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2Day trip to Venice

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Alluring and enchanting, magnetic and mysterious, dark and doomed - dangerous beauty indeed🖤. Venice is the place I fell hopelessly in love with even before I set foot on it and both my visits left me longing for more. My first visit to Venice was rushed with barely 7 hours - not even close to register that I was actually there. Sunset didn’t even begin when I had to leave. The place takes different life at dusk - the transformation from vibrant colourfulness to mystique darkness never looks more beautiful 😍.  I made a promise to myself that my second visit to Venice is not to be combined with any other place. The intent is to focus only on Venice, but as time passed it seemed less likely 😔. Finally I saw a small window between Scotland to England to India and I jumped on the opportunity. Made all the bookings while sitting at Glasgow airport waiting for the boarding. Leaving my luggage at my friend’s place, started around 5 am - little over an hour ride to central London and an...
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Scotland series #5 - Day trip to Edinburgh

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Lately I have been reading a lot of Ian Rankin's John Rebus Novels which are mostly set in the backdrop of Edinburgh. My association with the place is quite limited though. In my first trip to Scotland, short as it is, we stayed 2 of 3 days in Glasgow and my second, month long stay, is also in Glasgow. I did like Glasgow more and quite enjoyed my time there (even though I stayed right next to the airport), however, Edinburgh have a charm of its own. I kept this trip to the last, as my weekends (or free bits of them) were dedicated to Highlands. The day before leaving Scotland, I thought of paying a visit to its capital. My first trip to the city lasted about 7 hours and I wished my 2nd one lasted more than one day. Someone at office commented combine both and it would be my day 2 in Edinburgh, only 3 years apart😀. I took an early train from Queen's street station (not very easy to find, probably due to the construction coverings). The ride itself was quite interesting with a g...
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March Empties

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 continuing monthly list💃🏻 1. L’Occitaine almond scrub soap: I am not a big fan of soap scrub but wanted to try L’Occitaine scrub and this one is the least expensive one. The scrub feels a bit abrasive but not very harsh. Though mild soaps are preferred in some scenarios, I like something more intense. It’s not drying and the fragrance is similar to the almond shower gel.  2. Cinthol deo: this gives a nostalgic feel - this is the brand used by my parents and grand parents. It is a decent anti-perspirant and budget friendly🤑. 3. Bobbi Brown makeup remover: it is a travel size pack and, with regular use, it lasted a little over a month. It did a decent job removing mediums eye makeup, though not as good as the Sephora one. 4. Origins willow herb serum: though it is a serum, it is as heavy as a moisturiser. Despite being a travel pack, it lasted quite long. Though not suitable for humid climates, during winters it could be used instead of a cream moisturiser. 5. Forest essenti...
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February empties

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 Not only I managed finishing up products in Feb, its longest monthly list for shortest month😎.  1. Forest essentials neem & aloe Vera conditioner: I bought this along with shampoo as a kit because individual pieces are not available for sale. After using the sample bottles in a hotel, I liked the shampoo so much. The conditioner is not made either. Conditioners usually last longer than shampoos, however this one got finished only few weeks after the shampoo. It’s not so thick as other conditioners and hydration is quite mild. If I get shampoo alone, I most likely will not purchase this conditioner. However, of let is the only option, I wont mind baying it for the shampoo. 2. Moloccon oil conditioner: this is best conditioner I used so far.it gives right amount of hydration without weighing down the hour and lasts quite long. I am thinking of getting the mask version next. 3. Clinique face wash: this is travel size pack and works as mild make up remover. Perfect for beach...
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Jan Empties

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 Yay!! A monthly list 💃🏻. 1. Kiehl’s line reducing concentrate: I used Kiehl’s midnight recovery serum for quite sometime and loved it. Wanting to try something new I bought a small pack of this concentrate (also because it is quite expensive 🤑). It is a light cream and, while applying, gave some warmth - not sure if it is supposed to 🤔. Can’t say much about line reduction though. For now I will stick with midnight recovery. 2. I’m caffeine face wash: this is a sample pack which I used in my travel pack. I took few vacations in last 6 months and this pack lasted quite a few days despite its size. I love the coffee fragrance, though it didn’t linger long. I don’t think I will purchase this face wash but maybe their body scrub.  3. NYX lip liner: after I bought (and liked) an eyeliner pencil from NYX, I bought this lip pencil hoping for tge similar smooth texture. However, this was the most rigid lipliner I ever used. I could still work with but very rarely. I like the retra...
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Nov and Dec Empties

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This list have a variety of products - skincare, hair care, make up and nails. Almost half are make up products - I always find it difficult to finish up makeup products😅.  1. Bioderma BB cream: I like make up products from skin care brands and French pharma brands. This one is both🥰. They don't have many shades - just 2 or 3. Thankfully I found a match. As bb creams are, this one doesn't provide heavy coverage. Even though I spend most of day in air conditioned space, I also spend good time walking in sun and this one stays well. It is not currently available in India😔, whenever I get access to it, I will definitely re purchase this one. 2. Mac eye pencil: this my second one and I was hoping to utilise it for back to Mac (which is no longer available😟). It is not too creamy not rigid. it doesn't stay long, however, il don't fudge at corners as other kohls I used before. Since these empties are no longer recyclable, I will by other brands now🤑. 3. Bonjour Paris eye...
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Scotland series #4 - Portree and Isle of Skye

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Pretty much everyone suggested that travelling in Scotland, especially in highlands, using public transport is a crazy idea. Even with own vehicle and a companion, it is almost impossible to get accommodation. However, every tour package I verified required at least 3 days and I did not have an option to take day off. After a lot of searching, I managed to book a B&B for two nights and took afternoon bus to Portree. Our client work half day on Fridays and, even though I work full day, I easily got permission to leave early one Friday🤓. From Glasgow airport, the bus left around 3 pm. Ideal way to travel to highlands is to take ferry from Mallaig and travel by road from there. Since it is a long journey, I took direct bus and that route is quite scenic too. For an hour of two, the bus was quite crowded, but I got window seat very soon.  The ride through Lochs and mountains, is both serene and scary😅. It was almost 10 pm by the time I reached Portree. The B&B was about 10 mi...
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