7 beauty must haves this summer

7 Beauty Must Haves this Summer

1. Clinique ANTI BLEMISH cleansing foam 

I don't really have to sell Clinique to anyone - their products are fantastic. This facial wash is particularly great during the summer. It leaves your face feeling refreshed and ultra clean without feeling dry. The foam gel makes it really easy to use especially after a swim! It has anti-blemish action too so all in all - highly recommend it for your summer travel bag.

2. John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Liquid Shine Illuminating Shampoo for all Brunettes 

Love all John Frieda Shine products. They have discontinued the glosser which was amazing. They smell great and only need a tiny amount to make your hair look thick n glossy!

3. Guerlain Terracotta Moisturising Bronzing Powder

This bronzing powder is light and perfect for summer bronzed look. It also conceals blemishes and you only need to apply a small amount for that. It looks very natural - a must have for after swim evenings!

4. Giorgio Armani Face Fabric

How much do you hate the oily makeup feel on a hot day? If you do, this is the product for you. Face Fabric is the most apt name for this wonderful product and well done to Armani for coming up with this! It is a mousse and not liquid, allowing it to be easily applied and keep your face matte. It provides light but very good coverage - it is literally like wearing a moisturiser. Absolutely perfect for day wear. If you want to wear it in the evening, you may have to add highlighter on your face to get a "contour" effect.
If you apply a large quantity of it with a good foundation brush (I use Clinique) it can almost give you an airbrushed look for those glam summer evenings. For a natural look, just apply it like a moisturiser. It reduces the appearance of pores and evens out the skin tone. I also have to emphasise that not only does it give you a natural, no makeup look, it also feels like you are wearing no foundation! In addition, it allows your skin to stay matte all day (unlike other foundations that make your skin feel oily towards the end of the day).

5. Charlotte Tilbury: EYES TO MESMERISE (Bette) Long-Lasting Easy Cream Eyeshadow

This is lovely eyeshadow for a bronzed natural look.  The colour it shows up depends on your skin tone and I wouldn't really recommend it for people with very light skin tones as it doesn't really show up. My skin tone in tanned/medium brown and I have to put a few coats of it to show up as bronzy gold. The texture is lovely and the application is quite easy (I use it as eyeshadow or eyeliner but I think it works really well as an eyeliner). It is a beautiful colour. it works really well with a bronze look.  It works especially well if you use a highlighter under the brow with gold eyeshadow.  The consistency is a mousse/crème. It lasts for up to 8-10 hours.

6. Clinique Chubby Sticks Lip Balm

Highly recommend this product for holidays. It does not melt in the heat moisturises your lips without being greasy. the sticks come in a variety of amazing colours so you can just buy a set for morning to night look! Great buy!

7. MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil

 This is more of a lip pigment than pencil or lipstick. It can be used as a gloss on top of your lipstick or on its own for a natural glossy look. It's a good product to throw in your purse for a quick refresh. Also, its not greasy and doesn't slide off your lips. These come in a great variety of colours and I would recommend a dark and light one for day/night. Finally, no sharpener needed! I love MAC - they think of everything!!

Day in Richmond

The Day in Richmond

It's funny how you never appreciate where you live! I just had a lovely day in Ruchmond and thought to share it. I had completely forgotten how great Richmond can be in the summer!

Richmond is in leafy and green Surrey and although part of London, it feels like it's far away from the noisy city. This is because of its riverside, the expansive park, the local restaurants, and the pubs on the hill. It has such a small town charm to it.

So we started the day with breakfast at All Bar One - excellent food and very good service. They don't have decent high chairs so had to keep baby held quite tightly! Their hash potatoes were fantastic. 

We then walked along the river where the pubs and restaurants are and went to sit at the Terrace Gardens (secret park only know to locals) - away from the noise and tourists. It was so beautiful and tranquil and baby even took a few steps!

Baby and I then shared super tasty softie ice cream before heading off to town

We stopped at the famous Duck Obd market - where artisans and local food suppliers sell their products. Fresh breads are amazing and you can find some lovely gems there! 

All in all a lovely day which we rounded off with some shopping in Richmond

Outfit details for the day below. 

Top: H & M

Wide leg trousers: Zara

Bag: Tory Burch

Sandals: Destiny Shoes in Kingston

Sunglasses: Prada

A day in the country

A day in the country

Spring and summer are so lovely in the country. You almost forget that living in London. We had a lovely Saturday in the country so I thought to share our experience here.

The weather was amazing and everything was lush green - perfect day for perfect pics!

It was also the right day to try out my Russell & Bromley pumps - so comfy! Since it hasn't rained, I could walk on the grass with these!

Needless to say the little one thoroughly enjoyed herself!

And here is a little summary of my chosen outfit of the day;

Romper from Day Birger et Mikelsson

Shoes from Russell & Bromley 

Hoodie from Juicy Couture

Bag from Valentino

Get outdoors guys! Good for you!

The Messenger of Athens (Mysteries of Greek Detective Book 1) by Anne Zouroudi

The Messenger of Athens (Mysteries of Greek Detective Book 1)  by Anne Zouroudi
Rating: 4 out of 5

This was a very unusual crime novel for me. The central figure is the detective Hermes Diaktoros, the " Greek Detective", who himself is a mystery (is he the Greek God Hermes? Read and find out!) I liked this little element of Greek Mythology in the book.

Diaktros, though has no official authority, investigates and solves the death of a local woman and brings her murderer to justice in a very Greek mythology fashion. The story of the woman who dies is quite melancholic and although the murderer is punished justly, you can't help feeling sad for her. Her character really speaks to the reader.
The book is a real page-turner and not just because you want to know who the murdered is. You get caught up in the lives of these people living on a tiny Greek island and you want to know what is happening to them. The author has made a whole community come alive in her book.
Highly recommend it