The Archives Archives - Page 13 of 31

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard

Keeping Lips Hydrated in Summer

Anyone else suffer with dry lips in Summer? I knew it! When the warmer weather rolls around I always get drier and more sensitive lips. I like to switch from deep, vampy purples to brighter pinks and chalky purple lipsticks in Summer and the condition of my lips always lets me down. Particularly when I’m on vacation, I don’t know if it’s because I have lip filler but my lips always burn and end up peeling and sore which means when it comes to the evening, wearing lipstick dries them out even more. Uugghhhhh.

This year, to save me from tears, oh, no wait, that’s a Christmas song…

Ok, this year I’ve done my research and I’m prepared. I’m armed with a little secret – lip balm makes your lip burn in the sun! Who Knew?! So when you’re sunning it up in Ibiza with your lips slathered in Carmex, you’re actually heating them up and burning the surface skin which is what causes flakes, and those tiny but very annoying imperfections in your lipstick. To combat that, you need a lip product with SPF. The same way you cover your body in sun protection lotion, we need to protect our delicate lips – particularly if you have filler, and especially if you’ve had it topped up close to the time you’ll be travelling.

I’ve tried a few different products, each claim to do pretty much the same thing which is protect your lips from either “Intense Sun” or “City Sun” for a certain number of hours. They come in different formulations from creams to balms but the best thing I’ve found, it the traditional stick type. You can sense a top picks can’t you Voyeurs? Well it’s a very short one because after trying a whopping fourteen lip protection products, there are only two I’d recommend, with a little hack / bonus thrown in as number three…

Top 3 SPF Lip Protection Products

Primark Workout Lip Balm SPF 50+ £1.50

This is a wonder product. Billed as a workout lip balm it’s become an absolute hero product of mine. At £1.50 it’s an absolute no-brainer, I have 3 on the go at a time and I keep them everywhere, in my gym bag, in my handbag and in the glovebox. Try it & you’ll be converted – it’s a traditional stick balm, it’s non-greasy, non-sticky and is strong enough to fight off harmful rays from vacation strength sun. I use it every day but where it’s really shone is as a true SPF product – I’ve used it on our last few vacations and I top it up regularly throughout the day, it works an absolute treat. I actually discovered this product by accident after road testing another product and experiencing awful sunburn to my lips – it’s been one of my best ever accidental discoveries and I’ve converted so many people over to using it. Go buy it, for £1.50 you have no defence argument.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm SPF 20+ £19

Now this exact product also comes in a stick, which I’ve used and I ended up with burned lips. it claims to be the same formulation but you can actually feel the stick version heating up if you’re out in the sun and you have it on your lips. This one worked better for me personally but it’s a way lower SPF to the one above so remember, re-application is king. Slather your lips in this every hour, if you’ve been in the water, or if you feel them heating up. This is really the ‘designer’ version for people too proud to use a Primark product.

Burt’s Bees Lipstick £9.99

Ok, now this one is not strictly a lip protection product but it’s way kinder to your lips than regular lipstick so if you’re suffering from dry lips then this is a safe bet. Think of this one as your lip aftersun product, so if you’ve been caning it at the beach and then have a big night out at Ushuaia, this is going to give you the same hit of colour as your regular lipstick, but with ten times the nourishment. There are (at the time of writing) 18 shades available and for a vacation I usually pack a nude, a red and a super deep purple. Not to be confused with the Burt’s Bees Lip Tints which are more sheer, these are a fully fledged lipstick. They look and feel the same as you regular Chanel lipstick but are 100% natural with no nasties, and give 8 hours of continuous moisture. Winning.

All of these products are super nourishing and really improve the quality and condition of your lips, they’re not just for vacation or Summer use, I use them all year round and have a bit of a ritual: I use the Primark Lip Balm all day everyday, it travels with me and I top it up throughout the day. The Elizabeth Arden balm is my intensive night product, I’ve probably used it now for ten years and i swear by it as an overnight lip mask. The Burt’s Bees lipsticks are relatively new to me and I had my concerns over whether they’d be bright enough but they really are. They have a satin sheen finish, they don’t slide and they feel like any other lipstick, but with added moisturising benefits.

Try them, let me know what you think, and yes, those are my lips in the lead image.

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Fashion Closet

Primark’s New Season Shoe Drop

I’m not one to jump on the Fast Fashion train quite so readily without assessing the durability of a microtrend first and I usually steer away from the cheaper end of the high street, however more recently, I’ve been enticed back…

We all have our own systems for managing the turnover of fashion trends. Some people don’t by into runway filtered trends, some people live and breathe them and there is a small proportion of people who monitor and turn over microtrends like their lives depend on it. This Voyeurs, is where the high street is your best friend. Everything you wear is dictated by the global runways. Whether you know and accept it, or believe that plain white tee you picked up from George at ASDA is anti-fashion, everything in your wardrobe is runway fed.

If you consider yourself a fully fledged Fashionista you probably already look to the more expensive end of the high street when it comes to the seasonal shift and the bi-annual trend forecast. With the rise of see now, buy now fashion in the industry, the high street can turn a trend into a full affordable capsule collection faster than you can blink and with global fashion month happening twice per year, you have time to plan for it.

But when we talk about microtrends, we mean short lived trends that were born as an Insta movement, maybe something your favourite Digital Influencer (obviously that’s me) has worn, or something you’ve seen an influx of younger girls wearing and championing. This is where the cheaper end of the high street really shines. Think that weird fishnet waistband poking out of your best ripped jeans that everyone did in May and June of this year – that right there is an Insta-born microtrend.

If you want to tap into fast fashion and microtrends, look to places like Primark, MissGuided, Little Mistress and those places that seem to have new stock in every month. These are stores which focus on turning over microtrends alongside seasonal trends, the places that can spot the durability and popularity for a microtrend and turn it into product the next day. You’ll have seen me championing the perfect transitional shoe from none other than Primark (if you haven’t then read this), and it’s about to get a whole lot better for all of you shoe fanatics out there because the first new season shoe drop from Primark is a doozie.

Whilst everyone else is going freaking bats for Primark’s Beauty and the Beast range and the Harry Potter merchandise filtering into stores as we speak, fashionistas everywhere are quietly enjoying the amazing offerings in the shoe department.

Here are my top Primark shoe picks to ease you into Fall 2017, all of which are available to buy right now (in addition to the ones that started it all):

1. Following on from the previous Primark Bee Flats I told you about in July, they’ve introduced some velvet slip on sneakers with a similar motif. This one features metal thread embroidery and beading so for £8 they’re a total steal and they’re available in deep burgundy as well as black.

Primark £10

2. These giltter ball boots slip on easily like a sock and the block heel makes them way more comfortable than a regular stiletto. They’re soft, super irridescent and available in black, silver and purple. Wear them with everything from jeans to dresses and booty shorts to playsuits, these have enough life in them to see out the full Fall / Winter trend for disco so they’re well worth a punt.

3. My absolute favourites. The deep V front on these shoe boots is a strong footwear trend for FW17 and something that was on so many of the big runways in February. The oriental printed satin has rich tones of orange, purple and red and they’re comfortable considering they’re a pretty high heel. Wear with black opaques when the weather inevitably turns. Eye-catching for all the right reasons.

4. These oriental ankle boots with patterned heel fasten with an inside zipper and they’re similar in shape to a cuban heeled cowboy boot. They’re available in regular and wide fit and up to a UK size 9. They’re super comfortable too – I wore them out all day on a shoot in Newcastle and they gave me no problems but threw up loads of compliments from passers by. #winning.

So, if shopping at the cheaper end of the high street isn’t your thing then maybe now you’ll at least consider a look at some of the Fall Winter trends and how you can spin them at a much cheaper cost. If you’re a fan of fast fashion then hot foot it to Primark right now to get a head start on FW17 shoe shopping, they really are ahead of the game this season.

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet

Retinol – What is it & Why Should You Be Using it?

If there’s one ingredient that can pimp up your skincare routine and tackle all those niggling little issues you have, it’s retinol. Praised for it’s ability to combat the signs of ageing and stimulate cell turnover, retinol is one of those ingredients that people either rave about, or are terrified of. Well I’m here to tell you that retinol is nothing to be scared of, in fact quite the contrary, embrace it, use it, love it and reap the benefits! Sure, there are some guidelines to follow, but as long as you’re using it correctly there’s no reason why retinol can’t be incorporated into your routine effectively. I LOVE retinol, like most Dermatologists I’m of the opinion that retinol should be a regular part of our regime and after having tried a gazillion retinol products from ‘budget’ to ‘blow the budget’, I’m going to share my favourites with you, and a little more on how and why you should be using them.

Firstly, what is retinol?

Basically, it’s Vitamin A and it’s super effective and scientifically proven to improve the appearance of your skin. Retinol is a weaker and more readily available version of a prescription only product called Tretinoin. Tretinoin is strong, hence only being available via prescription. It can’t be tolerated by everyone because it can be drying and can cause irritation. Retinol is much weaker, it works in a similar way to Tretinoin but it’s more tolerable.

From dullness to firmness and everything in between, this super ingredient really packs a punch; but it’s best known as an anti-ageing product. Walk into any branch of Boots and you’ll find the shelves brimming with anti-ageing products, in an off the shelf product, retinol is the only ingredient worth looking for when it comes to turning back the clock. There’s no magic wand, we’re not talking ‘Death Becomes Her’ here but Retinol stimulates cell turnover and collagen production and results can be seen in as little as 4 weeks with the right product.

Who can use retinol?

It’s not suitable for everyone and it won’t agree with everyone’s skin. The difficult thing with retinol is finding a product with the exact measure that your skin can tolerate and with so many products available, there will be one out there for you. Advice from the US states that whilst there is no evidence to suggest that retinol is harmful, products containing retinol and retinoids should not be used when pregnant or breastfeeding and this relates to the amount of vitamin A in your system at any one time. Also, if you’re going on vacation to somewhere sunny, I’d recommend you stop using any retinol product 7 days before you leave to ensure you’re not more susceptible to sunburn.

What are the benefits to using retinol?

Where do I start? Retinol boosts skin’s natural collagen production, it stimulates cell turnover which evens out discolouration and it works a treat on blocked pores and acne or breakout prone skin. It’s hailed by many Dermatologists as a wonder ingredient in skincare and more and more retinol products are hitting the shelves every month; it’s a super effective and scientifically proven skincare ingredient – when used correctly.

When should I use retinol?

Retinol is perfect for a night time skincare routine. If you already use a specific night cream before bed, then consider replacing this with a retinol based cream or serum 2 – 3 times per week or as a sleeping masque once a week. There are some products that state that they can be used during the day but you need to check the dose, retinol encourages cell turnover and this delicate new skin needs to be protected when exposed to sunlight. Most retinol products are intended for night time use however there are a few creeping through for day time use too, personally, I only use it at night.

How do I use retinol?

There are LOADS of retinol products readily available. You can pick up a retinol product on the high street from as little as £10 and prices can go right up to £250 for something from an aesthetic specific company. It’s a very personal choice, one not so much determined by your budget and more what your skin can tolerate. I’ve tried lots and lots of different retinol products and narrowed it down to my favourites, the ones I use over and over and can see visible results with, without irritation.

Once you’ve selected your product, start using it once a week on a night on clean skin. I wash my face with a simple Clinique soap, tone with Murad‘s spray bottle toner, I use Peachy Fox Marine Collagen Eye Gel (literally the best eye gel ever, read my review here) and then use my retinol product right before I go to bed. Once you’ve gotten used to your product you can think about increasing the frequency to maybe 2-3 times per week, depending on its potency. contrary to what you might think, retinol is particularly effective around the eyes.

One thing to remember when using any retinol based product is to wear sunscreen during the day. I use a specific facial SPF40 product from Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream range but any city block with SPF 30+ will do the job. You’ve spent time and money investing in your skin, now look after it!

How do I select a retinol product?

Again, it’s a choice you’ll make based very much on your particular skin needs and it may take a few tries to find your personal blend but there are a few things you should be looking for when you’re scanning the shelves. Retinol and other vitamin A derivatives break down rapidly when exposed to the elements. Skincare products containing retinol should be in an opaque or completely covered tube or tub and should always come with a pump dispenser, they typically have a shelf life of 6 months or less before they lose their efficacy.

Ready to give it a try? Here are a few of my favourite retinol products, some of them I’ve only just discovered and some of them I’ve been using for a long time. None of these are top budget products although I have used more expensive retinol products from Exuviance and Skinceuticals which really didn’t work for my skin, they left it feeling irritated and red despite the £200+ price tag. Most importantly though, nobody has paid me for this review or to choose their product over another, this is an unbiased and personal review based on my own skin, some of the products in there were gifted to me in the first instance and some were purchased.

1. Peachy Fox Aloe Retinol Serum £12.97 Amazon

This is a lovely product to use, it has a lovely fresh and natural ginger scent and you only need one pump for your face. I concentrate on using it around my eyes and then distribute what’s left around my face. As with any retinol product, it can break up if you rub it too harshly so pat it gently until it’s soaked in. In Spring and Summer I use this three times per week although the directions state that it’s suitable for daily use given it’s concentration. This organic skincare brand is becoming a firm favourite amongst Bloggers and Influencers.

2. Retinol Youth Renewal Serum £65 Murad UK

This serum packs a punch and it comes in two different sizes so this one is great for travelling. Use it once a week and use it sparingly as a little goes a long way (overloading on retinol products can cause redness), this has a lovely smoothing consistency and skin looks fresher and visibly renewed the next morning. It’s light enough that you can use your usual night cream on top once it’s soaked in.

3. The Ordinary Retinol Emulsion £6 Beauty Bay

I’d finished and thrown away the tube by the time I came to writing this post so don’t have a picture but the packaging is clean and simple and so is the product. At 1% it’s a decent amount of retinol and the tube lasts for ages, this is a great budget buy that packs the same punch as some of its more expensive rivals. It’s a lovely smooth product and you can see a visible difference after around 8 weeks of use.

4. Image Skincare Ageless Total Overnight Retinol Masque £80 imageskincare.com

This is a must have when it comes to retinol – it’s one of my favourites for a reason! It comes with a “press & pump” dispenser so there’s no mess and no fuss, one pump does your whole face and it’s thicker in consistency than the other products as it’s intended as a moisturising masque. Skin feels more plump and renewed and you can feel the difference when you wash your face the next morning. This one is safe to use three nights per week but I’d recommend you start with one night per week if you’ve never used retinol before. You don’t need a night cream on top of this one, you get the anti-ageing properties and a hit of hydration in one awesome product. (read about the Image Skincare O2 Lift Facial here).

5. Peachy Fox Collagen Retinol Moisturiser £12.98 Amazon

Another one from all natural and organic, cult skincare brand Peachy Fox, this moisturiser is deemed suitable for daily use and also for use morning and night due to the more tolerable retinol strength, however my personal preference is to stick to night time use (I know other Influencers who use this product during the day and have never had any irritation or issue). This one is tricky to get to grips with when you first use it but persevere. It has a different consistency than most skincare products but once you figure it out it really is a lovely product. You tap this one all over your face and then very lightly pat it into skin, it needs to be fully dry and absorbed before you put anything else on your face otherwise it can pill and ball, if it does – you haven’t used it properly. This one delivers an immediate glow after use, you’ll notice a difference in your skin from the first time you use it.

So now you know all about this must have skincare ingredient, go, armed with this knowledge and treat yourself to something that will compliment your existing skin regime and when the compliments start rolling in, pass it on and share the joy!

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

Boilerhouse Hair Ouseburn

If you live in the North East and more specifically Newcastle, then you’ve probably heard of Boilerhouse Hair. Their flagship salon stands proud at its Jesmond site and its industrial, steampunk styling is synonymous with the brand. Well they’ve since opened up a second salon over in the uber trendy Ouseburn end of town just around the corner from Ernest.

When Felix, the owner of Boilershop Ouseburn contacted me about a collaboration, I told him all about my hair disasters (you guys are well versed in my traumas by now but if you want to catch up then head here for the skinny) and he was very reassuring telling me that customer satisfaction is at the top of their agenda. Felix booked me in and I’ll admit, despite feeling worried, I kind of felt that I was in safe hands.

The salon itself is gorgeous, it’s everything you’d expect from the Boilerhouse brand and more, the signature industrial styling shines through but the Ouseburn salon has a distinct rustic vibe to it. With exposed wood and plants on show in a variety of glass bottles and planters, and a 50’s style pink SMEG fridge, it has some serious Instagram credentials. On the day of my appointment I had Plankton with me which could have been a complete disaster but the staff there are fantastic and there was one apprentice there who spent all day making sure he was happy. Kudos guys.

I was teamed up with Saskia who is the Technical Colourist and responsible for training all new Boilerhouse apprentices, for a full head of highlights and a very reluctant trim. Now if you follow me on social media, particularly Twitter, you’ll know that I’m participating in an Influencer project with Nature’s Bounty on hair growth and that I’m super precious about my hair given that it stopped growing completely for 16 months. You’ll also know that I’m held to ransom with my hair a little given my work with L’Oreal during Fashion Month and the fact that the Nature’s Bounty project limits how much I’m allowed to cut during the active project time frame – as part of the project it’s measured every three weeks.

Saskia gets to work mixing up a blonde for my highlights using Fibreplex bond builder to minimise bleach damage (it’s similar to Olaplex and Smartbond but made by Schwarzkopf). Saskia is a fast worker and before long I have a full head of foils and I’m chilling out with the perfect Americano and the latest copy of Vogue, but I’m a little thrown when she tells me that due to me not having had a patch test in advance, she won’t be able to tone my hair when the pre-lightener is washed off. Eek. I’ve seen my hair pre-toner and it’s not a pretty sight; also I was never asked to come in for a patch test prior to the appointment.

I’m taken through to the backwash area to have the foils removed; it’s a cute little room with a gorgeous wooden wall and in the time it takes to remove the foils, wash my hair and apply a conditioning treatment, three customers have asked where the wood came from, it’s that cool. Once my treatment is washed off and my hair feels silky soft, I’m taken back through to my section for a cut. Now I hate having my hair cut. I don’t even need to tell you this. it’s my worst thing, I have nightmares about it, my palms get sweaty, my face gets hot and I feel like panic is taking over my body. I just, HATE IT.

I’ve spent the last hour showing Saskia pictures of my hair disasters, some of them funny, some of them damn right shocking, all of them traumatic. For me anyway. She combs my hair and tells me that to get a good straight line and a nice blunt finish she would recommend taking off two inches and shows me in the mirror how that looks in terms of length. I almost faint, literally and before I’ve processed it I’ve already said the words “No way”. She laughs and asks what I’d be comfortable with and I tell her “an inch, at the most.” We agree on an inch off the length and nothing off anywhere else as my goal is to grow it all down to one length. Currently I’m sporting some fugazi layers which are completely unintentional and only there due to breakage from previous, long ago colouring trauma.

After cutting the length for what seems like ages, Saskia tells me that it would greatly strengthen my hair if we trim the shape around the front and I reluctantly agree, not wanting to at all but agreeing that she is absolutely right. After the cut is finished, she shows me the back of my still wet hair in the mirror and internally I’m freaking out, to me, it looks like I’ve had around five inches cut off and I can’t verify as the hair on the floor has already been swept away. It definitely looks a lot shorter and I’ve certainly lost more than an inch. That bastard Hairdressers Metric System has got me again.

AFTER

I opt for my usual beachy waves to finish and when it’s dry I can’t help but notice that there’s a distinct yellow band around the top section where my root regrowth has been touched up and that the colour isn’t as close to the root as I’d like. It’s a real shame about the toner and when I see the final style I make a mental note to go buy toner asap. I’m not so keen on the blowdry but that’s no reflection on the salon, I’m that unusual breed of girl who hates having her hair blowdried and much prefer it when I’ve done it myself, slept on it for 3 days and it’s just the perfect amount of messy/dirty.

When you’re reading this Voyeurs, remember that I’ve been tainted when it comes to my hair. Too many bad experiences have left me treating it like spun gold and with kid gloves, nursing it with treatments and supplements in an attempt to restore it to its former glory. A particularly bad experience left me with very little hair and it’s taken me around two years to get it back to this stage so I’m more damaged than you can imagine when it comes to hair, and way more dramatic than someone else might be. Saying that, the salon knew this in advance of my appointment.

So, the bit you’ve been waiting for, would I recommend Boilerhouse Ouseburn? Well that depends, if you’re someone who likes to be directed by the expertise of your Stylist and you’re not averse to a cut then yes, definitely. The quality of the cut is good, it’s not what I asked for or what we agreed on but I can’t deny Saskia’s skill as a Hair Stylist and she’s got good bants. If on the other hand you’re similar to me in that when you say an inch you mean an inch and no more, then probably not. Boilerhouse is a cool, urban salon in the heart of Ouseburn and it brings with it a youthful team of Stylists and new business to this thriving area. If you’re looking to update your current style and want to act on advice from a Stylist rather than having something specific in mind, then it’s worth booking in for a consultation at Boilerhouse Ouseburn.

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Glorious North East, The Lifestyle Edit

The Experimental Diner at Newcastle Castle

The Experimental Diner is a dining concept with the best North East culinary talents at its heart. It’s a unique way to dine in unusual locations, with taster dishes cooked right in front of you by top notch chefs from around the region. You know those experience days you can buy? Well it’s a little like that, if that was region specific and food-centric. The only way to find out exactly what The Experimental Diner is all about is to go along to one of their hosted events, so that’s exactly what I did…

I was invited to dine al fresco on the roof of Newcastle Castle as part of The Experimental Diner’s Summer offering and I jumped at the chance as it’s not very often that an opportunity like this rolls around. The castle itself, or what’s left of it, is on the outer edge of Newcastle and we’re left with one perfectly maintained building that’s actually pretty easy to miss amongst the stunning architecture of our city and serves as a reminder to look up once in a while. Steeped in history, the Keep and Black Gate which make up Newcastle Castle are a rugged reminder of Northern England’s turbulent past. This was no baron’s stately home. The Castle was a grim symbol of royal authority, where armies gathered and criminals were imprisoned and executed. It’s where the story of Newcastle began; the reason it got its name, and the rooftop has some of the most commanding views across the city and the River Tyne.

On a sunny but very windy evening I set off for the castle (in sensible and amazing footwear, as instructed), and was greeted on arrival and taken down into the basement Gaol of the castle for a champagne reception. Guests had the chance to chat to historians who shared stories about the castle’s rich history (in costume no less) and informed us that this reception room was actually a former prison. I could think of worse places to be held captive.

Image by Chris Ord

Image by Chris Ord

Sadly due to the weather conditions which persisted all evening, al freso dining was deemed unsafe and we were moved to dine in the Great Hall rather than on the roof, still a remarkable setting and decorated beautifully with fresh flowers, lanterns and tealights. As we took our seats in the U shaped setting, we were introduced to The experimental Dining concept and our chefs for the evening.

The concept itself is simple, a pop up chef’s table that can be moved from venue to venue providing a kitchen environment and essentially turning any venue into a restaurant for the evening.

“We want to bring out The Experimental Diner in everyone by launching our very own pop-up chefs table, bringing this to brand new locations and venues for a truly outstanding culinary experience. With so many beautiful and unique places all over the North East, we want to combine this beauty with some stunning food and give people an extraordinary dining experience that they will never forget; from castles and landmarks, to inside city structures, we want to bring out the best of the North East for all to see!” The Experimental Diner

Image by Chris Ord

With Troy Terrington, Chef Patron of Dobson & Parnell commanding the chef’s table for the evening, we were in pretty solid and very steady hands. One of the great things about The Experimental Diner approach is that you get a chance to see the food being prepared, dished up and served, you get to observe the effort that goes into the presentation and uniformity of each dish and literally experience the heat of the kitchen. Troy talks us through not only the ingredients of each element of the four course set menu, but also the history of the ancient sourdough used to make the bread that’s provided for the tables, and the buttercream blend used to create the perfect tasting butter. Sure at £125 per person the tickets are expensive but when you see what goes in to putting one of these events together, it suddenly doesn’t seem quite so bad.

We dined on four courses, engineered to make up the perfect tasting menu. Not too big but not too small and we were plied with the best sourdough bread I’ve ever tasted for the duration of the evening. Because I’m a super VIP (or maybe it’s because of my nut allergy), I was treated to my own special nut free versions of the dishes above.

Image by Chris Ord

First up, North Country Beetroot. Now I gotta be honest here Voyeurs, I really hate beetroot and not just a little bit. I mean I find it gross and every time I’ve eaten it it’s tasted like freshly ploughed mud. Bleurgh. I knew in this situation I’d have to eat it and pretend to like it but actually found myself really enjoying it, it had a fresh earthy taste and paired with the goats curd it was actually pretty damn delicious. Surprised? Yeah, me too.

Next Charred Day Boat Mackerel which was caught fresh that very morning, served with heritage tomatoes. I don’t know what goes into Heritage Tomatoes but damn Troy, they be amazes. It’s worth mentioning here that despite being a four course menu, these are small enough portions that you’re left satisfied, but you’re not so full that you can no longer ‘taste’. also, I was on a cleanse programme when I accepted the invite to this event and it met my calorific intake perfectly.

Now for the jewel in the crown of this particular Experimental Diner event, Rare Breed Pork; if this is on the menu at Dobson & Parnell then go try it Voyeurs, it’s divine. Every single aspect of this dish is perfect, from the uber tender, melt in the mouth pork (something else I’m not usually a fan of) to the darling blue cheese and the potatoes. Everything combines to compliment each other perfectly, this one really is something special. The mashed potato is prepared with buttermilk and lemon which has to be tasted to be believed, if you have a favourite place for mash then prepare to have your mind changed.

Lastly, we were treated to a Dark Chocolate ganache, mine was served with, yup, you guessed it: more chocolate. Whilst it might look like the poop emoji, let me tell you, it was a joy to eat.

Image by Chris Ord

After dinner aperitifs were served which we were took up on to the roof for a little surprise entertainment in the form of a historical re-enactment sword fight! See Voyeurs, we made it up on to the rooftop eventually and in actual fact, it was the perfect time as the sun was just beginning to set and the light over our gorgeous city was just perfect. The Experimental Diner is an experience, it’s more than just food. It’s about being able to access unusual venues to create special experiences with friends and this one was definitely a night to remember.

Fancy checking out The Experimental Diner for yourself? Sign up to their website or like the FaceBook page to find out about exciting new venues and events, I’m dying to tell you what’s coming next but I’m sworn to secrecy, just trust me, it’s a doozie!

Pixie xo