2 Purple Shampoo's for Blondie's

If you're blonde then you know the importance of a purple shampoo. I think it's an alien concept to anyone who isn't blonde but it is an absolute MUST. It's a holy grail, the cornerstone of blonde hair car routine - Something you just cant live without!

A good violet/purple/silver tinted shampoo that helps to tone the hair and neutralise brassy yellow tones within the whole blonde hair colour spectrum.

Heres the low down on two that I use on the reg to stop my hair from returning to it's brassy origins.
L'Oreal Silver Shampoo


This one is an old favourite but it's coming to the end of the tube and I'd be a bit sad if I didnt have the latter product to replace it. This is a bit of a suped up purple shampoo as I find the longer I leave it on the whole tone of my hair changes to a cooler, ashy brown-y blonde. I cant count the ammount of times I've been sitting with this on my hair when the Postman comes to the door and I have to explain exactly why I have a plastic bag and a ton of purple on me!

However be careful as lighter tones in blonde hair can take in the purple a little bit too much and you may be left with some purpley tones! None the less I adore this product and I've used it so many times over the years religiously.!

Lush Daddy O*

The gals over at Lush sent me this one day in a lil care package after my Bleach Purple Shampoo exploded all over the inside of my drawer. I'd actually never heard of it but it peaked my interest and I was soon slathering it on. This gently brighten brightens my hair and stops the lengths from looking that horrid yellow and orange it can go when I leave it too long between salon visits. The thing I really dig about this though is that it's a really cleansing shampoo without being stripping in the slightest - Plus it smells like Parma Violets!

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FFG Eats: 45 Jermyn St, London

I like to think there are still a few hidden gems in London, places you can go where you aren't overcrowded, where the food is good and the service is outstanding. Currently, I find myself obsessed with such places particularly at brunch, where London has become more or less a version of New York where locals scamper for a place in line to get the city's hottest eggs Benedict. I'll tell you right now, it's found at 45 Jermyn St, it involves lobster and has zero chance of queues. That's actually how I discovered this beauty. I was taken here on a date and promised a breakfast I wouldn't soon forget. That was months ago and I recently found myself at a loss for an idea as to where to take a friend for dinner, so was scrolling through Velocity (more about this later) and was reminded of my hidden gem love. So, I booked a dinner at 45 Jermyn St to see what they had to offer for dinner. 

Tastebuds and brain, please try and come together to pull off the following paragraphs in the perfect way, as 45 Jermyn Street truly does deserve a glowing recommendation, full of powerful prose and over the top adjectives. But I'm afraid, dear reader, I may just fail you in this department. There is truly no way to write in words the way in which each bite of perfectly tender and flavorful lamb changed my evening from ok to shooting through the stars magnificent. Surely there are no sentences punchy enough to articulate the way in which I wish somehow I had been born with two stomachs so that I could enjoy dish after dish without feeling full. Sadly, I just have to accept that I have the one stomach that seems to be growing to the size of two these days, after so many restaurant reviews. 

We began our dinner in a rather civilized format. We ordered cocktails, caviar and foie gras. Ok, that's not civilized. That's downright decadent. The caviar is hard to get wrong, but the presentation at 45 Jermyn St will have you thinking that 10mg order sure does stretch far! The caviar comes with tableside prepared scrambled eggs, all the fixings you'd expect from breads to cream and more. It is a meal in itself. Careful here.  

The food is delivered promptly at 45 Jermyn Street, but I would say they time it perfectly to keep the evening running as it should. We had time between courses to sip half a drink and we were back on the path to middle aged obesity in no time. Kidding, kidding. 

The main course consisted of lamb, for me, and a pork chop for my guest. Portions were plentiful and the meats were bursting with flavor and perfectly cooked. This is most definitely a restaurant that wishes for you to leave feeling as if you've experienced a culinary delight, while also feeling like you have filled your tummy - a rarity these days and something that is most definitely appreciated when you are parting with a bit of a cash. The days of spending fortunes on a single scallop are hopefully long gone.

Now, to the crowning glory of the evening. Fittingly, it's called the Knickerbocker Glory and it was invented next door to 45 Jermyn Street, in Fortnum & Mason. This is a dessert that should receive a crown for it's incredibly presence. Even arriving at the table, it commanded the attention of the entire restaurant. And, yes, the first spoonful drew a response from me that was not dissimilar to Meg Ryan's "When Harry Met Sally" moment. I do so embarrass myself sometimes. I can't help it. I love food! 

When the bill came, I will say it was exactly what I expected. It wasn't small, but it was on track with what we ordered. Thank goodness we were splitting it. And this is where I really do have to sing the praises of the Velocity App. Throughout the course of the dinner, we were able to see as the bill was adding up, so there weren't any awkward surprises. And then, without any sort of calculator work or annoying talk of how we would pay, we both just pressed one button on the app and it was split, immediately charged to our credit cards, which we had previously put into Velocity, and out the door we walked. In all my days of doing restaurant work, I don't think I've ever found anything easier or more impressive. I actually told two people, later that night about Velocity and insisted they download it right there, right in front of me. They proceeded to ask me if I held stock in the company. Nope. Just interested in making sure you guys know what's good for you! Download it! 

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Style Update: The world needs more floral wrap dresses!

It's official, the obsession has taken hold. When it comes to floral dresses,  I have no stop button with shopping in summer. This little red number I've worn to death, from days out in the country to working days in the city. With the humidity being off the charts in London, I've found this red mini to be my saving grace on every hot day. The rest is all about accessorizing...

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Backing away from London Fashion Week for the first time in seven years... and why.

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Outfit du Jour: Back in black

Marina Rinaldi Dress, Michael Kors Blazer, Lanvin Earrings, Edie Parker Bag, 

Giuseppe Zanotti Heels

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24 Asos items to get you through September

Ah September, you v. weird month. As I write this post Im currently staring out onto my back yard looking at it tipping down with rain. But wait wasnt it sunny like a couple of weeks ago? The worst. So for me September is about figuring out transitional dressing and trying to work out what Im supposed to wear now that summer is over. I had to fight so hard not to type "Winter Is Coming" there. Oops.

Anyway I thought today I'd share 24 items that have been lurking in my ASOS shopping bag for way too long. I think it's about time I purchased some of these things... because well I have nothing to wear now it's officially Autumn... or something like that...

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Style update: Travelling in style (with a touch of leopard)

After some rather tough ankle problems of late, I have finally succumbed to the rather popular trend of trainers. We're seeing super sneaks everywhere from the red carpet to the traditional treadmill. They're no longer worn on the way to work anymore. Nope, long gone are the Working Girl days. Your footwear is your style statement that works all day long, and I'm on the hunt for the best pieces out there to do the trick. 

My first investment? Well, surprisingly they are form UGG. You think shearling, not sneaker, when it comes to UGG, right? I'll be the first to admit this. But, when these leopard calf hair trainers popped up on my radar my fingers couldn't type fast enough to secure a pair. And yes, you do still get a bit of shearling - a bit of cushioning for the heel. So chic! 

Anywho, I've been wearing them nonstop (proof below), just to make sure they were comfortable enough to recommend. Whether you are on the hunt for a shoe for travel, or for everyday wear and tear, these are definitely a suggestion that should be considered. I shot a few pics with them on my way to the airport, wearing a casual and cozy look for a long haul flight (only thing not on display are the Lululemon skinnies I pull on once on the plane to keep me warm). 

Shop the Look:

Ralph Lauren cardigan (purchased at TK Maxx), Pringle Dress, UGG Trainers, Eddie Harrop Bag

Where these shoes have been walking... told you I was obsessed!

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Style Update: Rock'n'Roll Culottes

You may have noticed by now that I have this thing with rock t-shirsts. I blame my southern rock roots and the mix of my Camden living days in London. It might also have something to do with growing up with a father that was constantly listening to the best rock possible. Parents - you think that stuff doesn't shape your children, but oh how it does! 

But, when it comes to rock t-shirts and my now vast collection, this one holds a special place. It's a distressed old Led Zeppelin beauty. Oh, Led Zeppelin... "Does anyone remember laughter?" Now, yes, you can now buy a similar tee that is completely distressed (in fact you can buy one that looks nearly just like this one, link below), but it will take a thousand washes and a few snags here and there before yours is just as "ruined" as this one is. Yet, it's my favorite way to dress down any outfit. Although, somehow I feel like there's nothing dressed down here at all. I'm just showing support for musicians that changed the world. Surely that's more a tribute than a dress down.

Shop The Look:

Led Zeppelin T-shirt, Eileen Fisher Culottes, Marina Rinaldi Tuxedo Jacket, J Crew Shoes,
YSL bag

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FFG Eats: The Roadkill Burger, Bobo Social, London

I ate something called the Roadkill Burger today. Truly, is there a better sentence to start any story with?

Yes, I ate, and survived, Bobo Social's Roadkill Burger. I'm on a new journey and it's all about the element of "new." I'm trying new places to dine, as often as possible, and I'm stretching out my palette by ordering things I'd never in a million years consider. The experiment begins here, at Bobo Social, the place where being "experimental" is the name of the game.

Here at Bobo Social, there's actually a weekly society that meets to designate a new and original concept burger of the week. Appropriately name the "Experimental Burger Society," this group meets every Monday to create the craziest concoctions they can muster and the winning combo gets the honour of a place on the menu for the entire next week. It just so happens that my first visit coincided with the introduction of Daniel Rech's Roadkill Burger. I feel like I need to straighten this out here and now. Don't worry, no possums, skunks or the like were peeled off the pavement and thrown into a meat grinder. Did anyone else just get the chills there? Are you sitting there thinking, "is this really a food review?" Try to stick with me.

The Roadkill Burger is actually Ostrich and Kangaroo meat. Not only did I not know that it was ok to eat this meat, I also didn't realize it was so damn tasty. I can feel animal rights groups coming for me now. "You ate what?" Before you go mental, Kangaroo meat is a byproduct of managing the overpopulation of kangaroos and ostrich meat has been eaten by humans for thousands of years (their hides are also used for handbags, car seats and more, as it's such a tough material). The two minced meats are pulled together in perfect harmony to form the patty for Bobo Social's Roadkill Burger. It's finished off with a fried egg and a piled of maple bacon, all served on a fluffy white bun. To say this is a mouthful would be an understatement. This is a mouthful of insanely tasty goodness and I enjoyed every last bite. The experiment, dear reader, was successful. And yes, of course I felt compelled to document the entire moment. 

Bobo Social was actually a Velocity discovery. I have to give full credit to the app for this one. I am, after all, using Velocity to guide me in my food experiment. A quick brief for those of you that haven't downloaded this yet- it's the best thing since sliced bread met sandwich meat. The Velocity  app allows you to research, book, pay, split the tab and receive email receipts for the hottest restaurants popping up in London, New York, San Francisco, Miami and Los Angeles at the moment. If it weren't for planning my week's lunches and dinners with clients on the app, I would have never locked eyes on the Roadkill Burger. Can you send an app thank you flowers? 

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Style Update: The Floral Wrap Dress

Can someone please have a chat with the weather systems and guarantee at least another month of summer? I don't want to put my floral dresses away just yet and I'm pretty sure I came by at least a dozen more for the closet this year. The fashion world, from high end designers to high street retailers, has given us an endless supply of summer dresses this year. It may sound crazy but I find some summers are better than others. This year we've lucked out. So, I'm stocking up for next year as well...just in case! Sales are on, fashion antennas up! 

Shop The Look:

ASOS Floral Dress (on sale), Tabitha Webb for Avon bag, Baublebar Necklace

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