My QVC Top Picks

QVC is my favourite beauty retailer who can be accessed online, via the TV and by phone.  They offer a 30 day money back guarantee so if you are allergic to a product or you think it isn't worth the money then they will refund you, even if you have tested the product out, the products always arrive very well packaged so they aren't damaged which is very important to me as many times I have ordered people presents online and they have arrived and  been beaten up in the post so I can't give them to someone as a gift.

My top 3 products/sets that QVC sell in their beauty section are all long time favourites of mine and I love that it is so easy to stock up with QVC and have it all delivered to your door or office with no fuss and no carrying heavy bags!

• Elemis Monoi Moisture Melt - Frangipani
• Ojon Treat, Hydrate and Thickening Collection
• Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm

Elemis Monoi Moisture Melt - Frangipani

Elemis Monoi Moisture Melt - Frangipani

This gorgeous product is always my backup idea if I am stuck for a present for someone (female)! The bottle contains a solid which, when put in a mug of hot water or in the bath/shower then melts down to a gorgeous oil that can be used for hair, skin or nails and it does a fabulous job of all of these things, the main thing is though it smells absolutely gorgeous, I have never known anyone to dislike the scent as it is truly universally gorgeous. I use it mostly on my shins as they get very dry, probably not helped by my fake tan usage! This product gets purchased straight away as soon as it's run out and if you get it from QVC you can actually buy two at a time and split them with a friend or keep a backup to save money.

Ojon Treat, Hydrate and Thicken Collection

I was never able to use Ojon products when I had natural hair as my hair is so thin and fine it just made it quite greasy and limp. Now I have real human hair extensions (weave extensions) the hair obviously doesn't get the natural oils from my scalp so needs to be deep conditioned twice a week and treated with lovely moisturising products but also, as my own hair at the top of my head is still quite limp I need to ensure I don't overdo the rich products and this is why the Thickening Collection works the best for me for my natural and extension hair, it's not greasy and heavy but it is very rich and moisturising. The products also have that gorgeous Ojon chocolatey macadamia scent which always has people asking what it is.

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm

This is my absolute holy grail, must have or I have a panic-attack product. My skin gets very angry if I try and move to another cleanser, even just to test it for review and every time I find myself reaching for another tub of this. It's expensive but it works, keeps my skin hydrated and my eczema at bay but never clogs my skin up or leaves a film. I use this by massaging it into my skin morning and night and then removing with hot water and a flannel. I don't like muslin cloths so I just use a white cotton flannel, white as you can wash them on high in the washing machine to get rid of the mascara and foundation stains!

My tips for selecting the right beauty product to suit you:

Think about what skin type you are, if you have oily skin you need products that are oil free, powder products rather than cream or gel products so they don't just slide off your skin and for dry skin the exact opposite generally applies. If you have sensitivity or acne it is best to go with simple products that don't cause any irritation or perhaps something anti bacterial. For makeup you need to work out what colours suit you with your colouring, skin and hair colour. I find looking for celebrities or people in magazines or youtube videos (or other blogs) who look similar to you and have pictures of them with different makeup looks you can copy are really helpful. If I want to know whether a new product is worth buying I often check the blogs of Holly at Yummy Mummy Beauty Blog, Laura at Liparazzi and Caroline at Beauty Mouth to see if any of them have tried the product to see if they like them.

My Beauty Essentials

To me, the most important beauty essentials are a good black mascara, as my eyelashes are blonde and I wear glasses so I really need to define my lashes to look normal, a fabulous cleanser to get rid of the grime of working in London every day and a foundation with sunscreen to wear every day to protect your skin from the sun's rays and pollution.

Update on my skincare for the last month

I have been testing out the above skincare products for the last month or so and overall only 1 product has  been good enough for me to keep using it.

The Skinceuticals serum is brilliant and has dramatically reduced my need to use as much moisturiser as it really does exactly what it claims.

The Inhibitif is such a pain in the arse to use as you have to spray it all over your legs and rub it in twice a day, I gave up having time for that after about 4 days as it just took too long to do and meant that I couldn't put my body oil on either.

The Sk:n cleanser was too harsh for my skin, it actually felt quite like it was burning when it was applied so, to make sure I don't waste it, I am using this just once a week.  The Sk:n anti ageing moisturiser was way too rich and I am passing it on to a friend with much drier skin as it started to clog up my skin as it was just too much.

Overall it was good to give them a longer testing period and I am pleased that the Skinceuticals resurfacing serum is so far going well.  I will review this separately after using it for a bit longer.

Learning to Snowboard

Bloody cheek getting in the way of my shot just because you need to pay at the till lol!

I promised myself this year I would do more things outside of my comfort zone, to learn new things, meet different people and generally go out more and enjoy life.

Perhaps misguidedly I seem to have decided to start off by attempting to become Lara Croft! I had thought more like travel more and maybe do some cookery courses but after a vague conversation about snowboarding, I booked myself some lessons.  Prior to the first lesson I was excited as I had no idea of the fear I would be experiencing.  I probably should mention at this point that even my driving lessons terrified me, I was pretty good at them and I forced myself to do them as obviously driving is a necessity these days but I would arrive home shaking and sweating even weeks after passing my test!  It's totally irrational and  now I love my car and I love driving! Since I know that I have to make myself do things like this I am literally forcing myself to go through with these lessons, I passed Level 1 at the snow centre in Hemel Hempstead last week and today passed my Level 2 class. http://www.thesnowcentre.com/  My instructor today was so nice to me which was good as I was the only girl and felt a bit like I was slowing the other guys down, just googled and found this video of him so if you go and are a total uncool girl like me then definitely ask if Kris is available as he is very patient even when I am sure I was being a total plank.

I am sure some people pick it up super fast but I just feel abject terror and as soon as the panic set it I stop thinking about what I should be doing ie stick hips forward or back or lean to the side or to the front or bend knees and fall forward or back if I can't stop as the brain just blocks that out and changes to 'aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah Jesus what the fuck are you doing?!!!!!' And all logic goes out the window.  So far it just feels like the most unnatural thing in the world especially that rope lift - I was very glad today to find we used the metal pole lift thing, that was so much easier! I felt much more nervous about Level 2 than Level 1 as I knew how difficult it would be!  Luckily I seem to have some sort of get up and go as I got there and passed it.  I congratulated myself with one of those double wispa bars on the way home.

I'm no expert so here's some tips from one newbie to another:

As a beginner you will spend a lot of time falling or sitting on your bum, so invest in a decent pair of waterproof trousers, Bench have an ebay shop and I got some nice navy ones for around £35.  I would say rent your clothes but it costs £6.50 each time so you might as well get some on ebay if you definitely think you will be doing more lessons or snowboarding.

You might not need as many layers as you think if you are learning inside at a snowdome type place like me, I was sweating hot both times, I think I will just wear a vest and hoodie next time underneath my waterproof jacket.

Buy the gloves and socks at the Snow Centre, they were deffo cheaper than a lot other ones I found online.

Try to distract yourself with silly thoughts when you are over-thinking what to do so you calm down, when I was laughing I did so much better than when I was trying to concentrate too much.

Wear a headband under the helmet, if you're like me your hair will get so sweaty and it's horrible.

Anyway I shall let you know how I get on with other levels.  I am feeling quite chuffed right now but also totally exhausted (and bruised)!

STK Restaurant Review

STK is the steak restaurant in the new ME hotel on Aldwych.  Having walked past it endlessly as it's opposite my gym I booked a table for last Friday night, taking advantage of Bookatable's £25 for 3 course offer. 

We were greeted and coats taken by a very cheerful tattooed lady who is swiftly replaced by our server Carlos who could easily be Ricky Martin's slightly camper cousin.  Carlos embarrassingly informs me, when I ask what I need to do regarding our Bookatable reservation, that I was supposed to tell the person at the coat check this when I first came in.  Obviously I am not psychic so I didn't know that, so thanks Ricky for making me feel like an idiot before I even order.

Correct menu arrives and we then hear the spiel about the restaurant getting busy later on in the night, people dancing on tables while the DJ spins etc. etc.  To be honest I just want a steak love if I want to go clubbing I will go to a nightclub! Carlos then decides to try and go on about the entire menu, sides, explain about the Wagyu beef in the Lil Brgs, at that point I start to lose the will to live, there is attentive service and then there is encroaching on a night out! I started to feel like he was part of the date!

Somehow the £25 per head menu ends up costing £106 with a tip, which I realised afterwards was asked for EVEN THOUGH there is a 12.5% service charge already added! So I ended up giving a 26% tip. Fuming since the service was the most annoying part of the whole night.

The Lil Brgs and the feather steak were delicious but both overpriced, actually everything was totally overpriced including the ridiculous cocktail that was so strong it took and entire hour and a half to drink as I felt like I was drinking paint stripper.  The upsold extras of parmesan chips and spinach were necessary as you can't just eat a piece of steak on it's own but we shared a portion of each and we still didn't finish them all as they were so rich and fatty and just blah.

The desserts of mini ice creams and mini magnums were nice, but to be honest I would have preferred an actual magnum, which costs like £2 and tastes better.

To be honest a few drinks at the bar would have been enough at STK, I could have quite as easily done that and then had burger king and been just as satisfied without spending such a ridiculous amount.

The room itself was gorgeous and felt like we were in Vegas, the bar was poorly designed as there wasn't enough room for people to pass each other properly without colliding so I spent the night being bashed into until we finally gave up and almost had to crowd surf to get out of there.

If you fancy wasting £100 or so and feeling slightly ripped off then by all means, otherwise I'd just head to Maccy D and go to the ME's lovely radio rooftop bar instead to enjoy the view which in comparison is where I had one of the best nights out and this is one of the poorest dinners I have had out in quite a long time.

Overall I would avoid and save your pennies!

Pennyhill Park Hotel and The Spa

Hidden away in 123 acres of woodland is the stunning Pennyhill Park Hotel, a 19th century Mansion House which is where I spent an amazing weekend recently enjoying the spa and all of the other facilities available and generally having an amazing time.

The grounds of the hotel are picture perfect from the driveway to the immaculate lawns around the property. There are terraces, an outdoor heated pool, 9 hole golf course and pretty much anything you could wish for in a country house hotel with an emphasis on luxury.

The Magnolia Suite

Pennyhill Park is such a versatile and world class 5 star venue that amongst the wedding parties, weekend spa breakers, honeymooners and footballers we were told about the England rugby team staying while training as they often take over part of the hotel, the F1 driver and his girlfriend who has been such a regular that he has a preferred room (the Magnolia suite) and that Cameron and Justin stayed here when they were together and even visited the local chippie!

Lupin

The View from Lupin

The traditional junior suite I stayed in (Lupin),  was gorgeously decorated with pale green wallpaper covered in butterflies, which contrasted with the extremely fancy bathroom/wet room which had a walk in shower, two sinks and a TV in the bath - because what kind of bath doesn't have a TV?!  

Each room is decorated differently however they all share the same quality with crisp white sheets, pillows that are so amazing you wish you could shamelessly steal' them and a general air of luxury from the tea and coffee box to the proper iron and ironing board stowed away in the cupboard.

View of The Spa

The spa was built 8 years ago and while it does look very new and lovely I found that the building wasn't out of keeping with the rest of the hotel at all.  There are a wide selection of treatments available including facials, couples treatments, many types of massage and your standard nail services and the hour long aromatherapy massage I had was hands down the best I had ever had.  It included a proper consultation and a choice of aromatherapy oils (I chose vanilla citrus) as I wanted to feel uplifted after the treatment.  

After your treatments you can head down and enjoy one/all of the hotels 8(!!) pools including a jacuzzi, heated outdoor hydrotherapy pool and indoor infinity pool all of which I tried and my favourite was the outdoor heated pool.  

Aside from The Spa and gorgeous rooms the restaurants at the hotel are both a must visit, the Laytmer is the hotels 2 Michelin starred restaurant and the Brasserie served up the most delicious meal which frankly I would have assumed was Michelin Starred itself having eaten at other Michelin restaurants before.  We had a starter of duck which was probably the least favourite part of the meal as the watermelon was slightly distracting, then mains were veal which was cooked to perfection and salmon with lime which I was told was delicious, desserts were rhubarb and strawberry crumble (to die for) and chocolate fondant which looked amazing.  Each meal was the perfect size to be filling without feeling sickly stuffed and as you can see above, the presentation was impeccable.

Both restaurants serve bread freshly baked in the hotel's own bakery which even includes gluten free options. After the meal we headed to the Ascot Bar for some delicious cocktails and it was pretty lively for a hotel bar mostly due to the live entertainment and tipsy wedding guests who made my night after taking photos, no doubt for Facebook, atop the bronze horse situated in reception!

Overall this is is by far the best hotel I have stayed in so far in the UK and I would definitely go back without hesitation.  The room and spa prices are high but there wasn't 1 thing I was disappointed about, and how often can you say that about a hotel stay?  I would recommend this for a wedding, a hen do or just to treat your mum or girlfriend if you have the money.

Pennyhill park website is http://www.pennyhillpark.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE_HOTELS/the_hotel.aspx

The suite I stayed in costs approximately £345 per night for room only and the massage £90 which, considering a treatment at a local place on my high street is £70 and this was light years ahead I think is a brilliant price.

Sk:n Skincare, Inhibitif and Rooftop Bars

I went to an event at Sk:n clinic in Holborn on Tuesday which was really amazing.  Not only did I get to view an Isolaz acne treatment which uses a high tech laser combined with pore purifying suction technology to purify your skin from inside out, I got to chat with one of the doctors about glycolic peels which I would love to have done and to review on the blog, I got a big box of Sk:n skincare to test out and also lots and lots of information on their treatments and the changes in the industry that are very likely due to the recently published Keogh Report which Professor Keogh was asked to do in light of the whole PIP scandal with breast implants and, if taken on by the government (which is incredibly likely), what different effects this will have on the surgical and non surgical procedures and how they are administered.  I have so much information now but the first thing I am going to do is test out the products.  Above are the products that I will be using and I will update after a couple of weeks as to how I am getting on.  I

I am also testing out a new product to Boots called Inhibitif  which is to stop hair growing, I will be using it on my legs.  You apply it twice a day for 8 weeks so we shall see how I get on.

In other news I feel the need, now we finally have some sun, to try and go to as many of the London rooftop bars as possible to review so I have a few on the list, hopefully I will get to go to some soon but if you have any recommendations of rooftop bars in London then please let me know.
Have a lovely weekend everyone xx