The Traditional Roast. Also the traditional hangover cure?

I'm not quite sure I agree with the above but on a pub-lunch outing a couple of weeks ago, two friends with significant hangovers, sleep deprivation and dehydration defied the sunshine outside and ordered a Roast Beef with all the trimmings. To that, yes, I raised an eyebrow as well. I'm used to people preferring the more conventional MacDonalds or, really, any form of fast-food to get the blood sugar levels up to help you through the head-pounding stage of recovery.

But each to their own...

Whilst I tucked into my British beef burger and chips (always the best dish from West London pubs I've found...Sausage & Mash a close second), I could see my friends were looking on in envy as they struggled to chew the rare beef, consume the roasties AND yorkshire puds and wash down any hint of the horseraddish sauce!

When a hangover hits, there's nothing worse than facing a mammoth meal (have you seen the amount of food on that plate?!!) But whilst I was battling with a 'food baby' this may as well have been an 'after' photo for the amount they actually managed to eat!


Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Going Bananas for Shoes?

I think the message is clear here: Women go bananas for shoes.

And ALDO have created a humorous take on this fact for the promotion of the re-opening of their flagship store on Oxford Street. Using a fantastic use of colour blocking for an on-trend, eye-catching invite through an Elle.co.uk emailer, this POS even questions the stereotype of white shoes. If they would look as good on me as they do on the model, I'm sold. (Along with the whole of Essex, I'd imagine!)

The flagship ALDO store is re-opening on Saturday 21st April. Head to 309 Oxford Street any time between 10am and 7pm for a bit of all-round girlie pampering. A dream shoe shopping experience with a) most importantly, discount, b) complimentary ALDO manicures by The Illustrated Nail c) all-you-can-eat pick-and-mix all of which is to the tunes of DJs Amber Atherton and Work It Girls. I doubt even Imelda Marcos would change anything about that event!!

I aDior it!

The number of girl crushes on Mila Kunis must have soared when the photographs came through from Christian Dior's SS2012 campaign. Not only did every woman who set eyes on her in Black Swan get body-envy, the recent release of the rom-com Friends With Benefits gave us all man-envy as she gets down and dirty with Justin Timberlake and to top it off she is now giving every woman handbag envy!!


Audrey Hepburn eat your heart out (image sourced online)

The Twisted Top Knot

It's always a pleasant surprise when you hear of a fashion trend that you are already encompassing. It's the same satisfying feeling like when you discover you already have the ultimate outfit to match a new fashion trend. Well this is how I felt when I stumbled across the 'Twisted Top Knot' hairstyle promoted in Look magazine this week (March 2012).

Not quite sure I look as good as Jessica Hart when I rock this hair-do but that's generally because I scrape my hair back into this vertical bundle when I'm working out in the gym or doing the housework!! Maybe I should try mixing it with some Raybans and faded denim shorts to get that urban kooky look!

Covent Garden's equivalent to New York's Prada?

Ok so the product might be slightly different but with out of this world merchandising and grand staircase, the site of this Kurt Geiger store really does capture your attention! Compared with the Flagship Dune store situated just metres apart, th difference between these otherwise similar footwear brands is staggering. Hail Kurt Geiger Covent Garden is the place to adorn your feet WITH style and IN style.

P.s. I've now added that stiletto chandelier to my walk-in wardrobe design!

Bill's Cafe and Food Store, Lewes

Got to be one of the best examples of branding and merchandising! Feels so country!

Diamonds are a girl's best friend...

Every girl has thought about what they want their engagement ring to look like. It's the most important piece of jewellery you are likely to receive in your whole life, yes that's includes topping the wedding ring (it's just a plain band after all!). Think how many people ask to see your hand when they hear news of the engagement? It's worth the 3 months salary or whatever the rule is which your fiancee will have to pay. (Isn't it funny how the word 'fiancee' and 'finance' are so similar...coincidence?)

I have thought about my dream engagement ring, yes like most of the female population! I'm pretty sure I experienced love at first sight on the 2nd floor of Tiffanys on Fifth Avenue, New York.



However, a few years on, I got to thinking more about more than just the 'bling'. Shocking for me to admit, yes, but the ring I came across today has just the right combination of sparkle and originality. Both my Mother and Grandmother had engagement rings which featured sapphires which looked almost black compared against the diamonds and I like the idea of keeping this tradition. The ultimate sapphire engagement ring has to be that of Princess Diana and now Kate Middleton. That looks sure to weigh you down!


Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring

So many engagement rings these days are square diamond. I genuinely mean it when I say it's not just about a big rock. Yes size does matter but the design has be beautiful. Hence, see below...


14K Round Rosette Black Diamond Ring, Anna Sheffield
£2,800.00

The “Rosette” series is a vintage inspired silhouette with tiny diamonds encircling the center stone. Created in oval, round, and cushion shaped versions, this design is a nod to the past with a thoroughly modern look.