Neutral Staples - My Farfetch Black Friday Wishlist

These next couple of weeks I am on a shopping ban until Black Friday! But I must say, Farfetch has some dreamy pieces I already have my eyes on. It seems silly to purchase before the ‘land of internet goes into fashion meltdown’ and to be honest I would rather fill my online basket which I will be checking out on the 23rd November. Also known as ‘not shopping on a whim’ and actually purchasing items you really want, or have been on your wish list for some time. If you’ve been reading my blog for some time, you would know how important it is for me to have a small, yet curated staple wardrobe which consists of key pieces I will rewear over and over throughout the season.

So lets start with the blazer…. 

Best ways to wear? Office to evening festive drinks, styled over a basic tee, oversized with a midi dress or my way of wearing this season would be with a silk midi. (See styling tips from my previous post here)

The White Accessories…..

The best thing about this seasons on trend white shoes and bags is they will look amazing with your tan come summer, so these pieces aren’t just for autumn! I recently invested in a BOYY bag, and it’s literally feeling the love from all you guys on Instagram. Looks great contrasting an all black look. If you’re feeling a little more brave, opt for chunky white trainers or slouchy knee high boots/western style boots.

Denim that will suck in all those mince pies….
I get it, it’s so hard finding the right jeans because there’s just so much choice. Keep it simple and flattering with a high waisted straight leg and don’t stray from washed blue or true black. This style looks great with a pair of chunky trainers and even better for a night out styled with scrappy black heels.

Neutral Knitwear….

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. A good collection of knitwear will not date. I have had some jumpers for three winters and take care of them washing them with special wool detergent. Opt for neutral colours which you can style with your straight leg jeans and over slip dresses.

Happy Shopping!

The Paris Instagram Guide

If you’ve been following along over on Instagram, you would have noticed my Paris trip has come to a close! I’ve visited three times in the last year and each trip doesn’t disappoint. This trip was a little different to my previous 2 trips with my tripod. It was a girls trip with Hannah Crosskey from A Fashion Fix blog and we had an absolute blast! It’s one of my favourite cites to photograph, and due to popular demand I have put together a guide to the city for anyone that is gracing the streets in the near future. 

Where to stay? 

Each Paris getaway I have experienced a new area, and this trip we had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Bourg Tibourg which is located in Le Marais. The location is conveniently located a short 5 minute walk to the 1 line on the Metro (yellow train) which will connect you easily to major tourist attractions like The Louvre, Saint Michel and with a quick change to The Eiffel Tower. This is the best way to explore Paris and trains are frequent. I can confidently say Paris has one of the best subway set ups for any major city. Download the Paris Metro app to navigate around and buy the 10 book tickets as it will save you money buying each train ride individually. 

Le Marais is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Paris. Quaint coffee shops, cool boutiques and a handful of museums are all located in walking distance from the hotel. I visited The Pompidou years back, and to this day was still my favourite museum. It’s a lot more interactive than most and they always have cool contemporary exhibitions on. The view from the roof cafe is a hidden gem!

https://bourgtibourg.com/en/

The ‘Instagram Spots’ 

After numerous trips, I have a handful of locations that are winners every time. To get the ‘it’ shot I believe a big factor is rising at sunrise to capture the image efficiently without the crowds. Hannah and I were waking up at around 5am, and were photographing until about 11am. This gave us the afternoons to go at a leisurely pace, kick back and people watch from our favourite cafes. If you are not a morning person you will struggle at this, but the more you get your ass out of bed to produce magical sunrise work it gets easier, and in turn motivates you more the next time.

The Eiffel Tower is accessible from numerous Metro stations, but I always jump off at Concorde. There are multiple locations to shoot around here, but start by walking down the steps towards the river. The locations in today’s post are on the bridge crossing The Seine, and a cobbled street across the river called Rue De L'Universite. (If you wanted to miss out the first part catch the train to Bir Hakeim to be on the correct side of the river). We were lucky to have a sunny morning so the light play was phenomenal but literally lasted about 10 minutes at around 7:15am. Perfect warm light I literally live for so, this made me so happy!

Tuileries Garden is perfect for something a little different to your usual cafe shots. It’s peaceful and super quiet in the mornings and is only a short walk from The Louvre. It’s also a great place to take a book and have some time out, or even take a journal and write down your thoughts. There's a Ferris Wheel nearby so take a second outfit in your handbag so you can change to get a completely different backdrop.

The Louvre opens at 7am (including the outside area) so we were the first in there to capture these shots. We were actually 30 minutes too early so decided to wander around for a little bit! Be mindful it’s closed on Tuesday’s. Make a booking at Cafe Marly. They do the best Club Sandwich and vanilla hot coffee.....it’s a must! You can book online and I have only ever requested outside seating when I arrive. Staff are super friendly and for such a busy cafe it never feels rushed. Avoid 2pm onwards, it's a lot quieter in the mornings.

Rue Saint-Honoré is located behind The Louvre and has great shopping and cafes. Just a warning, coffee is not cheap in Paris and cafes don’t open early like in some countries! You can pay up to 12 Euros a cup so you have been warned (but so worth it to use their bathroom as a changing room!) I photographed at La Rotonde Cafe on my trip last September which you can view here

The Peninsula Hotel. If you want to splash out, this is the place to dine for lunch! We chose Le Lobby, and sat on the terrace as the weather was glorious. I have to say it was the best meal I have ever had! I opted for duck and melon to start and lobster bisque tagliatelle for main. Hannah had Beef Carpaccio. If you’re a Pinterest girl like me you may have stumbled across the glass restaurant on the top floor - L’Oiseau Blanc. You have to book at least four weeks in advance to secure a table. They also have a beautiful rooftop with views of the city so make sure you head on up for drinks after lunch. 

Place Vendôme. I first shot this location all the way back in 2014! You can see the post here (cringe!) All the high end designer shops Carrie Bradshaw would die for are located here: Chanel, Dior, Van Cleef and Arpels to name a few, and if you are feeling super fancy head across the street to Hotel Costes for a cocktail.

Montmartre. Jump off the train at Anvers and take a right uphill towards The Sacre Coeur. The streets are cobbled and winding so make sure you have sensible footwear on! There are many locations on the walk up and I particularly like the cafes just to left of the carousel. I didn’t venture there with Hannah on this trip, but shot here back in March. See the post here. There are numerous art shops and painters towards the Sacre Coeur and none of the cafes or shop owners had any issues me taking my pictures outside. 

Pont Alexandre III. Again, we didn’t shoot at this bridge on this trip but photographed here with my tripod back in March which you can view here. This is the bridge with the gold ornate details and you’ll see the Eiffel Tower in the distance. 

Cafe Kitsune is located in the gardens of The Royal Palace, and what I love most about this place is the merchandise you can purchase - from coffee cups, to the coffee beans to tote bags. They are constantly collaborating with new artists, so each visit feels a little different.

There are so many more photogenic spots in the city but I have tried to condense all my favourite spots into one post. Feel free to drop me a message if you have any questions about visiting Paris. Like any major city, be aware of pick pockets and if you have a camera on you make sure it's inside a bag away from sight. I’ll be making these travel guides more frequently in the coming months. I have some fun trips planned so look out for them!

Date Night Inspo - Paris Edition

Bonjour from the city of love! I must say, it feels like I have been in Paris forever, and it’s only been 9 days! Fashion weeks in London and Paris have come to a close, and I’m sure there are many Insta hubbies feeling a little left out whilst business comes first for us females functioning thanks to cafe au laits. What better way to celebrate the busy period than my three favourite date night looks in collaboration with Order of Style.

You may remember my denim post back last year (you can view it here). My mind is still made up when it comes to this Melbourne boutique having the best selection of denim. Today’s favourites are from Frame and Paige. Both crop flares are just so soft and hug in all the right places. So what to wear on date night in Paris?

Dinner near the Eiffel Tower followed by a romantic walk along the Seine

I’ve always been the type of girl that makes jeans work in any situation. I’m that friend that has to be told ‘It’s not quite a jeans venue'. I’ve always been under the assumption add a dressy top and red lippy - you’re good to go! Adore the sleeve detailing on this Rebecca Taylor number, not to mention the intricate design. The small pearl touch on the jeans converts this look to chic. 

FACT: Every night, every hour on the hour, the tower is covered in golden lights that sparkle for five whole minutes while the Eiffel Tower’s beam lights up the city. It's a must see! 

Malorie Top: Rebecca Taylor via Order of Style

Colette Crop Flare: Paige via Order of Style

 Drinks in the city 

You’ll need a cute dress ladies, especially if you’re planning a night at Hotel Costes. It’s the perfect place to people watch and pull inspo from super stylish females. Sheer tights were a must. Some nights were dropping to minus six, so this silky blazer was a light layer of warmth whilst not looking too heavy. 

Lucine Dress: Iro Paris via Order of Style

Double Breasted Jacket: Frame Denim via Order of Style

Sunset in Montmarte 

Uber/metro to Anvers station and make your way up any winding cobbled street towards the direction of The Sacre Cour. There are tonnes of cute cafes, galleries and artists on the way. I probably failed wearing heels, but at least they weren’t stilettos! Dad sneakers would look just as cool with this look. I love the oversized, boxy fit on this J Brand denim jacket. The sleeves are nice and roomy so good for a knit underneath on colder nights. My pet hate is when you have a cute coat/jacket that have really fitted sleeves and your arms look all bunched! You won’t have this issue here. I added a beret for that extra French feel. 

Foreign Affair Tee: Zoe Karssen via Order of Style

Le Crop Mini Boot Jagged Hem: Frame Denim via Order of Style

Fray Cyra Jacket: J Brand via Order of Style

I hope you’ve enjoyed my taste of Paris post, you just need to get your man to book you both a ticket now! FYI - Order of Style have 10% off your first order when you sign up to their newsletter online. (MORE PER DIEM FOR WINE/CROISSANTS & COFFEE!) 

All images shot by yours truly, self-portrait.

Paris Cafe Hopping

Bonjour from Parii! Apologies for the radio silence, I’ve been taking time out for some much needed R&R. It’s been just over a year since taking annual leave in Europe and couldn’t give one of my favourite cities a miss! Especially before the hustle bustle commences for Paris Fashion Week. As you may have seen from my Instagram, for the most part of my trip I have been in Ibiza. But took a short flight to Paris for 3 days to catch up with my bestie from back in the UK. Whenever I travel to the French capital, the itinerary somewhat ends up being the same - Cafe hopping! So what better way to participate in this 8 euro a cup activity than in comfortable, easy to wear head to toe linen. Comfort is key in this city, especially when you plan on walking around to take in the culture.

I am revisiting my roots in British brand Marks and Spencer who are known for their great selection of workwear and urban styles. It’s been a whole 2 weeks since wearing anything other than a bikini (hard life) so I was finally happy to wear a blazer and real footwear in Paris! I must admit, my shoes as pretty as they may be didn’t bond well with the cobbled streets so we just avoided those! I have been after a good pair of tapered pants for some time, and with summer rolling round in Sydney linen is all that’s on my mind. I will definitely style these up with flats and a basic white tee for day to day at the office. 

Shop the look:

Kitten Heel Sligback Court Shoes: Marks & Spencer

Petite Linen Rich Tapered Leg Trousers: Marks and Spencer

Linen Rich Gold Blend Jacket: Marks and Spencer

Cotton Rich Ribbed Half Sleeve Bardot Top: Marks and Spencer

Style post in collaboration with Marks and Spencer and Shopping Links

Elegant Accessorising

Less is more right? If you’re like me, you’re a sucker for minimal jewellery. It’s safe to say 80% of my wardrobe is monochrome, so gold is my weakness to warm up any outfit. I can’t remember the last time I wore silver, and have been on the hunt for a dainty gold watch for some time which is perfect for everyday wear. I came across Henry London Timepieces and naturally fell in love with their vintage feel and elegance. Plus, it seems appropriate to revisit my roots and introduce a special British piece into my day to day life. Sometimes I forget how far away I am from the UK; the distance from close friends and family. Keeping my roots close makes me feel content.

I believe your accessories are an extension of you, and it’s the perfect way to individualise your style. Two people could very well wear the same outfit, but it’s how they style and the finishing touches that make it their own. 

Today’s post was in collaboration with Henry London, and can be purchased from David Jones Store.

Shop my look:

Westminster Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch: Henry London

(See the full collection here)

Connective Inner Tee Wrap Dress: CHRISTOPHER ESBER via David Jones 

Honey Snake Boots: Jennie-Ellen

Faye Medium Leather and Suede Bag: Chloe via FWRD

Photographed by Danielle Williams