Midweek Review: Mint Nail Salon

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Working at a computer all day, typing 100 miles (or words!) an hour, can really take its toll on your hands and nails.  I’m just getting over winter and my nails turning blue (yes, it really WAS that cold in my office!).

There’s nothing better, or more girly than going to get my nails done! It’s one of my favourite things to do.

With so many nail salons about now, it’s hard to know where to go.  Who’s the best value for money, who offers the best service, who can fit you in on short notice and who has the best atmosphere?

To be honest, I’m an ‘in and out’ kinda girl.  After a long day at work, I quite like to sit there, relax & unwind whilst getting a pretty colour painted on my nails.

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That’s why I love the Mint Nail & Beauty Bar. With six salons across the country, they offer a wide range of beauty treatments, all at competitive prices.

It’s everything you need under one roof. Need your nails done? Facial? Spray tan? Eyebrows done? Then mint is your place! They will also wax the living day lights out of you if you like!

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I have been coming to Mint for around 3 – 4 years where I always get my gel nails done. They use all OPI products which are my all time favourite. Is it awful that I always want to pick a colour just because of its name?!

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I really like the short, natural look (think Kimmy K!) and I always tend to go for the same three colours – Red, Black or French.

You can’t go wrong with these 3 classics. Sometimes I want to take a walk on the crazy side & pick a ridiculous florescent pink, but then chicken out at the last minute (probably for the best!).

The gel polish is a long lasting layer of nail varnish which will last between 2 to 4 weeks.  It has been known that I have lasted a whole 5 weeks.  Any longer though and my nails would have walked themselves to the Salon!

The girls working there are always smiling and the good thing about Mint is they do go out of their way to accommodate walk in appointments.  It’s ALWAYS busy and I ALWAYS try to book.

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When working in Birmingham I used to pop to the Birmingham branch on my lunch and get my nails done.  Now, and thankfully, with me working closer to home, I go to the branch based at the Merry Hill Centre.

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This particular time I was going to get my holiday nails done. This is always something I look forward to the most. Getting a new, bright colour for my holidays and knowing that holiday is just around the corner just makes me giddy with glee!!

I decided to break my mould and go for “Sweet Morning Dew”. Yes, OK I caved into the cute name and fell in love. It’s a soft coral which is not too in your face, but is a bit more daring than a ‘normal, every day life’ colour!

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The gel process takes around 35 minutes and is 100% dry when you leave the Salon.

If you’re based around the Birmingham/West Midlands area, then take a look at their website here to see the treatments that they offer, their prices & their online booking form.

Happy pampering! x x x

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Weekday Treat in Chanel

Chanel-LogoSo, the other week, I was replacing my bronzer  (I swear by Soleil Tan De Chanel. I’ve been using it for over 5 years every, single, day!).

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The lovely lady on the Chanel counter in my local Debenhams asked if I would like to come along for a complimentary eyes & lips makeover for the release of their Summer 2015 Mediterrantee Collection. What girl could say no?!

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I obviously took them up on their offer & invited my two best friends along with me. I went along on a Tuesday evening after work to be greeted by a lovely Chanel makeup artist who then spent 30 minutes going through what colours I liked, what I would normally wear & what suited best based on my hair & eye colour.

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I’m going on holiday next week (make sure you pop back for holiday photos!), so I said I would definitely be back to purchase some bits!

The following was used to create my look:

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Chanel Lumiere D’ete Illuminating Powder (£46) – This powder is shaped as the iconic Chanel Camellia flower, which enhances a naturally golden complexion – making it a holiday must have! It’s Limited Edition so make sure you pick one up for Summer!

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This amazing power was applied using the Chanel Pinceau Poudre N 1 Powder Brush – £44

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Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow in Caroube (dark brown) – £23

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Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara in black – £25 (My friends thought I had applied fake lashes!).

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Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in brown – £19

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Chanel Ecriture De Chanel Eyeliner Pen – £27

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Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Parfait – £24

The collection is so so so beautiful, with reds, pinks, corals and golds playing a major part. It just screams sunshine & holidays, which is what Summer is all about, right?!

Thank you to Debenhams at The Merry Hill Centre for their time! You can access the Chanel collection online at the Debenhams website here!

Enjoy the rest of your week! x x x

Sunshine and Hikes

Happy Friday everyone!

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I hope you have all had a wonderful week & you’re all ready for the weekend! (I’m sure you are!)

What have you got planned for the weekend?

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I’m hoping for some more sunshine so we can get out & about on a little hike.  There’s nothing more lovely than getting up at the crack of dawn, having breakfast & going for a long stroll in the sunshine!

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After a long week in an office, you can sometimes forget that there’s a whole beautiful world out there to explore!

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Having a little sing song in the car on the way to our local countryside is one of my favourite things to do! I never know the correct words, but that’s what makes it fun right?!

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Going for long walks we always find ourselves talking for hours about anything and everything.

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It’s so lovely to have these surroundings on your doorstep.  Just to take a second out of ‘real life’ & get lost in the scenery is a wonderful thing to be able to do!

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I hope you all have a well earned peaceful weekend full of relaxation and adventures! Happy Friday!

Morrisons Great Birmingham 10k

Sunday 3 May 2015 saw the first Morrisons Great Birmingham 10k.

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A really fun 10k which gave runners a choice of musical starting waves to select from. With music from the 70s, 80s, 90s and the 00s, the event promised to bring a party to the streets of Birmingham.

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Starting by the  Bullring shopping centre & ending on Broadstreet, the course was a fun, but tough route around the second city.

After an energetic warm up, the race started at 10:30am.

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The atmosphere from the people of Birmingham was amazing & rivalled that of the Half marathon back in October 2014.  It always amazes me when people come out & support you. It really makes a difference & spurs everyone on!

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I completed the race in under an hour, which is what I wanted,  & the medal was beautiful!

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Around 7,000 people took part & all abilities were welcome. It was a great event for Birmingham & I cannot wait to sign up for next years event!

Did you complete any runs over the weekend? What have you got coming up? ..Remember, keep on running!

Flash -v- No Cash

You know what it’s like.  You see an outfit on your favourite celebrity/style icon on the latest newsfeed & you automatically want it, right? Of course you do.

What’s the betting that it’s actually the week before payday & that Chanel bag that they’re carrying is far beyond your wildest financial dreams? Still with me?

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Well, that’s what happened when I saw Myleene Klass wearing a gorgeous black and white scuba dress, accessorised with a Chanel bag & of course, the Louboutin’s.  Well to be honest, I loved the dress, but didn’t want to fork out the £62.00 for it (sorry Myleene!).

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Tesco to the rescue! Yes, that’s right. The place where you go to get your milk, eggs & bathroom cleaner. They also do clothes.  The supermarket’s these days have had to step up their game to keep ahead of the pack & whilst I was picking up some food shopping, I automatically went to view their clothes.

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For £25.00, I picked up more or less the same dress.  Teamed with my DKNY bag, Marc Jacobs sunnies & my black Michael Kors heels, I think it’s a pretty good High Street carbon copy!

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It just goes to show that you CAN get that celebrity style without breaking the bank, AND whilst picking up a loaf of bread & a chocolate bar on your way out!

To get Myleene’s actual dress, check out her range for Littlewoods here!

 

Food Review: Bank Restaurant & Bar Birmingham

Me & my mom like to do lunch. We especially like to do lunch when it’s sunny outside.

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With Birmingham on our doorstep, there’s always a new favourite we become obsessed with. In steps Bank Restaurant & Bar.

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Situated in the cosmopolitan surroundings of the popular Brindley Place, having sampled their cocktails many times before, (the bartenders encourage you to ask for ANYTHING. Don’t just pick off the menu. Fancy a Pina Colada? Then ask for it!), & with an impressive lunch menu tempting our tastebuds, we decided to head over there for an early lunch.

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With its outdoor heating & seating area, we braved the British wind & grabbed a cocktail, sat outside & pretended we were on an episode of the Hills.  I asked for a lychee martini (I’m obsessed with these!), & I was not disappointed! We had pre-booked our table for 1:30pm & was taken to our seats and seen to straight away. We were presented with a special lunch menu (1 course for £10, or 2 courses for £15) & given the specials & the normal extensive menu if we so wished to order from there.

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We picked our wine (priorities!) & settled on the special lunch menu.

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Almost immediately we were brought complimentary breads & olives for the table, which was a lovely touch.

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I went for a fish themed afternoon & started with chilli squid with a noodle salad.

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I then chose a main course of the salmon fishcakes with spinach.

From around 2pm, the restaurant was truly buzzing. There was a great atmosphere with everybody from cute couples, to larger family & friendship groups choosing to dine out here for lunch.

The food itself was outstanding. Service was quick & attentive, with everyone looking like they had just stepped out of a modelling agency.

With restaurants in Birmingham & Westminster, it really is a must when visiting Birmingham.

This special menu runs 7 days a week. 1 course for £10, or 2 courses for £15, it really does make for a fantastic afterwork venue, & an even greater weekend location. The menu runs on the following days:

Monday to Friday: 12pm – 7pm

Saturday & Sunday: 12pm – 5pm

So, if you’re in the Birmingham area & fancy a lunch with a touch of class & sophistication, Bank Restaurant & Bar is your place!

Read their menus & book your table here! 

A two course lunch, with a bottle of white wine, two cocktails & service charge (included in your final bill), came to £65.00.

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What I wore:

Dress: ASOS

Shoes: Michael Kors

My Moms dress is from Marks & Spencer

Man Crush Monday

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As some of you pointed out, I shamefully missed MCM last week (blame the Easter chocolate!), so this week, to make up for it, I treat you to, not one, but TWO hotties, who just happen to be brothers. You are welcome. Happy Monday!

Name: Liam & Chris Hemsworth

Date of Birth: L: 13 January 1990 C: 11 August 1983

Birthplace: Melbourne, Australia 

Height: L: 6ft2 C: 6ft2

Occupation: Actors

Where to stalk find them: 

Liam’s Twitter

Liam’s Instagram

Liam’s Facebook

Chris’ Twitter

Chris’ Facebook

Mini Break: Barnsdale Hall Hotel

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With the stresses of work, & the awful British weather, we were in need of some R&R!

The British countryside truly is beautiful so where better to go? In the sunshine it’s stunning. And even on the coldest, wettest winter British days, it is one of the nicest places to sit in front of a log fire & sip on tea all afternoon (plus a slice of cake!).

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Based in Rutland Leicestershire, Barnsdale Hall Hotel is situated on a picturesque lake , with log cabins, lake views & bigger apartments/holiday villas to rent with big groups.

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We arrived at lunch time & grabbed a coffee in the brasserie before our pre-booked spa treatments at 2pm. All leisure & spa facilities were included in the stay (& you received 25% off spa treatments).

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Daniel settled on a full body massage & I chose an Indian Head massage. After an hour of pure bliss, we sauntered back down to the brasserie, where we embarked on the biggest scones we had ever seen!

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With our dinner reservations in the restaurant at 7:30pm, we took the scenic route back to the room to get ready, where shampoo & toiletries were provided. Whilst getting ready, we cracked open a bottle of prosecco & then made our way to dinner.

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The choice of home cooked, country food was lovely.  I settled on the salmon & crab fishcake which I didn’t want to end! We paired our meal with a bottle of white wine & then made the short walk back to our room.

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We got up early on Sunday morning, where we had our Sunday paper delivered to our door. We took this to breakfast at 8am & as I’m not a huge fan of a ‘fry up’, I was so happy to see the amazing choice of pastries, yoghurts, jams, cereals & fruit!

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We managed to see the lake & surrounding views of the hotel in its full glory before the heavens opened & we made a run for it!

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The hotel boasts a handful of activities with mini golf, floodlit tennis courts, lakeside walks, swimming & a gymnasium being just a few! I imagine in summer time, the hotel will be one of the nicest spots to visit!

To see room rates & availability, check out their official website here!