Barcelona Duty Free Treats

I have to be honest I was severely disappointed by the lack of actual buying shopping I did whilst on holiday. I visited so many fabulous places with the most beautiful stores however, that is the only down side to cruising and being with family (that sounds awful but I mean in a time restraints way). You have to be back on the ship at a certain time, so juggling sightseeing, lunching, meeting with friends and shopping vs photographing anything blog worthy, it was quite difficult to actually buy! (I know what you're thinking boohoo you whore).

SO as my blissful week came to an end, I tried to comfort my holiday shopping blues by wandering aimlessly around the Barcelona airport. Contemplating buying everything and anything from a Chanel lipgloss in a colour I already have to a Spanish version of the Hunger Games, subtitles maybe? And then THE HOLY GRAIL SHONE UPON ME! MICHAEL KORS! I had already seen the fab Michael Kors store in Cannes yet I was rushed on to go sit and have a cup of tea WHY! There was a lot less variety in this Michael Kors because it was a concession store. 

Nevertheless this Michael by Michael Kors tortoise shell and gold detail Cynthia handbag caught my eye. I was hoping they might of had the camouflage Miranda Tote that I saw in Cannes but I thought this was a great compromise, a major drop in price compared to the Miranda style, a more practical everyday bag and I have to say I've not put this baby down since I've been back! Made from Saffiano leather in the Stone colour, though I would say it's more of a taupe. Gorgeous gold and tortoise shell hardware, 1 removable over the shoulder strap, 4 bag feet, 3 different large compartments, 4 small mobile phone shape compartments, 1 leather key chain fastener and 1 small zip compartment. 

I love that this bag has a middle zip pocket as well as the magnetic popper fastening as it makes me feel like my valuables are still safe. This colour goes great with all neutrals, black, white, especially grey and for bright colours go with greens, orange, purples and yellows. For 325 Euros which works out at around £260 (saving approximately £20-£30 on the UK price) I thought this hard wearing beauty was definitely worth the money.

MANGO

Mango had a great large store with lots of selection from new season collection to a huge sale to rummage through. I wasn't wanting to spend or carry a lot and I didn't have a lot of time to try on so I just found this sweet little everyday day to night bandage drop hem skirt. It was only 12.99 Euros down from 25.99 Euros which works out at about £10, BARGAIN! The stretch fabric is really comfortable and is the only tight fitting skirt I feel OK bloated in! Goes with absolutely everything and is great from work to night out, with a crisp white shirt I just swap my shoes to high pointy pumps and add more jewellery for a chic after work drinks look! (Sorry for the picture quality it was the only way I could get the detail to show up.)

My shopping thirst didn't stop there! Oh no we flew with Monarch both ways and they had a Real Techniques travel brushes set on the way there that I had caught my eye but I thought no restrain yourself and if you really want them on the way back get them, and I did just that! The travel set came in a small black case with a Velcro fastening. A really cool case because you can fold it in half and pull the toggle tie to make the case stand up which is really handy when doing your makeup on the go or propped up on your dressing table. It also has two other elastic sections to put your other tools in, I was worried the brushes would be tiny travel size but they were normal and soft as a feather. THESE BRUSHES ARE AMAZING THEY ARE THE BEST BRUSHES I HAVE EVER USED!! 

The set comes with a Contour brush, Foundation brush, Detailer brush and Buffing brush. The foundation brush blends underneath eyes like a dream, I previously used the Chanel Pinceau Fond De Tient No 6 brush and I honestly found the Real Techniques brush better, it is firmer, more precise and softer around the eyes (sorry Chanel brush I love you, you are amazing but I have to be honest). The detailer brush is a really good all rounder, from precision lipstick/lipgloss to the concealer around your lips and eyes to eyebrow powder blending to sharp or soft eyeliner it works a treat. 

The contour brush gives a sharp enough line for a Kimmy K style cheekbones look. Yet is small enough to cover up and stop people thinking I've been punched in the middle of my nose and I wear glasses that give me some sort of blue transfer on my face (where those blue lines come from on the sides of my nose/eyes I just will never know!).

Last but not least the buffing brush gives me a beautiful airbrushed blended finish, I have previously bought the stippling Real Techniques brush which I know a lot of other #bbloggers swear by for even applying their foundation. So using these two together has given me a finish I haven't been able to achieve with other tools before. For a mere 26 Euros so I think that is about £17 I am really impressed and think this could be the buy I'm most satisfied with!

What were your favourite #holidaybuys this Summer? If you haven't been away this year what has been your favourite purchase this Summer? Did you grab a bargain in the Summer sales? Did you splurge enough to go on a spending ban for 2015? Tweet me your answer or blog post to @lifexemporium