Category Archives: Lifestyle

The little (Chanel) black jacket

In the photo exhibition which took place at the Saatchi Gallery in London, everything revolves around the classic Chanel black jacket, created in the 50’s. Karl Lagerfeld photographed several personalities and celebrities, wearing the jacket in a creative and individual way and cementing the garment’s versatility and longevity.
Amongst the many I like, my favourite picture has to be Tilda Swinton’s with her exotic androgynous beauty. The picture is strong, with simple lines. Elegant.
The book on which the exhibition was based, “The Little Black Jacket: CHANEL’s classic revisited by Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld”, contains 109 picture of friends of the House, including Anna Wintour, Sarah Jessica Parker and Yoko Ono. Luckily, I made it there in the nick of time, as the exhibition closed on the 04/11, but I hear it is still to take place in some cities around the globe. Find out more here: http://thelittleblackjacket.chanel.com/
And I will let the picture speak for themselves!

Champagne brunch at Aqua London

Fill it up!

They had me at the champagne. And I knew I simply had to go when I read the word “unlimited” next to the drink’s name… That’s right, you heard it – UNLIMITED!

I don’t really post about events that don’t relate to shoes or beauty, but I had to share this…I headed over to Aqua London for an eagerly awaited indulgent champagne brunch, to celebrate my birthday. My lovely boyfriend was kind enough to take me – you can tell he knows me very well!

Having been to Aqua before (they have a lovely rooftop terrace, in the heart of London) , I knew the experience was going to have quality.

As we sat down, the options were explained by a very friendly waiter, the restaurant offers japanese food – unlimited sushi and some grilled options, desert and champagne. You can go for a champagne free option – why would anyone in sane mind do that, I don’t know, unless of course, you don’t drink alcohol at all. As we settled for the bubbly option, flutes were brought over and we were offered our first glass.

Food was displayed around their central sushi bar and freshly replenished steadily.  There were nigiris, varied sushi rolls, seared tuna and beef, an amazing seaweed and sesame salad amongst other. The grilled options were made to order and brought to table: chicken teriyaki, rib of beef (amazingly tasty, boneless, medium rare), king prawns and courgettes.

The deserts we had were the sake prune créme bruleé and green tea, chocolate and yuzu mochi ice cream. Yum yum yum!

But the best – and I knew you knew I was going to say that – was the constant flow of Veuve Clicquot into my glass. In all seriousness, I don’t think there was a point my glass made it emptier than half-way. And the last top up was after 15:30. Amazing!!!

So worth it. I am so glad I went and I plan to go back, although it was delightful with my boyfriend, I think it would be the perfect girly brunch.

Aqua holds their brunch every Sunday, from 12-3pm.

Product review: Sienna X gradual tan lotion

Finally I got round to trying gradual tan lotion I was given by the lovely Nicky from Sienna X over at Olympia Beauty exhibition. This will make a long-ish review, as there were quite a few products to try!

Sienna X was in the media cloud area, and I was very excited to stop by, have a chat about the company and get hold of great products.

The company was born out of Nicola Matthews ingenious tanning cubicle idea, and evolved into a brand that provides salons with professional tanning supplies as well as helping with education, marketing and business support to salons and mobile therapists. Add to that tanning provided to huge TV shows (Strictly), fashion shows (London Fashion Week – Holly Fulton), glossy mags coverage and celebrities fan and you have a winning formula.

However, what really makes it and matters, for me is the product. I received a full size gradual tan lotion, as well as a sample of their Try me, Tan me kit in a pretty bag containing a Polishing Scrub, Dark Glowing self tan (which will also come with latex gloves!), Radiance Body Balm, and Silver Shimmer (when you buy a berry bag) or Gold Shimmer (when you buy a gold bag).

All the products I tried are paraben and cruelty free, have natural ingredients and some have anti cellulite and anti-ageing formulations. Instead of the Dark Glowing self tan, I decided to try the gradual tan sample only.

The packaging is very nice, with a lock pump, sturdy and easy to use, especially when you have your hands full of products. The lines are simple and modern, the colour scheme very pleasant to the eyes with good contrast – fuchsia/pink and gold, of course!

To prepare for the tan, I exfoliated my skin with the polishing scrub, which contains fine pumice, ginger and a lovely lemongrass smell (which is present across most products I tried).

After rinsing it off and drying my skin, I applied the gradual glowing self-tan lotion, which has aloe vera, almond old and cocoa butter AND the anti-cellulite formula! The cream is not too thick and spreads really well, so it is easy to rub thoroughly on the skin.  The colour develops in 6-8 hours. I applied at night and could not wait to see the result in the morning.

Finally, I applied the radiance body balm all over my body – this contains almond oil, shea butter and vitamin E, has a very nice consistency and also spreads well, being absorbed quickly by the skin and leaving a subtle cocoa smell, which I love. This, after the self tanning lotion, is my favourite product from the samples I got.

I woke up to a sun-kissed skin, much richer than I thought I would after only one application. The colour is a lovely light shade of gold, not too orange for my skin tone. There were no streaks, which is fantastic;  in the past, I always went for sprays and mixed with moisturiser, to avoid streaks!!!. My skin was also soft and feeling moisturised. My palms, being washed as instructed, had no stains! Bonus!

When I got to work, I also noticed that the radiance balm had left very subtle shimmery flecks all over my body, and the over all effect was a nice sheen – I wasn’t sparkly! The following day I washed my body with the Balance body wash, with silk protein, ginger and lemongrass, which is meant to help to prolong your tan.

The proof is in the nose (yeah, you heard it!)

So, the whole line and the tanning product are ace right? Wait for this, it gets better. When Nicky offered me the lotion for review, she asked what was my problem, if any, with tanning products. I said, without thinking twice, “the smell”, to which she replied “we got an award for best smelling tanning product”. That got me excited, despite being quite sceptical. I have tried many tanning products over the year, even though this is the first I review, and the smell really, really gets to me.

Well, I ate my words. This products smell is much, much, much better than anything I tried before. I am not going to say there is not even a tiny sign of that “biscuit” smell that exhales from your body after self tanning application. There was, but it was almost imperceptible. At no point during the day I caught a sniff of it. NOT A SNIFF. Amazing!

So I am sold. I am soooo glad Nicky gave me a full size bottle if the Gradual self tan! This is my favourite  self tanning lotion and I shall keep using it – more than vanity, it is a need, just because I am from a tropical country, and I don not recognise myself in the colour I turn into in this country!

For more information on these products and others from Sienna X, visit their website. They also offer free delivery in the UK!

I was offered the products to review by Sienna X. The review is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my opinion on it.

Lanvin and Ladurée – tasty fashion

A delicious, fashionable and very French collaboration: Lanvin’s creative director Alber Elvaz designs stylish boxes for Ladurée.

The uber cute box, which has sketches of fashionistas faces and a pretty red bow, can take eight scrumptious macarons, including the four flavours created especially for the occasion, all bubble gum flavour based, described by Elbaz as “the bubble of childhood”.

Although limited edition flavours are available to go with the box, you can make your own selection to include traditional flavours – I love macarons, so I succumbed to eight different varieties, and of course, wasn’t disappointed with any of them!

According to the traditional  and prestigious French sweets Maison, Elbaz  “not only make women beautiful but also proves that sweets and beauty can go hand in hand.”

Gorgeous. And yummy!!!

Vogue Fashion’s Night Out 2012 – London

Yesterday I went to a few places taking part in Vogue’s Fashion Night Out and I had an amazing time.

Last year, I was a bit disappointed, a couple places I wanted to go were invitation only (and didn’t mention it on the guide – cheeky!) so I was a bit disheartened. I sent Christian Louboutin’s boutique an email but it was too late – they said they will add me for next year (I think it is fair I get invited, after all, my Louboutins were purchased at that boutique!)

So, I tackled it a bit differently this year – I checked the guide a few days ago and chose places which were offering things that might interest me. Cocktails, of course was one of them.

I made a list and tackled it by proximity to the office. River Island started at 5, earlier than most places, so I headed over for a glass of pink fizz, had eyelashes applied and bought a skirt, which earnt me a goody back with a pair of lashes, a sample size St. Tropez Every Day moisturiser (which I love), a set of three cute stud earrings, popcorn and a drink. Nice, eh?

I then moved on to House of Fraser, which had lots on offer. I entered their new beauty hall and was offered a back massage by Decléor. I then waltzed towards their Mahiki bar and got myself a cocktail in coconut. I hoped on their photo booth and had 4 nice shots to take away (twice!). Then I had my eyes and lipstick applied at the Dior stand, with bubbles on offer…. Downstairs, at their shoe lounge, there was plenty of bubbly on offer and also martinis and other cocktails made to order, and a “Shoe Box” photo booth, which I also took advantage of, amongst other activities!

I swiftly moved to Liberty, but before reaching it, I walked past H&M and they had live models on their windows. The bigger window was a photo set; I was given a number, props and posed for three shots, which will be on their Facebook page and four winners of £250 voucher will be chosen. Nice!

At Liberty, I went straight to Manolo Blahnik’s Victorian photo booth, with the cutest props ever – and got picture with a lovely pair of silver stilettos! By uploading that to Facebook or tweeting it could get you a signed book.

I then managed to run to Burlington Arcade, which had a Victorian fun fair theme… think popcorn and candy floss, performers, burlesque girls…all very pretty; but I went straight for Lulu Guinness shop, to take part on their promotion by being picture with one of their bags a tweeting it. I chose the red lips, of course!!!

Overall, I had a lot of fun. So a few things for my next year’s FNO: plan ahead, list the places I want to see but be sure and not disappointed I will not to actually make it to half of them; don’t just look for goody bags, as they usually only come your way when you make a purchase and remember to email Louboutin earlier!!!!

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Have you been to FNO this year? How was it for you?

What I wore – 14/07/2012

Bad, bad weather. Been desperately trying to keep my pins out, but it feels like the tights are stuck to them!

Black, white and red is my favourite combination ever for dressing. So pretty, effortless and instantly gives you a classic look. Cannot have enough of it, as you can see this week!

Fruit print seems to be a recurring theme this week – appeared twice in my wardrobe!

My favourite outfit was Wednesday’s, I am in love with the blouse… I thought I’d make a bit more of an effort as I attend Cointreau Rendez-vous in London, a lovely event where you got a cocktail master class, mini manis and the lovely ladies from Wish Want Wear. It was held at the super-quirky Ninetyeight bar in Shoreditch.

Monday

Cherry print dress (H&M), red patent court shoes (New Look), red belt (Little Mistress), rings (skull – small shop in Paris, black stones – Primark, apple – New Look), bracelets (spike and gold chain – Topshop, gold and black – H&M), MAC lipstick in Lady Danger, Collection 2000 Extreme 24 hour felt tip liner and MAC eyeshadow in Nylon.

Tuesday

Blue dress with tiny multicoloured hearts and dots (small shop in Brazil), tricolour shoes (Zara), rings (small flower – Accessorize, big flower – from Brazil, white round  and love birds- H&M), bracelets (gold studs+leather New Look, others from Topshop), Nyx lipstick in Peach Bellini, MAC eyeshadow Vex and Deep Truth as liner.

Wednesday

Apple print blouse (Friday On My Mind), black pencil skirt (H&M), black Décolleté 100 pumps (Christian Louboutin), rings (love birds – H&M, apple – New Look, D in heart – Miss Selfridge, white rose – H&M, black and gold resin – Sobral), bracelets (pearls and bow – Primark, gold chain – Topshop), earring (love with pearl – Miss Selfridge, ear cuff – Topshop), MAC lipstick in Russian Red, MAC lipstick in Lady Danger, Collection 2000 Extreme 24 hour felt tip liner and MAC eyeshadow in Nylon.

Thursday

Black and White striped sleeveless blouse (Primark), high-waisted black shorts (H&M), black studs slippers (Topshop), rings (zebra – New Look, love birds – H&M, believe – Disney Couture, other silver – a gift from a friend),  bracelets (spikes and bangle – New Look), Nyx lipstick in Peach Bellini.

Friday

Cornflour blue shift dress (Dorothy Perkins),  black belt with chain (Primark), black Décolleté 100 pumps (Christian Louboutin), rings (love birds – H&M, black and gold resin – Sobral, D in a heart – Miss Selfridge, pink flower – Accessorize, gold flower – shop in Brazil), bracelets (gold with bow – New Look, spike and chain – Topshop), MAC lipstick in Lady Danger.

And here a couple pictures of my outfits in action on Wednesday and Friday and the Cointreau goody bag!

What about you? Any outfits you put together lately that you loved and made you feel pretty?

Stylist Beauty picnic

I was lucky enough to get one of the 100 tickets to the Stylist Magazine Beauty picnic which took place in Manchester Square gardens, in central London. The picnic was part of several events hosted by the weekly free magazine in the run up to their “London edition”,  where they will give a fabulous insight into the capital we love so much.

I attended the event on my own, and I am used to going to this kind of functions solo, but I wasn’t very sure what to expect from the event, where you should take your favourite beauty product and you might be featured in the magazine.

The experience

Overall a delightful experience, just my type of event; I felt pampered, valued and special; the slogan on their massive, pretty sign, in the middle of the garden, really couldn’t sum it up better: “the art of the perfect picnic”. Indeed.

Check my pictures below!

The picnic

Manchester square is a beautiful garden in the centre of London, just behind Oxford street. Upon arrival, some extremely hospitable members of staff would welcome you, hand you a goody bag and a drink – M&S cava, Bucks fizz or juice – and offer you some picnic food: sandwiches, mini sausage rolls, quiches, cocktail sausages and later profiteroles and mini sweet tarts; all provided by Marks & Spencer.

The sight of the tent was glorious; and the fact the had a harpist playing throughout the event just made it even more special.

Treating the readers

Inside, a relaxing yet sophisticated atmosphere, created with flowers, candles, soft seating, mini manicures by Rococo, hand massages and make overs by Space NK. Everyone giving you the beauty treats was very nice and chatty, and so the Stylist magazine team – what a lovely bunch!

My first treat was a blissful hand massage with a beautiful red-head therapist who is also a ring designer (and she designs mermaid themed rings – mind you, she was the picture of a mermaid herself) and followed by a mini make over, with smokey eyes. Fell in love with a brow pencil from a brand I didn’t know, Kevyn Aucoin, so will have to check it out at Space NK.

The queue for the mini manis was quite long (can you blame the girls for going crazy over the amazing shades?),  so I decided against it to appreciate the harpist and chat with other attendees, who seemed to be enjoying the event just as much as me.

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The goods

The good bag was expensive and in-line with the event’s caliber; it contained a lipgloss from Lipstick Queen (RRP £20), a nail polish from Rococo (RRP £12) and a bath/shower gel from Beautannia (RRP £30), all available to purchase from Space NK. Sadly, the lipgloss is not my colour and I haven’t really worn lipgloss for ages; the nail polish is a lovely hot pink, but I have too many of very similar shades, if not the same. Bath/shower gels are just not my thing, I don’t get excited by them (mainly because I cannot have a bath, as my already low blood pressure plummets and I faint, but I might try, it smells great!). Having said all that, I wasn’t expecting to get a goody bag, and it was very thoughtful of the organisers and sponsors to offer one, so the fact that I might not use all the products doesn’t even count for me as a minus. Also, they could make lush gifts, as they are very nice, luxury products on their own right – just unlucky I got the colours I did.

I absolutely love this type of events and wish I attended more;  you always hear they happen, but I suppose it is just a matter of keeping our eyes peeled. And I shall.

Thank you Stylist magazine; I had a FAB time!


This week’s outfits – 09/06/12

So, last week I was working like a crazy woman (not that I am that normal, but last week was just unbelievable!), so I neglect my outfits’ post and failed to record a couple.

To redeem myself this week, I am posting three from this week (spent one bank holiday in pyjamas, surely you don’t want to see that!) , three from the forgotten week and a bonus outfit.

A few observations… I am *gutted* I am back to wearing tights. It is cold. It is wet. This is not fair… but we must keep pretty, so here we go…

Monday 28/05

Faded memories from warmer days… red and white stripey dress (H&M),  red sling back peep toes (Aldo), apple ring (New Look), oval white ring (Primark), Lancome lipstick in hot stuff.

Wednesday 30/05

Mint green pencil skirt and flowery nude top (both H&M), mint green with silver toe cap courts (Topshop), flower bracelet (Primark), grey stone ring (Accessorize), Nyx lipstick in peach bellini.

Thursday 31/05

Insisted on bare legs but the weather had already turned. Sad times! Black pencil skirt and nude lace top – with a black boob tube underneath (both H&M),  nude slingback peeptoes (Topshop), frog ring (New Look), Lancome lipstick in hot stuff.

Wednesday 06/06

Back to the tights… UGH! Cat print dress (Primark), black wedges jelly shoes (Melissa) rings (star – Primark, resin – Sobral, snake – New Look, black stones – Primark), Kiko ultra glossy stylo in tangerine with a bit of Nyx lipstick peach bellini.

Thursday 07/06

White crop blouse with black spots (Primark), black cotton bodycon dress (H&M), red patent court shoes (New Look), animal rings (set of 4, Miss Selfridges), resin ring (Sobral), black and gold bracelet (H&M), Lancome lipstick in hot stuff.

Friday 08/06

Cat print dress (Zara), taupe shoes with gold toe cap (Viviana), bracelets (mix of New Look and Primark), tiger and frog ring (both New Look), flower hair clips (Primark), Lancome lipstick in hot stuff.

BONUS JUBILEE OUTFIT

Yes, I had to dress up for our street party! Haha

Union Jack dress (Primark), black jacket (H&M), tiara (Primark), flag (Tesco! HA) and red patent shoes (New Look), MAC lipstick in russian red.

Outfits of the week – 11/05/2012

This week I did something I’ve meaning to do for a long time:: photograph details my daily outfits and post them once a week. I managed to do three this week. Here they are:

Dalmatian top (Primark), black shorts (H&M), taupe gold toe cap stilettos (Viviana), white cardigan (Primark), black resin ring with gold flakes (Sobral).

Vegetable print dress (Primark), black patent courts (River Island), black cardigan (H&M), crystal apple ring (New Look).

Mint green top (H&M), black trousers (Zara), boucle crop jacket (Topshop), mint green silver toe cap shoes (Topshop),  crystal leopard ring (H&M) and “believe” ring (Disney Couture).

So what do you think? I am sure that, just like me, you cannot wait to break into your spring wardrobe…I have bought so many lovely items, and still haven’t had the chance to wear them… Today is a bit brighter, so I decided to add a bit of pastel, as seen above!

Come on weather! London is beautiful with a blue sky!

Being interviewed by “Beauty Obsessed”

Posted in Beauty, Lifestyle by

The lovely Kelly from the Beauty Obsessed blog has just published an interview with me, where I talk about my blog, my blogging experience so far and aspirations, as well as a bit about myself.

This is very exciting! Kelly has been interviewing fellow bloggers for a few weeks now, and this is a great idea to cross promote to your followers who have similar interests.

I am very happy to have come across Beauty Obsessed – on top of the fact that I really enjoy reading it, it was through them that I started taking part on the Monday Beauties Blog Hop, and found lots of interesting blogs whilst hopping! This really makes me feel as if I am part of a loving blogging community, with lots to learn, share, but mainly, lots of support!

Check out my interview and take the opportunity to find out more about Beauty Obsessed – don’t forget to leave Kelly a comment!