La Tasca - Cheltenham Re-opening Night!

Last week I was invited to the re-opening of La Tasca in my hometown in Cheltenham. It's just down the road from me at work so seemed like a pretty tempting idea when I got the invite through with the offer of cocktails, paella masterclass and a bit of Zumba, besides the fact I've always enjoyed their tapas!

Two of my friends came along with me to join in the fun which all kicked off with a welcoming entrance from the lovely staff, a delicious glass of sangria and entrees of Spanish Omelette, Chorizo, Manchego ( a traditional Spanish Cheese) and Dipping bread with authentic oils and vinegars. Yummy yummy. I would definitely recommend! We almost felt like we'd been jetted over to Spain...till the sound of Rain pouring outside kicked in and ruined that day dream!

Next, we had a fab cocktail masterclass with the hostess Nadia, showing us how to make two of my favorite cocktails, Sex on the Beach and Mojito. Oh goody.. but then it was over to us! It's safe to say we tried to pay as much attention as possible, but given that in the past we have tried to grind Trebor Extra Strong Mints as a subsitute for fresh mint, it didn't seem hopeful. (Totally logical solution though right?! ha) It was initially going really well, Ice.. Check, Mint, Lime, Sugar, Check..FOUR shots of rum... erm oh, wait a minute. It didn't really work out when my friend Charlotte managed to accidentally add a quarduple shot of rum for her Mojito. I think it's fair to say cocktail making is never going to be our party trick. Unless you want to get very drunk.

After we drank our concoctions and the delicious ones made by Nadia, we were all up off our seats to have a go at some traditional Spanish dancing such as Zumba, much to the amusement of all the diners enjoying their meals. After a few clumsy twirls and twists on my part and when we'd all just about managed to get the hang of it we had to partner off for couples dancing. Zumba with a partner is pretty sensual and 'up-close' and started off with you and your partner - who you'd just met - giving each other 'bear hugs' to get the right intimacy... Not how I usually spend my Thursday nights, but a right giggle all the same!

To round off the evening we were treated to a yummy dish of the Paella which had been slow cooking on the large steel pan throughout the evening. My friends and I had the Chicken and Chroizo Paella, it was soo delicious and I would recommend it to anyone who goes to La Tasca! They also did a Seafood Paella which lots of the other ladies enjoyed if you like your seafood! We were even given a goodie pack of La Tasca Paella Cooking ingredients which I'm really looking forward to using to try and re-create at home!

Thank you to all the friendly staff at La Tasca for being so welcoming and generous!

 

FAB in Cheltenham 2013 - Magazine

Hi Guys! I have some exciting news to share with you all! A little while back you may have read on my blog that I was working on a little collaboration with FAB 2013 which is an annual big old fashion and beauty fest in my home town Cheltenham! I was very luckily contacted by the lovely Elaine who edits the magazine for FAB and was invited to blog for the week's events and have an interview for the magazine! Eek! I also ended up creating a moodboard to feature alongside the interview (you all know how much I love my moodboards) which I styled on one of my favourite trends for the SS'13 season, Neon! The magazine was excitingly released around Cheltenham town yesterday, I have to say it was a very new sight and all felt a bit surreal seeing a zoom in of my face and my name in print! I feel like it's one of those things I will keep and look back on for years. My Mum has also already decided to send copies of it up and down the country to family.. I think she'd distribute it around the world if she could haha!

For those of you who have not heard of FAB I will fill you in! The FAB events are due to kick off next week, running from April 15th - April 21st around Cheltenham and will include a host of fabulous occasions such as multiple Fashion Shows, Ladies lunches, Clothes Swaps, Champagne High Teas, Beauty Events and Shopping afternoons! Which in any girl's book all sounds pretty amazing! If any of you fancy going along to any of the lovely events you can buy tickets and find out more information here. I will be posting regular blogs on here on all the happenings so stay tuned and follow me on Twitter @Justine_Gibbins to keep updated! Also if any of you are going along to the events leave a little comment and I'll come find you and say hi :)

Lots of love as always,

Snow Business

Hello everyone! I managed to squeeze in a snowy walk this weekend around work, naturally the blogger in me had to take some photos whilst everything was looking so pretty and winter wonderland like! Here are a few snaps from my wintery walk around a little wood near my house in Cheltenham and a couple from the back garden! I also managed to get some outfit snaps done so will pop them up tomorrow :) 

Hope you've all been enjoying the snow and got those sledges out! The big kid in me will never stop loving a bit of sledging time!