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CHARLI B

A British Beauty, Lifestyle & Family Blog

7 Non Soppy Valentines Ideas

February 6, 2018 · 17 Comments

Valentine Dick Head

Valentines Day is one of those days that you either love or hate. On one side of the fence you have the Valentines lovers, the ones who make cute Valentines crafts, cakes, cookies and do everything love inspired. On the other side you have the loathers, the ones who do everything in their power to avoid all things Valentines related.

I get it, if you’re single Valentines can sometimes be a bit of a drain and even when you’re in a relationship it can be just another day… I mean, you don’t need a day to show your partner you care and love them.

I however think Valentines is lovely, I’m not into pure soppy things but I do think it’s nice to be able to carve some time out with your partner due to the fact it’s the day of love.

I’ve come up with 7 perfect non-soppy Valentines Day ideas

  • A non-soppy Valentines Day card – This one from You Said It is brilliant and they have an array of different cards to choose from. I love that they aren’t all ‘Rose’s are red, Violet’s are blue’ and instead are things you would say in your day to day life. Me and my partner have this thing where we call each other a dickhead, it was one of the first things I ever said to him on the day that we met so this fits perfectly for him.
  • A Comedy Night – Comedy nights are fun, it can class as a date night and it also brings a whole lotta laughs into the night. I personally love a good comedy night and try to go to as many as I can.
  • Paint-balling – This is a great way to have a laugh with your partner, get out any anger that you may have built up and really take it out on them. What’s better than chasing them round, armed and ready to let loose.
  • Horror Movie Night – Okay, so you could watch any type of movies you want but horror movies aren’t soppy and really get you on the edge of your seat. Plus, if you are looking for a little affection you can pretend you’re really scared and get a hug out of it.
  • Go to a Casino – Casinos are great and can bring a good bit of excitement into your life. Plus, if you and your partner are competitive you can really up the anti and see who does better.
  • A non-Valentines Date Night – So instead of going out for a romantic meal somewhere that will probably cost a fortune, go to a little dive bar that sells food, your local burger bar or even get some street food at the many places that are popping up around the place.
  • Go to a gig – Gigs are a great place to go, you have fun and can screech at the top of your lungs while dancing like a loony.

So there you have my 7 non-soppy Valentines Day ideas.

Are you doing anything for Valentines Day? Is there anything you would add to the list?

 

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Filed Under: Advice and Issues, Blog, Days Out and Holidays, Film and Music, Food and Drink, Friends, Family and Parenting, Home, Lifestyle, Relationships Tagged: Valentines Day, Valentines Ideas

5 healthy food and drink trends you need to know for 2018

February 2, 2018 · 17 Comments

Ever year there is a new fad or trend for people to jump on board with, this year has become very much about food. With the likes of Veganuary, the increase in non processed foods and everyone and their wife eating brunch, food trends are always changing, it can be hard to keep up! But what should you be adding to your shopping list in 2018?

 

Healthy drinking

As a whole most of us enjoy drinking alcohol, whether it’s when socialising with friends or drinking a complementary glass of wine with a meal. However, we are becoming more health conscious and calorie counting doesn’t go well when you like to go for a drink or two.

One of the new up and coming trends for 2018 is Healthy Drinking. This new trend allows us to drink and be sociable without consuming extra calories. The low-calorie option amongst alcoholic drinks has been a rising segment for many years and will continue to grow as we increasingly monitor what we eat and drink.

There are many low calorie alternatives to your favourite drinks and it is likely that low-calorie cocktails could be the next big thing. Now, 78% of bars offer cocktails which is up 12% on 2016, mainly driven by social media and people’s willingness to post photos of their fancy drinks. Zach Sasser, a head bartender, predicts that ingredients such as beetroot juice, kale and pureed carrots will be popular. “Going into this health-conscious age that we live in, I believe integration is inevitable,” he says. 

There is also further potential for integrating healthy ingredients into cocktails. In one survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association, 700 chefs were surveyed on what they think the latest culinary trends may be. They said that the relationship between the bar and the kitchen is to become stronger. Can we expect vegetable-infused cocktails in 2018?

 

Rise in mushrooms

Research has revealed that many fungi, such as mushrooms, are good for you as they produce ‘adaptogenic’ compounds — assisting in anti-stress and anti-cancer treatments. For this reason, we predict that mushrooms will be the next big thing in 2018. In fact, Food Navigator found that year-on-year sales of food products that include medicinal mushrooms have risen between an outstanding 200-800%, depending on the variety.

Consulting firm, Grand View Research, reported that the mushroom market is expected to exceed £37 million over the next six years. Making its way into the food and drink sector through mushroom-infused coffees and mushroom smoothies, many cafes and retailers are already profiting from the trend.

The special ingredient is finding a place on supermarket shelves in other ways too — through hair and skincare products! Different species of mushrooms are chosen for their varying properties — for example shiitake mushrooms are known for their richness in antioxidants and high vitamin D content, and the reishi mushroom is selected for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Now, I do love mushrooms but I think a mushroom smoothie or infused coffee is taking it a bit too far.

 

‘Flexitarianism’

In recent years we have seen a rise in the number of people turning vegetarian and vegan. In fact, the number of vegans in the UK has risen by 350% in the past decade, with around half of all people aged 15-34 being one .

Some people are enjoying the best of both worlds with a flexitarian diet — primarily vegetarian with meat and fish occasionally. I wouldn’t class myself as a flexitarian but I do follow a flexitarian diet without actually meaning to. I’m not a massive lover of certain meat and would say that 85% of my diet is actually vegetarian, so this trend actually isn’t all too ‘on trend’ for me. I just see it as normal eating habits.

Many people believe that there is little room for indulging or eating unhealthily on a vegan diet and we predict that this could all change. With so many people transforming to a ‘flexitarian’ diet, there is a new market for vegan fast food.  

This may include seeing more of plant-based ‘meat’, such as the innovation that Leonardo DiCaprio has invested in called Beyond Meat. This could come in the form of burgers or fried food. Expect to see other indulgent food too, such as extravagant vegan desserts.

 

Plant-based protein

Possibly due to the rise of Instagram foodies and chefs, healthy smoothies have been big in 2017. Finely ground tea leaves, matcha and powdered super vegetables such as kale, spirulina and spinach have been popular too. Their texture makes it easy to add to soups, smoothies and salads. Registered dietician, Abbey Sharpe, explains their popularity: “I think people love a quick way to get in their healthy-eating fix, and powdered substances are seen as an easy way to pack in the nutrition.”

This year we are expecting to see an increase of garden plant based proteins to support healthy diets and act as workout fuel. One of the newest forms of this is pea protein which has many benefits including its neutral taste — making it favourable for regular consumption.

 

Domestic produce

With Brexit on the horizon and the uncertainty of trade regulations and costs, it is very likely that we will be embracing home grown produce this year. Brexit is already changing our views on food shopping. In April 2017, one in five said that they were more likely to buy British food after leaving the EU to support the economy. However, this was dependent on pricing, and if prices rise, many will go for cheaper alternatives.

We experienced rising fruit and vegetable costs in 2016 — vegetable prices rose by 6.6% and this was explained by climate problems in Europe which led to shortages in some items. Can we risk facing these soaring prices again? Many think not. Instead, keen and amateur gardeners are heading to their back yards to plant their own vegetables and it’s expected that this trend will continue.

At the moment I grow a few easy things like chillies, herbs and spring onions. We want to branch out into growing more but because of our lack of a garden we find it a bit challenging.

What trend will you be following this year?

 

*Collaborative Post
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Filed Under: Blog, Food and Drink, Lifestyle Tagged: food, Food Trends

Could you survive like a Walking Dead Survivor?

November 28, 2017 · 2 Comments

Who loves The Walking Dead? I know I do, it’s actually one of my favourite shows. I love anything like it – 28 Days Later, I Am Legend and even the funnier type Zombie movies like Zombieland.

Surviving an apocalyptic disaster is all about preparation, you need to know what is going to last and help you survive the longest. Knowing what kind of foods would last in a situation like this is key, that way you can keep your energy up while trying to outwit any apocalyptic creatures.

Data Label have assembled a great vertical timeline infographic on what food would last and what apocalyptic situation you would be in after so many days, months and years.

Most food as we know have information labels attached to them, whether it be a use by or a best before. They give you clear instructions on how and when to prepare and eat your food by. But, did you know that a lot of these things will survive just as long as you could if faced with a disaster like this.

Philip Carlyn of Data Label commented:

“It’s interesting to see from the timeline where you would stand in an apocalyptic world, being left over with only a certain amount of supplies, in order to survive. I feel this is a great ‘back of the mind’ kind of thought that would be essential in these types of situations”.

He continued:

“If the worst came to the worst, and you’re left holding onto survive, by knowing how you would hold up in the situation, it would be a very advantageous factor to grasp and to understand of what types of foods will hold out for your current circumstances”.

Check out the infographic below to see just how long things can survive in an apocalyptic situation –

 

*collaborative post, working with Data-label.co.uk

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Filed Under: Advice and Issues, Blog, Film and Music, Food and Drink, Lifestyle, TV

Flock like a Flamingo, to Gala Bingo – Surrey Quays

October 25, 2017 · 9 Comments

Gala Bingo

A couple of weeks ago I was invited down to my local Gala Bingo to see why people are flocking to play a game there.

When we arrived we were greeted by the friendliest man at reception. He quickly sorted out our membership cards as we had registered online earlier that day. He then informed us about all the workings of Gala Bingo, what to expect once we went upstairs and who to speak to once we were there.

Once upstairs there was an array of pink, all keeping with the Flamingo theme. Pink sweets, pink drinks and pink feathers.

The manager greeted us and told us that there were two ways to play bingo at Gala; on paper and electronically. We opted for the electronic version as you can have it automatically check off the numbers for you, which is far more easier when you’re a bingo novice like myself.

We were treated to food and drink on the night. Although the food that was served was quite basic, the price point was really great for what you got. It was all very tasty and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Now, it was time to play some bingo. At first I have to admit it was a little boring, then it started getting exciting as more numbers were coming through. Waiting in anticipation when the machine said you are waiting for one more number to get a full house was thrilling.

Just before the night came to a close, on the final two games me and another person in my bingo party hit the jackpot!

I ended up winning £200 and was extremely happy.

I would definitely go back to the bingo again, we are actually planning a night there very soon. Gone is the impression that bingo is just for my Nan, instead it’s a great night out and it doesn’t cost a fortune either.

Overall Surrey Quays Gala Bingo was very welcoming and I would highly recommend a night there to anyone thinking about going.

 

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Filed Under: Blog, Days Out and Holidays, Food and Drink, Friends, Family and Parenting, Lifestyle Tagged: Bingo, Gala Bingo, Night Out

Life Lately

September 20, 2017 · 19 Comments

Life Lately

Life has been one of those manic moments lately.

I have fully thrown myself into it and have just been enjoying life. My mum was quite ill a little while back and ended up in the hospital, so all of my blog posts that I had planned and commitments I had went straight out the window. I’m glad to say now she is back in full swing of being herself and that has made life a little easier.

In the time I have taken off I have enjoyed the summer holidays with Tapanga, spent some amazing times with my friends and have been falling in love with the most amazing man I have ever met.

I have however gone back to being a brunette and chopped all my hair off *Sobs*

I also celebrated my birthday last month and celebrated going into the last year of my 20’s in style with 2 for 1 cocktails, dancing the night away to Whitney Houston and spending the whole night with all my friends. Amazingly on my birthday my best friend who I have known my whole life had her baby, so she got me an extra special present… A human!

Panga went back to school and is in year 8 now. This scares me so much as she’s really growing up and I just can’t believe how much of an adult she is becoming. Gone are the days of this sweet faced angel who I could pick up, now it’s all attitude and she is soon going to be towering over me.

Life Lately 2

For my birthday Tanya got me a package to The Backyard Cinema to go and see Pitch Perfect. It was absolutely amazing, we sang our hearts out while sitting on beanbags in Miami Beach… It was literally one of the best nights ever.

I’ve also been eating at some great places lately. We went to Burger & Lobster for my birthday and I couldn’t fault it or it’s cocktails. Tanya and I also ate at Chi Kitchen on my actual birthday, where the food and cocktails were absolutely delicious.

One of my favourite places I have actually eaten at lately was Surrey Docks Farm. The food was absolutely faultless and I can definitely see it being a regular spot to go and eat. I loved that not only do they have all the animals around they also have a cat that just wanders about throughout the cafe, which for me was a highlight.

I finally added to my tattoo collection last Saturday. I got a Sea Turtle surrounded by purple flowers. I’m so in love with it and it’s something that I have wanted to get for so long. Sea Turtles hold a very special place in my heart and I am so happy I now get to take one with me wherever I go.

Lastly, I have started my driving lessons. I’m actually really happy about this, I have wanted to drive for so long but living in London I have never really felt like I have had to. Now all I want to do is get it over and done with so I can get on the road.

I’m going to sort out all my blog posts tonight so that I can get back into a routine, thanks for sticking around!

 

 

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Filed Under: Blog, Days Out and Holidays, Film and Music, Food and Drink, Friends, Family and Parenting, Lifestyle Tagged: Life, Life Lately, Personal

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London living beauty obsessed mum.
Lipstick rules my life - Partial to champagne, cake and sparkly things.

Want to get in touch? Feel free to email me! CHARLI@CHARLIB.CO.UK

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