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Saturday 13 April 2019

Introducing: The Juicy Lucy at Handmade Burger Co! *Gifted

Its been a few weeks since I've raved about awesome eateries so today I thought I'd tell you all about Handmade Burger Co's latest creation- the Juicy Lucy!

Handmade Burger Co Juicy Lucy burger review

I was kindly invited by Queensgate shopping centre to go along and review this beast of a burger and it's certainly up there with the best on the Handmade Burger Co menu. The location is perfect for a break from shopping, being located on the edge of Westgate Arcade and in the heart of the shopping centre.

Handmade Burger Co Peterborough

Handmade Burger Co Juicy Lucy burger review

Handmade Burger Co Juicy Lucy burger review

We started our evening with a cheeky drink or two. I was on the wine whilst Chris opted for a Corona but there's lots to choose from to wet your appetite. From cocktails to milkshakes, you'll be spoilt for choice. All the fizzy drinks are re-fillable and you can pimp a milkshake with a spirit to make it extra indulgent!

Handmade Burger Co Juicy Lucy burger review

One of the things I love about Handmade Buger Co is the fact that everything is made from scratch and with over 40 different handmade burgers to choose from, I don't think anyone can complain about the variety! The burgers aren't all beef either. You can choose from veggie or chicken too if that's more your thing. Naturally, Chris and I went in for the big guns and needless to say, we were very impressed!

Say hello to the Juicy Lucy- a burger which lets be honest looks absolutely epic!! Stuffed with American cheese, served in a bun with lettuce, red onion, garlic mayonnaise and served with a gherkin....everything about this burger is a taste sensation!

Handmade Burger Co Juicy Lucy burger review


When I say stuffed with American cheese, it really is. One knife slice into the beef patty and the melting cheese was on show! Chris decided to double up his order on the Juicy Lucy , opting for a double stacked pattie which is amazing for any big eaters out there!

Handmade Burger Co Juicy Lucy burger review


I chose the Blue Cheese and Bacon burger, with a flat mushroom thrown in for good measure which actually made my burger. In it's brioche bun you;ll find, blue cheese, caramelised onion relish, bacon, lettuce and blue cheese mayo and oh my lord its a taste sensation- particularly if you're into your cheese!

Handmade Burger Co Juicy Lucy burger review


If you thought the burgers were the only epic part of your meal at Handmade Burger Co then you'd be wrong...They are phenominal also. Chris opted for the Denver fries whilst I chose the sweet potato fries, I swear that nowhere else does sweet potato fries like Handmade Burger Co and if you opt for them when you go- you won't be disappointed!

Handmade Burger Co Juicy Lucy burger review

Handmade Burger Co Juicy Lucy burger review

By the time we'd eaten our mains we were well and truly stuffed. It beat us and our bellies couldn't muster the strength to delve into desserts but there is always next time! What I will say is go to Handmade Burger Co with an empty stomach. This is not the place for a light meal but it's certainly the place for the best burgers in town. 

Have you tried the Juicy Lucy yet?


I was invited along with to try the new Juicy Lucy burger at Handmade Burger Co by Queensgate Shopping Centre and received a complimentary meal for myself and Chris. I was under no obligation to write a review but I enjoyed it so much I decided to do a blog post so that you guys could discover it and hopefully go and enjoy it too!



Sunday 7 April 2019

Easter Dinner DIYs

April is here, spring has sprung and before know it Easter will be thrust upon us in the form of a four day weekend. In the past I have either been away or moving house over the Easter weekend so this year I decided to embrace it in the best way I know how- crafts!

She's A Gentry Easter Dinner DIYs


Now don’t get me wrong, these DIYs aren’t ground breaking by any means but they add a little something that will make your Easter feel special...

She's A Gentry Easter Dinner DIYs

Easter nest cakes

These little babies have been around for years and for good reason. They’re simple and quick with minimal fuss but show you’ve made some effort with your Easter.

This recipe makes 12 nests and you will need:

- Shredded Wheat (85g crushed)

- Melting milk chocolate (200g split into pieces)

- Mini Eggs (x 2 bags)

- Cake Cases

- Easter chicks for decoration (because cute!!)



Step 1- Shred your shredded wheat and then melt your chocolate by placing it into a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water.



Step 2- Once the chocolate has melted, add in your shredded wheat into the bowl and stir well to combine.



Step 3- Spoon the chocolate covered wheat into the cupcake cases. Use the back of a teaspoon and press into the centre of the mix to make the nest shape.


Step 4- Place 3 mini eggs on top of each nest and chill in the fridge for 2 hours until set.


And voila! There you have your simple but very cute and effective Easter cakes done and dusted in under 30 minutes!

The bunny napkins

I saw these napkins on Pinterest and got a bit obsessed! How cute are these!? Again they are incredibly easy to do but add an extra touch to any Easter eating.



You will need:

-Cloth napkins

-Plastic and/or polystyrene eggs

- Spray paint (or if you want to paint with a different paint go ahead(

- A marker pen

- Twine



Step 1- Spray paint (or hand paint if you’d prefer) your eggs the colour you’d like. Tip: Place the eggs on sticks for easy access when spraying and place in a vase/ jug to dry on the stick!




Step 2- Once dry, write the name of your guest onto the egg.



Step 3- Fold your napkin in half diagonally, then take the centre triangle and fold it down to the bottom of the napkin.



Step 4- Roll the napkin up and then place your egg in the centre of the napkin.


Step 5- Fold the napkin up and over the egg to create the bunny ears. Secure in place with twine.


Again, it’s a super simple DIY to do but the effect is fun and I’m sure your dinner guests will appreciate the effort!

She's A Gentry Easter Dinner DIYs

The Easter Centre Piece

This is the first time I’ve ever attempted a centre piece so I decided to work with faux foliage and flowers for the table display and real flowers in the case. I’m a little heavy handed/ wasn’t sure how long foliage and flowers would last displayed on the table so if you’re a beginner like me, this is a good option.

She's A Gentry Easter Dinner DIYs

You will need:

- Faux Eucalyptus (eBay)

- Faux flower heads (available in most craft stores and shops like Wilkos, B&M)

- A flower crown (mine was from ebay)

- More plastic eggs (again spray painted/hand painted to the colour of your choice)

- A vase of your choice

- Daffodils., tulips or any spring flowers you’d like to have as your centre piece

She's A Gentry Easter Dinner DIYs

Step 1- With your vase in the centre, grab your eucalyptus and begin to fashion it into the shape you’d like your centre piece to be. Place them diagonally across one another to disguise the ends and bend the “stork” ends in order to get your eucalyptus laying as you’d like it.

Step2- Place your flower crown on top of the eucalyptus arrangement. I did this to add some depth to the flower arrangement and it’s a great way to get use out of a flower crown other than on your head!

Step 3- Place the individual flowers sporadically around the eucalyptus to bulk out sprase areas and/or cover and areas you don’t want to be seen. The arrangement should begin to look a lot fuller now.

Step 4- To finish it all off, nestle your plastic eggs into the arrangement for added Easter effect before placing your spring bouquet of choice in the vase.

This was surprisingly simple to do but I think the effect is pretty cool and will definitely get you in the spring and Easter vibes.

She's A Gentry Easter Dinner DIYs


She's A Gentry Easter Dinner DIYs


So those are my Easter dinner DIYs. I know it’s not as widely celebrated as Christmas but I think Easter is the perfect excuse to decorate and feel cheery for spring, plus with the long weekend its a lovely opportunity to spend time with family and friends so why not make your home a bit extra?

She's A Gentry Easter Dinner DIYs


I hope you enjoyed the DIYs and if you decide to re-create any yourself I would love to see them! You can also watch the video I made on these DIYs if you’d like to see them in action:



Have a brilliant Easter Bank Holiday!





Saturday 6 April 2019

How Headspace has Helped Me

Mindfulness has been very much at the forefront of the media in the last couple of years which is great! It's raising awareness of self care and putting it into practice is improving our mental well being which is something everyone can get on board with. It doesn't matter if you're mental health is great or not so much, mindfulness benefits us all.

Using the Headspace meditation app

I've been practising mindfulness in the form of meditation for the past nine months and if I'm honest, it's not something I ever thought I would do. When I thought of meditation it conjured up visions of humming cross legged in a garden with my fore finger and thumb clasped together on each knee. The reality however is much more simple and in my opinion better!

Using the Headspace meditation app

I use and app called Headspace to guide me through meditation. Admittedly when I started using it I was dubious but a few people I know had recommended it so I bit the bullet and with a ten day free trial, you get a good sense of whether its for you or not. For me, I found it so incredibly relaxing that within those first ten days I was converted. A lot of people meditate in the mornings but there's no right or wrong times to do it and for me personally, I find the best time of day for me is in the early evening.

Using the Headspace meditation app

You start with a beginners programme which teaches you how to just "be" and concentrate on your breathing. I couldn't get over how such a simple exercise could help me to switch off from my surroundings and help me relax. You quickly learn to focus on how my body is feeling whilst giving your mind some space to relax- something I'd found very difficult to do as I'm a person with a nervous and overthinking disposition.

This quiet time for ten to twenty minutes a day is great for settling your mind, getting yourself in a good head space for the day and appreciate a moments peace. As time goes on you are guided to put your meditation practices into your everyday life- things such as being present in the moment and how you want to be in your everyday life and for others around you. It also teaches you the following:

Being Present

This is something I've definitely taken on board in my everyday life. Being in the moment is so important because if you're constantly thinking about the future, are you really living in the here and now? Distractions such as phones I now try to keep to a minimum because you can miss so much when you're glued to a screen. Taking on this mind set has really opened up my time. I've found I do more hobbies such as reading, writing, crafting and knitting and conversations are much more meaningful when you're present with people. Sleep has also improved since I've stopped staring at lit screen at bed times. I've found I practice hobbies more such as reading, writing, crafting and knitting and conversations are much more meaningful when you're present with the other person. My sleep has also vastly improved from not staring at a blue light as often.

Using the Headspace meditation app

Gratitude

Through meditating I've really learnt to be a lot more grateful for my surroundings, the fresh air and the people I have around me. There's also a pack on the Headspace app that is dedicated to practising gratitude- something I plan to do this year.


Sleep

One of the great features surrounding the app is he sleep meditation. If you're someone like me who struggles too switch off/ stop worrying at bed time, the sleep sounds are perfect. There's lots to choose from but my favourites to drift off to are Piano and Hubbub and Drift Off for it's airy harmonies. There's also wind downs you can use if you need to switch off and stories you can play to drift off. I personally prefer the sleep sounds and concentrating on my breathing to switch off and before I know it I'm in a deep sleep.

Mental Health

One of the biggest advantages I've found through meditation is how it has helped my state of mind mentally. I came off my antidepressants last year (which you can find out more about here) and meditation has really helped to keep me balanced. Meditation has been a great way too nurture my mind, figure out what I need and also learn to let thoughts come and go without having to act on them, worry or over think. Its taught me to free myself from my thoughts which has been incredibly liberating and  cathartic.

Using the Headspace meditation app

There's so many amazing packs no the Headspace app that cover a variety of topics such as the following:

- Anxiety
- Grief
- Exercise
- Study
- Gratitude

And those are just a few to name. There is literally a course for everyone, no matter what point you're at  life and if you don't want to commit to a course? There's daily meditations that switch up each day.


Using the Headspace meditation app

I've recently gotten into the habit of making meditation part of my routine and practice every single day. So far I'm at 161+ day and counting and to be honest I can't see me breaking the habit! Even if it's a couple of minutes rather than  20 minute session, every little helps to keep my mind healthy, balanced and happy.

I'd recommend everyone try it as a way to implement mindfulness into their life. To take a few minutes out a day that will relax you, reset your brain and overall make you feel better mentally, how could you not at least try meditation?



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