Dining Out: Urban Chocolatier

A few weeks ago, a new shopping centre opened up on Green Street. Not all the shops inside are open yet (I'm eagerly waiting for the Aab store opening!) but towards the back of the East Shopping Centre, are doors to the Urban Chocolatier Dessert Lounge. Their first branch is in Whitechapel, but the new one is literally a 5-10 minute walk from my house, so of course, I had to go along and have some dessert! The store has some seating downstairs, with room for more upstairs (there were 9 of us, so we took up two booths upstairs). The nearest underground station is Upton Park and it's about a 10 minute walk from the station to the shopping centre.

#nom

The menu at Urban Chocolatier has plenty to choose from including waffles, sundaes, hot drinks, mocktails and cakes. I went for the Choco Loco, which was a rather large waffle, smothered in chocolate sauce and topped with milk and white chocolate curls, served with vanilla ice-cream on the side. This was truly a case of my eyes being bigger than my stomach and I only managed to eat 3/4 of the dessert and had the last bit packed up for take away. In terms of pricing, I think it's very reasonable, considering the portion sizes and the fact that the food is fresh (no store bought waffles over here!). The menu is currently unavailable on the website but you can view it on the Zomato site here.

I know it won't be long until I'm back at Urban Chocolatier again!



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You Beauty Discovery Box - February (Red Carpet)

This month's YBD box is all about products that are that little bit more indulgent and ready for the red carpet (very fitting considering it's awards season!). The products are all about radiant skin and finishing touches to keep you looking your best.

From the selection of products available, I chose the In.fused Coconut Body Scrub (100g) and the Proto-col Moisturising Facial Gel (20ml). The extra's included in this box were Lindor Milk Truffles (already eaten...Ooops!) and a sample of the Bare Minerals Bare Skin Serum Foundation.

I know I've chosen another body scrub this month, but the In.fused scrub is completely different to the Afyna one from last month's box and I'm looking forward to using this before I'm back at school (currently enjoying the half term). The body scrub is 100g which is half the full size product which retails at £18.99, making this sample approximately worth £9.50. The scrubs are vegan friendly and made from natural ingredients. They're also not too coarse, which makes them perfect for applying on the face (avoiding the eyes of course).
The Proto-col facial gel is a product I randomly chose, thinking it would be a little bit like my tube of Hydraluron. Obviously this is not the case, as the product is more of a gel-lotion hybrid, rather than a clear gel. It does keep my skin hydrated but seeing as it aims to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, it's more suited for mature skin. The 20ml tube retails for £9.50 on the Proto-col website.

With a box worth £19, I'm pretty pleased with my picks and the fact that the YBD box is only £6.95. Plus, the addition of Lindor truffles are always a way to my heart =D



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Notes on Henna

Over the past few months, I've made a habit of applying henna at least once a month. It gives me a chance to practise my skills, try out different henna cones, and have a little 'me' time. I've actually stopped using the £1 ready made henna cones that are available in most South Asian grocery/fashion stores, and have opted to only purchase fresh made henna cones. I found that when I did apply the store bought henna (Mehak brand), it actually gave me a rash which had never happened when I had been using it in the past. A few of my favourite people to order fresh henna cones from are Henna Visa, Henna by Afruza, Shah-Dhillon Henna Designs and Bharathi Sanghani (Artistic Henna).

Henna using the Lavender Mix cone from Henna by Afruza 

Using fresh henna paste means that there are no chemical extras in the mixture, which are used to prolong shelf-life and can cause allergic reactions. Because they are freshly made, they can be stored in the freezer, and thawed when you want to apply some henna. These henna cones are slightly pricier than the usual £1 ones, but the quality of the paste and the colour result is well worth the price. They are also made by hand and you know that each batch of cones is made with effort and care for the best results.

Have you tried applying henna before? What tips would you share?



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