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10 November 2013

SWEATER WEATHER: PERSONAL FAVOURITES FOR AUTUMN/WINTER



Favourite hangout in Autumn/Winter?

Cocomaya, 3 Porchester Place W2 2BS

 

With the autumnal weather, comes the urge to cosy up indoors and satisfy your craving for hot drinks and freshly baked pastries. Yes, stuff yourself with cupcakes and cronuts to your heart's content and no looking back! In Cocomaya, a fine chocolatier and artisan baker, I have the perfect place to do just that. With its chic boutique feel and relaxed atmosphere, it offers me a piece of calm from my busy London life.


Coffee, tea or hot chocolate?

To be honest, even though I'm a born and bred Londoner, I don't drink tea often. Coffee, I drink all year round and as a Starbucks regular, the arrival of their red cups for the Christmas beverages gets me a little too excited. The Peppermint Mocha and Eggnog Latte are my two favourites for this season. As for hot chocolate, Paul bakery do the best hands down. What's even better, is that you can ask them to put either mint or orange syrup in. Tastes just like Christmas.


Favourite candle scent?

This time of year is of course, candle-burning season. There is nothing better than warm, rich autumn scents filling your home. I go through so many candles during autumn/winter and inevitably, I have personal favourites. You can never go wrong with Miller Harris, Laura Mercier, Diptyque and Jo Malone candles as their scents are just divine. The candles below are my two favourites to burn during this time of year.

Miller Harris Tangerine Vert Candle, £40

Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Candle, £29


Make Up trend: dark lips or winged eyeliner?

Winged eyeliner. I think a dark, sultry statement lip can be incredibly sexy on a lot of girls but personally for me, I have always been a fan of the winged eyeliner. I wear one all year round but for autumn/winter, I like to exaggerate it even more to create a very 60s feline look. The two products that I use to get the perfect winged eyeliner are the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner and the Real Techniques fine liner brush.

Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner, £17.50

Real Techniques fine liner brush, £7


Best perfume for Autumn/Winter?

Throughout the year, my signature scent is Elie Saab Le Parfum (I much prefer the Eau de Toilette compared to the Eau de Parfum though, as it's a much lighter, fresher scent). However, from October through to January, I make a transition to Jo Malone's Blackberry & Bay cologne. This scent has the most beautiful and long-lasting fragrance. It's described as "a burst of deep, tart blackberry juice, blending with the freshness of just-gathered bay and brambly woods". The epitome of autumn/winter.

Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay cologne, £78


Favourite activity to do during Autumn/Winter?

Going for a run around the Serpentine, a lake in Hyde Park. For me, this is the best time to go jogging when the air is cold and crisp. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful, picturesque view either which is somewhat reminiscent of Central Park in New York.


Most worn item this season?

Massimo Dutti hooded cape, £145

This would most definitely have to be my fur-lined, hooded cape from Massimo Dutti. Chic and practical for the cold weather, it's the perfect must-have item. Layer underneath with a jumper and leggings/skinny jeans to create the perfect ensemble or even wear a leather jacket underneath to give it a slight edge. This particular item is not available anymore but a similar one to it is.


Must-have nail polish this autumn?

Each season Chanel come out with the perfect shades to last you and keep you on trend for the coming months. This autumn, they have come out with 3, one of them being 601 Mysterious. It's a deep, creamy grey colour with notes of taupe and green.

Chanel Le Vernis nail colour in Mysterious, £18

 

Favourite autumn TV Show?

When Breaking Bad ended in the series finale, there was so much hype about it all and the now infamous Walter White. At that point, I had no idea what the show was even about so I decided I had to find out....if everybody was talking about it, it had to be good right? Oh boy, I watched the first 3 seasons within a couple of days. It's too addictive. If you haven't seen it yet, you are majorly missing out so go watch it!


What song gets you into the Autumn/Winter spirit?


Tom Odell's Another Love somehow always brings me back to autumn...the image of leaves falling and the feel of the cold air comes to mind. I first heard this song in the Burberry Prorsum Womenswear S/S13 show at London Fashion Week and remember thinking it was the perfect backdrop song to the models walking the catwalk. This song, along with Misty Miller's cover of Happy Together, also heard in the Burberry show are timeless for me.


What's your #1 favourite thing about this season?

I have always been more of an Autumn/Winter person than a Spring/Summer lover. Living in London, I feel like it's better being colder here because let's face it...what's worse than warm weather when you live in a city? I, for one, definitely prefer the fashion during this time of year when layering is essential and I can bring out the furs and boots!

 

Have a happy Sunday everyone!

Julia X