Fortnum & Mason magic: Afternoon Tea and Alice in Wonderland

Afternoon Tea in London is an institution. It is one of the few things in this city that both tourists and locals love, and with good reason. Nowhere in the world will you find a more beautiful setup for such an event. Nowadays, however, there is a very short list of special locations in London that are held on a pedestal when it comes to serving this late day delight. One such location is the cherished Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly. It shouldn't come as any surprise that afternoon tea at Fortnum's is a special treat. Downstairs they sell some of the finest tea available and in such varieties that people from all over the world come to Fortnum's specifically to fill their tea chests. 

How I have managed to live in London for 14 years and not step into this tea salon is beyond me. But here we are and those are the facts. Well, until last weekend at least. For the first time, I sat down to afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason in London and I had not one, but two handsome gentleman by my side. It should be mentioned that one of these handsome gentleman was four years old. I note that, specifically, because I was so incredibly surprised by how accommodating Fortnum & Mason were for afternoon tea for a child. We had originally thought that the whole thing may be a bit grown up for such a youngster. We couldn't have been more wrong. He was offered his own menu, a glass of juice with our champagne and hot chocolate while we had our tea. This was a well oiled kid pleasing machine. Oh, and Mr. Maxwell, even took a few pics for FFG while enjoying the special moment. 

Now, moving along to the adults enjoying tea. We started our afternoon with a glass of bubbly from the champagne trolley. I mean you can't say no to champagne on wheels. Am I right or am I right? From there, we chose both a savoury and a sweet tea to share. This is a game changer and I highly recommend everyone take this course of action. You get the best of all worlds and if you love something, never fear... everything is "refillable." Yup, this is endless eats. Although that all sounds so Western Sizzler and this is the height of sophistication here in London. So, no, we did not order seconds. 

After tea, and with very full bellies, we made our way downstairs to peruse the windows. Fortnum & Mason's windows are legendary and this season we were not left disappointed. Oh, and once again we had a hit for kids. The windows were all Alice in Wonderland themed, in honour of the new release of the movie. 

All in, I'd say this was an experience to remember and recommend. And please, if you have children, consider this your next best thing since the opening of your local playground.

To make reservations, visit the Fortnum & Mason Afternoon Tea  information page. Book in advance, so as not to be left disappointed!

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LED Lunchtime Beauty with Sarah Chapman

Don't be frightened. I promise the pictures above and below are not pictures of some exotic torture. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Those bright pink rays you're seeing are all helping to heal my face and take away the daily London grime that likes to accumulate over the day. This is my new lunchtime love...

This is the Sarah Chapman LED Light Therapy and the treatment can easily fit into your lunch hour, with 30 mins to spare. It's a fast treatment that involves a lovely cleanse with a facialist, followed by twenty minutes in front of a non invasive red LED panel. So, what, you ask, is a panel of light bulbs going to do to help your skin? I thought you'd never ask. The LED Light Therapy is all put into action to do the following: increase cell energy, up collagen production, and remove bacteria from the skin. This is a great treatment for anyone with acne prone skin or for anyone looking to just cleanse the city air from their skin. It's also hella relaxing. I fell asleep five minutes into the treatment. Whoops.

Now, for those of you worried about down time after the procedure, there isn't any. You look better than when you walked in, with a face that's fresh and squeaky clean. If you'd rather put hot pokers in your eyes than leave any place without makeup, never fear, as you can apply makeup on the skin once again straight after the therapy. While you'll see a difference after just one treatment, this is recommended as a regular course of therapy to keep the skin looking its best. 

The price of LED Light Therapy at  Sarah Chapman is set currently at £70. However, keep an eye out for special offers. For Chelsea in Bloom, for example, they had the treatment on special for £40.

Sarah Chapman

259 Pavilion Road, Chelsea, London SW1X 0BP

020 7589 9585

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Style Update: A Lavish Alice Off-The-Shoulder Moment

And the off-the-shoulder top obsession continues. Anyone else feeling as if this is all I have in my closet this summer? Hey, if you love something, don't let it go. Hmmmm, pretty sure the saying is "if you love something, let it go," but I'm making it up as I go along here, folks. My latest sartorial obsession comes courtesy of Lavish Alice, a brand that's new to my closet, but one I'm fastly falling for. 

Shop the Look:

Photos by Terence Webb.

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Video: 20 tips for packing the perfect carry-on!

For the past five years, I have more or less spent my life living out of a hundred different suitcases. In the beginning, I made big mistakes - never planning, throwing everything into the case but the kitchen sink and never seeming to have exactly what I needed when I needed it most. Oh, the drama. Nowadays, I have the process of packing down to a fine art. I've visited exotic destinations with some of the most well travelled individuals on the earth and I've always taken note of little tips their willing to hand out along the way. And I've been thinking, for some time, that it might be a good idea to share these little tips and tricks. So when CollectPlus asked me if I'd put together a tutorial of sorts for their followers, I was all too happy to oblige, especially as CollectPlus has become a mainstay in my arsenal of packing prep tips. 

For those of you unfamiliar with CollectPlus, allow me to introduce you to the best thing since sliced bread when it comes to online shopping. We all know it's near impossible to get packages at home these days. I, for one, never seem to be home when the delivery man comes calling. CollectPlus have more or less solved that problem perfectly. They are a delivery service that works with over 300 online retailers, including places like ASOS, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and many more, and offer the opportunity for you to pickup your orders at over 5,800 locations around the UK, at your convenience. It's simple for buying, trying and returning (if need be). I've been using them since the day I started shopping ASOS and I've never looked back. Alright, I think you are sufficiently clued in. 

Check out my tips for packing the perfect holiday carry-on below and make sure you check out the CollectPlus Wanderlust Wardrobe for tips on what to pack for this summer's hottest locations. Whether you are travelling to the south of France, Miami, UAE or even on safari, CollectPlus have got tips on which items you need to pack!

Created in collaboration with CollectPlus

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Outfit du Jour: Tom Ford's Casmere-ical!

Shop the Look:

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Fifi Lapin poster shop

Hello! 

Lots of people have been in touch to ask when my shop will be reopened. Well I'm having a few issues with logistics but I hate to disappoint so I have decided to keep things simple for the moment. The shop is opened again but I will only be shipping on Tuesdays for the foreseeable future and have just a small line of posters to begin with. Hop on over and have a nosy!

bunny kisses 

Fifi Lapin

xxx

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Louis Vuitton - The Art of the Journey

A few weeks ago I told you guys about an amazing exhibition that was taking place in Louis Vuitton's London flagship store on New Bond Street - The Art of the Journey, a look at the history of Louis Vuitton trunks. While I like to think that we all have endless hours in the day, to visit far off destinations and look at amazing exhibitions, I realize that's just not the case. So, I thought I'd bring you a look at the exhibition itself, for those of you that couldn't make it to London for the grand event. And, just in case you are reading about all of this for the first time, and you are in London... today's the last day to see the exhibition, so get yourself down to the store and ask for an official tour (ends June 9th, 2016). Pictures can, of course, tell a great story, but there's nothing like standing in front of the real thing.

Let's start with a few facts about the exhibition. Louis Vuitton's The Art of the Journey was spread out over six rooms, ranging from "Heritage" to "British Summer." In these six rooms, viewers were introduced to exclusive trunks from around the world, brought together for one exhibition for the first time. We saw trunks you would expect to see - the standard (yet oh so beautiful) steamer trunks, the vanity cases and the wardrobe trunks. But then, there was so much that couldn't have ever been anticipated. Take, for example, the trunk that doubles as a desk, complete with an actual fold out table. Or how about a trunk that's a working casino? Not impressed? How about a trunk that was built to hold a 1000 cigars or a trunk put together for the enjoyment of champagne? And in case you were wondering what the reference to "British Summer" was set to include - there's a croquet set and a picnic set, each in, you guessed it, their very own Louis Vuitton trunk.

I came away from the exhibition basically believing that Louis Vuitton trunks can work to compartmentalize any part of your life - absolutely anything. It also has me thinking that all those Louis Vuitton trunks I always say in old pictures, of people in transit, most have contained more secrets than any of us could have possibly imagined. 

Now, it must be said that trunks weren't the only pieces on display. In honour of the theme of travel, Louis Vuitton also displayed several "Objets Nomades." These are all pieces that are meant to serve as luxury items for the constant traveller. They are, in short, pieces that travel well. 

And now, a look at what was on display. I don't want to show everything on the off chance that this exhibition returns or comes to a city near you. It is truly a display of art not to be missed. My love affair with Louis Vuitton continues....

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The Airport made me do it: Bobbi Brown Smokey in Seconds

I have forgotten my makeup bag on a press trip only once. It's important to mention this because once was all it took. I found myself in the airport, reaching for my toiletries to take out for security screening and it dawned on me that there was no bag because it was still sitting on my bathroom sink. All by itself it sat, resting and shaking it's imaginary finger in my general direction and saying, in a rather disappointed voice, "we knew this would happen eventually."And there it was... happening. But, I firmly believe that when one door closes in this crazy universe, it allows another to open. And this is where my new insane obsession with shopping airports has officially taken a new turn - towards beauty.

So there I am wondering where to start. Where do I turn? My gut told me to go straight to the pharmacy and buy a bunch of cheap and cheerful products that will do the trick for a weekend away. That's everyone's first thought, right? And yes, that was mine. Slap me. I did do just that and bought a whole load of products, some on sale, some on offer and others that were just downright too cheap to believe it. Well, all things come with a consequence and this sad story ends with me, two days later, taking a plane back to London with a face that was as red as a bright tomato. There's a reason we all develop beauty routines we trust. Now, bear with me as I am going somewhere with all of this. After telling my story a thousand times over to PRs and friends alike, one PR brought to my attention the great deals that actually exist in the airport for just such a reason. 

Apparently, there are all kinds of deals and steals with GREAT and REPUTABLE makeup, skincare and haircare brands to be found at the airport. Now, I have to say that my knowledge starts and stops with Heathrow airport at this point. But, for those of you travelling through Heathrow in the near future, I wanted to give you a formal introduction to just such a deal and steal that I've fallen head over heels in love with. 

Enter Bobbi Brown's Smokey in Seconds. This is a chic little kit, which comes in a perfectly pint sized black box, that has every ingredient needed to give you the perfect smokey eye. According to Bobbi Brown, the Smokey Eye is the most requested makeup look. The famed makeup artist says, "It's the quickest way to instantly dress up eyes. It may look complicated, but with the right products and  tools, it's easy and quick to create the look you want." And Bobbi Brown gives you absolutely everything you are going to need in her Smokey in Seconds kit. 

Now, if you're like me (a total makeup dummy), this is music to your ears. And if you have a bit of a commitment issue to makeup, you'll also love that everything is more or less travel and trial size. It fits perfectly in your carry on and it really is the best thing since sliced bread when you're having a makeup emergency. It's £40, with a retail value of over £60, and it's available to buy at your Bobbi Brown airport concession. If you love, you go and buy the full size to keep at home forever and amen. If you feel like you could do better, you go back to the drawing board. I think after using this kit you'll find yourself visiting your local Bobbi Brown. I did. 

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