Picnic at Fort Victoria

I've decided to come the Isle of Wight for the weekend to stay with my Grandparents. I’ve come here for a bit of rest & recreation, the finest homemade dinners, sleeps in super comfy beds and conveniently, the Garlic Festival is in town!

We've decided to head the Garlic Festival on the Sunday, so we could spend Saturday at our leisure. So we packed up our sandwiches and headed to Fort Victoria for a picnic to enjoy an afternoon overlooking the Solent under the sun, once it decides to surface.

Fort Victoria was built on the north shore of the Isle of Wight to guard the Solent. The remains of Fort Victoria now house a Marine Aquarium, an Underwater Archaeology Centre a Planetarium and a Model Railway.

When we arrived, my Grandad educated me with points of interest beyond the water. Grandma looked at some photographs and then together we watched on rather impressively at the dozens of yachts go by and also as a man water-skied through the strong currents and choppy waves.

We ate cheese and chutney mini ciabattas, fruit and M&S baked goods, all which were washed down flasks of milky coffee.

Whilst waiting for the sun to come out, my grandparents read, while I played with the binoculars, painted my nails... 

...and napped.

After over two hours of enjoying the salty sea breeze and surprisingly pleasant low clouds, we decided to call it a day. Plus better sun-tans could be achieved from their garden, where apparently the sun shone all afternoon!

N x

The Python Pedicure - (Although mine's a Mani)

There's not many a beauty treatment that I wont try, if it promises to give me flawless skin like Penelope Cruz or beautiful, glossy hair to rival Kate Middleton's then sign me up. This new treatment, however seemed to come with no beauty promises, other than plenty of bizarre and possible looks of disgust from strangers and a risk of pissing off animal rights group, PETA. 


Sure! Where do I sign?


I first heard about this unique concept when I was nestled in the back of a New York taxi last year with my sister. We were fixated on the tv screen in-bedded in the back of the cab, rolling footage of a Botox pumped American woman speaking of this latest 'celeb nail craze'. Naturally, we were gobsmacked at the idea and presumed it would never take off. 'Crazy Americans' we whispered to one-another (the New Yorker ferrying us up front looked a little too scary for us to risk him overhearing such comments!)


But it's slithered its way across the pond, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce to you... REAL Snakeskin nails!


Having heard that this bespoke treatment had exclusively hit a spa in Chelsea, I nearly fell off my chair when I was offered the chance to go for a treatment! 
Too experimental to opt for the just two nails applied and way too embarrassed to put my unattractive feet forward for the pedi, I decided on the manicure. The Hand and Foot Spa in Chelsea is currently the only salon in the UK offering this treatment, I was also hoping that being in such a prestigious area I would inevitably be sandwiched in-between Caggie and Milly where would giggle and gossip at how Hugo is like, not even hot and how we totes prefer Spencer with his new, relaxed hair and plaid shirts yarh. - No such luck, I had the first appointment of the day, meaning I was the only one in the salon. Nevermind. My Chelsea drink of choice (Super Skinny Soy, Chai Tea Latte, hold the cream, hold the taste) would be a great companion. 


Sitting comfortably, my technician whipped out a sandwich bag where slept the shedded snakeskin. Yikes, maybe this is a bit gross. Not being one to back out of a challenge, I continued to sit still whilst each nail was crafted and painted then pieces of the Snakeskin (which is sterile and sourced from a nature reserve FYI) were individually cut to fit each nail. Once the nails were painted with product, the Snakeskin individuals were stuck to the residue left behind on the base colour. A clear BioSculpture gel was then applied and set under a UV light. And that's pretty much it! - Oh, and did I mention that this treatment takes just over two hours? Wow, my technician had some serious patience, especially with me firing questions at her with every buff.


The nails are fairly thick, due to the layers of gel encasing the Snakeskin and the manicure can last up to six weeks if nails are looked after, but the average life span is around two. If you're interested in giving it a go, its a pretty pricey procedure coming in at £62 per nail or £160 for a full manicure, making it an expensive experiment, although a interesting conversation piece.


I waved my newly adorned talons along the Fulham Road as I skipped back to my car, of course stopping to press my nose against the beautiful boutique windows as frequently as possible. Still no signs of Cags or Mills, maybe they'll find me next time I'm in town. 


Natalie x