bloomzy /

5 Instagram Travel Accounts You Should Be Following

You may remember my ‘Instagram 5′ series. Well it’s been a while since I last graced the blog with one, which is surprising as my love for the app is stronger than ever. Here I have picked out 5 of my favourite instagram travel accounts.

instagram travel

Who? @tokography
Why? This is one slick Instagram account. Tobias is constantly travelling the world, as is made evident by the “now in: …” section of his profile. I love his consideration of colour and viewpoints when shooting. This isn’t your typical travel account; you’ll definitely feel inspired to pick up your passport when browsing his feed.

 

instagram travel

Who? @josephowen
Why? With the prevalence of “big” travel Instagram accounts using DSLR, you may be shocked to find that Joe takes all of his photos on his iPhone. Even more so when you catch a glimpse of his crispy and clear photography.

 

instagram travel

Who? @iikkyu
Why? I started following Joe after I saw some of his photos from Tokyo (a city he visits often). I felt that he considered his subjects in a similar way to how I do so myself. That, and he’s also a big fan of Brooklyn coffee. You can take the boy out of London…

 

instagram travel

Who? @cerealguides
Why? Of course Cereal had to make it onto the list. The Cereal Guides (created by Rosalia Park), are in-depth guides to cities across the world. So far Cereal has released London, Paris and New York. Each guide offers an in-sight into the best cafes, restaurants, shops and places of interest. If you don’t know a local, this is the next best thing.

 

instagram travel

Who? @nihaojoe
Why? My friend Joe is currently travelling around India, and he’s an awesome photographer. Nuff said? Nuff said.

Do you have a favourite Instagram travel account?
Let me know in the comments!

Source: Please see the individual Instagram accounts listed above.

bloomzy /

Skincere Day Cream | Review

skincereSkincere Day Cream*

It can be difficult to find good skincare when you have sensitive skin. Even harder when you have an allergy or intolerance. Honestly I don’t see many products boasting this kind of status. Well hello Skincere! A few of Skincere’s products showed up at my door recently, and I was a curious. The brand boasts a 100% natural skincare range. Now that may sound average, but most “natural” skincare products are only natural to a certain extent. A lot of them are around 70-90%…which is great. But to find a 100% product, well that’s really awesome. So I decided to test them out, starting with the Day Cream.

Pros

  • Wheat free, Soya Free & Dairy Free
  • Perfect for sensitive skin
  • Light & hydrating
  • Smooth application

Cons

  • Takes a minute to absorb

Final thoughts on: Skincere Day Cream

I found it hard to find anything bad about this day cream. I have sensitive skin, and occasionally allergic reactions to some products. That doesn’t mean I worry when trying out a new product, but it does make me feel better if I know the product is made specifically to avoid this happening. I’m also impressed with the wheat, soya and dairy free – I may not have an intolerance, but I’m sure those who do will be impressed too. As for using the product, it applies well – the cream is light and soft on the skin. It does take a little bit to absorb, but when it has done, it’s hydrating and it doesn’t feel heavy at all. I’ve found my makeup works well with it too – always a plus. It is £24.99, which is a little expensive. However if I had a history of allergic reactions/intolerances to ingredients in skincare products, this is definitely something I would snap up straightaway.

Skincere’s Day Cream is now half price on their website. You can also purchase Skincere products in Holland & Barrett stores, and online.

Thanks to Bloomon for my gorgeous bouquet, and the flowers included in this post.

skincere skincere skincere skincere

bloomzy /

Where to Eat in London: Wa Cafe

wa cafeWa Cafe | Japanese Patisserie | Nearest Tube: Ealing Broadway

Some may say that France has the best patisseries in the world, however I would have to disagree. Japan has learnt from it’s European counterparts and created something altogether unique – fusing traditional ingredients with modern techniques. I’m sure you won’t find it odd when I say I miss Japanese food. However you may be surprised that a lover of savoury items such as myself, misses Japanese pastries. I can’t begin to explain how delicious and light they are. It’s something sweet and savoury fans alike should experience at least once in their life. So when I heard that Wa Cafe (an authentic Japanese patisserie) had opened in Ealing Broadway, I knew I had to try it. Skip ahead almost a year, and I was back again for my birthday weekend.

The Savoury…

 The first time I visited Wa Cafe they had run out of sandwiches, so I knew I had to grab one this visit. Two soft, chunky slices of bread encompass the Chicken Katsu Sandwich. Inside, the breaded chicken is accompanied by lettuce and a delicious salad dressing. This is one gigantic sandwich; perfect for sharing. However a dish this delicious may leave you wanting a whole one for yourself.

And The Sweet…

The savoury dishes here may be wonderful, but I know you’re all wondering how the cakes are! This visit I had the Strawberry Shortcake, and I was not disappointed. Japan’s Strawberry Shortcake is very different to the UK kind. A light sponge is layered with cream and strawberries. It’s very popular as a birthday cake in Japan, so it seemed fitting for this particular visit. Wa Cafe’s is just as light and airy as those I ate in Japan. The cream is sweet, but not sickeningly so. And even as someone who dislikes strawberries (yes, I’m weird), I enjoyed this cake immensely.

Final thoughts on : Wa Cafe

Wa Cafe is well worth the journey (around an hour from my East London dwellings), and well worth the wait. The cakes are as delectable as they are aesthetically pleasing. I spent around £17 on this particular visit, and I don’t regret spending a penny of it. Previously I tried the Matcha Swiss Roll, Curry Pan and the Melon Pan – all of which I would have again…once I’ve worked my way through the rest of the dishes. Of course. I could easily have breakfast, lunch and dinner here. In fact I’m not even upset that visiting means becoming more acquainted with my gym membership.

Read more in my Where to Eat in London series.

wa cafe wa cafe wa cafe wa cafe wa cafe wa cafe

bloomzy /

Celebrating Chinese New Year at Yauatcha

yauatchaYauatcha City | Dim Sum | Broadgate Circle | Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street

Last week Yauatcha invited myself and VA (chopstickpanorama) to come along to their City location, to celebrate Chinese New Year with them. I don’t usually celebrate new year, whether it’s British, Chinese etc etc…you get my point. However when Yauatcha told me that this particular celebration would involve copious amounts of food – and gin – I found myself unable to say no.

Dim Sum

We ordered all of the dim sum dishes from the CNY menu, which includes: Caviar siew long bun (full of soupy deliciousness), Foie gras roast duck puff (beautifully presented rich parcels of goodness), Caviar taro dumpling (a dumpling by any other name…) and Black truffle edamame sesame ball (oddly sweet). The Caviar siew long bun was the best dish by far for me that evening. However the Foie gras roast duck puff came in at a close second. Controversy aside, this is a delicately rich and buttery dish, and I love the heart shaped pastry. I could easily have ordered both of these numerous times, and gorged on them for the rest of the night.

Main

For our “main” we ordered the Yauatcha scallop pushing (a light, refreshing salad), Hakka fortune pot (a variety of meats & seafood) and Dried oyster fried sticky rice (to accompany). The Yauatcha scallop pushing was a mixture of textures and zesty flavours. Our server also explained that this traditional dish comes with an added bonus; by mixing it as high as possible you can make one wish for the new year. Let’s see if VA’s comes true (she did all the mixing)! I was excited for the Hakka fortune pot as it included abalone (a new taste for me), however I felt slightly let down by the dish. Alongside the Dried oyster fried sticky rice, it all just seemed like a classy version of a Chinese takeaway…which to be fair, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s just not for me.

Gin Cocktail Flight & Macarons

The cocktail flight was a lovely accompaniment to our meal. Each of the 3 cocktails was served at separate times throughout the evening; to compliment the food we were served. Of course the Saffron gin and tonic was my favourite. Ever so sweet, and a pleasing colour  – kudos to Monkey 47 for this dry & complex gin.

The macarons (Gin and tonic, Juniper berry, Bitter orange almond, Elderflower ginger, Rose rosehip and Camomile) were a delight, as they always are at Yauatcha. Their innovative use of ingredients never fails to produce a unique flavour and texture. My favourites of the evening were the Rose (tastes just like Turkish delight), and the Camomile (the buttercream is almost custardy in texture).

My thoughts…

Our meal came to just over £157 (£79 each), including the cocktail flight. Taking this into consideration I can’t say I would go back and spend that much. However I would happily go back for the select few dishes that helped make my evening so delicious (see bolded items).

Head to Yauatcha to view their Chinese New Year menu.

yauatcha yauatcha yauatcha yauatcha yauatchayauatcha yauatcha

bloomzy /

OOTD | 50 Shades of Grey

ootdCoat: Topshop | Culottes: New Look | Sneakers: Luca Verdi* | Backpack: Sandqvist | Beanie: Blake LDN

Grey slowly started working it’s way into my wardrobe late last year. But after New Year it made itself a permanent fixture. I’ve always stuck to darker colours (read: only wearing black), and my clear-out at the beginning of the month pretty much proved that. But the addition of this grey coat (which is as warm as it is stylish) to my wardrobe has changed all of that. It’s a happy medium between black and white, and it pretty much always looks great with a smart casual ensemble.

Now that the introduction is done with, let’s not avoid the elephant in the room. Yes, I did go and buy another pair of culottes. As ugly as some people may find these oversized trousers, I adore them. You know me, if something is comfortable and stylish, I’ll wear the hell out of it. They work with a variety of shoes, but since the weather was looking ok I decided to test drive them with my Luca Verdi sneakers. I couldn’t get enough of these pointy-toed beauties when I was in Italy; I almost cried when I came back to the UK and found that Expool & Luca herself had sent them to me. These will always be a reminder of an unbelievable travel adventure.

It’s a wonderful thing when your clothes tell a story. Even better when they make you feel good.

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

ootd ootd ootd ootd ootd

bloomzy /

Conscious Living, with Love from Berlin

love from berlinConscious Living, with Love from Berlin

Today I’d like to talk a little bit about lifestyle, conscious living and friendship. I’ve been reading my friend Rae’s blog (Love from Berlin) for several years, in fact it’s how we became friends in the first place. Last year we finally met in Berlin, and the most amazing thing happened. We sat and talked for hours on topics ranging from fashion, to travel, culture and feminism. Even though we had spoken on social media in the past, it was still wonderful to know that our views were so similar. She has such a positive outlook on life. So when she re-branded her blog late last year, it made a lot of sense that the theme was ‘conscious lifestyle and creation’:

“A conscious lifestyle is all about being aware and present while making decisions and choices about how we live our lives and treat ourselves, others, and the world around us. This concept is the backbone of everything that you will find here on LFB.”

Conscious Living…

LFB’s re-brand came with several new features, one being the Conscious Living Interview series. And guess who Rae asked to help kick off the series? Me! Of course I was delighted, and accepted straight away. The interview tackles questions on topics such as empathy, social media, blogging and of course, conscious living. Here’s a little sneak peak at one of my answers:

In the blogging world, many bloggers feel the pressure to stay on top of trends, purchase new things for reviews, accept gifts etc. How do you balance the mass consumption and product selling side of blogging with living consciously?

“It certainly isn’t easy, and I’ll be the first to admit that I succumbed to the pressure when I first started blogging. I found myself buying excessive amounts of beauty products “for the blog”, and writing about everything and anything, just to keep up with people and “the trends”. Pretty soon I realised that this wasn’t any way to continue. I try to live consciously, and I think my recent lifestyle change has really helped with this. Finding my own blog voice, and feeling confident in myself are big contributing factors.”

You can find out my feelings on all of these and more, at Love from Berlin.

bloomzy /

Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Cream | Review

dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Lifting Treatment Cream*

French skincare products proudly sit in my top 3 (next to Korean & Japanese). However it’s fair to say I stick to the same brands I know and love. Recently I changed this, with the introduction of a few Dr Pierre Ricaud products. You may recognise the brand, as it is a part of the Yves Rocher family – yes, the same as Petit Bateau. With such well known parents, I was eager to see what this new (to me at least) brand had to offer.

Pros:
– On/Off head function
– Brush applicator
– Soothing and gentle on skin

Cons:
– Brush applicator can become dirty
– Higher end price point

Notes:
First off, packaging. This little cutie is compact and easy to travel with. The brush applicator attached to the tube is great, and isn’t something I see very often in eye creams. I found this much better than applying on to the skin with my finger. Honestly I’m going to be sad when I have to go back to regular tubes. Every eye cream should have one of these! The on/off function means you won’t accidentally waste any product, and supposedly stops contamination. That said, I found that if I had not removed every single inch of my eye make-up – it happens to us all – then the brush becomes dirty. This can be remedied by gently cleaning it on the back of your hand, but it does make me wonder if this is why more brands don’t use brush applicators on their tubes.

I love this eye cream. It’s soothing and gentle on my skin, and it lifts my eyes when they’re feeling a little down. I find this particularly useful in the morning, when my eye bags are a little more puffy than usual (hello restless sleep). At £23 this is on the higher end of the skincare price point. I really like the product, but the price would definitely have me thinking before I purchased it.

You can purchase Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Lifting Treatment Cream online at Dr Pierre Ricaud.
It is currently half price at £12.50 (was £23)!

dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9 dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9 dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9 dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9