the red lip

As much as I have been enjoying reading the end-of-year reflective posts on other blogs, I thought I would keep it light around here and go to the other (read: superficial) end of the spectrum for my last post this year.

Slightly ironic too, since this is somewhat aimed for those who might be getting glam-ed up for a NYE party, which is not quite how I will be spending my evening... but nevertheless, I will most likely dab on one of the below for my celebratory night in with my husband and friends.

So, I have a borderline unhealthy relationship with lip products, in that I own far too many and am always lusting after more. Although I probably own a bit too much make up in general (I am a self-confessed beauty junkie), I am actually not very adventurous with how I do my face.

The only way I go bold is with the lips. Am I successfully justifying my overflowing collection of lipsticks yet?

My favourite, especially during the holiday season, is the classic red lip. To me it's a foolproof, timeless look that can jazz up even the most simple of outfits, and as long as you don't do too much with the red of your face, you can get away with it day or night.

Please don't be horrified to know that these five are not the only reds I own (!!), but they are my current top picks.

On the very left is Topshop's Velvet Lip in Velveteen Ribbon. This stuff will glue itself on your lips, ideal for a night filled with food and drink. It can be a little drying, giving that truly velvety effect, but you can always pop on a little lip balm (my favourite is Nuxe Rêve de Miel, it has a matte finish) if it bothers you.

The Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella is my newest addition (shopping with an enabling friend has its consequences!), a beautiful burgundy colour that has pretty good staying power and is incredibly easy to apply.

Possibly the longest lasting of the lot is the Stay Pout lipstick by Seventeen in Rule Breaker, a more berry shade that is also matte and absolutely will not budge from your lips. Considering this is only £4.49, the quality is impressive.

The truest reds that I own are probably these following two.

The Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipsticks by Rimmel are understandably very popular, and the one above is in the shade 01. It's a brighter red than the other cult favourite which I also wear and love (107), and it probably suits every single complexion. The last one is the much loved Russian Red from MAC, you really can't go wrong with this one.

Whatever you're doing to celebrate the beginning of 2014, I hope you enjoy every minute of it - and maybe you can sport a bold lip and leave a big kiss mark on someone at midnight.

goodbye baros

It's time for my last post about Baros, and it's like having to say goodbye all over again! 

These are some of my favourite photos from our time in the Maldives, particularly the sunsets and the unbelievable view of the horizon that simply stuns you. 

You can see from our relaxed, smiling faces (well, E is not the most smiley person in front of a camera but trust me, he was very happy) just how much we loved our time there. Although we loved Baros, there are also many other islands to choose from in the Maldives and I cannot recommend it enough. 

It's definitely one to put on your Bucket List - I'm not sure we can cross it off from ours until we go at least one more time!

What a way to wrap up the year.

festive aix-en-provence

I am quite lucky that my husband's hometown is such a charming one. I never tire from meandering through the narrow streets lined with little boutiques and bakeries, and the main street Cours Mirabeau (nicknamed the Champs-Elysées of the south) looks especially beautiful, all lit up and bustling with people.

We ate a crêpe with lashings of nutella (what else) and looked at the Christmas stalls, and just as it started getting dark we took away slices of doughy, cheesy pizza and enjoyed a quiet night in before the festivities started to get underway.

As for Christmas itself, we've had wonderful days of celebration including a big carol singing party where both E and I played the piano for the singalong, a murder mystery dinner complete with delicious Raclette, and plenty of food, wine and merriment on Christmas eve and day. It's been a very special one, and I hope yours was too.

merry christmas

It felt right to wish you a very merry Christmas in French, as we are celebrating it in the South of France.

I hope you have wonderful festivities with your loved ones, those close to you in person and those with you in spirit.

baros: food & drink

Considering that almost everything is imported to the island, we were thoroughly impressed with the food at Baros. Although the price tag at the restaurants were really quite high, the inclusive breakfast buffet was so big and varied (and truly delicious!), that we didn't feel the need for it to be followed by a big lunch and dinner every day.

The breakfast buffet included all kinds of things from sashimi, curry, rice, eggs how you like them, fresh waffles (so so good), as well as the more traditional fare of pastries, bread and exotic fruits. They also presented us with a "What's On Today" program so we knew what activities and excursions were available.

All enjoyed on the balcony overlooking the sea.

The dishes offered at the two more casual restaurants, Lime and Cayenne, ranged from Asian dishes to burgers to salad and wraps. The Sails bar also had light dishes we chose to have some days, and pretty much everything we had, we liked.

It was particularly nice to get room service and enjoy our meal in private on our gorgeous deck.

Of course, we also enjoyed some cocktails throughout the week!

One evening, we enjoyed an extensive seafood buffet that had everything you could possibly think of - lobster, crab, sashimi, oysters, you name it they had it - and we had ourselves a feast.

Another special dinner we had was the dégustation menu at The Lighthouse restaurant. Unfortunately it was a little dark and the photos of the food aren't great, but the setting was stunning and the food was delicious - my favourites, including lobster bisque, ahi tuna, duck cooked rare and king prawns.

On our last evening, as part of the honeymoon package, we were given a complimentary diner in a secluded part of one of the beaches, where we could enjoy dinner just the two of us. It was so beautiful and we had such a great dinner - the freshly grilled reed fish was so good!

Most nights, we unwound (from what, I don't know!) with drinks, and sometimes shisha (we tried it for the first time there), and a few nights with live music. It was utterly blissful.