City Getaway at The Hampton Hotel Dublin

In contrast to London, Dublin poses the alluring potential of a calmer city break getaway. Small enough yet big enough, it boasts a bustling night life, busy city centre and  all the brands and shops one would expect from a respectable city. A stones throw from the city centre in a beautiful part of town lies The Hampton Hotel, a stunning white front Victorian period building.

Inside you'll find warm modern decor which lends to an intimate boutique feel. We stayed in the luxury suite which boasted a fire place, a sofa and the most comfortable King sized bed I have ever slept in. 

  The large sleek and modern bathroom was 5* all the way. Every detail designed to the pique of luxury. The best thing was I did not have to share any thing with Kieran. His and hers was a common theme, with side by side his and her power showers, his and her sinks and his and her toilets (yes there were two separate toilets. However the pinnacle of this exquisite room was the mammoth sized bath, it had to be the deepest and longest bath I had seen. I could fully lie down in it.

After taking a tour of the room I vowed that I would for once, truly enjoy every feature all 24 hours of it. I cancelled my plans to go out in favour of,  room service ,red wine, a gourmet burger and Netflix.

The next morning, determined to get a dunk in that bath, I somehow managed to detach my self from the beds spongy embrace to run a hot steamy bath. Red wine in one hand Cosmo in the other I laid back and just soaked.

Warm and pampered I thought why trouble my pampered bubble to go down for breakfast? 5 mins after ordering Kieran and I were eating breakfast in bed.  The perfect finish to a relaxing weekend.  Who says that city breaks can't be rejuvinating? If you find yourself in Dublin - look up the Hampton Hotel. 👌🏽

Six Steps to Starlet

My new favourite signature look is red lips, natural contour and highlights beaming to the gods.

This look is not as pain staking as you would think. My essential products to create this look are:

1. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Creme: 

If you want a good highlight you have to be moisturized darling. Ashy skin doesn't glow. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Creme is both a moisturiser and a primer so it's q one step prep wonder.

2. Conceal dark circles with NARS creamy concealer. 

3 Set concealer with bare minerals finishing powder, apply much the same way you would Ben Nye powder.

4. Apply Mac Highlighter Creme to cheeks and cheek bones, then use Sleek 24K gold collection Highlighter to bring out those areas you want your highlight to really pop.

5. Apply starlet Mac Russian Red lipstick  

To complete the look and add a pop of starlet glamour to your pout.

6. Keep eyes simple with Mac mascara 

Valentines Day at The Washington Mayfair Hotel London

This year Valentine's Day didn't look hopeful, Kieran was scheduled to work both days of the weekend and I was scheduled to be sitting on the sofa eating chocolates reduced to clear. However at the last moment Cupid took pity and Kieran's work was cancelled- which meant that last minute ( under duress of me) he had to schedule a Valentines weekend to remember- and oh he did.

An hour on the computer and he as booked (using secret escapes) a lovely city retreat at the Washington Mayfair Hotel. A 4 star hotel tucked behind the back streets of Green Park. Upon entering the rotating doors we were greeted by warm staff who were so helpful and friendly through out our stay. 

The room was a large living room/ bedroom- and sadly larger than many Londoners apartments these days. 

Fresh decor, comfy beds, a mini bar and a sofa made this stay absolutely first class. 

For dinner we headed to I Robert restaurant across the road who accepted our last minute booking and wowed us with quality Italian food. The upstairs dining room is quaint and has an intimate renaissance feel perfect for couples. 

We drank at the bar, ate dinner laughed , drank some more and had over all the best valentines weekend I've had in the 3 years we have spent together.

Top marks Kieran, he works well under pressure. Who says last minute valentines plans don't work? X 

Booking details: 

Washington Mayfair Hotel 

http://www.washington-mayfair.co.uk

Secret Escapes: 

SecretEscapes.com

i Robert restaurant : http://www.irobert.london

Barbados Dreaming

Ahhh! This cold weather has me reminiscing about brighter days in Barbados. When the north wind threatens to blow your fur hat off, it is hard to believe that only 8 hours away and 2 weeks ago I was in a place where a bikini could be worn mid December, and my hair dried within 10 mins. Here nothing dries quickly, at this moment nothing reminds me of that more than my defiantly icy cold sock still wet after a puddle I stepped into what must me 30mins ago.

Two things keep my Barbados dreaming alive : 1 is my tan in winter (winning) 2 is my holiday pictures, which I took to make my friends jealous whilst I was away, but now only serve as a painful reminder of how warm it is somewhere that is not here.

Do winter breaks help make winter easier or do they just make it harder to adjust to winter life?
I don't know to be honest, but if you do fancy a winter break British Airways and Virgin offer breaks after the new year to Barbados for £500 return.

Infact I met an Australian Girl at my favourite bar (La Perla) who after hearing me say I went to Barbados this winter, told me she was headed the next day. She told me she paid £470 for her return flights with BA. Considering I just came back and my flights cost over £2,000 I was so jealous I could have throttled her.  What a difference a few days make!

Contrast Bikini. Perfect for supporting full chests. I got so many compliments, you can buy from a range of places including Asos. If you are lucky enough to be going to a winter break, I have located one is on sale on Asos for £6.00 buy here

Random man no relation lol

High waisted bikini briefs are great for hiding le muffin top. I brought these on sale from New Look.

Weekend Chill.

There is nothing like the sound of St Pauls bells on a crisp Sunday morning. After staying in the city for a quick indulgent city break, Kieran and I took to the east London Streets to enjoy the sun. Even if it did come with ice cold gale winds. Not taking any chances with the cold I went the whole 9 yards and just piled on those layers. I think I did a good job of remaining stylish, I wore cashmere fur lined cape as a scarf, because a regular scarf just wouldn't do and I didn't want to wear the cape under my jacket as it just makes me look fat. Wearing oversized capes as scarves is s good way to get a new fresh look and add an extra layer of warmth. I also wore my vintage fur hat for £40 second hand this is one of the best items I have brought, from Canada to Ireland to the UK this hat has kept me warm through so many winters. Both items were purchased from iconic London markets, the cape from portobello and the hat from a vintage shop in Camden market which sells a range of 2nd hand fur.

Road Tripping

By far one of the best decisions we made in Barbados was renting an open top Jeep and traveling across the country. Because Barbados is so small it is absolutely possible to travel the whole coast in one day.

Our rental cost around $200 Barbadian dollars, starting in Holetown we made our way east. Our first stop was Animal Flower Caves, which had been suggested to us by a couple on the Calabaza Cruise.

With our Bose speakers playing our road trip music, the sun streaming through the open roof and the wind wildly blowing my weave, I sat back and made sure to enjoy the best part: the getting there.

Along the way we travelled through forests with low hanging vines, saw wild horses as well as a family of goats just chilling in the road we also met a smiley road side trader named Adrian.

After stopping for a chat and buying a souvenir we had arrived at Animal Plant Caves. 

The caves are based underground and are naturally formed by the Atlantic, which you can see from the cliffs near the site of the entrance. 

Before we entered the caves we took a walk along the cliff side. It was breath taking. The fierce Atlantic knocking against the rocks made for a stunning view.

In view of the cliff front there is also a cafe where you can purchase tickets for a tour of the cave ($20 Barbadian for adults) and also sit and enjoy the view with food, cocktails, wine or coffee.

We opted to see the caves first, and travelled down steep steps with our guide to the caves below. 

These natural wonders have been formed by the sea below which you can hear upon entering. These caves feature a natural pool and are the site of many photo shoots and music videos- Rhianna 

Has filmed here.

You have the option of swimming in the cave pool- 

After the cave we headed up to the cafe and I ordered a delicious pina colada, wine and coffee. We sat and enjoyed the view and the hilarious arrival of a family of goats who the tourists were quite impressed with but the cafe owners were not so much. 

After the caves we headed further east with the destination of Bathsheba beach in mind, however on the way we came across Barbados Wildlife Reserve and decided to stop by. Here you can get really close with some monkeys for free, or you can see more of the reserve for around $40. I love monkeys so thought this was a great stop. If you opt to see more of the trail there is a tower where you can look down on the lush jungle.

Next stop Bathsheba Beach. Famed for its volatile waves which are too crazy to swim In but perfect to surf. The drive down was stunning, rolling hills on one side and beautiful sea front on the other. We regularly stopped to take pictures. The locals are so friendly - everyone waves. It was great to see the real non tourist Barbados. The people- the views- stunning. By the time we reached Bathsheba it was evening so the next morning we got up early and traveled the coast for sunset. The views as the sun rose were breath taking. 

The New Year Escape Plan: A Different Kind of Resolution

One good thing about a recession is that it gets people thinking.  The sea of uncertainty separates the rodents who can jump, from those who prefer to go round in a wheel. A recession builds as much as it breaks, demanding initiative and independent determination from the individual who sees opportunity.

Unfortunately such an individual may go unprovoked for the majority of the year, distracted by the monotony of the yearly cycle, justified by the supposed worthiness of their contribution to the wheel of society. Yes, they silence that nagging voice that urges there could be more by plodding away in the system, allowing the years materialistic and artificial milestones to allow the illusion of progress. Yet ever so often something wonderful happens, circumstances align to awaken the individual to hope...a hope for more. And I mean a real more, not a more as in more things, more money, more clothes. More as in make more of a difference, more as in more happiness, more as in more success. This awakening is perhaps never more widespread as The New Year.

The New Year is an opportunity to pause and review, to look back at what one has been doing and evaluate if it is working. Typical New Years Resolution’s tend to favour a todo list of self improvements such as loosing weight or being nicer. Such resolutions are fine for the person who is more or less happy with their position on the rat wheel of society. However I would argue that for those individuals who know in their heart there is more, such resolutions are a cheap temporary filler for a permanent gaping hole.

Let me break it down some more, if you hate your job, if you are under appreciated and under paid, if you have a dream or a vision for contributing more to the world, if you have a business idea- if you have any of these, and your New Years Resolution is along the lines of ‘be nicer to Sally’ or ‘drop 10 pounds’  you’re selling your self short.

Let your resolution be to sort your life out. I know thats daunting. I know thats a lot. I know that it is certainly more of a challenge then a neatly packaged pre suggested generic resolution, but it is what actually needs resolving. Each time you sit in that job you hate, with no plan of escape, or put off your traveling or charity work, or shelf your big idea you are abusing your spirit. Now let me be clear, I am not saying quit, sell up thy things and follow my teachings. I am simply saying make the resolution to water the seed of potential in you.

What does that look like you ask? Picture your mind is in a prison. When you first got into this prison, you had dreams of escape, dreams of more than the existence thrust upon you, but as time moved on reality took over the dream, and like a broken horse, you accustomed yourself to your surroundings and accepted your lot.  I am trying to help you escape.

The first step of escape is to realise that one is trapped. I think we have established that. The second step to escape is to visualise life on the other side, feed your dreams and acknowledge their realness. The third step is to plan escape, and the forth is to actually escape.

This year put into place a plan to get closer to your dream. That may take the form of sacrificing your ‘free time’ to research, plan and build. That may sound like a bummer but let me say this- it’s not free time until you are actually free, and doing what you were born to do.  

So, if you feel that New Year Itch, scratch it. Work hard, Act fast. Set goals and work towards them now. January is like a rapidly closing window of awakening. If you don’t establish a plan now, pretty soon the monotony of the wheel will have entrapped you into its superficial routine. Time is precious, and so are you. If you know you are not living to your full potential, resolve to rectify this in 2016 . I know times are tough and uncertain and blah blah blah- but these are the times you were dealt. And news flash the world has never been easy. You owe it to yourself. Escape.

This article was originally written and posted by me on 06 Jan 2014. To see original post click here

Party Like A Pirate - Jolly Roger Party Cruise Barbados

If a perfect day for you includes drinking Bottomless rum from 11-3, swinging off a rope into the deep blue sea and partying on deck then you may just be pirate enough for the Jolly Roger.
Embarking from Bridgetown at 11, the 4 hour day at sea includes swimming with turtles and snorkelling at the ship wrecks as well as a full buffet and bottomless bar- however the best part of the day by far is the final part, when the ship turns into a full on party. 

With feel good group formation classics like the "cha cha slide" and "whip nae nae" blasting as well as the energetic crew getting everyone up dancing- you're sure to have a great time shaking your money maker. It's a great way to see the island, meet new people and have a legitimate reason drink before noon.

The perfect Monday: Calabaza Sailing Cruises Review

When it comes to a vacation, Barbados really does have it all - great people, exciting night life, great food, stunning beaches and breath taking wild life. One Activity that combines all of the above into one unforgettable experience is a sunset tour with Calabaza Sailing Cruises.  You will swim with turtles, explore shipwrecks and tour the coast line at sunset, all whilst meeting, eating and drinking with the interesting people and fab crew. 

Calabaza is rated number 1 on trip adviser for a reason, what would inevitably be a great experience was enhanced by the warm, informative and entertaining crew. 

We had booked a sunset tour, which starts around 2 for 3 hours of swimming with turtles, exploring shipwrecks and partying on board.  After being picked up from our apartment location, we arrived  at the port and shortly boarded our boat. 

This Calabaza Sailing Cruise was run by Chris, Cody and Danny- friends who shared their exciting tales at sea of scuba diving and swimming with sharks (don't worry- these waters had no sharks). There were around 15 people in our group. All of which were great fun and a pleasure to meet. As soon as we got on the boat we were handed cocktails or the drink of our choice. Once the boat had taken off Danny gave us an excellent guide to the island as we passed landmarks along the coast.

Within around 10 mins we had reached our first destination to swim with turtles. Snorkel equipment was provided and Chris was in the water to feed the turtles and assist anyone. There are also life vests and floats available if you're not a confident swimmer. We saw 3 turtles, it was great to see such large majestic animals so close.

As the rum kept flowing and people kept drinking the group warmed up more and jokes were cracked in the sun on the way to the second location of the ship wreck. The first as Danny tells it was sunk around 1919 (I believe) and the story goes that the crew fell in love with Barbados , didn't want to return and so sunk the ship. Having visited this beautiful island and fallen in love I can say I know the feels 😂.

After the ship wrecks the music was started, delicious food was circulated - fish cakes, chicken wings stuffed mushrooms - as well as a healthy dose of cocktails, white wine and beer. The crew was very attentive- as soon as one drink was finished another was refilled. 

And so with my glass topped up and my tan secured I sat on the front of the boat, wind blowing in my hair - talking to the cre and fellow tourists whilst admiring the beautiful coastline of Barbados - from Bridgetown to Holetown as the sun set.

The perfect way to spend the first Monday  of the new year don't you think?

All of this cost $90 US and was surely worth it. In fact- I may go again. To book visit Calabazasailingcruises.com.

Written by Lois - 

Life By Lois Blog  

Travel Reviews | Lifestyle | Fashion 

Packing for Paradise

After spending Christmas in beautiful yet brutally cold Ireland, I truly do feel like I have well and truly earned this upcoming trip to Barbados. There is nothing like a little winter break to get the new year on to a winners track. Packing for paradise is so easy- I am literally traveling with hand luggage- in my small carry on bag- these are my loves:

1. Lace Bralette and Knickers from Ann Summers.

Why I am packing it : Great for wearing under shirts and crop tops, bralettes offer that sexy freedom that a conventional bra just can't. This beautiful crochet bralette set is everything. Black, chic and minimal is is the perfect light weight addition to a holiday wardrobe and also goes beautifully under a slip dress.

Wila Bralet, £16 Shop Here:

http://www.annsummers.com/erotic/erotic-shop-by-category/erotic-shop-by-category-peephole-and-open-bras/willa-bra/WILLA-BRA.html?dwvar_WILLA-BRA_size=191&dwvar_WILLA-BRA_color=006#start=9



2. Juicy Couture Perfume.

Why: This perfume has a story on how it came to me. I was getting my eyebrows treaded and noticed the lady who was threading me had the most beautiful scent. I asked her what it was and to my suprise its Juicy Couture Perfume. Light, sweet and fresh it is the perfect Island Girl fragrance.

3, Glamour Magazine

Why: This issue is a great one. With cover girl Daisy Ridley and amazing style inspiration it will give me some great flight entertainment.

4. Charbonnet et Walker Pink Champagne Truffles

Why: Do you have to ask?

The secret to being happy in 2016

This New Year's Day  I find myself on the Beach in Barbados, allowing the sound of the soft waves gently sooth my mind, each wave allowing for some much needed mental repair. Every Londoner knows that by the time January rolls around even with the rejuvenation of the holidays - London has a way of ruthlessly transforming the positive new resolute you to the familiar grouchy city dweller, no doubt shoving tourists our the way by mid Jan.

Luckily for me, angry Londoner Lois is on pause and my holiday tranquility has been extended, here in paradise. 

Barbados is a beautiful country vibrant people. Although the population isn't rich, they are extremely content. This is initially an odd thing for the hustling Londoner that I am to understand. Initially I suspected it's due to living in paradise- after all , if i lived here- I would be happy too... Right?! However one encounter had me questioning that. I soon realised that happiness isn't where you are but who you are.  

His name was Andrew, around 6 ft, rich cocoa completion, with a white peppered beard and  slim build he called to us as we were walking by and then we sat to chat- buying him a beer in exchange for some good conversation, we learned that he made and sold his own jewellery, had 3 adult daughters and had lived in Barbados his whole life- never leaving the island, about this he said, I live in paradise. For me, this is it, why would I ever leave? I meet the worlds most interesting people here, I have the sun, the sea, my family  it is all I need." His list of what made him happy was so short- so simple. It was a list that many of us already have. Many Americans live in idyllic beach side paradise too, yet seen to remain defiantly unhappy and the furthest thing from content. Considering this I deducted that the key to this mans happiness is that he had learned the art of being grateful for the basics of what he had. His gratitude was not contingent on things he wanted more than what he had, and so neither was his happiness. If you put your gratitude on hold until you have more, you are actually putting your happiness and life on hold. 

To unlock the happiness in your life look closely at the simple things you already have and often overlook- like family, friends, Shelter - then take time every morning this year to be truly grateful.

Write out what they are , recite why you are grateful for them. Before you know it happiness won't be an 8 hour flight away- it will be with you always. 

Happy New Year X I hope this keeps you on a positive path. Please share with friends and family ! 

Life by Lois