The Coconut Tree - Bournemouth

So this weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to The Coconut tree, to sample both their regular, and festive-with-a-South-Asian-twist menu. Along with a guest (my ever obliging partner Dan) I headed to the Bournemouth restaurant on Saturday eve for what promised to be an evening of delicious food and cocktails. And boy was it! 

Firstly, let me mention that there is more than one branch of this Sri Lankan tapas restaurant, so don't panic if you're not a Bournemouth local, it just happened to be the nearest one to me. I hadn't actually stumbled across it before, but when I arrived it made a lot more sense as The Coconut Tree is not really on the main drag in Bournemouth, but up out of the main hustle and bustle of town, perhaps to its detriment, however, the restaurant was bright and welcoming, not to mention extremely well spaced out for social distancing, one of the best spaced out restaurants I've seen in honesty! 

Arriving in from the bitter cold, Dan and I were warmly welcomed and shown to our table ... the menu situation is fab for the current circumstances, and is all paper-free and accessed on your phone via a QR code....why are more places not doing this?! It certainly keeps cross contamination at bay, not to mention reducing paper wastage. 

Our fantastic waiter AJ, recommended we order 2-3 tapas dishes each, and whilst we perused the delicious sounding Sri Lankan menu, took our mock-tail order (I'm currently pregnant and Dan was being a gent and driving for the evening so we both went mock...and weren't disappointed, great tasting and really didn't feel like we were missing out or an 'afterthought'). Drinks in hand, our arms were very much twisted by AJ into trying the 'Ho-Ho Hoppers' ... and I'm not mad about it! Im assuming these bad boys are on the standard menu too, and that the Ho-Ho side of things accounted for the beetroot red colouring (don't quote me on this, they could be red all year round - and I reckon they should be!) anyway, they're basically a sort of holey coconut milk pancake with a fried egg in the middle, then dollops of a Sri Lankan salsa, caramelised onions, and then a coconut sambol... we were a little baffled by it until AJ popped back and told us to mix it all up, roll the pancake and then eat it like a wrap....mind BLOWN! So simple, but wow, all the flavours... a must try! 

Following our Hoppers, our tapas dishes arrived, we went for the Jaffna Goat Curry, Black Pork, Spicy Cuttlefish, and then from the festive menu, the Devilled Pigs in Blankets and the Split Sprouts and Cashews. AJ was kind enough to bring us over some plain rice to accompany it all. I honestly couldn't pick a favourite dish but the Black Pork and the Goat Curry were definitely up there! We were so impressed with every single dish, Dan adored the sprouts ... sprouts! honestly, so good! who knew! 

The Coconut Tree is running their festive menu until the 31st Jan, and not only that, they have 50% off Monday-wednesday until the 31st too! As if you needed an excuse to head down there! 

In 2019, food critic Jay Rayner reviewed The Coconut Tree citing 'raucous, rough-edged enthusiasm to the food' which manages 'that rare trick of being totally laid back and completely on point at the same time'. And you know what... I couldn't agree more! With a warm and relaxed, friendly atmosphere... so completely unpretentious and welcoming, its hard not to feel right at home. The street-food style menu and set up has something for everyone with a huge variety of vegetarian and vegan options, varying levels of spice and all round deliciousness, just perfect for sharing as a couple, group....or just to treat yourself to a plethora of flavours. We will most definitely be heading back asap, colour us well and truly converted! 

Huge thanks to The Coconut Tree for the invite and for laying on such a feast for us, and to the fantastic staff at the Bournemouth branch who even when faced with a very difficult table of customers on the evening in question, handled it calmly and with smiles on their faces. Book your table now by heading to www.thecoconut-tree.com 

Aveda Walk-In GLOW Bar

Recently I was lucky enough to be invited along to the newly opened walk-in GLOW Bar at Poole Quay's Robin-James Aveda Salon. 

Despite having lived a large part of my life in Poole, and frequenting the area throughout the last few years, I was actually blissfully unaware of the salons existence, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to not only head down and check it out, but to be treated to a little pampering myself....which as a pregnant woman, was incredibly welcome! 

Whilst the salon itself is not new, the brand new 'Walk-In GLOW Bar' is their latest addition... featuring an 'express' menu for pampering on the go. Treatments such as Blow Drys, Hair Up, Facials and Manicures, all at affordable prices, are the perfect way to treat yourself on the move, or before a big night out. With the addition of a cocktail bar on site too, it truly is the PERFECT way to get ready with friends, or treat Mum to a mini pamper during a girly shopping trip in town. 

Arriving at the salon in the middle of a force 9 gale and driving rain meant that I somewhat resembled a drowned rat...however, I was greeted with a smile and plenty of info about the salon and the new GLOW Bar. Having been offered a GLOW cocktail and having to politely decline due to my womb occupant, I settled down into a chair with a MEDA Glow CBD drink in hand. I was asked about the condition of my hair which is currently a little dry due to me transitioning from black to blonde...and currently resting at a gingery medium.... more bleach to come. We decided that a treatment and blow-dry would be the best course of action to get some moisture back into my locks, so headed over for a full wash, condition and treatment at the weirdly comfortable sink-chairs....is it only me who usually finds these absolute agony??? 

My hair was then slathered in AVEDA Botanical Repair treatment, which I was told is akin to Olaplex (but all natural).... and left for it to sink in for 5/10 mins. Having washed this out and being treated to a gorgeous scalp massage throughout, I headed over for my blow dry. 

Once my hair was blow-dried, I could really feel the beneficial effects of the treatment... my hair looked glossy and smooth...and felt absolutely incredible! Four days on and I can attest to the fact that my hair is worlds better than prior to the treatment. Seriously smoothing and moisturising. I will most certainly be back for this treatment after my hair has completed its blonde transition, and will be recommending to friends and family. 

A HUGE thank you to the team at the GLOW Bar, I felt well and truly pampered throughout, and left with the most incredible goody bag full of treats to pamper further at home. The face products in this goody bag were DIVINE, so I think a booking for a facial is most certainly on the cards! 

Check out the menu below and, take my advice, head down there as soon as this latest lockdown ends! This is going to be the PERFECT place to get pampered and party ready round Christmas time! Order a cocktail, have your hair and nails done, and head out on the town....

Express GLOW - Quick fix styling for pre-washed hair - 15mins/£15

Signature GLOW with Aveda Wash - Aveda shampoo and condition, followed by your choice of finish. From bouncy curls to sleek polished hair - 30mins/£25

GLOW My Goodness - Experience the true essence of Aveda. A pampering head and shoulder massage, then an Aveda shampoo and condition, followed by your choice of finish. From bouncy curls to sleek polished hair - 45mins/£37

GLOW Up - Choose one of our signature looks from the hair-up menu (hair will not be shampooed in the salon before styling) - 30mins/£25

Aveda Botanical Repair Express Treatment - Hair bond building strengthening - 15mins/£15

Aveda Glossing Treatment - Get instant glossy hair with this instant shine treatment - 15mins/£15

Express Manicure GLOW - Includes file and polish application - 15mins/£15

GLOW Facial - Experience the award winning LUMITY anti-aging mini facial - 15mins/£15

Cocktails with The Berry Company

 

COCKTAILS?! ON A SCHOOL NIGHT?!? 

Meh, every night is cocktail night! Especially after a trip to the garage an hour and a half away, to be told you need three new tyres on the car you just paid out to have the gearbox rebuilt on! Ouch! Cocktails are required!!!

The Berry Company are a juice company specialising in all natural, sugar and sweetener free juices with none of the nasties in, just all of the good stuff... and did I mention they're blummin delicious too! With such a delicious sounding range of flavours to play with, cocktails beckoned!

First up was a Blueberry Martini

Ingredients:

• 45ml Vodka
• 15ml Cointreau
• 55ml Blueberry Juice (The Berry Company)
• 30ml Mango Juice
• Fresh Blueberries for garnish

Shake all liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice, pour into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with fresh blueberries.

Next up, a Cranberry and Cider Punch

Ingredients:

(Autumn Simple Syrup)

• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 cup Water
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Star Anise
• A few slices of Orange Rind

Punch

• Apple Cider
• Cranberry Juice (The Berry Company)
• Ginger Beer (Double Dutch)
• Autumn Simple Syrup

To make the Simple Syrup, add all ingredients to a pan and heat, stir until sugar dissolves, remove from heat and let it cool.

To make the punch, combine all ingredients in a glass filled with ice and stir gently, 2 parts cider to 1 part cranberry juice and 1 part ginger beer (or ginger ale if you prefer a sweeter taste) add simple syrup to taste.

A HUGE thank you to The Berry Company for sending me over these GORGEOUS juices to play with, check out my stories or post on insta for an incredible discount code to use with them for FIFTY percent off their juices for one week only!

This is a gifted item, however, all views are entirely my own.

Dockyard Gin - Copper Rivet Distillery

Don’t you just hate it when you have an image planned in your head for a gin product shot.... and then when it comes to shooting it, things just totally don’t turn out the way you envisioned. No? Just me? Yeah.... anyhoo.... such was this particular shoot my friends. 

Copper Rivet Distillery were lovely enough to get in touch and offered to send over a bottle of their Dockyard Gin for me to try... now I had heard wonderful things about this gin so I was thrilled to be able to try it out for myself. When it arrived, it just so happened that my car had just started playing silly buggers, and is currently in the garage having it’s gearbox ripped apart and rebuilt... so basically, travelling to take a picture was well and truly off the table! 

Frustratingly, when the opportunity then finally arose for me to scrounge a lift to the seafront (a good 30 mins from my house) it just so happened to be the gloomiest day in weeks, and had ludicrously high winds and patchy rain... go figure! 

Nevertheless I was determined to get the shot, so braving a minor hurricane, and actually getting my jumper caught in a lobster trap (don’t ask)... I persevered! In the end, not quite the pictures I was aiming for... but hey ho. 

Anyway, enough rambling, let’s get down to the good stuff, the gin! 

Distilled at Copper Rivet Distillery, Dockyard Gin is a true grain-to-glass production meaning that the base spirit is made by themselves rather than buying it in. This spirit is produced using local grain so that quality can be ensured... not only this but you can actually find out EXACTLY where the grain in your bottle has come from by entering the code on your bottle here. 

Speaking of the bottle... I couldn’t do a write up of this gin without mentioning the detail which has gone into the design. From the copper coloured cap as a nod to the distillery name, to the flags outlined at the bottom of the bottle, spelling out the words Dock Yard. The details are truly lovely and the bottle itself feels and looks beautiful, with its curved edges and slim shape. This is certainly a lovely bottle to have on the gin-shelf. 

I’ll be frank, at the time of writing this I have only tasted this gin neat... I am thoroughly looking forward to tasting it with tonic once I have raided the supermarket for suitable garnishes... to be perfectly honest, I couldn’t wait to try it. Sorry not sorry. 

A GORGEOUS medley of juniper, citrus and spice envelopes your mouth ... giving a beautiful warmth which plays off the citrus with neither overpowering the other. This gin could quite easily be drunk neat, although the distillery recommend it paired with a good quality tonic and a slice of pink grapefruit, which I’m very much looking forward to sampling. I’m sure you’ll be seeing this one pop up on my feed fairly frequently! 

Thanks again to Copper Rivet Distillery for sending this Gin over. This is a gifted item but all views are entirely my own. 

Stir Crazy Drinks

So last night, (as you'll know if you read my insta feed) I was living the rock and roll dream and staying well and truly in on a Saturday evening. This, in part, being down to Covid, but also my car is in the garage for some work for a couple of weeks so I couldn't go anywhere even if I wanted to! 

I know full well that I am not alone in my new Saturday night traditions. Gone are the days of everyone heading to clubs and pubs to drink their bodyweight in booze whilst being crammed into a nightclub with what feels like 4000 other people, listening to godawful music and breathing in the joyous aroma of the overenthusiastic 'dancers' next to you, before inevitably vomiting on someones shoes (probably your own) and crawling into bed at 3am.....good times!.... and whilst some folk are braving the newly opened bars, lockdown has definitely had a lasting effect and seeing a fair few remaining in at home. 

Enter - Stir Crazy Drinks 

Brain child of the lovely folks at Doctor Inks Curiosities (an incredible cocktail bar in Exeter), Stir Crazy Drinks came about during the recent pandemic and ensuing lockdown, where the bar industry came to a grinding halt... Doctor Inks was no exception. The team, unable to serve drinks from the bar itself, decided (quite rightly) that people still needed cocktails... and thus 'Stir Crazy' was born. 

I believe the delivery service started with simply local drop-offs of ingredients, and has since grown into a national delivery option, and despite Doctor Inks now being re-open, the service's popularity has meant that it will continue... meaning that folks like me can still have our cocktail nights without ever having to leave the house or put on clothes without an elastic waistband....winner. 

Boxes are available fortnightly and these are limited and do sell out so get in there quick! The included cocktails vary but always sound absolutely incredible! When the lovely folks at Doctor Inks got in contact and offered to send over a box, I was over the moon... and this was multiplied tenfold when I found out that this weeks would be melon flavoured cocktails... one of my absolute favourite flavours. Despite all my bitching and moaning about sickly sweet gins, I know I know, I'll quite happily demolish a sweet cocktail in a matter of seconds! Whole different subject! Gin should taste like gin....cocktails are just for fun! 

So back to the boxes at hand... the boxes make TWO different delicious cocktails, and included in the box are the ingredients in usefully numbered bottles (check my insta highlights for a sneak peek of how the boxes arrive) so you know which is which when it comes to making your drinks, some gorgeous garnishes, and an instruction leaflet with the breakdown of the ingredients and then a list of the equipment and extras you will need (minimal) and a step by step guide to making your drinks. To accompany this, there is a Facebook Live video at 8pm on the Saturday which is then saved so you can watch it any time.... but if you don't catch that then you have your instructions included anyway. Jobs a goodun. I personally highly recommend watching the video as I imagined it just to be a 'how to'...but it actually turned out to be so much more and included so much fascinating history about the spirits and cocktails included, and and extra cocktail and tips to boot! 

Making up the cocktails was incredibly simple, all the ingredients are ready to go and things like foamer etc are already mixed in and included so its a case of pouring shaking and serving.... anyone can give it a go! The flavours are out of this world and showcase some items such as cordials, shrubs and the like, made by the team at Doctor Inks themselves. These guys really know their cocktails, I do not say this lightly, their passion for not only the drinks, but the history and the creative process around them is reflected in the end result. If you are even vaguely local to Exeter, I highly recommend you pay them a visit in person, you won't regret it! 

First up this week was a beautiful 'Emerald Eyes' cocktail, inspired by the Duke of Devonshire Emerald, the largest uncut Emerald in the world, blending the Pisco Sour and the Midori Sour into one and boy it was gooooood! Included in the box was the sugar crystal emerald which is then affixed to your glass for added 'instagram-ness'. This cocktail features in Doctor Inks Curiosities current menu. Next up was a brand new cocktail created just for Stir Crazy so we were the first to try it... was an incredibly refreshing 'Sandita Highball' featuring kaffir lime infused blanco tequila, blanc vermouth, acid adjusted mint and watermelon cordial, and soda water. 

At just £12 a box (which makes two incredible cocktails), not only is this great value for money considering how much you would spend on drinks on a night out, but such a great alternative for your Saturday evening drinks (or whenever you chose to have yours, honestly, you don't have to drink them on a Saturday guys, you wanna treat yourself on a Tuesday mid morning, you do you!) 

A great idea for cocktail nights in with friends, cocktails over zoom, a celebration or just to treat yourself! 

To order head to www.stircrazydrinks.co.uk 

Thanks again to the lovely folks at Doctor Inks for sending this box over to me to try. Whist this was a gifted item, all views are my own. 

Kala Thai, Bournemouth

What a night! 

No, I’m not reading from a diary about my mother meeting three consecutive men on a Greek island, accompanied by a fantastic rendition of Honey Honey.... 

I’ve actually just got back from attending the media launch for a brand-spanking-new local Thai restaurant opening its doors tomorrow. 

I’ll be honest, given the current circumstances, I have been somewhat nervy about the idea of dining out at a restaurant... but the promise of Thai food and cocktails was just too much temptation to resist, so off I went ... and boy am I glad I did! 

Located in the centre of Bournemouth, Kala Thai is ideally situated for regular locals and passing trade alike. 

Boasting authentic and handmade Thai cuisine, everything is made on site, fresh, to order ... and (where possible) with local ingredients. 

Visually, this is a beautiful overhaul of the building previously owned by Alcatraz Brasserie... with industrial metal paired side by side with warm, handcrafted wooden tables and bar (wood sourced from the New Forest, keeping it local and sustainable), the interior is in keeping with the Thai cuisine, without loosing its modern and sleek feel. Beautiful details such as the stamps on the wooden tables and the natural edges to the bar, translate the care and attention which has gone into this restaurant. 

Owner and head chef Tom hails from Bangkok and has taken his passion for his native cuisine and poured it into an exciting and extensive menu. 

Noting his favourite disk as the Weeping Tiger steak, Toms passion for cooking stems from his mother, who also enjoyed a career as a chef. 

I was lucky enough to be invited along this evening to a media/press launch, ahead of opening night tomorrow ... this meant a sneak peek of the restaurant itself which even up to the last minute was undergoing work to ensure everything is ready for opening. Delays due to Covid have meant that progress had been pushed back for the team and yet, despite all the hurdles, they have accomplished great things. 

Also included for us this evening was a taster of the incredible cocktails on offer, and most importantly, the food. 

First up the cocktails... now I’m a sucker for a good cocktail, this we know.... 

Mitch created a beautiful lychee and mango fizz on our arrival, followed by custom cocktails to suit our flavour preferences ... I had a beautiful gin cocktail which was heavy on the citrus, just how I like it. Bitter... just like me. Haha. With a wealth of knowledge and a clear passion for his craft, Mitch is the man to go to for a cocktail in Bournemouth! I will most certainly be back.

Giving us a taster of the menu, Tom and his team offered up a range of dishes for us to sample... and by sample, I mean we were offered plates piled high with the most incredible Thai cuisine. We certainly didn’t go hungry! 

Two kinds of handmade spring rolls, fish cakes, king prawn pad Thai, green Thai chicken curry, stir fried tofu and vegetables and Thai rice were on offer and I of course tried the lot (it had to be done ok! It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it!.... Jean, not a word about my diet ok!)  

This, my friends, is the real deal. Good, proper Thai cuisine, no MSG, no nasties, just traditional Thai made with care and love. This is quite simply Thailand on a plate. 

I highly recommend the Thai green curry... those liquorice flavours!! Incredible! (And I don’t even like liquorice!) 

Tummies full, Mitch then whipped up a palate cleansing tea for us featuring mint and Thai basil ... simple but oh so effective. 

So here’s the deets folks: 

Kala Thai will be opening tomorrow (7th August) with no bookings, walk in only for the first weekend. Following this they will be available for bookings and open for both lunch and dinner. I’ll share the menus on my social media for those of you who want to plan ahead (or just fancy salivating over the incredible dishes on offer). 

I have no doubt I’ll see some of you down there as I’ll be heading back down with friends in the very near future! And yes, these guys will be taking part in the Eat out to help out scheme, check their social media for more details on that. 

A huge thank you to the team at Kala Thai, and the lovely folks at Route PR for a fantastic evening. 

Disclaimer - this was a PR event which I was invited to attend, however, all views and opinions are completely my own. 

Family of Hounds Gin

From an entirely unexpected pink gin in my last post... to something very much up my street in this one! 

And boy is this right up my street! 

Family of Hounds is the brainchild of Italian born Andrea, and his wife Lina, who took their love of arguably the worlds greatest spirit, and their beloved pets .... and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Up first is the 9 botanical gin, which isn’t actually a stranger to me having heard of it in passing during my time as a blogger... although the label and therefore appearance, has undergone a couple of overhauls since. However, until now I hadn’t had the pleasure of sampling this Italian inspired gin. 

This little puppy packs a whallop! 

A haymaker of a hit of juniper on both the nose and the pallet is a dream to me so this very much settled into my good books from the get go... then those orange, lemon and grapefruit citrus flavours come right through, rounded off beautifully with a lavender finish which doesn’t overwhelm. The result is STUNNING and I am blown away by the ‘little gin that could!’  Sod all the bells and whistles, this is a gin which proves that less is indeed more, with simplistic packaging and a homely feel to its social media, yet holds it own with the big boys when it comes to taste. This is certainly a gin that more people should be aware of! 

Andreas recommended serve is a dry tonic with grapefruit and rosemary to garnish, I’ve yet to give this a go but i would hasten to agree.  

On to the Nero Pepper, and full disclosure.... I was expecting great things from this one! 

It did not disappoint. 

Pepper is unmistakable and cuts through this like a knife. If you’re looking for subtlety then this is not the gin for you. But if you’re looking for a beautifully made gin with fantastic juniper, citrus and hefty peppery spice... this might be exactly what you’re after! For me, this is absolute bliss! I love a pepper gin at the best of times and this is a great contender in the ring. I paired it with an aromatic tonic, a couple of pink peppercorns and a slice of lemon and it SINGS. This is one for particular tastes but I would highly recommend giving it a go! 

Andreas recommended serve for this one is Ginger Ale with a Rosemary and Cracked Black Pepper garnish. I’m looking forward to giving this a go as all these flavours are right up my alley! 

A huge thank you to the Family of Hounds folk for sending these over to me, I am very much looking forward to experimenting with pairings and cocktails for these two little beauties, so keep your eyes on my insta feed for that! 

In the meantime, head over to www.familyofhounds.com for more info. Available on Master of Malt, the Whiskey Exchange, and Amazon. 

Items kindly gifted as PR Product 

Marie-Jeanne Gin - Massingberd Mundy

Bet you never thought you’d see a pink gin on my blog now did you! ... to be honest, neither did I.

Those of you who have followed me for a while will know I’m not a fan of these newfangled fruity concoctions masquerading as pink gin (I’ve chatted before about what a true pink gin is, and it is certainly not the same as what passes for it these days).

So colour me terrified when the lovely Tristan Jørgensen kindly offered to send me a bottle of Massingberd Mundy Marie-Jeanne  Pink Gin, featuring a fruity profile which I usually steer well clear of... anything with red berry flavourings usually rings alarm bells for me and this is not due to my dislike of the fruit... I bloody love a strawberry or raspberry... however, I have tasted many of these gins, and have been continually unimpressed with the artificial flavourings and overwhelming sweetness, obliterating all semblance of juniper and somewhat negating the point of buying a gin when you could have just bought a strawberry liqueur and got the same taste for half the price.

I’m very much a purist with my gin, I like it to taste like .... gin, weirdly enough 🤷🏽‍♀️ and tend to lean heavily toward a citrus or spiced flavour profile... everything a ‘pink’ gin is not.

So what to make of this one!

Well I accepted this beautiful product PURELY based on the fact that I was so utterly blown away by  their original Burrells Gin (seriously, if you don’t already own a bottle, buy one immediately) that I knew Tristan knew exactly what he was doing, and if nothing else, this would be an exceptionally well made gin. I was not wrong.
Don’t get me wrong, red fruit leaps out at you as soon as you get a whiff of Marie Jeanne, there’s no mistaking that this is a fruity gin. On the nose there’s a beautiful sweet juicy red berry burst. To taste, this is where things really come into their own ...

Gone are the artificial flavourings of poorer quality ‘Pink’ gins (Gordon’s I’m looking at you here) and in its stead are natural flavours, beautifully offset by juniper and citrus notes which create a wonderfully rounded spirit which clearly holds its place as a gin. The sweetness is far from sickly, rather a ‘fresh’ sweetness which took me completely by surprise in the very best way. All in all a fabulous contender from an overly saturated, and poorly represented corner of the gin market.

If you’re a fan of pink gin and would like to taste one done properly ... this is the one for you.
If you’re not a fan of pink gin but you’re willing to have your mind wavered, if not changed... this is the one for you.

Not to mention, she looks rather fantastic on your gin shelf too! I mean, just look at that bottle!!

Another smash hit, home run for master distiller - Tristan. Bravo indeed good sir!

Now before we get too carried away, this has in no way changed my mind on ‘Pink Gin’ as a whole, I am simply saying that this is an excellent example of one. I would still take a London Dry over this every time.... but that’s just my personal tastes. However, if I were to fancy something a little sweet on occasion then this is an excellently made spirit with a wealth of options for pairings. I look forward to trying plenty out.

Shop both the Burrell's, and his ‘mrs’ Marie-Jeanne over at www.southormsbyestate.co.uk

Namaste Gurkha, Blandford - New Sushi Takeaway Menu

Yep, I’m salivating too just looking at this picture! 

I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I was to see an announcement pop up on Facebook from this local restaurant, informing of their brand new sushi menu, available for takeaway and delivery. Now if you live out in the sticks like me, you will know that very few places will deliver full stop, let alone anything other than Pizza, Kebab and the occasional Indian. Since lockdown started I have been actually very good and cooked near enough everything at home... who wouldn’t BBQ daily when the weather is so blissful right! But sometimes (especially when it’s grey and miserable out) you just can’t be assed... and takeaway beckons. Now I tell you this folks, there is only so long a girl can survive on supermarket sushi (needs must in a lockdown)! Lidl you have helped no end but I’m sorry... it’s just not the same. 

A little squeal of excitement was heard throughout the house when I saw that Namaste Gurkha was not only making fresh sushi... but delivering it too! I immediately picked up the phone and ordered the largest box they did (the 16 piece) ... go big or go home right! 

Let me tell you folks, this sushi was out of this world! I cannot recommend more highly! Every single piece was better than the last and, strawberry with salmon - a revelation! If you are even vaguely local to Blandford, Dorset, order now. If not, hope for the best that they continue serving this after lockdown is eased and restaurants can reopen. It’s worth the wait! 

Tonic Social

Now you all know....this girl loves a good cocktail or two! So when I was invited along to a cocktail and menu launch at Tonic Social in Bournemouth....I mean, it was a tough decision but....I forced myself.

Dragging my best mate along (kicking and screaming at the idea of cocktails and food a'plenty obviously) I headed to a bar I never knew existed, in a location I pass all the time. Ten out of ten for observation Emma! Tonic Social is nestled below the Hilton in Bournemouth, ideally placed for town-centre food and drink, with a fantastic terrace, tailor made for summer-evening Gin and Tonics.

Awaiting us was General Manager, Vince, and his team of staff, plus two visiting chefs, poised to tell us all about their upcoming events in collaboration with Tonic Social. First up was Maciek from Molecular Magic who, according to his website, "loves to provide the creative fair to wow your palette and exquisite presentation to delight your eyes". Think, Bournemouths answer to Heston Blumenthal. Macieks upcoming event at Tonic Social is on the 30th April, and I am assured of dry ice and food hanging from the ceiling. Make of that what you will and book your tickets to see for yourself.

Next up was Chef Kamil from Art Sushi who wowed us with sushi making right before our very eyes... this of course went down magnificently well with Liz, my friend, who despises fish....however, I will point out that Kamil's sushi actually managed to change her mind! Its just that good folks.
I can certainly back up just how bloody tasty the sushi was, I demolished several of the blow-torch seared salmon masterpieces, along with one or two of something else which contained prawn marinated in tea.....along with several other flavours (I know there were mushrooms....) Check out @artsushi_uk on instagram and find out more about Kamil's events and lessons.

Food kept coming with dishes from executive chef Matt Budden who whipped up a selection of 'nibbles' including marinated olives, garlic bread, lamb samosas and crab & salmon parcels. Honestly....I am still salivating over those salmon/crab parcels. All of these items are available on the menu and make the perfect 'sharing board' for nibbling on whilst enjoying a drink or two.

Speaking of drinks....during this time, the incredible bar staff were whipping up an incredible selection of cocktails which we sampled (Its a tough job folks, but someone has to do it!)... including a variation on a Pink Lady, a Prosecco Margarita.... and an Espresso Martini made with Conker Cold Brew. Given the town-centre location of Tonic Social, the gorgeous interior, the friendly staff and the welcoming atmosphere, I will most certainly be returning for cocktails a'plenty....and highly recommend anyone local do the exact same thing.

Head over to Tonic Social's website here to check out their upcoming events, menus, cocktails list and opening times. 

Emma-Louise

Eforea 'Speed Spa' at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton

Full disclosure, this experience was gifted as a press treatment, however, all feedback and opinions given are my own.

The concept of a spa is just blissful to me, I would love to be one of those women who 'pops' to the spa once or twice a month....just to unwind.
As a mother of two boys, this alone cuts my 'me' time down to a bare minimum (not that I would change this fact for the world), but added to that, I also work in finance, run a Beaver Scout group and direct a Pantomime....so my time allotted to spend on me, time for pampering....is extremely limited, and for the most part, non-existent.
Generally I will make sure I have a couple hours, late on a Thursday evening once the kids are in bed and I have finished up with work, to box-dye my roots, paint my nails, and of course, slap on a coat of fake tan....and that folks, is my 'pamper time'.

So when I was invited along to check out Eforea's brand new 'Speed Spa', I jumped at the opportunity. The concept seemed tailor-made toward people like myself....busy mommas, heavy workloads, those with limited time on their hands who are just as deserving of the opportunity to unwind, relax, pamper themselves and get the treatments they're truly struggling to fit into their everyday lives.
Eforea have designed their brand new addition to their incredibly gorgeous day spa, to fit in with busier schedules.... for individuals who don't have as much time to take out for themselves but who want the same results from a treatment, in a shorter space of time. Here lies the basis of their tag line #MakeEveryMinuteCount

Find out about the full range of Speed Spa treatments available here

Arriving at the spa, the entrance lobby is utterly stunning, and the welcome is immediate, friendly and with a smile....just the way I like it. Before my treatment I was given a full tour of the facilities, including the cafe, speed spa, day spa and the outdoor terrace.... given it was a tat nippy thanks to storm Jorge? Dennis?... or whichever one we were on that week.... I decided to give the terrace and its hot tub a miss...however inviting. I headed back to the cafe to await my facial and, with a glass of bubbly in hand, had a chat with a lovely member of staff who chatted through my skin needs and recommended a facial which would suit my requirements and give me the results I was looking for.

Lola was my therapist for my facial and I honestly cannot recommend it more.... the chairs!! oh my goodness the chairs! I need one for my home! The massage chairs in the speed spa massage you from head to toe whilst you are having your facial... thereby giving you a full body pamper in record time. Now let me just clarify...this is not one of those 'massage chairs' like you get people demo'ing in the middle of shopping centres and feels like you're being repeatedly pummelled in the small of your back by two metal fists.... oh no folks! this is so much more.
Reclined and somewhat 'encompassed' by this chair, the massage motions grip your arms, legs and shoulders and has three levels of intensity for an all over massage. I honestly could have spent the rest of my life in that chair.
Meanwhile. Lola spent thirty minutes ensuring that my face was suitably cleansed, toned, moisturised and well and truly pampered with the most beautiful feeling and smelling range of Elemis products. Ultrasonic vibrations are then used to draw out all the impurities in the skin and slough off the dead cells. Galvanic currents then help to re-energise and restore moisture.

Feeling incredibly relaxed and with a face as soft and smooth as the proverbial baby's backside...I headed in to the day spa to explore the facilities properly. A beautifully decorated lounge is the middle ground between the spa and treatment rooms....giving guests the perfect waiting space for their upcoming treatment. Relaxation 'pods' then hung in a dark and silent room, for those wanting to completely wind down and shut out the outside world for complete relaxation. Heading past these and through the changing rooms, the hydrotherapy pool, bio sauna, foot spas, ice bath, light and dark steam rooms and heated mosaic loungers beneath a twinkling, star studded ceiling awaited. Further through from here again lay the outdoor terrace, complete with hot tub and a seating area.

Whether you are heading here for the day, or popping in for a swift treatment, I cannot recommend Eforea Spa at the Hilton Ageas Bowl more. The staff, facilities and treatments absolutely blew me away and I will definitely be back!

International Womens Day

I didn't really intend to post much in the way of content this 'International Womens Day'.....however, having received a couple of comments and messages last night, I felt it was, actually, the ideal time to speak up.

I had in fact, posted a couple of photos from an outdoor pursuits weekend which I attended as a Scout leader... next to an old modelling shot from about two years ago. This sparked some negative feedback from a couple of people, questioning my suitability as a Scout leader, as a role model... and most confusing of all.... noted that I 'didn't seem the type' to be involved in Scouting, or indeed outdoor pursuits. 

Firstly...there is no such thing as being the right 'type'! 

I modelled for a while, however, this does not define me or what 'type' of person I am, or indeed portray myself as. 

And then I am also a Scout leader, and was a Scout when I was younger too...my whole family have been in scouting and its a part of my life and a part I truly love. 

Yes, the hair extensions get taken out and the makeup gets taken off for Scouts...but I can take pride in myself and still be a good Scout... I can still be made up on a day to day basis and then still enjoy lobbing axes and spending an evening round a camp fire. 

STOP JUDGING PEOPLE ON THE EXTERNAL

Life is full of variety...as are people. Embrace it! 

Secondly...Yes I am perfectly suitable to be a Scout leader and am very much able to be one (thank you to the person who checked that with me) 

My life outside of Beavers is mine to do with as I wish......I do not portray myself in an inappropriate way during my time in Scouts. I am careful to ensure that I represent and conduct myself in a way which befits the Scouting movement whilst in uniform, when speaking with Scouts or their Parents, and via accessible social media by my Scout group. 

However, outside of Scouts I drink, model, wear a shit load of make-up and hair extensions, and swear a little too much....

This doesn't mean I'm not a fucking awesome Beaver leader! 

I hope this clarifies things. 

So to all you ladies out there being shamed for portraying yourself a certain way on social media, being told you 'don't seem like the type to be capable of that', being told you shouldn't be doing certain things or don't fit into other peoples ideas of how you should look or act....sod them! You do you...because YOU is frikking awesome. 

This girl right here can be a (retired) glamour model one minute and then pitch a tent, fire an arrow, climb a mountain or throw an axe the next. 

#ThisGirlCan 

Emma-Louise

Bumblezest - Refresh + Relax CBD Ginger and Turmeric Sparkling Water

Full disclosure, these products were sent to me as a press item by the company, however, all views given are my own. 

Recently, the lovely Dan and Emily from Bumblezest, got in contact and asked if I would be interested in trying out a new drink addition to their line.....now I had previously heard of Bumblezest via their tonic water being included in a monthly membership box from ilovegin.com, but aside from this, the company was new to me but I was keen to know more and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to sample yet another of their products. 

Fast forward a week and in the post I received another of their tonic waters, and a 'Refresh + Relax" Ginger and Turmeric Sparkling Water. Full disclosure....I'm not normally a fan of sparkling water at all!! I truly cannot stand the taste of carbonated water given the few that I have tried over the years (usually in error having picked up the wrong bottle of still/sparkling) .... so needless to say I was tentative. Its an acquired taste isn't it? Right? Honestly, who actually truly likes the stuff...it tastes like TV static!

So....I was going into this with a slightly jaded view, lets just say that!

Packaging wise, Refresh + Relax is gorgeous! A sleek and matte, slim can...great start! Now lets talk about the elephant in the room.....the massive great cannabis leaves printed on the front, along with the letters 'CBD'! Yes....these drinks contain cannabis sativa... at a level of 10mg, and no, it won't make you high. THC is the illegal chemical within cannabis which will cause the effects most commonly associated with it....and these products contain just 0.2% which is well within EU regulations for food and drink. This is partnered with a whole bunch of other delicious and all-natural ingredients, used in plentiful doses rather than just wafting them over the product so as to be able to claim their inclusion on the packaging. 

So first up we were looking at Refresh + Relax weren't we, as usual I went off on a tangent and completely lost my train of thought...right.... so this one is a low-sugar, low-calorie sparkling water with ginger, lemon, turmeric, cinnamon and a drop of maple, which is, and I quote, 'designed to give you a fiery and refreshing pick-me-up'. Bring it on! 

Well they weren't wrong about fiery! That kick of ginger is right there from the get go and mellows to a beautiful warmth which is just delicious! The citrus edge keeps it fresh with just enough sweetness from the maple to keep that 'pins and needles' taste of the carbonated water at bay. Refreshing yes.... relaxing...it was 10am and I have two children....let us say no more on that. 

I will say, as someone who has a high pressure lifestyle (I work in finance, have two kids, run a Beaver Scout group and direct a pantomime) and drinks a fair amount of alcohol and coffee....that I could seriously do with drinks like these which give you a little, all-natural boost, hydrate and taste bloody good all at the same time. fantastic stuff Bumblezest, I look forward to trying more of your products (they have such a great looking range of drinks which I can't wait to get my mitts on!). 

I will be doing a post on the tonic water separately as I do tend to waffle on and otherwise these posts end up being ludicrously long! 

Emma-Louise

We do not claim miracles however some of the possible effects of BumbleZest include, and are not limited to: weight loss, increased; metabolism, motivation, energy, stamina and immunity, improved; skin and hair complexion, cellulite, digestion, post workout recovery, joints and arthritis, anti-aging, sleep, detoxing, cleansing and hangover assistance, decreased; anxiety, stress and bloating.

Bumblezest 

Blogger Evening at Lush Bournemouth

Recently I was invited to attend a bloggers evening at my local LUSH store, Bournemouth, to check out the new lines for Valentines, Easter and Mothers Day, as well as learn a little more about the company itself...

If you don't know if you have a LUSH store local to you, step outside your front door and if you have one within a 25 mile radius, you'll be able to smell it!
Alternatively you can head over to their website and use the store locator. Either or.

If you've been living under a rock since 1995 and aren't aware of the Poole, Dorset-born company, pioneering natural, cruelty-free hair and beauty products with a sustainable and planet-friendly ethos....well I've just covered the basics in the first half of this sentence so we are pretty much all caught up now aren't we.

I could waffle on about the founding of LUSH happening just down the road from where I grew up, or the figureheads behind the brand, or the all-natural basis to LUSH's approach to beauty, hair and skin care products...but all of this is readily available on the company Wikipedia page or a simple google-search away, so lets not waste one another's time now shall we.
What I will say, however, is that I am somewhat blown away by LUSH's efforts to reduce, and eventually eliminate single-use plastics in the cosmetics industry. Just think for a moment, how many bottles of shampoo you get through a year, how many toothbrushes, how many bottles of foundation or plastic wrapped soaps...the list is endless and not everyone is proactive in recycling these plastics. LUSH is pioneering a movement toward alternative packaging within an industry which sorely needs this change!

Our initial discussions on arrival at LUSH Bournemouth, for our 'invite only' blogger event, featured, in part, much of what I have just touched upon, and the fantastic staff were keen to inform us of LUSH's valuable work in making strides toward sustainable and planet-friendly alternatives when it comes to packaging. If you have ever been into a LUSH store, you will no doubt have noticed what I never fail to pick up when in conversation with staff...that these team members truly believe in the company and the work they are doing. This is something LUSH should really pride themselves on, the passion their staff exhibit is not only apparent, but infectious.
I was impressed to hear that not only is the wrapping paper used on the gift sets, recycled, but as is the ribbon which is made from recycled plastics, and there are also fabric and natural alternatives for wrapping available. The minimal plastic packaging LUSH offers is fully recyclable and a vast majority of products are offered without a plastic option at all, for example the solid shampoo bars, facial oil moisturiser bars, bath bombs and soaps.

Speaking of bath bombs, these are perhaps what LUSH is best known for, and somewhat synonymous with the brand. We were able to trial a few of these to see the gorgeous visual and aromatic effects of them in water, before being welcomed to assist in making our very own fresh face mask from scratch. Water was served in LUSH's famous recycled black pots and a selection of vegan chocolates offered around. Hand massages and a demo of a vast variety of products rounded off the evening.

Valentines being the upcoming holiday (when we attended), 'love' was the theme of the evening and the products being featured definitely veered toward this.... I would love to have seen more of the Mothers Day and Easter range whilst there, but have since popped back in to check these out for myself anyway.

The products which really stood out to me from the evening, and from LUSH themselves are LoveBoat bath bomb which was not only visually epic, but the scent was just incredible... I actually received one of these as a gift from the staff so I look forward to giving this a go again at home!
Full of Grace naked facial oil bar, which is a revelation -  simply rub the bar between your hands until the warmth begins to melt it, and then massage the oil into your face before bed for baby-soft skin. Utter bliss.
Gor-geous facial moisturiser which is my absolute favourite facial moisturiser, although the price point on this product is ludicrously high and my allergies mean that I'm restricted on which of LUSH's moisturisers I can use as it is. However, this cream is AMAZING.... seriously! I have fairly combination skin with some parts prone to extreme oiliness and some dry and flakey...fun! And this awesome stuff deals with the lot, AND sits beautifully under my foundation and doesn't make it slide!
Bluetooth toothpaste jelly...which I can't actually attest to its effectiveness...but was so intrigued that a purchase had to be made and this one will definitely feature on my social media soon when I've given it a try...the premise is fab!

I want to say a resounding thank you to the incredible staff at LUSH Bournemouth for putting on a great evening for us, we were truly spoilt.


Emma-Louise