An Evening on The Harbour Arm, Folkestone

An Evening on The Harbour Arm, Folkestone

Tuesday, 19 September 2017

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In an effort to discover and explore more of the world close to home I decided to spend an evening down on the Harbour Arm in Folkestone. It is still in stages of redevelopment, but is fast becoming the food, drink and entertainment centre of the town. With independent food and drink stalls, its a great place to grab a drink and watch the sunset or enjoy some live entertainment. Walk down to the end and you reach the champagne bar.

The range of food varies from seafood, to burgers, the greek bus and delicious pizzas as well as little bars dotted all the way along. In terms of entertainment, they have such a variety from live DJs to bands as well as art shows among other things. The best way to find out about these are to check their website here.

On our visit we enjoyed the sunset, and ate pizza from Follies and drank cider on a lovely warm evening, while also getting some outfit snaps for an upcoming post. Although summer may be coming to end, spending a sunny afternoon down here would be ideal, and something which I know I will be doing again.

Every Day Makeup Routine

Every Day Makeup Routine

Friday, 8 September 2017

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Day to day I don't like to wear much makeup, I keep my eyes very simple and focus on the skin, aiming for lots of glow but to keep any oils under control. Adding some definition to my face, but overall keeping it natural.

My go to foundation for the entirety of the past year has been MAC Face and Body, I love how light this is on the skin, but it can be built to add coverage in areas which need it. I don't use concealer day to day, but simply use a little bit extra foundation in problem areas because it is so light and doesn't cake.

To give myself all the glow, I have been loving Benefit Watts Up highlight, mentioned here in my current favourites. I apply this liberally to all the usual points of my face, with a brush I find this so easy to blend out creating a natural but impressive glow.

Chanel Tan De Soleil is again a favourite from the whole of the past year, my go to for bronzing my face, adding some definition to my cheekbones and giving myself a more natural bronzed look. It blends amazingly with the Face and Body foundation, and Watts Up highlighter giving me a very natural cream based products looked.

To set those three steps in place, my go to highlighter is MAC Soft and Gentle, softly applied to the tops of my cheekbones for some added glow. I use Soap and Glory Solar Powder to add some more definition to my cheek bones and for an all over bronze, and then the MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Powder to set the remainder of my face.

For my brows, I have been reaching for this L'Oreal Brow Artist Genius Kit, a recent purchase which I have been loving. I like to mix the powder and the wax for a more defined look at the tail of my brow, and then just use the powder towards the front.

To add a bit of definition to my eyes I have been using the L'Oreal Paradise Mascara religiously, I am utterly obsessed with this mascara. It gives me tonnes of volume, and makes my lashes extra black making them stand out enough to not need any more eye makeup than just this.

A very simple makeup routine, which can be done in under ten minutes including products which are all my firm favourites.

Do any of these products feature in your everyday makeup routine?

How to Style a Little Black Dress

How to Style a Little Black Dress

Friday, 1 September 2017

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I find dressing 'up' usually difficult, a smart occasion with no clear dress code can throw me completely off. As a result of this, I have gathered a few go to pieces which I know I love and can style up or down. I brought this dress for I think about $20AUD (£12) from H&M ages ago, and it has since become my staple LBD. In this post I am sharing with you this outfit, as well some of my other favourite little black dresses and tips on how to style them.

As this dress is no longer available (sadly) I have linked similar little black dresses, throughout the post for you to have a browse of. Remember to scroll right for more.

Despite it being summer black tends to be my go to shade, although I do love bright colours a lot. This dress is unbelievably easy to wear, and completely summer appropriate as it's loose, light and airy. With the cinched waist, v neck and loose sleeves this dress flatters your body more than I could imagine. Giving me all the confidence when wearing it.

On this particular day I decided to wear this western style student belt, just to add some interest along with my old skool vans and my usual jewellery. My sunglasses are the style Electric Dreams.

How To Style...

There are some pieces that you buy, and wear only once for whatever reason. However I like to get a lot of wear out of my clothes, and buy staple items which I can style differently and wear over and over.

Accessorising

It can completely change the look of a simple dress, making a statement with a belt or jewellery can drastically change the entire outfit. Drawing the attention away from the dress itself, and people will instead focus on the more statement accessories. I love bold statement earrings, such as these ones.

A simple and effective way to accessories an outfit, and dress it up or down depending is with your shoes. My go to shoes, all day everyday, are trainers. I live in my Vans, Converse and New Balance. So of course these are my go to, if I can get away with them and I love them to dress down a dress which isn't something I feel most comfortable in. I really do struggle with dressing up. If you want to dress something down, a pair of clean white converse still look smart, you've made an effort without being dressy. Alternatively for a more dressed up look, heels are most peoples go to.

The thing I love about black dresses is, you can do whatever makeup you want. You don't have to worry about your makeup going with your outfit, because black goes with just about anything. I love to add something extra to a look by doing a bolder, glittery eye with pigments and brighter colours. Making more of a statement with my makeup than my dress.

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.

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!

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.