Discovering Liverpool's Hidden Gems*

I moved to Liverpool in 2007 - and never looked back! Although I originally relocated for Uni; I fell in love with the city, the nightlife, the people & the views over the Mersey pretty rapidly - and it's now the place I call home. 

If you're new to the city you're in for a treat - it's packed with culture, history, shopping opportunities, bargains and stacks of fun. It's somewhere I'd recommend to anyone looking to book a city break... there's so much to explore & enjoy; with a vibe unlike anywhere else I've lived or stayed. And there's a huge array of FAB hotels in Liverpool to choose from, if this post sways ya to come stay here!

As I've lived here for pure time, I'm pretty familiar with what the city has to offer... so when I was recently set the challenge to really explore the city I call home to discover new & hidden gems, I was well up for the mission at hand. 

A lot of people focus on The Baltic Triangle when looking for new haunts... but as I used to work in that area, to me, it's not that 'hidden'. The Royal Albert Docks are another obvious, stunning location to explore - but again, I've roamed round them several times - as I have with other landmarks such as Matthew Street / Penny Lane / Strawberry Fields. And I'm very well versed with the centre of town and its shopping, beauty & drinking options. 

I instead decided to explore Bold Street; an area in the centre of town which has changed a lot in the past few years - with stacks of incredible independent stores & eateries that might not be obvious choices to those new to the area. And I had a BALL. The spending money I used on this trip was gifted by Hotels.com; but all views are my own.

NEW! Extreme Skin Hydration by PAYOT Paris*

As we finally transition into Spring and wave a firm goodbye to Winter [happily - tra hun! you guys know my feelings on this terrible, cold season by now] it's the perfect time to detoxify dry, irritable skin.

The cold season is notorious for drying out / battering skin - the change in temperature over the last few months brings about heightened exposure to harsh weather conditions & dry indoor heating; meaning your skin would totes benefit from a little TLC.

Enter this brand new release from PAYOT Paris; their Hydra 24+ Masque; a super moisturising, comforting mask which bathes the skin with much-needed hydration & nourishment. It's packed full of super-soothing, moisturising ingredients - formulated to ensure a beautiful, healthy complexion.

Lovin' Lotil* | + A #GIVEAWAY For You Guys*

This one time right, I got a bit stressed out [though why I'm unsure, as my life is hella lot more difficult now than it was back in the day!], got a mad throat infection & off the back off that; developed a form of Psoriasis for a bit. Guttate Psoriasis, caused by the strep germs in my throat I think was the genuine consensus. It was proper turd. 

I did, for a while, think my time had come & wept on the phone to NHS Direct more than I'd care to admit. It was the itchiest, most unpleasant situation of my entire adult life [relative to my life experiences at the time, I mean, me leg's fell off since then & that was defo worse in the inconvenience stakes like] so the fact it cleared up with treatment & time is something I'm forever grateful for. 

I'd never suffered with eczema or any form of dry skin condition before this mad outbreak in 2013 - and I was not equipped to deal with it at the time. Something this itchy stage in my life taught me about was the importance of good emollients, moisturisers & cooling creams - and I have used many of these products from that day onwards, to [try to] ensure I never get taken down by dreaded dry conditions skin again. Speaking of bangin' emollients & moisturisers - that's where Lotil comes into the picture; skincare that's seriously good for all dry skin, trusted for over 100 years.

New Launch ☁ Ariana Grande Cloud, NOW AT THE FRAGRANCE SHOP*

Oh Ari 😍 Though I'm about 40 years older than her target demographic and I do not understand all this Stan Twitter malarky, I properly love her. I just think she's amazing, yeno? A ded strong female icon for younger girls to look up to. 

Everything she did for Manchester in the wake of the attack was just phenomenal, and I wept for about 2 months straight over the One Love benefit concert she pulled together. I still get chills & teary-eyed listening to One Last Time. 

As you know, Ari's just launched her new perfume, Cloud*, now available at The Fragrance Shop [who have tonnes of fab offers on at the moment, including an event as we speak for Singles Awareness Day with 15% off!] - which I was lucky enough to receive recently. And as a] the bottle is so damn cute and b] the fragrance itself is fit; I thought I'd toddle on over to me blog today & tell yous a bit more about it.

#Valentines Pampering, With Image Skincare*

I love Image Skincare; they're one of those brands I can always rely on to sort my skin woes right out. With it having been Valentine's this week - and with Image [and Babushka PR] being total babes, I was lucky enough to be sent this lil pamper bundle in time for the big day. So naturally - like the massive keyboard warrior I am, I've bashed together this post to shout all about it and profess my undying love for the brand. Casual.

Unboxing January's Little Known Box*

Well. January's Little Known Box was a bangin' edit - what a cracking way to start 2019! With a fab selection of beauty & skincare goodies from some of my fav brands [such as MONUSkin & Nanshy] their Winter Refresh curation was an absolute dream to unbox - and one I'm keen to show you lovely lot. Immediately. Patience isn't something I have much of - though I still have more of it than I do cash right now 😂

Keep reading to get the full inside scoop on exactly why this month's edit was so bloody brilliant, and to find out a little more about what you can expect from this fab beauty box subscription service. 

Mature Dating This #Valentine's*

Happy Valentine's Day, gang! I hope that no matter how you've spent today, you've had a lovely Thursday. Every day is a good day to show the people you love that you care [terms & conditions apply, don't go full rogue] so try not sweat it too much over this one specific date... it's just another working day, when it comes down to it. Yep, I am officially Buzz Killington. 

My timelines have been swamped with pretty young things in lingerie, designer shoes & huge rose bouquets [the dream] today; but I'd also like to spare a thought for the older singletons this year. Many of my friends' parents are a] over the age of 40 & b] single / mingling - and much as we might think otherwise, the world of dating for single and mature people isn't too far removed from that of 'Stan' Twitter.

My friend's Mum - who's 70 now [and looks bangin' for her age] has been dating and has bagged herself a younger man [jammy AF] who lives in Spain... meaning she now gets to spend most of her time with her bae in boiling hot sun & away from the dingy North West UK. I feel I can learn a lot from her. TEACH ME ALL YOU KNOW PLS HUN. She's smashed the over 50s dating game.

One Makeup Revolution Product That's REALLY Let Me Down [Twice]

Guys, I have freshly brewed tea ready to be spilt here. Like, knocked right over and spilt all over the cream carpet level of tea. 

Much as I love Makeup Revolution, this one particular product has mugged me off not just once - but twice, and I'm going into full-on keyboard warrior mode to vent my frustrations online [and see if anyone else has experienced the same thing.]

The offending product: Makeup Revolution Glow Revolution  Illuminating Face & Body Spray, in Eternal Gold

It's price: a very cheeky [for Makeup Rev, anyway] £10

Would I recommend it?: NO. Not in this lifetime, hun

Why's it so sh*t?: Well boo, grab that mug of tea & whack a biscuit in it, cos I'm about to tell ya.

Celebrating #Valentines with Sparkling Direct* 🍾

Is there anything better in life than prosecco? No, not rly hun. Apart from when it comes beautifully displayed in a gorgeous box, accompanied with luxury chocolates & a personalised message direct to ya front door, that is. If you're looking for the perfect way to show ya bae how much you love 'em this Valentine's, Sparkling Direct have got it going ON!

With next day delivery on champagne, gorgeous gift sets and high quality wine, champagne, spirits & liqueurs to suit every taste - all delivered to you / your lucky recipient directly, this is an online service I am TOTALLY here for... and no doubt a lifesaver for those of you who've left buying birthday / anniversary / engagement / wedding / Valentine's gifts to the last minute! 🍾

The ONE Valentine's Gift You Need To See / Buy / Swoon Over This Year*

Guys, I've found a gift for Valentine's SO GORGEOUS that I want it to be my actual Valentine. 

You'll have probs seen it already, as it's been on pretty much every Instagram photo I've put up recently / I'll ever post again in me life, but it's this 1 Year Roses Makeup Storage Box* from Prezzybox and WOW. 

Non-creepy boys with birds and / or gals with gfs reading this... I can't imagine a prettier gift to receive this Valentine's - this STUNNING storage box is absolute dresser / gifting goals & if you wanna stay on your other half's good books, you should probs order one. Now. 

I mean, everyone needs one of these beauties in their lives I reckon - so regardless of whether you're single AF ... or coupled up but know damn well that your bae would never buy you something as cute as this for Vday - you guys feel free to get yo shop on too. Brace yourself for the 15,000 flatlays ahead.

Celebrating #ValentinesDay with UK Lingerie*

Ah, Valentine's. Love it or hate, it's almost here - and I've actually been properly loving some of the sets, gifts & bouquets I've been seeing appear in my social feeds this year. Like, to the extent where I've actually totes been jibbing off all bitterness I harbour towards those in love. WOW AM SO SELFLESS IN 2019.

Anyway, people who have baes and / or have intercourse typically spoil each other with sexy new lingerie around this time of year. Am not bitter. No rly. Cos UK Lingerie are my bae this year, and they treated me to two stunning sets of lingerie that I actually LOVE [and fit] that I'm gonna share with you today. 

Their range is HUGE, they have a variety of different size options available and delivery is lightning fast; so if you've left Valentine's shopping a little last minute this year then you're covered. Bae or not, it's always nice to treat yourself to a new lingerie set from time to time - so use all these Valentine's offers as an excuse to treat yourself & make yourself feel good 💘 Even if you buy yourself a set & have no intention of ever sharing it with bae. YOLO.

New Bae: My Foreo Luna Play*

I've wanted to try something [just about anything; the desperation / tragic thirst was real] from Foreo since pretty much the dawn of time. Or, on a slightly more real & less dramatic note, since I got more into skincare and became familiar with the brand. Which was quite a while ago now... like, we're talking a few years.

I never realised this fab brand were stocked at Indulge Beauty - but here we are.. the whole Foreo Fam can be shopped via their online store and with regular discounts & offers, it's well worth scoping one out [or any of ya other fave brands] via IB.

Foreo's Luna range is popular AF; these devices not only maximise the efficiency of your cleanser, but they also promote micro-circulation & relax ya facial muscles to delay development of wrinkles. Which I need, as ya gal's getting ooooooooold. So the arrival of one of the newest members of the Foreo Luna Fam into my life - my Pearl Pink Foreo Luna Play* [gifted via Indulge Beauty, the absolute huns] was the kinda energy I needed in my life. And the beginning of our love affair.

#Veganuary Summary : Antipodes Edit*

#Veganuary has now been and gone - but there's no reason why we shouldn't continue with the habits, lifestyle changes and using the products we enjoyed & discovered during this time. 

Obviously there was about 13,000 people moaning about #Veganuary on Twitter... but I personally am totes behind it  and have been trying to be more aware of what I'm eating & consuming brand-wise for quite some time now. I very, very rarely eat meat these days; instead opting for Quorn. Though I do still eat a LOT of cheese & fish. But it's a start. 

I think twice about buying L'Oreal products these days [I can't remember the last time I did] and I won't support Mac for this reason - I'm keen to use my blog & social platforms to instead shout about brands who don't test on animals and are vegan AF. Like Antipodes. Here's some of the newbies from their HUGE, amazing range that I welcomed into my life this January.

Spring Pinks & Peachy Nudes : Mavala's Bloom Collection*

I'd only ever tried Mavala nail polish before... so when this beaut Bloom Collection* of lippies came into my life recently, I was as game as a [massive, tanned] badger to try them out; & see if said lipsticks matched up to the love I have for their nail products.

This collection of six stunning lippies has been inspired by Spring [I totally get Spring vibes just by looking at this line-up - so job well done 👏] and the idea of a New Year: a new bloom. The floral shades in the Bloom line-up are pretty, feminine & pastel-esque - and there's not a single colour I won't wear. Those bright pinks have my heart 😍

#TravelTuesday | Tips To Explore Florida at Your Own Pace*

FUN FACT: I've never been on a long-haul flight - or outside of Europe. I've  frequented Greece and Turkey several times... but I've sorta not been anywhere else haha! This being said, my heart does yearn for a few more far-flung vacays - including a trip to the States - and I'm hoping 2019 is the year I can at the very least book something & start to pay it off; even if I don't travel there till 2020 😂

I have a few friends who live across the pond these days [my absolute baaaaaabe Caitlin being one of them] so it's definitely on my radar. Have you been? One state that intrigues me a LOT, whilst we're on the topic of the USA, is Florida: the Sunshine State. With the incredible Everglades on one side and the stunning Gulf of Mexico on the other, Florida ticks all the boxes.

A Florida vacay can be anything you want it to be.... there's so much to do and see; taking in all the sights & sounds. It's easy to get caught up, planning away and booking abso-frigging-lutely everything you can... but a holiday is supposed to be that, at the end of the day; so it's important to travel at your own pace. As slowly as you want - so you can totes immerse yaself in the culture & savour the sunshine at the same time. 

So onto the topic of today's post: a few cheeky pointers on how to achieve the ultimate easy-going Florida break.

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