Dream big! =

Some weekly Wednesday inspiration...

"Laugh often, dream big, reach for the stars!"

Happy hump day! xoxo

Wedding Makeup - The Bride FOTD

Back in September I was in California for the wedding of one of my best friends. In the months coming up to the big day she asked if I would do her wedding make up. She explained that she'd done a couple of trial runs at MAC and said she never was that impressed with what they had done and felt I'd done her makeup just as well, if not better, in the past. Of course in the first instance I felt incredibly flattered of her to ask me but on the other hand I felt very nervous about the whole thing! Yes I love makeup and I feel pretty confident these days doing my own makeup and doing my friends' makeup for events or nights out..but this was something so much more important! I am definitely no professional makeup artists and this I would be one of the biggest days of her life...god what if she didn't like what I did!?

Anyway after an initial freak out moment I remembered, this is one of my best friends and I know what she likes and dislikes and she is certainly NO bridezilla so I went back to feeling super honoured and now also excited to be able to be part of her wedding in this way!

Luckily she had a pretty clear vision of the makeup look she wanted for her wedding day; natural, glowing and pretty with a bit of sparkle but making sure she still looked like herself! We used products by MAC cosmetics that she had chosen with a MAC makeup artists during a previous trial run so it was really great to have such clear instructions to go by. I was still a little nervous on the day but in the end it was so much fun to be there to help her get ready, do her makeup and make her feel beautiful on this special day. Not that I really had to do that much because I think she is the most beautiful woman (inside and outside) already!

So now without any further a-do; here comes the gorgeous bride!!!

(No photoshop or editing used....doesn't she have the most amazing eyes?)

Products used for this FOTD:

♥ Face:
MAC Prep + Prime line filler (link)
MAC Prep + Prime Primer (link)
MAC StudioFix Foundation
MUA Bronzed Perfection (as seen here)
MAC Powder Blush - Melba

♥ Eyes:
MAC Saddle eyeshadow (gold orange brown/matte) - all over lid
MAC Downbrown eyeshadow (teddybear brown/veluxe) – blended into crease &lower lash line
MAC Tan Pigment (muted pinky brown bronze) as seen here– applied to middle of lid
MAC Fluidline in Dipdown (flat brown) – applied along lower lash line only
MAC Zoomlash mascara

♥ Lips:
Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Imaginaire (56) as seen here

The bride was pretty happy with her look I think ;)

Doesn't her hair look amazing? I loved the romantic but fun twisty half up-do!

The above photos were all taken by me on the day. Now below are some official wedding photographs by Stephanie of Creative Photography Inc. It really was such an amazing day that I will remember forever....

Getting ready, walking down the beach 'aisle' and the kiss!

The "I do's" :)

The beach was the perfect backdrop for their Californian wedding!

Some fun group photos after the ceremony!

At the wedding reception. The dress code for the wedding was 'summer chic' so I decided on this fun turquoise dress I got in Paris over a year ago (as seen here). Makeup wise I went for a bronzed golden look using my Estée Lauder Island Oasis eyeshadow palette.

This is probably my favourite photo of the couple; it shows true happiness, love and fun which I hope their marriage will be filled with for the rest of their lives!!

Lulu & Will; I love you both so much and I'm so happy that I was be able to be part of your special day!
Friends forever ♥

What do you think of my first official bridal makeup FOTD? Xoxo

For the autumn wardrobe: Burgundy & Tartan

When I am in Scandinavia I always try to at least make a quick shopping stop at Gina Tricot! Gina Tricot is a very popular Swedish fashion highstreet chain that is now rapidly expanding into the rest of Europe. It is one of those low-cost shops where you can find some fab fashionable items for a really affordable price. Their clothing and accessories tend to be very simple, on-trend and have that Scandinavian ‘cool’ factor! So when I was in Sweden the other weekend I made a quick pit-stop at Gina Tricot and ended up buying these great two pieces for my autumn/winter wardrobe.

 Elly coated zip jeans in port royal shade - 599 SEK/€59.84 (link)

Simone woven skirt (blue/green) - 199 SEK/€19.95 (link)

 

I’ve been lusting after a pair of burgundy waxed/leather-like finished jeans for a while now and really liked these ones because of the zippers on the front and legs. Also as soon as I spotted the tartan skirt I knew it had to be mine for my winter wardrobe! I can’t wait to wear it with cable knit jumpers, black tights and boots. Both tartan and burgundy are hot trends for A/W 2012. You can read more about how to wear the biggest autumn trends here. 

Both these new purchases can easily be dressed up or down. Think burgundy jeans with heels and a blazer or matched comfy jumpers and converse sneakers. Here a quick collage on how I'd style these items..

Burgundy & Tartan Looks by dutchessroz 

(Click on image above to view this collage in Polyvore with all item links)

Like my new purchases? Will you add some burgundy or tartan to your autumn wardrobe this season?

London places I Love: Burger & Lobster

Burger and Lobster is a restaurant that proves that you don't need a fancy or extensive menu to become one of London most popular places! Since opening in Mayfair in December 2011, Burger & Lobster has been a massive success. 

Their formula is simple; no menus, no starters and limited desserts. The main event is....you guessed it; burger or lobster. Actually the official choice is burger, lobster or the lobster roll. Whatever you order comes with a good serving of delicious salty fries plus a small side salad and the best part.....each option is priced at only £20 each. 

The interior in Mayfair is dark, cosy and laid back, offering booths, crowded tables and bar stools giving it a funky, modern pub/chalet/diner feel. Because they only have three items on offer there is no food menu but they do have an extensive wine, beer and cocktail menu! And did I mention that when you order the lobster you get a bib? Yes a bib = LOVE!

Proudly showing off our Burger & Lobster bibs!

Don't get me wrong, I love a good burger but at £20 for a whole lobster...this is not a hard decision! 

The lobster comes steamed or grilled (both delicious) served with a rather indulgent garlic butter sauce.

There has been plenty of debate over why anyone would pay £20 for a burger when a whole lobster in on offer at the same price but apparently the ratio of orders at lunchtime is currently about 50/50, although the lobster seems to win out in the evenings. But I have to admit that their american-style burgers are pretty damn good!

Burger & Lobster is owned by the Goodman chain so this means the burger is made from high-end meat and it can be served with cheese and bacon at no extra cost.

To finish off the meal they have two desserts options, which I think change occasionally, and we got both options to share; vanilla cheesecake and a baileys mousse with salted caramel which were equally scrumptious!

So...delicious food, great drinks, fun atmosphere and all for an affordable price; what more can you ask for? Well the only downside is their no-reservations policy; two-hour+ waits for tables is not uncommon! But I am happy to announce that, due to the success of their Mayfair restaurant, this summer they opened up another branch in Soho plus a third location is due to open up in Farringdon later this month that both DO take bookings - HOORAY!!

If you are looking a fun night out with good, affordable food I think you can't go past Burger & Lobster! It's definitely a winner in my books. What would you order; Burger or Lobster? 

Burger and Lobster

SOHO - 36 Dean Street,W1D 4PS, London

MAYFAIR - 29 Clarges Street, W1J 7EF, London

http://burgerandlobster.com 

Twitter: @Londonlobster