UPDATE REVIEW: The Cricketers, Kew Green, Surrey

Sometimes, when a bar, restaurant or hotel review goes a little TOO well, we like to sneakily head back without anyone knowing to see if all is as it seems. So one Friday night we headed over to The Cricketers in Richmond to see if the food is still as good, the service still as first class and the atmoshphere as cosy. We travelled in from Waterloo to Kew Gardens using the mainline instead of TFL's District Line. Last time we had to settle with a taxi as it's miles away from the nearest tube station. After a brisk five minute walk, we were back...

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Here's How To... buy yourself some decent underwear

Love it or hate it, the last few weeks have all been about boys and girls displaying their love in the most soppiest of ways. But why should the fun end at Valentine's? What if you're a single lady who loves wearing flirty, sexy underwear just for your own personal enjoyment? We asked stylist Courtney Smith, to come up with her top suggestions on high street lingerie this season. Well, she has styled celebs, doncha know... I’m not usually the Valentine’s type… the flowers, the chocolates, the cupcakes with love-hearts, the sickly cute messages...

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Dear everyone: stop telling me I'll change my mind about having kids one day, yeah?

In case you haven't realised, and unless you've been indoors all week then you may not have, it was half term last week. As kids, it was great. It was freedom. It was playing out with friends until dusk then mum having pie, chips and peas ready. It was mentioned on 8 Out Of 10 Cats as being the most favourite memory of being at school (which is stupid as unless you were in boarding school and lived at school (such hell) then school holidays were precisely all about not being in school). Now, as a bona fide twenty-something, I can see just how...

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Lavender chocolates, phone booth libraries and ornate trinkets: three of the best kept secrets in South London

After challenging Why Waste Annual Leave to come up with three quirky things to do in London if you're penny pinching and just a bit skint, we asked her to get down and dirty in the South, and suggest three things South Londoners have kept secret. Here's what she's come up with... Brockley Market I don’t know about you but there’s nothing I enjoy more on a weekend morning than a stroll to a local food market. It ticks all the boxes – fresh food, fresh air and most importantly, it prevents that shameful sense of guilt I would otherwise be burdening...

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Review: The Folly, Gracechurch Street, London

When Lise, of Bitten Bug Writes, got in touch about a spur-of-the-moment meal at The Drift Bar's sister restaurant, we just had to let you guys know about another little gem in the city. Perched right by the river and with views of the Monument to the fire of London, it's a place I've walked past and longed to visit... Nestled amongst the grim façades of London’s financial hub, the wide windows of The Folly are an oasis of twinkly gorgeousness and charm. Having first spotted it from the far less salubrious settings of the 381 bus, I was instantly...

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MANCHESTER | Review: Malmaison Manchester Boutique Hotel

As part of our #VIB blogger collaboration, we sent Charl, of Ginger Girl Says, to review Malmaison Manchester. Here's what she has to say about her stay. The good, the bad, and the revolving doors... One of the things that you need to know about me is that I'm the kind of girl who pores over booking.com and Trip Advisor before I'll commit my name to any kind of reservation, be it for one night in Blackpool or a week in Venice. In short, I'm fussy. When I first found out I would be staying at the Malmaison in Manchester I didn't need to do that,...

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Review: Sound Bath at Lush Spa, King's Road, Chelsea

You're sitting at a wooden country table surrounded by white kitchen cabinets, a well-used wooden counter top and an old butler sink that reminds you of your grandma's house. All around are pipettes, Mason jars and glass tea pots. You know you're in a spa. But you half expect to see chickens clucking around your feet and wild roses growing outside the window. The reality is you're in a basement on King's Road, about to experience something truly mind-blowing. You sit there, your jacket and scarf hanging on an ornate coat hook, and wait for a...

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#LFW: Cocktail Recipes for London Fashion Week

It's London Fashion Week, in case you haven't heard. And while you lot all bang on about Burberry this, and 'why has she got Duplo all over her person' that, and while I wonder how to mute that damned hashtag, and while I'm sitting here in my boyfriend's grey Next tracksuit bottoms and milk-stained red dressing gown (it's how us writers roll, ok?) cocktails are always something I can get on board with. Even if fashion confuses and bores me. Benares Bar, located in Mayfair, have created these cocktails suitable for any budding fashionista. I've...

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And now for the reviews that didn't quite make it...

We all know the internet can sometimes really rave about products that are mediocre at best. Really? That lipstick changed your life? You bagged a new job and got a boyfriend because of RED LIPS you say? I'VE BEEN DOING IT ALL WRONG, ALL I NEEDED WAS RED LIPS? Not so much. We love talking about things you, the reader, the one who makes it all possible, get excited about. And every brand we feature has been personally tried and tested by an expert panel of the most fussiest of eaters, the most...

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If you're not a fan of love hearts, this is for you

We paired with Shannon to find the best anti-Valentine's events happening up and down the country. From man-hate to girlie dates, we've picked what we think is a rather lovely way to spend this most hated love fest. We all know when it’s that time of year. Everything in the shops has turned pink and red, all the merchandise has transformed into heart shapes, and flowers are filling up the windows. Yes, you know it and I know it, it’s nearly Valentine’s Day. If you’re in a relationship you're probably busy stressing out over whether or not to...

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Gin cocktails even cupid would approve of

Yeah, we know. Everything heart-shaped and smelling of strawberries at the moment. But the one good thing that comes of it all is finding out awesome new cocktail recipes to drink while laughing with your [choose: best friend/significant other/parents] on the most 'romantic' day of the year. Bonus points: We've also linked to two recipes that make awesome gifts if you're looking for a handmade present for your partner. Raspberry and Lavender fizz Ingredients 25ml Tanqueray London Dry (try your local supermarket/Waitrose) 15ml Lavender...

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Valentine's Day on the cheap. In London. Cheap. London.

Living in London is not cheap, and Valentine's Day is one of those holidays we don't really have a choice in recognising - but Valentine's Day in London? The mere thought alone is enough to send me into overdraft. But, there's hope for us. If you live in London and you're lost for thrifty things to do this Valentine's Day, or simply don't want to fall into the expensive 'dinner and movie' trap this year - I have you covered. I have compiled a list of my favourite budget friendly and totally datable spots around town that anyone would...

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Review: Five Guys Burgers, Covent Garden, London

Friday nights in Covent Garden are often categorised by two things; how long the line is into a restaurant, or how irrelevant the costume is of the flyer-er employed by it. Generally, the more redundant the costume, the better the deal. The same can be said for the lines; the longer they are, the more you want to join the them. Rarely will you see people flyer-ing to people already in the line for their place, but that's exactly what I encountered last Friday night - and he was without a costume, if you can believe that! We'd...

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