Travelling Through Southampton History At GHT

Southampton doesn't get enough credit for the amount of history that is hidden between each old town walls throughout the city. If you didn't know GHT is God's House Tower which is based in, you named it.. Southampton! I was kindly invited to explore the new opening with a bunch of other bloggers, and wow I learnt more than I ever did in any history lesson.

So within this beautiful building you have different levels which takes you on a journey, from the 14th century of Southampton which goes up to the stunning views of Southampton now. Not only do you get to explore the history but there's also plenty of art within the museum, and there's even a gorgeous selection of art from the community too.

Not only that, there is also a cafe inside too which is such a perfect space must I say. The Hoxton Bakehouse are within the building and omg wow - the cakes are delicious! This is the perfect space if you want to get some work done on the laptop, fancy meeting a friend for a drink or even just somewhere to sit down after exploring the history. Not only is this a cafe but they have live events too which are held right within the walls. Such as - art events, live music, workshops, heritage events and more. There's even a shop inside which do a lovely selection of items for you to buy! You have everything ranging from t-shirts, your fancy fridge magnet and also the illustrations by artists within Southampton.

This is a building I've driven past many times and until now, it hasn't looked more alive. From the gorgeous entrance, to each corner  - the amount of love that has gone into this building not only shows on the teams faces, but you can see it everywhere within.

I really could not recommend visiting GHT enough, whether that's a visit by yourself or even a visit with another generation to show how amazing Southampton's history really is. You will be surprised how much you can learn, and the art and history is really out there for the best I've seen in this city. It's got everything you need for a day out to a museum, just until one roof.

I can't say I've explored much of this side of Southampton. The history side and this has convinced me to explore some more. Southampton isn't just about the shopping, football and the fancy boat show we have once a year and Christmas markets. It's packed with history and so much more.

Want to take a closer look? Click here.

Southampton you're such a joy to live in.
T.x

Testing Out The All Day Dining Menu At Harbar On 6th

*This meal was gifted to us both, but our review is totally our own and this is all down to our personal experience.*


Last week I was kindly invited by Harbar on 6th to try out their new all day dining menu. So Lee and I went for it and we decided to go midday. We wanted to treat ourselves to a yummy lunch with having some time off work. [ It was also Lee's birthday so this was an added bonus for the weekend.]

Let's start off by saying how beautiful the hotel itself is. It's a five star hotel which came to Southampton not that long ago. It's situated in the most perfect location for Southampton, not far from the city and also by the water. Plenty of bars and restaurants around, but they have a pretty impressive one themselves. So this is located [of course] on the 6th floor. You have beautiful views everywhere you look. On a beautiful sunny day, it's somewhere I'd like to stop off at for a spot of lunch or a date night dinner.

It's got a great size bar as well as restaurant and I can imagine for the evening, it all becomes one. They also have a gorgeous seating area outside which I can see myself at next summer.

So lemme tell you about our experience..

Starters : 
Taylor - Feta stuffed peppers. I went for a nibble as I'm never a starter type of girl. I'm a dessert type. These were so yummy, and I have thing for feta at the moment! The more I ate, I got a little bored but they're perfect for something little whilst others at the table are eating starters and you don't want to sit there and watch.
Lee - Roasted red pepper soup, chilli marshmallows. Lee found this really nice and he thoroughly enjoyed it that he was ever so tempted to eat the bun. However, five star hotel we thought we better hold back. The bun itself is the bowl for the soup and I loved this idea. Can't say it's the first time I've seen this but it is on the table in front of me. I tried it myself too and it was a little spicy but it was so good. The bread was super fresh too.

Mains :
Taylor - Sweet potato, three bean hotpot. Of course, vegetarian option for me. This was full of flavour and I wanted to enjoy it so badly but when they say hotpot - they meant BOILING. Where this came in the pot, it just was so difficult to eat. Every mouthful was burning my mouth but at the same time it was so yum. I loved how bread came on the side but I think this needs to come in a fancy bowl where more air can get to it so it can cool down quicker. No boiling hot food is enjoyable to eat. Lee had finished way ahead of me, because with every mouthful I had to allow it too cool down.
Lee - Harbar beef burger, smoked applewood cheese, tomato relish, gherkin, fries. Lee has a burger 80% of the time when we go out and he'd highly rate this up there with some of his favourites. He was chuffed when he saw the size of the gherkin on top. The burger wasn't too much, it looked big but it was easy to eat. No mess! [ Winner. ] The fries were really good too, the perfect amount of salt to make them tasty from get go.

Desserts : 
Taylor - White chocolate creme brûlée - Omg. Yum! First time for having creme brûlée and omg what a time to be alive. White chocolate is a must in my dessert menu and this was so good. Although the top of the creme brûlée was super sticky, so sticky I was worried about my teeth. However, my creme brûlée virginity was taken and I will be getting another.
Lee didn't fancy a dessert which I was gutted by. I could have had two!! Always room for dessert. But we did opt for another drink in the bar area.


As a whole : We both really enjoyed our experience at Harbar on 6th and would highly recommend it to friends and family. It's somewhere that we're planning to go to for our next 'date night'. There was good energy in the restaurant and bar and the staff couldn't have done anymore. I loved how attentive they were and how they were really good at noticing when you needed a top up of drink and covered everything they possibly could have done. I think the pricing is really good here too considering it's a hotel, the prices aren't too out there. It's reasonable for a nice meal with some friends, family or partner. In the summer, I can see why this is the place to be. The beautiful views and also the energy gives such a good vibe.

Harbar on 6th, we'll see you soon.
T.x

TWWE // Issue 1

Something a little different. I love doing my Wednesday Wishlists over on my Instagram stories and I thought why not share it over on my blog too.

You are all aware [ if you follow me me on Instagram ] - not long ago I was on the hunt for a coat with a hood. With all this rain we've been getting this A/W, it was about time that I got myself a coat with a hood. How many of you don't own one? So I've put together some coats above with hoods. Want to find these? See the links below.

Dua Lipa x Pepe Jeans white crop puffer coat

Brown padded hooded coat

White dogtooth check padded coat

Vinyl parka with borg lining 

Cream Ecru Padded Puffer Jacket 

Longlined padded parka with tiger borg panels 

Wanna see more things like this? Come over to my Instagram and get involved every Wednesday!

A Charlotte Tilbury Honest Review

*A total honest review after a month of using each product. I have added some affiliate links which I earn a small amount of pennies and these products were kindly gifted and OMG AMAZING RIGHT?. Pinch me moment over on this side of the screen.*

As you can tell from the title, I'm here to chat with you about Charlotte Tilbury. I'm talking skincare and also make up. I've got some *must haves* and I've also got some *I wouldn't even bother*. So lemme get straight to why you are here, let's get reading.

THE SKINCARE

Charlottes Magic Cream ~ Is it as good as what everyone makes out? I'm afraid so. It's light weight on the skin with a thick consistency when applying. So little is more. It's got a subtle scent to it and it really softens the skin. I noticed a difference in my skin quite quickly and I also got a few compliments on the glow which I think is a mixture between using this cream and also Wonder Glow. I like using this in the AM so my skin is fresh and prepped for my everyday make up. With someone who has sensitive skin, this really works as well.

Use this in the morning and would highly recommend if you want to splurge. 

Magic Eye Rescue ~ Oh my god. I absolutely love this product. I've said it. I will be spending £40.00 every time I run out of the next pot. It's that good. I've seen a huge difference with my under eye and those bags now are lighter and brighter with a little glow to them every single day. It's super hydrating and a little goes a long way. This is a product which you will buy and it will go on forever. My eyes are left feeling nourished and moisturised, the perfect base for any make up. 

Used daily, morning and evening. Would highly recommend.

PREPPING

Wonderglow Primer ~ According to CT website, the is an award winner. Is it winning on my list? Again, I'm sorry but it's a yes from me. It gives a gorgeous subtle glow and it leaves my skin feeling super soft and hydrated. It's the perfect base for my foundation and I use the IT Cosmetics CC Cream. It's the perfect combo. Even using this alone gives your skin a gorgeous glow.

Use this with or without make up and I would highly recommend.

THE BELLA SOFIA MAKE UP LOOK GIFT SET

Luxury Palette / The Bella Sofia ~ My type of palette between four shades. The most gorgeous browns and nude. There's one super shimmery shade, two more subtle and one with the slightest hint of shimmer. With these four shades you can create a gorgeous smokey eye look without using black. Each shade is creamy and velvety which just slides onto the lids with your fingers and also blend so well with a brush. They're all super pigmented and the nude shade is perfect for a base with creating that smokey eye. (Also for the inner!) 

Recommend if these are your type of shades, it doesn't disappoint.

The Feline Flick ~ The eyeliner which is no different to any other liquid eye liner. Yes you can create an easy cat eye liner, but so can you with other and cheaper alternatives. I'm not a huge liner fan, I like it on the odd occasion but I'm normally quite plain Jane with my eye make up.  Although I would go for a cheaper option, this liner didn't smudge or budge in fact. There was no transfer on the upper lid and it was easy to remove.

Would not recommend, unless you fancy treating yourself for a more expensive option.

Full Fat Lashes Mascara ~ Mascara is a product that I could not live without. Mascara is my everyday must have. However this mascara is not the one.  It creates natural looking lashes, it doesn't add much volume to mine or length. It transfers from my bottom lashes onto my skin after five minutes and continues to do so throughout the day. I've always loved Maybelline Sensational mascara and that's what I will repurchasing once I've ran out of this one.

Really disappointing and would not recommend or repurchase.

Cheek To Chic / Ecstasy ~ Omg. Yes I said it. Omfg. I love this blusher and I'm really not a blush type of girl. I like my bronzer that's what I've always stuck with for a very long time. However this little beauty has changed me. It's super pigmented and you really need a little dab on the brush and you've got the perfect colour to your cheeks. Dab more than once and wow you will look like a Flamingo. This is a gorgeous natural shade and has a soft and creamy texture. 

Gorgeous shade, would recommend. It looks like a nipple.

Lip Cheat (Liner) / Pillow Talk ~ Let's keep this basic. I don't use lip liners. I just don't see what they're there for. Line ya lips I know, but I always go without and never had any issues. I've used a lip liner... once? When applying red liquid lipstick, but I didn't need it. It's just another thing for us all to buy and I don't fancy buying another.

Not for me hunni's xox

K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick / Penelope Pink ~ A gorgeous shade, super creamy and easy to apply. Although they don't last for very long on my lips. Personally for me - that doesn't bother me. I like reapplying my lipstick even when it doesn't need it as it makes me feel a little bit better. No lipstick lasts all day long like these people make them out to. So yeah, that's the lipstick. They don't last over four hours but they're gorgeous shades and also super lightweight on the lips. You'd never know.

If you want a lipstick which lasts 24 hours then lemme know when you find one.

Lip Lusture / Seduction ~ Love love loveeeeee this shade. Such a gorgeous nude which is perfect for everyday. It's a thick consistency and a little sticky when first applying, but after a while that's gone when it's set. Love these and would buy more shades. I'm a liquid lipstick girl over any normal lipstick. What about you?

If I haven't put you off then I'd recommend as this a gorgeous shade for anyone. 

There we have it. A simple and honest review which is straight to the point. My must haves for the nearby future and what I will not be repurchasing. 

Lots of love

xox

SHOP THE POST AND MORE

What I've Been Doing, Reading and Watching : October

Lemme be honest with you all. At the beginning of the year I made myself a challenge on my Goodreads app. I wanted to achieve reading a 100 books, lol yes 100. I read around 10. Only 90 to go and I have just over two months of the year left. Never happening, nope. I know. Although I am back to my reading and I'm feeling pretty good about it. A little me time, a little self care. It's time to shut off from the world and let my imagination go wild. This weather makes it a whole lot easier to sit indoors with a book under a blanket too.

For watching - I don't watch much TV unless it's Friends on repeat. Basic, I know.  I watched that for the first time at the beginning of 2019 - I recommend. As for what I've been doing - let's just get on with it, shall we?

What I've Been Up To

October - At the beginning of the month our dining table arrived! We built it and we have eaten at it many of times since. Oh, how I love to sit at a table and eat. Then our blinds went up too which I'm so happy about. I wasn't a fan of people seeing into our home. Then we also got me a vanity mirror, come desk in our second bedroom. I have somewhere I can sit and type away and work but also somewhere where I can get myself ready every morning of the weekend. 

I've also tried something new this month and that's a curry dish. That's right, I've never eaten a curry up until October 2019. We went for the M&S Plant Kitchen Sweet Potato Katsu Curry and I must say - I didn't mind it! Not something I'd eat everyday of the week, but it was delicious. 

We also joined the gym and I started the couch to 5K, it's going well. I am on my fifth/six run? I only started it half way through the month but I am happy with my progress, considering I've spent most of this month unwell. Also with getting involved with Stoptober this year - my runs are a lot easier. OH. That's right I've given up smoking this month too. What an achievement, considering I smoked from the age of 14. I know, gross. 

I've also gained a more positive mindset this month and I've also been loving myself more. I've realised the older you get the more you love your body. I also landed a load of good collaborations this month. My aim was for five, and I completed my goal. Here's to six for November. 

To Read

The Secret - You learn how to use the secret within every aspect of your life - money, health, relationships and happiness. People would say this book is life changing. Me? Not quite, however I find I do have more of a positive attitude when before it would seem unlikely. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe that if you forever think of good things that good things will come to you and no bad thing could possibly happen. I don't think by telling myself every night before bed that I will be rich, it will suddenly make me rich one day. This book has a lot of facts I found my brain can't quite handle too much information, before it ticks off 'uninterested'.

My rating : 6/10 wouldn't recommend 

Cilka's Journey - What a book. It's as good as the Tattooist of Auschwitz. Cilka is someone who survived two of the concentration camps. She started the journey at the age of sixteen and had to go through a lot in the first camp. She managed to survive the camp but it was no way a happy ending when she survived it. Because of what happened at camp one, she got moved onto camp two - more of a prison, the second one. In this camp she was able to help. She became a nurse and what a journey she lived. I cried, I cried again and I cried even some more. She is certainly one the bravest people I've ever met. She confronts it all and faces terror but she still manages to feel love.

My rating : 10/10 would highly recommend. 

To Watch 

Unbelievable - When a teenage girl reports being raped, then recants her story. Two female detectives follow evidence that could reveal the truth. Based on a true story. Oh don't you love true stories? This one I had to watch. Everyone was raving about it, I loved it myself. Although it was a little slow for me. (No one else has agreed with me, so maybe I just watched each episode too slow.)

Hello October - Suzie is a youtuber that I have watched before. When I first started this whole blogging thing - I was a huge fan and she was my inspiration. It still stands with the inspiration through Instagram, but I'm again a fan through Youtube. I spent a lot of this month unwell and I spent the time off work watching her over and over again. I love her style, her videos and the content is always high. Also it is her month, October. Her vlogs at this time of year are my favourite.

Power - Who isn't watching Power? If your answer is 'me' then watch the trailer on Netflix. Season 6 is currently on the go and I love every time it every time. Ghost and Tommy. The vilonce is a little too much for my sometimes, but the love I have for Tommy is totally worth it. Whose your favourite? Tommy or Ghost? Binge watch it now.

What have you been up to / reading and watching lately?

I Deleted Whats App And Here's Why

Whilst trying to find a photo of myself to add to this post, I've seen it again. 473 unread emails, 2 text messages, 22 voicemails, 1 facebook messenger and a 21 buttons notification. If I had whats app still on my phone, that would be within the list somewhere.

There was a time where those notifications meant something to me. Maybe not the 473 unread emails as it's most likely Prezzo and Bella Italia letting me know they'll discount my favourite pasta and pizza, but for facebook messages, text messages and endless whats app conversations. Just like those MSN chats meant so much to me once. I felt the urge to message back within minutes. I was always sat on my phone with the only option to play snake or update my BBM status.

Now.

Now, I feel like I can see those unread messages sit there until they build up to at least ten. Unless it's my Mum, Dad, Lee or my brothers. I can leave messages for not only hours but for days. Sometimes I don't feel like chatting, and sometimes I don't feel like answering questions -  let alone asking them.

I still don't like texting back even though I'm online on whats app, uploaded my latest post on instagram and shared a cute video of dogs on facebook. I don't like texting back even though I've tweeted about what chocolate I would loose out on from the following choice : Mars, Reeses, Twix, Smarties, Galaxy, Frys Peppermint cream and Wispas. (FYI Frys Peppermint, gross and also Reeses, never seen the hype.) Even though I spend most of my time on my phone that doesn't mean I have to message you back.

Whats app is an app which has so many perks for those girlfriends who want to know what their boyfriend is up to at 2am on their first lads holiday. It's great for seeing whether the boy you fancy is online and whether he's going to leave your message on the blue tick. It's great for group chats and organising plans with your pals. It's great because everyone uses it. But not me. All those perks are the reason why I hate the app. Instant messaging, group chats, always logged in, offline messages, share your location and a hell load more reasons why.

I may not reply to your messages instantly, but that doesn't mean that I can't upload my latest post to Instagram, change my facebook profile or reply back to another friend instead of you first.

I've gone back to the standard messaging. No read receipts and no where to say I am online. And I'm happy about that.