Fashion Friday: The Gap Edition

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

I haven’t done a style post in what feels like forever and with being temporarily away from a computer due to a huge move to London. Yes I am moving closer the the Frost family soon…in less than 2 weeks!! So hopefully you will hear more from me on the fashion front in the future. We have some amazing collaborations with designers coming up combining my Photography and styling. I promise you it will dazzle your eyes and make you yearn for Autumn… Hey less of the teasing and back to todays post.

Anyway I have fallen madly, truly and deeply in love with everything that is Gap. This isn’t a sponsored article its just because they need a huge shout out on the style front. Gone are the days of just branded hoodies and staple jeans. Although I must say those too are rather fab and fit like a glove. I have become a dress girl over the last few months and Gap have got some crackers in store.

This little number is now in the sale and also comes in a Black and White version, you can check it out here. They both would be great for a late Summer wedding with killer heels, ideal for the office, or worn really casual with a pair of pretty flats on a sunday ramble into town for a coffee.

They have pockets too! We all love dresses with pockets don’t we! Fabulously elegant and perfect for nipping in the waist. They are lined so you can wear them in the cooler months with tights and boots. Add a cute leather jacket or cardigan while the weather changes and a tailored pea coat when the Winter rears its chilly head.

I styled this dress with last seasons Jigsaw wedges, River Island bag, vintage jewellery, New Look rose gold aviator sunglasses and some clip in hair extensions for a bit of glamor. For more of my styling and fashion rambles head over to SLBStyle.com Tweet me @sarahbacchus and to take a look at my photographic work head to SarahBacchus.com

The Launch of Finest Fizz Skinny Rose

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

This event was one to remember and one that won’t be add the pounds to the waistline! We give you Tribaut ‘Skinny’ Rosé de Reserve Extra Brut from Finest Fizz. This delicious Premier Cru Rose champagne is skinny…Yes we said Skinny, with just 65 calories a glass its spoilt us forever. No other real champagne will top this now. Our taste buds have well and truly been altered. It tasted remarkable and lets just say it was just too good!

We suggest you get some as soon as you can, as this is set to be the best tipple ever created and will become every girls best friend. Oh you boys can have some too, just leave enough for us to enjoy. You boys won’t want it anyway will you….No! Ok well you might but we can ignore that for now. Tempted to keep this a secret and keep it all to ourselves we have been persuaded to let you all know about it… Darn it you sure we can’t just secretly buy the entire lot!

Howard and Randi Abernethy are the husband and wife creators of Finest Fizz and they are such a great couple. Howard is so passionate about the creation he just oozes those sumptuous, bubbly and exuberant bubbles himself. We chatted away to him while he topped up our glasses on more than a few occasions. Hey at 65 calories a glass who cares! The best bit….its just £38 a bottle. Thats right you heard me, £38! For an extra £10 you can have it presented in a stunning silk lined, sandalwood box. So decadent and so beautiful it will make the perfect gift for any girl!

The secret to this remarkable tipple is that its created with 0% residual sugar, what that basically means is the 3 year process of creating this beautiful, tasty and modish drink isn’t disturbed by added sugars at the end to create the most flavoursome treat, its all done with the ingredients right from the start. We where delighted and as you can see Lottie was rather impressed at the delicate and delicious flavour right from the first sip! No after taste that can ruin a good glass of Champagne. All it leaves you with is the desire to have more, and at just 65 calories a glass a girl can!

The Champagne is now only available online but we feel it won’t be long before you see Finest Fizz is a supermarket near you! Keep your eyes peeled for Skinny Rose Champagne!

Drink up boys and girls, this is guaranteed to be the biggest thing since Champagne was created. You won’t want to drink anything else we promise you!

Follow them on Twitter @FinestFizz

Order your Finest Fizz over at www.finestfizz.biz

For more fun and fashion from the day visit www.slbstyle.com

Benecos Makeup Review

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

This brand is a new one to me and its really lovely with simple packaging and the look of clean lines. This natural young brand is all about affordable high quality products that deliver essentials to all women.

This young label was founded in Germany at the end of 2008 and the name Benecos stands for good cosmetics.

They believe in minimal packaging and instead of outrageous and highly expensive advertising Benecos uses word of mouth marketing. The brand have produced all the products to the BDIH standard and it has a touch of real luxury about it. The highlighter that I tested was so delicate and beautiful, it was silky to the touch and it was so subtle it could be used all over the face for that perfect fresh glow. Not overpowering like a few brands if you are a little heavy handed. This looked stunning applied to the top of the cheeks and along the bridge of the nose. Add a little under the arch of the brow to give a stunning life to the eyes. Give your shoulders a touch of sheer dewiness and add some along your collar bone for a fresh and sculpted look. Even a swirl added to a large makeup brush and applied to the centre of the legs will give you a fine elegant and pretty finish.

Every face is different but a general rule you’ll want to pay especially close attention to where the light hits your face, so look for the highest points if you are in any doubt. Just make sure you don’t go overboard otherwise you may look a little too shiny. I doubt you could make any mistakes with this product as its not really a shimmer, its more of a lift. It creates the ultimate and oh so soft dimensions for natural looking makeup. Very done but in an undone way. Almost like you have a little secret in your cosmetic purse!
This is perfect for the simple makeup looks hitting the runways for this next season. Great for quick touch ups throughout the day and it won’t break the bank either. All Benecos products are organic and at around the £5-7 you can indulge as much as you like.

Pop me a little Tweet @sarahbacchus to let me know if you have tried this brand before! You can purchase the range here. Go and say hi over at Twitter @BenecosUK

Walker, Austen & Alexander

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

Walker, Austen & Alexander is a fantastic new tea shop thats up market, quirky and modern, selling loose leaf teas that you can see brewing naturally… just the way it should be. Using filtered water and the finest bespoke teas, that have been blended by an English Master Tea blender.

This amazing new tea shop serves a lovely selection of sandwiches, cakes and hot food.The delightfully decorated tea boutique is clean and inviting with a very laid back feel and approach. Tea should be savoured and this is just the place to do just that.

We drank Strawberry & Champaign, pear & elderflower and Rooibos creme caramel infused herbal teas. We shared a goats cheese, sun kissed tomatoes and rocket ciabatta, a Mediterranean vegetable and mozzarella ciabatta and a whopping big slice of chocolate cake all served with delightful sides containing vegetable chips and a fresh salad with croutons. All the dishes where presented perfectly and we demolished the entire lot. We left happy, full and content knowing this will be a regular place to visit again and again!! Take a look at the lovely views that day!!

If you fancy taking a visit to see them they are based in Winchester

Walker, Austen & Alexander,
18a Little Minster Street,
Winchester SO23 9HB
T 01962 851 888
E info@walkeraustenandalexander.co.uk

Twitter @WAAwinchester

Come say hello over at twitter @sarahbacchus let us know what you think!!

Wimbledon slices

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

With Wimbledon starting today its only the done thing to give you all a little bit of Summer heaven in the form of a delicious treat. I created these from a recipe for strawberry drizzle cake, but I added my own naughty little twist by filling these babies with tenderised strawberries right through the entire mixture. This creates the softest and most moist slices. They are divine and they get better the next day when all the juices have settled. Sticky, sweet and so sensational you will be rolling those eyes as you gobble them up.

You will need:

600g box of strawberries
2 eggs
1 tbs vanilla essence
50g Icing sugar
100g Salted Dairy Butter, at room temperature
200g self raising flour
200g caster Sugar

Put the caster sugar and the butter in to a bowl and mix into crumbs.

Add 1/2 of the strawberries cut into slices.
Then add the flour, vanilla essence and the eggs. Mix to a creamy consistency.

Pop it in to a greased lined baking tray. Cook in a preheated oven gas mark 6 or 200c for 45-60 minutes depending on your oven. Just make sure its cooked through. While this is cooling add the remainder of the strawberries to a dish along with 25 of icing sugar and let the juices start to come out.
Put the other 25g of icing sugar into a bowl and strain off the juiced strawberries. Mix this up and pour over your creation, Its best to make small holes all over the cake to let the icing drizzle down into the sponge. Then let this cool off completely before turning out, dusting with a little icing sugar and then lastly cutting into nice sized chunks. Perfect with a Wimbledon cocktail…..Recipe for that coming soon!

Cant have you over indulging too fast can we. Its a recipe worth waiting for I assure you! I hope you make a batch of these while watching the games as they are amazing! Let me know if you do and pop me a quick tweet @sarahbacchus. For loads more recipes head over to our lifestyle magazine www.slbstyle.com and for photographic work check out www.sarahbacchus.com

Eat, Drink and Be Winchester Review

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

We have a new cafe just opened here in Winchester and while the SLB Style team are moving to London very soon we still love to deliver amazing finds in Winchester. Eat, Drink and Be opened just 5 weeks ago and we where delighted when we got to sample the quality fair on offer. All the cakes are made by the coffee house themselves. Everything on offer is simply prefect and just amazing value for money.

What used to be an old jewellers at the top of the high street is now on of the finest cafes we have here in our little city. Offering delicious cakes, muffins, homemade soups and a range of freshly made salads.

When it comes to amazing places to eat and drink we do love to find the cool places to advertise and this one will keep you coming back for more and more we are sure. If you are planning a trip around The Great Hall and the Cathedral grounds then this is one place to really make a beeline for!!! Sorry we really couldn’t help that!! Eat, Drink and Be will have you fuelled up ready for a day of shopping and wandering.

Outside has been revamped into a little continental haven for people watchers and coffee lovers. Simply plonk yourself down and sit back, watch the stylish world pass you by with you sit, sip and rejoice at the wonderful views of this beautiful city.

Inside its a stunning beehive yellow with referenced to Bees everywhere you look.

We ordered Coffee, cakes, lemonade and spring water. We had decided to be a little good and have a healthy lunch when leaving home, especially when looking at all theses salads, just beautiful. The cakes got the better of us… tempting us away from any plans to diet yet again!

This place gets a big 4 stars from all of us at SLBStyle. If you would like a review of your fine dining or coffee shop please don’t hesitate in contacting us and we would be honoured to com and take some snaps. Follow us on Twitter @sarahbacchus @LottieSmith25 @ianbacchus and for all other photographic work contact me via www.sarahbacchus.com

Chocolate and Raspberry Cake

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

Baking cakes is one of the best pleasures in life and they are so easy to do. All you need to have is the basic foundation ingredients and you can simply add whatever the devil you like. We love a good chocolate cake but sometimes you need to have a few fresh and new ideas up your sleeve. Not that chocolate ever gets boring. This recipe is totally delicious and perfect for those who are Lactose intolerant.

So very easy and delightful on the taste buds.

You will need:

250g Plain flour
250g Dark brown sugar
175g pure Cocoa
2 eggs
250ml of lactose free milk
1 tbs Vanilla essence
1 tsp of baking podwer
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tray of fresh raspberries
2 tbs icing sugar
150g Dark chocolate

Place all the dry ingredients into a large bowl along with the eggs.

Bash up the chocolate while its still in the wrapper.

Drop it into the bowl and mix well, then add the raspberries. Leaving a handful to garnish later.

Place this into a lined greased large cake tin and level off.

Pop this into the oven for about 35-50 minuets depending on how soft and gooey you want it to be in the middle.

Take out of the oven and leave it to totally cool before dusting with icing sugar and serving.

All done within an hour too! Let us know how you get on making this, and how long it takes to devour the entire lot!

Follow me on Twitter @sarahbacchus for more food and fun updates. For all our Fashion and style check out www.slbstyle.com and for all interest in the photographic side of my work head to www.sarahbacchus.com

Interview with Kit Rice

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

Getting to interview amazing new and exciting talent is part of my job I find so wonderful. Now and then we see brilliant new singers pop up and when you realise you are in the presence of a new rising star it sends shivers down my spine. I had the pleasure of meeting, photographing and interviewing the incredible Kit Rice recently. We chatted for hours and I left loving this chap so much, he and I sat and chatted for well over 2 hours all about his life journey, music and style. He bowled me over how wonderful he was…he is a rising star and one name to really lookout for.

Kit is not only a truly versatile artist with a wealth of musical knowledge behind him but he is a graduate of the prestigious BRIT school, established songwriter and classical violinist making him an emerging talent to really watch out for in the coming year!

Kit’s first iTunes release, Not on My Time EP was self – produced and released in December 2011, followed swiftly by Lies EP in February 2012 which attracted attention from music agents based in Central London.

At just 21, Kit’s debut album Stay Gone was completed with well known producer Cam Blackwood who is known for his work with artists including; Cee – Lo Green and Jamiroquai. His first single BYOB, was released on November 11th 2013 with the music video attracting wide spread attention from both the UK and the US.

Kit has performed numerous gigs at venues around the country including celeb spots such as The Ice Bar and XOYO. Kit was crowned the winner of The Bedford’s Song Slam in 2012 after wowing the judges with original tracks from his album and he has played live acoustic sessions on main radio stations including BBC Radio London.

Q. Who did you listen to growing up?

A. I listened to a lot of Prince growing up, Whitney and Maria but mostly, with loads of Celine. I listened to classical music mostly when growing up. For years at Brit school I didn’t listen to anything with words. Then I went on to being a Dub Step DJ for a while!
Q. Where do you take your inspiration from when writing songs

A. I have tons of posters in my room from Prince, Snoop dog to Lady GaGa. If I am having a bad day I cam look up and just think what would they do and it normally does the trick.

Q. You love to perform live, where would be the ultimate place to have a gig.

A. Kensington roof gardens, the actual balcony and strip it back, that would have to be the best place as I love the intimacy and the vibrant nature of the place, obviously Wembley would be incredible but for now that would tick the box. I love intimacy of the smaller venues.

Q. If you could collaborate with any other artist who would it be

A. Prince…he’s just the greatest. Defiantly Prince and brandy a she’s my vocal inspiration

Q. Your latest release has a really cool video, I particularly love the guy on roller skates! Where would you love to shoot a great video, your dream location?

A. This was shot in a dance theatre owned by my parents, it was a really cool, but my favourite place to shoot would be on a huge yacht just like a JLO inspired version. The new video called NONSENSE out on the 1st of July is really great and the video for that is …well basically nonsense!! You will have to wait to see it, it also will have a 48 hour free down loads too.

Q. I see from your twitter….I haven’t been stalking you just researching! You love a good selfie, if you could have a picture with anyone, who would it be? Anyone even from the past?!

A. Prince….I love taking pictures with loads of people. SHOTS is amazing app that Justin Bieber made famous and you can connect with fans that way. I love to connect with my fans.

Q. What do you love about fashion and do you have a certain look that you are trying to create.

A. I take a lot of influence from the likes of David Bowie, and Snoop dog. Lady Gaga is one amazing and cool lady. My look is all about looking strong, cool and a bit different.
Q. What can we expect from you over the next 12 months.

A. The new album will be out by the end of the year and now its about promoting myself. Getting myself out there and showing the world what I have to offer. Its very exciting.

Q. If you could play live for anyone who would it be

A. I have played in front of Nelson Mandela and that was incredible and very cool. Price would obviously be one all time great that I would love to play live for. To see what he would think..Even if he said dude your doing it all wrong!! HAHA!

Q. What is your vision for the future.

A. I want everyone to have heard the album as I was in a really good place when I wrote it and I am incredibly proud of it.. There are some really nice songs about my life on there.

Q. Tell us something we need to know about Kit! What’s your message?!!

A. LVE MUSIC…everything is played live, with strings bows etc. Keep it going and get people inspired. Peace and Love.

Watch Kits last BYOB Video

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJLpx9E1QlM]

Follow Kit on Twitter @KitMusicUK and pop over to say Hi. Come say hi to me @sarahbacchus and check out our online lifestyle magazine over at SLBStyle.com. For information regarding my Photographic work here is the link to the Sarahbacchus.com site

This interview and shoot was held at the beautiful Mamounia Lounge in Mayfair, I want to thank them for their hospitality and for allowing me to take over an entire room for a few hours! Tweet them @MamounialLounge

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