Happy Christmas!

Thanks for reading my blog, I hope you have a lovely Christmas and a very happy new year!

Celebrate You! Embrace Balance

Dear Santa,

For Christmas, I would like some more Murad products for Christmas please. I have been using the Celebrate You! Embrace Balance Christmas kit for the past week and have noticed a massive improvement in my skin. People are saying it has never looked better! My favourite product is the T-zone Pore Refining Gel which dissolves pore-clogging impurities and leaves your skin feeling smooth and looking clearer. At the moment, I am washing my face with Pom Cleanser, using the gel and then moisturizing with Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer SPF 15 which is lovely and light.

Thanks,

Bianca

Celebrate You! Embrace Balance (Vitalic Bundle)

T-Zone Gel 60ml [full size]
Pom Cleanser 50ml
Pom Moisturiser 30ml
Pom Exfoliating Mask 2 x 7.5ml sachets
£78 Value / Price: £39.50

http://www.murad.co.uk/celebrate-you-embrace-balance

Anti-ageing for your Hair

If you’re anything like me, you’ll spend a lot of time, money and effort on your skin, smothering yourself in the latest and greatest products on the market. The order in which you get ready for the day says a lot about the amount of importance you place on things. I shower, wash my hair, do my skincare routine and then cake myself in slap. If I have time, I will blow dry the front of my hair and then rough dry the rest. As you get older though, it’s not just your skin that ages, your hair does too and are affected by three environmental factors; Environmental, Thermal and Chemically-assisted. These things unfortunately mean that it’s possible for a 20 year old to have the chronological ‘hair’ age of someone who is 60! Luckily, label.m has developed ‘Therapy Age-Defying,’ a system which works by helping to repair the gaps which form inside the strands of ‘age-challenged’ hair to combat dullness and frizz.

Alix of Bohemia

I really love this bohemian clothing brand. If you’re a fan of quirky prints (as I am) you won’t want to miss out. Contact info@toryturk.com or call 07984498990 for more information

http://www.toryturk.com/
http://alixofbohemia.blogspot.com/

Supperclub's 2nd Birthday

I went to Supperclub’s second birthday last week. I had heard a lot of good things about it from friends and wasn’t disappointed. There were flamboyant performers, tasty cocktails and the opportunity to eat delicious canapés from a girl wrapped in cellophane!

If you’re in a pack of single girls, looking for a flirt (and maybe a kiss under the mistletoe) then Supperclub might not quite fit the bill. Revellers are stylish and lovely but the majority seemed to be homosexual.

But who’s in it just for the boys? Not me! Give me some yummy morsels and a good drink any day of the week.

www.supperclub.com

Crème de la Mer

I went along to the rather glamorous Estée Lauder building last Thursday to learn about new developments with luxury skincare brand, Crème de la Mer.

Over a glass of champagne (lovely) I learnt all about the different products. Most people are familiar with the brand’s popular Moisturizing Crème but if, like me, you think a cream of this type is better suited to more mature skins, there are plenty of alternatives. The Oil Absorbing Lotion, Moisturizing Lotion and Moisturizing Gel Cream are lighter and quicker to apply but all contain the ‘miracle’ formula in the original Moisturizing Crème.

Crème de la Mer is currently offering various complimentary treatments at their counters – there is no obligation to buy and the staff are welcoming and friendly. I would recommend trying the eye care treatment I opted for. The eye creams are applied using a silver-tipped applicator, which reacts with the haematite in the eye product and encourages blood to flow to the surface for a de-puffed, glowing eye area (something I definitely need in the morning, these days!).

Yes, this kind of skincare doesn’t come cheap but if, like me, you struggle with your skin, it really is a worthy investment. Whilst you might initially baulk at the occasionally triple-figure price tags, the quality of the products mean that you need to use about a quarter of the amount of a more affordable counterpart. If used correctly, these products will last for ages and the results they manifest will surely be worth it. At the age of 26, I am starting to think seriously about my skin and beginning to think about anti-ageing. Crème de la Mer’s Moisturising Lotion is looking like a good place to start.

My favourite Crème de la Mer products:

Diane Pernet - a Shaded View on Film

I have long been a fan of Diane Pernet’s blog, www.ashadedviewonfashion.com so I was excited to go along to the 3 Objectives studio (www.3objectives.co.uk) to see Pernet’s five latest fashion films and hear her in conversation with artist Hormazd Narielwalla.
I enjoyed all five films but my favourite was the first, showcasing a female bodybuilder in a tense, sexually charged environment.

Check out 3 Objectives videos here:

http://vimeo.com/32212190http://vimeo.com/32212172

Photo courtesy of 3 Objectives. Photographer Lee Murrells took photos at the event, check out his blog: http://leemurrells.blogspot.com/.

Bastyan Pop Up Shop

I went along to the launch of Bastyan’s pop-up shop on Thursday night. It looked great, everyone commented on how it looked more like a permanent shop than a pop-up. The current collection includes some amazing dresses and smart separates; perfect for Christmas parties. I was seriously lusting after the accessories too, especially the large ponyskin bag and creamy leather oversized clutches. The winter coats are gorgeous too. I could go on.

For Spring, there is an exciting ‘Collaborare’ collection. I’m most excited about Vanessa Harrington’s collaboration – Vanessa’s prints are inspired by DNA, stunning exotic flowers and butterflies. There were gorgeous scarves, cushions and even ceramics, I wanted the lot!

There were some very glamorous guests at the launch – along with Tonia (Bastyan Founder), her PR and Marketing Coordinator, Harpreet Chohan and lovely communications guru Caroline Bradley all attended.

Make sure you visit the Bastyan pop-up while you can – at the moment there are plans to close it Christmas Eve!

288-294 Regent Street
http://www.bastyan.co.uk

A Few of my Current Favourite Things

These are some of the highlights from an Exposure PR press day I went to a little while ago – they represent some really cool brands such as Nike, Levis, Hunter, Toywatch and Katie Eary.

Cool Hunter wellies - the new versions of my favourite 'Festival Boot' from a while ago

The new Toywatches are less about plastic and fun pop colour, more about sophistication and gold tones.




LOVE this colour combo from Dr Martens! I want the yellow satchel but am too chicken for the hot pink boots, think black patent are more my style.





A stunning ostrich feather dress from Katie Eary

I WANT this trench! Please Katie Eary, Please?

A new range from Delphine-Charlotte Parmentier, Chanel's costume jeweller

These Terry De Havilland shoes are made to dance in

Wolsey - really cool brand, awesome photos!

My love…

…Of Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant at Claridges knows no bounds. Top tip for fine dining on a budget? Have lunch there – it’s only £30 (even at weekends) and the food is beyond delicious. I took Mum to celebrate her birthday last weekend. The service is impeccable and all of the staff are brilliant (Govind is my number one favourite).

Book here: http://www.claridges.co.uk/page.aspx?id=1786

Halloween

I attended two spooky parties this Halloween. The first was at White Stuff (where I work as a copywriter). These guys know how to throw a good bash and winning the dressing up competition is the aim of the game! The Creative team (where I work) went as ‘Death of the Penthouse’ with our Creative Director taking on the role of Hugh Hefner. The rest of us donned ears and robes to be dead bunnies. The most fun part was choosing our mode of demise. I chose to be the victim of a botched boob job.

The second party I went to was in Hertfordshire, in my friend’s boyfriend’s industrial estate. It was brilliant; there was a hog roast, a bouncy castle, apple bobbing, UV lights and live bands. Amazing!

Life and Soul Book Launch

A little while ago, I went to the launch of Emma Forbes’ new book, Life and Soul. You might remember Emma from her Live and Kicking presenting days. The books great; packed full of ideas for cooking and entertaining. Holly Valance took a break from Strictly Come Dancing to attend. It was a wonderful launch at the Ivy with enough food and drink to sink a battleship and biccie giveaways – my favourite kind of party!

Sharon’s Nails by Zara

Love Sharon’s nails this week – really want to try this colour combo but have damned tiny nail beds.

I'm on Mulberry.com!

http://www.mulberry.com/#/discovermulberry/latestnews/voguefashionnightoutlondon/

Moisturisers I Love

Now the weather’s turned (knew that ‘Indian Summer’ couldn’t last long), keeping your face adequately moisturised is more important than ever. Here’s a super quick rundown of my three current favourites, described in three (or a few more) words.

Super O-Mega Moisturiser £29.50 for 30ml
Rich, quickly absorbed (and smells lovely)

http://www.getsuper.co.uk/products/omegamoisture2.html

L’Oreal Revitalift 10 Repair £14.99 50ml
Rich, multi-action, anti-aging (and SPF 20)

http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Revitalift-Restore-10-Multi-Active-Daily-Moisturiser-SPF20-50ml_1214934/

Murad Hydro-Dynamic™ Ultimate Moisture £59.00 for 50ml
Intense hydration and dryness relief

http://www.murad.com/hydro-dynamic-moisture.jsp

Feeling Free(Shape)

Just a quickie, I love KMS and their latest product reduces drying time and conditions your hair a bit too! What’s not to love! I’ve been using it before every blow dry. My hair’s big and bouncy, just the way I like it.

Free Shape Quick Blow Dry Spray £9.95 is available from http://www.feelunique.com/: http://www.feelunique.com/p/KMS-California-FreeShape-Quick-Blow-Dry-200ml

A Sky Full of Kindness, Rob Ryan Book Launch

I’ve been a fan of paper-cutting hero Rob Ryan for years now so I jumped at the chance to attend the launch of his new book, A Sky Full of Kindness. In his interview with Stylist magazine, he describes the book as being “a tale of a fearful mother about to bring a child into the world in this age of anxiety."

The launch was held at 33 Portland Place, an amazing building infamous for its raunchy parties. This time though, things were kept clean (there were children present, after all) and crowds of people gathered to see the artist’s latest work hanging from the mansion’s peeling walls. The roughness of the surroundings juxtaposed wonderfully with the elegance and intricacy of Ryan’s work. The story detailed across the pages was touching, it will certainly resonate with anyone planning a family in these uncertain times. With Christmas approaching, I’ll be stockpiling these for gifts.

A Sky Full of Kindness is out 13 October (£16.99, Sceptre)

Curiouser and Curioser

I toppled through the rabbit hole and ended up in Chelsea. Barts is a secret member’s club with a teapot-shaped difference.

My friend Sarah knocked on the door, the hatched opened and we entered into an evening of ‘All things Wonderland.’ The Late Night Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (in association with Veuve Clicquot) was a hive of top hats, cupcakes, sandwiches, special tea cups, teapots, and fancy dress galore. The pin-on bunny tails were my favourite.

Food was hovered up and speculation of which Made in Chelsea character we might spot was rife. Telly-star or no, A jolly good time was had by all.

Speak easy in style, Barts was recently voted 21st best bar in the UK in the Independent’s recent Best 50 Bars supplement. I recommend a visit if you like your drinking venues cosy with plenty to look at.

For more information, email info@barts-london.com

Murad

Dr Howard Murad talks (about cells and things, not bright white light)

Murad wisdom


Yummy cakes!





The new Hybrids

The bloggers listen

I first discovered Murad products in Urban Retreat when I worked at Harrods (they are still stocked there). Most of my wages were spent in the pursuit of perfect skin! I got on really well with Murad’s Acne and Spots Solutions range. Since then, I’m ashamed to say I have deviated, trying out all sorts of different skincare brands and products (although it sort of goes with the territory, I suppose!).

When I heard Dr Howard Murad and his son, Jeff, had flown over from LA, I went along to the bloggers party at the Mayfair Hotel to find out about the latest Murad developments.

After watching an interesting video about the development of Murad and the effects our stressful, sedentary lifestyle can have on our skin, Dr Murad and Jeff shared some insights into their latest products. I have been using their newest moisturizer, Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture. It’s rich and smoothing, absorbing really quickly into the skin. The new ‘Hybrids’, skin primers and under-eye products, are great too. The lightly pigmented primers are a brilliant alternative to my usual tinted moisturizer and they glide on beautifully. I love the Eye-Lift Perfector, it minimizes the appearance of dark circles and improves skin firmness by 50% in fifteen minutes. Definitely something I need these days.

Sorry for leaving you Murad, I’m a fan once more.

You can buy Murad products here:

http://www.murad.co.uk/