Since becoming a mum, my life has turned into some kind of giant guessing game. As soon as I think we’re getting into some kind of routine, things change. The biggest change I noticed was when Anushka started teething. The dreaded T word that causes parents the world over, to shudder. There again, everyone goes…
Tag: Blogging
Anushka’s Birth Story
It feels weird to be sat here thinking back to Saturday 10th June. I was 38 weeks pregnant and had finished work a few weeks earlier due to my blood pressure. I remember that Saturday pretty well, Ankush went off to work early that morning and I decided to tidy the house a little bit…
Starks Kitchen – Heaton
You can’t miss Starks Kitchen if you’re driving down Chillingham Road in Heaton. The bright white signage and (stark) white interior really stands out from the rest of the shop fronts. Starks Kitchen has opened up where Cal’s Own used to be (the best pizza in the toon has moved to Jesmond). It’s a family-run venture, with husband and wife…
The Rosebery Hotel – Jesmond
Nestled in the heart of Jesmond is The Rosebery Hotel, it’s almost hidden away behind gorgeous greenery on the corner of Rosebery Crescent. I was recently invited to review this charming boutique hotel and decided on a mid-week stay. The hotel is just off the Coast Road, around the corner from Dene’s Deli (best sandwiches in the toon, people!)…
Flat White Kitchen – Durham
I’ve wanted to visit Flat White Kitchen since it opened back in October last year. Located on Saddler Street, next door to Bill’s and pretty close to Flat White cafe, this place looks impressive from the outset. Flat White cafe has been my number one place to get coffee in Durham, because they serve my favourite OCC coffee,…
The View – Tynemouth Longsands
Two years in the making, The View at Tynemouth Longsands, is now open for business! Owned by the Wilson family, who also own Crusoe’s, The View really lives up to its name… with huge ceiling to floor windows, there are panoramic views of the beach from every seat in the restaurant. The seaside theme is…
Benefit’s New Brow Collection
Benefit have been into eyebrows since the brand was founded, in 1976. I was invited to the Benefit Brow Bar in Debenhams, Eldon Square to learn about the new brow collection, which is available as of right now! From Friday 24th June, there will be 9 eyebrow products available, compared to the 3 they had…
Branches Ponteland – Review
Branches Restaurant opened in Ponteland at the beginning of April, I spotted it on a random trip to Waitrose mid-April. The restaurant is on Brewery Lane, right next to the entrance to the Waitrose car park where Indian restaurant Sampan (RIP) used to be. This new venture is owned by businesswoman Aysha Pervez, with Chris Finnigan as Head…
NYX Counter Opens in Newcastle
Much to the delight of beauty junkies across the toon, NYX Cosmetics counters opened in Boots Eldon Square and Boots Metrocentre last month. You’ve probably heard about it already. I think I’ve done pretty well to hold out until now if I’m honest. I was in town for The Botanist event last week and got there early so I…
Desserts & Decadence at The Botanist
The Botanist opened in Newcastle at the end of 2014, and no matter what time of day I’ve been in or walked past, it’s ALWAYS been busy… there’s sometimes even a queue to get in – the people of the Toon clearly love it. The Botanist have very recently launched their new food menu, I was invited…
Jamie’s Italian – Newcastle
Jamie’s Italian opened in Newcastle two years ago and over those two years I’ve been there a whole two times (I tried to go on Easter weekend this year but there was a 45 minute wait so we went to Byron instead, my friend’s husband was too hungry to wait!). The people at Jamie’s kindly invited…
Hinnies – Whitley Bay
When I read that the people behind Blackfriars, were opening a restaurant serving Geordie comfort food in Whitley Bay, I was interested. I mean, the name is propa cushty/lush/mint hinny! (Sorry) Hinnies is located on East Parade, looking out onto the sea front (where How Do You Do used to be) and even on a cold,…
1901 Caffe Bistro
1901 Caffe Bistro is located inside a beautiful church building on St. Georges Terrace, Jesmond. I never knew it was there, but it’s been open for quite a few years and was taken over by new owners last year. 1901 has recently undergone a refurb, I’d heard wonderful things from my friend who lives close by so…
Rossopomodoro at John Lewis
There’s a new eatery in town! Rossopomodoro opened shop in John Lewis, Eldon Square in early October and I was invited to pop along and check out their menu. Rossopomodoro have a few restaurants in the U.K but lots more in Italy, I’d heard the name but have never eaten at one. With the promise of…
Cake Stories Jesmond
Cake Stories Coffee House & Cakery is situated on the ever-so-pretty Brentwood Avenue in Jesmond. They opened their doors about five months ago after spending lots of time developing recipes and getting themselves sorted. I decided to pop along with a friend I hadn’t seen in ages. Cake, coffee and a good old catch-up were most…
Ringtons Tea
It won’t surprise anyone to learn that I (like most of the British population) enjoy a good cup of tea, so when I received an invitation to attend the #RingtonsXmasParty I jumped at the chance. Ringtons humble beginnings date all the way back to 1907 and I was looking forward to learning more about this well-known local business. First on…
Les Petits Choux
Les Petits Choux is a family run cafe and patisserie on Leazes Crescent, which has been open for about three months. Run by two sisters and their mum (the chef), it’s a stones throw away from the bustling city centre, only a few minutes walk from Eldon Garden. I liked their Facebook page when they first opened…
The Vintage Powder Room – Afternoon Tea
When I saw Chloe’s (New Girl in Toon) tweet asking if any bloggers were interested in an afternoon tea meet-up, obviously I replied with YES! The meet-up was on Sunday and there were 6 of us in total at The Vintage Powder Room and Tea Shop (which is on Park View, Whitley Bay). I’d heard…
Day Trip to Durham
I’ve got this week off work, so does my husband… also, my lovely mother-in-law is visiting from India. What better reason is there for going on some little day trips? I’ll post each trip separately, otherwise this will be at least 10 million pages long. Saturday’s thunderstorm got in the way of our trip to Corbridge,…
Why I write a blog…
This week my credibility came under fire from someone online, asking why I was conversing with a company I planned to feature on my blog… Without knowing anything about the situation, this person jumped to the conclusion that I was blogging about places with the intention of receiving no bill at the end of a…
Cloud in a Teacup 