Harvey Nichols Blogger Event pt. 2

On Thursday I posted about the first half of the Harvey Nichols fashion and beauty blogger event that I went to on Saturday, and today I wanted to write about the beauty hall, where the 12 of us were spoiled rotten with pampering mini treatments.

After our presentation of key spring/summer trends we were let loose  on the ground floor. Walking in a gaggle past perfume counters and make-up stations, it felt like a very fashionable school field trip, with Press & Marketing Manager Nada having organised a fantastic programme of events for everyone.

I was treated to a hand and arm massage at Jo Malone, a mini makeover from Space.NK. and a shape and polish at the Nails Inc Champagne Bar.

Although I’m familiar with the latter two, the Jo Malone experience – a guided tour of each fragrance, customising scents by mixing two together – was totally new. Each cologne (all the scents are unisex) sings with rich notes, from Earl Grey and Cucumber to Orange Blossom, Wild Bluebell and Red Rose.

A lovely Jo Malone representative guided me through the scents before picking out a hand wash, moisturiser  and cologne that would complement each other, before massaging my hands and arms. I left feeling supremely relaxed and am sorely tempted to treat myself to a cologne – if only I could narrow my favourite scent down to just one!

Next up was Space.NK. where Fiona guided me through a myriad of skincare and make-up products to help my dry, sensitive skin. As a make-up artist she was friendly, calming and full of knowledge and enthusiasm. She introduced me to Nude, Kevyn Aucoin and the Nars lip pencils I’d been eyeing up on my last Space.NK. visit.

After Fiona had worked her magic, the finished result – a light base and brick red lips – was perfect for me as it wasn’t too heavy but it toned down my red skin. As if a massage and mini makeover weren’t enough, I was also treated to a shape and polish at Nails Inc, and I plumped for a teal green shade.

Unfortunately the photos below, taken after the event, are the only bits of evidence I have of said manicure, as it only took a few hours before I’d chipped half of it off!

At the risk of gushing because I won a prize, below, and walked away with a bulging goody bag, thanks to Nada for organising the event and all the Harvey Nichols staff who spent time with us on the day. It was great to learn more about the individual brands that Harvey Nichols Bristol stocks and I look forward to my next visit.

Ship-Shape and Bristol Fashion has been shortlisted for a Bath in Fashion Blogger of the Year award! Please vote for me here. Voting is easy and requires no personal details or fiddly bits like that, so please pick up those laptops, phones and tablets and get voting! 

Bristol Blogger Meet at Cabot Circus

Let me preface this post by saying that although I’ve started it with a whopping great big photo of the goody bag I received at Saturday’s Bristol Blogger Meet, or #bbmeet (yeah, it’s got it’s own hashtag, and what?), this post is about more than the goodies…

The weekend was one of the most fashion-packed I’ve had in ages, and it kicked off with the Bristol Blogger Meet at Cabot Circus on Saturday. After having a cheeky morning massage at the Sanctuary Spa in Quakers Friars, I hotfooted it over to Frankie & Benny’s to attend the meet, organised by Sasha and Alessia.

  Above: My outfit for the day; River Island dress, Topshop coat, Sweaty Betty leggings, M&S socks and Zara boots and Jen from Head of Feathers with her impressive goody bag

I bumped in to Jen and Grace on the way in and we took a seat at one of two tables filled with bloggers from across the South West. As with events like this, it was a hive of chatter, activity and LOTS of cameras, and although I didn’t get to meet everyone, I did chat to Gina and Carly – and preceded to kick myself for not ordering pancakes and bacon when I saw her breakfast arrive!

It was so nice to making new blogging friends and see old faces, and I think everyone who attended will agree that Sasha and Alessia did a terrific job of hosting the event, not to mention putting together the heaviest goody bags ever!

Blogging shouldn’t just be about the freebies – they are a perk of attending an event, but not an essential ingredient, especially from a blogger meet, so it’s always nice to take home a few goodies – from press releases and samples to nibbles and sweets (always a winner with me).

As a result, I don’t normally wax lyrical about the contents of said bags, but thought it only right to share some of the products here.

My #bbmeet goody bag* contained:

1. Samples of Blinc eyeliner and mascara
2. Aroma Squeeze Me lavender and bergamot stress ball
3. Benefit Fine One One lip and cheek trio
4. nspa Hot Cloth Polish
5. Dr Organic Virgin Coconut Oil hand & nail cream
6. The Little Bubble Co. Mango Delight shower gel (just seen)
7. Gardenia of London Lavender & Sweet Pea body spray
8. A selection of Metique Tea Tree Oil samples
9. Xen-Tan Luminous Gold Gel
10. The Vintage Cosmetic Company eyelash curlers
11. Red glitter bow hair clip from Jen, aka Head of Feathers
12. A selection of samples including Glam Glow Youth Mud, Vichy Deep Cleansing Gel, derma e cleanser and Aime Cooling Clay Mask
13. Makebelieve Enhance Luminize Skin Highlighter
14. Dr Organic Virgin Coconut Oil night cream + Moroccan Argan Oil day cream (not seen)
15. Avène Cleanance Gel
16. DGJ Organics Berutti Oil
17. Skincare samples from La Roche-Posay and Vichy
18. A hand written thank you note from Sasha and Alessia.

Phew, that lot should keep me busy for a while! Thanks again to Sasha and Alessia for such a fun afternoon. If any of you attended and I didn’t get a chance to meet you, please feel free to leave a link to your site in the comments, or come find me at @ShipShapeBF.

*I’m not sure if all of these products will suit my skin, so any samples that I wont use will be donated to Give and Makeup – if you have any unwanted new or nearly-new hair and beauty products, check them out as your unwanted goods could make a real difference to other women.

Neal’s Yard Remedies mini facial

When I won a voucher for a mini facial at Neal’s Yard Remedies for coming second at the #SWBXmas quiz (along with teammates Laura and Fritha) I was chuffed to bits. I love NYR and have used their products for years. When they hosted their first ever blogger event in their Bristol store I was there like a shot, eager to learn more about a brand that has earned it’s ethical stripes.

Typically I have good, clear skin but recently it has become stressed out, more dry than usual and I also suffered from a bout of eczema in January, a skin condition that hasn’t bothered me since I was a child. It’s left my skin itchy and has really dented my confidence, so the prospect of a facial last Saturday (with gentle, organic products) was like a song to my ears.

First up was a cup of ‘Love’ tea and consultation with Melissa, who was brilliant and talked me through each product that she selected for me, based on my answers to questions such as skin type etc. Although the facial took place on the shop floor, she positioned my chair so that the we had a little privacy and got to work. Melissa started by cleansing my skin with the Wild Rose Beauty Balm – a cult NYR product that I’ve always wanted to try. It can be used as a cleanser, moisturiser and face mask and at £37 it doesn’t come cheap, so I might have to add it to my birthday wish-list.

To complement the beauty balm, Melissa used a rose serum and rose facial oil, as well as a rich Vitamin E and Avocado night cream (yes, my skin is that dry) which all smelt divine. I was also treated to a gentle facial massage. Have you tried facial massage? I’ve been reading quite a lot about it recently – how daily massage with a facial oil or moisturiser can improve skin tone and circulation – it’s something I’ve been meaning to try but haven’t quite gotten round to.

After the massage my skin was woken up with a spritz of invigorating White Tea Facial Mist and I was free to wander around the store. I didn’t feel under obligation to buy and Melissa was kind enough to give me a few samples to take home. Mini facials at NYR Bristol do need to be booked in advance, but I would certainly recommend giving it a try – my skin felt soft and nourished all day and the staff were so friendly and welcoming.

For more information and to book a facial visit Neal’s Yard Remedies, 126 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2RP or check out their opening hours here.

Nars Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose review

The combination of a Space.NK. voucher and the need for a payday pick-me-up (hasn’t January been the longest month!?) led to me purchasing my first ever Nars product this weekend.

As make-up goes, I tend to experiment more with lip colour than anything else, but lipstick can be a little drying, and every gloss I’ve tried has the irritating ability to stick every hair to my lips within seconds of leaving the house.

Lip pens and sticks like Revlon’s Just Bitten and Clinique Chubby Sticks have been on my wishlist to try for a while. The’re something about them and their plump, oversized nature, that reminds me of the crayons and felt tips that I used to play with as a child. While my hand-eye coordination has improved a tad since I was seven, I still feel disproportionally pleased with myself when I manage to keep within the lines when applying lip colour or eye liner.

The Nars lip pencils come in two different finishes; Velvet Matte or Velvet Gloss. After chatting to the sales assistant and trying on a couple of shades in store (the Clifton Triangle branch), I decided to opt for the gloss finish, as the matte texture can be quite drying, apparently, and therefore not so great for long-wearing daytime looks. I was immediately drawn to Mexican Rose, a deep raspberry shade.

The swatch on my arm is quite sheer, but I found the colour quite intense (by my standards, at least) and more so when applied on top of my Mac lip liner (‘In Anticipation’). The photo at the bottom is sans lip liner, and approximately two coats, which lasted around six hours without the need for reapplication.

Have you tried lip pencils or pens? Let me know if you can recommend any, or any more Nars products  : )

‘Sunday best’ beauty

The intention of this post was originally to showcase a few beauty bargains I picked up in the sales. I’m not alone in loving this Hello Kitty/Liberty print wash bag, below, and I’ve mentioned before how much I love the smell of Sanctuary Spa products, but photographing everything got me thinking.

There is something about the ‘newness’ of purchases that I always have trouble parting with. When I was younger I used to keep that little plastic film that comes on the screens of box-fresh watches and moble phones until it was practically falling off, and when I buy a new notepad or sketchbook, I can’t ever bring myself to write on the first page.

Even vintage or second-hand clothes are often squirreled away for weeks before being worn, while I wait for the right ‘moment’ to wear them, despite them being far from brand new.

It’s the same with beauty and skincare products, too. Photographing my new Louise Gray for Topshop lipstick and other sale finds made me realise how much I love the appearance of a new, untouched bullet of lipstick. Ditto to pristine eye shadow palettes or pressed powders.

I remember reading a Liberty London Girl post years ago about the notion of keeping possessions for ‘Sunday best’ – not wearing, using or enjoying them every day in a bid to keep them ‘special’ – and how silly that is. I can’t count the number of times I’ve felt like that though, buying something new only to hide it away in a cupboard or display it somewhere around the house without actually using it, deriving pleasure from looking at it rather than its intended use.

This ‘Sunday best’ attitude is one I’ve tried to fight in the last few years, though I still find it a curious struggle when it comes to disturbing the perfect neatness of a never-before-used piece of make-up. Reading blogs and seeing how bloggers style their clothes helps, though. For example, Roz is one of the only women I can think of who could look this incredible while marching through the wilderness in heels, and the way Marianne wears her collection of stunning vintage finds every day, regardless of the occasion.

Am I alone in feeling like this, or do you also have a tendency to ‘save for best’?

Louise Gray lipstick in ‘Legend’, Topshop, £10 £5 / Liberty Hello Kitty wash bag, Boots, £16 £8 / Sanctuary Spa goodies, Boots, £8 £4

Under the Christmas Tree…

Before 2012 comes to a close I wanted to share some of the goodies that found their way under our Christmas tree this year. From Bastise and Macademia Oil gifts at the South West Bloggers Christmas meet to (quite literally) cheesy Secret Santa presents, I feel very spoiled this year.

While this Christmas has been more typical than remarkable, that’s why I’ve loved it so much. From helping Mama Ship-Shape prepare the veggies for Christmas dinner, to playing board games with my sister-in-law and being unable to say no to second helpings of, well, anything, the past week has been practically perfect.

I hope you found what you wanted under the Christmas tree this year, and that you have a fantastic New Year’s Eve. See you in 2013!

#SWBXmas Christmas presents from The Birdcage, Bastise and Macadamia Oil

Benefit make-up that I found in my stocking : )

The Camembert pot that a special Secret Santa bought for me…

Mama Ship-Shape bought me this gorgeous green quilted River Island bag

Ship-Shape’s trip to Sanctuary Spa

In the effort to juggle jobs, relationships, housekeeping and a half decent social life, the majority of us can frequently find ourselves stressed out and craving a little TLC. So when Wahanda.com got in touch with me a few weeks ago and asked me if I fancied a massage on them, I jumped at the chance.

I chose to visit the Sanctuary Spa located in Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus, as I’ve used their products ever since I got hitched. One of our friends bought me a travel set including their original body scrub, hand cream and distinctive Cremé Soufflé moisturiser to take on the honeymoon. So whenever I use their products I’m reminded of the two weeks we spent in the Maldives, diving, eating and taking advantage of the on-site spa.

While I may be familiar with their products, I’d never had the luxury of a Sanctuary Spa experience, until now. The shopfront that conceals the spacious collection of treatment rooms is comparatively teeny and so tucked away in the far corner of Quakers Friars that I didn’t even realise it was there.

Upon arrival I was led past the mani/pedi stations, upstairs to a dressing area (hello, comfy robe) and seated in the Lavender Lounge, which is possibly the most luxurious waiting room ever. Picture low lighting, cosy purple armchairs and footstools, and the feeling that this could be what the inside of a purple Quality Street looks like. After chilling out I was taken to the treatment room by my masseuse for the evening, Jess.

Until the massage I didn’t think I was that stressed, but it turns out I was packing a heck of a lot of tension in my neck and shoulders that had apparently been there for a long time! Fortunately after an hour of tension-busting work and a devine mini head massage, I left feeling light as a feather. I can see why regulars keep flocking back to this womens-only spa, and it’s well worth a visit if work, romance or Christmas shopping is getting you down.

It’s hardly a New Years resolution, but I think I might have to forgo a few magazines and nights out and spend the money on the occasional spa treatment instead! So if you fancy a massage in Bristol then I recommend checking out Sanctuary Spa.

Have you had a massage before and would you consider trading a few G&Ts for a monthly spa treatment?

Something for The Weekend: Fashion Friday and NYR Autumnal Open Day

Friday

The Station, formally the old fire station on Silver Street, has undergone something of a recent transformation. The launch of this exciting new venue takes place this weekend and tickets have all but sold out. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on a ticket for tomorrow night, you’ll be treated to Fashion Friday – an evening of fashion shows featuring the theme ‘re-duce, re-use, re-cycle’. Designers include UWE students, Fix Up Look Sharp and Shop Dutty.

Saturday

Neal’s Yard Remedies on Whiteladies Road are hosting their Autumnal Open Day this Saturday. There will be workshops, goodie bags and discounts galore, so if you’ve ever wanted to learn about the Alexander Technique or Hypnotherapy, now is your chance. I found my reflexology taster at their recent NYR Blogger Event unbelievably relaxing, so I thoroughly recommend this Open Day if you want to treat your mind, body and soul to a bit of R and R.

Rock The Week

Fashion related (and totally non-fashion related) things that have made my world go round over the last seven days…

• Oxfam Fashion blogger meet. Yesterday I journeyed to Oxford, home of Oxfam HQ, to meet the bloggers and team behind Oxfam’s Fashion blog. I had a wicked time, met so many lovely people and picked up some great new blogs to read – full write up and photos coming soon!
• NYR blogger evening. It’s been a busy few days, as on Thursday I also attended Neal’s Yard Remedies‘ first Bristol blogger event. It was great to meet the whole NYR team and I can’t recommend their reflexology treatments highly enough. I felt thoroughly pampered upon leaving, and hope to work with NYR more in the future : )

• Lucky Jackson. The 365 daily photo challenges that seem to be everywhere right now are impressive, but crafter Lucky Jackson has gone one step further and stitched a piece of embroidered artwork every day for a year. You can see more of her work here – she recently finished the challenge and plans to sell prints of her work on Etsy.
• Welsh delight. This week I also got around to posting the outfit I wore to Wales for the August Bank Holiday weekend. The rugged welsh countryside is both peaceful and dramatic at the same time, and these shots were just a short walk from our holiday home.

What’s been rocking your world this week? Did any of you make it to the mighty Brisfest?

Neal’s Yard Remedies Blogger Event

When I heard that Neal’s Yard Remedies were looking for bloggers to attened their Blogger Event at the Bristol shop on Whiteladies Road last night, I jumped at the chance. I’ve been a huge NYR fan since being on the receiving end of a white tea face mask and jojoba facial oil from their range, which I now use daily before applying moisturiser.

The event, the first that NYR have run for bloggers, was to help promote two new ranges for the brand; Mother and Baby and their Bee Lovely range. I’ll confess that I wasn’t overly sure about the evening before I arrived – since I’m not planning on having children any time soon – but several of my friends have given birth in the last few weeks, so I figured I could learn a thing or two and pick up some gifts for them at the same time.

After bumping in to Bonny of Over Stuffed and chatting to NYR’s Social Media whizz, Jane, about the NYR make-up range and the colour of the crudités, we were treated to a history lesson of the brand and the importance of buying organic by PR Manager Nicola and Elisabeth Winkler.

Although I thought I was fairly familiar with Neal’s Yard, the talk and the event in general revealed how deep and rich the brand’s history is. For instance, aside from being beautiful apothecary style packaging, did you know that one of the reasons all the products come in blue bottles is that this shade of glass helps to filter out UV rays? Nope, neither did I! I also learnt the secret of how to use a product that had always baffled me – the Wild Rose Beauty Balm.

After trying out some scrumptious smelling lip gloss and signing up to the brand’s Save The Bees petition, I was also lucky enough to sample a 15 minute reflexology taster. The brand offers a range of treatments (again, something I didn’t really know about before last night) above the shop floor, and the wonderful Christine worked her magic on my neglected feet.

Since training for the Bristol Half Marathon my feet have been blighted with blisters but I was in expert hands with Christine and by the end of the treatment I didn’t want to put my shoes back on! Throughout the evening I was blown away by the knowledge and enthusiasm every member of the team had for the brand and their products and once I’ve run the half marathon I’ll definitely be back to treat myself to a massage!

Thank you so much to Nicola and Jane from NYR HQ, Elisabeth, and the lovely Bristol team for being so helpful and accommodating.

Unfortunately my camera wasn’t playing ball at the event, so apologies for some of the blurry photos! You can see more (far better) photos over at Tigerlilly Quinn.