St Pancras Renaissance London

I can't believe it but I've now been married for a year!! It's absolutely flown by and Chris and I celebrated our first anniversary by staying in the same hotel (and room) as  where we spent our wedding night. (We're very sentimental :)

The hotel in question was the St Pancras Renaissance and it is one of the most amazing that I have ever stayed in. The history of the hotel permeates ever sweeping staircase and high ceiling and the reminders of a bygone era combine perfectly with a sense of modern luxury.

We booked into a Chambers Suite which is well worth the expense. The room consisted of a marble bathroom, sumptuous super-king bed and a little lounge area. The view of Kings Cross St Pancras was particularly magical at night when it was empty and beautifully lit.


As part of the Chambers deal you get unlimited access to the Chambers Club which is a lounge area with unlimited drinks and various edible treats throughout the day including a great breakfast. Chris also got a free luxurious wet-shave which he loved.

We spent hours in the spa area which was practically empty and had a gorgeous little pool and one of the best steam-rooms that I've ever used (no condensation and lots of pretty little lights).

All in all, our seventeen hours at the St Pancras Renaissance were an absolute joy. It was a stay defined by luxury, great service and was extra special because of the memories it holds for us. Well worth splashing out on for a special occasion!!

Check out their website at http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonpr-st-pancras

Fake Tanning for Older Skin

Introducing Grandma Connie

Connie is my amazing Grandma who may be in her eighties but looks (and acts) like she is much younger.

Anyway, being partial to looking sun-kissed, my Grandma has tested a long list of fake tans in recent years. Fake tan is hard enough to apply on younger skin, but when you age, it tends to gather in wrinkly and dry areas so she hasn't always had the best of times with certain tanning products.

Anyway, I recently sent her my favourite He-Shi Express Liquid Tan and hey-presto, she phoned me waxing lyrical about her perfect, even, sun-kissed skin. Apparently my eight year old cousin saw her the day after she had applied it and said "Grandma you look really nice and well".

So, if you've got older skin and fancy a natural tan, Grandma Connie (and I) thoroughly recommend it!

http://www.he-shi.eu/productdetails/1260/he-shi-express-liquid-tan-300ml/

Best Cake Ever?

I've been meaning to post this for ages. Over the Jubilee weekend I had one of the best cakes ever. It was made by a friend of my Mum's and I thought I'd give you a link to her company as you never know when you might need a delicious cake!!

The one in the photo was made by the lovely Negin Parvizi from La Tortina Divina. She did two layers with a chocolate ganache and a fresh strawberry icing. Yum!!

http://www.facebook.com/LaTortaDivina/info

Check Your Breasts

A bit of a personal one this morning. (I hope you don't mind).

I've had two small health scares recently which were both sorted out pretty quickly. They were both related to my troublesome right hand breast and have reminded me of the importance of putting your fears aside and going to the doctors whenever you are worried about your health.

The first scare came a couple of months ago when I discovered a fairly large lump. My first reaction was to try and push it out of my mind, but I quickly gave myself a reality check and told my husband who agreed that there was definitely a sizeable lump there. I instantly felt sick with fear and managed to persuade myself that it was cancer. I called my Mum who told me I had to see a Dr immediately and within a week I had had a biopsy and scan which revealed that the lump was a 4cm Fibroid Adenoma which is a harmless but prominent lump that appears to move around when you touch it. I was incredibly relieved as you can imagine.

Fast forward to last week when I discovered yet another lump in the same breast. This time it felt totally different and once again the anxiety crept in. However, before I could give myself too much thinking time I booked an appointment with my GP who is almost certain that it is a harmless cyst. I'm seeing the specialist next week to make sure.

I have learnt so much from these past few months. The first thing is that it is VITAL to check your breasts. I find that it's best to do it in the shower as it's easier to check when your skin is wet and soapy. Secondly, if you do find something please please make an appointment with your Dr ASAP. I know it's scary but the chances are that it'll be something totally harmless and if you don't check it will eat away at you and be at the back of your mind the whole time.

If God forbid it is something serious then if you catch it early, the chances of getting it sorted are much higher.

I am petrified of health issues and would much rather hide away from them but I'm so happy that I saw my Dr quickly. It has saved me a lot of worry and was much less scary than I thought.

Here's a link with some great advice on how to do a breast check

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam/bse_steps.jsp

xx

Bioeffect EGF Serum

Nothing excites me more than the unveiling of a new "miracle product". When a product claims to change your skin/health/life and has a long list of shining reviews then it is almost impossible to resist.


I was recently introduced to the latest miracle of the beauty world which comes courtesy of a company called Sif Cosmetics. If like me you get turned on by science, statistics and hard proof as to the efficacy of a product then will love the blurb on their website http://www.bioeffect.co.uk/ :


"BIOEFFECT EGF Serum is a groundbreaking innovation for the cosmetic market, as it contains human-like EGF cellular activators made in plants. Extensive scientific research on the role of EGF shows that it stimulates the activation and renewal of skin cells, hence contributing to increased wellness and beauty."


"The BIOEFFECT EGF Serum has been developed by some of the globally leading dermatologists and biochemists. It works by activating biological processes within the cell, stimulating the skin’ s own renewal process to improve the overall appearance and texture. By applying the BIOEFFECT EGF Serum onto skin, it is possible to slow down the biological processes of ageing and to increase the production of elastin and collagen once again. Cellular activators have therefore been called the next revolution in skin care."


In effect, this is a product claims to turn back the hands of time and according to one leading cosmetic surgeon, repeated use has been just as (if not more) effective than going under the knife. Other beauty bloggers are raving about it and a long list of A-Listers are total converts.


Now here's the thing. I am in my early thirties and don't have many wrinkles, so it is fairly hard to honestly judge an anti-ageing product. However,  I have been using the serum for nearly a month and my skin is glowing and healthy. Whilst the fine lines on my forehead certainly haven't disappeared, the general quality of my skin has definitely improved and I am enjoying using the product.


The only negative is that I have had blocked pores on my chin since using the serum. It is quite potent and perhaps a too bit much for my skin. I find that the day-cream which also contains the vital anti-ageing ingredients is milder and really lovely so this may be a better option for some skin-types.


I would recommend that you try this product before you consider cosmetic surgery. It has worked for so many people and is a much cheaper option. I don't recommend the serum for young skin as it is very potent, but it's definitely one to invest in if you have deep-set wrinkles or want to protect yourself from the signs of ageing.

The Shelf -Life of Cosmetics

I have recently become totally addicted to the website http://www.victoriahealth.com/. It is blimming brilliant...full of tips from beauty experts and amazing products.

Anyway, here's a link to an article written by Jo and Sarah of Beauty Bible fame. It gives great advice and information about the shelf life of cosmetics, which many of us forget/choose to forget about. So, if your mascara is smelling a bit odd or you've suddenly started having an allergic readtion to your trusty bronzer, read this article x

http://editorial.victoriahealth.com/shelf-life-of-cosmetics

Jane Iredale Zap and Hide Blemish Concealer

I went to a great Beauty PR event last week where I was introduced to about eight brands that I had never heard of. The brand that impressed me the most was Jane Iredale. This company has one of the most extensive ranges of mineral makeup on the market and the quality of their products is very good.

The great thing about mineral makeup is that it doesn't block your pores. Jane Iredale products are also anti-inflammatory and provide protection against UVA and UVB rays without the addition of chemical nasties.

I have been particularly excited about Jane's Zap and Hide Blemish Concealer. On one end you have a balm that heals and soothes your spots and on the other there is a great concealer also containing the aforementioned healing properties.

My advice would be to use the healing end at night and then the concealer during the day.

I've found that the concealer gives amazing coverage. It is quite heavy but easily blended. This isn't one for using under the eyes but is a great option for covering and dealing with skin imperfections. I also recommend that acne sufferers check out Jane's range as many claim that it has really helped clear their skin.

Here's the link: https://janeiredale.com/us/en/mineral-makeup/concealer/zap-hide-blemish-concealer.htm