In my opinion, the Spring/Summer makeup collections are always the best. The girly pastel colours look great with any colour complexion, the trick is finding the right shade particularly if you’re darker toned. I noticed Boots have just launched this, so I can’t wait to buy the nail polishes, particularly Chanel’s May. According to reviews (I always do my research now, after buying lots of nail polishes and passing them on to my sister-in-law (who’s blonde) because they’re too pale for my nails/complexion), the nail polish gets the thumbs up in terms of application and staying power. Although pricey, I prefer Chanel polishes, they’re just soo easy to work with (apart from last summer’s ‘Mimosa’ – a yellow hue that was really streaky). I just hope I’m not disappointed!

Website: http://portobellolondon.co.uk

I went here recently for our office Christmas party. We sat downstairs and had a table reserved in advance for a group of us. The service was great, my main course was very tasty but my dessert had more pastry than fruit, but other than that, good food at a reasonable price. The location is fantastic, less than a minutes walk from Notting Hill Gate Underground Station.

If you fancied doing something after your meal, you could go catch a film at the Coronet on Notting Hill Gate, walk down to Portobello Road, or try some of the selection of bars on the trendy Ledbury Road & Westbourne Grove.

It all started from a cough, which by itself wasn’t unusual for me. You see I’ve suffered from chronic coughs not long after moving to London many years ago. The first time it happened it was nearing exam time. I couldn’t stop coughing but didn’t have any other symptoms (no cold, flu or high temperature), when I saw my then GP at the time, they told me it was nothing to worry about, the cough will go with time and the best thing to do was to drink lots of water and do breathing exercises, she hypothesised that perhaps it was due to the stress of exams. In time it went away although it took weeks. The next summer I had the same cough again, so I went to my family GP who got me to get a blood test and chest x-ray – came back normal. Again, the diagnosis was just to let the cough run its natural course. I thought it was strange but as the years have gone by, not all summers but quite a few there after, I’ve had this mysterious cough.

This summer when I started coughing it just felt different. Instead of getting better with time, I was coughing more and couldn’t stop. My desk had moved to directly underneath the air-conditioner and working in a mainly male environment, it was on full blast for most of the day! I noticed that when the air-con was on, my cough would get worse. Eventually, I asked for the air-con to be disabled in my direction which helped, but I still felt unwell. I looked frail and was persuaded to see my GP. I knew it was a waste of time because of the previous times I’ve seen a GP. I wasn’t wrong, my GP said I should do some star jumps and it will go in time – hmm, I’m soo frail at this point, I can hardly walk let alone do star jumps! I mentioned that my dad has chronic asthma and my aunty and uncle too. Perhaps, I hypothesised, I have asthma, to which my GP replied, ‘very unlikely’.

As the weeks went on, I was really suffering. My GP kept telling me it would get better, but it wasn’t. Eventually one morning, I woke up and couldn’t breathe, suddenly I started to wheeze quite badly (never wheezed in my life), each breath became painful and harder. A neighbour saw me and urged me to go to A&E. I was soo tired all I wanted to do was collapse. That night, I started to panic about going to sleep as I was alone. I decided that the next day I was to go back home and see a chest specialist at Spire hospital in Cardiff. I managed to get a quick appointment. I was bored with going back and forth to GP’s, I knew they were wrong.

I was in agony, but I finally got to speak to someone who actually listened! Best Dr I’ve ever seen (he has an OBE too). Listened to my history (I told him I’ve had chronic coughs for years), did the appropriate tests and said I was absolutely correct in my diagnosis – I had asthma, probably for years but it was mild, but the longer you go undiagnosed the greater the risk of long-term damage. Luckily there was no damage, he gave me the correct medication, and even got me to show him how I would use an inhaler. The best part was that he told me it’s highly unlikely I’ll end up like my dad (unless I smoke, which I don’t), and not to worry as I may not need long-term medication. He said I reminded him of his daughter who looks ridiculously young for their age, and I should start thinking about getting married/having children – made me smile!

Weeks later, I’m starting to feel like myself again – I was told by my specialist that I could have seasonal asthma and that I may only need medication during those months. However, I was to take peak flow readings in the mornings and evenings to determine whether this is the correct diagnosis. A number of weeks later, I went to my GP to discuss my peak flow readings (I did the graph) and the doctor I saw said I can take medication as and when? But I retorted I still have an underlying cough, I’m not completely there yet. I was soo angry, that I complained to the practice, finally I ended up seeing a male doctor who apologised for his colleagues mistakes, and said he will deal with me from now on as he has a keen interest in asthma.

I can’t honestly thank the specialist enough, no more enduring coughs for weeks on end. Now, I’m starting to feel like myself again – I wish I saw him sooner, it’s worth seeing a specialist, they’re in a different league! As for my triggers, air-conditioners (recycled air – yuck!) and possibly pollution, although recent reasearch has shown that it could be the cause rather than a trigger, and stress (my uncle recently died of cancer).

When I go back to the countryside, my breathing is normal again, perhaps I’m just allergic to city-life

One thing I’ve learn’t (through weeks of complete agony), never be afraid to question your GP, they can get it wrong, sometimes you know when something isn’t quite right, and if all else fails, pay to see a specialist…

www.jonesandjonesfashion.com or www.topshop.com

From browsing the topshop website for a spring coat, I came across a brand called Jones & Jones. Designed by two sisters, their clothing is a mix of feminine designs of the 40′s & 50′s with a modern twist. I love liberty prints, and these two dresses (the Julia & Phoebe) really caught my eye. Judging by the length, I imagine it would have to be a very hot day (legs will be definitely on show) or combine with skinny jeans or Wolford’s Anna ballet-inspired leggings in blossom (£58) for a more wearable daytime look… 

Jones & Jones Julia Dress in Liberty Rose print

Jones & Jones Julia Dress in Liberty Rose print (back)

Laura Ashley Archive Collection Spring 2011

I’ve admired a few Laura Ashley pieces in my time, but have never purchased up until now. A brief perusal of their website the other day and I came across their archive collection.

Laura Ashley describe their archive collection:

“For an unmistakably nostalgic look, we have lovingly sifted through our archives to produce a range of dresses, shirts and cardigans using prints from a bygone era. Beautiful bird, butterfly and floral prints reference this season’s passion for Botanicals, with delicate vines, sprigs and roses sitting alongside more vivid Bouquet prints adding irresistible charm”

Laura Ashley Archive Sundress Rose

Laura Ashley Archive Print Sundress Bluebell

I’ve just ordered their 50′s style archive print cotton sundress in rose (pink). Unfortunately they don’t do a size 6, but I’m hoping that even if their size 8 is a little big, I can make a few adjustments. Can’t wait until this arrives, will look good with a bolero, wedges and a straw hat…

Yamamay Spring 2011

On a recent trip to Westfield shopping centre, I popped into a shop called Yamamay. Never heard of this Italian lingerie brand before, but I loved their pretty Spring 2011 collection. The prices are reasonable. Love the floral wallpaper, bedding, pink nails and the model is ridiculously stunning…

Yamamay Spring 2011

Yamamay Spring 2011