“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

Seeing black on the red carpet is as predictable as seeing a hamburger in McDonalds. Though it may be the most universally flattering colour, the ‘wow factor’ that red carpet events call for usually goes amiss when donning the dark. Personally, I would prefer to see black used creatively on the red carpet; a) not head to toe and b) with a very small but very bright injection of colour. Someone call Jennifer Lawrence, I have some ideas…

Shop The Look:
High neck shift dress from MissesDressy
Neon snake hees from Kelsi Dagger

Throw out your old magic juice, babes. There’s a new skincare duo in Blogtown.

Product one? NUDE’s Perfect Cleansing Oil. Though I am obsessed with natural oils for my hair and face, I have rarely found an oil that feels as though it cleanses efficiently. Until this bad boy hit my bathroom counter. After applying two pumps of the oil into my hands, I massage over the face and then add a little bit of warm water to emulsify the oil into a milky cleansing fluid. In addition to smelling like Florida (beaches, not theme parks), it practically dissolves all makeup and impurities away with absolutely no chance of stripping the skin. Though you would need an additional eye makeup remover if you were using a waterproof formula, it is by far the most effective and luxurious cleansing oil I’ve laid hands on.

Product two? NUDE’s ProGenius Treatment Oil. I try not to use the term, but this oil is indeed a ‘miracle oil’. Rich in omega 3, 6, 7, and 9, ProGenius is pure and active treatment oil that only takes a few drops in the morning or evening to achieve all-day skin perfection. Being touted with “[the ability to] reduce wrinkles by 36% in one hour”, I would suggest you ignore the quick fix jargon and focus on daily use: the powerful ProGenius ingredients will best promote a youthful, smooth complexion with long-term regular use.

Before last week, if anyone had suggested that I would ever find myself taking a floral masterclass I would have painted them crazy.

I didn’t ‘get’ flowers before taking a ‘Lunch in Bloom‘ at Tom Aikens. (Trust Tom Aikens to change my mind about anything…)

Having teemed up with London florist Nikki Tibbles (of the incredibly successful Wild at Heart – you’ll know ‘em from their Liberty concession), Tom Aikens Restaurant have introduced a RHS Chelsea Flower Show-themed masterclass and lunch menu that could/did titillate the most florally unappreciative around London.

Though the RHS Chelsea Flower Show doesn’t take place until the 21st-25th May, Tom Aikens will dedicate the entire month of May to expert-led bouquet building classes and a mind-blowing Michelin starred floral menu which incorporates edible seasonal flowers.

After fuelling up on Tom’s moreish pastries, the two hour masterclass of tips and tricks flew by in a haze of colour, smell, and a big realisation that my talents do not lie in bouquet building. Nonetheless, I was enamoured by Miss Tibbles and her floral expertise; thanks to her tips, I even ended up with a bouquet I was proud enough to give to a friend later in the day.

That was, of course, after inhaling a sensational three course menu. To start; confit of Loch Duart salmon with viola, violet flowers and pickled endive. To continue your high; poached chicken with marigolds, lemon puree and vanilla oil. To tease you into thinking it might be worth quitting your job and finding a way to get a Tom Aikens staff discount; a dessert of rose poached strawberries, aerated sorbet and mint syrup.

The ‘Lunch in Bloom’ package cost £120 per person and includes:
• The two-hour masterclass with Wild at Heart
• A bouquet to take home
• Morning coffee and pastries
• Welcome cocktail or a glass of champagne
• 3 course set lunch menu (matching wines are available on request)
• Mineral water and a choice of coffee or tea as a digestif

To book a place at one of scheduled masterclasses or to make a reservation at the restaurant, please contact the reservations department at Tom Aikens Restaurant on 020-7584 2003. You won’t be sorry.

Continue reading…

After dealing with the antithesis of luxury over a month-long house move, I was thanking the proverbial heavens when a box arrived from Pure Collection containing a little night of luxury for me.

In addition to their cashmere socks (the smoothest feet pillows I have had the pleasure of wearing), they also included a Molton Brown Yuan Zhi Bath Soak (to create a bubbly ocean bath time), a box of Charbonnel et Walker Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles (to eat in the bath), and a Heyland & Whittle green tea and grapefruit-scented candle (to try not to eat in the bath).

Absolute perfection.

*PR disclosure: luxury box thanks to Pure Collection!