civilised in comparison. The First Aid girls put on a great show, very different and more intimate than seeing them at Green Man fest.<br />
<br />
Before the gig we found a hipster heaven bar where we indulged in a couple of drinks and delicious burgers. If you're ever Bristol way you could do far worse than going to <a href="http://www.startthebus.tv/" target="_blank">Start the Bus.</a> <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/AVvXsEiNAQodHFIuyFxD6OFI_kRcaLqymJ20eNdzSeuEV5DhvSFPRlKoUqeift4hzoWUnmXy1rYh1rDdj4wQvMQtTSi6sEk1UIPSKX9PcCx5by_ty-9VH15wWpQl8zbrckoyHOQzLyzxEgkfuvED/s1600/start+the+bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAQodHFIuyFxD6OFI_kRcaLqymJ20eNdzSeuEV5DhvSFPRlKoUqeift4hzoWUnmXy1rYh1rDdj4wQvMQtTSi6sEk1UIPSKX9PcCx5by_ty-9VH15wWpQl8zbrckoyHOQzLyzxEgkfuvED/s1600/start+the+bus.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hipster drinks at Start the Bus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From a purely materialistic point of view, my gorgeous birthday present from Hywel arrived. I had been looking for a leather satchel for ages and Zatchels delivered! I love, love it.<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/AVvXsEj237a_sfO7JrbBoNKVb9EZ5W5vyzTHhg-nwNNkvD7-PCJcvBXQ4Iq94abzFqclm8CrGhI3RS1DbLMlULMVs9ajJq8DjuBcmQbHOl9cOhvaXvyjHDRvP5cwfOwpezvkLCErtzuxa7gDQOON/s1600/zatchel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj237a_sfO7JrbBoNKVb9EZ5W5vyzTHhg-nwNNkvD7-PCJcvBXQ4Iq94abzFqclm8CrGhI3RS1DbLMlULMVs9ajJq8DjuBcmQbHOl9cOhvaXvyjHDRvP5cwfOwpezvkLCErtzuxa7gDQOON/s1600/zatchel.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My gorgeous Zatchel satchel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From there we headed down to Dorset for a good old fashioned barn dance at my grandparent's farm. Plenty of dosey-doeing, cider and checked shirts.<br />
<br />
Last weekend I went to my wonderful friend Meg's hen do. Ever done a yoga/ stretch glass after downing 2 glasses of Prosecco? I highly recommend it. The instructor was Lou from <a href="http://www.stretchii.co.uk/" target="_blank">Stretchii</a> in Swansea and was a wonderful way to start the day's activities.<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/AVvXsEjAY8RRkly_AJwA3dcb-vPYkvjIflaSjUfx2a3sv9zKLaBWC6W5oGnD52XXcxsQE6D4Ncn5GI3sOQNbwb1QZaGx5trUKakhPKBWVGpaekVYWj0zwNsGHi_pQA4VYrYMpuvgREr7nI59uBK8/s1600/yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAY8RRkly_AJwA3dcb-vPYkvjIflaSjUfx2a3sv9zKLaBWC6W5oGnD52XXcxsQE6D4Ncn5GI3sOQNbwb1QZaGx5trUKakhPKBWVGpaekVYWj0zwNsGHi_pQA4VYrYMpuvgREr7nI59uBK8/s1600/yoga.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mats ready for hungover/ tipsy Stretchii class</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This week I am super excited to go see the "Gone Girl" film adaptation. I read the book about a year ago and loved it. It really is not the normal genre I go for (I'm more an historical fiction kinda girl than dark thrillers) but would highly recommend it. Oh yeah and I'll be walking the Cardiff half marathon on Sunday with my mum. I'm hoping for good weather as I walk around this wonderful city.</div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-2300941272270309962014-09-04T09:52:00.005+01:002015-04-08T16:30:52.905+01:00Festivals and summer fun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sorry it's been a while since my last post. August always seems to be a really busy time for me with festivals to go to and birthdays to enjoy. This year I also had the added bonus of attending one of my best friend's weddings.</div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Green Man Festival</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWBEg31YxWMG5JP3AsYnwXwUD9NEhzb54M8d4iWRhywvp4EXVqa0ZQHMiNQyIqhOn00Et-aMsLtLiOotA7tHOBfz1mrYwcrV4F9-IWU6DbS6haTZAHbX6njuvjnEORirqwC6tfJVdcUh2/s1600/DSCF1279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWBEg31YxWMG5JP3AsYnwXwUD9NEhzb54M8d4iWRhywvp4EXVqa0ZQHMiNQyIqhOn00Et-aMsLtLiOotA7tHOBfz1mrYwcrV4F9-IWU6DbS6haTZAHbX6njuvjnEORirqwC6tfJVdcUh2/s1600/DSCF1279.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love Green Man so much. There is such a chilled and relaxed vibe there along with great music and beautiful scenery. I always discover a great new band or artist. This year we spent the majority of the time at the mountain stage as the line up was just fantastic. This was also the first year our gorgeous 11 month old Godson joined us. He seriously knows how to rock a pair of ear defenders. To mix things up a bit, my friends and I, for the first time, ventured into the Nature Nurture area for a spa experience on the Sunday morning (when we seriously needed a wash). We had prosecco on arrival, and then constant top up, clean towels, warm showers, hot tub and the only sauna/tent I have ever seen. It was just perfect. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gReGmRn6iMaFBpHKEoUrgmxNZ_gJFrgrRXIXq3_T4PFgsmmXtI4LJggn28aSbJJAxcZuT0945NSqiZmB0dYfSNyT5ozcOy6QdLZDS-Atp7a4Va1hx7RPHJkAvAyX2SkG0YwTdSsF0iXi/s1600/DSCF1273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gReGmRn6iMaFBpHKEoUrgmxNZ_gJFrgrRXIXq3_T4PFgsmmXtI4LJggn28aSbJJAxcZuT0945NSqiZmB0dYfSNyT5ozcOy6QdLZDS-Atp7a4Va1hx7RPHJkAvAyX2SkG0YwTdSsF0iXi/s1600/DSCF1273.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Highlights:<br />
<br />
First Aid Kit (obvs)<br />
Beirut<br />
Nick Mulvey<br />
Boy and Bear <br />
Georgia Ruth<br />
Outside Spa (and prosecco!) <br />
Burning of the Green Man<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have already bought our tickets for next year's festival where I will be celebrating a rather scary birthday! </div>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<span style="background-color: white;">My Birthday</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love my birthday and always make sure I take the day off work. This year, despite the grey skies, Hywel and I went for a swim in the sea in Dunraven Bay. It was such a nice beach and, due to the weather, not very busy. The sea was choppy but fairly warm considering. We then discovered a secret garden where we drank our hot chocolates. In the evening we went to the delightful Shot in the Dark for drinks then curled up at home to watch Amelie. Wonderful.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFmPtVw_Vy3hbtqfMXSyFMGH7fhjdio6rxbSfLcQ6raudZiXfdvkvaVfGT8s7bQGwN1UrQPhyphenhyphencpxNbdBMHrJlBi258G_h8z78vqZKm7I9bOb_ueZPHSEUZ51SsVDD5xXXTGBKGEkDkMyw/s1600/20140821_134018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFmPtVw_Vy3hbtqfMXSyFMGH7fhjdio6rxbSfLcQ6raudZiXfdvkvaVfGT8s7bQGwN1UrQPhyphenhyphencpxNbdBMHrJlBi258G_h8z78vqZKm7I9bOb_ueZPHSEUZ51SsVDD5xXXTGBKGEkDkMyw/s1600/20140821_134018.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">End Of The Road</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My mum and I always try to go to a festival together. In the past we have been to Glastonbury numerous times and Camp Bestival. This was the first year I went to End Of the Road but I already can't wait to go next year. The festival site is such a good size (you can walk between all the stages in 5 minutes meaning fewer band clash dilemmas) but you still get some of the quirky areas such as the forest disco where my mum, aunt and cousins and I danced the night away.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLD_5x5zkwLcuzIffV5yIrNdjOjhyksk2EgqlQuGaFL6Aw-hFyTIgLD1VaP-aDXimHwYFOt9WkYGE5_9awc0EmAabXd4Os73Ml5mG1QCDef6Ad_wS1trKdqJR5tbG4IVrlq0QYUE_ZIU5/s1600/DSCF1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLD_5x5zkwLcuzIffV5yIrNdjOjhyksk2EgqlQuGaFL6Aw-hFyTIgLD1VaP-aDXimHwYFOt9WkYGE5_9awc0EmAabXd4Os73Ml5mG1QCDef6Ad_wS1trKdqJR5tbG4IVrlq0QYUE_ZIU5/s1600/DSCF1310.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOm0cJnsCzXgubUDSIPwPPTCa81CYeMXc76v1pyfJHbM58xqb34RbkMJlsDrAkL77OJDOwbPe2VWw3Sp_nVHrSAKwq_B3dtL8a7tmw9W19sXV2cbxa9U-QNMUiH5eY8hL8pqfvWLCS1Bo/s1600/DSCF1302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOm0cJnsCzXgubUDSIPwPPTCa81CYeMXc76v1pyfJHbM58xqb34RbkMJlsDrAkL77OJDOwbPe2VWw3Sp_nVHrSAKwq_B3dtL8a7tmw9W19sXV2cbxa9U-QNMUiH5eY8hL8pqfvWLCS1Bo/s1600/DSCF1302.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Highlights:<br />
<br />
Sweet Baboo<br />
The Wave Pictures<br />
Gruff Rhys<br />
Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit <br />
Cate Le Bon<br />
9 Bach<br />
<br />
<br />
And seeing as Hywel and I can't quite get our selves back into normal life, we had dinner last night at the excellent Got Beef. </div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-62149432208035208032014-08-05T12:15:00.001+01:002015-01-30T10:06:34.534+00:0040 before 40<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The weather in Cardiff has taken a turn for the worse (not totally unwelcome as the garden is thirsty) which has got me day dreaming of packing my bags, heading off to T5 (my terminal of choice) and boarding a plane.</div>
<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/AVvXsEjzQ7YMtgVrc2TEczePrktym_y6Jl8jA2X8Y9i5eQkPAdWSqjWm0CPl2ci2cVQjO8lZoVu7t7ss5PzrujyOU7jGBJhqWlPw89N96U8nLgWhyphenhyphenP6XWRK70gSEiYlaoMDH9WwL94nIpeq2r7ZA/s1600/DSCF1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ7YMtgVrc2TEczePrktym_y6Jl8jA2X8Y9i5eQkPAdWSqjWm0CPl2ci2cVQjO8lZoVu7t7ss5PzrujyOU7jGBJhqWlPw89N96U8nLgWhyphenhyphenP6XWRK70gSEiYlaoMDH9WwL94nIpeq2r7ZA/s1600/DSCF1159.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-flight drinks and my amazing Panama hat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKlslSaxSuLus3362TvTBdNuOe3JRGMrCXd3oztWJLGq9Lfg6IlUmmuZ9c3SGxgfwpHgmmRjq181Dq7SS1ptvmoEZaQ_liP9uiJrRa1HC_DETFEcf4P_pizVa0tVFtUZn23pfnPipR7vG/s1600/DSCF1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKlslSaxSuLus3362TvTBdNuOe3JRGMrCXd3oztWJLGq9Lfg6IlUmmuZ9c3SGxgfwpHgmmRjq181Dq7SS1ptvmoEZaQ_liP9uiJrRa1HC_DETFEcf4P_pizVa0tVFtUZn23pfnPipR7vG/s1600/DSCF1175.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous Dubrovnik</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What perfect timing then to talk about our "40 before 40" challenge. I have been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to travel quiet a bit both for fun and for work, even living in Lyon, France in my 3rd year at uni. There is still so much of the world to see though, and I intend to see it. As a wedding gift, Hywel and received a "scratch map" where you, as the name suggests, scratch off on the map the countries you have visited. This led us to come up with the 40 before 40 challenge. Quickly counting up the countries we had already visited (at present me; 23, Hywel; 28), we realised we can quite easily visit 40 counties each before we hit the big 4-0. All we need is a bit of imagination, an Easy Jet flight map and suggestions from friends. My travel wish list is so long but topping it are Istanbul, more Asia, Patagonia (once my Spanish, Welsh and bank balance are up to it). We'll probably try and see more of Europe first as there are loads of short, cheapish flights to various places from Cardiff, Bristol and London The only downside is, for the moment, Paris and San Fransisco are on hold as we have been to France and USA many times. </div>
<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/AVvXsEhfpVih30BMMapPPOECYD-HC8pNhQPnpYPIT-GcGld9FnwKI90J9h55-oKKl_CHRj0syVgznVrRly7t-f27YMYaAmB5A3VJC-7i3NA-MAM-QY-e7eyjEMsJzYnJOORUW6Oq1CZQT4gkiBQ8/s1600/DSCF1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpVih30BMMapPPOECYD-HC8pNhQPnpYPIT-GcGld9FnwKI90J9h55-oKKl_CHRj0syVgznVrRly7t-f27YMYaAmB5A3VJC-7i3NA-MAM-QY-e7eyjEMsJzYnJOORUW6Oq1CZQT4gkiBQ8/s1600/DSCF1216.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our scratch map</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In an insanely ideal world we would up sticks, buy an awesome camper van and see where the wind takes us but you know, the house, the cat, work, money, *yawn*....</div>
<br />
Any suggestions?</div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-13639868631920010612014-07-30T12:57:00.004+01:002015-05-18T11:33:00.965+01:00Planning a wedding your own way<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Great news, three of my closest friends are engaged! One of the weddings is next week, I am so excited, not only as I am super happy for my friend, but also because I get to wear my gorgeous 50s style dress that I MADE (will post pictures in due course).</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So anyway, it got me thinking and reminiscing about my own wedding last year and what lessons I learned... read on if you're interested...</div>
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b>1. What sort of wedding do you want?</b></u><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wasn't the kind of girl who grew up picturing her wedding so I knew I didn't want a big day. Once we established that, the rest kind of fell into place by process of elimination...Where is close to the registry office? Pettigrew's!... Beautiful building in the bay? Norwegian church!....Easy way to transport people there?....Boat! </div>
<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/AVvXsEjyEGuGiy2vYuyg1zHZU4D-ZE2LfWTEAXSFvnzKupse1TgTx4_qb5TxUopDiWc_kgnO6_Whw-jq_W_jTi3njVuc8R-D9PzVDtN7LfU0KtKo9PwFcxoAFAo6zUOb9Y0RmY-RNr1LvNaSCkqE/s1600/DSC_3286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEGuGiy2vYuyg1zHZU4D-ZE2LfWTEAXSFvnzKupse1TgTx4_qb5TxUopDiWc_kgnO6_Whw-jq_W_jTi3njVuc8R-D9PzVDtN7LfU0KtKo9PwFcxoAFAo6zUOb9Y0RmY-RNr1LvNaSCkqE/s1600/DSC_3286.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Tea cup and saucer at Pettigrew Tea Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b>2. Call in favours from talented (willing!) friends and family</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am lucky to have a very skilled professional wedding photographer as a step-father and an amazingly talented baker as a close friend. This meant we didn't have to spend money on these. Of course a gesture of thanks will go a long way and you don't want your guests to feel like staff. More often than not, however, you'll find people want to help. I myself have been called up to crochet various things for a hen do in September and am thrilled to be able to help!</div>
<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/AVvXsEhunT9N-60-lazQ-FtLCv5Qiu1KGdfjGRPlxd0waVPmsZ4ukwEUrVULkKuWVg1CmflC3pfh08Gxtc60PW-136XKR_LIjnOS2E7D8bmnTGuWvE-mxu4GGP2OiCCRIc_caqwck9SybAgyOTxs/s1600/L&H+WEDDING+13-06-0779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunT9N-60-lazQ-FtLCv5Qiu1KGdfjGRPlxd0waVPmsZ4ukwEUrVULkKuWVg1CmflC3pfh08Gxtc60PW-136XKR_LIjnOS2E7D8bmnTGuWvE-mxu4GGP2OiCCRIc_caqwck9SybAgyOTxs/s1600/L&H+WEDDING+13-06-0779.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our delicious wedding cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>3. Accept you don't know everything</b></u><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I gave our florist completely free reign to do what she wanted as my knowledge of flowers is shamefully lacking. I gave her the vases we were using and muttered something along the lines of "wild flowers, purplish" and left her to it. The finished product was just perfect.</div>
<br />
<u><b>4. The internet is a wonderful thing!</b></u><br />
Etsy and Not on the High Street were some of my most frequented sites in the run up to the wedding. Such cute, personalised items can be bought for very little money.<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/AVvXsEiEXnj8FwD8zmDJWoh3qOx3f9LTlrKjuv8TC0Or4lbI5JHoh9m7uxu1Q__zkSdqW2xW1GElpzoOJQdFJBjIY6qw2wdMuKLGv45NaWsvdxPzQFHYNUgR3fGr5hia1oEHxk7fhUYGlMtKpIQ3/s1600/L&H+WEDDING+13-06-0785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXnj8FwD8zmDJWoh3qOx3f9LTlrKjuv8TC0Or4lbI5JHoh9m7uxu1Q__zkSdqW2xW1GElpzoOJQdFJBjIY6qw2wdMuKLGv45NaWsvdxPzQFHYNUgR3fGr5hia1oEHxk7fhUYGlMtKpIQ3/s1600/L&H+WEDDING+13-06-0785.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay- our evening venue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b>5. Relax!</b></u><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is so easy to get caught up in the whole thing but when I told myself it was just a day in a new dress, with the people I love the most I tended to calm down.</div>
<br />
<u><b>6. Things will go wrong- embrace it</b></u><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My ride (an awesome vintage VW camper) didn't turn up to take me and my friends to the wedding. It was a bit of a hairy moment but we eventually called a taxi. Instead of it being a complete disaster it is one of my favourite memories as the driver plugged in my friend's Ipod and played the Beach Boys at full volume, us singing along merrily!</div>
<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/AVvXsEj0CWhRmU1briGSATZUcxODsasp3fjHnGp0Tqsxu96e_Rg9wiMdKXLR0YmCL8ALiiU2E0nIkstcfplADVOy2DtloKpCzACIOjXwK-vlVHZO_Ubt5kZpewCvjFvO9RADXknTN94T2Y-7I103/s1600/L&H+WEDDING+13-06-0732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CWhRmU1briGSATZUcxODsasp3fjHnGp0Tqsxu96e_Rg9wiMdKXLR0YmCL8ALiiU2E0nIkstcfplADVOy2DtloKpCzACIOjXwK-vlVHZO_Ubt5kZpewCvjFvO9RADXknTN94T2Y-7I103/s1600/L&H+WEDDING+13-06-0732.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving in style- albeit not the planned way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-41825476412825268612014-07-15T13:15:00.000+01:002015-01-30T10:07:05.155+00:00Learning Cymraeg<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This September will mark 10 years of me living in Wales. Way back in 2002 when filling out my dreaded UCAS form I must admit I had very little knowledge of the Welsh language, Dorset girl that I am, and how important it is. But it is important; language and culture make up so much of a person's identity and expression. Last year I married a Welshman who uses the Welsh language a lot both professionally and socially. Consequently our group of friends includes many a proud native Welsh speaker. Sometimes, in fact, I am the only non Welsh speaker in the room, not that anyone has ever made me feel excluded. However, I have felt for a while that I should make an attempt to learn. I once tried to learn when in my final year. A patronising teacher, slow class and the fact that I was in my final year made me give up after only a few lessons (I also seem to remember some guys from Rhyl trying to teach us Welsh at Glastonbury festival 2003 but needless to stay it didn't stick).</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8gknN578QViuyXl3fddNXzLbWOIwpNmaIk6x7C0tyxXtdYTsL3DOWT5-QLzgM9O3b49l27Gf_rnHAb_49nzTitFguRpFYyljl9FJM05lWJFHzRAYGEkMHAC1jmCtjW01zQzeNFY1wlEw/s1600/DSCF1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8gknN578QViuyXl3fddNXzLbWOIwpNmaIk6x7C0tyxXtdYTsL3DOWT5-QLzgM9O3b49l27Gf_rnHAb_49nzTitFguRpFYyljl9FJM05lWJFHzRAYGEkMHAC1jmCtjW01zQzeNFY1wlEw/s1600/DSCF1155.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tafwyl at Cardiff Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Recently, a few friends and I went to see <i>American Interior</i>, the film that accompanies The Gruff Rhys album of the same name. In the film, Gruff follows the trail of one of his ancestors on the quest for a mythical Welsh speaking tribe in America. <a href="http://www.chapter.org/node/5881" target="_blank">Check it out </a>btw, it's great. The Welsh language is prominent throughout and at one point Gruff states that there are only 1 millions speakers. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipgSTKnf8bPKBJjw7hD0xJaGUciyOM-g5Cm-d7-oo_N0f-iKfw59t_AvF1dT2QWA3t8yXigLUoMGyQcRf75PeqaRHGqvtLSNbT_41RuPd7Js7fvYYiZwjSyvD6x69ieT4cQJw1FFHUzlS/s1600/DSCF1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipgSTKnf8bPKBJjw7hD0xJaGUciyOM-g5Cm-d7-oo_N0f-iKfw59t_AvF1dT2QWA3t8yXigLUoMGyQcRf75PeqaRHGqvtLSNbT_41RuPd7Js7fvYYiZwjSyvD6x69ieT4cQJw1FFHUzlS/s1600/DSCF1157.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>At the weekend, Hywel and I went to Tafwyl festival at Cardiff Castle. It was so interesting to see, and hear, Welsh being spoken by so many people and to listen to musicians singing in Welsh. It made me jealous. I want to speak Welsh! One person shown in Gruff's film mention the website <a href="https://www.saysomethingin.com/welsh/course1" target="_blank">"Say Something in Welsh</a>" so I decided to check it out. It is a series of online Welsh lessons which can be downloaded and listened to as and when you want. Each lesson is only about 35 minutes long so it is easy to fit one in. I honestly cannot praise it enough. I have only done 5 lessons so far and already I can say loads! It teaches you to construct sentences rather than learning by rote. The only slight downside is that it requires a lot of speaking on the learner's part so I cannot really do it at work but then speaking is the only real way to learn! I can even do my crochet at the same time. Win. </div>
<br />
Sorry quite a wordy one</div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-83337677783840979092014-07-11T12:48:00.000+01:002015-01-30T10:07:13.821+00:00R.I.P sewing machine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This post
was originally supposed to be me boasting about my amazing sewing skills making
<a href="http://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/2010/09/pyjama-bottoms.html"><span style="color: blue;">Tilly</span></a> and the buttons' pyjama trousers from her
book, "Love at First Stitch". BUT my sewing machine broke half way
through making them so now I have 2 unattached pyjama legs which will have
to be hand stitched (not happening) or will have to wait until I can borrow my
mum's spare machine. <i>Quel dommage.</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Instead,
let's look at the amazing things I have made with my pretty, but not so
durable, machine. Farewell old friend.....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZFYF4yjdENWXgh-z7SdNujh0q4E_ywmwoavPatEl-iqYMOVTYIuVh_1DQVbHm3gwYpy9AwZLWjRrt4E5MdvCyITyd5Q0PJvjJp9leXndyjRbsJKRIh7grv3WkDahYar4t43ajtpV5oBt/s1600/sew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZFYF4yjdENWXgh-z7SdNujh0q4E_ywmwoavPatEl-iqYMOVTYIuVh_1DQVbHm3gwYpy9AwZLWjRrt4E5MdvCyITyd5Q0PJvjJp9leXndyjRbsJKRIh7grv3WkDahYar4t43ajtpV5oBt/s1600/sew.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My most
favourite skirt. It also matches my friends' curtains and I made a matching
cushion. Good old Cath Kidston Ikea fabric. Super cheap and super lovely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO32YiAAEirjUxVm-ofSRAQvkPz7bqjZRqanHYooETsge6xORCXrfR-sKuMc_LucpAEzQGpXjFlt0swdmll3l-14FE0RKbsMHl10B8pW_Owp-zqIYxbgdH6Zyo9DOCZ21cdPiyKDwimJg5/s1600/skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO32YiAAEirjUxVm-ofSRAQvkPz7bqjZRqanHYooETsge6xORCXrfR-sKuMc_LucpAEzQGpXjFlt0swdmll3l-14FE0RKbsMHl10B8pW_Owp-zqIYxbgdH6Zyo9DOCZ21cdPiyKDwimJg5/s1600/skirt.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm;"></td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Flower print and pockets! Magnifique<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Matching
cushion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_3diZRUvDHx95bTEbMqqfaR701DEpmljhpbv4vADMlFJgtK4PpE8VANjj35IuQBOxVZpyX62OhhilLd88cGhuhhlcGAzusnx7ZQH6eExPL606eDr5AEQLXtHX9i6qx_zqd-O84xAcmVu/s1600/cuchion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_3diZRUvDHx95bTEbMqqfaR701DEpmljhpbv4vADMlFJgtK4PpE8VANjj35IuQBOxVZpyX62OhhilLd88cGhuhhlcGAzusnx7ZQH6eExPL606eDr5AEQLXtHX9i6qx_zqd-O84xAcmVu/s1600/cuchion.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I loved
the skirt so much I made in two more fabrics, polka dot and Brighton Pavilion.
Both bought from the Aladdin's cave of fabrics, Hanson's in Sturminster Newton.
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0d79_Ug8WsROK4S7W0odrqBoVmjI75GSO-FLaai1bJXr21_4CCJzYgfJ80CoCYDe0jj8vJiuXRo9FgxaVF15_8dx-Ea0UOgt2W_P-u_0Z6Vq79lT1QUY7O5YrZjemzruge4O92XYgstXp/s1600/skirts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0d79_Ug8WsROK4S7W0odrqBoVmjI75GSO-FLaai1bJXr21_4CCJzYgfJ80CoCYDe0jj8vJiuXRo9FgxaVF15_8dx-Ea0UOgt2W_P-u_0Z6Vq79lT1QUY7O5YrZjemzruge4O92XYgstXp/s1600/skirts.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The most
difficult garment I have made to date was this dress. It is a beautiful ditsy
print and really fun to wear but it wasn't half fiddly. My mum has made a few
more in the same style but I need to gather a bit more confidence before I
tackle it again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9Bbq7atC9-txPL7RT2sWt7KIN2l3ImIdiYfMUOxGGKZ6s98CN8kvA6Wq56ehyphenhyphenOek_rRBs455BZWb7N7BXhblhtu9uilc2TQxwvqrhJp4HBHj3xqkem_DjKFBAFDubkJFzrU74V8Wv0vN/s1600/dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9Bbq7atC9-txPL7RT2sWt7KIN2l3ImIdiYfMUOxGGKZ6s98CN8kvA6Wq56ehyphenhyphenOek_rRBs455BZWb7N7BXhblhtu9uilc2TQxwvqrhJp4HBHj3xqkem_DjKFBAFDubkJFzrU74V8Wv0vN/s1600/dress.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It did
alright my little machine but now I need a more sturdy model for future
projects. I don't suppose anyone want to sell me a cheapish sewing machine??<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
</div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3947531095079639897.post-31506472108879419302014-07-07T12:47:00.002+01:002015-01-30T10:07:42.654+00:00My First Blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How exciting. Welcome to my little world. I have been meaning to start a blog for a while mainly to document what I get up to be it gigs, craft, day trips or new purchases. Let's begin. This weekend was one of those lovely sunny Cardiff weekends where we float from place to place in a happy cloud. On Saturday my husband Hywel and I went for a walk at Forest Farm and firmly cemented our desire to move from Splott to Whitchurch. We could have spent longer there as it was so peaceful and full of nature. We even saw a heron.</div>
<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/AVvXsEi7cSBaZxdGWYOj5cc2j_-Um7vCpu5QjDYU5U4qBo0uI8-sYFAi0m_293GENdatRQtWCc7-VhSHvbzf7iePlPH3vqNqdbHnvDfErzdQ6wXxREcWZ4atRhqEiZYRanGY5_3qLXkaPQhGlCm4/s1600/DSCF1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7cSBaZxdGWYOj5cc2j_-Um7vCpu5QjDYU5U4qBo0uI8-sYFAi0m_293GENdatRQtWCc7-VhSHvbzf7iePlPH3vqNqdbHnvDfErzdQ6wXxREcWZ4atRhqEiZYRanGY5_3qLXkaPQhGlCm4/s1600/DSCF1145.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful river at Forest Farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Being in the outdoorsy mood put me in the frame of mind to sort the garden out. We took 2 car loads of ivy to the dump and planted some lavender, roses and herbs. Hopefully they will flourish.</div>
<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/AVvXsEjBsBLUdLC-sNz4v0DrKA5CytK6udocVwjcbl13JPgJFhvDJKVemXjRmXGC32M7WtmIUfFfjgA0aiwDEZVPaAg1ZRQJy9SqL8FYiFArD22j56mFh7EtwGNnIOMU9vwozpYS9HgRrAj50nVZ/s1600/DSCF1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsBLUdLC-sNz4v0DrKA5CytK6udocVwjcbl13JPgJFhvDJKVemXjRmXGC32M7WtmIUfFfjgA0aiwDEZVPaAg1ZRQJy9SqL8FYiFArD22j56mFh7EtwGNnIOMU9vwozpYS9HgRrAj50nVZ/s1600/DSCF1150.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New plants in my garden</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Later that evening a friend and I went to local favourite Chapter to watch <i>Casse-Tete Chinois </i>(Chinese puzzles), the 3rd film in the <i>Auberge Espagnole</i> triology. I highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in French cinema. It was funny and witty and the French is easy to follow (it does have subtitles for non French speakers). It made me want to move to Paris. But that happens on a weekly basis.</div>
<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/AVvXsEiN5uk_-smbX5rxeOctYV7uw0EhM41N5GT2_INGFBWm3lKkxBJUyM0qbop688dxpYc8gyYevBmHxWLlgr88P-tGzK0EpHoFAbLyBLrcbHTOGjBcry11QQni6W682U5p1KMVSYEPdsvqGejO/s1600/DSCF1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5uk_-smbX5rxeOctYV7uw0EhM41N5GT2_INGFBWm3lKkxBJUyM0qbop688dxpYc8gyYevBmHxWLlgr88P-tGzK0EpHoFAbLyBLrcbHTOGjBcry11QQni6W682U5p1KMVSYEPdsvqGejO/s1600/DSCF1147.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G&Ts with basil, lemon and strawberry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sunday saw the first Pop Up Boutique on Womanby Street. Although I was hoping for more stalls, the amazing food and drink made up for it. Hywel and I have been Hang Fire Smoke house enthusiasts since our fist bite of pulled pork back in the Canadian so we were sure to be first in the queue for their street food style menu on Sunday. Man, it was good! I had the pulled pork bap and Hywel had the ribs. Their homemade sauces are truly mouthwatering. I can't wait to find out where their next venue will be. </div>
<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/AVvXsEie4jfNIXQ9AHS3xFoFVPe5QNHLYn2tRbBjZLYpLq8fo7ujpOJAQTH5hT2xX6LteHJtzFmHqZgin7dS8qtDBGZAUvnC5bDSPLSooW-FRC1zr9choe-K8gCzbdw1-cUSzB6U3N0nUUT3YkMe/s1600/DSCF1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4jfNIXQ9AHS3xFoFVPe5QNHLYn2tRbBjZLYpLq8fo7ujpOJAQTH5hT2xX6LteHJtzFmHqZgin7dS8qtDBGZAUvnC5bDSPLSooW-FRC1zr9choe-K8gCzbdw1-cUSzB6U3N0nUUT3YkMe/s1600/DSCF1148.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The just perfect Hang Fire smokehouse pulled pork baps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The day and weekend was rounded off by an ice cream from Pettigrew Tea room (we couldn't get a table for cake- curse their popularity!) and a wander through Bute Park. Perfect</div>
<br /></div>
Laura_Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13163659426138512882noreply@blogger.com4