Barcelona: Market Stall Indulgence // Sagrada Familia Photo Diary

Top - Miss Selfridge
Skort - Zara
Cardigan - Zara
Shoes - Doc Martens
Bag - Zara

Hello Hello! So. Barcelona. This is going to be a very long post, so apologies in advance! I have no idea where on earth to start.. (the beginning, maybe?) Well, I went two thursdays ago with a group of fellow art/photography/graphics students as part of our courses, and it was mainly a very architectural based trip, as the world renowned artist Gaudi had lived and created there. 

On the first day, we arrived early-ish during the day, and were allowed to have a good roam around the main area of our stay, which was in the boulevard of La Rambla. Of course myself and my friends Tasha, Sophia and Maddie headed straight into the food market, which was truly incredible! There were fruits of every kind stacked high, litres of freshly made smoothies and juices, ice cream in every flavour imaginable, and a nachos stand!! It was so crammed, but such a lovely, colourful, buzzing atmosphere, I felt so welcome. 

I also visited the Zara store because… when in spain, right? Is that a thing now? Yeah. It is. I managed to bag the most beautiful cardigan, pictured above! I know what you're all thinking, 'You were in Spain, WHY did you buy a cardigan???' .. yeah I'm not sure either to be honest. It was pretty. And I'd lost my favourite one on the flight to Barcelona, soooo it had to be done, naturally!

^^ YES THAT IS AVOCADO ICE CREAM IN THE ABOVE PHOTO ^^

Also, to those that have visited the Oasis market in Birmingham City Centre, me and Tash found it's doppelgänger in a really cute alley which we literally just happened to stumble upon! They sell pretty much everything that Oasis sells, but the jewellery was ridiculously over priced so we walked out a tad disappointed, but nevertheless.. its pretty!

We finished the day off at the Hard Rock Cafe which was lovely… reminded me of my trip to New York a few years back!

Sagrada Familia // Park Guell

On Friday we visited Sagrada Familia, a cathedral designed by Antonio Gaudi, which from the outside narrates The Nativity, The Passion, and The Glory facades. I don't think any other word apart from 'in awe' can describe my reaction to the sheer magnificence placed before me. Admittedly when I had researched Gaudi beforehand, I wasn't mad about his work and to be honest I was ready for this to not be a highlight for me.. however I was completely wrong! I couldn't understand how intricately detailed and thought out a piece of architecture could be and I still don't! One of the highlights for me was when I walked inside and the stained glass windows reflected onto the pillars.. the whole interior just glowed with a splash of colour, such a beautiful sight to be greeted with as soon as you walked in!

Who doesn't enjoy a good picture of olives? Taken by Tasha dearest!

After the lovely visit to the cathedral, we all grabbed a bite to eat before visiting Park Guell, another Gaudi exhibition! Overlooking the city, the park was perhaps one of my favourite spots in Barcelona. Although it's visited by hundreds of people every day, I can't quite get over the peace and serenity that lingers within it. It was quite a beautiful sight!

Myself and Tash even managed to bag ourselves a few rings that were being sold on make shift market stalls as we walked through the park, so we considered that a very successful day ha!

Tasha looking beautiful as ever!

After our little adventure through the park we managed to have a lovely night out on the harbour, where we enjoyed the most lovely paella I've ever eaten..unfortunately I didn't manage to get a photo of it because myself and Tash were so hungry neither of us thought of the idea haha! 

Aaaaaand that pretty much concludes the first part of my two part photo diary of Barcelona!
Hope you guys enjoyed this overly long post.. let me know what you think!

Jazz x 

LFW

Goooood morning lovelies! Apologies for the lack of blogging lately, I've been doing nothing but coursework and viewing universities (exciting, yet terrifying.)

However, this one is a very exciting post for me. Yesterday, myself and my best friend Rav went to London Fashion Weekend… yes, London. Fashion. Weekend. I can't even begin to describe how amazing it was! Having recently visited universities to find out more about my course, which is Textile Design, I was so heavily inspired by graduate work, and I was craving to get out there and learn more about the fashion world.. and what better way to start, than venturing out to one of the biggest fashion festivals of the world!?

Inspired by the cool baby blues floating around this season, I threw on a PU lavender skirt from ASOS, paired with a sleeveless black turtleneck, and because it's technically autumn now and I just couldn't wait… A FUR COAT! (also from ASOS), and lastly I'd bought a pair of Dr Marten's brogues a few weeks back, which I just absolutely adore. They're kind of a two toned maroon/brown and black? 

Rav wore the most gorgeous red swing dress from Zara, which was hunted down at such a good price that everyone who asked did not believe her.. from £40, to £7!!!!!!! Yes you heard it here first. It was paired with the most beautiful, vintage looking coin necklace which I believe was from H&M, along with the heeled peep toe boots.

From Oscar de la Renta and Roberto Cavalli to Alexander Wang and Isabel Marant, this years trend show was buzzing with pastel hues, exotic prints and delicate flowing materials shaped into 
dresses, structured blazers and sharp tailoring and leather that was moulded into the most rich looking skirts and cropped trousers. My personal favourites of the show, were of course Jungle Fever and Fairy Tale Ending. Jungle fever was swimming with exotic motifs and animal prints, riddled with blues and greens and black and white tones and topped with leather, a true favourite for any print lover like myself! Fairy Tale Ending on the other hand was heavily embellished and textured, balanced with weightless materials created into gowns fit for any red carpet event. The colours that dominated in true regal style were red and black, yet tones of grey complimented and completed each look. (My favourite look being the grey cape!!)

I hope you enjoyed this little snapshot into what occurred on Sunday, 5 trains and 420 yards later after leaving Birmingham! And heres to many more fashion weeks in the near future!

Jazz x x

90s Inspired Outfit

Top - ASOS
Jeans - Topshop (Hayden)
Shoes - Topshop

Hey guys! So today's post is a quick one, detailing my outfit for tonight's meal that I'm going to in honour of celebrating mine and my cousin's results, and also my aunt and uncle's 21st anniversary! 

The weather's not great at the moment so I opted for ripped jeans (I secretly still want it to be summer) and a cream turtle neck, which is a fine knit top. My shoes are from Topshop, which I think are still in stores now, and are my absolute favourite pair of heeled boots, as you can dress them up or down! I feel like I'm following the 90s trend which is quite wildly worn at the moment, as it should be, the 90s will forever be my favourite decade!

Hope you enjoyed this quick update!

Jazz x 

The Body Shop - The Wild Argan Oil Review

There's nothing like a new set of The Body Shop products to get a girl excited! 

So the other week, my mum went to fetch my usuals, (the seaweed collection) and got talking to one of the lovely ladies working that day, and she happened to mention that I have a blog, bless her. Anyway, the lady who was working there (her name's Rachel, working at the Solihull branch, she is an absolute gem and is so so helpful!) asked for me to come in to review some products that are launching on Tuesday!

These new products that are launching on Tuesday are the 'Wild Argan Oil' range, and the products that are included are: Wild Argan Oil Bubble Bath, Wild Argan Oil (for body and hair), Wild Argan Oil Body Butter and a Wild Argan Oil Exfoliating Scrub.

Wild Argan Oil - Bubble Bath

Wild Argan Oil - Body Butter

Wild Argan Oil - Exfoliating Scrub (Middle) and Oil for body and hair (Right)

Now, I don't usually take a liking to products very easily, I have to use them a few times before I've formed a solid opinion on them, and I suppose thats normal for most people.

However, having tried and tested these products with the three samples of each that I was given (I used them in conjunction with each other), I can safely say that I will definitely be investing in the majority of these products.

Wild Argan Oil - Bubble Bath

Bubble bath is one of those products that I get excited purchasing.. sounds strange right? Well it probably is. I usually have a lovely little collection built up courtesy of Lush, however after trying out this particular range, I have a new favourite! The fragrance is light, slightly sweet, and floral but very gentle on the skin. 

Wild Argan Oil - Exfoliating Scrub

THIS SCRUB! I absolutely love it. Seriously though, I was a bit apprehensive before using this because I'm usually quite sensitive to scrubs, and they tend to dry my skin out a lot, therefore I usually make my own, using either almond or coconut oil and a dark brown sugar. BUT, after using this twice, my skin has already started to show signs of improvement, its more supple and definitely not dry after use. The beads in the scrub are smaller than most scrubs and dissolve so much better than others that I've previously used, however still end up exfoliating your skin extremely well! As the scrub contains Argan Oil, you can actually feel that your skin is being moisturised as well as cleansed. Just like the bubble bath, the scent lasts on your skin for a good while, and is so pleasant!

Wild Argan Oil - Body Butter

I used this body butter straight after my shower, and after the scrub had been used. It has the same scent as the rest of the products, which added to the lasting power on my skin (which I was over the moon about!) and above all, sorted out my dry skin in no time! I usually get dry patches on my arms and my usual moisturiser wasn't cutting it, so I'd been meaning to find a new one for a while. I've decided that when this product launches, I am definitely investing in the body butter! My skin stayed soft without a need for reapplication, which I do sometimes need to do. A total life saver! (It's also grease-free, and sinks into your skin very quickly.. so no need to fret about sticky clothing!)

Wild Argan Oil - Oil for Body and Hair

I must admit I haven't tried this as a body oil yet, however having tried it on my hair I am recommending this a product for those who want to try the original Moroccan Oil hair product, but are afraid to because they don't want their hair to become greasy! As that product is quite thick, I can empathise with those with finer hair, as it can tend to become greasy. But, this new body oil by The Body Shop is very thin, and is suitable for any hair type, as it doesn't coat the hair, it simply disappears when you've massaged it into the ends of damp hair. (It also smells gorgeous too.)

So there we have it, my complete review of the yet to be released, Argan Oil range of products by The Body Shop, launching on Tuesday 12th August. Definitely a must have set of products for people who enjoy using argan oil, and I think it is perfect for those suffering with mild dry skin. 

Jazz x

Skincare and Seaweed

Back - Seaweed Cleansing Facial Wash
Nivea Soft Moisturiser
Seaweed Purifying Facial Cleanser

Right. Skincare. I don't know about you guys, but skincare products are literally THE most important products in my life! I've been through loads of different brands before finally finding 'The One.'

Front - Seaweed Clarifying Toner
Seaweed Pore Perfector
Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream

Swatch - Seaweed Pore Perfector

Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream

So back in 2012, I was advised by my mum to visit The Body Shop after suffering a mass breakout of spots, which I couldn't control by using the current products I was using, which was the Forever Living, Aloe Vera range. 

When I walked in, as some of you may know, there are a wide range of different products to suit different skin types which at first baffled me quite a bit! However, once a member of staff approached me and started talking to me about my skin type, we quite quickly figured out which products would suit me.

Since I have combination skin, which is a combination of both dry and oily skin, the seaweed range of products are developed specifically for that skin type. At first I was skeptical as to whether or not this was going work, as nothing else had! However, after using these products for a good two years, I can confirm that I don't think I will ever be able to use anything else! In just one week I had noticed a definite improvement, my skin looked brighter, and my spots had reduced significantly, leaving me with an even complexion. 

My Regime

I follow the basic 3 step routine, which involves cleansing, toning and moisturising.

- Every morning, I'll rinse my face with water, and then taking the Deep Cleansing Facial Wash, squeezing a little larger than a pea sized amount onto my fingertips, I'll massage it into my face in circular motions, I'll then rinse it off with luke warm water.

- Following this, using some cotton pads and 2-3 droplets of the Clarifying Toner, I'll (again in circular, clockwise motions) rub that all over my face, concentrating on areas that get oily very quickly, because for me those are the areas which build up dirt the quickest. I'll do this using about 2 or 3 cotton pads, usually. (You'll probably feel a tingling sensation when you use it, which I was told isn't an issue.. just means it's working!)

- Lastly I'll moisturise using my favourite moisturiser, Nivea Soft Cream. Some days I'll also use the Mattifying Cream, but only if I'm wearing makeup for an occasion that day, so it provides extra protection against oily skin.

- I repeat those steps in the evening also - however if I've been wearing makeup I'll use the Purifying Facial Cleanser in the same way that I use the toner, right after I've cleansed my face using the Deep Cleansing Facial Wash. This removes excess makeup quickly before toning, which then removes impurities and dirt. 

- I sometimes also use the Seaweed Pore Perfector, which I find minimises the look of pores quite significantly, however can also dry out my skin. 

Why?

Cleansing and toning is extremely important, whatever your skin may be like! It helps to remove traces of makeup that may not be removed from just using a make up wipe, and if this isn't done, can lead to clogged up pores which results in spots (ew)

Just something to bare in mind!

I hope this helps any of guys who are struggling to find a good skin care routine, and products for that matter! I can't express how well The Body Shop products work on me, there aren't any unnecessary chemicals in any of the products, and every skin type has a specific range of products, which I'm sure work just as well as these that I've tested!