Perfect sunday start

Breakfast at The Counter Cafe, Hackney Wick

Poached eggs on crispy potato cakes with salmon 

What a perfect way to spend sunday brunch following a Victoria Park Village pub crawl. Certainly tasted as good as fresh as this picture gives credit for. Although the service was a little confused, the gorgeous menu, relaxed setting overlooking the 2012 London Olympic site, and very fair price point make it all a very laid-back worthwhile experience. (Plus the confusion scored me a free tea!) Head down before 11.00am to beat the inevitable queue, and you'll be full till dinner. 

http://thecountercafe.co.uk/

Resolutions/ On my radar

My three new year resolutions;

1. Get back into music - my itunes has been lacking in new excitement for the last year or so. Tracks on radar:

2. Read all the books I've started in the last three years. At the moment I'm continuing with Caitlin Moran's 'How to be a Women' - refreshingly honest and very funny however I often have to hide the pages if I'm reading on the train. I'm never quite certain how eye catching "WHAT ARE WE GOING TO CALL HER VAGINA?"/ "THERE ARE MEN OUT THERE HAVING SEX WITH BICYCLES" is to the person standing/ sitting next to me - but I'm sure that says more about myself than the book. My director certainly gave me an extremely odd, judgemental look when I was reading on my lunch break, I know that much. Having said that, it is defiantly the book to break my reading barrier as the chapters are beginning to fly by.

3. And finally to start regularly doing my Pilates DVD and to start running with the 'Couch to 5K' app. Did 20 minutes of matt work this morning. 

So far so good with the 2012 aims.

Happy to be home

One of my many favourite things about being home sweet home is playing my latest discoveries round the house. Although this song is from 2008, I've only just discovered the french duo recently. I can't quite comprehend how gems like these remain out of my radar, but now there is a whole collection of albums new for me to love. 

This tune is happy and cute. I have previously expressed an appreciation artist who sport headgear, however I am not too sure about Mark Daumail's choice in this video...

Other songs making me happy today:

Merry Christmas!

(New Delhi, India: Children wearing festive clothing ride in the back of a bicycle rickshaw on their way to a Christmas Party, Britain Lights up, Matt Damon sporting a Christmas jumper - all from guardian.co.uk)

Outfit appreciation

(The Sartorialist) 

Had to share my appreciate for lovability of this image of a young lady in Paris. Brave super bright red tights and skirt partnered with a statement necklace and sunglasses which colour match her shoes.

Bingo, Oxford, Marilyn, 1Xtra Live

Celebrating the end of November started last Saturday with a tea and cake date at Loafing Cafe, Victoria Park Village - a loverly local little pattiserie which is perfect after a walk across the park. The evening bought a much welcomed alternative night with Underground Rebel Bingo Club at the Village Underground, Shorditch. Getting the night bus home with doodles all over our bodies was interesting.

On Monday I ventured to Oxford with Katie (http://nobleprojections.blogspot.com/) to celebrate my Mum's birthday with an engaging tour of the Oxford University colleges along with wineing and dining. Always loverly to make an excursion out of the city for the day.

Went to see My Week With Marilyn on Wednesday evening at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Road. Certainly didn't disappoint as a fan of that era, Marilyn, and Michelle Williams performance  expectations. 

Thursday evening was BBC 1Xtra live with Jessie J, UK Female Allstars, Big Sean and Kelly Rowland.  For us, Jessie J gave the best performance and Lady Leshurr has defiantly got some talent. Kelly Rowland seemed a bit hung up on Destiny's Child, and not really a fan of "Big" Sean. 

Date for the diary:

Making Tracks at the London Short film Festival, Sat 14th January 7.30PM

"Pioneered by Whirlygig Cinrema and film-score artists The Cabinet of Living Cinema, Making Tracks is an ongoing interactive event that provides a unique platform for new filmmakers to get their work seen." 

The idea is simple; Whirlygig seek out an array of talent in short films, take away their original soundtracks, and The Cabinet perform brand new live re-scores in front of a live audience. It is a brilliant way for filmmakers who get their their work screened in public without the obstacles of music copyright. So far I have attended three of the Making Tracks events. Held at the Rich Mix Bar, Bethnal Green Road, the atmosphere never fails to disappoint with a variety of imaginative short films.

This January, Making Tracks returns as part of the London Short Film Festival. They are currently on the look out for films to show, preferably made on a16mm film (Super 8 films are also welcome). For more information on the project, it's events and how to submit your own film; www.whirlygigcinema.com

Here's a taster of what will be instore for January, and my personal favourite:

Wirrow - Tiny Stories - recorded in front of a live audience.

Whirlygig Cinema more recently showcased a selection of scary short-films for Halloween at the fitting location of The Chapel @ The Gallery Cafe, St Margaret's House Settlement, Old Ford Road. 

Contains Mild Peril! 30 October 2011: