Santa Cruz

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We left San Francisco and headed the way of Yosemite National Park where we spent much of our time in hiking gear...hiking. I found out that it takes people who climb El Capitan around six days and they sleep on stretchers attached to the cliff. They are effectively hanging off the side attached only by ropes..plus it costs around $30,000 per person. 

Next stop Santa Cruz, birthplace of surfing, seals and amusements arcades. Weather was starting to warm up.

Track of the Day:   Best Coast - The Only Place

When in sunny surf land...

San Francisco

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I feel so bad...this post should have gone up a long time ago but new jobs and wedding venue hunting got in the way. So, I'll do it now instead.(Sorry for lack of fashion in this post).

I have to send my camera to be repaired so was taking the pictures off it the other night and realised I hadn't taken off my US trip ones. So, here they are... 

We went to California almost a year ago and spent two amazing weeks driving from San Francisco to LA. It had always been a dream of mine to do this trip so himself and myself decided to just do it. What a trip - SF, Alcatraz, Yosemite, Santa Cruz, Surf City USA, Big Sur, Universal Studios, Malibu...oh, and he also popped the question.

Track of the Day:   Pixies - Where Is My Mind

He did most of the driving so I was in charge of the car tunage. Those long desolate roads require alot of Pixies. 

Primavera Festival Style

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So, the reason I was in Barcelona was for the Primavera Sound music festival. The festival has none of the following -- camping,(very) young people, mud, rain, smelly toilets, beer queue's, men peeing in public or vomit - it's nothing like festivals at home and is pure bliss. I love the festival not only for the music but the style too. There's nobody in typical festival attire of denim shorts or flowery dresses and wellies. If they're wearing denim shorts they'll be found in brogues and if it's a flowery dress it's probably going to be knee-length and vintage.

I saw 22 bands and didn't spend anytime in a campsite. 

Track of the Day:   The Breeders - Divine Hammer

The Breeders played Last Splash at Primavera. Ah, Kim and Kelly Deal you've still got it. 

Barcelona -- Day Two

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Shoes, Skirt - Penneys
Top - Mango

The sun finally came out in Barcelona and I got to wear a skirt for the first time this year without tights. I'm not sure if denim skirts are in fashion at the moment but I like the shape and length of this one. I'm a huge fan of yellow and wish shops would stock more yellow clothes. 

We spent the day chilling out in a gorgeous sunny square with friends eating tapas and drinking sangria. 

Track of the Day:   Savages - Husbands

I saw these guys on Jools Holland and got very excited to hear they were playing Primavera.  They didn't disappoint. 

Barcelona -- Day One

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Ah...Barcelona I love you more and more each time I visit you - sun, sea, sangria and more sun - what more could a girl want. We  combined a city break with friends and finished it off with three days at Primavera Sound. The first few days himself and I spent alot of time lying on the beach soaking up the sun and checking out some pretty impressive Gaudi bits and pieces. I've had this denim shirt for years and finally got to wear it along with dark blue jeans.

Track of the Day:   Django Django - Skies Over Cairo

I will mostly be 'featuring' bands I saw at Primavera Sound this year like these lovely lads. 

Benefit Stay Flawless Event

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I got a lovely surprise last week when I was invited along to the launch of Benefit's newest product Stay Flawless, their 15-hour primer. I was in need of a new primer and had put off buying one for ages so was delighted to get the email.  

The event took place in the Whiskey Bar of Bar 37. We were greeted with a glass of bubbly and a room full of bloggers who were being entertained by the hilarious & lovely Mark Rogers (Ireland's make up and trend artist for Benefit). 

As with all Benefit's products it comes in gorgeous retro packaging. It's a twist-up transparent primer, that you apply directly onto the face in circular motions and then rub in with your hands or your make up brush. It feels quite sticky on your skin which makes it a good base for your make up.  I don't know about you, but I put make up on in the morning and by lunchtime most of it has gone. 

So I was intrigued to see how this would work.  And work it does - I have to say it really does hold your make up in place and I would recommend it. I used it under Benefit's Hello Flawless foundation and powder and it looked really nice.  It's not out until July and costs €35.50 (quite steep I know but you've a few weeks to save up for it). 

We finished the evening with some delicious food and a quiz where I won a Primping With The Stars travel kit! 

(Oh, by the way, Benefit are opening up their first ever boutique on Dublin’s South William Street in Autumn 2013.  They will offer services including their world renowned brow bar, body waxing, spray tanning and all new blow dry and nail bars).