by | August 10, 2012

Me&Em: the story of a t-shirt

Very rarely does one find the perfect t-shirt.  And almost never can one spot a perfect t-shirt without even trying it on.

Jemima Khan – keen on slouch wear

Me&Em one-off shop

Firstly, I should explain, I’m a loungewear fanatic.  The moment the front door is shut behind me, I am leaping up the stairs eager to throw on comfortable clothes. And, the luxurious online and mail order retailer, Me&Em is one of my fail safe go-to brands when writing at home or just relaxing with the kids. Run by Emma Howarth and Clare Hornby, the original founders of Pyjama Room, the clothing brand can boast Emilia Fox, Rosamund Pike, Jemima Khan and Kirsty Young as all being fans of lounging around in their unbelievable comfortable but also super stylish casual wear.

Back to the T-shirt hunt.  As I am always on the look out for a perfect t-shirt, I spotted their scoop neck, subtle flare, dragonfly linen t-shirt (£59) when it first launched a couple of summers ago and then proceeded to deliberate over it for… well, too long.  By the time I had decided to purchase it, they had sold out.

THE Dragonfly T-shirt

I tried pestering their customer service hotline.  No luck. I tried Ebay.  Again, no joy.

And today, on the way to a press appointment, I walked past Me&Em’s one-off stand alone shop on Connaught St, W2.  Their sample sale (which I didn’t even know existed) was in full swing and, there on the rail, was MY t-shirt (£20).

ME&EM Connaught St, W2

While I am one very happy and satisfied customer, I thought you too might like to pop along to check out the ridiculously brilliant sample sale prices at Me&Em.  The sale is on for another week.

ME&EM 08456 800 975

 

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by | August 8, 2012

Have a little sun sense….

the sun can be evil

Fear not, I am not about to launch into a lecture about sunscreen and the dangers of unprotected skin (especially on such a cloudy morning).  But, I just couldn’t let the summer pass without a reminder that malignant melanoma is the fastest growing cancer in Britain and the scary fact that it is disproportionately high in young people.

A couple of weeks ago, we were enjoying some London heat.  Mini-Me was doing a tennis camp that week and, as she was going to be exposed to a burning sun for several hours, I was concerned that she would burn.

We are all aware that the Aussies know their sunscreen from their rash vests so I tried out a new (to me) brand from Down Under.  SunSense is the no 1 sun cream prescribed by doctors over there and it’s quite brilliant for very sensitive and fair skins.  Undeniably waterproof (I could hardly get it off my hands afterwards!), the cream 100% protected my budding tennis player when only mad dogs would have running around a tropical tennis court.

 

SunSense Ultra

COMPETITION:  I was so thrilled with my find, I immediately contacted the Aussies to secure 8 more bottles of their SunSense Ultra (£13.64) so that my readers will be protected all summer long.  All you have to do is email EmmaParlons@gmail.com with your name and address before 15th August 2012.

The SunSense range is available from Waitrose, Ocado, John Lewis stores as well as leading independent pharmacies.

follow @yablon to find out the winners of this competition…


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Filed under beauty, fabulous finds, kids, prizes

by | August 7, 2012

Champagne+Fromage = a sparkling affair

Giddy from the excitement of the Chanel pop up, we were in need of some ‘girlfriend sustenance’.  To me, there are two very different types of eating establishments:  the restaurants where I would eat and dine with Him… and then those girlfriend watering holes with female food.

Champagne+Fromage in Covent Garden

Champagne + Fromage, in Covent Garden, fits the latter perfectly.  Both a shop and bistro, it would tempt anyone in heels.  Seating just 30, the rustic brasserie, with walls full of champagne sourced from the smallest, independent producers, is currently London’s best kept secret.

Greeted by Flora, our waitress, with a charcuterie board (£8) and a glass of fruity yet mellow Pertois-Moriset Rosé Champagne (£11 per glass), we settled into our evening of French feasting with ease.

Champagne+Meat

And once this had been devoured, we made our cheese selection: Bleu des Boisques, Camembert, Brie, Bleu de Chevre.  This second platter was accompanied by a glass of Champagne Waris-Larmandier Cuvee (£10). Then came a La Rochelle salad (salmon gravlax, Langres cheese and cerise tomato £8) which was not only dressed in Champagne but also arrived with a suitably sensational glass of the bubbly stuff too.

If I’m honest, my reviewing became a little blurry at this point.  I felt heady, bubbly and a long swim away from Covent Garden.

bubbles, bubbles, bubbles

That was until Flora produced glasses of strawberry gazpacho with Champagne Rosé and mint (£4.95), tasting fresh, sweet and undeniably French.

Trudging home on the tube with the Olympic crowds, I promised myself to return with Him as He really does know more than my girlfriends about Champagne.  Anyway, I think he’d find my no-longer degree level French amusing after all those bubbles…

READER OFFER:  Champagne+Fromage is generously offering my readers 20% off their bistro food menu. Available from 11am to 4pm on Tuesday to Saturday.  Just mention LifeOfYablon on arrival.

 

Champagne + Fromage, 22 Wellington Street, WC2E

 

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by | August 7, 2012

the inches I lack

Review of my Pilates lesson at West London Osteopaths

The blurb:

Based in a quiet residential street in Shepherds Bush, the West London Osteopaths clinic treats all sorts.  From those with chronic back issues through to those seeking better posture, like me.  As I am either bent over a lap top or running round a track, I felt I would benefit from a little reminder of my core muscles and some increased flexibility.

clearly and unfortunately this is NOT me!

The process:

Polly, my instructor, and I began by discussing how too much cardio exercise as stand alone regular exercise could have a negative effect on my lower back and general core strength.  She was keen to explain to me just how crucial muscle control and flexibility are for my posture.  Shoulders raised and back arched, I could see in the frighteningly large wall mirror how my rushed stretches after my runs are leaving me cripplingly stiff, and ever-so-slightly crooked.

Hopping from the Reformer to the Cadillac, while supported by the Ladderbarrel, Polly had me breathing and controlling for a full 50 minutes.  I was surprised how much concentration it took, in comparison with the running where I desperately try not to acknowledge my aching limbs!

The result:

Always interested in finding lacking inches, I certainly felt taller as I left the studio.  My body felt more aligned and my mind more relaxed.  To make this a regular part of my weekly exercise, I would need to acknowledge that this is less of a work out but more a complementary activity to run along side the sweatier sports.  Otherwise, I might not be able to wear heels forever.

My private 1:1 class with Polly would have cost £70.

www.westlondonosteeopaths.com 65 Vespan Road, W12  020 8749 0581

 

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