amourvita

NEW TALK OF THE TOWN | CHOCOBERRY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 20:11:00 +0000

Hi guys! One thing about Leicester, as it's not a really big city, is that once a new place has opened up it really does become the talk of the town, because many people are constantly posting about it. It's the same with Chocoberry. This is located next to Chaiiwala on Evington Road. Chocoberry has a wide selection of desserts. From different types of waffles, freakshakes, normal milkshakes, churros, crepes, and many more.

As I've been meaning to go for quite some time, and since I have seen photographs pop up on Instagram, I knew exactly what to order. The wait for getting the dessert wasn't that long, I think it was about 5-10 minutes, which is decent since they do make it fresh.

I ordered Waffle Bites (White Chocolate & Strawberry) & Spanish Curros.

For the waffle bites, you get to choose a sauce (from their selection) and topping. Normally I would go for Nutella, but it's nice to be different too. The waffles itself was honestly soft, coated with the perfect amount of sauce, and served with the right amount of topping too. It really was amazing! I can see why this dessert is ordered by many. Next time I got to have the 50/50, so half white chocolate, and half milk chocolate/Nutella, or the pink wave! For this dessert, I can say that it is as delicious as it looks.

Lastly, churros! One of my favourite desserts. And I am very picky when it comes to it because it really has to be done right. And some places do mess it up (no names, no shame). I enjoyed these churros. The fact that the Nutella is served separately, which may I say they gave a generous amount of, is great because you are in control of when you want to dip the churros or enjoy it on its own. Anyways, the churros itself was not overdone. There's a slight crunch when you bite into it, yet still taste a little bit of the cooked dough inside. However it is a little oily, but I can understand that it is not always easy to control that. So for £3.50, this is actually pretty reasonably priced. I forever, however, will favour towards the straight'ish traditional look of the churros hehe!

I would definitely come back to try out other flavours of the waffles bites, choco puffs, and also their various waffles such as the bubble waffle, full/half waffles, and also stick waffles. And most certainly their chocolate dipped strawberries (completed forgot about that when I went today *facepalm*). Hope you enjoyed the review! If you've been then leave your comments down below!

Chocoberry
207 Evington Rd, Leicester LE2 1QN
Website
Instagram

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FIRST TIMER OF TIPU SULTAN

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 20:31:00 +0000

Hiya! On friday, I visited Tipu Sultan. It was unexpected, and not planned at all. But was it worth the visit, especially as a first timer. And the fact that there's been various mixed reviews about the places. Well why don't you keep reading to find out.

Firstly, to begin with, 2 starters were ordered. Murgha (chicken) pakora and murgha haryali tikka. The chicken pakora was delicious, the meat itself was moist, and soft which made pulling the pakora apart satisfying. There was the right amount of batter on the chicken, and they really did give a generous amount of meat (which isn’t always the case with some restaurants). The only thing I would say about the pakora is that personally, I felt that it was slightly overcooked, hence the colour of the batter looks slightly darker. But other than that it was yummy.

The chicken haryali tikka also was amazing! That wasn’t dry either and was coated with a decent amount of flavour. It was cooked to perfection, and honestly squeezing the lemon over the chicken pieces, does add extra flavour to the starter itself. I mean it’s placed there for a reason. There's nothing special about it, but its what you expect, and delicious.

As for the mains, tiger prawns bhuna was ordered. It was going to be king prawns, but we thought let’s be extra, so we upped the game, and honestly, it was worth it! The tiger prawns were huge!!! On the menu, it did show that this curry had 3 chillies (in terms of spice), but personally, I didn’t find it so spicy, so if you eat spicy food then you may find it pretty standard. We managed to finish the whole curry, which is pretty rare when we go to indian restaurants. So this shows that there’s enough for 2 people, and you definitely will be left filled up. The tandoori naan was delicious when it’s fresh, I mean that’s always the case for every fresh naan. But the size of one is pretty big. So you might want to order one first, and then see if you need more after.

Overall the visit to Tipu Sultan was worth it. As mentioned in the beginning, I have read many many mixed reviews, and honestly, I was apprehensive to visit the Leicester branch, because I wanted to go to the Birmingham one, as it’s raved more. But it’s good I went because generally at least I was able to see that the Leicester one itself without the comparison to the Birmingham one is actually good. It was worth the pay, and the food was great.

In terms of service, it was fab (I just love going to places in the daytime, and in the non-busy hour). Service is always better during those times no matter where you go, and not just that, but there was someone always around that kept checking up on us. And, before ending this review, let me just praise how gorgeous the interior design is in Tipu Sultan! Well thought out, and absolutely outstanding! So if there are any first timer, live in Leicester, and don't want to make the 1 hour trip to Birmingham like me, then do give the Leicester one a go, and then form your opinion, because you just never really know.

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Review | Kiehl's Facial Haul

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 20:35:00 +0000

Hey guys! As I mentioned on my Instagram, here's my reviews on the Kiehl's products I got my hands on. I went into Debenhams with the intention of just getting the ultra facial cream. Nothing else. But don't we all think that when we go into a store. So let me get the reviews on the product besides the facial cream done first.

If you guys read my posts on Instagram and on here, then you may have read me mentioning about my amazing foam wash by The Body Shop. It's honestly my favourite. But this facial wash is really not bad either, in fact, it has become my second fave. You really don't need a lot of the product, just a little amount will go a long way, which is AWE-some because the product is less likely to finish quickly. The facial wash doesn't leave my face feeling tight, which I love because that is not a nice feeling, especially when my skin is dry. And it definitely leaves my skin feeling smooth. So far so good!

I love serum! It's a step in a skincare routine besides a moisturiser that provides hydration! From the sample packet I got at least two uses out of it, and I really liked it when it was used. The serum was not too thick and had the right consistency, so when it was applied, my skin sucked the product in really well. This left my skin feeling plump and hydrated, which is just what I WANT.

The hydration masque was another product that was good! With the sample packet, just like the serum, I got two uses out of it. When I used them, I followed the instructions as mentioned on the packet. What I loved about this masque was the easy application. The texture of the masque was kind of gel type, which made applying it on the face easy. And when the product was washed it, it left my skin feeling hydrated, and refreshed.

Lastly! The ultra facial cream. This is really known amongst beauty bloggers, and I kind of never understood why, because personally, for me, something has to be really good for it to justify the price it's been tagged for. However when it comes to skincare, sometimes a couple of extra £££'s may just help with your skin. Which definitely was the case for this product. I love to make my face feel super hydrated and glowy. And some moisturisers that I have used would make my face feel smooth etc for a little while, but then it would go back to normal.

Not just that, but I could tell when a product is just sitting on the surface of my skin. But this facial cream has done wonders! My face easily absorbs the cream which is what I need because that ends up leaving my skin feeling smooth and hydrated (jheez! I've realised how many times I have used the word SMOOTH and HYDRATED). I definitely miss this product on my face, when I don't have it on because I just love the way my face feels with the cream on. So if you are a person that has dry skin, then give this product ago! Or if you are a person that has found a dupe of this cream, then do let me know, please.

Hope you liked this post. I actually have no idea what my next post will be, or if I will even be posting next week. Which is a shame, because I have been posting for 3 consecutive weeks now (even though it's once a week). But yeah, leave any comments down below, about your opinions if you've used these products, or on what you would like to read. Thank you!

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Review | Hair Care by HairByShifa

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 19:05:00 +0000

Hi guys! So as requested here is the post on my review of some products I received from Shifa. Although I was mainly given the products to try out, and give feedback. I thought I would also do a post on it because I mean why not. I was given a Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Oil. All three products are Argan Oil based since my hair is pretty dry, and frizzy. There are other products available which target various types of hair such as Red, Blonde or Blue Hair etc. So if you are interested then feel free to contact her (I will leave the links down below).

I wash my hair 2/3 times I week. Mainly 2 times because my hair is already dry, so I don't really want to be stripping the natural oil that is produced from my hair. The steps to use the products is pretty simple. Shampoo, Conditioner and then Hair Oil. The shampoo does what a shampoo needs to do. So it cleans the hair, as well as applying that natural fragrance of argan. The conditioner, however, is what I love. I definitely feel the smoothness of my hair after leaving the conditioner in my hair for 3 minutes. And because it smoothens my hair, there's less frizziness which I am so happy with.

Once the products are all washed off, and my hair slightly damp. I apply 2/3 pumps of the argan oil (which at this rate is going to finish, because of how much I use it). After applying the hair oil, I either brush my hair or simply leave it and anyone that has curly/wavy hair knows, it's pointless brushing/combing their hair, because it just gets even crazier.

The results of doing these steps twice a week for 3 weeks have been lovely! I love the products. It's helped my hair with its frizziness and dryness, for sure. And the hair oil definitely gives my hair a shiny finish, as claimed. I've also read that the argan oil helps with hair growth, which I can't really say anything about yet because I recently had a haircut. But I will leave an update on my insta story, in a month time maybe, about whether the argan oil helped with hair growth or not.

So yeah! City Looks is the only salon I trust with my hair. So as a customer of the salon, I put trust in the products, and I am glad that I did. Thanks again to Shifa for contacting me! I loved using the products, and I am still going to until they finish. I will have the links below to the relevant pages, so contact Shifa if you are interested, and I hope you guys enjoyed reading the post. Thank you!

Links

City Looks - Facebook
City Looks - Instagram
HairByShifa - Instagram

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Review | The Body Shop Haul

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 15:45:00 +0000

Hi guys. HAPPY NEW YEAR, to you all. I hope 2017 was a great year, and if it wasn't, then make 2018 the year. Fulfil your goals, keep yourself happy, and do what you love. Since it's the beginning of the year, I may do a Life Update post sometime soon just to keep you guys aware of what's going on in my life currently (if you are interested). For now, expect this post and the next two upcoming posts to be beauty review related.

It's been at least over 2 months since I have been using these products and still am because I love them! Now I'm sure many many of you guys have heard about the popular mask by The Body Shop. The Himalayan Charcoal Mask. This product is a favorite of many including mines. I use it once a week (as recommended), and it definitely purifies my skin. My skin feels lighter because the mask does a great job at removing the dirt from the skin. One thing I would recommend is when washing the product off with warm water, rub it lightly not harshly into the face. The reason I say that is because the texture of the mask is not smooth, so it kind of does the job of exfoliating your skin.

The next product is the Drop of Light Foam Wash. Before purchasing this product, I looked up at the reviews, and many of them were positive. After using the product every day, I see why! The foam wash does a great job of removing makeup, but since I hardly touch makeup (not even BB cream), this product still does the job of brightening and cleansing my face every day and night. When using this product, trust me, you only need a pea-sized amount of it, and it goes a long way. So I would say it's worth the money.

My skin is sensitive and is a mixture of dry/normal skin. So I haven't received any bad reactions from this product, but after I use this to cleanse my face, my skin does feel slightly dry, but eventually with the build-up of other products that I put on my face it's perfectly fine.

Last product is the British Rose Gel Toner. Another product I love! As you can see on the photograph of the bottle, it says, 'moisture, soothes, softens'. It definitely does that for me. Before using this product, I understood the significance of a toner, but the toners I used never gave me that feeling of 'yes! it is doing something to my face'. However, with this product, I see how much it's benefiting my face.

As I said previously my skin is on the dry side, and I love making my skin feel moisturised, and glowy. So having this product as part of my skincare routine has really helped. I use a good amount of the product, and just rub it into my face. I don't really use cotton pads for toners because I personally feel, there are more products transferred to the face when using your fingers/hand. Oh, this product also smells really nice! So yeah, this is another product I would recommend!

Hope these reviews helped, and let me know in the comment section below if you've used any of these products. Also do keep an eye out for my new posts, especially if you are beauty reader!

P R E V I O U S P O S T

LINK : Winter Wonderland | Nottingham

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WINTER WONDERLAND | NOTTINGHAM

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 18:34:00 +0000

Hi guys! Thank god, I am back, I was beginning to think when am I going to post on my blog, because it's been ages. But unfortunately I haven't had any content to post about. But now that I do, expects some blog posts heading your way before 2018. So last weekend, I decided to head to Nottingham, to visit Winter Wonderland, since the Christmas markets in Leicester wasn't all that. On arrival, we straight went to have lunch, because we knew were going to spend a good amount of time in the market.

Before I get onto the lunch, let me just say, parking in Nottingham is such a pain. Like there are Car Park areas but the prices are ridiculous. If anyone has experienced the same, then let me know by commenting below.

My lunch was at Tamatanga. Since it was my first time going there, the waitress I had was kind to make me aware about the basics of the restaurants. She was super lovely, and kept checking up on me during my lunch. So in terms of service, it was great! I looked through the menu, and ordered Bang Bang Chicken, Lamb Tikka, Balchao Prawn Curry with Peshawari Naan, Rice, and Tamatanga Chips.

T H E M E N U

B A N G B A N G C H I C K E N

These crispy chicken were very delicious and the spicy tama mayo that came with the dish was perfect to go with it. It was definitely cooked well, with the right amount of coating on the chicken (since sometimes you can get more coating and less meat). I can't really say anything bad about this item because there was no fault found.

L A M B T I K K A

These lamb tikka pieces were tender and yummy! The mint and coriander chutney was nice, but I did feel that this chutney had a more minty flavour to it, and personally i would have liked the flavours to be balanced, other than that the item in general was really good.

T A M A T A N G A C H I P S

This! This was pretty addictive to have. And I always. Always. Appreciate places that make perfect crispy fries. It has to be right, and these totally were (I mean you HAVE to get something as simple as frying chips right). It’s not overpowering with herbs and spices and has the right amount for sure. Pretty tasty, and I would definitely recommend this! It’s not something so amazing, but it’s delicious, has flavour, and the fries were cooked just right!

B A L C H A O P R A W N C U R R Y

P E S H A W A R I N A A N

The prawn curry was lovely, the curry was mainly coconut based (only flavour you could really taste), so if you aren’t a coconut fan then this may not be the one for you. The consistency of the curry was just right. Another thing I loved about this curry was the decent amount of prawns! It doesn’t look a lot from the picture, but there really was. The price of the curry with a normal naan or rice is 11.95, and if you get the peshawari naan then it’s £1 extra. So technically the curry is around £9.95, which personally I feel is overpriced for that curry because the quantity is small. If it was around £7.50/8.50 then it would fine.

The peshawari naan! Oh my gawd! This was delicious; we didn’t expect it to be thick (which left us not touching the rice that we ordered too). It was really really good! The naan is stuffed with pistachio and coconut, which made the naan taste sweet. One thing I would say is to get the Balchao prawn curry with either rice or normal naan, simply because if you have it with peshawari naan then you will be overpowered with the flavour of coconut. Hence why at times, I would just have the naan on it’s own! Overall this dish was great!

W I N T E R W O N D E R L A N D

After lunch, I went to the Winter Wonderland. There's not much to say from here on wards simply because it would be unnecessary to go on and on about baseless things. But what I will say is that the market was beautiful! It was very busy there, which is standard when it's events like this. However, it was really nice being there, looking at the various things in each stalls, and also tasting the mini dutch pancakes which I will get onto further down.

S T A L L S

C A R O U S E L

W A F F L E S

M I N I D U T C H P A N C A K E S

I loved these mini dutch pancakes, super cute. And it was entertaining to see it made. I ordered 20 pieces with nutella and strawberry which in total was £4. Of course it's overprices but hey ho, it's needed when you visit Christmas markets. It's either dutch pancakes, churros or waffles.

C O O K I E L O U N G E

My last stop before heading home was Cookie Lounge. When I was planning to go Nottingham, I was contemplating on whether to visit Cookie Lounge or not, and thankfully I was able to squeeze it in before ending the day. The lounge/cafe is gorgeous! AESTHETIC PLEASING for sure. I ordered a Orange Crunch Mega Shake. I don't remember everything that was in the shake, but Terry's Orange was involved! They have countless of various flavours, and drinks. It's endless!

Although do bare in mind that there's two prices for each drinks. Take away and staying in. Staying in costs more obviously. Which is why we ordered ours for take out. The mega shake we ordered cost around £3.50/£4.50 if I am correct and it was worth it! It was enough to share between two people, and also filling. The shake had the right amount of flavours and consistency. Definitely how a milkshake should be like. 100% recommend this place to you all.

This brings me to the end of the post. Hope you all enjoyed it, and just before you go, check out my vlog below, if pictures didn't justify everything, then how about videos? Also whilst you are at it, please like, comment and subscribe. It would mean a lot <3

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My First Facial Treatment* | Cosmetology Hub

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 21:52:00 +0000

*DISCLAIMER: Service was offered on the basis of a review done upon it in return. However, all opinions are true and honest.

Hi guys, it's been a while right? There's just been nothing for me to blog about lately, but thankfully I was given an opportunity to share something different with you all. I was contacted by Gurpriya from Cosmetology Hub. She told me about what she was offering, so basically what she was going to do and an overview of the steps. I was pretty intrigued by it because I've lately been thinking more about skincare on the face. I was told that the treatment would also be targetting acne and pigmentation which are definitely two skin concerns of mines. And that reason pushed me to go with it.

So rather than me typing up full paragraphs one after another. I am just going talk about it in points because it's more straightforward and I won't be rambling on too much.

I N F O R M A T I O N

Gurpriya, the facialist, has suffered from acne herself for many years and had gotten into the skin industry 10 years ago. She works for a leading skin clinic but also loves found independent treatments on people want done privately, hence the beginning of Cosmetology Hub. It is run by her sister and herself. The reason why the studio is private is that not everyone wants to walk around with a bare face in the city centre or come out of the treatment slightly red. So the idea of having these treatments done privately away from the city centre is there to encourage people and hope that they can get treatments done in the comfort of a home salon.

T H E H U B

S I G N A T U R E F A C I A L

1. Deep cleanse with fruit enzymes (such as pineapple and papaya) to remove build-up makeup, dirt and prepare skin for further treatment.

2. Exfoliation using AHA's and BHA's to dissolve dead skin.

3. Pumpkin fruit peel to brighten dull skin and smooth skin cells.

4. Hydrodermabrasion to extract dead skin, this uses a device to suck up all the dead skin and clears blocked pores.
5. LED Light Therapy: Blue light was picked to kill acne, bacteria and reduce inflammation associated with acne skin type. A red light was also used for age delay and rejuvenation.

A B O U T M Y S K I N

The skin condition was mild to moderate facial acne, hyperpigmentation, macular scars from old breakouts, excoriated area's where acne had been picked. Gurpriya examined my skin through a mag lamp, through which she saw enlarged pores, milia, comedones.

H O W I F E L T

- It was cool when the cleansing product and exfoliation was put on.

- The massage was so soothing because Gurpriya knew exactly the way to work the products through the skin.

- When the AHA's was put on my face then I could feel a tingling sensation on my face, and that definitely told me that the product was working its way through the dead skin and dirt. After the exfoliation, my face felt lighter because dead skin and dirt were lifted off.

- The skin peel left my skin feeling a little tight but it wasn't bad.

- The hydrodermabrasion felt so good on the skin, and it left my skin feeling like how it was meant to be. CLEAN.

- The LED light therapy was a little warm on the face, and I couldn't tell what it did to my face until after the treatment.

- The hyaluronic acid was used to hydrate my face and when I looked at my face in the mirror then I could see how glowing my face looked which made me feel so good because my skin is always dry.

- Vitamin A night cream was used at the end because I did get the facial done in the evening. The cream worked well with the Hyaluronic acid because it kept my face hydrated for a long time.

R E S U L T S

- Active acnes that I already had closed up because the skin created a scab over it., rather than staying open.

- Face felt absolutely smooth and glowing after the treatment

- No soreness or redness. I was told redness might occur after treatment, but on my skin, I didn't get any.

- I bought sunscreen. I've been told that SPF helps to reduce UVA/UVB damage, premature ageing and helps against free radicals and pollution in the air.

- The two active acne's went by the 3rd-day post-treatment.
- I understood my face more, which was honestly so beneficial because before the treatment I would by products based on assumptions about my skin. But now that I know more about my skin, I can get products that are actually targetted towards my face.
- Compared to the past couple of months, this is the best my skin has felt and looked. My skin looks brighter, and the fact I have been able to see the acne's that I had before the treatment now gone, clearly shows that the treatment worked well.

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

- Facial treatment every 2-4 weeks alongside routine done at home. As you do more treatments, different active acids that are suited to your skin and concerns can be put into the routine to boost results. But it is key, to still maintain the skincare at home too.
- For people that have dry skin, acne-prone, and have pigmentation: use gentle cleansing twice (daily), fruit enzymes to exfoliate, AHA's to brighten old scars, SPF 50 daily to prevent premature ageing etc (as mentioned above).

S E R V I C E

The service was outstanding. Even before making the visit, when I was talking to Gurpiya over messages, then she was super lovely. She gave me the relevant details, and also put up with my questions which is really nice, because it showed to me, that she was as enthusiastic and keen on what she does. When I did meet her, then throughout the whole treatment she would make conversations, explain each steps before doing it, and also warn me about little things such as "cold water is going to be used now to remove the product", "you might feel a little tingling sensation" etc.

O V E R V I E W

I loved the treatment. My face is looking so much better. There are no acne at the moment. And because of the results I have seen, I really am thinking of making regular visit especially with the offers they have (which I have mentioned below). I feel like the more treatments you do, the more results you will see, and that's what I really want because I'm sure many of you guys, just like me, get annoyed with acne and pigmentation if you suffer from it. Every skin is different, so what I went through may not be the same for everyone, that's why you should definitely research. I would really recommend you guys to look into facial treatments, and if you are thinking of getting one then give Cosmetology Hub a go.

O F F E R S

15% OFF: SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER
50% OFF : (WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY 2-5PM): SIGNATURE FACIAL TREATMENT (basically paying £20, for all 5 steps!!!!)

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Finally Have A Place | Creams Leicester

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:18:00 +0000

Hey, guys! You all know how much I loved the Creams in Coventry (just in case you haven't read it, then it's linked here). And since some of you guys still wanted a review on the Leicester one. Here it is. Creams in Leicester opened on 13th October, and the partner and I visited on the 14th! We both went in with HIGH hopes! And we don't really when it comes to new places, but since we have been to another branch, we definitely were hoping this one was going to be great too.

We loved the interior! Compared to the Coventry one, this one looked so much more pleasing (maybe because it is fresh, brand new). The counter/display area is laid out similar, and the colour theme remains the same (obviously!!).

I did want to sit in a booth, but there were a lot of reservations, so we were made to sit at a standard table. It was fine though, we came for the desserts! The place accommodates for a various number of people. 2, 3, 4, 6 and more! I really liked how there's enough space between the counter and the tables/booths because the one in Coventry really gets crowdy and noisy when the lines build up during peak times.

The bubble pop waffle was the main selling point! But because we had that already, we ordered a Bubbelicious (Sweet) Sundae and Choc 'Fr'enzy Waffle.

Bubblelicious Sundae: Blue and pink bubblegum gelato, strawberry gelato, soft vanilla ice cream, bubblegum and strawberry sauces.

This was gooood! You get the option to pick sweet or sour. We picked sweet! And thankfully it wasn't overpowering with sweetness! The blue bubblegum gelato is the one! Their soft vanilla ice cream is just so nice! Definitely, gives the sundae a balance because of the other sweet gelatos. There really is nothing bad to say about it. It was all gelato and ice cream! So you can't really go wrong unless you claim ice cream as gelato or gelato as ice cream.

Y U M Y U M

Choc 'Fr'enzy: A mad mix of Choc‘n’hazelnut gelato and crushed Ferrero Rocher chocolates speckled with chocolate shavings and oozing with white and milk chocolate sauces.

About this, all I can talk about is the waffles! I finally have a place in Leicester doing great waffles! There will be people reading this who will nod their head, and others will do the opposite. I'm sorry I don't do heavenly desserts. Johnny Custard? Not bad, I like it. Madisons? Not been in ages! Fudge Puppy? Yes! But now when I want actual round waffles like this, then I can count on Creams! Hopefully. Still got to visit more, to see if the good service and food keeps on going.

But anyways, this was delicious! Perfect waffles, with the perfect amount of toppings! And between two people, this is great! Soft vanilla ice cream again is just really nice to have the waffles with. The hazelnut gelato, on the other hand, seemed like it was ice cream rather than gelato, because of the iciness. I'm hoping I'm wrong, but I'm not really sure. About the toppings, they sure aren't stingy with it. Look at it, the whole waffle is covered with sauces, and full round Ferrero Rocher!

As far as price goes, they are not overpriced. You are paying for what you get and I love places like that. It's so easy to spend money on food, but if a place makes it worth it then that is great. Service, in general, was great, a lady offered to explain the menu if it was our first time but because it wasn't, she didn't have to go through the menu which she was glad about haha. When we did arrive, then we did have to wait outside for about 10 minutes, which was fine because it was expected, but what I liked was how we were offered a menu to look at whilst we waited! Super helpful!

So yeah. I now have dessert place to go! Happy me! And Happy partner! <3

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Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.9 | Time For A LONGG Break From Home

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:48:00 +0000

Hi, guys! It's been 8 months since the first Saudi Arabia travel diary went out, and finally, the last one is here for you guys! Damn, I've been pretty slow with this. I do hope you guys love this final part, let me know on the whole travel diaries in general in the comment section below!

(Before entering the Haram)

For myself, last day was pretty much spent in the Haram. Around 9/10, I went to do one tawaaf. This was the first time going at that timing because usually, we did our tawaaf's one after another after Esha. And it definitely was busy! After completing a tawaaf I sat in front of the Kabah for quite a while, praying and making dua. One that was done, I stopped by the hotel, to have lunch with the family, and make quick plans on what we were going to do the rest of the day.

SUBHAN'ALLAH

Since we had packed the night before, as well as the morning. The general plan was that we could stay out in the Haram and do as many tawaaf we wanted until Maghrib. Then after praying Maghrib, we had to be back to the hotel to collect our luggage and leave. And that's what I did.

After eating, and praying Zuhr in the hotel, I went to the Haram, performed Tawaaf's, prayed Asr, recited the Qur'an, performed some Tawaaf for the last time, and ended my stay in the Haram with my Maghrib namaaz.

The emptiness one feels knowing it's the last day really touches the heart. There is no tranquillity or happiness that can be compared to being in the Haram in front of the Kabah. Just none. You will feel like you have not done the most you can, to be honest. I felt like I should have done so much more. Despite knowing the fact that I had done more compared to my first Umrah. It's just like that I guess. You just really want to do more for Allah and please him <3

Little food talk that I had on the day. I've talked about the Iced Frappuccino and Baskin Robbin on my food post which is linked here. But in summary, I bought the Iced Frappuccino in the morning after the first tawaaf and before heading to the hotel. A good one, but it wasn't the best, and since it was strong in coffee, it definitely helped with getting through the day. The Baskin Robbin ice cream was just delicious! I loved it. And this visit was made 1 HOUR before we had to actually leave and take a taxi.

On the way to the airport, we made a stop to KFC! We ordered our food and sat down only to be told despite us being a family we couldn’t eat in the place. So when we got our food, we sat outside in front of a shop that was closed and ate! Luckily the weather was warm and little breezy so there was no problem with it. I don’t remember what I ordered but I think it was a Zinger Stacker which was delicious!

(Such a poor photograph shot)

We caught our flight; to Istanbul (transit), and thankfully this time the wait wasn’t so long. After going through check-in etc (which Alhumdulillah went well) we took our next flight to the UK. When we reached Birmingham, the coldness hit us! Glad I took a jacket with me. It was weird being back at home away from our other home (Makkah). But the journey had to come to an end. I loved every moment spent in Saudi. It was beautiful, and I hope you all enjoyed reading the posts and looking at the photographs.

Do leave your thoughts, in the comment section below about the journey, or any suggestions for upcoming posts! I have reached 50K+ in pageviews!!! Thank you all for the support, honestly, appreciate it! On that note, the post comes to an end!

Saudi Arabia Travel Diaries:

Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.1 | Madinah
x

Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.2 | Ziyaarat in Madinah
Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.3 | Mini Stop in Badr
Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.4 | Makkah
Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.5 | Food
Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.6 | Ziyaarat in Makkah
Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.6 (cont.) | Ziyaarat in Makkah
Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.7 | Taif

Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.8 | Jeddah

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雞肉和麵條 | Chicken And Noodles

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 18:48:00 +0000

Hi, guys! After seeing the result of a recent poll that I had posted on my insta story, between Creams Leicester and Chicken & Noodles, the majority of voters chose Chicken & Noodles to be posted first so here it is.

I read about this place somewhere on Instagram, and because my partner and I are Chinese food lovers, we gave it ago in July. Since then we have been making multiple visits to the place because that's how much we love it. Chicken & Noodles is on Charles Street in Town (Leicester), opposite New Look. The partner and I used to walk past this area many times, but we never really paid attention to this place. So some of you guys might have done the same too haha.

(The mainboard with the menu, on this post, is old, and it has changed recently, but I have provided the up to date information about the box meal below)

During the daytime, they have 3 box options. Small (1 base and 1 topping), Regular (2 base and 2 toppings), and Large (3 base and 3 toppings). In the beginning, we went for Large quite a few times, until we realised it is actually very very filling, so we recently have gone down to the regular which is the just right.

T H E T O P P I N G S

What I ordered (and what I usually order) was Noodles, Spicy Chips, Chilli Popcorn Chicken, Spring Rolls and Black Bean Chicken sauce (currently everything remains the same just no spring rolls).

In this first visit, the partner ordered Noodles, Spicy Chips, Chilli Popcorn and Garlic Chicken, and Jeera Chicken sauce. But nowadays he just orders Spicy Chips, Chilli Popcorn Chicken and the sauces tends to vary depending on what he feels like.

D E L I C O U S - FOR REAL

This is the Chilli Oil. My favourite! I cover my food with this so much because it's not so spicy, but it adds that heat and spice to everything which is absolutely delicious! If you are someone that can't handle spiciness then try with a little bit first, and then add more if you want. My personal preference is to just add so much (not too much that you lose the flavours of the actual food)

The spring rolls were gooood! They were vegetable spring rolls, and delicious to have with everything. The chilli popcorn chicken is definitely a fave, for both me and the partner. They give a good amount of them. It's coated great, and not overpowering with chilli flavour. And yes, I am a pro at chopsticks! I love using it.

Noodles are egg fried noodles, so it's those standard ones, but I love ordering it because I'd rather order that then the rice, and because it's yummy having it with the various toppings I have in the box. The spicy chips are the bomb! So crispy, and perfect! When it's covered with all the other toppings, and you have a piece of it then it's even more delicious because it has all the flavour in it. And lastly, the black bean chicken sauce is more on the sweet side, but not sooooo sweet. When I eat in, I see many people ordering that one too, so it seems like it's a popular one because it's not on the spicy side, and gives a great combo/balance with all the other items.

I know I've been pretty vague at reviewing the food for this one, but all I can say is do visit the shop. It's affordable and tasty! Worth every penny. Plus it's a good option to go for rather than the greasy fast food from Maryland and Royal hahaha. If you haven't then definitely go visit! And I know some readers on Instagram have commented that they have been, so do let me know what other things you guys have tried out.

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Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.8 | Jeddah

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 10:31:00 +0000

Welcome to part 8 of the travel diaries! I'm getting there, guys. After this, there is just one last travel diary, and it will be over. This post is all about what we go up to in Jeddah. From Makkah, we travelled to Jeddah by car, which roughly took about an hour, so it wasn't that long. The first stop in Jeddah was the Jaffali Masjid. Unfortunately, we came after namaaz time so we couldn't go in to pray or see because it was closed. But the view from the outside was beautiful Masha'Allah.

We were told that opposite this masjid, in the middle of the car park area, executions took place. And the recent one was mid-2016 if I am correct.

(Views)

(Love the palm trees, water and sky view)

Our next visit was the Flamingo Mall. I so appreciate malls abroad, they are just so much bigger than the one in Leicester. Majority of the stores in the mall opened after 4/5 (generally like that in Saudi Arabia). So the first hour was spent in praying namaaz, and basic window-viewing. After that, we went to get lunch.

3 FLOORS! That too so so so spacious!

We got food from McDonald's. I had to happen. I had to take advantage of the halal fast food that was available to us.

I ordered the Chicken Big Mac (forever a chicken fan), which was delicious! You cant really go wrong with a standard chicken burger x2. Unless you don't cook the chicken properly. But anyways, what I also loved was the large portion of fries, and drink.

(YUMMYYYYYY)

Jeddah is quite a different place. You see things that as 'Westerners' is normal, but obviously having visited Makkah and Madinah, it isn't normal because you don't see it at all in the holy cities. So the culture does appear a little different, but I don't know how it really is :)

W A L L A R T

After eating, shopping, photograph'ing. Our next visit was the Red Sea and Masjid Rahma also known as the Floating Masjid. When we got there, we sat on a mat, and just relaxed. It was so peaceful and mesmerising. The view was absolutely gorgeous!

Masjid Rahma aka Floating Majid below (Yes it isn't actually floating, but it kind of is haha).

The time we came at, was perfect. It allowed us to see the late afternoon sky, sunset, and after sunset. Seeing the whole process was gorgeous! And I managed to capture the different stages so just scroll down below for the photographs.

As the sunset time hit, the light in the Masjid switched on, which made the view so pretty! Because I couldn't pray, I wasn't able to go in the Masjid, which would have been nice, but if I'm correct then it's pretty open beside the centre, which the prayer area is more internal.

S U N S E T

CHANGE IN V I E W S

I've always wanted to see a sunset, and I am so glad that I did in Jeddah.

That wasn't the end. We made one last stop, and that was to see the King Fahd's Fountain. This fountain is said to be the tallest foutain in the entire world (and I found this information just now whilst finding out the name of the fountain).

Opposite the sea, there were loads of food stores, one of the being Baskin Robbins. That particular store was definitely calling out to me but it could wait haha. There were so many families at the place. Kids playing football. Some people selling little toys and snacks. It was lovely.

K I N G F A H D ' S F O U N T A I N

Whilst I was sitting, I was approached by a lady asking if I wanted to get Henna/Mendhi done. And if you guys know. I love getting it done. So I said yes. I think I got two hands done for £5 which is totally not bad, and plus the designs were really pretty. Not just that but the lady got it all done within 5-10 minutes. Impressive.

My family and I sat for a little while. and I think around 8:30/9PM, we headed back to the car and to Makkah again. I absolutely loved this day, it was packed with exploring and that is what I love so much about travelling. This is what I desire. This is what I want to do growing up. I want to travel.

I hope you all enjoyed this post. And do look forward to the last one soon!

Saudi Arabia Travel Diaries:

Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.1 | Madinah
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Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.7 | Taif

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 11:25:00 +0000

Hi, guys! This diary will be more photography based because there's not much to say, but wherever is needed, I will talk about things. This night is still continuing from the day I went for Ziyaarat in Makkah. We did a lot on that day (and I love that). Our relative drove us to Taif. Taif is a place where the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم went to call people towards Islam. Two places where the Prophet visited will be mentioned below. But before we got there, the journey that we took to Taif was just amazing. Subhan'Allah. Basically, we drove up a hill, and the view that we saw as we made the way up was so beautiful.

We then reached a point where we were able to stop the car on the side and look at the scenery. Subhan'Allah, it was mesmerising. I know I keep using the word beautiful, but it's hard to explain it in any other words. We came at a time where there was sunlight so we could see everything. But the position we were at allowed us to see sunrays through clouds, and that guys was so peaceful!

(The pictures below show you all what I mean)

(See what I mean. Masha'Allah. The beauty)

From there we went to a little Masjid where Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed when he came to Taif. This was also the place where some Non-Muslims came and hurt the Prophet. So from there, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم hid at a place, that is situated opposite the streets where the Masjid is.

(The inside of the Masjid)

From this point onwards, there will definitely not be much reading to do. Just enjoy the pictures! After looking at the masjid, our next and final destination for the day was at Al Rudaf Park. This ain't no Spinney Hill or Abbey Park (in Leicester). This is a huge park, with various things available, such as watching the water fountain display, play, relax, pray, and eat.

As you guys can see, we came just in time to see the remaining sunset, which was gorgeous! The different colours radiating, just made the atmosphere so much more content. When we arrived, besides looking at the park here and there, we head to pray namaaz. And I loved that. The fact that they have easily accessible facilities to pray namaaz, makes me appreciate it so much because although we have many Masjid's in Leicester, you won't really see a park with a facility to pray. And because we had somewhere to pray, it made spending time and relaxing at the park better because we didn't have to worry about missing namaaz.

(Prayer Area)

After praying, I went back to the water fountain area, because it wasn't long until the display was going to start. The park was just lovely, so spacious with so many lovely scenes. I'm pretty sure if you come before the sunset then you can enjoy more, because there may be more to do, but after the sunset, it's just a matter of sitting, relaxing, and looking.

AND THE WATER FOUNTAIN DISPLAY BEGAN! (it's just like the one in Dubai. If you can get in in Dubai, why not in Makkah too)

When the display finished, I went for stroll around, because I saw some colourful rocky walls, and when I got to that area, I also saw colourful water fountains which looked so so pretty!

You don't realise how quick time goes by. It was so easy to just be there and enjoy. But we had to get back to the hotel, so that's where our day came to an end. Kind of. Read on!

On the way back to our hotel, we stopped on the side of a mountain, and saw this lovely road! Definitely, picture worthy, and if I came during sunset then I think the view would have been so much better because I would have been able to see the surroundings, not just the road. But this was super cool too!

And the last (for sure last) visit for the day was this Masjid. Masjid - e - Aisha. This is the Masjid, where the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم told Aisha رضي الله عنها to enter in Ihram for Umrah. Hence why this marks a place for residents of Makkah to go to when they want to make the intention to perform Umrah and then return to Makkah to perform Umrah.

I hope you all enjoyed the post! There are only two more diaries left; about time, right? Comment below any suggestions, whether it's a food place I should try, advice, or you guys want me to talk about something, just leave it below! And please don't forget to subscribe to my youtube channel!

Saudi Arabia Travel Diaries:

Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.1 | Madinah
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Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.6 | Ziyaarat in Makkah (cont.)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 13:09:00 +0000

Hi guys! Here is the continuation of pt. 6 of the Saudi Arabia Travel Diary series. So after praying Zuhr in the Masjid, we made our way to the main important places i.e Muzdalifah, Mina, place where you throw stones at during Hajj. The places I have mentioned, are key places that Muslims need to go to when performing Hajj. Because we went at a time when Hajj wasn't going out, we were only able to see the places from the outside, and just get a rough idea of how things are like. It's so beautiful and amazing to know how during these times there are no Muslims around, however as soon as it is Hajj time, these places are filled millions of Muslim's Masha'Allah.

Whilst looking around, the relative (that had been taking us everywhere), told us that there was a yellow Masjid. This Masjid. was the Masjid, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed at when he came to Mina. Due to the mountains and trees, the masjid was hidden. The government knew about it but were not aware of the exact location. It wasn't until 2007 when the government started to break down mountains and trees, that they realised that this was the Masjid, the prophet had visited.

(The simplicity..)

(More views of the scenery around)

After that, we were taken to another mountain, unfortunately, I don't remember what it is called, but it was pretty high. And no we didn't climb this mountain either, although it wasn't really needed to.

Next location was Al-Rahman Mountain. This I climbed because it was mini, and also because I just wanted to see the view from above which was beautiful Masha'Allah.

(The view from above)

Once I climbed the mountain and looked around, I went back down because something was calling me. FOOD! We basically had a mini picnic, which was nice because by this point we all were pretty hungry, and our relative secretly ordered food for us, but the plan failed because the minute the food entered the car, we all could smell it haha. The food was from Al-Baik, a pretty known restaurant in Makkah. They are known because of the chicken. So basically there are spices within the chicken, which means you are not biting into a normal fried chicken. It was nice, but I wasn't really a huge fan. I kind of got fed up of the spice taste after having a few pieces. My mum, on the other hand, loves Al-Baik.

After the lunchings, we were back on the road, off to another location, which will be on the next travel diary! So for now, I hope you all enjoyed this post, in case you haven't read the previous travel diaries, then I have them all linked below. Do enjoy them, and I promise I won't be long with the next travel diary.

Saudi Arabia Travel Diaries:

Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.1 | Madinah
x

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IS IT DONE RIGHT? | GERMAN DONER KEBAB

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 12:56:00 +0000

Hey guys! How have you all been? I know college has started recently, and now uni. I hope it’s going well for you all no matter what year you are in. It’s a struggle, and totally time-consuming, but I wish you all good luck and success!

On to the post! The partner and I recently went to German Doner Kebab. And the main reason was a voucher! We had been debating so many times to whether visit the place or not because of the mixed reviews we’ve heard. And they were A LOT. But we finally went. So carry on reading to find out our thoughts.

The place, in general, looked great. Quite a vibrant interior, with cool looking walls. Since it’s a newly opened place, it is quite busy. But thankfully we came at a time where there wasn’t much rush, however eventually queues did start to build up rapidly.

We ordered 2 Chicken Doner Kebab (we love chicken). Unfortunately, the voucher didn’t allow us to go for a meal, which would have been nice because we could have given a review on other things (like we always do). But it’s just going to be on the Doner Kebab.

Here’s where things go wavy. The Chicken Doner Kebab wasn't really Kebab. It was like Shawarma. I’ve had Kebabs and I’ve had Shawarmas. So I’m pretty sure I know the difference. In general, the ‘doner kebab’ were lovely, cooked perfectly, not greasy and it was actually tasty. I loved the bread that the Chicken Doner Kebab came in! Definitely delicious. There was right amount of everything. Once you open the bread up more, you see more meat, which is great because you don’t want more salad than meat. The sauces used, were spicy, garlic and yoghurt which was nice, but I do think there were more garlic and yoghurt sauce. Couldn’t really taste the spicy sauce.

So yeah, as far as the food goes, it was not bad. But the partner and I were definitely disappointed because it simply did not live up to its name. It was not a kebab. That’s our personal opinion.

The price of the Doner Kebab Sandwich (what we ordered) in general as a meal is £6.99. Which is not bad because the sandwich is filling and the meal includes fries and drinks. But if you get the Doner Kebab Sandwich in itself then it really isn’t worth the £5.49. The only reason why I say that is because I’ve been to Turkish restaurants (since shawarmas are a Turkish food) and for around £6-8 you can get shawarma, kofte, chips and salad.

The question is will we go back? Not really. Unless we have vouchers haha. There’s nothing wrong with the food, and okay yeah, it’s not always about the branding. For me, it’s just the pricing!

Hope you enjoyed the review and helped any of you guys who are planning to go. I’ve always opted to post reviews that are good, but I’ve started to just review places, with honesty. Whether it’s good or bad. It’s the only way you guys will know!

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MY 20TH BIRTHDAY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 14:56:00 +0000

Hey, guys! I'm back! I've been pretty inactive on my blog (only), and I did mention them on my Instagram (which you should follow for a more regular update). Basically, I didn't know where my blog was going, whether people wouldn't mind reading food/travel posts constantly, and just, in general, I wasn't feeling it. But now, I'm back, with motivation, and ready to get into blogging again! Oh! And by the way, in case there are any new readers, I have got a youtube channel running, with some videos for you to watch, they are obviously related to food and travel, but I hope you guys enjoy it.

But anyway, here's the post!

So on 15th September, it was my 20th birthday! And this required a celebration hehe, so on the day my other half and I went to Memsaab to have lunch. Memsaab is a place that holds memories for us since we've celebrated past occasions there too. And because we've been to so many places, which limited out options on which places to go, we ended up choosing Memsaab since it's been a good 1-2 years since we had been back.

For our starters, my other half got the Chicken Tikka Shashlick, and I ordered Chicken Pakora. Both were delicious. The Chicken was nice and tender, and definitely was the same as our previous visits (meaning standards/recipe did not change :D)

As for the mains. We got Chicken Tikka Masala (barbecued chicken tikka simmered in a creamy tandoori sauce) with Rice, and Butter Chicken Masala (tender chicken fillets in a creamy yet spicy butter sauce) with Naan. We loved the CTM (Chicken Tikka Masala) it's something we always get when we go Memsaab because the sauce is creamy, not spicy and just delicious to have with either rice or naan. The BCM (Butter Chicken Masala), was different. First time ordering it and it was good. But I felt it contained a '"good" amount of butter, as it was quite heavy to have. So instead if you are a person that doesn't want that, then I would definitely recommend the Garlic Chilli Chicken because the curry is less thick, and you get some spiciness from that dish.

(bit of everything on the plate)

All in all, it was a great start to the day! <3

Onto the desserts! It obviously had to be at Baker St Cakes. Please, they are our favourite. Like always, we didn't just go for one or two items. We ordered Birthday Cake, Coconut Chocolate Cake, Oreo Brownie, and Ispahan Macaron.

The Birthday Cake was yummy. It's basically Victoria Sponge Cake if I'm correct, topped with sprinkles. You guys always know how much I rave about any items from BSC, they just never go wrong with what they bake. But this cupcake was great, subtle because of the simple Victoria sponge, but then with the sprinkles, it adds that texture and sweetness.

The Coconut Chocolate Cupcake in one word is BOUNTY. The cupcake had a Belgian chocolate filling in the middle, with coconut cream on the top, dipped in Belgian chocolate again, and finished with some coconut flakes. And the balance was just right. I honestly wouldn't mind if there were more coconut, but you got to cater for everyone, which BSC does best!

I got to say the Oreo Brownie, was my favourite. Fudgy but not so fudgy, and definitely not cakey. It's how I love my brownies. I'm always wanting brownies, so whenever BSC have it there, I literally take advantage it. And as far as brownie rankings go, because I've made one up, the Master Brownie is still number one, and then the Oreo Brownie, and then I think it's a tie between peanut butter and blondie.

Which leaves me with the end of day one birthday celebration. Once I got back home, there was another mini celebration, with family, but I didn't take pictures, videos to share because it was intimate. Continue reading because as you can see, there's a day two too!

D A Y T W O

On day two, we went to Karamay (love Chinese food). For starters, we ordered Grilled Prawns and Grilled Lamb Skewers (no dumplings this time). And it was goooooood! We can't get enough of these two starters. The lamb was so tender, yet chewy, and the prawns were grilled so well, packed with amazing flavours!

We also ordered Sweet and Sour Prawns. My other half and I love prawns. Such a delicious seafood. This dish was lovely because there were so many big pieces of prawns, and the sauce was thick consistency which was good because we good have it just like that without having to order rice or noodles. From this dish, we do pick on the prawns and layer it with the sauce that it comes from, and it basically is left with veggies, which is not always finished hehe.

And lastly, we ordered the prawn noodles. An item we get pretty often, but I think we have decided that next time we are going to go for the handmade noodles, after all, that's what they specialise in. But this dish was yummy. Enough noodles for two, with a good amount of veggies, and prawns (but I think in this visit because we ordered items that have prawns, there wasn't much left to put in the noodles :P).

Day two lunching done!

Now, this part of the day was unplanned. Originally we had planned to go out of Leicester but the weather clearly did not want that to happen so it was cancelled. The second plan was to go, Bowling, which we did. Entered the place, only to find out that all lanes were booked, so that was a no-no. Which left us with no option. But the partner had other plans. Whilst driving, I kept nagging him and asking him where we were going, and when we got onto the motorway, I knew it was either going to be Birmingham or Coventry. Turned out it was Coventry!

More specifically CREAMS!! <3 So we got in and was told to wait around 5 minutes, which was amazing, because if they had told us that the wait would have been long, then it would have been upsetting. Once our wait was over, we got seated with the menu's handed to us. The menu was BIG, which made it difficult to order. But we ordered the Sweetshop Bubble Pop Waffle, White Choc Kiss Waffles and Citrus Mojito Mocktail.

The vibe of the place itself is mad. People are constantly leaving and coming to the place. You would find families, couples, huge groups of friends at Creams, which clearly shows how popular it is. And the interior decor of the place was gorgeous! Love the purple, black and white theme! Once we ordered, the dessert wait wasn't too long. After about 10-15 minutes they arrived.

PLEASE APPRECIATE THE DELICIOUSNESS! SOO GOOD.

Let's start off with the Citrus Mojito Mocktail. I've had my fair share amount of Mocktails, and it's a hit and miss with it. But from all of them, this is the best. Here's why. The mint/lime/lemon was not overpowering, so many places either make the lime or mint overpowering, that it just makes it not so enjoyable (unless you like it). There were crushed ice but not millions of them, which made it so refreshing to have, and we were actually able to taste the drink. This is how mocktails are meant to be.

This is what the description of the sweetshop bubble pop waffle is; "blue and pink bubblegum gelato scoops drizzled with bubblegum syrup and strawberry sauce liberally sprinkled with 100s & 1000s". You'd think it's so so sweet but it wasn't because of the bubble pop waffle (or maybe because I am used to sweetness). The gelato! And yes it was gelato! Not ice cream claimed as gelato. But actual gelato. When I had a scoop, I asked my partner whether it was gelato because it tasted just like it, and he said yeah, they do gelatos. AWESOME!

The only thing about the bubble pop waffle was that it got difficult to eat because of the cone it was in. So because the other half and I already killed the waffles before having this, the partner suggested to just place the whole bubble pop waffle on to the plate which we did. That definitely made everything easier.

The White Choc Kiss Waffles! If anyone asks me about waffles and Leicester, then I say there really isn't a decent place that does it well, besides Johnny Custard (which I'm sorry to say is now beaten by Creams). I'm being brutally honest. So you can imagine how ecstatic I was after having my first bite of this waffle, because it was fluffy on the inside, yet crispy on the out. Had the right amount of toppings on the waffles (technically it was all covered), with great vanilla ice cream! It was perfect! Legit!

I'm fussy over waffles. Hence why in Leicester when I crave waffles, there really isn't a place that comes to mind. But Creams made it all worth it. And what makes me even happier is that Creams has arrived in Leicester (yet construction though). So once they open, honestly expect my partner and I to be there. My day was definitely made. The drive to Coventry was worth it and despite the rainy weather on the way back, my other half and I did not regret it.

Talking about all these desserts, makes me want it again. And I'm sure some of you guys are drooling over the pictures too. So I will end the post here. I hope you all enjoyed the post. If there are any places you guys want me to review about then let me know. Also, there are 2 birthday vlogs that are going to be up on the channel. The first one will be up tonight, so watch out for my post on Instagram! THANKS, GUYS! <3

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Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.6 | Ziyaarat in Makkah

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 13:03:00 +0000

Hi, guys! Let's get onto the next part of the journey! I apologise for not knowing specific location names because a local relative took us around, so we were able to visit places that not many visitors would know about besides the locals.

The first destination we headed to was this nice plain desert'y area where there were quite a few camels staying at. Masha'Allah the view was just so beautiful, there wasn't much to the area beside sandy ground and mountains, but the simplicity was what made the scenery worth looking at.

Whilst we were there, I walked about and took pictures. This is a place that would be so nice to just take strolls at, and have some Me Time because of the lack of human presence hehe.

(You see what I mean, MASHA'ALLAH <3)

Yep! There was fresh camel milk too. I did not have it, but some of my family members had no problem trying it.

(Clearly, I didn't stop)

From there, we went to the place where the Hudaibiyah treaty was held. Subhan'Allah some foundation of the buildings are still there, allowing us to get a little understand of how it was during the Prophet's time. The women's prayer section was outside, but honestly, there was no problem, with that at all.

(The Masjid from the outside)

The next destination was the Exhibition of the Holy Masjid Architecture. Inside the exhibition, there were plannings of the Haram, ancient items like the Zam Zam. I didn't take too many photographs in because I was busy looking at each item properly and reading the descriptions (which was so useful Alhumdulillah).

Us Muslim's know the importance of Cave of Hira, and Subhan'Allah we got to see the mountain. There were some Muslims that climbed the mountain, and that is beautiful Masha'Allah. It's not easy because the mountain is filled with so many stones/rocks, plus it was very high as you can see on the 3rd picture. But some Muslims did make it <3

By the time we finished from the Cave of Hira area, it was nearing to Zuhr time, so we headed to Al Rajhi Masjid. One of the largest Masjids in Makkah, and definitely so beautiful. Masha'Allah <3 This masjid, not only looks so beautiful from the outer structure, but it's also the same inside. It really is a well looked after Masjid.

(Inside)

It was so peaceful, and heart warming praying in this Masjid. Also, the Adhaan was beautifully recited. After my sister and I prayed, we thought we would just check out other places in the Masjid out of curiosity hehe. What we loved was that there was a refrigerator which had water bottles, and with the warm weather that is in Saudi Arabia, water was definitely essential. So my sister and I grabbed some, and Alhumdulillah it was free. Such simple gestures like this are lovely. The wudhu area was really clean, and really spacious, which was so good.

Masha'Allah!

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Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.5 | Food

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 16:03:00 +0000

Hi, guys! I'm back. This post is filled with some food I had during my stay in Makkah.

I don't remember the name of the stall where I got this from, but it wasn't far from Burger King in the Zam Zam Clock Tower. There were limited options when I was told what they could offer, so I went with Oreo. And I loved it! I liked waiting for a little while before having it because it tasted less icy, because of the cold plate they roll the ice cream on. Unlike BK, McDonalds etc, this wasn't planned because I didn't know there was a stall that did this, but when I saw it, I had to because you don't get it in Leicester, unfortunately. I hope you enjoy the mini video at the end of how it was made.

Next place was Burger King. The chips were cooked perfectly, the Chicken Whopper was delicious, and the thin long can was cute. But the price was shit. What I mean was that it's overpriced. And that's just how it is. But personally, I don't think I will go BK again when I am in an Arabian country because I can get double the quantity from McDonald's and pay the similar amount. Hey, at least I got it ticked off my list!

This meal was ordered by my sister, but one thing that I did notice and love about KFC in Saudi was the proportion. For what you pay, you get a good amount of various items (depending on what meal you choose), and you can get filled up with it. Also, it's great that with certain meals they give buns as part of it, because then you can just great your own burger too.

It's not me if I don't have something coffee related! So on the last day, I popped by a stall that I had walked past by quite a few times and ordered a Frappuccino from there. The Frappuccino was quite nice, I felt like it definitely could have been better. For a frappuccino, it was too chocolatey. But the consistency was perfect, just how it should be, and definitely strong in coffee!

B A S K I N

R O B B I N S

I visited Baskin Robbins 3 times. Did I regret it? No!! I became a fan of Baseball Nut! I usually always go for cookie dough/brownie/chocolate related. But the options were a lot, and during my first visit, I thought I would go for the Baseball Nut, and it was just soo good! It's basically vanilla ice cream with cashews and raspberry sauce. I think on another visit I got something hazelnut related but I don't remember. Either way the two times I got my ice cream in a cup, I asked for extra nuts, and that just made it so much better! On my last visit (literally 1 hour before leaving for the airport), my small sister and I made a quick visit again, and this time got an ice cream on a cone!

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Sugar Overload | House Of Desserts

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 18:17:00 +0000

Hey guys, how are you'll doing? I've got a few things I want to say before I get into the post. The first announcement is that I have got a youtube channel now. It was something I had in mind since last year, and I have finally got on with it. Having said that the channel is managed by my partner and I. So I film footages, whilst he does the same, and then the partner is usually the one editing the videos since I am not great in that area yet (I'm learning tho).

At the moment it isn't a vlog vlog; but more like videos that capture journey's, food etc. But I will just call it a vlog. For now, the plan is to post vlogs on travel and food, and then as time goes on, it may change. We already have one video up, and by the time you finish reading this post, there will also be a video on this dessert place linked below. So please do show your support, by liking, commenting and subscribing!

Next thing I want to say is that, to all those who have graduated this year, CONGRATULATIONS! University is not easy, and also not for everyone. So whoever has gotten through those 3/4 years of work, assignments, exams, I am honestly so happy for you guys! I pray that you guys get the job you desire, and even if you don't. Just don't ever give up reaching for your goals!

Now let's get into this post.

On Friday, the other half and I went to House Of Desserts. A place that recently opened this year, and is located near our favourite place... Baker St Cakes. We've seen Instagram photographs around, and the desserts looked good that we had to go check it out. We got there 10 minutes before the opening time, and when it was time, we went in! The interior design of the place is simple and quite pleasing. I like the aesthetic touch they have put around like frames and the flame display.

We were given a tablet because that was the menu. No physical copy, which is different, as usually we are given the standard menu in every other shop. From the menu, we ordered a Churro Basket with White Chocolate and Raspberry Ice Cream and Oreo Monster Freakshake. Whilst we were waiting, there was a father and daughter that were doing the same too. And what I liked was the young girl was asked whether she wanted to use the tablet to watch something, which shows the good customer service that is provided in this place.

The wait was long. I mean 30-40 minutes long. I think it was because of the Churro Basket because Freakshakes are usually made within 20 minutes, but still, we hated waiting for that long! Both the freakshake and churro basket arrived (as we like it arriving together, helps with taking pictures).

The Oreo Monster Freakshake was lovely. The milkshake itself was on point. It wasn't too thick and too creamy, which was great because it didn't feel heavy having it. The closest comparison that the partner compared it to was the Oreo Krushems from KFC, which I so agree on. I also loved how they surround the jar with so much NUTELLA. I mean that is very generous. I actually was surprised that it was Nutella because Nutella is not that cheap, and with the amount they used I wouldn't have been surprised if they used a normal melted milk/hazelnut chocolate. So thank you HOD!

The brownie was quite nice, definitely made the way a brownie should be made like. However, the cupcake wasn't the best. I feel if better Chocolate Muffin was used then the whole freakshake would be great all round. Having said that we did manage to finish the majority of it (I thought we couldn't because it looked B.I.G in reality).

The Churro Basket is what we devoured first because we spent ages with taking videos and photographs, that we thought it would get hard. But in fact, it remained soft which was good because you don't want to be biting through a hard Churro. A Churro Basket isn't something that is easily available in Leicester, so I am glad that this place brought it to Leicester. However, I feel that it was a bit too cinnamon-ey and a tad bit too soft inside. If the outside was a bit more hard, giving the crunch from the outer and softness from inner then it would have been great.

Lastly the price. The other half and I felt the price was a bit overpriced (by £1-2). The freakshake was £9, and the Churro Basket was £9 (if bought with Vanilla Ice Cream then £8, otherwise £1 extra for choosing a HoD Ice Cream). From past dessert visits, we know that we know that freakshake costs between £6-8 quid. And although a Churro Basket is new, I think £7 is a decent price for it. But I may not be well experienced to say that, but it is a personal opinion.

Overall I can see the place being popular, and doing well. It just needs a few tweaks here and there. But otherwise, I am really liking what this place has to offer. I like the HoD exclusive section from their menu because that is the unique dessert items that you may not find in Leicester a lot. Do pop by, and personally see what is like. You will definitely get Instagram-worthy shots, as well as a sugar overload! Plus the service they provide is great!

Find them on:

Facebook

Website

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Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.4 | Makkah

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 13:52:00 +0000

Hi, guys! I'm taking forever with these travel diary posts, but here's the fourth part of the series! After our stop in Badr, we made our way to Makkah, which wasn't a long journey. We got there, I think, after Esha. Upon reaching Makkah, we went to our hotel first, to put all our suitcases etc away. Then straight after that, without any delay, we performed Umrah.

But just before performing Umrah, the walk to the Haram was just beautiful. The feeling of being back in this Holy city is undescribable. Muslims were either going in or coming out of the Haram, and just, in general, the atmosphere was perfect subhan'Allah. Umrah went like this; Tawaaf, Saee, then cutting/shaving of hair. If you guys want an in-depth of how Umrah is performed then I have mentioned it in my previous Umrah blog post which is linked HERE.

(Zamzam Clock Tower)

(Lounge area in the Hotel)

The hotel wasn't the best. But still grateful that we had a place to stay over at during our stay in Makkah. However, we eventually did move to another in the last couple of days hehe. We did visit during a warm season, although to be honest when isn't it hot/warm in Saudi. So even though we had A/C in the room, it was crap (one of the main reasons we moved). The lack of plug sockets in the room was annoying, which leads me to my next point of... THERE WAS WIFI ONLY IN THE LOUNGE AREA. I know we shouldn't bother about it, but there were times it just caused us inconvenience.

(Night Time - Zamzam Clock Tower)

Our main routine during our stay in Makkah was that after Esha we would go to the Haram and perform 2/3 tawaaf. For our namaaz; it was a change between the Haram, Prayer room in the Zamzam Tower, or hotel because the reward masha'Allah is the same. So Fajr Namaaz would be in the hotel, then we would sleep till 11ish. Zuhr Namaaz would be in Hotel, then we would either do shopping if needed, pray Quran, eat etc. Then Asr namaaz would be in Hotel/or Zamzam Tower. After Asr depending on where we were; if in Hotel, then we would head to Zamzam Tower, and if we were already in Zamzam Tower then my small sister and I would go looking around in the shopping mall area. Maghrib namaaz would be at Zamzam Tower. After that, we would go back to the hotel to eat, pray Esha then off to the Haram. And then the routine would R E P E A T.

(Subhan'Allah. Masha'Allah)

Overall I performed two Umrah's whilst we were in Makkah. One in the beginning and one towards the end of our stay. Alhumdulillah. One thing that became a habit, was that on the way back from the Haram to the hotel, I would buy Mango Ice Cream (fresh and so creamy!!) from a stall that was just nearby. Besides the cold Zamzam water, having this was so refreshing, Plus it was only about a quid, so why not.

That's the end of this post. I think this series is going to be a 10 part series, because I don't want to cram too many pictures and words in a post. Hence why I break it by places or days. But I'm still hoping that you guys have been enjoying these posts. If this post happens to be the first post you've stumbled upon from the travel diaries then don't worry I have you sorted. Below I have linked the previous blog posts, so just click on the first one and begin the journey.

Saudi Arabia Travel Diaries:

Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.1 | Madinah

Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.2 | Ziyaarat in Madinah
Saudi Arabia Travel Diary pt.3 | Mini Stop in Badr

Previous Blogpost:

KDrama List; Part Three

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KDRAMA LIST; PART THREE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 20:30:00 +0000

This has basically become a segment on it's own (I don't even know what to call it), which I didn't know I would keep doing, but what did I expect when I love my KDrama's so much! Go ahead, and see if you find something interesting <3 Clearly this post was meant to be up ages ago, but there were other posts which were more important to post, so instead of changing some of the comments from The K2 section, I've left them as it was, and just posted with another section called 'Update'.

Heirs

The world at your feet and the weight of the world on your shoulders. Children of the super-elite class bear the burden of success as they are being groomed as heirs to their family business empires despite only being in high school. Kim Tan (Lee Min Ho) is the heir to the Empire Group, a family conglomerate business.

But he lives under the constant shadow of his older half-brother, Kim Won (Choi Jin Hyuk), who is already an accomplished young executive in the family business. Despite being betrothed to the wealthy and haughty Rachel Ryu (Kim Ji Won), a hotel heiress, Tan falls in love with Cha Eun Sang (Park Shin Hye), the daughter of his family’s housekeeper. Eun Sang and her best friend, Yoon Chan Young (Kang Min Hyuk), the son of Empire Group’s secretary, did not grow up like their families’ employer did, but they get embroiled in their lives nonetheless. Eun Sang gets caught in a love triangle with Tan and Choi Young Do (Kim Woo Bin), the condescending heir to a luxury resort conglomerate while Chan Young falls in love with Tan’s ex-girlfriend, Lee Bo Na (Krystal Jung), the socialite daughter of a major entertainment executive. Can a romance survive between the haves and the have-nots?

Comments

Ever since I started to watch KDramas, Heirs was one of the most talked drama, and there was either positive or negative thought towards it. Honestly, I don't know why people hated the show or had things negative to say. Of course, there are points in the drama that makes you frustrated, but I loved the drama! It was so good to watch Park Shin Hye in a role like this because she was amazing. The chemistry between Kim Won and Eun Sang was damn great. Not just that but seeing the development of each character and couples was really interesting because of the twists and turns that occur in their life.

One thing about Woo Bin is that he's not been able to get the girl he wants, and when he did (in Uncontrollably Fond), he died. Like, come on! Someone give him the girl he wants in whichever drama he plays in soon. Other than the relationships, I enjoyed how this drama revolved around status. It showed clearly how someone with not much status managed to sort her life out by herself along with her deaf mother. How even if someone is loaded with money, isn't always happy with their life, because persona they put upfront isn't how they actually feel deep inside. Some high school dramas are way too cliche, and I can't stand that. But this drama was definitely enjoyable.

Cinderella and Four Knights

Kang Hyun-Min (Ahn Jae Hyun) is a playboy plutocrat who does whatever he wants while Kang Ji Woon (Jung Il Woo) is soft hearted but lonely and wild-child rebel who rises in status to a member of the royal family in the Sky House.

The third cousin, Kang Seo Woo (Lee Jung Shin), is a top singer-songwriter who is gentle and kind to Ha Won. And finally, Lee Yoon Sung (Choi Min) is Chairman's secretary and their bodyguard. How will it be for a young girl to end up living in a mansion with four handsome men?

Comments

Damn! This year has been filled with so many amazing dramas, and Cinderella and Four Knights is one of them. I so enjoyed watching this show, a number of times it made me laugh and smile was uncountable, like literally, Park So Dam is so adorable! I got to say short hair suits her so much. What I love about this drama is the issues are handled smoothly, so it doesn't drag so long, but neither do they get it over with quickly, it just makes sense how the storyline goes on. The drama is light and not filled with so many dramas which I love because I can peacefully watch the love blossom between a couple, or see friendships grow, yet have those tests and mini struggles which the characters have to overcome.

Although I got to say, why are the oldies the villains in Korean dramas? Like do they not have anything to do besides ruin other people's lives. Every time they put an obstacle in someone's life and makes it hard for them to do things. Just please don't! The OST of CandFK is freaking amazing, oh my gosh I have 3 favourite ones from their and it's so addictive <3

City Hunter

Decades ago, an elite team of South Korean security officers carried out a covert mission in North Korea to kill the top officials responsible for an attack on the South Korean president. But when the successful team returned to the submarine to take them back to South Korea, a sniper shot all the officers to eliminate all traces of the mission from the outside world. Officer Park Moo Yul (Park Shin Yen) sacrificed his own life to save his best friend, Lee Jin Pyo (Kim Sang Joong), who is the only survivor of the mission known as “Clean Sweep.”

To fulfill a promise to his best friend, Jin Pyo kidnaps Moo Yul’s son, Lee Yoon Sung (Lee Min Ho), and raises him in a remote area of Thailand to become an elite combat soldier while patiently plotting to seek revenge on the “Council of Five” Korean government officials who planned operation Clean Sweep. After earning a PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, the highly trained Yoon Sung returns to South Korea to work at the Blue House’s National Communication Network Team and carry out Jin Pyo’s plan for revenge under the codename “City Hunter.”

Yoon Sung is aided in his quest by Bae Man Duk (Kim Sang Ho), a gambler he saved from thugs in Thailand, and by Kim Na Na (Park Min Young), a Blue House bodyguard who finds out his real identity and falls in love with him. Meanwhile, Prosecutor Kim Young Joo (Lee Joon Hyuk), a son of one of the Council of Five, tries to root out corruption in the government while also trying to track and learn the real identity of the City Hunter. Can Yoon Sung succeed or will his heart get in the way of his ability to follow through with his mission?

Comments

Whilst watching Healer, in the comment section City Hunter was mentioned a lot because Park Min-young played the female lead role in that drama. This drama contains way loads of action scenes. It revolves around the concept of revenge, and it sure did a great job at the various ways of revenge a person can get against the other. Either you go full on or do it subtlely in the right way, and that was one of the main conflicts in the drama.
There were some cliche moments like breaking up for the sake of keeping one another safe, but honestly, as the viewer, we know which options the best, but clearly the characters do the opposite. Not just that but the way the drama ended was crazy! It hit me with so many emotions because it's quite unexpected how it ended but I won't spoil it for those who haven't watched the drama. But it totally is worth watching!

Orange Marmalade

Although humans and vampires signed a peace treaty 200 years ago, there is still much misunderstanding and animosity between the two groups of citizens in modern society. Out of fear of discrimination, Baek Ma Ri (Kim Seol Hyun) has been forced to move around a lot and hide her true identity as a vampire.

Although she just wants to settle down in a new city and lead a quiet life, her desire to live anonymously is foiled when she catches the attention of Jung Jae Min (Yeo Jin Goo), the most popular boy at her new high school. And when Ma Ri accidentally bites Jae Min’s neck, both their lives will never be the same again…

Comments

A fantasy related KDrama isn't a genre I've watched anything from. It's always been all about romance. But I read quite a few great comments about this drama, and I really wanted to know how the whole fantasy part would be portrayed in a Korean drama. I love supernatural things like Vampires, Werewolves, Witches etc, so when I read the synopsis about this drama I was definitely intrigued.

If you are a die-hard romantic person then you will fall in love with this drama, yet be annoyed at some points within the drama because of how there is a problem for that one couple. One thing I was not aware of this drama is how there was the historical aspect to it too. I don't watch historical Korean drama's, in fact, it's an area that I avoid because I feel like I would be so bored of it. But in this drama, I did watch it, because the curiosity to find out what happens to Ma Ri and Jae Min was so strong. Overall this drama was great, I so loved the development of the relationship between Jae Min and Ma Ri.

High School Love On

Can a real guardian angel survive the perils of teen angst and living life as a high school student? Lee Seul Bi (Kim Sae Ron) is an angel who accidentally becomes human after she saves Shin Woo Hyun (Nam Woohyun) from a premature death. Despite his cold demeanour, Woo Hyun is popular in school because of his good looks and singing ability.

When his best friend, Hwang Sung Yeol (Lee Sungyeol), finds out a secret that ties them together and also develops feelings for Seul Bi, who is posing as a fellow student at their school, the best friends turn into rivals. Can Seul Bi survive first love and other the perils of life as a teenager and find a way to return to her life as an angel?

Comments

I would so watch this drama again! It's one of those special drama's that I have placed as one of the best Korean dramas. This was such a beautiful and outstanding drama on real love <3 Forget the fact that Seul Bi is an angel, and that, of course, a love between an angel and human won't take place in the real life. But the portrayal of true and real love is shown so well, that it can touch someone's heart deeply. It was so damn good too watch like really it was <3

There are about 3 love triangles within this drama, which will frustrate you and make you annoyed because you want the main couple together, but as much as it made me angry, I felt like having those extra "third wheelers" portrayed the depth of love the couple shared. Gosh, it's so lovable. This drama leaves you with so many questions one episode after another, and I love that because I want to be able to watch a drama that makes so just click on the next episode link even if it's 2 o'clock in the morning. I need to feel like it's worth it. And this drama definitely was! <3

The K2

This drama is about a patriotic bodyguard who was abandoned by his country and colleagues, a hidden daughter of leading Presidential candidate who regards love as a tool for revenge, and the First Lady contender who hides her ambition and charisma behind a kind and friendly personality. Kim Je Ha (Ji Chang Wook) is former soldier for hire. He is also called K2. He is hired as a bodyguard by Choi Yoo Jin (Song Yoon Ah). Choi Yoo Jin is the wife of a presidential hopeful and the daughter from a chaebol family. Meanwhile, Go Anna (Im Yoon Ah) is the secret daughter of the presidential hopeful. She is also a recluse.

Comments

The K2 is an ongoing drama, that just started a week ago. But it is so worth putting it in this post, because of how obsessed I am with this drama! I have been waiting for this drama for over a month, and after watching the first 2 episodes. The wait was worth it. I watched the behind the scenes, as well as interviews connected to this drama, and I love knowing more about it. Anyone who is familiar with Ji Chang Wook knows his action skills are on point, so when you do watch this drama, you see an outstanding acting when it comes to his action parts. Not just that but YoonA is one damn great actress, I have not watched anything related to her, nor do I listen to Girl's Generation, but I read a few comments on how her acting has developed. I don't know whether it is true but when you see her acting within the first 2 episodes, you will be amazed. I have so much expectation from this drama, and I know they will be met because the cast is damn good! Not only that, but the plot is so good that I want to see how it progresses on, in the upcoming episodes <3

Update: The K2 is over. Like whyyyyyyy?! I loved this show so much! Heavily filled with action, revenge, and love. I deeply followed this show every week, and when it did come to an end, it felt like something beautiful ended. I don't want to ruin it for you guys by spoiling it, but honestly, give this show a go. Some people I know either didn't understand much, or gave up halfway. But really this drama was amazing. It is definitely got a place in my top kdrama list <3

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LACES AND GOLD | EID 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 15:20:00 +0000

Hi, guys! How have you all been? I am so sorry I haven't been posting for the past 2 weeks, I have been busy with a work placement, and due to long shifts, by the time I get home, I am honestly tired. But now that it's over I am back with weekly posts!

Eid 2017, was a beautiful day, I got to spend it with the loved ones, that it definitely was memorable. So I really didn't do much on the day, hence why the post is going to be focused on the outfit, but I hope you guys don't mind that since I actually haven't done a fashion post in ages! The dress as you guys have seen, from the photographs, was from Saudi Arabia. It's two-piece set. So you get a purple maxi dress, with half sleeves, and a lace maxi jacket with gold details as you can see.

The nails were from Primark. I usually get all my fake nails from there because it's cheap and pretty long lasting for me. I loved how matching the nails was with the outfit #matchinggoals. To be honest they just make your hand stand out more.

Please excuse my weird hand, but I had to show my mendhi as always. I got both hands done by HennaByHumaira on Instagram and here's the link. It was so lovely of her and definitely was nice meeting her. Our conversations were so random but casual!

(how'd they spell my name wrong *cryingface)

Guys! Just look at the details <3 It's beautiful. The gold really did add a lovely touch to the outfit. Thankfully I even got a matching purse. Thinking back at the outfit, I actually did a good job at matching my outfit with accessories etc.

Basically, that was my outfit. This post lacked the words, but I hope the photographs made up for it, and I hope you guys liked my outfit. I also usually do an outfit details section at the bottom of every fashion posts so you guys know where I got each item from, but for this outfit, I, unfortunately, can't do that.

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No Burger Beats This One | Pepe's Piri Piri

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 11:58:00 +0000

Hey, guys! I'm just going to briefly mention about the heat! It's too damn hot, to my Muslim readers, I am praying that Allah makes it easy for us during this last couple of days of Ramadhan, because fasting and the really hot weather really don't go well. I'm telling you all, the British heat, and abroad heat is just not the same. I can't deal with this heat *crying face*. But the only thing that would actually help with this heat is food, which I can't have but I at least can imagine. Plus this post like the majority of my others is way overdue.

This is the other half and mines second time going to Pepe's in Star City, and because the first time was a hit, the second time was needed! During both those times, we ordered the same burger which was the Pepe's Double Burger w/ hash brown and cheese. One thing I got to say about this burger is that when you have it as a takeaway, it is so much better! When we had it as a takeout the first time because the burger was kind of messy, the cheese was melty, and the burger was just all together, there was so much more taste and deliciousness!

The bun is honestly so nice and soft like it just compliments with all the flavoursome meat between the buns. The chicken! Pepe's are known for the chicken, and seasoning/flavour! It was grilled to perfection, with the right amount of peri peri <3 Seriously it is just so good. Also having that cheese and hash brown made the burger so much better. We got the idea from the Zinger Tower which we get from KFC, and we always say no burger yet can compete that one but please! This burger from Pepe's definitely is top at the moment! This burger itself is very filling, and for about £9 (including one side, and the extras which are the hash brown and cheese), it was worth it!

Along with the burger, we ordered 12 Pepe's Strips (Lemon & Herb). It did end up being too much food, hence why we packed the majority of the strips, but the few pieces that I did have was DELICIOUS! We chose Lemon & Herb because as much as we enjoy spicy food, sometimes it's nice to go for something zesty. Just like the chicken in the burger, these strips were grilled properly, and flavoured to perfection! I want to go again for sure, and try this out again and other foods!

Lastly the chips! I hate soggy and oily chips, and these definitely weren't that. They were cooked well, and the extra seasonings of the peri peri salt made it even better! Honestly, this place was so worth it! There is a local Pepe's in my city, but I don't know if they do the same as this place, so I got to check it out, because if they do then it would be so good! Although as far as I am aware by having checked online I don't think they do. Hope you guys enjoyed this post! I missed typing food posts, despite how much I complain about me just posting food food food.

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Q&A with a Muslim Convert

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 15:09:00 +0000

Asalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wa’barakatu, firstly I would like to say Jazak’Allah to my friend for agreeing to answer my questions. I think this is something many of us (Muslims/non-Muslims) are curious about and it will definitely be an eye-opener for some. Plus with everything going around the world, I thought it would be nice to share a post that shows the positivity, and realism of Islam. So, let’s get into it!

1. One of the main questions I would like to ask is why did you convert to Islam?

Well, I would say there were a lot of factors which made me decide to convert but after researching meeting some older people who had converted when they were my age and having a lot of Muslim friends I grew a big interest in Islam. After seeing how their life was and how dedicated they were I knew that this is what I wanted. When I decided to convert I was told to wait and think about it as it is a decision that will change a lot of my lifestyle but Alhamdulillah it was one of the best choices I made

2. Now having been a convert for over a year, what do you love about the religion?

I really love how peaceful I am how patient and just how I have a different view of my life.

3. Was there anything you didn’t expect when you converted?

At first, I didn't expect so much support from people who didn't even know me however this also worked against me as some people were also questioning my ways, for example, some of the close friends would not understand it and distance themselves.

4. I know it’s not easy to change your lifestyle, whether its religion, a habit, or anything. And usually, with changes comes ups and downs. What has been your ups and down through this journey?

Again, the hardest part I would say would be some people whom you'd expect to be happy for you or help you, weren't there. Or having to keep things secret because you didn't know what to expect from people's reactions. Additionally, for me, I would say having the passion to know more and more was there. I always felt like I need to know more and kept pushing but started to realise everything comes with time and it's okay to not know everything.

5. Who were and still are your motivation?

I would definitely say for myself, a few fellow niqabi ladies which I met in bayans that introduced me to their life and are excellent role models. The way they act dress and go about their lives just motivates me to be like that, they are such goals Masha’Allah.

6. Masha’Allah, you are wearing the full veil (Hijab, Niqab, Jilbab) right? Were you forced to wear it? What were your thoughts about it before you converted and what is it now?

At the house which I converted all the ladies wore it and Masha’Allah, they all looked so good and I just loved the way they dressed. As a new convert, I started off by only having around one scarf so when I decided to go abaya shopping I stumbled across a shop which also sold niqab's and I was so intrigued to try it and when I did I just loved the feeling so much that the lady from the shop actually gifted it to me, just from seeing my reaction.

After this, I always wanted to wear it even when I didn't have the opportunity I would leave my house and get ready elsewhere, I would feel so free and happy while wearing my niqab. I would feel so uncomfortable when I was not able to wear it. I later decided to also wear khimar/burka/jilbab (there are so many names for it) again by influence I saw such beautiful ladies Masha’Allah and it's just so easy I literally slide my abaya on my khimar my niqab, my gloves and I'm out the door.

I would say I am changing the way I dress with time and with the knowledge I am gaining. I don't feel like wearing niqab stops me from anything I still go about my day, even in the heat because Allah protects me and I think of it as I am pleasing Allah protecting myself and still gaining reward from following a sunnah what more could I ask for?

In regards to being forced let me ask people this I am currently not married, my family isn't Muslim and I work, study and live alone so who could possibly be oppressing me or forcing me to do anything?

I also think anyone who is wanting to please Allah will never feel forced they will feel happy to be doing their obligation they will feel complete in this life. I am aware that there may be people whom might be forced by parents and others which is not the right approach this could actually make people want to not be Muslim due to the constant stress it would be good if people started by telling children and others of the benefits and make them have the love for Allah which they would do it voluntarily. May Allah guide us and protect those who are in a situation they can't control.

7. Do you have any personal favourite hadith that you know of?

This is a tough one as they are so many good and beautiful ones but I feel like this part from Quran just speaks for itself and what it's like to convert.

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient” (Qur’an, 2:155).

Because as a revert family tensions are high, friends leave us, we feel like we don't know anything in this new world we have entered we don't know what to learn and who to learn from I feel like the only way to get through it is to have full faith in Allah.

8. What do you love about Ramadhan?

Oh, Ramadan for me there's so much I love about it. I love the way it gets us in routine, the way we are rewarded much more for our namaaz. I love feeling blessed at Iftar and thinking wow food and water just tastes so good Alhamdulillah. I love breaking my fast with dates and zamzam and then praying first then going to eat more than I should (and then feeling like a ball when praying Esha). I would also say I really like the bayan’s during then because more people come and there are more than usual.

9. What’s your favourite food?

As a major foodie, I don't even know where to start but my top choices in no particular order cause I love them all equally

1. Chicken Pakoras

2. Chocolate (Galaxy bar)

3. Lamb chops

4. Watermelon, mangoes and strawberries

5. Samosas

6. Crab, lobster, octopus, squid

7. Wotsits or any sort of Cheetos

8. Mozzarella sticks

9. Pizza mostly tuna and olives

10. Cheeseburgers

10. Have you faced any conflict because of your religion change?

I would say sometimes friends will want to do something which is not permissible for me making it hard to sort out the situation but Alhamdulillah so far Allah has helped me and conflict wise there isn't anything too severe. However being a revert sometimes you feel like you don't fit as you can't continue with your old life and in your new life the community (very few who aren't perhaps very dedicated to their deen or choose to follow their culture instead of the teaching of Islam ) sometimes decide to not see you as an actual "Muslim" but because of the support of the majority this is nothing and when we know what we are doing and we know Allah is with us nothing is too big for us to face.

11. Now I will get into a bit of the deeper side, and what to ask what is it like to convert to Islam, when many people around the world think you’re a “terrorist”?

Converting was very easy thanks to the families that helped and would ask how I was etc. I would say the word terrorist is used a lot and when people who aren't aware of Islam or even know any Muslims they tend to act on what they don't know many people don't understand why I would want to change my ways etc and it's hard to explain to people who don't have that love and fear of Allah I would say the best way to address people like this is which calmness and patience because we are representing Islam and we don't know that maybe the way we talk to them will change their minds.

Despite all of this I feel like there is also a majority of people who know Muslims are not terrorists and are standing up when they see situations of assault. The world is what it is there will always be people with negative comments about Islam and negative views but we should just remember what our purpose here is and keep ourselves safe also.

12. Although you weren’t really practicing, you were a Catholic. So, during that time, did you ever think Islam promoted violence, killing etc, as the media circulates Islam to be like?

Before because I had no contact with any Muslims I didn't even know there were any Muslims who wear Indian, English , Pakistani, Italian etc I mostly thought it was an Arab thing and also coming from a country where there aren't any Muslims it was hard for me to believe anything other than what I was taught or what the news would say which tend to be negative things, making it hard to even consider what I know today.

13. And now as a Muslim, having known what Islam is about, what would you like to say to people who think very negatively about Islam?

Now as someone who is still learning I know the best way is to have patient to understand people who might not know any better to have good responses and not get angry it's very easy to be angry so we should try to be calm we are representing Islam and we could also have the power to change people's views. I would say to think about your teachers, friends any workers who have families and friends just like you why would they want to harm the world or the environment they are in. I would say to people that the best thing to do is promote peace and good relationships whether Muslim, Christian, Hindu or Sikh we are all humans that have to live together so what is the purpose of causing conflict or harming innocent people?

14. Lastly, what is your message to others who are finding it difficult to tell their parents/friends/family that they want to accept Islam.

First of all, you have to know what it is you are coming into. Who is there to help you. And if you are going to be safe because having gone through all of this I know first-hand how difficult it is. I would advise asking help from a family or someone who is knowledgeable, don't do this by yourself.

I would say you have to really assess your family there is no point of putting yourself in danger or feeling like you are giving up your family. Converting to Islam is the best things that happened to me but with it still to this day, I have problems with family and friends who don't understand and are not very supportive or can even begin to be abusive. My advice is to take things slow and gain as much knowledge as you can there is always going to be people who can help you in times like this. This isn't something that should be rushed as it is a choice for your whole life.

I would like to say, Subhan’Allah. Allah has blessed you, and you really have come into a beautiful religion. I will always remember you in my dua, and hope for your journey to stay steadfast and you remain close to Allah. Nothing is easy, and that is a test within itself. And I pray that you have the Imaan (faith) in Allah to continue doing good <3 Jazak’Allah for being part of this Q&A!

When I myself was going through the answer after getting it, I was so engrossed. Subhan'Allah. It honestly was so beautiful to read it because as a Muslim, born into the religion (Alhumdillah), I don't realise the huge struggle converts and reverts go through until I stumble upon a story on social media, or I know someone. So by asking these questions to the friend I know, made me more aware of it, hence why I wanted to share this Q&A for all you guys to read. Let's not make it hard for the converts and reverts, if you know any, then invite them over for iftar, or talk to them. It really may make a difference, because not every revert and convert's life is perfectly fine. They took a beautiful step into this religion, now they just need a helping hand, in order to continue their journey and not astray.

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It's Q&A Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 16:54:00 +0000

IT'S QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TIME! Let's get into it.

1) Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I see myself happily married and travelling insha'Allah <3 At the moment I just want to get a job, save money from that, then in a couple of years just travel whenever possible! Not just during the typical holiday times, but even small getaways for the weekends would be so cool.

2) What is your favourite thing about Ramadhan?

Honestly, what I love is that during this month every year, I am able to look at myself and see what kind of a Muslim I am. Ramadhan really helps me because it makes me realise that I can pray my 5 daily namaaz, and Quran, and do dhikr but it also makes me aware how when it is not Ramadhan, no matter how much we blame Shaytaan, we are mainly at fault for what we do and say. People may take this wrongly or not, but that is one thing about Ramadhan that is my favourite. SELF-REFLECTION.

3) What do you like most about blogging?

I love how I have a place somewhere where I can share things, and then end up knowing that there are other people that feel the same way I do about things. Generally, I just love making memories, and blogging about things allows me to look back, and virtually see things I got up to and ate etc.

4) Do you miss DMG?

Haha, I actually didn't expect the girl who questioned me this to ask this! To anyone that don't watch Indian Serials or know about DMG. Then firstly it basically stands for Dill Mill Gaye, and secondly, it's a serial that revolves around doctors, love and family. The show ended in 2010, and damn has it been so long! 7 YEARS! But anyways, back to the question, although I don't watch Indian serials anymore, and no longer feen over it, I do miss the show because there once was a time when I was such a huge fan of it!

5) How can one stay motivated to wear the hijab through daily life?

To the beautiful friend of mines, as well as readers that have this question going through their mind, I would like to say one thing. Who are you doing it for? If you are wearing or going to wear the hijab for Allah, then that is basically the intention you are meant to have. And this intention itself will be the main reason why you will stay motivated. As a hijabi, I struggle wearing it all the time, sometimes it really does get tiring, but because I am doing it for Allah, the hijab stays on my head.

Don't do anything for the sake of anyone, because people change, their opinions changes and people go too. But Allah stays. Always. You do something for the sake of Allah, then He will help you out <3 And if He wills, then He will make it easy for you.

6) How do you organise?

This is a bit of a broad question. But for generally whatever goes in my life, I use my calendar app hehe. Any event, appointment, birthdays, anything it's all on there. I tend to set the reminders one week or 2 days in advance in order for me to make sure I am well prepared for it.

In terms of blogging, then I TRY to be organised as in making sure I have two posts up per week, but that totally does fail. However, when I am super motivated, I make sure to type up as many posts as I can, and then honestly post it when it's time.

7) Favourite book, movie, series/drama?
Book: Anything written by Nicholas Sparks
Movie: Anything by Nicholas Sparks (Hollywood), and Vivah (Bollywood)
Drama: Ultimate one would be PRISON BREAK! But honestly, I have a collection of favourite American dramas <3

8) What do you do during your "Me" time?
I binge watch! Whether it's Korean drama's, or youtube videos. That's basically what I do. I am guilty of being hooked on drama's one after another! I just love it <3 <3

9) What is your favourite KDrama and what are you currently watching?
I will break it down into my top 5 favourite KDrama's. Sorry :P

HEALER
DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN
WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK JOO
KILL ME, HEAL ME
W - TWO WORLDS
(can't help but add these too; Suspicious Partner, Goblin, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, My Love From The Stars, My Secret Romance, Defendant, The Legend Of The Blue Sea, The K2, Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Uncontrollably Fond)

And currently I am watching, Suspicious Partner (<3 <3), Circle, Fight My Way and Queen For Seven Days.

10) Cats or Dogs?
I would say cats, more specifically Kittens. They just look so cute!

11) If you could eat just three things for the rest of your life what would it be?
Chocolate, Pizza, and Grilled Prawns.

12) What camera do I use?
No fancy cameras just my phone. For the last month, I have been using the beauty. iPhone 7 Plus, but before that, I used the Samsung Galaxy S5.

13) Between Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you had to use one social media for the rest of your life which one would it be?
INSTAGRAM, for sure! Even right now, it's the only social media platform that I am constantly active on because I love sharing my photographs and taking pictures.

14) Who are your two inspirations in the blogging world?

From the top of my head, I would say Dina Torkia and Li-chi Pan. I have been following them for a very long time! I have mentioned Dina many times, but in case any of your guys don't know why, then it is because she is one the realist, and true female Muslim, blogger/youtuber out there. She's honestly one of the main reasons for the increase in female Muslim bloggers/youtubers, whether anyone agrees with me or not. And Li-chi Pan because of her work! Honestly, it is just so beautiful. I want to get to her level of photography, and editing because it is astonishingly amazing! I love reading through her blog and insta posts!

//

That's all for the Q&A. If you have more questions, then leave them in the comment section below!

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Face Mask Haul | Anatomicals

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:48:00 +0000

Hi, guys! Hope you are all doing well? For some reason, I have been killing it with beauty posts, and usually, beauty and fashion posts are very rare for me. But here I am with a review post on 4 face mask products from the same company. Anatomicals. I bought these from Urban Outfitters in town, and I am pretty sure you can get them through the site, as well as Anatomical's website. As you all know I have been loving the Korean Skincare routine, and face masks just so happen to be one of the steps. So I went out and bought 4 of them because they were only £1.50 each.

What I loved about this brand, is the quirky sayings they have on the front and back of the package. It makes it fun to look at, and plus it's different from the standard instructions. After using the products two times since you are able to get two uses out of them, I had formed quite a mixed review on them; and here's why.

Anti- Stress Face Mask: At first I thought I would like this because well it's kind of chocolate. But, honestly, I did not like the smell of it. The first time I used it, it was good, it did what it was meant tot do. But the second time I used it. I did not like it. It gave my a stinging feel/burn which was irritating. But it yet again did its job of leaving my skin smooth.

Tropical Hydrating Face Mask: This product was alright. I loved the consistency of it because it was easy to apply on the face. The scent of the cream was nice, definitely could smell some ingredients like the coconut, pineapple, cacao etc. It did leave my face bit hydrated but not as much as I wanted. But it really didn't the glow that it claimed to give.

Anti - Blemish Face Mask: Despite the previous two face masks, this mask and the one below, have positive reviews! I really liked this mask. The product was a creamy texture, so yet again was really easy to put on my face. What I loved was how this definitely did its job. Because of the Tea Tree Oil and Sage Oil, it left my skin feeling refreshed after cleaning it off, and did help with my spots that I had at that time.

Deep Cleansing Mud Mask: From all the masks, this is my favourite one. Mud masks have such great properties in them that it really does work for a very of skins. And this product definitely helped with my decision of getting the L'Oreal Clay Mask, because this worked really well on my face. Mud masks usually give a tightening feel after it's applied on the face, and this did the same. But it was easily washable, and the result was like I said great. My face appeared so much smoother and healthier which is what I wanted.

So as you guys can tell this post had a combination of positive and negative review. But it may not be the same for you guys. It's worth the try since it doesn't cost too much for a mud mask. Hope this helped, the reviews were short and simple, because I did want to get to the point rather than rambling on like I normally do!

Link to the Face Masks:

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/brands/anatomicals

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