Tag Archives: Shopping

Finding Inspiration in Bonne Maman Desserts

Little angular jars of Bonne Maman jams, jellies, and compotes have sat on breakfast tables across the UK for decades, so imagine my surprise and delight to find that its brother branch, the brand’s lineup of fine cakes, biscuits, and tartlets, work as a great accompaniment to old favourites or as a tasty stand-alone treat. Continue reading

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The George Foreman Grill “Evolves”

The George Foreman has grown up; the new “Evolve” model is described as “the next generation”. New features such as a deep bake pan mean you can easily create so much more than the toasties, paninis and grilled meats associated with the earlier versions. It’s now possible to cook small stews, casseroles and even pizzas using the grill. Continue reading

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Win a Variety Pack of Jaz & Jul’s Origin Mixture Drinking Chocolate

Award winning independent chocolate makers, Jaz & Jul’s, are launching a new Origin range of drinking chocolates. Featuring three single-origin dark hot chocolates made with cacao grown in a different region (Madagascar, Peru, Brazil) for a collection of subtle yet indulgent flavours. Keen to find out how to get a sneaky peek taste ahead of all the other choco-fiends? Keep reading, my cocoa loving friends. Continue reading

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Review of Moët Academy

Last week Maddie Salters embarked upon an adventure in London’s Southbank that would take her into the heart of France’s Champagne region. Celebrated brand Moët & Chandon re-created the vineyards and wine cellars of its lush estate at OXO along the … Continue reading

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Record Store Day in Kingston, Jamaica (OneTravel)

Long gone are the days when the streets of Kingston, Jamaica were chockablock with record shops. And with most folks listening to music by digital means and piracy all too often used, the days of many music retailers still in … Continue reading

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My Simple Italian by Theo Randall – Book Review (Great British Chefs)

Fellow alum of the kitchens at Hammersmith’s fabled River Café, Jamie Oliver likes the book and reckons it’s the “most deliciously gorgeous Italian cookbook I’ve seen in a long, long time.” Enough said? Maybe. But please indulge me in my own humble rave about this book featuring “100 inspired recipes from one of Britain’s best Italian chefs.” Continue reading

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Moët & Chandon: The Champagne Region Comes to Londontown

Moët & Chandon is perhaps the most recognisable name in Champagne. Its impressive estate, nestled into the heart of the Champagne Region of France, produces full-bodied sips, often with bold fruity notes and a gentle finish. As of 13 April, Moët & Chandon will bring the magic of its Épernay vineyards to Southbank in London, to delight the palates and imaginations of visitors. Continue reading

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Recipe: Half Dipped Madeleines

When the friendly folks at Bonne Maman UK got in touch with me to see if I’d be up for creating with a recipe using their madeleine as the main ingredient, I was keen to give it a shot. But, I wondered what to do with something that’s already a perfectly complete treat in and of itself. So, I took the easy way out and did very little … and was pleased with the tasty results. I hope you’ll like my ideas for super simple Half Dipped Madeleines. Continue reading

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New Fangled Old Fashioneds with Woodford Reserve

The Old Fashioned is pretty much my go-to cocktail these days. And if it’s made with Woodford Reserve, well then all the better. So an invitation to attend an Old Fashioned masterclass hosted by Woodford Reserve brand ambassador Tom Vernon at South Place Hotel’s SPIES Society bar and to enter a Classic American Cocktail competition based on my takeaway from the event was greatly appreciated. Continue reading

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Win a Box of Wine from The Grape Club

I have recently tried and would love to recommend to you The Grape Club,– an online London-based subscription service that sends an assortment of four bottles of wine in a sturdy and easily transportable box to its members every month. There’s no membership fee, just a month payment of £45, which covers all the costs of having the club deliver a quartet of smartly selected quality quaffs directly to your door. Keep reading for more grape news about this new service as well as details about the chance to win a selection of four wines from The Grape Club. Continue reading

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Hot Cross Easter Creations from Paul A Young and The Bread Factory

For Easter 2015, Paul A Young Fine Chocolates has teamed up with North London’s The Bread Factory for a range of hot cross bun creations that are big on traditional seasonal flavours and offered in a fascinating variety of combinations, including a limited run hot cross bun caramel spread, truffle and brownie. Continue reading

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JD X Puma: Trinomic XT1 Treasure Hunt

Running (pun intended) alongside the launch of the Puma Trinomic XT1, JD Sports has teamed up with Puma and five magazines for a sneaker-ific treasure hunt across four UK cities and then New York. The hunt starts today (18 March 2015), and first up is London where somewhere an empty branded trainer display box has been placed. The lucky person who gets to it before anyone else will win two pairs of Puma XT1 trainers as well as the display box. Keen for clues? Ready, steady … Continue reading

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Win The Easter Collection from Hotel Chocolat

What’s in Hotel Chocolat’s 2015 Easter Collection? What isn’t? might be the better question to ask! Keep reading to find out how you can win this epic assortment of chocolaty Easter treats for yourself. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #40

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Morty & Bob’s Pop-Up at … Continue reading

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Kimonoé Kyoto at Atomica Gallery

New to the Atomica Gallery Soho from March 9th, Kimonoé seeks to weave together the threads of ceremonial Japanese fashion with modern utility to find a place for a new breed of kimono in fast-paced, multi-cultural London. In artist Tomo Shinya’s debut show, contemporary luxury and traditional elegance are the bywords. Maddie Salters shares her experience from a recent Kimonoé presentation at the gallery. Continue reading

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Tequila with Zing

World of Zing’s new range of Flavoured Salts is delicious; the salts pair especially well with Tequila Ocho – the world’s first single field (and still only?) premium tequila – for a most flavoursome margarita, and a fine bar for enjoying said cocktails is El Nivel near Covent Garden. Oh yeah, one more thing: World of Zing and Tequila have teamed up to launch a bottled Persian Lime and Nori Margarita cocktail. It’s yet to hit the market, but based on the sips I took a tasting a few weeks back, I can confirm it’s a lip smacker that’s well worth a wait. I reckon it’d make a terrific thirst quencher served just about anywhere you hanker to have it. Continue reading

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March Issue of UK Cigar Scene Out Now

The third issue of the monthly UK Cigar Scene Magazine is now online and ready for download. Each issue of UK Cigar Scene is free to download and includes a video interview with a key cigar personality along with news … Continue reading

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Could Your Pooch be a PiCKUP Ninja? #chocninja

As Crufts 2015 opens its doors today with parades of perfectly pampered pooches, another dog competition is launching nationwide, and anyone can get involved. Yes, that’s right, the hunt is on across the UK for the final canine contestant to … Continue reading

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PB & Me: My Nutty Month with Pip & Nut

Putting the nut back in nutritious, Pip & Nut is a new natural foods brand offering health conscious shoppers a range of super tasty spreads: peanut butter, almond butter, and coconut almond butter. From coming up with a couple of … Continue reading

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Win a Complete Range of Dahlias For Gourmets from Lubera #DeliDahlias

Are you a gourmet with a green thumb? Then here’s a giveaway competition for you! I’ve teamed up with the “fruitful gardening folks” at Lubera to get the word out about their exclusive DeliDahlias range. These new dahlias for foodies offer all the beauty of these bright majestic blooms combined with the superb flavour. Keep reading to find out about the chance to win the complete range of six DeliDahlias for your own garden (and kitchen)! Continue reading

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Win a Trio of Delicious and Nutritious Nut Butters from Pip & Nut

The Pip & Nut range includes a perfectly yummy back-to-basics peanut butter, an awesome almond butter, and an indulgent almond and coconut butter. Each is high in nutrition and low on ingredients. As Pip & Nut’s inaugural Blogger of the Month, I’ve been having fun nibbling and playing around with the P&N product. I’ve been given a few extra jars of butters to share with one lucky reader as well. Would you like to have some really tasty and healthy natural nut butters sent your way for free? Keep reading. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #38

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Bread Street Sessions with Dub … Continue reading

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UK Cigar Scene Magazine Issue Two Out Now

Issue number two of the new monthly UK Cigar Scene Magazine is now online and ready for download. Each issue of UK Cigar Scene is free to download and includes a video interview with a key cigar personality along with … Continue reading

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Romance Is “In the Bag” with Brompton Food Market

Leila Dukes loves eating out at restaurants, but there’s one day of the year when she reckons it’s best to avoid them at all costs. Continue reading

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Recipe: Elvis Oats

As “blogger of the month” for Pip & Nut, I thought I’d come up with a few recipes using its creamy peanut butter. Here’s one for a hearty breakfast that I like to call Elvis Oats. You know about those peanut butter, banana, honey, and bacon sandwiches that Elvis Presley loved so much to eat, right? And I’m sure you’re aware of the sad tale of how the King of Rock ‘n Roll, died “on his throne”. If only Elvis had been a more regular guy, he might still have been rocking with us today. What if there had been a way for the king to have enjoyed his preferred royal dish while adding some much needed fibre to his diet? That’s where my recipe for Elvis Oats comes in. It’s a fibre-filled homage to Elvis’ favourite treat that’s delicious, a little bit indulgent and especially filling. Continue reading

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Plan Your Romantic Day in London (OneTravel)

Will you be planning Valentine’s Day with your sweetie in London? Make it a day to remember with this list of a few of the most romantic settings … Read my complete post at OneTravel.

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Koshu of Japan 2015

Last week saw the return of the annual 2015 UK Trade and Press Tasting of Koshu wines from the Yamanashi Prefecture of Japan to The Westbury Hotel in Mayfair. Lucky to have scored a place at the event’s food and wine matching seminar, I’m pleased to share with you some of my faves from the tasting. Continue reading

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Clementine Communications Showcase: Good Stuff!

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on a few of the many fine things to sip or savour which I’ve recently come across during the Clementine Communications showcase of clients at the end of last month and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

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Recipe: Peanut Butter and Pickle Chicken Melt with Sriracha Dijon Dip

As “blogger of the month” for Pip & Nut, I thought I’d come up with a few recipes using its creamy peanut butter. Here’s my first go: a peanut butter and pickle chicken melt with sriracha Dijon dip. Sound like a mouthful? That’s the idea! But if the prospect of blending peanut butter, pickle, cheese, chicken, hot sauce, mustard, and honey into one bite seems a little odd or even off putting, I’d suggest you at least try this mighty ensemble – you might be surprised how yummy (and not really all the unusual) it tastes. And if you reckon such a sandwich may well indeed do the trick to appease mega-flavour craving taste buds, you could find it’s actually even better than you imagine. Continue reading

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PB & Me: Pip & Nut Peanut Butter and More!

Putting the nut back in nutritious, Pip & Nut is an all-new natural foods brand offering health conscious shoppers a range of super tasty spreads: peanut butter, almond butter, and coconut almond butter. I love all three … and am pleased to announce that in addition to a bit of pre-launch nibbling and playing around with the P&N product, I’ve been granted the honour of being the brand’s inaugural Blogger of the Month. That’s NUTS! Continue reading

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Win a Personalised Valentine’s Hamper from Hans Sloane Chocolate

Melt that special someone’s heart this Valentine’s Day with a personalised Hans Sloane Valentine’s Hamper, featuring two exclusive Rich Dark Drinking Chocolate Hearts, inscribed with your initials Continue reading

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Win an Assortment of Positively Good For You Olive Oils

Still resolved to stick with your new year hopes for a healthier lifestyle even as 2015 gets well settled in? Good for you! Positively Good For You actually. To help you maintain your momentum and enjoy the taste and the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, here’s an opportunity to win a selection of Positively Good For You olive oils from southern Italy. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #37

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

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UK Cigar Scene Magazine First Issue Out Now

There’s a new monthly online magazine out now about the cigar scene. Titled (appropriately enough) UK Cigar Scene Magazine, each issue will be free to download and will include a video interview with a key cigar personality along with news of events, gossip, and more stogie related info celebrating the specialists, their staff and the many personalities who enjoy a fine cigar here “in one of the world’s most energetic cigar scenes.” Continue reading

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Free Breakfast with Lyle’s Golden Syrup: Victoria Station, Wednesday 14 January

Lyle’s Golden Syrup is going to treat folks passing through Victoria Station to a free breakfast during the morning of Wednesday the 14th. Continue reading

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