Leave it to Anna: Bluebell and Wild Strawberry Edition
A perfect spring scent, a fun trip out of town, and several new beauty discoveries. Plus a great British mystery to watch!
As we slowly inch towards summer, this week has come through with a perfect display of spring. I planted several varieties of bulbs in pots last fall and they are starting to come out now, dressing up our front yard with pops of daffodil yellow and hyacinth blue. All of this sunshine is good for the soul and perfect for outdoor dining (while still donning light jackets, of course). This in-between weather is tricky in terms of appropriate outerwear, so I’ve been rotating between my Marfa Stance quilted jacket, a chore coat I picked up in Wales, and my trusty Costco UK trench.
**My favorite style mag Grazia proclaimed that “the blouson” (a boxy, cropped silhouette) is set to be spring's biggest jacket trend and recommended this Uniqlo one as both a relaxed and polished option. I have a similar one I got at Target, which I plan on bringing on spring break next week.
I have been on a kick of trying new makeup and skincare items and here are the four products I’ve been using lately.
Il Makiage Power Redo Wrinkle Fix: This product is basically a magic eraser for your face. I put it on after my moisturizer and the effect is magical, especially on my forehead lines. The brand describes it as a “multi-benefit, targeted, wrinkle filler that blurs fine lines, pores, and uneven texture for a flawless, visibly-younger look. Plus, with continued use, this velvety balm – packed with Coffee Seed, Vitamin C, and Rosehip Oil – softens signs of aging, and promotes a more youthful, radiant appearance.”
Wonderskin Lip Stain: You can’t ride the tube in London without seeing a giant poster advertising this lip product. When you put it on, your lips turn blue since that’s the color of this stain right out of the tube. After a minute, however, you wipe off the dried blue layer (I use a wet tissue) only to reveal a more vibrant lip. My daughter and I have both been using the shade “Whimsical” but there are lots of color options and you can also take a quiz on their website to find your perfect shade.
Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Serum: I love anything Caudalie makes since it epitomizes French beauty — and this popular Instant Firming Retinol Alternative Serum is no exception. I put it on after I wash my face in the morning and it just feels (and smells) luxurious. I decided to try it after reading that it contributes to “an anti-aging daily routine set to visibly firm, lift, and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles with Caudalie’s patented alternative to retinol.”
Curaprox Toothpaste: I read “Why you should only spend £2 on toothpaste” in the Telegraph and was intrigued by this unknown to me Swiss brand. A dentist described it, however, as “a well renowned brand amongst dentists, gum specialist and hygiene therapists.” It’s widely available in the UK and I really like the mild flavor and the no-nonsense packaging. Curaprox also makes really cute toothbrushes, which could be paired with the toothpaste for a fun European (and very practical) gift.
The sun was shining and there was no rain in the forecast, so we decided to spend our Saturday morning in Windsor this weekend. It is definitely doable as a half-day outing from London, taking the tube and then the overground rail to get there (took us about 1.5 hours total in transit). We booked our timed entry tickets for 10 am (£35 per person but good for a whole year of access) and were glad we did since the place gets crowded later in the day.
I loved touring the State Apartments, which are still used today for ceremonies and official dinners hosted by the royal family. A highlight for me was definitely seeing Queen Mary’s Dolls House, which was built between 1921 and 1924 by the leading British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. It contains works from over 1,500 of the finest artists, craftspeople and manufacturers of the early 20th century - every single item on the inside is built at 1/12th scale and done to precision. It even has electricity and running water (which is currently turned off for environmental reasons)! The fully-stocked wine cellar contains mini bottles filled with real wine (1) and the toast rack in the dining room is gilded with real gold. Another highlight was definitely the crypt cafe at the end of the tour, which served soup, salads, and delicious cakes with tea and coffee.
Before taking the train back to London, we walked through the Windsor Royal Shopping area, which is adjacent to the old Windsor & Eton train station. I popped into Molton Brown to check out their newest scent, Bluebell and Wild Strawberry, and immediately fell in love. I am a sucker for poetic descriptions and the following one is inspiring me to take a forest walk this spring:
“The crush of leaves underfoot and ripening wild strawberry arresting the air: spring’s arrival is a quiet, sensuous assault. A time when Senior Perfumer Véronique Nyberg feels grounded, energised by walks in nature, gardening and memories of Alpine bluebells. Subtly scented, the bluebell is rather a state of mind, planted at this fragrance’s heart and intertwined with wild strawberry, earthy violet leaf, warm amber accord and soft driftwood. This is a modern floral-fruity fragrance, a stride into the forest when the shoots are new and the bluebell reigns supreme. Let’s walk.”
My own version of a royal experience can be found on the Windsor High Street - it is a two-story TK Maxx filled to the brim with homewares in the basement (not usually found in London). I found some great treasures there and had fun decompressing after touring the castle.
Let’s switch gears and talk TV for a second. We watched the latest Agatha Christie mystery on BBC One, Towards Zero. I loved the scenery (Devonshire coast), the outfits, the star cast… there is nothing like a Christie mystery and this one is extremely well done with a modern twist. The Guardian described it as “the TV equivalent of a chess game or crossword made flesh, even those who aren’t fans of the mystery author will struggle to resist this adaptation.” I fully agree.
Let’s end of a sweet note, shall we? I was amazed to read that you can only buy 2 bars of the popular “Dubai Chocolate” at a time at the grocery store. I had to investigate for myself, of course, to determine whether all of the fuss has been warranted. “Dubai chocolate” is a milk chocolate bar filled with shredded phyllo dough pastry, pistachio cream and tahini paste. The concept was invented by a British-Egyptian mom living in Dubai, who was craving a favorite childhood desert (knafeh) while pregnant. It is a great story of how a sweet craving can lead to a worldwide chocolate phenomenon! And my verdict: delicious.
For a real life London photo, please see below. The plastic construction barrier and the Road Closed sign may as well be official symbols of London, in addition to Big Ben and the double decker red bus. Every morning we pass the road workers enjoying a hot cup of tea together before they start another day of digging up the asphalt and replacing our neighborhood’s water pipes, one spoonful of sugar at a time.
Hope that you enjoyed this post and I will see you here on the Stack again next Sunday! Until then, you can follow Leave it to Anna on Instagram or Facebook. If you think your friends will like the recommendations that I sent your way, please share my newsletter. Leave it to Anna is also on Threads, so thread along here.