Zorbing!

So... this weekend I went to a friend's hen do and went zorbing!!!! I had seen it done down hills and on lawns etc, but never in water... it was SO much fun! 

I was worried about feeling claustrophobic but it was fine and once you are in, you soon forget... you are having to concentrate quite hard just to stand up!!!

I literally climbed into what looked like a plastic sheet which was pumped up with air and sealed before walking off into the lake... and then the fun began... would honestly recommend this to anyone!!!!!! I was rubbish... A few glasses of champagne prior am sure didn't help!

Literally nothing much to say other than epic! Such fun times!

Grey Goose Iconoclasts of Taste

Grey Goose recently launched a really exciting and innovative campaign called Iconoclasts of Taste. The project is conceived on the premise that the world needs iconoclasts as they are the people who challenge traditional thinking and lead us to new and better things. 

Grey Goose is itself an iconoclastic brand - they broke new ground when they realised their idea of creating 'A Luxury Vodka With Taste' in France against a backdrop of highly filtered eastern European varieties. 

This summer, in the same daring spirit, Grey Goose 'Iconoclasts of Taste' aims to seek out and support 'Emerging Iconoclasts' who share this desire to break the mould by challenging the status quo. The brand have selected three 'Emerging Iconoclasts' to help support their visions in the world of food and drink - they are Ento, Tasha Marks and Dr Rachel Edwards-Stuart.

Each has a unique vision, Ento's is to introduce insects to the Western diet as a delicious and sustainable source of protein, Tasha Marks aims to challenge the way we perceive food by presenting it as art and Dr Rachel Edwards-Stuart's vision is to use science to explore how we match flavours in food and drink. It's a really exciting campaign and no brand is doing anything like this. I'd definitely suggest checking out greygoosetaste.com to learn more about each project and how you can support each vision... there are lots of fabulous events taking place which I'd recommend. 

I actually already attended Tasha Mark's edible art masterclasses at The Hospital Club, it involved sculpting with edible chocolate and life drawing on edible paper with lick-able pens... so much fun, but as you can see, I am in no ways a natural ha ha!

Tasha will be hosting another masterclass on 27 July- you can get tickets here. She is also going to be doing a talk at the V&A on 'Food as an Artistic Medium' on 16-17 September for the foodies out there!

I am also really looking forward to eating some insects at Eat Ento - an insect fine dining pop up running from 15-17 August... buffalo worms, crickets and locusts are all on the menu - literally brings new meaning to the saying 'grubs up'! Tickets are £75 but include delicious Grey Goose bespoke cocktails as well as the brand's signature serve, Grey Goose Le Fizz. 

Dr Rachel Edwards-Stuart's work also interests me. Rachel will be holding a flavour science masterclass at Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen on 1 August. Dr Rachel will talk to guests about the science behind the flavour of food and drink whilst enjoying some delicious Grey Goose cocktails! Tickets are available here. 

greygoosetaste.com

Back home in Kenya

 

As the saying goes, there's nowhere like home! After another 6 month stint in London, I am finally home in Kenya... sadly only for a week! It's quite funny that despite having a job, house and majority of my friends now in London, I still feel like I live a double life between there and Nairobi... although nowadays I rarely get much time back here.

Anyway, for obvious reasons, aside the weather, one of the things I really miss is our local country club - Muthaiga. It's a real colonial-era gem, from its pink and white colonnades, to the ancient animal heads hung from the walls of several beautifully maintained bars, to the 20,000-book library. It's steeped in charm and tradition.  Standards are rigidly maintained, for example jackets and ties are compulsory for men in several rooms after 7:30 pm, no women are allowed in the Member's Bar ha ha... so old school, but you have got to love it - there are not many places left like this in the world!

 

We have grown up with the lovely staff there, they always welcome us back with such genuine hospitality... we even arrived yesterday for lunch and without ordering, the charming waiter arrived with pimms as he knew that was my parents Sunday tipple!!!!

 

Whatever you are in the mood for, the club has options to accommodate everyone. There is the formal traditional dining room, perfect for family Sunday lunches where the silver turkey trolley does the rounds - and is still carved with white gloves, or a much more relaxed swimming pool area called Pinks, where there is an open planned bar and tables and sun beds scattered around. There are games rooms, tennis and squash courts, a golf course and even rooms to stay. However, you do have to either be a member to use it or taken by a member. There are many benefits of joining as there are reciprocal clubs around the world, in London these include The Hurlingham Club and The RAC.

 

To me, Muthaiga Country Club is almost another home away from home, I have celebrated Christmas Day there for over 20 years and have many many happy memories.

 

If you are ever in Nairobi and get the chance to pop in for lunch or supper, it really is a secret gem that will transport you back into a bygone era.

 

https://www.mcc.co.ke/

Oblix at The Shard

I love food! There are so many amazing restaurants and various types of cuisine in London... but when I heard about Oblix at The Shard, I knew that, regardless of the food, I wanted to go purely for the view!

Located on the 32nd floor, Oblix is the latest creation from Rainer Becker, founder of Zuma, Roka and the Shochu Lounge. For the first time in over a decade, the cuisine moves away from  the signature Japanese cuisine and culture. The style and sophistication of the restaurant however is very much in keeping with Becker's other locations. 

Upon arrival, we were escorted through to a lift which took what felt less than a heart beat to reach the 32nd floor where we were greeted by the most spectacular view! You can see the entire London skyline and all the most historical buildings in their full splendour! Check out the video here.  

If you can, I would recommend booking a table right by the window, where the view is unparalleled. It's best to go at sunset so you can see the view in the light and then enjoy the beautiful sunset before it turns to bright twinkly city lights.

The food was also incredible - A simple, elegant menu created by Fabien Beaufour, previously of Eleven Madison Park. I had the steak followed by a delicious chocolate fondant type desert accompanied by a glass of full bodied Chilean red (Vina Chocalan Carmenere Reserva). 

Offering both a restaurant and a bar lounge that is located over the whole of the 32nd floor, I would recommend Oblix to anyone. It's open traditional lunch and dinner hours, whilst the bar offers a deli option at lunch time, dinner menu in the evenings and brunch at the weekends. Live music also features in the bar! If you get the chance... Go! it's definitely somewhere that won't disappoint, nor is too expensive. 

Wedmin!

So when it comes to wedmin, one of the first things to think about, after deciding on the date, is sending out the 'save the dates' to your guests.

I found it really tricky trying to choose the save the date as I wanted to make it completely original and personal. Despite home being Kenya, we are going to be getting married in England and I wanted to make sure that the cards had a real Kenyan feel to them. 

There are so many different websites offering great ideas/templates and Pinterest and Instagram provide some inspiring ideas. However once agreed that ours would be in the form of a post card, I immediately knew I wanted to have a personal stamp on the envelope to complete the final touches. That's when I discovered the fabulous Stamps Direct Limited who could offer the professional, quality stamp that I was looking for.

I really love their story and the fact that its a traditional heritage brand. Stamps Direct Limited was established in 1964 by George Gigg who first started making rubber stamps in his garden shed in Norwich after he became frustrated over the amount of time it took to get a rubber stamp delivered from London. Inundated with requests, what started as hobby quickly saw Gigg devoting all his time to, and together with his son Roland, they set up Norwich Rubber Stamps. Before long, the pair were joined by other members of the family and relocated to 111 Eade Road in Norwich where they were located until recently moving to 22 Mason Road!

I contacted the team to enquire about obtaining a wedding stamp and whether it would be possible to use their standard template or create a different design. The response was instant and am pleased to say was yes and yes! Joy!!!!! I have to say, they truly live up to their reputation of delivering fast, efficient and most of all friendly, helpful and accommodating service. 

Within 2 days, my personal stamp arrived and having just stamped the final envelope, I am very pleased! 

I would recommend using the lovely company any day and for whatever type of stamp you are looking for, be it date, school, clothes, arts & craft, electronic... you name it, they do it!

http://www.stampsdirect.co.uk/wedding-day-stamp-161-c.asp

Soho House presents House Festival

As I am off to House Festival this afternoon on behalf of Grey Goose, I thought it would be great to kick start the day with a toast! In the spirit of it (no pun intended), what better way to celebrate than with the brand's signature cocktail, Grey Goose Le Fizz.   

It's an elegant and refreshing combination of Grey Goose vodka, fresh lime juice and St Germain® elderflower liqueur, served in a flute topped with chilled soda. It's delicious and so easy to make...

 

35ml    Grey Goose vodka

15ml    St Germain elderflower liqueur

15ml    Freshly squeezed lime juice

Top up with ice-cold soda water

Shake and double strain into a flute and top up with ice-cold soda water... et voila!

For the last five years Soho House has staged House Festival at Chiswick House, however this year, it's taking place in Marble Hill House, which is an idyllic spot by the river in Richmond. It's a brilliant afternoon and evening of music, entertainment, food and drink. It's definitely on one of my favourite festivals, it's so relaxed, everything is free once you are inside and there are  so many food and drinks stalls, ranging from Bray's Cottage insane pork pies to oyster and champagne bars. All in all, just a really fun day out! 

The line up is great this year too... Bastille, Gabrielle Aplin, Tom Odell, Kaiser Chiefs.

Hope to see you there!

Purely Flowers

When it comes to flowers, I only ever buy from one place, Purely Flowers. They have the most beautiful selection and are a dream to deal with. 

Having grown up in Kenya, I always like being able to have flowers from home where the long hours of sunshine and warm temperatures are ideal for producing consistently beautiful blooms. Purely Flowers is a family run business run by John Williams and his son Jay. Their combined knowledge and passion is remarkable as is their dedication to providing only the very best quality. They are also innovators in the field, constantly developing new 'breeds' of roses and working to keep their offering fresh and exciting. 

All of Purely Flowers flowers are sourced directly from their Farms in Kenya and I love the fact that the Farms are really supporting the local community. Purely Flowers employ over 900 workers and provide them a multitude of benefits including free in house healthcare, transportation to and back from the farm and free clean drinking water for themselves and all their families. 

There is so much variety which is what makes them perfect for any occasion. And what's more, they are affordable. Rose boutiques range from as little as £16.99 for a gorgeous hand-tie boutique to £49.98 for 50 single stems, which is still exceptionally good value. There are also seasonal selections, lilies, carnations, chrysanthemums etc to choose from.

Whether you are looking to send someone a gift, and the flowers do arrive in lovely luxurious boxes, or if you are looking for flowers for a special event, such as a wedding, Purely Flowers are undeniably the go to destination.

I have used them for years and they always manage to WOW me!! A lovely lovely brand with lovely founders and a great back story.

purelyflowers.co.uk