A Trip to Paris

It's been nearly three weeks since I've been back from Paris and it's only now that I've got around to writing about my trip! I had so many photos to sort through and edit, plus I've been suffering from a dose of the holiday blues which was stopping me from posting about it sooner. Me and Marshall spent our four days there doing all the typical touristy things and seeing the sights, we managed to squeeze in a lot during our time there but I wish we had stayed another day or so, I didn't want to leave! Here's a rundown of what we got up to.

We flew from Glasgow on Saturday morning which was quick and relatively stress free (however we did get a little lost on the metro when we got to Paris), but we finally arrived in Bastille around 5pm where we were staying. We booked a really cute apartment that we found on air bnb which was perfect for us; it was typically Parisian with so much character and very homely too, it was much more comfortable than staying in a tiny, over priced hotel room. We were pretty tired from all the travelling, so after dumping our stuff in the apartment we spent our first night mooching around Bastille and having a few cocktails. Bastille is a really fun area of Paris, it's full of lovely restaurants, cute bakeries and great bars, which was handy as we were exhausted from all the walking we did every day, so it was great having so many places to choose from that were only a short walk from our apartment. 

On our first day, we slept late and headed for brunch at this amazing little place called Koff that I'd read about online. The food was incredible and it had such a good atmosphere, they do the most amazing looking burgers too which we didn't get to try, although the people at the table next to us seemed to be really enjoying them! After stuffing ourselves, we braved the many, many steps to visit the Sacré-Couer. The walk to the top is well worth it - the view of Paris is truly amazing and the stained glass and architecture inside the church really does take your breath away. We then jumped on the metro and headed for the Notre Dame, we were too late to go up to the top when we arrived which was disappointing, but we did manage to go inside and have a walk around. As expected, it was beautiful.

We did a ridiculous amount of walking on the second day, city breaks really take it out of you! We headed out pretty early to take a stroll around the Père Lachaise Cemetery, I'd been before on my last trip to Paris and I just love it. It's so beautiful in Autumn and I could easily walk around for hours and hours looking at the tombs. We could of stayed for longer but we had so much planed for the rest of the day, so we decided to grab lunch and head to the Eiffel Tower. We ordered a cheese board at a lovely restaurant close by with a view of the tower which was really dreamy, I wish I could remember the name of the place or where it was but all these Parisian restaurants look so similar! 

After lunch we walked over to the Eiffel Tower but didn't go up as we were saving that for our last night, so as it was a beautiful day we decided to grab a crepe and take a stroll around the area before heading to Palais De Tokyo, a modern art museum not far from the Eiffel Tower. I found the exhibition a little disappointing if I'm honest, I just think modern art is a bit hit or miss, not to mention extremely pretentious and doesn't require much talent. Saying that, some of it was very eye opening and it is worth a visit if you go to Paris, even if you only get photos in the old fashioned photo booth which makes a lovely souvenir to take home with you. 

The third day was a little more relaxing than the previous two, we spent most of it shopping on Avenue Des Champs Elysees, the most famous street for shopping in Paris. I treated myself to a few new pieces of make up from Sephora and candles from Zara Home, but on the whole I didn't spend too much money. As the Arc De Triomphe was close by, we headed there next for a proper look and decided a visit to the top was a must. The stairs almost killed us, but the view of Paris made it all worthwhile. 

Our last day was another busy one and we were up early again to visit the Musée du Louvre. A visit to the Mona Lisa was a must, but we underestimated how big the museum would be and how much time we would need to see everything. We managed to see most of the paintings and had a look around the Egyptian Antiquities, but sadly we didn't have enough time to see anything else. The museum itself is truly beautiful, I was in awe of the incredible ceilings and the architecture throughout. 

After having our last lunch (sob) in a cute cafe called Loulou close to the Notre Dame, we took a stroll down the Seine and headed for the Pont de I'Archeveche, or more commonly known as the Love Lock Bridge. As a couple visiting Paris together for the first time, we couldn't possibly leave without putting our lock on the bridge! It's super cheesy, but I think it's a lovely thing to do and we can try and find our lock if we ever visit again. It was starting to get dark, so we jumped on the metro and headed to the Eiffel Tower. We waited for quite some time in the queue, but once you get to the top it's so worth it. Paris looks even more beautiful when the city is twinkling below you, it really does take your breath away and it was the perfect way to end our last night in Paris.

Have you been to Paris?

Packing for Paris

Tomorrow morning I'm jetting off to Paris with Marshall for a well deserved city break, and I couldn't be more excited! I've been to Paris before, it was around this time two years ago, but it was for Pitchfork Music Festival which didn't leave much time during the day to really explore the city. I managed to squeeze in a visit to the Eiffel Tower and a stroll around the Pere Lachaise Cemetery, but that's about it. So I'm determined to explore Paris properly this time and fit in as much as I can in four days.

One of my favourite things about going on holiday is deciding what I’m taking with me; I love outfit planning and deciding what make up, skin care and other essentials I’ll be bringing with me. I wish I could be one of those girls that can pack light but I just can’t. I’m not high maintenance, but I like to be prepared for everything, so I always end up packing more than I need. These photos don’t represent everything I’ll be taking with me, just the bare essentials...

Comfort is going to be my main priority when it comes to my outfit choices, I’ll be living in my black Dr Denim Plenty Jeans (£45) for most of the trip, they are the comfiest jeans I’ve ever owned and I love the fit- they’re super skinny! I’ll be packing most of my jumper collection too and a scarf to keep warm, all my jumpers in the photos above are from Topshop, I adore their knit wear at this time of year, they have so much to choose from! I also recently treated myself to this gorgeous Window Check Print Curve Hem Shirt (£38) and this Stripe Rib Funnel Top (£14) from Topshop, they both look effortlessly stylish worn with my black jeans and Dr Martens.

As for make up, I don’t want to stick to just one make up look while I’m there, so I’ll be taking a couple of blushers and lipsticks with me. MAC's Pro Longwear Blush in Rosey Outlook (£20) is one of my favourites, it’s a pretty, rosey pink shade that creates the most subtle and natural looking finish. Another favourite of mine is the NARS Blush in Desire (£22.50), its such a pretty pink that looks so striking against my fair skin, and has incredible staying power too.

I've been obsessed with my MAC Lipstick in Peach Blossom (£15.50) for months now, it's a lovely pinky nude and is the perfect colour for everyday wear. Like all cremesheens, the formula keeps my lips nourished and soft while making my lips look so kissable. I'll also be taking the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturising Lip Colour Balm in Roomiest Rose (£17) which is the most perfect shade for Autumn! It's a warm, pinky berry colour that really stands out and looks oh so flattering against my fair skin. 

I'll definitely be taking the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (£29) which is my absolute favourite base product; the light and buildable formula blends seamlessly into my skin to even out imperfections, resulting in a dewy matte finish that gives me the skin I've always dreamed of. If you have oily skin like me I'd highly recommend this, it contains anti oxidants that allow congested skin to breathe and controls shine, keeping the complexion fresh looking all day.

I never wear much eye make up apart from mascara, so I'll be relying on the LO'real False Lash Telescopic Mascara (£10.99) to make my eyes stand out. It creates incredible length and volume and makes my lashes look so doll like which I love. My lashes are never complete without curling them with my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers (£20) to give them a little more oomph, I never go anywhere without these.

I don’t want to bring too much skin care as I’m planning on buying a few bits and pieces while I’m over there, so most of my usual lotions and potions will be staying at home. I’ll just be packing the essentials; the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (£22) will definitely be coming with me as it removes make up like a dream and leaves my skin feeling lovely and refreshed. I’ve also got the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser (£18) which I’ve been using as my morning cleanser and as my second cleanser in the evenings. It provides gentle exfoliation and sloughs away all the nasties that clog pores, while keeping my skin balanced and healthy looking. I’ll also be taking my favourite moisturiser, the Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser (£23)which keeps my skin hydrated all day and really perks up my complexion. Oh, and I never travel anywhere without an eye cream! I’ve been loving the Clarins Eye Revive Beauty Flash (£29), it’s really gentle and illuminates my whole eye area making me look bright eyed and more awake.

Have you been to Paris? Make sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my Paris trip!

Recent Homeware Additions #2

It's been a quite a while since I purchased some new bits and pieces for the flat me and my boyfriend share; life has just got in the way and getting the place organised hasn't been my main priority. But with my ever growing homeware wish list getting out of control, I decided it would be sensible to purchase a few things on it before the list got any longer.

Firstly, if you are wondering what the background to the above photo is, it's this amazing Cats Map of the World Print (£20.99) that I purchased from Etsy. The walls in our flat are so bare and I've been looking for some different pieces of art to hang up for some time now, so when I seen this I just had to have it! I can't resist buying anything with cats on it; I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a crazy cat lady, I fully embrace it and this poster is really quirky and very me. I still need to buy a frame for this, I can't wait to finally get one so I can display this in our living room. 

Oliver Bonas is one of my favourite stores when it comes to homewares, they have such an incredible range of beautiful products that are amazing quality too. On my last visit to the store I treated myself to this Zig Zag Frame (£18) - I adore the cool design, it really stands out and goes perfectly with everything in our living room. Me and Marshall are going to Paris in less that two weeks and I think a photo of us with picturesque Paris in the background will look perfect in this frame. I also picked up this Champagne and Elderflower Scented Candle (£18), a limited edition candle from the brand that smells incredible. 

I guess this is technically not homeware, but I thought I would still give this Design Bloggers at Home Book (£19.99) a mention. I have quite the collection of interior books now, they are great sources of inspiration and this one is no exception. Written by journalist Ellie Tennant, she introduces us to the beautiful and unique homes of some of the worlds leading design bloggers. The book is full of stunning photographs and so many clever styling ideas; it even has a chapter at the end offering advice on setting up your own blog too.

Finally, is there anyone out there who doesn't have these cute little cactuses (£4.50) from 
Ikea dotted around there home? Plants add so much life to a room and cactuses are so easy to care for and last forever, so they are a good investment. I decided to put these on a shelf high up in my kitchen so that they are out of reach and my cat Rory can't get near them (he loves plants and is always trying to chew them). I love the little white pots they come in too; so simple but chic and they're such a bargain. I'm planning another Ikea trip soon to buy a coffee table and possibly a few other essentials, so I'll definitely be picking up more cactuses and a few more plants for the rest of my flat. 

What do you think of my latest purchases? 

Jouer Anti-Blemish Matte Primer

Can you believe that up until a year ago I never used primers? I had actually never heard of them before I started reading beauty blogs- it's hard to believe now that I went so long without using one as priming is an essential step in my make up routine. I have quite the collection now but I couldn't resist adding the Jouer Anti-Blemish Matte Primer (£29) to my shopping basket while I was repurchasing a few things from Cult Beauty. 

This primer is quite different to any other primer I've used before. As well as instantly blurring imperfections and controlling oil, it aims to improve the skin over time so that your complexion gradually becomes naturally flawless. The clever oil-free formula is lightweight and contains Salicylic Acid, which works to alleviate congested skin and unclogs blocked pores while fighting any existing spots and stopping new ones from popping up. Now I don't suffer from too many blemishes, but I do have enlarged pores on my nose and my t-zone is very oily. It also contains skin friendly ingredients such as Vitamin E which provides anti-oxidant protection, and Aloe which works to soothe and calm the skin. 

To use, I squeeze a pearl sized amount out of the tube and smooth it all over my face, paying particular attention to my t-zone. It has a gel like texture which smoothes over the skin and dries in seconds to create a natural looking, semi matte finish. I've been using this every morning after moisturising for the past few weeks to prep my skin before applying my make up; I have to say I haven't noticed a huge difference in my skin, but it does help my make up last longer and my skin looks so flawless once I've applied foundation over the top.

As much as I do like this primer, it's not impressed me as much as other products I've tried from Jouer. It is a really good primer and it's lovely to use, but it's just not as good as other primers I've used in terms of oil control (nothing beats MAC's Prep and Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment in my opinion) and I think it's a little over priced. Saying that, when I first started using this primer I had a few spots on my forehead and they cleared up in a few days, and my skin has been looking really clear too. If you suffer from blemishes and other imperfections I'd highly recommend this though.

Have you tried this?

Face Masks for Oily Skin

There’s nothing I enjoy more than getting home after a long day and sticking on one of my most loved face masks. I have quite the collection of face masks now and I always make sure to use them regularly to keep my skin in check. Here is a rundown of my current favourites.  

Origins Out of Trouble Face Mask (£23)

I absolutely adore origins, they’re one of my favourite skin care brands and this mask is one of my all time favourite products. It's a clay mask that works in ten minutes to decongest and deeply cleanse the skin, while absorbing excess oil and removing impurities. I always notice instant results when I use this, it does an incredible job unclogging my pores and lifting away any dirt and grime, leaving my skin looking balanced and clear. It's the perfect mask if your skin is in need of a detox too, it feels incredibly cooling and gives amazing results!

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask (£10)

This is the mask I turn to when I’m suffering from one of my hormonal breakouts – despite my complexion being generally clear most of the time, I do have several blemishes to deal with during those dreaded few days of the month. Like the Origins mask, it’s instantly cooling and feels so incredibly refreshing on the skin, you can really feel this one working! It soothes and cleanses the skin, while removing impurities and absorbs excess oil to reveal a clearer and healthier complexion. Along with tea tree oil (natures wonder ingredient for oily, spot prone skin), it's packed with skin loving ingredients including tamanu oil extract which helps to improve the skins healing process by generating new tissue; just what I need when my skin is freaking out. This mask really does help my skin get back to it's good old self, and it's so affordable too.

Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask (£27)

This mask is very similar to the Origins mask, it’s anti-bacterial and deep cleansing action helps to balance and decongest the skin, while gently exfoliating and unclogging pores to reveal a softer and more radiant complexion. It's packed to the punch with natural skin loving ingredients such as amazonian clay, which helps to eliminate  toxins from the surface of the skin while gently softening and exfoliating, plus oat flour, fig extract and essential oils, which work to resolve congestion, balance sebum production and protect against pollution and environmental extremes. The list is pretty impressive!  The price tag put me off at first, but it really is worth the money as you only need a thin layer and it’s lasted me quite some time.

Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque (£27)

The most recent mask to be added to my collection is this offering from Aesop; it was a pay day treat for me last month after lusting after it for what feels like forever! It’s been a much loved and raved about product amongst the beauty blogging community and rightly so; it deeply cleanses the skin, brightens up the complexion and gently draws out impurities and debris clogging the pores. Along with Rosehip and Parsley Seed extracts which pump the skin full of anti oxidants, it's formulated with superior clays which decongest the skin and Aloe Vera which leaves the skin feeling impeccably. I’m really keen to try more skin care from this brand after being so impressed with this mask. 

What are your favourite face masks?

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My Autumn Make Up Look

As the seasons change, so do the contents of my makeup bag- the pretty pink blushers, understated lip colours and tinted moisturisers I've been wearing all summer are replaced with warmer, bolder shades and heavier bases more suited to the Autumn months. This look will most likely be my standard Autumn make up look over the next few months. I've been wearing these products for the past few weeks and I just love them, many of them have been stored away my in Muji drawers for months and there's nothing I love more than rediscovering old make up favourites and getting the chance to wear them again. I've listed below all the make up I'm wearing to create this look, let me know what you think in the comments!

Face

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch  (£26)

Clinique Stay-Matte Oil Free Make Up in Fair (£22.50)

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly (£22)

Estee Lauder Invisible Powder Makeup in Spice Sand (£29)

MAC Pro Longwear Blush in Rosey Outlook (£20)

Eyes

LOreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara in Magnetic Black (£10.99)

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (£20)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Ebony (£17)

Lips

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturing Lip Colour Balm in Roomiest Rose (£17)

More Autumn Wardrobe Additions

So I've been very spendy again this month, meaning I am now officially on a shopping ban....until I go to Paris in November of course. I only just published a post a few weeks ago on some of my recent wardrobe additions (you can read that post here ), but that’s not stopped me from picking up a few more things. There are just far too many lovely things in the shops at this time of year, it’s impossible to walk into any of my favorite stores and not be tempted by anything.

I’ve been on the lookout for a black shoulder bag for months now, and it was love at first site when I spotted this beautiful Croc Bucket Bag (£29.99) from Zara. It’s exactly what I had in mind and was the last one on the shelf too, so I snapped it up. It really is perfect in every way; it looks so chic, it's ideal for everyday use and is just the right size to hold all my daily essentials. The thing I love the most about this bag is that it can be worn casually or more dressed up depending on the occasion. I’m already getting so much use out of it, there’s not one day that’s gone by since I purchased it when I've not used it, it’s amazing quality too and it goes with absolutely everything in my wardrobe. 

I also couldn't resist treating myself to these gorgeous Lace Up Leopard Print Pony Effect Boots (£75) from Office. I normally stay away from heels as I just don't feel comfortable in them and I don't have the best balance either (ha), but these are just the right height for me and super comfortable too. I've only worn these once and I was so pleased at how easy they are to walk in. They are quite pricey, but boots like these are a good investment as they will never go out of style and complete any outfit.

What do you think of my latest purchases? 

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