My top 5 favourite places to eat in London

Dishoom
Having tried both their brunch and their main dinner menu, Dishoom is up there as one of my favourite places to eat in London. The varied menu is exciting and pushes the boundaries of what we expect to have from an Indian restaurant in the UK. The sharing menu encourages everyone to dig in and try a little bit of everything. The service is always great and the food never disappoints. There's a branch in quite a few areas of London with my favourite one being the Kings Cross restaurant. Personal favourite dishes include the black dal, bacon naan, okra fries and gunpowder potatoes. It's so easy to over order which is part of the fun!

Honest Burger
I've tried a hell of a lot of burger joints in London but I still keep coming back to Honest. Brixton has to be my favourite branch but I'll go anywhere. Still need to try their brunch though! The burgers are juicy and flavoursome paired with the most addictive rosemary fries. It's such good value for money and you never have a dud. Definitely the first place I recommend in the city if anyone needs to have a burger fix.

Shackfuyu
If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life it would have to be those Korean fried chicken wings above. I just can't get enough of that spicy sauce. I would go time and time again just for those. It's not the cheapest of places to eat but they do a cracking brunch deal that is a great introduction to the menu. And it's unlimited Prosecco. Need I say more?

Duck & Waffle
For our anniversary we headed up to the top of the Heron tower to have an unforgettable brunch. Sadly it was raining but that didn't take away from the incredible views of the city from the 40th floor. Open 24/7, we decided to opt for brunch. I had the signature duck and waffle and it was a dream to eat! It's definitely not a cheap eats option but somewhere I think everyone should visit at least once.

The Barbary
A recent find, this Covent Garden gem is the sister restaurant of the Palamor. Inspired by the north African coast, it's an electric mix of small sharing plates. The signature dish of Pata Negra Neck (pork neck) came drizzled with honey and a sprinkling of sea salt. So tender and juicy - a real star of the meal. It's set around an open kitchen so the atmosphere is great - a great place for a lazy lunch.

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A Chanel lipstick collection

I'm a sucker for a Chanel lipstick. There's something about the gold and black sleek, luxe packaging that makes me go all googly-eyed. I prefer the creamy formula of the Rouge Allure range and am slowly building up my collection. The staying power is fantastic and the pigmentation is so intense. I usually save all my boots points before splashing out once I gain enough. An unexpected treat is the best kind of treat! Take a look at my mini collection.

104 Passion
This bright red is extremely versatile with a blue undertone. It looks great in the depths of winter when you're lacking vitamin C and in the summer when you're boasting a tan. It's very much a classic fire engine red, making it perfect for the upcoming festive season. Two coats and it will last pretty much the whole night. Put some lipcote on top too and it will still be standing strong after a three course meal!

97 Incandescente

Nine times out of ten, if I'm wearing a red lip then it will be this one. This orangey red just makes me feel so polished and put together - the perfect pick-me-up! It packs such a punch and the lipstick glides on effortfully. The silky formula helps to stop the lipstick from being to drying. Once again, it has great staying power and you only really need to reapply once or twice from day to evening.

102 Palpitante
This is my newest purchase from a couple of weeks ago that I have yet to wear. Can you tell I have a special affection for red lipsticks? This raspberry colour leans towards a pink hue but still has a slightly red tinge.

99 Pirate
This one is the deepest red of the four, this is such an intense colour. It can be prone to bleeding so a careful hand is needed. But it glides on so easily and its staying power is great. I love this with a really simple outfit to create a statement.

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Restaurant review: Bluebird, Chelsea, west London

Chelsea is a part of town I very rarely venture too. In fact, I can count on one hand how many times I have been there. But since I started working in west London, I'm determined to explore more of the area. Which is why I jumped at the chance to try out the new menu at Bluebird when they got in touch. My mum came to meet me after work and we had the most wonderful girlie evening full of gossiping, cocktails and good food.

Set in the heart of the Kings Road, the new a la carte menu in the first floor restaurant has been given a new lease of life by executive head chef Liam Smith-Laing. To start, we were recommend two cocktails as we scanned the menu. I pumped for The Botanist. Using one of my favourite gins as a base - The Botanist - the cocktail was refreshing but with a slight sour kick thanks to the campari. My mum opted for The Chelsea Flower served in a twee vintage milk jug. Once again a gin based cocktail, this also boasted fresh raspberries, apple juice and pomegranate liquor.

After lots of discussion we decided to share two starters. Huge crispy tiger prawns with an addictive aioli sauce and flavoursome queen scallops with spicy chorizo and apple crumble. We fought over those delicious prawns! The batter was light and crisp and the aioli was so creamy. After scoffing the starters we were excited to taste the mains!

I heard lots of good things about their seafood so for the mains I opted for the charred mackerel fillet, salty pancetta and borlotti beans in a tomato sauce. A really good sized portion, the fish was cooked to perfection. My mum decided to try the Norfolk lamb rump on a bed of merguez and bulgar. My mum loved the Middle Eastern inspired favours. Despite feeling pretty full, we still decided we have a little room to try their desserts!

I went for salted caramel profiteroles with a decedent warm chocolate sauce. Oh they were delicious. So light and fluffy with a great crunchy outer. I could have eaten double the amount! My mum's dessert wasn't very photogenic and I struggled to get a decent picture but, take it from me and her that it was incredible too. Topped with creamy ice cream the winter crumble was the ultimate comfort food. And the perfect end to such a great meal!

Bluebird was such a lovely evening out. Despite being fancy we never once felt out of place. We were blessed with knowledgable and friendly waiting staff, delicious food and a fantastic atmosphere. It's not cheap but if you're looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion then it should be top of your list.

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Falling victim to the London bubble

I spend so much of my time in one of the most multi-cultural, forwarding thinking cities in the world. A city so rich thanks to embracing other cultures from around the world. I surround myself with people with similar views on both politics and the essential purchase of a Mulberry handbag. I follow strong, independent women on Twitter that encourage me to be the best of myself. People who are desperate to make a change and have their voices heard.

But then I see comments on newspaper sites, hear people discussing things in the street, and catch posts on social media. Then realise that I've fallen victim to the London bubble. I have forgotten that there is a huge world outside the city and despite my thoughts, it is not the centre of the universe. There's a vast majority of people all over the world straining to get their voices heard too. But not always doing it in the best way. To put it nicely. People are angry and frustrated, desperate for change. But in their desperation, they're blaming the wrong people, taking the wrong action and being blindsided by toxic information. Change doesn't come from the status quo, of voting in the exact same type of people who believe in making the rich richer and poor poorer. It comes from men like Jeremy Corbyn and Bernie Sanders who offer a different type of politics. I understand their sometimes stubborn stances are not for everyone but there's lots of other people who offer different views. It's a just a matter of finding them. You'd be surprised at what people are fighting for.

The world is so uncertain at the moment. Sometimes I just can't comprehend what is happening at the minute and I feel at such a loss. It feels like something I would have been learning in my A Level history class. But all is not lost. I've watched Hillary Clinton's gracious speech numerous times and cried. In the face of defeat she was empowering and humble. You don't fight hate with hate. You defeat hate by standing up with love. And boy is there endless people in the world showing love to each other. I proud to say I know some of them personally.

The world has just lost it's way at the moment but it will find it's way back. It has too.

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Restaurant review: The new menu at The Diner, London

The Diner has a special place in my heart. Back in 2012 I think I went once a month and it was always the 'blogger' hang out. We gossiped over chilli cheese fries and put the world to rights. But I haven't been back in a couple of years as you know London is a big place and new places are opening all the time. There is a reason why places are old favourites though. The Diner got in touch to tell me about their new menu and offered me a chance to try it out for myself.

My boyfriend and I trotted to east London for a monster lunch in celebration of it being the weekend. After scouring the menu and sipping on cider we decided we couldn't not have the crispy bacon jalapeño tater tots and wet fries in bacon gravy and topped with lashings of melted cheese. The wet fries were a revelation. The rich bacon gravy partnered with the melted cheese was comfort food at its finest. For our mains we both couldn't resist the BBC dog. The frankfurter sausage in a  toasted bun was filled to the brim with spicy chilli, gooey cheese and crispy strips of bacon. It was so big that it had to be eaten with a knife and fork.

Despite having full bellies we decided to take one for the team and share a cookies and cream cheesecake. Chunky oreos embedded in a creamy cheesecake was the perfect end to such an indulgent lunch. After all, go big or go home!

The Diner as always is a good solid bet. The prices are reasonable, the portions satisfying, the food delicious and the decor on point. The waiting staff couldn't be more helpful and made it a joy to stuff our faces. We won't be leaving it two years before we return again!

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How to spend 48 hours in Plymouth

As I mentioned in my last post, I spent a long weekend in Plymouth last month. It's a great place in a great part of the world. There's just something about the salty sea air that pulls me in. So here is how you can spend 48 hours in Plymouth.

Day one:
Breakfast
As with any busy weekend a good breakfast is essential. Now this isn't Instagram worthy but you have to make it down to Jake's Cafe. A proper greasy spoon, its the best place to set you up for a long day of breathing in the sea air. I opted for a cheese and hash brown baguette with a side of curly fries. So much beige food, it was glorious. Sometimes you just want comfort food rather than a fancy brunch dish that costs the earth.

Barbican
After breakfast, take a walk through the town centre and head down to the Barbican. The dainty cobbled streets and the picturesque Sutton Harbour are the perfect places to get lost. With more than 200 listed buildings, make sure you spend your time looking up. Be sure to stop at the Mayflower Steps where the pilgrim fathers are said to have boarded the Mayflower ship bound for a new life in America in 1620. Stop for cream tea in one of the many tea shops, have a cider on the harbour front or grab some chips from the chippie - just make sure you keep an eye on the seagulls!

Plymouth Gin Distillery
Hands down, Plymouth Gin is one of my favourite gins so we just had to take the distillery tour. With some of the building dating back to the early 1400s, it is the oldest working distillery in England. Tours cost £7 and include a gin and tonic in the lovely cocktail bar upstairs. Make sure you stay for a few as they're delicious! One tip is to make sure you book in advance.

The Hoe
Once you've enjoyed a few cocktails take a stroll along The Hoe. Offering stunning views over the Plymouth Sound, its flagged by Smeaton's tower, an art deco seawater lido, the Royal Citadel and a statue commemorating Sir Francis Drake. It's the perfect place to wander aimlessly marvelling at just how beautiful the coast of England can be.

Smeaton's Tower
For a view over the city and beyond, pay the £3 and climb the red and white lighthouse. Standing 72 feet tall, its a little steep but a pretty easy climb. The reward is definitely worth it.

B bar
Once you've headed back to the hotel to freshen up, it's time to head out for some dinner. Located in the Barbican, B Bar is a thai restaurant in a theatre. Offering killer cocktails and a whole host of different Thai dishes, it's a great place to fill your belly. We opted for prawn crackers, spring rolls, vegetable tempura and chicken satay to start before having a mixing of curries and Pad Thai for our mains. Reasonably prices and generous portions got it a thumbs up for me. There is also a DJ or  a band once it hits 9pm. If you fancy carrying on the party elsewhere, head outside where you'll find lots of bars before retiring home to bed!

Day two:
Breakfast
As we had stayed in the Travel Lodge, we popped downstairs and had breakfast in Bella Italia. Now I'm not usually one for chains when I'm in a new city but it was convenient. And it was absolutely delicious! I opted for the breakfast pizza piled high with bacon, sausage, tomatoes and mushroom before being topped with a fried egg. Just the ticket for the morning!

Ferry to Cawsand
If the weather is playing ball, take a trip down to the Barbican and catch a ferry over to Cawsand in Cornwall. It costs £3 and takes 30 minutes. There's nothing there to be honest but it's like taking a wander back in time. Head to one of the pubs to have a drink or sit on the pebbly beach and watch the waves crash against the rocks. If the ferry stops running - as it did for us! - there a bus that takes an hour to get back into Plymouth from the top of the hill. Ask the pub for directions!

Cream tea
No trip to Devon or indeed Cornwall is complete with stopping for a cream tea. We wandered around until we found somewhere that tickled our fancy so stumbled across The Old Boatstore Cafe. It offer gorgeous views of the sea. For a fiver we got two gigantic fruit scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam and a large pot of fruit tea. Bargain of the century right?! I'm still dreaming about the scones now.

Quay 33
All that sea air can make you peckish. If you fancy another sit down meal then I can't recommend Quay 33 enough. Using fresh local seafood, the shabby-chic style restaurant has a great vibe. It's cosy and the waiting staff are attentive. I went for the fish stew which was absolutely delicious although the fish pie looked just as good too! They're open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Harbourside fish and chips
Alternatively, fish and chips can equally hit the spot! Award-winning Harbourside offers a takeaway and a sit in option. The crispy chips and battered sausage are just the ticket to end a trip to the seaside. The curry sauce is pretty darn good too!

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OOTD: Checked midi dress

Outfit:
Beige trench coat: ASOS (similar)
Midi checked dress: ASOS
Croc print leather skater shoes: Vans via TK Maxx (similar)
Poppy Red Lily: Mulberry

So we've hit November eh? I honestly can't believe it's this time of year again but I'm not complaining as it means my trip to Glasgow is creeping even closer. My friend is getting married on 27th December so we've decided to stay for the full week and see out the New Year in the Scottish city. If anyone has any tips then I would love to hear them please! I already have a few places booked in to eat but it can't hurt to have some more ideas.

I had a little ASOS splurge last month and picked up this dress as I was in desperate need of some casual dresses. A very good decision! I love the soft flannel material and the slouchy fit which makes it perfect for wandering around a windy city. I wore this on my trip to Devon a few weeks ago. We stayed in Plymouth for a long weekend revisiting my best friends old university haunts. I didn't realise how much a needed a weekend away with my favourite girls and the sea air until we arrived at midnight on a Friday night. It's such a beautiful part of the world and exactly what I needed to switch off from that London life. I love it but sometimes you just crave fresh air and the sound of the sea!

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Restaurant review: Shackfuyu, Soho, London

Way back in September, we all scheduled in a trip to Japanese restaurant Shackfuyu to try their new brunch offerings in celebration of Lily's birthday. We'd been before to try the dinner menu but as massive fans of brunch, we were all desperate to try their new offering.

Priced at £35, the Sunday brunch includes unlimited prosecco or pineapple sake. God I love this unlimited trend in London at the moment. I opted for a glass of prosecco while I drooled over the menu. Included in the price were two small dishes and one big dish - an insane amount of food and a combo that will leave you waddling out of the building. You also get a fresh fruit platter and their famous french toast served with green tea soft serve for dessert to share.

After lots of deliberation, I decided to go with my old faithful Korean fried chicken wings. These are absolutely incredible and one of my favourite things I have eaten. Anywhere! The sweet, spicy sauce scattered with sesame seeds with the succulent chicken is just the perfect combination. Then keen to try as much as we could, Hannah and I tag teamed and picked two things to share. Intrigued by the green tea waffle, we decided to have this as one of our options. Topped with crispy, smoked bacon, gooey maple syrup and a black sesame butter, it was well worth the punt. A great sweet tweet for such a savoury brunch. We also shared the Katsu Sando which was a breaded chicken in a sandwich with a tonkatsu sauce. A bizarre concept but something that I really enjoyed. The sweet sauce was extremely addictive. For our large dish Hannah and I decided to share the beef short rib as we'd had it before and fell in love. Incredible tender beef served with a bundle of iceberg lettuce and two sauces. Prepare to fight over the last piece if you go for this!

Once again it was another successful trip to Shackfuyu. Service did leave a lot to be desired at times as it was slow despite it not being overly busy. But they were pretty quick in filling up our glasses which is always a winner. I think the brunch is great value as a good amount of food is on offer. I'll definitely be back!

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