Park Run

Hello! Hope you all had a lovely Easter - I definitely overindulged a bit too much so I'm now paying the price! Lots of exercise and salad! 

AMAZING hotel chocolat easter egg - Thanks Dima!

These are incredible.

A general idea of my Easter diet 

My boyfriend took me out for a run yesterday - I went along very begrudgingly as it was raining and miserable outside! Also the treadmill is so much easier to run on, and I've also started reading my notes whilst running (multitasking!) But it was actually the cutest park (Acton Park) I've been to in London, and the rain made everything so pretty! (see the goblins in the tree above?)

I'm so annoyed all the pretty blossom is rapidly leaving the trees! But at least this gave me good opportunities to 'take pictures' aka stop running because I couldn't breathe/was dying. 

getting in some jumping exercise...

Wearing a very fetching anorak - at least I was dry! 

Such a cool marble tree! 

Hawaii flowers?

I've recently had to up my running game because I finish my exams in... TWO WEEKS and need to start working straight away! I'm very proud to say I managed to run 30 minutes this week, and that's my new goal every day :) Summer is coming!

Bob Bob Ricard

HAPPY EASTER! This is one of my FAVOURITE holidays, because I love chocolate a lot. Last night I went for an Easter meal with my family, and I have to say - I have found my new favourite restaurant. That is quite a big thing for me because I am really spoiled for choice in London, there are so many with amazing quality (Hawksmoor, Patty and Bun, Sapori Sardi are some favourites) yet Wagmama's somehow continues to lure me in for its Chicken Katsu curry time and time again. 

Anyway. If the first thing you see when you sit down in a restaurant is this, you know it is going to be good. 

We were at Bob Bob Ricard - the place I had wanted to come to for a long time but lacked necessary funds. Luckily my dad was in town and was ready to make up for lost time! The ambiance as you walk in hits you straight away - the waiters are impeccably dressed in pink waistcoats and bow ties and the entire place looks like a 1920s French first class steam carriage!

We ordered some incredible warm, crusty bread to begin with as we pursued our menus.. I decided to opt out of my alcohol-ban for the Easter weekend and order a salted chocolate martini.

If you get one thing (ok drink) here make sure it is this. It was INCREDIBLE, like chocolate milk with a hint of alcohol and salty deliciousness. So, so worth breaking my chocolate/diet/alcohol ban for... but it started me on a slippery slope. 

This was my dad's rhubarb gin and tonic - amazing. 

The menu was full of amazing-sounding food, but in the end I opted for 'Brezhnev' Oysters - baked with parmesan and black truffle. They were without a doubt, the best oysters and are probably one of the best things I have ever eaten. 

I lasted a full five minutes before greedily pressing the champagne button, where upon a waiter immediately popped up and offered me PINK CHAMPAGNE which was amazing. 

my dad went for Crab Salad with Chilli Avocado Mayonnaise

For mains I opted for lobster mash (naturally), creamed spinach and salmon tartare (healthy.. sort of?)

The tartare was incredibly fresh and there was a strong presence of dill (as in all the dishes) which reminds me so much of Russia! I should probably mention that Bob Bob Ricard is a Russian/English restaurant, and my dad lives in Russia. Also my best friend and boyfriend are Russian - surrounded! Russian food is realllllly good. 

Not quite sure how Russian this lobster mash was but it was decadently amazing. 

My brother's chips came in this cute box! They were also AMAZING (told you the martini started me on a slippery slope.. coupled with the wine I completely forgot that I was on a diet ;) ) 

a brief 'person' picture to break up the FOOD AMAZINGNESS - me and my brother. 

Then it was dessert time. I have impressively managed to resist desserts for the past two months, but as I said, the excellent food, company and alcohol had got to my head. Plus, when there is such a thing as 'BBR Signature Chocolate Glory - Chocolate Jivara Mousse, chocolate brownie, merginue and passionfruit jelly - served with fresh raspberries and a hot chocolate sauce' would I really be able to say no? It would be plain rude. So naturally I got that and forced my dad to get chocolate fondant so we could share! 

The chocolate fondant (my favourite dessert!) which was incredible. My brother decided to get one after seeing mine. 

and now for the glory... 

A large gold sphere, questionably awaiting the hot chocolate sauce which is promptly poured over it, causing the sphere to MELT AWAY and revealing the chocolate innards. Probably the most incredible dessert I have ever eaten. (and I have eaten a lot!) 

(IT DESERVES THREE PICTURES) 

After this insane haze of luxurious food, we attempted to calm our stomachs with fresh mint tea.. and more chocolate (truffles). 

They had everything down to a T here. The service was impeccable - waiters hovered close by without being obvious, but so lovely and welcoming despite the very high prices and luxury-feel of the place - it wasn't really stuck up at all, only in a good way of 'we serve oysters, champagne and lobster and they are all FAB come try!'. The place also smelled amazing because of these giant flower arrangements everywhere. A definite new (luxury) favourite - for very special occasions only, as it is very pricey! I would say it is SO worth it though.

Happy Easter! Indulge freely - today is a day for chocolate, happiness and love! 

Beauty Essentials

I am SO lazy when it comes to beauty-ifying myself - my idea of wearing make up is the below. Moisturiser, concealer, mascara and bronzer. I think that most people generally look way better with less make up and also, I am just quite awful at applying it! But I have some bare essentials which I use religiously. 

I never used to moisturise my face (gasp) and I still don't clean it.. like as a separate process (very bad model!) but I have made a conscious effort to start moisturising since I moved to England with its freezing weather! This Bobbi Brown  one works perfectly on my skin, it's light and moisturises brilliantly at the same time. It has also lasted for ages! 

More essential for me than mascara, are eyelash curlers. I have really long but straight eyelashes so when I curl them I see a massive difference! They are used by every make up artist I have worked with, a definite must have. 

My mum gave me this Argan Oil and although I was pretty sceptical at first, it works wonders! Great for your skin to give it a massive moisture boost or your hair if you apply as a leave-in conditioner on the ends. 

Literally the only product I use on my hair, and buy repeatedly no matter what is John Frieda Frizz Ease - I apply it to wet, washed hair and before straightening. It makes a massive difference and really smoothes it down and makes it shiny :) 

I recently bought these Fish Oil Tablets in a vain attempt at tricking myself into thinking they would make me cleverer around exam time. My mum used to give me fish oil to stop me from walking in to things (like tables and doors!) when I was younger so it must be doing something?! I have been able to remember things pretty well this revision-period but it is probably due to a combination of eating healthy, exercising and intense studying! Regardless, Omega 3 is really important for the mind and being healthy overall so if you aren't into fish these could be a good idea.

My tangle teezer is my literal life saver after a shoot where my poor hair has been straightened, curled, backcombed, and frizzed to hell and back. It is the only brush I've found that manages seriously hair situations like those without ripping out all of my hair and a LOT of pain! If you have knotty hair this is a definite must have (also it is pink and travel-size <3) 

And finally for the body moisturisers. For our cheerleading competition we had to fake tan, and as I am not generally too good at beauty in general I foresaw disastrous consequences. My friend recommended the Dove Summer Glow range and they work amazingly! Whenever I am feeling a bit pale I'll pop some on and there is a really noticeable, without being too noticeable, difference! It gives you a healthy golden glow and is brilliant if you are looking for a cheap and safe way to bronze (and moisturise!) - also cheap as chips! 

The Vaseline Spray and Go moisturiser is a God send for lazy people like me, who can't be bothered with the effort of moisturising! It sprays on in a flash and instantly soaks into your skin, moisturising whilst leaving you smelling of cocoa :) 

That's it for my beauty recommendations! I really need to branch out a bit, so if you have any good ones let me know! 

A small bonus 'beauty' essential I have become obsessed with is avocado. This was my breakfast today, too cute not to share! The easiest recipe ever, scoop out the avocado pit and a little bit extra, pop an egg in there and put in the oven at 200 degrees for 15 minutes. Take out and tuck in! I added mango and nuts and it instantly filled me up - a perfect low carb breakfast. Avocados have endless benefits to your skin, hair, nails, eyesight... as well as tasting great!

Have a great Easter weekend!