Radhika Recommends

Spa day at Champneys Tring

2020-07-21T09:03:00.001+01:00

For those of you that know me personally, you will know that I love a good spa day. A chance to really get away from it all, relax and be pampered. With recent news that spas can now start to re-open in the UK, I'm sure that my fellow spa fans will join me in celebrating this and get their spa treatments booked in quickly! For anyone looking for a luxury spa close to London, Champneys Tring could be the perfect treat.

Location

Having been to Champneys Spring in Leicestershire around 10 years ago with my mother, I decided to try out the original flagship Champneys Spa Tring in Hertfordshire. Now that I'm London based, it's surprisingly easy to reach, as it's just 45 minutes on the train direct from London Euston.

Checking in

I booked a spa day a few months ago with a friend that included one treatment each, access to the full spa facilities, breakfast, lunch and use of robes and slippers all day. Set in a converted stately home, guests are in awe of the Champneys Tring building on arrival as you pull up on the driveway. It's surrounded by expansive grounds and perfectly manicured gardens. On arrival, we were welcomed by the staff and checked in for the day. As part of the arrival process, we were treated to a welcome breakfast buffet which included a range of healthy and delicious options such as granola, fruit and smoothies.

Spa facilities

After getting changed into my robe, I felt completely relaxed and settled in to the atmosphere. The spa itself is huge with a 25 metre swimming pool, several different jacuzzis including one outdoors, saunas, steam rooms, a gym, a thalassotherapy pool, two spa product shops and plenty of relaxation areas. I was very impressed with the layout and the amount of space available, however on a Saturday it did get a little crowded in the afternoon.

Treatments

For my 30 minute treatment, I opted for a facial which was both relaxing and refreshing for my skin. The only thing I would change is having a longer treatment time as I didn't want to leave the treatment room! There is a very long menu of treatments available, from massages to manicures and pedicures, so you'll definitely be spoiled for choice.

Lunch

At lunchtime, we were seated in the grand dining room amongst plenty of other guests having lunch in their robes as well! The buffet included a range of delicious and nutritional food - all very low-fat and healthy. After lunch, it was time to make use of all the facilities and chill out for the rest of the day. My absolute favourite areas included the thalassotherapy pool, jacuzzi and steam rooms as I feel like they do wonders for both my skin and any muscle tension.

For anyone looking to get away and enjoy some true pampering, I would highly recommend Champneys Tring. Find out more at: www.champneys.com/spa-resorts/champneys-tring.

Photo credit: Champneys Tring

Brunch at Crispin in Spitalfields

2019-07-21T21:46:00.001+01:00

When I first saw this building from afar I didn't think it was a restaurant, but perhaps an event venue or even an exhibition space. However the closer I walked to it, I realised that this purpose build 'spaceship' like building was a lovely little restaurant and cafe.

Photo credit: Time Out

I visited Crispin the other week for brunch with a friend and I really wanted to write a review as I think it's one of the Spitalfields area's hidden gems. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available and luckily with the sweltering heat on the morning that I visited, we were able to secure a table outside and soak up the sunshine over a healthy and delicious breakfast.

I ordered the avocado on sourdough, with lemon, chilli and chives and my friend ordered the eggs and soldiers, which also looked delicious. Although my breakfast plate sounds relatively simple, the seasoning really made it, plus the locally sourced sourdough, which Crispin prides itself on. I also ordered a fresh drink to complement my brunch, which was the carrot, apple, orange and ginger juice. It was so refreshing and really set me up for the day.

The menu may be small, but the breakfast options do cater for all with healthy options like porridge, overnight oats and even banana bread. I also thought the pricing was very reasonable, with my avocado on sourdough coming to £6.90.

For those visiting the Spitalfields area, I would certainly recommend visiting Crispin, even if it's just for a coffee and cake.

Choosing the perfect spring fragrance

2018-03-25T22:22:00.000+01:00

Spring is a great time to freshen up your fragrance collection and add some new perfumes to match the season. I actually have lots of perfumes in my collection, but I'm always looking to discover new ones. The British perfumery brand, Amelgo, kindly sent me* one of their new fragrances in the scent Burnt Rose. It's a beautiful blend of fresh rose like notes with pink pepper and saffron. It's a very luxurious scent, ideal for an evening out.

With beautiful packaging, the highest quality ingredients and rich scents, the Amelgo brand is right up my street! I also really like the packaging as the opaque black bottles help to preserve the longevity of the fragrances. They're also compact enough to fit in your make up bag, and ideal for travelling. Amelgo also source unique ingredients such as oud, sandlewood and freesia from countries including South America, Asia and the Middle East. I also really like the fact that they have no harmful chemicals in any products and are strictly cruelty free.

I would highly recommend trying one of their lovely fragrances this spring and you can view all perfumes here. Although the Burnt Rose perfume is my favourite, there's a range of scents to choose from, many of which are suitable for both females and males.

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

*Thank you to the team at Amelgo for kindly gifting me this perfume. As always, all views are honest and my own.

What to wear for Ladies Night in Dubai

2018-03-05T18:00:00.000+00:00

Last week I went to Ladies Night at the beach bar at the Burj Al Arab. It was probably the most iconic beach bar location I've ever been to and was even more magical when the Burj Al Arab was lit up at night. We had a lovely evening full of bottomless Prosecco.

The fashion brand Tobi* gifted me this red lace bodycon dress which I took with me to Dubai. It's perfect for nights out, dinners and drinks with friends. So I thought it was ideal to wear for drinks at the Burj Al Arab!

The dress has small straps and a lovely red lace detail throughout. It falls above my knee, making it really fitted and flattering. As the colour was bright, I decided to go for natural make up and accessorise the outfit with my Chanel bag and Valentinos.

*Thank you to Tobi for gifting me this dress. As always, all views are honest and my own.

What to wear for Friday Brunch in Dubai

2018-03-04T09:33:00.000+00:00

One of my favourite things to do each time I visit Dubai is a classic Friday Brunch. Last week I attended brunch with my friend at Mina A'Salam at the Madinat Jumeriah. The atmosphere, food and drinks were excellent, with an iconic view of the Burj Al Arab.

Brunch in Dubai also means dressing in your best outfits, which I obviously love to do! The fashion brand Tobi* kindly gifted me this gorgeous ivory white lace dress which I decided to wear for brunch. It's perfect when in the heat and extremely flattering as it's a fitted bodycon dress with flower lace detail.

I decided to wear my Tobi dress with my favourite Valentino rockstud heels, my classic Chanel bag and Valentino sunglasses. I also wore a classic red lip as I thought it went really well with this white dress. I also love the fact that the dress has a Self Portrait vibe with the lace detail. However Tobi dresses are just a fraction of the price of Self Portrait dresses, so they're a really nice dupe.

*Thank you to Tobi for kindly gifting me this dress. As always, all views are honest and my own.

How to pick the perfect swimsuit or bikini

2018-02-15T21:01:00.001+00:00

As you may have guessed, I’m always planning my next trip abroad. I’m soon off to Dubai to visit one of my best friends and when thinking about holiday outfits, swimsuits and bikinis are often the first thing I pack. The feel of sand in your toes and the clear blue sea is what we all long for during the cold winter months in the UK. But when shopping for your perfect swimsuit, I’ve put together some tips to help you find your most flattering fit.

Pick your style

There are so many types of swimsuits, from backless to strapless, and there’s one to suit everyone. Browse all of the different styles, try them on and take your pick. The most important thing is being comfortable in whichever you choose. Personally, I always go for strapless swimsuits as it means I don’t get tan lines on my shoulders and I find the strapless ones the most flattering on my figure. Plus, this green swimsuit has extra details such as lace panelled sides, which makes it even more interesting to wear.

Pick your colour

I would usually go for bright coloured swimsuits for my beach holidays, but my friend who I was shopping with in Thailand convinced me to buy this green swimsuit instead. At first I wasn’t too sure, but when I tried it on I loved it! The green tone compliments my olive skin tone well, so don’t be scared to try something different. Equally, if you usually wear dark coloured swimsuits and bikinis, why not mix it up and wear something brighter.

Accessorise

I know I always talk about accessorising outfits, and I think there’s no difference when it comes to swimsuits. From beach necklaces to sarongs, there’s lots of little touches you can add to your beach day outfit. In Krabi in Thailand, I was very minimalistic with this beach look, as I just wore my sunglasses as I was in and out of the sea a lot! But other things I take with me to the beach include a small beach bag and stylish sandals. Sometimes I even wear beach bracelets and necklaces.

How to achieve the casual chic look

2018-02-10T17:12:00.004+00:00

Weekends are the best time to dress down but I still like to ensure I’m dressing up my outfits with key accessories to turn them into 'weekend chic' looks. The fashion brand Tobi recently sent me* these lovely blue denim jeans and I’ve been wearing them on my casual chic days. Read on for how I achieve a classic and stylish weekend look.

Picking your perfect pair of jeans

I often find it difficult to find jeans that fit me perfectly and the best way is just to try on as many styles as possible. I finally found that skinny jeans suit my figure the best, so now I always shop for that particular style. The jeans from Tobi are perfectly flattering and they have a range of skinny jeans as well as lots of other styles.

A statement top

If wearing trousers or jeans, a standout top can make all the difference when styling a weekend chic look. On this particular day I was going for brunch with friends and then to a museum for the day, so I wanted to wear something appropriate. This gorgeous pink lace top goes so well with the light blue denim, and the bell sleeves are both fashionable and flattering on the arms.

Accessories

I’m saying it again - you make an outfit with the accessories. I invest in designer accessories as I truly believe they complete your outfit and can make pretty much any look be high end. My favourite Valentino rockstud heels can be worn with anything in my wardrobe, so they’re ideal for a weekend chic look. The detail on them and the nude colour complement the pink lace top. Plus I love the compliments I receive when wearing them!

My brand new Gucci Dionysus handbag made an appearance for my weekend look. I received this handbag as a birthday present and absolutely love it! The flower detail is so eye catching and the clasp is so intricate. It’s also a good size so I can fit everything I need for a day out in London, including an umbrella!

How do you like to dress for a day out at weekends?

*Thank you to the brand Tobi who kindly gifted me this pair of jeans. As always, all views are honest and my own.

Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion exhibition at the V&A

2018-01-31T20:31:00.000+00:00

Even before started blogging about fashion, I always loved going to fashion exhibitions in London. It’s been a while since I covered an exhibition on my blog so I’m really excited to be writing this. I recently went to the Balenciaga exhibition at the V&A museum with some friends. The exhibition was curated by Cassie Davies-Strodder and really highlighted the influence Cristóbal Balenciaga had in the fashion industry. I learned so much about the designer which I never knew before.

The designs and outfits showcased at the exhibition were simply stunning and emphasised how creative and bold Balenciaga is, as his designs even inspired Givenchy (who I also love) and Alexander McQueen.

Over 100 pieces are presented at the exhibition, many crafted by Balenciaga himself but also pieces created by his students. I took photos of all of my favourite designs and they were of course the embellished gowns and evening wear. Balenciaga’s clients included famous names such as Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn.

Although the exhibition has been open for a while, there’s still time to see it as it ends on 18th February. If you love fashion as much as I do, I would highly recommend it.

The top five things to do in Gran Canaria

2018-01-10T20:30:00.001+00:00

This post is in collaboration with James Villa Holidays.

With January in full swing and the cold winter weather sweeping across the UK, everyone is starting to think about their summer holiday destinations. I'm already planning my 2018 trips and getting inspired by various travel sites and blogs. I've visited a few of the popular Canary islands and wanted to help others get some summer holiday inspiration by sharing the top things to do in sunny Gran Canaria (aside from sunbathing on the beach)! Sometimes staying in a private accommodation rather than a hotel allows more flexibility to explore the area. James Villa Holidays offer a number of handpicked villas ideal for a holiday in the sun.

Roque Nublo

The rock formation of Roque Nublo is a fantastic sight that you must see. Often surrounded by clouds which is a reason many people miss this sight, it's actually a beautiful natural rock formation that you travel through the small town of Tejeda to see.

Playa des las Canteras

For the hustle and bustle of the city life, Playa des las Canteras must be visited. Relax on the sandy beach or browse the many shops.

Dunas de Maspalomas

A truly unique experience, the rolling sand dunes of Maspalomas are not to be missed. You feel like you're in a desert but you're actually very close to the sea, on a beach that is miles long at the south coast of the island.

Vegueta

I love visiting old towns and travelling to Vegueta allows you to walk along the cobbled streets and explore the old city centre. Don't miss the visiting the famous Cathedral at Santa Ana Square.

Visit a spa

Holidays are all about relaxing after all! Gran Canara has a number of fantastic spas including the popular Siam Spa and Corallium Spa. Enjoy the spa facilities and book yourself in for some luxury treatments.

Have you ever visited Gran Canaria? What did you enjoy the most?

Image credits: spain-grancanaria.com

What to wear for the party season

2017-12-20T21:40:00.003+00:00

There’s something about the Christmas and New Years party season that I absolutely love. Apart from the glamorous parties, food, drink and festivities, I love dressing up for the party season and shopping for new outfits. I believe it's a time of year to make the most of dressing up in your finest outfits.

This year, one of my favourite outfits has been this gorgeous blue Whistles dress. It's so elegant and has a distinctive Self Portrait vibe, which is what attracted me to it. I also like that it's different to wearing festive colours such as red and green. Instead, the deep blue colour is perfect for evening events and the lace detail is so intricate and sophisticated.

Things to consider when choosing your Christmas or New Years Eve outfits include most importantly, being comfortable. Make sure you're completely happy with the fit and style of your outfit. I used to worry about my party dresses feeling too tight after eating a big meal! But when carefully chosen, dresses can look flattering for both the dancing and the eating at a party :)

If you know me well, follow me on Instagram or read my blog regularly, you'll know that my style is very much classic and timeless. So this Whistles dress must come as no surprise, as it's very me! I always say to people that you should always stick to your signature look or style, as that's what will make you feel and look amazing.

Finishing touches include make up and jewellery. For this party look, I opted for a classic red lipstick and pearl earrings. My gold clutch bag is my absolute favourite for parties, especially when you don't need a large bag getting in the way of dancing!

Merry Christmas everyone :)

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

How to shop for transitional pieces

2017-11-20T22:31:00.005+00:00

The days are short again and the temperature has certainly dropped here in London. Luckily, there's still plenty of fun to be had when it comes to fashion and styling in the winter months. Although I still like to wear my floral prints in the autumn and winter, styled with layers, jackets and tights, the clothes I start to buy in the autumn are much more seasonal. Read on for my top tips for shopping for transitional clothing.

Sticking to your style

As you may already know, I am much more of a summer fashion girl, so I love my floral prints and that doesn't stop in the winter. I recently received a Gucci floral print bag as a birthday present (blog post coming soon) and I've been wearing it with pretty much everything! Similarly, this red dress from Boohoo is feminine and floral but the sleeves mean that I can still wear it this time of year. It's important to stick to your own style, and if chunky layers aren't for you then don't invest in them.

Add to your current wardrobe

If you love a certain summer dress, why not keep wearing it in the winter but paired with clear tights and a nice jacket? Rather than splashing out on new winter clothes, I definitely believe in getting the most out of your clothes, so I love to add to my wardrobe and buy pieces such as jumpers and jackets that I can pair with my summer clothes.

Colours and fabrics

I still like to keep my wardrobe bright in the winter months, so you'll still see me in red dresses and pink coats. So stick to what you like and just introduce pieces that will help your wardrobe transition. This could include cardigans, boots and even gloves.

How do you shop for transitional pieces? Or do you add to your existing wardrobe like me?

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

Shopping for nightwear this winter

2017-10-29T19:52:00.000+00:00

After two glorious weeks spent in hot and sunny Thailand and Singapore, I've returned to autumn/winter in the UK. This time of year means getting cosy in the evenings, hot baths and layering up. Winter is officially on it's way and there's nothing more cosy than starting to shop for nightwear. I've collaborated* with Hunkemoller to give you some inspiration on cosy and comfortable nightwear options, as well as review this gorgeous Satin Dot Pyjama Set which has been kindly gifted to me. This pyjama set is a great example of loungewear that is perfect for the colder months.

Style and fit

When shopping for any kind of clothing, I always say it's so important to ensure your comfort comes first. This is even more so for nightwear, as you need to be relaxed and comfy to sleep. This pyjama set has a lovely loose fit which is great for relaxing and sleeping. There's nothing worse than tight fitted clothing at bedtime, so I always recommend ensuring that the fit is loose.

Fabrics

I recommend the softer the better in terms of fabrics, so cotton and silk are always good options for nightwear. The Hunkemoller pyjama set is satin which is very soft and has a touch of luxury to it.

Keeping warm

This is a top priority during the British winter, and a pyjama set such as the one I'm wearing here is ideal for keeping warm due to the long sleeves and long trousers.

Stay fashionably warm

Finally, staying stylish and warm at the same time is something I always talk about in the colder months. If you can get both, it's a win win! Small details make a lot of difference, such as the polka dot pattern on my pyjama set. It adds a touch of elegance and character to the outfit.

What do you like most about shopping for nightwear in the winter?

*Thank you to Hunkemoller who kindly gifted me this pyjama set. As always, all views are honest and my own.

Investing in the Givenchy Antigona handbag

2017-10-06T07:00:00.000+01:00

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that I love to invest in classic and timeless fashion. This is even more so if the item I'm investing in is luxury/designer. A few months ago I won a blogger competition with Farfetch* where I was kindly gifted a voucher to use on their website. I decided to purchase the classic Givenchy Antigona handbag as I have wanted it for so long. It's such a gorgeous handbag and I love the size, as I can fit everything I need for the daytime and night. I wanted to write this blog post about investing in designer handbags, as I thought it could help a lot of people out when making your purchase decisions.

The size

Believe it or not, but this is actually the 'small' Antigona tote bag. I did my research before this purchase and the small version is definitely big enough. It also comes with a handy shoulder strap and the bag is really sturdy and holds it's shape well.

Colour

I love this Burgundy colour as it goes with so much in my wardrobe and is actually really perfect for Autumn! However I have also been wearing this bag all summer, so for me it's a bag for all seasons and I will just style it differently.

How to style it

In this look I decided to style the Givenchy Antigona with my Zara striped dress. I like how the colours of the stripes and the bag compliment each other. Plus, this is a very classic day time look which could also work for the office. My accessories included my Hugo Boss watch and Valentino sunglasses.

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

*Thank you to Farfetch for gifting me a voucher which I used towards purchasing the Givenchy Antigona handbag. All views are honest and my own, as always.

London Fashion Week - Nina Naustdal SS18 show

2017-10-03T07:00:00.000+01:00

The third and final show I was lucky enough to attend this London Fashion was the Nina Naustdal show at the Playboy Club in Mayfair. I went along with my friends Jo and Chalky, who very kindly managed to get me onto the guest list!

Nina Naustdal is an award winning designer and all of her pieces are handmade in her London based atelier to ensure the highest quality. I was also lucky enough to meet Nina in person before the fashion show started.

The couture and ready to wear collections that were showcased on the night were very up my street. There was a mixture of colourful and elegant evening wear, with inspiration taken from the Far East. The couture and black collection is inspired by the dark sensuality of the Victorian period. For example, frills are paired with plunging necklines creating an interesting contrast. I particularly enjoyed the ready to wear collection, as the dresses were designed so intricately.

For this very glamorous evening I decided to wear my Zara dress with the jewel detail, Valentino Rockstud heels and a Chanel handbag.

Photography by Chalky White

London Fashion Week - House of Mea SS18 show

2017-09-30T11:51:00.002+01:00

The second show I attended at London Fashion Week this year was the House of Mea show. Showcasing talent from across the Middle East and Asia, the show focused on textures, textiles and tradition.

The outfits were beautifully designed with stunning textures and colours. I was so impressed with the diverse colour range, which again showed the rich heritage in fashion.

The collection was full of pieces using pure silks, georgettes, leather, Indian embroideries and three dimensional texturizing. Fabric manipulation techniques such as heat pressing, perma pleating, distressing and draping are used to create structured to flowy and exaggerated silouettes.

The show took place in the stunning Freemason's Hall in London and I had a great view of all the pieces as I was sat in the middle of the catwalk. I attended this show shortly after the Steventai show, so my outfit details are the same: Jesire trench coat, lace New Look dress and Chanel handbag.

Model images provided by House of Mea.

London Fashion Week - Steventai SS18 show

2017-09-20T07:00:00.000+01:00

London Fashion Week is now officially over and this year I was lucky enough to have been invited to three shows! The first show I attended was the Steventai SS18 collection held at 180 The Strand, which was so beautiful. The vibrant and bright colours of the pieces were stunning and the intricate details gave me a real insight into what will be trending next year.

Steventai's new collection was inspired by a sandy summer beach, and this could be seen in the show as the models were standing on sand or sitting in a pool full of foam. The pieces had all of the colours of summer in primary hues. I was most impressed by the lace details and also the stripes. My favourite pieces were ones with the frill sleeves, as these look so flattering and will be perfect to wear in the summer.

I also really liked the fact that the show was much more interactive and you could walk up to the models to see their outfits up close. The models also interacted with the audience by pretending to take photos on their polaroid cameras, which again was a nice touch.

Thank you so much to the team at Steventai for inviting me to the show! I'm looking forward to seeing what next season's collection is like!

How to become confident when flying long-haul alone

2017-08-26T15:31:00.000+01:00

It’s good to often reflect on how much you change and develop as a person. Ten years ago I would never have even dreamed of travelling or flying alone to another country. Ask me now to meet you on the other side of the world, and I’m there in a second! As I’m very fortunate to be able to travel the world often, a lot of people ask me how I manage to take so many flights alone. I have friends and family in various countries around the world, so I like to go and visit as much as possible. Over the years, I’ve mastered a few ways to help me stay calm and confident when travelling and taking long-haul flights alone.

Prepare for your flight

Try to think of everything you’ll need whilst in the air. I used to take sickness tablets to make me feel better before a long haul flight, but luckily now I seem to have gone past that stage. When I was nine years old my first long haul flight was to India and I had air sickness pretty much the whole way. It was awful and I was worried that it would put me off travelling when I was older. I'm so glad that it didn't. Basically anything that makes you take your mind off things is great, such as headphones to listen to your favourite music and even skincare products to use whilst on the flight. The more prepared you are, the less anxious you will be.

Speak to people around you

You’ll generally find that people are really friendly and when I’ve travelled alone, I always find people to talk to. Once I was on a flight back home from Thailand and I met a lovely Australian couple who were travelling to London. They were so friendly and it was really interesting to hear some of their travel stories. Saying hello to the person next to you on the flight could really make your journey a lot more fun.

Look after yourself

This one may seem obvious, but so many people forget it. Move around the plane as much as possible (when the seat belt signs are off) to stretch your legs. I’ve mentioned before taking some skincare bits with you so that you can do a mini skincare routine on the flight. This is where those travel size bottles come in useful! Also, drink plenty of water as it’s so easy to get dehydrated on planes. With long haul flights, there are usually two or three meals so I always ask for water with all of my meals.

Use the time wisely

A 12 hour flight on your own can feel really long. However, I always try to use my time effectively. After watching a couple of films and having a quick snooze, I use the time to reflect on things, write down lists of what I want to do and future goals, and plans for my future. I love taking my notebook and pen with me when I travel, as I find that I’m always thinking about things that I want to jot down and getting inspired by the different places.

Taking the plunge and booking my first long haul flight alone all those years ago was honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done. It made me more confident and made me want to travel more. My first flight completely alone was a 12 hour flight to Thailand where I went to stay with friends. Since then, I’ve flown to multiple countries alone, both for work and for leisure including Dubai, Norway, Belgium, Scotland and Germany. It’s great to travel with people, but if you ever need to travel alone then I urge you to do it, as I’ve never looked back. I’m really excited for more of my trips abroad in 2018, some of which I will be flying alone again.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” - Neale Donald Walsch.

I hope this blog post inspires some of you, and I would love to know any travel plans you have coming up?

This gorgeous blue lace bardot dress is from Boohoo and you can shop it here.

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

What to wear for a summer wedding

2017-08-16T07:00:00.000+01:00

Wedding season is in full swing so I wanted to share my thoughts on dressing as a wedding guest during the summer. Pastel colours and frills are my favourite for summer, as they go so well together and are perfect for day to night looks. If you have time to change that's great, but I personally prefer to wear the same outfit throughout the day.

The dress

Obviously the most important aspect of your outfit is picking the dress or outfit. I personally prefer to wear dresses, but there’s plenty of other outfit ideas, including skirts, trousers and two piece outfits. This floral ruffle dress from Y.A.S at ASOS is so feminine with the pretty frills and pastel colours. The details such as the back of the dress make it extra special and also a little bit different.

Colours

I’ve already mentioned this point, but choosing the right colours can really make all the difference to your whole look. For a summer wedding, I would recommend soft pastels and light colours as they look great both in the day and night. This gorgeous dress has a flowery pattern on which again adds to the style.

Accessories

A clutch bag always looks great with wedding guest outfits, as you don't want to be carrying around too much for the day. This trusty gold clutch bag is my go to handbag for special occasions. As there was so much detail on this dress already, I decided to wear some simple pearl earrings. The shoes are from Pull & Bear and have a definite Chanel vibe!

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

The top five things to do in Venice

2017-08-13T10:16:00.000+01:00

If you follow me on Instagram (@radhikarecommends) you'll know that I recently went to Venice for a city break with one of my university friends. It was lovely and hot in June and I wanted to share my top travel tips and the best things to see in Venice if you have a short amount of time. I was there for four days, which in my opinion, is plenty of time to see the best sights and also have time to relax and take it all in.

Piazza San Marco

We were lucky enough to find a hotel that was literally a few metres away from the main Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square). It's very crowded in the day, but I would recommend getting there early to take photos. The stunning architecture of the Bascilica San Marco and Doge's Palace can be admired from the Square, as well as the Campanile Tower.

Campanile Tower

If you want fantastic views over the whole of Venice, I would recommend going up to the top of the tower in Piazza San Marco. Although it's very windy when you get up there, you can't beat the views over the city of Venice.

Burano

A lot of people don't get to see the hidden gems near Venice, but Burano island is a beautiful island full of buildings in pastel and bright colours. It's lovely to walk around for the morning before it gets too hot. There's also some great lace shops and restaurants to stop off at for lunch.

Doge's Palace

This museum was actually the first attraction we went inside and it was one of the best. The art on the ceilings was breathtaking and the history behind the Palace is fascinating. I would highly recommend visiting.

Gondola ride

I know some may find it cliche but the gondola ride I went on was so good! It's a great way of seeing Venice and all of the canals and you get some great photos. It can be very expensive but highly worth it.

Have you ever been to Venice? What did you enjoy the most?

Buying the Valentino Rockstud heels

2017-07-31T07:00:00.000+01:00

If you know me well or have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that I love to invest in timeless and classic pieces when it comes to fashion. I'm also a big believer in treating yourself if you really want something (within reason)! I've been a fan of Valentino fashion for a few years now, having bought myself the Valentino Rockstud sunglasses which I absolutely love. But the Valentino Rockstud heels are a pair of shoes that I have had my eye on for a while now. I've tried them on in stores such as Harrods and Selfridges in different colours, and I instantly knew that I was in love with these shoes. They completely took my breath away, they look stunning, and I know they are a good investment for me as I will wear them with lots of different outfits. So I finally decided to purchase them as a treat for myself a few months ago! I wanted to wait a while before posting this, so that I had time to get used to wearing the shoes and write my honest thoughts.

Investing in iconic luxury

I know that the Valentino Rockstuds are a luxury pair of shoes, and I am all about investing in key luxury pieces. These shoes are so iconic and chic, and I love the pyramid stud embellishment all over the shoes, as this adds that classic Valentino design that will always be fashionable. Plus, they match my Valentino Rockstud sunglasses!

Investing in heels to wear with everything

There were quite a few colours to choose from, but I decided to go for the nude shade as I think this can be worn with more colours and different types of outfits. I plan on wearing these shoes with jeans and a shirt for a day time look, as well as at night with some of my best evening dresses. So you'll definitely be seeing more of these shoes on my blog styled with different outfits.

Investing in comfort

I definitely did my research before purchasing these heels. As well as looking stunning, I also need my shoes to be comfortable. There's nothing worse than blisters after a day of walking in your new shoes. I have seen other bloggers such as Victoria from InTheFrow and Lydia Elise Millen talk about how comfortable the Valentino Rockstuds are. At first I couldn't believe it, but after trying the shoes on, I started to understand what they meant. These heels are honestly the most comfortable heels I have ever worn. I recently wore them for an evening out where I was on my feet a lot, and they didn't hurt my feet at all and they were super comfortable. I'm so pleased that I've found a luxury shoe that not only looks great, but also feels great for my feet!

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

How to find the best sunglasses to suit your face shape

2017-07-27T22:35:00.000+01:00

With summer and the holiday season being in full swing, I wanted to share a blog post about one of my favourite accessories of all time - sunglasses. I have gone through so many pairs of sunglasses over the years, but I have a couple of special designer ones that I always seem to go to.

I've recently collaborated* with GlassesShop.com to show you how to choose the best sunglasses to suit your face shape. They are an American owned online retailer of eyeglasses and sunglasses and very kindly sent me a pair of the Amanda Cat Eye sunglasses that I took on my recent trip to Santorini.

Choosing a style you like

I would recommend starting off by browsing the different styles and shapes that attract you the most. For example, I like quite big and bold sunglasses so I'm instantly drawn to them. Once you know if you're a fan of the cat eye style or not for example, you'll have a good selection to start choosing from.

Getting the fit just right

This step obviously works better when you can try on the sunglasses before buying them, but you can still view the fit and size online at GlassesShop.com which helps when buying online. The most important thing for me in terms of the fit is to ensure that the glasses don't touch my cheekbone, as this can sometimes leave a mark.

Quality is key

I always think it's best to invest in items that will last longer due to the quality. I think the same goes for sunglasses, so whether you are buying prescription sunglasses or regular ones, I would recommend ensuring that the quality is of the highest standard.

If you would like to purchase any sunglasses or prescription glasses from GlassesShop.com, then use my promo code GSHOT50 to get 50% off all eyeglasses online and sunglasses, excluding sale items.

*Thank you to the team at GlassesShop.com who very kindly gifted me the sunglasses to review and write about. All views are honest and my own as always.

Styling the classic British trench coat with Jack Wills

2017-07-19T20:59:00.001+01:00

This post is in collaboration with Jack Wills.

If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know that I'm a big fan of the trench coat. It's such a versatile piece in your wardrobe and perfect for spring and summer. I've collaborated with one of my favourite British fashion brands, Jack Wills, to show you their brand new stylish and sophisticated trench coats. They have also published a fantastic guide on how to style a trench coat. This guide gives you inspiration for styling the classic trench coat, as well as more information on the iconic Jack Wills brand.

One of the most useful sections of the guide by Jack Wills is on trench tips and the different ways of wearing and styling the pieces. It also starts off by explaining the history of the trench, and I had no idea that this style was invented in the 1850s!

What I love most about the trench coat is how it can be styled both for casual and smart looks. It's a piece that you can invest in knowing that you'll get lots of wear out of it. If you choose a neutral colour for your trench, you'll definitely get wear out of it both in the summer and autumn. My personal favourite from the Jack Wills new range is the classic Duncombe trench coat. I think the fit of it is so flattering and chic.

Shop the women's trench coat range at Jack Wills. You can also read my blog post on how I personally like to style the trench coat here.

Photo credit: jackwills.com

How to find your perfect bardot dress

2017-07-09T11:14:00.000+01:00

A big trend this summer has been the bardot and off the shoulder dress. This look is so flattering and feminine, whilst being perfect for the summer weather. I recently bought this gorgeous blue bardot dress from White cove at ASOS which is ideal for a summer day out. Read on for my tips on finding your perfect bardot dress and styling it.

Choosing a suitable length

Firstly I would recommend researching and trying on different lengths of dresses to see what suits you. As a petite girl, shorter dresses suit me more so I decided to pick this mini dress from White Cove as it falls just above my knee.

Details of the dress

I always try to go for things that are slightly different or unusual, so when I saw the ruffles on this dress I was instantly attracted to it! Being petite, at first I didn't think they would suit me, but after trying the dress on, I loved the way the ruffles complement the dress and they add an extra element of detail to it.

Colours and design

For a summer look like this, the shade of colour is also important, so I would choose light colours or pastels. This light blue dress is a great colour and complements my dark hair. If you look closely the dress has a striped design, which again adds an extra detail to it.

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

How to find your individual style

2017-06-25T16:28:00.000+01:00

For a recent special occasion, I slipped on a brand new floor length blue lace dress from True Decadence. Already feeling floaty and like a modern day princess, I ensured my hair was sleek and straight and applied my make up. This dress made me feel so confident and like I had really made an effort. It got me thinking about how my style has changed, evolved and developed over the years. Five years ago for example, I don’t think I would ever have worn something like this blue dress. But now, I like to think of my style as much more classic and timeless. I also like to stand out with bright colours.

Fashion and style is all about finding what you feel most comfortable in, whilst looking your best. It’s a form of self expression and showing your personality through the clothing you wear. Fashion is also about finding trends you love, styling different outfits and creating outfits using what you already have in your wardrobe. I wanted to share how you can find and develop your individual style when it comes to fashion.

Have fun with your style

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you will know that I always stress the importance of having fun and enjoying fashion. By this I mean trying new styles and looks, and most importantly, ensuring that you are enjoying it. Wearing this maxi dress for example was definitely something different for me, but I really liked the way it looked. I had lots of compliments when wearing it, even from a lady who was walking past me as we took the photos!

Get some inspiration

If you’re still struggling with your personal style, have a look in fashion magazines, celebrities and even other fashion bloggers. I know I have taken inspiration recently from fashion blogger Lydia Elise Millen, as I absolutely love her style. I also really like Kate Middleton’s classic style. I’m proud to say that I am now someone that people ask for fashion tips and advice on, and that means so much to me that I have become an inspiration to others.

Comfort comes first

As long as you are comfortable and feel amazing in what you are wearing, you’re winning. Always plan ahead to ensure you’re not in those pair of uncomfortable heels for the whole day. If it’s likely to rain later in the day, take a jacket with you just in case. I always like to plan ahead and even keep a small umbrella with me at all times. In England, you never know when it might rain!

You can buy the True Decadence Maxi Dress here.

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

How to style the floral embroidery trend

2017-06-14T19:58:00.000+01:00

This spring summer, the floral embroidered mesh look has been a big trend, with both high street brands and high end designers selling pieces such as tops, skirts and dresses in this design. My personal favourite has to be classic dresses in this style, and I spotted this beautifully embroidered Needle & Thread dress which I thought was perfect for this season.

The fitting

The style and fit of the dress is perfect for evenings out or even day time events. It’s very flattering around the waist and falls just above my knee. I like how the lace frills at the bottom and at the sleeves, as it makes the look slightly more edgy. This contrasts nicely with the flower embroidery which is really feminine and chic.

Details

The lace and net have very intricate details with the floral embroidery. The dress also has an interesting Peter Pan collar, giving off those school-girl vibes. There is also a velvet tie up detail at the back of the dress. It's probably the most detailed dress in my wardrobe and I think it's absolutely stunning.

Make up and accessories

As the dress is so detailed, I recommend having a neutral make up look so that it doesn't detract away from the dress. I have also kept accessories to a minimum for this outfit, with my gold clutch bag and back high heels.

Buy this stunning Needle & Thread dress here.

Photography by Kirstie Melville.