Cutter & Squidge Delivers a Hello Kitty Afternoon Tea That’s Almost Too Cute to Eat

             Our favorite furry feline, Hello Kitty, has arrived in the UK for a purrfect afternoon tea. In the first of its kind in Europe, the bottom of Cutter & Squidge’s Soho café has been transformed for the summer into a Secret Garden. It will surely delight big, as well as little, kids. My friend and I arrived with empty stomachs and we left with full ones, fuelled by a sugar rush each and with extra cakes in tow.

             Cutter & Squidge was dreamt up by two food-obsessed sisters, whose humble beginnings started in a “compact” kitchen in North West London. They pride themselves on keeping their fat and sugar content to “just as much as needed to make something delicious.” Does that mean we’re exempt from all of the calories? Oh well, it’s probably best not to think about it! However, you can rest safe knowing that everything at Cutter & Squidge is made from scratch, with no artificial flavorings, preservatives, or colorings (made instead from fruits, vegetables, spices, and flowers) in sight.

             We were met with jars of pink lemonade with hot pink bows perched on the straws. As we sipped them to combat the sticky heat of the day, we were led downstairs into what our waitress jokingly referred to as the “Hello Kitty dungeon.” A tree sprouting plush Hello Kitty toys and a lit-up version of the character were standing guard. Comprised of leafy archways, soft, colorful cushions, and wall decals of Hello Kitty and friends frolicking in London, if this garden was indeed a dungeon, I wouldn’t mind being locked up in there forever – held hostage by adorable captors.

             After choosing from a range of loose-leaf teas, a stack of bamboo steamers swiftly appeared at our table. My friend’s face was obscured from mine by this tower of treats, but I’m sure both of our mouths were agape. Our waitress unpacked and talked us through the layers one by one. Just as I was thinking that there was no way we would finish it all, she told us that our afternoon tea was unlimited – an endless supply of indulgence!

             We strategically started on the bottommost layer, with tasty finger sandwiches that came in salmon and chives, hummus and pepper, and cheese and red onion variations. The cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches were shaped like Hello Kitty and were even stamped with her signature red bow. It seemed almost barbaric to eat them, but that feeling soon came to pass.

             Plain or fruit scones served with clotted cream and jam is a traditional staple of afternoon tea. Cutter & Squidge has updated this British classic with savory cheese scones and red pepper relish and cream cheese spread, paired with coronation crackers imprinted with Hello Kitty’s face.

             I urged my friend to hurry up eating, prodding, “Can we move to the next layer now?” You see, my sweet tooth was aching and I was eager to start on all of the dessert delights, especially since I’d already seen what was yet to come. An afternoon tea that contains more biscuits and cakes than anything else is exactly what I would call my kind of afternoon tea.

             That brought us to the heavenly layer of fluffy pink marshmallows, Hello Kitty-shaped berry jellies, chocolate cake truffles, and strawberries (it’s important to get one of your five a day, right?). My friend doesn’t hanker after sweets in the same way that I do, so he graciously offered me some of his share. I was slowly but surely being defeated by my afternoon tea at this point, where I think my eyes had grown bigger than the size of my stomach. I was determined, so in the pursuit of a well-rounded blog post, I carried on dear reader, I carried on. It's tough work, but someone's got to do it. 

             Red velvet Hello Kitty biscuits, blondies (blonde brownies, where vanilla is used instead of cocoa), and Biskies were unfolded. Cutter & Squidge is the home of Biskies, which are part biscuit, part cookie, and part cake filled with lightened buttercream, handmade jams, caramels, and more. I squashed mine down into a little sandwich to make it an easier mouthful. In the middle were pools of matcha and chocolate dipping sauces. Dunking the sugary biscuits in the rich sauce led to an unlikely and flavorful concoction that had me plunging in for more. Cutter & Squidge is also known for its decadent Dream Cakes, which line the shop windows in dazzling designs of layered sponge.

             We triumphantly reached the top layer and my friend and I shared a look as if it say, “We can do this.” It turns out we couldn’t, but it wasn’t for our lack of trying. The apple pie mousse in its glass container with a bow biscuit for decoration was to die for with its sour and creamy blend. The delectable chocolate mud pies looked like they might be my favorite of the lot, with chocolate cake wedged between helpings of icing, finished off with more icing, a Hello Kitty white chocolate disc, and gold flecks. Those were the cakes I took away with me and I managed to eat them later on (how I did that, I have no idea) with a nice cup of tea.

             It goes without saying that everything was delicious and Cutter & Squidge pulled out all of the stops to create a Hello Kitty dreamland. On one of their outside windows, as well as desserts and afternoon tea, they promise happiness. By the end of our dining experience, we were replete with the emotion and completely satiated. We less walked away from the experience and more rolled away from it…

             Hello Kitty merchandise is available for purchase in the shop, as well as themed and signature edibles. Hello Kitty’s Secret Garden is open for afternoon tea at Cutter & Squidge until September 14^th, at £40 per person and Tiny Tea for those aged eight and under at £20 per person. Book a table here. 

Peace, Love & Zara Taylor Jewellery

             All you really need in life is a little peace and love, and good jewellery of course. When it comes to Zara Taylor’s London-based brand, you can have all three. I was introduced to Taylor’s creations firsthand at her boutique in East Dulwich. The shop was a treasure trove of temptations, an Aladdin’s cave. Chains and rings melded with semiprecious stones and gems caught my magpie eyes. That makes Taylor the magical genie granting our every wish, and she is happy to do so by making minor alterations in-store. Tucked inside a little alcove of the boutique is her workshop, where she tinkers to her heart’s content – the fruits of her labor laid out only a few steps away on warm wooden displays.

             Taylor scours vintage markets for unique and quirky finds to incorporate into her jewellery, and it is this love for vintage that inspired her to launch her designs in 2010. That influence is very much alive in her boutique, with it’s inviting décor and homey feel. She even operates from an antique cash register, the kind that essentially lets out a jubilant “Ka-ching!” each time a transaction is made. Taylor was born and raised in South London and is of Irish and Thai descent. This multiculturalism, coupled with her travelling experiences, informs her creative process today. The result is a range of eclectic jewellery that maintains a vintage feel at its heart – the more, the merrier!

             Celebrities such as Fearne Cotton, Kelly Rowland, Jessie J, Taylor Swift, and Millie Mackintosh (who wore the Peace & Love Earrings on an episode of Made in Chelsea) are fans of Taylor's work. If that wasn't enough of a selling point already, the prices for all of the pieces are relatively low, while the cost of impact is high, high, high!             

             Rather than being encased in glass, as at most jewellery shops, rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are eager to be picked up and put on. Each piece is meant to feel like an heirloom. An article entitled “Rich Mix” by Ellie Pithers in the March issue of Vogue proposed heirlooms as the new “it” accessory. They’re making a comeback in a big way. We want to feel connected and emotionally attached to our jewellery more than ever before. The Future Laboratory, a consultancy responsible for trend forecasting, “sees [it] as part of a broader shift in the luxury market towards storytelling.” 

             Every heirloom has to start somewhere and with Taylor’s jewellery, you can create your own story. Whether that story involves evil eyes, subtlety, gothic skulls, dainty amulets, exotic animals, notice-me pendants, chokers, charms, or metals, there’s something for everyone to begin telling theirs. Besides, since Vogue is the fashion bible, it would be sacrilege not to obey...

             Unlike a thieving magpie, I was given my treasures to take away with me and I will now share how I styled them. Jewellery polishes off any outfit and presents so many opportunities for self-expression. The most exciting part resides in the fact that these same pieces can be styled in a myriad of different ways, depending on each individuals' personal preferences. 

             For my first outfit, I wore Zara Taylor's Peace & Love Ring in silver, the Peace Stud Earrings in white, and the Peace & Love Long Chain Pendant in silver. Since it's festival season, I opted for a bohemian look with fringing, patterns, and a flower crown, adorned with the recurring peace and love motif, which naturally screams hippie chic. I would like to give a big thank you to my friend, Christian Johnson, for taking the following photos. 

             To get in touch with my inner Pink Lady à la Grease, I wore Zara Taylor's Crystal Ear Jacket Earrings in gold and the Diamond Shaped Ring in gold for my second outfit. I can't get enough of front-back earrings at the moment and these Zara Taylor ones are the perfect addition to my growing collection with crystals that catch the light. I would like to give a big thank you to my friend, Sunna Naseer, for taking the following photos. 

             Now it's your turn to get shopping and get styling! Check out the Zara Taylor Jewellery website here or pay a visit to the boutique in East Dulwich.

Green Day’s American Idiot Makes a Smart Move Returning to London

Johnny (Newton Faulkner, right) goes to war with his alter-ego, St. Jimmy (Lucas Rush, left), photo courtesy of Darren Bell

             The red carpet was rolled out for the press performance of Green Day’s American Idiot last night. As of July 8^th, the musical has returned to the Arts Theatre in London for a limited run until September 25^th. It officially hit Broadway in 2010 and made its London debut in 2015, which was followed by a UK tour in 2016.

             If making Green Day’s 2004 album of the same name into a theatre sensation seems like the most un-punk rock thing to do for a band that is unequivocally punk rock, think again. American Idiot was actually constructed as a punk rock opera by its head honchos: lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tré Cool. Therefore, taking it to the stage where it could be enacted in all of its dramatic glory actually made complete and utter sense. Even though it’s just as much of an audience pleaser as West Ends old-timers, it has very much taken on a life of its own as the cool kid on the block.

Boys will be boys...Johnny with his friends Tunny (Alexis Gerred, top) and Will (Steve Rushton, right), photo courtesy of Darren Bell

             The songs are anthems devised for a post-9/11 America, which was encompassed in a bubble of conspiracy theories, confusion, and terror. During this dark political landscape, it was hard to know who to follow or believe in. Green Day introduced a new leader and potential savior with a character called Jesus of Suburbia. Newton Faulkner, the double platinum-selling artist, joins American Idiot as Johnny, this crusader of modern times. The singer is known for his folk rock music and easily identifiable by his raspy, gravely voice (and his ginger dreadlocks). Incidentally, he’s a dream to listen to, even when he’s singing about rebellion and broken dreams. He’s also pretty funny.  

             The musical follows Johnny and his friends Tunny (Alexis Gerred) and Will (Steve Rushton) as they all embark on different paths of discovery. While Johnny and Tunny escape from suburbia to the big city, Will has obligations that keep him at home; namely, his pregnant girlfriend Heather (Emma Housley). It isn’t long before Tunny abandons Johnny and joins the military, while Johnny becomes drunk in love with Whatsername (a moniker taken from the song title and played by Amelia Lily, who finished third on The X Factor in 2011) and intoxicated by other, more dangerous, substances.

Whatsername (Amelia Lily, left) shows Johnny the meaning of "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" with Extraordinary Girl's (Alice Stokoe, far left) support, photo courtesy of Darren Bell

             This is all spurred on by St. Jimmy (Lucas Rush), his Mohawk-sporting, cockily strutting, track-marked alter ego – “the patron saint of the denial, with an angel face and a taste for suicidal.” I can’t take my eyes off of Rush in the role, with his band jacket, smudged eyeliner, and swagger – a conductor of Johnny’s ill fate as he hands him the pill, the needle, the gun. Armstrong played St. Jimmy on Broadway for several performances. Now wouldn’t that have been a sight to behold? I’d say we had the next best thing with Rush though, with his high-energy performance and bad boy charisma.

St. Jimmy (Lucas Rush), that "son of a gun," photo courtesy of Darren Bell

             “American Idiot” is the perfect head-banging opening song after being subjected to television channels that flick between clips of former president George W. Bush and images of the World Trade Center bombing. This is a thinking musical, tinged with some tongue-in-cheek references, which is all down to Armstrong’s powerful lyrics. As cheerleaders parade around with a pom-pom in one hand and a bomb in the other while seducing Tunny, it implores us to not be so easily seduced by ideas perpetuated in the media.  The message comes through loud and clear – for Americans and Brits alike.

             Although it samples mainly from American Idiot’s track list, the musical also incorporates songs from Green Day’s 2009 album, 21^st Century Breakdown, with songs such as “21 Guns,” “Know Your Enemy,” and “Before the Lobotomy.” “When It’s Time” is an unreleased ballad by Green Day that Johnny gently sings to Whatsername while she’s sleeping, strumming away on his acoustic guitar. His silver metal stud bracelet catches the light and the disparity hits me. We’re given all of the swearing, anarchy, and crude humor that you would expect from young boys who are anti-establishment, but there’s also an underlying tenderness there. I never thought I would well up during American Idiot, but there’s a first time for everything! During “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” a song about the death of Armstrong’s father when he was 10, I couldn’t tell whether the tears in Faulkner’s eyes belonged to him or to his character. 

Johnny picks up his guitar for "When It's Time" while Whatsername sleeps soundly, photo courtesy of Darren Bell

             As with opera, there is very little dialogue to lead the story, other than Johnny’s running monologue to inform us of the passing days, weeks, or months. The songs really don’t need stringing together, because they speak for themselves. Song writing is at its very core story telling, with lyrics that form the narrative. If you’re a fan of the songs already, you’ll love seeing them performed in what is essentially an extended music video. The cast are exceptional singers, which makes the lack of talking all the better. The main cast members, whether they sing alone or together, are all powerhouses – packed with their own range and tone to get to grips with Green Day’s raucous, fast-paced songs. They don’t falter once.

             In a moment of patriotism, underneath a flurry of red, white, and blue confetti, no matter where any of us are from, we are united in the knowledge that we all went through “that phase” during our teenage years and came out on the other side relatively unscathed. Musicals have a tendency to do that, to connect us and make us feel something, regardless of what it might be. For the finale, however, that feeling was unanimous. The lyrics of “Good Riddance” rang out from the whole cast: “I hope you had the time of your life.” I did, I absolutely did, and judging by the standing ovations and cheers from the rest of the crowd, everyone else did too. In the case of American Idiot, I think it’s impossible not to.  

             Rock out at Green Day’s American Idiot until September 25^th. Book your tickets here.

The gang's "Homecoming," photo courtesy of Darren Bell

Exposure the Musical – Life Through a Lens Will Steal Your Heart and Soul

Interviewing the cast of Exposure: from left, Michael Greco (Miles Mason), Niamh Perry (Pandora), Natalie Anderson (Tara), and David Albury (Jimmy Tucker), photo courtesy of EJ Stedman

             To be let into the inner sanctum of a cast’s rehearsal space for a new West End show is a rare occurrence. Rarer still is being able to meet the actors and the writer behind all of the magic, the one who has set their “baby” off into the world not knowing whether we’ll embrace it or reject it. Yet, I’m able to say that’s exactly what I did this week, and I embraced it with open arms like I know the rest of you will too.

             I took a trip to Brixton Community Base for an exclusive look at the all-singing, all-dancing members of Exposure The Musical – Life Through A Lens. This new production will make its world premiere at the St. James Theatre on July 16^th, where I have previously seen the musical Urinetown (read my review here) and the play McQueen, inspired by the late, great fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Not a theatre to shy away from taking on gritty storylines, the St. James will be pleased to add Exposure to its repertoire.

From left, Kurt Kansley (Jimmy's father), Andy Barke, Manny Tsakanika, and Jahrel Thomas (all ensemble) get snapping, photo courtesy of  Pamela Raith

             Exposure is set in 2006, during Tony Blair’s Britain. Our main characters are photographer Jimmy Tucker (David Albury), his childhood friend Pandora (Niamh Perry), and his love interest Tara (Natalie Anderson). He is attempting to follow in his deceased father’s footsteps, no mean feat considering he was widely respected for his craft. Jimmy’s just returned from capturing horrific images of war in Sudan, leaving him with a posttraumatic syndrome. One day, he encounters a stranger called Miles Mason (Michael Greco). The devil in disguise gives him an “offer he can’t refuse” and he embarks on a 24-hour mission to photograph the seven deadly sins. Forget Las Vegas, London is about to become the new Sin City when residents are caught in the act.

Main characters Tara (Natalie Anderson) and Jimmy (David Albury), photo courtesy of  Pamela Raith

             I took my seat in the front row before the preview began, with the actors performing right there in front of me. No seat in any theatre could do it justice! It doesn’t get much better than being introduced to the musical numbers by none other than writer Mike Dyer, who has been working on this special project for years. Along with his co-writers, he also produced the music and lyrics, of which we heard “Eyes of the World,” “Love Comes Knocking,” “Bandit Country,” “Last Goodbye,” “Father’s Lament,” and the finale, “Rainmaker.”

The cast performing the finale, "Rainmaker"

             Dyer’s evident attachment to the music was poignant to say the least. He explained that the reference to “life lines” in “Father’s Lament” signified the identical life line that his father who passed away, his son, and he all share on their palm. At the heart of all of the songs is a rock ‘n’ roll soul that’s been around the block a few times, which makes it a unique musical feat. The dancing is also just as supercharged, combining elements of street dance and classical styles, with choreography by Lindon Barr. The production possesses the ability to change with the times in an organic way, which means Exposure The Musical we see this month might not be the same Exposure The Musical we see on its next tour.

Director Phil Willmott and writer Mike Dyer with David Albury and Natalie Anderson, photo courtesy of Pamela Raith 

             While we didn’t see any of the set elements during rehearsal, “Bandit Country” will be sung against the backdrop of the London skyline as Jimmy and Miles are high up in the Eye. In a perfect partnership with Getty Images, Exposure is about being exposed to the bombardment of media images, so expect lots and lots of visuals – starting with the posters you see on your tube journey advertising the musical.

             Dyer believes that the person behind the camera can lose their soul. Jimmy grapples with this problem when he realizes that instead of helping the people he photographed in Sudan, he documented their dire situations with a shutter click. Various cultures hold the opposite belief to be true – that your soul is stolen when a photo is taken of you. In fact, paparazzo is derived from the Italian word for mosquito. Are they not both bloodsuckers? 

Better the devil you know...Michael Greco as Miles Mason, photo courtesy of Pamela Raith

             I am captivated by the notion of the seven deadly sins in Exposure. I asked the main cast members what they personally think is the worst to be guilty of. 

Michael Greco (Miles Mason): I really hate it when people are greedy, not in the sense of food, but in the sense of what they want from life. I’m very much a sharer. I like to share things and help people out, helping someone upstairs with their bag on the tube and stuff like that. Greed is, for me, the worst sin.

Niamh Perry (Pandora): I don’t like anger. I think I used to lose my temper a lot more, so as I’ve grown slightly older, I’ve learnt to control it. If we were going to go for any of the good ones, they would be lust and pride.

Natalie Anderson (Tara): I think envy’s dangerous, especially in this industry. Envy is quite a dangerous thing to feel or have. Everybody’s got their own thing and you just do you and that’s it, so that’s a scary one for me.

David Albury (Jimmy Tucker): I’m not a massive fan of gluttony, because it’s that idea that you can constantly do something to yourself without realizing the effect that it’s having on you. That, I think, can be very dangerous for anyone.

             I think we’ve all indulged in one or more of the deadly sins at one point or another in our lives, so go ahead and indulge in Exposure. It’s going to be sinfully good.

             Exposure The Musical – Life Through A Lens is playing at the St. James Theatre from July 16^th until August 27^th. Book your tickets here.

Say cheese!, photo courtesy of Pamela Raith

Happy Birthday to The Bloggers Hangout and a Very Merry Unbirthday to Me

             The Bloggers Hangout, which organizes events for bloggers to connect with one another and with brands, turned three years old this June. To celebrate, they threw a three-day long summery “birthday party” at The Strand Gallery. I attended on a scorching Friday and was gifted some gorgeous goodies.

The Perfume Shop

             I adore perfume. It’s like I’m spritzing myself with confidence and femininity every time I reach for one of my (many) bottles. It’s the ultimate luxury, yet for many women it has become a necessity – the finishing touch for any outfit.

             This luscious setup from The Perfume Shop (seen in the above two photos) was like the Garden of Eden spread out before me. Although I knew I shouldn’t touch, the temptation was all too much to resist, especially in the form of DKNY’s new neon green apple-shaped bottle for their Be Delicious fragrance. This is the modern-day fruit of good and evil and I gave in to the serpent (except in this case, the serpent was nothing more than my poor self-control). After being lured, there was no turning back. I went spray-happy, wafting all of the new testers under my nose.

             I have my favorite scents, but there’s always room for one more. When is it acceptable to start writing my Christmas list?

DinkiBelle

             After Nadia Theron suffered severe nail damage and found that she was allergic to certain chemicals in nail polish, she set out to find a solution, and DinkiBelle was born. The brand’s nail wraps operate on the “five free” philosophy, which means all of the wraps are free from the nasty chemicals formaldehyde, diabutyl phthalate, toluene, camphor and formaldehyde resin.

             I am notoriously impatient, in life generally, but especially when it comes to my nails. It’s frustrating to paint them and have them chip off the very same day, or smudge them when I just need to turn the television channel (I'd probably already seen that episode of Dinner Date). That’s why I tend to opt for my beloved fake nails (claws, if you will) or gel manicures. Although, I’m currently giving my nails a breather, because every time I get them done, I’m met with the comment, “Your nails are so weak.” DinkiBelle could be just the thing I need to be kind to my nails, and they last up to 14 days, which is just as good as any gel polish!

             I chose the Sea Foam Sparkle nail wraps, as the glitzy teals and turquoises with splashes of purple and sky blue reminded me of rippling waves. It really was as simple as prepping my nails, sticking on the nail wraps, and then shaping them! I'm looking forward to getting my hands on more of the unique designs, as the number of outfits and occasions they would suit is endless. Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside, especially when it looks as pretty (and sparkly) as this.

Nailed it (and even color coordinated)!

Sass & Belle

             Sass & Belle was first established in 2009 in Covent Garden, named after the founder Richard Stone’s two daughters. It’s a perfect fit for the gift and homeware brand, because it reminds us of our childhood happiness, silliness, and colorfulness, which might have become dulled with the responsibilities of adulthood. Sass & Belle self-proclaims, “We endeavor to create beautiful products you may have never known you wanted.” Now that we do know they exist, we want them – desperately.

            How cute are these tropical trinkets? Sipping a cold beverage (juice, lemonade, a cocktail, you name it!) from the palm tree glass means that summer has well and truly arrived. Or, at least I can trick myself into thinking it has. I hope that the only umbrella I'll be needing soon is a mini paper one that garnishes my cocktail! Filing my nails with a parrot, of all things, means answering the question, "Who's a pretty girl?" has never been easier. 

             With the 5p plastic bag charge, as silly as it sounds, I have thought of ridiculous ways to avoid it ever since the law was introduced. Whether that means stacking everything I’ve bought into a teetering tower as I waddle my way home, or loading up my handbag, it would probably just be easier to give in and buy a bag or two. That’s where Sass & Belle comes in. I’m all for recycling and limiting the amount of waste we use, which is why this bumblebee reusable tote is a sweet (and smart) shopping companion. When you open up the bag, the bee becomes the focal point of the bag’s design, with flowers sprinkled along the bottom, and the words “BUSY BEE” spelled out from the bee’s trail. Fellow shoppers, feel free to be envious.  

T-tox

             Before we had matcha donuts, ice cream, cheesecakes, cakes, brownies, and marshmallows in a food trend that has only gone from strength to strength, it was known humbly as powdered green tea. Matcha is a superfood, although I’m not sure the same can be said for all of those tasty treats I just mentioned. The tea boosts the body’s metabolism, burns calories, increases energy levels, and lessens fatigue, along with a whole host of other added health benefits.

             Managing Director of T-tox, Johnny Harris, has been working as a personal trainer and sports therapist for the past 15 years. He was on site, serving up “shots” of matcha – chilled. Typically, the powder is whisked with hot water in a bowl to create a frothy tea. Harris mixed his with cold water and suggested adding coconut water as another alternative. In warm weather, you don’t necessarily want your drink to also be warm, so this minor alteration makes perfect sense and tastes great!

             It means you can trade in your usual water bottle at the gym for one of T-tox’s glass shakers. You can create your tea on the go, while the neoprene sleeve keeps the drink cold, or protects your hands from the heat if you want to go down the purist route.

             T-tox offers three matcha powders, but I took home the Recovery one. As well as the matcha powder, peppermint, milk thistle, spirulina, nettle, and lavender powders make this the perfect blend to drink after a workout. The flavor is earthy and natural with ginger undertones. With its anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties, it also acts as an analgesic and a stress reliever – all of the things you could possibly ask for after a productive session. Now pass me one of those matcha donuts…

Pink Parcel

             Every girl dreads “that time of the month,” but Pink Parcel’s mission is to make it a time to look forward to. All you have to do is pay £10.50 a month (the first box is £6.99 when you subscribe) and choose one of three delivery dates. They’ll then send you a little box of comforts, with chocolate, tea, makeup, and beauty items, and your preferred products. The packaging is discreet, so whether you receive your box at home or at work is completely up to you. I spend way more than £10.50 on one makeup product alone, so I’d say Pink Parcel is on to a good thing! They don’t lock you into a fixed contract, so you can discontinue your subscription at any time, but with what you get each month, why would you want to?

             It’s usually the birthday girl or boy who receives the presents, but as a guest, it turns out that I went home with an overflowing bag of party favors!