Speedy

Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 25cm from Empreinte Monogram collection  £ 1345





Louis Vuitton Damier Speedy 35cm  £ 399

Two Speedys have arrived in the shop. Seeing that I own a Louis Vuitton Bandouliere Speedy 35 myself, I'm bound to be biased. The canvas Speedy can be flat packed, taking little space and weighs next to nothing which is perfect for someone like me who has a previous shoulder injury. I've used mine as an overnight/work/everyday bag. If you're germaphobe like me who has an aversion to putting bags on the floor, a quick wipe will suffice.

The Empreinte Speedy 25cm is a more elegant version with beautiful monogram embossed pebbled calfskin. The additional shoulder strap is a lifesaver particularly if you're traveling or dealing with little ones. As always, all items have been carefully inspected and are guaranteed authentic. Express shipping is free if purchased directly via the blog.

Best Deals on Black Friday

I've been rendered useless over the past couple of days by the dazzling sales that's going on at the moment. Who am I to complain when it's making my Christmas shopping a lot cheaper compared to last year. I guess the trick is to buy things that you'll wear often. I find myself wearing more of my sweaters instead of that pretty dress which I'd bought for a special occasion. Matches Fashion is offering a 30% discount on their Autumn/Winter 2013 collection (use promo code SF785XE or BLKFR30) and Net-a-Porter in the US has slashed most of their stock by 50%. If you're a fan of ASOS, use promo code GIMME20 to shave 20% off your purchases. Happy shopping!

Great deal on classic pieces

U.K: PROENZA SHOULER PS11  //  SAINT LAURENT  CABAS  //  RICK OWENS LEATHER JACKET  //  KATE SPADE CEDAR ST MANDY  //  STUART WEITZMAN 5050  //  FERRAGAMA VARA PUMPS  //  DIPTYQUE GIFT SET  //  GIVENCHY ANTIGONA  //  CHANEL NAIL VARNISH  //  JOHNSTONS CASHMERE SCARF  //  SAINT LAURENT DUFFLE BAG

 

 

U.S: RAG & BONE HART JACKET  //  T BY ALEXANDER WANG SWEAT PANTS  //  RAG & BONE CARA CABLE KNIT SWEATER  //  NESPRESSO MAGIMIX MACHINE & FROTHER  //  KITCHENAID MIXER  //  BOSE WIRELESS HEADPHONES  //  SEE BY CHLOE BOOTS

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate the occasion.  For once in my life, I'd love to have a proper Thanksgiving meal as I've only ever seen pictures of it on television. I swear that Black Friday's starting earlier and earlier each year. Anyhoo, I'm a great believer in not paying retail prices. I think I've preached this slogan fervently here on many occasions. In the past, I've balked at paying full price because I know that most of the items on my wish list will be heavily discounted before I've managed to digest my Christmas meal.

However, for those of us in the U.K, retailers are joining in the Black Friday tradition by offering discounts before Christmas. This includes the popular Stuart Weitzman 5050 boots as well as black Rick Owens leather jacket. Oh, and everyone's favorite candle - Diptyque!  I've had my eye on the Longchamp Le Pliage Cuir bag for a while now and the 20% discount is making it even more attractive to me. If you're a kitchen gadget fiend like me, you'll be pleased to find out that there's 10% off KitchenAid and Magimix. Hop over to Selfridges and be sure to pop in the promotional code SELF2013 to get your discount.

As for those of you who reside in the U.S, you get heftier discounts than we do here. Life is never fair.

Lace Tops

Zara blazer   /  Isabel Marant pour H&M lace top  /  Hermes belt  /  Zara boyfriend jeans  / Marni sandals (similar here) /  Chanel WOC  /  Hermes Cape Cod watch

Just so you know, I'm very tempted to change my blog name to AddictionToBoyfriendJeans.com. So cast your eyes away from my ubiquitous jeans which are permanently attached to my legs. Lately, I've been drawn to lace tops. Yes, me the tomboy. With a closet no wider than half of my arm span, it's an easy guess that I'll be wearing the same few outfits on many occasions. Anything that's too obvious will be ........ an invitation for questions like "ooooh, that must be your favorite/only top?"

My excuse is that monochromatic lace tops are still eye-catching but equally subtle and quietly elegant without drawing unnecessary attention to the wearer. I've dipped my tippy toes into the textile print pool on many occasions. Perhaps it's my personality but I'm still deathly scared of wearing colors, particularly if it's too loud.

Okay, this may sound a little weird AND a contradiction but I like lace tops that aren't too sheer and delicate. Otherwise, it screams lingerie or evening wear. Anything that's too delicate will probably be ripped to shreds around kids and dogs. I find lace tops, if chosen well, can be versatile. It's a little like wearing a t-shirt but a dressier version. What are your thoughts on lace?

pssssst....I'm going to return the Isabel Marant pour H&M beaded jacket (size EU36/UK10 and £199.99 + paypal fees and postage) as it's just a tad too small for me. Let me know if you want it. UK and E.U only.

John Lewis Secret Santa gift reveal

Outfit: Zara coat, Uniqlo merino sweater, James Jeans twiggy jeans, Stuart Weitzman over the knee boots, Christys Harriet fedora, Somerset by Alice Temperley cashmere snood (gifted)

I'd mentioned a couple of weeks ago about my participation in the John Lewis Secret Santa challenge. Before I plunge into my long spiel, I and many millions of others in the U.K love John Lewis simply because of the fantastic customer service. These guys own Waitrose as well which I adore too. If you haven't known about this, here's a trivia - their employees are partners/shareholders of the company which will give you a clue why there's such an emphasis on customer service. Look after and reward  your employees and they, in turn will run the business well. I only wish that more companies adopt this ethos.

I was really lucky to have Danielle of Miss Sunshine Sparkle who is a total sweetheart as my Secret Santa partner. I was wrecked with nerves because 1) all my friends and family know that I'm rubbish at gift giving/wrapping (ask my goddaughter)  2) Danielle is a girly girl and I'm a real tomboy. In any case, we both picked out the right presents for each other. Whew! This 100% cashmere snood by Alice Temperley hasn't left my neck all weekend. I've been dying for a grey cashmere scarf and this couldn't have come at a better time especially when the temperature has nosedived last week. Danielle must've read my mind. A huge thank you to John Lewis for the generous gift and the fabulous PR agency who graciously held my hand throughout the process.

Photography: Elisa S

Pass It Forward: 3 Inspirational Stories

Photo credit: Tim Dodd

The world is filled with outraged individuals. Those who felt their pride has been stepped on unfairly, insults are thrown and relationships are irrevocably broken. Hey, who am I to point a finger when I'm just as guilty many many times in my life. And then I turn around and see those who are in a far worse situation than I am in but they stoically AND cheerfully bear their burden. Today, I want to share an inspiring story between Tayor Morris, a former IED specialist who had his limbs blown to smithereens in Afghanistan and his faithful and loving other half, Danielle Kelly. I'm not going to regurgitate the whole story but you can read about it here, here and here.

Traits like kindness, love, loyalty exist in animals too. Check out these 11 stories that will make you more than a little teary eyed.

I'm usually not into publicizing charitable deeds as I prefer to donate quietly without fanfare.  However, I've learned that sometimes, it IS important to draw attention to it in order to spread the word so that more help can be given. Having seen a shelter and talked to the ladies who run it, I now know how easy it is to be in that situation. It can happen to either you and I. More importantly, it's not just about the act of giving, it's about providing them an opportunity to fend for themselves. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Isabel Marant pour H&M; Review

Like many thousands who couldn't queue up the night before, I set my alarm for the morning of the Isabel Marant pour H&M launch, endured the morning madness that all mothers go through daily and girded my loins for the impossible task of acquiring a few pieces from the collection. Sure enough, the website staggered and groaned trying to withstand an avalanche of eager Isabel Marant fans and collapsed even before many of us could check out. Pathetic.

Having been through this laughable drama during the Lanvin collaboration, I decided to take the alternative and slightly more obsolete route - the telephone. Et voilà! Everything was still available but by then, I was shaking with nerves knowing that there were calls backing up. I hastily placed my order after desperately trying to dredge up that list of items in my cart before the website went kaput.

Fast forward a week later.....and tons of horror stories about the massively slow and inefficient delivery service..... I was coming back from a walk today when I saw an unfamiliar car on the street with a man poking a gadget with a stylus pen. Being the desperado that I am, I pounced on the poor fellow, made him dug around the boot of his car and success! My humongous package.

After that looooong spiel, here's the proper review that I meant to churn out on this blog. Like ALL Isabel Marant collections, the sizing is like the English weather. Inconsistent. The workmanship on the pieces I'd received was impressive. Sure, there were a few pulled thread etc but overall, I couldn't fault it. The garments were well made and so were the fabrics. I didn't think they were all too different from the Etoile collection and perhaps even the Mainline except that the prices do not induce heart attacks.

The beaded jacket is thick and luxurious. It's as well made as the highly desired Flana jacket from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection (correct me if I'm wrong). Now, this is where I went wrong. I thought that the European size 36 corresponds to a UK 8. Wrong. It was UK 10 and since I'd ordered from the U.K website, the jacket came up teeny tiny. The tuxedo blazer with satin lapels is actually heavy and fairly substantial. I was rather surprised to find out that it was made of 100% wool. The EU 36/UK10 was way too big on me. I could've done with 1 to 2 sizes down. Bummer.

Thankfully, having worn Isabel Marant sweatshirts for years, I was experienced enough to order a larger size. I was lucky to nab both the grey and burgundy and yes, they're pretty cropped. If given a second chance, I would've ordered 2 sizes up (EU 40/UK 14). I adore the brushed cotton interior, slimmer sleeves and narrower armholes which can be surprisingly hard to find. 

The white lace top was surprisingly flattering but then again, I'd ordered 2 sizes up (EU 40/ UK 14). The fabric is fairly thick too and nothing like the flimsy ones that I normally see in the stores. The EU 36/UK 10 reversible metallic bomber jacket made me look like a fake Mr Muscle. It was massive. It would definitely work on someone who normally wears UK 12-14/EU 40-42.

The one thing that I was dying to get my hands on was the sweat pants. Yes, yes.... the addiction hasn't waned on bit. I was severely disappointed. The cut was similar to the one I'd returned (due to a flaw in the fabric) which I'd adored dearly. However, the fabric is so thin. The cut is fabulous but thanks to the legging type material, they're plastered to my rather hefty thighs and ass as if they'd been glued on. I was silly to order a pair in EU 36/UK 8. Double bummer.


I'm planning to return both the metallic bomber jacket (EU 36/ UK 10) and black lace top (EU 38/ UK 12). Before I do so, let me know if you want to buy any of these. The price will be the same as retail (bomber jacket £79.99 and lace top £59.99) but please include an extra 3% for those who pay by Paypal. Postage will be extra.

8 Favorite Things

house doctor chopping board /  Mango cable knit sweater (similar here) /  REN hair conditioner /  REN rose centifolia exfoliator (use code XMAS12 to get 12% off) / Royal Albert tea cup set /  Chanel Blue Boy nail polish / Repetto ballet flats / Hermes Ulysee PM

I've been hunting around for a large wooden chopping board when I found this one from a Danish company, House Doctor. My rationale is that it'll serve multiple purposes. Other than what it's designed for, it's great as a serving plate for charcuterie and a prop for food photography.

This 100% cotton cable knit from Mango has served me well for the past year. Frankly speaking, I'm incredibly impressed by the quality of this £29.99 sweater.

I know that many of you are fans of the pretty pink but it's a vile color on a tomboy like me. Blech. I searched high and low for the perfect blue shade (you know.....I'm afflicted with the Goldilocks syndrome) - not too dark, not too bright. And something I can wear all year round. I really like this "magic" shade from Chanel which is a muted dark blue (sorry, the color appeared too dark in the photo).

 I've mentioned about my hair growing back so there are lots of frizzy bits sticking out everywhere. An untrimmed Asian poodle comes to mind. I thought I'd check out REN pro-vitamin conditioner. The price tag made me slightly hesitant but thankfully, it was well worth the extra expenditure.  The conditioner made my hair easy to hand comb while I'm showering. It has a creamy texture which glides on  easily during application. You don't need to much to make your hair feel soft. Unfortunately, I'm not all too happy with the shampoo which left a greasy residue after a week.

I wanted a natural and gentler exfoliator that will flush out the dirt in the craters (I mean pores) without turning my skin into parchment paper. My skin certainly felt smooth and hydrated after I've used the REN rosa centifolia exfoliating cleanser (whew! What a mouthful. How did they come up with this name?!).

I've decided that coffee and tea taste way better in pretty cups. It's a psychological thing that's a bit hard to explain. My tea cup and saucer sets from Royal Albert aren't as earth shatteringly expensive as some of the others but they sure are easy on the eyes.

I know there are a million brands that churn out ballet flats but my first and only love is still Repetto. My blue jean Hermes Ulysee leather journal is nearly a decade old. I've set it aside when I switched to a smartphone. After a series of battles with my smartphone, I've decided that a notebook and a pen still work better and far more efficiently. And you can't accidentally press delete.

Vibrant colors of autumn

My brother has been in the U.K for a couple of weeks for work. I took the rare opportunity to indoctrinate him to the English way of life. First up, the pub. Well actually, he discovered T.K Maxx first and has been stockpiling enough clothes and toys for his kids till they reach adulthood. Anyway, back to the food. He's been fed the Sunday roast, tried yorkshire pudding for the first time, had the best Indian curry in town shoved down his throat..... I think you're getting the picture. Asian hospitality means that you force feed your guests until their arteries are clogged with 2 extra layers of fat and then you roll them off to the airport.

I may live in one of the prettiest medieval towns in England but 90% of the time, I'm indoors pounding away on the keyboard. A little like an ostrich with its head buried in the sand, peering out of the darkness every now and then to show everyone that I'm still well and alive. Having my brother around gave me an excuse to put aside the electronic gadget that's permanently attached to my fingers (aka laptop) and explore my backyard.

Friday Links

Whew. It's Friday. Time to chill a little and take a break from the busy week. By the way, did anyone managed to nab anything from H&M? I haven't bothered with a lot of collaborations but you know how Isabel Marant mad I am....... The website crashed and went kaput before I managed to check out anything.  Pfffffttttttt........

If you're as Chanel jacket/cardigan mad as I am, check out this video - The Making of Chanel's Two Toned Cashmere Cardigan. I had no idea how labor intensive it is to make a cardigan.

While we're on the topic of Chanel cashmere garments, Susie Lau of Style Bubble wrote an in depth article about The Paris-Edimbourg collection. It's by far, one of the most well researched piece I've read about a collection. EVER.

Meet Swedish stylist,  Columbine Simille's chic agent here. This lady oozed style and sophistication.

Much ado about cashmere

I got a tad excited when I read about the 100% cashmere shawls from Everlane. Actually, I got even more so when I saw the price tag and the factory they were made in. Most of the luxury brands outsource the production of their cashmere clothes and accessories to factories in Scotland. Chanel swooped in to save Barrie Knitwear which is based in Hawick, Scotland when it went under. Well, they have a perfectly good reason to because the mill has been producing knitwear for Chanel for the last 25 years along with a few other luxury brands. All the 100% cashmere knitwear from Hermes are manufactured in Scotland as well.

Now we all know that the fibers aren't homegrown in Scotland as those goats aren't native to the country. I'm not saying all the mills in Scotland produce high quality knits either. It very much depends on the type of yarn they use. The longer the fibers, the better and less likely the garment will pill. The diameter is just as important as fine fibers will produce soft knits. I'm no expert in all things cashmere but what I do know is the Scottish mills produce some of the best quality knitwear in the world. You can read more about cashmere here if you're interested.

I've paid full retail price for Hermes cashmere/silk (65% cashmere 35% silk) shawls and I've also been that idiot who queued up for hours outside Palais des Congre for the privilege of buying them at 40% off. I have a mild addiction to cashmere shawls BUT common sense must prevail as the cost of these lovely Hermes shawls have risen quicker than inflation. I thought £670 was enough to induce a cardiac arrest and these days, they're £100 more. For those of you who look for quality above all things, you'll be pleased to know that the Everlane's 100% cashmere shawls are produced in Hawick and cost a mere USD 250. Check out their Scottish factory here.

**Thanks, Sue for the tip. It's expensive for those of us in the E.U to purchase from Everlane as the duty tax is exorbitant. Besides, the shawls are made in Scotland and easier to source from the home country. The alternative is Johnstons of Elgin or Brora who are fairly well regarded but still affordable. Any else has any recommendations?

Chanel and Hermes bargains

Chanel coat  £690  /  Hermes Evelyne PM  £1279   /   Chanel cashmere twinset  £380  /   Chanel medium flap  £980  /  Chanel Reissue Grey  £2360   /   Chanel Tote   £321   /   Chanel Jumbo  £2344

A number of you have asked me about acquiring classic pieces from Chanel or Hermes at discounted prices. In nearly all of the cases, if the price is too good to be true, it almost always is. There are, of course exceptions. I was lucky enough to nab a few designer goodies at unbelievably good prices but I'd say they are pretty rare these days.

If I'm not mistaken, Chanel jackets run approximately £2800 upwards in the boutiques. There are some jewels to be had in the secondhand market if you look hard enough. I'm still a massive fan of both Hermes and Chanel bags and accessories but even I can't stomach the insane and frequent price hikes. I remembered on one occasion when I called the store and asked for the price of a 2.55 flap. It was £2400. Two months later, it was £3000. Utter insanity. 

Here's a list of a number of items that I'd picked out which are pretty good bargains considering their condition. When it comes to bags, I prefer those that have only minor wear on the corners as there's nothing you can do if they're worn down to the piping. Classic pieces tend to hold their prices really well compared to limited edition and seasonal items. Happy hunting!

Blogger Bashing

Blogger bashing is all the rage these days but this takes the cake. The poorly written and researched article for the Australian Telegraph is infuriating because it insinuates that "Anybody can go out there, put up their own blog, make some incendiary comments and purchase themselves half a million followers, and then this is supposed to be credible." This sweeping overgeneralization is a surprise coming from David Chalke who is considered one of Australia's leading social analysts. Well, David,  if it's so easy to grow a blog into a financially viable enterprise, we'll all be rich. And I won't have a painfully small Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest gaggle of followers.

The first sentence barely disguised his disdain for fashion bloggers. In fact, it reminds me of a colleague who once said to me "I'm not racist but I think there are just too many Asians in New Zealand". Hmm......

What companies want from bloggers is numbers. Lots and lots and lots of big traffic to advertise their wondrous products. Unfortunately, to rise up to the top of your game and be the creme de la creme of blogosphere, you've got to be an incredible photographer, fabulous writer, graphic designer, resilient, have a phenomenal drive and be pretty enough not to appall your audience. Did I mention that you'll have to have a full time job to pay for your camera equipment/traveling/website hosting/graphic design costs?

A number of representatives from a few well known companies grumbled to me earlier this year about having to pay bloggers for the work they do for them. Say, what?! So, let me get this straight. You want a blogger who has spent years building up a credible and substantial following, be actively involved in social media (a very time consuming exercise) AND be able to convert their link clicks to sales but no, you want them to work for free. Like you do everyday for the company you work for.

I don't disagree about the fact that not every blogger should attend the Fashion Week. It's unnecessary and tiresome to see the same photos circulated within the blogosphere. However, there are some who have the eye popping traffic to backup their popularity which effectively means, they're a walking advertisement for the brands that they support or they are essentially an independent voice or fashion oracle.

Yes, it's important to disclose any paid editorial posts or gifts though it's really such a grey area at the moment that most of us aren't even sure the right way to go about doing so. It's painful having to turn down offers of sponsored posts despite knowing that you have bills to pay for reasons such as 1) the product does not not fit well with the content of your blog  2) as lovely as the products are, you don't like nor will you ever wear/use them. You don't want to ever compromise your ethics and integrity. And if you're a parent, it's hard to preach the values to your kids when you're not upholding them yourself. If you have a moment or two, check out Nicole Warne's response (of Gary Pepper Girl). What are your thoughts on this subject matter?



 

Dayre Challenge

After nearly breaking my back lugging around my camera gear recently, I've been wondering what it's like to shoot entirely with my smartphone. The challenge is in seeing the extraordinary in the everyday mundane life, to capture moments in a quick tap of my fingertip and the ability to share the images with everyone. I've been invited to participate in the 6 week Dayre challenge which will run until 20th December. I'll be posting 4-5 entries each day.

It's a micro-blogging tool with plenty of photos and fewer words. I'm 1 of 30 bloggers (or otherwise known as alpha seeders, a fancy word that I've only just discovered. Try using it for scrabble!) who will be up for this challenge to test the Dayre app while it's in beta mode. If you're up to trying out a new social media, albeit one with plenty of cute stickers for you to paste to your heart's content, look me up here www.dayre.me/marlene. You can also download the app for free here if you've got an Android phone or Apple Store if you have an iPhone.

**Post sponsored by Dayre

John Lewis Secret Santa Challenge

1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6

I'm one of a group of U.K bloggers that have been invited to participate in a John Lewis Secret Santa challenge this year. I'm rubbish (okay, utterly crap, if I have to be perfectly honest) at buying presents but since I pretty much do most of my shopping at John Lewis anyway, I readily agreed. My brain has more holes than a sieve these days. I really can't remember the last Secret Santa I'd taken part in. I used to work with a bunch of truly geeky nerdy guys whose gag gifts tend to veer towards squidgy balls in the shape of boobs, I doubt it was something truly memorable.

I tend to do my Christmas shopping early as I have to ship half of the load back to New Zealand. Our rented apartment in Nice came with a Nespresso machine. It was bliss waking up to a perfectly made espresso. I was spoiled rotten by my morning ritual that I need one at home. I don't know any woman who will turn down a candle from either Diptyque or Neom Organics. I'm allergic to most fragrances and any chemicals or paraffin will trigger off the worst asthma attack. However, anything from these two brands along with Geodesis or Durance are perfectly safe for those of us who have such allergies.

I'm really surprised how few people actually carry an extra battery charger for their smartphone. A couple of hours of texting/surfing/calling/music will render our phones dead. I can't leave the house without mine. I'm a HUGE fan of REN skincare and that Moroccan Rose Otto body oil is D.I.V.I.N.E.

I'd made cake pops from scratch. God forbid if I ever go through that torture again. The kids at Lil L's school fought over them and several were in tears because I didn't make enough. The guilt wasn't enough to put me through hours of making those darned things again. But there's an easier way now with cake pop kit. Oh and just so you know..... the silicone mould doubles as a cake pop stand too. Genius!

p.s. To the poor (currently unknown) dude/dudette who has the misfortune of being on the receiving end of this gift challenge, I hope you have a wish list all prepared. Hey, wouldn't it be neat if we could send vouchers? Just saying.......

Sales Picks

Stuart Weitzman boots (40% off)

Roberto Coin necklace (40% off)

 Burberry Brit Balmoral trench (and here 33% off))

Nike trainers (33% off)

Fownes Brothers Basic tech cashmere lined leather gloves (25% off)

It's been a crazy week. I've got a few projects in the pipeline. I can't wait to share a couple with you tomorrow. My brother's visiting from New Zealand. We "took" him to London and promptly forgot that Kiwis aren't exactly used to hours of walking. I use the term "took" lightly as it was more like dragging him from one place to another (pointing to a building. See that? It's Harrod's. Now let's move along), not too dissimilar to Contiki's "27 countries in a week" type of tour. He was white-faced with exhaustion on the train home while Lil L and I were still zinging from wall to wall on a caffeine/sugar high after downing a tall glass of boba tea (don't feed your kid boba tea unless you lug around a portaloo).

It was back to London again yesterday and racing from one meeting to the next. Literally. I ran up and down the escalators (there were so many) AND Oxford St (I have NO sense of direction) and by the time I got on the train, I was pouring with sweat. I patted myself on the back for finishing the London Marathon. THAT was my exercise for the week.

Just so you know, my favorite US department store, Nordstrom is having a sale. If you're based in the U.S, check out the Burberry Brit Balmoral trench coats which are 33% off and you'll also get double loyalty points. Those of us in the U.K are not allowed to purchase Burberry clothes from U.S stores (bummer!). These were the ones I talked about previously. They come with a detachable lining and hood which makes so much sense really. For such a hefty investment, you want to be able to wear it all year round. Unfortunately, there are only 2 sizes left so be quick.

These Stuart Weitzman boots are 40% off. I can run in mine and walk for miles without getting a blister. I'm pleased that wearing brightly colored trainers are "trending" at the moment. I can't do heels and I'm not a fan of wearing fugly trainers either but these Nikes are way cool.

Balenciaga City Bag & 3.1 Phillip Lim Mini Pashli

A couple of preloved designer bags in fabulous condition are available at my eBay store at the moment. There's the highly popular 3.1 Phillip Lim mini Pashli as well as the quintessential biker chic classic City bag with giant rose gold studs from Balenciaga.

Avril of School Gate Style

I alternate between feeling the loooooove for blogging and mentally repressing thoughts of flinging the laptop out of the window. Suffice to say, blogging is on a whole different level these days compared to 3.5 years ago when I first started it with the purpose of informing my friends and family back home about our UK adventure (it's hard to inject the same level of enthusiasm after telling the stories a dozen times though I'm touched that they want to hear it in the first place).

These days, you're supposed to be a SEO guru, adept at every social media known to mankind, know web design like the back of your hand, be creative, write/photograph like a professional and know how to pose without appearing like a caricature of a Sports Illustrated model wannabe. After that massively satisfying whinge (where else can I behave like a toddler without getting pelted with rotten eggs except via this blog?), one of the best things about blogging is the wonderful people that have come into my life. They've inspired and enriched my life in more ways than one.

Who knew that the person I'd read about in the paper would one day turn out to be a wonderful friend and supporter? Avril and her family drove over to see me whilst they were on holiday in England. The girls got on like a house on fire. And so did the adults. Of course, I made Avril pose for me in her chic outfit. So beware, if you're wearing a totally cool outfit, you'll have to make an appearance on my blog.

You can't see it but both Avril and I were wearing the same awesome grey Uniqlo cargo skinnies. Do take 1 size down as the waist runs big. I paid full price and she didn't. Pfffffffft. They're £19.99 as opposed to a similar J Brand version for £170. I was admiring her coat when she uttered £40. WHOA! Avril et al, thank you for the company and the thoughtful gifts.

Fabulous glass music in Prague

I stumbled upon this incredible musician who used wine glasses to create a beautiful rendition of the Blue Danube Waltz. Enjoy!

Getting Lost in Prague

 




When it came to traveling, I was what you'd categorize as "anal retentive". There was always a blow-by-blow typed out itinerary that would scare the most dedicated tour operators (as well as any poor souls who were unfortunate to come along for the ride). Ah well..... the arrival of a baby put a stop to that.

I developed a new trait called slackitude which proceeded to plague all my subsequent travels and culminated in the worst planning ever on our most recent trip to Prague. Funnily enough, it was one of our most enjoyable and relaxing trips. This time, I did NO reading whatsoever nor learn a single Czech word (I've always thought it was good manners to at least learn hello, thank you and please until.....errrr..... recently). I organized our hotel/airport transfers days before our departure and just about managed to dump a few clothes into my tiny suitcase (wait a minute, did I not write a post on packing tips?!). So if you're hoping to get tips on traveling to Prague, you're barking up the wrong tree....... I mean, blogger. BUT if you want to learn how to get lost on numerous occasions, I'll be more than happy to help you.











The area surrounding the town hall looked like and at times, felt a lot like a grown up version of Disneyland but without all the crazy amusement rides. It's jaw-droppingly stunning at every angle. It's overrun by so many tourists that we walked smacked into various tour groups everywhere we turned. Little wonder because it's (sorry to be so repetitive) simply beautiful. And very affordable. We struggled to use up £190 worth of Czech crowns in 5 days.

We walked everywhere, only referring to the map when we were on the wrong side of the river, ate, walked up to the castle, ate, checked out a mall, ate, wandered around all the back alleys, ate.....etc. You get the idea. We'd eaten goose, hare, beef, pork and duck along with dumplings the size of my fist, on plates larger than my face in a few short days. The roast goose, grilled vegetables and sauerkraut at Kolkovna Celnice were divine. The dish was barely £10. Unbelievable. So was the crispy but melt in your mouth roast duck at Amade, though the dessert was disappointing. The Czech cuisine is hearty and unpretentious which suits me to a T.


We were blessed with incredibly good weather which hit 20˚C by mid afternoon, right in the middle of autumn! Thank goodness, I'd packed light jackets or else we'd be toast. Literally. There's still so much we haven't covered in Prague that we'll have to make a second trip here and explore outside of the city.


p.s. to all the waiters and waitresses who had to put up with me photographing my food to death before eating it.... and to my poor husband and daughter who suffered the same fate but managed to survive deliberate starvation - I'm sorry.