Do The Truffle Shuffle

I came across the Truffle Shuffle website a few years ago after searching for a Burt & Ernie t-shirt (which I never found). What I did find however was this gem of a website. From the first shop I did purchase a Sesame Street t-shirt along with a Wombles 'Uncle Bulgaria Keep Britain Tidy tee, which went down tremendously.

Since then I have been following Truffle Shuffle on Twitter and Facebook. Every Friday the lovely people at Truffle Shuffle run a competition on their Facebook, either a maths puzzle (but a fun one) a caption competition or 'best answer wins'. I do this competition every Friday. Now I am one of these people who 'never wins anything', however one week I only went and did!

When it is a caption or best answer wins I put loads of effort in. When it's a maths puzzle I think about it strategically, ask around the office and give a couple of possible answers based on different scenarios. Yes you may think I'm a geek. You'd be right. The prize each week is a £25 voucher for the site.it really is a fantastic marketing tool. At least 200 people enter the competition on a weekly basis. 

The week I won it was a particularly busy Friday at work. I had a brief chance to check the site and it was a maths quiz. Having no time I just threw down some numbers in the vain hope I may win. When I returned to my computer in the afternoon I dutifully checked the page and literally screamed in the office when I read my name! After weeks and months of strategically trying to get the answer right, putting loads of effort in and getting friends involved, the week I have no time to think about it I only go and get it right! 

I had already been eyeing up this sweater on the site before I won so it was a no brainier to get this. I love it, and every time I've worn it someone tells me they love it. Labyrinth was my favourite film when I was younger. I used to watch it every week from the rental van. Watching it now I'm not sure how suitable it was for a child but it still is an absolute classic film. Just go to the site, have a browse - guaranteed you will find something you need immediately, and you needn't worry about waiting long, I ordered this beauty on a Friday and it had an estimated dispatch date of Tuesday...it only went and arrived on Saturday! You also get a retro sweet treat with every purchase.

Here it is again - don't you love it?

My only worry now is I won't be able to win again as I have once, and it was a lot of fun doing that every week! Maybe I'll try again soon - after all you never can have too much retro chic!

Follow Truffle Shuffle on Facebook (and enter the Friday competition)

Shop the range

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Exotic Dining; Review

I don't often do a lot when I go to my parents, nothing new anyway. I know where I like to eat and tend to avoid going out at all costs. I did however have a guest with me who wanted to see some sites. A shortage of 'interesting' restaurants in Kettering led me to an Indian. There are plenty of decent curry houses. After telling a current local about this plan they suggested exotic dining, a curry house with a difference.

I was informed booking was essential and as I was only 1 day out I'd be lucky to get a table. Luckily booking was easy. When we arrived this is because the place was only half full. 

We started to peruse the extensive menu after a swift look at the wine list that left a lot to be desired we opted for beer...nice and traditional. We decided on starters and mains with a couple of sides, vowing not to get poppadoms or naan bread in order to Keep our appetite. 

As soon as the waiter arrives of course this goes out of the window. 'Do you want a naan with that' errr yes?! And some poppadoms? Yes two please?! What is wrong with us! Said poppadoms arrived and were functional with a nice dippy twist. These were not your standard mango chutneys. They were lovely but all were lacking in a spicy kick. 

When our starters arrived they were presented beautifully. The rabbit was absolutely delicious, tender and perfectly flavoured (if you're wondering yes it does taste just like chicken!) the beef was flavoursome and the portions were just the right size, although now we were feeling pretty full after polishing off the poppadoms. For main we had venison and duck. The venison won hands down on presentation and taste. The duck was a little over done for me I like it pink, but it was curried so what do you expect? As predicted the rice (cumin) and naan absolutely killed us. We were totally stuffed and couldn't finish anything! What let downs. 

There was your standard choice of Indian restaurant deserts, orange filled with sorbet, pinky the plastic penguin and something with lychees. We opted to go without completely defeated. It was a nice change from your standard Indian restaurant. I like what they are doing to cater for the more adventurous and safe diners. 

Atmosphere: 2.5/5

Food: 3/5

Drink: 2/5

Overall: 2.5/5

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New Blue Shorts

These weren't ever supposed to be so chic, they are something you like in the shop but can't really visualise what they will go with in your wardrobe but need them anyway. Turns out I already have everything in the cupboard to make them into a great new outfit (if I do say so myself). So here is WIWT (what I wore today)

OK so these have all come out sideways, but I kind of like the effect! Here they are the right way up

OK we're done here

Shorts: H&M
Blazer: H&M
Shirt: River Island
Handbag: Mulberry

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Pitt Cue Restaurant Review

Honestly as I am writing this I may burst. I am groaningly full in the best possible way. Tonight we had an eye wateringly, roll your eyes back into your head and let out a little moan good meal. Pitt cue in Soho has only been open for 3 months but it is already a staple to those in the know. Their website only has opening hours and venue and the polite info that there is no booking, just show up queue and deal with it. On this particular Friday night we arrived around 5.50pm for the 6pm opening (in the rain).

We were lucky enough to get into the bar around 6.15pm for a predicted hour wait for a table. You see the restaurant has 20 covers, max. The bar holds about 30 an the street continually full of eager diners.

We were one of the lucky 'early Ines' who grabbed a spot at the bar and ogled the cocktail menu. First up we both opted for Hard Lemonade, bourbon, Cointreau and home made lemonade. The cocktails are served short and strong...perfect. We settled right into our wait, with our glorious tab who was named Mufasa.I highly recommend the Hard Lemonade as the Kentucky Iced Tea I had next was not as good (it was a special not on the regular menu).

In no time at all our hour was up and we were being whisked downstairs through the throngs of queued people practically lynching us with their eyes. Honestly there are 5 tables in this restaurant, it's basically like someones kitchen. The menu is simple and straightforward- meat, sides, specials, extras. We opted for 2 of each (sans the specials) aka too much.

We were hoping the wings arrived first so we could digest before everything else arrived. Everything arrived so fast! Now here is the most important part to note...do not go here on a date! Get stuck in. The only way to eat these is with hot sauce all over your face and on your hands, arms, elbows ( no I don't know how it got there either but it did) honestly I don't know how they did that with a chicken. It was delish.

Next up we tucked into the pulled pork and slaw. Honestly this pulled pork matched with the saucy, drippy yet crunchy slaw was probably the best thing I've ever had in my mouth. It literally made my eyes roll back into my head an let out quite a loud happy moan. It was immense.

Next up, the beef ribs. The broccoli that accompanied this was probably the most fattening broccoli I have ever had. Naturally it was also the tastiest. It was white sprouting, and meted in lashings of butter and garlic. Now onto the ribs. Time for another eye rolling moment. The meat was so tender it literally fell off the bone.It went amazingly well with the hot sauce on the table.

They were also completely enormous.The pork and slaw was the best for me though. So amazing, there really is nothing else to say about it, just try it.

Now we only enquired about dessert as I honestly didn't think there would be any. We weren't intending to order anything - until the immortal words 'chocolate and peanut butter brownie with white chocolate shavings'. Our lovely waiter assured us it would be at least 10 minutes so our meal would have space to go down. When it arrived luckily it wasn't too big.

Once our now becoming best friend (especially as he kept the beers coming, we were on the 'whatever' by now) asked what we thought of the dessert, the only word that sprung to mind was 'filthy'. It was absolutely filthy and delicious. My stomach was so sore from eating too much and laughing (good company helps). It was hands down the best meal I have had in a long time.

Someone asked us in the bar on the way out if it was worth the wait, the answer if you haven't guessed it by now is...I'll see you in the queue.

Atmosphere: 4/5
Food: 5/5
Drink: 4/5
Overall: 4.5/5

The overall gets bumped up because the food was so ridiculously good.

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The true test of a holiday...

When do you know you have had a proper vacation? When you have nothing to post about. For the last week (post Cannes) I have been doing nothing.of note. OK maybe not nothing here are the highlights:

1) I made my thai red curry and it had a great reception
2) My heart broke a little bit when I realised there is a Primark outlet in SELFRIDGES (!!!) in Birmingham
3) I ate at an Indian restaurant with Camel, Crocodile, Raindeer and a number of other weird and wonderful concoctions on the menu (I didn't actually dine with these animals you understand...)
4) I helped make macaroons, making almond paste is hard.
5) I had my nails painted (finally got rid of the St Patricks day green) the same colour as Louboutin nude

Here's what I have to show for a week off:

As for the W update, alas maybe I should just say there will be no further updates. Cynics of the world rejoice. 

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Roka Restaurant Review

I love finding a new restaurant by chance. This chance was W treating me to a hotel stay at West India Quay as soon as I got back from Cannes. It is so nice to ignore all the unpacking and mess in my own flat in favour of fresh Egyptian cotton on a massive comfy bed (that I don't have to make). Since we were in a random area we used the trusty iPhone to find what was nearby. As usual I fancied Japanese. As luck would have it Roka came up immediately. Off we headed.

The place we initially thought was it was absolutely packed with banging music - although we were sure it said Roka on the window. We made a swift exit and noticed it was actually upstairs. Phew. As soon as we exited the escalator it was as it should be, smelling of incense with someone waiting to greet us. Luckily we managed to grab the last table before the couple behind us were informed of a wait (booking is highly recommended).

W dutifully took to perusing the wine and Sake list. I grabbed the food menu and decided I wanted everything on it. The waitress kindly advised there were 3 kitchens with different ones serving different pages/choices. We opted for things from every kitchen.

We started of course with Sake and edamame (with chili and garlic)

Chef's special nigiri

Salmon and avocado maki

Calamari

Scallop sashimi

Diligently waiting for baby back ribs while I snap them

Dessert for him, cocktail for me

It really was fantastic. I would go back as a date or with friends. It was on the medium/expensive side depending on how much you order. We could have gone for way more (especially the sushi).

Atmosphere: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Drink: 4/5
Overall: 4/5 highly recommend for a special occasion.

So the wooing/romance continues...to be continued.

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