Hidden Newcastle & Tempura perfection

After a photo shoot last night (for an exciting client I can't yet share) I was dying for some good food so I left the shoot with a friend in search for something to eat. However, I was in one of those moods where I couldn't decide what my stomach wanted to devour.... So we wandered for a little and ended up in No28 ... I only recently learned of this cool place and for those who don't know... It's a hidden bar nestled away in the upstairs of the Grainger Market in Newcastle! (My mind was blown that it had been there for some time and I hadn't heard or discovered it!)

 

 

 

The place is almost a secret garden crossed with a 70's kitsch nightclub (in a totally cool kind of way!) Above the bar is draped in foliage, beaded stings and a beautiful selection of vintage pendant lights. The side wall is adorned by a black & white full length shot of naked ladies! And obviously complete with a darlick and wall mural of the NY skyline & King Kong. It bizarrely works in the surroundings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We sat upstairs which was quieter than downstairs and overlooks everyone downstairs. Browsing the menu I wasn't so sure but I went for the Jerk chicken tempura with coconut rice & peas, plantain crisps & mango – £12.50 and my friend went for the Thai green chicken curry with rice & flat bread - £12.50. Okay so I wasn't too sure about what I had ordered as it wouldn't have normally picked a spicy dish.... But the dishes arrived, we tucked in and I was soooo happily surprised! My dish was Tempura chicken cooked to perfection (not too greasy) served on a bead of delicious coconut rice with black eyed peas and a gorgeous jerk Jamaican inspired sauce with mango sauce, horse radish and plantain crisps! Is your mouth watering? I literally couldn't get this in my face fast enough! The Thai green curry arrived with a side of flat breads for dipping, big chunks of chicken and pomegranate seeds sprinkled on the rice. I love the details like the pomegranate & mango sauce... Attention to detail in food is a major plus for me.

 

 

 

Little bit of a naughty option with the Tempura batter but it was so tasty! *heads back to the gym*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The menu has a varied range of food from Spanish, Thai, to Jamaican so as you can tell it is as eclectic as the décor. Cannot be more happy to have tried this place and even happier it will now be on my list of places to show people! A true hidden gem! And to tick all the boxes, this place plays an awesome range of retro funk music to get you dancing in your seat! (Oh besides the giant disco ball upstairs, was too big to fit in my handbag to sneak home unfortunately!)

 

 

 

 

So if you're looking for somewhere cool, laid back and a little different from the usual Newcastle scene, No28 is for you!

 

 

Until Next Time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Catch Ups & Prosecco - Lola Jeans

 Just a quick one... Okay so a few months back I met a friend at Lola Jeans Newcastle. I've heard lots about this venue but hadn't managed to get there until this visit. I was surprised how small the venue was. But not a bad thing! Quite lovely and intimate with a cosy relaxed vibe - perfect for catching up with friends.

 

 

I love the interior of this place. You don't know where to look first! It is eclectic, quirky with an arty vibe. From the chandeliers to the skull wall mural, the original herringbone wooden flooring, exposed beams right down to the grandfather clock and the mix match of seating screams Newcastle Eatery of the moment.

 

 

 

I'm not sure if the wall mural is hand painted (I do suspect it is) or if it is digital but I couldn't stop starring at it. In the midst of a vintage collection, this contemporary stencil style piece really does stand out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I ordered the sweet potato fries which were so moreish with a glass of prosecco...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have any recommendations of stylish/delicious places to eat in the city then please let me know in the comments!

 

 

 

 

Until Next Time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Raw Juice & Antioxidants

This time of year everyone seems to be on a health kick. I am not the healthiest person but I am striving for this year to be healthier than before this year. I have always been into sport & fitness since being young and still running now but would love to be adding weights work and yoga into my routine too. Let me just say I am always looking for something healthy that also tastes delicious. This ticks all those boxes! Introducing the Naked Detox Pressed Juice from The Naked Deli....

 

 

 

 

If you hadn't heard The Naked Deli is a fairly new clean deli which serves tasty food, completely clean & paleo (they do take out too for those of you who are like me and have a busy schedule!) It also happens to be very tasty and pushes the boundaries with the usual clean diet... What's not to love?!

 

 

 

 

A while back they developed a range of cold pressed juice drinks and this is one of them. They have a whole menu which tells you all ingredients in each one so you know exactly what you're putting into your body. I chose this one which is made from apple, grapefruit, lemon & ginger. The colour of this is mouth watering to start with but it really does taste amazing and just when you think you've tasted it all the lemon & ginger adds a nice kick too.

 

 

 

 

 

 The Naked Deli really are setting the pace in the health game. They have now developed a Naked Skin juice with Dr Esho - founder of aesthetics company Le Beau Ideal. This can be bought as a detox and claims to help skin look younger and hydrate skin. As someone with problematic skin over the years I think skin hydration is super important!

 

 

For those of you who also appreciate well thought out packaging, this really is for you. Good sized bottle fit for purpose - check, well designed label and graphics with ingredients plain to see - check and seal label just for good measure - check!

 

 

 

 

I really can't recommend this anymore for anyone out there reading this hitting the gym, yoga or even just people who are conscious about what goes into their body. Tastes delicious and it really is clean! It's that simple.

 

 

 

 

If this one doesn't take your fancy then they have a whole range of pressed juices so why not drop into their store on Chillingham road or call into their consession at Fenwick, Newcastle. Raw juices full of antioxidants in an array of rainbow colours all pure and natural.... I really can't say anymore. My mouth is watering just thinking about all of the flavours! Hit up The Naked Deli and tell me what's your favourite juice in the comments...

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Dancing Shoes & Shake A Tail Feather

At the end of November, New Look had a giant sale. Boy oh boy... I wanted to buy a lot of items! I ended up with a few staple items which I felt would be versatile and classic in my shopping basket. Among them were these beauties.... Rose Gold court heels! As if I'm not already obsessed with jewellery enough and all that sparkles, they go and make these amazing shoes.

 

 

 

 

I absolutely love a court heel. Simple, true & classic. Almost will never let you down and they seem to suit jeans, dresses, skirts, jumpsuits. You name it, the court heel matches...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, so the price tag reads £22.99 but I actually paid £14.99 with the sale price, which makes them even more delicious! These are called the Bronze Asymmetric Pointed Court Shoes which don't appear to be listed anymore but there are some other lovely similar colours HERE. 

 

I'm a girl all about the detail so I'm loving this little wrap over detail. Most of my wardrobe is made

 up of a collection of simple pieces with glimmers of interesting details. By having a minimal wardrobe I can then either dress it up or down depending on the occasion.

 

 

 

 

Being in the midst of party season, I think these are the perfect heel for all festive celebrations!

 

 

 

 

 

Until new time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Tan Lines & Protection

So as most of you will probably know, I am currently travelling. As a blogger there is a few important 'must haves' on my list, but as a redhead the most important has to be my sun cream.

 

 

 

 

As a redhead who also had sensitive skin Simple sun cream has always looked after my milky complexion! 

 

I know when we're young we think we're unstoppable and we'll live forever. That eating vegetables really doesn't do anything and wearing sun cream isn't important. But as I have got older and travelling to numerous destinations, I cant stress enough how important it is to look after your skin while you're young!

 

When I was in my teens I experienced 1st hands the effects of too much sun can have on your body with an unpleasant trip to a hospital abroad. I did wear sun cream, did wear a hat, did keep hydrated but sometimes too much is just too much. I'd spent a day on the beach in intense Mediterranean summer sunshine and paid the price.

 

My mam has always drilled in me to wear sun cream and protect myself but I obviously underestimated how strong the heat was. So here are some tips to stay cool and look after your precious skin...

 

1) Wear a high factor sun cream/sun block. Even if you 'tan easily' wearing nothing can still damage your skin.

 

2) Stay hydrated. Drink a lot! When you're on holiday, the heat will probably be more intense than your body is used to. Sweating in hot temps obviously means losing moisture and hydration from your body.

 

3) Protect you head - wear a hat. I know its a cliché mum saying but protecting your head and preventing sun stoke & headaches is really important.

 

4) After a long day in the sun, around the pool or enjoying the sights make sun you have a lovely cool shower, wash off any products onto your skin to prevent prickly heat (obviously reapply if you're heading back out into the sun) and apply after sun or moisturiser to lock in moisture you may have lost during the day.

 

5) Only do as long as you feel you can sitting in the sun. As a Briton, I have seen many fellow Britans take far too much advantage of the sun abroad. As a redhead it is sometimes frustrating for me to see others so dark skinned and enjoying the sun but I have learned the hard way to be safe and only do what I feel comfortable, sun bathing wise. Don't give in to pier pressure of baking in the sun if you're clearly burning and doing damage.

 

I hope this little post will be of use to you and help you be afe in the sunshine! Try to have fun but look after yourselves too.

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Plants & Prints with Jennine Wilson

These snaps are from a little concept shoot with the lovely photographer, Jennine Wilson. Unfortunatley I'm not sure if she will carry the series or concept forward any but these are just some test shots from an idea she had. We will be however working on a new set of images very soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm excited about the new set we are working on. And I think it has potential to go from 1 set of images to a whole collection.

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Cosmopolitans and Dressing Up

So this week was my birthday and I'm always torn for what to do! I have lots of friends from different circles etc and difficult to get everyone together so last year I spread out my celebrations and done something a little different with everyone. Like going for meals at different places, going out for drinks, going somewhere during the day with other friends. This is also a good excuse to drag out celebrations for as long as possible!

 

This year I decided the night of my birthday I just wanted to go low key but still dress up. So I went to Bonbar in Newcastle. On a Thursday it is usually fairly quiet but still a lovely venue and somewhere to spend your evening.

 

This visit was no different!

 

For this evening, I clobbered up with a little powder blue playsuit (from Primark believe it or not.) I love this fit of this. Jewellery is by Kayleigh Falcus & heels are from JustFab.

 

We didn't plan to get food but they it while looking for the menu we seen their sharing boards too which are perfect little snacks while having a cocktail. We all picked a board a board each and then shared between us. I ordered the sweet potato fries with Moroccan Tomato Jam. The other 2 boards were Salami, Parmesan with Olives and Flatbread with a selection of dips.
 

 

 

 

With it being Newcastle Resturant Week & we didn't book a table they did tell us there would be a little wait on the food but the staff were super helpful & the food was not long at all! I don't think we waited very long which I was surprised by! The food was delicious and the perfect little selection of finger food. I loved the olives. The flatbread had a good salty yet scorched taste to it and the sweet potato fries were cooked to perfection. And I expected the tomato jam to be a glorified tomato ketchup but it had a lovely herby taste with a hint of raisins. I paid for my parents to visit here for Mother's Day and they got Sunday lunch which they raved about and I have ate here once before so I was telling my friends how good it was. Needless to say, this did not disappoint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm in love with the interior & design of this place and think there isn't enough round bars!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prosecco!  

 

 

 

One of my staple cocktails! The classic cosmopolitan!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well that's my birthday celebrations round 1. I'm sure I'll blog any other of my plans to keep celebrating my birthday so stay tuned! And if you haven't tried out what Bonbar has to offer, got check it out.

 

Until next time.

 

The Original Redhead.

 

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Keratin Classic Shampoo & Luscious Locks

Since being young, I've always had A LOT of hair. It sounds odd, but the actual strands of hair are very fine but I have so much of it, it is super thick. Meaning I have to take good care of it even more so I'm always on the look out for new hair products to keep it in good shape. And since my best friend is a hairdresser/stylist & barber I've become more and more interested in hair and hair products over recent years! (She has her own blog, go check out Zotonixe.)

 

So when I spotted this shampoo, I thought I'd give it a try.
 

 

 

 

The shampoo is clear and doesn't appear to be nothing fancy but it smells so good!

 

 

 

The great thing about the lid, is it has a good snap lid. I have been victim of shampoo glugging out of the bottles too quickly. This way you get just the right amount out of the bottle. The shape of the bottle is unusual too and I think it may have been that and the colour of the bottle that caught my eye in the shop.

 

 

 

 

Okay, so the Keratin Classic Shampoo claims to make hair straighter, sleek, smooth and frizz free hair. Having straight hair naturally I can't speak about that point but I did notice my hair looking shinier and sleek once I had used this product. My hair is pretty untouched (apart from some blonde highlights I had put in as a teen), and is very healthy. But some on girls, who doesn't like next lever shiny hair? the only thing I don't like about this is I used it fairly quickly, I need more!

 

Until next time.

 

The Original Redhead

 

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