Review: Minster Court Gin Tasting, City of London

Back in October I was invited along to Minster Court to try my hand at gin tasting with Sipsmith. Deep in the heart of the city, Minster Court is a short walk away from Monument station and tucked away downstairs. Despite being downstairs, it didn't feel claustrophobic and there was plenty of room to wander around. I find city bars can sometimes make me feel like a sardine!

As we settled down to hear from the gin connoisseur, we were presented with cocktails and a plate of delicious nibbles. Spicy potato wedges, battered prawns, crispy spring rolls, moreish chicken goujons and sticky cocktail sausages. Just the ticket to line our stomaches before some serious tasting!

Sipsmith is a small independent distillery based in West London - who knew! They launched the first copper still, Prudence, in London for nearly 200 years. She is one of a kind and you won't find her anywhere else in the world.

As someone who has only recently gotten into the wonders of gin, I'm no expert on the matter but I know what I like. I happened to like Sipsmith very much. The sloe gin was absolutely amazing - the perfect Christmas drink in my opinion. The alcohol went down smoothly and made me feel all warm inside - no scrunched up faces needed when this was drunk neat. Surely the sign of a very good gin?

Thanks so much for a lovely evening Minster Court and Sipsmith!

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Why London is the greatest city in the world

I've always had such a deep love and fascination with the bright lights of London. At the tender age of four I insisted I wanted to go to London and see the dinosaurs for my birthday. At the age of 11, I was adamant that all I wanted to do was work in the city. At the age of 21, I interned at various publications soaking up everything the big smoke had to offer. Finally at the age of 23 I got a job in central London. After a little blip I'm back commuting every day from Essex and I honestly couldn't be happier. London is where I'm meant to be. It's the city that captured my imagination and nothing has ever quite lived up to it.

I've been lucky enough to travel and see so many cities. New York, Barcelona, Berlin and Chicago have all left a footprint on my heart. But nothing has fully captured it hook, line and sinker quite like London.

This city chews you up and spits you back out with a vengeance. The city is all-comsuming, exhausting, aggressive, unapologetic and fierce. The people are rude, the streets can be dirty, the weather is truly awful, the tube makes me want to bang my head against the wall repeatedly and tourists insist on not walking down the left side of the escalator. But it's also the most magical place in the world. I still feel awestruck as I wander through the winding streets, pride when I see the city put on a show, goosebumps as I soak up the the history of yesteryear and emotional looking out at the thames after a bottle of wine. It's got such a colourful past in every corner and such thirst for life. It's a place where you can be anyone you want to be and no one ever bats an eyelid. The world is your oyster. Communities from all over the world have come together and made it their own. The melting pot of cultures that bubbles on every street helps to make it wonderful. It's a city that always feel so alive, so eager and so vibrant.

There's nowhere else quite like it. London is quite simply the greatest city in the world.

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OOTD: Cream faux fur coat

Outfit:
Cream faux fur coat: Primark (similar)
Floral silky longline shirt: Boohoo*
Black skinny jeans: New Look (similar)
Cobalt blue studded heels: Dorothy Perkins (similar)
Black leather Bayswater bag: Mulberry 

Despite my boyfriend asking me if I was feeling a bit sheepish when I met him wearing this coat, I'm very glad it's finally cold enough to bring it out of storage. The best £25 I ever spent in Primark. And it's lasted more than one season which is always a bonus with that shop! I wore this for a burger lunch date with Hannah and Lily before mooching around the V&A museum. Pretty perfect Wednesday if you ask me! I'm now back at work, back commuting and back spending my days in London. So long week off! Now it's all full steam ahead until Christmas. How on earth is is December already?

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Taste of London Festival with ASDA

A few weeks ago ASDA got in touch to see if I wanted a couple of tickets to enjoy the Taste of London Festival. They were showing off the UK's first ever edible Christmas house as the official supermarket sponsor of the event. Pretty cool eh? If you scroll down you'll spot the incredible house.  Cabbage and broccoli made up the garden, a sausage roll wreath hung on the door, giant pies made up the bricks alongside a staggering 1000 potatoes. There was even a prosecco wishing well next door - definitely something I could get on board with!

So what was the rest of the festival like? Blooming good! Set in the cool, industrial venue of Tobacco Dock - useless trivia, my darling dad actually did the roof when he was younger! - it was a maze of delicious food stalls. After we purchased our crowns - the official currency - we set off to feed our fat faces.

First off we made a beeline for Gordon Ramsey's Maze Grill. Promising juicy beef brisket topped with pickles and cabbage slaw, it seem worth waiting in line for. And it most certainly was! Washed down with a potent Pogues whisky cocktail, we set off in search of some prosecco. Obviously taking advantage of the free samples along the way!

It was such a brilliant day and my mum and I returned home with bursting at the seams and a little bit merry. It may have resulted in having to go to bed at 8pm... We came home with lots of the above fudge for Christmas presents and some delicious pink prosecco to open on the special festive day. Job well done I say.

Thanks so much for the tickets ASDA!

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Review: Boneyard, Shoreditch, East London

I've mentioned the street food market Pump before and now i'm writing about another tasty venue inside. Let me introduce you to Boneyard, a US-style meat joint with a relaxed vibe. Boneyard is actually a wooden restaurant inside so you don't have to brave the cold. Rows of communal wooden tables line the eatery and you wander up to the till to place your order.

As always I arrived hungry and zoomed in on the bone marrow burger on the menu. Intrigued, I added this to my order. A double patty is loaded with heaps of strong cheese and fresh salad. The meat is rich and juicy inside a toasted brioche bun. The bun soaks up the juices and manages to stay in one piece. It's certainly not the best burger in town but it still got my nod of approval.

Sadly the Tator Tots were sold out, so for a side I opted for the salted crinkle crisps smothered in spicy chilli, grated cheddar cheese and a heap of sour cream. Perfection! I'd have preferred for the cheese to be slightly melted but the chilli had just the right amount of kick.

Overall Boneyard was a good shout. I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to visit again but if I'm in the area it's definitely one I'll pop in to.

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5 of the best snacks to eat mid-morning

The period between breakfast and lunch is a killer so here are some snack suggestions you can keep on your desk for when hunger strikes. And save you from raiding the chocolate in the vending machine.

1. Perkier bars*
These new 100% plant based quinoa and sprouted grain oat bars are packed with goodness and perfect to help keep your energy levels up mid-morning. They're also free from wheat, gluten and dairy. Thanks to the quinoa, the bars really fill you up. The slow burning energy keeps you feeling satisfied before you can tuck into lunch. And keeps you away from the dreaded biscuit drawer! My personal favourite is the fruity goji and cranberry flavour. Who needs a chocolate bar? #getyourperkyon!

2. Yogurt drops
I got this idea from Sarah a while ago and it's genius! Simply pick your favourite fat free Greek yogurt and using a teaspoon, drop into a baking tray. Pop in the freezer over night before taking to work the next day. It's a great way to keep your sweet tooth at bay but without the guilt.

3. Fresh fruit salad
Is it me or does fruit taste so much nicer when it's cut up in a bowl? All the peeling is too much of a faff when you're in your flow. Make up a fruit salad the night before. Try something a little out of the ordinary and choose fruit that's in season. Clementines, apples, pommegrantes and cranberries are all in abundance in December.

4. Hummus and vegetables
Hummus comes in all different forms now at the supermarket but if you're feeling adventurous, whiz up your own batch at the weekend for the working week. I'm loving red pepper hummus at the money with carrot batons and sticks of cucumber

5. Popcorn
Popcorn is great because you can satisfy your sweet or savoury tooth. There's more varieties on the market than ever. Plenty of brands offer healthier versions too. It's better for you than a bag of crisps but you still feel like you're treating yourself. Win win situation!

What are your favourite snacks?

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Recipe: Christmas sticky toffee pudding

A few weeks ago Whitworths invited me along to a baking master class hosting by the first GBBO winner Ed Kimber. We were given a the chance to make his alternative Christmas pudding - a rich sticky toffee pudding. I'm not a fan of traditional Christmas pudding so this is perfect. It's really quick and simple to make - you can even make it the day before!

Ingredients:
225g Whitworths dates
100ml rum
200ml water
175g light brown sugar
3 tbsp of honey
200g self raising flour
1 tsp of mixed spice
75g unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp of baking powder
1/4 tsp of freshly grated nutmeg
50g Whitworths apricots, roughly chopped
50g Whitworths sultanas
50g of Whitworths crystallised ginger, roughly chopped

For the sauce:
50g unsalted butter
A pinch of sea salt
100g dark brown sugar
A splash of rum
100ml double cream

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (160 degrees if fan) and lightly grease ten dariole moulds.

2. For the butterscotch sauce, place the butter, sugar and salt into a medium saucepan and cook over a medium heat until melted and smooth.

3. Allow to bubble away for few minutes before adding the cream, stirring to make a smooth sauce. Set aside whilst you make the puddings.

4.  To make the puddings, place the dates, water and rum in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer and cook until a thick date paste has formed. Scrap the paste into a bowl and set aside for a moment.

5. Place the butter, sugar, vanilla and honey into a large bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until smooth and creamy.

6. Add the eggs one at a time beating until combined before adding the next one.

7. In another bowl, mix together the flour, spice and baking powder.

8. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and beat on a slow speed until they just combine.

9. Add the date puree and the dried fruit and mix until smooth and combined.

10. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared moulds and place onto a parchment lined baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven for around 20 minutes or until the pudding springs back to touch. Remove from the oven and turn onto plates immediately.

11. Serve the pudding whilst hot with lashings of caramel sauce.

Tweet me if you decide to make them - I fully recommend it!

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OOTD: Sequin cami #GeorgePartyTips.

Outfit:
Copper sequin cami: George at ASDA*
Black jacquard cigarette pants: George at ASDA*
Glitter low heel courts: George at ASDA*
Black duster jacket: Topshop (similar)

December parties means sequins and sparkles. Lots of sequins and sparkles. So when George at Asda got in touch and offered to send me a festive outfit, it was obviously what I went for. Instead of opting for the usual party dress, I went for this gorgeous copper came. LOOK AT ALL THOSE SEQUINS! No Christmas party outfit is ever complete without a red lipstick. I think it might even be written in the rulebook.

The festive season is hardcore. There's parties left, right and centre. Someone has to take one for the team. But work christmas parties can be stressful - no one wants to go in the next day with a raging hangover to sniggers from colleagues. Not even a double sausage and egg mcmuffin will save you. My plan of action is to not treat it as a party with your friends. Work colleagues will not appreciate your dirty sense of humour and maybe drinking three bottles of white wine to yourself will leave a bad impression. Try to have a little bit of an air of professionalism. It's still work! Also a Christmas party is never the time to ask your boss for that pay rise. Never. Wear something you feel comfortable in and you'll be ready to hit the ground running. Just make sure you don't take it literally.

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5 ways to switch off after work

1. Scrapbooking
If you're anything like me, you love to collect bits and bobs from your adventures. Ticket stubs, leaflets, photo booths photos and odd knick knacks are all full of happy memories. So rather than stuffing them into a drawer, pop them in a scrapbooks. Make sure you arm yourself with some fuel - I'm loving Lovechock, a raw chocolate sourced from Ecuador. Instead of being roasted, the beans are cold ground. Natural Balance Foods are also a favourite at the minute. The Gingerbread flavour of the healthy snack bars is making me feel very festive! These delicious snacks are full of goodness so I don't feel so guilty about stuffing my face.  Settle down for an early night and take a trip through memory lane.

2. Paint your nails
I never feel more that I have my sizzle together then when I have pristine painted nails. There's just something about them that make me feel like I can take on the world. So I love nothing more then settling down after dinner, picking a colour from over a 100 nail polishes - I wish I was joking - and making my fingers look pretty. It's a great way to just forget about the world for a little while.

3. Life admin
There's just something about organising that gets me. I let my room/life get into a right old mess before something finally snaps and I'm on a mission to sort it all out. Nothing more rewarding them flopping down on your bed and realising that your life is in order. Tidy up that pile of papers sitting at the end of your bed, clear out some old clothes for eBay or get rid of those toiletries you ain't ever going to use.

4. Baking/cooking
As much as I hate to clear up, I feel most relaxed when I'm in the kitchen rustling something up. It doesn't have to be spectacular but cooking something from scratch always gives me a sense of achievement. You kinda get lost in the moment, forget about all your troubles of the day and have some very tasty - hopefully! - to eat by the end of it. Plus who doesn't like cake? If you don't, I'm judging. Soz.

5. Pamper night
We all need a little 'me' time and sadly it seems to be non-exsistant. Weekdays are always spent rushing around like a headless chicken, trying to squeeze 25 hours into 24 hours before collapsing in bed exhausted. Instead, take a step back and give yourself some TLC. A TLC soundtrack is optional. Light some candles, hunt out your favourite face mask and settle down with a good book. You'll feel a hundred times better.

How do you switch off from work?

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OOTD: Mustard roll neck jumper

Outfit:
Mustard roll neck jumper: Tu at Sainsburys (similar)
Striped shift dress: Tu at Sainsburys (Similar)
Khaki trench coat: Primark (similar)
Suede heeled ankle boots: Ravel via TK Maxx (similar)

Feeling slightly sixties in this get up. And I have my knees on show. Scandalous! Supermarket clothes have really upped their game recently. It's always decent quality, reasonable prices and quite nifty. I'm loving a roll neck under dresses recently. Nothing quite like feeling as snug as a bug when you brave the elements.

Life has been pretty crazy the past few weeks. I think I've forgotten what sleep feels like. But crazy is good. I like to be kept on my toes. I've been freelancing in West London for nearly three weeks which is about as far away as Australia from my house. But it's been fun. I've learnt lots and really enjoyed it. I realised I love working in an office. I love the socialising, the atmosphere and the fast pace. It's been a good change. I've now got a week off to recover before I'm back again for the next three weeks to do it over again. So this week I'm going to sleep. Lots.

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Review: The Force Of Destiny opera, Coliseum

Last week I got to tick something off my bucket list and took a trip to the opera. The English National Opera to be precise. Isn't the Colisseum absolutely breathtaking? I always feel like such a fancy pants when I visit a grand theatre and get lost in a dream world imagining all the people who have visited in the past.

I managed to catch The Force of Destiny*. During wartime a dying man curses his daughter after he was accidentially killed by her lover. Her brother swears revenge and she is forced into hiding. As you can imagine it was very dramatic and emotional. I was blown away by the beautiful, powerful voices and it gave me goosebumps.

Now it isn't for the lighthearted at nearly four hours long, but with two intervals It's very much doable. Just means you have to have double the ice cream!

If you can't fit in the opera before Christmas then save your money for Norma - coming to the stage 17th Feb. There are at least 500 tickets at each performance priced under £20 so grab yourself a bargain!

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5 tips to help you sleep better

1. Make your bed cosy. Make it into a little haven that you can call your own. So invest in some gorgeous bed covers, pop some pretty fairy lights around the headboard and pop some cushions on your bed. It makes getting into bed even more inviting than usual.

2. Invest in a lavender pillow spray. I always scoffed at the thought of these. But boy do they work. There's something very relaxing about snuggling into your pillow and breathing in a floral fragrance to help wash all the troubles of the day away.

3. Good pillows are everything. They can be the difference to waking up a grouch or waking up full of zest to face the day. I personally prefer some nice and firm on top with a soft feather pillow underneath for the contrast. This Zonal Support Pillow from sleepy people.com* offers next support and holds its shape perfectly. I find with feathers they  get too scrunched up throughout the night and I wake up like a bear with a sore neck.

4. Switch off and opt for a book instead. I find getting lost in a good book makes my eyes droop and I fall asleep a lot quicker. Staring at your phone can strain your eyes and make you feel completely wide awake. Give yourself some down time. Your body will thank you in the morning when you wake up fresh as a daisy.

5. During the week try and go to sleep at the same time. It's easier said then done thanks to Netflix but it can really help your tired eyes. Get into a routine and it will help your quality of sleep. Hopefully you should wake up without an alarm which is always nice!

Do you have any tips to share?

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