Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Arty Tuesdays: Streetwise


A few weeks ago my friends Cam and Rach came over to NI for a long weekend, it was pretty great! We had free VIP tickets to a Keith and Kristen Getty concert which was sa-weet. Also went up North for an attempted surf trip, although sadly, despite a good surf report, you would have found bigger waves in a puddle. So, we resorted to sand dune surfing! A new life skill acquired. 

The girls wanted to do a tour of Belfast too, but the organised ones were pretty long and expensive. So I took them for a walking tour of the Falls and Shankill. Apparently this was a very brave idea, but we didn't feel threatened.. except at one point when we were the victims of a water bomb on the Falls! The difference between the Cath/Prot areas were super noticeable seeing as it was the Jubilee. Although we didn't see any of the big murals, there are lots of smaller ones all over the place. I really like a bit of successful street art, brightens up the concrete! Inspired today's post. Here's some I found from all over the world.


Strictlydih-zahyners
How could this not make you happy to walk up every day?! We should have more happy steps like this.


David Walker
I love this mix of colour


Julian Beever
Plays with perspectives in order to make a picture look like this..


Julian Beever
...When it actually looks like this! 


Julian Beever
Ahahaha


OaKoAK
Little details, they feel like a secret reward when you find them


Roadsworth
Must have been stealthy to do this one


Uysal Mehmet-Ali
So clever!


Evol
Cardboard houses.. seriously good effort


Roa
Masterpiece!


Scott Wade
Who knew a dusty car could look so good?!

Saturday, 9 June 2012

Made In Belfast

So my masters course is coming to an end - just tonight I finished my last bit of coursework (EIA & SEA Law: delightful!). On Thursday I leave for England, and on the 20th I'm Africa bound. It's hard to believe it's come up so fast! 

Connor and I had a nice semi-celebration/temporary-farewell meal out on Friday at a place I've been dying to get to - 'Made In Belfast'. Bit of a hipster hang-out with quirky decor and great food ethics (local, organic, free range.. just my cup of tea!). 

There are two restaurants, we went to the City Hall one. I wore my new dress, which I love because 1) It's nice and 2) It was meant to be £31 but we took it to the till and found out it had an unmarked discount - down to £15 (and even less with student discount). Win! 


Starter

Red Onion & Goat's Cheese Focaccia, Basil Pesto, Aioli [posher/nicer version of mayonnaise] & Oil

Delicious, and a perfect portion amount. BTW, I copied these dish descriptions from the website.. just to avoid appearing too pretentious...


Mains

C: 8oz beef burger, Fivemiletown Cheddar, sunblushed tomotoes, basil and walnut pesto, salad, and beef fat chips


J: Lissara confit of duck with skinny fries and fennel, orange and hazelnut salad with a honey and mustard dressing

Seemed like quite an odd mix of flavours, but it was really great.
 

Dessert

C: White chocolate & raspberry choc pot, popping candy & raspberry sorbet
J: Banoffee Pie

Both quite nice but too sweet to finish. 


Overall, I would say it's one of my favourite restaurants!

Final Scores

J: 8.5 [slight reduction for less impressive desserts]
C: 7.5 [0.5 reduction due to long wait for bill]

By the way, do you like my nails?! No.7 Pearly Pink adding a little sparkle to a regular french mani! 


Tuesday, 5 June 2012

Arty Tuesdays: Jubes

Well, there really couldn't have been any other theme for this tues. Hope you have all had a jolly good jube and have been getting all patriotic, I know I have! I had a jubillee sleepover with friends, we watched the concert last night then saw the service etc today, before heading to Banbridge to catch a glimpse of the Olympic Torch. All in all feeling very proud to be GB! Long live Liz!


Alison Fennell
I would definitely have this on my wall.


Bambi
New street artist on the.. street. I like!


Banksy
How do you interpret this? I see: 'the UK - built on Sweatshops'. Which is why I buy fairtrade.


Colin Ruffell
Lovely amount of detail


Maggie Hookings
Just great! I want one.


Phil Tufnell(!)
Loving this effect! Proves anyone can be an artist.


Terry Woodvine
A portrait made out of Sterling notes. Cool effect but we all know you can't put a price on the Queen, she's priceless! 

Now - go watch the Jubillee Concert. So good. Esp 'Let it Be'.. has to be one of the best songs ever.

Hope you all had a happy and glorious day!
X