Panda Fun and Chinatown Sweets in London

Howdy!


I was out in Central with my beloved last week, in the Trocadero on my way to a certain store (I'll tell shortly) and happened to wander into Accessorize. I didn't plan to, but being a jewellery obsessed magpie, I have a gravitational pull which sucks me in anyway.


I only had a quick look around, but I immediately spotted this little fella!! Which is the same style as my cat ring that I mentioned in a previous post.

Again he was £4, and i snarfled him up instantly. I was tempted to get some of their cute panda phone charms too, but I will do that another time, in another Accessorize!




Anyhoo, in the Trocadero centre in London (just off of Leicester Square) there is this awesome shop called Ho! Panda at the back entirely dedicated to Kawaii Panda-ness that I just want to buy everything from.

On our anniversary last year, Tom got me a little plushy Panda keychain with just the tiniest hint of a rosy pink cheek! It's actually on a phone charm strap but is a bit large and cumbersome for my preference. It was quite romantic really, as I call Tom my little love panda - one of his many nicknames!

I want their Panda hats too, but I must say I prefer this one from bangbangcrash. I'ts in a list of things I desperately covet but really can't afford... (ironically, my etsy wishlist).




Then in Chinatown we stopped off at one of my favourite stores - Nippon and Korea Centre. Don't let the name confuse you - it's full of awesome imported food! We bought a load of stuff some of which we had no idea what it contained, as we were feeling adventurous and peckish - a deadly combination!


Then we headed to Trafalgar square for Tom's tourist picture and sat on the Countdown Clock for the London 2012 Olympics to eat our wares!

Tom bought a bag of crisps which resembled nik naks, had a strange picture of indeterminable meat on the front, but actually tasted amazing. He ate them too quick to get a pic though.

I bought Norimaki rice, soy and seaweed crackers which were quite yummy, and a sesame covered rice ball.

This was okay, the rice bit was quite bland, and the mung bean centre was sweet. A couple of odd textures but not disgusting! I found it was too much and too filling and couldn't finish it. If I bought them again I'd have to get a pack of little ones! Strangely my mouth is watering slightly for it...

I also got these awesome PANDA chocolate biscuits which were so so yummy. Definitely getting more of these if I see them. This pic was taken in Nando's while we ate dinner -  I ate the biscuits on the train home! Even tom enjoyed one - he doesn't eat sweets usually, but I love it when he does - it makes him cuter!

They all had funny little expressions! It was as if they knew they were about to be devoured. Their poor terrified little faces!!

The whole reason for our trip was to see City and Colour in Royal Albert Hall. Beautiful venue, nice sound, few weird hecklers and dodgy attempt to play the 'last clap' game. Disappointed He didn't play a couple of my faves but it was a cool, chilled out gig. Their lighting guy was really OTT, in a good way!

I had a video video but Blogger won't seem to upload it even though I left it for ages!!

Ta-ta for now!
Swaf
xxx

Review: Guillemots - Walk The River

I’m sad to see the BBC review has been used in the Amazon product description for this album, as I completely disagree. I’ve pre-ordered my (signed!) copy of Walk The River but have been listening to it repeatedly on Hype Machine, where it has been exclusively available to stream in full. I believe that this latest Guillemots effort deserves a lot more praise, and a lot of listens.






It’s my favourite album of 2011 so far (and I’ll be surprised if any others this year will top it), and my new favourite Guillemots record. I’m not going to do the Defensive Fan thing – I’ve given it time and lots of listens and won’t let my standing appreciation cloud my judgement with bias. I’m not a music snob and I’m not in competition with any other reviewers to see who can describe it with the most eloquence and professionalism… so excuse me if I just give my honest opinion. Like bumholes, everybody has one and here’s mine (not my…. yeah.).





Fyfe and the gang are years ahead of other musicians in terms of imagination and songwriting ability. This is one of those albums where you will grow to love every song with each listen, it won’t date, and could be the perfect soundtrack for any moment – grey rainy moping days, or a random drive on a summer’s day. Like the previous releases, Through The Windowpane and Red, Walk the River is the perfect mix of light and dark. Wherever you listen to it, it’ll make you stop and think, and it absorbs me totally.





My favourite track of WTR is without a doubt the perfectly heartbreaking “I Don’t Feel Amazing Now” and has been since we saw Fyfe and Greig on YouTube performing it acoustically under a bridge (well worth a listen, I insist). With touching lyrics and floaty strings, it makes me want to give the 'mots frontman a cup of tea and a cuddle. If you liked Made Up Lovesong No.43 (and lets face it, who doesn’t?) you’ll like this one. The beauty of Guillemots is that their sound transcends from studio to acoustic versions of tracks so magically – that it’s possible to love both just as much. I can never pick a favourite but am constantly amazed and surprised by the transformation between the pared-down, honest openness of just Mr Dangerfield and his guitar to all-guns-blazing, steel-drum-solo, music-pouring-from-every-orifice majesty.





The first single to be released, The Basket, is more in the vein of past stompers like Trains To Brazil. Ice Room really makes you believe the lyrics of “I’m so alive”. I Must Be A Lover builds up to a drumbeat you can’t help bouncing in time with, and the familiar Guillemots brand of eclectic but subtle instruments and rousing vocals. Just as you think you’ve got a track sussed, they mix it all up again. Things that sound like they’d never work on paper are pure genius in reality. Slow Train features sexy synths and a gradually slowing tempo that is barely noticeable (similar to what we heard in Annie Let's Not Wait & Clarion). Ironically, it's paired with the lyric "don't slow me down". I’ve been told by a proper musician that it’s very clever and very difficult to do (show offs). The title track and opener, Walk The River is a runner-up in my favourites – stunning, and I’ve been singing it everywhere. Dangerfield’s vocals are the perfect match as always, flitting easily between soft and powerful – my fella always think he sounds best when he’s at breaking point, and I have to agree. Vermillion, Tigers and Inside are all great tracks that are not to be sneered at.





Sometimes I Remember Wrong (great title) may not be one of the frontrunners, and yes, being 9 minutes and 16 seconds long could bore some listeners. Yesterday Is Dead is not far behind length wise but is a fitting closer (warning – slightly creepy childlike vocals...). Dancing In The Devil’s Shoes, is also a slow burner. But personally, being someone who is usually very impatient and known to skip tracks, I think it’s a great way to spend 10 minutes. It was easy for me to appreciate the subtle details and nuances of these tracks, which are no worse or better than others when it comes to compositional ability. Every track seems to have hidden layers that are discovered with each listen. It definitely gets taken down a gear towards the end of the album, but in no way declines in quality or acts as filler.





If I have any complaints, it’s that I think it’s missing a little bit of the piano-thumping, almost aggressive nature of songs like Kriss Kross and Get Over It. There doesn’t seem to be a secret formula, but their creative process works. In some ways, Walk The River is more melancholy, and grown up, but still tender. Ultimately, it’s Genius disguised as Simplicity.





This album was very easy to love, for me. Bring on the Secret Gig…
Listen here....


I don't feel amazing now...

Hello Kitty Rickshaw... & Jersey Boys!

I was in London's West End on 24th July, on a family outing to see the amazing Jersey Boys musical for the 2nd time. If you haven't already been - please go, it's great fun for any age. Think I surprised some of the older generation by singing along to everything!

Whilst we were having drinks and (very yummy) chips in The Spice of Life pub/restaurant nearby, I noticed this beauty parked outside and had to stop and get a snap of it. Apologies for getting the woman in shot, I did re-take it but my phone was seriously spazzing out that day and it had mysteriously disappeared later.

It's a Hello Kitty Rickshaw!! Here's a cropped image so you can see the HK motif more easily:

Isn't it cute? Loving the pink flower garland too. If I see it again I'm asking for a ride.