bloomzy /

Announcement: Away on Holiday

Hey guys!
This is just a quick post to let you all know that I am going away.
I will be on holiday from 22nd July to 2nd August, with little or no internet access.
I’m afraid this means I won’t be physically updating the blog or Twitter during this time.
However I have scheduled some posts ready for the blog for whilst I am away, and I also have a couple of guest posts
lined up from some lovely bloggers, which I can’t wait to share with you all – I know you’ll love them!
I will be taking comments off moderation during this time, but there may still be problems with IntenseDebate (the reason why I put comment moderation on), so if your comment doesn’t show up don’t worry, I will try to clear it in a few days.
So that’s that. I hope you will all enjoy the posts coming up.
I’m off to Beaumes de Venise in the South of France, to hopefully catch some sun.
I’ll be back with plenty of photos and stories to tell.
See you all soon!!
bloomzy /

Summer skin goodies

(Aloe Vera Lip Balm*, Tan Tablets*, Aloe Vera Wet Wipes*)
A few days ago some goodies turned up in the post for me.
I was quite intrigued as they all seemed to be centred around ‘Summer Skin’.
Honestly, at first I was a little dubious when I laid eyes on the ‘tan tablets.
The whole idea and concept just seems a bit odd and weird to me, but after reading up on them and finding out how they work I felt a bit better about the whole idea. They basically contain all the key vitamins that you need to achieve a deeper tan. Just remember that if you do buy these, you do still need to protect your skin against the sun – so don’t forget the sun cream! I may be tempted to try them, however with my fair skin and lack of tan (I’ve never tanned), I don’t think they’ll be much use. However if you can tan then these may be for you!
Luckily I have a friend who does tan and she has offered to try them out and write a small review for me!

As for the Aloe Vera lip balm and wipes – so happy!
I’m a bit of a lip balm hoarder and this one contains SPF15, so I will be taking this on my holiday in a couple of weeks when I head off to the sunny South of France. It will be perfect for moisturising my lips and keeping them safe in the sun. 
I think the wipes will also be quite handy to carry in my bag for removing my make-up or just freshening up.
These would also be great for anyone planning to head of to the festivals this Summer.
If you’re interested in any of the items you can purchase them from Holland and Barrett (online here).
bloomzy /

Giveaway: Iconemesis iPhone 3G/4 Case

A selection of iPhone cases from the Iconemesis website

For those of you who have read my review’s on Iconemesis’s iPhone cases, you will know how much I love the brand.
Iconemesis is unique in the iPhone case market in that it uses the artwork of some amazing current artists, such as Gemma Correll & Fifi Lapin. So when we recently put our heads together and decided to collaborate on a giveaway, 
I was very excited.
What can you win?
Your choice of either an iPhone 3G or 4/4S case from Iconemesis.
How to enter:
+ Be a follower of ‘Bloomzy’
+ Choose the case you would like to win, from here.
Extra entries: Follow Iconemesis on Twitter & Facebook.
This giveaway has now closed.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

bloomzy /

Where to Eat in London 2

The Icecreamists | Ice Cream Parlour | Covent Garden | Website
– reservations not available –
Dream Bags & Jaguar Shoes | Dinner/Bar | Shoreditch | Website
– reservations not available –

Aubin Cinema | Cinema with Bar/Snacks | Shoreditch | Website
–  ticket bookings available  –

The Diner | All-day Menu | Shoreditch | Website
– reservations may be available –

Lola’s Cupcakes & Pinkberry Frozen Yoghurt |  Selfridges Food Court | Website 1 & 2
– reservations not available –

I’m a pretty big foodie, if you hadn’t already guessed, so I wanted to post a bit about food in London.
There are some amazing places to eat and pick up food, and these are just a few of the places I visited on my last trip.
Kind of like a Where to Eat in London – I have included the name, type of restaurant/cafe/store, the location of the place I visited, and a link to their website, as the bigger places have more than one location.

I had to split this series into two posts (you can find the first one here) as I just had too many places and photos I wanted to feature – even then I didn’t get to include them all. If you’re curious about what I ate feel free to ask but I didn’t write it as I think it’s self explanatory from most of the photos.

I wouldn’t have included these places if I didn’t love and recommend them.
So if you have the chance you should definitely check them out!

bloomzy /

Photo Diary: Tokyo, Old & New

Central Shibuya and Ichigaya Fishing Centre – Tokyo, Japan

I wanted to do another photo diary post from Japan as it seems like I haven’t done one for a while.
As I was looking through my photos from my time living in Tokyo, I was reminded of one of the reasons I love the capital city so much – the mixture of old and new. It might seem a bit cliche or it may not even make sense, but to me Tokyo manages to perfectly mix traditional (or ‘old’) and modern culture. Of course there are times when the two don’t match, but it’s surprising how harmoniously they get on in such a bustling city.
The new
Shibuya is arguably one of the most modern districts in Tokyo, known as a mecca for young people.
In the photos I included you can see Shibuya station, which is constantly packed full of commuters.
I also included photos of popular shopping malls Shibuya 109 (aimed at young women), and Shibuya 109-2 (the male equivalent of 109, which also has a few women’s stores). The adverts on the sides of the buildings change constantly, keeping you up-to-date with the music, food and tv you should be partaking in.
The Old
Ichigaya Fishing Centre may not seem that ‘old’ but the past-time of fishing goes back a long way in Japan.
As you exit the highly modern commuter train (Chuo/Sobu line) and look out across from the platform you will spot the fishing centre hidden amongst skyscrapers, and high-rise office buildings/apartments – the set-up definitely stands out against its backdrop. The customers who frequent the centre use traditonal methods to catch the fish.
Don’t worry though, all the fish are put back in the pond after being caught and weighed.
bloomzy /

Where to Eat in London 1

Koya | Japanese Udon | Lunch/Dinner | Soho | Website
– reservations not available – 
Tina, We Salute You | Cafe | Dalston | Website
– reservations not available – 
Frae Frozen Yoghurt | Shop | Shoreditch | Website
– reservations not available – 
Laduree | Shop/Cafe | Burlington Arcade | Website
– reservations not available – 
All Stars | Diner & Bowling Alley | Lunch/Dinner | Brick Lane | Website
– reservations available – 
The Breakfast Club | Cafe | Hoxton | Website
– reservations not available – 

I’m a pretty big foodie, if you hadn’t already guessed, so I wanted to post a bit about food in London.
There are some amazing places to eat and pick up food, and these are just a few of the places I visited on my last trip.
Kind of like a Where to Eat in London – I have included the name, type of restaurant/cafe/store, the location of the place I visited, and a link to their website, as the bigger places have more than one location.
I had to split this series into two (maybe three) posts as I just had too many places and photos I wanted to feature.
If you’re curious about what I ate feel free to ask but I didn’t write it as I think it’s self explanatory from the photos.
I wouldn’t have included these places if I didn’t love and recommend them.
So if you have the chance you should definitely check them out!