The Brush I Can't Live Without

There are few things I can live without but ... (ok that's a lie but I thought it'd be a good opening line haha) this is a brush that I use in my daily make-up routine.  Introducing the #187 duo fibre brush by MAC Cosmetics (retailing at £31.00GBP)

It is used for blending face powder and pigments but I use it after applying my liquid foundation.  The end result is a perfectly flawless finish.  I find that lightly buffing my skin in a rapid circular motion gives me the best results and is also a great way to gently massage my skin and wake me up in the morning.  MAC Cosmetics also have a smaller version of this brush - #188 small duo fibre brush (retailing at £28.00GBP) which I also own.  I tend to use brush #188 for detailed blending around my nose and eyes but I also use this to blend my eyeshadow or blush.

It is important to mention that this brush should be used with lightweight pressure to perfect your make-up as opposed to actually removing it or running the risk of looking as if you've been dragged through a bush backwards (disclaimer: please note I am in no way shape or form knocking those who favour this look).

Both of these brushes are made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibres and fit perfectly in a standard make-up case (thank goodness).  

I've often been told whilst using it at a photo shoot that the sensation of the brush rapidly buffing the skin makes people feel very relaxed, so much so that they sometimes feel as though they might fall asleep.

Lots of other make-up brands have their own version of this brush, such as Becca Cosmetics and when I was in Paris a few years ago, I recall seeing a brush like this one in Sephora but I'm not sure if they still have this in circulation.

Well, anyway thats about it from me.  If you own this or a similar version of this brush, I'd really be interested to hear your opinions on it but if not I'd still love to hear from you.

Til' next time ...

Maison Sweet Maison

Last week I had an urge to gallivant (a skill that I am known to have mastered from a very young age) and headed down to London's famous Oxford Street.  After a few hours of browsing I felt I needed a little hit of sugar and headed for one of my much loved department stores - Selfridges.

I'm often found in one of three particular departments - 'Beauty' (which entices you with the likes of products from Shu Uemura, Giorgio Armani, Trish McEvoy and more), 'Womens Street Fashion' or Stationery / Confectionery.

I headed straight for the latter as I was yearning for a taste of some good quality chocolate.  Don't get me wrong, I wont say no to a stick of Kit Kat or a bit of a Twix fix once in a while but there really is nothing like good quality chocolate and seeing as  La Maison du Chocolat had just opened up a  counter stocked full of decadent treats, the temptation was just too much to resist!

There was so much to choose from and I couldn't decide.  The expert behind the counter must have noticed my indecisiveness and offered his assistance which was greatly appreciated.  I told him I longed for something different as I tend to sway towards a milk chocolate ganache or dark chocolate pralines.

"Garrigue".  He replied confidently.  "Ganache infused with Fennel.  It is one of my personal favourites."  Now I'm not really a fan of the vegetable but I was guaranteed I would be pleasantly surprised.  And pleasantly surprised I was.  It was absolutely divine!!  The texture was as smooth as silk and the taste?  It was heavenly.  The fennel infused with the creamy ganache was a perfect marriage.  Not too overpowering but subtle enough to detect.  

I was hooked and decided to make a purchase.  I decided upon 'Garrigue', 'Cannelle' - Indonesian cinnamon matched with a robust Sri Lankan Cocoa, 'Yoko' - ganache flavoured with Black Tea, 'Quito' - a plain bittersweet ganache and 'Micaela' - a milk chocolate mousse infused with rich coffee.  Two of each to share with my beloved Grande Soeur.  The assistant placed each chocolate into a cellophane bag with a pair of bamboo tongs and sealed it with a signature sticky ribbon.  Anybody who knows me, knows I love, love, LOVE ribbons so by the time my purchase was complete, I felt like I was walking on air.

When Grande Soeur tried the Garrigue ganache she too was pleasantly surprised but told me she felt the fennel infusion was a little too subtle but delicious nonetheless.  Grande Soeur has always had a real love for cinnamon so I knew Cannelle would be her favourite out of all the flavours.

I have since, recommended La Maison Du Chocolat to those who have a similar appreciation for good quality chocolates but even if you haven't ever experienced the likes of this chocolatier, I strongly suggest you try one.  They don't come cheap but you get what you pay for in my opinion and they sell their chocolates by weight so you can buy as little or as much as your heart desires.  The assistants  are very professional and a great help if you simply cannot decide what to try.

 There are four stores within London, details of which can be found on the La Maison Du Chocolat but they also have an online boutique so you really have no excuse.

Message In A Bottle

How cute is this??  This is the 'Trovare Necklace' from All Saints.  It has two small glass bottle pendants attached with a tiny message in each and comes on three black oxidised chains.

 'Trovare' is an Italian word.  According to About.com it means 'to find, come upon/across; meet (with); think, believe; catch, discover', such as discovering a message in a bottle on a deserted beach.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a larger picture of the two bottle pendants but for a close look just click here.   

This necklace currently retails at £30 at All Saints and they are currently offering an extra 25% off all purchases but I am not sure when this offer ends.  

Get the message? 

Main image sourced from Shopstyle.com 

A Thing Of Beauty Is Definitely A Joy Forever

What you see here ladies and gents is a limited edition NARS Bento Box containing two highly pigmented shades of lipstick; the red - Kabuki (like the dramatic Japanese dance) and the pink - Sakura (the Japanese word for Cherry Blossom which is a flower often found in East Asia).  Included is a Kabuki lip brush made from Wisteria, for precise application.

Sold exclusively at London's Selfridges at £95 a pop (yes you read right!), I fear I shall never get my frost bitten mitts on this object of desire!  Unless of course, I rob a bank which would be completely unsuccessful since adrenalin and I definitely do not mix.  My other option could be to hang out at the Selfridges NARS counter like a bad smell until they give me one and have me escorted off the premises, which would also be a bad idea because after pulling a stunt like that they may put a life long ban on my butt!

*sigh* One can but dream

... till next time ...

Remembrance Sunday 2010

As I sit here writing my blog for the week, the coverage of 'Remembrance Sunday at The Cenotaph' plays live on the television.

Remembrance Sunday is a day that the UK remembers the victims of The First  and The Second World War.  A service takes place on the 11th of November in Whitehall at The Cenotaph.

The Festival of Remembrance, held annually since 1927, came about because of the release of thousands of scarlet poppy petals from the roof of the Albert Hall as a representation of those who have died in combat.

The Queen and The Royal Family attend the service, as well as members of Parliament and a number of veterans who march past The Cenotaph to music played by a military band.  It is a grand but emotional affair.

During the First World War, countless people died in the fields of France and Belgium.  The fields in Flanders turned red because hundreds of Poppies that appeared there. 

The Canadian poet John McCrae wrote a poem called 'In Flanders Fields' which drew people's attention to the poppies.

The widows of dead soldiers decided to raise money by selling paper Poppies for a donation every year around the beginning of November.  The money raised by the collection was used to help families affected because of service in all wars - not just the World Wars.  This tradition still stands and Poppies are generally worn annually until Remebrance Day on 11th November.

Love At First Bite

I've heard nothing but good about the tempting treats that make The Hummingbird Bakery so popular but I've never had the opportunity to witness the beauty with my own eyes.  That is until my bonne amie generously decided to buy me two of my very own cupcakes.

Maybe I should just brief you in on what The Hummingbird Bakery is all about - it first opened on Portobello Road in 2004 making American cupcakes and pies. Since then, they have opened two more stores in South Kensington and Soho and there's even a Hummingbird Bakery cookbook.

Anyway, where were we? Ahh yes, cupcakes. When I saw the white paper bag stamped with baby pink hummingbirds my eyes grew wide with interest. Pour moi? Really all for me? Nobody had ever bought me cupcakes before and the fact that they were from this popular bakery was a bonus!

I carefully slid a knife along the pretty sticker seal and was greeted by two perfectly presented Black Bottom Cupcakes - made up of a dark chocolate sponge, a cheesecake centre and a cream cheese frosting.

Now people who know me well know that I have a particular dislike to sweet treats that contain cheese - thus ruling out cheesecake and cream cheese frosting. However, completely unaware of the ingredients, I sliced the cupcake into two to share with my sister and...I was in Hummingbird heaven. The frosting was as smooth as silk and the sponge as soft as cotton candy. It was absolutely delicious! After devouring every last crumb, I started to get a slight aftertaste of cheese and asked my sister if she could taste the same. True enough the frosting was cream cheese and the sponge had a cheesecake filling - I never thought I'd say it but honestly it was scrumptious!!!

My bonne amie may have achieved something nobody else ever has - she might very well have converted me into a cheesecake/cream cheese frosting lover - only time will tell. But my opinion on the Hummingbird Bakery's Black Bottom Cupcake? It was love at first bite!

Sleeping With The Fishes

A few months ago I signed up to be a member of livingsocial - an organisation that notifies you of daily deals within your chosen city, via your email. A limited amount of deals ranging from spas to cookery, are available to members at a discounted rate and for a short period only.

I had been receiving deals in my inbox for relaxing massages to indoor rock climbing and as interesting as they may be nothing really caught my eye. That was, until last Wednesday the subject header read Zoola Fish Pedicure. Intrigued, I clicked on the message and found I was pleasantly surprised.  I'd heard about this therapy in Malaysia and some of my friends there had experienced this treatment before. I should probably explain the concept of 'fish pedicures' before I continue because it really is much better than it sounds.

Garra Rufa fish also known as Doctor Fish feed on dead skin cells, allowing healthy skin cells to grow whilst leaving your feet feeling as soft as a baby's bottom. The treatment originates from spas in Turkey where it is common for sufferers of psoriasis to immerse affected areas into the tank allowing the fish to 'fin'ish (sorry I couldn't help myself) the skin cells off.

Three vouchers at £27 for half an hour of fishy fun instead of the usual price of £54? Bargain! Whats more, there's a free livingsocial itouch app so forget a paper print out of your purchase. Make yourself feel all warm and fuzzy inside by doing your bit for the environment and use your itouch application instead; what a stroke of genius.

So yesterday, I setup a date with my two best friends nicknamed 'Husbies' (don't ask). We met up in Camden (which was as usual, full of interesting individuals sporting bright pink hair and platform boots) and according to the itouch app there were two possible locations for our Zoola fish pedicure, both in Camden. The first location turned out to be slightly misleading so we gave up and decided to try the other site which was located in Stables Market. The stall numbers above each business in the market was in no particular order at all and after 20 minutes of circling the vicinity like vultures, we found it.

When we got there two ladies were already sitting in one of the tanks together looking as if they were having a good laugh. We shot a look at each other nervously and giggled like a bunch of teenagers. The friendly attendant handed each of us a clean white hot flannel to wipe our feet with before immersing them into the tank of hungry little fishes.

To be quite frank I was a little reluctant, judging by the way they were darting around I feared I might leave 30 minutes later missing a toe or two. As we sat on the edge preparing to dip our feet in schools of little fishes began to swim towards the surface in a flurry of excitement. I felt a little like Wendy from Peter Pan, walking the plank above a sea of ravenous crocodiles. Having said that the experience was nowhere near as terrifying.

The water was tepid understandably for the benefit of the fish, as I imagine warmer temperatures would do more damage than good. As soon as we immersed our feet ankle deep, the fish got to work sucking away as only they knew how. Dead skin cells had absolutely no chance against these little swimmers.

The sensation was somewhat bizarre. It felt a little like tiny bubbles but I could definitely feel a sucking sensation, not to mention the fact that it was rather tickly.  It took me at least 10 minutes to get used to the feeling as generally I am quite ticklish and so I had to bite the bullet and just deal with it. After all, I wanted to get my V.F.M and I wanted to see how effective the treatment was. The Husbies seemed to be feeling the same as me but they got over the initial sensation much faster than I did.  Though once we got carried away with the latest gossip, the tickly feeling became quite subtle.  After the session was over we were given a towel to pat our feet dry. 

It wasn't until I got home later that evening that I had a chance to determine how effective the treatment was. I was quite literally stunned. My feet were as smooth as a baby's bottom - just as they had guaranteed on their website.

I am fish-hooked (sorry haha)! On a scale (okay that's the last joke, I promise) of 1 to 10, I give my overall experience an 8. I'm almost certain I'll be going back for more and I definitely recommend it. I'd love to hear of your experiences.