Nautical Day

Had a very nautical Saturday at the Southampton Boat Show

Outfit details:
Top: Crew Clothing Company
Shorts: Tommy Hilfiger
Espadrilles: Tory Burch
Bag: Tory Burch

Watch: Bvlgari

Merchant Navy Memorial, Southampton

 

Top: Crew Clothing Company; Shorts: Tommy Hilfiger; Bag & Shoes: Tory Burch

Bubbleology Soho - Yelp event

Bubbleology

Soho, London

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Yummy Raspberry Tea

This was my first time at Bubbleology and thanks to The Yelp event I got to try a venue I wouldn't normally go for. 

We sampled some fantastic teas. The drinks are all refreshing and very nice. My favourites were raspberry, apply & lychee and cocoa cream tea. I also tried papaya, Oreo cream tea and vanilla cream tea but those were way too sweet.

Yummy Yummy Cocoa flavoured milk tea

They now serve alcoholic teas too and pina colada is amazing. 

You can get them with chewy tapioca pearls which gives the drinks an extra umph - though I recommend the pearls with the clear rather than milky drinks as it all gets too heavy! 

The marvellous Pina Colada Tea

I had all the drinks cold but you can have them hot.

The Oreo Milk Tea

The staff were very friendly and helpful. The event itself was great - met a lot of new yelpers. 

Yelp team, as usual, were great. It was a really good idea to put this event together to introduce us to Bubble tea!

So why 4.5 rating? I think the venue should have toilets onsite. It's strange for a drinks establishment not to have toilets!

Finally, the main drink I recommend is cold milk tea with cocoa flavour - it's tastes like the most comforting chocolate milk! Yummy!

Number 11 by Jonathan Coe

Number 11 by Jonathan Coe
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

This is a really good if you want to delve into current state of the nation. It is a really good read albeit a few flaws.

The book spans over 10 years starting in 2003 and consists of interlinked stories demonstrating how Britain has changed. Specifically, there is a lot of emphasis on how important money has become to everyone to the point of shamelessness. Some aspects will touch raw nerves of readers. I was particularly stung with the expensive cancer drug costs, which only the super rich can really afford. At least, in the book the patient could apply through Cancer Drug Fund and now thanks to our government, the fund no longer exists!
Number 11 features in each story differently and seems to be connected to one misfortune or another. Ultimately Number 11 Downing St is mentioned in the last story emphasising the changing Financial policies of the country.  
I wish there were more dialogues than prose in the book - it always helps relate to the characters. In this case, it was difficult to relate to any of them, except possibly Rachel.

The book is very gripping (except the first story) - if you can get past the first story the rest of it is very good and difficult to put down. It is funny, witty and comical in the right places. It even becomes a little "twilight zone" in the last chapter and I have to say I failed to understand the significance of the spiders so please if you review it, enlighten me!!

I highly recommend the novel

L'Opera of Brompton, London

L'Opera of Brompton

241 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London

I just went recently there for coffee and cake (or tea and cake rather). It is an elegant, spacious and affordable venue and was perfect for the occasion. The staff were very courteous and friendly. The décor is lovely. We ordered the red velvet cake and lotus cake. The lotus cake was lovely but the red velvet cake was very disappointing. The icing was very heavy (it should be light with a delicate flavour). However, it tasted strongly of cheese. The cake itself was ok - not great.

However, I have to say the other cakes, baklawas and savoury food did look very yummy and I will go again to try! The decor really is quite lovely. I love the shabby chic look, the portraits on the ceiling and the French-type furniture. It is a bloggers' heaven!
I will definitely go back!

Hampstead Antiques Emporium, Hampstead, London

I passed by Hampstead Antique Emporium when we were there for lunch at Villa Bianca (reviewed separately). When I walked in I was stunned at the lovely things you can buy there and such reasonable prices!

There are about 20 traders & stalls here offering antiques and crafts; textiles, art deco jewellery, glass, china, miniatures and so much more. I especially liked 3D greeting cards, depicting miniature worlds produced by Karrie Barron cards.

At another stall, they sell some stunning miniature boxes. I especially loved the art deco and Victorian style jewellery - and will go back to buy!! There are some lovely porcelain pieces for avid collectors.

It is such a hidden place that you can easily miss it. I was really happy I found this place - it's such a collector's heaven and the prices are so much better than what you would pay in Portobello market or elsewhere in London. Also all the stallholders are so friendly and helpful!
This is one of those secret London attractions that you have to discover for yourself and I highly recommend you do! It's amazing!

Hilton Manchester Deansgate

Hilton Manchester Deansgate

Rating: 4 out of 5

 

So this is my second review for this hotel. Stayed on the executive plus room this time (which had a jacuzzi as well) so I was ultra relaxed. The in-room dining food was disappointing this time- the food was not cooked well and very mediocre. I wonder if they have changed their cook.

The cleanliness is beyond reproach and the bathroom is perfect for a relaxing bath (and jacuzzi!)
The views from the room were beautiful - I was on the 16th floor. I just slept with the curtains wide open and it felt like I  on a roof terrace.

The room also allows access to Executive Lounge on the 23rd Floor - which you must check out for the stunning views. 

The room was big and comfortable. I loved the glass windows.

The breakfast in the morning was excellent in-room but the breakfast downstairs was very cold and stale. Even the hot water for tea was lukewarm.

The staff were all brilliant and extremely  helpful on the whole

Would recommend it but wish they would improve their food

Style edit

Tried my fabulous Sportmax dress as playful workwear for the congress and teamed it with Ferragamo pumps and Marc by Marc Jacobs messenger bag