review Archives - Page 9 of 37

bloomzy / June 12, 2015

Where to Eat in London: Sake no Hana

Sake no Hana | Japanese | Mayfair | Website
– reservations available –

One year ago, V.A and I made a promise that we would visit Sake no Hana during cherry blossom season. This year, we kept our promise. For two months of the year, the Mayfair restaurant is transformed into a floral wonderland – Sakura at Sake no Hana. To help celebrate this special occasion several new dishes and cocktails are added to the menu. V.A and I had made a reservation for a Monday lunchtime (bank holiday) and found that it was pleasantly quiet. We both ordered the Sakura menu, which comes with: white miso soup, sesame spinach with cassava chips, sashimi bento box, and a violet risshun cocktail.

The cocktail was served first, and we were instructed to drink it in two parts – the first, a carafe of Jinzu Gin, green chartreuse, grapefruit and lemon juice, shiso syrup and Burlesque bitters. The second is a jug with Belsazar rose vermouth, maraschino cherry, cranberry and lemon juice. The bitter starter was refreshing, however it was the syrupy sweet vermouth based cocktail that I personally preferred.

The miso soup arrived shortly after our cocktail, and it was as good as any other miso soup I have had before. The sesame spinach however was a delightfully unique dish – slightly nutty in flavour, with a myriad of textures. I can’t eat raw fish, so a special bento was made just for me. It is this kind of service that I wouldn’t expect any less of from Sake no Hana. My box contained a variety of sushi, however the ones that stood out to me for their flavours were the: mango and avocado (fresh), avocado and wasabi (invigorating), crab (light), and eel (grilled perfectly).

We decided to order off the special menu for dessert, as the Yuzu Matcha Crème was just too tempting. However we did also order the sakura macarons, accompanied by a pot of sakura tea. It would seem that we have a second stomach for dessert (or as the Japanese call it 別腹 “betsubara”). It’s fair to say that this is the best dessert I have had in a London restaurant. The Yuzu Matcha Crème was a work of art – the presentation however was dwarfed by the sheer artistry of the dish itself. Matcha anglaise hid inside delectable yuzu domes, surrounded by matcha genoise and sour yuzu curd. The macarons unfortunately didn’t impress me much (the ganache overpowered the cherry blossom tea), however I would feel bad for any dish that had to follow that pudding. Finally, the sakura tea – a special blend made specifically for Sake no Hana. Oh how I wish I could have taken even a spoonful away with me. The tea smelt of cake, and tasted even better. It was a light and subtly sweet end to our visit.

Sake no Hana is not just a destination for food, it is a food experience. We paid £55 each with cocktails – in my opinion, it was worth every penny. It is restaurants like this that make my “Where to Eat in London” series so enjoyable. Would I go back? What do you think!

Sake no Hana’s Sakura pop-up is open until the 20th June – you can make a reservation here.

bloomzy / June 10, 2015

REVIEW: NAILBOX – A NAIL POLISH SUBSCRIPTION BOX (MAY 2015)

nailbox May 2015 Box*

Yes, nailbox is back with their May 2015 box. Unfortunately this box has sold out already, but I decided to review it anyway, so you can get an idea of what the June box may be like. You can also view my review of the first nailbox here. This box contains a nail tool and four full-size nail polishes from well-known industry brands: OPI, ORLY, Essie and Rimmel.

Inside the box is…
+ Elegant Touch Cuticle Pusher & Nail Cleaner (around £10)
+ ORLY Fiery Orange Color Blast nail polish (£9.50)
+ Rimmel Lucky Lilac nail polish (around £2.99)
+ Nicole by OPI Modern Family Alex by the Books nail polish (around £7.99)
+ Essie Status Symbol nail polish (£7.99)

Thoughts?
The packaging of the box was the same as before (a brown cardboard box), and the polishes were packaged safely inside. The total value of the May box comes to £34.47, so again you are getting more than your £15 worth. However I noticed that a few of the nail polishes included are from past collections, but unlike the last box I couldn’t find some of them online or in-store. Now whether you take this as a pro or con is up to you.

Would I purchase this? Not this particular box. The shades aren’t to my taste at all, but that’s not the fault of nailbox. I would have also liked to have seen a top coat of some kind. It seems odd to start a nail polish subscription box without one of the basic nail polish needs. However nailbox have hinted that a Seche Vite top coat will be in the next box. If that’s the case then I would definitely consider purchasing the next one.

You can sign up for the June 2015 box at nailbox.

bloomzy / May 15, 2015

Review: Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum

Pestle and Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum*

After my last foray into the world of facial serums I was left feeling pretty meh. However Pestle and Mortar came along and told me that they had a serum like no other. I do enjoy a good challenge, especially when the opponent thinks they’re going to win; so I accepted. Of course with this particular item, if the product was any good, it meant we both won. What’s not to love?

Pros:
+ Leaves skin supple and smooth
+ Hydrating
+ Beautiful packaging
+ Works well as a primer
+ A little goes a long way

Cons:
– Nope, there are none!

Notes:
It’s been a while since I was able to find a beauty item with no cons. I like to be honest in my reviews, so I always make sure to take note of everything about the product. However I couldn’t find any bad points with Pestle & Mortar’s Pure Hyaluronic Serum. I found it easily fit into my daily beauty routine (under my moisturiser), and it worked well as a primer for my make-up. It isn’t oily like some serums, and it feels almost like a gel whilst it absorbs into your skin. It hydrates skin, without leaving it greasy, and it left mine feeling super supple and smooth. I’m sold on this little beauty. Speaking of beauty, the packaging is to die for! Surely this would take pride of place on anyone’s dresser?
Would I pay the £33 for another bottle? I would! It will last for ages as you only need a couple of drops, and afterwards you have a cute bottle for decoration. Perfection!

You can purchase the Pure Hyaluronic Serum at Pestle and Mortar.

bloomzy / May 7, 2015

Review: MayBeauty Peel Away Facemask

MayBeauty Peel Away Facemask*

Is there anything more satisfying than peeling glue off your hand? Well, if you’re one of those people who feels a little silly indulging their inner child, I have good news for you! There is an adult version…and it’s good for your skin! Admittedly it isn’t glue, in fact it’s actually a facemask by MayBeauty. I used to buy a similar mask in Daiso (no shame) whilst living in Tokyo, so I was happy to try this European offering.

Pros:
+ Refreshing and invigorating when first applied.
+ Satisfyingly peels away all at once.
+ Left my skin supple and smooth.

Cons:
– Stings slightly when peeling off.
– Shouldn’t be applied near eyebrows (or any kind of facial hair).

Notes:
Peel away masks are a guilty pleasure of mine. I love how you feel them tighten on your face…and then comes the satisfying removal. MayBeauty’s mask offered all of this and more. It left my skin feeling supple and smooth, and it clearly did something as a pesky spot appeared the next day. As annoying as it is, I always think this shows a product is doing something. There are a few downsides to the mask, such as how it stings when you peel it off (like removing a plaster). I was assured this is normal and goes off after the first wear. This leads me to the warning: do not put this anywhere near eyebrows/facial hair – it will pull it off! Luckily I didn’t experience it, but I did spot it in the instructions, and I can see why. This mask takes no prisoners! Overall, I was impressed with MayBeauty’s facemask. The test package comes with 5 masks, a brush and a guide and costs £25. After that prices start at £25 for 8 masks and increase depending on how many you wish to buy. Would I pay £25 for 2 months of masks? Yes I would. These are a great addition to anyone’s weekly skincare routine.

You can purchase the peel away facemask at MayBeauty.

bloomzy / April 18, 2015

Review: Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum

avene_ave_ne_hydrating_serum_hydrance_optimale_for_dehydrated_sensitive_skin_beauty_blog_blogger_bloomzy_review_3

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Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum*

It’s been a while since I reviewed a new Avène product, hasn’t it. That’s not for lack of trying though, she says as she furiously writes an email to Avene HQ, begging them to release new products. Joking aside, I actually spotted the Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum at a beauty showcase last Summer, and I made a mental note that I would have to try it during the harsher Winter months. After doing just that I thought now was as good a time as any to review it. I mean, this review was inevitable, right?

Pros:
+ Good consistency
+ Feels soothing on skin
+ Nicely packaged
+ Works well as a primer
+ Mildly hydrating

Cons:
– A bigger bottle would be nice

Notes:
This is a good, trusty facial serum. I’ve been applying it in the morning and sometimes in the evening, and I have yet to say anything bad about it…apart from the size of the bottle being too small for my liking. At £17 though I’m really not 100% certain that I would purchase this. It’s a nice serum, but it just doesn’t have that wow factor. Yes, me the Avène fangirl hasn’t fallen head over heels for one of their products. I think that says enough really. It’s a good product, but I honestly can’t say there is any reason for me to purchase it over another facial serum.

You can purchase Avene’s Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum at Boots.

bloomzy / April 16, 2015

Where to Eat in London: On The Bab, Covent Garden

On The Bab | Korean Street Food | Covent Garden | Website

– reservations not available –

You may be blinking right now, wondering if you’re seeing double. Well yes, I have featured On The Bab before in my “Where to Eat in London” series. However that was their Shoreditch location, and last week saw the official opening of their new Covent Garden restaurant. But how is it different to the original? Well there’s a whole new menu that you won’t find anywhere else, and it’s perfect for Spring.

On The Bab is a special place for me. I first visited it (with my now best foodie buddy V.A) last April, and I instantly fell in love with the menu. So with V.A alongside, we naturally wanted to sample everything from the new menu this time. We started perusing the menu with a sweet Cherry Blossom Cocktail. This culminated in us ordering: Korimari with Bulgogi Beef, Spring Onion Fried Chicken, Pumpkin & Potato Salad, Fried Chicken On The Roll, Seaweed Salad with citrus dressing, and Rice Poppers.

The Fried Chicken On The Roll was definitely my favourite dish of the evening – something similar to gimbap, it has been amusingly named Korean Burrito. The mixture of textures and flavours work incredibly well together, and left me wanting the whole two rolls to myself. The Spring Onion Fried Chicken was a drier version of one of my favourite dishes at OTB. Whereas the flavours were strong, it was the crispier texture that I enjoyed. The Korimari came with a tender well-marinated side of bulgogi beef and vegetables. I loved the sesame oil aftertaste, and the simplistic way of eating – this is definitely one for Summer! The light, refreshing salads were thoughtful sides to the mains, and whereas the Pumpkin & Potato Salad was a little bland, I liked the sweetness of it. The Seaweed Salad was the better of the two though, with a tangy citrus dressing that paired well with the stringy vegetable. The rice poppers weren’t to my liking, but I think they’d be pretty good if you were drinking more than you were eating…you know what I mean.

Of course when you love a restaurant so much there is always the chance that you may not enjoy a new menu. However I had faith in OTB, and thanks to the chefs wonderfully modern take on authentic Korean cuisine, I need not worry. The new Covent Garden location has a serene ambience, and the usual superb service. This is one restaurant I would make the commute from East to West for.

Thank you so much to On The Bab who invited me and V.A to dinner to celebrate their opening. On The Bab is one of my favourite restaurants in London, so it meant a lot to be invited before the restaurant had even opened. As always with these kind of post, my views and words are my own – I truly love this food.

You can read more of my restaurant reviews on Zomato

bloomzy / April 14, 2015

Review: nailbox – A Nail Polish Subscription Box (April 2015)

nailbox April 2015 box*

I don’t know why there hasn’t been a nail polish subscription box before. Clearly nailbox have also picked up on this gap in the market, as they have brought us a brand new nail polish subscription box. The April box is limited to only 100 boxes, and it contains four full-size nail polishes from iconic industry brands: OPI, China Glaze, Essie and Revlon.

Inside the box is…
+ Essie nail file (£1.99)
+ China Glaze Peachy Keen nail polish (around £5)
+ Revlon Buttercup nail polish (£7.99)
+ OPI Kiss Me On My Tulips nail polish (£12)
+ Essie Muchi, Muchi nail polish (£7.99)

Thoughts?
For a nail polish addict like me – or those who just want to discover some new polishes – this is a wonderful idea. The packaging of the box was pretty plain (a brown cardboard box), but the polishes were packaged safely inside at least. I noticed that the nail polishes included are from past collections (yet still on sale), but the shades are all pretty on-trend right now. I mean there are only so many colours, and the usual shades are on-trend year on year. So it doesn’t really matter whether these polishes are brand new to the market or not.

The total value of the box comes to £34.97, so you’re obviously getting your £15 back! At the end of the day, all I could ask for from a nail polish subscription box is in nailbox. Well known, quality brands: check. On-trend shades: check. Value for money: check. Would I purchase this? Yes, I definitely would!

You can purchase the April 2015 box at nailbox.

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