Topshop, Alexa Chung and A Great Beauty Balm!

I love doing this post at the end of the week. It's a look back at the things that I have spotted/loved/bought/trialled. Enjoy!!

Topshop Baxter Jeans - £40

I used to swear by Leigh Jeans from Topshop but for some reason they slightly changed the fit and length and now they are awful on me. I tried a pair of Baxters on for the first time this week and the fit was great. The denim was also thicker so they felt a bit more sturdy and definitely look more expensive than they are.

Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara Absolute Black-£5.99

I had a meeting with a very glamorous agent this week and she had the most AMAZING lashes I have seen in a long time. Before we got down to business I had to ask her what mascara she used. She very proudly said that it was the Bourjois one above. She has spent years spending loads on expensive mascaras but has decided that this is the best on the market. It's such a bargain and having read loads of other reviews and just bought some for myself I would definitely recommend it for big, dramatic lashes.

Naked Love Me Rose Body Wash - £3.79

If, like me, you're a massive fan of Ren Rose Otto Shower Gel then please trust me when I say that this one is literally identical and is about a third of the price. It smells of pure, fresh roses and is just totally delicious.

Bobbi Brown Brighten Sparkle and Glow- Extra Soothing Balm £40

Bobbi Brown have just launched their newest range called Brighten, Sparkle and Glow. It's all about having amazing, healthy and sparkly looking skin for the New Year. I particularly love the Extre Soothing Balm which is an amazing multi-tasker and can be used on lips, cuticles, dry hands and patted over makeup to give a dewy look. I think that it's set to be a cult product and could be the new Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. It certainly smells and feels nicer!!

Ash Prune Suede Bowie Wedge Trainers- £118 (30% off at mywardrobe.com)

I want these SO much!! They are sexy and comfy and so versatile. My friend Nayanah has a pair in black and they look just as good with jeans as they do with a skirt or cute dress. As for me, I'm obsessed with maroon at the moment........



 Barnaby Gates Deer Damask Wallpaper

My friends have just bought this wallpaper for their hallway and it is incredible!! Barnaby Gates are expensive but the quality and beautiful designs are well worth the cost.

I'd love to know about your big discoveries of the week xx



The Oxfam Get Together at Floripa, East London

Last night saw the launch of this year's Oxfam Get Together at Floripa in East London.

Cherry Healey was talking at the event so asked me along and it was unbelievably touching, emotional and inspiring.





The idea of the Oxfam Get Together is that women like you and I organise events for the ladies in our lives to raise money for other women around the world who are having a hard time of it. This is all in celebration of International Women's Day.

The get together can take whatever form you want it to. Lauren Laverne is going to do a clubbing night for all her mummy friends, Gemma Cairney is organising a jumble sale where you'll find an array of clothes from her fellow female celebrities and I want to do a Spice Girls night for the gorgeous girls at Heart. (I might even try and get Emma Bunton along).

Sometimes I worry that I don't really know where the money that I give to charity ends up. Last night gave me tangible proof that Oxfam really do put our money towards the most incredible causes. In the last year they have empowered women in Africa by helping them to overcome domestic violence, become important figures in their community and most importantly increase their earnings so that they can feed and care for their families.

If you'd like to hold a get together then all the info can be found here

Oh and definitely head to Floripa for a great night out. It's great fun and the cocktails are delicious xx

http://instagram.com/p/UPa8FiLRAB/

The Riding House Cafe and Pepe St Martin's Lane

I have a serious love/hate relationship with January.

I love the feeling of inspiration and get up and go. It's a time for new projects and a renewed feeling of energy.

I hate that all my favourite magazines suddenly start preaching about the dreaded diets/detoxes/exercise/sportswear that I should be doing/buying. Where are all the fun articles and the recipes for scones and chocolate cake??

So, in defiance I have spent the last 24 hours feasting on delicious pizza and sipping on wonderful cocktails. Take that evil January!!!

The Riding House Cafe

Last night I went for drinks with the lovely Cherry Healey. She recommended The Riding House Cafe on Great Titchfield Street which is destined to be my new favourite haunt.

 Cherry is being a very good girl and doing a January detox so she went for a tonic and Angostura Bitters. I on the other hand had just finished nine night shifts in a row and was up for something a bit naughtier. I went for the Fitzrovia Breeze but instead of just plain elderflower cordial, I had the addition of an elderflower liquor. It was delicious, moreish and went down far too easily.

The Riding House Cafe is the perfect place to meet up with friends or go on a romantic date. It is funky and urban, yet warm and atmospheric. The cocktails are to die for, and the food being tucked into on the table next door looked utterly delicious.

Pepe St Martin's Lane

After last night's cocktails, I was after something naughty but not too grubby for lunch. I decided to give the pizzas at Pepe St Martin's Lane a go as they looked fresh and virtuous compared to the Pizza Hut takeaway stall in Leicester Square. (Which was where I was headed when I saw this little gem).

This tiny cafe/restaurant is cute and very authentic. They sell "Italian Street Food" which basically means delicious slices of pizza and fresh pasta to eat in or takeaway.

The options were endless. I went for a slice of the pepperoni pizza and it was thin, full of flavour and so authentic that it took me straight back to my recent trip to Venice. 

I also liked the chef who rushed up and down the stairs, delivering fresh slices of hot pizza straight out of the wood fire oven. YUM!!

Not For The Faint-Hearted

So you know how I promised to keep you updated on the progress of our bathroom renovation?

Well THIS is what it looks like at the moment:

I am freaking out!!! 

In other news... please don't call the RSPCA as my sister's cat Ralph actually enjoys this:

Little (leopard print) riding cat!

Right, I'm off to wipe the bathroom dust off my jumper xxx

My Top Products of The Week

I thought I would add a new feature to this blog. (I hope you like it)

After getting fab feedback from my Best of The Sales post, I've decided to do a summary of my most exciting beauty and fashion discoveries each week.......

Lancome Hypnose Drama

Where oh where has this been all my life?? I bought this mascara on Wednesday and I can honestly say that I have finally (after years of trying) found one that I might just stick with. It gives big, volumised lashes, effortlessly and doesn't cause panda eyes! There's a special offer on at the moment. Check out this link.

Estee Lauder Smoothing Creme Concealer

This was the concealer that they used on me when I appeared on This Morning on Thursday. It is BRILLIANT!! Totally covers your bags and also blends out fine lines. It costs £17 and here's the link.

French Connection Sparkly Bulldog Top

 

I spotted this on Friday and fell totally in love. This picture doesn't really do it justice...the Bulldog is made of sequins and is just gorgeous. You can get this on ASOS for £37.

Topshop Multi Boucle Shift Dress

I bought this cute little number last weekend as I thought that it looked very Chanel!! It costs £65 and you can get it here

I'd love to know all about the things that you're loving at the moment. All comments really welcome xx

This Morning and a Big Juicy Burger

I love nothing more than a good debate and was really excited to be asked back on ITV 1's This Morning yesterday to discuss whether it's possible for men and women to ever just be friends. After doing Early Breakfast on Heart I had an hour to eat some toast and have a shower before my car arrived to take me to the ITV studios.

You get all your hair and makeup done when you arrive so I had to turn up make-up free. EEEEK!

What made matters worse were the crowds of paparazzi waiting at the entrance. As I got out of the car they all started snapping me, obviously thinking that I was someone important. I giggled and told them that I most definitely wasn't the girl they were looking for!!

 

After having a cuppa in the Green Room I was ushered into hair and makeup to be turned into a human again!

As you can imagine, I was intrigued by the hundreds of beauty products scattered around. One of the products used on me was Estee Lauder Disappear Smoothing Creme Concealer which I'm going to buy today as it was fantastic!! It totally got rid of my bags and also smoothes out wrinkles in the eye area.

With my makeup done it was hair time!

Here's the finished product!! What do you think? The dress is from Reiss and was £94 in the sale.



I haven't got a clip from yesterday's debate yet, but here's one from the last one I did. The topic was "Should women sunbathe topless?"...I was of course pro!!

After finishing the debate and giving Eamonne Holmes a big hug (he is honestly one of the kindest and most lovely people in showbiz), I met up with my gorgeous husband for lunch at The Diner in Shoreditch

Chris went for the guacamole and cheese burger and loved it!

I had the Hawain with bacon, pineapple and cheese and it was just unbelievably delicous. It might just be my second best burger of all time. (The first was in a diner in New York)

YUM!!!!!

Where did you eat your best burger ever?? I fear I've re-discovered an old addiction at a time when I should be dieting! 

New Year New Hair

I got a call a few days ago confirming that I'm going to be doing another debate on ITV1's This Morning tomorrow.

My first thought was sheer panic.

Here's why:

- My hair looked awful..all heavy and overgrown and not at all TV-worthy

- I have eaten myself silly over Christmas and telly puts on the pounds

- I am Casper the Friendly Ghost pale at the moment and the thought of arriving at the ITV studios with no makeup on was giving me the jitters.

Anyway, trying to get a hair appointment on 2nd January is, it would appear, nigh-on impossible.

After calling my regular salon I was told that no stylists were in today. I then tried at least five others only to be told the same story.

My last try was one of my favourite salons. It's expensive so I was trying to resist but in the end I had no choice. (Or so I'll tell my husband!)

Thank goodness Daniel Galvin Junior had one of their senior stylists in. I rushed over to Knightsbridge and breathed a sigh of relief as Isabelle worked her magic.

What do you think?

Before (shaggy, wet monster alert!)

After (feeling human again!)

As far as my face goes, I must admit that I have reached for the fake-tan.

Weight wise, there's nothing I can do!!!