The Empresses new clothes...

My attitude to packing for holidays was formed at a very early stage.

By the age of 3 I had developed a strong bond with all of my toys and ‘in the interests of fairness’ could not bare to leave behind the less played with rejects, only selecting my favourites to experience the marvel of foreign travel. The next 10 summers involved long car journeys to France spent with my legs resting on clans of Sylvanian families, a herd of my little ponies a gorilla army of stolen action men, and of course Billis - the half naked bear who was a gift from the Gas Board.

I’m now 26 and while the cuddly toys have been replaced with clothes (Mr H and Billis tend to clash over political beliefs) I still make sure nothing is left behind. This only became an issue when I decided to take the world of me to a festival in Spain a few years ago. 3 hours of dragging the contents of an entire wardrobe (and a last minute panicked airport shop) through sun baked fields soon makes you realise it’s time to be selective (with clothes AND holiday choices)

With an impending trip to Rome in mind, I have resolved to break this and welcome on board my new mantra:

‘take only what you need to survive!’

 Okay, so maybe not ‘survive’ in the purest sense but definitely from a sartorial perspective.

Here are my favourites (so far..) First stop is the Coliseum, and while Mr H pretends he’s Russel Crowe these Topshop gladiator sandals should help me get into the mood.



Maximus Geordious Xanthius
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Comfortable enough for day trips around the ancient city, the metallic detail gives a smart enough edge to throw on with this bold River Island dress for an evening date with the Emperor…



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They say all roads lead to Rome, and my map reading skills will definitely be putting this old saying to the test. Perhaps the tiny colourful arrows on this Whistles Arrow Print T-shirt  will help me out.



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A loose cut body and low round neck top keeps the top cool and light while still pulling off the city chic look, it pairs perfectly with a fat-bottomed-girl-friendly peg leg trousers.

Long since known to be the bargain basement of on trend shoes, New Look has stepped up a gear with its summer swimwear collection. An array of purse friendly bikinis are available as separates great for mixing up colours and styles (and for those whose top’s don’t quite match their tails)

 For those who are more Easter Bunny then Gym Bunny cover all one pieces are bang on trend and great for a nap by the pool. A pair of Jackie-O shades will enhance the 50’s vibe that comes with these lycra   lovelies




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Keep cool in the shade with Accesorize’s vast range of hats. If like me, you have a bonce to make the Elephant man point and laugh, this paper take on the 1920’s bonnet sits low on the head and covers up a dodgy holiday hair do well.

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Finally, as no Roman Goddess would be complete without her trinkets, this fantastically named    Golddigger bangle adds a stylish finishing touch to any outfit and balances out a lot of the hyper feminine pieces floating around the highstreet at the moment. 



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Hmmm…I think, I forgot my mantra.

1.Finlay Brown Metal Trim Flat Sandals £42.00 Topshop

2. Red Print Waisted Sundress £29.99 River Island

3. Arrow Print T-shirt £25.00 (sale) Whistles

4. Rushed Bandeau Swimsuit £22.99 New Look

5. Striped Bandeau Swimsuit £21.99 New Look  

6. Paper Cloche Hat £16 Accessorize

7. Contrast Stripe Weave Floppy Hat £22.00 Accessorize

8. Golddigger Bangle £7.00 Accessorize


Images from Topshop, River Island, Whistles, New Look & Accesorize

Pin Me Up

The hairdressers. Something which most girls in their right mind  love. A good few hours of pampering, flicking through old magazines with some idle chit chat on the side. I have a confession - that's not me.

I’ve always envied those girls who are able to refer to ‘my hairdresser’, they seem to have some kind of embryonic bond with these creative genius’ who replicate the exact reflection they so desire.



Meanwhile, I’m the one who always arrives late. I bumble into the art gallery come industrial unit space and am instantly intimidated by strip lighting, asymmetrical angles, house music and a startling array of products that cost more than my weekly rent.

 Rather than being put at ease knowing I'm in the hands of  a trained stylist, I awkwardly shift in my chair, apologise for the awful condition of my hair (and for me in general) before agreeing to let them use me as a crash test dummy for the latest layered look. A few weeks ago I actually left Trevor Sorbie with the post-modern take on a mullet.

The salon-folk loved it, I felt like David Bowie....not good Bowie, Labyrinth Bowie.

Just as I was cutting eye holes in yet another paper bag, The Painted Lady rushed to my rescue like a can of dry shampoo the morning after a big night before.

A perfectly timed KGB Voucher Deal lead to the discovery of my new favourite local haunt. Situated on the ever expanding Redchurch Street, Shoreditch.

On arrival (late, panicky and true to form) I was greeted with a warm welcome and invited into the beautifully decorated salon. Emulating my dream living room, the stripped wood floors lie beneath vintage furniture finds and well styled retro accents, the salon is a masterclass in throw back interior design hitting the balance between vintage and modern perfectl without tipping over into kitsch tat land.

As Dom, my friendly stylist , sat me down in the sumptuous leather barbers chair and handed me glass of chilled vino, I felt instantly at ease. Between sips  gulps, I threw in random words about being blonde, but not too blonde. I hastily explained I liked gold but not brass...not the most clear of directions through the spaghetti junction that is my mane. Without so much as a raised eyebrow, I was assured it would all be taken care of, and that it was.

As my mop was being combed and coaxed into submission, I chatted with the staff and a variety of locals and friends of the salon and watched all the happenings of Shoreditch on a Spring evening going by. I felt relaxed,  and happy (maybe on my way to tipsy) had it not been for several sheets of bleached coated foil entwined into my hair, I would have completely forgotten I was in a hairdressers at all.

A quick shampoo and rough blow dry later and I was transformed. Delicate blonde highlights had been woven through my hair, transforming dark lank roots into shimmering TV advert worthy strands. With A subtle blended finish and even tone  I was - coloured to perfection. A few weeks later and it still look salon fresh! This is the first time I have actually loved my hair, and have been vainly using every shop window and car wing mirror to sneak a peak.

Along side the day to day cut and colour options, The Painted Lady backs up it's decor with a specialist service in Retro Up Do's. Perfect for a special occasion or a themed dressing up night,  a quick peruse of the websites gallery   shows a wide range of lengths and styles spanning the decades and fashion eras. I only wish I'd discovered this place before negotiating with a crimping iron for the Prohibition 1920's night.

We all know that finishing touches make all the difference, take a trip downstairs to discover that this small, personal hairdressers has also managed to house an entire nail salon – complete with the tootsie loving service du’jour, a fish pedicure tank. The girly décor is matched well to the upstairs with painted floor boards and hints of pink complimenting the rainbow display of O.P.I nail varnishes to choose from.


With my hair remastered and finally tamed after trying out threading for the first time , nails were next on the agenda. I was soon back at The Painted Lady to get tidied up for the weekend ahead. The same great service and friendly, inclusive atmosphere applied as my dry cuticles and raggy edged claws were filed and painted a gorgeous pale pink.

 While waiting for my talons to dry, I took advantage of a comfy seat in the salon, a perfect way to spend the end of the working week  Being the klutz that I am, nail varnish is usually a wasted exercise on my, chipping it in record time which is why I was pleasantly surprised to see my chosen hue ‘Precciously pink’ stick around for a record 5 days before showing too much wear and tear. All for the bargain price of £10.

My next appointment is all booked in and I can’t wait,  thanks to the ladies at The Painted Lady, I no longer fear the shears.

The Painted Lady is open 6 days a week (closed Tuesday), see the website for more pictures, prices and contact details.

Images courtesy of The Painted Lady

Cheaper New Threads!

How wonderfully well timed! Just as I published my my write up of the great services provided by Shavata Brow Bars in House of Fraser stores, a great offer to try the brow threading service at a knock down price is released!

To celebrate the opening of 5 brand spanking new Brow Studios, Shavata are offering Brow Threading for £10 instead of the usual £17!

Get down there soon for a mid week tidy up before showing off your new groomed look with some killer sunglasses (well, we have to make the most of this sunshine long may it last...)

New Threads





I have a vivid memory of being six years old and sitting at the top of a stair case in my Aunties house. I would often sit there (usually in tears after throwing a huge tantrum) and contemplate the world, this time I was trying my very best to raise one eyebrow. The logic was that by raising both eyebrows while squashing one of them down it would just stay that way. To six year old me, this, getting a pony and making sure my big brother was in trouble were my main priorities.

After some time, I managed it! In all probability this was due to genetics rather than sheer will (and surprisingly strong facial muscles) …but that certainly wasn’t going to stop me spending the next 5-10 years showing off my ‘talent’…others could paint, sing or run really fast, I was the kid that could raise one eyebrow.



Mr H wasn't sure how to tell Xanthe
.... it was time  for some intervention

20 years on I curse the ambitions of 6 year old me, (except for the pony – that’s still on my list). My right eyebrow is considerably higher than my left – there isn’t one photo of me where I don’t look ‘wonky’ and I have spent many an cringe worthy moment explaining to nervous beauticians with a wax strip that it’s not them, it's me.

Understandably this ‘affliction’ has not left me with an overly eager approach to eyebrow maintenance. Rather than optimising my face friends and embracing their Picasso like appearance I have opted for long fringes and in frequent trips to the wax bars of London.

That is, until, after much persuasion, I got my eyebrows threaded by the charming (and understanding) ladies of the Shavata Brow Bar

For someone who considers it okay to paint molten wax on my face and then allow someone to rip it off, threading certainly shouldn’t look as weird to me as it does, but as I climbed into my padded leather dentist chair and lay back, Jaz, (my specialist for the day) put me right at ease.

It was time for the science part. Using a pure, thin, twisted cotton thread,  Jaz gently rolled over  my untidy brow line, apparently this allows the hair to be plucked right down at the follicle level. Unlike battling with tweezers where a single hair is pulled out each time, threading can remove an entire row of hair,  resulting in a distinctive, sharp, clean finish.

One of the reasons I’d been putting off giving this technique a whirl was that I had heard rumours of how painful it could be, especially if done by a new comer to the trade. At least with waxing, which admittedly is not the most pain free sensation – it’s over in one go. I was expecting threading to be a painful and slow practice. While it’s not exactly something I’d like to have done daily, the pain was certainly minimal and felt more peculiar than uncomfortable. Furthermore it was all over in less than 10 minutes.

After the cotton reel was put away, Jaz brushed and trimmed the bushier parts of my brows (sexy, I know) and then plucked any stubborn rebel strays with her expert tweezers. A quick and refreshing smear of Shavata Soothing Gel and I was on my way £17, and a few hairs lighter.

My chosen salon is situated on the ground floor of House of Fraser King William Street, just next to Monument tube station in the City. For any shy types be aware that while it’s tucked away in a the far right corner of the floor (next to a super Nails Inc bar) you are still in a department store for all to see. That said, I turned up at lunch time on pay day Friday and was seated immediately with no awkward hovering necessary. A bit of exposure is certainly a small price to pay for such convenience.

As well as drop in waifs and strays such as me, appointments are also available in advance and are certainly recommended for those in a hurry.

Shavata has a range of brow bars in most major House of Fraser stores nationwide as well as the prestigious Harrods (I wonder if old Queenie is getting this done for the wedding?)  and offers a variety of treatments concentrating on the face. As well as threading various areas (face, lip and chin) they also offer tinting services for brows and lashes as well as lash extensions, removal and application of strip lashes. I picked up a loyalty card, for every 5 treatments I buy – the 6^th is free. While this may not be the most cost effective salon, the quick friendly and well-located bar will be seeing me again. I left with virtually no tell tale redness and a few days later my skin has not broken out in protest the way it does with wax.

Die hard tweezers are not excluded from this chain, as the well stocked online store offers plenty of tools of the trade for you to recreate that perfect arch at home. It’s worth reading the hints and tips section of the site before getting stuck in. Once you do I would suggest using these cheery heart shape tweezers to brighten up the tool box.

Eat your Greens

I have a food shopping system, every Monday I hurriedly complete my online order with the intention of adding to it and changing things around throughout the week. Every Sunday I end up with something I don’t’ remember ordering or without some forgotten necessity. (I didn’t say it was a good system). Last weekend I actually ended up with two orders. So while my freezer is now crammed full of duplicate food items I was still left with more veg then even the most gluttonous vegan would struggle with.

This quick, fuss free recipe not only took care of the spinach allotment living in my fridge but also produces the most amazing coloured lunch or light supper. Great for getting a good hit of spring greens and (as I discovered following a fairly indulgent Prohibition party the night before) works well for hangovers.

Creamy Spinach Soup:

Shopping List:

• 50g butter
• 1 medium onion , finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
• 1 medium potato , peeled and chopped into chunks
• 450ml chicken or vegetable stock
• 600ml milk
• 450g fresh spinach , roughly chopped
• finely grated zest of half a lemon
• freshly grated nutmeg , to taste

Make it happen:

• Melt the butter in a large lidded saucepan, add the onion and garlic and fry gently for 5-6 minutes until softening.
• Stir in the potato and continue to cook gently for 1 minute.
• Pour in the stock and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the potato starts to cook.
• Pour in the milk and bring up to a simmer, then stir in half the spinach and the lemon zest.
• Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until the spinach has completely wilted down. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes.
• Pour the soup into a blender or food processor, add the remaining spinach (this will keep the soup bright green and fresh tasting) and process until silky smooth. Return to the pan and reheat. Taste and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• Serve with a swirl of olive oil and toasted pumpkin seeds.

No Sesame Street characters were harmed in the making of this soup.