HARVEYS & BENSONS FOR BEDS SUMMER PRESS DAY

Hey guys!

Long time no speak. I am currently in the process of giving my blog a whole overhaul, so keep an eye out because I have so much exciting content planned. 

For those of you who have followed me for a while you will know that I do love interiors. I have lost count how many hours I spend scrolling through dreamy apartments on Pinterest, pinning gallery walls and stunning kitchens in the hope that one day I can fulfil my longing of my dream home. 

That's why I am so excited to share with you todays post, which is in partnership with Harvery’s furniture and Bensons for beds. In June I attended their Autumn/Winter press day, having the chance to have a look around the showroom and get an insight into the designs and get some major inspiration for my move which is coming up very soon. 

The showroom was divided up into different themed rooms, all showcasing Harveys and Bensons new collection that will be launching later this year. 

My favourite styled room from the whole day comprised of slick, Brooklyn inspired vibe with dark feature walls, a statement coloured Chesterfield sofas and minimal, wooden bed frames. The mixture between the dark and lighter woods really worked well and was lifted by the lighter cushions and bedding.

There were a selection of different textures on show with the sofas, showcasing very on trend light yellows and dark navy blues. Harveys showcased a slick new dining table that offered a space saving element of extending the table in one smooth movement, very practical for those of you who are working with a cosy space. They also had a lot of furniture that  hinted to the mid century, with side console tables and wardrobes with legs. Each room worked really well together and the pieces stood out perfectly. 

Bensons also are planing on releasing new mattress technology that allows you to keep cool throughout the evening, which is perfect for those summer nights. I am very fortunate to be able to try out their new cooling pillows soon too, which are going to be most welcome given the heatwave we are currently experiencing

I genuinely can’t wait for both of the new collections to launch, follow both links here and here to check them out. 

Thank you so much for reading. 

So you left it till last minute? | Panasonic iShaper

The big day is less than a week away...How on earth has that happened? I seem to say this every year, but this year has gone faster than I can say 2017.

I am about half way through my Christmas shopping, I always seem to leave the final few gifts till last minute. I am not entirely sure why, however it is a tactic I seem to have adopted and it works for me. Just incase any last minute inspiration comes flooding in, or a retailer seems to do a flash sale before the big day.

One product that I can highly recommend for the ideal gift to yourself or for someone you have in mind is the Panasonic ER GD60 iShaper. I know there are hundreds of electronic shavers on the market, all claiming to be the best. However, for me Panasonic lead the market when it comes to shavers and mens grooming. The whole idea behind the Panasonic iShaper is that it shapes, sculpts and defines the stubble we are all clinging onto in the winter months. You can watch here to see the iShaper in action.

For me, grooming is all about taking the time to invest in yourself. The Panasonic iShaper allows you to add detail and definition to your stubble or beard stress free. It offers 20 different cutting lengths from 0.5mm to 10mm for optimum cutting control. It also can be fully charged in one hour, and has a three year blade lifetime guarantee so you don't have to worry about it catching on your stubble. It says a lot when it picked up the Pure Beauty Award 2017 for the best new 'Mens Shaving and Beard Product'.

It is a 3-in-1 product, meaning you can Style, Trim and Shave all with one product. I for one have always carried a razor and a beard trimmer, which proves difficult when you are traveling or on the go a lot. The Panasonic iShaper offers the perfect resolution, allowing you to tame your beard, define it and refine those difficult hairs for that groomed, slick look. The Panasonic iShaper ideally allows you to achieve barber shop results from the comfort of your own bathroom. The ergonomic design of the iShaper offers easy grip, allowing you to manipulate the shaver to reach under under your chin and define the neck.

If you are in the market for the ideal mens gift then I can solidly recommend this product, it is available at all major retailers, including Amazon, Argos and Boots.

I wish you all the best of luck with your last few Christmas purchases.

Thank you so much for reading, 

Murdock London | Festive Survival Guide

With the festive period being well and truly in full swing, it can sometimes become all too much and I am not just talking about trying to wrap that mountain of presents. That's why I am so excited to be sharing with you a collaboration with arguably London's best Barbers, Murdock London.

They are renowned in London for delivering a service like no-other, catering each cut and service to every individual. They are fully aware that the festive period, all be it exciting, can be a bit of a strain. That is why they have put together a service where you can unwind, relax and fully recover from those mid week Christmas parties and late night panic present buying.

Here are my four steps in collaboration with Murdock to get yourself back on point this festive season.

STEP ONE: BEAUTY SLEEP REALLY IS A THING...
Barbers really can work magic, however sometimes you just need a good old fashioned solid eight hours to let you recover. If this is unachievable, and lets face it, the festive period can mean back to back celebrations and parties then try a couple of re-hydration tablets when you wake up. Part and parcel of a hangover is that you are hugely dehydrated, so drink plenty water before and after you go to sleep and you should be well on your way to recovery.

STEP 2: HAIR OF THE DOG?

If you are a believer in this one (I certainly am) then sometimes what makes you bad, makes you better. Bloody Mary's are one of life's little pick me up's that pack a punch, pull you round and put you in a better place than you were a couple of hours ago. If you visit Murdock this December, you can enjoy a Silent Pool Bloody Mary, an express Murdock facial treatment as well as a wash, blow-dry and style to get you ready for the night ahead in just half an hour. Ideal for those who really are short for time. Here is how to make the perfect Bloody Mary:


INGREDIENTS: 
30ml Silent Pool Gin
120ml Turner & Hardy
15ml lemon juice
7 drops Tabasco hot sauce
4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
2 pinches celery salt
2 grinds black pepper

METHOD: 
Use the salt and pepper to rim your glass (preferably a Collins glass). Add the rest of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake. Strain into your glass. Add half a celery stick to garnish.

STEP 3: GET THE RIGHT TREATMENT FOR YOU. 
When you take your seat in the barbers chair, take a deep breath and let go of the outside shopping madness. Each barber at Murdock is fully equipped with the skills to transform you from "I've had three hours sleep" to "I am ready to face the day". Get your fade tapered, your wet shave as close as you would like and a spray of cologne to finish. It truly is an experience like no other for the busy gent on the go. Whiskey of course is optional but recommended.

STEP 4: PRODUCTS, PRODUCTS, PRODUCTS.
Even after your shave and tidy up, sometimes, you just need that extra little bit of extra help. Those dreaded under eye bags can be a reoccurring nightmare around this time of year. Like many of us, sometimes it really is hard to say no to that last whiskey. Before you know it, you are in a taxi home having to be up for work in 4 hours (yes I have been there). This Eye Serum from Murdock will help you say goodbye to those dark circles and puffy eyes. If you keep it in the fridge it'll be the next best thing to a double espresso and a cold shower!

So, there you have it. Four simple tips to get you well on your way to recovery this festive period. Murdock really do cater their service to every individual, if you are in need of a quick tidy up or the full works, they have you covered! 

Click here to see a full list of their services, as well as their site locations to see which one is closest to you: https://www.murdocklondon.com

Thank you so much for reading, and MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Luke. 

ZAAP Thai Streetfood | A taste of Asia in Newcastle

For those of you who don't know, I had the opportunity to travel around Thailand for two weeks when I was 18. It was probably one of the best experiences of my life. Getting the exposure to seasoned street food, vibrant streets and plenty of rum was nothing short of eye opening.

Being a foodie, the most important part of any trip will always be the food. I love a good museum trip like the next tourist, but give me a dish of food and a good glass of wine and I am content.

As I now spend the majority of my time based in London, I am never a stones throw away from a new restaurant, cafe or bar that I am yet to try. However, when returning home to the north, I always find myself going back to the same places. Tried and tested my Mam would say. There is nothing wrong about going back to that same pub for that special piece of pie, but nothing beats the excitement of trying somewhere new.

With Newcastle being a short car journey away for me, I was more than keen to try out 'ZAAP' Thai street food kitchen. Their concept is simple. An immersive Thai dining experience, serving nothing but authentic Thai food. I wouldn't consider myself a 'connoisseur' of Thai food as such, however I can distinguish a average pad-thai from an excellent one.

We arrived on a busy Saturday lunch time and were seated promptly. They do not take reservations, so you just arrive and wait. The menu's were already on the table, so it was clear what they were going for; authenticity through and through. There are tuc-tuc's on offer for the full dining experience, vibrant LED signage adorns the ceilings and the smell of soy and sesame fills the air. It sounds cliche but it's about as close to Bangkok as you're going to get in the North.

Opting to choose drinks first, we chose two mocktails. They were beautifully presented and has asian tastes of lemongrass, coconut and cucumber.

The food proved a more difficult choice. The menu could be seen as overwhelming, but I see it as a challenge. Double sided, it offered multiple dishes to choose from.  A selection of your classic starters, gyoza, curries and noodle based dishes. Each offering a choice of chicken, pork, prawn and of course vegetable. You would struggle not to find something you like the sound of.

Choosing four starters and two mains to share, we opted for crispy squid tempura, pork and sesame skewers, chicken satay and vegetable gyoza. For main, a classic Thai green curry and prawn Pad-thai.

The starters arrived in no time. All tasting fresh and flavourful. The stand out dish were the gyoza, which were fried opposed to the traditional steaming.

The mains were equally as tasty, with a warming green curry accompanying perfectly steamed fragrant rice. The prawn pad thai had hinds of soy and tamarind paste, the classic for a pad thai. The vegetables were cooked to perfection, as were the noodles.

I usually struggle to rave about a restaurant without offering some improvement however, ZAAP may have to be an exception. Do not mistake this restaurant for a high class dining experience. Their identity is authentic, as is their service and food.

I highly recommend this restaurant if you are ever in the Newcastle area. Here is a link to their site, if you intent on paying them a visit.

https://zaapthai.co.uk/locations/newcastle/

Thank you for reading, 

Luke. 

*DISCLAIMER: this meal was fortunately a complimentary experience in return for honest social media coverage. All opinions are true and 100% reflective of my personal experience*