Hold the freaking phone; I WEARING A BEANIE AND JOGGERS.

Probably quite a departure from the perpetual rotation of dresses you all have seen me in until this point, the reason for said beanie and joggers is a good’un! Recently, Westfield Stratford City invited me to pick a blogger friend and style her completely out of her comfort zone. For giggles, the selected blogger would also have to deal with my total control freak stylist nature and get me into something I wouldn’t typically wear, as well.

I couldn’t think of anyone better than my lovely friend and blogger Miss Hannah Rose. With model looks and a 90s Grunge Barbie fashion sense, she is a stylist’s dream. Prim pastels, retro florals and skyscraper heels were on the attack. Check out Hannah’s look (and Hannah’s blog!), below.

For my own look I believe we took five thousand laps of Westfield Stratford before we bought a single thing (‘sup, difficult customer). Eventually deciding to do oversized sportswear (the antithesis of my typically tailored wardrobe), I kind of adore the final look. I mean, she got me smiling…IN A BEANIE. Mad props.

What I Wore:
Pink formal joggers from Topshop
Pink beanie from Topshop (similar here)
Strappy nude heels from Forever 21 (similar here)
Oversized white tee with embellishment from Primark (for serious)

Continue reading…

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.