So, you know that time - well, times - that I said I'd stop boring the life out of you raving about blog events I've been to for fear of becoming repetitive/boring you/coming across as a massive brag (I hope to god this isn't the case as it isn't intended that way at all)... Well, I've kinda gone back on that promise.
You see, I was invited to an event on Tuesday which involved an introduction to Smashbox's new range, launching
their pop up store in Boxpark, Shoreditch - you know, where all the "trendy" kids hang - mingling with the loveliest blogger beauties and an incredible meal at a restaurant I'd heard raved about... basically, it was pretty much blogger perfection, which is exactly why I'm waxing lyrical about it today.
I arrived slightly early - #ControlFreakProblems - and used my time wisely by instagramming the life of lipsticks perusing the makeup counters, swatching every product in existence and in the process, turning my hand into a human/makeup rainbow. (As all the best bloggers do, right?)
Perusing done, time for the masterclass with the wonderful Janine Bird, national makeup coach for Smashbox where we were taken through some of Smashbox's incredible new launches/existing favourites - which will be popping up in a blog post soon - as well as a closer look into strobing (actually a really old technique which has now just been giving a jazzy name and lots of hype), grey eyeliner and a gorgeous burgundy lip. I've been part of many masterclasses before but Janine really is just one of those infectious people that you want to listen to/soak up her knowledge/possess all her makeup skills (please and thank you?) so it was a joy to listen to her and watch her work.
Myself and the lovely blogger ladies
being pushed ;) jumping into the ring light/selfie stick situation. All of the ladies are tagged on
my Instagram so be sure to go and check them out, total babes [insert heart emoji's here]
Makeup stuffs done, time for the most important part the food...
We were taken to the
Hoi Polloi which is a gorgeous restaurant in the
Ace Hotel London. Despite having a
tiny bit of trouble actually finding the place - just in case you were wondering, you enter via the flower shop next to the Ace Hotel which has
no signage for Hoi Polloi [insert confused face emoji here] - once we were in, I knew we were in for a treat. We started with cocktails - a Vada Colada for myself because
it sounded posh and I'm really not it sounded
so tasty - and went on to stalk the menu with very excited faces.
Did I mention that after telling the waiter that I had coeliac disease and asking for the gluten free options, I was then brought out this gluten free bread? Oh I never? shame on me. Bread makes me a very happy girl so I knew my relationship with Hoi Polloi was a Love at first chat kinda one ;)
To start, I went for the Cured salmon, beetroot, cucumber and smoked yogurt which was actually stunning. I am the least snobbish person - give me a McDonalds (cheeseburger without the bun #coeliacproblems) and I'm happy - but this really was something special. As well as being common easily pleased, I am also the furthest thing from a food critic, so bear with my awful desciptions. The salmon combined the smoked yogurt really was just so delicious.... BRB, just drooling and day dreaming over the dreamiest starter...
For my main, I went for the Seabass, asparagus and hollandaise which again, was ridiculously tasty. We all shared a mixture of sides with the kale, garlic and peanuts being a particular favourite of mine. Not to mention those dripping chips... [insert heart eye'd emoji's here]
You know that feeling when you're fit to burst but know that if you don't get dessert and somebody else does, you're going to have all the food envy in the world? Well, that happened, and subsequently so did the Coconut sorbet, pineapple, passionfruit and lime which was possibly the freshest dessert I've ever eaten. I'd highly, highly recommend this.
After rolling home a stone or two heavier - absolutely no regrets - I thought that that was the end to the perfect event. But then I opened my goodie bag the next day to find these delights. All the Smashbox goodies (which I tried that day and am blown away by, post coming soon) as well as an amazing Diana F camera. So a huge thank you to Smashbox for totally, totally spoiling us.
So, that brings me to the end of this "Omg, best event everrr"/"Omg that food though..." roundup of my Smashbox masterclass and Hoi Polloi post, I really hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I would love to know if you have any Smashbox favourites? Have you visited their pop up store in BoxPark? Also, let me know if you've been to Hoi Polloi, any foodie recommendations for my return are very welcome :)
As always, thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed this post!
xx
Labels: Beauty, Boxpark, Coeliac, Food, Food blogger, Gluten free, Hoi Polloi, Lifestyle, Shoreditch, Smashbox
