July: Lately I've been Loving

So many July loves..

We dined at recently opened The Little Chartroom in Leith and had a delicious meal (ask for a seat at the "bar" and you can see all that's going on!) It's where they prepare the starters and desserts.

The food's gorgeous and below are my choices:

Heritage Tomatoes - Feta - Watermelon - White Balsamic

riccotta and parmesan gnudi - charred corn - greens

Elderflower Ice Cream Sandwich - Strawberries - Granola

The food was incredible. Can't wait to go back!

Jill (@OnTheShelfBooks), Joanne (@portybelle), Kelly (@LoveBookGroups) & Sandra (@Bookloverworm1)

Had a great meet up with these book blogger pals! Great chit-chat and book swapping! Roll on next time!

My eco-friendly coffee cup which I bought at our local gift shop COVE.

I think Naturisimo's Sensitive Soul Discovery Box was one of the best yet! See my review HERE.

A trip to North Berwick always makes me happy! We stayed at a cute Airbnb which was a little studio with it's own kitchen, seating area and shower room (oh and on street parking too!) - really lovely - can't wait to go back. And of course cocktails at Herringbone are a must!

East Lothian based Beatitude have repackaged their wonderful body oils* into glass pump bottles which makes it much more user friendly. Joy is my favourite scent - see my review HERE. 

We had dinner last week at Forage & Chatter and my dessert (sorry the photo's not great!) was one of my favourites this year. Yoghurt parfait with rose and rhubarb. Divine!

What have you been loving in July?

*complimentary

January: Lately I've Been Loving

I ran out of time in December to do a "Lately I've been Loving" post. But I did share my month-by-month Highlights for 2017. So, my January loves are a little early..

I picked up this sweet little shell heart in COVE which is made by a local artist. It really is the sweetest thing and brings me so much joy.

Just before Christmas this beautiful Millennial palette* by MEMI arrived which contains really wearable shades, both matte and shimmery (£22). I'll be reviewing it soon but just wanted to give it a mention. Pick yours up HERE.

Fortnum & Mason chocolates at Christmas (from my boss). I love the exquisite packaging & what's inside was delicious. A real treat.

Discovering Henné Organics at Naturisimo made my month (if not year) as their Rose Diamonds Lip Exfoliator had been on my wishlist for ages. See my review HERE.

Sara Sheridan who writes the brilliant Mirabelle Bevan series (set in 1950s Brighton) sent me (and others) a short story. I was absolutely delighted. You can pick the first in the series up HERE.

I was thrilled to win a competition on netgalley (courtesy of the publishers) to win a proof copy of the fabulous Still Me by Jojo Moyes*. It's such a brilliant read - so, so lovely to catch up with wonderful Lou again. My review will be up nearer the end of the month in my monthly round up but it's publication day today so go BUY.

It's also publication day for the fabulous M P Wright and J T Ellington in Restless Coffins*. Pick yours up HERE. I was chuffed to bits and then some to get a mention in the acknowledgements again. It's a great series which I highly recommend.

I've totally fallen for beautiful brand Ezàpè Naturals and their glorious body butter which came in this month's fab Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box - see my initial thoughts HERE. The Rosemary Body Butter is so good I had to buy a full size pot! A review will follow.

What have you been loving so far this month?

*complimentary

Curating @LoveEdinburgh

A couple of weeks ago I curated the @LoveEdinburgh twitter account (thanks to those who joined me there) A new person takes over the account each week and tweets about the city and what they get up to (I was on holiday from work).  Here's how my week (7 April) played out..

Monday

I stayed local and it was raining and really miserable...even beside the sea!

But I picked up some coffee at The Tide Art Gallery & Coffee Shop and popped into my favourite gift shop COVE which has a lovely mix of candles, jewellery, toiletries, cards and gifts with some of the products made by local crafty people.

Tuesday

A fun filled day with lots of eating and drinking and time spent in both the Old and New town.  I picked up some delicious tea at Eteaket - Rose Flower Blossom.

We headed up to the Grassmarket and Mary's Milk Bar for some seriously yummy ice cream - I had rose & dark chocolate and white chocolate & cardamon and David had toasted coconut and pistachio.

I love dafodills it means Spring is here for me!  The buskers were raising lots of smiles too.

We stopped by to see Fiona & Beth at Cranachan & Crowdie who gave us a gin tasting with Miss IntegriTea teas. Cranachan & Crowdie is a fab Scottish food shop in the Royal Mile - pick up Scottish spirits, oatcakes, wine, biscuits, teas, jams, beers, meats, sweets and Scottish gifts.

Afterwards we had coffee and cake at Mimi's Picnic Parlour. We needed #CAKE!

I also took some tourist-y snaps.

Wednesday

I headed up to Greyfriars Kirk where they have medical herb plots in the church yard. I then stopped off at Napiers which has been around since 1860 dispensing herbal remedies. They also have a fabulous shop which sells vitamins, supplements, own brand products including beautiful candles along with brands such as Burt's Bees, Lavera, Dr Hauschka to name a few.

I passed by Zen Lifestyle, a fab beauty salon - must book a treatment soon!

I love Looking Glass Books, an independent bookstore with cafe and gifts which is situated at Quartermile which is the site of the former Edinburgh Royal Infirmary - there are flats, shops and offices there. The buildings are a mix of old and new.

Thursday

We went for lunch to Castle Terrace Restaurant for my birthday. The food was outstanding. See my review here. Loved being invited to sit at Chef's table.  Can't wait to go back!

Friday
I spent some time at the veggie plot on Friday morning. Picked up a Marjoram plant locally. I'm going to expand my herb garden this season.

We went for lunch to our local tapas restaurant Malvarosa. Delicious as always before heading down to the prom to Crumbs to pick up some yummy cinnamon donuts.

Saturday
A day of relaxing mainly after a busy week. I picked up breakfast & herbs at Earthy.

Sunday
Sunday saw us go to Stockbridge Market, 1 Saunders Street (every Sunday 10-5). A foodies dream! Artisan food stalls, food to buy, sweeties, tea, jewellery, candles and other craft items.

I bought some delicious sweet treats from Ocelot Chocolate (handmade raw chocolate in Orange & Fig), Considerit Chocolates (100% dairy free vegan chocolates I chose cinnamon mini truffle bar - delish!) and The Marshmallow Lady (Prosecco & Rose Marshmallow which were simply amazing!) You can buy all mail order - check out the links!

We rounded off the day with a couple of drinks at Hamilton's Bar & Kitchen before heading to Bistro Moderne for Sunday lunch.

See more details about Love Edinburgh here and follow on Twitter @LoveEdinburgh