@ Budapest

Every year my best friends and I chose one European city to discover over a long weekend.  The criteria: 

1.  A place where we, individually haven't travelled to

2.  A place that can keep us entertained for 3 days

So as we landed from our Prague trip in 2013, we were ready to start brainstorming ideas for 2014. The conclusion: BUDAPEST. 

Budapest, capital of Hungry. 

Budapest, a beautiful city split but the River Danube, dividing the city from the East, Buda and West, Pest.  So this year, this is what we discovered....

Naturally, we had various guide books, blogs and advice so gathering all our sources we planned day one.  So first mission of the day was to find the oldest patisserie in the city and good thing too, as we worked up quite the appetite getting there.  

Some hot chocolate with my cream!?, Ruzwurm

The walk along the Danube was perfect, taking in the sites of parliament, the National Gallery, Gresham Palace (now the Four Seasons) and meandering up the hill up towards the Matthias Church and then Buda Castle, just in time for changing of the guards.  I must admit their composure and resistance to remain undistracted, has nothing on the Queen's guards, an easy feat by us five girls!

We obviously had the best intention on carrying on our day of site seeing but...we just happen to fall upon the Prague Wine Festival. For one weekend only?! Well, how can we turn such an offer down. A ticket, a wine glass and the handy wine glass bag/holder in tow, we were off! Along with the usual suspects, Hungary did have a lot to offer in terms of wine but due to the level consumption I can't remember any of the wines I actually tasted but there was few photo evidence. 

For the sake of whoever may be reading this, I'm going skip straight to the next day, which was a little more organised.  We visited the Musuem of Terror, followed by a delicious lunch at Ket Szerecsen, a short walk away from the museum. Ket Szerecsen serves up tapas style dishes from various regions including Spanish, French and Thai - so you have quite the choice!


Budapest is known for it's underground scene and ruin bars, these are as the title suggest a bar which has opened in a ruin/abandoned space, normally in the Jewish quarter, an area left in ruins after World War II.  The most popular is Szimpla Kert.  Szimpla Kert from the outside is pretty unrecognisable, there are no signs but as you walk through it opens up into something from Aladin's cave.  Exposed bricks, wires EVERYWHERE, be-headed mannequins, fuzzy tv screens, disco balls...you name its on their walls.  The numerous bars and rooms surrounds an outdoor courtyard which when we were there was hosting a belly dancing competition?! Very hungarian.  They were also giving out carrots? Now, is this a hungarian thing?

After 2 and a half days of site seeing we thought we could treat ourselves and visit the famous baths before we left for our flight.  With over 20 different temperature steam rooms, whirlpools, baths we managed to try every pool and room twice! It was then back to London for work the next day! 

@ Barcelona

This weekend saw my return to Barcelona...for the third time! (Twice in 14 months!).  It is by far one of my favourite cities in the world.  The combination of the bustling city culture, authentic narrow streets and the chilled beach turned amazing nightlife can cater for most.

The many and frequent warnings you may get about the pick-pocketers shouldn't put you off, although my friend (who will remain nameless) was mugged by a group of girls who then kindly gave his wallet minus the cash back to him.  Muggers with manners apprently?!

We stayed in a lovely apartment five minutes away from the beach (only a quick leap and jump away from topping up that tan!) Otherwise we spent most of the three and a half days eating our way through Barcelona.  Luckily for you, I have picked my favourites;

1.  TAPAS 24
A cute little basement restaurant from the Michelin star chef and the chef at Bravo 24 at The W Hotel, Carles Abellan.  He trained in the kitchen of El Bulli and has kept Tapas 24 simple and sticking to the best and well executed Spanish dishes.  You must try the Bikini (!), fittingly shaped, also..But this is their signature dish; cheese, iberico ham and truffle sandwich.  

2.  CATALANA CERVERSERIA
Located just north of Las Ramblas and is obviously a popular destination for both visitors and the locals.  The queue is on average approximately 20 minutes, but it's totally worth it! Having spent the morning in Park Guell and starving by the time we were seated, we ordered a bit too much for just the two of us.

3. SENOYOR PARALLEDA
Senyor Paralleda came as a recommendation from a friend, a what looks like a rather smart restaurant in the area of El Born.  Walking through the polished doorway to open up to a colonial style decor in a light and sophisticated dining area.  We were greeted by all the camereros (waiters) as we were led to our table.  There was the choice of their house wines, only 3 and that was it - at 3 euros a glass, it could have been a risk.  But what we discovered was a beautiful dry Spanish wine; waiter, a bottle please!  Moving onto the food, every dish from the tuna tartar, seafood risotto and the traditional Catalyan creme brûlée was mouth-wateringly good and presented perfectly.  By the time we left, the two-storey restaurant was full.

(I was too distracted by the food and did not manage to take any photos - a great excuse to try it for yourself!)

Wherever you read, there are various guides/must-visits for Barcelona, so i have left that to your preference , instead below is my photo album of my trip. Enjoy!

Tie up styles

London was blessed with beautiful weather all weekend which was the perfect setting for the Willow & Warson Spring/Summer campaign.  As we wandered through Mayfair and St Jame's Park, discovering new nooks and cobbled streets the bow tie really shone through.

So I thought I would give you a sneak peek of our locations for the day.

Red Telephone Box

W&W Founder, Tim's favourite location of the day

Style Notes: PFW

Nous arrivons à Paris...

Chiara Farangi in the sunshine

Stylish in white ripped jeans and checks ala Helena Bordon

YSL Cassandre clutch and Stella McCartney skirt worn by Pernille

Tina mixing fringing and peplum

Aimee Song in gorgeous contrasting pastels

Style Notes: MFW

Ciao Milano!

Double trouble: Viviana Volpicella & Elisa Nalin

Candela, bug and Fendi!

Gala Gonzalez

This is how to do dungaree chic - Leila Yavari always gets it right 

Milan Fashion Week would not have been complete without a little Moschino! 

Style Notes: LFW

It's only right that at LFW we celebrate British designers and British style.  Here are my favourites!

JW Anderson matched with florals

Laura Bailey does smart casual

Kate Foley, British born buyer, consultant and stylist in Burberry and a bag of Anya's crisps

Love Poppy's Sophia Webster print heels

source: harpersbazaar.com

@Fashion Film

During LFW, there are plenty of events supporting the great British style, accolades and new talent.  The BFC Fashion Film initiative have had a long standing partnership to bring fashion designers and film makers to encourage designers to showcase their collections, inspirations and journeys through film.  The AW14 Fashion Film was an especially significant one, with a preview to the new Yves Saint Laurent movie, out later this year!!! Eeeek !  

What I wore: 
Hudson Jeans and my Burberry leather jacket

What I drank: 
Champagne

Hosted by: 
Laura Bailey 

Spotted: 
Daisy Lowe, Bip Ling and Amber Atherton

What I watched: 
i-D

"Catching the Moment: Life Through The Lens of Terry Jones"

Roland Mouret 
"Titane Lune"

Sibling and Swarovski
"Crystals and the Postman Are A Girl's Best Friend"

Vogue 
A Film by Craig McDean for British Vogue