My gin collection

This past year I have developed an obsession with gin. A BIG obsession. I've been trying to build up my gin collection ready for the big move as I'm desperate to have a gin bar in my dining room. Who needs to buy a sofa when you can have a bar right? Don't you think these gorgeous Kate Spade tumblers* would look perfect on display? I'm on the look out for some more glassware, gin and bar accessories so let me know if you have seen anything nice! This is the gin I've added to my collection so far...

Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle
Exclusive to Marks & Spencer, this citrus gin is delicious. Paired with a bitter lemon tonic or simple slimline tonic, you get bursts of juniper and sweetness with every sip. It makes such a nice change from other gins. Make sure you pour easy on the tonic for the flavour to really shine through.

Sipsmith
This is my all-time favourite - I look for it in every city I go too. I was pleased as pinch to find it in Derry. Made near my work in Chiswick, west London, it always remind me of home and the city I love.  It's an uncomplicated gin without any unusual botanicals that really stand out. Why go all fancy when you can do it this well? It's just a good, solid, fresh gin that is brilliantly smooth  on its own or paired with a tonic.

Ophir
Boasting spices of cardamon, coriander and black pepper, it's a gin that packed full of flavour and offers something a little different. I find the taste too strong in a normal g+t but it perfect in a gin cocktail. It's makes a great gin version of a Bloody Mary.

Two birds
Produced in Leicestershire, this gin only uses five different botanicals. Proving that sometimes simple is best. It has a good strong finish and only needs a little tonic to get the full flavour. Better still, try it neat to appreciate the creaminess. But I love it paired with a ribbon of cucumber and slimline tonic.

Caorunn
I have such a soft spot for Scottish gins and this one gets a thumbs up from me. I love the unusual suggestion of using red apple as a garnish which helps to bring out the blush apple flavours in what is quite a subtle gin. No overpowering notes here. Another gin that only uses five local foraged botanicals, it's made in a small batch and offers memories of the Scottish Highlands - immediately transporting me back.

Do you have any gin suggestions for me?

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Four things I did to have a social life while saving for a house deposit

One of the things I didn't want to happen when I started to save for a house deposit was to be stuck indoors for a year. I love going out, seeing things and eating things and wasn't quite ready to have all that taken away from me. After all, you're only young once right?! So I decided to try and strike a balance between still living life to full and putting away a large chunk of my wages each month. These are a few things that I find helped out a lot...

1. Cineworld unlimited card
This cinema card has been a lifesaver. It costs £17.40 and works out to be a great deal. Cinema tickets are around £9 now in our area and you only have to go twice to get your money back. It also offers 10% off Cineworld snacks and drinks - going up to 25% after the first year - alongside the same discount at Pizza Hut, Chiqutos and Frankie & Bennys. When you're sick of staring at the four walls, it offers great respite and helps you lose yourself for a few hours. We find ourselves seeing films we would never have dreamt of going to see which is a brilliant way to broaden our film knowledge. I really couldn't recommend the card enough.

2. Find free things
We're lucky that we live quite close to London and its filled with endless free museums, exhibitions and just a joy to walk around. I'm sure other big cities in the UK offer free events too. Yes you have to buy a train ticket or pay for petrol to drive there but it doesn't work out much in the grand scheme of things. You get out the house and still have a fun day out with a bit of culture thrown in too. We've spent hours gawking in museums and walked around London admiring the beautiful architecture for hours. When you get peckish, refer to tip number 4!

3. Bring the party to yours (or a friends!)
Instead of going out at the weekend, organise a night in all together. We had a cracking gin night a few weeks ago. Each person bought along a gin, mixer and garnish and when we got a bit peckish we ordered in a cheap pizza. It was one of the best nights I've had for a long time and we were in bed by midnight. You don't have to stay out all hours to have a fun night! Turns out sharing seven bottles of gin makes you sleepy... It wasn't ridiculously cheap but a hell of a lot cheaper than going out for drinks in London. It was great to have a catch up and proved when you're surrounded by good friends, you can really be anyway and it doesn't matter. You don't have to pay through the nose to have a good time.

4. Learn to be savvy when eating out
It's not secret that I love to stuff my face but eating out isn't too purse-friendly. Luckily now there ae endless deals to be had. Keep an eye out for soft launches for new restaurants- this website is great - as they often offer 50% off. Alternatively, many chains now do vouchers. Pizza Express and Prezzo always have pretty decent deals.

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Restaurant review: Bread Meats Bread, West End, Glasgow

When we started planning where we were going to eat in Glasgow, Bread Meats Bread immediately went on my list. I'd seen endless pictures of their drool-worthy burgers on Instagram and food blogs and immediately wanted part of the action. Luckily we had a branch near to our Air BnB in the West End.

We opted for an early lunch to beat the rush. When we walked in 12pm, there was only one table occupied but I've heard it gets pretty darn busy at times. Each branch has it's own special so naturally I went for this one. The Great Western Wolf is a beast of burger topped with American cheese, crispy bacon, tender BBQ pulled pork, crispy fried onions and 'nduja with sriracha mayo. There wasn't as much as a kick as I wanted but it was still delicious. Cooked just right, the flavours complimented each other superbly. For a side we opted for one of their signature poutine dishes. The Raspoutine is an addictive dish of chunky fries, fresh cheese curds, chopped crispy bacon and grated cheese in a mountain of beef gravy. It was heaven on a plate! Our friends maple bacon fries were sent from heaven too. The lashings of maple syrup was to die for.

Bread Meats Bread wasn't the best ever burger to pass my lips but it was pretty darn tasty. The staff were friendly and attentive, the food was reasonably priced, it was in a buzzing area of town and the poutine is well worth visit just for that. I'll definitely visit again if I ever find myself in Glasgow!

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