London Trip

Last weekend (I can't believe it's been a whole week!) me and hubby had a long weekend in London.  It was primarily for David to watch his favourite team Miami Dolphins play at Wembley but we managed to fit in meeting friends, shopping, eating and drinking and generally spending lots of money!

As we were travelling light I didn't actually buy any beauty products but I sampled lots and now I have got a huge wishlist.  It was great to see and try products I normally can only buy online without testing first. 

We stayed at St James' Court Hotel for two nights. It was lovely and really central.

We ate lunch in the courtyard and David had a delicious spiced fish burger with sweet potato wedges.

I was super excited to meet Nardine (@Miss_Nardine), Sam (HoneyGoLightly) and Grace (all that slap).  Nardine came up to the hotel to meet us and show us the way to Grace Bar where we were meeting the others.

Nardine and me

me, Sam, Grace, Nardine

What a great night we had! So lovely to meet the girls.  Lots of cocktails, fizz, some food and chat.

Next day, we got up quite early to go look at the shops and stopped by - Content Beauty & Wellbeing (I loved it) Whole Foods Market, Miller Harris, Liberty and Fortnum & Mason to name a few.

in whole food market

Halloween goodies in Fortnum & Mason

We ate lunch at Mishkins (25 Catherine St, WC2B 5JS) It's a "kind-of Jewish deli" with cocktails.  I had a spiced negroni (delish) and a half brick lane salt beef sandwich. We shared a side of onion rings.  Would recommend!

We chose some Pierre Herme mararons at Selfridges and my favourites were Jasmine Tea and Passionfruit with chocolate.

We headed back to the hotel and had a Champagne Flight Experience which was three champagnes with matching canapes!  Was a really great experience and delicious.

David had booked dinner at Caxton Grill at St Ermin's Hotel which is a 5 minute walk from where we were staying.  The food was great and we both thoroughly enjoyed our dinner (next time it's definitely the tasting menu!)  My favourite course was the main which was Beef Fillet with garlic, barley and parmesan. 

Sunday saw us head to Wembley Stadium for the American Football. David's team Miami Dolphins were playing Oakland Raiders. There was a great atmosphere with over 83k in attendance and his team won!

Before boarding our flight home on Monday we had lunch at Plane Food, Gordon Ramsay's Restaurant at Terminal 5 at Heathrow.  I ate one of the best Chicken Caesar salads I've ever had and a super spicy Bloody Mary.

David had Cranahan with figs for pudding and it was super yummy. Who'd believe this amazing food is served at the airport!

All in all a great weekend and I can't wait to go back!

Selfridges Advent Calendar

source

I got this wonderful Advent Calendar last year! It was fantastic - I loved getting a little present every day right up until Christmas.

You can sign up to be notified when it is live to buy here.

Selfridges Beauty Box

I know I was so lucky to receive one of these sought after boxes!  Thanks Julie!

Selfridges brought out this limited edition beauty box to celebrate the launch of the Beauty Workshop - an exciting sounding department where you can get treatments done and buy from over 100 niche brands - guess where I'm going next time I'm in London!

The box sold out within half an hour (and left many beauty addicts unhappy at not securing a box - myself included).

I know I was very lucky to receive a box - I got this one through Julie, a friend on Facebook who'd managed to get two and she agreed to sell me one - thank you so much!  It arrived super-quick yesterday morning.

As ever with Selfridges, beautifully packaged in a neat bright yellow and white Selfridges box tied with yellow ribbon.

Here's what's included:

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum 15ml - I've heard of this brand but haven't ever used any of the products before.  Contains the finest plant ingredients and delivers light hydration.  On the website it says perfect for use in the warmer months or in humid conditions.  It's got a floral herbal smell.  Looking forward to trying this one out but wish it had a stopper/pump as it will be difficult to not pour too much out.

Estelle & Thild Raspberry Lip Balm 15ml - this is a full size product from a brand I've heard of before but never tried.  A Swedish Organic brand. It is a clear balm flavoured with raspberry.  You can also buy from Love Lula.

Philip B Katira Hair Masque 60ml - another brand I've heard of but never tried any of its products.  Made with pure botanicals and essential oils.  Plumps up fine hair and calms hard to manage hair.  You can use it on wet or dry hair and left on  until dry or overnight.  Love hair treatments so looking forward to testing this out.

Antipodes Divine Face Oil 30ml - with organic Avocado Oil & Rosehip.  This New Zealand brand uses only bioactive botanical ingredients blended with Avocado Oil to anti-age your skin.  Leaves skin feeling fresh and plump.  Another one I'm looking forward to trying.

Stila One Step Correct 30ml - another full size product.  I probably can't say it any better than Selfridges "This innovative, triple-swirled helix serum instantly colour-corrects, brightens and covers skin imperfections for a flawless face with no fuss. Swirl your way to perfect skin in one step! This primer, colour-corrector, brightener and anti-aging skincare serum does it all with the help of Stila's Youth Revival Bio-Available Mineral Complex. The weightless, creamy formula blends imperceptibly into skin and won't clog pores or settle into fine lines so all anyone will notice is your perfectly flawless skin!".  Sounds too good to be true!  

Bio Effect EGF Serum 5ml - this retails at a whopping £49!  An award winning anti-ageing formula which apparently makes visible and dramatic improvement to the skin.  I've heard lots about this product and it was in a beauty box previously.  Again, looking forward to trying this.

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask 5ml - A mask packed full of mineral moor mud from Lake Herviz in Hungary.  Purifies skin and leaves it smooth, soft and radiant.  I love masks so looking forward to trying it.

Full reviews will follow and thanks again Julie.

All I want this Christmas Selfridges Advent Calendar 2011

Look at this little beauty which arrived in the post today.

I read about this amazing advent calendar last year and it retailed at £60.

This year it cost £80 - gulp!  It contains 24 gifts including products from Lancome, Kiehl's, Shu Uemura, Armani, Viktor & Rolf and YSL making for a very exciting December!

A Model Recommends and The Beauty Scoop have both posted about this item recently.

I decided to buy this and sneakily used the joint account hoping hubby wouldn't spot my purchase.  Needless to say, he did and was less than impressed....To soften the blow I've said I will make him his own special calendar (though his will be featuring food, drink, sweeties and maybe the occasional beauty product!!).

It contains:

Lancôme Teint Miracle 03 5ml, Trésor eau de parfum 7.5ml, Miracle eau de parfum 5ml, Hypnôse Drama Mascara 2ml, Hypnôse Classic Mascara 2ml, Absolu Nu 302 Mini, Mini Juicy Tube 19 – Lychee, Visionnaire 7ml, Génifique 7ml, Génifique Yeux 5ml, Rénergie Lift Volumetry Day 15ml, Eau Micellaire Douceur 50ml, Bi–Facil 30ml

Giorgio Armani⁄Emporio Armani Armani Code Femme eau de parfum 3ml, Emporio Armani Diamonds eau de parfum 5ml

Kiehl's Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 7ml, Kiehl's Crème De Corps 30ml, Kiehl's Hand Salve 30ml, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 4ml

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil 20ml

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb eau de parfum 7ml

YSL Belle D'Opium eau de parfum 7.5ml, Rouge Pur Couture Mini, Khol Pencil Mini

The confirmation email from Selfridges made me smile "Your order has left the building - gratification is on its way".