
April is here, spring has sprung and I don’t know about you but this time of year always brings a smile to my face. I love the lighter nights, seeing the flowers bloom and just spending time wandering around in the sun!

April is here, spring has sprung and I don’t know about you but this time of year always brings a smile to my face. I love the lighter nights, seeing the flowers bloom and just spending time wandering around in the sun!
I don’t know about you but for me, a trip to the cinema isn’t complete without a massive bucket of popcorn, right?
Earlier this month I was lucky enough to be invited along to intu Metrocentre’s ODEON Cinema for the ultimate Gallery experience to celebrate National Popcorn Day – a day that gives the delicious sweet and salty snack the recognition it deserves!
Ok, so first and foremost I’ve got to admit…I’m not a vegan.
In fact before this event, I wasn’t even that clued up on the ins and outs of veganism- all I knew was that I was interested in finding out more and broadening my horizons.
So before I carry on, let’s start with a brief explanation in case you’re not sure either.
Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose – The Vegan Society

So last week I was lucky enough to be invited along to a VIP evening at intu Metrocentre and oh my goodness, it was amazing!
A number of North East bloggers and influencers gathered at Exhibition Square where we were greeted with a glass of fizz and some lovely food from Fattoush Lounge before hopping aboard the intu Metrocentre express and checking out some of the brand new store openings that have been happening lately.
It doesn’t seem to matter which city I go to, I nearly always find myself in Revolution. Delicious food, bloody lovely cocktails and always a great atmosphere- you can never go wrong!
That’s why I was so excited when I was invited along to a blogger event at the opening of their new bar in Durham. Based in the heart of the city on North Road, the bar is spread out over two floors. Downstairs you have the ground floor restaurant with comfy booths, a large bar and a dance floor to keep you going til the early hours of the morning. If you head upstairs, you’ll find their amazing heated rooftop terrace which overlooks Durham Castle, Cathedral and the river. It’s beautiful!
Just over a week ago, I was lucky enough to have been invited along to the launch of El Nido Latin Kitchen – the new pop-up at No28 in Newcastle.
The quirky bar, which resides just above the Grainger Market, have teamed up with Kaltur, a Spanish restaurant and supplier, to create the pop-up kitchen and I was very excited to tuck into some plates from the menu!
We were greeted with a glass of complimentary fizz, then made ourselves comfortable in a cosy area of the bar with the rest of the North East bloggers and social media influencers who had been invited along to enjoy the evening.
A new hidden gem has opened its doors in Durham, and it’s nothing like anywhere you’ve been before.
Located on Hallgarth Street, The Rabbit Hole may look like a ramshackle antique shop but once you make your way through its speakeasy style side door, just off Mavin Street, you’re transported back to a bygone era of decadence and indulgence.
Over the past year or so, there have been a number of great new restaurants opening across Sunderland city centre and if you’re like me and still haven’t got round to trying a lot of them, then Restaurant Week is your perfect opportunity!
Organised by Sunderland BID, Sunderland Restaurant Week takes place from the 8th to the 16th September and sees over 30 restaurants and cafes take part, with dining deals on offer for as little as £5pp.

808 Bar and Kitchen
PizzaStorm is one of my favourite spots to visit in Newcastle for scran. Residing in Intu Eldon Square, the restaurant is super affordable (and fast!) with pizza’s starting from £6.55! You can choose one of their signature pizza’s from the menu, like Loaded Cheese Feast or Smokey BBQ Chicken, or you can create your own.

Set in the former university offices at Old Shire Hall, Hotel Indigo Durham has recently opened following a £15 million transformation. I was lucky enough to be invited along to check out the hotel, and was overwhelmed by just how wonderful it is!
The stunning red brick building is ideally situated on Old Elvet, which makes it the perfect base to explore the city centre. It is also the home to Tinderbox Espresso Bar, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill and the Rotunda Bar – which I’ll get onto later.
