Lifestyle and Parenting blog based in Surrey.

Tuesday 25 November 2014

Jimmy Choo Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley

Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkley

On the last day of the half term holidays, my friend Vikki and I eventually got round to treating each other to our birthday treat - Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley. Both of us having been once or twice, we were excited to discover that it was Jimmy Choo themed, with all of the cute patisserie being themed on the designers shoes and bags. Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkley is the fashionista's favourite for afternoon tea, which as per usual, lived up to expectation. Starting with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Brut NV Champagne and sandwiches (replenished of course) then the tea and tea-tray arrived. The bottom layer composes of savouries and the two top tiers are saved for the most beautiful cakes and mouses, which if you can finish, are topped up.

It is one of the more expensive of the hotels at £41 for afternoon tea and £51 with a glass of champagne, but it is one of my favourites, saved fora a special occasion, such as this.

Although the Jimmy Choo tea is no longer running, the current AW14 tea does feature of the cakes in  the Jimmy Choo collection, a zebra print bag with a rainbow of meringue drops on top, which was delicious. I also love the sound of the Matthew Williamson sequin macaroon, maybe I need another trip soon...

Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkley

Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkley

Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkley


Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkley

Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkley

Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkley




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Tuesday 18 November 2014

Winter Candle: Rituals Sacred Fire

Rituals Sacred Fire candle

I love candles. I love Christmas. Therefore I am OBSESSED with festive wintery candles and I am super excited to share the latest of my festive burning beauties with you (there are many more to come I assure you...)

Although I really love Rituals skincare I have never tried there candles before, so when this mega 1,000g three wick delight arrived on my door a couple of weeks ago to celebrate Diwali I was in candle heaven. I love cedar fragrances all year round, but the warmth it adds to a scent is particularly welcome in the Winter months and being one of the main notes in the Sacred Fire candle means I'm a fan. The combination of White Patchouli create a beautiful luxurious wintery cozy aroma.

Intensity of fragrance is really important in scented candles, what is the point if you can't notice the gorgeous aroma when you enter a room? Well Rituals have delivered here but haven't overdone it either so you can burn the candle all evening without it being over powering. The 1,000g three wick candle is £39.50, (70 hours burning time) which is a reasonable sum, but seeing as I would spend around £20 on a 290g (regular size) candle, it is actually good value for money. However, Rituals do offer the Sacred Fire Candle in a 290g size for £19 if this is more within your present buying budget.

Rituals Sacred Fire candle

Rituals Sacred Fire candle

Rituals Sacred Fire candle
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Friday 14 November 2014

Afternoon Tea at The ME Hotel


Afternoon Tea at The ME Hotel

I love afternoon tea in a gorgeous hotel, so in half term I took my pal Victoria to The ME Hotel for her birthday treat. For me it is such a convent venue, just a skip over Waterloo bridge and it is really modern and sleek boutique hotel, a change for the more traditional afternoon tea hotels. We loved the cute London skyline plates and the yummy cakes to nibble on whilst we caught up properly. 

Costing £29 per person, we were indulged with a glass of champagne on arrival, a selection of sandwiches which were replenished (although I felt decidedly full when we finished, so maybe I should have skipped the second round!) a mixture of plain and raisin scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam and a selection of cakes and pastries as well as our choice os loose leaf tea.

If you are a afternoon tea fan, I would totally recommend this venue, especially if you like a modern and stylish venue. The roof-top radio bar also should not be missed, so make sure you pop up for a drink before you leave! I couldn't find anything on the ME Hotel's website about afternoon tea, they don't seem to advertise it (weird) so I booked it through www.afternoontea.co.uk

Afternoon Tea at The ME Hotel


Afternoon Tea at The ME Hotel

Afternoon Tea at The ME Hotel

Afternoon Tea at The ME Hotel


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Wednesday 12 November 2014

Elf Makeup

Elf Beauty

I do love discovering a new makeup brand and over the summer I met with the the lovely lady that looks after elf and I've been trying out a load of their affordable and hard-working products.

During term time I really rely on primers to keep my makeup fixed, dashing around all day I never have time to fix my face, so need everything to stay put. I've been using Mineral Infused Face Primer (£6.95)  below my foundation and Glitter Primer - Sheer (£2.50) on my eyelid every morning and have been really pleased. They both have smoothing qualities and really help to hold all that I then apply with out altering my base tone.

The Baked Eyeshadow Palette (£10) has been perfect for weekday morning too, I don't have time for blending a range of tones together, so sweeping of the bronze shades across my lids has been perfect and I've found they have good staying power too. The darker browns are good for adding shadow in the creases of my eyelids and along my lash line in the evenings when I have a little more time to play.

Elf Baked eyeshadow pallet

Elf Baked eyeshadow pallet

For final touches I've been using the High Definition Powder (£6.95) to set my makeup and prevent oily patches forming. I do prefer Bare Mineral's Mineral Veil, but at a quarter of the price, it is a good money saving alternative! A final see of Studio Conditioning Lip Balm SPF 15 (£3.95) in xxxxx has then given my lips a subtle pink hue and moisture and protected them against the winter sun. Elf Cosmetics are available from their online store.

Elf lip balm

Elf lip balm


Elf high definition powder




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Monday 10 November 2014

Mani Monday Gelish: You're So Sweet You Give Me A Tooth Ache


Gelish You're So Sweet You Give Me A Tooth Ache

Last week for Mani Monday, I shared my Shellac nails in Masquerade with are still on may nails and I absolutely LOVE. I then remembered that about a month ago I had a Gelish mani that I totally had forgotten to put up, which is the total opposite of the deep dark purple-red of masquerade. Although the shade is named You're So Sweet You Give Me A Tooth Ache and I wore it on my nails in the Indian Summer we had, I don't think it is a very sugary pink and as winter pastels are very in this season, it might be a colour to consider as the mercury drops.

Although I've had shellac nails a million times, this was my first Gelish mani, which is a very similar system. The only difference I really noticed was that the colour really faded and when one nail chipped and I had re-done, the colour was so different a week on, which I've never found with shellac, but it could just be this shade.

So will you be rocking winter pastel nails this November?

Gelish You're So Sweet You Give Me A Tooth Ache

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Monday 3 November 2014

Mani Monday: CND Shellac Masquerade

CND Shellac Masquerade

During half term I treated myself to a Shellac manicure. I was feeling autumnal and wanted to go for a dark rich shade. I also had really short nails and I think short nails look much more stylish with a darker tone. I opted for Masquerade, which is a deep claret and I have totally loved it, receiving lots of complements as well. Being a red, it looks very classic and seems to go with all of my cloths too. So what shade are you rocking for the start of November?
CND Shellac Masquerade
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