Event: The High Field Summer BBQ

Edgbaston is enjoying something of a renaissance at the moment. No longer a residential only area, it is now a place to eat, drink and socialise thanks to the arrival of venues such as The High Field.

This swanky gastro pub supplies locals with food and drinks in the rustic restaurant and bar, but for summer they've also made use of the lovely outdoor gardens.

Hidden away behind the white frontage of 22 High Field Road is the city's only gastro pub garden, where chef Dean Jeffer is serving up his favourite seasonal dishes as well as grub from the BBQ; you can even hire out the space for your own party complete with free marquee hire.

I headed over to the garden with a group of friendly Birmingham bloggers to experience a summer BBQ, High Field style; it even came complete with seasonal rain!

Ting from The Ting Thing and I decided to go all out for the BBQ and went to Harris & Gibbs in the Jewellery Quarter for a blow dry first (Ting had a trim too!).

Here's a picture of my hair pre pampering:

Onto The High Field we hopped into a cab to protect our blow dries and were greeted by this fun sign!

First off, we were welcomed with Prosecco Sangria laced with fresh fruit. The food was already prepared for us, just in time and here a picture of the spread.

We were treated to prawn and monkfish skewers, steak skewers, chicken wings, Dandy Ribs, corn on the cob, jacket potatoes, tomato salad, green salad and coleslaw. The Dandy Ribs were marinated in a homemade BBQ rub of paprika and cumin, and the BBQ and Bourbon sauces were all homemade too.

King of the Grill

Corn on the Cob

Prawn and Monkfish Skewers

Steak Skewers

Dandy Ribs

Green Salad

Coleslaw

Tomato and Onion Salad

Dinner is served

That wasn't all. We finished off the evening with desserts too including Eton Mess, Mini Caramel and Toffee Cheesecakes and my favourite, the dip your own Strawberries.

I also took a few outfit pictures too to show you my gorgeous bouncy blowdry, thank you Ting for taking these!

The BBQ is open on Friday evening as well as every Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon till 8pm when the temperature hits 20 degrees C.

*With thanks to the High Field for the invitation and fabulous food (and drink) and to Harris and Gibbs for the blow dry

Event: Harris & Gibbs New Salon Launch

Harris and Gibbs Hair Salon in the Jewellery Quarter is known as an independent salon that does things a little differently. Quirky and creative, the salon is owned and run by Alex Gibbs and Chris Harris.

Photo by Garazi Gardner

Moving closer to St Paul's Square, the new salon on Caroline Street opened on 28th July and I was lucky enough to be on the guest list.

Photo by Garazi Gardner

The VIP launch was a chance to see the new premises, enjoy tasty treats from Lasan, blueberry Mojitos, watch hair demos and received a custom made hair mask.

The interior is very urban industrial chic, with exposed brickwork, pipes and a fabulous wallpapered bathroom. My favourite part is the glass cube where clients can sit down for a shampoo and head massage whilst all the while enjoying the massage chairs. There are even silver beaded curtains in between each basin to give guests a little privacy and help them relax even more in the chair.

Guests were given the choice of Blueberry Mojito Cocktail or Mocktails and Candy Corn shots to enjoy.

There was also a fabulous selection of Indian treats from Lasan on offer that went down a treat!

We were able to watch the lovely Selina model the Veronica Lake waves trend and also see a fishtail plait demonstration.

The girls also mixed up a custom hair mask for me and I can testify it left my hair super smooth and shiny!

I love the relaxed and urban feel of the new salon space and can't wait to come back for some Harris and Gibbs magic!

*With thanks to Harris and Gibbs for the invitation.