Sunday 31 July 2016

Discovered: A Lavish Lavender photographer's paradise in England

Lavender Field England
Lavender Field England
From the moment I stepped onto the property I knew what I was about to let loose a not so secret secret about the perfect place to do a fashion shoot. Of course the people of Mayfield Lavender Field have seen many before me come to capture their purple haze for days. They even have a setup, whereby if you are a professional, you must register your interest in shooting in the fields. Don't let that sway you from popping by. This is as much a place to be enjoyed as tourist as it is a professional snapper. 

Located just an hour outside of London, this is truly a place that will blow your mind. Yes, I know I say that a lot, but having lived 14 years in London and then stumbling upon such a place threw me for a bit of a loop and now has me thinking of all the other little hidden gems that are waiting to be discovered in this country.

The Mayfield Lavender Fields may be full of people, on a sunny day, but there is a certain ambience created by such a situation. Dogs, children, couples in love and more can all be found frolicking amongst the lavender and smiling in such a way that you feel blessed just to be a player in their day of happiness. Who knew it? Lavender is like prozac. Watch out big pharma. 

Here are a few of the snaps I took on the day. Keeping in mind this was an unexpected turn of events, you can only imagine I was kicking myself that I didn't have a long flowing dress and a great big floppy straw hat to really mark the occasion appropriately. Must remember to keep a trunk full of props for the future, right? Ha!

Enjoy the images and make sure to add this to you calendar of things to do in the UK on a beautiful weekend. I also have it on good authority that the lavender bread in the gift shop is worth queuing for! 
Lavender Field England
Lavender Field England
Lavender Field England
Lavender Field England
Lavender Field England
Lavender Field England
Lavender Field England
Lavender Field England

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Friday 29 July 2016

Outfit du Jour: The Statement Jacket rules supreme

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Thursday 28 July 2016

Specifics of makeup artist job


 When we are talking about a makeup artist, we are talking about creating a full image. The specialist must clearly feel all details: usually a client wants a makeup, the result of which is invisible, its main task is to hide the flaws and emphasize the beauty. If the make-up artist puts too much blush or mascara, an image is completely spoiled. To do this, you must consider the size and the shape of the lips, eyebrows, eye color and skin texture. Makeup artist should be a stylish and a fashionable person, somewhere pretentious and original.

What does makeup artist do?

In order to know the nuances of the profession, you need a constant practice. Moreover, a true professionalism comes after performing particularly complex tasks. Don't be afraid to take part in fashion shows and beauty contests - the more experience in trendy hangouts you will have, the higher is the chance of getting a good job. Today the competition is very high, the days of amateurism are in the past. So it is necessary to raise qualification and theoretical base.


 
Be prepared for difficulties in the beginning of your career. Makeup artist profession presupposes the existence of regular customers or notoriety of the name.
We should not forget about the quality of the cosmetics, there should be 90% of professional cosmetics.
Every day the requirements for make-up artist professionals grow. This applies not only to technology of applying makeup but also to the quality of customer service. Professionalism is the symbiosis of strong theoretical knowledge, skills in the use of various techniques of makeup, as well as the ability to prove yourself. Many makeup artists were able to achieve success on the international scene thanks to the thrust towards continuous self-improvement, they participate in the filming of movies and TV-shows, embodying their dreams.

The pros and cons of the profession:

Advantages:

-     a fascinating creative profession;
-     an opportunity to communicate with celebrities;
-     high fees for professionals;
-  thanks to master-classes you have an opportunity to travel around the world;

Disadvantages:

-     high competition;
-     the work is not suitable for people who have allergic reactions to cosmetics;
-     you need to be "on your feet" all day.
Today, the makeup artists are pretty much in demand. If you are looking for a job in a beauty sphere, be sure to visit Jiji. Here you will find hundreds of great opportunities. Moreover, if you want to offer the job, you can place your own ad here - it is absolutely free. The website has an intuitive interface and many other advantages.
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Style Update: Florals and Stripes unite again

I have this very strong feeling that stripes and florals were always meant to fit together like one of the greatest fashion romances of all summers. Alright, maybe that's just me waxing lyrical about the beauty of print clashing. But truly, I can't seem to wear anything floral without throwing in a stripe. It's a disease really. I'm finding my own way of dealing with it - mainly in indulging the trend. 

Of course these aren't just any florals for the season. This is none other than the Liberty for Uniqlo collaboration which hit stores a few months ago and has been selling like hot cakes, obviously for good reason. And yes, the jumper is Uniqlo as well. Then there's the case of the custom Marylebone tote from Aspinal. Still can't get enough. If ever you were searching for the perfect everyday carry, this is your baby. And finally we have some super heels from NEXT. Is it just me or do these look like designer fabs? 





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Wednesday 27 July 2016

My summer beauty savers

summer beauty
Long gone are the days where you'd find me showing up for a beach vacation with a bar of soap, a bottle of shampoo and one tube of sunscreen. Sadly, I'm just not 17 anymore, and, more importantly, technology has moved on in such an incredible way that we are overwhelmed with products that can solve every problem our skin, hair or nails could present while in the heat. Nowadays, at the age of 36, I find myself spending more and more money on products that will help with every eventuality. There are a few beauty products that are permanent members of my summer beauty kit, and this year, in 2016, I've added a good dozen to my arsenal. Here's the break down of products that fill my beauty kit for any warm weather getaway. They're tried, tested and 100% approved as beauty product perfection.

summer beauty
One of the best tips I ever received, as far as sunning myself, came last year from a friend I was on holiday with. She had the best glow about her skin post holiday and I couldn't understand how two people, laying right next to each other for one week in the same place, could come out with such different results in tanning. One week later, as I was admiring her tan and she was commenting on my peeling chest, I asked the burning question -what's the secret? Her response? She swears by exfoliating. She does it religiously pre trip and on the trip itself. As she says, "A sixty second scrub in the shower will give you at least six weeks of extra glow." Not sure about that longevity fact for all, but she's living proof it works for at least one. And, after having tried the tip in Maine a few weeks ago with this ES Exfoliator, I can gladly report that my tan is three weeks down the road and still ticking along nicely without any peeling or sign of fading!

This is truly a product I have used now for over four years. Jergens is the best gradual tanner on the market. I swear by it and I tell everyone I know to use it. This is a product that comes on holiday with me, is used every evening before bed to moisturize and enhance my natural tan, and is continued in my daily regime throughout the summer to keep the pins looking healthy and brown. No streaks, no hideous smell and no crazy colour! What could be better?

Again, it's all about the preparation. No one wants to have to worry about shaving every day on holiday. So, yes I'm a Nair girl. I swear by the in shower cream as there's less of a mess and it's just easy to do. I'll put a conditioner in the hair, grab a book and sit on the bench in my shower while the cream works its magic. And then, voila, I am without issue for about a week! Hello, sun, goodbye hair. 

summer beauty
Love this product to death. We're all about blush these days, aren't we, when it comes to summer? But with this product, you're getting a two in one - blush and lip stain. It's easy, a colour that suits all and can instantly take your beauty look from zero to hero with one swipe. 

Now, when it comes to gradual tan, I don't use the same skincare on my body as I do my face, mainly because my face is super sensitive and would break out like a teenage girl should I give that whole scenario a go. Trust me, I've been there and done that. It ain't pretty. So, when it comes to building and keeping the summer glow, I use Sisley. Ask anyone. It's the best there is and gives a seriously healthy tan. People will think you are on perms-holiday.

You know the score here, already. This is some of the best stuff out there when it comes to a miracle in a stick. It's an easy coverup tool that is really all you need when it comes to summer skin. Hopefully, your holiday tan is giving you a glow you won't want to cover with foundation and this little ditty will give you just the support you need to cover and glow any spots or dark circles that not even the sun has the power to kill off!

Again we find ourselves looking at a two in one combo. The Estee Edit has brought out a hydrate and glow scenario. There's a tube full of hydrated and illuminating serum that will give you a great base to allow your skin to shine. Then, there's also a glow stick on the top that allows you to highlight cheekbones, brow bones and even act as an eyeshadow (yes, I do this). Basically I used this whole tube on holiday. I was obsessed, and so was everyone around me.

Yes, teeth look whiter when you have a tan. But, I like to go for the Ross mega glow when it comes to teeth. It's the American in me. I can't help myself. So I've been experimenting with Pearl Drops Beauty Sleep serum. It's a product that you apply after brushing, to the teeth and gums, that helps make teeth whiter and gums healthier while you sleep. It's super inexpensive and a great tool to have for dental health and a great smile all around.

Another Estee product. Yup, they're a brand favourite this year. I can't help myself. This is for nights when you are putting on a full face of makeup. It's a primer that truly is revolutionary. It won't give you a flat look, but will rather bring out a fantastic glow that will shine through, while also allowing your makeup to see its way through the summer heat for the night. A true lifesaver.

There is no other brow product. That's all I say. You need this in your life. Lasts through any heat your want to throw at it!

I'm not sure about you, but when it comes to mascara and summer I am a doomed. The heat gives me the ultimate panda eye so I find myself going for fake semi-perm lashes for the summer rather than using mascara. However, this year I was introduced to new mascara from the Estee Edit and I fell in love. I didn't have time for semi lashes and this was my saving grace. It provides lift to the lashes and volume and there wasn't a panda eye to be found. Could not have been happier and can't recommend this enough!
summer beauty
Yes, I am now the girl that uses factor 50 on my face and will probably always wish that I had. Sadly, I'm only discovering the real importance of sunscreen on holiday in my 30s. Am sure this will catch up with me. La Roche Posay have a whole range that is pretty incredible when it comes to suncare. But, my favourite is the the Anthelios range and, in particular, the facial sunscreen with a tinted moisturizer. Looking chic and keeping safe is now an option. Bye, bye greasy complexion. It's all about looking like you belong on the cover of Vogue while you sun like a goddess. 

Now, let's get into a bit of hair. I've been using a lot of Aveda this summer, and in particular the thickening tonic. I found that using this before a blowout gave me lustworthy locks. Also, using it after a shower and combining this with a walk on the beach made for some seriously incredibly beachy waves. 

Of course the sun is not always very forgiving when it comes to haircare, and this is where Gielly Green comes to the rescue, literally, with their Argan Rescue. Some people swear by this haircare daily. I love to put it on my ends at night before bed, after a full day in the sun, and on the lengths of my hair after a shower once a week, to help keep things shiny and healhy. It's always the worst when you come home from holiday with a great tan and hair that looks like it's been fried to within an inch of its life.

Buy this and put it in your fridge. Then, every time you come into the house for a drink or to take a break from the sun, spray liberally. It's a great moisturizer for the skin and will also help make you feel a bit more human with it's chilled contents. Also great for plane travel!

This is one that will get a lot more attention on another day. For now, I'll say that every woman over the age of 30 should be using this product to protect the hair they have now. It is a product that I firmly believe is changing lives. Trust me on this one. I've talked to women who have claimed that their hair has gone back in time ten years since using this miracle product. 

Last, but certainly not least, a product that has been selling out everywhere and with good reason. The Estee Lauder Set + Refresh more or less does what it says on the package. I apply before and after makeup, and then reapply throughout the day for a bit of a makeup boost. I don't know exactly what goes into this miracle in a bottle, but it works. Makeup stays put and looks fresh throughout the day with just a spritz. Again, a good idea would be to throw this in the fridge and use to keep things chilled! I'm basically refrigerating the majority of my makeup on holiday to keep things cool and collected. 
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Monday 25 July 2016

Kinda Militant




SHOP THE POST:

When was the last time I shot an outfit post? Yeah bad that.

So it’s been forever ever and I thought on a recent Pokemon related walk I should hand my camera over to someone and let them actually shoot me… So that is what I did mi-hunt because I’d found a rogue Evee in the park near my house. I've seen Pewds shoot videos there so I convinced myself they must put all the good 'mon there.

It’s been hot recently - like real hot. Im sure if you're British you're well aware of the situ and well versed on the “HOW IS IT SO HOT” conversations we’ve all had this week. I forget sometimes that while it’s super hot it doesn’t mean that it’s not windy - I do live by the sea after all. For all it’s wonderful beachy pebbly drinks-in-the-sun goodness, it is v. v. windy. After chasing my chasing my hat down about 2 miles worth of seafront I decided I was better off inside.

So I wore a white dress which I bought to wear on my LA trip but I think I wore for approx 5 minutes before I realised it was in fact way too cold. Paired with a camo jacket which I thought looked v. military when it was placed with the shoes and the dress. But I kinda like that. I basically live in outfits like this right now, feminine dresses mixed with a trusty pair of booties, oversized sunnies (I wasnt actually wearing any makeup because cba) and menswear inspired shirts to give it a girly/tough edge. 

God I talk about the weather so much in this post. I hate being so bloody British sometimes.





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Friday 22 July 2016

London Roof Garden Perfection: B.O.B's Lobster, The Gardening Society, John Lewis London

The Gardening Society, John Lewis London
I have been back from Maine for exactly six days. Six days, people, and I'm already eating lobster again! I mention this because the lobster I had today, on the roof terrace of John Lewis, on Oxford Street, tasted as if I was eating it on my back porch in Maine. Yes, the rumours are true. B.O.B's lobster rolls are the best lobster rolls this side of the Atlantic, and this comes from a seasoned professional. What are my qualifications? Well, I've been chomping down on lobster rolls in New England since I was old enough to eat on my own. I'd say 30 plus years in the game gives me a bit of a leg up on what's what when it comes to a good lobster roll.

B.O.B's lobster roll is, first of all, a full quarter pound of lobster prepared perfectly, not over-seasoned so as to drown the taste of actual lobster. This is half the battle won. No names need be mentioned but plenty of establishments in London have got this wrong-  all wrong. Adding random ingredients to spice things up when you are eating one of the finest seafoods out there is just plan sacrilege when it comes to food preparation. Secondly, and perhaps just as important when it comes to preparation, let's talk about the bun. B.O.B's lobster roll comes in a butter grilled brioche bun that melts in your mouth and only adds to the delicious taste that the lobster presents with every mouthful. In short, I couldn't find one fault with this lobster roll or the setting in which I inhaled it.

So about this setting. B.O.B's Lobster is usually a food truck, but it has popped up for the month of July at The Gardening Society at John Lewis Oxford Street in London. What's that you say? What's The Gardening Society? Oh heavens me, sit down and take notes. This is the new hot spot in central London for those looking for a little fun in the sun, whether at midday or after work. The Gardening Society is a rooftop garden that is found in the most unlikely of settings. It's an oasis in a cement jungle. It's a patch of green in an otherwise grey London world. It's also a favorite new place for folks to find peace during a quick lunch hour - whether eating at B.O.B's Lobster or simply enjoying a coffee with a good read. 

While B.O.B's Lobster is only in residence for another week, and reservations are still being taken, there will be further pop-ups throughout the summer. Not to worry. I'll keep you well informed...

John Lewis Oxford Street,
London

The Gardening Society, John Lewis London
The Gardening Society, John Lewis London
The Gardening Society, John Lewis London
The Gardening Society, John Lewis London
The Gardening Society, John Lewis London
The Gardening Society, John Lewis London
The Gardening Society, John Lewis London
The Gardening Society, John Lewis London
The Gardening Society, John Lewis London
The Gardening Society, John Lewis London




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Wednesday 20 July 2016

Outfit du Jour: Weekend Wedding Chic

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Tuesday 19 July 2016

Style Update: The coolest (and best) culottes

The perfect pair of culottes.
Ladies and gents, I've had a sip from the fashion kool-aid, and I like it. I am now a fan of culottes. But it should be said, it isn't just any old pair of culottes that I'm going gaga for. In my estimation, I've tried on about 451 pairs of culottes over the past three years, in search of pair that fits and flatters and I'm proud to say I've swiped right onto the perfect pairing. Thank heavens. I was starting to get leg cramps from all the off-and-ons! 

Wearing:
The perfect pair of culottes.
The perfect pair of culottes.
The perfect pair of culottes.




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Monday 18 July 2016

Rationalising "goodbye"... the good, the bad, the ugly and the selfish

If I could make it fifteen minutes without bursting into tears at the moment, I'd be a happy camper. July 2016 has officially become the month of hard goodbyes. There are the goodbyes that make you happy, happy for new beginnings for some, and the goodbyes that are seemingly the last and final words exchanged between two people. Each is hard in its own way, and none are altogether welcome, but somehow I've managed to pull it all into perspective. 

Today, I tried my damnedest to keep myself together as I said goodbye to someone who has become my best friend over the past seven years. She's no shrinking violet and we've made no effort to disguise our ridiculous sister-wife love for each other over the years, parading ourselves across instagram, the blog and snapchat. Some of my happiest London memories, since moving here 14 years ago, have been spent alongside one Laetitia Wajnapel (known to many as Mademoiselle Robot). And today I had to hug her and try not to smear my mascara over the side of her cheek as tears freely streamed down my face. Lil' Letty is moving to Los Angeles to pursue a dream of living and working in one of her favorite places on earth. After visiting Los Angeles a few times with The Robot, I've seen first hand how she blossoms in such an amazing city. This goodbye, as hard as it was, is most definitely a goodbye that fills my heart with joy. I went home and cried a little more, mostly because I was feeling sorry for myself. I was sad to have my "shoulder to cry on" move so bloody far away. This was a selfish goodbye - as are most. But, it is the goodbye that I consider the "good." She's gone for now, but certainly not forever. So how I do say this goodbye? Well, there isn't an easy way to say it and there never is. But, I go home and think to myself that I'm sad because I'm losing a friend and that truly there is only happiness to be found in a best friend finding happiness elsewhere. And there's always a silver lining - I now have a place to shack up in LA whenever I need one. 

Now onto the bad...

For me, the bad goodbyes are usually the ones that could be the last goodbyes. As I get older, and as I see my parents get older, I start to see that saying "the last goodbye" is something that never gets easier, but does tend to get more regular. Whenever I go home, I see relatives when I can. I see them getting older and more fragile and more often than not, the discussion of "this may be the last time you see them..." becomes routine. I say goodbye and tears come and I try to understand why it is that some people come into our lives and make such a dent in our hearts and then leave. Then I realize I'm once again being selfish. How lucky am I to have had them in my life at all, even for just a moment? How do I say this goodbye? I step back and thank the universe for bringing them into my life at all. I realize that I'm blessed to have an opportunity to say goodbye, or to at least recognize how special this last moment may be for both parties. I say goodbye hoping it's not our last, just the last here in this time and place. 

And so we reach the ugly...

My ugliest goodbyes have always been with my pets. There is a certain cruelty in having to say goodbye to an animal and not being able to explain to that kind heart why it is you are parting. For any human being that has ever had to look into a dog's eyes while putting them to sleep, you will know that nothing can prepare you for this moment. You haven't had a chance to chat about the forthcoming event. You haven't been able to explain that the pain will get worse, the quality of life will dissipate and that you are doing what you have to do because of the love you have for this little being. All you see are two loving eyes looking back at you and the tears that come with this are most definitely described as ugly, harsh and heartbreaking. And you know what? This goodbye is selfish too. You feel bad because you can't really say goodbye, not a goodbye they'll understand anyway. You feel selfish because you have played God and taken a life, because you didn't want your pet to suffer. You feel selfish because you want that animal there with you now and instead it's gone forever.  

In my experience in saying the many goodbyes I have over the past 36 years, I can definitely say that not one has been easy. If something is worthwhile saying goodbye to of course it will be hard and it will tug at the heart strings. But most of the time goodbyes come with a spoonful of perspective, a moment to reflect and to appreciate everything that you have been given in this life and how lucky you are to have something so precious that it can be missed at all. 

As Dr. Suess is famous for saying, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Goodbyes may be ugly, but the experience is what makes life beautiful. Enough sentiment. Pass me a glass of wine and a tissue. 




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Speccy Four Eyed Big Eared Girl ...and proud






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