Tales of my trip to China #2

A little delayed, here are some of my pics from Hong Kong. 


Personally I did not enjoy HK as much as I thought I might. It was very grand and the views from the Peak were extraordinary, but it was all a little too much, too wealthy and just not historical and culturally different for me! Fair enough I was only there a day but I'd still be really interested to know what you think of it.


In the meantime, here's to daydreams!

Tales of my trip to China #1

Very recently for day-job purposes, I travelled to the other side of the world to Shenzhen in China.

I still can't believe I was all the way over there.

It is very hard to describe everything I saw, and even though Shenzhen is very westernised, discovering about the Chinese culture was really fascinating.

What did I like the most?

1. The bicycles (so many everywhere, being used as a traditional people-carrier, or to carry plants, water jugs, and all sorts of other things!)

2. The shops - not really shops per se, more like warehouse where everybody is in bulk, not many displays or shelving units, everything sort of in a mess with lots of Chinese signs everywhere.

3. Laundry drying out on every single balcony and in front of shops.

4. Everything being in Mandarin and me not understanding a single word.

If anything, this trip certainly made me want to travel a lot more, see more of the world and maybe even learn Mandarin.

Here are a few snaps of my trip...

They may not be perfect, may be a little blurry but to me they are just perfect. I had wished I had been able to take more, but as we were driving most of the time, it was a bit of a challenge.

Where did you go that inspired you? Have you visited Shenzhen before? 

Lady of scarves

I am a lady of scarves - it is not often that you will see me without - I call it my French touch ! :)


I discovered this video a long time ago, and it has probably has been around quite a few times on quite a few blogs by now, but I absolutely love it and for those of you who have not watched it yet, it is 4.5 minutes very well spent! 


All the thinking, the efforts and of course all the time spent making it is really quite dramatic! 


You can find out more about how the video was produced on Wendy's Lookbook's here.


Enjoy!

********************


I am off to China for about ten days, will show and tell all when I come back ! In the meantime, you can always have a look at the new Collectibles bracelets and the sale on the website! xo

A fun day at Bicester Village

So when I woke up this morning, I decided to go to Bicester Village. It was either Bicester or Cambridge, and as much as I love Cambridge, I thought that under the rain, being inside shops would be the safer option!

As it turned out, other than a few mini showers, it was a rain-free and very sunny day!

My primary aim of course was not actually to go shopping, it was to go driving - as odd as this sounds. Yes, for a work-related reason, i had a hire-car which I needed to get some driving practice on (only passed my test a few months ago and haven't driven since!)

So I thought I would share my dos and don'ts on how to have a fabulous day driving!

1. Before getting there: Look the part - wear some feel good clothes... in my case my new raspberry dress and my new black wedges!

2. On your way there: Get lost! Definitely the highlight of my day - excellent for driving practice... miss your motorway exit and end up rather closer to London than expected (or that you had wanted!)

(2. So I'll give a kind alternative to the first number '2' - buy a map... or a sat nav!)

3. That's also another wonderful excuse to drive in Oxfordshire and enjoy its beautiful countryside!


4. Bring yummy apricots to keep you going on the way there... do  not bring cookies - they will melt!

5. As you get there: park well... totally uncalled for - that person was just mean to me (and had left me no room to manoeuvre) - I just laughed!

6. When you are there: enjoy...

Get some yumminess from Carluccio's 

Buy yourself a few treats to make up for all the driving (lovely skirt and rather high heels!)

Enjoy the shop displays (Cath Kidston)

Think about the last time you were here and that key moment in your life, how everything is different now

Get into the spirit and into the Bicester "lifestyle" (Brooks Brothers)

Do a bit (a lot!) of people watching

Dream about one day owning one of your favourite designer's dress (Valentino)

And finish your day with an Amaretto ice cream!

Get home with just enough time to write this post and get an (well deserved!) early night's sleep :)