Celebrity & Style Mag

Friday, 22 July 2016

London Roof Garden Perfection: B.O.B's Lobster, The Gardening Society, John Lewis London

I have been back from Maine for exactly six days. Six days, people, and I'm already eating lobster again! I mention this because the lobster I had today, on the roof terrace of John Lewis, on Oxford Street, tasted as if I was eating it on my back porch in Maine. Yes, the rumours are true. B.O.B's lobster rolls are the best lobster rolls this side of the Atlantic, and this comes from a seasoned professional. What are my qualifications? Well, I've been chomping down on lobster rolls in New England since I was old enough to eat on my own. I'd say 30 plus years in the game gives me a bit of a leg up on what's what when it comes to a good lobster roll.

B.O.B's lobster roll is, first of all, a full quarter pound of lobster prepared perfectly, not over-seasoned so as to drown the taste of actual lobster. This is half the battle won. No names need be mentioned but plenty of establishments in London have got this wrong- all wrong. Adding random ingredients to spice things up when you are eating one of the finest seafoods out there is just plan sacrilege when it comes to food preparation. Secondly, and perhaps just as important when it comes to preparation, let's talk about the bun. B.O.B's lobster roll comes in a butter grilled brioche bun that melts in your mouth and only adds to the delicious taste that the lobster presents with every mouthful. In short, I couldn't find one fault with this lobster roll or the setting in which I inhaled it.

So about this setting. B.O.B's Lobster is usually a food truck, but it has popped up for the month of July at The Gardening Society at John Lewis Oxford Street in London. What's that you say? What's The Gardening Society? Oh heavens me, sit down and take notes. This is the new hot spot in central London for those looking for a little fun in the sun, whether at midday or after work. The Gardening Society is a rooftop garden that is found in the most unlikely of settings. It's an oasis in a cement jungle. It's a patch of green in an otherwise grey London world. It's also a favorite new place for folks to find peace during a quick lunch hour - whether eating at B.O.B's Lobster or simply enjoying a coffee with a good read.

While B.O.B's Lobster is only in residence for another week, and reservations are still being taken, there will be further pop-ups throughout the summer. Not to worry. I'll keep you well informed...

The Gardening Society,

John Lewis Oxford Street,

London

Outfit du Jour: Weekend Wedding Chic

Shop the Look:

Marina Rinaldi Tube Dress with Embroidery, Jimmy Choo Heels, Clare V Leather Clutch

Style Update: The coolest (and best) culottes

Ladies and gents, I've had a sip from the fashion kool-aid, and I like it. I am now a fan of culottes. But it should be said, it isn't just any old pair of culottes that I'm going gaga for. In my estimation, I've tried on about 451 pairs of culottes over the past three years, in search of pair that fits and flatters and I'm proud to say I've swiped right onto the perfect pairing. Thank heavens. I was starting to get leg cramps from all the off-and-ons!

Wearing:

Eileen Fisher Culottes, Aspinal Handbag, Next Shoes, Hermes Cuff, Fendi Sunglasses

Rationalising "goodbye"... the good, the bad, the ugly and the selfish

If I could make it fifteen minutes without bursting into tears at the moment, I'd be a happy camper. July 2016 has officially become the month of hard goodbyes. There are the goodbyes that make you happy, happy for new beginnings for some, and the goodbyes that are seemingly the last and final words exchanged between two people. Each is hard in its own way, and none are altogether welcome, but somehow I've managed to pull it all into perspective.

Today, I tried my damnedest to keep myself together as I said goodbye to someone who has become my best friend over the past seven years. She's no shrinking violet and we've made no effort to disguise our ridiculous sister-wife love for each other over the years, parading ourselves across instagram, the blog and snapchat. Some of my happiest London memories, since moving here 14 years ago, have been spent alongside one Laetitia Wajnapel (known to many as Mademoiselle Robot). And today I had to hug her and try not to smear my mascara over the side of her cheek as tears freely streamed down my face. Lil' Letty is moving to Los Angeles to pursue a dream of living and working in one of her favorite places on earth. After visiting Los Angeles a few times with The Robot, I've seen first hand how she blossoms in such an amazing city. This goodbye, as hard as it was, is most definitely a goodbye that fills my heart with joy. I went home and cried a little more, mostly because I was feeling sorry for myself. I was sad to have my "shoulder to cry on" move so bloody far away. This was a selfish goodbye - as are most. But, it is the goodbye that I consider the "good." She's gone for now, but certainly not forever. So how I do say this goodbye? Well, there isn't an easy way to say it and there never is. But, I go home and think to myself that I'm sad because I'm losing a friend and that truly there is only happiness to be found in a best friend finding happiness elsewhere. And there's always a silver lining - I now have a place to shack up in LA whenever I need one.

Now onto the bad...

For me, the bad goodbyes are usually the ones that could be the last goodbyes. As I get older, and as I see my parents get older, I start to see that saying "the last goodbye" is something that never gets easier, but does tend to get more regular. Whenever I go home, I see relatives when I can. I see them getting older and more fragile and more often than not, the discussion of "this may be the last time you see them..." becomes routine. I say goodbye and tears come and I try to understand why it is that some people come into our lives and make such a dent in our hearts and then leave. Then I realize I'm once again being selfish. How lucky am I to have had them in my life at all, even for just a moment? How do I say this goodbye? I step back and thank the universe for bringing them into my life at all. I realize that I'm blessed to have an opportunity to say goodbye, or to at least recognize how special this last moment may be for both parties. I say goodbye hoping it's not our last, just the last here in this time and place.

And so we reach the ugly...

My ugliest goodbyes have always been with my pets. There is a certain cruelty in having to say goodbye to an animal and not being able to explain to that kind heart why it is you are parting. For any human being that has ever had to look into a dog's eyes while putting them to sleep, you will know that nothing can prepare you for this moment. You haven't had a chance to chat about the forthcoming event. You haven't been able to explain that the pain will get worse, the quality of life will dissipate and that you are doing what you have to do because of the love you have for this little being. All you see are two loving eyes looking back at you and the tears that come with this are most definitely described as ugly, harsh and heartbreaking. And you know what? This goodbye is selfish too. You feel bad because you can't really say goodbye, not a goodbye they'll understand anyway. You feel selfish because you have played God and taken a life, because you didn't want your pet to suffer. You feel selfish because you want that animal there with you now and instead it's gone forever.

In my experience in saying the many goodbyes I have over the past 36 years, I can definitely say that not one has been easy. If something is worthwhile saying goodbye to of course it will be hard and it will tug at the heart strings. But most of the time goodbyes come with a spoonful of perspective, a moment to reflect and to appreciate everything that you have been given in this life and how lucky you are to have something so precious that it can be missed at all.

As Dr. Suess is famous for saying, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Goodbyes may be ugly, but the experience is what makes life beautiful. Enough sentiment. Pass me a glass of wine and a tissue.

Dry Shampoo for your Gym Bag

Colab Active Dry Shampoo*

Colab is a brand thats been lurking around for a good ol' while now and Im not actually sure if I've spoken about it on here or not. Created by the absolutely wonderful Ruth Crilly - it's a range of dry shampoo's that you can pick up at your local drugstore that's good enough to rival the iconic Batiste.

Touted as a gym bag must have, the Colab Active is a must for those of us on the go, outdoorsy types and sporty babes. Who am I kidding, I am none of the above.

This Active version shampoo is the same formula as the original Sheer and Invisible but with Moringa Seed Extract to condition and offers UV protection for your barnet. I find the power of the Colab Dry Shampoo's to be super fine and almost invisible in the hair, you know that sort of white cast that Batiste gives? Yeah it doesn't do that. Thumbs up.

I friggen' love the scent, it's a little bit lemon-y, bergamot and neroli-ish paired with amber and a complimentary musky undertone. Which sounds super fancy for a dry shampoo, but it's a very chic and fresh fragrance. Ideal product for pepping up greasy locks and with it's super duper oil absorbing properties it's like dry shampoo on steroids!

A little tip that I read over on Ruth's blog is to spray it in before you workout and then brush it out after you've finished working out and then reapplying it again just to make sure it feels super clean. Thats a tip I think I might start trying on days that I dont wash my hair, spraying in dry shampoo the night before and then brushing it out in morning! I actually used this technique when I went on Holiday last week because I knew I was going to be getting my sweat on - it was 40C at some points!
In the morning before I stepped out into the sun I'd liberally spritz my hair with the product and let it go to work. I found my hair overall less sweaty and less hard to manage. Of course I still washed my hair on those days as it was REALLY hot. But I was impressed how less slick and sweaty my hair felt throughout the day.

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2 Shower Gels to get you going in the Morning

Hands up who hates mornings? *insert hand up emoji*

Nothing really gets me going in the morning (well apart from a strong coffee or seven) is a zesty energising shower gel. I need something that strips away all the sleepiness from my body and sets me up for the day. Now Im not promising miracles here, I can only speak from my own experience - but I can promise a little bit of spring in your step post shower.

LUSH HAPPY HIPPY

This is one of my ol' favourites, especially on mornings when you really CBA. Grapefruit really gets the senses going and brightens up even the dullest of mornings and this has even been known to ease a hangover or two. Zingy and Invigorating with a underlying zesty fragrance that really wakes me up.

SOAP AND GLORY SUGAR CRUSH JELLY

Super Sweet Lime flavoured and packed full of something they like to call Coolcapsule Smooth (srsly wtf are these beauty buzzwords) Sugar Crush this shower gel provides a mood boosting dose of sweetness and sugar to really get things pumping. Sugar Crush has always been a polarising scent for me due to it's almost overwhelming sweetness but there is no doubting that it packs a bunch. It's . I also like that it lingers a bit on the skin, or you could be extra fancy and finish off with some of their body butter to really pack a punch.

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Two style weaknesses come into play here - oversized and colour! If there was ever a recipe I use more than anything else for smash and grab outfits, this is it right here.

You can't go wrong with a simple white shirt, a favorite pair of jeans and some colourific accessories. It's a combo created for success and I can't stress this enough when you find yourself in a "what the hell do I wear?" scenario. Always keep a pressed white shirt to hand and a clean pair of jeans. They will save you every day of the year. The accessories I leave up to you. The bolder the better, in my humble opinion. But then again, I'm 6'2 so I'm used to standing out. What's a bit more neon to sweeten the attention?

What I'm wearing?

Hermes Bangle, Christian Louboutin Clutch, White top from Fenwick's Bond Street, ASOS Neon Shoes and American Eagle Jeans.

My Favourite Vintage Chanel Sunglasses

Yes, yes, I've written about the whole experience of the Four Seasons Serengeti, and I still do believe that sometimes I'm able to capture in words so much more than I can capture in video. But for this experience, I think seeing things in motion is just as important as reading my love letter to one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had.

Over the course of four days, I captured over 2 hours of video clips. Two hours, people! I narrowed it down to a half hour video, then a twenty minute video and then finally a four minute moment, with three extra minutes devoted to snapchat recaps. The result goes a little something like this...

Presenting the Four Seasons Serengeti Safari Experience:

DIY: The Dream S'Mores Summer Party

While I'm all for the average BYOB night this summer, I'm thinking outside the box when it comes to fresh party ideas and I'm positively in love with the idea of flashing back to the good ole days. Today, I'm in a camper's mindset. Remember those nights around the campfire, wooden stick in hand and marshmallow roasting? Those were the days, the easy summer days when all you had to worry about was heading back to school in September. And yes, I'd like to flashback there, and as often as humanly possible. So this summer party idea is a grown up version of summer camp, with a twist.

Introducing the "Dream S'mores Summer Party."

Everyone loves a classic s'more. Who wouldn't love the chocolate, marshmallow and graham cracker combo? But have you ever considered thinking outside the box? Last night I held my first Dream S'mores Summer party and I must say it was an absolute success. Here's the concept:

Invite all your nearest and dearest for a night in and specify the need to bring your own ingredients. Ask them to bring sweet treats. This can range from brownies to a box of chocolates. Say nothing else. Upon arrival, hand over some spiked fruit punch (remember, this is flashback to camp) and name the game. This is a night of transformation, of thinking bigger and bolder. The ingredients brought by guests will be used to create the classic s'mores combo in a contemporary way. There will be winners, there will be losers, but sure as anything else there will be loads of laughs.

There are two options for creation. You can keep your party indoors and use the microwave or stove for melting the marshmallow, or, if you're lucky enough to have one, gather outside around the fire for a more authentic experience. After each and every s'more is made, place the creations on a long table and give everyone a fork. Dig in and judge the winner! The rest is up to you... but, here are a few ideas from our night of fun:

The s'mores ingredients bowl