Dear readers,

It's been a few months since I've posted, I know that many of you have been curious as to why, and I'm about to let you in on the big secret: Pretty Stylish London has a new home!

That's right, this blog has moved over to WordPress, but rest assured, the content will continue to be interesting and informative, just as you've enjoyed here.

It's been a fantastic journey creating and lovingly designing this blog, as a creative project, it's been quite successful, having been shortlist for the 2010 Weblog Awards. So a little part of me is choked up about the end of this era. Yet a big part of me is excited to embark on the new journey that lies ahead; excited to have developed a new format, where beautiful images take centre stage and posts are kept punchy and to the point. Excited to have a whole new look and feel, that in my opinion is classy, more grown up, and unique. It's still a work in progress but I love the direction that it is taking.

That said, I have to admit that I also have the jitters; it's been 18 months since I launched Pretty Stylish London during which the blog has attracted over 200 followers! At a time when the blogosphere is so saturated, that's quite an achievement. In light of this, it's nerve wracking to be starting at 0 followers again... but I'm trusting that if you've followed this blog, then you'll hopefully follow the new and improved version too!


I can't wait for you to stop by, leave a comment and most importantly follow! After all, it would be a lonely place without you!

Thanks for your support!

Love,

London Darling

The Sanook Spa at the Courthouse Hotel on Great Marlborough Street promised to be a haven of tranquility offering a peaceful and pampering escape from busy city life, and true to it's word, the spa did not disappoint.

With an heated in-door swimming pool, sauna and fitness room, the small but perfectly formed facilities is perfect for some much needed me-time.

I tried the Back-up Plan which consisted of a refreshing back exfoliation scrub (made in-house, especially for the treatment), a cleansing back mask and a wonderfully unwinding hot stone massage. It didn't take long for the feeling of heavy shoulders to be scrubbed and kneaded away.

There was however one blunder that I have to mention; as part of the treatment, you're required to shower off the back scrub ahead of your massage. Yet, the shower was an awkward trek out of the treatment room into the communal shower area, a journey undertaken via the fitness room: Picture the scene; a back full of sticky scrub dripping down my back as a plodded sheepishly through the fitness centre to reach the communal showers with very little privacy.

It would have been far more pleasant and convenient to have a small shower space within the treatment room to avoid such upheaval mid-treatment. That said, the space within the spa does not permit such a luxury so I must remain sympathetic. And whilst it did take me a little while to settle back into a state of relaxation, post shower, I have to admit that the hot stone massage quickly made up for it. All in all, the Back-up Plan was a lovely mini moment of pampering, which lasted a quick 45 minutes, but the sheer indulgence of the treatments left me feeling floaty and relaxed long after.

The Back-up Plan costs £55
To book call: 020 7297 5563

Sanook Spa
Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton
19-21 Great Marlborough Street,
London W1F 7HL
Web: www.courthouse-hotel.com

Just a stone throw away from Sloane Street and Duke of York Square, The Kensington Hotel offers a spacious, alluring and beautifully laid out setting to unwind and relax.

An amalgamation of four grand Victorian townhouses, the hotel underwent a twenty-million pound renovation in April 2009, and the result has been impressive. Possessing the luxury you'd expect from a property within its postcode, and the sophistication fit for its surroundings, the decorative treatment of the hotel was led by Dublin architect Denis Looby and features an eclectic mix of vintage, contemporary and global inspirations. Featuring finds from antique shops as well as furniture from B&B Italia and George Smith, the juxtaposition between period accents and contemporary pieces quite simply works.

If you take pleasure in the finer details, then you're bound to fall in love with the rooms at The Kensington Totel. There are 150 rooms in total all sharing a wonderfully calming sepia and champagne gold colour scheme. With full-length French windows the rooms are as inviting as they are practical, complete bathroom suites that offer a power shower as well as a separate bath.


During my visit, I stopped by the Drawing room for Afternoon Tea and as I settled down to a hearty array of savory and sweet treats (including custard fruit tartlets that were deliciously moreish), I observed the room: There were ladies who lunch catching up over tea and fashion-loving tourists comparing Sloane street purchases over glasses of champagne. There was a feeling of high-end, exclusivity there, almost like a private members club, but it was juxtaposed with a sense of homeliness which instantly made me feel at ease and pampered.

Later, I visited the Aubrey restaurant and bar within the hotel, which was lovely intimate space, featuring large green leather booths, textured walls and oozing 1930s glamour. Dinner was served candlelight. The menu left me spoilt for choice - I couldn't decided between the goats cheese starter and the lightly spiced crab cake! The waitress recommended the later, and I was pleasantly surprised by the flavour. As much as I adore seafood, it can a little bland - however, the crab cakes were fresh and flavoursome; zesty with a subtle spiced aftertaste.

For the main, I tucked into breast of pheasant, served with braised red cabbage and crispy potatoes; the portion was generous to say the least - I left some aside to be able to enjoy the plum tart with real vanilla ice-cream, the perfect end to what was a carnival of flavours.

The Kensington Hotel has real character and certainly charms as one of the finest urban havens within the royal Borough. Rooms start from £180 per night.

Staying pretty AND stylish in London can be an expensive job! So if all this high maintenance up-keep is playing havoc with your bank balance then help is at hand with this exciting competition!

Pretty Stylish London has teamed up with Seven Dials, to offer five lucky readers an exclusive Seven Dials Privilege Card, which will entitle you to a *10% discount at over 70 stores, salons and venues throughout Covent Garden’s hidden village.

Seven Dials should be in every London gals’ little black book – it’s a shopping oasis far removed from the chaos of the high street and boasts some of the best boutiques, urban flagship and grooming establishments in the city, not to be mention great places to eat, drink and celeb spot.
The card will entitle you to discounts in stores such as American Apparel, Coco De Mer, Diesel, Firetrap, MAC, Miller Harris, Mimco, Miss LaLas Boudoir, Office, Poste Mistress, Mint Vintage, Adee Phelan Hair Salon and Kitchen Italia to name but a few!

For your chance to win, you must be following the blog or subscribing to email updates. Then check out the Seven Dials website to answering the follow question:

What date is the Seven Dials Shopping Evening, is it taking place on:
A) 24th March
B) 14th April
C) 29th April

Simply comment with your answer by 10th April to enter. Please remember to include your twitter account, or an email to reach you on. Good Luck!

Web: www.sevendials.co.uk
Follow Seven Dials on Twitter

* Terms and Conditions Apply.