How to style a stripy shirt

Outfit:
Blue stripy shirt with embroidery: Zara (similar)
Black distressed ankle grazer skinny jeans: New Look (similar)
Grey tailored coat: New Look (similar)
Faux snakeskin skater shoes: Vans (similar)

Who knew such an urban oasis existed in central London? During a farewell trip to Lily's flat for an annual picnic - good luck in Dubai! - a few of us snuck out to snap a few outfit photos. Those pesky bloggers eh? What a treat it was to finally go to the Barbican conservatory. I loved it and hoping I can make it for afternoon tea very soon.

I know I've made a schoolboy error featuring this grey coat in two consecutive outfit posts but I just can get enough of it. It's such a great length and I adore the two splits up the side. I spotted it in the sale before Christmas and managed to blag it as a present. Since having an offer accepted on a house, I've been manically sale shopping because I just can't justify spending too much money on clothes. It's amazing what you can find! ASOS have a great sale section all year round and Love The Sales has 500 retailers all in one place proving you don't just have to wait till January to grab a bargain!

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Restaurant review: Bar & Block, Kings Cross, north London

Despite the huge regeneration scheme Kings Cross isn't an area of London that I frequent too often. My Essex train comes into Liverpool Street so naturally I spend a lot of my time in east London. But when an invite popped up to to try out the new Bar & Block in that part of town, I took it as a sign that I should head north and catch up with Kim. And I'm very glad I did!

Located just a five minute walk from the station, the specialist steak restaurant looks slick and welcoming. After being ushered into our booth, we were almost immediately presented with some addictive beef-flavoured popcorn. After pouring over the cocktail menu, we decided to opt for the refreshing gin smash cocktail. A lovely light choice to go alongside our starters. 

The juicy meatballs were covered in a tangy tomato sauce and topped with gooey melted cheese, Served with crusty ciabatta bread, this was just the right size for a starter and had me looking forward to the main course. My dining companion had creamy mixed mushrooms on two slices of ciabatta topped with a poached egg. I have it on very good authority that this was great too. It certainly looked it!

Given that it was a steak restaurant I opted to go for the butcher's block. This changes daily and I thought it would be good to try something I hadn't had before. On this particular day it was short rib topped with samphire and served alongside beer dripping chunky chips and chimichurri sauce. The meat was tender and the chips were beautifully crispy on the outside yet fluffy on the inside. Kim went for the slow-cooked pork belly on a bed of wholegrain mustard mash with a smattering of rocket and apples. This looked divine and got the thumbs up!

Despite declaring we couldn't eat another thing, we took one for the team and ordered another cocktail - strawberry mojito - and poured over the dessert menu. As soon as I clocked the churro sundae there wasn't any other option. It was a monster when it appeared! Two gigantic churros were on top of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, clotted cream, brownie chunks and biscuit bites. Drizzled with a toffee sauce, it was pure indulgence. Kim's apple and blackberry crumble looked divine too.

Bar & Block is a great addition to the buzzing Kings Cross restaurant scene. There's something for everyone on the menu - even if steak isn't your favourite thing - and portion sizes are pretty decent. Our waitress couldn't have been more helpful or attentive and really made the restaurant experience all the better. Thanks for having us guys!

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How to wear leopard print heels

Outfit:
White shirt: H&M (similar)
Grey tailored coat: New Look (similar)
Grey skinny ripped knee jeans: New Look (similar)
Leopard print pony haired shoes: Lotus*

I've mentioned before that leopard print in my jam so these Lotus shoes were a welcomed addition to my wardrobe. Thanks to the comfortable midi heel, they're the ideal shoe to go from day to night. Comfortable to wear all day to work and then smart enough to go out in the evening for a few drinks. What more could you want? To make sure they pack a punch, I've paired them with a simple crisp white shirt and a classic grey tailored coat to let the shoes be the talking point. I always think statement shoes really help to bring an outfit up a notch. That and a slick of lipstick!

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Why you should stay in the West End in Glasgow

We went to Glasgow for a wedding and when I asked my friend for a recommendation on what part of the city to stay in, she suggested we choose the West End. What a great shout!

Known for it's imposing Victorian architecture, trendy food scene and leafy parks, it was right up our street. In fact, there's really no need to go into the city centre as in my opinion all the best places to eat and best places to see are right on your doorstep. Here you'll find Glasgow University, Kelvingrove park, Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Hunterian Museum and the Riverside museum is a 15 minute walk away. It's on my list for my next visit.

The high quality of restaurants will have you spoilt for choice. The majority of the restaurants in my guide are located in this part of town. From the only Vietnamese restaurant to Glasgow to an Indian will make you wish you lived closer, there are cuisines from all over the world.

Full of independent and vintage shops, you'll have a field day picking up some goodies to take home. Ruthvan and Downside lane have an abundance of different quirky shops selling everything from records to bric and brac. Just keep wandering and you never know what you might come across.

We opted to stay in an Air BnB for our week in Glasgow and it was incredible. The apartment was located just a 15 minute walk to the nearest subway station, Hillhead, Glasgow University and Kelvingrove Art Gallery, so we couldn't have been in a more perfect location. With two bedrooms, gorgeous high ceilings, enviable interiors and situated on the top floor of a stunning Victorian mansion block, it felt like a home away from home. I can't recommend it enough and the owners really helped to make us feel welcomed - the box of Turnocks teacakes were a wonderful surprise. Make sure you book it if you ever find yourself in the Scottish city!

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Exploring Europe: Vienna, Austria

Somehow when I wrote about my Eastern European adventures, Vienna fell off the blog post list. I have no idea why as I was bowled over by the city. We only had about 30 hours in the Austrian capital. It's never really been somewhere that I wanted to tick off so I didn't place it in an important place in our itinerary. Instead, it was just booked as a stopover to help break up Prague and Bratislava. But boy was I wrong to dismiss it. After having a little taste of the city, I'm dying to go back and truly discover the real Vienna.

As time was limited to about 30 hours, we set out to soak up as much of the city as we could. First off we took the guided tram tour to help us gain our bearings. It was great to marvel in the history and see key landmarks that make Vienna so special. Well worth the few euros and I wholly recommend it as the first thing you do when you step in the city.

Then we took to our feet and walked. And walked. Then walked some more. We took in the Parliament, museum quarter, opera house, Hofberg, Mozart memorial and Belvedere Palace. Sadly we didn't get to go in anything but instead looked in awe at the stunning, grand buildings. I've never quite seen architecture like it. At every corner I turned, I was blown away.

Vienna, you have well and truly stolen my heart!

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My goals for 2017

A little late but here are a few goals I've set myself to meet in 2017. I might meet them or I might not. Who knows? But it's always nice to have them written down.

1. Read more books
I have a nearly three hour commute to work every day and mostly I just spend it snoozing. But as much as I value those shut eye moments, I really could be doing something a bit more productive and I think this is probably why I'm not sleeping too well at night. My reading is definitely slacking which is ridiculous as there really is nothing more than I love doing than poking my nose in a book. I'm going to make it my mission to read at least 10 new books this year. Working out at less than one a month, there's not reason why I shouldn't achieve this!

2. See the world
Following on from last year, I once again want to continue the momentum. I have a few getaways already planned for this year and couldn't be happier to once again be focusing on Europe. My travel plans are kicking off this weekend in Paris.

3. Look after myself from the inside out
I'm notoriously bad at looking after myself. My diet is absolutely awful. I have too many late nights than I care to remember. Exercise is never at the forefront of my mind. I feel sluggish and tired all the time. So I'm going to start making little changes. Stop wiling away pointless hours on my phone or laptop at night. Grab those much needed early nights during the week. Start eating a proper dinner every night. I get home between 7.30 and 8 each night and slaving away in front of the oven is the last thing on my mind so I quite often just skip dinner and jump into bed. Introduce so much more fruit and veg into my diet. I'm never going to be a gym bunny but I can start talking the stars instead of a lift and go on regular walks to get my heart rate rising.

4. Pay off my credit card
As we count down to moving into our first house, I've suddenly realise that money for a while will be tight as we get used to being homeowners. Say whaaaat?! I'm pretty frivolous with money as you can probably tell by my ASOS addiction and tendency to always leave the country. My credit card bill isn't unmanageable and I'm not really that fussed about it. But it would be nice to be debt free as we move into our new home. If only so we can put a sofa on the credit card. I can't be sitting on fold up camping chairs for the rest of my life...

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Why I'm not worried about getting older

Next week I turn 28 and am only two years off 30. As everyone keeps telling me as if with that it brings with it impending doom. But if I'm really honest, I'm actually quite enjoying getting older. Even with the unwanted extra weight I'm carrying that's easy to put on but hard to get off, the dark circles that no concealer is covering up, and the wrinkles that still stay after I finish laughing, I'm more content then I have ever been with my lot in life.

I look back at pictures of myself at 21 green with envy, wishing I could have the willpower and the metabolism to look like that again. That's lasts for all of 30 seconds before I realise I wouldn't go back to that age in a heartbeat. I spent my late teens and early twenties crippled with self doubt. I was self-conscious and constantly worried. Worried about pleasing people. Worried about living in the big bad world. Worried about not achieving what society dictates.

But with every pound gained and every laughter wrinkle, it reminds me of all the fun times I've had. And they're much more important to me than worrying about my appearance. Sure I'd love to look better but I'm enjoying life. As cheesy as it sounds,  I'm enjoying life more as I get older. I almost can't wait to see what the next year brings. My body may be 28 but deep down I'm still that eager 18 year old girl. Just a lot more sassy and wiser. How can I not want that?

I have so much to look forward to as I'm getting older and I can afford to do so much more. The older I'm getting, the more I'm ticking off those dreams that as a youngster, I never really thought I would achieve. I'm so much more settled in my career, working in a job I love and earning a wage that allows me to fulfil some of my greatest passions. I'm genuinely happy and as of this moment, I honestly wouldn't change a thing. It's taken me a long time and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to this point in my life.

I'm able to travel the world and realise my teenage dreams, buy the designer handbags I've always dreamed off, treat those who have always had my back and as of March, buy an actual house. How could I dread getting older when I'm able to do all of this?

Bring. It. On.

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Recipe: Chocolate and caramel no bake cheesecake

One of my new year goals - a post of them later! - is to cook four new recipes a month. I have so many cookbooks that I really need to get stuck in to. When Wing Yip sent me over some caramel sauce, a cheesecake immediately came to mind. because obviously I haven't eaten enough sweet things during the festive period...

Their absolutely delicious caramel sauce is extremely addictive. Made from coconut milk, the sauce is vegan, gluten and dairy free. So this recipe can easily be adapted into what suits you best.

Recipe adapted from Good Food

Serves 8 people

Ingredients
1 pack of lotus biscuits
45g melted unsalted butter
110g caster sugar
120g whipping cream
200g full fat cream cheese
100g 80% dark melted chocolate
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
1 jar of Wing Yip caramel sauce*
1 pack family pack of Rolos to decorate

Method
1. Put all the biscuits in a sandwich bag and bash with a rolling pin until they are crumbs.

2. Mix the crumbs with one tablespoon of the sugar then pour in the melted butter. Give it a good mix before packing it down into a 18cm springform cake tin. Pop it in the fridge.

3. Melt the chocolate.

4. Using an electric whisk, whip the cream until soft peaks appear. Pour in the melted chocolate and cocoa power before mixing in.

5. In a separate bowl, beat together the remaining sugar and cream cheese. Then fold into the chocolate mix and ensure all ingredients are fully mixed together.

6. Get the biscuit base from the fridge and pour on the caramel sauce, ensuring that it covers the whole base.

7. The pour the chocolate mix on the top. Once again ensuring it covers the whole base.

8. Stick it in the fridge for at least two hours. But overnight would be best.

9. Once the cheesecake has set, decorate with the roles. Then tuck in and enjoy!

Please do send me a tweet if you make it, I'd love to see a picture!

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Where to eat in Glasgow

I'd heard good thing about the food scene in Glasgow thanks to Hannah so knew my belly was in for a good trip. Boy was she right! We ate so well during our trip and here are a few of my favourite places. Annoying, I never managed to get any pictures of all-time favourite place - Mother India Cafe -  so you'll just have to take my word for it!

The Hyndland Fox
Located in the West End, this cool Instagrammable eatery offers a great brunch option. And dessert if you fancy both... If you can tear yourself away from swooning over the interiors, make sure you go for the light and fluffy French toast topped with a mountain of berries and a very generous drizzle of yogurt. It's the perfect way to set you up for a day of sightseeing. Go for the sticky toffee pudding if you still have some room left.

Mussel Inn
I saw this on Ayden's blog and knew I had to visit while I was in Glasgow. I'm a huge fan of seafood and in particular mussels - despite a bad case of food poisoning in Bulgaria... I enjoyed a delicious starter of gin-cured salmon and a massive bowl of mussels in a flavoursome roasted red pepper sauce with pesto, mopped up with oodles of crusty white bread. The meal was such great value for money and we came up happy with full bellies thanks to the generous portion sizes. Make sure you book in advance as it seems to get very busy!

Bread Meats Bread
Even after the burger craze has been and gone, I still love to get my hands on a big juicy burger. After lusting over this burger joint on many an Instagram accounts, I was very much looking forward to visiting. Let me introduce you to the Great Western Wolf above. This bad boy is made up of a beef patty topped with American cheese, crispy bacon, BBQ pulled pork, crispy fried onions and 'Nduja with Siracha mayo. It didn't have as much of a kick as I had hoped but it was still pretty good. The poutine topped with cheese curds, bacon and grated cheese was sent from heaven. I'm still dreaming about them now!

Mother India Cafe
Located just across the road from Kelvingrove Art Gallery, this little restaurant is like taking a step back in time. Be prepared to queue but it is 100% worth waiting in the cold for. The menu offers sharing plates with a good selection for meat eaters and veggies. My favourites? Both the dals, saag chicken and the gorgeous fluffy garlic naan bread. I wish I could have smuggled a few out in my bag... It was by far my stand out restaurant of the trip.

Hanoi Bike Shop
Vietnamese is one of my favourite cuisines and I was intrigued to try the tapas style dishes at the only Vietnamese restaurant in Glasgow. I normally only opt for Pho or a noodle based dish so was keen to explore a little. Stand out dishes for me were the sweet potato fritters on the specials menu, the honey glazed chicken and the pheasant curry. It was great to try new dishes that I hadn't even heard of and made me fall in love with the cuisine even more!

Porter & Rye
Admittedly I'm not a huge fan of steak but everyone is my group is, so each trip I try to book us into a steak restaurant. Located in trendy Finniesten, this steak restaurant specialises in serving premium meat to the people of Glasgow. And it is delicious! I pumped for the braised pig cheek to start. Tender meat on a bed of corn, charred pineapple and wild rice. Then for my steak I opted for the cut of Onglet. Looking back I should't have been adventurous and stuck to a cut I knew well. It was nice but not mind-blowing. My boyfriend sirloin was so much nicer. But the bone marrow mac and cheese side I had? I could have happily have eaten that all night.

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