The Ultimate London Bag Esssentials

I found myself on the tube so many times last week and hated every minute of it. It was hot, sweaty, loud, smelly, jerky and totally unpleasant. Couldn't believe I PAID to use it. Each time I wished I had with me, something that would help it to be more pleasant.
Of course, it's not only the tube that sucks. Our Four-Seasons-in-One-Day weather keeps us permanently on sore toes. You wake up, it's a bit gloomy. You put on your jeans, jumper, grab your jacket, stuff a scarf into your bag and pop your umbrella loop over your wrist. You leg-it to the tube. Stuffed nose-to-armpit with someone (who clearly hasn't brushed their teeth) breathing down your neck as you attempt to untangle your earphones. You rush off like cattle through the tunnels on your way up to an exit when, suddenly, you're thrust into weather resembling Venice Beach circa 1969.

It's remarkably infuriating and a remarkably common and shit way to start the day.

Unfortunately it doesn't end there does it? You quickly buy a bottle of water that you know shouldn't have cost you £2, and plan to do a quick run to H&M in your lunch break, for a light and breezy dress-like item. Ooh! And you just saw a girl walk past with a really cute coral shade of lippy ... might as well grab that at the same time. Since it's going to be Summer for the afternoon...

...but it's London isn't it. So coming back from your lunch-break with new Summery items on and sweat-riddled stiff jeans and top stuffed carelessly into a carrier bag, everything seems at peace at last. It's five-to-five in the afternoon and someone goes 'It's looking a bit dark for Five isn't it?' and everyone's head spins round to witness a heavy dark and looming cloud. It's going to absolutely chuck it down. That you can be sure of.

That's London for you and here's my list of the ULTIMATE LONDON BAG ESSENTIALS where you may find something to help you through the frustration we all feel. 'Cos without all the crap - everything's pretty shweet!


YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY FANS!

The hand fan. What a magnificent invention. Much better than it's unneccesarily geeky 'Gadget Shop' counterpart. No batteries, folds into a sleek flat shape. Perfect for the bag. Grab them online at http://www.fantastica-uk.co.uk/. I really like the Sandalwood one which is sweet smelling and very compact. They do simple paper ones which come in a rainbow of colours and prices start at £2.45. Get two!

MINI SPRAY DEODORANT

Go to Boots or Superdrug and you'll find these essential little cans available in most brands. I love the Nivea ones. The reason I like a spray one for the bag is because you can spray your whole body with it and it totally helps with that sticky sweaty feel down your back!

FEMFRESH WIPES

I particularly like these in the individual sachets. Some ladies feel like this basically screams 'My (insert your favourite word for lady parts) is dutty!!!!' Which is a shame because they are such safe and brilliant items. After a sweaty day/morning/night, whatever, these really freshen you up without irritation and that's the point of them. I use them after Pilates because my studio doesn't have a shower facility and they really do bridge the gap between the workout and the shower.

'CLEAN' - PERFUMES

These are a collection of clean-smelling fragrances inspired by fresh laundry and the hand-milled innocent-smelling soaps you imagine a young pouty French teenager to smell like ... in a book perhaps by Françoise Sagan. My favourite is the 'Provence eau de parfum' spray. It's just divine and so .. well .. clean smelling! There's a wide range so check out which is right for you. Find the collection at http://www.hqhair.com/ .

TRANSLUCENT POWDER

A light dusting/patting of this magical powder just kills the over-shine dead in it's tracks. I'm all for a glowy face, but no-one wants to look like a buttered baking dish. Honestly, Urban Decay's 'De-Slick' is a no-colour powder that takes you back to natural and fresh looking. It's brilliant on all skin tones and comes with a mirror inside. You can get it on http://www.asos.com/ and it's £14.75 very well spent. Just don't lose it!

THE MULTI-USE HAND SALVE

Cath Kidston does this really brilliant salve that smells like clean laundry. It's for hardworking hands and comes in a great tin for around £6. I use it on hands, feet, legs if I'm desperate and I also run it through my hair to tame frizz and make it smell fresh. It's a gorgeous product that's made from natural ingredients (if you're bothered about that stuff at all). A fantastic 'Dirty Stop-Out' item!

THE UNIVERSAL DAY-TO-NIGHT EYESHADOW COMPACT

The Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Nude Eye Palette has everything you need, to go from innocent to drama. Silky and long-lasting nestled into a customisable 3-Pan Palette, the colours are classy and essential. £42 from http://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/

THE NO-BRAINER QUICK FULL-COVERAGE CONCEALER

Again, Bobbi Brown, I'm afraid. She just knows about creating a completely brilliant product. She seldom succumbs to faddy buzz ingredients and purely concentrates on what one really needs to work. The Touch-Up Stick is a slim concealer contained in a nice weighty applicator. Feels expensive and the contents are creamy, smooth, blendable and buildable. You'll adore using it and there's a shade for everyone. £17 from http://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/

THE POCKET RAIN MAC

Now, I'm not talking about the cellophane-wrap style ones that make you sweat like you c'yan sweat no mo or... no. I'm re-enlisting the kind that were on your school camp packing list. A light, airy rain mac that squashes into it's own pouch. They are particularly good to have in your bag on muggy days when you really can't be arsed with a jacket. The best thing about them is that they have hoods which overall, protect your hair far better than umbrella's do. Cath Kidston does a really charming one with London's landmark's decorating it, in a really nice old fashioned print. http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/ They're £25, check it out.

THE PORTABLE iPHONE RECHARGER

This gadget really is the Dog's Bollox! It provides enough back-up power for up to 5 hours of calls or 20 hours of music play. You recharge it on you computer and then keep it in your bag for when you really need it. Get it at http://www.iwoot.com/ for £19.99.

A CONCISE PERSONAL LIBRARY

The SONY Reader Pocket Edition is a really dreamy piece of kit. Its super light aluminium design, weighing in at just 220g, makes it an excellent travel item. It holds 350 ebooks and has a paper- like 5" E Ink® Vizplex™ screen for real reading even in sunlight (now why can't they make phones with that technology...). It comes in a magenta pink or silver aluminium and it costs £179.00.

CUTLER AND GROSS SUNGLASSES

Cutler and Gross sunglasses are classics. They don't flash into vogue one season and then become hideously clichéd the next. They're not emblazoned with logo's and faff and you can choose whatever coloured or graduated lense you want inside your preferred frame. There are so many to choose from and for something really special, nip into their vintage store. http://www.cutlerandgross.com/

AN ECO WATER BOTTLE

It's so easy, but such a waste of money to buy little 500ml's of bottle water when you're travelling around town. They range from pence to £3 or £4 in some areas and really everyone knows that London's home and office tap water is great for drinking. Swiss brand SIGG are the one to look out for. Their bottles are made from a single piece of impact extruded aluminium. They are lightweight and virtually unbreakable. They have this fantastic hygienically coated inside (BPA free) which helps to aleviate contamination of contents. How fabulous! The insides of these bottles are resistant to fruit acids and isotonic drinks and they are taste-neutral so fill it with whatever you like and no interferance. Much better than re-filling that cloudy plastic Evian bottle over and over again, right? Get one and look like you mean business with your water drinking! Orla Kiely and BRITA have teamed up to launch the nauseatingly titled 'Wottle. The World's first designer re-usable water bottle', blah, blah, blah... It's £7.99 and made from recycled plastic ... much less sexy if you ask me...

PAIN RELIEF

What's your poison? Mine is American brand Midol, which I get friends to bring me when they come to town. I like them because they contain caffeine, which gives me a boost of energy as I exit the headache. I can't recommend anything to you here, because to each their own. Whether you're all-natural or chemically satisfied, the choice is yours. Keep them in a cute pill box in your bag so they don't get crushed. Look for antique ones at car-boot sales. Very old-fashioned but eternally chic!


...and last but not least, a few little essentials with major impact...

Gum or strong mints.
Floss. Dental, not candy!
A travel toothbrush.
A fresh pair of pants zipped up in a small purse.

Now all that's left to do is to find the perfect bag.

Scent-Driven Exciting Products

Although non-scented products are considered better for sensitive skin types (and I am one of them) I must say that I really do prefer scented ones. The more nostagic the scent the better, but I am also a massive fan of an extremely feminine base topped with a msculine note as a modern twist. The bit that makes YOU feel unique when wearing it. The part that separates you from the past and projects you into your own presence. I often look for a new frangrance to accompany me on a new stage in life. I smell for the composition that most reflects this new chapter. Anyway enough of the deep and meaningful and onto these awesome new products...

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Light-weight Body Lotion with Spf 30

This classic moisturiser from Kiehl's now comes in light-weight with Spf 30. It contains jojoba butter and olive fruit oil and smells like soft whipped vanilla. It's light-weight formula is absolutely perfect for this muggy weather. It leaves your skin soft, supple, perfectly scented and protected! No sticky, heavy feeling with this one. It should be used daily over Spring/Summer months and perfect for a city holiday or break.

The Laundress x Le Labo Rose 31

Now this a genius product. It makes looking after your clothes effortless ... a joy even! The Laundress is the brainchild of Gwen Whiting and Lindsay Wieber Boyd. They are based in New York. Gwen was a Senior Designer of the Ralph Lauren Home Collection for five years. Lindsay was the Manager of U.S. Sales for CHANEL Ready-to-Wear. It made sense with their love of fabrics, to launch the perfect line of luxury detergents and fabric care.

They've teamed up with super chic frangrance brand Le Labo. The antidote to the mass-produced, naff, over-marketed perfumes you find in supermarkets and Airport terminals. Founders Edouard and Fabrice's concept is 'lovingly formulating each of it's 10 fragrances, on demand, right in front of you' at one of it's labs. It's originl one is in New York. There is one at London's Liberty store and also at Colette in Paris. Their most popular formula is Rose 31. A favourite of Helena Christenesen and other glamourpusses! It's also popular with men. It's a portion more masculine than feminine, but extremely sensual and heady. Intensely sexy, this one!

SO imagine a cap-full of this beautiful, biodegradable, non-toxic, allergen free detergent in with your delicates or favourite cotton t-shirts. Fantastic for travel or for washing your clothes before packing them to go on holiday. I can't reccommend it enough. Very very special product.

Catamenia with Class

MOXIE was first developed and first launched in Australia in 2006 by Mia Klistas and her business partners , Jeff Gore and Natalie Koenen who call themselves Millie & More.

With Moxie, they launched tampons, panty liners and pads in the most gorgeous crush-proof tins that look absolutely stunning in your bag, bathroom, dressing table ... In fact you could put them anywhere and they would be acceptable. It feels a bit silly putting 'acceptable' but tampons aren't very nice gathering dust, fluff, tabacco, old gum and pen ink in the bottom of your bag.

We've all had that moment where we are caught empty handed at that point in the month and have a good dig around the bottom of the handbag. 'There's one! Thank GAAAD! Oh ... actually ... (on closer inspection) can I really use that?? It's a bit ... daggy. And the... er... wrapper's a bit undone ... hmmm ... toss a coin?'

Yeah. Whatever you do do in the end I suppose depends on how desperate your situation is, but it is now possible to skip that with a little forward planning.

Of course, you can always keep them in a little zip-up bag (you may already do that), but the Moxie tins are really very classic looking. Not over-the-top sickly girly, but obviously very feminine. Also, the shape of them isn't a direct lead to what the contents might be, which is refreshing. They look great in the bathroom, dressing table, guest loo ...

They're really affordable too. Around £2 a set and you get two tins in a set. They make a really sweet gift for a very close friend ... guaranteed to make someone smile, especially when handed over with a nice bar of chocolate and a bumper pack of Neurofen Liqui-Gel caps!!!

When I was in my early teens, my friend Jazz came back to school, from the holidays, with ' Vinnie's Tampon Case'. She had been in L.A. staying with her grandfather and whipped this very American, 50's looking velcro case, with a very characature drawing of a slightly odd boy called Vinnie which pretty much shouted out 'I'VE GOT MY PERIOD! AND I USE TAMPONS!'. However, it made me smile and laugh and most of all, it made me want one. Desperately. I had Tampon Case Envy (which will, from here-on in, be referred to as TCE).


She drawled 'Yeaah, sorrrry, I got it in L.A.', when I asked where, on God's sweet Earth, could I buy one. DAMMNITTTT!

On closer inspection of 'Vinnie's Tampon Case', my TCE got worse. It came with 'Vinnie's Handy Period Chart'! I was drooling by this point, heart beating fast as my eyes took in this very fun and organised chart to fill in! I immediately fantasised about filling in the chart with my fluffy-ended biro that was an exact replica of the ones used in Clueless. 'Hmm ...' I remember thinking 'Maybe I'll get one in red to match the case.'


The Chart encourages you to 'Know Your Flow' and there's even a section where you can fill in the Period's of your pal's!! I remember thinking how exciting having my period was going to be once I got my mitts on the case and how I needed to be the only other person in school who owned one.

Another friend, Emma, came into the room, "Oh, is that Vinnie's Tampon Case? Ha ha ... How cool is that? I got one in America last year."

TCE. Period.

www.moxieproducts.co.uk/uk/ - Available at Superdrug

www.tamponcase.com/ - Available at Urban Outfitters

SPRING/ SUMMER WISHLIST

Créme de la Mer - the absolute Cat's frikkin' Whiskers. Used sparingly and lovingly.


Lancaster SPF 30 High Protection Face Cream - my late Grandmother, Sandra, used Lancaster sun protection on every hot holiday for years, way before I came along. Her caucasian skin was amazing the entire time I was lucky enough to hang out with her.


Bobbi Brown 'Beach' Body Oil - which I want to marinade in on hot summer evenings and put in my hair.


Aveda 'Caribbean Therapy' Body Scrub - contains salt and Caribbean cane sugar and smells like a fizzy passion fruit and coconut margarita. It plays on your senses with amyris, vetiver, bay and lime which is refreshing and exhillarating. It contains oils of coconut, passion fruit and avocado which, combined with the salt and sugar leave your skin perfected, and as smoothe as biomorphic silicone.


Aveda 'Damage Remedy' Intensive Restructuring Treatment - This hair mask has the texture of silky thick caramel. It contains quinoa protein, a list of plant and wood oils and it smells natural and earthy. After washing your hair, towel dry lightly and apply this treatment from tip to root. Scrape your hair into a bun and clip. Then ... ha ha ... get some cling film and wrap your head up! Bar your eyes and nose, of course! Do your nails, catch-up on programmes, a good game of Scrabble or ANYTHING for an hour as your hair steams and nourishes it's way to perfection. Rinse well, then style as usual.


Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector (which has an SPF of 20+ & is loaded with anti-oxidants - those clever Aussie's know about skin and sun) in Pearl & in Gold. I would mix the two and add to a noisette of Creme de la Mer before applying to face, ears, neck and décolletage... and then mix somemore into a palm of Bobbi Brown's 'Beach' oil


Becca Cosmetics Foundation stick for quick cover-ups


Prescriptives Lash Envy Mascara in Black


Estée Lauder smokey Artists Eye Pencils - the Caviar of all eyeliner pencils. I keep waiting for them to create the solid gold sharpeners, they so deserve! 'Smoked Sapphire' is the current favourite.


Lancôme Nutrix Replenishing Treatment - a thick, intensely comforting cream for highly irritated skin, dry skin, post operative skin (!) ... it would be totaly dreamy on harsh sunburn, windburn, sea salt stingy skin, over-scrubbed and on a plane or boat. A little goes a long way too. Would last you over a year.

Lancôme Caresse Peaux Sêches body lotion - are you thinking, 'Yo! Random body lotion alert!!!' ? Here's why this body lotion makes so much sense right now: This nourishing body lotion has a 'powdery cotton' effect on skin, making it feel super soft and childlike. The genius of this 'powdery cotton' effect is amazing for getting dressed very quickly, especially if you've got skinny jeans, treggings, tights or rubber to wear, since it allows them to just glide straight on ... and off! No jumping around and stressing youself out! It also has a subtle shimmer to it and the rose scent is light and elegant. It's deeply moisturising and long lasting and comes in a fuss-free pump bottle.


Urban Decay Eyeshdow Primer Potion - This is the ultimate eyeshadow primer. I have been using this for years and it never fails and I have never found a better one. Once applied on lids and let to dry for a minute or two, your eyeshadow goes on and doesn't crease and wrinkle. It stays put and allows the pigment to go on in full build and look exactly how it does in it's packaging. Buy this in bulk if you can ... I just found out that it comes in a new XL size ... now what does that tell you?!


Tropical Shine nail files - founded in 1985 in Huntington Beach, California, these nail files not only look delicious but they are so fine. Such high quality and fantastic grade's of coarseness. Their 4-way buffers and files come in pastel neon colours with irresistable Palm Tree icon's that add a little tropical love to your beach bag/handbag/bathroom ... they make really nice gifts too!




• Washable
• Disinfectable
• Durable
• Reusable

'So Delicate Lip Cream' by Bourjois Paris

I was in Superdrug yesterday absolutely fascinated with their 'soundtrack'. They've obviously found a loophole in paying royalties to music companies by airing covers of popular chart music. It's so bad, that once you actually do realise it's not Rihanna singing 'Umbrella', that it's probably someone's 11 year-old daughter making a 'demo' - you cannot help but blush internally and try not to pee your pants laughing your arse off ... and remarkably I stayed in there long enough to test out Bourjois' new Lip Cream.

It's glorious.

It has the texture of freshly whipped icing except when applied to the lips it goes on matte. The palette of colours they have chosen are sexy and cute nudes. Very youthful nudes. I instantly imagine it on pert, nonchalant Parisien girls chatting over glasses of Ricard outside a cafe in early spring. They would re-apply it as the evening dawns and their night plans come into play - except together with a smokey eye. And immediately I am transported to Summer London with it's edge and it's show-offs! The Rose-Scented lip cream would look absoutely stunning with smokey eyes and a tan. Subtly patted onto lips so it's extra natural looking. It's light enough for quick application, but it's full coverage formula smoothes and even the lips instantly. So patting it on, in the 'Rose Poudre' colour, lightly with your finger gives you a perfect lip look.

The coconut oil allows the lip cream to feel like a matte vaseline with extra moisturising benefits that you feel when you rub your lips together. It really lasts as well. I still had it on when I got home a couple of hours later. At which point I inspected it in the mirror. It doesn't do that hideous cakey, dry, sticky thing that other top-brand lasting lip cream's do. Very comforting and a perfect nod to long summer evenings.

I felt my lips and they felt soft, powdery and kissable and smelled so intensely of a rose garden that I thought "if someone was talking to me at close proximity - they'd be in heaven". So, yeah, this lip cream is highly sociable! A great accessory for the obligatory kissing all and sundry every time you bump into someone you know. And with people you don't know - a fabulous and memorable first impression.

A fantastic new product from those tongue-in-cheek Parisiens behind the frilly lace curtains at Bourjois.

Available at Superdrug & Boots for around £5.80

Michelle Obama in Brixton!?

So, I'm on the bus this morning going through Brixton. It's sunday and of course, there are a lot of people going to Church. Mainly women and freshly cane-rowed little girls with tight faces and obedient walks.
I double take a few times, I haven't slept, so it takes me a few minutes to align my cherries before I hit the jackpot ... DING! DING! DING! ... MICHELLE OBAMA! EVERYWHERE! WTF? AMAZING!
Yes, it seems she has influenced the beautiful ladies of the black community in Brixton and it's really increadible.
The absolutely fantastic thing about Michelle's style (whether it's her own or dictated, I don't care, because she carries the look off with aplomb) is that it is TIMELESS and relatively AGELESS. The same cannot be said, really, of many influencial black women in the last 20 years or so. It's not their fault and it's not a bad thing ... it's just such a ridiculously brilliant gift that not only do we have Barack Obama as the President of the US, but, BONUS, we've got Michelle and she is totally awesome.
There's something in her glorious eyes that, simultaneously, tells you and dirty joke and teaches you how to use your knife and fork in the propper manner. Her regal stance and obvious great rhythm deliver a confident stride and her make-up ... well, it's even, contoured, enhancing and striking. Clean and fresh, but with a hint of drama which is very alluring and powerful. Michelle plays with those magical eyes of hers and frames them with her almost wicked eyebrows. They have now become quite Iconic on their own, those brows. So much so that I reckon if I saw a silhouette of those eyebrows in a gameshow - I would recognise them as belonging to Mrs O ... and win the prize.
Apparently, the name Michelle means 'Who is like God?' - yes, with a question mark at the end and the more I say it out loud, the more I sound Australian.
Back to Michelle. So, maybe she's not like God (?), but I definitely think she's a modern day Goddess. For sure. She's taken the best parts of past decades and modern times in fashion and beauty and it works like a charm influentialy. I proudly put her up there on my 'I AM Looking Forward To Getting Older' list along wth Halle Berry, Demi Moore and Lisa Bonet.

Michelle - Brixton salutes you and so do I.