Now the summer is here, it’s all about keeping cool and wherever possible making ice-cream! The Character ChillFactor range has taken this one step further with their Ice Cream Magic Tray which makes delicious ice-cream in minutes!
If you’ve spent any time on our travel blog, you’ll know we’re adventurous types. Our trip to South America before POD came along was certainly one of the most memorable. We spent ten days travelling round Venezuela – three of which in the jungle.
We lived in South East London for some time, twelve years in all. London Bridge was our gateway to central London but located just a stones throw away from there is Borough Market. It’s changed a lot since we moved to Surrey in 2010 and if you’ve not been before, you really must pay it a visit. I got to experience it again recently albeit briefly, thanks to a travel and street photography workshop. A small group of us had an incredible day being pushed out of our comfort zones. From freeze framing London buses and capturing strangers to a lot of camera tinkering. One on one time with the photographer was invaluable and she quickly recognised the kind of images I love to create. Taking in Borough Market was certainly one of the highlights location wise.
There’s chocolate then there’s the melt in your mouth, shut your eyes to savour every mouthful kind of chocolate. Hotel Chocolat always falls into the latter category with their iconic Easter collection offering something for everyone. From giant Easter eggs, milk chocolate eggs and extra thick eggs to dark as well as white chocolate variants. Or perhaps you fancy a Scrabbled Easter Egg, a Caramel Easter Egg Sandwich or a Nibble & Peck?
Annabel Karmel MBE has been a firm favourite in our household since POD was six months old. These days she loves nothing more than helping out in the kitchen. She has her own apron although we often experiment with utensils as they’re designed for adults rather than children. The Casdon Annabel Karmel Mini Cupcake and Baking Sets however are specifically designed for kids aged five and over. These sets are just two of those available from Casdon, there’s a full range available.
A great way to get into the Christmas spirit is to have a feast with friends. The food for which prepared while you’re jigging away to the likes of Last Christmas, Merry Christmas Everyone and Fairytale of New York. Although we incorporated a selection of Christmas treats, the main event was this Portugese inspired Piri Piri chicken with sweet potato wedges. Expedia challenged us to make a dish from one of the countries they fly to and we just had to do Portugal. It seemed the natural choice given two friends have just moved to the UK from there.
With the POD Father working full-time in London again, responsibility for school drop offs, after school pick-ups and getting POD ready for bed has sat with yours truly. The latter is a timely process which involves the usual feeding, bathing and story telling – not to mention multiple sleep delaying tactics! We’re a week into the new routine now and it’s working well for the most part. I’m enjoying spending more time in the kitchen although it’s a little dangerous when it involves making absolute treats like this amazing cottage pie.
Having thoroughly enjoyed making pizza at home last month, POD was thrilled to attend a birthday party at Pizza Express. We weren’t sure what the agenda was but POD secretly hoped it involved making or eating pizza. Luckily for her it was both! Before then however she got to catch up with some friends, including the birthday girl, before embarking on a spot of colouring and much hand washing. As we’d rushed straight from gymnastics to Pizza Express, she wasn’t in the most appropriate attire. We made the best of it and her clothes were mostly protected by a plastic apron anyway. She was so proud to wear a chef’s hat, even proudly stood for a photo!
Saturday was a busy day what with gymnastics and a family swim all before lunchtime. POD had asked to go swimming for days and although it wasn’t overly successful initially, she had a ball in the end. Following a spot of sofa hugging, where she barely moved she was so tired, the POD Father brought out a pizza making kit.
The lead up to Christmas and the day itself is always a special time for the Doves as POD was born on 25th December. She’ll be five this year and not doubt will embrace the festive period much as she did last year. I love the magic that surrounds Christmas and it’s the most wonderful thing to see the excitement build through a child’s eyes.
The chocolatiers at Hotel Chocolat have been busy creating a fabulous selection with new recipes and old favourites for this season. POD adores the count down to Christmas (and her birthday!) with an advent calendar so we were thrilled to sample one. I know it’s a dreadful job to have to eat delicious chocolate but someone has to do it!
We selected a milk chocolate advent calendar which is filled with wonderful structures from snowmen, Father Christmas and reindeer to penguins, Christmas trees and the all important number of days to go. Hotel Chocolat have foil wrapped each chocolate to ensure its freshness and they taste just divine.
As well as milk chocolate, their advent calendar range includes white and dark chocolate variants – the latter suitable for vegans. If you like to share your chocolate, there’s also a sharing calendar with two baby truffles behind each window! Flavours include mulled wine, pecan gingerbread and cinnamon praline.
As you’d expect the Christmas range from Hotel Chocolat is extensive. It includes festive wreaths, cabinets of chocolate with their most iconic recipes, giant chocolate slabs, Christmas gift boxes (including create your own), stocking fillers and an array of selection boxes. There’s also a selection of mix, match and make merry options from only £7 each or £6 each for 3 or more. All their gifts can be delivered in a ribbon tied box with a personalised card straight to friends and family. For more details, check out the Hotel Chocolat website.
Disclaimer: We received a milk chocolate advent calendar for the purpose of this review. Opinions are our own.
