beautyandthetrail

A Weekend in Copenhagen

August 22, 2019August 22, 2019 Emily1 Comment

One thing I wanted to do this year was explore a new city. Copenhagen has always been on my travel list so we decided to book a long weekend away to see what it had to offer.

Here are some of the reasons why you should visit Copenhagen too:

1. Where to stay:

Copenhagen has some beautiful hotels to choose from but Airbnb is always our go-to for a short city break. When it came to looking, we were spoilt for choice as there are so many gorgeous apartments in central Copenhagen. Scandi interiors are my fave so we were in our element…

2. Where to eat:

Torvehallerne Market:

Whether you’re looking for a good breakfast spot, lunch to grab & go or somewhere to indulge on a Danish pastry at Granny’s House then this is the place to be. You’re guaranteed to find something for everyone here. We spent half an hour browsing before we made a decision (it wasn’t an easy one).We chose Grod as our brunch destination. We’d seen lots of good reviews on this place, describing it as ‘the best porridge you’ll ever have’ and they most certainly weren’t wrong. You can choose any toppings to go with your oats, granola or porridge and the savoury options were just as good too.

Copenhagen boasts a number of Michelin Star restaurants and in the wake of Noma’s success; other Danish restaurants are striving to offer top quality food but at reasonable prices.

Madklubben Bistro de Luxe:

Madklubben successfully thrives on the above mantra. Their food is of such a high quality and was probably one of our favourite meals in Copenhagen, whilst being at a reasonable price. This is done by their use of a very small and selective menu. Saying that, there is something for everyone to choose from; whether you’re a carnivore, pescatarian or a vegetarian, you can still experience what they have to offer.

Host

Host featured in almost every food related article we found on Copenhagen so we knew we had to try it. We opted for the three course menu instead of five, but the Nordic kitchen’s creations did not stop at three as we soon found out from their ‘surprise courses’.

Not only are they famous for their food, but Host has already won three international design awards (including the award for the World’s Best Designed Restaurant).

Atelier September

Here you can choose from a typical Danish breakfast or play it safe with the avocado on toast, this instagrammable location is a great place to go.

Smørrebrød (open sandwich) – Aamanns 1921

Before we left Copenhagen, we wanted to try the famous Danish Smørrebrøds and as Aamanns 1921 had been highly recommended, we decided to go.

3. What to do:

Before you think that all we did was eat (which is probably true)… I do have a few tips on where to go and what to do:

Tivoli Gardens

No visit to Copenhagen is complete without a trip to Tivoli. If you’re planning to go to Copenhagen then this needs to go straight to the top of your list.

After we had dinner (at Sticks n Sushi which has a beautiful view of Tivoli) we decided to take a late night trip to the gardens. (If you’re a lover of rides then I suggest buying the unlimited tickets!)

Tivoli gardens was founded in 1843 and is known to be the inspiration behind Disney after Walt Disney fell in love with the fairytale. The impressive inner-city park is full of historic rides, places to eat (not that you’ll need to after all the candy floss & hot chocolate you’ll consume), and you might even find yourself dancing to one of the talented singers they have on stage for the night. If you’re there on a Saturday at 23:45, you’ll be in for a treat with an amazing firework display as well. But make sure you don’t end your trip without hopping on the Rutschebanen Rollercoaster, a 105 year old wooden ride that takes you in and out of the snow capped mountains! It may be a little rickety but it’s definitely worth it…

Nyhavn

Most of the photos you see of Copenhagen will most likely include the colourful houses at Nyhavn. It’s definitely worth having a wander around this area and a look at some of the pretty houses, shops and cafes. Although I wouldn’t suggest eating here as the prices are sky high and I’m not so sure the quality of food will reflect this. (But there’s always an excuse for a waffle on a stick!)

Illums Bolighus

This is Copenhagen’s interior design heaven. As I mentioned before, Scandinavian design is my interior inspiration so we had to visit.

Shopping in Copenhagen

There are so many great shops in Copenhagen. From high street brands and boutiques to Illum (a big department store similar to Selfridges). You could spend a whole day ‘investing’ here.

Mauritius

August 22, 2019August 22, 2019 EmilyLeave a comment

Before Christmas quickly comes upon us again I thought I’d write something in between about something a little more summery…my recent holiday to Mauritius.

I’m still suffering from summer blues. I think it’s safe to say that I’m most definitely NOT a fan of the nights drawing in and the cold weather. It was so lovely to get away and soak up some much needed winter sun, although, it does make it much more of an unwelcome shock, when you have to return home in November, and the cold air suddenly hits you. If I could transport myself back into these photos then trust me I would. But I’ll stop moaning as I was lucky enough to spend ten days on the most beautiful island which is literally a paradise built in your dreams. Mauritius. I have been once before but on the other side of the island and, in my opinion, it doesn’t even compare to where I stayed this time. In Le Morne Peninsula. We stayed at the St Regis Mauritius resort.

This blissful getaway is situated on the most southern tip of the island. In this perfect location, the resort backs onto the World Heritage site of Le Morne mountain and adjacent to a turquoise lagoon with open ocean views.

The hotel, rooms and suites are luxuriously decorated in a traditional ivory white colonial style, which I loved. The whole resort is like a beautiful colonial village and everything has so much charm. Our room was beautiful and had a stunning view of the sea, which was only a few steps away.

The resort is orientated to the west so you can watch the impressive sunsets from the beach…and from your room too.

Our mini bar was stocked with cookies & cream Kit Kats (which I may have failed to resist) and lots of other goodies to tempt us too. They also left us amazing fresh fruit which was obviously a much healthier option to go for. I attempted to make my way to the gym a couple of times but found myself at the peaceful spa instead, or on the beach doing yoga (while the sun was setting may I add).

I had to do some form of exercise to ease the guilt of indulging in such delicious food every day. Most days I ordered the catch of the day, which was always incredible and freshly caught. The ruby snapper was my favourite. The best dessert I had was the melting chocolate fondant with cashew nut ice cream (also so good). It was heavenly.

When driving from the airport in Port Louis to the St Regis, we went past many sugar plantations and their factories, as this is the second largest industry in Mauritius, after tourism. Mauritians also have a huge passion for tea and I discovered this through exploring their impressive range of tea on the menu. My favourite was the vanilla tea, which was so good we even had one of the waiters we befriended kindly give us a whole box to take home. I have already gone through this box and just placed my next order for more as I think I’m a little obsessed. The staff were so welcoming and friendly, always wanting to help you with a big smile on their face.

“Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius” – Mark Twain

I think you can agree that nothing beats feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin whilst listening to the sound of the waves crashing in the distance, and feeling the soft sand between your toes. The beach was completely breathtaking and where I spent 99% of my time. It sounds like such a cliché but the sea was crystal clear, and the sand really was completely white. There is a big coral reef surrounding the island, which breaks the waves coming in from the ocean. This means that the water at the shore is really calm and you don’t have to fight your way into the sea, which was also a bonus.

On one of the days we decided to venture off of our sunbeds and go on a glass bottom boat towards the reef. We saw so many colourful fish and coral which encouraged me to go snorkelling when we got back. Once I got my snorkel sorted and mastered the whole breathing concept, without swallowing all of the ocean, it was an amazing experience. So many beautifully coloured fish swam past me and I loved every second of it.

The only difficult part of the holiday was the sad realisation that all good things eventually must come to an end and we had to say our goodbyes. But at least we are left with memories and beautiful photos to look back on… which I hope brought a little bit of sunshine into your day. I most definitely did not hold back on the photo front but can you really blame me? Mark Twain’s quote is completely believable once you’ve visited and experienced the paradise that is Mauritius.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

November 29, 2016August 22, 2019 EmilyLeave a comment

There’s no better way to start feeling festive than transforming your house into your very own Santa’s Grotto.

Much to my disappointment, in my house it seems to be a rule that no decorations go up until to December 1st… BUT as the Arbonne Festive Line has already been released and I was itching to share some of it with you, I had a great excuse to start decorating so that I could show it off…

Even though it gets darker so much earlier in the evenings, I’m really starting to enjoy it as it gives me an excuse to light up my collection of candles and turn the christmas lights on which makes it feel so festive and cosy.

And now I get to sit here and write this with all of my candles surrounding me, the fire on and a big cup of (my favourite) bourbon vanilla tea.

The 2016 Arbonne Festive Collection has a substantial choice of gifts to choose from but I thought I’d choose my four favourites to share with you.

1. Tahitan Coconut Lip Therapy Set

This set includes a Lip Smoother and Lip Salve.The Lip Smoother gently exfoliates the lips, getting rid of the dry, flaky skin leaving you with hydrated and smooth lips. The Lip Smoother features grapeseed oil & coconut which smooths and softens & dragon fruit extracts which hydrates. The Lip Salve leaves you with moisturised and hydrated lips as it features shea butter & coconut oil which hydrates & conditions, and meadowfoam seed oil which soothes dry skin.

How to use:

Massage a small amount of the Lip Smoother and then rinse off.
Follow with the moisturising Lip Salve.

My favourite part of this set is the smell of it… I love coconut and I don’t think you can ever go wrong with it. Also the feel when you apply it as it just glides onto your lips and moisturises so quickly. This pretty set is essential for the party season or could be the perfect present for someone you love.

2. Shea Butter Collection Hand Lotion Trio

These 3 lotions are made up of a Lavender Mint lotion, an Apricot Vanilla lotion & our Original Shea Butter. It is possible to purchase the Apricot Vanilla lotion individually. Shea Butter moisturises to soften skin, Vitamin E is used within these to soften & nourish and Sesame Seed oil is used to soothe the skin.

3. Olive Blossom & Eucalyptus Gift Set

This set includes a Cleansing Body Polish & a moisturising Body Butter. The Body Polish exfoliates dead skin cells leaving skin soft and smooth. The Body Butter moisturises and keeps your skin hydrated and smooth. Eucalyptus oil is one of my favourite scents (as I’ve said before). It is super refreshing, but also soothing, and goes perfectly well with the naturally derived essential oils inspired by fragrant blossoms. Olive oil fruit extract is also used within this to enhance the conditioning & moisturising of the skin.

How to use:

The Body Polish is used in the shower/bath to exfoliate and then rinse off.
The Body Butter is used afterwards to moisturise.

I think this is my favourite product from the festive collection (it was hard to decide). I love the refreshing scent and how well both of these products work. It is such a great gift to give as everybody needs a good body polish & body butter in their life.

4. Pampermint Foot Care Duo & Socks

This set includes an exfoliating Foot Scrub, moisturising Foot Cream (and even a pair of fluffy socks)! The Peppermint essential oil makes this feel even more festive. If you like After Eight Mints then you will LOVE the smell of this. The fluffy socks should be worn after using the foot cream to enhance the moisturising effect. Avocado oil is used in these products to to hydrate and soothe. Mandarin Orange Peel Oil extract is also used to soften and nourish.

How to use:

Apply & massage all over feet and then rinse off.
Apply all over feet, focusing on the heels.
Slip into fluffy socks.

If you’d like to find out more about these products then have a look on http://www.emilypowe.arbonne.com or alternatively contact me on Facebook.

Writing this post has definitely made me feel more christmassy and I’m looking forward to writing more christmas related posts…

Canada

September 27, 2016 EmilyLeave a comment

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Here I am typing this with a vanilla tea and an oreo cupcake facing the sad and sudden realisation of how early the nights are rolling in as autumn is well and truly upon us. Over the past few days I’ve been reliving the crazy and incredible memories of my most recent adventure…Canada. Constantly flicking through my photos I realised how silly it would be to let them sit on my camera forever for no one to see and now I find myself writing a new blog post…

Canada is a place I had always dreamed of going to. Every year when planning our next holiday my mum would say, “I want to go to Canada to find the bears and the whales”, and every holiday we’d find ourselves back on a beach spending the days soaking up the sun and cooling off in the sea. Even though those holidays are completely idyllic, an adventurous holiday was always in mind.

This summer just gone, perfect plans were carefully put into place and we were fortunate enough to experience the Canadian adventure.

Travelling is something I struggle with, and the thought of an 8 hour flight was definitely not something that was putting my mind at ease. I weighed up the pros and cons and it didn’t take more than a couple of seconds to convince myself that the long flight was only a minor obstacle standing in the way of a holiday of a lifetime. When it came to the day, I had my boyfriend next to me, my family a few seats away and I lost myself into the endless options of brand new films and before I knew it we were landing in Canada.

Our first stop was Vancouver. Although Vancouver is a busy city, there was an unusual calm and peaceful vibe to it, and everyone seemed so friendly and laid back. Suffering from jet lag, for the first few days, we were up at the crack of dawn (not at all like us) and falling asleep during dinner. On the first full day, we saw Vancouver in the best way possible, from above in a helicopter. Saying the views were breathtaking would be a drastic understatement and so I will have to share lots of photos here to do it some justice.

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After our helicopter journey, we ventured into Granville Island as we heard lots of great things about the market there. It was definitely worth the visit!

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We then explored the beautiful oasis of Stanley Park and stopped off on the way to capture the cityscape views. Hiring a bike and cycling along the sea wall in Stanley Park gives you the chance to take in the stunning views and it is definitely a must. Having the chance to take time out of the city life and reconnecting with nature through the rainforest, along the park and by the beach, really makes me envious of the residents of Vancouver. It isn’t often you find a city amidst a beautiful green oasis with a beach beside allowing you to breathe in the sea air. Stanley Park is a must see and definitely one of the highlights of Vancouver.

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I can’t go without mentioning the shops as I spent most of my time searching through Victoria’s Secret, Sephora and Nordstrom. (I did some serious damage but excused it as I was on holiday!!!)

I am a massive foodie, and a holiday isn’t really a proper holiday to me, without getting dressed up in the evening and going out to a restaurant to enjoy new food and exchange highlights of the day.

We soon realised that the food was amazing as we discovered more and more places to eat. A few of my faves were… Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House (ask for a table on the outside terrace), LIFT Bar Grill View has incredible food and is right by the water on the harbour with gorgeous views (try to tactically reserve a table just before the sunset), the Cactus Club Café has such a buzzy atmosphere and great food too. The Hawksworth restaurant was outstanding (although slightly more pricey but definitely worth it and something to always remember). The Hawksworth is in the Rosewood Hotel, which is where we stayed and I would highly recommend it to anyone planning on staying in Vancouver as it is honestly stunning. One of Vancouver’s highly sought after clubs (Prohibition) was right in the basement of our hotel so that was very convenient too.

I think that this sums up the first part (yes I have only finished the first part) of the trip and I hope that it has encouraged you to visit Vancouver so that you can fall in love with it too.

Our next destination was Tofino. I hadn’t heard of Tofino before so I didn’t know what to expect. We had to get a ferry to West Vancouver island and then it was about a 3 hour drive to Tofino. We were staying at the Wickaninnish Inn and had planned bear and whale watching on this part of the trip.

I know I won’t be able to do this place anywhere near as much justice as it deserves just through words but I will try anyway. The Wickaninnish Inn sits on Chesterman Beach, on the Pacific Ocean. Each room has a full panoramic ocean or beach view. Tofino gives you a sense of calmness that I’m sure you won’t find anywhere else. Dining in the Pointe restaurant with over 240 degrees of Pacific Ocean viewscape it was hard to concentrate and focus on any conversation.

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People go to the Wickaninnish Inn during the winter and one of the attractions is to storm watch. Every room has a pair of binoculars so that you can sit on your balcony and try to spot whales or any other sea life.

I was lucky enough to have a hot stone massage (my fave treatment/massage to have) while I stayed here. I think you can imagine how relaxing it was considering the breathtaking views and the soothing sounds of the waves.

During our stay we went whale and bear watching… and we were fortunate enough to see both!!!

We watched as the bears walked along the rocks, picking each one up to check for crabs and clams underneath to eat.

This was definitely an experience of a lifetime which I will never forget!

dsc_0646_fotor — I love this photo because it shows how small we were compared to the whale… (we were in the same sized boat as the one in this photo). So when three whales the same size as this one started swimming over to our boat we were slightly scared…

Now onto the last part of our trip… Banff. And if you’re still here reading this then thank you!

So… we woke up at the crack of dawn to board the famous Rocky Mountaineer. This is a famous train journey which make its way up into the Rockies with a panorama window view whilst you can sit back and recline in your heated comfy seat!

When nearing Banff, we were warned and educated on how to act in the very likely event of coming across a bear.

1. Make lots of noise to scare them

(and if number 1 doesn’t work then try number 2)…

2. Curl up into the foetal position on the floor and hope for the best..

As you could imagine, this was an exciting but terrifying thought. We had seen bears already but from a boat and a very safe distance away. In Banff we did bump into a bear but fortunately we were in a car and could admire it without having to worry about curling up into a ball!

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Banff is famous for skiing and is meant to be even more beautiful in the winter. (We really struggled to wrap our heads around how it could possibly be even more beautiful).

The view from our room.. I wish I could’ve taken the views home with me to wake up to everyday…

After an interesting first night in the Fairmont hotel (a very famous hotel but is also known for being haunted and that’s another story…), we went on a walk into the town along the stunning waterfalls.

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Walking into Banff took much longer than expected due to the breathtaking views, so once we got there we stopped off to eat at a cute little Greek restaurant called Balkan. The town was so pretty with lots of different independent shops selling all kinds of interesting bits and pieces. Naturally, we had to stop in the chocolate shop as I couldn’t resist the smell of the caramel popcorn coming through the doors.

choc-shop On one of the days my mum and I arranged to go horse riding. This wasn’t like any other horse riding lesson. The horses took us up a trail to the edge of Sulphur mountain and through rivers. My horse, Spencer, had different ideas at times and decided to take the alternative route through the rivers!

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This was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done and it was definitely one of my highlights from Canada.

After spending so long writing, and going through all of my photos choosing which ones to post, (yes there are even more than this), it is safe to say that I am now suffering from an even worse case of post-holiday blues. There was not a single thing I would have changed about this holiday. The places we stayed were insane, the things we saw were amazing and I got to experience it all with my favourite people. I had to pinch myself at several times to make sure I wasn’t dreaming… as some of the views and places honestly didn’t feel real. Every memory from this holiday makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I don’t think any other holiday could top this one but it can definitely try its best.

Oh, and if you ever get the chance to visit Canada then say YES and you won’t look back!!!

RikRak at the Ham Yard

November 15, 2016November 15, 2016 EmilyLeave a comment

I recently stayed at the Ham Yard Hotel which is perfectly located right in the heart of the hustle & bustle of London’s theatre district. It is just minutes away from New Bond Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street… and as the list goes on, I think you can tell it is the ideal place for shopping. The Ham Yard is part of the Firmdale Hotel group which is renowned for giving guests an experience filled with luxury and style from start to finish.

If you stay at the Ham Yard, you MUST try the afternoon tea as it is simply delicious. Another recent purchase, due to the Ham Yard giving me the chance to discover a sudden love for another type of tea, is the Bourbon Vanilla loose leaf tea. I couldn’t leave without finding out how to order this for myself. It is from mycupoftea.co.uk and I really recommend it.

One of the things I love most about staying in a hotel is discovering the products they use. I think you can tell a lot about a hotel just by looking at the products that they leave in your bathroom for you to enjoy.

RikRak is Firmdale’s exclusive in-room bath collection. We were given soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion. So of course, I had to try them all.

I could tell that the hair products were gorgeous but when I didn’t have enough time to blow dry my hair (as I was in a rush for dinner), it would normally be a recipe for disaster as my hair dries flat naturally, but it didn’t. In fact, I think my hair looked the best it has done for a long while. What made it even better was that the products were lavender & eucalyptus scented. They are my two favourite smells put together. After I had tried these (and loved them), I started to think how soothing the scent would be to fall asleep to. It was almost like someone knew what I was thinking as when we returned from dinner, I found a lavender eucalyptus pillow, linen & room mist waiting for me to use. It is safe to say that I slept very well that night.

Just before we checked out the next morning, we realised that there was a RikRak wheatgrass bay candle in our room which we could choose to purchase. After smelling the stunning scent through the packaging, we decided not to miss out on this. I have been burning this candle ever since I returned home as I await the arrival of my full-sized RikRak products which I ordered as soon as I could.

September Favourites

October 7, 2016October 7, 2016 EmilyLeave a comment

It seems to me that every month I somehow manage to find something new to be obsessed with…and when I say ‘new’, I mean it could have been around for ages but I have only just discovered its true worth.

As September has gone by SO quickly (I literally feel like I blinked and summer was over), I thought I would write a little post and chat you through the things I have been loving the most this month. As I have been loving a lot of different things, it was difficult for me to find just one category to put them in. So feast your eyes upon a bit of everything and maybe one or two will be in your list of favourites next month.

1. Sleep Well Balm

When I’m struggling to wind down this is the first thing I reach for. In actual fact, I don’t fall asleep now without applying a small amount of this to my pressure points. It makes me feel calm and relaxed instantly…and I never understood the whole ‘counting sheep’ concept. There is something so soothing about the smell of lavender. When I was younger I always used to put a couple of drops of lavender oil on my pillow every night to help me fall asleep, so when I heard about this (AND the deep sleep pillow spray which I have also been loving, but this balm is more of a newfound love), I couldn’t wait to get my hands on them. The balm is also so easy to keep with you in your purse or handbag. If stress starts to get the better of you while you’re out and about then this is super easy to quickly apply and will help you feel much calmer. It’s perfect for travelling as well (an essential for an over night flight).

2. Oribe Shampoo for Magnificent Volume

A couple of months ago I was in Space N.K on an unintentional shop, (we all know how this is going to end), when I came across this brand. I think it was the super luxurious packaging that initially attracted me to take an interest in it. All I had to do was open the lid and the smell sold it to me instantly. I knew I needed it in my life if my hair was going to end up smelling THAT good. Thankfully, I loved it and it does exactly what it says. I always look for as much volume and bounce as possible when buying a shampoo and this definitely does that. Sadly it is on the more pricey end and I did feel guilty spending that much on a shampoo… BUT you only need the tiniest amount as it is super concentrated and goes a long way.

3. Arbonne Shape It Up Brow Pencil (Medium Brown)

I usually use a brown eyeshadow and an angled brush when it comes to my brows (pencils used to scare me). BUT after trying this for the first time I was completely hooked. The brow pencil glides on so smoothly which makes it really easy to apply. It also comes with a brow brush on the other end which means that blending is a lot easier and you can brush through your brows before starting too. The colour is perfect for my brows (not too dark and not too light).

4. Fortnum & Mason Hot Chocolate

I used to drink a lot of hot chocolate (I am a chocolate addict after all), but I soon started to find it slightly too rich and redirected my love towards tea. After receiving the ultimate Fortnum & Mason hot chocolate as a gift, I rediscovered my love. It was a colder night and my friend and I were having a night in. We were in the mood for a hot chocolate so I reached for this and we went all out. On the tin it says… ‘For a more luxurious experience in a saucepan heat 120ml of milk, 40ml of cream and a drop of vanilla’. It was heavenly. Honestly. The downside is that I’ve been completely spoilt now and will only want this one as it really is divine.

5. Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm

I was so intrigued about this product when I first heard that it creates a completely unique shade on each person’s lips. It does this by bringing out your natural lip colour by reacting to the moisture level of your lips. I purchased the pink shade straight after trying it as I loved the colour it turned my lips (a rosy pink shade). I use it as a lipstick as I love how it gives such a natural, glossy look but you can also use it as a lip primer. It is soo moisturising and I absolutely love the packaging – a typical dior look -so girly!

6. Pana Chocolate

If you hadn’t noticed already, I’m obsessed with chocolate. I have such a sweet tooth and chocolate is my weakness. But, along with loving chocolate, comes the feeling of guilt. SO when I heard that there was a healthy chocolate out there which supposedly tastes amazing too, I couldn’t order it fast enough. I ordered three different flavours to try; Mint, Coconut & Goji, Sour Cherry & Vanilla (there are lots more but I thought I’d try these flavours first). I wasn’t sure how an organic, vegan, raw chocolate with no refined sugars could actually taste good but I promise you it does. I absolutely love them and they are the perfect alternative to a normal, unhealthy chocolate bar…AND you don’t have that horrible guilty feeling afterwards…which is a pretty good bonus. Essentially all that’s in them is cacao powder, coconut oil and dark agave. The mint flavour is my favourite and I definitely recommend it. The packaging is so cute as well (I love the little mascot on the box). I will definitely be ordering more of these soon!

7. Bridget Jones’s Baby

I waited SO long for this to come out and when it did I was in that cinema straight away. In my opinion, it was the best one so far (and that’s saying something)! Renée Zellweger is still amazing and I definitely wasn’t complaining about the new addition… Patrick Dempsey. I haven’t watched a film in such a long time where my (non existent) abs ached afterwards from hysterically laughing so much and this definitely achieved that. All I’m going to say is… hospital revolving doors. If you’ve seen it you’ll understand. And if you haven’t then what are you waiting for?!

This leads me into another one of my favourites…Vue cinema in Cambridge. The new seats are AMAZING. They have completely revamped them. It’s literally like having your own comfy reclining sofa with a foot stool, head rest and a table for your popcorn. It really is the best… although sometimes you can hear the occasional snores as people have dozed off.

Slightly Arabian themed…

June 2, 2015September 26, 2016 EmilyLeave a comment

Cleanse, Tone, Moisturise. Firstly I took off her previous eye make up with the Arbonne ‘Easy on the Eyes’ make up remover. I ensured that all of her eye make up was removed before I went on to use the Arbonne FC5 Hydrating Cleanser + Freshener as her skin type is normal/dry which is suitable for this cleanser. I then used Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic which soothed and brightened her skin, before applying the Arbonne FC5 Nuturing Day Lotion with SPF 20. All of these products are amazing and result in leaving the skin feeling fresh, bright and well prepped before the make up application.
Face make up. I applied Arbonne primer before applying the Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation in the shade Honey Beige. This is such an easy foundation to apply, therefore it did not take much time to create a flawless skin finish. It is important to apply foundation before concealer as normally the foundation can cover any blemishes. After the application of the foundation, I found that her blemishes were gone and therefore she did not need any concealer. Afterwards, I used the Arbonne bronzer on her and this created a sun kissed look. I also slightly contoured her cheekbones with this bronzer. I finished the flawless skin look by applying the Arbonne Sheer Pressed Powder in light.
Eye make up. I wanted to go for a slightly Arabic look. Therefore I used the original Naked Palette. I took the shade ‘Half Baked’ and added a small amount of water to the 275 MAC brush. Adding water makes the eyeshadow much more pigmented and adds a lot more colour to the eyelid. The 275 brush is good to use for this as it has an angle which means you can create a good angle towards the outer corner of the eyes. After applying ‘half baked’ to the whole eye lid, I then took MAC ‘texture’ eye shadow and blended this into her socket line. I used the Zoeva (rose gold) 231 petit crease brush. I love this brush because it is so easy to create a defined line on the socket. After I applied texture to the socket line of both eyes, I used the Zoeva (rose gold) 227 soft definer brush as this brush is good for blending and creating a smokey effect. After this, I took ‘half baked’ into the inner corners which gives the effect that the eyes are further apart and opens them whilst also creates an arabic look with the gold, shimmery colour. I used the NARS 44 precision contour brush to do this. Then I used the NARS 47 Angled Eyeliner Brush to bring the colour ‘Smog’ from the original Naked Palette all the way underneath her eyes. Then I used MAC ‘Feline’ eye liner to create even more definition. Afterwards, I used the Maybelline Black gel eyeliner to define the top of her eye and I brought this into her inner corners as well to intensify the look. I then used the Arbone ‘It’s a Long Story’ Mascara which gives the false lash effect – (I worship this product). I then took MAC coffee eyeliner pencil to fill in her eyebrows. Although she has black eyebrows, it is important to not use a black colour on eyebrows as it tends to make them look an ash colour. I have been taught to use a dark brown which looks a lot better.
Lip products. I wanted to use a subtle colour on her lips as I wanted to draw a lot of her attention to her eyes. Therefore, I only used one product and a subtle colour, I went for MAC ‘Brave’ Lipstick.

Starting at the beginning…

June 2, 2015September 26, 2016 EmilyLeave a comment

Hello everyone. I’m going to explain why I have decided to start up my beauty blog.

Not that long ago I attended the London school of make up. It was such an amazing experience which I definitely will not forget. And I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of doing a make up course. This has enabled me to fully qualify as a make up artist. I am now IMA (international make up association) certified. Which means I am starting up as a freelance make up artist.

As I am, quite obviously, beauty product obsessed, I thought I would share my thoughts and advise you on what products I have loved and, also, the ones which I may not have loved quite so much. As a freelance make up artist it is essential for me to build up a professional make up kit which I will incorporate my favourite products and brands. I can’t wait to share what I have learnt with you all and to give you some trusted advice on the best current beauty buys.