[New] A Beautiful Mess App

If you're an Instagram addict like me, then you will love the new photo app by A Beautiful Mess! I saw a few people tweeting about it earlier this week and instantly fell in love with the gorgeous word graphics that it created. Photo apps are nothing new (I have quite a few that I never actually use) but this one is bound to be a success given how popular word art is at the moment.

The app is £0.69 ($1 USD) from iTunes but that is for the basic package only! You need to pay separately for the borders, additional fonts, doodles and phrases which are all an additional £0.69 each (cheeky). I have only purchases the fonts and borders so far, but it is really easy to use and I know I'll use it regularly.

What are your favourite iPhone apps? I've decided that one of my projects while I'm not working over summer is to sort out my iPhone and laptop/s that are all a total mess. You can follow me on Instagram @nottinghillgirl. NHG x

 Spring in Regent's Park, Summer in Cassis, Autumn in Cambridge and Winter in Maida Vale.

[New Purchase] Acne Alma Boots

I bought these Acne Alma boots back in March but have been too scared to wear them! They are a gorgeous beige suede and I fear that London's filthy streets will ruin them on their first outing. Either that, or I'll spill food or drink on them...

I normally ignore press release emails, but I received an interesting one about new Crep Protect a few weeks ago and have bought it in the hope that it will allow me to actually wear my Alma boots this summer. I'll report back if it works, but it is meant to repel liquids and prevent any stains by adding an invisible coating to your shoes. 

It seems ridiculous to not wear these boots non-stop this summer considering they are super comfortable and go with everything from dresses to jeans...not to mention the price! They are true to size - I am normally a UK 4 - 4.5 and the EUR 37 fits me perfectly.

You can purchase Acne's Alma boots on mywardrobe.com (most sizes sold out), Harrods, Selfridges, net-a-porter. They also come in black and yellow.  NHG x

[Home] Vintage Bar Carts

I have been admiring vintage bar carts for some time but have never bought one as I knew we were moving home. When my friend decided to buy one this week, I recommended she visit Golbourne Road in Notting Hill as I'd spotted a fab one there last year. She was in luck and found this gorgeous vintage French bar cart. It wasn't cheap at £350, but it sure looks beautiful in their lounge room.

I now think I'm going to source one for myself and ship it home...you can see more bar cart inspiration on my Pinterest here. NHG x

You can find vintage bar carts and other gems at Les Couilles Du Chien located at 65 Golbourne Road, London W10. Visit their website here.

[Outfit] Whistles Victoria Floral Dress

I first spotted Whistles' new Victoria Floral print in Red magazine back in January...since then I've been on a mission to not miss it when it landed in stores. It finally arrived in late April and I snapped up the dress after the skirt didn't suit my figure. I can't seem to find it online (it keeps appearing and then disappearing again on their website) but you can see the rest of the collection here. NHG x

[Travel] The Hoxton Hotel

I am currently in the last few months of living in London and due to my landlord selling our flat after six months of owning it (rather inconveniently), I have no fixed address. It was Luke's birthday last weekend, so in a mad panic I booked a staycation at The Hoxton Hotel in Shoreditch for a sea change away from West London.

Pros: The bed was super comfortable and the rain shower was amazing - I care very much about both of these things! The staff are super friendly. The views over East London with The Shard in the distance. Free breakfast if you want it (banana, yoghurt and OJ). SO quiet, I didn't hear anyone during our stay. Free Pears soap. The price - £150 is brilliant for a London hotel and the location is great. Free WIFI with no password. A cool, laid back vibe.

Cons: Toiletries are not great (no moisturiser or conditioner). This wouldn't have been an issue for me normally as I take everything with me, but online reviews all said that the hotel had Aveda toiletries which they no longer have. No wardrobes, so nowhere to hang up your clothes. Not a problem for a short stay, but annoying for longer.

We had dinner at the Hoxton Grill downstairs, but there are so many good restaurants in the area if you want to venture out (we were too exhausted from moving). The morning after we headed to BISTROTHEQUE in Hackney for brunch, before a visit to Broadway Market, a walk in London Fields and then lunch at Lucky Chip at Netil Market (voted best burgers in London by many foodies).

It may have been the clear blue skies that made a rare appearance, but we both left contemplating what living in East London for awhile would have been like...NHG x

The Hoxton Hotel is located at 81 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU. Visit their site here.

[Shopping] McArthurGlen Ashford

Last weekend I decided to take a break from packing up my life to move back to Australia (more on that later) and spent the day at McArthurGlen in Ashford with my friend Anna from South Molton St Style to check out their Fashion Fling promotion. In conjunction with Grazia, you can receive extra discounts off accessories until 21 April.  

These days I shop 90% online as I can't stand London shopping crowds, so I was pleasantly surprised at how relaxed shopping at the discount outlet was. Anna and I have very similar taste, so after we demolished ate Wagamama for lunch, we made a shortlist of the stores we wanted to target - Reiss, Jaeger, Watch Station, Kurt Geiger, Nike, Molton Brown and Sunglass Time.

After much deliberation, I bought a black Marc by Marc Jacobs watch from Watch Station that has been on my wish list forever - it was £150 discounted down from £225 which I was very pleased about! I haven't taken it off all week and really love it. Anna bought a fab floral shirt from Reiss (see her post here), Ray Ban sunglasses from Sunglass Time and some Molton Brown bath goodies.

McArthurGlen have discount outlets all over the UK and Europe, and I'm planning to visit their Serravalle centre just outside Milan when I visit the region in August (hello Burberry, Belstaff, M Missoni and Prada)! Their Ashford centre is really easy to get to from London - we drove, but you can catch a train from King Cross and be there in 45mins.

I often complain about the fact that UK stores are always too far ahead in the season with their stock which really doesn't work when the weather doesn't do what it's meant to be doing. I've been wearing my winter coats up until last week, so if you ever need items that are considered "out of season" in the retail world, then I highly recommend you try discount outlets!

Have you ever shopped at a discount outlet mall and can you recommend any that you've visited? The only other outlet I've visited in Europe was the Prada and Miu Miu factory outlet in Florence which was hit and miss. NHG x

Disclaimer: I was gifted a £150 McArthurGlen voucher to spend on the day.

[New Purchase] Carven Paris Map Skirt

I was soooo disappointed when Carven's SS12 Map Print Skirt didn't fit properly. My only option was to buy the larger size and take it in, which I didn't want to do at the time as I don't like altering new (and expensive) pieces.

I've been thinking about that skirt ever since as I have a thing for vintage maps, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover the new Paris Map print available in a skirt, silk shirt, blazer and dress in their SS13 collection.

After deliberating between the silk shirt and the skirt for over a week now, I decided on the skirt and then finally tracked it down in my size after discovering that it is popular and selling out fast!

You can find it online at my-wardrobe, Matches, Harvey Nicols, Farfetch and Cricket Boutique. There is also a longer version available at Browns. NHG x