Category Archives: Frost Favourites

Miami Cocktail – The Conscious Cocktail Company

Posted on by

We’re officially in spring and things are heating up this week, so to celebrate the extra long weekend we wanted to introduce a touch of Miami to Britain. Introducing; Miami Cocktail and their selection of the most delicious organic pre-mixed craft cocktails on the market. The foundations of the company are built on using honest ingredients which make up authentic cocktails crafted to perfection, and tasty.

The proof really is in the tasting with three delicious cocktails to choose from; Margarita, Sangria and Blood Orange Mimosa. This has been the most authentic and honest pre-mixed cocktail we’ve tried and trust me…we’ve tried a lot. The packaging, the flavour and the low cal, additive free ingredients are only some of the reasons why you HAVE to try Miami Cocktail. The first thing that sets them apart from many other companies is that not only is the flavour refreshing and heavenly, there is no tacky aftertaste, a far cry from the batch made sticky pre-mixers we have tried. The same points can be awarded for the following day with no nasty hangover, (this came from a number of trustworthy testimonies.) The brand screams chic and this would be a tip top gift to bring to a party, the bottle comes in a beautiful recyclable glass and will look iconic on your table top counter.  

We love the serving suggestions they have offered us; so cheers to a Bank Holiday made better by Miami Cocktail;

Copper Pot Margarita

The quintessential three ingredient organic margarita:

-100% pure organic blue agave wine
– Organic key lime juice
– Organic Valencia orange juice 

12% abv

The Copper Pot Margarita is perfectly balanced and delivers a wonderfully “more-ish margarita” 

Blood Orange Mimosa 

The “Sunday Funday Everyday” organic mimosa. Organic Sicilian blood oranges and tangerine juice. A touch of organic Florida grapefruit juice lightly infused with organic sparkling wine. 

We call our Blood Orange Mimosa “dangerously delicious” as we have yet to leave any in the bottle once it is opened. Admittedly, a good problem to have…until you run out. 

 8.5% abv

Sunset Sangria 

The keeping it real organic sangria. Organic tropical juices of mango, pineapple, lime, and orange, all delicately infused with organic craft red wine. 

8.5% abv

The moment the Sunset Sangria touches your lips, you will be whisked away to the last summer you spent in Spain. While heating it up in winter time, makes for a wonderful alternative to your favourite mulled wine. 

Miami Cocktail have hit the ground running and are already available to buy in Harvey Nichols stores in the UK and online RRP £16.95 per bottle. You can also find them on thedrinkshop.com and amazon.co.uk priced at £14.95 and are hoping to hit the festivals this summer. We couldn’t think of a more perfect place for these sexy little cocktails. 

Miami Cocktail also have a line of Organic Spritz which is set to come out soon featuring two more cocktails, Bellini Spritz and Paloma Spritz. These will be available in 250ml cans and at only 110 cals per can and no added sugar you can definitely indulge in a few Miami Cocktails. #DrinkClean

 

FROST’S FAVOURITE… STREET FRIES

Posted on by

Let’s be honest, whilst we love donning the glad rags and heading for a sit down meal, there’s also something completely delicious and satisfying about rustic, hearty street grub. Enter, Poptata.

What started as a selection of street food trucks, Poptata is now making roots in four London foodie hotspots. It offers a feast of fancy fries and zingy cocktails to wash down the carbs.

The menu is split into three sections (Classic, Cheesy and Loaded) and both fries and toppings can be made vegetarian or vegan.  You can custo  mise your order too with a huge variety of dips including curry ketchup, caramelised onion & mustard and smoky BBQ. Swoon.

Looking for the fanciest on the menu? Check out these gorgeous options below:

Lucifer Fries – garlic, rosemary and thyme dusted fries, cheddar & Red Leicester, hot shot sauce (£4) Tex Pulled Pork Fries – pulled pork, sour cream, smoky BBQ, spring onions, cheddar (£7.95)
Guaca Fries – smashed avocado, grilled halloumi, red roasted pepper sauce (£7.95)
Halloumi Fries – deep fried cheese with banana ketchup/caramelised onion mayo/pink garlic mayo/sweet chilli (£6)


Parmesan Fries – fresh parmesan and pink garlic (£4)

You can find Poptata at Boxpark (both Shoreditch and Croydon), Portobello Road and Tooting Market.

FROST’S FAVOURITE: NAILCARE

Posted on by

No matter how chic you look in your power dress, daring to bare to a chipped nail definitely eliminates sass points. If professional shaping and shellacs aren’t your thing, check out our High Street list of must-haves for manicured looking nails

Unicorn Nail Vanity Kit (£12.99)

A cutie mini vanity kit packed with the nailcare staples you need. Not necessarily the most professional to pull out pre-meeting but certainly pocket sized and, let’s face it, cute AF

Buy from: Thumbs Up

Nail Foundation (£15)

This priming basecoat a triple threat.Fortified with Hydrolysed Silk, it strengthens weak nails, promote healthy nail growth and acts as a banishing tool – ridding you of ridges and imperfections for a super smooth nail surface

Buy from: Look Fantastic

OPI Infinite Shine Nail Colour (£14.50)

Tis the season to get SUMMERY! As the weather warms and the sun tries to shine, we’re all about bright and bold. This OPI range is glossy and glam and has some brilliant pink hues (From Here To Eternity is our FAVE)

Buy from: Amazon

The Body Shop almond nail and cuticle oil (£8)

We know that cuticle oil splits the crowd – it’s an extra layer and usually forgotten BUT trust us, it’s worth the investment. The Body Shop offers a two in one pen which is packed with lovely scented, sweet almond oil. It softens cuticles and treats dry, brittle nails whilst helping your manicure last longer

Buy from: The Body Shop

GAUCHO TOWER BRIDGE – STEAKS, SOPHISTICATION AND SUBLIME SCENERY

Posted on by

 

Carnivores, raise your hand if you want to learn more about the best Argentinian steaks in the Capital… Good, let’s get to it.

We popped into Tower Bridge’s Gaucho restaurant to experience its new look and Latin American style theme and learn what this much-loved chain would bring to our meat loving selves. Little did we know, the grub, the great deals that run through the week and the ambience were absolute game changers.

If you’ve not had chance to frequent a Gaucho restaurant yet, (we promise we’re not judging…much), then you might not be completely au fait with its set up. Gaucho has more respect for its meat than we probably have for our loved ones and upon arrival, a chopping block of lovely, red, cuts will be presented to you in the fashion of a specials board. The team will talk you through each of its main cuts. Butterfly (a signature piece brushed with garlic and herb), sirloin, rump, rib eye and fillet. Don’t feel overwhelmed though – you won’t leave that place until you’ve dissected which cut is best suited to you forever more.

Once you’ve established if you’re mad for marbling or bonkers for blue meat, you can choose the weight of the cut that will land on your table. 250g, 300g or for the gluttonous amongst us (don’t lie, we’re all guilty of it), 400g. To embody Goldilocks, the 300g was ‘just right’ for us.

The wine, sides and starters that will pepper the table throughout your experience are all equally well seasoned, well cooked and well-presented but the two things that stood out to us most? The succulent steaks (obvs) and the location. Sit yourself at the right table on either of its floors and you will spend your sessions staring at London landmarks and people watching. You’ll take in the tourists testing millions of snaps for the perfect Instagram picture, be impressed (and sickened in equal measure) by the sporting groups dancing across Potters Field lawns and peek through the windows of City Hall, because this location is a Monopoly style Mayfair in our opinion.

Some of the diary dates at Gaucho you won’t want to miss?

Mondays BYOB – no catch, no corkage, no size limit!

Saturday Electro Brunch – Two hours of brilliant beats and bottomless bevvies to accompany dishes from this master menu, all for £49.95pp

Visit the Gaucho site for more information.

*We were guests of Gaucho Tower Bridge

FROST’S FAVOURITE: FAMILY BOARD GAMES

Posted on by

It’s late afternoon on Christmas day. Bellies are full, spirits are high and it’s time to take the festivities up a notch. ‘How?’, I hear you ask? Well, move over Monopoly and Boggle, take a back seat because here are our favourite board games, including the best free solitaire ever, for Christmas 2018. Enjoy!

 

Guinness World Records

Nothing brings out the competitive edge like the glimpse of breaking a Guinness World Record, right? Well in this version, you completing challenges to break your opponents’ records, so close enough. Skills involve spoon balancing, wearing the most pairs of socks, flipping a bottle of water and many more! You also have 600 Guinness World Record questions to answer but let’s be honest… that’s not why we’re playing.
RRP: £24.99

 

What’s that smell?

This one is suitable for the whole family, no matter what their ages are. A myriad of scents are on the cards, some subtle and sweet, others simply stinky! Guess the scent on the card correctly to win or you could be stuck sniffing the deadly Stank Card including Extra Old Toe Cheese, Diaper Blowout, Hot Chunky Vomit and Smothered in B.O. Delicious.

RRP: £24.99

 

 Taboo

This might be one for before the Bellini’s make an appearance. The aim of this addictive word game is to describe super simple things without using obvious descriptors. If you do, you’ll give away points to your opponents.

RRP: £16.99

 

Survive! Escape From Atlantis

An adventure game for Christmas afternoon – this board is all about escaping a sinking island.

Avoiding and befriending wooden sharks, sea monsters and whales, you must get as many of your explorers to safety and collect the most treasure to win… cute!
£31.99

 

Codenames


Bring out your inner Bond with this one. Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agent and teammates know the agents only by their codenames. Teams must compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first by guessing words of the right color while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team. Like with any 007 situ, you’ve of course got to watch out for the deadly assassin.

£16.99

Festive Foodies

Posted on by

Whether it’s foodie gifts you’re after, or just some fabulously indulgent additions to your kitchen cupboard this Winter, we’ve narrowed down our favourite yummy treats that we are pulling out this December.

Christmas Whiskey Bomb RRP £40

Konditor and Cook;

As well as producing some of the most delicious hampers and mince pies, (voted the best in the UK), why not purchase a show-stopping cake as a centrepiece for your Festive celebrations. Konditor and Cook have gone all out this year and have many tasty creations for you to try but we reckon the Whiskey Bomb is bound to wow your guests. Based on their original Whiskey Bomb the Christmas Whiskey Bomb is a festive blend of chocolate, orange and whiskey cake adorned with sugar paste stars and white chocolate balls. Because quite frankly, what says Christmas more than Whiskey and Chocolate Orange. This award winning cake. 

Festive Scone Bake Kit RRP £25

The English Cream Tea Company;

If you fancy trying your hand at a little baking for your guests or want the perfect gift for a star baker, we simply loved the Festive Scone Bake Kit provided by The English Cream Tea Company. Supplying you with all the components you need to produce your own festive tea-time treat, the set is complete with decorations for your plump scones all in a handy tin to keep. As well as this, The English Cream Tea Company also have a Giant Xmas Tree Brownie for you to order online, because we all need a tree which is edible as well as beautiful.

englishcreamtea.com

Fine Food Specialist-White Truffle Oil. Prices from £8.55

Fine Food Specialist;

The foodie online shop of dreams, the Fine Food Specialist offer luxury food goods designed for a gastronomical feast of dreams. Specialising in luxury products such as Caviar, Wagyu beef and other specialist food items, they have you covered. If it’s gifts you’re after, they have a variety of goods including hampers both large and small. We love their own brand White Truffle Oil as a perfect stocking filler this year. This extra virgin olive oil is infused with the rich aroma of premium white truffles. Available in a variety of sizes, this special gift has a five star rating which will guarantee to make the recipient of this very pleased indeed. Check out their website for a host of other treats including their handy canapé guide which will be firmly saved into our favourites tab.

finefoodspecialist.co.uk

Christmas Roast Dinner Box RRP £21

Ross & Ross Food;

Focused on British flavours and fresh local produce, Ross & Ross have won multiple awards for their high quality and unique artisan products. Best known for their BBQ and curing kits, they have a passion for big and delicious food. Their Christmas shop this year features a host of meaty hampers including the I Heart Bacon Gift set which includes a bacon curing kit and I Heart Bacon apron. We also love their Christmas Roast Dinner Box. Winner of the 2018 Christmas Gift of the Year food award, the box contains a Roast Potato Oil, a Pigs In Blankets Dust, a Brussel Sprout Dust and a Roast Turkey Rub. This box is perfect for self-gifting if you want to impress your dinner guests! The box is also an amazing present to give to someone who loves Christmas dinner, and who doesn’t love Christmas dinner?! 

rossandrossfood.co.uk

 

Review: The Midnight Gang, Chichester Festival Theatre

Posted on by

The Midnight Gang, Chichester Festival Theatre
Until 3 November. Box Office: 01243 781312 www.cft.org.uk

Never knowingly understated, David Walliams took his seat to loud applause from the audience on press night. By the curtain call, when he praised the cast and creative team behind the adaptation of his book, the cheers practically took the roof off. Quite right too. His story didn’t just jump from page to stage, it took flight – literally.

Set in Lord Funt Hospital, Matron rules the children’s ward with a rod of iron. A rod of iron dipped in cement and covered in titanium. Looking like Doris Day but without a glimmer of sunshine in her soul, her young patients know the risk they are running in escaping her clutches to indulge in secret midnight antics.

Aided and abetted by the hospital’s porter, superbly played by Dickon Gough (was it just my imagination or were there shades of Walliams in there?), the poorly children live out their wildest fantasies, reminding us that when something we yearn for is out of reach, dreams can be the next best thing.

The children are fabulous. We saw Cody Molko as Tom, Jasmine Sakyiama as Amber, Rafi Essex as George, Felix Warren as Robin and Cerys Hill as Sally, but I gather that their opposite numbers (Tumo Reetsang, Albi Stisted, Cooper Snow, Fibian McKenzie and Anjali Shah) are every bit as talented.

Jenny Dale is a glorious gorgon as Matron. With the bedside manner of Nurse Ratched, her swooning over Tom’s headmaster (Tim Mahendran) during The Punishment Will be Severe is one of many highlights.

With lovely performances also from Lucy Vandi, Matthew Cavendish and Marilyn Cutts, lots of doubling up means that the cast appears bigger than the reality. Collectively they manage quick changes – of costume and character – with impressive and seamless speed.

Simon Higlet’s ingenious set is a joy, full of surprises and magical elements. Music by Joe Stilgoe provides agreeable accompaniment, but it is words rather than music that are his greater accomplishment. Astute, witty and dexterous, notably in So Many Questions which sees a beleaguered doctor trying to fill out an admission form, his sparkling lyrics are marvellous.

Tender, funny and thrilling, Bryony Lavery’s adaptation retains all the heart and humour of Williams’ book and sprinkles precisely the right amount of theatrical magic into the story.

Director Dale Rooks is to be congratulated. A stunning show for all the family, The Midnight Gang is an absolute tonic. I urge you to get dosed up.

From a child’s perspective – Lily B (14) says:

The Midnight Gang is an action-packed story with memorable characters. Comedic, cheering and cleverly staged, especially with the flight of a naked grandma, Matron was my favourite. Child-hating, chocolate loving and power crazed, she was the perfect love-to-hate character. A great show for children and their families, I especially liked the messages to let your imagination run free and to be kind to each other. Definitely five stars!

Review: Flowers For Mrs Harris at Chichester Festival Theatre

Posted on by

Photo: Johan Persson

Until 29 September

Box Office: 01243 781312

cft.org.uk

You might not go home humming the tunes, but what Flowers for Mrs Harris lacks in catchy songs is more than made up for in warmth and charm.

An elegant retelling of one of Paul Gallico’s much-loved series of books, there’s not a great deal of colour to in Ada’s life. Set in the post-war 1940s, a gossip over a cuppa with her friend and fellow charlady Violet Butterfield and a bottle of milk stout once a week is about as bright as things get.

‘Doing’ for he clients by day, always giving them added value in kindness, wisdom and good old fashioned common sense, by night she conjures up the company of her late husband at the kitchen table of their rented Battersea home. Falling in love with a Christian Dior gown while cleaning for a well-to-do lady (“a dress to make you feel”), she vows to work for as long as it takes to save for such a frock of her own. Helped by Violet, the next two years are filled with purposeful drudgery. Sustained by the mental image of her fairy tale dress, she toils day and night, cleaning, mending and reassuring.

It is a story that could easily become saccharine-sweet and mawkish, but director Daniel Evans (who directed the production as his swansong at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre – and where it won three UK Theatre Awards – before taking up the reigns at Chichester), gets the balance absolutely right.

The characters may be larger than life, but they are rooted firmly in truth, imbuing the narrative with credibility and humour. If the first half drags its feet somewhat then the second flies, which is apt given that post-interval is when we see Ada taking the second step toward her dream and reaching France.

 

Photo: Johan Persson

Clare Burt reprises her role as Mrs Harris. It is easy to see why she won ‘Best Performance in a Musical’ on her previous outing. With a perfect blend of dignity, empathy, wit and sweetness, she shines like a basking sunflower.

The cast cleverly doubles for the action on both sides of the channel. Accomplished performances throughout, Gary Wilmot is especially memorable and versatile in a number of guises and Claire Machin is a hoot as both Violet and her French counterpart.

An elegantly told and beautifully staged story of hope, aspiration and simple kindness, Flowers for Mrs Harris will lift your spirits and leave you feeling blooming marvellous.