Showing posts with label Little Bird Gin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Little Bird Gin. Show all posts

Sunday, 29 October 2017

October: Lately I've Been Loving

So many October loves! We were in London for the American Football at the beginning of the month and we shopped, ate out, drank cocktails and met up with friends, Nardin and Sam.


Hubby treated me to a bottle of my favourite Jo Loves Pomelo (see my review HERE). I also tried the fragrance paintbrush and have dropped some hints for Christmas (I'd love it in Pomelo). So good for use on the go instead of lugging the 50ml bottle around with me.


I picked up a Stella Says Rosewood & Geranium Hand Rescue Balm at Maltby Street Market (and Stella popped a little treat in - her best-selling Lavender & Chamomile Lip Rescue Balm*. Expect a review of this duo soon!


We were staying at our favourite London Hotel - Taj St James Court Hotel and they very kindly upgraded us to a Executive King which was a lovely spacious room. 


It was great to visit Shay & Blue again, and get to try out all the new perfumes. The friendliest welcome was from Adriana at Ancienne Ambiance it was so, so lovely to meet her (and she very generously gave me some treats to take away). The Tuberosa Tuberose Tea-Light candles launched on Thursday - they are gorgeous! With a really good throw and a 6hr burn time each.



The shop I was most disappointed in was one I was keen to visit. As you'll know I had a Bloom Perfumery perfume subscription for two years and I'm a huge fan of the shop. The assistant couldn't have cared less and I felt like I was annoying her speaking to her.  So not a good experience!


Little Bird Gin Negroni is a must at Maltby Street Market oh and I loved a Rose & Lavender G&T at Tuttons Covent Garden.


The American Football was very disappointing but I did pick up a pretty necklace from an American girl in the bar beforehand! (the guys were all jealous haha).


We went to local Edinburgh Gastropub, The Ox and my two standout dishes were a divine Avocado Houmous with pitta bread and Chocolate, fruit and nut brownie with rum & raisin ice cream. Looking forward to going back!




I attended the brilliant Portobello Book Festival and heard some amazing authors speak. Oh course I had to get a signed book or two! (and The Angel in the Stone is brilliant!)


I've been trying more and more artisan candles and this one by Samuel & Paris is just divine. It's got a gentle seaside scent and a woodwick. Love!



The usem note cards* are such a clever invention. They slip easily inside your wallet or pocket and are fab for jotting down a quick note or shopping list.



What have you been loving in October?

*complimentary

Sunday, 11 October 2015

London Trip 2015

Last weekend we had a fabulous trip to London. The American Football Team that hubby supports - Miami Dolphins were playing again at Wembley so our trip was centered around that (unfortunately, they lost!) See what we got up to in London last year HERE. Look out for my shopping trip (mainly of the window variety later this week - lots have been added to the wishlist though!)

We stayed at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate and were thrilled to get an upgrade to a two bedroom suite (with two bathrooms!) It also had a kitchen/diner (with nespresso machine) and living room area. It really was a home from home (maybe a bit posher!) and lovely to relax there at the end of the day.








I was absolute made up by this lovely gesture from the hotel. It made me smile LOTS!


On the Thursday we arrived in London we dined again at Adam Handling at Caxton Grill opting this time for the Tasting Menu (with matching wines) which was fabulous.  Below are a few of my favourites:

Nibbles -
Doughnuts, dressed crab
Beetroot, beetroot and more beetroot
Cracker, cured mackerel, yuzu

Crab
Apple, dill, sea herbs

Yuzu
Meringue, crumble, milk ice cream

The food was really delicious (although some dishes were the same as last year).

Friday saw us trawling the shops (mainly perfume ones!) and I bought a Jo Loves perfume which I adore. See my review HERE.




On Friday night we caught up with Nardine (@Miss_Nardine) and Sam (@HoneyGo_Lightly) and had a really good catch up and lots of wine!

Saturday saw us head to Maltby Street Market (a bus ride from the centre) and well worth a visit (Sat/Sun). We ate some delicious food and had a cocktail or two.



a super spicy bloody mary and negroni from Little Bird Gin


soap from Stella Says

delicious salt beef on rye at Monty's Deli


yummy cakes at Comptoir Gourmand

Before heading off the the American Football we had a massive room service breakfast at the hotel it set us up for the day!


There was a great atmosphere at the game even although the team didn't win! 



On the way home stopping by Plane Food at Terminal 5 was a must for a delicious Caesar Salad - one of the best I've ever tasted!



Ahh...a great trip can't wait to go back!  What's your favourite things to do when visiting London?