Top 3 beaches in Lombok, Indonesia

Top 3 beaches in Lombok, Indonesia

4 May 2017

Before we planned our trip to Indonesia, I had never heard of Lombok - perhaps overshadowed by its more well known neighbour, Bali. Lombok is described as Bali before all the tourists arrived, and I can certainly see why. It is home to some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to and amazingly, most are barely visited. This means you are more than likely sharing the beach with only a handful of other people, which is quite rare these days.

Whilst in Lombok, we hired a driver to travel longer distances (trust me, this is the best option as the roads are super busy and often not the best quality) and  you will therefore need to pay around 5-10,000 IDR for parking at most beaches.

1. Selong Belanak 

 

For me, Selong Belanak easily deserves the number one spot – it may even be one of the most beautiful beaches I have been to and I am sure the pictures really speak for themselves. The sand is the whitest I have seen, the sea is a beautiful turquoise colour and there is just an abundance of space. Most importantly, despite its beauty, it was not very busy.

This is a great beach to visit if you are a beginner surfer, as the waves are not too big. For us, it was enough to watch the surfers catch the waves and just relax in the sun. We were also lucky enough to arrive just as the farmers were transferring their water buffalo's from one side of the beach to the other, which was on my list of things to see.

Located in South Lombok, Selong Belanak is about 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Senggigi.

2. Mawun Beach

 

Mawun beach, which is not too far from Selong Belanak, was my second favourite beach. Shaped like a horse-shoe, Mawun beach has crystal clear water and is nice to walk from one end to another. There is a large tree on the beach which provides lots of welcomed shade, without having to purchase an umbrella.

I do have to mention that there are many hawkers (mostly young kids) at this beach. They are very persistent in trying to sell you fruit or products, coming back every few minutes despite a polite no thank you. There were also a few stray dogs, which you always have to be careful with.

Located in South Lombok, Mawun beach is about 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Senggigi.

 

3. Nippah Beach

 

Nippah beach may not be the most beautiful beach, but it is definitely one I would recommend stopping at if you are passing by. We hired a moped for the day and drove north from Sengiggi, stopping at Pentai Nippah for a few hours. For most of the time we were there, we were the only ones, apart from a few locals at one end of the beach - which is such a rarity these days. 

If you love seafood this is the place for you. The beach is lined with local food stalls that cook fresh fish caught that day, for very good prices. Although neither Richard or I are fish fans, it was great fun walking along the beach and talking to the locals - most were more than happy to show us their catch for the day.

Located in West Lombok, Nippah beach is about a 20 minute drive from Senggigi.

Have you been to Lombok before?

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The at Home Facial with Maskorea

The at Home Facial with Maskorea

30 Apr 2017

South Korea is known for its skincare, bringing us beauty trends such as BB creams and sheet masks. Slowly we are beginning to get more choice, one of the most recent being Maskorea, a new innovative Korean skincare brand tailored for western-skin. Their three step face masks include a pre-mask cleanser, a serum infused ultra-absorbent mask and a post mask anti ageing night treatment - making them perfect for travelling.

The Cleanser

The foam cleanser included used to prepare the skin, removing dirt and makeup. It is very creamy and foams up nicely, leaving the skin feeling soft and clean. It does feel a little drying, however as you are using a mask next this didn't matter too much.

The Mask

Instead of the usual cotton sheet mask, Maskorea masks are made from the natural material Tencel. This biodegradable material sticks to the contours of your face and holds 50% more moisture than cotton, making it ultra hydrating. After leaving on my face for 30 minutes, I removed the mask and was left with a light layer of serum that I massaged into my skin.

The Night Treatment

The night cream is designed to be applied straight after the face mask, however as there is still some residue from the face mask it can feel weird to apply. I found it took a while for the cream to sink in, but as this is usually applied before bed I didn't mind.

What makes these sheet masks different to all others, is that the whole process is like having a facial at home (for a fraction of the price). I like to use these masks when I am having a pamper evening, massaging the serum and night treatment into my skin in an upward motion. Afterwards my skin feels much more hydrated and plump, and any blemishes have reduced in size. I can definitely see the benefits of using a sheet mask over a face mask.

Maskorea do not test on animals, and their products are free from artificial colouring, silicons, parabens and mineral oil. There are currently three masks in the collection; Instant Glow (for dull skin), Turn Back the Clocks (for more mature skin) and Too Many Late Nights (for tired, dehydrated skin).

Available from Feel Unique for £7.99 each.

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Competition | Win Free Tickets to the Grand Designs Live Show, CLC World Resorts

Competition | Win Free Tickets to the Grand Designs Live Show, CLC World Resorts

22 Apr 2017

Picture Credit

I may, or may not, have neglected my blog a bit recently and I apologise. I have struggled to juggle my full time job, living my life and writing a blog. Anyway, more on that another time!

To make up for the lack of posts, I have a little competition for you guys! I have partnered up with CLC Media to give one lucky reader two tickets to the Grand Designs Live show at The ExCel, London. Showing from the 29th April to the 7th May, Grand Designs Live offers interior inspiration from Grand Room sets, interactive cookery demonstrations and much, much more. So if you are looking to spruce up your home, this may be the one for you!

How to enter

If you would like the chance to win two tickets to Grand Designs Live, all you need to do is let me know what you look forward to seeing the most at the show! Please enter via the raffle copter below so I am able to contact you after the competition has closed.

The competition will close midnight on the Wednesday 26th April. Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Competition details form part of these terms and conditions.
• Entry is open to residents of the UK except employees (and their families) of CLC World, its printers and agents, the suppliers of the prizes and any other companies associated with the competitions.
• The entrant(s) must be aged 18 or over. Proof of identity and age may be required.
• Use of a false name or address will result in disqualification.
• The competition opens at 12am and ends at Midnight on the 26th April. Entries that are incomplete, illegible, indecipherable, duplicated or which contain profanity will not be valid and deemed void.
• To enter, applicants must leave a comment for a chance of winning
• All entries must be made directly by the person entering the competition.
• No responsibility can be accepted for entries lost, due to computer error in transit.
• The prizes are as stated and comprises of two tickets for Grand Designs Live (valid between the 29th April – 7th May) to be awarded to one winner. The prize is not transferable to another individual and no cash or other alternatives will be offered.
• Prizes are subject to availability and the prize suppliers' terms and conditions.
• Prizes will be posted to the winner within 48 hours of them providing their postage details.
• The winner will be announced by Rafflecopter on the 27th April.
• Entrants must be prepared to be able to organise their own travel to Grand Designs Live on a date between the 29th April – 7th May , in the case that they are selected to win the competition.
• The promoters reserve the right to amend or alter the terms of competitions at any time and reject entries from entrants not entering into the spirit of the competition.
• In the event of a prize being unavailable, the promoter reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value.
• The winner(s) agree(s) to the use of their name, photograph and disclosure of county of residence and will co-operate with any other reasonable requests by Carissa May and/or CLC World, relating to any post-winning publicity.
• Unless stated otherwise the winner(s) will be drawn at random from all correct entries received by the closing date stated within the promotional material.
• Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the winner(s). If the winner(s) cannot be reached within 24 hours of being notified of their win, or they are unable to comply with these terms and conditions, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to the next eligible entrant drawn at random, or in the event that the promotion is being judged, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to the runner(s)-up selected by the same judges.
• Confirmation of the prize will be made in writing/via online correspondence to the winner(s).
• Failure to respond and/or provide an address for delivery, or failure to meet the eligibility requirements may result in forfeiture of the prize.
• Where applicable, the decision of the judges is final based on the criteria set out in the promotion and no correspondence will be entered over this decision.
• Competitions may be modified or withdrawn at any time.

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The Woman Who Went to Bed For a Year by Sue Townsend

The Woman Who Went to Bed For a Year by Sue Townsend

15 Feb 2017

Last year I set myself a new year’s resolutions of reading 18 books in 2016, yet I read a grand total of 8 books. I love to read, yet I barely have do not make the time. Therefore this year I have set myself a more realistic target of 12 books, one a month. My book of choice for January was The Woman who went to Bed for a Year by Sue Townsend. I picked this up without any idea what the book was about, but because it was by Sue Townsend, bestselling author of Adrian Mole, I had high expectations.

The Woman who went to Bed for a Year is a story about 50 year old Ava who has decided to retire to bed for a year. Her twin children have just left for University, Brian, her husband, has been having an affair for years and she has just had enough. The book started off well, I was intrigued to find out how she would spend her time in bed, there was a story line developing about the twins University life and Brian was openly spending time with his lover. Unfortunately the stories failed to develop momentum and so I was never really gripped.

When in bed, Ava had all the time in the world, yet she wallowed and did nothing. She gave up on her relationship with her husband, did not care that her mother in law was slowly dying, nor did she devise a way to fend for herself in bed - she fully relied on her family members. She was not a particularly likeable person, but then again neither were any of the other characters. The further I got into the book, the less interested I was. I kept holding out for some kind of plot twist, or for Ava to finally get out of bed. But there was nothing. Most of the characters in this book are very selfish and only care for their own wellbeing.

The ending is no better. It just stops. I was left feeling unsatisfied as there were so many unanswered questions. Looking back, the storyline is actually quite sad. Ava went to bed, yet the world still continued. Her family gave up on her; they did not try and help or support her despite the fact she was clearly struggling with some issues.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

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A Round-Up of 2016

A Round-Up of 2016

12 Feb 2017

2016 started a little different to most years. We spent our NYE at a Mexican restaurant, where we made a list of our 2016 new years resolutions, tied the list to a balloon and let it go at midnight. Number one on my list was to travel the world more - tick, number two was to read 18 books in 2016 - this was a fail.

Overall, 2016 was a year full of many happy memories. I went to my first Secret Cinema, which was amazing, I saw one of my close friends get married, one of my close friends have a baby, I travelled to some very beautiful places and much much more. In terms of blogging, it started off well, however towards the end of the year I neglected my blog. I then decided it was time for a bit of a re branding and spent some time relaunching my new blog.

2016 in numbers

4: New countries visited.
6: Countries visited.
15: Flights taken.
17: Hotels stayed in.
41: Times I blogged.
134: Photos Instragrammed.

Highlights of 2016

- Gaining my Open Water PADI certification in Indonesia
- Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland
- Hiring a cottage in the Peak district with friends 
- Watching the ATP World Tour Finals
- Attending Kellerman's Holiday Resort (Secret Cinema)

2016 Blogging Achievements

Sadly I did not work very hard on my blog in 2016 so this section is very small, however there are some aspects that I did work on that have worked out for the better.
- I finally decided to take the plunge and re brand my blog
- I hit 400 posts on my blog
- I invested more time in my Instagram account and it has finally paid off

Top 10 Blog posts in 2016

1. Olivia Burton Rose Gold Watch with Interchangeable Strap
2. Should we be using Aluminium in our Deodorant?
3. How I keep my Makeup Brushes Clean
4. The New Pixi by Petra AW16 Collection
5. 6 Blogs I loved in 2015
6. The Perfect Travel Accessories from Aspinal of London
7. My Invisalign Journey: Update - Tray 13 of 23
8. Book Review | How Not to Travel the World by Lauren Juliff
9. Ted Baker Sweet Treats Perfume - Grace and Olivia
10. How and why you should be Double Cleansing

Thank you for all your support throughout the year and I look forward to what 2017 has to offer!

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My Winter Skincare Essentials

My Winter Skincare Essentials

8 Feb 2017

Firstly, I must apologise. I relaunched this blog with the intention of blogging twice a week and yet, in January, I blogged a grand total of twice. I spent quite a bit of January travelling and therefore my blog was put on hold. Now I am back home and ready to focus on my blog!

Throughout the year I am constantly changing the products I use, and in the winter months my skin can really suffer. The long cold days can really take a toll on your skin and therefore it is important to use products that help to keep your skin hydrated.

It is very easy to forget about protecting your hands throughout the year, but I find it particularly important during the winter. Your hands are constantly exposed to the cold and the wind, and can become dry and chapped very quickly. They also age the quickest, therefore a hand cream is a must. I try and apply hand cream every day, after washing my hands and morning and night as a routine. My favourite at the moment is the Janjira Hand Cream £14 (currently half price!), which is enriched with Almond Oil and Shea Butter and is therefore very hydrating. It also has bergamot oil, ginger oil and lime oil, creating a beautifully fresh scent. It sinks in straight away and leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft.

Another handbag essential is lip balm. I suffer from sore lips year round, however in the summer months I use an SPF lip balm whereas in the winter months I use the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream £27. If you have yet to try this, you must. Personally, I am not a huge fan of the scent, however it doesn't take long to get used to. It is perfect to apply before bed, and is the only lip balm that helps to soothe my sore lips. It is also multifunctional - I quite often apply this to my cuticles whilst on the train to work!


Next, is a serum. My skin suffers the most in winter, so a concentrate is a great addition to my skincare routine. The Odylique Superfruit Concentrate £33 is an organic facial oil that contains rose hip oil, sea buckthorn and pomegranate. As you can see from the picture, the concentrate is orange, and it does in fact apply to your skin orange. As I use this in the evening I do not find this to be a problem, and once it sinks in there is very little residue left. The concentrate helps to boost moisture, renew cells and collagen, and most importantly keep your skin looking radiant - a must in winter!

Like most, I tend to neglect my body in the winter. My legs are rarely on show, same as my arms, and therefore I make less of an effort to keep them looking great - lazy, I know. I do however, ensure that I apply moisturiser after every bath or shower. It is good to use a rich moisturiser that will keep your skin hydrated for longer. The Body Shop Shea Body Butter £6 is my favourite, although thick it sinks in nicely and has the most gorgeous scent. If you have not tried the Body Shop body butters then you are missing out!

Lastly, I like to switch up my eye cream. My go to winter eye cream is the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment £22.50, which I have actually just run out of!! This rich hydrating eye cream transforms into an oil like consistency when applied, and works to restore the natural moisture of the skin. I have really noticed a difference in the application of makeup when using this, my concealer seems to last much longer. You can read my full review here.

What are you winter saviours?

Please note this post contains PR samples, but as usual these are my honest opinions.

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What I got for Christmas | The Book Edition

What I got for Christmas | The Book Edition

4 Jan 2017

Last year I set myself a target of reading 18 books over the year. I failed. Miserably. This year I have set myself a more realistic target of 12 books. I have a whole book case full of books that I haven't read, however I love receiving books as gifts, especially ones that have been recommended. This year I received a variety of books from different people, some which will count towards my 12 books once read, others that are more for fun.

When I am not travelling, I love to travel vicariously through others. So what better than a Bill Bryson book - the king of travel. Down Under: Travels in a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson, as you may have guessed is all about the driest, flattest, hottest inhabited continent, Australia. I have yet to read a Bill Bryson book so I look forward to tucking into this one and wanderlusting over Australia. 

I also received The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman from my Secret Santa. The book is about a lighthouse keeper and his wife who face a moral dilemma when a boat washes ashore holding a dead man and a crying baby. Having struggled to conceive after many attempts, they decide to keep the baby and live with the consequences. It sounds like a real tear jerker, so I will save this for when I have a bit of time at home.

From my parents I received If it Fits, I Sits - Cats in Awkward Places as they know how much I love cats. This includes some very cute pictures of cats getting into the most troublesome situations. This is a nice book to pick up when you need a little pick me up as you can't help but smile. 

Lastly, I received Lonely Planets Best Ever Photography Tips. This little book includes 55 tips to help improve your photography, including 10 golden rules of travel photography. If you know your stuff then this isn't for you, but is great for beginners like me. I love that the book is small enough to carry with you when travelling, and will come in handy when trying to get that perfect shot!

I also received an Amazon Gift Voucher, which I am looking to buy a few more books, so please let me know your book recommendations!

What books did you receive for Christmas?

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New Beginnings

New Beginnings

1 Jan 2017

Five years ago I launched Vanilla Crush, a blog about all things beauty. Whilst I still love writing about beauty, in those five years a lot has changed. I have moved out of my family home, my Wanderlust is stronger than ever, and most obviously - I am five years older. I now spend my days researching new travel destinations, hunting down the perfect coffee table and spending most of my money on candles.

To be frank, I have out grown Vanilla Crush. I had been contemplating a name change for a while now, but it never quite felt right. Having taken some time out from blogging, I feel it is now the perfect time for a new beginning. So, this is the launch of Carissa May.

Carissa May will still include posts about my favourite beauty products and all things beauty related, however the focus will no longer just be beauty, but travel and lifestyle too. I do hope you like the new blog and I look forward to writing about some new topics.

I would love to hear from you if you have been with me since the beginning!

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Yankee Candles from Love Aroma (Discount Code included)

Yankee Candles from Love Aroma (Discount Code included)

10 Sep 2016

Did you know Britons spend around £90 million on Candles every year?! That is an insane amount of candles, and I myself can never have enough candles. If you open my kitchen cupboard you will see hoards of candles just waiting to be burnt. I was recently contacted by Love Aroma and they asked if I would like to try out some of their candles, so of course I said yes. Love Aroma is one of the UKs fastest growing home fragrance specialist and the largest independent retailer of Yankee Candle. They also sell my favourite, WoodWick.

They kindly sent me the Yankee Candle Riviera Escape 6 Votive House Gift Set*, which includes six beautiful summer fragrances for just £10.99, and a votive candle holder*. I personally love these gift sets as they are a great way to try out multiple fragrances before you commit to a larger candle. The candles came well wrapped and protected, which is always a worry when buying candles online. The parcel also came scented with lotus flower and jasmine, one of the candles they sell, which was a lovely surprise! 

Delivery is reasonable at £2.99 if you spend under £30 or free if you spend over £30. It was very speedy, and overall I would highly recommend you check them out. 

Enter VANILLACRUSH at checkout to receive 20% off your order - it expires at the end of September.

Let me know what your favourite candle is!

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The Eye of Horus Liquid Metal Eyeliner in Imperial Bronze

The Eye of Horus Liquid Metal Eyeliner in Imperial Bronze

14 Aug 2016

I have spoken about my love for Eye of Horus many times on my blog, my favourites being the Maat Dark Temptress Eye Shadow Palette and the Sultry Serpentine Goddess Pencil. I recently found out about the Liquid Metal Eyeliners and this may be my favourite of them all. The liquid eyeliners come in four colours, but the one that I have fallen in love with is Imperial Bronze* - a rich metallic bronze with hints of gold.

I have never really taken to liquid eyeliner, however since using this I am a total convert. The felt tip applicator is very thin and the handle is very long, which I find very easy to use to apply a thin precise line. It is very opaque in one sweep and the colour is just beautiful. Its cruelty, Nut, Gluten and Paraben-free formula is infused with Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Lavender Flower Water and Evening Primrose Oil which means it is very gentle on your eyes.

Once dry this eyeliner does not budge and it does not transfer to the top of your eyelid. It is extremely long wearing - I apply in the morning and it is still there by the evening, without any smudges. The colour is suitable for all skin tones, and looks great with blue eyes. As usual I am very impressed with Eye of Horus and I would highly recommend you try out any of their products. They are more expensive than your typical drug store products, but in my opinion they are worth the extra pennies.

The Eye of Horus Liquid Metal Eyeliner are available now from Beauty Bay and the British Museum for £16.50 and are also available in Alchemy Gold, Ancient Pewter and Sphinx Copper.

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Nicole Miller Phone Cases

Nicole Miller Phone Cases

10 Aug 2016

Go back a year and I rarely changed my phone case, however recently I seem to be growing quite a collection. In particular, I have grown quite fond of the Nicole Miller phone cases. I picked up both of these from TK Maxx for a very reasonable price of just £6.99 each, and yet they are very well made. The floral case on the left is a hard case back with Nicole Miller engraved at the bottom and this is the case that first attracted me to Nicole Miller. The clear floral case on the right is a more recent purchase and comes in two separate parts - a soft gel frame to protect the phone edge and a hard case back to protect the back. 

I adore how these look on my phone and there are many other beautiful designs available. Unfortunately it seems they are not particularly easy to get hold of, there are some on EBay, however do pop into your local TK Maxx store and have a look!

Where do you buy your phone cases from?

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The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil #FindReggieLove

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil #FindReggieLove

31 Jul 2016

Growing up I would always use Tea Tree Oil on my spots. It wasn’t till I was older that I began to dabble in more 'sophisticated' spot treatments, but recently I have returned to the old favourite. For the most part, my skin is generally pretty clear, the only time I usually suffer is around the time of the month, however recently my skin has not been very happy and tea tree oil has really helped.

What is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tree oil, also known as Melaleuca Oil, is derived from the leaves of the tea tree, a plant native to Australia (this is not related to the common tea plant that we use to make green and black teas). Most people know tea tree oil as a blemish treatment thanks to its topical antiseptic properties, but there are many other ways that you can use the oil such as to treat scars, soothe insect bites. To read 25 everyday uses for Tea Tree Oil, see here!

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil* is a fair trade organic tea tree oil that comes from The Kenya Organic Oil Farmers' Association. I have been applying this oil morning and night, using a q tip to avoid spreading bacteria. Although an oil, it is much runnier and therefore dries quickly. When first applied it does sting a little, something I find strangely satisfying - at least I know it is doing something. It helps to dry out your blemish, reduce the redness and within a few days you will see the spot begin to disappear. 

The bottle is very medicinal, and the cap is leak proof making it very travel friendly. The applicator itself can be quite hard to use, I often struggle to get the product out - but after practice it does become easier. Although small, the bottle will last a long time as you only need to apply one or two drops morning and night.

I must mention that tea tree oil does not have the most pleasant scent, and it is very strong, however I don't mind it too much and it dissipates quickly. It doesn't help much with spots that have already filled with pus - therefore apply as soon as you see the first signs of a spot. This particular version contains 15% tea tree oil and costs £8 for 10ml, but if you are looking for a cheaper version that is 100% tea tree oil, check out Superdrugs own version for £2.99.

#FindReggieLove

The Body Shop are currently running a campaign called Find Reggie Love, but who is Reggie you may ask. Reggie is a Red Shanked Douc, a monkey that is on the red list of endangered species. Doucs are poached for both food and use in Chinese medicine, and the forest that they live in is being destroyed, so they need our help. 

For every purchase made in participating stores, The Body Shop will contribute 1p to help restore the rain forest in Vietnam. Now this may not sound a lot, however 1p can help save 1 square metre of the rain forest, and help Reggie to find some friends to expand their population. This is an easy way to help make a difference whilst purchasing your favourite products from The Body Shop.

Do you use tea tree oil as a spot treatment?

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24 Hours in Athens

24 Hours in Athens

27 Jul 2016

On our way to Santorini, we decided to stop in Athens for the day. Now, Athens is not a city I have thought to visit exclusively, but as our flight was going via Athens we decided to make the most of it and stay there for one evening. We landed just after 10pm, and left the following evening - leaving us 24 hours to explore the historical city of Athens. To be honest, we did very little planning before we got there, which surprisingly turned out very well.

Top of the list is the Acropolis. Yes, it is full of tourists, and it can get very hot in the middle of summer but you cannot go to Athens without taking a trip to the Acropolis. From afar, the Parthenon can be seen from most places in Athens, but up close it is even more impressive.

Be sure to head to Areios Pagos, a rock below the Acropolis where trials were held for murders in ancient times, to get amazing views of both the Acropolis and the city. If you want to beat the crowd, visit early morning or later in the day when it will also be a little cooler. 

Next up, head to Plaka for some lunch. Plaka, arguably the most beautiful neighbourhood in Athens, is a labyrinth of streets with whitewashed buildings. Some areas are very touristy, however you can spend hours strolling along the old cobbled streets, discovering the bars and cafes. Here we stopped in and had my favourite Greek food - souvlaki and Greek salad, whilst we watched the world go by.

Near to Plaka is the Acropolis Museum, which houses the old riches of the Acropolis. The setup of the museum is one of the best I have seen, arranged in chronological order from pre-history through the late Roman period. It is very modern offers a beautiful view of the Acropolis from the cafe/restaurant. This can take a few hours to get around but is well worth the visit.

Lastly, if you are after a quick and easy dinner head to Monastiraki Square and eat at one of the two famous tavernas - Thanasis and Bairaktaris. It is here that I experienced my first gyros and it sure was amazing - highly recommended.

Be sure to find out if anything is on in the city that day - whilst we were there, there was a food festival that was on which was so much fun.

24 hours is a good amount of time to get a feeling for the city, but if you can afford to stay a few more days then I suggest that you do. It is a great city to not really have much of a plan, but just explore side streets and get off the beaten track a little.

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3 Simple Tricks to drink more water

3 Simple Tricks to drink more water

20 Jul 2016

You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again - drinking water has many health and skin benefits. When you haven't had enough water, you become dehydrated and you may begin to experience dry skin, headaches, a dry mouth and worst of all, tiredness. So why do we not drink more water? I for one used to struggle to drink the recommended 2-3 litres a day, until I started tricking myself into drinking more. Here are some tips that will hopefully encourage you to try and drink some more water throughout the day.

This is a more recent discovery, but one that I would highly recommend. Hydratem8* is a water bottle with a difference. The markings on the water bottle remind you to keep drinking every hour, motivating you to reach that 2 litre mark. It has a flip straw which means it is very easy to use on the move, it is BPA free and can hold 900ml of liquid. Since using this water bottle I am definitely drinking a lot more. I am always checking that I have reached the recommended amount, and if not, I drink up. They come in a variety of colours and cost £13.99 each. For every purchase made they also donate £1 to Pump Aid, a charity who help provide safe water to those who need it the most.

If you struggle to drink a lot of water because you find it quite simply boring, add some fruit, vegetables or herbs. Not only do you get the benefits of the water, but you get added benefits from the fruit and vegetables. Here are my top three infusions:

> Raspberry and Mint - This has wonderful antioxidant properties from the raspberries, and the mint helps to aid your digestion.
> Blueberry and Oranges - This also has antioxidant properties from the blueberries and toxin flushing properties from the oranges.
> Lemons, Mint and Cucumber - Otherwise known as sassy water. This is a well known detox water that has been shown to help people lose weight.

Lastly, make drinking water a habit. Many people simply forget to drink water, however, adding it to your daily routine will mean that you are prompted to drink. This could be every time you pop to the bathroom you drink a glass of water, or when you go to sleep/wake up you drink a glass of water. Make it a ritual and every time you do said activity you will be reminded to drink some water. This is an easy way to add a few more glasses to your routine each day.

What are your tips for drinking more water?

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DHC Rich Eye Zone Care Pack

DHC Rich Eye Zone Care Pack

17 Jul 2016

Every time I have my skin analysed I am told that my undereyes are dehydrated, so I am always on the look out for hydrating treatments.  I currently use the Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado every evening, but sometimes I am in need of a little extra boost of hydration. Eye Masks are not that easy to come by in the UK, however DHC have just released the Rich Eye Zone Care Pack*. This deeply hydrating eye mask contains moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and elastin, which help to protect the skins natural moisture barrier and olive fruit oil to deeply hydrate.

There are 6 applications in the pack, and they are stored inside a plastic container. The right and left eye masks are paired together, and when you peel them apart you reveal the creamy formula. After cleansing and toning, you apply the mask to your eye area, leave for 10 minutes then masage any remaining cream into your skin. It is suggested to use this mask once or twice a week, so you can get up to 6 weeks worth of treatments in one pack.

The first time I used the mask, I found it quite hard to apply in a place that was comfortable. Little did I know that I had put them on the wrong way round! When applied the correct way, it is still a little uncomfortable, perhaps I have a large eye area? Once I removed the mask, I could instantly see a difference - my eyes looked bright and more awake. My under eyes looked much more hydrated and I could still feel the moisture is there hours later. I like that it works on both the under eye and on the upper lid, something that would be very beneficial to older skin.

The DHC Rich Eye Zone Care pack is now available online at DHC.com for £15 (£2.50 per treatment).

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How and why you should be Double Cleansing?

How and why you should be Double Cleansing?

13 Jul 2016

Every day your skin is ageing, and ensuring your face is thoroughly cleansed will allow your skin to work on preventing those ageing signs from appearing. The skin repairs itself overnight, and so, if you leave make-up on your face, or do not remove it properly, you will clog your pores, dehydrate your skin and it will really suffer.

Why Should I Double Cleanse? 

Double cleansing ensures that your skin is as clean as it can be. The first cleanse removes your make-up and any build up of dirt throughout the day, and the second cleanse provides a deeper cleanse. This will ensure that any products that you apply to your skin afterwards are as effective as possible.

The products you should use depend on your skin type, and what works best for your skin. If you have dry skin, cleansing oil and balms are best to remove your makeup. They are very nourishing and will not dry out your dry skin even more. If you have oily skin then you can still use an oil or balm if it does not break you out, otherwise stick to a cleansing milk. Use a muslin cloth to ensure all makeup is removed before moving onto your second cleanse. The second wash should be using a cleanser. If you have dry skin you may wish to use a moisturising cleanser, whereas if you have oily skin then a clay based cleanser will help soak up any excess oil.

Do I need to double cleanse morning and night?

No, you should only double cleanse at night. However, ensure that you wash your face again in the morning to remove any excess sebum and oil that has built up overnight. It is important that you use a cleanser, not just water, to remove any toxins that the skin has eliminated over night.

Over time you will begin to see a difference in your skin, your pores should appear smaller because they are now getting a much more thorough clean, and your serums and oils will be much more beneficial. 

Do you double cleanse?

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