Breakfast, manicure and massage with Yawn London

I received an invitation to a leisurely breakfast in Pimlico, courtesy of Yawn London. It's hard to turn down food, a neck massage and manicure along with some decent company. Talking to kids all day can make your brain go a little wonky and I don't mean in a good way.

I'm always paranoid of being late as getting around London can be a logistical nightmare. More so if you're missing the inbuilt satnav DNA in your body like me. Surprisingly, I arrived with plenty of time to spare so I decided to wander around the pretty streets of Pimlico. The council workers were in the process of installing Christmas lights and attaching mini Christmas trees to street lamps. There were so many pretty terraced houses to ogle. I thought I'd take a peek at a nearby realtor's office to check out the listings in the area. Bad idea. Where's that weak-kneed/light-headed emoji when you need one?






The breakfast was held at No.11, a spacious and airy cafe with plenty of armchairs and sofas which looked so inviting that one may have trouble extricating themselves after a coffee or two. The neutral decor with splashes of pastels gave off a sense of serenity making it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle outside.

It was such a pleasant surprise to bump into Christina (check out her fabulous Instagram account) who always left such sweet comments on my IG feed. Her sunny and positive disposition certainly put a smile on my face despite having little sleep the night before.





Alice Whiteley, co-founder of Yawn along with her team, Charlotte and Tamara were so welcoming that they'd instantly put their guests at ease. Three years ago, Alice was a successful business management consultant as well as a mom of 3 who led an incredibly hectic life. She'd stumbled upon the idea of producing her own line of quirky but comfortable sleepwear by accident while out shopping for pajamas.

Finding none that ticked all the boxes, she'd set about putting wheels in motion. She flew to India to source fabrics and worked with a team to design the print while simultaneously holding down a full time job and juggling mommy duties. Let's pause here for a second as I feel rather exhausted just thinking how she managed it all.







All their prints are hand drawn and custom made just for them. The cashmere blend socks are absolutely divine and kept my feet toasty warm during cold autumn days. Believe it or not, I've only ever worn old raggedy sweats and t-shirts so it's been bliss having a set of proper pyjamas to slip into at night. The brand's all about relaxation which is something we tend to forget to do in our ever fast paced lives where we try to cram more into 24 hours than ever before.

Yawn pyjamas are now stocked online as well as in various independent boutiques throughout the U.K and Europe. 

Black Friday Sales Wish List 2015

Black Friday wish list


1. Nespresso Inissia with Aeroccino by Magimix 
Awesome coffee at a touch of a fingertip. What's not to like? This is THE best deal I've seen so far. Machine with frother for under £100 and comes with a £75 voucher towards your Nespresso capsules.

2. Sony Headphones  
Sleek headphones with crisp audio at a price that won't break the bank.

3. Gentlemen's Hardware Travel Mug
Why pay £2 for nasty sludge when you can bring your own brew in a cool travel mug?

4. Umbra buddy hanging hooks
Hooks are so boring but a necessity. These are quirky and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

5. Acqua di Parma cologne leather travel spray
For the sophisticated man in your life that travels often.

6. Kindle e-reader
Light and compact but stores over a thousand books. A must have!

7. Apple iPhone 6s
The most wanted smartphone of 2015.

8. Olympus PEN E-PL7 with 14-42mm lens
High tech, retro and compact but takes sharp and vibrant photos.  It connects to smartphones via wifi and fits into a small handbag with ease. I can't rave enough about this camera. I'm still in love with mine. No more achy shoulders or neck from lugging heavy cameras. FYI: I've switched from Canon to Olympus for work.

9. Mango Khaki Cocoon coat
Isabel Marant-esque without the price tag.

10. Urban Decay Naked Basics
All you need in a compact palette.

11. Lancome Hypnôse Drama waterproof mascara
It has won multiple awards which isn't surprising at all. A couple of strokes of the mascara and your lashes will look extra long and thick.

12. Thermos vintage food flask
I love the vintage design but most importantly, your food stays hot for hours. Comes with a foldable spoon tucked under the cap.

13. Uggs slippers
A must have in winter. Your feet will thank you a million times over.

14. Philip Kingsley Maximizer
A few spritz will add extra bounce and shine to your hair.

15. Diptyque Roses candle
No woman will ever turn down a heavenly candle from Diptyque.

16. John Lewis Barbican Snuggler
Once you've sat on a Barbican Snuggler, you'll never go back to an armchair. I perched my tushie on one recently and would've carried one home if I could. It's beyond comfortable, spacious and just the right size to curl up with a book and hot drink on a cold winter's day.

17. Mango Faux Fur lapel coat
It's a modern remake of the classic black coat. A winning combination that won't go out of style.

18. REN Vita Mineral Omega-3 Optimum Oil serum
Whew! What a mouthful BUT....it's been a lifesaver. The skin gets chapped and dry in the colder months. I've noticed a real difference when I use a drop or two of the oil serum. My skin stays hydrated for hours and it keeps fine lines at bay. By the way, a little goes a loooooong way.

19. Janie Dry Stick Spot Cleaner
I carry one in my handbag at all times. It's far easier to remove a stain if you treat it as early as possible.

20. Eddingtons Kettlemate Fur Collector
You're probably thinking....."what the fluff? Why did she include a metal fluff" If you live in England where you drink/shower/wash with hard water, you'll grow to hate limescale. Pop one into your kettle and it'll "collect" limescale each time you boil water. You'll only need to take it out for a quick wash to remove limescale every now and then. Why didn't anyone tell me about this before????


This post is brought to you by John Lewis. 

Explore England: Bibury, The Cotswolds

I have been dying to explore the Cotswolds since well, forever really. Recently, I counted the number of trips I've made to France in the last 7 years. 15. Yes, 15 trips and I haven't even ventured out to the Cotswolds where the nearest village to me was a mere 1.5 hours away. Shame on me.

Since school's out and Lil L has been pestering me for a mom and daughter date, I jumped on the idea of an impromptu road trip. When I say last minute, I mean really really really laaaaaaaast minute. I emailed a host on AirBnB just before midnight, received a reply immediately (good man. He sleeps late and has a gadget attached to his fingers at all times), picked up our little rental car the next morning and we were off on our mini Cotswolds adventure.

We drove along the winding country lanes with Lil L oohing and aahing at the sight of rolling hills, sheep and whatnot. Autumn is probably the best season to explore the Cotswolds. The countryside is spectacularly awash with ombré leaves.

We arrived at Bibury, also known as one of the most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds just in time for lunch. It was probably a bad idea to have a picnic by the river because we were hounded by fearless mallards who wanted a bite of our sandwiches. Dudes....don't you realize you're part of the food chain too??




If you have a British passport, perhaps you may recognize the row of stone houses above. Arlington Row has become rather famous, so to speak, that hordes of tourists hover outside to take numerous photos and selfies. Interestingly enough, the compact yellow car belonging to one of the residents there -  an elderly retired dentist, has been a source of discontent amongst many tourists for photobombing an otherwise perfect photo opportunity. It was all over the papers a year or so ago. Oh well. You can airbrush wrinkles and create thigh gaps at a click of a button so it can't be too hard to erase a yellow car. Just sayin'.

Originally built as a monastic wool store in the 14th century, it was converted into weavers' cottages three hundred years later for workers at the mill nearby. The mill is only a short walk away from Arlington Row, located opposite the charming vine covered Swan Hotel (first photo at the top of the page) along the river Coln where native brown trouts can be seen swimming in the clear waters.






We ambled down the narrow lanes to ogle at some very quaint and rustic houses with their colorful doors. It's a tranquil and picturesque little village set in the idyllic English countryside.  We stumbled upon St Mary's church, slightly off the beaten path from the well trodden Arlington Row. It dates back to Saxon period which makes it more than a thousand years old. *gasp*

There was a wedding on (we seem to hit a wedding each time we visit a Cotswolds village) so we gave a quick peek through the gates and hurried back to our little car. I was pleasantly surprised at how friendly the local folks are. Quick to smile a hello even when they're going about their daily tasks despite the fact that they get swarms of tourists nearly everyday. This rarely happens in Winchester. It's normally....eyes forward, keep your stride steady......

Next up, Chipping Campden and Bourton-on-the-water (whew. What a mouthful!)


More on the Cotswolds here (Castle Combe) and here (Lacock). 

27 Things I've learned in the U.K

1. Poorly means sick. Nothing to do with poverty.

2. Do not attempt a U or 3 point turn . Try 5 point turns. Better still...buy the smallest car you can find.

3. Sidewalk is called pavement here. They’re built for skinny people.





4. Lollies are sweets and popsicles are lollies.

5. The letterbox is attached to the door, not planted at the end of a driveway.

6. Central heating is the norm.





7. It's considered sacrilege to put ice in your tea. You're violating centuries of tea drinking tradition.

8. Bureaucrazy bureaucracy is the government and old establishments' way of reducing unemployment in the country.

9. Anything sweet taken after the main course is called a pudding. Including the pudding.






10. A town can be bigger than a city but can’t be called a city because it doesn’t have a cathedral.

11. There are more accents in the U.K than there are bones in my body.

12. School dinner is eaten at lunch time.






13. Tea is a meal taken in the evening. A cup of tea is a beverage.

14. When someone tells you to bring a plate, make sure there’s food on it.

15. Vests and pants are underwear.






 16. Apologize for everything even if you don't mean it. Sorry.

17. When a Brit tells you “let’s meet for coffee sometime” they’re just being polite.

18. Queueing is UK’s national pastime.

19. Talk obsessively about the weather.

20. Public schools are actually private schools.

21. National food:  spag bol, fish fingers, bangers and mash, beans on toast






22. It WILL rain.

23. You're cross but never angry.

24. In order to sound posh, use more words than necessary to get your point across.







25. Slippers/jandals/thongs are called flip flops here. Don't EVER speak about thongs here unless you're buying.....g strings.

26. Learn to drive manual cars. Automatic cars are for sissies.

27. Tomato sauce is ketchup, chips are crisps, fries are chips.

Deciphering Make-Up

Make up is the bane of my life. Can't live without it lest I scare myself sh*tless looking in the mirror first thing in the morning. Can't draw to save my life either. Still life, painting landscape, drawing a line as close as possible to your lash line in order to define your eyes (mimicking the voice of a beauty guru), .....pffftt....same thing.  Whatever.

It all sounds so bloody complicated. It's taken me years but I've finally figured it out. The dummy's guide to deciphering make up:

1. Smokey eyes
A makeup technique whereby one smears gobs of soot on their eyelids.


2. The No Make Up Make Up look
A look which can only be created by using a ton of products on your bare face in order to look........barefaced.


3. Nude lipstick
A lipstick that matches the color of your lips to replicate nude “natural” lips which you already have in the first place.


4. Kabuki
It's a brush, not classical Japanese dance drama.


5. Contouring
To create an optical illusion of a sharper nose, slimmer face and more angular cheekbones without undergoing any plastic surgery.


6. Strobing
Contouring is sooooo last year. We now i-llu-mi-nate.


7. Make up terminology
Winged has nothing to do with birds (or Greek mythology) nor waterline with the maritime industry.


8. Gloss
A gooey and sticky substance that you smear on your lips to trap flyaway hair.


9. Concealer
Concentrated foundation repackaged in tiny containers and renamed as concealer.


10. . Evolution of all-in-one creams
First came the BB (blemish balm) cream which was a major hit. This was soon followed by CC (color correcting) and DD (daily defense) cream. A game of one up-manship ensued so recently, we have EE (enlighten even). I'm dying for someone to come up with FF cream soon. I'd like to call it Flawless Forever. Thank you.

Layering for Autumn

1. Maje Basalt leather jacket
2. Nike tech fleece cape
3. Frame Denim jeans  (up to 70% off HERE)
4. Isabel Marant Etoilé  Karon striped top  (50% off red version HERE)
5. Mansur Gavriel tote
6. New Balance 620 sneakers


I find autumn a rather tricky month to get my outfits right. It's not overly cold but one can be easily fooled by the occasional sunshine which disappears in a blink of an eye. One minute you're toasty warm and the next, you're freezing, thanks to the gusty Arctic wind. If you're living in the U.K, well.........be prepared to get drenched any point of the day. Ah........the joys of living in the Northern Hemisphere where we do go on and on about the weather. #bloodyEnglishweather

To survive the temperamental English weather means tackling the art of layering so that you're not roasting alive in a thick winter woolly nor risk hypothermia (like secondary school kids who'd rather freeze to death for the sake of looking cool than put on a winter coat like normal humans. Yes, that's the mom in me talking). Let's start with this popular Isabel Marant Etoilé  Karon striped top which is sheer enough for layering but looks great on its own when you need to peel off the outerwear.

I must've been a cat in my previous life because I hate getting wet but detest carrying an umbrella. The solution to my problem is to wear coats/jackets with a hood attached. I've seen rave reviews of this Nike tech fleece cape which is designed for optimal heat retention, a low back hem to cover the butt (yay!) and an oversized hood (don't you just hate hoods that barely cover the head?! Like seriously WHY??! WHY??!). The arm holes are narrow enough for a better fit so that you won't look like a walking human tent. I love the idea of wearing a hoodie (here's an affordable cashmere hoodie) under a black perfecto leather jacket. It has a rocker punk vibe to it without sacrificing comfort.

When it comes to leather jackets, I'm all about the fit. The shoulders have to sit just right, the sleeves not overly loose, the armholes narrow and the waist slightly tapered so that there's still a semblance of a womanly silhouette when worn. I've tried on many leather jackets and the best of the lot are still French. I adore leather jackets by Rick Owens (Rick Owens is an American but his atelier is based in Paris so I guess his clothes can be considered French), Balenciaga, Maje and Iro. Mango does a mean job for a High Street brand. Oak is a fabulous AND an affordable brand but their jackets are sold out in most stores. I guess the trick is to find one that's fitted but still has enough room to layer.

My friend, Laura who has seriously amazing taste recommended Frame Denim ripped black jeans. I'm going to give them a go as I rarely find jeans that fit well.

I'm still totally rubbish with heels. Can't run in them either unless I want to smash face down on the concrete ground. Can I just repeat how much I love the current sneaker trend? May it go on and go till eternity. Amen. Anyway.........since I'm pretty darn short, I try to find sneakers that have nice thick cushioned soles which will add a much needed inch or two. I'm planning to get a pair of New Balance 620 sneakers to replace my well worn 420s.

Classic Chanel Bouclé Tweed jacket GOES Rocker Chic

Chanel boucle tweed jacket, Zara ripped jeans, Isabel Marant Étoile t-shirt, Hermes Cape Cod watch, H&M wool scarf, Hermes belt and Topshop ankle boots (similar affordable version).

Chanel jackets can look overly prissy and posh. Neither suits my personality well since I tend to favor the slightly unkempt appearance. You know......the half tucked in top, ripped jeans, unbrushed hair kinda thing. Says the woman who's a dirt magnet and ALWAYS manages to get a stain on her new white top right where it's visible to the whole wide world.

Having said all that, I've been enamored with handmade Chanel jackets for well over a decade now. Nothing beats their workmanship which is truly a work of art. The coke bottle cap shaped buttons are a quirky feature on the prim and proper classic bouclé jacket. I caught sight of a tweed jacket from the 50s at a depot-vente in France, designed by Coco Chanel herself and mine is a near perfect copy of the old design but with an updated modern tweed fabric.

Personally, I prefer to add a little rocker chic elements to a Chanel jacket for a more contemporary look. I bought mine secondhand at a much discounted price but these days, I'm seeing more and more French contemporary brands producing rather impressive modern tweed jackets. Here are more affordable options.

I've been looking for a pair of faded grey ripped skinny jeans and found mine at Zara. Sad to say that they're bloody uncomfortable as the waistband tends to dig into my muffin top. Arghhhh. So...back to the drawing board. I'm fascinated by these grey ripped jeans which are dearer but have great reviews.

This H&M wool scarf was a FABULOUS find. My friend, Sue was left speechless when she found out that I actually bought it at a store. Surprise, surprise. I girded up my loins and braved the insane crowd at the mall (Sue said I should call it a shopping centre like Brits do). I lasted an hour and decided online shopping is still the way to go...... Anyway, this H&M wool scarf is made of 100% wool but in reality, it's super soft and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. I've compared it with the popular Acne "Canada" shawl and would you believe it....they're nearly identical but the High St version costs only £29.99. It's also large enough to double as a wrap or blanket which is handy to have if you fly often.

Isabel Marant Étoile t-shirts tend to sell like hotcakes. They fit beautifully on the body, sheer enough to drape but not too see through that you're flashing your undies at innocent passersby. The long sleeved version is perfect for fall/winter but equally cooling in summer. I'd originally intended to get one but they sold out in a blink of an eye so I ended up purchasing the short sleeved tee instead.

Explore England: Lacock, The Cotswolds

The minute someone finds out that I'm from New Zealand, there's usually an excited squeal. Apparently, the country's on nearly everyone's bucket list, thanks to Lord of the Rings. On the other hand, I'm thinking....but but but wait....what about your picture perfect English villages with their neatly pruned gardens and centuries old buildings seeped in history?? Just so you know I've stopped dashing about touching everything and exclaiming "WOW, I'VE JUST TOUCHED SOMETHING 750 YEARS OLD!!" Folks around me would inevitably take a few steps back and snickered. I even arrogantly told my mom who visited me recently that "this building is ONLY 400 years young." While she did the gasped-in-wonder-awestruck-jaw-drop thing, I dragged her off to a truly old church. Beat that. I'm a seasoned U.K dweller now, folks. But I still secretly hyperventilate with a silent Oh Em Geeeeeee.

Lacock is another one of those fairy tale medieval villages within The Cotswolds. Just so you know, BBC's Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince were filmed here. *squeal*  We came  on the day when they were holding their war festival. Everyone was dressed up in 1930s/1940s costumes while we, in our normal and modern outfits stuck out like a sore thumb. The small picturesque village was practically heaving with visitors. Scores of war memorabilia were on display including armored tanks and jeeps.






We arrived late when people were starting to leave. Lacock seemed like a movie set where we stepped back in time to the 1940s. People carried on playing their roles while we took a stroll down the narrow lanes, completely bowled over by what we were seeing. Nostalgic war songs were sung live at a local pub while many sat and listened as they enjoyed a pint or two. It was an extraordinary event to observe.

We stopped by a nearby teahouse and restaurant, Sign of the Angel for a spot of afternoon tea. The staff there were patient enough to put up with my incessant questions about the 15th century tudor styled building which was once a coach inn. They've retained many original features such as the rustic medieval open fireplace and low wooden overhead beams. We left Lacock feeling like we'd spent a day in a period drama. It was a truly magical experience.