Sunny Days and Ingrid Michaelson

Sunshine.

East Finchley Station.

Central London.

E-ticket.

Last week I was lucky enough to watch Ingrid Michaelson, live in concert. It was amazing to say the least. Ingrid's music was one of the main reasons why I wanted to learn how to play the ukulele. The first song I ever learnt was her ever popular "You and I", also known by my Mother as "The Bunny Song". She is a goddess and is so incredibly funny and real! 

Flags.

The event was at Union Chapel, a much loved venue in London. I went with my amazing friend Ruthie and a couple of her friends. We had a ball. Here are a few pictures from that evening and some shots of the fleeting sunshine! 

Ruthie and I.

Union Church.

Pre-show lights.

Opening act, Gavin James. Also known as the ginger angel! 

Ingrid and her cute trousers!!!

Thanks for tuning in! 

Love,

CP

The Fourth Flat

First look.

That's right folks, this is the fourth flat I've lived in since arriving in the UK. I know that may sound like a lot, I think that's because it is a lot and the kicker is that I've just moved into my fifth. Why all this hopping around you may ask? It's because I plan to move out with some friends at the end of January (when their lease is up), so it's a gypsy's life for me until then. This may help explain my lack of posting. I have been extremely busy running around trying to find work and a place to stay for the last few months.

 Mirrors everywhere.

 Here are some photos from my last place. It was located in Easy Finchley, NorthWest London. It was a beautiful area, not as posh or busy as Muswell Hill, but still very nice. I was staying with 4 other actors and subletting from the fifth. I am still so amazed by the kindness and love that they showed me while I was staying there. I couldn't appreciate it more. 

 Left over antiques from owners.

The house itself was amazing. SO quirky just like me. The room that I was staying in was perfect, I felt like it was designed just for me. The house also had the best kitchen I have had the pleasure of using whilst being in London, (complete with Jamie Oliver cookbooks)! I'm really gonna miss my new friends and this beautiful old house, but now I'm onto a new adventure. 

 I love this sofa. I want to take it with me.

 Paper art.

 So many great mugs. I tried to use a different mug each time I had tea.

 In the kitchen.

Will and Kate. If I ever get married, I want my face on a dish towel.

 Left over art project from owner's daughter. Kinda creepy.

 More leftovers.

 Bathroom decor. 

'My room'.

I have one word for this room. AMAZING.

I feel like this room was designed just for me. Ben and I are soul mates, or long lost twins (Twelfth Night anyone?)

 I think this is all anyone would every need. Ukulele, books, DVDs and a sword.

Thanks for tuning in and happy Movember! 

Love,

CP

riZen, the musical

Photo by Amy Brewer 

Photo by Amy Brewer

Hey pals!

These are a collection of photos from last week, where I was lucky enough to be in the recording studio (for the first time) helping lay some tracks for a new show called riZen, The Musical. It's musical about zombies! Pretty darn cool, if you ask me. And maybe if the combination of zombies and musical theatre doesn't tempt you, I bet the beautiful and powerful score will. With music and lyrics by Tom Oakley and Daniel Finn, you will be more than impressed by these two young men. 

It was such a fun experience and I absolutely loved meeting so many kind and talented young artists. Included in this lovely group of people was miss Carrie Fletcher, youtube celeb herself! HERE is Carrie's video featuring riZen (it pretty much says it all, ain't she great)! 

If you dislike, (or maybe you're just unsure of the whole zombie phenomenon), this new musical will turn you over to the dark side and will leave you feeling sympathetic for it's undead characters. For info on the show, click on the links below. 

riZen, the musical 

twitter 

facebook

Thanks for tuning in! 

Love,

CP

Halloween

Spooky lighting at the Canal Café Theatre. Check out my friend, Nic in NewsRevue.  

 My brother from another mother, Ryan.

 Crabbies, ginger beer - my favourite! 

 After dinner with Ryan's doctor friends.

 Such a cool pub!

 Eyeball cupcake! 

 Ryan and his lovely lady, Julie.

Best friends!

Last weekend one of my best friends, Ryan was in town. We have been friends since birth and pretty much grew up together, as our mums are best friends. So it was such a treat to have Ryan in London for the weekend. Right now he's in his 4th, and final year of Med. School at the University of Limerick, in Ireland. That's right folks he's gonna be a Doctor, such a talented man! Since he's been away for so many years I only get to see him about twice a year, so it was really cool getting to see him on this side of the world. My actual Halloween day was very chill and not very 'Halloween-y'. I spent all day in the recording studio for a new musical about zombies, riZen, The Musical (more to come), dinner with my friend Brian and then a 2 hour tap workshop with Junior Laniyan. It was a pretty great day. 

What did you get up to this Halloween? Thanks for tuning in! 

Love,

CP

Cooking and Treats

Hey Friends, sorry for the long break in between posts. Last week was very stressful for me, but hopefully the next few weeks will be more consistent! This post is going to be all about food and health, just a warning!

 Bottle of Merlot, Brie, fresh rosemary, and french bread.

 Rosemary potatoes and carrots! 

 Brussel sprouts.

Since moving to the Uk, I have definitely been suffering from the Heathrow Injection! There are so many more fast food shops/bakeries/and just better treats in general, that I'm finding it hard to keep myself under control. Even when I was living right downtown Edmonton or Vancouver it would take me at least 10 minutes to walk to the nearest grocery or corner store. In London it only takes about 1 minute to pop over and grab a Twirl (one of my favourite chocolate bars!) no matter where you are.  This is very problematic as I have a deadly sweet tooth. That being said, thank god for dance classes. Also, right now I am so poor that I don't have enough money to spend on extravagant treats and meals all the time, so when I do get a treat... I enjoy it. 

 One of the many bakeries in Musswell Hill.

I love the croissants from this place! Delish! 

I finally bought a chocolate meringue that I had been eyeing for about 3 weeks. 

What has been happening on a weekly basis is the making of my standard healthy/hearty meal, Rice Bean Casserole (Recipe found here). It is the cheapest, quickest, and healthiest of any meal I have found to date. All together it costs about £7.43/batch (£1 -mushrooms, 70p x2 - peppers, 50p - can of tomatoes, 70p - can of kidney beans, £2.18 - mozzarella cheese, £1.65 - wraps, I usually have onions, garlic, rice, and oil at home).  One batch usually lasts me about 5- 6 days! This is almost all I have been living on and I'm not going to lie, it's started to get a wee bit old, but it does the trick. 

Prepping to make Rice Bean Casserole. 

All chopped up! 

My tiny Oreo Cupcake.

The big Christmas Tree in Covent Garden.

And let us not forget that Christmas is right around the corner, which is the ultimate feel good food/treats time of year! What's your plan to stay in shape through the Holiday season? Any pointers?

Thanks for tuning in! 

Love,

CP