AND I NEVER WANTED TO GO BACK HOME...
It's been nearly two weeks since I got back from the south of France. Going back through these old Instagram photos gave me a much-needed dose of nostalgia. We left rainy cold Zurich on a Saturday morning and came back a week later... a week wasn't enough time though. I'm already ready to go back and explore the area more. We visited Nice, Cannes and St Paul - all a short drive from the flat we stayed at in Vence. I ate so much good food - loads of cake and ice cream, plenty of salmon and steak tartare, plus lots of rose to wash it all down. Each evening was spent sitting on the balcony overlooking the water and rolling hills. I've made a mental note to go back in October, autumn can't come soon enough*.
* Just joking. Summer is my favourite season and I wouldn't wish it away for anything.
![THE STYLE CRUSADER ON TOUR [SUMMER DATES]...](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/523ad858e4b05bdae702ed2b/1379678132506-APT2LSWG69PGCSCX6A6C/image-asset.jpeg)
THE STYLE CRUSADER ON TOUR [SUMMER DATES]...
London, I love you always and forever.
My recent trip to England was #insane. So many wonderful things happened and every day felt like a total whirlwind. Highlights included: staying with Charlie May and Lexxie, meeting the people behind Tank Magazine (Kim and Caroline are amaaazing. Yes, Caroline ISSA, she told me I was gorgeous and I pretty much died. I've adopted her as my mentor even though she doesn't know it yet). I discovered Shini has WAY too many shoes, went to the Nelly party, ate lots of burgers and milkshakes and managed to catch up with some of my favorite PR people including Susie at Trace, Harriet at HPR, Rachel at Shine and the stuffed bear at Varg (we had a little cuddle). I had so much fun. I got to ride a Boris Bike and roam around east London like it was nobody's business. I got lost every day. I FINALLY did some summer shopping (at Aubin & Wills) and I got to spend an afternoon with VV Brown and Nik Thakkar. Love. That was all in one week... no wonder I came back home exhausted.
This coming summer I'm doing a bit of a traveling tour. For simplicity's sake I'll keep my plans updated on this blog post. Things always tend to change last minute but at the moment this is what my summer is looking like. Also, for the record, I work freelance and have time to take on new projects... so if you want me for anything please holler this way (stylecrusderBOOKINGS at gmail.com). Merci. xx
p.s. long term plans for the blog include a book (which I've recently started writing) and a mentorship program. If you'd like to talk to me about either of these two things or support the cause please let me know. I'm looking for sponsors and people to work with. Kiss kiss.
June 14-24th: Zurich
June 25-30th: London
July 1-10th: Zurich
July 11-27th: Sweden
July 28-August 23rd: Zurich
August 24-28th: Copenhagen
August 29-September 12th: USA
September 13-19th: London
September 20-25th: Milan
September 26-October 3rd: Paris
SUNDAYS WERE MADE FOR CAKE...
There is definitely a little anti-social bug nestled deep within me. I love spending the weekend inside wearing cashmere jumpers and silk shorts. It's a little odd but baking feels like a miniature luxury... eating the cake afterwards is obviously the best part. I've yet to perfect the appearance of my baked goods. They always come out a little wonky - they're often lopsided and the frosting never seems to go on quite right. Oh well, I console myself with the fact that they always taste delicious... surely that's what really matters?
p.s. I learnt a little trick: sprinkle fanta on your cake once it's cooled to make it extra-super-duper moist.
Wearing: LUCZA cashmere jumper and silk shorts.
France
Although leather baseball hats are currently all the rage, I'd just like to say that are actually really stupid. If it's hot the last thing you want to wear is a black freaking leather hat... when I stood in the sun my head was boiling. England, this trend was made for you.
There's nothing I love more than being swept off to a far away city...
Errr, I say that from my sofa where I've spent the last four days sitting on my tush nibbling on random bits of chocolate bunnies and staring at a TV. Did anyone else fall for the wonderfulness that is where me keys? Please, tell me I'm not alone. The most exciting thing I'd planned for this long holiday weekend was painting my nails and I haven't even managed to get that done. I promise, I'm not always quite this useless. The weather went all wintery a couple of day ago and I had no choice but to throw myself head-first into hibernation mode as soon as snow starting falling.
A couple of weeks ago I went to Paris to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Disneyland Paris. As a total Disney nut I naturally jumped at the opportunity. Vienna International Hotels were the most wonderful hosts and I was super excited to go because my husband got to come along for the ride and Shini also came from London. We all stayed at the Dream Castle Hotel and, when we weren't spinning around on the teacups, saw a cabaret show, watched the Eiffel Tower glitter at midnight and spent a morning at Chateau Fontainebleau jumping on Marie Antoinette's bed (just kidding.. it was roped off). We got in earlier than anyone else and before lunch I managed to sneak in a run, a swim and spent half an hour in the sauna.
At Chateau Fontainebleau I just about keeled over - incredible beauty burst out of every bit of the building. The rooms were the epitome of anti-minimalism. Decadence and lavish embellishment were in mighty abundance... my white walls look grossly inadequate now.
This outfit is basically what I've been wearing non-stop recently. It has all my favorite things: Patouf jumper, 7 for all Mankind jeans, Mykita sunglasses, white Converse, Muriee cashmere scarf and Shini's leather hat (that I snuck out of her suitcase). Although leather baseball hats are currently all the rage, I'd just like to say that are actually really stupid. If it's hot the last thing you want to wear is a black freaking leather hat... when I stood in the sun my head was boiling. England, this trend was made for you.
I've never been that drawn to France but after this trip I'm aching to go back, even if it's just to visit L'ATMO again for lunch...
Massive thank you to Sabine and Vienna International Hotels for inviting me on the best press trip ever.
p.s. view more photos over on Facebook.
HIPPITY HOP INTO SPRING...
Wahoo! March has been a very good month indeed. The flowers are blooming and the sun is shining. Getting to leave the house without a coat has felt like an absolute dream. Applying sunscreen (oh, the luxury), drooling over the bright colors at the grocery store (mmm, strawberries) and highlighting my tanned feetsies by wearing brighter-than-bright pink toe-nail polish... ah, yes. Spring, your arrival is warmly welcomed. Please, never leave.
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. xx
STUFFED FRENCH TOAST...
Yeah, I like fashion but I also like french toast... a lot.
Normal french toast is good but, as I discovered this morning, stuffed french toast is even better. I'd never tried it before but am now officially hooked. This version is made with a banana nut honey filling but I think a berry mixture might even be better and pack a punchier flavor. I got this recipe from Jamie Oliver (my all time favorite) but I think his portions were a little off - it claims to be for 2 servings but I was left with tons so I've amended his ingredients a bit.
Ingredients
2 bananas (peeled and sliced), 50 grams pecan nuts (chopped), 1 tablespoon honey, 4 slices of bread, 2 eggs, half a cup of milk, butter and icing sugar.
Directions
Mix the bananas, pecan nuts and honey in a bowl. Spoon out the mixture onto 2 slices of the bread, leaving a slight space around the edges. Top with the other piece of bread - to make a sandwich. Heat a frying pan over a moderate heat. Mix the eggs and milk into a bowl - pour onto a small plate. Dip both sides of the banana sandwiches in the mixture - don't get the middle wet. Melt the butter in the frying pan. Fry each sandwich until golden brown. Sprinkle with icing sugar (really that's just for looks).
Serve with orange juice, strong coffee and maple syrup for a killer combo.
Fruit face day...
It's Monday morning and outside the rain is pouring down. This past week I discovered the wondrous nature of the kiwi. If you're feeling any sort of winter blues I can't recommend them enough - it's like a burst of summery sweet magic. Every time I looked down at my kiwi, sliced in half and sitting on a plate, I felt like two little eyes were staring up at me. So, it seemed only natural, that those little eyes be given a face. Et voilà, there you have it: Ms Fruit Face. She's clearly a girl - the earrings give it away. On a side note: have you noticed how many designers have been using fruit and vegetables as inspiration lately (some more obviously than others)? I think food and fashion should go hand-in-hand.
Wishing you a very happy week. xx
Old Shoreditch Station...
On my last day in London I had breakfast with Charlie at the Old Shoreditch Station where we were serenaded by a barista boy and watched a psychedelic surreal mural being painted onto the wall. The whole experience was only made better by the warm coffee-house vibe and the fact that you could skip right next door into No-One, a shop stocked with loads of awesome Scandinavian brands (Dagmar, Won Hundred, Cheap Monday etc etc). This was my final meal with long hair. Straight after I hopped over to Taylor Taylor where I had 9 inches cut off my manky mane. But, more on that later...
Hope you're having a great weekend! xx
It's all changing
Autumn and I tend to bump heads. It always comes a bit too early and unpleasantly fast. Snatching away the last bits of warmth, it strips the trees of their leaves and slowly sucks away my tan. But, I suppose it's not so bad. When it's cold meals tend to get longer, drinks warmer, and bellies a little pudgier. I've already started spending my evenings on the couch with hot chocolate and Christmas movies... hah, I know I'm a bit early but what the heck - it's hard to resist.
When I was last in London I spent an afternoon with Charlie and Lexxie at the Albion. It's one of my favourite places to go whenever I'm in town. Despite there being a big selection of delicious sounding things on the menu I always always order the breakfast bap. It totally sums up English breakfast for me and you can't get anything like it in Switzerland.
Outfit photos by Lexxie. Wearing: Charlie's Burberry mac and hat. Topshop jumper, boots, and burgundy jeans. American Apparel bag.
p.s. I've been trying to make some changes to the blog (font/slider etc) if you have any thoughts (positive or negative) please let me know.
Cheater-cheater monkey bread eater.
I wish I could actually give you an exact recipe on how to make monkey bread...
But, the truth is, I don't know how because I've always cheated. There are a gazillion recipes around but none of them sound quit right. I know it would be super simple to make from scratch. Basically it just involves little round dough balls that are covered in cinnamon and sugar then baked in a pool of buttery goodness. When they come out of the oven you flip the pan upside down and voilà you've got the most magical breakfast known to man. Seriously this stuff is amazing - it's like it has all the goodness of America in one single little bite.
