Well here we are LOCKDOWN! I hope you’re all doi Well here we are LOCKDOWN! I hope you’re all doing ok?
I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to do over this time period and how to get the most out of it.
Being the final 6 months of my PhD, I will have to start writing my thesis now instead of later but to break that time up with more fun things (not that science isn’t fun 🙄). I’m thinking baking, play the piano and experimenting with makeup! It doesn’t matter that no one is going to see my makeup or hear me play, I’m doing it for me but at the same time I’m not going to force myself to do to anything I don’t feel like or feel pressured to learn something new or start something big just because we have this time. 
I think it’s important to take a break and reset without anything or anyone sucking your energy. Only do things that you really want to and help you feel better now and for the future when this is over.
What are your plans for lockdown?
For me makeup is art. Your face is the canvas and For me makeup is art. Your face is the canvas and the fact you can take any colour/finish/texture and create something that completely reflects your personality and mood is amazing and yes maybe it also fuels my need to have so many pretty palettes!! The @jackieaina @anastasiabeverlyhills eyeshadow palette is incredible! The colours are soooooo pigmented but still really wearable. It’s like a work of art itself.
What’s your favourite ABH palette?
It’s a leg up kinda Sunday! Currently away on a It’s a leg up kinda Sunday! 
Currently away on a mini weekend trip with @openingupcricket and loving all the things to see and do (and eat) in Glasgow. I’ve always loved Scotland and Glasgow is my all time favourite Scottish city. Is there a way to become an honorary Scotsman please?!
Have you ever been to Glasgow? If you could pick any other nationality to be, what would you go for? 📸 @lifeofpingkan 
#scotland #glasgow #scotsman #travel #traveltheworld #travelbug #sundayfunday #relaxandunwind #weekendaway #weekendbreak #liverpool #polkadots #isawitfirst #whatiwore #highstreetfashion #ootd #topshop #strikeapose #weblognorth #lpoolgirls
#ad | For someone who loves makeup, if you saw me #ad | For someone who loves makeup, if you saw me on a day-to-day basis, you’d have absolutely no idea! There’s enough to do in the mornings before work without having to spend half an hour doing up your face. However, when I do wear makeup, even just a little, I feel more confident, put together and ready to tackle the day. 
That’s why I’m loving @Primark.Beauty to create a super quick, everyday look to help me look glowing and more importantly, at really affordable prices.
Prep + Perfect Priming Hydrator Base -£3
Prep + Perfect Skin Illuminator -£3.50
Perfect Finish Foundation -£2.50
Brow Sketch -£2
Colour Grid Eyeshadow Palette -£3.50
Matte Bronzing Powder -£1
Blush -£1.50
Falsh Lash Queen Mascara -£3
Velvet Matte Longwear Lip Crayon -£2

Whether you’re an expert or makeup novice, all of the products from #Primark are easy to use and fantastic quality as well as being cruelty free. Everything blends onto my skin beautifully, with a couple of standouts being the foundation which lasted all day and matches me perfectly (hello, £2.50!!!!!), the £1 bronzer to add some much needed life into my skin and the Velvet Matte Lip Crayon that is beyond comfortable and lasts through eating and coffee drinking. In just 5 minutes, you can achieve the simplest of looks, that’s suitable for any occasion. #IWorkWithPrimark @Primark
Check out my Instastories to see my quick and easy morning makeup!
Who else loves earrings?! I really need to wear th Who else loves earrings?! I really need to wear them more often because 1. Jabbing them through the piercing that has been empty for months is no fun and games 😂 and 2. They just elevate your look to the next level!! Seriously, whether they’re long, studs, gold, sparkly, colourful, patterned, they make me feel so put together. 2020 is my year for accessorising!
Gifted| Back to work and I’m really not here for Gifted| Back to work and I’m really not here for it! What I am here for is these natural Wispies eyelashes from @ardellbeauty. I do love false lashes but because I don’t have a lot of lid space, I find they always look heavy and unnatural on me so I give up and they get shoved in a drawer. That’s why I was dubious at first with these but the second I put them on, I fell in love. The natural style adds volume to my lashes without looking heavy and really do pass as being my own, even in person!! They’re easy to put on as the band is nice and flexible and stay put throughout the day. These are my lashes for sure! Have you tried Ardell lashes before?
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city break guide to Berlin, Eastside Gallery, Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany
October 29, 2018 Secret Rendezvous

City Guide – Berlin

Eastside Gallery, Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany. Wearing black and white striped top from Jaeger and yellow and black striped trousers from Topshop

Where to Stay?

When it comes to staying in Berlin, it can be hard to know which area to choose, if you’re not familiar with the city. Mitte, meaning literally middle is the centre of Berlin and where you’ll find most of Berlin’s famous tourist attractions. There are many hotels and places to stay here if you want to be close but just a short train west past the Tiergarten and you’ll end up in Breitscheidplatz, a major public square. Together with the Kurfurstendamn Boulevard, it actually marks the centre of former West Berlin and the present day modern city west.

I stayed in this part of the city on a previous trip to Berlin and was very happy to go back again. Those of you who like the hustle and bustle of a lively city but with a more relaxed, contemporary vibe, this is the place for you. Home to Germany’s first concept mall, Bikini Berlin, there’s loads of boutiques, flagship stores and restaurants.

This visit I stayed at the Steigenberger Hotel, just round the corner from Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church located in Breitscheidplatz. Super comfortable beds, great amenities and surprisingly quiet considering the central location, I had a fantastic stay. If you were worried about being far from your tourist hot spots, there’s no reason to be as you’re just a couple minutes walk from Zoologischer Garten station. When in Berlin, the U-Bahn and S-Bahn are the only way to travel. Trains to all the places you could want to visit, every few minutes, you can cross the whole city in no time at all. Plus for the duration of your stay, the Steigenberger Hotel provide a travel card free of charge, which is valid on all public transport.

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany
Berliner Dom, Berlin Cathedral, Berlin, Germany
  • In Charlottenburg Palace gardens in mustard Marks & Spencer top and Nasty Gal polka dot satin trousers, Berlin, Germany.
  • Belvedere tea house in Charlottenburg Palace gardens, Berlin, Germany
  • In Charlottenburg Palace gardens in mustard Marks & Spencer top and Nasty Gal polka dot satin trousers, Berlin, Germany.
memorial to the murdered jews of Europe, Berlin, Germany

What to do?

Staying in the west of Berlin places you in the perfect position to easily visit several must-see destinations. The beautiful Charlottenburg palace with it’s grand baroque and rococo design is the perfect way to spend a morning. The palace gardens are just as spectacular, where you can stroll through the woodlands and visit the mausoleum, belvedere and pavillion.

If parks are your thing, then pack a picnic and head over to Potsdam to see the Sanssouci Park. The summer home of the former King of Prussia, the whole park is straight out of a fairytale. Magnificent palaces and lavishly decorated pavillions, amongst the golden leaves of autumn it really is something quite magical.

Back over to Mitte and you must see the Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral), where you can go all the way to the top for a 360° panoramic view of the city. You also can’t visit Berlin without a trip to Museum Island. A short walk from Alexander Platz station in Mitte, there are five world-class museums and galleries filled with sculptures and paintings from the neoclassical period as well as modernist art.

If you still haven’t had your fix of museums make a visit to the Computerspielemuseum top of your to-do list. Interactive museums aren’t just for kids you know, although this one will take you back to your childhood. Hop off the U-Bahn at Weberwiese and let the games begin. Covering six decades of gaming history, it’s the most fun I’ve ever had in a museum. As well as an arcade and giant joystick to play Pac-Man, you can also bust some moves on the dance mat and try out games on a virtual reality headset.

Finish off with a photo by the Brandenburg Gate and a cheeky pitstop to Brammibal’s donuts two minutes away and you can watch the sunset over the Reichstag from the Tiergarten.

However, the main thing to do and possibly my favourite is to eat!

the Chinese House in Sanssouci Park, Potsdam, Germany
  • Belvedere tea house in Charlottenburg Palace gardens, Berlin, Germany
  • Belvedere in Sanssouci Park, Potsdam, Germany
Painter outside the Chinese House in Sanssouci Park, Potsdam, Germany
Outside Brammibal's donuts in Berlin, Germany. Wearing black and white striped top from Jaeger and yellow and black striped trousers from Topshop

Where to eat?

I don’t know about you but I find locating decent restaurants a stressful activity when I go on holiday. A quick stroll round Mitte and apart from the usual Italian restaurants and burger joints, there wasn’t anything I couldn’t get at home. I want to be able to enjoy exciting food and something a little different. To make sure we spent our time seeing the sights and not storming round hangry, I sought out a selection of restaurants beforehand and let me tell you, they did not disappoint.

Who doesn’t love brunch? How about brunch that is served 24 hours, 7 days a week?! Sounds crazy I know but if you’re going to do brunch then you want it done properly and Benedict are brunch royalty. It may exude a fun, easy-going atmosphere but Benedict take brunch very seriously. Perfectly poached eggs, creamy avocados, fluffy pancakes and more all finished off with mimosa, it’s a great way to start your day, whenever that may be!

You can’t visit Berlin without getting a kebab. It’s like the law and I dare you to try one from Vöner and not enjoy it. Situated in the former East Berlin district of Friedrichshain, this little cafe sells the most incredible seitan kebabs with a choice of sauces (I definitely recommend the knoblauch, so much garlic goodness). Served with crunchy fresh salad all wrapped up in the fluffiest bread with a crisp crust, they are simply irresistible. We’d have visited every day if we had the time, although we did mange two stops out of the four day trip, they were that good. Huge portions too, enough to set you up for the afternoon, night or simply as an extra midnight snack. I would!

In fact, the borough of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is the perfect place to dine. Don’t be fooled by the slightly dilapidated surroundings just outside Ostkreuz station, as it’s just a short walk until you’re met with an absolute foodie heaven. Contemporary wine bars, coffee and cocktail cafes and restaurants of all cuisines. My particular favourite was Glory Duck, fragrant dumpling soup and sizzling, crispy duck that’s making my mouth water just writing about it. They even do mock duck versions, so veggies and vegans don’t miss out on the glory.

If you’re after the ultimate meal then you must visit Kopps in east Mitte. A fine dining experience like no other, you really have to go big or go home and get the seven-course menu. Each dish is a combination of locally sourced vegetables that have been put together in ways you’ve never tasted before. Each dish was an incredible mix of textures and tastes that blew my mind. Somehow, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the next course would prove you wrong. It was a fantastic evening and one I will remember forever.

Benedict restaurant in Berlin, Germany
  • Eastside Gallery, Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany. Wearing black and white striped top from Jaeger and yellow and black striped trousers from Topshop
  • Strolling down to Charlottenburg Palace in mustard Marks & Spencer top and Nasty Gal polka dot satin trousers, Berlin, Germany.
Monkey Island t-shirt and Nasty Gal brown and white polka dot skirt in front of the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany

What to wear?

Comfortable shoes. That’s the most important thing in Berlin. When it comes to city breaks, this one certainly isn’t easy on the old tootsies. I made sure to only pack flats, with basic pumps and loafers carrying me round the whole city. Looser fabrics also work perfectly to keep you comfortable whilst you wander and my trusty Olympus Pen camera bag was ideal for me to carry everything I needed and keep my hands free to hold donuts.

I feel like Berlin has a very unique punk vibe when it comes to fashion. I’m usually a bit scared to wear anything out of my comfort zone at home but with an almost 80s vibe, Berlin is the perfect place to go bold with colours and patterns. Contrasting colours and opposing stripes, polka dot skirts and video game tops, it was nice to be daring but still me. 

Berlin is the ideal city for a quick getaway. To me, it’s is the epitome of cool and a place that contains an exciting mix of old and new. Steeped in history, there’s so much to see and do you’ll always want to go back. It’s a city I feel safe in, day or night and the people are incredibly friendly. It’s not a cheap place to stay but you certainly get your money’s worth, especially when it comes to the food. What I would do for a kebab right now! Think I need to book my next flight already, see you there?!  B x

p.s check out my IGTV video for behind the scenes footage of my trip to Berlin. 

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  1. Sarah Adams says

    October 29, 2018 at 8:27 pm

    It looks like you had such an amazing time! You’re making me want to book a holiday SO BAD! x

    Reply
  2. Jess want says

    October 29, 2018 at 9:15 pm

    Oh wow it looks beautiful. I would love to go and visit hopefully soon x

    Reply
  3. Nikki says

    October 29, 2018 at 11:56 pm

    Argh you’re making me wanna book some serious travel time in asap! Beautiful photos, I’ve never been to Berlin. Considering it now!

    xx

    Lovelaughslipstick ♥

    Reply
  4. Laura Owen says

    October 30, 2018 at 7:12 am

    This post is just absolutely beautiful, the photos are gorgeous! I would love to go to Berlin, I have heard so many good things about it.

    Reply
  5. Mel says

    October 30, 2018 at 2:25 pm

    Such a great and informative post.
    I love your photos. It’s a place that is definitely on my bucket list.

    http://littlemissmelanie.com

    Reply
  6. Sarah says

    October 30, 2018 at 7:08 pm

    Ah all of this makes me want to get back to Berlin SO bad! I went for the first time last year and loved every second of it! There’s so much to do and so many amazing bars and restaurants, I could go back several times and still miss something! One thing I am gutted I missed was Charlottenburg Palace, it looks like such an exquisite place, it’s first on the list if I ever get the chance to go back! Also, amazing pictures! <3

    Sarah 🙂
    Saloca in Wonderland

    Reply
  7. Alice Spake says

    October 31, 2018 at 10:20 pm

    I’d love to visit Berlin! On the list for sure xx

    Reply
  8. Alicia says

    November 2, 2018 at 6:31 pm

    I loved this post so much! I really want to visit berlin that food looked so tasty!

    Alicia Xo

    Reply
  9. Lady Writes says

    November 4, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    I’ve always wanted to see the Berlin wall. Love your city guide and the pics are wonderful x

    Reply
  10. Lady Writes says

    November 4, 2018 at 12:53 pm

    I’ve always wanted to visit the Berlin wall – lovely pics x

    Reply
  11. Katie says

    November 5, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    I’ve always wanted to visit Berlin, it looks like such an interesting place to visit! Maybe one day!

    Katie x

    Reply
  12. bethan shufflebotham says

    November 18, 2018 at 11:16 pm

    I loved Berlin when i went a few years back! I would go back in a heartbeat! love your photos in this post!

    Reply
  13. Millie says

    July 29, 2019 at 6:00 pm

    Your photos look fantastic and I can unfortunately relate to the walking around looking for a place to eat getting hangry! Thanks for sharing this post and your experience in Berlin! 🙂

    Reply
    • A love affair with Beauty says

      August 4, 2019 at 7:47 am

      Thank you! Oh yes, hanger is honestly my worst trait when I’m on holiday haha, so I do try and scout out a few places before I travel anywhere. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with getting off at Ostkreuz station for restaurants, there’s loads of them right out the station. Hope you have a fantastic trip! x

      Reply
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