Halloweekend....

Wow, time flies when you're having fun! I have so much to blog about, yet I've been finding it hard to motivate myself to get typing and note down my thoughts...but the time has now come.

I love dressing up, and given that Americans go all out for Halloween, I have celebrated this holiday in San Francisco for the past few years.

I can safely say that this year has been my funnest Halloween yet! I even got to visit a pumpkin patch for the first time in my life, and then carved one (this is where my competitive streak came out) which was a great way to get into the festive spirit (actual spirits - namely, gin - also helped with this).










The pumpkins were surprisingly easier to scoop out than I had imagined, and I saved all the seeds to toast in the oven the next day....unfortunately, they didn't come out so great, as I forgot they were in there and burnt them a little...






October 31st fell on a Sunday this year, so it ended up being a Halloweekend full of fun. Friday kicked off with the party that the swing dance community has been awaiting with much excitement - the now annual Zombie Prom.






Held at Verdi Club, the Zombie Prom featured live music from the Hi-Rhythm Hustlers and Stompy Jones, plus Dj Oran Scott was on hand to play some killer (muahahahha!) sets. Hats off to Tanoa Stewart for organising such a fun party, and for going all out with the decorations. The joint was packed and it was great that so many people made a real effort with their costumes....there were some seriously terrifying zombies walking around!










I went as zombie Jessica Rabbit, and my boyfriend went as a zombie priest, and it was fun from the moment we started getting ready, to the moment I got to peel my eyelashes (yay I managed to glue them on and get them to stay in place all night!) off at the end of the night. I scored on the costume this year, as I found my dress at Goodwill for a bargainalicious $4, and managed to customise it into a pretty accurate representation of the original. I loved wearing a wig too, for the night, although having that much hair (which kept going in my eyes, my mouth...) got to be a little tedious - I have no idea how people with really long hair deal with having it everywhere about them, as it would drive me nuts having a mane that had a life of its own.








The night was the perfect mix of dancing and socialising. I found it tricky to dance too much (and by too much, I mean dancing to nearly every song), due to the combination of make-up, sweat and long hair, but I still managed to meet my exercise quota, and the music was so good, it was impossible not to dance.


It was great to see so many friends in costume (I didn't recognise them all!) and I found it highly amusing when people I knew didn't recognise me with red hair!








All in all a top night, and most certainly the best Halloween party I have been to thus far....


Sunday, Team Brunch hit Mission Beach Cafe in costume, where I had a seriously delicious short rib hash, with yams, brussel sprouts, apple, sweet potato and crème fraiche. I liked the vibe of the place, the 80s pop music was awesome, and our waiter was very knowledgable and helpful with regards to the dishes and his preferences. That said, although my food was yummy, I thought it was a little over priced at $15 for a breakfast dish.


I went to brunch as the devil, and I don't know if it was because it was warm out, or I was tired, or what, but I was so happy to get home and get out of costume, as my wig was driving me nuts, the horny hairband gave me a headache, and the make up was making me feel yucky. It was all worth it though, when on the walk back to the car, Michael Jackson and I were chased down the street and each got given medals for our costumes. Oh to get recognition....




Sunday night we celebrated in Alameda with a tiki twist at Forbidden Island's Hulaween party. Again, there were some great costumes (the lady who dressed up as a scorpion bowl was amazing) and a contest showcasing the crème de la crème of the bunch.


DJ Tanoa was on the decks and the music was the perfect mix of Halloween themed songs and then everything from the 50s to the 80s which got people up and dancing.....whooooooaaaaa here she comes, look out boy, she'll chew you up....






I went as a mime artist, on the arm of a handsome sailor. I think my mime was successful when I saw my boyfriend in his sailor uniform, as my eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets, although, I still need to learn the gestures for 'the coconut shrimp, spicy chicken bites and monkeypods at Forbidden Island are delicious' - because they are.

Carnivaaaaaaaaaaaalllll!!!!!

There's just something about stepping up to Carnival and feeling the loud music reverberating through my body, that makes me feel so happy and energised.










After the wonder that was Notting Hill Carnival 2009, I was geared up for a fun-filled Bank Holiday weekend, and planned to hit the Carnival both on Sunday and Monday. However, just as I was getting ready to leave my house on Sunday afternoon, it started raining, and all my enthusiasm went with it, down the drain. Of course, about an hour later the sun came out, but by that point I was happily settled with a good book and a bowl of sliced up watermelon cubes...

On Monday, the sun was shining, so I headed to Kensal Rise to walk up to the Carnival, and I was instantly glad that I did. Yes, it's crowded - but it's crowded full of happy faces, amazing costumes, music, friends and most importantly, jerk chicken!








I had arranged to meet with a couple of friends, but a combination of bad phone coverage (I suppose because there were so many people?) and my inability to settle in one place, meant that we kept missing each other. I did, however, bump into numerous old friends, and got carried along with them. That's one of the great things about Carnival - amongst the hundreds of thousands of people who take to the streets, you always manage to see a few familiar faces and stumble upon friends old and new.




The Notting Hill Carnival, which has been taking place every summer since the 1960s really is one of the best free street parties (and the biggest Carnival outside of Rio) in London. I must admit I wasn't always as enthusiastic about it, but had a bit of breakthrough last year, when we were bathed in glorious sunshine all weekend, and I spent both days drinking Malibu and dancing at the Good Times soundsystem. Plus, as with most things, it is what you make of it.
















So whilst the Carnival is free, and most people bring their own booze (and various other mood enhancers...) I would recommend budgeting for a) jerk chicken and b) clean toilets. Trust me, you do not want to have to queue up for the smelly portaloos if you are bursting - rather, invest and spend a penny (or £1, as is more accurately the case) to enter the home of a local, and use their nice clean toilet, complete with toilet paper, running water and soap. It's beneficial to all parties concerned (and wow what a money spinner for those living in the area!) and then you can get back to having fun.














Anyway, I will leave the photos to tell the story, as I don't think it needs anymore explaining - just make sure you are around for London's most vibrant, colourful, street party on the August bank holiday in 2011!