Out comes My Chanel Rouge Coco Flash Lipstick When The Sun Comes Out

The perfect nude, combo, moisturising, shimmer, high shine, natural lipstick for every day summer

R and R Black

2026-03-22T09:43:00.0000000 2026-03-23T08:08:13.0430000

Chanel Rouge Coco Flash Lipstick

BOY number 54 is my favourite for summer.

First day of Spring this weekend. I put my wellingtons away, necessary even in London, got my old trainers out to replace them and refreshed my make up bag from winter to summer colours, I do my clothes too but not yet, still too cold in the morning to swap the jumpers for summer dresses.

I think it’s a throw back habit from school uniform. After half term, the blazer replaced the duffle coat and those hideous candy striped button up dresses came out. Thank goodness ours were blue not pink. YUK.

My summer lipstick is Rouge Coco Flash Lipstick from Chanel, I don’t wear it in the winter because I like a stronger shade of red but a little bit of colour in my cheeks, usually from a quick week away in the sun around February, and my duty free shop usually includes a lipstick.

Why this year I found three 54 Boy lipsticks in my collection all part used and with fuel prices escalating and holidays, flights especially going through the roof I need to be a little more conscious and use what I have as at £42 each these lipsticks aren’t cheap.

Now for the reasons I love this particular lipstick and shade for the summer.

It’s in between a lip salve and a lipstick and very moisturising so you get more colour gloss and shine than a lip salve with the same lip care feeling keeping lips feeling dewy and moisturised. My lips do tend to get a bit dry especially in the summer months.

You basically get high shine, colour in a very natural lip shade with boy 54. It’s the most nudey of all the colours available around 20 in total.

This is a hydra boost complex for high shine moisturising effect, so the one downside for me of this lipstick is no SPF, protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun.

The best SPF lip protector I have found for skiing and sun holidays is from Kiehl's, the Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 30, which provides high-level broad-spectrum sun protection alongside intense hydration from coconut oil and antioxidants. I use this first in very sunny or on the water before putting my Chanel Rouge Coco Flash on top.

I line my lips first with Charlotte Tilbury lip liner in Pillow Talk, they also do a great shade Iconic nude but this is a bit dark and dramatic for me. pillow talk is less in your face, more natural. Pop the SPF over and then the lipstick.

It’s not super long wearing so keep one in your bag and use it just like a lip salve throughout the day. It’s light enough you don’t need to worry about placement, something I like. I bung it on and smudge my lips together without a mirror.

When I looked at my pictures I realised I’d shot all my lipsticks closed. I will try to take one open but be advised even if you see the shade in the tube it doesn’t go on like this. This lipstick is very sheer, natural and nude with a touch of shimmer. It is not a gloss, it’s more like a lip salve with a bit of tint, shiny shimmer finish.

Although Boy 54 is still part of the permanent collection and has not been phased out completely it is difficult to find. You may have a better shot in duty free. If you cannot get that exact shade other alternatives are 174 Destination and 116 Easy a soft pink nude.

I’ve included the link to boots where Boy 54 is available currently. On the Chanel website you can also buy Boy 54, and easy 116 but Destination 174 is sold out.

The latest shade 284 Baby Blue is on my wish list. It looks amazing, an icy silvery sheen that when it goes on you see the pink of your natural lip through it, but again good luck finding one. They are sold out at Chanel.com too.

The Connaught Hotel and Chef Helene Darroze and Marco Zambeze Retain 3 Michelin Stars

The most delicious food in a quintessentially London setting

R and R Black

2026-02-11T09:30:00.0000000 2026-02-11T10:36:13.2530000

I love the Connaught Hotel, it is quintessentially London, it’s a hotel with real soul in a relaxed cheeky, a bit naughty kind of way. It very hard to create excitement and atmosphere in a hotel, there are loads of 5 star spots in central London, some with great bars, like the American Bar at the Ritz, some with fantastic afternoon tea like the Savoy, some with staff that always remember you like Claridges but combining all these qualities and not for a million pounds few London hotels achieve. I’ve been to a couple of big new ones recently the Chancery Rosewood in the old American Embassy building on Grosvenor Square which is super luxurious but still has an office block feel, the Emory on Hyde Park Corner is big, new and 5 star but hasn’t attracted the old school clients that make a 5 star hotel for me, and the Peninsula Hotel in Belgravia, well known for their property with villas on the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Wiltshire Boulevard in Beverley Hills, one of my favourite hotels in the world, haven’t quite managed to translate this king of Hollywood to the Queen of London. It does have pretty views of Hyde Park though.

The Connaught is more like the Beaumont in terms of size, with more history and less art. Go to the Beaumont to see the Anthony Gormley Sculpture outside and the wonderful art collection inside, my favourite painting a Matisse in the bar and terrace restaurant on the roof. Go to the Connaught for atmosphere, fun, mischief, if you want to get heady, stay up late, meet quiet interesting people who like to stay under the radar the Connaught is where you want to be.

The Connaught hotel has staff that never leave so you always feel at home. The stay might not be perfect, the pipes might be a bit noisy and there may be areas where the paint is peeling and the upholstery and carpets are a bit worn, like being a guest in a lady and gentleman’s stately home where the food and welcome, the mouth watering food, piping hot water and 600 thread count sheets and feather pillows are more important than stark spotless bleached bathrooms and brand new fixtures and fittings.

Hélène Darroze is a world-renowned French chef, in 2015 she was awarded the Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef award and tasting Helene’s food is the number one reason to visit the Connaught if only for dinner. She was born into a family of chefs in Landes, and has secured multiple Michelin stars across her restaurants, including the three-star, (which she has just retained) Helene Darroze at The Connaught in London. Mentored by Alain Ducasse, Helene is known for her "cuisine d'auteur," featuring ingredients from her southwestern French roots, and holds the title of Chevalier in the French Legion of Honour.

Her food is absolutely magnificent. She was born into a family of chefs spanning four generations in Villeneuve-de-Marsan, France. She studied business (graduating in 1990) before joining Alain Ducasse’s team at Le Louis XV in Monaco, where she moved from administrative work into the kitchen.

Helene Darroze opened her own restaurant in Paris nine years later. She gained fame for her work at The Connaught in London, achieving two Michelin stars in 2011 and later three.

Her cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, often using a unique solitaire game method for guests to select ingredients and then she creates magic for you personally. She frequently blends traditional French techniques with inspiration from her travels. She is mother to two adopted daughters from Vietnam and she splits her time between London and Paris. 

Before you book in make sure she’s in residence. Although even if her co executive head chef Marco Zambeze is in command, and makes your dinner for you, you certainly won’t be disappointed.

Dinner at the Connaught with wine typically 5- to 7-course dinner menus are £175–£195 plus per person (small seasonal 5 courses £175, with tasting menus often priced higher) so not cheap, we only go for very special occasions. Wine expect to pay £50 for a bottle at the cheaper end of list, it’ll be very drinkable and a couple of aperitifs before dinner will put £60 on be bill so with service and tip the bill is usually between £250 and £350.

Worth every penny though. We’ve had some of our best and most memorable nights after dinner on the bar at the Connaught.

Luxury Instant Hot Chocolate At Home Not Available At Hotel Chocolat (Actually completely incorrect)

We’d Tried Options by Wander AG, Switzerland on behalf of Ovaltine owned by Twinings looking for...

R and R Black

2025-11-28T15:57:00.0000000 2025-11-29T10:46:40.9470000

Not a rant, not a rave, just a Errrgh for our local Velvetiser cafe in Richmond.

The velvetiser advert on TV from Hotel Chocolat got me all excited so popped in to store on Black Friday to see what’s up. I’d bought the Options Belgium chocolate hot chocolate and nobody was impressed so I’ve been challenged with finding something better.

It’s 12.30pm, middle of the day and I decide to pop into Hotel Chocolat where I’ve been a few times before and always had no complaints except being unable to get a table except this time apart from a couple of random shoppers browsing the wall of chocolate it was completely empty.

I have to say I was shocked considering how many times I’ve seen the ad and how much we all love chocolate, especially at this time of year.

I asked about buying the chocolate to make the velvetiser drinks at home but alas, it’s a proprietary experience. The velvetiser drink can only be made with the velvetiser machine. (At the time it wasn’t communicated about the at home experience, I thought she was referring to the machine used in store) I was told you can add milk to their chocolate and make it on the stove but nothing quick “like Cabury’s” the lady said with chagrin.

Of course I thought if they haven’t got it, they haven’t got it but the way she delivered the news made me think,

“I am not surprised you’re empty”. I didn’t say it of course. I wanted to have an imaginary Ally McBeal moment and say “do I look like a Cabury’s drinking chocolate customer to you?” Whilst waving my twenty quid in her face.

Does anyone else wonder what’s happened to the “ being happy to see a real customer experience” in a store. Even going into shops these days like John Lewis and Marks and Spencer’s where the service always used to be amazing the staff seem to be infected with I can’t be bothered syndrome. So it’s not just Hotel Chocolat I am singling out here. We don’t always have all the information or know what it is we need. We need help, assistance, service, information to make informed buying decisions not sleepy staff, disengaged and bored because they are dead and have nothing to do.

I was left thinking; Maybe Hotel Chocolat have missed a trick here. I don’t mean about being a bit more helpful and warm to potential customers when you are dead. Not selling an at home, Velvetiser hot chocolate experience.

I was thinking; After you’ve had the Velvetiser experience in store I am sure loads of people would love a more luxurious than “Cabury’s” drinking chocolate hot chocolate experience at home. I walked in with two £10 notes expecting to pay over the odds. The reason I was in Hotel Chocolat in the first place, I didn’t want Cabury’s. I’d got completely the wrong information from the member of staff. How could that be possible?

I walked out without said drinking chocolate. So if anyone can suggest an alternative to Options, where price is not really a consideration, it’s a treat, I am all ears. Ease of making, preferably just add hot water is key.

I didn’t realise until I got home I can purchase the all new velvetiser from Hotel Chocolat to make the drink at home barista style for £119.95. Which is the member price and a £30.00 discount. GULP!

So the long and short of it Hot Chocolate at home velvetiser style is possible at Hotel Chocolat for a price. When I said price is no problem I wasn’t thinking about £150 no problem for what appears to be a kettle with a built in frother but hey, one to think about.

A Wonderful and Helpful Chanel Beauty Counter Foundation Colour Match Makeover: I purchased Ultra Le Teint BR12

Thanks to Tiffany Chanel Trainer and Manager From Mayfair Visiting My Local Beauty Counter

R and R Black

2025-11-15T10:05:00.0000000 2026-03-22T08:09:24.3630000

I had a dilemma. I'd invested in the Chanel Ultra Le Teint foundation before, I loved the coverage for more mature skin but I'd bought the wrong shade, too dark for my complexion, so I went to Tom Ford and bought their foundation Shade and Illuminance, at £130, I know it's a lot for a foundation, I got talked into it at the counter without trying it properly and again even though it was better than the last attempt it was still too dark for me. I could see the line between my face and neck which I didn't like.

So I was going on a weekend trip and I really needed to sort out this foundation issue and I needed a blusher. My colouring is Irish, porcelain skin and dark dark hair, hazel green eyes but skin has a real pale pink tone and the menopause flashes really show flush in my cheeks which I really wanted to tone down and cover completely when they happen.

I didn’t like the idea of facing the high pressure sales of the beauty counter after being made over but my friend talked me into going and I have to say this time it was a really good experience.

I went back to the Chanel counter and explained my issue and my two previous mistake purchases. Thank goodness for Tiffany, an ex make up artist and Chanel trainer who was visiting this particular store on this particular day to work with new recruits and as it turned out me as well.

She very quickly skin treated me to a cleanse and then deftly colour matched me using the Ultra Le Teint foundation, we settled on BR12 which was a very pale shade with a hint of rose, described as a light shade with a rosy undertone she told me.

It went on really well and left me feeling much more attractive but with no caked on make up feeling and I couldn’t see where the make up finished and my neck started, result.

She used a concealer and showed me exactly how to apply it, with a small round brush and then applied Rose Ardent powder cheek blush. She told me this would be longer wearing than a cream blush stick, I suggested. She finished off my natural look with a pinky nude lip gloss and then we were done.

My budget was £150 and my plan was to walk around in the make up and see how it wore if I still liked it later in the day, still a bit worried about my two previous investments, but Tiffany was so competent, listened to me and gave me a result I actually could see all my problem areas and issues had been  addressed I did feel comfortable to buy three products immediately, the ultra le teint foundation, the concealer and the rose ardent blush pallet. The total came to £135 and Tiffany was kind enough create a profile for me with the other products she’s suggested and to include a few free samples for me to try as a new customer.

It was a really good experience, much more care taken than previous make up counter experiences that had produced mistakes and made me reluctant to return and spend.

I think the key was Tiffany really listened to my needs, understood what kind of customer I was, and delivered a solution for me that worked, I wasn’t in her chair long, maybe 15, 20 minutes max but considering I was dreading it she made the whole experience smooth and gave me products and education I can easily execute myself to produce the same flawless look at home.

If anyone is in the same situation as me with a make up dilemma, my advice would be, take a knowledgeable friend along for moral support, be very clear with the make up artist helping you what you hope to achieve and tell them up front what your budget is so when it comes to the sales pitch at the end there’s no embarrassment or difficulty for either side.

And don’t be tempted to buy foundation without a proper colour match putting it on all over your face first and then getting out of the bright lights into the day light to snap a selfie before handing over your cash. Foundation cannot be returned.

Which Over The Counter Cold Medicines Really Work?

If you need an effective decongestant try Beechams Flu Plus - the orange capsules

R and R Black

2025-11-05T11:26:00.0000000 2025-11-05T15:34:40.2330000

Not the most exciting of snoops but hopefully helpful and a practible useful guide, based on experience (not marketing) all the same. This is not an advertorial just simple information based on personal experience as a consumer who in the most part doesn't support big pharma and tries to avoid pills and the doctor at all costs. And it's not just me saying it. We have 6 people who have all tried the various remedies and have all come to the same conclusion.

For anyone who suffers from a can’t breathe cold or flu attack as soon as the weather changes there is one over the counter medicine that is head and shoulders above all others for relieving congestion I have found and I’ve tried them all from Lemsip developed in Hull, in 1968, Lemsip is a British brand by Reckitt, a UK-based consumer goods company, to a good old fashioned hot toddie or makuna honey, lemon and hot water.

Beechams, also a British brand began in the 19th century by Thomas Beecham. the brand has changed hands a few times since then, it 2022 the owner GSK, GlaxoSmithKline spun off it's whole consumer heathcare portfolio in to a new company Haleon, the present owners of the Beecham brand. The congestion relief ingredient in most Beechams cold and flu medicines (such as Beechams All-in-One and Beechams Flu Plus) is phenylephrine hydrochloride. This ingredient acts as a decongestant, helping to unblock the nose and sinuses so you can breathe more easily.

I’ve long preferred to buy Beechams Flu Plus, identified for me by the orange coloured capsules on the traditionally blue packaging, except they are becoming increasingly difficult to find on the regular easily accessible supermarket shelves. 

The reason I opted for Beechams All in One for this family flu bout when the whole household went down this time. They are advertised as containing the same vital decongestant ingredient, Phenylephrine hydrochloride but did they work in the same way as the magic Beechams Flu Plus, the answer is a resounding no and not just from one person but everyone in the family.

What actually works to relieve cold a flu symptoms? 

When it comes to big pharmaceutical business everyone wants a piece of the cold and flu viral business so there are lots of impulse purchases made when the symptoms of the common cold make us feel so rough we reach for the nearest box of cold and flu remedy.

Don’t be tempted to buy the blue and green capsules, all in one max strength, at over 6 pounds I bought in to the “max strength” marketing tag and they didn’t do anything magnificent.

I am now planning ahead, something I have never done before, I am ordering a few boxes of Beechams Flu Plus capsules in, remember the orange capsules, they are not stocked everywhere, I couldn’t find them at any of my 4 or 5 local supermarkets or pharmacies so the next time a bug strikes and we all go down, those sleepless nights when you cannot breathe at least will be alleviated.

TXOKO Restaurant by Martin Berasategui Tenerife fine dining luxury vegan cuisine

Plant based food in a five star setting

R and R Black

2025-09-06T08:18:00.0000000 2025-09-15T08:16:46.6500000

For anyone visiting Tenerife this beautiful Michelin starred restaurant TXOKO by renowned chef Martin Berasateguiis a must visit.

We felt so fortunate to be invited by some friends on the island who own a second home there who had welcomed us to spend a long weekend with them for a cheap break before all the kids go back to school. Visiting Tenerife in August we usually avoid when prices to stay anywhere are astronomical.

As a special treat on our last night they took us to this restaurant situated within the vast complex of the The Ritz Carlton Hotel although TXOKO which translates to gastronomic society is a well known foodie brand slash chain across Spain with four locations on mainland Spain, two in Barcelona, Restaurante Lasarte and Oria in the Monument Hotel and two in Basque Country one, the Ola Martin Berasategui in Bilbao and one, Restaurante Martin Berasategui in Lasarte-Oria and then the three restaurants the chef overseas on the Ritz Carlton property on Tenerife.

M.B by Martín Berasategui – is a fine‑dining restaurant with 2 Michelin stars and Melvin by Martín Berasategui is more casual, focusing on Basque‑style beef and grilled seafood; no stars yet but highly praised.

We chose TXOKO because of the serene location poolside and the spectacular views in the evening.

Ron has recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and instead of just accepting the drugs and medical diagnosis he has decided to try changing his diet first to manage it which has presented the challenge of giving up the food and boozing sometimes excessively, he loves. Our friends decided a visit to Txoko would soften the blow and let everyone enjoy absolutely delicious plant based food together and let Ron see his new journey isn't going to be so terrible.

I didn't take a load of photographs so I'll apologise in advance, the food spoke for itself. We all enjoyed a whole host of dishes, we had three courses and everything that came to the table including the bread, the butter, the pudding, the pasta with no parmesan and we didn't miss it, was plant based and you'd never have known if you didn't know ahead of time.

The most wonderful part of the whole evening, we shared two bottles of wine between four of us which is a lot less than we would normally have got through before the Diabetes and we all talked, laughed and enjoyed each others company more than ever before.

The food was so spectacular and as every exciting beautiful plate came out the curiosity about what is was, tasting it, discussing it completely overtook the usual lip-smacking scoffing that happens whilst everyone tucks in and nothing gets said or shared, everyone just gets stuffed and a bit pissed.

So I'd recommend everyone visit this very special place and taste this fabulous, inventive, super healthy and made with love food.

When you leave after enjoying three abundant courses you will feel satisfied, satiated and completely empowered. And your body will say thank you for filling it up with goodness.

We woke up the next day without the usual hangover and reminiscing over our wonderful, magnificent evening.

This a restaurant that will not only feed you for a night but completely change your life and the way you think and enjoy food. Thank you chef Martin probably the most wonderful evening in so many ways we have ever enjoyed.

Call the restaurant directly for your reservation +34 922 12 60 00

On Running Cloudrunner 2 Cushioned-Sole Mesh Low-Top Trainers In the Sale

Very light and comfortable daily wear training shoes

R and R Black

2025-06-15T10:41:00.0000000 2025-06-15T11:25:53.7200000

I’ve jumped on the ON running bandwagon and treated myself to a pair of On running shoes. And I really love them. I tried and bought the new style trainers from a brand I hadn’t really heard of or knew anything about until I read a snoop on here.

Mine I got from Selfridges on sale, £110 with a £30 discount regular price £140 which I thought was a pretty good deal considering what you have to pay for a more common brand like Nike or Adidas.

The reason I purchased, I thought I was getting something a bit unique until I bought mine and then realised so many other women are wearing these shoes or a version of them. I had no idea how popular they are until I got mine and then started to notice the feet of sporty athleisure girls in yoga outfits, or tennis socks, body com dresses and baseball caps meandering up and down the Kings Road or the Fulham Road where I live.

The shoes I am very happy with. Although I am NOT sporty so I haven’t put them to the test from a runners perspective, more a 50 years old who’s given up on heels and yes I know still wears jeans with my trainers.

I like comfortable shoes. I’ll admit it.

My feet are quite wide and I usually wear a size 39 or 39.5. I went for a 40 in these shoes as I didn’t want a really snug fit and the smaller size did feel quite narrow across the bridge.

I purchased in Selfridges actual shop as I like to try on and I did try three different sizes before opting for the 40.

I am not out there when it comes to style and my only mistake was the orange trim.

On reflection I should have listened to my daughter and probably gone for all white as they’d work with more outfits.

The comfort is undeniable on the Cloudrunner 2 cushioned mesh trainers.

The features of this On Running mesh low-top trainers include

100% mesh

Lace-up fastening

Almond toe, closed toe, cushioned outsole, panelled construction, cushioned soles

Easy to clean just by Wiping with a clean, dry cloth

Upper: 100% mesh

Lining: 100% mesh

Sole: 100% rubber

They are now sold out online at Selfridges for the sale price but make a trip to the store. I believe they still have them in stock.

Aspreys British Luxury and fine timepieces since 1781

Best known for their clocks and watches and silverware

R and R Black

2025-05-31T11:31:00.0000000 2025-05-31T14:25:45.3730000

My boss bought me a clock from Aspreys when I left work to have a baby and I have always loved the brand with it’s like nowhere else personality. It’s a little bit oldy worldy and has maintained a Royal Warrany since Queen Victoria through to the late Queen and Prince of Wales which has now transferred to the King Charles III.

The shop is on Bruton Street in the west end and you do feel like you are somewhere special when you step over the threshold.

It’s not really a place to browse, it’s the kind of place where you might not receive the best reception until they get to know you.

Shopping if you want convenience is done online, otherwise you make an appointment.

It the kind of place the person treating let’s the staff know the budget ahead of time so you don’t get shown anything that is outside the magic number. Ron dusted off the black card for our visit.

My father loved a Rolex, my mother an Omega watch with a gold bracelet strap. My lovely watch had to be sold a few years back to raise some cash and get us through a crisis and I’ve been promised a replacement something ever since when the timing was right. I’ve actually been wearing a broken, dupe I picked up from a street vendor on holiday, I took it off before my visit to Asprey.

I also have been in the market for a pair of everyday small stud earrings which I have been very good at losing unless the posts and backs are reinforced by a jeweller so I did look at the selection Asprey could show me.

I do like estate pieces, Aspreys is a brand so not their specialty. There’s also another not so well known jeweller and silversmith, a family run business specialising in vintage I like to window shop and pop into from time to time if I’ve got a bit of extra cash on Walton St, WM Hawkes. They are the best place in London for exquisite and unusual old timepieces and silver.

Nowhere will you get the Aspreys shopping experience though. The quirky gifts like chicken leg salt and pepper shakers or chicken leg egg cup and spoon, it truly is the gift shop for the person who has everything.

Everything comes in the signature Asprey’s purple boxes, the packaging alone is something to behold.

The games section I love too. I like to play Bridge so the £75 pack of playing cards is the perfect small purchase if you don’t want to leave empty handed and for the more well heeled you could treat yourself to new backgammon set if you got a spare £3000 knocking about.

An ice bucket in silver will set you back a staggering £11,000 and don’t even think about a set of 6 wine glasses to go with unless £185 per bubbles glass is palatable.

It’s a complete experience, a place of whimsy where a 24 carat gold plated telephone will cost you £50 grand and a scrabble set a mere £11,000.

It truly is the place if you have to ask the price you cannot afford it.

I tried on a couple of watches which were classic and beautiful. I didn’t know how much, I just knew the black card was at the ready so the price was high.

I ended up settling on a pair of star gazer stud earrings in rose gold, which suits my skin better than silver, although I nearly opted for the small mini daisys in white gold which were equally beautiful with yellow sapphires and they make a white gold ring to match, I prefer the more delicate pieces as I have quite small hands.

When I got home I found out at £1500 a pair the star gazer studs are probably the least expensive jewellery item in the shop.

Ron was happy. He got the kudos for taking me to Aspreys and escaped still wearing his shirt.

It’s a magnificent shop everyone should experience at least once. I want the scrabble set for Christmas.

Sparrow Italian Mayfair A little bird told me

Where you can get 3 course for £48

R and R Black

2025-05-27T15:16:00.0000000 2025-05-27T16:12:40.6630000

My friend went to one in Miami and said “you know they’ve got one in London”

She rated the restaurant so highly we decided to check it out and what fun we had. I went with a girlfriend, it was a glorious day and we sat outside on the roof of the three storey town house in the heart of the west end.

From the outside you’d never imagine what is lurking inside, gorgeous modern very Shi Shi interiors with an amazing bar area and spectacular lighting.

I love Italian food anyway so the menu suited me down to ground, we went for the crispy Kale Caesar salad to start and then we both tried the puttanesca pasta, which was fragrant with sweet tomatoes and salty from the black olives, neatly tossed in perfectly cooked el dente pasta just the way I like it.

My friend ordered a glass of red. She asked for a Malbec which was substituted with an Italian equivalent she said was very very smooth and very drinkable. I ordered a GENOVESE cocktail, tequila, cucumber, basil, lime, chartreuse, cointreau, agave followed by a glass of Italian sparkling wine, not sure of the name or vintage but it went down beautifully with the pasta.

The guests were very smartly dressed. We didn’t read the website before booking, they did take a credit card for the table reservation and I was asked to remove my baseball cap; a first so I wished I’d got my hair done but hey, rules is rules.

It didn’t spoil things even though it was pretty sunny and I didn’t take my sunglasses. We stayed on the patio outdoor terrace anyway, aptly named the Sparrows Nest, cute. I cannot think of another restaurant in Mayfair that offers Al fresco dining in a perfect setting like this. We really did feel on top of the world.

The set menu for lunch is three courses and the menu is extensive, definitely something for everyone, beautiful meat, fish, and seafood choices as well as vegetarian and vegan choices that were both inventive and imaginative.

The food we couldn’t fault it. A definite must visit for a great value £48 per head.

With the wine and one cocktail the bill was £160 plus tip which considering how much food we’d had and super attentive beautiful five star service we’ll definitely be returning.

For cigar smokers they have the best cigar lounge in London (apparently) on the third floor aficionados can enjoy.

I can imagine this place is hopping and heaving in equal measure in the evening but for anyone looking for a stylish lunch experience, delicious Italian cuisine surrounded by attentive staff and hip comfortable interiors the Sparrow is the place of the moment everyone seems to be talking about.

I’d never even heard of it however once I started telling people I’d been I heard people saying you know so and so goes there, you know it’s really hard to get a table.

We just booked online and were welcomed open arms for lunch mid week. That said it was quite busy for a Wednesday. Fore warned is fore armed. Don’t flake out on your reservation without letting them know ahead of time because if you do expect £50 to be charged to your credit card.

Thankyou everyone, especially the Maitre D’ whose name we didn’t catch but the lasting impression made me want to share.

By Rotation the way to wear Zimmermann under £100

The best for less renting out your wardrobe is the latest for cash strapped girls

R and R Black

2025-05-01T13:25:00.0000000 2025-05-12T16:05:32.9630000

I want to share By Rotation. This business has been given this gorgeous shop on Brook st, by Westminster council rent free. They were selected from over 80 contenders. The council's project gives significant relief on business rates, budget for store design and support from a creative agency Someday Studios and I have to say they have done a magnificent job. The store has been offered rent free as a result of support from a philantropist landlord Royal Asset Management that would have cost the start up, well a lot.

I just rented a Zimmermann dress for a christening, I absolutely loved it. I had it for about a week. All I had to do was wear it and return it. The cleaning etc. was all up to the renter, as it turns out a glamourous woman in Twickenham, my size with a wardrobe to die for. The beauty about finding a renter the same size with similar taste.

I absolutely love the Zimmermann brand, a summer dress for one wear would cost new anywhere for £1000- £3000 secondhand £300-£1000 if you can find what you like and can take the risk on fit so By Rotation is making that one time special occasion dress available from someone else’s closet. It’s basically a database of personal wardrobes available to share for a fee, significantly less than the cost of the item retail.

The strap for this business is the world’s largest shared closet, started in London in 2019 and this year expanding to the USA and the Middle East as the challenge to tackle our fast fashion consumption becomes more and more pressing. I am a conscious consumer I’d say and this is the very first time I have used a rental platform for special event dressing. That said I have followed Victoria Prews story the founder of Hurr another clothes recycling proposition app, website, platform and front page cover girl for Forbes magazine as a powerful under 30 CEO having raised over £10,000,000 in venture capital.

Both Victoria Prew and Eshita Kabra Davies have hit on and elimimated from their model the cost of holding inventory. For Kabra Davies’s the concept is renting out your own wardrobe so no need to store and clean inventory, that is all done by the wardrobe owner, for Prew the brands provide the inventory for Hurr and do all the cleaning and sending out to renters.

They are just platforms that connect people for a more sustainable fashion future for everyone.

I’ve done it once. I did love my dress. So much I didn’t really want to give it back, even though I don’t have anywhere else to wear it. I know this doesn’t make sense but for many women fashion is a feeling. Why we’ve all purchased things we’ve never worn.

I couldn’t share my wardrobe for money, it’s not good enough but I am interested whether enough women will do this, rent out their wardrobes and or be prepared to rent a dress from a random “renter” like a seller on EBay or Vinted. I took good care of the dress, didn’t fall over, get legless but not sure what happens if you get a red wine tipped over you or how damage to items is handled and who pays. I did feel a little worried in case I trashed the dress by mistake. Never a lender nor a borrower be.

All the press would lead you to believe the clothes rental market, secondhand clobber market is the one to watch expected to grow in the UK alone to £280 billion by 2027 according to Thredup. Global data said they expected the secondhand clothing market to grow by 67.5% between 2022 and 2026.

I will tell you when I received a compliment for the dress and I without reserve proudly mentioned I’d rented my frock for the sustainably street cred, the lady older than me in her 50s said sort of like she’d just smelled something unpleasant “I’ve heard people do that with hats”

I am unsure whether the Hurr app or the By Rotation app for that matter will actually take off or are making any money yet. I doubt it. I just don’t see the behaviour changing that quickly. That said I’ve done it and now I am telling you lot.

This is definitely a good thing for encouraging a more conscious approach to the fashion we buy and good things do take time.

Neill Strain Floral Boutique

Shopping for Wedding Flowers

R and R Black

2025-03-28T08:37:00.0000000 2025-03-28T09:18:51.5700000

We tried to persuade our middle daughter to have the money and elope. Oh no she said. I am not like you two (we're not actually married) to our childrens horror so we have embarked on the shopping list that's all things wedding and have made a few appointments, go sees to see what's on offer and whether we are mortgaging the house to foot the bill.

Neill Strain is Devi's first choice for her flowers, of course they are, this exquisite flower shop just up the road from Claridges Hotel is top of the list.

We went to an event at the Dorchester a while back hosted by the wedding edition and Christian Louboutin and the flowers were out of this world stunning. The creations were completely different in style, there was glamourous, extravagant but also subtle and understated. You could definitely see they are not in the box. There was definitely something for everyone and when we spoke to the florists at the event the emphasis was on Devis vision for her day.

She is all about the scent so the conversation was all about honeysuckle, jasmine, sweet peas, freesia, all her favourites. She wanted a wild flower idea for her bouquet, like she'd just walked through a meadow gathering flowers and Neill Strain completely embraced her idea of simplicity amongst some clearly much grander scale events and budgets.

The people were lovely and even though our budget for the flowers is I am sure much lower than some of their other clients we've gone into store and made an appointment and are really looking forward to our second consultation.

They've been in business since 2008, the Irishman Neill, from Mullaghbawn just boutside Newry has built a concession in harrods and he is well known for some of his celebrity clients which we have it on good authority include lady gaga, Joan Collins, Lily Allen, Sienna Miller, the beckhams and Elton John and with a nod and a wink a few of the royals, but this was confidential.

We went to the store in Mayfair above Berkeley Square but they also have a shop in Belgravia, the address is 11 West Halkin Street, Belgravia, SW1X 8JL

Hideaway Cafe Mayfair

Used to be Mount St Deli

R and R Black

2025-03-24T16:28:00.0000000 2026-02-27T13:53:00.1400000

What not to love about Hideaway. Parisian chic, black and white tiles, ambient lighting and the most important thing absolutely delicious food. All situated in the heart of Mayfair on beautiful Mount St London.

It more than a café but not so like it's sister restaurant Hide on Piccadilly, Hideaway is mouth watering inventive food served to go in recycled compostable packaging with eco knives and forks, no plastic. You can perch on a table outside with waitress service and watch the world go by or enjoy in the nearby gardens around the corner. It's a relaxed vibe, anything goes and definitely the kind of place you can go alone with a book or your laptop.

More like a posh coffee shop then a restaurant I am not sure if they take bookings. I usually just walk in if I see a free table. It does get very busy in the summer months.

The counter is full of beautiful and varied creations so you get to see what you're having deli style something I like.

My watermelon salad with sweet pea mash and summer squash set me back about £15.

When you read more about the people behind the Hideaway and Hide Restaurant you can see they offer more than a lunch or dinner experience with a partnership with Hedonism Wines and design studio and creative team to organise lavish and spectacular events you can see why so many people (not just me) love going to Hideaway.

The menu changes daily and there are always out of the box plant based and vegetarian options. And don't think you have to eat lunch or dinner, the cakes and pastry display is equally spectacular for anyone with a sweet tooth.

THE IVY - on West St and Litchfield St

Lunch on Saturdays

R and R Black

2025-02-25T10:08:00.0000000 2025-03-23T10:54:43.6000000

Not a big fan of chain restaurants except the Ivy on Litchfield St, WC2.

It’s a Saturday lunchtime thing for us. I like shopping in Covent Garden, I like the massive Apple Store, I like the people watching, I like the shops, Alo yoga on Neal st, and Varley stores are now my go to shops when once it might have been Benneton and Stefanel.

The Ivy is a posh cafe of sorts. The decor inside is a visual spectacle and all the Ivy restaurants are known for there over the top interiors. I always have the same table. The staff make a point to know me and I like that even if they don’t really.

I usually order the onion soup, I like the theatre how it comes.

It’s the kind of place you see the same people, they definitely have regulars like me. It’s smart and very relaxed. Exceptional top notch service, yet very friendly. If you like 5 star you don’t have to dress up for this is a good place for you.

It’s not inexpensive although no one would say anything if you just ordered coffee and dessert.

A starter and a drink expect to pay £25 including service. If you want to put a main course on there nit much change out of £40 but you’ll absolutely love it.

The Beaumont Hotel, Mayfair

You’ve just got to go if only for one night

R and R Black

2025-02-22T08:25:00.0000000 2025-06-15T11:04:58.3670000

Won’t tell you how but was lucky enough to get a backstage pass to the BAFTAs last Sunday 16th February, 2025 at the new Southbank centre Festival Hall which was an amazing new venue after the last six years at the Royal Albert Hall.

Ron and I decided to have a night in town and all the usual suspects were either too expensive or booked up so we landed at a boutique spot, tucked away off Oxford St, W1 The Beaumont Mayfair Hotel, definitely easier to access by cab or on foot as it’s little obscured by the gardens in front.

I’d never even been inside, only knew about the property from social media when it opened in September, 2014 over 10 years ago now.

There’s lot to take in from the stunning deco architecture, designed by Reardon Architects and of course the Antony Gormley sculpture worth a visit just for a peak alone.

There’s also an Antony Gormley room, a tribute to the British Sculptor, widely acclaimed for his sculptures, installations and public artworks that investigate the relationship of the human body to space.

For art lovers the influence is everywhere, including Rene Magrite’s Teacher, hanging in what has to rival London’s iconic cocktail bars, the American Bar at the Savoy, the Rivoli at the Ritz or the Fumoir bar at Clariges, my three favourites in this order.

I booked on Expedia, don’t shoot me. I prefer to book direct with the hotel but the difference on this occasion was about £150.

And I have to say when we checked in we didn’t get that whispering behind your hand from the posh receptionist, “these are Expedia people” I have experienced in the past booking 5 star places on budget sites.

A message to posh hotels particularly, don’t sell your rooms for less then treat the people who buy them poorly, not cool.

This didn’t happen at the Beaumont on BAFTA night. I’d recommend checking into a smart hotel on a big event night when lots of international guests have flown in for a few days.

We could tell we were rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous even if we didn’t recognise many of them. I kept saying to Ron, “I’m sure I recognise that person” or “Who’s that?”. We heard on the grapevine Timothee Chalamet was in the house but we cannot confirm, we didn’t spot him.

The hotel had been the host of the Lancôme bafta party the night before, with stars actress Rose Ailing Ellis and model and influencer Roxie Nafousi in attendance and the buzz the following morning as we checked in was still abundant.

It was very exciting to be in the throng of all the excitement on Sunday evening although getting a taxi was nigh on impossible it was the only hitch we encountered.

The service, comfort and very small boutique feel of this hotel you can see why it would be the choice of celebrities looking for a luxury incognito place to lay their head.

The rooms start on the Beaumont website for about £750, you can book in for a little as £500 if you shop around. And if you are in the market for 3 nights the Beaumont Mayfair will comp you night four at the moment.

It was a wonderful night topped off with a sneaky invite for Ron from Netflix into the Twenty Two where the biggest after party was held celebrating four wins for the streaming media platform.

The London Cabaret Club

Is bringing the carnival of Rio to London

R and R Black

2025-02-01T10:09:00.0000000 2025-02-01T10:44:40.9400000 Event date: 03/07/2025 18:00 - 27/09/2025 18:00 Export event

After the rain comes the sunshine. I am sure I am not the only person really encouraged to see summer fiestas being planned and hospitality businesses like the London Cabaret Club coming up with innovative and exciting new ways to entertain us.

When I saw the marketing for this new event, a summer tropical glam fest of Latin music, steamy dancing into the early hours, surrounded by snake hips and isolations I was excited to see finally having fun might be back on the agenda.

It’s tough when money isn’t circulating, we are in a recession and the news is full of doom and gloom, war and suffering.

Everything goes in waves and cycles and the roaring 20’s (the 1920’s) became a time of great change.

A time for dancing, cutting your hair short, guzzling martinis and pink gin and the birth of the little black dress.

With events like Copacabana popping up in super stylish venues in London I think we are on the verge of much better times ahead. And certainly the excitement of being immersed in over the top glamour, feathers, skin and sweat, margaritas and salsa, all the energy and capitulation of Brazil brings a renewed possibility of ferver and fun.

We don’t go out in London anywhere near as much as we used to. The last five years have seen us become almost antisocial.

We used to go down the Ship in Wandsworth (another fantastic summer hangout we’ve been going to for 20 years) but hardly at all now 6 times a year when friends force us)

Ticket prices start at £52 for Thursday, £57 for Friday, £62 for Saturday.

Doors open at 6.00pm, there are pre show entertainment packages available for a special occasion, side stage seating, champagne, everything you need available, Brazilian menu and VIP DJ access into the after party too if you want to.

I love to dance and I love Latin music so for me this is the hottest ticket in town.

After the storm comes to Sun. We will be shimmying in sequins, well Ron anyway. He he.

Luxe Dressing

I love the small shops in Mayfair

R and R Black

2025-01-13T07:47:00.0000000 2025-01-13T08:08:50.1870000

They have an amazing website, link below but nothing compares to being in the store seeing and physically touching stuff for me. That’s what the art of shopping is all about.

A little gem of a shop tucked away on Conduit Street in the heart of Mayfair.

Sometimes it’s easy to miss a store like this amongst the big names and shiny shop windows of one of the worlds most famous shopping metropolis, known for it’s highest property prices on the Monopoly board.

It’s an Aladdin’s cave of designer luxury handbags and accessories from Lady Dior, to Birkins galore.

It’s a consignment shop so you take your unwanted goods to sell (if they meet the exceptionally high standards required) or you can pop in for a browse.

They are open Monday to Saturday 10am-6pm. And the staff have always been vey welcoming to me.

On February 15th, 2025 this female led business founded by Leina Kaddouri, will be 6 years old. Together with you, we are bringing to life, sustainability into the DNA of luxury fashion.

I love a new something and I don’t have money to burn so trading in, upcycling, recycling, swapping in a nice environment where the vibes are good and women are supporting women works very well for me.

Christmas TV from The BBC

Gavin and Stacey a record 12.3 million tune in

R and R Black

2024-12-26T11:59:00.0000000 2024-12-26T12:19:41.8630000

The disruption of Christmas Day and in our house usually means lots of discussion and different opinions. We had such a revelation at breakfast this morning I wanted to share it with the Poopsnoop community.

We as a family like many others around the country watched eagerly the double bill from Eastenders, Cindy Beale exposed in the Queen Victoria pub made for compulsive Christmas viewing followed by the brilliance of James Corden and Ruth Jones in the much anticipated return of Gavin and Stacy. The ratings beat the previous Christmas special 5 years ago as almost 13 million of us tuned in for laugh out loud hilarity, spectacular TV.

We had some friends staying with us from Albania and they couldn’t believe how negatively the British Christmas celebrations are portrayed via the TV.

They thought it was funny but not in the same way we did. It was extremely eye opening to see how people from somewhere else think the way, “the British way” is portrayed and accepted on TV is absolutely insane and very unhealthy. We sort of just accept people in the UK will over indulge, behave stupidly and then watch everything go wrong, I suppose.

We are not hung over this morning. We didn’t get legless, and have a massive fight.

I do fear we might be in the minority though.

Our friends could not believe the closing scenes of Eastenders where someone is taking pills, someone is necking vodka, someone is crying and someone is being smashed over the head with a shovel.

Their comment in ironic/shocked unison when the credits rolled,

“MERRY CHRISTMAS”

Charlotte St Hotel Bloomsbury

A delightful interior designers dream

R and R Black

2024-12-06T10:22:00.0000000 2024-12-06T11:01:10.7600000

It’s A Firndale Hotel, the first in Interior designer, Kit Kemps foray into luxury hotel interiors.

It’s a definite homage to the Bloomsbury set, with art by Vanessa Bell, Virginia Woolfs sister included in the refit.

We stayed for one night, anniversary celebration. We booked a deluxe junior suite which cost around £700.

It was very spacious with sitting areas and a king size bed, the difference between a junior suite and a deluxe junior suite we were told. Our window overlooked Charlotte Street, so we got to see the bustle of Bloomsbury by night. I absolutely love Kit Kemp’s modern English style. We had a writing desk with lovely notepaper, and the bathroom had a few extra touches like an incredible emery board and the cutest little sewing kit.

A real reference I felt to another time.

The service was OK. Not as good as I’ve experienced at say the Savoy, or the Ritz but there again this is a quieter more understated property.

One thing you couldn’t fault was the food. Renton Hanford is the man responsible. Everything we were served over our stay was mouth wateringly delicious and if you need an alternative you’ve got Michelin star dining at Pied a terre right across the street.

The hotel does have that other worldly feel, like you are guest in someone’s home, more than staying at a hotel (perhaps why the staff seem a little less than attentive)

Lots of nooks and crannies to explore. I found a couple of cosy quiet corners to curl up with a good book.

It’s the type of place if you were really famous you could escape in for a while and no one would bat an eyelid.

I’d love to tell you who was staying while we were there, but after meeting her briefly and her saying she was incognito and hoped we’d keep her secret, if I told you I’d have to kill you, so this big celebrity path crossing like the very discreet and very efficient concierge, thank you Brian, like you I am keeping it to myself.

Don’t miss Boteros black cat 🐈‍⬛ in the lobby. Amazing.

Emma’s Soap

You’ve got to try it for yourself

R and R Black

2024-12-04T11:08:00.0000000 2024-12-04T11:37:22.7030000

I met Emma yonks ago at Burghley Horse trials, we chatted, I bought a load of her gorgeous soap and we mulled over the challenges of going out on your own and attempting to build a small brand, something I have tackled in the past, selling homemade Christmas tree decorating kits and failed. Emma explained getting her prices right and marketing, people knowing about her was the hardest part.

First off her soap is wonderful, probably the best soap I have ever used and I’ve been fortunate to have been gifted a lot of hand milled soap.

Emma’s story like many other independent manufacturers, she could not find the kind of soap she wanted, kind to skin, kind to the planet, free from all the Paraben nasties and perfect for children.

I wanted to write this snoop to let everyone know about Emma’s quest to bring the best product to everyone for a fair, I think good value price. And like many businesses the more you buy the cheaper it gets.

We all gift soap at the holidays so instead of doing what you always do, going to Boots for another Dove gift set, step off the beaten track, try the road less travelled and see what magic turns up when you ask Emma’s soaps to fill your stockings instead. The cutest thing, she hand wraps every bar in a scrap of pretty fabric, off cuts she recycles. The Shea butter soap smells beautiful so I keep a couple of bars in my lingerie drawer which is always useful if I have an unexpected overnight guest and need an extra bar of soap in the spare bathroom.

FYI top tip. I always have a few bars of Emma’s soap handy for that unexpected visitor, I love sharing the story of two women bonding in a moment of shared experience and afterwards her products living up to all she had told

Me as I used them.

Pass it on.

The White Company

Their sheets and pillowcases are the best

R and R Black

2024-10-23T09:01:00.0000000 2024-10-23T09:15:16.7100000

I’ve been a fan of the white company for years and I was absolutely delighted to hear they now have B corp status, which means they have had to jump through a lot of hoops for consumers to feel assured their businesses practises are putting people first over profit. Something I buy into.

When they first started as a mail order catalogue many moons ago I used to buy their body cream, I don’t think they do it anymore and then when we got married I asked to sheets as a present.

I’ve bought a couple more sets since then but the original ones are still going strong 15 years later.

I’ve tried others in the same price point and the white company ones I think are comparable to some incredible towels I got in the Harrods sale 10 years ago, sorry brand unknown that turned out to be the best towels ever purchased.

I wash at 30 degrees with a scoop of Dr. Beckmans (which someone snooped about on here) and they come back like new every time.

FYI I also really love the Grapefruit candles too. I did have a cashmere hot water bottle cover a few years ago I love but the cashmere blend socks last Christmas were disappointing. The ones in John Lewis, same price way better quality, but this is very unusual.