Battling The Elements

Skirt - ZARA, Top - vintage, Coat - vintage, (SIMILAR), Boots - DR MARTENS

Location: Mile End, Montreal

We all know that fashion blogging in winter is tough - it gets dark much earlier, the weather is worse and outfits are dominated by coats and boots. But winter in Montreal is going to challenge outfit photo shoots to another level and although I have been mentally preparing for this since I moved here, evidently I am still refusing to let a bit of cold get in the way.

So today's outfit is clearly not weather appropriate but as I had planned to shoot it on Monday morning, I bloody well did! The second big snow fall of this winter so far was not going to stop me getting my content - I was instantly up for the challenge to try shooting while it was actually snowing and I love the result.

This look featured in my recent ALTERNATIVE PARTY OUTFITS LOOKBOOK but I wanted to share it because this might just be the perfect party outfit for Montreal, for four reasons. Firstly, thanks to the snow, I am currently living in my Dr Martens boots so being able to rock them to a party and not having to take a change of shoes is a win in my eyes. Secondly, I have given up on wearing tights and mini skirts for the foreseeable few months so a midi skirt with leggings hidden underneath is a great way of keeping cosy and looking fab at the same time. Thirdly, until I find a proper nice winter coat (good luck Iz), I will refuse to stop rocking the faux fur, which is fine because faux fur coats keep you damn warm and look so elegant for the festive season. And finally, if you were not sold on the previous three practical reasons, this outfit is super on trend with the metallic pleated midi skirt and mesh/goth top, which happen to go perfectly together.

I am sure that soon I will have to give into the cold and start shooting in the underground city, in my apartment or in the metro but I will keep sharing snowy Montreal outfit posts as long as I can brave it!

What are your tips for surviving fashion blogging in winter? Are you loving the Dr Martens as part of an evening/party look?

Izzie x
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Alternative Party Outfits Lookbook

Izzie x
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Christmas Gift Guide | The Craft Lover

PONY BAMBOO KNITTING NEEDLES, KNITTING TOTE BAG, SUPERCRAFT BOOK, JAPANESE PAPER

Hello and welcome back to the fifth and final instalment of my Christmas gift guide series! Make sure you check out the previous four posts for FASHION, BEAUTY, HOME and TRAVEL gift inspiration but today is all about crafts.

I have always been into crafts and creating, having been taught to sew and other skills at a young age. Last year I learnt to crochet thanks to the incredible catalog of YouTube videos and I have recently rediscovered the joys of knitting. I truly believe that it is never too late to take up a new hobby and the SUPERCRAFT book has some great projects - one for every weekend of the year in fact - to get your loved one inspired. It is also contains a handy sewing, crochet and knitting course so why not encourage them to learn a new skill with a gift of some stylish PONY bamboo knitting needles, a lovely ball of wool and a cute slogan tote to keep it in?

Alternatively, you could just allow their creativity flow with some beautiful patterned paper that can be used to make table place cards, in origami or even framed and put on the wall for a simple yet effective decoration! The possibilities are endless!

I hope you have enjoyed this Christmas gift guide series - I have loved creating it! It is a stressful time of year so I hope I have helped ease this by providing some gift ideas and inspiration! This may be the end of the gift guide posts but I have lots more festive posts planned throughout December and into the New Year so stay tuned.

Izzie x
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Christmas Gift Guide | The Traveller

FJALLRAVEN KANKEN BACKPACK, LONELY PLANET BOOK, BOHNANZA TRAVEL CARD GAME, POLAROID CAMERA, IMPOSSIBLE FILMS FOR POLAROID

Hello and welcome back to day four of my Christmas gift guide! We have already covered FASHION, BEAUTY and the HOME so today it is all about presents for those with the travel bug, those who have endless wanderlust or simply those who have an upcoming trip. 

Having been fortunate enough to do quite a lot of travelling in recent years and I never go anywhere without my super durable, comfortable and great looking FJALLRAVEN KANKEN backpack. It is the perfect size day bag for carrying around a camera or two, a guide book and some snacks, leaving plenty of room to spare for any souvenirs.

It is inevitable that travelling requires at least some waiting around and the need to pass the time. The bean trading card game BOHNANZA provides the perfect entertainment on long train journeys, in airport departure lounges and when stuck in the only hostel without wifi in the whole village. I cannot recommend this game enough so crack it open on Christmas Day and get practising with the whole family!

Travelling is all about experiencing, seeing and tasting things that you would not normally and LONELY PLANET's guide to budget travel proves that it does not have to cost the Earth. Having lived in Paris and Barcelona, I checked out what this guide recommends to do for cheap or free in these cities, from strolling through Le Marais on Sundays in Paris to climbing Montjuic in Barcelona, it has got you covered. We all love to capture these memories camera so why not give a old school POLAROID for your jetsetter to try on their next trip!

And finally, if your loved one is so well travelled that they already have all the gear, find out what their next destination is and I am sure they would appreciate some dollar.

See you tomorrow for the fifth and final part of this Christmas gift guide series!

Izzie x
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Christmas Gift Guide | The Beauty Queen

CLINIQUE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT MOISTURISER, CLINIQUE MOISTURE SURGE MOISTURISER, TOPSHOP NAIL VARNISH, TONY MOLY FACE MASK, MAC LIPSTICKS, BIODERMA MAKE-UP REMOVER

Hello and welcome back to day three of my Christmas gift guide series!

Christmas is the perfect time to treat the girlfriends, best friends, sisters, mums and grandmas in your life to a little beauty therapy. Beauty products can be expensive so there are certain ones that I absolutely love receiving as a present. 

As I wrote about in my SKINCARE ROUTINE post earlier this year, I am a complete convert to the CLINIQUE 3 step skin care system ever since I kindly received it from my grandma a few years ago. Clinique moisturisers are completely genius and save my poor skin from dryness all year round - I cannot recommend them enough! As much as it is important what you put on your skin pre and post make-up wearing, it also vital to use a good make-up remover. The ever-so-popular French brand BIODERMA have a great range and I always choose the Sensibio H2O for sensitive skin. Although it is becoming more widely available outside France, it is still pretty expensive so treat someone to a big bottle this Christmas and it will last them most of the year! 

Now onto the pretty, fun and colourful stuff! Nothing completes a look better than a good lipstick and for that I always turn to MAC COSMETICS. From deep DIVA maroon and bright SO CHAUD red to nudes like VELVET TEDDY and TAUPE, you are guaranteed a big smile and thank you if you treat your beauty queen to one this Christmas. And finally, as someone who is very impatient with slow drying nails, TOPSHOP do an amazing range of quick drying, smudge-free nail varnish that make for perfect stocking fillers, as do face masks!

See you tomorrow for part four for more gift ideas!

Izzie x
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Christmas Gift Guide | The Fashion Addict

URBAN OUTFITTERS KNIT, URBAN OUTFITTERS BRA, TOPSHOP NOVELTY SOCKS, ALEX MONROE BEE NECKLACE, ALEX MONROE STRING RING, RAY-BAN ROUND SUNGLASSES

Hello and welcome back to this Christmas gift guide series! Today's theme is one that is very familiar on this blog - fashion (make sure you check out yesterday's gift ideas for the HOME BIRD). Whether your special someone lives and breathes fashion or just enjoys a treat once in a while, I think that fashion-based presents are so accessible and can leave the receiver feeling fabulous.

Knitwear is something that I get more and more excited about every winter - does that mean I'm getting old?! - and it is the perfect gift to give at this time of year as it can be used right now! I absolutely love this super soft one from URBAN OUTFITTERS with its bang-on-trend blush pink colour and clashing navy stripe detail down the sleeve. Also from Urban Outfitters is this sparkly two tone triangle bra, which will keep the party spirit going underneath your threads until summer comes and it can be rocked under a mesh top. 

Now let's talk details. Any fashion addict knows that an outfit can be made with the right accessories and Christmas is the perfect time to update someone's collection. For a tight budget or as stocking fillers, you simply cannot go wrong with novelty socks. TOPSHOP have a great selection of socks with everything from cartoon prints to frills and sparkles and you can get three pairs for just £8! 

If you can spend a bit more, look no further than RAY-BAN sunglasses as they are an absolute staple in any wardrobe. My current favourite are these sixties/seventies style round ones, which will make the perfect gift, even if they probably can't use them properly for a few months! And finally, I've included a couple of jewellery pieces as this is an absolute classic Christmas gift. Check out ALEX MONROE for gorgeous nature-inspired jewellery - I received this cute bumblebee necklace and gorgeous string ring a few years ago now and they are still some of my favourites!

See you tomorrow for day three of this Christmas gift guide series!

Izzie x
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Christmas Gift Guide | The Home Bird

ORGANIC AROMAS DIFFUSER*, ORGANIC AROMAS ESSSENTIALS OILS*, IKEA CUSHION, GEO-FLEUR GIFT CARD, HATLEY PYJAMA BOTTOMS

Hello and Happy December 1st! I'm kicking off my Christmas content with some much-loved gift guides, covering different hobbies and interests over the next five days and hopefully giving you some great present ideas, so let's get cracking!

We all know someone who takes pride in their home, who prefers a snuggly night in to a wild night out or who drools over all the interior design #goals on Pinterest and today's Christmas gift guide is for them. Having recently decorated and furnished my new flat, I have been doing all of the above so gifts for the home have certainly been on this home bird's mind of late.

There is nothing better than getting back from a long day at work, slipping into your "comfies" and snuggling on the sofa in front of Netflix. For nights like these, I love popping on my diffuser by ORGANIC AROMAS. With its elegant design, colourful changing lights and beautifully smelling essential oils, the Organic Aromas diffuser creates the perfect ambiance in which to relax. Also, if you are staying in, there is no reason why you can't look incredible and I like to make a statement with some graphic print pyjama bottoms, like these super cute and festive moose ones from Canadian brand, HATLEY, or a satin star print set from ASOS.

Moving on from creating the perfect night in, let's talk about aesthetics! I have become a cushion obsessive recently and my current favourite has to be this big, grey velvet one from IKEA. I love the texture that the fabric brings to our sofa and you can pretty much guarantee that the grey tone will go with any home's colour palette! And finally it would not be an interior post without a bit of plant talk! I was recently introduced to a company called GEO-FLEUR that offers monthly plant delivery subscriptions and quirky botanical workshops and I think this is just such a lovely idea for a Christmas present!

See you tomorrow for day two of my Christmas gift guides!

Izzie x
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Best of Christmas

Hello! I hope you have all had a very merry Christmas! I have had an absolutely lovely time at home and have been spoilt to some amazing presents! Here are my best of Christmas presents and some more photos from the festive few days.

Polaroid camera, DANIEL WELLINGTON watch, Fashion Et Moi BLOGGERS PLANNER, ASOS choker, TOPSHOP pompom, #GIRLBOSS book, ASOS pyjamas

Top - second hand, Jeans - MONKI, Boots - ASOS, Socks - CALZEDONIA

My sister gave me the most perfect and thoughtful present - especially as a traveller and blogger! She traced and painted this gorgeous map! 

Sisters got watches! Mine is a lovely DANIEL WELLINGTON and Jess adds a second OLIVIA BURTON to her collection. 

So as you can see - it has been a Christmas filled with lovely presents, lots of cracking food and the most beautiful people. It all goes too fast though doesn't it? Already I am heading back to Barcelona later today and even though I know I'll be fine once I'm back there, being in Bristol does make me want to just stay in Bristol. 

Anyway, onwards and upwards! The new year is coming with lots of exciting possibilities and decisions to be made! But before all of that, look out for my final post of the year - blogging outtakes - in a couple of days time. 

Izzie x

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Christmas Gift Ideas: The Blogger

Olympus Pen Camera - via AMAZON

2016 Diary - PAPERCHASE

Mermaid Phone Case - Skinny Dip via ASOS

Weekend Bag - LONGCHAMP

Planner - THE BLOGGERS PLANNER

#Girlboss by Sophie Amoruso - via AMAZON

For the final instalment of my Christmas Gift Ideas series, I just had to do a special one dedicated to all you blogger friends/family/colleagues out there. It cannot be a blogger essentials list without the Olympus Pen - the ultimate blogger camera, which I will definitely be buying with the help of some Christmas/birthday money come the new year. It is great because it's super small, takes amazing photos, connects to wifi and has a flip down screen for those essential selfies.

Blogging take a lot of time, preparation, planning and motivation so as a blogger you need a way of organising yourself. Between this jazzy Paperchase diary, The Bloggers Planner notebook and the #Girlboss book for motivation, you will be on the right track to success. 

Even if you are not a travel blogger specifically, blogging will involve some travelling so it is important to have some decent luggage. This Longchamp bag is the perfect size for weekend trips and it's a classic. And finally, all bloggers like a novelty phone case, am I right?

I hope you have enjoyed my Christmas Gifts Series! Check out The Fashionista PART ONE & PART TWO, THE HOME BIRD and THE TRAVELLER just below. Now I actually have to start making decisions and buying…!

Izzie x

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Christmas Gift Ideas: The Traveller

Backpack - HERSCHEL via ASOS

World Map Sticker - TEN STICKERS

Travel Print - ETSY

Paris City Guide - MOLESKIN

Luggage Tag - CATH KIDSTON

Journey Journal - ETSY

Travel Kit - PAPERCHASE

Part four of my Christmas Gifts Ideas series is for your loved ones that love to travel. You can see THE HOME BIRD and Fashionista PART ONE and PART TWO just below. I have chosen a combination of gifts, from useful things to have whilst travelling to things that a traveller might like to have in their home. How awesome is this world map sticker? And I just love that travel print featuring one of my favourite quotes - so true! 

Of course guide books and travel journals are always essential when away exploring but the MOLESKIN city guides combine the two. I have included the Paris one here (obvs) but they have over 30 different cities in their collection. I actually had the Paris one when I did my year abroad in Paris and it's great because the sleek black cover conceals the fact you are looking at a map and there are categorised sections for you to write down places/bars/museums that you like!

My next trip away is to Paris next weekend and I cannot wait! Christmas markets and vin chaud here I come! Where are you going on your next trip and which of these essentials would be the perfect companion?

Izzie x

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Christmas Gift Ideas: The Home Bird

Wall Mounted Vase - URBAN OUTFITTERS

Cat Cushion - URBAN OUTFITTERS

Gold Pyramid - URBAN OUTFITTERS

"I'm a princess" PJs - ASOS

Letter Mugs - ANTHROPOLOGIE

"Relax & Unwind" Print - DOT CREATES

Deer Bust - ANTHROPOLOGIE

Hello! And welcome back to my Christmas Gift Ideas series - go check out FASHIONISTA PART 1 & PART 2 as well. Well I hope you and your loved ones like turquoise and gold because that seems to be the colour palette I am going for here…an alternative Christmas if you will. Here are some of my top picks for someone who takes pride in their home or someone who prefers snuggling up indoors with a big mug of tea. I had lots more home ideas from the likes of PAPERCHASE, ETSY and THE WHITE COMPANY but they just wouldn't all fit on this collage - sarry.

I am someone who likes some cute (and admittedly pointless) finishing touches around the house including motivational quotes and this novelty cat cushion - obsessed! I think initial mugs are a nice personal present - although I get angry because the "I" normally looks rubbish or does not exist haha, but from ANTHROPOGLOGIE you can get any letter! Finally you need some loungewear and I love these original PJs from ASOS - go and have a closer look on the website at the "I'm a princess" pattern - so perfect!

How do you like to decorate your home?

Izzie x

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Christmas Gift Ideas: The Fashionista, Part 2

Grey Coat - &OTHERSTORIES

Red Patterned Blouse - ASOS

Faux Fur Coat - TOPSHOP

Velvet Playsuit - MOTEL ROCKS

Jumper - ASOS

Patterned Shirt - ASOS

Culottes - DR DENIM

Patchwork Suede Skirt - ASOS

So here is part two of Christmas gift ideas for the fashionista in your life (see PART ONE just below). Again, I have picked a selection to suit different styles and budgets. A stand-out printed shirt or cosy jumper are perfect gifts for those of you with a small budget. At the other end of the spectrum, if you want to splash the cash, I am sure any girl would adore opening a multi-coloured fluffy parcel on Christmas day in the form of that amazing TOPSHOP fur coat. Also, suede skirts are an absolute must-have this season but they can be quite expensive so treat your fashionista to this gorgeous patchwork one!

I hope that gives you some ideas - which would you like under the tree this year?

Izzie x

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Christmas Gift Ideas: The Fashionista, Part 1

Gold Cross Body Bag - MONKI

70s Choker - ASOS

Bobble Riding Cap - via ASOS

Backpack - KANKEN

Pompom Charm - TOPSHOP

Watch - DANIEL WELLINGTON

Star Socks - ASOS

Sunglasses - RAY BAN

Hello December! Christmas is just around the corner so I have put together a little series of gift ideas grouped in themes. I'm kicking that off today with The Fashionista, Part 1 and accessories. Now admittedly these are not just gift ideas but also a personal wishlist. Even though I do believe that accessories can make an outfit, they are not always the first thing that I would choose to spend my money on so I think they can be great Christmas presents. Here you have a range of options to suit your budget - from the little touches like the star socks or pompom charm, to statement bags and investment piece like the Ray Ban sunnies and Daniel Wellington watch. 

I hope that has helped get the present juices going (sorry did that sound a bit weird?) and stay tuned tomorrow for Part 2 of the Fashionista - clothes!

Izzie x

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