Tricks and Treats

I've had a crazy fortnight. The awards ceremony I've been organising is well and truly underway, and with less than three weeks 'til curtains up, things are getting a little bit hectic. Most of my time has been spent huddled away in meetings, watching nominations, table planning and sending out last minute invitations.

There's no wonder I spent last Friday night looking like this:



Of course, last Friday night happened to be the Halloween weekend, which I spent wandering around Camden and spooking the locals with my scary makeup. I was going for the 'just escaped from a mental institute zombie', fully equipped with a blood stained dressing gown and big hair.

The rest of the girls went for a slightly more 'vampy' look, much to the delight of most, but white contacts are certainly a conversation starter. Infact, do you want to know the best way to make people buy raffle tickets from you? Dress up like me and threaten to eat their brains. The girls and I popped into a local quiz night to try out this technique and  we were pleasantly surprised with the result. £340 in the fundraising kitty within 20 minutes, kaching!

The following morning I awoke looking a similar shade of grey, but spending the day in my cosy grave of duvets was totally off the cards. My mother had arrived from Scotland to celebrate her birthday! The boy and I made our way to Clapham for brunch at my sisters house. Him and Stepdaddy D just couldn't wait any longer to dig in...

We caught up over bubbles and croissants before tucking in to the most delicious carrot cake. Mum made her birthday wish and we grabbed our coats. There's no rest for the wicked when in London!

We made our way to Covent Garden and down into the depths of Dirty Martini. This little place is one of my most favourite London cocktail bars. I defy anyone who can find a busier haunt at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon. It's usually full to the brim with hen and birthday party go-ers, so make sure you book in advance to avoid disappointment. You can find them online right here.

Stepdaddy D nursed 'The Old Fashioned' whilst we excitedly ordered the rest of the menu.

First stop, 'The Geisha'. A delicious combination of cucumber, gin and lychee liquor. My absolute favourite of the bunch by a long shot. Take my advice and ask for this extra cold - it feels like you've stuck your head under a waterfall with your mouth wide open. Incredibly refreshing and light.

If I remember correctly, this creation was 'The Cherryblossom Martini'. Totally sweet & scrumptious.

The 'Mango and Chili Martini' came up next, a super fruity tang packed with a hearty punch. I bit open my chili and used it to stir things up a bit and the bottom of the glass was like lava in a matter of seconds. Do not, I repeat, do not do this! As you can see, M egged me on the whole way...

 

After we were happily woozy, we headed back to Clapham for an evening of X Factor and food before setting off home. Needless to say, I was fast asleep before we had reached the next tube stop.

Happy birthday to my mum, the most understanding, beautiful woman in the world. She was helping my grandmother in the kitchen long before I was even thought of. Now I spend my days recreating her trademark dishes and missing her like crazy. I can only hope to become half the woman that she is when I grow up.