Giiiiirl I don't even need to see the word 'heritage' popping up in trend guides for me to whip out the checked blazers each time Autumn comes around.  I may live in London now, but this girl grew up in the countryside and so I'll always hold a candle for this preppy, 'where are my bloodhounds?' kind of styling.  However, once again one of my favourite ways of adding a touch of glam to an otherwise approachable look, is by accessorising with a fabulous pair of cat eye sunglasses.  My latest love?  These gorgeous Valentino tortoiseshell sunglasses via Sunglasses Shop.  Featuring a flattering fit and subtle logo print to the arm, they've quickly stolen my heart this season.  But you know what?  There are many other frames vying for the same level attention.  Chloé, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co.  You name it, Sunglasses Shop supplies it.  And the even better news?  I have an exclusive 20% off discount code to share with you all, applicable to all brands available across their website!  After all, sharing is caring...

To celebrate my birthday this year, a couple of months ago I headed back to my happy place: Bruges.  For those new to my blog and therefore new to my over-enthusiast ramblings about the city, it's been one of my favourite European locations for many years now.  I've noticed Bruges popping up more regularly lately over on Instagram thanks to the beautiful colours of the buildings on The Market Square.  But, uh, consider me the OG Bruges-obsessive (*insert smirk here*).  Aaaanyway, once again I came away longing for more and with both my mind and camera filled with memories.  Should you find yourself in the picturesque, historic city anytime soon, consider this blog post your Chic Girl's Guide to navigating your way through those famous cobbled streets...

A sentence or two from a book I was reading nearly six years ago still stays with me today.  Why?  Because it metaphorically punched me in the stomach.  It suggested that by living a life I wasn't content with and not pushing myself to the best of my abilities, I was 'diminishing' and 'dying on the vine'.  Cruel, but true.  Somewhere deep down in all of us, we hate the idea of sitting still.  We don't like to stagnate.  Advocates of change offer a simple solution: do this, do that and pretty much do everything that scares you.  Quit your job, drop your friends and shave your head.  Uh, no thanks.  Thankfully, there's an easier route to shaking that pesky feeling of stagnating, and it comes in the form of opting in to a new hobby.  Factually speaking, it takes two months (sixty-six days to be exact) before a new behaviour becomes automatic.  Apply this same rule to a new hobby and it would suggest that within two months, you will have unlocked an entirely new part of yourself - and most importantly, become familiar with it.  Pretty exciting.  So, what have I challenged myself to try?

Don't worry, when it's just a laptop screen and I preparing for the day ahead, I'm more than happy to grab a packet of oat biscuits and call it a morning.  However (and it's a big however), this doesn't have to be the case on special occasions and when you're surrounded by loved ones, friends and family.  It's a hell of a lot of fun to push the boat out - trust me.  Strangely enough, it's not commonplace to apply the same level of glamour and attention to a breakfast setting as it is for dinnertime, but that's all the more reason to do it!  Thankfully, there are plenty of others who feel the same way.  Case in point: Joanna Buchanan.  Joanna's line of luxe, seasonal accessories, holiday decor and gifts is heavily embellished and never fails to deliver a striking aesthetic punch. I suppose this is why the brand can be found in the new festive department at Harrods!  You'll be able to spot some beauties by Joanna Buchanan in this setting, amongst some of my favourite other accessories.  Right!  It's time to discuss how best to create a luxurious breakfast setting this season...