Getting my stir fry on with Lotus Wok

Ching-He Huang cooking up a tasty stir fry

On Wednesday I spent my lunchtime wokking up delicious dishes with international TV chef, Ching-He Huang.

If anyone knows how to cook a good stir-fry then it’ll be Ching! You might recognise her on TV cookery shows like Saturday Kitchen, showing off her fab cookery skills. Ching’s cooking is a cool fusion of tradition and innovation as her cooking combines fresh, ethically sourced ingredients, Chinese heritage and modern flavours, making her the hottest Chinese chef of the moment.

So I was delighted to be invited to the Cookery School, just off Oxford Street, to cook healthy dishes with Ching and learn some quick and easy lunch recipes.

Ching demonstrated the different recipes using the new Lotus Wok. Whether your stir frying or deep frying, to get the best wok cooking requires the right heat, the right utensils and most importantly the right surface.  Made from carbon steel, the Lotus Wok it is suitable for every kind of hob including my gas fire and durable enough to handle the high temperatures needed for stir-frying!

Ching showing us different recipes using the Lotus Wok

Another benefit is that the Lotus Wok has a special nan—silica coating surface so it isn’t like the ordinary non-stick pan and cleverly replicates the natural properties of a lotus leaf. And there are lots of advantages I found using it. Not only is it water repellent, making it easier to clean but it is oleophilic which means it still allows oil, to permeate the surface and influence the flavours of your cooking.

If you’re looking for an authentic taste, then I would recommend purchasing the Lotus Wok. It can be used for all types of cooking not just stir-frying but deep-frying, pan-frying, searing, smoking, steaming, stewing, braising, and blanching! But the best part is the Lotus effect – the special nano silica coating that replicates the natural properties of the lotus leaf, and infuses flavour into your cooking for that authentic taste you’re aiming to create.

The Lotus Wok set from JML

The Lotus Wok set includes:

• 30cm carbon steel Lotus Wok
• 30cm glass lid
• 1x stainless steel steamer rack
• 1x wooden spatula
• 1x pair of wooden chopsticks
• Plus Ching He Huang's cook book "Eat Clean: Wok Yourself to Health" that comes free with every purchase

Ching’s cookbook is full of tasty and inspiring dishes which are also healthy too. This was exactly what I was looking for – recipes that are easy to follow and simple enough to use in my everyday cooking.  

After a Lotus Wok set of your own? You can purchase it from JML here for £49.99. 

*Disclaimer: The products featured were gifted to me for review however all words and opinions are my own*

Rave-A-Roo Event Giveaway!

Fantastic family event for half term

An entirely new clubbing experience for the family, is launching this half term and everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, are invited to join the fun.

Launching on Friday 19^th February 2016 at London’s most iconic club, Ministry of Sound, Rave-A-Roo is an entirely new concept. The event is a fun fusion of festival vibes and a clubbing atmosphere aimed at families and their children where they can all party together and get their rave on!

It’s the ultimate party with top DJs, the Disco Ball Games, a Big Fish Little Fish takeover, LIVE stage performances, hosts Tom and Adam (from Babyhead and Lost & Found), PlayGlow toys, confetti mayhem, neon craft, Glow Chill Room, and a UV tattoo station. And that isn't just for the children…

But don’t worry, parents haven’t been forgotten! There is a fully licensed bar with tea, coffee and snacks, a convenient onsite buggy park and baby changing facilities too.

Rave-A-Roo offers unique and safe environment for families, including professional security, carefully monitored sound levels and beautifully lit rooms.  And unlike some outdoor family events, it’s all under one roof away so you can you can enjoy yourself and hit the dance floor without worrying about the unpredictable weather.

Further dates in iconic venues around the UK, including more dates in London, Bristol, Brighton, Cardiff, Liverpool and Manchester, to be announced.

There are so many benefits to this fab event, which is why I’m giving away a Rave-A-Roo family ticket for the 1pm-3pm session on Friday 19 February 2016. All you have to do to enter is leave your name and email address in the comments section below.  Competition closes at midnight on 16^th February 2016. Good luck!

For more tickets, you can purchase directly from the website www.rave.-a-roo.com/tickets  

*Terms & Conditions* The prize includes 4 tickets (2 adults and 2 children) to the Rave-a-Roo event on 19th February 2016, 1pm-3pm session. Travel and other expenses are not included in this prize.  The giveaway closes at midnight on 16th February 2016. Good Luck!

Special ways to spend Valentine's Day in London

 Special ways to spend Valentine's day, 2016

It's less than a week away until Valentine's day and it's not too late to get your plans together to make this 2016 the best Valentine's day yet!

Here's my guide on where and how to spend Valentine's day in London this year:

 Celebrate Valentine's day at the Jazz Box

Jazz Box

The JazzBox in Shepherds Bush has pulled out all the stops and presents London’s most glitzed Valentine’s Day event. Whether you are taken or single, enjoy London’s finest jazz / funk / soul spot for a night of sophisticated attire, roses, champagne, and serenading love music.

With a host of London's best musicians, a delicious three-course meal and the sort of soft-lighting marriages are made of, there are few better ways to spend Valentine's day this year.

Sunday 14 February at 19.00, tickets between £43.39–£317.69 visit here to book.

 Cabaret at Zigfrid von Underbelly, Hoxton

Burlesque & Cabaret at Chic BonBon's Valentine's Special

Enjoy an evening of burlesque and cabaret this Valentine's day that will leave you spellbound and open-mouthed at Zigfrid von Underbelly in Hoxton. Think Parisian glamour in all its sensual, seductive 1920s glory. What better way to get your blood pumping this Valentine's than by joining Chic BonBon's electrifying performers for this thrilling evening.

Sunday 14 February, tickets £15 available here. 

A romantic ride on the Love Bus

Make it a date to remember and take a romantic ride on a double decker bus tour of London. Enjoy an evening of sightseeing with added spark and take in London’s iconic sights. It's the perfect way to give your partner a night to remember in the capital.

You will be warmly welcomed on board the bus with a cosy blanket, sparkling glass of champagne, a single red rose to present to your partner and a box of chocolates to share as you toast to an unforgettable evening exploring the capital. Plus you'll be serenaded with a classic tunes throughout the evening too!
£69.00 for two people - book your tickets here.

 New cocktails to try at Kettners

Cocktails at Kettners

Lover of cocktails? Then head to Kettner's where their very talented bartenders have created two exclusive cocktails for 2016's Valentine's period.  Available from 6th - 15th February, tickle your tastebuds with "Lost My Cherry", a tasty martini with a sunken cherry and handmade pink sugar rim or "The Old Soho Fox" a special take on the popular "Old Fashioned". And if you really want to treat your partner then why not indulge in a 3 course special Valentine's meal in the restaurant?

Valentine's day meal £49.50 per person available between 14-15 February visit here to book

Häagen-Dazs - the perfect dessert for a night in

Staying in is the new going out...

Who wants to be squashed between tables at an over crowded restaurant with couples on PDA over load anyway?! Save a fortune and cook your loved one their favourite meal. 

Check out Jamie Oliver's recipes that come with easy to follow recipe videos too http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes. Keep it easy and simple with BBC Food's Valentine Day inspired dishes http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/feature/valentines-day. Or check out food bloggers the Gastro Gays for their indulgent recipes like pumpkin spice duck or homemade kebabs - all with an Irish twist! 

And finally for desert go for something simple but delicious like Häagen-Dazs to tell you about our delicious Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream; soft cheese ice cream, crumbling biscuit that has been blended together to create a version of the classic New York cheesecake. Making this dessert the perfect partner this Valentine’s Day!

Your partner will appreciate all the effort you have gone to and you don't have to spend a fortune. Perfect!

Five Thoughts on Turning 30

Can you guess how old I am...?

Last month I turned 30. Where does the time fly?! The closer I got to my birth date, the more I started thinking about what I had learned and achieved during my (almost) 30 years on earth. Am I happy? Am I older and wiser? Had I followed through on all aspirations and dreams I had set myself? 

Google “turning 30” and there are countless articles about what this should mean and some resonated with me. Yes, university was a fantastic learning experience (in more ways than one) yes, I’m glad I made the time to go travelling and see some amazing countries (and will continue to do so), yes I'm living a more grown up life (happily married, being further along in my career), and as you grow older you realise just how important family is, more than ever. 

All of these points are true and I find I identify with many but I can't help but think these articles based on the idea of “30 things to do before turning 30” if you can't tick off at least half of these amazing "things" makes you feel like a total failure and you're doomed to a life of a loser.

Personally I don’t think you can put a timeline on these things and certain decisions or outcomes in your life are out of your hands. You can do everything you can to make this “thing” happen, set yourself goals (I’m a fan of this!), but sometimes despite all the trying (and non-trying)  in the world, life just doesn’t work out that way.

So instead, I decided to do a blog post on my five thoughts on turning 30 that have resonated with me and wanted to share with my readers. So here are mine:

Relationships are everything – The people you love are the most important things in your life, whether that is family or friendships, these relationships you have with others can help you get through anything. Yes work is important but relationships with family or friends are equally as important too. When things get hectic or times get tough it can be easy to isolate yourself from your loved ones but human beings need each other. That is a fact of life, so why fight it? Reciprocation is key in all relationships, so I aim to make the time and effort to keep up my relationships with family and friends. Try to remember to remind those people close to you that you appreciate them. They may not be around forever…

Be kind – always. Even when you don’t want to, even to those who are not kind to you. Being kind is not only a good act, but showing an act of kindness makes you feel better too. Mother Theresa once said: “If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.”  Being kind is more important than being right, or having the last word. Sometimes there is no point in proving to someone that you know the answers when it’s going to cause a riff. Ever heard the saying "silence is golden"? Well use that the next time you want the last word, just be kind and humble instead!

Don't be too hard on yourself - The most important relationship you have is the one with yourself, so why give yourself such a hard time? We put so much pressure on ourselves from everything to our careers, relationships, friendships, even appearances, to achieve an ideal or standard of living. Sometimes it's ok if things don't go according to plan or don't work out. If you ever feel like the pressure is too much, taking time out to focus on yourself and reevaluating your decisions can put things into better perspective. Having a good relationship with yourself gives you important insights into your life. That means the ability to value yourself as a person, and embrace your strengths and weaknesses.  But it also means not to be so hard on yourself too! Everyone makes mistakes, so take the lessons you learned from it and move forward.

Balance your budget – Champagne taste on a beer budget? Still struggling to manage your money? Then now is the time to start organising this area of your life. It's never too late to get your finances in check and there is lots you can do to get started: start budgeting your monthly spending, open a savings account, build up your credit, check your bank balance regularly are just a few. To get some more ideas, check out useful websites that give practical advice on saving money like Money Saving Expert tips here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/chat-tips-gold

Give Back - There is nothing more rewarding than lending a helping hand. Being of service to someone in need is probably the most important thing that all of us can do. And selfishly, it makes you feel good. Plus you never know when you’re going to be that person in need. If you’re looking for ways to give back, check out https://do-it.org/ and https://www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/i-want-to-volunteer for tips and guidance on where to start.

I hope you find my thoughts on turning 30 useful! These are just a few of the things I've learned along the way, I would love to hear yours! Message below or contact me doyounoah@ymail.com 

Fountain Court Stewart Apartments Edinburgh

Fountain Court, Stewart Apartments 

Over the weekend I took a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland and was invited to stay at Fountain Court, award winning luxury serviced apartments, right in the city centre.

A serviced apartment is fully furnished apartment available for both short-term as well as long-term stays, providing all the hotel-like amenities.   Fountain Court’s Stewart apartments are located on a cobbled street of Edinburgh, a stone’s throw from the city centre so conveniently located to all the shops, bars and restaurants of George Street.  

A short walk from Waverly Station, we were within close distance of all the local attractions too like Edinburgh Christmas Market which runs until 4th January, Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens, Arthur’s Seat and if you wanted a tour of the city (or even a ghost tour!), then you could hop on a green or red bus tour from Waverley Bridge a few minutes walk away from the apartments.

Serviced apartments are increasingly becoming more popular as an alternative to hotels and I can see why. They offer many advantages in comparison to hotel rooms.  Far more living space and a home away from home experience are just a few of them.

I stayed in a one bed modern apartment which had the perfect combination of all the luxury of a hotel and all the comforts of home including a fully equipped kitchen, lounge and free Wi-Fi. There was also a 24 hour reception team on hand which was incredibly helpful too.

 

Open plan lounge plus kitchen/dining area

The apartment was spacious with a good sized bathroom, bedroom and living room area all furnished with modern decor. My favourite feature of the room was the open plan lounge and kitchen/dining area, it was well laid out and had everything you needed included a dishwasher, washing machine and refrigerator. We had breakfast packs for our first morning (see below) which was great and can be arranged through booking.

 

 

 Kitchen equipped with fridge, dishwasher plus utensils and cutlery

Our bedroom with wardrobes and a dressing area too

 

Bathroom and shower

Edinburgh is a beautiful city and great for exploring. Staying in a luxury serviced apartment like Fountain Court gives you the flexibility to explore Edinburgh on your own terms while enjoying all the luxury of a hotel. 

Staying at Fountain court was great as it allows you to shape your city break the way you wish to explore the city, so whether you want to visit tourist attractions and sight see in the historic Old Town or explore the cocktail bars and shopping in the New Town, Fountain Court apartments are perfectly located to do so.  I loved having the option to dine in using my apartment’s fully equipped kitchen facilities too. Having this choice really gives a feeling of being home away from home, that you won’t get by staying in a hotel. 

Here are some of the benefits staying in a serviced apartment:

Save on expensive restaurants 

Fountain Court apartments gives guests the options to dine in and the stylish, fully equipped kitchens allow you to cook your own meals, thus saving money for other things like visiting tourist attractions (or in my case shopping!). 

Parking 

Parking is often not available or an expensive additional cost. At Fountain Court apartments, there is ample parking and at a good rate of £15 per day at Stewart apartments.

More Space, Privacy and Flexibility 

Separate living areas are great and gives you the space to work, sleep and entertain at your own leisure in comfortable, home away from home surroundings.  Staying in a serviced apartment means you can enjoy lounging in your pyjamas all morning and don't have to stick to rigid breakfast times as the breakfast can be served in the kitchen or you can explore the city and have breakfast in town.

If you are looking for a home away from home with the added benefit of the amenities provided on a hotel stay, a serviced apartment could be the perfect option for you.  It really is the best of both worlds!

To book a stay at Fountain Court apartments visit www.fountaincourtapartments.com
Email: enq@fountaincourt.com 
Call: +44 (0) 131 622 6677

*Disclaimer: My stay at Fountain Court - Stewart Apartments was complimentary but all words and opinions are my own*

French Louis Chair Reupholster

  Before and after

A few years ago I bought this beautiful French Louis chair from my local charity shop, Emmanus. The moment I laid my eyes on the chair, it was love at first sight, despite the tired looking olive coloured fabric and unvarnished wood. I know good quality furniture when I see it and I wasn't letting this one go!

I knew in time I could reupholster it, so wasn't too bothered about the style of the chair until one day I had finally had enough of looking at the poor thing. This chair deserved better and I knew it had the potential to look amazing, so project "renovate louis chair" began!

My French Louis armchair before the reupholster

Over the years I have worked on numerous upcycling projects – painting chairs, coffee tables, tv stands and bookshelves, the list is endless.  However reupholstery is a different type of project.

Having visited the reupholstery shop and seen the upholsterer in action, I am much more aware of the different phases it takes to reupholster a chair. This is a real skill left to the professionals! The techniques the upholsterer uses are truly amazing. The entire chair was stripped right to the frame and rebuilt to its former glory.

But before the chair was stripped down, firstly I had to choose the new fabric. Choosing the fabric for your chair might seem like an easy decision but with so much choice of fabric on offer, it can be difficult choosing the right one. I had seen lots of ideas and designs on Pinterest and kept a board of my favourite images, however, I wanted to make sure that the fabric would go with the colour scheme of my bedroom: white and silver with warm grey tones.

Example of the many fabrics available to choose from

The shop had lots of fabrics to choose from, it was like being in a sweet shop! In the end I chose this striped fabric with blue, green, yellow and brown colours, which goes perfectly with my bedroom decor. 

The chosen fabric

The chair looks fantastic and the varnishing and priming work done on the wood looks great, just like brand new.  I'm equally really pleased with my choice of fabric, it's amazing how a different fabric can give a chair a new lease of life and it's the perfect addition to my bedroom. 

 So pleased with the finished chair reupholstery

Although I physically did very little, picking the fabric was definitely the hardest decision I had to make in this project so I thought I would share my top three tips for choosing the right fabric:

Pick the right style

There are so many different styles of chairs, louis chair, wing chair, recliners etc and each chair has its unique style so make sure the style compliments your home décor too. The perfect fabric can add a lot of character to your chair and can either compliment or clash with your décor – so choose wisely!

Pick the right pattern

Patterned chairs can look great and are a good way to add character to a room.  A patterned chair can be a focal point for a room or it can simply add a bit of depth and is a great way to showcase your brilliant eye for design!  On a practical note, most patterns can hide stains and wear better than plain fabric. However, you may be able to get away with having certain patterns on smaller chairs but it may not work as well on a large armchair so this is worth considering too.

Pick the right fabric

The fabric you pick for your chair, is really important and can often be overlooked. Yes the pattern and colour might be "perfect" but remember is the fabric ideal for how you plan to use your chair?

Upholstery fabric determines the longevity of your chair so by using combination fabrics or engineered fabrics these tend to be more durable than natural ones.  Also fabrics that are woven patterns tend to hold up longer than patterns that are printed onto fabrics.

Another factor to consider is choosing strong colours in a very sunny room in case of fading. If you do choose a bold colour then try rotating cushions which will help to slow the process of fading.  However what is most important is choosing a fabric that works for you on a daily basis and also achieves the style you wanted.

The finished product - my reupholstered French Louis chair

Montagu Place – a hidden gem in the heart of Marylebone

Montagu Place located in Marylebone

Last weekend, I was invited to stay at the recently renovated Montagu Place, a boutique hotel located in the heart of Marylebone.

This beautiful getaway destination is situated in a quiet location near Baker Street, and a short stroll from Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Selfridges and Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.  It’s also close to many restaurants including Galvin Bistrot de Luxe, Chiltern Fire House or for something a bit cheaper there's Meat Liquor. We had dinner in the Grazing Goat, a gastropub nearby serving delicious food and tasty craft beers.

 Hall way

 Lounge

Montagu Place is a beautiful grade II listed Georgian townhouse, with 16 guest bedrooms divided into three categories: Comfy, Fancy and Swanky. Each bedroom is as charming and lovely as they sound.  The Comfy quarters are decorated with a rich aubergine theme with heather and dusky pink, whereas the Fancy bedrooms have simple classic neutral theme.

 Swanky bedroom

 

I stayed in the Swanky bedroom, a charming room also decorated throughout with neutral tones and classically inspired furniture like sleek black coffee table, leather armchairs and lampshades in soft neutral colours. The décor is simple but chic and unlike some boutique hotels that can make a room feel cold, Montagu Place manages to get the right mix of both comfortable and stylish.

All the 16 individually decorated rooms have free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, coffee makers, free bottled water are among the other amenities available to guests. Guests can enjoy continental breakfast, room service, 24 hour reception and even a snug lounge with a mini bar that serves drinks into the evening.

Breakfast is served in the dining room

Although Montagu Place has 16 bedrooms, it is small but perfectly formed.  The hotel is so homey you forget you are a paying guest, especially if you’re staying in a Swanky bedroom.  The environment is complimented with the warm and friendly staff who were both helpful and attentive, ensuring we were comfortable throughout our stay here.

These small hotel gems are among London's best assets but you just need to know where to find them! If you’re looking for a boutique hotel that brings both luxury and comfort then you must visit Montagu Place, a true hidden gem in the heart of London.

For more information on Montagu Place Hotel visit the website here.

*Disclaimer: My stay at Montagu Place Hotel was complimentary but all words and opinions are my own*