Pink Julep

A Few Photos From My Travels Through Switerland

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:43:00 +0000

My husband and I have just returned from a whirlwind trip to Switzerland where we stayed in the Engadine Valley for a week, most famous for St. Moritz, one of the most glamorous ski resorts in the world.

I was excited to see that England isn't the only place excited about the upcoming Olympics - there were plenty of signs and things in the Zurich Airport!

I always try McDonald's when I visit foreign countries because it's different everywhere you go. The McDonald's in the Zurich airport even serves shrimp! (gross)

Travelling light for a ski holiday just isn't an option! I was happy that at least my carry-on luggage was chic... Longchamp is my favourite for travel and I plan on upgrading my entire luggage suite soon!

Hubby was a good sport pushing all our luggage around...

Once we left the Zurich airport, we boarded a train (and a few connecting trains) to St. Moritz. The views along the journey were breathtaking!

The trip included parts of the Rhaetian Railway, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites and the scenery was beautiful!

We had the most wonderful time and I'll be posting more about what we did, ate and saw later this week so watch this space!

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:09:00 +0000

A few lovely views to share from my holiday in St. Moritz! More updates to come from the fabulous spot where Britons created the ski holiday...

xoxo,
Pink Julep

Sundance Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:39:00 +0000

With my ski trip just around the corner, I'm delighted to be able to take some style inspiration from the starlets at the Sundance Film Festival. Here are a few cues I'll be taking from the most fashionable winter film event of the year!

1. Taylor Swift shows how fashionable a hat can be, while keeping your head warm at the same time. Cute hats are definitely necessary for any winter wardrobe!

2. Emma Roberts keeps her bundled up look cool with a pop of color peeping out of her warm winter essentials!

3. Elizabeth Olson peps up a chic all black winter ensemble with an amazing scarf! If you only have one coat, it's easy to rock it with several different hats and scarves!

4. Kirsten Dunst looks fabulous in fur! A bit of fur around the collar is always chic in winter and these days there are plenty of faux options if you're opposed to the real thing so there's no stopping you!

What are your winter essentials?

Doing the Tangerine Tango!

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:24:00 +0000

Orange is a huge color for 2012, ever since Pantone released the color of the year, Tangerine Tango! This trend was proven when 2 fabulous Versace orange frocks graced the runway today in the first Haute Couture show in Paris! Being a University of Miami alumn, I am of course a big fan of orange! It's so bright and festive, not to mention that there are hues for every season! Here are a few of my favorite orange things that are now available!

1. Tory Burch Saffiano Passport Holder 2. Calvin Klein Collection Dress

3. Jasper Conran Wedgwood Kilim Plate 4. Versace Spring 2012 Haute Couture Dress

5. Pantone Tangerine Tango Swatch 6. Kendra Scott Danielle Earrings in Carnelian

7. Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Ginger Fire 8. Rachael Ruddick Ostridge Wide Cuff

9. Topshop Angora Cable Snood 10. Jonathan Adler X-bench in Vice Tangerine

What orange things are you loving right now?

Absolutely Fabulous: An Amy Grimehouse Night Out in Shoreditch

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:30:00 +0000

A good friend invited me and another gal pal to tag along to an Amy Grimehouse AbFab party and it was one of the funnest things I've done in a long time. This is my friend Pauper Princess dressed as Titicaca and me dressed as Patsy, of course...

We met our friend, the author of Shopped and Dropped. Isn't she the perfect Eddie?

The party was done really well with buttons, posters and craft stations! We had cocktails and watched episodes of Absolutely Fabulous, chuckling the night away! Was the best girl's night out ever!!!

And then our own little Titicaca won the costume contest, so our night was complete! A bottle of Bolly to take home and some great giggles as well!

If you live in London and enjoy a bit of silliness, I recommend the Amy Grimehouse Parties! Click here for the website or here to follow on Facebook! Next up is a Fiddler on the Roof sing-a-long on February 9th!

Pink Julep Picks: What to Wear on an Alpine Ski Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:40:00 +0000

Source

My husband and I are going skiing later this year in Switzerland with some family & friends and I couldn't be more excited! I mean, who wouldn't love a holiday that automatically requires a new outfit? I have always wanted to go apres skiing, ahem, I mean skiing, so I'm having a blast planning my wardrobe (I mean our trip)!

Having never been on the slopes before, I needed a bit of inspiration for how to dress... I've decided there's no finer example than the Duchess of Cambridge herself, Kate Middleton. It is a well-known fact that the royals spend every Easter holiday at Kloster in Switzerland on the slopes, so she seems to be a good one to take cues from.

ON THE SLOPES...

The ski jacket is very important for warmth and function... For me, it's very important that it be cute, not too puffy and have fur around the hood! I chose the Baker Jacket Deluxe by The North Face.

While I understand that trousers should be comfortable and have plenty of movement, it's imperative that they make my bum look cute and not make me resemble Stay Puff the Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters. Hence my choice, the Go Go Pants from The North Face.

Ski boots are a tricky one... they have to actually be perfect for your feet and all that jazz. However, I found it helpful to tell the assistant right away that it was important to me that they look cute with my outfit. Surprisingly enough, he took that into consideration and repeatedly asked if his choices were cute enough. Well done! I ended up with the Head Adapt Edge 90 One boots with inserts and liners fitted to the shape of my foot at Ellis Brigham. If you are planning to invest in ski boots, I highly recommend visiting Ellis Brigham for the customization alone.

Fleeces are for warmth... and also for looking cute when you take off your jacket in the apres ski hot spots! Obviously I bought this North Face fleece because it's pink... nuff said.

Having a few fleeces can't hurt... This reversible one from Uniqlo is currently on sale and I absolutely love it! It's about as flattering as a fluffy fleece can be!

Thermal base layers are also required... At this stage, if you've never been skiing before, you're probably thinking about how insane this amount of clothing is! I know I was! When looking into thermals I decided to skip the expensive branded sports versions from the ski shops and go to my trusty Uniqlo HEATTECH tops and leggings!

What's great about these pieces is that they're not only warm, but they're cute, so you can wear them with normal clothes too!

Who knew you had to have special ski socks? Apparently they're important for keeping your feet dry. These adorable socks (which are also available for men in more manly colors) by Smartwool were recommended to us. Apparently they keep snow moisture from coming in in while pushing the sweat out. Genius!

Head gear is very important as demonstrated above by Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge. She is obviously a fan of Bolle goggles, so I tried them out as well...

Goggles are important for protecting your eyes and like boots, unfortunately you have to get the ones that fit your face appropriately, cute or not. I opted for the Bolle Nebula goggles in black.

Gloves are also important. I didn't receive any advice on ski gloves, but as I was trying them on in the shop I realized very quickly that it would be important to find a pair that I could move my fingers in so I could hold those pole thingies I'll have to use when skiing. These Barts gloves are quilted like a Chanel bag and lined in fur... ADORABLE! I got them in black!

APRES SKI...

I get the impression that off the slopes, one dresses very chic, but casual with a dash (or a lot) of glamour, but a few things are definitely necessary so here's my list, starting with boots. While Moon Boots are ever so popular in Swiss ski villages, I'm not particularly bothered by them. I think a trusty pair of Uggs Classic Shorts will do the trick!

To keep it cute, I'm going to throw my trusty Uggs Classic Cardi boots in my suitcase as well!

A waterproof bag is always good, especially if you're toting around your iPad or phone. I love my Longchamp Le Pliage shopper, which also makes a great carry-on bag for the flight!

A cashmere scarf is perfect for keeping warm in the cold!

While you'll need a beanie for the slopes and casual days around the village, a fabulous Blair Waldorf inspired topper is great to have for nights out to dinner or something equally glam!

I picked up a couple of black dresses which are always great for travelling! This maxi is from Gap and can be worn with boots if it's snowing! I love a dress like this because I can either dress it up with some statement jewelry or accessorize it with a cute scarf by Missoni to add a pop of color!

I'm as shocked as can be that I found not one, but two cute dresses at the Gap! I never buy dresses there, but this Ponte Swing Dress is so cute and it's architectural shape reminds me of a Victoria Beckham dress! I plan to wear this with patterned tights and fur trimmed heeled booties! Whether going to a restaurant, a fun club or a fancy hot spot, these dresses will totally work for apres ski!

On days that we don't ski, I think it's important to show that one has a bit of style while staying comfy and warm at the same time! I'll mostly rely on great jeans, chunky sweaters and adorable boots to pull this off, but a cute skirt can also do the trick! This skirt from Phase Eight reminds me of Missoni and is a fun choice for wandering through the Swiss Alps for a bit of hot chocolate, fondue and shopping! Love it and it's currently on sale!

Well, that's my ski holiday wear! What do you wear when you go skiing? If you have any tips for me, I'd love to hear them so please leave me a comment! xo

Pink Julep Picks: Golden Globes Red Carpet Trends You Can Wear in Real Life!

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:12:00 +0000

I just love the red carpet and one thing I love is trying to find trends and looks that I can translate into my not-so-red-carpet lifestyle. Here are a few trends from the Golden Globes red carpet that you actually can wear day-to-day with of course a little commentary from yours truly about the looks... I have to put my 2 cents in somewhere!

It's a Cinch!

Belts were all over the red carpet at the globes! Emma Stone looked lovely in her belted Lanvin goddess gown!

Kate Winslet chose a two-toned Jenny Packham dress that nipped in her waist and accentuated her feminine curves to the max! This isn't at all my favorite gown, but it looks lovely on Kate... However she played it safe and looked a little boring.

Laura Dern's sparkling green Andrew Gn belted gown is like a blast from the past - kind of like her. Glad to see them both back and well on the Hollywood scene!

Sarah Hyland uses the old contrast belt trick wearing a vintage Dolce & Gabanna frock.

You can rock the belted look yourself! Take a favorite belt and cinch the waist of a dress, ether casual or formal! It's a great way to add that extra splash of style!

Back in Black!

Who said black dresses have to be little? I personally love an all black or mostly black evening gown - it's super glamorous! Claire Danes looked sleek and chic in her black & white J. Mendel gown.

Debra Messing stole the show in Monique Lhuillier! STUNNING!

Rooney Mara is the new it girl, so it's only fitting she would prance down the red carpet in a stunning Nina Ricci gown! The dress is beautiful, but Rooney looked a bit too severe and strongly resembled Wednesday Adams with the sleek black hair and pale skin.

Zoey Deschanel was flawless in Prada!

Black never goes out of style! For extra glamour in your every day life, add a structured dress to your wardrobe that is all black or only has a pop of color. Style it by wearing dramatic accessories, fabulous heels and sexy hair!

A Mad Case of the Blues...

Blue was a trendy color on the red carpet and Bernice Bejo nailed this trend in a sapphire blue Gucci frock fit for a winner!

Sarah Michelle Gellar followed suit in a dramatic way in blue tie-dyed Monique Lhuillier! I love this gown! So fun and fabulous... She killed it!

Tilda Swinton has a cooky style - no question about it, but I think this powder blue Haider Ackerman suit gown is one of her best looks ever! It suits her style while looking red carpet ready at the same time!

Get this look by investing is a great blue piece that you can wear now and in the Spring like a great cardigan or a sheath dress in a color of blue that suits you.

It's All About the Accessories!

Some looks are saved or made by bold accessories! We all remember when Eva Mendez wore that gorgeous white gown with turquoise Van Cleef jewelry and stole the show on the red carpet. Well, Heidi Klum's Calvin Klein Collection gown is the perfect blank canvas for her fabulous turquoise jewelry! She looked fabulous!

Julianne Moore's Chanel Haute Couture gown is even better with statement earrings, don't you think?

If anything, this trend should tell you that you're going to get a lot more wear out of your Kendra Scott earrings and if you don't have a pair of flashy turquoise earrings or a statement necklace, now is a good time to start shopping! Get the look by wearing monotones or outfits made up of complimentary neutrals and accessorizing with one piece of statement jewelry like big earrings, a cocktail ring or a statement necklace. This look works really well with turquoise and a white, fuschia or black dress! Keep the style plain so you don't have too much going on at once.

Headbands!

Charlize Theron has been topping best dressed lists all over in Dior Couture, but the headband is what stole the show!

Michelle Williams topped off her trendy Jason Wu dress with a headband as well and looked like a perfect gamine!

Headbands are a dime a dozen - this trend is so easy to wear. If you want to dress up a headband for a night out, try pinning a brooch on it!

Nude Attitude

Elle Macpherson shows that wearing nude doesn't have to be boring in Zac Posen.

And Kate Beckinsale looks flawless and glam as always in a gorgeous nude Roberto Cavalli gown. Love!

Nude is tricky, but if you want to wear it, try a dress in a flattering color that isn't too short (you don't want to look naked - or do you?). Accessorizing a nude look with gold or diamonds can be very chic, but for a bolder look, choose accessories in a bold contrasting color like red, black or turquoise.

Red Alert!

Red has been a hot color for a while and it's still trending like crazy! Reese shows that glamorous red doesn't have to be too fussy in a gown by Zac Posen.

Stacy Kiebler looks very put together in red Valentino.

Not sure if red is your color, but want to wear the trend? Try red lipstick! Otherwise, take the plunge and invest in a little red dress... You'll get your money's worth!

Texture, Texture, Texture!

I love texture on a garment! It's so fabulous and can look really interesting! Feathers added interest to this already stunning Gucci Premiere gown on Evan Rachel Wood.

Jessica Alba's Gucci gown shows that texture can be really girly.

Keep it classy with lace like Jessica Biel in Elie Saab Haute Couture.

Texture can be as simple as a bit of ruching on a bright dress like Paula Patton's Monique Lhuillier frock.

Or it can add drama in all the right places! Sophia Vergara's dress has texture in all the right places so that her figure looks it's best in her Vera Wang gown. She is by far my choice for Best Dressed at the Golden Globes!

To get the look, find pieces with a bit of added flair such as rosettes, feathers or embroidery. Lace is great as well! I tend to find lots of great pieces with texture at Anthropologie. Make sure you don't wear too much embellishment on parts of your body you're concerned about. For example, if you're chesty, you might not want to wear a lot of texture on your chest... it will only make your boobs look bigger, but if you're flat chested, a few ruffles around the chest is just the ticket for an optical illusion!

Who was your pick for best dressed at the Golden Globes?

Photos Source

A Little Something for the Fellas...

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0000

A really great site called Tietry has been brought to my attention and it's really clever! It's basically like Netflix or Rent the Runway for men's neck ties! Featuring a wide selections of ties and brands you all love like Brooks Brother and Vineyard Vines, it offers men the opportunity to update their wardrobes regularly without breaking the bank!

If your fella likes to mix it up every now and then, introduce him to Tietry!

Pink Julep Picks: The Worst & Best Dressed at the 2012 People's Choice Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:30:00 +0000

No introduction necessary... Let's just get to it, shall we? Starting with my picks for Worst Dressed at the People's Choice Awards! It may be controversial, but I think Chloe Moretz is adorable, however this ensemble is ALL WRONG! First of all, those shoes are not working for me at all. Her hair and make-up is not cute - she looks like a tired university student and the dress... This is a really cute dress by Proenza Schouler, but it just doesn't look good on the favorite under 25 star. It looks like she's been swallowed by a green tweed monster. No go for me.

At first glance, Faith Hill looks lovely in this red silk Bill Blass frock, but when I took a closer look, all I could think is how much more I'd expect of Faith Hill. Her hair looks dirty and messy, the shoes look like they don't fit and I'm not sure this dress has enough va va voom for the red carpet. FAIL.

Jennifer Goodwin has been appearing on all kinds of best dressed lists, but I'm not buying it. I love the colour and the idea of this Roksanda Illincic dress is great, but to me she looks like 1972 Priscilla Presley and Daisy from The Great Gatsby had a baby and it wore Beyonce's shoes... When one wears a statement dress, consistency in the styling is ever so refreshing. Nice try though! I love Jennifer Goodwin and admire her for taking the chance... At least it's not boring!

Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars is the cutest little thing ever, but her cuteness has been completely consumed by this overpowering Cengiz Abasoglu dress. A frock like this would look amazing on a 6 foot tall model, but is swallowing Lucy whol and what's with her shoes? It looks like her feet were eaten by Lady Gaga's boots...

And here's Vanessa Hudgens in another pair of girl-eating stilts... Not a fan. And though I think she looks pretty amazing, this dress just reminds me of Morticia Adams and her hair looks awful.

But enough moaning... There were plenty of really amazing looks on the red carpet too so here are my picks for best dressed at the People's Choice Awards!

A big trend on the red carpet was the leather & lace look and Ashley Greene killed it! She looks hot, but also ladylike and sophisticated! This DKNY frock is edgy and risky, but it totally works and I love it!

Well hello there Elisha Cuthbert! Where have you been hiding? Wearing a fabulous Vawk's dress, the starlet evoked modern boho beauty mixed with old Hollywood glamour and she's never looked better!

Emma Stone never ceases to amaze me with her fabulous fashion sense and wearing a Gucci pant suit on the red carpet while risky, was completely amazing! She looks great, relaxed and glamorous! Also, notice the shoes... Faboosh!

Mad props to my fellow Kentuckian Jennifer Lawrence who killed it a bold, blue Viktor & Rolf dress. She looked perfect!

Caley Cuoco 's hair and make-up remind me a bit too much of my high school prom, but I just can't ignore her beautiful blush colored dress. So pretty!

Kristen Bell rarely disappoints me on the red carpet and she dazzled in red Valentino with gold toe pumps! Again, we're seeing leather and lace and this trend is fabulously luxe! Love it!

Lea Michelle chose a 20's inspired Marchesa dress and looked absolutely gorgeous! I love everything from the hair to the shoes.

And my pick for the best dressed is.... (drum roll please!)

MILEY CYRUS! She stole the show in her plunging gown with reflective panels and sheer insets, but the icing on top of the pretty, polished cake are the beautiful hot pink pumps she wore! Miley looked pretty, modern, sophisticated and sexy in a ladylike way. This is a total WIN!

Who was your favorite on the People's Choice Awards red carpet?

Photo Source

Around the Neighborhood - A Tour of Putney

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:37:00 +0000

Pink Julep Abroad reader M left the following comment:

Hey there! I've been reading your blog for a while now! V&A is my favorite museum in London as well! I understand you are based in Putney? We just moved here as well, looking forward to exploring the area. If you have any helpful tips and recommendations about Putney, and could do a post about it, that would be fantastic! Thanks!

Ask and you shall receive! I've been living in Putney for a year now and I have to say, it's the best neighborhood I've lived in so far! There's always something going on, there are plenty of things to do, places to hang out and restaurants to tempt your appetite! The above photo was taken from my living room window during the test ride of the Olympics bike course, which is something I'm very excited about this year! An Olympic event will pass my flat - how cool is that?

EAT...

If you find yourself hungry in Putney, there is no shortage of restaurants and though they're dotted all over the neighborhood, you need not ever leave the high street! There are the common favourites: Nando's, Wagamama, Pizza Express and the like, among fast food chains like Dominos, McDonald's and Subway. Pub grub is quite good in Putney, but my favourite restaurant in Putney is Preto Churrascaria. For those of you who aren't familiar with this style of restaurant, it's Brazilian and a really fun experience. Basically, you're given a card that is green on one side and red on the other. Green is for go and red is for stop. Waiters circulate the room with a selection of grilled meats, vegetables and garlic bread and when you're ready for another bite, you put the green side of your card facing up - when you're full or have enough, the red side goes up. It's fun and the food at Preto is AMAZING! However, I wouldn't recommend this style of eatery for vegetarians.

via

Another favorite is Il Mascalzone, a lovely Italian spot that serves amazing food at very reasonable prices and is decorated adorably! They even have a Vespa on the wall and most of the staff is Italian. I recommend the pizza or any of the pasta dishes and the garlic bread is divine!

HANG OUT...

There are loads of great pubs in Putney and I'm still finding new ones all the time! One of my favourite pubs, especially during the summer is The Jolly Gardeners on Lacy Road. The food is great, the wine list is better and the beer is cold! The Jolly as we fondly refer to it, offers loads of outdoor seating as well as a cozy interior and there are often events featuring live music! My favorite thing about The Jolly is that on Sundays for a mere couple of pounds, you can buy a kit to make your own sock monkey. Head down to The Jolly on Sunday for a few slow pints and bring home an arts-n-crafts project of your own making - fab & fun!

If you love live music, you simply must visit The Half Moon Putney, a legendary old spot that has hosted musical acts such as The Rolling Stones, The Who and U2 to name a few! Tickets are usually very reasonably priced and the drinks are fairly cheap! If you're a Twihard, check the schedule regularly as Lizzie Pattinson has been known to perform at The Half Moon and rumor has it that her brother Robert has been in the audience with K-Stew. It totally makes sense since they grew up in neighboring Barnes.

My favorite pub in Putney is The Spotted Horse on the high street. It's a fun, buzzing spot with a great crowd most of the time and the staff are lovely!

Recently redecorated, the SpoHo is now an elegant pub that is suitable for anyone!

DO...

My favorite event in Putney is the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race which happens every year in the early spring. People from far and wide flock to Putney to see the rival universities duke it out on the River Thames! Past rowers have included several Olympic medalists, Lord Snowdon and Dr. House himself, Hugh Laurie. On race day, Putney becomes a buzzing, crowded, exciting place with loads of atmosphere and the people watching is amazing!

This year the race is on April 7th at 2:15pm so don't miss it if you're in the area!

If culture is your thing, there's no shortage of it in the area! If you're a performer, enjoy volunteering or would like to try your hand at building sets or sewing costumes, then why not join the Putney Arts Theatre? If getting involved isn't your thing, but you like a bit of culture occasionally, then tickets are available for their shows, which run regularly throughout the year.

There is plenty of shopping in the area including several wonderful shops on the high street as well as The Exchange, a fabulous shopping center also located on the high street! If working out is part of your 2012 resolutions, then the Putney Leisure Centre on Upper Richmond Road is definitely worth checking out.

One last thing to look forward to is the Queen's Jubilee floatilla, which will sail through Putney this summer, so definitely don't miss that if you're an avid royalist!

If you live in London or are planning a visit, definitely put Putney on your radar! It's a lovely little area that combines the best of London life with a neighborhood feel and plenty of green spaces!

As always, if any of you have a question or a suggestion for a blog post, feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me at ashley@pinkjulepabroad.com!

London Sightseeing & Museums

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0000

With my mom here in London, we've been enjoying some of the sights! She's pretty flexible in terms of what we do, so we've been taking her mostly to things we've not yet done, such as the British Museum (pictured above). The Ancient Egyptian mummies are pretty cool, but all in all, it's definitely not my cup of tea... The British Museum is perfect for those who love ancient relics and history.

We also visited Dickens House, the former home of Charles Dickens. With the holidays just passed, they had a Christmas With Dickens exhibit going and it was lovely!

The Dickens Museum is just a small place comprised of four small floors containing a few artifacts and pictures on the wall, but it's really charming and fun!

I would highly recommend the Dickens Museum to anyone who loves reading, pop culture or is already exploring the Bloomsbury area of London, famous for The Bloomsbury Group of writers.

Since we were in the area, we walked through Russell Square and had a look inside the Hotel Russell, designed by Charles Fitzroy Doll who is famous for designing the dining room on the Titanic.

My mom's only request was to see the Crown Jewels, so it was off to the Tower of London with us for the 5th time, but we had a blast! They change the exhibits a bit fairly regularly, so we always enjoy it when we go.

We also visited the Victoria & Albert Museum, which so far seems to be my favorite museum in London. I'm looking forward to when they open the fashion rooms again as I still haven't seen them yet. We enjoyed it and my favorite thing we saw were the Armadillo Shoes by Alexander McQueen. They are amazing! I'm dying to try a pair on!!! I would definitely recommend the V&A to anyone who lives in London or is visiting - it's definitely got something for everyone.

What's your favorite tourist sight in London?

Christmas Re-cap as 2012 Approaches!

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:30:00 +0000

We have had a lovely Christmas! Hubby and I celebrated alone on Christmas Day and then my mother joined us the day after. We've been having a lovely time this holiday season!

I'll be sad to take down the tree and the holiday decorations... It makes me sad every year.

I'll also be missing the foods of the season... I've really been pigging out on pie, sausage rolls and lovely breakfasts every day, not to mention the turkey & ham! YUM!!! But with a New Year will come some resolutions to be healthier and more fit of course... I've failed at this every year, but 2012 feels lucky!

We had a lovely time opening presents and I've been enjoying everything I got!

So for New Year's Eve with my mom still here, we'll probably keep it pretty low-key. I think I'll cook some dinner and we'll watch movies. If the weather is good, we might venture into Fulham to watch fireworks! What are your plans for New Year's Eve?

I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year! May 2012 be the best year yet for all of us!

A Tour of Putney Exchange Shopping Centre & My New Favorite Skincare Products

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:34:00 +0000

I have been shopping at The Exchange fairly regularly since I moved to Putney a year ago. Since we moved here, the center has gotten several new shops that have my interest so I jumped at the opportunity to take a tour of the shopping center and see what some of these shops have to offer. We started with a quick drink at Fego, a lovely cafe inside The Exchange.

We next headed over to Neuhaus, a fine chocolate shop. Unfortunately it was closed, so we didn't get to indulge in what I hear is the best hot chocolate around (I'll be trying that later!), however they did provide me with a sampler box of chocolates and I can truly say, they were divine! They lasted about 5 minutes in my flat between my husband and I... I'll definitely be going back!

After taking a tour through The Exchange, we ended at Melvita, which was my favorite part of the tour! Melvita is the #1 organic skincare range in France and I can see why!

A consultant did a facial - a sort of skin mapping procedure, checking the health and status of my skin before selecting a range of products that would be most beneficial for my skin and it's specific nuances. I have to say, the products felt and smelled lovely and my skin was glowing and radiant afterwards. I'll definitely be trying out these products in the future!

I was in need of a hand cream, so after trying this lovely option, I had to buy it! It's too good and I've been loving it all week!

I also walked away with these lovely products which I've been using and I just love them! The consultant told me that Melvita uses the two things your skin contains for health: water and oil! I love the idea of organic products and have been trying to use mostly natural things for a while.

I really enjoyed my tour of the Putney Exchange and it's definitely opened my eyes to some stores there I'd never noticed. Have any of you ever been? What did you think?

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:25:00 +0000

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! We are all set and excited to open our presents in the morning!

I am most excited to be collecting my mom from the airport on Monday morning. It will be 1 1/2 years to the day since the last time I saw her and her visit is the best Christmas present ever! I am planning to stuff her with a Christmas feast and shower her in presents before being her tour guide on a big London adventure!!!

From our house to yours, Merry Christmas! What are your plans for the holidays?

Winner of the Shabby Apple Giveaway!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:21:00 +0000

And the winner of the Shabby Apple necklace giveaway is....

Sarah from Flourish Design & Style!!! Sarah, I'll be in touch to get your details so we can get your necklace out to you soon!

I just want to thank everyone who entered! Don't forget, even if you didn't win, you can still save 10% when you use the code "pinkjulep10off" online at Shabby Apple!

Only 5 sleeps till Christmas!!! Who's excited? I know I am!

Jewelry Giveaway From Shabby Apple!

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:37:00 +0000

Shabby Apple is a fabulous site that I've only recently discovered! They have generously agreed to sponsor a great giveaway to help me celebrate the 3 year anniversary of Pink Julep Abroad!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Shabby Apple, you're in for a treat! With a mission of making women feel "feminine and beautiful for what they wear, not what they bare," Shabby Apple is a company that focuses on what women want because it is run by women. The bonus is that a percentage of the net proceeds of Shabby Apple are donated to charities that support women and children's causes.

Some of my favourite things on the site are the beautiful old Hollywood-inspired vintage style dresses from the Tinsel Town Collection and the ladylike classic styles from the 1943 Boutique Collection. If you're a fan of styles inspired by Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly or Marilyn Monroe with a modern touch, you'll love Shabby Apple!

So let's get to it, shall we? The kind folks at Shabby Apple have generously agreed to give one lucky Pink Julep Abroad reader the White Rabbit's Time Keeper necklace, as recently seen in Southern Living! The excitement doesn't stop there! Get 10% off at Shabby Apple when you use the code "pinkjulep10off", just in time for last minute online Christmas shopping!

The giveaway closes on Sunday, December 18th and the winner will be announced next week. There are 6 possible entries per person and you must leave a separate comment for each entry.

1. You must be a Pink Julep Abroad follower to enter, like Shabby Apple on Facebook and leave a comment stating you've done so with your e-mail address for 1 entry.

2. Like Pink Julep Abroad on Facebook for an additional entry and leave a comment saying you've done so.

3. Follow Pink Julep on Twitter for an additional entry an*d leave a comment with your Twitter handle.

4. Tweet, blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway for an additional entry per each option and leave a comment for each post you make with a link to it. (3 possible entries)

A special thank you to Shabby Apple for hosting this fabulous giveaway and best of luck to all who enter!

And the Winner of the Cape Madras Tunic Giveaway is...

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:58:00 +0000

Kate, the author of Nautical by Nature!!!

I just want to say thank you to all who entered and a very special thank you to Cape Madras for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway! Keep checking back for another great giveaway this week to celebrate Pink Julep Abroad's 3rd birthday!

In the Navy

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

H&M navy tank & cardigan, Marks & Spencer denim skirt, Alexander McQueen skull scarf,

grey Banana Republic tights, grey cable knit Hunter socks, silver Hunter Carnaby Shorts wellies

I've been feeling the navy lately... 2 navy outfits in a row...

Monsoon navy sweater dress, brown Tabio tights & brown Gabor riding boots

Don't forget to enter to win a tunic from Cape Madras from Pink Julep Abroad!

A Very Preppy Giveaway Courtesy of Cape Madras

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:34:00 +0000

Cape Madras has generously offered to host a giveaway in celebration of the 3rd anniversary of Pink Julep Abroad! For those of you who aren't familiar with Cape Madras, they offer crisp, casual looks, accessories and home goods in oh-so-preppy madras and much more! Based in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Cape Madras now sells their products in over 500 stores!

A lucky Pink Julep Abroad reader will now have the opportunity to win the Cape Madras Tunic in your choice of Periwinkle Dot or Nautical Blue Link.

Periwinkle Dot

Nautical Blue Link

So let's cut to the chase! It's simple to enter and there are only a couple of basic rules! You must be a follower of Pink Julep Abroad to enter and only residents of the USA and the UK are eligible. For each entry, you must leave a separate comment.

How to enter:

1 Entry: Leave a comment with your e-mail address.

2 Entries: Like Cape Madras on Facebook and leave a separate comment stating that you've done so.

3 Entries: Follow CapeMadras on Twitter and leave a separate comment stating that you've done so.

The giveaway closes on Friday, December 9, 2011 so be sure to tell all your friends to enter soon! The winner will be chosen at random and announced the following week.

To make sure you're always in the loop with giveaways, discount codes and all the exciting things going on here at Pink Julep Abroad, make sure to follow on Twitter and Facebook! Best of luck to all who enter and a big thank you to Cape Madras for this fabulous giveaway!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday to Pink Julep Abroad!

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Though I had a previous blog for a very brief period of time, it was 3 years ago today that I started writing Pink Julep, which was later renamed Pink Julep Abroad! It's been a lot of fun and I'm very much looking forward to the years ahead!

I started this blog about 7 months after I moved to the Cayman Islands - when I first started writing it, I didn't have internet at home and used to hang out at Dunkin Donuts to write posts. I'm so grateful for all of you who keep coming back and all the adventures I've had because of this blog!

I've learned so much from blogging and I hope to keep learning! I'm always looking for ways I can improve Pink Julep Abroad and I'm excited for new things I can share with you in the future!

I'm currently working to finalize some great giveaways to celebrate this milestone, so keep checking back! Thanks again to all of you who've been with me all along! Here's to many more years to come! xo

OOTD: Saturday Night is Alright for Japanese

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:20:00 +0000

OOTD: Studio M dress from TK Maxx, Gap black tights, M&S fur booties, H&M chunky cardigan, Chinese Laundry clutch, Accessorize necklaces

Last night we met a friend here in Putney for dinner at Wagamama and a few drinks in our favorite local pub, The Spotted Horse. I decided to wear this purple dress I bought a year ago and have never worn... I was comfy, but to be honest, I'm probably donating this dress to charity... I just don't like the cut of it.

My hair is still looking stupid, although I think there's some improvement with the use of hot rollers!

What did you do this weekend?

Pink Julep's Annual Christmas Wishlist!

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 16:04:00 +0000

I can't believe it's that time of year again and that I'm already preparing to celebrate my 2nd Christmas in London! It's definitely my favorite time of year and this year will be extra special since my mom is coming to London for the first time!

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll know that this is my 3rd annual Christmas wishlist post! If you're new to Pink Julep Abroad, you can find previous wishlists here and here... Let's get to it shall we? The following choices are things that I would love to see under my tree or stuffed in my stocking in no particular order, but there's a wide range of gift ideas for any of the ladies on your holiday shopping list.

1. Kiehl's Holiday Cracker 2. Laura Mercier Limited Edition Eye Portfolio 3. Tom Ford lipgloss in any color

1. Brora Scarf 2. Brora Aran Hat 3. Brora Wristwarmers 4. Brora Long Pointelle Gloves in Black

I really need a lovely hat, gloves and scarf combo in a pretty color that goes with both navy and black coats, so I'm thinking either Mulberry or Pigeon! I love Brora cashmere, so hopefully Santa thinks I've been a good girl!

1. Tory Burch logo earrings 2. Kate Spade swiss dot tights

3. Kate Spade City Lights umbrella 4. Wolford Bonny Dot tights

1. Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life by Justine Picardie 2. Just Go With It on dvd

3. Virgina Woolf by Alexandra Harris

1. Alexander McQueen Leopard Skull Scarf 2. Hanky Panky Black Lace Camisole

3. Ugg Short Boots in Black 4. Ultrasuede: Searching for Halston on dvd

1. Dyptique Candle in Verveine 2. Chloe perfume

3. Angel by Theiry Mugler perfume 4. Jo Malone Verbenas of Provence

1. Tory Burch flip tablet case 2. Longchamp Le Pliage Shopper in black

3. Mulberry leather iPad sleeve in black 4. Tory Burch Robinson slim card case in Pink

So that's my list of Christmas goodies I'd love to get this year! Obviously, I won't be getting all these things under my tree, but a girl can dream! I suppose the ones I want most are Chloe perfume, a Longchamp bag and a new pair of Uggs in black.

What are you asking Santa Clause for this year?

OOTD: H&M Fur Cardigan

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:29:00 +0000

OOTD: H&M fur cardigan & black tee, Esprit skirt, Wolford tights, Aerosole suede boots

I got this fur cardigan from H&M while on holiday in Ireland and I'm in love with it! It's probably my favorite new addition to my wardrobe in a long time!

It's like a thick sweater with fur panels just down the front. Love it!

What's your favorite new addition to your winter wardrobe?

OOTD: A Furry Poncho Kind of Day

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:24:00 +0000

OOTD: H&M long sleeved tee, Matalan poncho, Armani Exchange skinny jeans, Gabor riding boots

I picked up this poncho at Matalan while I was in the West Midlands a couple of months ago and I love it! It was super cheap, but it's very comfy, perfect for cold days and one of my favorite new additions to my wardrobe!

What is your favorite new winter wardrobe piece?

OOTD: Festive Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Pink Julep Abroad) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:55:00 +0000

OOTD: Uniqlo sweater, Brora skirt & cashmere tights, Aerosoles boots, Dorothy Perkins bracelet, Accessorize giant pearl earrings & jingle bell necklace

Every time I do these OOTD posts, the same thought pops into my head: I have GOT to start making a better effort with my hair!

I wanted to dress festive for a bit of Christmas fun today! My skirt has green & red flowers on it and the jingle bell necklace is self-explanatory. I was really comfortable in this outfit all day and all I'll say is if you've never had a pair of cashmere tights, you are missing out! Ask Santa to leave a pair for you under your Christmas tree... you won't be sorry!

What is your favorite luxurious accessory?