FINNERZ - FASHION - TRAVEL

Eden Locke Hotel – Edinburgh

January 14, 2019January 14, 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 FinnerzLeave a 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

lifestyle, travel

London Rooftop Bar – CloudM

September 15, 2018by FinnerzLeave a Comment

There is nothing better than relaxing with a refreshing cocktail on a rooftop whilst taking in some of London’s best views. I recently visited the CloudM bar at Tower Hill and it did not disappoint! If you’re looking for a rooftop bar in London without the crowds then this is your go to.

CloudM bar is situated on the 8th floor of the CitizenM Hotel, directly above Tower Hill station. It has views over looking Tower Bridge and the city skyline, with a fantastic wraparound terrace. It even has floor-to-ceiling windows which means you can take in the view even if the weather isn’t great. The bar has an extensive range of cocktails, spirits and beers so you will be spoilt for choice.

The evening started with myself and 5 other influencers trying out two new cocktails, one was made with London Dry Gin and the other was made with Demerara Rum. My favourite was the gin cocktail, you have to try it! It’s now available on the menu at CloudM.

We then got to do some cocktail making of our own with East London Liquor Company which was so much fun. We learnt how to make both the London Dry Gin Cocktail and the Demerara Rum Cocktail.

After the cocktail making we then went on to do some Gin tasting with East London Liquor Company. This was really interesting as it’s something I had never done before. We tasted two different Gin’s and one Rum. It was really informative and great to learn about how gin is distilled ( I had no idea it came from Juniper Berries!) The gin selection was spot on too!

The bar has such a great atmosphere The location is excellent and makes a lovely location for a drink overlooking London’s landmarks. I would definitely recommend heading to the CloudM Bar to try it out!

#Ad #CloudM #LondonBar #Ellc

lifestyle, travel

IBIS STYLES – LONDON EALING

August 22, 2018by FinnerzLeave a Comment

Last week I was invited down to the launch party for the new Ibis Styles Hotel in Ealing. I stayed for 1 night and I had such a great stay!

Ibis Styles is part of the Accor Hotels group, the hotels are really fun, stylish, creative and….an affordable price. All of the hotels are very unique and decorated with a different theme. In Ealing there is a movie theme throughout the hotel and the decor is really cool and quirky. The movie theme reflects Ealing’s film heritage.

The hotel is located 5 minutes from Ealing Broadway tube station which is perfect for commuting into the city. There are lots of shops and restaurants nearby which is ideal.

The rooms are extremely spacious and modern with amazing views of London. I stayed in one of the rooms on the 8th floor which was great, they even put a bottle of Prosecco in my room for my arrival! The bed was very comfortable, I had a great sleep and the room has everything you need. There is a desk area and a sofa are in the room as well as a mini bar and flat screen TV. There is also free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and all of the rooms have air conditioning.

There is a bar and outdoor terrace which is really nice to chill and have a drink. I would definitely recommend trying one of the cocktails! The distinctive touch of the hotel really gives it such a great atmosphere.

The hotel also has a secure underground car park with a 24 hour reception desk which makes a super easy check in / check out. Continental breakfast is included in your stay and served in the restaurant / bar area from 7am.

All of the staff were amazing and super friendly. I would definitely recommend staying at the Ibis London Ealing, I can’t wait to go back!

Instagram : @ibisstyleslondonealing

Website: Ibis Styles Ealing

lifestyle, travel

THE BENTALL CENTRE

August 5, 2018August 5, 2018by FinnerzLeave a Comment

I recently teamed up with The Bentall Centre, a large shopping centre based in Kingston Upon Thames. I was invited down for the day to shop for a festival inspired outfit. Read more to see what I got up to…..

The Bentall Centre has such a great variety of shops and it has something for everyone. The centre has late night shopping, a huge multi story car park and is a short walk away from the station so it’s very convenient for a full days shopping.

I decided to try a few different stores to shop for my outfit.

Zara
TM Lewin
Cos
H&M
New Look Men

I had to think to myself which ‘LOOK’ was I going for. I have a few weddings coming up this summer and a few festivals so I had an idea on what pieces I would be looking for. After looking around the shops and sticking to my budget, I managed to purchase 5 items. I picked out 3 printed shirts, 1 pair of ripped jeans and 1 pair of smart-casual trousers.

The printed shirts are really on trend at the moment and they are perfect for the festivals I have coming up. Zara and New Look Men both had such a great selection of patterned shirts. You can see below how I styled my new Zara shirt and white Zara jeans at Wireless Festival. The weather was really hot so the relaxed loose fit shirt kept me cool for the day. Keep an eye on my Instagram @finnerz.uk to see how i style the rest of my festival outfits.

After a long day of shopping it is always nice to relax and grab some food. Luckily The Bentall Centre has a great selection of restaurants to dine in. I decided to try somewhere new and go for Lebanese at Maison du Mezze. Firstly let me say how friendly the staff are, from the moment I stepped in the service was amazing! There was a huge variety on the menu from cold mezze (hummus , tabouleh etc) to shawarma and mixed seafood. I chose the grilled scallops, Mixed Grill & grilled halloumi and each dish was delicious, but my favourite was the scallops. For dessert I had some of their home made baklava drizzled with honey which was really good. I would definitely recommend checking out this restaurant if you’re in Kingston, I can’t wait to go back!

To top off a great day shopping I stayed at the Hilton Double Tree Hotel located a few minutes walk from The Bentall Centre. When I checked in the hotel kindly upgraded me to the King Corner Suite located on the 5th floor. The room was really spacious and even had a nice little balcony which was great as it was a really nice summer evening. The hotel has a modern bar with an outdoor terrace to enjoy food and drinks. The staff working in the bar were really nice (great cocktails) and the service was exceptional. The hotel also has a gym but unfortunately due to my late night and the bed being too comfortable I decided to have a lie in. In the morning I went down for breakfast which was served until 11am. There was a great selection (cooked and continental) and they cater for all dietary requirements. If you are looking to head to Kingston for the day to go shopping and enjoy the bars/restaurants along the river then I would 100% recommend visiting The Bentall Centre and staying the night at the Double Tree hotel.