THE CLINK FOLLOWED BY A DRINK...

Always on the look out for new and exciting places to eat, it was suggested that I try The Clink, a restaurant run by prisoners from HMP Cardiff. 

The concept of the restaurant is to promote a rehabilitation and reintegration program for inmates and is committed to reducing reoffending rates in Wales.

Situated just outside the prison walls, and devised by Chef Alberto Crisci MBE, The Clink charity helps train inmates to the standard similar to that of a 5 star hotel or restaurant, with the aim to help graduates find employment within the Welsh catering industry. 

Jacket: Ebay (here)
Tunic: Zara (similar here)
Leather Jeans: River Island (similar here)
Clutch Bag: Yonks (here)
Boots: ASOS (sold out)

Everything from the interior to the food and service was first class, made all the more special by our waiter Lee.

The starter was a choice between Char-grilled Veg, with Basil Sorbet and Smoked Tomato Jelly or Peppered Strawberries and Goats Cheese Salad with a Ribbon of Cucumber.

The fish course was a choice between Sea Bass, Thai Green Risotto, Thai Asparagus and Tempura Langoustines or Seared Halibut, Confit of Chicken Wings with a Potato Puree.

The Entree was then either Crown of Wood Pigeon, Warm Salad of Fennel Spinach and Orange with a Peppercorn Sauce or Honey Roast Pork Belly, Scallops and Bourdin Noir with Caramalized Apples and  Celeriac Puree. 

Dessert was then a choice between Textures of Cherries; Jelly, Sorbet, Compressed and Puree or Chocolate Espresso Mousse, Panacotta and Coffee and Caramel Ice Cream. 

Which was a big hit...

A different yet truly special dining experience. All the guys worked particularly hard and the teamwork and solidarity was almost tangible. It was really heartwarming to see these guys working so hard to actively make a change and a difference in their lives.

ALL ALONG...

'I've committed a crime, now I must serve my time,
Six months inside should almost change my mind.
I'm sitting in my cell, watching the clock,
Waiting for the screw to unlock the lock.
My Father told me,
A true man is never ashamed to shed a tear,
So I cry myself to sleep at night,
Waiting for the next day of light,
But forever drifting in a state of fright,
I got this noose around my neck tight,
The bully's won.
For the rest of his life, he'll be ashamed of what he'd done.'

by Daniel Compton - HMP High Down


After such a beautiful meal it was then off to my favourite night spot for a few cocktails...Lab 22! 

Hidden amongst the eateries and pubs of Caroline Street, this chic little cocktail bar is fast becoming my home away from home!

A 'Mrs Einstein', my favourite of the evening...

All in all, a memorable evening!

Cheers for now...

WEARY WEDNESDAY...

Stumbling across a cute little gift shop on a recent trip to Llandaff and falling in love with half the stuff in there, I thought I'd treat myself to one of those luxuries I don't purchase very often... BATH BOMBS!

 Not just any bath bombs though, handmade cupcake shaped bath bombs by Miss Patisserie, cute enough, smelly enough and glittery enough to eat... although I wouldn't recommend it! 

I think Sookie approved of the delicious smell too!

After a pretty hectic week in work, and being up with a headache most of the morning, I thought a soak in the bath might do me some good, and this is where the bath bombs shall come into good use! 

And of course some bubbles had to be blown...

After some well earned relaxation time before the rest of the week resumes, I'm starting to feel recharged and ready to face it head on!

How exciting, my first award!

Here goes...

1. What are three things you can't leave the house without?

My phone- this thing is attached to me.

My camera- as a blogger, I've learnt that this has to become a second nature.

My lipstick- as a makeup artist and addict, this is a must.

2. If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Invisibility- not only for those moments where you just want to vanish, like an awkward family get together, but think of all the places you could go unnoticed, like a bank...

3. Do you have any weird phobias?

YESSS, and boy have I had some stick for this one.... VOMIT! I have lost count of the amount of times hearing someone say 'I don't feel well' has sent me into a state of panic. I thought I was a right weirdo until a couple of years ago when printed on the front of a newspaper I discovered it was the 5th most common phobia. 

4. What are two colours that you love together?

The only way I know how to answer this question without instantly jumping for my safety net of black and white is to link this question with makeup. My favourite eye-shadow combination is Burnt Orange and Smokey Brown...

Single Eyeshadow in Persia: NARS (here)
Single Eyeshadow in Galapagos: NARS (here)

5. Do you think more about the past, present, or future?

Well, being a prime example of 'mind running away with you' I will put my hands up at say I'm one of the worlds worst worriers, therefore I find myself thinking about the future and worrying about things that will probably never happen more than anything else.

6. Do you have a favourite pair of shoes?

Any court shoes ever invented ever in the world ever!

7. Do you have any tattoos? If not, would you like to get any done?

No, I'm a blank canvas. I have contemplated it on several occasions. Being a small part Cherokee I have always wanted the words 'Courage' or 'Protection' written somewhere in Cherokee script.

8. What do you love the most about blogging?

Mainly the photography as well as of course the social side of blogging, by nature I am a people watcher, you know, one of those people who sit in a cafe and watch the world go by, I find blogging a great virtual way of doing this, reading about the good times, the bad times, the places people visit, the discovery of a new beauty product... 

9. Are you more of a saint or of a sinner?

I've got to say my halo is well and truly polished, it slips occasionally but I take pride in saying I'm more of a Saint than a Sinner.

10. What did you do last summer vacation?

The thing that sticks out the most about last summer is Bootcamp! I wont be forgetting that experience in a while. The longest week of my life, being dragged out of bed at 5am, enduring 15 hours of hard exercise, being battered and bruised, climbing up and running around numerous mountains, being dragged back to camp ready to sit in an ice bath and then having dinner served to us in the form of a stick of celery. What was I thinking!? I've truly made this sound horrific, but honestly, its got to be one of the best experiences in my life.

11. What makes you happy?

I have to say, my family, they are what make me most happy in life!

What an award!? I've got to say I've really enjoyed answering these questions, sitting down and really thinking about life and provoking thoughts of the past, present and future that I may not have necessarily answered if I'd not had to think about such questions!

A special thanks to Isabela at Fusels for the nomination!

A CAMEO AT THE CAMEO CLUB...

Waking up to such dreary weather and wondering what to do with our day Vin and I, with parents in tow, meandered around Pontcanna searching for a bite to eat. After 'umm-ing' and 'ahh-ing' for some time we stumbled across The Cameo Club...

Taking in our surroundings the four of us settled down at a window seat with a G&T, watched the rain come down from the warmth of the restaurant and studied the many photos of Welsh celebrities that lined the wall, playing our very own version of 'Guess Who?'

Feeling slightly downtrodden by the thought of summer coming to an end we all came to the conclusion that it was perfect 'Burger Weather', opting for burgers all round...

A succulent, full flavoured beef patty garnished with cheese, cucumber, tomatoes and onions, sandwiched in a Focaccia bun with a side of home cut chips. A gorgeous little Bistro restaurant in the beautiful location of Pontcanna. 

Feeling pleasantly full and buzzing with conversation about our upcoming holiday to the US we decided to call it a day. A relaxing yet enjoyable day with my nearest and dearest, what more could I ask for?! 

For me, nothing beats a family day out...