London Classic Car Show

"The London Classic Car Show is the latest creation from Brand Events, the team behind the globally  popular Top Gear Live extravaganza."

At the end of December I was lucky enough to win Mag Mouch- Sophos' (a men's accessories brand) Twitter competition for tickets to the London Classic Car show at the Xcel. I'd randomly entered this competition thinking it would be nice as an after Christmas treat for my boyfriend and really didn't think I'd win! Seeing as we live a couple of hours away from London we decided to make into a little romantic trip before going back to Uni, we traveled up on the Thursday and then went to the show the next day.  I've decided to share my experience and thoughts of the show in case you are interested or thinking of going next year!

Firstly, I must confess, I am not massively interested in cars, I can't tell you what model or make they are but I can appreciate a nice car! Also since having a boyfriend who loves Top Gear I've become more interested in them and I guess since passing my driving test in summer cars have been on my radar a bit more. However, baring in mind my lack of knowledge and typical girly nature, I can honestly say I had an amazing day out at this show. It really exceeded my expectations and I was genuinely surprised at how much I enjoyed myself! If I hadn't won tickets I would have happily paid to go to this event and if I get the chance to next year I probably will!

The show had so much to offer and was in a huge arena, a lot bigger than I thought it would be. It took us approximately an hour and half to explore the whole arena and look at all the cars there. However, we went round again to make the most of it and to admire all the cars and take photos etc. I was really surprised about how much there was to see and do there.

The show featured a huge range of classic cars from Minis to old Formula One cars. One of the major exhibits of the event was "James May’s Cars That Changed The World" which featured the ‘Hall of Obviousness’, Corridors of Bloody Mindedness’. Having watched Top Gear and liking James May, it was interesting to see his choices of cars and even more amusing to see the car which he claimed was the car that changed the world. After a massive build up surrounding the final car and heavily questioning what it would be, it was highly amusing to see the final car in a tiny glass box. A toy car. Although I think it's true I think many guys passion for car's starts early on and especially for May who has a career out of appreciating and driving cars.

"Featuring a unique motoring runway where star cars are fired up and driven" 

   The highlight for me, without a doubt, was the Grand Avenue (which you can see in the middle photo below), whilst at the event I was lucky enough to see two out of three of the live shows that day. A variety of cars were driven up and down the Grand Avenue while information was given about their history etc. The best part of the Grand Avenue was definitely seeing (and hearing) the old Formula 1 car!

I've never been to event like this before and wasn't sure what to expect. I definitely didn't expect to enjoy it as much as my boyfriend, but it was such a great day out which we both thoroughly enjoyed.
 I definitely will consider going next year as it made a great day out which was entertaining for both of us.

Did you have the chance to go to the London Classic Car show? Let me know your thoughts in the comments or tweet me @_bowsandbuttons

Hayley x 

P.s While I was in London I reviewed a restaurant; FoxCroft and Ginger you can read the review here!

FoxCroft and Ginger Review*

 "Laid back all day dinning spot, where you can enjoy a coffee and a sandwich or share a couple of dinner plates with great wine." {FoxCroft and Ginger}

Last week I was lucky enough stay in London for a couple of days. After a long day on the train and shopping in Westfields (a.k.a. shopping heaven!) me and my boyfriend dropped into FoxCroft and Ginger for an evening meal. 

FoxCroft and Ginger opened in early 2010 in Soho and in April last year they opened a new restaurant in Whitechapel. By day they serve brunch, cakes, pastries and offer a lunch menu. In the evening they serve from a smaller menu which is all pizza. They recently have also started a "Grab and Go" range of sandwiches and salads which are ready to take away which means no waiting around!

"We make all our breads using a sourdough base which means that no yeast is added to our mixture, which in turn makes our bread easier to digest." {FoxCroft and Ginger}

At first, I admit, I was skeptical, their evening menu is small but do not let this put you off in the slightest for the food they do offer is incredible. I ordered the marinated mozzarella, tomato sauce, garlic and herb oil pizza and my boyfriend had the garlic and fennel sausage, red pepper, ricotta, burnt onion and bechamel pizza. On the side we had garlic bread with the most amazingly seasoned tomato fondue. Between us we had plenty of food, my boyfriend polished off his pizza but we couldn't manage all the garlic bread and a few slices of my pizza. I requested to have it boxed up which was kindly done for me, I was assured that not many people manage to finish their generously sized pizzas! I was also informed that the pizza was cooked by an Italian which for me was definitely a bonus as I think we so often forget the culture behind pizza with the likes of big pizza takeaway companies being so successful in this country!

When ordering I did find that some items on the menu could have done with a bit more description to help me make a decision on what to order. However, staff were very happy to explain to me what the food was and what it was made of (i.e the tomato fondue). Additionally, all the pizza is made from sour dough, which admittedly I had not previously tried, however I could not taste the sourness and thought the dough was perfect!

Even though neither of me or my boyfriend could have probably managed it, we were slightly saddened by the fact that they didn't do any desserts! It was the kind of place that I would have happily stayed, had a few more drinks and then probably would have wanted something sweet after letting my food go down a bit.

Eating in this restaurant was a lovely experience, it had a chilled out vibe, the staff were polite and the service was really good. I especially loved the decor used, it has a quirky industrial-chic design. I adored their big wall mounted lights which were next to our table and you can see in the photos. The background music was good, although it was not music I was familiar with it was nice and upbeat.

As for location, it was easy to find, especially considering my knowledge of where places are in London is very limited! The nearest tube station is Oxford Circus and if you carry on down Oxford street and take a side road (Berwick Street) and continue walking you soon find it. If I'm in the area again, without a doubt, I would stop by FoxCroft and Ginger! It's the perfect escape from the business of Oxford Street and gives you a chance to relax and enjoy some delicious food. I'd really love to return in the future and try the food they offer in the day and their lunch menu. You would definitely love it there if you're a pizza lover and want somewhere really chilled out to eat.

If you're in the area and need a bite to eat I would definitely recommend FoxCroft and Ginger. Have you ever eaten at FoxCroft and Ginger? Let me know your thoughts in the comments or tweet me @_bowsandbuttons

Hayley x 



FoxCroft and Ginger locations:

 3 Berwick Street, Soho
London W1F 0DR
.
69-79 Mile End Road
Whitechapel E1 4TT

*Budget was given to eat at this restaurant to allow me to write this review

Weekly Wishes #3

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser// Lush Oatifix Fresh Face Mask// Naked 2 palette

Recently I  had a huge list of products I'm desperate to try but the three above are products I've had my eye on for a while!

The Liz Earle cleanser, am I only the only beauty blogger who hasn't tried this product?! Same could be said for the Naked Palettes! Until now I've ignored the hype surrounding these products but seeing as everyone has gone on about them for a while, I'm starting to think they might be worth a try! I actually went into Boots today to get my hands on the Liz Earle cleanser starter kit but it was out of stock *sobs*.

If you've read a few posts on my blog you'll soon see my love for Lush! I love all the products I've tried however I haven't had the chance to try many of the fresh face masks so I'm eager to test out some more. There's so many products I still want to try from Lush but these are definitely at the top of wishlist!

Bit of a short wishlist but I'm focusing on trying to use up all the products I've got before I move after I finish University in May! However if you have any suggestions of products you think I should try I'd love to know!

What have you been wishing for? Let me know in the comments or tweet me @_bowsandbuttons

Hayley x

The Best in Beauty - 2014

Everything from Lush!

Near the beginning of 2014 I began this blog and probably a year ago or more before that I started to delve into the world of YouTube and beauty blogs. As a consequence I've tried out a lot of beauty products and discovered some lovely products that I always seem to go back to and repurchase. Through being a blogger I see so many trends and obsessions with certain products! But to be honest although I take them into account I sometimes think its just what works for you not trying to love what everyone else is talking about and the "cult" products! Plus as a student I don't have the money to be splashing out on high end products which means I'll wait until people announce dupes or just not giving in as usually I find this this leads to disappointment. For example, 2014 was the year I lost my MAC virginity, perhaps one of the most talked about beauty brands! Sadly, I've got to confess I was disappointed, I really am not in love with the lipsticks I bought and have barely worn them. On the other hand, while the eyeshadow I bought is lovely and long lasting, for a much cheaper price I bought a palette from Makeup Revolution which are a lot more affordable and I love equally as much (maybe more!).

Firstly, I think the most significant beauty favourite of 2014 was my growing obsession with Lush. I had tried a few bits from Lush over the years but always felt a bit overwhelmed, however, Christmas 2013 was when this addiction began, I had heard of Snow Fairy and had to try it! After falling in love with Snow Fairy I became obsessed with every other product I tried; the skin care, the hair care, the bath bombs, the skin products....everything! Its hard to describe but every time I use Lush products I just feel so pampered and lovely, maybe because I know the products aren't filled with nasty chemicals or maybe because all the products are all incredible. I fell in love with quite a few of their products over the course of the year, the products shown above are probably my most used and repurchased. I'd also recommend American Cream Hair conditioner, the shampoo bars and Ocean Scrub!

Maybelline Big Eyes Mascara, Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick

In terms of makeup I don't feel like I've had any major obsessions. Although the three products shown above stood out to me in 2014.

  I love all of the Maybelline mascaras but I've especially loved the brushes of this one; one for the upper lashes and one for your lower lashes! Genius and far less messy!

Next up, the Bourjois Health Mix is a product that I always go back to, it gives a really nice medium coverage and is super easy to apply. Finally, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks, a new release in 2014 have amazing staying power and great pigmentation. My only issue is I wish they had a bigger range of colours, they're all very bright and sadly didn't find myself wearing them as much over the winter months.

Fudge Urban Iced Raspberry and Vanilla Hairspray, Barry M Nail Paint in "Berry Cosmo", Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

A makeup item that has been something I use everyday is the Rimmel Stay Matte powder, it is the perfect powder for keeping makeup in place, is really affordable and I don't even attempt finding other powder as this one does everything I need it to!

As far as hair goes, I'm not one to stick to certain products, however, I've been using this hairspray since when I first discovered the Fudge Urban products (quite a few months ago - in fact its in my January favourites!). Unlike other hairsprays it's not sticky and has got the most wonderful scent that you wouldn't even think was hairspray, my boyfriend always comments on how nice I smell when I put this in my hair!

Finally the Barry M Nail Paints, everyone seems to love the Barry M High Shine Gelly nail varnishes but I just have not got on with them, I found them take way too long to dry and chip so quickly. A while ago someone told me that the original formula is better and admittedly I'd never tried it, but they were definitely right! I love the formula of the nail paints, they're so easy to apply and quick to dry plus they have a huge range of colours. I went through a phase of only using Essie nail polishes at the beginning of the year but I much prefer Barry M ones now!

So as I said, no major discoveries this year, only my growing love for Lush and a small selection of products that I always seem to be using! What were you favourites of 2014? Is there anything you would recommend me trying this year? Let me know in the comments or tweet me @_bowsandbuttons

Hayley x

P.s I used Polyvore to create these collages so all the images are from the site!