Monthly Medley

It might be obvious to some of you, but it actually surprised me when I realised the insane amount of time I spend in front of a computer every day. Although I try to dedicate some time preparing and writing my posts to make sure you only get the best out of me, I spend most of the time in front of my laptop––or my iPad––reading all sorts of things.

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you might have noticed recently that I've been sharing some of the things I read –those I think are worth sharing with you. But I decided it would be cool to make a monthly round-up some of my best finds, à la Gala Darling's Carrousel. So this is what I'll be doing at the end of each month in my Monthly Medley.

These were the links I loved the most in May:

– The best rooftops to visit this summer in New York

– Alexandra Shulman talks about British Vogue, the London food-scape, health crazes and body issues:

I think most people actually do care about what they wear, because it’s such an obvious signifier to the world outside of how you are. Even by deciding that you’re going to wear nothing but an old sweatshirt and jeans or chinos, and never anything else. That’s quite a big statement to make. I think since most people care, they should try and get some pleasure out of it rather than worry about it.

– Who says you need to be perfect to inspire others? Gala Darling says, f**k perfect!

– Rachel Zoe shares some career advise for recent graduates

– Garance Doré writes –in a perfectly beautiful way, as always– about female empowerment and success:

Because true success is knowing who you really are and what’s your own definition of success. (Even if that sounds like a stupid Pinterest quote.)

– What does Google say about itself?

– Some old –but still wonderful– words about Bill Cunningham's Façades

– Cocorosa collects some amazing Summer DIYs for this season!

– (Not always so) wise words from fashion's most influential characters

– Beautiful pictures showing the Secrets of Hermès

– Carine Roitfeld's most inspirational Denim Guide

– Katie Rodgers' Lady in Oscar illustrations are to die for!

– Lola Rykiel talks about love, fashion, and her grandmother's best teachings:

She taught me so many things, but mostly to know yourself and to spend time in front of the mirror to figure out what's good and what's bad –on the inside and on the outside. Then work out around that, and play with that –to just embrace yourself; I think that's very valid advice to help yourself know who you are. It's not about being narcissistic. It's about being good to yourself, which allows you to be good to others.

– Jennie Runk talks about feminism & body image:

There's no reason any person should feel like they're worth less than they really are because of something as variable and superficial as their body type. A person is so much more than the body they live in, everyone should know that.

– STYLEBOP.com fashion editor Leila Yavari talks about choosing a career in fashion over earning a Ph.D:

I no longer spend my time thumbing through Foucault or thinking through the logic of late capital. But I have a sharply honed critical eye—one that is hyperaware of the divide between surface and intellect, appearance and truth. And it's an age-old opposition that always pops up in the most unexpected places.

– Vogue shares the best rosé wines to drink this summer

– Alexa Chung opens up about her beauty routine:

When I’m wearing makeup, I choose between doing my eyes or mouth because I don’t want to look like a beauty pageant child. I’ve got quite a strong face—if it’s got too much on, I just look like a man in drag.

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Fridays Are For Dessert

You might start getting used to my constant pictures of my dessert evenings in family––which revolve mostly around crepes, waffles, and fruits––but I honestly can't get enough of them! ...Especially cause I know I won't have them as often once I move to New York in the fall!

It's usually on Friday evenings that my mum and my sister have free time, so I tend to make them accept an invitation to indulge ourselves in some delish desserts, while we chat, laugh, and have some family fun!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Friendly Evenings

One of my friends is moving to LA next month, so we went for dinner last night as a sort of good bye. One of the things I love the most about her is how she's willing to pursue her dreams at any cost, and after graduating as a lawyer, she's finally taking the risk and chasing her dreams in what less than the City of Angels!

Since there's no much time left for her to hang out in Colombia, we decided to go to one of the restaurants she says she'll miss the most: Crepes Artesano. Nothing big or fancy, but the perfect cosy atmosphere with healthy food for a cold and rainy evening with a friend.

We had a great time talking about life, about our dreams, about Coachella, and––naturally––about moving back and forth from New York to LA to see each other, as soon as I establish myself in NY in the fall. We also had some great food.

I chose to eat a Gandhi, which is a crepe with indian flavours and curry––my favourite––, together with lemonade flavoured with some peppermint to top up a very aromatic meal.

She ate a crepe with turkey and cheese, which looked absolutely delicious!

Unfortunately, we didn't have space in our tummies for dessert, so we had to skip it this time. I would say our dessert was all the sweet talk about this new phase of our lives that will be starting soon!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Summer Nostalgia

Every time I feel the summer coming, I can't help but fly back to 2011, when I worked at a summer camp for the season. Those 10 weeks at camp were probably the hardest moments I've had in my life––working with horses, children, and adults with disabilities is definitely not an easy job! But those 10 weeks have also been the most nourishing weeks I've ever had, and I would definitely not be who I am today if I hadn't lived them.

Not only I learned to teach young, inexperienced riders how to ride, and even jump their first fences, but I also learned some basics of horseback riding for persons with disabilities. I learned about myself and about God––even if I tried very hard not to be influenced by the religious atmosphere of the camp. I learned about love, about giving to others, and about friendship.

I sometimes regret not staying in closer contact with the people I met at camp. I guess I could still write to them and maybe even schedule a Skype meeting––and I might probably do so, before more time flies away without staying in touch with them––but I regret I haven't had the chance to talk more in the past few years with all these wonderful people.

But at least I know all the memories I collected with them will be forever in my heart. All the beautiful Maine landscapes. The sunrises and sunsets, the beach, the morning sound of the waves hitting the land. Fireflies on the way to the horsefield at night. The Sisterhood, Pants and Liz. Our mother Betty. An unpronounceable name reduced to PJ. Storytelling in the woods. The semi-savage, bipolar horses, the kids that rode them, and Sue's "I did it" every time she hopped on a horse. Crazy people. Midsummer fest. Fairy lights. Escaping to Boston and chilling on a rooftop. Feeling like Portland is the biggest city on Earth. Tie-dye. Wishing for beer, eating the biggest pad thai to ever exist, and playing with miniature sand. Wednesday Barbecue. Arts and crafts, baby showers. Ice cream. Running in the rain back to camp from Old Orchard Beach. Being left by the train, running to Saco, and being left again. Getting our nails done. Irish fairy dust. Irish people always have their feet cold. Piano man. Lilies and broken lilies...

...I just realised I could go on forever, but I guess I'll leave it here. Here's to you, beautiful Oceanwood, to your children, to a place I know I can call home, and to all the friends I made there! I hope I can visit you again soon!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio – Natalie Souness

Mother's Day Celebrations

After a full week of endless and sleepless nights trying to finish writing my undergraduate thesis, I'm finally done with my undergrad degree. I just need to finish my Garment History journal in order to be ready for graduation!

And what better way to celebrate than having a good time with Mum and Sister while celebrating Mother's Day? We wanted to have our own private little celebration, so no restaurants were allowed. Instead, I decided to cook for Mum.

The menu?

Some classic French dishes Mum loves. I made baked Camembert as an entrée, followed by Piperade as the main course. Both of them are made to be eaten with bread, meaning they were perfect for Mum, who couldn't live without eating at least one good piece bread every day! We drank some cabernet sauvignon, which was meant to be the perfect wine to match the strong taste of bell peppers in the Piperade. For dessert, I made some crêpes with butter and caramel, which left us happy and ready to take a nap!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Red.

For some reason, I'm having a huge obsession with red lately. It seems to be the absolute perfect colour for me right now, especially as the Sun comes out and gives me the sunniest days and most amazing sunsets ever. So I naturally had to dress in red for today's post!

I chose this very simple red dress because I feel like its colour speaks on its own. I paired it with some bracelets and my Burberry bag, which you might have seen before. I wanted to keep it classy and elegant, but good enough to fit almost any occasion. So that's why I chose to wear a pair of timeless black pumps in my shoes.

Happy Friday!