Paris Day Three!

Waking up in Paris just doesn't get old. Even if it is in a slightly dodge area. After an even more croissant-heavy breakfast we embarked upon a shopping morning, only to be halted by a quick downpour. So we had a coffee break (or hot chocolate in my case) and then hit the shops. In the morning we wandered around Montmartre, discovering cute little shops, then we headed into central Paris. We had lunch in the Saint Germain area, then chose to split up according to what we wanted to do.. In the end we all went our separate ways - Alison to sketch in the park by the Louvre, Claire to see inside Notre Dame, and myself to carry on with some hardcore shopping. While I wandered surrounded by designer labels I had no hope of affording I was having the time of my life, and it got even better when I found a second-hand/vintage shop down a backstreet! After shopping, I carried out my little Amelie fantasy and checked out the Canal de Saint Martin and the Cafe des Deux Moulins. Then we had a picnic dinner by the Sacre Coeur before cocktails.. A very good third day.

Here was my outfit of day three..

Dress, Bag, Shoes & Cross Bracelets - Topshop; Floral Headband - New Look; Wishbone Bracelet - Accessorize; Ring - H&M.

I absolutely adore this Topshop lace dress - not only is it a celeb favourite, but it looks effortlessly pretty and summery. Before Paris I had only worn it layered up with tights and blazers, but while away in warmer weather I finally got to wear it by itself. In my typical fashion I didn't leave it all simple though as I added a ladylike bag, some glittering flats and a Lana Del Rey style floral headband. I would swear blind that all day in Paris the only person I saw with a headband was my reflection.. I am definitely too British to blend in!

Here are some more snaps of my daily activities.. quite food-based this time.

Our emergency cuppas.

Casual Montmartre graffiti.

Paris is so damn photogenic.

Canal de Saint Martin

Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain anyone?

Some top quality vin rouge.

Macarooooons!

Coming up next is the final day, and then my shopping haul!

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Paris Day Two!

Waking up in Paris was a pretty beautiful feeling, and that sensation was only improved by croissants with nutella and some good coffee! Day Two was our cultural day, so we went to the Sacre Coeur, then the Notre Dame (followed by a picnic in a nearby park) and then the Louvre, where we found a funfair and went on a chairswing. For dinner we found possibly the only vegetarian food (two of us are veggie!) and had a good old curry, before continuing the culture with l'Arc de Triomphe, a stroll down the Champs Elysee and crossing the Seine. I'm not going to lie, we did an awful lot of walking!

The weather on the second day was gorgeous, so I really dressed for the sunny weather!

Skirt - River Island; Bralet, Bag, Shoes & Ring - Topshop; Sunglasses - ASOS; Earrings - New Look; Bracelets - Pandora, Lola Rose & Accessorize.

Like a true British tourist, as soon as I hit vaguely sunnier climes I start to wear as few clothes as possible. I have wanted to put these two pieces together for quite a while, but was waiting for the right opportunity.. Paris was perfect. I love how the silhouette becomes like a classic retro prom dress (aka uber flattering) while the prints complement each other well. This daytime look was surprisingly comfortable, especially thanks to the flat shoes and gorgeous cat-eye sunglasses to keep out the sun's glare, even if that bralet did not allow a lot of room for pastries.

And here are some of our photos from Day Two...

It's not all serious here..

Do you like my shades?

One of my fave pics of the whole trip!

The Sacre Coeur from below.

Getting touristy.

I would quite like to live here.

Pont Saint Michel.

Writing postcards apres picnic.

Myself & Claire outside Notre Dame.

These made up a large proportion of my Paris diet.. BNs!

Oh my beloved BNs.

Here we are now, entertain us..

Myself and Claire at dinner. (yes, I changed shirts)

The poppadoms disappeared too fast to photograph!

My very yummy rose lassi - so French, I know.

Haagen Dazs for dessert.. nom nom nom.

Imploding with joy at the LV store.

On the statue of Charles de Gaulle.

City lights on the Seine.

Okay wow, that was quite picture heavy.. The trip continues in the next post with Day Three!

Love and kisses, Tara xox

Happy birthday to me..

Apologies for not blogging yesterday, but I was rather distracted since I turned 18! Yes, I am now officially an adult & was consequently enjoying my new adulthood instead of keeping up with the posts.. It was a pretty perfect 18th, even though I had an exam and had to be in college. Then again, getting to spend the day with my friends was definitely worth the early morning start and exam nerves. 

I actually got up extra-early because there was no way I was waiting until the evening to rip my way into my presents - I'll post the haul soon I promise! Then when I got into college one of my friends had made me a cake (decorated with some yummy strawberries) and since I had an exam second I spent first lesson chilling and reminiscing with my friends.. Then the exam rolled around and I actually wasn't half as nervous as I thought, I was barely even hyperventilating! And when the examiner, my teacher and the other girl in my class sang 'Cumpleanos Feliz' to me I decided there was no way I could be nervous - the exam might even have gone okay. 

After that we tucked in to said cake for lunch (it was gorgeous), then I went in to town with a few friends. Finally I topped it all off by getting my first legal drink in a pub near my college - vodka and coke is fast becoming 'my drink'. Funny thing is, they didn't even ID me..

This is what I wore during the day for my 18th birthday - this outfit was purely fun, with cute pieces I just wanted to wear for no specific reason other than they are super-sweet.

Jumper - Topshop; Skirt - River Island; Tights & Shoes - Primark; Necklace - Tiffany; Earrings & Ring - Vivienne Westwood.

This kitsch cherry-print skirt was just screaming out to be worn - I adore fruit prints, especially when combined with such a gorgeous retro shape. I didn't want to kill said shape by layering a jacket over the top, so to combat the disappointing April weather I paired it with this loose-knit mint green jumper from Topshop, which also has a slightly retro feel due to the pastel hue. I just love how cute and playful this look is, which is the perfect mood for a birthday! 

I know I said I would do a present haul later on, but after unwrapping so much gorgeous jewellery I just couldn't resist wearing some of it! Honestly, since 18 is such a big year people were willing to spend loads of money on me for things I could keep forever - hello Tiffany's. And a bit of Vivienne Westwood never goes amiss. I adore these classic pieces because they are truly timeless, and because I am a Tiffany girl at heart - especially after seeing Breakfast At Tiffany's and falling in love with Audrey Hepburn. That necklace is probably my favourite present of all.

Oh, and this little beauty of a picture is me with my first legal drink in a pub - that moment had to be preserved forever. 

The second and third legal drinks followed that evening because I went out for a meal with my parents, since on such a big birthday there should be some family time. I loved the chance to dress up and show off another outfit!

Dress - Mary Katrantzou for Topshop; Blazer & Shoes - ASOS; Bracelet - Pandora; Earrings & Ring - Vivienne Westwood; Necklace - Tiffany.

I have been waiting to wear this stunning shift dress ever since I got it, but there was never an event that felt quite right.. But since it was my birthday I decided I could wear whatever I wanted. I absolutely adore the gorgeous print - there really is no designer who creates prints like Mary Katrantzou, and that is why she is possibly my favourite designer of the moment. I decided to keep the rest of the outfit simple, opting for my black blazer to frame the print and sticking with my classic silver jewellery. I then also took the opportunity to wear my killer platforms - they're so impractical but gorgeous!

The meal out was awesome - we went to my favourite Thai restaurant and ate so much I thought I would explode. I also had some more vodka and diet coke (definitely my drink), and some Jack Daniels on the rocks, which was actually pretty good. Maybe I'm a whisky girl!

All in all, a pretty beautiful birthday, and I am now ready to face the world as an adult with responsibilities.. except when it comes to going out, then I may go a little insane! But otherwise I am ready to take responsibility for myself, not need parental permission, and even be able to vote..

Love and kisses, Tara xox