Review: Peyton and Byrne, Covent Garden

Last week I met Sarah for lunch in Covent Garden with the intention of stuffing our faces in a new Nordic joint. But alas it didn't officially open until the next day so Peyton and Byrne was plan B. But we didn't settle as it was an excellent choice!

Peyton and Byrne is situated in the heart of the bustling Covent Garden, right next to the theatre showing the Lion King. Serving a variety of temping baked treats, squishy, overflowing sandwiches, savoury warm salads and luxurious hot drinks, it's the perfect haven from the busy streets. It's not cheap but you get what you pay for - everything we tried was delicious. They certainly don't scrimp on the sandwich fillings!

After much deliberation, I opted for the mozzarella, pesto and roasted vegetable seeded ciabatta and a miniature lemon drizzle cake. The sandwich was absolutely delicious! Filled with huge chunks of flavoursome roasted corvette, aubergines and peppers, topped with slabs of creamy mozzarella, drizzled with a generous helping of pesto and sprinkled with peppery rocket, it was a force to be reckoned with! One of my favourite combinations in a sandwich.

I finished off with a tasty lemon drizzle cake. With just the right amount of zing and a generous topping of citrus icing, it was the perfect sweet treat to finish off a great lunch. Although I couldn't resist eyeing up Sarah's hot chocolate....

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5 cities on my bucket list

I'm a fickle person and admit my list of places to visit changes weekly. At this rate I'll never visit them all! But these five have been in my top five for years - it's about time I crossed them off right?

Credit: @Retinaipadwalls via Pinterest

1. San Francisco
The beautiful United States of America. This country is my soul sister. I love everything about the brash, intrusive, mind-boggling country. San Francisco has been top of my places to visit for years and years. Right up there with NYC. I crossed NYC off in 2014 and hopefully it won't be long before this is crossed off either. I've seen so many pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge that I almost feel like I've been already. I want to soak up the history of Alcatraz, marvel at the multi-colured houses, scoff all the Dim Sum in the world's oldest Chinatown, not so elegantly cycle along the famous bridge, eat seafood at Fisherman's Wharf and hop on a historic cable car. One day!

Credit: Yakubanto via pinterest 

2. Dubai
That skyline! *insert heart eye emoji here* No one quite does a skyline like Dubai right? The slick and stylish city is just calling my name. I don't think there will be anywhere quite like it on earth. It  knows exactly how to put on a show! I want to gawp at the incredible light laser show at Burj Khalifa, go for an almighty champagne brunch,  head out to Palm Islands, spend all my hard-earned cash in the Dubai mall and see the stunning Jumeriah Mosque.

Credit: Amongraf blog via Pinterest

3. Florence
I still can't believe I've made it to nearly 27 and not yet made it to Italy. In particular, the gorgeous city of Florence. The city oozes history from it's pores and being the history buff I am, I'm desperate to soak it up like a sponge. The terracotta tiled houses, the role Tuscan countryside and delicious Italian dishes are all aspects I'm dying to experience for myself. Gazing at the city below from the top of the II Duomo De Firenze is top of my list. I wouldn't mind giving old 'David' a visit either! I feel Florence will be the perfect trip to pop my Italian cherry.

Credit: Chris Heijams via Pinterest

4. Marrakech
The rich colours, the overwhelming smells, the intense bartering and the stunning mosques all make this African city high on my bucket list. I've never been to Africa and Morocco is a mere hours away - not much further than Spain. I'd love to stay in a cosy Riad, get lost in the narrow alleyways, spend a fortune in the souks, book myself on a Moroccan cookery lesson, relax at a hammam and drink a cocktail on a rooftop terrace whilst gazing down at the city below. Why am I not on a plane there now?!

Credit: Instagram via Buzzfeed via Pinterest

5. Miami
I'm having a lot of trouble trying to persuade my holiday gang to visit Miami so this might be a bad boy to visit on my own. I've heard such mixed reviews of the city. Some have loved it yet others think it's awful. Guess I'll have to find out for myself! I think I've perhaps watched a little too many Spring Break themed films but I'm desperate to party in this Florida city.  Yep, that's basically what the main aim of my trip would be. Party like there's no tomorrow, eat all the food and soak up the vitamin D whilst lounging on the beach. Makings of a perfect trip away huh?


I have credited the pictures the best I can. All taken from Pinterest. If the image is yours and you'd like me to take it down, then please get in touch.

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A Mulberry handbag treat

Last weekend I did something pretty reckless. I treated myself to a new Mulberry handbag. It was completely on the whim as I wasn't really looking for a new designer bag. I had some Christmas money, early birthday money for my parents and a £2 money box a quarter full so I only ended up paying £41 out of my own money. So really it was practically free. Or something like that! I'd wandered into the shop in Covent Garden and saw my dream bag in the sale so decided to go for it. I haven't regretted it since. The Kitchenaid food blender I was saving up for will have to be bought later on in the year!

I have such a thing for red accessories and have lusted over a Mulberry Lily for a few years. I treated myself to a Bayswater when I got my first freelance gig three years ago so had been eyeing up a new bag. But I thought I had a lot more saving to do. My upcoming 27th birthday seemed like the perfect excuse to just go for it! I absolutely adore it. It's a fantastic size, such a vibrant colour and so versatile. There's just something about the Mulberry brand that sucker punches me. No one else comes close.

Isn't Lily such a beauty?!

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