Cleansing Water

One of the many advantages to living in France is the easy access to great skin-care products! I heard so much about Bioderma through the blogging world so could't wait to see what all the hype was about. I have also tried Sephora's own version so I thought i'd give you my thoughts on the new trend of 'cleansing waters'.

Bioderma travel size - RRP €3.50
Sephora mini cleansing water - RRP €3.00

I am the most lazy person when it comes to cleansing my skin - its just boring and timely lets be honest. So these cleansing waters are definitely right up my street! I just pour a few drops onto a cotton pad, wipe over my face and voila - done. They are both extremely similar products and do pretty much the same thing - they are unscented, gentle on the eyes and great for sensitive skin. If I had to pick one it would be Bioderma just because I feel like it really takes every spot of make-up off gently.

Do you like to use cleansing waters?

Alice x

Style on the Slopes?

A few weeks ago I went on my first ever skiing adventure! I have never hit the slopes before but luckily I had the chance to go with my university on a trip to Andorra. It was absolutely amazing and I had such an incredible time with my friends - even though I fell over countless times, leaving my body black and blue afterwards!

As I had never been skiing before I had no idea what to wear but I managed to gather together a ski outfit from various generous donaters. My friend was laghing at how 'stylish' I looked before we hit the slopes and how that quickly vanished after a few face-plants in the snow.

The 'Before' shot

For those of you who like me have never hit the slopes before but you want to look slightly presentable (even if it is only for the pre-ski photos!) then here are my skiing essentials...

1. Some comfy matching knit-wear - this head band and snood were both from H&M and they were perfect as they kept me warm but they didnt fall off or unravel like a normal scarf and hat might do!
2. Make-up Basics - If you can go without make up then by all means do it but personally I feel like I always need a little coverage so a light base and mascara (preferably waterproof!) were perfect for this.
3. Lip Balm! Even if you don't normally suffer from chapped lips this is definitely an essential for the cold weather.
4. Tissues - with face-planting the snowy ground comes, attractively enough, a runny nose. So again, an essential piece of kit!
5. Layers - layers, layers, and more layers, topped off with a final waterproof layer and you are good to go.

What are your winter/snow essentials?

Alice x

OOTN Masquerade

My first attempt at a proper outfit post - sorry the pictures aren't great! Last week I went to a university clubbing event which was masquerade themed...

Top - Zara Sale

Disco Pants - Primark

Boots - Bershka

Mask - 'Deux Euro' store

Make up - Wake Me Up Foundation, Collection Conceiler, Collection liquid liner, Naked Basics Pallette on the eyes and eyebrows and Primark red lipstick

Alice x

I just can't help myself...

With the return to France comes the return of my shopping addiction. Whenever I find myself bored at the weekends I somehow find myself parting with my money.. and recently I have been loving a shop called Stradavarius. I think this is only in France and Spain but I might be wrong, either way they have an online store here.

There is a lot of classy and quality items at good prices. The cardigan above has been my outfit staple for months now.

They had a huge January sale in which I bought this bag for just 10 euros - its the perfect size and the studs add a nice detail.

Anyway if you get the chance visit Stradivarius - Definitely my new favorite shop!

Alice x

2014 Bucket List

I know I am a bit late in the day with this post (where has January gone already?!) but I thought I would share with you a few things from my 'bucket list' for 2014...

1. Blog at least once a week - okay so it's written down now! Starting from this post I will post at least once every single week (hopefully more). I really enjoy writing and being creative with this blog but recently I have let life get in the way - well not anymore people! Expect more from Alice Palace this year :)
2. Go Travelling - I have an unusually long summer this year and if I can scrape the money together I plan to spend at least a month of it travelling I hope! High on the list is America or Australia at the moment.
3. Get an Internship - If you are an undergraduate student you will feel my pain for this one. Good, well-paid internships are incredibly hard to get hold of as its just so competitive. Hoping my persistence will pay off soon though and I will gain some valuable work experience this year, watch this space...
4. Read at least 10 books - this is probably a walk in the park for most of you but I really need to read more as I enjoy it but find watching endless YouTube videos more attractive. Maybe I will do mini reviews as I go.
5. Eat Healthier and do more exercise - This is a standard one that I do every single year and it lasts all of about 5 minutes. So far since my return to France the healthy eating part has definitely already deteriorated haha..
6. Go Skiing - I have never ever been skiing and it's something that I have always wanted to try. Lucky for me I already have a trip booked with some university friends to go skiing in Andorra at the end of the month! So excited.
7. 'Give Back' - I sometimes forget how lucky I am so this year I definitely want to do some volunteering or charity work to help out people who aren't as lucky as me.

I think these are all do-able resolutions for this year! I'll keep you updated on how they all go anyway... 

Do you have any resolutions for 2014?

Alice x

New Years OOTN

Just a casual outfit for New Year's Eve as I spent it having a take away with my friends before going to the pub! Quiet but lovely way to see in the new year if you ask me.

Disco Pant Dupes - New Look

White vest top - Pimke

Faux Fur Coat - H&M

Blazer - New Look

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you have a fantastic 2014 :)

Alice x

Joyeux Noël

Christmas already! This is madness. 

I am now home for Christmas in rainy and windy Wiltshire and I love it. The last few months in Toulouse have been some of the best for my life but its always nice to be home with family and friends! 

It has again been a while since my last post - in all honesty I have been lacking inspiration. Well, that as well as life just getting in the way!

Here is my last month in a nutshell..

1. I recieved some lovely letters a while ago from my old housemates - it makes such a nice change to have handwritten letters rather than a text message!

2. Me and my housemate ready for the 'Vous etes des Animaux' party with our university. Of course I had an extremely origional outfit involving anything leopard print I could find.

3. The Coca Cola truck came to Toulouse and brought Santa along!!

4. I jetted home for the weekend at the beginning of December to see my brother as he won't be around for Christmas this year

5. My excited 'im going home' face

6. We decorated the christmas tree! Its not a real one but good enough :)

7. Christmas dinner No. 1 - beaut

8. The Toulouse christmas lights at Capitole are beautiful

9. My christmassy outfit ready for our '12 pubs of christmas' pub crawl (needless to say I only made it to 6 of them!)

10. Something you don't see everyday on the metro haha

11. I went to my first rugby match Toulouse vs. Connacht (sadly we lost!)

12. My housemate made me a delicious lasagne for dinner.

13. With the end of term came exams and the first bit of work I have done in months!

14. A lot of my friends left Toulouse for good this Christmas - very sad to see so many of them go!

15. Mail from my lovely mother.

It has been an amazing term - can;t believe how fast it has all gone! Sadly it ended on a slightly sour note though as my bag was stolen leaving me with no phone, cards, etc. But tt the end of the day possessions can be replaced though - happy to be home and healthy for Christmas.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas :)

Alice x