KATBERRIES: adventures

Showing posts with label adventures. Show all posts

/ 02 May 2015 / 1 Comment

3x12 MANCHESTER: BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN CITY

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaAsVa229cQ_BckwOuBWQwBOpLJyLv5z3dljf-L9xx7Lc4FGyzjUvc66xINi7Ccud3uABnY-c70Bm1TDFsQIzxvy26SkIouWufAXVOIkjmSSHXXZJw0VmpB5GAFsG26eDq_DpaUgbM8U/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaAsVa229cQ_BckwOuBWQwBOpLJyLv5z3dljf-L9xx7Lc4FGyzjUvc66xINi7Ccud3uABnY-c70Bm1TDFsQIzxvy26SkIouWufAXVOIkjmSSHXXZJw0VmpB5GAFsG26eDq_DpaUgbM8U/s1600/14.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br />
Well hello, hello! Happy bank holiday weekend! I don't know about you, but sometimes I like to pretend I'm a tourist in my own city. So I'm bringing you a few pictures taken last weekend on the day the St George's parade went through town.<br />
<br />
We took the bikes and cycled to the town centre to get coffee and look for a belated birthday present, and stumbled upon a giant knight sitting on a giant white horse, "galloping" through the main streets. Plans were postponed as we stopped and climbed up on a giant concrete planter to enjoy better views of the parade.<br />
<br />
The weather was pretty lovely, albeit a little cold, but it's days like this that make me see Manchester in a new light. I'm not really a great fan of the city, I have my reasons, but on this Sunday last week it looked pretty charming to me. And what a great place for outfit pictures!<br />
<br />
I wore three layers on top, each of a different length and I really love how it divides up the look. The colourful pattern from the turquoise crop top adds a much needed interest into an otherwise nice but simple outfit. This new way of styling is something I wouldn't really think of had it not been for the capsule wardrobe. I really love how it forces me to be creative just a little bit every day.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I'm off to enjoy the day down south and to explore new places - are you doing anything fun this weekend?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px;">H&M LACE TOP / <a href="http://www.hm.com/gb/product/89429?article=89429-A">THIS SEASON'S VERSION</a></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Inconsolata;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">H&M CROP TOP / <a href="http://www.fashionhousela.com/butterfly-sleeves-scoop-v-neck-with-piping-detail-chevron-print-top-nw-bt1644p-a-coral.html">SIMILAR</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px;">H&M CROPPED SWEATER / </span><a href="http://www.romwe.com/Hollow-Crop-Knit-Blue-Sweater-p-101458-cat-684.html?SASSource=shareasale&utm_source=shareasale.com&utm_medium=affiliate&affiliateID=256758" style="font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px;">IDENTICAL</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px;"> / </span><a href="http://www.sportsdirect.com/glamorous-fluffy-crop-knit-663245?colcode=66324518&utm_source=Affiliatewindow&utm_medium=Affiliates&utm_campaign=awin" style="font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px;">OR</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px;"> / </span><a href="http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/brands-4210405/glamorous-4282925/cropped-waffle-knit-jumper-by-glamorous-4287469?cmpid=aff_polyuk_cpc_sweaters" style="font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px;">OR</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?cid=1017552&vid=1&pid=000142615000" style="font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">GAP HIGH-RISE JEANS</a><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px;">NEW LOOK FLATS</span><br />
<a href="http://www.asos.com/oasis/oasis-stephanie-leather-across-body-bag/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4918350&clr=Mint&SearchQuery=oasis+stephanie&pgesize=6&pge=0&totalstyles=6&gridsize=3&gridrow=1&gridcolumn=1" style="font-family: Inconsolata; font-size: 14px;">OASIS BAG</a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEP68kRjfomcWcg5KFUcA-YjrXfLt3QSEzGkuH_Cdm-7meWr8Pz9ImaboX92K2PXfZ9o2X7zd4ALGjCJH_VXe3a5ZSf2ILU2tmP5aRqwqLJSzm4rjFBq0oJiGHnJWIgkcYSEQgDth61Kg/s1600/podpis+long+long.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEP68kRjfomcWcg5KFUcA-YjrXfLt3QSEzGkuH_Cdm-7meWr8Pz9ImaboX92K2PXfZ9o2X7zd4ALGjCJH_VXe3a5ZSf2ILU2tmP5aRqwqLJSzm4rjFBq0oJiGHnJWIgkcYSEQgDth61Kg/s1600/podpis+long+long.png" /></a></div>
<br />

adventures, capsule wardrobe, fashion, outfit, spring capsule wardrobe, spring looks, travel

3x12 MANCHESTER: BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN CITY

Well hello, hello! Happy bank holiday weekend! I don't know about you, but sometimes I like to pretend I'm a tourist in my ...

/ 24 December 2014 / 4 Comments

MERRY CHRISTMAS

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP22KRfmnlCw9LOc-zY3Hcrw5qX612IRLhddtx_eayVeahRcqHpwSKQpAPnpQyAKno-_wQG31HZe15E7lFsq4LwFrJVyqz32S0h57hYOGZWT8rtw1gMFK0x6PYbwTOmiz7MIpiEU-CbA/s1600/christmas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP22KRfmnlCw9LOc-zY3Hcrw5qX612IRLhddtx_eayVeahRcqHpwSKQpAPnpQyAKno-_wQG31HZe15E7lFsq4LwFrJVyqz32S0h57hYOGZWT8rtw1gMFK0x6PYbwTOmiz7MIpiEU-CbA/s1600/christmas2.jpg" width="509" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clipzine.me/u/clip/52342383497499847935">img src</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">It's Christmas in Slovakia! We celebrate and get and give presents on the 24th here. In our family, we decorate the tree in the morning, so my mum is currently arranging the people of Betlehem under it. Presents will mysteriously appear later.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I love white Christmas more than anything but this year, it's 8°C and bright and sunny. The remains of a snowman stand in the garden, but the grass is green. To me, Christmas feels a little strange when it's not dark. After the sun goes, that's when the magic starts. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">We are a family of deadliners and things are often done last minute. Last year my dad went off to get the last of his presents in the morning of the 24th. But wrapping is definitely done an hour before dinner, so I feel very proud that I've wrapped my presents last night. Only gift tags to make now ;-)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Later, we'll have a huge, four course dinner, take cake and coffee and sit by the tree to unwrap everything. One by one. I like getting surprise presents, as well as some that I'd picked myself. Fun fact, I don't like getting socks for Christmas! I do like giving them, though. :-)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">What are your holiday traditions and where are you spending Christmas this year? I'd love to hear about your crazy families, presents and food. Merry Christmas!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEP68kRjfomcWcg5KFUcA-YjrXfLt3QSEzGkuH_Cdm-7meWr8Pz9ImaboX92K2PXfZ9o2X7zd4ALGjCJH_VXe3a5ZSf2ILU2tmP5aRqwqLJSzm4rjFBq0oJiGHnJWIgkcYSEQgDth61Kg/s1600/podpis+long+long.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEP68kRjfomcWcg5KFUcA-YjrXfLt3QSEzGkuH_Cdm-7meWr8Pz9ImaboX92K2PXfZ9o2X7zd4ALGjCJH_VXe3a5ZSf2ILU2tmP5aRqwqLJSzm4rjFBq0oJiGHnJWIgkcYSEQgDth61Kg/s1600/podpis+long+long.png" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>

adventures

MERRY CHRISTMAS

img src It's Christmas in Slovakia! We celebrate and get and give presents on the 24th here. In our family, we decorate the tree in ...

/ 20 August 2014 / Leave a comment

VENICE / GONDOLAS

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg2WaI9mayfQpMCCiG9G8lSyt5cUVXGciyCXSDZoJOfilU5vE2-NnsxKlcmJl1JDQF9_q8dEQ03hBK8kXFXgixS10epItAusjtY66AvLdDtaVvMLuPQapZpn8UitKDuvqdyBGAzCsj3s/s1600/06+bezci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg2WaI9mayfQpMCCiG9G8lSyt5cUVXGciyCXSDZoJOfilU5vE2-NnsxKlcmJl1JDQF9_q8dEQ03hBK8kXFXgixS10epItAusjtY66AvLdDtaVvMLuPQapZpn8UitKDuvqdyBGAzCsj3s/s1600/06+bezci.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38e690; font-family: DIN Condensed;"><span style="font-size: 30px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: DIN Condensed;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: 30px;">CANALS AND BOATS</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">Aaand after a few week long supposed hiatus I'm back with another instalment of Venice pictures! I've been busying myself with a photography workshop and my cousin's wedding and am only posting this in the midst of a packing frenzy - soon I'm leaving for Croatia to enjoy a few days in the sun and by the sea. And to fulfil my summer reading list which I've barely touched - a lot can be caught up on in 8 or so days.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">But back to Venice, this post is full of gondolas, understandably. We've not actually gone on one {it costs a fortune} but we did see them everywhere. Gondolas and boats. I still find it amusing there is a boat equivalent to everything. Boat taxi, boat bus, boat fire brigade, boat police. Even boat rubbish collectors! It's a different world; there are no buses through the centre and, if you don't own a floating vessel of some sort, all you can really do is walk. And almost always you will end up finding new alleyways and streets, because you take the <strike>wrong</strike> different route to what you had taken the day before.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">The last photo was taken in Murano, which we were only driven through before getting back to Venice from the mainland (and a swimming trip). Don't the men look like they've been photoshopped into the picture? Sort of like 2D paper dummies. Well, they're not.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">Hope y'all are having a lovely summer, posting for the rest of August may be somewhat scattered, but I have lots planned for you in the fall!</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>

adventures, Italy, travel, Venice

VENICE / GONDOLAS

CANALS AND BOATS Aaand after a few week long supposed hiatus I'm back with another instalment of Venice pictures! I...

/ 19 July 2014 / 4 Comments

VENICE / PIAZZA SAN MARCO

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSDAt3cpduEagsWuXmpvRd1CvWnyphCNr3jfZQ0PtKTkLsxHTGAikOzKL6-ELNCuTBub9vmzDRMouIgyjm0dNqbuOXaIpTr92LwT7ljYElNhEGhwaPjgKsL7MjyOf80ivtX8vNBTgtPc/s1600/08+hodiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSDAt3cpduEagsWuXmpvRd1CvWnyphCNr3jfZQ0PtKTkLsxHTGAikOzKL6-ELNCuTBub9vmzDRMouIgyjm0dNqbuOXaIpTr92LwT7ljYElNhEGhwaPjgKsL7MjyOf80ivtX8vNBTgtPc/s1600/08+hodiny.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: darkblue; font-family: 'DIN Condensed'; font-size: 30px;">BASILICA DI SAN MARCO</span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">As you may have heard on here and on twitter these past few weeks, I went on holiday to Venice. It was my first time there. I think the only other time I went to Italy was when I was two {or three?} years old. It was my first sea holiday with the whole family, and I mean grandma, grandpa, cousins and everybody. Some of the party did go to Venice for a day trip, but because I was so little I didn't come along. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">It feels like I'm doing this backwards - I'm showing you San Marco first, even though these pictures were the last ones to be taken. We were saving St Mark's basilica for the last day. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 13.63636302947998px;">Venice is one of those places that's on everybody's bucket list, and </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">San Marco square is the most well-known, expensive and touristy place you can find in the city. Everybody goes. I first thought you have to pay a hefty fee to get into the basilica, like you do for St Paul's cathedral, for example, but turns out it's free. You just have to queue for about 40 minutes. Or five, if like us, you visit at the right time. {Though, the 'right time' is very fickle.}</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">Inside it's all glitter and gold, which is pretty characteristic of Venice, its history is nothing if not glamorous. You do have to dish out 5€ if you want to go to the museum and the terrace, but you may as well, the view and the museum is pretty worth it. Did you know that the four horses that are on the basilica's front are replicas? The originals date back to 2 AD and are stored inside of the museum. You can see them there, they're pretty cool.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">A travel tip: The best way to get interesting information for free is to stand close to a guided tour - which we did for a little while, and we found out that the majestic clock in the last picture here, was built using lots of ultramarine and gold leaf. No money was spared in its construction. It was placed so that it was facing the lagoon, to make sure everybody knew about the wealth and glory of Venice. Not a modest city, to say the least. A father and son were commissioned to construct the clock and after it was finished, it was so perfect that the doge had them blinded to prevent them from making an even better clock somewhere else. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">Have you been to Venice? Or is it still on your bucket list?</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>

adventures, Italy, travel, Venice

VENICE / PIAZZA SAN MARCO

BASILICA DI SAN MARCO As you may have heard on here and on twitter these past few weeks, I went on holiday to Venice. It...

/ 03 July 2014 / Leave a comment

BRICK LANE {ALTERNATIVE LONDON}

<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #38e690; font-family: 'DIN Condensed'; font-size: 30px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'DIN Condensed'; font-size: 30px; text-align: center;">ALTERNATIVE LONDON</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">A couple weeks back, when I was visiting London, I went on an Alternative tour, after getting a strong recommendation from my friend who went a few days before me. It was a walking tour, focused on the street art of East London. <a href="http://www.alternativeldn.co.uk/" target="_blank">This is their website</a>. You have to book beforehand, but it's worth it. {Also worth mentioning is that they run on a pay-how-much-you-want basis.}</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">I took my camera and marched to the statue of a goat outside the Spitafields market - the meeting point. The tour lasted about two hours and I found out loads about East London and its past. Even if you're a Londoner yourself, it's still pretty informative, as you get to hear about a different side of things. I found out a lot about street art too, and that walking through Brick Lane you can spot all kinds of creatures. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">The artist whose work is in the first picture paints windows and then scratches the paint off in place. The results are pretty effective and in case the police stop him, he apparently says he's just cleaning the window from the paint. Clever guy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">The second picture is a mural by Lily Mixe, one of few female street artists. I'm only showing you a small detail here, but if you google her name, this wall is one of the first to come up. It's always very detailed and intricate and what I imagine a pain in the neck to create! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">Below are some mouthwatering treats.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoAQ-Y_Tpzt32g5MVgeNgQGqplSj5f4XV18drSampOaJPb753f6i2U3HIkf4Ay_BWGKslAPJgeifImn8LGmkyYZXtVqt1peaYOQlJSSmsiSU0zDxusUcofqkDiZv1KQcsoPK8HIsmXvM/s1600/03+caramel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoAQ-Y_Tpzt32g5MVgeNgQGqplSj5f4XV18drSampOaJPb753f6i2U3HIkf4Ay_BWGKslAPJgeifImn8LGmkyYZXtVqt1peaYOQlJSSmsiSU0zDxusUcofqkDiZv1KQcsoPK8HIsmXvM/s1600/03+caramel.jpg" /></a>

<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'DIN Condensed'; font-size: 30px;">STREET ART AND CHOCOLATES</span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">First of all, I don't have muddy hands, it's cocoa! I got it all over when I was trying to pull these treats out of a cellophane bag. The one with a bottle is a baileys bonbon, yum, but my personal favourite is the sparkly caramel in the little cup. These chocolates, they don't even look like food anymore. They're are from a corner shop on Brick Lane called Dark Sugars. It has all kinds of bonbons and even though they look a bit plastic, {in a good way}, you</span><span style="font-size: 14px;"> can most definitely eat them. It's recommended, even! Just beware, you pay what it weights and if you go wild, well, expect the price to go up exponentially too.</span><span style="font-size: 14px;"> You are welcome to get your hands dirty. I did.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Now onto the small statue of a female body with wings; you can find loads of little statues on camp posts, there's about 40 in London, just look up! Each is one of a kind. The reason why I'm showing you this particular one is because the wings were actually crafted from a real dead pigeon wings. Not sure it that's a WOW or an EW moment. Feel about it as you wish.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Darth Vader is one of my favourites too. It was done {illegally} at night and the artist{s} <strike>got</strike> <i>drove</i> a lifting platform all the way from the other side of the city, wore hi-vis vests and closed off the streets around that building. They pretended to be proper contracted workers. One of them actually directed traffic. What a cheeky {but brilliant} idea.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">On this tour you'll also find out how East London has been shrinking for the past few years and how it really should be protected as something different, something unique that you won't find anywhere else. I agree. Protect this diversity before it disappears. What do you think? Would you rather see London become all modern with tall glassy buildings? Me, I prefer it with its slowly diminishing charm and character.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I've seen how much street art has evolved over the years and it's amazing that every time I walk through Brick Lane, I find it changed. The walls change every few months, like in a gallery. I have to admit, I don't much like the look of graffiti, but I love what these artists are doing now. Bringing fine are to the streets.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-family: DIN CONDENSED; font-size: 18px;">x-x-x-x  KAT  x-x-x-x</span></span></div>
<br />

adventures, diary, England, London, travel

BRICK LANE {ALTERNATIVE LONDON}

ALTERNATIVE LONDON A couple weeks back, when I was visiting London, I went on an Alternative tour, after getting a strong ...

/ 25 June 2014 / Leave a comment

NEAL'S YARD {COVENT GARDEN}

<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: 'DIN Condensed'; font-size: 30px;">COVENT GARDEN WANDERINGS</span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">So I mentioned that Covent Garden is one of my favourite places to visit in London. There's always an opera singer or a classical musician showcasing his or her talent inside. I've always wondered how much money they earn doing that.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">When you walk through the little underpass, you'll find two huge pans with paella being cooked in the open space. I've not tasted it, but it always looks so mouthwatering. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">When I've had my fix of Covent Garden, I like to walk to Piccadilly and pop into the Whole Foods store there. They have a hot foods section where I once had the yummiest chicken in a spicy sauce. After that, an obligatory walk down Regent Street is in order. I walked into a Zara home store - I've not seen one before, and they have the prettiest bed linen! And it's not even <i>that</i> expensive.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I went inside GAP too, I've always thought they only did sporty things and a sort of not-up-my-street wear. How wrong was I. Their new summer collection is to die for. Crisp white cotton dresses with pockets. POCKETS! And they fit perfectly too. If only they were included in the 50% off summer sale...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Did you know about Neal's Yard? What are your favourite places in London?</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>

adventures, diary, England, London, travel

NEAL'S YARD {COVENT GARDEN}

NEAL'S YARD I found it! Neal's yard! I saw a picture of it on Pinterest two years ago and I didn't even be...

/ 20 June 2014 / Leave a comment

COLUMBIA ROAD

<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 11px; text-align: center;">Coord, Dorothy Perkins // Jacket, Esprit, thrifted</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: 'DIN Condensed'; font-size: 30px;">STROLLING THROUGH THE INFAMOUS FLOWER MARKET</span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">Lo and behold, I am joining the hundreds of bloggers praising the Columbia Road flower market. How original of me, right? But honestly, if you're in London over the weekend, take a walk through there. Well, more of a slow feet shuffle - it's a popular place to go on a Sunday morning. Even before you make the turn to Columbia Road, you'll see lots people carrying fresh flowers wrapped in brown paper. That's when you know you're {almost} at the right place. And when the wind blows the right way, the smell is divine. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">This past weekend, it was about sunflowers and peonies, mostly peonies. They looked fresh and soft and I kind of wanted to take a bath in peony petals. I didn't. But I assumed the slowest pace I could and looked at all the colours in awe. It really was beautiful.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">I had a great time visiting friends and places in London these past few days. I'm lucky to have some of my long time friends living in London right now. It felt real nice to see them, we used to live on the same street years ago!</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">This was also the first time I went to London and it was neither extremely hot {shout out to the 35 degree heatwave of July 2010}, nor extremely cold {January 2013 and Hyde Park covered with about 3 inches of snow}. When the sun shone, it was just right. That's a good weather to dress for. I'll probably do an outfit post with this DP coord, don't you love it? {If not, just look at the people's expressions in the background.}</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan; font-size: 14px;">Anyway, apart from the sunflowers, I think my favourite display was that of the blooming cacti. I've never seen so many of them flowering at once! When I look at the picture, I feel like it doesn't even belong, like it's been taken somewhere else. Mexico, or Arizona. I'd take them all if I could. Have you ever made the trip to Columbia Road Flower Market? It's there every weekend!</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: puritan;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>

adventures, diary, England, fashion, London, outfit, travel

COLUMBIA ROAD

Coord, Dorothy Perkins // Jacket, Esprit, thrifted STROLLING THROUGH THE INFAMOUS FLOWER MARKET Lo and behold, ...

Latest Articles