Monthly Archives: May 2019

The Luxury Pieces Worth Investing In This Month…

The best of the best in luxury this month…

I think it was about time I brought back this much loved series because we all know that here on TSS, we like to talk about all things luxury. I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to spend upwards off four figures to get your hands on something that is considered to be “luxury” but what I like to highlight through this series is that there are actually pieces that are worth spending on that aren’t as expensive as others. I also want to show you guys pieces that are going to make you happy this season, next season, and for many more to come. So here’s what I think is worth investing in this month…

PS: You can see the entire edit on my Shop page

PPS: You can also get weekly shop updates about everything that is worth getting from high street to high end by signing up to my newsletter here.

This post contains affiliate links. This does not affect your experience in any way or form and all thoughts and opinions remain my own.

STUDIO AMELIA SANDALS

These strappy sandals are all the rage. I do recommend investing in a pair that are good quality and that will last you.

Why I Love Them: I love that they are leather and that they are white; timeless.

Style them with: Literally anything. Your favourite summer dress, shorts and a t-shirt or a shirt and skirt. Avoid styling them with jeans because you won’t see the gorgeous straps but of course you still can!

Get It Here

CHARO RUIZ SUMMER DRESS

You can never have enough white summer dresses and they work well no matter what’s in style.

Why I Love It: It’s timeless. You really can’t go wrong with this and how beautiful is the detailing.

Style It With: The sandals above, or sneakers for a super cool vibe and a shell necklace.

Get It Here

ANITA BERISHA EARRINGS

You know how everyone is in love with the Aligheri earrings? Well these are not as expensive, and from a new brand I just discovered. I’m quite obsessed.

Why I Love Them: I have an obsession with pearls. Again, timeless.

Style Them With: Wear them for your next dinner out or even by the beach with your favourite bikini.

Get It Here

LIONESS UPPER EAST TOP

I love classics with a twist and this one is perfect for summer with just a bit of a Jacquemus influence.

Why I Love It: It is so affordable for such a great piece! I’m talking WAY under £100.

Style It With: Your favourite blue jeans for an easy summer look or black bermuda shorts for the ultimate street style vibe.

Get It Here

MISHO DESIGNS HOOP EARRINGS

I always get so excited when I see a fellow brown girl succeed, especially when it’s with her brand from India! You guys have been asking me about my pair so here they are…

Why I Love It: Classic hoops but different, they are sure to make a statement while still being effortless.

Style It With: ANYTHING.

Get It Here

Which will you be investing in?

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How To Wear A Blazer In The Summer

SUMMER SUIT

Blazers are for more than just the office this summer…

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This post contains affiliate links but this does not affect your experience in any way. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Photos by Michaela Efford

For as long as I can remember I’ve had an obsession with blazers. We used to travel to London when I had holidays from school and my first purchase was always a new blazer of a different colour. My mum would always ask me, “how many blazers can you possibly have?” I think she thought I would eventually grow out of this but guess what? Sorry Mom, I haven’t. Now a lot of you have to wear blazers to the office during the workweek so it becomes the last thing you want to look at during the weekend. Today I’m challenging you to think differently because your blazer could actually be the key to creating a super chic weekend look.

In the summer, it’s all about using your blazer to dress up a casual weekend outfit, while dressing down a formal piece. I like to do it by pairing my super structured piece with very loose, easy going and flowy ones. I paired my white Sandro blazer with a flowing skirt from Storets and a silky white cami. I love this all white look and the two different fits work really well together. The perfect brunch outfit! For a bit of fun, I added in my giant Prada headband (you can find a similar one here) and my favourite dad sandals. I know they can be hard to style but I have a post dedicated to how to style them coming soon!

So will you take the challenge? Share how you wear your blazers on the weekend this summer by tagging me in your posts on Instagram! (@thesilksneaker)

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White Silk Cami

Storets Emilee White Skort

Sandro White Blazer

Similar White Blazer

Prada Headband (similar & more affordable)

Prada Sandals

Prada Handbag

In the summer, it’s all about using your blazer to dress up a casual weekend outfit, while dressing down a formal piece.

Get My Look

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White Silk Cami

Storets Emilee White Skort

Sandro White Blazer

Similar White Blazer

Prada Headband (similar & more affordable)

Prada Sandals

Prada Handbag

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How To Style The Most Popular High Street Floral Dress This Summer For A Luxe Look

FLOWER POWER

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The perfect summer dress outfit for a day out or a holiday

This post contains affiliate links and gifted items. This does not affect your experience in any way. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Photos by Michaela Efford

What is it about the sunshine and a floral dress that just seem to go hand in hand? This year there is one particular floral dress with puffed sleeves that has taken the street style scene by storm; this one. It’s no surprise considering it literally makes for the perfect summer outfit. But how do you style this summer dress, to create a look that is different, but also super luxe? You know that here on The Silk Sneaker we like to talk about all things luxury. Luxury doesn’t always mean that it has to be something expensive, it also means how you feel in an outfit, and also how we can take a high street summer mini dress like this one, and make it look super luxurious with just a handful of tricks.

1. Add some drama
Nothing says high fashion like a little bit of drama am I right? To really make this dress shine for a cute summer outfit, I added in this giant straw hat with the beautiful tie ribbons. I literally felt like I was in Italy while wearing this outfit and it made me feel so good! Even if you aren’t feeling like wearing a hat this big, try a smaller straw hat with some embellishments like this one.

2. Think strappy
Strappy sandals are a huge trend this summer. There is something about the sleek, barely there design that makes you think luxury. I knew that my Prada pair would go perfectly with this dress and instantly makes it look more expensive. I’ve linked to some more affordable strappy sandal options below that still create that super luxe look.

3. Make it yours
Add a touch of you in it. For me it was this giant dramatic hat, maybe for you, it’s statement earrings or a super cool pair of sunglasses. Whatever it may be, add in an accessory that truly makes it feel like you. That’s the best way to take a piece that everyone may have, but wear it differently. I guarantee you’ll stand out from the crowd with just a little thought into some unique accessories.

So are you into floral dresses this summer? How will you wear it?

Click for Links

& Other Stories Puffed Sleeve Floral Mini Dress

& Other Stories Hat

Prada Strappy Sandals

Similar Strappy Sandals:

& Other Stories Strappy Sandals

Topshop Minimal Strappy Sandals

Office Strappy Sandals

& Other Stories Strappy Block Heeled Sandals

Luxury doesn’t always mean that it has to be something expensive, it also means how you feel in an outfit…

Get My Look

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& Other Stories Puffed Sleeve Floral Mini Dress

& Other Stories Hat

Prada Strappy Sandals

Similar Strappy Sandals:

& Other Stories Strappy Sandals

Topshop Minimal Strappy Sandals

Office Strappy Sandals

& Other Stories Strappy Block Heeled Sandals

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5 Things No One Tells You About Retinol

RETINOL; IS IT GOOD OR BAD?

Editors Note: To see my skin journey and what I learnt from it, click here.

It seems as though everyone new favourite beauty product is retinol, but what is retinol? Retinol is essentially Vitamin A, which is one of the most powerful anti-ageing ingredients out there. Not only is it used to keep your skin looking fresh and bright, but it’s also supposed to help with acne as it pushes your skin to regenerate. Now, everyone is talking about how retinol is amazing, and in doses and with the correct supervision it can be, but there are also certain things about retinol that people don’t tell you, including why retinol can be bad for your skin. Whether retinol is right for you, is completely your decision, but today I wanted to share with you five things no one told me before I started using retinol in my skin routine, that I wish I knew before.

1. Your skin PURGES
… trust me, when I say purge, I mean PURGE. Shortly after introducing retinol into my routine my skin began to break out like crazy. I experienced some of the worst breakouts I’ve ever had and it just kept going for around two weeks. I had no idea that this was actually normal and that you can expect your skin to get a lot worse before it starts to get better. You can expect your skin to flake, feel a bit tight and really sensitive.

2. You have to ease into it
You cannot start using retinol every day in your skin routine. Vitamin A is a harsh substance for your skin and you have to ease into the process. Start by using it maybe once or twice a week and up the dosage as your skin becomes used to it.

3. You Can’t Use A LOT of other ingredients
There are so many things that you cannot use Vitamin A with, including Vitamin C. Any type of exfoliant will only further aggravate your skin if you have sensitive skin like mine and you need to be very conscious of what you mix with retinol.

4. Sunscreen is a MUST.
Retinol makes your skin more photosensitive. You need to be applying sunscreen every day. One of the myths about sunscreen is that you don’t need to put it on if it’s not a sunny day. That is NOT TRUE. Sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays that can be harmful. They are present even if you can’t see them and that’s why you need to wear sunscreen EVERY DAY!

5. It may not work for you
I’ve seen retinol work wonders for some of my friends. Their skin glows and looks so much younger. Unfortunately, it did not have the same effect on me. I was told that because my skin is sensitive, the retinol kept forcing my skin to regenerate and shedding away old skin. My new skin wasn’t ready for the environmental factors and I would just keep breaking out. It was a vicious cycle. I took retinol out of my skin routine and I have seen a huge improvement in my skin. So, the lesson here is it may work for you or it may not, but just because it’s a hot topic right now doesn’t mean you need it!

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How To Wear Your Beach Accessories In The City

BEACH PLEASE

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It’s all about shell necklaces and straw hats today and how to style them for a cute city outfit.

This outfit contains affiliate links and some gifted items. This does not affect your experience in any way. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Photos by Michaela Efford

When you’re thinking of your next weekend summer outfit, you may not immediately be thinking about your beach accessories. It can be hard to think of how to style your favourite shell necklace and straw bag in the city, but if done right they can take your outfit to a whole new level of trendy. Luckily for you, the beach boho vibe is a massive spring summer 2019 fashion trend, and I’ve been looking at the perfect ways to work it into an elegant outfit.

As it is when working with any trend, you need to strike a balance. The key to eternally chic style is being able to take inspiration from what’s happening around you and work it into the classics. The same applies to shell jewelry and all your other favourite beach accessories because after all, another great skill is being able to work the same thing in many different ways, for more than one location. I find that the best way to style your beach accessories is to pair them with classic tailored items.

Here, I paired khaki shorts (a total summer classic) with a white shirt (another classic) from the beautiful Lovely Pepa collection. The base of my outfit are two super classic tailored pieces so when I started to work in my beach tote, my straw hat, my shell jewelry and strappy sandals, the outfit still looked great for a day out in the city. I especially love how the shell jewelry adds a fun touch of summer to the look. Anklets are another huge trend for the summer but don’t fret if you don’t have one. Just repurpose your shell bracelet as an anklet as I did here. I also added in my pearl sunglasses chain.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with beach accessories. A few more outfit combinations you can try could be to rock your shell jewelry with a tailored suit or add in a straw hat to your next summer outfit. It’s so easy!

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Khaki Shorts (similar)

Lovely Pepa Collection White Shirt

Two Baked Buns Straw Hat

Pearl Sunglasses Chain (similar)

& Other Stories White Strappy Sandals *

Shell Necklace (similar)

Shell bracelet (similar)

Nicobar Hoop Earrings (similar)

YSL Rive Gauche Tote Bag

* gifted

As it is when working with any trend, you need to strike a balance.

Get My Look

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Khaki Shorts (similar)

Lovely Pepa Collection White Shirt

Two Baked Buns Straw Hat

Pearl Sunglasses Chain (similar)

& Other Stories White Strappy Sandals *

Shell Necklace (similar)

Shell bracelet (similar)

Nicobar Hoop Earrings (similar)

YSL Rive Gauche Tote Bag

* gifted

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Trust Me, These Are The Only New Makeup Products Worth Buying This Summer

SUMMER MAKE UP

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The best summer makeup releases that are actually worth buying.

This post contains affiliate links. This does not affect your experience in any way. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

I might not create the most dramatic of looks (even though I am totally admiring the makeup coming out of Cannes right now), but I have always loved playing around with makeup. That love has of course extended into the best new makeup launches this summer. I was always that friend who would help you create that gold smokey eye before prom or the perfect date night look. Even today I still do some of my closest friends makeup before special occasions. I think my love for all things makeup sprouted when I was a little girl and I would watch my mother get ready for parties. I loved watching how one product could be used so many different ways.

Most people assume that if you love makeup, you’re going to be creating intense, dramatic looks that require hundreds of steps but I disagree. My love for makeup is all about finding key products that I can use in many different ways that help me enhance my features in a natural way. I’m all about the quality over the quantity. With so many new makeup and beauty drops, it can be confusing and overwhelming to figure out what the real hero products of the season are. Luckily for you, I’ve had a chance to try a lot of them and I’ve shortlisted some of my favourites for this summer. Below you will find categories of products to suit every need. You can shop via the links, the carousel or by simply clicking on the product in the image! Neat right?

I can’t wait to see which ones you guys love as much as I do and if you have any more recommendations or questions, leave me a comment below!

CONCEALERS

I actually just did an entire post dedicated to my favourite concealers of all time, so if you’re looking for a great one check out my post here to read more about them, or shop them right here, right now.

NARS Radiant Concealer

Chanel Concealer

Bare Minerals Concealer

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer

Cover FX Powerplay Concealer

FOUNDATION, BB CREAM, ETC…

Everyone is always looking for something different from their everyday coverage. Some of you like a totally matte finish with full coverage, others prefer a lighter more natural look. Some of you want completely dewy. I am somewhere in the middle where I prefer the product to give me good coverage while still looking natural. Here are some of my favourites for this summer. The one thing all of these have in common is that none of them feel heavy or cakey on the skin.

Chanel Les Beiges Foundation

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue

Code 8 Beauty Radiance Cream

Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter

Dior Backstage Foundation

BLUSH, BRONZER & HIGHLIGHTER

I’ve clumped this into one category because like I said, this is the best of the best. I’ve included a few options for different intensities! I find that these suit most skin tones, but especially suit skin tones like mine!

Bronzer

Chanel Liquid Bronzer (Put a few drops of this into your foundation for the ultimate glow)

Guerlain Teracotta

Clarins Sunkissed Bronzing Duo

Blush

NARS Orgasm Blush (universally flattering!)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Cheek Trio

Nudestix Cheek and Lip Balm

Highlighter

Chanel Baume

Cover FX Drops

Chantecaille Liquid Lumiere

LIPS

Regardless of whether you are a matte girl, a glossy girl or somewhere in between, these are some of the nicest lip products out there to try. I love that some of these are also really nourishing for your lips like the NARS Orgasm Lip Balm and the Chanel Rouge Coco Flash

La Mer Lip Balm

Clarins Waterlip Lip Stain

Chanel Rouge Coco Flash

NARS Afterglow Lip Balm

What will you be trying this summer?

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How To Style This Latest Denim Trend For The Summer

NEW DENIM

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The latest denim trend to hit the street style scene; denim cycling shorts. Here’s how I feel about them.

This post contains affiliate links. This does not affect your experience in any way. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Photos by Alise Jane

Do you remember when I said I couldn’t get myself to wear the bicycle shorts trend? Well, I’ve found an exception to the rule which also happens to be one of the biggest trends of summer 2019 yet; denim cycling shorts. A lot of you ask me how to wear/how to style cycling shorts, that to denim cycling shorts, and still look chic and trendy. I will admit it took me a while to warm up to the idea but once I started pulling together outfits, the ideas started to flow and I totally understood why this trend was making such a huge comeback.

Since we can all feel summer in the air, I wanted to really work with denim on denim for this look. I paired my denim biker shorts with one of my favourite t-shirts from YSL. Remember when I invested in it last year? I am still in love with it because of how versatile and timeless it is, especially come summer. I then threw over a tie-dye denim jacket to achieve the perfect denim on denim look. I love how the two light shades work together. The oversized fit of the jacket also works super well because of how fitted the shorts are (more like skin tight, hah!).

Now we all know that I still can’t resist adding in a feminine touch to all my outfits. In this case, it came with my accessories. I added in a set of pearl hair clips and some of my favourite gold heels. Although both these accessories are super feminine, they elevate the outfit, making it way trendier. My final touch was my YSL bag. I love the shape because of how classic it is but my favourite part is the old YSL logo; adds the perfect vintage touch.

It may be a while before I warm up to the cycling shorts trend in general. Till then though, I’m more than happy with the denim version! You can also pair your favourite denim cycling shorts with an oversized linen shirt, or a crop top and blazer!

Will you try this latest denim trend?

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Zara Tie-Dye Denim jacket

YSL T-Shirt

Paige Denim Cycling Shorts

Similar denim cycling shorts

Jimmy Choo Heels

Pearl Hair Clips (similar)

YSL Le 61 bag

Well, I’ve found an exception to the rule which also happens to be one of the biggest trends of summer 2019 yet; denim cycling shorts.

Get My Look

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Zara Tie-Dye Denim jacket

YSL T-Shirt

Paige Denim Cycling Shorts

Similar denim cycling shorts

Jimmy Choo Heels

Pearl Hair Clips (similar)

YSL Le 61 bag

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How To Style Your Summer Dress With Sneakers

DRESSES AND SNEAKERS

The coolest outfit formula around; your summer dress and a pair of sneakers.

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This post contains affiliate links. This does not affect your experience in any way. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Photos by Alise Jane

Stay Updated

When it comes to creating casual summer outfits, there is nothing a pair of sneakers can’t do. One of my favourite outfit formulas is pairing a flowy midi summer dress with a pair of my favourite sneakers. Although it might not sound like a combination that would work, wearing a dress and sneakers is actually one of the coolest outfit combinations that also happens to be seriously trending right now. (Don’t worry, this is not a trend that will die either. Who would want to give up looking cute AND feeling comfortable). Since I am, after all, The Silk SNEAKER, I wanted to focus today’s outfit on sharing a few tips to matching your favourite trainers with your favourite summer dress for your next weekend outfit.

1. Length doesn’t matter
The great thing about pairing a dress with sneakers is that the length doesn’t matter. I have worn my sneakers with mini dresses, midi dress and even maxi dresses. It completely depends on the look you’re going for. Where mini dresses and maxi dresses give off more off a “cool” casual vibe, a midi dress and sneakers is perfectly balanced; not too casual and not too formal. Just perfect!

2. Low Tops Are The Most Versatile
I always find that white low top sneakers are the most versatile because they literally go with everything. Currently, my favourite is from sustainable brand Veja. I’ve been eyeing and admiring the brand for a long time and I finally found a pair that I fell in love with. It makes me really happy to know that the sneakers I’m wearing every day are made from a sustainable brand that are taking active steps to make our world a better and cleaner place to live.

3. Your Other Accessories Can Be Formal
Just because you’re wearing sneakers, doesn’t mean you can’t wear more feminine accessories. For my outfit, I added in a gold chain belt and cat eye sunglasses. The rest of my accessories are way more formal than my sneakers but it still works. You could wear any mix of accessories, which is why this is such a great outfit combination!

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to wear a dress with sneakers, why not try this simple outfit formula to get you started: try a plain white shirt dress with sneakers. Add in a hairband, some of your favourite bracelets and grab a shoulder bag to go with. Literally my next outfit!

Would you try this outfit? Tag me in it if you do (@thesilksneaker).

Click for Links

& Other Stories Printed Midi Dress

Gold Chain Belt (similar)

Cat Eye Sunglasses (similar)

Veja Sneakers

I have worn my sneakers with mini dresses, midi dress and even maxi dresses. It completely depends on the look you’re going for.

Get My Look

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& Other Stories Printed Midi Dress

Gold Chain Belt (similar)

Cat Eye Sunglasses (similar)

Veja Sneakers

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The Best Instagram Worthy Spots For Breakfast in London

THAT MORNING COFFEE..

Editors Note: For my favourite Instagram Worthy Cafes in London, see here.

Breakfast is probably my favourite meal of the day and I always look forward to a super yummy one! I love going to try out new restaurants, especially when you’re luring me with a solid french toast and a good cup of coffee. Now, although many of you are probably expecting me to list the likes of Elan Cafe etc. in this post, I actually wanted to share places where I actually enjoy the food AND that can be quite Instagram friendly too! If the coffee isn’t good though, it isn’t worth the gram, right?

So here are some spots where you can still get that perfect Instagram shot, without sacrificing on a super yummy start to your day as well.

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Step inside our light filled and tranquil restaurant 💕 . . . 📷@rojdagungor_ 💕 #interior #aok #kitchen #restaurant #london #marylebone #happymonday #spring #blossom #tree

A post shared by A.O.K Kitchen & Bakery (@aok.kitchen) on Apr 29, 2019 at 4:29am PDT

AOK KITCHEN

One of the newest openings in Marylebone, AOK Kitchen is somewhere that looks amazing while serving up amazing dishes. Everything is made without refined sugar and the most minimal use of dairy so if you are intolerant to anything like me (I’m dairy intolerant!), then this is the best place to go enjoy a fabulous meal that doesn’t taste like it’s been made with substitutes! The interiors are also so warm and welcoming , especially if you can nab the corner table with the beautiful indoor flower tree.

I highly recommend their pastries, their banana muffin and the pancakes.

Photo Spot: Inside, by their flower tree.

FISCHERS

I feel like Fischer’s is not as well known as it’s counterparts, like the Wolseley (also a fab spot!) but the breakfast is equally good! The food is super comforting, with lots of yummy swiss classics that are a hearty start to your day. My favourite thing about this place though is their coffee! I grab it to go as a treat sometimes! Try and grab a spot outside if the weather is lovely and enjoy people watching on one of their little gold tables.

Photo spot: Outside by their quaint little tables

MAYFAIR COMPTOIR

Another small hidden gem in the heart of Mayfair, Mayfair Comptoir is a stone’s throw away from Selfridges. Although the breakfast menu is minimal, they have all your favourite things and they know how to do them really well! The coffee is also super (are you sensing a theme with me and my morning coffee?) and I particularly love their pancakes and their croissants.

Photo spot: Outside with their Parisian style seating

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Plans this weekend? Celebrate Easter right here at #MortimerHouseKitchen in our Conservatory. Kids under 8 eat for free all weekend 🐰

A post shared by Mortimer House Kitchen (@mortimerhousekitchen) on Apr 19, 2019 at 9:37pm PDT

MORTIMER HOUSE

Mortimer House is part members club, part restaurant and is open through the day. With lots of natural light streaming in and many spots for you to get comfortable with your laptop/notebook/friend, it’s the perfect spot for some breakfast! I particularly love their eggs and all their juices. If it’s a nice day, I also much prefer to sit outside!

Photo spot: Anywhere! It’s so photogenic!

HARRY’S DOLCE VITA

Although this isn’t the original Harry’s from Venice, Harry’s Dolce Vita in Knightsbridge and now also in Marylebone and Mayfair, is still really good! I am a huge fan of their eggs and their entire breakfast menu is drool worthy for sure! Try to get there early though as it starts to fill up as the weather gets better!

Photo spot: Outside for that Dolce Vita vibe! Their bathroom is also quite cute for a mirror selfie!