Personal Style, Fashion and Lifestyle Blog.

Check Mate...


You'd be hard pushed to have missed the 'check' trend, IT.IS.EVERYWHERE!


It first hit my radar in the Spring courtesy of Topshop with this print..;




Bristol To Bondi...Part 3


Day 3...

It was this morning (my 3rd morning there), just after we had picked up coffee that I realised I'd only been there 48 hours, it honestly had felt like I'd been there weeks by this point, in a good way obviously! 

Today was a special day, the reason (in the main) why I was on the other side of the world...If you've followed the link to Andrea's post (from my first Bristol to Bondi post) then this will make sense, if you haven't and you just like looking at pictures and clothes, this is also fair enough...I would! 

The Spring temperatures cranked right up to bring another scorcher in Bondi, we walked the 'famous' (everyone talks about it if you're there or have been there) Bondi to Coogee walk, which is a slog... An up hill/steps/uneven ground slog! That said, it has the most incredible scenery and let's be honest, it's perfect for people watching and drooling over the most luxurious homes set into the landscape (over looking the ocean and beaches), I have EVER seen...Just when you think you've seen it all, there's something bigger, more elegant around the corner. The locals run this 5km trail in the crazy hot temperatures, I felt like I was gonna' combust just plodding along it!



This place is Icebergs, a restaurant come public swimming pool that looks over the beach and set into the coast line...This is actually one of my pictures (i.e. not robbed off another site), taken on my iPhone no less...A moment in time that actually I'm reasonably smug about! 

So, back to what we wore...(clearly I'm not ditching the reason I'm here for scenery shots)...

Saturday night saw a whole group of friends meet up at The Shangri La in the centre of Sydney for cocktails on the 36 floor..I had no idea what awaited us... We had to be there for 5pm to get a table... no bookings, first come first served...Just a little after 5.30pm the place was full (not in a shoulder to shoulder way, comfortably full) and we were on the 'list' for a table...There were guests in black tie, ball gowns, full uniform and then general smart/fabulousness, everyone had somewhere to be after clearly however, started their evening here...

I'd packed half my wardrobe but still, I ended up in something new and something borrowed (lets be honest, permanent loan)...The photos were a bit rushed as we were running late, probably due to the fact the the humidity had taken control of my locks and there wasn't anything I/my trusty straighteners could do about it!..;



Top - (now the property of moi from Andrea's wardrobe) - Peplum top with exposed zip detail on the back, Topshop last year.

Belt - ASOS bought last Christmas...It doesn't get much airtime as far as my accessories go, probably because I still questioned whether I looked like a superhero in it..

Skirt - This little gem was purchased just the day before in our quick rampage around the North Sydney shops. It's from Sheike (not online but check out their skirts here). I know I mentioned in my last post how much I loved this store...their pieces are just that little bit different to those in the UK and with regards to this particular skirt, I loved the cut at the bottom which, also carried on around the back...

Heels - These are the £12 Primark beauties that have (and still get) so much love, £12 people, £12...!! 


Superhero accessory...


I LOVE THIS OUTFIT!!! 

Lace top - Purchased from Topshop earlier this year. I had tried this on early Spring time and never purchased...Andrea assured me it was back on line and YES, it's here (and in my cart!!)

Skirt - Again, Topshop earlier this year, along with the shoes too!

The detail...

We watched the sunset from the 36 floor panoramic view at The Shangri La (click here for an incredible picture of the view on their homepage) over the Sydney Harbour bridge and the Opera House before heading off for food (only because we had to) and then dancing at Bungalow 8 in Darling Harbour...(FYI - Darling Harbour is just that, rammed full of incredible vessels with vast queues of revellers waiting to board for drinks and dancing...)


From our table at The Shangri La...The Harbour Bridge at Sunset.
Day 4...

Once the hangovers cleared, it was time to shop...The venue; Bondi Junction, an enormous piece of retail heaven under the Westfield ownership!!


Pre shopping coffee whilst admiring the Festival of Wind (1,000's of kites) on the beach..



Bag - Mulberry Cecily as featured here.
Cami - Topshop, buy here.
Trousers - New from Zara before I left, buy here.
Sunglasses - Chanel.

First stop (why break tradition), Zara!! It's weird, The Aussies are just going into Spring, in some cases it was like stepping back in time with the stock yet, there were still stacks of rails with exciting new stuff I hadn't seen! I'm guessing we were in there an hour, maybe more... who knows...What I do know is that we had more than the 10 items each for the changing room and (even when narrowed down) came out with a few bags!


Both clutching our (soon to be) buys at the till!

There were also significant purchases made in Portmans, again, another firm Aussie favourite for me now too!




The evidence and the wine... A productive day with my shopping partner!


More to follow on these purchases in Part 4, the final instalment!

x

Bristol to Bondi...Part 2


I had every intention of getting my next posts up A.SAP...I didn't factor in the fact that the jet lag was gonna' hit me as hard as sledgehammer slung by the strongest person in the world, twice!...Since coming back I was straight back to work for 2 days and have crammed in getting my hair cut and coloured and some sleep...I still haven't unpacked!!

So anyways, here goes...The next part of the adventure in Oz (read part 1 here).




Day 2...

The best thing about the spontaneous trip is that nothing was planned and we kinda' just made it up as we went along...Andrea and I are exactly the same, we don't do sitting around all that well. Naturally, I was awake from 4am and trying to work out when was socially acceptable to run and jump on her bed!! After she (finally) stirred we spent quality time going through her wardrobe, trying on, swapping clothes, putting looks together and then we darted into Sydney for a 'quick' trip around the shops..;



This little haul is about an hours work... Andrea and I have always shopped very well together! 

Training stopped play (shopping that is) ...Not just any old training, training with her insane (but bloody lovely) PT, Andrew! I'm not sure Andrew (of gold medal fame, no less) quite realised what had hit him when we both whirl winded into the gym...Still a great sessions that I could feel 3 days after!! 


I remained bright red for about 2 hours after!

Andrea getting her sweat ON!
That evening we went into Sydney for pre-dinner cocktails at the award winning Eau De Vie. The surroundings, drinks, ambiance and company were truly fantastic!! What we wore..;



Dress - From Bella Sorella as featured here
Shoes - Valentino as featured here
Clutch - Old Topshop leather box clutch
Armwear - Stolen from Andrea

A lot of love for the leopard print bangle!


Dress - From our haul earlier that day from Sheike (which, is one of my new favourite Aussie stores annnnnnd, who ship overseas!!)
Heels - Topshop earlier this year.
Clutch - Aldo.
Strut - Her own!

Poor pic - This is our equivalent of our baby photos in the back of a town car!

Warm up drinks - Mojitos in jam jars!

Joined by the gorgeous Mel who, introduced me to my next favourite Aussie Store...
We dined at The Victoria Rooms, if you ever find yourself in Sydney, you MUST! Basically it like tapas (so you just order loads of dishes) but, the variety and quality is In.Cred.I.Ble...;


This was just half the table..

I hope you've enjoyed 'Part 2'...

x




Bristol to Bondi...The Big Surprise!


G'Day...

For those of you that follow me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook will know why I've been a little quiet of late...Basically, I had been planning a huge surprise visit to my bestie over in Oz...and now I'm back!! 

I appreciate that Sydney is the other side of the world and a fairly long way to travel for 6 days however, I knew that Andrea (bestie of 20 years!) needed a hug and her 'right arm' over this last weekend. If you want to know more about the whys or, have suffered/suffering from grief then please feel free to read Andrea's honest (and very raw) post here.

It's no secret I prepare for packing waaaay in advance, the thing is with this trip is 1) I only booked it 3 weeks before going 2) I had no idea what the plans would be once I landed soooo, my approach was pack for every eventuality and just see what happens!

On Tuesday last week I headed to Heathrow ready for the 24 hour journey...17,500km to be fairly more precise!



I travelled in a fairly basic outfit that I knew would work in both climates before and after as well as be fairly 'smartish' for the flight...As it was a serious long haul, I also packed cotton PJ's to change into and a whole host of travel toiletries...(turns out none of these were needed...keep reading)..

As my time in Oz was brief in the grand scheme of things, I opted to travel Business Class...I needed to hit the ground running when I got there and in all honesty, this girl needs her sleep! It turns out that paying that bit more gets you soooo much more...;


The lounge at Heathrow

The free Spa in the lounge..

The foot massage I had...you know, just passing the time...

Back waiting for the flight...

In my own little sleep pod...

Drinking my body weight in Lanson, because I could!
The first part of the journey was Heathrow into Abu Dhabi, just a mere 7 hours. From there, it was more Business Class lounge action with drinks, more food (I'm pretty sure I had 4 breakfasts in a 6 hour period..). There was just enough time for a shower and then onto a Virgin Australia flight for 14+ hours!

The Virgin flight was incredible...my own sleep suite (!!), more champagne, food cooked on demand, PJ's, high end toiletries, ladies own bathroom and then all I had to do is let them know when I wanted my bed making up!!! One could get very used to this...;




Cheers from the sleep suite!

Bagged PJ's!
Salt 'n' Pepper pots on Virgin Australia..*not my image*

Normally, I'd be sending regular updates on this sort of excitement to Andrea, instead, I calmly air punched every time I went to the loo...Granted, the pending surprise kept the adrenaline going!

I'd been plotting the surprise with Andrea's hubby, we had gone through various scenarios and decided that he'd take her for breakfast (as they do out there) and I'd kinda' just appear...

When I landed I was straight in a car and in Bondi (Andrea's home...there must be worse places, I'm just not sure where..) within a matter of half an hour. I nervously waited their arrival...To kill time I was messaging her asking what her plans were etc... I wished her a good day, said goodnight (as that is what it should have been for me in the UK) and said I'd speak to her later....

The next part was the surprise...I waited (not very) patiently out the back of the restaurant... See the video here which takes me from my hiding place to the surprise! I have watched this so many times and still can't hold it together! (Disclaimer...I had just got off a 14+ hour flight, please ignore the hair!!)


The shock!

The realisation!

A panoramic from their apartment in North Bondi...breathtaking!
The rest of the day we drank champagne, lunched and had drinks later on...I didn't get a good picture of our outfits on this night however, rest assured the next few posts will feature outfits, shopping buys and the incredible places we went!

x

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