Category: fashion

B202 – 17 HOURS LATER…

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Tomorrow we leave Florida and head back to New York, its fair to say that we are now in the middle of filming and if we can get through the next 11 days of pure craziness and long hours we will be sitting on that flight home with a beer in hand. But first back to reality, before we leave florida tomorrow morning, this place has left us with one last gift a heard of blood thirsty mosquitos, which have really just aimed for my legs and attacked both my pale white bread sticks with all they have. my legs have lost the battle and the war to these mosquitos and now I can stop itching them.

My post today is about the other famous restaurant in town, it wouldnt be fair to write about one and not the other, this time im talking about the BBQ joint called Sonnys. this place is everything I hope for an more, they know what they are doing when it comes to baked beans and BBQ meat, both times Ive gone for the two meat, two sides option and it hasnt let me down. today I had some kind of sausage and pulled pork with Mac “n” Cheese and BBQ Baked beans and it was just what I needed. its totally different to Catfish country which was more of a family run place, this is a small food chain in Florida, but it packs a punch, they even make their own range of sauces, from what I can remember I had only had the Spicy sauce and that had just the right amount of spice, not too hot not too mild. no one wants a really spicey BBQ, its just not right.

if you’re ever in Bartow, please go and try both Sonnys and Catfish Country and let me know which on you think is better! for the experiacne I would say Catfish Country but if you really want to reach food coma levels go to Sonny’s.

Anyway I think ill keep todays nice a short, I cant really keep my eyes open much longer, its been a proper long day.  the next few weeks are jammed packed, so ill do my best to keep these post top notch, but sorry in advance for any rubbish days that might pop up (like this one). I haven’t done Sonny’s justice.

Also you know the rules, any spelling or grammer just ignore them, we all know it’s one of my downfalls.

Enjoy these snaps.

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– it may look simple on the outside but this place serves some proper food –
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– It just looks like a southern BBQ joint, happy days –
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– did what to show a picture of my food, but it arrived I ate it and forgot to take a picture, so heres a photo of a beer and some of their own sauce –

B198 – I FEEL LIKE A TRUE AMERICAN

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So just got to our hotel in Tampa, Florida and the journey feels like its gone on forever, first we didnt have a pilot of the plane, no idea how that happens but it did. Im not going to moan about it thought, because now we are in Tampa and the car hire company have given us the one things I’ve always wanted. a proper american SUV, this thing is a beast. they have given us a GMC Yukon SLT, this thing is like a $60k monster. No idea why they looked at me and thought it would fine, but they did and Im happy about it.

Overall it feels quite good to be back in the south, I know Flordia is quite touristy but it doesn’t feel like that where we are, it feels like a cool part of the world, even though Ive only seen it in the dark. Tomorrow we have a day off, so im looking forward to explore this place, at the moment my main goal is to see a crocodile, like a proper wild one on the side of a river bank, but not sure if that will happen. the chances are ill just chill all day and try to burn of that ridiculous amount BBQ food I just eaten.

This is now like my sixth america state in the past 5 weeks and I really feel like I’m starting to understand a bit more about this place, it almost feels like I’ve completed america if that makes sense. every time I go to a new country I always want to feel some kind of connection to that place, and get the lingo along with the way of life. Im not sure if 5 or 6 weeks is enough time to feel like that, but with america I kind of feel like I’m starting to get the hang of the crazy country.

As today was just really like a travel day not many photos were taken but I did try and get out after dinner and do like a mini photo shoot with the SUV. and to be honest I think thee photo look pretty cool.

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– Would this SUV even fit on UK roads? –
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– I would love to drive round London in this –
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– flying to Newark airport to Tampa, literally spent the whole time just looking out the window, apart from when I was sleeping-  (only good thing about sitting at the back of the plane is that you can take good pictures) –

B197 – AFTER TWO MONTHS ITS FINALLY HAPPENED!

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Today is a bit of a special day, today was the day that i actually had a home cooked meal, not just something from a restaurant but some home cooked vegetables, home made pasta and some other ingredients that I’m not too sure what they were called.  Its a massive difference from the normal late night Italian or Chinese that I’m used too and I genuinely cant complain. I did end up have this really large cookie for desert but to be honest it was home made so doesn’t really matter. When im firmly back at home thats one thing im going todo more, I want to cook good proper food without the added salt or other things.

other than my rant about food, today I was back in this sleepy part of New Jersey, and to be honest its one of my favourite places Ive been. growing up in some sleepy part of London in a town called Biggin Hill, I know people think its this tough place just outside bromley but its really not. sorry, but its just not. anyway I think that part of me loves the idea of living in some quite town somewhere just enjoying life and moving at a slower pace. its weird because at the moment I love living in the city, sounded by constant noise and always something todo, but I can definitely see myself moving to the countryside when Im older in a place a bit like Bedmister, New Jersey and just having fun. Places like this would make me get up early and go take photos or ride my bike constantly.

Its just one of those things, if you love the country side then I think you will alway want to call that home. anyway heres my photos from today, I really wanted to show the sleepy side to living in the “sticks” but I couldn’t resist showing off what I had for dinner.

enjoy.

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– this lady is just sat enjoying her tuesday –
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– so is this man –
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– nothing beats a home cooked dinner –

B193 – 24/7 THIS PLACE DOESN’T STOP

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The city of New York is like nothing I have ever experienced before, its never been somewhere thats top of my list and Ive always been pretty chilled out about coming here. but oh my god, this place is like a big fun fair for people who love cities. One of my major things about a city is for those societies that will happily bend the rules sightly to get what they need done, im not talking about shooting some one or robbing a bank, im talking about those little inconveniences that some cities are just scared to break. Like J walking, in places like Sydney if you J walk your a law breaker and should be dealt with appropriately, its really frowned apon, but in New York people love it, it makes crossing the road so much easier, cars dont even beep you, they just try not to run you over.

One of the first questions everyone asks themselve’s when they get to a new country or city is “Can I live here?” and most of the time its yes, you get caught up in the moment and just think you can, Ive done it but rarley have I thought about it deeply enough to think it could actually work. Like LA for instance, I love LA and would happily go there for long periods of time, but could I actually live there? probably not, its way too big and my body is in no shape to be flexing my guns on venice beach.

Where as New york is the extreme version of London and seem to have all the same idea’s, people like to create stuff and have a good time. I feel that new York is some where I could call home and would love to explore and get to now more about it. One thing is for sure though, I would need some ear plugs because this place is 24/7 and people seem to always be making noise.

I would love to go on about my pro’s and con’s for living in a different city or country but I have a 6:30am call time tomorrow and would love to get some sleep.

Heres my photos from today. Bon appetit.

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– Its true what people say, new York traffic is like nothing anywhere else, it just seems to go on and go and on –
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– one of the photos I took on my way to get some food –
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– something is always happening on every block –

B192 – THE ONLY WAY TO SEE NEW YORK

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There’s a few main things everyone does when they arrive at a new city. Most activities are surrounded by the main tourist spots, eating food food and having a look around the individual shops that you always find scattered around city streets. But if your really looking to see a city and get to know the streets, there’s only one thing todo and that’s jump on a bike, get rubber side up and cycle around without a Scooby Doo of where you’re going.

That’s basically what I decided todo, this morning after waking up, getting my work done early I decided to head to the big smoke. When I got to down town New York I quickly realised that B&H camera store was closed and now I had no idea where or what I was going to do. So jumping on a bike was the best option. Nothing is better than cycling around a city just explore and finding your feet.

After a few Highway Code incidents I was pretty much a local, the main rule when cycling in New York or really any city is, if you see a gap, go for it and don’t hesitate. Once I got over the fact everyone drives on the wrong side of the road, my first stop was Brooklyn bridge I’ve always wanted to see the Hudson River from that bridge and today I actually did it.

New York is a place that’s basically featured in 80% of all movies America movies ever made and cycling around you start to recognise street corners or building that have definitely been on screen and that’s half the fun of this city. trying to figure out what street has been on what film.

I would give you a complete time line of what my day consisted of, but what’s the point. I would rather talk about the fact the only way to see New York and feel some way part of the city is to grab a bike and just see where you end up. And if by any chance you end up in Broadway, go and try the $1 pizza by the slice store it’s called joeys pizza and is the perfect place to finish up your cycle. who need some expensive gourmet sandwich when you can get a re-heat pizza for a faction of the price.
Tomorrow is the first day of filming and the end of my 12 hour holiday. My legs are pretty much dead. I’m not sure the total amount of miles cycled but it’s got to be about 15. From Times Square down to Brooklyn and back up and around noho / soho. in my defence today is an adjustment day, and the best way to get rid of Jet lag is to exercise. and thats exactly what I’ve done.

Heres my photos from today, enjoy.

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– cycling around this city early morning was pretty cool –
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– this was somewhere I always wanted to go, Brooklyn Bridge –
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– this is somewhere i just happened to find, New York Supreme court, how many movies do you know from this location –
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– In the distance is the statue of Liberty –
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– my typical New York photo –

B191

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Its been 25 hours since I left my house and the day is finally over, im laying in my bed next to Williamsburg Bridge and its fair to say this is amazing. out of my window I can see the Empire State building and the Rockerfalla, what a view to fall asleep looking at. right now I should feel tried but this city doesn’t seem to sleep so its only right that I stay awake that little bit longer just incase I miss something.

Ive only explored the city this afternoon for a few hours and only walked around seeing the sites and just getting my bearings but already I know this place moves at like 100 miles per hour, blink and you’ve missed someone walking around in an Elmo outfit while someone rides bike the wrong way down a one way street, while a group of taxi beep him like crazy. Im struggling to find the words to describe this places, the closest thing I can think of is “London on Steroids”. thats literally New York.

With such a short amount of time here before moving on, I’ve got to be really careful about what I choice todo, the main thing on my list is going to the B&H camera store tomorrow and checking that place out, its been on my list of things todo for ages and tomorrow is my chance. if you know about it, then you know why I want to go, if your not sure what im on about. heres a link:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%26H_Photo_Video (i know people don’t agree with Wikepdia but for this purpose its fine).

I also want to walk across the manhattan bridge and just see the sites really, maybe hire a bike if I get time or something like that.

Anyway I was only going to post three photos of today, but I’ve changed my mind, whats the point in taking loads of photos of this place each day only to post them every now and again when Im back in london. today is a bit short and sweet, but thats because my brain is slowly falling a sleep. tomorrow we will conquer.

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– this is my view during the day from my room –
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– this is my view at night, while in bed. New Yorks sky line is like nothing ive seen before –
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– I love New York –
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– this place is constantly moving at full sleep –
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– it was like this guy was waiting for someone to take a photo of him –

B189 – ITS FINALLY HAPPENED A TRUE GAME CHANGER

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The Condo has hit a new level, If you’ve ever been to the flat you would know that theres been one big thing missing from it and that is Curtains, for some reason We’ve never got round to putting up curtains or blinds. Its not that we are lazy its that we haven’t really needed them and I’ve just kind of adapted to natural light in the morning. today though that has changed and my DIY skills have gone up a new level. Most people know that my DIY and manual labour skills are pretty much below average, well not any more, my first day of being 24 and Ive just used my first drill, and made multiple even level holes and put up blinds. this is well and truly a big step.

the DIY bug has hit me hard and now things are going to change round here. before it was all about the painting, now thats pretty much out the way, Ive now got to start building things, taking things away and updating things, its a never ending job that I’m now getting excited about. I just need to keep Amy away from Pinterest and I might have a chance of getting this done.

Now im pretty much a site man and a grafter, it was only right that after my success at putting the blinds up, i sat down and had a proper cup of tea, Bilbo ( bilbo Baggins – leave the bag in) with a lot of milk, the only difference being to take the photo I needed a a second pair of hands and a few pints of milk.

At last though, im now sitting on the sofa watching Tattoo fixers and dont have anything todo apart from right this post, tomorrow I pack for a trip to America so be prepared for some cool shots of the states, Ive got a busy 6 weeks of travel and Im looking forward to showing you guys what I get up too!

Im having a really weird moment where Ive confused myself because this post is written the night before its posted. is that confusing, would you rather I wrote in past tense or current tense. I dont mind just want to know what reads better.

Any way let me know and enjoy the snaps.

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– a proper cup of tea –
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– the bed room with the blinds, its finally coming a long, the white wall by the blinds is dirty because I was leaning on it. just ignore that –
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– this is amy sitting on the floor asking if we can stop running about doing things now –

 

B187 – ITS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR

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FIRSTLY ITS MY BIRTHDAY, POSSIBLY THE BEST TIME OF YEAR FOR EVERYONE. I have a few reasons for this, October babies are the best type of babies, mainly because summer is over, christmas is still that little bit far away and everyone needs something todo, so bam October birthday it is. The only thing is one of my good chums, possibly the top chum, benjamin Delany, the happiest, grumpy person on the planet is moving to Australia on Wednesday , so last night he stole my brithday and had leaving drinks, they were incredible and to be honest I’m not sure what happened, just know that head hurts and that I saw a whole lot of old friends.

The photo you see below is from when Ben and myself went to a concert at Twickenham, we were about 14 years old and had no idea what we were doing, turn out its 10 years later and we are still no closer to know what we are doing with ourself.

Much love Ben and have a good time down under. and never steel my birthday again. Im sure you’ll have a sick time.

Anyway I cant just post one photo and don’t want to waste too much time talking about Ben, so heres a few photos from my train journey yesterday. I was on the train Amy had fallen asleep and I realised I had played with my 5d in almost a week so, I was just have fun talking photos out the window and ended up with  these photos. After playing with a few lenses I have to say that for everyday “bloggin” the best lenses has to be the 24-105, it gives you a lot of focal length and to be honest, hasn’t let me down yet. When Im just walking around with my camera, the chances are ill have the settings on Auto, just as a safety, incase I miss something and this lenses always seems to get the focus right.

Anyway enjoy these photos and see ya later ben, don’t get too sun burnt.

Screen Shot 2017-10-08 at 14.07.12
– ben and me 10 years ago –
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– running for the train –
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– I feel like most of my life is spent on transport –

B185 – I COMPETELY FORGOT IT – PT.2

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Firstly I want to apologies for yesterday post being so late, I genuinely thought I pressed post, but obviously I did and only realised when amy sent me a message telling me I didn’t.

forToday is just me carrying on from yesterday and talking about how much I like this weather and where the sun seems to be in the sky. Im not sure if its because im finished at the right time but between 5:30 and 6, the sun seems to be in just the right place to give me some cool camera flares. for most people it must be an annoyance and just get in your eyes while driving or some other really British complaint, but for photographers a like this is a great time of year.

When I finished work  today, i thought my idea of grabbing some lens flare shots was dead in the water, not only did I have to run across town to Argos and get some storage boxes, but I also had todo it during rush hour, possible my least favourite time of day. its like a bunch of wild animals travelling around in a coke can, no one wants to be there. But as I got off the train at Highbury and Islington at 17:40 the sun was perfect and I decided to walk a bit slower than everyone else and just take some snaps. and to be honest im pretty happy with how they turned out, my favourite from today has to be the business man walking to the platform looking out the window with his hand covering his eyes from the sun, for me that is perfect for talking about sun flares.

Flares are basically a quick way of turning a dull photo into a cool photo, it adds this other layer to your photo. I know a lot of people add flares to their photos in photoshop, but I always think its much better to try and master the art of flares before going ahead an modifying them.

Heres my three photos from today, I have one question for you guys though, why do adults ride push scooters?

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– Highbury and Islington today at 17:40 –

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– sun flares this time of year are sick –

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– why are adult scooters a thing –

B183 – LONDONS UNDERGROUND RULES

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Like most londoner’s I have to say I don’t really have much love for the under ground, its busy, hot and expensive. today Ive probably spent about 4 hours on the underground going from A to B and then B to C its been like that all day, after the first hour or so of having my head phones plugged in trying to ignore the guy drinking RedBull 2 center meters from my face at 8am this morning, you start to notice things about this place, like watching someone watch some play a game on their phone and pull a funny face when that person fails a level, you can tell they are thinking ” I could of done that” or watching someone try and be all inconspicuous while reading a business persons email they write on the way to work.

All of this starts to make a terrible journey quite fun, its almost like the unspoken rules of the underground. one of my favourite things todo was watch people race to get a place in the isle between the seats just so they can claim the next available seat. All this is what makes London such a fun place, people all have this weird etiquette that you wont find in any other city, its kind of a method to the madness.  eye contact, that is by far the best thing on the underground, its that horrible moment when you catch someones eye not just once but a few times and now both of you feel awkward so its a quite change of song or refresh of emails on your phone before trying not to look at them again. which will almost fail every time and theres that last weird look you both give each other people someone steps off at the next stop.

Since ive started watching out for all these traits i’m 100% guilty of my tube rides have become a lot more fun. its better during rush hour when everyone is in full work mode. you wont really see if at weekends you’ll just see this guy (see picture below).

So london underground, if you feel you got to strike then please make sure its for a good reason, your not the only ones who rely on this service to make some money, don’t hold London to ransom.

Just incase your wondering the strike Thursdays strike has been postponed.

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-Tuesday Morning at victoria train station waiting for the tube –
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– Saturday morning tube rides, anit nothing like them –
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– its always easier to sit –