Jamie's Italian

What could be better than a plateful of pasta and a glass of white wine on a gorgeous summer's evening? A plateful of pasta and a glass of white wine at Jamie's Italian in Cardiff - who now, finally, takes bookings - woo!

I've been a few times before, once for a midweek lunch when it was relatively quiet, and then twice more for my leaving do and the Other Half's surprise birthday - both times we had more than 8 people.

For months after Mr Oliver opened its restaurant doors in the 'Diff, there would be queues round the corner for a table as they didn't allow bookings for fewer than 8 people. But now, things have changed, and I'm delighted.

I've always been happy at Jami'es - tasty food, busy atmosphere and very attentive staff - I wasn't disappointed this time round either.

On this occasion there were 4 of us - my dad, his Other Half, me and my Other Half - a fun double date.

I went for squid, wild rabbit pasta and frozen yogurt - and I couldn't really fault any of them.

The squid: was plentiful, light and crispy - not a chewy mouthful in sight. And although the garlic mayo was goood and had a great kick to it, I could've done with more.

The wild rabbit pasta: was light and left me feeling satisfied but not bloated. The sauce was just right and the rabbit itself was very moist.

The frozen yogurt: was a great end to the meal - very fruity (the strawberries had been soaked in elderflower - yum!) and full of flavour - the poppy seed filo crisp was a great addition.

Amongst the other dishes on our table were the delicious prawns wrapped in angel hair pasta, the baked mushrooms that was enough for two people, a gigantic burger with all the trimmings, a good old Carbonara and a meaty Sausage Pappardelle.

Everyone left smiling.

And once again when it comes to food, I managed to take a couple of quick photos before scoffing the lot. Good thing I'm not a food blogger, ay?

A sunny day with the family

This weekend, my dad and his Other Half came to stay for a few days, and luckily for us, the sun was out the whole time - perfect!

We had lunches out, ate ice cream in the park and went to St Fagans National History Museum.

It's only 3 miles from home but I hardly ever visit. However, dad was keen on a day out there so off we went.

We spent a good few hours walking around the orchid, having a nose around the old houses and enjoying a well deserved cold drink in the traditional cafe. 

It was a bit hot for a whole day there so we decided on an afternoon in Cardiff Bay - zooming around on a speedboat, enjoying a cheeky cider in a beer garden and then finishing with some delicious food - more on that in another post.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend in the sun?

Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival

Last weekend, the Other Half, our friends who were visiting from New Zealand and I spent the day at the Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival - a 3 day event celebrating British food - from chocolate brownies (yum!) to Welsh beef burgers (yum!).

 

I spent my money on the aforementioned brownies, a variety of cheeses and way too much cider. A great day was had by all.

 

Th festival is held in the Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay and it was a scorcher of a day. And the best part? The event was free - that however does not mean it's a cheap day out - you (well, I) spent a looot of money on a variety of foods and drinks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a really busy weekend (I'd highly recommend going on the Friday as it's a little quieter) with a great selection of food and drinks, the stallholders are very generous with their tasters and the music tops it all off...especially with a pint in hand in the sun.

 

 

 

 

I was planning on taking a few food related pictures as this was a Food Festival, but unfortunately I devoured all of my treats in seconds - sorry!

 

However, amongst the highlights (just in case you decide to go next year!) were the stuffed pittas at the Persian Food Stall (there was only one) that offered a decent sized pitta filled to the brim with a variety of falafaels (plain, olive or sundreid tomato), fresh salad and a good choice of sauces - I went for the tahini sauce.

 

I also opted for the oh so good  and gooey brownies - the creme brulee flavour was my favourite!

 

And as for a little nod to my North Walian roots, I also devoured several cheeses from the Snowdonia Cheese Company - the Black Bomber was particularly good.

 

Starving yet?

 

Our New Home

Yaaaaaay!

Finally. After months and months of viewings, negotiations and stressed out phonecalls, we have a new home.

Our contracts exchanged today (yaaaay!) and we'll hopefully be moving in next month (double yaaaay!).

Can you tell I'm excited?

We tried buying a few months ago, but due to a failed survey we had to pull out. The survey for this one was so much better, but there was still some damp-related negotiations to be made. 

Anyway, we're all done with all of that now. And we have a house - our very own house!

All those months of cutting out ideas from home magazines will finally pay off - I can't wait to get started on the painting, the decoupage and all the other crafty little things I have planned. The Other Half won't know what's hit him.

So, a very good day today. I hope you've all been enjoying the glorious sunshine we've been having.

Friday

 

I am so glad it's Friday. It's been another busy one full of doctor appointments, busy office days and stressful trying-to-buying-a-new-house phonecalls and emails.

I haven't got much planned for this weekend. I'm having my hair cut tomorrow - just a trim - and then possibly a date night with the Other Half tomorrow night. He doesn't know yet.

I quite fancy going to watch Boyhood. I've heard great things about it, and personally, when anything gets over a 7 on IMDb, I'll give it a go, but a 9, and I'm sold.

 

And then maybe some food - either an Italian and a bottle of wine, or the local curry house with some beers. We've learnt from experience, that if we're planning going to the cinema, food always comes aftwerards, or we don't tend to get to the cinema...

Have you lovely people got any plans? Or any recommendations for other films for the wet weekend ahead?

 
Photo from Art-Canyon
Video from YouTube

Dumbwalking

Yesterday I came across a new term - dumbwalking. And now, I think it might actually be my favourite word.

It refers to people who walk around with their eyes down reading emails or texting their mates, completely and utterly oblivious to anyone else around them. Why should I move, right?

Be prepared for a proper old rant...

Now, I'm 27. I have a smart phone (not an expensive iPhone). I have an iPod. I also have a laptop, a television and various other gadgets in my home. However, I never walk around so rudely as to expect everyone else around me to move as I have a text that just can not wait, as I'm just sooo busy.

Why have we morphed into this population of people that can't bare to live life without tech? I've seen friends have a meltdown when they realise they've forgotten their camera on a night out. And colleagues that have actually driven home to get their forgotten phone, just in case.

Just in case of what? Just in case eBay send an email reminding you of their Bank Holiday Sale that You. Cannot. Miss. Just in case a 'friend' you knew at school ten years ago has commented on one of your photos on Facebook. Just in case, nothing. The world will keep spinning if you leave your phone at home.

So, this was meant to be a post about dumbwalking, but it's actually turned into a full blown rant about tech. Again.

Sorry.

I really do hope other people agree with me and that I'm not prematurely turning into a grumpy old git...hmm, maybe I am. What do you lovely people think?

Photos from:

PhoneArena
RunItLikeAMom
SmartSign
Kulfoto

The maxi skirt

I fell in love with this skirt. It's the perfect length, has amazing colours and fits just right.

I don't normally go for long skirts but as they're so 'in season' at the moment, I couldn't resist this one.

It was £18 in my favourite shop for this summer - Peacock's. And for £18, you can't go wrong can you?

I wore it to a local food festival yesterday with a plain black vest top, flat sandals and a few bangles - I felt amazing - glamorous without the heels - my type of glamour - comfy!

Anyone else have a favourite summer outfit?

Sunflowers

Today I bought sunflowers. No reason, Just because.

 

Do you ever buy flowers for no reason whatsoever? Yesterday,

 

I was off to the local shop, list in hand - bread, milk, yogurts, squash, eggs - and I just couldn't leave these behind. I've never bought sunflowers before, so I'm not sure how long they'll last, but they look great as you walk into the kitchen now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think sunflowers might be my new favourites. Maybe I'll plant some next spring - I always loved watching them grow into huge plants when I was younger. Anyone planted some this year?

Look what I did!

Last year I was given a bike for free (jammy sod!) from a colleague whose wife no longer liked riding it, and since then I've been hooked. I ride my bike to work most days and go cycling after work and on the weekends - I enjoy it and it's great exercise.

I've had a go at running at a 10K event and even though I was thrilled with my time of 64 minutes (and the fact that I even managed to finish it at all), I quickly got bored of running, and didn't have the dedication to train for a Half Marathon.

So, as I enjoy cycling so much, I thought a cycling event (note - not a race) would be good. And as I trawled the internet a few weeks ago, I came across Cardiff's Pedal for Parkinson's Event.

You could choose 60 miles or 20 miles. As tempted as I was to really push myself, I opted for the 20 mile route, and boy am I glad that's what I did.

It was the hardest thing I've done in my life - 20 miles of steep hills and climbs and half of that in torrential rain - what an experience.

I struggled, I cursed and really pushed my body to the limits - but I did it. And I didn't get off my bike for any of the hills. I was so damn proud of myself. 

I know, I know - 20 miles isn't really that far. But the Welsh hills around Cardiff are steep. Real steep.

And the best part? I managed to raise almost £100 for a good cause.

Anyone else taking part in any charity events this year?

A day in the garden

There's nothing like a lazy summer's day in the garden - and I spent my whole weekend being oh so lazy with a good book, and the occasional glass of wine. Perfect.

I also took some pretty snaps of some of the wildlife we have at the moment - a combination of colourful caterpillars and juicy blackberries.

Too much tech

25 hours. Imagine what you could do with 25 glorious free hours – you could decorate a couple of rooms in your house, you could complete half a dozen craft projects, you could fly to Sydney, Australia and even have time to grab a couple of schooners of beer after you get there – all within 25 hours.

25 hours is how much time we adults waste on tech each week – from smart phones, to laptops, to televisions. What a waste.

I’m always (always!) moaning about how I have no time to do any crafts, or bake my favourite treats, spend time with the girls or just sit and read. But, after work I probably spend a ridiculous 4 hours slumped in front of the television, not even watching anything particularly interesting.

I’m always moaning to the Other Half how he’s happy to sit around watching YouTube clips of laughing babies and hungry dogs as well as watching football and maybe having a go at his guitar - all at the same time. It drives me nuts.

However, I'm not much better. I'm very good at moaning about tech, but not very good at not using it. Whilst I'm watching my daily 4 hours of television, I'm very aware that I'm wasting time - I could be doing something a lot more constructive with my time. However, I sit. And watch. Bored.

And now, I really do want things to change - I've already wasted enough time. Now, I'm not saying that I'm never going to watch television or use a laptop again (I'm still going to be writing this blog as I do believe this blog is a "little" more constructive than watching the Harlem Shake in a million different forms), but I really would like to limit my time using them.

I'm going to start off slow. I'm going to try and come home from work every night and do at least one constructive thing with my time - nothing major. It can be reading a couple of chapters from my current book, having a bath, going for a walk, baking something new or doing some crafts - anything that doesn't require any tech.

I'm also going to try and convince the Other Half what a wonderful idea this is. We both work such long hours and spend the few hours we have together every day watching mindless programmes on the sofa - I want to reconnect, even if it means dragging him to the park for a half hour stroll in the evening sun - anything that doesn't require television sets, laptops and sneezing pandas.

I heard someone describe our generation as the "iGeneration" - please don't let this be the case - surely it won't be very interesting for our children and grandchildren to look back at our facebook posts and youtube clips? Even if the laughing baby always puts a smile on my face.


Pictures:
StudentWire
TVisual

Navy summer moccasins

Navy seems to be my colour this summer. From dark navy jeans that go with everything, to the summery top I blogged about last week, and then to these navy beauties.

 

I seem to be wearing them everyday at the moment - on weekdays for work and on the weekend. And the best bit? They were only £14.99 at one of my favourite shoe shops at the moment - Deichmann.

I bought a couple of pairs last year - a pair in pink and a pair in beige. I loved them so much and wore them practically every day, so that I had to go back to buy another pink pair (the others were worn out) and the navy ones.

They're simple yet stylish and I'm yet to find an outfit they don't go with - I've worn them with shorts, skirts and jeans.

My first pink pair and the beige pair are now beyond repair, but they lasted so well.

I'd highly recommend these little beauties for the summer. Anyone else have their favourite shoes for the year?