Summer, Cider and the Swedish Way

Summer to me is all about enjoying the best of life, long days, good conversations, warm evenings, coastal walks, picnics, eating al fresco, festivals and finding lots of down time to spend in the garden with the boys, taking it slow and savouring a summery afternoon drink. Growing up in South Africa meant very long hazey summers, people seemed more laid back there, life in the UK certainly feels very fast paced and hectic in comparison which is probably why I feel drawn to the Swedish concept of Lagom and for those who don't know what that is it's all about the concept of "not too much, not too little just finding the balance" and creating a happy life. As you may know I am only a minimalist challenge and attempting to declutter my life and lagom fits into that perfectly with the theory that just enough is perfect with lack of fussiness being key. So I'm excited to pair up with  Rekorderlig Cider which I love (cider is my go-to summery drink......

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Harvest at Westons Cider Mill

Apples apples apples I do love these wonderful versatile fruit and have always been partial to a little tipple of cider, especially around the Autumn winter time when hot mulled apple cider is a real treat. Each year we go searching for orchards to pick fresh apples from as I feel it's really important for my children to understand where our food comes from and that process of thought shouldn't just stop when you grow up, in fact I find the whole idea of food and drink production fascinating to see how it goes from seed to product so when I had the chance to visit Westons Cider Mill during harvest time I jumped at the chance. This family run Cider Mill has been going since 1880 and to be given a behind the scenes tour of all that goes on from the orchard to collecting, washing and processing the apples and how the pulp is used for animal feed and recycled right through to bottling the cider the tour never once became boring. Standing in the Vat shed along wi......

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Summer in Cardiff City

So the summer holidays are officially over and even though the weather was a little hit and miss we still managed to do loads of fun things in the Welsh capital. I was lucky enough to attend a few events, try out some new places to eat, spend time with friends and local bloggers, so I thought I would share a few of the happy moments captured over the summer holidays. Like many cities around the UK there has been a real food revolution, especially with the more unusual, interesting and quirky, seeing a rise in food trucks and street food which accumulated in the Street Food Circus serving up some delicious bites on the weekends in Sophia Gardens. So of course we made sure to stop by after a wonderful walk in Bute Park and while the boys enjoyed the Brûlée Bar we enjoyed some  halloumi  bites and local craft ciders. Two of my favourite events and meet ups over the summer were firstly a Pizza and Cider pairing night at The Stable which has become one......

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Long Weekend lovelies

We had a really goodtime this weekend, it's always lovely having a long weekend and quality time as a family. The sun was out on Saturday and Sunday and even though it was raining today it didn't dampen a wonderful weekend. We had a forest walk, explored a new park, baked Spelt Sultana scones, ate good food, climbed some trees, rode on a miniture railway and enjoyed a bbq in the sun with family and some lovely South African Cider.   We had a lot of fun baking some healthy spelt sultana scones with the little man, we climbed trees and I enoyed eating some lovely fresh salad - the one above is roasted vegetables with low fat mozzarella.  I have joined this post up with YoloMondays linky...

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Ohh la la La Creperie

So we have been meaning to try out La Creperie De Sophie since it opened in the High Street Arcade. I love all things french and have fond memories of the crepes I use to eat on my day off when I lived in the South of France so when living social (similar to groupon) was running an amazing deal a few weeks back I jumped at it, I mean I didn't need and excuse to being with but getting such a good deal we had to try it out. The staff were really friendly and welcoming and I am a true believer that good customer service goes a long way. The inside is light, bright, and french cute and has a really lovely vibe and invites you to take your time, chill out and relax, which is what we did, in the cute little bare brick basement downstairs. We both went for savoury options, mine was a vegetarian combination of red onions, mushrooms, herbs, cheese and salad leaves and Johns was a chicken delight. The crepes felt really authentic and well worth the wait, with all the ingredients being fresh ......

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Sunday Instagram Lovelies

 So every week or so I love to share our instagrams from little moments captured. It's been a starnge week, one day raining next day sunny, so it's been filled with BBQ's, cider, walk in the parks, puddles, dens and yummy food. I find that since I don't really drink - one drink is more than enough for me, I then like to make my one special and try new things like the Elderflower cider or organic cider. Trying out some new red lipgloss and elderflower cider A pleasant Cardiff evening walk and making den's outside My new charity shop Queenie mug and veggie falafel hotdog roll Very yummy organic cider Playing in puddles Thanks for reading Side Street Style ...

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