Borough Market, London

A rainy day in London is anything but unusual. It leaves us Britons praying for just that sliver of a Summer. Just a promise that we're not heading into 40 days and nights of rain. But we've come to accept that packing an umbrella in the middle of August is a must. And quite frankly, what's a British Summer without embracing a few soggy-sandwiched picnics?  

So we started off our drizzly afternoon in one of London's most bustling spots, Borough Market, where the vibrant stalls of fresh fruit and vegetables had offset the drab weather outside. The market is possibly every Foodie's dream. Whether you're gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian or none of the above, you would find it hard not to find something that looked and smelt incredible. And the sheer scale of the market provided shelter from the rain for a good few hours.

We then jumped on a clammy tube over to Buckingham Palace to escape the rain on a tour around the State Rooms. In the Palace Gardens we finished our afternoon with afternoon tea, just so one could say they've had tea at the Palace - ha ha ha, never gets old.

(Side note: I'm not ashamed to say I've never been more attracted to a peach in my life).

Where are your favourite rainy-day London spots?

K

Planet Organic Haul

Shopping is both my greatest devotion and weakness in life. Ask anyone who knows me well and they'll tell you of the inner peace I find within buying a shiny new pair of shoes. But most recently, this passion is being challenged with a love of trailing round health food stores like Whole Foods Market. Now if you don't get excited over buying nut butters and seeds then I'm sorry, it's just not going to work out between us. 

Heels and baobab powder don't quite go hand in hand, but they do share one common ground - one simply has no time to shop for either. So I placed an online order - and maybe an ASOS one alongside too - to have some unusual and interesting healthy foods delivered straight to my door. 

Clearspring Snack Organic Roasted Seeds and Soya with Goji Berry and Tamari Roasted Pumpkin Seeds. Inspiral Smokin' Coconut Pecks and Raspberry Coconut Pecks. Superfruit Cacao + Mint Raw Protein Bar. Biona Organic Spelt Pizza Bases. Buckwheat Cakes. EatReal Sundried Tomato & Roasted Garlic Quinoa Chips and Chilli & Lime Quinoa Chips. Sassy's Blondie and Red Velvet. Raw Health Organic Blissed Chocada Truffles. Raw 46 Crunchy Coconut Almond Butter and Crunchy Coconut Hazelnut Butter. Meridian Organic Strawberry Fruit Spread. Mr Organic Authentic Italian Arrabbiata. 

K

Food For Friends, Brighton

With darker nights approaching, I get this horrible sense of the Summer running away from me. I'm left in a sheer panic, realising I haven't done half the stuff I planned to when I watched the long break spread out in front of me. It turns out it's August, and between work, my days are diminishing. So with the sun finally shining again, Mum and I had spent the morning doing a spot of shopping down the Lanes in Brighton, to make the most of the fleeting Summer (or at least the very British version of it).

I have a list the length of my forearm of the most rave about places to grab food or eat in the city, but I suggested we sat down for lunch at Food For Friends, a vegetarian restaurant I had spent many a blogpost drooling over. We took advantage of the weather and their perfect people watching location and sat outside. Now with a great reputation for their flavoursome, home cooked food, with a menu that caters for a whole host of special dietary requirements (but don't be fooled - many a meat-eater has raved about this restaurant), our expectations were: 11/10.

And I can't say we were left disappointed. The food was delicious and the generous portions sizes were spot on. The staff were lovely and couldn't have been more helpful. 

Now Mum's a bit of a self-confessed haloumi addict, she's also not willing to much about it, and after catching a glimpse of their haloumi and portobello burger her decision was final. It came stacked in a brioche bun on top of fresh tomato, baby gem lettuce, gerkins and a red onion marmalade, served with triple cooked chips and a honey mustard mayo.

I went for one of their - many -  vegan options, the tahini marinated roast aubergine, stuffed with a delicious smoky chipotle pepper and tomato ragout, served with pan-fried saffron potatoes and courgette drizzled with a sweet pekmez dressing.

And even though we had all but demolished our food, we ordered two espresso shots with their homemade dark chocolate truffles to share, because we just couldn't resist. Now oh my goodness, these were the best things ever. So rich, but not too sickly, and they melted in your mouth like a lindt ball would, but I swear they tasted 10x better. I suggested that they start selling these immediately as it's sent me on a vegan chocolate truffle quest.

I also picked up this "I am SKINNY GREEN" juice from another Brighton health haunt, 42 Juice, to fuel my spin workout later in the day. 

And here's hoping I can fit in a few more days as lovely as this before the Summer is over.

K

July Top 5

And here are my July Top 5...

1. Peaky Blinders, Season 1 (available to watch on Netflix).

For those who haven't heard about this show, it's a period drama set in 1919, following the infamous Birmingham gang, the Peaky Blinders. Although I cover my eyes when the gory fight scenes come on, I became absolutely obsessed and finished season 1 in a week. Also give props to whoever created the soundtrack, because it's awesome. Eagerly awaiting season 2 to come to Netflix.

2. Sweaty Betty, Shorts & Sports Bra Co-ord. 

I picked this cool running co-ord up in the Sweaty Betty sale and haven't wanted to run in anything else since. Usually with shorts I find there's too much material and they come up a little big, but these are lightweight and there's no riding up-or-down or needing to readjust (and of course, you can't not get the matching bra). The sale is now over but their new season collection is now in stores. I’m currently obsessed with this print here.

3. Clinique, Liquid Facial Wash Mild (£16.50) and Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion (£16.50).

These were my absolute skin saviours. A combination of stress and then laziness on the skincare front (listen to your Mother when she tells you to take your make up off after a night out) made my skin erupt in July. These Clinque Mild products were recommended by a friend who has amazing skin, so I didn't need much convincing, and are great on sensitive skin. I use the facial wash in the morning, and then the mild clarifying lotion, which is an alcohol-free acid toner, after cleansing to gently exfoliate the face without irritating break-outs. 

4. L’oreal Paris Color Riche Lipliner (£3.99) and Lipstick (£8.19) in 302 ‘Bois De Rose’.

Usually I like to rock more of a statement lip, but I've been loving this duo for a beautiful everyday pinky nude.

5. Raw Vegan Carrot Cake.

And lastly this month, I've been reminiscing this raw vegan carrot cake. It was my first attempt at a raw cake but it went down a storm with my whole family, including my Dad who gladly swapped a Saturday afternoon slice of chocolate cake for this instead. It was more of a cheesecake consistency so we all agreed it would be a great dessert. Find the recipe here.

K