beautiful london

As you'll probably know last week I took a little weekend trip to London to visit my best friend, and we had a perfect few days exploring, drinking Prosecco, eating amazing foods (see this post) and most importantly shopping!

It seems in the last six months I've been turned into the typical blogger, and ended up getting on the train with a shopping list as long as my arm of things you can only get in London, or not many places. Of course I picked up a few more accessible things on my trip too.

My first stop was Selfridges. I managed to make it from Kings Cross to Hammersmith via the Selfridges Beauty Hall in just over an hour, woman on a mission, so much that a lady actually said to me 'You seem to know what you've come for'. I did. I picked up a copy of Allure Magazine, something I've been dying to read for ageeees now. I mean, a magazine only about beauty, hello! I also picked up some Muji drawers, pictured above, which I have been playing with and rearanging ever since.

Next stop was Inglot, a store I've been dreaming about since first hearing about it. I'm a sucker for a pallette, so being able to walk around and put pretty much any combination of products together was like heaven to me. I picked up a gorgeous matte blush and three brown-grey shades of shadow, as well as fluffy applicator brush which reminded me of my beloved Mac 239. At £27.50, the pallette was much cheaper than Mac's similar offering and just as impressive quality, if not more. I can't wait to try more of their products next time I'm down there, I especially liked the look of the eye pigments. 

Then we headed to Kiko, another pro brand that is only available in London, but one I've heard really good things about. Unlike Inglot I had no idea what I wanted in here, but after a long chat with the really helpful assistant and picking up about a hundred different things, I walked away with a really glossy gel-effect top coat, which I really am loving, and a super-long eye pencil in a creamy dark brown which stays put once applied. Love it!

Another trip to Selfridges with more time to browse and I finally managed to get my hands on the Charlotte Tilbury Makeup Bag I've been lusting after for a long time. I've attempted to buy this before, but it always seem out of stock. Well now it's mine. I also like to pretend that the CT actually stands for me instead, ha!

I then headed to the less exclusive Mac, which we all know I buy from regularly, and picked up a blush in Gingerley, a beautiful matte bronzy shade that blends seamlessly with a sculpted look to add a subtle colour pop, and also the cult Soft and Gentle highlighter because I just had to try it. I also rather impulsively purchased Fix+, something I've heard mixed reviews of and just wanted to try. I wish I'd only bought the travel size now though, I'm not all that impressed, mainly because it sprays in random directions, and simply doesn't match up to Urban Decay's All Nighter which I really love. Finally, I picked up a silver palette from the Pro Store for my mum, really quite pointless as you can use the back of your hand but I know she saw them used in store and liked the idea, so I picked it up as part of a belated Mother's Day gift. It's the thought that counts eh?

My Inglot Pallete *heart eyes emoji*

And that completes my London beauty haul. I didn't do too bad I don't think, and managed to restrain myself from buying any lipsticks! Virtual pats on the back welcome. 

Have you had any hauls lately? What do you think of my purchases? Have you tried any of these products or have any recommendations for my next trip?

Love Charlotte

xxx

a little bite of lifestyle

see what I did with the title there?

Last week I was lucky enough to have a little weekend trip to visit one of my best friends in London and indulge in three days of shopping sprees and pretty amazing food. I've been wanting to write some more lifestyle-ish posts for quite a while but I never know what to write about, especially on the things-to-do-or-eat front as my readers are from all over, and lets face it, if you don't live there, its not all that interesting. However, London is a place a lot more people are likely to visit and if you're anything like me I love to check out popular places when I go.

If you do visit either of these two restaurants anytime, I'm pretty sure you won't be dissapointed...

DUCK AND WAFFLE, HERON TOWER

I know what you're thinking. Duck, with waffle, and maple syrup, and egg? Yuck! I'm no fancy eater. I could easily live off pizza and chips, I'm really not one for fancy eating. But this was really really good. We had some really nice garlic and chorizo breads, which was a good idea as they were very filling and the mains were quite small. I also, very bravely, tried a bag of bbq pig ears, which do sound gross but were so so nice! Next you have to have the duck and waffle. I mean if you don't, why are you there? Unless you've been before in which case okay. You've got to try it at least, and you'll probably really like it, it goes together surprisingly well! 

The prices aren't cheap but aren't crazy either, I got all this and a glass of wine and payed £33. But what you really pay for here is the view. From my seat I was almost sat next to the top of the gherkin, with amazing views of the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf too. Plus the glass lift that takes you up is pretty fun. Although it's not the most budget friendly, I really really recommend duck and waffle, even if it's just for a drink in the highest restaurant in Britain!

HOMESLICE, COVENT GARDEN

For something more mainstream, here's a place that was right up my street. Homeslice, in the gorgeous Neals Yard just off Covent Garden. They only do 20" pizzas, you can buy slices, but at £20 for that huge huge piece of yumminess it's not that expensive really, especially seen as you have to share. You can also pick half and half toppings, here we went for salami on one side and spicy peppers and cheeses on the other. The prosecco on tap here was also really yummy, especially sat outside in the sun. I think this is a really nice place to stop midday for a late lunch or just a snack slice if you're peckish. 

That's my two foodie picks if you're visiting London anytime soon, or are lucky enough to live there. Expect a London haul post soon all about the other fun I had walking off my food babies (mostly in Selfridges). 

Did you enjoy this post? Would you like to see more lifestyle? As always I'd love to see your comments and really appreciate a follow on bloglovin if you enjoy what you read.

Love Charlotte

xxx