After leaving theatre school in London I ‘graduated’ to Glee (the club, not the show) while I was in Grand Ole American high school. Post high school? My musical-loving, tap-dancing self has indulged only in a karaoke night or ten…

…until I discovered City Academy. What a jazz hand-worthy revelation. With over thirty locations across London, City Academy is London’s leading creative and performing arts academy and caters strictly to those over 18 years of age. Classes include every type of dance imaginable, acting, film making, singing, musical theatre, diva masterclasses (Beyonce, Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna etc), Comedy Classes, sitcom writing, screen writing, public speaking and more.

For me? Nothing made sense like their Improvers Musical Theatre Class. Designed to suit those with a bit of musical experience (ideally you will have completed a City Academy Beginners Musical Theatre Class), the 8-week class builds towards a showcase that features numbers will be chosen from all eras and styles of musical theatre. Though I have an unfortunate schedule that makes it impossible to commit to a full course, I was able to trial the class on Week One and completely fell in love. The goal being to nail one number per week, the class – led by the very talented Rebecca Wicking – is fast moving, inspiring, and a laugh a minute.

To spread the musical love, they have very kindly offered one of you the chance to win £250 worth of City Academy vouchers which you will be able to use on any class/classes of your choice! (Keep in mind: one Beyonce Diva Workshop is only £25. You can really have a blast with this prize!)

To enter you must: Like Lela London on Facebook and follow Lela London on Twitter (receive an extra entry for following Lela London on Bloglovin’!) through the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Competition ends May 10th, 2013.

I don’t know who I think I am, but if I have been in back-to-back meetings from the early hours of Greenwich Mean Time I tend to start fantasising about mid-afternoon spa breaks like most people do their mid-afternoon tea break.

Deciding to finally indulge in the fantasy in a spare hour between a meeting and a dinner date, I headed to House of Rush last week for a facial. Though I enjoy any and all time spent at House of Rush, the facial experience far surpassed my expectations. Though I booked in with a specific facial in mind, my beauty therapist looked at the condition of my stressed-out complexion and suggested an Elemis facial – catered to my sensitive skin – instead.

Led with the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel (which is not a granular exfoliator but gently ‘peels’ with fruit enzymes), I fell asleep under her very capable hands in a multi-sensory experience that combined scent (I am mad for Elemis’ soothing apricot toner) with powerful antioxidants (an Elemis Cellular recovery capsule). Finished with a head, shoulder, and arm massage and a thin layer of Pro Collagen Eye Renewal around the eyes, my skin looked and felt better than it had in months. When you can brave to go straight from a facial to a date – no makeup – someone has done something very, very right for your skin.

Instagram (@lelalondon) – left to right, top to bottom:
1. It’s official. The way to my heart is a Cat and The Cream cupcake.
2. TBT. 18 years old. When I thought I was Dita von Teese.
3. CARROT FUDGE, U GUISE. (New Food For Thought at HungerTV.com!)
4. #SorryNotSorry
5. Vintage recovery (shop your closet!)
6. 4*. Fun for the whole family.
7. Westfield on a weekday. Lust.
8. Look at you, Ike.
9. A night of R&R ahead.
10. Gold leaf eyeshadow with stunning packaging? Sold before it’s even applied.

Since discovering Belmacz I always seem to have a product or two keeping my handbag company (honestly, if you ever see me with a pink lip it is 95% likely to be Infrared). Upon hearing about their latest release, a 24-carat gold leaf eyeshadow, I knew it was destined to become a favourite. Named ‘Stardust‘, Belmacz Beauty’s latest release is a warm copper cream shadow that offers a buildable but iridescent shimmer thanks to its skin-healing gold leaf.

Handmade beauty products don’t often come this luxurious.

“Live the life you’d be envious of if you saw someone else living it. This is my personal mantra. Whenever I’m going through a difficult time, like a breakup, and I’m wishing to be the person who could get over it and move on, I tell myself to be that person. Instead of waiting to be inspired by someone else and being jealous that they’re living a life I wish I had, I tell myself not to wait for that moment and to start being the person I want to be. If you wish you were the woman who went for that big promotion, learned a second language, dumped that guy who cheated on you, then just be that person. Think, if I have the energy to wish for it, I have the energy to do it.”

- Olivia Munn