SO FAR, SO CHIC

What's in My (Paris) Handbag?

2012-05-23T15:31:00.000+01:00

sofarsochic

I snapped this quick picture as I threw all my stuff out onto the hotel bed while changing handbags. Some recent essentials:

Black H&M tassel clutch bag

Topshop floral wallet

RETROSUPERFUTURE 'basic' frame sunglasses in haviana

Prescriptives Flawless Skin Concealer, level 1, warm. My last one. Can anyone suggest an amazing new concealer please before I run out?!

Ibuprofen

MAC 'Hot 'n' Saucy' Tendertone

Burberry Lip Cover in 'Tulip Pink'

Chanel mirror compact

Prestige Eyeliner

At Last... My Love Has Come Along

2012-05-21T21:15:00.000+01:00

Nearly one year on from this post enthusing about them, I am finally in possession of the Russell & Bromley 'Laura' sandals! They were a surprise birthday gift from J (as if the Paris trip wasn't good enough!). I'm so thrilled to finally have them... Now I just need the narrow, tanned, Italian feet to set them off! Cheeky R&B have priced them £10 more than last year! And they were already expensive for sandals.

On a related note, how cool is it to finally have access to a decent selection of Essie polishes in the UK via Boots and Superdrug?! It's probably my favourite nail brand. Superdrug have a 3 for 2 offer online and I think probably in store too... Time to go polish shopping.

29th Birthday in Paris

2012-05-20T17:11:00.000+01:00

sofarsochic

Recently I went to Paris and was met by my man at the Gare du Nord. He cycled from Cheltenham. I got the Eurostar. He raised money for charity and succeeded in achieving a personal goal. I sipped sav in standard premiere class and could not have been happier. The next day was my birthday and J had booked a secret hotel for our stay!

The hotel turned out to be the beautiful Hôtel des Académies et des Arts in the Latin Quarter. It's a small boutique hotel filled with artwork and the smell of amazing incense-type candles. We had a room overlooking the Rue de la Grande Chaumière. As J booked via Mr and Mrs Smith we had an extra treat of champagne and macaroons in our room on arrival.

We spent the next two days wandering around Paris and enjoying the city. Here are some photos. Thank you J for my wonderful birthday!

From the basics of National Rail...

To the luxuries of standard premiere...

To Paris and delicious champagne and macaroons.

The view looked good to me.

A walk in The Jardin du Luxembourg.

Happy in the sun (but it wasn't very warm!)

Paris is a city of architectural treats.

The Jardin du Luxembourg.

Patisseries on every corner.

Fresh Orange juice with breakfast.

J's breakfast at La Rotonde on Montparnasse.

Colourful arrows at Louis Vuitton.

Love-locks on the Pont des Arts bridge.

Photo opp outside the Louvre.

'Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss' by Canova.

The main woman. A lot smaller than I expected.

A walk by The Seine.

A bottle of wine in the sun always goes down well.

Guerlain on the Champs Elysées in the rain.

MAC Watch Me Simmer Lipstick

2012-05-20T15:32:00.000+01:00

I've been wanting to get my mitts on this lipstick for ages as it promises to be similar to Vegas Volt but with a bit more pink in it. Perfect for that Betty Draper look I love. It's an 'amplified' lipstick, part of the Shop MAC collection, and is still available online. Today is the first time I've worn it and it's really pretty, bright but not too bright to be wearable. I've teamed it with a little double denim outfit. Is that allowed? I've decided it's cool. Since my skin has been clear I'm loving bright lips! I need to tell you the products I have to thank for that too...

Review: Liz Earle Botanical Shine Treatment

2012-04-23T21:59:00.002+01:00

Since I had my hair highlighted at an Aveda salon specifically because I find their colour a lot less drying and damaging, I figured I had better also try my best to keep it well conditioned and healthy. Enter Liz Earle Botanical Shine Treatment.

Like the Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, the Treatment leaves hair light, clean and moisturised. The website states, 'a blend of red algae, cotton extract and sumac wax has been specially selected to smooth and tame even the most unmanageable hair'. I definitely feel as if my hair is being 'treated'. I love the squeaky clean feeling it leaves me with, as well as fantastic shine.

If you read my review of the then newly launched Liz Earle Shampoo and Conditioner back in 2010, you'll remember that I liked them. However, my hair was so difficult at the time due to the effect of my RA drugs, I feel like I'd like to give the products another go. I'll probably like them even more.

Laptop Bag Review: Knomo Helena

2012-04-13T18:28:00.001+01:00

sofarsochic

Blogging has its perks, that's for sure. Meet my gorgeous new laptop bag – the 13 inch Knomo 'Helena' in cognac. It looks like a super-smart, quality leather handbag; you wouldn't know it held a laptop at all and yet it's the perfect fit for my Macbook. When I took it to London last week I just popped the stuff I would normally take in my handbag into the Helena, which meant I only had to carry one bag.

Inside there are two main compartments in addition to the laptop section, as well as a side zip and several small pockets. There is also an open-topped sleeve on the back of the bag which is snug enough to carry anything that you need quick access to such as your Oyster card.

My previous laptop bag was also Knomo and it has lasted me years. It's only recently starting to show its age. They are such a practical choice to carry and protect your laptop and yet you don't have to compromise on looks either. I love this wine red colour but it also comes in black.

As an added bonus, all Knomo laptop bags come with a tracking number and a phone number for Knomo. You register your bag on their website and in the event of losing your bag, if some kind soul finds it, you will more than likely get it back! Another reason to love Knomo.

For more details on the Knomo Helena visit: knomobags.com/uk.

Can you believe Charlie getting in on the act in these photos? Such a poser. He does it every single time! Just stands there like a furry lemon.

This is not a sponsored post and all my opinions are my own.

Snowboarding for Girls

2012-04-12T15:34:00.005+01:00

I wasn't sure I was going to be cut out for snowboarding. Visions of me lying in a crumpled heap, crying and swearing swam before my mind... Turns out I wasn't far wrong. Snowboarding is very fun, it's also pretty painful and quite difficult. It's not hard to get the basic skills in place so that you can 'falling leaf' down a blue run but it is tricky to try to progress beyond this level and inevitably involves falling over a lot.

In theory I have no issues with falling over but I found that after three or four consecutive falls on a particularly crap run I would be feeling nervous, possibly winded and probably fighting back tears. I also told my boyfriend a couple of times that I was going to bash him to death with my snowboard for making me go on this holiday.

Resilience is key. You have to keep going and not be defeated. I am very determined but I'm also very competitive and a perfectionist. To not be able to do something while not knowing how to improve was very frustrating! And by all accounts I was the 'best' person in my beginner group at snowboarding school. I probably fell over the most but then I also went the fastest and took the most risks!

Before our trip to Tignes I researched anything that might help with the inevitable aches and pains I would experience snowboarding. Kneipp Bath Salts were recommended to me by Caroline at Beauty Mouth and I would have a bath filled with them at the end of every day. Having never been snowboarding before I had no frame of reference for how much they helped assuage my aching muscles but J said he felt nowhere near as fragile as he had on his past snowboarding trips. The salts also smell glorious and provide a welcome sensory relief at the end of a hard day on the slopes. You can buy them at Victoria Health.

We rented our accommodation privately and absolutely lucked out, snagging an amazing 10-bed chalet to ourselves for most of the week. If you're heading to the Val de Saire/Tignes region of France and are looking for accommodation I highly recommend it. sutski.co.uk

I wanted to wait a while after my return to form an opinion on snowboarding. This is a generalisation but I think that men are more hardy and 'gung-ho' when it comes to extreme sports. I imagine these qualities make it easier for them to get to grips with snowboarding. I think if you had a more relaxed attitude than mine this would also help. I think I would go again (and will probably be forced to) and that if I can iron out the few areas where I really don't know what I'm doing then I will start to love it. To summarise: when it's good it's really good, but when it's bad it's awful!

Do you like my orange hat? I look like the end of a decongestant tablet.

Summer Planning: Bright, Bargainous Bikini

2012-03-22T21:13:00.000Z

I spotted this bikini in Primark and couldn't resist buying it. I love the pattern and of course it was super cheap as well. It's always best to get your bikini buying in early so that you have the best choice!

Quick Review: Lunch at Dean Street Townhouse

2012-03-09T10:15:00.000Z

I recently enjoyed a very, very rare non-work related trip to London and J came too. We got the coach from Cheltenham (cheaper than the train) and arrived around lunch time. I was frantically tweeting and googling on the way there trying to find somewhere a bit spesh for us to eat. Liberty London Girl raved about the day-time food at Dean Street Townhouse so I rang up and booked 'Debra' (as the guy on the phone thought my boyfriend was called) and I a table.

When we got to the restaurant it was absolutely heaving but had a fab buzzy atmosphere and reminded me of similar places in New York.

We sat at the bar unserved for a while as we waited for our table and eventually landed on a couple of glasses of white wine and were shown to our seats. The menu is kind of French Lite so not that much for vegetarians (me) but there were a few fish options. I fancied one of the starters; twice baked smoked haddock souffle. I ordered a side order of fries and some tenderstem broccoli as a token vegetable. J had the chicken, avocado and bacon salad (pretty good from what I gather).

We were brought a mini loaf of bread and a pat of butter while we waited for our mains. They emerged incredibly quickly, especially considering how rammed the place was. A very well-oiled machine!

My souffle arrived with its own tiny saucepan of the most delicious hollandais-ish sauce. This + souffle + fries + broccoli = heaven. You London bods have probably all been there a million times (it's quite the PR fave apparently) but for country pumpkins like me, I highly recommend lunch at Dean Street Townhouse.

Rouge Bunny Rouge - Dissolved in Dreams Lipstick

2012-02-21T21:12:00.001Z

I was looking through my iPhoto (which I just cleared out and dumped onto an external hard drive because it was crashing my whole computer every time it opened) and I came across these old pictures I took for Zuneta.com. Rouge Bunny Rouge Succulence of Dew Lipstick in Dissolved in Dreams is an amazing colour! Love the pretty shimmer. Methinks I need to resurrect this lipstick from my 'lip products' drawer.

Quick Review: Three Recent Mascara Releases

2012-02-19T14:26:00.001Z

I'll cut right to the chase: one of these mascaras is good. No7 Lash Adapt has been my mascara of choice since I picked it up with a handy £5 off Boots voucher towards the end of last year.

The medium-sized bristle brush allows you to coat all of your lashes, creating lots of volume while keeping a soft, fluttery look. The 'lash adapt' element means you can add as many layers as you like for a lighter or heavier effect. It's quite simply a fab mascara and one I can see myself sticking with until something else throws itself at my eyes.

Soap & Glory Thick & Fast came free with a magazine and my Lash Adapt had dried up so I put it into makeup bag circulation. The wand is massive and I find it nearly impossible not to blob mascara around my eyes as I apply. The bristles are in a spiral shape with gaps between each layer; not conducive to catching all of your lashes or creating a soft, voluminous look. The formula applies unevenly. Do. Not. Want.

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic was given to me and, still without a new Lash Adapt and with the above failing to impress, I faithfully gave it a go. The rubber wand is long and skinny and allows for precise application. I already have long lashes so am not the target customer for this mascara, however I don't see the point in having twelve spindly, stabby lashes when you could have a normal amount of shorter, thicker lashes that actually make your eyes look pretty. When I apply this my lashes stick together in spears and I have to use the end of the wand to try and prise them apart. They're also crispy. The only thing 'false lash' is how unnatural it looks to have twelve spider legs stuck to your eye. One plus point: the skinny wand is good for bottom lashes.

My recommendation if you're looking for a reasonably priced, reliable mascara is Boots No7 Lash Adapt, which costs £12.50. If you have any suggestions for me please leave them in the comments!

Stay Little Valentine, Stay

2012-02-14T21:31:00.002Z

Pink sparkly pedicure courtesy of Illamasqua and Filthy Gorgeous.

'Slutty Brownies' for the boy thanks to Rose at The Londoner.

Oozingly good but my heart was soon broken... and eaten.

Homemade chocolates for me from my love. Delicious!

French toast with berries and maple syrup - how lucky am I?!

New Cath Kidston tablecloth we bought in the sale.

Beautiful roses and candles with breakfast.

... Onto dinner and time for some champagne.

And chocolates. Dreamy day. Thank you J. xxx

Trilogy Launch Helping Hand Wash for Charity

2012-02-07T13:35:00.001Z

To celebrate their tenth anniversary, Trilogy are introducing Helping Hand Wash, with 100 per cent of the profits going to the Child's i Foundation. The charity was founded by former television producer Lucy Buck to help end the tragedy of baby abandonment in Uganda.

Helping Hand Wash combines the natural antibacterial properties of elderberry and burdock with natural vegetable oils in an effective, low-foaming liquid soap. It's scented with lavender, rose geranium and frankincense, so is sure to smell delicious too. Why not keep your hands and your conscience clean by supporting this fab product!

Trilogy Helping Hand Wash is available from Boots, £13.50 (300ml).

Wintery Weekend in Cornwall

2012-02-05T17:43:00.000Z

A few weeks ago we headed down to Cornwall for J's brother's 30th birthday. It was absolutely freezing but the cloud-dotted skies made for some pretty hipstamatic pictures. On our last day we drove from Falmouth to Porthleven to meet up with my nan, aunty and aunty's fiance who live nearby. Porthleven is a pretty harbour town with some great pubs and a very precarious breakwater you can walk out onto if you like risking getting at best soaked, at worst swept out to sea! Obviously I was stood right on the end twatting around posing for photos. I love Porthleven – it reminds me of my childhood and family.

We stayed at a superb B&B in Falmouth called 'Sixteen'. It was absolutely immaculate with lovely sheets and towels, a living room with open fire for us to lounge in (I wish we'd had time) and a wonderful host called Sharon who baked homemade cakes every day and left them out for us to enjoy whatever hour we returned! She also made delicious breakfasts. The B&B is well-situated, fairly priced, has its own parking and I highly recommend you stay there if planning a trip to Falmouth!

Review: Stella by Stella McCartney Perfume

2012-02-05T17:18:00.000Z

I feel like this perfume came to me by osmosis. Years of occasionally smelling it on other people allowed it to filter into my brain via my nose and take root there as a scent I began to love. A couple of friends either wear or have worn Stella but somehow it hasn't become too 'them' to be 'me' as well. Perhaps because I don't see either of them frequently. Its smell is distinct and original in a perfume market full of bland clones.

The top notes are rose essence, peony flower and mandarin essence. Rose absolute is the heart note and the base notes are 'woody notes' and amber. If you dislike rose scents and therefore have avoided this perfume, I suggest giving it a try. I find some rose-based products too 'granny floral' but I absolutely adore Stella. It's intoxicating!

The concept behind the fragrance is the contrast between the freshness and softness of rose, and the dark sensuality of amber. On application it's quite strong but you don't keep smelling it on yourself all day. I think other people may catch a whiff though as I remember from past experience of smelling it on my friends. I rarely like perfumes that are so pervasive you cannot forget about them for a moment.

The bottle is pretty, like a faceted amethyst gem. The limited edition floral print bottles in three different designs are also beautiful if you can still find them. While it may have taken a few years for this gorgeous perfume to find its way to me, I think it's definitely here to stay.

Stella by Stella McCartney is available from Escentual.com, from £38.

Competition Update: Guess What?

2012-01-27T15:45:00.001Z

I won the Friday Night Fashion Frock-off! Pompoms for everyone!

My friend Bryony made me into a 'pomeranian' on Fotoshop. Sexy.

I wore very elongated Eylure 'party perfect' falsies that were not subtle!

Friday Night Fashion Frock-off

2012-01-20T12:00:00.002Z

All women know the power of the Little Black Dress. The magic LBD can be worn any number of ways and lends itself to many occasions. This was the idea behind ellos.co.uk's Friday Night Fashion Frock-off. Four bloggers were sent the same dress and asked to style it however they wished. A panel of judges will choose a favourite and the winning blogger gets £150 towards a meal out for them and their friends. Wish me luck! Here's my entry...

Marc Jacobs heels, homemade pom poms, a slick of Sleek 'cherry' lipstick and not forgetting a lot, lot, lot of backcombing. Thank you to my lovely friend Bryony who could have laughed a lot more than she did while taking the photos. What do you guys think of the look?

January So Far...

2012-01-12T23:11:00.000Z

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I don't know about you but it takes me ages to get into the swing of January. We're supposed to be refreshed and raring to go but I'm more like a dormouse emerging from a nest of chocolates and Home Alone.

I am very much enjoying my new Chanel compact mirror – well the look of it anyway, it has yet to come out of the present pile and 'into circulation'. My Jigsaw wallet is huge and beautiful. Thanks Mummy Wheat for these lovely gifts.

Other happenings have included a little one-year anniversary for J and I for which I was treated to a lovely meal at the same restaurant we went to for our first real date. He also bought me flowers both days of the weekend which equalled one huge, heavenly bunch.

The last of the Christmas chocolates have nearly gone – I was down to the disgusting orange and strawberry Roses but don't worry I still ate all of them. The tape measure is an old cracker gift. I've decided to keep it in my bag as I'm always in need of one and trying to wrap J's metal tape measure around my waist just isn't practical.

I found the necklace in the Accessorize sale. It had a disgusting white backing and some dangly chain things, both of which I removed. I've already had to glue two stones back in but I do love it.

How's your January going?

New Favourite Thing: Michael Kors MK5076

2012-01-02T15:37:00.000Z

sofarsochic

Meet my new watch. J got it for me for Christmas and I love it. I'm still getting used to it clunking around on my wrist but I think it's fabulous.

Good Tidings We Bring...

2011-12-25T15:45:00.000Z

... to you and your kin! Have a lovely, relaxing Christmas everyone.

Time to Tousle

2011-12-21T17:51:00.000Z

Style by Kling

Reading Style by Kling and absolutely sickened to see a post where Elin is doing a photoshoot and the hairstylist plaits a section of her hair underneath at the back because it's 'too thick'! What a nightmare! Anyway, totally loving the finished wavy style. Wondering if a Babyliss Waving Wand might create a similar affect. Anyone have one?

Eye Shadow for Blue Eyes

2011-12-19T08:00:00.002Z

sofarsochic

Most women know that brown and burnished colours are meant to make blue eyes stand out, but finding the right shade can be tricky. Some brown colours leave you looking tired or ill. This eye shadow from Lancome is perfect for adding subtle definition and is especially great on blue eyes. It's called 'Cuban Brown' and is from Lancome's Ombre Absolue Radiant Smoothing Eye Shadow range.

What's in my Handbag?

2011-12-18T08:00:00.000Z

I don't know about you but I love having a nose through other women's favourite products and what could be better than a peak in their handbag? That's the premise of new website What's in My Handbag? They have an advent calendar – the 25 handbags of Christmas – and I'm today, the 18th. Click through to see some of my beauty essentials. I'm in great company so make sure you check the other days too!

whatsinmyhandbag.com

Christmas Gifts from Jo Malone

2011-12-17T16:09:00.001Z

Who wouldn't want to open a beautiful gift-wrapped Jo Malone treat on Christmas day? This cracker with mini Grapefruit Cologne, Pomegranate Noir Body Creme and Lime, Basil and Mandarin Body and Hand Wash offers a little bit of luxury (and I do mean little – the cologne is 9ml) for £28.

Unfortunately someone at Jo Malone missed a trick and it's sold out online. However, I think it's still available in store. I've had mine since the press event in July and haven't run out – the quality is so good that you only need a tiny bit. You can still smell the fragrance of the body products hours after application and they smell incredible!

If this set is sold out, there are lots of other goodies on the Jo Malone website to choose from – last day for Christmas delivery is 12.00 pm Wednesday 20th December. I highly recommend the products as gifts.

jomalone.co.uk

Liberty Christmas Shop

2011-12-17T15:42:00.000Z

Sofarsochic

Every year I decorate the (fake) Christmas tree at my mum's house and it's really not much fun at all. I miss my dad; Christmas feels pretend; the tree is always red and gold... Anyway, enough of my fractured family – this is about baubles.

Since I met someone in January, this Christmas promises to be different, and therefore, better. For reasons I won't go into involving his ex girlfriend, J doesn't have any Christmas decorations. This suits me fine as I get to buy all new ones!

It's been harder than I anticipated to get hold of some decent baubles. B&Q had the biggest selection but all had to be threaded. Sainsbury's and Tesco had a few as well. However, when in London for work I popped to the Liberty Christmas Shop and entered bauble heaven. So many beautiful glass decorations. I spent ages choosing the best ones. While some were quite expensive, most cost no more than the individual plastic baubles you see everywhere. Still, I only bought six!