The Perfect Afternoon Tea at The Old Dairy Tearoom in Longhope, Gloucestershire

Recently, my lovely best friend Laura (www.bloggingbylittlel.blogspot.co.uk) decided to treat me to an afternoon tea - lucky me!

Now, as readers of this blog will know, I'm gluten & dairy (cow's milk) intolerant & it can be sometimes awkward to find a restaurant, café or tearoom to accommodate me. Especially both intolerances anyway!

We've both been to our local tearoom in Longhope - 'The Old Dairy Tearoom' at Harts Barn - several times & they are always so helpful & accommodating!   And of course,  that was the place to go for our afternoon tea & they once again didn't disappoint. 

We always make sure we ring first to book a table because they are often busy - & if you've ever been, there's no surprise!  Their food is amazing!

So, once we arrived at the Old Dairy Tearoom we were seated in a perfect spot by the window overlooking the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside & once looking through their very tempting menu, we ordered the traditional afternoon tea.

Here's what we ordered....

To drink, my friend Laura ordered her favourite hot drink of choice; a creamy hot chocolate & I went for a coffee with warm soya milk.  (We could have had a pot of tea but Laura preferred hot choc & I adore coffee!)

To eat, our afternoon tea consisted of sandwiches -  brie & chutney for Laura; turkey & cranberry (on gluten free bread) for me & scones - fresh cream & jam for Laura; & for me, gluten free scones with dairy free spread & jam.

For me, living with a gluten intolerance, you get to know what is gluten free & what is not.  It just doesn't look quite right & tastes different.  Well, not at the Old Dairy Tearoom!   Their bread is amazing & their scones are so thick & chunky with a great rise  & so delicious, that you start to question if they are truly gluten free!  The baker definitely has a talent there!

And, not only do you get your lovely scones, you also get a choice of cake!  We were so stuffed that we both took our cake home!  Laura went for the vegan chocolate cake & I went for the gluten & dairy free St Clements cake.  And of course, they were delicious!  

You really can't fault The Old Dairy Tearoom.  Whether you have an intolerance like me, or can eat everything & anything, the quality of the food is fabulous & their service is outstanding.  Nothing is too much trouble.  The atmosphere is great, the layout is lovely & homely & set in beautiful rolling countryside....just what a tearoom should be.

Right, I think I need to book a table soon.  Feeling a bit peckish!

Do you know of other cafes or restaurants that accommodate food intolerances in Gloucestershire or Herefordshire that is as good as The Old Dairy Tearoom?  I'd love to know! 

Bee x  

'Lemon Thai' - Thai Kitchen & Coffee Bar in Ross on Wye, Herefordshire

You know that moment when you think, 'why didn't I visit here sooner?' - yep, I thought that a couple of weekends ago, when looking for somewhere to have lunch.

With dietary requirements as picky as mine (I'm sorry, its not my fault, honest!), there are always limitations & I didn't realise there was a place suitable for me right on my doorstep!  It's the 'Lemon Thai' in Ross on Wye (that rhymes!) - it's a Thai kitchen & coffee bar.  They also do takeaway.  And so for me, they are perfect - their ingredients are gluten & dairy free!

I went for the Thai Yellow curry & it was delicious!   It was brimming with fresh ingredients of sweet & new potatoes, baby corn, onions & sugar snap peas.

I had a friend with me & she went for Dang Thai noodles - a very yummy bowl full of beetroot, chilli & greens, all enveloped in a fragrant sauce. 

The presentation of both dishes was wonderful & highly professional, as were the staff - extremely attentive & friendly.  The kitchen too is in sight of the dining area, which is so reassuring, as you can see what is being prepared right in front of you.   

Lemon Thai is a real gem in Ross & I'm so happy to have found a place that caters for my needs.  I'll definitely be back - if I had my way I'd be lunching there everyday! 

If you live in or around the Ross on Wye area, check them out (you can follow them on Facebook too).  I can assure you, you won't be disappointed! 

Just fancy some rice noodles now....

Bee x   

MAY FAVOURITES!

After a bit of a break, I'm back to blogging & even though we are well into June, I thought I'd share last month's favourites with you all!

So first up...

Soft skin in seconds...

I've used this product for ages now, but since the weather has been turning a bit warmer & I've been getting my legs out a bit more, I've needed my skin to look healthy & moisturised & not drier than the sahara desert! So, I've been reaching for this - Spray & Go body moisturiser by Vaseline.  I have it in the scent Cocoa Radiant.  I absolutely love the smell as it reminds me of chocolate! 

It's super light & not greasy at all. You literally spray it on, give it a quick rub & you are good to go! (Great for people like me, who haven't got the time to spend rubbing thick lotions into our limbs!)

What's not to love?!



Makeup that's cheap as chips!...

Now, I love a good bargain in Primark, but I've never been one for their makeup....until now.

I'm always a bit obsessed with hiding the shadows under my eyes & use various concealers (see my concealer post here) & powders.  So, when I came across a small pot of powder in my local Primark, I thought I'd give it a try.  It's the mineral loose face powder in the shade light.

I must say, I was really impressed.  Its a nice light tone (not orange like some cheap products can be!) & it sets perfectly under my eyes when applied with a small brush.  There is only 8g of product but I'm sure, as I don't use that much, will last for ages & its at the bargain price of £2! Wow!

I may just have to venture into their makeup department a bit more now! 

And while we are on the subject of makeup...

Hiding the shadows...

As I've mentioned, my under aye area is a problem! So, I've recently discovered NYX (see a recent post) & one product I love is their dark circle concealer correcteur.  A lot of beauty manufacturers seem to be cottoning on to the idea of colour correctors & they do work a treat, provided you know how to use them of course!

This corrector by NYX is a lovely peachy tone. Ideal for lightening up & hiding those pesky shadows under your eyes.  You only need to apply a little (or sometimes a lot!!) with your finger in small patting motions & instantly you can fake that perfect night sleep & hide the fact that you are no longer in your 20's!! 

It's another bargain too, so it's definitely one to repurchase!



Keeping your brows in place!...

You know when you have filled in your eyebrows with that perfectly complimentary colour & they look so neat & tidy? Then, at some point in the day, you might get a bit hot, scratch your forehead or flick that overgrown fringe out of the way, & then, yep, your once neat eyebrows, aren't so neat any more!

Well, this won't always be a problem if you buy this stuff - Brow This Way by Rimmel.  I always purchase this in the colour clear, hence why mine looks slightly mucky & beige now from brow product!

This gel sets your brows perfectly, doesn't budge & you don't end up with brow powder all over your forehead!

A great product & one to never go without!

A yummy treat for people like me!...

As you probably know if you regularly read my blog, I'm one of those.  One of those 'awkward people' with food intolerances!

Well, I'm so glad I've discovered these - a sweet treat that I can have without fear of at least one of the ingredients hating me!

It's the range of 'Perkier bars' & they are heaven in a bar!
The flavours are (& I think this is the whole range - correct me if I'm wrong)-
Cacao & Cashew (the BEST flavour in my opinion! Divine!)
Cashew, Chia & Pumpkin Seed
Cranberry & Cashew
Goji & Cranberry 

They are all high in fibre, protein, vitamin & minerals & are gluten, wheat & dairy free - perfect for me!

The bars seem to always be on offer in my local Morrisons too (I must stock up!!), so its a win win for me!
I love them! 

So, thats my May favourites done & I'm off to have another Perkier bar....

What did you love last month?

Bee x

'Nice Things' Cafe & Gift Shop in Ledbury, Herefordshire

Recently, I went out for breakfast to my favourite cafe, 'Nice Things'.  It's situated in the bustling market town of Ledbury in Herefordshire & it is a real gem! 

One reason why it's my favourite place to eat is that since I'm intolerant to wheat & cow's milk, I am always guaranteed to be able to eat & drink there, as they tailor their menu to suit everyone's needs & dietary requirements. They have such wide variety! 

The staff are super friendly & extremely professional.  The owners, Laura & Craig really are amazing at what they do - they really care for the customer. It has such a welcoming atmosphere that you won't want to leave!  Craig's food is superb.  His hearty soups & wonderful roast dinners are particular favourites of mine!!  They also serve the best coffee; putting the likes of Costa & Starbucks to shame! 

The gift shop is attached at the front of the cafe & is stocked full with a variety of local products, cards & gifts - perfect to treat yourself or a loved one.

So, when I headed to Nice Things recently for my breakfast, I knew I wasn't going to be disappointed - I ordered my usual large soya latte (Did I say how much I love their coffee?!) & then I went for their lighter option - the 'slimmer's breakfast' with gluten free toast - yum! 
My friend also ordered a cooked breakfast, toast & her usual mammoth hot chocolate!  The hot chocolates are wonderful too with lots of naughty cream, flakes & marshmallows!

Nice Things really is the perfect place to head out to - whether you fancy a cooked brekkie like me, a sunday roast, a toastie, a quick coffee & cake or just popping to the shop to buy a gift for a friend (or yourself!) - whatever it is you fancy, Nice Things suits everyone!  

If you are holidaying in Herefordshire (there is always lots of tourists, particularly in the summer months) or live in the locality & not tried it yet, make sure to check out Nice Things. It's the perfect cafe, restaurant & gift shop!  

Bee x 

My April Favourites!

It's a new month, so I thought I would let you all know what I loved in April!

Keeping Fresh...

The first of my favourites for the month of April is a anti-perspirant!  It is the Maximum Protection one by Sure.  The current scent I'm using is Sport Strength.  They have other scents in the collection which all smell really lovely.

It is a solid formula which you twist up twice & then apply.  It does advise you to use it twice a day, but I feel it is enough to use once per day & keeps you feeling fresh all day, everyday!

I think this is the best anti-perspirant I've ever used & I highly recommend it. 

A great quirky place to eat...

Next up is a new restaurant discovery.  I've heard about this place before & it really intrigued me.  It's a restaurant called 'Bills'.  

As regular readers of my blog will know, I am gluten, wheat & dairy (cows milk only) intolerant & eating out can be somewhat of a pain.  So, you can imagine my relief when I found out that Bills does some great alternatives to your 'run of the mill' restaurants.

They do have some different dishes, with a variety of funky salads, gluten free bread, breakfasts....& amazing cocktails too! The only downer for me is a lack of desserts.  Yes, they do have gluten free ones but not dairy free.  I do sadly find this very common in many restaurants, but I guess, on the up side, its better for my waistline!!

If theres a Bills near you, go check it out.  I've not quite worked out the theme yet, but the vibe is definitely a bit quirky, with great furnishings & a little shop too, so you can take a bit of Bills home with you. 

My next favourites for the month are all about makeup.....

Better Lashes...

I have a love-hate relationship with my eyelashes!  Sometimes they look great & long.  Other times, they look clumpy & short!  I do find though, since using this new product they have looked a lot better.

So, its all down to 'They're Real' Tinted Primer by Benefit, which I received in a beauty box.

The colour is mink brown & is perfect to use either on its own or under mascara. 

It does seem to really lengthen my lashes & make my eyes look more awake!

I currently use it everyday before applying my mascara & I find that I don't need to put mascara on my bottom lashes as this primer already gives a good enough effect.

If you have never used a primer on your lashes before, I would strongly recommend trying it - I'm sure you will be impressed with the difference it makes!

A New Lip Colour...

So, I popped into Kiko a few weeks ago.  I fancied a new lipstick & wanted something that looked a bit brighter & not what I normally wear.  I had in my head that I wanted a coral/peachy colour.

Anyway, I ended up with colour number 902 in the 'Smart' lipstick range - my favourite range by Kiko & such great value for money! (see my review here)

Now, its not as peachy when applying it, as compared to the bullet.  It's probably more pinky (it's called 'pastel pink' on the website & looks more pinky there than in real life), but I love it.

It's a really nice summery colour (wishing I was somewhere hot right now!) & a lovely creamy consistency.

So, as you can tell, I came away rather pleased & it didn't cost much at all! Bargain!

My First 2 MAC Items...

As the title says, I've finally purchased two MAC products & I've been loving them!

They are a lipstick in the shade 'Modesty' & a lip liner in the shade 'Soar'.

The lipstick is a cremesheen, which is perfect for me as I have such dry lips, so I need something which is very moisturising.  The shade 'Modesty' is a lovely nudey pink which you can wear with everything. 

Of course, with my lipliner, I had to purchase the shade 'Soar'.  The shade everyone seems to love!  And I can understand.  It's a nice pinky 'lip' colour & again, seems to go with everything - with most lipsticks, or on it's own.  It is also very comfortable on your lips, soft & easy to apply.

Overall, very pleased with my MAC products.  Theres a few more added to my list now....best get saving!

So, thats what I loved in April.  What products did you love last month?  I'd love to know!

Bee x

Naughty But Nice Treat

On Sunday afternoon, my friend Laura & I decided to venture into our local town Cheltenham, to do a spot of shopping.  Once we had finished trudging round we decided to pop into a cafe for a drink.

We usually go to Costa, but thought we would go to Patisserie Valerie for a change.  We have both been there before & never leave disappointed.  I had also heard they had expanded their range of gluten free products & since I can't eat gluten, I thought I'd definitely give these a try!

We sat down & once settled, ordered our drinks & 'naughty treats' from the friendly waitress. 

To drink, my friend ordered a Strawberry Breeze smoothie & I ordered a Soya Mocha.  To eat, Laura ordered a Black Forest Gateau (looked delicious!!) & I ordered the gluten free Flapjack.

I had surveyed the fairly generous list of gluten free products, but (& probably because it was a Sunday) all that was left was the flapjacks & ginger biscuits.

Unfortunately, I am not supposed to eat cow's milk & the flapjack did contain milk, but I was so hungry that I thought it was worth the risk!! 

Our drinks & cakes arrived shortly afterwards & we were both thoroughly pleased.  Laura's strawberry breeze was very thick & tasted very juicy - packed full of fresh strawberries & bananas.  Her gateau was very rich but delicious.  My Mocha was perfectly frothy & my flapjack really did hit the spot!

 

If you haven't visited Patisserie Valerie before, you definitely should - more patisseries are popping up everywhere. It has a fairly extensive menu & not just for cakes.  They also do other food including very extravagant looking breakfasts!
It is also worth noting that they do made to order cakes for special occasions.

Our visit to Patisserie Valerie was definitely the perfect ending to a sunday afternoon!

 

What's your favourite cafe?  And if you have been to Patisserie Valerie before, whats your favourite on the menu? - I'd love to know!

Bee x

DELICIOUS ALCHEMY GLUTEN & DAIRY FREE PURELY OATY FRUITY MUESLI

I've been gluten & dairy free since October 2014.  I was previously diagnosed with gluten & cows milk intolerance about 10 years ago & was very strict with my diet for several years but like many people, I let my diet lapse, fooling myself that I was well.  It wasn't until more & more symptoms were occurring that I realised my diet & with the approval of my doctor (always consult your GP before embarking on a diet change) needed a severe overhaul.  So, here I am today, avoiding all wheat, gluten & dairy (cows milk only as I can eat sheep & goats milk) & feeling a lot better! And since my diet is a bit restrictive, I'm always on the look out for new products.

So, in my local supermarket recently I came across a gluten & dairy free muesli.  It's brightly coloured packaging called out to me, with its 'purely oaty fruity' labelling & 'gluten free magic' slogan. It is by a company with the funky name 'Delicious Alchemy'. It claimed it was 'fruity, oaty, crunchy & yummy' & yes, it was! I mixed it with my regular almond milk & it didn't disappoint! It's really tasty - it's made up of gluten free oats, raisins, sultanas, cranberries, dates, rice flakes & seeds.  It filled me up for hours - just what you need to keep you going in a morning! 

And after writing about that....I'm hungry now! 

What do you like to eat for breakfast? Let me know! 

Bee x