Postcards from Paris

"Actually, Paris is the most beautiful in the rain" - Midnight in Paris

(Above: Pont Alexandre III)

The first time I went to Paris, I fell in love with the city and discovered that I had a sweet tooth for macarons. On this second trip, I got to explore the city slowly, learn and adapt to the Parisian life and appreciate parisian fashion.

(Above: Galeries Lafayette)

This was my first time travelling to Europe in winter and during the festive season. I have to admit, although the weather was gloomy, it was actually really beautiful. I think Paris has its own charm during winter and the fashion is amazing. I appreciated and observed how people dressed and it made me wish we had more of a fashion scene here back at home.

During the first week in Paris, we stayed close to Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann. It was the perfect location close to food, shopping and the Opera. If you're looking for places to shop, here are my top places to visit:

• Galeries Lafayette or Printemps: both of these department stores house all the fashion brands as well as local fashion brands. Even if you're not there to shop, the display windows are amazing and well put together. There's a rooftop at the top level which has a nice view of Paris from above and they have all sorts of pastries, macarons and dessert in their food hall.

• Le Marais: A chic neighbourhood with local brands and a great place to find vintage and boutique french stores.

• Avenue Des Champ Elysées: a well known and iconic shopping promenade which has a range of shops from Zara to Ladurée to local souvenirs. 

• Outlet shopping: if you're after a good bargain, the outlet shopping centres are just a 45 min bus ride away and has a range of fashion brands for everyone. 10/10 would recommend. If you're going there, I'd recommend staying a full day at the outlet to maximise all shopping time!

Also don't forget that you can claim up to 13% tax back for all tourists (more incentive to spend hehehe).

(Above: Eiffel Tower)

(Above: Palais Royal)

(Above: Lunch at Le George) 

Pastries and dessert in Paris is amazing. Whether its starting the day with a pain au chocolat or having lunch whilst people watching, the food is delicious. Paris has many michelin star restaurants and if you enjoy food, I would recommend at least trying one.

We went to the one michelin star restaurant, Le George which was located at the Four Seasons Hotel. The restaurant specialised in Italian food. For starters we had bread and shredded crab, vervena and red peppers. For mains we had the Guinea fowl ravioli Del Plin with truffle, Veal agnolotti and mushroom cream and Baked sea bream with white wine sauce. For dessert we ordered the Shades of Hazelnut and crispy mocha to share!

(Above: Laduree)

(Above: Place Vendome)

(Above: The Louvre)

(Above: Hot chocolate and lunch at Angelina)

(Above: Flagship Chanel store at 31 Rue Cambon)

(Above: High Tea at the Peninsula)

The best way to beat the weather and stay warm is to eat more food and sip on a hot drink. We tried the signature high tea at the Peninsula Hotel. Other great places include Angelina (best hot chocolate tbh) and macarons at Ladurée or Pierre Hermé.

Or even escape the cold by visiting museums or the opera. We visited the Musee D'Orsay and waited 2 hours to get in (so if you're going in winter, make sure you layer up). We also visited the Palais Garnier which was the inspiration for the Phantom of the Opera. The architecture is amazing and I would recommend visiting if you're a Phantom fan!

(Above: Palais Garnier)

(Above: Musee D'orsay)

(Above: Palace of Versailles)

During the second part of our trip, we stayed at Madeleine which was close to the shops located at Madeleine and Champ Elysee. Every morning we were greeted with a sunrise and the eiffel tower on our balcony and at night, we would watch the eiffel tower sparkle and do its magic through the window.

(Above: View of the Eiffel Tower from our room)

(Above: Dior store)

It's so easy to fall in love with Paris. The food, architecture and the history is amazing. I hope this has inspired you for your next trip!

All photos taken by iPhone X and FujiFilm x 100.

Autumn/Winter Trends

Although we are still amidst summer and high UV rays, Autumn is just around the corner (yay!). Spending winter in Paris in December/January really makes me wish winter was here. Here's my take on the trends that you might be wearing for the 2019 AW season.

Layering

Layering is all about playing with volume and textures and something everyone can easily do. Pair similar knits and colours for a classic look or patterns for a contrasting look. Balenciaga's 2018 Ready to Wear collection showed us how everyone should be layering their clothes this winter.

Above: Look 67 from Balenciaga Fall 2018 Ready to Wear (Image from Vogue)

Tweed 

The House of Chanel is the bible to how tweed should be worn. It's such a versatile material as it could be a Tweed skirt, tweed jacket, tweed top, tweed bag - the list goes on.

Knee boots

Put your best foot forward with a pair of knee boots. Whether its flat or has a slight heel, it can instantly make your outfit go from casual to going out. If you haven't invested in a pair already, I'd recommend getting one to add to your shoe collection.

One-tone dressing

Although it may take a few outfit changes to get it right, the best way to master one-tone dressing is to do it with tailored pieces - such as a matching jacket and trouser. Using layers of the same colour can create texture and a bold statement.


Right: Look 12 from Chanel Fall 2018 Ready to Wear (Image from Vogue)

The Trench
A timeless classic which gives just the right amount of warmth during Autumn and great for layering during the colder months. Burberry is an expert in this department and I think it's something that will always be used in your wardrobe!

Above: Look 7 from Burberry Pre-Fall 2019 show (Image from Vogue/Burberry)

Note: All images do not belong to me and have been credited and linked.

May Trend Report

Don't know what trends are going on at the moment? At least you can be relieved that clear jeans will not be on the top trends for this month. I don't really know how that became a 'thing' but regardless, here are my top trends for May.

Embroidery
It's everywhere. Jeans, jackets, bags and dresses. A touch of embroidery can make a dress look playful and different. Even if the embroidery is small, remember its the small details that counts (and people do notice!).

Velvet
Velvet is back and is staying for the colder months. Its bold, it feels expensive and it looks good. My personal favorite is pairing a velvet camisole with a pair of jeans and heels for a simple yet sophisticated look for dinner.

                                                  

                 Ralph Lauren Collection (left), Vanessa Seward (right)

Pleats/Midi skirts
Pleats + knitted jumper + boots or sneakers can take your look from day to night. Balance the outfit by making sure you don't wear too baggy on the top. Stick to simple tops/tees/jumpers as the main focus is on the skirt!

Valentino (left), Selena Gomez (right)

The 'it' Coat

Doesn't matter which year it is, the coat will always be a must have for your fall/winter wardrobe. It's the last thing you put on before heading out the door, but trust me, its the first thing people notice when you're walking down the street. Whether it be a fur coat, a cape or an oversized coat, I would keep an eye out for any coats that can be used every season without going out of style. To be safe, stick to neutral colours but once in a while, play the wild card and get a bright colour.

Bella Hadid (left), Hailey Baldwin (centre), Miranda Kerr (right)

Mules

Meet your new shoe obsession - the mule. It started off with the infamous Gucci Fur Mules and suddenly it was everywhere. Chanel jumped on the bandwagon and put a classic twist on their mule with a pearl studded heel. Who knows what's next but these heels are coveted by many.

Aimee Song wearing Chanel Heels (left), Alexa Chung wearing Gucci Loafers (right)

TPFF 2016 MANNING CARTELL SHOW

September is probably one of the busiest months for the fashion world - New York Fashion week, London Fashion week and Milan Fashion week (etc etc) showcases the upcoming trends and the new “it” items we need in our wardrobes. So what better way to celebrate fashion week by attending the Fashion Shows held throughout the second last week of September in Perth?

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This year I attended the Manning Cartell Show because I love love love their designs and patterns. The clothes are unique and can be worn to formal events or dressed down for a casual event. The show consisted of pastel hues, earth tones and flowing dresses for the new season. The models wore silver metallic heels (which I loveeeed) which I predict will be in for the Spring season. There were pops of pinks, orange, metallic silver, white and beige but overall, it was definitely a well presented collection!

Although another highlight of the night is not only viewing a fashion show but sometimes (if you’re lucky), some of the bachelor contestants attend the show to watch. Last year was Blake Garvey and this year I saw Alex (Go team Nikki)! :P

H&M Skirt | Zara Top | Valentino Rock Stud Heels | Jean Paul Gaultier for Atelier Swarovski Necklace

The TPFF has always been a successful event with many volunteers and hard work put in before the show. Volunteering for the TPFF once many years ago made me appreciate the effort and time people put in for these shows and I would highly recommend attending a show next year (for the photos, food, champagne, dressing up and oh did I mention more photos?)!! 

Photo Credits to M.D

How to: Effortless Style

Images via: Pinterest 

Effortless Style is what I generally try to aim for- this means an outfit that looks different by throwing on different pieces and making the outfit look stylish but effortless. This gives off the vibe that you didn't put any 'effort' in (but you actually did which is pretty much the story of my life). So if you're going to try and use this style, here's my take on the Do's and Dont's!

1 | Do invest in classic pieces

I know they never go on sale or they're too 'basic' but trust me, you'll wear these pieces over and over again and its a good basic piece if you want to layer on with coats and jumpers! Other pieces like jeans, white tee, LBD or LWD are pieces that you'll wear over and over again. Although, still invest in fashion trends but don't go overboard as they can go out of season fast.

2 | Don't wear too many statement pieces

There's a reason why they're called "Statement Pieces". If you're going out to a formal event, don't overdo the jewellery but keep it simple and balanced. If you're heading out for brunch, wear 1-2 pieces like a really nice jacket and a bag to complete the look. Pick 1-2 pieces that you want to stand out- don't put on any more than 3 pieces that may stand out as it'll detract from the main piece.

3 | Do play with proportions

This means wearing baggy and oversized clothes the right way. Don't wear a baggy top and a baggy skirt- its a fashion disaster and I learnt that the hard way. For example, if you're wearing an oversized jumper then go with a tight skirt. 

4 | Do wear something that reflects your style

If its taking so long to put together one outfit, the best way is to go with your instinct and wear something your comfortable in. At the end of the day, it'll make you feel good and give you confidence since you're comfortable in what you're wearing. There's no point in wearing something and stressing out the whole night thinking 'does this look good?' or 'should I have worn the other dress!?' as it causes unnecessary stress :P

Images via: Pinterest 

5 | Do be practical

I'm probably the worst when it comes to this but do be practical. If its raining, don't wear your new open toe stilettos. Or if its a garden wedding, make sure to get either heel stoppers or wear wedges instead. Although I live by the rule 'fashion is pain', I still need to be practical.

I apologise for the late posts! May has been a busy month with exams and now since its holidays, I'll be churning out more posts :)

x

Autumn X Winter Edit

It's finally my favourite time of the year again! Rain, boots, chunky knits, layering, scarves, coats and tea are some of my favourite things during the cold season. If you haven't started cleaning out your wardrobe and making space for winter or have no idea what to invest in this season, then here are my personal top 8 Autumn/Winter 'must have items' for this season.

1 | The Leather Jacket
Never underestimate how cool you'll look in a leather jacket because just wearing one elevates your outfit to a whole new level. Throw on a simple white tee with a pair of jeans and a leather jacket will give off an effortless chick look.

2 | Chunky Knit
Everything about cold weather is about layering and knits and there's no such thing as too many jumpers! Camel, wool knits, turtle necks and dotted jumpers are in this season.

3 | The Ankle Boot
If you're not keen on investing in anything, then invest in a pair of ankle boots because they're always in season and you'll get lots of use out of it! Whether it be ankle boots, high knee boots or a simple flat boot, its so easy to dress up and dress down an outfit.

Above: Senso Kelsey II Boots, Senso Bailey VII Boots and Tony Bianco Reggie Boots.

4 | The White Shirt
In every wardrobe, a white shirt must exist. It's versatile and you'll rely on it for nearly every occasion. Witchery does the "White Shirt Campaign" and sells the classic white shirts in a variety of styles for everyone.

5 | The Winter Coat
Finding the perfect winter coat isn't as easy as everyone thinks. I find it really hard to find a coat that fits well and one that's not too big or long (short people problems). But when you do find one, the feeling you get is one of the best feelings ever (sorry its a bit cheesy but its true... shopping makes everyone happy!)

This season its all about the grey and camel tones. If you haven't found a coat for winter, I'd suggest you go with grey or black coat as you'll get more use out of it- but if you've got too many coats and want something different then go with a sleeveless coat and pair it with a turtle neck knit and ripped jeans.

 

Above: Forever New Camel Wrap Coat, Witchery Tie Wrap Coat and Seed Sleeveless Coat.

6 | Winter Cape
Capes are one of my favourite winter pieces because you can dress them up or down. If you're opting for a thicker and heavier cape, just be cautious with layering as you don't want to over layer it.

Tip: Wear something fitted under the cape so it balances the outfit.

7 | Knitted Ribbed Midi Skirts or the A-line Skirt
These skirts can be worn casually with sneakers or with a pair of chunky boots and is a great basic piece for layering.

8 | Scarves
Accessories make such a huge difference and can give an outfit a completely different look. Chunky scarfs and snoods are fashionable and practical (bonus points!).

 Above: Seed Reverse Wrap Scarf and Decjuba Knit Scarf

I hope this has hopefully inspired your winter wardrobe or given you a sudden surge of inspiration :)

Being festive

Sass & Bide Pants | Zara Heels | Bardot Top | Celine Knot Bangle | YSL Arty Ring

Photos taken by Mel

I've always had a thing for cut outs or flowy pants- especially since Culottes came into season recently. When I saw these Sass & Bide pants from the Kiss the Sky collection, I immediately had to try it due to its cut and fit which gave off a simple and sophisticated look. Whether I dress it up with a pair of heels or dressed down simply by tying the ends of the pants together around the ankles with a pair of flats, it's versatile nature has won me over and it has become a favourite in the wardrobe.

Something New

Zara Dress | Asos Cape | Chanel Bag | Valentino Rockstuds Shoes | Swarovski Bracelets | YSL Arty Ring

Photography: Taken at the Perth Fashion Festival 2015 by Marie.

Hey there,

For those who don't know me, my name is Fiona and I've created this blog as a creative outlet and a place to write about things I love and have an interest in.

I'll try to update this blog regularly and I hope you do enjoy it!