Mother's Day gift idea

So Mother's Day is just around the corner, and if you're reading this, you are probably in a bit of a last-minute panic of what to buy your lovely Mum this Sunday. 

Just a short post, directed mostly at those who live within short travelling distance of London Victoria Station. 

All Mums love flowers right? Well how about adding a little something extra to an otherwise very obvious gift? I'm not talking about buying her that beautiful bouquet that comes with a free teddy or box of chocolates, that's too cliche. These are what I'm talking about . . .

The price can vary depending on the time of year, the blue one, for example, was £2.50 on a normal day but jumped up to £7.50 the day before Valentine's Day. And you can buy them singularly or as a bunch but they really are breath-taking. They come in a range of fantastic colours too, although I am yet to sample the whole range. 

Throw together a bunch of these and your mum won't be left feeling like a last-minute thought. 

DIY gifts - The Photo Frame

There's nothing worse than being stuck for a gift idea. My next challenge in terms of blog posts, is to find a number of fun, creative and personal DIY gift ideas that can be made suitable for almost anybody. 

First up, the photo frame. You can pick up cheap, plain photo frames from almost any home store and adding your own touch is incredibly easy. The one I made (below) for example, was a plain wooden frame that I covered with some leftover wrapping paper. The colours went with the room decor and it was definitely going to be unique. 

It was so easy and I can't believe how professional it looks. 

Paperchase is a great place to find quirky, high-quality paper for around £1.25 a sheet. And that's all you'll need, apart from some glue, obviously. 

If you want to make it really personal, print out some small photos that your giftee will love and cherish, and cover the frame with those instead. Aslong as the photos are of a good quality, best to use normal paper rather than photo paper for sticking, you'll have a gift you're proud to give. 

U-Spicy cosmetic brush set

For years I've longed for a set of make-up brushes that actually do the job. The number of brushes I have bought and hated due to them being too soft and not applying the product evenly is ridiculous. 

That was until I was introduced to U-Spicy. My mum found them on Amazon and decided they would be a great stocking filler, and boy was she right. 

I have the 10 piece set but they also come in a six piece set. There is a brush for every product and each is soft but stern. The product glides on and is noticable in just one application, unlike other brands that take a couple of layers to achieve. 

My personal favourites out of the set are:

• The Tapered Brush for foundation application. I'm used to using thinner brushes for foundation but the thickness makes application so much quicker. It doesn't leave liquid foundation looking streaky and leaves you with great coverage. 

• The Angled Brush for blush/glow application. Although not a massive brush, it gives fantastic coverage and is great for getting into smaller areas, such as around the eyes and nose. 

• The Precision Flat Brush for concealer application. When used in a small circular motion, you achieve almost perfect coverage with minimal effort - much better than using your fingers! 

• The Precision Tapered Brush for blush/glow application. The small tipped brush is great for reaching the smaller areas with bronze or blush. I've found it particularly useful for applying liquid highlighter such as Benefit's High Beam. 

Available to buy from Amazon. 

Original price £35.99

Sale price £16.99

The Lounge - Brixton

Brixton is known for its busy nightlife and constant hustle and bustle so if it's a quiet drink you're after, The Lounge is a great place to start. 

Dimmed lighting, affordable drinks and some great music that isn't over-powering makes it the perfect place to catch up with old friends or to finish off your date night. 

Their unique menu gives a range of cocktails from the classic mojito to something a little more daring, with most being priced at around £7. 

Whether you just pop in for one, or decide to try out the whole menu, The Lounge offers a relaxed atmosphere away from the busy streets of Brixton. 

You will find The Lounge on Atlantic Road. 

Eating Out, London: Bukowski

Bukowski charcoal grill in Brixton Market Row is a dark and dingy restaurant that specialises in burgers and ribs. 

Located opposite a very noisy Mexican, it can be difficult to engage in a proper conversation but nethertheless the atmosphere is pretty cool. 

With Honest burger just around the corner, there's no competition when it comes to the quality of the food but there is more variety. I had the pulled pork, my boyfriend had the BBQ ribs and we shared fries that were cooked in beef dripping (amazing!). 

Only £6.95 for the burger, I would recommend it. The meat was melt-in-the-mouth and tasted really good with the added BBQ sauce. 

The ribs were good but not something I would order as the sauce they were cooked in didn't have too much flavour. But smothered in BBQ sauce made a huge difference. They were served with the Waldorf coleslaw which was really tasty, especially with the chips! 

I would recommend the Bukowski grill for anyone that isn't looking to spend too much but wants a decent meal. It fits right in with the quirkiness of Brixton market so leave the cocktail dress at home. 

Eating Out, London: Honest Burger

If you live in London, you've probably heard of, or even visited an Honest Burger. If you haven't, it's a must-try. 

I recently moved to Brixton and am blessed, or as my bank balance would say cursed, with having an Honest Burger just down the road in Brixton Village. A tiny, crowded restaurant always full of people it offers a great atmosphere.

 

Now for the burgers. All cooked medium unless you request otherwise, each bite reveals the succulent red meat that really does melt in the mouth. 

They offer beef, chicken or vegetarian options so everyone is catered for. The famous Honest beef burgers come with an array of different toppings, from plain cheddar to jalapeños and Stilton and I've yet to come across one I didn't like. 

The standard cheese burger is anything but standard. With a choice between Cheddar, Stilton or Red Leicester and topped with caramelised onions, it really is quite magnificent. 

All burgers are served with rosemary-salted chips which really compliment each other. 

The drinks menu offers soft drinks and cocktails however I have only ever tried the homemade lemonade (pictured). Served with a slice of fresh lemon and a retro-style straw, it looks and tastes great. 

You can find Honest Burger in:

Brixton

Soho

Camden

Portobello

Kings Cross

Oxford Circus 

Tooting

Visit their website for more details or to view the menu. http://www.honestburgers.co.uk 

Winter Wonders

The winter weather is fast approaching and the freezing cold air is well upon us. Unprepared, I was leaving the house un-layered and vulnerable. Deciding I couldn't face it any longer, especially having to leave the house at 6am every morning, I caved and went shopping for some warm winter clothes. 

Along with a couple of items I probably didn't need to buy, I found these two beautiful, thick woolen scarves. The floral one was an absolute bargain buy for just £5 in Primark. It's got so many different colours in it, it can easily be worn with most things and it's length makes it extremely cosy. 

The red tartan one was a little more pricey at £19.50 from Marks and Spencer. As I currently work in there, I have had my eye on it for a while but finally decided it was time. 

Marks and Spencer have been a hidden gem as of late, especially their Limited and Autograph departments. So if you're looking for something a little bit unique that not everyone is wearing, unlike the ever-popular Topshop, I definitely suggest giving them a chance. If you can, head to one of the bigger stores such as Marble Arch for a great selection.