Madrid Shopping Haul

Heyyy everyone, and happy Wednesday!

Hope you're all having a lovely week. I'm straight back from Madrid and thrown right into the depths of reality again. I'm loving being back in Cork seeing everyone again and getting back into college!

As promised on my snapchat (@cloddscan if you'd like to give me a follow...) I am showing you a haul post of what I bought in Madrid.

It's truly a magnificent city! I'm so excited to start working on the vlog and the travel blog post on Madrid. I think you guys are going to love it!

You can't have a city break holiday in a European city and not check out the shopping scene.. Or maybe that's just me... But the shopping in Madrid was fab - it's such a pity we didn't have more time but I picked up some absolute gems.

ZARA.

I was so excited to get to visit Zara in Madrid as it's one of my all time fave high-street stores, but it actually originates in Spain so the stock was amazing!! So much more choice than at home!

The first item I picked up was this stunning grey suede jacket. I had my eye on it for about a month so it just had to be mine! The colour is so rich and the material feels so soft! I know I'm going to wear it to death ha! €49.95

Next I got a grey jumper - perfect for throwing on with a pair of jeans and running to college. I just totally lust over bell sleeves and love the bow detailing on this! It was suuuch a bargain too. Nabbed it at the sale price of €5.99!

LOOOOVE these! I've always been so scared to leave my trusty skinny jeans to try the extreme-ripped relaxed fit. But when I tried them on I actually fell in love with them! So glad I went with my gut and bought them. Paired it with a black belt to add a bit of definition to my waist! €17.99

Aren't these the coolest? I spotted them from across the shop and just instantly knew they were made for me. I've already worn them with the ripped jeans I also bought and they are so so funky!! 12.99

STRADIVARIUS.

I just bought this one thing in Stradivarius. I loved the rich grey shade straight away. It's super soft and I like all the quotes. €7.99

PRIMARK GRAN VIA.

One of the places I was most excited to visit in Madrid was the huge Primark on the street Gran Via. It has 5 floors, lights and music flashing everywhere..  it's literally everything I've ever dreamed of!

I got this cute sparkly journal. I'm a stationary junkie so I bought this in the hopes of it becoming my travel diary. €3.50

How cute is this gúna? It was reduced to €10 and I thought it's perfect for coming into Spring fashion. It's actually midi style but I will sinch it in at the waist with a belt.

This caught my eye as soon I turned into the lingerie section. I'm so obsessed with gorgeous lace bralets. I just can't get enough of them. Another for the collection! €9

SPRINGFIELD.

The thing that I love about shopping in other countries is finding unreal high street stores that are exclusive to that country. I stumbled upon this store, Springfield and just had a quick gander. I was instantly drawn to the studded detail on this shoulder bag. And even better, it was on sale for only €9.95

JUST PASSING THROUGH...

This is not Madrid-related but on the way home we stopped into Kildare Village and I got some amazing deals that I just have to inform ye about. There is a seriously good sale on in the Nike store right now. I got the black trainers for ONLY €45 and the pink pair for €40! I was delighted to get the bargain because I had been on the lookout for a good pair of running shoes and a new pair for the gym so I'm sorted! Also while I was there I said I would finally get a pair of Calvin's just to try out designer underwear. This little orange (obviously) beaut was €13 so it was totally justifiable.

MUY MUCHO.

On our travels we stumbled upon this fabulous Spanish homeware store. And you know me now, I can never say no to a good homeware purchase. What's even better is that everything was ridiculously affordable but fab stock. The aroma when I walked into the shop was so tantalizing!! I inquired and it was a cherry blossom reed diffuser. €9.95 There was no way I was coming home without it! Adoooore it, so I got the matching room spray too. €6.99

Aren't these little tealight candle holders just gorge?? Obsessed! They were only €1.90 each!!

I've checked and I can't seem to find an online store for Muy Mucho which makes me terribly sad!! 

I guess it'll be an excuse to go back to Spain when my reed diffuser is all gone lol..

SEPHORA.

You'll know if you follow me on Snapchat that the Lancome Énergie De Vie liquid moisturiser is my absolute bae. I think it gives my skin such a nice glow and I just like the liquid consistency on my skin! But I buy the 50ml like this one for €50 usually. My Mam spotted this set in Sephora. It includes the 50ml, and 3 other Lancome products for only €44.95. Can you cope like?? What a bargain!

While in Sephora I just decided I would try out their own brand setting spray. It's just lovely to refresh your face with during the day or to wake you up in the morning. €13.99

KIKO.

I had heard lots of good stories about Italian brand Kiko before, so I took all of you girls' recommendations on Snapchat and picked up some fab bits.

One girl snapped me to let me know that this gel cleanser from Kiko was the best she had ever used and that I had to get it. It was only €5.50 so of course I bought it! At the end of that night I used it to remove a full face of makeup, and oh my gosh I've never experienced a cleanser like it!!I could literally see it LIFTING the foundation off my face! On the plus side it smells great too! I would have to agree and say that this is also the best cleanser I've ever used for removing makeup.. Wow!! The next day I went back and bought 4 more cleansers then ahaha!!

Thanks so much for reading. Watch this space for the full Travel post and Vlog!

Much love,

Clóda

Pampering at Bellissimo Galway

Hello everyone from sunny New York.. It feels so surreal typing that!!

Anywayyyy, last Saturday I was lucky enough to get invited up to Bellissimo in Galway to get my hair and nails done by the lovely ladies in the salon. It was an ideal excuse to spend the long weekend in Galway!

My first impressions of the salon are fantastic. It's so fresh and modern and the staff are all very friendly and helpful. It screamed luxury as soon as I walked through the door!!

Firstly I got my nails done. As always, I live for my shellac nails so that's what I opted for. I find shellac the best way to keep my nails strong and also protected, as I play camogie and guitar. So in order to keep my nails long, shellac is the best for me..

The shellac that the nail tech used is called CND Polish which I'm sure a lot of you have heard of as it is the original shellac brand. There was a great range of CND colours to choose from so I was spoiled for choice. I didn't know what colours to go for, but keeping my holiday to New York in mind I opted for a fairly neutral colour scheme.

I chose a beautiful pastel pink and a hot pink with sparkles for the ring fingers..

The lady who did my nails was so lovely. She suggested colours, shape etc. 

Everything was very professional. She ensured that time was taken to file the nails into a nice rounded almond shape. Her application of the polish was very thorough and she did an excellent job.  I was so happy with them! A week later, after travelling and exploring New York, they are still looking very fresh, so I am absolutely delighted with my nail experience at Bellissimo

Next it was time to get my hair done at the other side of the salon. And wow I had never seen anything like it. There must have been about 15-20 hair stations.. It was amazing

Just like the nail treatment, I cannot recommend the hairdressing enough to you. Everything was second to none. Again, the staff were continuously accommodating and friendly, enhancing my overall enjoyment of the pampering experience.

Something unique to Bellissimo, which is so amazing and relaxing for the client was the recliner seats at the basin when getting your hair washed. Oh my god, it was just fab to put my feet up while getting my hair massaged and washed. Let's be honest we all absolutely love getting our hair washed at the hairdressers - soooo relaxing.. I was nearly asleep at the basin, it was that good.

I decided after the blowdry to go for some soft curls to bring up my new écaille highlights. How amazing did my hair look? The curls lasted right through to the next day too - very impressed!!

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Bellissimo is an extremely popular/busy spot and I can see exactly why. It is so convenient. 

It's only a 5 minute walk from Eyre Square.

Located in an industrial park means there is lots of room for parking.

If you want to get your hair done but also your nails, or anything beauty related, it's all in one place and will save you a lot of time and hassle.

Something which is very special about Bellissimo in Galway is their wig service.

Bellissimo have been providing expert advice and discreet service to wig wearers in Galway and Ireland for over 14 years. There are two forms of wig wearers, the necessity wearer which includes those suffering from alopecia or those undergoing chemotherapy therapy treatment and also the fashion wearer, those who like to change style from day to day to suit their mood.

I just think the whole idea behind the wigs and their ethos is amazing, and I just wanted to give it a mention because perhaps not everyone knows about it!

This is my honest opinion of Bellissimo, as I was treated to a blow dry and shellac. But I really really loved every minute of the experience and I will 100% be back again! Thank you so so much to the staff at Bellissimo for inviting me, spoiling me ad sharing my blog on their social media!

You can follow Bellissimo here:

Website : Bellissimo Galway

Facebook : www.facebook.com/bellissimo.galway

Instagram : www.instagram.com/bellissimogalway

Twitter : twitter.com/BellissimoGal

Until next time,

Clóda

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