I have just flown back from Budapest (be prepared for a few buda posts coming up!) and we flew using only carry-on luggage. We could have paid a higher price for a checked-in luggage but we were hoping for a low-cost holiday and decided that a carry-on should be enough. However, the struggle with this is cramming everything into a tiny suitcase as well as abiding by the laws of carry on luggage! Now how does a beauty lover get pack into a 20cm x 20cm bag filled with 100ml or under bottles I hear you ask? Well let me tell you..

1) Write. Lists. I know I sound like a madwoman constantly saying how much I write lists and to be fair, I do see it! But writing a packing inventory really helps you to stick to the bare minimum! I made a list with all the toiletries/makeup I would need alongside the outfits I'd wear each day with a few spares in case I change my mind on the day. I know it sounds ridiculous and you could probably skip the outfit plans, but it's definitely helpful when ensuring you have things like chargers, hair ties and socks.. you know, the things you'd typically forget!

3) Packing toiletries was super hard for me because there's so many darn liquids that I use. Then I thought of 2 genius ideas! Decanting creams/gels/thicker liquids into little tester pots. Now I actually ordered mine off Amazon. They're the perfect size for a weeks worth of each product. I put my moisturiser, foundation, serum, face sun cream and primer in each pot which in total took up the space of one travel size bottle of moisturiser - great! I then wanted to take things like cleansers, toners and face mists which naturally are in bigger bottles. So I bought dupes of the perfume travelos to fill each in. This saves me taking cotton pads and also is really quick and hassle free to apply! 

4) You know that box of little testers you have? Now's the time to use it! I randomly have a lot of testers, from magazines or people handing them out on the street and I always save them for them for a rainy day. Well now is a rainy day because these testers tend to be small and nifty. For example, I was handed out shampoo and conditioner in little sachets, which was perfect because once I finished it, I could throw it in the bin and not worry about taking it home again! I also like taking little perfume testers - thanks to my boyfriend for working part time at the perfume shop for getting me some freebies! Again, these are just enough for a weeks holiday and don't take up a lot of room. 

I'd love to know what tips you have for hand luggage only trips! 

In 2 weeks time I will be jetting off to Budapest for my birthday with my two best friends and much to our dismay, we are only able to take carry-on luggage. So I thought I would share with you some of the travel toiletries that I bought for the trip. Quick disclaimer: I didn't realise you're limited to the amount of liquids you're able to take, despite being less than 100ml, so some of this won't be making it's way to Budapest with me, but I would usually take these in my travel bag in my checked-in luggage anyway! I will be doing a 'what's in my carry-on suitcase' post soon too so keep an eye out for that!

With 2 months of summer holidays and dating a guy that is just as much of a foodie as I am, I have discovered some pretty awesome places to eat in London that I just had to share with you. When it comes to eating out, I usually stick to places that I know or places that are relatively affordable as a lot of these places were celebration meals - it seems I had a lot to celebrate this summer haha.

1. Inamo

I went here as our final meal with my fellow interns while I did my placement at Disney. The one we went to is based in Covent Garden and it's an Asian fusion tapas-style restaurant with interactive tables which give it that modern, quirky twist! It's quite dark and modern inside, with iPads that they have on each table that allow you to order your food/drinks without the need for a waiter. While you wait, you can play on the interactive table with your friends and family around the table. As much as I loved the idea of the games - it did mean that you lose that social aspect of eating out: communication! We did, however, get bored of the games after a while! When we went we stupidly ordered 3 dishes each, but I would recommend you buddy up with someone and each pick 2 dishes and share half of each so you get to try more food. I loved the food here but it only filled me up temporarily and normally I can never finish my meal! I picked three of the starters style food which would probably explain why. 

2. Flat Iron

This is one of those hidden away restaurants that unless someone points it out to you, you probably wouldn't know it was there! When my boyfriend and I were trying to search for this place we actually walked past it. Twice! Only to ask a local shop owner where it was and find it was directly across the street - oops! But the place was really nice, quite simple but quirky and the staff were extremely friendly - we went to the one on Tottenham Court Road. The food was served quick and to high standard too! It also wasn't too expensive to eat here! 

3. Big Easy

I really loved this place! It has such a nice atmosphere to it and the food is so tasty! I talked about going here on one of my 'weekly diary' posts so I won't go into too much detail here! If you're looking for a place to go with your pals, have a few nice (strong) cocktails, and eat some really tasty food, then this is the place for you to go. I had my first try of mussels here and let me tell you, they were the most tastiest thing I've every tried!

4. Sushisamba

So I've been a bit cheeky here - but I actually went here last summer but never mentioned it on my blog! I knew I couldn't go without mentioning this restaurant as it really was a nice treat. The food here is so well presented, I mean, just look at that salad! Sushisamba is located at Heron Tower so you get a phenomenal view of London! I went here with my family, who half were vegetarians and my parents aren't a big fan of sushi - but everyone loved it! There was a good few dishes for everyone to try and they all really enjoyed it. We each choose a starter and main each but actually ended up sharing a lot out where we could! If you want to treat yourself to a nice view and a pretty darn good meal then this is definitely a good shout! 

5. Piccolino

I went here with my boyfriend a few months ago and I really enjoyed myself. I actually went to the one based in Virginia Water but I know there are a few located in central London. This place is essentially a fancy Italian, but their food is so tasty. If you're not too adventurous but want to go somewhere nice then Piccolino's is the perfect place to go. Sometimes you have to be quite dressy here, but I went on a Friday evening and there were few families dressed quite casually. I personally think it's nice to dress up to go here! 

6. Benihana

I went here for one of my friends 22nd birthday in July and we were lucky enough to get our own little room! It's a Japanese restaurant where the chef cooks right in front of you! It can get quite lively inside with a lot of people excited from all the fancy tricks the chef performs and it's overall a really nice experience. At first you don't think you will get enough food to fill you up but at the end you're walking out with a 2 month old food baby developing! If you go, I highly recommend the prawns and the dipping sauce they give you for it is so darn delicious! 

7. Madison's

Finally, Madison's! This is one of those places that you see at least one person on your Instagram feed posting a picture of! You can go here just for drinks as it's a rooftop bar/restaurant. But we went here just to eat once to celebrate the end of uni for my two best friends! We all opted for mains only. I had a Lobster roll which was really nice and probably nicer than the one I had at Big Easy. This place is also quite expensive but I think, again, it's nice to go for something that you're celebrating. It's quite  a fancy place to go and full of business people dressed in suits and pencil skirts! So definitely dress to impress when you go!

Apologies for some of the poor quality pictures. Some of the restaurants are quite dark and I often take snapchat pictures rather than normal ones! Next time it'll be better ;) I'm always looking for new places to eat so if you have any recommendations.. send them my way!

Love Always
Neelam
xxx