second peek

Yesterday I posted the first extract from a little something I've been working on and here's the second- enjoy!

“There you are Ibi!”, drawled a smug voice from behind me. I whirled around, breaking eye contact, to find the attractive but arrogant man that had been assigned to be my date for this evening. So over-confident he was, that any chance of beauty lurked deep within.

I sighed and said in a some-what wearisome voice, “Don’t call me that Ahmose”. His eyes flicked over my outfit of choice tonight, a floor length sheath of white silk that was cut in a plunging “V” neck.

“Ugh”, I thought, “this was going to be worse than I imagined”. I had known Ahmose all my life and it was most unfortunate to say that he has always been the self-centred, egotistical soul that lazed sloppily against the doorway to my bedroom. And it is also unfortunate to say that he has been trying to make a move on me for as long as I can remember.

“So sorry my Princess Iboni!”, he demurred, “how dreadfully rude of me, I do believe I shall go and haul out my organs for the gods to enjoy!” he smirked sarcastically and let out a self-satisfied chuckle. He plucked a grape from the bowl on my dresser and popped it in his mouth.

“You know, us two being up in your bedroom like this, people will begin to talk if we don’t go back down to the party, unless, that’s what you want…” He began to move closer in his sloping swagger.

“One more step mongrel and hauling your organs out will be the least of your worries” I threatened menacingly. Looking startled, he retreated back out of the room and disappeared back to the party. I let out a great “HA!” and turned around again. I sighed as an empty threat wasn’t good enough to keep him away forever, however much I wished it would.

It was all so infuriating. Father hosted these lavish parties at least twice a month and he knows I’m not naïve enough not to realize what he was doing. He continually fills the guest list with single and very wealthy bachelors in a vain attempt to find me a husband. I mean, it’s ludicrous! I’m only eighteen! I know that many of my friends in less important positions have found potential husbands already, but that is not my only argument. In the vast lands of Egypt I have not met a single man that even acquires my attention. Well, there is one… My gaze shifted wistfully towards the view over the balcony again and began the search for him with my eyes. “No!” I thought suddenly and wrenched my eyes away, “This is not right. I am Princess Iboni, next in line to the throne of Eygpt and what is he? A servant boy. Pull yourself together!” I padded over to the mirror on my dresser and sat down to fix my makeup. I stared long and hard at my profile. A smatter of freckles were sprinkled across my cheeks. My straight, slightly pointed nose marked the middle of my face but my most striking feature were my large startlingly green eyes, flecked with gold. I sighed. “Nothing worth looking at really”, I muttered. I hauled myself up from the comforting seclusion of my room and down into the manic fray below.

Much love

Danie B

a novel idea...

I thought I'd try something a little bit different with the blog today. Here are the first lines of something I've been working on- it could be awful but it could be the beginning of something...let me know what you think!

The sun beat down hard on the city below me. It glimmered and rippled off the Nile and caused blurriness in the air that only the piercing Egyptian sun could truly produce. I looked at my hands that gripped the golden railing on the balcony in front of me and closed my eyes to allow my face to be bathed in the warmth. I ran my hands over the intricate vines that encased the railing and caressed the rough stone. A slight breeze picked up, lifting tendrils of my ebony hair that spilled over my shoulders and settling the white linen curtains on either side of me. I opened my eyes and my breath caught in my throat. There he was. Imenand. I cast my eye across the construction work going on for father’s latest building project, at all the labourer’s slaving away in the low lying sun. But my eye was drawn back to him, almost like a magnetic force and I found I couldn’t look away. He stood up and wiped the sheen off his forehead and run his fingers through his cropped dark hair. He put down his heavy axe and flexed the muscles in his back that was scorched to a deep nut brown and showed the evidence of manual labour. He turned abruptly in my direction, almost as if he sensed my gaze. Suddenly he looked up and his tawny coloured eyes locked with my jade ones with a penetrating stare that seemed to bore right into my very soul...

Much love

Danie B



3 courses later...

What a night. It is safe to say that I don't think I have ever eaten as much in my whole life. The night began with Deep Fried Brie and grape salad, followed by Conchiglie Chorizo and was rounded up by French Apple Tart. Delicious! Afterwards, none of us could move- or do anything that required any effort really! And of course this is when an attack of the giggles choses to strike. I want to say a big thank you to my beautiful girls for their photography skills and a throughly enjoyable night that brightened up my mid-week!

Hope you all had a good weekend x

"If music be the food of love, play on." ~William Shakespeare

Much love

Danie B

London ctnd.

 These are the last of the London pics that I promised! Some em...interesting (but very thought-provoking) art from the Tate Modern. I must admitt, I did let the odd giggle escape through my very cultured, art admiring expression- I guarentee you, you would do the same! Then more of my beloved food- you may find this hard to believe but I do other things besides eating! Anyway, Selfridges cupcakes, meringues, tarts and macaroons were to die for- as well as these River Island shoes. Serious shoe lust!

Much love

Danie B

belated events

I know Valentine's Day seems all but a distant memory but these were just a few of the themed gifts floating around our house. Sadly none of them were mine! But me and a big group of single friends rented a scary movie, ate pizza and laughed all night long. Very Anti-Valentines, but I couldn't think of a better way to pass the evening!

 Another belated event to share with you was a dinner party that I went to last week at my gorgeous friend's house. I was in charge of dessert and made a (hopefully!) yummy clafoutis- which was originally just made with blueberries but I threw in a handful of raspberries too. I wore an oversized grey jumper, black skinny jeans, black wedges, a gold collar necklace and a smokey eye. The whole evening was delicious, hilarious and so sophiscated and I can't wait to do it again! I have a few more London photos to share but apart from that, that's pretty much me up-to-date! Happy Wednesday everyone- don't forget, it's half way to the weekend!

Much love

Danie B

Tasty treats

Happy Pancake Day!

Today is just a big excuse to eat pancakes morning, noon and night and not feel guilty about it- and I love it! I take mine oozing with butter, sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Delicious. What way do you take yours?

Hope your day was as tasty as mine!

Much love

Danie B

London's calling

Pull and Bear striped t-shirt, trusty ebay parka (I know right?!), a red lip and Big Ben.

A blissfully delicious chocolate Lola's cupcake courtesy of Harrod's.

Timeline of Shakespeare's plays from the Globe Theatre- what a cultured beast I am.

The London Eye lit up at night, I could stop and stare all evening.

River Island blazer and boots, Topshop jumper, Zara trousers and my new H&M handbag that I proudly cart EVERYWHERE.

Sporting my Ray Bans and Ragged Priest denim shirt in Trafalgar Square.

Time for a spot of afternoon tea- I feel so English right now. Pass me a sc-one dahling.

I have been neglecting you all recently and I am truly sorry! But I hope you will understand that I have been so very busy when you see these posts. I have a back log of things to share with you all but this weekend's trip to London just couldn't wait! London is so vibrant and makes you feel so alive, like the pavements have a pulse and a heartbeat, I never want to leave. Hope you all had a fabulous half term and I promise I'll be good at updating from now on!

Ps- don't forget to sign up for email updates so you never miss a thing x

Much love,

Danie B

weekend antics

I have to say that this weekend was throughly enjoyable! It kicked off with a delicious breakfast of french toast (my favourite!) and a good gossip with the girls on Saturday morning, it was bound to be good after that! I then boarded the train and headed down to the matinee performance of "Inspector Calls". And it was fabulous. The twists and turns were excecuted perfectly and the audience hung on to every word, while the silence was actually tangible in the room. Go and see it- now! This was followed by yummy afternoon treats, probably too many but one is never enough! And finally, despite spending Valentine's Day as a singleton, I couldn't help but appreciate all the blooms that are bursting out of the shops recently! Hope you had a great weekend! x

Much love

Danie B

seaside treats

"Chocolate, men, coffee- some things are just better rich".

I spent this weekend at the seaside- maybe not one of my better ideas. It was so cold that I couldn't feel my toes, even with two pairs of socks! The sea was beautiful though, a real sheet of metallic grey that seemed to stretch on forever. The wind bit at my cheeks and tousled my hair into knots and the crashing sound of the waves was haunting and eerie yet peaceful. Anyway after a while had to go in and warm up and I couldn't think of anything tastier than warm apple pie. Yum. 

Much love

Danie B