3 Swiss Loves!

I'm incredibly lucky to have two of my closest friends live in Zurich! Whilst I miss them like mad, there's always an opportunity to jump on a plane and enjoy a weekend somewhere different. I always leave feeling refreshed, must be something in the Swiss air!


I went to see George and Ben a couple of weeks ago and the weather wasn't great so we decided to have a healthy Saturday! We went running in the hills/mountains surrounding their apartment and then jumped in the lake for a refreshing swim.


In the evening we headed to Dante Bar in Zurich for the most amazing G&T's. I don't think this place is very well known, but it's such a cool little bar, tucked away on a side street where cocktail/drink making is an art form. If you're ever in Zurich you MUST go!

My second love is these two xxxx

Mr and Mrs Waterhouse

And finally, whenever I'm in Switzerland I can't leave without some of this - yum!

Switzerland, I salute you. Until next time.....


Love,

Essie, Essie, Essie...

I'm one of those girls who likes to do her "maintenance" at home so when I get the chance to have a treatment (facial, massage, mani/pedi), it's just that, a TREAT! 


Way back in April I got together with my girls Athena & George for a weekend in London. We did loads of fun stuff which included getting a Manicure at the Cowshed Spa in Shoreditch, and this is where I came across Essie polishes for the first time (I know! Where have I been....). I fell in love.

The other day I was browsing the beauty aisle in TK Maxx and came across these little beauties! 

Colours from L-R: Capri, Coral Reef, Lovie Dovie)

They instantly reminded me of that weekend and were a steal (£7.99 for all 3) so I snapped them up! Having looked into it a bit more online, it's because these colours are no longer available but the quality of the polish is still perfect.


Here's Coral Reef on my fingers, it's a fun, summery "hot-pink".

And Capri on my toes, I think this is probably my fave right now.

Sorry if you hate feet, I'm kinda weird about that too....

TK Maxx still have loads left and different colours too. Essie Polish retails in Boots at £7.99 for one, why not get 3?


Love,

Happy Friday!!!

Yay, it's Friday again!!


Here's my five "happy" moments from this week:


1. In at Number One, and this is BIG news - we finally accepted an offer on our house!!! Woo hoo!! Now I just have to keep everything crossed it all goes to plan, I've been here before.....


2. Surviving the dreaded "first-week-back-at-work", after a holiday. Getting up so early just seems like a form of torture!


3. Laughing out-loud at funny holiday memories, (there's definitely a few people out there who must think I'm loopy)!

This is Fi and I dancing the night away on the beach, it was so windy that night!

4. Making yummy chocolate cupcakes to say thank you to my neighbours for looking after my kitties whilst I was away (they only got 6, ahem.....)!

5. The Apprentice (BBC1, Weds 9pm). Every year I get sucked in to watching this religiously, it's now getting soooo good!


What rocked your world this week?

What to wear? Birthday Tea Party

My lovely friend Maria is having a Tea Party to celebrate her big 3-0, fabulous news but what to wear to such an occasion? It's not like an evening party where you can go all-out and get dressed up to the nines, and yet jeans and a top just doesn't seem special enough.


I saw this dress in Topshop the other day and fell in love with the colours. I normally steer well clear of anything with a floral pattern or too many frills (I have a big bust so often flowers and frills can make me look "mumsy"), but thought I would give this dress a chance. 


I've paired it with gladiator sandals to give it an edge, I tried it with heels but it just looked too dressy and over-pretty. I've also got an over-sized cream cardigan for if it's cold - which knowing this country, it probably will be! 

(Dress: Topshop, Cardigan: GAP, Sandals: New Look)

What would you wear to an afternoon tea-party? How do you feel about floral patterns?

Poolside Pretty - The Results

H'ok, before I went on holiday I promised to review some products for my "poolside pretty" look. The results are in!


Here are the products again:

1. Rimmel London, Glam Eyes Waterproof Mascara in Black (£7.19)

2. Bourjois Paris, 3D Effect Waterproof Gloss (SPF15) in Rose Pacific (£6.99)

3. No7, Stay Perfect Eye Mousse in Vanilla (£9)

4. Rimmel London, Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Black (£3.99)

And here is my poolside make-up:

My favourite product of the four is the Bourjois Lipgloss - love, love, love it! And I will definitely be buying it again. The slight hint of colour was really natural and the gloss itself not too sticky. The SPF15 kept me perfectly protected from the sun. This is a total winner, I give it 5/5.

Next the Rimmel Glam Eyes Waterproof Mascara. This is a great, reasonably priced product. It doesn't give me the most amazing lashes ever, but it does give some volume and definition and the mascara is most definitely sweat proof (lovely!) and water proof. It didn't budge all day but when it came to removing it in the shower, it came off pretty easily with some cleanser. Seeing as I don't often need a waterproof mascara I would buy this again next time I needed one, 4/5.

The Rimmel Waterproof Eye Definer was pretty good too. It's easy to apply, I put some on both my upper and lower lash line. Although it is waterproof, I wouldn't say this product was smudge proof. If you rub your eyes, the eye-liner will move. I usually use a liquid liner so I'm not used to this. But as long as your happy to re-apply a couple of times in the day, this is a great product, it stays put in the pool and that's the main thing, 3/5.

Lastly, the No7 Eye Mousse. Unfortunately, this was a bit of a let down. It doesn't make any claims to be waterproof so that's fine but I found it wasn't at all long-wearing in the sunshine. After I'd been in the sun for 5 mins it had creased and started to wear-off. I will continue to use it back home and see how I get on, but at the moment I'm not sold, 1/5. The hunt for a eye-shadow that will stand up to a bit of water and sweat continues!! 

What make-up do you use on holiday? Any recommendations for me?

These are a few of my favourite things...... April 2012.

I'm back!!! And I can't quite believe how terrible the weather has been since I landed, I definitely did NOT bring the sunshine home with me!


This is a little bit late due to the holiday but, here is what I bought in April!

Pink Roxy Ski Pants c/o Ski Lodge, £49.99 (Sale)
A bit of a random purchase given the time of year but I just fell in love with the bright colour and thought they would look great with a black or white ski-jacket. Can't wait to wear these on the slopes later in the year!!

Blush Pink Shirt, Code c/o TK Maxx, £16.99
A great spring staple for layering with a white vest top underneath and a jacket over the top. I love the cute little mother-of-pearl finish to the buttons.

Black Top, Topshop £15
Just a simple top for layering under a jacket on a night out. I like the scalloped edge detail and the fact that it doesn't "cling".

Navy Jacket, New Look £24.99
I've worn this navy jacket so many times already, it goes with EVERYTHING! 

Blue Vest Top, Banana Republic, £7.99 (Sale)
Necklace, Banana Republic, £14.99 (Sale)
I bought the vest top to layer under my stripy jacket from Mango that I bought last month, and this necklace is just great - gold with tassles, I couldn't love it more!

Tan Top, Banana Republic, 14.99 (Sale)
To layer with jackets and cardigans for work. I have an outfit post for this one coming up soon.

Red Skinny Jeans, Miss Selfridge, £20 (Sale)
These were a bit of an impulse buy! Totally out of my comfort zone but they're bright and fun for summer and can also be made cosy for a winter/christmassy look. 

Tan Skinny Jeans, Miss Selfridge, £20 (Sale)
My second "tan" purchase this month! They look great dressed up with heels, a jacket and a hint of leopard print for a night out.

      Coral Dress, Oasis, £64.37 (Sale)
      This is for a wedding I'm going to. It's really cute and I love the lacy 
      fabric and fit. I shall post a pic of me in it I'm sure!














I spent £249.31!! My budget for clothes each month is £250, I try to stick to this so that I don't go crazy and also it's like a mini-challenge! What do you think? Did you buy anything super-special in April? There were so many sales on, it was hard not to buy loads!

Poolside Pretty

I've been mulling over for a few weeks now what make-up I want to wear poolside. I don't want anything heavy or to look "done-up". But I do want to make the most of my features and not feel like I may scare small children with my naked face.


I picked up these from Boots today:

1. Rimmel London, Glam Eyes Waterproof Mascara in Black (£7.19)
2. Bourjois Paris, 3D Effect Waterproof Gloss (SPF15) in Rose Pacific (£6.99)
3. No7, Stay Perfect Eye Mousse in Vanilla (£9)
4. Rimmel London, Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Black (£3.99)


I've never tried any of these products before so I'll take a poolside pic and let you know how I get on!