Afternoon Tea At The Ham Yard Hotel

I have a friend called Maya who since I have known her has always been up to fancy things. Maybe I have become jaded from the city- I am too busy ushering tourists out of the way to stop and see what they may be looking at. My friend Maya on the other hand is the type who takes the effort to plan research and enjoy her city like she is on holiday. After growing a tad jealous of hearing of her fabulous excersions with other friends ( I mean she takes them to tea at the Ritz whilst we meet at Westfields) I insisted that I be included in her fabulous plans.

We decided on tea (how British) at the Ham Yard Hotel in Picadilly.

Tea in London can be quite expensive when we start to talk about the Ritz and so on. The Ham Yard Hotel is very affordable, if you want a civilised Saturday with friends this is your option. We both enjoyed nattering over scones and the best tea I have ever tasted (and I am an avid coffee drinker) £19.50. for Tea.

What was on offer:

Sandwiches, scones, cakes and desserts. It all tasted heavenly and the servers were so nice!

The Ham Yard Hotel:

A stunning hotel tucked away behind the heart of London's Piccadilly, the Ham Yard Hotel boasts a rare combination of being central yet refreshingly secluded. Down a cobbled street, in a mews you will find the entrance of the modern, artistic yet some how traditional hotel. It boasts a spa, bowling alley, fine dining, and of course a tea room.

Interiors: SS15 BHS

BHS Homes unveil a vibrant, eclectic instalment from their SS15 collection: Columbia Road: Think Crochet cushions, hand painted drawers & dainty floral tea sets, perfect for the optimistic & quirky among us (think Jessica Day from New Girl). The accessories & furnishings  from the collection possess a unique romantic country charm and authentic treasured nature of thrift store finds & grandmas antiques.

The floral prints from the duvets are authentically hand painted via water colour by BHS designers and replicated throughout the collection.

With comforting knit throws, hand-painted drawers and beautiful tea sets, it’s a timeless collection to be loved and cherished for years to come.

The Power of Gratitude

In the spirit of Thanksgiving season I thought I would write a post on the power of gratitude.

In our pressured lives, full of grinding & hustle, I am sure all of us have a wish list. A bulk of things we hope for, that we just know we will be grateful for once we receive it. That's the thing about gratitude, it's all too often attached to conditions in the future or slapped on lazilly once we are guiltily reminded that we have more food and shelter than most. 

In fact being grateful or giving thanks is something essentially considered as an added courtesy or nothing more than good manners- rather than a way of life or something we do for our own good.

I think this stems from childhood, my earliest memories of gratitude all take place in this reoccurring event. 

As a kid I loved my food, so much so in fact that I remember, the day after a big meal, telling myself off mentally for the food that I didn't get to eat due to being too full. Yes that's how much I loved food. Anyway, I also remember burning inside from the repressed urge being forced to wait until after prayer (a lengthly one if it was at church)  before tucking in.  Being grateful, was always in the way between me, and what I loved- food.

Similar situations have formed many kids turned adults relationships towards being grateful. We still operate on the understanding that gratitude is a courteous formality to get out the way, so you can get what you want. 

Today however, I would like to shake up that theory. Gratitude is far more powerful. Gratitude is key to happiness and contentment, and similar to "it is more blessed to give than to receive" gratitude does a lot more good to the one who is grateful than it does the person receiving the thanks.

So take a look back at your life, ignore the wish list. With the fact that gratitude is for your own good, I want you to seriously start to put your heart into being grateful for every element of your life. Think about your family, think about your friends think of their smiles, think of every element that you love in life.

Puts you in a good place doesn't it? According to the secret law of attraction,  a positive place is a far more powerful place to attract the things you want to you. In fact it has been proven by many people, the power of gratitude in evoking positive change in your life. It also helps maintain a winning mentality. When we just focus on what we don't have, and wish for what we do want, we put ourself in a losers mentality. You are a winner, you have already won, be it with your family, your personality or your friends, you win on a daily basis. Now isn't it natural that a winner can win some more? Gratitude builds you up- and it all starts from within. 

So next time, before you rattle off a list of what you want, don't forget the crucial warm up. Be grateful, be happy. 

Life by Lois

X

6 things to stop apologising for. Now.

If you are anything like me, you fall into an apology before you have even noticed one stumbling out your mouth. Whilst I am a big fan of apologies when they are genuinely due, if you over apologise for things- it just makes you look weak, and the other person assume it is OK to treat you that way. So for all of you self deprecating sweet hearts, here are 6 times its totally ok to not be sorry.

1. Feeling like you are not in the right place despite it looking like a great path to others.

This one applies to work and relationships, and stems from caring what others think, to your detriment. If you find yourself in a relationship that just doesn't feel right for no other reason other than you know its not for you- or a job which would be perfect for millions of other people but it just doesn't feel right to you- stop apologising, and devaluing your feelings. I read a great quote off of an Instagram picture yesterday, it said " Your fear of looking stupid is holding you back". This is so true for so many people and is the main reason we apologise and look to others to validate our core feelings about life. But I say stop that right now. You are an individual and whilst taking girlfriends to the loo together for moral support is a childhood habit many of us still practice, needing to validate our core feelings past every friend, and then disregarding them if no one agrees needs to stop. Take your feelings seriously, it is your life.

2. Wanting your space.

This one is a common one. Your friends or even your partner wants to hang out and you just want your space, but you feel awful for it. Well I say don't. In this life what I am realising increasingly is that the only thing that can keep you going, is the strength you build up from within. So invest in yourself. Invest in thinking positively, being alone and getting to know yourself. Alone time and wanting your space is not anti social it is actually pro social because you can only be the best friend, girlfriend, sister, brother, boyfriend, husband or wife if you are the best you.  So take that time. And stop apologising.

3. Out growing people.

This is a toughie. You have a set of friends or a certain friend that you have known for a while, and as the time moves on you realise that you have outgrown them. It is awkward because you may feel bad but the more you hang out the things that used to seem ok to you just aren't anymore. Well in my opinion this is perfectly natural, we are all on a different path and it is inevitable that you will out grow some people- in fact it's healthy! Instead of trying to change them accept things have changed and move on before things get ugly. 

4. Not putting up with others mess.

Since we were kids we were told to be long suffering, that patience was a virtue. One look at your mother or grandmother probably reminds you of a lifetime of prayer & disappointment that putting up with others mess will bring. Now I come from the new school of life. That is you only get one life (that you know of) so stop martyring your self for others. Stop putting up with those who put you down, walk all over you and take but never give. Stop putting up with those who embarrass you in public. Some people will treat you badly, and then somehow get mad at you for calling it out. I say stop apologising and tell it like it is. Oh and if this is a reoccurring event, refer to point 3, you have out grown them.

5. Feeling demotivated.

Why should you not apologise for this one? Because it happens that's why. Rather than constantly apologise, I say look at the root of what is causing your demotivation. Is it energy related? If so go to the docs and check your hormone & vitamin levels. If it is work related- take a look at why you feel that way. Is this really what you want to do? It is never too late to reevaluate your life.

6. Not having it all figured out.

It is ok not to have an answer for everything in life, be it religion, work, relationships. Life is a journey and if you keep positive and open to it, you can make some wonderful discoveries. The most important thing is that you stay honest about what you like and what you don't like, without fear- as these are the indicators to what will make you happy in life. For example, if you feel you should marry for love & money is not your main priority in life - don't settle for a rich man you don't love because others feel you should. Take your own priorities seriously and let them guide you to the right thing in life. Remember - you can have anything you want in life, if you only have the courage to admit it to yourself. So take time getting to know yourself, and admit what YOU want and need without fear. Then go get it. And don't worry if you don't have it all figured out on paper to show others. True growth happens from within and just because it is not yet externally visible does not mean it doesn't count.

I'ts the weekend fool! Indulge

 

Ok before I get started, lets have a moment for all the under appreciated warriors who work in Retail on the weekend. For them this 'back off' aaah moment to exhale does not apply :( But If you are lucky enough to own your weekends, this message is for you.

Hello you 9-5 superwoman storm trooper. You have braved it through the London traffic, the delays, annoying co workers and work initiatives that have no relation to your actual life, but have taken up more time than you have dedicated to yourself all year. Now is the time to breathe- claim some you time & indulge. Its tempting to go all YOLO all weekend, but the good Lord knew what he was talking about when he said take one day to rest. So, here it is, your must have , back off ME day.

Begin with easing your pretty self out of bed, except you don't feel so pretty? Late nights and stress have you looking like the troll under the bridge and the goats in '3 billy goats gruff'? No matter, take some time to pamper yourself.

So here is the plan

Bath's are the most accessible luxury that we all fail to take advantage of. Question- Why do we all fuss so much about a hot tub with strange old men at our gym and fail to take advantage of ours at home. Ok, I can hear you, " It's not a hot tub its a bath... no bubbles". Well I say its a fair trade, trade soaking in the juices of creepy old men for the privacy of your own home, and trade bubbles for essential oils, bubble bath and candles. 

#1

Set The Scene

Get your self some scented candles

Lights:

Its amazing the difference lighting can make, I don't like sitting in a dark tub, or a bright interrogation light, so a happy medium is an array of candles scented to relax. Parisian brand Diptyque are famed for their quality scents. Check out their Anniversary collection 34....if your'e fancy. If not, head down to your local pound store and get yourself some French Vanilla ones....and you can bring more Paris luxury into your bath on the next point.

Music:

Get some Jazz, I am specifically feeling French Jazz right now,  but if you prefer bopping your head to English, Lana de Havas &Laura Mvula are great newcomers, whilst Floetry , Zero 7 & and Lemon Jelly, Jill Scott and even the odd Q- Tip song can make amazing rewind remedies. Beyond that go old school with Nina Simone, Aretha, Frank Sinatra & my favourite, Nat King Cole.

Before you get in the bath grab some essentials. Grab a mud mask.
Now, Grab some magazines, some fresh juice coffee or tea and just soak.

Take this time, to do your face regimen or condition your hair (with all that lovely steam). Aaah.

When you are done , moisturize with some body butter and finish off around your neck with some perfumed creme. My favourite? Jean Paul Gaultier for that classic , oh so feminine magic..

Feel refreshed? 

Now try this beauty secret to seal the deal.  To get rid of dark circles, grab half a lemon and squeeze onto it 3/4 honey. Massage onto face, leave for a few - and then wash off with cold water.

Now you are ready to start your day... Take it easy awesome, and I suggest treating yourself to a cupcake. Well you have to have some You Only Live Once spirit in your weekend.

L A W of Life : Enjoy every moment.


Love Lois

xxx