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Music to My Ears… Sudio Sweden Klang Earphones

sudio-sweden-klang-earphones-review-3Sudio Sweden Klang Earphones*

Once upon a time, somebody told me that they didn’t like music. I couldn’t believe it. How could someone not enjoy music? From as far back as I can recall, I remember music being a big part of my life. Whether that was singing along with my dad to 70s American rock, or dancing to the latest Backstreet Boys song with my friends. It’s amazing how music can unite people. However as I grew older music became more of a personal thing. I realised my tastes weren’t always going to match that of others, so more and more I found myself listening to it alone.

Fast forward to present day, and this actually works out for the best in my office. On one side of me I have a colleague who loves house/dance (probably the only music I genuinely don’t like), and the other side a lover of 60s-influenced rock (I can take it or leave it). Clearly these are people who don’t want to listen to my eclectic taste in music either. Therefore earphones have become a must for me. However the struggle to find decent earphones has been rather difficult. It would seem that in the world of music, style does not always equal substance. That was until Sudio came in to my life.

Sudio is a Swedish brand of earphones that focus simultaneously on design and sound. The earphones themselves come in several colours – I love the white and gold – with a matching leather pouch. The full-feature 3-buttons give you the ability to switch songs and change volume easily (as well as answering calls). Admittedly I had to get used to the in-ear style of earphones, but it’s growing on me. I’ve also realised that it means better sound quality, and less chance of my music bleeding out. This was made even better by the inclusion of several different sizes of earphone sleeves. Usually these are too big for my ears, however Sudio’s small ones fit perfectly. All of these add up to create a better listening experience…and I get to look good, whilst I bop along in my office chair to my latest K-pop playlist.

Like what you see? You can purchase the Sudio Klang Earphones at Sudio Earphones.
Use code: Bloomzy15 for 15% off your order!

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Introducing… EarlyBird Healthy Snacks

earlybird-healthy-snacks-box-3EarlyBird Healthy Snacks

We all know I have a penchant for subscription boxes, be them beauty or lifestyle. Healthy snack boxes are no different. The anticipation of receiving a variety of different snacks every week is just too much for me to pass up on. I’ve tried that well known snack box before, but became bored of it quickly. It also wasn’t too economical for me. However recently I heard about a new box on the block – EarlyBird.

What’s it all about?
EarlyBird “deliver you 5 healthy tasty snacks and some delicious tea to help you through the working week. Keeping those 3pm craves at bay!” EarlyBird isn’t only about the food though. There is a lifestyle/design aspect to the boxes as well. You’ll find a different artist illustrating the box every month, and a different featured musician every other week (the music track is free to download via a code inside the box). All-in-all EB is quite different to the other snack subscription boxes out there.

Thoughts?
I’m a savoury gal, so  for me there were just too many sweet snacks in this box. The menu features a lot of savoury options though, so I think I will stick around and see what I get next time. Right now there are no customisation options, but it is coming soon! In my opinion the art and music aspect of the box is an added bonus. This is no longer a regular snack box, it’s a lifestyle box. Price wise, £4.50 for one box a week – suggested by EarlyBird – is not bad at all. Of course if you’re like me you’ll probably get too excited and eat everything within a couple of days. Fear not though, you can order more than one box at a time. All boxes arrive on a Monday morning, so it’s worth having them delivered to your office. Maybe you can even create a little stockpile on your desk. I’m a serial snack hoarder, so it’s certainly something I would consider.

Fancy trying it for yourself? Visit EarlyBird and use code: emma-0548 – to get your first box free!

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Where to Eat in London: BIRD

where-to-eat-in-london-bird-restaurantBIRD | Fried Chicken | Hackney | Website
– reservations available –

Fried chicken is my guilty pleasure. In fact it’s one of the few things I think I could eat everyday…without growing sick of it. Even though it’s relatively common in the UK, it can be difficult to find good fried chicken. BIRD isn’t exactly the new kid on the block. But in the short time it has been open, it has made a pretty good name for itself. I’ve been a few times myself, what with the restaurant being only a 10min walk from my office. So when BIRD invited me back to try their new lunch menu of course I said yes.

I had been drooling over some of the new additions to the menu, such as the Korean Burger (fried chicken, gochujang glaze and kimchi slaw) and the Fried Chicken Biscuit Sandwich (freshly baked buttermilk biscuit, fried chicken, honey butter & hot sauce). Naturally we ordered both when we arrived, alongside some fries and pickled cucumber. I had been excited for the biscuit as it’s something I have only had in America (and loved). It was crunchy outside and soft inside, with a slightly oily aftertaste. Although I felt it definitely could have been bigger, it was pretty authentic. The chicken was moist in both the sandwich and the burger, with a slightly crispy outer. The Kimchi Burger boasted a delicious slaw and oozed hot sauce. This is one messy burger. Over all it’s wasn’t the best fried chicken I’ve had, but it made for a good lunch. I saved my doughnut for later, and boy was it worth the wait. I honestly think BIRD make the best doughnut dough in London. This one was bigger than my hand, and I finished every last bit of it.

Our lunches came to £10 each (without drink), which included a main, side and a doughnut – or £8 with a side or doughnut. The difference between BIRD and other fried chicken restaurants is definitely in the ingredients. The chicken is brought in fresh everyday, and cooked twice to make sure that it is perfectly done. The doughnuts are made daily in-store, and the flavours change to match. The fresh, quality ingredients are definitely reflected in the taste, right down to the special seasoning on the fries. In fact I loved the little details so much that I ended up taking away the recipe for the seasoning, and jotting down the name of the hot sauce. BIRD may look like a hipster joint, but it the food feels more like home cooking. This may mean a few mishaps here and there, but more often than not they get it right.

If you liked this, why not check out the rest of my Where to Eat in London series.

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Latest in Beauty Get The Gloss Summer It Kit

latest-in-beauty-get-the-gloss-summer-it-kit-1Latest in Beauty Get The Gloss Summer It Kit*

Everyone has their Summer travel essentials: sunglasses, notebook, city guide etc. This year I’ve been trying to simplify how I travel, and that includes my make-up and beauty favourites. Old me would have brought along half the bathroom cabinet. Convincing myself that I really do need to bring an extra 3 moisturisers. Now I’m doing better, but truth be told, I still need a little help. So when Get The Gloss offered to send me their Summer It Kit Box (a collaboration with Latest in Beauty), I was over the moon. Latest in Beauty say: “We have teamed up with the editorial team at Get the Gloss to bring you the Summer ‘It Kit’ for 2015. Bursting with 8 amazing products, from Nuxe to Nails Inc, this is one beauty kit you don’t want to be without!”

Inside the box is…
+ NAILS INC Gel Effect Nail Polish (full size)
+ NUXE Huile Prodigieuse® OR (10ml)
+ Bourjois Aqua Blush (full size)
+ Anne Semonin Eye Express Radiance Cube (full size)
+ Salon Science AquaCacteen Hydrasoothe™ Cooling Spray (full size)
+ Philip Kingsley Swimcap (50ml)
+ Elemental Herbology Cell Plumping Facial Hydrator SPF 8 (15ml)
+ Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Refine & Polish Miracle Balm (15ml)

Thoughts?
At only £19 this is slightly more than the usual beauty box. However the box features 4 full size products, and Latest in Beauty have claimed that the box values at over £85. Taking that into consideration, you’re getting one hell of a deal here. But what did I think of the products? I was really happy with most of the products. They’ve covered hair, skin, body and nails. I can definitely see myself packing most of these for a weekend away. Sure I probably won’t use NUXE Huile Prodigieuse® OR (pasty skin 4life) or the Bourjois Aqua Blush (I prefer powder blush), but that’s not to say I didn’t like them. In fact I happen to think Get the Gloss have curated this box with expert precision. They’ve chosen some great brands, and an eclectic mix of products. I think what I like the most about this box is that it hasn’t taken the easy route. My only niggle: how can you have a Summer box without sunscreen?

Head over to Latest in Beauty to purchase the Get The Gloss Summer It Kit.

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Where to Eat in London: Toconoco Japanese Cafe

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Toconoco | Japanese Cafe | Hackney | Website
– reservations not available –

It’s difficult to explain the serenity I felt in the cafe’s of Tokyo. It really feels as though you are being whisked away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A cafe is no longer just somewhere to eat and drink. It’s a sanctuary from modern life. It is this feeling I have been craving ever since I returned from Japan. I didn’t think I’d find it again, until I happened upon Toconoco.

Toconoco is a child-friendly Japanese cafe on Kingsland Basin, Regents Canal. Surrounded by canal boats and wildlife, this little sun trap feels miles away from the streets of Shoreditch. I headed there on a weekday afternoon around 12:30. They had tweeted their daily lunch set photo, and it looked too perfect to miss out on (only 15 lunch sets are made each day). Lunch sets are very popular in Japan, and I miss the concept here. It varies depending on the restaurant, but they usually come with a main, a side salad, rice and a miso soup. Toconoco’s lunch set on that particular day was ham croquettes, and it was every bit the same as those I’d had in Japan. The ingredients were fresh and delicious, complimenting each other perfectly. The delicate use of sauces and dressings is something I have yet to master in my Japanese cooking. However Toconoco are clearly skilled in this art. We also ordered a side of Egg Miso-Mayo Toast with spring onion, sesame oil and chilli flake. How could I pass on something that sounds so intriguing? The toast had a distinct Japanese flavour to it and was lighter (and less rich) than regular egg mayo.

The main thing I took away from my visit to Toconoco, was how authentic it is. The food is prepared fresh everyday, and is fitting to the weather and season. This is real Japanese food. Not the hyped up, overpriced kind you find in restaurants in Soho. This is home-cooking style, made with love and care.  It reminded me that we should all take some time to relax, and that eating should be seen as one of life’s simple pleasures. Because eating at Toconoco is certainly no chore.

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Review: Boots Beauty Box

boots-beauty-box-review-bloomzyboots-beauty-box-review-botanics-micellar-water-hydrating-eye-cream-2 boots-beauty-box-review-essentials-cleansing-wipesboots-beauty-box-review-rapid-action-spot-gelBoots Beauty Box*

It’s no secret, I’m a Boots fangirl. If I’m in need of any beauty products (skincare, cosmetics, you name it), Boots is always my first stop. I also love a good beauty box. So when Boots put together a special one just for me, I couldn’t contain myself. The unique concept behind the Boots Beauty Box is that it contains a full facial skincare beauty regime, made up entirely of their own brand products.

Inside the box is…
+ Boots Botanics Micellar 3-in-1 Cleansing Solution (£1.49)
+ Boots Botanics Hydrating Eye Cream Radiant Youth (£4.49)
+ Boots Simply Sensitive Protecting Day Moisturiser SPF15 (£1.74)
+ Boots Essentials 3-minute Clay Mask (£1.50)
+ Boots Essentials Cleansing Wipes Moisturising for Dry Skin (£1.50)
+ Boots Skin Clear Ultra Rapid Action Spot Gel (£3.99)
+ Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Charcoal Facial Scrub (£3.21)

Thoughts?
The whole point of this box is to show just how extensive the Boots beauty range is. And boy did it do a pretty good job at covering all the bases. I use a wide range of products (cleanser, toner, moisturiser, masks etc) in my own skincare regime, so I was pleased to see most of them here. I also learnt that most of Boots own products are developed by skincare specialists right here in the UK – not bad at all. So would I purchase these products myself? With the exception of the cleansing wipes (I just don’t use wipes), I would certainly purchase these. At £17.92 for all 7 products, you’re getting a whole facial skincare regime for the price of one mid-range product. These items are easy on the skin, and the pocket.

You can view all of the Boots Beauty Box products and more at Boots.

bloomzy /

REVIEW: A-DERMA RICH HYDRATING CREAM UV

a-derma-rich-hydrating-cream-uv-review-bloomzy-1 a-derma-rich-hydrating-cream-uv-review-bloomzy-2 a-derma-rich-hydrating-cream-uv-review-bloomzyA-Derma Rich Hydrating Cream UV*

Almost one year ago exactly, I reviewed a little French skincare secret – A-Derma’s Light Hydrating Cream UV. Without even thinking of this, I have been using the Rich Hydrating Cream for the last month or so. When I went to review it I felt an odd sense of deja-vu, and then realised why. So, does the rich version live up to it’s light sister?

Pros:
+ Soothing
+ Hydrating
+ UV protection/SPF20
+ Thick cream
 
Cons:
– Small tube (40ml)
 
Notes:
One of my only qualms with the light hydrating cream was that it felt more like a liquid. This rich version is thicker, yet still absorbs quickly. It’s just as soothing, and even more hydrating than its counterpart. This is the perfect cream for those who suffer from dry/fragile skin, especially during the Summer months. Combined with the UV protection (and SPF20), this is a lovely cream to be wearing alone or under make-up during the Summer. It can be a little greasy when first applied, but after it has absorbed it makes for a decent primer. I would purchase this again, but I’d be more likely to lean toward the non-UV version – for use as a night cream. However this one has been very kind to my skin…and my skin can be pretty awkward. The price point is not too bad at £14.50, but a 100ml product would be better on the pocket (as opposed to 40ml).

You can purchase A-Derma’s Rich Hydrating Cream UV at Boots.