Fortnight in Photos #16 | Trip to Los Angeles

 I've been a bit quiet on here and that's because I've been in the lovely state of California for two weeks. Well, more specifically Los Angeles. But I quickly learnt that a lot of the places I visited, like Santa Monica, are in fact separate to LA and are not part of the city. Fun fact for you there!

I went by myself which was pretty scary at first. But I soon started to enjoy my own company and met new people and friends of friends. It's such a different world there to what I'm used to and there just happened to be a crazy heat wave, which lasted the whole of the two weeks. I found my accommodation through Airbnb, which I would highly recommend! I stayed in a house in Hollywood looking after three cats and it was so affordable...you can find some great places on there.

I had a great time and wanted to share some photos with you from the trip because they pretty much sum up the weather and the fun things that I got up to. Have you been to LA before? What did you think? 

Santa Monica beach, sitting on the Friends couch at the Warner Brothers studio lot, Hollywood High School, Disneyland, one of the cats hiding under the couch, Venice Beach.

Manhattan Beach, Venice Beach- dipping my feet in the sea, GIANT pancakes at The Griddle in Hollywood, Manhattan beach again, walking through a fridge door to get to a bar, a beautiful roof terrace at The Redbury in Hollywood. 

Fortnight in Photos #15

 This used to be the 'Sunday Post'. But I decided that I would just give you guys an update if I've been up to something interesting. Exactly a week ago I flew back after a fantastic two weeks in the States...that's interesting enough for a post right?? (It's also the reason the blog has been quiet for a couple of weeks, sorry!). 

 We spent the first week exploring Philadelphia and Washington D.C- both were very lovely places. My dad is American (but he lives in the UK) so we then spent the second week visiting our amazing family in Missouri. Take me back there please...

I went a bit overboard with the Instagram photos whilst I was there, so I thought I would share them with you. I'd love to hear if you've been to any of these places, are planning on going or can recommend any other places to visit in the States. I would definitely recommend taking a trip to Washing D.C if you can! 

 Exploring Phildadelphia, The Liberty Bell and Benjamin Franklin, New Watch, the room The Declaration of Independence was signed in, Lincoln Memorial in D.C, Beautiful Washington D.C.

 Pretty new wallet, Marceline- Walt Disney's boyhood home, my mum and me chilling on the porch, The Arch in St Louis, Old Time Soda Fountain treats, my cousins absolutely wonderful dog Ferris. 

 My cousin Jessica and I enjoying some $1 hot dogs at the KC Royals baseball game, stray kittens- they were very very scared, a skirt I found in the thrift store for less than $3!

What have you guys been up to recently?

Instagram @hannahcelder

A Week In Morocco | Part 2

It's only been just over a week since I got back from Morocco and I already want to go on holiday again. Here are some more photos from my trip! 

After spending a couple of days in Marrakech we visited one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones and Gladiator then stayed in a lovely hotel that night. The next day we drove to another hotel where we spent two nights and one day exploring the desert. Then we headed through the absolutely stunning Atlas mountains and stayed in a Berbere village for one night before going back to Marrakech. It's such a beautiful country. 

A Week In Morocco | Part 1

I spent the past week in Morocco with my parents and brother and absolutely loved it there. If you haven't been then I would definitely recommend going! I couldn't believe that it only took just over three hours to fly to from the UK and is in the same time zone. It's such a different and fascinating place. 

We spent a couple of days in busy Marrakech before heading to the desert and then the beautiful Atlas mountains. We stayed in a lovely riad which is right in the centre of the city and just round the corner from the medina, the main square. We were pretty much the only people at the riad so it was lovely and peaceful. It was the perfect place to go back to and relax on the roof terrace after an exhausting day in the city. The food in Morocco was delicious, we ate colourful salad after salad, enjoyed different variations of tagine and drank a lot of mint tea. Here are a few snaps from the first part of the holiday.

Summer & Holiday Essentials

I wanted to post about something that involved lots of colourful and cheerful photos today, seeing as the weather's been so awful here in the UK for the past week. I'm off to Morocco for a week tomorrow and it seems like a lot of you are off on holiday too so I thought I would share my summer and holiday essentials. 

Starting with sun cream, I like the Hawaiin Tropic range and this year i'm using the Sheer Touch Lotion which smells gorgeous and as well as protecting your skin is incredibly hydrating. I will also be taking the Garnier Golden Protect Shimmering Protection Lotion on holiday with me. This smells equally as lovely and gives your skin an instant glow, enhancing your tan as it is enriched with Monoi Oil and pearl shimmer (apparently).

I love the Body Shop Cooling Foot Sprays, especial the peppermint one. This is great to spray onto aching feet after you have been sightseeing or walking around in the sun. As well as using sunscreen on my body I also apply Boots Soltan Lip Balm to my lips as it has an SPF of 30. 

After Sun is another essential because after applying loads of sunscreen I still always seem to get burnt, even if it's just slightly on the shoulders or nose.

I always like to paint my nails a lovely bright colour when I go on holiday. I love using Barry M Nail Paints because the shades are so vibrant and summery and they last a good few days without chipping.

I probably won't take any of these with me on holiday because i'd be afraid of them melting but the Revlon Lip Butters are great for sumer. Especially brighter shades like Tutti Frutti. 

One thing I will be taking is my Travelo, filled with a fruity fragrance. These atomisers are great because you can decant your favourite perfume into them and they are the perfect size for the plane. 

Victoria's Secret Good Day Sunshine Body Spray is such a good fragrance for summer, it's so fresh and floral. 

Avène Eau Thermale is a recent purchase and I thought it would be perfect for taking away. It will be so refreshing when travelling and is also good for things like sunburn. I may even do a review on it when I get back from holiday, after it's been put to the test.

I can't seem to go anywhere without taking an Antibacterial Hand Gel and Sweet Pea is one of my favourite scents from Bath & Bodyworks. These are great for travelling and using on the go, especially if you are travelling around a city. 

I bought this little lime green Topshop Handbag recently because it's the perfect size to carry around in summer. I hate lugging a huge bag around when it's hot and this little thing is perfect for fitting a few essentials in for sightseeing. 

These are the Rayban 2140 Polarised Wayfarers and my favourite pair of sunglasses. I'm sure none of you would go on holiday without taking a pair of sunnies with you, even if you were going skiing. 

The Tangle Teezer would be great for combing through hair after swimming in the sea or the pool. 

I got these Urbanears Platten Headphones from PC World a while ago because they were randomly reduced to £15 from £50! I haven't seen a pair as cheap since so i'm glad I snapped them up at the time. I always like to have a good pair of headphones to use on the plane. Although, I may end up taking  a smaller pair this time as these might be a bit of a nuisance to carry around and would be uncomfortable in the heat.

I love this H&M Gold Hairband. I always like to have some sort of hairband at the ready when i'm in a hot country to tie my hair up and out of the way. 

What do you usually take on holiday with you during the summer?

Disclosure: The views expressed are based on my own experience.