Exploring London: Walthamstow, east London

If you had spoken to me five years ago about planning a trip to Walthamstow I probably would have laughed in your face. I only really set foot in that part of the East End because we wanted to use the Victoria line and parked at Blackhorse Road station. It was a little too gritty and didn't have a good reputation. At all. But around a year ago it started creeping on my radar. Word on the grapevine was this part of east London was on the up. Delis, cool restaurants and markets were popping up but it was still managing to keep it's community feel. It didn't feel too hipster yet and hadn't had it's soul ripped out like Shoreditch. God bless that place - it's just not quite the same any more. On a side note, I had a realisation that I had been going out in Shoreditch for the past 10 years. Excuse while I sob into my anti-aging cream. But anyway. Last weekend we decided to jump the bullet and organised a day trip. Being on a 25 minute drive we decided we didn't have much to lose - we could always jump back in the car and pick up some Macdonalds on the way home.

One of the places I was keen to try out was Eat 17 located in Walthamstow Village. I'd read that this restaurant was the place that kinda kickstarted the whole revolution. So naturally it needed to be tried out. We got there about 11am to try their brunch menu. What a brunch menu that was. I've got a whole separate post ready for that. But take my word when I say that alone is worth heading east for.

After sharing three breakfasts we needed to walk the food baby off. So we opted to explore the village. I'm still scratching my head that this is part of Walthamstow. It felt a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Quaint chocolate box cottages lined the streets. Delicious food markets were taking place in church halls. People were milling around eating their breakfasts outside on the cobbled streets. Such a lovely place to wander and enjoy the sunshine. Just a stones throw away from the village was God's Own Junkyard. A collection of neon signs, vintage film props and salvage displays scattered around a old warehouse on an industrial estate. We could have spent hours slowly wandering around, reading every single sign. Next time I'm trying some cake in the cafe!

After a mooch around Vestry House Museum and spotting Toby Jones filming in the gardens, we decided to seek out the William Morris Gallery and have a walk around Lloyd Park. Opened way back in 1900, the park was gorgeous. Filled with tennis courts, a cafe and pretty lush foliage, it was a lovely place to have a wander and soak up the sunshine. I can imagine it's even nicer during the summer months with a picnic. Although we did see the police talking to a couple who had been mugged, it seems we were still in east London - despite the greenery.

Dedicated to the life of designer William Morris, the gallery is full of fascinating information and impressive prints. I never really knew too much about William Morris and had no idea of his socialist ideals. Offering free entry, his old house is a great place to will away an few hours of an afternoon.

Finally we wandered back to Wood Street where we had parked the car for a mooch around the indoor antique market. This quaint, charming market is such a gem. Vintage clothing, old vinyl and handmade gifts offer something for everyone. My boyfriend for one would have spent the whole day shifting through the vinyl if it was payday!

Now that Walthamstow is quite rightly on my radar I'll definitely be back. There's a handful of restaurants that I have on my list and a picnic in Lloyd Park is calling my name. It just goes to show you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. Or by it's shady past!

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Review: Pachamama, Marylebone, central London

A few weeks ago I met up with Lauren and Hannah for a much-deserved catch up. Pachamana had 50% off their new spring menu all weekend so it would have been rude to not take advantage. God bless Hannah for finding out that information. It was my first time trying Peruvian food so I'm not sure how it compares to other restaurants in the city. But I do know that it was absolutely delicious.

After ordering a very strong cocktail, we sat down to study the menu and prepared ourselves for a feast. First we decided to order a sweet potato waffle topped with Peruvian fried chicken, sweet yacon and slightly spicy aji sauce. The tender fried chicken had a lovely crunch and moreish taste. The waffle was a little dry and could have done with a bit more sauce but overall it was an enjoyable dish.

We all shared a trio of different ceviche including sea bass and samphire, salmon tiradito, beetroot and avocado and sea bream, grapes and fennel.  The sea bass ceviche was incredible. So fresh and so flavoursome - it was a shame to have to share it!

The juicy burger consisted of a Galician beef patty, pork belly chicharron, aji rocoto ketchup, aji amarillo mustard and salsa criollo between a week toasty bun. Generous with the fillings, the burger really hit the spot. The aubergine covered in pecans siting in smoked yogurt was great. A little overpriced at £7 but the smoked yogurt was a great partner to the soft aubergine.

Pachamana was a great introduction to Peruvian food. The dishes were flavoursome and inventive. I tried new food I would never have paired together. The price point was a little high so I think it's one for a for a special occasion or when you don't mind splashing the cash. I definitely recommend visiting for brunch and trying those delicious but potent cocktails!

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Why we all need a #girlgang

After thinking about booking Vegas for my 30th birthday, I've come to the conclusion that I'm not dreading that number. I feel like I'm going to hit 30 in my prime and feel happy knowing with the way things are. As cheesy as that sounds. This past year I've felt like all the puzzle pieces have finally slotted together and I feel so much more content with my lot than I ever have been. A huge part of this is because of friends. Coming from all walks of life, these girls just get me. I can completely be myself without any fear of being judged. Probably because they're often thinking the exact same thing.

I've often be called a 'strong woman' as if it's something to be ashamed off. A negative thing. But these girls make me feel like it's ok to put my career before having kids if that's what I want, to relish my independence and to blow a months rent on a handbag if I've worked hard. It doesn't make me a bad person. They're here to throw encouragement, hold your hand when it all gets a little too much, teach you that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger and be your biggest cheerleader. I might only see some a few times a year and I might see some a few times a months. But no matter where they are, they're always there. One in particular feels like the sister I never had. They make me believe in myself, that I'm stronger than I think I am. In turn, its helped me to let things go and to not be such a worrywart. If things are meant to be, they will be and if they don't happen first time around, its doesn't reflect bad on me. I've learnt that life doesn't follow a script and its absolutely fine to just take it as it comes - to enjoy what I have achieved and not worry about what I haven't.

It's taken me a while to get here. I've spent years cutting out toxic people. Those people who you spend a day with and come home feeling like you've done ten rounds with Mike Tyson. Friends you really dreaded spending time with. But for some reason you just couldn't cut them out. I wasn't really too keen on having girl friends. As a result I never really had a proper group of girl friends until I was about 23. It was too stressful, too much drama. I much preferred to hang out with boys. But friendships aren't meant to be hard work.

Surround yourself by girls who make you believe you can take on the world. But most importantly surround yourself by girls who will pick you up when you fall and put back together the pieces.

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OOTD: Beige trench coat

Outfit:
Beige midi trench coat: ASOS
Red and blue leopard print shirt: ASOS (similar)
Ripped knee denim jeans: F&F (similar)
Tan block heeled ankle boots: ASOS
Poppy red Lily handbag: Mulberry
Peach nail polish: Crawfishin' for a Compliment OPI
Weekender Fairfield watch: Timex*

Well don't I look a little like a walking advertisement for ASOS. Maybe I should take that as a hint that I place too many orders online... That new loyalty scheme is fast becoming my new best friend. I'll have those £5 vouchers in no time! I'm on a bit of an ankle boot mission of late. I can't stop picking up new pairs here, there and everywhere. The weather really isn't playing ball so I've been living in them. The tortoiseshell heel of this tan pair had me hook, line and sinker when I spotted them. They took a while to feel fully comfortable but now they've hardly been off my feet. I love the fact they're pretty neutral but have a surprise heel to keep them looking interesting.

I wore this on a Peruvian brunch date with Hannah and Lauren at the weekend. Lauren was down for a few days from Scotland so it gave us all an excuse to catch up, drink some cocktails and stuff ourselves silly. It was such a lovely afternoon and it was a shame when we had to say goodbye.

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Review: Stable Pizza, Whitechapel, East London

Last week I was invited to the launch of Stable Pizza in Whitechapel. Back in 2009, Richard and Nikki Cooper swapped London for Dorset and their first restaurant in a renovated stable at the back of their hotel. Cider is produced in abundance in the West Country so the pair decided to combine it with pizza to create a chilled out atmosphere where crowds of friends could gather for a laid-back night out. The chain uses local produce when possible and each menu is different depending on which restaurant you visit.

Stocking over 80 different types of cider from dry to sweet, fizzy to still,  Stable has one of the biggest cider selection I can think of in London. There doesn't seem to be anywhere like it. Craft beer and Gin, yes. But cider no. The great thing is they change it regularly so there are always different ones to try.

Now to the crispy sourdough pizza. The toppings seem endless, giving you some really tough choice to make! My favourites included The Coppa-Cabana, creamy Direct Coppa topped with field mushrooms, fresh tomato sauce, milky mozzarella before being drizzled with a dijon dressing and a handful of rocket leaves.  I was converted by The Porky Pancetta. A delicious combination of tomato sauce, sweet white onion and Dorset pancetta before being topped with a free range fried egg. Why have I have never had egg on a pizza before? Finally The King Crabbler was absolutely delicious.  Hand picked West Country crabmeat lightly infused with red chili, garlic and lemon provided the star player. It was topped with tomato sauce, roasted red peppers, fresh basil leaves and mozzarella. Creme fraiche, lemon and parsley provided the finishing touch.

It was honestly one of the best launches I have been lucky enough to attend. The staff were so knowledgeable and blew my mind with their cider knowledge. The pizza was absolutely delicious with so many different, unusual toppings. The venue was great, so laid back with a fantastic atmosphere. I genuinely can't wait to go back and have a table booked at the branch in Bristol for when I go stay with a friend in June. If you're looking for a chilled, fun night out then Stable Pizza should be first on your list. Thanks for such a great evening guys!

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Beauty: spring nails

We've all been there. Chapped, worn out hands with stubby fingernails fingernails that have been battled by the elements all winter. By the time Spring arrives I'm feeling a little ashamed at the state they're in. The long dark evenings means they're often the least of my priorities and one of the last things I make sure I do when I'm rushing around the house in the evening. Covered by gloves, I neglect them because they're not often on show. But now I'm paying the price. They are in urgent need of TLC. So what tips do I suggest?

1. Invest in a decent hand cream
I can't stress this enough. As someone who suffers from very dry skin, I get through so much hand cream during the colder months. I honestly believe that it's worth investing - you really get what you pay for. After being persuaded by Hannah in Liberty I invested in the Khiels Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. What a good investment it was. It's pretty pricey at £18.50 but it does wonders.  You only need a little so I think it's going to last a long time.

2. Shiny shiny nails
I love the gel effect nails but I don't like the price of £30 of having them done at the beauty salon. So I picked up this Sally Hansen Gel Shine on a Boots binge one morning before work. It's lethal having a decent boots next to my office... It helps to give me the same super shiny effort at home and helps to keep my polish in place. It takes a good few days before it starts to chip which is a revelation when they usually chip within the hour.

3. Buffer away
This buffer tool can be picked up from Boots for a couple of quid. They're a great tool to help keep your nails in tip top shape. Especially if you're prone to biting them every now and again. Not that I would ever do such a disgusting habit...

4, Pretty pastels
I love a good pastel once the weather starts to warm out and my favourite brand is OPI. They always have such a great selection of colours. I managed to pick these two up for a couple of quid from a beauty sale at work.  I just think pastel shades look so spring like and can really brighten up your outfit. Crawfishin' for a compliment is the pretty peachy orange shade and Got myself into a Jam-balaya is the dusty barbie pink shade.

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Review: Nopi, Soho, London

I'd been eyeing up Nopi after hearing rave reviews about the cookbook. As tempted as I was to take the plunge, I wanted to try out the restaurant first. Luckily Hannah suggested it for brunch so off we went one Sunday morning.

We opted for a spot at the communal table downstairs in front of the hustle and bustle of the open kitchen - right in the heart of the action. The clattering of plates and chopping of knives wasn't a distraction in the slightly. Simply adding to the atmosphere. Coming hungry we decided to opt for three dishes to share. Gotta try as much as possible right?! Shaksuka (baked eggs) with chunky sourdough, beef brisket hash and corn and polenta cakes were the meals of choice.

The beef brisket hash just melted in your mouth and had a great flavour. The crispy potatoes may have been slightly overdone but it didn't take anything away from the dish. Just a matter of personal preference. The corn and polenta cakes were the stand out star for me. Perched on top of smashed avocado and smothered in a mixture of green leaves and fried egg, these fluffy parcels were delicious. The dish felt light, filling and the runny yolk was the perfect finishing touch. Finally the baked eggs were packed with peppers, tomatoes and smoked cream. The dish had a great kick to it and the sourdough was the perfect partner to mop up all the juices.

Nopi was brilliant and the brunch has made me desperate to try even more of the menu. There's so much I wanted to order. I'd also love to go along for dinner but I've heard it can get quite pricey. I think it's about time I invested in the cookbook to recreate the dishes at home!

These pictures were taken using a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. As a iPhone nerd I'd always wondered about the other side. And when I crossed over to the other side I was delighted. The camera on the phone is absolutely great and hands down is one of the best phone cameras I've ever used. An Instagrammers dream. Thanks for letting me try it out Three mobile! Keep an eye out for some more reviews showing off the camera over the next week.

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Timex A/W collection

A few weeks ago I was invited along to have a sneak peak at the new Timex a/w collection at Shoreditch House - a venue that has been on my wish list to visit for ages! A brand I have a soft spot for and a venue that promises to offer fantastic views of the city? Win win situation! The American heritage brand certainly had a lot of fancy watches to show off.

I found that brightly coloured material straps were very popular. These statement watches had a great nautical theme to them. In fact, I was lucky enough to take home the yellow and blue number and my boyfriend is already trying to steal it from me - the little rascal. The straps on the Weekender Fairfield are reversible making them perfect for those who change their mind like the weather!

If leather straps are more your jam, the earthy neutral watches come with matching face. This heritage collection offers a more subtle watch but still makes a style statement.

What I loved most about the different collection was that they were all unisex and timeless. I got the impression that wouldn't date and would look just as good now as they would in ten years time. Perfect for an investment piece. Can you believe the brand is over 160 years old?

Do you have a favourite design? Thanks so much for a lovely evening Timex - my wish list is now as long as my arm!

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Review: Origin's Of pop up, Blessings, Spitalfields

After sampling my first Lebanese meal in Cologne last month, I was eager to try more Middle Eastern inspired dishes. So when an invite to the launch of Origin Of landed in my inbox, it seemed like fate. I hotfooted it down to Spitalfields with Lily to see what the new Middle Eastern inspired pop up had to offer.

Situated in the instagram friendly venue of Blessings - see picture below for reference - we were taken upstairs where the food didn't stop coming. First up for the absolutely tantalising spice infused buttermilk chicken topped with crunchy radishes, cucumber ribbons and a slither of scotch bonnet mayo on a flatbread. to give it a satisfying kick. This was by far my favourite dish and I could have eaten it all night. Next was the veggie version. Buttermilk fried cauliflower poppers. Just as addictive.

The pace was changed with the introduction of beetroot falafel and a selection of mouth-watering dips such as sumac yogurt, tahini hype and fresh sweet chilli. The falafel were perfectly cooked with a delicious soft middle topped with sesame seeds to give them a crunch. Finally we rounded off the evening with a bowl of creamy hummus and soft flatbread. The olive oil was the perfect finishing touch.

The kitchen is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4pm till 11pm. Get yourself down to Spitalfields and make sure you don't miss out!

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