Loving Your Beautiful Work: DARPHIN

I took a trip to the very swish Estée Lauder offices to find out exactly what Parisian brand Darphin has up their cosmetological sleeves for the upcoming months. It turns out they have a lot of exciting new launches on the way – here’s the goss:

Darphin was founded in 1958 by Pierre Darphin, a French specialist in cosmetology. He launched an in-depth research program using only the finest plant extracts, botanical aromas and active skin treatments to develop a unique customised skincare range. Darphin are all about creating personalised skin “rituals” to fit in with your skin’s “needs and feelings.”

I’m Using it Now, LOVING it: Hydraskin Light Replenishing Moisturising Cream Gel (RRP: £25.00)

I had a rather high-tech ‘skin scan’ to determine the needs of my boat race. What looks okay in my make-up smeared mirror looks decidedly worse when super magnified with Darphin’s special computer-mouse-looking device. My skin was determined to be both ‘combination’ (read: greasy in some bits, dry in others) and ‘dehydrated.’ You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to realise that neither of these qualities are particularly desirable in skin. I was prescribed this rather lovely-smelling concoction which richly moisturised my parched visage without clogging my pores.

Hydraskin Light is a fabulous post-holiday moisturiser which leaves skin looking plumper, more matte and more even. I have noticed a difference after using it for just a mere few days.

The limited edition 30ml size of this hydrating wonder cream will be available to buy at the end of August. Perfect for keeping in your hand luggage on the plane!

(If you like this then you’ll also enjoy using the matching serum underneath it, Hydraskin Intensive Moisturising Serum – it gives thirsty skin an added quench.)

I’m Going to Try it Because it Sounds AMAZING: Darphin Stimulskin Plus Lift Renewal Series (RRP: £195)

Yes, I know it’s a little pricy and yes, I know I am but 24 years of age but if I want to use something that will make me even younger then my goodness I will. I can never resist a miracle serum and this “high-potency, 30 day intensive regenerating program addresses the concerns of ageing skin.” Well now!

Recommended for use 3 – 4 times a year, your skin is left feeling lighter, moisturised and deliciously scented. The system helps to stimulate natural skin cell turnover in 30 days.

Definitely one to hide from your housemates and keep as a special treat under your bed.


Find out more about Darphin here: http://www.darphin.co.uk/
Darphin is available to buy in Harrods, for more stockists check the website above.

Time for Tea

What to do when the credit is crunchy and the banks and loan sharks are after your blood? Why, throw a defiantly lovely tea party of course!


After hot-footing it down to the Harrods homewares sale and buying lots of Maxwell & Williams' gorgeous floral crockery (okay, it wasn't that frugal!), I laid my table with a linen tablecloth (donated by Mum), gold cutlery from Zara, napkins from the supermarket and candlesticks from Tiger (opposite Primark in Hammersmith). A smattering of flowers later and the table was set. Food was bought from Iceland (I felt like Kerry Katona for a terrifying second) and brought by friends. In the teacups? Earl grey followed by Gordon's Gin. Everything seemed to taste great in this setting.


I thought you might like to see the pictures of my birthday tea. If you are an ardent feminist who loathes florals then I would strongly suggest you look away now...

News Just In: The Invisible Festival is Here!

Have fun holding an indoor festival from the comfort of your own home (with Spotify) and help Cancer Research UK at the same time:

http://blog.invisiblefestival.org.s72166.gridserver.com/

Read my festival fashion advice here:

http://blog.invisiblefestival.org.s72166.gridserver.com/extra-little-bits-for-you/the-invisible-festival-what-to-wear

Enjoy!
x

Blow(dry) Your Cares Away

I stepped through the glossy doors of Harrods’ Urban Retreat looking (and feeling) like a bedraggled, tired mess. Downtrodden by life in general, I went to meet the newest stylist on the block, Ady. After a friendly chat, several hairbrushes, a lot of heat and a gentle mist of Elnett later, I was ready to face even rush hour with a smile. I had been transformed into a hair-tossing goddess, full to bursting with the sort of confidence money CAN buy. The best part? It even stayed in for work the following day. I strongly recommend (and am going again on Friday!).

Book your appointment:

http://www.urbanretreat.co.uk/

020 7893 8333

Urban Retreat
Fifth Floor, Harrods
Knightsbridge
London
SW1X 7XL

Ten Words of Desire

01. Diamond

02. Encrusted

03. Anita

04. Ko

05. Ring

06. Is

07. Exquisite

08. But

09. Over

10. 3K

Wimbledon

Waking up at 7.30am on a Saturday morning would not be something I would usually do. I made the exception for Wimbledon and, stumbling bleary-eyed down Church Street, realised that I was even excited about the day ahead – strawberries and cream, toned young men in white shorts and cool, fruity Pimms – all of this made Wimbledon seem like something I definitely wanted to get involved with. Upon entry, we ignored the over-zealous, camping-overnighters and assumed our position in the scorched field.

It was so hot even that early in the morning and I began to realise we were in for a rather long day. After polishing-off the first Kronenbergs of the morn, we were each handed a ‘queue card’ which allowed us to briefly leave the queue for loo trips and suchlike. My card read ‘11398’ – far from promising. I looked up and pondered the eleven thousand, three hundred and ninety seven people ahead with slight weariness. Along with the queue card, we were also handed a leaflet entitled ‘The Wimbledon Guide to Queuing’ this was met with initial derision (“we are British, I think we all know how to queue!”) but a few hours later, it was the most scintillating read at our disposal and an invaluable commodity. Yes, the queue was long (we arrived at around 9am and got through the entrance at 4.30pm) and there was little to do but the atmosphere, the banter and the wonderful weather made it a much more favourable activity.

Wimbledon itself wasn’t actually all that great - I think you really need proper court tickets to see some actual tennis but the heat of the day combined with mucho drinking perhaps impaired my enjoyment somewhat. By the time we got in all I wanted to do was have a drink of water and a lie-down in the shade - not to grapple with a load of sweaty people for a good position on Henman’s famous hill. I would go back though – perhaps next time I will try camping or, better still, win the ticket ballot.

Portraits of a Palace by Belvedere

June 18th marked the first in a series of Belvedere Vodka’s ‘Portraits of a Palace’ pop-up parties. Shoreditch's Blackall Studios (on Leonard Street) hosted the event and was decorated to recreate the grandeur of the old Belvedere Palace.

I’m ashamed to say that, when perusing different types of vodka I used to be of the ‘all vodka tastes the same’ opinion. Then I discovered Belvedere, particularly Belvedere Pomeranza, a vodka so smooth and fragrant that I have hidden it in my bedroom to keep away from thirsty housemates (I won’t reveal where I have hidden it!) It comes in a pretty frosted bottle too.

Anyway, I digress. The party was full of Hoxton hipsters and media types. The delicious cocktails were served by good-looking At Your Service staff and mixed for Belvedere by Bamboo’s highly-skilled team. The music was pumping and entertainment came in the form of a DJ set by newcomers Lou and Nova (‘we could do that’ shrieked Saz and I excitedly!) and a live performance by the ever-fabulous We Have Band.

It was a week night so I resisted the many flavours of temptation and got an early(ish) night. This would have seemed virtuous had I not have drunk double figures of strong cocktails. They were just too damn delicious.

http://www.belvedere-vodka.co.uk
http://www.eventmixology.com/
http://www.ays.co.uk/