Anniversary dinner at The Laughing Gravy

Last weekend marked three years since The Boy and I first caught sight of each other (on an idyllic food-filled holiday in France, no less) so what better way to celebrate this occasion than with one of our favourite past times: eating.

As usual, I had been charged with organising this event and immediately started mentally compiling a wish list of venues, mainly revolving around delicious meals I'd spied on Instagram and reviews I'd read on eat.street.edit and the like.

But as it turned out TripAdvisor saved the day with a little gem of a restaurant hidden away in Southwark, ladies and gentlemen I give you The Laughing Gravy.

Currently ranked number 55 out of all the restaurants in London (ahead of some serious big guns), The Laughing Gravy completely changed my plans for the evening, and I'm so glad it did.

But lets start from the beginning...

As the afternoon was nice and sunny we decided to get the tube as far as Embankment and then wander across Hungerford Bridge and through Southbank, an area which The Boy and I consider to be "our place" following many a meeting there before I moved to London.

Since my Mum and Dad gave The Boy a vintage cocktail making book at Christmas he has been really interested in the art of cocktail making, so we headed to sample some of London's finest at The Cut. We sat on the terrace, talked and watched the world go by whilst building up an appetite for dinner.

Tucked around the corner from Southwark tube station, The Laughing Gravy is a gorgeous little restaurant with a relaxed yet buzzing vibe and food to die for. As I've said I stumbled upon The Laughing Gravy purely by accident but as it turned out the food, atmosphere and service were all right up my street - my only complaint would be that we weren't sat at the table by the piano (but there's always next time).

The Boy went for a cocktail and I had a glass of Prosecco whilst we mulled over our choices. The menu is small with each dish being fresh and seasonal, cooked by head chef Micheal Facey, who has a talent for updating traditional British fare and has worked for the likes of Scotts and Chinawhites.

We went for...

 Chicken Liver and Foie Gras Mousse in Black Cherry Jelly

 The Monkfish Trio

 The Boy, clearly happy with his selection.

 West-country Organic Cider-marinated Lamb Rump

 The Aberdeen Angus Beef Burger

 ...and a side of Roast Cauliflower and Three Cheese Macaroni

All finished off with Blueberry Cheesecake and Lime Doughnuts for me, whilst The Boy enjoyed a glass of port.

We strolled to the tube full and happy, whilst enjoying an unexpected view of The Shard. It was a wonderful evening and a great way to celebrate three blissful years together.

If you would like to find out more about The Laughing Gravy you can do so on their website, which can be found here.

A month in my wardrobe

Since I started my new job I have been taking pictures (or rather, The Boy has) of my ensemble for the day every morning before I leave for work. This has meant The Boy doesn't get to enjoy his morning lie in quite so much and I ultimately have to open my eyes a little wider before throwing on the first outfit that comes to hand, but all in all I've been really enjoying the whole process.

Mostly I decided to take an OOTD* picture every morning to try and encourage me to make more of an effort, be more creative with my dressing and as my Mother so nicely put it recently: "wear less black".

Here's what I've learned and some of my favourite images from along the way.

• I need to go into black blazer rehab. No question. A black blazer everyday does not a stylish outfit make.

• In the words of my Mother: "Maybe sometimes you should wear more colour" I'm a fan of leopard. I'm a fan of denim. I'm a fan of black. But real, vibrant, eye popping colour? Rarely does it grace my wardrobe and really, it should.

• A centre parting is definitely the way forward.

• If your ensemble doesn't make you feel amazing, why are you wearing it? Special pieces shouldn't be saved for "best" in favour of that tired old jumper (or black blazer as the case may be).

• Heels are so much more flattering than flats...but they simply won't do when you spend most of your days running all over town.

• And finally... My hair is getting long! At last!

*Outfit of the day (for your benefit, Dad)

My week in photos 22

This past week or so has been busy...and hot. 

London for the last few weeks has been hot and humid but not necessarily sunny, mores the pity. Finding ensembles for work has again been a challenge, especially when you want to walk the four miles home without having to carry a suitcase full of work wear all the way.

As usual I've been seeing friends and eating out (a lot) but I have been exercising more and more, which I'm loving. The half-marathon inches ever closer and if I'm to beat my time from last year I need to step it up a gear. 

Here's a little snapshot of what I've been getting up to (mostly eating and taking lotd pictures).

Clockwise from top left: My return to central London has of course meant a return to Lebs lunches - A casual weekend ensemble - Happy Fathers Day to my amazing Dad - Taking Grandad for dinner at the Sussex Brewery

Clockwise from top left: The Summer sales are here - A Wimbledon related celeb spot in Selfridges - My new blender gets its first outing - Another amazing window display at Selfridges - The sunsets over the rooftops of London - A quick selfie - Loving the latest campaign by Fuller's London Pride - Sightseeing on my journey home

 Clockwise from top left: Tired eyes on a Sunday morning - A Healthy Friday night dinner - Chocolate cheesecake at dinner with Grandad - Krispy Kreme's in the office, my kind of workplace

A Saturday in my city

A couple of weeks back was the first weekend in a while when The Boy and I were at home, didn't have much planned and were free to come and go as we pleased. As it turned out we spent a lot of time catching up with friends but still fitted in some time wandering in our city.

On Saturday we'd been invited to go and sample breakfast at a recently opened hotel in Chelsea but the less said about that the better (a generally uncomfortable experience that left The Boy and I looking for the exit). 

To be totally honest, I wish we'd stayed at home and eaten The Boy's amazing cooked breakfast (scrambled eggs to die for). 

But oh well, you live and learn.

After our escape we strolled along to the Kings Road, went to the cinema and then did a spot of shopping before checking out what is sure to become one of The Boy's favourite drinking spots, Cask in Pimlico.

 We paused to watch a Wedding party at the Town hall

 Managed to resist many a delicious looking treat at the Partridges Food Market in Duke of York Square (on every Saturday and definitely worth a visit if you're in London and are a bit of a foodie, like me)

 We stopped by the (surprisingly quiet) Saatchi Gallery - always a favourite

From the Kings Road we wound our way through Victoria to Westminster, I showed The Boy my secret photo spot by the houses of parliament, before heading up to Soho where we met some friends for an evening of unplanned merriment (the best kind).

 Cask - an absolute gem of a pub in Pimlico

I loved the walk and always enjoy a spot of sightseeing with my Boy, maybe flip flops weren't the most suitable footwear but all in all a pretty good day, which ended eating chocolate in bed watching A Time To Kill - bliss.