On Your Skin: Budget Holiday Skincare Routine

It’s pretty much the middle of Summer now and the sun is scorching down on us, threatening to create spots and blemishes caused by suncream and sweat – it really is a magical time. The good news is that with the help of a carefully curated skincare regime you can reduce the chance of those pesky pimples popping up and instead keep your pores cleansed and happy. Before you jet off on holiday, make sure to grab a selection of skincare saviours boasting hydration and exfoliation.

To give you some guidance, check out my budget summer skincare heroes below. I sometimes worry about travelling with my expensive serums and moisturisers for fear that I might forget them or some other tragedy befall them, so I created this budget-friendly routine that worked like a gem. You don’t always need expensive products, you just need ones that work.

Make-Up Remover – Nivea Micellar Cleansing Wipes

Although I love Drunk Elephant’s Slaai Butter Cleanser and Garnier’s Micellar Water, my holiday make-up remover is less fussy and more travel-friendly with Nivea’s Micellar Cleansing Wipes. These space-saving wipes are a great choice for gently removing make- up and giving your skin a first cleanse before your scrubs and toners.

Price: around £3.

Face Scrub – L’Oreal Smooth Sugars Clear Scrub

I really love this face scrub and try and insert it into my skincare routine throughout the year. In a warm and humid country, this is a skincare staple as it carefully unclogs pores by removing dirt and debris with its coarse sugar texture. The smell is also divine (kiwi seed extract) and can even be used on your lips to remove dead or dry skin. Talk about a multitasker!

Price: £10.

Toner – Lacura Healthy Glow Glycolic Acid Tonic

If you’ve ever had a sneak peek at my Aldi Budget Beauty Gems post, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of Aldi’s ‘fake’ skincare range, Lacura. Making cheap copies of top skincare brands, Lacura is a great place to find some budget beauty bargains like this fake Pixi Tonic. I decanted it into a small travel bottle (pictured) and found that the glycolic acid was great for giving my face a second exfoliation after spending the day wearing suncream in the heat.

Price: £3.99.

Serum – Superdrug’s Simply Pure Hydrating Serum (Day/Night)

Superdrug have recently seemed to up their game when it comes to their own brand range. With a fully fledged Vitamin E range, hydration range and more, they have created some great products that don’t break the bank! These day and night serums are compact and hydrating on the skin, providing an extra layer of moisture to prevent skin drying out. Serums are a must and these guys are a great place to start.

Price: £2.99 (day), £3.99 (night).

Eye Cream – Boots Aloe Vera Eye Cream

I am forever on the hunt for a great budget-friendly eye cream and this one wins the jackpot. With aloe vera to soothe burnt or inflamed skin, this eye cream is essential for taking with you on your travels. A little goes a long way and your eyes will thank you for taking such good care of them!

Price: £1.67.

Moisturiser – No7 HydraLuminous Water Surge Gel Cream (Day)

No7 is a great ‘middle brand’ that isn’t too high end but isn’t completely cheap either. I’ve always enjoyed using their face creams so I decided to try out their HydraLuminous Water Surge Gel Cream on my recent trip and it was great. Instantly hydrating and quickly absorbed, this was a great primer to suncream and an effective way to keep skin moisturised.

Price: £14.

Moisturiser – No7 HydraLuminous Overnight Recovery Cream (Night)

As my skin is prone to drying out, I picked No7’s HydraLuminous Overnight Recovery Cream to work on hydrating my skin overnight. Sleeping in air-conditioned rooms is great but the air can easily dry out your skin even further, so a decent night cream is a must. This one by No7 feels lovely and soothing on the skin and when I wake up my face is smooth and soft.

Price: £14.

A Selection of Bristol Walking Tours

I’ve lived in Bristol for 9 months now and have embarked on a number of different walking tours. These 1-2 hour adventures offer a unique perspective of the city with an informative and interesting guide. They’re great for anyone wanting to get to know the city better or those visiting who want to make the most of understanding Bristol. I thought I’d write a short description of the three tours I’ve embarked on in order to give an insight into which might be right for you!

City Highlights Tour (Robert Collins)

This was the first tour I joined on the weekend I arrived in Bristol. My boyfriend and I were treated to over two hours of turbulent Bristol history, from a brief discussion of the slave trade and iconic individuals to the origins of the old city and the construction of the floating harbour. For anyone interested in the history of the city, this detailed tour is a must.

Tickets are £6 and available from the Tourist Information Centre on the Harbourside.

Haunted and Hidden Tour (John)

My boyfriend and I jumped on this tour spontaneously last weekend, feeling like a bit of fun. This tour was just over an hour and spoke about the more pop culture elements of the city, including the spots used in many famous TV series and movies. Some haunting ghost stories were told and spooky parts of the city revealed – such as the door to the Hatchet Inn, which is made partly of human skin! For anyone wanting a more lighthearted and gruesome perspective of the city, hop on this tour.

Tickets are £5 adult/£4 concession and can be bought directly from John – tours run every Friday night from outside the Cathedral.

The Slave Trade Tour (Robert Collins)

Joining another tour with the knowledgable Robert Collins, Arch and I decided to learn more about Bristol’s involvement with the slave trade. As many people are aware, Bristol merchants and ports were significant in trading slaves and there are many surviving reminders in the city, including Pero’s Bridge (also known as the Horned Bridge) which is named after a slave. Numerous infamous individuals linked with Bristol are also connected with the slave trade – Edward Colston, a generous donor in Bristol, is known to have traded slaves, whilst the Wills family (who founded Will’s Memorial Building) are also known to have links to the slave trade. If this period of history interests you and you’d like to know more, make sure to grab tickets to this 2-hour tour.

Tickets are £8 and available from the Tourist Information Office.

In The Day: The Athenaeum Hotel Spa Day (Mayfair, London)

On Valentine’s Day this year, my boyfriend handed me two sheets of paper detailing a luxury spa day and afternoon tea at the 5* Athenaeum Hotel in Mayfair, London. To say I was excited would be an understatement! The choice of a 60-minute treatment came included, from a full body massage or facial to a body scrub or warm gel wrap. You could even mix and match the treatments, such as having a 30-minute facial and 30-minute massage.

With Mental Health Awareness Week just passed, alongside my university essay deadlines and my boyfriend’s busy work life, last weekend happened to be the best time we could’ve booked. Although we made the booking months ago to make sure we could combine the afternoon tea with the spa day, it worked out so perfectly!

We arrived at the spa in the morning and were shown down to the instantly relaxing spa area. We popped into the changing rooms to get appropriately attired into dressing gowns and slippers before heading to our double treatment room. All the treatments sounded amazing but we were both set on the full body Swedish massage to release stress and tension.

60 glorious minutes of massage was amazing. From foot and hand to neck and shoulders, the treatment was so relaxing that it was hard to not fall asleep! It’s the combination of that calming, instrumental music and the aromatherapy smells that instantly puts me into a calming state.

After a thoroughly enjoyable massage, we headed to the rest of the spa to enjoy some time together in the hot tubs, steam room and sauna. Accompanied by a glass of prosecco, we dipped, steamed and saunaed our way to total physical relaxation. It was amazing!

Heading back to the changing rooms to get dressed (where there were the incredible Dyson hairdryers and a shower equipped with gorgeous Espa products, but a surprising lack of cosmetic accessories like cotton pads and shower caps), we were soon back up in the Reception area being shown to our table for Afternoon Tea.

Galvin at The Athenaeum is run by Michelin-starred chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin. It’s a modern space set right in the heart of the hotel and serves up delicious looking meals and the Afternoon Tea was definitely one of them!

The Afternoon Tea was delicious. Two pages of different types of tea was just the beginning, followed by a whole selection of sandwiches, scones and cakes. Mini chocolate tarts, Battenburg cakes, macarons and pear mousse are just a select few of the tasty treats on offer. A glass of champagne went down swimmingly with the filling selection of tidbits and we were so stuffed, relaxed and rejuvenated after our visit to The Athenaeum.

It was the perfect relaxation day and a great way to spend some time together – a fantastic gift and experience for us to share! I love the Buyagift vouchers, they’re such a great way to give a memorable and thoughtful gift to someone whilst allowing them the flexibility of choosing when to use it. All in all, The Athenaeum Hotel gave us a wonderful break from the world for the day and a great stress detox.

Dart Music Festival (Dartmouth, Devon)

I was lucky enough to spend last weekend down in the beautiful town of Dartmouth in Devon, basking in the gorgeous sun and enjoying some great live music. The Dart Music Festival (DMF), which occurs annually, celebrated its 22nd year in 2019 and, as a first-time DMF festival-goer, I can see why it has been so successful over the years. The festival is free to attend but donations are gratefully received to support this great event that apparently costs £70,000 to run every year.

Dartmouth is a small and peaceful riverside town but if you visit during DMF you wouldn’t know it, given the loud noise and music fans that swarm for the duration of the weekend. Various stages are erected throughout the town with the mainstage located by the bandstand in the Royal Avenue Gardens, whilst other venues and heritage sites are transformed to accommodate the multitude of great acts the festival has to offer. It’s a great excuse to explore the different pubs, clubs and restaurants that visitors might not otherwise have the pleasure of attending. They even host acts by Dartmouth Castle and in the ruins of Bayard’s Cove Fort!

My advice would be to get hold of a programme early so you can identify what acts you’d really like to see. Unfortunately, it just isn’t possible to see everything but you can definitely make your way around. It’s also a good idea to head to one of the pop-up bars or pubs for a drink to get one of the reusable plastic cups (£1) which can be refilled at any venue to reduce waste which is fab.

The whole weekend was incredible but I wanted to share a few of the best acts I managed to see, most of whom I have already streamed on Spotify since their performance!

True Strays

Describing themselves as ‘Rhythm and blues fuelled, good time vintage roots rock and roll’, True Strays are everything you could want from a headliner. The audience went wild for their rocking sound and it didn’t take long for the crowds to be begging them for more, with what I can only describe as a triple encore! Founding members James Cameron and Joseph James have clearly cultivated something special with True Strays and I look forward to seeing them again in the future.

The Nauti Buoys

If you’ve ever wondered what sea shanties sound like when performed with proper gusto and in their true quirky style, then look no further than the repertoire of The Nauti Buoys. These fun-loving guys show you exactly what to expect from the getgo, with pirate hats and an infectious sense of fun. Traditional sea shanties combine with confidence and passion to produce one of the most bizarre musical acts I have ever witnessed – and one that I found myself humming for the rest of the weekend!

Noble Jacks

If you want to see the epitome of a musical multitasker then the lead singer of Noble Jacks is the place to look. With incredible fiddling skills (don’t make this into something it’s not), harmonic talent, guitar prowess and vocal talent, it seems like there isn’t anything this guy can’t do! This band was one of my favourites from the weekend due to their self-described ‘high-energy footstompin’ rhythms’ and their perfectly evolved folk-esque sound. We were dancing away in no time and I loved the originality of their music and their impressive instrumental skills.

Crinkle Cuts

This Bristol-based band bring hardcore energy and then some. Sporting bright yellow headbands and possessing addictive energy, Crinkle Cuts got everyone buzzing and raring to dance. This electric band pumps funk/reggae/ska in an eccentric way that doesn’t fail to captivate all those listening. They might seem like they’re not for everyone but their energy and talent smashes that idea into oblivion!

Overall, the DMF is a wonderful free live music weekend in a stunning location. There were so many other great bands dotted around the town and exploring the local eateries is a huge bonus. I hope to attend the event again next year and spend another glorious weekend soaked in sun and sound.

On Your Skin: Drunk Elephant’s Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser Review

I’ve been dying to try the Drunk Elephant range for a long time now but it is not an affordable brand so I’ve been waiting for the right time. After completing my essays, I figured I deserved a reward and popped to Space NK to purchase the Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser (£29).

The large pot of cleanser comes equipped with a small, magnetic scoop that attaches to the lid to reduce chances of losing it. I think this is a great idea, given that it is way too easy to lose these little accompaniments that make the product much easier to use. The box also contains Bamboo Booster, an exfoliant made from bamboo and charcoal that can be added to the cleanser a few times a week to remove dead skin cells. DE don’t recommend using the booster if you have a retinol product in your skincare regime, as it can be too much for the skin.

I love the way this product works. This innovative oil to milk cleanser is applied to dry skin, massaged over makeup and then activated with water, before rinsing off with a damp cloth. Makeup just melts over your face and it is so satisfying to wipe it all off with a warm flannel. You don’t need much of the balm to effectively remove makeup from your entire face. Full of virgin marula oil and kiwi-strawberry seeds, Slaai is free from the ‘suspicious six’ ingredients that can be damaging to skin and replaces them with these more natural products. One thing that I was concerned about, despite the lack of harmful ingredients, was the potential for the product to sting your eyes when using it to remove eye makeup. Whilst it doesn’t hurt per se, it isn’t comfortable when the product accidentally goes in your eyes. This isn’t a major issue and is similar to getting micellar water in your eyes so I wouldn’t stop using this product due to this fact.

Overall, I can see why this product has received so much traction on social media. It is satisfying to use, soothing on skin and value for money. I mentioned earlier that DE isn’t a cheap brand but at £29, a little goes a long way so you do get your money’s worth. I really enjoy using this product and look forward to trying more of the DE range!

On The Menu: Comptoir Gourmand (Maltby, London)

Sorry for the slightly delayed post (again), I’m almost done with my current essays so will be back to regular scheduling soon!

I had an interview this morning in London and, arriving too early, found myself wandering in need of somewhere to sit. I was strolling down a quirky street with lots of flags hanging above it (Ropewalk) when I saw Comptoir Gourmand (Maltby Street) and headed inside.

This café is situated within a bridge arch which I love, giving lofty curved ceilings and a really unique atmosphere. Huge domed pendants dangle from the corrugated metal inside and add a warm feel to the sparsely decorated café. I love the simple wooden tables and chairs, the vintage feel of the wall decor and the distressed sofas centred around an antique trunk. It strikes me as somewhere that would be great to enjoy a good book or work.

As I was waiting for an interview, I didn’t want any food so only grabbed a glass of fresh orange juice but the pastries on the counter looked amazing. These aren’t your bog-standard baked goods but intricately decorated tarts, fruit-sprinkled pastries and loaded croissants. I would’ve loved to try one of the lemon and raspberry cakes but, alas, I did not. Overall, Comptoir Gourmand was a quirky and welcome surprise in an area that was unnervingly quiet. If you’re nearby and want somewhere to relax it’s a great place to go but it is in quite a remote area and I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit this particular branch.

 

On The Menu: BACKYARD (NEW, Bristol)

I thought I’d do a little promo post for a brand new restaurant in Bristol called BACKYARD, which is opening on Queens Road.

This new start-up focuses on chicken dishes – as is to be expected from their awesome scribbled chicken logo – and offers everything from grilled and fried chicken to wings and salads, offered with sides of fries, rice, slaw or corn. If that doesn’t appeal, there are also loaded burgers, salad jars and froyo! Check out the full menu below:

One of the most innovative features of this new restaurant is the cutting-edge ordering system. Customers use iPads to choose their meal and order food, making the whole process straightforward and easy. As I haven’t tried the restaurant yet I can’t speak to the details but I’m sure it’ll be a great way to get your food ordered whilst not having to interrupt your conversations.

The best part is that BACKYARD are hosting two days of soft openings on Friday 3rd May and Saturday 4th May, where they’re offering a whopping 50% off food in return for providing their staff with training experience and giving your feedback. Simple, right? If you’re interested and want to nab a table, email antonia@backyardchicken.co.uk and get yourself up to 72-74 Queens Road!

For those of you who can’t make it, the restaurant officially opens its doors on Tuesday 7th May for all your chickeny needs. They’re also giving away free chicken wings for the whole of May, so I’ll definitely be heading up there!

 

What’s New, Lu?

Last week I posted my second article on a Thursday and this week my first is arriving on a Tuesday – sufficed to say that life is busy and stressful at the moment! In light of this (and partly because I barely have the time to write at the moment), I thought I’d put out a brief post on what’s new with me.

The short answer is not much. I’m almost through with what I’m calling the second part of my Masters degree, with 3 deadlines a mere two weeks away. After that, I just have to write a 15,000-word dissertation by September which sounds simple enough but anyone who has done a dissertation before knows the pain and heartache that goes with it!

Away from university, life is going well. Coming off antidepressants has been a struggle but I’m feeling much better and focusing on keeping things steady. A great family and loving boyfriend have been invaluable, but unavoidable hiccups along the way have made progress slower. Depression will always be a part of me, however much I want to hide it away. It’s just how it is.

What else? I’m looking forward to going home for the first time in weeks this weekend and seeing my family and DOG! I’m also in the process of planning my life-after-uni and writing more blog posts – I promise they’ll be more exciting when I can have a minute to write! My boyfriend and I are currently in the process of looking into booking our September holiday (NYC, Jordan, Istanbul?) and once we have our destination I’ll write more about that and how to find the best holiday deals. Stay tuned!

Happy Easter!

Today’s post will be a short and sweet one to wish everyone a happy Easter weekend!

I am spending an extended weekend down in Dartmouth, a gorgeous coastal town tucked in the Devonshire valleys. My boyfriend’s family are lucky enough to have a beautiful cottage here and the amount of amazing food in the local area is crazy! So, for me, it will be a very tasty weekend spent by the sea. Perfect.

Whatever you’re up to I hope you have some relaxing time off. I’ll be uploading some more content into my travel blog, Globetrotter, about Dartmouth but I’ll also share it on here for any of you who might be interested. Have a good Easter everyone!

The Fire at Notre-Dame (Paris): The Cathedral’s History & Hope for its Future

This is quite a late evening post for me but given the current news about the fire that is ravaging the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, I couldn’t help but write. I am heartbroken watching the videos that have been splashed all over social media; the iconic spire cracking and wailing as it falls into the flames, the wooden interior slowly peeling away from its skeleton and falling into the firey pit below and the smoke blackening the Parisian sky, mourning for the demise of the medieval cathedral.

LeLaisserPasserA38, Wikimedia Commons

At the time of writing, the cause is undetermined. Current theories suggest an awfully dark irony: that the reconstruction works attempting to preserve the Cathedral might have accidentally caused the fire. I’m not really sure the causation is the most important factor, it’s the history of the building and the irreplaceable works of art and architecture disappearing into the smoke that devastates me.

In honour and commemoration of the tragic events that are currently unfolding in Paris, I wanted to write a short history of Notre-Dame. Whilst it won’t save the iconic building from burning, it is still important to preserve the intellectual history of the cathedral.

The cornerstone of the cathedral was laid in 1163, witnessed by Pope Alexander III. It was one of a series of buildings that were constructed at the behest of King Louis VII, who wanted to shape the identity of Paris and convey its power. In terms of innovation, the cathedral made use of a rib vault nave to give increased structure more support and a transept was added near the altar in order to let more light flood into the building. The spire, which today has collapsed, was added initially in the 13th century. The structure became damaged and dangerous over the years and was ultimately removed in 1786 and the decision was made to rebuild it in the 19th-century restoration efforts. I can’t help but think that if it’s been rebuilt once, it can be again.

Throughout the centuries since its original construction, Notre-Dame has undergone significant transformations. From complete renovations in style (to the Rayonnant style, which favoured the repetition of motifs in various sizes, best seen on the Rose Windows in the cathedral, see below), to the addition of the flying buttresses (which more evenly distributed the weight of the roof and enabled taller walls and larger windows to be added), the Cathedral has consistently changed in appearance.

Over time, Notre-Dame has witnessed its fair share of destruction. In the 16th century, Huguenots caused substantial damage to some of its statues and during the French Revolution, in the late 18th century, the cathedral was plundered and statues were beheaded because they were believed to be kings of France (they were, in fact, biblical kings). Even as recently as 1944, Notre-Dame suffered minor wounds from gunfire during the liberation of Paris.

Notre-Dame has survived extensive hardship throughout centuries of conflict and the power of the natural elements. Though it is suffering once more, I can only hope that Notre-Dame will, once again, push through and show the resilience it is known for. I really hope that the fire can be stopped before the entire structure is lost – we might lose some of the original structure but I hope we will rebuild and protect the invaluable history that will still remain within her walls.