St Paul de Vence

I have escaped London to spend a long weekend on the beautiful French coast. We are currently here..

Regular posting will resume shortly!

Not least because a few hours in the Sun have given me a chance to trial all those beauty treats the English weather doesn't quite permit. Nars Orgasm illuminator and Kerastase L’Huile Céleste how I love thee! xxx

Marmaris, Turkey

The bf and I have just spent a perfect week in the stunning Turkish sunshine. We chose a slightly more remote location between Icmeler and Marmaris (near where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet) so we could get the perfect balance of relaxing and exploring!

Since we booked a little last minute we decided to keep things simple with an all inclusive package, which ended up being the perfect choice. The food was amazing (lots of fresh vegetables, local fish and all the watermelon and cherries a girl could dream of) and the drinks flowed freely ;).

Dress: Motel, Bag: Primark, Sandals: New Look (now on sale for £7!!), Sunglasses: Fiorelli (now £30).

Our hotel was in a park/forest right by the sea, which not only made for a romantic stroll in the evening, but also ensured we made lots of new friends.. mosquito friends that feasted on me every night :(. Though I did make one more friend.. (just don't tell Maxie)!

Bikini: La Senza, Hat: Sisley, Sarong: Market, Flip-flops: Havaianas.

 

Dress and belt: Zara, Clutch: French Connection, Necklace: Banana Republic, Sandals: New Look (as before).

On our first day trip we went to the mud baths in Dalyan where we bathed in the sulphur pool (which smells just as tasty as you imagine) and then covered ourselves in mud safe in the knowledge that once it dried we would look 20 years younger ;). 

Goodbye bikini... you have served me well! Although I have outgrown you, you shall be fondly remembered :(.

We then sailed down the river to see the most amazing ruins - crypts carved into the limestone cliffs over 4000 years ago! Incredible!

On our second trip we went on a snorkeling cruise stopping at 7 different islands. The SPF 50 was in full force!

I couldn't leave you all without the ubiquitous jumping shot. Even if it is a super embarrassing one of me holding my nose lol... watch out Tom Daley ;).

With so many gorgeous swimsuits out this season I promised myself that I would wear one without feeling 'mumsy' in it. This one from Per Una definitely came in handy after all those generous buffets hehe!

For a night out dancing I chose this dress from Zara, which was an impulse purchase inspired by JLo's latest video. If you can't get away with a thigh high slit on holiday then where else? (Actually please don't answer that)!

Dress: ASOS, Shoes: Mango, Bag: Primark (as before).

 Yum!

 Dress: Paprika, Clutch: Mulberry (ahem.. Turkish market).

We had such a lovely time in Turkey and were very hesitatnt to return home. Beautiful sunshine (45oC every day), clear waters, amazing history - we can't wait to go back!

I hope you are all having a good Summer, despite this most depressing weather of late. xxx

Liverpool

This weekend I took the first of what is to be many trips to Liverpool. Being a London girl through and through I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the city. Even though the trip was just a taster it gave me lots of ideas of things to do the next time I visit! Everyone was so friendly and helpful, I guess it is true what they say about the North ;)!

On Friday we stayed at the Base2Stay boutique hotel, which was in a great location, minutes from Lime Street Station, the city centre and most importantly for me the Liverpool One shopping centre, which reminded me of an open air Westfield.

After a quick change we headed to the Albert Docks for dinner at the Blue Bar and Grill. I chose a midi dress from Oasis (on sale in store, online here) with Primark turquoise stone and leather sandals.

The bf wore a checked shirt from Ted Baker that I picked out a few weeks ago. I really like the thicker, classic blue check mixed with a thin 'zingy' lime stripe. The cool colour palette really sets off a tan and with it's rolled up sleeves works perfectly for the Summer!

The next day we were up early to explore the town in the beautiful sunshine. The perfect excuse to wear my new tortoiseshell sunglasses from Fiorelli that I picked up in a recent BrandAlley sale.

  Cool kids!

Star jumpsuit - Zara. Shoes - Primarni (as before).

I hope you all had a lovely weekend in the sunshine! xxx

Merano, Italy

As some of you may know I spent last week in Italy with my lovely mama. After a little shopping spree in Milan we made our way to Merano in South Tyrol to a health retreat.

 It wasn't quite the pizza, pasta and gelato feast I had envisaged, but the hard work of a strict detox diet, exercise and purifying treatments, as well as a few rays of sunshine, will hopefully be the beginning of a more balanced lifestyle! After weeks of bank holiday merriment and excess an injection of health was definitely overdue!

As I spent most of the week in either an attractive white dressing gown, gym wear or the occasional bikini I don't have too many exciting photos to share, so here are some of the gorgeous Italian scenery.

Have you ever been to Italy? What are your favourite places to visit? I would go every week for the gelato alone... mmm pistachio ;). xxx

Hold Me

I think you will agree with me when I say the worst part of any trip is the packing, and makeup is no exception. So when I was given the chance to review a new makeup bag that promises to make the whole process a little easier I was very happy to try it out!

The design of the Hold Me case is fantastic as it incorporates features of a toiletries organiser, makeup bag and brush roll all in one. The exterior of the bag is made of a tough, black, suede-like fabric, which looks stylish and classic against the white stitching. I also like the fact that there are no tricky clasps, velcro or flimsy magnetic closures, but a simple self-tie, which means the bag can expand to fit more, or be tied tighter to take up minimal luggage space.

This is the Miss Suki bag, which features a fun, colourful cartoon design. The fabric is easy to clean as it is over-laid with plastic, so high altitude explosions of foundation can be quickly wiped away without fear of damaging the bag ;). I used this bag on my recent ski trip, and it worked perfectly as everything was in one place, on display and easily accessible. It also saves time unpacking once you have reached your destination and doesn't take up counter space. For once the bf had no right to complain about me monopolising the bathroom with all my little 'potions' ;).

So what did I bring with me? Below is my fail safe travel kit:

• NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
•  Bobbi Brown Corrector 
• NARS Laguna Bronzer
• ELF Pink Mineral Blush
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
• NARS Madrague Eyeshadow Duo (for brows)
• L'Oreal Carbon Gloss liner
• ELF All Over Colour Stick in Persimmon
• L'ancome Hypnose Mascara
• Clear Mascara 
• MAC Dazzleglass
• YSL Tuxedo Lipstick
• MAC Smokey Eyes palette
• ELF Quad - MAC e/s vapour, wedge, scene and knight devine
• Made from Earth Vanilla Lipbalm
• MAC Cremecup lipstick

Do you have a favourite makeup organiser? What are your essential products and travel tips? xxx