Newcastle Highlights

Back in July me and Nick went to Newcastle as part of his surprise birthday "holiday".. I call it a holiday but it really wasn't, it wasn't even a break as we barely stopped the whole time we were away. But I arranged a 5 day "holiday" for Nick that he literally had no clue about, starting off in Newcastle where we'd then get a mini-cruise to Amsterdam! 

I've never been to Newcastle but I absolutely loved it and already can't wait to go back - there was such a variety of things to see and places to go with a brilliant town centre. Plus - THEY HAD UBERS. Which for most people means nothing but Uber's just made the whole 3 days in Newcastle so much easier when it came into going into town and coming home. 

On the way to Newcastle we had to make a stop at the Angel of The North and of course take a photo - it was so random, I didn't know what to expect but it was on the side of a main road not in the middle of nowhere which I kinda thought it would be. And yes, it's huge and took me SO LONG walking around trying to get the perfect selfie. It was great to read about though and even a little emotional looking through the memorial area. 

We stayed at The Cornerhouse hotel which is actually above a Flaming Grill as it meant we got Greene King staff discount (boom) and it was lovely, cheap and cheerful but nicer than a standard plain Travelodge! It was just out of the centre but I preferred that. We got Uber's back and forth and ended up finding some of my new favourite places...

As soon as we found out there was a Brewdog in Newcastle of course Nick just had to go and check it out. Now, I'm not really a beer or Ale fan but the Newcastle Brewdog was hands down one of my favourite places in the whole of Newcastle.. they had their own Gin as well as a Gin beer (legit not a clue about their official names!). We even had a Pizza which was beyond amazing and proper home made.. we were in our element. I even got excited when I went into the Loo and there was some gorgeous artwork on the wall... definitely Pinterest worthy! We went a couple of times while we were in the area and it's definitely made me want to visit even more Brewdog Bars. 

A few of my favourite bars (I have clearly forgotten the names of) but a particular favourite was the Rum Bar opposite.. the decor was crazy cool with Animal Busts on the wall and stunning bottle and glass displays behind the bar. It seemed like it was quite fancy but we felt so relaxed.. And Nick had found his happy place with BrewDog while I found my favorite.. The Botanist! As stunning as ever with the most beautiful cocktails.. and even a good view over Newcastle.

The second night we ate in Longhorns BBQ steak house after trying to get s table in a couple of Steakhouses and not wanted to wait an hour but it was definitely for the best.. the food was INSANE! We both had a platter and shared them both and my effing god, it was amazing. Epic beyond words. It's not fancy and it's not posh and you eat on bar stalls off a metal tray but hands down better than any steak house around there! 

I loved my 3 days in Newcastle as there was so much to do and we definitely need to go again to bar crawl the areas we didn't go to but for now... it's nice looking back at how much we enjoyed it!

Ps - I'd better include this photo of Nick as this was his personal favourite moment of the whole of his life, let alone week! 

Zoella Jelly & Gelato Range

I can't ever remember doing any blog posts for any of the Zoella range before despite picking up pretty much everything she's brought out but there's something about this range.. and the fact I've been desperate to blog again, that made me think to pull up the laptop and have a scribble.

I first smelt the range the day it came out and in all honesty I wasn't too sure so when I went into Superdrug again this week I decided to give it another go. I still wasn't 100% taken by the smell of the perfume but I did end up buying a few bits while they were on 3 for 2 and I had my student discount card.

I wore the perfume the day after I got it and it did eventually grow on me (and Nick - who wasn't a fan either to start with) but after it settled we both agreed we liked it and it was a perfect Summer scent. What I love is that it lasts - the scent lasts so long, longer than some of the most expensive perfumes I've brought. The scent in the Shower Shake and the Body Pudding is lasting as well which is really impressive for it's price band. The Body Pudding is certainly a new favourite body product as the feel it leaves on your skin is just heavenly - it sinks in to the skin with ease and doesn't leave that horrible oily feel on your body.



If you know me you know I am the biggest SUCKER for bath bombs, bath oils, bath salts, bath anything really so when I saw the Bath Wafers (SO CUTE) I had to try them. When I first got them out the packet I didn't think they'd do a lot as they didn't seem overly fancy but after I got out the bath I realised how freaking soft my skin was! The Wafers melted away easily and didn't leave any random lumps floating around the bath. The smell again makes your bathroom smell wonderful.

So general first impressions weren't striking me but after giving the products a real go, and even though the original scent is still my favourite scent of the range, I'm definitely a fan! This is by far my favourite packaging of anything Zoe's brought out as I love the font and it's definitely a bit more modern and grown up. It's perfect for Summer and even though it's relatively cheap, it feels like a right good luxurious treat! I'd definitely give them ago while they're on 3 for 2 in Superdrug.

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July Purchases and Favourites

July was a bit of a manic month and I didn't really stop from the very first day... we've been to Newcastle, Amsterdam, Nottingham a number of times... but each time has made new memories and made new opportunities to find a new shopping centre ;)

July was almost a month I'd been waiting for due to a couple of new launches that I've known about for a while, firstly the new Zoella range launched (whole new post about that coming soon!) but most importantly.. a range that will, as drastic as it sounds, change my life - CATH KIDSTON HAVE LAUNCHED A GUINEA PIG RANGE. YES. A GUINEA PIG RANGE. It's so exciting. I can't tell you how long I've been waiting for this. And when I was in Nottingham last week I finally managed to have a look at a few bits and choose a couple of items while I was there. I picked up a mug and note book set while I was there but it took less than 24 hours for me to order another 4 items online! As much as I LOVE the cardigan with Piggies on, I can't yet justify £85 on a cardigan... I live in hope!

I'm known for my "drunk online shopping" amongst my group (remember when I added ONE item in my basket for £2.99 and accidentally ordered my whole basket which was over £200... yeah, you'd think I'd learn).. but I received a 10% discount code for Debenhams recently and after doing a make over on a client who used her own lipstick, I have been OBSESSED with it.. it's the Kat Von D in Countess. A gorgeous orangey red colour which is perfect for Summer. I ordered a couple of other KVD bits but this was by far my favourite!

Yankee Candles... something I normally only buy in Winter! But when I recently visited Cheshire Oaks, they had a sale on where you brought £20 worth of items and got a free large Yankee Candle... CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! Tbh I spent it twice so got two but in that I got 2 Christmas presents and quite a few wax melts in the sale. They have a great sale on at the moment in their outlets and even their garden centre stores so it's definitely worth checking out if you're a YC fan! The Jelly Bean Candle itself isn't my favourite  ever Yankee Candle but it's definitely one of the strongest I've had. It's quite sweet but has a fruitiness to it aswell. Definitely good for Summer.

Wouldn't be a favourite without foods... and alcohol! So this month I've left my old gym as I never went and have turned into a bit of a salad lover and attempted to eat a bit better now the weather's nicer... plus we've booked a holiday for October so I need to get bikini ready. When we went to the Food Show last year we got a free Fibre One Chocolate Fudge Brownie and I've never been able to find them since. I then saw them in Tesco a few weeks ago and they've definitely become a firm favourite in my cupboard. I have no idea how they taste so good and the texture is the perfect Brownie Texture so even though they're a little pricier than I'd like, they're worth it for when you fancy something sweet!

As for the alcohol.. I've never in my life been a gin drinker, I don't like the taste and I don't like the smell at all! But a few weeks ago I went to a party where there was a gin section and one of the girls brought me a cocktail and asked me to guess what it was - I had no clue! When she told me there was gin in it I was gobsmacked. I guess I've only ever tried cheap gin or just plain old Gordons. But since drinking the cocktail, I've turned into a bit of a Gin Geek. I've tried a few different ones with different flavours, fruits or mixers and it's definitely my new favourite drink (as long as I have some fruit to flavour it with and it's not very strong!). My favourites are by far the gorgeous Bloom Gin - garnished with strawberries! As well as the new Ophir Gin with lime wedges. The bottles of them themselves are just beautiful (and very expensive!) but I've treated myself to just the one for now. I'm trying to only drink it on special occasions so it lasts longer but it's just too good! I'm loving them 2 (random!) mixers - elderflower cordial which I've found it cheapest in Ikea, and this Cranberry fizzy water! Hmmmhmmmmm!

Wouldn't be a favourites without a couple of bits from Boots or Superdrug that I've shoved on the Bathroom shelf and almost probably forgotten about them already! But 2 of my favourite buys of July for the Bathroom are the boring but effective foot scrubber file thingy and Superdrug's Salted Caramel Shower and Bath Soak... I shit you not, I just want to eat myself as I smell so good after. It's not very often you use a bath wash that leaves a really great smell not only on you, but in the room as well. The smell is incredible and despite it only being a couple of quid, it really does last and makes your skin really soft... and makes a bubble explosion in the bath!

So only a few but here's a few of my July favs.. .just an excise to write a blog post tbh but I now have a bit more time on my hands to write a little more often so here's hoping to have a few more up soon.

What else do I need to buy next time I'm out shopping? I've not really brought any proper new Summer make up this year so if you have any recommendations please send them my way!

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