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RUGBY & BIRMINGHAM WEEKEND GETAWAY

March 13, 2019 in TRAVEL
lunch in birmingham

If you follow me on social media, you’ll have seen that I spent the weekend in Rugby and Birmingham. David and I were given UK break vouchers as a gift, so I chose to go to Rugby as I drove through the town last year and thought it looked nice. It turns out however, that there aren’t actually many things to do in Rugby, so we took a 40 minute train to Birmingham for the day.brownsover hall exteriorbrownsover hall outsideWhen I say that there aren’t many things to do in Rugby, what I really mean is that there is NOTHING to do. There are no nice places to eat, no interesting shops and no visitor attractions except a rugby sport museum. We stayed in the nicest hotel in the area – Brownsover Hall. It’s a nice hotel that’s had a recent overall and styling update; but it does have a few issues. It’s not that much of an issue that there isn’t much to do as you can get the train to Birmingham, or you can get it to Bletchley Park, which I am so sad I missed on this trip. I’m fascinated by the code breaking there during the Second World War.brownsover hall receptionlaura pearson-smithThe hotel looks really nice and the building has a very interesting history. There is also a very smart dining room, but a very peculiar-looking bar. They offer cocktails, but the bar staff don’t know how to make them properly. They aren’t a very busy hotel, so I think some of the staff were a bit startled that guests were actually ordering things. The menu in the restaurant is varied and offers something for everyone. The food is average, but the desserts are amazing. I had the best chocolate brownie that I’ve ever had! It’s a comfortable, smart hotel; but it’s not somewhere you would go for a special occasion – it’s somewhere to stay on a work trip when you can be treated to more than the Travelodge down the road.

We had dinner at the hotel on the Friday night, as it was part of our package. It was nothing to write home about, except from that chocolate brownie that I’m still dreaming of! However, on the Saturday, we headed into Birmingham for some shopping, wandering and a delicious lunch*.hema birminghamThe first place we hit up was the Hema store at Birmingham New Street train station. I love some of the stuff that this bargain Sweedish brand make, and the only other physical store i’ve seen is at London Euston. I bought some confetti for blog post photos. We then headed to Selfridges in the Bullring shopping centre. Their food hall is amazing, and if you love cake like me, it’s heaven.selfridges birmingham cakeslola's cupcakesselfridges birmingham food hallSelfridges have their own cake counters, with everything from mini cheesecakes and huge celebration cakes, to pretty flavoured meringues. There is also a Lola’s Cupcakes counter. We knew their stuff is yummy, so we got a box of 8 mini cupcakes so that we could try a good range of flavours. It was a bit overpriced at nearly £15 for one-bite cakes, so I wish we’d just got a box of four normal sized cupcakes instead. They were nice though!blood orange mojito cosy clubthe cosy club birminghamDavid and I then went to have some cocktails in a bar before lunch. We chose The Cosy Club, which is a stylish but chilled and cosy bar. I had one of the best cocktails that i’ve ever had – their Blood Orange Mojito. It was so refreshing and fruity.bar + block birminghambar + block birminghamWe then headed a few doors along to Bar + Block for lunch*. They are a steak restaurant, with lots of other yummy options too. Steak is their speciality and is what they are most proud of though. The staff here are so friendly and are really passionate about the menu and about recomending what’s good. I think next time we’ll stay in a Birmingham serviced apartment if we’re visiting this area again, so that we can spend more time here. bar + block grazing plate mini tacosbar + block grazing platesred wine to go with beefWe started off our meal with three of their grazing plates to share as a starter – we went for Mac ‘n’ Cheese Bites (£3.75), Mini Beef Tacos (£4.95) and the amazing, stand-out Asian Crispy Beef (£5.50) . I need to know how they make the Asian Crispy Beef as it was incredible and so full of flavour. Our waiter also chose a bottle of red wine for us that would go well with what we ordered, and he picked very well.bar + block The Mighty Block BurgerFor our main courses, I went with the Bar + Block signature The Mighty Block Burger (£13.50) – Our signature beef burger. 8oz hand-ground beef patty with oozy cheese sauce, crispy onions, pulled beef brisket, pickled cucumber spear, shredded lettuce, tomato and our fiery black sauce.

However, i’m quite picky with salad, sauces and condiments, so I asked for it without the pickles, lettuce, tomato and fiery black sauce. The burger was so thick and made with such great quality beef, but the burger patty and the pulled beef was quite dry because I had got rid of the sauce. So, I think this is one to order as it’s supposed to come, as I found it too dry and meaty to finish.bar + block mixed grillDavid went for the Mixed Grill (£19.95) – 4oz rump steak, half a pork chop, half a grilled chicken breast and a giant pork sausage, served with a grilled flat mushroom, tomato, apple slaw and French fries.

He really enjoyed this and thought that all of the meats were of such a high quality and cooked to perfection. We also got a side of onion rings, which were crispy and perfect.Sticky Toffee Apple CrumbleTriple chocolate brownieEven although we were stuffed, we couldn’t leave without trying their desserts. I went for a warming and sweet Sticky Toffee Apple Crumble (£5.95) and David had the Triple Chocolate Brownie (£5.95). Both were amazing. We were so happy and well-fed after our meal at Bar + Block in Birmingham, and we were so well looked after by the amazing staff.birmingham city centre churchThe meal at bar + block was complimentary for review, but all opinions are my own.

You can see more of what i’m loving, and what i’m doing, over on my Instagram.

Rugby guide

 

Tags : birmingham, birmingham restaurant review, rugby, rugby hotel review, shopping in birmingham, things to do in birmingham, things to do in rugby, Travel

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ABOUT ME

ABOUT ME

Laura Pearson is a Beauty Editor and Skinfluencer that's obsessed with luxury skincare and makeup. She's all about that glow! She is also a luxury travel writer and always has a trip planned. Laura has a chic style and this blog is full of her product loves, luxury travel tips and general guides on how to live an elevated life.

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{Press Trip/UnpaidAD} And that’s a wrap on all m {Press Trip/UnpaidAD} And that’s a wrap on all my #grancanaria content. I just want to thank these amazing girls for a trip of a lifetime - @jasminecjonas @aglassofice @behindthefalselashes @robynpoppy 👯‍♀️
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{PR gift/UnpaidAD} ✨The glow is real. My love af {PR gift/UnpaidAD} ✨The glow is real. My love affair with @hydrafacialuk @hydrafacial continues. Real skin, bare skin, #nofilterneeded - just a Hydrafacial treatment. I always have the best skin of my life after a Hydrafacial & I can never replicate the results myself at home. If you want to put your money towards any facial, this is the one where you’ll see a remarkable difference in your skin. It’s my favourite beauty treatment IN THE WORLD! ✨🥰
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It’s a @freshbeauty #texturetuesday party! 🎉 It’s a @freshbeauty #texturetuesday party! 🎉 Clockwise from 5 past - Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask to plump & aid recovery; Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask to purify, mattify & minimise pores; Rose Face Mask to cool & hydrate; Sugar Face Polish to exfoliate & smooth; Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask to add radiance & exfoliate; then in the centre, the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask to hydrate & smooth.
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{Some PR Samples/UnpaidAD} A fabulous array of pro {Some PR Samples/UnpaidAD} A fabulous array of products for this week’s #friyayfaves post!
The new @biossance Squalane & Copper Pepid Rapid Plumping Serum is a real gem. This pale blue gel serum is insanely hydrating and my skin just drinks it in, leaving it looking plump & juicy. Great big bottle for a serum too. Another hydrating hero is the @freshbeauty Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner. It’s a cult favourite for a reason - delicious rose scent, floating petals and really puts some moisture back into your skin.
Talking big moisture (are you seeing the pattern here), the new @dermalogicauk Hyaluronic Ceramide Mist* really does hydrate and leave skin feeling so comfortable and soft. Seems a lot more powerful than other mists, which I think is the ceramides really fortifying my skin barrier to leave it lovely and happy.
The new serum from @lancomeofficial is incredible and more than worth its high price tag. In the Renergie HCF Triple Serum, 3 powerful active ingredients (Vitamin C, Niacinamide & Ferulic Acid) are kept unmixed, in their own chambers to keep their potency. Only at the point of pressing the pump do they mixed in your hand. So effective at improving skin texture and brightness. Deserves an array of awards!
To keep my laminated brows in place I’ve been relying on @eyebrowqueen Brow Fix for months now. They do not budge but they look very natural. This does make your brows crispy, but it doesn’t flake or rub off. I don’t mind the crispness as visually they look great, but some might not like this.
Finally, I’m so happy to have the @foreo_uk Iris eye device in my life, to massage any eye bags or puffiness away. Great to use over an eye cream. It’s so relaxing too!
🥰
#beautyfavourites #beautyfavorites #skincarefavorites #skincarefavourites #lancome #freshbeauty #biossance #dermalogica #luxurybeauty #luxuryblogger #glasgowblogger #scottishbloggers #ukbeautybloggers #ukbeautybabes #bblogger #bbloggers #bbloggersuk #skincareaddict #skincareaddiction #beautyaddicts #beautyaddiction #skincarerecomended #skincarereview #skincarereviews #instaskin #skinsta #skinstagals #skinstagram #foreo
{Press Trip/AD} Last week I was in the sun in glor {Press Trip/AD} Last week I was in the sun in glorious Gran Canaria with @jet2pics - laughing and hanging out with 4 other gorgeous girls. We ate amazing food, drank amazing wine and cocktails and enjoyed the most beautiful views of the sea and the beach. I think you can see my happiness radiating in these photos. Gran Canaria is a truly special place to visit & I’ll hold this trip in my heart for a very long time! Just look at that water! 🌊 ☀️ 👯‍♀️ 
#jet2holidays #Jet2GranCanaria #GranCanaria #SoMuchToLiveFor #grancanaria #grancanarias #grancanariafoto #grancanariainfo #luxurytravel #luxurytraveller #luxurytraveler #luxurytravels #luxurytraveldaily #luxurytravelblogger #luxurytravelblog #spanishsummer #outfitoftheday #outfitinspiration #fbloggersuk #outfitshot #outfitdujour #bbloggersuk #skinfluencers #travelinfluencer #travelinfluencers #travelbloggerlife #travelbloggervibes #ukbloggers #luxurylife #friyayfaves
Cannot get enough of the @goodhabitskin Water Jell Cannot get enough of the @goodhabitskin Water Jelly Dew Cream! It wibble wobbles like a jelly and has blue light protection! Hyaluronic acid locks moisture into skin to create a hydrated, plumper appearance, while a blend of 20% humectants draw water to the skin to keep it moisturised all day long.
💦
#texturetuesday #hydratingskincare #hydratingskin #moisturiser #moisturizer #moisturising #moisturizing #hyaluronic #hyaluronicacid #glasgowblogger #scottishbloggers #textureshot #textureshots #skincaretexture #allatexture #skincareuk #skincarebloggersuk #skincareaddicts #skincareaddicted #bbloggersuk #ukbeautybloggers #ukbeautyblogger #skincareproducts #skincarejunkie #skinsta #skincareproducts #bbloggers #instaskincare #skincareobsessed #skincareobsession
{Press Trip/UnpaidAD} And that’s a wrap on all m {Press Trip/UnpaidAD} And that’s a wrap on all my #grancanaria content. I just want to thank these amazing girls for a trip of a lifetime - @jasminecjonas @aglassofice @behindthefalselashes @robynpoppy 👯‍♀️
#jet2grancanaria #somuchtolivefor #girlstrip #girlsholiday #girlsquad #girlsquadgoals #girlsquad💖 #ukfashionblogger #uktravelblogger #grancanarias #summervibes #summeroutfits #summeroutfitideas #summeroutfitinspo #womensupportingwomen #womenempoweringwomen #holidayoutfit #holidaystyle #canaryislands #canaryisland #influencerlife #influencerblogger #travelinfluencer #presstrip #friendshipgoals #friendgoals #friendforlife #outfitinspirations #outfitinspo
{PR gift/UnpaidAD} ✨The glow is real. My love af {PR gift/UnpaidAD} ✨The glow is real. My love affair with @hydrafacialuk @hydrafacial continues. Real skin, bare skin, #nofilterneeded - just a Hydrafacial treatment. I always have the best skin of my life after a Hydrafacial & I can never replicate the results myself at home. If you want to put your money towards any facial, this is the one where you’ll see a remarkable difference in your skin. It’s my favourite beauty treatment IN THE WORLD! ✨🥰
#hydrafacial #hydrafacialmd #hydrafacialnation #hydrafacialuk #hydrafacials #hydrafacialglow #resurfacing #dermabrasion #exfoliating #glowup #glowingskin #glowingskintips #glowingskinisalwaysin #glowingskinisin #glasgowbloggers #instaskin #instaskincarecommunity #facialtreatment #facials #skintexture #skintreatments #skintreatment #hydratingfacial #hydratingskincare #nofilter #beautifulskinstartshere #beautifulskin #skingoals #realskin
It’s a @freshbeauty #texturetuesday party! 🎉 It’s a @freshbeauty #texturetuesday party! 🎉 Clockwise from 5 past - Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask to plump & aid recovery; Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask to purify, mattify & minimise pores; Rose Face Mask to cool & hydrate; Sugar Face Polish to exfoliate & smooth; Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask to add radiance & exfoliate; then in the centre, the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask to hydrate & smooth.
♥️
#freshbeauty #textureshot #textureshots #skincaretexture #allatexture #facemask #skincareuk #skincarebloggersuk #skincareaddicts #skincareaddicted #bbloggersuk #ukbeautybloggers #ukbeautyblogger #skincareproducts #skincarejunkie #skinsta #skinstasquad #skincareproducts #bbloggers #instaskincare #skincareobsessed #skincareobsession #facemaskchain #facemasktime #facemasker #glasgowblogger #scottishbloggers #beautycontentcreator #facemaskaddict
{Some PR Samples/UnpaidAD} A fabulous array of pro {Some PR Samples/UnpaidAD} A fabulous array of products for this week’s #friyayfaves post!
The new @biossance Squalane & Copper Pepid Rapid Plumping Serum is a real gem. This pale blue gel serum is insanely hydrating and my skin just drinks it in, leaving it looking plump & juicy. Great big bottle for a serum too. Another hydrating hero is the @freshbeauty Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner. It’s a cult favourite for a reason - delicious rose scent, floating petals and really puts some moisture back into your skin.
Talking big moisture (are you seeing the pattern here), the new @dermalogicauk Hyaluronic Ceramide Mist* really does hydrate and leave skin feeling so comfortable and soft. Seems a lot more powerful than other mists, which I think is the ceramides really fortifying my skin barrier to leave it lovely and happy.
The new serum from @lancomeofficial is incredible and more than worth its high price tag. In the Renergie HCF Triple Serum, 3 powerful active ingredients (Vitamin C, Niacinamide & Ferulic Acid) are kept unmixed, in their own chambers to keep their potency. Only at the point of pressing the pump do they mixed in your hand. So effective at improving skin texture and brightness. Deserves an array of awards!
To keep my laminated brows in place I’ve been relying on @eyebrowqueen Brow Fix for months now. They do not budge but they look very natural. This does make your brows crispy, but it doesn’t flake or rub off. I don’t mind the crispness as visually they look great, but some might not like this.
Finally, I’m so happy to have the @foreo_uk Iris eye device in my life, to massage any eye bags or puffiness away. Great to use over an eye cream. It’s so relaxing too!
🥰
#beautyfavourites #beautyfavorites #skincarefavorites #skincarefavourites #lancome #freshbeauty #biossance #dermalogica #luxurybeauty #luxuryblogger #glasgowblogger #scottishbloggers #ukbeautybloggers #ukbeautybabes #bblogger #bbloggers #bbloggersuk #skincareaddict #skincareaddiction #beautyaddicts #beautyaddiction #skincarerecomended #skincarereview #skincarereviews #instaskin #skinsta #skinstagals #skinstagram #foreo
{Press Trip/AD} Last week I was in the sun in glor {Press Trip/AD} Last week I was in the sun in glorious Gran Canaria with @jet2pics - laughing and hanging out with 4 other gorgeous girls. We ate amazing food, drank amazing wine and cocktails and enjoyed the most beautiful views of the sea and the beach. I think you can see my happiness radiating in these photos. Gran Canaria is a truly special place to visit & I’ll hold this trip in my heart for a very long time! Just look at that water! 🌊 ☀️ 👯‍♀️ 
#jet2holidays #Jet2GranCanaria #GranCanaria #SoMuchToLiveFor #grancanaria #grancanarias #grancanariafoto #grancanariainfo #luxurytravel #luxurytraveller #luxurytraveler #luxurytravels #luxurytraveldaily #luxurytravelblogger #luxurytravelblog #spanishsummer #outfitoftheday #outfitinspiration #fbloggersuk #outfitshot #outfitdujour #bbloggersuk #skinfluencers #travelinfluencer #travelinfluencers #travelbloggerlife #travelbloggervibes #ukbloggers #luxurylife #friyayfaves
Cannot get enough of the @goodhabitskin Water Jell Cannot get enough of the @goodhabitskin Water Jelly Dew Cream! It wibble wobbles like a jelly and has blue light protection! Hyaluronic acid locks moisture into skin to create a hydrated, plumper appearance, while a blend of 20% humectants draw water to the skin to keep it moisturised all day long.
💦
#texturetuesday #hydratingskincare #hydratingskin #moisturiser #moisturizer #moisturising #moisturizing #hyaluronic #hyaluronicacid #glasgowblogger #scottishbloggers #textureshot #textureshots #skincaretexture #allatexture #skincareuk #skincarebloggersuk #skincareaddicts #skincareaddicted #bbloggersuk #ukbeautybloggers #ukbeautyblogger #skincareproducts #skincarejunkie #skinsta #skincareproducts #bbloggers #instaskincare #skincareobsessed #skincareobsession
{AD - Press Trip} The first night of my Visit Gran {AD - Press Trip} The first night of my Visit Gran Canaria & Jet2 influencer trip was so memorable. Had such an amazing time at Perchel Beach Club, eating the freshest, tastiest sushi and drinking pretty cocktails by the sea with 4 beautiful girls @robynpoppy @aglassofice @behindthefalselashes & @jasminecjonas 💕👯‍♀️ ☀️ 
@perchelbeachclub @jet2pics @visitgrancanaria 
#Jet2holidays #Jet2GranCanaria #GranCanaria #SoMuchToLiveFor #grancanaria #grancanarias #grancanariafoto #grancanariainfo #luxurytravel #luxurytraveller #luxurytraveler #luxurytravels #luxurytraveldaily #luxurytravelblogger #luxurytravelblog #spanishsummer #cocktailsontap #cocktailsonthebeach #cocktailtime #cocktailhour #prettycocktails #cocktailart #cocktailgram #travelinfluencer #travelinfluencers #travelbloggerlife #travelbloggervibes #ukbloggers #luxurylife #luxurylifestyles
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