Dinner with Strada

Last week I was kindly invited out for a blogger dinner with the Italian restaurant Strada. We were treated like Queens! Alongside free-flowing prosecco and white wine, we were given canapés and three courses in front of one of the city's most famous landmarks - London Bridge. It was such a wonderful evening and so lovely to get to know like-minded bloggers who are obsessed with food!

I have to be honest and admit that I tend to stay away from most chain restaurants as I think the food scene in London is of such a high quality, it seems a shame to go somewhere with mass produced food. But I will eat my hat! Strada has bucked the trend and is producing fresh, tasty food for its customers.

We were given plump green nocellara olives to start. Next up was a fresh caprese salad consisting of creamy buffalo mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil and a generous drizzle of olive oil. The perfect dish to help soak up the summer! Then I tried Burrata for the first time draped on top of proscuitto ham with crunchy toast - my favourite of the tasters. Creamy risotto and tender rare steak followed. Finally we were presented with a crispy veal covered in crunchy breadcrumbs. My belly was already feeling full and then we were told we would be treated to a three course meal of our choice. Wow!

For my starter I couldn't help but opt for the Spring Veggie Bruschetta on such a warm evening. Peas, spring onions and soya beans were mixed with creamy ricotta, mint and a squeeze of bitter lemon. It was the perfect portion size and the soft cheese went brilliantly with the crunchy slice of bread. For my main I chose the Cavatappi Genovese. El dente corkscrew pasta was smothered in basil nuts, topped with crunchy pine nuts alongside a scattering of soft new potatoes and fresh green beans. Delicious! I never wanted the bowl of pasta to run out! Finally for my dessert I wanted something light to counteract such a huge meal! The lemon sorbet was a no brainer. It was incredibly refreshing - just the ticket to end such a fantastic meal.

I joined the head chef of the restaurant to attempt to spin my own pizza base. He certainly made it look a lot easier than it was. Simply covered in a tart tomato sauce and nutty pesto, the pizza was divine. It tasted all the better knowing that I spun it myself. Not bad for my first attempt - but lets look over the fact it looks slightly oval!

I finally got the train home with a full belly, feeling a little merry and armed with an amazing personalised Strada apron. It was a lovely way to see out a Thursday - thanks for the invite guys! Big thanks to Angela and Felicia for catching me in action too!

Read more

A Luxembourg City Guide

Bock Casemates
Way back in 963, a fort was built around Luxembourg. Within this was a 23km long network of casemates housed a community underneath. Soldiers, horses, bakeries, kitchens, workshops and slaughter houses were all buried underground. 17kg of the tunnels still remain this very day. It's an amazing, unique experience to walk around deep underground and imagine what it was like hundreds of years ago. Make sure you stop and peer out of the gaps for amazing views of the city. Be prepared for the tunnels to be very narrow and for lots of stairs to be climbed.

Philharmonie Luxembourg 
This stunning modern building hosts various musical events throughout the year - it's home to the incredible Philharmonic Orchestra of Luxembourg. We luckily managed to catch them in a free open air concert so make sure you try and grab tickets to see them at the concert hall. They give you goosebumps!

Chocolate House
If you have a sweet tooth, you'll be in your element here. Word of warning, when you choose you cake, make sure you share - it's the size of your head! The delicious cafe is situated right outside the impressive Grand Ducel Palace. You can opt for lunch upstairs or sit outside and soak up the views. They have so many flavours of hot chocolate to choose from and lots of sweet treats to nibble on. It's a lovely place to rest your weary feet after a few hours exploring the city.

Hotel Le Chatelet
At only a 15 minute walk from the city centre, this family-run hotel is in the perfect location. It's far enough to be in a quiet area yet close enough should you want something a little more lively. Buffet breakfast is also included which is great to help get you started for the day. Pastries galore! The airport is only ten minutes away by car - perfect!

Brasserie Neumunster

This restaurant is situated in a remodelled ex prison and church near the old town of the city. At lunch time they offer a lovely free jazz concert in the courtyard of the abbey. Afterwards there's a buffet on offer where you can eat until your hearts content! I obviously treated myself to a fair few plates. It's a lovely place to just sit back, relax and enjoy some superb music. It gets extremely busy so get there early before the music starts at 11am.

If you're planning a trip, make sure you visit www.visitluxembourg.com for some great tips! 

Read more

A Luxembourg City Photo Diary

I have to be honest and say Luxembourg City was never really on my radar but when a press trip popped up, I was intrigued. I decided to go for it because it was something a little out of ordinary, a country I didn't know too much about and a few days away soaking up the vibe of another city. I'm very glad I decided to go!

I had such a lovely three days away and it was such an interesting country to learn about. There's not too much to fit in but I think that is part of it's charm. You can really take your time taking in the sights. Sometimes it all gets a little too much when there's so much on the itinerary. Taking a walk around the old town is wonderful thanks to the architecture being so pretty. There's just something about buildings steeped in history. One thing I love about Europe is that the walls really do speak. You don't always get that history elsewhere. I fully recommend a walking tour so you really get to know the city inside out - it has such an fascinating history.

We were lucky enough to go during their annual free musical festival. Listening to opera from a live orchestra whilst eating dinner outside was genuinely a highlight in my life - it honestly gave me goosebumps.

I won't say too much about recommendations as I'll be putting together a city guide in the next few days. Luxembourg City is the perfect break away if you enjoy good food, good wine and the slower pace of city life. Sometimes it nice to take a step back and just enjoy plodding along at your own pace.

This weekend I'm in Liverpool, June is turning into a very busy month!

Read more

OOTD: #GeorgeousRacewear

Outfit:
Black cut out neck dress: c/o George At Asda
Black duster coat: Topshop (similar)
Nude embellished block heeled sandals: c/o George At Asda
Slogan print cross body bag: c/o George At Asda

George at Asda got in touch to see if I wanted create an outfit fit for the races from their range of dresses. This year is actually the first time in about five years that I've not got a day out at the races planned. Usually I pop along to either Newmarket or Ascot. I absolutely love the whole atmosphere of horse racing, the chance to buy a fancy new dress and of course the pimms drinking!

I've never think you can go wrong with a LBD and I was swayed by the pretty cut outs. It helps to make it a little more interesting which is always a marvellous thing! I like to inject a little fun into my outfit so went for this cool slogan bag to stop things from looking stuffy. Slogan bags seem to be all the range recently and this one was such a bargain at £8. At some races you won't be allowed certain areas of the racecourse if you have your shoulders on show so I've throw on a smart duster jacket to help bring the outfit together. Finally I always think heels are a must at the races - keep a pair of flip flops in your bag for the end of the day. These nude sandals are the perfect height for being on your feet the whole day. Trust me it can be a very long day! Although I will definitely pop some fake tan on pronto - those milk bottles are offending my eyes. 6 long months without any sun!

So what do you think of my #GeorgeousRacewear? Have you got any days at the races planned?

Read more

A UK bucket list

Ah the green and pleasant land. I hold my hands up and say I take living in the UK for granted. When I'm looking for trips away, it's the last place I look. But when I actually sit and think about it, the UK might be rainy but it's pretty stunning! The four countries are blessed with incredible history, greenery and landmarks. It's about time I started exploring properly!

1. Cheddar Gorge
The limestone gorge in Somerset reminds me of a a landscape from Middle Earth in Lord Of The Rings! I feel so lucky to have such stunning landscapes right on my doorstep in the UK. It's almost 400ft deep and a staggering three miles long - it started forming a mind blowing million years ago during the last Ice Age. Apart from Glastonbury, Somerset isn't a part of the world I'm too familiar with and I'd love to take a camping trip nearby. It really is nature at it's finest!

2. Giant's Causeway
I love a good folk tale and this one has to be one of my favourites. According to the legend, Irish giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill was challenged to a fight by a Scottish giant Benandonner. Fionn accepted and built a causeway across the north channel so they could meet. Fionn panics when he realises Benandonner's size and gets his wife to disguise him as a baby in a cradle. When Benandonner sees the size of the 'baby' he reckons his father must be a giant among giants. So he flees back to Scotland, destroying the causeway on his way to his home. My boyfriend's family doesn't live too far away in Ireland so I'm hoping we can squeeze in a trip if we go over to visit next year.

3. Arthur's Seat
I've only spent the day in Edinburgh and only managed to see the castle. I'd love to go back and climb the highest peak in the city's Holyrood Park. The views from the dormant volcano look absolutely incredible. It's also home to 2000 year old preserved fort and a 15th century medieval chapel. But if I'm honest I just really want to soak up that view.

4. Stonehenge
I've seen this bizarre arrangement of rocks a few times from the car but I've never gotten up close and personal before. No one really knows why these rocks were displayed in such a way but there are many theories out there. But many believe that it is a prehistoric temple aligned with the movements of the sun. One of things I'm most proud of as a Brit is our vast incredible history over our four countries - Stonehenge is a prime example of this.

5. Lake District
The Lake District is one place I've heard many people go ga-ga over. The sheer beauty of the national park has people going gooey-eyed. There are many market towns within the region and it seems like such a beautiful part of the United Kingdom. I'd love to pop on a pair of walking boots, grab a map and just explore until my hearts content, breathing in the fresh air. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the beauty of nature to feel like everything will be alright.

6. Isle of Skye
Seals. Seals are the sole reason why I'm so desperate to visit the Isle of Skye. I wouldn't mind seeing the dolphins either. Or the dinosaur fossils. At 50 miles long, it's the largest island of the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. The isle is full of castles, quaint villages and lots of walking trails. The ultimate outdoor holiday eh?

7. Highlands
There seems to be a running theme of Scotland in this list. Full of gorgeous stretches of coastlines, impressive mountains, overwhelming glens and stunning islands, it's got something for everyone. I've actually got a friend who moved up to a little village so really I have no excuse not to visit. My boyfriend went earlier in the year and the pictures looked amazing. Although he didn't manage to find the Loch Ness monster. Can't win them all!

8. Norfolk Broads
For years I've been meaning to hire a canal boat and travel down the broads stopping at the quaint pubs along the way for a cider and roast dinner. The rivers and lakes run through the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. It's an area of the country that's not too far from my house so it's a crime I haven't been sooner.

What's on your UK bucket list? It seems like I need to plan a road trip around Scotland!

Read more

Beauty - In my travel wash bag

With only two months until my summer holiday to Barcelona - can I get hell yeah? - I started thinking about what to pack in my holiday wash bag. A girl can never be too prepared. I love the sun but it can play havoc on your body. It leaves mine feeling dry and dehydrated which is never a good look. These are some products that should be in your arsenal when you jet of in search of some sun!

Aussie Miracle Recharge Moisture Lightweight Conditioning Spray
Thanks to my love of long locks, it means I have to deal with a hell of a lot of knots. I tend not to use conditioner too often after I shampoo because it makes my hair greasy. So this is the perfect de-tangle remedy. Your hair can get extremely dry after a day in the sun and needs to be kept in good condition.  This wonder product brings back the moisture it craves and helps to make it easier to handle. After a day spent in the sea or swimming pool, your hair will need a lot of TLC!

Delph Sun Lotion Factor 30 c/o
I never go lower than factor 30 on a sun cream. The older I'm getting, the more I'm becoming less of a sun worshipper. Not only is there the risk of skin cancer but also the risk of premature aging. Shudder! I like my sun cream to be non-greasy and thick so that I feel like it's doing it's job. This one fits the ticket perfectly. The great thing about the lotion is it's moisturising too - the sun can be a nightmare drying out your skin!

Delph After Sun Gel c/o
When I'm away I'm so conscious of my tan fading that I become a slave to after sun! I much prefer a gel based after sun as it feels much more cooler and refreshing on my skin - especially if I'm a little sunburnt. Ouch! The sun gel sinks into the skin immediately and leaves no greasy residue. You can almost get dressed straight away after application. There's nothing worse than slipping around in your dress and your skin feeling a bit sticky.

Soap and Glory Super Tonic Fragrance Orangeasm
When I'm on holiday I like a light and fruity scent - nothing too overpowering and heavy. I much prefer a body spray rather than an actual perfume. This zesty orange scented spray is perfect. It's not too long lasting but the bottles small enough to pop in your beach bag to keep topping up throughout the day.

V05 Give Me Texture Rough & Sexy Salt Spray c/o
I like to keep my hair as low-matienance as possible when I'm abroad in a hot country. I don't want to spend hours pimping and preening when there are cocktails to be drunk! This is why I love salt sprays. I simply rough dry my hair with a towel, liberally spray a salt spray all over and pop up in a topknot until it dries. Voila! I'm left with beachy waves.

Simple Kind To Skin+ Moisture Boost Hydro Mist c/o
In any extreme weather, my skin struggles to cope. This fine mist is great to help give dehydrated skin a much needed boost. It absorbs almost immediately and can also be worn over make up. It's great to keep in your beach bag for when your face needs a little helping hand throughout the day.

Nivea Firming Body Oil
This is my holy grail. I'm on around my 6/7th bottle since the beginning of the year. I use it religiously everyday in my legs and it helps to keep them in tip top shape. It's helped to severely reduce my blemishes and helps to keep shaving rashes and dryness at bay. There's no way I'm leaving it at home!

Yes To Coconut Dry Skin Ultra Light Body Lotion Spray c/o
For the rest of my body I need a lightweight body lotion that absorbs quickly yet keeps my body hydrated. I don't my tan to peel if I can help it! Coconut is my favourite scent and this smells gorgeous. The spray nozzles gives out just the right amount of product and is simple to use when you're in a rush to get down to that dinner buffet!

Read more

Cath Kidston A/W 15

I'm a massive fan of Cath Kidston. In fact, I've been stockpiling their homeware products ready for when I move out. So as you can expect, I was very excited to see a invite pop up in my inbox to have a little look around at their A/W preview. As you can tell, it was full of lots of beautiful things!

Cath Kidston have delved into their archives and have reworked some classic prints. They came up with a Riot of Print and Colour. The results are gorgeous rose prints, burgundy polka dots, berry coloured birds, a red ditsy floral print and pretty teal florals amongst many others. The rose printed midi skirt above is what dreams are made of! Just look at all the stunning colours. I also had a soft spot for the skater shoes below - I'll be keeping my eye out for them in the coming months.

Their homeware didn't disappoint either. The press day was full of printed crockery, glassware and novelty items. Every year they seem to offer something similar yet completely different which is why they keep bringing their customers back. There's always a new collection of print that you need to collect. The cute little sausage dog below caught my eye and I did consider sneaking him in my bag and running out! But alas my conscious got the better of me.

Read more