Parisian Style

When in Paris, designer stores line the streets and nearly everyone has something fabulous on their body or draped over an arm. From the latest Burberry mac to the latest, Valentino handbag and it is slightly depressing (I am not jealous at all, HONEST). A gal has to make the best of what she has; I have the odd designer purchase which is nice to bring a £30 outfit up to an acceptable level in the Paris style stakes.

So I popped down to my fave photo spot at Le Palais Royal and posed till my boyfriend told me he had enough and wanted his own photo. It was a sunny but crisp day and I love this casual outfit, it is a perfect mix of style and comfort with my fave brands. The Zara t-shirt is slightly cropped so it works great with high waisted shorts. My new Lacoste shoes are the perfect shade, a matte, off pink, these on-trend beauties kept me going for over 30,000 steps that day, the cushioned backs were a necessity for that much walking...luxe.  

My Michael Kors backpack was not really big enough for a full day of city sightseeing but it kept all my essentials in. I am also building up my jewellery collection at the moment and got this amazing necklace from a Mawi sample sale for £50 and also a few bits from a new brand called Astrid & Miyu they have the prettiest packaging. And oldie but a goodie is Jewellery Box you have probably seen me feature them a few times now and the price and quality is just amazing with prices from £3 you can’t argue. I have also added a bit of bling with my Links of London watch I would never think of them normally for watches but I just love it and its rose gold, hello!

Bomber Jacket: Topshop Top: Zara Basic | Shorts: Boohoo.com | Shoes: Lacoste |Backpack: Michael Kors (ON SALE) | Sunglasses: Gucci |Necklace: Mawi | Rings: JewelleryBox.co.uk |Bracelet: Astrid & Miyu| Watch: Links of London

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Fill your home with flowers

It's always nice as a lifestyle blogger to wake up to the postman delivering parcels with new goodies to review but when a box from Bloom & Wild arrived packed with an array of beautiful flowers I couldn't quite believe they could survive the post. Bloom & Wild pride themselves on hand picked beautiful flowers and each flower is protected, you can see the love and care that has gone into protecting every petal.

The collection I received brings back Summer with a bang with flowers inspired by a classic English country garden. When you get your bouquet, you receive a little card explaining your bouquet and it also offers arrangement ideas – now I see myself as a pro flower displayer, if that s job title!? I believe what I have in my collection are white & yellow Alstroemeria, Madiba and Solidago. This is a great gift to surprise any lady or even a gift to yourself.

Before I give you some amazing tips to make your flowers last longer I need to inform you that mine lasted TWO weeks, I kid you not, some did die in the middle but remember if one dies take it out you don’t need to end the lives of the ones living.

TOP TIP: How to make your bouquet last longer

·         Cut the stems at a 45 degree angle 

·         Keep your flowers out of direct sunlight or they will look sad after a few days

·         Re-cut your stems every few days 

·         Remove leaves that sit below the water line

·         Keep you water topped up and change every few days – as mentioned my Alstroemerias were still going strong for around two whole weeks. (You can see this in the first three images - they also look different as I brought a new camera)

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Lipsy London Love Michelle Launch

Last week I headed to the ever beautiful, like I wish I looked like her, Michelle Keegan and her winter collection launch with Lipsy London. I got myself all glammed up wearing Michelle Keegan's Lace and Sequin Bodycon dress, I felt super skinny in it as it sucks you in and its so glamorous without having your boobs falling about the place as if you look closely the dress there is mesh detail up to the neck. There is very delicate lace detail on the front, sleeves and back, I completed the look with a pair of Primark chunky heels and my Mulberry handbag. As you can see from the photo I should of pulled the dress down a bit, fashion FAIL.

As I explored the collection, they are perfect for the party season and all very glamorous even the coats which I kind of fell in love with especially the Wool Blend Faux Fur Trim Coat, there is literally so many pieces I want although I need to plan places to wear them.

Anyway take a look at my pictures from the event below with Michelle Keegan of course and a few Made in Chelsea celebs thrown into the mix.

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My First Little Box - December Edition

I love the concept of a little box of surprises appearing at your front door once a month - who wouldn't?!? But....there are quite a few out there and some are quite crappy making it hard to choose.

My Little Box started in Paris and has Paris flair sewn throughout and now in the UK I couldn't resit. December's My Little Box collaborated with acclaimed blogger Fleur De Force and matches Fleur's creative flair.

On opening the cute gift, I am quite excited to delve inside, Christmas has definitely come early. It has to be one of the best monthly gift boxes I have seen by far, with beautiful illustrations, interesting, thoughtful gifts and inspiring thoughts! 

So what is actually in this little box, I hear you ask?

• Cowshed: Wild Cow Invigorating Body Lotion, £18, 100ml

This little beauty is the perfect handbag essential to keep your skin hydrated through  the freezing British weather. 

• L'Occitane: Creme Precieuse Immortelle, £45 for 50ml

This triple action formula is amazing for the winter months as well as sorting out your skin to be younger, firmer and smoother - there is no need to be scared of the cold! 

• My Little Beauty: Lipstick £15

In every Little Box you receive something from there own brand, My Little Beauty. The lipstick in this months box does not fail to disappoint, a vibrant red which has a hint of pink creating the perfect party look!

After trying out all the beauty wonders of My Little Box it's time to get creative with my Christmas presents as My Little Box has you sorted with string, gift tags and cute patterned tape.

And to add a twist of Parisian fashion there is a on-trend head band perfect for the holiday season with a touch of sparkle.

This is the perfect present to give to yourself or a loved one, if you haven't checked them out head over there now: www.mylittlebox.co.uk

To end this post, I leave you with an inspiring thought from My Little Box:

" Top 3 things to do during the winter months:

1. Hibernate for an entire Subday, watching the DVD of your choice.

2. Drink 3 litres of hot chocolate a day

3. Snuggle up all day under a huge blanket "

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Mani Monday: HJ Manicure

The Gossip: The A/W shimmer collection from HJ Manicure 

The Price: £9.50 

Where2Buy: www.hjmanicure.com

I am a nail polish addict and in love the AW colours that are sweeping in, especially these wintery colours from HJ Manicure  Alpine Green and Midnight Sky with very apt names for the season and bang on trend.

With a hint of shimmer these colours are perfect to take any look from day to night with the right outfit. Just be aware that because of the long application wand the nail vanish can run down quickly so ensure that excess is taken off before application! 

As a plus this collection does not use toxins and is 5-free, cruelty free & vegan friendly - happy days. 

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Mani Monday - another Beaute from Paul & Joe

The Name: Red Stiletto

The Price: £12
Where2Buy: Paul & Joe Beaute 

We recently covered the beautiful nail collection from Paul & Joe - Mata Hari and Saffron Yellow can be seen in one of our recent posts and today we have another beautiful colour from the current collection.

Again the bottle is beautiful and vintage which I love and the colour Red Stiletto is a perfect strong colour for date night or a pedi colour for a last minute summer holiday.

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BB for your nails? Yes Please

Welcome to our first review on Eve Snow London with the introduction of  the first BB base coat for nails, (well its the first for T2G).

Eve Snow is a luxury british brand with a key philiosphy to nourisihing every nail by using three key ingredients in each lacquer: Ginkgo Bilokba, Aragon Oil and Vitamin E.

The BB Base Coat finishes as a high gloss and dries quickly ready for the colour. Even Just using the BB Base coat on its own is a nice change for my nails making them look nice and healthy.

The BB coats gives your nails:

• Protection, coating the nails in a protective film which prevents them from chipping.
• Smoothness, ready for the colour to go on smoothly and with perfection.
• Radiance with a glossy finish.
• Corrects any imperfections like sun damage, nail blemishes and discolouration for healthy looking and glowing nail

Use the BB base coat with some of the other colours from Eve Snow from the A/W, Frosting and Matte Kohl collections. 

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A dish to take you back to Menorca: Tumbet

Villa Plus are celebrating the launch of their new 'Local Food' guides and Time2Gossip was tasked to recreate a traditional dish from Menorca. I immediatley thought of Tumbet, a traditional vegtable dish that nearly every restaurant in Menorca serves, combining layers of sliced potatoes, aubergines and peppers. This dish can be served as a main or alongside a lovely bit of fish or meat.

I would like to point out that I have never made this dish before but thought I would take on the challenge, especially as the ingredients are in season.

So we headed off to the local market in Twickenham 'Cousins' in search for our ingrediants for a meal for four.

Ingrediants:

• 400g Potatoes
• 400g Aubergines
• 500g Tomatoes
• 2 Garlic Gloves
• 200g Manchego Cheese
• Salt and Pepper to season

The Price: £5.30, £1.32 per person - An absolute bargain, I need to remember to shop at the local market more often for amazing prices.

Method:

Prep time: up to 30 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes 
Preheat oven: 180c/250f/Gas 4

1. Peel and chop the tomatoes and garlic and fry with a little oil in a frying pan and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste - Keep an eye out over the 30 minutes and stir.
2. While the sauce is doing its magic, heat some olive oil in another frying pan and thinly slice the potatoes and fry for 4-5 minutes (they should be golden brown). Use kitchen paper to get rid of excess oil.
3. Then de-seed the peppers and quarter. Fry for 10 minutes or until softened. Again, blot with kitchen paper.
4. Slice the aubergine lengthways into thick slices. Then fry in batches for 5 minutes. Once again, blot with kitchen paper.
5. Now it should of been about 30 minutes from when you started the sauce so its time to layer up. You can do this is a big casserole dish or if you want it to be a little fancy for the adults layer up on one plate which is over proof which we have done. Layer aubergines, potatoes, peppers then spoon over the tomato sauce and sprinkle over grated cheese.
6. Bake for 15 minutes and your dish should be bubbling and golden-brown.
   
   

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Fashion Highlight: Jelly Bag

The Price: £10
Where2Buy: www.sunjellies.com
The Gossip: SunJellies is the original jelly shoes shop since 1946 and now plays host to the original jelly bag! 

Instead of the typical jelly product being a show why not purchase a jelly bag instead from SunJellies Originals. 

The bag in the photos is the Alice jelly bag taking Time2Gossip back to the 80s, the bag is perfect for our upcoming holiday to Ibiza and as and added bonus it can be flat packed for the simple storage!

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Mani Monday - ImPRESS

The Price: £5.99

Where2Buy: Superdrug

The Gossip: Sticking on is more cost effective than a mani and looks fab! 

I have used imPRESS before and they looked lush so when I got the opportunity to review the new collection I jumped at the chance.

The newbies have a new coat of ultra gel shine and last up to a week and unlike fake nails they don't ruin your nails with nasty glue and are simple to remove. Each pack contains 24 nails with a range of different sizes to choose from. 

ImPRESS also have a bit of celeb loving from the likes of Lydia Bright and Nicole Scherzinger.

How to use: 

1. Line up all the sizes, then match the different sizes to each finger. 

2. Then line up the tab side with your cuticle

3. Peel off the backing 

4. Press firmly & smooth 

5. Show off and imPRESS

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Mani Monday - Polish for Tans, Models Own

The Gossip: brand new collection from Models Own, perfect for a night out in Ibiza, enhancing a light tan

The Price: £5 each

Where2Buy: www.modelsownit.com

The Polish for Tans collection is by the fabulous brand Models Own's and is the first collection designed to enhance and compliment a natural tan. 

With five summer shades with tan-enhancing neon-pastel shades are perfect to take you from beach babe to party chic!

The colours are easy to put on and last for around a week if you take good care! 

My personal favourite is Beach bag which has a peachy glow.
 

Colours:

• Beach Bag 
• Shades
• Flip Flop
• Bikini
• Sun Hat

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PHYTOPLAGE

Where2Buy: Space NK, Feelunique.com and premium hair salons.
Price: Between £13.50 - £26.50
The Gossip: The launch of a new summer hair care range

The other day we went to the launch of the new PHYTOPLAGE hair care range. The range has been created to look after your hair throughout the summer season.

At the launch we got the chance to look at our scalp and see what needed improving with our hair care regime. As you can see the scalp is pretty congested with too much product build up, but we are going to use the recommended products from Phyto to sort out this issue - a blog on the products used will follow shortly!

If you are us and had not heard of this fab range before then check out some fun facts below:

Fun Facts:

• First brand to ever use plants in haircare
• Been around for 40 years
• 95% Natural

PHYTOPLAGE Range:

• PHYTOPLAGE L'Original Protective Sun Oil - £16
• PHYTOPLAGE Protective Sun Veil - £15
• PHYTOPLAGE Rehydrating hair and body wash - £13.50
• PHYTOPLAGE Sublime After-Sun hair and body oil - £25.50
• PHYTOPLAGE After-Sun recovery spray - £13

PHYTOPLAGE Protective Sun Veil 

Don't be afraid to use oil on your hair, it won’t make it greasy! This oil protects the hair from the heat of the sun and stops it drying to the texture of straw. Using this ingenious product will keep shine and suppleness to each strand.

How2Use: Spray on to dry or wet hair before and during sun exposure.

PHYTOPLAGE Re hydrating hair and body wash

This 2-in-1 wash is a must for any holiday removing any salt, sand and chlorine that gets tangled up in our beach hair.

PHYTOPLAGE Sublime After-Sun Oil

This is my favourite out of the entire range not only does it look pretty in a glass bottle two tone colours but it does a range of key necessities you need on your holiday!  The enclosed rare oils and high nutrient value re hydrates and beautifies sun-damaged hair and skin, not only does it repair and hydrate, sun damaged hair and skin, but it works perfectly as a moisturiser and as a bonus it prolongs your tan

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