Winter Nights & Home Comforts

With Winter hanging over us still, the home comforts of the cold days make it feel better. Candles help. With the comfort, with the cosy vibe, with the ambience. I go through so many, because I really love that cosy feeling on the dark cold nights... and in a search for a decent size candle with a gorgeous scent that lasts a while I found the Primark range.

 

 

 

 

These candles are apx 6 inches wide with 3 wicks and the tin is decorated with a floral surface design. These would make for a lovely birthday present on a budget! At £3 who can complain?

 

 

 

 

This specific candle is scented Sweet Pineapple & Ginger, and I loooove this smell! Tangy citrus notes yet homely at the same time. If this isn't your thing, this is just 1 of a few scents in the tinned range. Burns up to 28 hours too, not that I've timed it myself but on of these can last me a good 2-3 weeks with a lot of constant burning time.

 

 

 

 

 

So for all the candle addicts out there who need a burning flame to accompany the cold nights, try out the Primark range to be kind on your bank balance.

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Central Oven: Pizza Overload and Interior Spying

Since it was National Pizza Day on Thursday, I thought it only right I share some pizza porn. And seriously who doesn't love to look at pizza?! I mean, the only thing better than that, is actually eating it. So back at the end of last year Central Oven & Shaker opened and there was a buzz in the air on opening night - (prepare yourself for a photo heavy post.) I had a day of meetings so I was well and truly ready to let my hair down.

 

 

 

On approaching the venue, it was unmistakable this was where we needed to be. Fun pink neon wins me over almost every time. Located opposite Central Station, this neon really does set it apart from its city grey surroundings. And by 5:30pm the place was already mad busy. Myself and Zoe found our bearings, grabbed a seat (which was difficult) and got to our first drinks of the night. Prosecco. Obviously. We waited for fellow blogger, Ruth to arrive and more drinks circulated whilst patiently waiting for our table. I'm not sure which drinks were which but they sure looked pretty against the carrara marble bar tops.   

 

 

 

 

It was a bit hectic trying to get seated for a table (everyone wanting to get in on the pizza goodness, and who can blame them?!) We were lead to our table on the upstairs level, which overlooks the downstairs bar and kitchen. Basically the best spot for people watching.

 

 

 

 

Once the food started arriving to our table, I was quickly distracted from the people watching to swooning over food! The first dishes to hit the table were salads (the prettiest I've seen up close to date), and antipasti boards. Fresh crunchy leaves, sprinkled with flashes of purple in the form of edible flowers and feta, the olives, meats and cheeses. Spending a lot of my childhood visiting a Mediterranean country, these starters made for a happy blogger!

 

 

 

 

 

Next to hit the table was the much anticipated Central pizza. Stone baked, freshly made in their kitchen. With no previous other chains or association, we really didn't know what to expect. However, this pizza did not let us down! Thin crust (my fave) covered in delicious, stringy cheese and a selection of flavoursome toppings.

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many new places opening recently and with a plethora of chains and pizza shops its hard to know where really gets pizza right. Stone baking makes all the difference and you can really taste the authenticity in these pizzas. Hand thrown dough right in their kitchen, fresh produce and stone baked in fire heated ovens. That makes good pizza.

 

 

 

Pizza kept on coming and we kept on eating. A selection of toppings including veggie options, and with very attentive serving staff keeping our drinks topped up I felt very content in the teams hands. Food, drinks, service. Restaurant success 101. 

 

 



Caio, Reggie Cocktail

 

 

 

With full stomachs after our Neapolitan feast... we headed down stairs to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. (And of course, observe the interiors because I'm a little obsessed with that kinda thing with my creative brain.) The art deco details are unmistakable fused with industrial features like the lighting & exposed ceiling.

 

 

 

 

 

Just when we thought we were done with the indulging, more drinks circulated the room. Gingerbread cocktails (among other flavours), cotton candy prosecco... Safe to say the Central team aint' afraid to think outside the box in regards to menu choices. And with pizza ranging from £7 - £12, you can hardly complain about extortionate prices for passionate food. I'm pretty sure the menu has been expanded since the launch now offering breakfast pizzas among other unusual unique options. I have called in for lunch recently too. Same service, same good food. Need to head back to test out the carbonara pizza - I'm a total sap for creamy based pasta dishes but yet to try it on pizza! Central also offer a range of Italian themed desserts from tiramisu to gelato. Although we didn't get a chance to try on their launch I'd be interested to hear if the live up to the starters and mains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whether you're looking for somewhere to head for a quick but quality lunch, after work drinks or a meal for 2 then Central Oven is your hook up. Love to eat pizza? You can also become a Central patriot with a Playdough card and get rewarded for repeat visits. In a prime location on Neville Street, easy to find and a fun but chilled vibe, you've got to give this place a try!

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Running in Heels thanks to Sticky Heelz

As a model, I find myself in and out of many different clothes, accessories and not least shoes. Being a size 5 shoe with a petite frame makes it difficult to find shoes that really fit my feet with a snug and comfortable fit. Ever since I was a child, my Mam & Grandmother have spent hours altering clothes and elasticating waistbands - however changing shoes to stop rubbing is pretty impossible. The problem I have, my feet are very slim, so where most shops stock a wider fitting range, not all have a slim fit size or half sizes.

 

 

Growing from teenager to a twenty something, I have made the transition in to heels, with the same issue. So, when I was sent the Sticky Heelz Anti-Slip Heel Pads, I was eager to see if they live up to their name and actually help. The pack includes:

4 x heel pads
2 x shoe pads

 

 The heel and shoe strips are both labelled so is near impossible to get them mixed up. The heel pads have a micropore tape kind of texture and are breathable on the skin. The shoe pads are cushioned and foamy for maximum comfort once your foot is inside the shoe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To show you guys the difference, I wanted to show you all a pair of heels of mine which I love but they're a tad too big. And, we all know, if your heels don't fit right, it affects the way you walk and in turn how confident (and sassy) you feel! As you can see there's enough of a gap to create rubbing, blisters and a dodgy walk!



 

 

Excited to give them a whirl, I peeled off the paper from the shoe pads and popped them in my heels firstly. This process is super easy which is good news. I don't have time for fussing and faffing when I'm in a rush heading out the door. Once the paper is peeled off you fold almost in half and line up with the inside of the shoe and press into place.

 

 

 

 

 

So far, simple. Then the heel pads follow the same instructions  and from the diagram the cut out section goes on the bottom of the heel which allows more flexibility in the shoe and doesn't feel restricting. I stuck to my heel lining it up with where the top of my shoe would sit (so it wasn't visible once on.) Still simple. Then I put my foot in to the shoe (like a modern day Cinders wearing my Zara denim) and added pressure to the heel to bond both sets of pads together. Hey presto! It feels like a Velcro type of grip once they are together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So like the good blogger I am, I just had to show you the difference once using the Sticky Heelz pads. Where there was previously a gap in the heel area, the gap no longer exists.  So yes, they look cool and make your shoes look like you've finally managed to stop wearing your imaginary big sisters hand - me - downs. But do they feel any different?? This was my main concern, but rest assured, the bond between the heel pad and the shoe pad is enough to keep them attached and also really makes your foot feel secure in the shoe. This means I walk waaay better ion these heels now and feel much more confident in the knowledge that my shoes actually fit me thanks to 2 clever adhesive pads!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you take your heels off the 2 strips will most likely be stuck together because of the strong grip between the two. Now, don't forget, the heel strip you throw out but the shoe pads are multiple use (bonus!)  

 

 

 

 

These heel pads seriously do make me feel more confident and secure about ill fitting shoes. If you, like myself have struggled with the same thing (or have the odd pair the wrong size you cant bear to throw away) then give Sticky Heelz a try!

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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