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!!

Déjà Vu Boutique (Ipswich) – Been Here Before? Certainly Worth A Return Visit!

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

It’s widely understood that fashion is fickle but this little gem in the heart of Ipswich bucks the trend. Mandy Errington is the creative force behind Déjà Vu, a ‘chic and unique’ shopping experience renowned for being Suffolk’s ‘top-to-toe unique boutique’.

Déjà Vu attracts the right kind of attention, with one-off pre-loved, vintage, exclusive designer and brand new fashion, inspiring every budget and taste. Offering a bespoke, personal service along with fashion tips and advice, you can treat yourself to a makeover which will guarantee that you leave the boutique looking good and feeling great.

With elegant suiting and sensual fabric, the boutique gives a flavour of empowerment, cleverly thought out space with walls covered in beautiful designs which exude style, an un-intimidating and relaxed atmosphere showcasing simple shapes to exquisite timeless elegance, clothes that won’t date or dictate a period. Accessories maketh woman, so Déjà Vu guarantee to coordinate heels, bags and baubles to suit your summer wardrobe with soft, feminine details – a bow or a chain trim… Deja Vu redefines mademoiselle chic.

The only dilemma is which items to choose – there’s a bewildering array of perennially stylish couture, handbags that epitomise understated chic, desirable heels and the ultimate in décolletage decoration complete the range of covetable trimmings. Déjà Vu source individually so there’s less chance of seeing the same outfit duplicated. Mandy is particularly thrilled at becoming a stockist of Covert Cases, a seriously gorgeous range of funky-coloured iPhone and iPad covers with prices starting at £10.

The boutique has an enviable eco-friendly image, with an energy efficiency rating as high as I’ve ever seen associated with a commercial premise through sensible use of lighting and heating.

I was impressed with the spacious changing room and the fact that if you fall in love with something that isn’t quite the right fit, an adjacent alteration service, Star Alterations, is at hand with quality adjustments to make the fit perfect.

With the help of Mandy at Déjà Vu, you can easily shed 10 years with a wardrobe change but your make-up can easily be a tell-tale giveaway. Déjà Vu have recently introduced ‘Zoya’, a vegan-friendly nail polish range, made with no harsh chemicals and available in a choice of luxurious colours and finishes, but was one of the initial ambassadors for a range of make-up by Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, conceived by a professional aesthetician, Pauline Youngblood–Soli. The range is all about quality, from light-reflective foundations that give the smoothest, sheerest coverage for all skin types and colours to lipsticks and eye-colour which are adaptable for subtle or strong colour-ways. The products are pure, contain no fragrances, oils or talcs, ideal for post-treatment application, actively helping to soothe and heal the skin.

We’d all like our make-up to look as if our skin had been re-touched, but that doesn’t always mean we’re willing to use invasive products to achieve it. A signature look is all about detail and Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics epitomises this with their 100% chemical-free skin-transforming make-up, packaging with a reassuringly expensive feel and sleek-mirrored compacts for applying your make-up whenever and wherever.

Mandy chose to create the smoky eye, a catwalk favourite from the last few seasons brought bang up to date with a subtle use of colour rather than black, as Mandy showed when she created my summer-inspired smouldering look.

Mandy Errington is a perfectionist, she’s not happy until you are… in the current environment of high street too-big-to-care brands, she has an ethos all independent boutiques should aspire to.

www.dejavuboutique.co.uk

Facebook: DejaVuBoutiqueIpswich

@DejaVuIpswich

10 Norwich Road

Ipswich

IP1 2NG

Tel: 01473 404592

Images © Shane Finn – Visual Devotion

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

Interview with Alexander Devrient

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

Interviewing the talented Alexander Devrient was such fun, he’s dashing, eloquent and such a gentleman. You will recognise him for his latest role in Emmerdale Farm as the french love interest to Kerry. His rather dramatic entrance was too funny for words and if you watched it I am sure it would have had you gripped. The story line is unfolding and he is fast becoming one of my favourite actors. I am not going to spoil it for you in anyway, but you must keep your eyes on this rather beautiful chap.

He’s worked with the likes of Guy Richie on the set of Sherlock Holmes, and Jude Law was very excited to work with him, as was I the other day. I got to photograph this wonderful TV personality and create some rather cool images for the interview. We had such a great chat and he was a joy yo work with.

Q. What made you get into acting and was it at an early age you knew you had a calling.

A. I’ve always tremendously enjoyed acting and performing. I took drama classes as a kid, played in every school play and later, managed to see a lot of professional theatre as a teenager.

Saying that, it was only at University that I realised I wanted to make a profession out of my passion. I applied for Drama School in my 3rd year of studying Economics and International Relations. I felt I had to give it a shot and luckily I got in. A few months after finishing my degree I started acting training.

Q. Where did you grow up.

A. I grew up in Brussels, Belgium but my dad is Argentinean/German and my mum is Lebanese. My household was always a mishmash of languages. My mum spoke French to us, my dad German. When they didn’t want us to understand what they were saying they spoke Spanish.

Q. How have your parents influenced your career

A. My parents have always been very supportive but my biggest influence has been my Lebanese granddad. He’s performed on stages in Cambridge, Paris and Beirut since 1957. He absolutely adores theatre. In February, I was playing Anglo-French production Poilu & Tommy here in London. We opened the same night as he did with his play in Beirut. He’s 80 years old now. Magic!

Q. What was it like to be asked to join the cast of Emmerdale

A. It was a beautiful feeling indeed. Emmerdale is a British TV institution, the first episode was aired in 1972. The longevity of this series is incredible.

Q. What would be the biggest achievement you could imagine

A. Leaving a lasting mark in the industry for generations to come.

Q. Working with such great actors and directors it must be hard when you are not working on a project. How do you stay focused and motivated

A. I attend workshops, go to the theatre, and watch films. It’s important to be in tune with the industry and learn from the best.

I also work as a Voice Over artist and do the occasional freelance broadcasting work.

Q. What role would you just love to play.

A. Gabriel Macht’s Harvey Specter in Suits.

Q. Who in history would you have loved to star with

A. Klaus Kinski, Rita Hayworth and Jack Nicholson would have to top that list.

Q. You have striking looks, do you get spotted and recognised in the street, if so how do you respond.

A. I can still roam the streets relatively freely but when I do get stopped the responses to my work are always very positive which is great.

Q. What has been the most wonderful experience to come out of acting

A. I get to work with an array of talented people from all around the world and what do we do? We essentially tell stories. That’s a wonderful gift that comes with acting.

Q. One last cheeky question…what role do you think you could have played far better than the original and why!!

A. Give me the chance to play Lestat de Lioncourt and I’ll show you why.

We really look forward to following your career and all you lovely readers make sure you do to! Follow Alexander on Twitter @ADevrient if you want to pop me a little tweet I’m over here @sarahbacchus for any other information regarding my photography head over to sarahbacchus.com and take a look at our lifestyle blog SLBStyle.com

Interview with Mem Freda

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

What made you get into acting?

As a child I was always fascinated by these ‘beings’ that lived inside our TV set! I was
convinced I would see them leave from the back of the TV after a show was over, if I waited
long enough!

Born with such a wild imagination, the decision was not a conscious one, but a route destined
to happen. Often I would roll around the living room floor wrestling with pillows
(crocodiles) having just seen an episode of Tarzan.

Not much changed into adulthood, where I would recite dialogue from films I’d seen, with an
attempt at replicating the characters. Eventually, I realized that the energy I had was best
channeled into acting, hence, it chose me, as much as I chose it, as a career.

What is the strangest role you have been offered?

Its very rare I find anything ‘strange’.

Once I was asked to be in a commercial, and was paid £38,000.00 for two hours work and when the
advert was aired, all you saw was the side of my nose, that for me was strange!!

How do you prepare for a role?

Often when you land a role, you have background information at your disposal, from the script,
the director, the character breakdowns etc.

Depending on whether the character is fictitious or not, will determine the nature of the
research one does. If the character in not fictitious, I would gather as much information
as possible to build a profile that is as close to the real life personality of that person.
I find it easier when a role is fictitious, as this allows for more freedom to experiment
with different layers to the character, until I find one that best fits to what the writer
intended.

Who is your role model? It could be anyone from the past or present.

Marlon Brando was my first ‘role model’. I have also always been influenced by the work of
De Niro, Pacino, Penn, Travolta and recently Christian Bale.

You have some amazing films coming out soon, but what has been the most diverse role so far?

I’m excited for audiences to see two films coming out soon in which they will see me in a
different light. First is BREAKDOWN, in which I play a tortured victim. It stars Craig
Fairbrass, James Cosmo and is directed by Jonnie Malachi and produced by Luke Fairbrass.

The second film is MY HERO, here I play a cockney florist, Simon Flowers, who is a drug lord
operating out of Margate. Directed by Robert Osman and produced by Katarina Gellin,
audiences are in for a real treat.

Plastic that's out now, is one brilliant film. If you had unlimited funds what would you do
with it and why?

In terms of film, I would continue developing and producing interesting and stimulating stories
for audiences to enjoy, appreciate and remember through time. In terms of life, I would set up
a charity organisation to help others less fortunate.

You do really get all the gritty roles to play in films, but are there any roles that you long
to play? Like a Romantic comedy, or are you digging deep with the bad guy stuff for now?

I love playing the villain. Having made a career out of it, I still want to pay service to
playing such roles. However, it is also high time to show my diversity as an actor,
hence, a romantic comedy,horror, drama, are all avenues for me to explore. And I am
currently setting these wheels in motion.

If you could play any role that is really out of your comfort zone what would it be?

Not sure any role is within my ‘comfort zone’, as all require a substantial amount of work.
However, what would be fun to play, is a similar role to that of Dustin Hoffman’s role in
Tootsie.

If you could direct any film past or present what would it be and why?

It would be thrilling to do a remake of Boogie Nights. It had me in fits of laughter, so it
would be fabulous to attempt to make it just as funny.

Are their any roles you have played that you felt you changed as a person while filming
or can you walk away and not get too involved with the character?

After 20 years of psychosis, with each dark and terrifying character I’ve portrayed, you have
to learn to walk away unaffected. It’s that or strangling the cat when I get home.

To keep sane you have to have full control over reality and fantasy. I did have problems at
the start of my career, but had to deal with them pronto.

Who would you love to star with next and why?

I’d love to be able to work with Juliet Lewis. She captured my interest ever since I saw her in
Kalifornia and Natural Born Killers. She’s a sensational actress and her music ain’t bad either!

Tell us something about yourself that we don't know.

I love horror films and was excited to win an Award at the prestigious
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival for Truth or Dare, which I produced along with
Jessica Cameron and Jonathan S Higgins.I also like to dip crisps into diet coke.

Are you into this whole selfie things and even if you are not who would be the one person in
history you would love to have a picture with?

Absolutely detest the whole selfie thing! If I were to have a selfie picture with anyone, it
would be with Elvis.

Kerastase Hair Product Review

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

Every girl knows the importance to regular haircuts but after that we are all a little terrible when purchasing good quality products. We rush off to the pharmacy to purchase the latest hair oils and frizz fighting serums and most of them don’t cut the mustard. Well these 2 new products from Kerastase will leave you wallet a little lighter in the short term but will last for around 10 months. So price per wash and style it really is worth investing in the latest hair innovations.

The Kerastase – ELIXIR ULTIME -125 ml beautifying hair oil is one tough fighter against damaged hair. The more this is used the better the results you will see. It gives hair that perfectly fresh cut, bouncy and smooth as silk feel. I loved this so much as its created dazzling shine, Its the ultimate light and soft oil. You will only need a pea sized drop used on the mid lengths of the hair to really see a change. Over the coming few days using it your hair will get better and better as this is a leave in treatment that can be used all year round with no build up.

It can be used as a pre shampoo, or used on wet or dry hair and this is really well worth the money.

I am also a gluten for beautiful packing and this looks stunning sitting on the dressing table.

The DENSIFIQUE Mousse Densimorfhose 150 ml is as you would expect just as awesome as the oil, smells divine and helps you create the most brilliant bouncy styles. Applied on damp towel dried hair at the roots is adds hold, volume and delightful style for more than the first day its used. I loved the fact it didn’t weigh the hair down one little bit. Just remember a little goes a very long way for both these products so one small pump of each should be all you need.

For more beauty and style advice head over to slbstyle.com and come ask me anything beauty related over on Twitter @sarahbacchus as I used to be an educator with some of the leading brands. Now its more about the product photography but I still love giving advice to all you lovely readers. x

No5 Bridge Street Winchester

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

Winchester has some of the finest places to eat and one in particular will knock your socks off! NO5 has to be the most vibrant happening places to spend a few quality hours eating and drinking. The food is so incredible you will think you are being fed and cared for by the most famous of chefs. The presentation is out of this world and every dish is bursting with flavour and will send those taste buds on a delightful joy ride. We sampled the dishes sitting outside in the pretty courtyard with the sun beaming down on us. A perfect sunny evening full of chatter and excitement over each morsel that we ate.

First we got stuck into the olives, bread and a delicious herb dip before ordering the main events. We drank a smooth red Shiraz that was just the right temperature, velvety and delightful and a crisp bottle of Pinot, perfect for the most balmy and humid of evenings we have had in a very long time. Siting outside in the quaint courtyard was just what this day called for.

We ate pulled pork burgers with a scrumptious BBQ sauce and french fires. This dish was soft, tender and rich. The sauce added a slight sweetness to the flavour that worked perfectly, accompanied by the wine.

Hampshire steak burgers and fries with a spicy dip. The burgers melted in the mouth and not one bit was left. These are possibly the best burgers we have tasted in years. Perfect and delicate at the same time meaty and comforting.

The vegetarian option was incredible. A Roasted garlic gnocchi dish with spring onions and baby red broccoli and chilli with lashings cheddar shavings on top.

A table set for Kings and Queens

The mains where just perfect but no meal is ever truly complete without pudding now is it!!

The best Banana Sticky Toffee pudding on the planet. Rich, crunchy, gooey and it’s possible to say we could have eaten about 3! Not because it was too small, just because we didn’t want this little beauty to end!

Raspberry chocolate mousse with a caramel and peanut slice. This was totally tantalising and the mousse had a hidden sharp treat at the bottom. The raspberries just popped the flavour of the chocolate mousse. Creamy and light with every mouthful, the caramel slice was a perfect addition.

This stunner was a Vanilla cheesecake with blackberry sorbet and a side of honeycomb. Light and delicate in taste but when the sorbet was added it gave the perfect treat for those taste buds.

No5 gets a big thumbs up and 5 star rating with us. One place to visit when you are in Winchester next. No5 also has 5 beautiful, contemporary, cozy and stylish rooms you can stay in too… More on that soon!!

Check out their website here and follow them on Twitter @no5bridgestreet

If you want to see more of the fashion in this post head over to SLBStyle for more details. Come say Hello on Twitter @sarahbacchus.

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