This Week The Mice Have Mostly Been...

Oh....

This super short, four day week has whipped by, and now the weekend's within sipping distance. Hang in there just a little longer, because two days of freedom are glistening on the horizon. And we're here to help you while away those last few desk-bound hours with a quick run down of what we've been up to in the last few days. This week, the Mice have mostly been....

Distressed Denim...

From my earliest Mouse days, I have definitely always been the tomboy of the robbo clan. Middle and HK Mouse would proudly wear a pretty dress, pigtails and ribbons where as I would be much more comfortable in dungarees and a washed out tee. They would giggle in the playground taking it in turns to skip and play hopscotch, whereas I would be across the other side shouting and playing football. 

Over the years our style (thankfully) has grown a little closer together, saying that you'll still rarely see me in a skirt and only a dress if it's a wedding or I'm away on holiday!

It's not that I don't like being girly, in fact I love having a special occasion to get dressed up for, but when I wake each morning dying of tiredness, the last thing I want to do is wriggle into a skirt and heels. Whereas a pair of skinny jeans and a tee eases me slowly into my day!

So I've spent the last five years or so in a pair of skinny jeans. My wardrobe bursting with Topshop Leigh jeans in a wide range of colours - they're super comfy, soft and can be worn with heels, boots and converse - ideal! However my current denim crush - ripped boyfriend jeans. Once again unbelievably comfortable and can be worn dressed up with heels or casual with trainers. See the emerging theme...?!

The only problem...the rips have to be just right. I can't stand symmetrical contrived rips, one pathetic slash with no fraying or OTT rips where you can see more skin than denim! It's a tricky business! After much hunting I found the perfect pair from Zara - a cigarette leg with open frayed rips, however they're white so have limited wear time (despite this I still love them). My second trusty purchase - a good old pair of Levi 501CTs - washed denim, a tapered leg and perfect knee slashes. However, as this is my new uniform, I definitely need more options in my wardrobe to avoid getting a trampy image!

I've searched high and low and here I present my current favourites...
7 For All Mankind, £225

Supertrash Jeans, £120

Levi 501CT Jeans, £95

Zara Distressed Jeans, £29.99

One Teaspoon Awesome Baggies, $148 AUD

Glamorous Ripped Jeans, £35

And last but not least, if like me, you're pretty picky, there's one more option...buy a cheap plain pair and rip yourself. That way your can create a bespoke look exactly how you want them. Scary maybe but I've found this great post from a pair & a spare to help get that perfect authentic distressed look...let's hope they're a rip roaring success!!!! 

Hey Hay : Interior Heaven

Fellow Mice, say hey to HAY - she's Danish, expensive looking & hot property right now ... in the world of interiors! I'm majorly crushing over her and I think you'll be too when i'm done bending your ear... 

A few weekends ago I was skipping down Redchurch Street, Shoreditch with Mini mouse when I stumbled across this cute little concept store called Monologue. Packed full to the brim with interior jewels, I was intrigued so in we stepped and got sucked into the world of contemporary curves, clean lines and immaculate design. My new happy place...

It was then that I was first introduced to HAY. There she was smiling back at me rainbow style...

The brand HAY offers up many interior products from chairs to hangers to cushions but it was their beautiful interlinking trays that had me at first sight! You can buy them individually or snap up a set in an array of colours. I was drawn to the sunshine yellow to brighten my days on a daily basis and had just the place for it in my heart and home...

Like what you see? Well, hands off, HAY's mine, I found her first!

This Week The Mice Have Mostly Been...

CONGRATULATIONS not only have we made it to the weekend but a bank holiday weekend....

All we need now is a little sunshine for the fun to commence...lazy days in the park followed by Mr Whippy ice creams, a BBQ and a large Pimms would do very nicely indeed! However I'll equally settle for a rainy day, back to back episodes of Entourage hiding beneath a duvet!!

Before the countdown can officially begin to a three day stretch of bliss, I'll get you up to speed with what the mice have mostly been doing this week...

Daydreaming of basking in the sun, sipping cocktails and snoozing to my heart's content...just seven more days and this will all be reality...YIPEE! Before the relaxation can begin there's the slight inconvenience of unearthing my summer wardrobe and selecting the perfect holiday wardrobe that fits into my hand luggage....! 

On second thoughts all I really need is a handful of killer bikinis and my trusty rip off Levi shorts. 

Shorts sorted, now for finding the perfect bikinis...never an easy task! 

Just like jeans shopping, it's never overly fun. Having hibernated in skinnies and jumpers all winter, my skin reassembles something very close to Casper the friendly ghost, that combined with unflattering store mirrors and lighting equals a total tear-inducing nightmare! I find the only solution is to shop online from the comfort of my cosy sofa, allowing the bronzed beach goddess of a model trick me into purchases and to try my e-haul on in the safe confines of my bedroom!

Shopping problem solved, now all we have to decide is where to purchase from...easy peasy, Kiini of course! 

I have fallen hook line and sinker for this brand - boho chic bikinis, handmade so that every one differs and in amazing vibrant popping colour = the ideal bikini for a super fun summer!  

I 100% need one of these crochet gems in my life, the toughest decision is which colour combo to go for...?!

MUST do at least 1,000 sit ups tonight...

Obsessing over Charlottle Tilbury's Goddess Skin Clay Mask. After just a couple of applications, I'm totally hooked and very excited to start using this in my skincare routine. 

I was sold by the promise of baby skin but the fact I could already feel the difference after one go, totally captured me...I'm now a lifer!

The details...Charlotte grew up in Ibiza and from a young age used to rub the local clay all over with a little almond oil, apparently an ancient Ibizian beauty ritual. Unlike other drying clays, Spanish clay is gentle yet nutrient rich and healing. This has been combined with almond and rosehip oil to moisturise, nourish and prevent ageing with the addition of BioNymph Peptide Complex (getting geeky!) which improves skin elasticity by increasing collagen production.

The result...glowing, bright, even skin with smaller pores that's baby soft to touch!

Check out Charlotte's online video here showing how to apply the product using her Tilbury Tap Pro-Collagen facial massage - apparently it heightens results! She's my new beauty guru, so what Tilbury says goes...

Dying to sample all the amazing new restaurants and bars that seem to be popping up every second in London. If you're lacking some inspiration for weekend plans, panic not I'm here with a helping hand. 

I can't confirm that they'll all blow your socks off, however I've heard great things and have them all firmly on my list of places to check out ASAP! 

Chick 'n Sours

Pretty much what it says on the tin, a Dalston eatery that specialises in Chicken and sours (cocktails)...what better combo?! Plus after reading Grace Dent's recent review it made me want to go all the more! 

A brunch which sounds pretty darn good is also served at weekends. The only disappointment for me is a one dessert menu - Weetabix ice cream - not convinced by this one but guess I'll have to try and report back! 

Must try...The Bun - Korean fried chicken with gochujang Mayo, chilli vinegar and slaw. Of course with a side of the beef dripping fries!


Bull In A China Shop 

From the guys behind The Drunken Monkey and just a hop, skip and jump up the street, this time they're trying their hand at Japanese inspired dishes and whisky cocktails. I took a little peek as I walked past last weekend and the interior looks super cool, dingy (but in a hot-right-now way!), laid back with tonnes of character and welcomes both eaters and drinkers - my kind of place!

Must try... Rich Chinese 5-spice marinated and whisky glazed rotisserie chicken

The Ivy Chelsea Garden

The iconic brand has now decided to take over Chelsea with a killer outdoor space. Think snaking wisteria, pretty as a picture roses, trickling water and an orangery...who would say no to a glass of chilled champagne in those surroundings?! Open from brunch to dinner with a focus on leaving a good proportion of tables for walk-ins which should mean getting a seat isn't an impossible feat!

Must try...melting chocolate bombe with milk foam, vanilla ice cream and honeycomb centre with hot salted caramel sauce!!!

And that's your lot! We'll leave you with a cheering thought...

Have a wonderful, wonderful three days off!

x

The Mice

The House of Peroni heads East...

The House is back and that means one spectacular thing - it's Peroni o'clock every day for the next month people!!!

We've been lucky enough to frequent all past residencies but this one takes the biscuit for one standalone reason ... the house has thrown it's anchor down in East London, just a hop, skip and a jump from our Robbo Mousehold! Located on Brick Lane, in the Old Truman Brewery the doors will be open for just one month (until 10th June) enticing visitors to drop in and fill their Peroni boots up.

Last Wednesday we were cordially invited to the launch party where there were lashings of tasty bites, cocktails on tap, a magnificent floral wall masterpiece and fairground inspired installations lighting up the space. 

3BM Wander: Gili Lankanfushi - The Maldives

Another Monday, another week of work ahead, we think it's time for a little more vacay dreaming...

This Week The Mice Have Mostly Been...

Andddddddd another week has whooooooooooooshed by which can mean only one thing...

Join The Reformation...

We've manage to cover the majority of our NYC adventures, however one area we haven't yet touched on (and we're constantly trying to justify to ourselves as the MasterCard bills land on our door mat) is SHOPPING. 

There aren't many things we have a weakness towards, our chocolate cravings are a distant memory with clean eating drilled into us, we've never been smokers...however when it comes to brand new shiny shoes, clothes, bags, jewellery, it's a whole other story. Let the three of us loose, in NYC, with just under a week together and you're pretty much going to need an intervention to stop us! 

Beautiful Bing...

No we're not talking bling ... today it's all about Bing ... Aninie Bing to be exact. 

If you've never heard this name before, wake up and smell the coffee! It's a brand you NEED to know.

This Week the Mice Have Mostly Been...

Oh yes, it'ssssss....

And boy are we happy about that! From London to Hong Kong, the last seven days have been a blur of spreadsheets and green juices with a whole heap of tight deadlines and early morning cardio sessions piled on top. In a word - dull.

Battle of the Burgers - NYC

If you've been reading the blog over the last couple of weeks, or follow any of our social media accounts, you're probably well aware that all three of us Mice recently gallivanted our way around NYC...if not from our recent blog posts, then I'm guessing we may have been filling up your Instagram and Twitter feeds instead! We really tried to calm the smoasting but opportunities just kept on presenting themselves and we felt it would be rude not to share them...

I mean when this is the view from your bedroom window why wouldn't you smoast?!

Thai Dreaming: A Minibreak to Hua Hin & Bangkok

It's Monday! 

And, if like the London Mice, that means that wherever you are, it's a bank holiday, then you're probably reading this snuggled under your duvet with a huge cup of tea helping to soothe the after-effects of too much fun last night. For the rest of us, there's coffee and the Daily Mail online - we can get through those deskbound Monday morning blues together... If it's a particularly awful start to the week though, then might I suggest a quick dose of the cure to all misery - holiday planning. 

Whenever I'm feeling particularly low, I hop on to Mr & Mrs Smith, Tablet Hotels or iEscape and drool over all the photos of white sandy beaches and four poster beds draped in 800 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. Even when my credit card's maxed out a little holiday daydreaming sorts me out in no time.

And if you need a little trip-spiration on this May Monday morning, here's a canter through a recent lazy long weekend I spent in Thailand.

It started as all good Hong Kong holidays begin, with a Pizza Express pizza and a cardboard cup of wine at Chek Lap Kok airport.

This Week The Mice Have Mostly Been...

Let's start this off by saying...

Not only is it the weekend but it's a bank holiday weekend...three glorious days of alarm free sleeping, Greys Anatomy catch ups (tissues at the ready) and guilt free Sunday night drinking!! What more could we want?!