Eiva Poppins: Brighton Blogger

I would love to tell you about the new and exciting Make Up and Style Academy which just opened in Brighton and please let me invite you to their workshop next week on 4th November! A lot will be covered on the day and you can learn all about what actually happens during a fashion shoot including styling, makeup and photography. Just read more on their website. There are also seperate workshops for those who are more focused on makeup rather than editorial, styling and photography work. 

This academy just launched in Brighton but its founders are no newbies in the fashion industry. Katie Pettigrew and Camilla Turner have more than twenty years of experience and they have worked with Vogue, Glamour, Marie Clare, Confused and many other magazines and brands such as Nike, Armani, Sony Music etc. That already speaks for itself but if you need more convincing just look at this amazing editorial work or this wonderful hair styling. 

I will be there at the workshop and will write another blogspost with some behind-the-scenes photography telling you all about how it went and what I learnt on the day. I honestly cannot wait! 

http://musabrighton.co.uk/

Few months ago I went to Rome and Florence with my friend from college Lucka.

My trip to Italy wasn't as pleasant as I would hope so due to me feeling sick and being tired from the heat most of the time. It sucks being ill on a holiday but I have to say I didn't feel bad all the time so I have enjoyed going to Colloseum or swimming in the sea on our first day when I was still alright...but I wanted to say that I was sick because people often lie online and on social media so my pictures where I look fine just prove that not everything is what it looks like haha. But I am as beautiful as I am in my photos and ever more to be honest with you. Basically the perfect human and everyone's role model. I can see you smiling and nodding while you are reading this. Beautiful! Errm anyway, you don't know how hot it was but it was like opening an oven door too close to your face but the difference was that I couldn't shut that door and just had to live in that oven for a few days...like how do you survive that heat?? I was not coping at all. Trust. My theory is basically that living in England has diadvantaged me from travelling to hot countries. I need to remember to always travel out of the summer season! But it is not like I regret going because both of the cities were beautiful and it was still nice to see them. I love that photo of a man carrying sunflowers.

Sooo...not many recommendations this time. Only that if you go to Italy during the summer get an accomodation with an air-con and if you are in Rome, you can also get a 30 minute train to the beach to cool off. They have great trains in Italy - all with plugs and air-con. (Literally the most important thing.) Don't rely on public transport in Rome. There was a strike when we were there and they still sold us tickets anyways haha. Also, avoid buying these Global Postal Service stamps. They will sell them in some shops claiming you can track it etc. but it is not true and after reading reviews online it sounds like a proper scam....and if you use them chances are nobody will get your lovely postcards.
That's it from me. I am going to tell you about my trip to Portugal next. :-)

Fabrizio's from the very North of Italian, he was a ski instructor/coach and a top ski racer. I'm a true Brightonian who loves all things Italian! I happened to be out there for work (I manage the overseas operations for a travel company) and so we met swishing down the pistes (and then drinking an Aperol Spritz or 2!) I had a 6 month contract but ended up staying for 4 and a half years! Just under 2 years ago with our first child due, we decided to move back to Brighton.

What are the most delicious things on your menu? 

Obviously the gelato is the winner! The pistachio and hazelnut are really fantastic and the Cassata (tutti frutti) is also delicious. The creamy tiramisu portions are one of our best sellers, as soon as they are made they sell out that same day, as do the Cannoli Siciliani (crunchy pastry tubes with a creamy ricotta filling; a classic from Sicily. We've just introduced 'Paffutella' which are a brioche type bun from Sicily, similar to panettone. We fill them with pistachio, chocolate or almond cream which is delicious for breakfast and also with gelato! 

What is so special about your ice-cream? 

Our Gelato is like none other that you'll find in Brighton. Fabrizio works closely with our gelato chef who has over 40 years experience and has won numerous gelato awards all over Italy and in Paris. There is a real passion to create a quality product and we use only the freshest fruit, the best quality nuts and the highest quality chocolate to create flavours which are just bursting with....well flavour. We never use anything fake, no preservatives, colourants, additives etc so our product is as natural as possible and actually not that bad for you. Gelato is churned at a much slower rate than ice-cream, incorporating less air and leaving the gelato denser. It is also served at a slightly warmer temperature, so its texture stays silkier and softer. 

What is your favourite thing about Brighton?

Although I've travelled a lot and lived abroad, I couldn't imagine being anywhere else to bring up my family. From the music festivals to the sporting events, finding another hidden coffee shop in the lanes, or having a stroll along the beach, the general craziness and individuality.... Brighton will always be home.

Ruby Moon produces 42% less emissions compared to high street swimwear brands. I have spoken about sustainable fashion in the past and it is something I stand for.

I went to Paris for a long weekend to visit my sister (I have two) who is currently living there. She actually lives just outside the city in a town called Meudon and I enjoyed seeing that as well as seeing Paris maybe even more. The first and last time I went to Paris was in grammar school when I was twelve...which is 12 years ago! You don't need to see any photos of me from back then. Trust me.

(Taken on Paris underground while I had a migraine. All photos taken on a disposable camera as per usual.)

It is true that it was raining almost the whole time but I don't mind the rain. I prefer it over a heat which makes me feel sleepy and gives me a headache. I sound like such a grumpy person but yeah, it is true..that I am grumpy:). I feel like I've seen a lot in just three days but we weren't rushing anywhere and just kind of taking it easy which I really like whenever I am on holiday. I hate rushing around! I wrote a list of things I wanted to see and then saw some of it. I don't want get up at 8am and see every single famous place and run around like a mad person. I am not about that life.

On the first day me and my sister went to Centre Pompidou - which is a massive contemporary and modern gallery/museum. Definitely worth coming and the entry is only a few euros if you are 26 and under! I felt very young in Paris with all them discounts. Anyway, you can find there Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Picasso, Paul Davis, Francis Bacon..you know what I am talking about. All the big names. 

 At the time I went Josef Koudelka Czech(-French) coincidentally had a big exhibition in there which I loved. There was many old photographs from the time when he was travelling during the seventies and documenting people, his style of travelling and life. Look him up he's almost as good of a photographer as me HAHA - I am only joking. I am the best photographer in the world. I am too famous.

On the map I created you can see Notre-Dame is not very far from the flower market. It is a nice walk. Even in the rain!
Merci - dream of every Instagrammer ;). Coffee shop combined with design general store.

 I took my friend Zoey as my plus one because she loves make-up and she's cute and she likes to drink..and there was free alcohol so really - a perfect plus one.

I do love to be invited to events where they give you food as to be completely honest, that is really the best part about being a blogger and Benefit gave us lots of sweets and popcorn which was goood.

The most important thing about this event was an arrival of this big Browmobile. I am no good with cars so for me it is 'a big pink car' but anyway if you've seen Benefit advert then you know what it looks like and you know you can win yourself a visit from Benefit team. They'll come to see you wherever you are in the UK and do your brows for you for free.

 I am no good with cars so for me it is 'a big pink car' but anyway if you've seen Benefit advert then you know what it looks like and you know you can win yourself a visit from Benefit team. They'll come to see you wherever you are in the UK and do your brows for you for free.

I also enjoyed a talk by Lola Hoad who is a greetings card maker and a girl behind One Girl Band which is a community space for women running their own businesses in Brighton. It is a space where you can hire a desk and work there with other girls and I encourage each other and feel like a part of something and knowing you're not alone. It is a very nice space in North Laine so check it out if that sounds like a place for you. They also do yoga, workshops and other fun stuff and you don't have to be a member to join in. Another talk was done by Tashie Tinks, some of you might watch her youtube channel.

This was a lovely event so thank you so much Benefit team for hosting this and for all my lovely freebies! I finished that evening with Nutella Calzone from PizzaMe. It was perfect.

This is the park from the last scene.

I should also share the best photo I took in New York. Thank you, stranger sailor for letting me. 'Can I take a photo of you, please?' 'Me?' 'Yeah, you look cool.' 'Okay.'

Central Park is massive! I new it was big but still I was surprised. Also, I used to think it is just a park and I wasn't sure why was everyone making such a fuss about it but yeah I get it now. It is nice and clean and you cannot actually hear many sounds from the city and it makes NY just more chilled in general. There is a lot of space, there're runners, people playing football, cricket, tennis, people boating on boats (I just invented that cause I am brilliant) and there are squirrels, birds.... and at night it gets pretty spooky and there are loud racoons!

Remember how I said I thought New Yorkers were really nice? This is Subway Therapy project which I love run by Levee who told me he goes and gives free advice almost every day in different subway stations. He also puts out sticky notes out for passing passengers to express their opinions on certain topic or and just to write a message for everyone. I had to take a part in this. So beautiful.

I was always planning on going to Museum of Modern Art in New York as it might be even the most famous one in the world. As you might know, I love Modern and Contemporary art and this was everything I expected. There was work by many Czech artists which made me once again Czech and proud ;). Oh, it was just so massive and you could spend there days.

When you've got a cold but have to keep taking photos because you're on a holiday.

So this is a little bit from my trip and quite a few photos. I walked miles and miles in NYC, I saw lots of places and spoke to some nice people and I had a great time. I also know I only saw a little bit and already I have a long list (in my head) of placesI need to see next time. I miss you, New York.