LONDON PHOTO DIARY

I've just got back from spending the best four days in London over New Year - of course I took my camera with me, so here's a few lot of photos of what I got up to!

So, after knowing Laura for three years I FINALLY met her and got to give her a hug and take an international bloggers selfie (#dreams). Also, big shoutout to Ellie for allowing me to live like a super cool London student with her for a few days!!

The London eye looking all colourful just before midnight (also about a million people crammed into the tiniest space, and probably the highest density of selfie sticks known to man)

Fireworks at midnight (plus selfie more sticks blocking the view, yay)

Blurry Covent Garden Christmas Tree at 2am with my friend Megan

New Year's Day parade at Piccadilly Circus (so so many marching bands)

King's Cross train station, just because I love their roof

Portobello Market - can I be rich and live here, please please

Little Venice Canals make you feel as if you're in the middle of the countryside and not London

Warwick Avenue (like the Duffy song) ps it's nothing special and neither is the tube station, it's literally just another tube station 

Trafalgar Square where we went to the National Portrait Gallery as we're oh so cultured

God's Own Junkyard in Soho - so.much.neon.

We went up The Shard with and got a faaabulous view of some clouds...

Borough Market and the most amazing Paella

The burry bokeh lights in the background of these photos is the stuff of dreams, yes?

We took Laura and her friends for their first experience of proper British fish and chips (they hadn't tried vinegar on their chips before, say what...)

Brick Lane, Spittalfields and Shorditch and all their street art, vintage shops and super cool people

THE CHRISTMAS DAY DOG WALK

Hat: Primark
Coat: Zara
Scarf: Zara
Dress: Zara
Gloves: ASOS
Wellies: Hunter

I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and you're all looking forward to New Year's Eve! This is what I decided to wear on Christmas day, we stayed at my aunty's house in Manchester for a couple of days with her, my cousins and my grandparents and their labradors. We always go for a walk on Christmas day and this is a couple of photos from this years walk! I was probably a bit overdressed for a muddy welly walk, but as the saying goes - it's better to be overdressed than underdressed and I like to stick to that!

I'm going to London for four days over New Year with my friend Megan, and then I'm meeting up with Ellie and then FINALLY meeting Laura (guys it's been over two years that I've been waiting for this moment to happen!!!!) this is going to be such a good week! I'm of course taking my camera along, so look out for a blog post from me on that!

THE DOGTOOTH SKIRT

Floppy hat: Primark
Shirt: Primark
Jumper: Mango
Skirt: Zara
Loafers: Russell and Bromley
Watch: Ali Express
Lipstick: MAC 'Darkside'

Somehow I can't stop wearing this colour scheme, add in a bit of grey and that seems to be my wardrobe recently and I'm totally fine with that. Neutral colours are so much easier to wear as it all pretty much matches, and anything that lets me have an extra five minutes in bed is good with me. I bought this skirt in the Westfield Zara when I went to visit Ellie from Ellie's Favourite Things and I'm so glad I did! I've been wearing it quite a lot recently, especially with tops like this and my forever expanding turtle neck collection. It's a subtle way to add a bit of pattern to your outfit without it being too in your face.

Oh and I cut my hair (again) and I haven't been happier with it in a long time, it's so much easier to look after now and the messier it gets, the better it looks - fabulous.

THE STRIPED TURTLE NECK

Stripy turtle neck: Monki (via ASOS)
Jeans: ASOS
Booties: Whistles
Clutch: Whistles
Lipstick: Chanel 'La Desiree'

I've seen so many people wearing the whole turtle neck thing recently, that I decided I needed to get in on it myself and buy a couple (okay, five). I think this one has to be my favourite and I have found myself wearing it maybe a bit too much recently. If you want more turtle neck inspiration, check out Pinterest as there are no shortages of photos on there! I think they help to add to the 'I didn't actually make an effort this morning, bit I want to look like I did' look which is what I tend to go for on a day to day basis.

MY MAKEUP BAG ESSENTIALS

Mascara: L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes 
Foundation: Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish
Lipstick: Tom Ford 'Cherry Lush'

Under eye concealer: YSL Touche Eclat

Eyeshaddow: MAC Cool Neutral Palette 

Makeup bag: Whistles


These products are a few of my makeup bag essentials - ones that I reach for on a daily basis and use time and time again. I chose ones for this post that can give you a bit of a pick me up, and you can rely on in the morning to take you from looking fresh faced, to feeling able to take on the world. A good mascara makes your eyes look a lot wider and can help you fake the appearance of having bigger and more awake eyes. A radiant foundation can make you appear as if you have actually been eating all your greens and drinking plenty of water, instead of the unhealthy ready meals and alcohol that I'm sure is a lot more realistic representation of most people's diets! A bright lipstick is my favourite way to make you look as if you have actually put in a lot more effort in the morning than you really have - when it really only takes two minutes to apply. A radiant under eye concealer is a great way to fake a good nights sleep and will cover up those dark circles by bringing light to that area instead of the natural dark shadow. I will never forgive myself for not getting into eyeshaddow earlier than I did - a couple of neutral colours blended together can really help to wing out your eye shape and draw more attention to your eyes, especially if you haven't had time to do the whole contour, blush and highlight thing. If I am in a rush, I will simply pat one one colour all over the lid and blend it out - faking the fact that it only took you 30 seconds to actually do.