Sophs blog

It was only a matter of time before I wrote a full review of my favorite burger in London: Honest Burger.  If you're close to me then you're fully aware of how much I bang on about this place. Yes it's a chain but that doesn't make it any less special and I love that you can find these gems dotted about London. My favorite branch is the Kings Cross one as it's near to me and the waiters are an absolute hoot. Expect to find amazing melt in the mouth beef that's cooked to medium perfection. My favorite burger they do is the classic beef with blue cheese and of course a gluten free bun. The gluten free bun doesn't fall apart (already a great sign) and actually tastes like a normal bun. For £1 extra, it's worth it. So as I said this is my staple choice, however they have much more on the menu that boasts deliciousness. The Honest burger itself is incredible, it's got red onion, cheddar, bacon, pickled cucumber and lettuce. Previously I've swappe...

Green Lanes is basically my second home; my three best friends live there so I'm pretty much in the area all the time. It's one of my favorite areas in London and I think if you don't know about it it's time to get to know. Expect to find quirky bars and the best of London's Turkish restaurants in this jam packed place. I've decided to write about my two favorite bars, along with my two favorite restaurants and two of the best green spaces in lovely London.  Kick starting with my three fave bars along Green Lanes... 1) Brouhaha  You gotta laugh at the title but this small bar makes a fantastic cocktail and date spot. It's got a roof terrace which is incredible in summer, however it shuts at 8pm so get there early to enjoy the sunset and a cocktail. They also have a sushi restaurant in the back which is delicious and affordable. I think they've made a genius decision there: cocktails and sushi- what could be better?  2) Bun and Bar This p...

5 less obvious essential ingredients Rather than doing a recipe of the week this week I've decided to write a list of five ingredients that I think are absolute essentials and that aren't the classic salt, pepper or garlic! I think when cooking it's good to have an understanding of what flavors you really like and for those who are less confident it can be handy knowing about some other ingredients that are out there. So at number one we have garlic powder In my eyes this is an absolute must for the cupboard. It's cheap and you can buy it in big bags so you'll be stocked up or a while. I love this ingredient as it gives a lovely garlicky depth to sauces, almost a bit like stock but without the saltiness. I typically use this when I make curries, chilli con carne or garlic mayo. Sometimes it's just the thing that's missing. Two:  Cayenne Pepper For all spice lovers, this ingredient is your friend. Make sure you taste as you go along as it pack...

I find that there's an assumption that working  at home means a lack of productivity. But when it's raining outside and there's no desperate need to be anywhere else, staying indoors and getting things done in the comfort of your own home can be just the thing. Sometimes being productive doesn't even have to relate to work, it could be getting a bit of tidying done, or in my case writing a blog post.  People often punish themselves when they don't do something that they think feels more productive (I am certainly guilty of this) but it's important to remember that you can move that to later in the day or to another day. The point is that whatever productive thing you do, whether it be small or large, you still did something.  So in this gloomy rainy February I reckon working at home is the way to go. Pick up a book you've been meaning to read (I'm currently reading Ru pi Kaur's Milk and Honey), make a cup of tea and relax. As Londoner's ...

With amazing movements like the Time's Up Now and #MeToo movement, the end of 2017 and start of 2018 has seen some amazing protest regarding women's rights. I was talking with my friend Jessie and we were saying there's definitely a sense of change in the air.. you can feel it. It feels like 2018 is the time for sexual harassment, domestic abuse, assault and inequality to end. Women and men across the globe have been sharing their stories, protesting and supporting each other and the words 'self love' have never seemed more important. It seems people have had enough of the abuse and inequalities women face on a daily basis and it's time for feminism to lose the bad name. It should never have had a bad name in the first place but its time to unlearn the backwardness of the past and move forward. It's time to relearn respect for human beings no matter their gender, sex, race, class, age etc and to follow that simple rule you learn when you're like fo...

These vibrant breakfast bowls have become one of the recent health trends and are a great way to get creative and colorful with your breakfast routine. I've included a recipe for a really simple one for if you don't have masses of fancy ingredients in the house, but there are other ways to go about making this fabulous dish that I will mention. For my simple breakfast bowl you'll need: - Yoghurt (I used strawberry) - half a banana - blueberries - Nuts (cashews, almonds) Method: - Spoon the yoghurt into a bowl - slice the banana and arrange how you like in the bowl - do the same with the blueberries and nuts - Enjoy! Other people tend to make smoothies from things like frozen berries, yoghurt and agave syrup and use that as a base for the bowl. You can then top it with things like frozen berries, oats, seeds and peanut butter. Whatever takes your fancy! My recipe is a really simple one for if you're in a rush or don't want to splash out on agave syrup...

Recently I've found myself in these small gems around London and thought they were worth sharing. They make a nice change to the hustle and bustle surrounding the larger galleries (although they are great too) and are the perfect way to spend a rainy day.  1) Gods Own Junkyard This is actually a shop as well as a gallery and is one of Walthamstow's best kept secrets. Expect to find neon lights upon neon lights upon neon lights. It's a Neon heaven. Including pieces from movie sets, cinemas and random slogans, God Own Junkyard has something for everyone. Some may say neon is tacky but I think its engaging, fun and of course vibrant and this is a great way to get your neon fix. After immersing yourself in the neon you can grab a glass of wine and sit in the lovely garden with a comfy cushion and toad stalls in sight. This place is quirky, exciting and only at the end of the Victoria line!  2) Getty Images Gallery Just round the corner from Oxford Circus ...