Three Things To Do In London This Month

This fair city has been my home for nearly four years, and I finally feel like I can dish out tips and tricks on London life now! With that in mind, I wanted to share two recent finds that are definitely worth going out of their way to visit!

 Brunch at Jackson + Rye

 When hunting out the perfect brunch location I have three specific requirements; strong coffee, an avocado-heavy menu & a chilled out vibe. Thankfully, Jackson + Rye has all three. Perfect for breakfast meetings, brunch with the girls, or a slow Sunday morning date, Jackson + Rye has you covered. I recommend getting the Avocado Benedict & a stack of pancakes to share!

 VOGUE100 at The National Portrait Gallery

For any appreciators of fashion, art, or beautiful imagery, the Vogue100 gallery is a must visit. The A Century Of Style gallery showcases the very best photography commissioned by British Vogue in it's 100 years. You'll find photos of Kate Moss, Marilyn Monroe and Lee McQueen, taken by the likes of Patrick Demarchelier, Guy Bourdin and Tim Walker. Wander decade by decade to explore Vogue's iconic imagery. The very best of the best, this exhibit will inspire beauty and fashion lovers alike.

Sway Bar London

When you're invited to a hip London bar for pizza and cocktail making, well, it's the height of rudeness (and stupidity) to say no. If you're looking for somewhere to meet up with girlfriends Sex and the City style, grab after work drinks and snacks with friends, or dance the night away with cocktail after cocktail, this is the place you want. With incredibly talented cocktail mixologists, delicious pizzas, even better pork belly bites, and a chilled out, but still decadent vibe, I'll be heading back ASAP. 

If you guys enjoyed this post let me know in the comments, and I'll make it a more regular thing! x

Worth The Splurge #7

It's been a while since I've talked luxury products worth splurging on, but we are going to change all that today.

You know me, I'm a sucker for a luxury product, and the MAC X Ellie Goulding Blush Duo in I'll Hold My Breath is no exception. This has fast become such a gorgeous everyday essential for me, the bronzer isn't too warm or too shimmery, and the blush is intensely pigmented, and such a beautiful shade. I love how perfect this is for travelling, and how pretty it looks! Worth every penny. 

My skin had a bit of a freakout last month and the Trilogy Very Gentle Calming Serum has saved my skin. I've been applying it morning and night before my moisturiser and my skin has become calmer, smoother and less red. Amazing. 

And lastly, my lips have been really dry, so I've been reaching for my By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Balm in Nudissimo, an intensely hydrating tinted lip balm in the prettiest peachy nude shade. I love how easy this is to wear, and how comfortable it is on the lips.

What are your current luxury product loves?

February To Do List

February is usually my least favourite month of the year, but I'm determined not to let it be this year. I always feel like February is a good month to set yourself new goals since there's less time to fall off the bandwagon! 

• Declutter somewhere you've been putting off. For me, it's the cupboard next to my desk where I store my out of control stationery supplies. Get it done, and set a precedent for how you want the rest of your home to feel.
• Treat yourself to a beautiful bouquet of flowers on your next grocery run. Something to brighten up the grey days. 
• Find a new creative outlet. Whether it's journalling, doodling, taking more photos or creating the next Mona Lisa, do something creative to inspire you. 
• Take more photos with your friends & loved ones. I don't know about you but I'm forever guilty of snapping the food and the location, but forgetting the people! 
• Take up a new exercise. Try 30 Days of Yoga, or Couch to 5k, sign up for a Barrecore class or a Reformer Pilates session. Try something different, you might love it. 
• Treat yourself to a cliched, heart-covered Valentine's day gift. I've got my eye on this and this. 
• Make pancakes! I'm going to be trying this recipe this year! 
• Get your spring clean on. I've got an exciting to do list that reads something like 'wash balcony doors, clean inside oven, organise crap under bed'. That kinda thing. Tedious, but satisfying when it's all done. 
• Visit a gallery. Because the weather's crap and outdoor pursuits are out. 

What's on your February to do list?

The Review: Urban Decay X Gwen Stefani

When the Urban Decay and Gwen Stefani Collaboration collection was announced, in all honesty, I wasn't that bothered. I was sure I had enough lipsticks to last me a lifetime (I definitely do) and neither the eyeshadow or blush palettes really caught my eye, so I ignored it and carried on with my life.

If only I could have left it at that! Instead, I stumbled upon some swatches and in a matter of moments, two of the lipsticks were winging their way to me. Oops. But what can a girl do? 

Firstly, I have to admit I was kinda surprised by the packaging, and even the shape of the lipsticks, since it's so different to that of the Urban Decay's Revolution Line. Whilst I like how the casing looks, it does feel cheaper, and not quite as luxurious as the Revolution line, which is a little disappointing. That being said, I do like the black and gold combo, and I prefer the shape of the lipstick itself, it's more of a 'traditional' lipstick shape as opposed to the flat and rounded Revolution lipsticks, which are harder to accurately apply.

I ordered two shades, Rocksteady & Ex Girlfriend. Ex Girlfriend is the kinda shade I always gravitate towards, a slightly sheer nude peach with warm golden undertones, and a luminescent finish. It's a great 'goes with everything' kinda shade, and I think it quite suits my complexion. I like how comfortable this feels on the lips, it's not at all drying, but it doesn't feel sticky or heavy either, it's got a little slip to it.

 Rocksteady was more of a risky shade for me. Not because I don't love the colour, I do, but rather because I tend to prefer darker shades in a matte formula. I took the risk though because I loved this deep, burgandy wine shade, and I'm glad I did. Yes this stuff is definitely not kiss-or-burger-proof, but damn, I love how it looks. It's creamy and smooth to apply, it goes on evenly, but you can still see any dry patches through it so be wary if your lips are particularly dry. I got a good five hours wear out of this before I ate and even then it left behind a pretty stain.

So whilst I'll admit nothing else from the collection particularly excites me, these two lipsticks are real winners!

Will you be trying anything from the Urban Decay X Gwen Stefani collection?

The Review: Zoeva En Taupe Palette

In all honesty, I had no idea that Zoeva made anything but makeup brushes, but when I spotted the En Taupe Palette on Beauty Bay, I just had to have it.

Since then, it's been the only palette I've reached for. For me, it's the perfect mix of everyday matte and shimmer shades, in the tones I gravitate to the most.

In the top row we have Stitch By Stitch, a great matte cream that serves well as a highlight and lid base, Handmade, a sheeny peach shimmer, Gallery, a light matte taupe, Hour By Hour, a light matte brown & Old Master, a light navy-purple with golden shimmer. The bottom row has Spun Pearl, a sheeny pearlescent silver, Sheers & Voiles, a shimmering grey, Outline, a warm bronzed taupe, Wrapped In Silk, a shimmery taupe, and Exquisite a warm matte purple.

Whilst the formula of the matte shades isn't quite as good as the shimmers, all the shadows are pigmented & easy to blend! They're all really wearable, and together they create an awesome range of everyday looks. 

The only problem with this palette for me is that it's missing a mirror, that would make it perfect!

Have you tried any Zoeva products?