My Take On The 'City Break Essentials'

It is officially one week until my sister and I whisk ourselves off to the incessantly sunny Barcelona, so city break essentials are undoubtedly on my mind. I'm a huge fan of city breaks, whether it be Paris, Barcelona or Zurich, and I definitely plan to take excursions to Rome and New York soon. Cities are filled with so much amazing food, culture, history, art, monuments and so on. 

Cosmopolitan, cultural and cool - whichever city you're headed off to this summer, here's my take on the essentials you should be taking, from beauty products I'd be lost without to a quick run down of wardrobe must-haves for exploring a new or favourite city.

Farm Girl Café, Notting Hill

Prepare for a picture overload! I may of got a little snap happy during my sister's and I's adventure to Notting Hill. This neighbourhood is one of my favourites in London for so many reasons but I must admit, I have only ever explored it a few times. Upon reading Julia's (writer of Gal Meets Glam - one of my favourite bloggers at the moment!) blog post about her wandering around Notting Hill, Jess and I decided to recreate her day as it just seemed so beautiful, whimsical and perfect. 

Exploring London: Chelsea & Kensington

I think the first thing that comes to mind whenever I think of the Chelsea and Kensington neighbourhoods is the black doored and white pillared homes. These monochromatic abodes are home to boarding-school accented gents, freshly blow-dried fashionistas and maybe a luxury magazine editor or two. These posh, south-west corners of London are certainly for the elitist, but that doesn't mean exploring them will be any less fun or enjoyable. Aside from maybe picking out your dream home, these neighbourhoods are also perfect for coffee stops, delicious food and fancy drinks. There's also a plethora of shops and things to do on offer - think Chelsea Flower Show, Kensington Palace and Harrods. Now, let's get exploring!

The Evening Look: Pink Culottes

I for one am loving culottes as of late. I can certainly promulgate and confirm that this trouser trend is certainly the comfiest (no post-meal unbuttoning needed), making them all the more fabulous for quotidian wear. Yet, I'm sharing a more 'evening' look with you all today. If, like me, (in a totally non-pretentious way), you feel a dress is just a little too overdone and predictable for party attire, and prefer something a little more daring, this look will be perfect for you.

The Perfect Summer Pj Set

I'm a sucker for beautiful pyjamas. Yet, my adoration for delicate, silky and elegant evening-wear has only manifested itself within the last few months. My floral Marks & Spencer Rosie For Autograph pjs I was gifted at Christmas were the catalyst to all things satin and two-pieced. Before then, I'll admit, it was a shameful case of 'old ripped t-shirt and unmatching pyjama bottom' syndrome. This summer, I rather quickly nabbed my sister's slinky pj set from Lavish Alice, and upon noticing how comfortable and care-free I felt in them, I promptly declared them mine (sorry sis!).

Five Things I'm Looking Forward To This Summer

My summer officially starts on Friday after finishing my A-Level exams, where I'll have a rather blissful four months off until I start university in September. So with all of that free time I've made some pretty cool and exciting plans that I simply can't wait to commence. Here are five things I'm certainly looking forward to this summer...

1. My sister's graduation

2. Holidays to Barcelona, Switzerland and Paris

3. Exploring more of London

4. Reading Festival

5. Relaxing with my favourite people

...and definitely blogging more! I can't wait to finally immerse and devote myself fully to this blog. No more 'filler' posts that take me ten minutes to write, no more dodgy photography - but better quality posts that you'll enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed producing. Cheers to a hella' good summer!

What are your plans for this summer so far?

Headed To A Festival? Here's What To Wear:

I'm a firm believer that you don't have to imitate your best version of boho/ 'tumblr' chic for a festival - that is anything crochet, layers of jewellery, a flower crown or too and maybe a pair of very short daisy dukes. If that's your style, go for it! Yet, I'm hoping the outfits I've put together below will inspire those of you headed to festivals where the conventional 'Coachella' look may not be your style or necessarily be suitable for your festival. I've also tried to assemble looks that would be great whatever the weather forecast too. So if you're headed to Glastonbury soon or another festival and in need of some sartorial inspiration, here's what to wear:

Things That Need To Be in My Beauty Stash ASAP

Currently, on every beauty blog I scroll endlessly through, the same cult products make an appearance post after post. After my exams have finished, I plan to rather self-indulgently treat myself to some new beauty goodies, and I've found quite a few that have caught my eye. I think it's safe to say that, if you're anything like me and spend most of your time reading beauty blogs, you've seen these products repeatedly crop up on your screen. From dreamy contour palettes to heavenly scents, these products need to be in my beauty stash asap. Need not want, right?

1. Sarah Chapman Ovenight Facial
2. Jo Malone perfume in either Blackberry and Bay or Pomegranate Noir
3. Origins Retexturising Mask with Rose Clay
4. Aesop Parsley Seed Hydrator
5. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow
6. Oskia Renaissance Gel
7. Origins By All Greens Cleanser

What beauty products are you currently dying to have in your beauty cabinet?

Zara Wardrobe Wishing

Bomber // Crop Top

Zara always gets it right for me. Prices are fab, quality is incredible, styles are so current and unique, and their stores are so great to shop in. So it was without question that while pondering of where to buy some beautiful, new summer clothes, Zara popped into my mind. While browsing online, I stumbled upon a few things that definitely caught my eye, and here they are!

What To Do In London This June.

London always comes alive during the summer months. Heck, who I am I kidding? London is always pretty darn lively and atmospheric, whichever the season. Yet, there's just something about the capital in the golden glow of sunlight, sitting beneath an ocean of light blue, that widens every smile. Drinks get colder (and stronger, perhaps), music gets louder, nights get longer and the city life gets better. If you happen to be taking a trip to the city I blissfully call home, or you're a Londoner yourself in search of adding to your summer bucketlist, why not marvel in all the city has to offer this June. There's plenty happening, from food festivals and midnight safari trips, and even a sporting event or two. What will you add to your list?

1. Sunset Safari at Regent's Park London Zoo - 10th June - 15th July. I can't think of anything more unique and exciting to do this June. While the sun sets behind you, watch the animals eat their dinner or fall asleep, discover great food from around the world, enjoy face painting and live music, and even comedy evenings. This event is perfect for families, or an alternative fun evening with friends.
2. Pop Fields in Brixton - 10th June - 30th September. A great summer hangout for sports lovers. This screening spot will broadcast major sporting events from the Olympics to Wimbledon, on a large cinematic screen. There's also plans to showcase non-sporting events too, such as films, general entertainment and live music. No need to worry about taking a picnic, this place has got it sorted with refreshments supplied by local restaurants, street food traders and bars. 
3. Fork to Fork Festival - 11th June. Fork to Fork returns to London once again. This year's restaurants include: Hoppers, Quo Vadis, Lyle’s, The Ledbury, Kitty Fisher’s, Granger & Co, Polpo (my favourite restaurant!), The River Café, The Modern Pantry, Wahaca and Caravan. The family-friendly charity event aims to raise funds for the Open Air Classroom charity project. Food stalls open from 12.15pm-4pm, while the bar, live music and activities run from noon-6pm. If only I had the day off from work to visit this - I would love to go!
4. Field Day - 11th June - 12th June. London is the heart of amazing festivals. Over the last decade Field Day has slowly become one of London’s very best music festivals, featuring up-and-coming alternative acts. This year's headliners are James Blake, Skepta and PJ Harvey. 
5. Wimbledon - 27th June - 10th July. Good luck getting in to Wimbledon, it's certainly not easy (of course, unless you're a celebrity). Seats on Centre and Number One courts are distributed by ballot the preceding year, although enthusiasts who queue on the day may gain entry to the outer courts. Tickets are not sold over the phone, but on a strictly one per person queueing basis. Yet, you can turn up later in the day and pay a reasonable rate for seats vacated by spectators who have left early. This is one of my favourite things to watch on TV come summer, but I would like to think one day I (and my lovely Nan, a huge tennis fan) may be lucky enough to go there and watch it live.
6. Watch Breakfast At Tiffany's on stage - 29th June - 17th September - One of my favourite Audrey Hepburn films has been adapted on stage by Richard Greenberg, featuring singer Pixie Lott as Golightly. Something not worth missing.

And there you have it! Of course, there's plenty of amazing things to do this June in London but these are just a few events that have certainly taken my eye.

I'm wondering if this should be a new series? Once a month I tell you guys London's best highlights - thoughts? Let me know by tweeting me or simply leaving a comment below!

Four Outfits To Get You Excited for Summer

June is officially the first month of summer and I for one am totally excited (even if the weather here in London may resemble that in winter). I've now finished sixth form with only a couple of exams left, so summer and freedom is soon on the horizon for me. Bring on daily blogging, wild adventures abroad, endless cocktail parties and chilled family barbecues. Yet, while this season may be the best for its weather and atmosphere, dressing can sometimes be a little tricky. In a bid to stay cool or appear 'summery', we suddenly douse ourselves in some of the most hideous of clothing. But it doesn't have to be that way. Below I'm sharing you all a sneaky preview of what my summer wardrobe beholds. From crochet camis and embroidered denim, to broderie anglaise kimonos and 90's babydoll dresses. Here are four outfits to inspire your summer closet.