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The Bloggers Cake School with Konditor and Cook

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My baking skills have drastically improved in the past few years, although I still have a long way to go. If I had to sum up my baking technique it would be all substance and no style. For all of the delicious cookies I have made, there are a ton of badly decorated cakes. As happy as I am with my technique, I would love to be able to create something beautiful too. So when Nuffnang invited me to a bloggers cake school event with Konditor & Cook, I knew I had to say yes.

We started the evening with a short introduction to Konditor and Cook. One I did not actually need, as I am a regular customer at their stores. Even so it was lovely to hear how passionate the brand is about bringing delicious food to their customers. Laure was our teacher for the evening, and she began by showing us how to create a pipping bag from scratch and how to do some basic piping techniques – among them, hearts and calligraphy. Of course we all got stuck in straightaway, practising on a few biscuits Laure had given us. I tried my hand at creating a gingerbread self-portrait…until I ran out of icing and gave up. I don’t think I did too bad (just look at that pout), but it’s safe to say my fellow bloggers definitely showed me up. Still, I was optimistic about my cake…

The Curly Wurly cake is definitely one of my favourites at Konditor & Cook. I can’t even begin to describe how deliciously chocolatey and indulgent it is. Everyone really must try it! I decided to go for a chic, minimalist design for the top of my Curly Wurly cake, so I went for polka dots (read: I wanted to do the least amount of damage possible)! The final product didn’t turn out too bad, and when I shared it with friends the next day they were all too busy saying how delicious it was to bother with the decoration. Luckily I was saved by K&C’s expert baking!

I had a wonderful time at the first Bloggers Cake School and I left feeling that my decoration skills had certainly improved. Now I just need to get practising at home on my own creations. Luckily I left with Konditor and Cook’s new recipe book Deservedly Legendary Baking, and a few treats to nibble on whilst I plan my next big bake!

bloomzy /

Where to Eat in London: Tombo Japanese Cafè

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Tombo | Casual Japanese Dining | South Kensington | Website

– reservations not available –

If you had told me a few weeks ago that there was a small slice of matcha heaven at the other end of the Piccadilly line I would have laughed in your face. That was until I learnt of Tombo, a casual Japanese dining experience with a strong emphasis on tea.
V.A and I headed to South Kensington on a Saturday afternoon around 2pm. We found the restaurant pretty easily as it’s only a minute walk from the tube station, and is right next door to Exhibition road.  It was quite busy inside, but we were sat straight away – it seemed that we had timed our arrival perfectly. I surprised myself by instinctively replying to our server in Japanese as we were sat. I guess that means I haven’t completely forgotten it.I had already decided prior to our visit what I would be having – the Bonsai tea (genmaicha with matcha) and a Miso Salmon Bento. When our tea arrived it was presented in a traditional Japanese lidless pot and cup, with a thermos of hot water for top-ups. The smell of the tea wafted over us, and I was automatically relaxed. Green tea can be a little bitter for some people, but I find the flavours distinct and refreshing. Our food took took a little while to arrive, but it meant we were able to enjoy our tea properly. When it did arrive my bento came with a large portion of miso salmon, rice and a variety of salads. Japanese salads are my favourite – they’re full of flavour and offer much more in terms of nourishment than their British counterparts. So you can imagine how happy I was when I spotted 4 on my plate. Each one containing a variety of vegetables, some marinated with sauce, others pickled, but all containing authentic Japanese ingredients. This is what I’d been missing since my move back from Tokyo.

We probably spent a good hour eating and chatting, and it was lovely to be offered that luxury and not rushed out of the establishment – as some London restaurants tend to do. The best thing about Japanese food, apart from the taste, is that you can eat a good meal and not feel bloated or stuffed. Of course that meant we had room for pudding too – the matcha sundae I had been waiting for all week long! Tombo’s desserts are one of the main reasons behind their popularity, so I had high expectations. My matcha sundae included matcha ice cream, matcha gateau, azuki paste and oats. My verdict? Absolute heaven! Although really it was the small bites of matcha cake that won me over. They were moist and soft with a potent taste of matcha. I will definitely be ordering the matcha gateau next time!

At the end our bill came to only £23 each! Lovers of Japanese food in London will know this is ridiculously affordable. Will I be back? You couldn’t stop me if you tried!

You can read more of my restaurant reviews on Zomato.
bloomzy /

OOTD: Marble Marble On The Wall

Coat: Sandro | Dress: Warehouse | Boots: Topshop | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Any trip to the V&A involves copious amounts of photos and the occasional selfie. V.A and I went one step further and took outfit shots alongside the beautiful interior of the museum…as any self respecting blogger would do.
I actually came down with a mild cold this past weekend, so taking outfit photos was the last thing on my mind. Nevertheless I layered up in my trusty Warehouse dress and Sandro jumper-coat combo. To be honest the whole outfit was a second thought to my new Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, which I had been dying to premier to the world. Thankfully V.A stole away my camera and decided to document it’s first foray onto the streets of London, whilst I awkwardly posed against marble backdrops, to the confusion (and amusement) of the odd tourist.
If you love all things marble (and decorative arts in general), I’d highly recommend a visit to the V&A.
bloomzy /

Travel Photo Diary: A Belated Slice of Heaven

A few days ago I realised that I never finished my Chamonix travel diary which made me equal parts nostalgic and annoyed (with myself; because I should have done it 4 months ago). So I decided to dust off the photos and finally put them up. If anything they’ll offer a sweet reminder of what’s to come when Britain finally decides to end it’s childish fight with the sun – flowers, clear skies and light, glorious light!

bloomzy /

Where to Eat in London: Rita’s

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Rita’s | Lunch & Dinner | London Fields, Hackney | Website
– reservations available –

Birthday’s can either be ridiculously indulgent, or something you would rather forget about entirely. Clearly, I favour the former. In fact each year I have a ‘birthday week’. It’s not an original concept, but it’s something I like to spoil myself with…because if I can’t do it for my birthday, when can I? My ultimate form of indulgence is food, so in the lead up to my birthday I book myself into several of the best restaurants I have on my ‘to-visit’ list. This year Rita’s was one of them.

Rita’s is a tiny hidden gem in the heart of Hackney, whose subtle pink hues transcend their website into the restaurant itself. I arrived with five friends on a Tuesday evening, after making a reservation several days earlier. The restaurant was quiet and it did get busier during the evening, although it still wasn’t at full capacity. We were seated at the rear of the restaurant, close to the kitchen and bar. Some might say it was the perfect location. I would agree.

Even after several days of examining Rita’s menu, I still found myself unsure of what to have. Everything sounded amazing, and I didn’t want to commit to one dish. So after a cocktail (or two), we all decided to share some sides, and promised that we would allow each other to sample our individual dishes. Our waitress helped me finally decide on the Patty Melt Deluxe (a firm favourite at Rita’s) with a side of fried cheese. The fried cheese was soft with a crunchy outer, and was seasoned well with a mixture of salt and herbs. When my PMD arrived I was a little confused as to how such a casual looking dish could be so popular. That was until I took my first bite. The beef melted almost instantly in my mouth. For someone who so often suffers from food envy, I knew I had made the right decision. The onion marmite and bone marrow butter add a completely new dimension to the American staple. The PMD is decadently greasy and I worried that I wouldn’t be able to finish my meal. Thankfully the salty, crunchy ‘crispy fried crushed potatoes’ helped cleanse my palette, allowing me to go back for more. This would be my last meal request.

Of course we ordered dessert, although again we all had to seriously consider our options. In the end we all went for the Dulce de Leche Beignets…because, who wouldn’t? Mine arrived with a birthday candle, and was presented by the chef himself who proceeded to grate foie gras over top (yes I went for the additional foie gras). The beignets were light and crispy, with a generous helping of dulce de leche. Honestly I could only finish one, so I took the other home for later.

Would I visit again? Of course! Although I know I would go against my ‘try something new’ motto and have the Patty Melt Deluxe again…and again…and again. Granted I would mix it up a little, as I have my eye on the Oreo Pie!You can read more of my restaurant reviews on Zomato.

bloomzy /

Review: Witch Overnight Clearing Serum

There aren’t many beauty products that make it to my bedside table, most live their days out in my bathroom cabinet. The few that do make it are the ones I use every night. The ones my skin can’t live without. Witch’s Overnight Clearing Serum is a new product that made it to this coveted spot…within only a week of using it.
Pros:
+ Gets rid of spots within 1-2 days
+ Moisturises
+ Non-oily
+ Works overnight
+ Leaves my skin happy and clear
 
Cons:
– Takes a few minutes to absorb into my skin
– Bottle only contains 50ml of product
 
Notes:
How many “spot clearing” products have you used that have actually helped clear up a blemish? For me it’s probably around 5%. Witch’s Overnight Clearing Serum is part of that minority. When I received this I actually had a small spot appearing on my chin, but within 2 nights of applying it the spot had gone. Honestly I wasn’t entirely certain the product had done it all by itself. That was until I had another blemish appear. Again, 2 nights went by, and BAM! it was gone. This little wonder really does what it says on the tin. For only £5.99 I will definitely be purchasing one of these when my current one runs out. I just wish the bottle was bigger so it would last forever.
You can purchase Witch Overnight Clearing Serum at Superdrug.
bloomzy /

Making Time to Relax

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My week generally consists of 5 main activities: working, socialising, blogging, eating and sleeping. I honestly don’t have much time for socialising or blogging, but somehow I manage to squeeze them in-between all of the others. In short, I don’t get much time to myself. However my busy schedule has led to me devising several ways to wind-down and relax. It involves sweet scents and even sweeter treats.

Scent has always been a big relaxation factor for me, so you’ll find a variety of candles and diffusers dotted around my apartment and office – I even keep a candle in my wardrobe (unlit, of course)! For me candles are more than decoration/making a room smell nice. All I have to do is light one and I am automatically taken to a carefree land that smells as good as it feels. As for diffusers, I love how they can fill a whole room with a comforting scent in a matter of minutes. I like to switch mine between rooms during the day, so the scent follows me…and my activities. The most important factor is finding a scent that you love. I was gifted several new scents at Christmas, but my favourite will always be mulled spices – it reminds me of wrapping up on a cold Winter night, family, open fires and rich food. Can you see why I love it so much?

It’s amazing how scent can have such a strong impact on your emotions. I hope it will always be something I can fit into my busy relaxation schedule.