Shake Shack

The burger scene in London is exploding so naturally when a new joint opened this month I obviously had to pay it a visit. Weightwatchers? What Weightwatchers? With Honest Burger and Meat liquor producing drool-inducing burgers, Shake Shack had a lot to live up too.

Famous in the US, the first UK Shake Shake has landed in the tourist-trap of Covent Garden bang in the centre of the bustling piazza. You wouldn't be able to miss it - especially thanks to the endless queues of burger fans eager to get their fix. We went at peak time at around 7pm in the evening so this was to be expected. After queuing and scouring the menu for a reasonable 20 minutes I decided on stuffing my face with a ShackBurger, crinkle cut fries and Shack-made Lemonade. We waited around 10 minutes before our buzzer summoned us to collect our meal. 

 

My verdict? It was ok. just ok. Not amazing brilliant but not disgusting bad either. Maybe I believed the hype too much and expected it to blow me away but I finished my meal feeling a bit underwhelmed. It was just a typical fast food burger with an overly soft bun. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't awful but I just felt it was very overpriced for what essentially didn't taste much better than Macdonalds. The bill came to just over £10. The patty didn't leave me desperate for more like my very first Meat Liquor burger. I've come to the conclusion the fatter the better is what I prefer.

Now the chips? I can get on board with them although I regreted not ordering the cheese fries. What happened to me that day? I ALWAYS order cheese fries. They were cooked to perfection and had just the right amount of crunch. The lemonade got a massive thumbs up too and make a welcomed change from diet coke.

It's not a place i'd rush back to and certainly wouldn't join the long queue but if I was in the area and needed a quick bite - without queuing - i'd go back again. Maybe i'll try one in New York next year and be forced to eat my hat. Next on the list is Five Guys.

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Everything is going wrong but we're so happy

Outfit:
Pastel printed dress - Dorothy Perkins via Leather Lane market
Peach 3/4 length sleeved cardigan - Primark
Black chain handle bag - Zara
Nude toe capped pointed flats - Dorothy Perkins

The last weekend has been 100 miles an hour and this week doesn't seem to be slowing down. I think I need a week indoors where I go to bed at 9pm to try and stop looking and feeling like a zombie. I wore this outfit for a day out in Shoreditch on Sunday with one of my friends. We started off at Petticoat Lane Market so she could buy some new clothes for our holiday to Poland in three weeks. She brought nothing and I came away with a pair of patterned trousers and a dress. Clearly I suck at showing self control... After a wander along Brick Lane and having a tasty sandwich in the Vintage Emporium tearoom.  There'll be another post on that later. Mix matched furniture? Right up my street!

We then trekked to the ridiculously busy Oxford Street so we could raid Selfridges Food Hall for some cheesecake and Marc Jacobs diet coke which we ate laying by Marble Arch complaining about how much we need to lose weight. Standard. All in all a lovely day out and proves once again you really don't need to spend a lot of money to enjoy London. You just have to pack your walking shoes.

Did you all have a nice weekend? Have you been to Petticoat Lane Market?

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This Week I'm Loving - Summer Nail Polishes

L-R: Nails Inc for InStyle, OPI Strawberry Margarita, Barry M Peach Melba, Kelly Brook for New Look c/o, Essie Fear or Desire c/o beauty drawer at work.

I hold my hands up and admit i'm a nail polish addict. I love buying them and my favourite thing to do on a Sunday night is to paint my nails and toenails to match. In the summer I prefer A LOT of colour, Pastels, brights, matte you name it, i'll have it on my nails. Here's a selection of what I've been painting my nails since the sun has put it's hat on.

I'm an avid nails inc fan and always pick them up when they're being given away as a free gift with magazines. TK Maxx is a great bet if you want to stock up - they often do four polishes for £12.99. The pretty lilac colour caught my eye immediately and it looks gorgeous with a tan. It's quite sheer and you do need two-three coats to make it looks decent so it's not one you apply in a hurry.

OPI is my all time favourite nail brand. I love the great selection of colours - you name it and they'll have it! This one was brought from a blog sale and it's came out for the summer time and time again. The bright vivd colour really stands out and it always get compliments.

In my opinion, Barry M is one of the best value nail polish brands out there. They always apply brilliantly and they have a great range of colours. Plus they're always bringing out new shades. I picked this up after reading about it non-stop on various blogs and it's the perfect pastel for the summer. It does take a few coats to get it opaque but it looks great on. It's a pretty neutral colour so it goes with anything.

I recieved a few Kelly Brook nail polishes in my goodie bag when I went along to the New Look press day and didn't really hold out much hope. But it's one of the long lasted nail polishes in my collection. It takes forever to get the tinest chip and is a dream to apply. For only £2.99 they're well worth picking up.

Finally do I really need to say anything about Essie? I made a beeline for this in the beauty drawer immediately. Orange is my favourite toe colour in the summer and this is the perfect vivid shade. It stands out in sandals which is what the most important thing is right?!

What colours do you like for the summer?

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Making a quick buck - eBay

Ebay is my favourite thing in the world. I've been selling odd bits and pieces for around four years and it's saved me many a time when I've been skint and helped me buy that dress I've been desperate to own. It's a fantastic way to make a bit of extra money. I thought I'd pass along a few tricks of the trade I've discovered along the way.

One of the biggest issues of selling on eBay would be how to transport the item to the buyer and how to be sure you're charging the right amount of postage. It's essential to always make sure you weigh your item and work out the correct amount of postage. I have tried to guess this many times in the past and always came unstuck. What's the point in selling something if you're going to lose out on the profit? You won't make much money! Parcelforce is a great option for bulkier items!

Make sure you keep any old jiffy bags to send your items as this can again keep the cost down. I collect mine from work and save them from going in the bin. You really do want to maximise your profits. You can buy a job lot of light plastic postage bags online for a very reasonable price. These are brilliant for sending clothes that don't need protection.

Finally set aside some time to list your items on a Sunday night as it's been proven this is when most people tend to look for bargains and you're more likely to sell. I find around 6-7pm tends to be the best time as people are settling down. Keep your items listed for 7 days and always keep a beady eye out for free listings weekend as they can be a god send!

Do you sell on eBay often? Any words of wisdom you have to share?

This post was written in collaboration with Parcelforce.

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Please repeat whatever you just said, nothing's making sense

Outfit:
White longline cami - Asos
Jumbo floral midi skirt - Asos
White plimsols - Converse
Rose gold Next watch - birthday gift
White statement gold necklace - c/o New Look
Purple nail varnish - Colour Club Chelsea Girl

After saving all my pennies for New York I was beginning to get the shakes from being on a spending ban so when I recieved a little bit of money via eBay I decided to throw caution to the wind and persue the Asos sale. I was very restrained and only came away with this gorgeous skirt and this non-sale basic cami. I could have spent a small fortuine but decided to have my sensible head on for one. What's happened to me?! I do tend to think Asos skirts are a tad overpriced so only really buy them in the sale. I don't mind spending £45 on a dress but on a skirt? No thanks. I thought the skirt would be a cotton material but it's more like a thick jersey material so it feels quite heavy. I'm hoping the dreaded bobbles won't come too soon.

This weekend has been spent recovering from Newmarket on Friday - the day was absolutely brilliant! I never knew just how much I enjoyed inflicting my god awful singing on people via Karaoke. I'm proud to say I was a bit of a hogger and belted out the Spice Girls complete with the dance moves. I don't think my mother has ever been prouder.

Have you brought any bargains in the Asos sale?

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In the meadows

Outfit:
Cut out meadow printed dress - c/o Lashes of London
Black slouch clutch bag - Next
Black strappy gold heeled sandals - c/o Boohoo

I've never been on for low cut clothes as let's face it my chest is nothing really to shout about and I don't like showing off my legs with bum skimming dresses. So this cut out midi dress had my name written all over it. The length is perfect and the cut out stomach helps to stop me looking too frumpy. I love the pretty summery pattern and the sturdy material. If you're going to do bodycon it has to certainly suck you in and boy did this make sure none of my lumps and bumps were showing.

I'm wearing this for a day out at Newmarket races followed by seeing Madness later on tonight. It's to help celebrate my mother birthday - she's certainly milking turning 50 as her actual birthday was back in May and we still have Claridges for Afternoon Tea in August. There's a huge gaggle of us traipsing down to Newmarket in a karaoke, booze filled, furry-lined, party minibus. It seems like when we do things we do them in style. I predict a day/night of carnage with my mother's friends putting my best friend and I to shame and showing us exactly how it's done.

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This week i'm loving - S5 Replenish Serum

S5 Replenish Serum for Dry or Scarred Skin - c/o

I've never really had terrible skin or suffered from acne but when I do get the rare spot it seems to always unfortunately scar my skin. It leaves awful blemishes and doesn't really look very nice. This serum claims to reduce dryness, maintain elasticity and improve scarred and damaged skin. At £44 it isn't the cheapest product to try but thankfully it's an investment as it does exactly what it says on the tin. I've used it everyday in the evening after I've deep cleansed my face for over a month (I think - I'm useless with timing!). I leave it it sink in for around 10 minutes before I apply my moisturiser. I was a bit nervous it would make my face feel greasy at first because it's a oil but once the moisturiser has been applied all is fine and dandy. I must admit I'm not over keen on the strong smell but that's just personal preference and I'm willing to overlook as I've found it's made a difference. My scars on my face have significantly faded making them hardly visible and the dryness around my nose has improved too. The bottle seems to last forever as you only need 3-4 drops on a cotton pad to get even coverage. The cost per use will certainly even out and the 44 smackers will feel like small change. I'm now eager to try other S5 products.

Have you even tried anything from the S5 range?

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The American Dream



Pizza takeaway or indeed any sort of pizza is by far my favourite food to consume. I'd eat it for breakfast (cold pizza mmmmm), lunch and dinner if I could get away with it and it wouldn't make me the size of a house. So when Dominos got in touch offering me a voucher and a party pack to help celebrate the fact they've just launched two new pizzas, The New York Deli and The Carolina - very aptly named the American Legends. I was very much on board with the idea. It just so happened the party idea coincided with the fact it was my boyfriends birthday so we had a mini celebration in the garden. My dad and I got into the spirit of things and decorated the garden with all the bits and bobs - I was very much impressed by the sheer quantity of products and garden ended up looking pretty snazzy.

So down to the most important thing which was how the pizza tasted. We plumped for the New York Deli as I'm not a fan of mustard nor BBQ sauce on a pizza. The frankfurters, ground beef, ham, onions and crispy onions went down a treat. It had just the right of meat on it without being overpowering and the base was a dominos perfection. I'm not much of a fan of deep pan to be honest and dominos in my opinion has the right amount of dough. I find the thicker the dough the more greasy thus making you feel fuller quicker. I'm all about shoving as much pizza in my gob as possible. No Dominos order is complete without the garlic pizza bread - it's what dreams are made off! I may have picked the biggest piece of the bunch...

Thanks so much to Dominos for the pizza party - it made a Tuesday night much more exciting than usual.

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The Social Wine

When I received an email in my inbox asking if I wanted to pop along to a wine tasting evening to create the first social wine, I couldn't type yes please fast enough. It was also brilliant to take my mum along and give her a little peek into the blogging world. I have to say she has networking down to a tee!

A unique joint project between Tesco and wine company Enotria, the evening was about creating the world's first social wine. It really such an amazing idea and it was very exciting to be part of it. We were asked to blind test three whites and two reds and then pop a ball in the glass containing our favourite letter or number. As you can imagine we really got into it! We were showed an indepth video detailing exactly how the wine will help the Enaleni community in South Africa. The wine will enable the community to see their produce on the shelves without a third party producer. I can't wait to see it in the shops come October and see what the final bottles taste like.

There's an amazing South African trip of a lifetime available to win on the Facebook page. You'll be able to see first how exactly how the wine is created. All you have to do is download an app and submit name ideas and label designs for the wine. You have until 13th July to get your ideas forward and the top ten ideas will be published online on 15th July for a week for everybody to vote. The winner will be announced on 22nd July. It's very excited indeed! I'm so, so sorry for the late notice in telling you about the competition but I haven't had time to think recently but I like to think you work well under pressure! Real life gets in the way sometimes. Good luck!

Thank you so much to We Are Social, Enotria and Tesco for our invites - we both had such a lovely evening.

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Get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook

Outfit:
Cream jersey camisole - Primark
Blue jacquard midi skirt - Asos
Dove blue lady dragons - Vivienne Westwood
Red lips - Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer Big Bang

This skirt is by far the most beautiful, luxurious item of clothing I own. It's just so pretty and ladylike - I can pretend I'm not a gobby Essex bird for a few minutes. It literally only lasted a few minutes too before I got my heel caught in the decking and tumbled down the stairs in front of our guests. I had to sit through the reminder of my mother's garden party with a plaster on my grazed knee like a five year old. Ladylike can't be used to describe me just yet... Maybe one day!

I wouldn't be British if I didn't mention the glorious weather we seem to be having. Long may it continue!  All I seem to want to do is sit in the garden with a good book and a pitcher of Pimms. How are you spending the sunny days? Although the underground is sweltering at the moment, it's not one aspect of Summer I'm enjoying!

You might be seeing a lot of Arctic Monkeys lyrics as blog post names in the future as my boyfriend managed to get tickets for us to see them at Earls Court in October. Their first album has been making my daily commute a little easier - I feel like i've gone back to being 18 again aka the best years of my life. I'm so excited to finally see them as it's been a long time coming! If I'm honest, I'm probably just paying £40 to hear I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor live. Excited isn't even the word to describe it.

Have you got any gigs lined up in the future? Or did you manage to get Arctic Monkeys tickets too?

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I just can't listen to the words of fools

Outfit:
Orange floral dress - Primark
Cream cardigan - Primark
Nude cut out brogues - Dorothy Perkins

This dress was found as a result of a self-imposed spending ban. I'm trying to save for New York so buying clothes is a no-no and I'm having to root around in the dark and dingy depths of my wardrobes for things to wear. Sometimes I'm disappointed but other times it's a pleasant surprise like when I found this dress. It's quite a few years old now and I remember being disgusted that it was priced at £25. A bit extortionate to be fair but it's made of lovely thick material with netting underneath to help make it poof. This is my summer uniform. It's so easy to chuck on a dress, cardigan and shoes when you pop your snooze button on a bit too many times and have to rush out the door to catch the bus. My lovely wavy hair is courtesy of the Bumble and Bumble surf spray - we've become firm friends. Just look what it does!

What is your summer uniform?

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Laura Ashley Press Day AW13

A few weeks ago I was very kindly invited along to the Laura Ashley press day to see what wares they had coming up next season. Held in a ultra swish venue in central London - Il Bottaccio in case you were wondering -, the selection  of clothes were very impressive indeed.  From patterned trousers to leather jackets everything seem to catch my eye and I built up a mental wishlist as long as my arm.  The red duffle coat above received a massive thumbs up from me and i've now decided my new winter coat will have to be a duffle. Paddington Bear is the ultimate style icon don't you agree? The company seemed to be embracing all the winter trends and showed that the patterned trousers craze really isn't showing any signs of slowing down. Statement necklaces also made a welcomed appearance. They're great for jazzing up your outfit when you're a little short of cash.

Laura Ashley is also famous for it's amazing homeware. It may be a little pricey but you really do get what you pay for - the quality looks fantastic. This glass dressing table was without a doubt my favourite piece. It is such a pretty rose gold colour and really does takes centre point. it's certainly a talking point. With lots of beautiful little trinkets on offer, you don't have to spend a fortune to inject a little glamour into your home.

Finally we were given a little sneaky peak into the Laura Ashley 60 exhibition. The company reaches the grand old age of 60 this year and have opened their archives. It was so interesting to hear how the company has evolved and look at products through the ages. How cute are the matching sailor inspired dresses?! Laura Ashley have incorporated some designs from the past into the present collection so you get a real vintage feel.

Do you shop in Laura Ashley?

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May/June Empties

A joint month this time as I ran out of time in May and only used two products up!

Soap and Glory Calm One Calm All bubble bath
My family and friends all know me inside out and always buy me a batch of Soap and Glory products for Christmas and birthdays. This is one of my favourite products. It creates an amazing set of bubbles in such a little amount and has such a gorgeous sweet smell. It has the added bonus of having a built-in moisturiser so you come out feeling silky smooth. It really is the perfect for a long soak on a Sunday night before the working week starts again.

Batiste Original Dry Shampoo

Garnier Skin Naturals Moisture Match

I swiped this out of the beauty cupboard at work when I was running out of my No7 faithful. It really doesn't seem to last very long but I don't know if that's because I'm over generous. This particular one is suitable for normal to dry skin and I'm not really sure it's made a difference. It didn't make me break out - always a plus - but it didn't leave my skin feel brilliantly hydrated. It is a good size though to keep in your handbag should you require an emergency touch up when the dreaded dry skin appears.

Soap and Glory Girlgo Body Moisturising Mist

Yet another Soap and Glory gift. I use this straight after a shower on my arms to help keep them feeling soft. It works amazingly well and I really do notice the difference if I get lazy and don't apply it for a few days, It soaks in almost immediately and feels very lightweight on your skin. It's definitely a keeper!

Mark Hill Get Gorgeous Quick Fix Dry Shampoo

I received this in a goody bag when I popped along to a Boots event at the beginning of the year. All I can say is I'm very glad I didn't pay for it! It's very overpriced in my opinion and doesn't do nowhere near as good a job as Batiste does. It needs a lot of product to make a difference and towards the end of the day your hair is feeling greasy again. It was such a disappointment.


Sanctuary Body Butter

I much prefer butters over lotions and this one didn't disappoint. The lovely thick texture glides onto your skin and doesn't take an age to sink in. It's brilliant on dry patches such as knees and heels. The cocoa butter smell completely won me over and it'll definitely be something I'll be buying again.

Have you used any of these products?

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This week i'm loving - Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray - c/o

As far as cult products go, Surf Spray is probably the most famous in the blogging world. Bumble and Bumble is an American company founded way back in 1977 by unknown hairdresser Michael Gordon and the Surf Spray itself was introduced in 2001.  It's a very popular salon brand, in fact my uncle uses the shampoo and conditioner in his hairdressing business.

I'd only really used it once when I stayed at a friends house so wasn't really sure if it was going to live up to the hype. After using it every other day for the past three weeks I can safely say I've been sucked into the hype. I use it on roughly dried hair and dry the rest of it upside down. I squirt it a few times on the crown and then evenly spray it around the bottom of my hair. I then tie it in a bun and give it a few blasts with the hairdryer. My hair is quite thick so it doesn't quite go as tousled as I'd like but it helps to break up my layers and make them look more prominent. It just helps to make it look less flat and lifeless. I'm still yet to try it on dry hair but that is next on my list!  I also need to find time to let my hair dry naturally with the product in. I never get up early enough in the mornings! At £20.50 it's not the cheapest of products but it really is worth the investment to be honest. I've found it makes a real different unlike a few other salt sprays I've tried.

Have you ever tried the Surf Spray?

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Summer cover ups

Ah the English summer. Is it ever going to arrive with a bang? With this in mind it's always essential to have a few lightweight cover ups as back up as let's face it, you have to be prepared in Britain!

The Kimono

Not just for looking whimsical at festivals, a kimono is the perfect option to give a casual outfit that extra oomph. They look classy and smart yet not too stuffy for everyday wear. It's a perfect companion for skinny jeans and cut off shorts. Given the usual lightweight material they won't weigh you down should you decide to take it off due to the searing heat. Unlikely I know. This Asos blush pink number is a great neutral colour and not too fussy meaning it'll be the perfect option for almost everything in your wardrobe. What's not to like?

The Bomber Jacket

Sports luxe is still going strong and this monochrome Glamourous bomber jacket is definitely something I can get on board with! With it's silky smooth finish it won't encourage you to overheat and is a great option if you're traveling. Public transport is always a little chilly and it won't be too heavy to sling over your arm when you finally get out into the daylight. Stylish and practical!

The boucle

In my humble opinion boucle jackets just ooze class. It's a little bit too chilly to wear them in the winter but come the warmer months they help you stay just the right temperature. They can smarten up any outfit and are brilliant to pop on when you're popping out after work for a few drinks as they instantly make you look like you've made an effort. Let's face it, it can be hard to look respectable after a nine hour shift! The studded detailing on this Miss Selfridge jacket stops it from looking frumpy and the fitted shape help you show off what your mama gave you.

The Bolero

Boleros are a fabulous option for chilly evenings. They always look smart and really help to complete an outfit. Buying one in a neutral colour can be a god send with cotton summer dresses. It helps keep the chill away without looking too clunky. If you're going to a wedding this summer, they're a great option to cover shoulders in church. This knitted black bolero from Bonprix  is a very reasonable price point. You won't have any trouble with your cost-per-wear!

The Evening Jacket

Sometimes you need a little sparkle in the evening and this silver Asos number fits the bill. With while mesh panels it allows breathing room and the silver panels will shimmer in the sunshine. You don't have to wait until Christmas to wear metallics. The key for a summer jacket is one that doesn't crease easily as you're constantly popping it on and off. You really don't want to look like a sack of spuds by the end of the night.

This was a collaborative post.

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