5 Essentials For A Girly Hotel Stay*

Is there anything better than a stay-over in a hotel [be this a city break, an overnight stay or a week all-inclusive in a 5* resort in Mykonos] with the gals?! The memories, the laughs, the indulgence of staying somewhere away from home; with fluffy towels & sachets of posh tea by the kettle. I always seem to sleep better in hotel beds too - don't know why? 🙋

I'm staying in a hotel with the girls in a few weeks for a wedding we're attending and I can't wait - for all these reasons and more. I've compiled a quick list of some of the essentials needed [and which I will most defo be packing / sourcing during my stay] on every girly hotel break below - which ones do you agree with?

Aloha Sunkissed Summer! | Perfume Click*

My huns at Perfume Click treated me to an AMAZING bundle of Sunkissed goodies recently - and I can't even cope. I knew that Sunkissed existed and that they're a fake tanning brand... but I hadn't tried much of theirs, did not realise Perfume Click stocked them, how vast their range actually is and that they also make makeup, too?! My tiny, senior mind was blown when I unwrapped this incredible parcel. 

And that's probs a good place to dive in and start my review.

I was lucky enough to get me [tanning] mitts [that's a terrible pun but I'm committing to it, soz xo] on an assortment of goodies from Perfume Click - a 5 piece Sunkissed Aloha Summer Prep & Finish Tanning Kit*,  Sunkissed Instant Tan Mousse in Dark* [yaaaaaaas], Sunkissed Time To Prime Makeup Primer*, Sunkissed Perfect Fix+ Setting Spray*, Sunkissed Diamond Dust Highlighter Palette* & a Sunkissed Exfoliating Mitt.* 

And breathe. See what I mean about not realising how extensive this range is these days?! Here's a lil rundown of my thoughts on it all.

I Researched The Instagram Algorithm To Weigh Up How Screwed We Are

I'd like to start off this post stating the fact that I don't know if anyone ACTUALLY knows what the balls Instagram's algorithm is up to these days. I doubt even they do, tbh. 

So I'm not trying to pass myself off as some form of Insta guru by writing this post - or pretending like I've got my sh*t together, 400k followers & a load of new ads to not disclose... [*sips tea*] cos lawd, I rly don't. I've just been doing some research & lose about 34 followers a day. Casual.

I've sorta given up hope recently tbh... everything that used to help boost engagement - in a pre-mixed up Insta-world, does f*ck all for me these days. I get more likes on photos I don't hashtag than I do on pure pre-scheduled, proper curated ones [with a chunk of hashtags just crying out to be noticed at the end.] 

Even pics of me rancid face seem to be doing better than actual nice product pics... which is a startling realisation of just how messed up this platform in 2019. Is Instagram okay hun?

Again, I'm not claiming to be an expert on how this algorithm beast gets its kicks... and have I put any of the tips in this post into practice on my own 'Gram yet? No, cos I can't be arsed. But I have spent many precious minutes reading the latest articles about the new algorithm; so I decided to compile this wisdom into a post for ya; to save you having to trawl through pure long articles that make you lose the will to live.

And if, after following these tips, our engagement is still sh*t, terrible boomerangs are still plaguing our feeds & reality tv stars are trying to peddle them teas that give you raging diarrhoea, I think it'll then be time to throw in the towel, admit that Insta's properly mugged us off & invest all our recreational time into moaning about it all the time again. Deal?

Day-2-Night Wear | Outfits For The Office When You Have A Hot Date That Night*

The guy you’ve been talking to for a few days now - after scoring a perfect pass on your London Dating App, wants to take you out for a drink. Prosecco? Yes please! 

The only problem is… you have to meet him after work. Wardrobe CRISIS! What can you wear to work that’ll take you from day(t)-2-night [see what we did there?] Here's a few ideas you might find useful.

Getting Ready For Summer With Skinny Tan*

Life is at least 78% better with a tan... though usually a fake one for me, as the weather in this country doesn't really cut it. Amiright?! HOWEVER if you're ded lucky & planning on heading somewhere legitimately warm, beachy & bikini-appropriate to soak up some rays, it's important to protect your skin whilst bronzing... and vitally important that you take me with you xox [I need a holiday even more than I need a pint of coffee right now. I.e. A LOT.]

On this note of safe suntanning, my baes Skinny Tan have released some proper exciting, ded innovative new products to help boost ya tan and protect your skin at the same time; that I wanna share with you huns today. 

Cos yeah, having a tan is the dream & makes me feel bangin' [we're talking at least about a 3/10 rather than the usual minus 12]... but skin cancer is not the one; sun cream & taking precautions when exposed to the elements is CRUCIAL. Don't risk it. Here's the inside scoop on this collection.

The ULTIMATE Father's Day Gift Guide 2019*

Hey huns, how are ya? In case you've forgotten me, I'm not ded; I've just been insanely busy these past few weeks and have somewhat fell outta the way of writing, washing & being active on socials [other than retweeting cute cat pics & lolling at pigeon memes. Obv.]

I've suddenly [and I don't wanna say this too loudly, in case it scarpers again] got a little burst of motivation to get some blog stuff boxed off today though, so figured I'd pop back onto ya screens with a big old topical post full of some AMAZING goodies & lots of stars in time for Father's Day 2019. Cos there's not long to go now, is there? Here's a round-up of some of the tastiest, personalised, fittest gift ideas on the market this year; picked with me legend of a Dad in mind.

Little Known Box | The May 2019 Birthday Edit*

Ah, it's that time again ♥️ Another month, another Little Known Box* to unwrap & weep over. If you follow me on anything ever or have read my blog before, you'll know of my intense love for all things LKB & how this undying loyalty now goes wayyyy back... I can't quite believe it's been multiple years we've worked together & that this May, Little Known Box are actually celebrating their 3rd birthday! 

3 YEARS. That's three whole years of these incredible curations, indie brands & ethical ethos' plopping through my postbox every month & I can't actually cope... #blessed. 

To mark the occasion, LKB are gonna be celebrating this month with giveaways & special offers, as well as with this fab birthday inspired box. This might be a slight spoiler, but I'd say to keep an eye on my socials - as well as theirs - this week, if you're interested in these fun celebratory competitions... 👀 And with that, let's delve right in shall we huns?

This INCREDIBLE Mirror Has Brought Me SO Much JOI*

Oh my days, beauty blogger / vlogger alert. I've got my hands on one of the most innovative and useful tools when it comes to doing ya makeup - and for if you like to take pics of your handiwork or create videos for your followers as you do so [fab for Insta stories.] What am I on about? Well hun. Sit down & I'll tell you.

Introducing the Spotlite HD Diamond 2.0 by JOI* - which is not just another makeup mirror. It's a game changer. As you'll soon see.

And what was even more exciting when I was unboxing it? The fact I recognised the beauty blogger who's worked with JOI to create it - Hayley Hall. She's not an unrelatable Zoella character or an out-of-touch bblogger you can't vibe with since they signed that 6 figure deal with a skinny tea... she's a normal [much more successful than me] blogger who's mates with bloggers I'm mates with; and seeing that is right nice.  #Community

Group Activities That Are PERFECT for Hen Dos*

I’ve rambled on a fair bit these past few weeks [both on me blog & on Instagram] about how much fun I had recently arranging a stag do for one of my best mates… and all the naughtiness I have planned for a hen do I can’t wait to arrange in July. And then another one I’m planning for next Feb… preferably abroad. PASS ME THE SAMBUCA HUN!

Whilst I’m slightly bitter that none of these festivities are my hen do, I’m literally living my best life attending them all – and have found party planning is pretty much my dream occupation. From drinking games, to cute sentimental details – and from group activities to decoration; planning stag / hen dos is my JAM. 

If you’re planning a hen or stag do, I’m going to list a few ideas for group activities that’ll make the occasion an absolute BALL. And when it comes to having a ball on ya hen – and group activity days that everyone’ll enjoy, Essential Adventure have a whole heap of options. Meaning you can plan something everyone will love – even if the guest-list includes their grumpy great aunt & problematic mother-in-law!

Photo by Isabella Mendes from Pexels

Discovering Natura Siberica - Launching in Holland & Barrett on 27th May*

I really needed a new eye makeup remover, as mine all sorta ran out around the same time [including my Charlotte Tilbury sample from last year's Advent Calendar & this one I'd quite enjoyed... typical] - so when I was given the chance to try one from organic huns Natura Siberica, I jumped at the chance.

Natura Siberica are celebrating the launch of 16 of their hero products into Holland & Barrett on May 27th, which is a bit exciting [and good to know, cos I'll definitely be checking out more of the range after my positive experience with the products of theirs I've tried so far!] - and as part of this celebration, sent me their Natura Siberica Moisturising Foam Eye Make Up Remover* [which is just £5.75] to try.

And I love it.