Everything Erin

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

As what I consider a 'lipstick collector' (here we are trying to justify how many I own), I have tried quite a few of the liquid lipstick variety from a range of brands. However, there are really only three brands' liquid lipsticks that I believe are worth the spend.

They are matte, incredibly long-lasting; when they do fade, they fade evenly. They aren't drying, you can't feel them on the lips, instead they settle nicely. Their shade ranges are incredible and the lighter shades aren't still really dark, and finally, they are super easy to apply. While as a rule, I prefer bullet lipsticks, these liquid ones are honestly my favourite lipsticks ever. They are everything I want out of a lipstick, so if you need a liquid lipstick - here's where to look.

Too Faced's Melted Mattes

I remember purchasing Too Faced's Melted Matte liquid lipstick in the nude shade Child Star a couple of years ago - it was an expensive product for me so I was really hoping it was going to be worth the price. Thank goodness it was everything I was hoping for - and even more! It quickly became my all time favourite lipstick. It is super flattering, complimenting any eye-look and long-lasting meaning it became my go-to for when I was going out for the day.


I had to purchase another shade from the collection which is another fave of mine, in the shade Sell Out. It's a more adventurous shade for me because it's very pink but again, it's very flattering so I get a lot of use out of it. I think it is so important for a bolder shade to last and fade evenly and that is exactly what you get with this lipstick - as I type this it's currently still on my lips after having it on for hours, through meals!

NARS' Powermatte Lip Pigments

This was a gamble of a purchase - I had an ASOS voucher and after a lot of research thought the NARS lip pigments looked super nice, especially in the shade Get It On. However, I had never swatched it before I bought it, which I always like to do first, so I had no idea what the consistency would be like.


I was right to put my faith in NARS' formula because it really is a winner. It is lighter and thinner than lots of other liquid lipsticks which makes it really easy to apply and I think helps make sure it is not drying at all. Again, it lasts all day, tried and tested through meals. The shade I own is a liquid lipstick alternative to my classic MAC Velvet Teddy, it really suits any brown or burnt orange eye looks. It's absolutely gorgeous, as are all of the range - I definitely want to try more!

Anastasia Beverly Hills' Matte Liquid Lipstick

ABH was definitely one of the first brands pioneering liquid lipstick and making them essentials in any makeup bag. I believe that the classics are always worth checking out, and the ABH liquid lipsticks are no exception.

Like my other favourites, The Anastasia Beverly Hills lipsticks have a winning formula. They really last all day and are really comfortable on the lips, you can't tell it's on once it has dried at all. 
The shade range is really unbeatable, there is no doubting that you will find a shade perfect for you. I have a few but my favourites are Stripped and Dazed - Stripped is a lovely nude perfect for the spring months, but I have got Dazed out again now it is autumn because it's a really lovely brown tone for this time of year.


But what makes these three brands special? Now, I've not tried every single liquid lipstick brand out there, but out of the ones I have tried, these are the only ones that I consistently use a lot - notably, the only ones I have brought with me to uni. Sometimes it is a shade range issue for me - Kat Von D's formula is famous, yet I don't find many of her shades very flattering. A lot of cheaper brands in my opinion are either too drying or crumbly, or don't even set on the lips - I'm sadly looking at you Maybelline! These are the only three liquid lipstick brands I believe you need to check out.



However, if you have a firm favourite I haven't mentioned, make sure to let me know! Maybe I will check it out and you will have proven me wrong!

EG x

As summer is drawing to a close, today I thought I would share what I have been listening to over the summer. I love sharing my music discoveries, but I actually haven't found a lot of new loves over the summer, instead sticking to what I love, so I haven't written about it as much as usual. Yet I think the time has come to share a few new favourites!

Danny Jones & McFly

At the beginning of the month I went to see McFly frontman, Danny Jones on his solo tour at the O2 Ritz Manchester. In the small venue, I managed to be about five rows back and it was a really great concert. Danny's new solo music is really good, especially my favourite Talk In The Morning, but the fans truly went crazy when he performed a couple of McFly songs such as Five Colours In Her Hair. It was lovely to see him live again after three years away from McFly, who at that point I had given up all hope of ever returning.

Yet less than a week later, suddenly McFly announced they were doing a show at the O2 in November. They were back - and so was suddenly a plethora of fans. I thought this was going to be perfect, them making a return when I was down in London, but unfortunately I didn't get tickets which I was super disappointed about until they announced a tour and I got really good tickets for Manchester! I am almost equally excited for is their new old music that they are releasing every Sunday on the lead up to the O2 show.


The first two songs they released, Red and Touch the Rain, were debuted at the Keep Calm and Play Louder tour in 2012, when I was only eleven years old - that concert seriously blew me away. Ever since then I have longed for the day I would hear a studio version of them, and became more and more sure it was never going to happen. I'd watch a bad quality YouTube video of Touch The Rain live, where Tom says 'this is for McFly album number 6' and tear up at the fact it would probably never come. But now it has come, in the form of 'The Lost Songs', the album 6 that never was, and I can't wait for more we have never heard at all - these first two songs are fantastic!

Taylor Swift's Lover album

Additionally, the past few weeks since it came out, I have been pretty much constantly listening to Taylor Swift's new album Lover. 1989 is one of my favourite albums ever, and while I liked Reputation and everything it stood for at that point of Taylor's life, I think I'd put Lover in between the two. It has a real classic Taylor Swift feel, so happy and fun in areas, especially Paper Rings, but sad and even haunting in parts. There's a couple of tracks that are a little forgettable but the majority of them are real stand out tracks that I've been excited to listen to more and more. I just wished she would release it on vinyl! 'The Man' is probably my favourite, it's such a statement I believe in, and I also love Cruel Summer, it really showcases Taylor's vocals. The track Lover is absolutely gorgeous, and I am also loving London Boy, going to London myself.

Sam Fender's Hypersonic Missiles album

When he was announced as the Brits Critics Choice winner a few months ago I really got into his EP, so of course I was also excited for his debut album to be released. Since it only came out a couple of weeks ago I haven't had chance to listen to everything but I certainly love lots of new songs on it, especially The Borders. The album has a great guitar-led sound and I can't wait to properly listen to it.

The Script's new single The Last Time - 

In the midst of all the McFly madness, another of my long-time favourite bands, The Script, made a return with their new single The Last Time. They have definitely returned on top form, with a song that sounds different than anything they have done before and yet totally their style. The lyrics are very clever and I imagine it is going to do very well.

The 1975 -

A little mention at the end, as they haven't released much lately (okay, apart from People but it is kind of the first song from them ever that I don't really like...) but I got tickets to see The 1975 next year which means I am finally going to see them! I am super excited so I have been listening to some of their music in celebration, sometimes I forget how good it really is!

EG x