All Used Up #10 | Part 1 |

Hi guys,

I've finally had the time to film a few videos, yay! The first one I filmed was an empties as the bag was overflowing with a few months worth of products. There was so many I had to split it into two separate videos though or else it would have been very long and rambly. The first part is linked below for you to watch - there is a mixture of hair care, body care and make up. Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed it and keep your eyes peeled for the next part soon.

                    

What have you used up recently? Do you like any of these products? xxx

Lifestyle: 2 Years in Paris

I can't believe how long awaited this post is as we went on this trip at the end of February and now it is May! It was such a perfect weekend away and a great opportunity to properly take my camera for a spin as a tourist, rather than just using it for product photos.

For years I have wanted to visit Paris and I was lucky enough to be whisked away for a long weekend by Matt in honour of our two year anniversary. I didn't actually know where we were going (I thought it was Scotland!) until we were literally coming up to the channel tunnel and I opened my card which stated the destination. Of course I cried as it was literally the most thoughtful thing Matt has ever done especially as he planned so much of our weekend. As you probably guessed we took the car which took hardly any time at all to cross the channel although it was 3 hours to Paris from Calais but was cheaper than the Eurostar. It also gave us more flexibility with packing, timings and enabled us to see the city from a different view point too as well as other parts of France.

We left super early in the morning to make the most of our first day, and from the moment we arrived we fell in love with the city. I didn't think I would love it as much as I would but everything from the cobbled roads to the little cafes was so charming and french which I know is a weird way to describe it but if you've been I think you'll know what I mean! It reminded me lots of the Aristocats haha.

We stayed at the Hotel du Collectionneur which was right in the centre and less than a five minute walk from the Champs Elyess. Upon arrival we were welcomed with a bottle of champagne and a big slice of patisserie which Matt had specially organised. He had asked for it to say 'happy anniverary' but as anniversary is birthday in French they said happy birthday instead haha! After exploring our room we ventured down the road to see our first landmark: the arch de triumph. Then we wandered down the Champs Elyess and visited the first ever Laduree (my fave!) a Sephora (my other fave!) and lots of other shops and cafes on the way to the Eiffel Tower. We ate at a quintessentially French restaurant which over looked the Eiffel Tower - it was our first proper taste of French cuisine and it was so delicious. Another great thing about Paris is that they serve you bread with every meal for free which is a good addition and England should definitely take note.

For most of the next day we were on our feet. Luckily Paris is relatively small so unlike somewhere like Barcelona you can get around most of it by foot. First we had breakfast in Cafe de Flore which is a famous little cafe where all the philosophers and the great thinkers during the French Revolution would meet to discuss their new ideas for society etc. We were told they served the best hot chocolate in Paris... and let me tell you they were right! We meandered down to the love lock bridge next where we bought a little 3 euro lock to attach to the bridge and made a wish when we threw the lock into the river below.

Then we walked past Notre Dame and through lots of quaint little streets and alleys near the Latin quarter which housed amazing shops and cafes and lots of fresh flower and fruit stalls. It was nice to experience more than the normal touristy places and we felt we got to see more of the heart of Paris. We also had to stop in nearly every Pharmacie because I was obsessed with finding the best French skincare! Later that afternoon we took advantage of the hotels facilities and spent a little time in the jacuzzi and sauna before getting ready for dinner. We decided we wanted to go somewhere non-touristy but that was still popular with the locals so we went to Jaja's after a cocktail in the hotel bar (which was amazing!) Unfortunately the main we had wasn't the best but the pudding and wine was amazing, and the restaurant was small but buzzing so it was most definitely a case of ordering the wrong thing. We also got a different perspective of Paris by car and we saw the Eiffel tower's light show too.

For our last day we went for a last walk around the area our hotel was based and found a lovely cafe to have brunch in. Then we packed up the car and parked in a little side street close to the Eiffel Tower. We chose to pick the ticket which allows you to take the stairs half way up rather than the lift the whole way as it was cheaper and the queue was much smaller. In the end though we were up the tower for around 3 hours or so as there are so many levels and the queue to get to the top was very long. Although it is such a tourist thing to do it was one of my favourite parts as the views were incredible and it was amazing to see the tower up close after seeing it in so many pictures. We were running late for our slot back to England for the channel tunnel but we managed to squeeze in a quick crepe from a vendor by the tower, because you can't be in France and not eat a crepe!

There was so much we didn't manage to fit in but that just means there is an excuse to go back again (not that one is needed!)

What is the best trip you have ever been on? xxx

NOTD: Essie | 'Bikini So Teeny' & Models Own | 'Sunset Chillout'

Essie | 'Bikini So Teeny' £7.99  - Models Own | 'Sunset Chillout' £5

A NOTD post hasn't made an appearance for such a long time which is silly because I change my nail varnish pretty much every week! This particular combination I've never tried before but I quite like the effect. 

The base colour is Essie's Bikini So Teeny which was from their summer range last year that I rushed out to purchase as soon as it was released. It is supposed to be a bright cornflour blue with a very slight amount of shimmer running through it. I find if you apply more than two coats of this however, the polish takes on a darker and more grey element, which is what happened this time around. This bottle also features the newer brush which is larger than the original, making application a breeze. In terms of chip wear I would say this polish lasted around 3 days, but bearing in mind this has a glitter topcoat which reinforces base shades I don't think that is the best. 

This Model's Own glitter is one of my favourites - I've said it once but I'll say it again, they hands down do the BEST glitters!! The Hed Kandi range in particular is awesome and this mixture of shapes and colours of  this glitter just works so well with loads of different polishes and is a great choice for summer.

Do you have any favourites by Essie or Model's Own? xxx

Lifestyle: Instagram Magnets + Giveaway

Hey guys,

This post is so long over due!! I've been very busy with work but have been desperate to post this lovely giveaway for you all. Recently Sticky9 (previously Stickygram) contacted me to see if I would like to review a pack of their personalised fridge magnets. I'd actually already seen these previously on some other blogs a while ago so I jumped at the chance because I thought they were a great concept and as I've recently moved house it was the perfect way to add a personal touch to our home very easily. Sorry the pictures of them are iPhone quality, I originally took some better ones on my Canon but for they didn't save :'(

Each pack comes with 9 photos which you pick yourself out of your instagram library - Matt and I chose pictures which represented important stages of our relationship and which brought good memories. We picked the large size which I'm pleased we went for as they make the photos more clear. The pictures came out really well, I was a bit worried they would be grainy but I was so happy with the end result. They also don't lift up at the corners and stick well to the fridge.

Top L-R: 2 years in Paris - Uni of Birmingham in Spring - Pretty Cakes from Mothers Day
Middle: Matt's birthday at the Icebar - Graduating with Mum and Dad - My front garden
Bottom: Celebrating passing my exams - Surprise trip to Barcelona - Our first holiday (Turkey)

Sticky9 have also kindly offered to give one of you a pack of 9 personalised magnets too! All you have to do is enter via the rafflecopter widget below. There are lots of different options for you to pick but there is no obligation to do them all or any in particular. The winner will be picked at random and will be notified within 24 hours of the competition ending. If the winner does not reply within 24 hours of being contacted I will draw another winner. Good luck! xxx

a Rafflecopter giveaway