Bordeaux Shopping...

A couple of days into our holiday we decided visited Bordeaux and this provided the perfect opportunity to check out some of the pharmacies that France is famous for. The one I headed for was called CityPharma. Surprise surprise, I ended up buying a few things! 

The first product I popped into my basket was the famous Bioderma. I picked up two travel size minis as they were on offer and I thought it would be better to trial it first. I'm currently using the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water which I like, but I've wanted to get my hands on the Bioderma for ages to see if it really justifies the hype - so far so good!
I usually use a hot cloth cleanser to take off my make-up (my new love is the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser - review coming soon) but for those lazy days, I can see that this would be the perfect product!

The next product I purchased, La Roche Posay Serozinc, I saw on Amelia Liana's French Pharmacy Haul. She purchased 5 bottles of this, so I just had to see what it was like! Basically, it's their cleansing soothing toner in spray form. So far, I'm really enjoying it, I've only been using it for a couple of days, but I love the fact that its a spray - its great to freshen up your makeup but also great after taking off your makeup. This toner doesn't strip the skin like many toners as it doesn't use alcohol, instead it uses zinc which is much better for your skin.

Avene Eau Thermale was the next purchase and yet again, it was a repurchase. I'd bought this a couple of weeks before I went on holiday whilst shopping with my best friend (who happened to do a review on it here) and we are both now completely addicted. Its a great refreshing product. Some would have you believe its a gimmick, but this is a gimmick I'm happy to pay the price for. It's basically water in a can... but it can be used in different ways e.g. a makeup setting spray, spray for red or irritated skin and acne or just a quick refreshing 'spritz' on a hot day.

When in France, a visit to 'Sephora' is a must and of course I ended up buying a few bits,
one of which was Sephora Colour Waterproof 24HR Liquid Eyeliner. The blue eyeliner trend of this summer has been something I've wanted to try for a while,  but yet again I haven't had the confidence to, in fear of the fact that it might end in disaster. Instead of embarrassing myself with bright blue liner, I thought I'd try some more subtle colours when I came across this little beauty. It's a purple glitter liner that can appear almost black in some lights. I've yet to use it, but I'm really looking forward to trying it out.

As we were about to depart Bordeaux, I couldn't help but notice that there was a Kiko shop, being a brand that isn't readily available in the UK I just had to go in!
They've just released their new limited edition range - Daring Game. Being the natural smokey eye lover that I am, when I saw the gorgeous palettes they had to offer, I couldn't resist. I bought the Queen of Hearts Eyeshadow Palette in the number 03 Elegant Ebony. So excited to try this!

I'll let you know how I get on!

Thanks for reading,

Martha x

*All images unless stated are photographed and copyrighted by Martha Sanders

French Pharmacy and Beauty Haul...

As you may be aware from my previous blogs, I've just returned from holidaying in France - despite this I still managed return pasty white! Eugh!

For a while now I've been compiling a list of 'beauty items' that I wanted to purchase whilst in France. Many of you may know, that France is renowned for their amazing skincare products. This seemed an ideal opportunity to take advantage of this and check out a few products that aren't so readily available in the UK.

Before even arriving in France, the charm and appeal of duty free was just too difficult to resist, resulting in me picking up a couple of items.
I'd wanted to repurchase these products for a while now... every time I'm in John Lewis or Debenhams I gaze longingly at the well stocked beauty counters, but never summon the courage to buy them. There's something about Duty Free however that instantly dispels those doubts and worries regarding the hole that will result in my bank account and, before you know it, it's already safely stowed in my basket as I waltz towards the checkout. Anyway, to the products...

The first thing I acquired was the Estee Lauder 'Lucidity Translucent Powder' in 01 Light. I first bought this product, funnily enough, in duty free a couple of years ago. I used it for a while but soon forgot about it and got swept up in the craze of Rimmel London's Stay Matte Pressed Powder. I've used this for as long as I can remember and repurchased it many times in the colours 005 Silky Beige and 006 Warm Beige.
About 2 months ago however, I found my Estee Lauder Powder whilst sorting through my collection and thought I'd give it another go. I have to say, I haven't looked back since.
I tried the Rimmel Powder again a few weeks ago but it just didn't compare to the Estee Lauder product. I'm not sure if that is because my Estee Lauder product is 'high end' and feels more luxurious, but whatever it is, I just kept reaching for it. So, when a couple of weeks ago I 'hit pan', I thought it might be the end, but I finally plucked up the courage, repurchased it and I'm absolutely loving it.

The next product is also an Estee Lauder repurchase. This is the Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volumising Mascara in 01 Extreme Black - what a mouth full! It's a really volumising mascara (as the name suggests) that doesn't have a plastic brush applicator. I really like the fact that the bristles aren't plastic, as recently my eyes have become a lot more sensitive and this particular applicator doesn't irritate them. This product 'does what it says on the tin' and gives you really black volumised lashes whilst still managing to keep them looking natural and not 'clumpy', like many mascaras have a tendency to. It's 'buildable' so you can achieve a more intense look but a 'quick lick' of this and you're good to go with luscious natural lashes.
As I bought the mascara in a two set (my mum decided she wanted one too) I qualified for a free eyeliner - Estee Lauder Pure Colour Intense Kajal in 01 Blackened Black). I'm really excited to try this as I'm currently trying to find a really good pencil liner - any suggestions would be much appreciated!

More to follow tomorrow!

Thanks for reading,

Martha x

*All images unless stated are photographed and copyrighted by Martha Sanders

A day in Bordeaux

For me, no trip to Bordeaux would be complete without a trip to L'Entrecôte.

This is a restaurant that serves sirloin steak as the only main course on the menu. This must be my 7th visit, and it has never disappointed.

They say that the way the meat is prepared and the sauce that it is served in is a well guarded secret. Wikipedia would have you believe that it is a combination of 9 different ingredients (including blanched chicken livers), but there is much controversy surrounding this…. Whatever, the taste is sublime.

There's nothing that compares to this dish, as the queue outside the restaurant will testify. Today, having arrived at midday (opening time), we were greeted by a queue, which we dutifully joined and which only continued to grow behind us as the lunch service progressed. Despite the rather unseasonal rain, 'punters' were only too willing to wait. 

The only course on the menu that varies, is the pudding, and today we decided that the only way to conclude our meal was to indulge in profiteroles. These were ice-cream filled and had copious amounts of thick dark hot chocolate sauce topped with flaked almonds. Wow! This was then rounded of with a shot of expresso… Perfect.

A short walk from the L'Entrecote restaurant is the Opera House, home of the Opera National de Bordeaux. As the rain persisted, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to have a look around the inside of this truly impressive building. We've been to Bordeaux on numerous occasions, but have never ventured inside this beautiful 'theatre'. There was an exhibition being shown, based around the Alice in Wonderland story. The building itself is a grand,18th Century architectural monument with a rich 'royal' interior of blue, gold and white. 

I don't want you to think this is all high culture and food here in Bordeaux, just a few paces from the Opera House is the longest shopping street in Europe, stretching an impressive 1.2km... We just had to fit in a just a little 'retail therapy'.

Thanks for reading,

Martha x

*All images unless stated are photographed and copyrighted by Martha Sanders

Culture Vulture

Call me a culture vulture but as I'm studying Art at A-Level, I thought that with the range of galleries that Bordeaux has to offer I should take the opportunity to visit one or two.

Our first stop on another stunningly beautiful day was the Musee d'art Contemporain where we saw some work that included artists such as Aaron Curry, Dan Finsel, Carter Mull and ASCO. 

The entrance

 

The main gallery

The museum building itself was amazing, it comprised of three floors. The gallery was previously a warehouse and has been beautifully renovated to include a large main gallery space with lots of different smaller areas to explore. Aaron Curry really used to his advantage and explored the space he was given, I think this greatly enhanced his work and also made it more interactive for the viewer. 

Aaron Curry

 

Carter Mull's artwork was particularly impressive. I especially liked the litho printing plates which were scattered randomly on the floor and the reflections that they created against the walls. I also liked the ways his artwork on the walls reflected in the plates.

 

At the very top of the building was a rooftop restaurant where we enjoyed our refreshing drinks alongside the ghost of the Richard Long piece 'White Rock Line, 1990' 

 

Before and after

Image on left sourced from CAPC official website

It had to be Perrier - we're in France after all!

We also decided to visit the Musee des Arts decoratifs et du design. This museum was however very contrasting to the previous. It included ceramics and furnishings from the 18th Century so was very different. I didn't enjoy this museum as much as I didn't find it as interesting.

Here are some more of the exhibits we saw at the Musee d'art Contemporain. I would highly recommend a visit if you're in the area!

J'ai peur - ' I'm afraid '

Another Richard Long piece

Thanks for reading,

Martha x

*All images unless stated are photographed and copyrighted by Martha Sanders

Monday

Day 1…

Today started with a super lazy breakfast - which actually ended up becoming brunch. Day 1 in France usually means food shopping, so after navigating our way through the back streets of St Medard in our flashy new hire car (see the picture… who ever thought that bright red 'accents' was a good look) we finally arrived. 

Before we even made it to the supermarket I noticed a shop nearby and just had to take a closer look. Why? Well, the shop was called 'Real Chocolat' - I was already sold - not only that, but it was pink and when I say pink, I mean PINK inside and out, I just couldn't resist. The service in the shop was fab, the assistant was really helpful..we managed with a combination of 'pigeon English and French' and a series of extravagant hand gestures - its great fun when you can't quite understand each others language. She gave us some suggestions, including her own favourites and was happy for us to try what ever took our fancy - which of course I didn't turn down. Overall the shopping experience was great and its fair to say I came out with a large bag full of 'goodies'.

Having left the mouth-watering delights of 'Real Chocolat' (much to my dismay) we made our way in to Leclerc, the supermarket. Personally, I love going food shopping in foreign countries and looking at all the different food that they have and comparing it to that of the shops we have in Wales. Some things however I do not enjoy, like seeing fully intact, (but short of its furry coat) rabbit at the meat counter along with horse. Mid shop I decided that I was getting a bit peckish and I managed to find bread tasters, which I ended up visiting on multiple occasions.

My Auntie has been having 'mole issues' (the animal kind) and during dinner the next door neighbour, Eveline (aka the 'Mole Catcher') visited with tools in hand to help out… lets see if it works.

Mmmm... think we may need another visit!

The best thing about holidaying in France has to be the fact that you can eat as much bread and cheese as you like and still be considered normal.

Thanks for reading,

Martha x

*All images unless stated are photographed and copyrighted by Martha Sanders