When it comes to things I’ve missed over lockdown, eyebrow appointments are seriously high on the list. I’ve not touched mine since before Christmas, and whilst I’ve (secretly) enjoyed the process of growing them out (because everyone looks better with a thick structured brow) I do desperately need a good tint, as although my brows grow in quite decently, as I’ve gotten older, they’re paler than they used to be.
So, in an effort to get my brows in the best shape of my life, literally, I’ve been incorporating Castor Oil into my daily regime. Each night after cleansing, I take a clean spool brush, dip it in the Castor Oil and swipe it through my brows in an upwards direction, and leave it to work it’s magic overnight. It’s long been said that Castor Oil can help encourage hair growth, as well as deeply hydrate and nourish dry skin. A few drops of the Lavender Castor Oil is all you need for a spa-like massage, as not only does it feels super indulgent, but it’s incredibly relaxing too. Over the past week or so, I’ve also been experiencing some dry patches of skin, and a few drops of the unscented has absolutely worked magic in keeping everything soft and hydrated!
Heritage Store Castor Oil is priced from £6.99 and is available here.
When it comes to my favourite tipple, not much matches the perfect G&T. Whether it’s enjoyed as a sundowner after a glorious spring or summer day, or savoured after a busy work day, I like to keep things classic, with a simple tonic, lots of ice and a wedge of lime. Obviously the quality of gin seriously counts, so I’m always on the lookout to find new options to try, and one of my newest favourites comes from the Yorkshire-based Otterbeck distillery – Cotton Gin. The name itself is inspired by the machines which once filled the building it’s now produced in, and their magnificent hand engineered four hundred and fifty litre copper still, has been christened Eliza – named after the mill owners wife!
With the distillery itself nestled in the stunning moors of Yorkshire, Cotton Gin is flavoured with hand-foraged botanicals and distilled slowly to produce the best possible flavour. Scented with delicate floral notes, the gin itself is beautifully smooth, with fresh citrusy notes – making it perfect for seasonal sipping! I love the slight pine notes, and it makes for the most refreshing treat to end to a busy day with! The brand recommend serving alongside a ribbon of fresh lemon peel and with a sprig of rosemary – so it’s looking like my at-home drinks are about to have a bit of an upgrade!
Cotton Gin is priced from £37.95 and is available here.
It’s not every Sunday afternoon that you get a personal cooking lesson from a Michelin-starred chef in your own kitchen, so when S. Pellegrino collaborated with Waitrose to organise the ultimate evening in. Broadcast right before the BAFTAs kicked off, it was the perfect end to another weekend spent in lockdown.
Prepping for the class couldn’t have been easier – Waitrose had a whole page dedicated to the ingredients, which could then be ordered through their click-and-collect service. Then, about two hours before the class was due to start, I got busy prepping my ingredients – toasting bread for croutons and measuring everything out.
If I’m completely honest, I’m always a bit nervous about cooking fish at home – I’m paranoid about under or over cooking it, so the chance to get guided through the process by Claude Bosi felt like a real privilege. As I pottered around getting everything ready, I got to enjoy an ice cold S. Pellegrino Melograno e Arancia, which has quickly become my favourite evening treat.
Connecting to the class couldn’t have been easier – a link emailed over about an hour before things kicked off meant I could have my laptop all ready to go when it hit 5 on the dot, and the fun really began. Interviewed by a member of the Waitrose team, Claude Bosi was the perfect mix of fascinating and hands-on. From infusing milk with toasted bread to segmenting a lemon, I got to learn a whole range of techniques I’ve never come close to trying before.
The result was an hour which absolutely flew by, as well as a supper which felt like it came straight from a restaurant kitchen. Thanks to following Claude’s instructions I had perfectly steamed cod loin, fluffy browned-butter potatoes and a sauce which was absolutely delicious. In fact, the supper was so good that we’ve already replicated it for a weeknight treat.
Thank you so much to S. Pellegrino for organising such a lovely night!
I’m not sure about you, but I am seriously bored with the handful of dishes I rotate through on a weekly basis. Whether it’s a roast chicken, steak and broccoli or even a crowd-pleasing ragu, I feel like I’ve had it a thousand times over the past few months. I’ve spent hours going through the New York Times recipes as well all my old favourites, but I think I’m just ready to get back out and about to restaurants. So, when an email popped up inviting me to dinner from Loanhead’s famous Radhuni Indian restaurant, I absolutely jumped at the chance.
When it comes to spicing up supper, the team behind The Radhuni certainly know what they’re doing. The restaurant has been named amongst the 100 best UK Indian restaurants, and received numerous awards including Scotland’s Best Restaurant, so to say I was excited to pick up dinner is an understatement. After popping my order in through Facebook (super convenient), I headed through to find out what all the fuss was about.
With easy on-street parking, I popped in at my chosen time to pick up supper – The Radhuni have set up a COVID-19 secure pickup desk, kitted out with screen and santizer and the team decked out in masks, perfect for staying safe during these testing times. After picking up our goodies, we practically raced home so we could get everything plated and tuck in.
Since it’s been a while since our last curry (like, a year while) it was such a thrill to be greeted with the scents of a really fabulous meal, and we plated it all out as quickly as we could. Greeted with a veritable feast, we had decided to go all-out and sample dishes with a bit of a kick, so leaving my normal Butter Chicken behind, we plumped for a Chicken Tikka Badami Korma and a Chicken Tikka Khumbi Dupiaza for our mains, with a Peshwari naan, poppadums and dip, a Murgh Chicken Kebab and Onion Bahjis to share.
Everything came securely packaged, and once it was all plated up, we realised what a feast we’d ordered, and it was a mouth-watering couple of minutes whilst I took photos before we dug right in. Each dish was delicious – absolutely bursting with flavours and spice, and we couldn’t even come close to deciding on favourites.
The Chicken Tikka in the dishes gave a real burst of smoky flavour, and the sauces were bright and full of spice. I loved pairing the soft, sweet naan with the punchy curries, and it was such a treat to enjoy such an indulgence! As you can imagine, we easy had enough leftovers for a delicious lunch the next day.
If you’re in the mood for something a little special, I’d heartily recommend a supper order from The Radhuni. Not only was the food absolutely delicious, but the restaurant has a beautiful outdoor area, which is perfect for summer evenings once we’re allowed back out and about.
Thank you so much to The Radhuni for supper, if you’re tempted, you can find their whole menu here.
The moment the first daffodils start poking their heads through the soil, I’m in full Spring Cleaning mode. Even after a year of lockdown, where every cupboard has been ransacked at least twice, I’ve spent the past couple of weeks going through everything again, to make sure all cupboards and drawers are in order; especially since we’re getting ready for life to go back to some sort of normality. Once everything’s been scrubbed down and re-arranged, my favourite part is enjoying the order I’ve created – I know what’s in every drawer, and I always feel so much calmer when things are colour-coordinated and in alphabetical order. It’s also the point when I bring out my new bits and pieces I’ve been waiting to enjoy.
Case-in-point is ARRAN Sense of Scotland’s diffuser in After the Rain. It’s one of the brand’s signature scents, and I’m completely in love with it. With notes of Rose, Sandalwood and Lime, it’s a beautifully fresh fragrance which feels perfect for the better weather. I’ve popped mine in the bathroom so it always feels spa-like when I go in, and it’s the loveliest addition to the room, which I enjoy during evening bubble baths. The diffuser uses essential oils for the purest experience to enjoy, and it absolutely fills the room without feeling too oppresive.
ARRAN Sense of Scotland After the Rain Diffuser is priced at £30 and is available here.
