Paris mon Amour

Coucou tout le monde!

As you may or may not know, I am currently in France, enjoying the sweet summer heat and devouring hunks of croissants at the breakfast table while birdsong dances through open French doors (terrible pun so not intended). So, being only one hour from Paris, I recently grabbed the opportunity to take a trip to the big city, where I ended up as a typical Instagrammer in its natural habitat (not as bad as it sounds, mind you - I did manage to snap quite a few Insta-worthy shots). Every street, every corner, every square meter was alive and pounding, and I was unconditionally in love. 

As the heat of the afternoon began to dim softly and cigarette smoke trickled through blunt orange streetlight and restaurants filled up with hungry tourists and dinner-eaters, I, along with my little family decided that it was time to creep back home to a cool shower and a bite to eat. On the way, however, my lovely mom stopped to return something to a shop, and, without my realising, also picked up a little vial of perfume (as well as a teeny tiny pocket of sweets) as a gift for me. On arriving home I didn't even notice the tiny bag tucked into a larger containing my day's purchases. I was so exhausted that I simply sunk into cool cotton sheets after a relaxing rinse and closed my eyes until the next morning. However, when I did eventually uncover it I was overcome by joy and a simple citrus essence. The scent was such a lovely delight (who doesn't love surprises?) and I can't wait to wear it! 

Makeup Photoshoot à la Pro

Hey everyone!

Here's something that I would absolutely love to share with you and really hope you enjoy!

If you've taken a peek at my recent makeup review and June favourites blogposts you may have noticed that I mentioned the blooming Irish makeup brand Maison d'Anu quite a few times. And why, you wonder (this is the exciting part, start buzzing)? Well, I had the thrill of assisting my dear papa, photographer extraordinaire (website here!), at their photoshoot, complete with models, maekup, stylists, the lot. And it was incredible. Being my first photoshoot, I found this to be a wonderful experience, and not only did I thoroughly enjoy it, it also opened up my mind to a world of style and creativity all around me. 

The setting itself was magical - a crumbling house reeking of decay and mystery, soft red brick and ivy clinging to its walls, the whisper of ghosts lingering in each corner. Torn linen curtains twitched, not solely due to the icy wind trickling through open sash-windows, and lights flickered faintly every so often. I may not be the biggest fan of the damp, but that doesn't stop me from saying that I enjoyed every second I spent there, be that thanks to the enchanted ambience and history of the place or the energy of the people working alongside me or even the trailing princess dresses and stashes of powder and creamy lipsticks scattered around the floor. Everything about my very first photoshoot (à la professionnel) was wonderful and I am really happy to have participated in such an amazing project!

June Faves | monthly favourites

Hey everyone!

Summer has arrived (raise those hands in the air, lemme get a 'hell yeah!'), but not with the usual 'bingity-bangity-boom' I'd been expecting (which kind of really extremely definitely stinks because I was so looking forward to it). That, however, does not mean that I didn't get a chance to enjoy the very beautiful month of June in all its glory and good weather. In fact, I found June of 2015 to be a refreshingly pleasant month, and that is not solely due to all of the delicious rays of sunshine I managed to lick up on its passing! 

There have been quite a few sneaky makeup/beauty/fashionista products that have held my back over the course of about three weeks, and with which I have fallen deeply in love (and no, that is not because I don't have a man in my life, you cheeky moron!). I've been looking forward to sharing these with you for a long time, as they are perfect for the summer months (I mean, they practically have SUMMER SURVIVAL ESSENTIALS! stamped all over them), plus they are super chic and really do turn heads. Enjoy!

• 'One' perfume by Calvin Klein
• 'Purifying Cream Cleanser' by La Prairie, Switzerland
  
• Coral lipgloss in 'Pink-ing of You' by Maison d'Anu
• 'Frizz Ease: Secret Agent' touch-up cream for frizzy hair by John Freida
• 'We Were Liars' book (winner of the YA Goodreads Choice Awards 2014) by Emily Lockhart
• Round tortoise-shell sunglasses by River Island

(Product reviews underneath photos)

                       

                   

                      

1. 'One' perfume by Calvin Klein

OK, can I just rant for a second here? This youthful perfume is a definite 'must-have' for the beach season - soulful, refreshing and sprinkled with a tangy zest, it flirts with your senses and has you hooked from the prime sniff. Love at first whiff? I think so.

2. 'Purifying Cream Cleanser' by La Prairie, Switzerland

I like three things in life. Feminism, pasta and hygiene. This creamy, nourishing product slots into the third third of that list, respectively, and I adore it. After ONE tiny usage, my skin has come to look more radiant and healthy and not like I've been huddled inside all day playing Candy Crush on my phone. And for that I would like to thank La Prairie and this wonderful miracle that has made me a happy human. Amen.
 
3. Coral lipgloss in 'Pink-ing of You' by Maison d'Anu

You may or may not remember my recent review of blossoming Irish makeup brand, Maison d'Anu (click here to investigate!), but if so, are probably wondering why I'm still lingering onto its products. Well, there's a pretty legit reason for that: they are awesomesauce (yes, I said it. Awesomesauce. Judge me now). This coral, vanilla-flavored lipgloss is the perfect summer beauty buy - peachy pink, sleek (not sticky and oozy), and with silent dashes of gold running through it, 'Pink-ing of You' is fit for a princess.

4. 'Frizz Ease: Secret Agent' touch-up cream for frizzy hair by John Freida

I don't know if you're like me, but if you are, you need hair-help. And fast. This is the part where you get really lucky and suddenly realise that John Freida is a wonderful man who invents magical products, such as 'Frizz Ease'. This cream is so light on the hair, easy to apply and smells like Kevin (read that aloud and you'll see what I mean!). For a season full of sea, salt and sand, this product is a deadly weapon.

5. 'We Were Liars' book (winner of the YA Goodreads Choice Awards 2014) by Emily Lockhart

OK, so being completely honest, this book may not be the easiest 'beach read' as it is hard not to become bogged down in the plot, but it is so intricately woven, and spun with such finesse that you will have a very (VERY) difficult time putting it down for dinner (or any other activity that does not involve books for that matter). The storyline is pretty twisted and unusual, and you think that you know what's happening until the very end when, oh wait, PLOT TWIST, and everything you thought you knew crumbles and dies around you. Yeah, plot accuracy.

6. Round, tortoise-shell sunglasses from River Island

Because fashion (and protection against those UV rays, kids). What else?

Sweater Weather | TAG

Hey everyone!

I've decided to do my very first tag. And I'm pretty excited about it, I must say, especially since it is so autumnal and cosy and hot-chocolate/cinnamon/pinewood scented and all that good stuff. I mean, who doesn't love a good snuggle by the fire? Enjoy!

(Inspired by Niamh's blog - why not check it out?)

• Favorite candle scent?

Can we all just agree that candles are bæ when it comes to sweater weather? The capability of choosing just one thing (whether that be an ice cream flavor or fave song) is a talent I have not yet mastered, but I have fallen in love this crisp apple and cinnamon darling (bottom of page).

• Coffee, tea or hot chocolate?

Coffee. Black like my soul (but milky Darjeeling is another favourite of mine).

• Best autumn memory?

Reciting a poem to an old neighbor when trick-or-treating. She joined in and I could even make out the glint of a tear in her eye. That's something I will never forget.

• Makeup: winged eyeliner or dark lips?

I love me a bitta berry on my beak and a flick of frozen black on my eyes (oh those Autumn trends!). However, I think a pair of plump rouge lips is what I like to go for.

• What do you want to be for Halloween?

Oh please, Olaf is coming through, everybody!

• Hats or scarves?

Beanies are my fave (although I do not have the skills to pull one off).

•  Most worn sweater?

Like, just about every one I own! I think my absolute favourite one, however, has to be be a white oversized jumper from Abercrombie & Fitch.

• Fave Autumn nail polish?

Deep reds and plum colors remind me of snobby old women, which I don't always enjoy being reminded of, thank you very much - I'm more of a pastel-nails-even-though-it's-Autumn-like-I-don't-care-throw-my-hands-up-in-the-air kinda gal, and absolutely lav to sport Rimmel London's Breakfast in Bed on my nails all year round.

• Skinny jeans or leggings?

Skinny jeans are one of my closet staple MUST HAVES, so definitely those! 

• Boots or Uggs?

Uggs are darlings, I've gotta say, but sorry, it's a no from me. Boots are much more stylish and make it look as though you put in much more effort than you actually did (shout out to all you lazy people AKA moi), while Uggs just make it look as though all you wear is slippers 24/7 (please excuse the negativity!)

I hope you've enjoyed my very first tag, please let me know in the comments whether you'd like me to continue dabbling in Q&As and the like. Personally, I absolutely love to share funky little details about myself with you!