Riverdance | Edinburgh Playhouse

Last month my dad, step-mum, sister and I took a trip to Edinburgh Playhouse to see the 20th Aniversary tour of Riverdance! We had got the tickets back in August so after waiting for 4 months excitiment levels were extrememly high.

We started the day by going for a spot of lunch. My sister can be quite a fussy eater so we decided on Pizza Hut, somewhere we knew everyone would be able to get something they enjoyed! I went or my all time favourite, the BBQ Americano pizza which is topped with chicken, sweetcorn, bacon and BBQ sauce...yummmmmmm!!!



Stomachs full to the brim with pizza we made our way to to Playhouse, of course
stopping outside for photo opportunities...

After getting inside and finding our way to our seats it was time for the show to start! I can't even put into words how amazing the show was. There's just something about watching riverdance that sends shivers down my spine. I find it absolutely fascinating!

Moving To Edinburgh!

September only means one thing...it's time to pack up all my stuff and head back to university. Yesterday I moved into my new flat that i'm sharing with 4 friends, and after a 4 month summer I was definitely ready for it!

We viewed our flat back in March so I couldn't really remember what it looked like but I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived as it was much bigger than what I could remember. Our flat is right in the middle of Edinburgh so it's handy for everything. 

After I arrived it was time for the dreaded task of unpacking to commence. I totally underestimated the amount of stuff I had. But after a few hours work everything was unpacked and in it's place. There are still a few things I need to do here such as buy cushions for my bed and windowsill but I don't think I could be any more in love with my bedroom! 

Here's to a the pre-drinks, hangovers and cosy nights in

Duty Free Haul!

Before I went on holiday I made a promise to myself that I wasn't going to waste money at duty free on things that I really didn't need, but with all those discounted prices I really couldn't resist. I was on holiday after all...

             

MAC 'House Wine' Lipstick

My first stop was the MAC counter. Since I was trying not to spend too much money I decided to limit myself to purchasing only one thing so the battle between a new foundation brush and a new lipstick began. I walked over to the stand where all the brushes were displayed to find that the brush that I was looking for was out of stock, which made my choice A LOT easier! Red lipstick has always kind of scared me a bit as I have found that it only really suits certain people which is why I have always avoided it in the past. But with my collection of pinks and purples being ridiculously large I thought it was time for a bit of a change. I went for the shade 'House Wine'as it's a bit of a darker, more subtle red and so didn't scare me so much!  I've worn it a few times since purchasing it and I really love it. I still don't think I'd be brave enough to wear it on a daily basis but it was great for nights out while I was on holiday.

'Primping With The Stars' by Benefit

Next up was the Benefit counter! I had never purchased anything by Benefit before so I was excited to try out some new things. I was drawn to this 'Primping With The Stars Kit' as it comes with 6 mini sized Benefit favourites which is excellent for Benefit virgins like me who want to try out their products before committing to buying the standard sizes. The kit includes Stay Don't Stray concealer, the Porefessional, Some Kind Of Gorgeous foundation faker, Benetint cheeks and lips tint, Girl Meets Pearl and They're Real! mascara. I really love this kit as it's a great way of testing new products and it was also great for travelling!

'Alien' by Thierry Mugler

I've been wanting to add this perfume to my collection for the longest time but I have just never gotten round to purchasing it. I had heard soooo many people raving about it so I just had to have it! I really love this perfume's scent and I think that it's very versatile. It can be worn as a day time perfume as it has a very strong jasmine/floral scent but it also wears well  as a night time/going out perfume as there is also a spiciness to it. This has been by go to perfume ever since I got it and I think it might just be my new favourite!

Okay so the last thing isn't a duty free purchase but it just looked so amazing and tasted so yummy that I couldn't not share it! While we were waiting in the departure lounge we had breakfast in one of the airport cafes. I opted for the smoked salmon and scrambled egg on toast and I'm not even joking it was one of the best meals I have ever had, I couldn't stop talking about it the whole 9 hours we were on the plane!

Salsa, Cigars & Sunshine | Cuba

On Saturday morning I arrived home from the most incredible 2 weeks in Cuba. My mum, my step-dad and I stayed in a hotel called Iberostar Tainos which is situated on the North coast of the island in the resort town of Varadero, which is known for its breath taking white sandy beaches.We didn't visit Havana or do any excursions this year as having been to Cuba before we had already visited everywhere we wanted to visit so we just had a relaxing 2 weeks around the hotel.

Walkway to the beach

Paradise!

This was our third visit to the hotel so it was really nice to see the members of staff that we had gotten friendly with over the years.

Barmen Risel & Yudel

Bar Staff Risel & Daylin

Our 'Cuban family' Yudel & Claudia 

The welcome back cocktail party for return guests

Birthday celebrations for my step-dad

For me one of the best parts about going on holiday is meeting new people and this year I was lucky enough to meet loads of different people from different countries. I made friends from the UK, Cuba, Argentina, France and Italy. They definitely made the holiday extra special and as soppy as it sounds, I will never forget them or the memories we made.

oooo holiday friends oooo

late night beach partyyyy

running red lights

         
the 'bit too hot for a club' selfie

One thing is for sure, you will never starve while staying in this hotel. There is a buffet style restaurant which is open every day for breakfast lunch and dinner with a wide variety of choices. One of my favourite meals was from 'Sakuru' which is the hotel's Japanese A'la Carte restaurant. They cook all of the food right in front of you whilst doing various tricks with the utensils, talk about dinner with a show! The food is also super tasty!  

I enjoyed every single minute of my time in Cuba but for me there was diffidently one stand out highlight! The first year we visited the hotel we became friends with a couple from Belgium named Ellen and Rudi and we have met up with them the past two summers in Cuba. It was our last night in the hotel and we were all extremely sad about leaving but suddenly Ellen dropped the bombshell...Rudi had proposed to her!!! It was SO romantic and I honesty couldn't have been happier for them.

Congratulations to the happy couple

I think that out of all of the holidays I have ever been on this one has 100% been the best. Cuba is the most beautiful place I have ever visited. I love the music, the people, the dancing and especially the gorgeous beaches, you really couldn't ask for anything more. I have only been home for 4 days and I am already missing it crazy amounts. I would honestly do anything to be back!!

Until next time Cuba...

Packing For Cuba!

I think I'm one of the only people I know that actually enjoys packing for a holiday. Don't get me wrong it does stress me out but on the whole it makes me really excited! I always try to be super organised and have set outfits for set nights with everything all matching but I never fail to over pack which always leads to sweaty palms when my case is getting weighed at the check-in desk! 

Tomorrow I'm flying out to the Caribbean island of Cuba with my mum and my step-dad for a 2 week holiday. It's the third time we've visited Cuba and I'm extremely excited as I fell in love with the country and its culture the very first day I spent there. 

Bikinis are an ESSENTIAL part of any beach holiday. I tend to be verrrrrry picky when it comes to choosing swimwear but this year I managed to find 4 that I really like. I usually go for strapless bikinis as I don't like having tan lines from straps but this year I have ventured out and bought 2 strapless ones, one navy and one black, and 2 with straps, one baby pink with black trim and one with a floral pattern. 

Top Left (pink): Missguided

Top Right (black): Primark

Bottom Left (navy): Primark

Bottom Right (floral): Boohoo

I thought that these 2 playsuits would be perfect for casual day time outfits.

              

Blue aztec print: Primark

White with fruit print: River Island

For me when it comes to beach cover ups the cheaper the better and this year I have decided to get a bit creative. I bought these two t-shirts from Primark (both in size 18 so the would be really oversized) and I have decided to cut off the sleeves and make them into dresses. Two beach dresses for £4, really can't complain! 

Summer fashion is definitely my favourite so when it comes to choosing outfits to wear at night I am always spoiled for choice. I have managed to whittle down my wardrobe to these 14 outfits...

Playsuit: Boohoo
Sandals Topshop

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

Belt: New Look

Sandals: New Look

Playsuit: Missguided

Necklace: New Look

Sandals Primark

Stapless Crop Top: Miss Selfridge

Maxi Skirt: Primark (it was only £1...bargain of the centuary!!!)

Sandals: Primark

Necklace: Topshop

Fringed Kimono: Missguided

Crop Top: Missguided

Levi Shorts: Urban Outfitters

Sandals: Primark

Top: Topshop

Levi Shorts: Urban Outfitters

Sandals: Topshop

Kimono: Boohoo

Bralet: Missguided

Levi Shorts: Urban Outfitters

Sandals: New Look

Crop Top: Topshop

Levi Shorts: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: New Look

Sandals: Topshop

Off-the-Shoulder Crop Top: Missguided

Floral Shorts: Missguided

Sandals: Primark

Top: Boohoo

Shorts: Boohoo

Necklace: Boohoo

Sandals: New Look

Bralet: Missguided

Skirt: Missguided

Sandals: Primark

Lace Crop Top: New Look

Skirt: Boohoo

Sandals: Primark

Top: Topshop

Skirt: Missguided

Necklace: Primark

Sandals: Primark

Crop Top: Boohoo

Shorts: Topshop

Necklace: Jack Wills

Sandals: Topshop

Case all packed and weighing less than 20kgs (hopefully!!) the final countdown begins!! Only one more sleep until I head off for 2 weeks of sand, sunshine, sea and of course COCKTAILS!!!

Adios amigosssss ☀️ ✈️ ☀️