Sushi?

Last week I was invited along to a special sushi making class at Broadgate in the city through work. I caught the train into Liverpool Street and trotted on down to K10 to take part in the first Spring into Health event.

Taking place from March to May, the events are aimed at helping city workers gain a fresh perspective to nutrition, wellness and fitness. Broadgate held a study and found out a staggering 50% of Londoners only occasionally think about nutrition. Even more shocking 80% of Londonders rarely have time or simply just don't bother to think about what is in their food before they purchase it. They taken it upon themselves to change this. Check out the website for any upcoming events.

Having only shamefully tried supermarket sushi I was excited to try the real deal. Craft has never been my strong point as I suffer with zero coordination but I was willing to give this rolling lark my best shot. As it turned out my rolling wasn't the best but thanks to some patient chefs I eventually perfected my sushi and prompted ate it all in record time.

It was really interesting to hear all about the history of sushi and some facts about what ingredients are used and why. As a complete foodie I love hearing about all different cuisines and find it fascinating to find out why cultures employ certain practices. A word of warning you should never plonk your chopsticks in a bowl of rice in Japan unless you want to severely offend your guests. It's the sign of death!

We were kindly given a 20% off voucher and I can't wait to return with my boyfriend and sample some different types. I've got a taste for it now!

Have you ever been to a sushi making class?

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Like Mother like Daughter

My outfit:
Graphic print scuba midi dress: c/o Florence and Fred
Block heeled faux suede court shoes: c/o Florence and Fred
Red lipstick:  Chanel 97 Incandescente

Mother Bears outfit:
Brown and black floral dress: Next
Black suede court shoes: Primark
Cyrstal pendant: Swarovski
Nude lipstick: Barry M 165
Black shawl: TK Maxx

Tesco got in touch to see if I would like to take part in a special Mother's Day challenge where I get to pick an outfit insipired by my mum. I obviously jumped at the chance as my beautiful mum is one of my most favourite people in the world. She's honestly my best friend. I sometimes think she knows me better than I know myself. Although I know that statement is likely to give her a very big head! I'm an only child and as a result i'm very close to both my parents. I love spending time with my mum and we often make out sunday morning ritual to scour the bootsales looking for junk that makes my dad tear his hair out. She enjoys stuffing her face just as much as do and gives me honest advice without holding back. Sometimes you need to hear that your current hairstyle is getting a bit boring!

So where have I taken my inspiration from? As long as I can rememeber my mother scrubs up extremely well when she's heading off out. We both like to longue around in our PJs at the weekend though if we're in the house! She takes great effort in keeping up to date with the trends whilst still being age appropriate. My mum loves a a knee length/ midi dress, something I find myself always gravitating towards. I just think it looks very elegant and classy. My mum isn't afraid of braving patterns and loves something that makes a statement.  She always loves a court shoe. Go in her wardrobe and you'll get a serious injury when you open the door and all these heels come falling down! I've chosen a black court shoe as she always says you can't have too many black shoes! Sound advice there guys!

Some of the quality isn't too good but here are a few more pictures of my mum and I through the years. Thanks for being such a star mum!

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Classic Car Bootsale

 

Last weekend Lily and I decided to hit up the Classic Car Bootsale on the Southbank after hearing about it on Twitter. It was a car boot with a bit of a vintage twist. Set out of the back of some amazing classic cars there was a mix of handmade goods, vintage clothing, bric and brac and cracking street food. We had such amazing weather and it was lovely to mooch around at a leisurely pace peaking at all the bits and bobs on display. It was a fantastic place to people watch and seeing people in full vintage clobber makes me wish I'd mastered that victory roll and wasn't so lazy in my dressing. I sense a vintage shop trip to Brick Lane coming soon....

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Goodnight Mister Tom

Outfit:
Cream lace shirt: Primark (similar)
White stretch vest top: Primark (similar)
Black skinny jeans: Primark (similar)
Jonathan Alder grey espadrilles: c/o TOMS
Silver multi-strand necklace: Car Boot (similar)

When TOMS got in contact with me offering me the chance to to try out something from their range to help raise awareness of the brand, I couldn't reply with a big fat yes please quick enough. After browsing their site, I noticed that they also stocked a cracking range of sunglasses from vintage styles to classic aviators. It's well worth checking out! It's the exact same concept as the footwear, they offer a pair of glasses to those in need in developing countries. It's such an amazing concept and it feels amazing to know you're helping someone out.

I wore these for an afternoon stroll along the Southbank with Lily in the sunshine. By the time I got home I didn't have one blister on my foot - something unheard of for me when I wear new shoes! I know they'll be a staple during the warmer months for me. The grey is such a great neutral colour and the pattern makes the stand out.

Do you have a pair of TOMS? Did you realise they did eyewear too?

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The Brit Pack Presents : the Pastel Parade

 Outfit:
Light wash denim jacket: Primark (similar)
Pastel patterned silky midi dress: Dorothy Perkins (similar)
Mint suede court heels: Next (similar)

Another month and another Brit Pack collaboration. This time it's pastels. Pretty fitting for the recent surge of warm weather we've had eh? Hopefully it's not just a flash in the pan.

Just look how bright that sun is! I'm slightly ashamed to say this is the first time i've ever worn these shoes since I nabbed them in the Next sale a few years ago. How could I have left them unloved for that long?! Shocking. I'll be getting my wear out of these this spring let me tell you! I struggled a bit with this months themed as I don't really wear pastels as I find them a bit too girly. Yes said the girl forever in midi dresses and skirts!

Make sure you check out the other fashionistas!
Maria
Kim 
Christina
Donna        
Erica
Rachel
Sarah
Gemma 

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Review: Annie-Maes Mac and Cheese

London street food is killing it at the minute. Gone are the days of a greasy cardboard tasty burger in a stale bun. Now there's not a cuisine that isn't on offer for Londoners.

Mac and Cheese is something that I've grown to adore. Despite being a lover of cheese there was something about it I didn't like until this past year. Now I love to shove it in my face at an alarming rate. I'd heard lots of good things about Annie Maes on the blogger/Twitter grapevine so when I saw them at the Classic Car Boot (more on that soon) I made a beeline and marched straight over.

I opted for the delicious sounding Don Macaroni. Topped with tasty pesto, fresh basil and crispy bacon, it looked like heaven in a paper cup. I took my first fork full and I was hooked. It was unbelievably cheesy, if a little sticky, and got creamier the further you dug in. The pesto was the perfect partner to the cheese and the salty bacon gave it a lovely crunch. The macaroni melted in your mouth and it was free from any dreaded hard pasta. I didn't want the bowl to end and I could easily have put another cup full in my belly.

You'll find Annie Maes at street food extraganza Kerb and various other places around London Town. Just check their website!

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Feburary Empties

Running a little behind schedule with the empties this month!

001. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic c/o
In fact I've already brought myself another bottle so that tells you how much I love it. A little goes a long way and it gently gets rid in one swoop of any make up you've left behind. It feels soft on my contact wearing eyes - some toners can make my eyes feel sore. It's prefect to use in the morning to wake you up as it feels lovely and refreshing first thing.

002. Bioderma
Review here

003. Batiste Dry Shampoo Medium and Brunette
This is my favourite edition!
Review here

004. Dove Deeply Nourishing Moisturising Body Wash
I think Dove is fantastic. It brilliant value for money and always does a good job. This body wash wasn't any different. Did exactly what it said on the tin. If I didn't have the whole of Boots in my bedroom, I'd rush out and replace it. It's a great unisex wash too.

005. Marc Jacobs Dot Shower Cream
The smell wasn't too overpowering and tied in nicely when worn with the perfume. It has a gorgeous sweet smell. It lather very nicely indeed but you did have to put a generous amount on the sponge to make it last.

006. Seventeen Back Lash c/o
Seventeen reminds me of my wasted youth when I'd spend my £20 a  week wages from Next on the latest polishes and eyeshadows. I always think the brand is great value for money and have never tried a dud product. Along with eyelash curler this created a lovely long lash despite it being slightly wet on application. I'm finding this a lot with mascaras recently. Only me?

Have you tried any of these products?

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I can tell you there's no place we couldn't go

Outfit:
Black cotton midi dress: Asos (similar)
Quilted faux leather biker jacket: Zara (similar)
Black ankle leather boots: Topshop (similar)
Leopard print crossover bag: Primark (similar)

Sometimes you just crave an all black outfit to make it feel like you've made an effort. Unless of course you wear an all black outfit on one of the hottest days this year. Then you don't feel chic, you feel hot and sweaty instead. Attractive! Live and learn people, live and learn.

Photos taken by the wonderful Elodie

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Girls singing on the bus, fellas kicking up a fuss

Outfit:
Quilted faux leather biker jacket: Zara (similar)
Black and white checked collared blouse: c/o Shelikes
Pink scuba midi skirt: Primark (similar)
Black pointed courts: Dorothy Perkins (similar)

As soon as I spotted this lovely blouse on the Shelikes website I knew I had to have it and immediately imagined wearing it with this pink skirt. It made a pretty good partnership dontcha think?! Spring may be trying to appear but i'm not brave enough to be letting go of the black tights just yet! They'll be my comfort blanket for a little while yet.

This weekend has been jam-packed. I went to London on Friday night for the lovely Michelle's birthday dinner. Finally got to sample the delights of Breddos Tacos and they went down a treat. So much so I became an hoover and ended up eating everyone's leftovers. There was no way I could let those cheesy chips end up in the bin! Tonight i'm having a cosy night in with a Chinese for my mums best friends birthday. Then tomorrow i'm back in the Big Smoke for an indoor picnic at Lily's house. I've been ordered by Sarah to bring a carrot cake so that's what i'm baking today!

What are you getting up to over the weekend?

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