Hello Adele.....

Sometimes the most unexpected of things happen which result in one of the best things of 2016 so far!... I was very lucky to be given a ticket to see Adele in concert at one of her 8 sold out nights at the O2.
Having been a fan since the release of her debut  '19' album, which cemented further with the release of  '21' album. I was thrilled when she broke her hibernation from motherhood to record the fantastic theme tune to Skyfall and then subsequently come back with a huge HELLO with '25' at the end of last year.... What I love most about Adele is her ability so stay close to her roots, demonstrated with her slurping a mug of tea during her live set Friday.
Adele's set list was fantastic and she kept it moving with some great set and stage theatrics which lended itself beautifully with her songs.
There was only one song that Adele could open with and that was of course Hello...

From the opening bar, Adele held that audience in the plam of her hand for the entire 2 hour set.... she interacted with the crowd in her interminable style, fabulously leaking that she will headline Glastonbury this year. Talking of style she rocked a custom bad Burberry sparkly dress and killer red nails gloriously. Had complete hair and make-up envy as well! (yes the girl crush continues!)

Its hard to share my favourites as I had so many and You tube is full of great vidoes from the evening... here is my Bond favourite.. Skyfall

and one of my favourites from 25... All i ask

Adele was simply fabulous.... i had an amazing time, she took you on an emotional journey filled with love, laughter, heartbreak and fabulous memories. Definitely one of the best live performances that I have seen. Adele's back catalogue reads like a playlist to my life and this is one of the reasons why I think she resonates with so many.... breathtaking.... thank-you Adele.

Across the Hudson.....

Earlier this month I started to share my New York adventures from December, here I shared my first experience of staying within the meatpacking district. This area has seen a huge regeneration over the last 15 years and Sex and the City fans will remember it from being the location that Samantha lived. Bordering Greenwich Village is really is quite a fabulous location to be and I will be seeking stays there in future trips.

The area is predominately residential and with cobble lines streets and glorious brownstones, it’s a cool place to just wander and capture the experience of village life within New York. My hotel on the corner of Jane Street and offered views across the Hudson river to New Jersey / Hoboken an area which I had never visited.

When researching and planning for the trip (yes I still plan lots even though I have visited too many times now to count!) a must for me is a trip to Target. Target is a huge supermarket/store similarour Tesco and full of fabulous things. In previous years I have travelled up into East Harlem to do my Target shopping, however this wouldn’t be a straightforward in the location that I was staying. I did find that there was a Target located in the Newport/Hoboken area, practically opposite my hotel (separated only by the Hudson river).

Further research led to me finding that the PATH trainline was a short walk from my hotel which would transport me under the river to the state of Jersey. The Patch train was accessible from Christopher Street 

The station entrance is in its own free-standing building, with a restored marquee displaying the original "Hudson Tunnels" name adorning the entrance way. Passengers descend a narrow stairway with a number of curves before arriving at the southwest end of the narrow center island platform.Biff Elrod's mural "Ascent-Descent" (showing images of users of the PATH trains, ascending or descending the stairs) originally painted on site in August 1986 as a temporary installation for the Public Art Fund, and later purchased by PATH/Port Authority of NY&NJ, was restored in 1999 just before the incidents of 9/11.
I loved this station , with its beautiful murals, a real old glamour of new york, Hard to believe that this little station was used by more than 7,400 people per day post 9/11 as this was the furthest south path train to the world trade centre that still commuted passengers from the Jersey districts. 

Hoboken station is as equally picturesque, and I really did feel like I had fallen into a movie or a bygone era of New York. The station has been used for film shoots, including  Funny Girl and Julia & Julia.The large main waiting room, with its floral and Greek Revival motifs in tiled stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany,is generally considered one of the finest in the U.S. aesthetically. The terminal exterior extends to over four stories and has a distinguished copper-clad façade with ornate detailing. The terminal, houses trains and ferry's and even though the day was overcast and drizzly it still was a beautiful building to explore.

On a clear day the views onto Manhattan are glorious, alas on the morning I was there the views were shrouded with mist. As this was the beginning of my visit, I hoped to return just to enjoy the view. Along the river adjacent to the station sits a simple memorial to 9/11 as a large number of Hoboken / Newport  residents lost their life on that day.
After a walk along the river side, I crossed into the residential park space and walked a short walk to a very big Target.

Here I stocked up on lots of holiday candy, home treats and paper goodies. With Star Wars imminent for release there was lots of stockfiller finds go in the trolley. Alas I couldn't take the baileys milkshakes home, but I did try one there which was amazing. Favourite finds were Gingerbrread Santa twix, candy cane oreos, crispy M&M's, Almond, Plain & milk chocolate mini snickers.

Later in the week on my last morning I managed to pop back across the water, and snap some images of the New York skyline against a backdrop of a beautiful blue sky. Hoboken is definitely somewhere that I would like to explore more, and will be adding it to my To Do list for future visits.

Breakfast treat in the Forest..

Sharing a recent breakfast treat in a forest on a roof in central London.... I am of course referring to Forest Restaurant on the Roof, sitting on the roof of Selfridges 400 Oxford Street. Forest is one of Des McDonalds ventures and features a menu inspired by British spring forests, including Suffolk lamb & rosemary stew, Baked Cornish brie and Chocolate forest & Honey cheesecake.
I have visited the restaurant pop-up previously when its been a Cornish seaside escape, an apres shopping winter Chalet and Forest follows a similar theme. Accessible by an express lift in the fragrance hall you are greeted by a little winter wonderland entrance leading onto the roof.

I had the first slot on a Saturday morning so got to enjoy un interrupted views of the rooftop.
I love the styling, especially the blanket throws on the backs of the chairs, perfect for laps or shoulders if its too chilly for you.

For breakfast I opted for Crumpet Benedict ... (eggs benedict on a home made crumpet) a small treat to celebrate loosing some weight, with coffee and a gorgeous pink grapefruit juice.
All were delicious and a perfect treat for a Saturday at my desk.

Before I headed back to my desk I spent some time on the drinks terrace, complete with warm winter huts. Perfect for an early morning coffee or hot toddies in the afternoon.
Although chilly it was a lovely bright morning and Forest is a lovely space to escape the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street life on a Saturday morning.
Another great little breakfast retreat in the city.

Book Love - February

So my book challenge continued in February with a further 5 books read. This months reads have taken me across the Irish sea to Mulberry Bay, online dating with the ex, dog show antics with a brooding Mr Darcy, allotment fun with a socialite and a book club for broken hearts.

• The Broken Hearts Book Club - Lynsey James ~ Lucy Harper finds herself heading back home to Luna Bay for her beloved Nana Lily's funeral. This was Lucy's 1st trip back to the bay after 8 years, she fled the town after an incident which unravels as the book progresses. It is evident that the small town hasn't forgotten and that Lucy still holds a lot of guilt from that incident and she only plans to stay a few days. Nana Lily's will throws a spanner in the works and Lucy finds herself bequeathed a cottage and book club with conditions. Throw in a gorgeous love interest in the shape of Jake the local landlord, who also has his secrets, a great supporting character cast of Lucy's mum & dad and friends George and Elle along with the reluctant broken hearted book club and this makes this a lovely read with several layers.
• Match Me if you Can - Michelle Gorman ~ Friends Catherine, Rachel, & Sarah house share, all successful in their careers; Catherine owner of a matchmaking business, Rachel and architect and Sarah an illustrator but all unlucky in love; Catherine's ex husband and business partner has just dropped the bombshell that he is marrying his 23 year old girlfriend, Rachel is competing with her ex James for the biggest architectural pitch of her career and Sarah has no time for love, spending all her spare time with her disabled young sister and caring for all the others. The 3 girls make a pact to join Catherine's Recyclove.com - a dating agency that asks their Ex's to complete their profiles. This was a fun read, and I enjoyed following the girls dating adventures and lives. 
• Unleashing Mr Darcy - Teri Wilson ~ Elizabeth Scott finds herself accepting a job with a pedigree dog breeder after a chance meeting at a dog show in her home town of New York. Said dog show also finds her meeting the dashing judge and british billionaire dog breeder Donovan Darcy. Think Crufts meets Pride & Prejudice and you have this book completely. Doovan is quite delicious, Elizabeth is sweet and fiesty and the supporting cast and digs are delightful. a fun read that leaves a warm glow.
• The Hotel in Mulberry Bay - Melissa Hill ~ Mulberry Hotel sits proudly on the cliff top of Mulberry Bay and has been in the Harte family for years. Eleanor and Penny grew up in and around the corridors of the hotel with penny loving everything about it and Ellie wanting to escape the minute she was old enough. Both girls find themselves returning after their beloved mother and matriarch of the hotel passes away. What is evident is that the hotel isn't as grand as it once was and that the bank are chasing the repossession of the hotel. Both girls along with their father go on a journey of discovery, grief and a desire to bring the hotel back to its glorious best. This is a beautifully written book by Melissa Hill of family, love and community.
• The Great Allotment Proposal - Jenny Oliver ~ Socialite Emily Hunter-Brown has bought her old home a manor house on Cherry Pie Island. Along with the manor house, she also gets her friends allotment to care take. Armed with brand new Hunter wellies and a fork she finds herself more of a hindrance than a help amongst the weeding. When her teenage first love re-appears on his boat and moors at the end of her garden her life and offers to help will her heart hold out. This was a lovely light read, 3rd in the cherry pie island series.

Along with some fun fiction reads, my fiction reads were a little darker filled with murder, espionage and forensics February saw me travel to the Crime Uncovered exhibition at the London museum. This book details the exhibits and the Scotland Yard back stories to all cases - fascinating, forensics and thrilling mystery's. I loved it.

My coffee table 'read' was the delicious Dieux du Stade the book presents photographs by Fred Goudon, whose work has focussed on the male form for over 20 years. A fab fun 'pick-me up' present from my GBF.

I have already started on my March reads and look forward to sharing those with you later in the month. 2 months in to my reading challenge and I am 12/75  complete. What books have you loved this month, would love to hear from you.

Hello March...

Well February passed in a flash and March is here... as you can see the blog has had a make-over... saying goodbye to the February blues and Marching into spring with a green hue.

* Spring is slowly emerging and along with my new eating lifestyle I am using the lighter mornings and evenings to move a little more and walk a few extra miles a a day by getting off a couple of stops before I need to to walk the remaining commute to work. I snapped this gorgeous shot of the magnolias budding in Manchester Square.
* Although the mornings are lighter it has still been very cold. I have also started to make soup, which has been a great lunchtime hit.

* March is filled with lots of occasions, looking forward to an early Mothers Day and time spent with my mum.
* I also have a friends birthday which falls on Mothers day.
* My goddaughter is expecting a baby in May, so a baby shower is planned in March to celebrate.
* March will see me spend an evening at the O2 in the company of Adele!... I am a little excited about this.
and then finally at the end of March the Easter bunny arrives.....
Here's to a fun filled March, filled with love, fun, friends, family and chocolate!