One Day in Verona

As the setting for Shakespeare's, or possibly the world's most famous love story, there was no doubt in my mind that I'd fall in love with the Roman city of Verona. Also now home to one of the world's greatest Opera Venues, the Roman Area as well as the 'homes' of Juliet Capulet and Romeo Montague, there was much to see and do, but with only 24 hours in the city we had to choose carefully!

Trousers by Oasis   |   Top by Dorothy Perkins   |   Bag by Rebecca Minkoff   |   Sunglasses by Topshop

After checking into our hotel; the perfectly positioned Residenza Borsari, we took a short stroll to the infamous Juliet balcony. Romeo and Juliet were of course fictional characters, so I don't really know how this balcony came to be 'the' Juliet balcony, but flocks of romantic tourists flooded the courtyard of the 14th Century house, adding their love letters and Post-its to the walls of the courtyard gateway. It's free to pop in, so worth a look, but a tad underwhelming and a certain tourist trap - so carry on searching for your Romeo elsewhere!

Roman ruins are dotted about the city, so make sure you wear comfy shoes (I clearly didn't) as it's much nicer to explore the city by foot, every street has a story!

For lunch, we stopped off at Peperino close to the Piazza Bra. The Piazza is the largest in Verona, possible even in the whole of Italy and is lined with numerous notable buildings as well as the Verona Arena; originally built as an amphitheatre nearly 2000 years ago! The Arena is now a world-famous music venue, with operatic and contemporary music performances. There are many cafes and restaurants in the Piazza, but we explored the quieter streets and stumbled across Peperino where we enjoyed two dishes of the day (a saffron and prosciutto risotto and an aubergine pasta bake) both scrumptious and costing us less than a fiver each! Plus, those tiles, that marble!

After lunch, we took a 25 minute stroll across the river from the historic centre, and ended up at the Giardino Giusti. As it's away from most of the tourist destinations, it was pleasantly quiet, mum and I even had a short nap in the sunshine to recover from our early start! The sculpted gardens feature Renaissance landscaping, a blend of manicured and natural gardens (oh, and baby turtles in the fountain - see my Vlog!), and according to local legend, lovers who manage to find each other in the garden's labyrinth are destined to stay together! Cute! While we were there we saw several couples both old and young hurtling through the maze, desperate to seal their fate together!

We found a Pizzeria close to our hotel for dinner before heading back to the Residenza Borsari, the hotel has just 3 deluxe rooms and is perfectly located for anyone wanting to explore the historic city. 

If you'd like to see more about what we got up to in Verona, be sure to head over to my YouTube channel and watch my Vlog of the day!

xoxo

The Autumn Style Switch Up

Alright, Summer is officially gone, vanished, it's technically Autumn... but, I don't know about you but I am SO not ready to hide away my pins and cover up just yet. 

This Autumn, instead of hiding away and bundling up, I've been challenged by Braun to switch up my style and have unlimited fashion choices, which means I don't ever need to be limited by my beauty routine or my wardrobe choices. I love to be prepared and on top of my beauty routine at all times and so today's post is all about the beauty kit that means I can open up my wardrobe and pick out anything at all, knowing it will make me feel fabulous!

So throughout this month, I'm taking part in the Braun Switch Up Your Style challenge, meaning that each day i'll be a trying to be a little more daring with my daily style, with that extra confidence that comes with feeling great about your body thanks to Braun's new beauty tools! I'd love you to join me in the challenge, so why not take more chances whether it's with your hair, makeup or fashion! If you do, then make sure you use the hashtags #breakfree and #braunbeautychallenge so that I can see how you are switching up your style!

Longline Duster Coat by Oasis   |   Suede Skirt by ASOS   |   White Top by Oasis   |   Sunglasses by Jeepers Peepers   |   Brown Bag by Dune  |   Sandals by Zara   |   Watch by Caravelle NY

And here are the beauty products and tools that I used to create the look!

When I look back to last Autumn, there would be the odd unexpected warm day, and as much as I'd want to pull on a fabulous skirt, I'd be 'unprepared' let's just say, leg wise, and opt for patterned trousers and cover up instead. This year though, I have been using my Braun Silk-Epil 5 Wet & Dry epilator on a regular basis (I first blogged about how to epilate in a pain-free way at the beginning of Summer here) so my skin is silky smooth all the time, not just the day after shaving!

Although I love to use a gradual tan on a regular basis to ensure that my pins have a hint of colour, I've also been using the Caudalie Divine Perfect Legs to give my skin some moisture as well as a luminous golden glow. My legs are instantly tanned and it dries within an instant, so in just a few moments I can pop on a skirt or dress and be ready to go!

During London Fashion Week, I made a mental pact with myself to make more effort with my hair. I'm usually inclined to pile it all on top of my head in a bun, but I've been using the Braun Satin-Hair 7 SensoCare styler to create natural loose waves. It's a style switch which instantly adds glamour to any outfit, and the difference isn't just in my look, but my confidence also! To see how I used the stylers to create my London Fashion Week look, check out my Get Ready With Me Video here!

Finally, I've been honing my makeup routine, using a mixture of luxe and budget products to give my skin a healthy glow. Current favourite include this stunning Sunset bronzer from Delilah, and the gorgeous Charlotte Tilbury Norman Parkinson Lip and Cheek Glow.

The feeling of being able to fling open my wardrobe doors and have totally unlimited fashion choices is an addictive one, and thanks to the Braun Silk Epil 5 it's one which i'll be experiencing all year round, not just in Summer. 

If you don't want to be held back by your beauty routine, then why not try epilation? It's not as scary as you might think, especially with Braun's massage roller attachment which stimulates skin for an incredible soft epilation experience, and you can even use it in the bath for an incredible chilled out hair removal experience. It's even got a new anti-slip grip so you can handle easily in water and reach all the contours of the body.

Still worried about epilating being painful? Head back to by Guide to Pain Free Epilation for my tips and tricks to a more comfortable experience.

Will you be switching up your style this Autumn?

xoxo

This post is sponsored by Procter & Gamble, but of course all views are my own and I genuinely use and love the products mentioned above!

Things To Do In London

This mini guide to London doesn't include any museums, landmarks or sightseeing hot spots. Well, not the Hot Spots that you'd read about in Lonely Planet guides anyway. This, is my personal list of things that I absolutely love to do in the fabulous city that I'm proud to call my home. All of them are amusing, alternative and suit a wide variety of tastes and budgets, so if you want to discover the city in a slightly different way, here are my favourite Things To Do in London!

1. Take a Rebound fitness class.

Never have I ever enjoyed exercise quite so much as I did at a recent Rebound fitness class! Available across the capital, they are a lively, high-intensity class which you complete on a mini trampoline! I visited this one in West London, where we shimmied and shaked to tunes from Pharrel Williams and the Spice Girls while burning off calories.

2. Be a Spa Junkie.... In Harrods

With brands from Mac and YSL to Chanel and Valentino all under one roof, it might seem odd that it's the Spa in Harrods that makes my list! But yep, hidden away on the fifth floor is the most opulent Hammam (Turkish bath) spa experience. In a marble den, you de-robe and relax in the warm haven, before being taken to an individual marbled area where the body is scrubbed and massaged using black-olive soap, a chess glove and finally warm water from the baths. As it's Harrods, you can imagine that every part of the spa experience is utterly luxurious, from the box of essentials that you'll find in your locker, to the heavenly products that are yours to use in the showers afterwards. I sauntered out of the Hammam feeling not only cleansed and relieved of tension, but also revitalised and energised - just how one wants to feel before a shopping spree!

3. Afternoon Tea of course! 

I have devoted many, many blog posts to Afternoon Tea places in London, and it's absolutely one of my favourite things to do in the city. Here are my favourites and some of the most unusual teas in London.

4. Visit a Market

As well as Afternoon Tea's, something we do pretty well here in London is a good Market! Whether you head for the foodie delights of Borough Markets, or brave the crowd on Portobello Road, there seems to be a Market for all of your wants and needs. 

5. Make the most of Public Transport!

With some Bus routes taking you past the big sights such as Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham palace, sometimes it's nice to just climb on board and take in the sights of the city from the top deck of the 137 bus! The Thames Clipper is a fantastic way to see the city from the River, and why not take it all the way down to Greenwich and stop for a picnic on the river bank!

6. The View from The Shard

And there are definitely ways of avoiding the crowds (and the cost!) of going up the official way, such as Afternoon Tea at Gong - on the 52nd floor of the shard, or even better, Yoga at The Shard which allows you to go right to the very top and enjoy a Yoga class before the crowds arrive!

7. Ride a Borris Bike

Or Santander bike as they should now be known! Definitely the funnies way to view the whole of London town, there are over 10,000 bikes across 700 stations in the city. I love to while away the hours around Chelsea and Kensington or across Hyde Park for the most scenic of rides!

8. Have a coffee in a public restroom.

It seems to be a growing trend to create beverage hot-spots in disused public toilets, so if you fancy something a little bit different then head to The Attendant near Tottenham Court Road or WC (Wine & Charcuterie) in Clapham for a very different dining experience!

What are your favourite things to do in London?

xoxo

Busy Morning Routine

In my dreams, I always leave the house fabulously put-together. Not a strand of hair out of place, nails perfectly manicured, and makeup, well, on fleek. In reality however I'm lucky if I manage to slick on some lipstick before dashing out of the door. I've been practising my busy morning routine lately, aiming to at least get the beauty basics complete before heading out for the day, and here are my top tips that make a big difference in my morning routine.

1. Never skip the cleanse! If you fail to clean skin properly when in a rush, the rest of the time you spend on your beauty routine will be a waste, so invest in a multi-tasking cleanser that suits your skin type. The Origins Mega Musroom Skin Relief Micellar Cleanser doesn't need soap or water so can be done in a flash, but still removes dirt, makeup and pollutants from skin. Plus, as it's part of the Dr. Weil range from the brand, your skin will be fortified with antioxidant-rich Berry Ferment ingredients which helps the skin to build up resilience against environmental irritants.

2. ... Or the moisturiser! Moisturising your skin needn't take ages, and gone are the days that we have to sit around waiting for it to dry. My skin has been really benefitting from daily moisturisation, always feeling and looking soft and supple. For busy mornings I use the Vaseline Spray Moisturiser - it's a spray on product which makes application a breeze, and super speedy, and it sinks into my skin almost immediately. There's none of that sticky or greasy feeling but I still get the same nourished and incredibly soft feeling that I get with hefty butter formulas.

3. Makeup Priorities! If you're in a rush, prioritise which makeup is most important. Can you leave the house without brows in place as long as your complexion is looking perfect? For me, it's all about a flawless base, but I don't have time to sit blending to perfection so the Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is the one I reach for when I'm in a rush. It gives that no make-up look developing into a healthy, dewy colour, and it's also hydrating and softening on my skin so I can skip the moisturiser and primer!

4. Transform your Eyes. Mascara is one of the most transformative items in any makeup collection, but on those busy mornings you don't have time to curl, wiggle the wand, de-clump and wait for it to dry. Choose a mascara that opens up your eye, curls lashes and creates volume all in one, such as the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. Just one lashing of this stuff gives you killer lashes which means you can ditch the liner (and even eyeshadow) when you're dashing for the door.

5. Always have Emergency Makeup in your handbag! Decide which products are your essentials and pack enough in your handbag makeup bag for days when you don't have enough time to apply at home. I pack a mini pot of foundation, a tiny concealer, travel mascara, bronzer compact and moisturising lipstick so that I can top up while on the go.

What are your tips for getting ready in a flash?

xoxo



This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Vaseline, but as always, all views are my own!

Top Tips for Packing Light!

This Summer, I've been dashing all over the place on short breaks, a few of which have been to destinations with varying climates, and with just my carry-on case with me. With the new added fees from airlines, it's much easier and cheaper to take only carry-on luggage and something which I have pretty much mastered over the past few months is how to pack light, but still have an outfit (and beauty products!) for every occasion. These are some of my favourite tips:

1. Write a list, and check it - twice! I love writing lists, whether it's a daily to-do list, or a list of things not to forget. But by writing a packing list, it helps me to cut down on items which I don't need, and also remember the essentials! The amount of times that I've gone away without toothpaste is just not acceptable, but by writing a list and going through my daily routine - it's a thing of the past!

2. Choose a colour scheme. Before heading away, I decide what colour scheme or trend I'd like most of my outfits to revolve around, or sometimes even one well-thought-out garment. This is a great way to save space in my bag and limit unnecessary repeats of clothing items, because most things that you've packed can be mixed and matched.

3. Wear layers! Especially if you're heading somewhere cooler, wear your bulkiest items on the journey. By layering up you can easily add or remove items so that you're toasty or temperate while on the go!

4. Don't pack things that you wouldn't use at home! There are so many nifty travel gadgets out there, but in reality, if you don't use it at home, don't take it with you. 

5. Pack Mini. I am a huge hoarder of travel sized beauty products - I absolutely love their dinky little pots and have a box under my bed full of little samples. I pack mini shampoos, conditioners, body lotions etc (only if I think the hotel's options won't be up to scratch) as well as sachets of foundations or moisturisers that I've plucked from magazines. It's also a great way to try out new products! To see which mini's I packed on my recent travels, check out my Whats In My Beach Bag video here.

What are your tips for travelling light?

xoxo

Pleats Please

Good morning from Italy!

This week has been quite surreal, just a few days ago I was deep in the bustle of London Fashion Week, soaking in the shows, the people and the clothes, and now I write this post from a lounge chair, overlooking the majestic Lake Garda - I'm here for some much needed relaxation!  

LFW is filled with so many inspiring aspects and this year I was so fortunate to have attended the shows of some of my favourite designers, as well as covering backstage beauty (be sure to follow the Vlogs on my YouTube channel here) and between dashing through shows I still somehow managed to steal a few moments to shoot some outfits for the blog, and this is my final LFW look. (Click here for my first look, and here for my second).

This outfit is more 'my style' than 'London Fashion Week style', but I kind of feel like I'm a little bit over getting dressed up for the street style snaps, dressing for someone else other than yourself. So I chose this feminine floaty pleated skirt - at under �50 it's one of those budget-friendly statement pieces that is my kind of wardrobe staple. The colour is described as 'natural' and in my eyes it almost alters depending on your outfit and situation - here for example I feel that it picks up a pinky hue. 

I styled it minimally with a grey marl T-shirt (every girl should own at least one of these) and my most practical and fashionable new bag - this gorgeous soft leather grey backpack. If you've not tried a backpack before, you won't fully be able to understand the sheer bliss and freedom of being hands free - a delicacy especially during fashion week, when you can barely manage to balance your phone, camera and show invitations in your hands.

The rest of my accessories and more details are listed below, enjoy! xo

Skirt by Oasis   |   Top by Whistles   |   Shoes by ASOS   |   Bag by Radley   |   Sunglasses by Jeepers Peepers

xoxo

LFW | Orla Kiely & Emilia Wickstead Beauty

London Fashion Week kicked off last week in a new location, no longer at the picturesque Somerset House, but instead the streets of SoHo - it was more about the industry itself rather than the glossy image. But look a little closer and the glamour is there, along with the blood sweat and tears of the designers and teams who work so incredibly hard to make Fashion Week happen.

This year I was overwhelmed to be invited backstage at some of the most fabulous shows that LFW has to offer, to catch a glimpse of the collection before it sashayed down the catwalk, and to discover the makeup and hair trends that we will all be lusting for in Spring Summer '16.

I absolutely couldn't miss the Orla Kiely presentation, the collections are always teeming with beautiful prints and textures, and the presentation is always astoundingly creative; in previous years we've seen the models dance through 60s offices or exploring a Safari park, but this season, an entire mini crazy golf course had been set up in one of West London's most fabulous venues.

We munched on golf-ball cake pops as the models stylishly putted their way through the course, laughing and smiling from hole to hole, and perfectly showing off the vibrant collection. The range had a psychedelic 60s / 70s vibe, with pastel details mixed with some earthy tones, and details including lace, leather, and larger than life collars.

Backstage at Emilia Wickstead, I witnessed the girls being prepped and primed ready for their moment on the catwalk. Models skin is often stressed and agitated after constant makeup changes and lack of a proper skincare routine, so Sunday Riley gave the girls a mini facial to bring back their glow before the makeup was applied.

Using products from their new Pro range, firstly the skin was cleansed with the brand new Blue Moon Cleansing balm to remove any makeup traces and impurities from the skin, before a second cleanse using the new floral cleanser, and finished with the matching toner. Depending on the model's skin type, the makeup artists then chose from Sunday Riley's range of oils and serums to give a luminous and healthy finish to their skin.

The collection itself was a blend of apricot, tobacco and strawberry hues, with clusters of beaded embroidery in the shape of an eye - a definite nod to 50's femininity. Girly silhouettes were created with buttoned-up shirt dresses, ladylike blouson overcoats and an enlarged collars were worn with matching pointed-toe flat shoes. Perfect for a lady who lunches!

More daily coverage of London Fashion Week is coming your way, as well as what I wore on each day, be sure to let me know in the comments if this is something you enjoy seeing on Fashion Mumblr!

xoxo