Wahaca, Westfield, Stratford

I think I'm a romanticist. At least I think that's the right word for it.

Constantly got my head in the clouds, dreaming.

I get so into the romantic gestures of the relationships on TV programmes I watch or in novels I read.

I don't know whether life can be that extravagantly romanticised but it's the little things that count.

Leading on from this, I've had another fab weekend with Adeel.

Maybe I'm just feeling more loving because our fourth anniversary is coming up or maybe I'm happy we got past the bumps in the road that prevented us last time.

Or maybeeee I just love him a lotta lot 🙊

Anyway, we unexpectedly went out for a spot of lunch today.

The reason it was so unexpected was because 1) I hadn't even expected to see him today as he'd been unwell and 2) I'm not very spontaneous, especially when it comes to trying new places or even eating out.

We tried a little ol' Mexican restaurant called Wahaca, right next to Westfield in Stratford.

I have to say I was a little dubious at first. 

As we walked in the tables reminded me of something you would see in a canteen or a cafe you would stop by in for a quick bite.

But, as I looked around I noticed little touches of eccentric, abstract beauty.

Vibrant, intriguing graffiti plasters a portion of the ceiling. Retro-like prints line the toilet doors eloquently named Kings and Queens depending on your gender. White panels of wood contrast beautifully with the patterned floor.

The atmosphere was perfect. I didn't once feel uncomfortable or like I was being bothered by any of the staff. In fact, the staff welcomed us warmly and helped with any of our questions.

And, now, the food.

My God, the first bite went in for both myself and Adeel and we were in awe.

Similar to The Real Greek, you can order a handful of smaller dishes (known aptly as Street Food) or a normal sized portion as in any other restaurant (known as Bigger Food).

Adeel chose Ancho Chicken Baja Tacos, two amazing, soft tortillas filled with a slightly spicy and smoky chicken, and Smoky Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas, more chicken in a beautifully spiced tomato sauce on top of a toasted tortilla.

I went for Smoky Chicken & Avocado Tostadas, a cold dish of chicken and guacamole slathered with mayo and plopped on top of a crunchy tortilla, and Sweet Potato & Feta Taquitos, crispy tortillas rolled into cigar shapes and filled with sweet potato, covered in salsa, mayo and feta.

We also shared some sweet potato bites, perfectly smoky and crunchy, and a Virgin Mojito, the freshest and most revitalising mocktail I've ever had.

And all for a reasonable price too. 

They also have a snazzy app you can download to pay your bill on instead of having to wait around for your waiter to assist you. 

The easiest, quickest meal I've had in a long while and the flavours were amazing too.

Perfect.

This is not a sponsored post, all opinions are my own.

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What I'm Loving Right Now

It seems summertime is when all my time is eaten up by countless trips home, social events and actually going out with my boyfriend.

It was only a mere few months ago that I remember complaining to my housemate that I never do anything on weekends. I just sit at home and watch TV.

But, now, I don't honestly remember a weekend that I haven't been busy.

Today is the first day in ages that I feel like I can get back to my usual self and slob out. Except, because I haven't done it in a while, it feels wrong and I have all this pent up energy spent on doing nothing.

Eh, who am I to complain?

Here are the things I've been loving recently:

1. One Tree Hill - yes, I've given in and am re-watching it for the third time. I just can't seem to get enough of all the drama and twists in this ridiculous programme. I had to find something to fill the PLL-shaped hole (although I am watching series 7 of it, but weekly episodes is never as good as a full on binge).

2. Travel confidence/striving to better my anxiety again and again - This goes hand in hand with the following point but it deserves its own mention to be honest. It wasn't all that long ago that I felt jittery and worried about leaving the house, even for work, let alone letting it all go and just going everywhere and anywhere I get the opportunity to. Beckenham, home, Faversham, Oxford. It may not seem a lot to those accustomed to just following their heart, but I'm proud of myself for how far I've come and how much I can truly push myself.

3. Oxford meal with Adeel and his work colleagues - Last Friday I left work at 4 o'clock, headed to Paddington for the first time and caught a train to little ol' Oxford for a three course meal in a boathouse. It was amazing. I'm going to do a full post about it later down the line, but it deserves a quick mention as I just loved it. Take me back.

4. The City of Mirrors - mannnnnn, this is also going to get its own post in review format but this book! Final instalment of Justin Cronin's vampire, end-of-the-world trilogy and it was as good as I could have hoped and better. READ THEM.

5. Runtastic - hey, look who's kept it up and hasn't given in to laziness again?? I'm actually loving it, it's hard work and a killer on those muscles, but the feeling of completing 1-2 miles twice a week is the best feeling ever and this app is a huge motivator.

6. Empire soundtrack - I'm always looking for new music since joining Spotify and the Empire season has not long finished and I found myself craving to hear Jussie Smollett's lovely tones. Powerful and You're So Beautiful seem to be my favourites at the moment.

7. Counting down the days to moving out - okay, so we haven't set a date or anything for actually moving in together, but it is getting nearer and nearer to our presumed month at least. I just cannot wait to leave this shared accommodation and live with my best friend and boyfriend. Sure, he'll probably drive me nuts at some point but, God, give me that any day over sharing with someone I completely loath.



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