YouTube Fortnightly Vlog - Weekend in Bristol and Last Two Weeks in Barcelona

It is Sunday evening and that means that my time in Barcelona is almost over. I leave tomorrow night - back to Bristol for a few weeks! I have vlogged my last two weeks in Barcelona (plus a weekend that I was in Bristol for a wedding) and these are just some of the amazing memories that I have made here. I hope you enjoy this vlog that contains some serious food porn, outfits and sunny Barcelona!
Izzie x
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Youtube: Monthly Vlog - May in Barcelona

Hello huns! I apologise that I have been a bit absent this week - I have been feeling a bit demotivated and overwhelmed by life right now but I'm getting back into the swing of things! 
During May I documented what I got up to in Barcelona - some mundane things, some exploring the city and some general chatting to the camera. I would love to know what you think - is the video too long? If so, then would you prefer fortnightly vlogs? Would you like to see less chatting and more stuff out in the city? Or perhaps you love it how it is! I'm new to this life vlogging so I'm open to your comments!
Happy Sunday and Happy Bank Holiday Weekend to you UK readers! 
Izzie x
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10 Reasons to Move to Canada Right Now

Welcome to the second instalment of my lists that I hope will help me organise my thoughts and decide where to move to next. Back in March 2015, Lewis and I applied for working holiday visas for Canada but were put about 2,000^th on the waiting list, so after not hearing anything by September last year, we decided to move here to Barcelona. You’ll never guess what. Two weeks after we arrived in Barcelona we got to the top of the waiting list and so we proceeded to sort out our paperwork for the visa. At the time we were extremely hyped but that has since died down seeing as we stayed in Barcelona. If we go to Canada, it would most likely be to Montreal so with that in mind, I give you my ten reasons to move to Canada right now.

1. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

2. I could have a stopover in Iceland on the way to Montreal, ticking off number one on my TRAVEL BUCKETLIST 2016.

3. I could casually take weekend trips the US of A – I’m imagining regular weekends down to NYC and Boston…

4. I could experience living in a completely different climate – come winter, bring on wool lined Dr Martens and the sassiest of faux fur coats.

5. I could speak French again on a daily basis – although hoping to not pick up a quebecois accent (no offence guys!).

6. I could experience a different culture – a mix of North American and Europe cultures sounds pretty special!

7. I could (hopefully) get a decent job because I speak the languages.

8. Rumour has it that Canadians are some of the friendliest people on Earth. 

9. Canada actually welcomes immigrants rather than finding any possible way to close its borders.

10. England, Europe and America seem on a path to being pretty fucked so why not try a country that has an outstanding reputation for quality of life?

Izzie x

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A Photography Tour Of Barcelona

Last Saturday, Lewis and I grabbed our cameras and took to the streets of El Born, Barcelona for a unique photography tour by FOTO RUTA BARCELONA. El Born is a district in the old town of Barcelona full of cute streets, lively bars and a lotta culture. We actually live in El Born so we already knew the area quite well (although surprisingly we discovered some streets we had never frequented) but it was an amazing experience to be guided through the streets of our neighbourhood with no other objective than to take photos.

We met our guide (and professional photographer) Juan in the cute En Aparté cafe at the top end of El Born where we had a complimentary drink whilst being shown a short presentation. He talked about photography techniques - aperture, shutter speed, ISO - as well as tips for taking a good photograph - framing, patterns, lines etc. Then, we headed out into the streets of El Born for three hours with just cameras in our hands and time on our side. Here are my favourite shots.

Samedi dernier, Lewis et moi avons pris nos appareils photos pour un tour unique avec FOTO RUTA BARCELONA. Nous nous sommes baladés dans Le Born, un quartier historique dans Barcelone avec plein de petites rues mignonnes, des bars vivants et beaucoup de culture. Nous connaissons déjà bien Le Born parce que nous y habitons - mais nous avons découverts des endroits que nous n'en connaissions pas - et c'était génial d'être guidé dans notre quartier avec qu'un seul but - prendre des photos.

Nous avons eu un rendez-vous avec notre guide, Juan (un photographe lui-même), dans un cafe mignon qui s'appelle En Aparté en Le Born. Nous avons bu une boisson offerte pendant que Juan nous a montrés une petite présentation sur les techniques de photographe - l'ouverture, la vitesse d'obturation et l'ISO - ainsi que des conseils pour prendre une belle photo - la composition, les motifs, les lignes etc. Puis, pendant trois heures, nous nous sommes baladés dans les rues de Le Born avec nos appareils photos et du temps. Voici mes photos préférées.

Izzie x

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Berlin Vlog

Hello!

I am really excited to share with you a vlog from my recent trip to Berlin! I have separated the video into sections - where to eat, where to visit and where to shop. Although you should check out my blog post VINTAGE SHOPPING IN BERLIN for a more extensive shopping guide.

I am so pleased with how the video has turned out and I feel that my editing is getting better every time I do a new video. Let me know what you think, like the video and subscribe to my channel and thank you for tuning in huns!


Coucou!

Je suis super contente de vous présenter un nouveau vlog sur mon séjour récent a Berlin! La video est en trois parties - où on peut manger, visiter et faire du shopping. Cependant, il faut que vous verriez aussi mon poste VINTAGE SHOPPING IN BERLIN pour une guide plus complète.

Je suis vachement contente avec la video et je trouve que ma capacité de monter les videos améliore avec chaque video. Laissez-moi un commentaire, inscrivez-vous à ma chaîne et je vous remercie d'avoir regardé!

Izzie x

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Girona Photo Diary And A Mini Update

Hello huns!

I hope you all has a smashing Easter, whether it was the four day weekend or, like me, you worked out that taking the four days before Easter off work meant a ten day holiday for the price of four holiday days. Win.

I had an absolute cracking but non stop ten days, in which I managed to squeeze in a four day trip to Berlin, a two day trip up to the Costa Brava and a three day visit from my family. I have alotta content that I am so excited to share with from my holidays but I do not want to rush the blog posts - as I feel I have been doing lately - because it makes me stressed and not produce my best work. So for your mid week Fashion Et Moi fix, I'll leave you with some photos from the beautiful Girona where I spent just a couple of hours on the way to the Costa Brava (I must go back for a proper visit). I am going to be working hard on blog posts and a Berlin vlog this weekend so stayed tuned!

How do you spend your Easter weekend?

Coucou mes choux!

J'espère que vous avez passé un super bon week-end de Pâques! Moi, j'ai eu dix jours de congé en prenant les quatre jours qui précédaient le week-end aussi. Dans une dizaine de jours, j'ai passé quatre jours à Berlin, deux jours sur la Costa Brava et puis ma famille m'a rendue visite à Barcelona pendant trois jours. C'était super mais non stop et après j'étais vraiment fatiguée.

J'ai hâte de vous présenter tout le contenu que j'ai pris pendant mes vacances. Cependant, je ne veux pas que je me presse pour créer ces postes - comme j'ai fait récemment - parce que cela me stresse et par conséquence je ne produirais pas mon meilleur travail. Voilà, vous avez votre petit fix de Fashion Et Moi - je vous laisse avec des photos que j'ai prises à Girona quand j'ai passé deux petites heures là-bas (il faut que j'y aille encore). Je vous promis que je vais travailler dûr ce week-end sur mon contenu et un vlog de Berlin!

Bisous

Izzie x

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The Importance Of Friendship, Family And Finding Your Home

My outfit details can be found at PARIS FASHION WEEK: PATCHWORK SUEDE AND TARTAN SKORT. Anna's outfit details can be found at PRETTY GIRLS MAKES GRAVES.

When I was in Paris recently, I had the pleasure of shooting these lovely photos with one of my best friends, Anna. Having been back to my hometown of Bristol, visiting friends in London and then in Paris all within the space of a few weeks, it has got me thinking about ‘home’. What is a home? What does ‘home’ mean and where is my ‘home’? The old saying goes, ‘home is where the heart is’ but it is certainly not that simple for me.

I met Anna when we worked together in a vintage shop in Paris and for most of my two years in Paris we were inseparable. Of course on the surface we are similar because we are both image-conscious vintage fashion obsessed twenty-somethings but we also just completely get each other. I spent nearly every day with Anna as we worked and partied together, shared everything with each other until suddenly that all changed when I moved away to Barcelona. That is the reality of living abroad – people always leave or YOU leave and it can be really hard to adjust.

I am in Barcelona with the man of my dreams so for that part of my heart, I am definitely in the right place. However, as cities go, I do not think Barcelona has got my heart. Ever since I returned from Paris I have been racking my brains of a way to move back there - with a good job waiting for me I mean. I am convinced that is what I want but then Lewis reminds me that when I was back in Bristol I just wanted to stay forever. 

Call me fickle. Call me indecisive. Call me what you want but the reason for this must be because I feel at home in a few different places but at the same time I feel like I do not have a home anymore. It is a strange thing to describe but whenever I am back in England it seems as though nothing has changed but at the same time people have moved on and sometimes I do not know how to fit into their lives anymore.

I hope this does not come across as complaining because, in fact, it is quite the opposite. I am overwhelmed with emotion about how lucky I am to have these amazing family and friends in my life but the fact that they are not all in my life day to day is really sad. I know that I have chosen a life of living abroad in as many places as possible before I feel pressure from society (and myself) to settle down but then how will I choose?

I want to find that perfect apartment. I want to decorate it with photos and art and maps of the world. I want to buy bohemian armchairs and a heck load of plants. I want to finally have all my things in one place and stop having those mornings staring at my wardrobe wishing I could wear something that is back in Bristol that did not quite make the cut to come with me abroad. All of these things would be great and would go a long way to making a home, physically, but a home is more than that. It is about belonging and right now I feel a bit lost. However, I have every confidence that I will find clarity and I cannot wait to find the little corner of this Earth that I can call my own.  

Izzie x

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Paris Fashion Week AW16 Vlog

Bonjour! My Paris Fashion Week AW16 Vlog is finally live on my YOUTUBE channel! I had such a great time filming this content (with a little help from my darling ANNA) at Paris Fashion Week, shooting outfits with GISELE and generally hanging out with some awesome friends.

I was lucky enough to see two amazing but completely different shows at Paris Fashion Week. Firstly I saw Manish Arora presenting at the earthy and vintage venue, Le Comptoir General. His AW16 collection features lots of customised denim, pops of coloured patchwork and serious prairie trend vibes. Then I saw the super sleek Pascal Millet show, which is a collection mainly made of black and navy colours but adding the oomph with white polka dots, sequins and sparkles. Anyway, I am spoiling it for you - go and have a look for yourself!


Bonjour! Enfin je vous présente mon vlog de Fashion Week de Paris! C'etait un plaisir de créer ce contenu pour vous (avec un peu de l'aide de ma chérie ANNA qui m'a filmé) - je vous montre la Fashion Week de Paris, les shootings en coulisses que j'ai fait avec GISELE et le temps que j'ai passé en trainant avec des beaux amis. 
J'ai eu de la chance de voir deux défilés magnifiques mais très différents à l'autre - Manish Arora et Pascal Millet. Allez jeter un coup d'oeil à ma video!
Izzie x


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Travel Bucket List 2016

So after all the reflections of 2015, the goals for 2016 and a new batch of holiday allowance issued, it is time to start planning and dreaming. Welcome to my Travel Bucket List 2016, which I hope inspires you and takes you to some amazing places. But please don't go to all of them before me, otherwise I will cry.

ICELAND
The absolute top of my Travel Bucket List for 2016 has to be Iceland. After glowing recommendations from my sister, mum and dad who all (separately) visited this enchanting country last year, I am dying to go. I want to see the pretty colourful houses of Reykjavik, bathe in the Blue Lagoon and try to catch the Northern Lights - which is an ultimate life goal of mine. Alas, Iceland might be just a pipe dream for now because it is so bladdy expensive to get there from Barcelona. Anyone want to pay for me?
Photo by Jessica Hardy 

MADRID
Before living in Barcelona, I really had no desire to visit Madrid - I just thought that Barcelona must be better. However, lots of Barca dwellers that I have spoken to rave about Madrid, seeing it as a much edgier, more London-like city in comparison. Well that sounds right up my street and seeing as I am living in Spain, I really must make time to visit the capital. Do not let the Catalans read this because their pride will be hurt and they will probably chop my fingers off!

JAPAN
I have never been to Asia but Japan is definitely top of my list. I want to be able to spend a decent amount of time there so that I can experience lots of Japanese culture and see different parts of the country. I have never really been anywhere before where you have to change the way you act to fit with (or not offend) the locals and I think I would find this so interesting. I am fascinated by the craziness of Tokyo - the neon lights look amazing - and how beautiful is the cherry blossom?!

COSTA BRAVA
The Costa Brava is the coastal strip stretching from Barcelona up north to the French border and it looks like the perfect break away from the city. What makes the Costa Brava special is its mix of both gorgeous sandy beaches and lush natural parks, which means there is something for everyone. Seeing as it is on my doorstep, I will definitely be heading up the coast when the warmer weather hits, in particular to Tossa de Mar, which has the gorgeous little cove in this left photo.

MOROCCO
I have wanted to go to Morocco, and more specifically Marrakesh, for soooo long. I mean just look at all those colours and pretty buildings! That is certainly not something that us British folk are used to! I know that it would be an experience like one I have never had before - different climates, foreign attitudes and intriguing cultures. And of course the most delicious FOOD! Let's be honest - the food alone is a pretty good reason to go to Morocco.

Which places are on your Travel Bucket List for 2016 and why?

Izzie x

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All images from Pinterest unless otherwise stated. If you see your photo and would like an individual credit - do get in touch! :)

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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Travel: A Few Best Eats In Le Marais, Paris

Bonjour! And happy Sunday! I think Sundays are the perfect day to kick back and read a travel post so here we go. Having lived and worked in Le Marais in Paris for two years, I know the area like the back of my hand. When I left to move to Barcelona a month ago, I had quite a backlog of travel tips for Paris so welcome to my mini guide to the best eats in Le Marais. 

Bonjour et bon dimanche! Je trouve que le dimanche est le jour parfait pour lire des post de voyages alors voici! J'ai habité et travaillé pendant deux ans dans Le Marais dans Paris, du coup je connais le quartier très très bien. Quand j'ai quitté Paris pour déménager à Barcelone il y a un mois, j'avais toujours plein de conseils de voyages pour Paris que je n'avais pas encore publié alors bienvenue à ma petite guide à la meilleur bouffe dans Le Marais. 

LE PICK CLOPS

16 RUE VIEILLE DU TEMPLE, 75004 PARIS

I would probably describe PICK CLOPS as my favourite cafe/bar in Paris. I have been going here religiously ever since I discovered it right at the beginning of my year abroad back in 2010. Situated on the corner of probably my favourite street in Paris, rue Vieille du Temple, its small terrace taking up most of the narrow pavement is just charming for people watching, sipping on wine or getting stuck into a scrummy bagel. For 12€ you get a bagel, cream cheese, your choice of filling (smoked salmon, grilled vegetables or bacon) and delicious fried potatoes. It's very filling and served throughout the day. They also have a dish of the day, quiche and cheap sandwiches for 4€. Apart from the food and wine, I just love the decor of Pick Clops - a very cool, indie bar mixed with an American diner vibe. 

Je pense que je dirais que PICK CLOPS est mon café/bar préféré dans Paris. Depuis mon année Erasmus en 2010 quand je l'ai découvert , j'y vais religieusement. Il se situe sur le coin de ma rue préférée dans Paris, rue Vieille du Temple, et son petit terrasse qui prend la plupart du petit trottoir est juste charmant pour regarder des gens qui passent, prendre un coup ou manger un bagel délicieux. Vous payez 12€ pour un plat énorme d'un bagel, du cream cheese, une farce de votre choix (saumon fumé, légumes grillés ou bacon) et des pommes de terre sautés. Il y a aussi un plat du jour, de la quiche et des sandwiches pas chers à 4€. A part de la bouffe et du vin, je kiffe la décor de Pick Clops - c'est une bar cool et indie avec une vibe d'un diner américain. 

CHEZ HANNA

54 RUE DES ROSIERS, 75004 PARIS

CHEZ HANNA does without a doubt the best falafel I have ever had. Most of the Paris guide books will tell you to go to L'As du Falafel, which is also on rue des Rosiers and always has a massive queue outside, but as a big fan of chickpea based foods (their hummus is pretty damn good too), trust me and go to Chez Hanna. I always get their falafel pitta sandwich to take away because it is so darn cheap (just 5.50€) and it's the way to do it - if you walk around any of the surrounding streets you are bound to see someone walking along struggling to simultaneously eat an overflowing falafel sandwich. I recommend you take a seat on a bench or in the nearby Jardin des Rosiers-Joseph Migneret just off rue des Rosiers. Alternatively, you can eat in for a decent price too and other than falafel, they offer a variety of Middle Eastern dishes.

CHEZ HANNA fait le meilleur falafel que je n'ai jamais goûté, sans doute. La plupart des guides de Paris vous dira aller à L'As du Falafel, qui se situe aussi sur la rue des Rosiers et a toujours un queue longue, mais comme un fan des pois-chiches (leur houmous n'est pas mal aussi), ayez confiance en moi et allez à Chez Hanna. Je prends toujours le pitta avec falafel à emporter parce qu'il n'est qu'à 5,50€ et c'est comme ça qu'on mange du falafel. Dans les rues autour de la rue des Rosiers, il y a toujours des gens qui essayent de manger ce sandwich plein à craquer au même temps qu'essayant de marcher. Je vous conseille de vous reposer sur un banc ou dans le Jardin des Rosiers-Joseph Migneret qui est proche. Sinon, vous pouvez manger sur place pour pas trop cher non-plus et il y a une bonne variété de la bouffe du Moyen-Orient à part du falafel. 

MERCI USED BOOK CAFE
111 BOULEVARD BEAUMARCHAIS, 75003 PARIS

Located in the upper end of Le Marais, I used to walk past MERCI almost daily as it was just around the corner from my apartment. Merci consists of two cafes with a large concept store in the middle selling great Danish home wear and clothes. The used book cafe has a lovely, library-like ambiance with one long wall covered in shelves filled with books in all languages that you can flip through to your heart's desire. I always choose their eggs and soldiers for 8€, which is just yummy, but they also have bagels and cakes. Merci's sister restaurant is just down boulevard - check out my RESTAURANT REVIEW OF GRAZIE for delicious pizzas and cocktails.

MERCI se situe dans l'haut Marais et je le passais presque chaque jour parce qu'il se situe près de mon ancien appartement. Merci consiste de deux cafés plus un grand "concept store" au milieu qui vend des choses pour la maison et des vêtements danois. Le Used Book Cafe a une ambiance mignon comme une petite bibliothèque avec un mur couvert des livres que vous êtes bienvenus à lire. Je choisi toujours les oeufs mollets pour 8€, qui est miam, mais il y a aussi des bagels et des gâteaux. Pour le soir, regardez mon article RESTAURANT REVIEW OF GRAZIE - un pizzeria avec des cocktails délicieux dans la même chaine de Merci.

Izzie x

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