Lazy Days.

For three weeks now I have been living in Italy and there is one thing that comes to my attention every day. Italians are the most laid back people in the world! They don't walk with a purpose or speed, their administration systems are completely lacking in organisation (which for an English girl makes everything all the more stressful) , there are no exact plans about what to do or how to do them just a rough idea about what is going on. You get the point. In a way it is nice to know that noone will care if I don't do something right on time but it is also a little frustrating when the only response you receive to questions is 'domani'.

So, being in the spirit of trying new experiences I have decided to embrace the Italian way of life.

Hanging out on Piazza Vecchia like the tourists before heading off for a glass of wine at one of the nearby caffes...somewhere in the world it was past 5pm.

Alcatraz, Milan. A huge warehouse of a nightclub, not exactly my cup of tea but and interesting experience all the same.

Il Fornaio in Citta Alta is literally the best bakery here. You can get pizza the size of your face, fresh sandwiches, pasta dishes or something a little bit sweet if you fancy. It beats a Boots meal deal any day!

The thickest hot chocolate you will ever have will be Italian.

Practising my baking skills like any good Italian girl should! These Slutty Brownies were AMAZING!

And finally lunch of Casoncelli alla Bergamasca with fresh orange juice and Pride and Prejudice to keep me company at Via Tasso Cafe. Pin It

Cocktails and Cake

'A birthday is nature's way of telling us to eat more cake.' ~ Anonymous~

What a wise person that was! It has come to the time in my life when the parade of 21st birthdays has begun. First up Zoe. 

My beautiful, stylish friend spent her actual birthday in London as she is one of those swanky city types but, we were determined to celebrate in style and that we did! The evening was shrouded in secrets in order not to scare the poor girl into not showing up. 

We started with dinner and cocktails in The Vauxhall Quay, a pizzeria on the edge of the harbour looking across to Plymouth Barbican. We sat outside under the tarpaulin browsing the cocktail menu, praying that the rain would hold off for the evening (it was not to be!). A Pretty Woman, Cosmopolitan, Espresso Martini, Raspberry Druplets and Scilla Wreck later, we were ready to have the long awaited catch up. 

And ohhh what a pretty woman she was.

The birthday girl with her Wreck.

We barely came up for air until our food arrived...which silenced us all. Having not eaten since half past eleven that morning it was safe to say I was about to eat my arm, luckily it didn't come to that!! Instead...

a mass of fresh stone baked pizza stuffed full of delicious spicy chorizo, fresh chillies, torn mozzarella, peppery rocket and drizzled in sticky, sweet balsamic vinegar. Big Ben was a beast and I am sorry to say I was shamefully defeated. We all were! Seriously, the portions are huge so make sure you are hungry...or share? 

A Rum Manhattan washed it all down as we sat and listened to the musical stylings of Joseph Biddle and Elani Evangelou. It was almost as though we were having our own private show especially when 'Happy Birthday' was played in three different styles for Zoe! 

Dinner and a view

The Vauxhall Quay was perfect for five friends having a girly night but it is also lovely for a relaxed drink. If you are ever in Plymouth on a Tuesday check out The Acoustic Academy starting at 8pm where you will find some absolutely beautiful voices and raw talent. Being a Sunday it wasn't particularly busy, in fact we were the largest group there, but in sunny weather it can fill up pretty quickly so it may be wise to book.

After a cheeky slice of cake made by the fair hands of Katherine we headed off to the second surprise of the evening.

I started a small love affair with my hat.

We lead the way into the Sunday night kareoke at Walkabout...something you must understand is that Zoe has been bugging us to go to one of these for the past three years so hence, we granted her her wish! After a bit of Dutch courage we managed to work our way through the songbook performing the classics by Wheatus and One Direction. But, of course the birthday girl stole the show singing Eliza Doolittle's 'Pack Up' earning herself a phone number and a £25 bar tab. An excellent end to a special night! 

The first two photos are not mine they can be found on The VQ facebook page.

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