Savvy Saturdays: The Lovers, The Dreamers and Me (honk if you get this reference)

img: Claire Wilson

I'm Claire Wilson and this is my Savvy Saturday...

Just a little about me - my passions are travel, fitness, various sports, various music (anything from opera to something heavy) and, most importantly, FOOD.  My personality, some may say, is a bit like "Monica" from Friends.  I'm a clean freak!  All things must be in their correct place and that cup better be on a coaster (Claire, you're just a Pisces, girl... I feel ya!).  Oh, and I say what is on my mind.

I believe in fate.  Everything happens for a reason.  In a polar duality, I also believe you make your own luck and make things come to you, so long as you're willing to dedicate the time and the effort.  I believe in life on other planets, but do I believe in fairytales?  Hmmm...  I am a typical Piscean, so I would say I'm a dreamer and maybe anything is possible.

I was born in Hannover, Germany before moving to Kuwait for two years and, then, finally to England when I was six and-a-half.  I have a brother who is four years older -- we are like chalk & cheese, but always there for each other.

I've never been much of a fashionista.  I love watching the E Channel and Fashion Weeks on TV, but somehow I can't quite seem to pull off the girlie look.  (Oh girl, give me a day in your closet and that outlook will change drastically!)  I like what I like and most of the time I dress for comfort, jeans etc.  In recent years, though, (maybe it's my age) I do like to make an effort, especially on Saturdays.  The day starts usually around nine A.M., as I'm more of an early bird than a night owl.  The gym kit goes on (Adidas, bright pink & black) and I usually go for a run or, occasionally, opt for cycling.  The traffic in England isn't exactly outdoor-fitness-friendly, so I mostly do these workouts on a treadmill or hit up a spinning class. 

After a good hour of sweat & a long shower, I feel I've earned the right to explore some tasty options.  After all, people, where there is pain there has to be pleasure to compensate!  So after throwing on some black Diesel jeans and a lacy vest with matching Abercrombie or Hollister cardi, the hair gets done (by the way, it's currently bright pink!) & the face goes on.

Here's a couple of makeup items and tips I swear by:

• Eyebrows: DVA semi-permanent eyebrow powder with stencils
• Shadows: Pick a palette that enhances your own eye colour; mine are green so I stick to browns & greys (Mine too! I like to use golds, plums, various shades of rose and blues as well.)
• Eyelashes: Rapid Lash Serum - it really works
• Perfume: Issey Myake l'eau d'issey Eau de Parfum

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My girlfriends and I love to meet up for brunch.  One of our favourite places to eat is Chimichangas Mexican Restaurant.  The decor is a mix of modern design with authentic south-of-the-border textiles and tones.  The kitchen is open and the food is fab.  The staff have come to know us quite well, so we have a special off-the-menu order that goes in the second we arrive -- tortilla pizza.  Of course, this particular meal wouldn't be complete without a good margarita.  

img: Claire Wilson

img: Claire Wilson

Unfortunately, when it comes to desserts we are not blessed with a Cheesecake Factory.                             (Oh honey, the CF is great and all, but a stellar bakery with decadent homemade recipes trumps that any day!)                                                                             However, we do have Lola's Kitchen, situated in Selfridges of London.  They have a great variety of cupcakes, but they are most famous for their New York baked cheesecake, and the Red Velvet cheesecake is pretty good too.  Suffice it to say, they make a tasty enough pastry that I make a point of stopping by every time I'm in London, no matter the occassion.

Other great eateries I frequent are... 

• Pierre Bistro in Liverpool - delicious French cuisine, Wednesday night 2 course specials & "learn French" discs played in the loo.



img: Claire Wilson

• Whiteheads Fish & Chips in Hornsey (this one's my Grandmother's hot spot) - the best thing about this place is that after filling our tummies, we walk along the beach and she tells me stories of all the trouble she used to get into in the land army during the war.  I never get tired of hearing it.  I may be a foodie, but one thing I love more than good grub is spending time with my Grandma.  She's pretty tech savvy in her eighty-four years and she can drink me under the table -- "A can of special brew with a shot of whisky in it please?", in her adorable Yorkshire accent, HA!

At the end of a good Saturday outing, I'll kick back with a beer or glass of red wine, sink into my sofa and get lost in a great film.  

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I hope you've enjoyed this sampling à la moi -- a bit like an amuse-bouche before the seven-course feast. 

For more scrumptious Claire De-Lights, Follow me on Twitter and Friend me on Facebook :)

Peace and Love, 

Claire

xoxo,