NEWCASTLE FASHION WEEK // COMPANY FASHION SHOW

On Saturday 10th May I attended the first day of Newcastle Fashion Week and one of the main events, Company magazine's high-street catwalk! There were two shows available to attend on the day, starting at 12 noon and 2pm. Both catwalks were hosted by fashion features writer: Alexxsia Elizabeth, senior features writer: Carlene Thomas-Bailey and the amazing fashion designer Julien Macdonald, what an absolute treat! With some beautiful styles on show from a wide range of high-street stores including TOPSHOP (of course), Primark and Oxfam, to name a few; there really was enough fashion to suit anyone's tastes. I was especially impressed by what Next and Marks and Spencer's had to offer; amazing trouser suits, pastel dresses and heels.

It really was an amazing event and I loved every minute, but I have to say that being asked if we wanted to sit on the front row and have our pictures taken for Company's Street Style was the cherry on top of the cake. But that's enough bragging, (sorry! its not often I do!) I've promised myself that I will invest in a better quality camera after my birthday so I'm able to blog about events and include more vibrant and sharp pictures! Of course no event at the Assembly Rooms would be complete without a visit to their exclusive, 'BONBAR'; I chose my all time favourite amaretto sours and it did not disappoint. I've included a little mirror outfit shot of what myself and my friend Amy wore that day. I can't wait to attend 'Get into Fashion' this Friday as I'm sure it will not disappoint. Newcastle Fashion Week is really not one to be missed this year!



THE FAT HIPPO UNDERGROUND

A little over a week ago, myself and my boyfriend made a trip to a little place called 'The Fat Hippo Underground.' If you live around the Jesmond/Newcastle area then you maybe familiar with the original Fat Hippo restaurant; an eatery that specialises in the most amazing beef and chicken burgers, Newcastle's equivalent to MEATliquor in my eyes! Speaking of the original restaurant, I have to be honest and say that I haven't been. We did venture all the way over there late afternoon to be rudely told that there were no tables available; if we did want one we'd have to come back in 2 hours, NO WAY HOSAYYY! But in the end, fate was on our side and a month later The Fat Hippo opened their second restaurant and this time we actually made a reservation (which I recommend doing as it does get busy!) If you're not a fan of exceedingly good greasy food then please avert your eyes.

Situated on Shakespeare St. in the centre of Newcastle, the restaurant is not hard to miss. A giant luminous hippo hangs over it's doorway as you descend the stairs into the 'underground'. The décor is simple, clean and in places quirky. But who goes to a restaurant for the furnishings/to look at the walls? For being a new establishment, the servers who spot on, leaving the right amount of time in between our drink and food orders. As the pictures show we hit the food hard, maybe a little too hard. Although a Happy Hour menu was on offer, we decided to go for the full whack and ordered the chilli cheese nachos £7.90 as a starter along with the The Fat Hippo burger £9.90 as our main.

Now this is where it gets embarrassing; The Fat Hippo burger was made of double 4oz patties, topped with bacon, chorizo, cheese, onion rings and its own special fat hippo sauce, with an accompaniment of triple cooked chips! Dear, bloggers, I ate every last mouthful and I left not only weighed down with a food baby, but also with shame at how much food I'd managed to put away in my stomach!If I'd known how big the portions were, I'd have just called it a night after my share of the nachos but I'm not one to give up easily. You really do get your moneys worth and I'll definitely be going again, just maybe after a good 2 month recovery period. Fat Hippo Underground, you've really gone and made a good'un! If you're around the area and fancy a good bite to eat, then you know where it is! Also, I just couldn't resist snapping some photos of Newcastle as we left, such a beautiful Spring day.

*I've been wondering? Do you like my lifestyle/eating out blog posts, I really enjoy making them and just wondered if that enjoyment was mirrored in you reading them?



NARS RADIANT CREAMY CONCEALER

Over the last few months I have found myself fighting a very tricky battle, the battle of concealers. I had resisted the urge to purchase a new concealer after settling into a comfortable long term relationship with Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection, but like most days in my life, I fell victim to my spending urge once again. I had heard so many reviews about the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and always found myself swatching the shades whenever I visited Space NK but never made the purchase. That is until last Monday; feeling particularly adventurous and spendy, I made the plunge (with thanks to £5 off). And I have to say, there's no turning back. Sorry Collection!

Having only ever used one other NARS product; their Laguna bronzer, I was very curious as to how I would like the concealer. Firstly, the concealer comes in 10 different shades, each catering for either warm or cool undertones to the skin. I chose to go with Vanilla (Light2) which is a great match for my skin and NC15 foundation. As always, the concealer is adorned with the signature black rubber material that NARS use on all their packaging (expect it to get messy FAST.) Incredibly creamy in consistency, the concealer glides onto the skin easily with the help of it's doefoot applicator. There is a similarity between the NARS and Collection concealers, I'm not going to lie. They both have a relatively thick formula and good staying power, but there is just something about the radiant creamy concealer that makes it 10x better. It's overall appearance is more attractive, there isn't a plasticy smell to the product and it appears to give more cover with less product than I'd get from the Collection concealer. I have noticed a huge difference under my eyes since using NARS, whereas the Collection concealer would cake up and leave me with dried lines that made me look haggard, I now have a flawless finish that brightens up the eye and just emphasises the skin.

At £22, this is a pricey concealer and not within everyone's price range. I don't think I would have been as easily swayed to buy it if it hadn't been for those Space NK points I'd managed to rack up. But saying that, I am so glad I did. It really is a wonder product and suitable for all skin types and I'll definitely be repurchasing. If you've been working hard recently, who's to say you can't treat yourself to a nice piece of makeup every once in a while? Have any of you tried this concealer, what were your thoughts?