#BotanistBirthday

If you've never been to The Botanist (there's one in Chester, Alderley Edge, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle and Manchester) then you're missing out. I've been to the Chester branch multiple times, because the food is so good it often whispers my name in the dead of night - and the service is delightful too. Oh, and not to mention the cocktails.

Last week, my beautiful girlfriend and I were invited to celebrate the Chester restaurant's first birthday - an exclusive guestlist, ready for a night of cocktails and canapees and giant garden games. We arrived early, which is unheard of for us, and in true blogger style took plenty of photos while we waited for the night to get into full swing. When it did, we were presented with a glass of Prosecco and a little big with tokens and instructions inside. It was all strange and exciting and new.

Outside was giant Jenga, connect-4, hook a duck (which I was rubbish at) and hoopla; but the star of the show was the cake decorating station, with the opportunity to win a meal for two. Sam was amazing, and I was so bad that  to save my dignity I've not included a photo. We had a ball doing it though, and that's the main thing!

Tokens were exchanged for drinks: The Botanist cocktail, which was honestly gorgeous, and a glass of Pimms - not so nice but I drank them anyway... There were shots too, and canapees that included chipolatas, tiny burgers and fried onions. Delish. We rubbed shoulders with PR types and even had a bit of a boogie.

Thanks to all at the Botanist for such a lovely night. Let me know if you do visit the Botanist, you won't regret it.

The Smuggler's Cove // KiTTi

Back in June, a bunch of us bloggers went for food and cocktails at The Smuggler's Cove in Liverpool, in collaboration with Satander and their new KiTTi app. The app is basically the mobile version of a good old fashioned kitty - a way to collect money within a group for you all to spend on a night out, holiday, shopping trip or whatever you choose!

It was a typical Scousers night out; we met at the L1 steps and wandered over to the Albert Dock, where we had a table booked at the Smuggler's Cove. Inside it's absolutely beautiful, with light fittings made from armour helmets, rope and stools and pirate memorabilia everywhere. The food is well priced and utterly delicious; I went for onion rings as a starter followed by the deli board for my main course - I'm salivating at the thought! And the cocktails, ohhhh the cocktails. They're mostly rum-based, obviously, and they're super strong but I wouldn't have it any other way!

The KiTTi app was so easy to use: the lovely Jem was put in charge of our's, and she invited each of us to join our group on the app. We then deposited money from our bank accounts, and it showed in the little jar - easy as pie. Jem was then sent a special debit card which was used to pay at the end of our night - et voila! The lovely people over at Talented Talkers, who had set up the night for us, doubled our total and added that to the KiTTi too, meaning for the £15 I put in, I had £45 to spend. Bonusssss!

It was such a lovely night, so I'd like to say a massive thank you to Talented Talkers, Santander and of course my gorgeous fellow bloggers for making me laugh til my belly hurt. I can't wait to see you all again girls!