The Style PA at Home

DRINK - MARTINI® Royale Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Mon, 28 May 2012 23:51:00 +0000

When the sun comes out, it's funny how much more inclined I am to have a nice cold, alcoholic beverage or two. This summer, the MARTINI® Royale is hoping to add extra celebratory points to your party. It's the latest sensation from the iconic Italian brand and a refreshing and stylish new way to drink MARTINI®, which just reminds me of city breaks with best friends.

A great twist on a Prosecco drink, the MARTINI® Royale is made with half MARTINI® Bianco (70ml) and half Prosecco (70ml) over plenty of ice, perfected by a squeeze of lime wedge and a sprig of mint - and mint and lime are my fave combo ever! .It combines the best of the bitter-sweet vanilla and citrus notes of MARTINI® Bianco and the aromatic flavours of Prosecco and is all set to become the new drink sensation in London this summer. Where do I sign? Yum!

MARTINI® is one of only a handful of non-British brands to hold a Royal warrant...So with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this June (2 – 5 June), celebrate with your friends and toast one royal with another with a delicious MARTINI® Royale!

Who can resist a drink with a crown?

MARTINI® Royale Recipe:

Fill a large wine glass with ice to the top
Pour 70ml MARTINI® Bianco (half way up)
Add 70ml MARTINI® Prosecco (top up)
Squeeze and drop a quarter of q fresh lime
Stir and garnish with fresh mint

RESTAURANT - Four 0 Nine in Clapham

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:09:00 +0000

My boyfriend and I went to Clapham's Four 0 Nine for lunch on a Sunday for the 3 course, set menu deal which is £25 per head.

The restaurant has an air of mystery as from the outside there's just a menu board and a buzzer. You go upstairs to the first floor and are then greeted with lovely decor and friendly staff. We had a table by the window (but beware, the view isn't much to look at). It's a little odd that you go through the door to an outside courtyard to then go inside again, but I guess that's part of the discovery of a hidden gem.

For starters I had the potato and chard soup and my boyfriend had the limoncello cured trout. He won that round as the trout really was delicious, served with a really tasty sauce and beautifully presented. My soup was yummy too, but there was a bit too much and it was very creamy. I didn't want to fill up too soon.

For our mains I had the Welsh lamb with a mint sauce while my boyfriend opted for the sirloin of beef roast. The beef is definitely the one to go for if you are hungry as it comes with all the trimmings and some hefty potatoes. My lamb was done perfectly, a little rare in the middle but crispy and sweet on the outside. All the fat had been cooked well so it tasted very lean.

Finally for dessert we shared the chocolate brownie and the torta di formaggio which were both very nice. It was definitely a good idea to get both and then share because the chocolate sauce was very rich and the strawberry from the other plate went really nice with it too.

Apart from the carrots being a little underdone I couldn't really fault the food at all. We ended up paying £70 for the two of us, which considering we only had one beer each felt quite a lot for lunch, but the food was lovely and the service was good. A fail-safe option for when you've got a bit of money to spend I reckon.

The location is really handy as the tube station for Clapham North is just across the road, ideal if you're going to be sampling the wine menu. You can read more reviews of Four 0 Nine on Qype.

GADGETS - Bowers & Wilkins P3 Headphones

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:36:00 +0000

I've always been a geek for great audio. I spent my Saturday afternoons as a teenager in a hi-fi shop with my first boyfriend, listening to and picking out our next lot of kit. So when Bowers & Wilkins sent an invite to Abbey Road Studios to preview a brand new audio product I jumped at the chance.

I've been to a lot of events, but never one with such a special experience as this. In the iconic studios we were able to listen to a recording being made live in front of us from Mercury-Music-Prize-nominated Portico Quartet using the company's new product, the P3 headphones. We then waited while the recording was mixed and put onto an iPod Shuffle for us to take away. Such a slick and clever idea that was executed to perfection.

I was given a pair of the headphones to try out and I started using them as soon as I got home that evening. I was immediately impressed with the sound quality. No distortion at all at high bass levels and high volume. They have great noise isolation, plus they are comfortable to wear for long periods. The cable is nice and long but splits centrally so the wire doesn't get in the way. The grey fabric which covers the ear pads was designed especially for Bowers & Wilkins and adds to the comfort factor. The P3 is available in both black and white and I've got the white ones which have a lovely tactile finish across the headband and foldable design so they fit neatly into their white case.

The headphones work well with Apple products where the cable volume controls come into play. Personally, I've been using them with my phone and the sound is great. I've also used them with my laptop.

I credit these headphones with getting me back to the gym too. I can't work out unless I've got thumping loud music in my ears. In fact, the more my workout is like a night out at a club the better. These headphones stayed put while I ran for 30 minutes on the treadmill and went loud enough for me to shut out the rest of my surroundings and focus just on my workout.

They sell at around the £169.99 mark, which when you consider how much you'd pay for an iPod or similar it provides good value for money. Bowers & Wilkins are a long-trusted brand whose products are used not only in Abbey Road Studios, but in recording studios around the world as well as in Jaguar cars. With fans like that, I reckon I'm in good company. The only problem with trying out these headphones is that I now want to upgrade my home speakers... suddenly my Dynaudios don't seem quite good enough.

Find out more about the technology behind the P3

DECORATING - Wickes 'My Project' Facebook app

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:36:00 +0000

Wickes have launched a new Facebook app for people to share their DIY triumphs and tips. It's called My Project and you can track your progress with photos and captions and then share with family, friends and other app users. It's a way to find a little 'real life' inspiration for your home improvement projects.

Wickes asked me to get involved and I uploaded a recent project my parents had undertaken using Wickes products (I'm practically my parents' interior designer anyway). The kitchen in their new house had not been modernised for a LONG time. Needless to say, it needed some attention, but without having to spend a fortune. Here are the pics... (next up we are tackling the bathroom!)

BEFORE... I'm pretty sure no one had touched this kitchen for some time.

DURING... the kitchen was a take-away kitchen from Wickes. We opted for the Stamford, which is really great value but still good quality. We went for a darker worktop for a bit of a contrast.

AFTER... the finished result. What do you think? I love the neutrals, simple design and the fact it's bright and light.

SHOPPING - Top Home Buys for April

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 21:12:00 +0000

Everyone should own a classic, simple glass jug. This handmade jug is from The White Company and I picked it out because I love that curvaceous shape. It's price at £30.

Vacu Vin’s Barbecue Cooler is the perfect companion for your summer BBQs this year. While the sun beats down (we hope) you can keep desserts or accompaniments to your meal cool with this handy gadget. It's currently online at Amazon for £29.95

French Connection launched homeware this year and I spotted this classic clock in the collection online. I really want a big, wall clock but have run out of walls to put one so I'll have to wait till I get a new flat. It will definitely look a bit like this though.

A neat kitchen idea from James Martin is this matt black knife block with 5 Stellar James Martin IM knives and a cutting board. This range is tried and tested by James and has a lifetime guarantee. Expect to pay around £120 for the knife block and from £14 for additional knives.

Non-stick baking tins that come complete with lockable lids and handles... what a fabulous idea! These are perfect for me as I only have a small amount of cupboard space. Plus, they are dish washer safe. Love them! They are by Premier Housewares, a brand stocked at Amazon.

HEALTH - Weight Watchers New Supper Club App

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:09:00 +0000

It's about time for a Weight Watchers update for you all. How much more have I lost? Well, actually nothing more yet but I have been pretty relaxed over Easter as I had my dad's 50th birthday celebrations and I had a good time! I'm back on track now though and I've given myself an extra challenge. I'm giving up Diet Coke. Yes it may not have calories as such, but I was relying on it far too much to regulate my moods and energy levels. I hope that by cutting it out my body goes back to normal and I can focus more on eating healthily. Wish me luck!

For those looking for Weight Watchers friendly food ideas, you might be interested in the new Weight Watchers Supper Club app on Facebook. You can get great ideas on healthy meals to serve up for your next dinner party. It's also a social experience. There are over 60 recipes to choose from and you can then create a Facebook event for your dinner and invite your friends to let them know what they'll be eating.

Plus, users are encouraged to upload photos afterwards too so you can see how the recipes have turned out for other people. The top creations, as voted each month, will win some Weight Watchers goodies. Check it out.

REVIEW - Petite Trudeau Salt & Pepper Mill

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:51:00 +0000

I was sent this striking salt and pepper mill to review and it's small but perfectly formed. Living in a compact flat in central London, I have to be space savvy all the time. The clever little mill from Trudeau offers a two-for-one, you simply turn the grinder left for pepper and right for salt. The finish is tactile with a velvety soft touch which provides extra grip and the grinders are ceramic to prevent rusting and wear. The acrylic case means you can easily see how much is left too so you know when to re-fill.

This salt and pepper grinder will sit nicely on my dining table and I love the colours it comes in (red, an apple green and black). I'm a big fan of a splash of colour in the kitchen. Plus, another great idea is to pack this mill for picnics as it's compact enough to carry about. What do you think? Has this kitchen accessory won you over?

The Trudeau Grinder is priced at £21.50 and comes pre-filled with 10g of black pepper corns and 24g of coarse sea salt. You can buy it at www.topgourmet.co.uk along with selected cook shops. Best of all, Trudeau do lots of other kitchen items in the same fab colours so you can create a coordinating set.

See below for scale...

DRINK - The Cherrygood ‘Red Carpet’ cocktail

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:28:00 +0000

My sister bought some Cherrygood cherry juice this weekend to make cocktails with her friends and I'd never tried it until now. I love cherries, so when I spotted this Christian Louboutin inspired Cherrygood cocktail recipe I had to share. It contains a handful of plump raspberries, fresh lemon juice, Cherrygood and a splash of vodka and was commissioned by Elton John for his famous Grey Goose Winter Ball in honour of the legendary shoe designer. Yum!

The Cherrygood ‘Red Carpet’ cocktail recipe

Ingredients:

Handful of fresh French raspberries
15ml fresh lemon juice
Splash of Himalayan goji berry liquour
Teaspoon freshly grated ginger
70 ml measure of Cherrygood
35 ml measure of Grey Goose Le Citron
Crushed ice

Method: Combine all the ingredients. Don’t shake the cocktail mixer - the ice will dilute it. Finish with a sprinkle of pepper and garnish with a cherry.

DIET - My WeightWatchers Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 22:53:00 +0000

A week ago an offer came along that was too good to resist, a 6 month trial of WeightWatchers online tracker, along with some of their goodies, a recipe book and the latest magazine. It couldn't have come at a better time! In August I have a fabulous Italian wedding to attend and I want to look and feel great for it. I am currently at my heaviest ever and I know I shouldn't be this weight. Plus, I know how much better and healthier I feel when I'm paying attention to what I eat.

So, I'll be tracking my progress here on the blog and trying to give a few tips along the way to anyone else who is either on WeightWatchers or is just looking to eat a little bit better. Let it be known, I am human and I will struggle and make mistakes, but I'll learn from them. Feel free to get involved or give me a few words of encouragement along the way.

Weight difference this week: -4lb
Weight difference overall: -4lb

Mood: My weigh-in day is Tuesday and I started the week feeling positive and was quickly reminded how easy the plan can be. On Thursday I felt pretty rough and ended up going to bed by 9.30pm, but by Friday my energy levels had picked right back up.

Exercise done: On the back of walking 14 miles last Sunday for the Marsden March, I've walked home from work twice this week. I've also got 10 Fitness First gym sessions lined up so I need to step up the fitness regime as soon as possible.

Naughty moments: On Friday night the boyfriend and I went out in Camden and I used up a fair few weekly points on 5 glasses of wine. I had a great time though and made sure I didn't eat anything bad after boozing or undo my hard work by eating carb-heavy hangover food.

Saintly moments: I had work drinks this week and opted for two vodkas with soda, meaning I didn't go over my points allowance that day. On Friday I had a work's leaving lunch where I opted for a salad and had lots of sparkling water in my one glass of wine.

Fabulous food finds: M&S strawberries have been half price this week and they taste so good! I've also been filling up on veggies like stuffed mushrooms which feel far more substantial that their low points value. To get my fish and chips fix for few points, I've stocked up on lightly dusted plaice fillets which are much healthier than breaded or battered versions. I can also recommend M&S mini wholemeal submarine rolls which are just 2 points each, or 5 points for three.

WW pitfalls: I assumed that garden peas would be free (as they are vegetables) but they're actually 2 points per portion. Unfortunately, I ate two portions in one sitting this week! I also mistook sweet potato for butternut squash in my office canteen which was a difference of 4 points. I've learned my lesson on these two now.

Handy hints: I'm trying to be quite organised in buying my meals and planning out food for the week. I buy my meals and then add all the components to my favourites section so I can see at a glance what I've got and can easily tot up points for my dinners before I start preparing them. If I know I've got a points-heavy dinner coming up then I can adjust my lunch to fit.

Some of this week's munch...

Salmon (seasoned with the WW Garlic & Herb Bag & Bake)

with asparagus, Santini tomatoes and potato bake.

Stuffed mushrooms, plum tomatoes and a melting middle fishcake.

Chicken breast fillets, mashed potato, vegetables and gravy.

SHOPPING - Top Home Buys for March

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:03:00 +0000

1. Wacky Practicals

Ever feel a bit short on space? I know I do in my inner city shoe box of an apartment. Wacky Practicals have tried to address this problem with a range of products that are collapsible and can be packed away flat when not in use. From buckets and washing up bowls to funnels, these bits are great for students, camping or smaller homes like mine.

2. Stamp rug

A rather large portion of Jubilee fun, this stamp rug definitely makes a statement. It's from Bouf and comes in different colours with different prices on the design.

3. Evolution sofa beanbag
Sofas are for lounging, beanbags are for lounging, so here's a double whammy. The evolution sofa beanbag and ottomon are perfect for lazing in front of the TV and the perfect idea for a teen's bedroom. I want one!

4. Cillit Bang All in One Dish & Surface Cleaner

I've been trying this handy dispenser out and it works a treat. It's battery operated so all you need to do is just hold your sponge or cloth under the dispenser and a little dose comes out and can be used for washing up dishes, or for general suface cleaning. The starter pack is currently available for £6.99 (from £19.99). I think £6.99 is a fair price but £20 definitely isn't so I'll be interested to see if the price stays low or goes up. One thing I did have to remember was to turn it off when not in use as I kept getting the cleaner on my tea towel when I went near it, whoops!

5. Linley's Union Jack collection

Feeling patriotic? Linley have a new collection which gets into the spirit of The Olympics and The Queen's Jubilee. To be fair, this isn't the first and won't be the last 'Best of British' themed collection, but these are great gift ideas featuring a tea caddy, trinket box, cufflink box and pen pot. But beware the hefty price tags!

INTERIORS - Indian Inspired Room for Blogger Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:32:00 +0000

So you may remember me telling you about a special blogger challenge I was taking part in, initiated by the lovely people at Cox and Kings (they organise the most amazing luxury holidays). My challenge was to decorate a room around the theme of a particular country chosen by the company which was India. India is important to Cox and Kings, they have a strong heritage there having been appointed travel organiser for the Foot Guards.

The rules: I had £250 to spend and wasn't allowed to go over that amount or get anything given to me for free for the room. It needed to be completed by 9 March and then you'll be able to vote for your favourite room (mine hopefully) on the Cox and Kings Facebook page from 12-25 March. The winner will be announced on 26 March.

The prize: There are six bloggers and the entry with the most likes will win a weekend trip for two to Tallinn, Estonia. It sounds beautiful, described as 'a melting pot of history with medieval, soviet and modern influences!' I'd love to go... please do take a second to vote!

Before

My flat is very compact and it's rented so I hadn't paid much attention to decorating. I wasn't able to paint or wallpaper so my challenge was to create a new look with textiles and accessories alone. I also had an ugly fuse box on the wall and furniture which didn't really fit the 'India' theme. Unfortunately, £250 sounds like a lot of money but it's not enough to re-furnish a room so I have tried to work with what I have already. The High Street at the moment is filled with 'British' themed homeware due to the Olympics and Queen's Diamond Jubilee, so that provided another challenge. When it comes to my own personal style, India isn't somewhere that immediately springs to mind so I've taken lots of inspiration from the country - colours, fabrics and details - but avoided too much of a stereotype. It's still something that I can live with afterwards.

My shopping list:

Wooden elephant tea light holder, Camden Market: £15.99

Pink striped Indian throw, Camden Market: £9.99

Indian basket (bucket), Roberts Curios: £5

Indian Lute, Roberts Curios: £10

Indian decorative plate, Roberts Curios: £10

Indian sari fabric, Roberts Curios: £7

Pink beaded cushion, Marks and Spencer £29.50

2 cotton pillow cases in aqua, Marks and Spencer £8

2 cotton pillow cases in fuschia, Marks and Spencer £8

Textured pleat double bed linen set in duck egg, Marks and Spencer £39.50

Cotton loop mat in fuchsia, Marks and Spencer £8

X2 Green printed mini vases, House of Fraser: £3.60

X2 scented candle votives, House of Fraser £12

Fjallsta picture frame, IKEA, £19.99

BILD poster, IKEA, £6

MICKE drawer unit in birch/white, IKEA, £44.99

X4 faux flower stems, IKEA, £3.16

Wicker magazine rack, IKEA, £4.79

Scarf hanger, IKEA, £3.99

Bag to carry home my IKEA goods, 40p

Total spent: £249.90, 10p to spare!

More 'after' photos

The throw on the bed was a total bargain, it's super king size and can be used as a wall hanging, floor rug, throw or blanket.

I had a set of perfume bottles already and the shape of them reminded me of the turrets in the Taj Mahal. This one is sitting on my desk by my lamp which is by Betty Jackson.Black at Debenhams, something else I already had.

This bed linen is really luxurious but reasonably priced too. I just know the quality is going to be key in making it last and wash well.

A little elephant friend. This was pretty expensive for what it was, but it really caught my eye.

An Indian engraved bucket. I think I'll give this a polish and it should clean up nicely.

A gorgeous, Indian sari fabric. The vibrant colours and shiny sequins make it a stand out fabric. It can also be worn as a skirt.

Trinkets on display. I think I'll use the engraved bucket for a pot plant when I find a nice one.

Time for tea... the caddy pictured isn't actually Indian (it's African) but the colours worked so well with my scheme.

A new picture from IKEA that proved somewhat difficult to get home on the tube! However, there are parts that look like peacock feathers and the peacock is the national bird of India.

A pretty but battered decorative plate. This is going to need a bit of a clean-up, but I sort of love the rustic charm it has. It's a little bit bent and weathered but the design is lovely.

An Indian lute, which unfortunately doesn't carry a note these days.

Some faux blooms and soft lighting.

An explosion of colour in the form of pens and stationery. I'm obsessed with colouring pens... you'd think I was five years old!

My bargain throw, £10 in Camden Market!

The beaded cushion that started the 'pink' accents off. M&S had lots of lovely cushions to choose from.

I'm a Virgo and I love to be organised... even better when organisation is colourful and colour coded.

Inspired to go to India? Check out these fabulous India itineraries from Cox & Kings. Don't forget to vote for my room if you like it, visit and 'like' the Cox & Kings Facebook page from 12 - 25 March to vote.

DECORATING - It's a Birdy... Wallpaper

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:40:00 +0000

Look what came flying into my inbox this week - the most fabulous wallpapers featuring beautiful birdies. Any of these would be great for a feature wall, and the Cockatoos are spot-on for spring/summer with flashes of vibrant bright colours. Opt for something more traditional like 'Berwick Birds' in a study or library and go for 'Flowering Tree' for a classic guest bedroom (the pastel lilac and lemon are totally on-trend).

These wallpapers and lots of other bird-inspired wallcoverings are available at Fabrics & Papers. Which would you choose?

INTERIORS - Cox & Kings Blogger Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:19:00 +0000

Cox & Kings are an established travel company who arrange tailor-made holidays to some of the world's most exciting and exotic places. When they approached me with a special blogger challenge to create an interiors look around a specific country I thought it was an awesome idea so I've been shopping and gathering my ideas this week. They've given us £250 to do the makeover with, I just hope it stretches to all the things I've got in my mind. Once the reveal takes place I'd love for people to vote for me over on the Cox & Kings Facebook page (hit the 'like' button now and you'll be ready to vote later).

The country that Cox & Kings chose for us was India, definitely one place that's on my list to travel to in the future! I was a little apprehensive at first because I'm a bit of a minimalist at heart and India definitely doesn't conjure up an image of sleek simplicity. What it does say to me is vibrant colours, intricate embellishment and pretty patterns. I've been thinking of ways to take inspiration from India but also ensure it's something that fits my home and my personality. For this reason, I wonder if my room will be very different to the other challengers. The other reason my room might be quite different is because I live in a very compact flat in central London and I don't have a lot of space to play with. My bedroom is also my study, so it's a multi-tasking space, so function as well as what it looks like is really important to me.

The other blogs taking part are... Cosy Home Blog, Home Gems, Bibbity-Bob, That’s Yummy Mummy and Mary Poppins. Follow us on Twitter with our special tag #CKBloggerChallenge

I don't want to give too much away at this stage but I've included some of my pins from Pinterest below when I was looking around for inspiration.

Source: brides.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: porterhousedesigns.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: houseandhome.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: google.co.uk via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: amberinteriordesign.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

SHOPPING - Top Home Buys For February

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:52:00 +0000

1. A brightly coloured bin

If there's one way to update your kitchen for spring it's with a splash of colour. I love the lime, pink and purple bins on offer from Sabichi. With a practical pedal operation, removable inner bucket and non-slip base you think they'd cost more than £35 for a 30 litre capacity. But no, these are bargains!

2. Cara Gray art

If you've a love of fashion, Paris and art then you won't be able to resist the work of Cara Gray. The collection of artwork captures a beguiling spirit that's enchanting and covetable.

3. A Scarlet & Argent throw

I love this Albion blanket from Scarlet & Argent. In cream, red and blue, it gives a nod to this year's patriotic events but is stylish enough to be timeless and last well beyond 2012.

REVIEW - Little Miracles Organic Drinks

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:43:00 +0000

I am a bit of a slave to caffeine, yet I also know how bad drinks like Diet Coke are for me. But can an organic drink rival the caffeine drinks that we all get so hooked on? Little Miracles are hoping to help replace the boost of our usual drinks with all-natural ingredients, free from artificial colours, flavours and sweeteners.

There are three flavours to choose from which I got to try recently:

White tea, Ginseng, Cherry & Acai
This was my favourite of the bunch because I loved the cherry flavouring that comes through.

Green tea, Ginseng, Pomegranate & Acai
This version was tasty and refreshing. Nice and fruity.

Black tea, Ginseng, Peach & Acai
This was my least favourite of the three, it did really remind me of peach tea that my Nan used to drink though. If you like that, you'll like this.

So do they give you energy? I think I'd need to test them out as a replacement for my diet coke for a longer period of time to know for sure. But drinking one in the morning felt pretty good and even if the ingredients aren't quite as dramatic for an energy boost, then just having a healthier alternative to replace nasty fizzy drinks could be enough to wean you off your caffeine addictions.

Enjoy all of these drinks straight from the fridge or with plenty of ice, that's how I felt it tasted best. Overall, all the flavours didn't feel too watered down or too intense, the levels of flavour were definitely about right. It's still caffeine so it isn't a complete fix to the problem of getting hooked on it, but at least the sweetness is derived from natural sources rather than being synthetic.

You'll find the drinks in the likes of Waitrose, Holland & Barrett and Morrisons, among other retailers, retailing around the £1.50 mark. Find out more about them at the Little Miracles website.

GIFTS - Valentine's Cards From Lazy Oaf

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:16:00 +0000

Looking for an uber-cool Valentine's card for someone special on 14 February? Lazy Oaf have some of my absolute favourites and they aren't all that conventional. In fact, I love the quirky, back-handed compliments the best. Which is your favourite?

Shop cards at Lazy Oaf

REVIEW - Godiva's Valentine's Chocolates

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:54:00 +0000

Here's a tip for the guys, if you are going to buy her chocolates for Valentine's Day you had better make sure they're good ones. I was sent some lovely confectionery from the well-known chocolatier Godiva.

First up, I tried the new limited edition Mont D'amour collection (it's a hard life right). This selection is about innovation and craftsmanship in the form of delicious mousse-based fillings featuring ingredients from France, Belgium, Japan and Sicily.

Fraises Des Bois is a wild strawberry mousse covered in dark chocolate. The flavour of the mousse was soft and subtle and the intense chocolate provided a pleasant contrast.

Cassis Marron features chestnut mousse with blackcurrant filling, covered with milk chocolate and blackcurrant powder. This was the most intensely flavoured of the bunch, rich, aromatic and seductive with a surprising tang of blackcurrant.

Noisette Citron is Sicilian lemon and hazelnut mousse in white chocolate. I loved this one, fresh, creamy and light I'd probably choose it over the darker chocolates any day. The nuttiness is barely there, almost just hinted at and it's not too sharp or sweet either.

Matcha was a little different, featuring Japanese green tea mousse in dark chocolate. Not my favourite of the bunch but a nice twist that some might find pleasantly surprising.

Fraise is a dark chcolate cased strawberry mousse including fruit from the Belgian region of Wepion. This was another favourite of mine, really creamy and velvety, subtle flavours and not overly sweet. Very easy to eat a few (or perhaps I'm just greedy).

In addition to this fabulous selection, my boyfriend helped me test out the Godiva Valentine's Coeur Fraise chocolates which came in a set of five. They are filled with a similar mouse to the Fraise chocolate from the collection above, but they are covered in white chocolate and finished off with a dainty little red heart made from chocolate.

I've one more set to try, but I think I might save that one to give to my Valentine on Valentine's Day itself. I'm certain there will be no complaints at all... the way to a man's heart and all that.

FOOD - Salad Stats Infographic

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:10:00 +0000

Some interesting stats that would suggest Americans are big salad eaters.

Infographic from... Mint.com Personal Finances

THRIFT - Do More With Less Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:12:00 +0000

I was enlisted by VoucherCodes.co.uk and their Most Wanted blog to join their 'do more with less' challenge, a concept that's on most people's minds during the month of January. We are all trying to make up for over-spending at Christmas time, and feeling the pinch from making our pay packets stretch further. On top of that, I went on holiday over Christmas so I've had a nice big credit card bill to pay. It's time to get savvy!

Some people might opt for charity shops, vintage stores, boot sales etc. but actually, there are great deals to be had on the high street too, especially when it comes to homeware.

My approach to this challenge was to focus on what I actually need right now, and staying within the £50 budget. In January it doesn't really make sense to just go for impulse buys, regardless of what a good deal it might be.

I'm time-poor as well as money poor right now so I decided to check out the online sales. Although I work in online retail, I very rarely shop online. Having recently bought a (desperately needed) new bed and mattress in the sales the thing at the top of my shopping list were two extra pillows and a new bed linen set.

I looked around and did some price comparison and then finally opted for the Debenhams sale where I was able to snap up the following...

2 hollowfibre pillows set - £7. with 28 reviews and an average rating of 4.5 stars, this was a bargain buy. At just £3.50 a pillow, these would be perfect for sitting under neath my other two feather pillows that I already have. I've since tried them out and they are light, soft and definitely help me get a good night's sleep, which is the general aim. These aren't about looking pretty.

Green 'Joni Ribbon' bed linen set - Was £75, now £37.50. I love crisp white bed linen, and the green accent and pleats are a nice fresh touch. Again, this product had a 5 star rating through its customer reviews which really helps. The other selling point of this set is that it will fit with different decor, so if I end up moving in 6 months it's not going to look out of place. Yes you can get cheaper sets, but quality is really important with bedding in my eyes, it needs to wash well and feel nice against your skin.

Extra tips...

When shopping online, look at the ratings and reviews for a product. You don't want the hassle of having to send something back because it wasn't quite what you thought
Shop when there is free online delivery, or see if there is a collect-from-store service which should be free
Keep an eye on any voucher codes sites to see if there's an offer somewhere you are intending to shop, obviously VoucherCodes.co.uk is one to check.
Check out the returns policy, if it's free you won't run the risk of extra expenditure if you need to send it back

DRINK - Douwe Egberts ground coffee packs

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:11:00 +0000

Coffee lovers, this post is for you! Over the past couple of months I've been trying out some coffee from Douwe Egberts. I went out and got a cafetiere and invited my work colleagues to help themselves to six new varieties of coffee. Read on or find out more on Facebook.

House Blend (Strength 3) This is a great blend for everyday coffee, something you can drink at your desk at leisure. True coffee lovers mind find it a bit bland, but for me it was tasty and very easy to drink.

Café Milano (Strength 3) A laid-back blend with Italian charm. This wasn't cited as anyone's favourite, but was nice enough.

Flavourful Decaff (Strength 3) This was perfect for the office because one of my colleagues is actually allergic to caffeine. We all tried the decaff coffee and agreed there was no compromise on flavour, a good switch for anyone concerned about their caffeine intake.

Time Together (Strength 4) One of my co-workers said: "This coffee is quite nutty and smooth. Enjoyable with milk and very easy to drink as it isn’t bitter at all." I tried it too and found it to be quite enjoyable, even for a non-coffee drinker.

Morning Americano (Strength 5) designed to be drunk first thing in the morning, this coffee packs just enough punch to get your started.

Fired Up (Strength 6) with dark-roasted beans and intense flavours this was a favourite of the more hardened coffee drinkers. Definitely a bit too strong for me, but if you like your coffee dark and strong it's a winner. One colleague said: "Fired Up’ packs a punch with deep, rich flavour. Surprisingly it isn’t bitter but it’s strength is in the strong, earthy taste. A wake up call and a half!"

We didn't have a coffee machine so I picked up a really inexpensive cafetiere at Debenhams.

SHOPPING - Top Home Buys for January

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:35:00 +0000

The sales are in full swing and that means there are bargains to be had. I've picked out a few pieces that have caught my eye in January...

Red Napkin Holder Bull & Matador - Bouf - Was £15, Now £12

You've gotta love this quirky addition to your dining table. Of course, it works best if you pony use red paper napkins too. It's a great little gift idea as well.

Designer Radiators - B&Q

Radiators can be ugly old things, so if you've doing up your home then getting some sleek designer radiators is a fab idea. I love ones which use up spaces that otherwise wouldn't be used, like under the low window pictured, and I love the mirrored version even more - such a practical yet stylish solution. For a limited time, B&Q are offering 15% off.

A La Cornue CornuFé 110 cooker

Agyness Deyn has one of these in her New York apartment and George Clooney and Brad Pitt are also reported to have one. They come in some great colours too including refreshing pastels.

By Nature Wildlife Havens

By Nature has launched a new set of pretty widlife havens, including a nesting box, bird feeder and insect hotel. Not only are they a great idea for supporting the wildlife near your home, they look really fab too. I love the pastel accent shade. The are all under £15. They have been designed by Sophie Conran, interior designer and daughter of Sir Terence Conran.

The S'well Wine Bottle (available in USA)

This 750ml bottle is designed to keep white wine chilled at picnics or social events. S'well wine bottles are handy and keeps wine cool for up to 24 hours, plus the stainless steel won't add any flavour to the wine itself.

SHOPPING - Top Home Buys for November

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:51:00 +0000

1. And Chocolate Print - Bouf - £35

Show someone you care with this fab typographical print from One Must Dash, available at Bouf. I'm a big fan of monochrome prints and that's what I've got in my home. It somehow jars less with your decor which is also great if you move home quite a bit and want something to work with any decor.

2. Chick A Dee Smoke Alarm - Dutch by Design - £42.50

This quirky smoke alarm is a first for me as I've never seen someone do something different with this functional essential. You have to have one so it may as well look pretty.

3. The Edible Flower Bouquet - By Nature - £35

Like the idea of giving a bunch of flowers but don't like the wastage? What about giving a bunch that can be eaten afterwards? By Nature have a fab herb bouquet which can be used in the kitchen for a fully functional gift. The bunch includes bay, sage, chillis, rosemary and pepperleaf - what a fab idea!

INSPIRATION - GANT Home Collection SS12

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:51:00 +0000

I recently went to the GANT press day for SS12 and here's a sneak peek at the homeware collection for next season. A coordinating palette of soft blues and neutrals with the occasional pop of red. It's all rather patriotic and flirts with both beach house, nautical styling and all-American design details like stars and stripes.

I loved the textured, cable knit throws and mix of striped linens used on the bed together. The striped styles reminded me of pyjamas and toothpaste, two things which are associated with bedtime.

Explore the full GANT home collection

ART - Inspiration From the Saatchi Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:13:00 +0000

My boyfriend recently started a design course and I've been surprised by how much I am getting inspired from it. With projects to work on at home and tasks to complete I've been enjoying hearing all about it. One such task was to visit an art gallery or exhibition so we both went along to the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. It's free to visit and well worth taking a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon to wander round.

I took lots of pics and have picked out a few of my faves below...

These crunched cars are by Dirk Skreber and taking them out of the usual, and rather distressing setting, they actually become striking and intriguing. Quite how it was all put together I don't know, but it was great to be able to see everything up close.

I snapped this picture because the colours worn by the girl sitting in the foreground tied in with the art installation behind her. The hollow tree trunk had been filled with brightly coloured foam. Rather surreal, but good fun too. The pictured art is by Folkert de Jong, as are the next few pieces I photographed.

Below are some rather ambiguous looking figures, sculpted by Rebecca Warren. They are crudely crafted with exaggerated body parts, and made from clay.

I loved this next piece as it reminded me of Tron. It's by Björn Dahlem and called The Milky Way.

And here's another using light, this time coloured neon. I love the chaotic mix of brights which make up these two separate installations.The first is by David Batchelor. There seems to have been lots and lots of light used within modern art, and it doesn't show signs of slowing down if these are anything to go by.

GADGETS - Philips PerfectCare Iron Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Style PA) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:27:00 +0000

I hate ironing. In fact, I hate it so much that I rarely do it, perhaps twice a year I might break out the iron and tackle those creases. But when Philips got in touch to see if I wanted to give their PerfectCare Iron a go I figured I had best say yes. My boyfriend also encouraged me... but I think that's just so I could get started on his shirts.

Here's what the PerfectCare iron claims to do:

100% effective on all fabrics, iron any fabric in any order without having to change the settings
Up to 2 hours of steam ironing from one tank of water
100% safe on all ironable garments
The SteamGlide soleplate has great scratch resistance, excellent gliding and is easy to clean
Ready to use in 2 minutes

Being the good girlfriend that I am, I did start with his shirts and t-shirts. The claims that this iron glides over all fabrics easily are definitely true. It's a breeze! It did feel quite gentle on the shirts and t-shirts though and I think the overall finish could have been slightly better. Perhaps a few extra minutes taken over each garment would have resulted in perfection but I figured the quick method was good enough. Round 1... 7/10.

But to really put the claims to the test I decided to get out a silk dress that had been folded in a basket for months (it fits me again after a stint on Weight Watchers hurrah!) The dress is an ombre silk dress from Principles that I've had a while and to be honest I didn't even think I could iron it due to the shiny finish to the fabric, but after checking the label I saw that yes I could.

This is where the iron really becomes worth the money. There is only one heat setting but the claims say that it won't burn your clothing. I tentatively put the iron on the fabric and low-and-behold there was nothing but gentle steam and creaseless fabric. No nasty scorch marks, no dodgy patches. The fabric I was ironing was extremely light and thin and I was totally impressed with the results. Round 2... 10/10.

Before...

... and after.

The size of the steam generating part of the iron is pretty bulky, or at least I might struggle to store it inconspiculously in my tiny flat, but it is pretty quiet when in use and the iron itself isn't very heavy. As for the claims, yes it did heat up straight away, I didn't have to worry about changing fabrics and it does glide almost effortlessly. It's the fact that it makes ironing so much easier that means the £230-£280 price tag could be well worth it for those who don't want to feel like ironing is more of a chore than it needs to be.

So my verdict? This is the must-have accessory for the fashionista's wardrobe to keep those fabulous purchases looking their best. Will I be using it on his shirts? Probably not, life's too short to slave away ironing other people's clothes and frankly I'm selfishly saving this iron for all my special garments.

You can buy it at John Lewis.