Versace for H&M purchases

Versace for H&M

Leather bracelet

Silver leather shoes

Free dust bag

The leather bracelet, I love. It's so me and I can definitely see myself wearing it out quite often.

The shoes, I'm not so sure. Despite getting a buzz when I first laid hands on the pair of silver leather shoes, I'm not sure if I should return them. The shoes aren't exactly the most comfortable, but part of me (the irrational side) really wants to keep them. I fought long and hard against waves and waves of online consumers in order to bag these babies. Also, and I know this is insane, I really like the packaging and the dust bag that came along with it. Staring at the shoes in the box, I feel elated I've a piece of Versace for H&M history with me.

What do you think?

Budapest (Part 2)

Round scarf: H&M

Minnie and Micky Mouse jumper: H&M

Destroyed denim shorts: River Island

 Alexa-inspired satchel: Random blogshop

When I posted a pic of these shoes in my preview post, many of you asked me what the shoes meant. Well, I'm glad you asked because though I've visited a lot of memorials through out my life, this one really struck a chord and I wanted to share this with you. It's a memorial in honour of the Jews who were shot into the River Danube. Yes, right there. 

The significance behind these iron-cast shoes is very sad. No lengthy history lesson can be as powerful as standing there, looking at the shoes. It sends out a strong emotional message to those who bother to stop and ponder for a while. It was chilling to know I was standing at the very spot such human cruelty occurred. Looking around, everything seemed so normal now. There was a freeway right next to the embankment and cars were zooming pass. On the river, tourist cruises often pass by chock-full of tourists with cameras at the ready.

What actually made me cry was when I spotted this pair of kiddy shoes. It was then that it hit me that it wasn't just men and women who died here, but young, innocent children. I'm not sure if it was the artist's intention, but the pair of kiddy shoes were between a pair of woman's and man's shoes. It felt like a family once stood here, at midnight, perhaps even holding hands, awaiting their cruel fate. It really upset me that even children were not spared this brutality. I walked away from this memorial reminded that what the world needs is more love and that we should all prevent history from repeating itself.

Did anyone else watch The Boy in the Striped Pajamas? It's one of my favourite movies. If you've seen it, you'll know what the above "uniform" means.

I think Budapest is most beautiful at night. When we first landed, we caught an airport taxi to our hotel and on the way, I was just wow-ed by the gorgeous night scenery. I just kept turning to the boyf and expressed awe at the beauty we were seeing through the taxi's glass window.

We had a lovely time in Budapest. I would recommend anyone who wants a nice, relaxing holiday with  a bit of history to take home to visit this place. Food was ace and I really do miss the desserts and foie gras. Yum!

Don't forget to enter my Christmas giveaway!

Budapest (Part 1)

 Round scarf: H&M

Biker jacket: H&M

 Hey Hey Hey t-shirt: Hometoomuch.com
 Destroyed denim shorts: River Island

 Alexa-inspired satchel: Random blogshop

1) Funicular going up Castle Hill

I have been procrastinating quite a bit and today, I finally selected, edited and blogged about my Budapest trip. I hope you enjoy my very literal captions hehehe

2) View of Pest from Buda

Only while doing my research did I find out that Budapest is separated by the River Danube into Buda and Pest. We stayed on the Buda side which was near the Castle Hill, but we also made frequent trips over to the Pest side via the metro, trams or on foot (crossing the Chain Bridge).

3) Pretty lamp post

4) Map-reading

5) Jumping shot

6) Matthias church

7) Point of view

8) Royal Palace

9) Giant pencil

10) Er...another pretty lamp post

11) Hungarian post box

12) House of Terror

Despite its foreboding name, the House of Terror is actually a museum. It also serves as a memorial to the victims of the fascist and communist regimes. This is very fascinating museum and I think my favourite parts were the TV screens showing survivors being interviewed. Many of these first-hand accounts of the horror will bring a tear to your eye. All the survivors are old, but they can still recount with detail the fear they felt and the horror they witnessed. I walked away from the museum with mixed feelings. I felt a bit more educated, certainly, but also disturbed, yet relieved that we don't live in that world.

13) Foie gras

14) Homemade veal stew with ewe cheese strapacky

15) Duck breast and foie gras with apple and pear

When we found the right restaurants, Budapest has some pretty amazing food to offer. I had quite a number of servings of beef goulash soup (not pictured here) throughout our trip. Luckily for us, we found the Angelika restaurant just 2 minutes walk from out hotel. This restaurant was recommended by our guidebook and it definitely didn't disappoint. The foie gras at the Angelika restaurant is to die for! I really miss it *smacks lips*

16) Delicious k-ki from Butterfly

Those with a sweet tooth would be glad to hear that desserts are really cheap in Budapest. The fruit cake above only cost a couple of pounds whereas a slice of cake here in the UK can cost half the price of your main meal.

17) Hungarian Parliament

This is the view we get every night as we walk back to our hotel.

November GlossyBox

So after October's pretty amazing box (I'm still in love with the Dermalogica products), I have to admit I had high hopes for November's GlossyBox. When the pretty pink box arrived, I literally couldn't wait to tear into it. Sadly, it left me feeling a little underwhelmed. This time round, it's definitely a lacklustre box.

Nail Rock Designer Nail Wraps Black Lace on Red

Dead Sea Spa Magik Dead Sea Bath Salts

Monu Revitalising Moisturiser

Serge Lutens L'Eau Serge Lutens and Vitriol d'Oeillet

Arbonne FC5 Cooling Foot Creme

This month's box is kind of meh. Do I absolutely hate this box? No. Am I wowed by this box? No.
I wasn't excited at all by the brands and probably wouldn't use half of the things in the box. I suppose it's not fair for me not to give them a try, but the nail wraps simply do not appeal to me. The design is not something I like and in any case, I prefer painting my nails. The bath salts are okay and I may have used them if only I weren't moving out of my current place (back home where I don't have a bath tub). As for the perfume samples, regular readers will know what I think of them...not highly.

That said, I wouldn't say it was a horrid box. The Monu skin protector seems like a good product and the foot cream would be good for the upcoming winter months, I suppose. I look forward to trying out these products.

So yes, I'm not too excited about this box, but then again I completely understand that with beauty boxes, it's really a hit or miss. They can't satisfy everyone, every month.

This GlossyBox was gifted to me for review purposes

Informal

Long blazer: H&M
Sakura tank top: Random blogshop

Pink bow necklace: HitomiNeko

Pink studded leather bracelet: No brand

Destroyed denim shorts: River Island

Thigh-high socks: H&M

I'm in love with my new blazer from H&M. It has taken me forever to look for the perfect long blazer and I was so excited when I spotted this online. I had a 50% discount code, so the blazer worked out to be less than £14!! WIN!

I wore this outfit to attend a food festival at my Uni and there was an after party later that night. Man, I seriously felt so old dancing amongst freshers and younger undergraduate students. The music was too loud and I actually asked my friend, "Was the music always this loud?? How come I never realized it when we went clubbing last time??" I had to take so many breaks in between because I was seriously tired out and by 1.30am, I was ready to go home. They used to have to switch on the lights and kick us out...ah, those were the days. These old bones aren't what they used to be...

These days, I much prefer going to a cafe and chit chat over steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Is this what it feels like to be mature? Heheh...

Nails: Models Own in Pink Punch and Juicy Jules