Tag Archives: Beauty

Flash the Lash

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Welcome to #SundayTimes. One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to learn a new skill… So, this week I did just that.

Having discovered lash extensions last year, I was immediately interested in finding out how to train to apply them myself. Last week I went on a two-day Nouveau Lashes course & loved it! I’m now working through my case studies prior to ‘graduating’ in June.

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So, today’s #5aday blog features 5 reasons to book yourself onto a Nouveau Lashes training course.

  1. New experiences make you a better person & teach you things about yourself. I realised that I have much more patience than I thought!
  2. You don’t have to be a beauty therapist. If you have a steady hand & like intricate detail, then you’ll probably be a natural at it.
  3. Nouveau Lashes are industry-leading – made from soft natural human hair, they’re light, natural looking, comfortable & long-lasting.
  4. The Nouveau Lashes trainers are excellent (shout out to Debbie & Carrie in Purley!). The standards of training are the very best.
  5. If you’re looking to change your career or looking for additional income, this is a great option, part-time or full-time.

5 excellent reasons why you should book yourself onto the Nouveau Lashes course. Find out all that’s involved here. If lash training isn’t for you, then think about what skill you would like to learn. It could be rewarding, personally & professionally.

And even if you don’t want to learn how to actually apply lashes, then why not try a set? They’re perfect for the holidays. You can find your nearest Nouveau Lashes salon or technician here.

Enjoy the rest of the bank holiday weekend!

G x

Live in the Present

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Afternoon! Welcome to #TheFridayInterview & today’s #TheChainofInspiration at 4pm to accompany that last cup of tea before the weekend!

At the end of March, Katie Quinn of Downtown Betty, was my fifth interviewee in #TheChainofInspiration. I’m delighted today to introduce our next interviewee - Karen Munnis, a UK Fashion Stylist & Brand Consultant. Over to you Katie!

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Karen has over 8 years experience working in print media & the film & television industry, working with clients such as Vogue UK, Glamour UK & Britain’s Next Top Model. She has also worked with celebrities such as Chloe Sevigny, Lou Doillon, JLS, Olly Murs & Stephen Rea to name a few. 

  1. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to have three jobs –  to be a baker, hairdresser and a psychologist.
  2. What are your 2013 hopes & dreams? To grow my brand, to live in the present & for the compassion & consideration of all beings. 
  3. What makes you get up in the morning/inspires you? The thought of coffee or a good yoga practice usually does it.
  4. How did you become a Fashion Stylist? I moved  to London after University & started interning on various magazines.
  5. Which designers inspire you and why? Miuccia Prada for her ability to be continually innovative & Nicolas Ghesquiere for his incredible craftsmanship & impeccable tailoring.
  6. What is it you love most about being a stylist? The diversity & range of the projects & working amongst very talented people.
  7. What tips can you give to any wannabe stylists? Intern & assist people whenever possible. You learn the most valuable skills on the job or by making mistakes. Be persistent.
  8. What other passions take up your time? Practicing yoga, riding my bike, watching films & scouring for vintage finds. 
  9. Who would be your fantasy 5 dinner party guests? David Letterman,  Diane Keaton, Duchamp, Marie Colvin, Katherine Hepburn.
  10. If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 items would you wish you had? Someone handsome & handy, a few bikinis, a Swiss Army knife with tweezers, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos & Linda Farrow sunglasses.

Thanks Katie & Karen! As always, it’s wonderful to showcase yet another inspirational female, doing what she loves!

Karen now takes over the baton & will interview someone that inspires her for the next #TheChainofInspiration on Friday 3 May.

Right, I’m now off to France for a few days, so taking some #GTimeOut! #GTime will be back next Sunday 21 April. Have a great weekend!

G x

Running on Empty

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Hello! Over the last few weeks I’ve been feeling run down & full of cold. Not great preparation for my run this coming weekend!

I have been popping so many pills I’m rattling! So, today’s #WellbeingWednesday #5aday features great supplements to keep you fighting fit.

  1. Boots Pharmaceuticals Cold & Flu relief Echinacea – a herbal medicine to relieve cold symptoms @ £5.99 for 30 capsules.
  2. Sun Chlorella “A” - a high quality & balanced nutritional supplement, rich in many nutrients @ £21.95 for 300 tablets.
  3. Holland & Barrett Skin Hair & Nails Formula – a naturally inspired supplement providing vital nutrients @ £4.99 for 40 pills.
  4. Boots Value Health Non-Drowsy Hayfever & Allergy Relief – a good remedy for hayfever symptoms @ 99p for 7 tablets.
  5. Protex-H – Extract of prickly pear speeds up muscle recovery during strenuous activity (marathons) @ £29.85 for 12.

5 supplements to keep illness at bay & promote health & wellbeing everyday & during training but which will win today’s #GTopSpot?

Today’s #WellbeingWednesday #GTopSpot goes to #2 Sun Chlorella “A” - For all your Iron, Vit B12, Vit D & Folic Acid needs! G x

Sun Chlorella A

Spring Preening

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Welcome to #WellbeingWednesday. Now that March is finally here & spring is around the corner, it’s time for a spring preen!

Over the last few days I’ve been preened & pampered. After a couple of months of no polish, now’s the time to shine with today’s #5aday! 

Fedora Polish

  1. Manicure & CND World Shellac Polish from the ladies at Kleo Beauty Richmond. My chosen shade this week – Fedora.
  2. Spa Pedicure & matching Fedora CND World Shellac Polish from the fabulous Mia at Kleo Beauty Richmond.
  3. A massage. Kleo Beauty have a fab loyalty scheme offering a massage after 10 stamps (1 stamp per £20 spent).
  4. Cut & Finish from lovely Monika at Aveda Vertigo Salon in St Margarets. Amazing head massage & sleek styling.
  5. Wax from Strip London, St Paul’s - for a quick, pain-free wax treatment & a browse of all the lovely lingerie.

5 pampering steps to look & feel polished & brand new this spring… but which is the ultimate in spring preening in today’s #GTopSpot?

Today’s #WellbeingWednesday #GTopSpot goes to #5 Wax from Strip London, St Paul’s with the bonus of browsing the gorgeous lingerie boutique!

Get spring preening ladies! Happy #WellbeingWednesday. G x

Strip Boutique

Alice’s Wonderland

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Hello! It’s the new #GTime (5pm) & time for #SundayTimes! Hope you’re having a lovely weekend & ready for tonight’s Oscars.

This last week we’ve seen some gorgeous A/W13 looks from London Fashion Week & the anticipation now builds for tonight’s Oscars red carpet. On Friday, thanks to #canonfashion, I was lucky enough to go to Somerset House for London Fashion Weekend to drool over all the lovely labels & looks.

LFWeekend Somerset House

I watched the amazing Alice by Temperley show, so today is dedicated to Alice & my favourite 5 looks from the S/S13 collection.

  1. Clarinet V-Neck Jumper & Bayadere shorts (not yet available) – Look bright & breezy in this casual knit @ £185.
  2. Harp Jacket & Bayadere trousers (not yet available) – Look on trend this S/S in minimalist & monochrome @ £325.
  3. Puccinella Jumpsuit - Look effortlessly glamorous in this print jumpsuit in a soft jersey material @ £345.
  4. Nijinsky Print Shirt & Long Print Skirt - Look pretty in this bold print @ £325 & £365.
  5. Long Pirouette dress & Temperley London black belt (not yet available) – Look sophisticated & sexy this spring.

5 sexy & highly wearable S/S13 outfits from Alice by Temperley but which will be springing into tonight’s #GTopSpot?

Tonight’s #SundayTimes #GTopSpot goes to #3 Puccinella Jumpsuit - Look sexy without trying. G x

Alice by Temperley

Beauty & the Brits

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Welcome to #WellbeingWednesday! Celebs are out in force tonight to celebrate the best of British music at the Brit Awards 2013…

The stars of the British music industry will be strutting their stuff down the red carpet in gorgeous outfits, wearing stunning make-up. So, in celebration tonight’s #WellbeingWednesday is dedicated to the best of British beauty brands & the make-up trends of this season.

  1. Barry M Trio Eyeshadows - Get a spring in your step in these bold, bright shades @ £5.99. Barry M Eyeshadow
  2. Boots No7 Ballerina Beauty Blush Palette - This blush will have you blooming this spring @ £12.      Boots No7 Blush
  3. Butter London Fruit Machine Nail Lacquer in Opaque Punchy Carnation Creme - Punch above your weight in pink @ £13.Butter London Nails
  4. Body Shop Baked-To-Last Bronzer - For the bronzed goddess in you @ £16.                                  Body Shop Bronzer
  5. Burberry Lip Glow in Hipiscus No. 13 - Get lippy in this bright pink @ £18.50.                    Burberry Lip Gloss

5 ways to dazzle (& support British brands) on or off the red carpet this season but which will take the stage in tonight’s #GTopSpot?

Tonight’s #WellbeingWednesday #GTopSpot goes to #5 Burberry Lip Glow in Hipiscus No. 13 - Bold, bright & beautiful.

Enjoy the Brits tonight everyone & good luck to all the nominees!

G x

Ginger and Spice in 2013

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Evening & welcome to the weekend!

I mentioned in last Wednesday’s post, that Ginger & Spice is having a bit of a make-over in 2013 with some of the #GTime themes being refreshed or replaced.

#GTime will start back properly on Monday with what used to be the #MondayMonthlyInterview – when on the first Monday of each month I interview someone doing something interesting with their life, whether at work or play.

The new look Monday #GTime theme will now be #TheMondayInterview and it will take place every other Monday. So, if you would like to be considered to take part in this interview; to promote your business, personal project or cause, then please do get in touch via ginger@gingerandspice.co.uk.

Here’s a summary of the new look #GTime #5aday themes for 2013:

  • #TheMondayInterview – An interview of 5 standard bite-size questions & answers with someone doing something different or interesting in their life…
  • #TuesdayTreats – No change here… this will continue to showcase gift ideas for you and your loved ones.
  • #BookClubWednesday – A new column featuring a book review every other Wednesday.
  • #ThursdayFriday – No change here… Thursday, the new Friday, shares ideas on what to do and where to go…
  • #Health&FitnessFriday – A post dedicated to health, beauty and fitness ideas to maximise your well-being.
  • #SaturdayShopping - No real change here… What else do you do on a Saturday, other than shopping?! It will now regularly feature shoes!
  • #SundayTimes – The theme of this post will change each week, following a topical subject at that time…

The #5aday format will remain and #GTime will continue to take place every other day at 6pm. So, I hope you look forward to reading #GTime in 2013 and if you have any ideas or thoughts on how it could be improved, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

See you on Monday! Have a fabulous weekend.

G x

Make-up & Party!

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Welcome to #WellbeingWednesday & tonight’s #5aday theme of make-up for the party season… ‘Tis the season to be jolly!

  1. Dior Grand Bal Collection False Eyelashes with Pearl Drops & Gold Crystals (coming soon) £19.
  2. Yves Saint Laurent Golden Pink Shimmering Lip Gloss - Pucker up under the mistletoe with this gorgeous golden gloss @ £22.
  3. Tom Ford Carnal Red Nail Polish from Selfridges - Give the talons a festive make-over with this ruby red @ £25.
  4. Mac Cosmetics Fabulousness: 5 Neutral Eye Shadows - Let the lashes do the talking with a neutral backdrop @ £32.
  5. Dolce and Gabbana Animalier Glow Bronzing Powder from Harrods - For the party animal this festive season @ £40.

5 fabulous make-up ideas for the festive party season but which will be celebrating long into the night as tonight’s #GTopSpot winner?

Tonight’s #WellbeingWednesday #GTopSpot goes to #5 Dolce and Gabbana Animalier Glow Bronzing Powder from Harrods - Wild! G x

Dolce & Gabbana Animalier Bronzer

Winning Hands

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Welcome to #WellbeingWednesday & today’s post which features 5 hand creams to give us a helping hand as the weather gets colder…

  1. Sanctuary Hand Cream - A handy travel size tube of 30ml for everyday care of dry hands @ £3.
  2. L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream - Another helping hand while on the move & pretty perfume & packaging @ £8.
  3. The Berkeley Square White Amber Hand & Nail Cream - A touch of luxury from the Golden Age of Couture @ £12.
  4. Ren Skincare Citrus Limonu Prebiotic Hand Cream - In safe hands with protection from bacteria & dryness @ £17.
  5. Molton Brown Hydrate Desert Bloom Intense Hand Rescue - Ensure handsome hands this winter @ £21.

5 helping hands from these effective hand creams but which has the winning hand in tonight’s #GTopSpot?

Tonight’s #WellbeingWednesday #GTopSpot goes to #3 The Berkeley Square White Amber Hand & Nail Cream - Big hand!

Right, hands up, I need some #GTimeOut! I have a big work event coming up & also a birthday. #GTime returns on Mon 5 Nov. See you then! G x

Eyes Wide Open

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Welcome to #WellbeingWednesday. Today’s ‘Eyes Wide Open’ #5aday features concealers & primers to help eyes look bright & wide awake!

  1. MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer - Creamy, light & long-lasting. Great all-round concealer @ £14.50.
  2. Liz Earle Light Reflecting Concealer - Silky & brightening effects to conceal signs of tiredness @ £15.50.
  3. Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer - Hide dark shadows under eyes & other flaws @ £16.50.
  4. Benefit Stay Don’t Stray - Primer for concealers to ensure bright eyes (& bushy tails) @ £19.50.
  5. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Complexion Highlighter - Concealer replaces signs of fatigue with luminous glow @ £25.

5 tried and tested concealers but which is the hidden gem of the pack, shining in tonight’s #GTopSpot?

Tonight’s #WellbeingWednesday #GTopSpot goes to #1 MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer - Don’t go anywhere without it! G x