Lunch at il Mascalzone

Hey everyone, it's food blogging today! For those who know me, knows how much I love food and Italian is one of my favourite cuisines. Anyway, about a month ago I found this Italian restaurant in Edgware which I went with my parents and my younger brother. We were very pleased with our first experience there so we went there a second time inviting a few friends from our church.

For starters we ordered 2 Pizza Tomato Bread and 2 Cozze Provincialli (fresh mussels in a tomatoes sauce).  The Pizza bread was good but it got taken over by the mussels. The mussels were fresh and the tomato sauce just tasted so good. Sorry, forgot to take a picture of them.

When we Chinese people go out to eat, we tend to create our on buffet on our table. Order a dish each and then share it amongst us. See image below.

So what are those delicious dishes in the photo?

Starting from bottom right; Risotto Marinara (Italian rice with tomatoes & seafood), Spaghetti neri cozze e vongole (Home made black ink squid pasta with seafood with tomatoes & chilli), Tagliatelle di Mamma Teresa (Radicchio, bacon, garlic & cream), Pizza was Americana, Gnocchi gamberi e zucchine (Potato gnocchi with prawns, courgettes & cream), Spaghetti bolognese, Ravioli Florentina, and Spaghetti ala Carbonara. 

Gnocchi gamberi e zucchine was my choice from the special menu. I think I made a good choice because almost everything was pasta and the potato gnocchi had a chewy texture which was quite different to pasta. But that wasn't my favourite, my favourite was the black in squid spaghetti. Loved the texture of the pasta, wasn't too soft or too hard, I guess that is what you call Al dente! 

You must try their home made gelato, Italian ice cream. They have 10 flavours, I had the honey dew melon.

The price is affordable, £8 on average for a pasta dish. Portions are big. There were 8 of us and we ordered 8 dishes but still couldn't finish them. il Mascalzone is better than those franchise Italian restaurant, i.e. Bella Italia, Pizza Express, etc. So I would recommend this if you're looking for something more authentic.

You can find them at: 120 Station Road, Edgware, London, HA8 7AA. Tel: 0208 951 5533

They have another branch in Putney : Putney High Street, London, SW15 1SP. Tel: 0208 7854793

Both branch open 7 days a week, 12pm until 12am.

Cheryl Cole's come back is FIERCE!

"How do ya think I feel when you Call My Name?" 

We've all seen Cheryl's new video by now if not the video is at the end of this post. What do you guys think of it? Everything about it is just fierce and definitely a good comeback after all that drama she went through.

Lets begin with those platforms that we saw in the beginning of the video. How gorgeous do they look?! Those are Brian Atwood Alima Tri-color platorms, £504.

Although those leopard hot pants, blazer, platforms and the bra top don't match in colour wise but it all goes really well- she's doing that colour block trend.

A screen shot from the video

I love this outfit too, it's edgy, it's feisty, it's hot! She makes those tribal tapered trousers look so stylish. However, if I saw someone wore that out on the street, I would be staring and be like 'OMG! What is she wearing?' Or maybe it's just me not very daring with clothes. You know what? I can see Rihanna wearing them, doing all those erotic dance moves.

Judging from that screen shot above, her body looks a lot better. Not that she didn't have a nice figure before, but she looks more toned and shaped. I think she was too skinny before. Another thing, she looks like she has a back side now especially in those trousers- sounds like I was really examining her body. *laugh out loud*

Choreography was fierce. I don't know if its me or what but somehow I feel the chereography reflects her comeback as a brand new her that is stronger and more feisty.

Good job Cheryl! xxx

Figs & Rouge Balm

Hey lovely people! First of all I would like to thank you for reading my blog. Today, I'm going to be reviewing a lip balm, Figs & Rouge that I received from my April's edition GlossyBox. 

 I've been using it pretty much everyday and I love it. I've always used Vaseline's Aloe Vera lip balm and thought it worked well on my lips but this one works even better. You don't need a lot, a little will go a long way. It is more hydrating than Vaseline and lasts longer too. It smells like lemonade, giving you that fresh sensation. In fact, it tastes and smells like this ice cream I used to always have after school, Lemon Ice. Mmmm....yummy!

I love the fact it is 100% pure, natural & organic, petroleum free; so if you're a person who likes cosmetic products with natural ingredients then this is for you. It can also be used on your face, hands and body. I wouldn't use it as body, hands and face moisturiser because it won't last, it's smaller than Vaseline. But I have applied it on dry patches that I constantly have on my face and really does moisturise it. I've used it on top of make up and still works; sometimes when I've applied foundation and and there be some flaky skin on my forehead or side of my mouth,etc. Applying moisturiser on top doesn't work, but this Figs & Rouge works!

 Pros

• 100% natural & organic- Petroleum free
• Extremely hydrating
• Pocket size
• Multi-functional

Cons

• £3.29 for 8ml- some may find it quite dear based on the quantity/size.

It is available in Boots (not sure where else you can get this) but not this particular one I got. Boots have other flavours; Aloe & Mint, Pomegranate, Coco Vanilla and Wild Cherry. The price and quantity are different, £4.99 for 17ml

Glossy Box- Anniversary Edition

Hey what's up people! Its Glossy box day and there are 2 extra items; mirror and a balloon. This is to celebrate 1 year anniversary of Glossy Box. I love all the products I got apart from the perfume, I told them I want to try samples for skin care, make-up and hair care not perfume!

I received two perfume samples by Lolita Lempicka; they both smell nice but I prefer the blue one.

These false eyelashes by Eldora are my favourite product I've received so far.

Left: Osmo Berber Oil, Hair Treatment. Right: Noble Isle, Summer rising bath & shower gel

I got 2 sachet of this Express Beauty Mask with Honey by Apivita

Garnier Pure Active Exfo-Brusher Wash

Hello lovely people!! Yes, it's another cosmetic product review. About a month ago I bought a new cleanser, Garnier Pure Active Exfo-Brusher Wash. Been using it every day and night- apart from the days when I've worn make up because it doesn't say it can remove make up- and I absolutely love it! The result is exactly as it says, softer skin from day 1.

This is how the brush looks like. Those bristle are really soft but firm enough to give your skin a good gentle massage, stimulating renewal of the skin cells. It also helps remove dead skin cells, fade marks, prevent spots and slowly cleaning out those black heads.

Advantages
What I like about this is that it doesn't hurt when you massage it on your face and leaves the skin not only soft but moist too unlike those scrubs; hard, uncomfortable, strips and dries skin.

Fairly affordable- £7.99 available in all supermarkets and pharmacies.
I bought this from Superdrugs when it was half price  for £3.99

Disadvantages
The only thing is it doesn't indicate for what skin type so I'm not sure if it's suitable for everyone otherwise I can't think of any other criticism.

I haven't used other micro exfoliate brush cleanser (I don't know the real name for them) so can't compare. But judging from my experience I would definitely recommend this to all of you! Another thing, Garnier has another exfo brush cleanser that has oil control, so people with oily skin maybe should try that instead.

Natural, simple and inexpensive face mask

Yoghurt is yummy, good for you and multi-functional. Yes, multi-functional; lots of health benefits if eaten and if not eaten can be used as a face mask to treat various skin problems or just simply for fresher looking skin.

As you may know yoghurt is fermented from milk and so contains active bacteria which is a good bacteria that your body requires. Also like in all dairy products, you will find nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B-2 and B-12. Other rich sources are also found such as iodine, protein and phosphorous.

In terms of health benefit there are so many; lowers cholesterol, decreases body fat,  boosts immune system, increases bone health, reduces the risk of high blood pressure and lots more.

Source from The Beauty Button.

In terms of skin benefit, using yoghurt as face mask will keep your skin well moisturised therefore making your skin soft and supple. The lactic acid in the yoghurt can also help smooth out the skin as it dissolves the dead skin cells and minimise pores. Yoghurt can also fade out pigmentation giving you even skintone. This is also useful for acne-prone people as yoghurt will keep the skin cleansed which will minimise breakouts.

Method:

1. Wash your face with a cleanser

2. Fetch about 2-3 tablespoons of natural yoghurt- make sure it is plain, avoid flavoured ones as they may contain other substance that may irritate the skin or may not work as well.

3. Smooth it all over the face & neck.

4. Leave for about 15 minutes.

5. After 15 minutes rinse it off. And apply toner and moisturiser.

Do this 2-3 times a week, do not leave on for more than 30 minutes.

Tips:
- If you have red blotches/ pimples, you can dab on some yoghurt on them and leave for 30 minutes.
- For anti-ageing purposes, add a table spoon of olive oil to 3 tablespoons of natural yoghurt. Leave the mixture on your face for 30 minutes.


This method can save you lots of money from buying all those skin care products. However, it may not work for everyone as some may be allergic to it, I am an example. I have funny sensitive skin; the skin on my right cheek bone is the only area that often irritates and goes red, which is what happened when I applied the yoghurt.

I can tell you it does work because a few years back my mum used to do it about 3 times a week and her skin did look fresher, more plump and her freckles were lighter. However, due to laziness she stopped. So, if you're too lazy or/and too busy to do a yoghurt facial regime then maybe you could try this instead. I discovered this a few years ago, if you have yoghurt before any food every morning, you will gradually see improvements to your skin. Soft and supple.

Good Luck!

Did you know baby oil can get rid of black heads?

Yes, I said baby oil and it can save you a lot of money from buying those products that is targeted at black heads.


A simple and inexpensive method; using a few drops of baby oil and gently massage around the nose area about 20 minutes. However, in less than 20 minutes you will find little particles on your fingers.

After 20 minutes,  wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Don't forget to apply toner and moisturiser after! Do this every other day to get a spot clean nose.

Before you do this, cleanse your face to get rid of the dead skin and oil.

If during the 20 minutes the baby oil has dried up, just add a few more drops and continue.

I know there are numerous ways to get rid of black heads; pore strips, blackhead extraction, facial scrub, etc, but do they work and how much are they costing you?

I myself haven't used pore strips before but I have heard many complaints, either; not all black heads are gone or black heads are back the next day. 

Extracting blackheads can be a painful thing and you have to be cautious otherwise it can result to infection. A few years ago, I went to the beautician to get my blackheads extracted. It was so painful and my face looked hideous with red marks every where which stayed for a few days. Everyone asked me what had happened to me. I used to occasionally do it myself with tissues wrapped around both fingers but I didn't want to have a red face again.

I've always been sceptical about scrub, although it get rids of dead skin but it will make your skin thinner. And as for black heads, I felt it only got rid of the top layer of black heads instead of giving my nose a deep cleanse.

Anyway, you don't have to do it in front of a mirror, you can do it while you're watching TV. Give it a try!