I'm in Love

I've been admiring my friend's bag for months now and had always assumed it was Chloé. Yesterday I noticed the branding and realized that it definitely wasn't Chloé...but in fact, it's from a London designer, DeMellier.

I'm not sure if I should love her or hate her for introducing me to this brand. Their bags are gorgeous and not outrageously priced compared to other brands like Chloé, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Channel, etc.

She has the Midi Venice in a beautiful grey (not currently available), but it comes in a handful of other colors, including this pink that I'm kind of crazy about.

This bag is at the top of my "wish list". It can be carried...

Or worn as a crossbody. 

Of course, the majority of colors are out of stock because Meghan Markle recently carried it. 

The Smaller, Mini Venice is also really fabulous and comes in a variety of color block options that I LOVE.

A DeMellier will, without a doubt, be the the next handbag I add to my closet. 

C&C on the Move

As you may have seen on Instagram, we recently returned from a two week trip to Europe. Our journey took us through England, France, Italy, Austria and Germany. Today I am going to share a quick recap on our time in London and Paris.

We spent only one night in London as it was just a stopping point on our way to Paris. While we were there for less than 24 hours, we had a great time. We walked from our hotel near Buckingham Palace past Big Ben and across the Thames to the London Eye. It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed a spectacular view of the city. At the suggestion of a friend, we had dinner at Bill's which had a great atmosphere, delicious food and was perfect for a four year old.

The next morning we took the train to Paris where we stayed for three nights in an apartment in the Marais. While we had a great time and managed to see a good number of the "main attractions", it was definitely a tiring three days. Touring a city with a jet-lagged four year old isn't ideal. Especially when you are also a bit tired and grumpy.

Here are a few photos from London and Paris.

I'd be remiss not to share some of our favorite eating spots in Paris. Isn't that what traveling is all about, eating good food? I would consider these "not to miss" if you are planning a trip.

1. Merci- basement cafe (bottom left photo)- We enjoyed lunch there on two separate occasions. It is casual, charming and delicious.

2. Du Pain et Des Idees- (Top left and right) Hands down one of the best bakeries I have ever been to. This was a recommendation from Tony Bourdain and it did not disappoint. The chocolate pistachio "escargot" is definitely on my list of top 3 pastries ever. We also ate here twice.

3. Miznon- This restaurant in the Marais was one of the best meals we ate in Paris. They make amazing grilled vegetables (a whole cauliflower) and pitas with chicken salad, lamb, etc. I am sensing a pattern because this was also a 2 visit spot.

4. L'AS Du Fallafel- is also in the Marias, right near Miznon, and this restaurant is cheap and fast and oh so good (bottom right).

Stay tuned for more details from our trip in coming posts!

Classic Style

Earlier this week I purchased a Gloverall Classic Duffle Coat for the Mini Fashionista. I had been "watching" it on ebay for a while, and I finally decided to make an offer, and it was accepted! So this navy little beauty (made for the J Crew Crewcuts line) is currently on its way to my doorstep. I am hoping to find her a cute pair of rain boots to pair with it, some pink Hunter boots are at the top of my list, but I'm having a hard time with the $50 pricetag.

For those of you not familiar with Gloverall, here is a little history. Gloverall was founded in England in 1950 by Freda and Harold Morris. The name was conceived from the words gloves and overalls. In 1954 with the help of Harold's father, a master bespoke tailor, they produced their first Duffle Coat. Gloverall of London were the first clothiers to make the traditional military and navy Duffle Coats available to civilians. Today their line of coats expands beyond just men to women and children. 

Now that the Mini Fashionista has a Gloverall Duffle, I think I might be in need of one too. Here are the three styles that I have my eyes on. 

Don't you think the Mini Fashionista and I BOTH need a Duffle Coat?

Gold Medal Style

The Olympics are officially over, and I am sure many of you are suffering from POD (post Olympic depression). It's the feeling of despair when you go home at night and you don't get to watch all your favorite athletes compete. I tend to have a more serious case of POD during the winter Olympics, but I will certainly miss watching the summer games too. 

There were lots of gold medals awarded during the London Olympics, unfortunately there is not a medal for best dressed. Clearly the Duchess of Cambridge would take home the gold if fashion were a sport. 

Well done Kate, chic as always, and always patriotic. 

images via

From Across the Pond

I recently came across a very cool lifestyle brand from England called Anorak. The brand was launched in January 2008 by textiles designer Laurie Robertson after she graduated from the RCA. Childhood memories of family camping adventures were the inspiration behind the brand and every Anorak product is decorated with a design inspired by the great outdoors. 

The mountain girl in me is totally smitten. Too bad the dollar is so week compared to the pound, and the cost of shipping from the UK is pretty astronomical. 

Katie would love this polar bear makeup bag.

I would buy this sleeping bag for the Mini Fashionista in a heart beat! 

This trunk would be really cute as a kid's toy chest!

This trunk would make a really cool coffee table or a great foot stool at the end of a bed. 

Street Style

Could she be any more fabulous?

Olivia Palermo during London Fashion Week, image via