Monday, May 25, 2020
Quarantine treats: Bromley's Bakes
Instagram always knows how to recommend the good stuff.
It's almost impossible (especially in lockdown) to casually scroll through posts and stories without something new catching your eye.I'm a sucker for sweets which doesn't go to well with the current limited lockdown lifestyle, but it helps with the feel good and end of the week cheat days. Since my favourite local dessert place has been shut down thanks to COVID, I was subconsciously looking for a replacement to fill the void.
Thankfully, I discovered Bromley's Bakes, run by Daniella Bromley in Leicestershire. The business looked fairly new, at least to Instagram, and currently offers cupcakes, one off bakes, and what looks like, the big ticket item, a 6 Bake Box. I just had to try the box and support a local business, especially in this climate.
DELIVERY + COST
It seems the boxes are baked to order on a first come first served basis - I contacted Bromley's Bakes on a Thursday via Instagram message and got my box hand delivered on the following Monday. Payment is take up front.The 6 Bake Box costs £10.00 (absolutely bargain for what you get) and an extra £2.50 for me for delivery. This depends on where you live, and will differ on location.
THE BOX
The 6 Bake Box was packed in a flat pack cardboard which was sealed pretty tight, with the logo on the top. Inside, the bakes were wrapped in greaseproof paper; on top, a branded card with details of the bakes and social accounts, could be found on top.From the ingredients list, it didn't look as though the bakes were catered for particular allergies/ food preferences, but I am assuming that this can be resolved by ordering a one off bake, rather than requesting one of her bulk buys. All allergens were presented in capital letters on the card.
The bakes were in perfect condition upon arrival, which is why popping them through the post is not an option.
THE BAKES
Opening the box is such a treat - I really appreciated how neat each slice was and how tightly they were all packed against each other to prevent crumbling or sliding. As an avid GBBO fan, I found the decoration to each pretty impressive - nothing more Insta-worthy than a multicoloured display of food; my phone camera really didn't do it justice.
I eat according to preference - I start with what I think I will like the least and work my way up to what I am assuming would be my favourite. I divided each piece into thirds in order to test its storage life over 3 days.
I eat according to preference - I start with what I think I will like the least and work my way up to what I am assuming would be my favourite. I divided each piece into thirds in order to test its storage life over 3 days.
In order of favourites, starting with my favourite:
- Oreo Fudge
- White Chocolate and Raspberry Blondie
- Biscoff Millionaire Shortbread
- Lemon Drizzle
- S'more Brownie
- Caramel Popcorn Rocky Road
I can't deny that one of the main reasons I decided to try the box was because of the Oreo Fudge. I am a huge lover of Oreos - it was hella sweet and gave me one of those good toothaches after (this is what condensed milk does to me), but it was so worth it! In my opinion, the remaining bakes were a-lot less sweeter.
The raspberry brownie surprised me because I don't usually gravitate towards fruit (unless it's carrot cake) but it was soo soft, not overloaded and the chocolate/ fruit mix was really well balanced. I could have eaten all of this in one sitting, but I managed not to.
The raspberry brownie surprised me because I don't usually gravitate towards fruit (unless it's carrot cake) but it was soo soft, not overloaded and the chocolate/ fruit mix was really well balanced. I could have eaten all of this in one sitting, but I managed not to.
I "discovered" that I actually don't mind millionaires not too long ago, because I am not really a caramel person, but I think it was the added Biscoff (that belongs to the elite biscuit tier) that won me over. I thought this was surprisingly buttery and crumbly and not as heavy as I thought a millionaire's would be.
Lemon Drizzle is a cake OG, I think it's hard for me to not like a drizzle and again, I was not disappointed; the light sponge went really well with a cup of tea.
The final two were consistent with the others (soft and not too sweet) but, both contained marshmallows, which I find sickly in large quantities, so I could only manage pieces at a time.
As a side note (and I recommend you do this at your own risk, in case you ruin the bake) but I decided to put the S'more brownie in the microwave for a few seconds to melt it altogether. A mess but it tasted like it came straight from the campfire!
As a side note (and I recommend you do this at your own risk, in case you ruin the bake) but I decided to put the S'more brownie in the microwave for a few seconds to melt it altogether. A mess but it tasted like it came straight from the campfire!
STORAGE
I realised a little too late that the bakes were quite generous in side and that I lived alone in a lockdown, meaning no way to share. I was recommended to consume the bakes within 3 days- which I did without regret, as freezing would destroy the quality of the bake.
I decided to try a piece of each across 3 days to see if I could see a difference, but I couldn't, bar the Marshmallow Rocky Road, which did seem to harden slightly. I also decided to store them on my countertop in their packaging, instead of the in the fridge, as my food tends to retain that stale fridge taste. As a result the chocolate of course did melt, but that was expected due to the temperature of my flat in the warmer months. In hindsight, a "cool, dry place" in an airtight tin would have been better.
I think now that I have tried the bakes as they are, I wouldn't mind freezing parts of them so I can keep them longer.
I decided to try a piece of each across 3 days to see if I could see a difference, but I couldn't, bar the Marshmallow Rocky Road, which did seem to harden slightly. I also decided to store them on my countertop in their packaging, instead of the in the fridge, as my food tends to retain that stale fridge taste. As a result the chocolate of course did melt, but that was expected due to the temperature of my flat in the warmer months. In hindsight, a "cool, dry place" in an airtight tin would have been better.
I think now that I have tried the bakes as they are, I wouldn't mind freezing parts of them so I can keep them longer.
OVERALL
I think my body needs a break from all that sugar, but I have been craving another box since I finished this one.
Such a great find for a local baker and would be a great idea for gifts to friends and family members. Ordering was quick and hassle free, the bakes were beautifully presented, and above all, they all tasted amazing!
MORE INFORMATION ON BROMLEY'S BAKES
Find Bromley's Bakes on Instagram: instagram.com/BROMLEYSBAKES
Find Bromley's Bakes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bromleysbakes/
Thank you for reading!
Fiona x
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
FemmeLuxeFinery: Loungewear Collection | AD
I can't justify shopping for "out" clothes in this lockdown because the logic doesn't make sense. I am probably looking at putting on a few quarantine pounds in the next few weeks, so anything pretty or especially tight for summer days/nights outside probably isn't going to fit.
I was yet to upgrade my wardrobe with new loungewear especially for this work from home season, so when FemmeLuxeFinery gifted me a few pieces from their LoungeWear Set Collection, it was a dream come true.
I have bought from Femme before, sticking to their "dress up" pieces so was intrigued to see if I'd like their "for the chill only'' options.
Black "No Bad Vibes" Oversized T-shirt - Hannah (Size 10-12)
link
I got this in a 10/12 and it ended up fitting like a standard tee, rather than oversized, which makes me think that their sizing might run slightly differently on different pieces.
To resolve this, I just added a front knot which makes a great staple to throw on underneath layers in winter, but a great statement for summer wear. Even though this is in the loungewear collection, I am definitely more likely to be wearing it outside.
I wasn't expecting the quality to be too good, but it ended up having a really soft slightly stretchy cotton, with a little weight to it as well!
The slogan is so fitting for the current climate - they have so many other inspirational quote T-shirts on their site to choose from, mainly in black and white.
Dusty Pink High neck cropped Loungewear Set - Ella (Size 8/10)
I don't usually go for cropped but crop levels vary from store to store so I wanted to take a chance with this set. The crop on this is standard ribcage fit, so I realised it's me, not the crop, so won't be leaving the house in it.
The pink colour is very attractive without being too in your face "girly" (they have tons more of this pink colour across the loungewear collection) and the material is some kind of heavy wool blend. I was sweating within a few minutes of wearing this, so I'd recommend it for the colder lockdown days or to save it for the cripsier Autumn months ahead.
On first impressions/ try on, this set just didn't fit me very well. I didn't (and still don't) like the roll neck top, it seemed too long and I ended up stuffing most of it inside the top.
The elasticated leggings waist band keep twisting and bulking on my waist which might mean that they too small as they keep giving me the awkward front V.
But looking back on pictures, it doesn't seem to bad and made me look quite photogenic.
Khaki Ribbed belted Loungewear Set - Asia (Size 8-10)
This set is definitely my favourite out of the three and was also my most wanted piece.
*Secret* - I had actually added this to my Wishlist tab on Chrome before receiving it from Femme, but it kept selling out - God must love me loads at this time because I now have it in my collection. When Femme sent me the pieces, I was beyond happy to finally get my hands on it.
If you don't know where to start in your pending loungewear collection, this is it. The colour. The style. The material (great stretch, perfect for those binge "are you still watching" Netflix marathons with lots of pizza and rosé!) The fit.
I have no negatives for this set and am likely to pick up the Beige version in the near future.
I think this khaki green looks great on every skintone so again, is a great safe colour when you start building your collection (other khaki styles can be found here).
I just hope the material keeps and doesn't go fuzzy after a couple washes, because I will be wearing this ALOT!
I've loved trying these pieces from Femme, felt so good to lounge in style!
Thank you to FemmeLuxeFinery for the pieces!
Fiona x
Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin'
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Aromatherapy for the Home with Organic Aromas: A Review
Once Autumn comes around, anything that sells me warmth, comfort, peace or cozy in a bottle, I'm up to buy- or at least try.
I have been fortunate enough to be contacted by Organic Aromas, who found out I am a lover of all things fragrance and home scents, asking me to try out their home diffusing kit. Not sure what to expect, I agreed; thank goodness I did, because I have managed to get my hands on a piece of pretty decent kit.
The diffuser silently nebulizes essential oils and diffuses them into the air in the form of mist and air droplets. There is no heat or water involved; just a unit that can be plugged into a mains socket. The intensity of the diffusion can be controlled with a dial and while diffusing the oils, it displays a calming show of changing multi-coloured LED light.
I've used candles, wax burners and reed scent sticks before, so I didn't know what to expect. Set up was quite straight forward, thanks to the picture guide, and took me less than 5 minutes to put together. The kit itself looks and feels high quality- my particular kit is the Raindrop Nebulizing Diffuser, in a soft brown colour.
It was actually pretty mesmerising to watch and I could smell the product within only a few seconds of starting the cycle. I left mine on for only 10 minutes because it was more than enough to fill the whole house, door open. The scent faded completely around 2 hours later- which is crazy for a mere 10 minutes.
I am pleasantly surprised and delighted to have had the opportunity to test this product out. I see the appeal and practicality of using this over a candle- no smelly smoke, no fire hazards so safe to use all around the house and in rented properties, and no opportunity for the flame to be blown out by a wintery draft. Whilst reed diffuser scents are not very noticeable, this machine is extremely potent- I would say, if you do not like very strong smells to adhere to my 10 minute cycle window, because I can tell this device has the ability to completely saturate the air with scent.
Plus, it's a great talking point for visitors who walk through the door and wonder what on Earth the little machine on your coffee table is doing blowing curls of mist into the air.
I would recommend this as a gift for a candle lover who wants a new kind of fragrance experience, especially with Christmas just around the corner.
On that note, if you fancy purchasing one for yourself, just use the SHAREME discount code for 15% off your purchase!
Disclaimer: The product was sent to me by Organic Aromas in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I have not benefited financially from this review.
See the diffuser in action:
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Unboxing/ First Impressions: WOWAFRICAN 360 Lace Frontal 180% Density Yaki Brazilian Wig
If it works, why fix it?
Although I agree that this is true when it comes to my beauty staples, I can't really say the same for my hair. From braids for most of my life to wigs every day for the past two years, I have found something I love.
So, I decided to dig deeper and take a risk in investing in yet another unit; not from RPGShow this time, but WowAfrican.
The Box
The wig itself came in a standard cardboard box, packaged fairly well for overseas transport- although mine was definitely stepped on a couple of times.
Unlike RPGShow, WowAfrican do not provide a brush/ comb, but like RPGShow, they did include a wig cap (two actually!) and a brochure for hair maintenance. Another thing in the box was a piece of elastic which can to be used for the now popular "Elastic band Method" which stops your wig front from riding up and showing flesh beneath the lace.
I have seen that prominent YouTubers also get added extras in their packages, but to be honest, a wig calendar isn't exact a VIP addition in my opinion, so I wasn't to sad about not receiving that.
The Hair
My wig details:
Name: 360 Lace Wig Brazilian Virgin hair
Code:TLW07
Style: Yaki Straight
Colour: Natural
Hair density: 180%
Length: 18 inches
Hairline: Pre-plucked
Price: $196.00
I already own two full lace wigs, so I decided to branch out and went for the newly hyped 360 frontal lace wig.
This wig is made up mainly of about 75% tracks, with a lace front of about 2 inches and more wefts at the top of the head .The style gives you the opportunity to maintain thickness of the wig by adding tracks as hair fallout occurs, but limits the ability to split the hair wherever you please. You are free to split this unit anywhere along the circumference from ear to ear, 2 inches deep- everything else isn't possible because of track exposure.
On the plus side, since the wig is a 360 frontal, there is room to wear the wig in an updo hairstyle such as a high bun or ponytail and still maintain the realistic look, which is not possible with an ordinary full lace wig.
On top of that, this unit has a 180% density, in comparison to most wigs which range between 130%-150%.
First Impressions
Does it look real?
Straight out the box, this wig is soft, manageable and looks realistic. My hair is Type 4B/C, yet when my edges are laid with gel and slicked back underneath a wig cap, I can get away with the "growing from my scalp" look.
Although you can see a mesh-like appearance of the lace on first installation, this can be fixed by bleaching or dying the lace to suit the scalp. Personally, I don't believe it is necessary.
Can I do a ponytail?
I tried doing a ponytail but noticed that the back instantly lifted up to expose my natural hair.
I actually have a low nape line than most people which means my nape hair grows lower than most, so I personally would struggle to make the ponytail work. The only way I can see this working is by fastening the back strap as tight as possible and using bobby pins to hide the bunches- but that to me defeats the purpose, but bare in mind that this is because of my hairline.
How should I style the hair?
I took my unit straight from the box, and it was honestly ready to wear. I just geled the pre-plucked baby hairs to fasten the wig to my head and to get rid of that gap between the lace and my scalp. I also fastened a silk scarf around my head for about 10 minutes to allow the gel to set properly.
You can also pluck more of the hairline to your personal preference and use a range of fastening methods including glue or an elastic band, but I find that my method results in the least amount of damage to my natural hair. I wash the gel out of the wig ever other day and condition that strip of hair to keep it nourished.
Overall
I love it. I always feel weird in a new unit but this has grown on me very quickly. Considering my current hair unit is a black to auburn ombre, this is a nice transition back to something that looks normal.
If you are not fussed about wearing your hair in high updos, then I would say don't bother get a 360 frontal and stick to a 360 full lace. However, bare in mind that this unit may shed, but there is that option to purchase more bundles and refill the fallout, whereas on a full lace, once the hair falls out, there is nothing you can do.
Also, I have to say that dealing with WowAfrican was seriously such a good experience. They were very quick to reship to me when I messed up my order and even sent it back to me for free although the wig I ordered was custom!
Fiona x
~
VIDEO: Watch me unbox and fit this unit in my YouTube first impressions video
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Isle of Wight Travel Diary
A visual round up of my long weekend in the Isle of Wight
If you ever want a little holiday within the UK that looks and feels like the bright coastal towns of the Mediterranean, then the Isle of Wight is for you.
I expected to take a trip to another traditional English seashore located much further south than I have ever been, but was pleasantly surprised that the isle just off the edge of Portsmouth was more or less an undiscovered little haven; considering the total journey took 8 hours, it was well worth the trip!
My group of four girls plus myself stayed in the quiet east coast town of Sundown, travelled to the furthest west point of the island to visit the famous Needles white cliff tops, walked around the popular streets of Ryde and kicked about at a beach in Shanklin.
The island offered lots of cheap food spots, including numerous fish and chip bars and tea rooms. We stayed with a family friend and commuted across the island using the tourist Island Breezer service, which runs every day and at both early and late hours.
Famous for the Isle of Wight festival, if you like mixing in with the locals, you can probably find a local music event or festival to fit your budget and music taste- but be warned, they shut off streets and bus services to accommodate such events, so you might end up stranded if you haven't sorted previous transport arrangements. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities to hop in a boat and tour the island by water or cable car.
Overall, a beautiful place to go for a tonne of sunshine and relaxation, particularly for the music lover and the aviophobic!
Fiona x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)