Merry Christmas!
Nothing brings out family traditions quite like Christmas. Every year, since I can remember, my family has made a birthday cake for Jesus. We light candles, sing and blow out the candles before any presents are opened. Decorating the cake was always a highly anticipated event that my sister and I would perfectly plot... now my niece and nephew take over, making a mountainous pile of icing and sprinkles in the middle. It might sound (and look) a little silly but it's the simplest and tastiest way to remember what this day is really about.
Hoping that everyone has the merriest of days! xx
Fröhliche Weihnachten!
The countdown has officially begun... less that one week until Christmas!
Hoping that everyone is able to take it easy this week and soak up a little holiday cheer. Hot chocolate every night, Bing Crosby on repeat and A Christmas Story are my must-have list. I've been trying to take in as much Christmas magic as humanly possible. It's pretty easy to do in Zurich - the city embraces the holiday vibe in the most endearing way. There's a big market in the train station and smaller ones scattered throughout the streets. Lights are everywhere and there are baubles galore but not the slightest sight of anything brash or commercial - just the way it should be.
Happy Holidays! xx
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
Just cut it off...
I've never been one to readily embrace change so when I walked into Taylor Taylor a couple of weeks ago my grandiose plans to chop it all off quickly turned rather sheepish. I whipped out a photo of Jayne and said, 'like this' - only to then backtrack and reveal my uncertainty over cutting off the hair I'd spent the last two years growing out. Cue ten minutes of deliberation, during which both the hair stylist and colorist talked me through my hair type plus the pros and cons of going shorter. In the end I shoved my face into my hands and garbled an incoherent 'just do it.'
A couple hours later I emerged a blonder perkier version of my past self. Introduced to the wonders of a round brush and hair products (hello mousse) I'm never looking back. In fact, I'm already making mental plans to go back so that I can go even shorter.
Massive thank you to Taylor Taylor for the most wonderful cut and colour. There's nothing more upsetting than leaving a hair appointment feeling that you didn't receive what you asked for and the amount of time they spent, before even getting started, ensured that didn't happen. I couldn't recommend the place enough. Also, huge thank you to Kit, who trekked across London to keep me company and take these photos. Thank you, Kit.
Wearing: DAGMAR Flisa silk chiffon top, 7 for all Mankind skinny jeans, Topshop ambush boots and SAMBAG tote.
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
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.
Sunday morning
Last Sunday morning I woke up feeling groggy and in East London. Charlie and I decided to start off the day by going over to Columbia Road Flower Market because, 'You've never been before?!' It was my first time and I couldn't recommend it more. The street, that is normally dead during the week, is taken over by an endless stream of flowers and the most outrageous group of people. If you want a taste of London that you wont find anywhere else, this is the place to go.
As soon as we arrived we were handed a carton of Jimmy's Iced Coffee which softened the blow of being awake so early. Seeing everyone walk around with little miniature mustaches was pretty hilarious.
The atmosphere at this market is so vibrant and upbeat. There's a real sense of community and solidarity. Being surrounded by such boisterous people and rows upon rows of bright flowers is a bit intoxicating. I never wanted to leave.
What about Bob?
Saddle shoes and coloured denim are currently all I want in my life. Swedish Hasbeens and 2nd Day are both on my wishlist for spring/summer 12. Get in my life you two, you are both perfection. Bob is also perfect. He's my new best friend and wears a Louis Vuitton collar. Fancy.
Photos taken at Varg
Hi from London
Sorry I've been a bit MIA... things got unexpectedly busy. I just got to the Marylebone Hotel in London and am a little bit in love. Anywhere that gives you complimentary fashion magazines gets serious bonus points in my books. Have to run out the door. More soon. xx
p.s. my Converse are looking a little worse for wear... maybe it's high time to wash them or invest in a new pair? I do like them a little beat up though.
Who's Walter?
Randomly, I wandered into this little shop a couple of weeks ago. Tucked down a side street next to Zurich's famous Freitag tower, I must have walked past it at least a dozen times before without ever noticing it. As soon as I entered I was instantly won over: the coffee pot by the entrance, the dog sitting under a table and the undeniably warm atmosphere made it feel like coming home. Only, to a much cooler more industry-chic home than I've ever had...
Walter was established six months ago by Bettina Bucchéri. After her own search for industrial style furniture in Switzerland failed she decided to fill the niche present in the market by creating her own shop that brings together old and new in an effortless and authentic way. Despite the shops trendy feel, you won't find ridiculous mark-ups on the products. There's something to fit everyones need and price range - with glass jars starting at only 3 francs a pop. I love the shops no-fuss approach and small details that hark back to days past - raw bits of brown ribbon that tie together packages and factory style heavy-duty paper to wrap gifts. It's exactly the sort of no-nonsense simple approach that I'm after.
The final cut
So here it is - a few of the final shots from eBay's 2011 winter wardrobe look book as styled by Andrea Linett and shot by Damon Heath. Yes, yes... that's me getting my pose on. Looking back, my favourite outfit is definitely the last one. At the time I was a bit skeptical of the drop crotch trousers but actually I kind of love it. The shirt with dark blue piping reminds of an old man's pajamas and the hooded poncho would just be perfect for this time of year.
Massive thank you to Rachel and Shine for having me on board and to eBay.
Fruits, flowers and vegetables...
On Fridays in Zurich, at the end of Bahnhofstrasse, a market pops up. It's right next to the lake and is the perfect place to kill a bit of time. Even if I normally don't buy anything I still love walking through the countless rows of stalls that are overflowing with flowers, fruits and vegetables.
Disconnect
Last week I ditched on the internet for a couple of days and went to Germany with my family who were visiting. We drove through the Black Forest, watched the leaves change colour and ate unnatural amounts of schnitzel. It was so good. Love being able to jump in a car and be places like this in an hour. Photos taken in Tübingen, Rheinfalls, Titisee and the Black Forest.
Wearing: YSL sunglasses, H&M jumper, AA t-shirt, Alice by Temperley scarf and 7 for all Mankind jeans.
Inside my flat...
Finding a flat in Zurich is near to impossible... I've been here six months, am in my second short-term flat, and will be moving again in the new year (fingers crossed to something wonderful and more permanent). Despite things feeling transient I've tried to make this place a bit like home and have found that it's the smallest things that make the biggest difference.
[Blue and white striped sheets. Fresh flowers. Coffee and a breakfast nook. Champagne corks. Cheap pictures in nice frames. Books. The ugliest but comfiest orange couch with my favourite magazines brought back from London. Underneath my spare rail in our extra room.]
p.s. happy birthday to my love, who turns 27 today.
Let me see you work it.
