California Dreamin'

Okay so, it might nearly be Christmas and don't get me wrong, I love cosying up in fluffy pjs and the thought of watching Elf, but there's always a tiny part of me still longing for the Summer months and today, my mind took me to California, a place I have a lot of love for. 

Home to some of my family and fondest memories. The first place in the US I'd ever been to and one of my most memorable trips - a month in one of the most amazing places with my best friends as a newly turned 18 year old, it was a dream! - However in todays post I'll be sharing photos from my 2015 trip! Another incredible holiday I'll never forget (oh wow, sorry cheese!).

Me and my bestest began our 3 week adventure in July 2015 (do not even get me STARTED on how quick the time has gone *le cry*). 16+ hours, 2 flights and 1 Chicago layover later, we had arrived at San Francisco Intl! 

I'd never been happier to be back in my favourite place. Greeted by my beautiful cousin, we hopped in the car and headed to San Jose (not before grabbing a bite to eat after that journey!). It was the most bizarre feeling to be back, somewhere we had dreamed and talked about going back for so long (5 years to be exact!) and you'll know if you've ever travelled long haul, the feeling of travelling for nearly a day with little sleep, setting off in the very early hours yet getting there still in daylight, feeling like you've gone back in time?! Very disorienting but none the less, super happy to of been there!

I also vlogged the whole trip! (see below)  

F A V O U R I T E   M E M O R I E S

// laying by the pool every day & getting Starbucks refreshers // VEGAS! (seperate post here) // spending the day in Santa Cruz, being at the beach & going shopping // being there for 4th July! BBQ @ uncle Phils // eating at Bouchon & Bottega in Napa // going out and staying over in Oakland // getting In'N'Out, duh // trips to Ulta & Sephora // seeing Fishermans Wharf/Lombard St/Dolores park & just generally San Francisco! // wine tasting in Napa Valley // evening trips to Pinkberry or Jack In The Box // going out in San Jose & Palo Alto // getting our first ever pedicures! // 

& honestly, just the usual "mundane" things that weren't so mundane here! Staying in, eating Cheetos and watching American Horror Story, having amazing home cooked meals, going for drives, these are some of my favourite memories, just being there in general makes my heart happy!

Until next time Cali x

A day at Cat Cafe Manchester

Heyooo! So last month we went to Cat Cafe for the first time for my friends birthday and I didn't know quite what to expect...but it was really good! If you didn't know, its basically a cafe were there are, well, cats obvi. It's £12 for an hour (so the prices all depend in how long you want to spend there) but you get unlimited drinks whilst you're there and they have a hugeee selection, I had an amazing almond milk hot chocolate with marshmallows mmmm! (amongst many other drinks, girl gotta get her moneys worth!)

We booked in advance so I'm not sure on how it is just to walk in, but I would recommend booking as then its all done and paid for. They give you little paper slippers to wear which I loved, after a day of walking around town in boots there was nothing better than being able to slip them off and chill for an hour! Inside is super cosy with loads of couches, cushions, cute seating areas on the floor and then the cats of course! I'm not the biggest cat lover but they are cute, and they just go about minding their own business. All the staff were lovely as well, it was just a really nice place to spend an hour or so, I found it really relaxing being there actually which I didn't expect, I thought it would just be a regular cafe with some cats, which I guess it is, but they make it feel really homely chilled! 

Overall I was impressed, I think its nice if you want to do something a bit different or have an occasion or, you know, you just really love cats! It was also really good not having to worry about paying for drinks because they're technically already paid for! Definitely worth a visit, it's situated in the Northern Quarter for anyone wondering. Let me know if you have been and what you think of it!

Corina x 

Hello Autumn! Favourites & Update

Heyoo! Its been a while since I posted, so I thought I'd come back with a little update and chit chat! (As well as a few faves I've been loving recently). I feel like the start of October was quite a fun one, I went to Liverpool for a day of shopping, a day at Dunham Massey & meals catching up with friends/going out. However in the last week or so I've been pretty MIA with a cold/flu type situation (it has NOT been fun!). I've mostly been living in this cosy Primark jumper (see below) & drinking copious amounts of hot drinks. Pretty much everyone I know has come down with something recently so its been pretty rubbish, I hope it passes soon! I've also been getting stuck in with learning to drive (finally!) so I've been having lessons & brushing up on my theory (oh joy).

( If you havent got Primark jumper in your life then you're missing out. SO. MUCH. COSY! It was about £10 I think!)

I've really been loving these Hummus Chips! Slightly random to include but I've been eating them for the past month & they've become my fave snack so thought I'd mention them. And no, they don't taste like hummus! They're so yummy. This fresh face mask from Lush in brazened honey has done my skin wonders, I love that you have to keep it in the fridge as its all fresh ingredients, it makes it so refreshing when you apply it! It's also an exfoliating mask which leaves your skin looking bright and radiant, which is exactly what I was after.  My fave mascara recently has been this Max Factor Masterpiece mascara. It's so so good! I forgot how amazing Max Factor mascaras were. It's really lengthening, separating and holds a curl amazingly! On the subject of eye products, I've been using my ABH Modern Renaissance more than any of my other palettes recently, as its Autumn & I'm gravitating towards those orange/burgundy/reddish colours more than ever. It really is a beautiful palette and totally lives up to the hype. Also, this Dove Summer Revived gradual tanner has been helping me pretend I still have a natural summer tan! I got medium-dark and I love it, its a great colour & affordable.

^^ A few weeks ago in Liverpool/burgers at Free State Kitchen/out in Manchester ^^

^^ Best boyfriend or what? I hate being one of those girls ("omg bae came round with flowers look everyone!!") but there's nothing like your favourite person coming to visit when you feel un well with all these goodies to make you feel better! ^^

That's it from me for now, I'm gonna rest up, drink some more lemsip & get better. Then I can stop feeling sorry for myself and get my shit together! Have a good weekend guys X

TBT: What happens in Vegas...

It's been just over a year since my trip to Vegas and I was feeling nostalgic, so here's a few (ok quite a few...) snaps from our time there! It was the first time I had been and it was so so amazing, I can't wait to go back!

 

 



FAVOURITE THINGS WE DID

- Pool party at Drai's
- Seeing Lil Jon DJ at The Wynn
- Happy Hour at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill
- Tequila slushies by the pool at Caesars
- Late night dinners at SLS
- The Bacchanal Buffet @ Caesars
- Watching 50 Cent & Trey Songz at Drai's

& so much more! There is so much to do here its ridiculous, we originally booked to go for 3 days but ended up staying 5 because when the day came to leave we were just like "nope!" (luckily we were able to do this as we were staying in California for 3 weeks, so it was quite easy to just get another cheap flight back to Oakland). Anyway, best holiday!