EAT, SHOP, DO #2

Welcome to my latest round up of food, fashion/beauty and frolics…

EAT

I am making attempts to eat a bit more healthily. I can’t claim a complete diet overhaul (I have a slight addiction to Mini Eggs right now) but I am more conscious of what I’m eating, and the quantities that I am eating.

Telling the time: Anna Klein watch

I thought I had my watch game sorted. Last year I got my Daniel Wellington, and then at Christmas I was lucky enough to receive a black and gold Olivia Burton.

However, for Christmas my Dad received a silver Skagen watch, and it was right up my street. I love very simple, large-faced watches. Only problem was, my Dad’s watch was silver, and Skagen didn’t do a similar gold version (I only really wear gold jewellery, and I’m not a huge fan of mixing metals). As a result, I’ve been on the hunt for an affordable gold watch with a metal strap ever since, and when my Dad sent me the link to this one I knew I had to treat myself on pay day.

 

 

EAT, SHOP, DO #1

Welcome to the newest series on my blog. As well as my Thoughtful Thursday posts, I bring you ‘Eat, Shop, Do.’

I thought it would be nice every once in a while (I don’t want to promise this on a weekly basis and then not always deliver) to share with you my latest food finds, shopping purchases or wish list items and finally a random favourite ‘do’ing thing (I wasn’t quite sure how to explain that one, so just humour me. You know what I mean).

So without further ado (geddit?)…

A Soap and Glory Haul

Due to the vast number of beauty blogs I read on a regular basis (post coming shortly sharing some of my favourites) I rarely go into Boots/Selfridges beauty hall to buy something that I don’t know in advance is going to be good/what I’m looking for.

I’ve been eyeing up a few Soap and Glory products lately, and when I saw that there was a 3 for 2 offer at Boots running at the moment which coincided with my pay day, I knew I had to make a little splurge. I never really looked at Soap and Glory make up before now, as I always just thought of them as a body products brand. So I thought I’d share the products with you, and give you my initial thoughts.

 

Sticks N Sushi

There's nothing like a pay day Friday, especially after 5 long weeks, Christmas, and a miserable, cold and wet January. Katie and I had some 'flatmate time' booked in the diary for a long time, and we wanted to go to a good restaurant on Friday night. I turned to trusty Time Out and looked up 'best sushi restaurants in London', which is how I found Sticks n Sushi. After more investigation, and realising that the Londoner had been, I knew we had to check it out.
 

My first bit of advice is to book early; I booked on the Tuesday and could only get the downstairs 'Sushi Bar' (although in hindsight for two people it actually worked perfectly). Here you can watch all the chefs in action!

 

Skincare: Clarins Double Serum

For a girl who whimpered a little at spending more than £5 on anything skincare-related about a year and a half ago, my skincare collection has come on leaps and bounds (much to my bank balance's dismay). I only really properly got into make-up 3 years ago, and I started to realise in the last year that it doesn't matter how expensive or beautiful a make-up product is, if you're not applying it to the best 'base' then it's not going to look it's best. It's like using the best oil paints a man can find, and then painting onto toilet paper, ya know?

With that lovely thought in mind, for Christmas I received a special treat; the Clarins Double Serum.

 

Prague: Part Two

On our second full day in Prague we decided to head to Prague Castle. It's a taxi journey away from the main city centre, but we took Ubers which were really cheap (we realised on the first day that local yellow taxis were going to try and rip us off so much if we took them).

Recipe: The Insanity Burger

I think it’s safe to say that if you’ve read my blog before, you’ll know that I’m a bit of a burger fan. Ok, not just a bit, I am basically obsessed.

So when I flicked through the Jamie Oliver ‘Comfort Foods’ cook book and saw something called the ‘Insanity Burger’ you can imagine my excitement. I mentally flicked through my calendar to work out when I would next be able to attempt the Insanity Burger, contemplating whether I could cancel any of my dinner plans just to stay at home and make it (ok, I’m kidding, but I just wanted to demonstrate my sheer excitement).

Thoughtful Thursday: A ban on Whatsapp?

I'm ashamed to admit it, but often I find out the latest news and scandals from my social media feeds. This week was no exception, and to my horror I was browsing my Facebook news feed yesterday lunchtime, and came across an article that someone had 'shared' suggesting that David Cameron is proposing a ban on smart phone apps such as Whatsapp, Imessage, Snapchat and Facetime. Sorry, what?

Prague: Part One

Every year my group of friends from Uni take a trip together around Christmas time. Unfortunately in previous years the timing has never worked out for me, but in 2014 I was determined to go. And instead of doing the usual UK staycation, we decided on Prague. 

The Thursday evening we boarded a Whizz Air flight (don't EVER do it, trust me) after Kumayl arrived late and brought a bag double the size of the one allowed for hand luggage, and Shamil nearly lost his iphone 6. Good start. 

Skin Saviour: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

My skin has been a little lacklustre lately.

I blame it on the cold weather which has finally arrived in London, and which appears to be staying for the foreseeable future (boo). Cold weather always makes my skin much dryer (it's already incredibly dry) and I genuinely feel as soon as I put some moisturizer on my face, my skin rejoices and drinks it up faster than I can down a shot in Infernos.

Charlotte Tilbury: Dolce Vita

Charlotte Tilbury has got to be the one counter that I have to visit every time I go to the Selfridges beauty hall. I'm like a moth to a flame. The girls on the counter are stunning (and their make up is beautiful, most importantly) and the displays and products just scream luxury. Unfortunately, so does the price tag.

 

However, I was lucky enough to have been gifted a Selfridges voucher for my birthday, and I knew immediately I had to buy something from CT. The only question was what.

Likya

My Mum's company have recently opened up a new pharmacy in Golders Green, and recently they had an event where high end make up products were heavily discounted (more on those at a later date). We went along to the event after work, and then had to find somewhere to grab a bite to eat having spent ALL our money at the pharmacy (we were like children in a sweet shop).

Smack Lobster

 When I heard that a sister restaurant to the infamous Burger and Lobster was opening up in London I planned my trip faster than you can say lobster.

Signature Scent: Elie Saab

Every girl has a 'signature scent.' That one smell that you hope that people associate with you. I personally think smells have the greatest power to evoke memories and reminders of people. Too many times I've smelt someone's aftershave and done a double take because it's the same one an ex-boyfriend used to wear.

BOBO Social - Experimental Burger Society

A few weeks ago the girls and I did something a little different for my pre-birthday dinner and went to BOBO Social on Charlotte Street. On normal nights, the restaurant is a burger/cocktail restaurant, but on Mondays they hold the 'Experimental Burger Society.' For £25 you get a night with the restaurant's head chef, you make and eat your own burger, and a cocktail is also thrown in. Sound good? Read on.

NARS Laser Cut palette

A few posts ago I wrote about a beautiful NARS palette which had stolen my heart. Well it turns out that my nearest and dearest know me very well, and another very special someone bought me this baby for my birthday…

 

Enter the Laser Cut palette.

RECIPE: Mac and Cheese

Now I don't know about you, but in the cold Winter months I love comfort food. I think it's in the knowledge that you don't have to bear all in a bikini, and surely it's a crime not to take advantage of all the Christmas food offerings in the supermarkets? With that in mind, I had a craving last week for mac and cheese. I did a little bit of research online at recipes, and decided that rather than copy something I was going to freestyle it. Mac and cheese a la Ellie. I didn't really just want plain mac and cheese – I fancied some extra ingredients. The beauty of this is that you can pretty much add whatever you have in your fridge at the time – if you like mushrooms they'd be great with this.

NARS Virtual Domination Palette

Last week I turned 24, and unfortunately I had to spend the day at work (boo). However, on my lunch break my friend Alice from work took me on a little trip to Space NK and bought me the most beautiful present imaginable in the make-up world. This.

Monochrome: Part Two

I've got some slightly warmer outfits for you as part of my 'monochrome' themed fashion posts. Now we're almost in November (where has 2014 gone?!) it's time to get out the layers and textures and make sure we're toasty at all times.