bloomzy /

Cocktails and Dim Sum at Ping Pong

An invitation to dine on dim sum and cocktails for an evening is something I could never turn down, hence my attendance at Ping Pong’s Summer menu event last week. I was joined by some likeminded bloggers for a cocktail masterclass at the Stratford Westfield restaurant, where we would be making our own variations on the class Mojito, whilst nibbling on some of their best dishes.

We were hosted by Ping Pong‘s own mixologist Daniele, who showed us how to make the perfect mojito, and talked us through the tips and tricks of the cocktail trade. Then suddenly we were thrown into the deep end. We were asked to compete against each other to create our own Mojitos, which we would be judged on. At this point I’d already started eating and was so overwhelmed by the tastiness of the food that I’d completely forgotten all of the measurements. Not a great start. Still I tried my best and even though I felt mine was a little weak, I was given a 7/10, which I’m pretty happy with considering it was my first ever time making a Mojito. After some more dim sum (you MUST try the chicken and cashew dumplings!) I went back for round two, and tried making a Chambord Mojito…which was too strong. This cocktail malarky isn’t as easy as it looks! Still, I happily sipped away at my creations whilst chatting to everyone, and before I knew it they were all gone!

Ping Pong has been on my list of ‘go to places’ since I moved to London, but I can never find anyone who wants to go for dim sum with me. I’m not sure if it’s because the concept of sharing food is still a little lost on some people, or just because I don’t know enough people who enjoy the dishes. Either way I’m glad I went to Ping Pong’s event with V.A (a fellow Dim Sum lover) as she was the perfect foodie companion, as always. I had a wonderful evening and the food was absolutely delicious, I can’t recommend it enough. If you’re not a fan of sharing food then Ping Pong is the best way to get out of that habit. Although the food is so good you’ll probably end up fighting each other for the last dumpling. As for the cocktails, the Lychee Rose cocktail is now a favourite of mine (and exclusive to Ping Pong) and I would go back purely for another glass…or two.

Check out Ping Pong for your closest restaurant, and don’t forget to check out their new Summer menu.

Thanks to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for taking the photos of me.

bloomzy /

Wonderound: South Korean Designer Fashion Pop-Up in Shoreditch

It’s not everyday you find a store that encompasses your style to perfection. Yet that’s exactly how I felt when I walked into Wonderound. The store started online, stocking pieces from South Korean designers in a variety of styles. Now that concept has been realised in the form of their pop-up shop in Shoreditch, which is currently open 7 days a week, until December.

Good quality, minimalistic clothing that isn’t trying to be anything other than what it is – I like that. In fact that’s pretty much Wonderound’s concept “…we believe that simple and comfortable clothing makes the person look effortlessly beautiful.” The items for sale reflect this idea, featuring a variety of shapes, sizes, cuts and colours. I’ve always admired South Korean fashion, and Wonderound has managed to showcase some of the best current trends. Although fashion isn’t the only thing you’ll find, as lifestyle items are littered throughout the store also. The mix of complimentary lifestyle and fashion goods is a refreshing idea, and something I was all too happy to see. We all love a good pair of shoes, but sometimes you just want a nice smelling candle – at Wonderound you can buy all of these things, because they understand that fashion and style don’t end with clothing. They want to help you accessorise your life, as well as your wardrobe.


You can find Wonderound on Calvert Avenue, Shoreditch or you can shop online at Wonderound.

bloomzy /

OOTD: Playing Pretend to The Waltz

Dress* – Oasap | Shoes – Primark | Necklace – Tatty Devine | Sunglasses* – Playn | Bag: A friends

If an outfit had a soundtrack, this one would be Yann Tiersen’s whimsically beautiful compositions from the movie Amelie. ‘La Valse D’Amelie‘ came on whilst I walked through the streets of Brick Lane, and everything just seemed so in tune. The cut and colour of my dress, the way the skirt of it fell into motion with the music. The vintage/curiosity shops and cafés lining my path. Trust me when I say it was a little magical. As I neared the cafe where I would meet some friends for lunch, I wished that every day could start like this.

Later we headed to Spitalfields where my dress seemed perfectly at home with the antiques that littered the stalls. Gramophones, faded postcards and vintage jewellery called out to me. I’ve always admired vintage fashion, more specifically pre-1950s fashion. Unfortunately the modern accessories (those sunglasses, the necklace and that bag) gave me away, but it was nice to play pretend for a little bit.

Thank you to V.A (Chopstickpanorama) for taking the photos of me.

bloomzy /

Kawaii at Hyper Japan 2014

The kawaii life is a tough life. You constantly find yourself clasping your cheeks and screeching at the top of your lungs, all because something features a loveable mascot, or is fluffier than usual (etc etc). Yes, kawaii really is a lifestyle choice in Japan, and it’s everywhere. Whereas the term doesn’t really have a literal translation, the closest we can come to understanding it in English is: cute or adorable. The concept has become so big that recently Western cultures have picked up on the phenomenon – you’ll even find it in the Oxford dictionary. So I was pretty impressed when I saw just how well Hyper Japan embraced the idea this year. 
‘Hyper Kawaii’ was a special section of the exhibition that probably took up half of the venue. It featured a variety of British and Japanese fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, as well as live performances and activities. The rise of kawaii in London was showcased by brands such as: Tofu Cute (snacks and lifestyle goods), Dreamy Bows (clothes, plushies and accessories), Doki (Japanese tableware), Glitterbomb (jewellery), Artbox (stationary and goods), Cutesykink (clothing) and so much more. 
Fashion and beauty are big parts of the kawaii lifestyle, but I plan to feature those separately in upcoming posts as I just couldn’t fit all of the photos and content into one post. ちょっと待って下さい！
bloomzy /

Style: His and Hers Glasses

Glasses aren’t the easiest accessories to choose, especially when they’re something you need to wear everyday. That’s why it was so difficult for Ben when it came to choosing a new pair of frames. We looked at store after store, but nothing seemed to catch his eye (haha, get it?). In the end he told me that he wanted a pair like mine “…but in black”. Something which I now wish he’d told me at the beginning of our search, as I knew exactly how to solve our problem. To the internet!

I’ve never been much of a fan of online shopping, especially for items such as glasses. How on earth are you supposed to know if they fit right, or even suit you? That’s where Glasses Direct come in handy. They offer a free home trial, which a friend of mine tried out last year. She chose 4 pairs of glasses – in different styles – and simply tried them on at home. She actually ended up loving a couple of the pairs, but finally decided on just one. At the time I thought it was a pretty good idea, especially when online glasses stores seem to be able to offer a variety of styles at reasonable prices. Thankfully Ben didn’t need to try any out as he had already mentioned the style he wanted, but it was good to know what kind of quality and service he could expect.

Choosing the right pair was pretty easy, as I offered up a little style advise. In the end though it was all down to him, so he ordered the London Retro Carnaby frames, in black – a slightly smaller version of my own. They arrived about a week ago now and he hasn’t taken them off since. This is a guy who has worn solely contacts for about 5 years. I think the fact that he feels pretty stylish in them helps. All down to me, of course.

bloomzy /

OOTD: Power Play

Shirt* – Hawes & Curtis | Jeans – Topshop | Shoes – Urban Outfitters | Clutch* – Persun

Shirts and blouses will forever remind me of high school. Whereas a lot of my friends preferred polo shirts, I chose a crisp white blouse. Truthfully I didn’t fully realise the potential of them at the time. Now my style is slightly more mature, and I appreciate them in a different way. There’s something quite sexy and chic about a well fitted shirt. I feel pretty powerful when I’m wearing one.

Some people may try to make you believe a shirt is only for school or business, but I beg to differ. Hawes and Curtis are one of London’s best stores for luxury shirts, if only for their choice of styles and fits. I chose this one in particular because polka dots will always be a favourite of mine, and I happen to think they look quite smart too. I paired my shirt with some well fitted jeans from Topshop and my court shoes from Urban Outfitters. I went for gold detailing with my accessories, matching them to my heels. Admittedly I did add the clutch bag as it looked similar to a file, playing around with the ‘business’ idea – making it more casual and wearable.

bloomzy /

Review: Heir Atelier Ultimate Make-up Prep Primer

Heir Atelier Ultimate Make-up Prep Primer*

I’d probably have my beauty blogger membership revoked if I admitted that I only started using primers around 1-2 years ago. I never saw the point and would just opt for moisturisers instead. Now I can’t imagine how I even got my make-up to stay on without one. I’ve tried a few since I switched over and when my most recent one ran out I decided it was time to try a new product. Heir Atelier’s Ultimate Make-up Prep is as interesting as it is beautiful. This little beauty wonder moisturisers and primes your skin for make-up, so you have one less step in your regime to worry about. The primer is “paraben free and formulated with anti-ageing peptides, Jojoba Oil and vitamins C and E” – sounds good to me!

Pros:
+ Applies well and easily
+ Creates smooth base
+ Concealer/Powder stayed on
+ Good texture
+ Nice fragrance
+ Moisturising


Cons:
– Eyeliner didn’t last all day when using this as a primer (see ETA)


Notes:
Look at that bottle! If that isn’t a beautiful beauty product then I don’t know what is. After removing the lid you may notice that the pump is hidden. That’s because it only pops up when the bottle is twisted. So it’s not only easy on the eye, but it’s also practical and clean. The texture of the primer is very similar to others I have used, although I have found that two pumps are needed for enough product to cover the whole face (others have only required one). It applies easily and leaves a smooth base for your make-up. I’m not a fan of fragrance in face products but this does smell nice and my skin seems to like it, so no complaints there. Unfortunately I noticed that my eyeliner didn’t last as long as it usually does, but my concealer lasted just fine. Overall, I think it’s a good product but at £28 for only 15ml, it’s very unlikely I would purchase it, especially when I am a fan of cheaper alternatives that work better (on my skin). The product itself is great, but the eyeliner problem is just too big of a con for me.

You can buy the Heir Atelier Ultimate Make-up Prep at Blow Ltd.

ETA: Kendra Richards is the lady behind Heir Atlier and she reached out to me via my blog and Twitter to let me know a little more about the brand, and my eyeliner concerns. The product is primarily for the face and she apologised for not making that more clear. She hopes to be able to communicate this better in the future, and was incredibly personable. This is her “baby”, which she created for the models and actors she works with, so I can understand that not everything is going to be spot on. That said, this feels like a high quality product and I’m very impressed that it’s so new. Not only that but I think it’s amazing that she contacted me and took on my comments. It has really changed my mind about the product and I can’t wait to see how the brand grows.