Sunday 23 April 2017

I'm Back!

I cannot believe that it has been over 12 months since I have written a blog post. 2016 was very busy with work and as a consequence my blog took a back seat. I managed to keep up the outfit posts on Instagram as some of you may have seen.

In August last year I spent a month travelling to seven amazing cities in Europe with four of my very closest friends. There was lost of fun and frivolity and we survived four weeks in very close quarters to one another. There were also some great outfits and I picked up some cute pieces along the way.

We started our trip in Glasgow. Pete and I had been travelling for over 24 hours with basically no sleep but we could not resist wandering around Glasgow when we arrived. It also helped us stay awake for many more hours while we awaited the arrival of Ben. The weather was a little cool which was good reason for me to wear a cute snood scarf I picked up from Jeanswest (pictured below) before the trip.



Our second day in Glasgow was spent traipsing around the city for many kilometres. It is such a gorgeous city. In the picture below I am enjoying the sun on the bank of the River Clyde. I am wearing the Boyfriend Flannel Shirt from City Chic.



Our next stop was Edinburgh. One of the first things we did was hop on the Ferris Wheel so we could take in the views of the city. Of course it decided to rain on us while we were on the Ferris Wheel, but I was prepared as I had just bought a poncho in preparation for attending the Military Tattoo.



The Military Tattoo was one of the most amazing experiences. There were so many different costumes, military uniforms and dances. It was overwhelming. Here Ben and I are in our (nearly) matching Tartan shirts.



 Another thing we did while in Edinburgh was The Hairy Coo Whisky and Highlands Day Tour. It was a great way to see some more of Scotland on a short time frame. We went to Glencoe, Scotland's most historic Glen:


We also went to Loch Ness where the monster was lurking just below the surface of the Lock (I swear). I wore a really comfortable knit from Jeanswest on this Day Tour.


From Edinburgh we travelled to London and caught up with Richard and Jenny. Richard took us on a walking tour of many different pubs in London. There were many beers consumed as well as tasty food. One of the good things about London was having Richard and Jenny there with their local knowledge, giving us tips on how to get around and what to see.



While In England we hired a car and made the trek down to Stonehenge. Just seeing those amazing stone pillars was humbling. The outfit I am wearing below is one I picked up at Marc and Spencer's (my new favourite department store) and the bag is Christian Lacroix


From Stonehenge we went to Bath and wandered around this gorgeous Roman town. To me, Bath is one of those small cities that I could happily live in., its not as hectic as London, but still has a city vibe about it. The architecture and general atmosphere was lovely. One of the attractions of Bath (for me.. Ben and Pete were not too keen) was the Jane Austen Centre which Richard happily agreed to check out with me. A selfie with the Jane Austen statue was a must!




We spent a couple of days checking out the sights of London. The below photo is one Pete captured of me as we were on our way to Harrods.


Paris was next on the list. We did most of the Paris things, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Moulin Rouge, Arc de Triomphe and several other places. The below photo I am wearing my 'Paris' outfit, a bardot stripe top with a pleather skirt from City Chic.


The whole holiday was very much about wine and food, but Paris particularly. We tried snails, ate lots of tasty cheese and drank an abundance of fantastic french red wine.





The dress I am wearing below is a gorgeous print maxi dress with buttons down the front. As I was walking through the Bastille region (where our Air BnB apartment was located) an old french man told me I looked beautiful... at least that is what we think he said :P



We took a day to go and check out the Palace of Versailles which is the most extravagant place on earth. We hired a buggy and drove ourselves around the grounds which is the only way to see the small palaces and gardens. There are so many things to see and do in Paris that four days was not enough.

The singlet I wore to the Palace of Versailles was a bargain buy at H&M in London.



Next stop was Amsterdam, which was my third favourite city after Edinburgh and Glasgow. Our first night in Amsterdam was amazing, so much fun and drinks galore. I discovered cherry beer in Amsterdam which is so tasty.

Here I am ready for a night out in Amsterdam in an Asos dress.


 Phil and Andrew joined us in Amsterdam for the last half of out trip and we did a bike tour which was both awesome and scary as I have not ridden a bike that is not stationary in about 20 years or so.  I was nearly ran over but I survived the experience.



Berlin was next and we spent five days there catching up with Jared and Tobias. Berlin is such a livable city. We stayed in Prenzlauer Berg in a pre-war building which just made you feel like you were living in Germany in the 1920's.



On our first morning in Berlin Jared prepared a traditional German breakfast for us, with champagne of course!

Berlin was also one of the places, aside from London, where I spent time looking in the shops and buying clothes. I picked up the cute hat after searching for a hat for most of the holiday. It was the best accessory.



We had a night out in Berlin for Andrew's birthday, which Andrew missed because he passed out before we left the house. In the below photo Phil and I are ready for the disco! I am wearing a City Chic peplum top.

The last stop on my Euro adventure was Prague. I am in love with that city, it's Gothic architecture and eastern European vibe. As this was our last stop we were a bit tired and worn out and we didn't do too many tourist things. We did do a city tour and got very wet walking in the rain, as you can see below.


We went to the Ballet and saw Swan Lake! All dressed up for the Ballet wearing a dress I picked up from H&M in London with a Jane Austen Cameo Brooch I bought at the Jane Austen Centre.


Like Paris, Prague was very much about the food. Below is a photo of traditional Beef Goulash.


Afternoon drinks on the Vltava River!


Evening cocktails in the Old Town on our last night.

So, my lovely readers, I hope you enjoyed this catchup of sorts and I promise to be more active on the blog this year. 

My next post will focus on accentuating ones waist and how I do that.

Happy reading lovelies :) 


Sunday 6 March 2016

New Zealand Adventures

Hello Lovelies,

I have had a busy few weeks, work and life has gotten away on me. However, I have been on an adventure, a New Zealand Adventure, with some of my favourite people. Of course, there were a few opportunities to break out some fabulous outfits.

The New Zealand adventure was all about a wedding, the wedding on my lovely friends Jarrod and Matt. A formal wedding at that. I do love to attend a formal wedding!

I travelled to Sydney a couple of Fridays ago and spent the night there with my best friend and awesome photographer, Pete. There was wine, menu log and chats. Of course, not too much wine as we didn't want to miss out international flight on Saturday morning. A 5 am wake up and off to the airport we went.

On arrival in Auckland we met up with Phil and Andrew at the airport, hopped in to our hire car and took ourselves to the Northern Club, our home for the next few days. The Northern Club is divine, a heritage building,  covered in Virginia creeper, and is a sight to see. In fact, you must see!

The Northern Club

I spent a lot of time sitting in these lovely armchairs, wine in hand.

Victorian inspired furniture in our room

What could be better than sipping wine in a bath robe!

Our first night in Auckland required a special outfit, something to show off my waist... I am wearing a skirt from Dotti and basic black singlet from Kmart. Also, comfort plus patent heels. I kept my accessories simple, gold plated earrings and bangle from Lovisa.

Poised Jaime

Curtains! Work the curtains!!!

Demure Jaime

Those of you who know me know that I am far from a natural poser, unless it comes to selfies. This is why I have Pete take the photos. He makes me do silly things like pose with a sheer curtain. It works though. The next photo is my favourite... at this point I was letting him know I was feeling silly and I was coming for him.

No more posing Peter, I am done!

So I took on Auckland feeling very pretty in this outfit. Beers at O'Hagans Irish Pub, karaoke and late night drunken second dinner at Denny's. Yes, Denny's and I blame Phil for the late night second dinner. I certainly ate too much and expressed to the fellas that 'I felt heavy in the bottom'. I'm slightly funny when intoxicated.

Late night second dinner. 


The next day, a Sunday, we took a ferry to Waiheke Island to see some wineries, wine tasting a must do of course. The first winery was apparently a 15 minute walk from the ferry and us being the sporty and outdoorsy type (Andrew and Phil) we decided to take a leisurely stroll through the bush and up hills in the humid steamy heat. Needless to say Pete, Jen and I got lost and found ourselves a cab.

We visited two wineries on Waiheke, Cable Bay and Mud Brick. Cable Bay was very upmarket and modern. Man Brick was by far my favourite, looking like an old English garden.


The view from Mud Brick Winery across the valley to the ocean. Gorgeous!

Andrew's hair is on fleek. Mine, not so much!

All in all a lovely Sunday out and about.

Monday was all about the wedding!!!

I treated myself to a blow wave and professional eye makeup at Dry and Tea in Britomart. I wanted straight gorgeous hair and to be honest, I was feeling lazy about doing my eye makeup. A girl needs to treat herself every now and then.

As the wedding was formal a long gown was required. I wore the Burnout Baby Maxi Dress by City Chic and I accessorised with pearls.





Posing in front of the Fireplace in the bar at the Northen Club.


Posing in the Billiards Room with my fantastic and handsome photographer, Peter!


 The boys were also looking fantastic in their dinner suits!

Charming Andrew


Handsome Phil

Jen, was also a vision in her vintage inspired dress.

A group shot. Jen is looking stunning in her vintage inspired dress.

The  wedding took place at Grace Hill Vineyard. The view from the balcony was heavenly, we were 30 minutes outside of Auckland but it was like we were in the country, green and lush.

The view from the balcony at Grace Hill Vineyard.


It was one of the best weddings I have attended. Classy, emotional and the first time I have heard the words 'Husband and Husband' pronounced. I will admit to some tears during the ceremony.

The next day we decided to go on a driving adventure, complete with climbing the Mt Wellington Summit. yes, strenuous walking after a huge night out!

Climbing to the summit of Mt Wellington.

At the summit. Looking worse for wear but invigorated.


On our last day Pete and I decided to go to the Auckland Zoo. Best decision ever! I had not been to a Zoo since I was a child. It was a highlight of my trip.

Zoo selfie


Even though I am having a casual day fashion is still on my mind. I am wearing a little ensemble from Jeans West, casual pants and t-shirt. Such a comfortable outfit and great for a casual day out.


So that is all for now my lovelies. A great mini holiday with some of my favourite people to celebrate love. What could be better :)