Browsing Tag

cocktails

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The future is not a destination, it’s a direction

Sunrise on the beach in Marbella, Spain.

Hey there, wanderers, adventurers and daydreamers! Happy New Year.

First up, I can’t claim that headline, it belongs to the very brilliant Ed Catmull. But it sums up perfectly where I am right now, with my life in a radically different place to this time last year (or ever before, really), and as I focus back in on capturing my thoughts here. This tiny blog isn’t brand spanking new – it’s been here, seen things, but it is ready for a fresh start.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – Blogging? In 2024? But bear with me just a sec; this isn’t a nostalgia trip. 2023 shook my world up in various ways, and I’m entering the new year job-free. A conscious and deliberate choice to see what what it feels like to think about – and travel in – a different direction and swim in different waters. So I think of this more as a scrapbook-style journal; bits and pieces collected as I go along – a personalised compilation of memories, experiences and mementos captured in a corner of the internet where I spill the beans on all things travel, design, work, life, and everything in between. An attempt at embracing the timeless art of storytelling – or at minimum, somewhere to look back on in the future to see how far I’ve come. And I’m rubbish at keeping a paper journal, so.

In my work life I’ve been running projects, leading teams and advising clients for three decades. I’ve had a fabulous career (so far) that has seen me dance through the home entertainment industry, create, market and transform global brands and drive digital transformation, customer experience and human-centred design across a range of sectors. In 2002 I founded and ran my own design agency and most recently I led Customer Experience for banking clients in a consulting practice. From the record industry to the Bank of England – talk about a varied journey!

In recent years I’ve been lucky to do what I love the most – combine my multi-industry knowledge with insight and expertise in digital, design and technology to enable organisations to reimagine services and experiences, develop and manage their digital products, and create capabilities that help them grow, profitability.

But enough of that. This blog has some work stuff on it, but is more about the personal than the professional. You can head over to LinkedIn if it’s the work-me you want to find out more about. Here, each post is a page in my digital diary, filled with the highs and lows, the places that stole my heart, the designs that made sit up and look, random musings, plenty of cocktails and the personal and work experiences that taught me the most. I like talented people, beautifully useful things and stuff that makes the world a better place, so expect a fair bit of that.

So, come wander with me and join me on this journey.

12th January 2024
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Gibson Bar

There’s a new(ish) cocktail bar opened on Old Street, called The Gibson. In the place of a previously old and dark pub, it is based around the Gibson cocktail, a variant of the Martini – made with gin, vermouth and an onion.

It was the perfect place to meet my pal Joe, who I hadn’t seen since just before Christmas. I’d been ‘warned’ that this wasn’t your average cocktail bar, and that advice turned out to be very right.

The inside of the bar is gorgeous, harking back to 1930’s New York, with mirrored tables and low seating. The staff are fab – attentive, without being overbearing and keen to help you choose the right thing. The challenge is, the menu is very diverse. There are barely any straightforward mixes on the list, everything seems to have tons of ingredients and it takes quite a while to choose.

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I went for a classic vodka martini to start, followed by the more adventurous Gibson Girl. It was nice, but I couldn’t have had two as it has quite a strong flavour. I then plumped for something I can’t remember the name of.  It came served in a ceramic onion, and to be honest I had to give up and send it back, as it wasn’t to my taste. The bar were great and didn’t charge me for it (I’d happily have paid, after all it was my choice) which was very generous. They also did the same for Joe, who had ordered something that appeared to be more akin to a desert than a cocktail (let’s just say, it had a ‘chocolate rim’!!)

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We had a great night, chatting about anything and everything and I would definitely go back to the bar, for the staff the ambiance and the atmosphere, but I would most likely stick to a classic martini or be very careful about my next adventurous choice. Check out the menu.

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14th February 2016
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December madness

December is always a crazy month – client drinks, work drinks, friends drinks, parties, shopping. This year I tried to be organised but it still got pretty bonkers.

23rd December 2015
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The end of May

The weather is still a bit chilly and rainy – we haven’t had a proper sunny warm day yet. Not a full-on t-shirt day anyway, though the sun is starting to poke through here and there. It’s been a pretty busy week in work and out of it, and I seem to have done a lot more than I was planning to this time last week.

We hIMG_4604ad an unexpected visit to Nobu in Old Park Lane with our friends Ben and Emily. They were in London and texted to see if we were around, on the off-chance on Wednesday.

The cocktails and food were amazing, as usual for Nobu. We normally go to the one in Berkeley Square but they were full so we went to the Old Park Lane restaurant. I think I prefer it actually, with its views over Hyde Park. For a Wednesday night it was really busy, but because we were early we still managed to order the Bento boxes. Apparently they usually stop at 6.45pm but they made an exception, which was ace as they are the best thing on the menu – though I’m probably biased because I like having lots of different things to taste and try, without the effort of working out what to order.

We ordered two of the deluxe and two of the regular boxes, with a side order of the signature black cod. The black cod and the rock shrimp tempura were gorgeous, as were the Cosmopolitans. The puddings were also amazing, though without a doubt a step too far! I ordered the Fuji Apple Crumble to share, which was seared fuji apple with sesame oil, miso salt, toffee, peanut ice cream and coconut crumble and we couldn’t finish it, even though it was delish.

I was stuffed when we left, and practically waddled to the cab rank. Definitely a nice way to spend a Wednesday evening!

I also got to do a flying visit to Reigate on the way back from a meeting this week and have a quick cup of coffee with my friend Katie, and I’ve carried on listing more unwanted clutter on ebay, including fat jeans – as an incentive not to put weight on again, and some old books and Apple accessories. Still have loads more to list, and loads to sell at a car boot, but I learned from last time that if you have everything finish on ebay at the same time and it all sells then you have a mountain of packing and posting to do.

Yesterday was my Mum’s Birthday so I was up and out early to buy a cake and flowers – her real present is when we go to Urban Retreat next Sunday – so I just got her a little gift to open. It was only when I got the candles out that I realised I was missing a ‘D’. Luckily it didn’t matter, and the raspberry and coconut cake was yummy.

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31st May 2015
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Berlin, The Prodigy and Bagdad Bistro

We booked flights to Berlin pretty late, once we decided we wanted to go and see The Prodigy there. I didn’t really know what to expect, and in typical style I hadn’t looked into it at all, so it was all a pretty big surprise once we got there.

We flew into and out of Schönefeld Airport, which was the airport for East Berlin during the Cold War. It definitely felt like it had been around for a while! But with hand luggage only, getting through the airport was easy and we jumped on the train into town.

Our hotel was pretty near Alexanderplatz, which is a main public square in the area of Mitte. So we got off the train there and walked down about half a mile to the Radisson Blu Hotel. The hotel was really good value when we booked it online and we were immediately impressed with it. Not least with the mahoosive fish tank in the middle of the atrium – and the nice looking cocktail bar beneath it!

The sun was shining so we headed straight out for lunch, though we didn’t venture very far. Our hotel had a lovely restaurant right on the river front, so we whiled away a couple of hours eating lunch in the sun and watching the world go by. Being able to sit outside for the first time this year was a big treat – we were really lucky with the weather.

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We walked up to The Brandenburg Gate after lunch, which was a nice walk up through the Museum district, and we got a cab back for cocktails and cake in our hotel, before a snooze and then dinner!

On Saturday we walked our feet off. Leaving on foot from the hotel we set off without a plan and walked, and walked, with only a stop for brunch in between! We also jumped on the train a few stops a couple of times and went to see Checkpoint Charlie. We also walked the length of a remaining section of the Berlin Wall, which is covered in amazing street art. We lunched near-ish to the hotel and that’s where I discovered Aperol Spritz!

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We knew the band were on about half nine so we left in good time to get to the venue, which was the Velodrom, about 10km away. We collected our passes ok, and found our way backstage so we could say hello to Keith and see the band come on and we were able to watch the gig from the side of the stage. I’ve seen The Prodigy before but this was the first live hearing of tracks from the new album ‘The Day is My Enemy’ played – and they sounded pretty awesome. It’s definitely a different view of 12,000 people going mental from the stage, than being down there in it !

After the gig we had a quick chat with Keith then left to find a cab – and food. We got a drink back at the hotel, and a top tip from the barman to head to Burgermeister – a burger bar in an old converted public toilet – which apparently did great burgers and chilli chips. So we jumped in a cab and off we went at midnight, in search of Burgermeister.

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Luckily our cab driver had been well briefed by the barman and we were soon there. But rather than a burger, our eye was caught by the ‘Bagdad Bistro’, and amazing looking place selling fresh meat, with breads and salads. Yes, kebabs, but not as I know them. We ordered two and beers and I can honestly say it was the best kebab I’ve ever had. Perfect, sitting in the middle of all the Berlin clubbers and nightgoers eating and drinking after a great gig.

We flew back on Sunday morning and were home in time to put our feet up Sunday afternoon and relax before work the next day.

 

 

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16th April 2015
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Car booting and park walking

Busy few weeks, at work and at home. The weekend before last I got it into my head that I was going to do a car boot sale to get rid of some of my old rubbish. Since moving the Lavish office a month ago the garage looks like a furniture warehouse and there’s loads of stuff that can go. The furniture will need to go on eBay, but the smaller things can be sold and a boot fair seemed the obvious place to start.

I somehow managed to talk Himself into coming with me, though it seemed to slighly defeat the object that we had to go and buy ANOTHER table just to put the stuff I wanted to get rid of on. Especially as I’ve got at least 3 spare tables already. Only none of those would fit in the car!

We went to Brighton Racecourse, set up our stall and waited. And waited…I’ve done car boots before and always had people clambering over the car as you’re unloading it. Not so much here.

We eventually sold a quite a few bits, though we came home with way too much stuff – I’d hoped to get rid of most of it. So now I’ve still got half the car boot stuff AND an extra table…Hmmm

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Last Sunday, another early start as I got up to get into London to do the Hyde Park Race for Life with my pals Mel and Lauren. When we first started losing weight we booked to do the Race for Life as a sort of mini-milestone. None of us are exactly sprint runners, so we’d already decided beforehand to walk the course. We set off at a steady pace and completed the walk in just under an hour. It was a beautiful sunny day and as ever, reading some of the dedications pinned to the ladies was emotional. We raised a bit of money for Cancer Research (thank you to everyone who donated) and had a nice morning with a bit of exercise thrown in. And when I got home there was even an on-brand pink cocktail waiting for me.

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2nd August 2014
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My clothes don’t fit!

Clearly I’ve not been very good at keeping my blog updated, but in my defence I can’t believe how quickly the last 11 weeks have gone by!

The biggest news is that I’ve lost 17lb.  17lb fecking pound! Amazing! I’ve been following a no/lo carb food plan (with special allowance for a dash of cranberry in my Cosmoplitan!).  It has actually been really easy and I don’t think of it as being on a diet at all.  It’s now just the way I eat. Cutting out sugar and heavy carbs has had a great effect, and I’ve definitely dropped about 1.5 dress sizes all over, most noticeably on my legs and bum. So much so that I’m finding that lots of my clothes are looking too big, which is a nice problem to have but could get expensive!

I thought it would be harder to limit the foods that I love – especially potatoes – but the key is to make sure you make everything you eat super-tasty. Roast dinner used to include loads of roast tatties and yorkshire puds, but now I make sure we have extra-tasty veg and a ‘special’ gravy.

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Being quite overweight to start with, I still have some way to go to where I want to be, but I’m happy for it to be a slow process. I think I’m losing around a 1lb a week on average and that’s fine if I can keep that up – it means I’ll have another stone off at least by the time I go on holiday at Christmas. The weight took a long time to go on so it figures it will take a while to come off, and due to a medical condition it might be a bit slower than on someone else anyway. Of course, the thing that will accelerate it is stepping up my sporadic trips to the gym into something more resembling an actual exercise regime…and maybe not having quite so many cocktails 😉

 

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19th July 2014