Time to go t’up North

Normally, being woken up at 6 o’clock in the morning is usually the worst thing in the world for me. There is nothing more I love than my sleep, so when my partner James woke me up, it was safe to say I was fully prepared to have a tantrum until he let me go back to bed. That was until he offered to drive us on a road trip to Manchester. So yeah, that caught my attention!

Must eat Mowglis, Corn Exchange.

I ordered a Mowgli Paneer (paneer cheese in a spicy tomato and peas sauce) with basmati rice, and James ordered a Bunny Chow

If you love authentic, Indian cuisine then look no further. Mowgli’s serve their flavoursome food in tiffins, that deceivingly small but once on your plate leave you with a mountain of food! As a recently converted vegetarian, their Mowgli paneer is the best veggie curry I’ve ever had! For £7.25 (plus £2.50 for rice), the quality of the food is incredible, and you can tell every dish is cooked with the upmost care. With swing sets and fairy lights to give the restaurant a soft glow, the vibe is energetic and full of life, making a delightful dining experience.

Must drinkPot Kettle Black, Barton Arcade.

Got caught peeping at the cocktail menu, is 2pm too early for a mimosa?

They describe themselves as ‘Antipodean coffee culture with a northern accent’, and they hit the nail on the head. With fresh, vibrant food and smatterings of Northern touches in the décor – the coffee shop is a cosy, quiet break from the bustling streets of shoppers. We decided to skip the food at PBK and head straight to the coffee. At £3.00, I was delightfully surprised when my hot chocolate arrived with not only a chocolate wafer, but a small glass of water to help wash down the borderline too-rich chocolate. James’ flat white (£2.90) arrived similarly, both of us agreeing that the coffee shop was an excellent find.

Must see – Central Perk café, Primark.

The interior design was definitely a big hit with Friends fans who we spoke to

The Central Perk café was just as cool in person as you could imagine; with décor featuring the infamous couch and art work of all the iconic symbols that represent the show – a Friends fan would have to try hard to find a fault. But honestly the drinks were a bit lacklustre. We ordered a strawberry milkshake and another flat-white, and when my milkshake was okay at best. The fake artificially flavouring left an odd taste in my mouth, that thankfully James’ coffee managed to get rid of. Would I say it was a great café? Probably not. But it’s definitely a fun place to visit for the photo opportunities.

I hope to go back to Manchester soon, let me know where I should visit next! Catch you next time!

Bristol: more than just a lovable accent?

When choosing a University, I tried to venture out as much as I possibly could. From all the way up north, to the coastal south – no matter where I looked, I always was drawn back to Bristol. It seemed like a mini London, with amazing food, great nightlife and even greater accents. I felt like I could see myself thriving here, truly making a life for myself and grow into the woman I wanted to be as a little girl. Since moving here it’s felt like a home away from home. I’ve adapted to the pace and the way of life here – I can’t imagine that I’d have enjoyed anywhere else more. Id like to think I’ve grown a bit, though I still go home if a cold does last longer than a week. But it feels like home here, and I want to tell you my favourite bits about my newly founded home.

Must eat Pinkmans, Park Street.

The seating at the back of the establishment lets you watch the pizzas be made

Pinkmans is the perfect place to go to study and have a laugh and catch up with friends. Offering food that ranges from sandwiches to pastries, you can be guaranteed theres something for everyone in this discreet café. Especially when they have a deal of any pizza and beer for £10 after 5pm daily, their garlic oil is an actual taste of heaven. Plants and exposed light bulbs surround the back-seating area, making it extra cosy when you’re sat there with a glass of their delicious home-made watermelon and pineapple cold press.

Must drink The Florist, Park Street and Mary-Janes, Whiteladies Road.

Trying to be all cool with an attempt at a candid photo in The Florist

The seasonal flower display in the window is one of the many reasons this is probably one of my favourite bars in Bristol. The Florist is a Pinterest lovers heaven – from flower walls to neon signs, the décor of this bar is to absolutely die for. Ideal for a date night, cocktails ranging from £7.50 to the pricier £9.50 include edible flowers and are bursting with citrus and floral flavours. Twists on traditional cocktails make The Florist unique, this bar is a must if you stop by Bristol!

However, if you’re not going to be drinking I’d recommend Mary-Janes for coffee with a twist. Mary Janes is Bristol’s first CBD coffee shop, priding itself on their win-win combination of using the oil and great flavours to compliment each other in their food. With the choice of adding 10mg shot for 50p (double for £1) to any of their drinks, it’s the perfect location for those who want to try CBD and just as great for those who don’t. With friendly staff able to answer any question you have, the relaxed atmosphere brings in a cosy, calm atmosphere to its customers.

Must see – Clifton Suspension Bridge/Clifton Observatory, Clifton.

Not the view from the Observatory, but just as beautiful!

One of the most iconic views in Bristol, you haven’t truly seen the city until you’ve climbed up the hill to gaze at the 360 ° view of the bridge whilst drinking a cider at the Clifton Observatory. With a newly re-furbished café, you can enjoy basking in the sun in the summer or cuddle up to a loved one with a hot chocolate to watch the sunset at night, the café is open throughout the year. If you want to delve into a bit of History, you can also by tickets to view the Giants Cave and the camera obscura, with a ticket for both costing just £4.00 for an adult and £2.50 for under 14s.

Tell me if you’ve been to Bristol, and where I should check out next! Catch you next time!

You can take the girl out of London…

Growing up in London, you get used to the jokes and the stereotypes. My favourite is that because I’m a Londoner, I’m oblivious about the rest of the country. Which I won’t lie to you, is kinda true. Besides from visiting family in Bournemouth and Warwick, I’d never actually been to the North and have only been to the West Country once.

Here’s where a Londoner out of London comes in. I want see what England has to offer and I want to take you all along with me for the ride; offering my personal recommendations on all the best places to eat, drink and must-sees.

However, it wouldn’t feel right to start a recommendations blog without starting with home – London.

Now I know what you must be thinking, it’s a capital city – how in the hell are you going to fit that all into one post? I could go on about my home city for hours, but I promise I’ll keep it short. Think of this as your must list if you only have 24 hours in the city to experience the weird, the wonderful and the downright awesome.

Must eat – Beigel Bake, Brick Lane.

A 24-hour family run bagel shop hidden in Shoreditch, this simple shop is a must go if you’re feeling peckish. Be warned, there’s always a queue but with quick service it shouldn’t put you off. Ranging from Nutella bagels to home made salt beef and pickles – these hefty bagels are bound to fill you up and leave you feeling stuffed and satisfied.

Must drinkThe Alchemist, St Martins Lane.

Using alchemy and science (and I’m convinced a little bit of magic) to bring these cool cocktails to life, you’ll leave more than impressed and probably a bit more than tipsy. Located just off of Covent garden and down the road from Theatre Land, The Alchemist is a great stop off for a cheeky lunch time drink or a night out with the girls pre or post theatre. With cocktails ranging from £7.50 to the slightly pricier £9.50, they also have created a massive £40

The dark, chic exterior is a perfect venue to get all glammed up and experience what I call ‘fancy London’.

Must seeGod’s Own Junkyard, Walthamstow.

With retro and vintage signs to modern and artsy, there’s enough to suit everyone

Now this tucked away gem in a modest warehouse is an Instagramers DREAM! With free entry, you’re allowed to wander round this maze of dazzling lights for as long as you desire. There are no professional cameras allowed so make sure you bring your smart phone with a lot of free space so you can capture as much as you’d like. It also has a little coffee shop in the corner that offers hot drinks, pastries and even a limited menu of cocktails, a great stop in-between your DIY photoshoots.

Leave a comment below and tell me if you’ve been here and what you thought, I’ll catch you next time!