Everything Erin

I love collecting perfumes and it is such a coincidence that three of my all-time favourite scents are made by Gucci. I suppose they just know how to make the perfect combination of a long-lasting, fresh scent that smells unique and different to everything else out there. These three perfumes really stand out to me among the rest.

Flora

Flora is my first of the three fragrances. The scent has been brought out by Gucci in a few different varieties but the classic Flora Eau De Parfum is my favourite. It's a real 'a little goes a long way' sort of scent, and is incredibly long-lasting. I can always still smell it hours after application so it's an essential when I'm going to be out all day. 

Of course, being called Flora, it goes without saying that this is a floral scent. The scent is comprised of mandarin, peony, rose and sandalwood which is a wonderful combination. It's a lovely light scent and its bottle is also very classy.

Bloom

Bloom is likely to be my favourite perfume ever, so probably the one I would recommend the most, I just fell in love with it straight away. Like Flora, this is another Gucci perfume with a floral inspired name so you can guess pretty easily at its scent. It is jasmine and tuberose which I think is very fresh and feminine. I can say for certain that this is a scent I will never be bored of.

The bottle is a gorgeous light pink which is very aesthetically pleasing, however I have no idea how much of it I have left! I also have the matching shower gel and body lotion which I would really recommend if you already love it as much as I do because they complement the perfume perfectly.

Memoire D'Une Odeur

The most recent addition to my perfume collection, Memoire is the most unique of the three - unlike the other two the name does not give any clues to its scent at all! It is the first universal fragrance of Gucci which is reflected in is gorgeous bottle, very much ungendered and sleek.


The idea behind the fragrance is that a certain scent can bring back memories. The scent is described as both 'mineral' and 'aromatic', featuring jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood amongst other notes. It's very fresh but also an unusual scent - I feel like it's sort of a 'love it or hate it' one so I would really recommend giving it a try to find out. But to be honest, Harry Styles advertises it so how could you say no?

EG x

It is hardly surprising that as a student in London, I have been trying to make the most of my close proximity of some of the country's oldest and most beautiful bookshops. Here is my favourite selection of all the bookshops I have visited in the capital so far - these are the ones that any bookworm MUST not miss while visiting, with also some hints of where else to go nearby!

Daunt Books

84 Marylebone High St, Marylebone, London W1U 4QW

If you search anything about London bookshops on Instagram or Pinterest, Daunt Books will definitely start appearing everywhere, so this one has to be your first stop. Tucked into Marylebone High Street, the shop seems quite ordinary from the outside - it's only when you step in that you will realise its beauty. With the most beautiful arched window, this bookshop is a seriously photogenic place - a book or lifestyle blogger's true dream. Daunt books specialises in travel books so many of its selection are organised by country - it groups its books about the history of each country along with travel books for there too which I think is a really clever touch.


Surrounding Area: I discovered when visiting Daunt Books that Marylebone is a beautiful area! Being situated on the High Street, the shop really is in the thick of it all and surrounded by other lovely shops. If you head north, it is also a short walk from Regent's Park which is the perfect spot for a wander - I would suggest bringing a picnic in summer! However, if you keep heading south you will soon find yourself at the big department stores of Oxford Street.

The Notting Hill Bookshop - Notting Hill

13 Blenheim Cres, Notting Hill, London W11 2EE 

The bookshop that actually inspired the one in the film Notting Hill, this is another must-visit. Although in the film it is a travel bookshop, the current Notting Hill Bookshop hosts a whole range of books so there is something for everyone. It is such a cute little shop with a perfect photo opportunity outside. Plus, they have the cutest accessories such as coasters and tote bags - I love using my bag everyday.


Surrounding Area: The book shop is in a perfect location, as of course the name suggests, it is in the heart of Notting Hill. The shop was my first stop when I spent an Afternoon In Notting Hill, where it was followed by exploring the beautiful colourful house-lined streets, and the famous Portobello Road.

Primrose Hill Books

134 Regent's Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XL

When visiting Primrose Hill, we popped into this little bookshop, a real treat. Upon walking in you are able to really pick up that classic book scent and with books piled high on every shelf, you do feel really immersed. They had a really good selection of both fiction and non-fiction so I would really recommend checking it out if you're in the area.

Surrounding Area: Primrose Hill is a gorgeous location, full of beautiful houses including the colourful ones that are a location in the film Paddington! Primrose Hill itself is a park with stunning views of the city. After picking up some books I would recommend stopping for coffee and cake from a cafe nearby, my favourite being Primrose Bakery - beautiful and reasonably priced!

Hatchard's

187 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9LE

Another one you MUST visit has to be, of course, the United Kingdom's oldest bookshop, Hatchard's. Now a branch of Waterstones, the store is famous for having royal warrants and its classic, cosy decor. It hosts a huge selection of books of all genres, from biography to cookery. I was particularly impressed by its history section - obviously, being a history student and all!

Surrounding Area: Hatchard's is in a wonderful location because there are so many exciting landmarks within walking distance. You can easily walk to Leicester Square or Trafalgar Square or even Buckingham Palace, which is where I headed after visiting! Regents Street is very close by for more shopping.

Word On The Water

Regent's Canal Towpath, Kings Cross, London N1C 4BZ

Word On The Water is equally a unique London experience as much as it is a bookshop. Situated on Regent's Canal, the bookshop is technically a floating one because it is on a boat! It's location used to move around, but nowadays you will find it a stone's throw away from King's Cross. It hosts a selection of all sorts of different books, so no matter what your preference, you're going to love it.



Surrounding Area: Since it is literally on Regent's Canal, Word On The Water is surrounded by the perfect place to go for a good walk. You're in the heart of Kings Cross here, so it's a short walk from the British Library, or even closer is Coal Drops Yard which is a lovely space featuring shops, eateries and a cinema.

Persephone Books

59 Lamb's Conduit St, Holborn, London WC1N 3NB

Persephone Books is possibly my favourite one of the whole list because of how unique and niche its book selection is. Specialising in twentieth-century female writers, the shop publish their own selection of over a hundred books that are no longer in print elsewhere. They all share the same grey cover with a beautiful design inside, and a matching bookmark to accomany it. All the books look really pretty, sat on the shelves together. I purchased one called 'London War Notes', which I thought was very fitting as a history student in London, to read one woman's perspective on the second world war, and I look forward to growing my collection of their books.

Surrounding Area: Persephone books is situated near Russell Square, which is a lovely area to sit and have a bite to eat. It is also a short walk from the Brunswick Centre, a real hidden gem - I had never heard of it for years! It is nothing too special, just a little shopping centre with a selection of restaurants and shops, one of which I work in. Plus, carrying on the book theme, it is also home to a second hand academic book store called Skoob Books which could be your next stop!

EG x

As more and more magazines begin to publish print issues less frequently, or even disappear altogether, it has made me wonder what the role of the fashion magazine is in today’s society. The world of the internet, full of quick snappy reads and ‘influencer’ fashion, has started to push the fashion magazine off its pedestal as being the style bible. But it cannot be said that ‘influencer’ culture is the only thing responsible for the change in attitudes towards magazines. The internet has allowed everyone a voice and everyone an opinion, and as a result, the world has become much more self-aware. With the growth of important topics such as ethics and sustainability in mainstream media, it has led to greater questions about the responsibility glossy magazines have, and whether they should be using their influence for the greater good.

Are magazines losing the dominance they once had? Evidence to suggest this lies simply in statistics. With Company closing its print publication in 2014, UK Marie Claire following suit last year, and British Glamour now publishing only two issues a year, it seems that readership is on the decrease. Nowadays, as blogs and YouTube channels are flourishing, the opinions of magazines are not the be all and end all of fashion, which has often caused a rivalry between the two forces.

However, it is possible that the publications’ desire to keep up by increasing their online presence has, in essence, shot themselves in the foot. This is portrayed in series The Bold Type, the successful drama currently in its fourth season, that is set in a magazine company. Their “dot com”, in their words, is at the forefront of importance, giving the print magazine a bit of a backseat. The most important articles are no longer always being saved for the print issue, and afterall, if we one can read practically the same content for free online, why would someone pay upwards of a fiver for a print copy? The consumer media has become dominated by convenience, and print issues of magazines don’t exactly fit this model when everything they could ever ask for is already accessible online.


So, how have magazines adapted to stand out to the average reader of today? Magazines have notably began to become more inclusive of crucial topics to today’s society. In 2018, Elle produced a ‘Sustainability’ issue, and last year, British Vogue’s ‘Forces For Change’ September issue, co-edited by Meghan Markle made ripples among mainstream media. Forces For Change celebrated fifteen different women on its cover with even more stories inside; stories of inspirational politicians, actresses, athletes, activists, but above all, advocates for change. Yet through celebrating these forces of good, the issue sparked debate and it seemed that In some ways, critics could not seem to make up their mind. It appeared to be the opinion of some critics that Vogue as an institution, should be focusing more on important topics because the sheer amount of clothing featured in every issue is unsustainable. Yet others believed that it is not the place of Vogue to promote activism, because at the end of the day, it’s a fashion magazine. Perhaps it seems magazines can do no right, or no wrong, on that front?

Going into 2020, the world of fashion seems to be separated into two fronts - a sustainable, ameliorative force for good, and a lucrative, fast-fashion, ‘influencer’ driven world, that sadly seems incapable of dying out. But my question concerns where magazines lie in this - a question that could be key to their future.


As I have considered my angle of writing this, I had to also consider my own opinion. Where do I want magazines to head in the future? Personally, I love having a printed issue to read, whether it be a book or a magazine. There is something I find important about being able to switch off from a screen, separate myself from everything and have that media to hold. I have a subscription to Vogue and I do believe that there is something about the makeup of the print magazine, the way the pages can be presented and organised together, that the online world does lack. It is absolutely my dream to work for a magazine one day. Which is, of course, why I always feel disheartened when another magazine closes its print publication. It is a form of media I don’t want to die out. But equally, I am a blogger, and believe in the importance of the online world. There should not need to be a clash between print and digital as for me, they both occupy an important part in my reading life.

How should magazines continue, as we are entering the decade of the twenties? As magazines such as Vogue pioneer a more inclusive approach, albeit sometimes slowly, it is clear that this has to be the way forward. There is a huge campaign for major brands and fashion houses to become more diverse, more ethical, and more transparent about their production, but those at the top of them aren’t listening to the small group from below demanding change. Perhaps these magazines could become ‘forces for change’ themselves. Maybe if magazines step forward and take a stance for good, the fashion industry will take notice. Maybe making a difference could be their future.


Do magazines need to transform their image in order to keep up with the times? Or can they carry on into the future as they are? I would love to hear how you consume magazine publications - whether you are still or have ever been a loyal subscriber, or prefer reading digitally now? Or perhaps, like myself, you enjoy both and hope to see both forms of media continuing to thrive into the future.

EG x

While being in London over the past few months I have been very lucky to have seen three more amazing musicals. So today I am going to be adding to my theatre diary with a second round up of shows you HAVE to see!

Come From Away

I saw Come From Away at the end of November last year and was absolutely blown away by it. It only started in London last year after enjoying huge Broadway success, so whenever I mention it a lot of people actually don't know what it is about. In short, it is set in the wake of 9/11 in a small town called Gander in Newfoundland, Canada, where the population is over-doubled when thirty-eight planes are grounded there.

It may sound like it has quite a serious setting but Come From Away is honestly the most refreshing, uplifting musical you will ever go to see. Two months on I am still listening to the music constantly, the soundtrack is so fun and feel-good. It will make you laugh and make you cry and I cannot recommend it enough.

& Juliet

Me and my friends treated ourselves to see this just before Christmas, buying tickets when TodayTix had a Cyber Monday sale on. & Juliet is a modern adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, where Shakespeare is influenced by his wife Anne to change the ending and give Juliet a better chance.


The premise and storyline really intrigued me and this was the main reason I wanted to watch it. However, before watching it I definitely had some reservations about the music. The songs used in the musical are all modern-day pop songs written by Max Martin, so there's a lot of Katy Perry and Backstreet Boys in there. I always wished the wrote their own songs because yes, it is fairly cringe but if you take it for what it is at face value, then it definitely is an enjoyable watch.

Hamilton

Last week my Auntie took me to see Hamilton which has definitely been on my musicals bucketlist for years and years - I mean who doesn't want to say they have been to see Hamilton?! With shows that are so hyped up, you might wonder if they are really as good as you expect, but Hamilton certainly did not disappoint. We all know the musical is about the life of American politician Alexander Hamilton, and this has a backdrop of really important elements of US history such as the Revolutionary War and creating the constitution.


The songs are fast paced, fun and the musical left me wondering how on earth that cast manage to do eight shows a week! I absolutely love The Room Where It Happens, that has to be one of my favourite songs, but Eliza's great moment in Burn also left me in awe. My friend asked me if it was the best show I had ever seen and she was very shocked that I said no. 'But it's Hamilton!' She cried. I am never going to say that any show is better than Les Mis, so I can't say it's the best thing I have ever seen, but it is definitely up there - 100% worth it.


There are still many musicals I am desperate to see so expect some more West End reviews very soon! Read my first round up here, where I share my thoughts about some amazing shows including Mary Poppins! Have you seen any good shows lately?

EG x

After falling in love with Anastasia Beverly Hills' cult favourite Modern Renaissance palette a year and a half ago, I simply had to try another one of their palettes, to see if this palette was a one off, or if ABH were really the true front-runners of the palette world.

Enter Soft Glam. While Modern Renaissance was inspired by shades from renaissance-era paintings, the earthy oranges and deep, warm reds, Soft Glam is its more subtle but sparkly sister. What I love about the collection of fourteen shades included in Soft Glam is their effortlessness. Simple neutrals that can be worn everyday, or glammed up for an exciting, shimmery look. 'Soft Glam' is, in fact, the perfect description.


When looking at the palette, to me the rose gold shades scream out, and have been what the majority of my looks have been based on when using it so far. Dusty Rose is a really pretty mauve-pink which I have been beginning lots of my looks with. I also really love the brown mattes Sienna and Rustic, one more warm toned, one cooler, for blending and deepening the eyeshadow. Mulberry has to be one of my favourite shades, a burgundy toned brown, SO pigmented and pretty.

I am also super obsessed with the shimmers in this palette. There's a few more than there was in the Modern Renaissance so this palette feels a little more perfect for evenings, events or when you feel like you need some extra sparkle. Rose Pink is my absolute favourite, a very pretty rose gold, perfect all over the lid and does not shy away on pigmentation. Glistening and Fairy are also super pretty golden-champagne tones.


The palette includes three shades that we have seen before in the Modern Renaissance - Tempera, Burnt Orange and Cyprus Umber. Now while obviously owning duplicates isn't ideal when they could have easily come up with three new shades, they are three classic mattes - a cream, an orange, and a dark brown that come in handy so I don't mind too much. I have left my Modern Renaissance at home while bringing Soft Glam to uni so it is nice to have them in this collection, especially because I use Burnt Orange ALL the time!


Like all of Anastasia Beverly Hills' other selection of palettes, it features the classic fuzzy velvet packaging. My Modern Renaissance has got very marked and faded by now so I'm not looking forward to it looking the same way, but it does make it more streamlined and lighter than typical palettes of this size.


The Soft Glam has all the basics you need for a classic eyeshadow look, and even more. It is perfect for someone who doesn't have a large makeup collection and wants the best essentials on the market, or if you're just after something that is super wearable and pretty. Every single shade in this palette have the perfect formula and quality. A welcome addition to my palette collection, one I would highly recommend!

EG x

Pixi are one of my favourite beauty brands right now, their skincare seriously works wonders, so I am very excited that they are celebrating a whole 20 years of glow. While I have only been a fan for a couple of years now, the brand has come such a long way since its beginnings. I have been sent out a wonderful package to mark the occasion with a selection of Pixi’s best selling products and I had to share my initial thoughts with you!

Rose Ceramide Cream*

Pixi’s skincare products really put them on the market, and I couldn't wait to try this moisturising cream. I had never tried anything from their rose range before and was impressed by how lovely its scent is. The cream has some notable ingredients including rose flower oil for nourishment and ceramide for moisture which sounds like a winning combination. A little bit of product goes a long way with this cream and my skin feels healthier already.

Glow Tonic*

No exaggeration here - this cult-favourite product is a life saver. I didn’t think a toner could make a massive difference to my skincare routine but now I would be lost without it. The glow tonic really calms down my oily t-zone and feels so refreshing, adding a subtle glow. It is suitable for all skin types and I urge you if you haven’t tried it to check it out, you seriously won’t regret it.

Glow Mist*

Already a Pixi product I have tried, tested and loved in the past, Glow Mist is a perfect multi-use product - you can prep your skin with it before makeup or use it after to to set and give a bit of extra glow. I personally love using it in the hot summer months for a boosting refresh!

Eye Reflections Shadow Palette - Natural Beauty*

Having never tried any makeup from Pixi before I was incredibly excited to spot an eyeshadow palette as part of the collection. I cannot get enough of eyeshadow palettes, so I couldn’t wait to see how I would get on with this one. Their palettes come in a variety of shades so there is something for everyone, but you really can’t go wrong with their Natural Beauty palette because it is packed with gorgeous neutral everyday tones. It includes several mattes in perfect brown tones and some really pretty shimmers with rose and bronze sheens. The shadows are blendable and long-lasting, a wonderful collection of shades.

Endless Silky Eye Pen*

I don’t use eye pencils often but this is one I can really get on board with. It is really soft and glides on easily. While having the ease of a pencil, it actually has a lovely, gel liner-like finish, with bold black colour.

MatteLast Liquid Lipstick - Berry Beauty*

Pixi’s lipsticks are totally up my street - matte and long lasting is exactly what I go for. They also have a great range of shades, mine is the shade ‘Berry Beauty’, a pretty pink toned red. As the name suggests, it is definitely long lasting while providing a gorgeous pigmented colour.

LipLift Max- Petal Ice*

Not only do Pixi sell a wonderful range of matte lipsticks, their best-selling lip glosses really demonstrates how versatile their brand is. The neutral shade ‘Petal Ice’ is perfect to wear on its own for a light sheen, or on top of any other lip shade. It is very pretty and neutral, with a lovely fresh, minty scent.

EG x

*this post contains gifted items, but all opinions are my own. :)

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