Tuesday 20 December 2011

The cutest proposal



A few weeks ago someone showed me this amazing video of this guy proposing to his girlfriend. I'll let it speak for itself - Cutest. Thing. Ever.





Monday 19 December 2011

Outstanding in the Field

I haven't blogged in a long while...so much has happened, the biggest thing being I started a new job which I love. But what also came with this was a major lack of time - and i stopped finding time for blogging among other things that constituted as "me" time. It's so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of everyday life and forget to take moments to just be....

The other day I suddenly decided to look at my blog and read through some of my posts. It made me smile to remember what i'd been thinking all those months ago, and all the wonderful things that i'd found to post on here. So I decided to start blogging again, because it gives me an outlet to put my thoughts down and share wonderful things!

So today i'd like to share this gorgeous project I just read about called 'Outstanding in the Field'.

Their mission is to re-connect diners to the land and origin of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans.

Outstanding in the Field is a culinary adventure - literally a restaurant without walls. Since 1999 they have set the long table at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table it set indoors: a beautifully refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum.

Wherever the location, the consistent them of each dinner is to honour the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table. Ingredients for the meal are almost all local and generally prepared by a celebrated chef of the region.

 I think this concept is so beautiful! It's so endlessly diverse with the range of chefs, ingredients and places it can happen and is a wonderful way of celebrating different ways of eating. I also love eating outside, so to get to experience dining against these magnificent backdrops is spectacular.

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Check out their website: http://outstandinginthefield.com

Saturday 2 April 2011

Al Fresco



Spring has finally decided to grace London with its presence. In the building where I work they have a verandah outside with a huge dining table where employees can go sit and eat. I had lunch out there this week lapping up the sunshine and remembered how much I adore having the opportunity to eat outside! I don't what it is? I just love it! Maybe I see it as a novelty because I rarely have the opportunity in London. It feels so free and organic. I especially love it at night; one day when I have my own home I would love a beautiful outside terrace with a dining table. There I would feast outside with family and friends and make it look soooo pretty decorating the table with gorgeous candles and flowers and putting lots of twinkle lights in the trees.




Wednesday 16 March 2011

Where do I want to be in 5 years?

 
I have had a zillion interviews lately (ok maybe i'm exaggerating maybe more like 25 but it FEELS like a zillion). After interning for about six months following graduation, I am now on the hunt for a permanent position. I'm not gonna lie, the eagerness and hopefulness I had early on are wearing thin and I'm feeling the pressure more and more every day that goes by and I still don't have a job.

On so many of these interviews they have asked me, "What do I want to be in 5 years?". At the interviews I obviously say something ambitious and career orientated. But if I had to answer that question honestly, no strings attached, the picture says it - I want to be happy in five years. Whilst I'm ambitious about my career, it isn't and I don't want it ever to be what defines me as a person. When I fantasize about what life might be like for me in five years, I dream of being surrounded by a loving healthy family and wonderful friends, having lots of new adventures, and at the same time appreciating the simple things in life, being passionate about whatever I'm doing, feeling inspired and constantly learning and growing. Hopefully, feeling a lot wiser and looking back at me now with a smile. I want to be defined my kind acts, being a good person and a person filled with love (both giving and having it). I will be the first to admit I'm idealistic and a romantic, yep I am, but hey whats the harm in some idealism in this crazy world we live in.

So I may be stressed out of my mind, but today I reminded myself how blessed I am with so many things in my life that give me so much joy and make me extremely fortunate. The job will fall into place sooner or later - I should be grateful that I am one happy girl - and I hope I still will be in 5 years, whatever I'm doing.

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Japan


What has happened and is happening in Japan right now is almost too tragic to comprehend. On Friday I watched the events unfold with horror, but at the same time I was unable to tear my eyes away from this powerful act of nature. It made me consider how powerless we humans actually are. In the blink of an eye everything can be swept away and destroyed by something beyond the power of man.

In the worst of times I am always in awe of how people come together to help by any means possible. Whilst most of us cannot physically do anything to help rebuild the parts of Japan that have been devastated, or the lives that have been shattered, there is always a way to contribute something. Give a donation to one of the many websites that are taking them, there is a listing of these websites here. I am a firm believer that every little bit counts, no matter how small or how big. My heart goes out to all those who are suffering in Japan and I pray that they will have the strength to see this catastrophe through and rebuild what they have lost.

One of my favorite Jewish quotes is, "he who saves one life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world". The quote emphasizes the value of each individual human life, by donating to Japan who knows what or how many lives you'll be helping to save.

Sunday 13 March 2011

La Bella Italia

I have an obsession with all things Italian. The beauty in this country is indescribable, from the landscapes to the architecture, the food to the fashion. I have family there and have been fortunate enough to visit many times to many different places. Here are some of my favorite Italian things:

1. Fashion


This was taken in  Milan. Italians have a thing with bright trousers and they pull it off! Their fashion ranges from stuff like this to classic simplicity, no matter what they are wearing it's effortless.

2. Coffee


Their coffees are creamy cups of perfection. They serve them at the perfect temperature, in perfectly cute little coffee bars, and are just, well, perfect.


3. Baristas


I love this Baristas uniform and how chic their coffee bars are.

4. Architecture


 Milan, Duomo

 Rome, Piazza di Spagna
5. The South

The Southern coast of Italy is hands down one of my favorite place on earth. Picturesque towns built into the mountains overlooking the sparkling water, bright flowers everywhere, cobbled streets, fresh food in quaint little restaurants - its heaven. The picture is of Capri, a stunning island off the coast of Naples.

6. The food

Mamma mia the food! Food in Italy is unparalleled and only people who have never been dispute this. The pasta, the pizza, the salads, they melt in the mouth, literally. Outside of Italy, I have never found Italian food that compares. 


Italy is just wonderful in every sense! Have you ever been there?

Monday 7 March 2011

Somerset House



My university was next to the beautiful Somerset House, an arts and cultural centre in London, and I've always had a soft spot for it. They have a terrace overlooking the River Thames and when the sun is out, it is just perfection sitting out there. Today I had an interview there and spent a few happy hours sitting on the terrace in the glorious (and rare) London sunshine and I wanted to share my photos with you. Its amazing what a few hours of sunshine can do for the soul!

 XO

Photos Copyrighted 2011

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Technology Overdrive


On Thursday I was on my laptop and managed to catch a virus. My computer literally started imploding and as you can imagine it was pretty distressing. Thankfully, the computer guy managed to remove it and nothing on my computer was damaged.


It got me thinking how reliant I, (and probably most people) have become on technology. The first thing I do when I wake up is check my phone, which includes checking my e-mails, facebook, twitter etc. Once I switch on my laptop my blog and Flickr are added to that list too. If I ever leave my phone at home by mistake I feel completely disconnected from everything. Sometimes the thought of how many different means of communication there are now is overwhelming (and yes, I appreciate the irony - I am using my online blog to write about this). When I was a child I used to write letters, yes LETTERS to my cousins abroad and I still have them all in my memory box. Now, I don't remember the last time I wrote a letter to someone! E-mails and Facebook messages seem so impersonal and fleeting in comparison.


I will always remember this quote by Drew Barrymore in the movie 'He's Just Not That Into You'. She is waiting for a guy she likes to get in touch with her...

"  I had this guy leave me a voicemail at work, so I called him at home, and then he emailed me to my BlackBerry, and so I texted to his cell, and now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies. It's exhausting".


 What she says is so true! Whilst I could never live without my technology anymore, I can't help wondering what it was like when people didn't freak out because a virus is destroying their laptop because laptops simply didn't exist?

Tuesday 1 March 2011

A Sweet Little Love Story

I read this the other day on a wonderful blog called Fashion Capuccino - you should all check it out! I love this story so much I felt I had to repost it on my blog! Enjoy!


To read the rest of their story click here.

Monday 28 February 2011

The Oscars Gowns

I love awards season. Great movies and great fashion. I cannot wait to see what the stars are wearing because their gowns are the stuff of dreams. Dresses that I only fantasise of wearing...and this year's Oscars did not fail to please. Here are my favorite gowns from the night:

Gwyneth Paltrow shimmering in a stunning Calvin Klein dress.


Just wow! The gown fits her like a glove accentuating her amazing physique. Her golden hair teamed with the golden dress make her glow from head to toe! It's sexy yet elegant, and I love the detailing with a multi coloured brooch at her waist and gorgeous rainbow coloured jewellery .

Next up is Mila Kunis in her lavender Elie Saab gown.


I love how she's grown from the dopey Jackie on That 70's Show to this poised lady in one of the biggest movies of the year. I think the delicate dress and colour offset her strong exotic features beautifully. The dress drapes off her effortlessly, and I think she's struck the perfect balance between a sexy yet understated look.

Third, is Halle Berry in this fairytale Marchesa gown.


This dress is just pure princess. I'm very into nude colours right now and with her honey coloured skin she looks exquisite. Again the detail on this gown just blows me away.

Lastly, its the adorable pregnant Natalie Portman.


I think Natalie Portman has dressed beautifully in her pregnancy this awards season. She really looks blooming and glowing and this dress shows off her neat little bump.

The Oscars fashion did not disappoint!

Monday Morning Pick Me Up (2)


Friday 25 February 2011

Yes, Weekend


I am so glad the weekend is finally here. It's been a long and tiring week; I am in the process of looking for my first permanent job after graduating university. I had a whole bunch of interviews this week, which for some reason I find extremely draining. But, I'm feeling positive - there have been a few really interesting opportunities come up and here's to hoping that next by next Friday I'll have some exciting job news!

I looove my weekends. What do I love about them? I'll tell you...

- We have huge family Friday night dinners and Saturday lunches every week with all my cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles - ever seen 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'? Yep, that's pretty much my family just mine is the Persian Jewish version.
-Spending hours reading all the weekend papers and catching up with my books which I never seem to find time to read during the week.
-Spending quality time with my boyfriend and friends.
-Not waking up to an alarm clock.
-Trying out new restaurants, bars, movies, cafes and not having to rush home because I don't have to get up the next day.
-My Sunday Zumba class - working out has never been so much fun!

Anyway to sum up, YES, WEEKEND.

Hope you all have a lovely one. I'd love to know what you love about your weekends?

XO

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Need Summer Now


It's about that time of year again where the novelty of my winter wardrobe has worn off, the snow doesn't seem quite so exciting anymore, and morning after morning of waking up to darkness is getting slightly depressing. It's safe to say I get bored of seasons; at the end of every summer I crave my big woolly jumpers, my warm Ugg boots, and cosying up on a big couch with a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Come the end of every winter i.e. NOW, I crave the opposite; my floaty pretty summer dresses with gladiator sandals and lots of colourful jewellery like in the photo below, and spending long blue sky days out in the sunshine in the park with my Caramel Coffee Frappuccino.



On my summer wardrobe wish list are these gorgeous items from Asos:


Digging the 70's trend with these high waisted shorts from Mango. 


A floral floaty dress is always a summer must!


I adore this skirt - giving some edge to your summer wardrobe!

Lastly, I saw this ad the other day from the Monsoon SS11 ad. I think it's a gorgeous shot and incidentally the perfect photo to end my post. Bring on the summer!


Sunday 20 February 2011

Le Pain Quotidien


A good friend has been raving about Le Pain Quotidien for ages, and finally took me there a few weeks ago. It is a very cute bakery / cafe with really beautiful quality food and products. I had scones with, wait for it, WHITE CHOCOLATE SPREAD. It was so indulgently good I could have eaten the whole jar with a spoon! The best part is that they sell jars of it along with other flavours and products! I went to the one in Hampstead and its quite rustic and cosy feeling. Although I didn't have a chance to sample it this time, their meals and other baked goods look great! Definitely recommended for a brunch/lunch/coffee!



Hope you are all having a lovely weekend! 

Friday 18 February 2011

Rumer

Have any of your heard of Rumer? She's my new music obsession. Here's some of her gorgeous, silky music to mellow you into the weekend!

Happy Friday! xo



Thursday 17 February 2011

Faye Dunaway

Today I am fawning over Faye Dunaway. I watched the original Thomas Crown Affair with Steve McQueen a few weeks ago and I fell in love with her style and feminine glamour in the movie.




I love it all from her perfectly twisted golden hair, to the oversized sunglasses, the flirty girly dresses and the button down skirt suits. It reminds me of some of my grandmother's old pictures - I always say to my grandma that if she'd kept her clothes from the 60's and 70's I would definitely wear them now. The same with Faye's outifts! It seemed women back then just oozed glamour. *Sigh* I always said I was born in the wrong era!

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Irina Werning, Back To The Future


Today I am loving Irina Werning's 'Back To The Future' series of photographs. Her concept is to take photos from people's childhoods and re-create them with the subjects now adults. The results are gorgeous and at times hilarious! I was struck by how little some of these people had changed as they'd grown up and kinda wanna re-create one of my own childhood images now!


 
 You can find the rest of her series here: Back to the Future