Eating Out, London: Hawksmoor

Looking for the perfect roast? I think I’ve found it. If you ever find yourself in London on a Sunday with no plans, it’s time to get booking (and definitely book as it’s extremely popular).

We visited the Knightsbridge restaurant and without question ordered the slow-roast rump Sunday lunch, yes you read that right, a rump roast. A plate piled high arrived at the table including duck fat roast potatoes, vegetables, onion gravy and a giant Yorkshire pudding. The meat was tender, the potatoes had the perfect amount of crunch and the Yorkshire pudding was a thing of dreams.

For dessert, we shared the sticky toffee pudding with clotted cream as it had been recommended and we didn’t have the capacity for a dessert each. The pudding was moist, had the perfect amount of sauce slathered over and was complimented by the clotted cream. I’d highly recommend it, however Hawksmoor is famous for its Rolo dessert so you may want to give those a try, the table next to us had them and they looked great!

I can’t force you to go but let’s just say I’m already planning my next visit!

Eating Out, London: Putney Canteen

It's no secret that I LOVE a brunch. Waking up late on a Sunday, meetings friends and drinking endless amounts of coffee at midday while mostly eating eggs and avocado is what I live for. 

In an attempt to see friends more reguarly, it's become the norm to find a new brunch spot once a month, usually around South West London, never visiting the same place twice. 

Last month's pick was The Putney Canteen, just around the corner from Putney Bridge station. One first view, it's a cute little spot with rustic interiors, seemingly popular and everything you'd expect from a London cafe/restaurant. 

The menu had everything you'd expect, from poached eggs and avo to pancakes and we were dribbling at the thought. Unfortunately, it was over an hour before we actually got to eat anything. 

After arriving, we decided what we wanted to order after about 15 minutes and waited to be served. It was a Sunday morning so you do expect it to be a little slower than normal and after waiting about another 15 minutes, our order was taken. 

Deep in conversation, we hardly noticed that our drinks were nowhere to be seen and we'd been waiting about 30 minutes. Not wanting to complain, we simply called the waitress over and stated we hadn't received our order. She promptly brought them over but the glasses were dirty and an order of apple juice was still missing. After complaining about the glass, we were told to use a straw (not the most hygienic option I've been given). 

At this point, we had been in the restaurant for over an hour and only had drinks to compress the hunger. Another half an hour had passed, with not one waiter or waitress coming close to our table. The food eventually turned up (wasn't amazing but it was the most enjoyable part of the morning), we quickly ate and made a swift exit to the bar to pay and get out of there. 

Not usually one to complain, we felt the experience had been so bad it was needed. We asked to speak to a manager and were greeted by a very unfriendly face who, after hearing about our experience, simply said 'what do you expect, it's a Sunday and we're busy?' - not quite the response we were expecting.  

It might have been a one-off but it's put me off and I won't be going back. The food wasn't good enough and the experience was awful - let's just say we didn't leave a tip!

Eating Out, London: The Roxie

If, like me, you LOVE Flat Iron but hate not being able to book, resulting in at least an hour hovering in the area killing time until your table is ready, then you need to read on. Having moved to Wandsworth about 16 months ago, I’m appalled that it took me so long to wander up the road and into The Roxie. 

Recommended by a friend, The Roxie is predominantly a steak house, matching almost everything on Flat Iron’s menu and more. Fillet steak is my absolute favourite so when I saw a large 240g portion on the menu at £16, I couldn’t resist. Cooked medium-rare (pictured), it was extremely soft and tender but a little too pink for me. That didn’t stop me eating the whole thing but it definitely affected my decision the next time I went.

Also pictured, we ordered creamy mash, creamy spinach (anything creamy is a winner in my eyes!) and some triple cooked chips to share. Each side was delicious, perfectly cooked and completed the whole experience. Anyone looking to not overload on carbs, there are healthier sides available such as green beans, sautéed mushrooms and side salads.

The second time we visited, we decided to go for the steak sharer. £37 for 500g of sliced fillet served with a side and sauce each. It’s advertised as béarnaise sauce and fries, but they kindly let us swap for peppercorn and creamy mash. Again, the steak was perfectly tender, this time cooked medium, and certainly saved us a few pounds.

I cannot recommend this place enough. I visited the Putney branch which is about a 2-minute walk from East Putney station, but they also have restaurants in Clapham, Fulham and Earlsfield.

Eating Out, London: Five Guys

If you haven’t heard about Five Guys, you’re doing it wrong! The American burger chain has been in the UK for a while now, dotted around the country, and the best way I can describe it is a more expensive, much nicer McDonald’s (although I’m sure they would hate that as they’re all about using real meat, nothing frozen). The menu is pretty basic, featuring classic burgers that you tailor with as many toppings as you would like. You pay for the burger, around £8 for a standard cheese burger, and the toppings and sauces are free. Toppings/sauces include mushrooms, onions, pickles, bacon, mustard and ketchup.  I always then add Cajun fries and a refillable drink to make it a meal so always end up paying around £14 in total. The chips come in massive portions so I recommend sharing a large portion with a friend and definitely choose a refillable drink as the selection is incredible. The drinks machine is one of those fancy ones that offers multiple flavours of the classic fizzy drink, for example, lime coke, vanilla Dr Pepper and every flavour of Fanta that you could imagine. It’s always hard to commit to just one so I usually find myself filling only half the cup, then going back for a different selection every 5 mins.

 Everything is absolutely delicious. The burger is sloppy and messy, the chips are perfectly seasoned and you even get free monkey nuts while you wait. There isn’t a plate in sight and you pay upfront so no waiting around after you’ve finished for the bill or for the table to be cleared.

If you’re tempted, check their website to see if there’s a restaurant near you – they’re expanding quickly so I’m sure you’ll never be too far away. 

Eating Out, London: Yolkin

Summer in London really is something spectacular. Londoners are usually renowned for being miserable – who wouldn’t be when you have to come face-to-face with sweaty commuters every morning and evening – but something happens when the sun comes out. Suddenly, everyone is wearing a smile, as well as notably less clothing, and talking to strangers becomes acceptable.

 

At this point, we have experienced about 2 full days of sunshine and luckily for me, I was out and about in Covent Garden for one of them. As you walk down from Covent Garden station towards the Lyceum Theatre, tucked away is a little store called Siam Eatery that’s easily miss-able (unless you’ve previously researched it like I had) but trust me, you do not want to just walk past.

 

It’s a tiny little shop with no more than 10 seats inside, serving Yolkin macaron ice-creams. I think there are 4-5 flavours available and they are incredible. Unfortunately for us, we got there quite late and they only had one flavour left, so Rocky Road it was!

 Although it may not have been my choice if all other flavours were available, oh my, it was fantastic. Chocolate ice-cream with nuts and marshmallow throughout inside a chocolate/caramel, I’m not too sure which, macaron. Being all brown, it didn’t make the best Instagram pic but I absolutely couldn’t fault it. It was £4.90 for one, which isn’t the cheapest, but it’s definitely worth a try if you’re in the area.

 

We walked around in the sunshine with our ice-creams and I think it was up there with one of the happiest 10 minutes of my life. Please don’t just walk past!

Eating Out, London: Manze

Pie and Mash (I'm capitalising as it should be it's own brand!) is by far my favourite food, ever. I could eat it every day if it didn't result in a growing waistband. To most, when you say pie and mash, they picture a nice strak pie with mash and gravy but to anyone who grew up in East London, it has a whole different meaning. See below. 

As once described as 'herby jizz' by a friend, that green, gooey mess on the plate is the pièce de résistance - the parsley sauce. Creamy mash, a mince meat pie (or two if you're obsessed like me), parsley sauce and lashing of vinegar probably sounds a bit gross but it works perfectly.

If you're new to London or simply visiting and fancy a bit of culture, I'll call it that anyway, head down to Manze's on Walthamstow high street. I've been going since I was a baby in a pushchair and the decor and the staff have barely changed. Wooden pews with old-fashioned tiling and an old-school till, it's cheap, cheerful and a typical East-End experience. 

Eating Out, Somerset: The White Post

The roast to end all other roasts. I usually review food places in London as that's where I live and I know a lot of people coming into the big city can get a bit overwhelmed by the vast variety of cafes and restaurants. However, today's review is dedicated to The White Post in Somerset - I'm simply couldn't ignore it!

I went for Sunday lunch after it being recommended to me, so naturally I ordered the classic roast. As you can see, a mountain of meat arrived at our table shortly after ordering and I could have sworn I had died and gone to heaven. 

As all three of us had ordered the same, it came served together on one massive wooden serving board, with a selection of meats, vegetables and sauces. We had thick cuts of lamb, beef and pork, lashings of apple sauce, horseradish and mint sauce and giant Yorkshire puddings that I filled with gravy as soon as it was placed infront of me. 

If that wasn't enough (I definitely had to unbutton my jeans), I couldn't resist ordering a chocolate brownie with red cherry compote and salted caramel ice cream because, well, why not? It was delicious, I probably could have eaten two. When my mum asked me if she could try a piece, I was secretly annoyed that I had to hand it over. 

The service was good, we were pretty much left to our own devices which I like. It wasn't too pricey for what it was, I think we paid around £15 per main, around £5 per dessert which is pretty standard, and the decor is quaint and welcoming. Overall, The White Post gets 15/10 from me and I will definitely be going back. 

Eating Out, London: The Brew

Definitely my favourite place to brunch, cause everyone in London needs a go-to brunch spot apparently, The Brew offers classic meals, such as avocado on toast, a bacon sandwich or pancakes, but with a twist. For example, the bacon sandwich is made using treacle cured bacon and has aioli, baby gem, tomato jam and wine tomatoes and it is to die for (and I don’t use that phrase lightly).

Other menu options include toasted banana bread with honey yoghurt and pistachios (pictured), woodland mushrooms on brioche with yoghurt, spinach and pesto and the famous brew melt (pictured). I’ve yet to try something I didn’t like and trust them enough to try something new every time I visit. 

You should expect spend about £15 for brunch and a drink so it isn’t the cheapest option going, but the price is reflected in the quality. They have restaurants in Clapham, Wandsworth, Putney, Wimbledon, Chiswick and Kew so if you live towards South West London you are bound to be close to one. I honestly cannot recommend it enough – the perfect spot for a Sunday brunch with friends.

*I have only been there for the breakfast/brunch menu so cannot comment on the evening menu.

Eating Out, London: Lockhouse

Based in Paddington, Lockhouse is the new go-to bar/restaurant for all surrounding offices (it certainly is for us anyway!) that opened at the end of last year. With a glass front and a mainly-metal interior, it certainly looks the part and I was definitely keen to see if it lived up to its look. 

I ordered the Classic Reuben sandwich with fries and a cappuccino (it was lunchtime and wine didn’t seem appropriate), which on a normal day would have only cost me around £8. Although I think that’s a pretty good deal, they were offering 50% off all food on the day I visited so it only set me back a measly £5 - absolute bargain!

The sandwich was delicious. Layers of cheese, pastrami, gherkins and mustard inside toasted wholemeal bread – what’s not to like? It came served with a handful of chips that had the perfect amount of crunch to them and came pre-salted which was perfect for me as I only eat chips covered in salt, but you may wish to request them plain depending on your preference.

My friends ordered a mix of sandwiches and salads, all of which seemed to get the thumbs up. The salads are served in jam jars which definitely earned them extra bonus points for presentation, but all round it was recommendable and extremely cheap.

Eating Out, London: Dip & Flip

*I must warn you that this post may be slightly biased as I am a massive gravy lover, literally anything and everything dunked in gravy is a winner in my eyes.

Dip & Flip have locations in Battersea (pictured), Wimbledon, Tooting and Brixton so if you’re in any of those areas, you must go. The concept is everything dipped and if you do it right, you’ll leave with at least one gravy stain and sticky fingers. 

Wanting to immerse myself in the full Dip & Flip experience, I ordered the Dip & Flip burger with a side of cheesy fries (I shared the fries in a bid to not leave weighing 2 stone more than when I arrived). The burger consists of a beef patty, cheese, pickles, layers of roast beef or lamb (your choice) and a sauce of your choice, but the piece de resistance – it’s smothered in gravy. I was half expecting a soggy bun but it turns out it’s just the filling that’s immersed in gravy, but nonetheless, the kitchen roll on the table comes in handy! For added mess, they bring out an extra dish of gravy for dunking and smother the cheesy chips in gravy too.

I know it may sound like a bit of a gravy overload (if there’s such a thing) but it was hands down the best burger experience. The prices are reasonable and the restaurant has a quirky feel to it which all adds to the experience. We even managed a celeb spot while in the Battersea branch but we won’t dwell on that as the burgers are the real celeb here.

If/when I go back, I will probably go for the beef Dip that is all of the above, without the beef patty and it comes in a crusty roll rather than a burger bun as the whole thing was a bit too filling for one sitting.

Absolutely 10/10 from me – get down there and let me know what you think!

Eating Out, London: Bird

Crispy coated chicken on a huge waffle covered in maple syrup – intrigued? A combination that wouldn’t naturally sit together, but oh my god does it work? To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement by far.

You know that feeling when you’re looking at the menu and you’re tempted to order more than one main because you just want to try everything? Yeah, that. The menu consists of some weird and wonderful creations, including a chicken waffle burger where each part of the bun has been replaced with a waffle.

It’s perfect for cheat day as you’ll leave feeling extremely satisfied but very guilty! The chips were crispy, the (extra) chicken wings were complimented perfectly with a honey and ginger glaze and the Coke comes in a bottle – winner!

I couldn’t recommend it enough for chicken lovers and those willing to experiment. They have a number of locations across London, including Shoreditch (pictured above), Islington and Camden. The desserts also look incredible, featuring some impressive donuts, if you have room at the end! 

Eating Out, London: Beany Green

The great thing about London is the variety in foods available. Whether it's a dirty burger or something a little healthier, you're guaranteed to find it all. 

Paddington is a great up-and-coming place when it comes to food. The office I work in is based somewhere in the middle of Paddington and Edgware Road so you may see a few reviews from that area popping up. 

Benny Green, otherwise known as Little Venice is owned by the Daisy Green company, meaning it's not just a one-off. With locations around London, some called Beany and some called Daisy - I'm not too sure the difference, chances are if you live in London, you won't be too far away from one. 

The theme of the cafe is Australian inspired while the decor is extremely edgy (image from their website). They offer an exciting range of brunch, juices, teas and coffees and all food has a healthier twist.

I fancied something a little sweeter so opted for the coconut bread french toast. Served with thick yogurt, coconut shavings, griddled mango, berries and maple, it was absolutely delicious and didn't leave me feeling really guilty after. The prices are a little high, as to be expected in any health eatery, this meal came in at £9.80 but it was really filling. I would recommend sharing if you aren't a big eater. 

Along with the menu, they have a fresh counter full of salad items, wraps and homemade cakes to choose from. I also tasted a chicken wrap which was delicious. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Beany Green and would definitely go back. The only thing that puts a slight negative on it is the price, but it's perfect as an occasional treat. 

Eating Out, London: Dalloway Terrace

If you’re looking for a venue for a birthday dinner or somewhere to celebrate something special, Dalloway Terrace is definitely a photogenic, upmarket option.

I walked into Dalloway Terrace with no expectations as I had never heard, seen or visited it before. Walking up some dainty little steps to a beautifully lit terrace where we were sat beneath intertwined trees, Aladdin-style lanterns and cute fairy lights, it was definitely impressive. 

The atmosphere was quaint, quiet and a little bit ‘don’t be too loud or drink too much’ especially as we went as a group of 7 and everyone else seemed to be in couples. I had a similar experience at the Ham Yard Hotel in Piccadilly where you can sometimes feel like the place is a bit too posh for you, a potentially rowdy group, to dine there. So that’s just an FYI.

We ordered a few bottles of wine for the table which were placed in ice buckets at the end of the table and we weren’t disturbed too much by the staff which is always a plus. For food, I ordered the fish and chips which was £16 so I had high hopes. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed. 

After finishing our meal, I was greeted by a small furry friend running around my feet – who’d have thought such a lovely restaurant would have mice scurrying around? This put me on edge and made me consciously keep my feet lifted off the ground. 

Overall, I’m glad I tried it but I definitely wouldn’t be in a rush to go back. I had a lovely evening with some of my closest friends, aided with some wine and Limon cello, but the location didn’t really play a part in the experience – other than a few cute photos of course!

Eating Out, London: Patty & Bun

If you live in London, you have probably heard the name Patty & Bun before. I certainly had, along with a bunch of great reviews. As the name suggests, it’s predominantly a burger restaurant but who doesn’t love a burger?

I visited the Shoreditch branch, where we were led down some very steep stairs to a tiny seating area – luckily it was quiet and we were the only ones sat down there. I can imagine it’s a bit of a nightmare if you come on a busy day!

I ordered the Smokey Robinson (pictured) as anything with caramelised onions is a winner in my eyes. The waitress came down and there was not a plate in sight. Our buns were wrapped in paper and the chips came in a separate pot. I must add, the chips come with a salt and vinegar mayo which is incredible – I would go there just for that.

The burger was possibly the messiest I’ve ever eaten, and I’ve been to Five Guys – you’d think I’d have mastered a messy burger by now. But don’t let this put you off – the burger was so tasty and the sauce/salad really complimented it. I cannot recommend the Patty & Bun burgers enough. The restaurants are really quirky too (if you manage to get a table). They do offer takeout for anyone passing by/not lucky enough to get a seat inside.

An added bonus – they serve Ting. For those who don’t know, Ting is a fizzy grapefruit drink and it is amazing. If you’re on the soft drinks, definitely order a can, you won’t regret it.

There are multiple branches around London so check out http://pattyandbun.co.uk/contact/ to find your nearest one – it’s definitely one to tick off.

Eating Out, London: Ben's Canteen

Since living in London, going out for brunch has become a regularity. Previously, I would never imagine scheduling my day around eating a late breakfast that almost always consists of avocados. Anyway, as I live in SW London, I’m always on the hunt for the best brunch spots with the weirdest menus. 

Ben’s Canteen is a great little restaurant made up of cost sofas with blankets and cute, vintage-style tables and chairs. They have branches in Battersea and Earlsfield and offer brunch and dinner menus. I’ve only ever been for brunch but would highly recommend the food. The menu changes often and offers a wide variety, from fried chicken benedict to a breakfast burrito and in comparison to some brunch spots, the prices aren’t bad. For a main, a side and a drink you’re probably looking at around £15, obviously depending on what you have.

Ben’s definitely gets the thumbs up from me!

For locations and menu information visit http://www.benscanteen.com/contact.

Eating Out, London: The Mae Deli

I like to think that I’m not a ‘sheep’ or a ‘follower’ but if I’m being completely honest, I really am. Whenever a new restaurant opens or a new food trend pops up, I always have to give it a go.

This was definitely true for The Mae Deli.

Founded by Ella Woodward, more commonly known as Deliciously Ella, The Mae Deli is a small boutique style eatery with a huge focus on healthy alternatives, natural ingredients and delicious treats.

The menu varies from the Mae Bowl – a mixture of your favourite dishes from the main menu, both hot and cold to sweet treats such as a pecan brownie or Ella’s famous energy balls.

My opinion – I wouldn’t be in a rush to go back here. I feel like the hype around the Deliciously Ella books, which are super inspiring, has created a bit of an anti-climax when it comes to the real thing. Healthy, natural foods are always expensive but to me, this takes that to the extreme with some of their juices coming in at a hefty £6.95. After living in London for a few years, I’m used to London pricing but this definitely put me off.

The light at the end of the tunnel is the sweet treats – well most of them anyway. At around £3 per slice, it’s no different to most café cakes so I was more than happy to give them a try. My personal favourite was the chocolate ganache, it was so tasty and completely natural – the gooey texture comes from avocados, who’d have thought? I won’t recommend too many of these as I think the menu changes daily, but the peanut butter slice is also great. I don't like the taste of things like Naked bars so I really didn't like the energy balls, but that might be just me. 

Overall, I was disappointed. I never expected it to be cheap but I also never expected it to be that pricey. I wouldn’t rush back there for lunch but I would put my dessert order in if someone else was heading down there.

If you're thinking of paying them a visit, the nearest tube is Marble Arch. Postcode: W1H 5BH. 

For the love of skincare

Somehow, I made it to the grand old age of 24, using only cheap face washes and calling it a skincare routine. I would wash my face once a day to take my makeup off and that would be the end of any kind of cleansing/toning or moisturising.

Surprisingly, I was never one to suffer with acne or blemished skin and never looked terrible without foundation on, but I can’t say my face felt overly clean.

While my bank account begged me to stick to this lazy routine, I stumbled across a YouTube video of DollyBowBow using Liz Earle’s Cleanse and Polish followed by the spritz tonic. There was something about the light and refreshing look of that tonic spray that made me go and buy it.

For anyone who uses Liz Earle, the range of products available makes it so difficult to leave with just a cleanser, and so, I bought the Cleanse and Polish, the Instant Boost spritzer and the Skin Repair Light moisturiser – all for about £45 which was the most I had ever spent on skincare.

Low and behold, a revelation was about to happen. I LOVE SKINCARE. I’m now a hoarder and can’t help but buy any brand that I see on offer.

As it was the guidance of a blogger that opened my eyes to Liz Earle, I thought I should write a short review on some of my favourite products that I’ve discovered over the last couple of years.

1.       Liz Earle, Cleanse & Polish - £15.50 (starter kit)

If you’re looking for something fresh, awakening and clean-feeling, you won’t be disappointed with this product. The smell reminds me of baby powder mixed with fresh air and clean laundry, it’s lovely and refreshing but not overpowering. For the first few months of using this product, I constantly had spots coming up on my t-zone, which slightly put me off but after a short break from the product, the spots have gone and never returned upon using it again. Used with muslin cloths, you control the level of exfoliation but make sure you regularly wash the cloths for the cleanest skin. I used this product every morning and night.

2.       Liz Earle, Skin Repair Light moisturiser - £20.25

I’ve always suffered from oily skin so out of all of the moisturisers that Liz Earle have to offer, the Light Repair was the most tempting. The smell, again, is just perfect and the product overall does a great job. It didn’t add to my oily complexion but it left my skin feeling soft and refreshed and I would definitely recommend it. I would use this product only at night after the cleanse and tone steps.

3.       Pixi, Glow Tonic - £18

I had never heard of Pixi until Marks and Spencer started stocking it and everyone began talking about it at work, especially the Pixi Glow Tonic. With mostly good reviews, I decided to give it a go – after all, I get 20% discount at Marks and Spencer so it was almost rude not to. I fell in love. Since using this product, I’ve stopped wearing foundation to work and no-one has really commented (result!). I use this product twice a day, after washing my face and before moisturising (at night), and I really do notice a glow. I’ll definitely be buying this again.

4.       Lush, Mask of Magnaminty - £6.25 for 125g or £10.95 for 315g

This product is the best thing I have ever bought, ever – in skincare terms at least. It’s a clay mask with bits in to cleanse, moisturise and exfoliate your face. You put it on, either all over or just in troubled areas of your face and leave for 6-10 minutes. It doesn’t completely dry so you can still move your face without it cracking which is a lot more comfortable. When the time is up, you wash it off. At this point, I usually wet my hands and scrub the mask into my face as an exfoliator before washing it off completely, but you don’t have to! It always leaves my skin leaving super soft and really clean – it’s great for spots too.

So not to make this post too long, I’m going to finish there for now but I’ll definitely continue to post about some of my favourite face products in the hope that you feel as inspired as I did to actually look after my skin. Yes, these products do add up, but I’m definitely open to trying any brand, not just higher price points so please let me know below if you have any recommendations :)

Wave goodbye to blisters

Ladies, rejoice. Compeed have created the perfect anti-blister stick and I cannot praise it enough. 

Admittedly, it's not just for women, but from experience, it's a must-have for heel wearers. 

This little dream is similar to a lip balm in texture, look and mechanism. You twist it up, rub it on the area you know is likely to run (I suggest putting your foot in the shoe before to identify potential blistering areas) then twist back down and go. It's a small little pot so fits perfectly in any handbag and is easy to reapply if needed. 

Prevention is better than cure and the main purpose of this product is to prevent rather than get rid of blisters that are already there. While it will ease the pain of blistered areas, it's definitely not a cure. 

Those shoes at the back of the wardrobe that you never wear because you know they hurt? It's their time to shine again - you can thank me later. 

Price: around £3.99

Found in: most Boots stores

Instagram or Insta-scam?

Warning, hypocritical post coming up..

Instagram. Where to start with Instagram. I'd be surprised to find someone who didn't have a love/hate relationship with the nations favourite social media site. Whether you use it as promotion for a blog, to show everyone what you're up to or to give everyone food envy at every given chance, almost everyone is fighting the battle for likes. 

If Facebook didn't already push us all to curate every aspect of our lives to make them look more exciting than they will ever be, Instagram definitely did. From one drink made to look like a whole night out, #drunk #wild #drinkingonaschoolnight #someonestopme, to a sunset view made possible only through heavy filter use, the desire to look perfectly interesting has taken over actually enjoying the moment.

By the time everyone has the shot of the meal that has just arrived, edited and filtered, tagged and added a location, and uploaded it to Instagram, the food is cold. But that's okay, because you've just hit 11 likes, Miss Popular. 

The hypocritical part of the whole post is that I am too, that person. I'll shuffle everyone's plates and glasses around the table until it looks good, I'll take the same photo seven times just to be sure and I'll use as many filters as are available to make me look taller, skinnier and prettier. But what a sad story that is.

Why don't we put down our phones and talk to the people that are in the moment with us, rather than tagging them and waiting for their like? I'm lucky to be part of the last generation that grew up playing with actual toys and reading actual books, before Apple decided to make everything downloadable. If I'm honest, I feel really sorry for children who grow up playing on an iPad and sit in front of the TV every evening. They don't know what they're missing. 

A London Show-down

One of the many perks to living in London is the vast array of shows in theatres all over. I thought I would call out a few that I've seen that are still on, for anyone looking for a weeknight treat, or for those visiting and don't know where to start.

Wicked, at the Apollo Victoria, just over the road from Victoria tube station, is one that I'd always wanted to see and knew all of the words to Defying Gravity years before going. Based on The Wizard of Oz, you follow what happened before the story in the films, and after Dorothy visits Oz. 

The cast are fantastic and will have you engrossed at every stage even if, like me, you aren't all too familiar with the films and books. The songs and theatrics are powerful and you even end up feeling sorry for the Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. 

I would, and will 100% go and see this show again and would strongly recommend it to anyone. I've never heard anyone say a bad word about it.

Next up is Bugsy Malone. It's only in the Hammersmith Lyric for a little while longer so if you're thinking about it, I wouldn't hesitate for too long. I am and always have been a massive Bugsy Malone fan, having had it on video as a child and being part of our school play when I was about 7. 

They perform every song from the film, and even do a medley at the end which you can't help but stand up and dance through. As expected, the cast is completely made up of children and all of which are professional and extremely talented. 

The tickets for this one are nice and cheap, starting at £15, so it's definitely one to tick off. 

Most recently, The Commitments at The Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. I was hesitant about going to see this one as I had no idea what it was about or what kind of songs would be featured, but my mum was in London for the weekend and really wanted to go. I quickly said yes when she offered to pay.

Luckily, I was more than pleasantly surprised. The story follows a young Irish guy who wants to start a band. I won't ruin the story as I do highly recommend it. Songs featured included River Deep, Mountain High, Try a Little Tenderness, Mustang Sally, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted and so many more soul and Motown songs. I knew (almost) every song and the last 20minutes is a medley of songs where everyone gets up on their feet, dancing and singing. 

The atmosphere is fantastic, you leave with a real buzz. 

I haven't got imagery for the others as my blog won't let me take from my Instagram without a lot of downloading and faffing, but I thought I'd give a little overview anyway.

Matilda, Cambridge Theatre, Covent Garden: When it first came out, me and a group of friends went to see it with really high hopes. It was between that and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but somehow Matilda won. For me, it wasn't one of the better shows I'd seen. The story was different to the film, which is such a classic that it felt disjointed, and because of that, I didn't know any of the songs, so you weren't able to sing along which gives the theatre such atmosphere. My friends enjoyed it, so I wouldn't rule it out completely - it just wasn't for me. 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Drury Lane: After the disappointment of Matilda, I finally got tickets for CATCF and absolutely loved it. A few people have said it's quite childish, with a lot of effects and loud noises, but I've actually been to see it twice now, I enjoyed it that much. 

You go through laughter, happiness and a little bit of sadness when Charlie and Willy Wonka fly off in the glass elevator singing Pure Imagination. The songs on this weren't all the same from the film which, as a huge CATCF film fan I was a little disappointed, but nethertheless, it's a great watch.