FEATURES

 
 
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Hangover Cures

What really is the best way to get over a night on the tiles? Topping up your body with more booze or sweating out the alcohol that's still in your system with a high intensity workout?

Time to put both methods to the test to find out the best hangover cure…

 
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Easter Delivered in a basket (box)

Another year, another Easter in lockdown. Last year meal kits weren’t really a ‘thing’ seen as we all thought we’d be out of this within two weeks. This year however, we have all come to embrace meal kits / DIY / at home anything….

 

Cocktails to your door

Two things recently happened that warrants some fancy cocktails; one, Boris Johnson announced a second lockdown, and two my boyfriend brought the gorgeous gold cocktail trolly that I’ve had my eye on for ages. So what better way to celebrate / commiserate by tucking into some pre-mixed, delivered-direct-to-the-door cocktails?

 
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Box it up

Sure, a big shop is fun, roaming up and down the aisles of Morrisons chucking things you don’t need into your trolley and finding random reduced items that you vow to cook into a Michelin-Starred dinner for you and you beau… But what happens if you venture out of the supermarket and go directly to the source?

I tried two food boxes, one meat and one fish to see what life would be like if I let someone else choose my food for me…

 
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Take me back to my favourite Vermont oasis

Growing up in central London was a privilege. I wanted for nothing, except maybe the chance to explore hidden woods and dive into ponds that weren’t heaving with Hampstead’s entire dog population. My only taste of escaping the city was in the summer, when my family would spend a few weeks with my godmother in Baltimore, Windsor County, Vermont. 

 
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Staying home with KANA

I’ve always been good with my hands… (not like that you dirty bastard) I mean, I’ve always been creative and able to design, build, mould things out of various materials, I blame (read: thank) the childhood dyslexia I suffered. Plus I enjoy making things, so much so that if I haven’t got some sort of project on the go I feel uneasy. I can’t just sit in front of the TV all night without making, fixing or painting something…

 

Grillin’ up a treat

Eight years ago, I moved into my flat in North London, with grand plans of hosting cocktail parties and BBQs on my tiny balcony in summer. I immediately brought a small, cheap BBQ and placed it outside - the first thing to sit on the terrace. Cut to seven years later and not once did I light the thing…

 
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Kick starting things with Alice

I always buy Women’s Health, firstly because two of my mates work for it, (and both do an amazing job) but also ‘cos it’s actually a really good magazine; the vibe is cheerful, the articles are informative, and it’s all very body / exercise / healthy lifestyle positive in a non-annoying way. The whole attitude of the magazine is, do your best, and we’re here to help.

May’s issue of WH was no different, packed full of beauty features, healthy recipes, mental health advice and all with a cute girl called Alice on the cover...

 
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Just Click and Grow

I’ve never been into gardening, nor had the urge to be. I’ve always thought, why bother? It looks like a whole load of unnecessary responsibility when I can just pop to Aldi and pick up anything that needs growing for less than a couple of quid.

But that all changed when I turned 31 and brought a tomato plant. I didn’t buy a tomato plant because I turned 31, that’s just the age I happened to be when I walked into Home Bargains and saw a hanging basket full of ripe tom toms for a fiver…

 
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At home with CCTV

Going into week two of lockdown with the boyfriend and things are getting desperate. The alarm might still go off at 8am, but we spend our days scrolling through our phones, the TV is on constantly, and he hasn’t got dressed in a week... we’re losing all motivation to do anything.

Both me and the boy workout often in the ‘normal world’, he’s a Pure Gym member, I’m a member of anything that gets me moving (boxing at Islington Boxing Club, a weekly amateur basketball game, a Class Pass member, PT sessions...)

 
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Making the bread

Do I love bread?

Does a bear shit in the woods? Is the Pope Catholic? Has Aldi run out of toilet roll? 

The answer to all these, is a big, fat, yeasty YES. I love bread. And my favorite by far has to be Sourdough, handsdown.

So imagine my utter thrill when I was asked if I would like to review an at home course in making your own sourdough loaf while being in Coronavirus lockdown…

 
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Getting AMP’d with Steve and the Lads (and Amy)

Have you ever found a gym you absolutely love?

I’m talking, you can’t wait to get there, and once you’re there, you don’t want to leave?
Yeah, me neither.
Ok, you gym bunnies high-fiving at the back can leave, this one isn’t for you. We get it, you LIVE for your local gym crew.

*rolls eyes*

 

Lunchtime dim sum with the girls

There a few foods I love more that Dim Sum – those perfect little packages filled with juicy meat or veg (or both!), accompanied by a cocktail or two (or four). Delish!

One of the best things about Dim Sum is the whole ‘share-and-share-alike’ vibe that comes along with those tasty morsels of food – perfect for a get together with your mates.

 
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Having an absolute Riot

Not many people know that I used to paint nails for a living. Yep, after leaving university, moving back to London and trying to get into magazines I paid my bills by working as a nail technician at the most  popular nail bar in London; WAH Nails…

 

A culinary Journey Through Croatia

Not only have I never been to Croatia, but I’ve also not heard much about the place either. Little did I know that the country is full of amazing history and architecture, as well as being a foodie’s paradise. So as a food-fan you can imagine my utter delight when I embarked on a three-day culinary tour of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area…

 
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Learn To Write The Adult Way

There is nothing I love more that a hand written note/letter/post-it/anything. I write as many letters as I possibly can; however, my handwriting skills haven’t developed much since first learning at Primary School. I religiously follow illustrators, typographers and tattoo artists on Instagram just to catch a glimpse of cute cursive that I can try to copy. But alas, I have never been successful, until maybe now…

 
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Why We Should All Eat Dirty

Foodies can be a fickle bunch - one minute it’s all about New Orleans soul food, the next it's ‘hipster’ pizzas – and many restaurant trends come and go almost overnight. But there’s one craze which has stuck around – and that’s ‘dirty food’, aka fast food with a foodie twist. Even now fast food joints are opening up around the country, serving up big gourmet burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, doughnuts, shakes and even bigger side orders of fries and sides. All with lashings of plastic cheese, of course. Perfect for a hangover, a miserable Monday, or any other time you so fancy. As one writer recently put it: ‘it’s the best worst food you’ll ever eat.’

 

The perfect last minute summer detox package

Already stressing about the end of summer? I know how you feel! The idea of dark nights, long commutes and the impending run up to Christmas is enough to make anyone dream of a getaway…

 

Date night at Dishoom

Sometimes you can’t beat a good date night with your bestie, especially one who has known you (including the good AND bad parts) for over a decade… But where to go so we could have an unadulterated catch-up?

After hearing great things about it – and as two major foodies – we decided to try Dishoom. And we weren’t disappointed…

 
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On Yer Bike!

This week is Bike Week, people. So how about celebrating by getting on your bike? OK, I know that might sound boring, but coming from a recent cycling-convert I guarantee it can be fun, not to mention beneficial for your health.

 
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Dirty Martini Shakes Things Up In Islington

I have visited (and had) a few Dirty Martini's in my time, with their six venues across London, it's hard not to. But being a born and bread North London girl, I like to stick to where I know. Enter the new Dirty Martini in my regular stomping ground; Upper Street.

 
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I’ve Found The Best Tacos In London

Tacos are my all time favorite food. Hands down. No question. F.A.V.O.U.R.I.T.E.

I’ve been to (almost) every taco joint in London; every Mexican restaurant, food truck and back street taco hideout (well, maybe not the last part, but you get the gist) in search of the best tacos possible.

 
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Start Your Day With A BOOM (Cycle)

There is nothing I like more than my bed. And nothing I hate more than exercise. So, as you can imagine, I like to spend as much time as possible in bed and as little time as possible exercising. However I do know that my lifestyle is not sustainable, and as getting fit is the new going out I thought it was about time I kicked my arse in to gear (and out of bed).

 

A New York brunch in London

After living in New York, I often get a deep longing for the lifestyle I grew to love there. The brunches with fresh juice and proper coffee; the service with a smile and the chic interiors of the Meat Packing District that I miss so much… oh NYC… sigh

So you can imagine my delight when I came across a little slice of NYC in LDN.

 

London Riviera: Summer on The Southbank

There’s nothing quite like London in the summertime; long nights, beer gardens, people smiling at work… it’s wonderful! So what better place to enjoy a balmy evening than on the Southbank? But don’t just stop anywhere along the river, make your way to the new tropical-tastic pop-up, London Riviera.…

 
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Doing The Dirty In Kensington

In amongst the swanky wine bars and Made In Chelsea eateries of Kensington, you’ll find a little haven of dirt. Well, not really, but Dirty Bones does serve up a dose of real, honest food in an area that needs it…

 
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Meet TTYA, the hero brand for tall girls…

Oh the trials and tribulations of being a tall girl. Not only do we have to bend to fit in to rush hour tubes, whisper to friends and kiss boys, but also, nothing fits. Well, nothing that’s in fashion anyway. After years of constantly buying clothes two sizes too big just for the length, I began to accept that I would forever live in baggy clothes. That was until TTYAwas born.

 
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I’ve Found A New Friend In Scarlet

It’s hard to find a good friend in central London. And by friend I mean bar. It’s hard to find a good bar in London…

After years of searching, I was introduced to Scarlet. She’s super-fun, naughty, really good-looking and makes some of the best cocktails I’ve ever tasted.

 

I’ve hunted down a hidden gem

Have you spent all day stomping up and down Oxford Street in search of the perfect ’70s flares? Exhausting, isn’t it? Well, you’ve earned yourself a few drinks and a good dinner at Hunter 486…

 
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The Best Bottomless Brunches in London

You know my new favorite thing? Bottomless Brunches.

No, that’s not all you can eat brunch, but even better – all you can drink! I know, right? A new craze has hit London, and it’s one that I hope never, ever goes away. Some brunch venues around the city are starting to offer a ‘bottomless’ version: pay a set price; get a delicious brunch and unlimited booze. In the words of Amy Poehler – Yes please!

 
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Hiit Your Workout Regime Hard

It’s the final run up to Christmas. That means late nights finishing up things at work, Christmas parties, drinks with friends and more festive engagements than you can shake a (holly) stick at. So when do you fit in those all-important exercise classes that you got so good at going to over summer (ahem…)?

 
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Tommi Cooks Up A Great Burger

With all the various burger joints in London, it can be hard to determine the best ones. So much so, that websites and blogs have been set up JUST on this topic.

So where do you find the tastiest burger in London?

I’ve done all the regular haunts: Byron, Honest, Five Guys, GBK, Dirty Burger… and now Tommi’s