Day 2...

Fortunately after our first day we were still able to walk, which meant a day somewhere I have never been before...Versailles.

The metro ticket cost about 6 euros and the journey well over 20 minutes, but it was worth every second.

When you arrive you are in the middle of a small town, but when you turn the corner ...WOW!

Family Chapel

Queens Rooms

Hall of Mirrors

Gardens

Le Petit Trianon (Where Marie Antoinette spent a lot of her time)

 The watermill from Le Petit Hameau (the tiny village in the grounds of Versailles)

Anyone else been to Versailles?

We'll always have Paris!

Wow I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted but sometimes life just loves to throw spanners!

During my period of absence I have been to one of my favourite places on Earth...the one and only Paris!

A present for my sister (and best friend) 21st birthday I (and others) surprised her with a 3 day trip...
*Warning...this may take several posts

DAY 1

I have been several times and always do the same walk, it's a long one (7+ miles, not including stairs) but nothing says you are in Paris like this walk.

The first thing you must do is drop off your bags and head to the Ecole Militaire, when you turn the corner the Eiffel Towers is waiting for you at the end of the Champs de Mars...then over the Pont d'lena and along the Seinne.

Up Avenue Montaigne (and past all the designer shops), until you turn off for secluded chocolate boutique Maison du Chocolat. Eventually you reach the Champs Elysee where we climbed to the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

After walking the Champs Elysee to Concorde and the Tuillerie Gardens we came to the Louvre (cue hunt for the rose line a la Da Vinci Code). From there it was up to Notre Dame (literally up as we climbed the towers) and finally a hobble back to the metro and our hotel.

*Amazing discoveries

 1. If you are under 26 and have your passport you get into most places free (L'arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Versailles) or with a discount (Catacombs and Opera Garnier)

2. At some Macdonalds you can find a McCafe...they sell 6 Macaroons for 5euro!!! (we did splurge on decent macaroons but more about that another day!)

St Moriz Mousse

I LOVE this fake tan!

We first met over a year ago, a few months ago it decided to run out and I keep putting off buying more, not because it's not worth it, I am just very forgetful! It is a bugger to get hold of (the only shop I knew that sold it closed down :( and now I will be forced to buy it online )

I use my £1 tanning mit from Primark and no matter how much I smudge, smear or streak this tan, when it is washed off it is so even it's amazing.  The only down side is that it does leave a slight smell, not unpleasant just fake-tanny...

The colour is fairly natural (on whatever skin tone it is I have) and can be built up gradually.

The product itself is a brown mousse which is great because you can see where you have already applied...

Has any body else used this tan and loved it as much as me?

xx

1 year anniversary!

This month it will be one year since we had a new addition to the family...Bailey.

I have grown up with dogs and being without one was just weird!

He is a Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel...

*warning excessive use of doggie photo's

I know pets aren't for everyone ...

x

A tale of two mascaras

After a mooch around my local Debenhams I found myself inexplicably drawn to the Benefit counter (don't you hate it when that happens). While I was there I saw the poster for their new Mascara 'They're Real'.

As someone with thick but short lashes I am all for a lengthening mascara with a bit of curl power I purchased. Previously I was using super cheap mascara 'Skyscraper' by collection 2000...

I am unsure as to which I prefer. Although I do like the final effect of the Benefit choice and it does last, it also takes a while to achieve due to its long drying time. It is also quite tough to take off, it requires a bit of soaking before hand. On the other hand the 'SKYSCRAPER' mascara curl doesn't last as long, but is much easier/quicker to apply and comes off easily with some soap and water.

*Apologies for the close ups I am still getting used to taking photo's of myself

without any mascara

 
Benefit Mascara

 
Collection 2000 mascara

I am interested to see what others think...is there a difference or have you tried either of these?

xx

Elegant Touch...Or not!

/As a teacher, 39 weeks of the year my hands need to be very 'practical' (otherwise known as natural nails). This would be fine except I bite my nails out of stress, not too badly, but enough that my nails are rarely at a length I am happy with. Hallelujah for half terms where I get to indulge my impractical side and wear false nails.

This time I decided to use Elegant Touch (in short length). I have no complaints with this product, even though I didn't use the glue it came with (more on that later). The tabs make them so simple to apply and the shorter lengths are great but I did file some down to a more suitable length. Highly recommended product!

The problem came, as it usually does, with the glue. From past experience I haven't used the glue that comes with this product as I tend to find the nail fall off within days. This time I thought I would buy seperate glue, but from the same brand. This was a disaster, although MUCH easier to use some nails had popped off the next day.

It seems to be a truth universally acknowledged that nail glues are either:

i) pants

    ii) resistant to my nails.

Anyone have a nail glue they swear by?

xx

Pinterest...

I have been a terrible blogger for the last few weeks, I blame sickness and the end of half term (marking overload). However I am now better and on half term, (whoop!) so hopefully more blogging time!

I do have a new addiction for you. PINTEREST. It's a site where you simply 'pin' images you like from the net to one you boards, or 'repin' others. I am not a user of tumblr but from what I gather it's similar just with amazing photography and no emotional angst!

Check it out...


xx

I Love (and hate) Sundays

As much as I dread the end to my all to short weekend there are a few things to look forward to on Sundays...
                                                     

The latest Sunday night TV addiction is Birdsong. My sister studied Birdsong for exams and raved about it! (I will now be stealing this book when she isn't looking). It is a 2 part drama and so far it is excellent! The horror of war is portrayed in a haunting way instead of relying on gratuitous violence, and the romantic parts tender and steamy without being cringe worthy.

                                                           

Sundays are also Hair Dye Days! In December I had a rebellious moment. After nearly 25 years of being VERY conservative about what I do with my hair I decided to go PLUM! Unfortunately the vibrancy of the purple fades after about 6 weeks and you are left with more of a faint tint. This weekend I decided I missed the bright perple and gave it another go!
                                                  
I love L'oreal Casting Creme, (I use 2 boxes) but it is so easy to apply and leaves your hair manageable and well conditioned. Also the conditioner that comes with it smells gorgeous!
Does anyone else have those crazy hair/ beauty moments?

Pareee!!!!!

So I have done it, I have booked my Easter Holiday holiday to you guessed it...
                                                            
I am so excited, I have been loads of times before so will do the usual, climbing the Tower, walking the Champs Elysees and eating crepes. However I vow to do some new things this time...climbing the Arc de Triomphe, visiting the Catacombs and going to the awesome Palace of Versailles.

                                                       

Anyone got any suggestions for other things to do?

Eek! My first post

I am surprised at how self conscious I feel typing this...Oh well here goes.

I thought I would make my first few posts about some of the things I love at the moment...

1) My super value nail polish from Primark

This set of 4 lush colours (I am really into nude and blush shades at the moment) was only £2. Normally I am really picky about nail varnish, if it doesn't dry in 60 seconds I am not interested! However at that price for those colours I thought I'd give it ago.
I am so impressed with the results, flat and even colour that dried quite quickly...

...however even with a topcoat it chips far too easily. The picture above was taken after painting my nail whereas the one below was taken the next evening after a day at work.

I am thinking about investing in a topcoat which is more durable against chipping. Any suggestions?