Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts
Everything about summer makes me happy. The long nights, the constant light and the warm weather. The list could go on. While the constant heat is nice during the day, it can be unwanted in the evening. And on most nights, I’m tossing and turning trying to find the “cool place” on my mattress. Or waiting for a cool breeze to flow through my open window. Either way, it can start to feel like a mission to have a good nights sleep during the summer.
Here are four must haves to add to your summer night survival kit:
Silk/ satin pjs: I practically LIVE in these come June. H&M do really cute satin sets with a lace detail or frilly shorts. I currently have them in black floral, pink and blue. If you’re really struggling with the heat, Hollister have some really cute cotton two-pieces which will help keep you a little cooler.
Rituals, The Ritual of Karma Body Spray: I love adding a little bit of luxury to my routines and on summer nights, it comes in the form of this gorgeous Rituals Karma body spray. Smelling of holy lotus and white tea, it's a beautiful calming scent. I spray three or four pumps and let the fragarance wash over me.
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic: There’s nothing better than those summer evening showers, washing away the suncream and dirt from the day. I recently decided to simplify my skincare routine while on acne medication to help improve my skin. You can read my latest acne post here. All Liz Earle products are vegan friendly and made from natural ingredients. This toner is soothing on the skin and the natural fragrance adds to the floral of summer. Tip- If you leave your toner in the fridge, it’s really nice and cool on your skin when you get around to applying it.
Eye mask: Did you know during the summer months of Iceland, they can get up to 21 hours of sunlight? If you’re someone who wakes up with the light and struggles to get back to sleep, it’s well worth investing in an eye mask. I bought mine from H&M last year as part of their Love Stories x H&M collection and I adore it. I really like the tie detail at the back which allows you to tie it as tightly as you like and you don’t have to worry about stretching it out.
There you have it. Four must haves I think are important for those hot summer nights. I thought about adding more but when it comes down to it, less is more. And when, it’s 30 degrees in my room, the last thing I’m reaching for is something to add more layers.
What is in your summer nights survival kit?
Love, Aoife xo
Everything about summer makes me happy. The long nights, the constant light and the warm weather. The list could go on. While the constant heat is nice during the day, it can be unwanted in the evening. And on most nights, I’m tossing and turning trying to find the “cool place” on my mattress. Or waiting for a cool breeze to flow through my open window. Either way, it can start to feel like a mission to have a good nights sleep during the summer.
Here are four must haves to add to your summer night survival kit:
Silk/ satin pjs: I practically LIVE in these come June. H&M do really cute satin sets with a lace detail or frilly shorts. I currently have them in black floral, pink and blue. If you’re really struggling with the heat, Hollister have some really cute cotton two-pieces which will help keep you a little cooler.
Rituals, The Ritual of Karma Body Spray: I love adding a little bit of luxury to my routines and on summer nights, it comes in the form of this gorgeous Rituals Karma body spray. Smelling of holy lotus and white tea, it's a beautiful calming scent. I spray three or four pumps and let the fragarance wash over me.
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic: There’s nothing better than those summer evening showers, washing away the suncream and dirt from the day. I recently decided to simplify my skincare routine while on acne medication to help improve my skin. You can read my latest acne post here. All Liz Earle products are vegan friendly and made from natural ingredients. This toner is soothing on the skin and the natural fragrance adds to the floral of summer. Tip- If you leave your toner in the fridge, it’s really nice and cool on your skin when you get around to applying it.
Eye mask: Did you know during the summer months of Iceland, they can get up to 21 hours of sunlight? If you’re someone who wakes up with the light and struggles to get back to sleep, it’s well worth investing in an eye mask. I bought mine from H&M last year as part of their Love Stories x H&M collection and I adore it. I really like the tie detail at the back which allows you to tie it as tightly as you like and you don’t have to worry about stretching it out.
There you have it. Four must haves I think are important for those hot summer nights. I thought about adding more but when it comes down to it, less is more. And when, it’s 30 degrees in my room, the last thing I’m reaching for is something to add more layers.
What is in your summer nights survival kit?
Love, Aoife xo
My Mum and I arrived on Thursday morning and left Saturday evening. Meaning after all the travelling, Friday was the only day we had a full day. We stayed in a cute AirBnB in Porto Romano which was a couple of stops on the Metro from Duomo Square. It was a couple of minutes from the station and also near the tram stop to get to the Navigli canals. Which we visited on Thursday evening.
Duomo Square is the main square in Milan as it's where the cathedral is located. On the left of the cathedral is Galleria Vittorio Emmanuel II which you'll know by the high glass ceiling and impressive architecture. Surprisingly, it was actually quite cool underneath the glass while the weather was hitting 30 degrees outside.
The floor is covered in mosaics and we found the famous bull. The myth goes that if you spin on your heel on the Bull's balls you receive good luck. We both had a little spin and whether you believe in the myth or not, I found out I had passed my media law exam after thinking I'd failed it. So I did receive a little bit of good luck!
Friday was spent wandering around Milan as much as we could on foot. Coming out of the Galleria, we took a little trip through the fashion district. The centre of Milan is filled with narrow roads and all the designers had set up shop in the old buildings. I don't think I've ever seen such a large concentration of designer stores in one area before. It was quite something. Even though we window shopped, it was nice to explore a quieter side of Milan and look at the old buildings.
After strolling past the Montragoni school of fashion, we stumbled across a free museum hidden behind the street. It had a mixture of art, lace and sculptures. We also took a trip to the Castelo Sforzesco where we crashed in the park for an hour or two under a tree to avoid the heat.
There aren't many touristy things to do in Milan. At least, not things we were interested in doing. However, going to the top of the cathedral was definitely on our list of things to do. We originally planned to go in the morning but the sun was shining brightly above us so we decided to leave it until later. Buying the tickets were a little tricky and confusing, I'd recommend going a little later in the day when the surge of tourists (even though you are one) has gone down. We chose not to do the fast track tickets and it turned out to be fine. There were no queues.
To go inside the cathedral you need your legs and shoulders covered. As you can see from the pictures, I had both out on full display so I was made to buy a paper kimono for a few euros. The cathedral had very high ceilings but the chill you get in most cathedrals wasn't there. I think visiting the rooftop was one of my favourite parts as you could see all the other rooftops of Milan. It was quite stunning.
 |
| Views from the Airbnb. |
Love, Aoife xo
My Mum and I arrived on Thursday morning and left Saturday evening. Meaning after all the travelling, Friday was the only day we had a full day. We stayed in a cute AirBnB in Porto Romano which was a couple of stops on the Metro from Duomo Square. It was a couple of minutes from the station and also near the tram stop to get to the Navigli canals. Which we visited on Thursday evening.
Duomo Square is the main square in Milan as it's where the cathedral is located. On the left of the cathedral is Galleria Vittorio Emmanuel II which you'll know by the high glass ceiling and impressive architecture. Surprisingly, it was actually quite cool underneath the glass while the weather was hitting 30 degrees outside.
The floor is covered in mosaics and we found the famous bull. The myth goes that if you spin on your heel on the Bull's balls you receive good luck. We both had a little spin and whether you believe in the myth or not, I found out I had passed my media law exam after thinking I'd failed it. So I did receive a little bit of good luck!
Friday was spent wandering around Milan as much as we could on foot. Coming out of the Galleria, we took a little trip through the fashion district. The centre of Milan is filled with narrow roads and all the designers had set up shop in the old buildings. I don't think I've ever seen such a large concentration of designer stores in one area before. It was quite something. Even though we window shopped, it was nice to explore a quieter side of Milan and look at the old buildings.
After strolling past the Montragoni school of fashion, we stumbled across a free museum hidden behind the street. It had a mixture of art, lace and sculptures. We also took a trip to the Castelo Sforzesco where we crashed in the park for an hour or two under a tree to avoid the heat.
There aren't many touristy things to do in Milan. At least, not things we were interested in doing. However, going to the top of the cathedral was definitely on our list of things to do. We originally planned to go in the morning but the sun was shining brightly above us so we decided to leave it until later. Buying the tickets were a little tricky and confusing, I'd recommend going a little later in the day when the surge of tourists (even though you are one) has gone down. We chose not to do the fast track tickets and it turned out to be fine. There were no queues.
To go inside the cathedral you need your legs and shoulders covered. As you can see from the pictures, I had both out on full display so I was made to buy a paper kimono for a few euros. The cathedral had very high ceilings but the chill you get in most cathedrals wasn't there. I think visiting the rooftop was one of my favourite parts as you could see all the other rooftops of Milan. It was quite stunning.
|
| Views from the Airbnb. |
Love, Aoife xo
My friend once told me that in France a Mother will take her daughter to a perfume shop when she turns a certain age. There she would choose a perfume that would become her ‘scent’. It was like a coming of age event. I have no clue how much of that is true or whether I’m getting mixed up with another country but I like to think so much of it is true. The idea that a scent, personalised to you, is made when you were younger and something you carry through in life.
Everyone has a different relationship with scent and different scents hold different memories. In the past, I never took much consideration and attention to the perfumes I would use. However, that all changed a few years ago when I finally had the money and learnt how important a good perfume can be. And so, my coming of age story began.
For me, I associate scents with different outfits and places. I choose one depending on what I'm wearing and how I feel in it. Summer is my favourite season; the lovely sunny weather, the relaxing feeling that takes over and eating al fresco every night. The perfumes I wear during the summer season are generally light, floral and a little sweet.
Here are my top three perfumes for this summer:
Gucci Bloom
This perfume is very special to me and is my favourite one. The scent unravels as you wear it and each time you smell it, you get hints of something else. It contains base notes of natural tuberose and heart notes of Jasmine Bud. The beautiful Dakota Johnson is the face of it, who I absolutely adore, and she put us on to the good stuff. I don't know if it's just me but reading the descriptions of this perfume and the ideas behind it, make me fall more in love with it.
Burberry Her
I received this perfume as a Christmas gift and at first, I wasn't sure as I'm not a big fan of sweet smelling perfumes but it's growing on me. Her is sweet smelling but not overpowering, giving it a classy, elegant edge. The smell reminds me of youth and freedom so I usually pair it with light, fun outfits.
Stradivarius Pretty Blossom
I LOVE scents that smell edible. Pretty Blossom has a subtle hint of chocolate which makes it a mouthwatering scent. It’s doesn't have one domineering scent but rather a mixture of subtle smells. Compared to the others on my list, this is from a high street brand and costs £15. It's really good quality and the scent lingers all day.
Victoria Secret Body Sprays are a must have in any wardrobe and I use mine every day. I picked up the scent Wild Flower last year and it smells of coconuts and hot sunny days. I'm don't actually like the taste of coconuts but I love the smell of them. Coconut smelling perfumes are perfect for the summer as the scent is a summer staple.
I also have a billion little perfume samples sitting in a drawer and so here are a couple of extra favourites that are perfect for summer: Givenchy’s L'Interdit and Emporio Armani’s Stronger With You. Elie Saab's Girl of Now has a hint of almond which is perfect for a lush Summer’s day.
What’s your favourite perfume?
Love, Aoife xo
My friend once told me that in France a Mother will take her daughter to a perfume shop when she turns a certain age. There she would choose a perfume that would become her ‘scent’. It was like a coming of age event. I have no clue how much of that is true or whether I’m getting mixed up with another country but I like to think so much of it is true. The idea that a scent, personalised to you, is made when you were younger and something you carry through in life.
Everyone has a different relationship with scent and different scents hold different memories. In the past, I never took much consideration and attention to the perfumes I would use. However, that all changed a few years ago when I finally had the money and learnt how important a good perfume can be. And so, my coming of age story began.
For me, I associate scents with different outfits and places. I choose one depending on what I'm wearing and how I feel in it. Summer is my favourite season; the lovely sunny weather, the relaxing feeling that takes over and eating al fresco every night. The perfumes I wear during the summer season are generally light, floral and a little sweet.
Here are my top three perfumes for this summer:
Gucci Bloom
This perfume is very special to me and is my favourite one. The scent unravels as you wear it and each time you smell it, you get hints of something else. It contains base notes of natural tuberose and heart notes of Jasmine Bud. The beautiful Dakota Johnson is the face of it, who I absolutely adore, and she put us on to the good stuff. I don't know if it's just me but reading the descriptions of this perfume and the ideas behind it, make me fall more in love with it.
Burberry Her
I received this perfume as a Christmas gift and at first, I wasn't sure as I'm not a big fan of sweet smelling perfumes but it's growing on me. Her is sweet smelling but not overpowering, giving it a classy, elegant edge. The smell reminds me of youth and freedom so I usually pair it with light, fun outfits.
Stradivarius Pretty Blossom
I LOVE scents that smell edible. Pretty Blossom has a subtle hint of chocolate which makes it a mouthwatering scent. It’s doesn't have one domineering scent but rather a mixture of subtle smells. Compared to the others on my list, this is from a high street brand and costs £15. It's really good quality and the scent lingers all day.
Victoria Secret Body Sprays are a must have in any wardrobe and I use mine every day. I picked up the scent Wild Flower last year and it smells of coconuts and hot sunny days. I'm don't actually like the taste of coconuts but I love the smell of them. Coconut smelling perfumes are perfect for the summer as the scent is a summer staple.
I also have a billion little perfume samples sitting in a drawer and so here are a couple of extra favourites that are perfect for summer: Givenchy’s L'Interdit and Emporio Armani’s Stronger With You. Elie Saab's Girl of Now has a hint of almond which is perfect for a lush Summer’s day.
What’s your favourite perfume?
Love, Aoife xo
It’s been four years since the sold-out Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition. This year the V&A, named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, has curated another majestic exhibition about the talented Christian Dior: Designer of dreams. And it is just as magical as you would think.
The day had been a long one coming. I had been waiting since February last year when I found out there would be a Christian Dior exhibition. I was so prepared for it that I purchased a student museum membership just to guarantee access to what was likely to be a sold-out exhibition. It was only £30 and I get access to all the exhibitions for free and I can go as many times as I please. Bargain! When the day finally came, I realised it was International Women’s day. A coincidence as the exhibition is about a man who celebrated the female body; “Dedicated to the beauty of the female body.”
What I love most about exhibitions like these, based on couture, is that you can gain a real insight into the brand and an appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into all the pieces. All the time people think of fashion as what’s on the rails in their local high street store but fashion is also the limited couture pieces. They've been made to fit and created individually by a whole team of seamstresses. That’s true art.
The first room of the exhibition is filled with pictures of a young Christian Dior that tell the story of how he came to be one of the worlds most famous designers. As you moved through, each room capsulated a part of the Fashion house. From the OG silhouettes and pieces such as the famous dress worn by Princess Anne for her birthday. To special rooms dedicated to the designs inspired by the 18th century, flowers and ball gowns.
The most beautiful room was The Garden Room. On the ceiling was the most intricate piece of art I had ever seen, thousands if not millions of paper garlands had been shaped to look like flowers. I later found out it was by Wanda Barcelona called Les Invasions paper garden. On a platform which went around the room stood dresses inspired by Dior’s love of flowers; “After women, flowers are the most divine of creations.”
There was a mix of dresses through the ages and it was cool to see how each designer had used flowers as inspiration to create something unique. One of my favourite dresses was covered in individually painted feathers. From a distance, it looked like dried flowers you might find in a meadow, but on closer inspection were thousands of painted small feathers. It was probably my favourite dress because you could see the beauty up close, the cleverness of the design, and incredible craftsmanship.
There was a mix of dresses through the ages and it was cool to see how each designer had used flowers as inspiration to create something unique. One of my favourite dresses was covered in individually painted feathers. From a distance, it looked like dried flowers you might find in a meadow, but on closer inspection were thousands of painted small feathers. It was probably my favourite dress because you could see the beauty up close, the cleverness of the design, and incredible craftsmanship.
Since Christian Dior’s sudden passing in 1957, there have been 8 creative directors since. Including Yves Saint Laurent who later went on to design for his own label, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri to name a few. As you walk through one of the large rooms you can see some of the designs that each creative director has done and contributed to the fashion label.
The last room of the exhibition was black. As you walked through it, on the left-hand side was a platform surrounded by floor to ceiling mirrors. In the centre of that platform, with a white backlight, was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. Layers and layers of pleated delicate tulle flowed to the ground. The mirrors around the platform allowed you to see the stunning ruffled train which defied gravity at the top as it trailed down the back. The dress was designed by the first and current female creative director Marie Grazia Chiuri and had been presented in Shanghai at the Spring/Summer 2018 haute couture collection. She had been inspired by a 1950’s promotional fan for the house of Dior and the skirt is embroidered with same Dior signature. All I can say is that I wish I could wear a dress like that.
Just when I started to lose hope in the fashion world and at how disposable it has become, an exhibition like this has brought my belief back that there is more than just the throwaway culture. There is a whole legacy that has been left behind by the great fashion leaders and continues to be nurtured by designers. Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams is a stunning exhibition showcasing amazing the most amazing pieces. 100% recommended to anyone who is able to appreciate.
As expected the Christian Dior exhibition is sold out indefinitely, and due to the immense popularity, they’ve decided to extend the closing date till September. Yay!
Love, Aoife xo
As expected the Christian Dior exhibition is sold out indefinitely, and due to the immense popularity, they’ve decided to extend the closing date till September. Yay!
Love, Aoife xo
It’s been four years since the sold-out Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition. This year the V&A, named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, has curated another majestic exhibition about the talented Christian Dior: Designer of dreams. And it is just as magical as you would think.
The day had been a long one coming. I had been waiting since February last year when I found out there would be a Christian Dior exhibition. I was so prepared for it that I purchased a student museum membership just to guarantee access to what was likely to be a sold-out exhibition. It was only £30 and I get access to all the exhibitions for free and I can go as many times as I please. Bargain! When the day finally came, I realised it was International Women’s day. A coincidence as the exhibition is about a man who celebrated the female body; “Dedicated to the beauty of the female body.”
What I love most about exhibitions like these, based on couture, is that you can gain a real insight into the brand and an appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into all the pieces. All the time people think of fashion as what’s on the rails in their local high street store but fashion is also the limited couture pieces. They've been made to fit and created individually by a whole team of seamstresses. That’s true art.
The first room of the exhibition is filled with pictures of a young Christian Dior that tell the story of how he came to be one of the worlds most famous designers. As you moved through, each room capsulated a part of the Fashion house. From the OG silhouettes and pieces such as the famous dress worn by Princess Anne for her birthday. To special rooms dedicated to the designs inspired by the 18th century, flowers and ball gowns.
The most beautiful room was The Garden Room. On the ceiling was the most intricate piece of art I had ever seen, thousands if not millions of paper garlands had been shaped to look like flowers. I later found out it was by Wanda Barcelona called Les Invasions paper garden. On a platform which went around the room stood dresses inspired by Dior’s love of flowers; “After women, flowers are the most divine of creations.”
There was a mix of dresses through the ages and it was cool to see how each designer had used flowers as inspiration to create something unique. One of my favourite dresses was covered in individually painted feathers. From a distance, it looked like dried flowers you might find in a meadow, but on closer inspection were thousands of painted small feathers. It was probably my favourite dress because you could see the beauty up close, the cleverness of the design, and incredible craftsmanship.
There was a mix of dresses through the ages and it was cool to see how each designer had used flowers as inspiration to create something unique. One of my favourite dresses was covered in individually painted feathers. From a distance, it looked like dried flowers you might find in a meadow, but on closer inspection were thousands of painted small feathers. It was probably my favourite dress because you could see the beauty up close, the cleverness of the design, and incredible craftsmanship.
Since Christian Dior’s sudden passing in 1957, there have been 8 creative directors since. Including Yves Saint Laurent who later went on to design for his own label, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri to name a few. As you walk through one of the large rooms you can see some of the designs that each creative director has done and contributed to the fashion label.
The last room of the exhibition was black. As you walked through it, on the left-hand side was a platform surrounded by floor to ceiling mirrors. In the centre of that platform, with a white backlight, was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. Layers and layers of pleated delicate tulle flowed to the ground. The mirrors around the platform allowed you to see the stunning ruffled train which defied gravity at the top as it trailed down the back. The dress was designed by the first and current female creative director Marie Grazia Chiuri and had been presented in Shanghai at the Spring/Summer 2018 haute couture collection. She had been inspired by a 1950’s promotional fan for the house of Dior and the skirt is embroidered with same Dior signature. All I can say is that I wish I could wear a dress like that.
Just when I started to lose hope in the fashion world and at how disposable it has become, an exhibition like this has brought my belief back that there is more than just the throwaway culture. There is a whole legacy that has been left behind by the great fashion leaders and continues to be nurtured by designers. Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams is a stunning exhibition showcasing amazing the most amazing pieces. 100% recommended to anyone who is able to appreciate.
As expected the Christian Dior exhibition is sold out indefinitely, and due to the immense popularity, they’ve decided to extend the closing date till September. Yay!
Love, Aoife xo
As expected the Christian Dior exhibition is sold out indefinitely, and due to the immense popularity, they’ve decided to extend the closing date till September. Yay!
Love, Aoife xo
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