Sundays in Brighton

A new favourite shop and an old favourite restaurant... 

Brighton is one of my favourite places to spend a Sunday afternoon, there are so many lovely places shop and eat, another place we stumbled across one our last wonder through the lanes is Workshop, a sweet home wear and lifestyle shop in Prince Albert Street that has a passion for simplistic designs and products that are created out of materials that really stand the test of time, this little gem has also been featured in Decor magazines like Elle Decoration and Homes and Gardens Magazine. Shelves are stacked with Honest Candles that smell Divine and an old sink is used to display handmade vegetable soaps, Enamel and stone wear fills the display stands and wooden utensils fill wire baskets all around the shop.

For dinner we headed to JB's American Diner on the seafront, it was packed so we had a little wait for a table but it was definitely worth it, I went for my favourite which is the Chili Dog, best thing on the menu in my opinion, I would recommend paying the extra for cheese if you are really pushing the boat out, and most definitely wash it down with a milkshake, you can't really go to JB's without ordering one so make sure you do, the 'Milky Way' is my shake of choice.

Here is a few snaps... 

OOTD - Blue Moon

Keeping it classic in Navy... 

Navy is such a wearable colour I often consider it in the same category as monochrome, it is very classic and chic. I sometimes think I could live in this little ASOS number, it is such a flattering a-line shape and the crotchet texture adds a real bohemian vibe. I paired it with my New Look Blazer style coat, a Topshop satchel style bag and black pumps. This look is great for the transition into spring as the dress is super lightweight and has little short sleeves for if the weather is hot enough that you need to remove the jacket, it is also really easy to update this dress for dinner or drinks in the evening.

I kept my jewellery minimal with a gold charm necklace from Camden Market and vintage style coin studs from River Island, I also wore this statement ring that I picked up from Topshop in their most recent sale, the centre stone looks like Jade and is surrounded by pretty green gems.

How would you style this ASOS dress?

Where to go: Brighton - SILO

The pre-industrial food system that generates zero waste, uses products in their rawest form at the same time as creating delicious food. Introducing Brighton's greenest new haunt - SILO...

Wondering the North Laines the other day in search of something chocolaty I was lured into SILO, a new restaurant, bakery and coffee house in Upper Gardner Street with a beckoning display of goods in the front window. Fresh artisan breads, cakes, bakes, slices you name it - they have it, and all with that charming homemade look about them. I went for the hot chocolate, taste wise this place delivers a good hot chocolate, thick, creamy melted chocolate consistency - size wise though I could have definitely polished off at least two.

The menu looked as if it was packed with creative dishes and after a little research I discovered SILO locally sources all the ingredients used in their kitchens, they even mill their own flour, they rely on a network of ethical farmers, growers, tea merchants, the list is endless. All combine to create this very modern take on eating out.

The restaurant vibe is similar to that of places found in Brick Lane, the place is buzzing with tables packed with bearded twenty somethings all with their laptops spread all over the tables. The decor is very Pinterest worthy with chalkboards everywhere, exposed white bricks and the menus projected all over the walls.  We had to go away and do a little shopping before there was even a free table so definitely popular since its opening.


Will you be checking out SILO?

Beauty Chat Live at Space NK

Space NK, Macaroons, Champagne, a mini makeover, oh and meeting Vivianna and Lily, read on for details... 

A few weeks ago Space Nk Brighton played host to two of my favourite bloggers - Anna from Vivianna Does Make Up and Lily from Lily Pebbles, these two lovely ladies are true blogging inspiration - they are my go to for new product launch information and beauty reviews. It was so nice to get the opportunity to meet them both in person to chat all things beauty and shop in the beauty haven that is Space NK.

The evening started with Lily and Anna answering questions from all the people who attended the event and some of the questions from twitter, then we had a relaxed shopping experience in Space NK - the girls working that evening were all so lovely and helpful, it was nice being able to ask Lily and Anna their opinions on products that I wanted to try.

I also got a mini makeover from Becky Fletcher - one of the national Space NK artists from the Pro team and a freelance makeup artist and beauty expert - she used the Kevin Aucoin Bronzing Powder to contour and an hourglass blush in a stunning peachy shade to give me a natural glow, the overall look was so fresh and pretty, definitely something I have tried to recreate since.

Two products I chose to purchase were the Living Proof Texturising Mist which smells divine and adds instant volume and texture to my hair, I also picked up the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation, this is a product I have seen in so many tutorials, it just gives such a flawless yet natural finish.

We went home goody bags in tow, full of macaroons (and birthday cake), excited to try our new products - all in all it was a great event! Thanks Space NK.

Simple Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so here are two simple easy to rustle up recipes for you to sink your teeth into...

Up first is my favourite of the two - One cup pancakes, a classic Jamie Oliver recipe that requires no measuring, all you need is a mug. Here are the deets -
One cup of self raising flour
One cup of milk - you can use skimmed if you're being health conscious.
One large egg
Whisk the three ingredients well and heat a non stick frying pan, use a ladle to spoon the mixture into the pan, wait until you see little bubbles appearing on the batter and then flip over, cook for the same amount of time on the other side and you are done, this recipe makes a lot, definitely enough for two hungry people at breakfast time. I served mine with sliced banana and agave syrup and it was delicious.

Next is a real basic - scrambled eggs, this is definitely more of a mid week breakfast as it is super healthy and leaves you feeling full until lunchtime, I served mine with crispbread. All you need is -
Two eggs
One tablespoon of ketchup
A sprinkling of black pepper
A small hand full of spinach
Break the eggs into a bowl and whisk together, add the spinach, heat a non stick frying pan and add a little butter, next pour the mixture into the pan leaving it to cook for about thirty seconds, then slowly stir the mixture using a wooden spoon making sure the eggs are all cooked. Take off the heat and serve, easy! Top with your ketchup and sprinkle on the black pepper for added flavour.

What are your favourite recipes for breakfast time?

Caring for Sensitive Skin

Finding a cleanser for sensitive skin that is gentle yet effective can often be tricky, but recently I have been using The Body Shop's Aloe Vera Calming Cleanser for sensitive skin, read on for the full review...

After trying out the Skincare Diagnostic Tool on The Body Shop's website I was recommended the Aloe Cleanser and Toner as my skin shows signs of irritation and sensitivity - i.e dryness, tightness, redness etc. The gentle formula ensures your make up is removed effectively without causing any irritation, the community fair trade Aloe Vera soothes the skin and helps to calm down any redness. This calming cleanser also contains sorbitol an ingredient which helps the skin to retain its moisture making it feel hydrated and supple.

How to use - First I use an eye make up remover like Bioderma just to remove stubborn waterproof mascara, then I gently apply the Aloe cleanser onto dry skin massaging it down my neck and on my face, next I use The Body Shop's super soft facial cleansing brush in round circular motions, the soft bristles buff the skin removing dirt, make up and impurities revealing fresh, soft, cleansed skin.

After cleansing I like to tone my skin, recently my skin has been slightly de-hydrated, probably becuase the central heating is playing havoc with my skins moisture levels, so I have been reaching for The Body Shop's Vitamin E Hydrating Toner, this helps to inject moisture into my skin at the same time as cooling and removing any final traces of dirt and cleanser. Like the rest of the Vitamin E range this is packed with Wheatgerm Oil, an ingreadiant that protects the skin agaisnt pre-mature aging and for all you big city gals out there - pollution.

If like me your skin is sensitive I definitely recommend giving the Aloe Calming Cleanser a try, if you like products like the Avene Tolerance Extreme Cleansing Lotion (£14.50) then you will love this, there is a whole range dedicated to sensitive skin types, the soothing aloe gel is next on my shopping list, have you tried anything from The Body Shop's Aloe Vera range?

Disclaimer - Although I work for The Body Shop, the opinions expressed are all my own and unless stated the products mentioned were purchased with my own money.