24 Hours in Warsaw - And An Inglot Makeup Haul!

War is the darkest of thieves. It leaves behind a path of loss, despair, resentment and destruction.

Being a city that has seen more than its fair share of the aforementioned, one might expect and understand Warsaw to be bitter, grey and resentful. But despite its tremendous losses sustained in the World Wars, this city is a beautiful bubble of hope, light and colour.

By the end of World War 2, 85% of the city had been destroyed in targeted attacks by Nazi Germany. 
I think it’s difficult, if not impossible, to imagine your city with only 15% of it left intact.

This picture shows the same location in 1938 and again in 1945.

Post-war, difficult decisions were made as to how to rebuild the city, and the Medieval old town area reconstructed almost entirely on their original plans. The rest of the city was built with a newer, Soviet-influenced design.

Walking around the new Warsaw, one of the latest destinations on our flying network, it seems to be an ambitious city, buzzing with energy, education and prospect. You get the feeling the place is breathing, the people want more and many businesses are investing in what is a bright, emerging market. 
I can't imagine the city as it was post-war. On this day I see open-air galleries, crowds of stylish young professionals, concept cafes, and street artists entertaining on the cobbled walkways.

As I wandered the sights in a somewhat sleep-deprived daze, I did think it would make a beautiful backdrop to some dreamy retro fashion shoot. I’ve posted a few of my favourite places here…

Happy New Year: 4 Resolutions For 2014

Okay, so I can't claim to have taken a blogging sabbatical. I have instead been busy earning a promotion over the last six months. Free time has been taken up primarily with writing reports, sleeping and eating. And occasionally I squeeze in my so-called social life. A little while ago, I was offered the permanent position of senior flight stewardess for the world's no.1 airline.  Hard work having paid off, I can now return to my first love - travelling the world, and consequently, writing about it.

With 2014 underway, the usual resolution rigmarole has hit me. Being a girl who loves a gimmick, I do like making resolutions. It goes in with my other indulgences, such as stationery, writing lists and packing. Don't judge.

So here are my resolutions.

What’s In My Air Hostess Handbag?

I am constantly reassured by consumer magazines that I am in fact not the only person who likes to know what is in other people’s bags… and that is why I’m sharing today. Well, it seems only fair. You show me inside your handbag, I’ll show you inside mine.

My little maroon bag is possibly the most travelled handbag you’ll come to meet. It’s part of my uniform I grab along with my hat and suitcase before I head off to another fabulous destination with work.

As I trot through the airport, here’s what I’m concealing under my arm… my essentials you might say - the go-to items for your model air hostess (sort of) ;)

My Favourite 'Work Lipstick' - Revealed!

The real colour of the lipstick... pretty bright - but I like it!

On a recent long haul flight (working Tokyo to Dubai – 11.5hours + 2 hours as I applied it pre-departure of course... so a total of 14 hours by the time I took the photographs below), I put my favourite ‘work-lipstick’ to the ultimate test.

Tested: Maybelline SuperStay 24hour Lip Colour in Red Passion

I applied it around two hours before the flight departed… and it looked like this (no editing involved here):

KonichiWOW

There is something about Japan.
Its pride.
Its people.
Its beautiful landscape.
Its quirky little obsession with manga and all-things-cartoon.
Its beautiful ladies who paint their faces so prettily.

I could keep going, as the land of the rising sun has impressed me on countless occasions, but I wanted to cut to the chase, here are my "Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Japan".

Reason 1: The Japanese ARE the politest people on earth (see also Reason 3).I love the fact that in everything the Japanese do, manners and etiquette are involved.

Slippers off at the door, please

Chinese Whispers

Po Lin Monastery

Hong Kong was a lovely surprise.



There I was, traipsing in with lots of preconceived ideas of grotty greyness found in most other large cities. I was expecting that my short trip would not reveal the colour that is usually only found after spending more than 24 hours in a place...


Our international layovers (airhostess jargon for a stay of 24 hours or more in any one particular city, put up in a hotel by the airline before we work the flight back the following day) are mostly large, massively-populated cities. Passing places for the more adventurous traveller. Faceless destinations for busy businessmen. London, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, Rio, Rome, Hong Kong...

Introducing The Trolley Dolly...

Hi everyone!

My name is Nadia, a magazine Beauty Editor in the UK for 5 years, now turned air hostess, travel writer and photographer, based in sunny Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

I decided to write this blog as a way of expressing my (slight) obsession with beauty, in the most general and not always conventional sense of the word; whether that be in the people, places or even the products, I experience.

My aim is quite simple – I wish to write about real beauty, real people and really good products. Whether it be a city review, an interview or an amazing find, I am not sponsored, nor do I answer to an Editor or anyone else, so you can expect reliable information and honest opinions from someone with experience in the field.

When it comes to product posts, don’t expect a catalogue of average items simply because they are shiny and new. Something I’ve noticed to be missing online is realistic, intelligent comment on those everyday essentials such as cleanser, moisturiser, foundation, and all the other beauty basics we depend on. That's one of the reasons I created The Trolley Dolly, so let me know if you find my posts useful, and keep in touch with feedback - I appreciate all and any!

For more news and instant updates, follow me on Twitter, Instagram (thetrolleydolly) and Tumblr 

Subscribe and enjoy!

P.s. Photographs and posts are my own, therefore copyright follows suit. Thanks!