Wednesday, 10 August 2016

Petty things that 20 Somethings Fear



Idk why I've titled this "...20 somethings" as that makes me cringe almost as much as "Millennial"but hey, that's the kind of contradictory person I've grown to become. I thought I'd share some of the petty things that I'm irrationally scared of in the hope people find me #relatable and make me feel like less of an awkward turtle.

Moving Back in with Their Parents

A couple of years ago between moving into new houses in London I had to put all my stuff in storage and go and live back at my parents house. 150 Miles away from all my things and my friends and not to mention being back at home with my parents put the fear of god into me. Luckily my boyfriend at the time also let me stay at his some of the time but telling people I’d had to sort-of move back home was such a bum out. It’s very strange moving back into your old childhood room and the fear of being stuck there forever is v. unsettling.

Unknown Numbers

I HATE talking on the phone to anyone I don’t know, actually I just hate talking to anyone on the phone. But nothing makes me feel worse than seeing an unknown number pop up on my phone? Who could it be? That guy you drunkenly gave your phone number to? Or the Bank asking why you still have a student overdraft even though you left university 5 years ago? 

Voicemails 

While on the subjects on phones lets talk Voicemails. Leaving one makes my palms so sweaty that it practically makes my phone slip out of my hands. The fear of messing up a message runs way too strong and I know it's' only some machine on the other end but it makes me so nervous than someone actually being on the other end of the line.  Also with that I can't stand listening to them either out of the fear of the unknown. Im pretty sure the only person has ever leaves me voicemails is my Dad but honestly there is nothing more unsettling that seeing “1 Voice Message” pop up on my phone.

Accidentally Liking something you shouldn’t 

I’ve got the art of holding my phone during a stalking session down to a tee incase I do actually hit that like button when I'm 47 weeks deep stalking your mates sisters university friend who has a feed goals and a body to die for. Sometimes you can get away with a quick reverse but once that notification has gone out there is no going back from the inevitable cringe. Same goes for adding someone on Facebook and following them on Twitter.

Making Appointments

TBH I think I’d rather just die than phone up the doctors to get an appointment or ask them what could be wrong with me. Being blissfully unaware seems like the safest option. Even if I know… end up in the morgue.

So there we go 5 little things that Im scared of but I know are the most firstworldy of first world problems imaginable. Do you have any petty things that scare the shit out of you that really shouldn't? Let me know in comments!




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FFG Travels: The Chedi Andermatt

I am having a mad love affair... with a country. Yes, it's just this special little place called Switzerland. Maybe you've heard of it? And perhaps you've heard it's a place where people go to ski and that's about it. Oh how wrong you would be and oh how wrong I've been for so many years. Sure, Switzerland is seductive in the snow, but it absolutely comes alive in the spring. Only, I didn't really stand in a position to make such claims until recently. Weeks ago I visited The Chedi Andermatt. It was in June and the weather still hadn't quite made the switch to summer. There was fog in the morning, rain at noon and clear skies by mid day. The world above was bright blue with fluffy bunches of white clouds and the grass below was as green as anything I'd ever seen before. The mixture of the two colours was magnificent and spellbinding. 

When I first told friends that I was visiting The Chedi Andermatt, it must be said that there was an overwhelming "awe" in the air. Those who know of The Chedi are part of an elite club of people who have discovered paradise on earth. If you drop the name as a forthcoming or returning visitor, you almost feel as if there is a secret handshake you're about to receive. And of course the experience itself doesn't disappoint.

The journey to The Chedi Andermatt is a moment to remember in itself. As the train dips in and out of tunnels, travelers are treated to majestic views of tiny Swiss villages, cows grazing in the hills or fantastic hairpin turns featuring Ferraris, Aston Martins, Lambos and more showing off their need for speed. But the real moment of truth is upon arrival in Andermatt. You disembark from the train and walk across the street and step into luxury personified. 

At The Chedi Andermatt there are more fireplaces than rooms. I had to lead with that because I am a fireplace addict. Nothing seduces me more than a room with such a beautiful feature. See why this affair is heating up? So yes, there's a fireplace in every room, there's a fireplace in your spa suite, there's a fireplace by the pool (there are about a dozen, if I recall). There's even a fireplace where you wait to check into your room. And even in June, the fireplace works. It's more about feature than function here at The Chedi. That fireplace works year round to keep this romantic vibe alive.

Now, once you're finished sipping your hot chocolate and losing your focus as flames flicker before you, the room is beckoning you forth. And yes, when you enter you will find that the rumors are true. This is a place from another world, another time. The technology is top of the range, the beds cost more than most people make in a year (apparently they are upwards of $50k each... and this will be the best sleep of your life, guaranteed), the bathtub comes complete with a view of the mountains and of the flat screen TV, and the balcony becomes a place you want to live forever. For me, it became a place where I had breakfast, sipped my coffee and dreamt of what it would be like to live in the mountains for the rest of my life. 

Yes, I considered the move to Andermatt more than once. Surely The Chedi would love to have a writer in residence? At this point I think I'd offer to sweep the floors just to be a part of this establishment. And trust me when I say that every member of staff seems all too happy to be there. Each and every person I spoke to told of their commute into work, most by bike it would seem, and how the air here must be so different to London. Well, you could say that and I do think it's something important to mention. I actually had trouble breathing the first few hours I was there and I'm pretty sure it's because my lungs had never been filled with such beautifully pure and sweet air. I think my body was in shock. Where are the London toxins, the big smoke, the tube's grey grime? It was all completely forgotten and washed away with the first bath. My body, life in general, in fact, is just better here, healthier and happier. 

Have you booked your ticket yet? Get thee to The Chedi. It's an easy trip from London and it's an absolute treat in the summer. That's not to say it isn't just as appealing in the ski season. This bunny will be back when snow falls. I want to see those slopes in action.

Here are a few pictures of the adventures had while in residence at The Chedi Andermatt...

Getting there:
The Hotel:
The Town:
Fashion Foie Gras was a guest of The Chedi Andermatt.
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Tuesday, 9 August 2016

Style Update: The floral dress has been found!

Perfect Summer Floral Dress
Perfect Summer Floral Dress
Three dozen emails I received, asking about this dress after I posted a picture of it on Instagram last week. Seems no one could find it online. We weren't sure if it had sold out and been taken down or was just plain playing mysterious. This morning, I have good news. Not only have I found the dress in question, I've found it in a wicked good sale. Ladies and gents, this is your perfect dress for summer weddings, picnics, garden parties and more. It's been my favorite frock of the summer and it's going away for safe keeping when the winter months approach so that it will be able to survive another summer of wear and tear. I love a find you can't seem to wear enough. This is pure style love on my part. 

Shop The Look:
Perfect Summer Floral Dress
Perfect Summer Floral Dress
Perfect Summer Floral Dress
Perfect Summer Floral Dress
Perfect Summer Floral Dress
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Outfit du Jour: About the cape

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Monday, 8 August 2016

A Primark Brush you HAVE to own




Silicone Topped Brush - Primark £1.50
I feel like I've harped on way too much about this goddam brush the past week or so so feel free to tell me to cool it. BUT I REALLY LIKE IT AND THINK ITS AWESOME OK. COOL?

But it's honestly been somewhat of a eureka moment for me and I am chuffed with myself so let me gloat. Think of this as a solid product recommendation though -  I mentioned in a video, tweeted it and Instagrammed Storied (is that what we're calling it now??) about it, and from someone who rarely raves about things thats big news. I feel like I've talked about it so much that I have to make a point that its not sponsored. But heyyy Primark if you're reading this. Eyyy.

So, Basically it's a weird awkward looking brush is a rubber flat top which I think looks really bloody strange. Im not really quite sure what Primark actually designed it to do as I can't imagine it applying anything makeup wise. Just imagine how thick your foundation would go on. But a little spark in my tired Sunday morning  brain went off that it would be absolutely perfect for messy face masks.

It's silicone so it's completely wipe clean, which it makes an absolute breeze to clean when using those horrid sticky (but super duper spot fighting) thick clay masks. Flat top foundation brushes have been my go to for these types of of occasions, but I find them a nightmare to clean and get all the product out. Plus I absolutely hate wasting face masks, Using this cuts down the wastage as very little is left in the brush which is fab.

I've not actually come across something like this in my time as a beauty addict so it was p. exciting seeing it as I was browsing the beauty section of Primark. Primark have recently launched a brand new range of makeup brushes with so insta-worthy looking rose gold ferrules, no idea if they are actually good or just v. good design.

But yeah, for £1.50 this isnt one to miss out on if you're into your skincare!





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10 happy summer Maine moments

Every summer, for two weeks, I go to Maine. This is a constant in my life. Maine is my summer routine. My family has had a house on the coast since the 1920s, so I thought it was high time I passed on some juicy tidbits on what makes for happy moments while in residence. A most magnificent coastline deserves such focus. These are my top ten Maine vacation rituals. Some are mine and mine alone, others are passed down from past generations past. A few will make you hungry, but I'm hoping each and every one will convince you that a Maine getaway needs to be in your future. 

1. I wake to watch the cinematic Maine sunrise, at least once.
2. I fill the house with the sweet smell of baked goods. There is something about the mix of cinnamon and the sea air that is just too good not to be true. And what family member isn't instantly put in a better mood by starting the day with a cinnamon roll? Try this... I guarantee a good day to follow. 
3. Dressing like a local. When it comes to hanging out in the great state of Maine, I can't help but indulge my preppy New England side. The plaids, lobster prints, corals and florals all come with me in the suitcase. I'm quite certain I become a different person entirely, at least when it comes to wardrobing, for the two weeks. Happy place, happy wardrobe.
4. Lobster and clams. This has to be my favorite tradition of them all. There is something about eating lobster right on the beach that will spoil you for life. You'll never be able to eat lobster anywhere else, ever again. This is truly sea to seat, here in the great state of Maine. 
5. Visiting the Nubble Lighthouse. Rumor has it that one of the keepers had a 19 pound cat that could swim. But that's not why we visit. I'm sure the picture says it all, really. This is one of America's most beautiful vistas and certainly a picture perfect moment for all visitors to the Northeastern states. Naturally, I'm wearing boat shoes.
6. Ice Cream at the Scoop Deck. Ask any local to the Moody Beach Maine area and they'll tell you that the Scoop Deck is the ultimate in luxury living, if you're an ice cream fanatic. A word of warning... order the smallest size possible. The large, just to give you perspective, is about a gallon of ice cream in a waffle cone. Deadly but delicious. 
7. While we are on the topic of sweet stuff, let's talk Goldenrod Taffy. You think you know and love salt water taffy? You've never had anything like this before. I can't even find the words to describe the experience, so I'll say this. It's worth the pilgrimage - you have my word on that. I have never ever gone a summer without this stuff. I even had it shipped over to London once. This is crack for the sweet tooth inclined. 
8. Take a walk through Perkins Cove. I find this to be a magical little place. It's everything I believe visitors to Maine expect to see - cute Lobster roll stands, adorable nautical shops, ship tours and a magical view. 
9. House hunting. I can't help myself. There's something inside me that begs my soul to make the move to Maine. From Perkins Cove to Kennebunkport, I spend hours daydreaming about which house I'd call home in the later years of my life. I'd grow old and wrinkled by the sea and walk everyday to fetch the goodies that would eventually be the death of me - lobster with melted butter, salt water taffy and by-the-gallon ice cream cones. You must house hunt while on location. It's fun to dream and drool all at the same time.
10. Breathe and just relax. The ultimate point of a vacation is to relax, right? I find that increasingly difficult. So I actually have to remember to do this. With instagram, snapchat and every other social network demanding my time these days, it is in fact hard to remember. But, I have one relaxation rule that always works to set me up for the day. In my bedroom, I have a window seat. When I was little I used to curl up and take naps here. I was like a cat! Not so easy to do that these days, as I'm about two feet taller than I used to be when I'd do that. Today, I use the window seat for reflection. I make it my study point. I bring a self help book (go on, judge me) and I get through it on that seat. I believe it has the power to help me absorb every word and keep them on tap forever. My hint for any traveller is to find such a point of reference for each and every vacation. Find one corner that is yours and yours alone, if only for 20 minutes a day, or for an entire day. And remember, you are on vacation...

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