Anti-gravity Yoga

My muscles ache and I'm stumbling around the flat. It's my arms, my sides, my thighs. But it's a good ache, it's an ache I've not noticed in awhile, it's an exercise ache.

Two days ago I went to an 'anti gravity' yoga class. Even though I'm exercise shy I'm pretty good at yoga. I haven't been to yoga for awhile but I'm generally slightly more flexible than your average and have decent balance. This was advertised along with aerial hoop classes and sounded interesting, and it is!

Going into the class I recognised the standard yoga mat but swaying above it was a new contraption. It was a piece of fabric hanging from the ceiling. As I leaned on it I could hear the beams creaking, could it really hold my weight?

The class started with a relaxing mid-air cobbler pose. You built yourself into a cocoon and got your breathing right while giving those hips a good stretch. After that we worked through several poses which were adapted yoga postures, such as side plank, plank, one legged squats and some balances. My favourite parts were the inversions. I generally enjoy being upside down, being in mid-air as well was a bonus. Surprisingly easy to get into, adapted to all levels and really good fun that at some points I forgot that I was exercising. My muscles are reminding me now.

To check it out google london dance academy, it's near Old Street Station. I don't know if my body will comply now and make me breakfast...

No more west end

As an Arab I've been pre-programmed to head to west end.

Rude door service, tables, champagne and a strict dress code. I've had friends who have been shouted at because they had the 'audacity' to turn up after 11:30. Thank you Maddox.

So tonight I hung up my heels, put on an oversized top and made my way to the clubbing capital of the east: fabric, my boyfriends home.


No queue, bouncers more concerned about whether my phone was going to get stolen than how much was in my Chanel and loads of room to dance.

I've been converted. It's closer, it cheaper and friendlier. After 3 months I'm more than happy to wave goodbye to Mayfair.

X

Taste of Christmas

Me and my flatmate got a discount voucher to attend one day of this event. We took the DLR to Custom Excel which was fun in itself. It reminded me of the first time I took the DLR. A few years back my boyfriend wanted to take me to the Canary Wharf ice skating rink. The ice skating was for me because he's as wobbly as jelly on ice but the DLR trip was definitely for him, we stalked out the front seat because he wanted to pretend to be driving the train and then we had to go to the back for a different view. I would recommend any chance to take the DLR.

Anyway, back to Taste of Christmas, we were greeted by friendly and helpful staff into a hall that wasn't overcrowded. There were lots of artisan food stalls. I managed to find a beautiful buffalo mozzarella (honestly I didn't know mozzarella could taste like that) and the best truffle oil for miles around, and I live next to Borough Market so I've tasted my share of truffle oils!

Not only were there stalls to buy from but there were live food demonstrations by famous chefs who gave us Christmas dinner tips. I'll share some below:

1. Soak the turkey in brine (water, salt,sugar) for 24 hours before cooking it to keep it moist
2. Start cooking your turkey at a low heat 120C for 90mins, then up to 140 for 30mins, 180 for 30 mins and a quick heat blast near the end for an even heat throughout
3. When making roast potatoes, season after they go a golden colour and they won't stick to the pan

We also got the chance to cook a beautiful eggnog bread pudding with caramelised apples, it took 30mins to make and eat. Ingredients: cream, brandy, milk, eggs, sugar, apple....DELICIOUS and will definitely be recreated for dessert this christmas.

My one recommendation, arrive early! We missed Jamie Oliver who I am a little in love with and we had to queue for the cooking station because they were fully booked and we were lucky because people weren't turing up towards the end of the day. Arriving early means you can book yourself in for a session.

We took a busy train back home, arms loaded with oils, yoghurts, booze and cheeses. We also have a list of restaurants to try and some ideas for Christmas dinner. It's starting to feel like Christmas!x

My Birthday Song

So, we're having a lazy day, T is making crepes and I'm in my bed on my phone when this song comes on. T had gotten this guy to write and sing this song for me! I absolutely love it! Apparently its on my iphone but my shuffle hadn't gotten round to playing it yet.

Thank you Mr Jonathan Mann and Tariq for this song, it made my day.

Hot Tub Cinema

A week or so ago I'd found out about this hot tub cinema which is tucked away in Shoreditch (thank you internet). Me, my boyfriend and flatmate thought we'd try it out and got our tickets for a mysterious 80s classic movie. It seemed like a winning formula, hot tub, cinema and bar. 

We walked the quiet back streets, getting more apprehensive as we tried to figure out where to go. Two bouncers and a sign were the only signs of life until we got closer and heard the music. Walking in was like Christmas, a tree and some fake snow lined a path to the lady waiting to check us in. We got our tub number and instructions on where the changing rooms and free cloakroom were. One bit of advice buy the bar token BEFORE you get into the hot tub. Its so much harder once you're settled in and you realise there's tub service.

We managed to luck out and get a private tub all to ourselves, usually costs 250pounds. It's a bit of a party atmosphere which is in the background while you watch the movie. Gremlins. I want a little one now. So freakin cute. We also had some mulled wine, mulled cider and popcorn brought to us by some really friendly staff.

After the movie some music got going and a little party hour started. Warning there was a naked tub, a dodgy looking couple and a party group who were tub-crashing. Get ready to make some tub friends, escape before naked people manage to make their way into your tub.

It was fun, I'd love to come back. It's indoors in the winter and rooftop during the summer. You can also choose not to be swept away by the party, kick back and enjoy some hot tub relaxation. My muscles are happy, my very core is warm and it felt like a very noisy spa session/party.

School night out? Google it. 

Brow Happiness

Me and eyebrow threading have had a long relationship. I'm really fussy when it comes to my eyebrows and get a horrible feeling when they end up too thin or uneven. Finding browhaus has made me so very happy. The staff are efficient and make the experience as pain free as I've ever had it. It's a bit pricier than other places I've tried but cheaper than somewhere like blink bar.

What I love is the end result and the fact that I can walk in whenever I want. It's location in Covent Garden is also perfect and is especially glittery at the moment with all the Christmas lights.

I've added a picture of the final result.

Family Sunday - Pizza Dinner

Sunday is designated 'Family' (plus random friends/boyfriends) day and involves me, my cousins and flatmate cooking. Any excuse to have food really. Now, it hasn't been my turn to host for a few weeks and so I felt the need to impress. I bring to you rustic Pizza a la thelondoner.me

For starters we made cheesy mushrooms and garlic bread. Cheesy mushrooms are really easy - lay out some portobello mushrooms in a baking dish, add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, crushed garlic (I love my pestle and mortar), oregano, salt, black pepper and parsley. Cover with foil and bake at 200 degrees for about 20mins, you can then add cheese (if you want) and continue to bake until the cheese is bubbling. Adding breadcrumbs is another option.

For the garlic bread I used the recipe for pizza crust from http://thelondoner.me and topped it with garlic, butter and oregano.

For the main dish we had thelondoner.me inspired pizza topped with homemade pesto and tomato sauce (the recipes for those are also on her website) and I can vouch for how easy this meal is to put together. Only thing was, I'm missing a food processor so I just used my pestle and mortar to grind together my pesto. Also, one pizza was a bit too big so I rolled the crusts and stuffed it with mozzarella which was delicious.

We had the pizza with a mixed leaves and cherry tomatoes side salad topped with tzatziki dressing. For this you need more  garlic (you definitely won't have any vampires stalking about now), half a pot of yoghurt, half a grated cucumber, juice of a lemon, finely chopped mint leaves, olive oil  with salt and pepper to taste.

 Unfortunately I can't take credit for the yummy dessert after, which was covered in frosting. Enjoy with 'Singing in the Rain' after.