Review #8 - Kuchina Staropolska U Babci Maliny (Kraków)

When I was in Kraków last month, our lovely tour guide Peter recommended this place to us for lunch.

It looked very authentic from the outside, and it was exactly opposite the old Theater in the city. 

As we walked in to this cobbled flooring (on the inside?!) cosey little wooden hut a woman pointed up and down these stairs, directing us to where we could eat. We chose to go down and were transported to what looked like a period drama in the 1800's. Porcelain dolls, white doilies, grand pianos and chandeliers, with thick pink curtains. 

We ordered some pierogi, bigos, and grilled chicken. All of good standards and tasted fab! The picture isn't too clear but it was my pierogi (polish dumplings) served on a plate of bread! The bigos (polish hunters stew) was also served in a bread pot!! So authentic and all the dishes were full of flavour and history.

The decor definitely made it for me though, we felt so traditional. Would much rather discover little places like this in a different country than rely on chains and brands that anywhere has. 

Food        *****

Atmosphere  *****

Service     *****

http://www.kuchniaubabcimaliny.pl/

Thanks for reading! xx

Review #7 - The White Napkin (The Kilns Hotel) (Brentwood, Essex)

When my Mom, Sister and I visited Brentwood in Essex (because we love TOWIE) we chose to stay in the loveliest hotel called 'The Kilns' just off the M25. 

The staff there couldn't do enough for us, and so on the one night when we wanted to go out for dinner we asked the manager where's good in the town. He threw a couple of names at us that we'd already rang to find they were fully booked. He boasted about how good the food was in the restaurant here at the hotel. It did smell nice, but we didn't really fancy staying in! 

We eventually had a drive about the town to look for somewhere nice to eat, and failed... Our only option now was the hotel's restaurant: 'The White Napkin'. The guy had saved us a table just in case we couldn't find anywhere (which was thoughtful) so we sat down and ordered our meals.

Cheekily (as I knew Mother was paying) I ordered their most expensive dish of surf and turf, and I definitely wasn't disappointed!

Everything about the meal was delicious. Perfectly cooked lobster, steak AND chicken breast. All lying on a bead of gorgeousness!! Spinach, pesto mash and grilled peppers. I honestly felt in heaven. No meal EVER could beat that one there!! 

The easiest 5 stars I've ever given. Well done White Napkin!!!! 

P.S The chap at the hotel was so kind to us, free toothpaste (as we'd forgot ours), bringing in a birthday cake and making it special for my Sister's 14th, oh and when I accidentally got a little too tipsy off half a glass of wine he bought in a platter of small sandwiches to sober me up and kept the rest of my wine for later! How sweet :)

Food        *****

Atmosphere  *****

Service     *****

http://www.thekilnshotel.co.uk/restaurant/

Thanks for reading! xx

24/05/2014

Dear Diary,

As pay day is so close but yet so far away! ... I keep finding myself browsing online for goodies that I want (but feel like I need) and I thought I'd share my list with you!

1. First up are: Bras.
From Boux Avenue.

I LOVE the Tori bras they've got at the moment, I've currently got the 'Lavender Mix' with matching briefs and its gorgeous to wear!

Plunges have always fitted me perfectly and these bras in particular are just so unbelievably comfy! I think I fancy a slightly darker one, maybe the 'Grey Mix' or even plain black might be nice. If you click on the picture below it should take you to their website on this exact bra.

2. Film Processing.

For my analogue Diana camera

I'm also so desperate for my 120 films to be developed! I find it so hard to get this done cheap and of a good quality. Usually costs me about £17 per film to send it off to the lomography lab. If anyone knows of anywhere cheaper please let me know!!!! I've got 3 full films ready and waiting to be done. It's actually quite a fun little hobby, taking pictures with my analogue. The camera I've got is called a Diana Dreamer. Here are some pics!!

 

 

3. And last but not least: Language Books.

'Breakthrough' by Palgrave. 

I've mentioned before that I'm learning Spanish at the moment. I just love love love love love different languages! On my course we use a book called Breakthrough Spanish 1 and it's genuinely been a massive help. It goes through all basic grammar, has got loads of different topics and if you buy the CD's with it, there's loads of content with native speakers and responsive oral practice. Unfortunately, my Spanish lessons are over for this year :( and we finished the book! So I seriously want the second book and I even contemplated about getting a French one too, to help me with teaching it in lessons! If you fancy learning a new language I'd definitely recommend using these books - they're ace!

Thanks for reading! xx 

♥

12/05/14

Dear Diary,

Had a lovely long weekend due to this HLTA course falling on a Thursday and a Friday, met some really kind and friendly people there! And free lunch! Get in :) At the moment my Nanna and Gramps are in Seville in Spain, so I'm looking after their house and doggies, they say it's a beautiful city - I'll have to visit! Although the next place in my mind to book up is Austria for next years Eurovision Song Contest! It was on last Saturday, I LOVE it!!! Love everything foreign, especially Europe. Oh, reminds me, I'm off to France next month with the school. I can't wait, I'm definitely more excited than the children haha. But we're going to Disneyland Paris - What's better than that?

Had this song in my head all day, too catchy!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KtYYHKEGDc
It's by a guy called 'Shift K3Y' and its apparently about his girlfriend ;) cute.

Another song that I've really liked for a couple of months now is 'You're the Best' by a group called Wet. If you've ever listened to Bon Iver, its a little bit similar to some of his songs (well, I think so anywho) :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfU71ZVqyMM

Went out for a few drinkies with Luci (best friend since year 9) at the weekend for her 20th. Ended up being a very good night indeed. Caught up with some people I haven't seen in ages and met some new ones too!

This weekend proved to be quite testing with boyfriends too. My sister had her first ever break up :( and I had a major fallout with mine. It's sorted now, but just made me realise and remember what it's like to be in and out of relationships. That awful feeling when someone tells you they don't love you anymore? Then mess you around. What's with that? Ah, it's never simple.

Well, my Mom's just turned up home from work! I'm going to go say hi, so see ya! xx

Review #6 - Tarantino Italian Restaurant (Brentwood, Essex)

This is going back a while but I just need to tell you all about this place!

Best pasta ever!!!

When I went was in October 2013, for a quick bite to eat at lunchtime. Me, my Mother and Sister we're recommended by everyone we met in Brentwood to dine at this place - so we gave it a go!

I ordered a simple dish, Penne Arrabbiata (below), which came as fast as it takes to whip up a delicious sauce and cook proper pasta. You could taste every single ingredient that went into it, the garlic, spice, the freshly made pasta and the gorgeous Italian herb: oregano. 

I hate it at places where you can feel that the temperature of the food has been microwaved or sat under a light to stay warm. And at Tarantino's thank the lord it ISN'T like that. You can instantly feel that this has literally just been served straight out the pan. 

The super friendly staff then topped it off with the perfect compliment, grated parmesan :)  

I absolutely love fresh, home made food. Much better than any jarred rubbish!

  

The authentic decoration made me feel like I was in Italy!!

Food        *****

Atmosphere  *****

Service     *****

http://www.tarantinobrentwood.co.uk/

5/5/14

Dear Diary,

Haven't spoken in a couple of days! Only just had time to chill out really...

I feel super excited about work at the mo, we've got a new head teacher (who seems very down to earth) and he's agreed to send me on a HLTA course with the potential of progression after! I'm so pleased :D New people have started at work too, which has livened up the place, although everyone I work with are always so friendly and helpful. Such a lovely environment to be in ☺ I feel too blessed to have a job there. 

Anyways, this bank holiday weekend Archie and I decided to see what was going down at the Upton on Severn folk Featival, and stay the night in our pop up tent! We left Saturday at about 2pm and spent the rest of the day checking out all the Morris dancers, met some cool people amongst all the pubs, browsed all the junk in the hundreds of antique and flea markets and then had a delicious meal at a Bangladeshi restaurant, after which, we then froze to death all night long in our tiny tent that doesn't zip up because our mattress is too big & stretches it!!
>:( Good day had, I'd defo go on year for the day to see all the performances :) We finished off our trip with a Maccies Breakfast on the way back and a well deserved cup of tea waiting for us at his Dads :D

I bought a couple of things whilst there, Amelie (one of the best films I've seen) and an old birthday postcard that I thought was the sweetest thing ever! 

The postcard says 'My dearest girl, with all my very best wishes and good luck for your birth day, love from your boy, always yours, George xxxxxxx' 

It made me think, one day, that girl received that little note, but what did she think? Was George her love of her life and it made her day complete? Maybe George was some secret creepy admirer that she didn't like! Or perhaps they'd had a fall out and this was his chance to get her back! Any of these options still makes me believe that when you die, your possibly not dead. You can still live on in people's minds, in books, on film, in pictures and even letters, just like George and his girl are now :)

Let me know if you think my theory's true! Or if you think Upton's Folk Festival is any good?

Thanks for reading! 

xx