TRAVEL - Whats In My Travel Bag - City Break Edition!

This post is about what I have in my travel bag. This is the only bag I will take on the trip with me! So it needs to be a good decision and go with everything i'm going to be wearing. (Usually I go on colder city breaks so you can't see my outfits at all, but it needs to make my coat look stylish!).

Copenhagen 2017. 

Bag of choice: Celine Nano Luggage. 

Reasons: small but mighty, fits more that expected and is durable. 

I purchased this bag last October and since then it's been on all of my city breaks with me. Riga, Edinburgh, Kraków, Copenhagen and most recently Reykjavik. 
It's such a good bag and there is much more room than you would expect. When I buy a bag I do lots of research and that was a fact that popped up every time. It fits in what you need. (If your a bag stuffer like the old me you might need something a little bigger). 


In the bag I have...

My passport and all other important travel items. (I keep them all in a clear travel bag they give you at the airport and I keep my travel insurance papers, my European health insurance card and then I will put my boarding pass in there so when i'm walking around the airport it's all together)  

My purse (wallet). Which is a full size purse! If I used a smaller purse or coin purse there would be even more room! I do have a card holder but when I go away I obviously take cash of the currency of the place Im visiting.

I always have bobbles (hair ties) because my hair always gets in the way so I like to have the option of getting it off my face if it becomes to annoying. 

Lip balm. I have learnt my lesson on previous city breaks! I always get dry lips and now I have lip balm with me wherever I go, but I find it such a must when I go travelling as the plane and the cold weather make them extra dry! My personal favourite is the Clarins lip balm. It's amazing! 

Headphones. For obvious reasons. I usually listen to music the whole flight if  there isn't TVs on the plane. (Which I have just realised I will have to take my adapter on flights now since I got the iPhone 8 as it's not got a normal earphone plug!) 

Phone charger. If my phone ever gets to even 50% I go into panic mode! Plus if you ever get delayed its good to have with you in case you need to top your charge up.

That's mainly it. That's what I would have with me when I go to the airport. When I get to the destination I would take a few items out that I don't need. If it's too full I will only panic if I can't see my passport so I try to keep it organised, everything has its place. And a plus for this bag is it has a zip closure so nothing falls out and people can't get in! With it being a small bag it also doesn't take up much leg room under the seat so you don't have to be uncomfortable on the flight with a bag taking up that precious leg room! (Because if your like me I don't really like putting things in the over head compartments unless it's my hand luggage case. I like to have all of my things by me!)

This post is kinda a little review of this bag also! This is my second most used handbag (behind my Louis Vuitton Neverfull, if you would like a review on that bag just let me know!) it was my first smaller bag as I was always a big bag person which has definitely changed, this bag fits even more in it than what I listed above, that's just the items I put in when i'm going away. The pebbled leather makes it really durable from scratches, so if your someone that worries about your bags, if you can get a textured leather so you don't have to worry as much! This bag has seen all weather conditions! In Kraków it poured down to the point I could have probably rung the bag out! (I know your not meant to get leather that wet so it was a little worry of mine but there's no problem at all with the bag!)
Overall I really love this bag for when i'm travelling and when i'm not! If you were thinking about this bag I would definitely go for it (especially since the price goes up every few months to a year!). 

My next post will be about my recent trip to Reykjavik, Iceland! All about what there is to see, where we stayed, how much money I took, if we found it expensive and all that good stuff so if you have any questions about the trip please send me your questions! 

X 

Instagram - @ellietaylorrxx
Email - makeupbyelliex@gmail.com 

FASHION - Entry Level Designer Bags!

If you are wanting to get into the designer bag game and are buying your first bag but don't want to spend too much money on one bag, here are 18 of my top pics for under £1000. 
There are 9 in the £500-£800 category and 9 in the £810-£1000 category. There are obviously more than 18 bags and there are some brands that have bags under £500 these are just a few of the bags I would pick from the top brands which I think are great prices for the designer. 

£500-£800

- Mulberry Darley Small Textured Leather Shoulder Bag £550.
This bag is a great size and sold in lots of colours, the size up isn't too much more if you were wanting a bigger bag. 
- Saint Laurent Shopper Leather Tote £685. 
I love this bag and I do consider purchasing this bag but it is too similar to my Louis Vuitton Neverfull (which is also under £1000! Bonus bag there!). It comes in so many colours!
- Prada Textured Leather Shoulder Bag £700.
Another bag which comes in lots of colours, perfect for going on holiday, or someone who doesn't carry lots around! 
- Gucci Marmont Mini Quilted Shoulder Bag £715.
For Gucci this is an amazing price I just recently just went looking at this bag and last minute changed my mind to another bag in this category. Available in so many colours and is a really beautiful bag. 
- Valentino The Rockstud Leather Shoulder Bag £740.
A bag that is on my wish list and has been for a while as I have some Valentino heels that this bag would match, again comes in so many colours. 
- Prada Quilted Leather Camera Bag £765. 
Quite a new bag I think but this bag is so pretty. I love the silver chain. 
- Saint Laurent Monogram Leather Shoulder Bag £770.
This bag is on my wish list also. I think I want it in white.. I also love the burgundy colour on the picture! 
- Givenchy Mini Pandora Bag (washed leather) £790. 
A last minute entry to this post as I was searching through my favourite designers and saw this. I love givenchy, the first handbag I bought myself was the Givenchy Antigona!
- Gucci Soho Disco Bag £805.
£5 over the £800 mark but this bag is a classic. I purchased this bag just yesterday in the red leather! I can't wait to start using it. Such a great price and a beautiful bag!  


£810-£1000

- Saint Laurent Lou Lou Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag £815. 
Another bag I've been loving recently! They have this in so many colours and also black velvet which i'm loving and have my eye on!
- Valentino Rockstud Small Leather Shoulder Bag £830. 
A bag I own and I love! I have it in nude and it's such a beautiful bag. It's like a piece of jewellery because the cross body strap is covered in the gold studs! Love this bag. 
- Saint Laurent Lou Medium Leather Shoulder Bag £850. 
Pretty sure this is a new style bag for YSL as I've only seen it in the past couple of months. It also comes in a smaller style and can get it with the YSL stitched into the bag. 
- Balenciaga Classic Reporter Grained Leather Crossbody Bag £855. 
If you like the classic Balenciaga bags but don't want to spend over £1000 for it this is perfect for you! Same look but different!
- Gucci Marmont Small Leather Shoulder Bag £885. 
This is just the size bigger that the Gucci Marmont mentioned in the other category. The mini is quite small and the cross body strap isn't adjustable! So if you want something a little bigger this is for you. 
- Jimmy Choo Lockett Petite Leather Shoulder Bag £904. 
This bag comes in a size smaller and also bigger (I think). I love this bag it's to chic. And it comes in different materials and colours! 
- Dolce & Gabanna Sicily Small Embellished Textured Leather Tote £925. 
Such a classy bag, comes in other colours, this one the top handle is embellished you can also get the handle plain. 
- Chloe Faye Small Suede & Leather Shoulder Bag £930.
Dare I say it but i'm not a huge fan of the Chloe Faye bags, it comes in a smaller size which is just over £500. I included this bag because I know people are obsessed with Chloe Faye bags. 
- JW Anderson Pierce Mini Leather Bag £975. 
When I first saw this bag and the size up I really didn't like it but the more I look at it I like it (the mini).

There we have it! There are obviously more bags that fit this criteria there are also brand that have bags for £200 + just depends on your personal preference and some people may also prefer their first designer handbag to be an investment piece or just a bag they love the look of! If you would like another post on bags to make money on write a comment down below of if you have any other ideas also let me know! 

Instagram- @ellietaylorrxx 

BEAUTY - 2017 Beauty Obsessions.

2017 saw lots of new makeup products. Some which stayed in my makeup bag and some that didn't. 
Not only will this post tell you about the products I discovered in 2017 but the products from 2016 that made the whole year in my makeup bag but also products that will probably never change and if you've read previous monthly favourites on my blog, some of these products might be familiar to you. 

2017 Beauty Finds. 
Some of these products I had to give 2 or 3 chances to realise how much I loved them. 

First up Lilly Lashes Ela. I have always been a fan of Lilly Lashes, they are my favourite lashes ever. I decided to break away from my usual Miamis/Hollywoods and try Ela's and they are my faaavourites. They are bandless and fluffy and perfect. I get mine off falseeyelashes.co.uk they always have a 10% off discount code (I used the code EYES at checkout) and occasionally they have 20% off PLUS it's free next day delivery! 

Huda Beauty Faux Filter Foundation. This one was something I wanted to try before I bought. Luckily the HudaBeauty counter faced the MAC counter so I could get a few samples. I tried Shortbread, Chai, Macaroon. I am very fair, usually I would use NC15 in Studio Fix Fluid. I liked all 3 shades and if I could I'd purchases them all.. Chai is a little dark for me, more like NC20 and Macaroon was slightly pinker in the undertone so I purchased Shortbread. I absolutely Love this foundation. At first I was a little unsure. I'm very oily and I actually didn't like it when I first applied it, it was very matte. Also the first time I used it I used it with my usual foundation brush, the 168 from Mac and I really didn't get a good first impression of the foundation. It was drying before I could even blend it in and it's an extremely full coverage. The next time I used it I used a Beauty Blender and I've been obsessed ever since, I ran out of my sample and went back to studio fix and it made SF look like a light coverage in comparison! Also the foundation is really long lasting which is a must have for myself as I wear my makeup for over 12 hours a day. 

A product which I bought used around 4 times and didn't like it at first was the Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid shadow. I found it flaky and messy and I found it was all over my face by the end of the day. I would look at it all the time and I thought i'm gunna try it with a brush, not just putting it on from the applicator. And I loved it, I wore it on Christmas Day, New Years Eve, I actually went on to use it on a lot of my freelance's on NYE. I even had a girl who had it and said she didn't like it and I told her that I felt the same but since using it with a brush, I use either a Mac 242 or then Colourpop flat shader, that I loved it and I even purchased it in a different shade and would absolutely love the whole collection. Stila have also brought out ones that have no glitter in them I would really love to try those also!

Another product I used once, didn't like, put it down and then came back to it a few months later and that is the Tom Ford Cream & Powder eyeshadow duo/Cream Colour For Eyes. 
I have a few shades now but the one in particular i'm talking about its Naked Bronze 01. I have worn this probably near enough every day throughout December. It was quick, easy so when I was waking up at 5am to get ready for work I knew the product I wanted, I didn't really use the shimmer powder eyeshadow that comes with it more so Nillionare Super Shoch eyeshadow from Colourpop. Again I even did this look on a freelance because it looks super amazing! I use them with a Mac brush which I think has been discontinued! I want them in every colour. 

Lastly, this seems like a very basic one but the Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm. OBSESSED. My lips get so dry and sore. From traveling and daily life but especially when I go on a plane. I need a good lip balm this I have been choosing over lipstick or lipgloss! Add a lip liner and cover my lips in this. Makes your lips feel amazing, I get very addicted to putting it on. 100% a travel/life essential..

2016 - 2017. 

I've always loved Anastasia Beverly Hills eyeshadows but last year I used Burnt Orange near enough everyday. Still love my Jouer Highlighter in Citrine, I've had 2 I will say they 
break very easy! My first one broke in my bag my second lasted longer but once I hit pan it broke but I don't care because I love the product, how I like to use it leads on to another product which made it, the Mac Cream Colour Base in Pearl. I apply this first then my Jouer highlighter. A product which I bought probably in 2015 and picked it up again this year is the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow. I don't use the highlight in the palette but I love the bronzer I wish they would bring it out singular because I don't want to repurchase the palette just for the bronzer! 

Products I've always loved..

Natural Radiance Primer (Mac), Prep & Prime Light Boost Highlight Pen (Mac), Soft Ochre (Mac), Fix + (Mac), Emphasize Shaping Powder (Mac), Deep Dark Brunette Brow Fluidline (Mac), Margin Blush (Mac). 

Well there we have it! The products that were in my makeup bag last year, i'm very much a creature of habit so I like what I like and I rarely change it up. One thing I can't find is a concealer so if you have suggestions let me know! 

Instagram @@ellietaylorrxx 

2018 WANDERLUST.

My first post of 2018!
I know I say this all the time but I really want to blog more this year! It's very hard between working full time and creating content!
So here we go on my first 2018 post, kicking it off with one of my favourite things TRAVEL.

I've been on lots of trips the past 4 years and there are SO MANY places I want to go to, I have a whole list in my diary including all the places to visit in the country! 
Starting with where I have been.. 
Dublin, London, Paris, Rome, Turkey, Prauge, New York, Paris (again, and always planning on going back), Dubrovnik, Montenegro, Riga, Edinburgh, Kraków, Paphos, Copenhagen & Malmö. 
And 2018 is looking to be a fun packed year for travelling! I'm starting off in Iceland - Reykjavik in March, then July going to the place my stomach is from.. Italy! So excited to explore Venice then from Venice to Verona! The scene for Romeo and Juliet! Wanted to visit Verona ever since I watched the film Letters to Juliet! Then September will take me to Morocco - Marrakech. All these places require lots of outfit planning! I'm so excited for all of this trips and i'm hoping to maybe squeeze 1 more trip in maybe 2! 
Other than the places i'm heading to this year I have a whole list of places i'm desperate to go to! The list includes most of Italy, lots of France, Spain and lots more! 
I've started to make a travel 'scrapbook'. It's just a book full of pictures I've taken from all the places I've been and i'm actually obsessed with it. It becomes very obsessive printing pictures off and making sure I've taken enough pictures, and if I haven't I will go on a crazy hunt to find more things to take pictures of! 
I'm so excited to go exploring this year! Take lots of pictures and see even more beautiful places. 
I think my top 5 places to visit next (very very hard to choose). 
-Florence. 
-Milan. 
-Barcelona. 
-Budapest. 
-Positano. 

Recently Purchased Luxury Items.

I usually post about the items I've purchased here on my blog but since I've been gone for so long there's a few items I've missed out on telling you about! Also there is one item which is my most recent handbag purchase which i'm not including in this because I am going to do a post all about that handbag (if you follow me on Instagram - @ellietaylorrxx you will have seen it already).  
This first item i'm going to talk about I mentioned in my Paris trip/Chanel bag post. The Celine Nano Luggage. I'd tried it on, loved it and knew I wanted it but I had just spent a crazy amount on a Chanel bag so I left Paris without the Celine bag. Then I went on holiday and I thought about how much I needs a small black cross body bag (I talked myself into buying it). Then at the start of October I went to Selfridges and purchased it. I am going to leave the prices for thing at the end of the post because a lot of items are hard to find the price online so if you wanna know it will be down at the bottom! I am so happy with that bag! It has become one of my most used handbags. It's been to Riga, Latvia with me and also came with me to Kraków, Poland. It fits what you need in and it's not a bother or a pain because it's a crossbody bag, and you'll be surprised how much it fits in! 
Next up came the Chloe Joe Coin Purse. Once I purchased the Celine bag I decided to take up less room I 'needed' a coin purse. I bought this the day after my birthday as my 'birthday treat'. It does have 4 card slots on the back also. I don't use this loads but it's handy to have, plus it is very pretty!  Then came the Saint Laurent Card Holder. Now this wasn't expected. I think half the reason

I purchased the Chloe one is because I'd emailed Saint Laurent asking if the still stocked the blush pink/silver hard wear card hold or the black/silver leather card holder and they told me no. Anyway I went to Edinburgh for my birthday for a little weekend away and I said to myself I'll just look in Harvey Nics and see if they have any card holders. I walked in and there it was.. A light pink/silver hard wear card holder. It's croc embossed which i'm not too fussed about but it is so beautiful! I was unsure so the lady said she would put it on hold for me until the day after but it took me the whole of 10 minutes before I was paying for it at the till! I do use both when it comes to my small bags. If I could I would probably take the Chloe coin purse back but sometimes you need somewhere to store change so it does come in handy!
Next.. The bag that I was so obsessed with for such a long time! The Gucci Dionysus bag. As I mentioned in my last post (click here) so many amazing fashion bloggers had this bag and I was so tempted, something about the classic GG print made me hesitant but I couldn't stop thinking about it. After seeing Ohh Couture style this bag I was sold. It's such a beautiful bag I still look at it and think wow. It makes me really nervous though that there's a taupe pocket on the back of the bag because I really don't want any colour transfer! (I've used it a few times mostly wearing black jeans and a leather jacket and so far I've had no problems). 
Lastly for the items in this post is the Valentino Rockstud Camera Cross Body Bag. This bag is amazing. It's so pretty and the leather is so soft. The studs around the bag and all along the strap make it look like jewellery! I've not really had chance to use it much but when I have used it I've loved it (i'm taking it away on holiday with me in September). It fits quite a bit in I usually put my card holder & coin purse in, my phone, mirror and lip products, keys and there's still room for more. It's such a beautiful bag and the colour is beautiful! I might have to get some Rockstud heels now to match.. 
Anyway thank you for reading! And stay tuned for my latest handbag purchase, it's a big one! Don't forget to follow my Instagram @ellietaylorrxx for more pictures and posts! 
❤️

PRICES. (When I purchased them) 
Celine Nano luggage - £1550
Chloe coin purse - £180 
YSL card holder - £170
Gucci bag - £1420
Valentino bag - £830

My Top Five Favourite Fashion Bloggers/Instagrammers.

Hello everyone! It's been a very long time since I last blogged. I was going through a creative block. I've decided to kick it back off with something I love which is fashion blogs and instagrams. If there is anything you would like me to do a post on please do let me know as I want to be putting out content that you want to see.

There are so many amazing bloggers out there this is just 5 of the girls who's blogs/Instagrams I check daily and who give me the most inspiration. 


1. The Viva Luxury. 
2. Ohh Couture. 
3. Hello Fashion Blog. 
4. Lydia E Millen. 
5. I Am Choquette. 


I cannot say which one of these girls is my favourite. They all post amazing outfits and beautiful images! If you are looking for some style inspo and some major wanderlust these are just a few i'm obsessed with. 

1. Thevivaluxury.com
Ran by the gorgeous Anabelle, she makes me want to get up and go and buy pretty much every outfit she posts. Every outfit is perfectly put together, the images she posts are just beautiful and in the perfect location to complement the outfit. I think I've pretty much got every single outfit she's worn on my Pinterest. 

2. Ohhcouture.com
This blog is ran by Leonie. Her images are just incredible. I lust over the locations in her pictures, I want to go to every place she has been. Her style is amazing, another blog who's pictures are all over my Pinterest. When I had my eye on the Gucci Dionysus bag it was Leonies images and outfits which made me end up purchasing the bag.

3. Hellofashionblog.com
I came across this blog on Pinterest while looking at handbag pictures. Ran by Christine this is a blog for everyone. Not that the others aren't, but she has a post for everyone out there (you'll get what I mean when you go to her Instagram/blog). I love all of her images and outfits.

4.@lydiaemillen. 
This is more of an Instagram I check on the daily. Not that I don't like her blog, Lydia admits to not posting much on there recently. I just find she's more active on Instagram and her images and her outfits are amazing. She also has a YouTube channel, another place I follow along with. She inspired my to purchase my latest handbag (I do plan on doing a blog post on it) and she deffo gives me style inspiration and hair envy to add. 

5. @Iamchoquette. 
Another Instagram account and YouTube account i'm always checking. Claire has the most amazing handbag collection! Her outfits and images again are beautiful! Her house is also so dreamy! She's friends with Lydia also! I would say Claire is my handbag crush! I would have pretty much every handbag she has if I could! 

That's pretty much everything on the beautiful girls! I just wanted to do a quick post to bring 
me back to the party and these 5 girls have definitely inspired me! I hope my blog/Instagram 
will one day compare to all of these and I really am wanting to create a YouTube channel I just think it will be later on. Please don't forget to follow my Instagram @ellietaylorrxx. 
Thank you for reading and please let me know what you would like to to post about in the future. Ellie x

My most used lip products.

1. This has to be Nice n Spicy lipliner by Mac Cosmetics. I have around 8 of these! I go through them like they are going out of stock. I use this lipliner with most lipsticks, it goes with all of my faves. It's from the Prolongwear family so it stays put for hours! 

2. This one was between two lipsticks of mine (the other will be no 3.) and it's Myth Lipstick again by Mac cosmetics. This is my go to lippy. It's always in my bag because it goes with most of my makeup looks so when I need a nude lipstick this is the one I reach for the most. (Myth lipstick and Nice n Spicy lipliner is one of my fave combos).

3. This has to be my other most used lipstick and this is Sweet & Sour lipstick by Mac Cosmetics. Even though some people would think this as a summery lipstick it's another I will always have in my bag. I love it all year round it's my perfect Peach Nude. (Again with Nice n Spicy lipliner, another favourite combination).

4. Next is the NYX Soft Matte Lip creme in Cairo. It's super similar to Myth (but completely different haha) another product that I keep in my bag for when I need a nude lippy.

5. Another item I keep in my bag because it's super easy to apply it's the Patent Polish Lip Pencil in Its Really Me from Mac Cosmetics. These are a glossy lipstick in a cubby pencil form and this colour is a beautiful nude. They are moisturising and quick to put on without needing a mirror for help.

6. A gloss which I love is the NYX Butter Gloss in Fortune Cookie. This is myth in a lipgloss. And I love a glossy lip, I'm not much of a matte girl unless I'm wearing a bright colour (which is rare). These glosses are amazing, super creamy and pigmented.

7. Another one of my favourite lipsticks in Shy Girl from Mac Cosmetics. Again it's another nude peach and it also looks fab with the Nice n Spicy lipliner! Its a no fuss lipstick and it's a really popular shade. 

8. I don't really like matte lipsticks but I love the colour of Honeylove Lipstick from Mac. It's a little bit of a darker nude so it's a nice one for fall/winter. Another favourite Fall lipstick of mine is Mocha again from Mac. 

9. A creamy nude lipstick I love is Nude Kate from Charlotte Tilbury. If you don't like a super nude lip (like Myth from mac) this is one you will love. It's not too nude it has a little but more colour. I really like this shade. I also really like the Kim K W lipstick from Charlotte but i'm not sure if it's limited edition or not it's more pink than Nude Kate. 

I could really go on and on when it comes to my favourite lip products so I've had to stop myself. I always have more than 2 of these products in my bag at all times. 
Hope you liked this. 
Ell X