Scarlett and Crimson

A week or two ago I attended the launch of Scarlett and Crimson, a new makeup line from beauty masters Ruby and Millie. The range is launched at girls making the transition from childhood to teen, and aims to educate about makeup as well as being fun to apply.

This is an interesting idea that taps into a new younger market; rather than dabbing into their mothers sky blue eyeshadow and coral lipstick, Scarlett and Crimson gives teens the opportunity to experiment themselves with an easy to use collection. This range contains bright, pigmented colours that rival Mac, yet also has a line of solid beauty basics to sculpt and enhance,





During the evening Ruby Hammer demonstrated the products on some willing volunteers. I was especially interested to see how she used the products as the target age range for the makeup could be viewed as controversial. It could be argued that encouraging young teenagers to wear makeup is untasteful and sexualising girls far too young. However, the looks Ruby created were fresh and natural, she gave the girls luminous dewy skin with the fun of a light coloured lipgloss and barely-there mascara. It became clear that teaching youngsters how to apply makeup properly can only be a good thing, girls want to experiment with beauty and Scarlett and Crimson gives the opportunity for easy-application with fun products.

The girls above were both made-over, and you can see the makeup is enhancing not garish.

Bianca enjoying one of the delicious complimentary cocktails.

My camera does not have a flash (I must pay £159 for that luxury) so I put a blue art filter on to lighten the images...

Back in London

I am back in London after a flying visit to West Wales for Christmas. It consisted of the usual feasting, films and wine. I managed to move myself boxing day for a walk with the dogs but as soon as we stepped onto the sand the heavens opened and we got totally drenched! It passed and left a rainbow in its wake, and I was waiting with my new camera...

This week posting shall resume with some interesting beauty products and perhaps even a fashion item, though I must confess at the moment clothes are at the back of my mind, the thought is almost repellent after all that Christmas cheese! Hope everyone had a good Christmas!

Room with a View

I am ill yet again which does not make for an exciting weekend. This morning I managed to get to Stoke Newington to visit dear B, we had a cup of tea, she cut my hair in her bedroom and then we went for a delicious Thai at Yum Yums; this restaurant is supposed to have recently been on something Gordon Ramsay, and the food was indeed yum, also extra points for having an exotic fish pool and stylish toilets. Now I am back and sniffing through sheets of toilet roll, trying not to leave my room into the ice kitchen and bathroom. We have no heating and I feel a bit like Oliver Twist! Picture above is what I shall be seeing for most of the weekend.

Work Shoes

Having recently changed jobs, I have now found myself in an establishment with a dress code. Gone are the days of long flowing (tangled) locks, and boyfriend slouchy (comfortable) cardigans, I now have an actual suit jacket and hairspray in my hair! I can't say I am too sad at this change, at the moment it is a novelty to consider my appearance in the morning, however I have come unstuck with the 'work shoe'.

Our shoes must be black, polished and heeled. They also must be bearable and foot kind- admittedly I am sat on a swivel chair for most of the day but there are also regular studio treks miles down into the bowels of the building. I need something functional, yet something that wouldn't be sneered at an after-work event, and possibly could take an outing of a weekend. Tricky. So far I have this one pair above, some mid-heels from Office but I'm struggling where to go next...chunky Mary Janes? Suede wedges? A shopping trip is in order. Recommendations gratefully received!

Hunting for Treasure at Mahiki

Mahiki is a nightclub in London with a tropical theme; bartender wear tropical shirts, the roof looks like a tiki hut and the drinks are inspired by the tropics. Mahiki is often the backdrop for paparazzi shots of young royals/ WAGs/ 'popstars' and the like.

Last time I went to Mahiki it was some sort of model occasion and a club photographer was duly doing the rounds. Bianca and I walked in and were forced to stop our route to the bar as the said photographer was talking a picture of two twiggy legged blonde models in front of us; he flashed and got the shot, they walked away and we found oursleves directly in the path of his lens. He gave us a slow look up and down and then walked away- our faces were were not worthy of a photograph! Ultimate snub for mortal (non model) girls!

This time however we were in the far better company, instead we partied with fellow bloggers for the Aussie Angels Girl's Night Out! On arrival we were brought a round of fruity cocktails which were shortly followed by a platter of snacks including some delicious vegetable spring rolls.

After being treated to some amazing card tricks by magician Alex, there was a commotion in the corner of the room! Here came a procession of tropical men carrying a heavy wooden pirate chest; This was the famous Mahiki Treasure Chest cocktail, a literal chest of rum, fruits and ices that comes with a pretty price tag! They always attach a massive firework to it, to make sure that the whole room notices that someone is spending money, vulgar but sadly, it was also really fun! The chest was placed upon the table and a chap topped it up with a bottle of Moet. We all grabbed a straw.


What a lovely night! So much better than the usual practice of being too ugly for a club photo and too poor to buy any drinks! Thanks to the lovely PR girls at Aussie who gave us a great evening. I also feel a comfort in the fact I have finally sampled the £100+ treasure chest, the most pricey drink I had had the pleasure of consuming in London; that definitely beats the meager £14 for gin and tonic in Bungalow 8!

Ellie and Bi

I look like I'm wearing a crown but I wasn't

Meet My New Toy

After months of staring at the Jessops website I finally took the plunge and bought the Olympus Pen! I have been wanting an SLR and as soon as I saw this one I wanted it badly. I admit my desire was mainly based on superficial values, it looks good and I wanted it around my neck! Hopefully this will mean better quality images on the blog, especially beauty wise but it may take awhile for me to get to grips with it. I used to be into photography but now I can't distinguish an aperture from a camera strap! Wish me luck, I want this to be more than just a pretty necklace.

A Day In Paris

I was contacted about a competition to win Eurostar tickets with Le Nouveau Paris. To enter you had to describe what you would do in Paris with 1,00o euro to spend. This is what I would do!

A champagne breakfast on the Eurostar, bubbles and clinking flutes, if it is past ‘the night before’ then it is allowed. On arrival in Paris I immediately hail a cab. I am not walking in these shoes, and the metro is far too reminisant of my old enemy, the London underground; Paris is my new friend and I wish to start on a good note so cab it is. I will probably hear some French music whilst trundling down Parisian streets, and it will probably make the journey romantic as I am a sucker for accents. It’s a good job that I won’t know what the singers are saying as few lyrics are poetic these days.

I have asked the cab driver to take me to Notre Dame, no, I’m not cultural, but The Hunchback of Notre Dame was one of my favourite Disney films. This is because it scared me the most. The intro soundtrack with gypsies stealing away by boat was enough to make my sister and I cower behind the sofa. So Notre Dame is something I wish to see and experience, I want to search for Quaismodo and shout ‘the bells, the BELLS!’.

I will pull up at Notre Dam and gasp in hyperbolic awe at the magnitude of the building. I will note the gargoyles and morn that they are not as talkative as their Disney counterparts. On entering the church I will look around with reasonable interest and try and work out if I can get to the tower. I’m not sure if this attraction is that accommodating but I would hope so.

After leaving Quasi, I would eat a very large lunch. It would contain my favourite food, cheese, as much of it as possible. After, the cheese feast I would order a coffee and sit on a table on the street in pure Parisian cliché. Of course it is winter, so my nose would be red and eyes watery; that is the best I can do though, so no point worrying about it.

Moving from my seat slowly I would walk the least steps possible to get another cab. This time destination is death. Oh I love to be dramatic but here it is true. I am heading towards Cimetière du Père Lachaise, I had to goggle the name for the spelling, but I have written it down and will show it to the driver. I am going to see the grave of Oscar Wilde and wallow in amongst the graves. My camera will probably be turned to the ‘Grainy Film’ for some moody shots of headstones.

By this time it would be dark and time to eat again. Time also, for wine, red wine. I will struggle with the menu as I am vegetarian, but French stick with my glass of rouge is sufficient. After dining it will be another cab back to the station, and then a sleepy Eurostar trip to King Cross, punctuated only by looking back through the pictures on my camera’s little screen.