Brighton Beach and a Birthday || The Brighton Side of Life

I feel like I have been neglecting Brighton on my blog, especially since I live here and I love it!
This week was full of cooked breakfasts, sunny beach days and a birthday celebration. So I thought this would be a good week to show you what we got up to. So here are the highlights....

Tuesday 17th February

 A definite way to start the week in good spirits is to have Pancakes! So obviously I joined in on "Shrove Tuesday" (a.k.a Pancake day), which is a bit naughty considering I had no intention of partaking in Lent, with the decadent week we had planned. In any case, I will jump at any excuse for a cooked brekkie.

Later that day, with the sun shining. I took some time to head down to Brighton beach to enjoy the sun and read a good book. Much to the envy of my fellow Brighton-ites stuck working in their office blocks.

It really was a couple of hours of bliss. Although you wouldn't catch me taking a swim. Sitting on the stones while soaking in the warmth of the winter sun, while reading a good book was just what the doctor ordered. Lifting my spirits for a productive and busy week ahead.

Can I just mention how much a love this floppy felt hat! I really should wear it more often.

Get ready for some cliché Brighton seafront pictures. Just to prove to everyone back in the southern hemisphere that we do in fact get beautiful, sunny days here in England, even in Winter!

Friday 20th February

We celebrated Chris's (my husband) Birthday on Friday, he took the day off work to make the most of it. Alas, unlike earlier in the week, it was a lousy rainy day. So we took that as a sign for the chance to relax, over-indulge and enjoy the simple things a birthday has to offer..... mostly food.

As requested by the birthday boy (*cough* 29), I made us French toast for breakfast, not to forget the bacon, caramelised banana and raspberries on the sides.

 The rest of the day we went shopping; we got him some "new digs" (clothes) and a haircut (finally), snuggling in fluffy blankets watching a movie and enjoying doing the lazy day things that get left behind when life gets too busy.

Later that day, as a second food request, we had an improvised "Chutney Chicken wrapped in Bacon" meal for dinner. A slight variation and dairy-free version of the usual cheese stuffed chicken breast. It was delicious and he was a happy lad. Let me know if you are interested in any recipes, I can always include them in one of my "Foodie Fridays".

Saturday 21st February

Party day! Most of the morning I spent baking cakes (we had two, carrot and banana), kneading dough and preparing for the party later that evening. While Chris played a hockey game in a hail storm.

All 29 candles! Go ahead and count them.

An adorable Succulent Terrarium gift from one of our photo shy friends.

We invited a bunch of friends around to our place in Brighton for dinner. Home-made Pizza was on the menu. I had spent a good amount of time kneading dough earlier that day, so we had all the bases and toppings anyone could want. (Recipe here)

Ps. Perfectly round pizza bases are over-rated.

Half dairy-free/half cheesy

Then it was time for cake! Talk about a fire hazard! So many candles!!! In a few years I will need to start making wider cakes to accommodate all those dozens of flamin' wax sticks!! You are never to old for candles on birthday cakes in my books.

 

A quick photo of us Kiwis at the end of the evening, with full bellies and happy faces.

After all the deliciously good eating I did last week, I think this week will be full of running and workout sessions. Spring feels like it is just around the corner! Wish me luck!! Time to start being #HealthyEverAfter

A lot of these photos can be found on my Instagram account @ErinsEverAfter