Soho Brunch Break

March 8, 2014

Jackson & Rye

Mmm brunch.. the most important meal of the weekend! I do love the romanticised idea of going out for a big, hearty brunch and the center of Soho in London is the best place to do so. Jackson & Rye is my new go-to place whether for breakfast, dinner, coffee or drinks. Its chilled out and friendly atmosphere, cosy tables and incredible American style menu are pretty much irresistible.

The first time I came here a month ago, I got a free glass of champagne when I checked in on Facebook! This time, I won a free brunch on Twitter – yay! They didn’t hold back either, letting us order pretty much as much as we wanted (dangerous)! Socially savvy and freebie throwing – now that’s my kind of place!

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What to Eat

Eggs in the morning is always a winner; go for the ‘Farmer’s’ for that all important soft, succulent ‘slab bacon’. *salivates*. It’s like nothing you’ve had before! A fresh fruit juice, pot of tea and sugary cinnamon and apple fritters will do your morning proud.

Once you’ve finished, admire the rustic toilets (yes I recommended the toilets) and have a chin-wag with a barman. Saunter off into the Soho streets to walk off your scoff and you’ve got yourself a fine weekend!

Follow Jackson & Rye on Twitter to try your luck at winning a brunch for two too! Where do you love eating out in London? I’ve made a list of all the places I want to try on my London Fun page. If you have any recommendations – let me know in the comments!

Happy Weekend!

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>In Store for You - My Liberty Internship

>Hackney WickED Peeps

A Tea Drinking and Hat Wearing Sort of Day

Pastels in Primrose Hill

Spring Shades

March 1, 2014

Pretty Pastels

A little dicky bird told me that pastels are going to be pretty big this Spring, especially when paired with a flash of something shiny – perfect for me eh?! I took a bit of a sixties turn on one of my days in Milan, pairing a little metallic mini skirt with my trusty white fur coat (see how else I styled it here!) and fail-safe ankle boots.

My tip for visiting new cities? Always check out the streets off the beaten tracks as you’ll always find hidden gems. We discovered this pastel painted ‘via’, complete with couples on bicycles and a white moped which was clearly just standing around waiting to be posed with. Show off.

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Psst! If you’re thinking of visiting Milano, don’t miss my illustrated map!

Coat – Finders Keepers / Skirt – H&M / T-shirt – ASOS / Tights – ASOS / Boots – New Look (similar here or here) / Socks – ASOS / Clutch – Missguided / Necklace – Tatty Devine

P.s Guess what? I’m moving house soon! I’m super excited to be moving back into London again and of course that means re-thinking how my bedroom looks – yay! I’d love to hear your suggestions for your favourite homeware shops and of course, I’ll share my purchases with you afterwards!

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My Label is Full Circle

>Happy Christmas with my new Dinosaur T!

Antwerpian Streets of Colour

Girly in the Garden

Milanese Streets

February 23, 2014

Furry Monster

This furry coat was my Milanese style staple on my recent trip over to the Italian fashion capital. I’m bloody glad I took it too because my my, was it nippy! When you’re travelling for just a couple of days, it’s all about re-using your pieces. If you’re like me then you had may as well take a day off work before hand just to plan it all. Take a look at how I wore the jeans for a more summery feel in this post shot in the house we stayed in, or see my last outfit post were I mixed the coat up in a flash of leopard print and leather.

I wore this particular colour pop and monochrome outfit consisting of jeans (don’t know how I’d cope with out the rips in the knees now, it makes any leg bending so much easier!) and a cropped knit for a stroll through the posh Milanese streets. I like to think that Carrie and I inspired the Paparazzi, who were crouched under an archway behind us, to start snapping in our direction. Either that or there was some famous chick in a shop opposite them or something..

Coat – Finders Keepers / Jeans – ASOS / Jumper – ASOS / Hat – Miss Selfridge / Necklace – Tatty Devine / Trainers - Nike Free Run / Bag – Vintage Carven / Scarf – Urban Outfitters

Thinking of visiting Milan? Make sure you bookmark my illustrated map!

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>Rokit - Dress Up Blast Off!

>I Heart Kate Spade!

Secretary Specs

Noir et Blanc

The Apartment

February 20, 2014

Shirt – Miss Selfridge / T-shirt – ASOS / Leggings – ASOS / Necklace – H&M (similar) / Boots – ASOS / Bag – Russell & Bromley / Bangle – Fossil / Perfume – Penhaligon’s / Earrings – Next / Hair – Blow

Chilling Out

It might sound bloody obvious, but I’m really starting to love my weekends! Whilst I satisfied the proactive girl in me by working constantly on the blog or selling things during my weekend, there’s now no better feeling than being able to let myself chill out and relax; see friends, shop, cook, oh and hang out at the London Fashion week Blogger’s apartment!

Like your best friends house, The Apartment is filled with friends, laughter, tasty treats and, plenty of fun ‘getting ready’ action for bloggers doing their thang at Fashion Week. After shooting street style for ASOS Fashion Finder, I popped over for a blow dry which left me wanting shoot a music video where I shake my head around a lot. It looked faahbulous (if I do say so myself!) Cheers to the pop-up beauty bar, Blow Ltd! (Catch them in Covent Garden.)

New do – Quite a perfect way to kick off the Valentines weekend! What did you get up to?

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>Hag.

>Glasto - Come Rain, Come Shine

The Tea Rooms with Mod Dolly

Take10 x ASOS Fashion Finder x Warehouse

Milan – My 11 Step Illustrated Map!

February 14, 2014

Here’s a round up of my favourite things to do and places to eat when in Milan! All 3 areas are walking distance from the centre – in fact we didn’t get any public transport during the whole trip! Grab your euros and phrase book, check out my Milan guide and you’ll be set for a lovely chilled out time!

Torino

1 – SCOFF THE BEST BURGERS AT 202 BURGER

The fact that this cute, American style burger take away was situated just below where we stayed was a dangerous piece of information! Who am I kidding, it may not have been Italian and it may not have been good for us but heck it tasted bloody amazing. Always packed out, always open and the chips are always divine.

2- POP INTO TARGET

This colourful store across the road from 202 Burger is the perfect post-stuffed activity. The cute sweets we’re more than instagrammable, I mean would make the perfect gifts!

3 – DINE AT ZERODUE
With Torino being so central, you can spend the day walking around the city centre and then return right back for dinner. We thought it a good idea to splash out on somewhere fancy on one night and this traditional Italian with a cool modern decor didn’t disappoint. Order a ‘first’ for a small main or double up with a second. My prawn ravioli were actually the perfect amount with a fun sweet take on a burger for desert!

4 – SLEEP AT A LOCALS HOUSE
I mentioned how amazing it was to stay in an Airbnb apartment in my last post so do take a look for when you’re planning where to stay!

Piazza del Duomo

5 – CLIMB THE DUOMO
You can’t come to Milan without visiting the incredible Duomo di Milano, the glorious cathedral in the central square. Man-up and take the narrow stairs up to the roof (there’s a lift too but I shall judge you, ha.) After you’ve gotten your breath back, take it away again with stunning views over the city and marvel at the Gothic spires. Going inside is a must too and Sunday mornings in between masse is the quietest time to go. Buy your tickets for the roof early too to beat queues.

incredible spires on the Duomo Milan

6 – STROLL DOWN THE GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE II
This shopping arcade adjacent to Piazza Del Duomo is more than a little photogenic! If you need to shed some Euros then feel free to pop into Louis Vuitton and the like, otherwise you can always just take beautiful photos like we did!

7 – TUCK INTO A PANZZEROTTI
OK so you might faint at the sight of the double queue forking out of Luini’s but trust me, 20 mins spent people watching ain’t so bad when you get your chops around a fresh fried panzzerotti. Part calzoni, part donutty pasty, they’re very naughty but very nice. You might want to buy two and watch out for how messy they can be! P.s shh, they have a London branch too!

8 – PICK UP SOMETHING FUN IN DESIGN SUPERMARKET
I’d read about this homeware Mecca online before I left and it was pretty much the only place on my list that I wanted to visit. If I had a Milanese flat then I’d furnish it here. You might be able to get most bits online but it was still fun to swap steeples and stone for the colour and kitsch of this basement floor of the Rinascente shopping centre. Plus I came home with a frog shaped multi USB port so you know, win!

9 – PRETEND TO SHOP IN THE DESIGNER STORES

Its what the Italians are famous for so its gotta be done! With the Paparazzi hiding in arches in front of shops, you never know who you might run into!

Brera and Naviglio

10 – INDULGE IN DI VIOLE DI LIQUIRIZIA

These two other areas of Milan are a fair walk apart, so do Brera in the day and Naviglio the following evening.

The girls we stayed with recommended Brera as a pretty neighbourhood to wander and have a coffee in and that we did. OK well a ‘Cioccolat calde’ actually (the best real hot chocolate I’ve ever had) and an incredible pistachio cupcake in Viole di Liquirizia where we sat for hours chatting and wifi-ing. I’d pick this area as the neighbourhood to live in and must go back to explore it more next time!

11 – GRAB A MILANESE APERITIVO
Naviglio is the twenty-somethings playground come the evening. Nab an early table outside overlooking the river and nibble on ‘aperitivo’ – drinks with a buffet. Its how the kids eat when they go out in groups, you know. If you’re searching for traditional Milanese cuisine though, pop into Trattoria Milanese on the top corner of the street for the essential taste of Milan; risotto and bone marrow dish, or stroll down for plenty of other interesting dinner options.