If there is one thing in life that I love - its peanut butter.

Give me it in porridge, on fruit (well for some - I'm not a fruit lover unless its banana) , covered in chocolate, or pretty much anything else and I am there.

Juicy Lucie got the idea of going to make our own with the New Leaf Co-op.


They have their own nut butter making machine. Oh yes, I tell no lie!

They have different nuts for each day:
Monday - Almond Butter
Tuesday - Cashew Butter
Wednesday to Saturday - Peanut Butter
But wait for it, on Saturday between 4:30 to 6:30 its Chocolate Peanut Butter Happy Hour! Can I hear a hallelujah? 



The New Leaf Co-op have a very simple aim - to offer affordable, healthy, organic products. This is locally sourced and fair trade. It is all done with as little packaging as possible to top it all off!

This doesn't just include food as well, but household products too.



We got a little snap happy with all the gorgeous colours. 




The little packaging aim means everything is boxed in containers and you just scoop what you need.


My favourite was the different teas...


I grabbed some lemongrass and dreamed off Thailand again when they used to serve this to us as we arrived at the hotels.


Massive boxes of grains, nuts, dried fruit, pulses and beans just lay in front of us.

You just pop it into a bag, weight it and boom!


You know when everyone else is taking the shopping experience really seriously and your giddy with excitement about loose grain...yeah that was us!


Then we saw what we were waiting for. Our magic machine.



We got some jars available from the store, but your best to bring your own. Remember to weigh the jar first at the till (we made that mistake)!

It's as easy as pie. All you do is turn on the machine and watch as the crunchy peanut butter drizzles down into the jar.

So we didn't technically 'make our own' as it was THAT easy, but ain't nobody got time to grind your own!



The smile of a very happy chappy...




We filled our jars to the absolute brim, but you can just fill to the amount you want to pay for if you just want a taste.






We skipped the whole way home, eager to grab our spoons and dig in.

It was so sunny as we walked back through the Meadows past the morning cyclists and blooming daffodils. Everyone was out enjoying the first signs of spring.


It didn't take long for me to tuck in at home. I love it!

No excess sugar or ingredients - just delicious peanuts with a good crunch! I would highly recommend taking a trip with friends if your looking for wholesome, healthy food and household products.

Will we all see each other next Saturday for Chocolate Peanut Butter Happy Hour? Mmm-hmmm.

Have you ever had a group of people unsure of where to go for dinner? You all don't really mind where you go as long as its good...but no one wants to really say where!

Well have I got a plan for you - Restaurant Roulette!

It's easy and quite fun when chatting about what to put down...

So grab 2 small pieces of paper each.

On one put a place you would love to go (preferably one you haven't been to before just to spice it up).

On the other put a place you would...well...prefer not to go! It doesn't have to be an awful place, just somewhere that doesn't quite fit the occasion.

Everyone should pop them all in a bowl, hat, whatever you have. Give it a little shake.

Then...leave it until your all dolled up and ready to go. Adds a little bit of excitement at the thought of going to KFC in your dress and heels, eh?

Grab the bowl and get someone to lift one piece of paper out. NO PEAKING. Then - boom you have your place to eat!

If you are feeling like one place just isn't enough, then choose again and you have your place for dessert!


We all rushed back from uni to celebrate Lois finishing her placement. It actually turned into a 'celebration night' for each of us. 

Sometimes you forget about how much there is to celebrate. For you it could be having a good week at university, finishing a project, having a good hair day, remembering the friends you have - there is too much to celebrate.

We all counted our blessings for one night over some Thai food (which is the restaurant I put in).

Here is Chaophraya which is an unbelievable Thai restaurant. 

It has a glass booth which has a view of Edinburgh Castle and much of the city - this is amaaaazing to look at during the night. The lights glisten and the glasses around us clink as everyone everyone enjoys their time together.



They have a great deal for all you early birds out there - 2 courses and a Chang beer for £14.95. 

I don't drink so water is usually my choice of beverage, but I was able to swap the beer for a tea after the main course which was perfect.

The staff here were so accommodating. They could not have been more helpful or pleasant. 

I always feel that you need to pay for the whole experience. I need friendly staff who will always be pulling out my chair or grabbing my coat, its not just about the food. Well, it is mostly about the food.

Oh just look at that skyline...




I got the Chicken Satay to start and moved onto the Panang Beef Curry for main.

The chicken satay was "so succulent" - I declared this as everyone else got the duck which they all agreed was delicious too.



The main was equally delicious. It really filled us up too. The flavours were bursting through the tender beef.

The egg on top sounded a little strange, but it worked very well. 

I am definitely heading back for some more of this. There were no complaints at our table, just silence as we devoured our dinner.






The earl grey kept us chatting for hours...it was a celebration after all!




Before we sadly said our goodbyes and celebrated the whole way home!


This will be one place I will be happily back to. A little spice never hurt no one! 

Also...hearing 'Sawadee ka' from all the staff has got me yearning for Thailand again, I am already looking up last Mays blogposts. Can someone bring me some pad thai and elephants please? Thanks!

Overall, it was lovely to sit back and think of reasons to celebrate. 

Perhaps this week you could grab a friend...or ten...and each say what you want to celebrate over coffee, dinner, or a piece of cake. Count your blessings and your friends too. You will soon realise there is plenty to smile about!


I always love a beautiful top that can be worn with jeans. When your looking for that 'not too fancy but I still wanna look like its a nice occassion' kinda thing, you get it?

I love something that brings me in at the waist, so when it comes wearing jeans with them I don't look like a big frump

Say hello to this little gem.

Its a gorgeous Lipsy lacey number you can find here. I don't really buy from Lipsy as it is not usually my style, but I'm in love today.

It is sophisticated yet feminine with the peplum and flirty lace detail. It had a V neckline on the front and back. 

Andrew got me it for Valentine's...he does well sometimes!





I teamed it with a pair of black jeans and little black heeled boots. Keeping it simple for dinner.


The top is beyond  comfortable and is made of quite a sturdy material which hides all lumps and bumps.

So in the end the only question left is...can I buy another one?

Phew, now that was over we headed to our favourite Chinese in Edinburgh - Karen's Unicorn.

I love this place. They all have headsets on which makes it hilariously professional and once you sit down they present you with a bowl of prawn crackers - I like something to nibble on when I'm deciding.


We started off our meal by sharing a half Crispy Aromatic Duck with all the trimmings. Mmm-hmmm. 

The only problem with this dish is that sharing usually causes arguments between Andrew and I as he eats so fast and I ALWAYS want half. So the only answer is to divide it at the beginning so I don't cry that he has eaten too much. 

Tough lives we lead, eh?



I got Shredded Chilli and Garlic Beef and Andrew helped himself to Honey and Chilli Chicken. I had never had a 'dry' dish before so the chilli really hit me sometimes but I actually quite liked it.




With a little rice on the side to seal the deal. Oh yeah. You can choose between a bowl or a plate here to eat your dinner from. I always opt for a bowl as its nice to always be having a little bit, then a little more and a bit more after that.




The rice here is amazingly fluffy against the crispy beef. I could have licked my lips just to have some more.

When paying for the bill, they gave us little truffles to pop in our mouths. I loved the sweet chocolate to finish us off before we said our goodbyes until the next time. 


In Edinburgh there is such an abundance of choice of where to eat. I can't help myself when I keep falling in love with every meal. Agreed?

Where to next...hmm...
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