Things I Learned from Travelling Part 1 - London Edition

This year has been definitely one of the most exciting, interesting, eye opening  and all in  in all the  best start to the year I could have ever have hoped for. These past months I have traveled to London and Madrid. Which they where only a month apart. Seeing they where so close together it was very easy to compare them with each other.

The London trip was the first one which I went with three of my very good friends. We spent over a year planning the trip which in my opinion is the first mistake we did. While planning is important, so much in advance something is bound to go wrong.

Don't get me wrong it was a lovely trip which I absolutely loved but a lot of things could have been avoided.

For example 

1. Do schedule your time and have a plan, but do not be disappointed if something comes up and plans have to be changed or scheduled. This could be either due to delays from the airport which is very common in the winter months due to bad weather.

Also one of your companions could get sick. Which is very unfortunate as if you don't know how the health system in that particular country works, it gets very worrisome and you are bound to panic.

2. DO NOT OVER PACK
This was something I was very guilty in doing. Keep in mind that you do not need 5 different types of lipsticks neither do you need 10 outfits for a 4 day trip in which you scheduled in shopping time adding to your clothing load.

3. DO NOT schedule a whole day for shopping
While admittedly Oxford street is a beautiful sight for all shoppers. Only stay for a maximum of 3 hours. Pick out the stores you want to visit and keep it to that. Shopping is very trying and you are bound to get cranky and tired with all the bags your carrying.

A mix of sightseeing and shopping in a day is better. This also gives a spontaneous feeling which everyone loves and keeps spirits high.

4. Do keep in mind the currency difference
While a jacket does seem cheap at 25 pounds its actual value in euro is 33 not 27 or 28 which I was convinced of at that time. Wish I kept that in mind while shopping.

5. GO TO PRIMARK FIRST DO NOT LEAVE AT THE VERY LAST
Primark is amazing. There is such a wide variety of stuff to choose from and all of which are so very cheap. Your are bound to regret some of your previous buys if you leave it for last.

6. When buying souvenirs and present for everyone keep in mind how much they weigh. If your torn for a present for your mother go for a nice sweater not a snow globe.

Also keep in mind when buying a jacket that these roughly weigh around .8kg to 1.2 kg. So do try to buy only one or two.

 Remember the weight limit on a plane is not a goal!

7. If your hotel or hostel offers breakfast do take it. Nothing is more annoying when your sight seeing having to remember to pop to Tesco's for a meal to have in the morning, or remembering that you have to buy water.

8. London is a wonderful place if it is a your first time visiting DO  spend at least 5-7 days. You'll feel much better when their's no rush.

9. DO visit the London Eye, Tower Bridge, Madame Tussaud, London Zoo and the Big Ben.

10. Go watch a musical. I highly recommend Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Amazing cast which all gave a magnificent performance.

11. Ask the receptionist for tips.
Their job is to help you and guide you and make your life easier. A special mention is also deserved for the staff of the YHA London Central Hostel which where absolutely a delight to talk too and helped us out in which ever way they can.

12. Be cautious about the London Tube
While it is a lifesaver when you are far from your hostel or if it is night time if you can walk, do walk. You are saving almost 5 pounds per trip and at the same time you are learning the streets and sight seeing at the same time.

13. Keep in mind the London weather
London or England in general is known to have rainy dark weather especially in the winter time. Which a person coming from sunny Malta is quite a shock. It is quite normal for us to have rainy gloomy day but not day after day of not seeing the sun.

That it for my London trip! Stay tuned for Part 2! The Madrid edition.

Ella x

Keywords London, Flights, Tips, Weight Limit, Shopping, Oxford Street, YHA, London Zoo, Big Ben, Luggage, Musical, London Weather, Receptionist, Primark, Packing, Planning

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Autumn Lippy and Nails

A new season call for a new lipstick color! After looking through many websites and searching in shops I finally found the perfect shade from Catrice.

The shade is 340 Berry Bradshaw. This lippy was the last one on sale so it was my lucky day when I found it. The lipstick is very pigmented and gives a matte finish it really goes with anything. For a casual day at university or a swanky night out. The lippy also smells like berries which is so nice when opening it up as it immediately puts a smile on my face.

A matching nail polish color is 113 do you speak love which I found is from essence. It's an interesting color like a browny red. I really like it for fall! The only thing is that it tends to chip very quickly is top coat is a must!

Also I picked up this dark purpley shade by rimmel.It's called 4.3 The High Heel life.  It has has little sparkles in it, which make it look quite mysterious perfect for a winter color!








Well that's all for
today

What did you introduce to your autumn wardrobe?

Ella xx

Keywords - MakeUp, Rimmel, Catrice, Essence

Heart Shaped Coconut Bath Bombs

Hi there my lovelies  :)

Since we've been entering the colder months and school has started their is nothing more that I look forward too than a warm relaxing bath at the end of the day.

Many people buy their bath bombs from the popular store called lush but unfortunately, this isn't available in Malta yet. So naturally I went hunting on Ebay and I found an adorable little store soapworkshop2012 which has bath bombs, candles, wax melts, dried flowers and all kinds of bits an bobs.

This was my first purchase so I just bought these coconut bath bombs. I just popped one in the bath and it fizzed (It's my favorite part watching it fizz) and it made my bath so nice smelling and left my skin so soft. The fact the are heart shaped is really fun for decorating your bathroom and look quite decorative. There are a variety of different scent such as chocolate, vanilla, lemon, strawberry and many more. You also get these in pack of 10 which will last quite a while for those long tiring days.

Do you like bath bombs? Would you try these ?

Ella x

Keywords - Lush, Bath Bomb, Coconut

Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Hairbrush

So I finally gave in and purchased one of these bad boy, and I am so glad I did! I got mine in blue and pink, two of my favorite colors.

Now I have quite straight / wavy hair which unfortunately tangles quite easily and every time I try to detangle I end up with a huge clump of hair all down my sink.

The tangle teezer detangles your hair so fast and painlessly. It truly is a hair miracle. No unnecessary tugging and pulling and hearing that crackle sound when you brush your hair.

I have tried in on both wet and dry hair and in both I experienced less hair falling out when than I used a regular brush.

I would recommend it to everyone and would give it 5/5 stars!

I love this and will be used lovingly everyday!


Have you tried this?

Ella x

Keywords - Hair, Tangle Teezer

MUA Matte Palette

This product is probably one of my best purchases. I absolutely love it. The shadows are easy to blend, velvety and very pigmented. I found it so hard to find a palette with only matte colors. Matte colors have the advantage of creating a very casual smoky sexy look.

My most loved are the bottom browns on the left hand side. I put the lighter color on my whole eyelid except the inner corners which the white eye shadow is put and the darker brown on my crease. This adds dept to my eye making them look more open and mysterious.

The only thing I would complain about is the brush included. It is very cheap and doesn't blend very well, but I just use one of my own and the result is quite lovely.

I would recommend this palate to everyone as it is a joy to anyone's make up collection.

4.5/5 stars

Keywords - MakeUp, MUA, Review, Eyeshadows, Matte

Summer Weight Gain

Summer has almost come to and end, which was celebrated by a lot of delicious food (Pasta, meat, potatoes, brownies, red velvet cake, sausages, fried chicken, oreo's, nutella, ice-cream, pizza just to name a few). I don't usually eat this unhealthy but when you work as a waitress surrounded with all these delicious food you can't help but take!

Luckily I haven't put on that much weight, but I only get chubbier on one place, my butt and my thighs which do look  a bit much on my 5 ft 3 stature. (My ANACONDA DON'T)

This week I have been trying to eat as good as I can, which have been met with a loss of .5 kg! Not bad for just 5 days. The next two weeks I will be trying to go the gym on a regular basis
. Around May-July I used to go at least 4 times a week, but unfortunately my life got so hectic that I had to cut it out. 

I don't really have a goal weight. I don't like to define myself by a number. I just want to feel like my old self again and more confident. 

Will keep you updated! 

Cheers for now xx

Ella xx

Recent Celeb Nude Photo Leak

This isn't going to be one of my usual posts. It's not going to be about beauty or make up, but about recent events that concern one of my favorite actresses Jennifer Lawrence.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, basically a person hacked into apple's icloud and took personal and private photos from  Ariana Grande, Kirsten Dunst, Victoria Justice,  Kate Upton and more female stars and posted them on the internet for the whole world to see.

Many are actually criticizing these celebrities for taking these photos and uploading to the internet for back up. My question to them is how are you blaming the victim in the story here? These pictures where not intended for the whole world to see but for private use. Just because somebody is a celebrity or well known, does not mean they don't have the right to privacy.

Shame on the person who hacked into the phones of these people and posted them for the whole world to see! They were not intended for your eyes to see or any body else's for that matter. The victims are probably crying their hearts out just so you can have your 15 minutes of fame. 

Jennifer if your reading this, you will still be the charming, smart, charismatic young woman who I admire so much! Your fans will be behind you no matter what! Do not be embarrassed by the situation it is not your fault! The person behind this will be caught and justice will be served!

What are your thoughts about the situation?

Ella xx