Dinner at Tredwells

Tredwell's link

This is a very overdue post from December but as I'm recommending Tredwell's to anyone that will listen I thought it was high time I gave it a mention on Florence and Mary. 

Marcus Wareing's informal dining spot in the West End was recommended to me by the lovely Angie Silverspoon when I was looking for recommendations for dinner before the theatre. My friend and work colleague Caroline and I were being treated to dinner by our boss for Christmas and this seemed the perfect choice. Whenever we're dining out together I have to be sure that we cater for Caroline as a vegetarian with as much choice as I would have - and often more as she'll eat fish whereas I will not. 

We of course dived straight into the cocktail menus and then our starters; pumpkin soup for me and courgette fritters for Caroline. A big thumbs up to the menu was that the portions were small but enough to satisfy appetite enough but desire the next course. You'll also see if you take a look at Tredwell's current menu that neither of these dishes feature as they mix things up frequently according to the seasons which is perfect if you want enjoy your experience and want to return and explore more of the menu

For main I picked lamp chops, Caroline the haddock and we shared sides of broccoli and sweet potato fries, again small portions but just enough to this time to leave for dessert. We both decided on the chocolate mousse and cornflake pudding which was amazing. The warm mousse melted in the mouth and the crisp cornflakes had enough crunch to make it interesting. It might look much in the bowl but it was so much more to taste

I also mentioned that we were going to the theatre so it's worth me telling you that we say The Lion King - and we sorely disappointed. Maybe childishly I expected a variation of Disney's cartoon which of course it was not but not even the songs lived up to their happy reputation, there was just no punch. Visually it was amazing with how they created the animals on stage but otherwise I found myself bored.

On the other Tredwells is a must if you want somewhere informal but a step up from your usual chain venue. It's worth the extra expense.

I'd love to know if you saw the show what you thought, or indeed if you've been to Tredwells.

Chanel Les Beiges | My Holy Grail Product

Chanel LES BEIGES Healthy Glow Sheer Powder link

There was a lot of hype around the release of Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder and I tentatively jumped on the bandwagon, panicked and jumped right back off it. I kicked myself when I'd finally decided to make the leap and it had sold out everywhere.

Finally in September 2013 I managed to get my hands on Shade No 30 and instantly fell in love.

First we have the gorgeous compact. Somewhat larger than those I've had before and of course the main difference being it's cream and black packaging rather than the traditional black and white we're used to seeing.



At the time of purchasing I wasn't really much of a powder nor heavy foundation wearer which was part of why I dithered so much. Would it be too light to wear alone? And do I need a setting powder as pricey as this? The answer to both is yes.

As a base powder I certainly find it too light but it does give the skin something of a glow for those no make up days. On days when I'm not interested in layering on make up yet want to look a little healthy as the name would suggest I can reach for this compact but it's a setting powder where it really comes into it's own.

Whatever foundation I am wearing this is the powder I solely use to set things in place and add a little something extra to my look. So finely milled is this powder that it doesn't leave the skin caked in powder. Off out after work and my make up needs to be refreshed, Chanel Les Beiges to the rescue.

I can leave my make up bag behind without any concern, small clutch bag with limited space ok then but it will be filled with a lipstick and this compact. It's the product I can no longer be without.

As well as it's holy grail status for it's functionality I could also name this post 'the product that never ends'. Many may bulk at paying £39 for a powder but I should let you know that despite it's daily use I did not hit pan on this powder until July 2014. In Spetember that same year, with the powder still going strong but 'pan growing larger' I decided to pick up a new one in Duty Free thinking I would save myself a few pennies on this must have product.

Well it's May 2015 and the powder is still going! So much so that I've now passed onto my mum to try after she treated herself to Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluid (which I too am a fan of and you can read about here).

I'm rather tempted now to treat myself to a darker shade and try it as a bronzer as I'm such a fan of this product and know how long it'll last. And you know the brushes inside compacts that are often cast aside, well Chanel even got theirs right. I tend to use the enclosed brush more often than any other and it's the perfect shape for setting concealer under the eyes.

So it's pretty much a big thumbs up for Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder - even if the name is unnecessarily long. Have you tried this 'wonder powder' from Chanel or would you like to?

Seche Vite Topcoat - Am I fan?

Seche Vite Topcoat link

Before beauty blogging Seche Vite top coat had completely escaped me. This was no surprise as I was an acrylic nail wearer so such things were not needed. As soon as those acrylic's were removed I suddenly realised the importance of such a product in my kit especially one spoke so highly of as Seche Vite is.

Unfortunately for me I was a little underwhelmed especially after the initial euphoria of finding it for a mere $5 in Sally's, Las Vegas whilst waiting for a taxi I poked my head in for a nose round.

Personally for me I found that it didn't seem to make my nail polish last any longer than normal. And now I see it has no comparison to eyeCandy's top coat which I blogged about here. If I have anything to speak about Seche Vite highly it's that it certainly evens out any bad paint jobs which I'm prone to doing as I often rush nail painting but otherwise it was just a bit of a let down.

I've also now entered the stage where my bottle has started to thicken and become a little to messy to use up. I could buy the thinner but I'm just not that bothered enough to make the effort to make this bottle last a little longer.

So whilst Seche Vite may be winner of many awards and the holy grail of many a blogger, for me it just doesn't hit the spot. What about you?

A Bob Bob Ricard Birthday

Bob Bob Ricard link

The company I work for allows us the day off for our birthday. Luckily for me as mine will often fall around the Easter Bank Holiday, like this year, instead of the four day weekend, I was able to get five days.

After seeing the famous 'press for champagne' button at Bob Bob Ricard instagrammed to excess I needed to visit for myself and see if it was more than this gimmick. I knew my mum would love it and dad would enjoy complaining about how much it was going to cost him. Unfortunately for dad he was unwell the day we were due to visit for lunch so left mum and I to go alone. Very dangerous with no one to reign us in.

As soon as we were seated in our comfortable booth we fought over who got to press the button first. As it was my birthday of course I won that battle. Two glasses of champagne were promptly brought to our table whilst we perused the menu and admired the surroundings. 

The decor is amazing and feels like stepping back in time and mum gave the art deco touches. A nice touch in the booths which I really liked was that hidden in the backs of the chairs were hangers to hang your coats so you have them close by if needed and when you decide to leave you're not waiting around to catch someones attention or wait for them to find it.

The restaurant felt relaxed for the lunchtime service with waitresses ready for you at a whim without hassling you through your meal. There was a lovely ambience from fellow diners which appeared a mix of client dinners, couples enjoying a romantic lunch and groups of friends enjoying a meal together.

We both perused the pink menus and nibbled on bread before our mains arrived. Mum went for steak and I, in a complete shocker chose the chicken! I have to tell you it was the best chicken I've ever eaten and the chicken skin - amazing. 

To share we picked truffle mash and spring greens. As fellow truffle lovers will know the mash was delicious and the perfect pairing for our meals. 

After the obligatory selfie with my champagne glass we couldn't finish our meal without the signature dish, the Chocolate Glory. A chocolate shell that melts to reveal chocolate brownie, passionfruit and orange jelly and meringue.

I'd definitely recommend Bob Bob Ricard for a special lunch as it was a lovely venue, delicious meal and made that little bit more special with drinking champagne a requirement rather than an indulgent choice. 

This weekend my friend and I are heading to BBR for dinner so I'm looking forward to seeing how it compares and what makes the evening experience different to my lunch one. I'll report back.

Barry M Spring Shades

Barry M Gelly Nails link

There was much discussion between my friend and I last week as we debated whether I would have my gel nails applied before my holiday. Yes I know oh to have 'my problems'.

Firstly my nails are in pretty good shape at the moment thanks to a new nail strengthener I'm using along with the eyeCandy top coat and to have gel nails applied will weaken them and undo all my good work.

Secondly my trip is nine days in some pretty intense heat and will the gel last? I get between one and two weeks out of gel nails depending on whether they're Biosculpture or Gelish and how well I look after them in that time.

Thirdly what one colour could I commit to for the full week? The biggest worry of all!

So you can see what a dilemma I had on my hands. As my friend and I discussed the pro's and cons she finally out with what made the decision easier. When she had visited Dubai the heat had left to them lifting earlier than usual although she was particularly dramatic and used the term 'melting' which led me to visions of me on my sun lounger with puddles of gel nail polish around me.

As I was already conscious I may have had to go through the hassle of removing the gels towards the end of my holiday and applying nail varnish till my return home, the fear of 'melting' and finally my issues with colour commitment I decided that I would go with taking a few nail colours with me and changing at whim.

Happy with my vision of my sitting on the hotel balcony with a martini whilst I paint my nails to match one of the many outfits I've brought for the trip it also meant I could do some shopping because obviously I needed to by some appropriate shades.

My first purchase was from Barry M and the colours I chose were Rosehip and Sugar Apple. Perfect for the current season at home and I imagine will look lovely with the tan I plan on cultivating whilst away.

Whilst I like Sugar Apple and it was my favourite on purchase it's actually Rosehip that has stood out for me. I don't 'do' nude nails very well and this has the right balance of being neutral enough to go with most things but with enough punch that I feel I have a colour on my nails.

We all know how good Barry M nails so they are a perfect choice for taking on holiday as I will not worry about them chipping and application is a breeze. I'm thinking this might be the colour I start with for my trip but having picked up another three nail colours last weekend that could be subject to change.

What would be your go to holiday colour?