30 July 2014

One Day. London Living Day Three


Day three London and here I am.  It's a funny feeling knowing you've packed up your life and landed in somewhere completely new where virtually no one knows you, you don't know your way around, everything seems foreign and the smallest task like food shopping becomes a huge thing because nothing looks the same. Despite all that I must say I'm surprised at how much I love it here already, I thought it would take some time to adjust but I seem to be right in the pommy swing of things. I will say though that there have been a few things I've noticed that have really stuck out to me as new or unusual. Here's a few London quirks that I've come across:

  • If you are wearing shorts or sunglasses people will stare at you. I'm not quite sure why, because when it's over 25 degrees and sunny it seems obvious to me to wear shorts and put sunglasses on, but it seems the poms don't agree. Literally no one [ok, very few people] seem to wear sunglasses here and I get the strangest looks when I have mine on. Likewise if I'm out for a walk in shorts, the people who are sweating it out in jeans and pants just stare. Am I breaking some sort of fundamental U.K. fashion law here that I'm unaware of?
  • When you're walking the streets in a crowd, people are always right behind you; ghosting style. I don't know if they're in a hurry or just have no sense of personal space but it's quite creepy and I wish they wouldn't.
  • The acceptable working attire for men in London is an expensive tailored suit. No exceptions.
  • I can't seem to figure out what side of the road/path to walk on here. In Australia we drive on the left so we walk on the left, in Europe it's the opposite. With England driving on the left I would have thought they would be the same as Aus but it seems they've all gotten confused. Some on the left, some on the right, some down the middle and some switching from side to side. It makes it very difficult when you're out for a walk - it has turned into a bit of a dodge ball person situation. Can anyone shed some light on this?
  • The widely accepted fact that London is cold all the time is not true. So far it's been really really warm, I'm talking 28 degrees during the day. Dear sunshine, please last several months, sincerely Krissie.
  • And most importantly, the widely accepted fact that Made in Chelsea people live in Chelsea is in fact a lie. Evidently they live in my neck of the woods; Fulham. You'll be the first to know when I spot one.

Photo by Krissie.

28 July 2014

Suitcase. Cote D'Azur, France - Travel Guide

Nestled at the south of France on the Mediterranean sea, the Cote D’Azur has long been a place I was dying to visit. What’s not to love about a region that offers you sun, sea, French culture, great food and life on one of the most sort after peninsulas in the world? The answer: nothing.

 Dining in Villefranche

Sights
Where to begin… There is so much to see along this part of the coastline so let’s start at the left and work to the right. Cannes, the home of the world famous film festival, is a tourist town that booms in summer so it’s well worth a visit – wander down the waterfront promenade and check out the famous Hotel Carlton, most of the beaches here are private clubs and there is also a big stretch of marina with some pretty impressive boats.


Cannes

Along the coast a little further you will fine Juan Les Pins and Antibes; Antibes is mainly a port but Juan Les Pins has some nice little beaches that are sandy rather than stones so it’s easy on the feet. Make sure you take a drive around Cap D’Antibes and go past the Cap d’Eden Roc Hotel; this is millionaires point and there are some spectacular properties to see. Up on the hill behind Antibes is St Paul de Vence which is one of the oldest towns from medieval France.  This walled village sits high on the hill with breath-taking views across the region and has long been a favourite place to visit with the rich and famous.


The view from St Paul de Vence

The city of Nice is the next place you’ll find along the coastline and this is where I based myself. The beaches at Nice have some of the clearest water but the pebbles onshore are a real killer on the feet. There are plenty of private beach clubs in Nice and a walk along the ocean-front Promenade d’Anglais is a must; the chateau at the west end provides incredible views of the city.


Nice

Just around the headland from Nice is Villefranche which is a beautiful cliffside village that offers great swimming beaches. This town is very Mediterranean in its design and it’s a great one for a postcard picture.


Villefranche

Past here and inland a little you will find the hilltop village of Eze which has similarities to St Paul de Vence with its narrow cobblestoned paths and winding, picturesque alleyways. You can also visit the local perfumery here; Fragonard.


Eze 

Finally you will reach Monaco, the world capital for the rich and famous. Everything here oozes money and a trip to the Monaco Casino and Hotel de Paris are must do’s to get the full impression of the wealth of this area.


Monaco

Transport
If you’re going to see this region of France properly [and easily!] I would definitely recommend hiring a car. Whilst there are trains that run along the coast from Marseille in the west to Ventimiglia in the east, they are often running late. And although they can get you to several places, you are then left with the task of an awful lot of walking if you want to see each region properly. Must see places like Eze and St Paul de Vence, which are medieval villages in the hilltops, aren’t really reachable unless you have a car and taxis in this area of France are extremely expensive (way more than Paris), so I would avoid using them if you can. They are several buses that run from Nice to various places in the area and also a tram that goes round the city – but if you want my advice: get a car.


Nice

Food
Being so close to the boarder there is plenty of great Italian cuisine in and around Nice. Think authentic restaurants with Italian speaking staff who have menus over-flowing with pizzas and pastas. The old town of Nice offers a great selection of restaurants with both a mix of French and Italian: I really enjoyed eating at La Voglia. Rue Massena also offers a large assortment of restaurants and there is a great gelati shop with very friendly Italians. If you venture to Antibes there is a fantastic steakhouse called The Golden Beef where you must order the chateaubriand. Simple sandwich shops are harder to come by in this neck of the woods so I found that for lunch it was usually necessary to sit down at a café or restaurant.


The Hotel Carlton in Cannes

This region of France simply must be on your travel wishlist. What to pack? A bikini, tanning oil, your drivers licence and a sense of adventure.


Photos by Krissie.

21 July 2014

Suitcase. Lyon, France - Travel Guide

I would describe Lyon as the littler, sweeter cousin of Paris. This beautiful city has history dating back to Ancient Roman times, the streets are paved with cobblestones and the centre of town is bordered by two rivers: the Rhône and the Saône.  At the western side of the city lies Fourviere Hill and the Basilica of Notre Dame church which appear to act as a guardian as they watch over Lyon; it is quite an incredible sight. Known as “the stomach of France”, Lyon’s streets are lined with traditional bouchons and you would be hard-pressed to find a café that doesn’t offer a plethora of baguettes and croissants.

The Saône River

The Rhône River

Place des Jacobins

Sights
Lyon is much smaller in size than Paris so you don’t need as much time to see it all; I would recommend 3-4 days. In that time you can see the city centre; shop around Bellecour where there are plenty of chain stores and designer boutiques; sit by the fountain at Place des Jacobins; wander the banks of the Rhone and the Saone; ride the funicular up to the top of Fourviere Hill where the views across the city are breath-taking; visit the Basilica of Notre Dame church; and take a trip up to the Parc de la tête d’or (Park of the Golden Head), with its expansive gardens and never-ending lake this is probably the most beautiful park I have seen (but shhh don’t tell Central Park I said so).



View from Fourviere Hill

Basilica of Notre Dame

Parc de la tête d'or

Transport
France express trains run to and from Lyon so it’s easy to reach the city if you’re in the country. I arrived from Paris on the TGV which travelled the 460km in a mere two hours. There are two central train stations in Lyon; Part Dieu and Perrache; from these stations you can take day trips on the regional TER train. I visited the little village of Annecy which is nestled in the Alps; the slow regional train is 5-hours return from Lyon but it is well worth it. Within the city of Lyon you can get around town using buses, taxis and bicycles (like the Paris velo system). They also have a strange version of trams, which are really more like buses in disguise. The city centre is not very large and pretty much everything is within walking distance.


The village of Annecy at the foot of the alps
Food
Lyon has an incredible number of restaurant and café choices; they line every street and alleyway. The most common are the Lyonnais bouchons which serve French food traditional of the region. This style of food is quite heavy with lots of creams and sauces but it’s certainly worth a try. While in Lyon I was lucky enough to enjoy two dinners at the restaurant Archange. This petite restaurant with just ten tables is nestled near the first arrondisment and an exquisite three course menu will set you back €29.50. The food is French with a modern twist and the dishes are as pretty as a picture – I would highly recommend visiting. Le Lyon Castel patisserie at the foot of Fouviere Hill serves the best pastries and tarts I’ve ever tried – be sure to stop in for a sweet treat.

Duck l'orange at Archange
Raspberry Tart from Le Castel patisserie

One of the many sweets shops in the old town

I’m so glad I had the opportunity to visit the city of Lyon; compared to Paris it is a quaint little place with plenty of French culture and history to offer its visitors. I was lucky enough to arrive in Lyon on Bastille Day – each year on this day there are fireworks set off from the top of Fouviere Hill, the French gather on the banks of the Saône and I watched the most beautiful show of lights I have ever seen. Vive la France.


Photos by Krissie.

15 July 2014

Suitcase. Paris, France - Travel Guide

Paris – the city of love; a place of incredible architecture, gastronomical food and mad drivers. The French capital is a truly magnificent city and I think everyone should visit it at least once in their lifetime. There is something so awe-inspiring about the grand historical buildings, wandering the banks of the Seine and seeing the Eiffel Tower peeking out at you from the left bank.

Boulevard de Saint Germain

Jardin du Luxembourg 



Sights
There is so much to see and do in the city of lights so I suggest you make a plan before you go and familiarise yourself with a map. You certainly can’t miss all the cliché tourist attractions; they are in fact incredible sights – head to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Louvre, Champs-Élysées, L’Arc de Triomph, Jardin de Tuileries, Montmatre and Jardin de Luxembourg. Once you have checked these off your list you can spend a day wandering the streets of Marais in the third arrondissement where there is fantastic shopping and cafés; wander along the left bank from Musee d’Orsay to Notre Dame where you can admire the artists and their work; take a walk from the 7th to the 5th arondissment to admire some of Paris’ most beautiful streets, and stop for a coffee in a street-front café; and if you like to shop head to La Bon Marche or Galleries Lafayette for an overwhelming designer experience. Make sure you note that virtually all shops are shut on Sundays in France; the French regard Sundays as a day of rest - so try and plan your sprees for another day of the week!

Love Locks on the Pont des Arts  


Transport
The city has a fantastic underground system called the Metro. It is a great way to get around town and there are stations all around the city. Personally I think the best ticket method is a carnet (kar-nay). It is a book of 10 tickets for €13.70 (more cost effective than buying them singly) which you will easily go through if you’re in the city for at least 4 days.  Download the Paris Metro app on your phone which will give you an easy-to-read map of all the lines and stations in the city. Bicycles are also available around Paris. There are Velo stations where you can rent a bike using your credit card, ride around the city and the return it to another Velo station of your choosing. This is a great way to get around town but just watch out for crazy drivers who don’t show a lot of consideration for cyclists. Taxis are plentiful around the city and they are fairly priced as well. A 15-minute trip might cost you around €12. However most of the drivers don’t speak English so if you can’t communicate in French you might have to resort to charades and a whole lot of map-pointing! Unless you have absolute nerves of steel I wouldn’t suggest driving yourself around the city; the traffic is crazy, there are no lanes and the Parisians seem to have a whole different method of driving altogether. Even if you were to manage to get to your destination, parking seems to be a nightmare with every street occupied bumper to bumper – the French actually crash into the cars either side of them to nudge them out of the way in order to park; it’s madness! 



Food
There is so much choice when it comes to food in Paris and in seven days I only managed to dip my toe into the pool of gastronomic delicacies. I can tell you that Rue des Canettes in the 6th arrondissement is a hub of Italian cuisine and I can highly recommend Restaurant Santa Lucia for great pizza and pasta. Piroutte is a modern French restaurant in the 3rd arrondissement which serves an exquisite set three course menu for €40; it is well worth it. Dining in the 1st arrondissement is expensive and you’ll get a mix of great restaurants and pretty terrible touristy ones so check online reviews first. Street front cafés around Paris are great for a casual lunch or dinner but you’ll probably be paying more for the setting rather than for good food. If you’re a crepe lover like me then make sure you stop into Breizh Café in the 3rd arrondissement,  it is known as the “best creperie in Paris” and I would not dispute that title – delicious! A lot of the fashion houses in Paris have their own restaurant so if you want to treat yourself you can dine at Emporio Armani or Ralph Lauren. Be warned that the coffee in Paris is very strong and the hot chocolates are like a pot of melted chocolate that has a slightly bitter cocoa taste- but it’s all part of the experience!

Ceviche Fish at Pirouette

Spaghetti alle Vongole at Santa Lucia

On a side note: When in France try to speak French; the Parisians are far more receptive and kind to you if you at least attempt the basics: bonjour, merci beaucoup, où est, etc. I’m lucky that after studying French at school for seven years I can get by fairly easily and it is such a thrill to converse in another language. I highly recommend taking some courses before you visit.

I've been lucky enough to visit Paris twice now and I can truly say that I love it; it is rich in culture and has infinite history - as I walk the streets I wonder about all the things the walls of the city have seen and heard over the years. There is something here for everyone whether it's the food, the sights, the people, the architecture, the history or simply the way of life.


In the words of Audrey Hepburn - Paris is always a good idea.

Photos by Krissie.

6 July 2014

One Day. Please standby

Today's the day! Farewell Australia! Please forgive the sporadic posts over the next few weeks as I travel through France and make the big move to London. I'll be grabbing every spare minute I can to share my travels with you here.


In the meantime come follow me on Instagram @krissierogers where I promise to be posting regularly. I have a feeling there is going to be plenty of photo-worthy content where I am headed.

Lots of love xx

4 July 2014

Suitcase. My bags are packed, I'm ready to go

Leavingggg on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again.

That's all folks, I'm packed and ready to go [well if you can call it packed when half my stuff is spilling out of my suitcase because it won't fit]. Squeezing your life into 23kgs isn't as easy as I had hoped especially when you have as much stuff as I do! Who am I kidding I never thought it would be easy; when I go to Melbourne for a week I take 23kgs so what did I think I'd do for an indefinite trip to London? I mean honestly, my shoes alone probably weigh 20kgs and I just don't know what to do when it comes to choosing between my ever-faithful Steve Madden gladiator heels and my sparkly GUESS strappy sandals. What's a girl to do? Multiply that heart-wrenching choice by about 50 and you'll have something like the dilemma I'm facing.


When it comes to clothes and packing I sadly admit that I am a walking cliché - I always ponder my wardrobe thinking "closet full of clothes, nothing to wear...." but when it actually comes down to it I have waaaay too many choices - clearly evidenced by my clothes lack of ability to fit into my suitcase. Plus, adding to my [first-world] crisis is the fact that I have three weeks in France before I arrive in London where I'm sure there will be PLENTY of shopping to be done which means I need to leave space for that too! Sigh. This really is a problem and I only have 48 hours to solve it. If you have any advice feel free to dish below.

T minus 2 days.

Photo by Krissie.

2 July 2014

One Day. Impulse Purchases

Ahh, it seemed like a good idea at the time... I’ve made dud purchases more times than I'd rather remember. You know what it’s like – you see a statement jacket complete with rainbow panels and leopard print trim and you think it's a no brainer - you just saw Katy Perry wearing one exactly like it and it will look amazing with your black skinny jeans and colbalt blue pumps. You're at the counter and there's a niggle in the back of your mind but you're assured by inner confidence that it's going to look fantastic so you hand over your credit card. But then you get it home, and looking at it in the cold, grey light of your bedroom alongside your modest jeans and tee shirts you realise you're actually not Katy Perry, you can't pull it off and you've wasted precious dollars that could have been spent on cocktails, shoes or holidays. Damn. Impulse purchase? Guilty as charged.


So if you’ve thought, “Why the eff did I buy this?” one too many times then you’ve come to the right place. I am now far wiser when it comes to resisting impulse purchases [just ignore that expensive ski gear I bought last week despite the fact that I've never been skiing - what can I say, I liked the colour!]. Here’s what I advise...

  • Do your hair and makeup when you go shopping because if you’re not feeling good about your looks, you won’t be inspired by anything you try on and that leads to bad decisions.
  • Shop alone. Too many times I've been with a friend and all their gushy "ooh's" and "aah's" have convinced me to buy something that really looks terrible... Bad friends.
  • Use the five-second rule. What's your immediate thought when you first try something on? If it's an instant "wow, I feel a million bucks" then go for it but if it's a "hmmm, meh, not sure, I wonder, it's ok"; then walk away, it's not for you.
  • When you find something you like, do a mental scan your wardrobe; if you can think of at least three items it will work with then it's a sure fire bet. If not pop it on hold and ponder your closet for a day or so.
  • Be wary of sales. We all fall into the trap of thinking "it's so cheap". *Warning, warning!* Ask yourself if it was full-price would you still love it?

Good luck ladies.

Photo via Pinterest.