Easy Peach Chia Pudding Recipe | Ciao Gusto Italy

Paid Partnership with Ciao Gusto Italy

One of my favourite things to do when I am travelling is to check out the local supermarkets. There is something so interesting about how food is packaged and marketed differently and I love trying new and interesting products. I have spent half my adult life living abroad in different countries in Europe and I really miss having such a wide variety of different products to choose from. I do my grocery shopping online a lot more often now that I have a baby, it is so much easier to sit and plan meals then explore the aisles online than trek to a supermarket to do the big food shop. I find buying online has given me so much more choice, and The Ciao Gusto Italian Deli at Ocado has expanded that further- bringing a tonne of different Italian products to the UK, including Santal juice.

White & Gold Letter Cake Recipe | Kirsty's Baby Shower | Ad

I can't believe that my little nephew is almost here! Last weekend I threw Kirsty a baby shower  as she's just 8 weeks away from her due date. Inviting her friends, our close family and colleagues, I found a lovely venue and started planning what food and decorations we'd need. I decided on a white and gold theme and headed straight for Pinterest for some pretty cake ideas. Letter cakes have been such a big thing on Instagram and Pinterest for the last year or so, I just had to try my hand at creating one for Kirsty's special day.  With a fluffy sponge and super sweet springy icing, I managed to create the perfect letter cake recipe which I've detailed below.. read on to find out how to create your own letter cake!

We Tried Hertford's Newest Addition | The Hummingbird Pub

In one of the towns I've had the pleasure to call home, a new gastro pub has popped up that's sure to make a lasting impression on locals and visitors alike. With flavoursome food and an exciting drinks menu,  Hertford's Fore Street is now home to Aspley Pub's The Hummingbird* and I'm so gutted it only popped up after I'd already moved counties! Having attended their launch, and received a personal tour of the venue by the fabulous General Manager Jan Nova, this pub is just what Hertford town centre so desperately needed, and boy, their chilli cheese balls are to. die. for.

A Lazy Girl's Guide to Baking | Easy Gooey Chocolate Brownie Recipe

For the last few months, we've been living with my in-laws between leaving our rented flat and waiting for our house to be finished. So all my stuff is in storage, with just a few boxes/suitcases to live out of until we finally complete in November. Without access to my two huge cupboards full of baking apparatus, ingredients and unlimited access to the kitchen without the worry of making a mess in someone else's house, I've been very limited to the number of cakes and yummy snacks I can make. So how so I go about satisfying my sweet tooth without messing up the kitchen or being in there too long? Keep reading to find out!

From Autumn Picnic Essentials to Winter Belly Warmers | Prestige Hampers

 There's no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon in September. With the warmth of the UK's hottest ever summer still poking its head over the horizon, there's a real need to get out of the house, away from the blue haze of technology and experience nature the way we did in our youth. Packing the wicker basket and heading to open fields, we spent the weekend soaking in the sun, picnicking and creating memories whilst filling our bellies.

Best Country Pub in Hertfordshire | The Gate, Chorleywood

We were kindly invited to this beaut gastro country pub in Rickmansworth, to try out their new menu and see their amazing revamp. I think you'll agree, the place now looks great and the food, well... we definitely recommend you go and try it yourself! From light starters to full-on feasts, the new summer menu at The Gate has something for everyone to complete your characteristic country pub experience. Take a look at what we chose from their delicious menu...

Celebrating 6 Years of Sœurs de Luxe | Bill's, St. Albans

Having hit our 6 year bloggiversary this year, we never got round to actually celebrating it. Following Bill's Restaurant, St. Albans's recent relaunch party we attended a few weeks ago and sampling some of their starters, we really wanted to give the rest of their food a try. The meatballs were exquisite and the halloumi fries were divine, we just had to taste more. It's safe to say the diet's went out the window when we visited as we gorged on a three-course feast.

Soeurs de Luxe Turned 6!

As if it's been 6 years! Just last month we celebrated our 6th year bloggiversary. How better to celebrate than with a personalised cake, delivered straight to our door?

Introducing Beefeater's Summer Menu | Stevenage

This post has been a long time coming, and it's mainly due to our super incredibly busy schedules what with the wedding, holidays, new jobs, uni etc. So our backlog is getting crazy! This post for example was due to go up about 2 months ago! Such bad bloggers we know! Rather than admitting defeat and accepting it won't go up in time, we feel like this one really has to as the food was just so damn good!

I'd never been to Beefeater before this, that I know of. A branch opened 2 minutes from my house over a year ago and I still didn't go, for literally no other reason than not being able to find the time and it was always booked up whenever we did decide to go. I mean, the idea of a restaurant dedicated to beef, literally sounds like my kind of heaven, so when Beefeater* told us about their new Summer menu, we jumped at the chance to sample it!

The Most Perfect Afternoon Tea | Hotel du Vin | Henley-on-Thames*

Never have I ever been so impressed with an afternoon tea as I was when we visited Hotel du Vin. It's rare that I am speechless when it comes to food, as I'm usually very vocal if I enjoy my food... boasting but never sharing. Jasmine doesn't share food! I've had many afternoon teas in my time, from 5* hotels to small boutiques, they all follow the same sort of trend. Hotel du Vin however, could not be more different.

The BEST Vegan Chocolate Cake | Dairy, Gluten, Soya & Egg Free Recipe

After finding out I was intolerant to dairy, I started thinking about all the yummy things I would miss out on. Chocolate, pancakes, muffins, brioche, yoghurts, hot chocolate, and most of all... cake. Cake is my kryptonite, my ultimate weakness. 

Tom Kerridge | Hand and Flowers | Review

Two Michelin Stars, Four AA Rosettes, Three time winner of Best Gastro Pub. Could this restaurant be any more highly recommended? With Tom Kerridge as the owner, there's no wonder there's a 12 month waiting list to get a table!

Chiqui Time | Celebrating Hemel Chiquito's 500th day

Back in May, Kirsty and I were invited along to the 500th birthday of Hemel Hempstead's Chiquito's. That's 500 days since it first opened in Jarman's Fields Leisure Complex on Jarman Way. Exciting stuff!

Admittedly, I've never actually eaten at Chiquito's before, despite me wanting to go every time I pass one. I mean, Mexican food is my favourite! I'm so gutted it's taken until now to give it a try!

DAY TRIP | Mersea Island

I cannot remember the last time I went to the seaside in Britain, it has literally been years. I grew up going to Brighton fairly regularly and the muddy beaches of Weston-Super-Mare whilst visiting my late great-grandmother. I love the smell of sea weed and the swirling murky water, taking strolls along the beach picking up sea shells as I go. 

Amsterdam | Food Favourites

I'm going to have to split this post into two parts because even though we only took a four day trip, we ate so much AMAZING food that I need to share all of the places with you. 

CHOCOLATE & LOVE* | Dark Chocolate Obsession

I've been on a mission to seriously cut back on my sugar consumption but as a chocolate addict this has been so very hard. I've stuck to dark chocolate, the higher the percentage of cocoa, the better. We were sent an assortment of Chocolate and Love* bars to try out and I think it is safe to say, I'm obsessed. Chocolate and Love is a family owned organic and ethically made chocolate company that produces seven sumptuous flavours; Mint, Orange, Sea Salt, Filthy Rich, Panama, Coffee and Dark Milk.

Tredwell's Restaurant | Marcus Wareing | London

Heading to London for my sister-in-law (to-be)'s birthday lunch, my stomach was really rumbling. We tottered around Covent Garden for a while looking at the shops and stalls and street performers, bought some new shoes to ease my aching blistered feet and made our way over to Tredwell's.

Owned by Master Chef's Marcus Wareing, Tredwell's offers a range of succulent dishes created by the TV chef and replicated by the restaurant's skilled masters of the kitchen. Having won AA's Restaurant of the Year - London back in 2015, the array of 'modern London cooking' was certainly getting us excited to try it!

 Tucked amongst the theatres and surrounding fast food restaurants, shops and box offices, the restaurant is located in the Seven Dials in London's West End. Walking in, your immediate attention is drawn to the huge metal clock on the wall, made from knives and other cutlery. Teamed with worn effect mirrors and dark woods, you really get the feel of being in an old London bar.

A quick glimpse at the cocktail menu and Amaretto Sours were ordered. They were amazing. Made with proper egg white on top to get the froth and just the right amount of sweet and sour combined... heavenly.

Ordering the food was a bit more complicated  for me though, as I cannot eat gluten or dairy, which sucks. But the staff were really helpful and said any necessary adjustments would be made to anything I ordered. I didn't have a starter, as most were bread-based, so dove right in with the main courses. I went for the Lake District lamb chops, Merguez sausage, onion and celeriac with a side of skinny fries.  

To cater for my intolerances, I was told that they would have to substitute the onion sauce for a GF, DF alternative, which I was more than happy with. If you're really intolerant or have severe allergies, the chips are also fried in the same fryer as things containing gluten,so be careful... but that's not an issue for me luckily!

The food arrived quite quickly and was presented beautifully, as you would expect from an award winning dining experience. The replacement sauce was exquisite when mixed with the rich, juicy flavour of the lamb and spice of the sausage. The celeriac proved a refreshing addition to the dish, surprising, as I'd not been too keen on it in the past. Watered down with the rest of my cocktail, it was time for dessert.

If I eat dessert, it has to be chocolatey. I would accept nothing less. I always tended to go for the brownie or the chocolate cake, fondant etc., it has to be chocolate. So seeing that they had a vegan dish on the menu, I was very pleased. Dubbed 'The Virtuous Chocolate Brownie' and served with a refreshing coconut yoghurt, the brownie wasn't as chocolatey as I'd hoped. You could taste the dried fruit (prune or dates perhaps) that bulk up these brownies, but compared to the gooey chocolate brownies I was used to before discovering I was intolerant, there was an obvious difference. Baring in mind that this was a vegan brownie, which usually means you don't get the gooey creaminess that milk products bring, it tasted nice and was flavoursome with the yoghurt on the side. It's presentation certainly was lovely!

In summary, portion sizes were more than adequate, they provided exquisite food which caters for allergies and intolerances and aren't too bad for prices, considering its 4-star!

I'd definitely recommend it as an evening out in the Seven Dials, or if you're looking for a place to have a special meal. You won't regret it!

Have you ever been to Marcus Wareing's restaurant? What did you think?

My Chocolate | Chocolate Making Workshop | Islington

As a birthday surprise two years ago, my Fiancé (then boyfriend) bought me two tickets to a chocolate making workshop through buyagift.com, and I only got round to actually booking it April last year (a whole 12 months after I was given them! :O Oopsie!!).  A short walk from my place of work, situated in North London, the venue is beautifully placed on the Regents Canal with large glass windows so you feel like you're on the canal itself! 
The class began with a good old scrub of the hands (who wants germy chocolate- ew!), covering up with an apron and sitting down at a table with around 3-4 other couples and friends.
You could smell the melted chocolate already. I was salivating, like, uncontrollably. 

On our tables were examples of the different stages of chocolate; from the cocoa bean to cocoa butter that's extracted as well as pieces of chocolate of different strengths. These were either super bitter and gross or creamy and yummy!  There were also loads of marshmallows.. which I couldn't help but snack on!

Learning the history of the cocoa bean, the process and going through the different qualities you can find in the shops, we learnt what brands to stay away from if we only want to eat the highest quality.

The first bit of chocolate making we got to do involved three bowls of delicious liquid chocolate; milk, white and dark. Pure, rich, creamy chocolate with incredible flavour, melted into creamy goodness was put in front of my widening eyes.. dangerous.

Our task was to make a giant chocolate button.. out of whatever was on the table. My Chocolate had everything ready; chocolate curls, flakes, sprinkles, nuts, coconut, marshmallows and the three chocolate flavours.. I was in heaven!

I initially did a nice design with dark and milk chocolate, but then I went a bit choco-mad and just kept layering it on. Topped off with white chocolate flakes, this was honestly the best button I have ever tasted .. not to toot my own horn or anything..

Next we got to make fudge and chocolate coated marshmallows using cutters and pattern transfers. We chose to coat them in dark chocolate as it has a higher melting point and drizzle milk on top for decoration. 
Lastly we made truffles.. I literally had no idea how easy it was! You just need to mix it with double cream.. who knew! Piping these into little.. well.. they looked like little poos... we then dusted them in cocoa powder and rolled them into little balls. To finish, we coated them in drizzled milk and dark chocolate and pink chocolate curls.  Before leaving, we began packing them in a golden gift box and plastic gift bags so we could take them home and gift to family and friends.. or just eat them ourselves later!
This workshop is perfect for all foodies and chocolate lovers alike. It combines knowledge and practice and lots and lots of chocolate consumption! You can even book it for team building events and hen parties! If you've not done something like this before, I definitely recommend it. If you're looking for a gift for a loved one, you can buy gift vouchers as my fiancé did. They're without a doubt going to enjoy it!
Have you been to a workshop like this? What would you put on your chocolate button?

Wren Family Favourites | Recipe Book

I love getting Blogger Mail. I love the unexpectancy (not a word but hey) of it and even though you know it may be coming, you're always excited and full of anticipation when it does.  That's exactly what happened just before Christmas when Wren Kitchens sent us the final, bound copy of their #WrenFamilyFavourites Recipe Book that we were privileged enough to have been a part of. A few months ago, they invited us to come up with our Family Favourite. The one recipe that reminded us of our childhood and one that had been passed down to us. After thinking about it for ages, I finally settled on the Spaghetti Bolognese recipe that my mum had taught me many years ago, and that I've continued to adapt.  To see my original recipe post - click here. Here's what came in the post!  Sections for both Savoury and Sweet recipes, this book is my new favourite addition to my kitchen library!

You can download your very own copy of the Recipe Book HERE!


What's your favourite family recipe?

#BloggersXmas 2015 | Finch's Pub | Finsbury Sq.

We can't believe it's actually over! All that planning and stress, and we pulled it off! We're so glad to have had so much positive feedback from both bloggers and brands and all the worry and late nights finally seem worth it!

We initially wanted to organise one of these events so that we could connect with some new bloggers and some new brands, but also to give newbie bloggers the opportunity to grow their network and open themselves up to the opportunities that brands can offer. 

We were so lucky to have some amazing friends and bloggers helping us in setting up and making the event an overall success. Angela from Chocolate and Lipstick and Bryony, who's currently in the process of starting up her blog, were kind enough to arrive a few hours early, stay an hour afterwards and spend most of the event helping us check people in, hand out their personalised key rings by Aloha Lola Cards and give bloggers information on the day. We cannot thank them enough!

Be sure to check out Angela's blog - she's got some amazing content and giveaways!

A huge amount of bloggers stopped by, some travelling from as far as Paris for the day, and one blogger ducked out of a family member's wedding for a couple hours while she paid us a visit! We felt so privileged to have some truly amazing and dedicated bloggers in attendance and were so lucky to get to meet them and get to know them.

We stood at the entrance of Finch's Pub ready to welcome bloggers as they entered and catch them as they left to ensure they received their goody bag. Checking them off on Jasmine's iPad and giving them their own personalised caricature keyring, we showed them the event guide that Jasmine designed, which was full of information about the brands, prizes, sponsors and where to find each of the brands in the venue. We provided a little pick 'n' mix table for the bloggers including mini Heroes, Haribo, Maoam, marshmallows and Swizzler sweets. We had these in beaut sprayed ombre glass jars from Matalan!

  

 At the very front of the venue, we placed two very eye catching brands; Katherine Elizabeth Millinery and Sheena Bulsara, an incredible handmade unique jewellery start up. Both proved very popular with bloggers. We wish he had events to go to that would require such exquisite accessories!

  

Event Co-Sponsors JournoLink sat slightly further into the venue, offering bloggers the chance to sign up to their press release service.

Opposite this sat our little tree. On this, bloggers could tie a tag with their favourite thing about Christmas written on it, to be in with the chance of winning a prize (which is still a surprise. We will be announcing both the prize and the winner next week!). This soon filled up towards the end of the event and there was some really cute things written on them.

Further into the venue at the bar, bloggers could help themselves to helpings from huge platters of food and a cup of hot mulled cider that Finch's had put together for us. They had the most amazing cheesy pastry slices, sausage roll slices, potato and sweet potato wedges and a wide range of crisps.. We could have just sat there and ate all day!

In the middle section of the venue sat Makeup London Academy, T Plus Drinks, House of Dreadful, Bella Kinesis and Sweet Cheesus. Each offering their own tastings, testers, competitions and discounts. The brands were all very generous and also very eager to connect with influential bloggers, as well as those who were just starting out.

 

At the rear of Finch's, we had Chilpa, Miglio Jewellery, Nice Nails Baby, Blogosphere Magazine, Aroma Cake Boutique and Silver Ray Healing Therapies. 

We also had two more of the sponsors, Onedox and Lash Perfect with prominent stands. 

This end of the venue offered free Reiki sessions, manicures and nail art, tasters of some amazing cupcakes, jewellery samples, the chance to sign up to a money-saving website and the opportunity to buy the latest issue of Blogosphere. There was also the opportunity to win various prizes with these brands, including a year's worth of bills paid for, boxes of cupcakes, a tote bag, and some discounted lash/brow treatments.

Throughout the event, bloggers had the chance to take selfies against the sponsor board. Using selfie sticks and props, we all had heaps of fun. Even the brands got involved!

Towards the end of the event when we were replying to tweets, to our utter shock and amazement, our event hashtag was trending! It was finally at that point that our stress levels depleted and felt it was a job well done. Jasmine wishes to incorporate event management into her career, so hopefully this has been valuable experience which she can take with her, to both learn from and take inspiration from. We're both super pleased it was a success. Check out our Events page to see some posts other bloggers have written about it! 

At the end of the event, we gave out these tote bags which Jasmine designed. We thought the slogan 'I'm totes a blogger' was very fitting (especially as it was a tote bag!) and also, a super useful strong bag which can be reused now that carrier bags cost 5p. We're all for saving the environment!

Inside the bag, was some amazing samples and goodies which were kindly sent to us by some pretty cool brands. We shall write a separate post about the bags as we actually have some to give away to some lucky bloggers who didn't get the chance to attend!

For many, this was their first blogging event, and we're so glad they came! We love hearing that they were able to make friends, or that they'd overcome anxiety or fear by attending one of these events alone. We know what it's like turning up to a room full of people who you feel will judge you if your blogs not as good, or you don't have as many followers, but the blogging world really isn't like that. It's full of some pretty amazing people, who, like the newbies, just want to make friends and learn new things, share ideas and come up with great content. The Blogosphere is a community, a safe haven where we can all go to share our passions, hobbies and escape from reality, or even, share our reality! We're so lucky to be a part of it!

Lastly, we'd like to thank Stephanie from SR Photography for being our photographer for the day and taking some amazing images. She was able to really capture the event in a way that we weren't able to, needing to host the afternoon.

We'd love to make this an annual event, and if possible a few more smaller ones throughout 2016. If you'd like to sign up to be on the mailing list for an invite to these, click here.

 &