Aida, London

Another Shoreditch hotspot! AIDA, a cafe and a shop in one that caters for both men as well as women. There, you'll find a diversity of brands offering anything from handy rain jackets to accessories such as watches or jewellery. There's a hidden treasure for everyone! Among those finds, you'll also be able to get hold of salads, baguettes and croissants.. Their freshly made juices are also delicious too, I went for the beetroot one - as you can see below;)

 The interior has a rustic feel with a modern twist. A look that is definitely trending amongst many store and restaurant hot spots of today. The place is totally hip and effortlessly retro. I love it! Among the quirky brands they stock, you'll find: Twist & Tango, RAINS, Eleven Paris, Des Petits Hauts & Just Female, to name a few. The store is located 4min walking distance from Shoreditch High Street overground station, so it's an easy find. Want more? AIDA is more than just a shop & a quick coffee - it's a community & a blog - make sure to check them out..http://aidashoreditch.co.uk/

Banana Oat Pancakes

Hey everyone, it has definitely been a while since we posted but we have had a very busy period. However now with (at least some of the) exams, deadlines & Christmas behind us - and a new year in front of us - we are back for good! 

I hope you all had a great New Year and that this year will bring you all the joy you all deserve! Talking of things that make us happy - why don't we start with food?

Yes, I am definitely a pancake fiend! However I have to say I may have found the best recipe yet. It's simple, healthy & outrageously delicious - that 3in1 we all love to hear!

I recently tried out the flour free option - oats & bananas only and this was the result...

If you want to have a go at it yourself at home it's super simple!

Here is what you'll need:

Pancake base:

2 bananas
2 eggs
1/2 a cup of oats
1/2 a tsp of baking soda
pinch of salt


fruits/nuts (to serve)
maple syrup/honey/peanut butter (also to serve with)

1. Comibine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 
2.Then take a spoonful of the mix and pour onto the pan, cook on both sides until bronzed & Voila~

As you can see I also placed slices of bananas in between the pancake layers for some extra sweetness but I have to say that the peanut butter did give these a nice little kick too ;)

Now, try and keep yourself from making those everyday - trust me it won't be easy!

KLUP, Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a place for true foodies. There are lots of new places opening, and one of them is the 'KLUP kollectief'. A pop-up store which offers fashion, inspiration for funky interior decoration, as well as healthy bites and slow juices. We decided to go for breakfast and opted for a beetroot and carrot slow juice, smoothie bowls and Sue's Bites. 

Sue's bites are delicious, sugar-free, lactose free and gluten free, so you can eat your heart out without feeling guilty. We ended up getting the salted-caramel and chocolate-advocado-pistachio cake (yes, it's even better than it sounds).  

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

As a keen traveller, I've always wanted to travel to South Africa. Especially since the country looked beautiful and everyone I met from there always emitted positive vibes. Yes, people make the place but the breathtaking views sure do help. Why not travel somewhere where both are equals?

Earlier this year I ventured there on two occasions. 
I definitely got to see some of the most beautiful sunsets there - which I'm a sucker for wherever I travel. (But then, isn't everyone?) On top of this, each beach I visited seemed more impressive than the other.. I can't say that about the water temperature, which felt like it was below freezing..The views totally make up for this though!

The city itself is jam packed with plenty cool hangouts be it restaurants, bars or cafes. I'm sure there's a spot that will satisfy even the pickiest of travellers (including myself). I found that Cape Town has a really artistic feel to it and is a great place to fuel your inspiration. It's literally around every corner, which makes that process ever so effortless. From long stretches of oceanside promenades, mountains to the most beautiful wine farms, there is something for everyone. It really ticks all the boxes.



I can't lie I really fell in love with this city and I will definitely come back to visit it in the near future! It definitely found a place in my top list of where I could live. Yes, I am Cape Town's number 1 fan but when you'll get a chance to visit, I'm sure you'll think likewise.

I have to say I didn't know too much about the country before traveling there apart from the fact they hosted the world cup, however I always heard about it being "unsafe" due to the high crime rates. Before I headed out I heard a lot of that too. I can understand that for an average tourist this can sound quite intimidating but I have to say that sticking to the right areas sure does help and lowers your chances of such unfortunate events. Basically anywhere you travel bad things can happen so there's no need to be completely intimidated but countries like South Africa. Be smart and it will all be ok!

These are my visual Cape Town highlights so far..

On your list of top must sees in CT you should definitely include: 

• Lion's Head
• Old Biscuit Mill
• Boulders Beach
• Table Mountain
• Glen Beach
• Chapman's Peak
• Bo-Kaap neighbourhood
• Signal Hill
• Houte Bay market
• Lladundo beach
• Blouberg beach
• Camps bay
• Wine farms (plenty to choose from)

  

(Kiehls) Skin Routine

Knowing how important it is to treat your skin right, I've always had a little obsession with skincare products. My mum would always tell me to find the right product, and stick to it for- pretty much- ever. No fuss, no drama. And that is exactly what I did. But after a while, I decided I needed a new go-to brand and in my search I splurged on beauty/ skin products - only to realise using various products was driving my skin into madness. The one brand which won over my heart was Kiehls, and I never looked back. Kiehls' products are incredibly moisturising and hydrating, without having that greasy feel to it. The ultra facial cream will definitely remain in my skincare routine due to its weightlessness and easy application. I'm also a fan of the midnight recovery concentrate and daily reviving concentrate. I've started using the midnight oil a year ago, and love the way my face feels when I wake up - definitely a must for during the colder winter months. And now there is a day oil too (yay!), which makes sure that my skin is glowing, even when I've only had a 3hour sleep..

Let me know what you guys think, what are your go-to-products? I'd love to hear!

A taste of Dulwich, London

Usually when I am in London I tend to stick to central. I guess because I am not there all the time, I enjoy that constant buzz. However is that the REAL London? I wanted to explore this notion, so this time round I decided to venture in a different direction- more precisely, the South, Dulwich.

There is no denying that London is like a hub made up of many different "mini towns" which is great because that's what fuels it's incomparable diversity, however it can make you stick to one area and not venture outside of it. I guess that usually tends to happen to me..not this time round though! I wanted to live the life of a real Londoner and hence I ended up in Dulwich. An area of London, previously a part of Kent that definitely carries some of it's flavours. 

I have to say I really liked the area with its green fields, hills and friendly local cafes & shops. It has it all. I even found a really adorable small book shop on the highstreet and didn't want to leave it. It's those small bespoke community stores and restaurants that really draw me into places like Dulwich. In a sense it didn't feel like I was in London but at the same time I was only a 20 minute tube ride away from the "touristy" London known to us all. 

Hence, next time when you're in London you need to step out of your comfort "district" whether it's Shoreditch or South Ken and venture out, it's definitely worth it.

Here's some snaps from the day..