Dear Edinburgh,

Dear Edinburgh,

You have exceeded all my expectations and now I never want to leave.

Edinburgh has to be one of the most festive cities in the world, they have convinced me Australia is doing Christmas all wrong. Everywhere you look the streets are filled with lights, mulled wine stalls and Christmas tree's galore and I am truly in my element.

I have always been a winter baby but being over this side of the world has cemented that theory 100%. Although Edinburgh is freezing, the city is filled with so much warmth.

I am sad I am only here for 4 days but 4 days is enough to tell me I will be back as soon as possible.

Not to mention the beautiful Christmas markets, which I thought deserved it's own dedicated post.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and being on this side of the world makes me want it to be Christmas every two months. I want every weekend to be filled with mulled wine, crepes and iceskating and every morning to be filled with a Starbucks x-hot almond milk latte with an extra shot. I hate that I am one of those people with an obnoxious coffee order but that coffee here at Starbucks is too good to pass up. Also I am so in love with all the Christmas coffee cups you get because we barley get anything like that is Aus. I am getting way to comfortable with the way of life on this side of the world.

Other than Edinburgh doing Christmas well, they also do everything else incredibly well. Including the beautiful cobbled streets, beautiful independently owned stores, the incredible Edinburgh Castle, the stunning views, endless local pubs, the lively atmosphere, the busking bagpipe players and the wonderful food and drink. I believe you could spend a huge chunk of time in Edinburgh and not run out of things to do for a very long time.

Thank you for being everything I expected and more Edinburgh.

Lots of Love,

5 things that help you go to sleep with a clear mind

Happy Monday & start to a new week!

Working full time means my weekends tend to fly past me in the blink of an eye. How can 2 days in the working week feel like forever yet two days on a weekend goes so quickly?!

Recently I have been putting in extra effort in waking up earlier in the mornings before work to give myself time to enjoy my breakfast and coffee before I have to rush out of the door and since doing this I have noticed such a difference in forgetting things, stress and general organisation in the morning.

In this doing nothing but benefiting my morning routine I have put in place a task for myself in doing the same thing in the evenings and clearing my mind as much as I can before going to sleep. Now this is harder than it looks and something I tend to struggle with. Before I know it I'm laying on top of my covers with my makeup still on and I've been scrolling instagram, facebook, instagram, snapchat, instagram, instagram for an hour +.

So I have put together some things I believe you will benefit from clearing your mind before you end your day.

1. They say 'clear environment = a clear mind'. Now I tend to struggle with this one and I'd like to think I am getting better as it's crazy how much a clean room can make you feel more relaxed and is just generally so much more inviting. My favourite is lighting a good candle and turning on my fairy lights as it automatically makes the room more cosy.

2. Turning off your phone/ staying off social media. I believe this is so important for at least the last 30 minutes of your day. I know I always feel more tired and relaxed if I am off of electronics before bed. Social media can be great but it can also be so unhealthy and going to bed not worrying about what anyone else is doing but yourself is the best thing you can do.

3. Reading a good book. I read everyday on the train to and from work yet never so much in the evenings. I want to say I don't know why I don't reach for my book more but I already know the answer, I automatically reach for my phone or Netflix. Even reading a couple of pages before bed will generally always make your eyes that little heavier helping you to drift off.

4. A cup of herbal tea. I am a massive tea fan, I own way to many teas (if that's possible) but I cannot go without my cup of tea at night. I try to steer away from any tea with caffine in it before bed but I large cup of herbal tea calms me and makes it that little easier to drift off. My go to is generally peppermint but you can never go wrong with trying different types out. I know a lot of brands now offer really good 'sleep' teas to help relax you before bed.

5. Writing your thoughts down. Now this is something that a lot of people have heard that it benefits you but I believe it's one of those things we say we'll do more and then only get to a handful of times. Writing your thoughts down at the end of your day is so beneficial when it comes to helping clear your mind. Night time is usually the time where a lot of our overthinking is done. Writing it down is a way of getting things off your chest and essentially saying goodbye to those thoughts, whether those be frustration, sadness, anger or even embracing the good things about your day.

goodnight!

I would love to hear what helps you clear your mind before bed.
Hope you had a wonderful weekend x x x

Lots of Love,

Update, Rambled Thoughts & Melbourne

The last time I posted on here was May??!

That is way to long and to be honest I feel as I'm in a bit of a rut. Not just with my blog but in general, I'm not always one to write super personal thoughts on here but sometimes you just have to ramble and from that the best comes. (Apologies in advance because I try not to ramble in paragraphs because we all know we sometimes just like to look at the pictures).

Firstly I went to Melbourne a couple of weekends ago and it was wonderful. I could forever stare at all the trees and buildings around Melbourne, they're all so beautiful. I feel like it's a city that just keeps on giving. We only went for 4 days and really I needed 4 weeks to explore all the nooks and crannies Melbourne has to offer.

I went with my mumma for a much needed getaway and we ate, laughed, drank, walked (a lot), explored, shopped and drank wonderful coffee. There are so many things I love about Melbourne that makes me fall in love with it more and more every time I visit.

Here are just a couple (or 10)

10 Things I Love About Melbourne

1. Everything stays open so late

2. Coffee

3. Shopping

4. Everyone brings their dogs to cafe's & it's great

5. Delicious food (Go to Chin Chin's & the Asian Beer Cafe if you get the chance)

6. Finding hidden gems all over the city

7. The trees

8. Queen Victoria Markets

9. Everywhere is so alive

10. You can experience Winter, Summer, Autumn & Spring all in one day.

In other news, I had a hernia repair surgery a week ago on my abdomen which went well. Thankfully it was a quick day surgery and only a weeks recovery period. (I got a week off work to watch all the Netflix I pleased, I also downloaded Sims which was a wonderful blast from the past).
I also attended a ball with work hosted by a company here in Perth called Youth Focus. Youth Focus is such a wonderful organisation working to stop youth suicide and the Youth Focus Night of Nights Ball is in place to raise funds to support their great work. Suicide rates in youth are so high so organisations like Youth Focus deserve and incredible amount of credit for all the beautiful work they do. It's incredible how many lives they save.
Me and my boyfriend spent the night at a hotel here in Perth called the Pan Pacific and it was absolutely beautiful. Definitely recommend the Club Suite to anyone looking to treat themselves.

Back to being in a little bit of a rut. I'm in a bit of an 'I don't know what to do' phase. With my future, career and just where and what I want to end up doing, part of me just wants to travel and see as much as I can and see what path that takes me along. I feel like my current day to day life is such a routine that needs a good switch up but I don't know how to do it.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far and has a wonderful weekend.

Sorry for the boring ramble! I've missed writing on here.
I'll be back very soon.

xxxxxx

BALI

 Happy Thursday!

I wasn't originally going to post this post as I thought I had left it too long since my trip but today I was going through my photos and thought there a few too many pretty shots not to share, so here are a couple of happy snaps from my trip to Bali.

Back in February I visited Bali Indonesia for 11 days. This is my 3rd time going to Bali and I've fallen more and more in love every single time I've been. If you're thinking about ever visiting Bali, I highly recommend.
We stayed in Kuta which is the main area in Bali for tourists and I would definitely say the busiest. The hussle and bussle, the taxi drivers honking at you every two seconds, the cheap food and drinks (cheap everything really), the markets, wonderful cocktails, beach bars, corn on the cobs, sunsets and the wonderful different characters you meet all make Bali the wonderful place it is.
In saying all of this you do need to be wary and careful when you go, of your belongings, keep your drinks close and try not to get Bali belly and I guarantee you you'll love Bali just as much as I do.

Next time I go to Bali I would love to stay a little bit further away from all the hussle and bussle and stay somewhere a little quieter. We spent a day trip driving down to the rice fields in Ubud. I have seen photo's of them online and they certainly did not disappoint. Something a photo just can't quite capture it the way your eyes can. Though the photos I did manage to get did come out beautiful.
We visited 2 temples whilst we we're in Bali the main big one being the Uluwatu Temple, this is another thing I had heard lots about and the day we wen't we almost got swept away by the wind but none the less it was incredible. There are monkeys everywhere though so hold onto your things!

On our second last day it was a planned lazy day. I decided to catch a taxi and visit the Jodie O'Shea Orphanage here in Denpasar, Bali. I was so incredibly nervous as I was leaving my friends for the day and going on my own. The amount of times in my head I was like 'maybe I won't go'  but in the end I bit my nerves and went and I am so happy I did. I met the most beautiful children, volunteers, workers and even a beautiful couple that had moved to Bali for a year and visited the orphanage a few times a week. These children had so much love to give. Shows that in life all you need is love.
I'm so grateful I got the opportunity to meet these children and they certainly touched me more than I could've ever touched them, so the biggest thank you goes out to them.

 Ubud Rice Fields

 Jodie O'Shea Orphanage

 Ubud Rice Fields

 Canguu

 Canguu

 Ubud Rice Fields

 Finns Beach Club

 Jodie O'Shea Orphanage

 Ubud Rice Fields

 Jodie O'Shea Orphanage

Jodie O'Shea Orphanage

Jodie O'Shea Orphanage

Sending so much love always.
xxxx

Lots of Love,

Current Favourites

Technically a lot of these things are my 'May Favourites' but I thought I jumped on the bandwagon a little early to title it that as we're only at the 22nd so here are some of my current favourite things.
With it being my birthday at the start of this month I was lucky enough to be spoilt with a few new goodies and it's safe to say I've fallen in love with so many of them.

Firstly the Meet Matt(e) Nude palette by the Balm.
I purchased myself this about a month and a half ago as I came across it in Target when the Balm had 30% off and how can you say no to 30% off? Recently I have been enjoying wearing simple eye looks with one or two shades on the eyes and lashes and this palette has every colour I would need for that. With all 9 shadows being matte it is a very practical palette with a lot of blending and transition shades (not to mention all the shades are extremely pigmented). I would definitely recommend if you're looking for a staple matte shadow palette.

 

Becca Highlighter in Opal.
This is a product that everyone and their neighbour has tried and I've never had my hands on. My lovely friend Brooke gifted me this for my birthday and I was so excited when I opened it. It's something I've wanted to try forever as here in the blogging world and on YouTube I've heard nothing but wonderful things and it definitely doesn't disappoint. It's so creamy and blends into the skin like a dream. What I love about this highlighter is the way you can wear it lightly to make it look subtle or pack it on to shine so bright you can see it across the street.

The Body Shop Strawberry Gel-Lotion.
As we're coming into the colder months here in Australia my skin is definitely starting to get more dry and because on a usual week I'll fake tan moisturising is essential to making it last and not go flaky. I got this lotion in a set for my birthday and the smell is divine. Body Shop never disappoints with the scents of their products. As soon as this mini bottle runs out I'll definitely be purchasing the bigger size.

Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette.
To me any Too Faced eye shadow palette I have used has never disappointed. From the pigmentation to the colour range and the best part being the smell of some of their palettes. If you ever get the chance make sure you go into your nearest Sephora or Mecca and just smell this palette and I'm sure it'll win you over. I was such a fan of the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette that when I saw this one was releasing I had to purchase it the minute it came out and I'm so glad I did. Next on the wishlist is the Semi Sweet Palette and if it's even half as good as this or the Chocolate Bar I will be very happy.

Flowers.
My current obsession and has been for a very long time now are flowers. I have become the type of person that always wants fresh flowers in my room. I feel they bring any room to life. I'm actually considering based off my love for flowers doing a floristry course and making up bouquets for my family and friends. My little dream would be to have a Saturday or Sunday market stall selling extremely pretty bouquets of flowers.

Cup O'Coffee Lush Face and Body Mask.
This is probably my favourite item out of my current favourites. I received a beautiful box for my birthday with lots of goodies and this was in there and since then it has become my favourite thing. I'm yet to use it as a body mask but when I have used it on my face it's done wonders. After a big weekend I find using this calms my skin completely down from all the makeup I've worn. My skin feels so lovely and soft after using it and I felt as if it calmed down any blemishes I had on my skin.
It's quite a big tub so I can't see myself finishing it any time soon but as soon as it finishes I will definitely be purchasing another one.

Frank Body Coffee Lip Scrub.
I had never before this tried any products from Frank Body but have always heard people say such wonderful things about their body scrub. I received the coffee lip scrub for my birthday earlier this month and with it coming into the colder months and my lips being dryer it has been a lifesaver. I have tried one other lip scrub before and it doesn't compare to how lovely this one is. It has the nicest coffee smell and it isn't too chunky or harsh on my lips. Will definitely be my best friend over the Winter months. I also received the Frank Body lip balm and I definitely recommend it with this scrub.

Earrings.
Earrings are my current obsession. Accessorising is something I definitely want to do more as I can sometimes be a bit of a plain Jane when it comes to it. Recently I have fallen in love with earrings, anything dangly with tassels or a boho vibe I am all over. These gold hoops with tassels are some of my new favourites, I feel a good pair of earrings can make any outfit complete.
I also thought I would add in the matching necklace as I have been wearing this quite often as well. I find it's a good simple piece that can bring a certain something to any plain outfit without it being too much.
Earrings- Lovisa / Necklace- Sportsgirl

Mac Fix Plus.
Now this is a product that I probably couldn't live without. I use fix plus at so many stages during my makeup application, it sets everything in place whilst also giving moisture to any excess powder. I find it great to enhance any shadows or highlighter and just can all over spray to give your skin a little bit of extra moisture. It's a big winner in my eyes.

Candles.
Last but certainly not least candles. I am such a sucker for a good candle. I believe I currently have 4 displaying in my bedroom. Coming into winter I feel as if my candle obsession might fall hand in hand with my flower obsession. This cute little one was a gift for my birthday and the rose gold on the outside just makes this candle a beautiful addition to my dresser. I believe it's from Cotton On.

I would love to hear if there's anything new you've been loving! I love finding new things based on other peoples recommendations.
I hope you have a wonderful week, happy Monday!
xxxxx

Lots of Love,