Everything Erin

One of my favourite things to receive at Christmas has to be a new eyeshadow palette. They feel like such a treat and perfect to use for your Christmas day makeup look. Today I have rounded up a few of my favourites out right now that you might want to hint for, or perhaps treat someone special to!

The Classic High-Quality Palette: Anastasia Beverly Hills' Soft Glam

The palette I am personally wishing for this year is ABH's Soft Glam. Being obsessed with the Modern Renaissance for about a year and a half now, I really feel like I need an addition to my collection in the form of one of their other palettes. Soft Glam is absolutely gorgeous because of its range of warm brown mattes and sparkly gold and rose gold shimmers that will create all sorts of classic looks. The quality of ABH palettes is unbeatable in my opinion, so you know you won't be going wrong with this one.

The Spoilt For Choice Palette: Beauty Bay Origins Palette

You thought Morphe's palettes were big? Think again! Beauty Bay's own range of palettes are pack in a whole 42 shades - imagine the sheer amount of different looks you could make with that! They now have quite a few different palettes in their collection, to suit all preferences, but personally I prefer the warm tones of the Origins palette. The palette is perfect for anyone makeup obsessed but also beginners because, not only will it give them everything they need and more, each row has a different role, for example 'base', 'crease', or 'highlight', to name a few. This means that while 42 shades can look pretty overwhelming, the palette is really easy to use.

A Little Taste Of Luxury: Charlotte Tilbury's Quads

If you're really wanting to treat someone this year, I have to point you in the direction of the Charlotte Tilbury quads! Again, there's a whole variety of shades, but if you're struggling to pick I would suggest the 'Bella Sophia' palette, four really classic, luxurious bronze and copper tones. It may be considered pricey for only 4 eyeshadows, but you are really paying for that incredible quality and luxurious packaging - it's a real treat!

The Disney Obsessed: Colourpop's Frozen II Palettes

Colourpop are one of my favourite makeup brands - they create incredible shimmers like no one else! I absolutely love their themed collections and their recent range, inspired by Frozen II, is perfect for any Disney fan. I absolutely love their Anna inspired palette, full of oranges and purples to suit her look, and the gold shimmer right in the centre is absolutely stunning! You can even get a lipstick inspired by the range to match.

The Colour Crazy: Morphe 35B Palette

If know someone who loves to experiment with colour, look no further than Morphe's 35B palette. Morphe's palettes are always exceptional quality for their price, and imagine the fun you could have with a palette like this! Your eyes would certainly never be boring again!

The Christmas In A Palette: Too Faced Extra Spicy Gingerbread Palette

Too Faced's Christmas collections are always to die for because of how in-your-face festive they are! The perfect gift is definitely something Christmas-themed, because then when the recipient uses it, they will always be reminded of festive fun. Having received Too Faced's Gingerbread Spice palette last Christmas, I can tell you now that the quality will not disappoint! This year's release is similar to last year with some different shades - there are some gorgeous champagne shimmers! Oh, and did I mention the palette even smells like Christmas?!

The Travel Friendly: Zoeva Cocoa Blend Voyager Palette

The perfect gift for someone always on the go has to be a travel-friendly palette. With the rise of huge palettes, it can be difficult to find one easy to carry around, but Zoeva's Voyager versions of their classic palettes do just that. They cut their palettes down from 10 to 6 shades, leaving the only essentials, perfect for a few nights away. I love their Cocoa Blend palette and the 6 shades in the Voyager palette are the ones I am always reaching for so it is a great option!

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Want even more options? Check out my 2018 eyeshadow gift guide - most are still available and would make the perfect gift, or treat for yourself!

EG x

It has truly been a crazy time for me with new music releases. I have waited years for some of my favourite artists to come back, and then they have all suddenly come back at once! So today is quite possibly my favourite music post I have ever written, with all five of my favourite artists back at the exact same time!

McFly - The Lost Songs

After waiting years for McFly to make a return, I had practically given up hope - the announcement of them releasing music they released years ago as ‘the lost songs’ was certainly a shock to all fans like myself. The music certainly hasn’t disappointed me because it has that true McFly sound I have always loved, with favourites of mine being Hyperion and We Were Only Kids in particular. The songs were being released every Sunday the lead up to their O2 show on 20th November, the day I am publishing this post, so hopefully we will be getting some live footage of them too very very soon! I can’t wait to hear them all on tour next year in Manchester.

The Script - Sunsets & Full Moons

The Script generally release a new album every two years or so, therefore it was about now we were due another one - I cannot believe Freedom Child, their last album is already two years old! Their latest album, bringing their total to six, has been said to be very different from the previous album, making a return to the true ‘Script’ sound of the first two albums. I certainly agree that they have returned to their roots, bringing out a collection of songs with amazing lyrics. Something Unreal, the first track, is a song I can’t see myself ever getting bored of, it is such a catchy one to dance to. However, there is some more emotive tracks like Run Through Walls that are really reflective - an incredible release, for definite.

The 1975 - A Frail State Of Mind

While we have to wait until 2020 for The 1975’s next album, I have been really enjoying ‘A Frail State of Mind’, a single they have released prior to the album. It really feels like a combination of TOOTIME and How To Draw / Petrichor from the last album, in a good way! I absolutely love TOOTIME (my most listened to song last year) so it is a nice little sister of that song, a bit more of a chill version. Their new single has made me very excited for the album to be released, especially because I wasn’t completely sold on People, the first single from the album. Instead, they are definitely back to what they do best here!

Harry Styles - Lights Up

Lights Up has been a grower for me. Harry Styles releasing new music was of course, an incredibly exciting event, and all I could think was: ‘well, it's no Sign of The Times, really…’. One thing is for sure, it is different. I am not too keen on the autotuned sounds, but I am totally in love with the main chorus - the shine, step into the light part! It is hugely uplifting and motivational. His album Fine Line will be released before the end of the year so I look forward to finding out the direction he has taken it in.

Coldplay - Orphans, Arabesque and soon… Everyday Life

I thought I had hit the jackpot already with all those artists I have just mentioned releasing new music. Then, one Thursday evening, I finished my shift at work to see that my absolute favourite band, Coldplay, had released two new songs, and have a whole double album out very soon! Talk about excitement! Each of the singles is from a different side of the album; Orphans from Sunrise, Arabesque from Sunset.

Orphans is very much reminiscent of their music from A Head Full Of Dreams, which I cannot criticise at all, because I absolutely love that sound. It is really uplifting and joyful, definitely doing what they do best. Arabesque is completely different but yet still totally Coldplay, perhaps more similar to the sound of the Viva La Vida album. It is very experimental with some obvious jazz influences and a prominent saxophone riff. I absolutely adore the French bit too! Their new album release is certainly going to be a good one, if these two songs are anything to go by.

Niall Horan - Nice To Meet Ya

The final song I have been really enjoying currently is Niall Horan’s comeback single, Nice To Meet Ya. Perhaps what made me a little disappointed at Harry’s single was how much I love this, released the week before, I felt so disloyal! Nice To Meet Ya is so catchy and fun, a great return for Niall. I absolutely love the production of it. I enjoyed Niall’s earlier solo music, for example Slow Hands and This Town, but this is certainly my favourite song of his yet, such a fabulous tune.

EG x

Being at uni in London, it can become surprisingly easy to stay in my ‘uni bubble’ area, between my accommodation near Islington, down to Euston where UCL is located. I am trying to challenge myself to try a new ‘London’ thing each week, whether it be a new area, museum or show - here are a few places on my list!

Primrose Hill 

After visiting Notting Hill a few weeks ago, it only feels right that we visit another pretty area, Primrose Hill. Its park in particular is an area I would love to visit soon because its views of London look amazing. It also has some dreamy colourful houses - the street where the family live in the Paddington films is there! I imagine there are plenty of quaint cafes too. 

Leadenhall Market

The location of Diagon Alley in Harry Potter is such a gorgeous building I would love to visit. The architecture and cobbled pavement is so unique and picturesque, and I am sure it is brimming with lovely shops and cafes inside.

One New Change

This may look like a simple shopping centre from the outside, but it is its close proximity to St Paul’s Cathedral that makes me want to pay a visit. Its rooftop terrace has amazing views of the Cathedral and across London - a perfect photo opportunity!

Sloane Square

My friend has told me that Sloane Square is lovely to visit so I have made her promise we will go soon! It is full of pretty shops and houses and isn't far from the blogger favourite cafe, Peggy Porschen, which can you believe I have not visited yet! It is a blogger crime that definitely needs fixing, I must pay a visit!

National Portrait Gallery

As someone who loves to paint portraits myself, I almost equally love looking at portraits and the details that have gone into them. The National Portrait Gallery, located just off Trafalgar Square, is one of my must visits right now. It has free entry, which I am sure I will make good use of as I could probably spend a good few hours in there!

More Musicals!

My favourite thing about London so far has to have been how close I am to the West End, as I mentioned in my recent theatre round up. I would love to take some more trips to shows, and utilise the Today Tix app, where you can get rush tickets on the day for only £25 - such a good deal!

See a film at the BFI Imax

I really enjoy going to the cinema, and I am really excited by the fact I now live a ten minutes walk away from a Vue, but I would love to see a film on Britain's biggest cinema screen! It is located in the middle of a big roundabout in Waterloo, which you can only get to by going underground and I certainly think it would be an interesting experience!


Of course, I would love to visit some places I have visited already, such as Covent Garden and Harrods, which I am even more excited to visit on the run up to Christmas! Plus, Notting Hill was at the top of this list before I visited a few weeks ago! I would love some more suggestions too, because I have lots of exploring to do!

EG x

One of my favourite things about being in London is the close proximity to its famous West End. If I ever had to see a show before it would have to be a proper, planned trip, and now I can just pop off half an hour and I'm there! I have seen three shows over the past three weeks that I have absolutely loved.

Les Miserables - The All Star Concert

When the All Star concert edition of Les Mis was announced I was so excited, and really lucky to get a ticket because it sold out really fast! I went to a Saturday matinee on 19th October, where I was lucky enough to see all of the All Star cast. They certainly did not disappoint!

I saw Carrie Hope Fletcher as Eponine back in 2015, and didn’t know how I would see Les Mis again without her in it, so I was overjoyed to see her in the cast, this time as Fantine. Now, I Dreamed A Dream is not my favourite Les Mis song (it has been a bit overdone, really), and yet this was the one I was absolutely bawling my eyes out over, Carrie was simply so good! I was trying to stop crying so I could see her properly but it was a struggle!


Alongside Carrie, the cast starred Alfie Boe as Valjean and Michael Ball as Javert and the pair were, as I expected, simply amazing - especially Alfie Boe, I don’t think anyone can do Bring Him Home as perfectly as him! Matt Lucas as Thenardier actually really surprised me vocally too.

As it is all sold out by now, I would seriously recommend going along to your local cinema for a screening of it on the 2nd of December, or get the DVD when it comes out early next year. I know I will be getting it so that I can experience it all over again!

Lungs, starring Claire Foy & Matt Smith

On the 5th November, the day before my birthday, I decided to treat myself to get a last minute ticket to the play Lungs, starring Claire Foy & Matt Smith, who I absolutely fell in love with the acting of in the series The Crown.

I got there early but didn’t realise you had to get a ticket from the cafe to enter the queue so I ended up nineteenth in the queue by accident! So, although the day seats had ran out by my turn, I managed to get a return seat in Row B of the dress circle which I was actually happier with - meant to be!


I returned a few hours later for the matinee of the play, featuring a couple debating starting a family in today’s climate, amongst other issues such as careers and aging. The production was so stripped back, just Matt and Claire on a simple stage, so it was up to them to sell the story and boy did they. It was such a contrast to where I had seen them before, in Netflix’s high budget drama, and I was amazed how they were just as moving on stage as on the screen.


Sadly as I post this, the run of Lungs at the Old Vic finished the day before, but I had to write about it to celebrate the talents of Matt and Claire if nothing else!

Mary Poppins

The first ever musical I went to see at the West End was Mary Poppins, when I was four years old, and for years now I have said I wish it could return so I could go again. This year I finally got my wish, as the musical made its West End return, coincidentally the year I came to uni here. It was a real treat to see it on my nineteenth birthday. We had wonderful seats, if you are visiting the Prince Edward theatre I would really recommend the Loge seats of the Dress Circle - when we sat down I honestly teared up with how good the view was and you have your own little row to yourself!


The production was truly incredible. It varies a lot to the film itself, which I remembered from when I was little and very confused, but this is a good thing because there are lots of fun new songs, as well as the classic favourites. I don't know what it is about Feed The Birds but it really makes me cry! Step in Time was a real highlight for me, the choreography was insanely good.


However, the best part of the show had to be towards the end. My friend had told me the day before that when she was younger, her favourite part was when Mary Poppins flies over the audience - I couldn't remember that and didn't think it was even possible! But it truly was, and where I was sat she basically flies right towards us and was level with us at one point! The production of the show really is amazing, they put so much into it and I seriously recommend going down and seeing it.


I have another show to look forward to in a few weeks and may end up getting some rush tickets, so you never know, I might end up writing a similar post soon! Have you seen any shows lately? I would love any recommendations!

EG x

Narrowing down the makeup I was taking with me to uni was almost as difficult as sorting out my clothes - eye shadow palettes in particular. I have so many that I love, it was really difficult to restrict myself to only bringing a few. I was originally going to try and just take three but I ended up with four along with me and I had to share why I think these are the essentials in my collection.

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS - MODERN RENAISSANCE

The no-brainer. The Modern Renaissance is easily my all time favourite palette and in the year and a half I have owned it, it is also my most used, so of course it was going to be coming along with me! I take it with me whenever I go on short breaks away, I don't know how I could do without it for weeks on end!


The palette is an essential for me because of the range of shades, from oranges to a mauve and a deep brown, with a few classic shimmers (gold and champagne shades) throw in for good measure, meaning it is so easy to create a variety of different looks. Of course, the other reason I love it so much is how pigmented and blendable the shades are. It is my favourite palette and I don't think I will ever get bored of it!

URBAN DECAY - NAKED HEAT

Since it's the season of autumn right now, I had to bring the Naked Heat along with me, because for me it is autumn manifested in eyeshadow form. I didn't use it very much last year so I am really glad I brought it with me to get more use out of it - which I certainly have been, it has actually surprised me how often I grab it over the Modern Renaissance these days!

I was in two minds whether to bring it because it does have a few very similar shades to the Modern Renaissance, such as the red tones, but I think there are plenty of shades in here, such as the deep purple Ashes, that are unique to this palette. There aren't lots of light shimmers but that has challenged me to create some all-matte looks with this palette, with some of the lighter mattes; it's really effective.

ZOEVA - COCOA BLEND

The Cocoa Blend has some gorgeous shades in it, all themed with chocolate inspired names, what is not to love! This is an essential to me because I was going to be travelling with it and it is such a lightweight and sleek palette.

My main reason for bringing this palette was a couple of shades in particular - the two brown mattes on the bottom row - Substitute for Love and Freshly Toasted. They are so gorgeous to blend into any look but personally, I love a couple of nice brown mattes for everyday. 'Beans Are White', the black in the top right, came in handy so much on Halloween! The purple shimmer in the bottom right is also a super unique and fun shade.

COLOURPOP - IT'S A PRINCESS THING

I simply had to bring this palette from Colourpop because it reigns supreme when it comes to shimmers! I have never tried a pressed shimmer as gorgeous as these, they are gorgeously pigmented. They are all absolutely perfect for when you're going out, or simply want a pop of glitter.

There's such a great range of shades in the palette, from my essential champagne shade Ray, all the way to the bright purple Poison Apple. The gold shade One Kiss? is also my favourite ever gold eyeshadow which says a lot! The mattes in this palette aren't too worthy of a rave, but my other three palettes already cover me perfectly in the matte department - this one is all about the shimmers!


Am I missing any back home? A couple of weeks in I realised I have brought a lot of warm toned shades and didn't even think about any cooler tones, so I think if I could have one extra from my collection at home, it would be the Naked Smoky for a bit of variety. I also really miss the Morphe 35O, because I miss that wonderful selection of brown mattes - although it would be impossible to travel with, it's so bulky!

EG x

For years now I have described my dream place to live in the whole world as Notting Hill, despite the fact I had never even visited that area of London before. But, as seen all over Instagram and Pinterest, and of course, one of my favourite films Notting Hill itself, the colourful houses are so dreamy - how could you not want to live in one?! It was a bucketlist place to visit while in London so I was really excited when me and my friend decided to spend an afternoon wandering around the most beautiful streets you will ever find.


Getting there on the tube from King's Cross was surprisingly easy and enjoyable - I don't know if it was the fact it was a Sunday afternoon, but actually getting a seat the entire way made a huge change to being rammed up against the door on my way to Leicester Square the day before! We got the tube to Ladbrooke Grove, rather than Notting Hill Gate, because it was much more straight forward, and as the signs on the platform suggested, it led us straight to Portobello Road market, exactly where we wanted to be.


But first, we had to have some glimpses of some colourful houses! We first walked down Lancaster Road, which has beautiful houses in bright colours - I absolutely adore the red one. Just off Lancaster Road is a little street called St Luke's Mews where they filmed the super famous scene in Love Actually with the signs - me and my friend both love that film so we had to take a visit! The pink house is where Keira Knightley's character lived in the film, and it is totally gorgeous; no surprise it had several people crowded around taking photos!


Then we made our way to Portobello Road, which hosts its famous market on every day but Sunday, so we couldn't feel like we were recreating the scene in Notting Hill where the seasons change as Hugh Grant walks through the market. But, on the same theme, we went to visit a little shop just off Portobello Road, on Blenheim crescent - The Notting Hill Bookshop.


This is the bookshop that inspired the travel bookshop in the film - it even has a plaque to say so! Make sure to leave plenty of time to visit as I can imagine the entrance gets quite crowded with photographers, we had to wait a short while. But you will also be able to spend plenty of time exploring the store, which is fairly small but has a great collection of books, especially classics and of course, travel books. It also has some merchandise that I was very excited by, purchasing a tote bag, notebook and a coaster with that famous Notting Hill quote on it (I'm just a girl...)


Back onto Portobello Road we went! I would recommend taking some time just to wander the streets going off the main road as there are plenty of little side streets with really pretty pastel-coloured houses, with Instagrammers galore posing for photos - which of course we had to join in with, it only feels right doesn't it?


There is a huge array of cafes to visit in Notting Hill. If you search for recommendations online, the top result is always Farm Girl, which we went to, but queueing for a while they were all out of cake, sadly! So while it is probably amazing, if you really want to go I would get there early. We instead went to Gail's Bakery and had a muffin which was lovely and well-priced, I really want to try more of their options, it all looked delicious!


As we only had the afternoon we then went to get the tube back again, while I confirmed to my friend that yes, now that I have visited I can still absolutely say that it still is my dream to live there.

EG x

In the 1960s, Mary Quant put London at the centre of the fashion world's map. As the V&A's previous exhibition proved, the feminine Dior-esque French style ruled the late forties and fifties, but the swinging sixties was a time for bright colours and experimentation - Quant made sure of it.

Exhibitions at the V&A are always truly spectacular. Having looked at a list of their previous exhibitions, I can say that there is at least one or two each year I would have loved to have visited, however their 'Mary Quant' exhibit marked my very first. I was really excited to visit the exhibition as it felt like the perfect crossover between two of my favourite things - history and fashion, to learn more about one of the most influential British designers ever.


The exhibition takes place on two floors, designed to take you on a journey through Quant's illustrious career. Walking into an exhibition full of clothes nearly sixty years old, you would expect them to feel like they belonged in the last century. However, so many of the items featured in the collection felt like they could easily fit in with today's fashion trends - I couldn't believe how similar the zip up pinafore on the right was to items I have recently seen in H&M.


What also struck me about Mary Quant's designs is her immense use of colour. There's some real autumnal colours - burnt oranges galore, but bright yellows and pinks too. Her clothes really reflect the idea of excitement throughout the sixties with a real purpose of self-expression through women's clothing.


Quant is most famous for popularising the miniskirt, which of course is still a staple today. She actually provided the name for it herself, after her Mini car. There were, of course, many miniskirts on display alongside many other beautiful outfits and dresses. While many of her bright creations stand out, more delicate pieces also caught my eye - such as this gorgeous lace dress, one of my favourite items on display.


While I was expecting an exhibition focusing simply on clothes, there was also a feature with her makeup line which of course, as a beauty enthusiast, I was really excited to see. Her makeup line revolutionised the beauty world we have in today, as according to a woman who worked as a cosmetics sales assistant for Mary Quant, the advisors of other brands appeared much more intimidating, whereas Quant's employees were friendly and drew in a younger audience. I absolutely love the cute uniform they had as sales assistants too!


There was plenty of videos and extracts to read about Mary Quant's life and career which I found really interesting - I definitely want to read more about her but since I didn't know very much, it was the perfect starting point. The dress she wore to Buckingham Palace to receive an OBE in 1966 was an incredible feature.


The exhibition gave an incredible outlook on not only Mary Quant's incredible career and amazing designs, but also a reminder where the fashion industry of today still has its roots. There was a real sense of freshness to the exhibition; these designs pioneered the styles we still wear today.


To see all of this up close and even more, the Mary Quant exhibition is on at the V&A until the 16th February - plenty of time left to get tickets here. Have you been to any museum or gallery visits lately?

EG x