Trick or treat with a twist!

As a child, Halloween is all about the sweets and whether or not your mum can spare a black bin bag for your generic witch costume, but as we get older the 31st of October becomes even more exciting as we wait for friend's to hand out invites to their house parties and come up with ideas for ghoulish concoctions. 

Well, if you're throwing a Halloween bash this year and want to impress your guests with some spooky tipples - or are looking for the perfect place to go and spend Halloween in London, then look no further as I know of a couple of great places in the Capital that are hosting limited edition Halloween cocktails - and they've let me in on the recipes too!

First up is The Four Sisters bar, which is situated on Canonbury Lane in Islington. This cute and cosy location not only provide some of the best cocktails I have ever sampled, but tonight they're offering punters the chance to journey back to Transylvania with a cocktail mystery. 

Emanating from the Carpathian Basin, south of the Transylvanian Plateau, somewhere during the middle ages the fable will take you on a journey through the darkest times. 

Guests can enjoy three Halloween inspired drinks to set the scene each offering a clue to accompany the story, and can hopefully solve the puzzle using the clues gleaned with each drink and secure the test tubes of green elixir.

The first cocktail goes by the name Disenchanted, and comes complete in a mini pumpkin!

35ml Sisters pumpkin puree
50ml Havana Anejo Especial
25ml lime juice
20ml homemade Almond syrup
6-8 mint leaves

Add all of the ingredients to a mixing glass, shake and double strain into a single rock. Then place the single rocks into a pumpkin and garnish with 4 or 5 mint sprigs.

For those who fancy something a little bit more creepy, why not indulge in your fear of eight-legged freaks and try the Arachnophobia cocktail? 

 2 cherries soaked in bourbon
50ml Jim Beam Black
4 dashes Angostura bitters
1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec chocolate bitters
1 bar spoon demerara sugar

Add the cherries and the sugar to a mixing glass, using the bar torch, caramelize the sugar with the cherries. Muddle cherries, add the rest of ingredients and ice and stir for about ten seconds. Single strain into a single ice filled rocks glass and garnish with a caramelized sugar web.

If you have an overwhelming fear of spiders, then chances are that you're a tad squeamish when it comes to blood too - but what is Halloween without a little bit of the red stuff?

If you head to Piccadilly Institute at 1 Piccadilly Circus, you'll get a proper dose of some O negative with a little help from their Bate’s IV Therapym, which is being served in The Clinic Room.

 Piccadilly Institute literally has blood on tap because the Bate’s IV Therapy cocktail is quite literally served through an IV bag on wheels, which is handy if you fancy a boogie and a constant supply of a tube-fed cocktail at the same time!

The drink is a blood curdling mixture of Absolut Raspberry, Chambord, passion and raspberry puree and apple juice- although it looks like blood, it tastes a lot nicer.

However, if you're shuddering at the thought of drinking from a drip, then you could always sip on the Piccadilly Royale, which is the perfect accompaniment to anyone who's dressed up as the Grim Reaper and are in need of a skull. 

 The Piccadilly Royale is the king of Halloween cocktails as it packs a frightfully delicious punch with a mixture of Eristoff vodka, Chambord, raspberry puree, lemonade, and prosecco. Warning: if drunk too quickly it may cause brain freeze!

Last but certainly not least, if you're a cocktail lover who likes to share every now and then, then you really should order The Death Do Us Part cocktail.

Served in a human heart with smoking dry ice it looks like something straight out of a mad scientist’s laboratory, and is a hearty mixture of Bacardi gold, Lamb’s, apricot brandy, all shaken together with orange and pineapple juice.   

So, now you've only got one more decision left to make: go out or stay in?! I like to whip up a strawberry bellini from time-to-time, so there's no reason why I couldn't have a go at making any of the above, but if I were you - I'd get my black bin liner on, grab a broomstick and head to one of these fantastic venues to have a Halloween that you certainly won't forget.

For more information on the venues, opening times and events, please visit The Piccadilly Institute and The Four Sisters.

P.S. ALWAYS drink responsibly and DON'T end up doing this!!

"And you look so beautiful with all that hope in your eyes..."

Adam Sullivan and Dean Canty of New Arcades

Last month I couldn't tell you enough about my love for The Gaslight Anthem, but this month I'm raving about some more musicians who I cannot stop listening to.

If you’re a fan of Eighties cinema and it’s unforgettable sounds, then chances are you’ll be a fan of New Arcades. 

The upcoming duo, which consists of Dean Canty and Adam Sullivan, were snapped up by record label Electronic Rumors earlier this year and also released their self-titled debut EP.
 
But when it comes to creating electro pop sounds, where does New Arcades draw their inspiration from?
 
"A variety of stuff really," says Dean. "Groups and artists we're into that immediately come to mind include; M83, The Police,The Cure, Chromatics, College, Sigur Ros, Mitch Murder and Tangerine Dream. 

"There's too many to mention but there's always new music coming out all the time that we really love too. The overall feel of our music is also influenced by certain movies and soundtracks to create a very cinematic feel to our sound and aesthetic.

"We like experimenting with lots retro sounds, instruments and effects (reverbs and delays) to give it a nice, nostalgic 80’s feel but make sure we have a quality production. We just want the listener to have a bit of escapism, enjoy it and take them to different place when listening to the music."
 
Adam and Dean recorded and produced the EP themselves in their home studios, and explain that they’ve had a fantastic response from the beginning.
 
"We put a few tracks online throughout the process, and we’ve had some amazing support from blogs so we really appreciate that."
 
The pair recently released a music video for their latest track ‘Into The Skyline,’ which Dean says is his favourite song if he had to choose one.
 
"The video was actually produced by an audio-visual producer from South America," he explains. "He made the video and edited the footage to song. We absolutely love it and think the concept fits the song perfectly.
 
"The scenes where the protagonist is riding through the city and towards the ocean are beautiful. The lighting and editing make it feel like an 80’s movie. And we’re down with that!"
 
Most recently, Dean and Adam treated fans to a new track entitled 'Stay Awake,' but what’s next for New Arcades?
 
"We’re always writing new stuff so we’re going to continue recording new material and get that out there," Dean says.
 
"We’re also looking at live shows for later this year so we’re currently working on our live set up. We’re also hoping to do some more music videos and remixes."
 
You can follow New Arcades on Twitter @NewArcades

 

All smoked out!

So, some how I've managed to go an entire seven days without smoking a cigarette and I'm feeling rather proud of myself. Yes, I am one of many who have decided to take part in this year's Stoptober campaign...and so far, so good. 

Now, I need to be honest here. I've been thinking about how I need to quit the dirty habit for quite some time now, but I never even thought about Stoptober until my friend Becca got in touch with me.

She is a wonderful PR, and Stoptober just so happens to be one of her campaigns. So when she suggested that I take part in Stoptober, and write about my experience, how could I refuse? 

I've been a smoker on and off for around four years (I think?!) Obviously I'd dabbled before that, and like most people, I started out as an innocent 'social smoker,' but more recently - specifically this year - I have been smoking more than ever. 

Having one of my last EVER cigarettes in the Big Brother house!

Now, there's many excuses I could give as to why I've been smoking more. The break-up of my seven year relationship, stress, social events blah blah blah! But the fact of the matter is, I've been spending too much of my hard earned cash on packet upon packet of Mayfair Smooths, and have gotten into a terrible habit. So as well as improving my health, I am looking forward to being a little bit richer each month now that I've kicked the dirty habit. 

However, they may say that the first week is the hardest, but I know that I've still got  a fair few hurdles in front of me....mainly nights out that involve alcohol! For some reason, as soon as you've had a few beers/cocktails/JD's and coke, you really want to nip outside for a quick ciggie, but on Saturday I had my first night out in October and I managed to say "NO!" and boy did it feel good the next day when I woke up and my hair didn't stink of cigarette smoke! 

So until next week, I'm gonna keep thinking of the money I'm saving, maybe eat some chocolate each time I have a craving and think of how wonderful my lungs must be starting to look now that I'm giving them a well-deserved break! 

Wish me luck :)

And I call myself a writer...

I am utterly ashamed to say that I haven't posted on here since August 2011, but that is all about to change. Yes, a couple of years ago I decided to set up this blog and ended up apologising to it every few months after neglecting it.

Well, I am pleased to say that A LOT has changed since I set up this blog, which was previously called 'The Dog Days Are (Far From) Over,' as the days of me being a struggling freelance journo are over! In August 2011 I landed an amazing job at the Daily Mail Online as part of the showbiz team. Now, the job did have it's ups and downs - the ups being the fact that I worked for the number one newspaper website in the world, met lots of amazing people and gained excellent digital experience, and the downs being the night shifts and hate mail from hardcore Kylie Minogue fans!

But without those 15 months at the Mail Online, I would never be where I am today, and that is at the Daily Express Online! I started working there in February this year, and I absolutely love it! I work with a great bunch of people, I am lucky enough to do sociable hours and I get some fantastic perks (I love a freebie, and I'm not ashamed to admit it!)

So, my excuse for neglecting my wonderful blog is that I've been pretty busy over the last two years, changing jobs, moving house several times and writing neverending stories about the likes of Kim Kardashian and co. but now I'm back, and I'm determined to stick at it - especially as I've become somewhat of a social butterfly lately!

As you'll notice, I have decided to change the name of my blog. This is mainly because the original title represented my quest to find the perfect journalist job, and now that I have my amazing job, I am no longer fighting those dog days. Instead, I have named it after a song by my all-time favourite band, The Gaslight Anthem.

The foursome, now fivesome, from New Jersey are just too good for words and I've been lucky enough to see them live several times and have even interviewed their frontman Brian Fallon. So, to ease you into my brand spanking new blog, I think my next post will be dedicated to that wonderful hour that I spent with Mr Fallon :)

The perks of being a journo....

So, here I am once again apologising for neglecting my wonderful, and rather short blog. Each time I come back to rekindle our relationship, my barely there blog always forgives me :)

Well, I'm afraid to say that the Dog Days are still far from over as my quest to bag a full time journalist role continues. However, I did finally hand my notice in at my part-time retail job and although I'm feeling the full (financial) effects right about now, I certainly don't miss the screaming kids, pile of clothes and ridiculously rude customers of Harrow!

Instead I have spent the last two weeks and one day (today) in the centre of London, Marble Arch to be precise, enjoying the role of Beauty Intern at Psychologies magazine. Yes, yes it was all very sudden and of course I'm going to use it as an excuse as to why I haven't blogged (my last post was in February!) but I am absolutely loving it. Unfortunately I haven't been given the opportunity to do any writing for the magazine or the website as of yet, but I have been doing lots of PR related stuff, which is just as important!!

64 North Row, the home of Psychologies, ELLE, Red and a few other magazines, was of course the starting point for me in terms of wanting to be a journalist. At the tender age of 15 I worked there for two weeks as part of my work experience during High School. The fortnight I spent at Sugar magazine was what made me want to be a magazine journalist and I will never forget that feeling of realisation. It is quite rare for teenagers to be so certain at a young age of their chosen career, but I knew that I had found mine, and being back at 64 North Row this month has reminded me of that.

I may not have much money in the bank and many new garments in my wardrobe :( but I do have my ambition, and the drive to succeed more than I ever have before. Oh, and let's not forget the tons of new toiletries sitting in my cupboard and on my bathroom shelf. Yes, I may be a struggling freelance journalist and I may be one for quite a while but the perks of this job (and by perks I mean FREE STUFF!) is definitely worth having to eat beans on toast for dinner over the next month or so.

Hello again!

Okay, so I realise that in my last post I promised not to neglect my blog...BUT...the NCTJ did take over my life, like I said, and now that it's all over I am determined to become blogtastic once again (not sure if I ever was!)

This long awaited post will be a short but sweet one as I only have one thing to say:

CHECK THESE GUYS OUT!!

http://www.facebook.com/theelectricmodern

xx

NCTJ HELL!!

Once again I am writing to apologise to my blog for months of neglect. However, this time it is not my fault!! This NCTJ course has decided to take over my life! Social life: goodbye, sleep: goodbye, stress-free weekends: goodbye! The past three months have been hectic to say the least, BUT there is light at the end of the tunnel and that light is CHRISTMAS!!! In exactly three weeks today, I shall be sitting down to eat my father's wonderful homecooked Christmas dinner and would have had a drink (or ten!) and will be looking forward to a game of SPOOOOOONS and a bit of Christmas TV. However, this year's festivities will be overshadowed by the fact that I have to fit in some revision as my exams will be taking place in January. But I am hopeful that I can do it and am determined to still enjoy Christmas!

P.S I promise I will try my hardest not to neglect you AGAIN!!

xx