I'd thought I would write a blog post on not what items I am excited to take on holiday but what items I have taken on holiday that's been tried & tested and  really impressed me.  I visited Croatia for a week to take in some of the incredible sights. Of course there was some sunny, relaxing beach days too. Below are some of the items I took with me that really stood out & is worth the space in my suitcase. I will definitely be taking these again with me  when I go to visit Majorca. 

It's great to have  when you are on a plane & makes a nice base for under your make up. I was literally spraying this on my face all day. It is very similar to the Caudalie Beauty Elixir but for a fraction of the price £3.50!! . I would even go to say that the La Roche-Posey one is slightly better,

It's a lovely colour & easy to wash. I didn't feel self conscious or embarrassed on the beach wearing this bikini. It is now a holiday favourite.

I don't like to wear too much makeup on holiday but a swash of this with a great liquid lip & a bit bronzer is all I need.

My hairdresser also said it works just as well as one of their expensive brands in the salon. I found a smaller bottle of this oil in Boots for less than £4.

Even when the colour has slightly faded, it still looks good. It's a matte finish but is so lightweight and non drying it doesn't feel like your wearing any. Above all else this liquid lipstick lasts a long time & doesn't dry up in the tube. It's actually good for value for the high price.

It is also great if you have tan because this will make it last just that little bit longer. Maybe I'm crazy but I think it makes your tan look a better colour too.

It's not padded but gives a great shape & is underwired. I bought this in both shades nude & black. Perfect for strappy tops & dresses or any off the shoulder garments.

I had a fantastic holiday in Croatia. I'd thought I would share a couple of my holiday snaps with you. If you are thinking of going to Croatia definitely go. I would go now as it is getting a very popular  holiday destination. We stayed at the Dubrovnik Sun Gardens Hotel. It was superb. It had 3 pools, a private beach, nice food. It is a little out of the way but that just  made it quiet & peaceful. It had wonderful scenery all around, so no matter what room you get you'll be guaranteed a good view. They have an excursion desk where you can go on some reasonably priced trips. We visited Bosnia & Montenegro. For more information check out their website here. Next stop, Majorca.......

Stuck what to get a family member or friend for Christmas? Here I have put together some gift ideas to give you some inspiration. Ranging from beauty, books, cosy winter wear and much more.

30 mini liquid lipsticks from NYX's Lingerie collection. These lipsticks are creamy & lightweight. A firm favourite of mine. This gift set is a great way to experiment with colours and see what shades suits you best. Contains six new shades. I recently got given this for my Birthday and I love it!

SHOP
NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Vault, £65

Ready Player One is a perfect novel for those who like gaming and/or 80's nostalgia. The story is set in a bleak world in the future in the year 2044 where almost everyone on earth is plugged into a reality world called the OASIS. When the creator of the OASIS dies, a prize to takeover the entire company ensues. Riddles & clues are released to find the hidden keys when eventually all collected, wins the OASIS empire. I am two thirds the way through this book and I love all the 80's film, games and TV references which reminds me a little of Stranger Things. This is an utterly brilliant read and will have you hooked. Suitable for all ages. Buy it for someone this Christmas before the Steven Spielberg film is released next year.
Before The Fall is a story about how everyone came to be on a plane that crashed and why it crashed in the first place. It's written by Noah Hawley who also writes the Fargo TV series (if you've never seen it, do so! All three series are brilliant) . If you've watched the series you'll know there is always a lot of plot twists and shocks involved. This novel will no doubt be the same, that's why this is on the top of my Christmas list.

SHOP

Give someone a Stranger Things Christmas. Dustin's cap & the lunchbox are from Topshop. Check out their collection. A lot has sold out but there are a few items like the above left. The three figurines are from Forbidden Planet. They come in two sets. One with Mike, Lucas & Eleven and the other with Will, Dustin & Demogorgon. I reckon these item will be worth something in years to come. 

SHOP
Stranger Things Cap Logo, £18
Stranger Things Lunch Box, £20
Stranger Things Action Figure 3 Pack, £19.99

Cosy accessories make a wonderful present in Winter. This scarf from Hobbs is on trend this season with it's red checks. A pop of colour to jus up your winter coat. Has a fringe edging for a casual finishing touch. 
I like that this hat from Miss Selfridge is slightly different from your usual bobble hat.  Instead it has a floppy top finished with a fluffy pom pom.

SHOP
Hobbs Eleanor Check Scarf, £49
Miss Selfridge Embellished Rib Hat, £14

Two different price points.  If you want to spoil someone this Christmas but cannot quite afford a Mulberry handbag then one of their purses is a great alternative. Has all the card slots and a zip pocket so you don't lose all your coins, luxury leather with a nappa  interior finished with the Mulberry signature postman's lock. John Lewis has a cheaper version that looks very similar, a great size for the new £5 & £10 notes and comes in 9 different colours.

SHOP
John Lewis Lizzie Leather Slim Continental Purse, £39
Mulberry Darley Small Classic Grain Leather Medium Wallet, £295

These candles smell amazing. I have the gingerbread one and it smells good enough to eat. They have a special wick that when lit, you will hear the soothing sound of a crackling fire.  Woodwick candles use only natural components mixed with wax, never any harsh artificial ingredients. This would make a stunning, cosy gift this Christmas. Boots have a 3 for 2 offer on.

SHOP
WoodWick Dancing Hourglass Jar-Jolly Gingerbread, £23.99
WoodWick Dancing Hourglass Jar-Crimson Berries, £23.99

Know any Potter fans? Primark have a large collection of Harry Potter goodies this Christmas. The range includes t-shirts, pyjamas, baubles, homeware plus much, much more at a great affordable price. 

SHOP
In store only

Here are a few other ideas.

Louche Cassy Cat Pom Pom Keyring, £8

I often wondered when staring at my pyjamas in the mirror whilst brushing my teeth, why no one has really thought about making a pyjama shirt for daytime. I find them extremely flattering and comfortable. I thought how stylish they could look tucked into a pair of jeans.

Low and behold they have now become a trend, wearing them as part of your daytime outfit. They are , of course, a bit more fancier then your average nightwear. At present there are different styles in the shops  including cropped, silky  and floral to name but a few.

The shirt in the picture above is my new purchase from Topshop. I love the hummingbird pattern and the silky feel to it. As it's cropped I wear it over a black vest top. Sometimes buttoned up or sometimes unbuttoned and worn like a thin jacket.

Below I have picked out some of my favourites in the shops right now.

This year the  London Fashion Week shows all had something in common, 'Sleeves'. Whether it was coats, jumpers or dresses, the sleeves took centre stage.  Flute, long, puff, ruffle, or furry the unusual sleeves were present in almost every show.

As the week was showcasing autumn/winter collections  there was, as you would expect, plenty of long dresses and long coats. Coats made of tweed.  Jumpers asymmetric at Burberry.   Colour palettes of white or black, as well as patterned wear from Erdem and Christopher Kane.  

Accessories included long gloves, scarf's and beanies. Round handbags at Mulberry, compartment bags at Anya Hindmarsh.

Natural makeup was a running theme this year as seen at Burberry. There was some flash of colour of  blue & pink eyeshadow at Fydor Golan, Central St Martins and  Natasha Zinko. Some smudged lipstick at Preen. Topshop and Eudon Choi  both went for a russet lip.

Above are some of my favourite outfit & makeup looks from the week. To see more, head over to the London Fashion Week website here.

Finally,  here is my absolute favourite  ......... I mean, why not?