So Darling!

That’s Grouse

Surita — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:14:14 +0000

That’s Grouse: The British Show Australian pop artist Linton Meagher reimagines shell casings, lipsticks and scalpels in first UK solo show. That’s Grouse COMODAA

Gallery, Exhibition Dates: 22nd – 29th May, 2012

“That’s Grouse”.The British Show surveys the cross-media work of Linton Meagher. Showcasing works with international appeal, “That’s Grouse” The British Show playfully considers the construction of identity, touching upon motifs in contemporary pop culture.

“That’s Grouse” is an Australian colloquialism referring to something excellent or fantastic: this tongue-in-cheek exhibition is a mischievous exploration of cultural iconography that’s equally relevant in both Australia and the UK.

Through a painstakingly repetitive artistic practice, Meagher moves familiar, functional objects into the realm of fine art, encouraging and challenging viewers to question their meaning for contemporary society.

Constructed from hundreds of shotgun cartridges, bullet casings, imitation lipsticks and surgical scalpels, Meagher’s large three-dimensional drawings can be enjoyed on many levels, both visually and conceptually.

The marriage of disparate meanings and objects is a theme throughout Meagher’s work and is particularly evident as repellent objects such as bullets or surgical scalpels are transformed to portray beauty.

Taking inspiration from Jeff Koons’ and Arman’s irreverent approach to art-making materials, Meagher’s practice often examines a symbolically loaded object, such as a shotgun cartridge, and utilises its aesthetic appeal to encourage the viewer to reflect on the world around them.

“On the surface, these works are just fun, sensual and instantly engaging: with the shotgun cartridge works, the viewer is initially seduced by the beauty of the piece.

However, it is hard to look past the death implied by all the empty cartridges. They force the viewer to ponder the economics of the endless pursuit of thrills and beauty. These works are also an extension of the artistic tradition of exploring mass consumerism and the use of ready-made objects in art.”

Linton Meagher is a Australian-born, contemporary Artist. After his studies at the University of Sydney, majoring in Fine Art, Linton went on to exhibit in group and solo exhibitions across Sydney and Hong Kong. In addition Meagher completed commissions for Blackmores and the World Health Organisation.

Meagher’s art work has evolved from utilising traditional methods such as oil on canvas, to working semi sculpturally, by using resin and Perspex to bring his vision into three dimensions. Interested in consumerism and the impermanence of time, notably Linton also trained in medicine, which gives further inspiration into a practice exploring temporality. Further information can be found at www.lintonmeagher.com

Launched in 2009, COMODAA was established to promote Australian art to a wider international audience and give talented contemporary artists new exposure. COMODAA’s mission is to present and promote contemporary Australian art by an invited group of promising, collectable and highly respected artists.

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It’s a Doll’s Life

Surita — Tue, 01 May 2012 08:49:39 +0000

A WORLD OF MINIATURES WAITING TO BE EXPLORED

KENSINGTON DOLLSHOUSE SUMMER FESTIVAL

11th-13th May 2012, Kensington Town Hall, Hornton St, London W8

You don’t have to own a dolls’ house, or be a child, to enjoy an excellent day out at this engaging festival that is the top international show for quality dolls houses, miniatures and models.

There is plenty to enjoy and admire in the exquisite detail of the beautifully crafted houses, dolls, clothing, furnishings, household paraphernalia, gardens and accessories covering a range of periods and styles.

Alongside the main show are workshops given by some of the best known names in this field; tours to places of interest; free children's miniature-making sessions and activities; talks from dolls house experts;and a doll-making competition.

This year, The Kensington Dollshouse Festival has worked in partnership with Windsor Castle, the V&A Museum of Childhood, the Sir John Soane’s Museum and the Pollock’s Toy Museum to offer full tours and talks specifically about their collections of dolls houses and vintage toys.

Established in 1985, The Kensington Dollshouse Festival attracts visitors from all around the British Isles as well as regulars from as far away as Japan, USA and Europe who visit the Festival every year to see over 170 craftsmen exhibiting and selling hand-made miniature works of art.

Collectors can find everything they need for their dolls' house or model at the Festival, from a gilt console table to a humble clothes peg, from rustic to townhouse and from traditional to contemporary designs. There are kits to assemble and decorate with the wide range of DIY components and finishes available, or a completed mansion with lights and furniture already installed.

Free catalogues and complimentary cloakroom facilities are available at the Festival. Excellent refreshments include hot lunches and cold snacks available all day.

Ticket and opening times details:

Friday, 11^th May 12.00-18.00 Advance tickets £11 (£13 if purchased on the door)

Saturday, 12^th May 10.00-17.00 Advance tickets £9 (£11 if purchased on the door)

Sunday, 13^th May 10.00-16.30 Tickets £6 (available on door only)

Three day ticket (11^th, 12^th & 13^th May) £20

Children: (under 2 years) free, (3-16 years) £4 any Festival day.

Tickets and further information:

www.dollshousefestival.com or call 020 7812 9892

Beyond Beauty

Surita — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:32:02 +0000

Going Beyond The Call Of Beauty

Beyond Organic Skincare was set up to do exactly what it says on the tin, go beyond simply providing organic beauty products. They felt that whilst there was a growing number of organic beauty brands on the market there was a lack of products that went that extra mile; that were organic, but also paid attention to the finer details.

Whilst producing products that help protect our planet is central to Beyond Organic’s beliefs, they don’t want people to have to settle for inferior products at a higher price just to have the organic tag. They aim to provide highly effective products that really make a difference to the health of your skin, that protect it from harmful chemicals and the elements, whilst giving it the love and attention it deserves through gorgeous high quality skincare.

Beyond Organic also believe that you shouldn’t have to ‘make do’ with below par beauty products just because you go on holiday, which is exactly why they’ve launched their beautiful new travel pack…

The pack contains the essentials, in the form of a moisturising day cream, regenerating night cream and detoxifying cleanser, to keep your skin looking at its best for those holiday snaps. The company certainly haven’t scrimped on the quality of the organic ingredients in the products, which have already picked up a host of awards, and you’ll find the likes of cocoa butter, beeswax, yarrow and macadamia nut oil amongst an amazing array of natural goodies that combine to make the products incredibly effective, yet delicate on the skin.

But the products don’t stop there. If the sun doesn’t shine as much as you’d hoped for whilst you’re away, you can still get youthful glowing skin with Beyond Organic’s Rejuvenating Serum. Helping achieve that golden glow is Rosehip, which works to fight wrinkles through its high concentration of Retinol A, renowned for its anti-aging properties. This combines with numerous other natural plant extracts t to create a serum which is unmatched in effectiveness and boasts a unique grouping of omegas and botanicals, in extremely high concentrations, to provide your skin with the vital building blocks it needs to stay healthy.

Perhaps most importantly, the pack also contains an Organic Rescue Salve. Having already received rave reviews and been praised as a ‘hero product’ this incredible little cream should have a place in everyone’s suitcase. The salve has been formulated to help soothe all skin irritations, whether it be a pesky insect bite, flared up eczema or a cooking burn. It contains Calendula, well known for its soothing and healing properties, combined with Propolis, Chamomile and other beneficial plant extracts used for their curative properties in a rich emollient oil base containing Sea Buckthorn oil.

So if you thought holiday skincare meant leaving the good stuff at home, and that organic skincare was just there to make you feel good about doing your bit for the planet, think again as Beyond Organic Skincare proves otherwise. For further details and information please visit www.beyondorganicskincare.com

Fade It Out

Surita — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:31:16 +0000

Fades pigmentation marks, age spots and freckles and targets the signs of ageing.

Fade Out White Rejuvenating Anti Wrinkle Cream has been specially formulated for older skin, it stimulates collagen production and protects against age inducing free radicals. When used on a daily basis, the cream will give skin an overall even tone, leaving fine lines and wrinkles visibly reduced.

· Visible results in just 4 weeks!

· Reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

· Protects skin from ageing free radicals.

· Smoothing and hydrating.

· Stops melanin from transferring into the upper layers of skin.

· Clinically proven

£9.18

Fade Out White Rejuvenating Anti-Wrinkle Cream contains the NEW advanced Fade Out White and Bright complex with Niacinamide and powerful natural actives including Milk Protein and Macademia Nut. The cream is clinically proven to work in 4 ways:

✔ Prevention - The cream will penetrates deep into the skin's outer layers, preventing the melanin from reaching the upper layers. Skin appearance will be lighter.

✔ Rejuvenation - It will stimulate collagen production and protect the skin against age inducing free radicals. Fine lines and wrinkles will appear reduced.

✔ Correction - Targets problem areas of hyper-pigmentation, skin discolouration, age spots and sunspots. Dark areas and under-eye shadows will fade.

✔ Future Defence - Enhances the cell renewal process, slowing down and inhibiting the formation of further dark spots. Skin will remain lighter.

Seven Dials Shopping Event

Surita — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:54:50 +0000

SEVEN DIALS AND ST MARTIN’S COURTYARD 20% OFF SHOPPING EVENING

5-9pm, Thursday 26^th April 2012

Make Seven Dials and neighbouring St Martin’s Courtyard your ultimate shopping destinations this spring with an exclusive 20% off shopping evening on Thursday 26^th April, presented by MasterCard’s Priceless London and in association with the London Evening Standard.

For one night only in Covent Garden, between 5 and 9pm, Seven Dials, a haven for independent style and modern British Heritage, will be offering shoppers of discerning taste the chance to refresh their spring wardrobe for less. Covent Garden’s newest shopping destination, St Martin’s Courtyard, will also be tempting shoppers with this exclusive seasonal offer throughout its unique mix of fashion, beauty and lifestyle boutiques, flagships and restaurants.

Over 120 stores including beauty and grooming salons, cafes, restaurants and bars will be offering an exclusive 20% off their collections, services and menus. Additionally many of the participating stores and venues will be hosting in-store activities such as DJs, live music, makeovers, gifts plus complimentary food and drinks to make it a truly memorable shopping experience.

As part of Seven Dials’ new partnership with MasterCard’s Priceless London, the first 200 shoppers to spend over £100 on their MasterCard card will receive a free luxury goodie bag to be collected on the night. Also during the evening St Martin’s Courtyard will be hosting a pop-up bar serving complimentary drinks for shoppers with a voucher, and 100 shoppers selected at random will be presented with a golden ticket entitling them to a gift worth £5 to £150 from stores within Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard.

The Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard 20% Shopping Evening takes place on Thursday 26^th April 2012 between 5 and 9pm. To qualify for the discount, shoppers need a ‘Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard Shopping Voucher’ which can be downloaded for free one month in advance of the event at Sevendials.co.uk along with a list of participating stores and venues. You can also get updates on the event at Twitter @7dialsWC2 & @smccoventgarden, and Facebookfacebook.com/sevendials & facebook.com/StMartinsCourtyard.

So Darling! Loves……….

Surita — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:53:57 +0000

So Darling! loves…………….this Cream Cut Out Pearl Necklace from Miss Selfridge. It is just so gorgeous! The antique gold tone and the cut out detail with cream drop pearls is reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour and decadence.

£16.50

The detail of the intricate flower cut outs, are so beautiful!

The pearl droplets add the perfect finishing touch.

Happy Bubbles

Surita — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:04:20 +0000

BUBBLEOLOGY’S FIRST BIRTHDAY

-FREE BUBBLE TEAS ON SUNDAY 22^ND APRIL

So Darling! first introduced you to Bubbleology a couple of months ago, well now Bubbleology bubble tea café (www.bubbleology.co.uk) is delighted to announce its First Birthday and will celebrate with the ultimate tea-party on Sunday 22^nd April: giving all customers that visit the store between 12-3pm a complimentary Kumquat fruit tea or an Almond or Taro flavoured milk tea from 12-3pm.

Both the Soho flagship and Fifth Floor Harvey Nichols store in Knightsbridge, will be participating in the celebrations, and guests can collect one quirky Taiwanese tea per customer.

Bubble Tea is a fun and quirky fruit infused tea based soft drink with the unique and hugely addictive addition of Tapioca pearls at the bottom of the cup.

These Tapioca pearls – or “Boba” as affectionately termed – have an almost “gummy bear” texture, being zero fat with a delicious caramel undertone and become infused with the flavour of the tea itself.

The Bubbleology team (or ‘Bubbleologists’) trained under renowned Bubble tea masters in Taiwan to learn the exact science of making the beverage, which requires precise measurements and temperatures to create the authentic taste.

They have spent the last year bringing their delicious beverage throughout London, with further stores planned to open in the capital and beyond in 2012.

The teas are priced at £3.25 for standard and £3.75 for extra large cups.

Rebelle by Rihanna

Surita — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:37:15 +0000

INTRODUCING THE SECOND FRAGRANCE FROM

FROM THE WORLD’S BEST SELLING POP FEMALE RECORDING ARTIST

- Sassy, Sexy New Fragrance Set To Climb Charts Spring 2012 –

The second fragrance from Rihanna, the chart-topping, award-winning rockstar and fashion supernova.

Rebelle, the follow-up to her first fragrance hit, Reb'l Fleur, continues to express her enticing duality. This fragrance, like Rihanna's music, expresses a fresh, modern sensuality. Indeed, it is very much of the moment as it reflects the fascination of her fans who expressed themselves online exploring whether they were a 'Reb'l' or a 'Fleur.'

"My new fragrance is about taking control but still being a lady. There's

a feminine, romantic element to the fragrance – but there's also a defiant quality in it. I love its duality".

THE FRAGRANCE

Sassy or sweet, Rebelle is a delightful enticement bringing to mind not only the warmth of the Caribbean sun, reflecting Barbados-born Rihanna's roots, but also the exhilarating whirl of her present-day city life. Caroline Sabas and Marypierre Julien, the internationally renowned perfumers behind Reb'l Fleur, have teamed up once again to capture Rihanna's essence, this time with a lush, sensual Gourmand Chypre.

Luscious strawberries and ripe purple plums are enlivened with a jolt of ginger to create a tantalizing harmony at the top. Then the heart opens passionate with the heat of exotic allure, intriguing body and soul with notes of tropical splendour: cacao absolute, vanilla orchid and heliotrope.

Defiantly sexy, the base notes beguile. Dark and mysterious, they echo like the reggae hook in a Rihanna tune: Rich patchouli finds rhythm with the essence of rare coffee beans, creamy musk merges with the aphrodisiac effect of amber…unforgettable becomes an understatement.

THE REBELLE BOTTLE

The bottle, as dramatically unique as a Rihanna performance, is inspired by the shape of a stiletto heel – a favourite shoe option for Rihanna. Made feminine with a twisting matte crimson "ribbon" layered over precious metal, the fragrance appears to glow from within, suffused with a glorious golden aura.

THE REBELLE FRAGRANCE COLLECTION

Rebelle by Rihanna will be available in Department Stores for Spring 2012.

3.4 oz. / 100 ml Eau de Parfum Spray

£37.50

1.7 oz. / 50 ml Eau de Parfum Spray

£30.00

1.0 oz. / 30 ml Eau de Parfum Spray

£20.00

6.7 oz. / 200 ml Body Lotion

£18.95

So Darling! Loves……………..

Surita — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:36:17 +0000

So Darling! loves…………this Limited Collection Canary Lace Dress with slip from M&S. You can get this season's look with this gorgeous dress. It's fashionably styled with a canary lace design priced at £39.50.

This dress oozes Summer sunshine

The sheer neckline and cut out detail add quirky features

Te sheer lace and cut out detail continue on the back of the dress

A cute thin waistband cinches in the waist

Gosh, I love your Smokey Eyes!

Surita — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:13:04 +0000

GET THE A-LIST SMOKEY EYES LOOK

- with the GOSH Smokey Eyes Palettes -

Smokey eyes have become the ‘must wear’ classic make-up look and have been a celebrity favourite on the red carpet from season to season. To help you achieve that A-list finish in double-quick time and with minimum fuss, get your hands on the new dreamy, smouldering GOSH Smokey Eye Palettes £7.99

Normally to get the perfect smokey look, you need several different colours from several different palettes which isn’t only time consuming but not very practical either.

So it’s great that these palettes of bold and beautiful eye make-up that come complete with four flattering shadow shades that blend to suit any eye shape and skin tone. Formulated with a high intensity colour pigmentation that will stay vibrant all day long. Each palette comes with a numbered guide to show you exactly where to apply each colour, so it’s great for beginners as well as the pro’s. Slim and neat enough for popping into any handbag choose from 3 beautiful shade combinations:- Black, Brown and Plum.

The black palette creates the more dramatic smokey look

The brown palette creates a natural smokey effect

The plum palette creates a colourful smokey look