23 on the 23rd

I wanted to celebrate turning 23 with a group of my absolute closest friends and loved ones. I haven't done something for my birthday in a long while, finding it really difficult to get everyone together at one time, but this year I was determined to have those I love the most around me. 

We celebrated at B-Soho, a great place for cocktails and pizzas, sofas and live music to dance and sing to. It's a good place to head before carrying on the night elsewhere.

I had the biggest smile on my face all night. I'm definitely framing some of these!

blow LTD: Fast Beauty in Covent Garden

Ever needed to be somewhere ASAP and not had enough time to get ready? Be it for either a very important meeting or a night out? Well there's a new beauty bar open in Covent Garden, that is sure to be the answer to your needs.

It's called Blow LTD and it's situated in a convenient central location in Covent Garden. Basically, they can make you look like a movie star in 25 mins.

The blow dry craze never really took off here, even with bars like Hershesons blow dry bar, it was either too expensive for us or took too long. British women have never really taken that much time to pamper themselves, unlike the Americans. We look after ourselves, but not too much.

Blow, however, leaves us with no excuse not to look after ourselves. It brings the concept of fast beauty to London. Whereas places like Hershesons and other blow dry bars only specialise in hair, Blow LTD leaves their competition far behind they not only blow dry your hair in 25 minutes, they can also do your makeup in 15 mins and do your nails at the same time as your hair. You can go in having just rolled out of bed and in about 40 mins you can exit looking like a Goddess. 

Let me talk you through the concept. Blow has a menu, from which you can choose one of 9 styles, everything from up-dos to super sleek hair, plus one or two seasonal specials. The most popular styles are the "Luxe", loose waves, and the "Beach Blow", which is tighter waves. Then choose your makeup, natural, evening or party and then choose the kind of nails you want. 

I visited Blow and decided to go for something I would never normally have, a Starlet blow, which is like that Veronica Waves look. A real classic movie star.

Staff were very friendly and it did only take 25 minutes to complete. 

#nomakeup #selfie The Starlet in progress....


From the side, this hairstyle is stunning. They plait your hair tightly and clip it to one side so it stays in position. It's an absolute dream.

Blow is not just a beauty salon. They consider themselves a beauty bar. Fantastically, they also stock all the products they use on you, so if you love a lip colour or a blush, you can buy them in store too. They stock amazing cult beauty brands, like Jouer, Lord and Berry or GlamGlow, brands that were previously only available online or abroad.

I walked out feeling like a true 1930s Hollywood movie star. I just know I will be revisiting Blow LTD again when I'm in need of a transformation before that night out, or simply in need of a little lift in the form of a quick pamper.

Check out their website here blowltd.com to see the products they sell and the styles they do, or to book yourself an appointment!

Ellie Loves....

Things I am loving this week:

Green and Blacks Hazelnut and Currant Dark Chocolate
This has been keeping me sane all week.

Currently on offer at Ocado

Pukka Green Tea with Mint
Always an obsession of mine, but stepped up a level this week to make sure I am not ill for my speaking exam on Thursday!

Available from Ocado

Travel-sized packaging
Packing for a weekend away, only taking hand luggage, has left me frantically buying all my beauty necessities in under 100ml bottles. A friend pointed out you can get these £1 empty containers to transfer products into. Would have saved me a lot of money....
Maybe I'm naive not knowing about this sooner, but I don't usually travel with just hand luggage. I'm definitely not a light packer.

Available from Superdrug

Three Floor Fashion
I have just discovered this brand and although some of their dresses are not to my taste or my style, some are absolutely gorgeous. I'm thinking one of these two numbers for my birthday dress. Very similar, but both gorgeous in their own ways. The dress on the left has a very sporty, Victoria Beckham Spring/Summer '13 feel to it, with the orange colour and the halter neck. The dress on the right is a much more elegant, classy and understated dress but with that hint of sass.
Both are great for different party occasions. I think I might just get both.

Candles
I love candles, I have one burning constantly and my new favourite one this week is the White Company's Fresh Thyme scent. I love fresh, citrus smells, even more so when the weather gets warmer. Perfect scent for Summer.

Available from The White Company

Ruby Woo Lipstick by MAC
I have been showing this lipstick some love for a few weeks now. I've been working on building up my confidence lately and what better way to do that than step outside with bright red lipstick?! She says. Work in progress.

Available from MAC

Pinterest
Yes, yes late to the party. And probably not the best time to become addicted to something but I am currently designing my dream house through pinterest boards. Just need the house in Notting Hill now.

Pistachio, raspberry and chocolate cheesecake tart

Yes. You read that correctly.

Whichever way you look at it, still mind-blowingly delicious.

Met Gala 2013 Roundup: The Hits and The Misses

The Met Gala is up there with the Oscars and Cannes for fashion expectation and excitement. Whereas the other events are all about elegance and glamour, the Met Gala is an excuse to go daring, bold and to bring the drama by wearing styles and makeup that would never normally be seen on the red carpet. 

Every year it is organised and hosted by Anna Wintour. It highlights the Metropolitan Museum of Art's spring exhibition in New York City and this year it was entitled "Punk: Chaos to Couture". This also serves as the theme of the evening. A little risky as some may go a little too costumey (cough MADONNA cough) but others may forego the theme altogether and just wear a pretty but boring dress, which quite a number did this year (Michelle Williams, Emily Blunt, Kylie Minougue....the list goes on). Punk is not for everyone. As I mentioned on twitter, I am surprised Vivienne Westwood didn't dress more people this year. She is after all the queen of punk. Perhaps she was just being picky; I heard she wasn't too happy with the curation in the museum.

In no particular order, here are the people that really stood out for me:

Beyonce.

Every year she brings it. I may not always like what she wears, but she definitely defines the theatrics that is the Met Gala. I wouldn't necessarily say I like what she wore, a Givenchy design, but my god did she sell it. With that pose and attitude she was the perfect mix of modern day edgy punk, with the croc-panelled bodice, grommet belt and thigh high boots and gloves, along with the glam of the opulent gold flame design. And that train! Just look at that train.

Anne Hathaway, in vintage Valentino, brought the sexy side to the punk theme. Her dress is definitely punk-glam with black and sheer beading and feathered cuffs. However the main talking point here is her hair. I LOVE her hair!! I have a feeling this is going to be a marmite look, but I am definitely on the love side. Maybe if she had left it flat I wouldn't have loved it so much as it is very similar to her skin tone, but in that amazing quiff it looks fab.

Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere. Forgetting the theme, this dress on it's own was my absolute favourite of the night. She is in full-on bomb shell mode. The earrings, the dress, it would have been perfect for Cannes or the Oscars. So I was at first a little flummoxed as to why she chose it for the Met Gala. She is a girly-girl, so was unlikely to go down the very punk route, but the more I think about about, the silver then matte black feathers are very punk and there is so much detail in that beautiful train, so I actually think this was a really great gown for the theme.

Rooney Mara in Givenchy. Co-host of the Met Gala this year along with Riccardo Tisci (creative director of Givenchy) this is another perfect modern punk look. Looking ethereal and heavenly in a gorgeous sculpted white dress, the punk accents came in the form of the lace, the daring plunge and the zip-accented front. The stark contrast of her famous slicked back black hair along with a dark lip also added to the punk-factor. It is an understated but stunning look - I would wear this dress in a heart beat. It doesn't have the in-your-face wow of Beyonce, but it is subtle and her presence in this dress is one that I still remember.

Sarah Jessica Parker - in Giles with a Phillip Treacy hat. The thing I most love about this is the head piece. Dress - not so much. But she brought the punk with that fake mohawk hat.

I also love this picture because it has Jennifer Lawrence in it, who was in the process of photo-bombing. (Although another one again, looking rather darling and not punk in this vintage Dior Couture).

In general, I'm not sure what any flower prints were doing at the Met Gala, that to me is definite N-O for the punk theme. See also: Kerry Washington (in Vera Wang) and Kim Kardashian (in Givenchy) - who by the way was wearing a sleeve-glove dress. I'm not sure how she was going to be peeing throughout the night. As a pregnant woman, isn't that a but risky?! But seriously, the woman is six months pregnant. Time to give up couture and wear something comfortable.

Cameron Diaz - she was my second favourite of the night sporting custom Stella McCartney. Her hair, minimal makeup and simple caped dress in the most brilliant blue colour including a spiked belt for added punk was the most perfect modern minimalist punk.

There were some great dresses last night but they unfortunately a lot didn't fit the theme for me, so they lost out. You cannot just do a punky hairdo or dark smokey eyes and expect that to fit the theme - see Jessica Alba (in Tory Burch), Emma Watson (in Prabal Gurung). 

And then there were those who went OTT with the theme, either with the clothes - Sienna Miller in Burberry (Cara Delevigne also in this pic, also in Burberry)

And then there were those who went OTT with the make up - Ginnifer Goodwin in Tory Burch.

I mean, there's being bold and daring and then there's looking plain stupid.

Those that were my personal best had updated the punk theme by putting a modern, glamorous and minimalist spin on it. I think the aim of the theme this year was to mix punk and glam. Not to bring back the old 80s punk, but to evolve from that era and bring it to the present day, which is really what fashion in general is all about. A tough ask I will admit, but that is the point of the Met Gala - go big or go home.

All pics credit to Tumblr. I hope I did nothing illegal here!!

Boardroom Fashion

I am very very excited to announce I have an interview next week!! First reactions after the phone call: 1. YAAAAAY. 2. OMG WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?!

That is my natural second reaction to most things though, so it's not unusual. But this time it's even more important to look great. It got me thinking that when I start working, I'm going to need all these cute, smart outfits every day. Luckily the type of fashion I envisage wearing at work is my favourite style of dressing: elegant, smart with a hint of sexy. Power dressing. I love a blazer, I love a crisp shirt and I love a tapered trouser. Wearing these clothes just as every day wear, not work or evening wear, in the suburb I live in, however, makes you stand out like a sore thumb. I don't like being a sore thumb. So getting a legitimate reason to wear these kinds of clothes every day makes me SO EXCITED!

I have put together a guide on some great clothes I think are perfect for the world of work.

Fashion in the Workplace

Mango sheer skull blouse / Zara blazer / Zara blazer / ASOS high waisted skirt, / Zara cropped pants / Topshop jacquard pants / Topshop jacquard pants / Zara wool pants / Zara lining shoes / Zara lining shoes

The best way to have fun with your wardrobe at work is to include colour. A bright pop of colour using either a bright blazer, patterned trousers or bright shoes (not all at once!) really elevates your look, but still appears smart and in line with dress codes.

Keep the shirts crisp in white or black. A simple shirt works as the basis for your outfit and use colourful pieces around it. This black shirt from Mango, £35, may look boring, but it has a top gold button in the shape of a skull. It’s all in the detail.

Trouser and skirt lengths are very important too. Skinny cigarette trousers have been around for quite a while and show no signs of going out any time soon, so invest in a great pair. I love these patterned baroque style Topshop trousers, £40, or these pink Zara trousers, £40. Midi skirts are also having a moment, this ASOS check skirt, £32, is a bit more fun that your average pencil skirt, with a small slit up the back and a lined slit in the front.

Tapered trousers, i.e. one's that finish at or just above the ankles are a great way to show off your shoes. Wear black trousers if you want to go for these sexy blue Zara pumps, £59, or the black and white Zara pumps, £53, can be worn with brighter trousers or blazers.

Blazers are a staple for any work wardrobe. They finish off the outfit and make it smart enough for an office. If you want to go for a bright blazer, like the white Zara blazer, £80, keep the rest of your outfit muted. A white blazer is an excuse to jump on the monochrome trend right now. A plain black blazer allows you to add colour elsewhere, but this doesn’t mean the blazer itself has to be boring. This black Zara blazer, £85, at first glance might seem plain but if you look closer it has a pocket square, elbow patches and a contrast lining under the lapel.

If you’re unsure of where to begin the most important thing to remember is to keep the look simple. Adding one or two statement pieces will ensure your look is fun but still polished, minimal and appropriate for work.

Washington DC, 2012

I thought I should go back and write down some of the places I visited before I started this blog, so I can recommend places and also so I can reminisce. This blog is as much for me as it is for you!!

Last year my best friend took a year out to work in Washington DC and I was lucky enough to be able to visit her around this time last year. I had the most amazing time, visiting famous places like the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Hill to name but a few, but we also visited places I would never have known about had I not had a friend living there, places like Georgetown and Dupont Circle, which were like little storybook villages with giant American roads running through.

The Dupont fairytale....

I will always remember DC as the place where I had my first taste of a Five Guys Burger (great, but missing that special something that In N Out has).... 

Five Guys excitement!

The full feast!! Cajun fries yuummm...

The place where I strengthened my love of chocolate and peanut butter baked goods in super hipster coffee shops called things like Baked and Wired....

....and where I queued for an hour in 30 degree heat for some damn good cupcakes (trust me the queue was worth it) from a bakery that has it's own TV show.

The queue....

Georgetown Cupcakes

 TIP: If you're heading to Georgetown cupcakes get there EARLY!! The earlier the better. Also check their twitter feed, they do a secret special FREE cupcake of the day that they only announce via twitter!

Best places to visit: 
1. The Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building.
One of the most breathtakingly beautiful places I have ever seen.

Topshop top and saddle bag, H&M jeans, Office deck shoes. Lipstick Shiiap by NARS.

On the steps outside.
 

Everything is so huge in DC....

2. Abraham Lincoln Memorial.

Speaks for itself. So inspiring and a true feat of architechture, with stunning views.

And again....ridiculously huge. They have so much space over there!!

Might be my favourite picture ever. Was a complete accident.

3. Visit the Capitol Building and the surrounding area Capitol Hill. It is full of cherry blossoms around this time of year so it is beautiful and Capitol Hill is very pretty and clearly rather pricey!!

Capitol Hill. Mulberry Bayswater bag, Topshop top, RayBan Classic Aviators, True Reiligion Jeans and my fave Kurt Geiger boots, which have now sadly died!
Lipstick Rebel by MAC.

On my last night there we treated ourselves to an incredible meal at the Blue Duck Tavern, part of the Hyatt Hotel. 

Lobster is my weakness, so as soon as I saw it on the menu as a starter I didn't look at anything else. Nisha had veal sweetbreads with duck, which was equally delicious.

Apologies for poor photos, those were still the bad Blackberry days.

The Lobster 

For mains I had scallops and samphire (I love sea food if you hadn't noticed) and I honestly can't remember what Nisha had I was too entranced by my delicious scallops. 

I wish I could remember the sauce, all I can tell you was that it was so moist and yummy!

Then came dessert, ooooh I remember dessert. Nisha had cherry and green tea sorbet which was incredible! They did not scrimp on dessert portions either as it came in a giant frozen bucket with a wooden spoon to scoop out the sorbet. 
I am a chocoholic so I naturally chose the chocolate fondant, which was perfect in every way: moist, gooey and rich, which came with brandy soaked (more precisely drowned) cherries which honestly made me a tad tipsy! 

JUST LOOK AT IT!! OOZING!!

I have a thing for a nice bathroom too, and the bathrooms at this place were fantastic. So naturally we decided to mess around a bit inside the posh bathrooms....

Topshop top, D&G cardigan, Michael Kors Watch, Lipstick in Lady Danger by MAC.

So if you're heading out to Washington DC, I would definitely recommend the Blue Duck Tavern. It is pricey though so save it for a special night. It definitely created some memories I will never forget!