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Lockdown has us doing (or not doing) some interesting things to keep ourselves amused. From TikTok, to baking a substantial amount of Banana Bread, but one thing that has definitely increased is online shopping.
I thought about writing this post after my Friday night girls night on Zoom one week during lockdown- we started discussing the random items we've been purchasing since lockdown started, and there were some treats! I decided to look through my Amazon orders, and share with you what I've purchased, and why they're not as random as they may seem.
Plus, they're all under £20 - even better!
These are the 'budget-friendly' version of the AirPods that have been on my list for a while, and I'm so glad that I didn't spend the money on the 'real deal' ones. With all the bike rides and walks I've been doing, these have come in super handy.
I mentioned this product in one of my recent posts. I have been using it for YEARS, and usually pick it up at a pharmacie in Paris, as it's cheaper over there. However, I found a supplier on Amazon that sells it at a good price, and as I can't head over to Paris right now, this is the next best thing.
Brighton water is really hard, and my hair does not like it! When I'm on work trips, I notice the difference the water has on my hair (voluminous, etc) so, I thought I'd try a hard water filter on our shower head at home, and did one better! This is probably the best purchase I've ever made on Amazon - my hair is loving it. I've found that I don't need to wash my hair as often, and it isn't so flat and lifeless - highly recommend if you live in a 'hard water area'.
I've been reorganising our kitchen, and so this has come in very handy, as I've basically labelled all our food storage jars, so we know exactly what is in them, and where things belong. Next up, I'm going to use it for my beauty drawers!
I'm not sure how I've only just learnt about this product - thanks Rosie! This stuff is some sort of cleaning product witchcraft - it literally gets rid of all mess. Random wall splodges, dirty oven shelves, gross tiles, the lot. And somehow it’s made of 99% natural ingredients.
We're trying to cut down on the amount of packaging in our house, and one thing I've been successful at eliminating so far, are plastic food storage bags!
These reusable food storage bags are great - they can be used to freeze food, including liquids such as soups and sauces. I use them to take snacks out with me when I'm going on a bike ride, and they wash really well.
As well as reorganising my kitchen, I've also been on a mission to sort out my clothes storage. If you follow me on Instagram, you may of seen a couple of months ago I had a huge wardrobe reshuffle. After spending around four hours doing this, I realised I was a bit short on space, so I ordered these under shelf storage baskets, and they now sit in my wardrobe playing home to my Summer sandals! These would work really well in the kitchen as well - they do hold a fair amount of weight.
Still on the reorganising, we do struggle with storage in our flat and I've been meaning to convert our hallway cupboard into a mini cloakroom (mainly to store my coat obsession). This rail is great, and holds all of my coats, plus the rest of the families.
If someone had told me that buying peanut butter during a lockdown would be near on impossible, and that my favourite brand would be sold out everywhere, then I wouldn't of believed you! Turns out you can actually buy anything on Amazon, and in big size too!
With the wardrobe reshuffle, I've been posting some items on my Depop. These are cheaper than buying them each time I go to the post office.
You may be thinking "why is she posting travel content when there is no travel for anyone right now" well I hear ya, but (and it's a big BUT) I quite simply miss my travels, and as I'm craving a bit of normality in my little life right now, and I traveled a lot last year, I thought it would be good to write up some of my travel-related content, and keep sharing with you all.
Starting with my stay across the pond from my favourite hotel brand, The Hoxton. The fifth hotel in The Hoxton series, but the first hotel of theirs to open up in the US, it’s exciting to see a British-based, small but perfectly formed hospitality company set up in NYC.
The brand has kept to what they know, and have launched a hotel in the Williamsburg neighbourhood boasting 175 rooms, three restaurants, a rooftop with views of Manhattan, lively public spaces, and The Apartment – a great meeting and events space that’s home to The Hoxton’s rolling cultural events programme. Since their launch in September 2018, they have gone on to open hotels in Portland, Chicago and L.A.
The sunken ground floor is predominantly public space, scattered with instagrammable vintage sofas and floral armchairs that you want to take home - it’s the perfect space to sit with your laptop, and call your office for the day, or curl up and read a book whilst people watching.
The bar and restaurant have a slicker aesthetic with a square, brass-topped central bar and a vast glass wall that opens onto the courtyard. In the Summer they hold outdoor film viewings, BBQ’s and also events.
Although it was -6 when I visited, and the rooftop restaurant and bar, Summerly was closed for the season, I couldn’t help but take a sneak peek up there. Taking inspiration from New England’s eastern seaboard, pastel-coloured loungers, floral-topped bar stools and unobstructed Manhattan skyline views - perfect for a Summer evening with cocktail, and some delicious seafood.
Bedrooms. Divided into two categories: ‘Cosy’ and ‘Roomy’ both are compact, but they’ve made clever use of the spaces, with large drawers under the king-sized beds to stash luggage and shoes (as well as my shopping - perfect hiding spot from my husband!) neat fold-down desks with a kettle, mugs, tea and coffee. A rail and coat hooks are in place of a wardrobe, and the floor-to-ceiling windows give you views across Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Hox perks remain the same as their British and European brothers and sisters, with breakfast bags, helpful little notebooks offer information and tips on the area, along with a map and bookshelves curated by their ‘Hox friends’, made up of local business owners and artists.
Klein’s, the main restaurant at the hotel serves up American classics and local favourites throughout the day from breakfast to dinner. You can pull up a stool at the open kitchen and watch the chefs cook your food, or take a seat in the seated restaurant area by the bar. In warmer months, the courtyard is open to sit and eat.
Location wise - Williamsburg is a great neighbourhood, filled with delicious restaurants and bars. Boutiques, independents, and a few big brands have all set up in the area, with some of my favourites, Catbird, Bulletin, Baggu, and Awoke Vintage a quick stroll away. It’s super easy to get into Manhattan, with the nearest subway a 5-minute walk away, and Union Square 3 stops away.
It’s a perfect base for your stay in the city.
Address: The Hoxton Williamsburg, 97 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA
Telephone: +1 718-215-7100
Website: thehoxton.com
I love a midi dress - you can find me in them all year round as they're so versatile, and as Summer has been giving us a sneak peek recently (although the weather is rubbish as I type!), I’ve found myself browsing for new pieces to add to my wardrobe. So, in this weeks edit I thought I’d share a few favourites that I've got my eye on and give you some outfit ideas, as I've styled them up with a few bits and pieces. Hopefully they will give you all the summer inspo you may need.
Dress | Shoes | Earrings
Dress | Sandals | Earrings | Sunglasses | Backpack
A huge favourite of my husbands, and a dish he would eat on a daily basis if he could, this ramen is super easy, and like the Fridge Fried Rice, you can add as many vegetables as you like.
This recipe is based on what my husband makes.
Ingredients
70g Wholewheat noodles
1 tsp chilli flakes (optional)
1 tbsp miso paste
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 handfuls each of the following vegetables;
Sweetcorn
Beansprouts
Spinach
4 pieces of tenderstem broccoli
Sesame seeds
Put the miso paste in 1 litre of water in a saucepan on a high heat and bring to the boil. Add the ginger, soy sauce, broccoli and beansprouts. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
In a separate saucepan cook the noodles in boiling water for around 6-7 minutes, or according to the instructions on the packet. Drain and set aside.
Grab your bowl, and add the raw spinach and sweetcorn. Pour the broth into the bowl, adding the noodles. Scatter the sesame seeds over and eat up.
If you fancy making more of the broth, it can be frozen for future ramen-making or use as a stock for soups and stews.
This recipe is based on what my husband makes.
Ingredients
70g Wholewheat noodles
1 tsp chilli flakes (optional)
1 tbsp miso paste
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 handfuls each of the following vegetables;
Sweetcorn
Beansprouts
Spinach
4 pieces of tenderstem broccoli
Sesame seeds
Put the miso paste in 1 litre of water in a saucepan on a high heat and bring to the boil. Add the ginger, soy sauce, broccoli and beansprouts. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
In a separate saucepan cook the noodles in boiling water for around 6-7 minutes, or according to the instructions on the packet. Drain and set aside.
Grab your bowl, and add the raw spinach and sweetcorn. Pour the broth into the bowl, adding the noodles. Scatter the sesame seeds over and eat up.
If you fancy making more of the broth, it can be frozen for future ramen-making or use as a stock for soups and stews.
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