Mediamarmalade

Year: 2017

  • GUCCI MARMONT & OTHER MUSINGS

    GUCCI MARMONT & OTHER MUSINGS

    OTHER MUSINGS

    Blogging Without Purpose. Who’s in?

    Happy post Christmas – Pre New years eves guys. I’m not sure what’s come over me with the blog right now – maybe time off and being super relaxed has given me some new blogging mojo – but I feel as though I want to just write, share bits & bobs, talk nonsensical musings & just get to know each other a little better again.

    I’ve talked about the strive for perfection MANY a time and any of you who are long time blogging pals will know that back in the day mediamarmalade was a daily feat, outfits, purchases, coffee shops. Whatever was going on in my life was filling the pages of my blog. After five years of daily blogging and a serious shift to ‘polished’ editorial … i stopped blogging daily and stopped just ‘chatting’. I tried to make every post add value, I wanted every post to have the most wonderful pictures and the most interesting editorial, It had to be the best quality it could be else it didn’t make the cut. I put such parameters onmyself I felt so much pressure to only post the best of the best.

    Perhaps in doing so you lost a bit of ‘me’, and the thing that made this place retable and enjoyable to hang out in the first place?

    But with instagram changing the ways of the world (again), and in itself going from everyday (back when it launched), to polished (the last few years of serious curated grids) and now seemingly back to everyday (hooray), I feel blogging is going to do the same. After a serious shift to magazine like websites, I feel we’re moving away form glossy long form editorials & magazine worthy content, and a move back to the everyday, snack-able, simple update style posts it used to be. More ‘real’, less ‘curated’.

    I can already feel myself wanting to talk and share more with you as a result of this mental shift i’ve personally taken. It’s like i’ve removed the ‘quality control’ ball and chain and my creative flow has just sprung back into life. It wasn’t even a conscious decision, just a shift in my perspective & i’ve decided to jump on board without too much thought!

    Today I have nothing really to tell you, and I certainly wouldn’t do a post on a ‘new item’ these days, but you know what somehow I’m blogging anyway and showing you my new purse I got for Christmas. Its a beauty. And it’s Gucci.

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    It was a serious ‘love at first sight’ moment when I opened this Gucci Purse on boxing day. What a gem & what a treat. In fact I was so in love with the purse I made the decision to make my promotion present to myself (I’m a firm believer in self reward) the shoulder bag equivalent, in a gorgeous, vibrant and statement red (you may remember my twitter poll on the topic). The Gucci Marmont matelassé mini bag. I searched high and low for the red version and finally managed to track it down via the US Gucci website & I just can’t wait for it to arrive in the new year. It’s safe to say Gucci & Chloe are most definitely my favourite accessories brands right now.

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    Anyway, back to blogging! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this shift I seem to be making with my blogging style and content? I will by no means be getting rid of my polished outfit and travel editorials, but I really hope to add more of the ‘everyday’ back into my site too. From random musings like this, to unpolished home updates as we start to renovate, to even just more everyday outfits which are simply about what i’m wearing rather than a big editorial around it. And blog a little more regularly again now the ball and chain is removed. What do you think? I really want you guys to enjoy what I’m sharing & so your thoughts are so important.

    One final thing, if you don’t already follow my instagram, it truly would mean the world if you came and joined the marmalade party over there too!  I’m working so hard to share more, mix the curated with the everyday & i’d love to exceed 20k this year!!  You can find me here.

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    Until next time 

  • REFLECTING ON THE YEAR GONE BY: MY 2017 HIGHLIGHTS & GOALS FOR 2018

    REFLECTING ON THE YEAR GONE BY: MY 2017 HIGHLIGHTS & GOALS FOR 2018

    TIME TO REFLECT

    2017 Highlights And Lowlights & Thinking Ahead To 2018

    With all the Christmas excitement passing and New Years Eve creeping ever closer, it felt like the perfect moment to push pause, reflect on the year gone and take a moment to share some of this years highlights and of course some goals for the year ahead too.

    2017 has to have been the fastest year yet, I remember in April wondering where the first few months had gone, and now as the year is coming to an end I can’t quite believe how quickly it’s flown by, but also how much has happened in a year that I mistakenly thought was somewhat inconsequential. Looking back It couldn’t have been further from that, from personal achievements, life milestones to simply tons of great moments, 2017 has been packed with some big and noteworthy moments worth remembering!

    Of course as with everything, there are always lows, and probably my most significant low was being diagnosed with bowel disease, specifically Ulcerative colitis (Chrons being the other form and one most people know best). You may remember this post here from the beginning of the year when I finally got diagnosed after a year of severe suffering and a lifetime of issues, but it was a bit of a wakeup moment for me. Whilst I was so glad to know what was wrong, it did mean some big life changes were in order and mostly reducing my stress levels. I toned down my blog, changed my attitude to work and have managed to gather a huge amount of perspective which has certainly helped me manage stressful and pressured situations. But in 2018 there’s a lot more to be done, starting with getting better at taking my daily medication & secondly tackling my diet in a slightly more significant way to see if that may help. My plan is to effectively cut dairy and gluten & reduce my meat intake as I know these could be hindering my colitis, and perhaps my migraines too (which I’m convinced are linked)!

    But it’s not all lows, as I mentioned 2017 had some very surprising, unplanned and quite monumental highs too, so without further ado …

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    2017 HIGHLIGHTS

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    TRAVELLED MORE

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    Travel has always been a huge passion of mine and a really important part of my life. It’s my happiness fuel and I couldn’t do without exploring more of the world each year. After ending 2016 in Thailand, I started 2017 in Hong Kong and the Philippines on an incredible adventure with 6 of my favourite girls. It was a trip to remember & such a brilliant way to start the year.

    Of course I also had my annual ski trip in Val and multiple visits to Paris and Brussels with my job.  I also visited San Francisco for the first time with Jase as I surprised him with a long weekend for his thirtieth birthday. We had the most amazing trip & vowed to see more of the West coast soon.

    We finished the year with just under two weeks in Morocco exploring Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains and Essouria (I have more travel posts to come from my trip) and a return trip to my favourite UK staycation destination, Soho Farmhouse which was our most magical trip their yet.

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    BECAME A HOME OWNER

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    The biggest life highlight this year has to be the fact Jase and I bought our first home together. In reality it all happened quite quickly without tons and tons of planning, and swept us up for the first half of the year. But in July (after making an offer in February – the s.l.o.w.e.s.t. thing ever) we finally got the keys and after two weeks of intense DIY (we moved a masonry wall, re-plumbed, moved some electrics around, sanded and painted the floors and fully decorated the entire place) we moved into our first ever owned home together.

    We bought a Victorian ground floor flat in the beautiful West London village we’d been living in for the last 4 years together, and 8 years for me. We sacrificed size for location, but bought a place that has huge potential.

    Jase is an architect so we already have planning permission on our side and rear extension which will add a second bedroom and a much much larger lounge and kitchen. We’re hoping 2018 will be the year we begin work … just the small issue of finances to overcome.

    The House buy also marked the launch of my interiors category, you can see all our home interiors posts here.

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    CAREER HIGHS

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    After vowing to reduce the pressure at work and reign in my stresses, I felt 2017 would become a rather unremarkable career year for me. But that couldn’t have been further from reality, because in November I finally got the promotion I’d spent the last two years working towards and achieved a career goal which when I started working I never dreamt of achieving. Let alone at 29. I’m now managing partner and sit on the leadership board in my company. And with my company merging in the new year, we’ll become the second biggest global media agency in the world so a really exciting role and time for my career. I couldn’t be more delighted, and it really does show that working smarter and not harder is the way forward.

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    Of course there are always other moments in life which feel special and momentous in your world. From some of my closest friends expecting babies, others getting engaged and even married, to some living on other sides of the world. This year I was fortunate enough to be made Godmother to some of our closest friends beautiful baby Seb, I couldn’t be move in love with him or more honoured to be his godmother.

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    SHOP MY LOOK

    . ZARA FLARED CULOTTES . COS WHITE TEE . ZARA GREEN BLAZER . GUCCI LOAFERS . KAREN WALKER SUNNIES .

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    2018 GOALS

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    A HEALTH RE-BOOT

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    I want to get back to my happy weight in time for my 30th birthday. It’s been a useless new years goal every year but this year I really mean it. I want to feel my best, feel my most confident and look my best as I turn thirty. I want to put myself first more and really take the time I deserve to look after myself, to exercise, to eat well and keep myself well!

    I’ve struggled with my ‘health’ and prioritising my wellbeing in the last 4-5 years. My career took over a little and I just found myself getting ill (migraines mostly), putting on unwanted weight and generally stopping exercising and playing the sports I used to love so much.

    I really want 2018 to be the year I create good habits, get my health back on track and start to look after myself. My aim is to start back with regular exercises, 3 times a week ideally, and i’m also going to change up my diet and move towards a more plant based diet which I hope will help my migraines and colitis.

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    BLOG SUCCESS

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    You may have noticed that I didn’t really talk about my blog within my highs. This last year has felt like my career and personal life have taken a little bit of prioritisation – which in reality was about time I let things loosen a little bit with my blog. After relaunching my blog at the end of 2016 and changing my approach to blogging at the same time (I stopped blogging daily and decided to spend more time on making each post the best it could be) 2017 felt a little less momentous. I did get to work with some of my favourite brands sporadically, but I certainly worked with less than I had done years prior, something I want to change in 2018. I have big ambitions for my blog next year, I’d love to see it really step up it’s pace growth wise, I want to work with more brands and really try and achieve more of my blogging goals in 2018 – making content that you guys love, relate to and want to read. As well as, of course, keep up the quality i’ve worked so hard to achieve over my six years of blogging.

    I finally accepted the importance of instagram and have been working so hard on it for the last 18 months. As with everyone who’s experienced the irritations of the algorithm, i’ve had some major highs and lows. The constant depression of it never growing no matter how hard I work (sometimes I don’t even feel my photography is seen by my followers, let alone any new people), with bursts of motivation to really make something of it. I’m ending the year with a big boost of motivation, after some wonderful fellow bloggers have supported my account by sharing it with their followers (genuinely means so much and has made such a positive impact) my page is finally starting to grow and I really hope 2018 will be the year I actually ‘make it’ (by my terms, i’m not expecting miracles, haha) on instagram. I would love to surpass the 20k mark and really start to build my blog and instagram work up!

    I’m also determined to try and bring a little more of the ‘everyday‘ to my instagram and my stories (as well as my blog) as I know people really love seeing more of the day to day.

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    RENOVATIONS

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    This time next year I would absoutely love to be living in our newly renovated home, having completed all the works we’ve been planning and dreaming of.   Fingers crossed.

    Alongside, of course, continued travels and delivering in my new role at work.

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    I’d love to hear your highlights & goals for the year ahead. Leave them in the comments below x

     

  • CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

    CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

    OUR CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

    Twas’ The Night Before Christmas

    It’s officially the night before Christmas and today has been filled with the festivities, preparations and traditions which every Christmas Eve is always filled with. No matter how old we get, no matter how many years pass, the traditions of Christmas never fail & without little conscious thought my family and I fall into our routine & our ‘now’ traditions and prepare for the magical day that always lies ahead.

    Even as I near my thirties I look forward to Christmas like no other time of year. The traditions and routines that fill December fill me with warmth and excitement, from the official putting up of the tree, to exploring London’s decorations, watching every Christmas movie multiple times on any evenings in we have (always with a mince pie and mulled wine to hand), to the many festive nights we have out throughout December with friends, family and Colleagues to mark the season, making a special effort to see our loved ones and do something extra special, just because it’s Christmas.

    Christmas eve is no different. A day always spent in my pyjamas, at home with my family, me sat wrapping all my gifts for hours on end while my sisters sit around me with back to back Christmas movies playing to keep us entertained, while my mum & dad manically shop for last minute gifts and food before bringing my nan home for our Christmas Eve party tea. Jase & my dad texting throughout the day with the official count down to the big day itself & updates on our wrapping progress, looking forward to boxing days we spend together every year.

    With most days running 100 miles per hour I just love the slow living of the Christmas holidays. And more than anything the traditions we’ve created over the last thirty years.

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    And as the evening settle in, tonights Christmas Eve is standing true to all our traditions. My presents are wrapped and under the tree. I’m still in my pyjamas despite darkness falling again, and an evening party tea is being prepared whilst snowballs start flowing.

    Tomorrow we’ll wake early, open our sacks from Santa in bed, prepare a smoked salmon & champagne breakfast before settling in to open our presents we’ve spent the last month preparing for each other. Christmas dinner will be served late afternoon, and once the food comas have passed we’ll start the games & snowball  marathon … the games will only stop once each and every one of us is asleep on the sofa.

    And that will be it. Christmas day, and a month of preparation, Fin … you think!

    Luckily for me Boxing Day we start all over again, as the 26th is Christmas day round two with my dad and Jase!  More presents served with freshly made canapes & too much champagne, a delicious dinner which my dad will have spent Christmas day preparing, followed by flowing fizz & Christmas movies as once again, we all fall asleep on the sofa. Exhausted by the magic of Christmas & packed with love and joy.

    Theres no other time of year quite like it.

  • WINTER BEAUTY: A QUALITY BASE WITH BOBBI BROWN

    WINTER BEAUTY: A QUALITY BASE WITH BOBBI BROWN

    QUALITY BASE

    An Ode To Bobbi Brown

    If you’ve read any of my beauty posts then you’ll know how much of a fan of Bobbi Brown I am, it’s a brand I’ve used heavily since I first properly discovered makeup as a late teen and one I’ve only bought more into the older I’ve got.

    Alongside my staples from Benefit (benetint), Clinique (city block), BareMinerals (complexion rescue) and MAC (bronzer, highlighter & eye shadows), Bobbi Brown forms quite the base of all my beauty regimes. From my fail safe smokey eye mascara which is by far my favourite mascara, to the gel liners, seasonal shadow palettes (which i’ve collected over the years) & of course shimmer bricks that have always formed the foundation of my make up bag.

    Most recently i’ve added a few more ‘base’ & skincare items to my makeup bag after getting skin colour tested – the powder set, foundation block, concealer & corresponding brushes were pre Christmas treats to myself which I’m really loving already. I’ve also been using the rehydration serum alongside these new skincare buys in attempt to keep my skin hydrated this winter. An ongoing project.

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    FEATURED PRODUCTS

    . SHEER FINISHED PRESS POWDER . SPARKLE EYESHADOW . FULL COVERAGE BRUSH . SHEER POWDER BRUSH . INSTANT FULL COVER CONCEALER . EYE SHADOW BRUSH .

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    When it comes to makeup I really am clueless in terms of technique but I do have products I love and am very loyal to.

    With skin that has patches of stress and hormone spots (I think triggered by my UC) I’ve found in more recent years I need a slightly heavier cover base than I was otherwise putting on (usually just tinted moisturiser &  a city block primer). But what I really hate is cakey & thick looking makeup, so finding products that give me a slightly heavier coverage but without looking thick & greasy layers has been essential.

    The combination of the Bobbi concealer, foundation stick & pressed powder, alongside my city block & complexion rescue is working really well for me. In fact since the Benefit playstick got discontinued, I’d been looking for something similar & the Bobbi Brown version is a perfect match for me – for everyday use & evenings out.

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    What’s your base makeup routine? Are there any brands or products you live by?

  • A CHANGE IN BLOGGING MINDSET FOR 2018 … IS IT TIME TO GIVE LESS F****?

    A CHANGE IN BLOGGING MINDSET FOR 2018 … IS IT TIME TO GIVE LESS F****?

    GIVING A FEW LESS FUCKS

    And My New Cord Flares …

    I think it was the two hour drive to blame, but Sunday night I spent two hours trawling through my instagram (have a browse if you want a good giggle), and what I found surprised even me. I simply couldn’t remember posting the type of content I was scrolling back through in the years when instagram first launched. Iphone outfit pictures taken in my bedroom mirror, my friends, snaps of my travels, my days, my life. Nothing overly considered. Just life as it happens. No lightroom. No DSLR. Just simple pictures. Don’t get me wrong my inner perfectionist couldn’t retreat that far backwards now, but I have to say there was something warming about how relaxed my page used to be, it was nice to see what I’d got up to, it was lovely to remind myself of the journey to buying my first Celine bag .. because let me tell you the whole thing was documented and shared with you! No curation or filter … 5 or 6 shots from the day! I was clearly so excited to document it all in real time … saving the polished edit for my blog! I’d never do that now.

    Isn’t it funny how times have changed. For those of us blogging since pre 2012, it’s always a funny thing looking back. It’s a weird juxtaposition of longing for the good old days where outfit shots were on the daily and little more than a photo in your bedroom or outside your front door, with the contradiction of pride for how far we’ve come, how our content has improved and grown, and all that we’ve achieved from something that started merely as a hobby. It’s a real grapple for the perfectionist in me.

    My blog is a lot better now than it was then, but there was something in those unfiltered outfits and stories of my days which I wonder if blogging has lost a little, that i’ve lost a lot. The everyday relatable me. I think in 2018 I want to get back to that a little more. Sharing my travels, my home, the trials and tribulations of renovations, the juggling act of my career and my blog, and just you know, what i’m wearing right now! The high and the low culture if you will. A little more of the everyday mixed in with the more polished & curated content I do really work hard to create.

    And rather than wait until 2018, when I’ll make broken promises to myself about losing weight, getting healthy & blogging more everyday content … I thought i’d simply do it. And in fact do it for the second time in a week. You’ll remember this post last weekend which i wrote and shared on the spur of the moment, well today is much of the same. Some very unpolished shots of my outfit to Sunday lunch at the weekend. The shots wouldn’t usually even make it onto instagram, let alone my blog (I just don’t think they cut the mustard in terms of quality, style, lighting & setting) but in the words of Sarah Knight, i’m quitting giving so many fucks (and i’m hoping it might do my blog some good).

    So here you are … just a few shots of my outfit from Sunday. Because, well, I like my new cord flares from Zara.

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    WHAT I WORE

    . ZARA CORD FLARES . RAG & BONE KNITTED JUMPER (SIMILAR) . CHLOE HUDSON . SCOTCH & SODA SCARF (OLD) . GUCCI LOAFERS .

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    I hope in the new year it’ll be less about sharing content and photos i’m not all that happy with (like today), but more about perfecting the art of capturing the everyday, so that I can share more of it with you. Whether it’s outfit pictures on the way to work, putting my fuji to test so I can capture more of my daily goings on … coffee flat lays, office goals, London life in its fullest.

    Something I really only share a small percentage of.

    Not because I don’t want to share it with you … but because I find it hard to capture content and document my day when my head is in work mode and not blog mode. I often reserve ‘content creation’ for the weekend when I can organise shoots, plan outfits, prepare content ideas. It’s considered. I want to add a little more of the unconsidered … bring the past to the future rather than cut it out entirely.

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    What do you think? I’d absolutely love to hear your thoughts, your feedback is invaluable x

  • OUTERWEAR FOR EVERY OCCASION: THE RELIABLE TWEED BLAZER

    OUTERWEAR FOR EVERY OCCASION: THE RELIABLE TWEED BLAZER

    WINTER WARDROBE

    My Tweed Oversized Blazer

    I’m not one of those people who splits their wardrobe between summer and winter, nor work and weekends, I tend to mix and match my favourite pieces season to season, old & new, work wear and weekend casuals.

    This look is a perfect example, an old season River Island embroidered skirt which I bought for summer but ironically have worn more in the winter, a new season Jigsaw polo top in the most beautiful mustard yellow colour, my new And Other Stories boots,  and an old tweed boyfriend blazer from Zara which i’m wearing non stop at the moment.

    In fact I have to say this tweed blazer has become a serious ‘go to’ piece in my wardrobe, it’s the perfect finishing touch to most my work ensembles, smartening casual looks into something work appropriate, but also the perfect outerwear or mid layer option for day to day outfits or weekends out.

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    SHOP MY LOOK

    . ZARA TWEED BLAZER (SIMILAR) . RIVER ISLAND EMBROIDERED SKIRT (SIMILAR) . JIGSAW POLO TOP . CHLOE HUDSON . AND OTHER STORIES BOOTS .

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    This weekend we’re back in the West Country with a weekend packed with cosy lunches at our favourite gastro pubs and festive dinners in with Jase’s family before we properly head home for Christmas next week.

    We always have our same routines year in and year out, December is filled with weekends visiting both our homes and a weekend in London to enjoy the Christmas vibes, before we each head home for Christmas day, me in Winchester, Jase in Bristol! We have a second Christmas day back in London together with my dad on Boxing Day a tradition i’ve had since I was a child, before we spend the rest of our time together, between family in Bristol and Winchester. It’s always go go go, but it’s been 10 years and it’s a little routine we’ve fallen into and it works perfectly for us!

    I’m really looking forward to spending next weekend at home with my sisters, finishing off our Christmas shopping (usually just me in a mad panic), wrapping all our gifts and having movie marathons with a snowball in hand! It really is my favourite time of the year.

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    What are your festive plans & how will you be spending the Christmas break?

  • A FESTIVE STAYCATION AT SOHO FARMHOUSE IN THE COTSWOLDS

    A FESTIVE STAYCATION AT SOHO FARMHOUSE IN THE COTSWOLDS

    WHITE CHRISTMAS

    Our Festive Staycation At S(snow)oho Farmhouse

    One of the best decisions I’ve made this year was to book a final return to the Farmhouse before Christmas arrived. I know Soho House do festive to perfection and I just couldn’t imagine a better place to get ready for Christmas and the festive season than at their Oxfordshire farmhouse. A place that has a special place in my heart and one I’m always looking to return to the moment I leave.

    This trip was no different, and if anything even more magical than ever as the whole place was adorned with not just Christmas decorations but the most glistening, deep and wonderful snow. We couldn’t have asked for a more festive and magical setting for our two days in the Cotswolds!

    We stayed in the most beautiful little cabin, with two big bedrooms, their infamous roll top baths with views all over the snowy countryside and every cowshed product you could dream of. The cabin was packed as alway with every single British countryside home comfort you could ask for, they really do think of everything. Aside from a crisp walk in the snow on arrival to explore our surroundings and two hours of pure heaven at the Cowshed spa (best massage i’ve had yet), we generally made the most of our beautiful little home by spending as much time snuggled in front of the log burner as possible We even had our pudding and wine delivered to our cabin to enjoy in front of the fire with a good movie after dinner and indulged in a freshly delivered classic english breakfast when we woke up.

    Perfection

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    WHAT I WORE

    . TOPSHOP MOM JEANS . BOOHOO BLOUSE . H&M TEDDY COAT . AND OTHER STORIES BOOTS . CHLOE HUDSON .

    The farmhouse really has become my ultimate sanctuary and happy place, so i’m already planning my next trip back in the new year, and repeating this years birthday celebrations with another birthday stay … this time the big three zero.

  • IT’S (FINALLY) BEGINNING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

    IT’S (FINALLY) BEGINNING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

    IT’S BEGINNING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

    We’ve Even Got Snow …

    It’s been many a year since I’ve shot and shared a day in real time over here on mediamarmalade but after a super festive day in London celebrating some good news (you may have seen me mention it here), getting snow for the first time in ages and really embracing the festive spirit I thought i’d share a few little snaps from our day. Nothing too posed & considered, just some festive snaps from a day out celebrating my promotion at work …

    It’s been a little over a month since my good news got confirmed, but after a couple of years of hard work and working towards my new role, i’ve ended 2017 with a promotion to Managing Partner. A role I hadn’t really ever dreamt I’d get to, let alone at 29. So if we needed any more reason to celebrate with our favourite Hakassan brunch and cocktails at the Berners … this was it.

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    WHAT I WORE

    . ZARA CULOTTES (SIMILAR) . RAG & BONE KNITWEAR (OLD) . AND OTHER STORIES BOOTS . HM TEDDY COAT (SOLD OUT – ALTERNATIVE) . CHLOE HUDSON .

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    Post our week or so in Morocco, it’s taken me a little while to adjust back into the Christmas spirit, which given this is my favourite time of a year was a little sad. But thankfully this weekend Christmas mode has kicked back in, in full swing too! From buying and decorating our Christmas trees yesterday, to spending today in London bracing the snow and harrods (I’m not sure what was harder …), the festive spirit is back.

    Tomorrow we’re off to Soho Farmhouse for two days of snow, merriment and relaxation before the Christmas parties commence. If there’s one place to make you feel festive, it’s going to be Soho Farmhouse! And then its time to knuckle down on the Christmas shopping, because If I don’t get a wriggle on i’m going to be dashing around Westfields on Christmas eve with the other poor sods who couldn’t get their ducks in a row.

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    Are you getting in the festive spirit? What do you think of these more basic ‘diary’ like posts?

  • THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS: KASBAH BAB OURIKA

    THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS: KASBAH BAB OURIKA

    KASBAH BAB OURIKA

    Heaven In The Atlas Mountains

     

    The moment we arrived at Kasbah Bab Ourika, after an adventurous dust road trek up the mountain, we were swept off of our feet. The views alone were a marvel, but stepping inside the hotel doors and wondering through the grounds, exploring hidden snugs, pool side corners, reading spots with views over the mountains we were pretty in awe of our second destination in Morocco.

    But if the hotel grounds and decor delighted us, our suite was on another level. After falling in love with the hotels curated Moroccan interiors the moment we stepped inside Kasbah Bab Ourika – a beautiful blend of Berber and traditional Moroccan decor with collector items like vintage hand painted doors, traditional tribal rugs, hand made vases & lights, chairs and throws adding warmth, character and charisma to all the corners of the Kasbah –  the pool suite taking pride of place on the edge of the hotel grounds, with mountain views & vegetable garden surroundings was the cherry on top.

    Two lounges, a chic kitchen, minimalist dining area and two beautiful en suite bedrooms with all the Moroccan touches I want in my own home. The suite wasn’t only huge, it was decorated to perfection with vintage cameras adorning the coffee table, trinkets from Moroccan travels filling the floors and walls, classic Berber patterned rugs & pom pom wool throws in each bedroom and doors that any antiques collector would want in their armory. Not to mention the views.

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    [one_half padding=”0 20px 0 0px”] Kasbah Bab Ourika was a delight. The isolated mountain location could make this hotel a sleeping beauty in the mountains, but with the pools (and our own private pool), gardens to explore, hikes to be had in the mountains (well worth doing) and even a movie room should you so wish, the hotel was less sleeping beauty, more well needed sanctuary. It was the perfect location to unwind, finally pick up your book, and catch up on sleep, yet each day whizzed by and if anything I’d have loved more time to squeeze even more in.

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    LEISURELY DAYS

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    Most our days at the Kasbah were leisurely and wonderfully relaxed, we started each day with my favourite Moroccan breakfast – fruit & yoghurt (drizzled with honey), followed by Moroccan crepes and crumpets, finished off with berber eggs and avocado (it fast became my favourite meal of the day), we’d snooze off our breakfast by the pool, casually reading emails & catching up with my favourite blogs before we dabbled in a light lunch in the beautiful outside restaurant with the most spectacular views of the valleys. Most days we tried to save a little space for afternoon mint tea and cake which was served at 4pm, before watching the sunset in our private garden and pool with a bottle of wine. We’d head over for a three course dinner in the main hotel at about 8pm before hitting the hay at 1030pm ish most nights.

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    Its a routine I fell into so easily and one that my body instantly relaxed with. The food at the hotel was a blend of traditional Moroccan dishes blended with classic European & British dishes inspired by the hotels consultant chef Michael – it was the breakfasts though I really looked forward to.

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    HOTEL BOUTIQUE

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    The nature of the hotel is that you don’t really leave, unless for a guided trek of the mountains and local Berber villages which we did on our third day, but unlike some trips this was no problem at all and in fact it was lovely to spend a few days unwinding in the calm after our three days in Marrakesh. The hotel even has a store within it’s grounds should you want to pick up a few Moroccan purchases – in fact, the way the hotel works is that everything’s for sale. The decor, rugs & artwork is all available should you so wish and there are lots of corners packed high with Berber rugs all available to buy! You pay an English rate, but avoid the souks if they’re not your cup of tea.  I didn’t buy anything from the boutique, but fell in love with two beautiful woolen cushions which I’d have loved to have taken back to adorn my bed with – anything to bring some of the gorgeous interiors home with me.

    But let me stop rambling, and invite you inside instead …

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    SEE MORE FROM THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS

    ATLAS MOUNTAINS & THE POOL SUITE 

    It was a magical stay and I took so so many photos, so many so that I’ve actually got another post to follow all about our suite. So stay tuned, but for now …

    FIN