Fashion February: Kimono

Hey! Today is my final post in the #fashionfebruary series I've been a part of. The 'theme' this week is to style a kimono, a trend I want to get on the bandwagon of, but wasn't really sure how to wear one out of a holiday beach cover-up type of situation. So this style 'challenge' was pretty much perfect for me.

I decided to go on Polyvore and let my creativity take over, and ended up styling this floral kimono with a monochrome striped pair of jeans, and added a pop of colour with a cobalt blue bag - plus simple shoes and plenty of rings as accessories because I recently bought a selection of rings/midi rings I've been enjoying wearing all at once.

I personally think the outfit works, despite the potentially clashing prints, but what do you think? Would you wear this?

xxx

Dinner in the Eiffel Tower

Hey! As promised, today I'm going to show you the pictures from my amazing 21st birthday meal, up the Eiffel Tower of all places!

The whole evening was amazing, one I will remember forever (plus it's now documented here ;)). The food was delicious, I ordered a trio of salmon as starter, a cereal crusted chicken main (sounds weird I know!) and a Mont Blanc with candied chestnuts for dessert. There was complimentary champagne, and plenty of wine. The waiters were very attentive, and on finding out it was for my birthday, added a candle to my dessert and sang to me (why is it always awkward when people sing happy birthday to you?). There was also a professional photographer, so we did get some fancy photos too.

As for what I wore, I kept it simple and classy with this dress, black tights and my new Next shoes from the airport. Jewellery was also simple, this necklace and new Eiffel Tower earrings purchased that day I believe!

For makeup, I switched up my standard gold smoky eye by using MAC Club all over the lid, and gold as more of a liner. I paired this with classic red lips (Mavalia Poppy Red*).

I think that wraps up this mini-Paris-series I've had going this weekend! Hope you've enjoyed.

xxx

Paris/Birthday Haul

Hey! Today I wanted to share with you things things I've bought/received as gifts recently, having just had my 21st birthday! (does this mean I'm supposed to be all mature and stuff now?)

First up, the things I got as birthday presents. The main of which being the Clogau necklace (so pretty) from my parents, and my 21 Clogau charm from my grandparents. My best friend also got my a Pandora charm (that'll be the 'Best Friends' one you can see above) and one of my housemates also got me a bottle of my favourite vodka (yum). Finally, I got some cute '21' themed doggy keyrings, and a gorgeous Radley purse from a friend of my mum's which was super lovely.

Then of course there was a little shopping done in the duty free of the airport, some pretty shoes because I'm an idiot who forgot to pack nice shoes, and some MAC I'd been eyeing up, in the form of Club eyeshadow and a small angled brush ideal for winged eyeliner. I also picked up Paradisco eyeshadow, and I've found it works really nice with golds or MAC Cranberry.

And finally, what would be a trip to Paris without macarons and a visit to Sephora. The macarons were rapidly consumed - so delicious - and now I'm using the box to contain my cotton pads! You may also spot some shooter glasses, I kind of collect them... Some people buy souvenir fridge magnets, I buy shot glasses.

In Sephora, the first thing I picked up was the Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer, because I've heard Tanya Burr rave about this, and it's not available in the UK. I then picked up a chocolate scented Eau de Toilette which is a handy size for in a handbag, and a Caramel bath bomb mostly for the novelty. I got the Sephora Triple Action Cleansing water, because I enjoyed using a mini Clarins one I'd taken with me, but this was just €3. I also saw this strange silicon-y exfoliating pad, so I picked it up to give a try, and so far it's nicer to use than the face brush I'd previously been using. 

Finally, just before I was about to pay, I spotted the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer (travel size) for cheaper than it is here, and I've had it as a sample before and liked it so quickly added this to my basket too. They also added some moisturiser samples, and I now have a stash of moisturiser samples I really need to get through!

xxx

Birthday Weekend In Paris

Hey! So two weeks ago now (I can't believe how fast time is flying this month) my mum and I went to Paris for a long weekend prior to my birthday. This was my main 21st birthday present, along with a beautiful Clogau (welsh gold) necklace and charm for my Pandora bracelet. The weekend was incredible, filled with cake, cocktails and beautiful architecture. 

I borrowed a DSLR camera from my university's Photo Society, so I could take fancier photos to remember the weekend. And boy did I take a lot of photos! Well over 600, so I will just share a few of my favourites with you. Although that is still quite a lot so brace yourselves for a picture heavy post...

Day 1: Cheeky duty free purchases in the airport, and tasty eggs royal for breakfast, and then arriving in Paris. We took a Seine cruise to get a general feel of the city, and discovered the Statue de Liberté! Our hotel was right on the doorstep of the Eiffel Tower, which was awesome.

Day 2: Our first full day, the most delicious pain au chocolat I've ever tasted for breakfast, and then off to the Arc de Triomphe and the Avenue de Champs Elysees for shopping. We walked the entire length and back, stopped for some cheeky macarons and afternoon tea in the famous Laduree. We then had some time left in the day so decided to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, and put locks on the Pont de l'Archevêché. Then dinner and cocktails in the Hard Rock Café.

Day 3: We spent the morning looking around the Louvre, which I found to be more of interest than I thought since I'm not hugely into art. Took loads of pictures and I think my favourite part was this huge room filled with Italian crown jewels, and the ceilings and walls decorated lavishly. We also visited the outside of the Moulin Rouge (which turned out to be NOTHING like the film...) and walked up basically a mountain to get to the Sacre Coeur - great views though.

In the evening, was an extra treat in the form of dinner up the Eiffel Tower - super fancy and I might do a separate post about what I wore etc.

Day 4: Our final day was spent bimbling (is that a word?) about the streets of Paris, finding all sorts of gems such as a biscuitier and a chocolate museum, before having to catch our flight back home.

We literally did everything there was to do, I was truly exhausted by the time I hit my bed! I'll do another post featuring the things I bought in duty free/Sephora since this already has enough pictures I think!

xxx