Review: The Lady Ottoline, Bloomsbury, London

If you ever find yourself in Bloomsbury, known for its creative agencies and law schools, then a trip to the newly refurbed Lady Ottoline is definitely in order. We were invited down to try the grub and sample the drinks on offer one Saturday afternoon before a friend's wedding, and you know what? We were pleasantly surprised at what this old socialite had to offer.

Let's start with a history lesson: Lady Ottoline was a well known It Girl and aristocrat of her day. Oh to be able to live in a prestigious London borough and have men provide for you day in day out (if that's your thing, of course). She was known to have a vast amount of lovers in the art and literary world, all of whom were drawn to her charming and hospitable personality. In fact, so gregarious was she that her friends and lovers had no idea she was stone cold broke half the time.

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Aubrey Organics: a brand with a difference

With a cosmetics industry full of brands testing on animals, practising unethical business morals and often putting consumers’ interests last, it’s refreshing to see one quite the opposite. The company was created forty years ago, and their products now sell to 4500 retailers throughout the world.

“Why use something synthetic when something natural works so much better?” That is the philosophy behind Aubrey Organics’ products. They only use natural and organic ingredients from fair trade sources to hand make products, without machinery, in small quantities to ensure freshness. Sounds good, right? So what are the products like?

The first thing I tried was the Complexion Mist, which promises eight-hour hydration to balance and uplift skin, while smoothing and softening it.

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Review: Retro Feasts Pop Up, Mayfair, London

As the independent women Beyonce and the Spice Girls have told us we should be, we don't need no men or no job to validate our existence. No, we're powerful, strong leaders, in charge of our own destinies. If you want that extra tall venti latte with whole milk, topped with whipped cream, syrup and lashings of caramel sauce, YOU HAVE IT SISTAH WOOO!

Sometimes, though, we all crave those creature comforts. You know the ones. The snuggles on the sofa with your sister. The flowers your boyfriend buys you after a really rubbish week. And good old-fashioned home cooking, the way your nan used to make. But hectic careers, living far from home and just not having the time to sit and relax with family is all too common for most of us. So what's the solution?

Well, we found one. When I heard Retro Feasts was popping up in Mayfair, I grabbed fellow London blogger Amelia and whizzed on over to give them a go. They promise 80s style food and sweet shop cocktails, along with disco dancing in setting your nan would truly love. But would this place be more bingo hall than bistro food? It was a gamble we were happy to take.

We booked a table at 7:30pm on a Friday expecting it to be rammed. However it was eerily quiet, especially for a Friday night. I began to feel a bit sorry for the founders. Pop ups are all the rage right now admittedly, but there have been many where the frenzy just hasn't hit home and they've fizzled out. And no one wants to be stuck with a try-hard venture no one wants to be seen in.

So, we booked in, took our seats near the window and had a look at the cocktail menu. There was a wine list too, but unless it was Blue Nun, I wasn't interested. Amelia started with a cocktail from their sweets range, while I went for something a little longer . The cocktails were made to perfection, and there was more than one occasion where we both gave each other a cheeky look and burst into giggles. It was definitely the nostalgia reverting us back to our childhood. That, or the booze.

We shared cheese and pineapple for starters, which was confusingly more of a won ton than the classic dish that graced childhood parties of twenty years ago.

For mains, I opted for bubble and squeak and Amelia chose a slab of gammon, both served with a fried egg (although mine was slightly undercooked which meant scraping a bit of slimy white onto my plate). We didn't realise the mains came without sides, so quickly put in an order for chips and creamy cabbage which arrived about five minutes later. Top notch service indeed.

For dessert I had what I was looking forward to the whole night, a classic school days dessert Eton Mess. Amelia tried the Black Forest gateaux. Obviously, we were thinking it was going to be that classic freezer cake defrosted and lumped on a plate with cream, but it was so far from what we expected! It was served in a Mason jar and was basically deconstructed into layers of cream and chocolate. Amelia commented it was more like a trifle than the old-school dessert.

The food was delicious. They're not trying to reinvent the wheel here. Rather, they're tapping into tastes from childhood and offering diners hearty and satisfying food. It's not mega cheap - after all, you're in Mayfair daaaaahling - but the cocktails are reasonably priced and food can be shared, making it a really nice after-work spot, or even a visit with your nan. The place got really busy at 8:30pm so if you're looking for a quiet meal, book before then.

Downstairs is the Embassy nightclub. Amelia and I decided although the food was finished, we certainly weren't! So we popped downstairs in the hopes of a drink and a boogie. Sadly the staff refused to serve us drinks, saying we had to buy a bottle at £250 a pop (HA! Yeah, right) despite there only being about three other patrons in the room, so we left quickly. The rudeness was the only issue we'd had the whole evening, but restaurant manager Benoit could clearly see how upset we were, and offered us a cheeky shot upstairs by way of apology.

All in all we had a fab night. It's only around for another few months, so definitely worth a visit even if only for the amazing cocktails. The menu isn't available online and seems to be changing as demand dictates (fortunately the Eton Mess seems to have stood the test of tongues and time, yet there was no sign of Baked Alaska or Arctic Roll...) so as long as you go with your head firmly in the 80s and 90s, you're sure to have a great night.

Retro Feasts | 29 Old Burlington Street, London, W1S 3AW | 0207 494 5660

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Why living in the city can ruin a woman's health

We all know a poor diet can affect our moods. But according to a shocking new study, women's stress levels are also affected by a lack of green space, leading us to believe we have a deeper need for mother nature than we first thought.

What's more, the study suggests there are significant differences in stress patterns depending on your gender, with men hardly being affected whether they're in the middle of a city or living in the idylls of the country. Cortisol, the hormone that's released when we're feeling the pressure od daily life, was measured in men and women living in deprived urban areas of Scotland, and when surrounded by bricks and tarmac, women came off worse. How unfair is that!

So what could be the reasons for this?

Well, the effect green spaces have often include a desire to take up more physical activity, like running, walking the dog or even taking a stroll through the park rather than using the car. All these simple things improve mood increases social contact (even if it is that nosy old lady from the fourth floor) and better mental wellbeing. Just being around the natural world has also been shown to improve bood pressure and heart rate, but in the same way a purring cat on your lap dopes.

So how can you make the most of the parks, woods and rivers around you? here are our five tips for a stress-free life.

1. Ditch the car, and go for a walk
Now winter's drawing in, most of us lazies will hop in the car to make a quick stop to the shops. But taking a five minute walk through a park, on a woodland path can get your heart pumping and give you a change of scenery. bonus points if you have a pooch, they can drag you along.

2. Low moods need natural highs
If you're feeling a bit low, a bit meh and a bit bleurg, it can be tempting to isolate yourself in favour of trashy telly and all the ice cream and jelly beans. But actually, heading outdoors for a half hour amble can give you the lift you need to start feeling better about things.

3. Bring it in
If you really have no natural alternatives in your local area, then you'll need to bring the countryside to you. A tower block roof is ideal and a great way to get some fresh air. Ask your housing manager if access can be granted, and whether plant pots with greenery and shrubbery can be added. If not, a few plants dotted in your house can make all the difference, and they last longer than cut flowers.

4. Wear wellies
Ever remember how fun it was splashing in puddles as a kid? Your socks would get wet and muddy and it would take a week for your shoes to dry, but dammit those were the happiest days of your life. So relive your carefree days, pull on a pair of wellies and a waterproof coat and go out in the rain for a walk. As long as you're wrapped up well and warm, you'll be happy as a duck in water.

5. Camping, glamping and other field-based frivolities
If you live in a city, it can be temping to spend more time in the same. Who wouldn't love a jaunt to Rome, Paris, or New York? But this doesn't really give you a break from they grey and can leave you feeling more drained when you get back home. So instead, look at staying in a country mansion, a yurt, or even sleeping under the stars.

What are your tips for when city living gets on top of you? Let us know in our brand new comment system below (you'll be notified when someone replies!) or tweet us!

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Here's how to... use work experience and internships to land your dream job

Getting a work experience or internship placement can be just as challenging as finding a job, (but you try telling that to my parents) and you quite often need a lot of time, patience and a strong personality to deal with the piles of rejections that you will no doubt receive. But that precious experience you get could be the difference between your CV getting picked over someone else's. So what's the best way to go about getting a placement?

In my experience I’ve found having an endless supply of coffee, tea, chocolate and cake helped me to keep going, so you could always take this approach if necessary. The main things to remember are that you will be rejected, sometimes people won’t reply, there will be times when you just have to sit down and cry but most importantly just keep reminding yourself that eventually someone WILL want to give you the chance to prove yourself.

I chose not to go to university, which has meant that for me to even have a chance at getting into a career in journalism I have had to spend hours upon hours applying for work experience. Because without it no one is even going to glance at my CV. Even writing for this here magazine means I can put my experience down on paper.

I read through a ridiculous amount of advice columns when I first started out, many of which proved to be undeniably useful. Bin the end this is how I personally went about getting work experience. Here are my tips for you:

First of all, make sure you think outside the box. I initially started my search by applying for office-based positions but in reality the first two placements I was given were both online. Without them I never would have gotten myself a work experience placement or an internship in a newsroom a few months later.

Don’t forget to check back through your CV on the odd occasion, I was horrified the first time I looked back through mine; no wonder no one wanted to hire me! It could always do with a bit of a spruce up and while you’re sitting around, filling your time by jumping every time the phone rings or an email pops into your inbox, is the perfect time to do it.

This point is vital; so read it, read it again and then read it a THIRD time: Make sure your cover letter really sells you but don’t waffle on for ages. I know that you will have heard it before. But especially if you're hoping to get into journalism, your cover letter is the first glimpse the editor gets of you. It's where you prove you can, y'know, actually string a sentence together. So makes it count! Make it polite but to the point, and I cannot emphasise this enough, personalise it! When I first started out I sent out a huge amount of generic emails but I didn't get one single reply. I realised where I was going wrong and began to look into the companies and shape my cover letter towards the specific position that I was applying for. Suddenly I started actually receiving replies, admittedly some of these were rejections but at least I was starting to hear from someone.

Don’t be cocky but make sure that you are confident. As I mentioned above I haven’t gone to university and this has made it vital that I at the very least act as if I know what I am going on about. It is imperative that in every phone call, email, letter or face-to-face interview that I am in I ensure that I am confident because if I don’t believe in my own abilities, without a degree to prove I am worthwhile hiring I don’t have a chance.

And don’t forget, once you have got yourself a position, you are still allowed to ask questions. My first internship was brilliant for a little while until I ran out of money and getting to and from London every week became impossible. Instead of just packing it in, I spoke to my editor and she allowed me to continue working from home; you never know if you don’t ask! I’ve also just secured myself another placement with a different magazine, but I wasn’t able to start on the date that they wanted me to and instead of just giving in; I simply asked if it was possible for me to begin on a different day, and it was!

All that is really left for me to say is good luck and don’t forget that being unemployed has some benefits. I mean c’mon, staying in bed all day long with a constant supply of tea while you apply for jobs really isn’t too bad! And I guarantee that when you do get yourself a placement you’ll be wishing you could get back to the lifestyle you have now.

By Shannon.

Fancy work experience at Stylist? The popular free magazine is looking for a feature's intern to start asap! Check their twitter for more details.

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CLOSED - WIN! Hair extensions worth £168

It's competition time again at six out of ten. This time we're offering a prize for all your long haired lovelies out there. A full head of clip-in extensions perfectly matched to your own hair colour. How fab is that?

Established in 1968, Hairaisers is one of the oldest and most respected hair extensions provider in the UK, their extensions have graced many of Fashion Week catwalks. And they've even been used to glam up the contestants on the X Factor live shows.

So, together with Hairaisers, we'd love to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a set of 18” Pink Label Hair Extensions worth £168. Not only do they look and feel beautiful, they are incredibly versatile and easy to use too.

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Here's how to... survive the dreaded commute to work

For many, commuting has become a way of life. With house prices rising, we can no longer afford to be picky about where we work, or live. So this means looking further afield for affordable housing and spending more time than we'd care to on trains and trams, buses and bikes. For most, it's a nightmare.

I've recently had to adopt a four hour round trip commute and, so far, my feelings are mixed. I love the chance to catch up on work, listen to music and read (not to mention the endless cups of coffee and sausage rolls that can be savoured after a tough day in the office), and I do love the hustle and bustle. But it's fair to say the novelty is beginning to wear off. If you're in a similar position, here are some tips to help your commute speed by and reduce the rage that comes with annoying passengers, inevitable delays and price hikes.

Be prepared. There's no point thinking that you can have an enjoyable commute and also take a small handbag with you. The things you'll need will fill a massive bag - I recommend Longchamp's Le Pilage shopper in large, the sturdiest handbag of all time. Being prepared will mean you won't be stuck, bored, wet or angry. A basic list of things to pack in your commuting bag include: an umbrella, headphones, a book, a notebook and pen, a bottle of water, snacks, a small make up bag for touch ups, a hair brush, a diary (for spare time life organisation) and your purse. There are many, many other things you could include, but this should be okay to start with.

Think about the weather. It's hard to judge the weather when you're getting up at 6am; it's either dark or the sky is bright blue (why do those clouds come from?), and it's nearly always cold. Make sure to check a weather app the night before (or find a taxi driver and ask, they always know), so you can judge what to wear. If you've got an umbrella from the tip above, you'll be fine if it starts to rain, and packing some sort of jacket or cardigan will fend off the cold. When it comes to footwear, however, I wish you the best of luck.

Try and keep calm. When I'm in a normal day to day situation, I would like to think I'm generally quite a likeable, warm person. When, however, it comes to commuting, I dislike nearly everyone. People on the phone, schoolchildren talking overly loudly, even the conductor asking to check my ticket (how dare she?) are able to wind me up when I'm tired, rushed and crowded. Try and not be like me.

Download the National Rail app. This will be a life saver - it's quick, simple and available on all mobile platforms. Head to the App Store and get it now. It will let you know times, changes, platforms and, most importantly, delays. I frantically tried to make a train I was aware that I couldn't really make, almost gave up hope, checked the app, saw it had been twenty minutes delayed and made it. All's well that ends well.

Commuting, for lack of a better phrase, is a bitch. It's crowded, it's busy, and it's often a stressful environment - this is even before you consider cancellations and delays. Buckle down, get on with it and enjoy the money or experience you're getting. There are three things that are certain in life; death, taxes and commuting. Good luck.

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Four fads of the 90s that were awesome, then a bit rubbish, and are now awesome once again

The 90s were a wondrous time. Britney was young and innocent in her schoolgirl outfit and years away from shaving her head, the Friends were entertaining us with a new adventure every week (OH ROSS HOW COULD YOU SAY RACHEL'S NAME AT THE ALTAR?!?!11?!) and the Spice Girls weren't old and mothers and were instead teaching all us young girls how awesome Margaret Thatcher was because girl power.

As with any decade, fads in the 90s came and went with wild abandon. We've picked four trends which were amazing at the time, then embarrassing as we tried to impress others with and new jobs and Nokia 3330s with interchangeable cases, and then rejoined the ranks as precious memories, rather than cringeworthy recollections, because clearly we're much more mature and comfortable with ourselves now us 90s kids are nearing our 30s.

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Five sweet shop and dessert inspired cocktail recipes

In a hunt for the best Birmingham bars I stumbled upon Fumo, who say they offer quirky cocktail creations to suit any palette. Now, being the cheeky sorts we are, we decided to put this to the test. Surely any mixologist worth their salt can come up with a bespoke cocktail for even the fussiest punter, right? Anthony Trueman rose to our challenge and created a range of cocktails based on old skool treats from way back when, ESPECIALLY for us! You have to give these six out of ten sweet treats a try!

Eton Mess Cocktail
This traditional old school dessert has inspired a sumptuous summery cocktail full of strawberries, cream and crushed meringue.

30ml sloe gin
20ml strawberry liqueur
1 teaspoon strawberry jam
1 x egg white
Double cream
1 teaspoon Demerara sugar

Mix and serve over ice. Garnish with cream, crushed meringue and sliced strawberry.

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Here’s how to... manage your time wisely (like an owl)

We’re all very busy. Can you believe it's September already? Between working, studying, travelling, family, relationships, hobbies and a social life, we don’t have much spare time. While keeping busy is good, trying to squeeze it in can you leave you struggling to keep your head above water. If this is the case, it’s time to step back and think about how you’re managing your time.

It starts with prep. Cringe-worthy though it may be, I think the saying “failing to prepare is preparing to fail” couldn’t be truer. Getting prepared can free up time that you could be spending otherwise. If you have an early commute, take ten minutes the night before to get your bag prepared, outfit picked out and lunch made. That way, in the morning you’ve got an extra ten or fifteen minutes to get ready (or snooze the alarm). Preparing well can save you money, time, and stress.

Organisation

The best way to manage time is to do it in blocks and make the most of it. If you have a long commute, instead of staring out of the window gormlessly drinking coffee (like I do), make a start on that article you wanted to get done, or read the presentation you promised your boss you would. That’s another job done. Set yourself the next two or three hours to get one job done, instead of spending half an hour on it before wandering off to do something else. You’ll get more done, and the productive attitude might mean that you have some spare time at the end.

My number one tip, which isn’t to everyone’s liking, is using lists. I am a list fanatic - if I don’t have something written down then it’s more than likely I’ll forget to do it. Keep a diary with you and write down bits and bobs you need to do and cross them off as you go through them - ticking that last thing off feels pretty damn good (to nerds like me).

Take some time off

It’s good to have some time off, whether it’s for friends, a boyfriend or just for some well-earned me-time. But, make sure you’ve deserved it. Making sure you’ve gotten things you need to do done before taking time off makes sure that your free time really is free. Motivate yourself to finish your work or to reply to those emails with the thought that you can take some truly free time without anything else to do in the evening. That way, you’ll get more done, and you will be able to switch off without something nagging at the back of your mind.

Ask for help

Most of the time a bit of stress can be managed by getting a to-do list done, having some off time and managing priorities. If this doesn’t do the job and you’re still feeling the strain, it might be time to have a serious rethink. There’s only so much one person can do without hurtling towards a very-early-life-breakdown and if you’ve taken on too much you might need to consider whether anything can be cut loose. If not, see whether you can delegate any jobs or ask anyone for help. After all, sobbing on the tube at half seven because you’ve just finished a twelve hour shift and have three more articles to write before you get home isn’t an attractive, or professional, look.

By Lauren Cope.

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