Travel: Home for the Summer

After I had completed Summer Camp which was fun but totally dragged on, I headed back to the U.K. I spent about a week or so in London and then headed back to Solihull where I spent the rest of the holidays. I then headed back to London a few days before my flight to pack all the things I had ordered plus teaching resources for Year 1.

Whilst I was back home, I spent time with my family, helped my mum with displays in her school, met up with friends, walked a lot, shopped essentials for Oman, visited Umberslade Farm - childhood memories, relaxed and looked after my mum who had a minor foot operation.

I have put together a collection of photos that show variety of fun I had this summer!

Love Sara x

Beauty: My NYX Lip Collection

A short and sweet post here, showcasing my NYX lip collection. As you can see, I am into nudes and neutral colours. I adore the soft lip mattes and have used them for a while now.  They aren't long lasting but they don't claim to be either. What I love about them is the pigmentation and formula which glides onto your lips so beatuifully. More recently I came across their 'Intense Butter Gloss' which is an amazingly pigmented product. I am love with 'Tres Leches', a perfect pinky-brown everyday lip colour.  I do love to wear 'Summer Fruits' now and again for a pop of colour or to brighten up an outfit!

L - R Soft Mattes - Cairo, London, Buenos Aires, Sydney, Sao Paulo, Rome
Butter Gloss: Peaches and Cream, Eclair, Meringue
Intense Butter Gloss: Tres Leches, Sorbet, Summer Fruits

Swatches in same order as listed above.

What's your favourite NYX lip colour?

Love, Sara

Education: Harmony Programme for Teachers at the Princes' School of Traditional Arts.

Before I headed back to the U.K for my summer holidays, I was searching for an online CPD course that would be relevant to my educational practice. I am not sure how but I stumbled across the PSTA website and was drawn in to this programme they were offering.

The course was titled 'The Harmony Programme' and it was directed at educators who had an interest in nature, geometry and art. I was intrigued as it seemed quite interesting, so I delved further and read the course content and thought it would be a great addition to my professional development. I didn't hesitate to book my place and it was even better as I was eligible for the teacher bursary too. The course was over 4 days, across 2 weekends.

So, the course was designed as a result of the Prince of Wales's book titled 'Harmony' was written to embrace nature but also inspire UK schools to plan, deliver and create inspirational art. I never knew about the book and have had a glance through. It addresses some interesting information, views and ideas not just for educators but for everyone.

The was delivered by Lisa DeLong, Will and Leila. They were friendly, thorough with their delivery and extremely knowledgable about the topics covered. In total, there were about 7 of us of which only 2 including me were teachers. The others came from engineering, dance and administrative backgrounds. It was really great that different minds came together as we got on really well and learned from another too.

The first weekend, I looked at Autumn and Winter. We all got given books with all the literature, ideas and content to deliver sessions to children and young people. I found them quite useful to jot my notes next to the activity we were carrying out. It was handy that inside the book, they had noted the areas of the British curriculum and how they related to each season.

The second weekend, the group explored Spring and Summer where we focused on plants and flowers. Our learning and activities were centered around the construction of flowers and how they are related to the fibonacci theory. We made kites, looked at 3D shapes, nets as well as sound and vibrations too.

During the course we carried out a variety of activities which included mixing colours, investigating binders, constructing geometric patterns, making snowflakes, looking at natural dyes and marbling amongst others.

Dyeing fabrics with tumeric and red cabbage.

Dyeing cotton with indigo

Marbling on to paper

3D shapes made from cocktail sticks and chick peas.

Kite making

Overall, I found the course to be informative, fulfilling in terms of the content and ideas. I wish that they had perhaps scheduled a visit to Kew Gardens and maybe followed up with an activity or planning session. But saying that, I did enjoy the course, especially as I got to be all artistic again!

If you're interested in taking an traditional arts course at the PSTA, visit the website: https://www.psta.org.uk/.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post.

Love, Sara xx

Beauty: LVL Birthday Treat for my sister

In Oman, I discovered the LVL ( Lash, Volume, Lift) treatment and tried it out. As I fell in love with the long lasting results, I regularly went to get it topped up every 2 months. So since my sister loves to curl her lashes, I thought I would book her in a for a treatment back in the UK.

When I was researching places, I was looking at the reviews to find about about the service, care and most importantly the results. In London, there were quite a few salons which offered LVL but I have to say their prices were extortionate ranging from £65 upwards. So I began to look in our hometown Solihull, I stumbled across Kaur Beauty and found out they offered the beauty treatment for £50 and it seemed as though the beautician had built up a very reputable clientele. It's quite funny because as soon as I read her 'About' section I showed my sister her photo and was like 'Didn't we go to school with her and her sister?' We did indeed and when we went along for the patch test* we all recognised each other and had a good old chat! It was lovely reminiscing about our childhood.

*Patch tests are required to ensure the client is not allergic to the ingredients.

I think my sister then booked her appointment for a week or so later and I accompanied her as I have always had it done on myself but never seen the procedure and wanted to document it for my blog.

Makinder, the beautician explained the whole process to my sister and was very reassuring throughout the whole process. She actually pointed out that she had switched from LVL to LVV which is practically the same but different  companies which offer different results. 

I have noted the process as follows:

1. First she cleaned the eye ares to make sure their were no oils or residue which would affect the process.

2. Then she applied gel patches underneath the eyes to lock the bottom lashes and prevent them from curling up.

3. After she applied 'medium' lash shields and glued the lashes to them. The  shields determine which type of lift you would like.

4. Next, she applied the first solution which breaks the bonds of lashes and this was kept on for 14 minutes.

5. Then she applied the second solution which locks the lift of lashes for 6 minutes.

6. Finally she applied the third solution which was a blue black tint for 5 minutes to enhance the lash lift.

Before

Bonding solution

Tinting solution

After

After this, she cleared up the eye area and removed the shields and patches. She combed through the lashes and showed them to my sister. My sister really noticed the difference straight away and since then has found it so much more easier to apply her make up and leave her lashes naturally. 

Overall, the service and treatment was excellent from start to finish and we would recommend Makinder to anyone who is after a LVL treatment.

Makinder is located in Cutie-Cals Salon on Knightsbridge Road in Solihull and the LNV treatment is £50. Depending on your lash cycle, the lift usually lasts for between 6-8 weeks. You can also find Makinder in Instagram by the name of @kaurbeauty.

The Review: Jubilee Hair Salon, Central London

One of the first things I always do when I'm back in England is have a hair cut at my favorite hair salon. I've been going here since I moved to London to study and have continued to go ever since. The salon is called Jubilee and was originally situated on Denmark Street near Holborn/Tottenham Court Road tube stations. It's an oriental salon meaning its staff are from South Korea, Japan and China and they tend to cater more towards Oriental clientele. They have since moved to Holborn which is still pretty much around the corner.

I'll admit they're expensive but totally worth it considering I get my hair cut there twice a year. They know my hair and how I like it cut to how I style it and that's really important as a client. The one thing I can't stand is when a hair stylist does what they want to and talks you out of what you want your hair to be like. Jubilee definitely does not do this which gives them extra points from me.

So my hair stylist is called Mika, who is so lovely! I've been going to her now for 5 years and even though I get the same hair cut and with some slight changes she really knows me well! I should also note I've had Yumiko, Tiger and Yoshi all of which were AMAZING! (Yumiko and Tiger no longer work there).

For £60 (this depends on the length of your hair), your hair is washed complete with a hair massage and it's cut and styled to how you want it. I visited 3 weeks ago and had my split ends chopped off and layers cut back into my hair along with my side fringe. As I was going out for dinner that day I asked Mika to curl it for me which she did so beautifully.

I have to add that the service is impeccable as I always get asked if I'd like a drink and magazines whilst I'm getting my hair cut. Mika and I have great conversations about everything and anything and I always look forward to when I see her after a long break.

So if you're on the hunt for a new hair stylist who is decent and cuts hair exceptionally well then visit Jubilee Hair Salon. They have actually launched an online booking system which I tend to use now as it's more convenient for me.

The Verdict:  Overall Jubilee deserve a 10/10 from me as they are probably the best hair stylists in London.

Thank you so much for reading.

Sara

Lifestyle: Tale as Old as Time 'Beauty and the Beast' Afternoon Tea at The Town House, Kensington

As I turned 30, last month my sister decided to treat me to a Beauty and the Beast themed afternoon tea at The Town House in Kensington, London. Upon arrival, we were welcomed and shown to where we could sit down and relax before being called to our table. The staff were very friendly and helpful which was lovely. After a while, our coats were taken and we were shown to our table which was a corner table setting.

Another waiter came to ask us which tea we would like to drink and then took our order of afternoon tea for two. I have to say our tea came and shortly after our starters came. A different waiter/possible chef came to explain what we were going to tuck into and was really very lovely and polite.

Following our starters, our afternoon tea tray was brought over and the same waiter described the selection of foods on each tier. After many photographs taken by my sister, we finally tucked into the sandwiches, pastries and scones. We both throughly enjoyed the food and devoured all the tiers!

They really thought out the table decorations and also how to incorporate 'Beauty and the Beast' into the afternoon tea. For example with: Belle's dress as a biscuit, Chip and Cogsworth as a dessert and Lumiere and Mrs Potts as table decorations.

Overall, I was extremely pleased with the service, seating arrangements and most of all the selection of savoury and sweet foods. I would most definetly recommend it to anyone who enjoys going for afternoon tea.