Barcelona is one beautiful City...

If you have been following my Instagram you will have seen I have recently been jaunting off around Barcelona! My boyfriend and I went with a couple of friends, and had an absolutely fantastic time, lots of amazing food, incredible architecture and a couple of very potent cocktails!
I thought I would share a couple of my favourite photos from the trip with you!

The inside of the Sagrada Familia

Our Hotel Room at Hotel Astoria -great location and price!

Outside of the Sagrada Familia, part of the newer bit

The old side of the Sagrada Familia

Inside the Sagrada Familia

Park Guell

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

The Magic fountain by MNAC

Casa Batlló

Keep your eyes peeled for another post coming soon about my favourite bits of Barcelona, there are a couple of tips worth paying attention to if you are heading in that direction! Lots of love

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Visit 5 top European destinations in a month!

This post is a little bit special, as you have a guest post from the lovely people over at Etihad! I hope you like it, it's definitely given me some more inspiration about where to go on my next adventure! Keep an eye out towards the end of the week for my next post, which is a (pretty awesome) photo journal of my time in Barcelona! If you can't wait until then to see what I have been up to, you can always go and nosy at my Instagram which has a few photos!

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Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Hvar & Venice

Have you ever wanted to take one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips, checking off several destinations you’ve always wanted to travel to, and in less than a month? We thought so, who hasn’t? 

Just for you, here is a comprehensive guide enabling you to get the absolute most out of your trip. Europe is one of the most amazing places on the planet, blessed with so many different cultures, history and ways of life. Fitting in 5 of the top destinations in one month is no easy feat but where there’s a will, there’s a way! 

First stop, Berlin! 

Duration: 6 days 

Itinerary: 

• Rent a bike - Berlin is a big and spread out city with lots to see in between. As well as getting to experience the city like a true Berliner, you’ll also cover a lot more ground on bike. 
• Go on a free walking tour – There are tours that begin at the Brandenburg Gate and go on for nearly 4 hours, meaning you’ll see all the top spots in the city and help you to familiarise yourself with Berlin. 
• Food – Berlin is a true haven for foodies and it is incredibly cheap in comparison to other cities, so you can probably afford a few more meals out here. 
• Culture – East Side Gallery, The Jewish History Museum, The Holocaust Memorial, Temlehof Park, Treptower Park, Checkpoint Charlie, The Dom and Tiergarden are all places that you should definitely try and fit into your busy schedule. 

Berlin

Prague

Duration: 5 days

Itinerary: 

• Walking tour – As you will have realised in Berlin a walking tour of the city is the smartest way to get your bearings. Lucky for you there are loads of free walking tours of Prague so make sure you get on one and you’ll have seen the Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Jewish Quarter and more. 
• Food – There is more variety than you could ever imagine in Prague from traditional cuisines to international influences, there is something to whet the appetite of every foodie. 
• Culture – The Prague Castle, Petrin Park, John Lennon Wall, Astronomical Clock, Catacombs, Jewish Quarter, Letenske Sadt, Kutna Hora, Kafka museum, Prague Beer Museum and Powder Tower are all sights you definitely need to see. 

Budapest

Duration: 6 days 

Itinerary:

• Thermal Baths – In a city of spas, it is something you should do as a tourist here. Take a dip in the beautiful Gellert Baths, which are complete with Roman columns making it a very regal experience.
• Food – The Great Market Hall is a foodie’s paradise - here you can get regional delights. At places like Borkonyha Borbirosag and Menza you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants and Hungarian cuisine. Make sure you taste the exquisite coffee on offer as Budapest takes this very seriously.
• Culture – Budapest is a beautiful and a culturally rich city so don’t leave a stone uncovered. Be sure to see Szechenyi Baths, the Danube River and St Stephens Basilica during your stay. 

Hvar

Duration: 5 days 

Itinerary:

• Harbour – The harbour of Hvar is the main attraction. Visit the pretty boats and admire the luxury yachts. Enjoy an ice cream as you take a leisurely stroll and take in the sights and smells.
• Food – With an array of culinary influences such as Spanish, Italian and Austrian, you are bound to find lots of things to tickle your taste buds.
• Culture – Hvar is a beautiful place to visit especially as there is so much to see. Next to the famous harbour is St Stephen’s Square, which is the biggest piazza in Dalmatia and the main town. At the top of the square is St Stephens Cathedral. Other architectural sights you must see are the Renaissance loggia, the Arsenal, Fortica, Monastery and Spanjola.

Venice

Duration: 6 days

Itinerary:

• The Canal – Take a trip down the Grand Canal and feel like you’re in your very own film. Get the vaporetto (water taxi) and you’ll be able to see the whole city from unspoiled angles, not to mention take some beautiful photos!
• Food – Italy is without a doubt the place to be for foodies. For traditional Venetian dishes choose polpette (meatballs) or Venetian antipasti. It is unlikely you’ll encounter a bad meal here, as the Venetians are renowned for their exquisite restaurants.
• Culture – There is so much to do and see in Venice but you’ll definitely be able to fit it in within your 6 days here. Make sure you see the main attractions: St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Torre dell’Orologio.

Has that got your feet itching to travel? We thought so. Pull that suitcase down, out of the cupboard and start packing. Flights to Berlin, flights to Venice and flights to Budapest are all within your reach. Europe, here we come!

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What essential does every house need? A bar cart of course!

As you may know, I have recently moved into a new house and have been busy planning all of my rooms; when the lovely people over at Chairish asked if I had thought about including a bar cart! Well, my cocktail equipment has to live somewhere, and currently the top of my kitchen cupboard isn't quite working out for me so I think it is a great option! My favourite bar cart that I have seen is the Mid-Century Brass Bar Cart because I like it's sleek look, and it would fit nicely into my living room! Now the best bit... although I have quite a lot of cocktail equipment already, I definitely need to get some new stuff...

For my cocktail equipment, I like a variety of bits, ranging from classic decanters, to modern ice crushers, I get all my bits out when friends or family come over, so it's nice to be able to make a drink for anyone, no matter what their taste! Personally, my favourite drinks are some of the simplest; having just been on holiday I have drank a lot of Tinto De Verano, which is a Spanish drink, very similar to Sangria, but much simpler... 1/2 a glass red wine 1/2 a glass lemon fanta Serve over ice, with a lemon slice To feel truly like you are in Spain, have a side of olives, or tomato bread with it!

Image from www.madridsensations.com

If you want to get your own bar cart, have a look at the selection from Chairish here!
Let me know what you would like to include in your cocktail kit! Lots of love

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What's in my Carry On? And Longchamp Le Pliage review...

I have been a rather lucky girl when it comes to holidays/ getaways in the last year. I ended last year by going to Florida, then after not doing much for the first half of the year (thank you Glandular Fever) my boyfriend and I went away for my birthday in July to Lincoln for a few days, then a couple of months ago we went to Cannes (feel free to have a nose here) and now I am preparing to pop off again, as I am heading to Barcelona next week! All of this has made me rather adapt at holiday packing, which I thought I would share with you guys!
Without further ado...
Firstly. In general I am not a wheelie case carry on fan. Long haul I will occasionally, but I will never use one for short haul, unless I am not taking any other suitcase, and to be fair even then I usually check it in! I have the opinion the bigger bag you take as hand luggage, the more you want to pack into it, and then you have to carry it all. Not ideal!

All my junk!

  I have recently bought a new bag, which I think is airport perfect, it is the Longchamp Le Pliage shopper which was £68 from Selfridges. I love this bag for travel as it folds down if I want to use it as a shopper in a smaller bag, it is also completely waterproof, so if you get caught in a downpour nothing will be ruined inside. I decided I wanted the longer handle as I like being able to throw my bag over my shoulder when I can't be bothered to hold it, however it is also available in shorter handles and as a rucksack.

I got these packing bags on amazon - I got a set of 4, the bigger ones I have used in my case

Using travel organisers is one of my top tips. I put all my electrics into one bag, so I know where everything is, and I put my spare clothes in another.
I pretty much pack the same things every time I go abroad: iPad - I use it for everything, magazines (seriously, carrying heavy magazines is completely unnecessary) apps, movies, tv shows iPhone and charging block - I find a charging block to be a godsend when I'm traveling as I'm constantly using technology of some kind, I usually run out of battery, therefore having a way of recharging them is essential! Headphones - I'm an in ear person Makeup Toiletries - my essentials are avene cicalfate// embryolisse lait creme// toothbrush and paste // face wipes Sunglasses Travel documents Notebook and pen Electric bits Purse Travel Purse Hand sanitiser Medicines Camera Scarf

Mini makeup brushes save so much packing space. BUT they have to be good quality.

What do you pack in your carry on? Let me know below! Lots of love

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You can never have enough MAC...

So, while I was in Cannes I was wandering around, and happened to come across a MAC store, so naturally I had to have a little wander in and made a few purchases!

Velvet Teddy

I am constantly searching for the perfect nude, and one I have been keen to add to my collection is Velvet Teddy... however tracking down a store when it is out of stock everywhere was really hard! However, in France, it turned out not to be an issue! Apparently the Kylie Jenner lip craze hasn't struck as hard there!

Nice 'n' Spicy Lip Pencil

I never used to bother buying lip pencils to go with my lipsticks, but now I realise what an asset they are, and always get one to go with any new lipstick. The girl in MAC suggested this one, and I think it's fab.

Continuing on the lip pencil requirements, I bought Ruby Woo lipstick quite a while ago, but I didn't get the lip liner... I love the colour but bleeding lipstick especially in bright red is literally the worst thing in the world, and it has meant I don't wear it as much as I would like. Problem is now solved, I have bought the liner!

Another item that I have been considering for a while was the Prep + Prime Lip Base, and seeing as how I'm currently massively into matte lipsticks, I decided it was the perfect time to buy it! Definitely no regrets, I always use it under mattes and it makes them look so much better. Also if I am having a dry lip day I use it under any other formula, and it makes the lipsticks go on so much easier and they stay on much more evenly if that makes sense!

I hope you have enjoyed reading this, as always I'm sure my next MAC trip isn't going to be far off, and if there is anything new you think I need to try out let me know!
Lots of love

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