A weekend in Berlin

Let's roll back a few weekends ago when I visited the lovely city Mitte in Berlin where I indulged in heavenly foods, stayed in chic apartments and wandered around the pleasant streets of Berlin.

I didn't get to explore as much of Berlin as I would of liked as I was there on my best friend's hen do. So, I do plan on returning some day... But I thought I would share what I got up to in Berlin with you all anyway.

On our first night we stayed in this beautiful modern apartment in the centre of Mitte called 'Frederics Apartments' which had been kindly booked by one of Nicol's work friends. It was stunning! 

We didn't do too much in the evening as we were both super shattered, however, we went out for dinner at a lovely Tapas bar called Yosoy which I highly recommend visiting if you plan on going to Berlin. The dates wrapped in bacon are out of this world! 

After sleeping for over 13 hours... which may I add was well and truly needed, we found this gorgeous quirky cafe called Factory Girl, a tasting lab! Everything about this place felt unique, the decor was fun and had campbell's soup can's on the walls amongst other kitsch-like items. And, oh my, the food and drinks were incredible. I highly recommend getting the full plater, the home-made lemonade and peppermint tea.

Afterwards, we checked in to apartment number two. This apartment was also beautifully decorated, minimal but simply gorgeous. Sadly, I haven't got any snaps of the bathroom to show you, but it was insane! The bathroom had these gorgeous black and white tiles on the floor with a humongous shower which filled half of the room!

Also, I really liked the little touch of leaving fortune cookies on the pillows, really really sweet idea.

After this, we wandered around the streets of Berlin and came across this gorgeous artsy shop named Schee. It was filled with the most beautiful interior, prints and stationary. I literally wanted to buy everything in there. Especially the Breaking Bad card... I really regret not picking that up. 

Also, I was super impressed to find one of my favourite Illustrator's, Gemma Correll's prints dotted around the shop.

After wandering around for a little while, the other girls had arrived so we went to join them at this wonderful Vietnamese restaurant. I can't actually remember the name of the place, but the food was super delicious.

Once re-filled with scrummy food and cava, we then did a little bit of shopping and bar hopping before heading back to the apartment to get dolled up for the night ahead.

I didn't manage to take any pictures of the night out, but we had a great time at this really quirky retro circus bar, followed by this underground club, where we partied till the early hours in the morning.

The following morning, I wandered around Berlin again before I had to catch my flight at 10 in the evening. I didn't have a specific route I wanted to take, I just decided to go for a little wonder and get lost.

I checked out this cool little coffee shop called The Barn along the way. I had a potato salad, peppermint tea and some sort of croissant thing. Of course that didn't fill me up, so I went to Curry 61 and had a curry bratwurst and chips before taking the train back to the airport!

Berlin was beautiful, the food was one of the highlights for me, such a great variety of choices, super yummy and reasonably priced. And, I also really enjoyed getting a little lost in Berlin. You always find the best places when you are lost.

September Faves

I haven't done a favourites post in ages and on this miserable day I really fancied doing one! So without further a do here are my favourite assorted items that I've been loving through-out the month of September. 

I'm in love with my gorgeous leather grey journal that I picked up from Anthropologie fairly recently. They sell these in a variety of colours and are just so beautiful to look as well as writing in of course!

Another item that I've been admiring is my new phone case from Rifle Paper & Co, it's the 'Clear Rosa' design and I absolutely adore it! The design is delicate and with a touch of gold foil makes it really special. 

Moving on to a food/drink related item... I've been obsessed with Twining's Gingerbread green tea. I got these last year as well and, I remember it being the most delicious green tea I've ever tasted... So I'm super happy to have these back in my life again.

And last but not least, the beauty faves... The four items that I have been reaching for the most this month are my NARS Dolce Vita lipgloss that I got in my laser cut palette last year, a essie nail polish in the shade 'Sand Tropez' and a new favourite, the jane iredale Smell the Roses hydration spray which is limited edition and in support with breast cancer awareness month in the UK. I've also been loving Max Factor's False Lash Effect mascara, which is hands down one of the best mascara's on the market at the moment.

What are your September faves? Let me know in the comments below!

Anthropologie Haulin'

It's no secret that I love Anthropologie, they are one of my favourite home-ware stores around and, I want to buy everything from there, everything! I recently popped into the Regent Street store and picked up a few items and thought I would share them with you.

The first item that I HAD to get was this gorgeous leather grey journal. The cover feels amazing, I love the gold detailing and I also love the message on the front 'naison d'etu (n.)  a reason for exisitng' - I just think that's really lovely.

The next item that I picked up was this gorgeous 'Molly Hatch Crowned Leaf' china mug. I'm a bit of a mug hoarder and I do have my eye on the other three in the range.

And last but not least, I picked up this beautiful crystalized coaster. They had loads of different colours of these! Unfortunately I can no longer find them on the website which is a real shame as I really wanted to get a few more colours of these.

And here are a few items that I've been lusting after too...

London Loves #1

Afternoon Tea at Charlotte Street Hotel:

I've been wanting to start a series of 'London Loves' on my blog for bloody ages now. I actually was very much inspired by the lovely Olivia from 'What Olivia Did', where she shared some of her favourite restaurants, coffee shops and exhibitions in London. And, I thought I would do the same! So without further a do...

Charlotte Street Hotel is a gorgeous quirky hotel just off Oxford Street. It has a french chic vibe to it.
Last weekend me, my best friend (who is getting married soon) and her family went for afternoon tea. I chose the 'Bloomsbury' option with a cuppa of earl grey (of course!).  And, oh my... the food was so incredibly delicious, the decor was beautiful and the staff were so accommodating and made the day so special! I would highly recommend going here for afternoon tea if you're in the area.

Charlotte Street Hotel: 15-17 Charlotte St, London W1T 1RJ

Lush Spa:

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a huge Lush fan. I especially love their bath bombs and bubble bars.
Anyway, I treated my best friend to 'The Comforter?' treatment (part of her hen do surprise) at the Lush Spa on Oxford Street... What an experience!

First off let me tell you how beautiful the interior was, it had a cottage home feel to it and everything looked Instagram-able.

Now, as soon as we entered our treatment room, an enchanting and dreamy soundtrack was playing with covers from Willy Wonka, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and so on. And then the treatment began... We had an indulgent relaxing hot chocolate full body scrub and rose-scented massage whilst being tucked up in a warm and cosy duvet for 80 minutes... It was AMAZING!

To finish off the treatment, we we're surprised with candy floss non-alcoholic cocktails and goody bags! In our goody bags we got the 'Sex Bomb' bath bomb and a 'Tender is the Night' massage bar each, which was really really sweet of them. And then of course, I couldn't resist leaving the store without buying a few things... I saw these bath oils which I haven't seen in any other Lush store before, so I picked up three.

I do want to go back to the Oxford St store and buy lots more, and maybe I shall do a haul or something on my channel. Anyway, amazing, out-standing, perfect experience, would highly recommend Lush Spa treatments to anyone! They are truly one of a kind!

Lush Spa, 175-179 Oxford St, London W1D 2JS

Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection | The Foundation Brush Review

Ever since the Pixiwoo sisters released their 'Bold Metals Collection', I immediately added them to my forever growing unnecessary wanting beauty wish list!

The price point has always put me off a little if I'm being completely honest. £22+ for one brush is pretty damn expensive if you ask me! Also, I think their classic brushes do an absolutely fine job and not to mention that they are half the price of these.
Anyway that being said, I caved and bought the 101 Triangle Foundation brush as I saw it on offer in Boots. It was £16.50, which is still quite pricey, but I wanted to give them a go.

The collection claims to be 'luxe brushes that offer high performance and infinite possibilities for every artist. Irresistibly soft, the bristles feature shed-resistant properties and advanced pick-up and release of make-up.' I 110% agree with the bristles being incredibly soft, and, it is a dream to apply foundation with as it glides beautifully onto the skin. However, you do really need to work it into the skin to achieve a flawless finish.

The brush itself has a flat edge which covers large areas of the face, as well as angled edges that allow you to contour around the eyes and nose too. What I really love about this brush is the design, being a metal makes it feel very luxurious to hold.

Overall I think it is a good foundation brush, but it's not the best I've tried. In all honesty, I prefer a buffing brush rather than a triangle head to apply my base.
Despite this, I still want to pick up the rose-gold brushes and also give the gold powder brush a go.

Have you tried any of the RT Bold Metals Collection brushes, what are your thoughts on them?

The Trench Coat

PRIMARK Trench Coat | PRIMARK Cardigan | TOPSHOP V Neck Cami | TOPSHOP Joni Jeans | Office Boots | Warehouse Bag

I've been practically living in this trench coat lately! It's from Primark and was wait for it... it was twenty five pounds! It looks way more expensive doesn't it! 

Anyway, I've been eye-ing up trench coats for a good while and I could never seem to find the right fit, until this one came along... It fits like a dream, looks so chic, and I love how versatile it is. 

This coat works with just about anything from dresses to jeans, flats and boots. 

And, I feel like Audrey Hepburn whenever I wear it... well, not really, but I like to think I do.

 Ahhh, just love.