A weekend with Amber!

Yay! My best friend of so many years, Amber, came down to visit me from Manchester this weekend for a whopping good time. We packed in everything imaginable in one weekend: drinks, food, shopping, walking, rinse and repeat, and repeat again.

Awwww.

Friday: Amber came to meet me at my office, we drank some wine, she gave me the sweetest friendship bracelet, we got ready back at the hotel and headed out to Shoreditch to explore the shops and restaurants. On our way, we stumbled upon a carnival, and decided to ride the bumper cars. We had no idea how much we would regret it the next day, oh the aches and pains! Onto Brick Lane, we were pleasantly surprised by the Mexican restaurant we stumbled upon. Then even more surprised but the outdoor nightlife we found at Cafe 1001. Everyone was sitting on the curb, drink in hand, on a beautifully nice night. We drank margaritas, instead of the usual tall can, and soaked up the atmosphere. I also found the puppy of my dreams, Bella (one of the many highlights of the night.) Stopped at Benny's Bar, which had a great atmosphere. Thought our night was over, but Amber had ordered a coffee, and then decided we walk to London Bridge! The night just kept getting better and better. Doing touristy things at night is the way to go.

Ecstatic to see Amber!

Apparently, the designer of this bumper car track thought it would be appropriate to airbrush Pamela Anderson half naked...to lure in the children of course.

Amber's eye makeup had run from laughing herself to tears on the bumper cars.

Shoreditch. Very Mission-esque.

Straw hats and candlelight at Loco Mojito

Cafe 1001, Brick Lane Friday night street vibe

Just chillin'

Asphalt and margaritas

My true puppy love. I will have her one day, oh yes, I will.

The Gherkin at night. We kept calling it the pickle. It seemed to be popping up everywhere.

London Bridge

A picture of me, taking a picture of the bridge. Artsy Amber.

Saturday: I had a list of things I wanted to buy, so Amber kindly decided to be my assistant for the day. We walked through Covent Garden, an area known for it's shopping, and checked off quite a few things.   We ate some much needed lunch, and decided, after such a big night, that a nap was in order. After a refreshing break, we painted each other's nails, and got all dolled up. Dan met up with us, and we headed to Old Street to meet up with Amber's friend Gethyn and his German friend Marcus at the Whistling Shop. They served old victorian drinks, and had a distillery in the basement. Fancy. Next stop was the Bricklayer's Arms (apparently where the lead singer of Bloc Party used to hang out) for Strongbow Cider and shots of Sambuca.  That did us in. I can't remember the last place we went to, but it started to rain, and we decided it was a sign. We stopped at McDonald's and ate Big Macs in the hotel bed before passing out. Good times.

Covent Garden

Black crackle paint...it's all the rage.

Amber and Dan reunite!

I look a bit too happy for someone who has dipped her hair into her beverage.

Gethyn and Amber

Drinks number 4, 5, and 6...

Marcus thought we were silly.

Amber getting riskay.

Gethyn can't believe it's raining.

Sunday: Headed to Camden Town for a proper Full English Breakfast at The Hawley Arms. Very cute and friendly pub. It totally hit the spot. We poked around the market through all the vintage shops for a few hours, and took a walk to Regent's park. It ended up being a nice little Sunday.

The Hawley Arms

Apple juice, always does the trick.

No caption necessary.

I'd like to have you, thanks.

The back of an ice cream truck. Hmmm.

Regent's Park

Happy as can be.

Amber loves naps, so she took another one before heading back on her train home. I couldn't blame her! It was such a perfect adventurous whirlwind, I didn't want it to end (but my liver and my pocket book felt otherwise.) Love my Amber. Next time, I'll be headed up to hers for another jam packed weekend of general good times.