Mr. Salt and Pepper | UK Men's Lifestyle Blog

A few weeks ago, Renata and I flew to New York to wine, dine and have an absolute blast! *pardy non-stop* We spent 7 days scouting the Big Apple and eating our body weight in pizza on pizza, whilst having zero crust to give. *postpones beach body goals for next year*

This was my second time visiting the New York City. My first time was way back in 2011 when I was still studying in Cambridge. I was this young (and naive) 20-year-old, dreaming of living in a big city like New York. *channels his inner-Carrie Bradshaw* From tall buildings to quirky diners, every corner of this city left me inspired for years to come. Therefore, I knew that I’ll be back there one day… and I was!

However, 7 years later and I see myself constantly comparing New York to London. Even though both cities have their own charm but London’s been severely growing on me in recent years such that I can’t see myself living anywhere else but in the Big Smoke. *London boy at heart* Oh, and, I miss my cosy little bed in Fitzrovia, butter melting on my crumpets and breakfast tea brewing to the Gods!

Shades of Mine.

On this particular day, I was scouting about the Upper East Side in hopes of accidentally bumping into Blair Waldorf. *xoxo, Gossip Girl* I picked up my new favourite Emporio Armani sunglasses which I discovered at the Sunglasses Shop a while ago. Their new collection features a matte rose gold frame with gold mirrored lenses. My gal Victoria (@philorose) was super jel of those because her current Instagram feed is serving some serious role gold vibes. Therefore, she’s on a mission to collect as many rose gold items as possible. *hides his shades in a Philorose-free place*

To complete this shady look, I’ve decided to serve my signature London boy realness. I paired a single-breasted summer mac from Burton with a short-sleeve shirt with feather details to bring out the right colour of the jacket. I’m also stoked to finally take my favourite pair of Converse boots out for a play. You’re definitely going to see more of those babies in my summer #ootd posts. Yay!

What do you think of this look? Would you wear any of these items?

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Thanks to Sunglasses Shop and Burton for gifting these items. However, all views expressed here are my own!

#sunglassesshop #sgsbloggers #emporioarmani

Grooming Style

Skin Deep

Posted on 23rd March 2018

All my friends and work colleagues know that I lead a very busy lifestyle. *busy bee* From running influencer campaigns during the week to shooting content for my blog over the weekend – things can get pretty hectic, to say the least! Therefore, I have to have the best skincare products out there in order to look the part.

In this blog post, I’ve decided to show you some of my favourite products in men’s skincare department. From anti-shine moisturisers to detoxifying clay masks to PRP treatments. All of this seems like a lot of work but I’m here to guide in the right direction. Are you ready?! *yasss* Let’s get into it!

Oil-control Skincare Essentials.

If you’ve been following my blog for quite some time, you probably know that I have a very oily skin. *heats up the frying pan* For me, it’s an on-going process of finding new products that help me combat shine and breakouts.

Recently, I’ve been using a face wash and a mattifying moisturiser from Clinique for Men. These products are very lightweight and they absorb into the skin very smoothly. The formula is designed to control oil levels giving that matte and shine-free look. I use face wash twice daily and apply moisturiser in the morning for an all-day freshness.

Urban Detox.

My skin is challenged to take a stressful beating in this tough big city environment. Every day, my pores get clogged like they never see the light of day. *yikes* Therefore, I use products like Power Pore Anti-Shine & Pore Treatment and Urban Blue Detox Clay Mask from The Lab Series twice a week to keep those nasty blackheads at bay. *girl, bye* Also, the Power Lifting Serum helps fight against the visible effects of gravity and pollution. The serum increases the rate of surface cell renewal for a younger looking skin. *aims to look mid-twenties forever*

This year, I’ve noticed a growing trend in anti-pollution skincare products. Most notably, a Daily Detox Serum from QMS Medicosmetics. It is known to address skin damage caused by pollutants in the atmosphere. *it’s a cruel world out there, you know* So, I apply the serum every morning to make my skin look bright and smooth for the day to come!

Taking Skincare to the Next Level…

I’m a firm believer in maintenance over a quick fix because life is a journey and you have to keep consistently working on it. Therefore, you have to work on preventing rather than fixing something when it’s too late. Am I right?!

Several months ago, I had my first PRP treatment because I wanted to try something new using my own natural resources. I used the plasma of my own blood to regenerate my weakened cells during this one of a kind procedure. After my first treatment, I’ve noticed some of the fine lines soften and my skin overall looking fresher and more hydrated than it has in years!

The specialists at YouGlo have a wide variety of treatments available. From facials to fillers, there’s something for everybody. So, I’m looking forward to my next consultation because I’m on a quest for maintaining my charming beauty. *wink*

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Thanks to Justina Navickaite (@itsjustinesjournal) for taking these pictures. Check out her latest blog post here.

Food & Drink

Thomas’s Cafe

Posted on 15th March 2018

Afternoon Tea For Two.

Last weekend, my bae Victoria and I were treating ourselves to a luxurious Mother’s Day afternoon tea at Burberry’s own soothing sanctuary – Thomas’s Cafe! *oh fancy* We spent our afternoon drinking Rosé and eating tons of creamy scones with Blackcurrant Jam – all whilst catching up on our daily goss. *category is… ladies who lunch*

The atmosphere at Thomas’s was very chilled. At moments, it felt more like a rustic countryside venue rather than a Central London cafe, which I thought was great. High ceilings, large uncovered windows and mirrors on the wall make this space look huge but cosy at the same time. Vintage oak furniture, covered in white linen cloths add that premium feel, which we expected from the brand like Burberry. So, with that said, I think that Thomas’s Cafe is a perfect place to unwind after a long day of shopping with Mama dearest… She would definitely have another glass of rosé, d’uh!

The New Craftsmanship

Following the success of the Makers House, Burberry asked The New Craftsmen to continue their hugely successful collaboration by designing Thomas’s Cafe. Last year, I had the opportunity to experience Makers House and I could easily sense similar vibes in the cafe too. A mixture of vintage finds and contemporary pieces make this place look so elegant yet so sophisticated.

Oh, and in case you were wondering… The Thomas’s Cafe is situated inside the Regent’s Street flagship store and has a dedicated gifting area, which features a seasonally updated collection of products. So, expect everything from blankets and cushion covers to stationery and travel goods, which you can also personalise and monogram in a number of different ways! *takes gifting to the next level*

Have you been to Thomas’s Cafe yet? Let me know about your experience in the comments section below!

Thomas’ Cafe

5 Vigo St, Mayfair,
London W1S 3HA

020 3159 1410

Life Style

Mama’s Boy

Posted on 8th March 2018

My Best Friend!

As you can probably tell from the title of this blog post, the most important human of my existence is my dear Mother! *shocker, not really* I’ve been best friends with my Mum since day one. From building sand castles on the beach to kicking out her party guests on Saturday nights, our strong connection was always something that helped us to overcome all obstacles in life. *yasss, mama*

So, with that said… I would like to thank my Mum for putting up with me for so many years and for loving me unconditionally. You are the only one who fully understands me and knows me better than I know myself. Happy Mother’s Day! *scrolls down to see the last-minute gift guide*

This year, I’ve decided to spoil my favourite human with some very thoughtful gifts, which I found at Debenhams. From elegant fragrances to scented candles, there are so many cool things to choose from. Therefore, I selected my top picks for you to get some inspiration from. *buys all five items because they are too good to miss*

So, without further distraction, here’s the list of 5 things you SHOULD get your mum this Marvellous Mother’s Day:

A dressing gown – an irresistibly soft dressing gown would make any Mum extremely happy. I got her one in a super smooth island fleece material, which feels cosy and looks elegant too. *fancy pants* From £45.
A scented candle – it might be the end of long wintery nights but scented candles are always a good choice – at any time of the year. Luckily, my mum is obsessed with candles and always has one burning at home. So, I ordered a Sweet Mandarin & Grapefruit candle from Baylis & Harding. It comes in a stylish gift box, which perfectly matches her insatiable taste and lively personality. £8.
A night cream – ever since I moved to London, good skincare regiment has become a vital part of my everyday life. So, when I go back home, I always bring some of my favourite skincare product for my Mum to try. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil is the one because it works really well. The product replenishes the skin overnight with moisture and recovers radiance, making it smoother, softer and younger looking the following day. £33.
Eau de perfum – the luxury, glamour, and sophistication of New York… in a Tiffany & Co. perfume bottle?! Yes, that’s right! We may not have breakfast at Tiffany’s but at least she’ll smell like The It Girl with this signature scent from the top jewellery brand. From £52.
A handbag – last but not least, this shopper bag from Dorthy Perkins will make a perfect addition to my mum’s extensive handbag collection. I think it’s time to ditch that over-the-shoulder purse and go for something more practical. Mum, do you agree?! *hint hint* From £10.

What do you think of this last-minute Mother’s Day gift guide? Would you get any of these items for your Mum? Let me know in the comments section below!

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Thanks to Debenhams for sponsoring this post. However, all views expressed here are my own and does not reflect those of the sponsor.

Life Style

Confidence Boost

Posted on 28th February 2018

Sabotaged By My Inner-Saboteur.

One of my biggest regrets in life was having fear of trying. I held myself back from pursuing my dreams for so many years because I wasn’t confident enough to overcome that fear. We often get sabotaged by our inner-saboteurs and for some reason, they creep on us when we are most vulnerable.

When I moved to the UK almost 9 years ago, I somehow lost my way. I was going through a complicated relationship where I masked those negative feeling by going to parties. One party after another and I saw myself going through life like a sloth trapped in a bamboo tree. Years went by and my ambitions drifted away from me because I forgot the reason why I started it all.

It was like this until mid-2016 when I started to grab life by its balls. I realised I couldn’t change my past but I can learn from my mistakes and use that to my advantage (a.k.a. turning negatives into positives). *ding ding ding* After a while, I discovered my idols and followed their footsteps to success. I invested in my craft, spent months creating things and the rest is magic. *throws glitter in the air*

So, ask yourself… What do you really want? Go beyond the obvious one or the one that you think you want but not sure about. What gets your heart pumping and scares the crap out of you at the same time? Yes, THAT is what I’m talking about! That is your heart’s deepest desire. Take some time to go through all the reasons why you “can’t” or “shouldn’t” go there and start your journey towards it!

Taking Control of My Self-Confidence.

Guess what? Self-confidence is not genetic and you don’t have to be reliant on others to increase it. *shook* If you believe you’re not good enough, don’t worry because that can be changed over time. So, here are my 15 daily actions to help boost your self-confidence:

Groom yourself. This might seems like an obvious one but getting into a daily skincare regiment can make such a difference in a long run.
Dress nicely. Try on many things and see what looks nice on you. Retail therapy also contributes to your overall wellbeing… Except for your credit card. *oops*
Eat well. It all comes from within, you know!
Change the way you think about yourself. All of us have a mental picture of ourselves and that determines how confident we are in ourselves. Therefore, if it’s not a good one – Facetune it! Try to find out why you see yourself that way and fix it.
Think positive. And kill your inner-saboteur! *scrolls up and reads the first paragraph again*
Get to know yourself. Start listening to your thoughts and write them down. Analyse everything. What are your limitations? Find ways to overcome those too.
Be kind and generous. Like the saying… What goes around, comes around. So, be good to everyone, especially to yourself! *aha*
Know your principles and live by them. Sometimes you have to go back to your roots to find the true meaning of life.
Focus on solutions. Rather than problems.
Increase your competence. It takes time to become competent in something. Therefore, study and practice every day.
Set daily goals and achieve them. Start small then work your way up. I used to fail miserably by making goals that are hard to achieve. Now, I make small goals so I can achieve them quickly. That makes my life a better place!
Change a habit. No, not a drastic one like quitting alcohol or cigarettes. Instead, focus on a small one and change it. For instance, I struggle to wake up in the morning for the gym. So, I set my alarm an hour early and put my phone somewhere where it forces me to get out of bed. *cancels his gym membership*
Exercise. Your body is a temple, so keep building it.
Always be prepared. I often find it hard to be confident when I don’t think I’ll do well in something. So, I spend some time preparing for it because life is full of tests.
Keep your space tidy. This one tends to work for me really well because it’s something I can easily keep under control.

What do you think of this list? Would you follow any of these steps? Let me know in the comments!

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Biker Leather Jacket (similar) | Rose Gold Watch With Silver Dial and Brown Leather Strap | Brioche Stitch Sweater | Checked Trousers With Zips | Lace Up Shoes In Black Leather With Creeper Sole

Thanks to Jesus Agudo (@jesusagudotm) for taking these amazing pics!

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- All images on Mr. Salt and Pepper are taken by me (Skirmantas Petraitis), unless otherwise credited with a source. Please feel free to use images from my blog for non-commercial use; however, make sure you credit Mr. Salt and Pepper or Skirmy and link back where available. If you see an image that has been improperly credited, please let me know and I’ll update as soon as possible. For commercial use of images or content on Mr. Salt and Pepper, please contact me directly.

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Empire City

Skin Deep

Thomas’s Cafe

Mama’s Boy

Confidence Boost