EXPLORING LDN | SHOREDITCH - #OOTD

I've been paying some serious attention to my style these past few months; experimenting, seeing what works and trying to find a consistency within it. 

Comfort, functionality and versatility are all of key importance to me, and so I've been slowly building up a wardrobe of interchangeable basics and staples and I'm really really happy with how its shaping up. 

I've definitely got my moneys worth out of this mac I bought back in March, it goes with everything, is the ideal finishing touch to most outfits and perfect for the notorious 'in-between' British weather.

Totally unintentional specsavers ad. lols.

This white v-neck t-shirt from H&M is 'the one.' I'm actually getting irrationally worried I won't be able to find it again; it hangs in a really flattering way and is one of those essential staples I've been collating. I find a white t-shirt makes any outfit look effortless and crisp - the pinnacle of adaptability.

I was so happy when we found a COS - it embodies the style I'm smitten with. 

I'm super chuffed with my navy straight leg trousers I got from H&M - (the ones I showed in a previous post) - they fit like a dream, are comfortable, light, and contribute a composed, chic element to an outfit which I'm really diggin'. Its so nice to have another trouser option other than just jeans, they add a formality which jeans never can - they are regimented, but relaxed and I love them. A strong addition to my wardrobe. Plus, I'm totally down with anything navy. 

'The Viv' ,as she's affectionately called, is the queen of my wardrobe. She goes with anything and everything and I'm so thankful for her.

I've always admired an ambiguous and androgynous approach to styling; I find it so aesthetically pleasing, so simplistic and uncomplicated - the coolest of the cool. Its one of my many inspirations that I like to incorporate when it comes to my own style, and something I that I find always looks effective and fresh. 

There's always inspiration to be taken from your future, immaculately dressed boyfriend...

EXPLORING LDN | SHOREDITCH (30/05/15)

I HAD THE MOST AMAZING SATURDAY.

It was utterly and wholly triumphant.

I was brimming with a euphoric sense of fulfilment on the train home. The day was absolutely chock-full with inspiration all around; fashion, food, art, style - so much amazing style my eyes could have probably ejected from their sockets. The buildings, the shops. Its such an enlivening and prevailing part of London, its one of those places that has so much too see and I have fallen in love as I had expected. My body ached when I was in bed that evening, I was stiff as a board; my theory behind it being that it was because I was in a continual state of attentive, engaged excitement all day - I've never felt so present. 

My eye was bloodshot when I got home. Maybe it was because I saw too much. 

Because I have so much to say/show/rant on about, I'll break up my day into sections, to make it a little more digestible. 

So, I hope you enjoy my #SHOREDITCHSPAM as much as I enjoyed documenting it!

STUFF I DID #2 (MAY BANK HOLIDAY)

1) I made French toast.

I'd been wanting to make it for an age, but either never fancied it or, quite frankly, couldn't be bothered. Whilst happily scouring Pinterest for a recipe, I came across one for 'Fried Honey Banana', so to make it a little more interesting and somewhat challenging, I thought I'd have a go at that an'all!

It was actually super simple! I replaced the Honey with Maple Syrup (ma fave) and threw in some Bloobs because I liked the idea of warm fruit with the maple taste - YUM. 

RECIPE HERE - Fried Honey Banana!

Twas lovely. The perfect home-made Sunday brunch. Indulgent, filling, easy, but surprisingly enough, not as HORRIFIC for you health wise as it looks. Its like having dessert for breakfast...and who wouldn't want that?! 

2) Recieved late birthday gifts

Birthday presents in the form of Primark pyjama bottoms are just pure WIN. I'd been eyeing up the biscuit ones for the longest time, and am so happy they're now mine. I literally love them so much; Primark pyjama bottoms make me super haps!

3) Nails: painted

I got this shade for my birthday as a little extra gift from someone for my birthday; its a No7 polish in the shade 'Neptune'. I've never used No7 nail polish before, so didn't know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised. The brush was rounded and fat - which I love - it allows for an easy application and helps with neatness since the shape of the brush compliments the shape of the cuticle. The colour itself is a good mixture of navy and grey, a colour I don't have in my collection, and with a slick of a glossy top coat, looks uber chic and polished. (Pardon the pun.)

4) Found more beautiful things on Pinterest...

So. Seriously. How BEAUTIFUL is this cafe?! When having my nightly scour of Pinterest before bed, I found this and fell in love. Aesthetics, aesthetics, aesthetics. Simplicity, minimalism - just gawjus dahhhhling. OH! and the name! Oh so cute. I would love to go here very much. *adds to list with an unavoidable urgency

So charming and elegant. Just so very perfect. Beautiful. Like I said in a previous post, its looking at places like this that fill me with drive and ambition.

I was so happy when this popped up during my peruse; this place is on my list - 'THE LIST' - along with other Scandinavian bakeries, but I never managed to remember to research what it looked like. Funnily enough, I was talking to a Swedish native with whom I work with, who has visited Scandinavian bakeries in London, and she highly recommended this one, saying it was the most authentic she had been to - how can I possibly ignore that recommendation! It looks so warm and inviting and homely; its makes me even more eager to visit!

5) 'FITSPO' Findings

Simple. To the point. Honest. 

'I'll go tomorrow' runs through the mind of most people with a gym membership, and this 'no excuses', ballsy approach slapping you in the face is, sometimes, just what you need to get your, potentially exceptionally pert, bottom into gear. Its a perfect line to remember on one of those days.

When I first joined the gym, and for a good while after, I saw cardio as 10-20 minutes of torture. I really did not enjoy it, at all. But now, I enjoy it; I'm a slave to the treadmill. I tend to do between 30-45 minutes on the treadmill, and it really does make me think about nothing else but running and my body and how much I'm bloody sweating. Running clears my mind of whatever its worrying about, it genuinely helps me to think clearer, and it feeds me with ideas and inspiration for anything from food to blog posts to photo shoots. By the end of it, I am absolutely dripping, and I mean, D-R-I-P-P-I-N-G with sweat, and it feels so bloody good. Achievement never looked so sweaty.

Of course a bit of Instagram inspiration never goes amiss! I've been following Carly Rowena ever since I found her on Youtube a year ago, her approach to fitness and health is positive, attainable, and welcoming. I love how colourful and optimistic her feed always is, and I especially appreciate how she doesn't shun having indulgent treats! I percieve her outlook to be big on happiness, and how a well rounded healthy lifestyle helps to make you just that. It really does.

I was introduced to The Body Coach by my brother; his accessible, original and charismatic recipe clips are pure win. I have been going on there for meal inspiration and am never left unsatisfied. Top class. Amazing. FOLLOW FOLLOW FOLLOW. 

6) Made some tasty grub

Simple sweet potato mash, mountain of broccoli and red pepper smoked mackerel - which I've never had before but was totally lush. There's nothing more satisfying than eating a well-rounded, wholesome meal! Healthy doesn't mean complicated or expensive! 

Hope y'all enjoyed your Bank Holiday!

MONDAY MOTIVE

Just sharing some things I've come across that have given me a spurt of positivity and motivation... 

As soon as I found this late Saturday night, I couldn't help myself from sharing it across my most used social media. You can spend so long trying to find adequate quotes to sum up how you feel, or how you want to feel, but most of the time it can be succinctly put into one word. This is a 'power word' for me; one to always remember. Its a perfect image, so whimsical and understated; I absolutely adore watercolour-esque illustration, and so teamed with a word that I will now hold onto forever more, its fitting. (like a glove, to be precise) 

This is a photo of a street in Fitztrovia that I found on Pinterest over the weekend. So cute. So homely and authentic and cosy. It makes me think of the kind of place I'd love to live, and refreshes and resurfaces the image I have for myself in however many years time. As cliché or possibly cringe-tastic as it sounds; it helps me to envisage my future goals, and my future self. It reminds me of all the positive things that lie ahead, all the things I have to look toward and that hopefully one day I'll be walking on these cobblestones up to my front door. (insert praying emoji) 

I love this. 

Changing my wallpaper on my phone is something small I look forward to that always makes me cheerful. I look at my phone god knows how many times a day, so it makes sense for it to display something that I, well, that I find a visual treat. Sometimes I'll want a quote, but recently I've been loving just having a print or illustration. I love watercolour, as I've said before, and when on the search for that I found this. Its so - for want of a better word - quirky. I think my deep-rooted love comes from the fact that for some reason it reminds me of GIRLS (One of my, if not my no.1, favourite shows EVAH) I would love this as a print on a shirt or tote or phone case, and its the kind of print I could imagine Hannah from GIRLS wearing. Its just so wonderfully fun and feminine.

Sometimes it really is just the little things...

EXPLORING LDN | WHERE NXT?

If it wasn't already apparent, Holly and myself have begun a venture into London, exploring places we've never been to before, visiting as many food markets as we can possibly manage, continually admiring clothes and having a rather amazing time along the way. Our first venture was to Selfridges and Soho - we literally spent about 5 hours in Selfridges, and ate at BRGR.CO on Wardour Street;

It was a place I'd seen before when I'd been around Soho, and always thought looked good. (Could it possibly look any trendier?) By the time we emerged from Selfridges, yellow bags in hand, we were ravenous and meat was going to be the only answer. Somehow, luckily enough, my starved mind pushed aside the images of £700 Linda Farrow sunglasses and remembered that this place existed. It was exactly what we needed. 

We both went for cheesy fries because, to be honest, we were ready for a full on gorge-fest. The burger itself was divine; melt in the mouth meat teamed with a super soft and, might I add - super shiny, brioche bun. I would most definitely recommend BRGR.CO to any starved shopper sauntering around Soho. 

Our next trip was to Camden, of which I posted about on here! Our next trip is next Saturday; destination - Shoreditch. We are both most enthused and excitable (as per) but especially as the area seems to encompass a lot of things we want to see/go to/experience/EAT.

My research began to snowball when I found myself stumbling across tonnes of gems nearby. I had already suggested visiting the Urban Food Festival; 

...which takes place every Saturday from Midday to Midnight in a car park along the high street. (The plot thickens.) SO, then, when doing a bit of Google map exploration, I noticed Spitalfields Market (another place on the list) is only a 5-6 minute walk away - I couldn't believe it! THEN (The plot is very thick) the penny dropped in my brain that a burger stall/place/hub of goodness that we had both been perving on on Instagram is at Spitalfields; 

BLEECKER ST. BURGER

Can you feel that? - that's your mouth...watering.

I've been finding out nothing but amazing things about this place, so am so stoked that its so close to where we are going. I have a big love for the logo; instantly iconic, perfectly simplistic and succinct. I have no doubt I will be RAY-VINNNN' about this place. 

THEN I remembered that Boxpark (another place I've been wanting to visit for literally 2 years) is home to yet another place I've been wanting to go to; 

I'll give you the pleasure of searching for donut porn yourself. 

I'm sure a lot of peeps have already heard of these, but if you haven't - I insist that you indulge in some visual gratification by checking them out on instagram. They are very clear that their products are baked not fried, which is so refreshing and even more enticing. They offer both traditional and croissant doughnuts in an array of delectable flavours, so delectable infact, that I am already having convulsions at the thought of having to make a decision about what one (or five) to have. 

The day shall begin with a stop at a coffee shop, and although Holly can't stand the stuff, she does appreciate an impeccable aesthetic so I have found a place which I think will fulfil our desires profusely;

How can a single letter ooze so much covet-able cool? 

Once again, raving reviews, beautiful branding and its conveniently on the way to Spitalfields.

#WINNING

Obviously it shall all be photographically documented and shared on here - so keep an eye out!

I'm well mega proper excited.

STUFF I DID #1

Since my birthday, I've been out and about doing bits of shopping hurrr and thurrr. Someday's I've been out and found absolutely nothing. Nada, not a bean, and other days my arms are chock full with goodies; because when it goes right, I get that rush and I'm on a rollllllllllllllllll!

On a quest for basics and staples, H&M have really proved themselves to me. I wasn't a huge champion of H&M, in the past I have found it to be very hit&miss (eh eh see what I did there) with the quality and fit and overall selection. This was my second time venturing in there with birthday dollar in hand - having had a rather successful trip a week prior - and I was even more pleased than before, this time round was even more triumphant than the last!

•  I was on the hunt for some grey joggers, and the ones above fitted perfectly, were super comfy and easy on the purse. My reasoning behind my desire was the thought of encompassing the whole smart/casual Scandinavian look, pairing them with a white shirt, a white tee like above,or maybe a v-neck cami ; I really love their uncomplicated feel. 

• My next purchase wasn't planned, but was lurking in the back of my Pinterest saturated mind; a pair of straight leg trousers. I bought a navy pair; I'm really loving navy, especially since I saw it smothered over most AW/15 collections during fashion week. They once again fitted perfectly, are rather flattering and only £14.99! They were giving me major Parisian premonitions, paired with a simple grey tee, layered necklaces and minimal sandals - magnifique! 

• My last purchase was this gorgeous sleeveless, grey, turtle-neck top and it was an absolute steal at only £12.99! If you copped a feel of this top, you would understand by enthused nature. The material is quick thick, which is what helps it to retain such a structured aesthetic. I genuinely thought it was going to be around £25, easily, because of the quality of it, so was elated when I realised it was much less. Once again, it gave me Parisian premonitions, was complimentary on the bod and really was the embodiment of 'chic.' Although its just a sleeveless top, I feel it has this ladylike, classic beauty and a somewhat maturing quality. Its the kind of thing I would see on someone else and covet; that's how I knew it had to come home avec moi!

On Saturday I tried on an array of trainers, this quest was getting all kinds of serious and I needed to find out all my 'varying' sizes. These caught my eye. I have always strayed away from Roshe Runs as a potential winner of my affection, because I always questioned their potentially unforgiving look on the/my feet, and the fact that they aren't the most weatherproof shoe. BUT. They looked really nice. I actually have been looking at these aswell because they appear to look more durable and structured;

....but these are £94.99. Which is a bit of a financial bomb on my bank account. But I'm still smitten.

Instagram made me do it. 

I had an uncontrollably powerful desire to get a frappucino at 5pm on a Saturday eve, and I was going to make it happen. I hadn't been to Starbucks in about a month, and I hadn't had a frappucino in about a year and a half, and when I found out about the new addition to the menu I was all for it. The Java Chip frappucino was delish, real good. I recently read a bit more into the secret menu, and came across a Ferrero Rocher frappucino, and now I can't get the idea out of my head. I reallllllllllllly want to try one, but just don't want to risk looking like an absolute twerp if they don't know what I'm talking about. One day Courtney, one day. 

In other news, I have found yet another absolutely dreamy bakery in London that I want to visit - I mean, this is just getting out of hand. Its actually becoming hard for me when I find somewhere new, because I know I've got to add it to the exceedingly long list of places I must go to. BUT, if all things go accordingly, I shall be merrily strolling into Cutter and Squidge this Saturday!

If not, I may just HAVE to go alone. And eat cake. Alone.

... And that's ok.

FRESH KIX.

FINALLY.

Finally, finally, finally - I have obtained a new pair of trainers. FINALLY.

My feet are awkward. Sometimes they want to be a 6, sometimes they fancy being a 7, and sometimes they decide to be a 6.5 - so it casts an ever so slightly torturous shadow over my severe enjoyment of picking new trainers.

OLD SKOOL VANS YAH.  

After relentlessly looking at trainers all'day err'day (I'm not complaining) and buying a pair of all white Adidas superstars that subsequently didn't fit, I decided to be tough on myself and whittle down my lust list. I decided on these because, well, because...THEY JUST LOOK SUPER KEWL. But they actually do though. After seeing them all over Pinterest, and continually going all googly-eyed whenever seeing them included in the outfit of some effortlessly stylish Parisian, I made the decision. I can't wait to style them; I've already been thinking of outfits. Something new is always inspiring. As much as I do want another pair of 'trainer trainers' (you know what I mean) these still fill my gaping 'new trainers please' void, and I really really really do love how they look; I'm proper chuffed with'em.

YAY 4 NEW SHOOZE.