Tea for two

An afternoon spent sipping champagne and eating miniature finger sandwiches all sounds very upmarket for your average Thursday afternoon, but that is exactly how I spent my day today. I found myself in the middle of Dartmoor nestled away in the grounds of Bovey Castle, sipping on champagne and tucking into some very delicious nibbles.

As we pulled into the forecourt we were given a warm welcome by a young gentleman who happily took the car off to be parked, then led us into a breakfast lounge to a lovely sofa with a beautiful outlook spanning the golf course and the grounds beyond. It's a tough life, right?

No sooner had we sat down than two glasses of champagne were placed in front of us. What a terrible situation to find oneself. Needless to say, I just about coped.

The champagne afternoon tea includes a selection of sandwiches, fruit and plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and a platter of four different desserts. To drink, there was a pot of tea for two (you were able to choose from a tea menu) and a glass of champagne each. I wouldn't fault a single thing.

The service was warm, friendly and welcoming, the view was to die for, and the bubbles go straight to your head- just what you want from any high afternoon tea.

This is the second time I have visited Bovey Castle, and it certainly won't be the last. It's a beautiful part of the world and a must-see if you ever find yourself on Dartmoor.

 

 



The grounds at Bovey Castle



Photo credits: Goody Two-Choos

Special thanks to my wonderful boyfriend, without whom I wouldn't have had such a special afternoon.

The best of Chanel lipsticks

I haven't been wearing lipstick for very long, often sticking to tinted lipbalms or lipgloss to avoid the matronly look or the feeling of dressing older than I am.

Lipsticks, to me, are fickle friends or, as Carrie Bradshaw might say, Frenemies. Pick the right shade, tone and finish and you will look incredible. Pick the wrong lipstick, however, and you risk losing more than your money's worth.

Being in my twenties, with often shiny skin and very small but full lips, I often prefer to bring the attention to my eyes through make-up, as I believe to truly successfully wear a perfect lipstick you bring more attention to the clarity and quality of your skin.

I recently tried the Chanel Rouge Allure in their new matte finish (called Velvet) and was- quite frankly- blown away. The finish brings a youthful edge to wearing lipstick, and the lasting power means that you truly don't have to reapply for at least 4 hours. In a busy twenty-something girl's lifestyle, that means a lot.

I have, since, tried other lines of Chanel's lipstick offering, including Rouge Coco ("Magnolia - 117" is my favourite shade). Nothing else comes close to the mastery of the Allure Velvet. They glide on with a creamy feel, then dry to a velvet finish that won't budge. Perfection.

The best shades are, to me (and my red-hued skin tone) as follows:

For Day
Rouge Allure Velvet "La Distinguee - 33"

Slightly more subtle, yet obvious you are wearing a lip colour. Perfect for day as it is more of a neutral tone but with a hint of a dusty rose that will compliment pretty much any other colours you are wearing. The best lipliner to go with this shade is the Le Crayon Levres "Natural - 34".

For Evening
Rouge Allure Velvet "L'Exuberante - 37"

A brighter pink for the evening, or to brighten up your day, this has a blueish undertone to counteract the redness of my skin and lift the blonde in my hair. Every time I have worn this shade, I will get a compliment on my make up. The lipliner you need with this shade is Le Crayon Levres "Pretty Pink - 26".

Best Red
Rouge Allure Velvet "La Fascinante - 38"

Again, a blue undertone saves the day, but this darker wine-red is a classic in it's own right and would make even Marilyn Monroe weak at the knees. If you are looking for a matte finish red, this is one to try. The matching liner is Le Crayon Levres "Rouge Profond - 57".

Photo credit: Goody Two-Choos

How to: Master the sales

As January draws to a close so, too, does the sale season. This is a great time to go as you will find that the majority of stock has now been cleared, leaving you a pared-back, less-daunting rail that has been edited to a few pieces at a further reduced price. So, if you haven't been able to brave the sales yet due to fear of confusion, cost and co-shoppers, now is the time to go. To save you from near-misses and a serious-faced bank manager calling you on Monday, here is my How-To guide for facing the infamous January Sales.

1. Get ahead for Spring

Winter is over. It may still be cold, but it is now time to look ahead and buy pieces that will take you through to the warmer (yet still wet) season. Don't spend your hard-earned buck on a feather-down coat you will be able to wear for all of four weeks, only to be put into storage and forgotten until next winter (when you will, of course, convince yourself all your coats are simply inadequate and you must buy a new one to see you through the cold, wet and windy weather).

Look for pieces you can enjoy up until the heat wave hits (I laugh at this cruel joke enjoyed by many who reside in the UK) and the light, white cotton comes out to play. My favourites for this is French label American Vintage and the entire collection from Splendid, both of which can be found in the sales right now at boutiques such as Liberty and Matches. Great pieces to look out for also are 2-Ply cashmere and silks which will regulate your body temperature up until you switch on the air-con.

2. On the clock

You're short of time, and your patience is running thin. Don't waste your efforts aimlessly searching for something when you're not even sure you know what 'it' is. Stores have set opening hours and, unless you enjoy being dragged out by security at 6pm, keep an eye on the time. Whether you allocate one hour, 30 minutes, 15... it's up to you. Just avoid that sinking feeling when you look at the time and realise you have wasted two hours at the jewellery counter, drawn there because it's sparkly and completely out of your budget.

3. Do your research

Before you head off to the shops, have a clear idea what you want to achieve, and where the best places for this may be. If you are looking for a reduced Sat Nav, you're wasting time looking in Reiss. Target the places you want to go first then, once you have picked up the bargain you intentionally set out for, that is when you can enjoy perusing the shelves of random stores.

The internet is a great resource for comparing prices, but don't ignore the most important factor of physically going out to the stores. You are able to try before you buy, meaning you can feel the weight and texture of fabrics, buy the right size and avoid any hassle in returns.

4. Be ruthless

It's not working for you, but you buy it anyway, just because it's a great price. How many times will you end up wishing you had walked away and put the money towards something else?

By all means, pick it up, look at it and try it on. But it's not a bargain unless you need it, and if you don't feel an instant connection, move on. Chances are, it will still be there after a coffee and time to think- particularly for those bigger purchases.

And last, but not least...

5. Get a good pair of shoes to see you through all that pavement-pounding
By 5PM you will have lost a few pennies, and gained a few blisters. Don't wear heels, do wear 'sensible' shoes that are easily taken on and off for all that fitting-room action you'll be seeing!


Photo Credits: Telegraph, American Vintage, Bizreport, AnimeMay

Blue Monday

Today has been proven scientifically to be the worst day of the year, for reasons including returning to work, bad weather, Christmas holiday blues, high debt levels and Divorce Monday.

To pull you out of this sorry-looking slump, I have found the best way to make the most of Blue Monday. The silver lining is that it will soon be over, and back to yellow sunny skies tomorrow.

All from Filippa K

Don't just wear blue: own it. Wear it head-to-toe with pride and command attention when you walk down the street or through the office. This wonderful set from Scandinavian brand Filippa K shows you how to take on a bold colour by the horns. Keep it tailored and ultra-cool with a subtle nod to stylised chic, but an overwhelming sense of innate coolness.

Sunglasses from Illesteva

Bloggers love them, I love them, we all want them. Get your blue-tinted mirrored sunglasses now, and wear forever. The best time to buy yours is now, to remind us that summer (and the sun) is but a few months away. Wherever there is a winter, there will be a spring: and a new day to bask in the glory of your super-sweet shades.



Onitsuka trainers from ASOS

Yes, we all do it, we all convince ourselves that it will be a new year of fresh faces and fresh starts. So, why not actually carry out your resolution and hit the gym when you say you will? If you need motivation, all you have to do is pull on these beauties and you will be racing the other gym bunnies to the treadmill.

Photo credits: Filippa K, Illesteva, Onitsuka

Head's up!

Hair accessories have been a big part of my style repertoire for as long as I can remember, and it was always the final touch added in the morning to my school uniform.

In my opinion, this winter saw some of the best hair accessories this side of the nineties, from the crowns at Dolce and Gabbana to Rodarte's barbed wire headband. So what does this year have to offer?

Aside from the predictable flower garlands of the festival season and wide-brimmed floppy hats of hazy summer days, this spring we will be seeing more than the buds of May and warm rays of the sun. The oriental infusion of catwalk trends lets you play with the new up-do, thanks to Emilio Pucci.

 



Meanwhile, Dolce's summer fling will be with headscarves and colour clashing earrings to top off a folk-inspired look. Do this at home with your own selection of lightweight scarves. If all else fails, it is a great way to avoid a tan line from your fringe!

Finally, if you don't want to add yet another felt hat to your collection or you have the urge to take up a new hobby, it seems that turning to nature and becoming a beekeeper is very à la mode. The best bit? Don't fret about changing your headwear!

Photo credits: GoRunway