A.P.C Trench Coat

I blogged recently about the fact that I was on the hunt for the perfect trench coat. When I spotted this A.P.C double breasted camel trench coat in their Redchurch Street store last weekend, I knew it was the one. It's the perfect wardrobe staple, is made from beautiful fabric, and I know I'll wear it for seasons to come. Looks like my obsession with French fashion continues...

You can buy it online here. NHG x

My workspace

I was recently interviewed about my blogging space on Ondo Lady. While I'd love to say that I blog at my desk all the time, I much prefer the couch...

I do keep it looking pretty with fresh flowers, diptyque candles and my vintage map of Australia from Portobello Market, so at least it serves some kind of purpose! ;)

Where do you like to blog/write when you are at home? NHG x

You can see the interview on Ondo Lady here.

The quest for the dress

I'm not actually getting married until 2014 so there shouldn't really be any need for me to start looking for a dress...just yet. The reason I've started early is because the choice of designers in London is a million times better than Australia, and I'll save money too.

Australians correct me if I'm wrong, but last time I checked there was only ONE stockist of Vera Wang, Jenny Packham and Oscar de la Renta in the country at Helen Rodrigues? I read an article last week that claimed Aussie girls were now travelling to New York or London just to buy their dress. Crazy. Lucky I happen to live here!

I have my eye on wearing either a Cymbeline Paris or a Pronovias from Barcelona dress. Both are reasonably priced for the quality and workmanship that goes into creating the dress, and even though they are not bespoke, they take around six months to order.

A Cymbeline Paris dress is literally created from scratch - they even create their own lace on a loom! Apparently the loom in Calais broke recently and it caused a bit backlog...they are still quite an old fashion company at heart and nothing is mass-produced, which is so lovely in my opinion.

I haven't made a decision (the two below aren't quite right) so I'm going back for a second appointment in one month's time.

If you are married, how did you know when you found THE dress? NHG x

NHG loves: Candy coloured houses

I'll never get tired of living in such a picturesque part of London with it's gorgeous candy coloured houses. I still often take photos (mainly Instagram) of all the coloured houses and doors that are scattered throughout the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, as I find their lovely colour palettes inspiring.  

Although Notting Hill tourists drive me mad each weekend with their obnoxious ways (I was recently told that there are more tourists than Rome here), I wouldn't want to live in any other part of London.

I often get asked about these cute coloured houses and their whereabouts...If you are visiting the area and would like to go off the usual tourist route of Portobello Road, the best streets to visit are the following:

- Around Hillgate Place and Farm Place behind The Coronet cinema in W8
- Denbigh Terrace off Portobello Road in W11
- Bywater Street in SW3 (pictured below)

There are also many secrets passages and Mews houses, however I don't think their residents will really appreciate the visit, so I'll leave you to explore them yourself! NHG x

My Saturday...

After what I like to call 'winter hibernation' I finally emerged this Saturday just gone from the comfort of my flat to face the world again. While some people don't mind the cold, I can't stand it, and mainly spend the winter inside restaurants and cafes, or indoors planning my spring/summer adventures. I like to read about what other people's days look like, so here is a taste of mine...

9am: One hour Dynamic Pilates class at TenPilates in W10. Still feeling slightly sore after my Wednesday class with Master Trainer, David Higgins, but conquer a side plank for the first time, so leave feeling good.
11.30am: Visit Posh Nails on Portobello Road for a much needed manicure...going through a major pink phase so choose 'Chastity' by Essie. Collect a bunch of pink flowers from The Flowered Corner on Ladbroke Grove on the way home.
1.30pm: Take blog photos for post tomorrow.
2pm: Head down to Westbourne Grove to collect two Boris Bikes.
2.30pm: Arrive in Maida Vale to collect a friend, before heading along Regent's Canal which is a lovely ride through cute communities of house boats, juxtaposed with some seriously imposing mansions only metres away.
4pm: Finally make it to Primrose Hill after going the LONG scenic route through Regent's Park and collapse at Anthony's Delicatessen for a chicken schnitzel sandwich (Australians will know how hard these are to find in London!) and a really bad coffee. Complain about London coffee for the millionth time.
5pm: Stop via French/Japanese cake shop, Lanka, to collect chocolate and green tea gateau for later...
8pm: Head to Soho for drinks before finally getting a table at Cay Tres for delicious Vietnamese (as seen on Sous Style).
12am: Collapse in bed.

I love documenting my weekends with Instagram, the perfect way to remember my time in London. You can follow me @NottingHillGirl. NHG x