London 2012 Olympic Torch Came To Stratford And I Was There!

Completely unplanned and a bit of a last minute idea but don't they always seem to work out the best..?

This morning my husband mentioned that the Olympic Torch was going to be at Westfield Stratford at 1pm and he was going to take the 4yr old. In my head I had already started planning what I was going to do with my unexpected free time.. perhaps a bit of pampering or maybe a bit of decluttering until he muttered 'you should come too'. Oh well it was good whilst it lasted! I wasn't in the slightest bit bothered whether I saw the Olympic Flame or not but the look of eagerness from the 4yr old meant that he really did want me to join them. 

Somewhat later than intended we finally managed to set off and in our heads knew there was a chance we were not going to make it. Just as we arrived at Stratford International Station we spotted crowds looking down at the street, no sooner we had joined them then an Olympic Torch runner went past. A good surprise but not the main event.

We rushed off to the Samsung store where we would wait to see triple jumper Phillips Idowu carry the torch. Don't ask me how we did it but we rocked up with seconds to spare and somehow ended up in the inner circle right in front of the stage where he was going to arrive!

Arriving to the tune of Chariots of Fire

Kissing of the torches

As we wandered around afterwards we saw a few other things that made us smile... I am so glad we went :-)

Standing to attention outside the Liberty pop-up store in Westfield Stratford City

Meeting some real life soldiers inside Westfield Stratford City 

Portrait of the Queen made entirely of Jelly Beans to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee (inside John Lewis)

The Olympic Stadium constructed entirely from Lego (inside John Lewis)

Go Team GB!

John Lewis Oxford Street Beauty Hall Stunning Makeover

If you have been into the Oxford Street branch of John Lewis over the last few months you may have noticed different sections being boarded up and then opened up as others have disappeared, well all has been revealed - A multi-million pound makeover of its Beauty Hall. Completed in seven phases, it was fully opened on 8th May. I was there on the first day, invited to take a tour.

Inside it is a beautyholic's dream. Incredibly stylish, bright and airy, you will find yourself  being tempted and drawn in every direction. Expanded, the new Beauty Hall now covers 18,000 square feet and boasts a Town Square formation. Premium brands are positioned like 'houses' around a central area of fragrances and haircare, skincare and nails.

I have to say I absolutely loved spending the afternoon at the new Beauty Hall. It is wonderfully spacious, with wide aisles, so you are not on top of or knocking into other shoppers whilst you are choosing your latest beauty product. Many of the brands have done away with the traditional beauty counter which means you are now amongst the products and the staff, not one side of the counter as they are on the other, making it far easier and more interactive when trying out products.

Featuring all your Beauty Hall favourite brands like Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent  

The amazing wall of OPI polishes

The John Lewis Beauty Hall will be stocking 100 shades from OPI , however, in total, the assortment in the nail zone extends to a staggering 400 shades of colour across all the brands!

Before I arrived, I popped into Topshop to take a look at their makeup collection, well I needn't have bothered as it is here! Laid out exactly how it is in Topshop. 

You will also find the niche brands here including Melvita, Dr.Hauschka, REN, Caudalie and many, many more. A great place to discover brands that you have may not have seen or considered before, and the staff are trained to give advice across those brands to recommend the best for your needs and requirements.

Love being pampered? As part of the face-lift come new treatment rooms from Lancome and Guerlain. Incredibly, Guerlain's treatment room is the first one outside of Paris! A must stop destination.

Most exciting for me however -

The addition of the new Jo Malone Shop, where I was given excellent service and came away with a teeny sample of the Orange Blossom fragrance in the cutest little bag.

Liz Earle - The friendly team were on hand to show me the new make up range and I took the opportunity to purchase my favourite cleanser, Cleanse and Polish.

John Lewis also welcomes Burberry to the store, I have to admit to spending quite a while here, playing with the make up and making a list of future purchases.

I spent a most pleasurable and relaxing afternoon getting lost in a world of beauty that I am already looking forward to returning very soon, especially to take a closer look and spend more time at the perfume section.When I get out at Oxford Circus Station I am not entirely sure I will need to walk any further than John Lewis for all my beauty needs.