Oversized Knits

Jumper: Zara | Jeans: Topshop

Location: 202 Westbourne Grove

So, winter weather has hit London at an unforgivable speed and it's time to start pulling out the chunky knits and padded coats (which after three years of British winters, you'd think I'd have by now). Today my dad and I headed to Notting Hill to have a father daughter brunch at 202. Since I'm currently transitioning to veganism, I decided on the yogurt (I haven't given up milk products yet) and fruit granola, which is incredible by the way, and a glass of grapefruit juice.

P.S - Sorry for the severe lack of OOTD posts, but if you follow my Instagram you'd know I'd have some exciting travels coming up that might include the west coast of a certain country!

Until then, ✌✌ xx

Thigh Highs & Western Belts

After falling in love with the taupe Stuart Weitzman highlands whilst I was in New York in February (see here), I didn't think I'd ever be able to find an affordable alternative that looked just like them; but whilst browsing ASOS last week, I stumbled across the perfect pair - and for only a fraction of the price.

Belt: ASOS | Boots: ASOS

Coat: Rick Owens | Tee: ASOS | Jeans: Topshop | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (similar colour)

Location: Brew Wimbeldon 

Nautical Stripes & Lace Up Sandals

Location: Castello Doria, Vernazza, Cinque Terre

Location: Ristorante Al Castello, Vernazza, Cinque Terre

Top: Zara | Shorts: The Fifth Label | Shoes: ASOS

On our last day in Vernazza Giulia and I decided to venture up the many dozens of stairs to Castello Doria, which dates back to the 15th century and was named after the wealthy and influential Doria family, who built the castle to defend the village from pirates. Unfortunately only one tower remains, but the view from the top is well worth it!

For the rest of the day we swam around in the marina and eventually made it back to our apartment to have showers and get ready for dinner. We ended up going to Ristorante Al Castello, which we discovered earlier in the day as we were making our way up to the castle. The views from this restaurant were incredible and the food - I got pesto spaghetti and Giulia got stuffed muscles -  was impeccable.

Don't forget to check out Giulia's blog posts about Lugano & Cinque Terre!

WATCH OUR LUGANO/CINQUE TERRE VLOG HERE

Hair Flips in Vernazza

Location: Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy

Location: Vulnetia Ristorante, Vernazza, Cinque Terre

Top: Zara | Shorts: Levi's | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Sunglasses: Quay Australia | Shoes: ASOS

After travelling for about 5 hours from Lugano to Milan and then from Milan to Vernazza, we finally made it to Cinque Terre (The Five Lands), which is made up of five amazingly picturesque towns - hence the name Cinque Terre - all along the unrefined coast of the Italian Riviera. 

After settling into our cute apartment - we had the top floor so we had the best view and our own terrace, we headed down to the marina in hopes of swimming. Unfortunately, it was windy and the waves were rough, but we decided to jump in off a ledge that all the local boys seemed to be jumping off of. Big mistake, because getting out proved to be almost impossible.

After watching the locals jump in wave after wave for a while, we decided it was time to go back to our apartment and get ready to go to dinner. Once dressed, we headed back down to the town centre to have a pizza dinner at Vulnetia Ristorante; which was incredible and I highly recommend you try their pesto pizza (pesto was invented in this area, so obviously it's a MUST to try). We sipped wine, watched the sunset and made friends with the French boys who were sitting next to us.

Vernazza was definitely my favourite of the four towns we visited; there's more locals  - which makes it more authentic, it's got a fab beach, awesome views - not just landscapes wise eitherand incredible food! 

Don't forget to check out Giulia's blog posts about Lugano & Cinque Terre!

WATCH OUR LUGANO/CINQUE TERRE VLOG HERE

202

Location: 202 Westbourne Grove

202 Brunch

202 in Westbourne Grove is my friends and my favourite place to brunch on a Saturday or Sunday morning. It's prime real estate smack bang in the middle of Notting Hill and not only does it have it's own boutique on the lower floor but it's also surrounded by an array of different stores including; The Kooples, Joseph, Sandro and Bimba y Lola, just to name a few. More importantly, the food is GREAT (as well as the people watching) - I highly recommend the scrambled eggs with crispy bacon and also the french toast.

Insta #OOTD

Top, jeans & sneakers: Topshop | Cardigan: Rick Owens | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Location: 202 Westbourne Grove

NYC Adventures

Sneaky RM purchase! If you're ever in NYC you need to go in to the store in SOHO. 

Location: Clinton Street Baking Company 

Scarf: Zara | Coat: Chloe | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff 

Location: Dos Caminos, SOHO. This was my first time trying proper Mexican food and it was amazing!

Location: Jack's Wife Freda. This is a MUST. Book a table at their Lafayette St location here & their Carmine St location here

Artwork by: Bradley Theodore

Jacket: Topshop | Sweater: Forever 21 | Scarf: Zara

Artwork by: Bradley Theodore

Artwork by: Bradley Theodore

Polyvore NYFW Day 1

Photo credit: Sanghyun Park

Photo credit: Fashionsnap

Photo credit: Fashionsnap

The first show of the day was Nicholas K, you can read about it here

Sweater: Proenza Schouler | Skirt: Alice & Olivia via therealreal

After the show we headed to Soho to visit the NYC Polyvore offices! We hung around the office for a bit, charging our phones and having a little break. Then we went and did a little bit of shopping and had some lunch. We then headed to our second show of the day, Creatures of Comfort - you can read about that here.

Coat: Chloé | Jeans: J Brand | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff via therealreal
Location: Mercer Kitchen, Soho

I got the Mercer burger!

Left - right: Sheila, Lauren, Myself, Nadia

Rosie H-W, NYFW & Food

First off, makeup! I did a few things differently to how I would normally do my everyday makeup (here). I added a tiny baby wing, put some liquid highlighter on my cheek bones - MAC Lustre Drops - and had a slightly stronger contour - I used NYC sunny bronzer.

I then hurriedly caught the train into London and made my way to the Marks & Spencer's on Marble Arch to go to Rosie Huntington Whitely's first fragrance signing. After I got my number card - I was 13th in line - I went inside to purchase her fragrance. I've been searching for my 'signature' fragrance for, honestly, a couple of years - and for a while it was Red Roses from Jo Malone - but I think I've found my new one. I'm not very good at describing scents, but you can read all about it here and purchase it here.

So, after waiting about 40 minutes, five of us got let in at a time to have a quick chat (she said she loved Australia and that I was dressed "so cute"), get my perfume box signed and get a photo with her - which she later liked on Instagram!! She's even more beautiful in person than she is in photos and she was so polite and nice and had a very calming vibe to her!

Jacket & Jeans: Topshop | Tee: Primark | Scarf: Dunhill | Boots: Zara

After the signing, I went and did some outfit shopping for NYFW! I stopped by Zara, H&M, Mango, Monki and Forever 21. 

I then met up with a friend to have a late lunch. We went to Mildreds, which is a vegetarian restaurant in Soho. I got the pasta of the day, which was tagliatelle with a blue cheese sauce, broccoli and walnuts - it was absolutely AMAZING. I highly recommend this place if any of you live in or visit London!