Happy Haus

Our little home is undergoing something of an update at the moment, a new kitchen, terrace redesign and alterations to the office/dressing room are all in the pipeline. As if this wasn't draining the bank account enough, our old sofa was looking a little tired so we decided to invest in a new one. A Hay Mags sofa became our seating of choice and we are extremely happy to lounge around on it.

My lovely new Hay sofa

During our search for the aforementioned sofa we came across Haus a brilliant website selling all manner of aesthetically pleasing items for the home. And when we found out they have a store within walking distance of our home we slipped on our shoes and hot-footed it over there. 

The store, on the edge of Victoria Park Village, is rather small and offers only a little taster of what's on the website. Yet it is packed with lots of gorgeous goodies from brands including Original BTC, Tom Dixon, Knoll and lesser know independent brands. Here's a little taster of what caught my eye.

A gorgeous grey seat that would live happily in my home if only I had the space.

Ceramic mugs, I love the pale pink with grey rim.

Lovely lighting, if only I had high ceilings...damn you new build flat!

If the boyfriend wasn't slightly phobic about bees I would have snapped up these adorable bee homes.

A lovely bunny head gift for a little person's bedroom or expectant parents.

I've always wanted a cuckoo clock and this simple design would be perfect.

A cheery way to enjoy your eggs in the morning.

I might have to go back and purchase this graphic print cushion for my sofa.

So if you are a fan of contemporary and Scandi design have a perusal on the Haus website and if you're in Victoria Park Village take a peak inside the store and try not to buy anything!

Life Lately: Copenhagen

The boyfriend and I have always wanted to visit Copenhagen, having heard so many great things about it. So with a quiet weekend ahead of us we decided to hop on a plane to visit the world's most liveable city.

We spent a peaceful 4 days wandering around the city, visiting all the sights, drinking chai lattes and soaking up the sun, but to be honest we got a bit bored. Strike me down for being so unappreciative of all Copenhagen has to offer, but I felt like I was missing what everyone raves about. Perhaps 4 days is too long, perhaps the boyfriend and I have lost the ability to relax and just be, perhaps I'm not a sit with a beverage and watch the world go by for hours type of person, whatever, I don't think I need to go back (sorry Copenhagen).

We did however uncover some lovely things to see and do in Copenhagen.

EAT

Torvehallerne - This little food market housed some culinary gems. We ate spicy Vietnamese baguettes followed by fabulous ice cream. If you visit I beg you to try the cherry and nutella concoction, it had me going back everyday. The glass boxes that house the various food stalls are surrounded by lots of open air seating and is always bustling.

Hot Buns - After wandering for ages on Sunday night to find a bite to eat in a restaurant that wasn't deserted we stumbled across Hot Buns. We were pleasantly surprised with the creative vegetarian option (an almond, spinach and egg 'burger') with crispy sweet potato fries, but less impressed with the exorbitant charge for a glass of tap water. Regardless if you like burgers seek out Hot Buns.

Cafe Paludan - Tucked away down a side street and resembling a library inside was this cafe. We dined on sandwiches so large and yummy that I needed a doggy bag. The board games were a fun addition to help wile away some time.

SHOP

Stroget - This is the main shopping street housing all those high street favourites you'll find back home such as H&M, Topshop and Zara. Globalisation at it's finest. Use this street as a navigation point but search the surrounding area for more unique shops.

Acne Archive - The main Acne store resembles the red room in Twin Peaks and I loved it. The staff were super friendly and pointed us in the direction of the Acne sample shop, a 20 minute walk north of the main town past some beautiful lakes. The store is tiny but is well worth the trip as the discounts are hearty (at least 50% off) and the rails are full of last season stock and one off runway pieces. The boyfriend and I were suitably impressed.

HAY - The boyfriend and I love the Danish designs of Hay. We recently acquired the modular sofa; we have tea towels, stationary, cushions...it's fair to say that when department store Liberty recently opened a concession we were there salivating and stroking things. So it was with great happiness that we wandered around the flagship store wanting to buy more things for our home.

VISIT

Design Museum - If you love Danish furniture and design this museum is a must visit. The cafe has some yummy offerings and the gift shop has a great selection of greeting cards and jewellery.

Citadel - Having exhausted all of our to do list in a day or so we were clutching at straws at how to kill time so meandered to the Citadel. It was beautiful. Lots of green grass, meadow flowers, swans in the lakes, statues, trees in blossom. The boyfriend got excited as lots of runners were zooming around and he joined them that evening. A very pleasant surprise.

The Little Mermaid - Close to the Citadel is one of Copenhagen's main tourist attractions, The Little Mermaid. It's a brass statue sitting on a rock in the sea, the story behind it is pleasant. It's worth going to visit just to say you've been but more importantly to marvel at the hoards of tourists clambering over themselves to get a picture with it leaving you wondering what they are going to do with that picture.

Rundetaarn - Another place we had no intention of visiting but was actually good was this 17th century round tower in the centre of Copenhagen. If you're not very mobile it isn't for you as getting to the top involves a step climb up a cobbled incline. The views from the top show Copenhagen in all it's prettiness and there's a great gallery space halfway up with the most beautiful light wood floors. I wanted to live there!

Statens Museum for Kunst - A great freebie museum housing mainly Danish and some international artworks through the centuries. Definitely worth a stroll around. 

Maybe I've been too harsh on Copenhagen, it was a lovely little city. I sometimes think that I'm spoilt living in London. So don't take my word for it, go visit.

Life Lately

The boyfriend and I have decided we need to spend less time filling our free time with 'tasks' and more time doing things we enjoy. With this in mind we spent a day visiting galleries, the highlight being a visit to Tracey Emin's 'My Bed' at Tate Britain. 

Tracey Emin's 'My Bed' At Tate Britain

During the week I finally visited The Modern Pantry with a PR buddy for a delicious breakfast meeting. 

The beautiful Modern Pantry in Clerkenwell

Late last year, following my first visit ever to an optician, I was told I have to wear glasses. Months later I've finally got round to purchasing some, but I'm still too vain to wear them in public, so my little duckie ornament is doing it for me!

My mid-century duck models my new specs

With the change in weather (finally!) I've been eyeing up a few new purchases. This off white denim dress with frayed edges from Zara may have to come and live in my wardrobe soon (sorry for the grumpy face!)

Zara dress £29.99 BUY HERE

And I finally got round to placing an order from Finery London. I was incredibly impressed with the prices, customer service and the products themselves. I will be doing a blog post shortly to show you what I bought.

A box of delights from Finery London

I hope everyone has a lovely sunny week!

Time To Tan

I am very excited to announce that I have a new contributor for the blog, the lovely Abbi! Not only is Abbi a major beauty fanatic, she also balances being a fashion PR, with a personal training business while raising her adorable son. Phew! Abbi will be joining me in testing and trialling all things beauty for the blog....so Abbi over to you!

Image Pinterest

The 70s tan suede trend is huge and everywhere. While I am loving it, it raises a little predicament when it comes to outfit styling. The only thing worse than tan tights with brown suede shorts is pasty white legs. If, like me, your legs have spent the past few months in layers and termals then you might not be too keen to get them out for all to see. I have however, found a godsend in a can (or pump dispenser depending on your preference) in the shape of Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser. It's a doddle to apply, I slather it on after a shower when I'm freshly exfoliated, and you end up with an even, natural, healthy glow that doesn't look fake and lasts days. Plus it smells like yummy treats and isn't pricey!

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser Lotion £5.59 & Spray £7.99 BUY HERE

Until Palmer's develops a gradual face tan, I'll be staying faithful to Elemis' Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser for Face. The lightweight formulation doesn't dry out my already dehydrated skin, it simply delivers just enough natural looking colour to take my complexion from pallid to healthy glow. Use it at night under your usual moisturiser and your morning will get off to a great start when your bleary eyes catch sight of your radiant complexion.

Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser For Face £29.50 BUY HERE

Armed with gorgeous bronzed limbs I think I'm ready for those Zara suede shorts now...I just need to get my toes sorted next!

New Work

Before Christmas I had the pleasure of working with photographer Dominic Nicholls on an editorial fashion shoot for The City Magazine. 

We worked in 2 different locations in the East End of London, Shoreditch Townhouse, a gentleman's club with the best polka dot carpet and most beautiful interior filled with taxidermy. I especially loved the flamingo. Then we moved onto Murdock Shoreditch, a cool barber shop where our female model got to play Sweeney Todd.

Here are a few behind the scenes shots from the day.

A rail of all the men's clothes

I really wanted to take this flamingo home with me!

The most divine Hermes cuff

I fell in love with these Christian Louboutin men's shoes

Feathered heels and the fun polka dot carpet

Our models getting ready for their close up

Dom, the photographer, getting the perfect picture

In Murdock's getting ready for the close shave shot

And here are the final images. Thank you to all the PRs who kindly lent clothes for this shoot!

Tips From The Pros: Sara Clark

Make up artist and men's groomer Sara Clark has been in the business for almost a decade. After originally working in TV production Sara decided it wasn't for her and went on to study hair, make up and special effects at the infamous Greasepaint. Sara's CV is impressive and varied working across TV, music, film junkets, editorial and red carpet events, while the faces she's worked on include Sheridan Smith, Ne-Yo, Kelly Brook, Lewis Hamilton, Jason Statham, Kanye West...the list goes on!

Behind the scenes with Sara Clark

Here Sara shares the tricks of her trade with me.

Make Up Forever HD Foundation

I have two favourite foundations that are always in my kit. 

Firstly Makeup Forever High Definition Foundation as it gives a flawless and natural finish, which when working in these days of HD cameras is incredibly important.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation £36.50 BUY HERE

Secondly Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is light and silky and gives skin a gorgeous glow.

Laura Mercier Secret Concealor Pot £19.50 BUY HERE

My all time favourite concealors are Laura Mercier's Secret Concealor Pots. They are super moisturising and easily conceal dark eye circles without settling into fine lines.

MAC Blot Powder Pressed £20.50 BUY HERE

MAC Blot is a fabulous pressed powder that eliminates shine and sets make up, without adding too much colour. It comes in 5 shades and is always in my kit.

NARS Blush in Orgasm £23 BUY HERE

It's a classic and my favourite blusher, NARS Orgasm. It suits most skin tones, adding a healthy glow and natural flush to the skin.

Weleda Skin Food £9.95 BUY HERE

Unfortunately I can't just recommend one favourite face product, so I'm naming my top three! 

First up is Weleda Skin Food. I really can't do without this cream; it's in my kit, my handbag and my bathroom cabinet! It's incredibly hydrating and nourishing but doesn't leave your skin looking like an oil slick. Plus it's inexpensive. 

Dermalogica Active Moist £44.60 BUY HERE

Dermalogica products suit 99.9% of my clients' skin so I always keep a selection in my kit. My favs are Active Moist as it's light-weight and oil free, making it perfect for normal to oily skin. 

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream £47.70 BUY HERE

The Skin Smoothing Cream is perfect for relieving dry and tight skin. 

Dermalogica Barrier Repair £36.90 BUY HERE

Finally the Ultra Calming Barrier Repair has a velvety texture and really calms sensitive skin.

Clarins Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream £25 BUY HERE

Lastly Clarins Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream is a very gentle facial exfoliator that leaves skin silky soft and smooth. I cannot praise this product enough.

Essie Nail Polishes BUY HERE

In my opinion Essie do the most incredible nail polishes with too many fantastic colours to count!

Kerastase Products BUY HERE

I've used Kerastase shampoo and conditioner for as long as I can remember. The smell is divine and leaves hair looking healthy and gorgeous. 

Bumble & Bumble Products BUY HERE

When styling hair I favour Bumble & Bumble, so many gorgeous products to choose from and they all work to create beautiful hair styles. Combine them both and you'll have perfect hair!

Johnson's 24 Hour Moisture Radiance Body Butter £3.05 BUY HERE

I've tried oodles of body products but the one I return to time and again is Johnson's 24 Hour Moisture Radiance Body Butter. It's inexpensive, enriched with shea and cocoa butter and the scent (which admittedly is fairly strong) reminds me of chocolate and holidays...what's not to like!?!

Original Lucas Papaw Ointment £7.89 BUY HERE

I'm a firm believer in ensuring you prep your lips before applying lipstick, so a blob of Original Lucas Papaw Ointment is the first thing I apply. Plus I always have a tube in my handbag as it's such a versatile product.

Lancome Definicils Mascara £23 BUY HERE

The mascara I have loved for years is Lancome's Definicils. It lengthens and defines the lashes, while the brush ensures an even application.

DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara £14.50 BUY HERE

Recently though I have strayed and fallen for DHC's Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara. It has a slim brush (great for lower lash application), and makes lashes appear thicker and longer.

Optrex Eyedew Dazzling Blue Eye Drops £3.99 BUY HERE

The one product in my kit I couldn't be without is a bottle of Optrex Eyedew 'Dazzling Blue' eye drops. A little drop of this counteracts any redness, revitalises and gives you super white eyes in an instant!

Thank you so much for all your expert advice and top tips Sara!

Sara's work can be viewed here www.sara-clark.co.uk and don't forget to follow her on twitter @SaraMakeup2014 for lots of insider info.

Images: Sephora, Selfridges, John Lewis, MAC, Nars, Weleda, Dermalogica, Clarins, Kerastase, Bumble & Bumble, Johnson's Beauty, Boots, Amazon, DHC, Optrex