Cath Kidston is 20!

Tea party table

Fruits for decorating

The strong rose concoction

Saucepans of wax

Candles cooling

Lily demonstrates rose making

A spoon full of icing

A rose? Perhaps

B tucks in to her latest creation

Me, Cat, Charlotte and B posing something chronic

Hello! I'm back after a short blogging hiatus (apologies)...

This week marks 20 years of Cath Kidston so, along with a group of fellow bloggers, I headed down to the London HQ for a celebration.

Hosted in 'Cath's Cafe' (prob the prettiest staff canteen ever?) we supped some potent rose cocktails and browsed the new celebration collection, named 'Coming Up Roses' which includes a beautiful floral print items and a new hardback book detailing the companies history.

Later in the evening, we dabbled in candle making. There were various saucepans of wax on offer, including rose (natch), birthday cake (yum) and a blue one of which the name escapes me but smelt wonderful! We attached a wax to a Cath polka mug and poured in our chosen wax, before leaving to cool outside on the balcony.

Then the cake decorating! Lily Vanilli (she has an amaze bakery on Columbia Road) was on hand to show us how to make icing roses, and crystallised flowers. At this point numerous cocktails had been consumed, so things got a little messy...however with a Cath Kidson apron to save us from icing we each managed to make some spectacular creations which flatmates duly enjoyed later in the evening (we were given cake tins to carry them home).

A wonderful evening where we met some wonderful ladies! Look out for the Coming Up Roses collection- here's to many more wonderful years of Cath Kidston!

Review: Dior Diorshow Heat Curl Heated Eyelash Curler

I had my eye on this little beaut since it launch earlier in the year, and must have been loudly proclaiming my interest in the office, as it appeared on my desk as a wonderful Birthday surprise back in March.

So...is it any good? I've read lots of mixed reviews about it online, but I myself love it! It's about the size of a standard mascara tube, and has a little cap that covers the comb. You simple push up the switch and a red filament glows red in the comb. Leave it 30 seconds and it's ready to use.

You can use it on bare lashes, but I've found results best when combing over mascara. It really gives a wonderful wide eyed look that is still natural.

I'm a bit scared of the metal eyelash curl contraptions (never forget childhood drama- a friend pulled out all her lashes!) so this is ideal. Highly recommended, and £23 is not a bad price point for Dior.

Dior Grand Bal Diorific Lipstick in Marilyn

This post is a little late as Christmas is well and truly over now, but undoubtedly the best of all the holiday offerings was Dior's Grand Ball collection. Featuring sumptuous shades of deep rouge, gleaming pearl, and smoky black intersected with high-voltage gold, not only were the colours ultra wearable and festive, but the packaging was BEAUTIFUL.  Wow, I've never seen a better looking lipstick or nail polish in my life.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on Diorific in Marilyn a mid-red with blue undertones. The texture is incredible, it's more velvet than matte and highly nourishing. After a bowl of pesto pasta and mug of mulled wine it needed reapplying, but for once my lips were not left flaky, dry and in need (the curse of most lipsticks).

Unfortunately Dior Grand Ball is now sold out everywhere, I'll be going to the counter early next year! I also received the eye palette in my stocking so will be posting a look using the shades soon.

Review: INOA L'Oreal hair color at Rush Kensington

I am a creature of habit in many ways, but especially when it comes to hair. Ever since I went red at the beginning of the year I have been back to the same colourist, who uses the exact same formula. However, I was given the opportunity to try out Rush and thought it would make a good post as they have many outlets around London now, and are quite reasonable (much more so than my regular department store salon). Here's how I got on:

I arrived with faded orange locks and mousey roots. I quite like the strawberry blondey colour that I get 4 weeks post colouring, but I usually have to go neon orange at first to achieve this. I needed a boost but nothing wildly different, and wanted to try avoiding the luminous glow of freshly dyed hair to get something a little more natural.

BEFORE

I chatted to colourist/stylist Victor and he introduced me to IONA by L'Oreal, a fairly new hair colour that is ammonia free and supposedly much better for your hair. The lack of ammonia worried me somewhat, as I didn't want my hair tone darkened, but the shades available were much more appealing than the L'Oreal Majirel that I normal have. Copper hair dye is always limited, but IONA had a good selection, and I settled on a blend of 8.04 and 8.40.

It is advertised as being gentle on the scalp, but I found it stung a little more than my regular colour! Still, what is a little tingle in the name of beauty? It applied on as a purpley colour, but soon developed in to a red. After half an hour, I was led to a basin and couldn't wait to see the results!

I was so happy with the outcome! My hair has been transformed (thought not too dramatically) to a rosy copper hue with golden undertones. It looks natural, and doesn't have the usual OTT neon hue of newly dyed locks. Even better, it is soft, not brittle, there is something to be said for going ammonia-free.

I am really impressed with Rush and will be making Kensington my regular salon. It is great to have a colourist who takes the time to discuss all options before mixing up the formula. I am a fussy client and Victor showed me every single option before we finally settled on the IOMA. It's essential to feel confident when trying something new, as there is nothing worse that sitting waiting for colour to develop when you have doubts about the shade.

I've already sent my boss in his direction, and will be back in 6 weeks time.



AFTER

Check out your nearest Rush salon HERE

Remington Vintage Glamour Blogger Evening

Last week I went to Remington's Vintage Glamour Blogger Evening. It was held at Lucy in Disguise in Soho, the vintage venture started by Lily Allen and her sister Sarah. The shop has a full salon downstairs, so was the perfect venue to visit for some retro hairstyles.

Remington Session Stylist Chris Appleton was on hand for advice, but (and here lies the twist) we had to do our hair ourselves...There was a choice of several styles, and the stylists assisted but left the tools to the bloggers.

There were twenties finger curls, pin rolls and beehives on offer, but I opted for Lana style loose rolling waves named 'The Veronica' which can be created used hot tongs. I gingerly grasped the Remington Keratin Pro Curl and began wrapping my hair around the larger barrel. This proved difficult when looking at my reflection in the mirror (totally uncoordinated) but I soon got the hang of it. Once you've created a coil, the curl is pinned and left to cool before brushing out. So effective!

Confident with my new skills, I repeated the style last weekend for our house party and many asked how I managed to get the look. I will definitely do a step by step tutorial for this soon...

Ellie went for a beehive

With our new hairdos in place, there was nothing left to do but shop! We supped fizz and tried on some of the amazing vintage clothes in the shop. I was very sad to leave this dramatic opera coat behind.

Thanks to Remington for a great evening and even better hair advice!

Book Review: The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt

 

You should never judge a book by its cover but I did judge this. Cartoon skulls are only acceptable if McQueen, they have no place on the book shelf, and optical illusion graphics should be left in the 90s along with the 'magic eye'. But with an hour commute and no book in my bag, I reached for the only thing unread on my shelf,  The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt. On reading the blurb it confirmed my suspicions, a novel about two brothers working as assassins in the Wild West...not really my cup of tea.

Yet by the end of the first chapter I was hooked, not by the plot (a rancid spider poisoned toe is of little interest to me) but by the protagonist and the beautiful unique style. This first person account talks us through the observations and misguided feelings of Eli, the tubbier kinder of the two brothers, displaying DeWitt's talent for a less common type of poetry.

Eli explains the brothers' journey with an honest simplicity that really is a pleasure to read. Hilarious at times, I quite often found myself grinning like a goon at the pages before catching myself and returning to the sobriety of the Piccadilly Line.  It's humour lies in the unawareness of the jokes. What skill!

This is an excellent gift idea for a father or brother, I think one of my own will be receiving this in their stocking this year, and I look forward to the discussion following.

Competition! Win Toni&Guy Infusion Straighteners

I'm teaming up with Toni&Guy for a very exciting giveaway...

The prize is a Toni&Guy Infusion Straightener (RRP £80) an innovative new hair tool that protects when it styles. No more frazzled, dry crispy locks, the Infusion Straightener has a unique conditioning reservoir, which is designed to be filled up with TONI&GUY Heat Protection Mist; as you style your hair, the mist will infuse, protecting your hair and ensuring it is always shiny and healthy. 

To enter, simply follow this blog and leave a comment with your blog/email address so I can contact the winner....The competition will end next Sunday 25th November. Good luck!

This competition is now closed! I used a random number generator to choose the winner and I'm pleased to announce the winner is Sandra well done! Check your inbox xx

Winter Skincare: Murad Hydro-Dynamic and Liz Earle Polish and Cleanse reviews

Never mind calendars or barometers, I can predict the winter season's arrival by the condition of my skin! Almost as soon as the first leaves fall from the trees, my eyelids become dry, and the crisp flaking spreads to the rest of my complexion within days. Usually by this point in the year I'd be frantically raiding Boots for eczema friendly moisturisers and nourishing creamy cleansing lotions, but 2012 has been a little different thanks to Dr. Murad... 

A little while back I attended a Murad skincare event, and came away with Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for Eyes and Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture cream. I began applying with caution, as rich creams can often be foe and irritate my sensitive skin, but hallelujah, these have not caused any pore clogging breakouts and do not sting on application (a terrible side effect I usually get with chapped dry areas). My skin has been successful saved from its usual winter fate; a miracle no less!

I've teamed these dreamy products with old favourite, Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. Though skincare is very subject to skin types, I would recommend this to anyone with confidence! It is gentle yet deep cleansing, and manages to maintain the skin's hydration levels without leaving it feeling greasy or coated. Wonderful stuff, and it smells amazing too. Simply massage in to dry skin, and then polish off with a hot damp muslin cloth (there are 2 included). It's not very often that I admire my reflection, but I can't help but notice the radiance after this.



Check out Dr. Murad here and Liz Earle here...

Anyone got any other seasonal skincare saviors to recommend?

Wish List: Tom Ford Lip and Cheek Stain

In work I see reams of beauty launches, so I thought I would start posting about amazing products to look out for.

Part of the brand's AW12 collection, this lip stain is no longer brand spanking new, but it is firmly placed on my product wish list. Tom Ford lipsticks have long earned their beauty credentials and are considered the best on the luxury block, making this Lip and Cheek Stain a very exciting addition to the range.

I love it. I love the luxe glossy packaging, I love the dark balmy bullet. I love the fact it is formulated with acai oil and cherry extract to condition lips and last but not least, I love that it's a handbag friendly multi-tasker.

I don't love the fact it is £36. I have been thinking about it for several months, so may take the plunge one frivolous day...when I do you will be the first to know!

Review- Violent Eyes Temporary Eye Appliques (stick-on eyeliner!)

You may remember some time back I tried out Violent Lips transfers which were good fun indeed. Now the brand has launched something that may be even more exiting- Violent Eyes. These glittery temporary transfers allow you to create the ever-popular winged liner eyes without messing around without liquid eyeliners or pencils.

Cat Eye style make-up was everywhere for AW12, from feline flicks at Lanvin to graphic precise designs at Mary Katrantzou so there is no better time to try out the look. Dior launched something similar awhile back, but at £25 a pop it was a little too pricey for experimentation. Violent Eyes come in at £6 for 8 which is far more realistic for normal folk. I tried them out the other evening, here's how I got on:

Every pack contains 8 pairs of varying thickness, from subtle neat flicks to statement Amy Winehouse style designs. You begin by popping out your chosen pair...

Ah here you see I had experienced a few errors, it was only as I attempted applying for the 3rd time (yikes) that I realised there are 8 pairs! Hence, you pop out one eyeliner, and it unfolds to reveal one for each eye. This is not too clear in the instructions so be aware!

Once I finally understood what was going on, I continued by measuring the transfer against my eye and trimming off the excess for a perfect fit.

You then peel off the film and press against the eye. Holding it in position you need to wet the back until the paper peels off to reveal the transfer. This bit was easier than I expected, and the results are great!

Apologies for the bad lighting, taking blog photos in winter is quite the challenge, but hopefully the results are visible. They look really good! They lasted the evening and peeled off obediently at the end of the night with no hassle at all.

Violent Eyes are available in many glittery shades purple, blue, gold, even rainbow which gives plenty of choice. I would love it if they did plain true black, but I suppose they are designed for partywear more than the every day.  I will definitely be using up my set, 8 wears for £6 is very reasonable indeed! They are a little fiddly, but anyone could apply them with patience. I've complied some top tips:

1. Give yourself plenty of time. Trying to rush to leave the house will almost guarantee something going wrong.

2. There are 2 pairs back to back in every liner you press from the sheet!!!!!

3. Take care trimming to the correct size, or they won't sit well

4. Also be careful when positioning the transfer on the eye to get a symmetrical and even look

Available at Harvey Nichols