Thursday 31 July 2014

Nu Skin bloggers event

 Good Morning!

I went to a fabulous beauty bloggers event ran by Nu Skin last week in Soho, London.  They had branded taxis which picked us up personally which really gave an exclusive feel to the event and made a nice change to getting the tube!



Nu Skin is a skin care brand which specialises in anti-ageing, nutritionals and weight management. They've been taking the UK by storm this year and have celebrated with an exclusive bloggers event.

I was so interested in their product range I couldn't wait to hear more and was super excited by my exclusive gift bag.  They even had their team fly over from Copenhagen to run the event, including the product specialist Jennifer who went to great lengths to make sure we knew all about their products as well as their Force for Good Foundation.  I really felt like I got to know the company and their products before trying  them out.
The beautifully set up Nu Skin centre

Me chatting to one of the other bloggers, Zen.


Getting stuck in with the Galvanic Spa

It was a really interactive event, and they got all the bloggers to try out their home spa called the Galvanic Spa.  As you can see in the picture above I was really getting stuck into the whole thing.  I mean, if this really is the 'home' answer to getting a facial done then I was keen on trying it out for myself!

The Nu Skin Galvanic Spa (link) is a sleek little machine which is used with charged gels, a pre treatment and a treatment.  The whole treatment takes just 5 minutes which is a huge amount of time saved compared to booking and going out for a facial.

The Nu Skin Galvanic Spa

My skin felt so clean and pure after using it.  It reduced all my redness giving my face a more even skin tone.  Also, my pores looked much smaller which has always been a huge concern of mine!

Oh, and they also have a delicious botanical range called Epoch.  I was absolutely smitten with the Baobab Body butter (link).  It is so hydrating but doesn't leave any sticky feeling at all.  It's also much denser than other body butters, giving it a much more luxurious feel when applying.  The foot softening cream 'Sole Solution' is also absolutely fab after a long day in the office and refreshes those aching feet while making them much smoother.
The Nu Skin Epoch collection

I would definitely recommend these Nu Skin products and over all I had an absolutely fab time at their bloggers event, especially getting whisked off in one of their taxis at the end of the night too!

Have you guys tried Nu Skin products??

If you have then definitely let me know!

xxx 

ps All products are available online from www.nuskin.com or from a registered distributor.

Wednesday 30 July 2014

Dream Night Out at the Aria hotel in Las Vegas

I go away to Italy about 4-5 times a year, but unfortunately, it's left little room for me to travel elsewhere.

Recently, it seems lots of people close to me (my sister and best friend) are both going to Las Vegas later in the year.  I've been hearing so much about it that I decided to take a visot there too - to the stunning Aria hotel. 

I was tempted by their famously gorgeous views and spend my day tanning by one of the luxurious pools and of course have an absolutely amazing night out!


The Aria Resort

Las Vegas is the cream of the crop when it comes to over the top, extravagant hotels, and I can't think of anything better! I loved staying in the Aria hotel with it's breath taking views of the skyline. It was just sensational, luxurious and the perfect place to stay in Las Vegas!

I think Las Vegas is all about glam,- so whilst there I went for a night out Aria style!I went for glam makeup - gray contacts like in the picture below, glossy hair, smooth complexion and lashings of lipgloss and mascara.  It made me feel exactly at home in the Aria resort :)
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Glam Makeup perfect for Las Vegas!

During the day I would just kick back and enjoy the beautiful weather in the famous Liquid pool. It's not just about gorgeous double sun-loungers, at night time the Liquid pool transforms into a party playground, with music in the background and drinks flowing. I literally cannot imagine anything better than a pool part night out in Las Vegas - hopefully I will have time tomorrow.  London is great, but that would never be on the cards!

The Liquid pool at the Aria Resort Las Vegas

Jean Phillipe patisserie
Oh and to top it off, they have a killer patisserie within the resort, called the Jean Phillipe patisserie.  I'm getting hungry just looking at it!  Now that's enough of me fantasizing about the Aria resort, I should probably start looking in to coming back next year!

(Aria Resort Link here)

Lots of love xx

Amalfi Coast OOTD

Good morning!

It's really hard to describe a place like the Amalfi Coast, as I'll never do it any justice.  So here are a few snapshots of it's beauty.  We drove all the way down the coast for  several hundred miles, and it was pretty much all like the shot below - deep blue sees, green mountains and pink flowers.


Travelling I like to be as comfortable as possible, especially when we were driving for so long.  So I just wore trusty old denim shorts with this cute little 'Elland Vest' from Jack Wills. It's now in the sale too for just £14.00 - an absolute bargain as it's a top which goes with everything.  I then just matched with with some nude gap leather flipflops


I have a bit of an all blue OOTD, but whenever I'm by the sea, I always find myself wearing colours which mirror the sea! Weird I know, but I absolutely love it. This casual outfit was perfect for keeping me cool and comfortable and yet great too for casual trips to the beach, bars and restaurants.  Speaking of which - if you find yourself down towards the Amalfi coast, make sure you try the pizza 'Sorrentino' which uses fresh buffalo mozzerella, pendolini tomatoes and tonnes of basil.  You won't regret it I promise!


So that's it for now - I hope I've given you a bit of inspiration to go on a road trip round the Amalfi Coast too.  I know I can't wait to get back!

Lots of love xx

Tuesday 29 July 2014

Moschino Bikini in Sorrento


Hello my lovlies!

As you might know I was away in Italy for a lot of last month.  My other half and I drove down from Cattolica all the way to Sorrento.

I really don't know I have ever been anywhere so beautiful in my life.  Crystal blue waters and mount Vesuvius in the backdrop!  These pictures were taken from Cala di Puolo - a lovely cover just a few minutes drive from Sorrento.  There was barely anyone there and the view was just breathtaking.

Moschino polka dot bikini from Zalando

I treated myself to a pretty Moschino polka dot bikini from Zalando  I loved the bandeaux style as I find it more flattering than triangle bikinis and I love the little halter neck tie as well.  Its priced at £135 but I think it's well worth the money as I really felt extra special in it.

It's a fun design but at the same time elegant enough for Sorrento! (My bright pink and yellow ones seemed a bit brash for this holiday haha!)  It has an almost silky touch and is made of an almost satin like material on the outside which makes a difference to most swimwear.  I love that that this gave a silky shimmer to the cream shade and added a touch of quality.



Have you guys every been to Sorrento?  Did you enjoy it?? I'll be posting a few more pictures from my trip there over the next few days - I'm sure I'll convince you all to go!

Fiocco xxxx

Thursday 24 July 2014

OOTD in Sorrento

 Hello lovely ladies,

It's hot hot hot and frankly, I couldn't be happier!  I love when the sun is out creating beautiful sunsets and you can go out at night and enjoy the cool air.  It reminds me of the holiday I just got back from in Sorrento so this is n OOTD which can be recreated here in our glorious British weather that we're having at the moment.

Clothes - I wore a Zara white long sleeve top with transparent shoulder panels (it is super thin though so perfect for the evening) with a dark blue zara pleated mini skirt.

Makeup -  I had a tan so foundation was out the door as a colour match with a tan is near impossible and paramount to sacrilegious! So instead I just put on powder to minimise the shine, bright fuschia YSL lipgloss and lashings of mascara.

Hair - Super straight with Label M age defying radiance oil.  I can't live without this oil - it is non greasy and does an amazing job at minimising frizz and making it smell delicious. It retails at £25.50 - this is pricey but I would definitely say its worth it.




It looks like I'm wearing old school 10 denier tights but this is my tan, can you believe it!







So that was my OOTD - I felt sleek and sophisticated in this outfit and absolutely perfect for an evening out on the Amalfi coast.  Italians always nail their outfits and I tried not to be the garish brit abroad with florescent shorts ( I saved those for the beach - you'll be getting a peak of them soon!)


Tuesday 22 July 2014

Laser Eye surgery Review

So, let me explain why you've not seen a few posts for a while!  Two reasons - a very long trip away to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast (so lots of photos going to be popping up from there!) and also because I've had laser eye surgery so couldn't wear makeup for a week before and a week after.  So in celebration that I can now wear makeup I have piled it on!!!

But, for those of you considering laser eye surgery, I've put together a Q&A so you can see how my experience was.  I want to give you guys an idea of how it is, because it was absolutely life changing.



What is Laser eye surgery?

A quick operation performed by a laser on the eyes that permanently corrects vision for those who wear glasses or lenses.

Where did I go?

 I got wavefront Lasik from Optical Express on Shaftesbury Avenue, London.  It's a nice clean central clinic with friendly capable staff. I would recommend this clinic.

What was my prescription

-2.50 with an astigmatism in both eyes.

What Laser surgery did I get done?
 There are various options, the most common are Lasik and Lasek.  Lasek requires a one week recovery period and is a lot more invasive though much cheaper.  I refereed to pay more for less invasive Lasik which has just a 1-2 day recovery period.

There is normal Lasik and Wavefront Lasik.  Wavefront Lasik is another £1000 (at least) and uses more advanced technology giving you more than 20/20 vision whereas normal Lasik will give you just 20/20.

My pupils were too large for the standard Lasik procedure so I had to choose Wavefront Lasik.  I do have better than 20/20 vision, but, when you had poor sight like me, I would have been happy with having just the standard procedure too.  So, really, it's up to you.

What was the operation like?

OK, for the squeemish, please stop reading and go down to the next question.  You are taken in to the oppoerating room (much like a dentists surgery) and you lie down and look up into bright lights.  They clean your eyes and put your hair in a hair net and it's all quite relaxing.  The surgeon then puts drops in your eye to numb them.  Your vision blurs a bit (as it would even if you were to put normal eyedrops in) but you can still see.  

Next, you are looking up into a bright light and you can see the surgeon fiddling above.  He applies the eye clamp and this is uncomfortable as you are numb.  He then opens the cornea.  I'm not going to lie I almost passed out.  I couldn't feel pain but I felt him do it - the same sensation as removing a contact lense.  Absolutely stomach churning.  You then have to focus on the light which is still blurry, then the laser will track you and start working its magic.  The laser pulsates only for around 25 seconds.  Then the surgeon puts back the cornea and gets to work on the next eye.  I almost passed out during the op as I was aware my eye was wide open.  It was a lot more traumatic for me than I could have realised and I want you guys to know that.

Results?

As soon as he was finished (I was in 'surgery' for less than 15 minutes in total) I could see (around lunch time).  It was still a bit blurry as I had lots of drops in, but I had considerable better vision than before.  After I got handed my antibiotics I headed home to rest.  The next 3 hours were really uncomfortable with weeping eyes and it was so hard to open my eyelids.  I think they were stressed after the operation and closing as a defence mechanism.  But magically, after 3 hours napping in bed, I was back to normal and with good eyesight.  By the evening, my vision was almost perfect, but my eyes were still very sore from the op and I had to sleep in goggles for a week.  But honestly, I only had 28 hours of sore delicate eyes, after that I was back to normal and fine to go to work

Would I recommend it?

This isn't a yes or no answer for me.  For me, it was the right thing to do, though it was so expensive (£3200) and the operation was stomach curdling and post op quite traumatic, I still believe it was the best thing in my life.  I mean, I can see!!!! Also, my vision  is 20/12 which is better than 20/20.

If you're squeemish, it may not be right for you.  Or, if you're vision isn't that bad, then it won't be so life changing.

My main reason for getting it done is because I personally hated every second of lenses and glasses.  They made me feel insecure and quite tired and they were a pain when travelling which I do quite often.

Conclusion

I am ecstatic with the results and wish I had got it done sooner.  If you have any questions please please write them in the comments below and I will try and get back to you.  I know it's a scary thing to get done so ask me and I'll give you an honest answer!  Hope you found this useful...I'm off to go and read some things in the distance as the novelty still hasn't worn off!

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