things to do in london – Shiny Thoughts

August 9, 2015August 9, 2015

#TheBloggersMarket is Back!

You CAN Sit With Us!

Have you heard that #TheBloggersMarket is back? oh yes! It’s bigger and better than before and we just can’t wait to open the doors to your smiling faces! If you’ve not heard about it before, it’s essentially 6 hours of shopping the wardrobes and lives of us 5 fashion lifestyle bloggers; Carrie, Dunya, Kristabel, Olivia and I. There are also other fun things to do and it’s a great excuse to meet up with your galpals, come say hi and hang out! I’ll be selling loads of different bits and bobs from ASOS to Antipodium with sizes from 8-12 and shoe sizes 7 & 8 but if you fall out of that bracket, there are plenty of other sizes from the other girls!

2 Weeks to go!

So what’s new since our first January edition? Well, there’s no doubt that it was amazing if we do say so ourselves (we couldn’t believe that there were blog posts written about it before we even got home!) but this time we tweaked things a little. We’ll be running a ‘Tweet to Eat’ shop full of tasty treats from Krispy Kreme (there’s talk of being able to win a years worth of doughnuts too) and sustenance from Yo!Sushi so you can get your sugar levels back up after rifling through the rails. Grab a bottle of Appletiser (my absolute fave), and like take a look around our stalls, try things on and then pay at the respective Bloggers’ stand. Easy!

Once you’ve shopped, drop in to get your portrait illustrated by Emma Block to mark the day and get your make up touched up by Benefit Cosmetics. Listen to the gorgeous sounds of tipped-to-be-big new singer Shannon Wardrop and you’ll be set for a perfect Saturday!

BTW, if you’re feeling peckish, The Hoxton Hotel‘s own restaurant Hubbard and Bell is excellent or pop downstairs to Chicken Shop. Otherwise, you’re just a short walk to Soho or Covent Garden. If you’re looking for a cashpoint, there’s one at Sainsbury’s, 100m before you get to the Hotel. Please not that this year, the space we’re in is a little smaller so we do apologise in advance if you will need to queue a little at the door.

Take a look at the Facebook page for all the details and to tell us you’re coming and remember the main point, we’ll be at The Hoxton Holborn hotel, not Shoreditch!

It’s going to be a fun day. See you there in 2 weeks time!

#TheBloggersMarket

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March 29, 2015March 29, 2015

Me me me!

Today, it’s all about ME.

When was the last time you had a day dedicated to pampering just you and your body? If the answer is ‘yesterday! And the weekend before, and the one before that…’ then darn, you have a good life.

For the other half, it’s probably pretty rare that we’ll ever go and splash out on a nice massage or book ourselves in for blow dry unless we have to scrub up for that wedding. Last weekend I decided that a bit of me time was well overdue and trotted off to the King’s Road in Chelsea to unwind. Here’s what I got up to:

Lush Spa (themed massages) – 123 Kings Road. Treatments from £40

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Massage:

I admit, I only knew that colourful high street legends Lush had a spa a few months ago. Where have I been for the last 15 years? This is exciting because you know that what you’re about to experience won’t be an ordinary oil and towel job, this is Lush after all. Each massage treatment is themed with a specially curated soundtrack that you can buy afterwards. You get to choose which products you’d like to be used and post massage, you get to end on a high with a complimenting cup of tea and snack that is tailored to your experience.

I chose The Good Hour – a bloody great hour long massage with a sailor twist. A ‘Big Blue’ bath bomb gets plunged into water under your bed and mist pours over the floor. IT’S AMAZING. You then hop onto your raft and drift away to the sounds of pirates. Magical! Take a look at the massage menu with treatments ranging from £40 for targeted pain relief to the incredible multi-sensual synaesthesia experience for £125.

Blow Dry:

Now, I’m pretty lazy when it comes to my hair which is why when anyone plays with it, I feel pretty chic. Just a 10 minute walk down from Lush lies the relatively new Duck & Dry salon where you will feel very chic indeed. Despite the sudden pop-up of blow dry bars around London, I haven’t found one that feels quite ‘me.’ Just a quick browse of Duck & Dry’s beautiful website and I knew this would zoom straight up the list.

There’s plans for expansion around London so this may have to become my regular hangout. Talking of hanging out, that’s the best bit about this up do/blow dry salon. You can really chill out; order cocktails, coffee and chill with a snack, gossip there with your friends, hold an event, it’s quite the place to be. Whilst my hair didn’t come out looking like the beach waves I ordered, it still looked lovely and off I swooshed back down King’s Road feeling free and fabulous!

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Duck & Dry (Boutique updo and blow dry bar) – 355-357 King’s Road. Styles from £28. Book or walk in.

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It certainly helped that it was a beautiful day, but there’s no doubt that I had a spring in my step as I walked back down the beautiful side streets to the tube. The best thing about the whole day as I strolled up and down the Kings Road is that I had but my own company, and for once, it was really rather nice. Go treat yourself more. Take that Sunday off and give yourself some ‘Me’ time! Thank you Lush and Duck & Dry for the wonderful day.

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February 5, 2015January 22, 2018

Sunday in Shoreditch

Weekend in Shoreditch, East London

If you’re looking for some weekend ideas in East London then I’ve got one heck of a day for you! Today I’m profiling Shoreditch and although I’m sure that a lot of you are already more than well versed with what it has to offer (remember my post on my 3 secret food spots) this round trip is the perfect way to see some of my fave spots. Enjoy!

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10:30 – Hoi Polloi

You can always trust a recommendation, so when I asked my colleague where in East London to start for breakfast, I took her Hoi Polloi suggestion. The Ace hotel is a pleasure to visit in itself but go on down to Hoi Polloi and you can get yourself a posh brekkie to start the day in style. We went for the cute take on a full English breakfast along with tasty nut smoothies and special tea.

I broke some records that morning trying both black pudding and Irish potato cake for the first time and I am now a happy convert. The meal was a little on the mushy and over salted side but paired with the delicious sourdough bread, I’ll let it off! We ear-wigged on young sophisticated people who work at the UN between bouts of live music that played classical versions of pop songs. So chic. Take the lift to the 7th floor after your meal to oogle the view over the city!

12:15 – Albion

Once you’ve pointed out the gherkin from the top of the Ace Hotel, head left to Redchurch Street and pop into Albion to peruse the prettily packaged preserves and watch the hipsters buy their Sunday loaves. Afterwards, check out Aussie fave T2 tea shop across the road for all the loose leaf tea varieties and all the equipment you could need.

Head up through the quiet streets of tenement buildings and make your way up to Columbia Road. (If in doubt, follow the crowds!)

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13:00 – Columbia Road Flower Market

The last time I posted about Columbia Road exactly two years ago, my hair was radically different but I wore the same trusty jacket! Keeping cosy and warm is key when you’re spending ages umming and arring over which hyacinths to buy. I went for orange roses and blue thistles this time plus a cute little succulent to that have made friends with the cacti on my desk.

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14:00 – Lily Vanilli

As tradition states, if you’re visiting Columbia Road, you have to queue up in Lily Vanilli‘s bakery. We thawed out with mochas whilst discovering Lily’s latest sweet treats. Check out that loaf! If you love her stuff, see what I made at her workshop!

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15:00 – Hackney City Farm

Hackney City Farm has been on my visit list for ages but I never knew quite how easy it was to pop in! Come out of the top of Columbia Road and cross over to the colourfully painted letters spelling out the name of the farm. Whilst it’s certainly clear that the farm is tailored for children, I had waayy fun watching the donkeys and trying to distinguish which end of the sleeping pigs was which, plus the signs make for good ‘gram.

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16:00 – Stories

Once you’ve dosed up on animal cuteness, head up through residential streets towards Broadway Market. If you’re visiting on a Saturday then the street is dominated by it’s famous market stalls and visitors but Sunday holds it’s own charm. I love taking a (colourful) seat in Stories on Broadway – an arty bar owned by the same peeps as The Book Club and Queen of Hoxton. Ah that’s why there’s cool emerging artists’ work on the walls and cool chairs! We sipped a glass of red wine and people watched until we were warm and happy and then off headed again towards London Fields.

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17:00 – Lardo

Recommendation no.2 of the weekend was Lardo, not your average Italian joint. Walk straight through London Fields and under the railway arch and there across the road is the full-length window clad restaurant. Sit facing inwards and you might just make out your pizza coming out of the open wood fired oven. We chose butternut squash base pizza with goats cheese and veg of the moment – cavolo nero alongside some totally scoffable blanched almonds and speck. So fine!

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19:00 – The Hawkhurst Vault

The last part of our day took us to our favourite tearoom, The Hawkhurst Vault. We had passed on desert at Lardo and instead decided to head right back to where we started for a post-dinner tipple of tea and something brownie shaped. Head towards Brick Lane and turn up to the very top of it until you find Hawkhurst on the corner. It’s perfect for when you’re in East late in the day and you’re craving that hit of infused water (common issue, I know) for their opening times are ‘whenever the last customer wants to leave really. Around 9ish?’ Excellent!

My ultimate fave tea is the Dragon Well green. Pair it with a salted caramel brownie and beetroot chocolate cake.

20:00 – Time for bed!

Phew! Hopefully this little round trip has given you some weekend ideas – have a good one!

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January 23, 2015January 22, 2018

#TheBloggersMarket

Come hang out with us next Saturday!

WHOOP WHOOP! If you’re going to be in London on Saturday 31st January then get your Google Cal open for I’ve got some exciting news! My blogging besties Olivia, Dunya, Carrie, Kristabel and I are holding The Bloggers Market; selling our brand new and pre-loved wares from our very own wardrobes (plus a couple of other little bits and bobs I’m sure!)

Where:

Come on up to The Camden Foundry in the Camden Market (a good opportunity to reminisce and have a scout around Camden!) between 11am and 5pm to snap up a fist-pump-worthy piece or three. Check the Facebook event for the exact location and how to get there.

What we’re selling:

I’ve decided to sell my bits and bobs at pretty affordable prices. Pieces will start from 50p with most items priced between £2 and £5 and a couple of beautiful bits priced around £20 to £50 (we’re talking British made leather and designer shoes!) We will be taking cash only but if there’s something a little pricier then you can always pay via paypal. I’m selling sizes 8-12 and shoes at sizes 6-8 but the other girls have got sizes 6-14 covered too! Brands include ASOS, Missguided and your high street favourites, Mulberry, Kurt Geiger, Vans and lots more!

Wait, there’s more:

Just selling clothes? Oh no, we’re more than that! Come down for a chat, coffee, cakes by Lena Rose Bakery, get your hair styled a la Bloggers by Joel Benjamin hair in the awesome, chilled out Camden Foundry – looks pretty cool huh?

Please RSVP on our Facebook event page!

Keep up with the action with our #TheBloggersMarket hashtag. See you there, we can’t wait!

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December 7, 2014January 22, 2018

Afternoon Tea on Wheels!

BBBakery Bus Afternoon Tea

What do you get when you cross brilliantly British finger food, your favourite city, the best retro way to travel, world famous landmarks, christmas and tea? Far from a potentially messy meal, you get the perfect solution to a festive day out!

A couple of Saturdays ago, my Blogging pals and were invited by VirginExperienceDays to take a trip down to Waterloo station in London to catch the BBBakery Bus. I was convinced that our cake-pimped crimbo-themed double-decker ride was a myth. Afternoon tea from a delicious bakery served to you and your friends on a red bus whilst you ride around seeing what beautiful sights the city has to offer? Can’t be possible!

But lo and behold, under the bridge stood our shiny red tearoom for the afternoon. As imagined, laid out on each table amongst the christmas decs were glorious spreads of festive treats. Traditional sarnies, macarons, tartlets, red velvet xmas tree fairycakes and mandatory scones served later (remember to keep room for these!) were daintily (and not so daintily) gobbled down in between gossip and gags and numerous cups of tea. Perfect!

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If you’re looking for an original birthday pressie, a christmas party, treat for your mum or just a different way to see London with friends then hop on one of the two BBBakery rides that depart each day or take a look at other day out ideas on VirginExperienceDays.co.uk and you’ll have yourself a merry little pre-Christmas treat!

Thanks to Virgin Experience Days for treating us to this great day out! BBBakery Afternoon Tea bus departs every day at 12:30 and 15:00 from Waterloo station (don’t be late as it will leave on time!) Tickets are £45 for adults, £35 for children. Gluten free and other dietary requirements can be accommodated for. Book now or visit BBBakery.co.uk.

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