Monday

FOOD: BURGER. RESTAURANT REVIEW


I’ve always been a sucker for a good burger and trying out the new burger joints that crop up in Edinburgh fairly regularly is always an experience, good or bad! Gone are the days when adding bacon to your burger was a daring culinary move, and now it’s acceptable to slap pretty much anything you like in your bun, whether it’s a whole haggis, a ladle of chilli, sliced avocado or chorizo, or even a healthy portion of mac ‘n’ cheese. Turning vegetarian at the start of this year, however, has slimmed down these options considerably so now I'm all about those veggie patties, and always on the hunt for places that offer something a little different.



Despite its name, BURGER offers more than just the usual meat-in-bun fare. The Katsu and Wasabathon burgers add a refreshing new twist to the usual meat patties, and their grilled Chilli Dogs give an extra option, even for veggies, if you’re after something a little different. They also have a great range of guest beers and ales as well as the usual fizzy and hot drinks, and some delicious sounding ice cream shakes and sorbets for afters.

My friend and I visited early one Thursday evening when the restaurant was fairly quiet with just a couple of other groups eating in. The service was friendly, fuss-free and very efficient, and our order was ready quickly. BURGER prides itself on cooking everything fresh to order and using 100% recyclable and compostable packaging and cutlery so, whilst they obviously don’t go in for elaborate presentations, they’re a big step up from fast food and instead turn their focus to offering simple but tasty and fresh food.


I went for the Veggie Burger with cheese, whilst my friend opted for the Bacon Cheese Burger with jalapenos, and both were delicious. The patties and fillings were the perfect portion-size and served in toasted brioche buns – definitely my number one bun of choice! Whilst my veggie patty was a bit on the soft side and didn’t hold together very well, which is always a risk with patties made of chickpea or sweet potato, it was packed full of flavour and disappeared within minutes.


We also ordered a side of Veggie Chilli Cheese Chips to top the whole thing off. The chips were a bit overcooked for my liking, but the chilli was really tasty and had just the right level of spice. It could have done with a bit more of the chilli, but as it was just meant as a side the portion size was fairly generous. I'll just have to remember to order one just for myself next time...

All in all, the food at BURGER was really good and excellent value. So if you’re after fuss-free, affordable but tasty burgers and dogs, BURGER comes highly recommended.


To view their full menu, you can visit their website here.

Tuesday

FASHION: HALLOWEEN INSPIRATION


Every year around the beginning of October I get a faint gnawing sensation that I should be doing something. Something... halloweeny. As the days wear on, the clocks change and November approaches, the feeling grows until it's suddenly 30th October and I have 24 hours to create a halloween costume which bridges that ever elusive scary-sexy gap but, in it's entirety, costs no more than £10... Oh. Holy. Jesus. I'm sure we've all been there. And whilst I'm certain that there are people who pull this off with gracious aplomb, i'm sadly not one of them.

But this year I shall be a social pariah no more. I've given myself 5 whole days of prep. I've even bought a dress and special makeup. THAT'S how committed I am to avoid the usual Halloween humiliation. So if, like me, you're usually a tardy ill-prepared mess, here's a bit of Halloween inspiration to get you inspired. Before it's too late... 

Wednesday

STYLE: PINK TO BLACK

 
KIMONO & NECKLACE - MINT VELVET, PLAYSUIT - MISS SELFRIDGE, BOOTS - NEW LOOK
   






I've been eyeing up this kimono from Mint Velvet for the past couple of weeks until I finally decided that life, and my wardrobe, just wouldn't be complete without it. I love the tie-dye ombre effect from dreamy pastel pink to black and it goes perfectly with any all-black ensemble, including my trusty black playsuit. It's such a versatile piece, and I cant wait to layer it up when it gets colder with a black polo neck, jeans, and nude boots too. Dreamy!


Tuesday

STYLE: WE KEEP ON CLIMBING

TROUSERS AND HEADSCARF - H&M, TEE - PRIMARK, SANDALS - CHICWISH, NECKLACE - BOOHOO, ANKLET - THRIFTED.





We've been having the most wonderful heatwave here over the past week, so i decided it was high-time i busted out not only the sandals but also the midriff! Oh yes. It. Is. Happening.

As I'm planning a holiday somewhere nice and hot later in the year, I'm on a mission to save some serious pennies over the coming months by restyling some older pieces in my wardrobe in the hopes that this will keep me and my credit card away from those pesky shops. I actually love finding new ways to wear things, especially old forgotten pieces that you find stuffed in the back of your wardrobe, so I'm thinking this could be a fun challenge. 

This is a pretty thrifty outfit as these trousers go way back to summer two years ago when i wore them in this post whilst strolling around Arthurs Seat. I love them so much and think the unique pattern means they're easy to style with a simple white or black tee. 

These Chicwish sandals are a regular in my wardrobe once the sun comes out as they instantly vamp up any outfit. I've had them for a year now and styled them previously with socks - because in very special, unique cases socks and sandals are acceptable - in posts here and here. Talk about thrifty!

Hope you're all enjoying the sun :)

Friday

STYLE: TAPS AFF

JUMPER - TOPSHOP, DRESS - NEW LOOK, BOOTS & SCARF - PRIMARK


    
  

Well hey there sun! Where have you been all my life?? 

As soon as the sun comes out in Scotland, it's TAPS AFF, and it's amazing how many people you see wandering the city streets semi-naked and barefoot, as if we'd all been transported to Ibiza.

For me, i've only got so far as thick-woolly-tights off, which doesn't really have the same ring to it, as I've been trapped inside for work missing out on all this lovely summer weather. Fingers crossed it'll last, and then it'll not only be tights off, but also jumper and scarf off! Wooh!


Saturday

STYLE: RAPPER'S DELIGHT

DRESS - BOOHOO, TOP (UNDERNEATH) - MISS SELFRIDGE, BOOTS - NEW LOOK, CUFF - VINTAGE





I had a bit of an online shopping splurge last week and Boohoo was just one of many that benefited from my severe lack of self-control. I think this crop topped dress is super cute and spot-on for the spring to summer transition - or whatever you want to call this ridiculous weather!

I'm also wearing specs - big moment! After trying and failing to read a road sign last week, i thought it would be safer for all if i finally accepted my fate instead of continuing to mow down innocent pedestrians on my bike. I hope you like them as I plan on embracing the specs completely and have my eye on a few winged and cat eye beauties already <3

Monday

BEAUTY: BOOTS PREMIUM BEAUTY EVENT


Lancome Paris Redefinine Lifting Cream SPF15, Lancome Skin Advanced Skin Corrector, Lancome Paris Youth Activating Concentrate, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, Clarins Paris BB Skin Perfecting Cream, Clarins Paris Eye Contour Gel, and Clarins Paris HydraQuench Tinted Moisturizer Gold 05 SPF15

The transition from Winter to Spring to Summer is always a tricky one in the UK and you can never be quite certain where one ends and the other begins. One day it can be glorious sunshine and reaching the dizzy heights of 16 degrees - we dream big here in Edinburgh! - and the next it's snowing. Not only does this play havoc with your wardrobe which doesn't know which way its going, but it can also have an affect on your beauty regime. As the weather gets warmer and sunnier - that's the hope anyway! - my skin and beauty needs change and, bar a complete makeup overhaul, I struggle to make my winter makeup work for me.



It's a good thing then that just in the nick of time I was invited along to the Boots Premium Beauty Event at Fort Kinnaird in Edinburgh where customers were given the opportunity to learn all the top trade secrets on how to achieve the latest summer hair and makeup trends, with the Boots beauty and hair experts on hand to give out insider tips and free trials of the products. PLUS, there was bubbly and cakes - the fastest way to a girls' heart! - a goody bag and a prize draw to win a beauty hamper filled with luxury brand products.

So many goodies!

Boots has always been my go-to for everything beauty-wise, so it was a real treat to attend the premium beauty event and has got me really amped on writing about and trying out new beauty products this summer. Plus, I've stuck to the same beauty routine for god knows how long, so it was great to be able to pick the brains of professional make-up artists and gain some valuable insights into this seasons must-haves.


Benefit Hoola Bronzer and Benefit Sun Beam Highlighter

My night started at the Benefit counter, which is one of my favourite makeup brands as the pop-tastic, inyerface packaging always draws me in like a magpie. I was on a mission to finally pin-down contouring and bronzer, something that has previously been a complete mystery to me, and the lovely Kirsty was there to guide me through the many pot-holes.


Inside the Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Kirsty used the Hoola Bronzer, Rockateur Blush, and Sun Beam highlighter to create a sun-kissed summer look. Kirsty showed me how and where to apply bronzer to create a contouring effect that Kim K would be proud of, and how to use the highlighter to add a subtle shimmer to it all. It was a bit OTT for a day time look but would be perfect for warm summer nights on holiday.

Now that was my evening look sorted, i stopped off at the bare Minerals counter to find some day-time essentials.


bare Minerals All-Over Face Color in Warmth, Original Mineral Veil, Original SPF 15 Foundation in Fair C10, Prime Ttime Foundation Primer, and Full Flawless Face brush 

I was given the bare Minerals Get Started Complexion Kit last year as a present and have been obsessed with the mineral foundation ever since, but had all but ignored the primer, bronzer, and mineral veil that also came with it, so I sat down with Fathia who took me through the whole beauty routine step-by-step.

bare Minerals Mineral Veil and Flawless Face brush

She was so patient explaining every little thing to me and allowing me to practice the techniques myself, that it really made me confident that i could replicate the look once i was home and trying it out on my own. She even gave me a Make-Under card with all the details of the products that were used on me so that I could find them later on which was really handy. I loved the minimal and natural glow that it gave my skin, and the foundation provides such even and light-weight cover that it didn't feel like i was wearing anything at all, which is just what i want for a relaxed daytime look.




Next up was No7 who offer the Match Made service, which uses super fancy technology to match any skin type to its perfect shade of foundation and lipstick. Sitting in the chair and having my face scanned by a tiny skin sensor thingy, i was dubbed a Cool Vanilla and given a card listing a whole load of lipstick colours that it said would perfectly match my skin tone.



 First off I tried the Raspberry Silk, but i found that this was a bit too red for my skin tone, which usually has a red-y tinge to it anyway, so I quickly whipped that off and opted instead for the Loganberry 105 lipstick with it's luscious deep pinky-purpley hue. Just perfect. The lipstick was expertly applied by the lovely No7 counter staff, and looked so good and literally lasted for hours without budging. Being a slap-and-dash kinda girl I'd never gotten into the routine of taking much time over applying lipstick, but seeing how much of a difference it made to use a lipstick brush, i quickly nabbed one of those too.



No 7 Stay Perfect Loganberry 105 Lipstick, and No 7 Retractable Lip Brush

I then had to dash to catch the last bus home, and was sad to leave so quickly but was thrilled to have been given so many fantastic tips and advice. Rummaging through the goody bag when i got home, it was crammed full of amazing samples which I cant wait to try out. It's definitely got me thinking a lot more about beauty and upped my daily regime game. Although i wasn't able to take any photos of my makeup on the night as it was dark when i finally left, i'm looking forward to trying out some of the pieces i picked up and reviewing them soon so keep a look out for them!

Boots offer these make-overs to all customers, you can just pop over to one of the beauty counters to ask for one! They're a fantastic way to get to know the brands a bit more and get a first-hand feel for the products to find something that's perfect for you. Thanks to Boots Fort Kinnaird for such a fabulous evening, and thank you to all the girls who helped make me over and under!

Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet, Paco Rabanne Lady Million Eau My Gold!, Escada Turquoise Summer, Dolce & Gabbana The One, and Giorgio Armani Si


Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray, Ojon Rare Blend Moisture-rich Cleansing Conditioner, Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Shampoo, and Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Conditioner



This is not a sponsored post, all opinions expressed are my own.