Review: Foxlow, Clerkenwell, London

Before our day of exploring South London we needed to have a suitably filling brunch to warm us up for the day. Enter Foxlow. This modern European restaurant is owned by the same guys as Hawksmoor. Billed as a casual neighbourhood restaurant, it has a cracking cocktail list and prides itself on good quality produce. After sampling the brunch menu, I cannot wait to try their Sunday lunch. It looks absolutely divine on their Instagram!

After much deliberation I opted for the avocado and feta on sourdough toast topped with two poached eggs. And because this seemed way too healthy for a Saturday morning I ordered a side of bacon. Bacon makes everything better. The salty chunks of feta were the ideal partner to the creamy avocado. The perfectly poached eggs had a brilliantly orange runny yolk - something so simple yet so hard to achieve. I had seriously food envy when Lily's Moroccan eggs appeared - definitely the first thing I'm ordering next time I pop in! Hannah's mac and cheese was also a winner. The crispy breadcrumb layer added a satisfying crunch to the gooey cheesy pasta. I may have helped myself to a fair few forkfuls.

All in all Foxlow is a great option for brunch in the city. Prices are reasonable, the food is prompt and delicious and the waiting staff are attentive. It's not mega cheap but prices won't make your eyes water either. I loved the laid back vibe and the fact that we could take our time - we had a lot of catching up to do! I'll definitely be back soon to sample those Moroccan eggs...

Read more

Exploring Europe: Day two in Cologne, Germany

Day two saw us up bright and early with lots of fit in. After stuffing ourselves silly with a heavy breakfast of cheese, ham and bread at Hotel Lyskirchen, we set off for a day of culture. The first stop was the sports museum before heading over to former Gestapo prison. The insight into the minds of the nazi secret police was truly a harrowing experience.

I'm planning to do a more thorough recap of the best places to visit in Cologne so keep a look out!

After leaving the former prison we decided to take a stroll over the famous love lock bridge to help clear our heads and ponder on what we had witnessed. The main aim was to cross the other side to get the lift up to the top of the Cologne Triangle for what was promised to offer a superb view of the city. It certainly didn't disappoint and was overmuch worth the few euros it cost. In fact I'd recommend it over the view from the cathedral if you haven't got time to do both.

After a long day of walking we decided to opt for a nap - something that is always essential on a city break - and a dinner close by. After a little research of the best pork knuckles in town, we settled upon the Brauhaus Sunner to sample the German delicacy. It was a very good shout. The beer hall made me feel like I was in Game of Thrones - I was expected Tyrion to appear at any moment. The atmosphere was buzzing and the portions were massive. We left with full bellies and ready for day three after lusting over the cathedral showing off in the dark.

Read more

Recipe: Prawn pad thai

Borderfields got in touch and asked me to put together a recipe using one of their oils. I racked my brains and decided to make something from one of my favourite cuisines. The garlic infused oil was the perfect accompaniment to use in a pad Thai. The flavour really came out in the vegetables and added a tasty spice to the dish. It would be great to add a subtle twang to a curry too.

This recipe was adapted from Fay Makes It Easy. Such a good book and all the recipes are so simple!

Serves 2

Ingredients:
2 tbsp of Borderfields garlic infused oil*
1/2 pack of flat pad thai noodles
1/2 bag of beansprouts
1 pack of tenderstem broccoli
2 mini pak choi
Half a pack of spring onions
1 pack of king prawns
1 tbsp of soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
A handful of coriander
A sprinkling of chopped salted peanuts (optional)

Method:
1. Chop the spring onions and broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Shred the park choi.

2. Heat up the garlic oil in a wok and then add all the vegetables including the bean sprouts too. Cook for around 2-3 minutes.

3. Add the prawns and cook through.

4. Cook the noodles according to the packet instruction.

5. Add the soy sauce and fish oil to the dish. Give it a good stir.

6. Once the noodles are cooked, drain them in cold water and then add to the wok. Mix everything together.

7. Divide between two bowls. Sprinkle on the chopped coriander and some chopped peanuts if you wish - then tuck in!

As always I'd love to know if you made this, please do tweet me!

Read more

Exploring Europe: Day one in Cologne, Germany

Last October I stumbled across £20 flights on Ryanair to Cologne. This German city wasn't really on my radar but I was desperate to visit Germany again so I snapped them up. After all, the flights cost the same as my weekly bus ticket to work. How could I say no to that? I never realised that Ryanair offered £20 flights to so many different places. A whole new world has opened up to me and boy am I going to take advantage in the future. So what did I get up to in Cologne?

We arrived around midday and after checking in Hotel Lyskirchen, headed towards the towering cathedral. What a beauty it was. As someone who isn't religious at all, I have a fascination with places of worship. They're unbelievably stunning, peaceful and just have me in awe. Cologne Cathedral was no different. I couldn't get over the sheer size and the detailing in every corner of the building. A sucker for a view, we decided to climb the 509 steps to the very top. A quarter way up we were regretting it but I'm so glad we powered on as we were rewarded with the most beautiful view over the city. One that made us feel on top of the world.

After all that walking our tummies started to rumble and after a quick look in our guide book, we opted for a quick lunch in the Fruh Am Dom beer hall. This was by far my favourite beer we had the whole trip. Most beer halls use different breweries so you'll get to try a lot. I opted for a classic pork schnitzel with a mountain of chips for my first German meal. Just what I needed to start the holiday with a bang. Waiters keep piling you with beer as soon as your glass is empty. Simply place your beer mat on top of the glass once you've decided you've had enough.

After our meal we headed back to the hotel for a quick nap before heading out to a Lebanese restaurant called Beirut for dinner. This unassuming little restaurant tucked down a side street was the perfect dinner for our first night in the city. After stuffing ourselves silly on meze we retired to the room for an early night for yet more exploring the next day.

Read more

OOTD: Palm print shirt

Outfit:

Black coat with a fur collar: Zara (similar)

Green palm print shirt: Topshop

Ankle grazer skinny jeans: F&F (Similar)

Burgundy leather ankle boots: Next (similar)

Poppy red Lily: Mulberry

Since getting back from Cologne last weekend it's all been a bit of a whirlwind. For some reason everything has seem to come at once and it's been manic. I feel like I haven't stopped. I think the earliest I got home last week was just before nine pm. But amongst the frantic running around, there was some amazing news thrown in there. From the 1st April I am no longer freelancing but a full time employee. I'll be a member of the Homes & Property team at the Evening Standard, somewhere I've been freelancing since November last year. It's made me week that it's finally official. I genuinely enjoy going into work every day and am so pleased that I can carry on! Obviously lots of celebrating was done with a cider, ramen and fried chicken. As all good things should be celebrated!

After being on a saving mission for February, come March payday I went a little crazy and treated myself to a few things. Two things being these skinny jeans and this palm print shirt. I just felt like I needed a complete refresh and more casual clothes in my wardrobe. You can never have too many pairs of jeans right? Of all places, Tesco do the jeans that fit me to a tee. They're high waisted, don't sag and don't cost the earth. Perfect right?

Read more

Three top tips for a girls night in

Let's face it, nothing beats a cosy night in with your favourite girl or two putting the world to rights, scoffing endless snacks and lusting over Ryan Gosling, wondering when on earth he is going to ask you out. All fun girly nights have three main ingredients. Include these and you'll end up having the best night in. I promise.

1. Pampering
I love a good pampering session but due to a busy life, I rarely make time. Something I need to work better on! But a girls night provides the perfect excuse while giving you a chance to natter. I'm loving sheet masks at the minute - thanks for introducing me Michelle! - and they really do work their magic. Worth it too for the comedy factor of having it on your face and pretending to be a ghost. Just me then... So pull together your favourite nail polishes, moisturisers and face masks to give each other some much needed TLC.

2. Food
Food is probably the most important aspect of any meet up or any occasion really. But pigging out doesn't always have to mean shoving a 20 inch pizza, a bowl of nachos and 25 chicken wings down your throat in less than ten minutes. Luckily Go Ahead!* have the perfect snacks that allow you to indulge but feel a little less guilty too. My favourite are the cookie bites - especially the sweet white chocolate and raspberry nibbles. They're the perfect treat to make sure you indulge your sweet tooth and less than 100 calories. Perfection right?!  The crispy fruity yogurt breaks also get a massive thumbs up for me. I'll be making any excuse to eat these!

3. Films
Finally you need films. But not just any old films. Films that make you cry with laughter, smile until your face hurts and make your heart swell. So obviously any films with Ryan Gosling in. Light-hearted, funny films that you don't have to concentrate too hard on. Because let's face it, you'll be doing a hell of a lot of chatting throughout. If only to discuss THAT scene in The Notebook...

What are your top tips for a girls night in?

Read more

Review: Sugar Dumplin', Camberley, Surrey

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we all know that Caribbean food is my favourite. My ultimate favourite. So I didn't need to be asked twice when Sugar Dumplin got in touch to see if I wanted to sample their menu at their new restaurant in Camberley, Surrey.

After collecting the party bus from London Bridge station and a very strong rum cocktail in both hands, we were soon on our way to Surrey. Trust me when I say it's well worth the journey out of London. As soon as you walk in the restaurant its like you've been transported thousands of miles away. The sounds of a steel drum tinkers in the background, pumping reggae music blasts as you scoff your food and the whole place feels like you've stumbled into a shack on a tiny Caribbean island. It feels a million miles away from just plain old Surrey - I absolutely loved the vibe. To me, the atmosphere is just as important as the food served up.

Boy did we eat a feast that night! Fiery jerk prawns with an added kick of ginger, sticky and extremely addictive BBQ ribs, perfectly cooked Bajan sword fish and salt cod fish cakes, chunky fried plantain chips and the signature sugar dumplins with incredibly moreish sauces. That was just to start!

More food still came out! When the goat curry arrived I was excited yet skeptical. This is my favourite dish and I'm always worried it's never executed good enough. But I needn't have worried! This was delicious. With mixed peppers and soft potatoes, the goat was incredibly tender with just the right amount of spicy chilli. I tried not to be too greedy with this dish! The rice and peas were the perfect partner to soak up the delicious sauce.

Thanks so much for such a delicious meal Sugar Dumplin - I wish I could eat it all over again!

Read more

5 cities I want to visit in Germany

After spending four days in Cologne last week, my need to explore more of Germany has intensified. I find it so hard to believe that it has been a unified country for just 27 years - mind-blowing. Paired with beautiful architecture, my favourite time period of history and yummy, stodgy food, Germany has captured my heart. After reading my guidebook cover to cover, I now have a whole bundle of places I'm dying to visit. Here are my top five.

Image by Pascal Poggi via Pinterest

1. Dresden
This city on the edge of the River Elbe never really appealed to me - until I saw some pictures. Then it shot straight to the top of my list. Just look at that skyline above. Give me mesmerising historic building over sterile skyscrapers any day. The riverside beer gardens, incredible Baroque architecture, historic old town and interesting museums all help to make this East German city well worth visiting. The Allies unleashed a staggering 3900 tonnes of explosives on the city over two days in February 1945 meaning so much of the city had to be rebuilt following the destruction. Which only makes Dresden even more remarkable.

Image from Incredible Pictures via Pinterest

2. Nuremberg
Nazi Germany was always my favourite period during my history lessons at school, a period of history that fascinates me still. I think the fact World War II is so recent, so close to home and quite frankly mind blowing that one man nearly realised his atrocious dream. It's something that could quite easily happen again, especially in this current climate. Nuremberg was such an important city for the Nazis. It was here that the first Jewish businesses were boycotted, fanatical party rallies were held and the site for the Nuremberg Trials. But morbid reasons aside, Bavaria's second-largest city is also said to boast one of the best Christmas markets in Germany so I would love to catch that.

Image by Danny Groner for Photocritic via Pinterest

3. Munich
Surprisingly I do not want to visit during Oktoberfest - in fact I can't think of anything worse than facing those crowds. But I do want to soak up the Bavarian heritage, trawl around the famous beer halls, wander around the many museums and visit the Olympic stadium. I've heard such great things about Munich and am dying to experience it for myself.

Image from Flickr via Pinterest

4. Hamburg
Germany's second-largest city boasts that it is 'the gateway to the world'. Is this true? I'd certainly like to find out! The port city has numerous neighbourhoods each offering something different. From the Altstradt in the centre offering cultural museums to the gentrified St Georg as the hub of the city's gay scene. It sounds like a great place to spend 3/4 days just soaking up the German atmosphere.

Image from Stuck in Customs via Pinterest

5. Leipzig
I fell head over heels for Berlin four years ago and I've heard on the grapevine that Leipzig is a cheaper, fun version of that city. Cool, hip and alternative with a nightlife to die for. I'd love to find out more about the city that has been cited with a leading role in the 'peaceful revolution' that helped to draw a close to the Cold War. The east German city has so many museums and exhibitions devoted to the GDR. A period of history I'm eager to look into a bit more.

Read more