Baby it's brunch time

The UK might have been slightly slow at getting on board the brunch train but now we're all over it. I think I've mentioned this a few times  but brunch is one of my favourite things to do at the weekend, mainly because it always feels a little indulgent! Pancakes, baked eggs, avocado on sour dough-yum yum yum. And I totally forgot about huevos rancheros!

So below I've picked 3 top places to go for brunch in London. I have to be honest and say I haven't checked one of them out but I've heard such good things about it that I'm going to believe the hype.

1) Bistrotheque- nearest underground Bethnal Green

This place opened my eyes to what brunch is all about. Great food, amazing location, all in all a great place to go with friends when you're in need of some brunch TLC. It's pretty hidden away and looks like nothing more than an old, unloved factory block from the outside, but once you head upstairs there's magic to be found. And what I love best is that you're seranaded while you eat by a guy on the piano playing everything from Blondie to Lady Gaga. I heart big time!

2) Dishoom- Shoreditch/ Covent Garden

So a bombay-style cafe might not be your first thought of a brunch location but this place has a secret. And it comes in the form of a breakfast bacon naan. I know a lot of people who have been here and all they talk about is how good this dish is. I have to admit I haven't tried it myself (I was ill when I was meant to go) but just the menu description assures me it's going to be pretty awesome-"freshly baked naan wrapped around char-striped back bacon direct from the grill, with a most palatable combination of chilli tomato jam, cream cheese and herbs." That ticks a lot of boxes for me! There are two Dishooms in London so whether you're Central or East (or anywhere else) get down and enjoy!

 

3) La Pain Quotidien Southbank- nearest station Waterloo/ Embankment

This is a carb-lovers dream. Although the menu is full of yummy things there's only one thing that I want from La Pain Quotidien in the morning and that's their bread basket! Take a friend or loved one, order the bread basket for two and then collect as many of the delicious spreads on offer in the restaurant and start slapping them on! My friend Jess introduced me to this place and I fell in love with it. There are quite a few in London but I love the one of the Southbank as it's got a great bustling vibe and if you can get a seat by the window you're set for people watching all day. All the bread is organic and the spreads include an array of jam, marmalade, chocolate spread and my favourite, biscuit spread. Yum yum yum!

 

Other favourite brunch spots include The Breakfast Club on Battersea Rise, The Wolseley, No 67 at the South London Gallery in Peckham and finally RailRoad in Hackney.

What's your favourite? Let us know! 

Joanna

So hot it's chilling- Ice cream sandwiches

Crounuts have been and gone, we’re so over the cupcake and the red velvet cake can take a break from our coffee shop counters. There’s a new trend in town (well coming) and that’s the ice cream sandwich. OK so we admit this trend might be more US based at the moment but I’m believing as soon as the weather turns hot we’re gonna be getting stuck in in the UK too.

I’ve been doing a bit of research over the last few weeks and here are my favourite recipes. Hope you guys enjoy and make sure you check out our video on how to make them a bit later on in the month!

1) Pumpkin snickerdoodle ice cream sandwiches – from Cupcakes and Cashmere

2) Blondie ice cream sandwiches with Reece’s Pieces (!)- from Cookies and Cups

3) Chocolate covered ice cream sandwich- all the good things covered in more deliciousness – from Good Life Eats

4) Another dipped sandwich but this one is totally raw and vegan -This Rawsome Vegan Life

5) And finally one using a doughnut!- from Tastespotting

Let us know what you like in and on your ice cream sandwich and send us your pics! 

Until next time,

Joanna

Je Voudrais...

Pink Bow Dress Choies, Pink Mesh T-Shirt Choies, Blue Plaid Mohair Jumper Choies, You Can't Sit With Us Sweater Karma Clothing, Stripe Dress Sheinside, Black Blazer Sheinside, Black Bodycon Collar Dress Boo Hoo, Floral Print Dress Choies

Its true...I have become one of those girls who only shops online. I for one do not like spending my weekends and evening routing through the sale rail, carrying heaps of clothing around a shop, to then queue for the changing room getting in a hot and bothered state of trying on numerous pieces simultaneously. But for those who do...good luck to you. I'd much rather sit here sipping on my coffee leisurely and click from shop to shop, pure retail heaven. 

Not only am I finding it a lot more relaxed and stress free i'm also getting better deals being offered by online shops, meaning more snazzy pieces to add to my wardrobe, hooray! This week we have some colourful pieces in my wishlist (it makes a change) it must be spring!

Alana 

Top 10 Rucksacks

Pineapple Bag £34.00 Topshop, Black Rectangle Bag £20.00 Boo Hoo, Mink Bag £12.50 (Sale) New Look, Tartan Bag £16.00 (Sale) Pull&Bear, Patchwork Tan Bag £29.99 Pull&Bear, Tapestry Trim Bag £34.00 Topshop, Polkadot Bag £20.00 Monki, Hype Animal Print Bag £25.00 River Island, Boxy Pink Bag £32.99 Ark

The oh so practical rucksack. Comfort and practicality are up there on my list of needs, so sexy I know but there is nothing worse than being a grump in fashion pain. Currently I have one rucksack courtesy of my brosef for Christmas, in-which I use primarily for gym use. I love it, its really bright and the ultimate comfort rucksack, cushioned and padded heaven for my little shoulders, such a treat. I would however like something a little more chic! Here's my top 10 rucksacks out and about. Which is your favourite?

Alana

Breakfast With Style- Posh Pancakes At The Wolseley

My weekend breakfast normally consists of a bowl of fruit and fiber and a cup of tea. However, sometimes one simply has to treat themselves and that's what I did this weekend when I went to The Wolseley. I first went there for breakfast at Christmas with two friends as a festive treat to ourselves. Once I mentioned this to my mum she wouldn't shut up about how much she wanted to go and so with Mother's day just around the corner I booked us a table for Saturday.

If you haven't heard of The Wolseley it's situated just a short stroll from Green Park and it's beautiful inside. The building was commissioned in 1921 by Wolseley Motors Limited, for a prestigious car showroom in London's West End.  The architect drew on Venetian and Florentine influences, as well as incorporating the Eastern exotic touches that were in fashion at the time. To put it simply it's all marble floor, large chandeliers and columns in the main eating room, and then oriental style in the bathroom!

I started off with a soya latte....

And then after much deliberation decided on the pancakes with bacon and maple syrup. You can also get them with blueberries but I was slightly hanging and needed some meat!

It was a bit of a struggle but I managed to eat them all after a tiny breather!

My mum went for the more nutritious option with kedgeree, which she seemed to enjoy!

There are so many delicious things on the menu that you could go for. The basket of pastries for £8.50 looked awesome, as did the potato rosti with avocado and bacon. The Wolseley also does a great looking afternoon tea which my mum and me have already decided to go for as a birthday treat for me in May. Oh the final  fantastic thing about The Wolseley is you never know who you might spot in there. Jarvis Cocker arrived mid-way through our breakfast so he's clearly a fan of the place too!

Joanna

Je Voudrais...

Grid Playsuit Karma Clothing, Paisley Shift Dress Lavish Alice, Beige Embroidered Dress She Inside, Black And White Floral Skirt She Inside, White Floral Skirt She Inside, Black Floral Chiffon Blouse She Inside, Gingham Dress Coco&Cleo, Black Snake Slip On Office

Hello spring you glorious thing. I am so ready for the bare leg, the pretty dresses and the floral prints. Although shamefully I have added more or less just monochrome pieces to my wish list, I will break away from this soon...I promise! One step at a time to a brighter wardrobe. I love all these pretty floral prints, whites, so floaty and girly. What a dream, now all I need is some rays and my sunnies to match it. Roll on.

Alana

Time For Toast-Pea & Feta On Sourdough

The recent sunny weather in London has got us feeling all Spring like and craving fresh, simple food. This tasty recipe is a great one for when you want to rustle up something quick but satisfying, and what's even better is that it's easy pea-sy (sorry I just had to).

Toast seems to be having a revival at the moment with people sharing their fantastic ideas for what you can enjoy  on it. We loved the four ideas posted recently by Emily on blog Cupcakes and Cashmere, and Izy from blog Top With Cinnamon even has a cook book out in Autumn featuring just toast-topping ideas. Personally when I hear toast I often think of cheese and this is why I love this pea recipe as you can add as much feta as you like!

To serve 3-4 you will need

• 250g peas
• 1/2 lemon, juice and zest
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 100g feta, crumbled
• 6-8 slices of sourdough
• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• salt
• pepper

Start off by boiling or steaming your peas for 3-4 minutes. Drain and tip into a bowl.

Now simply add the chopped mint, the zest and juice of half a lemon, a good glug of olive oil and a large pinch of salt. Now getting a potato masher or the back of a fork mash up the peas until most of them are mushed up but you still have a few intact. Crumble up your feta and fold through.

Now it's time to prepare the bread. I went for sourdough for this recipe by you can use any kind of bread you like.

Slice it up and toast, either on a griddle pan, under the grill or in the good old toaster. Either way you want it so it's turning a nice golden colour but still has a bit of give.

Once it's ready take a peeled glove of garlic and rub into the top side of your toast, and give them a drizzle of olive oil. Then simply spoon over the pea and feta mixture. Top with a final scattering of chopped mint , lemon zest and a drizzle of olive oil. And hey presto lunch is served! Hope you enjoy and let us know how you get on making it up! Also let us know what you like on your toast. Until next time!

Joanna