Happy Birthday to my blog and I!

Prosecco and Pie is one year old this March!

It doesn't seem like a year ago that I took my first steps into the seemingly-scary blogging world, clueless about blogging platforms, coding and SEO, not least of all building the courage to share my ramblings with the world. The truth is, my blog was born out of a love of writing, talking/meeting new people and of course, two lovely little things called prosecco and pie. My blog is an online summary of what I do in my daily life, getting together with my friends and family, eating, drinking and enjoying life. 

I've met some amazing people, built brilliant friendships and learnt a lot from other bloggers over the past year. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has read my blog, whether you're a regular reader or a silent lurker checking back now and then to see what's new. You've not only inspired me to continue doing what I do best, but helped me build an amazing career out of this experience and long may that continue. Hopefully I've inspired you to visit some amazing places across the North East too. Our region is certainly spoilt for choice and I'm not done yet!

From one birthday celebration to another; I turned 23 on the 23rd of February and thought I'd share a few photos with you. Happy Birthday to my little blog and I. 

How better to start the day than with freshly baked cupcakes? 

Before being spoilt with gorgeous gifts and popping open a few bottles of prosecco with the girls... 

Next we headed to one of my favourite places - SIX at the Baltic. Where better to get dressed up and enjoy a few cocktails with the people you love? After slurping a few dirty daiquiris, fallen angels and breakfast @ Tiffany's we tottered back along the Quayside to meet a few more friends at Babucho and beyond to MSA. 

I spent my birthday surrounded by my gorgeous family, taking the dogs for a walk on the beach before coming home to a Sunday roast and this genius creation - a homemade profiterole tower with profiterole shaped candles and chocolate sauce made by my mam. Yes, it was as delicious as it looks, mmm! 

Profiterole towers are way better than birthday cakes. 

Coming Soon...

My brand new website proseccoandpie.co.uk is officially under construction!

I'm pulling on my virtual hard hat and joining forces with local web design company Wezura Ltd as part of a skills exchange to build my own website for Prosecco and Pie. They do (most of) the coding while I take notes and make it pretty. I'm hoping to pick up a few tips on coding and HTML in exchange for writing copy for client websites and helping them become more social media savvy. Any tips/advice/ideas are more than welcome - I'll be sure to credit you and your blog/website on my website when it's up and running. 

Once finished, I'll be able to blog, tweet, instagram, pin and share content all in one place. It's going to be a brilliant space where I can showcase examples of my published work as a freelance writer (and have a contact form should anybody wish to request my services.) 

I'm also delighted to announce that I'm going to be working with local business NEoffers.co.uk - look out for the banner on my blog and website and get 10% off everything* from meals, massages, cocktail making masterclasses and even teeth whitening simply by using the code PROSECCOANDPIE. Let's support small businesses in the North East! 

I'll be sure to keep you updated on how the site is coming along, but in the meantime let me inspire you to eat, drink and explore some of the region's best kept secrets at Prosecco and Pie - starting with where to find the world's best burger COMING SOON.... 

*Please note 10% discount does not include any offers on the Business Services section. Visit www.neoffers.co.uk to view applicable offers.

Payday Friendly Place To Eat

After managing to grab a pair of (very last minute) tickets to see Fiddler on the Roof as a treat for my mam last week, I finally got the chance to visit the iconic Theatre Royal after it's recent restoration. As expected, both the show and the recently-renovated surroundings were fantastic, yet it was the bar/pizzeria attached to the theatre that took me by surprise. 

We decided to have a few drinks in Pasqualino's before the show. Furnished with colourful mismatched chairs and graffiti-style walls, the bar also boasts an extensive drinks menu which we made good use of and made a mental note to return for food. As luck would have it, less than a week later the boyfriend and I found ourselves in town after work looking for somewhere to eat. With payday still in the distant future, we didn't want to pay over the odds. This is probably also a good time to mention that my darling boyfriend is quite possibly the fussiest eater ever, so finding somewhere we can both agree on is difficult. With two courses of any pizza or pasta for £8.95, or three for £10.95 until 10pm, Pasqualino's came to the rescue. 

Pasqualino's was just the right kind of busy for me when we arrived on a rainy Thursday evening: bustling and buzzing without being too loud or overcrowded. Richie knew what he wanted straight away (minestrone soup to start followed by pasta Amatriciana which consisted of smoked pancetta, onion and tomato), whereas I struggled to narrow down my list of choices (nothing new there though). The Orecchiette Pinoli (fresh orecchiette with chillli, pine nuts, lemon zest and broccoli) sounded good, but then again so did the pappadelle maiale (pasta with pulled pork, onion dried tomatoes, marscapone and sage), but I eventually opted for the latter: the Lola pizza (peppers, mozzarella and rocket pesto) and dessert to satisfy my sweet tooth. As Richie wolfed down his minestrone soup starter I sipped my glass of chilled prosecco looking at him with doe eyes until he offered me some. I'm pleased to report that the stock was rich and moreish with a slight kick while the soft vegetables fell to pieces in your mouth. Richie actually declared it was the best soup he's ever eaten. Not a bad start! 

Our mains soon arrived and Richie was greeted by a steaming bowl of fresh pasta while I tackled my ginormous pizza. The dough was thin and crispy just the way I like it and the pesto drizzle lifted the fresh tomato base. Nothing was too much for the staff, checking we had everything we needed and were okay for drinks which was lovely. Naturally I had to try some of Richie's pasta and I'm afraid I have to admit to a slight case of food envy. The pasta was cooked to perfection, swirled into a meaty sauce and generously sprinkled with parmesan. I guess it was only fair that I let Richie have a taste of my dessert - a knickerbockerglory of joy filled with generous scoops of creamy chocolate ice cream, crushed amaretto biscuit and a berry compote. Delicious!

The food at Pasqualino's is wonderfully homecooked food and fantastic value for money that is best served with a glass of wine and friends which is exactly what the girls are planning to do very soon!

To browse their extensive menu and find out more information about this fantastic Italian's - visit www.pasqualinos.co.uk

If like me, there just aren't enough hours in the day and you haven't had a chance to check out the new and improved Theatre Royal, or you fancy doing something different with your Saturday night, see what's on at www.theatreroyal.co.uk (I just booked tickets for the Scottish Ballet and can't wait to go back) 

Hello World

For those of you who have stumbled upon my little blog in the hope of some good quality reading while you procrastinate, let me see what I can do. 

Let me introduce myself...

I am a 22 year old English Literature graduate from Newcastle University (sob, how did that happen so quickly?) who lives by the sea with her family and two little dogs. Through a combination of hard work, resourcefulness and I suppose initiative, I am extremely lucky enough to currently work full time as a writer at a prominent local magazine. After three months of full time, unpaid work experience and working an extra job, I am pleased to say that unlike most recent graduates (if the media is to be believed), I found myself a full time job. 

Why blog?

This is not my first foray in the blogging world, I also have another blog dedicated to my little zoo/animal rescue centre I take care of in my spare time. Family and friends know just how passionate and ambitious I am, and while I haven't managed to knock out a bestseller just yet, they do know how much I love to write. Working for the magazine and seeing my name and work in print is possibly one of my favourite things in the world, so why not do it every day for free? The only thing stopping me of course, is the worry, would anyone read what I write?

I'm a huge believer in the power of social media, my personal favourite being undoubtedly pinterest and tumblr. Browsing the popular pages on pinterest and repinning lovely/inspirational things is such as positive way to use social media. I love the way social media keeps everybody in touch; from granny and grandkids in Australia, to long lost friends or those who share your interests, everybody has a friend on social media. 

So if you'd like to stay in touch, pop over and say hello to me on my new twitter:

@proseccoandpie