lifestyle Archives - Page 9 of 54

bloomzy / September 6, 2017

24 Hours in Oslo, Norway | A Travel Guide

It can be pretty tough visiting a new city, or country. You’re not sure where to eat, what to see, or even where to stay. Well I’m here to change all of that with my handy guides! They’re full of tips, tricks, and the best places to go. So stop worrying about how you’re going to make the most of your time in a new place; here are my recommendations for spending 24 hours in Oslo, Norway!

24 Hours in Oslo, Norway

The best banana bread in town!
- Is found at Supreme Roastworks, alongside some pretty superb coffee too. It makes for the perfect breakfast.
Walk along Grünerløkka
- The latest trendy area in Oslo is somewhat akin to London’s Shoreditch. You’ll find a variety of independent stores, designers, coffee shops and restaurants.
Coffee stop!
- Grab some caffeine to go from Tim Wendelboe – the coffee is high quality, as is the well thought out interior of this popular spot.
Architecture fans will love…
- Oslo City Hall. Tours do run but only during certain parts of the year. However you can wander in freely and walk around the gorgeous interiors.

Have Lunch in Aker Brygge
- One of Oslo’s newest developments, the harbour side district is full of restaurants, cafes and shops.
Take in some modern art at Astrup Fearnley
- The museum is also conveniantly located in the Aker Brygge district.
Take a boat around the Oslo Fjords
- Littered with beautiful islands, stunning landmarks, and enviable Summer houses, the Oslo Fjords shouldn’t be missed. Tours run throughout the day, and start from the port in front of Oslo City Hall. Times depend on season.
Vippa for dinner!
- Vippa is Oslo’s leading street food market, and you’ll find friends, couples and families enjoying a variety of cuisines alongside the sea front.

Hints and Tips for 24 Hours in Oslo:

Stay in an Airbnb
- You can choose something that suits your personal style, and it’s much more affordable than a hotel. We stayed in Inga’s stunning apartment.
Free wifi & charging in the streets
- Look out for the smart benches littered across the city. They have USB charging ports, and free wifi!
It’s expensive, but…
- Yes, Oslo is expensive but you can get your tax back on a variety of goods including clothes, homeware and food. Just ask for a tax form when purchasing your goods, and get your tax back at the airport.
Alcohol
- Spirits & wine are only sold at Vinmonopolet stores. Everything else is available in supermarkets, but isn’t sold after 6pm on a Saturday, or at all on a Sunday. However restaurants and bars serve as normal.

Well there you have it, my travel guide to 24 Hours in Oslo, Noway!
And don’t forget to check out the my other 24 Hours In… guides.

bloomzy / August 30, 2017

Save the Date: Choosing Your Wedding Guestlist

Save The Dates by Sugar & Spice Designs*

We must have written, erased and re-written our wedding guestlist a hundred times. It’s been one of the hardest parts of planning our intimate (read: small) wedding. And today I’m going to let you in on a little secret…it’s not even finished!

Choosing Our Wedding Guestlist

Obviously the first people we wrote down were immediate family. Then it was the bridal party, and our closest shared friends. After that it became a bit more complicated. We have to stick to numbers, and it’s horrible trying to figure out where to draw the hypothetical line. It was also important to take into consideration whether our friends and family could make it to our location wedding. I say “location” because it’s outside London, and in the middle of nowhere. Honestly it won’t be easy for everyone to get there and find accommodation, and we understand that. We would love to be able to pay for everyone’s hotel/airbnb, but let’s be realistic – it’s not possible on a budget.

Choosing Our Save the Dates

Choosing the guest list may be tough, but there is a fun side to it as well – deciding on our save the dates! We both wanted something that reflected our personal style, as well as the theme of the wedding. I went straight to notonthehighstreet.com as I’d fallen for their wedding stationery at the press day I attended earlier this year. We narrowed it down to a couple of our favourite designs, and eventually we ended up with the Luxury Eucalyptus Save the Dates by Sugar & Spice, which you can see above (and below).

We were so happy with how the ST… note to self: don’t try and abbreviate ‘Save the Date’. But seriously, we were so happy with our final Save the Dates. The handwritten calligraphy in the form of our guests names (on the envelopes), added an extra personal touch. They’re simplistic, yet memorable, and the design matches our theme perfectly. We may still be finalising our wedding guestlist, but at least we have some awesome save the dates to help us along the way!

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My saves the dates were gifted to me by Sugar & Spice, however all views, photos and words are my own.

bloomzy / August 21, 2017

Ling Ling: Scandinavian stylings meets Cantonese cuisine

Ling Ling | Hakkasan group | Cantonese | Map

If you’re living in London, you’ll know the Hakkasan group well. Yauatcha, Sake no Hana, and of course, Hakkasan. But did you know that they have restaurants in cities across the world? And much like their London counterparts the restaurants vary in style, dishes and cuisines. Well one of those cities just so happens to be Oslo, and one of those restaurants just so happens to be Ling Ling. Which was lucky for me as I was just about to take a break in Norway’s capital city.

Ling Ling Oslo

Ling Ling is the younger sibling of the Hakkasan group. Located in the trendy area of Aker Brygge. It’s vibrant, fun, and stylish; this much is clear when you walk into the harbour side restaurant. From the simple Scandinavian stylings, right down to the innovative cocktail list. And there’s no better way than starting a journey at Ling Ling than with one of their cocktails. We tried the delectable Plum Sour (Akashi Tai Ume-shu, Johnnie Walker black label whisky, lemon, lime, egg white & Boker’s bitters), and the popular Red Shéng (Aquavit white, raspberries, ginger, lime & lychee).

We could have easily spent the rest of the day on the stunning rooftop, overlooking the Oslo Fjords. However we decided that a diet of cocktails alone wasn’t for us – we wanted food! So with eyes bigger than our bellies, we chose the Ling Ling Journey menu:

To Start
- Peking duck with Oscietra caviar
- Supreme dim sum platter
- Golden fried chicken and mango salad in sweet chilli dressing
- Spicy Norwegian scallop in glass vermicelli noodle
To Continue
- Barbecue char siu pork
- Grilled silver cod in ginger soy
- Norwegian langoustine in samba sauce
- Stir-fry three style mushroom
- Jasmine rice
To Finish
- Soy caramel and banana delice (peanut, milk chocolate, vanilla chantilly)
- Apple bavaroise mousse (sea buckthorn, caramelised white chocolate, Chinese five spice)

At 988NOK (around £97) per person, the menu is available all day for parties of 2 or more.

Scandinavian stylings meets Cantonese cuisine

My personal favourites have been bolded above, however I do want to give a few shout-outs. The Peking Duck features crunchy, fatty duck skin sandwiched between caviar, duck, cucumber & pancakes. If it was socially acceptable, I would eat a whole one. As for the Grilled Silver Cod, let’s just say that I’ve never tasted cod like that done at Ling Ling. It was chunky, flavoursome and buttery soft. And to finish with a dessert, you can’t visit without experiencing the Apple Bavaroise Mousse, even if it’s only for the photo opportunity (although it is also refreshingly light & moreish).

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a Norwegian restaurant serving Cantonese cuisine. However I left feeling that the team behind Ling Ling have definitely done their homework. The merger of Cantonese dishes and Norwegian ingredients works perfectly at this contemporary location. Largely helped by the fresh seafood that features throughout the menu. From the location, to the service, ingredients, and execution; Ling Ling is an outstanding experience.

Check out more: Where to Eat and Oslo

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This post is in collaboration with Hakkasan however all views, photos and words are my own.

bloomzy / August 7, 2017

The Parla Pop-up is a Minimalist’s Dream

Parla Pop-up | Nearest tube: Notting Hill Gate | Map

I get a little bit giddy anytime a favourite brand of mine expands. Especially when that brand is an independent one, with a strong emphasis on talented females. Enter Pärla, an East London store based in Boxpark Shoreditch, whom you may remember from some of my previous posts. I’ve been chatting about the brand online – and off – for a while now, which makes their new pop-up even sweeter for me.

Being the fangirl that I am, I decided to go check out the Parla pop-up as soon as it opened. And I don’t think I’m going to be the only one falling in love with it.

The Summer Parla Pop-Up

Pärla may have started with an East London store, but some of you will be glad to hear that they’re now expanding West. Yep, their special Summer pop-up is based in none other than the famous Portobello Road, Notting Hill. The new pop-up is airy, bright, and filled with contemporary jewellery and gorgeous lifestyle items (including lingerie and candles). The usual jewellery design players are all there: V Jewellery, Jessie Harris, Clarice Price Thomas, Smith/Grey, and more. And this time they’ve been joined by a few fashion designers too, such as Danielle Foster, Jody Shafton and others.

I personally can’t stop by Pärla without adding a hundred things to my wish-list, and buying several of the ones already on it. This time I added a piece of V Jewellery to my collection; a little bling to perk up the numerous ear piercings I’m stacking up. And naturally I added everything from Clarice Price Thomas and Jessie Harris’s new collections to my wish-list. It’s safe to say that the new Parla Pop-up is everything I had hoped for, and I can honestly say it’s a minimalists lifestyle dream.

You can visit the Parla Pop-up yourself at 201 Portobello Road, until Sept 3rd.

bloomzy / July 25, 2017

I’m Getting Married, And It’s Frightening!

Wait, what? Yes I’m getting married. Don’t worry I’ve been pretty quiet about it, only occasionally referencing it. It’s pretty typical of me, and my fiancé is even more subtle. That said, Ben and I have been engaged for a few years now. However we had both agreed that we would wait to get married until the perfect moment. And after viewing an amazing venue a few months ago, it would appear that that moment is now. Well, Summer 2018 to be more precise. It’s incredibly exciting, but at the same time very frightening.

I’m Getting Married, And It’s Frightening!

Why is it frightening? Well because unless you didn’t already know, this is my first time getting married. I did stop and think of hiring a wedding planner, for all of five seconds. Then I remembered how much of a perfectionist I am, and how that would never work. So the task comes down to me (and Ben). However I’ve only been to one wedding in my adult life, and I wasn’t involved in any aspect of it. Unless you count eating, celebrating and partying. And if that was all there was to it, then I’d probably be a lot less nervous, and a lot more qualified. But let’s be honest, there is way more to getting married.

And luckily for me I was recently invited to the notonthehighstreet.com wedding press day. Everything was laid out so expertly, making things seem so simple…and appealing. Alongside some amazing friends who have offered to help me along the way, it showed me that wedding planning doesn’t have to be complicated and confusing. And I want to be involved in all of it along the way, even if it is a little frightening.

I’ll be documenting my wedding along the way, so keep an eye out!
You can find the products featured in this post on notonthehighstreet.com.

bloomzy / July 18, 2017

24 Hours in Aarhus, Denmark | A Travel Guide

24 Hours in Aarhus, Denmark

Do breakfast at Bills Coffee
- The Danes know their coffee, but they know their pastries even better. And Bills Coffee won’t let you down on either front. They offer up the best pastries in town (in my opinion), and a relaxing atmosphere. Don’t be afraid to chat to the staff – who are super lovely – they’re full of great recommendations.
Tour Aarhus City Hall
- If there’s one thing you don’t want to miss in Aarhus, it’s the city hall tour. This architectural marvel is the epitome of Danish design. You can find photos and tour information here.
Enlighten your senses at ARoS
- The art museum features an array of amazing artwork, and possibly the world’s most colourful rooftop.
Refuel at La Cabra, Coffee Roasters
- This ridiculously stylish coffee shop also offers up plenty of fresh, local produce. My recommendation: the crayfish sandwich, which is hands down the most delicious sandwich I’ve ever had!
Fancy some retail therapy?
- The streets around Vestergade are littered with independent designers, well known brands, and Magasin department store.

Take a bus out to the Deer Park
- Just a 10min ride from the central bus station is Dyrehaven (Deer Park). This piece of woodland is open to the public, but you’ll have to share your walk with some of Aarhus’s friendly deer – and there are lots of them!
Stop by the beach!
- The woodland borders the Kattegat sea by Dyrehaven, and it’s absolutely beautiful. There are showers and changing facilities for those who are brave enough to take a dip.
Choose street food for dinner
- Conveniently located next door to the bus station is the Aarhus Street Food market. You’ll find a wide variety of cuisines, including traditional Danish food. But don’t fork out on the alcohol, instead…
Finish the night at a local craft beer bar
- Mig og Ølsnedkeren is a cozy – some might even say hygge – spot, filled with groups of young stylish friends and couples. Their main offering is a variety of specialised craft beer, but don’t worry they also serve other drinks.

If you have some extra time…

Visit Den Gamle By
- A must-visit for budding architecture nerds and historians alike. Den Gamle By is a small recreation of a Danish town throughout the years, including houses, shops and more.
Pop by the Botanical Gardens
- Nestled right next door to Den Gamle By, and with free entry too! It’s small, but worth a visit – especially for the butterfly room!

Well there you have it, my travel guide to 24 Hours in Aarhus, Denmark!
And don’t forget to check out the my other 24 Hours In… guides.

bloomzy / July 6, 2017

The Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu is Hot!

Yauatcha City | Dim Sum Teahouse | Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street | Map

Working right next to Yauatcha City used to be oh-so convenient. Anytime I fancied one of the most beautiful desserts in London, I’d just skip on over. So when my office moved, I was almost certain that was the end of my love affair with the dim sum teahouse. But it was just my luck that I was invited back to try their new Summer Tasting Menu last week, which I dragged my friend Zarna along to (spoiler: she wasn’t unhappy).

And so rather than being petty and keeping all the good food in London to myself, I decided to let you all know about it too.

Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu

The Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu comes in two varieties: meat or vegetarian. We both chose the meat option, however Zarna can’t eat beef, and Yauatcha were very kind and replaced her venison puff (incl. beef gelatin) with a duck spring roll. I like to mention these little gestures as customer service is very important to me, and all these little things add up to an even better experience.

But of course I’m here to talk about what we ate…or more accurately, what we devoured:

Cocktails
- Asian Daiquiri
- Thea Martini
Steamed Dim Sum
- Champagne scallop & prawn dumpling
- Wild mushroom dumpling
- Crystal dumpling wrap with pumpkin
Fried Dim Sum
- Venison puff
- Mushroom spring roll
Mains (1pp)
- Stir-fry sliced beef
- Stir-fry pepper chilli seafood with asparagus
Sides
- Chinese vegatables
- Jasmine steamed rice
- Macarons (2pp)
Tea (1pp)
- Classical beauty

Desserts (not included in tasting menu)
- Fromage Frais
- Tropical Dome
- Chocolat Mint Delice

How hot is the Summer menu?

My favourites from the menu were: Venison Puff (the pastry & filling is to die for!), Stir-fry Sliced Beef (melted in the mouth), Thea Martini (sweet & fruity), Fromage Frais (beautiful & tangy), and the Chocolat Mint Delice (rich, indulgent…with popping candy!).

The Yauatcha City Summer Tasting Menu is £34 per person (min. 2 people), which includes a glass of wine/cocktail, macarons (2pp) and tea. For such a generous menu, I think the price is more than fair. We were pretty much full by the time our main course came round, but of course we couldn’t let good food go to waste so we devoured everything.

Check out more: Where to Eat in London