travel Archives - Page 12 of 20

December 10, 2015

How To Pack For A Weekend City Break

I am off to Paris at the weekend for a catch up with friends and hopefully enough mulled wine and pretty lights to come back feeling all warm and festive. For the fashion conscious among us, packing for such a weekend city break can be challenging. Even if it’s just for two or three days, you want to look fabulous – especially in Paris! – but hand luggage restrictions and critical looks from boyfriends/girlfriends mean that we must pack sensibly! So here are some of my top tips of how to pack for a weekend city break.

Burberry trench coat – KILO SHOP, Trainers – Converse via ASOS, Bag – CATH KIDSTON (old)

PLANNING
I always like to find out a bit about the general style of a city when planning what to take on a city break. This may sound silly because your style in your style but it’s always nice to not stand out like a sour thumb tourist. Take Paris, for example, I know that the style is quite minimal there which is actually perfect for city break packing as I’ll explain below, and people actually do wear a lot of stripes there so don’t be shy – throw your favourite mariniere in your bag.

Denim Skirt – URBAN OUTFITTERS, Jeans – MONKI, Striped polo neck – second hand, Black polo neck – H&M, Backpack – FJALLRAVEN KANKEN

THE BASICS
The trick to weekend packing is flexibility. You need to have a few basic items in your case that you can mix and match and also jazz up with accessories – more on that below. I would suggest taking a trusty pair of black skinnies and a button down denim skirt, my recent Black Friday purchase. Neutral colours are perfect for mix/match dressing so in true keeping with my current polo neck obsession, I have chosen this black cropped one from H&M that goes with everything and a striped one to get that French look. A pair of comfy shoes or trainers are a must for city break exploring and my choice is almost always my high top black Converse. They are comfy for during the day but classic enough to wear with a smart-ish outfit for dinner or drinks. It’s all about flexibility.

White blouse – KILO SHOP (similar via ASOS), Suede waistcoat – second hand, Suede boots – River Island via ASOS, Hat – KILO SHOP, Gold necklace – second hand, Choker – ASOS (sold out), Scarf – KILO SHOP

THE EXTRAS
On top of basic pieces you will need some extra bits to really personalise your outfits. The most space saving way to do this when travelling is with accessories. A hat, whether it be this baker boy hat or large fedora, instantly adds oomph to a look and it doesn’t even need to take up valuable suitcase space! Just wear it travelling, which is also a solution for bed hair if your flight is too early to sort out your mop. Otherwise statement chokers or patterned scarves are great accessories for the neutral palate of your basics. And make sure you bring a more dressed up piece like this gorgeous white blouse or a nice dress. Then you just need to save space in your suitcase for shopping, especially if, like me, Paris is your destination!

I hope you find this little guide useful! I am certainly going to be following some of my own pointers when packing for Paris this weekend. I have a post scheduled for while I’m away but make sure to follow me on INSTAGRAM for travel updates and look out for a kind of Paris photo diary/weekend in Paris post next week!

Izzie x

December 4, 2015

Christmas Gift Ideas: The Traveller

Travel wishlist christmas ideas for the traveller

Backpack – HERSCHEL via ASOS

World Map Sticker – TEN STICKERS

Travel Print – ETSY

Paris City Guide – MOLESKIN

Luggage Tag – CATH KIDSTON

Journey Journal – ETSY

Travel Kit – PAPERCHASE

Part four of my Christmas Gifts Ideas series is for your loved ones that love to travel. You can see THE HOME BIRD and Fashionista PART ONE and PART TWO just below. I have chosen a combination of gifts, from useful things to have whilst travelling to things that a traveller might like to have in their home. How awesome is this world map sticker? And I just love that travel print featuring one of my favourite quotes – so true!

Of course guide books and travel journals are always essential when away exploring but the MOLESKIN city guides combine the two. I have included the Paris one here (obvs) but they have over 30 different cities in their collection. I actually had the Paris one when I did my year abroad in Paris and it’s great because the sleek black cover conceals the fact you are looking at a map and there are categorised sections for you to write down places/bars/museums that you like!

My next trip away is to Paris next weekend and I cannot wait! Christmas markets and vin chaud here I come! Where are you going on your next trip and which of these essentials would be the perfect companion?

Izzie x

November 4, 2015

Two Years Abroad

This is weekend marked my two-year anniversary of living away from the UK, away from my family and friends, away from a language I understand, away from (almost) endless job possibilities. Scary stuff eh? Sometimes I underestimate just how much I have achieved because I am constantly comparing myself to others, people who live in the UK, in a city where they have been building up contacts and a social network for years, who are going through the daily grind of climbing “the ladder”. So what have I achieved?

I became fluent in a second language – French – which was my main purpose for moving away to Paris in the first place. I got myself a permanent job in a vintage shop just two weeks after arriving and my shy self managed to settle in (albeit slowly) into a French working environment, where I stayed for almost two years. I experienced some severe ups and downs during this time but what kept me going were the amazing people around me.

It can be extremely difficult to form real and solid friendships in a new city, especially abroad. People come, people go and it can be quite unsettling and even heartbreaking when someone you have become close to so quickly, leaves. You meet people from all walks of life, from other countries and from different backgrounds, who you may not normally be friends with or get to meet if it was not for one common love for a particular place or foreign language. This is one of the beautiful things about living abroad. Of course these people become your family when you are away from “home”. I met some of my best friends fo’ life in Paris – we worked together, we played together, we laughed and cried together and I do not know what I would have done without them. Well I do – I probably would have sacked it all in and gone home.

You will get homesick. No matter how old you are or how happy you are, you will get that pang for a Sunday lunch with your family, dancing in your favourite bar with your mates or even just being able to get hold of a decent block of cheddar cheese. The sickness can be hard to get through but it is normal and living abroad is all about adapting.

Perhaps the greatest change you have to make is culturally and linguistically. I kind of knew what to expect with Paris but now I am in Spain, Barcelona to be exact so I guess I should say Catalonia, and it is completely different. When I arrived seven weeks ago, I knew next to no Spanish and even if you can get by without knowing much, that is not my approach. I’m a linguist so it can be frustrating but I have to keep reminding myself that I have learnt an impressive amount of Spanish already and that learning a language takes years and requires a lot of motivation, time and patience.

I am a bit worried that this post isn’t positive enough about my experience but this is just kind of what came out. If you are thinking about moving abroad, here are my words of wisdom. It is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have – it’s an adventure that you’ll remember for the rest of your life and how awesome are the grandkids going to think you were?! It can be tough as hell but it’s so worth it. And finally, don’t be put off by not being able to speak the language: learn. If I can do it, you can do it too. The world is a big place, go and explore…

So where next? You’ll just have to wait and see…

Izzie x

October 25, 2015

Travel: A Few Best Eats In Le Marais, Paris

Bonjour! And happy Sunday! I think Sundays are the perfect day to kick back and read a travel post so here we go. Having lived and worked in Le Marais in Paris for two years, I know the area like the back of my hand. When I left to move to Barcelona a month ago, I had quite a backlog of travel tips for Paris so welcome to my mini guide to the best eats in Le Marais.

Bonjour et bon dimanche! Je trouve que le dimanche est le jour parfait pour lire des post de voyages alors voici! J’ai habité et travaillé pendant deux ans dans Le Marais dans Paris, du coup je connais le quartier très très bien. Quand j’ai quitté Paris pour déménager à Barcelone il y a un mois, j’avais toujours plein de conseils de voyages pour Paris que je n’avais pas encore publié alors bienvenue à ma petite guide à la meilleur bouffe dans Le Marais.

Paris eats in Le Marais lunch food at Pick Clops cafe

LE PICK CLOPS

16 RUE VIEILLE DU TEMPLE, 75004 PARIS

I would probably describe PICK CLOPS as my favourite cafe/bar in Paris. I have been going here religiously ever since I discovered it right at the beginning of my year abroad back in 2010. Situated on the corner of probably my favourite street in Paris, rue Vieille du Temple, its small terrace taking up most of the narrow pavement is just charming for people watching, sipping on wine or getting stuck into a scrummy bagel. For 12€ you get a bagel, cream cheese, your choice of filling (smoked salmon, grilled vegetables or bacon) and delicious fried potatoes. It’s very filling and served throughout the day. They also have a dish of the day, quiche and cheap sandwiches for 4€. Apart from the food and wine, I just love the decor of Pick Clops – a very cool, indie bar mixed with an American diner vibe.

Je pense que je dirais que PICK CLOPS est mon café/bar préféré dans Paris. Depuis mon année Erasmus en 2010 quand je l’ai découvert , j’y vais religieusement. Il se situe sur le coin de ma rue préférée dans Paris, rue Vieille du Temple, et son petit terrasse qui prend la plupart du petit trottoir est juste charmant pour regarder des gens qui passent, prendre un coup ou manger un bagel délicieux. Vous payez 12€ pour un plat énorme d’un bagel, du cream cheese, une farce de votre choix (saumon fumé, légumes grillés ou bacon) et des pommes de terre sautés. Il y a aussi un plat du jour, de la quiche et des sandwiches pas chers à 4€. A part de la bouffe et du vin, je kiffe la décor de Pick Clops – c’est une bar cool et indie avec une vibe d’un diner américain.

Paris cheap eats, best falafel Chez Hanna, lunch food

CHEZ HANNA

54 RUE DES ROSIERS, 75004 PARIS

CHEZ HANNA does without a doubt the best falafel I have ever had. Most of the Paris guide books will tell you to go to L’As du Falafel, which is also on rue des Rosiers and always has a massive queue outside, but as a big fan of chickpea based foods (their hummus is pretty damn good too), trust me and go to Chez Hanna. I always get their falafel pitta sandwich to take away because it is so darn cheap (just 5.50€) and it’s the way to do it – if you walk around any of the surrounding streets you are bound to see someone walking along struggling to simultaneously eat an overflowing falafel sandwich. I recommend you take a seat on a bench or in the nearby Jardin des Rosiers-Joseph Migneret just off rue des Rosiers. Alternatively, you can eat in for a decent price too and other than falafel, they offer a variety of Middle Eastern dishes.

CHEZ HANNA fait le meilleur falafel que je n’ai jamais goûté, sans doute. La plupart des guides de Paris vous dira aller à L’As du Falafel, qui se situe aussi sur la rue des Rosiers et a toujours un queue longue, mais comme un fan des pois-chiches (leur houmous n’est pas mal aussi), ayez confiance en moi et allez à Chez Hanna. Je prends toujours le pitta avec falafel à emporter parce qu’il n’est qu’à 5,50€ et c’est comme ça qu’on mange du falafel. Dans les rues autour de la rue des Rosiers, il y a toujours des gens qui essayent de manger ce sandwich plein à craquer au même temps qu’essayant de marcher. Je vous conseille de vous reposer sur un banc ou dans le Jardin des Rosiers-Joseph Migneret qui est proche. Sinon, vous pouvez manger sur place pour pas trop cher non-plus et il y a une bonne variété de la bouffe du Moyen-Orient à part du falafel.

Paris eats in Le Marais lunch food, Merci cafe

MERCI USED BOOK CAFE
111 BOULEVARD BEAUMARCHAIS, 75003 PARIS

Located in the upper end of Le Marais, I used to walk past MERCI almost daily as it was just around the corner from my apartment. Merci consists of two cafes with a large concept store in the middle selling great Danish home wear and clothes. The used book cafe has a lovely, library-like ambiance with one long wall covered in shelves filled with books in all languages that you can flip through to your heart’s desire. I always choose their eggs and soldiers for 8€, which is just yummy, but they also have bagels and cakes. Merci’s sister restaurant is just down boulevard – check out my RESTAURANT REVIEW OF GRAZIE for delicious pizzas and cocktails.

MERCI se situe dans l’haut Marais et je le passais presque chaque jour parce qu’il se situe près de mon ancien appartement. Merci consiste de deux cafés plus un grand “concept store” au milieu qui vend des choses pour la maison et des vêtements danois. Le Used Book Cafe a une ambiance mignon comme une petite bibliothèque avec un mur couvert des livres que vous êtes bienvenus à lire. Je choisi toujours les oeufs mollets pour 8€, qui est miam, mais il y a aussi des bagels et des gâteaux. Pour le soir, regardez mon article RESTAURANT REVIEW OF GRAZIE – un pizzeria avec des cocktails délicieux dans la même chaine de Merci.

Izzie x

October 11, 2015

Travel: Montjuic Park, Barcelona

Montjuic Park Barcelona travel tips Fashion et Moi

Happy Sunday my lovelies! Just a quick one to show you some photos taken in Montjuic Park in Barcelona, a few weekends back now. Montjuic is a huge park on a mountain at the southern end of the city and this is just scratching the surface with some photos from the Greek gardens and Roman amphitheatre. I cannot wait to keep exploring this park that just keeps on giving over the coming months.

Bon dimanche mes choux! Juste une petite poste pour vous montrer quelques photos que j’ai pris au parc Montjuic à Barcelone, il y a quelques weekends. Montjuic est un parc énorme sur une montagne au sud de la ville et ces photos ne sont qu’une petite partie du parc – des jardins grecs et l’amphithéâtre romaine. J’ai hâte d’explorer la reste de ce parc pendant les mois qui suivent.

Izzie x

Search Site

Category: travel

How To Pack For A Weekend City Break

Christmas Gift Ideas: The Traveller

Two Years Abroad

Travel: A Few Best Eats In Le Marais, Paris

Travel: Montjuic Park, Barcelona