City of Love

If you follow me on Instagram you will already know that I recently returned from 3 nights in Paris. This is my second visit to the city of love and I couldn't wait to explore Paris again - this time with with Boyfriend in tow.
We decided to stay airbnb on our trip - if you are not aware of airbnb its where local people rent out their home to us tourists. I was a little dubious at first, but staying airbnb was so reasonably priced and we got a 'living in Paris' experience and I would definitely recommend it. Our airbnb (cosy Parisian studio) was located in Buttes-Chaumont a beautiful area full of bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes and more.
With only three days in the city we wanted to see as much as possible, The Eiffel Tower, the lourve, Latin Quarter, Montmartre, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and so much more. Paris is huge and no matter how many times I visit I'm sure there will always be more to see. I love taking the metro which is so easy to navigate, great for getting to places quickly and excellent for people watching - Parisian people are so effortlessly elegant no matter what they wear.
What made my weekend in Paris even more amazing was my wonderful Boyfriend of 10 years PROPOSING!!!! 

Images from the top - The Eiffel Tower and views, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Père Lachaise Cemetery, the Lourve, Jourdain - our local metro stop, Montmartre Flea Market, amazing Snails and 2 kilo of Steak at L'Escargot, Buttes-Chaumont, outfit from my last night in Paris and views from our airbnb.

Weekend Inspiration #11 - The Yorkshire Sculpture Park KAWS Exhibit

From top to bottom  - All This Time, Along the Way, Good Intentions and Small Lie.

Last Sunday I took a trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, which is an amazing outdoor space filled with art and sculptures to inspire our weekends.
I particularly went to see the new KAWS exhibit, KAWS is a US artist born in New Jersey. He creates characterful sculptures and complex colourful paintings that blur the boundaries between contemporary culture and fine art.
During his time as an artist KAWS has created many characters that resemble many cartoons and brand mascots from modern culture, including The Simpsons, Sponge bob and Mickey Mouse. But for them to appeal to an array of audiences KAWS adds emotion and meaning to them.
For instance Small Lie (which stands at 10 meters tall) 'looks like a child caught out telling a fib, knowing it has done wrong – head down in embarrassment and knees knocked in a protective, humbled, position. Being made of wood and with a long nose it brings to mind the story of Pinocchio, told to children as a thinly veiled warning about the consequences of lying.' (ysp.co.uk)
The KAWS exhibition will be at The Yorkshire Sculpture Park till 12.06.16, if you get chance this long Easter weekend I would definitely recommend a visit. 

You can wear ruffles without looking like a flamenco dancer.

top (here) | Zara. jeans (here) and scarf | Topshop

Ruffles are everywhere this fast approaching SS16 season. Way back in September when the spring/summer shows took place the likes of Mary Katrantzou (a long term favourite of mine), Marques Almeida and Roberto Cavalli all created amazing pieces with ruffles at the heart of their collections. Fast forward a few months and ruffles are all over the high street, letting us all show our love for the trend no matter what our budget.  Back to the catwalk though - because let's face it the originals always do it the best! Marquez Amelda went for dramatic, shredded ruffles while Mary Katrantzou went for a more laid back minimal look with structured layers. 

And here is my (off the catwalk/ on the street) version, not looking too much like a flamenco dancer because come on that's what we imagine when we think Ruffles, either that or 1980's wedding dresses!

The jamie jean

Jeans | Topshop. Coat | ASOS. Trainers | Nike. Hoodie | Razors (Boyfriends)
Ask any man or women and I'm sure they will say jean shopping is probably the hardest shopping task (besides bra shopping - that's just a whole other ball game.) Whether you're tall, average or petite sized, there's something incredibly difficult about finding the right pair. Sometimes you can search the high street for hours and not find a jean that suits your height, shape and size. Come on retailers, its 2016 - Is it really that difficult to create that perfect pair of jeans that fit? Unfortunately it is and I'd say I currently only own one pair of jeans that fit, don't fall down when I walk and are not too short. Behold, the Black Jamie Jean from Topshop - (featured above.) These came to me on an after work shopping trip when I'd tried on everything in the shop and felt totally deflated and shit (we all have those shopping days). I thought they called it retail therapy- sometimes I leave needing therapy (slightly dramatic) or at least a glass of wine. But once you finally find a great pair of fitting jeans the fun really does begin, so far I've teamed these with heels and a blouse for dancing, trainers and hoodies for casual/lazy/hangover days and with anything else that creates that in-between look. I often wonder if I should have bought two pairs but then the high street has far too many other goodies to enjoy, don't you think?

The new and improved Playboy

Last week saw Playboy launch its first non nudie issues since its first publication in 1953. I'm sure there's many individuals around the globe that may be outraged by this. Even Playboys German publisher Flanders retorted 'are you kidding?'

The magazine has recently seen plummeting sales that have averaged 600,000 copies per month, have in mind in its hey day (1972) the publication sold a whooping 7.2m copies globally per month. I'm guessing it was time to take drastic action - even Hugh Hefner the 89 year old editor-in-chief said 'the time is right'. Let's be honest, a magazine with nude women on the cover seems rather dated for 2016, let's face it a few mouse clicks on your computer can pull up any adult content required, regardless of sexual preference or gender. 

I'm not going to judge the women who have graced the covers for decades because as women we are fine to do with our bodies what we please. But I will say women don't need to show their tits to look amazing - as the new playboy cover of the March issue shows us (its snapchat and selfie star Sarah Mc Daniels.) She quips 'we are much more relaxed with our bodies and images of ourselves. This is very intimate'. 

Maybe now picking up your monthly issue of playboy (now placed with the 'normal' mags, yes - it will now take pride of shelf with vogue and Conde Nast Traveller) won't be so embarrassing, gone is the time of having to reach to the top shelf and peel back the plastic whilst nearby shoppers watch. 

I'm guessing the creators of playboy are hoping this re-design will bring a new audience to the magazine and the latter should make that easier. 

It's not only the cover that's had a overhaul - new columnists have joined the magazine and for the first time in the history of playboy, a woman will write the sex Column 

All this talk of playboy has got me thinking about being exposed and comfortable - I know personally I'm not ready for bikini season just yet! Clothed - I'm just about okay with. Hopefully my techno friend/app 'my fitness pal' has me somewhere towards that goal. But really on a day to day basis how many of us are actually okay with being nude? Or even semi- clothed? I've only just realised there's no cubicles in the changing rooms at the gym. Instead of being given the option of whether to change in front of strangers or behind the privacy of a curtain, you are presented with a communal bench and a locker! Going topless on the beach if you're past a C cup (like me) feels like a no go area but for those who dare - why not. Is this to tan those white bits or is it about something else all together? Self-esteem, confidence, not giving a shit, egotistic? Who knows? Maybe this is where the saying 'if you've got it flaunt it' works best. 

As for the future of no nudie playboys, I'm sure the creators and Hugh are wanting to see the newly re-invented magazine carry on influencing and entertaining individuals for the next few decades and if not at least they didn't go down without trying. 

Image Source - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail