The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary is the cutest book I have read in a long time. A really long time! Like most romcoms, you could see how it was going to pan out from the beginning but that still didn’t stop you from enjoying the ride.

Goodreads Sypnosis:
“Tiffy and Leon share a flat
Tiffy and Leon share a bed
Tiffy and Leon have never met… 

Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day and she has the run of the place the rest of the time. 

But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly imprisoned brothers and, of course, the fact that they still haven’t met yet, they’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…”

When I first started reading the book, I instantly loved Tiffy. She’s your typical chatty narrator who seems to get herself in a pickle, making it a fun read. It took a little while to connect with Leon since his narration had a lack of pronouns which made him seem quite detached. He’s quite an aloof character. Not in a dark, mysterious and handsome way but more of an introverted character. I soon got over the differences in narration and ended up quite liking the difference in personalities between the two main characters.


The chapters alternate throughout the book between Tiffy’s POV and Leon’s. The book doesn’t drag on and has a quick pace. I like that it keeps moving forward rather than going back over things like some books can. I also liked how there was more going on in the book than just the story between the two main characters. Such as Tiffy's obsessive ex, Leon's brother in prison and both of them trying to locate an ex-partner of one of Leon's patients. You were rooting for them to be together but also that rooting for other things too like getting Leon's brother out of prison etc.

One of my favourite parts of the book was reading the notes between Tiffy and Leon. Tiffy’s are always long, chatty and oversharing while Leon is on a more need-to-know basis. 


Overall, I really liked this book and it was a fun read. I can imagine sitting by the pool, soaking up the sun rays, drinking a mojito and reading this book.

Love, Aoife xo


Who remembers the Micellar water craze a few years ago? When everybody was raving about how amazing micellar water was. Or was that just me? I’ll admit, I was part of that craze. I loved sprinkling the holy water on a cotton pad and watching all my makeup disappear from my face. But what if there’s a better, more effective, way of removing makeup? Like, oil cleansing?

In the last month or so, I have been obsessed with Nay (@LABeautyologist). Her Twitter is filled with skincare advice, tips and tricks. As a licensed esthetician, she also provides scientific explanations so you can understand more about what each ingredient or step in your skincare routine does and make your own informed decision. One night, I ended up in a YouTube black hole and watched all her YouTube videos. I learnt about double cleansing, toning and all about oil cleansing.

The Oil Cleansing Method...

I have oily acne-prone skin and so the thought of adding oil to oil and spots can be a little daunting. However, it has been tried, tested & shouted from the rooftops that using an oil cleanser can help the skin’s oil balance and won’t make it more oily. The oil cleanser itself doesn't leave any residue behind and is not drying.

The way oil cleansing works is by gently massaging a few drops of oil onto your face for at least 60 seconds. Remember to keep your palms and face dry when you apply it so it can work properly. The oil lifts the dirt from clogged pores, excess sebum and removes dead skin cells from your face. You can read more about the science here or watch Nay's video here. Once you've massaged the oil around your face, you gently wipe the oil off with a wet face cloth. It's a really good method of clearing out build up from your pores and has really helped with my acne. 

What I found...

In this experiment, I used Simple’s Hydrating Oil cleanser (recommended by HeyitsMorgan). It's made with 100% grapeseed oil and is incredibly soft and gentle on my skin. I use a 1p coin-sized amount of oil and massage it around my face for at least a minute. I follow the #60secondrule so whenever I cleanse my face I rub the cleanser in for at least 60 seconds. 

The fun part of oil cleansing is the longer you massage the oil in, the more dirt it picks up from your skin. I think the longest I've oil cleansed is 4 minutes. You can often feel gritty bits coming away from your skin and see little beige dots on your palms; these are the oil plugs that have been lifted from your skin. It’s the most satisfying part of oil cleansing.

The Results are in...

Out of the two cleansing methods, I prefer oil cleansing. I feel like it's more suited to my skin. It’s a much gentler and cleanses more than just the surface. This is evident by the grit you can see on your palms. It's not as drying as Micellar Water and my skin looks a lot less red. I’ve noticed a big difference in the past month on the appearance of my pores and the regular facial massage has helped improve my blood circulation, so I am practically glowing.

I love that you can spend more time cleansing and massaging your face than with a face wipe or micellar water. The massage really helps me to unwind in the evening and is perfect for when I need to escape the chaos of my flatmates.

What are your thoughts of oil cleansing? Do you think you'll try it?

Love, Aoife xo


I’m pretty sure Venice is on most people’s bucket list. If it isn’t, it definitely should be a place you visit before you die. It’s a phenomenal city built on stilts over the Adriatic Sea in northern Italy. There are more than 100 small islands that make up Venice and they are all connected by bridges. There is almost like a one-way system as you often have to go around other islands. Through the middle of Venice is the Grand Canal which is what the river Thames is to London. There are only three bridges that cross the canal so be sure to plan your journey when navigating the islands. It's not as simple as crossing the road.

Venice is a beautiful city and is absolutely stunning during the day and night. There is something calming about being surrounded by water and watching the current bob. The Venice film festival was on so we took the boat out to Lido where it is held. Timothée Chalamet was there for his screening of The King. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see him.

Where to stay in Venice…

Venice can be really expensive, but it can also be done affordably. Mestre is located on the mainland and is at the end of the road that’ll take you to the Venice islands. It is often cheaper to stay here and travel into Venice will cost you no more than €3 on the bus or train. My friend and I stayed in a small one bed AirBnB not far from Mestre station.


Travelling in Venice…

Travelling around and between the islands can get quite expensive. I'd recommend buying a three-day pass at the train station. It came to €30 each. The pass allows unlimited travel around Venice and access to all the museums. You can ride the Vaporettos (water buses) and have a mini-tour of the main islands and surrounding islands.

What to do…

There are lots to do in Venice. Expect lots of walking around, exploring and getting lost. When you first arrive, take your time getting to explore what’s around you. There are lots of narrow passageways but they all have signs pointing you in the direction of the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square.

Doge’s Palace is stunning not only from the outside but inside too. The palace dates back to 1340 and was residence to the supreme authority of the former Venetian Republic (Doge). It can get really busy during the day but the crowds lighten in the evening. We went in the evening and it felt like we were the only ones there. You can get in free under the travel pass I mentioned above or pay for entry.

During your stay, I’d recommend visiting the Murano and Burano islands. They are about 20 minutes from Venice and are definitely worth the trip. Burano is the furthest island so I’d suggest going there first. You’ll probably recognise it from all the pictures of multi-coloured houses. I read that the houses are in different colours so the fishing men could locate their houses better. Burano has a rich history of lace and there are plenty of shops where you can pick up some lace. Murano is famous for its glass and is something you’ll see all over Venice. When I went, we visited the glass museum. Just a warning if you’re not sure whether to go or not- it mostly contained numerous cabinets of glass. 

If you're looking to escape and the crowds and want to relax on the beach, take a Vaporetto to Lido. It has a long strip of soft sand and looks out into the Adriatic sea.



Where to eat…

We indulged ourselves in dairy-free ice cream and stuffed our faces with pizza. A lot of restaurants around the Venice islands are accommodating to different dietary requirements. We were quite fortunate in being able to buy dairy-free ice cream and also eat a gluten-free pizza and pasta. Just look out for ‘senza glutine’ on the signs. On most days, we would share a pizza for lunch and head back to the flat to make dinner.

Katie Bucknell wrote a post called Gluten-Free Venice and it was really helpful in finding restaurants we could eat at. Restaurants in Venice can be quite expensive but there are tons listed in the post including ones tucked in little alleyways. 

Enjoy your holiday and I hope this post has helped

Love, Aoife xo


I love Valentine’s Day probably more than I should as a single lady. I’m a hopeless romantic and Valentine’s day is all about showing your appreciation and love for someone. Any excuse to demonstrate this and to celebrate something, I’m always up for it. I love the story behind Valentine’s day too and how the priest wrote letters to the jailer’s daughter signing it ‘Love, your Valentine’. This year got me thinking about love languages, what they mean and what mine is.

In 1992, Gary Chapman wrote a book called The Five Love Languages: How To Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. It outlines five ways in how people express and experience love between romantic partners. I, personally, think this works a little in how we express love and gratitude to family members and friends as well. It's how we interact with one another.

The five languages are (according to 5lovelanguages.com):
- Receiving Gifts: “A gift says, ‘he was thinking about me’"
- Quality Time: “Giving your spouse your undivided attention.”
- Words of Affirmation: “Using words to build up the other person.”
- Acts of Service: “Doing something for your spouse that you know they would like. Such as cooking a meal, washing dishes, vacuuming floors etc.”
- Physical Touch: “Holding hands, hugging, sexual intercourse, are all expressions of love.”

According to Chapman, we have a primary love language that speaks more deeply to us and a secondary love language. If you’re not sure what your love language is, there are plenty of quizzes and tests online you can take for free. But it's ultimately about which one you can relate to the most.


My primary love language is Acts of Service with my second language as Physical Touch. I think it’s important to demonstrate your love and gratitude through doing nice things for others such as helping them out and doing something that needs to be done. I also relate to Physical Touch as I love giving hugs and I crave them too. I also like holding hands and even sitting close by to someone and feeling their presence too.

Knowing your love language and your partner’s love language, according to the experts, can help make your relationship stronger because you know each other on a deeper level. Whenever I ask people about what they’re doing for Valentine’s, they also go ‘I’ll get a card and some chocolates or flowers’. Gifts can be very thoughtful and I don’t know anyone who’s ever said no to chocolates. But, why don’t you learn about your partners love language and celebrate Valentine’s doing something they’d appreciate more such as spending quality time with them, doing acts of service or building them up etc?

What is your love language and do you believe in them?

Love, your Valentine xo

A new year gives you the opportunity to explore new places and try out new things. Unfortunately, last year I was unable to do most of the things I had planned when I was in London because I worked throughout most of the summer holidays. Since my exams finish in May and I graduate in July, I will officially be free from being a student which means I'll have more time on my hands before I start working *sarcastic yay*. What's on my list for things I want to do in 2020?

Visit a new place in London // 
Last year, Aoife and I went to Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park and it was so gorgeous and peaceful! After uploading a video on Snapchat, I received countless messages asking about the location, Many people were surprised to find that the garden was in London. There are loads of places I haven't discovered or yet seen. One of the places I really want to visit is Kew Garden which looks beautiful. When I planned to go last year, it was raining but I'm going to make sure I see it this year!

Solo Trip // 
Since I can't travel during summer at the moment -I have eczema and a skin disorder that makes my skin sensitive to the sun- I thought it would be great to go somewhere in Europe during my reading week this month. I know most of my friends are not available or don't really want to go...so, why not make it my first ever solo trip? After travelling to Venice last August, I have to go back to Italy! I would love to go to Milan or to Florence for a few days. The whole experience of travelling alone can definitely be daunting but this doesn't put me off at all! I know I would meet great people along the way. It would truly be an unforgettable experience.


Spa Day // 
Because I deserve it and you do too! I would love to treat myself to a self-pampering day where I can unwind, focus on my wellness and enjoy a relaxing massage that puts me to sleep. I've seen so many incredible places for a spa getaway trip- maybe I have plans for my 21st after all!

Go to another city // 
I have never been to another city outside London before. Except for Leicester since  I go to university there. Birmingham and Nottingham are only a train away so I don't really have any excuses! After being told how big Manchester is, I would love to spend a day experiencing city life elsewhere.

Attend a Meditation Class // 
Life can become stressful, overwhelming and chaotic. Sitting in silence and focusing on your breathing is a really good technique that allows you to refocus and bring yourself into the present. If you're on a spiritual journey, you know how important it is to stay in silence without being consumed by excessive thinking. A friend recommended a meditation class in Leicester that she really enjoyed. I would love to surround myself with people who are in touch with their spirituality whilst learning how to meditate more effectively without being distracted by excessive thought.

What new things would you like to try this year?








One of the worst things in the world -okay, it probably isn’t- is when you discover your favourite moisturiser or cleanser is on its last legs. Or when you’re getting ready for a night out and fighting with the pump on your primer to get the last of it out. First world problem, I know. However, there are some positives when it comes to finishing a product. I am a massive beauty junkie so for me, it's the perfect excuse to try a new skincare product out. 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish // I love this product! I purchased it on Boxing Day last year and this product has been my saviour for when I’m too lazy and cold to take off my makeup or wash my face. This product can be put on directly to a dry face, covered in makeup or not, and you wipe it off with a warm muslin cloth. I’ll definitely be buying this again and I’ll write a full review so keep your eyes open for that. I also tried the special edition version with Lavender the other month. However, it caused my skin to break out all over my forehead so I had to donate it. 

Pixi Glow Tonic // This product is raved about all the time and personally, I’m on the fence. The only time I noticed a difference is when I stopped using it for about a week and my skin was totally different. One thing I will say is that the tonic contains a micro-exfoliator which with regular use, I find myself reaching for my exfoliating scrub less and less. Read my full review here.

Avéne Rich Hydrating Creme // Someone recommended this to me in passing about four years ago and I’ve only now just picked this up. This creme is super hydrating especially after I've washed my face and it's in need of a little boost. However, my skin is oily and as this creme is quite strong and rich in hydration, I tend to use this creme at night. 

Revlon Photoready pore reducing primer // I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this primer. There’s something about it I don’t like but it’s the best I’ve come across, so I kind of like it. Having a moisturised base is key with this primer otherwise it doesn’t sit properly. Other than that, it’s a great primer and is a great barrier between my skin and makeup. Read my full review here.

La Roche-Posay Effacular Face Wash // If you’re a long term reader, you know the deal with this. I buy this product on repeat and it’s great for my oily skin. I've had a lot of breakouts recently so I decided to go back to the basics. You can read my first impressions here and an updated review here.

What products have you finished recently? 

Love, Aoife xo 

The first issue of Vogue hit newsstands in New York on December 17, 1892, and would soon become one of the top fashion magazines in the world edited by the legendary Anna Wintour. It’s creator, Arthur Turnure, was a wealthy Eurocentric Manhattanite who mixed with the city’s aristocracy. The magazine was divided into separate sections, like it is today, of reviews of books, music, art and articles on social etiquette. It was read by both sexes but by 1895, it became more feminine and fashion-focused. In 1909, Condé Nast purchased the magazine. In the Autumn of 1916, the British edition hit newsstands.

Now that we’re starting a new decade and with a British Vogue that is vastly different from what it once was, I thought it would be fun to see what my life would be like if I wore, did and lived how the latest issue of Vogue suggested. This post is inspired by one I read on Maria J’s blog with the same idea, which you can read here.

Compared to American Vogue, British Vogue runs their editions a month ahead so their issue in January is actually the February issue. But before we can get ahead of ourselves, it’s only January. So let’s start with what the January issue (on sale in December) has in store for us. 


There are pages upon pages of outfit ideas, trends to jump on board and must-have products. That is after you’ve flicked through the plethora of Gucci, Miu Miu and Chanel ads. Vogue’s checklist on pages 98 to 101, let’s me know that powder colours and monochrome will be all over my life from bags and shoes to clothes and accessories. According to the description, the soft textures and creamy colours will add to my feminine prowess.

Page 54 tells me I’ll be walking around in a two-piece Safari inspired suit. Preferably with a high waisted belt as a nod to the seventies (page 53). Our work attire is having a little makeover in this new decade on page 185: Think the same bold attitude but with softer silhouettes. 

Accessorises is always key. According to page 73, January is about keeping it short and sweet with necklaces that sit on the collarbone. I quite like the classic rose gold and diamond number from Cartier but at £33,400, I think I’d rather use that to help buy a house. On my arm (or I should say, across my body) will be a vintage quilted leather Balenciaga (page 61). I’m not mad at this suggestion. 

Page 24 lets everyone know our secret that underneath our khaki armour will be a matching black mesh Victoria’s Secret set. One I’ve actually had my eye on for a while. Sexy and comfort are going hand in hand this decade, no doubt about it. 



It’s a new decade, so time to get rid of things that weren’t working before and putting things right. Well, kind of. Upcycling will be big this January and if you’re not already a transparent company then you need to get with the programme, start treating workers fairly and source materials sustainably. Waste not, want not (page 151). Let’s look in our own wardrobes that are full of designer pieces, hmm, and give them a rerun. In case you need a little extra help, check out my post on how you can join the sustainable fashion conversation

The New Years’ celebrations got a little heavy after drinking too much champagne and heading straight back to work. So a much needed tranquil break is on the books and it’s looking a lot like the seaside resort of Deauville in Normandy (page 88). 

What else is on our New Years resolutions list? Well, Pat McGrath says we should add skincare to our list (page 111). A little bit of self-care in the evening never hurt anybody and our skin certainly won’t be complaining. According to Jada Pinkett Smith on page 220, the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mask is the secret to dewy skin. Sam McKnight says we should stop being afraid of our hair. Don’t worry, it doesn’t need to be too out there. Maybe a simple braid or a fringe. Since I already have a fringe, I might try wearing my hair in a braid more often or use some hair accessories.


If you could live your life like the pages of a magazine, which one would you choose?

Love, Aoife xo

Happy new year!! I hope your new year is going as great as mine or if not, greater. Normally when a new year and a new chapter has started, I typically set myself a list of resolutions which I vaguely try and follow throughout the year. However, I entered the new decade full of so much hope and happiness that my resolutions turned to goals. I wrote myself a list of things that I wanted to aspire this year with the key one being chasing my happiness. 

These goals are also habits that I’d love to develop over the course of the year.

01. Complete my wind-down journal // I didn’t buy much in the Boxing Day sales -shock, I know- but I did buy a wind-down journal to fill in every evening. There are 365 pages in the journal and it requires only five minutes of my time in the evening before bed. I’d love to write in it every day and be able to read all my achievements at the end of 2020.

02. Stop wishing time away // I’m that person who sits doing nothing wishing for it to 5pm so I can get ready to meet my friends or for time to move a little faster so I don’t have to sit in a boring lecture or chat to someone, I’m not interested in chatting too. I’m graduating this summer and time will most definitely go by quickly so wasting time away really shouldn't be a habit I stick to. 

03. Believe in me more // I don’t know how many times I’ve been told that I need to be more confident in myself but you can probably guess it’s a lot. One habit I want to develop this year is to stop putting myself down so much. I am capable of a lot of things that I don’t give myself credit for. I also let other people’s opinions dictate how I feel about something. Personal development is something I always want to work on so let’s hope that this year I can say more than just I found myself.



04. Read more physical books // I read a lot of Ebooks on my phone. One thing I’d love to do is to start reading more physical books. I have a whole shelf full of books that I’ve never read so it’s probably time I start one of those before buying some new books or going to the library. I’d also love to read some more of the classic novels like Little Women. I read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and it was both beautiful and sad.

05. Make Wednesday mask day // Or any other possible day in the week if Wednesday isn’t available. In my first year of university, I dedicated Wednesday as mask day where I’d give myself a little pamper in the evening. I can’t remember why I stopped but I did and my skin is often calling out for something extra. My Dad bought my this Avocado Nourishing Hydration mask from Kiehl’s and it's motivating me to mask up.

06. Make my bed everyday // Beds look so much more inviting when it’s all made up. I’ll admit that at university, my duvet and pillows often gets thrown about but this year, we’re going to change that. A tidy room is a tidy mind. It can’t hurt to put them on my bed nicely.


07. Become plant-based // I’m sort of in the middle of developing this habit. For a few months now, my diet has consistently been plant-based with the odd bit of meat and meat products here and there. My goal is to become completely plant-based.

08. Go to the gym more/ take an exercise class/ go running // I admit I’m one of those noncommittal gym people. I have a membership and go when I feel like it which can either be twice a week for a month or not at all for three. There's a weekly pilates class at my local gym which costs me £2 if I want to go. I'm going to aim to attend weekly

09. Wake up early // Some people have the ability to wake up at 5 am every day and have the most productive day. I have come to the conclusion that I may never be that person but I can at least try like waking up at 7am instead of 10am. It's true what they say about waking up early. There's a lot you can accomplish before lunchtime when you wake up early. 


10. Take myself out on dates // The other day I went to Wagamamas with my stepsister and saw this woman who was sat by herself. She was sat drinking some wine and reading her kindle. I'd love to have the confidence to take myself out to the cinema more, to go into restaurants and sit alone, or to go on a day trip somewhere.

What's a habit you'd like to build this year?

Love, Aoife xo

Every now and then, I like to switch it up a little bit and do something different. The other day I watched an interview on YouTube with Ari Lennox and Summer Walker. It was a short conversation talking about all the things they’re “over” in light of Summer Walker’s latest album, Over It. If you haven’t listened to it, it’s amazing and has been on repeat ever since it came out.

I thought I'd take a leaf out of their book... okay, I'm just doing it in blog post form... and have my own go discussing what I'm over and what is not coming with me into the new year...

Drama…

A lot of drama comes from miscommunication and in a world with more streams of communication than ever before, why do we still suck at communicating? We have so many privileges that other people don’t have so why are we still afraid of sharing our feelings? Also, I have never had as much drama in my life as I currently do now. Life was so much simpler when there wasn’t drama. Let’s leave it to Eastenders, please. 

…over it

Body Hair…

Regrowth after a day, razor burn, cut legs... body hair grows back so quickly and it gets darker and darker each time. I’m over it completely. It’s the bane of my existence and it needs to not be. I don’t know how I’m going to do it but I’m leaving my body hair in 2019.

…over it


People’s opinions on my love life...

Do you have a boyfriend yet? No. You’re so picky, you’ll never find anyone. I’m sorry, what? One of the things I’m over more than anything is people’s opinions on my love life. Since when was it ever out in the open and up for debate? When I am emotionally ready to bare my deepest feelings and am ready to receive someone else’s, I will let you know. But until then, I’ll do me and you can sort your own love life out.

...over it.

Acne…

I’m starting to believe my skin has a mind of its own. No matter what I do or what I don’t do, there is always a pimple. A mark. A blemish. I’m tired of looking at my skin and seeing red marks everywhere. As much as I’m tired of acne, I’m also tired of all the work it takes to try and get rid of it. Spot cream, serum, moisturiser, natural remedies; I’m starting to think that either my skin is as stubborn as I am or it’s all just a marketing ploy. I don’t do anything to it and it explodes. 

….over it.


This post has been fun to write and if you’re a fellow blogger, give it a try and tag me in them. I’d love to see them! These four things are sadly the significant things that go round and round in my life and create the most negative energy. I predict that 2020 will be a great year. There are lots of great things happening such as graduating from university and (fingers crossed) getting my dream graduate job and a ton more things. Maybe I’ll fall in love? Maybe I’ll move into my own place? Maybe I’ll make more friends? The list of possibilities is endless.


Happy 2020 guys!!!

Love, Aoife xo

I have never been one of those people who are obsessed with candles. I never understood the attraction or appeal to a pot of wax and a flame. However, my knowledge and understanding of candles completely flipped when I received a candle that -no exaggeration- has changed my life. This candle is not only a beautiful specimen to look at but once lit transforms a cold dreary space to a warm cosy sensual space. 

I have never experienced anything like a Jo Malone candle. And yes, I said candle and experience in the same sentence because it most definitely is one. There is always a lot of hype when it comes to Jo Malone products especially by influencers but I can 100% confirm, it’s worth the hype. In the same way, nothing compares to taking a designer bag out of its dustbag, nothing compares to lighting a Jo Malone candle.


I received the candle as a birthday present and as soon as I lifted the lid off the candle, the scent had already enveloped me. The candle is the Velvet Rose & Oud Home candle and comes in all-black packaging with matte black wax and wick with a silver lid. Everything about it screams luxury even down to the matte black matches.


I’m not good at describing the scent but according to the website it says, “transform the atmosphere with the scent of darkest Damask rose. Wrapped with smoky out wood. Spiked with clove, decadent praline.” The scent is incredible when the candle isn’t even lit. And when it is, it’s extraordinary. The whole room is soon smelling of the greatest things in life. The wood and cloves give it a warm comforting feeling. 

I’m convinced that Jo Malone is a scent extraordinaire. Everything about the candle exudes luxury and elegance. And, I’m here for it. 

Love, Aoife xo

If you liked this post, you might like What is your Love Language?