NYC Day 3+4: Basketball, Modern Art & the Skyline at Sunset

So we have had another couple of incredible days in New York and the past 48 hours have been such a hectic, fast-paced whirlwind of sight-seeing, exploring, soaking up some culture and of course eating I have decided to put day three and four together in one post so grab a cuppa and enjoy.

Day three started off with our, now what feels like, routine run around Central Park before getting ready to brave the icy winds and head out for another day in the Big Apple. First stop was the Museum of Modern Art which had been on my to do list ever since we arrived. We previously visited the Guggenheim on our last trip but the MoMA is a great thing to do if you fancy a leisurely morning of colourful culture and funky artwork and a reason to head indoors to warm your chilly fingers. In the afternoon we decided some retail therapy was in order so we spent a few hours diving in and out of shops, grabbing coffee as we went and getting lost in Macy's and Bloomingdales. That night we put on our foam fingers and went to cheer on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. It was such a fun evening with the half time entertainment being as flamboyant and over the top as you would imagine - cheerleaders in spangly leotards, the tee shirt toss and the half court shoot out!

After another dreamy sleep in the biggest beds ever our Citizen M hotel we decided to check out the much recommended Sara Beth's for breakfast and we were not disappointed. Possibly some of the fluffiest pancakes I have ever had I opted for the buttermilk pancakes with fresh strawberries whilst Rob had the cheddar and jalepeno omelette with pumpkin muffin. It was incredible and meant we were suitably fuelled for another day walking the city. We wandered south all the way down to the financial district to see the 9/11 memorial and gaze up in wonderment at the new Freedom Tower. It was a very moving and reflective moment of the day but something I would definitely recommend doing if you are visiting New York. On the way back we zigzagged through the West and East villages to check out a few boutique shops we had pinpointed to visit and just enjoyed a moment away from the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan. That evening we took advantage of the beautiful clear skies and crisp night and went to see the sun set over New York from the Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Plaza. As people skated on the ice rink below we whizzed up to the 67th floor and stepped out to this spectacular view. Personally I think the view from TOTR surpasses the sight from Empire State Building purely because you have the ability to see the natural beauty of Central Park to the north and then the concrete jungle of New York unfolding all the way South to the bottom of the island, with the Statue of Liberty standing proud in the distance. As the sun set and cast a warm amber glow over the New York skyline it was a breathtaking moment and one of my favourite memories of the trip so far.

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

NYC Day 2: The High Line and Cupcakes on Bleeker St

So day two in the Big Apple started like every Sunday should begin - with a brisk 5km run up 5th Avenue and around Central Park followed by a saunter back to the hotel, Starbucks in hand. Despite being on holiday Rob and I still love to squeeze our daily fitness fix in and there is honestly nothing better than starting the day with a run together. If I had one tip for anyone travelling to New York then I would say ditch the taxi rides and subway tickets, pop on your comfiest shoes and walk. There is nothing better than exploring a city like New York on foot as every street and avenue has something new and interesting to take in and discover that you won't want to miss.

After we had warmed ourselves up after braving the icy temperatures in our finest lycra we headed out to walk the High Line which is a historic freight rail line elevated high above the streets of West Side Manhattan. The walk offers some spectacular views of the Hudson to your right and the Meatpacking District to your left and gives you the opportunity to hop off at various points which we did once we hit Chelsea Market. Despite being to NYC twice before I had never ventured to Chelsea Market before, and neither had Rob, so we were both really looking forward to seeing what this indoor urban food haven had to offer. Comprising of shop after shop of interesting food delis, stalls and restaurants, not to mention a section selling trinkets, flowers, jewellery, clothes and interesting homewares, it is a great place to visit if you are hungry and want to while away a hour or two. Every sweet and savoury treat is here for your delectation from crepes, waffles, cupcakes, artisan breads, Mexican tacos, hearty soups and fresh pastas. It even had a Anthropologie store at the very end. We also popped over to Gansevoort Market which is much smaller but equally as tantalising!

Suitably fed and watered we carried on heading south towards the West Village and then onto SoHo which are some of my favourite areas in the city for simply wandering around and doing a spot of window shopping. Cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery on Bleeker Street was a must (we shared a Red Velvet and Vanilla Buttercream and ate them on a bench in the sunshine) before paying Kate Spade Saturday a visit to see if any great bargains were to be had. Having been on our feet from 8am to 5pm now and feeling the need to counteract the sugary injection of cream cheese frosting from earlier we stopped off a The Butcher's Daughter which is a green, veggie-friendly cafe and juice bar that whips up a mean fruit smoothie. Colourful, fresh and nutrition it was just what we needed after pounding the pavements all day.

Finally back at our hotel we took to the internet to find us something light and relatively healthy to have for dinner and our radar landed on Bareburger which was only four streets down from our hotel. Organic, natural and eco-friendly, this burger joint really has it all with plenty of veggie choices, the option to design your own burger and mouthwatering sweet potato fries! I would definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area and craving a black bean burger in a brioche bun with handfuls of alfalfa and tomato fig jam (my personal creation!)

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Clarins Everlasting Foundation+

There is one thing that Clarins do very well and that is their skincare. There is a second thing they also do exceptionally well and that is their long list of base products, powders, foundations and concealers. Without fail I will always have one or two Clarins face bits on the go to help give me a even and as flawless as possible complexion and at the moment it is the Instant Concealer and their new Everlasting Foundation +* (£27.50)

When it comes to foundation I do like a medium to high coverage option with a matte/satin finish but without the feeling of heaviness or caking on the skin. Thankfully the new Everlasting Foundation+ from Clarins ticks all the right boxes for me. It is a medium coverage base product (SPF15) that has a new generated formula that provides impeccable coverage from morning to night, covers imperfections instantly whilst feeling comfortable and light on the skin. The mattifying bamboo powder delivers a long-lasting flawless finish whilst keeping any shine or oiliness at bay and the extract of organic quinoa (how fancy!) preserves the skin's suppleness and moisture levels so it doesn't feel drying at all. In fact I think despite the promise of a fairly matte foundation, the Everlasting Foundation+ gives the skin quite a nice glow and subtle dewiness which I like and the coverage is fantastic without masking the skin. Available in a crazy 16 or so different shades it is one of those fail-safe foundation options that can be used day or night, applied lightly or built up for a more flawless, higher coverage finish. It blends beautifully into the skin and doesn't need any powdering afterwards. Basically, it was love at the first application and is currently my base product of choice whilst away in New York.

Have you tried this newest addition to the Clarins foundation family?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

NYC Day 1: Pancakes and Snowy Walks in Central Park

Eleven years ago when Rob and I were just young lovers wrapped up in a teenage romance we headed to New York for my 18th birthday which turned out to be the first of many holidays together and one that holds many many wonderful memories for us. Before we got married last year we vowed to return to NYC to celebrate our marriage and enjoy this very special city all over again...so here we are for a whole week! We arrived last night at the Citizen M hotel and were met with a very warm welcome on what was an exceptionally chilly night in the Big Apple. Just off Times Square slap bang in the centre of midtown Manhattan our hotel could not be in a more ideal spot for walking and exploring the city on foot. The rooms are small but perfectly formed and everything is funky, modern and operated from the mere touch of a button. Every room has a tablet that controls all its inner workings from the tv, mood lights, curtains, temperature, music and even artwork - much to the excitement of Rob who wanted to play with it all when we checked in despite it being 2am in the morning! The hotel were so sweet when we checked in and bumped us up a few floors for an even more spectacular city view and delivered some prosecco to our door as we were celebrating our honeymoon. :)

We awoke early on our first morning in the city and we only had one thing on our minds - pancakes! After a quick twitter consultation Tanya recommended Norma's at Le Parker Meridien Hotel and boy oh boy were we in for a treat. After a hearty brunch of peach and walnut buttermilk pancakes (I was defeated after one!) we headed to Central Park to make the most of the fine, crisp yet sunny day with fresh snow underfoot. I honestly think Central Park is one of my favourite places in New York. Rob and I are a couple that love being active and enjoying the great outdoors. We are never happier than when we are walking around taking photos and soaking up all of the greatness that nature has to offer so an afternoon in Central Park was just want we craved on a sunny Saturday in New York. The sparkly white snow and cloudless skies made it even more magical and I loved heading over to see the Alice in Wonderland sculpture which I had never seen before on my previous visits to NYC and is a real secluded treat nestled in the heart of the park.

Quick blurb about my outfit: Trench coat is from River Island, ROMWE tartan scarf, Converse high-tops, Accessorize faux fur headband and my beloved Mulberry Bayswater tote.

Right must dash, off for some pizza at Don Antonio's tonight which has come highly recommended from a few friends and I cannot wait. I can practically smell the warm sourdough rising and melting mozzarella as I type. I hope you will enjoy these style of posts of the next few days and hopefully my New York diaries will give you some ideas and inspirations if you have a visit planned soon.

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

By Terry Bronze Moon Ombre Blackstar Shadow Stick

Ever since I picked up my first By Terry product last year, the Ombre Blackstar cream shadow stick in Misty Rock, I have been hocked on the quick and easy, twist-up-swipe-on nature of this gorgeous eye product. So when I was "rewarded" with a Space NK voucher I knew instantly it was time to expand the collection and I only had eyes for this beautiful shade - Bronze Moon, a warm shimmery golden-bronze with subtle flecks of metallic hues to give you the prettiest and easiest of smokey eyes.

I love the simplicity of these Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow sticks - their consistency and texture is smooth and creamy so are ridiculously easy to apply and blend out but then they do dry to a more powdery finish so don't crease or smudge through the day. Whether you apply them all over your lids or simply line your lower lash line for some sparkly definition, they are swiftly become a staple in my makeup bag. They are not designed for precision which is something I quite like as I am always a fan of that smudgy, I-just-don't-care smokey eye that is a little rough around the edges and executed in a minute or two. There is a time and place for endless buffing and blending but for quick makeup on the go then the By Terry Ombre Blackstars are a winner every time and this edgier makeup look makes me feel a little bit 'cool' you know!

Are you a fan of these shadow sticks?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque

Hands up, I'm a bad beauty blogger but this is the first time that I have purchased and tried this much talked about and all time blogger-favourite face mask. Aesop's Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque (£27) has been on my "to buy" list for as long as I can remember now but it wasn't until I was in Selfridges recently that I finally got round to spending the pennies on this skin saving face mask that really is everything I hoped it would be...and more.

Best described as an anti-oxidant clarifying masque, it is designed for frequent use for a deep cleanse and is suited to most skin types, particularly if you suffer from sensitivity or dryness. The three main ingredients - parsley seed, evening primrose and rosehip seed work wonders at cleansing and rejuvenating the skin whilst giving you a beautiful aroma of lavender and herbaceous. With a loose, liquid-y formula it is easy to apply all over the face or on specific areas that need a bit of TLC and within a few minutes it dries to a hard, clay-like finish that makes it impossible to frown, laugh or look surprised! As this masque works its magic you can almost feel all the impurities and nasties leaving your skin. Leave it on for fifteen minutes and then simply wash off with warm water to reveal some seriously refreshed, clear and glowing skin. Followed with a loving helping of Clarins Blue Orchid face treatment oil and I feel like my skin is brand new again. I honestly cannot believe it has taken me this long to add a bit of Aesop to my skin regime but it has swiftly become my holy grail face masque!

Have you tried this much coveted clarifying masque? What is your favourite face masque?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post

YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer and Perfector

The concept of perfectly blurred skin used to something only the filters of instagram could achieve. We are all on the search for the image of a flawless complexion - skin that radiates evenness, luminosity and clarity and YSL Beauté have proven it is all about the base by releasing two primers that promise to blur the skin beautifully and breathe new life and light into your makeup. These new launches seek to smooth and refine the complexion in a way that foundations and concealers can't. They will minimise the appearance of pores and dispel minor flaws whilst leaving the skin looking and feeling radiant and full of light.

First up is the YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer* (£29.50) which is a light-weight, gel-like liquid containing golden sparkly pigments for specular reflection, illumination and warmth on the skin. It is the first gold-flecked primer I have seen and promises to diminish the look of flaws, smooth the skin's texture and boost your foundation's radiance thanks to an optical effect and surge of radiant light. The formula contains a combination of 4 nourishing oils - corn oil, apricot kernel oil, passiflora oil and rice bran oil so your skin feels incredibly soft and velvety without being left with a greasy residue and those golden flecks won't leave you sparkling like a disco ball, I promise! Simply take a pump or two of the gel-fluid primer and work into your skin to unleash the luminosity - pores do appear noticeably minimised and fine lines are veiled making the application of your foundation smoother, silkier and beautifully-blurred into the skin.

The second product in this new duo of blur primers is the YSL Touche Éclat Blur Perfector* (£31.50) which couldn't look prettier housed in its powdery-pink and gold palette. This innovative, patented balm-powder blur optically disguises imperfections and enhances skin's natural, healthy rosy glow. Unlike the golden-infused primer which goes onto the skin before your foundation, this blur perfector is more of a skin finisher and is to be used alone to replace your base product or tapped over your makeup to retouch your complexion, sweep away any shininess and blur out pores and fine lines throughout the day. The skin-softening balm is concentrated but lightweight in texture and is best applied onto the skin with the small sponge included. It transforms from a balm to a powder upon application and creates a transparent, ever so slightly rosy-glow effect which casts a veil over flaws and imperfections. I love how this is a great option for those no-makeup days when you still want your skin to feel and look prepped, smooth, healthy and luminous or as a makeup bag essential for quick touch-ups during the day. With such a pretty case you really wouldn't mind whipping this out at your work desk or during dinner to ensure your makeup is look fresh and blurred to perfection.

Are you excited about these new skin-blurring beauties from YSL?

Twitter . Facebook . Bloglovin'

View Post