Lifestyle Archives - Page 6 of 6

My Experience at Marie Claire UK’s @WORKLIVE Event

I have been bubbling with productive energy ever since I attended Marie Claire UK’s inspirational event @WORKLIVE which took place at Altitude 360, Millibank Towers in London. It was held on 23^rd April with the objective of offering practical advice, motivational talks and hands-on workshops to career-oriented women. I enjoyed myself thoroughly and felt that the experience was worth every penny I spent (given that it was a paid event).

Unfortunately, I missed the opening address since I was running late travelling from Coventry to Millibank Towers. But I did attend the second session “How To Negotiate For Success In A Changing Work Climate” and that kickstarted the series of awesome experiences I enjoyed that day. One of the most memorable talks was “DreamDareCreate: From Blog To Business”, which I found to be especially relevant vis-a-vis my career and growth plans. A panel of profit-making bloggers including Rosie Llewellyn, Caroline Hirons, Fritha Strickland and Jen Stanbrook offered many tips and advice which I penned down eagerly; I will sit down and ponder upon them at the earliest opportunity.

One regret I harbour is that I was unable to attend the talk on personal branding by Linzi Boyd. Being a fashion blogger and entrepreneur myself, learning how to create a unique identity and social media following would have been great. But I take solace in the fact that I can buy her book Brand Famous: How To Get Everyone Talking About Your Business and stock up on some tricks of the trade; I heard great reviews of it here. I also heard a lot of buzz about the “Treatment Area” on the 28^th Floor and was soon headed there. This was a super cool zone where numerous beauty treatments were being offered. I got a head massage from Elemis, a mini facial from Murad, a face workout with Facial GYM and hand massage from Neal Yard. Oh what fun it was; A little bit of pampering in the middle of exciting workshops!

And excited I was when I got to witness a session called “Inspirations” where the likes of Karen Blackett OBE and Sophie Kinsella gave some really enlightening yet entertaining speeches. But I must say, what was perhaps most useful for me was the session on “How To Avoid Burnout & Change Your Working Style”. I find myself constantly juggling responsibilities of my regular job with my passion i.e. FashionForRoyals and a host of family commitments as well. And sometimes, things seem to get unmanageable. For those moments, the stress management hacks offered by Kate Franklin from White & Lime will certainly come in handy. The very practical advice she put forth was really helpful for all working professionals present there and I certainly learnt a lot from it.

But the best part of this extended learning experience was when the focus turned to fashion. I couldn’t resist attending the “Next Style Lounge: Buy It Once, Buy It Right PLUS Create A Signature Look” where Marie Claire stylists updated the audience on the trending must-haves for this season. I also found myself gravitating towards the Afternoon Breakout Session “Beauty Hacks: Hair & Make-Up – Shortcuts From The Experts”. Oh, who am I kidding? I just had to attend. They had a panel of fashion bigwigs like Marie Claire’s very own Beauty & Style Director Lisa Oxenham, international make-up artist, SJ Froom, from bareMinerals and several others giving us tips. They used live models to demonstrate really useful skills such as getting ready for office in 10 minutes, how to make your makeup last all day – you get the idea. The session was really great, no wonder it ran over time; they had so much to share!

Finally, the event drew to a close with a closing address by Isy Suttie who wowed the audience with her incredible sense of humour and unique charm. And the icing on the cake was the goodie bag Marie Claire presented all attendees with at the end of the event. It has a lot of product samples from various brands and I can’t wait to try them all! All I can say is that this @WORK LIVE Event was a brilliant experience, especially for an ambitious working woman like me!

Stay tuned for more updates on my fashion experiences!

Indigo Herbs Rise and Shine Tea Review

I’m sure that like me, you all have your personal favourite morning wake-up drinks too. And we all sure do need them. For me, it’s not a good morning unless it starts with coffee. But recently, I tried out Indigo Herb’s Rise and Shine Tea and was surprised to find it as invigorating as my usual cuppa.

This tea blend has a combination of highly refreshing ingredients that not just taste wonderful, but also energize you. The combination of spicy ginger and peppermint gives you a kick, while the brain-boosting rosemary and ginkgo make you more alert. The subtle flavours of calendula and nettle give you the sense that you’re enjoying a herby mix of goodness that’ll keep you healthy.

And I believe the complexity and brilliance of Indigo Herbs brews can be attributed to the fine quality of botanicals used. If made correctly, each sip has an intense, soothing flavour that is unlike other, somewhat weak teas. The recommended method of infusion is using one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup, and leaving them boiling-hot water for 5 – 10 minutes. You can then strain the solution and sip on the delicious drink in absolute pleasure.

I must tell you that last week, when I first tried the Rise and Shine blend, I wasn’t feeling too well. I had mild fever and decided to forgo my morning coffee in favour of this tea. And would you believe it? It actually helped me a lot. I felt energetic and alert all day, despite my ill-health. I didn’t even miss the caffeine hit that usually keeps me awake and active. Also, I loved the floral taste of meadowsweet and the subtle hint of peppermint – what a lovely combination!

Now, I can’t help but think about what my next purchase is from Indigo Herbs is going to be. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you all posted!

If interested you get your hands on this tea here: https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/shop/buy/indigo-tea-rise-and-shine

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Tru Diamonds – The Cosmopolitan Woman’s New Best Friends

We’ve all grown up hearing (and possibly believing) that diamonds are a girl’s best friends. But recently, I came across jewellery by Tru-Diamonds and was forced to reconsider this widely-held belief.

So let me introduce you to the philosophy that guides this enterprise. Tru-Diamonds sells high- quality man-made gemstones that are so finely crafted, they are virtually indistinguishable from mined diamonds. In fact, these Swiss-made gems are produced under such stringent criteria with top-grade techniques that they are found to be superior to 96% of mined diamonds in terms of colour and clarity.

And let me tell you, this is not all hearsay. I’m the proud owner of a Tru-Diamonds 1 ct Tiffany Style Solitaire Ring myself. I have been wearing this ring for more than a week now, and not one person I have come across could imagine that it wasn’t a genuine solitaire piece. Seriously, I doubt even a certified jeweller would be able to tell the difference without a proper scrutiny of my gorgeous ring.

I’m now a firm believer that jewellery by Tru-Diamonds is a much better buy than that made of mined diamonds for several reasons. For one, their gems are ethically produced, so you are spared the guilt of sporting “blood diamonds”. Also, this jewellery is far more economical, though there is little difference in its appearance. I mean, think about it – my ring cost just about £149 while the equivalent product at Tiffany’s would drain me of over £10,000; isn’t Tru-Diamonds jewellery then a far better deal? I don’t have to worry about insurance to keep it safe or even worry too much about losing it. This is actually one of the reasons why such jewellery is becoming very popular amongst celebrities as well. I mean, who wants to hassle themselves with wearing exorbitantly-priced jewellery, only to worry about it getting lost or stolen?

But what I like about Tru-Diamonds even more is that they promise buyers a 90-Day trial period, 100% Refund, Lifetime Warranty and Easy Payment Options too. As someone who is spending money on a luxury purchase, you are completely protected, with absolutely nothing to worry about. What more can one ask for?

Frankly speaking, I’m quite taken in by the whole concept of Tru-Diamonds. I have been browsing through their range of jewellery which has a lot of classic as well as trendy pieces that I can totally see myself wearing. I’ve already zeroed in on my next purchase too! And why not? This jewellery is great for personal usage as well as gifting, and the availability in standard UK sizes makes it convenient to order online too. If you are on a budget this is a great alternative engagement ring saving you lot of money towards the deposit of your first home or that dream wedding

So what do you think? Would you go in for this ethically produced “super-gem” jewellery? I know I would.

PC – Hannah K. Photography

Coconut Oil – Vita Coco Review

This post is about a wonder product that we all must have in our vanities. It’s the LBD of beauty care – it’s versatile, does wonders for the appearance and is absolutely fabulous. Yes, I’m referring to coconut oil here; that one-stop-vial of goodness that we all need in our lives!

I always keep virgin coconut oil handy so I can whip it out to meet my numerous beauty needs. It’s best to use the virgin or extra virgin variety for they contain more nutrients. Regular coconut oil is made from dried coconut flesh that is subjected to high temperatures and several refining processes, all of which affects its nutritive value. Virgin and extra virgin oil is produced using more sophisticated methodologies, making them the best possible variants to use. But these days, there are also some products that add more organic nutrients to coconut oil, transforming them into products with more beauty benefits than ever!

(Vita Coco Coconut Oil – is my go to makeup remover these days)

And as far as the beauty benefits of coconut oil are concerned, the list is virtually endless. We all know that coconut oil has high hydrating properties that make it an ideal moisturizer for the skin and body, especially in those cool winter months. And our grandma’s have instilled in us, a deep faith over the hair-nourishing capacities of coconut oil. Seriously, not only does it work wonders for pre-head-wash oiling, it is also great for taming fly-aways or as a leave-in serum for smooth, frizz-free hair. I also use it as a lip balm sometimes, when my lips are extremely chapped and need an instant quick-fix. Other than this, coconut oil works well as a massage oil, body scrub (when mixed with sugar) and highly effective makeup remover too. For those who are into fitness and healthy cooking, coconut oil is quite a good option there too; it is known to increase metabolic rate and aid weight loss. Now when there is so much that one single product can do, wouldn’t you be singing praises of it too?

(Look what I cooked here with Vita Coco – Bruchetta and it was yummylicious)

As mentioned above though, not all varieties of coconut oil are quite as brilliant. You have to find a concoction that is genuine and optimally suited for use in one’s beauty regime. And I found the perfect product – I can’t stop gushing about it! It’s none other than Vita Coco – an organic, 100% raw, extra virgin coconut oil, derived using cold-pressing techniques. It is packed with antioxidants and numerous nutrients that have thus far, met all my beauty needs. I use Vita Coco for virtually everything – oiling my hair, healing irritated skin, removing stubborn makeup, on dry lips, cracked heels, and even for cleaning my makeup brushes! I have also used it to add some extra sheen to my eye makeup on special occasions. When I get the time, I intend to mix it with some Epsom Salts to create a DIY body scrub too. Clearly, I am a very big fan of Vita Coco.

If you want to try it out as well, it is easily available in big chain stores like Boots, Selfridges, Urban Outfitters, Holland and Barrett, Ocado.com, Tesco and Wholefoods. You could also buy it online at amazon.co.uk. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs some TLC at home, with just one awesome multipurpose product.

You can find more details about this product and some brilliant ideas at www.swearbyit.com

Star Rating – 5

Price -£9.99 (500ml

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Ten Tips for Your Dream Dressing room

We all have a vision of that perfect place called our dressing room, adorned in colours of white and pink. My perfect dressing room will have lots of hearts and flowers in it and also fairy lights.

Now you must be think, why I am talking about dressing rooms, well that is because currently I am drawing up a mood board while I’m figuring out the wardrobe design for the dressing room I would like to have very soon. Promise to post the pics as soon as it is done 😉 While doing so, a thought came to my mind that even as we’d all like to live in mansions and mod houses and have a few rooms just for our clothing that may not always be the case. Houses are getting smaller every day and wardrobe design is now all about how best to use limited space instead of being extravagant in terms of size.

So, here is a list of 10 tips to help you all get that dream dressing room, possibly in a more compact space.

Lights – Make sure your wardrobe or drawers have enough light around so that you can see what is hidden in those dark corners.
Separators – All of us would love to have a dressing room of our room. But what might work best is a folding screen that you can use as a separator in order to create a dressing area. Such wardrobe design would strike on a very old Hollywood note too.
Trays – Use beautiful trays to neatly organise your accessories, makeup and perfumes on your vanity table or bathroom shelves.
Dress up your closet – Use bright paint or wallpapers to dress up your closet and give it a cheerful vibe. If your wardrobe is small, use light colors to create a sense of space. In this situation, less is more, so restrict your creativity to maybe just one wall.
Keep your space clean – An organized wardrobe and dressing space will do wonders for your physical appearance and how you dress up. Thus, make sure your space is always organised and things that you are not using for a season are tucked away in your storage area so that you have space available for seasonal clothes.
Sliding doors – If you are tight on space, choose sliding doors over swinging ones. This way, opening the closet won’t require much space.
Shelving System – This method is your best friend in terms of organising shoes, small clothes and knick–knacks. Invest in a decent shelving system so that your clothes are properly sorted within your wardrobe as well.
Labelling – Use labels on boxes so that you are aware of what is tucked in which box and finding something isn’t a struggle.
Folding Techniques – This may take some effort, but get clued up on the fastest, most efficient folding techniques. Store your clothes folded neatly and you’ll thank yourself when getting ready in a hurry!
Lingerie – Keep one drawer or shelve exclusively for your lingerie. The trick to maintaining hygiene and quality of your underclothing is keeping it separate from your other clothes.

Lust List – Valentines Shopping Inspiration

Here is a Lust List for all of you to feast your eyes on. I made this yesterday when I was planning my next stopping trip. Yes, I do that. You see, I love shopping and I love lists, so sometime I do a little bit of research and form a list of the things that I am seeking and why. It’s quite a nice way to shop I guess, keeps me organized at least.

So here’s what’s on my current Lust List for Valentine’s Day.

Peep Toe Grey Boots – Love the grey and the styling of these boots. Let’s see if I finally go in for the same style or something slightly different. But I am sure I am getting a pair of such grey beauties. They work really well for the Spring Weather. The heel might be a tad bit too high for me though.

Too Faced Melted Lip Colours – I last tried one of the Too Faced Melted Lip Colours almost 2 years ago but never ended up buying it. Maybe because I haven’t been able to find a counter where I can swatch the colours and see. The one I did try was a great colour and despite being in liquid form, gave a lovely matte finish.

Knuckle Finger Rings – One of the latest fashion trends I am getting hooked to! You can choose from chunky ones to tiny ones depending on what suits your outfit or personality. It’s hard to go wrong with these.

Radley Handbag – We all love handbags. I am actually yet to come across a fashion savvy person who doesn’t love them. After all, this one accessory plays a key role in how the whole outfit comes together. And since I am a big fan of the Radley pale pink handbag range that came out this season, this just had to feature on my Lust List!

Floral Headband – Well, it’s going to be Valentine’s season very soon and I am quite the romantic soul. Dying to try one of these headbands soon, maybe at a summer wedding! *wink* *wink*

Hope you enjoyed my Lust List. Can’t wait to hear about what’s on yours!