Tag: river island

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My Trip to Barbados

Shirt by Luke | Sunglasses by ASOS

I love a beach vacation, especially in the middle of the winter, and I couldn’t have asked for a better escape than going to Barbados.

In numbers, Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies. It is 34 kilometres (21 miles) in length and up to 23 km (14 miles) in width, covering an area of 432 km2 (167 squares miles). Its population is of almost 300,000 people.

My favorite spots.

Oistin Fish Market

During the daytime it might look quiet, however wait for a Friday night to eat some freshly caught fish cooked to perfection. Try some lobsters, shrimp, red snapper which are prepared on the grill and served with local favorites such as rice and peas, coleslaw, and salads.

My best evening in Barbados!

Pebbles Beach, the most popular spot according to TripAdvisor

Located in Carlisle Bay. This one seemed overrated to me. The minuses: looking to the left and you’ll see the not so pretty and massive Hilton hotel; look to the right and you’ll see the cruise ships transiting. At some point during the day the beach will be overcrowded by (cruise ship) tourists popping by for a few hours.

The pluses: the easy place to go snorkelling and watch the turtles. Magical!

Miami Beach, my (beach) hot spot!

This quickly became my preferred beach: beautiful sea & sand, good waves to both swim and bodysurf. Relaxed and not too busy (as the access isn’t obvious from the main street). Nice trees in the background – in case you’d need some shade. This beach has it all.

Sandals by Teva | Swim shorts by Luke Sport

Dover Beach, a popular spot

One can only enjoy the vibrant colours.

Saint Lucy, all the way up to the North

Here you’ll find a beautifully rugged coastline dotted with bays. The powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean pound the cliffs creating sea caves and blowholes. This is not an area for swimming but it makes up for this with majestic views and small pools for sea-bathing.

Shirt by Luke | Sunglasses by Lyle&Scott

Bridgetown, the Capital City

Both Barbados’ capital and largest city, it’s a vibrant, vivacious place steeped in history, where its unique blend of African, American and British heritage comes alive. Bridgetown and its Garrison is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with buildings dating back to the 17th, 18th, and 19th Century.

Bathsheba, the surfers’ paradise!

Useful websites: visitbarbados.org or barbados.org

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A Stylish Italian Escape

“I am on annual leave”. This is the message you will get if you try to email me this week.

An Italian escape had been in the pipe for some months now. Among several Italian places, it was decided that the ‘cities’ of Murano, Venice & Burano were to be the main destinations.

35 degrees Celsius is the average temperature you get there. This meant that shorts, sunglasses, short sleeves & light shirts are to become my best friends. Not to forget the large quantities of water needed in order to ‘survive’ the days!

My first destination was Murano. To go to there from Venice one has to take a boat (less than 20mn).

Murano, famous for its glass.

Murano, island, northeastern Italy in the Venice Lagoon (Laguna Veneta), is renowned for its long tradition of glass-making. I was told that the island experienced its major development after 1291, when glass furnaces were moved there from Venice.

It was just a delight to spend hours walking around the canals and get a glimpse at the glass shops. A fascinating place!

Like Venice, Murano is formed of seven islands in turn connected by bridges and its Grand Canal that runs through them.
One of Murano’s, and many, glass shops!
The famous Barovier & Toso brand: Luxury Lighting (Murano Glass Since 1295).

Another must see is the the Museum of Glass which was founded by Antonio Colleoni and Vincenzo Zanetti in 1861. Inside you can admire vases, bowls, sculptures and especially the majestic chandeliers.

Venice

Venice is located in the northeast coast of Italy. It is protected from the Adriatic Sea by a long strip of land composed by the Venice Lido, the Cavallino-Treporti Lido and the Jesolo Lido.

The Canal Grande, the main water way of the city to which 150 smaller canals (called “rii”) are connected to.
Linen shirt by M&S. Sunglasses by Asos. Sling bag by Tumi.
This Tumi sling bag quickly became my best ally: wallet, water bottle, camera and bits and bobs did all fit in it.
View from Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
It is estimated that there are around 400 gondolas in Venice. They are made of 280 hand-made pieces using eight types of wood (lime, oak, mahogany, walnut, cherry, fir, larch and elm). The process takes about two months; in 2013, the cost of a gondola was about £35K.
Light brown Sid skinny stretch utility shorts by River Island.
The “Piazza San Marco” is the unique square in Venice. Considered by many as the most beautiful square of the world because of its many decorations in the Renaissance arcades and in the buildings surrounding it.
St Mark’s Campanile, Colonne di San Marco e San teodoro, lPalazzo Ducale.

Burano, known for its lace its unique and colorful houses.

Less than 20 minutes away from Murano (by boat), the picturesque Burano is known for its brightly colored fishermen’s houses and its casual eateries serving seafood from the lagoon. 

It just seems to be the paradise here. One can really appreciates the tranquility and the calmness of this island.

Pursuing the shores you will arrive to center of the Island: Galuppi Square; here neighbourly ladies invite the most curious visitors to come into their shops to admire the lace working.

Many international magazines include Burano among the top 10 most colorful cities in the world.

Floral shirt and sunglasses by Asos, shorts by River Island.
A closer look at some of the Burano fisherman houses.
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Olly Murs x River Island Collaboration

This November, River Island debuts an exclusive collaboration with multi-platinum selling artist Olly Murs, combining affordable luxury with contemporary wardrobe staples. Olly Murs x River Island channels Murs’ flair for understated cool in to a fourteen-piece collection of premium tops, trousers, outerwear and tailoring; realising his creative vision through luxe textures and rich colour, underpinned by bold geometric print.

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In Olly’s own words: “I have always loved clothes, but for me to do a fashion collaboration, it had to be authentic and River Island seemed like the perfect fit. The brand has always been close to my heart and my earliest memories of payday shopping with my mates at the local store in Essex make this collaboration all the more personal to me. I was fully immersed in the design process to ensure that every piece was true to my style. I have loved every minute of it and I can’t wait to share the collection with my fans.”

Elegant day-to-night dressing and is core to the smart-casual aesthetic of the range. The bronze Harrington jackets and single-breasted dinner jacket are lightly structured, cut from butter-soft velvet and just as easily paired with a premium cotton tee or a fitted turtleneck. The slim fit and narrow notch lapels of the check single breasted suit is complimented by modern styling, teaming trainers with a lightweight knit.

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Luxurious, fine gauge knitwear is a signature Olly Murs look. Block panel crew-neck knits in icy blue and rich brown are statement pieces in the range, offset by the understated elegance of the merino wool polos in the range in black and mustard, an essential weekend look when layered with the ice blue overcoat tailored trousers in houndstooth, black or check.

Arresting prints offset the muted chic of the other separates in the range. Two unique styles in bold chevron and geometric print in icy blue and cool grey are applied to louche viscose shirts. The voluminous drape of the shirting compliments the sharp, clean lines of tailored trousers, completing the look with crisp white trainers or tie-bar leather loafers.

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Olly Murs x River Island is available at riverisland.com and in selected stores.

#RIxOllyMurs