These boots were made for walking

I have always been a huge fan of wearing boots, especially since living in London. As far as I'm concerned they can be worn in every season (including summer) so investing in good quality and comfortable boots is an absolute must!

I already own one pair of ASH boots which are extremely comfortable, so when I laid eyes on their new(ish) Jalouse boot I knew I had to own a pair. These boots sold out everywhere during their launch but I managed to put my name on a list at ASH and snapped a pair as soon as I received their restock email...they were sold out again within hours.

The leather is so soft and plush and the heel is the perfect height for walking for hours on end, which is exactly what I did in Copenhagen on the weekend. A pretty city that was ruined by miserable weather! NHG x

You can buy the Ash Jalouse boots here in stone, camel and black (be quick, they sold out fast last release!). Click to buy.

Outfit details: Dusty pink knit jumper, COS; Skinny leg black jeans, Sportsgirl; Jalouse boots, ASH; Watch , GUESS; Sunglasses, Chanel; Lipgloss, MAC.

Wardrobe Essentials - part 2

Having just reviewed my shopping list from back in February, I'm quite pleased that I've actually stuck to the list and ticked everything off apart from wool cardigans (which obviously are not needed now we're heading into summer).

It seems that the list actually works and makes focusing my shopping so much easier - hurruh! I've listed where I found the below items...the only regret purchase I have is the Sportsgirl maxi skirt which doesn't fit so well but unfortunately I was unable to return it while I was in Melbourne. What's on your current wish list? NHG x

February 2011
Black maxi skirt -  Sportsgirl
Grey t-shirt - COS
Nautical Breton top  - COS
Black flat ankle boots - Mea Shadow at The Outnet
Black jumper dress - COS
White/cream blazer - H&M
Black skinny leg jeans - Sportsgirl
Black t-shirt (bought coral instead) - COS
Gold ballet flats (bought ballet pink instead) - Dune
Silk collared shirt - River Island
Black leather skirt - Topshop
Thin wool cardigans (on hold until autumn)

May 2011 wardrobe wish list (linked below)
Bloch tan ballet flats
ASH tan wedges from Question Air
ASH 'Jalouse' boots in Vision
The Kooples white lace cardigan 
The Kooples black lace dress
Denim shirt 
Michael Kors Tortoise Jet Set Watch 
Leopard print clutch from Rachael Ruddick
Leopard print wedges from Shoes of Prey
A blue/white breton top from Petit Bateau 

Image credit: Kate Bosworth for Cotton Inc. via Daily Mail

Le Choix Trois

I was recently featured on Le Choix Trois, a blog that asks the question - If you were never to see your wardrobe again, but can save three things. What would you save and why? Here is what I chose...

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs patent leather flats
I bought these in 2007 and have been wearing them ever since! They are classic and so incredibly comfortable! They were made in Italy and the quality shows, I have them resoled every so often and they are like new again.

2. Mulberry Bayswater bag in Oak
This is my first ‘designer’ bag and was a gift from my boyfriend. I have always wanted a classic designer bag that I can (hopefully) one day pass on to a daughter. It took me a long time to work out what bag was right for me, but I’m not so glad I chose it.

3. Topshop black tailcoat blazer
I bought this blazer back in 2008 and wear it with everything. It is so versatile - I wear it with jeans, dresses and skirts. I love the tailcoat at the back, it’s different from a traditional blazer.

I have to admit it was very hard to choose just three as I have a few other pieces that I wear to death and couldn't live without...what would you choose if you could only save three pieces from your wardrobe? NHG x

You can read the full article here and thanks to Esther for featuring me!

The French Pharmacy

French Pharmacy products seem to the be 'it' thing in cosmetics at the moment. I know I've long aligned all things beauty with the French, so it's only natural that we all want to get our hand on products that have traditionally only been available in France.

I'm not really a Gwyeneth Paltrow fan, but I did like her blog about staple French products that she buys when in France (or online in the US). A few days after I read the article I realised that my local pharmacy in Notting Hill, Baywood Chemist, stocks a HUGE amount of French pharmacy products including - Nuxe, La Roche Posay, Avene, RoC, Vichy, Caudalie, Clairns, Durance plus more.

I've been slowly replacing my products with French brands as I've run out over the past few weeks and below is what I've bought. I've highlighted the products I would buy again with an asterisk and would hands down say that my favourite brand so far is Nuxe - their multi-usage dry body oil is divine and the perfect product for summer!

Speaking of summer, I have been looking for a non-oily, light facial sunscreen since moving to the UK (the Nivea Light facial lotion that I used in Australia isn't available here) and my new La Roche-Posay lotion is absolutely perfect.

La Roche-Posay Lipid-Replenishing Body Milk*
La Roche-Posay Fluide Extreme 30SPF face sunscreen*
Nuxe travel set - 3 Roses Cleansing Water, Creme Fraiche 24 hour Moisture Emulsion*, Multi-Usage body oil*, Reve de Miel hand & nail creme* and body and bath gel.
Klorane dry shampoo with nettle*
Vichy dermablend foundation*
Caudalie Merlot Friction Scrub* 
Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser
Avene Thermal Water (yet to use)
Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
RoC Sublime Energy eye cream (I was given this to try and it burnt my sensitive eyes)

You can buy Nuxe, Caudalie and Clarins on lookfantastic.com and feelunique.com.

Let me know if you have any good recommendations and a big thank you to Anne from Ritournelle who is always a great source of advice on all things French! NHG x

                                                               

Shopping in Porto

When I was researching for our weekend trip to Porto in Portugal I didn't really expect to find so many little shopping gems. As the city has only become a destination in the past few year with the arrival of Easyjet and Ryanair, it is still difficult to find good guides to the city.

Here are my shopping picks: 
Rua Miguel Bombarda: Located in the city's art gallery district, this street is not to be missed. While our 5 star hotel was full of people far older than us, as soon as we headed to this street we found the fun, young and fashionable vibe of the city. The street is full of street art/graffiti and even the street lights are designed like lamp shades.

Centro Comercial Bombarda, 285 Rua Miguel Bombarda: An arcade shopping centre set on Rua Miguel Bombarda, this arcade combines vintage, design, organic skin care and homewares stores. My favourite store was Trash Vintage where I picked up a floral skirt for €10 plus I also bought a pink flower ring from another small boutique from a local designer (sorry, can't remember the name!). If you are feeling peckish there is a cafe within the arcade which serves HUGE chocolate cakes and strawberry or mint caipirinhas (for only €3). 

Cocktail Molotof, 452 Rua Miguel Bombarda : Again on Rua Miguel Bombarda, this boutique stocks Comme des Garcons and a big range of Vivienne Westwood for Melissa shoes, plus many boutique brands for both men and women. I picked up a pair of sunglasses and wa in love with the cute jelly pink bow sandals (pictured below).

Lobo Taste, 20 Largo  de S. Domingos: This is a fabulous homewares store by Interior Designer, Paulo Lobo, aims to bring back local crafts that are traditional to Portugal. They stock a huge range of rugs in contemporary colours from nautical stripes in coral, navy blue, duck egg blue, yellow, orange and the list goes on. I picked up a dove grey rug for my lounge room, while my friend picked up a missoni-esque style rug (pictured below). We were both debating over whether to ship more home to us in London as they were not only handmade in Portugal, but they were only €27!! The store also stocks a wide range of handmade hats such as stylish fedoras.

I hope that helps if you ever visit the city! NHG x