Things to do in London.

If it's your first time in London then you will probably want to see all the tourist sites. I have a blog post all about that which you can check out here . But if you have already done all touristy things or if you live in London, and you want something to do I have a few suggestion.

1. The Park 

London is full of green spaces for you to hang out in. One thing I would recommend doing is rent a Santander Cycle. They are really affordable costing £2 for 24 hours, but make sure you dock them every 30 minutes if you don't want to pay extra. Then you can go and eat at one of the places mentioned in last weeks post. This is a super fun day out to do any time of the year as long as it's not too cold or raining.

2. Exhibitions 

This may sound very boring but there can be some very good exhibitions. One of my favourite places is the V&A where you can always find good exhibitions, but be warned if you don't book in advance you may be stuck in a very long line to buy tickets. Also National Portrait Gallery is currently having an exhibition on Audrey Hepburn until October. So, look around and you can find some really good things to go to.

3. Shows 

London is famous for it's musicals, so they are a must see even if you live in London. Also there are some beautiful ballets at the Royal Opera House, you could see. They can be great fun.

4. Shopping

There are some great places to shop in London and few of my favourite are Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, Covent Garden, Kings Road and Westfield. If you go to all or just one of these places you can definitely find what you are looking for.

5. Winter Wonderland 

If you are in London from November to January then Winter Wonderland is a must see attraction, a winter only theme park with a lovely Christmas market. So, even if you aren't a fan of rides then there is still something for you to do, it's an amazing day out.

So, here you have it 5 things to do in London. Even just walking around is great fun as you can always discover new places.

I hope that I gave you some ideas of what you could do in London. Hope you are all having a great week. See you all next week, same place, same time Wednesday 5pm (GMT)

Becky xoxo

Favourite Summer Things 2015

I was browsing through my Bloglovin feed and came across this post on Amelia Liana's blog. I thought it would be fun to share some of my favourite things that I have been loving throughout the last few months. So, let's get started.

The first thing I wanted to mention was my Mac eyeshadow in Nylon. I have been wearing this daily, along with some other product which I will mention later in this post. This is a white frosty eyeshadow it makes a look very simple and elegant. You can also use it in the inner corner of your eyes or all over your lid.

Next I would like to talk about one of my favourite eyeshadow primers I have tried. I tried most of the Urban Decay primer potions, which I had samples off and so far my favourite is the shade Sin.  I can really see a difference when I use this primer. It has a bit of shimmer, so you can get away with wearing it alone. I like to wear it under the Mac eyeshadow for an every day make up look.

I am a massive eyeliner fan, I think eyeliner can make or break an eyeshadow look. Recently I have been loving the Chanel liquid eyeliner. You can easily change the thickness of the line depending how you hold it. It also lasts all day even though it's not waterproof.

I recently ran out of my concealer so I thought I would try the Nars radiance creamy concealer. I now understand why everyone loves it. It blends really easily, it does not cake on your face and it's really a great multi use concealer. Highly recommend.

Now I have been wearing this lipstick all summer. It's the Dior Tye Dye Lipstick from their summer collection, but a very similar one from their permanent collection is the Dior addict lipstick in the shade 578 Dior Xx. It's a great everyday pink as it's not too bright but just adds a bit of colour to your lips.

One of my favourite perfumes for the spring and summer has been  Miss Dior blooming bouquet. It's very floral, but gentle at the same time.  Great perfume, if you like floral, sweet fragrances.

One of my fashion favourites has been my Ray Ban Erika sunglasses,which I have seen everybody wearing.  I love them because they go with basically everything, they also make your outfit just a bit more casual. Furthermore they suit nearly all face shapes, which is also great.

Now an app I have been using daily, just before I go to sleep. The app is called Calm and it's a meditating and mindfulness app, I find it really relaxing. What I love about is that they have guided sessions where they tell you what to do, which I find really useful as I am no expert in meditation.

I hope you guys are having a great week and I will see you next week same place same time Wednesday 5pm (GMT)

Becky xoxo

Places to Eat in London

Today I am really exited to announce that this post is actually a guest post from one of my best friends Tika. Who will be sharing her top places to eat in London. Enjoy.

Joe and the juice: this is one of my favourite juice bars in London. There’s a really chilled out atmosphere, the guys that work there are really friendly and always keen to make a recommendation. Before ordering the drinks remember that the entire passion fruit including the seeds are blitzed into the drink.

Brgr & co: A relatively new restaurant on the King’s road. They’re burgers are very enjoyable. I was sceptical to try them at first considering that they come served in brioche buns, however they come highly recommended. The falafel burger is very greasy and just about edible, as are the onion rings, which are quite tough. Having said this they have a very nice home made lemonade and quite nice milkshakes. The best thing served here are the parmesan and truffle French fries. They are rather filling though.

Roka: this restaurant is simply amazing. There is a really relaxed atmosphere and the staff are really friendly and always there to help. Upon arrival we were whisked to the bar for some drinks before being shown to our table.The cocktail menu was delicious. The Bakana Banana is the perfect cocktail for those that love tropical flavours, however it is quite strong. The margarita on the other hand was a little watery and not lemony enough. The tasting menu was rather expensive, however really worth every penny. The tai miso yaki with sweet potato was nice but not as spectacular as the rest of the meal. The desserts at Roka are delicious. The crème brûlée was delicious, however the whiskey ice cream that came with it was a little too strong. Overall it was a really fun place to have dinner. For a lively atmosphere I would recommend booking at 8pm.

Asia de Cuba: This chic restaurant is located on St Martin’s lane; a stones throw from the Colleseum. I have had the pleasure of having afternoon tea and dinner here. The afternoon tea is unusual however I really enjoyed it. There are empanadas, spring rolls and so much more for savoury, as well as a palette cleanser with strawberry mango and basil. The different types of teas are amazing. For the desserts the donuts were my personal favourite, however the chocolate chilli mouse was also interesting. I really enjoyed the background heat. Finally for afternoon tea you could have cold lemongrass tea or a small shot of cold coffee with sugar. I went for the coffee, but I can assure that both are delicious.
For dinner I had the £80 set menu. It was so delicious and some of the new food combinations I tried, I honestly loved. For example banana and cashew salad. I really would only recommend this to adventurous eaters, otherwise its  a complete waste of money. Fore dessert we were also served donuts again, with chocolate and caramel sauces, cheesecake and ice cream. The cocktail menu here is delicious, the mojitos are good but mostly ice. I went for the Mambo King, which was a light, fruity champagne cocktail. The décor of the restaurant was really quirky, and the amazing experience was enhanced by how wonderfully helpful and attentive the staff were. One more tip though, take a friend with you to the bathroom, as the loos are rather hard to find.

Sketch: I’ve only had afternoon tea here. When we walked in it was quite a shock to the senses. The chairs were pink and there was dim lighting. The food was classic afternoon tea however I felt that there was too much effort going in to make it fancy. The savouries were not to my liking, however the cakes and patisserie were stunning. My particular favourite was the bubble-gum marshmallow and cassis meringues. Another problem I had with sketch was how ditsy and forgetful the waitresses were. They only bought afternoon tea for three, when there were four of us, and by the time the tea arrived, it was cold, moreover when we asked for more tea it took twenty minutes for it to arrive. The art was a little strange, there was a sketch of a man snorting cocaine, and other odd pieces of art. However I loved the outfits of the waiters/waitresses. Overall this is a fairly average afternoon tea location, however fun for the experience of going to the loos.

Wasabi: This is a lovely high street chain that does nice sushi. Its nothing spectacular, however you can chose the sushi and make your own box. There is also a variety of hot dishes, but I never have those because I love sushi too much. The downside to this place is that its always packed and really hard to find anywhere to sit.

Buddha Bar: This is a really cool place in Knightsbridge. Upon arrival we were shown to our table and the menus brought to us very swiftly. We weren’t given long to decide and within five minutes of having ordered all of the food arrived and once. Another thing was that there were waiters all over the restaurant, and some had fixed stares, and it felt as though you were being watched as you ate. This made me feel very uncomfortable and all of us had finished our meal within 20 minutes. The food here wasn’t great either and it was overpriced for what it was. I would not recommend this place, instead I would recommend dinner at Nobu, and it’s a much safer bet.

Harrods ice cream parlous: My inner child escapes every time I come here. I love the decoration, which is very nostalgic of the 1950s. I love the atmosphere and the staff are so friendly. My personal favourite is the Harrods special sundae, however they are all amazing. The milkshakes are also delicious. Everyone always says that you have to share the sundaes because they’re so big, but I like having my own, because when something is that good, it is NOT worth sharing. Another really great thing is that there is a pizzeria across from the ice cream parlour with a singing chef. This is perfect place to relax after a long day of shopping, or as an after school treat and most definitely ideal for a first date.

Al Dar: This Lebanese restaurant, which is located on the King’s Road is one of our family favourites. Although we don’t go as often now, I remember going almost every weekend when I was growing up. I love the menu, however my favourite is the shwarma wrap. The baklava is also delicious. I’m not really a fan of the drinks, however a diet coke is enough to satisfy me.

My Old Dutch: This is a really nice pancake place, which does butterscotch pancakes, as well as crepes. There is a list of pancakes on the menu but you can also chose your own, which is great considering that different people prefer different things. Warning: do not order one sweet one savoury. You will be so full. I would just recommend going for one or the other, or else you may have to take a little nap after your meal.

Hutong: Located at The Shard, this is an amazing place to have dinner. The food is really nice and great for sharing. I personally loved the egg fried rice and the noodles, which were side dishes, but also I really loved the deep fried spicy crab, which was served in a rather large basket of chillies. The spring rolls and duck are also recommended.

The Wolseley: This place may seem fancy, however the price tag is not so hefty. The steak tartare was a little too mustardy for my liking and by the end of the meal it was almost a chore to eat. However the rest was all delicious, and very filling. You Definately get your money's worth.

Shake shack: this is a very American burger/ hot dog chain. It is very popular in the U.S. However in the UK there is only one in Covent Garden. Despite the name this chain originally started by selling hot dogs. The burgers are exactly what you would want in comfort food: greasy, full of carbs and easy to eat. I love the French fries and of course the shakes. If you're still not full from this meal well there is also "concretes" which is essentially ice cream with toppings blitzed into it. Definately a go to.

Macaron war: this is a long standing debate of which is better lladuree or Pierre herme? Laduree have gorgeous fruity and floral flavours, it is very traditional and always a safe bet. Whereas Pierre herme have bold flavours and some you may not like as much as others, but the passion fruit and chocolate macaron is the king of them all! Truly fabulous. Each person has a different opinion, and it's up to you to decide on yours.

Maître choux: a new patisserie shop, which has opened by South Kensington run by Joakim Prat. The pastries are rather pricy but great for a treat or if you have a sweet tooth. Each are bold and distinct in flavour as well as incredibly delicate. Highly recommended place for any occasion.

Duck and waffle: located in the oxo tower just above sushi samba is the duck and waffle. It is a very trendy restaurant/ bar which is located on the 40th floor. The decoration is not to my taste however the food and the cocktail menu are both innovate and modern. Of course it is all to an acquired taste and you may not enjoy all of the food, however it's a very cool experience. There are espresso martinis, coco pops cocktails and a marmite one too! I would recommend that you book this place in advance as there is a very long queue to get in otherwise.

Well I hope you guys enjoyed this and it way useful. 

Tika xoxo 

See same time same place Wednesday 5pm (GMT) I hope you enjoyed this new and different thing on my blog. 

Becky xoxo

Traveling with Becky: Istanbul First Impression

I am back with another travel post, where I will be sharing my thoughts and experiences with you.

I spent four days in Istanbul and managed to do most of the touristy things. My first tip would be to buy a travel guide. I had the Lonely Planet one, which showed all the must see attractions. If it is your first time I would recommend staying in the Old Town. I stayed at a very nice and central hotel called Pierre Loti Hotel which was within walking distance to all the main attractions. I would recommend it to people visiting for the first time. If it's your second or third time, I would recommend staying in a suburb, such as Besiktas area. As I found the public transport to be very good and not very expensive, I would recommend using it rather than taxis. Some taxi drivers have very crazy driving styles and it's more expensive.

A few highlights from my trip I wanted to mention.

• If you get the chance definitely go on a boat trip on the Bosphorus. I went in the evening and you could see the whole city lit up. It was beautiful. 
• The Grand Bazaar was very different and unique to what I had seen before. 
• Now I have to mention the food, which was amazing. Everything I tried, I loved but the thing that stood out for me was Iskender kebab.  If you go to any part of Turkey you need to try it, it's so good. Also the baklava and turkish delight are out of this world, they are so tasty. 

Now the dress code situation. Lots of people told me I had to wear long skirts and you have to be covered. Which is true if your are entering the mosques, but otherwise you can show a bit of leg, no problem and you can even get away with longer shorts. You may get some looks in non touristic areas, but otherwise you will be fine ladies. Gents can wear shorts with no problem. Don't make the same mistake I did, take shorter clothes as in the summer it's very hot and you will bake in maxi skirts and dresses. 

Overall I really enjoyed my trip to Istanbul. I was lucky enough to go out and explore another part of Turkey, so if you do get the chance to explore not only Istanbul, but other parts as well you will find amazing places. I highly recommend visiting Istanbul and Turkey and I am sure I will be going again very soon. 

I hope this post was helpful if you are planning a trip to Turkey. 

Sorry my post was a bit late this week, I will be back on track next week. 

See you all next week for another post. Same place. Same Time. Wednesday 5pm( GMT)

Becky xoxo

Becky's Travel Post - London Travel Guide

I am super exited to start this new theme on my blog. One of my favourite hobbies is traveling, and I really wanted to incorporate it in my blog. So, today I thought I would start it all of with a travel guide for what to do if you are going to visit London. This is the first blog in a trilogy of posts, so keep your eye out for the next two coming in the next two weeks. Ok, let's get cracking.

There are a few things London is known for that everyone wants to see. I am going to structure this post in days. I this way you can see what you can do in a day depending on the area. Also if you are not staying for a week and just for a few days, I am going to put the must do things first. Also you can mix up what you do and when depending on the weather.
Lets get started. If you are straying a week or more then you may be interested in getting a London Pass which will let you gain access to many attractions, at a cheaper price.

Day 1- Westminster.

Take a stroll down Southbank, and admire the view, in the summer there is also a snog bus which has amazing frozen yogurt. Then if you organise your trip ahead (6 months or so) you could visit the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. If not, then it is worth visiting Westminster Abbey  with an audio guide as it has a fascinating history. Then, why not go and visit the Supreme Court Of Justice which is just opposite the Abbey. Then you can find something to eat around Embankment or on Southbank. Take a stroll down Whitehall where you can see Downing Street, and the other Departments of the Government. You will also come across Horse Guard Parade which you can visit. Whitehall will lead you directly to Trafalgar Square. From there you have three choices: the first one is to go to St James Park, or head to Covent Garden, via Leicester Square or you could visit the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.

Day 2- Palace Day

First at 11:15 am its the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. If you want a good view then I would recommend coming at around 10:30am or earlier. It lasts about an hour. Then if visiting in the summer months it is worth going and visiting the Palace itself. Then take a stroll though Green Park all the way to Hyde Park corner where you can hire bikes  from inside Hyde Park. Cycle down to Kensington Palace passing The Royal Albert Memorial and The Royal Albert Hall. Then dock your bikes and visit Kensington Palace .

Day 3- City Of London

Start your day by visiting St Paul's Cathedral, then take the tube or walk to Tower Of London, where I would recommend going on a free tour they offer there to find out more about the history of the tower. Then after you have explored the tower head over Tower Bridge close by, where you get a great view of London. If there is still time you could go explore Tate Modern Or The Globe Or HMS Belfast .

Day 4- Museum Day

 Start your day in South Kensington by visiting the three museums situated there: Natural History Museum,  Science Museum and The V&A . Then walk to Harrods and Knighsbridge. I would recommend this route on a rainy day.

Day 5-  The British Museum 

This can take you up to a whole day as it is very big. So, I have dedicated a day to it. If you finish in there early enough then you could go visit the British Library which is close by.

Day 6- Option Day

If you went on day one to Covent Garden then you could visit Notting Hill and Portobello Market. If not then you could go to Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Covent Garden. If booked in advance, you may be able to book a tour to visit the Royal Opera House.

Day 7- Your Choice

There are a few things left to do in London, so I have left it free for you to decide. Here are a few things you could do:

Go shopping on Oxford Street/Regents Street.

Go to Baker Street to the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Madame Tussauds 

Go to Hampton Court

Apart from the things mentioned I would recommend going to any West End Show. Here are a few of my favourites:

Billy Eliot
Matilda
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Book Of Mormon

Well, I hope this post was helpful. Keep your eyes out for the next two London posts. If you are going to London then I hope you enjoy your trip.

If you have any questions about London then leave them in the comments below and I will get back to you.

I will see you all next week for a new London post. Same time, same place, Wednesday 5pm (GMT)

Becky xoxo