All

My Favourite Candles & Diffusers

My Favourite Candles & Diffusers

October 25, 2024

Have you ever bought an expensive candle and been disappointed? Maybe it lost its scent after a few burns or left wax unused around the sides, or kept going out? Really annoying isn’t it. Cire Trudon is the oldest candle company in the world and from my experience

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Halloween Mummy Macarons

Gaby's Bakery - Halloween Mummy Macarons

October 24, 2024

Hallowe'en comes from the Scottish for All Hallows' Eve. Even is the Scots for ‘eve’ or ‘evening’, shortened to e'en or een. E(v)en became Hallowe'en. Observed in many countries, it’s a celebration of remembrance for saints, martyrs, and the dearly departed. Popular culture has...

Continue Reading

Hair Loss - Semantics and Misunderstandings

Hair Loss - Semantics and Misunderstandings

October 16, 2024

1. Miss X sees 'hair loss' as a whole hair having fallen out and gone.

2. Mrs Y interprets 'hair loss' as the hair still being there, but each hair half as thick, maybe split and broken too.

Both are right. But most people fear No.1 whilst suffering the most loss of volume from No.2.

Continue Reading


Balancing Scalp Shampoo

Balancing Scalp Shampoo

October 11, 2024

When I started hairdressing in the 1970s the average person washed their hair once a week. Shampoos were sold in three types - for dry, normal or oily hair.

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Rosh Hashana Honey Cake

Gaby's Bakery - Rosh Hashana Honey Cake

October 05, 2024

If you’ve ever politely eaten auntie's dense, dry and disappointing honey cake, with a crumb like sawdust that scrapes its way past your tonsils, this may not be the treat you're naturally drawn to. But here's a recipe that delivers on the promise of what a honey cake should be. Moist, tender and flavoursome.  

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Vietnamese Crème Caramel

Gaby's Bakery - Vietnamese Crème Caramel

September 28, 2024

This bánh flan or Vietnamese crème caramel is similar in texture to an Italian panna cotta, though crème caramel is made without gelatin or starches, as the eggs thicken the mixture themselves giving you a perfect velvety texture, that's smooth and compact.

Continue Reading


Gaby's Bakery - 3-Tiered Victoria Sponge Birthday Cake

Gaby's Bakery - 3-Tiered Victoria Sponge Birthday Cake

September 21, 2024

Bit odd really, our boys. I asked them what they wanted for their birthday cake, expecting a request for something themed with wheels, swords or guns, and they asked for a tiered Victoria Sponge!

Continue Reading

And Then They Were Ten

And Then They Were Ten

September 21, 2024

They'd had go karting, Nerf gun parties, and run riot in an amusement arcade called Babylon Park. We wanted something a little more serene at home this year, and knowing how much they loved 

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Vietnamese Sponge Cake – Banh Bong Lan

Gaby's Bakery - Vietnamese Sponge Cake – Banh Bong Lan

September 14, 2024

Seeing a cake so pale and ashen could make you think it's tasteless. But this featherlight sponge manages to pull off a combination of airy nothingness with a gently sweet vanilla flavour. It remains moist with an even delicate crumb, and so light, you won't feel guilty having a second helping.

Continue Reading


Frizz Free Hair

Frizz Free Hair

September 12, 2024

It’s been a long time since the first Brazilian Blowdry products were being used. The few people that supplied these unbranded products here in the late 1990s worked in the shadows like drug dealers distributing hooch from the cottage industry of stills in the jungle and favelas.

Continue Reading

Beat the Heat with Braids

Beat the Heat with Braids

August 23, 2024

Beat the Summer heat with these fun up-dos. You can try out our YouTube tutorials or easier still, come into the salon to enjoy a new look.

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Palmiers

Gaby's Bakery - Palmiers

August 17, 2024

A Palmier comes from the French, Feuille de Palmier or 'palm tree leaf' but this delicious pastry has names all over the world related to its shape. Pig's ear, palm heart, elephants ear, butterfly, Prussiane, glasses, and more. Some countries top them with chocolate, coconut or honey.

Continue Reading