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Sunday 27 August 2017

Faking that Summer Bronze

Faking that Summer Bronze
Sunday 27 August 2017
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With the distinct lack of a summer this year, I am bringing you all my favourite products to fake that summer glow. Whether you've been away or not, these products will bring you the perfect head to toe post holiday bronzed, glowing from within look.

My two favourite fake tans at the moment, are the Crazy Angel Dark Mousse Tan- just apply it, leave it on overnight and you are left with the perfect bronze the next day. This also lasts a few days and fades evenly. Alternatively if you however have a faded natural tan, or just want to give your fake tan some extra colour and glow my go to is the Soap and Glory Sunkissed Tint Body Lotion, a wash off tan this only lasts until your next shower but gives you an instant glow.
 In terms of makeup you want all the highlighted, bronzyness you can get your hands on. The Chanel Soleil de Tan Chanel is amazing for warming up the skin tone, as well as adding definition to your decolletage, along with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour for defining your bone structure. By using cream products rather than powder also helps to let your natural glow show through, and leaves the whole bronze look to look more natural.

Sticking with cream products, I always mix the Seventeen Skin Wow Highlighter in with my foundation, as well as using it on top to highlight specific points of my face. You can also get this in a more bronze shade which will of course give the illusion of the tan which English summer has failed to provide. You all know my love and obsession with the Topshop Glow Pot, oh wow, this packs a real punch. Put it everywhere you want glow, and it wont fail you. Lastly, a new obsession or rediscovery is the Benefit Watts Up Highlight, an alternative to the Tophsop Glow Pot and best applied with a brush, this adds all the glow.
Despite saying avoid powders, there are a few that I can't help but read for regularly. MAC Soft and Gentle, an old time classic but still a firm favourite of mine. Charlotte Tilbury Bar of Gold, a much loved and treasure highlighter giving you all the golden vibes and works amazingly paired with Soft and Gentle. Lastly, this little pot of highlighting dust from Topshop, perfect when you literally want to bathe yourself head to toe with a gorgeous glow, I often use this on my chest and collarbones with a large fluffy brush, to add that natural glow which catches the light, but it can also be used on your face of course, even with a wet brush for a very intense highlight.

So there you have it, a round up of all the products I am relying on to give the illusion of a beautiful glowy tan.
Monday 21 August 2017

Perth Food and Drink Guide

Perth Food and Drink Guide
Monday 21 August 2017
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On my travels around Perth I came across a selection of amazing places to eat and drink, although sadly I didn't get to try them all I made a note of the ones which looked especially cool incase I had an opportunity to return, and so I could share my best finds on here. A small list of places well worth a visit while you are in Perth.

Sneaky Tony's
A secret bar, hidden down a back street in Northbridge. On arrival you are required to say the password (found on their Facebook/ Instagram page) to gain entry. You will take a step back in time, into this rum bar designed to replicate the illegal drinking dens of the American Prohibition, its an experience you can't miss. With over 260 different types of rum, a selection of cocktail along with beer, and wine there is something for everyone.

Frisk Small Bar
If gin is your go to drink, then head straight down here. A gin bar with 187 types to choose from you are spoiled for choice, however no worries if gin is not your thing they also have a range of craft beer and cider. They hold special events every so often, so keep an eye out for these.


Alfred's Pizzeria
Another slightly hard to spot small pizzeria and bar. Enter through a door, designed like a classic English Telephone Box, if you look up you will see the sign pointing you in the right direction. An underground bar, selling the most amazing pizza, cocktails and a night of rock and roll.


Flora and Fauna
An incredible vegan cafe, selling the most amazing brunch dishes. Despite being vegan, they have the option to add eggs and cheese to certain dishes, which is perfect for anyone who isn't vegan. The food is all prepared fresh, from a tiny kitchen and presented beautifully. They also sell cakes and biscuits, along with freshly ground coffee, and pressed juices.

Varsity Burgers
If you are after American style burgers, this is the place to go. A whole in the wall ordering system, with inside and outside seating. The basic cheeseburger starts at $10, with an whole range of different burgers, sides and sauces to choose from.

Babooshka
The place to go if you are wanting to try a Freakshake, or just want some devious all day brunch options. Everything from avocado on toast, to a loaded tim tam and coco pop freak shake.

Toastface Grillah
Selling the best toasted sandwiches in Perth, this is tucked away down a side street and sells a range of toasted sandwiches starting at $5. With a huge mural outside, you'll know when you've found it!



Tuesday 15 August 2017

Currently Loving

Currently Loving
Tuesday 15 August 2017
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I thought it was time to break up all of the travel content I have been bringing you with some more beauty and lifestyle content. Since returning to the UK I have realised just how much stuff I have which I do not need, or want anymore but while having a slight cleanse of my belongings I have rediscovered some old favourites and some new.

Starting with makeup, I have been trying to test and use as much of my makeup collection as possible. Choosing what I want to keep and what can be passed onto a better home, I have rediscovered some real gems! Firstly Benefit's Watts Up Highlighter, I initially didn't get along with this product simply because I was applying it wrong. The best technique I have found is to apply it to the skin with a stippling brush, rather than swiping the product directly onto the skin which leaves it impossible to blend out. The perfect summer glow, I literally smother my face in this stuff!

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Powder in Light Plus, my new go to setting powder. Day to day I don't like to bake, and therefore don't feel the need to use a loose powder. This is a light powder, doesn't leave you looking at all cakey but can be built up or reapplied through out the day.

The hype around the L'Oreal Paradise mascara has been huge, and when it was time for a replacement mascara I thought I'd give this a go. Let me tell you, there is a hype for a reason. This mascara is so damn good, I cannot get enough of it! Perfect for voluminous lashes, that don't clump and are the blackest black. I do wish they would bring out a waterproof version, although I am sure that is soon to follow.

Look Good Feel Better is a charity I am trying to whole heartily support, helping patients across the UK with the physical side effects of cancer, the offer makeup master classes to help bring back the confidence which lots of cancer patients loose. They have a range of makeup brushes, which not only support this brand but are also amazing, I absolutely love the powder brush but also use the multi tasking brush daily for my foundation, the finishing brush to apply my Watts Up highlighter.

My Osprey card holder has had more use than I ever imagined, I have been preferring the use smaller bags or no bag at all in which case this is perfect because it houses everything I may possibly need. I don't carry cash anymore so all I need is card, driving licence, rail card and thats about it!

I managed to finish my year in Australia with a little more money than I expected to, so after a year of budget travel, hard working and saving I decided to treat myself to a new camera. While initially I had my eye on the well loved Olympus Pen EPL8, after a huge amount of research I decided to go of the Olympus OM-D E-M10II, and I love it! I am still learning how to use it, but can't wait to experiment more with my photography, especially travel photography.

Keeping with the photography theme, I have been printing all of my photos from Australia to scrapbook when I get a chance. I have been relying on Cheerz which is a brand I have used before and have always been very impressed with their quality, if you want to print some photos you can use my code OTTV8W for a discount.

Lastly, my SkinnyDip phone case! They have so many to choose from its impossible to pick just one, I brought this in Australia but since looking on their website there are so many more which I love just as much. If your in the market for a new phone case check them out, I have put a few of my favourites below.

Wednesday 9 August 2017

Guide to Perth City

Guide to Perth City
Wednesday 9 August 2017
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Western Australia is one of the less explored areas of Australia, often left off peoples travel plans. However if you do have the time to head West then you must do it, I am already planning another road trip up the northern coast of Western Australia. Perth is seen as one of the less exciting city to visit, and although I cannot argue with this, there is still a lot to do here. So, after a week alone in Perth I complied a list of the best bits...

Where To Stay

I stayed in Billabong Backpackers, which was a short walk to the centre of the city but had such a great vibe, loads of people, theres a pool and a big kitchen and communal area. They also had loads of events happening throughout the week, making it really social.

Perth City YHA, you'll find a YHA nearly everywhere you go and if you plan on staying in one regularly become a member and you'll get a discount which can save you some £££. YHA usually have great facilities, free wifi and a good reputation for clean, nice rooms.

If your looking to stay in Fremantle, theres a whole post coming soon.

Where To Eat

I have a full post dedicated on where to eat and drink in Perth coming very soon, but for now check out a couple of my favourite spots which were Sneaky Tony's, a hidden rum bar which needs a password to enter, once inside your in a secret rum bar with the most incredible cocktails the Pina Colada is a must. Flora and Fauna does the best brunch, freshly made in a tiny kitchen with a retro style and outside seating, the banana bread is incredible.

What To Do

Shopping
Head down to Watertown in Northbridge, for a huge array of discount and clearance shops the perfect place to snap up a high end bargain.
Elizabeth's 2nd Hand Bookshop, is full of an incredible selection of second hands books. As well as a 'blind date with a  book' where you choose a book bound in brown paper with a brief description on the front, the idea of not judging a book by it's cover.
If your after a standard shopping mall Murray Street and Hay Street Mall is hard to miss and where you'll find all your standard shops.

Arts
Art Gallery of Western Australia has a mixture of both contemporary and historical art and worth a visit, with free entry its a perfect thing to just wander in and out of in any spare moments you have, or save it for a rainy day.
Peek A Boo Gallery, is the smallest art gallery in the southern hemisphere, with the contemporary art work changing weekly.
If you love contemporary art, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art has free entry and is full of edgy and adventurous art. It also showcases contemporary dance and theatre performances.

Parks, Gardens and Beaches
My favourite beach was Cottesloe, however there is also city beach, mosman park, or scarborough which is a little further away.
Kings Park, is huge and its well worth spending some time wandering around. You can get amazing views back across the city, as well as taking the treetop walk and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

Landmarks and Attractions
Government House is a historical landmark which you may wish you take a wander to look at. A must is to walk down to Elizabeth Quay on the banks of the Swan River, here you can catch a ferry over to South Perth or take a visit to the zoo. The Bell Tower one of the top attractions in Perth, housing the Swan Bells its one of the worlds largest musical instruments.

Transport
Perth has a transport card called Transpeth, which works similarly to an Oyster (London) or Opal (Sydney) card, where you top it up and then tap on and off to public transport. You can use it on all forms of public transport. I mainly chose to walk around the city, and took the train to Fremantle and Cottesloe. In central Perth they have CAT Buses which are free, high frequency buses to get around the centre and well worth looking out for.

Thursday 3 August 2017

Choosing The Perfect Hostel

Choosing The Perfect Hostel
Thursday 3 August 2017
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Hostels are all park of the backpacker lifestyle. I nearly always stay in hostels, and as of yet (touch wood) have no had a bad experience. They may be cheap, but they can be so beautiful in amazing locations, the photo above is of the Base Hostel on Magnetic Island, Australia. They are the perfect place to meet loads of people, all who are in similar positions. There are so many hostels to choose from, its worth doing a tiny bit of research rather than booking yourself into the cheapest option and hoping for the best.

Location is key, you will however most likely pay more for a hostel more in the centre of a city so check out what the public transport is like and if getting a slightly cheaper hostel further out would be more worthwhile.

I love meeting new people in hostels, so choosing a hostel which has a common area, communal kitchen and  good social scene is key. Lots of hostels have bars attached to them, which is even better! Look out for any organised events they have on, some hostels host BBQs or film nights for their guest and these are an even better way to meet people.

The extras, I always try and book into a hostel which offers free wifi to its guests- although this is not essential it is nice to have while travelling and can make life a lot easier. A long with this, a hostel which offers a free breakfast thats at a convenient time can save you some money (if breakfast runs from 7-8 that is pretty useless though as no one is up!). Along with later check out times, no one wants to be up and packed by 9 to vacate your hostel room. Look for a checkout around 11.

Look at the photos, even though they may not be the exact room in which your staying in they will give you a vague idea. Check out if the bathrooms are attached to the bedroom or big communal ones for multiple rooms. Also look out for lockers, somewhere to store all your belongings safely.

Hostels have a variety of rooms available, and it is down to personal preference if you want a mixed or single sex dorm, and of what size. As a general rule, the biggest mixed room will give you maximum opportunity for socialising but in term will have the most disruptions and less chance of a good nights sleep, so it depends what your after. 

The easiest way too book and compare hostels is on Hostel World, Hostel Bookers or YHA (if you specifically want to stay in YHA hostels or are a member)

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