Massage time

I completely forgot in my last post that I have actually ticked off 3 items from my list on the right. Last week I made my first purchase off Groupon for a massage. If you've never heard of Groupon then you must go check it out right now! It's in most major cities and it operates on the premise of deep discounts and amazing deals if enough people sign up. I booked a 90 minute body wrap, facial and massage for £37! What a steal.

The massage was at a place called E Rejuvenation Centre and it was located on the ultra hip Commercial Street right by Spitalfields. When I arrived I was greeted by a very odd waiting area that felt more like an office than a spa. My treatment was booked for 11am and while I was drinking the detox tea and filling out their ridiculous questionnaire (what personal goals do you want to achieve? ect) half the employees were making their lunch or eating right in front of me at the kitchen area. There is nothing I hate more than to see someone who is about to serve me eating or smoking.

the waiting area (not this glam in person)

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I was ushered into the massage room and wrapped up nice and tight by one of the spa ladies. Then to my surprise they brought in a guy to do the facial and massage. Considering I was naked under the plastic wrap and towels I just could not relax with a guy in the room. The facial was nice but I felt really tense. When he was cutting the plastic wrap off me I couldn't help but try and cover all my bits just in case he could see anything. He nicked me with the scissors a few times (once enough to bleed) and then it was on the massage portion. At this point I just wanted the experience to be over. The massage was fine and overall he was very professional but I just felt so uncomfortable because he was a man.

Throughout the entire treatment I must have heard about 5 different promotions they were running and if I booked that day I could save even more money. Nothing gets me more relaxed than being pressured into buying things. I can see why this place has to offer such deep discounts to get people in the door.

Overall, I did still think it was worth the £37 but I would never recommend anyone to go to the place and I certainly wouldn't go back myself. I'd rather pay a little bit more and leave the spa feeling relaxed and with no cuts or blood.

It's been awhile. Baking, paper writing, Ascot and lots of eating.

I have been incredibly busy this last month socializing (mostly) and wrapping up the end of my MA. (I've still got my dissertation to write.) I have ticked 2 things off my list (on the right hand side). The first big tick was a trip to Ascot! I had such an amazing time and was able to randomly score an AMAZING HAT at TK Max that matched my dress perfectly. Ascot was a perfect blend of beautiful clothes, royalty, champagne and fun. The weather wasn't that great; I was wearing my cardy the entire time, but once I had a few bottles of champagne in me I was fine.

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The next item to get ticked off the list was a visit to Lola Rojo in Clapham Junction. I have heard amazing things about this Spanish Tapas restaurant so the mister and I decided to finally try it out a few weeks back. We went on a Thursday thinking that it would be less busy, but because the sun was shining in London people were out in droves. We didn't have a reservation but we were able to grab a table (a very awkward table) next to the kitchen. Even though we were in the foot path, it was fun seeing all the food come out of the kitchen.

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The mister and I had the toasted bread with alli oil, Manchego cheese with tomato jam, grilled tuna, cod with crispy potato and black pudding "morcilla", chicken and chorizo rice and the pan con chocolate, aceite y sal (chocolate bread, oil ice cream and black salt). Overall I thought the food was extremely average for the prices, which were about £5-£8 per dish. I really loved the cod with crispy potatos but that was it. It didn't help that they were extremely busy and the service was pretty slow. I had such high hopes because I've heard such great things but I honestly think the The Lounge in Balham (family run Spanish Tapas place) is better and it's cheaper.

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Finally, I'm going to end this post with a recipe for corn bread that I made twice last week, once for a friends Mexican themed dinner party and once for a dinner party that I threw. I fixed the best Chicken Mole and the corn bread was the perfect compliment. This recipe comes from Paula Dean so of course it's not that good for you, but it tastes amazing. I spread a thin layer of clover honey over the top, just to add a little touch of sweet.

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Feeling crazy

I am feeling like this right now. Back with you soon!