Dinner at the Corinthia Hotel

Good evening lovelies!

I have been living in England for few years now, but this year was my first Halloween out of the house! My designer friend (the design power behind Four Corner Interiors) and I decided to make it a night to remember. The weather was great and we wanted to get the fine taste of London. So, my friend picked the Corinthia hotel and we had such a lovely time *mashAllah*

Spooky exterior fit for Halloween

The lobby.  Can you see the pumpkin center piece & of course the fabulous chandelier?

I loved their flower arrangements and the little plants around the space. In general their interior style was chic old English with a contemporary twist with the chandeliers and accessories.   

I liked the seasonal decoration they had. It made it feel Autumn like. The little pumpkins and the colourful leaves were a nice touch. 

Very Autumn

Their contemporary chandelier

My favourite table in the whole place

My friend and I called and reserved a table 48 hours ahead and asked for a halal option and they made it happen! They brought fresh halal chicken just for us and we had the chance to switch any plate on the menu to be chicken. They had good looking fish options too. 

North Hall Menu

The bread was warm and fresh and the food was REALLY delicious. 

I had the chicken and risotto. That chicken we ordered was really tender and just so good! I also had a side starter of quinoa salad which was the best one I had in a while. We enjoyed the food very much. We were disappointed in their deserts selection. Most had alcohol in them, so we didn't have any, but they looked quiet nice.   

SO GOOD!

Overall, it was a lovely place for a once in a while splurge. 

Browns: Afternoon Tea Treat

Good evening everyone! 

Few weeks ago, when the weather was normal and cheerful, the girls and I went for a fabulous afternoon tea and cake experience at Browns arranged by my beautiful designer friend (the design power behind Four Corners Interiors).  

The location was great and central, easy to get to. It was really busy when we got there. We were glad that we had an advance booking. 

The outside

The interior was chic and lovely with lots of different seating arrangements and lights downstairs. Upstairs in the private room, the design was plain with just a long table in the middle and chairs around it. 

Entrance 

Closer look of the interior 

We booked a private room upstairs to get more privacy and to be as loud as we wanted. The service was really great.  

The pretty floor I found when I went upstairs 

Treats!

The food was nice with a selection of finger sandwiches of smoked salmon, eggs and cheese and a selection of very sweet desserts. I expected a bigger loose tea selection, but to compensate they had a whole box of tea bags from Twinings tea. I was really enjoying the food and the company and I forgot to ask if they had any gluten free, dairy free alternatives.

Close up

Overall, It was a good experience with great service. The girls and I really enjoyed it. 

Feature Friday: Pearl & Groove

Happy Friday world. It's the big Halloween weekend! What's a better way to celebrate it than feature my new favourite cake bakery, Pearl & Groove?

Eat your fears away ;)

One day last month, I got really fed up after reading the endless chemicals on the gluten free cake packets I used to buy thinking they were a healthier alternative. Of course I had to Instagram a photo expressing my disappointment and desire for good, fresh cake and BEHOLD! I got a response from a quirky adorable cake account that promised gluten free, dairy free AND sugar free. I couldn't say no and few emails later with Serena Whitfield, the hands, skills and brains behind the Pearl&Groove bakery, I got my beautiful delicious cakes to try them out. They were so good I had to share it with you all!

Pearl and Groove is constantly dreaming up funky new ideas to keep pudding alive and fun, whether it’s a pudding bar at a party, wedding cakes, bespoke birthday cakes or office deliveries for a Friday treat. It’s all fun and a bit quirky.

My beautiful cake box *DROOL* 

Tell us a little bit about your business Pearl&Grove bakery; How did you start? Why did you start? 

I have always baked but mainly worked as a chef in private villas and chalets around Europe which was great fun, but over that time developed a few recipes that I really loved and the added bonus was that they were gluten free, which inspired me to play with other free froms, as well as interesting flavour combinations. I come from a family who have all done their own thing so it feels natural to be my own boss, so starting out was all experimental but not too scary.

Why did you pick Pearl & Groove to be the name of your business? 

The name Pearl and Groove has come from my parents. My mum's nick name is Pearl or Pearlie and she is super healthy, lives of a sugar, dairy and gluten free diet, so this is the ‘Pearl’ range of cakes - which contain no nasties, and no sugar, dairy or gluten. Groover is my dad's nick name - Groove for short, and he is slightly different to Pearlie in that he is a little greedier but still has a healthy lifestyle and an eye for quality (he’s a chocolatier so you can’t blame him) so the ‘Groove’ range is gluten free, but does contain sugar and dairy but I try to keep the sugar to a minimum.

Some of the delicious Pearl range. The orange one was to DIE for. 

What inspires your recipes? How do you come up with your delicious goodies? 

The recipes I develop are all inspired by seasons, puddings, associations and putting a little spin on things. I have friends who come and visit and ‘help’ with the recipe tastings which is a great help - so that’s always lots of fun and interesting to get everyones feedback.

What do you enjoy the most about being a baker? 

I love baking for Pearl and Groove especially because it’s totally mine, I can be as creative and whacky as I like and it’s all part of the brand. I studied fine art at university so thinking creatively is how my mind works best and I think baking and puddings are all about being a little bit silly.

What do you like to do for fun?

 I love to explore London with friends, visit galleries, new restaurants, Saturday markets. I also love to be in the mountains (spent a long time working in ski resorts so this is a big passion) travelling and generally living life.

Do you have any tips for people who want to start making their hobby into their business? 

Yes, if you believe in it and think it’s the best, then do it. Why not!

Who delivers your goodies? 

As the company is growing we are now using a gorgeous courier service called Urban Bundles, they are a bespoke delivery company and I know that the Pearl and Groove cakes will be delivered with a personal touch, manors and in the condition they left the kitchen in. So I feel they are a big part of the Pearl and Groove brand. >> They delivered to me and were really nice <3

Get your cake fix! 

I also have been having great time selling cakes with Kerb Food at Granary Square in Kings Cross, every Friday 11.30-2.30, the food at this street food market is delicious, so I’m spoilt for lunch options and then pudding is on me.

**Stay in touch with Serena and all the updates of Pearl and Groove via their social media
Instagram 
Twitter
Facebook
Website 

Feature Friday: Four Corners Interiors Ltd

Happy Friday everyone!

This Friday I am featuring an inspiring story and of course full of colours and designs. 

One day on Instagram, I was looking up the #interiordesign hashtag like any cool kid these days and I found an interior design account, Four Corners Interiors, that looked interesting and one of the posts said that the company was present in a networking event, so I asked for more details. Few emails later we became real life friends. Don't you just love it when you get to meet creative, like minded people on the web? Then happen to be in the same city and meet up in person! Anyway, without a further ado, let's get to the interview:    

Alimah, Four Corner Interiors MD

Tell us a little bit about your business, Four Corners Interiors; What services do you provide? What do you sell? How did you start? Why did you start? 

Four corners interiors ltd is an interior soft furnishings and interior design company I formed as a way of returning to my young passion and utilising my growing business mind! At the moment I sell custom, handmade and hand selected cushion covers, photo frames, lamp shades, bean bag chairs and other small decorative pieces like vases.

I started by learning to use a sewing machine and sewing samples of cushion covers from random African fabric I found around the house. I then got my first set of cushions made based on my samples in Nigeria. I have always loved interior design! All my friends know this about me. Whenever I would go shopping for food in supermarkets I would always go missing spending ages looking at candles and cushions in the home sedition. I began decorating my own room at 13 while I was obsessed with the bbc show Changing rooms! I have redecorated my own room several times and done everything from building furniture, stripping wall paper, painting squares and bubbles on my wall to designing the precise floor plan.

I provide interior design services ranging from design consultations, personal or collaborative shopping, space planning and new room installations. I am currently trying to build a portfolio of work and clients so I can take this element to the next level.

I started because I want to make something I love, what I do for a living...eventually! Currently I work as a corporate paralegal so there isn't much room for creative expression! Though i do enjoy my day job.

At the launch sale

Why did you pick Four Corners Interiors to be the name of your business? 

When drawing up my business plan I needed a USP (unique selling point). A lot of small businesses are doing the African thing. I love to travel and my room is a reflection of this. I pick up pieces for my room wherever I go, so I decided that the concept would not just focus on African custom pieces but items from everywhere!

Playing around with the beautiful cushions that happened to match my red shoes

What inspires you/motivates you? Is there a special place that you like to go to get inspired?

Living a fulfilling life inspires me! Travelling inspires me and meeting amazing people inspires me. Mostly my religion inspires me. I am motivated by my peers who are doing better than I am and I am motivated by the vision I have for myself and where I think I can go if I work for it!

Hotels inspire me because I love great decor. Parks and open space inspires me as it allows me to clear my mind and my creative juices to flow! The clouds and flying also inspire me so I spend a lot of time reflecting and thinking while on a plane or at the beach or in the park! I love flowers so I love new gardens though it has been a while since I have been there. My imagination is quite wild so I tend to inspire myself by allowing it to wonder!

A selection of the Asian Line

What do you enjoy the most about having an interior design business?

Supportive friends and family is great! Having something to call my own that I control the success and or failure of! Having something to be proud of but without the added pressure because I have a job alhamdullillah. 

What do you like to do for fun?

Everything! Theatre, poetry, parks, picnics, dinner, museums, spas, cinema, bowling, mosque, tea parties and of course travelling! I also love a good nature walk and adventures like climbing a mountain ;)

A selection of the African Line

Do you have any tips for people who want to start making their hobby into their business? 

Just do it! The time is now! Analyse the market, make your business unique. Utilise social media as much as possible. Network. Talk to people. Be organised. Be driven. Be someone who does more than pay lip service and be proactive! Follow your passion and working will never be work!

A selection of the oriental line 

Make sure to checkout the website!

A Hidden Order

Today, I finally had the pleasure to visit the hidden order exhibit at Kashya Hildebrand Gallery. It is until the 11th of October, so if you haven't been, you better hurry!

This exhibitions combines geometry and music. The artist, Sama Mara -a graduate from PSTA- and the composer, Lee Westwood created a visual manifestation of music coming to life through complex, colourful, interact geometric shapes. 

The art is very unique and lively. Each piece of art was accompanied with a piece of music. 

Here are some snaps to take you through it!

Downstairs: 

Ladurée Parisian Tearoom in London

Happy Wednesday! 

Hope everyone is having a lovely day. I was very blessed to spend my afternoon at Ladurée. One of my favourite spots in town plus its central location -the Harrods branch- makes it great to meet people from all over London. 

Ladurée is a French brand with a rich history and a charming story. It was established by Louis Ernest Ladurée in 1862 as a bakery, but an unfortunate fire burnt down the place. It was reopened in 1871 as a pastry shop with fabulous paintings by the famous painter of the time, Jules Cheret. 

Paris was becoming a more of a destination for luxury, art and literature. Ladurée's wife, Jeanne Souchard, came with the idea to turn the pastry shop to a tea salon. The first of its time. Then the place was handed down to family and each added to its development and growth. Their delicious macaroons were introduced by Ladurée's cousin, Pierre Desfontaines in the early 20th century. 

Later, it was bought by David Holder and his group in 1997, where it was promoted and taken internationally (more on the story on their tumblr website). 

The interior design of the place is a mix of simple and elegant. The white and the pastel colours gives the place its simplicity, but the chandeliers and the sculptures gives the place its elegancy and class.  

Their deserts were a work of art and looked and tasted divine. 

Their macaroons have the perfect texture!

There are three main seating spaces. The first two spaces are facing the deserts bar. One is downstairs and the other is just above it upstairs. The third space is inside the sculpture room with the black velvet. I like the third space the most. 

Their menus and cutlery are in pastel colours as a continuation of the branding. The menu had some good choices and my highlight was that their meat and chicken was halal! That made my day! It's a luxurious cafe in Harrods, so the menu prices match the location. 

I had their jasmine ice tea, but couldn't drink it without the added sugar syrup and lemons. The waiter made sure I enjoyed it. I liked that a little extra bit of care. 

I ordered the mini burgers and they were really nice. 

Then came tea time! I tried their speciality tea with cinnamon and orange blossom *perfect blend for fall* that complimented the desert well. We ordered the Ispahan. It was a "smooth rose flavoured macaron biscuit, rose petal cream, fresh raspberries and lychees" This one tasted SO GOOD! Light, the right level of sweetness and the rose petal cream was amazing! We also ordered the chocolate cake; Tentation. It was very chocolaty, rich, moist and full on. I think these are my two most favourite deserts they have.   

Update: the Harrods Laduree branch is very UNfriendly towards kids. I took my almost three year old nephew there and they didn't even give us a baby seat and they tried to let us leave when we got there by saying the waiting will take long when they had tables available. I was very disappointed.