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Otherworld, Birmingham Review #Ad

June 28, 2022 by Erica Hughes 1 Comment

I was recently asked to review Other World, Bennetts Hill, Birmingham. Other World is an immersive VR (Virtual Reality) experience. Using unique, multi-sensory virtual reality technology Other World transports you to new worlds.

Other World

Bar Area

I have to admit I’m a bit of a gaming novice, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from Other World. We were welcomed by friendly, helpful staff wearing a uniform of white robes.  We were guided through the iPad/manual which included a bar menu, instructions on how to use the controllers and a map of ‘The Island’. This acts as a central hub, it’s where you start from (and where you can return to), and it’s where you choose your games.

It’s a good idea to get there a bit earlier the first time so you have time to study the map, which is split into four seasons to represent varying difficulty (Spring is the easiest, Winter the most difficult) and decide which games you’d like to play. We decided to play a short game of Fruit Ninjas by way of a warm up before going onto  Arizona Sunshine, which is a survival game where you fight off hordes of zombies.

immersion pods

pods

We went down to the gaming area and were shown to our individual immersion pods.  We were helped to put on the equipment and we were soon alone in our pods, but able to communicate with each other and get assistance from outside too.  I suspect we needed a bit more help than average, but the staff were patient, calm and helpful.

island

The Island

We were dropped into the island and started to experience the immersive experience with the power of 360 degree heat, wind and rumble to heighten the realism of the virtual world.  You do feel you have actually been transported somewhere new.

Our favourite game was Arizona Sunshine.  We found ourselves doing battle against the zombies.  There’s lots of shooting, hiding, escaping and teamwork to be done.  You can see your team mates as well as the zombies.  I found myself shouting out to warn my team mate when zombies were coming up behind.  It was a lot of fun – I could have spent more time doing it.

We came out feeling like we had truly done battle with the zombie hoards and it feels kind of strange to come back down to earth.  So it seemed perfect to settle down for a drink before emerging into the street.  You can choose from a wide range of self serve drinks and you can even get money off by using the points you earnt whilst playing for a discount.

We really enjoyed Other World and I think we will be going back for another go.  There are plenty more zombies to kill after all.

Disclosure: I received a free visit in order to carry out this review.

Filed Under: Entertainment

After The Rain Shea Body Butter From ARRAN Sense of Scotland #ad

June 23, 2022 by Erica Hughes 14 Comments

I’ve been trying out the recently launched After The Rain Shea Body Butter From ARRAN Sense of Scotland.

After The Rain Shea Body Butter From ARRAN Sense of Scotland is a luxurious moisturising butter, formulated with Scottish sea kelp, to help nourish and hydrate dry skin. With extracts of lichen, peat moss & fern to create unique rejuvenating and moisture boosting properties. It aims to provide lasting hydration, it helps to soften and comfort the skin without leaving a greasy film.

Features & Benefits:

• Intensely hydrating formula for dry skin
• large concentration of Shea butter (20%),
• Rich in vitamins, antioxidants and minerals
• Scottish kelp extract
• Fast and easy absorption
• No greasiness or tackiness
• Suitable for all skin types

What did I think?

I’ve been taking After The Rain Shea Body Butter along to the pool to use after my regular swims.  This is a time when my skin really needs a moisture boost and I always moisturise my body after a session of lengths swimming.  It’s got a beautiful, natural scent and the cream is soft, smooth and easy to apply.  Application was so easy because the cream is so light and it easily blends into your skin.  It’s a really easy product to use, but it also has a luxurious feel and you know it’s a quality product as you apply it.

My skin was smooth and soft after use and didn’t need any further moisturising until the next time I swam.  I’m really pleased with the results.  The other thing I liked is the way this product scents my skin – it’s a lovely natural scent that isn’t overpowering.  You can either just have this lovely scent or layer it with your own personal choice of fragrance without worrying about clashes.

I also think After The Rain Shea Body Butter from ARRAN Sense of Scotland would make a lovely gift.

Giveaway

I have a pot of After The Rain Shea Body Butter to give away to a lucky reader.  Enter via the Gleam widget below.

After The Rain Shea Body Butter From ARRAN Sense of Scotland

Competition Terms and Conditions

1. No bulk, third-party or automated entries allowed.

2. Entrants must be aged 18 years or older and resident in the UK.

3. The winner or winners will be chosen by a random draw using the competition widget.

4. Promoter is responsible for fulfilling the prize and full contact details of the winner will be passed onto the promoter to enable prize fulfillment.

5. The winner’s name may be published on this site.

6. Competition closes at the end of Sunday 10th July 2022.

Disclosure: I was sent a sample product for the purposes of this review.

Filed Under: Competition, Pampering

A Guide to Claddagh Rings

June 14, 2022 by Erica Hughes Leave a Comment

Claddagh rings are really distinctive with the unmistakable symbol of two hands holding a crowned heart.  A popular Irish symbol that’s been around for centuries, Claddagh rings are distinctively Irish jewelry pieces. They are the ultimate symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship.  The ring is a sign of love and commitment between two people. This ring is often worn by couples who are engaged or married to each other. The hands represent friendship, the crown represents loyalty, and the heart represents true love.  There’s a lot more to the history and meaning of the Claddagh rings as they are steeped in Irish culture.

claddagh ring

Styles of Claddagh Ring

While the traditional Claddagh rings were made only of precious metals, modern Claddagh rings are often decorated with bright gemstones. Emeralds, diamonds, peridot, and green gems are all great choices and tip their cap to the Claddagh’s Irish origin as they reflect the colours of the Irish flag.  Obviously the colour green in particular is associated with Ireland: it’s the colour of the landscape, the shamrock and leprechauns.

Green stones work well with a range of different precious metals.  Yellow gold is the traditional metal to use for a Claddagh ring.  There’s certainly  a warmth to yellow and rose gold, but white gold sets off the gemstone very nicely and teams up well with small diamonds, if required.  I love this 14k White Gold Heartshape Emerald And Diamond Claddagh Ring Set.  It’s got the traditional claddagh ring features all picked out in white gold.  The emerald sits very nicely at the heart of the ring.  The claddagh ring lends itself very well to matching wedding and engagement ring sets, as wedding rings can be shaped to fit snugly round the traditional claddagh shape.

ruby claddaghThere’s no need to stick to white or green stones though.  It would be lovely to give a ring with a stone that was perhaps a birthstone or one that was special to the recipient.  Maybe a sapphire or a ruby would suit better than an emerald. I do like the warmth of a ruby and again the stone works well with a range of different metals. This Claddagh Ring In Gold With Heartshape Ruby And Diamonds would look so good with a range of different outfits and colours.

How to Wear Your Claddagh Ring

If you are single and available, you wear a Claddagh ring on your right hand with the point of the heart facing outwards. This shows that your heart is looking for another.  If your heart belongs to someone, you wear the Claddagh ring on your right hand with the tip of the heart pointing towards you. This shows that your heart has been captured.

It is also possible to use your Claddagh ring as an engagement ring. If you are engaged, wear your ring on your left hand with the heart facing outwards.   The beauty of the Claddagh ring is that it can double as both an engagement ring and a wedding ring. Once you are married, you keep it on your left hand but turn it around so that the heart points inwards.  It’s wonderful to be able to continue wearing your ring no matter what your relationship status.

Filed Under: Jewelry

INTRAcel Pro™ Treatment With Dermoperfection

June 8, 2022 by Erica Hughes Leave a Comment

I’m always open to the idea of new beauty treatments to make the best of myself and innovative ways to keep ageing at bay.  Like many I like to make the most of my looks and I like to take opportunities to help improve them.  Recently my regular salon Dermoperfection suggested I try out the INTRAcel Pro™ at their Pinfold Street salon in central Birmingham.  I did some reading up on it and was really keen to try it out.

intracel proWhat is INTRAcel Pro™?

INTRAcel Pro™ is an innovative technology developed to reduce the signs of ageing, eliminate wrinkles and correct scarring with little downtime.  The INTRAcel Pro™ skin rejuvenation system is an acclaimed non-invasive Fractional RF (Radio Frequency) Microneedling treatment that can deliver proven patient results. INTRAcel Pro™ uses 49 microneedles for optimised RF energy delivery. Unlike laser procedures or surgery, INTRAcel Pro™ protects the surface of the skin from damage, allowing you to resume their daily life quickly, whist achieving world class, outstanding results.  Each treatment type can be individually tailored to meet the needs of the patient. By targeting the deeper layers of the dermis these treatments work by stimulating the collagen, which in turn helps to tighten and resurface the skin with minimal surface damage.

What’s the treatment like?

Before you start the treatment, you need to have the area numbed by a topical anaesthetic: a cream that is applied onto the areas to be treated.  This cream has to go on quite a while before the treatment can take place to allow the anaesthetic cream to work and for the skin to be numbed properly.  This is very easy and doesn’t sting at all.  As time goes on you can feel that your skin is going numb, but it’s great to lie back and relax while it takes effect. The staff at Dermoperfection are very welcoming, plus they impress with their knowledge and professionalism.

During the INTRAcel Pro™ treatment handpiece with the 49 microneedles are applied to your skin.  The needles penetrate the skin and the electrical current transmits into your skin.  The needles are removed and then reapplied nearby.  There is some discomfort with the application, but it’s minimal because of the numbing cream that was applied before hand.  I found I have to have a few seconds break every now and again, but it was quite bearable.  The treatment itself doesn’t take very long, maybe 15 minutes.  Most of the time allocated for the treatment is to allow the numbing cream to work.

How will be skin be afterwards?

After the treatment my skin was rather red and blotchy, but within a few hours that had completely disappeared. There was a bit of pinpoint bleeding immediately after the treatment, but this stopped within a few seconds.

I didn’t wear makeup for a day afterwards, so book in a working from home day if that’s a concern.  My skin did feel quite warm afterwards.  I used a cooling spray (that was provided to me) to help with this.  After the first few hours though it just felt a bit like I was blushing, although there was no redness present when I looked in the mirror.  I think this feeling was the effect of increased blood flow to the area as part of the healing process. This feeling continued for about a week, although it was strongest in the day or two after the treatment.

My skin did feel a bit dry for about a week afterwards, but I used a high SPF and good quality moisturiser.  After a week my skin felt less dry and gradually improved.  Two weeks after the treatment my skin feels smooth and soft.  I feel that’s it more healthy too as it seems to have a healthy glow.

Over the next few months I’ll be continuing with the treatment and I’ll be sharing my experiences with you.

Disclosure: I was given a course of treatment by Dermoperfection for the purposes of this post.

Filed Under: Pampering

A Spring Break at Woolacombe Bay #Ad

May 11, 2022 by Erica Hughes 2 Comments

Getting away to the seaside really makes you feel like you are jumping away from winter and stepping into spring and summer.  So the lure of Devon coast at this time of year proved very strong when Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park invited me down to stay.  There’s really nothing like a trip to the seaside to raise your spirits.

woolacombe view

View from our caravan’s deck

The park is easy to fine and check in was quick and efficient.  Our gold caravan had a great location on the edge of the site.  It had a great view of the surrounding countryside, including the sea, but also wasn’t too far from the main site facilities.  We had our own parking spot right alongside and there were additional spaces nearby (handy if you are part of a group that are driving separately).

sofas in caravan

As a group of adults sharing the accommodation, we loved that there were proper sofas to sit on and plenty of lounging space. There’s all you need there for a cosy evening in: a TV, connected up to the internet for streaming things on iPlayer, and a electric fire if you need an extra burst of heat or a cosier atmosphere. The heating was really efficient, although we didn’t need it on that much as we were fairly lucky with the weather.

kitchen in caravan

 

The kitchen is well equipped with all you need for a break away.  We didn’t want to cook too much as we wanted to get away from all that.  There was everything we needed to heat up the chilli I brought with us and pop some rice on.  All the things we needed to prepare breakfasts and snacks were there too. The kitchen table comes with 4 seats, but you can easily bring the pouffes in from the lounge area or eat outside on the picnic table, if there are 6 of you eating at the same time.  There were thoughtful touches too like a washing up pack with washing up liquid, scourer and cloth.

main bedroom

The main bedroom is compact, but has everything you’d expect. There are bedside units with a shelf and a power point for charging your phone.  There’s a wardrobe (with extra pillows in case you need them) and a shelf with a mirror which makes a good dressing table.

twin bedroom

There are also two twin rooms which are a bit smaller, but the beds are still a good size for an adult.  Again there’s wardrobe space, a shelf by the bed and one on the wall.

living room caravan

There’s a shower room with toilet and wash hand basin.  A pretty powerful, hot shower provided a good start to each day.  We loved that there was an additional separate toilet too, as that gives you a bit more flexibility when there’s a group sharing.

swimming pool woolacombe bay

The caravan, lovely though it was, acted very much as a home base for our adventures.  We had an evening out in nearby Mortehoe village visiting the local pubs, which are full of character.  A day and an evening out in Woolacombe (an easy walk down and a way of working off any pasties/ice creams/beers on the way back up – it’s quite a steep hill).  On the Sunday though the weather was less good, so we sought out some indoor attractions.  Woolacombe Bay has a lot of things you can do even on wet days.

swimming pool woolacombe bayWe decided to head for the pool.  We did find it a bit tricky to book using the app – it was a bit confusing, but the friendly lady on reception managed to sort it all out for us very quickly.  There are basically two parts to the pool area: a family orientated area with the pirate ship and lots of fun features.  As adults though we stuck to the main pool.  It’s quite a generous pool and very pleasant to swim in.  Numbers are controlled, as you need to book in, and you have an slot for swimming, so that everyone gets a chance.  You’ll need a pound coin for the lockers, but you get it back at the end.

plunge pool in the spa

 

One of the highlights of our stay was a visit to the spa.  Again you book in via the app for a session there.  There’s quite a lot to do in the spa.

spa at woolacombe bay

My favourite was the jacuzzi as that was very relaxing, but there’s also steam rooms, saunas and a cold plunge pool.  Make sure you arrive on time for your slot as the session’s are limited in time – I could have stayed there all day!

sea view terraceThere was plenty to do in the evening too.  One evening we stayed onsite to eat and to enjoy the entertainment.  There are plenty of options for eating and drinking.  For daytime or warm evenings there’s the sea view terrace, with fabulous views of the sea and the surrounding countryside. Under cover, but on the same level as the terrace is the Bait Ball Bar and Restaurant.  Upstairs, with grandstand views of the sea at the one end, is the OceanBar.  This serves food and drink, but is also the live entertainment venue. There’s something to enjoy each evening.  Generally, it starts with some children’s entertainment, moves onto bingo and finishes up with some live performances.  The main act were really enjoyable and good to watch.

chicken wings

We decided to eat in the OceanBar, enjoying the views and the sunset until the evening entertainment geared up.  The only downside to eating up in the OceanBar is that whilst it’s the same food as downstairs, it doesn’t come on proper crockery.  The wings though were delicious and we didn’t miss the plates at all.  You can order from the bar or use the app to get your food and drinks in.

Wet day options include the cinema – they had four films showing when we were there and they were a good mix with something for all the family.  Other facilities include a gym, well stocked shop and a launderette.  Plus there are lots of additional activities you can take part in from pottery painting to segway safaris, bungee trampolining to foot golf.

Woolacombe Bay is great if you’re looking for holiday parks in Devon.  It’s got everything you need to make your holiday a good one, even if the weather isn’t on your side.

Disclosure: I was provided with free accommodation for the purposes of this review.

Filed Under: travel

A Spring Walk With Lighthouse #Ad

April 1, 2022 by Erica Hughes 2 Comments

As winter turns to spring I can feel my mood lightening and it feels like the world around me feels the same.  The mornings and evenings start becoming lighter.  Spring flowers start peeking though. There’s blossom on the cherry trees and the magnolias are in flower. I’m so much more motivated to get out and about in the fresh air.  Going for a walk becomes a real pleasure.  Okay there are still showers, but there’s a long of sunshine too.

first walk of spring in lighthouse clothing
One thing I’ve noticed over the years is ‘the first good weather weekend of spring’.  The first time I came across this, it seemed like I and every person in Birmingham had driven out to the nearby Clent Hills with the same aim in mind.  Since then I’ve been determined to make the most of that precious first weekend of spring, but without the traffic queues.  So this year I sought out a local beauty spot that I could reach without driving.  Our local park was so important during the lockdowns.  Sometimes it was really busy.  It has a golf course which is usually off limits, but during the lockdowns we were allowed to stroll on it which meant there was a bit more room to escape the crowds.  Now that we can go further afield to walk, it’s quieter spot but still a great place to get some fresh air and exercise.

inside of jacketWe set out on a family walk with me wearing the new clothes I was sent by Lighthouse.  I’m wearing the Seashore T Shirt in the Cloud Pale Blue Stripe colourway.  It’s a great quality T shirt, well cut and there’s a nice weight to the material.  It’s great for spring as you can easily use it for layering up or down depending on the amount of sunshine and the temperature outside.  I like that the T shirt has a good length to it – I have a longish body and it’s nice to have a little extra length, but I think it would fit most people well.  So far it’s washed well too and hasn’t shrunk or faded, although I hasn’t been through the wash a lot of times.

I’m also wearing the Long Beachcomber Jacket in Dandelion.  As you can see it’s got this slightly nautical stripy blue lining in soft jersey which adds an extra layer of warmth for chillier spring days.  The same material lines the hood too which makes it feel very cosy.

Long Beachcomber Jacket - Dandelion

The Beachcomber jacket is a great quality jacket and I love the bright yellow colour.  It’s a very springtime shade reminding me of daffodils.  The lining provides a little warmth. But it’s a jacket that’s intended for those in between days of spring and autumn, although it would get some use in any season depending on the day.  The 3/4 length means that you are protected from the worst of the weather if it gets a bit damp.  The jacket has waterproof, breathable and windproof features  with fully taped seams giving protection against April showers. The outer is a polyester microfibre peach finished. I love the two front pockets which are generous and perfect for keys, or just to keep your hands out of the wind.  You can also make use of the secure, zipped internal pocket.

My springtime walk was lovely and I felt properly dressed for the occasion thanks to Lighthouse.  I know these items will take me through spring and beyond.

Disclosure: I was sent this clothing by Lighthouse for the purposes of this review.

Filed Under: Fashion

March Giveaway

March 8, 2022 by Erica Hughes Leave a Comment

March is the beginning of spring and it makes you feel so much better to see winter disappearing and spring beginning.

The first day of March is the vernal equinox. This means that the length of day and night are the same. It also means that spring has officially started!  I love that feeling when the days are getting longer; everything green is putting on fresh growth; there are lambs in the fields; and the birds are nesting.  There’s a positivity in the air and we start to come out of the doom and gloom of the winter season.  I always feel so much better to be getting more light and more sunshine on my face.  It really has a beneficial effect on my health and well being.

march giveaway

Well spring is in the air this month and though this M&S Hampton Gift Box will be a little late for that day I am sure that someone in your life will still it with you.

There are plenty of ways to enter, simply scroll down to the Rafflecopter widget below to see the options. You will also see the terms and conditions below as well as all of the blogs taking part – please do take a moment to visit them to show your support to them.

 

Bloggers Taking Part

Here is a list of all of the bloggers taking part in this giveaway – please show your support by visiting them.

| Mortgages After 60 | Madam Blunt | Valid Articles | Frugal Blogger Eats | Homescapes Interiors | BPA Free Kids | The Everyday Domestic | Maternity Money | Tadof | Life Changing Side Hustle | Successful Mess | Buddin a Community Garden | Fun Free and Frugal | Shake a Cocktail | Karen Appleyard | Money Matters UK | Your Property Your Life | Sit and Take in the View | Live Well Way | Life and Style | Not Got a Clue | Life Style Saving Techniques | Real Girls Wobble | Lifestyle Original | Our Handmade Home | Mums the Wurd | Houston Marcha | Introverted Travel Space | The Happy Piggy Bank | Esp Italia | Sweet Oven Lovin | Money Saving Tips 4 U | Robyn’s Photography Academy | Robyn’s Photography | Balance the Budget | Life with more Sparkle | The Elements of Blogging | Bitten Food | The Travelling Type | Matched Betting Today | Live Life Love | The Money Raven | The Thrifty Princess | Bark and Bites | The Work Place Designer | Mum’s Guide to Life | Craving Christmas | You can make Money on the Internet | In Home Insights | Manifest with Loa | Project Poppet | That Copper Life | The Free From Mummy | Health & Beauty Tips | Sahara Vibes | Swift Earning | Filuv | Lifestyle of a Londoner | Pesto and Margaritas | Our Life Interrupted | Crafting Her Blooms | Single Dads Guide to Life | Travel Bugs | Discover Kent | A Little Luxury for Me | Ericales | My Next Wedding | All Sorts of Jazz | Fully Money | Make a Little Money | Christmas Ahoy | Several Ways To | Better Best You | Nishiv | Vegan Book | Michelle Amy Weddings | Love Our Home and Garden | Spiritual Life Learning | Know Health | Kiddoco | Garden Teacakes and Me | Discount Days Out | Gin and Gemini | Bujo Heaven | The Shop for Her | Big Boys Cry | Accounting Page | Active Gardening | Pickles in Paradise | A Little Life of Lovely | Gepun | Birds and Lilies | Notes From a Kitchen | Sand and Sunshine | Go for Lifestyle | Great Yoga Tips | Wake Up It’s Monday | Have a Fab Day | Mrs Money Pot | Body Potency | London Fridge | Hello Sixty | The Parenting Insider | Side Hustle Q&A | Mudpies and Rainbows | Bells and Bouquets | Houston Marcha | Valid Articles | Homescapes Interiors | BPA Free Kids | Frugal Blogger Eats | The Finance Fettler | Doing the Impcosible | Multitasking Mama | Dieut | Cintas Planet | Eikad | Guide to World Travel | Money Money Money Online | Guide to Health & Fitness | Thrifty Husband

The Prize

This prize is a M&S Hampton Gift Box.

Gift Contents

  • Luxury Gold Tea Tin (250g/80 bags)
  • Sparkling Normandy Apple and Pear Juice (75cl)
  • Collection Apple and Fig Chutney (100g)
  • Collection Italian Chocolate Assortment (300g)
  • Collection Black Truffle and Olive Oil Hand Cooked Crisps (150g)
  • Collection All Butter Cornish Cruncher Biscuits (80g)
  • Roasted and Salted Large Peanuts (200g)
  • Collection Belgian Milk Chocolate Florentines (170g)
  • Collection Rye Sourdough Crackers (130g)
  • Hat Box

Terms and conditions

1. There is one top prize of a M&S Hampton Gift Box
2. There are no runner up prizes.
3. Open to UK residents aged 18 and over, excluding all bloggers involved with running the giveaway
4. Closing date for entries is midnight on 23.03.2022
5. The same Rafflecopter widget appears on all the blogs involved, but you only need to enter on one blog
6. Entrants must log in to the Rafflecopter widget, and complete one or more of the tasks – each completed task earns one entry in the prize draw
7. Tweeting about the giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget will earn five bonus entries into the prize draw.
8. 1 winner will be chosen at random.
9. The winner will be informed by email within 7 days of the closing date and will need to respond within 28 days with their delivery address, or a replacement winner will be chosen.
10. The winners’ names will be published in the Rafflecopter widget (unless the winner objects to this).
11. The prizes will be dispatched within 14 days of the winner confirming their details.
12. The promoter is Drew Media LTD t/a www.MakeMoneyWithoutAJob.com
13. By participating in this prize draw, entrants confirm they have read, understood and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions

Enter now

Simply complete any or all of the Rafflecopter entry widget options below to be entered. You can also tweet about the giveaway daily to earn bonus entries.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Competition

De La Vie’s Restaurant Review, Bearwood

February 25, 2022 by Erica Hughes 2 Comments

De La Vie's

De La Vie’s is a new addition to the Bearwood dining scene that has recently opened.  It occupies the site previously used by the Ruby Chinese restaurant on Barnsley Road, just off Hagley Road, Edgbaston.  There’s some parking on site in their car park plus free, on street parking too.  The new proprietors have clearly done a lot of work on the decor of the restaurant and whilst the basic layout remains the same, the finish and feel is very upmarket. Seating is a mix of bench seating, or tables with cosy velvet chairs, plus some larger tables for groups. There is also a pleasant bar seating area.table setting

De La Vie’s is a grill restaurant specialising in steaks and meat dishes, but vegetarian options are available.  It describes itself as a dry aged steakhouse and lounge bar. They aim to serve the finest Hampshire beef, cuts including fillet, rib-eye, T-bone and tomahawk. Obviously quality steaks aren’t cheap, so this might be a destination restaurant for a birthday or anniversary celebration, indeed the decor and the feel of the restaurant lends itself to this sort of occasion.

decor de la viesA wide range of drinks were available: there’s a champagne list, a reasonably extensive wine list and cocktails, plus a wide range of spirits.  For beers there’s a good selection of lagers (both on tap and bottled), a couple of pale ales, but no Guinness, stout, bitter or cider.

rib eye steakWe decided to go straight to the main event and have something from the grill.  Whilst we were waiting for our meal we were served complimentary olives.  I think a rib-eye is the one of the tastiest steak cuts and a good test of a restaurant’s ability to cook steaks well.  I picked the smaller of the two steaks on offer, the 12oz which is large enough for most people, even those like me who have a healthy appetite.  It was cooked as I requested (medium), and the grill flavour complemented the good quality beef.  As I expected it was a lovely piece of beef, with no waste or sinewy bits.  My steak arrived cut into strips which certainly made it easier to tackle.  No specific steak knives were provided, but to be honest it wasn’t necessary.  The steak came with chips and was served with a chimichuri sauce.  I loved the chips: they were crisp on the outside and fluffy inside.  The sauce wasn’t my thing and I don’t think you really need a sauce with steak if the steak is good enough (and it was).  One point to note is that there is nothing else served with the steak, no garnish or vegetables, apart from the chips and the sauce, so we ordered the grilled vegetables as a side order.

grilled vegetables

The grilled vegetables were very tasty and the grill certainly adds extra flavour.  I did think it slightly odd that underneath the hot vegetables was a bed of lettuce (mostly rocket).  I think I’d have rather just had more of the vegetables.koobideh
My companion picked out the Koobideh from the Kebab section of the grill menu.  It’s described as a delicious chef’s special with ground dry edge beef and lamb, combined with the chef’s specially selected herbs and onion.  Again it’s grilled on charcoal which adds to the flavour.  As you can see this does come with a fairly extensive salad garnish, as well as the grilled tomatoes.  If you chose this meal I think you could do without any sides. This was a lovely, flavoursome kebab meal, but it probably doesn’t feel as special as having a steak and seems a bit pricey for what it is.

7 Veli Chocolate
After all that meat we were quite full, but wanted to try out one of the puddings so we had one to share.  They only had three of the six puddings on the night we went, so there was a limited choice.  We picked out the 7 Veli Chocolate, which is made of layers of chocolate and hazelnut covered with chocolate ganache.  It came served with chocolate ice cream.  This was a delicious end to the meal and the portion size was perfect for sharing.

The service was friendly and attentive.  We did have a small issue with the bill, but it was quickly sorted out.  Often the mark of a good restaurant is how they handle any problems, and on this account De La Vie’s did well.

I can see me returning to De La Vie’s for a bit of a treat or a special occasion, or if I just fancy a charcoal grilled, quality steak.

If you want to try other restaurants in Bearwood, read my review on BrazilPortu, A La Mexicana and The Old Dresser.

Filed Under: Food

Gentle Solitude Rich Face Oil from Tea & Tonic Review #Ad

February 21, 2022 by Erica Hughes 2 Comments

tea and tonicI’m always keen to try out new beauty products and give my skin a pamper.  So I jumped at the chance to try out the Gentle Solitude Rich Face Oil from Tea & Tonic.

Tea & Tonic are a 100% natural skincare and wellness brand that aims to help you to discover the secrets to your brightest skin and self. Their luxury wellness products work to holistically balance dry, oily or sensitive skin. All of the products sold at Tea & Tonic are hand blended, sustainably sourced, vegan and cruelty free.

I liked the simple, elegant packaging in a sage green, almost grey, palette.There’s a quality feel to both the bottle (the top unscrews easily and there’s a good quality glass pipette) and the box it comes in. Tea &Tonic also allow you to opt for an aluminium cap, which is a recyclable alternative to their pipettes.

It’s a fragrance free oil, so there isn’t a strong scent, but there is a faint, pleasant, plant aroma when you use the product.   It doesn’t linger and as I say, it’s very mild.  It’s certainly pleasant and easy to use, plus a few drops goes a long way so a bottle will last for ages.

The Gentle Solitude Rich Face Oil from Tea & Tonic is formulated to soothe and provide comfort for your skin, aiming to leave you with smooth, supple, comforted skin. It slides onto your face easily and doesn’t feel heavy or greasy or weigh your skin down.  It does still have a richness though, as the name suggests, and my face feels well moisturised through the night and into the morning when I use it.  I’ve only used the product at night, although I think you could easily use it during the day.  It leaves my skin feeling nourished, soft and supple, but without overwhelming it.  I feel that my skin can breath when I’m using it, which isn’t always how I feel when I use face oils.

From the technical side of things, it’s good to know that the Gentle Solitude Rich Face Oil is high in nutrients and antioxidants.  These include vitamins C and E, plus omega fatty acids, notably gamma linolenic acid: the elixir for elasticity. Tea & Tonic source with sustainability in mind from quality, freshness and mileage to the environmental production methods required. This natural skincare product contains over 80% seed oils sourced from UK farms. Ingredients used include Borage (Starflower) oil; Crambe Abyssinian and cold-pressed Camelina Oil which are all grown as part of the Bee Friendly project: RHS Plants for Pollinators which helps local ecosystems by supporting a healthy bee population. I do like using Borage oil products, but I think the other oils are new to me.

I’ve enjoyed using Gentle Solitude Rich Face Oil and my skin seems to like it too.  It feels gentle on the skin and I think it would be good for those who have sensitive skin.  It’s a product I have confidence in and I’d happily use it again in the future.

Filed Under: Pampering

BrazilPortu, Bearwood – A Restaurant Review

February 9, 2022 by Erica Hughes Leave a Comment

BrazilPortuBrazilPortu is tucked away further down the Bearwood Road away from the main high street area.  It’s part of a row of independent shops and businesses, plus this part of Bearwood is on the up with lots of specialist shops and eateries opening up in recent years.  BrazilPortu is a bit deceptive from the outside as its their shop that fronts the street and you need to walk through this to get to the restaurant section.  The shop is an intriguing looking place and it stocks lots of speciality products, so it’s well worth a visit if you want to recreate Brazilian food at home.

Some of my most memorable dining experiences have been in South American restaurants, I think in part because beef has always been my favourite meat and steak in particular.  So I was keen to try out BrazilPortu.  The restaurant is colourfully furnished and decorated, but it’s not too busy either, so it’s a relaxing place to spend time.  The waiter was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive.

Our waiter suggested we have the Special Grill for One, but scaled up for two people.  This meant we could pick out a couple of steaks and have them with a range of sides. We decided this would give us the chance to try a range of dishes from the menu.

rump steak and 3 sides We chose the Picanha Na Chapa (a rump steak) and the Contra Filé  Na Chapa (a sirlion).  You pick whether you want your steak well done, medium or rare and we both went for medium.  I preferred the rump to the sirlion, but that’s a personal preference as I find it tastier.  As you can see from the pictures, the steak came served on sizzling cast iron platters and with a bed of fried onions.  The steaks were cooked as requested and were great quality pieces of meat – very enjoyable. The portions are generous and most meat eaters will be very happy with the serving size.  We didn’t get any steak knives to eat with and when we asked for them we were told they had none, but they were looking to get some soon.  Steak knives would have made eating easier, but that’s not to suggest that the steaks were poor quality, because they were very tender.

 

sirloin steak

Between us we were able to have chips(twice because you can never have enough chips), salad, rice, black beans and tropeiro. The tropeiro is a mixture of spring greens, mixed beans, egg and smoked sausage. The chips were nicely crisp and the salad and rice were fairly standard.  The tropeiro was an interesting, tasty dish and I’d certainly order it again.  I wasn’t so keen on the black beans and I’d probably try a different side on a return visit.

We’ll certainly be going back.  It was a lovely welcoming restaurant with a good range of dishes on the menu apart from the more obvious steaks.  I’d be interested in trying out the salted cod or the peri-peri chicken another time.

Other local eateries to try include Hengata in Harborne, A La Mexicana in Bearwood, De La Vie’s and The Old Dresser also in Bearwood.

Filed Under: Food

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About Me

ericaI’m Erica Hughes: interested in beauty products as well as being a keen foodie and amateur cook. I write here about my passions in life including good food, fine wine, beauty plus all the little luxuries that make life worthwhile.

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