Wednesday 30 April 2014

Outfit: Sunshine and Daisies.

Dress: C/O Rare* | Sandals: C/O Glamorous* | Floral Headband: Primark | Sunglasses: C/O Chicnova* | Watch: Tommy Hilfiger C/O Shadestation*

Okay, so it has been over two weeks since I last posted. Bad blogger. I have my reasons/excuses though but I shall save those for another blog post on another day.

For now, I still have a few sights from my trip to Singapore to share with you. I wish I had gotten these done sooner as looking through these pictures now is only making my post-holiday-blues ten times worse! This day was probably one of the hottest I experienced whilst I was away as well- Clear blue skies and 35 degree heat definitely left me feeling a little bit cooked by the end of the day but the weather was perfect for a walk down Palawan Beach in Sentosa, showing off my daisy print dress from Rare. Daisy print seems to be taking over everywhere this season and I am absolutely loving it!

Are you loving daisy print for SS14?

Frances x

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Outfit: East Coast Park, Singapore.

Dress: C/O Rare London* | Sandals: C/O Glamorous*Sunglasses: C/O Chicnova* | Hat: Talisman, Far East Plaza, Singapore | Necklace: Primark | Rings: H&M | Watch: Michael Kors | Bracelet: C/O Fashion Union | Bag: Unknown (gift)

The rain quickly passed here and since we've had nothing but gloriously sunny days with the odd rain shower in the evening that helps to clear the mugginess in the air. The other day we hopped on a tram to the East side of town and took a walk down East Coast Park, a 185 hectare man-made beach and park which was filled with cyclists and joggers (how they manage to do this in 34 degree heat, I do not know), and people having barbecues and picnics on the rentable barbecue pits. 
I kept my outfit simple and went for another of my favourite Rare London pieces, this net panelled bodycon dress. Whilst black probably wasn't the smartest choice of colour for a day in intense heat (and I was slightly worried about the potential tan lines this dress could leave me with), the off-the-shoulder and panel detailing kept me aired out. East Coast Park is a beautiful location for an afternoon stroll or to sit and chill, or if you are the more active type you can rent rollerblades and bicycles, and the park is also home to The Xtreme Skate Park and a cable ski centre.

Frances x


Sunday 6 April 2014

Outfit: When It Rains On This Side Of Town.

Dress: C/O WalG* | Sandals: C/O Glamorous* | Sunglasses: Emporio Armani C/O The Sunglasses Shop* | Hat: Talisman, Far East Plaza, Singapore | Necklace: Primark | Rings: Rose, Primark, Hummingbirds, C/O Jana Reinhardt* | Watch: Tommy Hilfiger C/O Shade Station*

Yesterday was a rainy day in Singapore, and let me tell you, when it rains here it POURS, and then some. Unlike in the UK, however, when I am on holiday the weather never stops me from getting out and about so I dragged my dad (who definitely had other ideas) out to explore Little India. It was still really hot and muggy so I decided to keep my outfit light and simple with my cute pastel blue skater dress from WalG paired with this sun hat that I love and picked up at one of the plazas here for S$20.

Little India is a cute little place that really gives you a taste of Indian culture. A whole district filled with food courts serving curries, jewellery stores selling lots of gorgeous pieces of gold, henna tattoo salons, and sari stores where you could pick up intricately embroidered and embellished shirts and dresses for as little as S$15! 

Frances x

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.



Saturday 5 April 2014

Recipe: Haagen-Dazs Limited Edition Easter Egg.



A few weeks back I was invited to along to Haagen-Dazs in London to take part in their Easter Masterclass, but unfortunately I couldn't make it (Northern blogger problems). However, not one to keep secrets from you guys (especially where ice cream is involved!) I still had to dish the dirt on what it was all about, as it looks cool and it seems pretty darn tasty. 

For those of you who live in or near London, Haagen-Dazs have launched a special Easter dessert in their flagship Leicester Square store, in the shape of an ice cream filled chocolate Easter egg. The genius behind the idea, food stylist and presenter Phil Mundy was on hand to show the guests of the masterclass how to make their own chocolate egg creation, and I have the recipe right here:

Ingredients:
  • Chocolate (melted)
  • Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Haagen-Dazs Mango Sorbet
  • Haagen-Dazs Mango Raspberry Sorbet
  • Mango Chunks
  • Raspberries
Equipment:
  • Ice Cream Scoops
  • Easter Egg Mould
  • Sauce Brush
Instructions:

  1. Brush three layers of high quality melted chocolate in to an Easter egg mould, allowing each layer to set individually.
  2. Fill the chocolate egg mould with Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream and allow to set in the freezer.
  3. Once set, remove a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, not only to taste your hard work, but also to create a well for the next layer.
  4. Fill the space with a scoop of Haagen-Dazs Mango Sorbet to create a "yolk".
  5. Decorate your plate with raspberries and mango chunks and finish off with a scoop or two of Haagen-Dazs Mango Raspberry Sorbet.
Sounds good, right? Of course, if this sounds like too much effort you could always take a wander down to Leicester Square and have the experts show you what it's all about. The Limited Edition Easter Egg dessert is available until April 25 and costs £8.00! As well as this and other indulgent creations, you can enjoy cakes and pastries, hot drinks, cold shakes and cocktails... I say Haagen-Dazs need to hurry up and open a store up North! :P

Are you going to try your hand at making this dessert? Let me know how you get on!

Frances x


Friday 4 April 2014

Outfit: Chinese Garden, Singapore.

Skirt: C/O Rare London* | Top: C/O Karma Clothing* | Shoes: C/O Annabella-Rose* | Sunglasses: Emporio Armani C/O The Sunglasses Shop* | Hat: Talisman, Far East Plaza, Singapore | Rings: Rose, Primark, Hummingbirds, C/O Jana Reinhardt* | Watch: Tommy Hilfiger C/O Shade Station*

Here is my first outfit post all the way from Sunny Singapore! I arrived here on Wednesday afternoon and I am absolutely loving it! These pictures were taken in Chinese Garden, which is a beautiful park that was designed and built based on Chinese gardening art and modelled on the Imperial style of architecture and landscaping. Featuring a Main Arch Building, Pagodas, Stone Lions and Bonsai trees it definitely felt like we had stepped in to an oriental paradise and although we didn't have time to stick around for too long, I had to make sure I used the surroundings as a backdrop for an outfit post.

This skirt from Rare London is one of my new favourite pieces in my wardrobe and with it's floral print organza overlay, I think it is quite fitting to the oriental theme of this post, no?
Don't forget that I am taking over Rare's Instagram account whilst I am here in Singapore, so make sure to follow them at @officialrarelondon to see what I have been getting up to! :)

Frances x

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Thursday 3 April 2014

Review: Zatchels @ Cloggs.


For the longest time I have lusted over a Zatchels satchel. After hearing person after person raving about the quality, the vast range of styles and colours and quite frankly, just how pretty they look, I have wondered if it was an investment worth making- I mean, I must go through three or four Primarni bags in a year. However, the thought of spending at least £70 on a bag has been the only barrier between me and one of these beauties. 

So, when Cloggs (shoe heaven, by the way) got in touch with me asking if I would like to review one of their products and I saw that they stocked Zatchels bags, I decided it was time to see what all the fuss is about. After spending a couple of hours dancing around whether to go for red, white or yellow, I made my final decision and a few days later a parcel containing this red, leathery goodness was delivered to my door.

Now, similar to that new pair of leather boots that give you blisters for weeks, this bag is going to take a little breaking in- It is a work out trying to undo those buckles! It is beautiful though- The leather is sturdy and the way there isn't a stitch out of place shows that these bags are hand-stitched by expert craftsmen. I opted for the 13 inch bag, which is perfect for carrying around all my daily essentials without being too bulky, but Cloggs stock Zatchels in 7", 11.5" and 14.5", too.

I haven't had many opportunites to take my new bag out for a spin yet, but I definitely have high hopes that it will serve me well for a long time, and I already have at least three more of Zatchels' offerings on my wishlist (quilted totes and pastel backpacks, yes please!). If you would like to check out the range that Cloggs has to offer, visit their website here.

Have you owned a Zatchels bag?

Frances x

*DISCLOSURE: PR sample.
Tuesday 1 April 2014

See you in Singapore! #raretakeover


Hey girls!

You may have noticed my absence on my blog over the past week or so. This is because I have been busy working away, seeing friends and preparing myself for the next two weeks, because later on today I will be getting on an airplane and jetting off to Singapore!

I am super excited as not only is it going to be my first time in Singapore, but also the first time I will have seen my dad in two years since he made the big move to Asia for work. I have vowed to continue blogging whilst I am there so be prepared for lots of outfit posts with breathtaking backdrops and updates with an abundance of food pictures and tourist selfies.

I am also excited to be teaming up with Rare London whilst I am away and taking over their Instagram account to give you a little peek of the fashion, the food and the amazing sights! Join us on my trip and follow them at @officialrarelondon!

Now to get on with my last-minute packing! See you in Singapore, girls! :)

Frances x