Don't get lippy with me | Beauty

I'm Danielle and I'm a lipstick addict.

Whether it be a high end splurge or a high street steal, I can not resist. I'm big on trying out all kinds of daring and bold colours. My collection includes blacks, oranges and my everyday staples. I love how much choice there is out there having various colours and finishes (I always opt for a matte finish for a super pigmented look).

MAC is probably my favourite brand for lipstick, I love to spend ages browsing the whole selection. Some of my holy grails include; Lady Danger, Heroine and Velvet Teddy (believe it or not this was a staple of mine before the KJ hype) - oh and they're all matte finishes too, shock.

I definitely believe that my choice of lip is seasonal. During the Autumn and Winter months I'll always wear the darker purples (MAC Cyber is love), the darker reds (MAC Diva) or a nude if I'm feeling a barely there look. I love the golden and bronzed eyeshadow tones with a dark lip around this time of year as it really makes my blue eyes pop! 

However, as soon as the sun starts shining and I get a little colour to my face I absolutely adore the corals and the orangey-reds, Morange and Lady Danger by MAC are usually my go-tos. 

I'll add a swatch below for some of the products I have mentioned for inspiration, in case you're feeling a change but are unsure of what you like!

D

From Left to Right; Heroine, Cyber, Morange, Lady Danger - All MAC

Steak away | Food

Being the absolute steak lover I am, I thought I'd share my top 3 favourite steak experiences. If you live in the London or surrounding areas, or if you're coming to visit, ensure you check them out! Food porn in all its glory. 


1 - Barnham Broom Spa, Golf & Hotel | Norfolk. A few weeks ago my friends and I headed to the country for a nice, relaxing spa break. At dinner of course I ordered the steak and I had the rump which I was a bit dubious about being a fillet girl usually. I had it cooked medium-rare, as always. Now, I'm not sure whether it was the 3 bottles of Prosecco and the glass of wine with dinner talking, but this was THE best steak I have ever had. Big, juicy, tender with hardly any fat, it was a dream. If you ever visit this particular spa, although I know it's doubtful, do try the steak. No photo unfortunately, was clearly 6 bites deep before I'd even thought to take my standard food selfie. Soz. Standard steak dinner pricing.

2 - Flat Iron | London. £10 steak and super cute mugs of popcorn. This edgy hidden gem didn't disappoint, with shared seating it's casual and communal. You can't really have much of an expectation when you're getting steak for £10, however it was juicy and tender and everything right with the world. Oh and the presentation was hella cool, with a mini meat cleaver for a knife. Totally instagram worthy. 10/10!

3 - Miller & Carter | Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. Average meal costing £25, standard pricing. I went for the fillet and it was divine. The thing I loved about Miller & Carter is all the choices - you get a lettuce wedge and the dressing of your choice (I went for the prawn cocktail dressing with croutons, yum), a side of your choice, a steak sauce of your choice and this delicious crispy onion type thing - amazing. More pricey than the Flat Iron, but it was good quality food. 

I'd love to hear about your favourite places to eat Steak, let me know it the comments!

D

Beautiful Barcelona | Travel

I have been fortunate enough to visit Barcelona twice in the past year, once for part of my 21st birthday present (thanks again Mama & sissy) and again for a friends birthday weekend. Both times were enchanting, it’s truly the most amazing city on earth. The city has tons to offer, here’s a few must-do’s. Think of it as your own personal Barcelona bucket list. 

• Visit the captivating works of Spains greatest architect Antoni Gaudí. Have your breath taken away at Gaudí’s final and unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Família. The most colourful and beautifully complex architecture in the form of a cathedral. Make sure you take the tower tour for views of the whole city. Enjoy a stroll in Park Güell and be amazed by the mosaic designs and gorgeous scenery. Don’t forget to stop by Casa Batlló, a house redesigned by Gaudí in 1904. They say the roof was made to look like the spine of a dragon, the general theme throughout is quite skeletal. Make sure you pick up an E-Guide to see how the house was furnished at the time.
• Enjoy a glass of Pinot whilst you wait for the sun to set, and then experience a fountain show like no other at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. You’ll be amazed by the colours and excitement in the atmosphere.
• Have a walk through Las Ramblas. A street market where you can expect performances, various foods and other little nick nacks. Stop by one of the ice cream stalls for a scoop of Hersheys (amazing!).
• Explore the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), where you’ll get lost in streets upon streets of shops, bars and restaurants. The deeper you venture into Barri Gòtic, the more interesting it becomes. It has lots of old architecture, including a gorgeous cathedral. Think vampy.
• Spend your nights at the Olympic Port, where you will be spoilt for choice for bars and places to eat. Nearby is also a Pacha Nightclub and a huge casino.
• If you want a touch of glam then head to the WET Bar in the W Hotel. Get your cocktail on whilst a DJ does his thing on a rooftop setup. Tres chic!

If you do try any of these things whilst visiting Barcelona, I'd love to know in the comments.

Happy touristing!

D