TravelSupermarket UK 'Worldwide Wardrobe' Competition

About a month ago, I was contacted by TravelSupermarket in the UK to take part in the blogger competitions they're currently running. I decided to enter the Worldwide Wardrobe one as I thought it would be really fun putting outfits together and well, who doesn't want to win a holiday? For this competition, there is a hypothetical £200 to spend on each of the five travel outfits. The winner will win that money to buy the outfit they designed as well as a holiday to that destination. Some of my favourite London bloggers are judging the competition and I'm really excited to be a part of it, even if I don't win. I thought it would be quite hard, but I suddenly found myself inspired, and creating these outfits is how I spent my Saturday night. Wild! I chose to design four out of the five travel outfits and they're all outfits I'd feel comfortable wearing out myself.

There are links to all the pieces of each outfit, though I didn't include those where I went over budget. I just wanted to keep them in the images for aesthetics and to give you an idea of the overal style I was going for. For items in $AUD, I converted them into £GBP. If you'd like to enter yourself or read more about the competition, you can do so here. Let me know what you think!

Motel Danny Crop Top from ASOS - £22 | Bardot Aztec Multi Sequin Mini Skirt from Boohoo - £25 | Deena & Ozzy Stacked Buckle Peep-Toe Wedge from Urban Outfitters - £38 | New Perforated Crossbody Bag from Topshop - £40
Total: £125

I don't know about you, but whenever I think, 'Clubbing in Ibiza', I think of "doof doof" music, drugs and dirty dancing with sexy foreign men. Clubbing in Ibiza has never been something I thought would be amazing to experience, but as I was looking online for pieces to create outfits with, I found myself inspired to create one for Ibiza. When I was in Europe last summer, bodycon skirts were my favourite to wear on nights out on the town. They're sexy, summery and show off your curves. I love this Bardot one as I think of Aztec as a summer print and mint green as a summer colour. The sequins make it much dressier too. You don't want to look too polished though, so I paired the skirt with a simple off the shoulder crop top from ASOS and some buckled sandals from Urban Outfitters. A nice, earthy brown bag ties the outfit in all together, I think. It gives it that chilled out, relaxed and bohemian vibe one would probably have while clubbing in Ibiza - sort of letting loose and going wild. In the beauty department, highlighter is a must to give you that sultry summer glow and to keep things undone and casual, a spritz of Bumble and Bumble's Surf Spray in the hair.

Velvet Rope Dress from Market HQ - £44.25 | Collarless Biker Jacket from Topshop - £52 | Arabel Cut Out Boots from Topshop - £85 | Lace Trim Ankle Socks from Topshop - £3.50
Total: £184.75

Oh, how I miss Oxford St! For shopping in London, I've gone back to the city's punk roots with a leather jacket, dark lipstick and chunky boots. However, I'm a total girly girl at heart, so I've teamed them up with this gorgeous deep berry velvet dress and white frilly lace socks to bring back the femininity. Clashing punk/rock pieces with more girly pieces is one of my favourite styles. As London is notorious for its bad weather, I wanted to create a stylish, yet comfortable outfit that could also keep you warm. You could very easily add stockings to this outfit too. I can totally see myself carrying a tonne of Boots and Topshop bags in this outfit.

Coincidence & Chance Crepe Mesh Dot Dress from Urban Outfitters - £44.25 | Jeffrey Campbell Soiree Gradient Heeled Sandal from Urban Outfitters - £89.80 | Holographic Clutch from Next - £18 | Lip Bullet in Covet from Topshop - £8
Total: £160.15

Cocktails in New York immediately makes me think, 'Little black dress in a swanky jazz club similar to the Park Hyatt, just like in Lost In Translation'. I went for a super cute dress, which is both youthful and playful. I think it suits my style more, as opposed to more traditional cocktail dresses, which can feel more "grown up". I definitely don't feel grown up! These gorgeous Jeffrey Campbell heels would look stunning with it and the ombré heel is just so cool. While I think some pieces from the holographic trend are a bit too over the top for my liking, this clutch from Next is sleek and minimal, which definitely feels more like me. It breaks up the blackness of the outfit, which I really like too. To add to the girliness, I think a nice pinky/peachy lip would set off the outfit just nicely.

Petite Stripe Cut Out Crop Top from Topshop - £22 | Natural Denim Circle Skirt in Lilac from American Apparel - £42 | Hanna Flatform Sandals from Topshop - £32 | Oasis Scallop Satchel from ASOS - £35 | MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo - £14 | Caudalie Beauty Elixir from Feel Unique - £10.35
Total: £155.35

Despite Paris being my favourite city ever, this outfit was the hardest to come up with. I think I just wanted to come up with a really nice outfit to do the city justice. Whenever I think back to Paris, I think of crazy summer heat, so I wanted something light, fresh and clean. I also wanted something pretty because let's face it, who doesn't want to look their best in such a beautiful city? I decided to be a little cliché and I picked out this lovely little striped crop top from Topshop, which has such a cool chest cut out. People have been talking a lot about the American Apparel Circle Skirts, so when I saw this lilac one, I thought it perfectly suited the top. Sandals are a must as you don't want sweaty, swollen feet, so these Topshop flatforms will keep you cool, while also giving you a little height - nothing too dramatic to make walking around and sightseeing difficult though! I thought this Chloé-esque Oasis handbag was a lovely addition to the outfit - enough room to fit the essentials like your camera, wallet and makeup bag. And while we're on makeup, I think MAC's Ruby Woo lipstick would add a nice pop of colour on the lips to complete the look. In the sweltering Parisian heat, pop into a pharmacy and buy a 30mL bottle of Caudalie Beauty Elixir to keep you feeling fresh and cool throughout your day. While you're sightseeing and stocking up on your bottles of Bioderma in style, you should also smell beautiful. I recommend Diptyque's Eau Rose perfume as it's so heavenly and will make you feel like the ultimate French girl!

Europe Photo Diary: Paris part deux

"Paris is always a good idea" - Audrey Hepburn

Day two in Paris was our free day where we were given time to explore the city on our own. Seeing as though my love affair with Paris began with the artworks of The Louvre, April and I spent the majority of our day there. The architecture and detailing of the museum is just absolutely incredible and we were taken away by the sheer opulence of Napoleon III's apartments. The Louvre is overwhelmingly huge, so you have to prepare yourself to get lost a few times! I didn't even get to see all the paintings I wanted, but luckily April and I were coming back for another four days after our Contiki tour. It makes me kind of sad that people only visit The Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, but I guess not all of us can appreciate art on a deeper level, as opposed to one based on commercialism and pop culture.

We did a lot of walking and a lot of getting lost in the stuffy and hot Louvre, so a good lunch was much needed. As we walked around looking for a nice place to eat, we took in the city's beauty and charm in its entirety. It literally took my breath away. We stopped in at a little café where a friendly waiter greeted us and sat us down. Our lunch was to die for! We ordered a hamburger steak with blue cheese sauce, chips, salad and escargot! Yes, we did the cliché French thing and tried snails. I'm always up for trying new food and for me, the weirder, the better. I absolutely enjoyed escargot. They were flavoured with a lovely garlic sauce while the snails themselves had that earthy flavour, quite similar to mushrooms.

We had planned to visit the Notre Dame that day, but seeing as though The Louvre took up most of our day, April and I later scheduled it in our plans on our trip back to Paris. We continued walking around the gorgeous city, looking in souvenir shops and stopping in at the quaint, little pharmacies. April and I couldn't get over the cute spelling of "pharmacie". It's just so much better than pharmacy. I wanted to buy Caudalie Beauty Elixir and Bioderma Créaline H20 Solution so badly, but I promised myself only at the end of my trip! Before the Contiki coach picked us up to take us back to the hotel, April and I stopped just outside the Musée d'Orsay to indulge on our first ever Ladurée macarons! We picked these up from the store in The Louvre and I had been wanting to try them for so long. I've got to say, the original are always the best. There is no macaron like a Ladurée macaron.

When the coach picked us up, we made our way back to the hotel to get ready for the night's events, which was a three course meal at the infamous Moulin Rouge! We got all dolled up that night and oh, it was fabulous. For a place as famous as the Moulin Rouge, the food was rather underwhelming, but it was totally made up for by the amazing show that was put on. For those of you wondering, the real life thing is nothing like the film, but both are fantastic in their own ways. The singing and dancing is really something to be seen and you can tell these talented people put so much effort into what they do. The girls had figures to die for. Before the main big show, there were a few other acts, one which involved two skaters. Their routines had you on the edge of your seat! When (I say when because I will be back there) I'm back in Paris, I would definitely go again. Unfortunately, my photos aren't too great as I only had my iPhone on me during the night.

After the dinner and show, we continued on the night at O'Sullivans, the bar right next to the Moulin Rouge. We had shots lit up on fire and partied with our new Contiki friends. When I started to feel tired, April and I caught a taxi back to the hotel, making friends with the taxi driver. He taught us some French and laughed at our mispronunciation of the words! I can't help but smile as I write this because it was actually one of the highlights of my entire trip. When something as mundane as catching a taxi can bring back fond memories, you know that's a special place.

Still drunk, April and I arrived to our hotel room taking selfies in the bathtub and eating packets of Nutella. Things got a little out of hand when I proceeded to smear Nutella all over her face, but hey, only in Paris!

I was sad to leave my favourite place on Earth, but excited to continue on my travels knowing I'd be back in Paris a month later. The next stop on our Contiki tour was Barcelona (which you can read about here), but as I've finished all my posts on my Contiki travels, I'll take you back to Paris where I spent my last four days in Europe.

Europe Photo Diary: Paris part un

Friendly Fires - Paris

"Paris is known as the 'City of Lights'... a city of culture... of fine dining and magnificent architecture. Paris is a city for lovers: lovers of art, lovers of history, lovers of food, and lovers of... love." - Paris, je t'aime

The beginning of my Europe trip started off in London, which you can read about here. On our last morning there, we met up with our Contiki tour group for the first time, got on the Contiki coach and after three nights, said goodbye to England. I really regret not posting the Paris leg of my travels in chronological order now, but never mind! I had to save the best for last.

Upon leaving London, we boarded the ferry to Paris and it was so strange watching cars drive onto it. Nick, our coach driver, drove us onto the ferry too and I don't know why, but it was so amusing to me. We got off the coach and on the ferry, we indulged in a big, hearty English breakfast, which I didn't finish as I felt a little seasick. I remember getting off the coach and as a little French boy saw my best friend's travel pillow printed with the Australian flag, he exclaimed, "Australie!" So cute!

When we arrived in Paris, we made our way to the hotel and after settling in, had dinner with the strangers who'd later become our friends. We then got back onto the coach where Kellie, our Tour Manager, gave us a tour of the beautiful city all from the comfort of the Contiki coach. As we drove closer into the heart of the city, I looked out the window and to my amazement, saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time. I thought I'd cry the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower, but I didn't. I think because it didn't seem real. I look back on my travels to Paris and sometimes I still can't believe I was there. In Paris. That place I'd dreamed of going to since I was fifteen really was as beautiful and perfect as I had imagined. It really does exist. To the people who said I'd hate it, not to get my hopes up, that it smells and the French are rude, you were all wrong.

I got my first glimpse of the Champs-Élysées, The Louvre and Arc de Triomphe - all perfectly magnificent. Coming from a country that's relatively new, it's so fascinating to learn about a city that's so rich in history and culture. I was in awe of the incredible sculptures and those limestone buildings with blue/grey roofs that can make it so hard to find your way around if you're a first time traveller, as everything looks the same.

As the sun started to set, we got in line to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, though we didn't have to wait long. Thank God for tours! I don't even know how to describe the view. I'll let my photos do the talking.

That night, we were chatted up by Frenchmen, watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle, saw gypsies for first time and experienced the Paris metro.

I was home.