London restaurants Archives - The Blonde Flamingo

The Blonde Flamingo Christmas event at Knot Churros

theblondeflamingo / December 26, 2019 / Leave a comment

Hi everyone!

I hope you’re having the most magical Christmas!

Last week I have hosted my very first event at Knot Churros in South Kensington. Some of you probably remember my very first visit to Knot Churros this spring. I have fallen in love with this cosy cafe and their incredible pink churros (what a dream). I continued coming back to this place regularly and quickly became friends with Knot Churros team- I honestly feel like at home when I am there. Everyone’s so lovely! And the place itself is SO FLAMINGO! After I published this photo on my Instagram they even decided to use it on the cover of their menu!

When Knot Churros asked me to host a Christmas event with them – their very first Christmas party I was beyond excited and said yes straight away! I have invited my closest friends and been counting the days down.

When I got to the venue on the day of the event I couldn’t believe my eyes…It all looked soooooo magical, like a fairytale! Honestly- I had tears in my eyes. Look how much effort they put into decorating the place for my very first event! I was SO happy!

We had so much fun with my girls! We all absolutely loved the churros. The choice is so big – from classic signature churros with cinnamon or dipped in Belgian white chocolate, glazed with fruit Pebbles. So YUMMY! They also created a very special Christmas Flamingo Shake! It was delicious!

Here’s the full squad! Diana, Ticija, Simone, Taylor, Ana, and Cassie Love these girls so much!

A special thank you to the Knot Churros team for creating such a magical Christmas event, to Miniso UK for the cutest goodie bags, to Diana – a great London based photographer and for snapping these beautiful photos and GurpreetKaur for filming the whole experience. You can watch the full video from the event here. We honestly had the best time! I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity and a bunch of supportive girls! My heart was full! If you ever visit- send them my flamingo love again!

Post in collaboration with Knot Churros

Celebrating Notting Hill Carnival in style- afternoon tea experience on Brigit’s Bakery Bus

theblondeflamingo / September 8, 2019 / Leave a comment

Hello everyone!

As some of you already seen on my Instagram, couple of weeks ago I’ve surprised my mum with a plane ticket to London. She has been to London quite a few times already, but this year she visited me during the summer for the first time ever. I’ve planned to show her the best things to do in town in the summer. We’ve spent few days visiting my favourite parks, coffee shops, rooftop bars and restaurants, but there was one thing I really wanted myself (and never had a chance to do it), so I thought it would be a great idea to do it together- Afternoon Tea experience on famous Brigit’s Bakery Bus.

As my mum visited me during Notting Hill Carnival weekend, they’ve prepared a special menu and decorations.

*Image source- Brigit’s Bakery Instagram*

You can probably imagine my reaction when I walked in to the bus full of palm trees, flamingos and Caribbean rum- I literally felt like I am back in the Caribbean that as you know – I absolutely love. It looked just so fabulous!

As soon as we’ve sat down we were offered a drink and a little savoury sandwiches and the tour started. The bus headed from Victoria station through all the most important London’s landmarks. I honestly think it’s a great way to see the city if you’re only in town for a little while! They’ll make sure you won’t miss anything! During our tour we’ve had such a beautiful and super hot weather- London looked honestly prettier than ever!

After the starter we’ve been served Caribbean style lunch – rice & peas, Jerk chicken wings & Coleslaw- everything was freshly prepared and delicious. My mum absolutely loved eating and watching London’s vibrant life through the bus window. We’ve continued admiring the views, while chatting, taking lots of selfies and sipping chilled Prosecco.

And then the time for desserts! I had almost no more room after the lunch I am not going to lie, haha but everything looked too good to be missed. We’ve tried Caribbean tart with banana & Dulcey chocolate (my personal favourite!) , chocolate cupcakes, Sablé Breton and Choux vanilla and Rhum followed by traditional scones with clotted cream and jam. So delicious!

We couldn’t finish it all but we were offered a take away box. After the tour we’ve been also kindly gifted the prettiest coffee mug- it made it a perfect London souvenir for my mum.

*Here’s both of us after too much food and bubbles*

We’ve absolutely loved the tour! We definitely ate too much but had so much fun together! I think I was great way to see London’s landmarks too. If you’re planning to visit London and looking for a fun thing to do you should definitely check out Brigit’s Bakery Bus Tour!

Post in collaboration with Brigit’s Bakery Bus

How to add the magic to your photos- easy photo editing guide

theblondeflamingo / February 20, 2019 / Leave a comment

Hello everyone!

It’s been a while! I really missed writing on my blog! I have been very busy with travelling- I have recently been to Thailand ( I will write a separate post about that trip) , London Fashion week and organising upcoming trip to Dubai- can’t wait!

In the meantime I have decided to prepare a second photo editing guide for you as you are always asking me about it ( you can see the first one here) This time I would like to show you my new favourite editing apps that help me to add a little magic to my photos!

1. PicsArt

My number one app at the moment it’s PicsArt. You can honestly do everything with it. There’s plenty of beautiful presets and effects- from fairytale lights, snow, adding hearts, fireworks, stars, galaxy skies and many others! Literally Instagram dream! Here’s some of the examples of my edits with the Pics Art app. The app it’s not free- it costs few pounds a month but I have bought a whole year subscribtion as I really enjoy using it for either Instagram photos or stories.

2. Snowing Pic

Another app I would recommend if you only need the tool to add the snow to your photos (I am mentioning it as I had so many people asking) it’s app called Snowing Pics. It’s totally free and it takes seconds to add the snow. There are different types so you can see which one works best with your shot.

See the example below :

3. Canvas

If you’re looking for a tool to help you out with cute design, there is an app I am honestly loving at the moment- Canvas. I use it for either Instagram stories or boards for my Pinterest. Great news- it’s awesome and it’s free of charge! There are some extras you may need to pay for but I promise it’s worth it, however basic option is honestly enough. You can design so many incredible things using it – logos, flyers, posters, invitations, blog and Pinterest graphics, recipe cards and many more. I am honestly loving it and still exploring how to use it!

Here’s few examples :

4. Facetune 2

Almost forgot to mention the app I am using frequently- Facetune 2. This is the app I am using to make my skin look smother and to make my photos more “glossy” I use the tool called glow on all my photos.

5. Unfold

I have already mentioned this app here but I continue using Unfold app as I am loving it for the Instagram stories! I don’t know if you’ve seen but they have added a new Valentine’s / love theme now and it’s been working so well and made the stories way more interesting! If you haven’t got this app yet you should definitely invest few pounds a month! It’s honestly a game- changer!

Here’s some examples :

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little editing guide! Let me know what are you favourite editing tools!

The Blonde Flamingo

Top 5 places you should visit to get into the festive mood in London

theblondeflamingo / December 7, 2018 / Leave a comment

Hi everyone!

As Christmas is slowly approaching (actually pretty fast, haha!) I have decided to write a blogpost and showcase my favourite places in London (where I’ve been living for 6 years now and nope- I am not bored at all, it actually gets more and more exciting here year by year!) I have done a similar post last year but I have discovered new places and wanted to share them with you too!

Churchill Bar at Hyatt Regency London

I have discovered this place last year and the first word that came to my mind to describe it was “oasis”. It’s a perfect escape from London’s noise and crowds. When I first walked in, I fallen in love at first sight. The decor is just stunning and really cosy – a roaring fire, faux fur throws, pine trees and lanterns. Simply magical. If you’re looking for a perfect winter scenery and the most incredible cocktails- Churchill Bar is a place you should visit! Also, if you love sweets, I highly recommend trying their chocolate fondue – OH MY, will never forget this flavour! Not going to lie, it looks fabulous too!

Skirt- Mamai Boutique

Sweater – Mamai Boutique

Annabel’s Mayfair

It’s one of the most stunning places I have ever been to! Annabel’s a private club located at 46 Berkeley Street, Mayfair. Until very recently I’ve only heard stories about this place but this last month I was very lucky to be invited for an event there. I can’t even explain the feeling you have when you walk in. Everything is just out of this world! The decor is absolutely gorgeous. My favourite is garden restaurant inspired by the quintessential English Garden. It’s just magical! Also, this time of the year, Annabel’s put up the most incredible Christmas decoration at the entrance. I don’t think London ever seen such a stunning installation before! PS. Don’t be surprised when you get there at 9am and there’s already a line of bloggers with suitcases shooting their outfits, haha. But I mean, how could we possibly miss THIS shot?

Boots- Renee

Faux Fur Coat- Renee

Polo-neck jumper – H&M

Gloves – Primark

Ivy Chelsea Garden

That has to be my favourite restaurant not just at Christmas but all year long. But this winter, they got their Christmas decoration to even higher level. Isn’t just the cutest little Gingerbread House? I literally died from excitement when I first saw it! Also, there’s a little box there where you can grab a Christmas candy cane! I just couldn’t resist, ha! Food recommendation- I usually go there for brunch and order avocado on toast with pomegranate seeds! So so good!

Sketch

I have visited this place couple of times already and I think what I love it for the most is their stunning Afternoon Tea at the Gallery. But they’re also famous for their incredible decorations. I passed by recently and when how gorgeous the entrance is I couldn’t resist taking a photo with it!

Covent Garden

This place always get me in a festive mood. I love strolling around with a cup of mulled wine, especially in the evening, ahh! Covent Garden also has all my favourite stores so I love buying Christmas presents there rather than with the entire crazy crowd on Oxford Street! Every season they change the decor and I swear I am in love with every single display. It’s so hard to decide which one was my favourite. Take a peek on how does it look this year! Isn’t gorgeous? Gotta be the biggest Christmas tree I’ve ever seen!