THORNTONS TODAY I THOUGHT OF YOU

Thorntons have recently launched a new range of gifting chocolates called Today I Thought of You and i spent my Saturday evening cosied up on the sofa, munching my way through them! the range includes three different box sizes displaying messages including 'you're so fabulous' and 'especially for you'. 

the packaging of the chocs are gorgeous - i had the middle sized box which has a pink theme and includes 16 chocolate batons. my favourite baton was the 'fruity nutcase' - not only because i adore fruit and nut but because i think the name suits me to a tee! other highlights are the salted caramel and melty chocolate!

i'd definitely purchase these chocolates for myself and i think they would make the perfect present for someone at literally any occasion...i would probably buy these to cheer up friends or even as a treat for my mum or nan. you can check out the full range at: www.thorntons.co.uk 

* received as part of a thorntons goody bag

do you like the new thorntons range? 

would you buy these for a friend?

WEEK IN OUTFITS 001

i'm introducing a new weekly post to my blog today -  a 'my week in outfits' post! i've seen a few other bloggers do the same thing and thought i would join in! i love the posts which bloggers like lily melrose do of them in their actual clothes, but i find i look really awkward in front on the camera so you'll have to make do with my garments splayed out on my floor for now! 

cardigan: portobello road, top: topshop, bow: american apparel, shorts: topshop
bag: louis vuitton, boots: dr marten

bodysuit: american apparel, skirt: topshop
shoes: Christian Louboutin bag: zara

jacket: vintage market, riding pants: american apparel
boots: dr marten

camo jacket: camden market, dress: topshop
trainers: office, bag: louis vuitton

which is your favourite outfit?

STEAM POP-UP BY MIELE

when i first heard that Miele were promising diners a five course meal where you would burn more calories than you ate, i thought there was no way it could be true. i imagined the courses to be small bowls of celery served five ways - which couldn't be further from the delicious meal we were treated to by Craft Guild national chef of the year Frederick Forster.

For one night only, Steam, located in London's Covent Garden, opened its doors to a selection of journalists, bloggers and the general public to showcase the power of the steam oven. When we arrived, we were presented with a mug of hot green tea (designed to speed up our metabolism) and led downstairs for a body balance. what a way to build an appetite! 

Having been thoroughly put through our paces, we were shown to our seats in the main dining hall which was kitted out in all red and white. we were served five courses demonstrating the versatility of steaming from quail eqq cocotte, to beef fillet with beansprout salad. We even managed a dessert in the form of banana cake with confit pineapple and creme chantilly. The food was delicious and I was really impressed with the wide range of food you can prepare in a steam oven - who knew you could prepare a fillet steam with steamed water!

The night was filled with other little quirks such as vibrating seat cushions to help burn extra calories, as well as sessions of ping pong and boxing. overall it was a brilliant night - i can't see me investing in a steam oven but i can safely say Steam was a great success!

SUNDAY CUPCAKES

Seeing as it's Mother's Day, i decided to whip up a nice batch of cupcakes for her. i bought some really nice glitter sprinkles and butterflys from waitrose to put on top of the icing as decorations which look so pretty! hopefully they taste as nice as they look!

Anyone else tried their hand at baking this weekend?

what's your favourite cake?

THE RUM KITCHEN, NOTTING HILL

after meandering around portobello road market yesterday, we worked up a bit of an appetite so decided to check out the Rum Kitchen, a Caribbean themed offering tucked just behind the market road. it's a laided-back, fun, young place where they play reggae in the background as tables of people drink rum-cocktails and chow down on some great food. 

we got there just before 4pm which meant we were there just before the brunch menu finished - i was hoping to try their chicken wings and salt fish but sadly they don't serve those till later in the evening - which simply means i'll have to visit again!

i opted for a mug of the rattle skull punch which was a delicious blend of white and dark rums with lashings of fresh juice and spices while the girls tried the Rubin Carter. all three of us ordered a pulled pork sandwich which was a delicious - served in a thick brioche bun, the pork has a nice melt-in-the-mouth texture but i thought it was lacking a nice sauce to go with it so i ordered some mind-blowing 'swamp' hot sauce to drizzle on top - perfect!

you can find the Rum Kitchen located at 6-8 All Saints Road, W11  - make sure you head down for a visit!

PORTOBELLO ROAD MARKET

i headed up to portobello road this afternoon with two of my friends from work to trawl the streets for some bargains! on the walk down from notting hill gate station we past what looks like a Banksy artwork! i'm not 100% sure if its a genuine but its being protected by a plastic cover so i'm leaning towards believing that it is!

Portobello road is filled with antique and vintage jewellery stores so you can pick up some great bargains! there's tons of quriky clip-on earrings which i love so  i literally hauled my way through piles of them on to find the perfect pat butcher style! you have to shop around and don't be afraid to haggle - some places start with extortionate prices but you can usually get them down with enough bargaining

portobello road is also filled with lots of street food outlets offering hot dogs, basa fish wraps, pastries and pizza - down the very end near portobello green market there is a little food market where they serve noodle soups, curries and some delicious jerk chicken! it's definitely worth a visit!

anyone else been to portobello road?

what are your favourite weekend markets?

THORNTONS MUM OF THE YEAR LAUNCH EVENT

I spent this afternoon in the company of Thorntons eating scones and smoked salmon sandwiches to mark the launch of their Mum of the Year 2013 competition. The event was held at the prestigious Claridge's where Thorntons treated guests to a variety of chocolate pampering treatments (including chocolate orange hand masks) and a delicious selection of chocolate before we were served afternoon tea in the world famous tea room.

It was a really lovely and relaxing afternoon - a couple of guests even brought their mums to share the day with them! Thorntons also rounded off the event perfectly by treating everyone to a generous goody-bag filled with chocolates to take home.

To nominate your mum, simply visit www.thorntons.co.uk/mumoftheyear and fill in the online form along with why your mum deserves to win. The lucky mum and daughter pair will be treated to a luxurious spa break and a year's supply of chocolate - yum!

have you bought your mum a gift yet?

will you be entering your mum as Thorntons Mum of the Year?

SCOTHOT 2013,

this week, i flew to Glasgow to attend ScotHot 2013, for a live culinary competition. my work put me up in the fabulous Malmaison hotel in Glasgow town centre. the room was gorgeous, everything was really modern and chic and the whole  hotel had a real 'boutique' vibe to it. 

the competition itself was brilliant - the seven student teams had one hour and 45 minutes to create a three-course menu of four covers to be judged by a panel of experts - fortunately i got to be one of these taste-testers! i've posted photos of all the food below - what do you think?!

- my thoughts exactly.... -

any budding chefs out there?

what is your signature dish?