Travel: Hotel Daniel, Vienna

Although I haven't made any new year's resolutions, I want to start making better use of my holidays and visit some new destinations. Last year was incredibly busy, and I was stunned when I got to December, checked my calendar and realised that I still had ten days holiday left: shocking!

So, to remedy that, I'm going to start posting about some most beautiful hotels in the cities that are high on my 'to visit' list in the hope that it will inspire me to book some flights. First off, Vienna!

I came across the Hotel Daniel in Elle Decoration a few months ago and have been haunting their website ever since. Everyone I know who has been to Vienna says it's the most beautiful city, and this hotel looks like the perfect base from which to explore it.


Who wouldn't want a hammock in their bedroom?

Beautiful copper pot for afternoon kaffee und kuchen. Yum

.And if that wasn't good enough, they keep bees. How cool.

Rooms at the Daniel start from 92 Euro. Their gorgeous website can be found here.

Travel: Palma

Passeig des Borne, Palma

I know, I know: I've been gone for weeks, finally get round to posting and you're feeling a little neglected. Work has been mad, life even more so, and I've averaged about 5hrs sleep a night for the past three weeks. You're reaching for your violins, I just know it...

Skipping my pitiful plea for sympathy, forgiveness, and multiple comments telling me how much you've missed me (a girl can hope...), things are now looking a million times brighter and after a totally inspiring week at work, I'm kind of feeling like this weekend is a bit of a turning point for me. So 'yay' to that.

I mentioned in my last post that I treated myself to an SLR at the airport before we flew out to Palma. My case was already groaning under the weight of an unnecessary number of outfit options, but I have wanted one for so long with literally no time to go and pick one up, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Step forward my Canon 1000D. Entry level, baby-DSLR, but it is absolutely FABULOUS. My previous point and shoot was Canon, and although good, I just couldn't get the effects I was looking for with it, so I've been having great fun messing with all the settings, and generally acting like a mini Testino, minus the majority of the talent.

So, back to Palma. It's one of my favourite destinations. This is the fifth time I've been, and it seriously doesn't get old. The weather is great (we had three days of sun and temperatures of about 19 degrees - although of course it's changeable at this time of year), the food is fabulous, the shopping completely amazing, and the mood of the place is just so cool: laid back yet super stylish. It has everything I could want from a city break, and it takes two hours to fly from London, which is less time than it takes me to get back to Manchester. Hmm, where would I rather be?

Architecture fans won't be disappointed either. The city has an eclectic mix of contemporary and classic buildings, all of which sit in the imposing shadow of La Seu, the enormous gothic cathedral, a building of the kind of scale and beauty that you rarely see. I am a bit of an architecture geek, so was delighted to have my camera to record some of the more impressive sights.

Le Seu

I was thinking about getting into recommendations, but it's far too late for that, so instead I'll stick to photos and expect you to fall as deeply in love with the place as I am. If you go, stay at Hotel Tres and drink cocktails to the sound of birdsong in the medieval-meets-Bacchic Abaco. Friday night rose petals from the ceiling at midnight is worth the trip alone...

Catch up: I Haven't Forgotten You...

It's late on Saturday night, and after a fabulous time at my friend's hen night (and trying to put off doing some work which has been taking up all my time), I thought I'd squeeze in a quick post to say that I haven't forgotten about the blog, and I promise that I will be updating very soon. 'With what?' you ask. Well...

- A bit of a guide and my favourite shopping and eating haunts in Palma, where I spent last week spa-ing it up

- A bit of a Kiko makeup haul from aforementioned trip

- The most beautiful lippy *ever* from Topshop

- The purchase of not one, not two, but three pairs of fabulous shoes

- And most exciting of all, photos will be courtesy of my super duper new SLR, which as predicted, I am loving!

Hold tight, kids. I'll be back soon.

Travel: Paris

I'm back at work tomorrow, and given how little I want to be there, I am now preoccupied with planning my birthday trip to Paris (not until August, unfortunately), and trying to convince my boyfriend to let me book this place...


http://hotel-particulier-montmartre.com/ Love it!

Travel: London

Firstly, happy new year to all you lovely people. I hope your night was fab and fun filled, whatever you did.

I'm a little sad that my Christmas break has whizzed by so quickly, and while it's with a heavy heart that I'll be leaving my parents and heading back to work, I am also giddy with excitement at returning to London. Despite the fact that the city drives me mad at times, it also affords the opportunity to do just about anything your imagination can conjure. So, here are just a few of the things I can't wait to do when I get back to my adopted home.

1. Sip a passion fruit and ginger caipirihna (or 5...) at Refuel in the Soho Hotel

2. For nights when too many Refuel cocktails have been consumed, stumble on stilettos to nearby Balans, where eggs benedict and many other delicious treats are served 24hrs a day: yum!

3. Saunter through the heavenly Shoe Gallery at Selfridges, which stocks everything from epic Skovgaards to the entirely more gentle Pretty Ballerinas. A place where die hard shoe-holics could easily lose a day!

4. Snuggle into the divinely comfortable leather seats at the Electric Cinema, order a bottle of wine, and enjoy the latest movies in decidedly decadent style

5. Get lost in Liberty, possibly the most beautiful and perfectly edited department store you could imagine. My favourite corners of the store are the book section - perfect for those days when you need a bit of inspiration- and the fabric floor, which I can never leave without buying some new buttons! The Tarte au Citron in the cafe is perhaps the most delicious I've ever tasted.

6. Visit Tate Modern on the South Bank. The current Turbine Hall installation, Sunflower Seeds by Ai Weiwei, is incredibly impressive and you're only a quick stroll from one of my favourite places to eat...

7. Canteen, which specialise in grown-up school dinners, with food that is immensely comforting and totally delicious. The roast chicken with fries and garlic mayonnaise, accompanied by a glass of chablis is basically irresistable to me!

8. Visit Ryantown, artist Rob Ryan's fantastic shop. For as long as I have loved Rob Ryan's work, I have still never made time to get down to his east London store. Whimsical, nostalgic and utterly romantic, his beautiful screen prints hark to a happy little world filled with love, happiness and a sprinkle of magic.

9. Although it's on every list of things to do in London, it's with good reason, as a trip to the capital wouldn't be complete with visiting Borough Market. It's basically foodie heaven, and whatever you want, it's a safe bet you'll find it there. Stock up on Pieminister Pies, grab a wild boar burger and drink as much Monmouth Coffee as you can without causing jangling nerves!

10. Take a stroll over as many of the Thames bridges as you can, some during the day, and some at night. When I first moved to London, I remember being completely awestruck at the sight of the river and the beautiful buildings that flank it, especially by night. That feeling has never left me, and I always pause for a quick glance, even if I end up late for meetings!

So, that's just a small slice of my London must-sees. What are your favourites?

Image courtesy of 7art-screensavers.com

Blah: A Random Collection of Thoughts

Hi everyone, and a warm welcome to my new followers!

For those of you in the UK, I hope you've all had a lovely bank holiday weekend. Mine has been so completely hectic that I'm not sure which way is up this morning! I have so much work to get on with that the blog may be a little neglected for the next few days, but I promise that I will be back on top of things at the weekend.

So, here's a very quick round-up of things that have been buzzing around my head over the weekend!

Contouring: Since having my make up done at Giorgio Armani a couple of years ago, I have been trying to recreate the same incredible angles that the MUA managed to sculpt, but have been struggling with products that just aren't fit for the job. Too much sparkle, too dark, too light: you name it, and my contours have suffered for it. Yesterday, I decided to pop into MAC in Soho to remedy the problem, and was astonished when Tenderling was suggested as my perfect shade. I'd always opted for browner tones, but considering I am pink toned and pale, this makes perfect sense. Expect a long overdue FOTD soon!

Steaming: I haven't steamed at all this weekend and let's just say I will never be missing a day again! Considering my lapse, I will be reporting on my steaming project at the weekend, but I am missing the lovely clear skin that had started to emerge!

NARS: I have been invited to the NARS Pure Matte Lipstick launch on Thursday to be colour matched to my perfect lippie shade, which I am very excited about. I own about 30 lipsticks which are all variations on the same theme, so I'm secretly hoping that I've got it all wrong and that I'll be introduced to a whole new range of colours! I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

Liz Earle haircare launch: Regular readers will know that I am in love with this range, which launches in the Liz Earle stores and online on 2nd September, and in John Lewis stores nationwide on 6th. If you can't wait to get your hands on the gorgeous shampoo and conditioner, then you can pre-order online by clicking here. Please let me know if any of you try it as I would love to hear your feedback!

Holidays: I am going to Rome in just over two weeks, and then to southern Spain at the beginning of October and I really can't wait. Work has been so manic that I am just desperate for some downtime, involving delicious food, and I hope, lots of sun! Expect some holiday diet and beauty-related posts in the coming weeks (despite the fact that it's practically the end of the holiday season!)

Thanks for being patient with me, and normal service will resume very soon, I promise!