Is It Hot In Here..... Or Just Me?

So, after much cajoling from my friend Lo and many assurances that it's amazing and I'd love it, today I went to my first Hot Yoga class. Now, clue being in the name I guessed that I would be sweating during the class. Little did I know that all I would know for the next hour and a half was sweat, mine mostly, but also belonging to the people around me. It dropped off noses, arms, backs. Every conceivable place. Now, being on the curvier side of a girl and not very bendy, I thought, this'll be a bit awkward. Which to be fair it was, having to accept help from the instructor to get your legs straight in the air is slightly embarrassing. But nonetheless, I did come out with a feeling of achievement (if slightly lightheaded). Next time however, I am hoping to get through it with slightly less flailing arms and wobbly legs and a bit more decorum.

Nonsensical x

Marrakech Blues

So, I've been officially back from Marrakech for a week. And I am already on holiday blues. I'm not sure if it is necessarily Marrakech I am missing, but definitely the sun and the exotic. As a city it is amazing and completely mental at the same time. Winding streets and alleys, steamy hamman rooms and sometimes scary souks. The fact that 2 of us lived very comfortably on £350 for a week also helped. I found it utterly delightful being scrubbed from head to toe in the hamman, coming out incredibly soft and shiny. The shopping wasn't too bad either, not to mention the food! What I did find refreshing was that Morocco as a Muslim country, there is onviously not too much booze available. So no heavy drunken nights were had by any and I was up by 10.30 every day (which if you know me well, is a miracle!) All in all it is an amazing city and I fully recommend the visit. But take care in the Souks and don't do what I did and get lost and end up on the edge of the city. Ha ha. All in a days fun tho!

Nonsensical x

Girly Picnic

Yesterday, due to the lovely turn in the weather me and a couple of my girly friends decided to head over to Sefton Park for a little bit of sun and picnic fun. There is nothing better and no better British summer tradition than a picnic. Sitting on grass with your bare feet out and drinking in the sun is a pleasure that us Brits rarely get. So I implore you, now the weather is good, GET OUT THERE! Whether you are a; buy a sarnie from Tesco, a Delia Smith traditional quiche and sponge cake with a wicker basket or a more quirky Jamie Oliver Thai noodle salad picnicker. Enjoy the weather while it lasts! And don't forget a few fruity ciders to wash it all down.

Nonsensical x

Kids Day Out..... Sort Of

So, for my birthday (last November, I might add) was given tickets to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London off my mum. To my glee me and my mum booked to go in April. So last week we went. I could not have been any more excited if I tried. We arrived at 10.30, our time slot being 11am. We managed to get in a little earlier. Each of us wheedling a 'passport' intended for kids, we set off around the tour. Taking enough photos that my camera died, I then went on to use my iPhone. We wondered around for a grand total of 6 and a half hours (not including shopping time). Although we had to rush through the second half as we had taken so long. However, it was an amazing day and highly recommended! I will definitely be going again. But a few words of advice to those who have never been:

- There are lots of kids, so be ready for that.
- This is a museum, not a kids playhouse. If your child is not old enough to understand and will be upset about the magic being ruined. Don't take them.
- Don't be afraid to tussle with people to have a look, as others will happily push in front of you.
- Listen to the guys who are around the give talks, they are actually quite interesting.
- Take your time walking around. Once you go outside, there is no going back. And there is lots to see!

Finally, the shop is great! There is amazing stuff, but of course lots of tat. It is expensive £4-5 for a keyring, so take lots of dosh. I spent a small fortune, but I wanted things that I could keep and treasure and add to the huge Harry Potter Wizards Collection that the bf bought me for Christmas. The staff are really helpful, if a little highly strung from all the kids.

Nonsensical x

Good Old Fashioned Home Cooking

After visiting NoLita Cantina with the boyfriend, I decided to give some southern American cooking a go. So last night I went and bought the biggest chunk of beef brisket I could find and set about marinating it. With today being my day off, I had the makings of a slow roast day. The meat sat in the oven for a grand total of 5 hours basting in it's own juices. The end product was delightful with a serving of chip salted fries and a side of coleslaw. Tonight's homemade dinner, not so boring.

For anyone who wants to know how I made it the recipe is as follows:

Salt
Pepper
Maple Syrup
Soy Sauce
Smokey Tobasco
BBQ Sauce
Mixed Herbs
Mustard
Beef Oxo cubes
Red Onion
Leeks
Bay Leaves

Marinate the meat in all the above except the oxos, onion, leeks and bay leaves. Leave in the fridge to marinate. Seal the meat on all sides in a frying pan, then transfer to casserole pot with lid. Add the oxos and boiling water (to cover the bottom of the pan), bay leaves, leeks and onions to the pot. Place in a 150c preheated oven, cook for 2 hours. Higher the heat to 170c. Throughout its cooking time, baste the meat with its own juices. Cook until meat falls apart when moved. Take off the lid, higher the heat again to 200c and cook for 20 mins. Your meat should now be done.

However, next time I might add a little bit of Cajun for that extra smokey hit.

Enjoy

Nonsensical x

Geek Moment.

I love my magazine subscriptions, especially my one to Vintage Life Magazine. So, when my new magazine arrived and the star letter was me... (Yes me, geeky as that may be), I was beside myself. I'd decided to write in because there had been a recent article about pen pals and with me always wanting one, I couldn't resist (I'm obsessed with stationary and can't help buying notelets). In it I obviously explained my hankering for a pen pal, but I also mentioned a book; Can Any Mother Help Me? It is a great book and well worth a read if you like real stories.

Nonsensical x

Film and Duvet Day

After working 7 days straight in work, what could be better than having a Sunday duvet day on an erm.... Thursday. Ha ha. I can't describe the feeling of knowing you are off on a Sunday. As any of those working in the service industry will understand, it is like having a little treat. So deciding to have a Sunday movie day yesterday (I know that sounds a little odd), completely made my week. Include a takeaway from Dominos and you've got a top day. My list of ideal Sunday films include; The Goonies, Swiss Family Robinson, Sister Act and Willy Wonker and the Chocolate Factory. Go on, give a Film and Duvet day a whirl. I bet it will brighten up your week!

Nonsensical x

Date Night

The boyfriend and I don't really get much chance to go out, we always seem to be working opposite shifts. However, yesterday penciled into both of our schedules was date night (or rather it was penciled in mine and he was cajoled into going). We decided to give one of the new restaurants on Bold St a try. NoLita Cantina has been open for about a month and after hearing that they serve Southern American style dishes, our mouths have been watering ever since. Now, the boyfriend is a massive fan of Man vs Food. So we probably had some unreal expectations of the size of the food we would be eating. It wasn't huge slabs of meat, but it was delicious. We chose the burnt ends, these little chicken and cheese parcels, the beef brisket and the slow cooked pork. The highlight for me being the beef brisket, although it was all delicious. But seeing the size of the the burgers going to other diners in the restaurant made me wish I had given one of those a whirl. To round of the evening we decided to go for a little drink. I have really wanted to try the Berry and Rye, the newish speakeasy on Berry St. Walking along Berry St and entering into the bar from a plain black exterior with no signs was intriguing. It is all low lit with oil lamps on the tables. A waitress comes over and tells us to sit down and that she will be over in a second. She brings us each a glass of water and says that they have no menu, but are happy to make you anything you like, or recommend something you might like. I ask for something with elderflower in. To which I receive a champagne saucer filled with a cloudy liquid with a slice of cucumber. To say it was delish would be falling short, lets just say it went down extremely well. A gorgeous mix of elderflower and cucumber. Yum. It was a delightful end to the evening.

Nonsensical x

Brownie Time.....

After discovering a recipe in the back of one of the books I was reading for Coffee Brownies, I knew being a coffee fiend and a girl who is partial to a bit of chocolate I had to make them. So, knowing I was doing the late in work today I decided to have a go. Making brownies is one of the easiest bakes I would say, not too much technical ability is needed (or that much washing up, which is always good). After reading the recipe I decided to make a few tweaks, as I always do. After having a little taster myself, I took my wares into work to get some opinions. As a general consensus people liked them, however some felt they had a little too much coffee in. I am not fully happy with them myself yet. So next time I am thinking I may try some dark chocolate and mix the chocolate chips into the mixture (rather than on top). For any of you who fancy it here is the recipe:

450g plain flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
60g ground coffee
220g butter
450g dark brown sugar
110g plain chocolate
110g chocolate chips
3 eggs, lightly beaten

-Preheat oven to 180c/Gas 4.
-Mix flour, salt, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and coffee.
-Melt butter, brown sugar and the chocolate in a Bain-Marie, until combined.
-Allow the mixture to cool and then stir in the dry mixture and then the eggs.
-Pour it into an ungreased pan and sprinkle the choc chips over.
-Bake in the middle of the oven for 25-30 mins, until the knife comes out clean from the brownie.
-Let it cool and then cut into squares.

Nonsensical x

Foodie Purchase of the Day

With things being currently the way things are, the pennies being pinched and all that, I have found that I no longer spend my money on clothes. Instead of buying myself another dress.... I'm now buying myself little food treats. A gorgeous packet of biscuits here, some Ben and Jerry's ice cream there. Today however, I happened upon something I have never seen before.... a chocolate loaf. Now, considering it was also on offer. Well, I couldn't resist. Now the problem is, what do I eat it with? Butter? Toasted? As some sort of chocolate sandwich? Any ideas would be fully appreciated. Me thinks it may be a midnight snack night tonight.

Purchase of the Day

After a staff meeting this morning, I decided that a little bit of retail therapy was in order (to shake away the cobwebs and hopefully this burgeoning cold). Firstly, stopping off at the Body Shop to buy a lipstick that I had lost on a drunken night out, (much of my makeup has been sacrificed to these dancing evenings). Then deciding that a trip into Primark for cheap work t-shirts was unavoidable, I gritted my teeth and made my way through the glass doors. After quickly grabbing what I needed, I decided to head towards the home section. Curiosity and probably a small portion of idiocy supporting this. After wandering around for a couple of minutes a turquoise cushion catches my eye. A pug cushion! Well..... baring in mind that my boyfriend is obsessed with pugs, I couldn't resist picking it up for him (especially after seeing the price). So, with surprise present in hand I hurry to the till to purchase my items and retreat from the hell that is the Liverpool Primark. 

Nonsensical x

Coffee With Rosie

Meeting my old friend Rosie for a coffee is always an unexpected pleasure. Her living down south means we don't meet as often as we would like to. We decided to go to a little coffee shop on Duke Street, which although tiny, makes a great espresso. After ordering our drinks we are told to sit down and they'll be brought to us. After chatting away for a while the drinks appear, Rosie is ecstatic to see that in her cappuccino they've drawn a heart in her foam. 'Coffee with love', she said. The best thing about meeting Rosie is that after how ever long we haven't seen each other it is never awkward. Chattering away and flitting from one subject to another comes naturally to her. Unfortunately this was only a quick visit with me having to dash of to work after an hour or so, but fun all the same.

Nonsensical x

First Time Blogger....

Well.... this is an interesting one. Having never written a blog before, nor thought that my thoughts were interesting enough for others to read, I have decided on this little foray into blogging anyway. 

A little about myself... I am a 24 year old girl, with a love of all things baking, vintage and other things beside.

Not all my posts may be related, or make sense in any way, but I am hoping that the randomness will make it that more interesting.

Yours

Nonsensical x