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

Summer Holiday Outfit Part 3: Summer Stripes and Nautical Vibes

Who shies away from stripes? I do! However, we all know summer dressing is about fun and sometimes the rules go out the window, in a good way.

This summer, I ended up wearing two outfits featuring stripes, one in white and red, another in the classic combination of navy and white.

Navy and white is the only combination I would ever usually consider wearing and it was great to break out of my comfort zone and try out the white and red combo in the sunshine, which ended up being my favourite outfit teamed with a classic denim jacket.

Navy stripe dress - George // Gold sandals - New Look // Triangle necklace - Primark // Panama Hat - Primark // Aviator sunglasses - H&M

Red and white stripe dress - Primark // Tan sandals - Oasis // Denim jacket - Vintage //Panama hat - Primark

Have any of you guys been wearing stripes this summer?

Summer Holiday Outfit Part 2: Fun Florals

Have you made the great Bank Holiday escape? If like me you're still in England, here's a summery outfit to cheer you up!

Floral dress // Peacocks, Gold Flip Flops // New Look, Panama Hat // Primark, Triangle Necklace // Primark

This is not something I'd ordinarily wear in the UK as I tend to shy away from colour and stick to neutrals, but bright colours always look better in a hot climate.

The dress is so easy to wear and could still be worn with a denim jacket if the weather got cooler. Dressed down with simple sandals, it's a great throw on outfit for pool days!