The Life of M

My 2022 festive recommendations! MCR Based

2022-11-21T19:33:00.001+00:00

Christmas is one of my favourite times of year and this year I’ve wanted to plan lots of cute festive trips to get me in the Christmas spirit (yes I know it is only November but these dark nights are sending me under and I need the festive happiness!)

Here’s some of my favourite festive places to go this year!

The most obvious recommendation- Manchester Christmas Markets. I’ll be honest I haven’t visited properly for the last couple of years- last year in particular I popped in for a quick drink and then left as I just wasn’t feeling it.

This year seems so much better though. There are so many stalls again- scattered across Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, King St/St Anne’s Square, Exchange Square & Cathedral Gardens. What struck me most was how many extra seating areas had been provided this year which makes it more of a social outing too, which I loved!

I really enjoyed just taking my time and looking round the independent stalls. I got a lovely scarf & some Christmas prezzies, and of course a Baileys hot choc!

I will definitely be visiting again (hopefully several times) before they close in December! The Manchester markets are open until 22nd December.

Chatsworth Christmas Markets were genuinely the best markets I’ve ever been to. Located at Chatsworth House, the markets are held on the grounds in front of the house.

You can either pay for:

- car parking only (includes access to the market)

- car parking and access to the gardens

- car parking, access to gardens and the house

We opted for just the car parking when we visited as we only wanted to visit the markets and I personally think this is enough for one day but I would love visit the house and gardens on another date.

The stalls were absolutely beautiful and there were lots of food and drinks stalls, as well as sheltered seating areas. If you’ve not been to Chatsworth markets, I highly recommend them.

You can find more info here. Chatsworth Markets are open until 23rd November.

I have been to the Dunham Massey Christmas lights around 4 years ago and I loved it just as much the second time round. This is a beautiful walk round the National Trust grounds, featuring lots of impressive light displays. The finale features both lights and water fountains and is an amazing short show to end the walk.

The walk itself takes around 1 hour, depending on how quickly you walk, with the chance to stop for food and/or drinks at the beginning, end and part way through the walk. There are also fairground rides that you can buy tokens for.

I absolutely love Dunham Massey Christmas - it is an amazing festive outing for all ages: families, couples, friends or even alone. I would definitely recommend this!

For more info click here. Dunham Massey Christmas is on until 2nd January 2023.

This isn’t specifically a festive event but it is a cute wintery night out and so it was the start of me feeling festive!

This walk is similar to the lights at Dunham Massey but Harry Potter themed. Imagine a gorgeous forest walk, lit with light displays and elements of Harry Potter. The walk was magical and allowed children and fans to use their wands and interact with certain parts of the walk to create the light show. I really liked this aspect as it made it really fun and interactive.

There were stalls serving food and drinks, with Hogwarts themed hot chocolates and special Butterbeer bars! I would really recommend this to anyone with children or for Harry Potter fans.

You can find more info here. Harry Potter Forbidden Forest is open until 1st January 2023.

On The Hush: Celebrating 1 year of Manchesters instagrammable hotspot!

2022-11-05T17:39:00.001+00:00

Last night I went to On The Hush, Manchester’s Instagrammable restaurant and bar. Located on the edge of Northern Quarter, this beautiful setting offers a selection of dishes and drinks to suit everyone. Whether you’re after a boozy bottomless brush, a coffee, a burger or a cocktail, On The Hush has it all.

We tried the Cinderella Sharer cocktail which came in this really cool glass slipper. Served with dry ice, this is definitely the whole experience.

Consisting of Pink Gin, Triple Sec, Unicorn Syrup, Grenandine, Lemon & Cranberry Juice, this sweet cocktail is the perfect option for two to share. We found it was around 1.5 cocktails each which is amazing value for money!

I also tried the Naughty Secret cocktail which was amazing. I loved the presentation- it looked so pretty with the roasted marshmallows and it was a win win because you could eat them after!

This cocktail is made up of Pink Gin, Fraise, Marshmallow Syrup & Lemon served with Toasted Marshmallows on top. I would really recommend this for anyone who loves a sweet cocktail!

To view their menu, click here.

I am genuinely obsessed with this decor. It has a mix of edge and class and I am here for it. The mixture of graffiti, pink, neon and florals is just everything. There are sooo many places to take good photos too!

There are a mixture of seating areas, with these beautiful wooden and floral areas for groups, booths with comfy cushions and plush velvet chairs. It’s a yes from me.

If you’re looking for somewhere different to go in Manchester, I would highly recommend On The Hush.

On The Hush is located at:

24 Church Street

Manchester

M4 1PN

For more info, visit their website or Instagram.

Thank you for having me - I had the best time. I can’t wait to visit for some food soon!

Tim Hortons - Trafford Park

2022-08-26T16:48:00.004+01:00

Yesterday I was kindly invited down to the soft launch of the brand new Tim Hortons, which opens on Monday 29th August. Located in Trafford Park, opposite Selfridges Trafford Centre, this site hosts a restaurant available for both eat in and take away, as well as a drive thru.

I’ve never been to Tim Hortons before so I wasn’t too sure what to expect but I’ve heard great things so I was excited to try it for myself!

We started off with some food from the main menu. I opted for the Chicken Wrap with Sweet Chilli sauce which was amazing. The chilli sauce wasn’t too spicy and it had a really sweet taste to it which complimented the chicken really nicely. I didn’t even take a picture because I was so hungry but I definitely recommend this!

I had the Strawberry Lemonade with my meal which was really refreshing. We also tried the French Vanilla Latte which was insane. I don’t usually like coffee but this was genuinely amazing - it wasn’t too strong at all, it had more of a vanilla flavour to it - but you can add extra coffee shots if you want a stronger drink. You can also opt for this drink as an iced latte which sounds lush too!

Now for the best bit - donuts! We were kindly gifted a selection of the Deluxe Donuts which were (left to right);

- lemon meringue

- maple & caramel

- strawberry trifle

- honey cruller

- chocolate brownie

- rainbow

My favourite had to be the chocolate brownie donut. It was insane. Topped with brownie chunks and filled with a rich chocolate filling, this is hands down one of the best donuts I’ve ever had!

They were all delicious though and were freshly baked. You could taste how fresh they were which was a definite bonus as I’ve had some donuts in the past that have been quite dry.

Obviously we couldn’t leave without trying a milkshake! We had the Chocolate Brownie and the Maple milkshakes.

My favourite was the Maple as it was different to any milkshake I’ve ever had and I love that it is unique! It was really sweet but not overpowering. I would definitely have this again!

Tim Hortons is located at:

4 Traders Avenue

Trafford Park

Stretford

Manchester

M41 7GD

For more information, visit their website.

Thanks so much for having me. The food, drinks and service were amazing. Special shout out to Vikas for being so friendly and helpful and explaining all of the menu to us!

[invite - PR visit]

Prime Pass Events: Paint & Sip Manchester

2022-08-17T18:15:00.000+01:00

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a Paint & Sip class with Prime Pass Events. Originally founded in Brighton and London, later opening events in Manchester too, Prime Pass provide fun, relaxed art classes which are perfect for a catch up with friends, a date night or just to unleash your inner artist!

The night was held at Foundry Project in Manchester, in a private room located downstairs. You were free to have drinks during the two hour class and could pop out at any time for a refill/toilet break- it was a very chilled vibe which was nice.

Upon arrival, you were provided with an apron and your own mini set up, with an easel, blank canvas, three paint brushes, water pots and of course, paint! It was the cutest set up - I loved it!

We painted ‘A Bright Night’, a gorgeous pastel sky above mountains and the sea. Initially I was convinced I would not be able to create anything even mildly similar but Natasha was such an amazing teacher and talked us through step by step, providing help and guidance where needed.

I was so happy with my finished product, particularly as I’ve not drawn/painted a thing since GCSE art (many years ago). I loved that everyone’s paintings were different and had their own style!

These events are run regularly (Manchester events are to start again in September/October time) with around 2-3 events per week, providing the opportunity to paint a variety of different pictures.

Events cost £25 which I think is so worth it. You are provided with all materials, a lovely space to paint, a teacher who assists you step by step and of course, a masterpiece to take home!

For more information, visit their Instagram or website.

Thank you so much to Prime Pass for this amazing event. I will definitely be attending in the future - I have my eye on the Leo the Lion picture!

[invite]

Rendition MCR

2022-07-18T21:27:00.009+01:00

I recently visited Rendition, a newly revived restaurant and bar in central Manchester. Located in Deansgate, this intimate setting offers a variety of small plates, cocktails and other beverages. With their luxury but rustic decor, as well as a live band, this is definitely a place to visit!

Thursdays are the new Friday so every Thursday, Rendition offers 3 small plates for £15 as well as a bottle or wine for £15.

We opted to share 6 dishes between us, which I highly recommend, as I couldn’t choose just 3 for myself! We decided on:

- slider burgers

- pork belly with a BBQ beer sauce and treacle glaze

- 28 day aged rump steak

- whipped goats cheese

- tenderstem broccoli

- Korean bbq fried chicken

Here’s my favourites:

First things first, the steak. Wow. This was honestly cooked to perfection and the meat tasted really succulent. It was served with a caramel peppercorn sauce which complemented the dish perfectly. This is a must order if you like steak.

I am always wary about ordering burgers in a restaurant because I have been disappointed so many times so I was very pleasantly surprised with these. The burger literally melts in your mouth and the sauce was delicious.

I loved the presentation of this too - the little ‘R’ stamp on the burgers as well as the branded paper napkin just ticked all of the boxes for me! Love.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect but I love anything goats cheese so I knew it was definitely a dish I wanted to try! This had the consistency of like a hummus but was really creamy and smooth. It was served with dates and sunflower seeds, as well as some toasted flatbread.

The dates were honestly a game changer. I’d never have thought to mix the two but wow, it was absolutely out of this world. I think this was definitely one of the best things I’ve tried in quite a while so you 100% have to try this if you go.

Finally, the pork belly. Yum. This was served in a bbq beer sauce with a treacle drizzle. This was heavenly. The pork fell apart as you ate it and I absolutely adored the sauce, to the point I was mopping up the excess with my steak and also the flatbread! Absolutely delicious.

We also tried some of their brand new cocktails. I opted for ‘The Dance’ which was amazing, consisting of vanilla vodka, strawberry and bubblegum syrup. Served with dry ice in a science flask-style bottle, this had the mixture of taste and presentation/wow factor that you want from a cocktail. The bubblegum was really strong as an after taste, which was delicious!

The ‘Pink Margarita’ was a twist on a classic and was El Tequileno Tequila and Lime mixed with Chambord to add the pretty pink colour.

Rendition is located at:

209 Deansgate

Manchester

M3 3NW

For more information, visit their website or Instagram.

Thank you so much to Rendition for having me - the service, food and drinks were faultless.

*Please note this is a sponsored post but all views and opinions are my own.

Morocco Travel Tips: Marrakech Souks & Centre

2022-06-22T19:47:00.007+01:00

I’ve had so many questions about Marrakech and what to do so I thought I’d do a series of blogs with my top tips to share my experiences with you.

The Marrakech souks are one of the must see sights, consisting of traditional market-style shops scattered across the outside of the central square and down various back streets and alleyways. Located by the El Fna central square, there is plenty to see and do round this area. Keep reading for my top tips.

Marrakech seems to get quite a bad rep when it comes to travel. I’ve had so many people say to me things along the lines of “why are you going there”, “it isn’t safe there” and so on. I personally think Marrakech is really up and coming and is full of tourists - I think it has definitely come a long way since those comments may have been true. Like anywhere, there will be places and things to avoid but overall it is a very safe city to travel to and I highly recommend it!

I thought I’d share some of our tips that helped us, particularly around the souks & central square:

“Don’t travel alone”

We were initially told to not go alone as it wasn’t safe so we booked onto an ad hoc mini tour at the hotel with our rep (which turned out not to be a tour at all, just a very expensive taxi- but that’s another story). It definitely was safe. The area was full of tourists and local people shopping and there were no areas that were deserted. The only issue is that people are constantly trying to talk to you and entice you to look at their goods but I think that is to be expected when that is their only source of income in a developing country. Politely say no and continue walking and they will leave you alone.

Haggle, haggle, haggle.

Don’t take the first price you are told as the final price. The local sellers will see tourists as having lots of money and will overcharge you. Barter with them on the prices and be prepared to walk away if they don’t accept your price. 9 times out of 10 they will do as they will want to secure the sale but if not, there are many shops selling the same items so you’ll find what you were after in another shop.

Taxis.

Taxis are one way that the locals see as a way of making money and for this reason, they definitely up the prices significantly. If you’re in a busy area in the centre, never go to a taxi rank. They will charge you up to 4x the standard rate and many will say that their meter doesn’t work, giving you a fixed fee. Flag a taxi down on the street and ask for a price. Anywhere central should only cost around 20-30dhm (approximately £2) so don’t be ripped off by paying more than this.

Timing.

I would recommend visiting (if you can) early evening on a weekend. We arrived for 6:30pm so it was cooler, albeit still very warm, but it made it much more bearable. In the evenings, there are also performances in the main square with locals coming to sing along and show their support. It had a real community feel and it was such a nice vibe walking round. We also watched the sunset at one of the rooftop restaurants which I’d highly recommend!

We absolutely loved the souks and El-Fna Square and I would highly recommend visiting! Here’s a few of my favourite photos:

My lip dissolving journey

2022-04-09T20:21:00.006+01:00

I’ve been having my lips done since I was 18 and I’ve visited so many different practitioners, some doctors and nurses and others trained without a medical qualification. Naturally having small lips, I have always been conscious of them and therefore thought that by continuing to have lots of filler every 3 months, that I would end up with my dream lips. This sadly wasn’t the case and ended up with the filler migrating above my top lip over time causing a swollen look.

I therefore decided to take the plunge and have my lips dissolved and refilled, using the ‘Russian lip’ technique, a method that produces flatter but fuller lips. However, I was so nervous! I’ve seen horror stories online of the filler being squeezed out bit by bit so I genuinely didn’t know what to expect!

This blog will explain the process of dissolving, my experience and the refilling results!

I’ve been unhappy with my lips for a long time and so having them dissolved has been something I have thought about for months now. However, it was crucial to me that going forwards my treatments were carried out by someone extremely skilled in their field that would complete both the dissolving and refilling for me quickly and professionally.

I came across Jodie at Signature Skin on social media and was instantly impressed with her work. As a previous dental nurse, she had medical qualifications and was experienced in injecting. After speaking to her briefly and seeing her previous work, as well as knowing of some of her regular clients, I booked in straight away!

Like I mentioned above, I had no clue what to expect when it came to having my lips dissolved but I was definitely thinking the worst. I remember feeling sick with anxiety as I genuinely thought the filler would be drawn out bit by bit via needle or squeezed out. Lesson of the day, don’t trust everything you see online!

Luckily, this was not the case at all and the process was extremely quick and simple. Jodie explained the procedure to me and her friendly nature put me at ease immediately. Firstly numbing cream was applied to my lips to numb the area and reduce the pain felt during the injections. A liquid called Hyaluronidase was then injected into my top lip and just above my lip where most of the filler had migrated. This caused my lips to swell slightly due to the excess fluid in my lips but within 2-3 hours the filler had completely dissolved.

I was so impressed - I genuinely can’t believe that the results were so quick and easy. I’d highly advise anyone thinking of dissolving their lips to go for it - don’t listen to what you’ve read - if you’ve had lip filler it’s just as simple and quick!

After a week of absolutely no lips whatsoever (not a good look), it was finally time to have my lips filled! I was so excited. I have seen so many good results from the Russian lip technique and it is definitely the technique that provides the look I love, a flat but pulled up, defined lip!

Jodie advised that it is best to build the lips up slowly over time to create the best shape. The lips swell quickly so injecting a lot of filler initially can prevent the shape being as strong/defined. We opted for 0.6ml and decided to book me in for another 0.6ml after 6 weeks or so.

We also added the tiniest bit of Botox above my lip to relax the muscles and flip my lip, meaning that my lips will remain full when I smile and there will be no swelling or migration above my lips.

I am so so happy with my results. My lips are finally full and shapely without having the swollen “duck” lip look. I can’t thank Jodie enough for helping me to achieve the results I have always wanted!

Signature Skin is home-based in Worsley. For more information or to book in, contact Jodie on her Instagram here.

Thank you so much again to Jodie for helping me to achieve my dream lips! I am obsessed ❤️

*please note that this is a sponsored post but all views and opinions are my own and are not affiliated with Signature Skin.

My poolside holiday outfits

2022-04-03T17:53:00.002+01:00

I can’t believe that I haven’t actually been away abroad since 2019 due to lockdown and travel restrictions so I jumped at the chance to travel this year with things easing! You’ve probably guessed by now how much I love putting together outfits and there’s nothing better than finding holiday outfits!

Some outfits have been kindly gifted. I will link all items below to shop!

Bikini top: shop here

Beach shirt: shop here

Beach trousers: shop here
*kindly gifted by Pretty Little Thing

Sometimes simple is best and I definitely think so in this case! This beach outfit is so comfy but looks so chic. Perfect for a day on the beach, a pool party or even just grabbing some lunch/cocktails - this is definitely one I will restyle/rewear over and over again!

Swimsuit: shop here

Kimono: shop here

I don’t think you can beat a simple swimsuit and patterned kimono on holiday - it screams classy to me! I feel like Boohoo is really up there with their swimwear collection this year, there’s so many lush pieces! This kimono is absolutely beautiful - the paisley pattern is gorgeous and it’s so comfy but stylish. I’m also obsessed with this swimsuit - I need it in every colour!!

Bikini: shop here

*kindly gifted by SHEIN

Next up, possibly one of my favourite bikinis ever. This is genuinely one of the most flattering bikinis I have ever worn. The subtle low front and the gold detail makes the bikini eye-catching yet the simplicity of the style makes it so classy. This would genuinely suit every body shape and size too!

Swimsuit: shop here

Sarong: shop here

*kindly gifted by Pretty Little Thing

Orange is just the best colour on holiday, especially with a tan! I adore this two piece set - so easy to wear around the pool whilst looking stylish and sophisticated. A simple swimsuit and sarong is a MUST for your holiday wardrobe!

Trousers: shop here

*kindly gifted by SHEIN

Last but not least, the prettiest beach trousers I ever did see! The colours on these are insane and I LOVE that they have a drawstring stretchy waist so they’re not too fitted.. especially for an all inclusive hol! I had so many compliments on these and I can’t wait to wear them again, even in the evening with a cute crop top or bodysuit!

Thank you to SHEIN & Pretty Little Thing for gifting me these gorgeous outfits.

I’m so excited to be able to travel more this year and can’t wait to put together more beach looks!

Which look is your favourite?

NAMII: Brunch with a Vietnamese twist!

2022-02-13T20:06:00.002+00:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting Namii in Manchester, a Vietnamese fusion restaurant providing a variety of small tapas-style plates and an extensive cocktail and alcohol menu. They have also recently launched a brunch menu, serving traditional brunch dishes with an Asian twist.

Before I rave about the brunch (which was- wow), can we just appreciate the decor?! This is easily one of the prettiest restaurants/bars in Manchester, with its neon signs, floral decor and elegant cream booths. I am obsessed.

We opted for two different dishes, one savoury and one sweet, to share so we could sample more of the menu.

First up, French Brioche Toast with maple syrup, dusted with cinnamon sugar and vanilla mascarpone cream. This was divine. The presentation was just everything and it tasted even better.

There was a great mix of sweet and sour, with the mix of fruit contrasting the sweet maple syrup and vanilla mascarpone. This was absolutely delicious and I would definitely recommend this dish.

Next up, we tried the Eggs Benedict - toasted sourdough topped with two poached eggs, avocado and streaky bacon drizzled with a wasabi hollandaise.

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this dish as I’m not a huge fan of spice so I didn’t know whether I’d enjoy the wasabi hollandaise sauce. I was pleasantly surprised! The subtle kick the wasabi added complemented the dish so well and I actually really enjoyed it. The eggs were cooked to perfection and I loved the addition of avocado!

This is also a must try dish if you visit Namii for brunch.

What makes brunch even better? Cocktails!

For the first round, we opted for:

- Breakfast in Saigon: Portobello Gin, Cointreau, Cranberry Juice, Plum Marmalade

- Lychee Cloud: Danva Vodka, Lychee liqueur, Citrus

The Lychee Cloud was such a cool cocktail! It arrived with just candy floss in the glass and the waitress pours over the cocktail, causing the candy floss to dissolve into the liquid. This was a fun experience rather than just having your drink arrive. Make sure you mix the candy floss in though as it is veryyyy sour otherwise!

Breakfast in Saigon was gorgeous- a strong cocktail with a fruity flavour!

Next up I tried the Vietnamese Garden consisting of Danva Vodka, Jasmine Verte, Citrus, Apple Juice & Basil.

This was served with dry ice and was super cool. I LOVE the presentation of this- the little teapot and cups are so cute. It also was so refreshing and literally tasted like juice- I would definitely order this again!

Namii is located at:

New York Street

Manchester

M1 4HN

For more information, visit their website or Instagram page.

Thank you so much to Namii for having me. I had the best day. The service & vibes were unmatched- I loved the live music too.

If you’re from Manchester and haven’t visited yet, you need to book in!

*Please note that although this post was sponsored, all views and opinions are my own.

Come for a weekend to the Lake District with me!

2022-01-20T19:18:00.001+00:00

This weekend I visited the Lake District for the first time and it definitely lived up to expectations. We had such a chilled weekend and explored and it was just what we needed!

We stayed at The Lakes Hotel & Spa in Bowness, a 5* hotel also providing one and two bedroom apartments. We stayed in Room 9, a gorgeous little apartment comprising of an open plan lounge-cum-kitchen, a twin and double bedroom and one bathroom.

The first evening we wanted a really chilled one so we had some gin and a picky tea (and far too many snacks). We had a games night too which was really fun!

On our first full day we decided to have a spa day. We’ve all been super busy lately with work (and me with uni) so we really deserved a break!

The spa was accessed through a gorgeous little traditional pub and luckily our apartment was directly above so we didn’t even need to leave the building!

The spa was literally amazing. It was all stone with gorgeous silver decor and dim mood lighting. It had a lovely warm (ish) pool, two plunge pools/jacuzzis, a steam room and a sauna as well as a pool side bar.

The only thing I would say is that there was no relaxation room poolside and not enough pool loungers but other than this, I really couldn’t fault it!

Is it me or does a spa make anyone else so sleepy? After the spa we had a little nap and then got ready for dinner. We were less than a 10 minute walk into the centre so we walked into Bowness town and went for food. I would highly recommend booking if you can as everywhere was so busy! However we managed to get into a little Italian called Trattoria which was lovely. The portions were absolutely huge (I ate half of my gnocchi and took the rest with me for my tea the next night!)

On our final day we wanted to see another town in the Lake District so we opted for a boat trip across the lake to Ambleside. This was really cute and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re wanting to explore and do something a bit different!

First things first, breakfast! We had food at The Magic Roundabout in Bowness town which was lovely. The menu was really varied - there was something for everyone available. I got the Eggs Benedict with Smoked Bacon & it was delicious!

The boat departed from Bowness Pier (there’s usually a trip every half an hour or so) and it took around 30/35 minutes to reach Ambleside.

We walked into Ambleside centre which was about a 20 minute walk from the pier. It’s only small but it has lots of cute pubs and shops and the walk is really scenic too!

I’ve had the loveliest weekend. I would really recommend the Lakes for a relaxing weekend away - it’s only an hour and a half drive and so so beautiful!

Vermilion

2021-12-22T17:29:00.007+00:00

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Vermilion, a luxury dining experience serving a blend of Indian, Thai & Asian Fusion dishes, with something on the menu for everyone. Opened in 2007, Vermilion has expanded from a fine dining restaurant to a banqueting hall and events venue.

The interior, designed by Miguel Cancio Martins (designer of Buddha Bar Paris) is breathtaking. There is no restaurant in Manchester, in my opinion, whose decor is on the level of Vermilion.

It was evident that dining here was a luxury experience and it felt just that due to the surroundings. The contrast of the deep red and dark wood added to this experience.

The new menu, created by Bobby Geetha, consists of a mixture of cuisines and incorporates global favourites on a varied and full menu.

While we were waiting, we had Poppadoms with a selection of sauces including:

- cherry & ginger chutney

- pickled onion

- mint & coriander

- mango chutney

These were delicious. Although not the stereotypical Indian style poppadoms, I loved the texture and colours of these. The sauces were also amazing - the cherry and ginger chutney was my favourite!

To start, we shared several small plates.

We opted for:

- scallops with merguez sausage served with tomato masala & turmeric cauliflower purée

- crispy panko coated croquettes stuffed with butter chicken tikka kofta and cheddar served with a turmeric tempered mayonnaise

- Cornish shrimp and akuri bao buns

All three of these dishes were incredible - they were full of flavour and cooked to perfection. The butter chicken tikka kofta balls were probably my favourite of the three - they were delicious. I loved the mayonnaise that was served with this dish - it complemented the flavours of the chicken and croquettes really well.

The presentation of these dishes was also on point. I loved how colourful they were - the mixture of yellows, bright pinks and reds of the ingredients contrasted against the deep blue crockery really caught my eye!

For our main course, we shared three dishes:

- Mediterranean sea bass curry served in a light Kerala coconut sauce

- confit duck leg finished in a South Indian korma sauce, garnished with Salli potato crisp

- ocean tiger prawns grilled Thai style in a Thai Nomsod sauce made with lemon, chilli, butter & milk

I’ve never tried a fish curry before, particularly a fish such as seabass. However it worked so well. I loved the coconut sauce and the seabass melted in my mouth. This is the perfect dish if you want something a little lighter.

I wasn’t sure what to make of this dish at all but I was really pleasantly surprised. The duck was so succulent and fell apart as you cut into it. The sauce wasn’t a traditional korma as it wasn’t overly sweet - it had a lot of flavour and complemented the duck extremely well.

The Ocean Tiger Prawns are a signature dish exclusive to Vermilion. The giant tiger prawns, caught by Vermilion’s parent company Seamark, are cooked on the grill Thai style.

Prawns are probably my favourite seafood, especially king/tiger prawns. However I have never tried it in a creamy butter and milk sauce before. Perfection. I absolutely adored the sauce and the prawns were out of this world. I highly recommend this dish.

First, Under The Volcano- a classic dessert of hot salted caramel poured over a chocolate lava bombe sitting on a bed of crushed cashew nut crumble with a filling of a chocolate brownie and vanilla ice cream.

I was expecting the caramel sauce to be quite a bit thicker than it was as the caramel flavour wasn’t as strong as I’d have liked. I loved the idea of having a brownie inside the lava bombe - I’ve never seen this done before and it added extra flavour and another component to the dessert!

We also tried the Dil to Chocolate Hai - a delicious warm chocolate fondant with peanut butter cream, served with vanilla ice cream.

The contrast of the sweet chocolate fondant with the salted peanut butter sauce was delicious. It worked really well. I also liked the warm cake with the cold ice cream - I always enjoy this concept.

I opted to try the ‘Bubble Magic’ cocktail, one of the Molecular Cocktails on the menu.

Bubble Magic is:

A fragrant smoke bubble cocktail that explodes with a single touch. Made with gin, limoncello and Earl grey tea.

This was so cool and I loved the fact the bubble was added at the table in front of you, making it more of an experience rather than merely a drink being served. The bubble pops into dry ice when you touch it.

It tasted amazing. It was fresh and fruity but very light at the same time. You could taste the limoncello but not so much the early grey tea which suited me. I would definitely recommend this cocktail!

Vermilion is located at:

Lord N Street

Hulme Hall Lane

Manchester

M40 8AD

For more information or for reservations, visit their website or Instagram.

Thank you so much to Vermilion for having me. The most beautiful food, decor and service. Thank you also to Harry & Ravi who served us throughout the evening- your hospitality and friendliness did not go unnoticed.

I will definitely be back very soon - easily one of the best restaurants Manchester has to offer. If you haven’t been yet then you NEED to go!

*Please note that although this post was sponsored, all views and opinions are my own.

Kitchen Chronicles

2021-12-09T19:19:00.006+00:00

Last night I visited Kitchen Chronicles, an Indian restaurant located in the centre of Hazel Grove. Owned by the lovely Amina & her husband, they aim to provide an authentic experience in the comfort of your local area.

Opened in 2020, Kitchen Chronicles sadly had to close after one week of being open due to lockdown. They are now open for business, serving a variety of Indian dishes including curries, meats, vegetable dishes and street food, as well as vegan friendly dishes. For those who want to eat healthier, the chefs can prepare a range of dishes under 400 calories and can guarantee they are still delicious and full of flavour!

First things first, the decor. I loved all of the little touches around the restaurant- the pot pourri, mirrored side tables, velvet chairs and, of course, the flower ceiling!

These little touches added to the intimate feel of the restaurant and made it feel super cosy and inviting.

We chose from the Festive Set Menu (1 starter, 1 main & a drink per person).

Indian Fritter stuffed with assorted vegetables, served with 3 sauces:

- sticky tamarind sauce

- yoghurt, coriander and garlic

- mint, green chilli, lemon and garlic

Wow. I don’t even know where to start. This was incredible. I loved the variety of vegetables that were used and the batter was so crispy, yet it didn’t crumble. The presentation of this dish was lovely. I love the silver platters and the sprinkling of pomegranate.

My favourite sauce of the three was definitely the sticky tamarind - it complemented the batter perfectly and added an additional flavouring which I really enjoyed. I would highly recommend this dish - a home made, family recipe!

Puffed hollow pastry rounds stuffed with potato and served with a sweet and spicy greek yoghurt sauce

This was really different to anything I’ve tried before but it worked really well. They were like mini popadom bites but with the addition of potato in the middle.

The sauce was really sweet - if you’re not usually an overly sweet person and prefer savoury, I would just add a small amount of sauce to this dish. It was lovely!

Chicken Tikka cooked in a creamy cashew or peanut sauce.

Hands. Down. Best Butter Chicken I’ve ever had!!!

This was so creamy and full of flavour. The chicken was really succulent and I loved the addition of crushed nuts. Try this with some garlic naan and a bit of rice - perfection.

Also, I think it’s quite hard to present a curry in a creative and eye-catching way with it being a liquid/sauce style dish but Kitchen Chronicles definitely succeeded with this.

I would order this every single time - it’s soooo good!!

Slow cooked, medium chicken curry with intense flavours and garnished with coriander

This was more of a ‘traditional’ curry dish. You could taste the individual spices of this curry. The sauce was smooth and the chicken was really tender. A great dish for someone who wants a dish that isn’t too spicy but still has flavour.

Kitchen Chronicles is located at:

139 London Road

Hazel Grove
Stockport
SK7 4HH

For more information or to make a reservation, visit their website or Instagram.

I honestly couldn’t have asked for better food or service. It had such a homely feel and the dishes Amina was so lovely and helpful and made all customers feel really welcome.

Thank you so much to Kitchen Chronicles for their amazing hospitality. A lovely evening with insanely good food - I can’t wait to go back soon to try more of the menu!

*Please note that although this post is sponsored, all views and opinions are my own.

Hotel Gotham: Festive Afternoon Tea

2021-12-07T17:52:00.006+00:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting Hotel Gotham to sample their Festive Afternoon Tea. A Manchester treasure, Gotham is recognised as one of the most prestigious buildings in Manchester, consisting of a hotel, Honey restaurant and Club Brass, a members only bar overlooking Manchester City centre.

We were first welcomed into Club Brass for a cocktail of choice while we waited.

The first thing that struck me was the decor - it was so festive and grand. I loved all of the glitzy decorations which contrasted with the minimalistic decor perfectly.

Time for a drink! I opted for the Bakewell Tart Fizz, a gorgeous cocktail served in a champagne glass with Sipsmith Sloe Gin, Amaretto, Sparkling Wine & Lemon Zest.

This was delicious - I would highly recommend this drink! It wasn’t too strong and the flavour wasn’t overpowering either. The presentation was also really cute!

The Festive Afternoon Tea includes:

Sandwiches

- turkey, bacon & Cranberry

- oat smoked salmon with lemon crème fraîche

- duck egg mayonnaise & mustard cress

- cucumber, cream cheese, red onion & dill

2x scones per person served with Dorset clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Desserts

- eggnogg choux bun

- red velvet cake

- black cherry & chocolate macaroon

- gingerbread rocky road

Vegan and vegetarian menus are available upon request.

We were first introduced to each of the tea blends and provided with a sample to aid our selection. I thought this touch was so different and I loved it.

I opted for the Planter’s Afternoon blend as this was closest to English Breakfast and I love this with an afternoon tea! It complemented both the sweet and savoury dishes perfectly as it was not too fragrant.

The afternoon tea was lovely. We had a glass of Prosecco on the side which is always a nice treat (especially on a Monday afternoon)! I particularly enjoyed the festive sandwich and the red velvet cake.

The decor was also amazing in Honey Restaurant. I love the large bay windows overlooking Manchester and their Christmas garlands are unmatched. Such a pretty setting to spend an afternoon in!

“Lutyens” Afternoon Tea - £25.00

Afternoon Tea with a glass of Prosecco - £34.00

Afternoon Tea with a glass of Tattinger Champagne - £40.00

Hotel Gotham is located at:

100 King Street

Manchester

M2 4WU

For more information or to book, visit their website or Instagram.

Thank you so much to Gotham for having me and to my amazing waitress Grace & Manager Ryan for their amazing hospitality! I can’t wait to visit again soon.

*Please note that although this post was sponsored, all views and opinions are my own.

Come on a festive weekend to London with me!

2021-12-01T14:43:00.004+00:00

I’ve recently got back from a weekend in London where, as usual, I crammed lots of activities in. If you want to see what I got up to, keep reading!

This is somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for soooo long and it didn’t disappoint. The decor was beaut and HOW amazing are the drinks?! I loved my brunch too- I would definitely recommend. On the pricier side so this was definitely a treat!

This was honestly soooo fun. Equipped with a bar and restaurant, this crazy golf was a great way to spend the afternoon. I somehow even managed to get a hole in one which I was way too excited about!

This is a must visit if you want a fun indoor activity to pass a rainy afternoon or even evening in London! They are open until 1am and serve alcohol too.

I feel like San Carlo is always a safe bet - you know what you’re getting and the food and service is always fab! Ciccheti serve smaller dishes, with 2-3 to be enjoyed by each person but I highly recommend sharing all dishes so you can sample more of the menu!

The prawns were to die for and the parmesan basket gnocchi was divine. The sharing dessert was also unreal - I would highly recommend - you also get a shot of Masala wine too!

For brunch, we went to Viola’s in Covent Garden. A female founded and ran business, this little cafe serves up a wholesome menu from breakfast, lunch, dinner and even afternoon tea.

I had the Taco Pancakes which were served with white chocolate milk chocolate pouring pots, fruit and edible flowers. This was hands down one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had and 10/10 for presentation! My Mum had the Banana Bread French Toast which was also amazing!

I would highly recommend visiting here when you’re in London. It’s also only a 2 minute walk from Covent Garden market so it’s an amazing location for sight seeing.

I love Covent Garden, especially around Christmas time. It feels so festive and I love all of the stalls/shops.

We took a pit stop at Somerset House on our way across London and I’m so glad we did. They had a Hotel Chocolat truck serving up hot chocolates and ice creams. I had the salted caramel hot chocolate and it was out of this world! Somerset House currently have an ice skating rink too which is open during December.

My Mum really wanted to do this and I wasn’t that fussed initially but I found it fascinating. I loved all of the history behind the area - I don’t really know much about the Tudors so it was really interesting to learn more. The Crown Jewels were insane and definitely worth a visit! We came at a really good time as a lot of the jewels will be removed when we next have a coronation so it will be quite empty if you were to visit then!

The main attraction - Winter Wonderland. I could honestly visit here every single year and never get bored. It’s so fun and so festive! In my opinion the best Christmas event around!

Eataly is one of my favourite places EVER. I had the Ricotta cheese & truffle sausage pizza and wow. It was on focaccia bread which was life changing (I want all pizza on focaccia now). Yum.

I also love wandering round the shop - it’s the best at Christmas as they have so many festive Italian treats!

London is one of my favourite cities to visit around Christmas and this trip did not disappoint.

If you’ve got this far, well done & I hope you enjoyed reading! :)

Come on an overnight spa stay in Chester with me!

2021-11-14T22:01:00.005+00:00

This weekend I went to Chester overnight for a belated birthday celebration for my cousin’s 21st birthday. We planned lots of cute things, including a lovely meal, cocktails and a spa day. Keep reading to see what we got up to!

On the Friday evening we went to a gorgeous restaurant called Artezzan, serving modern Mediterranean dishes and an array of drinks.

To start we shared some ‘Pinchos’, small tapas-style plates. We had the beetroot hummus with warm flatbread, deep fried halloumi and mozzarella and prosciutto on fresh bread. For my main, I had a sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce. The food was amazing and the service was great!

We then went to a bar called The Palm, an all pink bar serving cocktails in a intimate, floral setting. I loved it in here! The vibes were so good and their playlist was on point. I’d definitely recommend here to anyone visiting Chester.

We then went back to the hotel for more celebrations (and matching PJs, of course)!

The next morning we had a gorgeous fry up for breakfast & then it was time for our spa day. We each had a 25 minute facial which was divine and then headed to the pool to use the facilities.

This is hands down one of the best spas I’ve been to. The facilities are second to none with beautiful mood lighting, an outdoor (covered) hydrotherapy pool, several jacuzzi areas and a full swimming pool, as well as a sauna, steam room, hammam & aromatherapy room. I can’t recommend the DoubleTree spa enough!

To end the weekend, we had afternoon tea which was delicious. Served in the Garden Room with a view of the grounds, the afternoon tea was generous and beautifully presented. The staff couldn’t do enough for us too!

We had the best time celebrating H’s 21st..

Couldn’t have asked for better surroundings and company ❤️

Saorsa Cosmetics: Self-Tanning Mousse

2021-11-06T20:02:00.006+00:00

Set up by Jennifer Boídheach in 2020 in Glasgow, Saorsa Cosmetics was a business plan aiming to enable Jennifer to provide a better life for her family whilst having the opportunity to spend more time with them. ‘Saorsa’ is Scottish Gaelic for freedom, a concept that describes the purpose of the business.

Saorsa are also both vegan & cruelty free, meaning that all products are not derived from animal substances and are also not tested on animals. In addition, Saorsa are an eco-conscious brand ensuring that all packaging is recyclable and environmentally friendly. A percentage of proceeds from each sale at Saorsa is donated to worldwide projects which help communities, animals and the environment.

I was kindly gifted the Self-Tanning mousse. As a self-confessed pale Gail, I’ve tried probably most tans on the market so I was intrigued to see how this married up against its competitors.

The first thing I loved is that not only can you choose the shade of tan, but also the scent. The worst thing about some tan products is the biscuit smell so I love that you can choose a scent preferable to you.

Scents include:

- Baby Powder

- Cherry

- Chocolate

- Melon

- Strawberry

I opted for Shade Extra Dark & a Chocolate scent. As I’m quite pale and enjoy a deep tan, I would probably get Ultra Dark next time as I know that tan products work with your skin tone so I need that extra help to be tanned!

The scent is gorgeous - it’s very subtle which I like. I would definitely recommend the Chocolate scent!

Saorsa also provide a velvet tanning mitt which is the BOMB! Honestly I will never use anything else now. The tab glides on so smoothly and evenly and the mitt feels really luxurious on your skin. I am hooked!

For more information or to shop, visit their website or Instagram.

Thank you so much to Saorsa for gifting me your amazing products. I love everything you stand for as a business and your tan is honestly incredible.

Thanks also to Sintillate Talent for setting this up!

*Please note that although this post is sponsored, all views and opinions are my own and are in no way affiliated with the views of Saorsa or Sintillate Talent.

KBK: A Tapas Tasting Evening

2021-11-04T12:33:00.000+00:00

Last night I had the pleasure of visiting KBK in Manchester. Based in the up and coming Ancoats, KBK was originally (and still is) a meal prep company providing healthy, nutritious meals to the comfort of your door. However, they have expanded and opened up a small restaurant providing a variety of dishes, including tapas-style plates.

We were served a selection of small plates from the menu including:

- Buffalo Chicken Strips

- Buffalo Falafel

- Chicken in a Pineapple & Mango sauce

- Nachos

My favourite was definitely the chicken with pineapple and mango. The sauce was fruity and sweet and complimented the fried chicken perfectly. I really enjoyed this dish. The falafel was also equally delicious.

KBK is located at:

67 Great Ancoats Street

Ancoats

Manchester

M4 5AB

For more information, visit their website or Instagram pages (@kbk.mcr and @kbk.uk).

I was also kindly gifted a large box of goodies from KBK including some meals, a snack, a soup & a juice which I will review separately so keep your eyes peeled!

Thanks so much to KBK for having me & to GO PR for the invite!

*Please note that although this post is sponsored all views and opinions are my own and are in no way affiliated with the views of KBK or GO PR.

German Doner Kebab

2021-11-03T12:59:00.000+00:00

Last night I visited German Doner Kebab to celebrate the opening of their new Manchester-based restaurant. Located in Fallowfield, surrounded by bars, restaurants and a student lifestyle, German Doner Kebab (GDK) is the perfect addition to the area.

A chain restaurant located across the UK and Scotland, as well as the USA and Canada, GDK offers a variety of doner-based meals including kebabs, burgers and boxes to choose from.

We were greeted by manager Aamar and talked through the menu.

I opted for ‘The Boss Box’ which included:

- any kebab, burger or quesadilla

- either normal, flaming, curry or cheesy fries

- either spring rolls or chilli cheese bites

- a selection of sauces (spicy, garlic and yoghurt sauces)

I chose the regular mixed kebab, with both chicken and doner meat, as I wanted to have the authentic experience. Honestly this was amazing. The bread was out of this world - I would eat this bread every single day if I could! The mix of meats complemented the other perfectly - it was just divine. The only criticism I have is that there was too much food and I was defeated!

The chips were really nice. I chose the ‘Flaming Fries’ and they were lovely. I’m not a huge fan of spice but these were just nicely seasoned rather than overly spicy. I’d definitely recommend them (especially dipped in the garlic sauce).

The spring rolls were unreal too. I decided to have one chicken and one beef and I really enjoyed both of them! I’d definitely recommend this as a side.

German Doner Kebab is located at:

311-313 Wilmslow Road

Fallowfield

Manchester

M14 6NW

For more information, visit their website or their Instagram.

Thank you so much to Epic Social for the invite and to German Doner Kebab for having me!

*Please note that although this post is sponsored, all views and opinions are my own and are in no way affiliated with the views or opinions of German Doner Kebab.

Look Fantastic: October Beauty Box

2021-10-29T13:36:00.003+01:00

It’s been a little while since I shared anything beauty-related with you all and it’s because I’ve been waiting for something really exciting to begin (which it now has)! I’m so grateful to announce that I am now working with Look Fantastic as one of their Student Ambassadors (the eternal student life has its perks…) and I can’t explain how excited I am about this.

Look Fantastic is a retailer that I’ve followed for a long while now and somewhere I've actually shopped several times as the range of brands stocked are amazing and, of course, the discounts offered are incomparable.

This month I received their October Beauty Box and I thought I’d share my first impressions with you all (all links will be available below each product so that you can shop the product separately and I’ll also link the box itself too).

The October Beauty Box includes:

- Filorga: Oxygen-Glow (15ml)

- Philip Kingsley: Bond Builder (20ml)

- ECooking: Cleansing Gel (125ml)

- Rituals: Ritual of Mehr Body Cream (70ml)

- Dr Botanical: Turmeric Mask (30ml)

- The Vintage Cosmetic Co: Satin Scrunchies (x2)

Buy here

I’ve used this cream twice now and I honestly love it. My skin has never been glowy! I literally used around a pea sized amount and applied to my whole face and left overnight. I am so so impressed with this product and will definitely be purchasing the full sized pot when it runs out.

Buy here

I used the cleanser before bed after I had removed my makeup. I added a small amount (2 pumps) and applied to my face and neck. I left it for around 2-3 minutes before removing with a clean flannel and cold water.

My skin felt really clean afterwards and I have not broken out into any spots since incorporating this new product into my routine.

Buy here

I received this in a ‘Sweet Orange & Cedar Wood’ scent and wow. I am obsessed. This left my skin smelling absolutely amazing- I can’t get enough! I found it to be really moisturising with a small amount going a long way. I definitely need this in a larger bottle as I want to smother myself in it!

To purchase the whole box, shop here. Use my code LFSAMARIANNE and enjoy 20% off the Beauty Box!

Please note this is a subscription box but you can buy it as a one-time purchase if you don’t want a recurring subscription.

*This is a sponsored post but all views and opinions are my own and are not affiliated with the views of Look Fantastic or any other brand mentioned.

Zonas: Fertility Awareness Campaign

2021-10-25T11:08:00.003+01:00

Infertility is an issue that affects so many. Approximately 1 in 8 women struggle to conceive and sadly 1 in 4 experience miscarriage. Yet it is not something that is openly spoken about regularly.

I recently came across Zonas, a medical-based company that works towards empowering women through gaining more knowledge and understanding of their bodies. Broken down as Zoh (meaning life in Greek) and Zona (the external layer of a female egg), this is a unique area of research available to any woman in the UK.

I think their work is amazing and so important as it is aiming to break the stigma surrounding fertility and enable people to be in control of their own bodies. For a much smaller fee than private health consultations, Zonas can help to identify any barriers early and help to empower people to make their own choices. They provide this through an easy, accessible testing kit.

-

The Hormone Test is an at-home kit that tests for a hormone called Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) which can provide information on:

- how many eggs you have and whether this is in line with estimates for your age

- how close you are to menopause

- if you are a potential candidate for PCOS

- if you are a potential candidate for IVF or egg freezing

1. You will firstly order your test online and complete a medical questionnaire. This is confidential and will only be accessed by the doctors working on your report.

2. You will receive your test kit within 3-5 days. You will be provided with a lancet so that you can safely and easily prick your finger to collect your blood. Once the blood has been collected, add 10 drops to the test tube (up to the line). The test can be taken on any day of your cycle.

3. Sign and date the Test Request form so that the lab know that this is your blood and that they have consent to complete the test for you.

4. Post your sample to Zonas via the pre-paid postage envelope included.

5. Once your sample has been received, doctors will analyse your results alongside your health questionnaire.

6. You will receive your results within one week.

Please note that the information received from Zonas, although conducted within a lab, should not replace your Doctor’s opinion or suggestions. The test results are to assist with screening and do not provide a diagnosis.

Zonas recommend completing this test every 3-6 months to keep results up to date.

I have completed my test and I’m so excited for my results and the opportunity to learn more about my body.

The test was really straightforward, although definitely not for the faint-hearted. If you’re not good with blood then I wouldn’t recommend this test - you need to take 600ml of blood (so a lot more than just a simple finger prick test) and it can get quite messy! However it is really quick (takes less than 5 minutes) and an amazing option for anyone wanting to learn more.

To learn more about Zonas, follow their Instagram or visit their website.

Thank you to Sintillate Talent for setting this up and to Zonas for kindly gifting me their test and allowing me to be a part of this awareness campaign.

*Please note that although this is sponsored, all views and opinions are my own.

Spend the day in Jersey with me!

2021-10-19T20:25:00.002+01:00

Jersey is somewhere I’ve heard great things about. Everyone that has ever visited has raved about how pretty and idyllic it is so I’ve always been keen to visit.

The flight was just 45 minutes and it was so quick getting through the airport, even with the PCR testing it only took around 20-30 minutes in total.

Keep reading to see what we got up to during our jam packed day!

On the way from the airport, we stopped in St Aubin for a quick look around and a drink. This is a gorgeous little town around 10-15 minutes from St Helier (the centre of Jersey). We stopped at the Anchor Club which was amazing and looks out onto the harbour and the sea.

St Helier, the capital town of Jersey and the largest. This is a great base as it has good links to all other towns in Jersey and is also full of bars, restaurants and shops.

We spent the afternoon wandering around and taking in the gorgeous views of the harbour. We were so lucky with the weather - it was crisp and sunny. The High Street area is also filled with beautiful buildings and a variety of different shops and cafes.

The Jersey Markets are also widely-known and are super cute. Filled with florists and small businesses, this is the cutest place to spend half an hour (especially if the weather isn’t great).

- Liberation Square

- St Elizabeth’s Harbour

- High Street

- Jersey Market

In the evening we visited the Quayside Restaurant; right on the harbour serving up an array of seafood and meat dishes. I opted for the Grilled Prawns in a garlic sauce to start and the Soy Glazed Duck with dauphinois potatoes and pak choi for my main. The food was absolutely delicious and I loved the location. This would be gorgeous on a summer evening or lunch time overlooking the harbour.

- Quayside Restaurant

I can’t wait to go back & see more of Jersey! It is the perfect mini getaway spot.

My teeth transformation: Composite Veneers

2021-10-08T11:40:00.006+01:00

I’ve wanted to get my teeth done for as long as I can remember. I had braces at a really young age, between 10-11, and by the age of 18 my teeth had shifted and were quite crooked. If you follow my Instagram, you’ve probably noticed that I don’t smile on pictures (pretty much ever) and it’s purely because I’ve been conscious of my smile.

After quite a bit of research, I decided that I wanted to get Composite Bonding/Veneers as I wanted minimal harm caused to my own teeth in the process.

For me, it was really key to ensure that I found the right dentist and the right practice. I spent probably around 2 years researching different companies and actually booked in for another consultation prior to where I chose but decided it wasn’t the right fit for me.

I came across Dr Khush (@drkhush_) on Instagram and I was so impressed by his work. I particularly liked that the majority of his results were extremely natural looking which was something that was key for me. Kiss Dental (@kissdental_dentist), the practice he works for, also seemed a great fit - really professional and experienced in this area.

The first step was for me to have an initial consultation with my dentist. This is where the health of my teeth and gums were checked to ensure that I was a suitable candidate for composites, as well as whether I required any orthodontic treatment such as an Invisalign or a brace prior to the bonding.

Luckily everything was fine and it was confirmed that I was eligible for the treatment. My teeth and gums were healthy and my teeth were only slightly slanted so a straighter smile could be achieved through Composite Veneers. My top 8 teeth were showing when I presented a ‘full smile’ so I had 8 teeth done but it really does depend on your budget, as well as how many teeth show when you smile.

I then had my hygiene appointment which I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never had before. It wasn’t pleasant and involved a lot of scraping away plaque that had built up. The hygienist told me that plaque only takes 3 days to set so it is really easy to get a build up quickly.

I expected my gums to bleed a lot more than they did but it wasn’t actually too bad. My teeth just felt a little bit sensitive for the rest of the day after my treatment. I thought they looked noticeably cleaner though and I’d definitely recommend asking for this as part of your treatment if it isn’t already included.

My whitening tray moulds were also taken this day and would be prepared, to be collected at my next appointment.

The next step was to have a whitening treatment within the clinic. This was the Philips Zoom whitening system which consisted of a gel being applied to your teeth several times and being set with a UV light. The treatment took around an hour to an hour and a half which is fairly standard for whitening treatments at a dentist setting.

My teeth lifted around 2 shades from this stage of whitening which provided a really positive foundation for my teeth going forwards.

I was also able to collect my whitening trays at this appointment and began my at-home whitening.

In order to lift the shade of your teeth even more, you are required to whiten your teeth at home. I was given 2 full syringes of whitening gel, alongside my whitening trays.

The syringes contain a guide on the side up to 7 which provides an estimate of how much you gel you should use in a day (this is to be split between the two trays so that you can whiten your top and bottom teeth). I used way too much in the first day and so, after speaking to my dentist, decided to focus on whitening my bottom teeth only. I think this is a good option anyway because your top teeth will be fully covered with the veneers. However, if you are just having edge bonding, you will need to whiten both sets of teeth.

My teeth became a little bit sensitive at times but I didn’t find it to be as painful as I expected. However, you are able to add some sensitive toothpaste in with the gel if you want to which should help to reduce any sensitivity.

After around a month, it was finally time for me to have my composite veneers fitted. I felt quite apprehensive as I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long and I really didn’t know what to expect. I imagined it might hurt and so I found myself fairly nervous when I arrived for my appointment.

Dr Khush was amazing, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. We went through the shade and style that I wanted and decided on the whitest shade (as they can fade over time) and a very natural, rounded style.

This treatment took just under 2 hours but it may take slightly longer depending on where you go. Khush is an absolute expert in composite work and is booked up regularly so he was able to complete mine slightly quicker!

There were no needles and no pain. The only bad thing was having a mouth shield in to keep my mouth open and my lips out of the way. This got slightly uncomfortable at times but it wasn’t too bad. The only other thing is that there is a lot of drilling in order to shape the composite moulds once they’ve set (there is no drilling to your own teeth) so if you’re not a fan of the drill, you might not like this treatment too much.

In two weeks, I have a follow-up appointment to check that I am happy with my teeth and to discuss any issues. I will also pick up a mouth guard which I can wear every single night to prevent my teeth from chipping and moving.

I have been so happy with the process and I honestly couldn’t recommend Kiss Dental more. They have been professional, friendly and efficient throughout my treatments and everything has run smoothly. They also offer a variety of payment options, including up-front payment in full (at a discounted rate) or 0% finance to help to spread the cost over a period of time.

I am so happy with my new smile! If you’ve been thinking about Composite Bonding, just go for it! It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done and I wouldn’t look back now!

The Post Room Denton

2021-10-05T17:58:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I visited The Post Room in Denton to celebrate their first birthday. Initially opened on 1 October 2020, The Post Room aimed to provide a “city centre experience” in the local area. Located in the original Post Office building, The Post Room sticks to its origins with a “post” themed cocktail menu and a wide variety of dishes on offer.

I invited my lovely cousin H for a girls night and a well deserved catch up! The restaurant had a cosy feel, with candlelight and fairy lights alongside live music to set the ambiance.

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First things first, drinks.

I opted for a Whitley Neil Strawberry and Lemon G&T to start which was delicious. I love the Whitley Neil flavoured gins, they’re always a safe choice as you know you’re getting a good drink!

I then decided to try one of the Signature Cocktails, ‘Special Delivery’ which consists of Absolut Vodka, Limoncello, Pineapple and Lemon Thyme. Served in an ice cream cone glass (coolest glass ever), this was amazing. I absolutely loved the presentation and it was a gorgeous, fruity tasting drink.

For my main course, I opted for the Pan Fried Sea Bream Fillet served with puntalette (orzo rice), broad beans, diced asparagus, samphire and romesco sauce.

This was hands down the best sea bream I’ve had in so so long, if not ever. Big statement, I know, but wow. The flavours were incredible together and the addition of romesco sauce was perfection.

I had a side of the fat chips with this which I’d highly recommend but I couldn’t finish them as the main itself was a good sized portion so a side dish is definitely not essential.

H chose the Pumpkin Tortelloni with spinach, toasted hazelnuts and black stick blue cheese. This was beautifully presented and she really enjoyed it!

No meal is complete without dessert! Chocolate brownie is my ultimate go to- you can just never go wrong. This was gorgeous. It was really gooey and full of flavour and yet again, the presentation was spot on.

H chose The Post Room Mess, their take on an Eton mess, which was served with white chocolate shavings and meringue. I had to try a bit of this and it was amazing. I loved the addition of white chocolate- it worked really well.

The Post Room is located at:

9 Albert Street

Denton

Manchester

M34 6ZA

This is just 15 minutes out of Manchester City centre and I’d highly recommend it wherever you are located. The service is second to none and I really did get the “city centre experience” here, with the added bonus of only a 5 minute journey home!

For more information, visit their website or Instagram.

Thank you so much to The Post Room for having me and to the lovely staff Will, Dan and Adam for making my visit enjoyable.

I cannot recommend The Post Room enough! I will definitely be back very soon.

*Please note that although this post is sponsored, all views and opinions are my own.

Pizza Luxe

2021-09-13T18:28:00.003+01:00

I recently visited PizzaLuxe, a brand new pizzeria serving up gourmet pizzas, an array of cocktails and aperitivo style snacks and salads. Located in Manchester’s busy shopping centre, The Arndale, PizzaLuxe is the perfect spot to stop off and enjoy a quick bite to eat. With their day to night style vibe, this new hot spot offers food until 8pm (10pm Thursday-Saturday).

The first thing that struck me was the decor. With a mixture of greenery, lighting and a fresh colour scheme, PizzaLuxe oozes a classy simplicity.

PizzaLuxe has a wide range of freshly made cocktails, wines and beers available.

I opted for the Rosé Spritz (Lillet Rosé, strawberry, cucumber, lemon, tonic) and Bec got an Aperol Spritz (Aperol, Prosecco, soda).

My drink was quite dry so I asked for a little bit of lemonade to be added. This sweetened it up slightly and it was delicious. A sweet but refreshing drink - I would definitely recommend it.

PizzaLuxe hosts an impressive pizza menu, including the option to create your own pizza. Served on a thin base with a thick, doughy crust, you wont be disappointed by the flavours.

I opted for the Prosciutto (Prosciutto crudo, gorgonzola, rocket and parmesan shavings)

If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, I wouldn’t recommend this pizza as the gorgonzola was very strong. I personally love blue cheese so I was in my element!

Bec decided on the Palermo (Mushroom, oven baked ham hock, parmesan, truffle oil & sage).

This was divine. The parmesan melted in your mouth and the truffle oil was really strong - I love anything truffle so it was ideal for me!

The pizzas were both really good. The thin crust made them not too heavy but I loved the doughy thicker crust. I would recommend both of these pizzas if you enjoy the flavours/ingredients as they were delicious.

For more information or to make a booking, visit their Instagram or their website.

PizzaLuxe is located at:

R10 Halle Place

Manchester Arndale

M4 3AQ

If you enter next to Metro Bank and Urban Outfitters and head down the steps, you will see PizzaLuxe to your right.

Thank you so much to PizzaLuxe for having me and to Scoop PR for setting this up!

*Please note that although this was a PR visit, all views and opinions are my own and are not affiliated with PizzaLuxe or Scoop PR.

Seven54: New Menu Launch

2021-09-10T16:21:00.008+01:00

Last night I visited one of my favourite restaurants, Seven54 Cafe Bar, to sample their brand new menu. Located in the centre of Didsbury village, owners Nik and Matt rebranded Seven54 in May earlier this year and are now taking their menus to the next level, offering up a variety of Mediterranean inspired meals.

Served as a tasting menu in two waves, guests were able to try a variety of dishes as well as a generous amount of cocktails and fizz!

We were greeted with a glass of Prosecco and nibbles, including giant green olives and warm flatbread with spiced hummus.

Wave One consisted of:

- Salt & Pepper Squid with Lemon Aioli

- Korean Fried Chicken with Kimchee Mayo

- Salt baked Celeriac with Tahini & Pomegranate

- Truffle Fries

This was just insane! The salt and pepper squid was amazing. It was cooked perfectly as it wasn’t too chewy and the flavours were unreal. I also LOVED the Korean fried chicken - it was full of flavour with a sticky sauce and a hint of spice. They really need to serve this Mayo in a tub! It’s delicious.

I’m not a huge fan of celeriac so I didn’t try this dish but the truffle fries were lovely.

Wave Two consisted of:

- Mini Burger Sliders with Swiss Cheese and Truffle Mac Sauce on a Brioche Bun

- Roasted Cod Fillet with Toasted Corn, Nduja and Samphire

- Burrata with Heritage and Semi-Dried Tomato, Pickled Shallots and Basil

These three dishes blew me away. The sliders were so succulent and juicy- genuinely one of the best burgers I’ve tasted! The cheese melted in your mouth, it was amazing.

Burrata is always a favourite of mine. I order this pretty much everywhere I go. I loved the presentation of this one- it looks really eye-catching and inviting. All of the ingredients worked really well together - I would definitely order this as a customer!

Finally, the roasted cod. This was amazing. The mixture of the soft fish with the nduja spiced sauce was perfection and I really enjoyed the addition of samphire to this dish. It all worked really well together!

Dessert- my favourite time of the meal! I was not disappointed.

The Belgian waffle was incredible. We were given the choice of fresh berries or Nutella and Kinder Bueno- we obviously went with the latter! It was divine.

The warm brownie was also amazing. I would say it was more of a sticky chocolate brownie cake rather than your stereotypical brownie. This was out of this world - the ice cream and strawberries just added to the dish and it oozed flavour. Yummy!

Guests were offered unlimited drinks, including:

- Prosecco

- Asdahi Beer

- Pornstar Martini

- Spiced Strawberry Daiquri

- Bramble

(as well as any soft drinks from the menu)

The Pornstar Martinis were amazing. I also made the most of the free flowing Prosecco- my favourite drink!

Seven54 is located at:

754 Wilmslow Road

Didsbury

Manchester

M20 2DW

For more information or to make a booking, visit their website or their Instagram.

Thank you so much to Seven54 for having me. I can’t wait to visit again soon!

*Please note that although this was a PR visit, all views and opinions are my own and are in no way affiliated with Seven54.

The Life of M

My 2022 festive recommendations! *MCR Based*

On The Hush: Celebrating 1 year of Manchesters instagrammable hotspot!

Tim Hortons - Trafford Park

Prime Pass Events: Paint & Sip Manchester

Rendition MCR

Morocco Travel Tips: Marrakech Souks & Centre

My lip dissolving journey

My poolside holiday outfits

NAMII: Brunch with a Vietnamese twist!

Come for a weekend to the Lake District with me!

Vermilion

Kitchen Chronicles

Hotel Gotham: Festive Afternoon Tea

Come on a festive weekend to London with me!

Come on an overnight spa stay in Chester with me!

Saorsa Cosmetics: Self-Tanning Mousse

KBK: A Tapas Tasting Evening

German Doner Kebab

Look Fantastic: October Beauty Box

Zonas: Fertility Awareness Campaign

Spend the day in Jersey with me!

My teeth transformation: Composite Veneers

The Post Room Denton

Pizza Luxe

Seven54: New Menu Launch

My 2022 festive recommendations! MCR Based