Kirsty Loves

In Love With.... Midi Skirts

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 08:00:00 +0000

Since Spring is fast approaching I thought I would tell you about my love for the midi skirt trend. I actually got myself a lovely lilac number back in the summer last year - I will have to include it in an outfit post another time.

I just love the way they flatter a persons figure - nipping in at the waist and flaring out towards the bottom in such a girly and classy way.

I am especially in love with the midi tulle skirts at the moment but I can't find any decent ones on the internet to show you without stealing someones lovely blog photos. Just check out this girls skirt - I totally have style envy right now.

I have picked out a few from the ASOS website for your perusal (I got a little bored on a Sunday afternoon).

K x

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Australia: The Last of the Best Bits

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:56:00 +0000

We ended our fantastic trip with a day out to the Great Barrier Reef. This has always been a bucket list item and now I can say I have done it!

We snorkeled, scuba dived and swam with an array of beautifully coloured sea life. It was so lovely to see.

However, I feel we were ten years too late to the party. The reef (especially at the pontoon we visited) didn't have a lot of colour to it, like I imagined it would have. I think a combination of the sun bleaching the reef and thousands of tourists had simply ruined it.

Don't get me wrong though, it was still a sight to behold - which I will never forget.

The Great Barrier Reef marked the end of the most amazing three and a half weeks in Oz.

Australia - you were simply the best and we will definitely be back. Maybe to live?

K x

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Australia: The Best Bits (Part II)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 19:42:00 +0000

All of the drone photos are courtesy of our lovely friend Deb of Toes on the Sand - such a fantastic photographer - check her out!

I hope that these photos really give the places we visited some justice.

Following some time in Melbourne we jumped on a train down along the coast to Ocean Grove. We stayed with an amazing friend who put us up for a few days and even invited us to her Australia Day beach BBQ party. We paddle boarded for the first time, played beach cricket, flew the drone and genuinely had the most amazing day and met so many new and fantastic people.

After a relaxing few days, they all managed to convince us to head north to Queensland to see the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef instead of heading back to Hong Kong - who am I kidding, we didn't need convincing in the slightest.

Best. Decision. Ever.

Paradise is the best way to describe the Whitsundays. The majority of my photos were taken on the beautiful Whitehaven Beach. Crystal blue waters and white silica sand that squeaks as you walk upon it - need I say more? Actually, I might. The sand is so fine that you can exfoliate with it and even clean your jewelry. Ah-mazing.

As you can probably tell, we literally had the time of our lives.

See you in the next post.

K x

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Australia: The Best Bits (Part I)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 18:47:00 +0000

Couple of monkeys just arsing around.

Just over a month ago me and Jack sat down and booked a one way ticket to Sydney, leaving the very next day. We have never done anything so last minute in our lives and it was exhilarating!

What we didn't know is that we would fall head over heels in love with Australia.

We spent time between Sydney, Melbourne, Ocean Grove and Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays and we certainly didn't hold back on any of the opportunities and adventures that came our way.

We got to experience the Australian Open, visit Taronga Zoo, sipped cocktails at the Opera Bar, experienced the Moonlight Cinema, paddle boarded near the Great Ocean Road, celebrated Australia Day with amazing friends, sailed the Whitsundays and dived on the Great Barrier Reef - just to name a few! It was simply amazing.

I have selected a few (maybe around a thousand) photos that depict our time in Australia perfectly. So please keep an eye out for further posts on our amazing adventure down under.

Enjoy...

K x

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Four New Products That Rock My World

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 17:54:00 +0000

Hey lovers, I'm back!

Before I proceed to tell you about the most amazing three weeks we had in Australia, it would be a cardinal sin not to fill you in on the new products that have entered my life. These products alone warrant their own blog post as well as that fantastically bright pineapple I picked up in Ocean Grove. Just look at it.

I was lucky enough to receive the Giorgio Armani foundation and the two MAC lip products for Christmas, so I have had a good old while to test them out. As for the Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes; I picked this up in Sephora in Sydney a few weeks back. Funnily enough that was the only product I walked out with - probably because I had two men following me around moaning that I was taking too much bloody time. Bores.

All I can say is that I am in love with all four of these products. Naturally.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 04 - This has been on my wish list for ages. Being one of the more expensive foundations on offer, I thought it was best to ask for this for Christmas. This foundation is so lightweight and applies to the skin like a dream. It has a light to medium coverage and can be applied either with a foundation brush or using your fingers. It is honestly like having my perfect skin in a bottle. Thats the only way I can describe it. I love this.

Tarte Waterproof Lights, Camera, Lashes - Another product raved about in the beauty blogging world. I knew I had to get my hands on this when I found out Sephora had opened in Sydney. Alongside its quirky packaging this mascara lengthens, volumises and makes my lashes look luscious! Like many mascaras I believe that this will be even better when the product dries a little with time - I look forward to the day that I don't get it all over my nose and cheeks! All in all though, I adore this mascara - I will definitely purchase this time and time again.

MAC Ruby Woo - Since its feature in a previous post, I have been lusting after this lipstick for months. Like most of the lipsticks I reach for lately, this is of a matte formula and adds a beautiful pop of colour to any outfit or... face. If you feel a bit daring and want to feel like a sexy babe - get this in your life.

MAC Cherry Lip Pencil - So creamy, so soft and an amazing pinky red shade too?! What more could you possibly want? I bought this to line my lips before applying Ruby Woo, but to be quite honest I could just wear this colour on its own. Its super long lasting and a must have if you are on the hunt for a new red lip pencil.

I hope I succeeded in making you crave all of these products. If I did, then its a job well done.

K x

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A Little Christmas Adventure to Bali: Part III

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 10:56:00 +0000

Sorry for the lateness of this post. Jack and I have been enjoying a last minute adventure to Australia, but I will tell you all about that in the future!

Anyway, lets get down to the final installment of our trip to Bali over Christmas. As with the two previous posts, the latter part of our holiday was also filled with socialising and eating a lot of food. Standard.

I also managed to capture some pretty amazing sunsets and take a good few selfies.

This snap was taken in Motel Mexicola, a quirky little Mexican near the centre of Seminyak. We enjoyed some tasty tacos and a yummy cocktail or two.

After a few drinks and two new friends later, we made our way down to Potato Head (in the rain) - a highly popular bar and restaurant. I ordered the best looking and tasting cocktail on the menu, Espresso Martini, with a yummy cookie to boot. Jack got a little jealous...so the waiter handed him one too.

Looking slightly soaked and bedraggled hiding from the rain.

We didn't want to call it a night so we made our way back to the hotel soaked from the downpour and entered Pop! lounge bar in the hotel basement. We had the whole place to ourselves so we kicked back and enjoyed our last drink. That was after I took a snap of the bar area...

Cool eh!?

The next day arrived and so did the miserable weather. We found it so difficult to do things when it wasn't sunny, so we took advantage of our hotel cinema. A comfy sixteen seater with waitress service. Now that is what I call a perfect rainy afternoon well spent.

The cinema came with big comfy reclining rocking chairs and a nice little blanket to snuggle under.

We didn't get to choose the film but we were pretty happy with the whole set up.

We greedily ordered some popcorn and a butt naked dog to share with a lovely fresh cold Bintang too. Perfect.

Once the rain cleared up we put on our glad rags and headed for a nearby restaurant - Sambal Shrimp. A traditional Balinese type restaurant with extra tasty food.

I told you we ate a lot!

We munched our way through some beautifully fresh calamari and a spicy shrimp noodle dish until the main man arrived consisting of garlic buttered shrimp with rice and a fresh salad. The food was superb and so tasty. I would certainly recommend giving it a try.

Our final day arrived.

Deeply saddened by this fact we decided to do as much as we possibly could.

We enjoyed some time by the pool and indulged some more at a nearby spa. I had a manicure whilst Jack had a foot massage - this was then followed by some ear candling. What a weird concept... I swear I could hear ten times better upon leaving the spa. It felt weird, yet amazing.

We then hit the beach to meet our new friends Deb and Mia. This is where I got a little snap happy.

Who could blame me with this view!

The amazing technicolor umbrellas of La Plancha, Seminyak.

Fireworks lighting up the night sky. Amazing.

Bali you were amazing.

We hope to experience your laid back culture, starry skies and balmy days in the near future.

K x

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A Little Christmas Adventure to Bali: Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 08:00:00 +0000

Day two finally arrived after a dreamy nights sleep in the most comfortable bed ever.

Grey clouds covered the sky threatening us with more rain. We didn't let that fact deter us though - we had a day tripped planned, we were to head north to Ubud. We got dressed in a hurry and scurried on down for breakfast (we were so excited!).

Miniature spaceship cookies beautifully aligned the buffet bar and some tasty cereal was on offer in some cool little jars. I personally liked the look of 'The Sound of Muesli'.

I chomped my way through various buffet items whilst awaiting my order of Pancakes with Banana, Walnuts and Maple Syrup. Oh wow, this was worth the wait. I just wish I hadn't eaten so much before it arrived - my eyes are way too big for my belly.

Jack opted for the Breakfast Bap, probably because I sung its bacony, eggy & tomatoey praises as I made my way through it the previous morning.

As we finished up our monster breakfast including tea, coffee and a healthy juice each we stumbled into the Luna2 car ready to take us to the highly recommended town of Ubud. After a traffic filled two hours and a stop at a very questionable toilet we arrived at the Monkey Forest.

The heavens started to open up so we ducked under our umbrellas and ran into the depths of the forest - taking snaps as we hurried through. It rained, it poured and I am surprised the naughty monkeys weren't hidden in the trees for shelter.

Oh no, they were on the hunt - for any food they could get their little hands on. People would buy bananas to give to them and in a blink of an eye they were gone!

We decided that it was just pouring down way to much to really enjoy and experience the beautiful Monkey Forest so we made our way back. I couldn't miss the chance to snap some mummy monkeys with their little ones. So cute.

Unfortunately they just weren't that interested as we didn't have any bananas to give to them!

We got back into the car and headed further into Ubud to check out the markets - as it was still raining we just rushed our way through and didn't really take any pictures. We dipped into a lovely little Balinese bar and enjoyed a cold Bintang to wait out the torrential downpour.

The rain never stopped. We had to head back to the hotel as the traffic was just too bad, so we ended up missing out on seeing the rice paddies.

That night we went out and enjoyed some bubbles at The Champagne Bar in Seminyak and headed to La Favella - a Brazilian bar/club that had a cool outdoor area filled with cosy sofas surrounded by palm trees and fairy lights.

Day three was filled with a little exploration of Seminyak, to which we found this funny looking statue filled with 'Canang Sari' - daily offerings from the Balinese Hindu's to their gods. Often filled with various flowers and items of food.

That same night we were booked into a well recommended Indonesian restaurant, Bambu.

The entrance lined with candlelit steps over a pool filled with exotic fish.

Sections of the restaurant surrounded by water, it was beautifully set out.

A classic case of humid hair (above).

We ordered an Islamic Lamb and Date Curry which was to die for. So tasty.

...and a dish with the tastiest duck and green bean salad.

We then moved on to dessert - we wanted everything....

....but opted for the Terang Bulan - Pancakes with dark java chocolate and roasted nuts finished off with a dollop of ginger and coffee ice cream. This was DELICIOUS. Its making my mouth water just thinking about it.

Full up to our eye balls (again!) we headed back to the Hotel for another dreamy nights sleep.

Stay tuned for the next post.

K x

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A Little Christmas Adventure to Bali: Part I

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:00:00 +0000

We embarked on a little adventure to Bali to celebrate an alternative Christmas for 2014.

The place we stayed - Luna2 Studiotel in Seminyak - quirky, fun and out of this world. We loved this hotel that much that I took an excessive amount of photos just to show to the world how amazing it really was. If you ever go to Seminyak - check this hotel out. All I can say to explain the decor and design is the 1960's meets the future. A mixture of past and modern is so prominent in this hotel.

If you haven't been to Bali before and would like to visit I would warn you that immigration and passport control is tediously long. You have to obtain a tourist visa upon arrival (if you are from certain countries). Luckily we were advised of this beforehand and were recommended to pay for a fast track service (around the region of $35USD - just google it). BEST DECISION EVER. We obtained our visas and were through passport control in under five minutes. Usually it would take 1-2 hours, sometimes longer. Fifteen minutes later we were out of the airport and into our carriage with a cold wet towel and a Bintang beer in hand. Bliss.

Anyway, lets get to the photos shall we.

Hot chocolate & cookies waiting for us upon arrival

Our fantastic bedroom. This picture does not do it justice.

Crazy Mini Bar and Smeg Fridge

Hotel Reception

This Lady and Jeff are obviously having a few problems...

Complimentary Rubix Cube inspired chocs in our room

We arrived on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day was spent relaxing and indulging. We started off our day completely right by enjoying a fantastic breakfast in Luna2's Orbit Restaurant.

I thoroughly enjoyed the best Breakfast Bap ever and Jack went for the traditional Full English. Just check out the quirky baked beans tin. Ohhh, the little things.

Quirky Breakfast Buffet

It rained all day long so we decided to hit up Prana Spa for the most fantastic facial. After an hour of being fully pampered we left the spa with greasy hair and feeling thoroughly satisfied.

Our tummies started to rumble - we knew then that it was time for some lunch. We headed to Made's Warung for some traditional Indonesian cuisine.

Starting off with a couple of cold Bintang's (it was blooming hot ok?!) We received a couple of recommended dishes by the waitress.

The Nasi Campur Special - a mixture of meats and fish...

...and the star of the show - the grilled snapper smothered in a Balinese sauce. Oh man, that was tasty stuff.

The sun started to peek out of the angry rain clouds and we rushed back to the hotel to cool down in the pool.

Just check out the crazy art wall. I love this hotel!

After chilling out by the pool we decided to head up and get ready for evening - Christmas dinner in the Orbit restaurant. We Skyped family and friends to wish a Merry Christmas and headed to the Space Rooftop bar to enjoy a cocktail and watch the sunset.

I love this picture... Jack caught some locals surfing under the sunset. I love Bali.

A little Christmas picture of me and the man.

After taking a million pictures of the fabulous sunset we headed down for dinner ready and raring to eat as much Christmas food as possible.

We had five courses consisting of; Smoked Salmon & Caviar Blini followed by Chesnut Soup with Black Truffle and then the main course - Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding, Port Jus and all the Trimmings. It was fantastic! The soup was out of this world!

Dessert followed (after a tactful 10 minute rest) - Christmas Pudding with Creme Anglaise & Grand Marnier Flambe followed by a French Cheese Selection and Petit Fours.

It was beautiful.

Full up to the eye balls we rolled off our seats and stumbled up to bed - we literally couldn't do anything else.

We reached our room and the hotel staff had sneaked in, turned on the iPod to play some smooth retro tunes and laid out a present for us both on the table. We got a couple of Luna2 water bottles with our names on. How generous and thoughtful of them.

We played around with the camera taking selfies in the mirror above our bed giggling away in champagne filled stupor.

All merry and full from a busy day celebrating Christmas we fell asleep dreaming of our next day in the beautiful Bali.

K x

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The Test: Eye & Lip Makeup Removers

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 08:00:00 +0000

Are eye and lip makeup removers a necessity?

Yes, if you wear heavy eye makeup. If, like me, you only tend to wear mascara then I usually just reach for my cleansers - out of pure laziness. Now don't get me wrong, if I am feeling rather fruity and decide to go for eyeshadow, eyeliner and waterproof mascara then I will head straight to one of these three products for removal.

Each of these removers are for sensitive eyes and have a oil-based formula that you have to shake up before applying to a cotton pad.

L'Oréal Paris Dermo-Expertise Absolute Make-Up Remover Eye and Lip (£4.99) - The cheapest of all three products and a good one at that. It takes a good few swirls and swipes of the cotton pad to successfully remove the waterproof makeup from the eye and lip area. This does not irritate my sensitive skin in anyway. A good product at a budget price.

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (£8) - By far the oiliest formula out of the bunch, but in a good way. I feel this helps to dissolve the makeup much faster. This product is definitely the quickest at removing waterproof makeup and does not upset the eye/lip area in anyway. This product is fragrance, colour and alcohol free - very kind for your skin. I absolutely adore The Body Shop Camomile range.

Vichy Purete Thermale Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover For Sensitive Eyes (£11) - Fortified with thermal spa water, this feels very soothing on the eyes. I have to apply a lot of this product to a cotton pad for it to work to remove my makeup. Claiming that it is matte-based, it is definitely true to its word as it does not feel oily in the slightest. This is a slight bug bear for me as I feel I have to work harder to remove my makeup - who wants that before they go to bed?! However, I must say that it is successful at removing all traces of waterproof makeup.

So there you go - if you are on the market for a new eye/lip makeup remover then I hope that these mini reviews help your decision. Take from this what you like but my fave has to be The Body Shop one - it is just so low maintenance and removes my makeup quicker than the other two offerings.

I would just like to add that all three of these bottles are a royal pain the bum for extracting the remover. It might be the way I am doing it (probably down to my burning desire to get to bed) but every time I empty each of these onto a cotton pad it leaks everywhere - the Vichy one more than the others. So watch out!

Can you recommend any good Eye/Lip removers?

K x

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2015: A New Year, A New Chapter

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:49:00 +0000

Following my last post reflecting on 2014, I wanted to do a new one looking forward to 2015...

Now this isn't going to be a post focusing on unrealistic New Year Resolutions - its going to focus on five things that I want to aim for or experience within 2015. I think setting yourself goals gives you something to work towards, to have an inner determination or desire to reach that goal so that ultimately you can appreciate and be proud of what you have achieved.

The end of January will mark the end of our time here in Hong Kong. One chapter of our lives closes and another one begins. We begin 2015 with a chance to do some travelling before we return to the UK and we have our sights on Japan and Australia. We hope to begin this trip this coming weekend, talk about last minute eh!

So the five things I aspire to achieve in 2015 are...

Experience as much as possible
Being in Hong Kong has opened up a multitude of opportunities for me - whether it be experiencing new cuisines, exploring Hong Kong and its culture or being able to explore parts of Asia I never dreamed we would visit. This year Jack and I have the golden opportunity to spend a prolonged amount of time visiting more countries that have been on our ever growing Travel List. I want to be able to experience as much as humanly possible whilst on these trips and never be afraid to say yes to anything.

Plan My Wedding
Returning to the UK finally means I get to plan my wedding! Its been a long time coming and I cannot wait to finally set a date.

Drink More Green Tea
Yes this is a random one. I love green tea and at the moment I try to drink around 1-2 cups a day. My aim for 2015 is to increase my intake to 4-5 cups a day. Green Tea has been proven to have so many benefits for the body including fat burning and speeding up metabolism - leading to that bikini body you always wanted! Hmm, maybe throw in regular exercise and a clean healthy diet to speed up that process - but all the same, green tea is one hell of super tea.

Worry Less
Everyone practically knows it but I am the worlds biggest worrier. I even let the smallest of occurrences affect the way I feel. My worries end up becoming other peoples problems, especially my loved ones. This year, I will try my damned hardest to accept that yes, things will worry me but I will not let it consume me. I will deal with the problem head on and always remember that its not the end of the world.

Laugh More
I love to laugh, surely everyone does? I love the way it makes you feel - at that very moment in time you realise how truly happy you are. 2013/2014 made me realise this in a big way - I have lived a lot, laughed a lot and loved a lot. I hope to continue this into 2015.

I would love to hear what your goals are for 2015...

K x

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2014: A Reflection

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 08:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year Everyone!

I didn't think anything would top 2013 after my man Jack asked me to marry him. Then we made the move to Hong Kong. What we didn't know was 2014 was set to be one of the biggest years of our lives!

We have consumed enough food to feed a thousand armies, met some of the best people ever - who we now call friends for life, camped out on some of Hong Kong's most beautiful beaches, been on more Junk boats than you can shake a stick at, traveled to so many places in Asia that I never dreamed I would visit and found a love for a country that I don't think I will ever lose.

My Foodie Faves from 2014 - Jack partaking in a giant burger challenge/ Hot-Pot/ Xiao Long Bao/ Milk Bubble Tea

I am not going to lie, the first few months in Hong Kong were hard - I missed home, I missed my family and friends and I missed all of our home comforts. It was particularly difficult to put myself out there to find and make new friends. After a number of minor panic attacks I took the plunge and got myself out there, befriending a couple of fab ladies, Catrina and Annelle.

Throughout 2014 Jack and I have met many new people, some floating in and out of our lives and some sticking with us. A special mention to Catrina, Annelle, Steve, Emma, Dave, Mindey, Yi, Lauren & Jamie. You have all individually made our year FANTASTIC.

I have been lucky enough to visit a number of different cities/countries including Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Macau and most recently Bali - for Christmas. They were all fabulous places and I will forever cherish the memories made from each of these trips.

Selfie in Bali (Dec) / Beautiful Beach in Phuket (May)/ The Petronas Towers - Kuala Lumpur (Sept)/ Sunset Snap on Seminyak Beach, Bali (Dec)

I had the opportunity to fly home and surprise my Dad back in July - just in time for the epic Grand Départ of the Tour De France in Yorkshire. My fantastic family also came to visit Jack and I here in Hong Kong - it was fantastic to show them where we have been living and our lives here.

2014 was also the year that I started my blog. The only thing I would change was the amount of time I spent pondering over whether I should take the plunge and do it. I am so glad that I decided to go for it. It gives me a focus and a determination to work on something I am so passionate about. Here's to many more years of blogging to come.

House of Dancing Waters in Macau (Nov)/ Me and Jack in Bali (Dec)/ Jack competing in the Dragon Boat race (June)/ Me & my brother with a shed load of Gromits (Aug)

What a year 2014 has been! In just over a month we will return to the UK for good. This does pain us somewhat, but I believe everything occurs for a greater reason. I can't wait to see my family and friends and most of all - plan our wedding!

2014, you have been kind, exciting, exhilarating and fabulous. Here is to 2015....

K x

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10 Things I Love About Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:36:00 +0000

With just two days to go until we reach the big day I thought it was a festively perfect idea to countdown the ten things that I love the most about Christmas. This idea popped into my head as I sit here dreaming about Christmas at home - although I cannot complain, I get to sit on a beach this year and still get to devour a Christmas dinner in the evening. Winner!

So in no particular order;

The Food - Yes you got that one right. As soon as it hits 1st December I find it perfectly acceptable to not only eat one mince pie everyday but to also consume large quantities of chocolate as is possible. Don't judge me, I know you all do the same.
The Christmas Tree - I love this part - its a good old process from finding the perfect tree to lugging it to the car and then getting said tree into the car - cue seats down and the boot left half open. There is nothing more than having a real Christmas tree and being able to decorate it.
Watching Christmas Films - Binge watching every Christmas film that was ever made throughout the entirety of December is a must for me. From A Miracle on 34th Street to Elf to Jack Frost and so on. Christmas Films make me so happy and get me in that jolly mood.
Wrapping Presents - Some people find this the most tedious job in the world - but not for little old me. Each present has to be wrapped to perfection with some kick ass ribbons and tags to boot. They look so good under the Christmas tree, dontcha think?!
Mulled Wine - Such Christmassy mulled goodness. Perfect on a crisp cold day - well, perfect everyday in my world. I love it.
Christmas Get-Together(s)/Parties - December is the one month in the year where it is acceptable to attend as many festive events as possible.There is nothing more fun than being able to throw on a sparkly outfit and team it with a bold red lip and enjoy a merry evening with close friends. Cue the excessive amounts of food and wine.
Christmas Eve Excitement - I still get as excited for Christmas Day as much as I did when I was a young one. Not being able to sleep on Christmas Eve has always been a problem for me...and I am now 27. I love meeting up with my closest friends on the Eve for drinks and festivities.
Christmas Morning - Its a tradition in our household to open our presents in the morning following a good old cup of tea and a bacon sandwich - there is nothing more exciting and satisfying than seeing your family open their presents that you got them. I live for the look on their faces.
Spending Time with My Amazing Family - I love love love being around all of my family and Jack on Christmas Day. It is a great time to just relax, stuff ourselves to the point of explosion and really appreciate what and who you have got with you in your life. If I could have one wish for Christmas it would be to have my mum there. I miss her every single day.
The Christmas Dinner - The main man. Yes, every year the stress of cooking causes family arguments to the point where f bombs are flying everywhere - but that aside, it all comes together in the end to form a beautifully tasty dinner. Utterly fantastic.

What do you love about Christmas?

K x

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A List of Loves, Covets and New Finds #2

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 09:00:00 +0000

Its time for the second edition...

Currently Loving
My favourite Blogger and YouTuber Vivianna Does Makeup. I have been following Anna for over a year now and she is one of the main reasons why I end up buying so much makeup & skincare. Damn you, Anna! Just joking, I bloody love it. Her ability to rock any makeup look and her great knowledge on anything beauty related definitely makes me her number one fan. Go subscribe to her YouTube channel and blog, you will not be disappointed.

I am totally digging my new OVERSIZED scarf from Zara (yes, caplocks is required for this bad boy). Just like the topshop boots, I never take it off. Put it this way, if I could sleep in both of these items, I would.

Currently Coveting
As usual, the biggest section of this post. Obviously, I want everything. First up is the Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream - when I purchased the Bobbi Brown concealer and corrector, the lady prepped my under eye with this cream. It felt so silky and hydrating (obvs) and made applying concealer like a blooming dream. It has brilliant reviews too - sold.

I am on the market for a new leather jacket - said everyone ever. Well, I know I certainly am. I have a faux leather one back in the UK that is well loved. However, four years of constantly wearing it has started to take its toll (got a few holes on the arms). So doing what I do best, I checked out the All Saints website the other day and found this stunner - a little pricey but you know its going to last forever.

I had a couple of comments on my Concealers, Concealers, Concealers post about the causes of under eye darkness and some remedies. One of them being the use of a Vitamin E Eye Cream - this one from The Body Shop has fantastic reviews and a great price. It also claims to hydrate the under eye and reduce fine lines. I may just divert my daily stroll to Thai Boxing via The Body Shop next time.

I have been after a lovely notebook for a while, especially now I have started this blog. Every time I have a blog idea I have to whop the iPhone out - clearly not as sophisticated as getting a beautiful little personalised notebook out. Which brings me to the final product I am coveting this month - a personalised notebook from Jadeco. I spotted this in Metrobooks in Tsim Sha Tsui - it was super soft, red and had a personalised message in gold which read 'Love!' - I wanted it there and then. The only downside is that you have to pop into store to request personalisation - which takes seven to ten days. Bummer. I have submitted my request to Jack in the form of puppy dog eyes. It is such a good idea for a Christmas or Birthday present.

New Finds
I am always on the lookout for a good purifying mask. A friend recommended this one from Borghese. The best thing for us is that in Hong Kong you can find it for £6-£7 - in the UK the smallest one is £27! What is that about?! At the end of the day - me and Jack would still pay the extortionate price because its that good. It tingles A LOT when applying it to the face, after five minutes remove it with a warm/hot cloth and say hello to a smooth and brighter complexion. It really gets deep into your pores and draws out impurities - its going to take a good few uses to clear up my skin but it seems to be working. Jack loves it - he is already making space in the suitcase to bring a bucket load home.

Oh and another new find is Nicki Minaj's new song The Night is Still Young. Definitely a guilty pleasure but I love it. Check it out.

I would love to know what you guys are currently loving or coveting?

K x

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A Whirlwind Trip to Shanghai.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 08:00:00 +0000

Warning: this post is extremely picture heavy.

Shanghai is very beautiful place. At times I actually felt like I was in a European city, the buildings are so grand and picturesque and I suppose the freezing weather helped too.

Jack's half attempt at posing for me - the sun got the better of him though.

The streets are covered in couples having their pre-wedding photographs at this time of year (hence the lady in the wedding dress behind Jack). We even spotted a couple in the middle of the road, the taxi driver had to honk at them to move!

I spotted some cute children playing with tyres in the street whilst their dad tirelessly worked alongside them.

Mmmm roasted chesnuts.

Elderly couple chatting away whilst eating one of their five a day.

Can anyone tell me what this is?

Whatever it is, Jack found it quite tasty.

We then rambled along to the old town.

Check the man smiling out of the top window.

We got a little peckish and found a stall selling glazed fruits. Think toffee apple, but instead with strawberries. They were delicious.

It is truly a hard life.

We then reached the Yu Garden. Beautifully picturesque.

Me and Catrina took a snap of each other, taking a snap of each other.

We then hit Tianzifang. Tucked away in the French Concession, this cobbled maze is the home to a number of small shops and stalls boasting all types of goodies. Feeling the cold we dashed for the nearest bar and ordered an Amaretto Gluhwein. It doesn't look so inviting on the photo but it warmed up the old cockles.

This is where we bedded down for the two nights - The Astor House Hotel. Built in 1846, this hotel opened its doors to a number of famous people - from Einstein to Charlie Chaplin to President Grant in 1897, who happened to have stayed in the same room as me and Jack. Room 410.

It was safe to say that we both felt comfortable leaving a few lights on as we slept.

We got ready after a lovely afternoon of mulled wines and briskly walked on down to The Bund, taking a few snaps along the way.

The entrance to Bund 18.

Another elevator shot. Obligatory.

Just check out this stunning view of The Bund from Bar Rouge.

After a quick drink we headed on downstairs to Mr & Mrs Bund, a beautiful French restaurant.

We started with an impeccably light tuna mousse served with crispy thin croutons.

Lamb Shank Instanbul with eggplant for Jack...

...and Crispy Duck Leg Confit with Roasted Ceps Garlic and Seared Fois Gras for me.

The food was delicious and so flavoursome.

On our final day we took a cab to an area within the French Concession and had a stroll through a local park. The elderly were out in force, some playing card games, others dancing away to their friend singing away on a karaoke machine. We then came across this lady writing out Chinese characters with a water filled sponge/stick. Very interesting.

We walked along in the cold crisp air and came across these interestingly designed fences. I was more interested in how they managed to get the image on to the fence, whilst the boys took in some of the history.

After a couple of hours of strolling it was time to head back to Tianzifang for another Gluhwein. This time I stopped to take a few photos of the streets. Only one made it on to this post. I am so bad a photography.

Steve found a horses head and decided to scare the locals with it.

We ended our day at a lovely little chocolate themed cafe, Whisk. Me and Jack plumped for the Upside Down Chocolate Cake and a hot chocolate each.

It was fan-chocolatey-tastic.

On our very short trip we only touched upon a few of the sights. There is so much more to see and I hope to return one day.

A great weekend was had by all.

K x

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A Lazyday Outfit

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 08:00:00 +0000

We went on a little trip to Shanghai last weekend (blog post coming soon) and Jack and I were in need of some wintery clothing as the weather was as blistery cold as the UK. We ordered a bucket load of items from ASOS last month but unfortunately it has gone missing. Therefore we had to make a mad dash to the shops in the hopes of finding some goodies to keep us warm for the weekend.

Here is what I bought;
ZARA CHECKED DOUBLE SIDED SCARF (£19.99) - This scarf is massive! It is so fluffy and soft and is super for wrapping myself (and Jack) up in to keep nice and toasty.

H&M OVERSIZED JUMPER (£14.99) - Love this jumper. Its so big, soft and cosy - I could wear it everyday. I need this in every colour.

TOPSHOP CUT OUT BOOTS (£46) - These babies featured in my List of Loves, Covets & new Finds post last month. I can't get enough of these - the only time I remove them is to go to bed. They are so comfortable (tried and tested from walking for miles in Shanghai). I love wearing them with my berry coloured socks.

I thought I would pair the outfit with the boots and also a pair of court shoes (similar here) just to show how you can take this from day to night. Low maintenance, yet sophisticated (the outfit, not me).

I am starting to feel a little Christmassy now wearing all these warm wintery items!

K x

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Concealer, Concealer, Concealer - My Current Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 09:00:00 +0000

Everyone has an addiction to something. For me, that something is concealer.

I have had a manic obsession with concealer since my early teens due to sporting panda like eyes. You name it, I have probably tried it - from Benefit's Boing, Fakeup & Erase Paste to YSL's renowned Touche Eclat (embarrassingly enough, I used this as a concealer and not as a highlighter - forgive me, I was young and naive). Not forgetting the countless drugstore brands I have tried and tested too.

So without further ado, welcome to my current collection;

BOBBI BROWN CREAMY CORRECTOR (£19) -I don't think I could ever be without this product ever again. It is fantastic at neutralising dark circles. This is always the first step in my concealing process. For £19, it is a tad on the expensive side but totally worth the splurge.

COLLECTION LASTING PERFECTION ULTIMATE WEAR CONCEALER (£4.19) - Time and time again I find myself going back to this one. With good coverage, lasting power and zero crease-ability, this has to be my all time favourite. For £4.19, its a no brainer people. It just does the job in hand; covering dark circles and blemishes, no question. I use the shade Cool Medium (2). *Beware: the black on the packaging melts and transfers onto your fingers - not cool*

MAC MINERALIZE CONCEALER (£17) - With a light to medium coverage, I use this as the last step in my concealing process. It is a little lighter than my skin tone so its great for brightening my under eye. It is very lightweight and is easy to blend with your ring finger or a fluffy brush. I have the shade NC20.

BOBBI BROWN CREAMY CONCEALER KIT (£24.50) - I have touched upon this one in a previous post so I won't bore you. Once warmed up on the skin, it blends in seamlessly. It has a light to medium coverage so I tend to use it on days where dark eye circles aren't much of a problem. Make sure you use the accompanying finishing power as this stuff can crease slightly. Still a favourite of mine.

SOAP & GLORY KICK ASS BLUR AND BRIGHTEN CRAYON (£6) - Meh. I had high hopes for this one when I swatched it in boots. It is so damn creamy and applies to the skin like silk. Coverage is not great. It claims to banish under eye circles but it certainly didn't banish mine! With a whole two shades to choose from this was a severe disappointment.

MAYBELLINE ERASER EYE CONCEALER (£7.99) - For a start this is a little too dark for my skin tone, I should have gone a shade lighter. Its ok, I shall say that. Coverage is light to medium but it doesn't seem to cover my dark circles at all. Eraser schmaser.

MAYBELLINE PURE COVER MINERAL CONCEALER (Only available in Hong Kong) - I think I swatched this one in the dark too as it is just ever so slightly too dark for my skin tone. This one is of a thicker consistency, like the Collection concealer. It covers well but it feels a lot more cakey meaning it tended to crease a lot more. I wouldn't shout from the rooftops about this one, but for a budget buy, it does the job.

I also have my eye on the Clarins Instant Concealer and the MAKE UP FOR EVER Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream - both of these concealers have received rave reviews and I can't wait to test them out.

Now please excuse me whilst I attend my weekly CAA* meeting.

What concealers do you use? Can you recommend any good ones?

K x

*Concealer Addicts Anonymous

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Bad to the Bronze

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 09:41:00 +0000

It's very rare that you'll catch me with a splash of colour on my eyelids, let alone eyeliner.

Picture this: My 18th birthday. Virgin Vie party. I was made up to look what resembled a drag queen. The result - scarred for life.

Nearly ten years later, I feel it is time to push that memory to the back of my mind and road test some eye shadows that I have been collecting. As I am a beginner at this I kept it quite neutral with a splash of liner, for that extra bit of definition.

On my lids is Maybelline's Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze. This is the first time I have used a cream shadow and thank lord I chose this one. From the pot, it seems quite dry but once it warms up on the fingers it applies to the eyelid like a dream. I use a fluffy brush to blend this in, but using your fingers can work just as well. You can really pack this product on for a more intense look or go completely the opposite and lightly blend in for a subtle hint of colour. For all of you worrying whether it will crease, then worry not - even without a primer on my lids this stuff did not budge.

I was recommended this eyeliner from my friend, its by Heroine Make (a Japanese brand) which is easily accessible in Hong Kong and equally as accessible if you tend to purchase products online in the UK. If you struggle to apply eyeliner then this is the bad boy for you. The brush is thin and not too stiff or floppy (apologies for the use of words there) meaning it makes for an easy application. Its very pigmented and stays on my lids for hours and hours. My only gripe with it is the time it takes to dry, so either apply it earlier on in your make up routine or curl your lashes before application - otherwise the curlers will sweep some of the liner off. I am sure you ladies already know what to do - I am just too new to the eyeliner world. I highly recommend this.

K x

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Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil: A Skin Saviour

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 15:49:00 +0000

I have been reaching for the Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil on and off for the past eight months and if I am being honest, it didn't float my skincare boat as much as I thought it would. Until recently.

Rosehip oil boasts so many skin loving qualities, one of them being its ability to boost the skins natural healing process. This is why it has jumped to the top of my skincare routine as of late.

Hong Kong has not been kind to my skin. Not only have I been suffering from very dry skin due to a change in the weather but an army of angry under-the-skin spots have been battling through. This is when I reach for the Rosehip Oil. It has quite a strong scent, but not one that is uneasy on the nose. I just press it into clean skin before bedtime and let this orangey goodness work its overnight magic.

I kid you not, by the morning the pesky under-the-skin spot has reduced significantly and the pain has decreased from a painful 10/10 to a friendly 1/10. The dryness that seems to have gathered around my nostrils (due to excessive nose blowing) has disappeared too.

This lovely little oil is also supposed to improve skin tone and reduce fine lines - personally I haven't used it enough to witness this but I will certainly be making it a regular in my skincare routine from now on.

If you are looking for a face friendly wonder oil that is perfect for all skin types I urge you to go along and buy this.

Have you ever used Rosehip oil? If so, whatcha reckon?

K x

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In Love With: Revlon Colorburst Matt Balm in Elusive

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 +0000

Yes, I know I am a little late to the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm party, but I just had to say my piece on this lovely little product.

I have been reaching for this near enough every day for the past 2-3 weeks. This lovely matte rosey pink shade has great colour pay-off and effortlessly sails on to the lips, feeling very moisturising at the same time. Its great to wear from day through to evening and smells minty which is very refreshing to the nose.

The only downside to this product is the staying power - it doesn't last on the lips very long, especially when you are eating and drinking. But for a mere £7.99, it doesn't really phase me.

I can't wait to pick up some more of these balm sticks. I already have my eye on Standout - a beaut berry red number.

P.S. This was the only half decent picture I could get and it doesn't really show the colour to its true potential, but you just have to believe me.

P.P.S. I got to dust off the old parka this weekend and I am very excited. Hong Kong is finally getting cold.

Have you tried any of the Colorburst Matte Balms?

K x

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A Girly Gift Guide for Christmas 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 08:00:00 +0000

Ok, ok... this might just be everything that I want for Christmas.

I may as well try and hide it as a girly gift guide for Christmas, you know just to help all you ladies out that might be struggling.

So here is goes...

TERRY'S CHOCOLATE ORANGE SEGSATIONS (£3.00) - I was obsessed with these bad boys last year. Such chocolatey goodness.
VERITY BY ALEX MONROE HEART NECKLACE (£132) - So its a little on the expensive side but heaven on earth, its beautiful. I am totally into delicate necklaces at the moment and this one is stunning.
NARS DIGITAL WORLD LIP PENCIL COFFRET (£32 Space NK) - I currently only possess one NARS lip pencil but that alone makes me want more. I saw this little number on the Space NK website and knew that it had to be mine. Such a fantastic price for this set too.
LAURA MERCIER AMBRE VANILLE HONEY BATH (£32) - I took a long hard whiff of this jar of dreams at the Laura Mercier counter a few days back. This smells unbelievable and I need this in my life and so do you.
RIVER ISLAND LEATHER LOOK LEGGINGS (£18) - I am wishing I had never left my topshop wet look leggings back in the UK. They would go great right now with an over-sized jumper and scarf, a pair of heeled boots and a cosy parka.
MAC RUBY WOO LIPSTICK (£15.50) - I recently saw this on one of my favourite bloggers Anna and I knew instantly that I needed this lipstick in my stash. I also recently swatched the beautiful MAC Relentlessly Red a beautiful matte pinky red - I had to be torn away from the MAC counter, lets just say that.
GIORGIO ARMANI LUMINOUS SILK FOUNDATION (£31.95 House of Fraser) - My friend Yi wears this foundation and her face always looks flawless. With a medium coverage and dubbed as perfect skin in a bottle this was quickly added to my endless cosmetic wishlist.
NARS VIRTUAL DOMINATION CHEEK PALETTE (£45 Space NK) - This is definitely at the top of my Christmas list. Look at it - three blushers, a highlighter and bronzer in one slick little palette - utter perfection.
DUNE LORIS BLACK POINTED FLATS (£69) - These shoes are so versatile and would literally go with anything. Thats what I love about them. I know they might not be for everyone but I completely adore them.
ORELIA WUNDERLUST DROP & HAMZA DOUBLE ROW NECKLACE (£18) - Another beautiful delicate necklace.
BOBBI BROWN CREAM BLENDING BRUSH (£22.05 House of Fraser) - The only thing that I didn't leave the Bobbi Brown store with a few weeks back. Its a fantastic brush for blending in concealer and feels beautifully soft.
ZARA BUCKET BAG WITH ZIPS (£39.99) - I am completely obsessed with bags. My, doesn't Jack know that too. Its all I ever talk about. I spotted this handsome number on the website and would love it to be mine.
BOBBI BROWN FULL COVERAGE FACE BRUSH (£27 House of Fraser) - Again, my fave blogger Anna has got me coveting this brush. She knows her stuff and if she says its good, its bloody good.
Because I can't end on 13!!

I hope that this list has given you some kind of inspiration?

Here's to hoping that the little Christmas fairy works its wonders and brings me some of these irresistible things. One can dream!

K x

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The Busy Bee Edit: My Last Week in Pictures #2

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 08:00:00 +0000

Another week consisting of socialising and eating excessive amounts of good food. I know, I know, I'd be jealous too.

This is what I have been up to... (starting from left to right on each row)

A Korean Lunch at Myung Ga. Loving Jack's make shift bib so he didn't spill on his pink shirt.
The tastiest Xiao Long Bao ever at Din Tai Fung - a Taiwanese restaurant. We brunched there with our good friends Yi, Steve, Lauren and Jamie. We have a little food group going.
Steamed Shrimp and Pork Shao-Mai at Din Tai Fung. So yummy!
Henry and Zoe's 'Thank You' present. Twelve beautifully presented and tasty macarons from Passion.
Me and my good friends Emma and Dave out in Wan Chai last Wednesday (ladies night).
Another Ramen stop off. Obviously.
We took Henry and Zoe to Budaoweng Hotpot Restaurant. Mmmmm.
Who knew that you could have a hedgehog as a pet here in Hong Kong?! Well here is one.
Henry, Zoe and I took a trip to Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan. We even lit some incense in the hopes of receiving some good luck.

I have a lot of things planned over the coming weeks including a trip to Shanghai. So there will be a lot more posts like this.

K x

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Stop, Its Pamper Time.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 +0000

Pam-per: Verb (used with object) - to treat or gratify with extreme or excessive indulgence, kindness or care

Every girl must indulge in a little 'me' time every once in a while.

When Sunday evening approaches I enter pamper mode especially if I have over-indulged on the vino's the previous night. Do not judge me.

I start off by using my favourite cleanser by Oskia to remove the days makeup and follow it up with The Body Shop's Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask - this mask is fantastic for helping to clear up congested and oily skin. Once applied to the skin I leave it on for around ten minutes until the mask has completely hardened. I remove with a warm muslin cloth and straight away I can feel that my skin is much smoother. I have found that this mask tends to draw a lot of the impurities under the skin to the surface - something that a lot of clay masks have trouble doing. A truly great mask at a great price.

I like to give my lips a little bit of TLC by treating them to Lush's lovely Mint Julips Lip Scrub. I gently rub this into the lips to remove any flaky skin.This makes it much easier to apply lip balms and lipsticks as your lips will be as smooth as silk - Fo' sho. Be warned though: This smells divine, you will want to eat it.

Following the dilly-dallying of making my face look presentable, I like to unwind by twinkle-footing it into a nice warm bath (especially if I am aching from Thai Boxing!). I am absolutely in love with Lush bath products at the moment. I used the Northern Lights bath bomb last week - once dropped into the water it swirls, twirls and fizzes turning the water into a purply glittery wonderland (it even has mini stars in it) - it left my skin feeling so soft and smooth and it smells beautiful. My next Sunday Lush sesh will involve this bubble bath bar, The Comforter. Oh lordy lord, this smells fantastic! I can't wait to submerge myself under the mountain of pinky purple bubbles.

Once I emerge from the bath smelling truly wonderful but looking a bit like a wrinkled Sphynx cat, I like to slip into my comfy PJ's and thick socks and treat myself to a calming peppermint tea and scoff a little naughty chocolate snack.

Ahh, don't you just love a nice pamper evening?

K x

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Black & Blue

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 15:27:00 +0000

Dress - H&M/ Hat - Topshop/ Boots - New Look (Old)/ Watch - Fossil/ Bag- Zara (Old)

Yes, I am still in love with black and blue. Simple colours that go with everything.

I purchased this dress along with the black and blue skirt from H&M a month or so ago and it is the only item of clothing I have ever received a few compliments for. Simple is obviously the way forward.

Whats not to like? Its comfy, oversized and can be easily dressed up or down.

I paired it with my lovely fedora hat from Topshop for good measure. I got this for my birthday back in April and I am still surprised to see its still on the website - get shopping ladies, its a beaut.

Yes I have massive bags (under eye), but lets just skirt past that issue. It has been a long week of entertaining, you know how that goes.

What do you think of this dress?

K x

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The Busy Bee Edit: My Last Week in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:51:00 +0000

Our old uni friend Henry and his girlfriend Zoe are visiting for a week and by default I become the tour guide, which by the way, I bloody love! Being a tourist in Hong Kong never gets old. This time we even discovered some new places - bonus!

Starting from the top left;

We got the chance to go see the Grand Prix in Macau last Sunday. A fantastic experience and a good day spent with good friends.
We hit the bird garden in Mong Kok. What an array of beautifully coloured exotic birds to see. There are a few miserable parrots and some nice ones that greet you with a nice hello and an exhausting goodbye!
Then we hit the Flower Market on no other than 'Flower Market Road'. This is a must see if you adore flowers, like me. I left with a beautiful bunch of cream roses (pictured in the middle).
Banana and caramel crispy waffles with a side order of milk bubble tea at a funky little cafe we found in Mong Kok.
Ramen at Ippudo in Central. Sooooo GOOD.
Henry and Zoe in Brick House - a very hip little Mexican joint in Lan Kwai Fong. Tasty food and tastier cocktails with a bit jalapeno thrown in for good measure.
We took a trip to the Peak. The best view of Hong Kong (on a clear day) and took a few snaps!
Henry, Zoe and I landed in Passion, a lovely french style bakery in Tsim Sha Tsui. Lovely baked goods but not so good for the figure.
We also found ourselves in the Goldfish Market, Mong Kok. A whole road boasting hundreds of brightly coloured fish in plastic bags hung up on metal fences. So if you are in the market for a new goldfish, you know where to head.

Do you find these types of posts interesting? If so, I will make it a regular thang.

K x

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The Makeup Edit: My Daily Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:33:00 +0000

I thought I would give you an insight into the products that I reach for on a daily basis. I like to keep my makeup simple and natural looking, especially in the day time. So here it goes...

To prep my skin before applying foundation I reach for the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. This product feels so silky and is so easy to apply to the face and covers my crater like pores in an instant. Its cheap and does what it says on the bottle. A must have in my eyes.

Next up is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Vanilla. It is probably a little too light for me at the moment but coming into the winter months it will be the perfect shade for my fair skin. On top of the Maybelline Instant Pore Eraser this foundation glides on to my skin and leaves me with a light to medium coverage with a near flawless finish. It doesn't cling to my dry patches and leaves me with a healthy glow. I apply this to my face using the Real Techniques Buffing Brush - perfect for applying foundation.

Ahh, now its concealer time. I am a self confessed concealer addict. On my lookout for the next wonder concealer a few weeks back I stumbled upon Bobbi Brown. The very nice lady in the store sat me down and worked her little wonders on my dark bedraggled under eye bags. The way she made me look, I was sold in an instant. I suppose that's her job to do that though eh?! So I scurried home with the Bobbi Brown Creamy Corrector in Light to Medium Peach and the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit in Sand. The corrector is the definite winner for me, once applied to the under eye the peach neutralises the darkness and all is left is for the concealer to do is to add a bit more coverage and to brighten. I then lightly dust the pale yellow pressed powder provided in the concealer kit to seal the concealer and prevent creasing. I must say that they are most certainly worth the money.

I must add that for days where I may need that little extra boost or coverage I tend to reach for my Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in Cool Medium and use that alongside the umpteen concealers I have already applied to my face. Constantly raved about in the beauty blogging world I must say that the hype is true - it is by far one of the best concealers I have come across. It covers, brightens and doesn't crease on my under eye (well for me it doesn't).

Ok, enough of the concealer talk. I told you that I get slightly carried away!!

To seal in the base I add a little of the MAC Blot Pressed Powder. Great for any of you ladies that struggle to get that shine under control. I have already hit pan since getting this stuff earlier this year. This is most definitely a handbag staple if you live in a humid climate like me or suffer from a shiny face.

To inject a bit of life back into my pale face I dabble in a spot of contouring, you know, to define the face and make me look like I have model-like cheekbones. For this I use the Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder. This is great stuff, it gives you that little bit of summer glow without the orangey-ness and can be easily built up to reach the desired shade.

For a pinch of rosiness I either use the Benefit Hervana Face Powder or the Max Factor Creamy Touch Miracle Blush in Soft Pink. Both have great colour pay off and are very easy to apply. I highly recommend both of them.

For brows its the Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium. I am still not there on the strong eyebrow trend. This is perfect as it doesn't add too much colour to the brows but it makes them look more defined and tidy. This is a tad expensive for a brow product but fantastic all the same. If you are looking for more of a purse friendly offering, try Rimmel or Maybelline. They have similar products in their line.

As for the lashes, I am currently loving Maybelline's the Hyper Curl Volume Express Waterproof Mascara which doesn't seem to be available in the UK. Sucks to be you. If you want to check out something similar try Maybelline's the Falsies Waterproof Mascara. Both of these mascaras are fantastic. They lengthen, volumize and give your lashes curls that would give Kim K a run for her money. Once you go waterproof when it comes to your lashes, you'll never go back.

Last but very not least its down to the lips. Just like concealer I have an addiction to lip balms. I am like clockwork, every thirty minutes I find myself applying it, so a case of dry chapped lips just isn't the norm for me. So recently the unspeakable happened, I got chapped lips. Two lip balms down and no improvement I decided to take the plunge and buy the blogger famous Nuxe Reve de Miel Baume Levres Ultra-Nourrissant Lip Balm. With a thick and nourishing non-sticky consistency, this product is like a hug for your poorly dry lips in a glass container. One thing is for sure, I am in love.

What are your daily makeup essentials?

K x

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