bloomzy, Author at Bloomzy

bloomzy / April 14, 2016

In The Window with Waffle Design | Lifestyle

In The Window with Waffle Design, at Sugarhouse Studios

As soon as I stepped in front of Sugarhouse Studios, I knew I was in for a creative evening. The space houses a variety of designers and artists. However on this particular evening I was there to see Waffle Design, courtesy of In The Window. You may remember my previous visit to Daniel Heath’s studios, where I screen printed my own wallpaper. I enjoyed the insight into the designer’s world so much that I knew I had to attend the next event. Thankfully I didn’t have to wait too long.

Who and What…?

Founded by Ciara, Waffle is a fresh range of organic cotton, home interior accessories using a tactile waffle weave. Using a non-trend orientated colour palette, Ciara aims to create timeless pieces that will fit into anyone’s home. Her creations are simplistic, but never basic.

The Creative Process…

After catching up with my fellow bloggers over some delicious snacks, we were given a tour of the studio by Ciara herself. She talked to us about her design process, and what inspired her to start the company. I was inspired by not only her technique, but her impressive use of colour. One other thing I picked up on whilst wandering around her studio, was that all of her designs seem so effortless. Even so, I could tell that a lot of hard work and love had gone into each piece.

After our tour we were given the chance to create our own woven pouch, using Ciara’s method of choice. I chose a colour palette of dusky pinks and greys, something I felt reflected Waffle design and my own personal taste. Ciara was such a good teacher, that I barely needed to ask for advice. It took us around 30-40 minutes to finish our designs; clearly we weren’t experts yet. Even so time flew by as we relaxed and focused on our pieces. Afterwards Ciara finished off our pouches for us and added her signature tag.

Thanks to Waffle Design and In The Window

I learnt a new skill, whilst getting to know one of my favourite designers from In The Window. I was inspired by Ciara’s work, and her approach to design. I never really think of myself as a creative person, but meeting designers and finding out more about their pieces is incredibly inspiring to me. It pushes me to find out more about the products I buy, and the story behind them. Not only that, but it inspires me to be more productive in my own work.

You can find out more about Waffle Design, at In The Window.
Follow #LiveTheStory on Twitter and Instagram to find out more.

(Photos of me are courtesy of In The Window)

bloomzy / April 12, 2016

Tabl… for all your London Supper Clubs needs!

Introducing Tabl… for all your London supper clubs needs!

I have an announcement to make. I am proud to declare that I am now a Community Founder at Tabl. What does that mean exactly? Well it means that I love food a lot, but I realise that it’s about more than just the ingredients. It’s about the chef, the atmosphere, the people sat at the table with you… Basically, it’s the whole experience. So when Tabl invited all of their Community Founders to an event at Clerkenwell London, I was happy to be given the chance to find out a little more about the supper clubs they have to offer.

Why London Supper Clubs?

As someone who enjoys meeting new people, and eating some good food, supper clubs are the perfect remedy to lacklustre restaurants, and impersonal service. I was intrigued by Tabl when they first contacted me as I’d heard of several supper clubs in London, but I’d not come across anyone trying to bring them to people in a big way. Supper clubs are the perfect mix of food and socialising. Most people go in groups, or with a friend, but honestly you could even go by yourself. Trust me, you’ll leave with a handful of new contacts, or at least some funny stories to tell your co-workers the next day.

How Does Tabl Work?

It’s pretty simple really. All you do is visit the site, choose your location (London, Brighton or Sussex) and when you want to go. From there you’re shown a selection of what’s on offer. Prices are pretty reasonable, and depend on the experience. From tea supper clubs, to Japanese, singles-only and beyond. Without sounding like a cliche, there’s something for everyone.

My Top 5 Tabl London Supper Clubs

I discovered some amazing food at the Tabl event, from some of their most exciting hosts. So I’ve compiled a small list of the Tabl Top 5 London Supper Clubs I have on my to-do list right now:

Fabulous 698 B – Would you believe me if I told you I was already booked in for this?
Foodie Adventures with Tea – Pairing tea and food, Tabl’s Joe has assured me this is an experience not to miss!
Malaysian Cooking with Vi Vian – Vi’s food always looks amazing! I must try it for myself soon.
PopDown by Cuisson – Innovative Japanese food.
Nordic Singles Supper Club – I’d pretend to be single for the night, just for this menu.

If you love food or socialising – or maybe even both, you crazy party animal – check out Tabl.
Thanks to Clerkenwell London for hosting us, and to all the amazing people who fed and watered us throughout the night!

bloomzy / April 10, 2016

Coffee Valley | Tokyo Travel Diary

Coffee Valley | 2-26-3 Minami-Ikebukuro, Tokyo, 03-6907-1173 | Website | Nearest Station: Ikebukuro

This is a bittersweet post to write, as I sit here sipping coffee in my London apartment. Only a couple of weeks ago I was walking around the backstreets of sunny Ikebukuro, searching for this elusive spot. I actually discovered Coffee Valley whilst reading an old issue of Vikka magazine. The feature was pretty tiny, but the emphasis on good coffee and natural food caught my eye. It may sound silly but this little cafe was on my list of must-visit spots whilst we were in Tokyo.

How is the coffee and food?

We arrived late afternoon to find a queue of around 10 people. As a Londoner, this is nothing for me. People seemed curious about us. Maybe because this well-loved spot isn’t exactly on the tourist map. I don’t know. Either way we happily waited with everyone; which consisted of mainly dates and friends. After around 15 minutes we were directed into the cafe. We were spoken to in fluid Japanese, and told to find a table (spread out over 2 floors) before ordering at the counter on the ground floor. The menu here is small, just a coffee list and the daily sandwich, French toast and cake. Don’t worry though if you don’t speak Japanese. It’s all pretty straight forward, the food is displayed on the counter – so you can easily point – and the staff are very friendly.

We ordered two of “today’s sandwich” whilst I had a flat white, and Ben a drip coffee. Our egg sandwiches were seasoned well with pepper and small bits of vegetables, which created a nice blend of textures. The sandwiches also came with a side of various pickled vegetables to continue the theme – my favourite! The bread was fresh and soft, and the filling was very tasty. I really appreciated the use of natural, wholesome ingredients. The best way to describe the food here is: simple flavours, done well.

As for the coffee, well it was great! Just as good as my favourites in London. They used freshly roasted beans, with a couple of options of origin. I tried some of Ben’s drip coffee, which was smooth and full-flavoured. If I hadn’t been after a slightly milkier alternative, I would have easily chosen the drip.

Final thoughts on Coffee Valley…

For me, Japanese cafes are in a league of their own. Coffee Valley is no different here. Not only is their branding on-point, but their ideology is too. For me food and coffee should be simple at heart, and transparent. By that I mean the use of fresh ingredients which you can trace back to their source. Again, this is something independent cafes in Japan do well. I hope I’m not coming across as pretentious, but at the end of the day Coffee Valley offers up great food, and even better coffee. So if you find yourself in Tokyo, looking for a chilled cafe, make sure you pop by.

You can find out more about Coffee Valley here (non-Japanese speakers can this Google translate version).

bloomzy / April 6, 2016

COS Superstar | Style (OOTD)

Dress: COS | Trousers: Topshop | Shoes: Converse x Comme des Garcon

You ever have one of those moments when you just grab something from the shelf of a store – to try on for the fun of it – even though you know it will never suit you? That’s actually how I found this dress. Whilst wandering around COS one afternoon I spotted this little black number. I told myself, “it’s too long” and “it’s too big”, but I wanted to see it on anyway. I’m a sucker for punishment when it comes to gorgeous clothes. And maybe it’s the slits down the side, or the way the bottom of the dress floats like an angel…but something made me fall in love with this dress on that day. Truth be told, I’ve not fallen out of love since.

In all honesty, it’s most likely the way it so easily layers with other items of clothing. Even the COS website suggests pairing it with a turtleneck – something I’ll never do as my own neck is practically non-existent – so that’s saying something. We’ve reached that part of Spring (in the UK) when it’s neither warm nor cold, so I like to layer. Well, that and I love the way certain cuts and fabrics flow together.

Mostly I try to avoid this type of dress. And even though I’d usually feel like I was wearing a bag in this cut, I actually really like the way it sits on my body. It accentuates my curves, but it doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable. I dislike it when people say “that won’t suit your body, skin type etc etc” but I do believe in feeling confident in the clothing you wear. And I definitely do. This dress is a superstar in the making!

Check out my previous style posts: OOTD
Thanks to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for the photos of me.

bloomzy / April 4, 2016

Sakura at Sake no Hana | Lifestyle

Sake no Hana | Japanese | Mayfair | Website | Nearest Tube: Green Park
– reservations available –

Last year I posted about fulfilling one of my foodie dreams – to visit Sake no Hana during cherry blossom season. The annual event of Sakura at Sake no Hana is one of beauty and simplistic indulgence. The restaurant is transformed into a sea of sakura, with blossoms adorning walls, ceilings, tables… The dishes reflect the decor, with hints of sakura and cherry making their way onto the set menu. Myself and VA (chopstick panorama) were invited to return again this year, and of course we couldn’t say no to this glorious event.

To Start…

We began with a cocktail so innovative, I doubt it could ever been outdone. The Kaori Arpége mixes gin, yuzu sake, cherry liquor, peach bitters, grapefruit juice and agave. It sounds wonderful, no? As delicious as it was, the presentation and use of edible perfume made the drink. Our perfumes consisted of 3 flavours: refreshing elderflower, spicy cinnamon and floral violet. My favourite was the unique use of violet, which smelt as wonderful as it tasted.

Mains…

After a light miso soup, we were served our boxes. These consisted of a Sushi & Sashimi Box and Salmon Miso Yaki. I can’t eat raw fish, so the chef kindly seared mine for me. Each mouthful was fresh and flavoursome. I could have easily eaten two boxes. However I’m glad I didn’t as the Salmon Miso Yaki with egg mustard sauce is not to be missed. We both noted that the portions of chunky salmon were of considerable size, and the mustard sauce was smooth and tangy, but not spicy.

And Dessert…

To end our meal I chose the Cherry Chocolate Sake Mousse with a side of Sakura Sencha (a special blend of cherry blossom tea). As always, Sake no Hana produced a beautifully light dessert. With subtle hints of cherry and chocolate, this is a dessert that almost anyone could enjoy. I was pleased to find that the blend of tea was the same as last year; sweet, bold and the perfect accompaniment to their Cherry Blossom Macarons.

Sake no Hana final thoughts:

VA and I spent the good part of 2 hours in the restaurant. When the food is this exceptional, and the decor this magnificent, time flies by. Even if you can’t make it for the Sakura Menu (£34pp for cocktail, soup, sushi and salmon boxes), I would suggest stopping by for the Sakura Sencha (£4.50) and Macarons (£1.80 each/5 for £8). As always I throughly enjoyed my experience of Sakura at Sake no Hana, and that’s exactly what this is, an experience. Relax and enjoy your time at Sake no Hana, because this is as much a feast for the eyes, as it is for the stomach.

Check out last year’s Sakura at Sake no Hana post here.

bloomzy / March 27, 2016

Introducing… Drip App

Drip App | The Prepaid Coffee App | Available on: iTunes & Google Play

“Coffee is a language in itself” It may sound silly, but I think Jackie Chan was on to something when he commented on his love for caffeine. Coffee brings people together, whether it’s literally at a cafe, at work, or just a like on an Instagram photo. Coffee’s hold on people is undeniable. I discovered coffee at 15, when I was working in a tea room. I helped grind the freshly roasted beans, and drank only the best. But only a few years later I stopped drinking caffeine. I missed coffee a lot, especially the smell (it’s heavenly). So when I started drinking it again after moving to London, it was as though a veil had been lifted from my eyes. My true love was back.

What is Drip App?

Enter Drip App, a new London-based prepaid coffee app for your mobile. I’ve seen my fair share of pre-paid beverage apps, but I soon realised that Drip is a little different. Drip allows you to buy a Drink Plan – credits that allow you to purchase your favourite drink at discounted prices. Coffee isn’t a cheap habit, so this was a massive draw for me. For £9 I can get 4 drinks (£2.25 each), or for £21 – 10 drinks (£2.10 each). When I thought about it, my average drink was costing £3-£3.20, and if I bought a coffee everyday that’s over £21 a week. So already I’d be getting 3 free drinks. If you’re like me, you may even want to consider the Unlimited Coffee Plan – at £89 a year, you can buy all the coffee you like – at less than £3 a day! The math is pretty simple really. If you love coffee, you’re going to save.

But do they have my favourite coffee shop?

Probably. The list of cafes and coffee shops on Drip is constantly growing, and I’ve already found several of my favourites on there. One of the perks is that it helps me discover places in my area that I didn’t even know about. Sure they don’t all work out, but when the coffee is this cheap, I can’t complain.

I should also point out that whilst the app is aimed at coffee fans, it does offer other drinks such as tea, matcha latte etc.

Fancy a free coffee…

Get £4 free credit on Drip with my code ‘EXG878’ and a 20% discount on any plan with code ‘BLOOMZY20’.
Download the app on iTunes and Google Play.

You can also follow my Drip adventures on my Instagram.

bloomzy / March 18, 2016

2 Lovely Gays x Secret Linen Store Collection

2 Lovely Gays Collaboration with Secret Linen Store

I love when I get an invitation to a press event that’s a little out of the ordinary. A slumber party…in an interior designers house? Where do I sign up?! Ok so the “slumber party” was more of a concept, than an actual sleep over. I knew that. I totally didn’t re-read the email 3 times and remove my silky pyjamas from my bag…

In all honesty though, I was pretty excited to be invited to the release of 2 Lovely Gays (2LG for short) new bed linen collection, in collaboration with the Secret Linen Store. The fact that the event was at their house was even cooler. I’ve always loved diving into magazines and seeing what interior designers homes look like. I mean if someone is gonna get it right, it’s gonna be them, yeah? Well I was right, because as soon as I stepped into the 2LG’s home, I was in awe of the sheer style that played out in front of me. Everything was effortlessly arranged, and there was a flow that moved throughout the house, linking each room to the other. Basically I wanted to move in straight away!

But what about the 2 Lovely Gays x Secret Linen Store Collection?

There are 3 sets in the collection:

All of the sets look gorgeous and feel lovely – these would be so wonderful to cuddle up in on a cold Sunday morning. Each set has a story behind the design, which makes them feel that little bit more special. My personal favourite story was about a sweet old lady called Mary – who used to live in 2LG’s house – and is now the namesake for one of the sets. It makes the sets feel like you own something personal, and unique. A nice touch.

However stories aside, the Moon Bed Set is my favourite by far. It’s everything I look for in a duvet set: a high thread count (260), quality cotton (50% Egyptian), affordability, and a contemporary-minimalist design. I plan to buy the set when I get back from my travels next month, because I just can’t stop thinking about it.

You can check out the full collection online, at Secret Linen Store.