Why I Want to Travel the World

19 October 2015

There are plenty of people who dream of travelling from city to experience the most each has to offer; I am one of those people. After visiting Oslo earlier in the year, I've come to realise how much I have the "wanderlust fever" and have embraced a large need to explore.

There's just so much to see.

Every step of a journey is one I enjoy. From packing, to the ride to the airport - it's all extremely exiting. In 2013, I went to Paris on the Eurostar and would love to do it again before the end of the year. Paris is one of the greatest cities in the world and like New York City, manages to satisfy all my interests. They're fashion filled and contain plenty of amazing sites. Paris and New York are easily two of the most photogenic cities in the world, alongside Sydney, Marrakesh, Tokyo and Florence.

The list of places I wish to visit endless, and putting together a list of importance seems impossible. However, the reason I want to explore remains the same: to learn and to experience. Working in a busy city five days each week means I see the same scenes all the time. To look at something new or live in a different way, even for a short while, is stimulating and always impressive. 

Fashion has always been on of my biggest interests, so another reason to visit a new area is to take in the different kinds of street and designer style around the world. I love the idea of a new piece to my wardrobe, from a different culture or country to store as a cherished memory. A new favourite of mine is this Tokyo inspired Spiral rucksack*, kindly sent to me buy stylefruits.co.uk after I won their Insider's Tip competition back in September. The graphic print mimics the bright lights of Tokyo - one of the cities towards the top of my list. It's bright and colourful and makes the perfect carry-on.

There are hauls of items and accessories I couldn't live without while travelling; from my iPad (and Spotify) to my growing collection of notebooks and diaries. Bringing in another reason I want to travel the world: I get to buy stuff. Shopping is the best friend that never says no and I love shopping around in unfamiliar cities.

My plans to travel are in motion, which means saving every ounce of my wage and adding plenty to my Pinterest boards and Tumblr blog. What do you love about travelling?

Nudes Eyeshadow Review

13 October 2015

Recently, I've found myself becoming totally and completely obsessed with eyeshadow. Because I have a darker skin tone, finding colours that blend rather than contrast can be a challenge. I like experimenting with metallics and shimmers for a unique look, but for my everyday eye-style, I tend to keep it simple but interesting. 
The key for me to keep a unique look on my eyelids without going to far is blending colours of a similar texture and palette. So rather than mixing primary colours or brighter shades, I chose this nude palette to try out as it has been immensely popular among bloggers and vloggers. The product has been on the market for a while and become very successful over the summer season. What I like most is the wide variety of colours that still blend well together. IT's very common to find palettes that have a load of shades just thrown together with very little thought. The multiple colours features in The Nudes Palette mean it's versatile for all skin tones and very easy to use for beginners. It's hard to go wrong when each shade matches the next.
I also adore the texture and tone of the eyeshadows. They're not sticky or thin, and aren't dusty either. If velvet could be an eyeshadow, it would be The Nudes Palette. It's rare I struggle to find faults with a lot of beauty products, but I have found this palette to be perfect for everyday and for night. There's a colour to match every skin tone and the shimmery option to spice up a normal look. It's a great palette to create a subtle smokey eye, the ideal eyeshadow style for autumn.
This palette has become one of my favourite beauty products to use on a regular basis and surely lives up to the extensive publicity it has received. Have you tried The Nudes Palette? Is it successful in your eyes?

Late Season Garden Party

9 October 2015

Wedges are the perfect shoe for early autumn. Not only are they the easiest form of heel to walk in, but they also come in the widest variety which makes most styles easy to dress up or down. This evening I'll be attending a garden party in a rustic-style venue with a few friends. It's quite rare to attend gatherings hosted outdoors during this time of the year but I never say no to a shindig. I think my layered dress adds an element of complexity to my outfit without becoming too overbaring and bright for the season. A blend of primary colours is usually associated with summer so I tried to stick to a basic tone throughout while still giving off that slightly formal tone. My nude wegdes are amazingly comfortable so I'm able to wear them all night; the shade blends with every other colour in my wardrobe which makes them one of my very favourite pairs.
Denim jackets are also a statement summer item, but as this party isn't going to be in the freezing cold autumn rain, I decided it would be fitting to include this warmer piece to brighten up and casualize my look. I love to carry my tiny Topshop purse to every event I go to so I couldn't leave it out of this outfit. 
Jacket - Topshop (similar) // Dress - Next // Bag - Topshop (similar) // Shoes - Next (review)

A Big Thank You!

6 October 2015

Some very exciting news has just reached my ears! So, remember a while back when I asked anyone and everyone to vote for me during the stylefruits.uk Insider's Tip competition. Thanks to all the amazing people who took the time to vote, I WON! The prize is a super stylish Spiral rucksack which I can't wait to receive.  I just thought I would write this post to truly thank everyone who took a minute or so to follow the link and vote. The competition was extremely exciting for me as a new blogger and is a first-time I experience I hope to never forget. 
So thank you so much, and thank you for visiting Anika May.

xxx


6 Reasons I Adore Autumn

4 October 2015

Many would conclude it's easier for me to list things I don't like rather than things I do like. However, one thing I absolutely love is Autumn. This season is great in so many ways, and like spring, it brings exciting times and great spirits. 

#1 The weather is manageable enough for me.
Although there can occasionally be days where the weather is like a crisp winter day in the morning and turns to the middle of summer by noon, I actually find it a lot easier to dress for this kind of weather. It's weather that's not too hot function in and never too chilly to handle. During this season, the office I work in is also usually a great temperature which means I get get on with my job without shivering or sweating - always a bonus.
#2 Autumnal style is perfection
I absolutely love the style that comes with this season. Whether it's adding layers with faux fur or mixing the amazing colours this time of year brings, I love experimenting with my style. I can try on turtle necks without worrying about overheating and finally wear the (many) capes and cardigans I've collected over the summer. Over time, it's noticeable my wardrobe contains more winter pieces that summer styles simple from living in the North for nineteen years, so it's exciting getting to try on everything I own. 
#3 Cosy nights
And the very best of cosy nights: oversized jumpers, candles, romance films, cuddles, fluffy socks, blanket and hot chocolate. The list is endless, but now the summer is really over, I look forward to coming home, curling up into the fur blanket and going through my Netflix list or flying through chapters of my favourite book. Autumn seems to bring some of the very best sunsets! Fireplaces and candles add a great setting for the darker evenings too.
#4 Walking through the colourful leaves
A sweet autumn walk through the brisk breeze and bright trees is the perfect thing for me. Whether it's alone or with my friends, a lot walk wrapped in scarves and happiness is the ideal way to wind down after a hard week at work. I like walking for exercise and the stamina needed to run is not really my cup of tea; so taking a long walk and watching the leaves fall is just excellent.
#5 Bonfires with cider in the woods
As I live in the 'countryside' section of West Yorkshire, there are woodlands everywhere, also accompanied by the bright red moors. A tradition among myself and my friends is to grab a few packs of cider, snacks and firewood. Setting up a bonfire surrounded by colourful trees, blankets and people you love makes for a great autumn Friday night. This doesn't have to be over the top, but is still plenty of fun.
#6 My bed feels cosier
As everywhere outside my bed is reasonably cold, climbing under my many layers in the softest pyjamas and my favourite Spotify playlist going sounds amazing right now. Because I work all week, I naturally wake up quite early in the morning, sometimes as early as 5:30am. Looking at the clock, realising it's Sunday morning and melting back into the sheets is just a fantastic feeling and I look forward to this almost every weekend!

What do you love about this season?

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