Dinner Date // Union, Plaza Senayan

I love that floral dresses are always 'in' every spring and summer; they're pretty and feminine, and even though they're the simplest thing to just slip on, they also transition well from day to unexpected dinner date.

The latest addition to my floral collection is from New Look, a popular, very budget-friendly British store. It's one of those stores that I often find nothing in but then a season hits and there's a bunch of items I really like. I spotted the red of this dress as I was passing the shop entrance and although I had no intention of doing any shopping that day (isn't that what we always say?!) the V-neck, A-line and short sleeves is something I know always works well on me. Add that to the floral print, and it was basically sold before I even tried it on.

One of our new favourite places in Jakarta is a restaurant/bar called Union. It has the feel of a Parisian cafe and does cocktails to die for. This was a school night though, so instead we just headed to Coldstone after dinner to share ice-cream.

Some very important decisions being made.

Coldstone for dessert

The prettiest gift wrap store. Even though it's tiny I always have to go in just to look at the beautiful things inside.

After dinner and ice-cream, I took an opportunity to snap a quick iPhone outfit selfie in a changing room. I have to confess...I haven't quite got the courage to stand and have outfit photos taken in public here yet. It was so easy in Korea, no-one ever batted an eyelid since they're such a click-happy nation. It's socially acceptable expected that you take selfies - girls, guys, mums, dads, sometimes grandmas...everyone takes 'selcas' (Korean word for them - from self camera) everywhere!  It's also not uncommon to see couples or groups of friends doing full photo-shoots of one another in the street for no particular reason. Here it's quite a different story; just trying to take a few shots at Christmas time I drew plenty of funny looks. I know I'll just have to suck it up and get on with it sometime, but until then, please bear with me!

Outfit Details
Floral Dress - New Look 
Pashli Bag - Phillip Lim via Shopbop
Ring - J.Crew (old)
Spiked Necklace - H&M (Not online but this season)

Watch - Marc Jacobs via Shopbop

Anyone else get really embarrassed doing outfit shots? Have any of you got any tips on how to make the whole process bearable with lots of eyes on you? I'd love to hear if you have

Road Tripping // And Loving Luuuuurve Motels

My road trip seems like an eternity ago thanks to the last two weeks being crazy hectic! I'll fill you in on a bit of what's going on with me in another post, but right now I want catch you up on my mini-adventure. Road tripping is an absolute favourite of mine, I love to chatter and sing in the car as we cruise along the highways and detour around the sights. I love that feeling of being on the road, going wherever you please along the way, don't you?

For this trip, we headed down the country stopping off for a night in one of Korea's lesser known cities along the way. We took a walk around one of the popular districts and found a shabby chic restaurant to enjoy a few drinks over dinner before finding a place to stop for the night. Usually when we visit new places we book ahead, opting for the safety of a hotel. In Korea though motels are hugely popular (mostly thanks to a lot of extramarital activity and young couples looking for places to eeehmmm....hide-out??) and quite unlike what we westerners think of as a motel. For a start, there are hundreds of them in every city and even the small towns, mostly all doing a roaring trade. They do of course come in a full range of stereotypically drab, dodgy looking rooms that would be apt settings for a thriller movie. But, they also have various styles of themed motels and some insanely gaudy 'luxury' motels. We decided we'd try one out ourselves after spotting a 'luxury brand' themed one in the area. Sadly the Chanel and Prada rooms were all full when we arrived, but we managed to bag a Louis Vuitton room for only $50 (that's got to be the cheapest Louis Vuitton you can buy!) complete with neon LED lighting and a massive jacuzzi bathtub. 

Let me tell you, pulling into a private garage with automatic doors that slide down immediately behind you, getting out of your car to be serenaded by piped music as you walk up your private staircase to an automated check in on the wall outside the room (so there's not one person who can physically identify you as ever having been there), it's certainly a unique experience that's sure to make you feel just a touch seedy even in the most 'luxury' of the motels. And if all that doesn't (trust me, it will), then the free 'his and hers' gift bags in the room sure will! You don't even want to know some of the things that were in them amongst the toiletries. Seediness aside, the room was actually probably one of the best $50 we've ever spent. It had all the mod-cons, complimentary everything and we spent a good 15-minutes checking out the various rainbow lighting patterns. I really should have taken more photos, but honestly we were just having such a laugh, it was hilarious! 

We woke up early and hit the road for a little exploring on the 'scenic route', stopping off for bagels and coffee along the way. We made it to our main destination, the coastal city of Busan, in the evening. We  had an awesome dinner and took in some of the famous city sights. We had booked ourselves a hotel for the night, which much to my disappointment, despite being astronomically more expensive than the previous night, did not have rainbow lighting or even a hint of gaudiness. No, it was just nice, and luxurious, and chic, and civilised, and...well...quite frankly, boring! Thankfully it did have the comfiest and possibly biggest bed I've ever had the joy of sinking into, so at least that was something!

The next day we hit the road again for a little more exploring in the area, coffee and some shopping before embarking on the trip back. I have a million photos of beautiful landscapes and weird 'you wouldn't see that back home' type photos but for the purposes of keeping things brief and not boring you to death, here are just a few.

Cruising along the Asian highway...to Turkey?

 

OOTD  //  Breton Sweater - H&M  /  Skirt - Zara  /  Watch - Marc Jacobs  /  Bracelets - BheartB

Brunch pit-stop

Bus stop miles from anywhere

Made it to Busan. It's Korea's second largest city and sits on the edge of sea at the very south of the country.

Tired travel face.

Luxury just doesn't feel as fun anymore!

Got to get my morning Starbies in. Coffee addict.
 OOTD  //  Sandals - Topshop (similar)  /  Affirmation Bracelet - BCBG  /  Turquoise Bracelets - BheartB

What do you think of road trips? Have you ever stayed in a motel? Bet it wasn't as fun as mine, huh?!

x x x

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New In // Zara Floral Shorts

OUTFIT  //  Shorts - Zara (here) //  Blouse - (Similar)  //  Bracelets - All BheartB (here, here & here)
Watch - Marc Jacobs (here)  //  Bag - Prada  //  Tassel necklace - BheartB (here)

I've been making a real effort to avoid the likes of Zara and H&M lately. I decided I should try to save money for investment pieces rather than 'fast fashion' items. I think I mentioned this a while ago. But....we all know how good Zara is...I should have known it was dangerous to go even in eyesight of the store. I spotted these shorts from outside as I passed by the doorway, the bright pink and orange floral lured me in. And well, as they say, the rest is history. 

I'm not too disappointed with myself though, I really love these. They're the perfect cut for me and the print is right up my (rather girly) street. The tailored style allows them to be worn smart or casual depending what you choose to pair them with. A simple blouse with the sleeves rolled back always makes for an easy laid-back combination. Not such a bad buy really!

Do you manage to save for investment pieces or are you like me and you struggle to stay away from the high-street stores?

x x x

PS: As everybody must have heard by now, Google Friend Connect is ending soon. I'm going to be using Bloglovin' to follow and read blogs from now on. Click on the button below to follow me there :)

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Cherry Blossoms

 

Outfit //  Blouse - Mango  //  Pashli Bag - Phillip Lim  //  Oversized blazer - Similar  // Heart Necklace - Similar
Pumps - Similar  //  Watch - Marc Jacobs  // Fairfax sunglasses - Elizabeth & James

I spoke too soon about the weather. I should have known better. You wouldn't think it. but these photos were taken in the rare bit of sunshine we've had this week. Basically, since I posted about how spring was finally here, we've had almost nothing but grey skies and rain. Brilliant! Sorry people of Korea, I guess I jinxed it.

Still, I'm staying positive and trying to channel the spring feeling in my outfits. I took a little inspiration from the beautiful pale pink cherry blossoms for this outfit. This was the first outing of my new Mango blouse, I love the pretty Guipure lace detail and it's even long enough to cover my bum (something I like with jeans, but sadly don't get from many blouses being quite a tall person). I wore it with an oversized boyfriend blazer and skinny jeans.

Do you reckon I jinxed the weather? If I say I'm really excited to wear my red Hunters at the weekend do you think the sun will shine? Actually, wearing wellies or having sunshine...it's a win win situation for me ;)

x x x

- Shop The Look -

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So Long January // Plaid and Sparkles

I thought I'd sneak in a quick outfit post before January is up. This is one of my current 'go-to' outfits when I just can't be that bothered, which...I'll be honest, has been quite a large portion of January. It's just such a cold and dreary month, it makes me want to lay on my sofa and do little else. I'm quite happy to be seeing the back of it and hoping it's all up from here.

When I have had to do something, this oversized plaid shirt has been a comfy option that I've thrown on a few more times than I care to admit. Mine's from Uniqlo a few months back, but if you're after the same oversized style you could always just buy a men's plaid shirt. Currently, you'll mostly find me wearing mine with black leggings and a jacket or vest (like the pics). I reckon it's going to be slowly transitioned into my 'lazy spring wardrobe' with some skinny jeans and sparkly pumps, though. 

Plaid is one of those timeless things that works it's way in and out of fashion trends. It's casual and durable and although it's not the most feminine of prints (nothing very ladylike about lumberjacks is there!) if you contrast it with some sparkly accessories it can look fab! I'm partial to pairing mine with my gorgeous 'Audrey' necklace from EllandEmm on Etsy and a little arm candy too, of course!

Shirt - Uniqlo //  Leggings - Here  //  Biker boots - Here  //  Necklace - Here  //  Bag - Bally

Who else loves a plaid shirt for the casual easy option? How do you wear your plaid?


xxx



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Christmas 2012 // Photo Diary

The best way to start Christmas day and get into the festive spirit.

Perfect winter morning  //  Snow on the ground and clear blue skies 

Santa came!!

This one was definitely not wrapped by the Mr!!  //  Nails - OPI Black Onyx and InnisFree Glitter 112

Unwrapping gifts in the morning sunshine :)

Thank you so much Santa, you know me so well!!

My favourite christmas morning tradition  //  Smoked salmon with cracked black pepper and lemon. And, some champagne to wash it down.

Heading out for Christmas lunch  //  Bag & Coat - Zara

Black suede studded bag - Zara  //  Watch - Marc by Marc Jacobs via Nordstrom  //  Tassel Necklace - HRH  

I think the photographer has had one too many glasses of champagne by this point!

Back home to curl up in front of some Christmas movies

Tucking into a late night (second) Christmas feast. Tis the season after all!

A perfect Christmas day.

So, how was yours? I hope you had a wonderful day, leave a link if you did a post about it, I'd love to see what you did and what Santa brought you!


xxx

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