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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Recipe: Apple cider cake

When Waddlegoose offered to send me some of their cider to try, I immediately thought of baking with it. Coming in two delicious flavours, crisp apple and fruity berry,  the first flavour seemed the perfect one to create a cake. The flavoursome new launch from Aspell, gave the cake a delicious flavour without being too over-powering. It's even better the next day served with a steaming hot cup of tea!

Taken from a Paul Hollywood recipe

Ingredients
100g unsalted butter
100g unrefined light muscovado sugar
2 free range eggs
225g plain white flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp of cinnamon
150ml of cider

For the glaze
Icing sugar
Cider

Method

1.  Heat the oven to 160 degrees - adjust the temperature if you don't have a fan oven. Grease a cake pan and line with baking paper.

2. Beat the better and sugar together using an electric hand mixer. Once fluffy, beat in the two eggs.

3. In a separate bowl, shift the flour, cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda together.

4. Using a metal spoon, fold in a third of the flour into the beaten mixture. Then half the cider. Fold in another third and then the rest of the cider. Finally fold in the final third of flour.

5. Transfer the mixture into the prepared cake tin. Cook for around 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it as mine was ready within 20 minutes.

6. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 20 minutes before taking it out and leaving it to cool full on a wire wrack.

7. Once cool, it's time to make the glaze. Mix icing sugar and cider together to create a thin glaze. How much you use is depending on your taste. Pour over the cake before leaving to dry.

8. Tuck in and enjoy!

As always please do tweet me if you try this cake at home. It's definitely one I'll be trying again!

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Hotel review: Hotel Lyskirchen Cologne, Germany

For our trip to Cologne we wanted a hotel that was central yet far enough away from the main strip to still be quiet - it's never about only having a few hours sleep. We stumbled across Hotel Lyskirchen*, a modern hotel close to the River Rhine.

Offering 105 rooms, free wifi and air conditioning, the hotel is located 1.5km away from the famous Cologne Cathedral and just 300 metres away from the old town. Our economy room was a good size, with a fridge, sofa and wardrobe offering lots of storage space. It was so lovely to not feel cramped as what is common with many city hotels. Check in was a doddle and the staff were extremely helpful - I felt like I could go down quite easily if I had any queries. The breakfast buffet was the perfect way to set us up for the day - so much food! I'd really recommend booking Lyskirchen if you ever find yourself in the city!

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