26 Grains – Neal's Yard, London

It's been a little while! In a season when routine and self-care have never been more important to me, I don't know how I managed to let writing take a back seat. I guess I have been a little lazy, but all the intentions to document significant moments of my life have been there. 

Living and working at home again has been such a blessing. It feels like I have a lot more time these days, which was something I always wished for when I lived in Bristol, worked full time and had a busy social life. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything now, though, which is funny because that was a big fear of mine for a long time. I still get to plan fun trips with friends who have stuck with me through this whirlwind of a year. One of those was a Christmas trip to London with Emily with the sole aim of spending the day eating. We had both wanted to go to 26 Grains for the longest time, so that's where we met and where I could have happily spent the whole day.

Porridge is no more a boring breakfast; it is my day-off indulgence. I love trying new flavours, textures and toppings and 26 Grains is the place for that. At £6 a bowl it's not cheap but since 'it's London' is an excuse widely accepted, I guess that's why. I had the hazelnut and salted butter porridge with added almond butter and it.was.divine. Loaded with hazelnuts, chopped apple and a pool of melted butter in the middle, this was ingredient pairing at its finest. The porridge itself had a perfect consistency (creamy, not too thick – delicious) with brown sugar seeping in through the top – so nice with an oat flat white.

Obviously, I wanted to eat everything on the menu but we had a table booked at Cafe Murano for lunch and, sadly, there are only so many meals one can eat in a day. For now, I'll hope someone's bought me the cookbook for Christmas... and I promise this is my last porridge-related post (of the year).

2016

There's a theory that time goes by faster as you get older. It's not just a feeling. When you're four a year is a quarter of your life. When you're ten it's a tenth. Time gets smaller as you get bigger.

In 2016 I was 23 then 24, and in a few months I'll be 25. These numbers pass me by like I'm blinking but not really thinking about it, like one of those unconscious habits we are born with. Do we learn to forget about time or is it in our nature?

Every year we wait for the new year with a strange excitement. What are we celebrating? I wonder what the next 365 days will be like, what they will be and... what was last year? Will I be a different person in 2017? I felt the same last year. It fades fast; the sense of excitement marred with melancholy. Probably something to do with the Christmas comedown.

I first identified with depression when I was 20, but there had been sadness before then. There are clues that are so blindingly obvious to me now that I wonder why it never hit me sooner. But there is always a reason for my sadness, and none for my depression. Having said that, depression is now an underlying reason for all my sadness and I know this is not right.

This Christmas has been my first break without plans – something I've longed for all year. There are always drinks with school friends and family gatherings that have become tradition, I suppose, but there has been more time spent alone doing not very much. I packed to come home for ten days, and each one has stretched out so far that I begin to wonder if I'm four again.

I remember details from last year, like ornaments on windowsills and conversations the other person probably forgot. My list of resolutions; to travel more, to start saving, to read more, to write more – the same every year – only two I can say I ticked off, but I'll make them again anyway. And soon I'll forget this period altogether, until next year – or do I mean next week? – when it begins again.

Nachos & Mojitos at Bodega - Birmingham

Mexican food became very fashionable in the noughties. After a meal out in Canterbury for my sister's 18th Birthday, my family discovered fajitas and it soon became my favourite thing to eat. As a starter, my mum would make nachos - nachos as I knew them, anyway. They had to be lime Doritos, covered in grated cheddar and chopped chilli and roasted in the oven for ten minutes. If you haven't tried them, you really must. Sometimes, the simpler the better.

But only sometimes. When nachos go all out - and they are done right - they are incredible, and the ones at Bodega were just that.

The tortilla chips were homemade and you could tell - crisp, light and full of an earthy flavour that factory-made Doritos just don't have, I knew from the first bite these were the best nachos going. 

Rhi and I had spent the day wandering around Birmingham - this was the same day as our visit to The Old Crown Coffee Club - and we were tired and hungry. We nabbed the last table before the place was fully booked for the night, and quickly ordered something to eat and drink.

One day I'll live in a flat large enough to warrant hanging lights like this from the ceiling.

Happy hour at Bodega means selected cocktails are discounted to £4.50 each, so naturally we ordered a few. Mojitos are one of my favourite cocktails to drink and remind me of last summer when I was a bit obsessed with this lime and mint combination.Paired with the cheesy, fiery nachos, the drinks were delicious, and if I didn't have to catch a train home we would have stayed longer and ordered more.

If you're in the area - central Birmingham that is - you must visit Bodega. Rhi swears by their burritos and I can't recommend their mojitos and nachos enough. Find out more here.

The Old Crown Coffee Club – Birmingham

So, January blues are a thing. Who knew? I think I'm okay now, I mean, I can look back on the Christmas period with a feeling of fondness(!) instead of wishing it were still here like an ex boyfriend... There's always next year! Anyway, I can see summer now, lighter days, visiting Scotland, London, friends and family. I'm getting out of this silly little rut.

While I was sorting my life out I found some photos I had taken on a festive trip to Birmingham with my girl Rhi. We were ffrrrreeeezing, I remember, and all we wanted was a cup of coffee in a comfy little coffee shop. And we found one! Birmingham, like all cities, has hidden gems, you just have to look for them, and if you walk just ten minutes out of the city centre, you'll find a plethora of little shops and cafes waiting to be enjoyed.

We stopped at The Old Crown Coffee Club - an extension of The Old Crown pub, which had a nice homemade feel to it - you know, not too many bare brick walls or 'kooky' members of staff.

We got two coffees - black americano for me and cappuccino for Rhi, and couldn't decide between the adorable gingerbread man and chocolate brownie, so got both, even though we had just devoured a meal at Wagamamas.

The coffee was roasting hot, just how I like it, and the gingerbread man was almost too perfect to eat... almost.

The brownie was rich - fudgey and packed with chocolate chunks. The Old Crown Coffee Club gave us everything we needed to warm up again, and what made the visit most memorable was the chairs in which we sat. They were super springy and deceptively comfortable, making it hard to leave, but we had Christmas shopping to do (sorry, that's something you thought you wouldn't have to think about for another 11 months).

If you're shopping in Birmingham this weekend and fancy a coffee break away from the busy city centre, go for a wander, it's worth enjoying your coffee with quiet conversation. 

Find out more about The Old Crown here.

Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream – Science Cream – Cardiff

Ice cream isn't exactly a winter warmer, but when it's made right in front of you by scientists and with liquid nitrogen you know it's something you have to try, whatever the weather.

I visited this unique parlour in Castle Arcade just before Christmas, when eating three puddings in one day was considered normal and replacing lunch with ice cream was just another celebration of the season. Craig and Alicia ordered a chocolate orange cookie concoction and I watched and took photos of the geeky-cute men making ice cream in a matter of minutes right in front of us. It was very cool.

Made with fresh, local ingredients, the ice cream is whipped up in these food mixer type machines – I'm sure they're much more technical than that – and -6° liquid nitrogen is added to turn the cream into ice cream. The white smoke billowing out of the bowl added to the science-lab atmosphere, without it feeling clinical at all.

 

I worried that the focus on this novel idea might detract from the product itself, but the ice cream was fantastic. It was rich and creamy, not too sweet, and full of flavour, and the cookies were crispy-chewy-delicious too.

Is this the latest gimmick doomed to fail? I hope not. Science Cream is fun, cute and the product tastes great. Unsurprisingly, it's a little on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for and more. It's the whole experience – the aesthetic of the place, watching the ice cream being made right in front of you, the scientists in white lab coats. Maybe the novelty will wear off, but this parlour is bound to thrive in the summer months, and I'll be going back for sure, if only to get my fix of that indescribably delectable ice cream.

Sencha at Waterloo Tea Gardens – Cardiff

Nothing will replace my desire for a strong cup of coffee in the morning, but there are times when I am in the mood for something a bit more refreshing, clarifying... soothing. I got into herbal teas a few years ago while at university. Having never understood the hype over regular black tea, I was surprised that I actually loved all other kinds. There's something so relaxing about drinking tea, and finding a cafe that offers a whole range of flavours was lovely. There are only so many coffee shops a girl can take.

I visited Waterloo Tea Gardens in Cardiff with my brother and his girlfriend one Saturday before a day of shopping, eating and work's Christmas party. We walked into an inviting, open space with the friendliest staff, and were seated at one of the 'sharing tables'. 

I'm not sure about this style of dining, particularly when drinking tea or coffee connotes relaxation – and to me, that doesn't involve sitting with strangers. But it wasn't a huge issue – there was more than enough space and it didn't feel like the people sitting with us were actually with us.

The menu offered seemingly hundreds of options, but my eyes went straight to the Japanese greens. Having heard numerous rave reviews about matcha - the health benefits being the main appeal - I told the waiter that was what I wanted, very willing indeed to pay £5 for a single pot. But he quickly warned me that matcha tastes like crushed paracetomal. I found his honesty charming, especially when he recommended I try the slightly cheaper sencha.

While we waited, my brother, Craig, got his sketchbook out and I couldn't help but take a few photos of his bizarre drawings. He's a strange creature, but very creative, and he has a YouTube channel which you should check out if you have a few minutes. If he wasn't my brother I might find him mildly more amusing than I already do.

It wasn't long before our drinks arrived, with different coloured hourglasses for different brewing times. Of course I had to order something to eat, and toast was just what I fancied. Two thick doorstop slices of soft white bread arrived, toasted to golden perfection and served with a generous helping of unsalted butter (it's generally better, but I do prefer Lurpak slightly salted). I asked if I could have some jam to go with it, to which the waiter happily obliged (seriously, very nice staff).

Although I love my hot drinks hot, the fact that my sencha was verging on warm didn't bother me so much. The taste – and colour – more than made up for its cooler temperature. It was honestly the nicest cup of green tea I have ever tried and I'm sure I could have drank another pot immediately after I had drained the first. 

Have you ever seen such vibrant green tea? It was so delicious – sweet, and not at all bitter like many green teas are – and served in a fantastic grey teapot and cup with a cute saucer (although I'm not sure what that was for).

Visiting Waterloo Tea Gardens reignited my love for tea and gave me that warm feeling of wanting to buy lots of new infusions, tea pots, strainers and cups and hide away in a little cottage with a stack of books, with just a crackling fire and an animal – dog, cat or rabbit – to keep me company, as winter wind whips its way through the day and night outside. Isn't that what everyone dreams of once in a while?

Last Minute Gift Guide: Beauty

I've noticed that working 40 hour weeks makes life go by a lot quicker, and the festive season is no exception. Christmas is only a couple of days away and it's a bittersweet feeling – it means the end of Christmas parties, Christmas films and Christmas jumpers, AND I have only managed to have one Christmas snuggle day! But let's just enjoy it all while it lasts. It is, after all, the best time of year.

Thankfully, I have all my gifts sorted, and admittedly, I did most of it online (so organised, so boring) but if you're still scrambling around for gift ideas, here are my suggestions for the lovely lady in your life (or, you know, you, because you have to get yourself a Christmas present too).

1. Lancome Hypnose Lovely Eyes Mascara Gift Set - £22.50*
I am a huge fan of Lancome, thanks to the impeccable taste of my mum who has been purchasing the original Hypnose mascara for as long as I can remember. Just last Christmas she gave me the original Hypnose mascara gift set and it soon became my every-day mascara.
The difference with this one is that it creates the look of doll eyes, and that is my absolute favourite look. For the same price of the mascara on its own you get a black kohl pencil and bottle of make up remover too, so it's a pretty neat deal.
House of Fraser currently have three different sets for dramatic eyes, glamorous eyes or lovely eyes (my fave) and any one would make a gorgeous gift for your best friend, mum or girlfriend.

2. The Body Shop Aloe Protective Restoring Mask - £13
In recent years I have fallen in love with The Body Shop products, and their face masks in particular. I have blemish-prone skin and my go-to mask is the tea tree one, but for a fail safe gift, the Aloe Protective Restoring Mask would be my go-to. As it's suitable for sensitive skin, it is, therefore, in my mind, suitable for all skin types, and all girls love a pamper.

3. Bourjois Colour Boost Set - £16
I've got a couple of these colour boost lip crayons and I can't praise them enough. They're highly pigmented, glossy lip balms that are intensely hydrating and long lasting. Bourjois is a fantastic high street make up brand that I keep going back to because of the quality of their products. I actually bought this set on ASOS a while ago and used the three lip crayons as individual gifts. You can, of course, buy these individually in any Boots or Superdrug store.

4. Topshop Floral Make Up Bag - £10
I bought this make up bag for my friend Rhi's birthday back in October and I'm tempted to buy it again for someone else. It's a fantastic make up bag - roomy, waterproof (make up proof? You know what I mean) and the pattern is gorgeous.

5. Real Rechniques Core Collection - £21.99
I know it seems ridiculous that in this day and age there are some poor souls out there who don't own this make up brush set, but they do, I know – my best friend is one of them. These are undeniably the best budget make up brushes out there and I still use every single one of the brushes in this set, having owned them for the best part of two years. The quality has not faltered and for the price you really can't beat this set – it's the ultimate beauty gift this Christmas.

Strawberry Dream Cake

Long time no blog! I've been a poorly thing this week, and I feel as if I'm not 100% here so all my commitments have gone out the window while I try and get myself back to normal. Before I began to feel a million miles away, however, I made this cake which I wanted to tell you about because it was one of my favourite creations ever (with the help of my sister, Sarah).

It's pretty simple, and only lovers of the strawberry creams in Quality Street will fully appreciate a cake like this, but I am most definitely one of them, and my friend Drew is too. It was his birthday a couple of weeks ago so I decided to make him a cake version of his favourite sweet - the strawberry dream.

I baked a chocolate cake from a recipe in a Sainsbury's book I have – can someone please tell me why it's so difficult to find a simple recipe for a chocolate cake online?!

Once cooled, I sandwiched the two sponges together with a thick layer of strawberry jam. I got this jam from Aldi and it's really good – it has lots of strawberries and seeds in it and because it's 50% fruit it's not too sweet or jelly-like.

For the icing I made a simple ganache (cream, brown sugar and dark chocolate) and spread it all over the top of the cake. If I was any good at presentation, I would have covered the sides of the cake, too.

To finish, I topped the cake with all the strawberry creams in one of the boxes of fruit cremes I bought - they're two for £4 in Tesco which is bad news for me as I'm addicted to them. Except for the lemon ones of course (who thought they would be a good idea?)

You see, pretty easy and pretty cool. I think chocolate and fruit work so well together, especially berries. Will you have a go at making a strawberry dream cake? Quality Street fruit cremes are back but only for Christmas! I'm gonna have to stock up...