Here's the link to a review of nail varnish I wrote for the University of Birmingham Redbrick Newspaper...
Enjoy!
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Jamie Oliver's New Restaurant... NOM!
On Friday I sampled the delights of Birmingham's new Jamie's Italian near the Bullring, and MY MY was it wonderful!
If the restaurant is busy (which it invariably is) then on arrival you get a nifty little pager to let you know when there is a table ready for you. The staff were really friendly and fun, dressed in dark jeans, white shirts and ties with cowboy-esque pocket belts that actually looked pretty cool!
The decor was almost All Saints-y in it's industrial feel, but mixed with elements that would be at home in a European Deli, like dry cured meats and salamis hanging above the food prep area, and huge jars of chillies, capers and olives next to rows of crusty bread loaves.
There was even a fresh pasta station where you could watch the chefs press and cut it to make your meals with- no out-of-the-packet fusilli in sight!
For starters we had an English Wild Boar Salami Artisan Meat Board (basically fancy salami but v. nice and tasty), and huge iced olives with sun dried tomato and black olive tapenade and shards of crispy 'music' bread.
The mains were their pièce de résistance; I had one of their specials; the most AMAZING slow-roasted (15 hours!) pork rolled with pan gratata, pine nuts, raisins and herbs, that had been basted in a sweet wine and came in a rustic pot served with roasties and rocket. It was uber tender and delicious, perfectly dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil- by far the best pork I've ever tasted.
My companion had half a marinated grilled pheasant with crispy fried liver and sage, salad and bread sauce smeared on the chopping-board type platter it came on. It was gorgeous, but my pork just pipped it to the post!
Having the world's most ridiculous sweet tooth, I had to have their ultimate warm chocolate, raspberry and Amaretto brownie with lush vanilla ice-cream. It was more like a rich, satisfying muffin than a brownie, but it definately hit the spot!
For 2 starters, 2 mains, a beer, a glass of wine and a desert the bill was around £45 not including service charge or tip, so for the standard of the food we got and the experience as a whole I reckon it's well worth it.
On asking our waitress if Jamie comes often though, she said he hasn't visited yet! Well, he's missing out!
Check out their usual menu on their website here.
If the restaurant is busy (which it invariably is) then on arrival you get a nifty little pager to let you know when there is a table ready for you. The staff were really friendly and fun, dressed in dark jeans, white shirts and ties with cowboy-esque pocket belts that actually looked pretty cool!
The decor was almost All Saints-y in it's industrial feel, but mixed with elements that would be at home in a European Deli, like dry cured meats and salamis hanging above the food prep area, and huge jars of chillies, capers and olives next to rows of crusty bread loaves.
For starters we had an English Wild Boar Salami Artisan Meat Board (basically fancy salami but v. nice and tasty), and huge iced olives with sun dried tomato and black olive tapenade and shards of crispy 'music' bread.
The mains were their pièce de résistance; I had one of their specials; the most AMAZING slow-roasted (15 hours!) pork rolled with pan gratata, pine nuts, raisins and herbs, that had been basted in a sweet wine and came in a rustic pot served with roasties and rocket. It was uber tender and delicious, perfectly dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil- by far the best pork I've ever tasted.
My companion had half a marinated grilled pheasant with crispy fried liver and sage, salad and bread sauce smeared on the chopping-board type platter it came on. It was gorgeous, but my pork just pipped it to the post!
Having the world's most ridiculous sweet tooth, I had to have their ultimate warm chocolate, raspberry and Amaretto brownie with lush vanilla ice-cream. It was more like a rich, satisfying muffin than a brownie, but it definately hit the spot!
For 2 starters, 2 mains, a beer, a glass of wine and a desert the bill was around £45 not including service charge or tip, so for the standard of the food we got and the experience as a whole I reckon it's well worth it.
On asking our waitress if Jamie comes often though, she said he hasn't visited yet! Well, he's missing out!
Check out their usual menu on their website here.
Quote of the Day...
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed."
Albert Einstein- Amen
Albert Einstein- Amen
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Steal Kate Middleton's style
Check out my second Blog post on Kate Middleton and her engagement style for the FuroreStyle blog.
Not gonna lie, I'm a little jealous of the soon-to-be Princess's glowing face, svelte figure, Issa London dress and of course that priceless sapphire and diamond ring that belonged to the late Princess Diana.
Maybe one day I'll find my own handsome Prince to lavish me with precious gems and who looks as good as Wills in a suit...
Not gonna lie, I'm a little jealous of the soon-to-be Princess's glowing face, svelte figure, Issa London dress and of course that priceless sapphire and diamond ring that belonged to the late Princess Diana.
Maybe one day I'll find my own handsome Prince to lavish me with precious gems and who looks as good as Wills in a suit...
Friday, 12 November 2010
New post on Furorestyle blog...
As some of you may know I work part-time for the wonderful PR company Furore PR in Birmingham. I have now been entrusted with managing all of Furore PR's online activity; their Facebook, blog, twitter and the like.
Today I wrote my First blog post on Furorestyle about Danii Minogue's wonderful choice of Fei Liu Jewellery on Sunday's X Factor.
Fei Liu is one of Furore PR's clients and his jewellery is just stunning. Some of his collections have won awards and received huge critical acclaim because they are just beautifully classic and yet entirely unique.
Check out some of his amazing pieces on his website http://www.feiliu.co.uk/.
Today I wrote my First blog post on Furorestyle about Danii Minogue's wonderful choice of Fei Liu Jewellery on Sunday's X Factor.
Check out some of his amazing pieces on his website http://www.feiliu.co.uk/.
Monday, 25 October 2010
Review of Brum's new HMV Institute...
Holla!
Here's my review of Birmingham's premier new music venue; the HMV Institute, on the Birmingham University newspaper's website Rebrick Online...
Here's my review of Birmingham's premier new music venue; the HMV Institute, on the Birmingham University newspaper's website Rebrick Online...
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Back to Brum!
I've returned to my beloved surrogate city to do a couple of weeks work experience, earn some money then start my dreaded final year!
My work experience has been with two different Birmingham-based companies; a web design and advertising agency, and a fashion, beauty and lifestyle PR company. I am having a great time in the 'real world' trying out different possible career routes, so we shall see where I decide to start heading!
To counteract the chill in my big rather-empty-at-the-moment house (until I work out how to use the heating) I've decided new slipper boots are in order. My Mum found these cute ones from AVON so hopefully they will be in my possession soon! Until they arrive it's double layers all the way, even on my tootsies!
I've also just ordered this faux fur jacket from New Look to add to my winter wardrobe, which goes just perfectly with my great-in-all-weather Clark's buckle boots from last year.
All in all a good start to my Autumn pre-term preparations, and I am enjoying having time to chill out before the pressure of my final year really kicks in.
Now, where did I leave my hot water bottle...
My work experience has been with two different Birmingham-based companies; a web design and advertising agency, and a fashion, beauty and lifestyle PR company. I am having a great time in the 'real world' trying out different possible career routes, so we shall see where I decide to start heading!
To counteract the chill in my big rather-empty-at-the-moment house (until I work out how to use the heating) I've decided new slipper boots are in order. My Mum found these cute ones from AVON so hopefully they will be in my possession soon! Until they arrive it's double layers all the way, even on my tootsies!
All in all a good start to my Autumn pre-term preparations, and I am enjoying having time to chill out before the pressure of my final year really kicks in.
Now, where did I leave my hot water bottle...
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