Category: travel

March 2, 2015

Paris Fashion Week: Your mini guide to Paris

Paris Fashion Week PFW guide to Paris
Your guide to Paris during Paris Fashion Week PFW
Paris Fashion Week is starting on Tuesday and after having followed every detail of London Fashion Week in envy, I am so looking forward to the fashion spotlight being on my adoptive city. Paris Fashion Week is such a busy time of year, with all the running around between different venues so for those of you flocking into the city for work or pleasure here are my top places to be seen. Research done, you’re welcome. 

Where to eat…

Where to eat at PFW: Grazie pizza and Merci used book cafe and concept store
In a city with a restaurant on every corner and more, finding a good place to eat can be both hard and overwhelming so once I find somewhere I keep going back again and again. For a nice cheap breakfast or decent lunch, I head to the used book cafe of MERCI, which also has an amazing concept store attached. Being situated in the 3rd arrondissement, it is perfect for us fashion week goers seeing as many showrooms and previews take place just a stone’s throw away. Their equally cool sister restaurant, GRAZIE is a couple of minutes walk down boulevard Beaumarchais and it serves amazing pizza and cocktails. 

Where to eat at PFW: quick takeaway falafel from Chez Hanna, rue des Rosiers, Paris

For those of you who feel you will hardly even have time to eat at Fashion Week, grab yourself a takeaway falafel pitta from CHEZ HANNA on rue des Rosiers. This is honestly the best falafel I have ever had and you’ll thank me later if you find the time to squeeze one in.

Where to eat at PFW: La Marine restaurant on Canal Saint Martin, Paris
If you fancy heading a bit further afield from the fashion conscious Marais area, I recommend Canal Saint Martin for eating, drinking and generally hanging out (more about that later). LA MARINE, situated right on the Canal’s bank, is one of my favourite restaurants. The food is great – try the sea bass with roasted vegetables and green salsa, it’s amazing! There are lots of places to eat along the canal and if it’s nice weather you could get pizza delivered to your hang out spot from PINK FLAMINGO!
Where to shop…

Where to do vintage shopping in Paris: Kilo Shop, Coiffeur, Free 'P' Star, Le Marais
Of course it completely depends on your budget, style and desires but as a vintage clothes and bargain obsessive I would seriously advise that you check out PARIS’ VINTAGE SHOPS regardless. It is definitely the best city I have been to for vintage because the clothes are so cheap and the price is excellent. Make sure you try to extremely successful KILO SHOP, where, if you haven’t guessed already, you buy clothes by weight – fun eh?! Coiffeur on rue des Rosiers and Free ‘P’ Star on rue de la Verrerie are great for a rummage too!

Where to shop in Paris, rue des Francs Bourgeois, Maje, Les Petites, Zadig et Voltaire, PFW
Where to shop high end high-street in Paris: rue des Rosiers, Rue Vieille du Temple, Le Marais

If you are looking for some upmarket high street brands such as Zadig & Voltaire or Les Petites, take a stroll in Le Marais along rue des Francs Bourgeois, rue des Rosiers and rue Vieille du Temple. For high street and designer, head up to boulevard Haussmann for department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps as well as H&M, Monki, Zara and Sephora to name a few. 

Where to hang out…

Where to hang out at Paris Fashion Week: Tuileries gardens, Palais de Tokyo, French terrace PFW
There’s a lot of hanging around at fashion week so it’s important to know where to do it. If you want to get papped or find some inspiration from fellow fashion week goers, the best places to hang out are outside VENUES WHERE SHOWS are taking place. I find the best places for taking street style snaps are outside Palais de Tokyo because the entrance is set back from the street so there’s lots of space for milling around, or in the Tuileries gardens where you will get that classic PFW shot on the sandy gravel. The 3rd arrondissement is often where the fash pack will be when not attending shows, taking a break on a French terrace on rue de Bretagne, rue de Turenne or boulevard Beaumarchais.

Where to hang out at Paris Fashion Week: Canal Saint Martin, Republique PFW
Fancy getting a break from the crowds? Check out Le Comptoir Général on Canal Saint Martin where you can grab a drink, relax, take a look at their stuffed animal collection (!) and be in a bit more organic atmosphere. 
Where to drink…

Where to eat and drink at Paris Fashion Week: indie bar Pick Clops, PFW
Where to eat in Le Marais at PFW: smoked salmon bagel at Pick Clops
If you are tired after a long day and fancy a quiet drink where you can sit and reflect on the day’s collections, Le Marais is the place for you. More specifically, indie bars PICK CLOPS and LA PERLE which both have great buzzing atmospheres but you are likely to get a seat. Pick Clops also do great food including bagels with mounds of cream cheese and smoked salmon. 

Where to drink at Paris Fashion Week, PFW: Le Mauri 7, Chez Jeanette, Strasbourg Saint-Dennis

For cheap drinks in a busy and hip atmosphere, I recommend Le Mauri 7 et Chez Jeanette opposite in the more gritty area of Strasbourg Saint Denis. If you have enough energy, bar crawling along rue Oberkampf and rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud is the way to go. Check out the amazing cocktails and decor of PILI PILI or the 1920s vibe of CAFE CHARBON. 

Have a great Paris Fashion Week everyone!

Izzie x



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February 22, 2015

A Weekend in Normandy

Last weekend, Lewis and I went on a little trip to Normandy for a couple of nights. We stayed in the cutest bed and breakfast, via one of my favourite sites, Airbnb. I have been using Airbnb for a few years now for practically every holiday I go on, and for those of you who don’t know, it’s a site where people rent out their spare rooms and apartments for generally much cheaper than hotels and hostels. You can find such unique and quirky accommodation and this little apartment, inside a renovated barn in the middle of the French countryside, was no exception. As you can see, it was beautifully decorated with lots of carefully thought out details and each morning our host delivered to us a tray of lovely French breakfast goodies.
There was also a horse and two cats, which automatically gets a thumbs up from us…
On a rather rainy Saturday, we set off from our isolated barn to visit a couple of nearby seaside towns. After just a brief stop in Deauville as it was raining and it wasn’t my kind of vibe, we headed to the acclaimed and beautiful town of Honfleur. We spent the rest of the day wandering around its charming and cute winding streets and along the harbour, in mostly dry weather. For dinner I tucked into some long-awaited moules frites in a restaurant on the sea front.  
Sunday consisted mostly of shell picking. Even though I am a city girl through and through, being in the countryside or by the sea the ‘Dora Explorer’ hidden inside me comes bursting out. As soon as I got onto the beach at nearby town Houlgate, I started shell collecting. I hadn’t even planned to but I think my assortment are going to look lovely in my Parisian apartment, which admittedly is still pretty bare decoration-wise. We dragged ourselves away from the refreshing sea breeze to eat a quick but delicious crêpe lunch. Cheese galettes to start with a bowl of Normandy cider and a salted caramel crêpe for dessert, perfect.
Before starting the road trip back to Paris, we took a detour to the beaches of the D-Day landings, to satisfy the history lover inside me. It was a great trip and I can’t wait for the next weekend discovering France!
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Le weekend dernier, Lewis et moi sommes allés à Normandie pour une petite escapade de deux nuits. On est resté dans une chambre d’hôte très très mignon via le site Airbnb. J’utilise le site Airbnb pour presque tous mes vacances depuis des années. Pour ceux qui ne savent pas, Airbnb est un site où les gens mettent leurs chambres ou appartements libres à louer. Vous pouvez trouver des logements uniques comme cet petit appartement dans une veuille grange en pleine campagne française. Comme vous pouvez voir, la décoration est trop belle avec plein de détails et chaque matin notre hôte nous a amené un panier de petit déjeuner! De plus, il y a deux chats et un cheval qu’on a adoré. 
Le samedi, il pleuvait mais on est parti de la grange comme même pour visiter quelques villages balnéaires. Après avoir fait un petit tour de Deauville, parce qu’il pleuvait trop et je n’aimais pas beaucoup l’ambiance, on est allé à le fameux et beau village d’Honfleur. Pendant la reste de la journée, on s’est baladé dans les petites rues sinueuses et charmantes et à côté du port. Pour dîner, j’ai mangé des moules frites, bien attendu dans un restautant au port. 
Pour la plupart de dimanche, on était sur les plages où j’ai collectionné plein de coquilles pour décorer mieux notre appartement à Paris. Même si je suis vraiment une fille de la ville, j’aime trop être dans la campagne ou à côté de la mer où je deviens une aventurière. Après avoir fait la plage à Houlgate, on a mangé des galettes au fromage, avec un bolée de cidre Normande pour moi, et puis on a partagé un crêpe au caramel beurre salé pour dessert, parfait. 
Avant de commencer le road-trip en direction de Paris, on est allé aux plages du Débarquement de juin 1944 pour satisfaire l’amateur d’histoire dedans moi. C’était vraiment un super séjour et j’ai trop hâte pour le prochain weekend de découvert en France!
Izzie x 
February 8, 2015

Restaurant Review: Grazie

Grazie pizzeria and cocktails restaurant Le Marais Paris
Grazie – 91 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris

Grazie pizzeria and cocktails restaurant in Le Marais Paris
Grazie pizzeria and cocktails restaurant in Le Marais Paris
It’s pretty great to have the chic and atmospheric pizzeria, Grazie, just round the corner from my flat in Paris, so I thought it was about time I shared it with you. I last went a couple of weeks ago when my mum and sister were visiting and once again we were not disappointed. We kicked off the night with cocktails, a must-do in my eyes as they have such an interesting selection. I had the “Scottish Ginto”, which is gin, tonic, cucumber and white peppercorns served in a cute teacup and saucer. Perfect.

Grazie pizzeria and cocktails restaurant in Le Marais Paris
Grazie restaurant where to eat pizza in Paris
Grazie restaurant where to eat pizza in Paris
Our pizzas came very quickly, which is always a winner in my book. I had the “Crudaiola” pizza topped with their deliciously smokey tomato sauce, mozzarella and a mountain of rocket. Yum. My mum and I shared a lovely bottle of red wine during the meal so by the time dessert arrived I completely forgot to take a photo so you will have to use your imagination! It was a warm chocolate cake with mascarpone cream and it was delicious!
Grazie pizzeria where to eat pizza in Paris
Grazie restaurant where to eat pizza in Paris
 I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. The food is divine, the atmosphere is relaxed/stylish/classy all at the same time and the prices aren’t bad either. Pizzas range from between 10 and 20 euros, drinks are a bit more expensive with a glass of wine starting at 7 euros and a cocktail at 10 euros but it’s worth it. I hope you have enjoyed my first restaurant review and I’ll be writing about Grazie’s sister cafe and shop, Merci, very soon!
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C’est génial que le pizzeria chic et d’ambiance qui s’appelle Grazie est à deux pas de chez moi à Paris. J’y suis allée il y a deux semaines quand ma mère et ma soeur me rendaient visite et encore une fois, on n’était pas déçu. On a commencé la soirée avec des cocktails, vraiment impératif selon moi car il y a une bonne sélection intéressante. J’ai eu le “Scottish Ginto” qui était fait du gin, tonic, concombre et des graines de poivre blancs, servi dans une tasse et une soucoupe mignons. Parfait.
Nos pizzas sont arrivés très vite qui me fait toujours très contente! J’ai eu le pizza “Crudaiola” avec leur sauce de tomate qui a un goût de fumé, du mozzarella et une montagne de roquette. Miam! Ma mère et moi avons partagé une bouteille de vin rouge super pendant le dîner alors quand mon dessert est arrivé j’ai complètement oublié de le prendre en photo, alors utilisez votre imagination! C’était un gâteaux de chocolat avec la crème de mascarpone et c’était délicieux! 
Je vous conseille trop d’aller à ce restaurant. La bouffe est divine, l’ambiance est relax/stylé/classe tout en même temps et les prix ne sont pas terribles aussi. Un pizza vous coût entre 10 and 20 euros, les boissons sont un peu plus chères; un verre de vin est à partir de 7 euros et un cocktail à 10 euros mais il vaut le coup. J’espère que vous aimez ma première revue de restaurant et j’écrirais bientôt un article sur Merci, un café et magasin dans la même groupe que Grazie!
Izzie x


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November 25, 2014

A weekend in Berlin

A couple of weeks ago, Lewis and I went to Berlin for a little weekend break. Even though I love Paris, it was lovely to have a change of scenery and explore a new capital city. We had both been to Berlin before but the last time Lewis was ill and we ended up in a hospital speaking very little German! Luckily this time everything went smoothly and here is a little diary from our trip!
We stayed in the beautifully calm area of Prenzlauerberg, a former punk area which has since been gentrified. We always opt for Airbnb apartments when we go away and this one came with two bikes! So, after a very early flight we set off on our Airbnb bikes to explore Berlin and get our bearings. We did the usual tourist stuff on our first day including going to the top of the Reichstag. Normally you have to queue to pre-book in advance (or you can do it online) but lucky for us, while we were in the queue we had the chance to go up straight away! I am a history nut so I loved learning about it and the views are pretty good too!

Unusual me, I didn’t get round to hitting the city’s vintage shops but we did come across this huge second hand store near Alexanderplatz called Humana. There are a few around the city and they have a huge selection of women’s, men’s, children’s clothes plus shoes and material. I found this gorgeous cream wool scarf/shawl for just 6€, which I have been wearing constantly ever since! In the evening we went to see The Gaslight Anthem (the main purpose for our trip) at Columbiahalle and once again, Brian and the gang did not disappoint!
On Saturday, we explored the city by foot taking a (rather long) stroll from Alexanderplatz along the river down to the East Side Gallery, an international memorial for freedom where stands a 1.3km long section of the Berlin Wall covered in political, historical and moving art. I am absolutely fascinated by Berlin’s history and even though it’s the third time I have visited the Wall, I am still horrified but at the same time in awe that the people of Berlin had to face such control, which only ended just before I was born.
From the East Side Gallery we jumped on a U-Bahn to Tempelhof Park, an abandoned airport which, since its closure in 2008, has become a hang out for young people and families. It is absolutely incredible and should be on your ‘must-not-miss’ list if you visit Berlin. The terminal building, runways and signs are all preserved and that is one of the things I love about Berlin, there is so much history visible. I thought it was a perfect place to take some blog photos, which you can check out here. Once the sun had set we wandered through the beautiful neighbourhood of Tempelhof and stumbled upon a great crêpe place called Manouche. I know, you can take the girl out of Paris but you can’t take Paris out of the girl! The food was cheap, tasty and there was a lovely cosy, friendly atmosphere.
We set off on the bikes again on Sunday morning, heading to Mauerpark Flea Market via the beautifully quiet streets of Prenzlauerberg. I love rummaging at flea markets and this is the most famous one in the city with such a range of stalls from vintage clothes and antique knickknacks to new jewellery and CDs. We picked up a couple of random old black and white photographs with the purpose of hiding one for my friend Nina who was arriving in Berlin just half an hour after we were leaving that night! Unfortunately, someone got to the photo before she managed to but it was fun to do a little treasure hunt anyway! There are also some amazing food stands at Mauerpark market and we opted for a vegan chickpea curry, which was delicious! From the market we headed to another Berlin Wall memorial, strolled through the central area of Mitte and then headed back to the apartment ready for our flight. 
I completely fell in love with Berlin, I cannot recommend it enough for a little city break and I can’t wait to go back!
Izzie x
November 20, 2014

Pink Coat

Vintage pink coat (similar here) / Vintage Levi jeans / Topshop faux fur scarf (old – similar here) / Adidas Stan Smith trainers
Location: Tempelhof Park, Berlin

As soon as I saw this gorgeous pink coat in my shop, I knew it had to be mine. I absolutely love the colour and the oversized shape. It was my coat of choice to my recent weekend break to Berlin, where I thought an abandoned wartime airport-cum-youth hangout was the perfect place to take some blog photos. I mean just look how amazing this park is! It felt so liberating to prance around on an old runway, knowing that decades ago huge aeroplanes would have been landing right where I was standing!
Izzie x
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