Confessions of a BENEFIT- aholic

I'm just back from an absolutely wonderful evening at Benefit at Spitalfields here in London.

My friend Lola and I popped along for an evening of cocktails, cupcakes, and make-overs, lovely! Such a wonderful crowd with fabulous experts on hand to help select the perfect products for our complexions. Thank you ladies! I've got sparkling skin and smokey eyes while Lola has a set of brows to die for. What a fantastic boutique with everything a girl needs all under one roof!

Of course I couldn't leave without a new found treat. Tonight it was the multi-tasking wonder box Confessions of a Concealaholic It's such a lovely little kit with everything you need to conceal and brighten:

Kit includes:
- "that gal" brightening face primer
- boi-ing (01, 02) industrial strength concealer in 2 shades for custom concealing
- erase paste (no. 2 medium) brightening camouflage for eyes and face
- lemon aid color correcting eyelid primer
- eye bright instant eye brightener
- concealer brushes
- step-by-step lesson

Oh la la!

Hope everyone is having a lovely evening!

C xx

Caravan, One Gorgeous Shop

My friend took me along to Caravan in Shoreditch over the weekend and I was utterly entranced. Everything was just magical, little duck is a case in point! This is the best birthday pressie shop I have found in ages. The online boutique is quite small, so it's definitely worth a visit in person.

C x

Super Cool Bars for Summer

Ninetyeight Bar and Lounge: UK Members-Only Club Opens Its Doors
Every night is different at London’s opulent private party den (now taking members), which is decorated with French antiques, trays of sweets, and a gilt-edged bar with toy trains carrying shot glasses and sugar cubes.

For more information, go to ninetyeight-bar-lounge.com. For membership (£300), e-mail info@morrellhouse.com.



69 Colebrooke Row Bar: Discreet Islington Drinking Hole

London’s mega-mixologist Tony Conigliaro concocts sophisticated beverages that heighten the olfactory senses (think vacuum-infused spirits) in his jewel box of a bar, identifiable only by a lantern.

Sunny London!

FINALLY summer sun has arrived in London! I am planning on spending the weekend in a wonderful London park with friends and some fizz. Perfect!

I am also aware that I had a major clear out and needed new sun cream. I found these by CLARINS and I am so wowed at how wonderful and luxurios they are. No sticky residue, no horrible smell. I highly recommend them for every skin type.

Have a wonderful and healthy SUNSHINY weekend!

C x

Grace Kelly, Style Icon at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

I was so excited to see this exhibition advertised and cannot wait to visit. The V&A is always a treat, but this is something extra special I'm sure you'll agree!

Exhibition information below:

17 April - 26 September, 2010

"The spectacular wardrobe of Grace Kelly is on display at the V&A. Tracing the evolution of her style from her days as one of Hollywoods most popular actresses in the 1950s and as Princess Grace of Monaco, the display presents over 50 of Grace Kelly's outfits together with hats, jewellery and the original Hermès Kelly bag. Dresses from her films, including High Society, are on show as well as the gown she wore to accept her Oscar award in 1955. These are accompanied by film clips and posters, photographs and her Oscar statuette. The display also includes the lace ensemble worn by Grace Kelly for her civil marriage ceremony to Prince Rainier in 1956 and 35 haute couture gowns from the 1960s and 70s by her favourite couturiers Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Yves St Laurent."

Pick Me Up: Contemporary Graphic Art Fair at Beautiful Somerset House, London

Hello my wonderful readers,
I hope you are all as excited for the bank holiday weekend as I am?! An extra spring time day off work is just what I need at the moment. What will all of you be doing? Any exciting plans? I definitely have a visit to Somerset House and the new PICK ME UP exhibition firmly placed on my calendar. Such gorgeous work on display is always a treat for the eyes! Just check out all of the talent that will be on display:

Alex Trochut
Andy Gilmore
Charlie Duck
Claire Scully
Edvard Scott
Erin Petson
Hvass&Hannibal
HelloVon
James Joyce
Jess Wilson
Jesse Auersalo
Job Wouters
Lorenzo Petrantoni
Mathis Rekowski
Melvin Galapon
Mr Bingo
Natsko Seki
Patrick Gildersleeves
Paula Castro
Pierre Nguyen
Richard Sarson
Rosie Irvine
Siggi Eggertsson
Ville Savimaa

C x

The coolest of the cool, the YUMMMIEST of the YUMMM!

All images Copyright Steve Nyman.
This lil' blogging lady went on an adventure this weekend to check out a great lil' place that is just beyond Long Lane in Bermondsey. Known for it's Antiques market on Friday mornings, this neighbourhood has historically been super stodgy Pie n' Mash territory through and through... so I thought!
Bermondsey Street is super cool, as we all know, but further south, really? Well YES, but of course! This month has welcomes the none less than ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC Bermondsey Square Hotel, home of Alfie's delectable restaurant! Oh my OH PIE!! Heaven on a plate!
On the second trip, I was not to be disappointed, it was a sunny Sunday with welcoming tables in the sun just outside their kitchen door. Roast trial run was a must for any newbie restaurant... so what did I discover... the BEST Sunday roast I have ever eaten on all of old London town, hands down. And I do not take my food lightly as some of you may know. It was delicate meat and veg, to die for Yorkshire the size of my head!( I do have a small head, but that's besides the point...)
If you don't quite believe it, then here's a lil' incentive, they're doing a 2-4-1 meal deal until the 31st! Just have a look at their website for further details Alfie's at the Bermondsey Square Hotel Once you've been, I want to hear what you think!
Ooh, of course while you're there check out the fab mod images around the hotel by the great Steve Nyman and of course the super cool dresses donned by the lovely ladies behind the front desk, courtesy of Pussy Willow on Bermondsey Street. I love the support of the local community. Fantastic work guys! Welcome to the neighbourhood!

Oh, I love my new dress!

I'm sure a lot of you already shop with them, but ASOS is so great! I wore thins in the park yesterday and was ready for a tea party in seconds! Great, glamorous and GORGEOUS!Champagne and strawberries anyone!?

SUN SUN SUN!

Gosh, it's been an amazing day in old London town! Sunny and about 75 degrees! What a treat for us all in these sometimes depressing days. A glass of champagne and friends in the park did me fine, what are the rest of you up to? What is your ABSOLUTE favourite sunny day thing to do, no matter where you live? Fingers crossed for more of the same tomorrow!

Oh me, oh my, London has SNOW!!!

Wow! I cannot believe how much snow we have gotten London! Makes me feel excited like I am 6 again! Everyone is running around cheerful. Such a nice change to a normal gray Monday! Sadly though, I am at work, rather than snuggled in my beloved bed with some of this looooovely tea that I adore. Check Pukka Teas out and I'm sure you'll find one you can't live without as well.

Here I get personal, yep, this is about my favourite underpants!

This may sound weird, but I LOVE these new underpants that I recently bought from the Cockfighter of Bermondsey on Bermondsey Street in SE1, London. They have lots of different patters, are super comfy and are now on sale! YEAH!

New Favourite Read...

I have loved shopping with Space NK for some time. They always have an incredible, wide selection of the finest products, including their own brand that lives up to super expensive ones. If you have a bit of time on your hands, I really suggest taking a peek at their Beauty Blog It's chock full of great products and ideas. Great stuff for a rainy Sunday evening in London!

Hope everyone has a lovely week to come. x

Hope Realised...

© Shepard Fairey/ObeyGiant.com
Along with loads of people, I am so pleased today beyond words! There is a lightness to my heart and the world seems full of possibility! Last year, I went to see one of my favourite artist's, Shepard Fairey, exhibition at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane in London. It was spectacular to say the least. If you do not already know his work, please do check it out ASAP. I am so proud that the above now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, just blocks from the White House.
In this world amazing things can happen!

Wagamama... the obsession continues!

I have this lil' problem that seems to appear in front of me at every corner in London. I try not to give in, but I ALWAYS seem to. Its simple, handsome and oh-so delicious! And luckily NOT and unsuitable man! This lil' charmer is named Wagamama and can be found ALL OVER London. It's menu is heathy and always delicious, hence why I can ALWAYS justify my visits. At the moment they are coming-good on the most amazing promotion they had on before Christmas. They gave me these vouchers when I paid for my visit that entitled me to either a buy-one-get-one free (BOGOF hehe), free drink, or free side, valid for most of January! SWOOOOOON! Yes, so I have been lurking at their lovely long tales all over London for the ast month... HEAVENLY! I do hope that they do this again next year, but if not,

Money Saving Tip: I would highly recommend visiting their website, www.wagamama.com , and becoing a member. In this way, you can see all the valid promotions that they have on for the coming week, often BOGOFs! Enjoy!

Hello Hello!!

Hi! I'm Celementine!
As with lots of people out there at the moment, money is a bit of a worry. I have decided that to try to avoid any further debt ( yikes!) I'm going to write about my experience in money saving, as well as other fun stuff I get up to here in London. If it just entertains me, then so be it, but I love meeting new friends and hearing from you about whatever. Please feel free to follow this blog as I bumble along with it and offer any great suggestions on things for me to do, read, play, see, eat, definitely EAT! I think that's one thing for me that could never be credit cruched!
C xxx