GLOBE TROTTER | THE LITTLE VIET KITCHEN

Last night my high school best pal and I made our way to Angel for a rather romantic dinner at The Little Viet Kitchen.

The super healthy and experimental Vietnamese restaurant was hidden on the back streets of Angel, far from all the other funky chains & one off eateries on Upper Street. The LVK only opened their doors to the public last week so we were lucky enough to get one of the first experiences which for restaurants can sometimes go quite badly.

Not this one! As we were one of the first in for the evening seating, we were greeted by the friendly staff who we literally could have chatted to all evening as we were sat along the bar and one of them was just super friendly. Luckily for us and sadly for them a table of six reduced their booking to two, allowing us to have a proper table with a cute little candle and white rose – very romantic.

Tsuy, the owner and head chef, who I had spoken to earlier on had suggested the perfect three course meal to order from the menu. As a vegetarian, finding a restaurant with a good atmosphere and amazing food can be quite hard, but luckily Vietnamese dishes are full of fresh veg, salads and flavours, just my kinda thang.

I ordered the tofu and veg summer rolls with lemon grass to start with, followed by a  crispy Vietnamese pancakes with a tofu and root veg filling, wrapped with fresh herbs in a lemongrass, lime and chilli soy sauce. Just thinking of it now makes me hungry L. The Portions were hugeeee, but me being a food fatty and with the dishes being really healthy and fresh, it was pretty easy to get through without feeling that dreaded buldge and feeling of bloatedness.

The company was obviously the best, as you can never beat a dinner with one of your oldest and bestest friends from school, but as we were sharing a table with the two remaining guests from the party of six, it was almost rude to not make conversation. And what lovely young boys they were!

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention one of the best drinks to date! So, I recently tried a coconut latte at AIDA in Shoreditch, but how about a Coconut margarita? Damn good I tell you!

THE LITTLE VIET KITCHEN - ISLINGTON

CULTIVATING SELF-AWARENESS | HH DEUX

PART ONE: HackingHappiness Summit 2015

So....Last night after the event I scurried back to my place to have a peaceful hair wash and snuggled into bed after finding myself very relaxed and at a strange sort of ease after the event.

Starting from the beginning, I was greeted by the rather friendly hotel staff at the  Hoxton, Holborn and made my way to the event space called The Apartment with it's own bar and lounge and two large, homely board rooms. On arrival, the bar staff handed myself and few other early birds our signature house pressed Hubbard and Bell juice before networking and mingling. 

With this type of event, other peoples motivations for attending really fascinates me as it doesn't necessary scream out major networking opportunity nor does it offer any sort of freebie (or one that many people would consider a freebie). A colleague of mine (who may I point out declined my offer to attend) felt it sounded slightly 'preachy' and along the same waves of therapy, which is totally fair. Tapping into people’s emotions especially communicated through a talk format can be quite personal and many would much rather go for a meal, to a bar or just simply have a chilled night in after a days work.

Meditation allows you to get to know yourself better. There is no hiding on the meditation cushion, your anger, boredom and your anxiety is present in that moment and allows you to embrace and overcome that emotion.Butttttt not for me! For myself and the 13 others that attended the talk, it was insightful and educating and actually very enjoyable and applicable to everyone’s very digital lives. The speakers Sebastian Nienaber (founder) and Palma Michel, a mindful leadership advisor did a great job to incorporate interesting facts, examples, interactive activities and key take-always to practice and be aware of in your daily life.

I think that if you are one to practice yoga and meditate, self- awareness may be something that resonates quite well as the two are heavily linked. Many of the attendees were that type of person, however It is unfortunate as a talk of this sort can be so helpful to people who don't realise it.

Self-awareness is about training your attention. Much like you would train your body at the gym using resistance methods to help build muscle, but in this case its training your mind and resisting the attention you give to passing thoughts.

By doing this, you give yourself more to the present moment, allowing you to be open to emotions in that moment keeping your body more relaxed. It will help you to optimise yourself to be your best self at that time. Going to the mental gym is the practise of meditation.

Amongst my own knowledge that that presented by Sebastian and Palma, I am making it my mission to do some sort of mind training every day, which when commuting can be quite easy. It helps break up the day with a moment of calmness before starting your professional day at work. 

Ok, so it all sounds quite deep and spiritual but it was a unique Tuesday and building up to my summer Yoga retreat and new dynamic training program it was the perfect session to keep me motivated and keep my mind on the prize...a life time of happy thoughts!

SKL

HACKING HAPPINESS | THE HOXTON

It's back! and I am glad to say that this year I managed to keep on top of my events, so the I could get involved. Hacking Happiness is a summit that has been developed to target the the growing number of people who are ever more intrigued by the 'self' and how the body functions. The topics include mindfulness, neuroscience, meditation, nutrition and basically all things that affect our day to day bodily functions.

This year Hacking Happiness is working alongside the Hoxton Hotel to bring us a number of talks that delve deeper into the idea of happiness and how to achieve it in today's ever digitalising, over productive world.

I am here currently writing at the newly developed Hoxton Hotel in Holborn, a sister to its original in Hoxton, where the atmosphere is liver than ever for a Tuesday. I am awkwardly sat on a iMac with the screen closer than should ever be and at I height I feel is making me feel overly short. The ergonomics are all wrong, but the interiors are mostly definitely on point!

See below the talks that are happening this year. It's is of a much smaller scale but I am hoping the content and quality will remain the same.

Check in right after the talk, peace!

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Cultivate Self-Awareness

Knowing yourself is at the heart of emotional intelligence and the first step in managing your inner landscape. Session two shows you how to create a life with self-awareness and, invites you to find out "who" instead of "what" you want to be. Together we will explore and introduce techniques how to increase awareness and unlock your true potential.

Boost Your Productivity

Our modern work life environment is dominated by information overload, 24/7 connectivity, multitasking and back-to-back meetings - the ability and space to focus has become increasingly rare. Session three introduces next practices to increase your productivity, de-clutter your life and improve your focus.

Increase Your Creativity

Creativity is a dance between what we know and what we don´t know, and it is through this dance that we make meaning of the world around us, making the unknown knowable, the unconscious conscious and the invisible visible. Session four provides inspiration on how to awaken particular states and qualities of mind that boost your creativity.

You Are What You Eat

Come down to The Hoxton, Holborn and join Hacking Happiness for a mindful breakfast. In the last workshop in our series on Mindfulness at The Hoxton, we will be discussing Mindful Eating…that's the kind of eating which doesn't involve automatically reaching for the biscuit tin, something we're all guilty of.

The session will enable you to walk away with the tools to be more aware of what you're eating, both quantity and quality. It's not a diet, it's about focusing on the diversity of ingredients, their texture and taste, to connect to the food that's nourishing our body, mind and heart. So that when you allow yourself a treat from the biscuit packet that treat stops at one biscuit and NOT the whole packet. Imagine that…

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FANCY IT?

SKL

THE EDIT

COCONUT OIL

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I began using coconut oil around 4 years ago, way before the mad coconut oil hype, but found so many more uses for it as it become more popular amongst the clean eaters and beauty fanatics. I started out using coconut to help soften the ends of my hair as an overnight hair mask. I then went on to using the oil to soothe my eczema prone skin, which led to just using it as a post-shower oil to massage into wet skin before bed (lush).  I wouldn't recommend using this in the morning but it makes for the perfect bed ready body for a cosy night in.

I know that using coconut oil while cooking is a thing for major health driven eateries, but I tend to only use it in the odd morning smoothie or for my protein pancakes. More recently, I have got myself into a pretty gross habit of rubbing a small amount of coconut oil on my teeth as a natural whitener, which is also said to have great effects of reducing sugar cravings and aid in weight loss. Overall Coconut oil over the past year has been THE health obsession that everyone has been talking about.

It is the must-have thing in every cupboard as it will always come in handy, a bit like aloe vera.

PHILOSOPHY FACE WASH

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I have always been aware of Philosophy as a brand, but never quite took it seriously till now. I was purely being over judgemental about the packaging, as it look too simple. An amazing friend of mine currently works at the Boots head office and is constantly exposed to some amazing products and samples that she can trial and rave about to me and The Purity Cleanser was one of them. I am a sucker for going by recommendations as it is the best way to get an honest opinion of the product in question.

I used this face wash for as long as I could make it last, which was quite a long time considering the size of the bottle as the constancy is very light and fairly runny. I usually go for quite thick and harder cleansers as I personally feel that the most is being done to my skin, but this changed my thoughts completely. I loved the smell! It was clean, very fresh and natural and reminded me of rubbing all sorts of Cowshed hand lotions over my face.

It left my skin feeling refreshed, oil-free, and very soft. The perfect base before putting on any make-up.  This is all without any sort of exfoliating beads making it the perfect every day face wash.

MICCELAR WATER

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Next up is another friend recommended product that I am now sharing. Miccelar water is becoming a big thing in beauty for removing make-up in the most natural and softest way. This product by Garnier was amazing and I have passed it on to many friends and family. It was a pretty decent sized bottle that has lasted over 6 months for only £4.00 from Boots, but unfortunately for me and my minor eczema bursts, it slightly irritated my eyes leaving tiny little red dots.

So although it was so easy to use and the best thing to remove all face make-up, I unfortunately had to revert back to the old Simple face wipes.

TANGLE TEEZER

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Last Christmas, Santa gifted me with my all black Tangle Teezer that is loved by everyone in my family and yes that included my dad. He has gone to the extent of sneaking down to my room to steal it and hide it in his cupboard everyday...probably until he thinks I will forget. Every evening I go back up to get it back.

It is amazing for wet hair or used as an in shower hair brush, but for me and my fair hair it doesn't do the best of work to my dry hair. The fluffy fresh look isn't really my thing but everyone's has got to have a Tangle Teezer in their life. If it wasn't your thing growing up, pick one up now.

Limited edition Lulu Guinness Teezer anyone?

CLARINS IRIS TONER

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 My go to skin care brand has got to be Clarins for an everyday skincare regime. I used to use the youthful energiser range, but it is always good for the skin to shake it up every now and again, so I opted for the Iris toner and face cream. The toner is perfect for London commuters to help get rid of unwanted dirt and dead skin cells, to leave it feeling clean, fresh and even all round. I am a huge believer in toner and have been using the stuff for years, especially after commuting or a night out where my face needs an extra scrub to get rid of excess make up...it can be seriously satisfying. 

NO BUMPS

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It is likely that 80% of girls have experienced some form on the dreaded ingrown hair from shaving or waxing. It can become quite irritating and sore depending on the severity of it. The cause? Can sometimes just be blocked follicles from thick body butters or oil and sometimes from the combination of shaving and waxing.  Some people use Aloe Vera to calm it down, but this is only a temp solution. No Bumps is a pretty harsh smelling potion that helps to tackle the bad boys. Use a tiny bit on a cotton pad in the morning and before bed and watch the area clear up (after a couple of weeks).

KIELS AVOCADO EYE TREATMENT 
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I was on the hunt for a light and cooling under eye cream that would not speed up my anti-aging regime, but keep my eyes at bay, removing dark circles and restoring the youthfulness to my eyes. This Kiels eye cream is very light despite its slightly dewy consistency and appearance. All it takes is a the tiniest dab, a mix within the fingers and patted on to the area across the whole of the orbital bone. It helps brighten, firm up and energise the eye with natural avocado.

BARE MINERALS CORRECTING CONCEALER

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I have been weighing up the Touch Éclat by YSL, Boiing by Benefit and the Bare Minerals concealer for a while now. I have been going back and forth to each concession counter to help make up my mind. My decision: Bare Minerals! It has amazing thick coverage with the smallest amount. The tiny little compact is almost too small but comes with a little handy mirror to dab on your concealer through out the day if needed.

ELIZABETH ARDEN'S EIGHT HOUR CREAM
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I've heard people raving on about this for years but never really knew what it was best for. I have had my little bottle for around 2 years with the odd bit of use maybe once a week. I originally set out to use the skin protectant for my lips as they get really dry in the winter months. I then shared the usage to my dry little elbows and cuticles over night as an intense moisturiser. Last year a friend of mine said she used a small amount on her face as an overnight moisture mask and it really helped to even out her skin tone. So on it I got! and will use it over blemishes and dry areas of my face throughout the year.

It is a little bit like Coconut oil in that it can be used for so many different purposes but once you have them in your cupboard, you eventually find the right times to use them in ways that work best for your skin.

So, there are my 9 product reviews and recommendations that I hope will be useful and insightful for your next beauty shop. I have more recently purchased a few more pieces to add to the collection, which I am in the process of using so they will form the basis of my next beauty edit.

If you guys have any suggestions or have tried any of the products above please share...

SKL

FLANERIE DOWN IN CHELSEA

Flânerie

flâ·ne·rie
Aimless idling; dawdling

I wouldn't instantly place Hermes w/ the idea of flanerie (aimlessly wondering) or as the  Saatchi gallery put it - 'urban wandering', but more so precision, Parisian class with autonomy, butttt to go in line with the grand opening of their flagship store in Londonn, Hermes have stepped out of their Birkin bag and entered a Wanderland of all things fantasy. Bringing designer lovers that one step close to the world of Hermes.

After a 10min queue to the exhibition itself  I was beginning to think there were free bags being given out as guests slowly stepped foot by foot into the first room of video projections and enchanting mirrored lighting. The journey through Wanderland was honestly spectacular! Like nothing I have ever seen before within an indoor space as the passages all replicated the journey of a wonderer on the street of Paris, gifted by all things Hermes.

Each element that you can imagine has been carefully considered in the designing and curating process including all senses being tickled along the way (except the sense of wanting! Because that I didn't get).

“The journey through Wanderland draws its coherence from two intrinsic elements of la flânerie: dreaming and freedom of spirit"
- Bruno Gaudichon 

11 rooms, 11 sets and an endless count of things to look at and experiences to enjoy. There was no sign of a fast-pace life right outside the doors as exhibition goes literally strolled and wondered the streets of Paris. If only the Parisian cafe was real? The one thing that was missing was a croissant and coffee!

For such a classic and perfected brand the use of digital technologies within each piece created something so unique to a fashion exhibition of this sort. It was highly creative with elements of surprise and excitement, which for me, put the designer in a whole new light of contemporary fashion and style.

It was an exhibition like no other and I would 100% recommend heading down to the Saatchi gallery to take a look if you are at all curious....

Hermes Wanderland.