The Summer Holidays Edit - 2015.

So it's Summer and time to get into the holiday spirit - AT LAST!!

We here in London aren't blessed with fab beaches (Boo!), so it's time to up sticks and make way on our jollys...with that in mind, I thought I'd put together a list of my Holiday Essentials. :-)

1. Ray bans 2.Top Shop

First thing's first, I am a self-confessed Sunnies ADDICT!!

I have a ridiculous collection of all styles, colours and am not fussy as to whether they're branded or not, just whether they look great on!

Remember to protect yourself!

http://www.carrotsun.co.uk/

For Protection, as has to be Asda's own - yes, you heard that right - not only does it protect, it also helps by giving anti-wrinkle & brown spot protection (never to early or late to start!)- all for a paltry £3.50 a tube - BONUS! :-)

I found out about CarrotSun via a random google search a few years back and have to say it's a very well kept secret and I'm surprised it's not more commonly known to people?!

The stuff is amazing, not only does it give me a "Sun-kissed Goddess" look (what one colleague said on my previous return to work), it also makes the tan last...for
MONTHS.

It is the only product I have known to still keep a tan on me up to 5 months later and that's through-out Winter too!

And to keep that tan going my top tip would be to moisturise afterwards EVERYDAY.

This will help to both maintain a great tan along with soft and supple skin, my personal choice is from the 7 Day Intensive range from Garnier in Mango, smells great, good for sensitive skin (which all skins are!) & lasts through-out the day.

When it comes to getting bit by the dreaded mozzies, my best bet has always been Citronella- cost around £1 and can be found in any pharmacy, is 100% natural oil and keeps them away! 
I put some on of an evening especailly aorund my ankles, bbehind the knees, inner elbows and a slight race everywhere. 
I also leave the bottle open in the room I'm staying in, as even if they are in there, they are not tempted to come near the area and bite!!

My next choice might sound bizarre to some but would have to be a great toothpaste as glowing skin looks even better with a bright set of nashers- my personal choice at the moment is Oral B's 3D White LUXE in particular the Healthy Shine, as does everything it needs too!

And last on the list is something white to wear. (I'm sure I'm not the only one on this!) But whether it be a dress, top, skirt or pair of linen trousers- this shade looks fab when we're tanned and a sparkling picture of health!

What are the holiday must-have items for you guys & are you going anywhere nice this year?

Whatever you've got planned, ENJOY!! :D

Sunshine Xx

Interview Exclusive with the Creators Behind Deep Into Soul!!

With the announcement of DJ Spinna joining the fantastic Deep Into Soul crew in Ibiza last week and ahead of their next event at the Prince of Wales, Brixton on Sunday 19th July, 

I've had the pleasure of interviewing great guys Scott Tastebudz & DJ Neil Pierce who are behind London's Best Terrace Party!!

http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?727828

https://www.facebook.com/events/1652237125007078/

Sooo...How Did You Guys First Get Together & 

How Did DIS Begin?
Neil: DIS was Scott's brainchild and he started it in a small spot in Stockwell (although he likes to say Clapham) Lol ... He used to call me up for bits of advice as we were good friends and then it kind of grew organically from there, I’ve been involved full time for a couple of years now and we work really well as a team. We both have our strengths that we bring to the table and genuinely get on as mates so it's the perfect combination really.  

Scott: Where do I begin…  I first come across Neil when I attended MOS for Soul Heaven and instantly liked what he played & how he put his set together, DIS was just an idea at this time but I knew I’d found my opening DJ. DIS began March 2011 at 3rd space bar in Stockwell (Clapham Road) and with the support and help from many People plus hard work it has far exceeded my own expectations.

From Your Wonderful Creation - What Do You Enjoy Most About DIS?

Scott: There are many things I enjoy about DIS but the No.1 thing for me is seeing our diverse crowd coming together and having a great time, I honestly feel there is no better crowd in Clubland.

Neil: Well I’m a DJ first and foremost so I would say it has to be the atmosphere created by our wonderful crowd. I play at a lot of parties in London by I can honestly say the atmosphere at DIS when it's going off is second to none. 

Your Personal Best DIS Guest Appearance?

Neil: I can't narrow it down to one ... Spinna, Spen and Paul Trouble Anderson have all smashed the life out of it though. I also loved the set DJ Bones played last year, he is hugely underrated in my opinion. 
Scott: Rich Medina stands out for me; he played last year at the Suncebeat reunion and absolutely tore the place up with 7 inch vinyl. Although I have to say DIS has been very fortunate to have had many DJ’s play that have give it 100% and helped build DIS into what it is today.

Favourite Tune For The Summer..?
Scott: Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves The Sunshine, never get tired of listening to it.

Neil: Raul Midon - Sunshine- Everything about that record feel like summer time.

And Your Current Favourite House Track?

Neil: Rhemi ft Hanlei - "Diamond" - This is a track that myself and Ziggy put our heart and Soul into and the girls deliver outstanding Vocals and Songwriting.

Scott: Rhemi ft Hanlei - "Diamond"

And congrats goes out to you all on that track, as you're currently riding high in the charts at NUMBER ONE!! :-D

We Like To Keep Ourselves Hydrated When Dancing...What's Your Tipple Guys?

Neil: Lager or Brandy and Coke.

Scott: Water and Lime and on occasion Red Bull, although I’m trying not to drink too many of them!!!

Who Is Your Personal All Time Artist and Why?

Scott: This is a hard question to answer for me; I was blessed with a diverse musical upbringing. Anything from Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Fleetwood Mac or Pink Floyd, then found my own musical taste in Hip Hop, Rare Groove, Dancehall and eventually House. If I had to choose one person it would be Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley a close second.

Neil: Stevie Wonder & Masters At Work - The body of work both of these artists have made over the years is just ridiculous.  

Which Up & Coming DJ's Should We Keep An Ear Out For? 

Scott: David Bailey, Ted Lawrence and Shaun Ashby, these guys are bringing the heat right now.
Neil: Ziggy Funk has really come into his own in the last year. We play together a fair bit now but he is a force to be reckoned with by himself as well. I've also got to give a mention to David Bailey and Ted Lawrence as well who are well on their way to making great names for themselves.

Which Festivals Are You Looking Forward To Most This Summer?

Neil: Suncebeat, 51st State, Nights over Egypt and Mi-biza are all looking amazing!!  

Scott: Suncebeat and Mi-Biza, they are THE ONLY Festivals I will be attending this Year.

Well thank you gents for your time, it's great getting to know more about what goes on behind-the-scenes and for those who want to know what the vibe is like only need to click on this clip below at the last DIS  with Frankie Feliciano on the decks, for the kind of experience you'll expect!!

https://www.facebook.com/jake.gabai/videos/vb.694010607/10155731389620608/?type=2&theater

'Til the next time,

Sunshine Xx

#BloggingGalsParty

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of receiving this invite to attend the red carpet launch of the Blogging Gals Party in conjunction with Anesis TV.

#blogginggalsparty

https://twitter.com/blogginggals

I got to meet up with a friend- Charlotte, who also happens to be a blogger and to meet with some wonderful ladies doing great things in the vlog / You Tube & blogging world.

We had the pleasure of arriving to the venue in a white limo- albeit for a short while, which was filled with champagne and were greeted with red carpet and photographers in style.

On arrival, I was greeted by DJ Lucy Stone, playing a nice variety of House music and handed a flute of Laurent-Perrier champagne-one of the sponsor's of the night-which was kept topped up through-out the evening, in a room where the ceiling was filled with gold foil balloons - a very nice touch.

The event also combined the launch of Anesis TV and the soiree had an assortment of beautiful people from the world of television,music, blogging- beauty,  fashion & lifestyle.

 A competition was announced with prizes such as a Benefits' Beauty Box, designer shoes and a Necklace for us to tweet about the event whilst there. 

It was great to network with others who do the same and getting to learn more about the web reviewing world and to be somewhere, where it was not a social faux pas to be looking at your phone, as for us it was it's what we love to do!

We were all having so much fun, the event overrun 10 pm and was still in full swing, with the after party being held at Dirty Martini.

I was handed a great Goodie Bag filled with wonderful things, like Vita's extra virgin coconut oil (for those who know me, I'm a fan of pulling so was ecstatic at this-it's the small things!), Swarovski crystal hair tie, Aura ring collection and a selection of organic beauty products, we were truly spoiled!

Picture courtsey of +solelysentials 

I had a great catch-up with my gorgeous girls Lottie & Monique (pictured above), where we spent the rest of the evening grabbing a bite to eat and laughing the night away!

Thank you +BloggingGals & +Anesis TV  for the invite and I look forward to the next one!! 

Sunshine Xx

All Aboard Chloe Balloqui's Charity Cruise!

So if you didn't already know, we are gearing up towards a fabulous event which will be in 2 weeks today on Friday 5th June.

A Charity Cruise and Party night, with all funds going towards Chloe Balloqui's Neuroblastoma treatment.

This is particularly important to me as Chloe is my best friend's niece and therefore like family.

Chloe was featured on ITV's "Raining In My Heart" last month showing the Balloqui family's journey over the past 2 years - it is both an heart-breaking yet inspiring & uplifting worthwhile watch.

So together with my bestie and another great lady, we have joined forces to create the Hunni bunnies (Chloe's favourite animal & toy) and are holding a Charity Cruise and After party in London!! 

With a great music line-up, where only the fabulously fun people of all ages 18+ are allowed!!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1406392763012888/

https://www.justgiving.com/Hunni-bunnies/

https://www.facebook.com/ChloeBalloqui?fref=ts

For those who'd like to come - check out the FB page link above for more details, as you're more than welcome to get in touch with one of us, as it'll be a one-off event of it's kind with 100% of the money going to towards Chloe's treatment & the Neuroblastoma Children's Cancer Alliance (NCCA) UK, but beware there aren't many tickets left, so you'd better be quick!!

We have a £4K target to reach, so if you'd like to help us but cannot make the event, please feel free to donate some money and remember to press the Gift Aid button!! :-)

Thank you to all those who are helping with this event, including those who have offered their time to play, those who have donated prizes and all who have already brought tickets to attend!!

Have a great Bank Holiday weekend all!!

'Til the next time, 

Sunshine Xx

The Crewe Arms Made My Stay Worthwhile.

If you're ever in Crewe, please visit this hotel!

From the outside, it looks and sounds like an old English man's pub...

On the inside it's a warm welcome, nice and cosy with a Country House feel.

The food was delish and included menu items such as parma ham rolled apricot stuffed chicken, steak and ale pie and desserts were chocolate fudge cake and sticky toffee pudding to name some of the delights on offer which were served to us by some wonderfully friendly staff Marcine and Adam (thank you for looking after me!)

The room was spacious an airy and the bed was high, not to soft and comfy and had a desk / dressing table area I could work on which was handy. And most of all it was wonderfully CLEAN!!

It was a pleasure staying at the Crewe Arms Hotel (*) and would recommend anyone who passes by and needs a place to rest their head that the team here are lovely and will make you feel like you're at home.

A BIG THANK YOU to Rachel, Lee & anyone I might have forgotten to mentioned to went out of their way to look after me and if I'm ever overnight in Crewe again, I know exactly where to stay!! :-)

Sunshine xx

The Wonderer Returns...

Okay, so I know it's been a while, just over a month in fact, but I've been in hiding doing all the wonderful things I enjoy doing, along with being blessed professionally & keeping my head down learning a new role.

So to those who have missed me, thank you for still keeping an eye out on my page and I'll do my best not to be away for so long again!

March was positively overwhelming for me, because so many wonderful things happened around me at once and I was almost confused with which direction to take, but I decided to do the above, leave it up to the Universe and so far so good and along with some seriously hard graft during the month of April, it's all working out. :-)

Thank you again for bearing with me, as I re-embark on my love of blogging journey, as there's plenty more to come!!

Have a great weekend and remember to laugh, love and hug one another!!

Sunshine xx

A Little Piece of Paradise...in South East London?!?

I was told by a friend that she had been for a great meal at the Pasha hotel in Camberwell, London and that they had a spa too, so I decided to check it out.

Now I'm a BIG fan of relaxation treatments and when I can, I jump at the chance, so checked online and saw they had a - wait for it - TURKISH BATH?!?! 

Now having been to the country many times over the past 10 years, I got UBER excited at the prospect and soon found myself filling out the online form to complete for an appointment. I called one of my girl's to which she agreed- although she did later tell me she thought "Oh no, what she got us doing now!" Haha!

A lovely guy named Altay called me back and was great at advising on going with their Magnifique Ritual (even the name sounds like royalty, don't you think?), along with arranging a time most suitable for me and one of my girls who had never experienced such a delight before.

Altay went to the trouble to ensuring we had the place to ourselves too, which made the while experience feel extra special!!

Having gone by this place a ridiculous amount of times and not knowing this secret gem before, I almost feel like kicking myself, but better late than never huh?

On entering the Pasha Hotel entrance, the first thing I immediately mentioned to my friend was the wonderful aromatherapy smells that hit me, along with it being beautifully decorated and looking very posh for something you wouldn't expect in that part of the neighbourhood, which is turn pleasantly surprised me. 

We were warmly greeted by a guy named Sam, who showed us to the room we would be using which is located next to the Turkish Bath steam room.

 http://pashaspa.co.uk/

It was decorated like something out of an opulent Turkish movie, in rich reds, greens, purples and black with lanterns for lighting and rich mahogany wood furniture trimmings in the dressing room...LUSH!

Sam then gave us time to get changed, offered us to help ourselves to some water in a glass water dispenser with freshly cut orange slices inside (nice touch!) and to enter the steam room...

Excited we entered the beautiful marble room and took a seat at the end on the biggest seat at the back of the room. Now the room isn't not as large as one in Turkey - but come on this is London and that amount of marble would set you back a pretty large some of money. But it's a fair size and enough space to enjoy the experience.

http://pashaspa.co.uk/index.php/spa-treatments/product/66-magnifique-ritual

So after 20 mins or steam, both Altay and Sam came back in and proceeded to give us a Natural Pink Himalayan Salt scrub, in a massage motion from head-to-toe....then after a rinse down (from running water in the stunning marble sink bowls which had a brass fish on one tap and frog on the other, cute), we then got the wonderful bubble in a special pillow (for those of you who don't know, it's being covered head to toe in a mass of soft bubbles), which is this case were made out of organic almond and olive oils, one word....BLISS. 

We were asked to turn around and the guys set to giving us a massages which left us both lost for words (and for those who know us, that is a mean feat ha!) in a total state of zombie-like relaxation.

Then the guys rinsed the bubbles off and finished with asking said friend and I to face each other and had a brass bowl full of organic honey and said it was the end and we could help ourselves to as much as we liked and to rub from head to toe (hair included), leave to steam and then to rinse with hot water and use the shower and shampoo gels provided.

Sam and Altay. :-)

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186338-d2076918-Reviews-Pasha_Turkish_Bath_Ottoman_Hammam-London_England.html

All in all this was 2 hours of heaven, we felt like new pampered women and my friend & I are looking forward to arranging the next appointment already!!

They also have a highly recommended restaurant and hotel, which will another stop in the near future... ;-)

Okay so the cost is over £60 for this particular treatment, but to be honest, my my friend's words "We easily spend more than this on a night out." 

I agree, along with the fact we can easily spent money polluting our body, so why not treat our bodies to something great that makes feel new again? 

After all Health is our Wealth!!

And for those who are still unsure they were awarded the Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor in 2014 if you need any more persuasion!

Whether you're local to the area, or not, it's 100% DEFINITELY worth a visit - we highly recommend!!

There are many other cheaper treatments, which suit all budgets, just take a look in the link above, but make sure you book early, as their appointments disappear very quickly in advance - especially the weekends!