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The Toy Shop, Putney

Firstly what a cool name for a bar! I have visited the Toy Shop in Putney many times for a few after work drinks as the office is just across the road in Parsons Green. 

A great place to go to catch up with friends and enjoy an array of funky cocktails. Little did I know though, they serve food and snacks too until my cousin suggested we go for dinner there. What's more amazing is that some of the little snacks (I had breaded strips of chicken with chips) come in silver lunch boxes. What a blast from the past! I'm sure everyone remembers carrying their little plastic lunchbox back in Primary School. I know I do for sure and the girls had Disney princesses on the front or a kitten or something and the boys had power rangers or something equally as manly! 

Point being that lunch boxes are clearly still cool! 

I am totally 100% a cocktail lover but do enjoy something milkshake-esque with a little cream but there wasn't an option on the menu, however don't be afraid to ask because if you don't ask you don't get! I asked one of the very friendly waitresses if I could possibly have some kind of creamy cocktail with baileys or khalua or such like and sure enough she came back with just that. Yummy!! 

(Sorry about the bad picture! I clearly couldn't wait to have a sip before taking a snap!) 

What's even more nostalgically brilliant about this place are the bathrooms (the girls anyway) is that the walls are covered in Barbies, very unique and out there but you've got to love it. I didn't get a picture unfortunately but I go there all the time so next time I will make sure I do and post it in another post. 

Brilliant fun night out, I hope you take a visit there soon. 

P.s you even get a tasty treat at the end of your meal - in our case it was a chocolate Lego robot! Yum! 

Pp.s must try the chocolate chip cookie dipping sticks for pudding. A.MAY.ZING!!!

www.thetoyshopbar.com

Lexie

xxx

Easter 'EGG'stravaganza Part 2

Still enjoying the super long weekend in Torquay, although I am writing this having just arrived back to the City. Being greeted by rain was not the most positive way to accustom ones self back into 'the real world'! 

So backtracking to the second half of the  weekend - another country day out, this time to Cornwall! We did a little round robin, crossing over the Tamar Bridge on the way there and taking the Torpoint Ferry on the way back. 

We didn't just spend the day seeing how many modes of transport we could use to cross between Devon and Cornwall, we did actually have an appointed destination for lunch; The Whitsand Bay Hotel, Portwrinkle

www.whitsandbayhotel.co.uk

The manor house style hotel has the most fantastic views of the Cornish coastline as well as offering a professional golf course, an easy stroll to the beach cove and as we found out...Amazing food! In fact the 3 course lunch menu had such a varied selection to choose from, you couldn't be anything but satisfied. It was even warm enough to sit outside for a bit and enjoy the sunshine on the terrace. 

The rest of the weekend was spent a little  closer to home, catching up with friends and family, relaxing at various watering holes across Torquay. Including the newly opened Rock Garden in the centre of town, perfect for an evening gossip. They also often have live music - just the sort of social venue needed in town attracting both old and young alike, it also has a great beer garden which I'm sure will be packed in the summer! 

www.rockgardencafe.co.uk

For an Easter breakfast we headed to a hidden cafe just off Torre Abbey Green: One World - offering one of the best full english breakfasts, lunch and dinner! As well as snacks, cakes, ice cream, smoothies and milkshakes. The Indonesian style, theme and musical atmosphere makes you really feel abroad. They also host live music evenings and sell little unique gifts in keeping with the theme. 

www.oneworldcafe.org.uk

Last but certainly not least, we ended the weekend with a lunch at the Grand Hotel on the seafront. Make sure you reserve the table in the right hand corner of the conservatory to take full advantage of the  seaside views and beaming sunlight, that's if I don't get there first! 

Happy Easter! 

Lexie

xxx

Easter 'EGG'stravaganza part 1

So, my boyfriend Luke and I decided to go back to my hometown - Torquay in Devon - for the Easter Holidays. To avoid getting stuck in all the traffic of the rest of  the Capital trying to leave London for the weekend, we decided not to leave until 10pm! Although we didn't get back until the early hours of the morning it was great to wake up to this view: 

My parents, being the classic car fanatics they are, planned a great trip out in the old 'Woody' or 1955 Morris Oxford Traveller if you will. Here we are eager to see if the traveller car will actually start! 

We began the day out with a trip on the ferry across to Dartmouth - a small fishing village in Devon. We found a lovely window seat in 'The Angel' on the harbour front for lunch. After devouring a selection of their gourmet starters (including the goat's cheese salad, scallops on duck breast and salmon duo) we hopped back into the car and onto the next destination. 

View from 'The Angel' www.angeliquedartmouth.co.uk

We then took the coastal route via Blackpool Sands and onto Slapton: 

We parked up to enjoy the view of Slapton Sands and read a little about the sad history of the area. 

In 1944 Slapton Sands was used in 'Excersize Tiger' a series of large scale rehearsals for the D Day invasion as the beach closely resembles that in Normandy. Unfortunately the town was exposed and consequently attacked, resulting in the death of 946 American Servicemen. 

A Sherman Tank that had sunk in the action was recovered and now acts as a reminder and tribute to those who lost their lives. 

Next we headed to one of my favourite spots and home to one of my favourite shops! Salcombe; a beautiful riverside town of quaint eateries and boutique stores overlooked by some luxurious glass homes. The popular outfitters 'Jack Wills' opened its first store here in 1999 and is now one of the biggest names in University Outfitters. Of course we made a stop off! www.jackwills.com 

Me in Salcombe

Finally, we ended the trip with an afternoon beverage at one of Devon's most unique spots: The South Devon Chilli Farm. Opened in 2003 they now grow over 10,000 chilli plants each year and sell many products and produce in the farm shop. Well worth a visit! You mustn't leave without trying a chilli hot chocolate in the cafe over looking the rolling hills! 

www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk

Lexie xxx

THE Yellow Coat

Everyone has a statement item that draws attention to any outfit. My spring statement is my new yellow coat from Zara. 

Little did I know it was so highly in demand until I read the Daily Mail the next day where there was an article on the front page of the 'femail' section featuring the coat which had sold out in most stores. Oxford Circus apparently selling 40 a day!!!! 

And there I was in Westfields White City where I saw the only one left.. IN MY SIZE... Completely unaware I was holding the coat of the season in my hand I remarkably put it back on the rack and left the shop for a good 2 hours to consider my new investment. Yet when I had talked myself into the purchase (after an afternoon glass of wine) it was still there! Talk about meant to be... And the rest as they say is history! 

Coat: £99.99 Zara

Dress: £45.00 Lavish Alice

Sunglasses: £120 Juicy Couture

Clutch: £35 Whistles

Bangle: Gift from Kate Spade