What's In My Travel Bag / Spring Break

I recently visited my family in Italy and I always like to travel light when I go back home (more room for shopping!). 

We had a great time but the weather was not the best – we had some rainy days too – nevertheless I made sure not to skip sun protection. I used Clinique City Block Sheer Spf25 everyday.

As an eye cream, I went for Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair Spf10 which - shamefully - it’s the only eye cream with spf that I own.

On ‘no make-up days’, I layered over Caudalie Vinosource Quenching Sorbet-Creme which is very hydrating but very light in texture, too; otherwise, if looking for some coverage, I used Origins VitaZing Spf15 with a dust of Neve Cosmetics Flat Perfection Mineral foundation, on top.

For even more coverage and date nights, I opted for Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Spf30 and (a lot) of concealing with Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer and Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, for dark circles.

To cleanse, I used the Jurlique Purely Bright Cleanser with a refreshing spritz of Vichy Eau Thermale; the Jurlique is not drying and does a great job at removing make up, so I could use it both mornings and evenings.

Finally, I took a wee sample of Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask and Origins Super Spot Remover for 'emergencies'.

Make up was down to basics - natural look is always my favourite with good weather. 

During the day, I kept the eyes neutral with Pur Minerals Eyeshadow Stick in unveiled and plenty of Chanel Inimitable mascara; some Kiko Make Up Milano Glow Touch Lips & Cheeks in bitter margarita dotted on the cheeks and a quick swipe of Collistar Twist Ultra-Shiny Gloss in arancio on the lips.

 In the evenings, I dialed up the lips with the Kiko Vinyl Lips Liquid Lipstick in rich crimson which is a stunning saturated shade, but still very glossy and low maintenance.

 I relied on creamy textures on the eyes too, for a dewy/summery look: Maybelline Colour tattoos are a must, but Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in intensive coral is also a good alternative. This shimmery orangy shade can seem quite unusual but it’s really beautiful, fun and brightens the eyes; the product itself also never creases on me (but you need to make sure to spend time and work it in thin layers).

I also brought with me the new Rimmel London Glam'Eyes HD 5 Colour Eyeshadow Palette in brixton brown - which is perfection!!! - and could always come in handy!

Finally, Benefit Sun Beam to highlight and YSL Eyeliner Effect Faux Cils for a more sophisticated eye look.

Which are your holiday essentials??!

What's In My Travel Bag / September Edition

I'm just back from a 10 days holiday - I went back home in Italy to visit da familia so I kept my beauty case really minimal. 

I actually managed to fit all my skin and body care products (minus make up) PLUS my husband stuff in the Umberto Giannini bag, that I got over Christmas.

Skincare & Body care:
wordcode - Sunscreen! It's Sempteber but it is still pretty warm in Italy, between the 20-30 C degrees.
The Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet is the most pleasant splash of freshness and hydration to the skin and same goes to the Ren Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel with its light consistency.

Make up:

I didn't even wear make up that often, but again I kept my products to a minimum with creamy consistencies and on the coral tones to complement tanned skin.

Accessories:

braided bracelets - h&m / american peace studs - punky pins / chain earrings - claire's / ring - vintage / necklace - brosway

What's in my Travel Bag / Amsterdam

I've just returned from a couple of days in Amsterdam.

It was our first wedding anniversary last week, I still can't believe the time went soooo fast so we decided to have a mini break away to celebrate! :)

Here is what I took with me - I packed pretty light and I'm actually surprised with myself; all the make up fitted into the small Elemis beauty case and I shared the bigger washbag with my husband... I mainly took sample sizes which of course helped.

Make up: 

Skincare:

I took my fake Borbonese bag as hand luggage; It has 3 compartments and it's great for travelling because got easy access to my camera and stuff when doing touristy things. ;)

I love the iconic print of these bags... hopefully, I'll be able to afford the real deal one day.

I also took the Topshop clutch for night time.

Accessories:

I went for the rose gold and purple combo

The weather wasn't too bad; still chilly and just a few degrees more than Glasgow but the sun was warm and at least, it was dry.

I did enjoy the city a lot - quite laid back and loads and loads to see. I will definitely need to go back because most of the museums close at 5pm and we didn't manage to see everything that we wanted... expect some major queues too.

Of course the canals and bikes are extremely charming - although I feared for my life a couple of times. ;)

I posted some pictures on my Instagram... if you fancy a look, I'm princess_leica

xxx

What's in my Travel Bag / Winter Edition

For New Year's Eve my husband & I, with some other friends, rented a couple of lodges near Loch Eck - beautiful and relaxing Scottish scenery!

Here is what I packed for the mini break:

Marks & Spencer/Elemis

Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30 in Alaska

Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in medium

Nars Foreplay Blush Palette

Becca Fine Pressed Powder in Sesame

Real Techniques/Clinique/No7/Pupa/Shu Uemura

Mac Paint Pot in Painterly

Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in Fantasme

Guerlain Ecrin 4 Couleurs in Les Bois de Rose

Kiko Building Base Mascara

Clinique High Impact Mascara

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Rimmel Scandal'Eyes in 005 Nude

Bourjois Intuitive Liner

Maybelline Super Stay 10hr Tint Gloss in 180 Lasting Pink 

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart 

Caudalie Divine Oil

Champneys Thai Royale Showel Cream

Molecule 01 eau de toilette

PitRok Crystal roll on deodorant

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

Origins VitaZing SPF15

Bioderma

Rodial Glam Balm Lip

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash 

REN Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel

Bio Effect EGF Serum

Sprout Cocoa Lip Balm

Finally, the accessories that I took with me:

Heart bracelet: Diesel 

Watch: Swatch
Knotted bracelet: Catherine Shaw

necklace: Lady Luck Rules Ok

Malaysia necklace: Swarovski

Glamorous Love earrings: Swatch

Blue ring: Warehouse

wedding rings

Which are your must-have travelling products? :)

I'm back & Haul

Hello ladies!

Yes, I shall resume normal blogging activity now - apologies for being quiet in the last couple of weeks but starting a new job has been particularly challenging: I've been very busy and just generally pooped at the end of the day... brain-in-pulp syndrome.

Also, I managed to spend time with my sister which was really good.

Now, I'm starting to get used to the pace so I'm sure I'll be able to fit blogging nicely in my new routine. :)

So, today I bring you a haul of different bits and bobs that I've acquired in the last few weeks.

River Island Navy Lurex Scarf

This scarf was love at first sight - It caught my eyes as soon as I walked into the store.

It's navy which is the colour that I gravitate towards every winter but it also got some khaki green that will go nicely with my birthday parka. In the mix, there are also some rose gold lurex filaments which makes it extra special to me... I don't know, I really love it and it's so much prettier in person... bit pricey at £22 but it's going to be my autumn/winter staple, definitely!

Marks & Spencer Limited Collection Beauty Bag

Another item that I couldn't leave in the store when I saw it.

I don't really need another washbag but hey, it can always come in handy... of course, my love for owls had a major influence in buying it! ;)

It's quite compact but looks roomy enough and I like the rigid zip frame at the top that keeps it open (easier to rummage through your stuff, especially like in a public toilet for a quick touch-up).

Finally, I also picked up a couple of rings in New Look since they were on offer - buy one get one free.

Gold Multi Agate Stack Rings is a set of 3 stackable rings in gold metal with a pink, gold and black rough agate. I thought these were really pretty and definitely looked more expensive than what they are; I like to wear them all together or split them between the middle and index finger.

I also got the Grey Facet Stone Ring for free which is perfect as a statement ring on the middle digit; the stone is quite transparent and the faceted cuts reflect the light beautifully.

Finally, a reminder that my giveaway is still open - you can enter here!

xxx

Delivery / Ebay

I got this beauty bag from Ebay.

Originally, it was part of a Bonus Time that Clinique runs periodically so you could get it for free but I think only in the States. Created by Milly designer Michelle Smith.

I needed a bigger storage for my face products and it's a really good size; also, I like that you can open the top completely and have clear look of all the bottle inside... it was around £3.50 and it came with the small pouch too but I haven't figured out what to do with that yet. :)

I'm very pleased actually: I like the print, the material (kinda water-repellent but not plastic), the handle... I had a look around in Boots but I could' find a better one really so I decide to turn to Ebay.

I'm also using some of the beauty boxes to store make up but I like to store my foundation bottles upright; I don't find the GlossyBoxes practical because you need to open the lid all the time and if you stack them one on top of the other is pretty time consuming... I know, there're a few tutorial on blogs on how to create a drawers set but I can't bring myself to cut the boxes (silly me *__*)... so I have decide to keep them, as they are, and customise them for jewellery.

What are your thoughts?

Holiday Packing

After years of travelling, I've FINALLY learnt to travel light; to the point that now, my fiancé luggage is always heavier than mine - I think I've made my point! :P

I usually choose a colour and then coordinate clothes, accessories and make up around it; the colour of choice for my recent autumn trip was purple and that's the stuff I took with me in Italy:

I got the Soap&Glory beauty case for Christmas two years ago and I love it: it's big enough for long bottles but still compact - plus it has got a separate zip compartment which is perfect for the make up and brushes.

****

What do you think... did I do good? ;)