Author Archives: Milly

Millie’s Cookies Launch Party, Powder Room, Soho

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I am a little bit biased about anything that has the word Milly (or Millie) in it… but for Millie’s cookies there is no need to be biased as I genuinely love their sweet, yummy and utterly addictive products. With numerous branches brightening up dreary tube stations, they provide the perfect place to indulge in a sweet snack. I used to visit their shop in Hammersmith Station often after school with my best friend – we’d treat ourselves to a white chocolate cookie to munch on the journey home.

The range of the brand is expanding with the addition of many new and exciting recipes and designs; and last week I went along to the very fitting Thoroughly Modern Launch Party. Taking place at the fabulously retro Powder Room parlour in Soho, it was the ideal place to celebrate Millie’s new goodies. The downstairs room was adorned with beautiful cakes, cookies, teacups and plates… pink fizzy was on offer and girls giggled while trying the assortment of sugary sweets displayed.

I adored the cookie cakes; Millie’s are the first brand to create cupcakes made from a cookie dough recipe – they are quite heavy but as they are so mini it doesn’t matter… the flavour and decoration are amazing. Then there are the healthier cookies, with nuts, seeds, raisins and oatmeal featured in the ingredients substituting the more fattening chocolate chunks. The themed cookies and cakes caused quite a commotion, giant cookies inscribed with personalised messages and intricate drawings. My favourite spelt ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ and as a gift they let me take it home! These big cookies make wonderful gifts, at the launch there were hand drawn wedding and julibee themed ones.

While we scoffed, a film crew wandered around gathering footage for upcoming Millie’s Cookies short films and a lovely vintage dressed girl sat manicuring guests’ crumb covered hands.

Millie’s cookies are my kind of brand… pretty, pink and with the perfect products.

Visit the Millie’s Cookies website here, and look out for a competition and collaboration coming soon on Thoroughly Modern Milly!

The Jugged Hare, Barbican

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I am often at the Barbican Centre reviewing concerts and always find the area rather dreary… so much concrete and very little greenery or life. Restaurant-wise the options are few and unexciting. The exception is Chiswell Dining Rooms, although it is perhaps a little too smart and pricey for a pre-concert meal. The Jugged Hare is a lively and sophisticated gastropub with food that uses big bold British flavours, a concept that done well will never fail to satisfy growling London stomachs.

We were among the first guests to sit down for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon, but soon enough the place was full (mostly of booted and suited businessmen). I wasn’t overly enthused by the variety of starters but the salad I chose was light, healthy and imaginative. An eclectic mix of pea, broad bean, radish, dandelion, goat’s cheese and walnuts, it was as pretty as it was tasty and though bizarre, the dandelion was a lovely addition. My brother chose Pork and green peppercorn terrine, a well seasoned and expertly made slice accompanied by delicious bread crisps.

Surveying the room, it was plain to see which dishes were favoured by the diners, and the Rotisserie Chicken seemed most popular; convinced of its merit I ordered it, the special of the day a half Cumbrian free range chicken, sage stuffing and bread sauce. My brother has been keen to try a Chateaubriand steak for a while, and though discouraged by our waiter who scoffed at the idea of him eating it alone, he eagerly ordered it. The chicken was delicious, cooked perfectly to ensure the meat was tender and juicy, bringing out all the flavours of this superior breed. The skin was crispy and well seasoned, and the gravy was delicious. The Chateaubriand was, as expected, an amazing piece of meat… cooked rare served thickly sliced – my brother was delighted. I tasted a mouthful, the texture is unlike any other cut of beef, soft and indulgent. The steak was delivered with giant chips, most of which were left after our meat feast… they were a little too fat and consequently not soft enough inside.

The puddings at the Jugged Hare are uncomplicated and classic, I chose the Kendal mint chocolate pot and my brother had the Honeycomb ice-cream with chocolate sauce. The chocolate pot had an intense flavour and was incredibly rich, not unlike the Gu products but thicker with chunks of peppermint cream on the top. The honeycomb ice cream was homemade, a light and easy pudding after the big main course.

Downstairs a grand private dining room is available for special occasions, the perfect old fashioned banqueting table. Despite only opening recently the Jugged Hare is already enjoying roaring success and I have a feeling it is only going to get better, and much more popular.

Visit the website to book here.

Daniel Galvin Hair Salon, Marylebone

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Daniel Galvin was my salon of choice for my big transformation, leaving blonde behind and becoming brunette once again. Daniel Galvin is highly regarded as one of the top colourists in the country and he has built up an impressive empire. Every Daniel Galvin colourist is trained in house to use Daniel’s specially developed techniques, ensuring consistent excellence. My colourist, Ellie a lovely bubbly blonde, used to be Daniel’s junior, so had learnt from the very best first hand.

The salon is huge, apparently the largest in the UK, with colouring upstairs, cutting and café-bar downstairs. I was offered a drink and taken to my seat, which happened to be opposite Daniel’s working station, so I could see the master at work. Ellie indicated her expertise in colouring, talking me through my options and speaking to several colleagues to ensure we achieved the results I wanted. She worked miracles with my hair… I arrived with bleached blonde dry hair and left with divinely glossy chocolate locks with glinting honey highlights.

To prevent the colour from looking flat and boring, Ellie first put a few discreet foils through my hair. These were not always from the roots as this can look unnatural, instead they were staggered to give a summery sun-kissed look. Next came the serious dark dye… Daniel Galvin uses the mildest colouring products possible mixed with natural vegetable dye to improve the colour. The dye was applied to my hair wet so the colour didn’t come out too dark. Ellie and her junior had to massage the colour into my hair for a while to guarantee the brown colour was even and rich.

The effects of the dye and careful application were worth the wait… and the highlights came through perfectly. Once Ellie was happy with the colour, I went downstairs for a blow-dry with Molly. I had a quick trim to smarten the shape of my hair and then had a wavy messy blowdry. Molly was very efficient and speedy, achieving natural bounce with my hair in minutes.
The Daniel Galvin team encourage and advise their clients to help everyone achieve a look that is subtle and natural complimenting to eyes, skin tone and personal style.

With my new hair complete, Daniel spoke to me about my features specifically explaining how I could bring out the blue in my eyes and glow in my skin, it was very interesting and something I had never previously considered when dying my hair. Daniel Galvin was the obvious place for my colour change, and I couldn’t be more delighted with the results. I couldn’t recommend this spectacular salon highly enough, it is THE place to go for hair colouring in London.

Visit the Daniel Galvin website here for more information and to book.