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Saturday 28 February 2015

Cosmopolitan's 50 Shade's of Lingerie Event

 At the 50 Shades of Lingerie Event
Dress - Topshop
Necklace - Dorothy Perkins
Boots - New Look

It's the book that's got everyone talking and if you haven't read it, it's likely you would have seen the posters on the tubes and buses for 50 Shades of Grey film. 

50 Shades of Grey Book is everywhere!

In time to celebrate the film release, Cosmo magazine teamed up with Surf for "50 Shades of Lingerie", a catwalk show showcasing stylish lingerie trends of the season.

Held at the Bloomsbury ballroom, retailers were on hand to provide expert advice on how to select the best fitting bra. Plus pampering sessions including hair and beauty treatments, a nail bar and cocktails and canapes throughout the evening.

 Lots of stunning lingerie on show

As well as the pampering sessions, the event also had a stall from CoppaFeel, a breast cancer charity that uses fun methods and techniques to encourage women and young girls to check their breasts for signs of cancer.

 CoppaFeel at the event

That evening, they were encouraging guests to write a message to remind themselves to check their breasts and hang it on the washing line, like you would do to hang your washing on a clothing line. I thought it was was such a good idea of course I had to add my message too!

 What do you think of my message that I added to the CoppaFeel clothing line?!

Guests seated for the start of the catwalk show

After checking out all the stalls and lingerie on display, we ushered into the ballroom to be seated for the start of the lingerie show, which started off with a performance by the very talented, former X-Factor contestant, Rebecca Ferguson.


Rebecca Ferguson opens the event

 Time for the lingerie catwalk show!




The end to a fantastic show!

Overall it was a great event, the pampering sessions were lots of fun and catwalk show was fantastic. We got to see lots of lovely lingerie and took away inspiration from all the stylish underwear showcased.  Now all that's left to do is book my ticket to finally see 50 Shades of Grey and see what all the fuss is about! :-)


Saturday 7 February 2015

Valentine's Day 2015 Best London Restaurants

 Best restaurants for Valentine's Day dining

Next weekend is Valentine's Day and it is never too late to organise a special treat for your loved one. I love trying out new restaurants and it's always good to go somewhere you've never been before. So if you're looking for inspiration on where to dine out in London, without breaking the bank, here are my top five suggestions:

York & Albany - This year, the winter cabin at Gordon Ramsey's York & Albany restaurant is being transformed into a lover's hideaway. Snuggle up with a welcome cocktail and four course dinner. For £150 for two people, I think that's a good value deal. If you're looking to spend a bit less, then go for 2 cocktails and paired snacks for £30 per person instead. For more info visit here.
Snuggle up to your loved one in this winter cabin 

Duck & Waffle - located on the 40th floor of the Heron building, it claims to be the highest restaurant in the UK. So if you love looking at sky high views of London, why not dine in style and book a table for Valentine's day? They have a special five course set menu for £80 per person plus a vegetarian option for £55. For more info visit their website here.
Take dining to new heights at the Duck & Waffle

Gilgamesh - This pan-Asian restaurant based in Camden's Stables Market is having a romantically inspired, aphrodisiacal driven menu for Valentine's Day this year. A three course set menu is £55, vegetarian £45. Best of all, Gilgamesh is offering people the chance to win a diamond ring worth £1000 if they order their special cocktail, "Diamonds are Forever". So don't forget to place at least one order for that cocktail! For more info see here.
Gilgamesh, stylish restaurant with a bar and nightclub too

Skylon - located in the Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank, the restaurant is the perfect choice if you fancy a bit of culture before hand with a range of museums, exhibitions and attractions closeby. Skylon has a special Valentine's set menu, four course menu for £65 or 6 course for £95 with a glass of champagne. Or try the Valentine's Day cocktails. For more information see here.
 
River view at the Skylon restaurant 

London Eye - The Shard isn't the only place to see sensational views of London. The London Eye is offering Valentine's Day champagne experience, where you can enjoy stunning views with a glass of champagne and box of chocolates. Book here for your experience. 
 Enjoying stunning views of London on the London Eye

What are your plans for Valentine's Day?  Let me know where you decide to dine out!


Bluestone Wales Review

  Bluestone National Park Resort

One of my new year’s resolutions this year was to read more books, more exercise and do more activities are involve relaxing and taking this easy!  So when I was invited to Bluestone holiday resort in Wales it really was the best time to head off to set off for a well deserved short break and escape from the hustle and bustle of London town. So as well as a warm set of clothes like my Uggs, super thick wolley leggings and several jumpers packed in my suitcase, I also made sure to take a set of walking boots, my running trainers and several books including Gone Girl that I’m currently reading.

 Located in the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in west Wales, Bluestone is a holiday resort set within a cutesy village which has its own bakery, shop, spa and several restaurants too.

 Bluestone Village

 The village shops are closeby

The cottages are cosy lovenests popular for romantic getaways

Bluestone is a family friendly resort and we spotted many children and parents. But it is also a perfect short break destination for a romantic holiday getaway for couples too. The one bedroom cottages are cosy lovenests located right in the centre of the village and perfect for romantic getaways but we wanted something a bit bigger and stayed in one of the detached Ramsey lodges. 

The accommodation is described as luxury and it certainly was very good. We stayed in a two bed lodge which was provided bed linen, towels, and it was self-catered so we had a choice of either cooking or dining out at one of the five restaurants in the village.

 Master bedroom with an ensuite

 Ensuite for master bedroom

The second bedroom had two singles

With a wetroom and heated floor

It was a unique upside down living arrangement, with two ensuite bedrooms on the ground floor including a walk in shower with heated floor and a lounge and kitchen upstairs. This was great as we got to see the stunning views of the village from the kitchen.

 Living room area

Kitchen

Studio living arrangement

On our second day we most of the day in the luxury Well Spa Retreat and treated ourselves to a therapeutic treatments. At the spa there is a sauna, herbal steam room and a plunge pool too. 

 The Well Spa retreat

 The well spa is a Good Spa Guide 2014 award winner

I had aromatherapy massage a perfect way to unwind and release tension in my neck and back muscles and hubby went for the Gentleman’s Tonic – a treatment soothing aching muscles and targeting the back neck legs and feet and soothing aching muscles. 

Although we had a self catered apartment and had the option of cooking for ourselves, I was keen to eat out and there is plenty of choice for dining at Bluestone's five restaurants within the village. 



 Burgers at the Farmhouse Grill!

On our second night we ate at the FarmHouse Grill, a Harvester type restaurant within the village.  On our last night we ate at Carreg Las, my favourite of the five restaurants and definitely Bluestone’s finest restaurant that uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients and meat from local farmers.



The main course was tasty - braised chicken thighs, red cabbage, potato fondant and roast parsnip - yum!

 The carrot cake with cream cheese frosting was delicious!

With over 500 acres of Welsh countryside to explore, there is never a boring moment at Bluestone. On our third day we decided to do some more exploring outside Bluestone and drove to nearby Tenby a seaside town with a lovely village to do some sight-seeing. 


But first we travelled to Barafundle Bay and went for a romantic walk along the beach. It was freezing but we had such beautiful views of the sea – just look at those waves!  


 Beautiful beach!

The beach is hidden away between cliffs and fields, it was like our own little private beach so romantic! Some have named this Britain’s best beach, but ours for the day…

 Cold...but totally worth visiting Barafundle Bay!

Bluestone has 500 acre site and we made sure to explore as much of the area as possible and went for walking trails. There are cycling trails too with the option to book bikes or golf buggys which were popular with a lot of the guests staying in the village. 
 

 Relaxing walks around Bluestone

If romantic walks and spa treatments are too relaxing for you then you could try the Blue Lagoon water park, the indoor adventure centre, the rock climbing, assault courses or laser combat. There really are enough activities for everyone so you won’t ever be left feeling bored here! To see more information on all the activities available see here.

 Book, bath and bubbles - enough to keep me happy!

On our final day spent we spent the day reading and relaxing. The atmosphere at Bluestone is lovely, beautiful surroundings, the luxury accommodation made me feel at ease and the helpful and friendly staff really make you feel welcome. It really was a lovely place to escape from it all and relax and unwind and the accomodation and well spa was fantastic for a romantic get away. I loved the village feel and I left feeling revived and refreshed. 

If you're looking for a couples break and somewhere to unwind and let loose with your other half then Bluestone is the perfect place for you!


A 3 night weekend break in a 1 bed cottage start from £269 for more details see here
There is still time to book a Valentine's break - see here for more information!

Bluestone Resorts, Canaston Wood, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, SA67 8DE
Telephone - 01834 862400



*Disclaimer: My stay at Bluestone was complimentary but all words and opinions are my own*

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