This Week The Mice Have Mostly Been...

OMG it's only the....

And we're freaking EXCITED!! In a mere matter of hours you can click 'shut down', exhale, grab a cocktail and bask in the blissful feeling of 48 hours of pure relaxation and FUN!! 

This weekend we're heading home to Daddy Mouse's for a couple of days filled with delicious food, an endless supply of wine (parents never seem to run out?!) and a few peaceful nights sleep in our childhood bedrooms...there seriously is nothing like it!

When we haven't been counting down the days, hours and minutes until the weekend...The Mice Have Mostly Been...

Battling on with our clean eating approach...the getting lean is still to be seen...I'm such a poet! Believe it or not our daily green juices are flowing, gym sessions and morning runs are being squeezed in and our brains are continually whirring coming up with healthy yet tasty dinners! 

It's no easy feat but we seem to be hating the early morning alarms a little less, resisting the slabs of banana loaf in Whole Foods and are teaching our tummies to love a juice breakfast and not rumble from 10am onwards! These days the hardest part is constantly trying to think of new and inventive dinner options...ones we can still look forward to all day but aren't so calorific that they negate all your other good work! 

So I think it's only fair to share those good ones we do find to give you all some inspiration! This one is very easy, open to lots of adaption of whatever is left in the fridge and bursting full of delicious flavour. It's not the most photogenic one for a post but I enjoyed it so much I thought what the hell!! 

Brown Rice Noodle Soup with Spicy Pork and Greens

Below makes 2 large servings - if you're going to eat soup for dinner I believe it should be a large serving!!

You need...

250g pork mince
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes / fresh chili
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon sesame oil
950ml chicken stock
1-2 handfuls of kale, center ribs removed and leaves roughly chopped
4 spring onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon fish sauce
Sea saly
Fresh ground pepper
120g noodles (wholemeal if you're being healthy!)

How to...

1. Place the pork, garlic, ginger, crushed chilies and cumin in a bowl. Use your hands to mix the ingredients.

2. Heat the sesame oil in a saucepan over a medium heat, when hot add the pork mixture. Cook for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned, stir gently so not to break up too much.

3. Add the chicken stock, bring it to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer for 10 mins.

4. Add the kale, spring onions, soy sauce and fish sauce, and cook for 6-8 mins until the greens are wilted. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.

5. Meanwhile cook the noodles...

6. Serve the noodles directly into your bowls and ladle the warm soup over them...ENJOY!!

Flying like billyo over to Selfridges to get our mitts on some much desired cinema tickets! Yup you heard it right...Selfridges have opened the first ever department store cinema and they've only gone and paired up with the fabulous Everyman group! 

We're loving that the opening bill of films have been picked by iconic fashion designers...what could be better after a stressful day in the office than settling down in chic surroundings to Marc Jacob's and Oscar De La Renta's favourite movies?!

As it's not just a pop up, the listing will be updated with a mix of all time favourites, new releases and even a preview screening of the new woody Allen film later this month!

Rumour has it you can also order nibbles and a sneaky tipple...PERFECTION!!!

 

Chilling to the amazing new album from Banks, Goddess. Now I know we've sung her praises numerous times before, but she really is something pretty special. With her hauntingly beautiful vocals, raw emotion and distinctive edge, she's the perfect mix of cool.

Listen to a couple of our new obsessions...

Right I think it's about time that you...

Beauty Revelation: Charlotte Tilbury Make-up

I first fell for one of my great loves aged 12.

 

After a couple of weeks of siphoning off lunch money change and the odd bit of schrapnel left over from my bus fare, I finally managed to get together enough cash to spend one very happy Saturday afternoon agonising over the make-up counters' offerings at the local shopping mall. I eventually decided to splash out on a Body Shop mascara in brown ('more natural for someone fair' I was reliably informed by the bored Saturday girl... Read: less likely to be detected by the teachers at school on Monday) and a Miss Selfridge lipstick in a pretty unflattering greige called 'Sweet 'n' Flower'. Despite the fact I often ended up with more brown splodges on my eyelids than my lashes, and the lipstick made my teeth look decidedly yellowing, I've been hooked on make-up ever since.

 

I love poring over the beauty pages in magazines, I always get perilously close to missing my flight because of MAC and Bobby Brown at duty free prices at the airport, and I'm a sucker for shelling out on all the latest products no matter how improbable their claims may be.

 

So when I first heard whispers that celeb make-up artist, Charlotte Tilbury, was developing her very own make-up line, I was more than a little intrigued and desperate to get my mits on the goods (not least because CT is Kate Moss's go to girl for make-up, and any promise that even a little of the Moss Magic may rub off on me, is more than enough to have me sucked in....).

 

So, when I was back in the UK a couple of weeks ago, I nipped into Selfridges to check the range out, and left half an hour later laden with a bag full of Charlotte Tilbury beauty booty and a much lighter wallet... Admittedly, the range is priced at the higher end of the spectrum, think Nars rather than No.7, but wow, is it worth the price tag. From the beautiful art deco style packaging, to the genuinely make-up routine altering products, for once, this really is a range that lives up to all the hype. There's a genuine sense that great thought and buckets of beauty wisdom have been poured into each and every piece of the collection; this definitely seems more than just another line of lipsticks that a celebrity has licensed their name to. I also love that Charlotte has made a whole host of YouTube tutorials demonstrating how to use the products in easy to follow steps.

 

I've been using the products for a little over two weeks now, and I'm happy to report that I love absolutely everything that I bought and am already eyeing up extensions to my CT collection... So, without further ado, here's my verdict on the items I bought...

Magic Cream
£70

Who isn't going to want a piece of 'the Magic Dew of Youth & Luminosity in a Jar'?! Reputedly a family secret recipe, Charlotte has been renowned amongst celebs and models for mixing her own version of the Magic Cream and using it backstage at shows and on shoots to deliver peachy, perfect skin. Now, at last, we can all get in on the act.

The Magic Cream is a thick, rich cream with a gorgeous rose scent. I was a little concerned that it may be too heavy for my combination skin but it's now become my new favourite day to day moisturiser. A little goes a long way with this cream and it leaves your skin glowy but not oily and perfectly primed to apply your base.

 

 

Filmstar Bronze & Glow

£49 

 

Even if the Bronze & Glow was rubbish, I'd be head over heels with this product for the packaging alone. The uber-glam gold compact looks like something Daisy Buchanon would have stashed in her beaded clutch for touch-ups after a little too much martini-fuelled Charlestoning... But the swoonworthy case turns out to be just the very pretty icing on the altogether scrumptious cake. The bronzer is a suits anyone, super-natural shade which once paired with a good contouring brush, is your ticket to killer cheekbones. For a glow-injection, a dusting of the shimmery peachy highlighting powder is the perfect finishing touch.

 

 

 

Rock 'n' Kohl

£19

 

It's no exaggeration to say that these kohls have changed my life... Before these, I'd pretty much given up on eye pencils for anything other than a smudgy, messy look. Virtually every kohl I've ever tried has left an imprint on my eyelid (no matter what eye base I use with it) and smudges away to nothing after a few hours. Not these. Once they're on they do not bude until you decide it's time to take them off (but when you decide it's time, they slide off with a good eye make-up remover - no red eyes from too much scrabbling at your eyelids). The colours are intense and can be left bold or smudged up for a smoky effect. The super knowledgeable make-up artist working on the Selfridges' CT Counter also introduced me to lining my upper inner eye rims which has been a total beauty revelation for me!

 

 

Colour Chameleon in Smoky Emerald

£19

 

The Colour Chameleon is a chunky eyeshadow crayon which just like the kohls, can be smudged initially but after a moment sticks fast. The CC comes in eight shades, two for each of the four eye colour groups (blue, green, hazel and brown). I actually opted for a colour from the hazel range as I felt I already had similar products to those in the blue eye group, but I'm so impressed with this bad boy that the rest of the range is most definitely on my wishlist.

 

Colour Coded Eyeshadow Palette in The Dolce Vita
£38

 

Last, but not least, the Dolce Vita eyeshadow palette. I have stacks and stacks of eyeshadow palettes that have one or two squares worn through to the metal casing while the other squares remain barely touched. Quite why there always seems to be at least one dud shade in every palette is a beauty mystery I've never quite got the bottom of... But Charlotte seems to have cracked it - every palette includes four shades you'll actually want to use and to use to the exclusion of all others...

I felt like my 12 year old self again, agonising over which of the palettes to opt for, but with a little help from my CT make-up counter pal, I narrowed it down to the Dolce Vita which has coppery tones perfect for amping up blue eyes.

 

The Dolce Vita look card clinched the deal for me, conjuring up images of transforming myself into a Sophia Loren-esque, sultry temptress - all smoky eyes and spaghetti curves...

 

 

While I'm not sure I've quite reached Sophia Loren heights, I totally adore these eyeshadows, they have brilliant staying power, and I'm learning to perfect the sultry smokiness with a little help from Charlotte...

 

All in all, Charlotte Tilbury has single-handedly amped up my make-up obsession and as the 12 year old who fell head over heels for Sweet 'n' Flower will tell you, that's no mean feat...

 

The Charlotte Tilbury range is available to buy instore and online from Selfridges, as well as from Net-a-Porter and from Charlotte's own site.

This Week The Mice Have Mostly Been...

After a week's break from the blog and lots of sister fun, we're back and boy do we have lots to share...!! 

We had the exciting news at the weekend that HK Mouse is staying for extra week, so after all the non-stop running around we thought what better way to recoup than a long weekend in Devon at the cottage! Rambling country walks, cosy pubs and big glasses of red by the fire...we're all squeaking with excitement at the thought!!! 

But back to what we've been up to over the past seven days... when we haven't been scurrying here, there and everywhere trying to fill every moment with tonnes of sister fun, this week the Mice have mostly been...

Searching high and low for the perfect advent calendar for HK Mouse so that she can countdown in style! I remember so clearly the excited feeling as a child to wake up each morning, open a new window and of course get a chocolate treat in return! Sadly a Cadbury's number just won't cut it anymore, the stakes are high and in order to recreate that teeny tiny Christmas-excited Mouse feeling again, it needs to be something a bit special! 

As it isn't quite December I can't reveal our final decision, however I can share with you the best of those out there that got our attention and nearly made the final cut. Go on why don't you brighten up 24 mornings of someones day....!

YOU Beauty Advent Calendar, £49.95

We had this one last year and I can safely say it's well worth the price tag, we loved opening the exciting miniatures every morning and a great way to try out new products. Filled with treats worth over £240 with the likes of Dermalogica, Neom, Steamcream and Stilla sitting behind your windows!

Boots Beauty Advent Calendar, £30 

Our favourite provider of everything beauty, Boots, has launched its first ever calendar this year and at a mere snip of a price! With promises to pamper you head to toe, expect delights from Nails Inc, Soap and Glory, Rimmel and Mavala...

Selfridges Beauty Advent Calendar, £84

If you're after the ultimate queen of calendars, then this is the one for you! Filled with skincare products, makeup and fragrance - you can't really get much better than this! Selfridges have pulled out all the beauty stops and bagged miniatures from Kiehl's, YSL, Lancome and Victor & Rolf to name just a few! 

Ciaté Mini Nail Lacquer Advent Calendar, £42

HK Mouse arrived at cocktails last week with one of these beauties for us Mice at London Towers...a nail varnish a day including 19 mini paint pots, 4 textured surprises from caviar to sequins and one full size varnish as a Chrimbo Eve surprise! 

Master of Malt - Ginvent Calendar, £110

If you're after something a little bit different and want to well and truly get into the 'spirit' of Christmas...then this bad boy should tick all the boxes! A bottle of Gin a day, means Father Christmas isn't far away...!

Getting thoroughly excited that's it's only 39 sleeps until Christmas and to make this all the more exciting, the battle of the Christmas ads has finally begun. This year, like most others, the main contenders are of course John Lewis and Marks & Spencer. 

John Lewis have once again gone for the family angle with characters children will love and creating a warm and fuzzy Christmas feel for everyone else. I love Lily Allen's cover of 'Somewhere Only We Know' in the background which will no doubt steal the Christmas Number 1 spot, and the fact that it doesn't push or feature any product. Simple, effective and a low key production

Next up M&S...big names, big production and lots of Christmas product! The total opposite, but the more I see it, the more I like it. Starring Rosie Huntingly Whitely and David Gandy, with lots of snow and a magical fairytale story - a lot more adult facing and product focused, however like it or not it's definitely impactful!

For me I think John Lewis has the winning ad...I'm a sucker for a cute story and the fact that it reminds me of my childhood days watching The Animals of Farthing Wood may have given it the slight edge! 

One things for sure, you just can't beat the excitement sparked by the sight and sound of the Coca Cola lorry....

I hope you're now feeling suitably Christmassy and ready to wrap up warm for another crisp weekend ahead! That's exactly what we shall be doing with all our key country essentials at hand...cashmere tracksuit, a stack of magazines, the fire roaring and a drink in hand...

The Mice x

Pretty In Pink...

Everywhere I look at the moment, I'm faced with an abundance of sugary sweet candy coloured fashion wonderfulness - marshmallow pinks, baby blues, minty fresh greens and sherbet bon bon yellows. The catwalks set the tone, the highstreet followed and now the fashion magazines are bursting at the seams. For me however it's only about one candy colour and that's pink - the clear leader of the pastels pack in my opinion...  

 

 

Now that's settled, onto the debate of how to rock the powder puff hue in a fashion-forward versus Dolly Parton way! Girly, yes but the key is all in the purchase - opt for a boxy manish coat or jacket to add a pop of pastel and see the winter months through rose-tinted glasses.

 

We've been scouring the shops and have been overwhelmed with the calibre of colour out there BUT if we were pushed to choose our top pick would be...

This Sparkle & Fade overcoat from Urban Outfitters

 

This gorgeously girly Valentino ruffle cape

Selfridges is really pushing the fashion stake boundaries when it comes to the coats on offer this winter. My absolute favourite HAS to be this Simone Rocha Wafer-mesh coat - stunning!

 

And last but not least this scrummy little Zara Studio Overcoat

 

Just remember...

 



Sugar & Spice & All Things Nice...

You may have gathered by now that when it comes to perfume brands, Jo Malone is the only one for me! The love I feel for Jo could be compared to the love I feel for Ryan Gosling - ever lasting, all consuming and bordering on obsessive! I'm totally and utterly hooked. So much so I don't even bother with the 30ml bottles anymore… well that's about to change, because the limited edition Sugar & Spice range has just launched, and the five delectable fragrances only come in the 30ml form! After spritzing each and every one in Selfridges last week, I'm now set on owning all five of the sugary sweet and perfectly formed gang members! 

Image via www.joeychong.com

Image via www.beautysorority.wordpress.com

Without further ado let me introduce you to the five oh so sweet and good enough to eat scents:

Lemon Tart...

Bitter Orange & Chocolate...

Elderflower & Gooseberry...

Ginger Biscuit... 

and... Redcurrant & Cream.

Snap them up quick because like all Jo limited editions, these babies won't hang around for long!

The Jo Malone Sugar & Spice Colognes are £38 each and available now from Jo Malone Stores Worldwide.