30 July 2015

Style It. July Celeb Street Style

It's funny how fashion works. The great creative minds seek out inspiration, then they create garments which walk down runways before filtering out in variations to the mass public. But somewhere between the runways and the high street is a very important step and it involves celebs. 'It' girls have an uncanny ability to 'translate' these trends for us. The way they wear something has an ability to inspire our own fashion and style. Check out the three babes who are inspiring my style this month and how you can create the look for yourself...



The fashion world’s darling Olivia Palermo hit the [style] nail on the head yet again. Contrasting stripes make a great statement for the new season. For a look that is seriously high-end yet looks effortless, ensure the palettes of your two stripe pieces are tonal, but choose different stripe designs so it’s cohesive but not too matchy-matchy.



Wow Kate Hudson, I hope I look this great in my mid-thirties. The daughter of Goldie Hawn stepped out in style at this year’s Serpentine Summer Party here in London earlier this month. I’m loving the glam sequin maxi skirt when paired with an understated top. Bonus points for the amazing pair of pins!



John Newman’s gorge wife Chrissy Teigen sure knows how to work a sidewalk. Love this creamy white summer ensemble. The oversized boyfriend blazer is perfection with the felt fedora. A cross-body bag that can double as a clutch also makes a great versatile accessory.

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Photos via Pinterest and retailers.

26 July 2015

Suitcase. A Weekend In Paris

A summer weekend and Paris. The two things just go so well together. Last weekend I packed a bag, jumped on the Eurostar and made the hop across the channel where I popped up the other side a Parisian.


Summer Dress / Floppy Hat (on sale!)

I’m lucky enough to have visited Paris a few times now so I’ve had many a chance to explore the city and do all the tourist sites. This time I went to France’s capital with one thing in mind, to live like a local.

A booked a little 1 bedroom Air Bnb in Saint Germain (my most favourite area of the city), and I had a beautiful little surprise when I arrived – you could see the Eiffel Tower from the window! Cue: gushy ooh’s and aah’s for at least 30 minutes every day. I simply got lost in staring at the view, particularly at night when the light show was on.


By day I went for walks amongst the many streets. Honestly, I could spend hour upon hour just soaking up the architecture of this place, I truly think it wins the award for the most spectacular in the whole world.



I took my book to the Jardin de Tuileries and soaked up the surroundings…



I brushed up on my French by having some wonderful chats with locals and I took myself off to lunch at Le Restaurant for a treat - read more here.

Of course I had one [or several] treats from the beautiful patisseries...


I wandered the streets of Marais and visited the lovely Merci store and bookshop café where I simply had to buy one of their iconic little Merci medallion bracelets…



Friday night I found the local hotspot and sat by the river near Gare d’Austerlitz. I swear the whole 20-30 year old population of Paris was there. People sat by the water, eating and drinking, and, even better, they play Spanish music and tango together in large groups under the moonlight. It was quite a sight. Sadly no photos of this one as it was too dark. You'll just have to go and see for yourself!

I shopped at the markets in Rue Cler for bunches of blooms and a picnic lunch by le Tour Eiffel. These were the best berries of my life [no joke]…




Then I took myself for a much needed gelato [Amorino is the best by far!]. After all, it was 30+ degrees for most of the weekend…


On Saturday night I sat roadside at a delightful little bistro, known for its gratin. Bristrot des Augustines. It was delectably good and not too rich either [as French food often is]…


Then Sunday morning I took myself for a little continental petite dejeuner by the river. That’s breakfast for you non-French speakers…


By this stage I had consumed a whole lot of croissants and baguettes over the weekend so I thought I better step up the exercise from walking to bike riding! Not only can you cover a lot more ground than you can on foot but it’s so much fun!

Sadly then my time was up and it was time to make the underground journey back to London but not before I had my last meal... A croque monsieur!


Thank you Paris, I had a beautiful weekend and am now feeling revitalised by your zest for life. Merci.

I'm now busy sunning myself in the Greek Islands so come follow me on InstagramFacebook or Twitter.

Photos by Krissie

23 July 2015

Style It. French Lessons

My recent trip to Paris only served to remind me just how much I love that city. I honestly I feel my spirit belongs there. Every time I visit I'm in raptures with the culture, the architecture, the language, the food and, of course, the fashion.

From Breton stripes to tailored blazers, pencil skirts and a good red lip, everyone knows that if sophisticated style is your thing, French-inspired looks are as chic as it gets. I've rounded up a few of my favourite Parisian-inspired styles to ensure you have total ‘It’ girl status.


Once you've embraced your new look, if you're here in London why not embrace a little French culture this side of the channel as well? La Boheme at ENO (English National Opera) will be starting its season later this year. Telling a story of love and tragedy [well it is the opera!] of four Parisians in 1830, I think it's the perfect dose of French culture with a side of music. And the bonus is ENO does all their operas in English - so you'll actually understand what they're saying!

La Boheme

Finally, to truly embrace your inner French self you need to indulge in some French food [of course!]. Here in London I recommend La Fromagerie for those cheese and nibbles lovers...


Le Gavroche if you like refined, high end dining...


And Maitre Choux for that essential sweet treat...


Et voila, your French lessons are complete!

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Photos via retailers, ENO and Pinterest.

19 July 2015

Eat Me. Brickwood Coffee & Bread, Clapham

I’m an Aussie who has been living in London for a year and until last week I’d never been to Clapham. What kind of Australian am I – I hear you ask? Not a very good one obviously because everyone knows that Clapham is Aussie central.


Anyway let’s strike that from the record because now all is right with the world. I’ve had my visit and I really loved it. It’s a great area and the park is so sprawling, even better is that I found an amazing brunch/lunch/snack place. Brickwood.


I’m pretty sure this place must be run by Aussies because they have… wait for it… TIM TIM muffins! And the best banana bread of my life. Seriously. It was delectably good and they serve it with this espresso butter which will just take you over the edge.


We certainly indulged ourselves with toasties and corn fritters, cappuccinos and multiple rounds of iced coffees. Yum.


All while we sat in the little back courtyard having a good chat about the goings on of London life and the fact that it’s finally summer! I can’t believe we’d already had some 30-degree weather. I’m all smiles. Particularly with this iced coffee in hand...


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Photos by Krissie.

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16 July 2015

Eat Me. Hally's, Parsons Green

There's a pretty good little foodie scene around my neck of the woods. Fulham's always got a new up-and-coming cafe, restaurant or bar to boast about it and Hally's is one I've been meaning to visit for quite some time. The allure of its California beach-inspired design totally drew me in, so last weekend when my beautiful friend Soph was staying with me after an amazing trip in Greece, I thought it was the perfect opportunity. Why not chat about her Greek Islands escapades in a seaside cafe setting?


After a bit of a wait (no bookings here) we were settled into our table by a lovely waiter and our barista was equally as friendly, not to mention had fabulous pouring skills.



We perused the menu with obvious hunger and, being the Australians that we are, settled on something decidedly Aussie for brunch - avo on toast with poached eggs. Although this one had a bit of a gourmet twist with tomato chutney.


Needless to say it was fab. We devoured it quickly in between serious discussions about swimwear and hat choices for my pending trip to the Greek Islands (1 week to go!).

Of course we thought we better have some dessert so we opted for a delightful slice of walnut and banana bread.


If you're in the neighbourhood and are hungry for breakkie, brunch, lunch or even just coffee, I highly recommend stopping by.


Share your comments with me on InstagramFacebook or Twitter and don't forget I'll be in Paris this weekend, so check my socials for plenty of French photos! J'adore...

Photos by Krissie.

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12 July 2015

Eat Me. A Peek Inside Ham Yard Hotel

Tucked away behind Piccadilly Circus and amongst the myriad of West End streets, the elegantly modern Ham Yard Hotel certainly doesn’t feel like it’s in Soho. Quite unlike its name suggests, the venue is very retro-glam largely thanks to its £90 million fit-out. Upon entering it feels like you have been transported from the craziness of London to a cool urban village retreat. I don’t know about you but as a city slicker that’s exactly what I crave sometimes…


We wandered around for a bit of a gander before settling down for an after work drink and a bite. Boy is there a lot to see. This isn’t your average hotel. There’s a private cinema…


A bowling alley…


A dance floor complete with disco ball and crazy crocodile installation…


Multiple bars and seating areas…


Plenty of funky artwork…


A spiral of oranges fresh for juicing that would easily be 5 metres tall…


A quaint roof garden that you can hire for the pretty price of £750/hour…



And, my favourite, a library. This is exactly what I want in my future home. Floor to ceiling bookshelves complete with a moveable ladder. I can already see myself plonked in here on a wintery Sunday. I plan to sidle up into a chair, order multiple glasses of red wine and enjoy the faux fire to my heart’s content.


After having a good look around we settled into the glasshouse terrace for a much needed glass of wine [it was a Monday after all!] and a snack to sate our rumbling tummies.


The décor here really is so lovely and it does make a great difference to the ambience, the service was good if not a tiny bit slow but it seems the servers are rushed off their feet due to the popularity of the place!


We ordered a few of the melts to nibble on and also the slow roasted Moroccan lamb.


It was a lovely little evening and I’m pretty glad to have discovered another hotspot in London…


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Photos by Krissie.

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