Search Results

Don’t succumb to the dark and cold days of January with thoughts of unachievable resolutions running through your head… instead, brighten up your January by indulging in the three new doughnuts from Crosstown, brought out for Veganuary 2024! The new flavours include Pistachio & Rose, Coffee, Cardamom & Coconut and Matcha & Rhubarb. Vegan sourdough, punchy flavours and delicate toppings… these sweet treats are guaranteed to please both vegans and meat eaters. Pistachio & Rose Doughnut – Delicate rose icing covers the signature vegan sourdough, filled with pistachio and rose custard, topped with crunchy pistachio crumble. Coffee, Cardamom & Coconut Doughnut – The cocoa dough is bursting with an indulgent coffee and cardamom custard, dipped in coconut glaze, and coated in coconut angel flakes. Matcha & Rhubarb Dough Bite – Tangy rhubarb and sweet strawberry compote fills the vegan sourdough base, topped with a matcha and green tea glaze, and covered with a sprinkling of strawberry crumble. Boxes will be available in-store and for next-day delivery, starting from £29.25 Order your box by visiting www.crosstown.co.uk/doughnuts/veganuary #crosstown #vegan #veganuary

Vivat Bucchus, Long live the God of wine! Based in Farringdon and London Bridge, this South African wine and food restaurant offers a unique dining experience. We visited the Farringdon restaurant, with South African rustic inspired food, with interesting and unique meats to try, we were excited to say the least. To start, we ordered the creamy Buratta, pinotage poached pears, with toasted almonds. We loved the rich and subtle sweetness, making the toasted almonds a welcomed garnish. The seared scallops, with pumpkin purée and fine biltong shavings, were well matched, a slightly nutty and earthy taste made the scallops a definite winner in my books. The braai broodjie croquettes, heritage tomatoes and Mrs balls chutney, were simply delicious. Delightfully sweet, spicy and tangy all in one dish. We were a little apprehensive to try the crocodile Goujons, however, it was very similar to turkey meat, and they were right to pair this with the peri peri aioli. This is a must try. We tried the build your own mixed Braai board, essentially a platter delivering a feast of meats and delicious dipping sauces. We were intrigued by the monkey gland sauce, note; no monkey gland in sight, it was a thick, sweet and tangy sauce, made from chutney, tomato, onion, vinegar, garlic and Worchester sauce. If I could compare it to anything, it’s very similar to BBQ sauce. It was said, that South African diners added a mixture of sauces to their food, disgruntling chefs who then combined a mixture of sauces to produce monkey gland sauce. It was believed that monkey glands could slow down ageing, hence the reason for once upon a time, adding this to this sauce. We were eager to try the ostrich. This tender ostrich steak was surprisingly delicious. The braai board was delivered with well seasoned peri peri chicken, tender Ostrich fillet, an appetising ribeye on the bone and my favourite, the Karoo herb crusted lamb fillet. Perfectly executed, succulent and tasted delicious. For the sides, we ordered the triple-cooked chips accompanied by the full-flavoured peppercorn sauce. The tender stem broccoli was crunchy and vibrant and the maple roasted beetroot was mouth-watering. We also sampled the Chakalaka which is a spicy and flavoursome relish which originates from South Africa. Known for its vibrant colours, and bold flavours, base ingredients, typically include onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots and beans. After a very filling and satisfying meal, we had to make room for dessert. We were very tempted by the walk in cheese room. The cheese room is a unique option to pick out your own selection of cheese, to go with your chosen wine. We thoroughly enjoyed the South African Bordeaux blend, 2021 rainbows end, mystical corner, Stellenbosch red wine. This wine, recommended by the lovely staff, was smooth and rich. We opted for the Milk Tart Creme Brûlée, with vanilla and cinnamon. The depths of flavour was apparent, making this crème brûlée alone, a reason to come back to this restaurant. The real showstopper was the Peppermint Crisp Tart, with coconut biscuit. Not being the biggest fan of peppermint desserts, we couldn’t get enough of this divine treat. Overall, the knowledgeable and attentive staff, in particular Alban and Andrea, made us feel very looked after. They gave excellent recommendations, made sure our glasses were never empty, whilst being respectful of our conversations mid-flow. An unforgettable restaurant experience. Address: 47 Farringdon Street, Holborn, London, EC4A 4LL Website: www.vivatbacchus.co.uk Written by Faiza Arbouche Photos courtesy of Vivat Bacchus #VivatBucchus

From Monday 20th May until Sunday 27th May visitors to the area can indulge in a frenzy of floral fun. To coincide with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this spectacular event is free to visit and promises something for everyone. Inspired by this year’s theme of ‘Floral Fun & Games’ the area has been turned into a dramatic floral playground, inviting visitors to embrace their inner child and partake in classic nostalgic British games through these incredible floral installations which run throughout the neighbourhood. For those who want to wander and marvel at installations, there are incredible displays from renowned florists such as Neil Strain, Moyses Stevens and Judith Blacklock dotting around the area, presenting a delightful array of photo opportunities.

This Bank holiday Monday, 27th May, Spitalfields market is welcoming visitors to celebrate African cultures, cuisines and craftsmanship. Bring the kids, the grandparents and anyone else free, this is one event you won’t want to miss. Africa at Spitalfields pop-up market, will host 60 traders and vendors, giving you the chance to taste food from different regions of Africa and shop from vendors showcasing a selection of art, literature, clothing, toys, accessories and interior design products. Look out for brands Tribal Unicorn (luxury candles), Sock of a Kind (premium African inspired socks), O’KNOLLA (contemporary art pieces), and Fela & Friends (handcrafted dolls). Visitors can also enjoy free textile workshops, dance performances and a live screening of Culture Tree’s latest film. Get there early and enjoy a fun-filled and cultured day at the Africa at Spitalfields pop-up market. The variety of food alone is worth getting excited about! Free to attend For more information visit www.spitalfields.co.uk Photo courtesy of Spitalfields

Sweet tooth beauties out there, rejoice, The Hummingbird Bakery is opening another bakery, this time in Victoria! The bakery will be serving their much-loved signature cupcakes, cakes, cheesecakes, cookies and traditional American pies. Always wanted to have a little creative input in how your cake turns out? Well now you can thanks to their Personalisation Station. Where you will be able to customise your celebration cakes and desserts with a team of expert bakers. To celebrate the launch of the new opening, the staff will be giving away 1,000 sweet treats for free, that’s right you can nab yourself a free cupcake, pie, cookie or crownie! We would suggest you get there early to nab your freebie! If you can’t get to the bakery, fear not you can always order what your heart desires online, their impressive selection will blow you away, offering up vegan and gluten free options as well. Address: 40 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0RE Website: https://hummingbirdbakery.com Written by Nyla S. Photography courtesy of The Hummingbird Bakery #cakes #thehummingbirdbakery #victoria

Are you an obsessive hoarder? Do you find yourself climbing over mountains of old takeaway containers, pen lids, empty bottles and other plastic rubble just to get to the kitchen? You’d quite rightly be thinking about throwing it all away but WAIT… instead head on over to Are You Mad – a new workshop space in Berwick Street, Soho where you can transform your rubbish into something incredible. The new store, allows customers to bring in their own rubbish, learn about plastic recycling and get the opportunity to get creative. The pioneering plastic recycling experiment collects plastic waste from local businesses, shoppers and their growing community, which is then sorted, shredded, and turned into interesting new objects. Which include coasters, hair combs, buttons, incense holders and furniture. Prices start at 50p and range up to £15,000 with over 100 different products available. So don’t let your old plastic end up in a landfill or a river, reduce waste and turn it into something amazing at Are You Mad. Address: 96-97 Berwick Street, London, W1F 0QB For more information visit: www.areyoumad.co Written by Nyla S. Photography courtesy of Are You Mad #ecofriendly #sustainable #waste

It’s January, the perfect time to reset and recharge! Looking for a place to do just that? Head on over to Birch, for a restful stay and melt into your inner zen with the special Beauty Sleep bundle. The bundle includes a night’s stay and two invigorating 30-minute massages of your choice (one for each person). Once you are finished and feeling nice and relaxed you can join one of the yoga classes to strengthen your body and mind. Birch’s fully equipped gym and 60+ free wellness classes a week are available for all guests and members, so take full advantage and enjoy the ultimate relaxing getaway. If that wasn’t enough Birch also offers exciting workshops for guests to get involved in. In January you can sign up for the screen printing workshop with Ellen Rock or the mosaic workshop with artist Jo Thorpe, two great workshops to get your creative juices flowing. Prices start from £271 for the Beauty Sleep bundle. For more information and to book your stay visit: www.birchcommunity.com Address: Lieutenant Ellis Way, Cheshunt, Goff’s Oak, Waltham Cross, EN7 5HW Written by Nyla S. Photography courtesy of Birch #birch #wellbeing #wellness

You’ve brought your newborn baby home for the first time, and for the first few weeks (at least) all you can think about is dirty nappies, feeding, more dirty nappies, and wondering if you will ever sleep again. It can be easy to forget, your adorable new bundle of squishy joy has a brain that will start to develop really fast. The Looker Play Kit from Lovevery is a great kit packed full of items to help your baby’s brain develop and build new connections, explore high-contrast images, and process new surroundings. Inside the kit you will find: The Mobile – This two-sided mobile provides months of visual exploration and focus at diaper time. Sensory Links – The perfect Play Gym and pram accessory: switch, hang, and separate the links for new sensory exploration. Simple Black & White Card Set – Babies are riveted by high-contrast images in the early months Standing Card Holder – Make tummy time more fun wherever you are—folds for easy storage. Complex Black & White Card Set – As your baby’s vision develops, they’ll become interested in more complex patterns Black & White Mittens – Promotes hand discovery, hand control, and body awareness Silicone Rattle with Removable Ball – Perfect for grasping—and learning how to track moving objects and sounds Wooden Book – Baby’s first book made with sustainably harvested wood Play Guide Weeks 0-12 – Ideas for how to play during weeks 0‑12 The Lovevery website offers a range of play kits for babies and toddlers, all designed to let your little ones explore, play, build new skills and develop their brains. These kits are great to help them thrive, we are huge fans at The Capturist! Price: £80.00 and can be purchased via the Lovevery website: https://lovevery.co.uk Written by Nyla S. Photography courtesy of Lovevery #babies #Lovevery #newbornbabies #TheLookerPlayKit

Adding some fun to February half-term, Kimpton Fitzroy London is ramping up their family-friendly experience with some extra special treats. Designed to bring a smile to even the fussiest of little eaters, the Galvin Bar & Grill at Kimpton Fitzroy London’s will be allowing kids to eat for free, and the nightly social hour will be taken over for a special children’s edition, where young guests can enjoy complimentary ice cream. Beyond the enticing restaurant offers, hotel rooms will also have some added family-friendly amenities over the holidays, and an exclusive tepee area with cushions, twinkly lights and plush toys upon request will be erected in the luxury hotel. With prices starting at £450 for a double-double room, the Family Moments package at Kimpton Fitzroy London includes a £75 credit to spend across the hotel’s restaurants & bars or room service. Address: 1-8 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1B 5BE Website: www.kimptonfitzroylondon.com Written by Jordan Crowley Photography courtesy of Kimpton Fitzroy London #KimptonFitzroyLondon #hotel #halfterm #familu #hotelstay #family

New and expectant mums looking for newborn essentials, and expert advice on everything from sleeping to feeding, to what to buy for their new arrival are in for a treat! The Baby Show is back at the ExCel London from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th March 2023. The Show is a one-stop-shop, offering exclusive discounts on baby essentials, and bucket loads of useful information from expert speakers. There are over 350 brands at the show, from independent brands to the biggest baby brands in the industry, including iCandy, Cybex, Silver Cross, Obaby, Baby Björn, Joie, Tommee Tippee, Snüz, Mamas & Papas, MAM, Nuna and Nanit. Visitors can head over to the Live Talks Stage, where they can listen to expert speakers give tips on birth, breastfeeding, sleep, weaning, and what to expect in the first year. Speakers include The Honest Midwife, Charlotte Stirling-Reed, Sarah Patel, Dr. Will Dooley, Daisy First Aid, and The Breastfeeding Mentor. All talks are free and the schedule will be online to help you plan the perfect day. Tickets cost just £16 for subscribers to The Baby Show, to book your ticket visit www.thebabyshow.co.uk/excel/tickets The Baby Show goody bag in association with Project Baby is only £5.50, containing products worth over £50 and can be purchased online before the day it’s an absolute bargain and worth every penny. Write yourself a shopping list, list all the talks you want to attend and have a look at the brands that will be there, this is one show you do not want to miss! Written by Nyla S. Photography courtesy of The Baby Show #excellondon #thebabyshow

Looking for a way to entertain the kids this month for free? A new Disney playhouse is opening in London from 5th – 6th March, with five rooms transformed into different Disney-inspired spaces for children and yes believe it or not adults to play in together. Disney in association with the Institute of Imagination aims to encourage parents and guardians to explore imaginative play with their children, to create more joy and bonding time. The rooms in the Playhouse have been transformed into magical immersive spaces, for both adults and kids to play and get creative, inspired by different stories, characters and products from Disney’s 100-year legacy of creative storytelling – from Disney Princess and Pixar’s Cars to Star Wars and MARVEL. Book your free tickets today and enjoy a fun-filled day full of play, creativity and Disney’s most-loved characters. Disney’s Wonder-ful Playhouse is open from 5th – 6th March Address: 73 Sussex Square, London, W2 2SS Book your ticket via Eventbrite Photography courtesy of Disney #children #disney #disneyplayhouse #kids

Keeping your baby close and offering warmth and comfort is essential, but it can’t always be easy, this is where finding the perfect wrap/sling is essential. There are so many options on the market it can be quite daunting searching let alone buying the perfect one to suit you and your baby. I tried out the Infantino Hug & Cuddle Adjustable Hybrid Wrap on my six-week-old baby to see if it could indeed offer warmth, comfort, security and ease allowing me to walk around the house and outdoors comfortably. I’ve tried wraps in the past where there is a lot of folding, wrapping and tying, and requires you to watch a YouTube video every time you put it on… which is pretty frustrating, the last thing you want is a wrap that causes anxiety every time you think about putting it on. This is the reason the Infantino Hug & Cuddle Adjustable Hybrid Wrap caught my attention. It has an easy all-in-one design that doesn’t require any complicated wrapping, folding, tucking and most importantly tying. Yes I did look at a YouTube video on my first go (the brand’s one) and once I put it on it was easy to remember for the next time, no scrambling to re-watch it on my second go and no anxiety. It comes with both velcro and a buckle clip at the waist, head support and an adjustable padded back support, keeping your baby secure and comfortable, Having a six-week-old baby, it felt like he was too tiny to be in there, but once he’s in, he’s very secure and supported, allowing me to walk around the house freely doing my day-to-day tasks. The sling is also great for easily getting your baby upright, my baby suffers from reflux and trapped wind and the carrier helps in keeping him upright to help alleviate his discomfort. The soft breathable fabric is machine washable and because it’s not baulky, it’s easy to fold up and carry in a bag when heading outdoors (if you fancy putting it in your changing bag). The wrap adjusts to fit you and your baby as they grow and I’m very much looking forward to putting him in it on a nice long spring walk, when the weather gets better. The Infantino Hug & Cuddle Adjustable Hybrid Wrap has the simplicity of a traditional carrier with the comfort of a wrap, I highly recommend it. Price: RRP £69.99 Purchase from www.amazon.co.uk Written by Nyla S. Photography courtesy of Infantino #babycarrier #babywrap #InfantinoHugampCuddleAdjustableHybridWrap