FINNERZ - FASHION - TRAVEL

W Hotel Dubai – The Palm

If you follow me on Instagram then you would have seen that I recently visited Dubai which was absolutely incredible! It was pretty overwhelming when trying to find a hotel as there are so many to choose from. Since opening it’s first hotel in New York in 1998, the W brand offer luxury lifestyle hotels in over 50+ locations worldwide. The stunning Palm Jumeirah Hotel is the most recent W Hotel to open its doors.

I stayed for 6 nights at the newly opened W Hotel on The Palm and WOW it was amazing from start to finish. The hotel is situated on the very iconic Jumeirah Palm and is located on the West Crescent. It is about a 35 minute drive from Dubai International Airport and within easy access of the cities main attractions.

I booked the Wonderful room with balcony and ocean view. The room was a really good size with a balcony looking out onto the pool and city skyline. It was equipped with everything including a bar area, sofa area, flat screen TV, plenty of USB sockets, mood lighting, decent iron/ ironing board (always a priority for me ha!). The hotel also has free Wi-Fi throughout and fully fitted with air conditioning. The bed was a super king and it was extremely comfortable which made it such a struggle to get up in the mornings!

The bathroom was huge with a dressing / vanity area, stand alone bath and a walk in shower. There were plenty of mirrors and the lighting was great with beauty lights built in and the bathroom was fully stocked with complimentary Bliss toiletries.

The service throughout my stay was impeccable, everyone was really friendly and welcoming. The staff went above and beyond with their 5 star service and this is what sets this hotel apart from the rest.

The hotel has a great pool area with its own private beach area. There is also the WET Deck which is the adults only pool area and hosts the Palm Sugar Brunch every Friday! Towels are laid out ready for you every morning on the sun loungers and it never felt over crowded. They offer complimentary water bottles which is great when you’re melting in 38+ degrees!

I must say that the Breakfast was definitely one of the highlights it was simply incredible. Everything ran so smoothly, there was no queuing and the service was 5 star. They had tables both inside and outside looking out onto the pool area. They had everything you could dream of from fresh fruit, pancakes, ice cream, cakes to eggs Benedict and made to order omelettes. If you’re thinking about staying here then I would highly recommend opting for breakfast.

The hotel has everything all under one roof! SoBe which is a beautiful rooftop bar with 360 views of the Dubai skyline, perfect for those after dinner drinks. It’s home to not one but TWO Michelin starred restaurants, an Italian Torno Subito and a Japanese called Akira Back. All day dining is available in the LIV restaurant on the ground floor and light snacks and drinks are available all day by the pool.

In true Dubai style, every Friday Akira Back hosts a bottomless brunch. I was lucky enough to check this out during my stay and honestly it was by far the best food I’ve had! All of the appetisers are unlimited including grilled octopus, crispy calamari and the famous tuna pizza including a large selection of sushi. From mains you can choose from black cod, Jidori Chicken and many more. This is definitely one to add to the list if you’re heading to Dubai. The brunch is priced at 445 AED including soft drinks and 550 AED for premium.

I would highly recommend checking out the W Hotel on The Palm, it will not disappoint!

Let me know if you have been to Dubai before or planning a trip there

beauty, grooming, MENS GROOMING

GILLETTE SKINGUARD SENSITIVE

February 4, 2019February 4, 2019by FinnerzLeave a Comment

I recently went to the launch of the new Gillette SkinGuard Sensitive Razor. The razor is designed for men with sensitive skin and I was told it cuts hair at skin level so would avoid irritation. It has a unique Skin Guard positioned between the blade which helps protect the skin.

I have sensitive skin myself so this product sounded great and I just had to try it. I have always avoided the clean shave due to irritation of the skin. The Razor looks sleek and and is the perfect size for its function.

The first thing I noticed is how soft the blades are on the skin and even though there are only 2 blades it still gave a very close shave. Due to the spacing of the blades it avoided tugging of the hairs which meant less irritation on the skin. I felt it was easy to grip and control which allowed for better shaving. You can get the shave gel that goes with the razor which will help protect the skin during your shave and give you a cooling affect.

I have been using this for a few weeks now and would definitely recommend it to anyone, especially if you have sensitive skin. You can pick up the razor from £5 across stores in the UK.

*Ad – Gifted product

FOOD, lifestyle

SIX BY NICO – EDINBURGH

January 29, 2019February 4, 2019by Finnerz1 Comment

CHILDHOOD 2.0

I recently spent the weekend in Edinburgh and checked out the six course tasting menu at Six By Nico. The food was absolutely incredible! I would highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area. The restaurant is located on Hanover Street In Edinburgh however they also have one in Glasgow.

This was my first time experiencing a tasting menu so I wasn’t too sure what to expect! However it did not disappoint. The menu changes every 6 weeks and each menu is themed upon a different place or memory. The theme was Childhood 2.0 which was based on childhood classics such as pot noodle and fish fingers. It’s such a great concept, I’ve never seen anything like it before. Before each menu launches they do polls on their social media channels so you can vote for which course you prefer!

The menu costs £28 for all six courses and an extra £25 including the wine pairing. You can chose from the normal menu or the vegetarian menu and you can mix and match if you like.

I have to say the staff were so knowledgeable and really know their stuff! Every dish was explained in detail as it was bought out as well as the wine pairing. The presentation of each dish was beautiful and they actually had a screen so you could see the chefs preparing and serving up the food, pretty cool!

To start off we had “Crispy Lasagne” with Beef Ragu, aged Parmesan and topped with crispy lasagne flakes.

Secondly was the “Beef Burger” which was beef carpaccio, ewes cheese, lettuce and mustard. This was paired with an Argentinian Malbec, I’m not a huge red wine drinker but the wine complimented the beef perfectly.

We then moved on to the third course which was the “fish finger”. This consisted of salmon, pickled fennel, avocado purée and puffed rice. This was paired with an Italian wine “De Vero Catarratto”. My wife went for the vegetarian option for this dish which was the macaroni cheese.

Next up was the “Pot Noodle”. I really enjoyed this take on the classic chicken noodle. Served with chestnut mushrooms, toasted corn in chicken broth it was really delicious. The wine was a Chilean “II Ghizzano Rosso” and really bought out the fragrant spices from the dish.

The fifth course was probably the biggest dish out of them all “Duck, Duck, Goose…”. With roasted breast, leg cannelloni, parsley root purée and finished with some crispy kale.

And finally for dessert we had “Cereal Milk” which consisted of Cereal Milk Espuma, crunchy peanut clusters, honey Gelee and roasted apple. This was definitely one of my favourite dishes! It was served with a Krohn White Port which I really enjoyed it complimented the dessert so well!

I will definitely be heading back to this restaurant when I return to Edinburgh and rumours have it they are also opening one in London! If you have any questions about the let me know.

*I was very kindly invited down to Six By Nico in exchange for a blog post. All views are my own.

FEATURED, lifestyle, travel

Eden Locke Hotel – Edinburgh

January 14, 2019June 11, 2019by FinnerzLeave a Comment

If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen that I was in Edinburgh at the weekend. As you know I love to travel, so I thought I would share with you where I stayed! Locke hotels is a small chain of aparthotels located in London (Leman Locke) , Manchester (Whitworth Locke) and Edinburgh (Eden Locke).

I flew into Edinburgh Airport and the hotel was only a 25 minute drive, it’s super easy to get to. If you’re getting the train it’s only a 10 minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley station.

Eden Locke hotel is a Georgian townhouse located on George Street in the heart of the new town. It’s within walking distance from the cities major attractions such as Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street as well as being near to lots of bars, shops and restaurants. The location is great as you have everything on your door step! I thought it would be a little noisy at night-time but it was extremely tranquil and I had such a great sleep.

The interior is definitely a major selling point of this hotel – everywhere is so instagrammable. The rooms are finished to such a high spec and are extremely modern and sophisticated. I stayed in the Mezzanine Studio Apartment which looked out on to George Street – the room had huge windows and high ceilings which made it very bright and airy.

The rooms are a decent size each with a mini lounge area, corner sofa and kitchenette. There is plenty of wardrobe and storage space in the room which is ideal. They also have an ironing board / iron , hairdryer, robes, slippers and ear plugs. All rooms also have complimentary WiFi and a Smart TV.

All of the apartments come equipped with a kitchenette which has everything you need including an oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge and kettle. They even leave tea, coffee, milk and porridge pots in the kitchen so you have everything you need.

There is also a cafe located on the ground floor which serves fresh coffee, juices and home-made pastries as well as cocktails. This is great if you’re on the go and just need to grab something on your way. I loved the decor of this space, very cool!

If you are visiting Edinburgh, I would highly recommend staying at Eden Locke. I hope to come back very soon….

beauty, lifestyle, MENS GROOMING

2018 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

December 19, 2018December 19, 2018by FinnerzLeave a Comment

It’s not long to go now until the big day! Christmas is my favourite time of year and I love spoiling my friends and family but finding the perfect gift is never easy. I’ve rounded up some of my Christmas gift ideas for him & her.

THE FRAGRANCE SHOP

You can’t go wrong with the gift of fragrance at Christmas. The Fragrance Shop have a huge selection of gifts perfect for your loved ones. The Scent Addict is a travel size atomiser filled with a 30 day supply of your chosen fragrance. You can choose from over 50 different brands such as YSL, Diesel and Armani for only £12 a month. It then gets delivered straight to your door which is so convenient. Perfect for any fragrance lover who loves to discover new scents.

FAT FACE

Fat Face have a great selection of Christmas gifts for all the family. The knitwear is such great quality, below I have featured two cashmere blend jumpers. For women there is the Sophie Textured Block Jumper £45 and for Men the Chichester Crew Neck Jumper £55.

They also have so many good stocking fillers, these would be great for Secret Santa presents too. From the eye mask and pillow mist gift set (£15) to the scented candle gift set (£15) there is loads to choose from.

BOLIN WEBB

Bolin Webb are a luxury grooming brand who do some really cool and unique grooming products. I have picked out the R1 Mach3 razor it comes in many different colours but I went for Red as it is one of my favourite colours. The one I chose is £55 but they can go up to £350 use this link to check out their selection. Bolin Webb

The razors are sleek and inspired by the flawless paintwork and finish of a classic British car. All men have a razor in their wash bag so why not make it a special one. You can also add accessoires too, the stand is £30 and for his travels add a travel case for £25.

SACHAJUAN

Why not give the gift of great hair! Sachajuan are a Swedish brand that create salon quality products to use at home. I have been using their products for a while now and I absolutely love them. They have some great gift sets for Christmas and there is one for every hair type, perfect for both male and female. The gift set contains 3 full size products and come in a nice wash bag. They are priced at £65.

PHILLIPS

I find that Christmas is the perfect time of the year to give electrical goods. You ask for the things you want as well as things you need. First up is the Phillips Sonicare rechargeable electric toothbrush (£60). It has so many good functions like the smart timer which gives you the 2 minutes brushing time recommended by dentists. The battery lasts up to 2 weeks and it removes up to x7 more plaque vs. a manual toothbrush.

For her there is the SatinShave Essential Electric shaver. It is cordless and can be used both wet and dry. It is rechargeable with 1 hour usage time and has a battery indicator when its low or fully charged. It is priced at £54.

AMERICAN CREW

American Crew is one my favourite brands I use when it comes to styling my hair. They have such a good selection of products that enable you to style your hair in different ways. Everyone loves a nice gift set on Christmas day and this limited edition forming cream duo set is perfect. Most men struggle using so many different products so the 3-IN-1 shampoo, conditioner and body wash is quick and easy to use. The forming cream works well for all types of hair and gives you a medium hold with a slight shine. It also makes the hair look thicker which most men want. You can pick this up for around £20.

INSTAX MINI

The Instax cameras make such a good gift! I find it is something you wouldn’t necessarily buy yourself however you would use it alot. It’s always great fun taking instant pictures and looking back on memories. If you’re running out of gift ideas I would definitely recommend one of these. They are priced at £64.99 and you can buy lots of different films and accessories for them.

REN SKINCARE

Luxury beauty gift sets always make the perfect present, who doesn’t love self care?! REN skincare are a natural clean beauty brand and most of their products are vegan. This is the ‘LOVE’ gift set which includes two products from the brand’s Moroccan Rose bath and body range made from 100% natural rose oil. The set comes in a limited edition gift box designed in collaboration with Kikki K.

grooming, lifestyle, MENS GROOMING, travel

THE EVERYDAY MAN

December 6, 2018December 5, 2018by Finnerz1 Comment

Heinrich Barth

The N. 07 Mykonos body cleanser is infused with a blend of fig leaves and sage extracts which smells like summer. The shampoo and conditioners are suitable for all hair types and leaves hair looking super shiny and healthy. All of the products are paraben free with no artificial colourings. This travel set is ideal when on the move and comes in a well presented white gift box. I love the simplicity of the packaging, it gives it that luxurious feel. This is a great gift set for any hair or beauty lover.

heinrich-barth.com

UP ROAR

Is a UK men’s eco-friendly grooming and skin care brand which focuses on all natural ingredients. You can pick up the 50ml Aluminium-free deodorant for £8.50 and this product has so many benefits. The deodorant is made from 100% natural ingredients & it’s aluminium free (hence the name). It is non staining and residue free which is a big plus as I find most deodorants end up staining some of my T shirts. This product is also great if you love to travel like me as the volume is under the allowance for carry-on. So far so good using this product.

uproarbrand.com

The Bearded Man Company

A family run business who solely make beard care products in the UK. They use the highest quality natural ingredients to make their products and are free from the bad chemicals often used in the beauty industry. They have so many cool products to keep your beard well groomed.

The beard repair intensive recovery serum – This product is great to use for immediate results. With antioxidants and repairing Vitamin C, it gives your beard a fresh look. RRP: £9.99

60 Second Rich Repair Beard Conditioning Treatment – If you feel you have a dry rough beard this product is great for you. It will instantly leave your beard feeling soft and hydrated. RRP: £9.99

Wooden 24 Sampler Box Set – This is a great little kit which includes the bestselling beard oil. It contains 24 scents and each 2ml scent bottle will last for up to eight uses. RRP: £39.99

thebeardedmancompany.com

Rugged & Dapper

A simple straight forward grooming brand perfect for a low maintenance lifestyle. If you want a skincare that is quick and easy to use then this brand is for you! They have a wide selection of products and they are all made with natural ingredients that won’t cause irritation and dryness to the skin. I have picked out the core regimen travel kit ($19.95) which is perfect for me as I’m on the move all the time.

ruggedanddapper.com

Below The Belt

A British body and skin care brand coming up with something a little different. Me personally, I have never seen a product like this that targets the groin area. I play a lot of sport and go to the gym regularly so these products are great to help keep you feel fresh all day. Their products are vegan and cruelty free and range from £4.50 – £12. You can pick up a box set which could be a good Christmas stocking filler.

btbgrooming.co.uk

FIT Skincare

FIT Skincare produce a range of award-winning luxury hair, skin and body serums. Using all natural ingredients they help hydrate the skin and protect it from the effects of the sun. I have picked out two of their products. Firstly the moisturising ultra serum, it is very lightweight and helps to reduce red blemishes as well as repairing and refreshing the skin. Secondly the eyedrate+ serum helps get rid of the dark circles and tired looking eyes. I will definitely be using this with all my late nights and early starts.

Use my discount code SHAUN25 for 25% off!

fitskincare.co.uk

Fudge Urban

With very bright packaging it is hard to miss this brand in the shops! You can purchase these products from Boots priced from around £7. I have naturally curly hair and sometimes like to change my look up and go for something more textured. The sea salt spray is great as you can spray it into wet hair and let it dry naturally, so it’s quick and easy to use.

fudgeurban.com

The Brighton Beard Company

This brand is pretty close to home for me, I used to spend a lot of time down in Brighton and they manufacture all their products there. They have a wide selection of beard grooming products from oils, balms and waxes.

I think today more and more men are grooming their beards with all different styles so it is great to have a variety of products. The packaging is great and looks really premium, and the products all smell amazing!! They have had loads of coverage online including being featured in GQ and I can see why. In this gift set you get a beard balm, beard oil and beard shampoo for £45. Use BrightonBeard15 to get 15% off!

thebrightonbeardcompany.co.uk

Reviv Serums

This brand originates in California and they produce specialised serums for both skin and hair care. The aim of their hair serums is to help give you fuller, thicker, healthy looking hair. Their best seller is the Reviv hair max stimulating serum which is currently in the sale for only £30.67 reduced from £62.12. I can’t wait to try this out and see the results.

revivserums.com

George Etherington

I am a massive fan of watches and have a nice little collection for all occasions. Everyman should own a watch and this one is something a little different with its rectangular shaped face. The George Etherington watch looks classy and luxurious. gives any outfit that finishing touch.

georgeetheringtonwatches.com

lifestyle, travel

TOP THINGS TO DO IN LONDON THIS CHRISTMAS

November 27, 2018November 27, 2018by FinnerzLeave a Comment

Looking for things to do in London this Christmas? Whether you live in the city or visiting over the festive period there is so much going on!

BACKYARD CINEMA AT WINTERVILLE

One of my favourite things to do at Christmas is watch Christmas movies! The backyard cinema is an immersive pop up cinema located at Winterville festival on Clapham Common. On arrival you pick one of four doors which will lead you through a magical maze to discover the cosy , enchanted forest cinema. You can snuggle up on beanbags with blankets and enjoy boozy hot chocolates and popcorn. They are screening all of the classics from Elf, Home Alone and The Holiday. It’s the ideal festive day out or date night.

Tickets are priced from £18.98

Winterville – Clapham Common

Backyardcinema.co.uk

COPPA CLUB – IGLOOS

The igloos are back for another year! Set on the south bank with incredible views of Tower Bridge and The Shard, it’s the ultimate festive location. They even have a dedicated gin menu! Everyone went crazy for these last year and bookings are already sold out until January 2019, however they do accept walk ins if you’re willing to wait.

coppaclub.co.uk

Coppa Club, 3 Three Quays Walk, London , EC3R 6AH

ICE SKATING – SOMERSET HOUSE / NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

There are always so many pop up outdoor ice skating rinks around London including Somerset House, Natural History Museum, Canary Wharf and Hampton Court Palace to name a few. There’s nothing better to get you in the festive spirit!

WINTER WONDERLAND

I usually head to Winter Wonderland every year in Hyde Park and i absoloutley love it! It has a huge ice rink, fun fair, Christmas markets and loads of seasonal food & drink. It’s free entry however you have to pay for most things inside. It’s also best to book the activities in advance as its gets super busy especially on weekends. The Ice Kingdom is a must visit as well as the carousel bar!

hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London

It’s open from 10am-10pm until 6th January 2019

AVIARY LONDON

Aviary is a rooftop bar located on the 10th floor of the Montcalm hotel. This year they have pop up igloos on the terrace with amazing views of the city skyline. This is definitely on my to-do list this Christmas.

aviarylondon.com

10th Floor Montcalm , 22-25 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1DX

SOUTHBANK CHRISTMAS MARKETS

The Southbank is transformed into a wintry wonderland full of traditional wooden chalets with loads of festive treats, gifts and food. Jimmys lodge has also returned for a second year with more private dining igloos.

Southbankcentre.co.uk\

Let me know if you guys have been to any of these or are planning on going this Christmas!

FASHION, Uncategorized

BURTON MENSWEAR AW18

November 21, 2018by FinnerzLeave a Comment

It’s that time of year guys, when the temperature drops and we need to invest in some warmer clothing. I have picked out 4 different outfits from Burton for the AW season which I love and I think you guys will too.

My first look is all about layering up but I wanted to still keep this outfit smart-casual. The knitted camel crew neck sweater stood out to me straight away, the colour is great and is the main focal point of the outfit. The white shirt is a must in every mans wardrobe. It goes with everything and it makes the outfit a little smarter. If you know me, then you know how much I love the colour black, so the skinny jeans, boots and Jacket was an easy choice. I opted for black leather Chelsea boots because not only do they look smart, they are great for the colder days. I have always been a fan of bomber jackets and this one looks great with a curved hem detail and double zip.

Bomber Jacket Jumper, Shirt, Jeans, Boots

My second layered outfit is more of a casual, everyday look. The grey tapered fit side striped jersey trousers have become one of my favourites. Stripes are everywhere this season and it gives the trousers a little more detail. White trainers with a plain crew neck T-shirt always looks good with these type of trousers (and of course the ankles have to be out ha!). The slim fit blazer is such a snug fit and very comfortable so you feel very relaxed when wearing this. The hoody just brings it all together, giving the outfit more of an edgy look.

Blazer, Hoody, T-Shirt, Trousers

We all need to invest in a few coats this time of year so here is my first outwear look. Again I am wearing the skinny black jeans with the black leather chelsea boots. This time I have added a roll neck and styled it with a camel overcoat. Roll necks are always in during the AW season and can make any outfit look smart. The camel faux wool chesterfield overcoat is a must have and the black roll neck goes so well with this coat. If you follow fashion like me you will see the camel overcoat everywhere on Instagram. It is definitely a key piece for the wardrobe.

Overcoat, Roll Neck, Jeans, Boots

My second outwear look is again wearing another chesterfield overcoat but this time in black (what other colour of course!). I had to have the coat in both colours. The black version can look very smart for work but also goes well in a more casual style. I am wearing the black skinny jeans again but this time I have changed the boots. They are still black leather boots but more of a military style boot. Then to layer up I have added the white crew neck T-shirt with the salt and pepper textured crew neck jumper. The jumper is great and gives the outfit a splash of colour. I also have a plain black scarf to keep the neck warm on those chilly days.

Black Overcoat, Jumper, Jeans, Boots

I hope you guys like my outerwear picks, let me know if you have any questions. I have left all the links that direct you straight to each item featured.*

*This blog post was sponsored by Burton Menswear.

lifestyle, travel

Must visit London Cocktail Bar – Genuine Liquorette

October 28, 2018November 6, 2018by FinnerzLeave a Comment

London certainly isn’t short of cocktail bars that’s for sure. I recently checked out newly opened Genuine Liquorette and it’s definitely a must visit if you’re in town.

Located in Fitzrovia, it’s in such an ideal location. There is an upstairs and a downstairs bar both with very different ambiences. The downstairs bar is more chilled and you can order pizzas with a choice of six exclusive cocktails on tap. I mean who doesn’t want pizza and cocktails?!

The main bar is upstairs where you can get all the classic cocktails with a slight twist.

Genuine Liquorette London

What makes this cocktail bar unique is all of the ‘Cha-Chunker’ drinks (miniature bottles of liquor in soft drink cans). Basically they use a machine to pierce a large hole in the can of drink and then insert a miniature bottle of alcohol! Definitely Instagram – worthy!

The interior is really fun and quirky. With a wall full of liquor bottles which are charged by the ounce. You’ll be spoilt for choice.

If you’re looking for a cool new bar in London then I would really recommend checking this place out!

Check out their website here.

travel

MOXY Hotel – London Stratford

September 23, 2018by FinnerzLeave a Comment

Last weekend I was invited down to the MOXY Hotel in London Stratford. I went for two nights and really enjoyed my stay, I will definitely be heading back. If you’re looking for a hotel in East London at an affordable price then you should definitely check this place out….

The hotel is located a 2 minute walk from Stratford tube station and is directly opposite Westfield. Such an ideal location if you want to spend the day shopping then head for a night out in East London or central.

The rooms are extremely modern and spacious, mine was on the 8th floor and the views were incredible. It even had a balcony! There was mood lighting and a 42 inch smart TV so you could connect your iPad / iPhone or watch Netflix.

The hotel has a real “boutique” feel about it and the decor is really cool and quirky. I had the continental breakfast which was £12 and there was plenty of choice from pastries, yogurt, eggs, fruit and tea/coffee/ juices.

There is a really nice bar in the lobby which has fantastic cocktails and it was 24/7. The hotel was definitely built with millennials in mind – there’s beer pong, football table and giant Jenga!

I really loved all the quotes around the hotel (so instagrammable!). They changed them everyday.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in London that has character but you don’t want to blow your budget? Then The Moxy is your place!

#AtTheMoxy