Review: Dune Surfer and Just Burgers & Beers.

A while ago (ahem, November!!) I was invited to my first Blogger Event from the lovely girls at LUX. As life has been pretty chaotic I've only just got round to finishing this post (bad blogger!)

The event was taking place in Just Burger & Beers up in the Royal Mile and was to promote a new low-cal refreshing beer - Dune Surfer. Now I LOVE burgers and I LOVE beer, so yeah, there wasn't really any part of me saying no - apart from the small nervous part about meeting a bunch of strangers. Now I'm no stranger to the blogging world, having had this one since 2009 (although the lack of older posts doesn't make this clear, I had a bit of a radge moment and deleted all my old posts and wish I never had), but this was my first meet up, other than nods of acknowledgement from others when I've been out and around town. So I was a little nervous about that, but really shouldn't have been, everyone I spoke to was lovely.

So back to the beer and burger.

We were firstly spoken to by the owner of Just Beer & Burgers who explained we would given a small sample of their 'sides', home-made 'slaw, pulled pork, chicken wing, chili and nachos, - god it was all so tasty but so filling, I wasn't actually sure I'd be able to manage my burger afterwards. 

We then had a chat from the owner of Dune Surfer, a gentleman with years of brewery experience. The beer is marketed as refreshing, hydrating, low-cal and low- alcohol (around 2%). The beers I tend to drink are ones like Heineken, Innis & Gunn lager, a few choice Williams Bros and Black Isle. So this was probably a fair bit away from my 'norm'. However, I did find it refreshing, fruity and very light, as to not suffer from the beer bubbles. I could quite imagine sitting in a beer garden in the Summer having a few of these.

Next we tried a beer cocktail, they added gin, watermelon and something limey, it was delish, something I would certainly attempt to recreate at home. 

During this part our burgers arrived!

I'd gone for their 'Anna Nicole Smith' burger, a lovely burger but a bit of a mess, (too harsh?...maybe). But it was one of the best burgers I've had. Served on a seeded bun with the Wee Mans fiery beef chilli, melted Monty Jack cheese & jalapenos. 

There were also fries and onion rings the size of your hand, I was stuffed by the end, and we got chocolate brownie to take home. Chocolate isn't high on my list of 'like's but the brownie was superb.

30 is just 21 with 9 years experience

So, yeah, life's been a little bit crazy over the past few months.

We've had Christmas and New Year, I turned 30 (and it wasn't as tough as I thought it was going to be), works been crazy busy too! I feel like I just get home and it's time to start all over again! So I've taken a little time to write the mandatory 'catch-up' post.

So my 30th birthday wasn't a huge disaster, I didn't wake up grey with masses of wrinkles. In fact it was pretty awesome. I was spoiled massively. There was Harris Tweed, Rox, alcohol, jewellery, Radley watch. I done very well. And on top of that Jamie's parents bought me driving lessons. I'm currently on my third and so far so good. 

On my actual birthday Jamie had booked a table at Chaophraya, if you don't know it, it's a LOVELY Thai restaurant in Edinburgh that has spectacular views of Edinburgh castle. There is a roof terrace that would be great for Summer time but as it was winter it was safer to stay inside. The food was amazing. I've never had proper Thai out in a restaurant so stuck with safe dishes, prawns with sweet chilli dip for starter and Thai green chicken curry for main. The chicken was like butter, sooo soft, and I could have lived off the sauce alone. Jamie had black pudding & scallops for starter with a Thai twist and sizzling chill steak for main. We also had some 'sticky' rice which lives up to it's name!! Afterwards we popped to 52 Canoes for 'a' drink, which resulted in us leaving around 12.30. 

On the Friday we went out a did some Winter Wonderland bits and bobs, sampled some cheese and the thinks you feel a little obliged to do at this time of year. 

And on the Saturday before (as we had a wedding on the Saturday) I had a great night out with my lovely friends in Pivo. Usual protocol is we'll go the The Black Bull but as there were a few more folk out that normal, Bob - the loveliest bar manager in Edinburgh - suggested we use Pivo. Jamie, being the little scamp that he is, had gone in earlier after rugby to put up photos and banners, whilst Bob provided the biggest chocolate cake I've ever seen!! I had a fantastic night and we danced the night away till 2.30 - not bad for an oldie!! 

Christmas and New Year were both ace, lots of food and drink, more gifts and although I only had a little bit of time off work, we made the most of it.

Hopefully I should have some exciting news to share soon....hopefully!!

2015, what's your plan?

As we reaching the end of another year, I've been thinking a lot recently about what I hope to achieve in 2015, both personally and for my blog. 

Firstly, the easy stuff - the blog

Engage more with other bloggers

I'm terrible for following a blog, reading, never commenting or interacting with the blogger. I work better with Twitter but I'm determined to get back into commenting, sharing etc.

Set up a paid URL

I've looked into this recently and it's not all that expensive, £10 for 3 years or such for a basic one. It's definitely something I want to do, now just to think of a name. Maybe just Edinburgh Girl? I've check and it's available, although I'm not too sure what kind of 'hits' I may get... 

Set weekly goals

How many times a week to blog? 

Weekly set posts? 'Wednesday Wants!', 'Silent Sunday' 

Work on my photography

We were kindly given a brilliant (and pricey) Canon from Jamie's dad which I would love to get out and use more. I've also go my own Nikon and older digital camera to use. And what's the point in have these if you aren't making the most of them? Also I must buy a photo cube, they aren't exactly expensive. 

I'd also like to find a good location to do 'WIW' or general clothes pics. I live in Edinburgh where there are hundreds of beautiful locations so it shouldn't be too hard. 

Personally it's the same old stuff cropping up with a few new ones. 

Read more

I actually love nothing more than getting into a good book, at last count I had 6 on the go. But that last count was about 8 month ago and since then I've read one full book and that was on holiday. I admit I spend way to much time in the evenings checking my phone, tweeting etc. So I'm going to set aside at least one evening a week where I just sit with my book and co

Driving lessons

We have a nice wee Ford Fiesta sitting outside and when Jamie's away with work it would be nice to have the freedom to just jump in the car and go somewhere. I don't mind public transport or walking but it would be a good perk. Plus I'm sure Jamie wouldn't mind the idea of being picked up from the pub! 

Become a 'qualified' Project Manager

I've been in my job for a few years now Project Manager, Account Manager, call it what you will but I kind of fell into this role and have zero qualifications for it. A few weeks ago I bought an online course for PRINCE2 Foundation (PRojects IN Controlled Environments v2). At the end of my studying I have a two hour exam, passing this won't make me qualified but it does give me what I need to progress to the Practitioner course, after which I would be qualified and have the transposable skills to do contacted work etc, always good practice for the future. 

General fitness & well-being 

In recent months my fitness has been lacking and I'm feeling it in a lot of ways, slight weight gain, lethargic, complete cba attitude and all-in-all it's not good for me, and it's not good for those around me. So, in a bit to be generally more happy, energetic etc it's time to get back to the gym full time, it's time to make programmes fun again not just hours on the treadmill. It's time to get back to weekly PT on a Friday or Saturday, check out Jamie's classes here (not my BF Jamie) and it's time to put back into practice what I used to love, running. And potentially take part in the Skye half marathon. I need to make more time for me. And try not to drop anymore 20kg barbells on my face! 

So that's my 2015 goals & plans, what are yours? Either for your self or for your blog.

Silent Sunday #2