Silent Disco at The Shard

 Dancing in the dark takes on a new level with 

The Shard's silent disco!

By day, the highest building in Western Europe is a tourist attraction with the best views of London. By night, the Shard is transformed into a Silent Disco, where you get to dance the night away at 1,000ft!

Exterior view of the Shard

So how does a Silent Disco work? On entrance to the Shard you’re escorted to level 69, where the silent disco takes place and you’re given a set of headphones where you can select from three sets of music to choose from.  

Flashing headphones - what tunes will you be dancing to?

As soon as you enter the disco, you’ll spot three DJ’s on deck playing a range of tunes and battling it out over separate wireless channels. Expect to hear pop, party classics and RnB songs from each DJ. 

DJs battling it out on the decks

The headphones are colour coded in line with the DJ’s and light up with red, green or blue on the ear pads. The best part is you can see how many people are listening to the same tune you are, you can spot them by the flashing colour of their headphones!

If Level 69 not high enough for you, then you can even venture up to the highest accessible point of the building and explore the open-air viewing gallery on Level 72. Looking at the spectacular 360 degree views of London is truly incredible.

  Views across London

I love the cool, laid back atmosphere of the silent disco. There’s a bar with a good selection of drinks available and it’s a chance to have fun, enjoy the views and sing wildly without anyone listening. Plus if you get tired of the music, just change the track and select from the two other options on your headphones. Simple!

 On the dancefloor

Seeing everyone dancing and admiring the 360 degree views over London at 244 metres above the ground was an amazing experience and something everyone should experience for themselves. 

 What an amazing view!

 

So get your best dance shoes, put your headphones on, and head over to the silent disco at The View from the Shard!

Silent Disco dates: 27 Sep, 4 Oct, 15 Nov and 5, 12 and 19 Dec 10pm-2am

Other events on at the View From the Shard

 

*Disclaimer: I was invited to review this event but all words and opinions are my own*

How To Pick The Perfect Bridesmaid Dress

 Bridesmaid Dress - Debenhams

It seems like only yesterday I was getting married and planning my wedding. Fast forward a year later, I was using all the great tips and advice I picked up from wedding blogs and magazines to help plan my sister's wedding.

Bridesmaids dresses are an important part of the day. Choosing the perfect bridesmaid dresses can be just as stressful as choosing your own wedding dress. Not only do you have to choose a dress that flatters all your bridesmaids different body types but a dress that all your bridesmaid are happy to wear too. 

Thankfully the gowns my sister chose for the bridesmaids, Fleur Corsage Waist Maxi Dress from Debenhams, was flattering for most body types and all the bridesmaids, (including me!) were happy with them. As well as coral, the dress is also available in a stunning midnight blue too.

If you're planning your wedding and looking for useful advice when it comes to picking your bridesmaid dresses, check out my guest blog on The Wedding Fairs website.

YOU - naturally powerful cleaning products

 YOU - naturally powerful cleaning products

Cleaning your home is never the most exciting thing to do, but unfortunately its one of those jobs that needs to get done if you want a clean house! What always makes it even more unpleasant are the nasty smells and chemicals you find in some cleaning products.

So I was pleased to receive these products from YOU: they are household cleaning products made from 100% plant based and biodegradable formulas that promise to be efficient, safe and totally refillable and also safe to keep around the home.

I care about the environment but I also need a product that cleans well too, which makes YOU an ideal product to use as the products have been developed without the use of any synthetic chemicals but from substances with natural origin that are respectful to the environment. The range features kitchen, bathroom, all purpose cleaner and window cleaner for your home.

YOU works like most cleaning products, simply apply and wipe down. I used the window cleaner to clean away dirt and grime on my windows and mirrors. I also tried YOU kitchen cleaner on my kitchen sink and tiles with ease. After wiping down with a cloth, the sink was left sparklingly clean.  

 Before

 After

It left a pleasant fresh scent which unlike other products didn’t have a lingering chemical smell afterwards.

The YOU products are simple to use and have a clean and fresh scent giving me peace of mind from knowing I am not filling my home with toxic chemicals.  Best of all unlike most household products, YOU is refillable. You can buy the tiny refill bottles (12ml each) and all that is needed is water to be added and they are ready to use. 

 

I’ve never tried a refillable cleaning product before but this refill system not only produces less waste but  saves you a bit of money in the process, and you’re helping to reduce your carbon footprint too.

If you're interested in trying out the YOU products in your home, you can buy them from here. 

*Disclaimer: This product was sent for review however all words and opinions are my own*

Get Inspired at The Wedding Fair!

Just got engaged and looking for the ultimate day out for wedding inspiration? Then you are in luck,  as The Wedding Fairs are holding not one but three wedding events across the country; the first fair kicks off in London Excel Centre from 20-21 September, followed by North West Fair in Manchester on 26-28 September and finally by the Bluewater Fair in Kent from 17-19 October.

  Visit stalls and meet wedding suppliers

You’ll find lots of events and stalls at the wedding fair to give you ideas and inspiration to plan your big day: wedding planning sessions, cakes, stationery, cakes, favours, transport and much more. Need inspiration for your wedding dress? Then make sure you check out the fashion shows where you’ll watch the dresses come to life on the catwalk. Whether you are looking for the latest trends or classic styles, the fashion show will give you lots of ideas to consider. Here are my top highlights at the fairs:

 Watch the dresses come to life at the fashion show 

North West, Manchester 

For brides who want their wedding to have a quirky twist, Boris and Betty will present the Inspired Bakes Wedding Cake showcase, bringing together displays of stunning carefully created Great Gatbsy themed cakes!

Indulge in cake and tea at the Garden restaurant, which will be serving afternoon tea delights. It’s also perfectly located next to the Champagne bar so why not make your way there afterwards? It would be a shame to pass it by without sampling some bubbles!

Bluewater, Kent
Indulge in cake and tea at the Garden restaurant, which will be serving afternoon tea delights. It’s also perfectly located next to the Champagne bar so why not make your way there afterwards? It would be a shame to pass it by without sampling some bubbles!

Looking for simple and fresh ideas for the big day but keen to stick to your budget? Get one-to-one wedding advice from superb planning experts, The Wedding Dolls, who will be on hand to solve any worry you have planning your big day. Or visit the Creative Brides Vintage Village for DIY chic, unique pieces and all the vintage inspiration you could need.

Get inspiration and visit the Vintage Village!

Excel, London Individual handmade confetti cone or personalised loose-leaf tea favours? If you like unique items like this that you simply can’t find on the high street, then stop by the Favours and Finishing Touches Marketplace, where you can pick up tips on all the little details to make your wedding personal to you.

The organisers at The Wedding Fairs have kindly given me a special discount code to share with my readers! Book tickets using this code WSX42 which gives you 1/3 off any wedding fair show. Enjoy!

A Burger Blind Date with TGI Fridays

Getting my #BurgerFaceOn at TGI's

Last week I was invited to a special blind date at TGI Fridays but with a difference, a Burger Blind Date. That’s right, the sexiest handcrafted burgers dying to meet me. The idea of a blind date would usually make me feel very nervous but after receiving my invitation with details on what I might expect for the evening “sexiest handcrafted burgers” I was looking forward to choosing my perfect burger match for the evening.

 What to expect on my "blind burger date"

Being keen, I arrived at TGIs quite early, the early bird always catches the worm! By the time my husband, my guest for the evening, arrived, I couldn’t wait any longer to “meat” my burger! 

Cocktails at the bar

We got drinks at the bar and then were seated to our table by a lovely friendly member of the TGI’s team who ordered our cocktails and then explained what the Burger Blind date would involve:

 Burger blind date menu

We were given a menu to choose from the line up of eight handcrafted burgers. Each burger has it’s own personality traits; contestant five was “rich romantic and mysterious” and contestant two was “from down south where everything’s better when its smooth”. It was hard to choose but the burger that took my fancy was contestant six. Judging by the “stars and stripes” I believe I picked the American burger, you can’t go wrong with this classic! Whilst Joe chose the mysterious contestant eight, huge burger with lots of toppings and a tangy sauce - very tasty!

                       Joe's mysterious burger, contestant number 8

During our meal we posed for our #Burgerface and we gifted with a framed photo at the end of our meal which was a nice treat!

 #BurgerFace

I loved the campaign: original and funny, the menu was well thought out and I enjoyed choosing my burger based on the contestants profile, a really good idea and great fun.

Thank you so much TGI Friday’s for inviting me! I’ve still got my eye on a few other contestants so will definitely go back to give them a try and perfect my burger face! 

If you're off to TGI's why not take the challenge too, post your pics on Facebook, tweet or instagram your best #BurgerFace. It might look easy, but it's a lot harder than it looks! ;-)

*Disclaimer: I was invited to review this event but all words and opinions are my own*

Work Outfit of the Day

 

Skirt - Jane Norman

Blouse - H&M

Bag - Tesco

Shoes - New Look

With the weather in London so sunny and warm, it’s a great time to make the most of your summer wardrobe. But for those of us sweating it out this summer in professional garments, it’s not always easy picking the best outfit for work!

I love Jane Norman’s ‘Work It’ range from their summer collection that features asymmetric hems like this pinkstripe skirt*.  Unlike the usual pencil skirts, this is asymmetric with a wrap style front. I teamed it with a plain white blouse, white satchel and cream pointed heels.

 

It’s office appropriate, but fun all at the same time, and can easily transition from the office to a night out, just add a statement necklace to glam it up.

It’s tricky to get the right mix of looking professional and stylish at the same time but this skirt does the job!

 

*Disclaimer: This item was sent for review however all words and opinions are my own*

Kettners Wedding & Christmas Showcase

 Kettners

If you are looking for something a bit different on your wedding day then look no further than Kettners, a glamorous 1930s style wedding venue.  Located in the heart of Soho, the Grade II listed building has a wonderful combination of both history and glamour offering a variety of stunning spaces for your perfect day.

This week, I was invited to the Wedding & Christmas Showcase event where I got a tour of the venue, meet the friendly Events team and find out more about why Kettners makes the perfect wedding and Christmas venue.

 Kettners (photo by Paul Raeside)

Originally opened in 1867, the historic venue has tones of character. Since it has been open, customers who visited the venue include Oscar Wilde, King Edward VII and Bing Crosbie. Nowadays it hosts Christmas parties and wedding receptions and licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships.

Kettners insist they are passionate about food and drink and guests can expect to be spoilt rotten with the finest 1930s inspired cuisine.  At the event, I tried an example of the canapés and cocktails you would expect to be served at Kettners - very tasty!

I know how much a wedding takes time and patience and I was lucky enough to have a wonderful wedding coordinator to help me plan my wedding. Kettners offer the same, with a dedicated wedding coordinator within their Events team who will help guide you through every step of the way. Upon request they can also offer assistance with booking florists, hotels, dress hire, entertainment and more.

 Simple yet beautiful, centre piece arrangement

Salle De Fete, one of my favourite rooms

The venue has eight adaptable private rooms to choose from. The Salle De Fete meaning "party room" on the top floor was beautiful, light and airy and had a wonderful penthouse feel with a bar too. The room seats 55 and 120 standing so would suit a larger wedding party.  Alternatively there is the event space, "the studio" perfect for intimate ceremony or smaller wedding party.

 The Studio - set up as a ceremony room

Kettners have released their new wedding packages with a variety available to choose from. I love the "Unforgettable" wedding package, the menu looked delicious!  If you are not getting married then you can still enjoy a meal at Kettners as it is open as an all day brasserie serving a range for European dishes from casual lunch to a theatre supper and Christmas celebrations. 

 Getting into the Christmas spirit!

All eight of the event spaces can be booked for a variety of Christmas celebrations from work lunches, dinners and receptions to family gatherings or celebrating with friends.

 Christmas at Kettners

Kettners is a wonderful venue with lots of character and charm and would make a great location for a wedding or Christmas lunch. To find out more information contact the events team Nikki Harris

Kettners

29 Romilly St, London W1D 5HP
020 7734 6112