30-Sept-2014

Going To The Movies: Vicky Cristina Barcelona

It's an Woody Allen film, should I say more? It's a beautiful and messy story about a city (Allen's trademark) and the lives of its inhabitants. Some of them are just spending the summer there, like Vicky and Cristina - two very different girls who happen to be best friends. While Vicky is rational, practical and goal orientated, Cristina is the exact opposite - spontaneous, chaotic and never sure about what she really wants. While in Barcelona the girls meet the artist Juan Antonio, a very enigmatic and slightly strange man.

Things happen differently in Spain. Barcelona and the are are the third main protagonist in the film, their smell and colour and voice and laughter are to be sensed through the screen. Juan Antonio y Maria Elena are the spice in the movie, they are this kick that makes a masterpiece out of an ordinary story. They are the vital ingredient for this paella of emotions, actions and words to explode as it does.

And while Woody Allen is, this time, not present himself in the film as an actor, his mimics and small facial expressions, ticks and strange habits are beautifully embedded in Vicky, she's just as quirky as he is in the best way imaginable.

Woody Allen strikes again with yet another love-story about a city and it's inhabitants. Just seeing the movie makes you wanna go there and fall in love yourself. This is one of my favourite Allen movies, probably taking second-best place only to Midnight in Paris, the ultimate lovestory with Paris.

Grade: 9/10

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

29-Sept-2014

Lunch For Two

JB Diner, Brighton

How do I even start this? I can't think of an appropriate way of expressing my tremendous disappointment with this place. It was a disgrace!

Mr.Boyfriend and I went there for a lunch on Saturday because he had some nice memories from the last time he went, maybe 5 or so years ago. After being seated at sticky sofas and cheap looking table we were given the menu by a waitress in an obvious hurry to get away from us. Never realised that we make such a disgusting couple but Hey, you learn new things every day.

The bunch of running around waitresses, all very bubbly and giggling with the boys seated a table from us, needed around 10 minutes to realise that our menus have been down for quite a while and we were more than ready to order. Mr.Boyfriend was having the King Burger and a pint of Coors light beer while I had a Chicken BLT Burger and a Caramel Milkshake. After taking our orders it took only minute to have our food in front of us. While sometimes we all wish food miraculously showed in a matter of seconds in our plates, this is never a good sign when one's eating out. Why? Well, because this means this food is not made-to-order but instead is lying around, cooked, and it's waiting for someone to order it so it can be reheated in few seconds and served.

This was exactly the case with our burgers. The buns were from the cheapest possible brand in the corner shop, characterised by unmistakable sweetish taste, yellow colour and the fact that they dissolve the moment you touch them. My chicken had no taste whatsoever, it was hard and unpleasant to chew on. Mr.Boyfriend's burger bun was the same story and his pulled pork tasted slightly off. The latter might be the result of overdoing with the BBQ sauce or I don't know what.

All burgers come with chips and salad as a garnish. And while the portions of cheap, reheated chips were more than generous, the salad was close to nonexistent and it would've been less embarrassing for the establishment if it wasn't served at all.

Taking in account that the food took lest that 2 minutes to arrive, the drinks took their sweet time. Or should I say the waitress currently behind the bar took close to 15 minutes to stop chatting up with the guys hitting on her and to remember she had beer to pour and milkshake to make. While I don't have any comments on a brand of beer that I have never tried before, I have one or two about the milkshake. How about how disgustingly dirty the glass and the shaker were. Or the fact that someone hadn't learnt their measurements because half of the ice-cream promised for the milkshake was served in said shaker. Or that the waitress almost poured it all over me, And that they forgot to add any caramel sauce to the so-called caramel milkshake.

After we ate as much as we could before deciding that the stomachache is not worth. We managed to distract one of the waitresses from her very important conversations enough to ask for the bill and were served yet another unpleasant surprise. Oh, hello, there is a serves included in the check, because this is how we do it. We overcharge for cheap bad food and then we punish you by adding the tip without even asking. I just hope that these 10% don't go to the owners, you know.

The overall verdict is that this was an expensive, old McDonald's that is licensed to server alcohol. Fast food on steroid. A place to avoid on all costs!

Food: 1/10

Service: 2/0

Interior: 1/10

Location: 8/10

Pricing: 1/10

Overall Grade: 2/10

Will I go back? NEVER. You read that, I will not eat at this place EVER again. If I feel like fast food I would much rather go to McDonald's where it's cheaper and the staff knows me and will prepare the food especially for me.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

28-Sept-2014

Apple Stories

Ah, today was a great day. Mr.Boyfriend and I spend a lovely afternoon at the apple festival, we drank freshly pressed apple and pear juice, we ate apple crumble and we lay down on the sunny hills and we read our newly acquired books -  Ian McEwan's Atonement and Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy. Without a doubt this was one of the best days that we've had lately and I can't think of anything that I would've rather do instead of this. Not in hundred years, not for hundred bucks!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

27-Sept-2014

Little Joys

Tomorrow, 28th September, will be the annual Apple Festival in Stanmer Park, near Brighton. It's an great way to spend some time outside, walk in a nice park, eat some fresh food and enjoy a bunch of great apple-related activities for kids and adults. And saying kids - if you have little ones and it won't be a problem for you to come to Stanmer Park, I highly, highly recommend it, they will have so much fun!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

26-Sept-2014

Autumn Ready

I start every season with a list of things I want to buy. I know, very mercantile but this helps me a lot not dig deep into useless purchases. Like that one violet sweater with sequined cupcake that I bought because I saw it and I was like "Aww, that's so cute!".

Then, there are the things I'm always looking for. Like a new scarf. Or a good lipstick or nail polish. Or maybe just one more hat, because they are never enough. Or a good quality plain top, black or white, that I literally wear with everything. That kind of things.

Sometimes particular items on my list are staying there season after season because I'm still struggling to find that one item that I really really want. Like REALLY! 

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

25-Sept-2014

Castle

Plot:

Richard Castle is a mystery crime writer. Kate Beckett is NYPD detective. He loves life and mystery solving. She is very career orientated and likes things to get done. After Castle was a potential suspect in an ongoing investigation conducted by Detective Beckett, he pulls a few strings, makes a few phone calls to his friends, e.g. the Mayor and few others. and is given the chance to accompany Beckett in her line of work. His crazy theories and outside of the box thinking prove to work well in combination with Beckett's and her team efford in catching murderers. 

Why I Like It:

Because it's hilarious in a very specific way. Because of the dynamics between Castle and Beckett. Because of Castle's family, Beckett's team, and everything in-between. Because of Castle's crazy theories and Beckett's rationality - it's nice when she's the rational cop who holds the gun and drives the car, every time. Because of the story of Beckett's emotional evolution and her fashion transition. Because she's always dressed and portrayed with dignity, nothing more than a collarbone or a shoulder is shown, because she's absolutely amazing, sexy, beautiful and smart without being overly sexualised! Because Castle is shown as smart, but vulnerable, scared, looking for love and compassion human being. And because, like most of my favourite shows, falls of the category of "Every-day a new case, but one big one behind them all"

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

24-Sept-2014

#HeForShe

My relationship with the word "feminist" has always been somewhat complicated, not always a good one, always a problematic. The problem might as well be that I hate labeling myself. If I do it, most of the time I might as well be just ironic and sarcastic.

In the beginning of my puberty I was more than happy to call myself a feminist and to wave this flag as high as my 13-year-old self could do. However, as the time passed by, what the world presented me as examples of feminism was nothing else but reverse gender inequality and men-hate. If this was feminism, than I definitely wasn't part of that. All I want is no one to make a special case out of the fact that I'm born with one set of genitalia instead of another. I don't want to be offered help with my heavy bags nor to be OK to yell at my colleagues because of PMS. I want equal pay, I want equal respect and I want people around me not to suffer because it's not socially acceptable for them to do something they want/need/have to do. Like cry, because they are sad. Or take a day off, because their head hurts a lot. Or get paid a rightful, decent amount of money based on the work they do. That's what I want for myself. That's what I want for the people I love. And for those I don't. And for those I don't even know.

So in that sense, I feel myself aligned with, allow me to introduce the term, the 4th wave feminism.The one of #HeForShe. Emma's and Angelina's and Hilary's. The one of the strong human beings, not matter their genitalia.

Thank you!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

23-Sept-2014

Cheanged Leaves

The smell of cinnamon, the taste of pumpkin, wearing warm socks, everything coloured in red-orange-and-yellow. Putting a soft sweater in the morning and sipping a cup of aromatic tea. Hiding in some random place from the sudden pouring rain. Hugging at night because you like the warmth of your loved one's body. A cup, or two, of red wine with the meal, oranges and apples after it. Cute boots making noise walking down the stairs. Huge scarf whenever you go. Chilly weather. Just Autumn...

Hello Autumn, I've been waiting for you. 

Hello Autumn by Mangomini

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

22-Sept-2014

2.0

Today is the first day of my second year at university. The day seems to be sunny, warm and calm. I'm a bit nervous but very excited. I have two lectures in the afternoon and before that, a day full with things to do at uni. On top of all this greatness, my very first lecture will be given by my most favourite teacher and that makes it extra special. I'm a tad worried that I the module will be quite a challenge for me but then I remember that this is a good thing. I love a good challenge. Especially if it will make me better person and academic in the end. And this one, oh, it will!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

21-Sept-2014

Girls Lunch Date

I rarely go out alone, that is without Mr.Boyfriend. Most of my friends are actually our friends and it feels natural to go together. The friends that are mainly my friends and not his are the one I have from university and they are not so many, let's say 5, maximum 10. All of them were away during the nice, sunny and warm summer months and have now just returned in time for the start of the new academic year. So, since 15 of June I haven't seen any of them and haven't been out on my own, without Mr.Boyfriend.

However, today is a different day because I have a lunch date with my friend Katja and, in all fairness, I'm excited. She's probably my closest friend frim uni and we seem to have plenty in common so it's always good to meet and talk. And I can't wait to see her and catch up in person, not with one of our crazy long Facebook messages!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

20-Sept-2014

Excitement Overload

I'm still so very excited about our trip to Barcelona. I actually spent the whole day reading about places to visit, things to do, foods to try and means for transportation. So far we've come to the conclusion that all bike hire systems are so expensive that we'll be better off using the metro. And we also decided that we want to try and eat as much food as we can lay our hands on. So, yes, I am and we are excited and so happy that I can't sit still for more than few minutes. Love this feeling, a complete and unapologetic wanderlust!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

19-Sept-2014

He Said Sí!

It's been a year since I last went somewhere, to a place that excites me and thrills me. It's been a year since started trying to convince Mr.Boyfriend that we should go somewhere. Alone. Just the two of us. On a vacation, on a short trip, a city break, anything. And today, after a year of talks and small arguments, he said YES! I am over the moon with happiness and I just can't stop smiling. To seal the deal, we went straight ahead and booked tickets and hotel for our Barcelona vacation. Not only that we are going there, but we are going to spend my Birthday there. Oh, I'm so happy, I haven't been so excited since we booked our week in Paris for January 2013.

Prepare, there is plenty of planning ahead and I can hardly wait!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

18-Sept-2014

Bright On

After a long night with not much of sleeping due to my thoughts going back and ford between Brighton and Plovdiv, to my family, to my not so needed freedom, to my cuddly cat and my loving and supporting Mr.Boyfriend, I woke up finally ready to go through with the final installments of fitting back in into my Brightonian life. Meaning to put everything back where it belongs, to make breakfast for both Mr.Boyfriend and I, to make a list of things that need to be done by the end of the day, to decide what we're going to eat for lunch/dinner and last, but not least, to check my bike and to make sure that it's in working order and cycling condition. I know, plenty of duties, small and important.

And since we forgot to buy bread last night, when we went grocery shopping, it's my duty to go down to the nearest shop selling decent bread, and buy some. Because this is what grownups do, they take care of things. Let's BrightOn!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

17-Sept-2014

Move Forward

Life is about balancing while going forward. Moving on is sometimes hard, but it's not impossible. Back and ford, we grow. I grow. Between Plovdiv and Brighton.

Yes, I'm back in Brighton and I'm still a silly crying mess.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

16-Sept-2014

Fast Days And Nights

Today is my last day in Plovdiv and I'm starting to get more and more emotional about leaving. I always find it very hard to say "Goodbye" to my whole family, to leave again everyone behind and even, not to see my beloved cat - Domino. Yes, I get very emotional and I struggle to keep my cool in order not to make my parents even sadder than they already are.

Saying that I get emotional I actually mean that I cry. A lot. Quietly. Alone. In my bed. Like a very depressed teen that I'm not. I hate crying and I genuinely try not to do it but whenever is time for me to leave my Plovdiv home, I just loose it. For me is so much easier not to go back home and not to have to go through with all of thees emotions. However, probably is better for me, as a fully functioning human being, to go back in Plovdiv, to be with my family and when it's time to leave, to face all of the emotions I have been ignoring.

Oh, boy, I'm going to miss everyone so much...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

15-Sept-2014

Travel Diaries: Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Part Two: Places To Eat, Drink And Have Fun

Plovdiv has just been announced as one of Europe's Cultural Capitals for 2019 and this is a huge deal for everyone in Plovdiv. 

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

14-Sept-2014

Perfect Summer Sunday

If you asked me 3-4 years ago what would I do in a perfect summer day, I would've probably answered you that I'll sleep in until midday, then wake up and try to recover from the night before and have some breakfast, go for a stroll and then watch a movie in bed.

Now this is totally changed, and I could't be happier with the change. In all fairness, this perfect day today was possible only because my Mum was the one who had to worry about cooking lunch for the family, but other than that, was truly an ideal day, by all means and standards. So here is my perfect day ...

Waking up neither early nor late - around 9. Having breakfast, preferably something homemade and with a huge glass of milk involved. Then doing something fun but good for the health. Like cycling. Or going for a run or a hike. Or in my case - going skating. Yes, that's right, today I spent good 3 hours skating at the rowing channel. I don't know how many kilometers I have done, more than 2 for sure, but I felt so great that I could've kept doing it the whole day. A favourite pass time of mine since I was a child, I find it very relaxing for the brain ad very stimulating for the body. It's my yoga on the move. Unfortunately for me I'm not able to skate in Brighton since we live so freaking away from all civilized places and parks, but I find the time to do it every time I'm back home.

Then, after the intense part is time to go back home, have a shower and then lunch. The whole family together. And then a nap, because I'll need plenty of energy to play with the cat later on. When my Dad and I are both awake, we'll do a crossword or some other type of language mind game. And then another one. And maybe a third one, if we are having a good day. Then we'll go for a walk, somewhere in the neighborhood,wearing just shorts and tee, nothing fancy, just another hour spend outside in the nice weather. And when we go back home, we'll have a light dinner and we'll watch a movie together. Because Sunday!

 

 

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

13-Sept-2014

Travel Diaries: Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Part One: History Notes And Travel Must-Stops

My hometown is pretty awesome, you guys! It's the most beautiful place I have ever been to this day, and I have been in Milan, Paris and Barcelona. Although I'm somewhat bias because hello, I grew up here, there are plenty of other people who'l back me up. Like the committee for the European Cultural Capital who named it 2019's Capital. That has to mean something, right?

So, Plovdiv is the 6th oldest city in the world and the eldest in Europe, exciting since the 4,000 BC. It's located in the south-central part of Bulgaria, on the banks of the Maritza river. The city has developed around seven hills that have become its trademark. Rhodope mountains are nearby and the Upper Thracian Plain is surrounding it.

Over the centuries the city has been given many names, each inspired by whoever is ruling it at the moment. While part of the Macedonian kingdom was named after Philip of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great - Philippoupolis - meaning The city of Philip. While part of the Roman Empire it was called Trimontium - meaning The city on the three hills and later, during the Ottoman rule, was named Filibe. It's contemporary name, Plovdiv, dates back to the 11thC, and it's first found in old-Bulgarian documentation. It's believed to be a combination between the Thracian and Slavic names for the city.

The Roman empire left a visible mark on the city - an amphitheater, a gladiators arena and aqueducts are among the monuments left in Plovdiv from the ancient times.  They are all open to the public and an active part of Plovdiv's life. The amphitheater is insuperable part of the cultural life, hosting numerous plays, operas, concerts, festivities and celebrations. Due to its regal atmosphere and superb acoustics, the amphitheater is the preferred location for all classical musical occasions, among which an international festival celebrating Verdi's art.

The Amphitheater

While part of the Ottoman Empire, Plovdiv developed a beautiful old town. All houses are in the typical for Bulgaria Revival Style - two storey, small windows, wooden blinds and pretty bright colours. Two of the hills where the most beautiful revival houses are located, form a neighborhood known among all as The Old Town. There are most of the classic museums and galleries, as well as some rather impressive churches. Cobblestone streets are leading locals and visitors up and down the hills, from a church to a tiny restaurant set inside an old house to a marvelous view. Oh, and there are the Ottoman Baths as well!

Plovdiv Old Town

Plovdiv Old Town

Plovdiv's main street has been just announced to be the longest pedestrians only street in Europe, so do remember to take a lazy afternoon walk on it. Starting at the Post office square it goes pass the beautiful Municipal building, build by the same architect who designed Vienna's main street, walk along the hundreds of shops but make sure to take a look at the gorgeous old houses along the way. Then you'll see the Cuma Mosque and the roman theater. The main street continues forward, in the so called "Small Main Street", where buildings get more and more communist inspired still the Plovdiv style is present - flowers and build in the pavement lights cane make even boring apartment buildings looks amazing.

Main Street

City Hall

Don't forget to take a stroll down the rowing channel. Locals' favourite place to escape the summer heat, to cycle in a safe environment or to just to sit and watch the time past by. During the rowing season there will be regular competitions that are free for the open public to attend. Just next to the rowing channel is the zoo, making it the perfect family-friendly place. Most of the kids that grow up in Plovdiv will learn how to ride a bike or who to skate at the alleys along the rowing channel, me as well.

Rowing Channel

To Be Continued ...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

12-Sept-2014

Velvet And Leather

Listen. This is Alecia Beth Moore. And Dallas Green. But let's just focus on Alecia. Her voice is soft and tender, and amazing. Doesn't she sound like touching expensive velvet. Amazing, amazing, amazing! I''m stunt. This is my new favourite duo, since the end of The Civil Wars.

Oh, and by the way this is actually Her Royal Majesty P!nk, Queen of Rock. She's just being softer than usual...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

11-Sept-2014

9/11

Let us all take a moment and remember all the innocent people who died 13 years ago. It doesn't matter who sparkled what, and which country did what. What it matters is that killing others is bad. Good or bad. But especially when they are innocent and all they have done is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Now, a moment of silence, please. And may time brings the families of the victims some piece.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

10-Sept-2014

10 Books

Here's the thing - all my Facebook friends have been sharing the 10 books that have changed them. It's some sort of a challenge that  they have been going around the web for few days now and everyone is sharing (or bragging) with the 10 most important books in their life, so far. I've been nominated as well, but since I'm not big on Facebook and I would much rather share this here, on the blog, here are my 10 books. 

The TEN books that changed me:

1. 1984 by George Orwell

1. The Catcher In The Rye by J. J. Salinger

1. La Casa De Los Espíritos trilogy by Isabel Allende

1. For Whom The Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway

1. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

1. Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling

1. The Godfather by Mario Puzo

1. Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritances by Barack Obama

1. The Anatomist by Federico Andahazi

1. Cien Años De Soledad by Gabriel García Márquez

Other notable mentions:

1. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
2. On Black Sisters Street: A Novel by Chika Unigwe
3. Stories by O.Henry
4. Pandora by Anne Rice
5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
6. East Wind: West Wind by Pearl S. Buck
7. Тютюн by Dimitar Dimov
8. The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams
9. The Taming of The Shrew by William Shakespeare
10. Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer by Patrick Süskind 

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

9-Sept-2014

Swing Dream

Lunch in a boat. In a lake. On a sunny afternoon day. With homemade cake and tasty apple juice. A picnic on a boat and swing song playing somewhere nearby. I've been dreaming of this.

8-Sept-2014

Just My Type

If you divided me into atoms, into quintessential practicals. you would've discovered that I'm made out of ink and letters. I am what I write, past, present and future. I don't create artistic work anymore, I don't write poems nor short stories. I don't wake up in the middle of the night with half a verse stuck into my head and the other half still making its way from my heart through my veins, around the green liquid in a glass bottle in my neck that is my soul, to my mushy pinky brain. No. I don't do that. Not me. Not anymore. Now I'm writing about my daily life, the pots and the pans, the days when I work and the days when I don't, the socks and the thongs. Well, maybe not about the last two but you get my point.

But will you write about me sometime?

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

7-Sept-2014

Chop Chop

So ... I chopped my hair. Good 25cm of it. Now I have a lob. And I died it. The colour is called Burnt caramel. No more long ombre locks. Hello fall caramel lob.

I'm kind of excited, because it was kind of spontaneous decision. At first I though that I'll just keep my Mum company while she's getting her hair for the wedding she and Dad attended last night. Then I decided that while I'm waiting for her colour to set, I might get a minor cut done. You know, just to have the tips of my hair cut. Then we started talking about repeating the ombre dye but I wasn't so sure if I feel like going blonder for the Autumn and eventually for the Winter, so we decided to drop the ombre and chop it all off. And before I knew it, we were cutting my hair in a long bob or a shorter lob.

Once I saw my hair with my in-between and pretty darn messed up colour (all that colouring devastated my natural dark gold colour I used to have), I decided that while I'm at it I might as well dye my hair a colour I like and that will grow out gracefully over time. This meant only one thing - dark caramel. An amazing Fall colour that won't make any more damage to my natural colour and that will look good on my for the seasons to come. Nothing really drastic, like the ombre used to be.

And while my Dad is not the biggest fan of my new hair, I love it! It's easy to style and the colour feels warm yet sassy! Just like me!

And I dyed my eyebrows the same colour as my hair. Ooops!

Before The Hairdresser ...

Brand New Haircut!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

6-Sept-2014

All In

Finally, everyone is back home - I'm back from Brighton and my parents came back from their vacation at the seaside. Now our flat is full with people, there's noise and chatter from every possible direction. On top of all this, the cat is running around, being excited that everyone is here and there so many people who will be more than willing to pet him and play with him.

Ever since I got back home, 2 days ago, Domino, the cat, has been very protective of me, not willing to go further than a step away from me. If he wasn't so afraid of leaving the apartment, he would've followed me even when I go out. However, he's a stay at home cat, fully domesticated, and the great outdoor is not quite his thing. More like the couch and the fireplace, you know....

Meet Domino, my purriest and furriest love

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

5-Sept-2014

Lunch For Two

Sushi Garden, Brighton

Both Mr.Boyfriend and I love love loove exotic food. Especially Asian food. Especially Japanese. Well, at least I do, quite a lot.

The other day, just before we left for Bulgaria, we spent the whole day in town, starting off our vacation. After we had another great breakfast in Moksha, this time accompanied by two amazing smoothie, and I went crazy gift shopping, we felt like eating lunch somewhere new. Mr.Boyfriend said he feels like eating something exotic and after a quick stroll down Preston Street we decided to give Sushi Garden a chance.

The atmosphere in the restaurant is very serene and peaceful, it feels like a hidden piece of sound paradise. Since we had no idea whatsoever about anything in the menu we decided to go with the set lunch menu of the day and I'm so glad we did! It was Wednesday so we had the pleasure of eating Katsu Lunch set and both of us chose the chicken version over the pork one. The food arrived shortly after we ordered and looked, smelled and tasted magnificently! A single meal consisted of Miso soup, small salad, a bowl of pickled veggies, a generous bowl of rice and 8 pieces of crunchy chicken koroke, plus a bowl of sauce. And I have no idea if the chicken fillets were fried, baked, grilled or what. All I know is that it was so filling and tasty and amazing, the staff was so nice, respectful, helpful and well trained that Sushi Garden is going to become one of our regular places. Because all of us need good quality Japanese food in our lives!

Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10

Interior: 7/10

Location: 7/10
Pricing: 7/10

Overall Grade: 8/10

Would we go back: As soon as we go back home, in Brighton! This place is an amazing combination between amazing food, good service and reasonable pricing! Our new favourite Asian place!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

4-Sept-2014

Back Home

Hello from sunny and hot Plovdiv, my hometown. After 12 hours of travelling, a car ride, a plane ride, 2 buses rides in the capital, a bus ride between the capital and Plovdiv, and a bus from the station to home, I'm back in my extremely colourful bedroom and Domino, my cat, is sleeping next to me.

We had a very easy flight and both of us were able to sleep for close to two hours. The 3rd seat on our roll was empty so we were quite comfy actually. Not so much on the ride between Sofia, the capital, and Plovdiv, because it was stuffy, no leg room and the ride was as long as the plain ride was. However both Mr.Boyfriend and I arrived safely in our own homes and were greeted by our loving families. The adventure of being home with the parents is just beginning!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

3-Sept-2014

Hand Luggage Only

Tomorrow Mr.Boyfriend and I are going back in Bulgaria for a shot family visit. As per sé, we are travelling with EasyJet and this automatically means that we are travelling light - hand luggage only. This is quite a challenge for me, because I like to carry plenty of staff with me, no matter how far/close I go. However, this won't be the case this time, because I'm really trying to limit myself and to allow myself the privilege not to worry about bringing my whole wardrobe with me. After a very careful consideration, I ended up travelling with three dresses in my suitcase, while wearing my fourth one, a beautiful trés feminine skirt and my favorite Levi's cutoffs. Plus 1 black tshirt, 3 white ones and 3 blue, this is all I'm taking back home with me for nearly 2 weeks time. I'm also bringing 3 pairs of shoes in total, one of which is my adored Birkenstocks that have become an inseparable part of my life and style. And that's it. A light cardigan and a scarf finish the list of things that I'm taking with me. Because I know how to travel light. I'm that cool of a girlfriend!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

2-Sept-2014

It´s Fine

I keep forgetting this, every now and then. It´s more then OK not be exactly the same as everyone else. It´s actually even better. Different is OK. Different is Good! All you need to do is just dare.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

1-Sept-2014

Talking About Food

I'm always in when it comes to talks about food. Or just tasting new food. Or even cooking new recipes. And it's so inspiring when you see other people being so crazy passionate about the same thing you are crazy passionate. You say food, I say love!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...