Tag: style

B353 – A NEW VERSION OF FAST FOOD?

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So yesterday night I decided that it could be a pretty fun thing if I just came home with a bunch of random vegetables and some chicken, then just see what Amy and I can come up with. The kind of veg that I had was like spring onion, leaks, ginger, aubergine, fennel, onion, Sweet potato. I did have other stuff but I cant really remember, i did have a few beers before so everything was a bit hazy. we ended up making something that was actually pretty good, we added some jerk chicken sauce, chucked everything in a pain and just gave it a good stir. We then decided to make some sweet potato fries and boom dinner is complete. Ive found that the trick with sweat potato fries is to add a little paprika to the mix and just give it that extra something, trust me it makes them so much better than if they are just plain. Give it a go. its like a new way version of fast food, I genuinely don’t think Deliveroo could of got the food to me quicker or made / found a healthier choice.

After all that I decided that instead of sitting on the sofa and writing this post, I would take the evening off and just chill out on the sofa instead, watch some tv and just not think about anything other than what to watch next. Some times its good to spend an evening off not taking photos, writing posts or going out and not getting home till like 10-11ish. so yesterday was the the perfect opportunity to get some good old sofa session time.

It then became an idea to wake up early today and head to the gym for an early morning work out, I know that a lot of people think that sounds crazy but I swear if you work out in the morning, then your instantly in a better mood for the day and as it is Friday, why wouldn’t you want to be in the best possible mood? So thats why my photos don’t really follow each other today, Ive got two photos from dinner last night and the other photo is of Amy hopping to the gym this morning.

Hope everyone has a good Friday and some good plans for the weekend!

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– Amy loves an early start and especially when its time for the gym… –
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– my choice of vegetables –
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– it was actually surprisingly good, maybe its good way to eat dinner from now on, it might not look amazing, but trust me we were both pleasantly surprised –

 

 

B338 – HEATHROW 4 STARS – PREMIER INN

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Tonight Im sleeping in the new premier inn at Heathrow Terminal 4, im not going to any amazing country or evening flying abroad, this was just the closest hotel to where I need to be at 6:45am tomorrow morning. I’ve definitely shared with you guys before my love for a Premier inn, they do excatly what they say on the advert and to be honest they are pretty clean which is always a bonus when your on location. Some times you end up in those hotels where its best to sleep fully dressed and wearing some kind of face protection, but honestly Ive never had a stay like that in a Premier inn.

Back to this new hotel at Heathrow, I would have to give this one a 7/10, its got everything need in a short 12 hour hotel stay, we have a bar, a nice sized bed and a room that can fit all my stuff in. The bed sheets are clean and they have that nice tumble dryer smell. If you ever end up planning a trip which involves staying at this Premier Inn, do be neverous or even apprehensive just got with it and your guaranteed a good nights sleep.

The one thing that does catch me out each time at these places is the shower gel that they give you attached to the wall, Im not sure if anyone has used this stuff more than once, I say once because Im pretty sure everyone tries it once but quickly realised that its probably doing more damage than good when it comes to skin care. I would love to say that premier inn use a good quality wall attached shower gel but unfortunately that would be a lie, why don’t they just give out small bottles of shower gel instead? that would solve their biggest problem. sorry if this sounds like a moan but I quite regularly forget my shower gel and its never good being met but wall soap.

anyway, this is a solid 7/10 and I give it a 4 star quick trip rating another strong reason for staying here would be todo with the 24 hour costa coffee shop at reception. Perfect if you’ve got an early start or late arrival. this is my hotel review, I hope you like it.

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– This would have been a good photo if I used the right lens, but unfortunatly Im in bed now and have to be up in like 5 hours, so think this will just have todo –
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– I did how ever really like the embroiled sleepy moon picture on the side of my pillow –
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– this soap on the wall, I really dont like this stuff. does anyone use it and like?

 

 

 

B336 – THE CREATIVE PEOPLE OF LONDON

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So its now like 10:30pm on monday night and im just laying in bed writing this post, since sunday Ive had the photos lined up that I wanted to post today but Im not sure on the words that should of with them.

Tonight Ive been out for some drinks with some friends, I should really say it was a company I do a bit of work for lates christmas party but I suppose their more just freinds, who sometimes give me money to pay my bills and stuff. but anyway it was nice to see each and every single one of them and it was annoying that I couldnt stay later but I need to get a decent nights sleep for an early start tomorrow, so im sorry I didnt see the night out till the end.

Anyway back to the photos, the other day while walking around hyde park I cam across this guy who was making some massive bubbles with some weird looking device and washing up liquid, and well because of my rekindled love for the 50mm 1.8f lens it was only right I put that focal length tot he test and see if I could capture a reflection within a bubble and to be honest I kind of think I managed todo that and one of the photos Im really happy with, I also wasn’t sure with what todo with the colours, you all know I love black and white photography and would love to only ever take black and white photos but I thought this time I would mix things up a bit and chuck some bright colours in there just to see what you think. Thats the whole reason this blog is here in the first place, to see what i like and what I don’t like. and you’ve kind of got to thank the city of London for being full of creative people who just think on a different scale!

Ill let you guys do the judging, do you prefer my black and white portrait shots or these kind of crazy colour shots (its ok to say both by the way).

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– my favourite shot from the day, look at the bird in the bubble –
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– its looks a lot easier than it actually is, wind was a nightmare –
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– the colours in these bubbles are amazing, they look like mini planets –

 

 

 

B334 – SO UNDERWELMING!!!

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So this is a post about something I thought would have worked out completely different. If you’ve ever been to my flat you would know that a lot of the time you seem to find cables and camera gear in the most random places, under the sofa, in the bed room and sometime even in the Bath room. Its not my fault its just what happens, no one know how is happens it just does. I think its Amy, she seems to be the one who finds most of the cables and gear so it must be her that leaves it around the flat.

Well today I woke up and went to the sofa, under a cushion to my disbelief there was a CF card, the said card is the same as the one that my camera uses. for those of you that dont know what a CF card is, they are basically bigger SD cards and its what my camera uses to record the images too. This got me exicted, could this CF card be from a few years ago and contain amazing photos that I completely forgot about? could it have evidence of a past flat party or maybe a christmas I forgot about? Well the answer is no where near as exciting as this, its a CF card I lost earlier this week and only really had some photos of a shower head from a hotel, a photo of my dog and some shots of the beast from the east. it coudnt of been more disheartening. I was really hoping for some amazing shots I hadn’t seen for years.

As this has really let me down I feel that I should still post these photos to show you what I went through this morning and to make up for it Im going to quickly jump in the shower and then head out and do my best to take some amazing photos in West London! thats my aim for today!

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– THIS IS MY DOG MOONEY AND SHE LIKES TO SLEEP –
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– this is my last photo from the beast of the east I promise –
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– a shower head in a hotel I stayed in a few week back. I took this picture to see if my 50mm lens still worked, not because I like showers –

 

 

B331 – THE BEAST FROM THE EAST

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So earlier on as I spoke to my parents on Facetime, showing them the snow fall in Bethnal green and also updating them on how I was feeling, which by the way was a little better but still not great, I told my mum how much I wanted to go outside and take photos, she reminded me that it probably wasnt the best idea and all I would probably do is make myself more ill. But everyone knows that when your parents say the words “dont do it” your next move is to do the exact opposite, if I had listened to her then surely that would of made the past 24 years of havoc and mayhem completely pointless and thats not something Im about todo.

So I put a 5 minute timer on, took some more paracetamol, grabbed my jacket and headed down to Bethnal green road. Thats where the timer comes in, i didnt want to spend too much time outside for obvious reason but I needed to see what this snow storm looked like and how people were dealing with it. One of the best things I saw on my quick trip outside was when the lad on a boris bike cycling past me, going slower than a pederstian but do you know what? I was jealous, Jealous that he was grabbing this weather by the balls and taking a boris bike of a few laps, thats the kind of things I used todo! cycling in snow is a great way to pull some sick skids and have a good laugh at the same time, but for some reason that didnt even cross my mind, I’m not sure if its because Im not in the best shape at the moment or what, but thats a brilliant idea and next snow day I am 100% making a blog post about cycling in the snow.

Being sat here on the sofa for a few days now Ive been doing quite alot of thinking about my life style and kind of realising that I cant carry on working extra long days surviving off Haribo and Coffee, I really need to start looking after my temple and keep in shape not so I look good on a beach but more so I can carry on working and maintain the energy needed. thats why this weekend im doing what I never thought I would do and signing up for a gym, somewhere I can go twice a week and keep in shape, Im also going to go and get a sport massage and see if we can get this leg of mine sorted. for too long now Ive side tracked it, but not this weekend! this weekend is all about getting me strong enough so I don’t have to take sick days. I know that sounds weird but I actually really enjoy working.

Anyway heres some pictures of Bethnal Green Road in a snow storm.

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– this type of weather is pretty cool –
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– I love this guys determination! –
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– shes not letting a bit of weather stop her!

B327 – CLAPHAM?

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As most of you know today is Sunday and that means that about 60 percent of the nation are waking up today with a hangover and I think I speak for both Amy and myself when I say we are part of that 60%. Last night was an experience, Clapham is probably a place I wouldnt go to again, for those of you that dont know London, theres is part of South London called Clapham, its a great place to watch rugby or football but when it comes to a night out, Claphams a bit weird. Sorry to the people of Clapham, but its not you its me.

So after a few bars around the infamous Clapham Common, we decided it was best to head to a safe bet and jump on the DLR over to Peckham and see what the Bussy Building was all about. I wont go into too much detail about the night because I think everyone would start to think of me in a different light. Its all good now thought because we’ve woken up at my parents and after a bacon sandwich everyone is ready to attack this day and watch as much TV and eat as much food as possible.

I think theres a plan or something to get up and go for an early lunch and then head back home, its fair to say i am in full Sunday mode, which is probably the best kind of mode. its kind of annoying though because I really need to get off the sofa and get dressed but right now I just cant be bothered, if only someone could invent a shower that you could use of the sofa. Maybe thats what my next project should be, a shower that you can use anywhere.

Anyway heres some photos from yesterday. I hope you like them.

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– Amy giving it some sass last night at Bussy –
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– dinner in Clapham is something I would definitely do again –
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– driving to Clapham last night, Anders your a legend –

B316 – ITS A NATIONAL PRIDE

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With the internet being somewhere I am posting about everyday of my life for a whole year its hard not to reveal things, but there is definitely one topic that is forbidden and will not be spoken about in public or private, in fact its probably my biggest secrete, its something which I feel needs to be left between maybe my closest friends and family.  Ive been doubted and belittled by many and mis understood by a few but one thing is for sure, they may take the piss but they will never take my pancake recipe!!

And then once a year we have a whole day dedicated to this amazing dish and then because tradition dictates, we then get to throw them round our kitchens till we’ve run out of lemon juice and sugar. Im not sure on a lot of things but one thing I know for a fact is that no matter what you go through as soon as you throw that little sizzling mixture of carbs and dairy in the air, nothing else matters, you know you just need to nail the landing, no half flips, no folds, just land the pancake the other way up and you have successfully achieved what probably half the country will fail todo.

its a human right to have a great pancake day and enjoy the fruits of our labour, everyone should have the right to a “flippin” good night and I hope that everyone got in the sprite and showed that shrove Tuesday is something which makes Britain Great. We are a country of culture and diversity and a love for Pancakes. that should be celebrated and enjoyed indulged. So please think of thy neighbour on this holiest of days and celebrate the wonderful thing of flipping pancakes in a kitchen, just don’t try and copy my recipe.

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– Amy doing a flippin good job –
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– I will never reveal my recipe –
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– the early morning call time yesterday, up and out the door by 6am –

B315 – SOMETHING THAT WILL STICK WITH ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE –

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I’m not really too sure how to start this, its something that I doubt will ever happen to me again, for those of you that have been reading these posts of the past few months would know that back in November, a homeless man stopped me in the street and asked me for £10 so he could get a hostel for 5 days, he then told me that for two weeks a hostel is £20. I decided to walk him to the closest cash point and withdraw £20, I didn’t know his name, background or if he would just spend the money on crack. all I had was his word that he just wanted to get a roof over his head and a chance to get back on his feet, if I was him then I would want someone like me to give me a chance.

well after a long 12 hour day a work and feel pretty stressed on the way home, I literally hadnt thought about what I was going to write about or do, this shabby looking man on Bethnal green road stops me and says “excuse me” I assumed it was someone begging for money, he quickly stopped me and told me that he remembers me and just wanted to say thanks and that he now has a door key!!!!! they homeless man I gave £20 four months ago now lives in a house and is getting his life back on track, and just saw me and wanted to thank me. A stranger gave someone in need £20 and that has gone on to help him turn his life around and get off the streets. to me that is incredible, I literally cant think of the words to describe it.

Seeing wayne tonight has really made me think about how we can effect peoples lives and that someone like me who let off fart bombs at school and spent most of my life doing stupid stuff has actually just had a direct effect on someones life and given a complete stranger hope and a second chance!!!

I asked wayne if I could take a photo of him but he was to worried and thought that his family might see it, I completely understand if I was wayne then that would have been my answer. I just hope that wayne carries on getting his life back on track and is someday proud to be photographed!

Wayne if for some reason you read this, I wish I got your phone number or email address! if you do please drop me a message and lets talk! my photos from today don’t really matter, its more about the bigger picture I suppose. thank you wayne for stopping me tonight, its going to stick me with for a long time!

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– looking out the flat this morning was pretty cool –
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– the only reason waking up early is fun, you get to see sky’s like this –
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– heading back to the city after shooting all day –

B312 – SHOREDITCH HOUSE

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Firstly I think its important for me to say how good last night was and also apologies for the lack of quality in the photos taken, I did my best with an iPhone but the low light and quantity of beer consumed meant that the photos weren’t my main focus. the night was more about good conversation and just enjoying good company. the all started with a plan to go out and get some food last night with amy but after a call from Anders he was quickly coming along and the next mission was to find somewhere to eat. then it happened, we ended up at a restaurant Ive wanted to go back to for ages. Andina, this place in Shoreditch which serves Peruvian ceviche.

Its that kind of place where you go in and just order random things that you have no idea about, all the dishes are pretty small but pack a punch when it comes to flavour, I think we had some sort of beetroot salad with cous cous (maybe) and also some sort of boiled ham in a broth, but by far the winning dish was aubergine and bbq spicy beef with feta cheese thing. theres something fun about sitting down with friends and sharing loads of dishes and not just having your own plate, it makes eating out so much more fun and you find that you eat so many new favours. I really think sharing food is the way forward, especially on nights out.

After the food we went on to Shoreditch House for some ping pong and to carry on with the night, it was my first time at this place and as Anders has now become a member I think I will be attending a lot more. its basically this place for “creative” people to network which in London basically drink alcohol.  we just went along for a kind of chilled night out and to be honest I definitely think its somewhere I can see us spending a lot more time and probably a lot more money.

Its now Saturday and sorry this post is late but we are up early having a power day, its time to move all of Micheles (My super aunties) stuff out of the flat and get it back to her. Something that is long over due,  and now means we can go out and get a wardrobe for the millions of clothes at Amy owns!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend! I LOVE SATURDAYS!

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– This was not our bottle of champagne, I just turned up to the table and thought it would make a cool photo –
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– the view for Shoreditch house is pretty cool as well –
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– I forgot to take a photo of the food in Andina so I made everyone stop half way through their food so I could take this shot –

 

B308 – YORK FOR THE DAY

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Yesterday I had the job of travelling up to York for the day todo a quick shoot, its actually crazy that 2 hours from Bethnal Green, that you can be in the middle of the Yorkshire country side, breathing all that good air. Every time I go to places like York I always think that I could live there and just drive around on a quad bike all day and get muddy, but for some reason I think Ill always live in London or near to the city. I really like to think though that my a country boy at heart, if only i could do my job and live in the middle of no where with my bikes and maybe a few jumps just to keep the local hospital busy.

For a first shoot of the year, it was pretty good and with a really nice team, which makes it all that better. I think my only issue was that even though I knew I would be standing in a muddy field, I still decided that i should wear my new trainers that I brought on Saturday. Well done josh, great one. As I was spending the day in the middle of no  where I wanted to concentrate on taking some landscape photos, I think it would be a crime if I just took some photos on the train and some other kind of qwerky shots.

One thing I would love to know, is why do some hills have big horses and other things carved into the side of them? I saw the big horse shape in the side of a hill and wondered if there was a reason why its there and how does it?

My photos from yesterday are below, I really think I need to go back to York for a mini break and really see what its about. Ive only ever stopped by quickly in York for like 1 or 2 days. Maybe its time I go up there for a bit longer.

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– Im talking about that horse shape in the country side, is there any reason why it is there?
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– what could be better, even the puddles look better than they do in London –
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– this is what I want my view to be like from my window –