HALLOWEEN OUTFITS PAST AND PRESENT!

FOR THE TOKYO LAUNDRY COMPETITION

Which one is your favourite?  Or let me view or know about some of yours!

Caledonian Hampers Competition

With the News full of the Scottish Referendum, plus my Scottish roots (born in Glasgow!) the competition on Caledonian Hampers Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/caledonianhampers  is right up my street.  A long time fan of Scottish fare, as well as being known for my fondness of food, how could I resist the chance to win a Scottish Personalised Food Hamper  http://www.caledonianhampers.com/  stuffed with the likes of Orkney Oatcakes, Arran Pear & Plum Chutney, Macaroon Bar and my personal favourite, Scottish Tablet.

Why not check out what Caledonian Hampers have to say about the referendum on their blog:

http://www.caledonianhampers.com/blog/Referendum%20reconciliation%20ale%20keg
and lets not forget the Personalised Cider Bottle too (Scottish Cider, of course!) in the Hamper, to which you can toast the outcome of the Scottish vote if its the one you favour (or not, if the love of Scottish taste and culture surpasses all!)   
SLA'INTE! 

#SleepHappy Competition with Wren Living.

This competition appealed to me as I do follow Wren Living via FaceBook. 

The strangest sleeping place I have ever heard about comes via my Brother.  In his wild youth during his University Days, he got so drunk one evening, lost his friends and ended up sleeping in a doorway next to the local Burger King.  He said it wasnt so bad, even though it was a cold October evening, as he woke up in the wee small hours to find himself covered in Burger wrappers and claimed it was 'insulation'.   Despite his nonchalance at the time, it is now a story I repeat with glee to embarrass him in front of prospective girlfriends (as only a Sibling would do, I might add!).  

However, as I recalled this, it got me thinking which led to the question :

"Where would I love to take a nap?"

Well, I know I would love complete luxury, so it would have to be in a top class Hotel.  One with a beautiful & breathtaking view, able to indulge my every whim (Money no object of course!). Preferably a Penthouse suite - and why not go the whole way and travel to the other side of the World to do this?  Result : Located on the top floor, the Presidential Suite in Four Seasons Hotel Sydney offers stunning views of the Sydney Opera House.   Australia it is, then!

Sleeping in what though?  A bit of careful research found this....

Designed by Dutchman Janjaap Ruijssenaars, this 'magnetic floating bed' uses magnets to keep 900 kilograms (1,984 pounds) floating in the air. To make sure that the bed doesnt float away due to wind or weird movements, its tethered to the walls by four cables. Technically, the magnetic floating bed is for sale, but at a price of 1.2 million Euros.

Last but not least....  what item would I take with me from the Wren Living site?  Well, if Im going to go with a glamorous Hotel and a unique Bed, I would need a statement piece of furniture to fit in with it all.    So I choose The Shard Dusk Mirror Dressing Table   http://www.wrenliving.com/shard-dusk-mirror-dressing-table/87894   

Currently at £139.00, its the best bargain yet!  Who wouldnt feel like a Film Star using this!  Time to take a Nap I think.....

Footnote: This is my entry into the #SleepHappy competition over on LittleStuff.
http://www.littlestuff.co.uk/2014/08/win-300-with-wren-living-to-spend-on-bedroom-furniture/

Dream Room Competition

I spotted the above competition post on

 blog

http://www.littlestuff.co.uk/2014/07/bloggers-win-750-john-lewis-voucher-with-good-to-be-home/

It sounded right up my street; design your Dream Bedroom or Living Room.  Well, I have a myriad of ideas for that!  

I have always fancied, in my dreams, an ethereal type of  fantasy bedroom.  Of course, I would need the space, the budget and dont even get me started on the practicality of it all (all that floaty material with my Cats and their inqusitive natures and claws!) but if money was no object and dreams could be made true, then here it is, in all its glory....

A Bed sets the tone for the bedroom;

http://www.anthropologie.eu/

Forest Canopy Bed  £3,698.00

Tree Curtain from thrifted sheet 
marie gardeski

it is central, integral and the style in my dream Bedroom would be one element embodying another element; in this case, metal mimicking Wood.  

Matching Blinds, all floaty and dreamy echo the Enchanted Forest feel along with a clever Lamp to provide the fairy tale ambience.

http://calabarte.com/lamp/id:93-table-lamp-xii  POA

I was aiming for Pinks, Beige, Cream & White - all very girly, clean and pure & natural colours. 

White-Organza-Fairy-Light-Curtain-Drape
qualityukdiyweddingsupplies  £17.89

Vintage Lace & Ribbon
Portobello Market

Light materials such as Velvet, Organza, Silk & Netting to complement the ethereal and enchanted, almost Alice in Wonderland, crazy dream-like feel.

                                

                                       136X229cm 2pcs Sheer Curtains
                                      Net Organza Fabric  ebay £8.99

  http://www.aliexpress.com/
£12.54/pk 10

Reclaimed Windmill for Ceiling Fan

Metal Skeletal Wall Clock

          by Artisanti £44.99

 I also like the feel of Wood and would mix this with Metals so it has an Enchanted Forest blend of warm and cool shiny tones offsetting all the Pink and adding a little more futuristic feel encompassing all of the World's elements.  

http://www.wallpapered.com/
Bespoke  approx £280.00

Scottish charme - Chest of drawers HIGHLANDS

xtradefactory   £299.00

Atelier Charivariby decor8 

I like the idea of upcycling and using items that had a previous life, such as Suitcases becoming a Chest of Drawers, old school lockers becoming Wardrobes; a crazy, dreamlike, jumbled up room yet with some semblance of order so it isnt too clinical!   

JULIENNE DRAWER ORGANIZER 
Joss & Main $35

A Few statememt pieces - admittedly expensive, but as bespoke items they are in fact unique bargains; coupled with recycled materials completes the total effect I am aiming for.

       

BespOak Tree Shelves £300

Springbok Benches, Set of 2, $999.95 - anthropologie.eu 

        A Bookcase in the style           of  a Tree, a Seat in the                  form of Animals and a                  Mirror in a crazily shaped             Copper Tone add 
      to the look.....

                 

                http://michaelanastassiades.com/collection/
                            copper-mirrors     Limited Edition

Western Sculpture Horse Bookend

etsy.com  $210 

.....then a few ornaments & decorations in China & Wood along with a Metallic base to add to the colour palette and I'm all set for the bedroom of my dreams!

Copper Desk Collection - anthropologie.eu 

Magazine Holder £28.00

Copper Desk Collection - 
anthropologie.eu 
Letter Box £22.00

                                   

                                                                http://lolitasaysso.tumblr.com/
                          post/8992138470                          BY EMMA HOAREAU
     

              

                   Majestic Lion Figurine Table Desk Fan 
            by Deco Breeze  $120

Cholet Hollow Vases 

http://www.anthropologie.eu/ 

£12.95 – £14.95

So what do you think?  Do you like my Dream Bedroom, or is it too avant garde for your tastes?   Or is yours even more surreal?  What would your dream bedroom be like?  Let me know; if I like your idea, I may steal a little bit of it to add to my own eclectic mix; the only thing limiting us is our imagination!

align=”center”><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome/fun/dream-room-blogger-competition/');" title="GoodtobeHome" href="http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome/fun/dream-room-blogger-competition/"><img src="http://www.anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ahi-dream-room-banner.png" alt="Good to be Home Dream Room Competition"/></a>

Competition: Hairstyles that Rock

Festival Hair!  

Well, in the past I have attended various Festivals and it must be said, my Goth/EMO look is not as casual as it looks.  Hair slightly unkempt and dishevelled takes alot of getting just right - and then there is the situation of keeping it looking that way for several days.

Luckily, House of  Fraser is just down the Road so there is help at hand!

As my hair has slight waves in it, I will just go with the flow au naturelle and try and keep it fresh and sweet smelling.  Thierry Mugler Angel Perfuming Hair Mist £21.00 seems to do the trick! As Festivals can be a hot and sticky affair, this keeps my hair smelling as sweet as the floral garland I have taken to wearing this Year.  Its also compact so easy to keep with you as British weather is not easy to predict at the best of times (but I would usually go with rain!)   As the Festival progresses, I am more likely to tie my hair up and back, especially so if it gets hot.  A Hat is also not out of the question if the 'natural wave' gets too bad, but at least it will still smell sweet!  

lhttp://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Thierry+Mugler+Angel+Perfuming+Hair+Mist+25ml/117254263,default,pd.html

Restaurant review - Grillshack

How do you know a restaurant is popular?  There is a queue outside the door when England are playing a World Cup football match!

This is the dilemma which I faced last week.  Thinking myself savvy, I thought "It will be quiet, all the men will be at the Pub watching football, best time to go"  I did not reckon for a queue outside the door at 19:45, albeit a Friday evening!  

I was lucky enough to win a 7 day pass via Grillshacks Twitter competition, which goes live every Monday. Never one to pass up free food (brought up in Yorkshire, with a Scottish mother, I think you get my way of thinking!) I entered this competition on a weekly basis.  A good few weeks down the line and I receive notification that I was that weeks lucky winner!   After a lovely message informing me of this, along with a cheery email, I sent along a passport photo for them to make up my pass.  Then came a week of eating till my heart was content of some of the finest food I have been lucky enough to taste, along with wonderful friendly service.   

From Day One, the staff were gracious and friendly considering I was eating Gratis.   Each day I was allowed one hot drink, one cold drink, a Starter, a Main and a Dessert.   I am ashamed to say I know what I like and I like what I know so despite a varied menu, I tended over the course of the week to eat the same things as they were so tasty I couldnt refuse a repeat of something I had enjoyed immensely. 

For my cold drink I alternated between a Vanilla or a Strawberry milkshake.  Served in a tin tumbler like a Southern panhandler would use in the Klondike, creamy and sweet tasting, with nice satisfying chunks of ice cream, it was both refreshing and chilled to perfection.  One evening I took my friend Irina along and she chose Diet Coke, which came cold in an original style bottle which was a pleasant suprise.  I love a drink in a glass bottle!  

Hot Drink tended to be either a Latte or Cappuchino.  For a coffee afficionado or those used to the taste of the Deep South, it will be blended at just the right strength, but I found it a little too strong for my taste and used more sugar than I normally would.  Funnily enough, the Cappuchino was more to my liking than the Latte, which I usually find milder in other establishments, but not here at Grillshack.  

For a Starter, I tried the Green Salad with Advocado Dressing.  I initially thought I would find a plate full of Giant Watercress a little too bland, but I was mistaken.  With a light peppery taste fused with the Advocado Dressing I felt I could have eaten more it was so enjoyable; and I must stress that I dont normally choose a Salad so this is an accolade indeed!  Another time, I chose the Garlic Flatbread.  Cut into eight good sized pieces this was lightly infused with garlic, deliciously warm and just right for me.  This option was not on the Starters but on the Sides, but at my request they allowed me to have this as a Side so if something you see on the Menu isnt quite to your specification, just ask - you might be pleasantly suprised and pleased at the result! My favourite starter was the BBQ Spicy Chicken Wings - 6 tangy and succulent pieces lightly glazed and very spicy!  I asked for some tap water as my throat needed respite from the spice, despite my enjoyment of it! and a bottle of chilled tap water was delivered to my table by the lovely waitress Alice with the perpetual smile.  My only regret wit the Starters being I did not get to try the Mac and Cheese (one of my favourite meals) as I I couldnt get enoough of these BBQ Wings!

For a Main, I repeatedly craved more of the Steak and Fries.  The Rump steak was grilled lightly; not my usual choice as I like a well done steak normally but it was perfect - they really know how to cook a Steak at Grillshack! With succulent juices and served with smoked butter which soaked through to the Seasoned Fries, I would recommend this dish every time anyone asked, looked forward to it and was never bored of eating it!   My friend Irina chose a Daily Special - Shrimp in a Bun with Seasoned Fries.  The Shrimp was coated in breadcrumbs yet tasty and moist and Irina loved it.  As she has a much smaller appetite than I, the Manager (an amiable chap called Andy) made sure she could take it home and arranged for it to be put in a doggy bag for later.

For Dessert, I was usually so full I often missed this course but occasionally had a scoop of vanilla ice-cream; again, not on the Menu, but "something to cleanse the palette" as Andy said!  Another time I tried the Buttermilk Pancakes with Maple Syrup and they were soft and luscious, a real treat.   On my last evening I chose the Vanilla Cheesecake wth Toffee Sauce and it was heavenly.  I often worry that when I choose this kind of dessert it feels a little 'frozen' still, but not here - it was soft, crumbly and tasty - a perfect end to a weeks feasting!

If anyone asks me where they can get brilliant service, wonderful Cajun/American Southern Food at its best in a great location I would not hesitate to say Grillshack.  The ambience is great and the decor rustic and elegantly retro-cool.  The soundtrack is a great blend of well known catchy tunes of 60s & 70s classics mixed in with Soft Rock.   As I left that last evening the sounds of Manfred Mann's Do Wah Diddy Diddy were playing and the lyrics were exactly how I was feeling, especially at the line "I knew we was falling in love".  Never a truer word spoken, Grillshack; I couldnt have expressed it better!   I was welcomed with friendly and genuine smiles every day I appeared for food and never treated like a freeloader for a millisecond. 

 Thank you Grillshack for the best week of food of my life!   I love the offer you have for regulars to sign up for your 'Neighbourhood' scheme where all members can claim a FREE glass of wine, beer, choice of soda or slice of delicious carrot cake every day when they eat with you.  You do look after your regulars and

I shall see you very soon; got to try that Mac and Cheese!

61-63 Beak Street, Soho, W1F 9SL

@grillshackuk

http://www.grillshack.com/

020 7734 9321 

Note : I was not paid to write this review and it is all my own opinion.

Competitions I recommend

These are some of the competitions I am currently entering with links to them for you to use.

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Welcome - an Introduction.

Hello & Welcome!  My name is Lindsey and I have fancied doing a blog for ages.  I thought it best to introduce myself ......   dont you hate introductions though?  Remember those when you are new at college, starting a training course or your first day of a new job and the dreaded phrase 'Induction Course' rears its head.  The worst is when they try an 'ice breaker' and say "tell us 3 interesting things about the person sat next to you" and all I did then was have blind panic as I furiously tried to think of three interesting things about me  so I 1 sounded cool, 2 not too much of a try-hard and 3 the kind of person you would want to sit next to.   Who knew how hard that would be as you describe yourself to strangers who you hope will become friends - just like this blog!

When you make the move to London there are lots of things to think about ... where to live; sometimes not where I would like to but where I can afford to!  Landlord strife, commuting, work and the social etiquette of it, as well as social interaction - all worth keeping a blog on I feel!

So what is this blog going to be about?   Well... my life in London.  London is NOT cheap, but Im making the best of it.  When you have money, you dont have the time and when you have the time, you dont have the money - what a conundrum!  Therefore, if I find interesting things to do in London, free or worth the money, I will list it here.  Also, things I am up to, making a living or even just about my life and my Cats, then I will pop it down here too.   

Main areas I imagine to be are travel, work, interests and hobbies, my cats, gastronomy, my friends & London attractions - but this is not set in stone.  Whatever I feel like blogging about if I feel its relevant will be duly noted here!

Hopefully you will find it an interesting read and if anyone would like me to review anything in the Greater London area, well, here I am - just message me and depending what it involves, I will get my friends opinions on it too if they come along for the experience!

Thank you for reading this and I hope you come back for more soon.  Please feel free to comment; it would be great to have feedback, even if you dont necessarily agree with what I have said, its always nice to see a different slant on things.

Lindsey x

Explore! Blacks Adventure Competition

My first Blogger post is in response to a competition I saw on Twitter!   

There were four categories :

• Wild
• Fast
• Panoramic
• Epic

and the brief was "create a blog post showcasing your entries to the above categories then tweet the link to @Blacks_Online using the hashtag #epicadventures.  How you choose to interpret each category is up to you. Be creative!"

So Tweet I did - @LindseyClark20 as it seemed exciting, interesting & creative (not to mention great prizes).  

So what inspired me?

For Wild, I chose a picture of the fires in Kikodi, Tanzania, where they  burn the old crops to enrich the soil for the new crop year.  It seemed hot, smoky, untamed and with so few people to control the fire, somewhat dangerous.  If that isnt wild I dont know what is!  I can see why others may choose animals, but this epitomised the wild for me.  Nature is her own master!

For Fast,  I chose a picture that made me think the opposite!  It was such an extreme opposite it just felt right; bicycles - not the fastest form of transport anyway! - in the snow in Winter in Norfolk, England.  The Snow, the green of the poles and the lights reflecting on the trees made me think of the fields in Spring, a great contrast with the effect of snow actually falling & settling gently and slowly as the picture was taken.

For Panoramic, I chose North Wales.   The picture was taken using a 360 degree panoramic lens so this really fulfilled the spec of panoramic.  The lush myriad of greens, the steps leading down showing the depth of the composition makes this seem as if it could be a Botanic Garden anywhere in the World, but right here in Britain we have beauty on our doorstep so why not showcase that?

Lastly, for Epic, I chose what most may consider a predictable scenario - the Great Wall of China.  But it really is Epic in my eyes - not only because it is one of the Wonders of the World but the way the path meanders off into the mist, seemingly never ending, you cannot help but marvel at the length and wonder at all those who had a part in building this amazing wall.

So they are my personal choices.   I hope you like them and get the chance to experience the views yourself someday!