Healthy Eats at a Mystery Newcastle Location

After December is over and the over indulgence loses its novelty, most are left feeling bloated, guilty and a few pounds heavier. So when I was invited along to a healthy eating blogging event by Ruth at Pretty Little Gym Addict I was excited to see what Intu Eldon Square had in store for us. Our meeting point was Giraffe World Kitchen, but as to which restaurant in the new quarter we would be dining in.

 

But first, to set off our healthy celebrations the lovely staff at Giraffe hosted a smoothie making class and also knocked up a few cocktails in aid of Dry January.

 

 

 

 

We were asked to choose a favourite looking smoothie from their menu and then we were brought up and talked through the process allowing us to make our own. I chose the Mango Lasse which was delish. Consisting of fruits and flavours, these smoothies were the perfect January drinks.

 

 

 

 

From here, the grand unveil of where we would dine was revealed. Each twosome went to a different restaurant and our goal was to choose the healthiest options on the menu. Ruth and I were assigned to Crepe Affaire. This was previously the infamous Eldon Square Fish & Chip Shop. We both hadn't visited since it had changed hands and became Crepe Affaire so this was a new experience for us.

 

 

 

 

On arrival, from the décor there's a very distinct French bistro vibe. he décor is a combination of white hexagon micro tiles, woods and marble surfaces. We were greeted by friendly staff who spoke us through the menus and the calories etc of the savoury crepe options. They were very helpful and got our order taken swiftly. I went for the Chicken Supreme minus the sauce it normally is cooked in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also chose a smoothie from their list and I went for the Kale Kick. Considering the unappetising green shade of this, it was surprisingly yummy. Our crepes arrived and admittedly I was excited to dig in. I myself hadn't tried savoury crepes (sweet ones and been tasted on a dreamy trip to Paris.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stuffed with succulent chicken, mushrooms, tomato & spinach this was really tasty. The chicken tasted extremely fresh and cooked to perfection. The crepes are filled very filling and the ingredients are not sparingly used. Nothing worse than a stingy meal!

 

 

 

I was apprehensive of my crepe being bland but the freshness of the ingredients really did give it natural flavour. If I'd just finished a heavy session at the gym and needed a meal to help me recover and repair then this would be a great alternative to the usual healthy eats. The kale kick smoothie washed this down and was the perfect boost to accompany the crepe.

 

 

 

 

Crepe Affaire also offer a range of sweet crepes and treat too (which look amazing) and would be the perfect little treat for your cheat day. And if you're looking for a coffee, breakfast options or even naughty Belgian, these guys have you covered!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Price wise, I wasn't sure what to expect but they are very reasonable given the quality, portions and service. To eat in, the Chicken Supreme Crepe is £6.90 and my Kale Kick is £3.25.

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Statement Jewellery: Dare to Wear

I think by now, we all know I'm a totally jewellery & accessories lover. Jewellery can totally transform and outfit and the way you feel. Certain jewellery pieces of mine somehow allow me to feel more confident or sophisticated or fun (you get the idea, depending on the design.) Over December I was in Primark picking up some wardrobe staples and had to have a mosey around the accessories section.

 

I am a complete sucker for rose gold, whether its jewellery, home accessories, nail polish. I can't get enough. I got my eye on the full finger ring which was reduced to £1. What a steal! The ring is 1 coil of metal (rose gold coloured obv) and dusted in diamantes, gently nestled in claw settings.

 

 

 

 

 

When the light catches this, the diamantes really twinkle. The full finger effect creates a statement head turning piece which has made for lovely compliments when I've worn this.

 

 

 

 

I am seriously loving either fine pieces or slightly ambiguous statement pieces at the moment! And this fits the latter. The coiled metal is sturdy so the coil doesn't nip the skin which is a plus.

 

 

 

 

So if you're looking for minimal effort of upgrading your outfit, the dare to wear a full finger ring - or even better... a two ringer ring!  

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

X

 

 

 

Best Tweezers I've ever used?!

In November, I entered a competition to win a pair of Browtician tweezers. I've seriously been in the market for a new pair for quite some time so crossed my fingers for these. Didn't think I'd actually win though! The competition required a comment on their Facebook post to tell the company how you groom your brows. I shared my secrets and explained that I love threading but usually do pluck mine to get rid of any strays. I would love to tint, but as a fashion/beauty model, clients like to have the variety of having them super blonde (giving a younger/fresher look) or filling them in with a colour matching my natural colour or even a complete opposite colour, like bright colours!

 

Anyway, before I bore you too much, I just wanted to do a little post to show you these Slant Tweezers and tell you how good they are.

 

 

 

 

 

They arrived packaged in this cute emoji style cardboard box and in their own little case to store them. The Slant tweezer live up to their obvious name with slanted tips which really allows you to get a good angle & precision when shape your brows. (How gorgeous is the high gloss black finish?!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the little case that it comes in, I think it's great for travelling. Nothing worse that a pair of sharp tweezers floating around in the depths of your handbag waiting to stab you when you innocently dig your hand in to find your keys.

 

 

 

The tip of these tweezers are metal and they have a really tight closed grip which allows you to get a good firm grip on the hair whilst pulling it. Personally, these are the best tweezers I've used for this reason! Really helps to pull the hair out, even the tiny ones which we girls know can be tricky. These are from the Minimalist Collection which have a range of different shaped ends including Pointed & Squared. They even have a Stylist Collection for the brow obsessed who love to groom their brows! So if you're in the market for a pair, go check out Browitican.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Hub of History: Grainger Market Festive Evening

If you've ever been to Newcastle or have friends in Newcastle you'll have most likely heard them talk about the infamous Grainger Market. Located on Grainger Street (duh), spitting distance from Grey's Monument. As a child, this is the market where I went every other Friday with my Grandparents. Like clockwork. I have fond memories of the hustle and bustle of the place, friendly familiar faces, smells, the fresh meats and pheasants hanging in the butchers, the calls of the greengrocers echoing through the alleys. I heard this year they were hosting a festive evening, I thought this would be a lovely way to relive my childhood memories. (Although, I do frequent the market regularly it's never enough for the nostalgia it holds.)

 

 

 

 

On entering, the place was buzzing. Myself, Zoe & Ruth headed to Pumphrey's Coffee for a hot drink before exploring. For those of you who haven't been to Pumphrye's Coffee, (where have you been?!) they stock a whole range of different flavoured coffee beans fresh to buy or you can stop by and grab a special blend coffee or even a  hot chocolate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So many coffee flavours and types! And if you're not into coffee, Pumphrey's also have Curious Leaves in the Grainger Market too which is their tearoom.

 

 

 

We then headed to the centre of the market which was buzzing. The centre had live singers, rock and roll dancers later on - which I loved watching, the florists stand with beautiful wreaths on display, and offers on in the surrounding shops. Matthew's Cheese Shop & The French Oven were 2 which seemed to have considerable queue's most of the night. Matthew's has a wide selection of cheese and do great cheese boards for Christmas. The French Oven is a quaint little independent bakery which supplies bread to many local businesses surrounding and also regular customers.

 

 

 

 

 

I was (obviously) feeling hungry and was craving pizza, so heading to Slice was the only thing for it. Slice are what you think... They serve delicious pizza by the slice and this also had a decent queue too (rightly so!) They had a selection of flavours on sale and honestly this one was delicious! For £3 per slice you really can't complain, they're fairly filling!

 

 

 

 

 

The Grainger Market were also granting access to one of the balconies. We were escorted up and told a little about the history of the market. The market was built in 1835 and there was a grand banquet to mark the opening. The Grainger Market was opened as a butcher's market (now houses greengrocers among other businesses now) and was a place for the elite gentry of Newcastle to show off their money and best clothing. The alley's are quite wide, and it is said that the reason for this was the lad's wide Victorian skirts & the men's walking sticks. The balconies (which aren't open to the public now) were a spot for the ladies to wait whilst men did their socialising (and eating at the banquet.) Don't know about you girls, but I'd be fuming if my fella made me watch him eat!

 

 

 

 

Also on offer, was a chance to go down the wartime bunker. I myself, having spent so much time in the market didn't even know that there was a bunker in the place! So interesting. I didn't manage to get down myself but I'm so intrigued that there was a bunker built under the market!

 

 

 

 

For those of you living in Newcastle, and haven't visited this lovely place, then seriously get yourself there. Even if it's just to take in the surroundings, sights and smells. But even more so, go buy food, visit the local businesses and support a thriving epicentre of loveliness which has lasted for centuries!

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

X

 



Heatless Bouncy Curls?! Curls in a flash for NYE

So it's New Years Eve, and you've got to your friends house to get ready for the big night ahead. So far, so good. Pour yourself a glass of champagne and operation beautify begins... but you panic. You've forgot your curlers, straighteners, tongs!! In the excitement and last minute rush I have done this so thought I'd post this tutorial to show you how to create bouncy curls with no heated hair tools.

 

So firstly, these are the things you'll need.  Hairbrush, dry shampoo (I used Batiste), hairspray (Insette shown, but whatever you prefer), hair grips (although I prefer the silver crocodile hair clips you can buy from most hair shops) and a spray bottle filled with water.

 

 

 

 

So, keep sipping the champagne, spray your hair with dry shampoo if needed (I like it to add texture to my hair as my hair is so shiny and slips), then brush your hair and secure in a high pony tail.

 

 

 

 

The next step is to spritz your pony tail with the water. If you hair is super porous (like mine), you may have to repeat this step once you get about half way. You'll be able to gauge, but you want all of the pony tail to be pretty damp.

 

 

Then, in small sections, coil you hair around 2 fingers. Gently slip you fingers out of the coil of hair.

 

 

 

 

 

And secure in place with 2 hair grips (in opposite directions, for maximum security.) My hair has a mind of its own so I always double grip. The silver crocodile clips do hold my hair better, but wanted to show you hairgrips as most of your girlfriends will have those lying round!

 

 

 

 

If you love a varied size of curls like myself, then just alternate thinner and thicker sections of hair. This look was with strands from apx 1 inch wide to apx 2 inches wide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep pinning until all of your pony tail is pinned up. You need to leave in for quite a while so the hair will be dry once you unpin it all. Once all is pinned up, spray with hair spray. I find the most effective way is to spray from beneath upwards so you're spritzing the curls gently, not drowning them and making them heavier. This now allows you to 

1) Drink more champagne

2) Apply your make up and pick your outfit with your hair out of your face

 

 The longer you leave the curls, the curlier your hair will be. However, if you're pushed for time you can give them a helpful hand by drying with a hairdryer.

 

 

 

This is the final look, once the hair has been unpinned and also sprayed again for hairspray to hold them for the big night ahead. You can leave them in the ponytail or you can untie it and let your hair loose for a different style! I hope this helps a few of your girls, as I know the struggle can be real to look your best when the clock strikes midnight.

 

All images above are by Kirstie Mackin Photography.

 

 

Necklace is from Aphrodite Jewels

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

X

 

 

Hadrian's Tipi: Live Music, Mulled Wine & a Firepit

 

Christmas spent in a city is always a lovely time, and with Newcastle seemingly having an avalanche of new venues recently its not a surprise people choose to come here. When Hadrian's Tipi appeared, this unusual attraction caused a stir. I'm sure this is the first year we've been graced with the tipi presence in Newcastle so I was intrigued to find out more.

 

 

 

On entrance to the tipi, I was greeted with some delicious mulled wine (complete with cinnamon stick and clementine slice) - real mulled wine. It was super cold out, so this was really what I needed.

 

 

On entering I was overwhelmed with everything that was happening. And let me tell you, this tipi reminded me of the tents on Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire. So big inside, as you can see it has quite a big capacity. There was a bar, live music, seating to chill with friends and also a fire pit. A FIRE PIT. Amazing. I was excited about the fire pit although did not manage to get sat next to the flame of warmth (despite trying and waiting to pounce on an empty seat.) They have different live musicians playing and loved this band. I didn't catch their name but if anyone knows who they are please leave a comment!

 

 

 

 

There really isn't anything like an open wood burning fire to make a festive atmosphere. And although, I was informed of food but only managed to see one tray of hotdogs while I was there. And not one keen on hotdogs I gave them a pass.

 

 

 

However, if you were looking for somewhere to head after work then this would be it. Drinks, music, chilled vibes, wine... and more wine, then this is your hookup. And it is surprisingly warm in Hadrian's Tipi. I dreaded sitting in the tipi if it was going to be an icebox but super comfortable and toasty. And I had to ask a stranger if I could photograph her wine because who doesn't love a cosy photo of wine in front of a roaring fire?! I am hope this unique venue will stop by Newcastle next festive season, with more food next time please. The atmosphere is perfect if you're always on the go, chill out Christmas sloth mode. Hadiran's Tipi is an 8 week pop up and will then move to another city once the 8 weeks is up, so if you haven't been yet get down to see if its your crowd. Still has about a week left! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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