sunday sound #35

Beauty: Benefit They're Real!

I was always loyal to Benefit Bad Gal Mascara. It treated me so well for many years and always had the desired affect on my lashes, making them longer and thicker and more voluminous. I always swore my mascara allegiance would lie with Bad Gal. So when I received a Benefit gift set with a tiny tube of They're Real, it was put to the bottom of my make up basket, to be forgotten about forever.

And then came the day when my make up supplies ran dry and I needed a teeny tiny mascara to throw in my handbag. That's when the glistening top of Benefit They're Real caught my eye and my allegiance quickly faded away. Pride swallowed, this mascara is amazing!

Another reason, aside from my loyalty, that I didn't want to leave Bad Gal is because of the brush. I love the soft bristle, full and fat brush for the wonders it does to my lashes. And I had only ever had bad experiences with the plastic bristle brushes that seem to everywhere now.

But They're Real surprised me. The brush worked wonders through my lashes and the formula added amazing length and volume. While Benefit's price point is a little higher than your average high street brand, you can feel the quality and see the effects of each product.

I'm a They're Real convert.

Review: Tom & Serg, Al Quoz Dubai

As a new expat in Dubai, I figured the best way to understand what this city had to offer was to read about it. So since I arrived I have been reading food blogs, religiously buying Time Out Dubai  and finding places on instagram to follow and lets face it, drool over.

I stumbled across the Tom & Serg instagram feed thanks to the explore feature and it was love at first sight. It seemed like such a cool place, with amazing looking, hearty dishes and during Ramadan they mixed up the iftar offerings with a Rule the Roast. I never made it to the roast dinner unfortunately and ever since I have been kicking myself. 

But yesterday, I finally made it to Tom & Serg, albeit to pick up take-away and it is as cool as it looks on instagram. The huge space has an industrial feel, yet somehow they've made it feel homely. Maybe that has something to do with the super friendly, attentive staff that greet you. I fell in love with the chalkboard wall and the cool open cased light fixtures that hang all the way down from the ceiling. And it has plenty of seating with a mezzanine floor for extra space, so even when we went at about 12.30 it didn't feel crowded. It was full of people working on their laptops, families having lunch and friends catching up over coffee and it really felt like a place for anyone; no age limit, no style profile, just a welcoming eatery. 

And the food is simply delicious; the breakfast menu caters for those heading down the healthy route or those wanting to treat themselves and they have a small but strong range of dishes, perfect for lunch or dinner. We opted for the morning after wrap, a breakfast style burrito with a fantastic collection of flavours, generously crammed into a paratha. With scrambled egg, beef bacon, roast chicken, mozzarella, crushed avocado, tomato and a black bean & lime salsa, it is a must try lunch fix. I can also sincerely recommend the super gooey, chocolatey brownie and the fresh orange juice too.

There is so much to do in Dubai that for a newbie expat it becomes a bit overwhelming, but slowly and surely, my bucket list of places to eat, things to see and stuff to do will be conquered. Starting with a return trip to Tom & Serg. 

midweek mix #35

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Medical: Moving to Dubai with Expatsblog.com

Keeping my feet on UAE soil was a sticking point and sorting out my visa asap was at the top of my priority list upon landing here. So much so that first thing Sunday morning we were up and out, after just two days in the country, sitting in a waiting room at a The Al Safa VIP medical centre in Jumeirah, waiting to complete my medical assessment for my visa.

Most people back home in London found it awfully strange when I told them that part of the visa process for Dubai included a medical assessment. I guess it sounds kinda strict when you take a step back and think about it. But their strict visa processes ensure the country runs the way it does and that ain't a bad thing let me tell you. 

That's not to say I wasn't nervous about the whole process. Navigating immigration procedures in a foreign country is always nerve racking and my experience in Cyprus, despite being a fellow EU citizen was less than ideal. So I had several sleepless nights about the process in Dubai. Needless to say it was super easy and the medical examination took just a few minutes of my day and we were on our way. 

We used the VIP service which sounds fancy, but in reality you pay a couple of hundred dirhams extra which isn't much in the grand scheme of things and you get through the process a lot quicker. There are companies you can pay to help you or your own company will do it with you. We did it on our own and had no problems so my advice, visits Al Safa Medical Centre. 

If you want to know more about the medical examination process, my next article for Expatsblog.com is now live: More About The Medical Examination in Dubai. 

The expat situation: a mothers take

Expat life in Dubai is turning out pretty well. And if I am honest better than I had imagined it would. So while I am enjoying sun it is all too easy to push the homesickness and the moments of missing friends and family to the back of my mind. But what about the people left behind?

millie where is everyone? 

My future mother-in-law is a pretty amazing women; she has taken me under her wing and accepted me into her family and is much more than just the boyfriends mother. She is my go to for advice whether it be about life, work, cooking or any number of those random questions that only mothers know the answer to. 

She has always been amazingly supportive of our life choices and no matter how much she misses us, she always accepts our decisions. Despite the heartache of goodbyes and missing important milestones, she secretly loves the fact that we are expats because she gets to live vicariously through us and this blog. 

So when she came to me and said she wanted to write something for the blog, I jumped at the chance. And her writing will fit in perfectly in my little internet diary. This may or may not become a regular feature but a mothers take on our little expat situation is certainly an interesting read. 

The Expat Situation: A Mothers Take

First let me introduce myself.  I am today's guest blogger and you may have heard of me before; my former appearances have taken the form of 'the boyfriend's mother'.  I follow Mimi's blog avidly both from a simple interest point of view and from an utterly selfish point of view - a view to following the adventures of Mimi and her boyfriend (my son) as they embark on each new chapter in their lives.  

You could call it voyeuristic but I am simply the parent left behind, many miles away.  Which got me thinking.  Mimi's blog provides an insight into expat life; where to go, how to behave, how to cope with being so far away from home, but what about those left behind?  The friends and family back home - how are we meant to cope?

When they first told me they had decided to head off to seek fame and fortune abroad, my initial reaction of excitement for them turned into the realisation that they would be so far away and I panicked about how I would maintain the close relationship we had as a family.  However, with a little bit of effort on both sides, it's actually turned out quite well.  The internet has provided that essential lifeline.  From the daily thoughts and photos on WhatsApp to following status updates on Facebook and Mimi's superb blog of expat life and of course, the weekly Skype session, I still feel included in their lives without being overbearing (I hope).  

Sometimes I just need to read and not comment - on days when I am missing them I can see what they are up to and I know they are safe and happy.  The one line What'sApp comments tell me they are thinking of me during their daily routine and of course the weekly Skype sessions bring me into their home and them back into mine.   Of course it's no substitution for kisses and hugs but it'll do for the times in between reunions.  Yes, it takes a little bit of effort on both sides but it provides that all important reassurance, for all of us, that we are loved and thought of.

But just when things are all fine and dandy, along comes an important day on the calendar like Christmas or a birthday - theirs and ours.  So how do you celebrate with such a vast landscape between you?  Planning is key.  Ideally you know when these dates are coming up giving you enough time to ensure that cards are dispatched in plenty of time (make sure you allow for a dismal postal service - I've already bought this year's Christmas cards - I'm not taking any risks).  Ensure that the time for 'the birthday Skype session' is agreed in advance - avoiding the disappointment of missing a call due to the huge time difference.  

The issue of presents is one I'm still working on and which I admit to having failed at dismally this year.  The trick is to recruit someone who lives in the country with them who you can trust to do the 'shopping and wrapping' for you hence avoiding paying extortionate postal costs that far outweighs the value of the present you bought!  Alternatively, you can try and persuade them to wait until you see them again but this does imply that they have a patient personality - not one of my son's greatest attributes!  By the way, don't even think about 'digital' cards or gifts.  

Having lived abroad myself for many years, I know that there is no substitute for tearing open an envelope or wrapping paper on your birthday or Christmas which has come from home - especially when you wish you were with your family.  It shows you love them and wish they were home too.

I mentioned recruiting a friend.  From a parent's point of view this is key.  You need to find out the name and contact details of at least one person that sees them on a regular basis.  And make sure that person has your contact details too.  It's not something we want to think about but what if you need to make emergency contact?  Or what if you haven't heard from them for a while?  This is easier to do nowadays with the internet but still essential.  Hopefully you will never need to do this but it's just one more thing that will let you sleep peacefully at night.

And last but not least - the big reunion.  Again, planning is key (both diary and financial).  Book a flight as soon as you can, even if it's months ahead.  British Airways book 364 days in advance and have started a deposit option (pay the balance later).  Knowing when I am going to see Mimi and my son again cheers me up on days when I miss them.  It means I can start collecting for a 'goodie box' of things that I might come across that I know they will love.  I have downloaded a free countdown app (Days Until) on my phone and I know that it will be exactly 25 weeks, 4 days and 11 hours until I see them again.

Working abroad is one of the greatest experiences and adventures they will ever have but keeping up solid family relationships is essential for everyone.  Once the initial excitement has died down the realisation that they are on their own will hit them as much as it will hit you.  All it takes is a little bit of effort and thought and a fast internet connection.  

The world is really not that huge after all.

Review: Aquara at Dubai Marina Yacht Club

You can take the girl out of England but you can't take away her love for a roast dinner. It may be 45 degrees outside but crank up the air conditioning and a plate full of roasted goodness looks much the same as it would in England. 

It is those home comforts that make expat life a little easier and there is no better way to channel home than through your stomach. But finding a decent roast dinner in Dubai is harder than you would think; sure it is a city of endless options and pretty much every taste is catered for, however there are just a handful of places providing a good, homestyle roast dinner. 

Thank goodness we live in close proximity to Dubai Marina Yacht Club. Aquara Restaurant & Lounge is a mixed bag depending which night of the week you visit; on Tuesday's it is filled to the rafters with young ladies, taking advantage of the Ladies Night promotions but on Saturday (our version of Sunday) the clientele and atmosphere turns more relaxed and families and young couples take advantage of the amazing roast buffet on offer. 

Now I am not usually a fan of buffets. They never really live up to my expectations; who wants to eat soggy food that has been sitting around. But the Saturday Roast at Aquara blasted my buffet experiences out of the water. The quality of the food is amazing and I like the fact that I can see through to the kitchen and watch the chef preparing fresh stuff that is promptly whisked out onto my plate. 

And the selection of dishes caters for meat eaters and veggies alike. The roast lamb was delicious and full of flavour and there were rows upon rows of side dishes from roast potatoes, roast carrots, parsnips and beetroots, to cauliflower cheese, fresh steamed veggies, yorkshire puddings and even a extensive variety of salad options for those wanting to go down the healthy route. 

I was a happy girl before I had polished off the contents of my plate and then I clocked eyes on the deserts. Crumble and custard, mini eton mess and fruit. Obviously I had just indulged in a full on roast dinner so there was no point taking the light fruit option. Homemade apple crumble, almost as good as my granny's was the perfect way to end a delicious meal. 

The only problem with a roast dinner in Dubai is after you have stuff your face and you break free from the confines of the air conditioning, you emerge into the same climate that you escaped from a few hours earlier. A full stomach and a 40 + degrees are not good partners. Maybe I got greedy but a lie down after a roast dinner at Aquara is advised. 

sunday sound #34

Nutrogena pink grapefruit moisturiser

This little pink tube of creamy goodness has been my saviour ever since I touched down in Dubai. Anyone who has holiday'd in a hot and humid country will know the problems that come with the weather; frizzy hair, oily skin etc. But managing the climate and your beauty routine whilst on holiday is very different from managing everyday life and the climate. Walking to the metro station, walking the dog, going to work, going for dinner; everything is affected by the climate and my skin is no different. 

I embraced the climate quickly and came to terms with the fact that a back sweat patch is the norm in Dubai; seriously, you won't be alone. But in an effort to manage my already oily skin, I enlisted the help of this Nutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Moisturiser. 

In the never ending battle against sliding make-up, this stuff is a great start. It has a light texture and absorbs into the skin really well and the grapefruit gives the cream a zesty smell and a refreshing feeling when applied. And for an oil-free moisturiser, it is surprisingly hydrating; my skin feels soft and nourished and looks healthier than it has done in recent months. 

The best thing about this cream is it doesn't clog my pores; living in Dubai with an oil-prone complexion and wearing make-up everyday quickly leads to clogged pores and skin problems. But it's microclear technology works hard behind the scenes to keep skin looking clear and smooth and after a months use, I can report very few skin breakouts. 

Teamed with the the Nutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Facial wash, this is the perfect duo for combatting oily skin. 

Immigration: Moving to Dubai with Expatsblog.com

Getting myself and the dog into Dubai was one of the biggest stresses throughout this whole moving process. Once she had cleared customs, her journey was done. Me on the other hand, well lets just say getting through airport security is just the beginning. 

Navigating the immigration process in Dubai is a little stressful and confusing. My immigration process to fully-fledged legal resident was rather pain free in hindsight, although I can't promise yours will be too. I have heard mixed accounts from fellow expats here in Dubai, but my best advice is to be prepared; have copies of everything, a million passport photographs and be patient. 

I am by no means an expert on immigration in Dubai, but I am an expat who moved to Dubai, navigated the immigration process and has a few things to say about it. Those things are over here in my latest article on expatsblog.com. 

midweek mix #34

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plan for life -v- life's plan

Sometimes I get these pinch me moments where I forget where I am. I wake up in the morning wondering whether I am still in Cyprus. I never wake up in the morning wondering whether I am in England....why? Because the sound of air conditioning tells me before I even open my eyes that this ain't England. 

I start my day in a back of a taxi, speeding down a 12 lane highway, with high-rise glass buildings to my right and left, bright blue sky and beating sun above me and a job I have already fallen in love with, ahead of me. It is easy to forget that this is "normal" life for the foreseeable future. 

Life has developed in ways I never imagined it would and the shy little girl from London is now a distant memory. The pinch me moments come when I realise how far I have come and when I take a step back, I almost don't recognise myself. All this has come from being an expat; voluntarily thrusting myself into different worlds has allowed me to grow as a person, learn a lot of stuff I never thought I would and gain a new found confidence.

And when I look at my life pre expat, I really kinda wonder how it came to this. I never had a plan to live in a different country, never had a plan to be an expat and I never thought I would end up working in the Middle East. For someone who loves to be organised, I had never really thought about what I wanted from life 5 years down the line because I wasn't confident enough to think that I could get there. Strange things happen when you least expect then and my growing confidence has made the choices attached to where we go and what we do, a little bit easier to make. 

But since I never had a plan for life maybe my life had a plan for me. Which leads me onto a whole other, rather philosophical section of this post. 

I am not religious; I attended church alongside my parents and brother until I was about 10 and then when my teenage years hit I made the decision that I didn't believe and church was not for me. While I don't believe in god, sometimes I think there must be something out there. 

I once had a conversation with a very wise lady (I'm sure she won't mind me mentioning it) about beliefs. I don't believe in much except karma but her sincere words made me at least contemplate the idea of deeper beliefs or beings out in this world to protect and look after us. Somehow I always land on my feet and whether that is luck or karma or maybe my mother watching over me, I feel incredibly lucky that life is panning out well. And it makes it hard to completely disengage with the idea that something more powerful is looking after me. 

I feel like I have found my place through our expat adventures and my personality has benefited from these experiences greatly. I have never been super confident in myself or my skills. I know I have a decent amount of work experience, I am a good person, I am good at writing and I have developed a great work ethic but I have never been confident and I always felt like the quiet one in new social situations. But with the move to Dubai I have begun to throw myself out into the world a bit more, talk confidently to anyone and everyone and enjoy life without worrying. It is a refreshing turn of events and I find myself in social situations, outgoing and talking with strangers so effortlessly that inside my brain, I am like "hey is that really you, noooo it can't be". 

I am pretty sure wherever we live in the world the pinch me moments will continue because I will be forever grateful for the opportunities we are given. There have been ups and downs but if life has it's own plan I am happy to take what it throws our way. 

navigating summer fashion

Sure I studied fashion writing but I have been so removed from "fashion" for so long that I feel like I have lost that part of me. And I am ok with that, except it is when it comes to clothes I feel a little out of my depth. I really need to channel my inner stylist because this summer, my wardrobe has been thrown into disarray and getting dressed has become such a chore. If I could do everything in my grey marl maxi dress I would. 

I think the heat and humidity in Dubai threw me off track after 2 months in London. I have resigned myself to being forever hot and sweaty, but taking things like fabric into account when shopping has never been my forte and my love for grey is being seriously challenged with the sweat patch situation. 

I want my summer style to be a blur of denim, crisp white vests, breton stipe t-shirts, tan accessories (including legs) satchels, sunglasses and cute summer dresses. Instead I feel like my style has hit a brick wall where nothing but black skinny jeans, sandals and shirts get through. 

I want to embrace colour and inject pattern into my wardrobe but I am yet to work up the courage to engage in shopping for either. What I have done is browse pinterest to source inspiration for when I finally brave the sweaty walk to the metro station and try not to get lost in Dubai Mall whilst searching for additions to my wardrobe. But as you can, it seems i'm not even brave enough to embrace colour on pinterest!

sunday sound #33

Review: The Scene at Pier 7, Dubai Marina

I love to eat and I love to write, so combining two passions through work and play is making for one very happy expat recently. And Thursday night was a combination of both. I was invited by a fantastic friend to join her at the menu tasting of a new restaurant/bar in the heart of Dubai Marina and of course, I jumped at the invitation. 

The Scene is a new British food concept which recently opened in Pier 7 and after a couple of hours there on Thursday, I think it's a winner. Now since I have only been here for 2 months (yeh time flies right) I have tried just a handful of what the city has to offer, but I think the decor, the location and the food combined, will make this a very popular hangout for British expats living in Dubai. 

Serving up some delicious British dishes with a twist, the traditional menu covers some serious ground and caters for veggies and meat lovers alike. And the drinks menu is just as enticing with reasonably priced wines and bottles including Kopperberg, you can indulge in a drink with your dinner without the hefty price tag we all know and loathe.

None of those on Thursday night though since their alcohol license doesn't come into effect until September. But they made up for it with a pretty delicious range of mocktails from a fresh yet bitter G&T remake called the Regal Refresher with heaps of cucumber ribbons exploding from the jar, to a Blackberry Nojito which was crammed full of fresh blackberries and had a gentle sweet undertone without being sickly. 

The best way I can describe the decor is cosy granny with a touch of chic. The soft tartan carpet in mellow blues and oranges, the exposed brick wall adorned with antique looking frames and paintings, the fringed floral print lampshades hanging from the ceiling and the strong wooden tables and berry coloured, soft seating sound like a jumble, but it works. The space is inviting and casual and the soft lighting makes for a perfect venue for dinner with your other half or drinks with friends. 

And the eclectic mix of seating from leather arm chairs to half bath lounge seats to wooden and metal dinning chairs, makes the terrace a place to investigate for sure. You may wander out there for some interior inspiration but you will certainly be captured by the stunning view that this mid-marina venue takes full advantage of. As soon as the temperatures die down and the alcohol license kicks in, it will be the perfect place for early evening drinks. As long as they don't ramp up the commercial factor and introduce a ladies night. 

Right the food. That's why we were there. Erm...... It's delicious. We had the Pan Fried Fish Cake and Chicken Pistachio roll and both were packed with flavour and presented well. We also tucked into the Burger, which was a little overcooked since the waiting staff hadn't asked how we wanted it done, a bit of a no no but something that i'm sure will be worked on. And we tried out a British classic, the Shepherds Pie; the lamb mince was delicious and the cauliflower cheese topping was a nice twist. 

One thing I will say is the portion sizes are generous and we only managed about half of our mains before we admitted defeat. Plus we wanted to leave room for desert; we opted to share the Honeycomb Cheesecake and I can definitely recommend it. Creamy and light, with a nice crunchy base, the cheesecake was topped with honeycomb and came with a raspberry sauce which added a little zesty kick and balanced out the sweet honeycomb. The menu also has a great variety of liquid deserts, think grown up milkshakes which we didn't try because we were stuffed, but would definitely be on my "to try" list during my next visit. 

The service was great and the waiting staff were attentive and knowledgeable when quizzed about the dishes and their ingredients, but it was a menu tasting so you would expect that. The real test will come when the restaurant is packed and the terrace is full. The Scene at Pier 7 will definitely be one for all you British expats in Dubai, craving some home comfort food. 

midweek mix #33

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Deira Fish Market, Dubai

One of the things I love most about Dubai is the mix of old and new. You could be driving down Sheikh Zayed Road one minute, surrounded by towering buildings made from glass which glisten in the never ending sunlight. And the next be exploring the souks in Deira, the older part of the city with it's traditional markets and atmosphere. These areas are less frequented by the majority of Dubai's residents because I am sure many believe they're dirty or not safe or any number of other reasons people dream up to avoid adventuring outside their comfort zone. 

But I am not one of those. These areas are ripe for exploring and I love the atmosphere in the markets; the hustle and bustle, the chaos, the life that seeps out of each stall and each market trader as he vies for your business promising you the best fish or freshest vegetables in Dubai. It is quite an experience and one that you don't get in Choithrams or Spinneys or any number of the local supermarket chains here. 

A few weeks ago we went in search of fresh fish and headed straight for Deira Fish Market, near the Palm Deira Metro Station on the other side of Dubai. Deira Fish Market is a huge, covered market space that sells a ridiculously large range of fresh and dried fish. And next door is a fruit and vegetable market that has a selection to rival any large supermarket. But we went for the fish. As soon as you step out of your car in the municipality parking, the sound of haggling fills the air and so does the smell of large quantities of fresh fish. A word of advice if you don't like the smell of fish this definitely ain't the place for you. 

There are rows upon rows of fish stalls with everything from lobster, king prawns and crab, to red mullet, sea bass and shark! They can clean everything for you and chop off heads etc so you don't have to deal with that stuff at home, but be warned, it isn't nicely packaged and clean, it is just de-headed and de-scaled and thrown into a bag, blood and all. 

We opted for tuna and got a whole tuna fish weighing in at about 4.5kgs for just 80 AED. That's about £12. Not bad for a whole fish. Note to self, take a coolbox next time so the whole car doesn't smell of fish by the time we get home. 

Landing in Dubai: Moving to Dubai with Expatsblog.com

It's almost two months since I touched down in Dubai on that hot and humid Thursday evening. 

I am a pretty nervous flyer but I think that 7 hour flight was the most nerve racking of my life. I was about to embark on a whole new sort of adventure and move to a new country that I had never even countemplated living in let alone visited. A few years ago I wouldn't have had the courage to do something like that but a lot has changed and my confidence as a person has grown tremendously. 

Nevertheless landing in a strange airport, locating my visa and navigating passport control were all weighing heavy on my mind. I am a worrier by nature and it is these small things that send me into a bit of a tizz. If your moving to Dubai and want to know what to expect when landing in the airport, my next expatsblog.com article is for you. Moving to Dubai #5 What to Expect When Landing in Dubai is now live on expatsblog.com. 

sunday sound #32

Life Lately: smoothies, new shoes and a morning run

It has been two weeks since I did a life lately post and I don't honestly know where the time has gone. 

Many people assume expat life is a permanent holiday (all you expat readers know different) but the reality is, only the weekends are! The standard working week still plays a part in our lives and actually at the moment, it is too hot to spend an hour at the beach let alone a day, so we are mostly inside, soaking up cold conditioned air and watching Suits during the weekends. Oh the craziness of expat life! 

But back to my point; time is flying by because the everyday elements of life still occur even over here in the Middle East. The dog still wakes up at 6am everyday, the washing still has to be done although it does dry a hell of a lot quicker here than in the UK and house chores are necessary, despite everyone telling us to get a maid. A maid is one of those "Dubai bubble" trappings that I refuse to fall into because why would I pay someone else to clean when I have two hands and I am perfectly capable. Just saying. 

I think the fact that I love my new job so much is only adding to the speed in which days go by; I wake up every morning sleepy but excited to get into the office and turn on my laptop which is a weird yet lovely feeling. I haven't mentioned much about the job on here because I want to introduce you to it properly and there a few little projects that I am working on which I want to come to fruition first. 

Needless to say, working at an organic food company is having a wonderful impact on our diets; the fridge has never been fuller, crammed with fresh fruits and veggies and organic basil pesto. The increase in fruits in my fridge means I am slowly becoming addicted to smoothies but I guess there could be worse things to become addicted to right. 

I think the job is rubbing off on most parts of my life an the healthy eating definitely reminded me that I have been a big slacker on the running front since I got to Dubai. My excuse is I feel like I have no time but that is a poor one really. 

I was running every other day in the UK and loved the feeling of the fresh morning air as I ran through the park. No such feeling here, more a sweaty t shirt stuck to my back and a face that resembles a tomato. But after I had cooled down in the safe, air conditioned confines of our apartment I felt a sense of achievement. It was quite invigorating to get out early on Friday morning and utilise the marina as my new running track. Although the 75% humidity that had already crept out at that time in the morning made my run a little more challenging than I thought it would be. 

In other news I received new shoes this week. The boyfriend has been trying to get me to share his love for trainers for the last however many years and I think he may have finally cracked it. Returning home with a rather beautiful pair of Adidas Originals ZX 500 2.0 womens trainers in black. They have a gorgeous leather overlay which almost resembles leopard print and the inside literally moulded around my feet. Hands down they are the comfiest shoes ever to grace my feet and they look gorgeous and cool at the same time. I feel a style overhaul coming on! 

Oh and we added a few more touches to the apartment but you will have probably seen it already.