I spend every Saturday lugging my suitcase around busy East London streets, and to be honest, I wouldn't change a thing. Today I talk you through my routine, where to shoot, where to eat and where to treat yourself after a long few hours shooting.
7am: alarm goes off, get ready (and probably pack suitcase because I leave everything until the last minute)
8am: bus to the station
9am: meet a mate and shoot some ideas (mostly "there'll do)
9am-1pm: shooting shooting shooting
And I now realise how boring that all sounds now I've written it out but GO WITH IT.
Okay so location time. Liverpool Street Station is a hub. There's the Exchange next door, with pretty steps and on the weekends, the bars and cafes are closed so the outdoor seating is a hidden gem to use. It's always pretty quite up there (because nothing is open) so the perfect place for a quick change. I always wear cycling shorts and a vest top so no nudity occurs.
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| The Spitalfields shops |
You've got Spitalfields Market around the corner too. Here's where I spend most of my time. There are a tonne of different shop fronts, market stools and hidden roads that I won't shoot in the same place more than once in a few weeks. For food and drink, there is of course a bundle of restaurants inside the market, including a pub and food stall/trucks too. I usually opt for Costa, purely because I like tea & cake AND there's a toilet too for outfit changes. For a treat too I've visited Duck and Dry too, for perfect hair for the photos. It's so quick, half hour to 40 minutes for a blow dry and style. And I can NEVER recreate the bounce and volume that they do there, at home. They've now extended too, with a bar and even more hair eggs (is that right?!). It's Instagram worthy too, if you were wondering, with a flower wall, light word signs and that bar I mentioned? It's pink marble. Oh gosh indeed my friend.
At the back of Spitalfields, slightly more North (as in a few feet away) is Shoreditch. The cool people's paradise. Now, if you're looking for coffee then Shoreditch Grind isn't far, just on Old Street roundabout, but I'd opt more for Brick Lane. The road is packed every minute of every day however. I'd recommend shooting at one of the far ends, as it's 'less' busy and some of the roads are one way too, so less traffic for those walking across the road shots. My pamper NO.2 location is the new Luka Spa. I attended their packed out launch party and was kindly gifted a gel manicure and Swedish back massage. Get a massage if you can. Shooting 6 outfits then going into a dark room with the sounds of waterfalls and just calmness, was a wonder I'll never forget.
Other Eastal locations include the likes of St Pauls, The Sky Garden, and even the Shard, if you don't mind heights.
The East of London is home to many fab places. It's my home, my workplace and happy place.
The end.
Duck and Dry blow dry: Before and after
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Saturday saw a lunch invite down to Gordon Ramsay's Heddon Street Kitchen for a three course meal and a few cocktails on the side. Our table was set with menus and even a blanket incase the weather turned (which it didn't, v warm in fact). We were seated on the terrace outside, surrounded by plants and the street itself, just off of Regent Street, was a beauty itself. The bar manager introduced himself as he explained the drinks he was serving us. I'm not sure what the first one was, but I have NEVER tasted something so nice.
We chose the bread for starters, warm and diamond shaped. Simple bread but a 10/10. My choice of main was the ravioli, which had just been added to the menu the day before. Jay ordered the fillet steak and hasn't stopped talking about it since. It was a melt in your mouth moment apparently, how a steak should be. I don't eat red meat, but I'm drooling just thinking about it. We both had chips on the side, with the ketchup coming in a jam jar. A literal jam jar. The next cocktail had a prosecco base, lovely of course, but the first was still my favourite.
I'd like to take this time to say that the staff were AMAZING and so attentive, but not overbearing. I saw them constantly refilling waters and wine and it's a small thing but you don't get that at restaurants near me. Could not do enough.
Dessert was a salted caramel and fresh berry bowl for me and a kiwi and passionfruit (I want to say?!) sorbet for Jay. It was so simple but it worked after a filling meal and a belly topped up with alcohol. And on that note, another frozen treat was handed to us in a paper cup (LOVE anything takeaway), a frosé by Belsazar. I'm not usually a rosé person, but as much as this strong, being a slush toned it down quite a bit. Does that make sense?
I really can't rate the restaurant highly enough. If you're out in the city, then definitely think about heading down to Heddon Street Kitchen. Anyone want to treat me to brunch... soon... please?
This experience was kindly gifted by Gordon Ramsay Restaurants. This post was not asked for and all thoughts are my own. I just enjoyed it very very much.
Valentines day. Love it (ha) or hate it, love is a sauce to be spread this Feb. When working with bakerdays I thought to myself, who do I love the most in this world. The cat can't eat cake so I sent the most important person a little present. To me, from me x The cake is a letter box cake. This means that it is delivered in the tin, with balloons, candles and a 'for you' card, THROUGH THE LETTERBOX. And it does not disappoint.
I've recently worked with a dating app company on a date day post, so to honor that, I ordered this 'swiping' design on the cake. I chose this fetching photo of myself eating a cake and added the caption, as bakerdays' cakes are customizable.
Taste test
Since 2003, when my brother turned 5 and had an Action Man birthday cake, I've hated icing. That little jolly bit of frosting made me sick and since then had put me off cake in general. I do however, love chocolate, and will opt for a nice choc option instead. When ordering you letterbox cake, you get an option from a range of red velvet, lemon, fruit, chocolate and even dairy or gluten free sponges.
I'm a picky eater and the cake tastes.. like a cake should. Shall be having more with cups of tea of an evening for sure.
Cakes can be ordered for next day delivery, or choose a date for delivery like I did. It's a perfect little present that I'm sure your other half (or yourself) won't be expecting this Valentines. Find it on www.bakerdays.com
*This post is in collaboration with bakerdays. This post was not paid for, only a gift.*
When the invite for the first London Bloggers Picnic landed in my inbox from the lovely Fern from Fern about Town, I knew this would be something to look forward to. Fast forward a few weeks and the Saturday arrived to meet my best blogging squad (Maria, Alberitne & Sophie) and spread our blankets out in Regents park next to the GORGEOUS display that Fern and Lilanie had worked all morning on.
The picnic was supplied by a number of brands: Daylesford Farm, Uber, Jessops, Lola's Cupcakes, Hello Party, Firefly Drinks, Franklin and Sons and Caorunn Gin! We were given cider in the cutest pink cups with gold straws and of course took a million photos for instagram.
The ladies also had a professional photographer there on the day and I can't wait to see how those photos come out!
I tried a Caramel and chocolate cupcake from Lola's Cupcakes, and nibbled on the bread provided by DaylesFord Farm! We also met a little pup brought by another blogger who has her own instagram, bless!
A big big thank you to Fern for the invite and to her and Lelanie for organising the day!
Until the 22nd of August 2017, I, an established blogger, had never tried avocado. After a 9am press event with @mariajblogs, we headed on down to Notting Hill and seated up at Farm Girl Cafe. Then the bloggers in us appeared.
We brought out our Olympus Pen E-PL8s and changed from the 45mm to the pancake 14-42mm lens. We chose avocado on toast and drinks that would be instagrammable as hell. Maria chose the Rose Latte whilst I opted for a hot chocolate, with apparently some interesting art on top. It's a mushroom obviously.
The place itself is lovely, and the decor is blogger heaven. Sit outside for the best lighting and the chance for one of those pink tables.
Sunday 9th July. I joined three other bloggers; Pippa, Kirby and Laurel for an afternoon of drinks and (mostly) chips at the Pergola on the Roof in London.
We sat down 'outside' and ordered drinks at the bar. The menu is formed of a few different street food pop ups, from seafood to fish and chips and burgers. I opted for chips as everything seemed rather pricey for not much food. But then again it's London so what do you expect?
The entire place is Instagram goals. From the different coloured walls for many an aesthetic to white stones, huge green plants and that giant pink tropical wall I've been getting questioned about every since.
Tucked away at the top of a parking lot, you would never guess this beauty was here. Opening only until the late summer, I'd definitly recommend making a reservation and heading down!
Not too long ago, I headed up London for the Blogosphere Blog Awards 2017. Now, popping to London isn't out of the ordinary for me, and venturing out of East/Central to the West has started to happen alot more recently. I've had a certain place/shop/heaven in mind for a while now but never had the chance to go. You already know where I'm talking about. It's the blogger's favourite place. For photos and instagrams Peggy Porschen is a need to, not just a want to.
We got there about half 4, so the wealthy were out in force and there was no where to sit outside unfortunately. We grabbed the last table inside and I ordered a Strawberry and Champagne cupcake. For a fiver, this was the most I've ever spent for a minute's food satisfaction. However, it was a pretty darn good cake I must say!
I can't stress enough how it's been a checklist thing to come here and I'm super glad I could do it with another blogger, Anna, an appreciator of the insta grid goals.
When I received an invite from Intu Lakeside to come down to my local Wagamamas and test out the not yet available menu, I knew this was the perfect opportunity to break my Wagapurity. Everyone I know either loves the place or has at least been in, me however, not so much. I sat down at a long table with Megan, my +1 Sharmin- my work pal, the Wagamama rep Asia on my side. On the other side of the table were two bloggers who I met on the night, Hannah from www.hannatalks.com and Zoe from www.lifeinlustre.com. Needless to say I have real Olympus envy at the girl's cameras too!
We sat down, ordered drinks and any starters we wanted to share with the table. I ordered the Tori Kara Age, crispy chicken pieces with a beautiful soy sauce that I've been craving ever since. We were then handed the new menu, which is released this week, and went one by one with the dishes, with Asia describing them and us having a little taste.
The Menu...
I'll admit, I'm painfully picky and rarely eat anything that isn't chicken, pasta, or veg related. When the first dish, the Beef Tataki, came, I was thankful for the pickled beetroot and coriander side. I'm not a beef person anyway and if I was to eat meat more, I'd have it so far cooked, we'd have to bury the ashes. The side was lovely though, hitting you at first taste but with a gorgeous gherkin juice type taste afterwards.
'Our citrus ponzu sauce is made from lime and orange juice and spice from fresh chillies'
Next was the curry. I tried the chicken instead of the tofu and I'm not usually a curry person anyway. I love a good chicken tikka masala so felt quite adventurous when trying this one. The chicken pieces were gorgeous and the cream was beautiful. I find ketchup spicy, so when trying this I did end up with watery eyes, a drippy nose and gasping for a drink after every bite. But I'd totally order it again. Along with the chicken starter, this was my favourite dish. Take that from a picky, spicy hating, non adventurous woman.
'The samla curry has influences of cambodian and thai curries with galangal and lemongrass ingredients and a sauce made of onions, shallots, coconut and tamarind'
I didn't end up trying the donburi, salad or pork belly. My mouth was burning from the curry that I couldn't really think of eating anything else. I completely forgot the salad was there, and fish isn't really my thing either but I know the pork was a firm favourite.
Pad Thai salad
'A touch of tamarind is added to a Nuoc cham sauce instead of the usual expensive green papaya!'
Grilled bream donburi
'Fish based donburi instead of the traditional beef or chicken. Seam bream fish with chilli, coriander and kimchi'
Sticky pork belly
'Boneless cut of fatty meat, sous vide to retain the flavour with a mouthwatering amai and teriyaki sauces, honey, citrus ponzu and orange juice.'
Once again thank you to Megan & Asia for inviting me down and go check out the new menu if you're near a restaurant soon!
Has anyone else just got really hungry all of a sudden?...
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