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LIFESTYLE & INSPIRATION

 

Weekend away: Travel Essentials

 
 
A weekend trip away to a different city can often be the best kind of secret escape from our busy lives. However, deciding what to pack may be somewhat of an arduous mission, even more so than packing for a two week vacation. Instead of the usual throwing contents of your whole closet into several suitcases, being practical for a weekend trip is a must. Read on to see what my personal essentials are and ideas on what items should take priority in your luggage!
 
 
 


1. MANGO METALLIC BOUCLÉ JACKET £44.99 A blazer or jacket that has the capability to transition from day wear to evening wear is great to take with you. Bouclé jackets, such as the one from Mango above, are chic, sophisticated and easy to style with many pieces. Wear with a pair of jeans and simple blouse during the day, throw over a dress in the evening and you are good to go!

2. DIANE VON FURSTENBERG KENLEY CHAINS SCARF £180 Scarves are an easy accessory to work with which don't get worn often enough. They can make simple outfits that bit more interesting. Better yet, they can be that 'pop of colour' to your outift.

3. ASPINAL OF LONDON BOSTON BAG £495 Travel in style. Weekenders or travel bags are, in my opinion, worth splurging a bit of money on as they'll be used over and over again. Not only is the travel bag from Aspinal of London a classic timeless piece, it also lends a hand to the idea of being 'practical'.

4. TRAVALO ATOMIZER SPRAY £11.99 Travalos are a clever little invention. They are so handy and lightweight and offer an alternative to carrying around a whole perfume bottle. Each spray can hold 5ml of your favourite perfume. If you wanted to, you could buy two or three and fill them each with a different fragrance.

5. IPAD MINI £269 Need I explain the countless benefits of having an iPad or any other tablet device with you. No, but I will say that having Google maps, a camera, the Kindle app and music was more than enough to make me grateful for my iPad on my break to Paris.

6. CÉLINE AUDREY SUNGLASSES £200 Whether or not the weather forecast predicts rain or clouds prior to going, take your sunglasses. I was expecting the worst of worst weather before going to Paris. There was meant to be rain for the whole weekend but turns out miracles do happen. I was thankful I had brought my sunglasses as sunshine and clear blue skies graced Paris during my stay.

7. CLINIQUE CHUBBY STICK I love lip products that both moisturise and add a wash of colour over my lips. Clinique chubby sticks are amazing and I swear by them. They are moisturising lip colour balms that come in a wide range of different shades. Perfect for when the colder weather is harsher on my skin and also when I'm having a 'minimal makeup' day but want a touch of colour.

8. DIPTYQUE CYPRÈS MINI CANDLE £20 Travel candles, such as the ones from Diptyque, are a great way of making your hotel room more homely with an added touch of luxury and of course, leaves it smelling divine.

9. SMYTHSON PANAMA NOTEBOOK £45 Notebooks come in handy for writing down ideas and information....addresses, phone numbers, shops you want to go to, recommendations of restaurants you should dine at, phrases in the local language, notes and sketches of places you've visited etc.

10. LULU FROST DEMETER TIE BACK NECKLACE £235 Nothing says glamour like a beautiful piece of jewellery. Classic, elegant and simply stunning, a statement necklace like the emerald one seen above will effectively force many onlookers to eat their hearts out. A piece like this will instantly state expensive sophistication to your evening attire. Lulu Frost's collection is beyond heaven to me. When I say I want every piece, I literally want every single piece.

11. STUBBS & WOOTTON BESPOKE SMOKING SLIPPERS £310 Comfortable and chic. Could you ask for a better combination? These bespoke smoking slippers loved by people like Olivia Palermo, Kanye West and Tinie Tempah are ideal for city trips which may involve a lot of strolling, providing both style and comfortability.








LOVE from Paris: Whistle Stop Guide & Hidden Gems

 

A weekend away to Paris seemed like the perfect getaway from London so almost two weeks ago, my friend, Amber & I packed our bags and jumped on the Eurostar, in desperate need of a short break from our lives back home here in London. Paris is one of my favourite cities having spent at least one week of every summer there ever since I was a little girl. It's tradition and one that will never grow old. If you've never been, go. If you already have, I don't think you need me to tell you to go again!
 

Merci, 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais


Merci is a gorgeously hidden boutique in the Marais area. Much like Anthropologie, it offers everything from furniture, jewellery, stationery, fashion, home décor, perfumes and even a haberdashery. Its adjoining café knows no bounds to being the perfect haven. With rows upon rows of books to delve into and a selection of light salads and delicious cakes to choose from, one could not ask for a better place to escape from all worries.
 
 
 

Paris Haute Couture Exhibition, Hôtel de Ville
 
 
Open until the 6th of July at Hôtel de Ville, the Paris Haute Couture Exhibition is a must-see. Showcasing the most beautiful and exquisite designs chosen from the Galliera museum, it pays tribute to some of the most creatively gifted artists of our time including Lanvin, Patou, Chanel, Rochas, Schiaparelli, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Lacroix and more. Haute Couture epitome set as the crown jewel of Parisian culture and fashion, this exhibition is not to be missed!
 
 
 

Angelina, 226 Rue de Rivoli
 

Set just a few paces from the historic Place de la Concorde & the Louvre on Rue de Rivoli, Angelina's impressive grandeur and air of grace is hard not to be in awe of. The beauty of the tea room is met with its equally divine pastries. Their infamous signature hot chocolate, L'Africain, served on a silver tray with cream separate must be tried and tasted. Once a favourite of famous people like Audrey Hepburn and Coco Chanel, it has now become one of mine.
 


 
La Petite Place & Meert, 16 Rue du Parc Royal
 
On Rue Vieille-du-Temple and Rue des Francs-Bourgeois in the Marais, you'll find many independent boutiques housing chic and elegant apparel French sophisticates are so well-known for. Not to mention Victor Hugo's apartment, writer of Les Misérables, at Place des Vosges is only a two-minute walk away. Around the area, the streets are lined with typically charming cafés like La Petite Place and just across the road from this café, is the most delightful confectionery, Meert. Renowned for their waffles which are baked by Meert specialists in the shop and endless choices of white chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, pralines, ganaches, orangettes, mendiants or griottines decorating the shop’s shelves, Meert is definitely a hidden gem!