#bristol, #food, #lifestyle, #review, #vegetarian

The Hole In The Wall – Bristol Review

October 24, 2018October 24, 2018 melissaeddollss

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the launch of one of my favourite pubs. The Hole In The Wall is a premium pub, bar and restaurant, situated in the City Centre of Bristol.

The Hole In The Wall is very local to me and a venue that I have visited many times before the refurbishment had taken place. I was so surprised when walking into the pub as the transformation was incredible. The decor and atmosphere represents a really classy and chic bar.

On arrival we were able to visit the Gin Bar and garnish our own Gin and Tonics. Being a Gin Lover, I jumped at the chance. I made the perfect Tanqueray Gin and Tonic, filled with rose petals and glazed cherries.

After treating ourselves to a tasty G&T, it was only right we sampled some of the new cocktails added to the menu. My favourite being the Clover Club, a Gin and Martini cocktail, decorated with the most prettiest edible flowers.

Not only did this cocktail look great, but it tasted amazing. If you’re obsessed with gin like me, then I would definitely recommend you give this cocktail a try.

After tasting the fabulous drinks on offer, it was time for us to sit down to dinner. The dining area of the pub is absolutely gorgeous. There is plenty of room for groups of all sizes, along with a meeting room available for bookings.

The tables were dressed beautifully and I could not wait to see what the new menu had to offer.

To start I decided to try the Thyme-Roasted Portobello Mushrooms, served in Cropwell Bishop Sauce, with a side of Rustic Toast. I absolutely love mushrooms and this dish did not disappoint. There were so many flavours to this dish, I instantly fell in love.

For my main, I chose the Roasted Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Tart. This dish was stuffed with vegetables and full of flavour. This would be great for a lunch time, or a warm dinner dish.

I was so full after eating these two courses, but as always I made sure that I had enough room for one of their fancy new desserts.

For my dessert, I picked the Melting Chocolate and Peanut Bomb, filled with sticky toffee pudding and peanut butter cream. The bomb is served with bourbon vanilla ice cream and hot salted caramel sauce.

The presentation of this dessert was absolutely incredible. Once the sauce is poured onto the top of the dessert, the melting feature is magical.

Along with the dessert looking the part, it tasted amazing. If you a chocolate fan, then you will not be disappointed.

The service I received was outstanding and I had such a great evening. I could not believe the transformation of both the decor and menu.

I can’t wait to return to The Hole In The Wall and get my hands on those fancy cocktails again.

The food and drink reviewed on the launch night was gifted to me by The Hole In The Wall. All of the opinions posted on my blog are my own.

#bblogger, #bristol, #lifestyle, #review, #skincare

Amphora Aromatics Must Have Miracle Oil

October 7, 2018October 7, 2018 melissaeddollss

Over the past few weeks I have feel as though I have been super busy and I haven’t really had the chance to pamper myself as much as I would have liked.

After spending a week in Marbella, my hair and skin had become extremely withdrawn from the sunshine and moisture it was receiving whilst I was away. After returning to temperatures below 10 degrees, I was desperately looking for a product to help me out.

Luckily, before my holiday I had been offered the chance to try out a new product from Amphora Aromatics. Amphora Aromatics is an organic and local based brand which stocks high quality products and extremely reasonable prices. You may have read my previous post on the brand, which I am still obsessing over.

They currently have a range for oils out especially focused on hair and skincare. I decided to try out their Argan Oil. This oil can be used on the skin, hair and also nails.

The applicator for this product is really helpful. It means that you won’t be wasting a lot of the product as you can carefully measure how much you wish to use.

Unlike many other Argan Oil products I have tried, this product did not seem greasy at all. I have been using the Argan Oil on both my skin and hair for over a week now and I have already seen great results.

My skin has a lot more moisture to it and feels a lot softer than it did before using the product. After using the oil on my hair, it has helped reduce frizz, along with leaving me with silky smooth hair.

It’s amazing how one product can work wonders in so many areas. The fact that this is a natural product is also a bonus.

If you’re looking for a product that can help you feeling moisturised in these cold months, then I would definitely recommend you try out this one out.

#bristol, #food, #lifestyle, #review, #vegetarian

Felson’s Cocktail Lounge and Stick Hall

August 22, 2018August 19, 2018 melissaeddollss

I was recently invited along to experience an evening at Felson’s Cocktail Lounge and Stick Hall in Bristol. The stylish venue can be found on Corn Street, serving up tasty food, fabulous drinks and pool tables to keep you entertained all night long.

We were given our own pool table, with a seating area ready for us to try out their food and drinks. The atmosphere for the venue is incredible and I was so excited to spend the evening there.

After playing several games we worked up quite an appetite. I decided to try the Veggie Burger, a sweetcorn, coriander and chilli fritter topped with Halloumi. It was served with sweet potato fries and onions. The portions in the Felson’s are huge and my meal was absolutely delicious.

My boyfriend tried the SFC Double Down Burger, a dish of two spicy southern fried chicken burgers sandwiched between melted cheese and bacon. His was also served with sweet potato fries and onion rings on the side. Our plates were left empty and our tummys were full.

After stuffing our faces we ordered some of the signature cocktails on the menu. I decided to go for the G is for Gin, a combination of Tanqueray No.10 Gin, Elderflower and Prosecco. This was the ultimate combination. My boyfriend tried the Raspberry Bramble, a mixture of Tanqueray Gin with framboise puree, blended with lemon and sugar syrup. As you can tell we love gin and these cocktails did not disappoint.

We decided it would also be great to try some of the traditional cocktails on the menu. I went for my favourite, a Pornstar Martini and my boyfriend went for a Strawberry Daiquiri. These definitely lived up to the name. Like all the drinks we tried, they were really tasty and well presented.

I had such a great evening and I absolutely love this venue. It is in the perfect location and would be great for any occasion. You can hire out VIP lounges for special occasions or simply walk in for a night of fun.

Thank you to Felson’s for a fantastic evening. We loved the whole concept of the venue and we will definitely be returning for a rematch.

#bristol, #food, #lifestyle, #review, #vegetarian

Sholay Indian Kitchen

August 19, 2018August 19, 2018 melissaeddollss

If you’re from Bristol, then you may already know about the hidden gem that is Wapping Wharf. The vibrant community can be found just off Bristol Harbourside, behind M-Shed. The area is filled with many cafes, bars and restaurants, along with some quirky shops.

Amongst the area, based in Cargo 2, is where you will find Sholay Indian Kitchen. The funky and colourful restaurant, serves up tasty Indian dishes, both big and small, to suit all of your needs.

After hearing great things about the restaurant, I decided to head over and try it out for myself. As Wapping Wharf is only a short walk away from my house, it was the perfect place to go on a summer evening.

Whilst we decided on our food, we decide to try out the drinks they had to offer. My boyfriend decided to go for a Kingfisher Beer and I went the Sholay Mojito. This cocktail is a passion fruit twist on the original and I absolutely loved it. The cocktail came with a bamboo straw which I thought was a great touch.

To start I went for the famous Sholay Chaat. Not only does this dish look absolutely incredible, but it tasted amazing. The dish features the perfect combination of samosas and chickpeas, both zesty and sweet.

My boyfriend chose the Hara Bhara Kebab which I had to try. These were really tasty and worked brilliantly with the sauce. I will definitely be returning to the restaurant to try out these veggie dishes again.

Then it was time for our main. I can honestly say this was one of the nicest dishes I have ever tasted. I am getting hungry just thinking about it.

The Baingan Moilee was a beautifully presented vegetarian dish, filled with mashed potato, aubergines and a mouth watering coconut milk sauce. Words cannot describe the flavours in this dish. If you are planning on visiting this restaurant then I would absolutely recommend this dish.

My boyfriend decided to try the Masala Fish for his main which he loved. I can’t comment on the taste myself as I don’t eat fish, but he was definitely impressed with this dish.

Overall I am so impressed with Sholay Indian Kitchen. The food is so colourful and full of flavour. The menu works perfectly with the location and I can’t fault the service.
This place is definitely one to watch.

Thank you to Sholay Indian Kitchen for having us and providing us with these incredible dishes, we will definitely be returning soon!

#bblogger, #beauty, #bloggingevent, #bristol, #catwalk, #lifestyle, #makeup, #review, #skincare, #summer

Dior Backstage Collection

August 11, 2018 melissaeddollss

You may have seen me post a lot lately about the new Dior Backstage collection. I recently had the chance to attend their product launch evening which was amazing. We were able to preview the products, along with watching a live demo of the products being used.

After falling in love with this range, I was excited to be able to have the look demonstrated on myself. The Dior counter in Boots, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, invited me down to have a one to one make-up masterclass using the Backstage Collection and of course I jumped at the chance.

The Backstage Collection is a range designed for the catwalk. All of the products are long lasting and work beautifully with flash photography. There is definitely none of that horrible flash back when wearing these products.

Prep Time

When I sat down for my make-up lesson, we discussed what type of look I usually go for. I explained that I like a full coverage foundation, with a dewy glow. We decided that we would also go for a smokey eye look, but one that you could get away with wearing in the day.

Before any of the make-up products were applied, my face was prepped with Dream Skin. This product is multi-functional as it can be used a moisturiser, anti-ageing cream and even a primer. By using this product underneath my makeup, I was able to get the desired look to last all day long.

The Makeup

The foundation used on me was the Backstage Foundation in 2.5 Neutral. This foundation is amazing as it is sweat proof and waterproof. It is a buildable foundation leaving it up to you to create the texture and shade you desire.

The bronzer used to contour my face was the Dior Backstage Contour Palette. This was beautifully paired with the Dior Bronzer in 03. The glow on this look was incredible and it was created by using a range of the highlighters in the Backstage Glow Palette.

For the eyes we used the Backstage Warm Neutrals Palette, blended in with a fluffy brush to create the desired effect. The Backstage Brows Pallette was also used on my brows in the shade light.

For the lips which are my absolute favourite, we use the Backstage Lip Palette as a base, with the Lip Maximer in 002 on top. I love the Lip Maximer as it can be worn as a gloss on it’s own, or over the top of another shade. You definitely see a difference when the product is on as you get a natural fuller look.

Finished Look

I was really pleased with my finished look. All of the products work really well together and you can get such an amazing outcome when experimenting with them.

The girls at the Dior Counter in Boots, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol are all extremely helpful and friendly. If you’re looking to try out the products then I would definitely book yourself in or head down to the counter for a chat.

#bblogger, #bristol, #food, #lifestyle, #summer, #vegetarian

Dangun – Modern Casual Asian Dining in Bristol

August 1, 2018July 31, 2018 melissaeddollss

If you’re somebody who loves going out for tasty food, then Bristol is definitely the place for you. Last week I visited Dangun, a small asian restaurant based on St Nicholas Street, Bristol.

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On arrival I was given the chance to watch a Kimchi workshop. Kieran, Dangun’s head chef demonstrated how to make Kimchi from scratch. Kimchi is homemade spicy fermented cabbage which can be made with either fish sauce or vegetable sauce. Kieran used the vegetable sauce in order to accommodate vegetarians like myself. He also explained to us that you can get your desired taste from Kimchi by fermenting it for as long as you wish.

I had the chance to taste three versions of Kimchi which had been fermented for five days, ten days and also fifteen days. I found that the Kimchi which had been fermented for fifteen days taken the best. It was less sour than the others and had a much more savoury taste to it.

After digging in to some tasty Edamame Beans, Asian Coleslaw and Pickles, it was time to have our starter. The starter I chose was the Toppoki. This dish consists of Korean Rice Cakes in a Spicy Gochujang Sauce. There is a lot of heat in this dish which works perfectly with the flavours and textures. The portions in Dangun are huge and I this starter alone could have filled me up. I would happily have this as a lunch dish.

The main dish I chose from the menu was the colourful Deopbap Tofu and Mushroom Rice Bowl. This dish was as delicious as it looks. The ingredients were incredibly fresh and filling. I really loved this dish and I am looking forward to trying it again.

I was so impressed with my meal and I was really surprised at how reasonably priced the menu is. The atmosphere in the restaurant is very relaxed and welcoming which is always a great feature to have.

If you’re looking for a small restaurant away from the big chains in Bristol then I would definitely recommend you give this place a try. The staff were really friendly and the food was absolutely delicious.

#bblogger, #beauty, #bloggingevent, #bristol, #lifestyle, #review, #skincare, #summer

HarSPA Bristol Launch: Relaxation at its finest.

July 29, 2018July 29, 2018 melissaeddollss

After spending the past few weeks moaning that I was in desperate need of a Spa Day, my prayers were answered as I received an invite to Bristol Harbour Hotel to celebrate the launch of their HarSPA Products.

As much as I hate to admit it, before attending a Blogging Event I usually spend hours picking the perfect outfit and ensuring my hair and makeup looks good. With this is mind, I was feeling extremely nervous about baring all and wearing a swimsuit in front of everyone.

The most daunting thing for me was the fact that I would spending the day with no makeup on and my hair all messy. It wasn’t until the morning of the event until I realised how silly this was. I woke up excited for the day, with no makeup on and embraced the natural look. I ended up feeling really empowered and super confident.

Bristol HarSPA

I had previously been to the Bristol Harbour Hotel before, but I had never ventured down in to their spa facilities. The decor of the place is incredible and the scent throughout oozes relaxation. The Spa is based under the hotel and truly is a unique experience.

On arrival we were greeted with some fluffy robes and slippers, which are always a must for a spa day. After this we had a chance to have a wander around the Spa and take in how beautiful the place was. We then headed down to the Vaults to have our HarSPA Product talk and tester experience.

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HarSPA Products

We had a chance to test out some of the facial products in the HarSPA range and I loved with them all. HarSPA products use naturally sourced botanicals and marine elements. All of the HarSPA treatments, along with the products are aimed at immersing the mind, body and skin in purity and calm.

After giving ourselves a mini facial with the HarSPA range of facial products, we were then given the chance to relax in the Swimming Pool, Sauna and Steam Room before having our chosen HarSPA Treatment.

Please excuse the post sauna glow on my face.

HarSPA Treatment

We were each given the chance to try out one of the luxury HarSPA Treatments. After much consideration I decided to pick the HarSPA Invigorating Back Pamper which was a 55 minute treatment.

This treatment was absolutely magical. It started off with an invigorating sea salt scrub which is used to increase circulation and remove dead skin cells. This step alone left me feeling like a new woman.

The treatment then allows you to enjoy a bespoke back massage, tailor made to focus on areas of concern, working to loosen and tighten muscles. This part was my favourite. It really helped release any tension I had and left me feeling as light as a feather.

The treatment then concluded with a detoxifying back mask, used to unclog any nasty impurities, along with a soothing scalp massage which really does send you to sleep.

Lunching in the Vaults Room.

After we were all finished with our treatments, it was time for lunch. It lovely for us all to get together and discuss how well our treatments went. It was great to see how happy everybody was.

We were served the tastiest spread and I definitely stuffed my face with plenty of avocado and tomato on toast. Our lunch was served with a glass of prosecco and we were then treated to some fruity desserts to finish.

I was really impressed with the food served at this event and I would definitely recommend you check the catering out if you have an event coming up soon.

I had such a fantastic time at this event and I left feeling completely relaxed and stress free. If you are looking for somewhere to spend your next Spa Day then I would definitely recommend Bristol HarSPA.

The building itself is stunning, the location is perfect and the staff were lovely. Thank you to Bristol Harbour Hotel for having me.
I will definitely be returning soon!

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Thirty Nine Desserts Cardiff

July 22, 2018July 22, 2018 melissaeddollss

I recently had the chance to attend the opening of Thirty Nine Desserts Cafe in Cardiff. I absolutely love desserts, but with so many dessert cafes opening I wanted to find out if this one would be any different.

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As soon as I walked in to this cafe I was impressed. The decor of this place is so glamorous and fresh, it felt like I was walking into a trendy cocktail bar.

This feel was captured throughout and even the menus were beautifully presented.

The size of the menu really impressed me as they do almost every dessert you can imagine. I was impressed to see that there were many Gluten Free options, and even a few Vegan options too.

The main Vegan option was this Fruity Sorbet Sundae which was incredible. It is the perfect treat for a hot day as it is incredibly refreshing.

They also do a Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream which I sampled and it tasted delicious!

I also had the chance to try out Mango Fruit Kick Mocktail. My mouth is watering just thinking back to it. It one of the tastiest drinks I have ever had.

The staff at the cafe were incredibly friendly and helpful. When ordering your food you can even choose to make your own dessert. I decided to go for the Strawberry & Belgian Milk Choc Waffle. The portions at Thirty Nine Desserts are huge and I couldn’t believe my eyes when this dessert arrived.

The fresh hot waffle was served with warm Belgian milk chocolate sauce, fresh cut strawberries and chocolate sprinkles. In other words, it was my idea of heaven.

Everything that is served from this cafe is beautifully presented and made to perfection. If you’re looking for a unique and classy dessert experience, than I suggest you head down to Thirty Nine Desserts on Queen Street in Cardiff and try this place out.

Just writing this post has made me incredibly hungry and I will definitely be returning here!

@39desserts

#bblogger, #bloggingevent, #bristol, #fashion, #lifestyle, #review, #summer

A night with Jewel Street – The Florist Bristol

July 1, 2018July 3, 2018 melissaeddollss

This week I was lucky enough to be invited to a fabulous event in connection with Jewel Street. The event was in order to celebrate the brand and introduce their SS18 Look Book.

Jewel Street is a brand that supports independent jewellery designers by giving them an online platform to promote their hand crafted and quality pieces. Jewellery from Jewel Street has been spotted on several celebs, with the likes of Cardi B, Khloe Kardashian and Rihanna to name a few.

The event was hosted by the fabulous Karina Marriott who made us all feel incredibly welcome. She did a fantastic job at introducing us to the brand and the different designers they work with.

It was great to hear about a brand who create unique pieces of jewellery that can be personalised and created to your choice.

I really love seeing somebody be passionate about a brand, as it allows you to put your trust and faith in them. Karina did a brilliant job with this and I couldn’t have imagined a better host for the evening.

The venue for the event was The Florist Bristol. This worked well as the beautiful jewellery matched perfectly with the decor. Throughout the evening we were also given the chance to try out the delicious cocktails supplied by The Florist.

I love being able to watch their cocktails be created. The taste and presentation of the drinks at The Florist is always very fitting with the floral theme.

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I had such a lovely evening finding out about the brand whilst mingling with like minded bloggers and jewellery lovers.

If you’re looking to find yourself that special piece, then I would definitely recommend you check out their site which can be found here.

You can also use my unique discount code MELISSA15 to get yourself 15% off!

xox

#bristol, #food, #lifestyle, #review, #summer, #vegetarian

Thatchers Tasting Event – Pasture Bristol

June 13, 2018 melissaeddollss

I was recently invited along to a Thatchers Tasting Event which was held at Pasture Bristol. The weather on the day was beautiful, which was the perfect match for tasting some ice cold ciders.

On arrival we were given a glass of the Family Reserve to taste. At first this could have easily been mistaken for champagne or prosecco. The bottle itself is one usually linked with a sparkling wine.

I absolutely loved the taste of this cider as it was incredibly refreshing and looked almost too classy to be a cider.

After meeting everyone, we were seated and handed out our menus. Pasture were kind enough to prepare separate menus for those who had special dietary requirements.

All of the dishes were paired with a carefully selected Thatchers Cider. I was extremely happy to receive my vegetarian menu as all of the dishes sounded incredible.

The first dish was the Tempura Jalapeno, served with lime and cream cheese. The heat of the Jalapeno was perfect for me. The cider paired with this dish was Thatchers Katy. The combination of the two worked really well together.

The second dish was Forgotton Onions En Croute with Summer Squash, paired with Thatchers Haze. Thatchers Haze is a drink I absolutely adore. It isn’t the conventional cider and it is one you could drink any time of day.

We then went on to try the Smoked Beetroot Tartare and the Truffle Mac & Cheese, both of which were incredible. I could eat whole bowl of the Truffle Mac & Cheese as it was so beautiful and cheesy!

These dishes were paired with ciders that I had not tried before. The Thatchers Vintage was definitely my favourite drink. I can already tell that I will be buying a few more bottles for the summer. It is such a light cider to drink it goes down very well.

I also had the chance to try out Thatchers Red Streak and Thatchers Old Rascal. Both of these are ciders that I wouldn’t usually pick, but I am so glad I had the chance to try them. Although they are darker coloured ciders, they are both so refreshing and I couldn’t believe what I had been missing.

We ended the evening with a Hazlenut Eclair paired with Thatchers Summer Vintage. Thatchers Summer Vintage is a new range out and I would recommend that you try to get your hands on it.

I had such an incredible evening and I feel as though I have become obsessed with cider ever since.

Who would have thought that Thatchers has so many delicious and different varieties of cider?!

Prep Time

The Makeup

Finished Look

Bristol HarSPA

HarSPA Products

HarSPA Treatment

Lunching in the Vaults Room.

I had such a fantastic time at this event and I left feeling completely relaxed and stress free. If you are looking for somewhere to spend your next Spa Day then I would definitely recommend Bristol HarSPA.

The building itself is stunning, the location is perfect and the staff were lovely. Thank you to Bristol Harbour Hotel for having me. I will definitely be returning soon!

The building itself is stunning, the location is perfect and the staff were lovely. Thank you to Bristol Harbour Hotel for having me.
I will definitely be returning soon!