Friday Frolics

An arrangement  made last minute after a call requesting I keep a friend company whilst her husband took her mother to the opera turned into a fabulous friday night.

I am little bleary eyed this morning but it was worth it.

I've been working from home the back end of this week so other than a trip out to meet a friend Thursday hadn't really got dressed up.  This friend is a glamour puss and I knew would look fabulous so I took some time to get a little glam myself.

There was the inevitable shoe dilemma (I went with the green in the end)

I met her outside the Coliseum and we decided to go an try the bars at the Savoy - neither of us had been before but I'd read good things and we fancied a grown up, easy evening.

When we arrived we were greeted and asked where the American bar was - and then asked about the Beaufort bar.  A little discussion  about the different vibes in each bar and the decision was made - first stop the American Bar - just off the main lobby up the stairs to the left of the entrance.

We were greeted and asked for a name to arrange a table, we were advised there would be a 20 minute wait but there was a small lobby bar we could get a drink and wait it.  Bar number 1 and glass of fizz number 1.  After about 10 minutes we were escorted to a table in the bar.  The bar is low key, relaxed and buzzy but not bustling.  We had a table with a plush banquette and a equally lux bucket seat.  Whoops more champagne as we listened to the piano jazz and our applause was appreciated.  The room is quite well lit (not harsh but light enough that you can actually see each other fully) and we caught up.  After a while we settled the bill and headed to the Beaufort Bar.

The Beaufort Bar is situated just off the tea room further back through the hotel.  It's beautiful and opulent in gold and black.  Again we were seated at a table and had fabulous service.  We decided to have a cocktail (pear and liquorish bellini for CP, old fashioned with makers mark for me).  The vibe in the Beaufort Bar is a little different, the lighting is lower (though still not dark) and the piano player moves away from the standards and instead plays jazzy, piano versions of more modern songs (Happy anyone?).  After the cocktails we went back to Fizz.  It really is a beautiful bar, pricey but grown up and such a lovely place to be in London on a Friday night.  (as an aside JK Rowling was in the bar too - she looked amazing!).

After a few hours of chatting and catching up it was time to meet up with the others so we left the sanctuary of the Savoy and headed to J Sheekey's for a late supper.   J Sheekey's is a bit of an institution and I know that it can be a bit hit and miss but this time it was a hit hit hit.  I like fish but I'm more of a meat gal and even though it's not on their menu they really do the most fabulous steak

 

 

Not the best picture quality but just trust me on this - it was fabulous.  We drank some british fizz to start (wish I knew the name) and then moved on to Malbec (this mixing of drinks may be the cause of the fuzziness).

CP's Ma was full of joy after seeing La Traviata and I am hoping to go next month - she sparkled with pleasure when she talked about how the music was still dancing around inside her head (but also something about how she really could be one of the waitresses - I have to see it now if only to understand what she's talking about).

I headed home with my doggy bag (the bone on that steak wasn't going to waste!) the Piccadilly line back to North London and fell into bed at midnight full of happy and loving London.  Don't you just love it when those unplanned nights turn out to be some of the best?

Holy Cow I have Cheekbones & Grouting

All is good, working away from home is hard but this week was fabulous - if a little tiring.

As the beautiful CP is moving to Singapore next month I am taking every opportunity I can to see her over the next month - this meant that rather than staying in lovely Wantage with KBW and family I stayed in Clapham with CP.

The journey to Basingstoke very very early Monday morning was tough but Monday night I rolled up to CP, changes into my PJs and promptly got on with helping her get the flat ready to rent out.  Removing masking tape and assistant to the Grouting was about all I could muster but I did bring a bottle of PG and a M&S pic-nic.

In bed by 10 watching the first episode of Sex in The City we turned the lights out by half past and slept for a full 8 hours (huzzah).

Tuesday I decided to support my training by walking the 2.3 miles from CP's to Clapham Junction.  It was a beautiful day so I popped my trainers on Working Girl style and headed off in the bright, crisp morning.  I managed to not get lost, pick up a three shot skinny L at Starbucks and get to the the station in time to catch the earlier train.  Arrived at the station, walked out and there was the free bus to work - perfect.

Tuesday night I went into town and met up with the lovely @InsomniacFrieze for Sushi & Cocktails.  She was looking fabulous, having just come back from holiday with her tan:

We had great service at Yo Sushi on Poland Street, but I am not converted to hot saki....I think I'll stick to wine and.........cocktails.  With this in mind we went a few doors down to the First Tuesday Members event at Milk & Honey - it was Bourbon this month so we both went for a Perfect Manhattan, followed by a Classic/Sweet Manhattan which was tastier but not as pretty:

We took some great pictures, the lighting down there worked really well with the flash, and Lo I HAVE CHEEKBONES - okay so a little gerbil pouchy but look a chin and some bones, huzzah:

Then we nipped upstairs for martini's:

Was in an addison lee just after 11 and in bed by 11.30pm.  Lovely evening only spoilt by the fact that I forgot her birthday gift - here's a picture of it (I'll have to post it at this rate):

Wednesday was another good day, I walked to the station again and whilst I missed the early train got the next one and got the bus nice and easily - I was laughed at a little at work due to my three coke can hangover but overall a good day.

By the end of the day I was exhausted - so headed back to CPs ready to assist her with the prep for her new floor on Thursday but when I got there she had already done most of it (I did manage to do the last bit so can officially say I helped).  She was feeling a bit rough so we did the only thing we could, we got half a meter of pizza delivered:

and went to bed with episode 2 of Sex in The City. 

Work is busy, really busy but great.  The people are lovely and the work is varied - just a shame it's so far away from home.  But, it looks like they are going to extend my initial contract so that's a bonus.  All in all a good week.  Shame I have to go to see the MIL this weekend but won't let that ruin my otherwise chipper mood.