Sushi, anyone?

What more could you ask for during the 'joy' of exam season than home delivered sushi. That's right. Home delivered. 
I have always been a huge fan of sushi and even when becoming a vegetarian meant I couldn't eat fish, that wasn't going to take the wonderful world of sushi away from me. Vegetables, fruit and tofu make fantastic fish replacements.

Since I'm living in Canterbury because of uni I had to hunt out the closest (and best) sushi restaurant I could find. Sushi craving are a real thing. I spend ages googling trying to find somewhere that could satisfy my needs but the only place Google reported back was Wagamama's, which I love but doesn't have sushi. I had given up hope until one day a boy was handing out flyers for the restaurant he works at, and since I can't say no to flyers I took one and low and behold, they sold sushi! And ramen! And other beautiful Japanese dishes.
I went as soon as I could, and it was fantastic. Although small and in a bit of a odd location, the service and food are amazing.
It was only a few months ago that this restaurant decided to open a new, only sushi, sister restaurant right next to it. This meant that sushi was no longer going to be served in the normal restaurant, but rather a new one. Although it is minuscule, the sushi is still amazing and you can see it being made in front of you! I have to admit that I was a bit heartbroken about this sushi-ramen divorce, but then they eased my pain by adding home delivery to the sushi options. And it cheaper to get it at home because of VAT, so I am definitely not complaining anymore.

If anyone in Canterbury doesn't know what I'm talking about:

http://www.mistermiyagi.co.uk/

The Island of Mozambique

I'm back in Maputo after a short but sweet holiday with my mum in the Island of Mozambique.

What an amazing place! It is a completely dream like location. Its crystal-clear water makes you feel like you're snorkeling even when you're not, the never ending heat, and vibrant colours every where! Women dressed in capolana (traditional Mozambican fabric) rule the streets, followed by hundreds of ever-smiling children.

Historically, you can't get any richer than this small, 3km long island in the Indian ocean.  Indians, Arabs, Portuguese and Mozambicans have periodically inhabited the island, leaving it with a cultural explosion! It used to be the capital of Mozambique when it was part of the Portuguese empire (hence the fantastic architecture), and there are around 12 mosques on the island (the vast majority of the population is Muslim), 7 churches and a Hindu temple. The locals are accepting of cultures and religion, I even met a few people who were Christian and Muslim at the same time!

        
The island is split in two: stone city and Macuti city. The stone city all in Portuguese architecture, everywhere you go there are grand house, a palace or two and the magnificent hospital. All the buildings are completely falling apart, but there is still such a romantic and beautiful air about it. Macuti city is on a different level (literally), since it was built in the dug-up ground from which the stones for the stone city were taken from. Macuti is where two thirds of the population live, in typical housing of the area, made of palm tree leaves, sticks and mud. Some of the houses are also made out of cement, but they don't let the heat out as well, so I'm not sure is was a great idea...

I fear for the bad development which may happen in the island. Its so small and so delicate in terms of its ecosystem, that if there is any excessive construction, tourism, cruises it'll all go down the drain. Its such a hard problem to face in such a poor country, but they really have to invest in long term plans which will allow for the country to get richer, without losing its natural richness.

Enough chit-chat, here are some pictures I took.

 

Clinique life saver

Right now I am sitting at my veranda in Maputo, internally debating whether or not I should go back inside because I am no longer used to heat over 18 degrees (Thank you, England).

Since I have to get two flights to get here, one of them being 11 hours long, my skin just decides to kind of hate me and the world. This results in a vast array of blemishes, ranging from normal spots to painful under-the-skin ones. Since I hate spots with a passion (as I assume most people do) I want to eliminate them ASAP. I have tried a lot of approaches, most of which leave me disappointed and frustrated because they just make my spots look redER.
but then...
Clinique came along and wooed me.

As per usual its sexy and sleek packaging drew me in instantly, it was a packet of 3 items in the anti-blemish solutions range. Since I got them during Christmas time it was a special deal package with everything in one. Lucky me.

I tried and loved it, but didn't use it very much. This was entirely because I forgot where I had put them.

After my long flight I tried the usual calming face creams and angry face-cleaning but nothing was working, until I remembered I brought my sexy and sleek Clinique trio. This three-step team consists of; a cleansing foam, a clarifying lotion, and an oil-free all-over clearing treatment.

I did the treatment before bed and added nothing else on to my face. In the morning I was not disappointed. Though my spots were not all completely gone, they were no longer sticking out, and had transformed in to red dots on my face. My pours looked smaller and my skin wasn't dry, which happens to me a lot when using other anti-blemish products, and then I am left with the tough decision of choosing between the continuation of my spot-eradicating mission, or hydrating my face.

Over all I would definitely give it a 9/10 (just because my spots are still slightly present) and recommend it to anyone who has blemishes. Its not going to strip your skin or irritate the spots/make them come out and really DOES work.

The dream team 

Link to Clinique products

Sofia

Random life update

So this was a sad excuse for a blog!

I haven't made an entry in far too long... I don't really know what to do in relation to blog entries because I do not have the fund to try out loads of new skin products, or buy lots of beutiful clothes, or travel and have a nonchalant air about the whole ordeal.

I can, however, say that I have been loving listen to music (as per usual).

My top picks of the month?

- Frank Ocean's Channel Orange album

- The Drums Portamento album

- Florence + the Machiene 'St. Jude' (on repeat alllll the time) and 'What kind of man'

- The Vaccines

- Hozier

love love love


Sofia