bobochic

miss b loves .....Princes' Islands, Turkey

2013-06-13T11:34:00.000+01:00

Princes' Islands (Kizir Adalar) in the Sea of Marmara, off the coast of Istanbul, are a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the city. A couple of Sundays ago we visited the largest island Büyükada (Big Island!)

The catamaran from Kabatas soon transported us to another world ... a bygone era ......

As there's no traffic on the islands (except for service vehicles) the only way to get around is on foot, horse and carriage(fayton) or bicycle and we thought it would be fun to hire bikes and ride to the top of the island.

During the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, members of the royal family who fell out of favour were exiled here and gave the islands their name.

The bike ride took us past impressive villas and wooden mansions set in the most beautiful lush gardens along flowery lanes. No skyscrapers here!

During the first half of the 20th century, wealthy families built elaborate houses. For a time it fell out of vogue with affluent Turkish people who preferred holidaying on the Mediterranean, in resorts such as Bodrum, but many are now returning to Büyükada.

In the last decade, investors have been renovating run down old properties and many Istanbul residents have holiday homes on the island to escape the summer city heat. This pretty villa is in a perfect spot with gorgeous sea views .....

If we ever decide to come back and stay on the island, then this is the hotel we would choose .......... Naya

We stopped regularly to admire the views - a good excuse to have a quick rest from pedalling in the heat!

Along the way, vendors were selling their wares ... day trippers were buying floral headresses, pretty coronets to wear on the island .... What a lovely tradition!

and I bought a pretty souvenir bracelet too .......

We walked the last section - a steep hill up to Ayia Yorgi (St George) a lovely Greek church ........... and the sky really was this blue!

At the top we were rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views.......

On the ride back down, we spotted the abandoned and delapidated four storey Greek Orphanage nestled in the hills. It's apparently the second largest wooden construction in the world .....

We had certainly worked up an appetite and took a welcome break at the contemporary Bahçede Sinek Kafe. We loved the quirky touches.... especially the colander lampshades .....

The all day Turkish breakfast was beautifully presented and included the most delicious home-made pear and apple jam and fig too ...

....... followed by refreshing mint lemonade and mozaic pasta .... a delicious biscuit and chocolate dessert (a version of what we call tiffin in the UK.)

Having returned the bikes, there was just time for a stroll around the town ........

The Splendid Palas Hotel, with its twin cupolas and bright red shutters, has become a landmark of the island and apparently Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII once stayed here.

We stopped to admire the ferry terminal, an attractive domed building ..

and nearby there's an impressive number of fish restaurants .....

Time to board the ferry.........

Views of The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
in the distance

...... and fifty minutes later we were back in the city heading over to Beşiktaş ..... to Aşşk, a beautiful restaurant with a romantic garden on the banks of the Bosphorus and more stunning views ....

.... a carafe of refreshing and fragrant iced tea ...... a perfect, relaxing way to end the day!

If you missed Day One, including a visit to the Asian side of Istanbul, click here

miss b loves ...... guest blogging again at NYC, Style and a Little Cannoli.

2013-06-03T08:52:00.000+01:00

Today I'm over at NYC, Style and a Little Cannoli again. I was delighted when Rosemary invited me to write another guest post.

If you missed my first post about York, you can read it here and if you don't already know about Rosemary's lovely blog, I can definitely recommend it. She knows the remarkable city of New York like the back of her hand!

I thought I would write about Uppermill, a picturesque little village with an interesting history. It's forty minutes away from home and The Vintage Cupcake Kitchen is another good reason to visit!!

I hope you'll pop over to Rosemary's blog and join me on my recent trip. Here's a little preview .......

....and while you're over there, check out the rest of Rosemary's blog ...... It's an amazing guide to New York ....... and yet you'll see that it's so much more ....... it's also about style and the most delicious food ....

Please join me here

Next post .... Sunday in Istanbul and a day trip to the Princes' Islands ........

miss b loves .......... Istanbul and a visit to the Asian side

2013-05-26T19:50:00.000+01:00

Istanbul is one of those fascinating cities which draws you back and we've just returned from another long weekend there to discover and explore a little further afield .....

Saturday began with an early trip to a local market .... no other tourists here ...... everything was on sale from pots and pans to factory seconds but we were mesmerised by the vast quantities and variety of fresh food which we were encouraged to sample!

A riot of colour ...... I think this deserves a post of its own some time .........

Our next stop was a market of a different kind ..... Misir Çarşisi (the Spice Bazaar) in Eminönü .....

.... another feast for the eyes and tastebuds ......

We sampled so much Turkish Delight and we didn't need much persuasion to buy half a kilo of pistachio flavour to take back home ........

The rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee, from the renowned Mehmet Efendi (coffee roasters since 1871) fills the air ........ no wonder there's always a queue outside ......

.... and of course there were plenty of traditional Turkish wares ......

Street food is everywhere in Istanbul from roasted chestnuts and corn on the cob .... to pide (Turkish pizza), fresh mussels and freshly squeezed orange juice ......

but we opted for a famous fish sandwich prepared on this beautiful boat .....

..... and then it was our turn for a boat ride across the Bosphorus ......... to Kadiköy on the Asian side of Istanbul. It did seem strange just popping over to Asia from Europe in twenty minutes!

Looking back to the European side with the famous Blue Mosque
and Hagia Sophia in the distance.

It was then a novelty taking a waiting dolmuş, a shared taxi to Bağdat Cadessi. Dolmuş means stuffed or full and it sets off when there are eight passengers on board!

The attractive Bağdat Caddesi (Baghdad Avenue) is lined with old plane trees and is renowned for its stylish cafés, restaurants, prestige car showrooms and upmarket shops ......

A quick stop at a chic Italian ice cream parlour down a side road.....lemon and nectarine ..... amazing... and mojito .... absolutely divine and I'm not even an ice cream fan!

There were Turkish flags everywhere as May 19th commemorates Atatürk, Youth and Sports. (19th May 1919 is regarded as the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence.)

Unusual for us to see Marks and Spencer draped in a Turkish flag!

but... the high-end Turkish brand, Vakko has to be one of the prettiest stores I have ever seen ...........

We hopped on another dolmuş and off we went back to old Kadiköy ....... via Cafer Erol, a 200 year old Turkish Delight shop for more treats to take home! (I know we bought half a kilo at the bazaar but we just can't get it back in England and this is a very special shop!)

Beautiful Turkish delight bowls

Our cute little bowl

It was late and time to eat at ...... Çiya Sofrasi .....a typical Turkish restaurant which always gets wonderful reviews .... and now we know why!

Lamb with cherries, chicken kebab and
lamb in a yogurt sauce

Finally ... coffee, tea and one last piece of Turkish delight!

Now that's what I call a busy Saturday!

You can read about our previous trips to Istanbul here, here, here and here

miss b loves.........Ladies' Day

2013-05-21T09:52:00.000+01:00

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Last Tuesday evening we headed over to Oldham Coliseum Theatre to watch Ladies' Day.....

Ladies' Day, written by Amanda Whittington, is about four factory women from a Hull fish-filleting factory enjoying a glamorous day at the races......Royal Ascot in 2005 when Ascot temporarily moved up to York.

They swap their plastic aprons and hairnets...

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.....for their best dresses and fancy hats....

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A lively play with an excellent cast portraying some strong northern characters .... There was plenty of laughter from start to finish and a few surprising revelations along the way!

Meet the wonderful ladies in this short clip...

Coming soon to the Coliseum.....

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Click here for the Summer Programme.

* The Oldham Coliseum Theatre dates back to 1885 and was surrounded by a dozen others but the award-winning Coliseum is now the only surviving theatre in the town.

miss b loves........cream tea on a steam train!

2013-05-09T08:33:00.000+01:00

A couple of Sundays ago we enjoyed a cream tea with a difference....on board an old-fashioned steam train travelling through the Lancashire countryside. This was a surprise treat....and I would never have guessed how we were going to spend the afternoon!

We arrived at Bury station to be greeted by a scene straight out of Harry Potter!

The East Lancashire Railway has been restored to its historical glory and the vintage Pullman style dining carriages retain many of the original 1920s features.......polished wood panelling, sliding windows and plush velvet seating .... the perfect place to enjoy a cream tea....a very English tradition.

The whistle was blown and we were off on our journey.......

We tucked into our selection of scrumptious cakes.......

Difficult to choose a favourite but .....the carrot cake (with an orange flavoured chocolate carrot) and the stawberry dipped in delicious chocolate satisfied my chocolate addiction!

Of course there were scones .... with jam and clotted cream ...

All these sweet treats had been prepared by the award-winning Slattery's a local company. The attentive staff kept bringing us more tea.....

The only disappointment was the British weather......non-stop rain throughout the journey and difficult to fully appreciate the pretty stone cottages and countryside!!

An hour and twenty minutes later we were back at the station ...

......looking at the old adverts from a bygone era............

Back in the car and typically .....the sun came out and finally we were able to enjoy the Lancashire countryside!!

PS There's a full programme of events during the year here and dining opportunities including lunches, themed dinners and even murder mystery nights(!)here.

Definitely different!

miss b loves.........dresses

2013-05-02T17:01:00.000+01:00

Fashion has always interested me. I even used to create outfits for my Sindy dolls and in my late teens created quite a few designs for myself! (If only I'd taken photos!)

I'm also fascinated by the history of Fashion and I knew that I would enjoy the Design Museum's book 'Fifty Dresses That Changed The World' which describes iconic dresses which have had an impact on the Fashion World ...... going right back to the 1915 Delphos Pleated Dress by Mariano Fortuny which allowed a revolutionary freedom of movement ........

There's Marilyn Monroe's halter neck dress from 'The Seven Year Itch'.......

...... and probably the most famous little black dress, the Givenchy design, worn by Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'...

Of course to say that a dress can change the world is a dramatic statement but there is no doubt that many of the dresses in the book changed or influenced the way we dress.......
The book discusses the use of new materials, technical innovation and breaking with tradition in the way women dressed or were expected to dress ...... The 1965 minidress reflected social change and attitudes in the sixties and caused a sensation .....

How could we forget Princess Diana's wedding dress which prompted so much discussion.....

There have been many imitations of these iconic dresses particularly the Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress and of course the Roland Mouret Galaxy.........

The Chanel Suit is included too (as the book points out, technically not a dress but worth its place!)

The book is full of beautiful dresses and the celebrities who first wore them. I wonder if you can guess the rest? There are a few obscure ones too and perhaps a few missing that shoud be there - surprisingly Grace Kelly's lace wedding dress was absent.

I wonder which dresses of today will make it into a future book of iconic dresses ....... The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding gown designed by Sarah Burton? .........

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....... or perhaps her royal blue Issa engagement dress? (which is said to have been chosen to match her sapphire engagement ring which belonged to the late Princess Diana.) It instantly sold out and has inspired many similar designs on the high street.

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.... or Gwyneth Paltrow's minimalist Tom Ford gown with the matching cape which she wore at the 2012 Oscars ....

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..... and maybe Jennifer Lawrence's Dior couture gown worn at the 2013 Oscars ......

Which recent dresses deserve to be included in a book of iconic dresses?....... I look forward to your suggestions!

If you too love fashion then you will enjoy 'Fifty Dresses That Changed the World' and I would also recommend the Fashion Gallery at the Victoria & Albert Museum which I recently visited. You can read about it in my London post here

You may also like:

'Fifty Shoes That Changed The World' which I reviewed here
'Fifty Bags That Changed The World' reviewed here

....and finally a few words from Yves Saint Laurent...

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and Karl Lagerfeld.........

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miss b loves ........ Safa Park, Dubai and a very special café!

2013-04-25T10:26:00.000+01:00

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago in a previous post here that we had enjoyed a stroll around the beautiful Safa Park in Dubai but it really does deserve its own post. Home to over 200 species of birds and almost 17000 trees and bushes, the wide open spaces are so peaceful and the grass incredibly healthy and green especially when you consider that Dubai is in the desert!

It's just three dhirams (about 50 pence) to enter and well worth it as there are a range of amenities including barbecue stations, a children's train and rides. The park is so clean, immaculately maintained with colourful floral displays.....

..... water features....

.... and views of the stunning skyline....on the left the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world and on the right the two towers of the JW Marriott Marquis, the world's tallest hotel......

Seeing the date palms was a reminder that we were in Dubai (and of course the perfect temperature was a clue too!)...

There's even a soft rubberised jogging track around the park, about 3.5 kilometres long and apparently there's a popular flea market on the first Saturday of the month.

Finally I had read about the new café...The Archive...and it certainly lived up to our expectations.....

We opted for the all day breakfast ....a healthy version.... poached eggs, grilled tomato and avocado. The wholemeal toast and jam both tasted deliciously home-made too.

More than a café, this is a community space with so many interesting and varied events organised.........

.... and it's also a contemporary library focused on art, culture, design ..... specialising in Middle Eastern and North African art literature........

When people think of Dubai it's usually the sun, sand and skyscrapers but there really is much more to this fascinating city!

More Dubai posts.........

Spring in Dubai

Winter sunshine in Dubai

Dubai, old and new

miss b loves .......shoe quotes and more shoes!

2013-04-18T09:42:00.000+01:00

During our trip to Dubai last month I decided to return to Level Shoe District, the world's biggest shoe store. (You can read about my first visit here.) This time there were shoe quotes everywhere and I couldn't resist taking photos of a few favourites .......

I definitely agree with this one too ....

.....some good advice.......

........a few cute ones.......

and probably the most well-known shoe quote.....

Of course I was also looking at the shoes and spotted this Julian Hakes stunning design ..... a work of art .......

but finally bought a more wearable and versatile pair...Geox ballerina flats ....

....... beige patent leather and black nappa with breathable soles ideal for spring and summer .....

This is such a huge store ..... they even provide 'maps'!

Disappointed that the Vogue Café had still not opened .....a good excuse to go again though!

However, Margaret Dabbs, the celebrity foot expert from London, has just opened a foot clinic.... The Sole Lounge .... and as we walked past they invited us to have a look around (they also offer men's treatments) A beautiful salon...... I definitely intend to book an appointment next time I'm in Dubai ...

...and finally a few more quotes which caught my eye ......

All quotes were photographed in the Level Shoe District, Dubai Mall .......

PS If like me you love shoes, then you will enjoy reading the book .... Fifty Shoes that Changed the World ... which I reviewed here.

miss b loves.......... being a guest blogger at NYC, Style and a Little Cannoli

2013-04-11T12:38:00.000+01:00

Today I'm over at NYC, Style and a Little Cannoli. I was so pleased when Rosemary asked me to be a guest blogger. You see it's my kind of blog and I always look forward to her posts. She has a true passion for the remarkable city of New York.

I thought it would be fun to write about another York .... in England...I hope you'll pop over there to join me on my recent trip. Here's a little preview .......

....and while you're there, check out Rosemary's lovely blog ... ... you'll love it! It's the only guide you will ever need to this fascinating city......and yet it's so much more than New York.......it's also about style, delicious food....you'll see what I mean!

.....see you in York!

Please join me here

miss b loves.........spring in Dubai

2013-04-04T14:22:00.000+01:00

It was such a treat escaping the freezing UK temperatures to spend a week in March in Dubai. The perfect temperature to spend time outdoors starting with a stroll around Safa Park.....with great views of the Dubai skyline...

and the Burj Khalifa towering above the other skyscrapers......

.....a quick stop at the newly opened Pantry Café at Al Wasl Square opposite the park........for a rhubarb muffin...

No need to reapply my lipgloss in the ladies when I read this next to the mirror!!!...

'A Taste of Dubai' festival in Dubai Media City reminded me of the BBC Good Food Show except this was outdoors. We particularly enjoyed a cookery demonstration by British celebrity chef Gary Rhodes.......

...fruit carving by a chef from the Royal Orchid restaurant....

... and top restaurants including Gaucho and Nobu served sample sizes of their signature dishes at very reasonable prices. Our favourites were the white tomato soup from Rhodes Mezzanine....

and the burger with fois gras, fondant potato and devilled sauce from Rhodes 2010......

..dishes which we had enjoyed before at Gary Rhodes' restaurants.

A couple of days later.... St Patrick's Day, and the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel was illuminated in green (with a shamrock too!) We had a perfect view from the outdoor terrace of Koubba, an excellent bar...

Of course there had to be some shopping..... Galeries Lafayette, the biggest department store in Dubai is always worth a visit......

....and how could I resist a cobalt blue bikini........

and another visit to TWG Tea Salon which I reviewed here. This time lobster tagliatelle in a Korean tea-infused bisque....

.....followed by a chocolate brownie cake layered with honey ganache and a Vanilla Bourbon tea-infused mousse......

and an amazing cappuccino at the new Caffè Vergnano 1882....

During the week there was plenty of activity down at Dubai Marina with a Street Festival and some very talented performers.......it was like being back in Covent Garden...but about thirty degrees warmer!...

There were brand new bikes to hire around the Marina....the 'Byky'..........

...and there's always time for a cappuccino and macarons at Chocolat Chic, one of our favourite cafés....

Before going back to England, we returned to two more favourites.....Traiteur restaurant at the Park Hyatt Hotel where I had the most delicious duck à l'orange I have had outside France.....

and back to Hey Sugar Bakeshop for more cupcakes (we are gradually making our way through the whole menu!) This time it was Scent of a Lemon and Kitty Kat........

........yes we did eat very well during our time in Dubai!!

PS Back in Manchester it was just one degree celsius....so cold after our week in the sun and last week at home we had a few flakes of snow but just a few miles away there was this scene...

I hope it's warmer where you are............

More Dubai posts........

Winter sunshine in Dubai

Dubai old and new

miss b loves.........giant Easter eggs in Manchester

2013-03-29T17:50:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago as we were walking through Manchester City Centre we came across some beautiful giant Easter eggs. They were part of The Big Egg Hunt sponsored by Lindt chocolates raising money for Action for Children, a UK charity.

101 eggs designed by leading artists had been dotted about the city centre. The range of designs was fascinating and I was on a mission to track them down even though this was meant to be a shopping trip!! It was a cold, wet day but we still persevered although we certainly didn't find them all!!

As it's Easter Weekend I thought I would show you a few of our favourites from cute.....to quirky.....

Butterfly Catchers by Rheannon Ormond

Equinox by Barbie Harrison

Century Egg by Will Daw

Skeleton Hug by Jo Lynn

The Big Estate by Thibaud Hérem

Tie Dye Egg by Lindsey Bull

Fancy by Eleanor Wright

A Frugal Meal by Charlie Billington

The Explorers by Luke Best

Last year The Big Egg Hunt was only in London but I'm so pleased that this year it has been touring the UK visiting major cities giving more people the opportunity to take part.

The eggs have now returned to London and will be in Covent Garden until Sunday 7th April. There's an online auction here where people are bidding for their favourites. You can see all the eggs here

Happy Easter to you all!

Look who I spotted visiting our garden a few days ago........

........the Easter bunny!

miss b loves .......a trip to London (Part Two)

2013-03-26T09:33:00.000Z

Day 2 in London started with a visit to Selfridges on Oxford Street and I couldn't resist taking a couple of photos of the new Mulberry Willow Collection...

Then it was off to St Paul's Cathedral and the beautiful 'Young Lovers' statue.......

and round the corner to another Paul's........

.......for a taste of France......

...before walking across London Bridge......

The last time I saw Tower Bridge, the Olympic Rings were hanging from it!

...and finally I have photos of The Shard without the cranes, now that it is finished....

The tallest building in the European Union, it certainly deserves its name as it really does look like a shard of glass.......

Covent Garden was my next port of call and I'm always intrigued by the street entertainers and the human statues. These two really did seem to be floating on air.....

This pink taxi also caught my eye ........

....and I quickly popped into my favourite tea shop...Tea Palace for a caddy of relaxing Twilight tea...a blend of peppermint, lavender and camomile.....

.......and then we went over to the Notting Hill area in search of.....Biscuiteers biscuit boutique and icing café.....

where you can ice your own biscuit or simply buy one of their wonderful creations.......

..and we were just around the corner from Portobello Road.....

and these beautiful pastel coloured townhouses........

London is a city to which I can return time and time again.........to revisit favourite spots and there's always something to discover.....

PS If you missed Part 1 of the London trip click here

As for London hotels, we have stayed in quite a few in recent years but our favourite is still Threadneedles, a 5* boutique hotel which I reviewed here

For a less expensive alternative, last summer during the Olympics, we enjoyed the Thistle Euston, a minimalist 4* hotel, a few minutes walk from both Euston station and the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras.

During this most recent trip, we stayed at The Cumberland, a very large, contemporary hotel particularly popular with business travellers. The main advantage is its location on Oxford Street next to Marble Arch tube station.

miss b loves ......a trip to London (Part One)

2013-03-13T08:53:00.000Z

We are so fortunate to live just over two hours away from London by train and last week I managed to spend a couple of days there..... Day 1..... a mild day with gorgeous blue skies...

The hotel was in a perfect location opposite Marble Arch and two minutes from Oxford Street and the tube station......

First port of call, my favourite department store......

....cute cushions........

and a trio of warm pastries in Café Liberty...

A quick look down South Molton Street...........

....and back on the tube to Sloane Square. I popped into the Saatchi Gallery......

and Kate Spade........

and then went in search of a certain little cake shop.... but on the way there I couldn't resist a few photos of these smart Chelsea houses....

Finally I found Peggy Porschen Boutique Bakery and Parlour in Belgravia...the prettiest little shop and just as I had imagined it to be.......

It took no time at all to choose my Champagne and Strawberry Cupcake which was so light and tasted every bit as good as it looked.......

Back to Sloane Square station via Pimlico Road past the pretty Wild at Heart florist.......

I soon arrived at the Victoria & Albert Museum........

and headed over to the Fashion Gallery which displays European fashion, fabrics and accessories from 1750 to the present day.........

In the 19th century, the 'cage crinoline' made of light steel wire replaced heavy layers of petticoats.....

These lurex platform sandals by Emma of London were retailed by Biba about 1972-73.........

After a quick lunch I went to the Light From The Middle East Photography Exhibition which I had seen advertised in the tube station......

A fascinating display by thirty photographers from thirteen countries (no photos allowed though. Click here to read more and see some of the photos)

I would love to go back to see the forthcoming 'David Bowie is' exhibition which starts on 23rd March until 28th July 2013.........

So that was Day 1 ........If you enjoyed this little tour of London then please join me for Part 2.......'floating' human statues, a stroll around Notting Hill and my search for perfectly iced biscuits!!

miss b loves..... Burj Al Hamam Lebanese restaurant, Dubai Marina

2013-03-07T20:57:00.004Z

We first discovered Lebanese cuisine in Dubai a couple of years ago. I'm always impressed with the variety of food and the freshness of the ingredients, so when we spotted the new Burj Al Hamam a few weeks ago we decided to give it a try even though we hadn't read any reviews.

I've since found out that the original Burj Al Hamam restaurant was established in Lebanon in 1958 by Fayez Elias Khoury and now his sons carry on the tradition of serving the freshest authentic Lebanese cuisine in a number of branches across the Middle East.

We liked the interior....bright and airy in shades of white, beige and pale gold with crisp white tablecloths and a feature wall of empty picture frames........

...but we opted to dine al fresco overlooking Dubai Marina (always a treat in the middle of winter with freezing temperatures back in the UK!)

The waiter brought us menus and the freshest almonds we have ever tasted and they were presented in a bowl of ice.....

....then complimentary appetisers including bowls of olives and pickled turnip (I believe they are pickled with beetroot which gives them this gorgeous hot pink colour!)

We ordered tabbouleh and hummus which arrived with a basket of puffed up, freshly baked, hot Arabic bread.....delicious....

........followed by Fillet Burj Al Hamam, tender slices of beef fillet accompanied by a hot garlic sauce and my favourite shish taouk, cubes of marinated chicken which have been skewered then grilled, served with pita bread and a garlic dip........

...and I can never resist a refreshing mint lemonade.......

The portions were so generous that we didn't have room for dessert. Next time....and there will definitely be a next time (hopefully very soon!)....we shall have to try something sweet! I'm sure we won't be disappointed.........

miss b loves........favourite beauty products and a few new discoveries.

2013-02-28T09:23:00.001Z

Last week I was tagged over at Lila Moonlight and the topic was favourite beauty products. Not only does she have a gorgeous collection but her photographs are beautiful too! I can definitely recommend a visit to her lovely blog.

So my favourites.........

FACE

Firstly, to some extent, I am a creature of habit as far as skincare is concerned. I've been very happy and impressed with Clinique products for a few years now. Developed by dermatologists, allergy tested and fragrance free, they definitely suit my skin and I'm therefore reluctant to change my basic routine..

Take the Day Off, Rinse-off Foaming Cleanser,

Liquid Facial Soap, Clarifying Lotion,

Dramatically Different Moisturiser

I have tried different serums by other well-known brands but I have noticed a definite improvement since I switched to Repairwear Laser Focus. It may seem quite expensive but a little really does go a long way....

Bonus Time gifts are the perfect size for holidays and weekends away.....mini versions of everything I need and a supply of new make-up and toiletries bags too...........

BODY

I'm a fan of dry body brushing before a shower to stimulate circulation and to improve the appearance of the skin. There's an interesting fact sheet about the benefits of body brushing here on the Liz Earle website.

After showering, I use a body lotion on damp skin. I've tried body lotions and creams across the price range and prefer the ones which are either fragrance free or with just a hint of fragrance.

My latest purchase, which I spotted in the new Waitrose, is made in France. Le Petit Olivier own one of the last traditional mills in the South of France to make a premium olive oil which is used in this lotion. It's light, leaves the skin feeling soft and silky and another plus, it's paraben free and inexpensive too so you can be really generous with it!

HANDS AND FEET

As you can see my Jurlique hand cream is almost finished but I love my new one which was a Christmas gift from the Olive Farm in Istanbul which I mentioned here. Lovely smell and non-greasy....

....and a special treat for feet..... Sanctuary Foot Butter and Heel Balm leaves skin silky smooth and ready for summer...even better when I remember to wear the overnight socks with lashings of cream.....

MAKE-UP

Having spent a fortune on various mascaras over the years I've finally found 'the one' - Inimitable Intense from Chanel and for very glossy lips...Lèvres Scintillantes..

It's Clinique though for eyes....quickliner (no need for a messy sharpener!) and lid smoothie which goes on easily (I use a brush)and it stays put too without creasing.......

The brand new chubby sticks for eyes are so easy to apply and blend well with the lid smoothie.......

I'm already a fan of the chubby sticks for lips which are moisturising too. I sometimes use a clear gloss over the top for extra shine and isn't this special holder cute too!

...here's a very useful London bag for my brushes and bits and pieces......another Clinique gift!

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream deserves a special mention.....multi-funtional.....chapped lips , dry skin , minor burns......and they do a handy little lip balm in a tin.....

HAIR

Frédéric Fekkai Full Volume Shampoo and Conditioner is my current favourite. Although expensive compared to many others, the tiniest amount is needed and the shine spray is the best I've ever used....

and finally two new perfumes...Hermès Elixir des Merveilles and Amouage Honour, both long lasting and a change from my usual fragrances which I mentioned here

PS These are simply my opinions.....this post has not been sponsored by Clinique (although you might have thought so the number of times I mentioned it!!!) or any other brand mentioned.

I'd like to tag the following lovely bloggers and ask them to share their favourite beauty products - if they have the time of course! No pressure!

Beauty Balm

Cupcakes and Couture

miss b loves.......Red Herrings and White Elephants

2013-02-20T10:14:00.003Z

On Valentine's Day I prefer small, thoughtful and quirky gifts rather than grand gestures and when I opened this first little package I was instantly impressed with the cute double-sided gift wrap and the book cover!

Thoughtful and quirky.......you see, a couple of weeks ago, I had been saying that I wondered where the strange sayings we use daily actually come from. Well...they are all explained in this little book.......'raining cats and dogs'...'as sure as eggs is eggs'.....'no great shakes'......'to spill the beans'....even the origin of 'OK'....and 'to propose a toast'.....

So....an example.....to be 'given the sack' meaning to lose your job, dates back to the time when craftsmen travelled from place to place carrying their tools in a sack (long before toolboxes!) The sack was given to the employer for safe keeping and returned when their services were no longer needed. 'Fired' was when someone was caught breaking the rules or stealing and the tools were burned so that the worker would be unable to work again!!

So....if like me you are interested in the English language and all its odd idioms....then you too will enjoy it! In fact, it's really quite addictive..... and unbelievable just how many of these phrases we use without thinking about their origins.

My second little gift....cute travel-themed bookmarks......

The little magnets grip the page......what a clever idea.....

This one is perfect for the book I'm currently reading...........

.......this one is appropriate too as the Taj Mahal is on my travel wish list........

and finally .......chocolates are always a good idea especially from Hotel Chocolat!

miss b loves........attending The Marina Dalglish Appeal Grand Ball at Knowsley Hall

2013-02-13T09:12:00.002Z

Last weekend we were fortunate enough to be able to attend The Marina Dalglish Charity Ball at Knowsley Hall, near Liverpool. It's not very often that you have the opportunity to go to such a glamorous event!! The long driveway was lined with flaming torches and the illuminated Hall looked stunning.

After a Champagne Reception in the main building, we made our way into the marquee.........beautifully decorated......a truly breathtaking sight and an amazing atmosphere...........

Cherry blossom trees with hanging candles were so effective as table centrepieces.....

Of course the food was wonderful ......cured and poached salmon with celeriac slaw and micro herbs, fillet of beef with scouse pastry crock pot......

and just in case we were peckish later .....there was a Midnight Feast!

An entertaining charity auction raised thousands of pounds and there were certainly some fabulous prizes........including this drum skin signed by the Rolling Stones......

and finally.....my outfit.....I opted for a classic LBD with a square scalloped neckline with a touch of sparkle from my shoes, bag and vintage diamante necklace.........

and to take home.....a Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar goody bag full of treats including this gorgeous sleep candle and make-up bag.......

A truly unforgettable evening and for such a worthwhile cause.

The Marina Dalglish Appeal

Following Marina Dalglish's successful treatment for breast cancer, The Dalglish Family (Kenny Dalglish, Marina's husband, is a former Liverpool Football Club player and Manager) set up The Marina Dalglish Appeal in 2005. Their aim has been to improve cancer care in Merseyside through various fundraising events.

The first appeal raised £1.5 million to build the Centre for Oncology at University Hospital, Aintree. The second appeal raised £3.2 million towards a £17 million Radiotherapy Unit at Aintree which opened on 14th February 2011 and recently £500,000 has been donated to Southport and Formby District Hospitals to refurbish the Chemotherapy Unit.

The Current Appeal is to raise £2 million towards an iMRI scanner at the Walton Centre Liverpool. This scanner will be used to clearly see brain tumours while performing surgery, greatly reducing the risk of damaging other parts of the brain.

Please click here to find out more about fundraising.

miss b loves ...........bags

2013-02-06T09:26:00.002Z

The number of bags in my wardrobe continues to grow almost as quickly as my shoe collection. This interest in bags has developed over the years and I'm just drawn to them in all their shapes and sizes. Fifty Bags that Changed the World by Design Museum was obviously the book for me...........

It describes each iconic bag which has had an impact starting with the original 1860 Gladstone red Budget Box used by dozens of
British Chancellors of the Exchequer on Budget Day...........

......there's the carpetbag, newsboy bag, gas-mask bag and the schoolboy satchel (which seems to have had a revival - I especially like the Cambridge Satchel Company range of sizes and colours!)

Of course the quilted Chanel 2.55, allowing women to carry a handbag with their hands free, is featured........

.......and the bags named after celebrities....the Alexa by Mulberry, the Hermès Kelly bag...........

and of course the legendary Birkin bag........

Even the humble plastic carrier bag gets a mention! The book is full of little snippets of information.........and here are just a few.....

The Chanel 2.55 was named after the date of its creation - February 1955 and the chain strap was inspired by the key chains that dangled from the waists of the nuns in Coco Chanel's convent school.

The Chairman of Hermès is said to have met Jane Birkin on a plane where she accidentally dropped the contents of her Hermès datebook, complaining about its size .....and as a result the oversized Birkin bag was designed.

In 2000 when Queen Elizabeth visited Italy, La Repubblica newspaper carried a front page story about her patent Launer handbag.

Mulberry's founder, Roger Saul, started out designing belts and chokers for London fashion stores such as Biba and within a couple of years was supplying stores such as Bloomingdale's in New York.

So.... I can definitely recommend this book to all bag lovers or design enthusiasts (and there are several others in the series too including - Fifty Dresses that Changed the World and Fifty Shoes that Changed the World which I reviewed here)

and finally......my bags.......clutches, totes, beach bags, shoulder bags, handbags........from the inexpensive to the occasionally extravagant ....whatever catches my eye....shall I just show you a few?......

You can't have too many sparkly clutches....and these two are my latest ones........

bobochic clutches

This Pucci tote is a great summer bag which I bought a couple of years ago....I remember being so excited to find it drastically reduced!

and a handy holiday bag by Orla Kiely....no wonder that book caught my eye!!!

My most unusual bag must be this tiny beaded pyramid-shaped one with a cute little wrist strap, a gift bought in Hong Kong several years ago.......

Mulberry is probably my favourite luxury brand and my Bayswater which I've had for a few years now just seems to get better with age and I know I'll use it forever!

The cutest bag is.....my macarons shopping bag already mentioned here.....

and finally..... my new black Mulberry Effie East West hobo.....an extra-special anniversary gift and another forever bag.........

On my wish list for spring.......a handy nude tote........the Tod's D-Styling Tote or the Saint Laurent Muse Two would be perfect.......

but I may just settle for this very reasonably priced calf skin one from Zara ........

via

or maybe a cute satchel......

via

and that would then complete my handbag wardrobe......well, maybe for a while..........

PS I couldn't possibly write a post on bags without including one of the most talked about bags .....the Chanel Hula Hoop Bag as seen in the Spring/Summer 2013 show.

via

'It's for the beach' Lagerfeld told the Daily Telegraph post-show. 'You need space for the beach towel. And then you can put it into the sand and then hang things on it.'

Apparently it won't be going into production but don't despair......the mini version will be on sale in March although you may struggle to fit your beach towel in it!!

via

miss b loves .....seeing The Tiffany Diamond in Dubai

2013-01-30T09:53:00.000Z

To celebrate the 175th anniversary of the iconic Tiffany & Co jewellers, The Tiffany Diamond went on tour to Tokyo, Beijing and before returning home to New York ..........Dubai.......and it was still there during our recent visit.....

The exquisite 128.54 carat yellow diamond has been reset in a dazzling necklace of white diamonds to mark this very special occasion.........

This is the legendary Diamond which was set in Tiffany designer Jean Schlumberger's Ribbon Rosette necklace and worn by Audrey Hepburn to promote the film Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1961.
Also on display at the in-store exhibition (at Tiffany's flagship boutique in the Dubai Mall) were several other pieces from the Tiffany Archives including..........the necklace specially designed for Kate Winslet to wear at the 2010 Oscars....

......an Art Deco bracelet worn by Anne Hathaway when she hosted the 2011 Academy Awards......

......the stunning diamond and sapphire Fleur de Mer clip which Elizabeth Taylor received from Richard Burton in 1965, acquired from Miss Taylor's estate and now part of the Tiffany Archives......

......and three of the stunning Orchid Brooches which were included in Tiffany's gold-medal exhibit at the 1889 World's Fair in Paris.....

It was certainly a treat to see such important pieces from the Tiffany Archives and before leaving I couldn't resist one last photo of these three gorgeous rings currently on sale in the store.......

Now any one of these really would be a very special treat............

miss b loves .........TWG Tea Salon and Boutique, Dubai.

2013-01-23T08:31:00.000Z

TWG Tea Salon and Boutique is a tea-lover's paradise! We discovered it during a shopping trip in Dubai Mall next to The Waterfall.....

Established in Singapore, they now have a number of branches including one in the Harrods store, London and I can never resist a good cup of tea.......

However, this is much more than a tea room.........There are sweet and savoury dishes all flavoured with ......yes, tea....... including salads with tea-infused vinaigrette! We opted for the set menu which was excellent value......

Alexandria tea infused John Dory

Baked apple in vanilla
and Earl Grey infused sauce

We both agreed that this was one of the best meals we have had recently......fresh ingredients and subtle flavours (with no overpowering tea flavour at all)..........and the price included either a hot Red of Arabia Tea or my choice...a refreshing Iced Fruit Mountain Tea..........

Our knowledgeable waitress was so helpful and professional, not to mention patient as we took some time reading through the vast range of teas.........

Of course how could we leave without trying the speciality macarons..........

On the left..... Grand Wedding Tea, Passion Fruit and Coconut and on the right Napoleon Tea and Caramel........amazing flavours!

Finally a quick tour of the tea boutique.......

So many teas!

Perfect gifts

.......tea scented candles, tea infused chocolates and the most beautiful teapots...........

A packet of tea to take home...........

and we'll have to return again and again.....

.......as there are so many more macarons to try......

.....Bain de Rose Tea, Earl Grey and Chocolate, 1837 Black Tea and Blackcurrant, Moroccan Mint Tea.................

miss b loves ........extra-special gifts...and an award

2013-01-16T09:02:00.000Z

Father Christmas was very good to me this year and brought me lots of gorgeous presents but some were extra-special! I especially loved three gifts which were bought in Istanbul....

....a box of Vakko chocolates .......

......decorated with a beautiful Christmas tree brooch which I could also make into a very glamorous tree decoration next year.....

A hammam towel, lightweight, more absorbent than a regular towel and perfect for the beach........

....and a wonderful hamper from the Olive Farm shop.......

.....with flavoured vinegars, olive oil, olives, olive soap, hand cream and peach jam (complete with a traditional blue nazar to ward off the evil eye which I'll keep in a safe place!) all produced on the Olive Farm...............

Also in my Christmas stocking.......two books which are just perfect for me............

.....and lavender butter hand cream from Anthropologie......I think I may just have dropped a few hints about this in the run-up to Christmas! ............

Finally..........a couple of weeks before Christmas, Svenga from Happybluebird was kind enough to nominate me for the Versatile Blogger Award but with all the Christmas preparations I didn't have time to thank her publicly so here it is .......

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

It's always nice to be recognised! Please pop over to Svenga's lovely blog

I'm supposed to mention 7 random things about myself.....

I'm left-handed and love to find gadgets specifically designed for us........ like left-handed scissors!
I love kitchen gadgets....soup maker, steamer, Nespresso coffee machine etc ......some(e.g. pie maker)do seem to stay in the cupboard but seemed like a good idea at the time!
I learnt French, Spanish and....Latin at school.
I'm planning to re-read all the French novels I read when I was a student and when I lived in France (might take me a little longer now as I'm not quite as fluent)
I started Zumba classes a few weeks before Christmas and surprisingly.......I think I'm hooked.
I collect teapots!
I had ballet lessons from the age of four to seventeen.....maybe that's why I'm enjoying Zumba so much!

...and I've decided to nominate just five blogs - I enjoy them because they all cover a variety of topics........

You May be Wandering

The Corner Apartment

Fashion through Travel

Swede Dreams

Lamb and Blond

......and I'm sure you will like them too!

miss b loves ........winter sunshine in Dubai

2013-01-09T09:28:00.000Z

Winter is one of my favourite times of the year to visit Dubai - perfect weather and the restaurant terraces and outdoor bars are all open (in the summer months it's often just too hot to enjoy a meal or drink outside.)

Jetty Lounge

Waking up on the 27th December to blue skies was a real treat especially after the constant rain in the UK. It was the perfect temperature for a stroll around Dubai Marina admiring the yachts and futuristic skyscrapers.....

.......and we couldn't resist the mince pies at Costa (sitting in the sun, of course!)

There were festive touches everywhere in Dubai......a giant Christmas tree in the Wafi Mall....

I especially liked these minimalist trees with shoes as decorations in Level Shoe District, Dubai Mall

In Paul café you could even buy a traditional Galette des Rois.......

There's always something magical about Dubai as dusk falls and the lights are switched on (even more so at this time of year)..............

Burj Al Arab

The clever architectural lighting really enhances the skyline....

Dubai Marina

Grosvenor House Hotel towers

Emirates Towers

The Address Hotel, Downtown Dubai

The Burj Khalifa always looks stunning day or night........

Walking from Al Ghubaiba metro station to the Creek we passed under these 'sails' which changed from one vibrant colour to another.........

Of course no trip to Dubai would be complete without a little shopping trip..........

and when I heard that Victoria's Secret had just opened...... I just had to pay it a visit........

I was looking forward to the new Vogue Café which was due to open by the end of the year in Level Shoe District......disappointing that it was not ready (but on my list for next time!)

On New Year's Eve we headed to Jumeirah Beach for the countdown and the sky suddenly lit up with the most amazing fireworks from the hotels ......

via

and we could just about make out the Burj Khalifa fireworks in the distance.

We arrived back home on the 5th January to a huge pile of post including these two cute New Year cards from France............

.....and I would like to wish you all a very happy 2013 too!

miss b loves............Christmas decorations

2012-12-24T14:38:00.000Z

There are so many Christmas traditions I enjoy and I suppose one of my favourites is making our home look festive. The tree in the lounge is similar to last year, mainly burgundy and gold with special baubles we have had for years......

.....including those that have sentimental value...........a wooden one we brought back from a trip to Bethlehem a few years ago ........

... this cute cracker ........

......and favourite sparkly heels...........

This year we also decided to have a minimalist tree more in keeping with the style of our new living area ..........

........with a few giant cones (collected a few years ago in a forest in France) and huge candles in tall glass vases to create a simple, uncluttered look............

and baubles with sparkly lights in a storm jar........

The bits and bobs for the Christmas table are almost ready.......

Now all we need is a sprinkling of snow...............

and finally..........

Merry Christmas to you all!

I'd like to thank you for visiting my blog throughout the year. Thank you too for the wonderful, supportive comments. I appreciate all who have followed from the start and those who have joined along the way. Have a lovely, relaxing Christmas and....... I'll be back in 2013.

miss b

PS Look who I spotted at the Trafford Centre shopping mall yesterday.......

miss b loves........an early Christmas lunch at Samlesbury Hall

2012-12-19T09:29:00.001Z

Last Sunday we decided to take a break from all the Christmas preparations and have a relaxing Christmas lunch at Samlesbury Hall, a beautiful historic hall built in 1325 and just a ten minute drive from home.

This lovely half-timbered, black and white medieval building was actually saved from demolition in the 1920s when six local business men bought it and set up a charitable trust to maintain and preserve it for future generations to enjoy (a builder had planned to build a housing estate on the site!)

Our turkey with all the trimmings definitely put us in the Christmas mood......

......followed by traditional Christmas pudding and rum sauce which was so delicious that there was very little left when I remembered to take a photo......

There were so many festive touches..... with crackers on the table....

and Christmas decorations in keeping with the style of the building........

We must return in the New Year for one of the free guided tours and who knows, we may even see a snowy Samlesbury Hall......

via

Click here to find out more about the history of the hall.

miss b loves.......cranberry and apple mince pies with a glass of mulled wine

2012-12-12T09:57:00.000Z

Christmas wouldn't be the same without delicious mince pies but I find some of the shop-bought ones too sweet (even for my sweet tooth!) The addition of fresh cranberries and apple to a jar of mincemeat gives these pies a really fresh taste.

The recipe is from the free Waitrose supermarket newspaper, Waitrose Weekend..........

For the pastry:

500g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
225g slightly salted butter cut into small pieces (or use margarine for a softer, shorter pastry)
75g lard, cut into small pieces
5 tbsp icing sugar

(As a shortcut, you could use two packs of 375g of sweet shortcrust pastry instead of making your own!)

For the filling:

410g jar mincemeat
100g fresh cranberries roughly halved
1 small cooking apple
50g dark or light brown muscovado sugar
1 tsp mixed spice
1 egg beaten to glaze (optional - I prefer not to glaze)
Caster sugar to sprinkle (I used icing sugar)

1. To make the pastry, put the flour in a food processor, add the butter and lard and blend until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the icing sugar and blend lightly to mix. Add enough cold water, about 4-5 tbsp, to mix to a firm smooth dough (alternatively rub the fats into the flour in a bowl then add the sugar and water to mix to a dough.) Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead into a small ball. Wrap in clingfilm and chill for at least 1 hour.

2.To make the filling, turn the mincemeat out into a bowl and add the cranberries. Peel the apple and grate the flesh into the bowl, working around the core. Add the sugar and spice and mix well.

3.Preheat the oven to 190°C, gas mark 5. Thinly roll out three-quarters of the pastry on a floured surface and cut out rounds using a 8-9 cm cutter. Use to line each hollow of two 12 hole tartlet trays. Brush the edges with a little water and pile the filling into the centres.

4. Roll out the remaining pastry with the trimmings and cut out lids using a 6 cm cutter. Position on the pies pressing firmly together around the edges to seal. If you wish, brush with beaten egg to glaze.

5. Bake for 25 mins until golden. (You might need to rotate the tins half way through cooking) Leave in the trays for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container for serving cold or until ready to warm through. (I've put half a dozen in the freezer too for unexpected guests!) Serve sprinkled with sugar.

We prefer to warm them in the oven before eating.......perfect with a glass of mulled wine!

I've made my own mulled wine in the past but I now just buy a good quality bottle (or two) from Marks and Spencer and add a cinnamon stick to the pan as it's heating up..... ready in a couple of minutes!

.....and look what I found in the new Anthropologie department at Selfridges......a mulled wine scented candle ......so the house really does smell of Christmas now......

Finally..........

On the same page as the mince pie recipe I spotted this cute joke which made me smile....silly I know (but I like the jokes in Christmas crackers too!)

More Waitrose Christmas recipes here