Rose Gold Sliders

Absolutely loving these new shoes I picked up today in Millar’s Shoe Store.  I decided to go for a wander down the town in Lurgan and nipped in for a browse. As soon as I spotted the rose gold (my fav colour) I was right over!

I was really surprised to see they were only £19.99! Hoping they would fit and not be too wide; they were perfect and I just had to have them for my hols on Monday!

I’ve been wearing them around the house to break them in but these Down to Earth rose gold sliders are so comfy already that the ‘breaking them in’ is a bit of an excuse!

Keep an eye out for them on my instagram – @zane_mlmbz and here in my posts from my hols

Xxx

The Guillemot, Bangor

Where is all this mouth watering food from I hear you say? Well for the last day of my week of favourite local businesses (all of which, yes have been food; although this hasn’t all been eaten recently haha) I want to share with you The Guillemot.

I don’t think I need to go through with you all again in this post my little disclaimer, this is one of mine and the other half’s favourite Bangor Coffee Shops for breakfast and brunch!

Once again I don’t have my own photo of the The Guillemot so this is one I found online (not sure who to give the credit to at the moment).  The Guillemot is located at the opposite end of the Seacliff Road (compared to The Starfish) in Bangor, Co.Down (map).

Opening hours

Monday to Sunday – 9am to 5pm

I have to admit, bar their ‘to die for’ chocolate and coconut flapjacks (which I don’t have a photo of), all I have eaten in The Guillemot has been breakfast and brunches; I mean why not when they are so good! Check out just a few of them we have eaten since The Guillemot opened.

Yeah, I really should add a warning with these posts . . .

*These posts will leave your mouth watering and your stomach rumbling!*

Now these are just a few of the things we have had, but Rachel (the lovely owner) has more photos and updates on both the Facebook and Twitter pages.

Anytime I have EVER been to The Guillemot it has always been busy and hustling (this picture is a bit of an exaggeration as it was from a Tapas and Tunes night).  Even though it is always busy and there can be a sort wait, it’s not at all cramped and claustrophobic; definitely more of a cosy and friendly atmosphere.  Alongside the atmosphere ALL the staff are incredibly helpful and friendly!  Just sitting back watching them last time I was in; all work like a well oiled machine.  No one needs to say anything to each other, it’s like they just read each other’s mind and just get on with running and busy coming and goings.

So if you are looking for somewhere by the sea with harbour views for a spot of something to eat (big or small) call by The Guillemot and enjoy!

#shoplocal #supportlocalbusinesses

xxx

Starfish Cafe @Cairn Bay Lodge

Not new, but another of my favourite local places to eat as it’s just round the bay from my house, is local business The Starfish at Cairn Bay Lodge.

Hands up, I’m bad and didn’t have a picture of the front of the The Starfish at Cairn Bay Lodge so I took this one from their Instagram page. They are located on the Seacliff Road on your way out of Bangor, Co.Down along the coast heading to Ballyholme (map).

Opening Hours

Tuesday to Saturday – 8am – 4pm

‘The Starfish is a pretty special place where guests, locals, families and friends are all welcome.  Serving breakfast, brunch and great coffee with food and views to die for.  Healthy simple flavours, some with a twist or a kick, using the best of local seasonal produce, there is something that everyone can enjoy.  Stunning sea views or cosy corners by the fire, this really is a destination for delicious food!‘

From my Instagram posts you might have spotted my photos from The Starfish there before, but let me show you some of my photos in a little more detail (aka bigger so you can see them).

As you can see from just a few of my photos they do a wide range of delicious, fresh and healthy foods; even their chocolate cake has hidden veg in it (beetroot)! However you shouldn’t just salivate over my photos, you need to check out their Instagram and Facebook pages!

Why not take a closer look at their menu.

Oh, I nearly forgot, just look at the interior, this is my favourite room, the first room on the left as you walk in, with stunning seaside views!

Disclaimer alert: Again I have not been asked to write this blog or promote The Starfish at Cairn Bay Lodge, I have decided to tell you about them and share one of my favourite local businesses with you!

So if you already haven’t done so, I recommend you head down and meet the lovely guys at The Starfish at Cairn Bay Lodge and try some of the delicious food.  In the meantime be sure to check out both their Instagram and Facebook pages, I promise they will leave your mouth watering! If you do head down and take any photos, share them with me on Instagram – @zane_mlmbz

xxx

AVA Bistro, Bangor

Last weekend I spent Saturday out with the girls for my birthday.  We headed to the newly revamped AVA Bistro, in Bangor, Main Street; yup we are still going with the theme of new, local businesses.

The AVA Bistro opened it’s doors on 1st March, an extension of The AVA Winebar.  The newly opened Bistro ‘promises to deliver a more casual setting with an exciting new menu, innovative bistro style food, and a focus on excellent customer service and value for money.’

Located at the top of Main Street and Duffern Avenue, opposite the bus station in Bangor, Co.down (map).

Opening Hours

Monday – CLOSED

Tuesday to Thursday – 5pm to 9pm

Friday – 12 noon to 9.30pm

Saturday – 12 noon to 9.30pm

Sunday – 12.30pm to 7.30pm

Starters – Tempura Vegetables with Asian dipping sauce

Starters – Sizzling Garlic and Chilli Prawns with Sourdough

My Main – Wild Mushroom and Cream Lasagne with Garlic Bread

My friend’s dessert – Tiramisu

I chose the AVA Bistro as I had heard great reviews, it was local and the photos of their food on both their Facebook and Instagram pages made my mouth water!

They have a wide range of mouth watering meals on their menu, here are the links for their menus.

Food Menu                                     After Dinner Menu

Now let me show you just a couple of the meals we went for. . .

Starters – Tempura Vegetables with Asian dipping sauce

Starters – Sizzling Garlic and Chilli Prawns with Sourdough

My Main – Wild Mushroom and Cream Lasagne with Garlic Bread

My friend’s dessert – Tiramisu

Another reason I chose the AVA Bistro was for their amazing cocktails, I know they are amazing as my friend is one of the Mixologists. Here is their Drinks menu and a couple of the drinks we had over dinner.

Espresso Martini

Hendrix Gin with Lemonade and Cucumber

Looking back it looks like I was enjoying the drinks and chat too much as I only have a photo of my dessert aka Cocktail; Espresso Martini and one of the other drinks I had; Hendrix Gin with Lemonade and Cucumber. 

It was really busy the night we were there so I couldn’t get too many photos of the decor, so you will have to trust me it is really nice, classy yet casual, modern and light.  They also had live music playing in the background; the guy was really good, played a good mix of music and wasn’t too loud.  The service that night due to them being so busy was a bit crazy and a little slow, but I think they were sort staffed.  However credit where credit is due when we asked for something or brought something up they got us sorted.

I know I already showed you the AVA Bistro menu but I had to show it again as this is the reason I will be back again and again to try more of the menu.  I would love to try their Cote de Bouf as the other half and I tried this when we were in Glasgow for new year and really enjoyed it!

Don’t forget you can keep up to date with all the AVA Bistro‘s news and updates by also following them on twitter.

DISCLAIMER ALERT: EVEN THOUGH MY FRIEND WORKS AT THE AVA Bistro I WAS NOT ASKED TO WRITE THIS BLOG, MY OPINIONS ARE GENUINE AND MY OWN. I HAVE WRITTEN THIS BLOG AS I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU SOMEWHERE I WENT AND ENJOYED AND AGAIN PROMOTE ANOTHER LOCAL BUSINESS.

#supportlocalbusinesses #buylocal

xxx

 

The Yogurt Tree, Bangor

Another new, small local business to hit my little hometown of Bangor is The Yogurt Tree.  They opened back in December and are Bangor’s newest frozen yogurt bar!

Located at the end of High Street Plaza, on High Street in Bangor, Co.Down (map)

Opening Times

Monday – Saturday 

11am – 5pm and 6pm – 9pm

The Yogurt Tree use the finest natural yogurt from Clandeboye Estate. Combined with a range of tasty toppings you can create your own frozen yogurt dessert.

DISCLAIMER ALERT: UNFORTUNATELY I HAVEN’T HAD THE CHANCE TO VISIT THE YOGURT TREE MORE THAN ONE, SO I WILL BE SHARING SOME THE PHOTOS OFF THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE ALONGSIDE MY OWN PHOTOS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ASKED TO DO THIS BLOG POST BY THE YOGHURT TREE ; I HAVE DECIDED TO SHARE THE BUSINESS WITH YOU AS I THINK THIS NEW LOCAL BUSINESS IS FANTASTIC!

The Yogurt Tree have a range of different flavoured frozen yogurts and sorbets.  The day we went I chose the Nutella frozen yogurt, the Caramel frozen yogurt and then you can go for the twist, which is both flavours mixed.

They also have a range of toppings available (insta video here), I went for a couple of Cadbury mini eggs and Galaxy Minstrels, the ‘sauce’ topping was a tough choice as they had warm Peanut Butter and warm Lotus Biscoff to name just a couple.  To stick with my Nutella theme I went for warm Nutella.

As you can see from their Facebook and Instagram photos there are a range of flavour combos.

Not only do they do Frozen Yogurt or Sorbets, but they do a range of delicious handmade baked goodies that change daily.  You can keep up to date on what’s to offer on their Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Another stunning interior, again totally up my street style wise with the wood, copper and colour scheme. Alongside the cosy atmosphere (they have blankets hanging on the wall so you can stay cosy) and delicious food, the staff are lovely and friendly and really helpful.  So don’t be put off if you have no idea how to pull your own frozen yogurt (you get better with more practice) they can help you.

Something to remember though is the price of your frozen dessert is based on weight so it’s all about the size of the tub you pick, how much frozen yogurt you pull and how heavy the toppings you chose are.

So want to try something new, some good frozen yogurt, something a little healthier and local then I recommend you nip in and give The Yogurt Tree a go!

#supportsmallbusinesses #buylocal

XXX

Creme Bakehouse, Bangor

Over a month since this little place Creme Bakehouse opened in my local town of Bangor, Northern Ireland; and I’m finally getting round to blogging about it.  It has been on my to do list for a while since they opened their doors at the end of February.  I’ve been here a few times both sitting in and taking away (well I did have to do my research!).  Currently I’m sitting in eating a delicious Carmel and Vanilla Cake with a pot of tea. Boy I wish I had smell-a-vision, as it was set down in front of me by the lovely, bubbly and friendly Jade my mouth started to water!

I could tease you no longer by talking about it, I had to show you, even though this photo seriously does not do it justice!  I’m hoping later they will post a pic to their Facebook or Instagram so I can show you it properly!

And they did!

(I’m back again at half 11 on Friday night to add this photo, what a beauty!)

Unfortunately as I haven’t been able to do my research every day I only have a select number of my own photos to share with you and with the permission of one of the staff members I am sharing  photos of their own from their Facebook page.  However this does not mean I have been asked to do this blog post by Creme Bakehouse ; I have decided to share them with you as I think this new local business is fabulous!

Creme Bakehouse is located at the top of High Street in Bangor, Co.Down (map)

Opening hours

Monday – Friday – 9am to 4pm

Saturday – 9am to 5pm

Sunday – 9am to 1pm

‘Our story? We are a family run business who believe in celebrating individuality!
Our coffee is ethically sourced and locally roasted. Our breads and patisseries are locally made- some with the influence of the Mediterranean and given a good ‘auld NI twist!’

‘Love coffee? Love home-baked breads? Love local produce? Love Creme!’

The first time I tried out Creme Bakehouse was with my mum, we popped in on a Sunday for a nice treat.  We went for their Raspberry and White Chocolate Scones (to die for I may add!) a pot of tea each and then a Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Square and a White Chocolate and Toasted Coconut Shortbread.

White Chocolate and Raspberry Scone

Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter Square

White Chocolate and Toasted Coconut Shortbread

I was extremely impressed with the service; the staff are all very bubbly and friendly and extremely willing to help out. The design and decor is totally up my street; especially with the copper lighting and pipes.

These photos were captured before the mad rush began.

My next visit was actually the following Sunday with my other half, a treat for my birthday weekend and to fill me up before I went to work at the Quirky Wedding Fair.  This time we went for breakfast and, well, I couldn’t resist another of the White Chocolate and Raspberry Scones.

There is a good range to chose from on the menu, which are all locally made.

In addition to the menu there are also lots of sweet treats which range from one day to the next.

Not forgetting the handmade scones and breads; check out their Facebook page for more photos!

They also do Gluten Free goodies!

That morning I went for the Bacon Butty, the scone and a pot of tea.

The other half went for the Breakfast Soda and a Latte.

The next time I came along was for a takeaway; something to spoil a couple of my lovely mummies who were completing a course with me.  I knew they liked Raspberry and White Chocolate Scones so I knew they would love the ones from Creme Bakehouse. Which they did, they couldn’t get over the size of them and how good they tasted!

Which brings me to now where I am sitting eating cake and blogging away.  Spending my Friday afternoon doing something fun and yet productive! And I finally get a piece of yummy cake all to myself!

So if you haven’t yet tried out Creme Bakehouse I fully recommend you do; fresh, handmade and delicious food from a small, local business!

#supportsmallbusinesses #buylocal

xxx