New clothhhessssss. I cannot stop buying new stuff. This never happens, ever. Firstly, the dress in the header picture above. It's from Zara, I featured it on my Instagram here and looks like I'm not the only one... Slightly gothic florals seem really key for autumn: they have also made a more office-worthy version here, and a maxi dress here. Vilshenko (phenomenally expensive Russian designer, I think) eat your heart out (ps this Iris and Ink shirt really should be considered too...)

"Pretty" is also very important, which is a new thing for me as I often try and look anything but cute. However lace doesn't have to mean sh*t fabrics and Barbie make up anymore. This top from Marks and Spencer looks great with my denim staples (more on that below) and don't forget about new-essential Realisation Par; their silk tops are perfect for someone wanting to add some flair to their otherwise pretty reserved wardrobe (thats me, btw).

Bomber jackets just aren't going away. I found one I loved in Berlin, didn't buy it, and now it's haunting me. This one from Topshop is perfection. As they're all different colours choosing one is difficult - but this is reversible so it pink and blue. Check it out properly here.

I'm also buying polo necks, something I didn't think would happen to me. After buying quite a lot of summer dresses this year I'm not prepared to give them up in cooler weather. I read Elle last week and they had a whole piece on putting a polo neck under a dress and it looked really cool. I'm carving this Chloe one but always test out a look using the high street first. So, I've bought some ASOS two-pack basics to try it out (get yours here). So far so good, and they look awesome with denim too... (ps - saying that, Topshop have brought out a winter version of that summer dress, here. Must have)

Which leads me neatly to a new found jean love; Levi 501s. Yep, I've made the pilgrimage and man it was worth it. I got mine in the sale here and you'll be seeing a lot of them on the blog as they now never come off my body. So good - shaped but slouchy, tough but soft. It's love - if you're after a good boyfriend jean get these and only these. 

I'm starting to get into knitwear again, and cardigans make the most sense at the moment - along with cut out detail knits - as they're the easiest to throw on when it's not that cold. This Ganni one is going to be a bit of a showstopper, having been worn by the usual street style bunch a lot. And really don't forget about Iris and Ink this season; this jumper is just one example of what they've got to offer...

Lastly, wanted to introduce a new brand to me Storets. I'd seen it on a few bloggers but when I looked at the site I questioned the quality. However, a few proseccos down the other night I made an order. It's all arrived, I'll feature it on the blog shortly - but in the mean time I just wanted to say how good it all is and I've been really impressed with the fit and service. Below is what I got:

The gingham dress is the absolute dream, my friend Holly had it and I couldn't say no having seen it on her. Very flattering. This navy boho dress is a complete copy of the must-have-brand Dodo Bar Or but at the price, who cares (also in white here)? The designer clearly makes too much money on theirs when someone can rustle it up for so much less... This ribbon detail blouse is a great staple, as the gingham off shoulder, this green satin skirt looks so much more expensive 

I've travelled quite a bit this summer and always think the most essential beauty items are the ones you can't go without when on holiday/abroad - the ones that make it into the case, and justify the extra baggage cost so you can put the bottle in. So without further ado, here are the things that I just can't not have with me at all times:

I have to admit I don't scrimp on my beauty products. It's my face - surely if you're going to invest in something, it's your face? Yes, as a blogger I get quite a bit sent over, but as someone who only bought face wipes (my sole beauty product) when they were in a 2 for 1 offer, for me to even suggest spending money on things like this is a worthy testament. Take brands like Perricone MD. I would never have discovered them had their PRs not shown them to me - now I can't leave the house (wherever I am in the world) without their Face Finishing Moisturiser. It's a lazy girl's dream - one little finger full hides a multitude of sins. You will not regret the investment. 

Likewise with Tom Ford's make up. Damn me it's expensive, but you can't beat it. Their Bronzing Primer gives the same look as a two week holiday but at a fraction of the price (see what I did there!?). One squirt does the job (that sounds wrong) - instant glowy, not-at-al-shiny skin that doesn't feel like you've got make up on. Pair that with Benefit's Sun Beam dabbed across your cheek bones and you really do look very, very good.

I'm not a huge make up person so when something makes it on here (not to mention, onto my face on a regular basis) it really must be good. Last month I was sent over a few bits from 3ina, an Aussie brand. I usually really like products from Australia as they tend to be very well thought out - good for outdoor living and sunshine which these products definitely are. The thing that I can't get enough of is the lip crayons. I don't even wear lipstick but this (I have colour 108) is the bomb. Even my boyfriend noticed it - WHICH IS A MIRACLE - and they're only £8.

I've blogged about it tonnes before but my mascara is Charlotte Tilbury. It does clump up a bit after a while but it's industrial strength and copes with all the rain storms, tears, sea waves and sweats that go with my life... Lastly - and something I never thought I'd give two hoots about - brows. I swear by Benefit's newly revamped brow mascara Gimme Brow (yeah, it's a thing). I can't explain technically or professionals what it does - but it gives my face a really "oomph" by thickening and shaping my brows and it's so easy it's untrue.

Skin care wise I've got some goodies this month, some old some new. I had a clear out in my bathroom cupboard and found Aesop's Camelia Nut Hydrating Cream and am now livid with myself for not using it sooner. My skin seriously dries out in patches when I've been in the sun, and wrinkles quickly become more defined. Having used this for the last fortnight, they've gone. And I don't mean faded, I mean GONE. Just go and buy it here. 

I really really want to stress how good Guinot's Minceur Rapide stuff is. I have had cellulite since I was a kid (a vivid memory of my early teens was a friend asking what the bubbles on my legs were during swimming class, devastating) and I absolutely hate it. This is the only stuff I've ever found that works. Do both to a) buy it, and b) use it properly for two weeks. I sort-of cut out the bad foods during that time, but not really, and seriously saw a difference. Now, I'm almost cellulite free in previously awful problem areas. Get yours here.

Wow, this is a long post - sorry! I'll finish up with two goodies: Essie's new Gel Setter is a must for anyone going away. For £10 it makes at home gel manis possible - the first time I used it my nails lasted three weeks. I'm still obsessed with Ren's Radiance Mask and use it religiously once a week to give my skin a deep clean.

These photos were taken on our break to Scotland last week, which was a much needed detox from the stresses and strains of London life. Both of us have been very busy balancing work with work, with a little bit of play sprinkled on the top. We were exhausted, and arrived happily at the beach with Lopez for an evening stroll. I thought these pictures of pure bliss were the perfect backdrop to a recent new discovery...


A few months ago I was asked to go and review a Chinese Medicine practitioner. I was dubious. Having really been put through it the last few years health wise, I had visions of someone trying to encourage me to look at the stars whilst chewing monkey genitalia and chanting. I really didn't think it would help me in any way whatsoever. How wrong I was.

Firstly, when Katie opened the door I was pretty surprised. Wash away all preconceptions of the type of person you'd expect to do this kind of thing - Katie is the type of person you'd want to know where she gets her blow dries as much as you would want information about health and wellbeing. Her own journey to Chinese Medicine is a fascinating one, and more importantly to me, entirely logical. She watched western medicine continuously fail those around her and looked for alternatives.

In simple form, the Chinese believe that every human has a unique balance in their body controlled by 5 core organs; liver, lungs, digestive system, heart and kidneys (note that the brain isn't one of them...) and that your balance is set based on when you were born - down to the time of day and position of the moon. It does make sense - if you think that the moon controls the tides of the world's oceans we'd be ignorant not to consider it has some pull over our bodies too, no?

When I saw Katie I was in the thick of a frustrating process with our health system. Having had a cocktail of digestive issues, the NHS was really struggling to know what to do with me - despite having seen the top people in 3 departments across 3 hospitals. Katie instantly gave me a perspective on my health history that had never been thought of before - connecting my brittle asthma to my tumour in a simple and matter of fact fashion that left me feeling somewhat daft to not have considered it before. In a weird way despite still feeling sickly it gave me a huge sense of calm - feeling like I knew what was going on. As Katie says "sometimes a diagnosis is half the cure."

There are years worth of books on Chinese Medicine, but Katie vehemently believes that simple yoga-like practices each day can ward off the majority of illnesses. Stress causes a huge % of  health problems, and so making an effort to calm and relax the mind and body each day can make the world of difference. Two months in, I'm hastened to agree. Katie has just launched Hayo'U as a way for people to benefit from her 1 minute methods online. Take a look at them here.

If you (like me) are a bit of a sceptic, I challenge you not to feel the benefits after a week. After a month, despite still being stuck in "emergency waiting lists" through the NHS, the Hayo'U practises are massively helping me stream a balance between feeling unwell and managing to work, and play. I really do recommend you take a look, full information here.

I'm taking you back to Italy in this post - have been itching to put this content up for weeks! Whilst we were visiting the Amalfi Coast one hotel kept on being mentioned - Hotel Caruso. When availability came up for a night we literally rearranged our holiday plans to make the visit, and were not disappointed to do so AT all.

I mean, you only need to look here to see how unique and incredible this hotel is - give me another place in the world with a view like that? We arrived and went straight for a dip (how could you not) before enjoying a bottle of bubbles in the room overlooking the very same view - here is a picture.

It's very much a boutique hotel, so even when at full capacity (which it invariably is, unsurprisingly) it doesn't feel crowded and guests have their own patches of grass by the pool overlooking the view and right by the extremely relaxed bar. In the evenings you can dine inside the hotel or at the incredible Belvedere restaurant - we did this and were blown away with the quality of the food, service and, of course, the views.

When you're somewhere as special as this, you need to dress for the occasion. I got this Zimmermann dress a couple of weeks before the trip and was dying to wear it. I'm not usually a girly girl, as a kid I was the one with the mullet hair cut wearing blue and playing with my train set and Lego, but this really brought out an inner princess I didn't know I had. It's so comfortable, the cut out is in just the right place so I felt amazing in it... If you make one special purchase this summer, let it be this (totally get its expensive so put a couple of similar high street ones at the base of this post).

The shoes you've seen before and thats because I live in them. Such a brilliant purchase. Look designer, cost nothing. I could run around all day in them too...They're from Mango here, but look like absolute copies of the Chloe ones here. They're now even cheaper than when I bought them - £12.99, do it (I'm itching for the black ones, here)!

I really cannot recommend the hotel enough, it was a highlight of our trip. From start to finish it was absolute perfection. Our room was gorgeous, the bathroom was the size of my flat (we spent hours in the tub drinking champagne watching Entourage #thuglifechoseme) and little finishing touches like chocolates on your pillow before bed really make it the luxurious stay you'd want...

As part of the #makeitpop4 campaign with Alcatel (check it out on Instagram here) I was asked to go and explore Berlin for 48 hours. Having visited the city on business before - so only getting a glimpse of what was to be seen - I was so keen to go back and jumped at the chance. Dragging Emma along for the ride, we caught a very early morning flight with Norwegian (they have wifi on board, perfect for trip planning) and landed in Germany in time for breakfast on Monday morning.

Berlin is a city so rich in history and culture it's difficult to know where to start. We decided that we'd concentrate on two districts, Kollwitzkiez and Mitte, and really mine them for all they had. Having inhaled our avocado and eggs at Soho House (we're bloggers, what else do we eat for breakfast!?) we decided to hit Mitte first, as it's so great for shopping and we had a fix that needed, errr, fixing.

Mitte has a unique offering for shopping that I really don't think you get anywhere else. There are several really strong independent boutiques that are genuinely a joy to spend time in. The pieces and designers the store owners find are incredible. Using my phone (the POP 4, obviously) as our guide, we found all the shops we were looking for really quickly - we'd been recommended Rebecca, The Store, Isobel Gowdie and April First and were not disappointed.

I bought a few things (oops), discovering labels like Leon and Harper as well as getting my fix of Maison La Biche with an exclusive tee from a collaboration with Alex Eagle, here. We also strolled into stores you'd find in the UK like And Other Stories and Urban Outfitters - which seem so much better stocked than at home - finding bargains like this gorgeous bag for the equivalent of £12.

Food wise, Berlin has so much to offer and really needs more credit for the surplus of cool bars and outdoor settings for you to grab a bite. We stumbled upon an incredible burger place, but in truth if you stick around streets like Linienstrasse and Alte Schonhauser Strasse you really cannot go wrong.

In the evening we stuck to Soho House so we could catch up on emails and enjoy the rooftop view. New for the hotel, it also has an infinity pool looking over the city with brilliant views of the major monuments like the Reichstag. Bose Museum and the infamous Fernsehturm (essentially like our BT Tower in London, but better).

The next morning Emma got me up bright an early promising a day of graffiti exploration and book trees. Street art really cannot be ignored in Berlin as it's absolutely everywhere. I wish I'd done more research as you could spend days on the hunt for the famous artists' work - we tried to find the Banksys and failed miserably... That said we did discover some amazing work by artists like Dede and C215. Even if you aren't into art as such, I challenge you not to enjoy going on a bit of a bear hunt for the stand-out pieces.

All in all, you just have to go to Berlin. I'm already planning my next trip back - it was that good. We didn't touch on the historical elements of the city which I'd really like to do; the older buildings in the centre of the city and by the river look absolutely incredible, and locations like Checkpoint Charlie are very much on my bucket list...

I used the POP 4 for the whole trip - it was fantastic - everything from the camera (super strong, especially in the midday sun) to the maps and planning options made it the perfect city break partner... Please don't forget that anyone who buys the POP4 handset this summer gets return flights to one of nine cities in Europe, so if you're looking for an excuse to get away to have a break like this this could be your answer. Discover more here. 

Outfit Details
white t shirt, Alex Eagle x The Stores / striped tee shirt, Boden / jeans, Topshop / denim jean shorts, Topshop / white sandals, Birkenstock / blue jumper, LK Bennett London / tortoiseshell sunglasses, Fendi / red sunglasses, Gucci