They call it the Pearl of the Adriatic, and after four blissful days there I completely understand why.  Dubrovnik is a beautiful place oozing with history and culture and a laid-back way of life – it’s the kind of holiday you never want to end.  

And it’s the kind of place that looks amazing in every photograph. 

 

Old Town Dubrovnik at night is as beautiful as it is during the day. From the immaculate white cobblestone streets to the maze of stair-filled alleyways that make up Old Town, there are endless routes to explore and you can do so feeling completely safe at all hours of the night as the area is always buzzing with tourists.

You’ll find that there’s usually a lot going on in Old Town by night. The streets are filled with the young and the old and most seem to enjoy taking an evening stroll while admiring all of Old Town’s beauty. Here, you can head to one of the many restaurants and bars, including some Irish ones, and people watch!

It seems crazy to think that only twenty years ago, this city had been under siege for seven months during the break up of former Yugoslavia. Strolling around today, you would never guess that there had ever been a war.  There has been significant reconstruction work to repair the damage and the medieval architecture is now looking more impressive than ever.

I stayed 3 miles out of town at the the 5 star Dubrovnik Palace Hotel, which is sleek and modern offering stunning panoramic views over the sea and mountains. The only downside? no sandy beach, as such, but that didn't stop me enjoying swimming in the sea. Just be warned, it's rough and not for the inexperienced swimmer.

  

Dubrovnik offers so much to do, from the most popular tour to the neighbouring Peljesac Peninsula, a collection of sea-lapped hills, devoted to the cultivation of wine and oysters.

A two-hour drive takes you past a dozen little try-and-buy vineyards, of which the biggest by far is the Korta Katarina winery, on the edge of the bay at Orebic. If you want to get the best view of the city , take a cable car that takes you from the historic, seven-foot-thick walls right up to the cliff top. Dubrovnik has the most amazing views and sunsets!

It's easy to see why Dubrovnik has grown in popularity- not least because it's a mere 3hrs direct flight from Dublin , but also boasts pristine seas, informal eateries, 5-star hotels and adventure sports facilities.  The best time to visit is May-June or September-October as in the low season, most facilities close. 

A holiday with a difference. Perfection.

Now this is a skincare product worth buying. Immediately. 

Great news for Irish girls, it is now stocked in the beauty hall in Marks and Spencers. On a side note- worth checking out, they have some amazing cult brands.

This gem was founded over 10 years ago by the sister of Pixi’s creator – a trained aesthetician and facialist to Sweden’s A-list – who requested a skin care line she could use in her specialist treatments, Pixi’s ‘skintreats’ was born. 'Pixi' has a loyal worldwide following thanks to its pure, awakening and skin loving products that create a naturally radiant ' 8 hours sleep' look.

This glow tonic is an alcohol free toner that exfoliates and brightens the skin. It contains my favourite acid, glycolic (5%) , aloe vera and witch hazel. It removes dead cells, oils, gunk thats stuck in your pores and excess oil , all without stripping even the sensitive of skins. Genius.

It has been a cult product now for years but i have only recently succumbed because I was missing an acid toner in my skincare regime. and I'm so glad i came across this.

"Instantly refreshing, Pixi’s gorgeous glow-giver brightens, tones and conditions your skin after cleansing. Enriched with glycolic acid – a natural derivative of sugar cane, and member of the alpha-hydroxy acid family – this gentle, exfoliating formula dissolves the bonds binding dulling dead cells to skin’s surface, to reveal the ‘new’ healthy skin cells underneath. Aloe then soothes and hydrates while oxygenating ginseng promotes cell health and skin vibrancy; witch hazel firms and tones, while horse chestnut boosts blood flow, to grant your complexion a naturally fresh and dewy radiance. Astonishingly affordable, this is mild yet effective, making it suitable for all skin types – just apply a few drops to a cotton wool pad, and sweep all over skin after cleansing (morning and evening) to gradually diminish signs of sun damage, fine lines, scarring and other imperfections"

SHOP HERE

Now its no secret I absolutely love the Charlotte Tilbury makeup line but what about her skincare range ? The Magic Cream was probably her most hyped about launch with Charlotte boasting that she uses it on all models before runway shows and its a 'can't live without face cream'

This moisturiser fights the ageing process on all fronts, stimulating collagen production and cell energy while fighting free radicals to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Skin is penetrated with hydration and elasticity is restored, smoothing the surface and promoting healthy cell renewal. It’s ideal for anyone with tired, thirsty or lacklustre skin- pretty much everyone in January- I have been using it as an all over glowy moisturiser under foundation as it also works well to prime the skin. 

I would not use this as part of my night skincare regime as it has sunscreen, shea butter and essential oils which will clog the skin. I wouldn't recommend this cream for those with oily/acne prone skin, but for dehydrated skin, it gives a lovely moisture boost.

Charlotte has claimed that the product will get immediate results “I swear to you, you’ll see a difference- it’s really thick and nourishing but it doesn’t sit on the skin, and it’s got Hyaluronic acid, peptides, rosewater, frangipani oil, rosehip oil… 

"This plumps water back into skin in a massive way, plus it gets rid of those bits of dead skin on the face, in a non-evasive way. It’ll bead and take off dead skin. It gives the closest thing to baby skin you’ll get, basically.” 

While i agree with the above, I feel that spending €90 on a moisturiser is a little excessive for my skin but if you are older with dry, lacklustre skin then you might wish to spurge. Me? I will continue to use under makeup for a night out meaning the pot will last an age!

The rose gold packaging is stunning and it does give skin an instant hydrating boost that's so lovely when you want to look your best on a special occasion.

SHOP HERE

With the beginning of the New Year comes the thrill of having a clean slate. The month of January for me is all about sale shopping- it's a time when I invest in better quality basics for my wardrobe that will see me through the year. If one of your 2016 resolutions is to step up your style game, then this post is for you. Today I’ve put together a list of my top most coveted pieces to buy in the January sales and ways to style them.

THE CAPE 

THE DESIGNER HANDBAG

THE CAMEL COAT

THE OVER THE KNEE BOOTS

THE FRINGED SKIRT

THE FUR COAT

THE STATEMENT DRESS

THE CHUNKY KNITS

THE WOOL COAT

 

THE STRIPED DRESS

THE DESIGNER SHOES

THE FULL MIDI

THE SKINNY BLACK JEAN

THE LEATHER JACKET

'For radiant, youthfully awakened skin from morning to night. Provides antioxidant protection with a powerful blend of naturally-derived oils, including Ginger Root, Sunflower oil and Tamanu oil, to help skin feel fresh and look energized'

I am becoming quite the Kiehl's fan, first the Midnight Concentrate and now this... although I love applying facial oils before bed, i never considered using an oil under my moisturiser during the day for fear of a super shiny face. But when i came across Kiehl's newest addition, Daily reviving concentrate , I decided to give it a go and add another skincare product into the mix....

This little bottle is a blend of essential and botanical oils- namely ginger root oil, tamanu oil and sunflower seed oil, which together do an amazing job of maintaining moisture, boosting hydration levels, increasing smoothness , evening out skin tones and boosting your skins day time defences against pollution and free radicals. 

3/4 droplets leaves skin glowy and healthy, sometimes that is all I need, it smells amazing too so I don't mind slathering it on!

So, even if you've been hesitant about trying a face oil, consider this Kiehl's option. Giving yourself an extra bit of glow may be exactly what you need during the grey and rainy days of winter. 

Paraben free, Mineral oil free, Non-comedogenic, Non-acnegenic

Shop Here LINK!

Here's a look back at some of my outfit posts of 2015, I was actually expecting Isla in every single one! It was definitely one of my best years' yet with November being the highlight and I'm excited to see what the next 365 days will bring!

Happy 2016