Guide to Edinburgh

"It is one of the most hauntingly beautiful places in the world, the history is fascinating, the men are handsome, and the whisky is delicious"- J.K. Rowling

A few weeks ago, one of my co-workers asked me if I had any recommendations since she was visiting Edinburgh for the first time in June. If you haven't noticed, I am a biggggg fan of Scotland. I've only been three times, but one of those visits lasted 3.5 months. I'm by no means an expert, but here are my favorite spots and sights that I've come across so far. 

Kate’s Official Guide to Edinburgh:

Nightlife:

Cowgate: This is more of the student-y area of town. The university is nearby and drinks are cheap. Things are a little grungier, but it’s a lot of fun. I lived on the cowgate, and there is always something to do. The Hive was my favorite spot.

Grassmarket: It is kind of part of the Cowgate, but the atmosphere is different. This used to be a medieval market (and it’s where they used to hang people-Edinburgh is known for having a really dark history) but it’s a really cool area of town. It’s a great place for the more typical British pub culture and there are some cool shops scattered around. Also in the summer, there is a lot of outdoor seating for eating and drinking. If you’re not looking to get too crazy, this is probably the spot for you.

George’s Street: This is just off Prince’s Street and is the more upscale area of town. Things are more expensive and fancier. Opal, Shanghai, and LuLu are the more classy-club places on George’s Street.

There are bars, clubs, and pubs pretty much everywhere, but the general rule of thumb is that drinks in the old town are cheaper. My personal favorite for a summer night is Three Sisters (the Cowgate) it has a ton of outdoor space. I also really like Brewdog (also the Cowgate, and I used to live above it). They brew all their own stuff and it’s pretty unique- really interesting IPAs.

Sites/Activities:

The Castle: You’ll see the fortress the second you get into town and you can go in and tour the grounds. It’s fairly large and very interesting. It is on the pricier side of things to do, but it’s pretty cool. They also shoot off cannons throughout the day.

The Royal Mile: The mile connects Holyrood Palace (the residence of the British royal family in Edinburgh) to the Edinburgh castle. It has a fun atmosphere, lots of shops and some cool history. John Knox’s house is on the mile, there are a lot of street performers, and a cool cathedral.

The Elephant House: If you are into Harry Potter, you have to stop here. This is where JK Rowling wrote the first book. They have great tea and baked goods and the view of the castle and greyfriars kirk is pretty spectacular.

Greyfriars Kirkyard & Greyfriars Bobby: Old cemetery bordering on the walls of the old town. It is very atmospheric. Also, JK Rowling got a lot of the names for Harry Potter from the cemetery so that is kind of cool.  You will also notice the small statue of the terrier outside of the Kirk- that is Greyfriars Bobby. After his master died, the dog visited his grave for years. It is considered good luck to rub his nose.

The Meadows: A large park in town. On nice days people are everywhere (grilling, playing games, day drinking). It’s a nice spot to walk through if you get sick of the city.

Calton Hill: This is my favorite spot in the city. It has a bunch of random unfinished monuments and it is one of the reasons Edinburgh is called the ‘Athens of the North’. The view is amazing- you can see the castle, the palace, Arthur’s Seat, the Scott Monument, the pentlands, the ocean, and both the old and new towns. It’s a quick walk to the top and it’s great.

Arthur's Seat: A really good hike in the city. It gets its name from the possibility that Camelot was at one time based there. Views are astonishing and it’s a pretty physical climb.

The National Scottish Museum: It is free (always good) and it has a ton of cool stuff inside. The building itself is really unique. Also, the view from the roof is incredible. A lot of people don’t know you can go up there, but you can and it’s great. I also hear the portrait gallery on Princes Street is really good, but I haven’t been there.

Royal Botanical Gardens: If you like gardens, this is a good one. It’s a little bit of a walk, so it wouldn’t be the first thing on my list, but if you have time, check it out! I believe it is also free.

Scotch Whisky Experience: Super touristy, but it’s fun. I wouldn’t do it if you are familiar with whisky or going to any distilleries. There is a ride that takes you through the stages of scotch making and you end up in a massive collection of scotch and get to taste a few.

I have also heard the Mary King’s Close tour is very cool. I have not done it, but I want to. It’s at night and takes you into the buildings underneath the city. (Edinburgh is a city built on a city so there’s a lot going on). Supposed to be kind of scary, but historically accurate.  Also friends have talked about ‘Dynamic Earth’ and Outlook Tower, but I haven’t done them.

Honestly, Edinburgh is the best city. You will find something there that takes your breath away.

The city is gorgeous, the people are wonderful, and the food is great. I can't say enough good things about Scotland and its amazing capital. I have so many more trips to make to Scotland before I'll even begin to feel like I really know it.

Alba gu Bràth!

Summer 2015 Beauty and Fashion Update

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous!"-Coco Chanel

 This winter seemed like it lasted forever and spring feels like it lasted for a minute. It already feels like summer here, and I have a feeling we're in for a long and hot season.  Whenever the weather starts changing, I update my closet and my beauty products. Here are the items I am lusting after or have already succumbed to.

Make Up:

Anastasia Contour Palette

I'm on a major contouring kick. Now that it's heating up, I'm looking to achieve a bronzed-Kardashian-esque glow. Say what you will about the sisters, but there is no denying they are contouring experts. I bought the palette last week and I have had a lot of fun blending the 6 colors together trying to find my perfect look. Shop it here!

Stila Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

This stuff is great. It actually stays where I put it and it draws a great line. I highly recommend this eye liner and it comes in a ton of different shades. Shop it here!

Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes Palette
I've had this for a while and it's my go-to for summer. Its light, shimmery, and understated. Shop it here!

Skincare:

Philosophy Microdelivery Kit

I bought this a few weeks ago and have been using it religiously. It is a two step process with an exfoliating component. Whenever I use it my skin brightens up and feels great. It is chalk full of peptides and vitamin-C which just feels summery to me. Shop it here!

Mario Badescu Facial Spray

Normally I use witch hazel to lock in moisture in my skin, but for the summer I have switched to this aloe and rose water infused spray. It smells great and its a quick and easy way to perk up dull skin and to seal in moisture or set your makeup. My skin is really dry so I can use whatever help I can get. Shop it here!

Cotz Sunscreen

I am really good about applying sunscreen to my face everyday- and a big part of that comes from how much I love Cotz. It feels like a primer, had light coverage, and it had a SPF of 40. This stuff is gold. Shop it here!

Elemis Papaya Peel
This feels nothing like a traditional peel. It honestly feels like a tropical scented lotion, but one you remove it, it uncovers gorgeous glowing skin. Shop it here!

Shoes:

Perfect Nude Heels

The Charles by Charles David 'Pact' Pump is my favorite heel. Specifically, the nude color is on point. They are shockingly comfortable, high but not too high, and the perfect color. They remind me of the 'Pigalle' of Christian Louboutin fame. My biggest dilemma with these shoes is choosing what color to buy next. Shop it here!

Fun Night Out Wedges

I was looking for a cool pair of wedges to wear at night when I stumbled across these babies. I love the laser cut-out detail. They are 5" but you can barely feel them since they are a wedge. They are a lot of fun to wear and dress up. Shop it here!

Go To Summer Sandals

Similar to the Charles David pumps, these Sam Edelman flat sandals are my summer staple. I bought some last year and they are still perfect. They come in a ton of colors and have a solid cushion which makes it possible to walk for miles on a totally flat shoe. Super cute and very functional! Shop it here!

Summer Clothing Essentials:

Silk Tank Tops

I have a few of these. They keep you cool and can be easily transitioned from day to night, work to play. Iris and Ink makes a great choice and they are super on sale right now! Shop it here!

Crochet Bikini

This is my newest addition to my swimsuit collection. I've been into the crochet look for a long time and this summer is the perfect time to take the plunge. The 70's are back baby! Shop it here!

Detailed Shorts

The Loft is my go to for cute shorts. They aren't too short and are always relatively inexpensive and very cute. I just bought a great pair of scalloped shorts that get a ton of compliments. Shop it here!

Maxi Dresses

Maxis have quickly become my favorite summer outfit. I tend to go for backless maxi dresses that I can wear with a blazer at work and then head straight to happy hour at 5:00 in. Since I'm tall, my favorite maxi's come from Tart. The material is really high quality and the cut is very flattering on all of them. Shop it here!

Tart Dress Second From Left

I've got some fun vacations and trips planned for this summer and I am having a lot of fun bulking up my closet and bathroom cabinets! :)

Tart Dress + Sam Edelman Flats

xxxx

Everything is Bigger in Texas

"Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word"- John Steinbeck

A few weeks ago, I flew over to Austin to spend the weekend with one of my best friends. Sarah and I grew up together, and both went to college out of state.  We also both ended up getting jobs out of our home state of California. We don't get to see each other all that often, so when she mentioned she had a day off, I jumped at the chance to spend a weekend together. We decided to meet in Austin.

I forgot how great it was to be around someone who knows me almost as well as I know myself. Sarah picked me up from the airport with my favorite pastry, and she didn't even bother asking me if I wanted to get a cab- she knew we were hoofing it.

We spent the first day wandering the city, trying to get our bearings. Austin is an awesome city. The river, graffiti parks, music, food, and drinks are all top notch.

We were told repeatedly to take advantage of Happy Hour in Austin, so Sarah and I made sure to get our fill of specialty cocktails at as many places as we could get to. 

We were on a mission to see the bats fly out from Congress bridge, so we made quick work of our drinks and went to go find a spot to watch the bats at sunset. 

We got lucky and didn't have to wait too long before the steady stream of bats started flying out of the bridge. This is a surreal experience- I have never seen that many bats in my life (which probably makes sense).

We headed for a night out on Rainey Street. Rainey was very cool and if I lived in Austin that would most certainly be my spot. I will say it may not be the best spot for just two people. Sarah and I felt like we would have had a better time if we were in a large group. 

The next day we got an early start and went hiking on a few different trails surrounding the Austin area. We grabbed lunch at The Oasis on Lake Travis. The food is mediocre but the views are top-notch.

We ended up at a brewery, and we spent the afternoon chatting and relaxing in the beautiful weather. We had been told that we wouldn't like the 'Dirty 6', but Sarah and I agreed we'd check it out on our final night. We had the best time. 6th Street is a total mess, but in the best possible way. The energy is infectious, and everyone was having so much fun.

We literally witnessed a giant lumber-sexual looking dude preform a legit 'magic mike' strip routine when a bridal party gave him $20 to show their friend a good time. Sarah and I couldn't stop laughing. It was amazing. I couldn't hang out on 6th Street every night, but every once in awhile, that is a great spot. 

As always, getting to see my best friends in amazing places is always a blessing, and Austin was no different. I would totally go back, and I can't wait to plan another weekend trip with Sarah!

xxx

The Emerald Isle

"Ireland is where strange tales begin and happy endings are possible"- Charles Haughey

I'm going to preface this post with a disclaimer: TONS OF PHOTOS AHEAD. 

I decided to go on my first solo adventure and went to Ireland for a 5 day road trip through the west coast. It was amazing. I had the best time ever and would travel alone in a heartbeat. I think everyone should give it a go. I wrote a buzzfeed post about the things I learned on the trip, if you are interested, you can read it here.

Day One: Clifden, Connemara

Connemara is in the gaeltacht region of Ireland (meaning Irish is still spoken and well-known). This was the Ireland I had read about- wild horses, rainbows, abandoned castles, and the friendliest people on earth. I made a lot of friends (young and old) and learned a lot about the area during my brief stay. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Wild horses running in the hills of Ireland- I thought I was going to be trampled, but this guy was rather friendly and just wanted to hang out.

I have always wanted to touch a standing stone (probably because I am an Outlander fan and was hoping Jamie would appear). When I saw this one I hopped a fence and laid my hands on it. Sadly, I was not transported to another time, but it was still very cool.

Seriously, the Wild Atlantic Way is amazing. Rainbows and castles every which way. I was half expecting a friendly leprechaun to jump out at me.

Day Two: Connemara National Park & Galway

My next day started with a hike in the Connemara National Park. Oscar Wilde called this area the most beautiful part of the world. I must say- I kind of agree. I was totally alone on the trails and the colors and scenic vistas were staggering.

I spent three hours exploring the national park before getting back on the road and stopping at a few castles between Connemara and Galway.

I also bonded with a heard of cows… so that's something.

 I spent the afternoon and the evening in Galway. I went to a pub known for Trad music and had a few Guinness's with some locals. It was a perfect evening in Galway.

Day Three & Four: Castle Dromoland

I drove from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher. This is one tourist attraction that is totally worth the money and the crowds. They are staggering and it is insane to me how close to the edge you can get. There are no fences and what seems like endless stretches of cliffs.

I spent two nights in the incomparable Castle Dromoland. I also got a complimentary room upgrade which was just the icing on an already amazing cake. While staying there, I road horses, wandered the grounds, and indulged at the spa. It was a quick, but needed relaxing break during my vacation.

I also spent some time in the burren. This is the weirdest place ever, and very unique. I can't think of a way to describe it without using the world 'alien'.

Day Five: Kilkenny

I didn't take any pictures in Kilkenny except for one of my seafood chowder. I quite liked Kilkenny, but the weather was less than ideal while I was here and my jet lag started catching up with me so I didn't spend a ton of time touring the area.

Day Six, Seven,  Eight: Dublin

I drove back to Dublin and dropped off my rental car on St. Paddy's day. One of my good friends decided to fly out for the holiday, so I swung by the airport and met up with Emily. We headed into the city and got ready to go green for St. Patrick's Day in Temple Bar.

We spent three days roaming Dublin and having a very good time. It was the perfect way to end an amazing trip across the pond. I loved this holiday and I really want to come back to Ireland and spend some time in the Ring of Kerry, Dingle, and getting up to the North. It's a gorgeous country and I couldn't have asked for a better trip.

xxx