Exploring the UK: Maltby Street Market, Bermondsey, South London

There's nothing I love more than strolling around a food market, sampling all the delicious treats on offer and trying new dishes. After trying Borough, Greenwich and Brockley, it was time to tick another one off my list. This time it was Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey, South London. Not too far from the famous Borough Market.

Ropewalk is a lively street food market located on Maltby Street in Bermondsey, South London. It has food stalls, wine bars in the arches and pop-up restaurants, perfect for foodies to get their fix. It's open from 9am - 4pm on a Saturday, making it the perfect place to whittle away a lazy day. It does get very busy so if crowds aren't your thing then make sure you get there early. The early bird catches the worm after all.

With many well-known street food traders such as Waffle On, The Cheese Truck and Finest Fayre all on offer, there's something to suit even the fussiest of eaters. With gin connoisseurs Little Bird Gin and wine bar St John, it'll be rude not to stop for a while for a little drink. If the hoards of tourists at Borough Market are a bit too much, then Maltby Street will be just the ticket.

Read more

Review: Flesh and Buns, Covent Garden, London

Flesh and Buns had been on my list for a while but I'd never really made it there. That's what happens when you work in a city where numerous new restaurants open each week - you can hardly keep up! But when I wanted to celebrate my birthday with my internet friends back in January and Hannah casually dropped in the famous Sunday Japanese brunch, my mind was made up. I finally had my chance to visit.

For £46 you were given a delicious cocktail on arrival, chips, dips and edamane, unlimited hot and cold dishes, signature flesh and buns, unlimited prosecco and dessert for the table. When a plate of mixed sashimi is £12, this works out to be one hell of a deal. So of course we went to town and ordered one of everything off the menu. You gotta try it all right?!

Everything was absolutely delicious and we were still talking about the meal a week later. Personal highlights for me was the crispy, spicy Korean fried chicken wings, the fresh soft shell sushi, the tender flat iron steak in a soft steamed bun and peppery fried squid. I could have order so much more. - especially those juicy chicken wings. The sweet and sour sauce was so addictive.

No indulgent brunch is ever complete without a little dessert. We had the famous s'mores with passionfruit marshmallows, almond chocolate and crumbly biscuits. There's something that make you feel a bit like you've regressed to a child when you have to create your own food! Next up for the gooey chocolate fondant with matcha ice cream. Delicious!

It was honestly one of my favourite meals I've had in the city and can't wait to book my next trip back. Despite the bill coming to over £50 a head, it really was such great value for money. We ate until we were fit to burst and certainly took lots of advantage of the unlimited fizz. Definitely a great way to spend a lazy Sunday.

Read more

Exploring the UK: Freeport Outlet Centre, Braintree, Essex

As much as I love the Big Smoke, I'm a little partial to my home county of Essex. Despite our reputation among others... I love exploring old favourites and new to me parts - it's home to some cracking places. One old favourite is the Freeport outlet centre in Braintree so when they got in touch to see if I fancied a day out, I quickly said yes.

Armed with a very generous voucher, I set off shop until I dropped. Freeport is home to a whole host of shops from homeware to beauty and fashion to electrical, there really is something for everyone. Lots of well-known retailers boast a shop at the outlet village. Ted baker, Adidas, Barbour, French Connection, Vans, M&S, Karen Millen and Hobbs are to name but a few. Thanks to my trip to Cologne coming up in a few days, I was on the hunt for some new bits and pieces to take there. Luckily I had no trouble finding things for my trip.

On the hunt for some comfortable shoes, something I don't own much of, I headed to Vans to treat myself to some plimsols. I was greeted with such a huge selection of different colours and styles and finally settled on a pair of plain black slim fit shoes. Then off to The Body Shop I went to stock up on some beauty bits and bobs for my holidays. The hand luggage restrictions get me every time. Finally I decided to treat my boyfriend to a new adidas zip up jumper to say thank you for being the chauffeur for the day. Not bad right?

Freeport really is a great day out, it's less than a hour from London on the train and savings can be up to 60% off the retail price. It's a fantastic place to get all your favourite fashion brands at a good discount. It means you can buy more right?! There's such a great selection of shops and new ones are opening all the time. It's easy to navigate and thanks to the industrial estate opposite, there's some fantastic places to eat - and even a cinema if you fancy relaxing after all that shopping!

Read more