I know a place...

Hidden down the narrow old lanes, around a corner or two, lies the Tic Toc Café (53 Meeting House Lane, Brighton to be precise). 

A cosy little rest stop which serves light lunch snacks, all day breakfast, (croque monsieur to beans on toast) drinks a plenty and the yummiest cakes! 

Annabel and I had a toasted bacon butty,  and milkshake each (Bel chose strawberry and banana and I had banana, peanut butter and cinnamon) delicious! (Up there with GBK's peanut butter milkshake). 

Whilst tucking into our lunch (crunch, slurp, yum!) at our 60's Formica table, our eyes marvle at our surroundings; kitsch mixed furniture, bright letters scattered on a white wall, books and magazines, (I found a French paperback of Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban!) a Lego cutlery tray (stealing that idea) cute vintage robots and so much more, I want to live here, it's perfect!! 

They have a groovy seating booth where we sat with the prettiest flower power wall paper. 

Our ears enjoyed the 60's background playlist that got us swaying through munching and every 3 minutes saying 'I love this song!' 

It has a lovely homely feel like you've gone to a friends quirky house and you have no intention of leaving any time soon. 

Pull up a chair (they have stalls in the window, perfect people watching spot) chill out whilst drinking beverages that make you go ahhh and nibbling a naughty cake that makes your tummy go Mmm! The Tic Toc cafe is a sweet haven away from the busy chain restaurants and same old main Street coffee shops. 

It's my favourite cup of tea : ) 

Gatsby? What Gatsby?

I seem to recall first seeing the trailer for Baz Luhrmanns take on The Great Gatsby back in November 2012, and thinking I have to see this! The trailer itself gave me goose bumps and I knew I was already in love with this film. Fast forward 6 months (the teasers) and I finally get to see F. Scott Fitzgeralds novel unfold on the big screen. 

From the black and white intro you are instantly submerged into Luhrmanns roaring 20's. New York looks beautiful, the people are filthy rich, and you wouldn't even think prohibition existed. Liquor is a key character in this story.  

            

For the first quarter you don't meet Gatsby. He's a mysterious neighbour that Tobby Maguire's character yearns to meet; and what a first encounter they have. That's one of my favourite scenes from the movie; they're at one of Gatsbys legendary parties and Leo turns around in slow-mo with a glass of champagne in one hand, the most charming smile across his never ageing face and the best display of fireworks surrounding his physic that even Guy Fawkes would be proud of! Cinematography at its best. 

The whole film is a treat for the eyes really.  Daisy's (Carey Mulligan) jewellery will blind you and the clothing and set design are fabulous!! (I don't normally say fabulous, makes me think of Patsy from Ab Fab darling, but there really is no other word).

The 20's fashion was so so beautiful and rich in elegance, silks and feathers and must have been liberating for women at the time. No more restricting corsets, and hidden ankles; now they were free to have dropped waist lines, single layered dresses with no heavy petticoats and the choice to wear trousers!! Gasp!!

Today almost 100 years on, fashion is repeating itself, and 20's glamour is flapping with style! I can't afford the delights the designers have to offer (we can steal ideas and inspiration) but the high street is offering some beautiful items to jazz up our wardrobes. From elegant evening dresses to sparkling jewels for our hair, I have found some lovely gems which will make us want to do the Charleston and make our chaps comb their hair into a side parting. Swoon!! 

Topshop have a limited addition range which is bursting with Hollywood glamour. They are all way more expensive than the usual Topshop dress but for a special occasion I'm sure they are worth the piggy bank raid. 

The McQueen is a dream. A far far far off dream, but this kimono is beautiful! Daisy wears the most stunning clothes throughout the film, but when she's at Gatsby's house dancing with him she is wearing a dark, silk kimono/dressing gown which is the dreamiest! Who wouldn't want to lounge around it that? With Leo? Yes please. 

I have loved Nicole Richie's, House of Harlow jewellery range for a long time. Her jewels have a lot of Art Deco influences. She mixes gems with leather, and dark stones with Aztec patterns and has produced some really contemporary, timeless pieces. I don't think I've found anything I don't like! Uh oh. 

Whilst searching on ASOS I came across these beauties.... and more but I had to narrow it down! The diamond head bands are so pretty! And a fair price too at £15 each.... Hurry up payday! 

Accessorize have some gorgeous costume jewellery on line at the moment. This feather brooch would glam up a coat, cardigan, hat or scarf nicely, and for only £8! Yay! 

Carey gets to wear the most incredible bling in this film. The first thing you see of her is her wedding hand peeping over her sofa, gleaming with the biggest diamond ring ever! 

      " Her voice is full of money"   Fitzgerald writes. And so is her arms, neck, head and hands! 

Tiffanys have their own Gatsby inspired line which I'd imagine is more in Daisy's price range..... 

That Savoy headpiece is incredible!!! Someone make a copy cat at a fraction of the price please. 

A couple of series ago on Made In Chelsea, the toffs had a 20's themed party and Miss Mackintosh stole the show! She oozed the era from head dress to lady like toe. She looked perfect! 

Queens and Bowl: I found this designer whilst searching the inter web, and they sell their head pieces on Notonthehighstreet.com They aren't cheep but if you are after something extra special for your wedding day then this would be a beautiful alternative to a vail or tiara.     

Make up: there are a mixture of personalities in this movie. The extroverts, and party animals donned the bright make up on both eyes and lip, whilst the true beauties and socialites didn't need much make up at all.  Pristine and chic; a powered face, eye liner and perfect red lip were plenty. 

I thought these two lipsticks from Mac wouldn't look too out of place on Daisy or Myrtles sister.... 

Matte Russian Red & Satin Amorous 

For some amazing 20's make up tutorials check out Pixiwoo on the following YouTube channels... 

Pixiwoo

Pixiwoomadness

RenaultTVOfficial

DailymixTV 

They've just been to Cannes film festival and have done a great tutorial on the RenaultTVOffical channel with a Carey Mulligan inspired look, definitely worth a watch! 

After all this J Gatsby talk I want to go to one of his sparkling parties! Or maybe I'll just go watch the movie again... 

Ps. The sound track is awesome old sport ; ) 

Question time with friends

Lisa, where have you been all my life?!

One of my favourite hobbies at the moment (apart from Zumba of course) is watching make up tutorials and my favourite vloggers on YouTube. It kills many an hour but I feel I am not wasting my time but getting a make up education, so that's ok!

Whilst seeing what Tanya Burr and Essie Button have recently added I came across a make up tutorial by Lisa Eldridge. One video watched and another one on! Then scrolling through her website and seeing what other amazing videos she has to offer. Then more video watching and make up note scribbling (This is how my evening went!) Why haven't I discovered or heard of this brilliant make up artist before?!! Her videos are not only fab for learning new techniques and tips for every day looks, or for help with buying the right foundation but she also talks about her experience in the industry and the pressures a professional make up artist has to make a star look flawless for hours on the red carpet. Plus listening to her lovely calm voice makes me want to watch her forever. Teach me everything Lisa! 

If you haven't seen Lisa's videos, check her out on YouTube or visit her amazing website www.lisaeldridge.com 

She has a gorgeous 60's Bardot make up tutorial on there which we definitely get you reaching for the liquid eye liner! 

Time well spent. 

Brighton Foodies

It's May! Which means Brighton Festival time. So today we went along to Hove lawns to the Foodie Festival.
The weather did us proud on this May bank holiday. We had beautiful warm sunshine glowing down on the east coast all day : ) bliss!
The festival had plenty of delicious nibbles, tipples, cakes, cocktails, and fudge! There was live music throughout the day, from a 3 piece band called Go commando to an Elvis impersonator! There was also the opportunity to go along to some bread, baking, BBQ, wine or cocktail tutorials. The Dominican Republic cocktail one was rummy, strong and spicy! (Would have been rude to turn down the samples!)

After a few finger samples and drooling over the delights that the foodie stalls had to offer, I chose to buy (not all at once i might add) a tasty oaty biscuit, Moroccan chicken (which came with a lovely salad and lentils) freshly squeezed lemonade, (my favourite), some sweet vanilla fudge and to end (as it was so sunny) a lush vanilla ice cream! Nom!!

It was such a delight to be able to finally spend the day in the sun, by the sea with good friends. Please stay Mr Sunshine, we like you lots!!