A Day of my Life in Pictures (blogging behind the scenes)

Back in the day, in what now feels like a hundred years ago, I used to be an active Livejournal user. For those of you who are (far) younger than me, LJ was an early blogging platform intended to be used as a personal journal. Although I didn’t post so often over there, I was still an avid content reader. My favourite community was A Day of My Life in Pictures (a.k.a. ADIML), a group whose main target was to document the daily lives of anonymous people around the world. As you were posting, let’s say, about your daily errands in a little English town, other individuals were sharing their day-to-day from Korea, Argentina, or Morocco. Cool, right?

Those were candid times when social media was not developed yet and DSLR cameras were a rare privilege, mostly used by professionals. This means photos were taken with domestic devices/phones and the edition was close to nonexistent (shocking!) Oh, the good ol’ days!

A couple of months ago, I published a mock day in a blogger’s life post which was written with a humorous tone and produced a good dose of positive reactions. The truth is that post made me feel a bit sentimental about the bold simplicity of blogging on those first early days, just for the sake of it: there was no editorial calendar, no SEO research, and of course, no content strategy—we didn’t even know about those things back then. As strange as it might sound today, we used to blog for fun. Hence, I thought that for a change I could write a new article, reflecting a random day of my new life as a Londoner. Just as I would in 2005. Don’t say I am no nostalgic…

So, here we go: this is my November 27th, 2019.

08.00 a.m. (My apartment)

I’d love to write I woke up with that Hollywood movie golden sunlight but for the sake of honesty, I’ll confess this is the gloomiest day this week so far. (Because, as we all know, if you plan a photo day, the chances are it will be the darkest morning ever. Hey, Murphy’s law! I love you too…) Given the fact I live in London now, rain and fog are on the daily menu at this time of the year which means coffee is an integral part of my morning survival strategy. I should be probably taking a photo of me, just as I wake up but c’mon, no chance that happens before coffee… There you go a photo of the bedroom views instead.

08.30 a.c. (After coffee, FYI)

Once the coffee has helped to vanish that heavy morning cloud of doom, I am ready to start my day slowly. Reaching for the phone seems unavoidable, but it is a necessary part of my early routine: while I finish my first cup, I use the time to check my email inbox, post on a few daily twitter morning threads, and schedule social media posts for the day. Once I’m done with the most basic digital errands, I relax a bit with a magazine (old school girl here) and then, I am ready for some self-care.

09.00 a.m.

After the shower is time for skincare! Since I started embracing my mid-thirties—or how I affectionately call them, the beginning of the end (I am joking. Sort of.)—I’ve been experimenting a bit with natural rose-based products (more on that coming soon). So far, my favourite is The Ordinary Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil. I apply about six drops every night after my normal evening routine and next morning my feels soft and radiant. Also, it seems to reduce my hormonal breakouts sensibly—in other words, Saint Grail.

In the mornings though, I am using Clinique Liquid Facial Soap for very dry to dry skin, applied with my Foreo Luna 2 for a deeper cleanse and exfoliation. After that, I am finishing things up with the Garnier Soothing Botanical Toner, followed by the Dramatically Different Moisturizer and (still under test) Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Creme de Jeux. Then, I wrap myself in unicorn tears infused silk and I am good to go. Oh, the times I would splash some water on my face and leave the house…

10.30 a.m.

Before getting ready, I sit to drink a second coffee and make some quick blog admin. Replying comments is my favourite part (although I probably spend far too much time thinking about what I should reply and kicking myself for not being a bit better in conversation). By the time I am finishing, I check the watch and oh my… Houston, we’ve got a problem. As usual, I misjudged the time span after breakfast and I suddenly realize I’ve got about fifteen minutes left to blow my hair, apply makeup and get dressed to leave the house. Great, right?

11.15 a.m.

Well, it looks like time elapsed again while getting ready and Sebastian is now standing at the room door, looking to his watch and frowning at me consecutively. I am ready and good to leave the house but you know what? I’ll just make use of an extra minute (or five) to take an atrocious mirror selfie. I like to live dangerously, it seems.

a-day-of-my-life-outfit — The only “outfit of the day” picture I can show you right now. Take a second to appreciate my moody expression. Very festive, indeed.

12.30 p.m. (The Royal Arcade, Old Bond Street)

After a stressful tube ride, one line exchange, and what it feels like a hundred years, we finally arrive at the location selected for today’s photoshoot. Of course, our friend Murphy comes to the rescue again: since we are shooting at The Royal Arcade, the second we reach the place it starts pouring and waves of people shelter in, which leaves us with an interesting decision to make:

A) Wait for the rain to eventually stop, so we get some privacy while we work (at greater risk of missing the scarce daylight we’ve got to work with)

B) Acting plainly stupid and trying to work with a crowd looking at us

So yeah… we went straight for the latter. I mean, obviously. We love to feel super-weird while we work, after all.

13.30 p.m.

After one hour of hard work in which we had the privilege to feel like freak circus locals (thank you very much to that group of about ten tourists who thought it was totally OK to take random photos of us with their phones while we were working…), we packed our stuff for good and moved on. I’d like to say the effort was worth it, but the pictures we managed to take on those conditions are not that great—I predict a long editing session coming my way—so, can I hear a hallelujah here?

We left the place and stopped at the closest Café Concerto to eat something light. I totally failed at taking a neat picture of my sandwich but I was far too hungry and upset. Am I nailing this post or what?

15.00 p.m. (Fait Maison, Gloucester Road)

After lunch, I say goodbye to Sebastian, who has got a late professional appointment, and I take the underground to Gloucester Road. Today, I am meeting the adorable Tatiana Bellator for afternoon tea. We are visiting Fait Maison, a charming tea salon decorated with flowers and fairy lights, which thankfully sweeps my bad mood in about a minute. By the time she arrives, I have got a delicious Moroccan mint tea, dates and scones in front of me and life is good again.

19.00 p.m. (My apartment again)

Once we leave Fait Maison, I take the tube back home. By the time I arrive home, it’s pitch dark and I am feeling a bit sleepy due to all the delicious food. Hence, I make myself another cup of coffee and start drafting this post but I feel far too tired to finish it. In the end, I switch off the laptop and get myself comfy on the couch. It looks like I am going to have an early Netflix session.

20.00 p.m.

Sebastian gets home just as I am finishing a fascinating documentary about Highclere Castle (a.k.a. Downton Abbey). Unfortunately, it’s now too late for him to perform any damage control since I’ve already redefined my living standards, so:

We need at least one butler, two maids and one chef (I will pass without the so-called deer-killer for now because… you know? Creepy.)
I am searching online for fancy tiaras, preferably with pink diamonds
How do I get my own castle? Does anyone know? Asking for a friend…

09.00 p.m.

By the time we sit down for dinner, I am not over the fact no butler is serving us (#sounfair), although it’s probably for the better. As Sebastian kindly remarks, I can be socially awkward in the presence of strangers and an army of servants would not help. Well, I might have no faithful Carson to serve dinner today, but I have pasta on my plate and that can only be a good thing.

10.30 p.m.

I went to bed with the firm intention of catching up with my read but it looks like I fell asleep at some point. I think I should call it an early night. I have written 1500 words by now and most likely nobody will be reading this, anyway. But if you are: first, you’re a hero and second, thank you for reading about this crazy fashionista daily shenanigans.

And this was my Wednesday, 27th of November 2019.

How was your day?

December 2, 2019December 2, 2019

Allegra Caro16 Comments

I am not adopting a capsule wardrobe and this is why you shouldn’t either

This blog was born with a single core value: to be honest with my readers at all times.

As you may or may not have noticed, that’s why the site’s motto is The Honest Fashionista Diaries, why I chose to publish this as my first post ever, and why there is an entire category called The Honest Fashionista Series. Openness is important to me and that (plus a pinch of humour) cannot harm the Blogosphere.

With that said, I believe there is a big difference between being sincere and blatantly regurgitating my unsolicited opinions at the earliest opportunity. After all, we have the right to hold off-record thoughts which we’d better keep for ourselves. As my grandmother taught me when I was very young: if you have nothing pleasant to say, it is better to say nothing. In other words, you don’t need to fight every battle or give your opinion about every topic on earth.

By nature, I am a peacemaker—one of my sisters refers to me as the O.N.U. family negotiator which never fails to make everyone laugh—and I try to avoid conflict when I see no good can be done. Summing up, I might be honest but I also know when to shut my mouth.

When the capsule wardrobe philosophy became a trend, I patiently read as many articles and blog posts as I could to have an informed opinion on the subject. What I found out though, didn’t resonate with me at any level, so I took a step back and kept my opinion to myself. Usually, this would be the end of the story—and it was for a couple of years—but a few weeks ago, I received an unnerving message via Instagram. The person who sent it was reacting to one of my outfit photos and felt the need to rave about how terrible I was as a person for posting pictures of me wearing my clothes, and what an awful example I was for every young impressionable person out there. People like me were, in her own words, a total disgrace and I should be ashamed for not promoting capsule wardrobes and sustainable fashion.

You can believe me when I say my first reaction was nothing but confusion. Mainly because:

A. My Instagram is a small account that (luckily) receives zero hate.

B. I don’t consider my content to be exclusively focused on outfits.

C. You can easily see I wear my clothes more than once and I am very far from a serial shopper.

Once the original feeling of astonishment left me, it was replaced by disbelief and finally, an increasing outrage. However, I blocked the person and forget about the whole thing as soon as possible. Three days ago though, I received a new DM via Instagram which contained almost the same message, sent from a sister account. Again, she seemed disgusted by the fact I kept posting my “non-sustainable” outfits and NOT EMBRACING THE CAPSULE WARDROBE TREND.

If that person would have spent a single moment to visit this blog by clicking in the link on the bio, she’d have probably learned a thing or two about my style perception and the sustainability topic.

For starts, the main reason why I’ve never written about the capsule wardrobe philosophy before is that, from my point of view, it suffers from some serious inconsistency on its base principles. The main target is reducing waste and using the whole contents of your wardrobe, which can only be a positive thing per se. However, reducing to thirty-three pieces your existing closet makes no sense from a logistic perspective.

First, the continuous rotation of the same pieces will inevitably damage even the best-quality pieces, leaving you with the urgent need to replace them at the end of the season at the latest. Potentially, this means money and waste. Second, thirty-three pieces may help you to survive for a season if the given items are high-quality but you will need to add a new set when the season changes and pack away (or dispose of) the used stuff. This means buying four new capsule wardrobes a year which depending on your budget and previous shopping habits might not be that good all things considered.

After second thoughts, there is yet another aspect holding me back: the deep existent association between capsule wardrobes and uniformity. One of the main ideas, you see, it to achieve a very defined style, with all the pieces working together. Pretty much, like a uniform.

One of the things you don’t know about me is that I studied at a religious private school for a couple of years. I could write an interesting (and probably juicy) list of the lessons I learned over there but the main and most important one was uniformity is rarely a good thing. When you make people wearing the same neutral colours every day, looking alike, there is a certain point in which they start thinking and acting alike. And I have read enough dystopian fiction to be afraid of any form of hive mind (thank you very much for the nightmares, Mrs. Atwood).

To me, fashion is all about individual expression and I think that’s something wonderful.

So, am I openly admitting I don’t give a s@#€ about sustainability? As a matter of fact, nothing is further of the truth. Adopting a capsule wardrobe is not the only way you can contribute to a sustainable lifestyle. Instead, I prefer to explore other paths including but not limited to:

Taking good care of your existing pieces, so their lifespan is extended
Cutting down on your shopping habits and getting only the things you love
Choosing clothes that are better quality and more durable
Shopping second hand or vintage
Supporting ethical brands of your choice

These might not look like life-changing rules but once you have been practicing for a while, you will realize they are. I have been shopping vintage, second hand and being more selective with my shopping habits for a while now (I think about five years and counting) and in the long run, you feel nothing but satisfaction and relief. Satisfaction because you love everything on your wardrobe. Relief because you can walk outside a shop with empty hands and feel good about it, anyway.

So, the next time anyone feels tempted to judge me for posting outfit photos online, please make me a favour and just unfollow…

November 21, 2019November 20, 2019

Allegra Caro48 Comments

How to catch up with your blog when life gets in the way (or you get the worst flu ever)

I’m not going to lie: if someone would ask me to sum up last week, I’d probably describe it as “notorious”. Although I mean that in the sense of the-black-death-kind-of-notorious. As I repeatedly complained over Twitter last week (and Instagram Stories, and to the postman, for the matter), I got THE flu—or to be more exact and as I will refer to from now on, the plague.

Last Wednesday, I went to bed feeling a bit dazed but I didn’t take it too seriously. I’d planned an early work morning, expecting to go through most of my blog to-do list while Sebastian was off to France for a conference. Unfortunately, I woke up to a not very pleasant palette of symptoms including (but not limited to) aphonia, a running nose, and the unquestionable promise of a descent into the abyss. It was that good.

Now, I am not telling you about all of this asking for sympathy but to give you some context for this post. I am the kind of person who enjoys being super productive when the opportunity arises and—case in point—with Sebastian gone for a couple of days, working was my number one priority. Of course, Mr. Murphy’s Law had a different plan for me.

By Thursday afternoon, it became quite obvious I was not going to spend the next 48 hours writing without distractions. Instead, there were going to be loads of honey lemon ginger tea, countless tissues and an embarrassing number of The Spanish Princess episodes (hello Starz, could you please stop producing addictive Tudor’s period fiction? I try to have a life of my own, you know?). At a certain point, I was not even able to stand comfortably—let alone researching for SEO—so I resigned myself, lay down on the sofa and ordered a cheeky Domino’s to comfort me. (I don’t know about you but I take heart in tasty pizza instead of chicken soup and it usually makes me feel about a thousand times better, although I suspect my family doctor would be hesitant to prescribe it as a remedy.)

The point is, sometimes life gets in the way: 9-5 job, children, sickness…—you name it. If you haven’t established an emergency plan or routine, the chances are you will end up stressed and with a to-do list as long as your arm.

So, how do you manage to keep your blog running when you are busy or unable to focus? These are the most valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way.

01. Create batch content

You might have heard about this over and over but that’s just because it is a real life-saver for bloggers and content creators. At least once a month, I block some time to sit down and write as many posts as possible—which was what I was trying to do when the flu hit me last week. Sometimes, creating content on the spot can be stressful and lead to writer’s block (not to speak about how this affects your sub-editing time and the general quality of your writing), so content batching is a great alternative. Although I prefer to take pictures of my outfits in real-time, I have been feeling a bit more inclined towards shooting in batches as well. To be completely honest here, it is not my cup of tea but since my spare time can be quite limited, this a good solution too.

02. Keep an editorial calendar

This is closely related to the previous tip and absolutely essential. Grab a diary or create a special Excel document in your laptop where you can plan your schedule ahead (organize your upcoming content for the next few days, weeks, months…—the most time, the better!). When I first started blogging, I had created three months worth of content before the official release. I knew my spare time was limited, so this way I was sure I had some room for manoeuvre. As I anticipated, this worked wonders and I could keep posting with minimum hassle.

03. Set your alarm

Whenever I am short of time, I use this prioritisation strategy: I set a phone alarm for 10-15 minutes and assign a given task for that specific time slot (let’s say, replying emails). Until the alarm rings, I try to do as much as possible in decreasing order of importance (urgent emails first, for instance). You would be surprised to see how much you manage to do without distractions, focusing one thing at the time. Extra tip: Don’t forget to turn your phone notifications off so you don’t get distracted by external time-wasting factors.

04. Stop procrastinating

I said once but I will again—turn phone notifications off. I can’t count the number of times I will grab the mobile if I keep it ringing next to me. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook… Pick up your poison. When working on your blog, you should try to treat that time as office time, so keep your phone out of reach. That way, even if you only work on an hour, you’ll make lots of progress compared to what you would do if you check your phone every couple of minutes. And you know what? All those cute kitties photos you receive through your family Whatsapp chat can wait too…

05. When too sick to work, do the fun part

During the plague, I was far too dizzy to focus on writing or planning content, but at some point I found myself reaching for the phone and checking the blog comments which I could easily reply while watching some Netflix on the couch. That’s the good part of this job, you know? It is lots of fun and some parts do not require for you to be 100% OK. With that said, whenever you are not your usual self, it’s time to ask for help or simply have a sick day. Your health goes first and rest should always be a priority—after all, the sooner you get well, the better for your blog.

November 18, 2019November 19, 2019

Allegra Caro40 Comments

Reasons to love Autumn (even in the Instagram age)

Last Sunday, I convinced Sebastian to go for yet another autumnal walk at Regent’s Park.

Given the fact that it’s November now, you might think it’s not earth-shattering precisely (and that I must be a bit bored to make a weekly highlight from this), but the keyword here is YET. At least, that’s what he underlined when I asked him to spend the day outdoors on Sunday morning. “Are we going out for YET another autumn walk?”, he muttered rolling his eyes. No need to say that I did the only sensible thing—I ignored his comment and cheerfully proceeded to unpack my new tweed Zara coat, wrapping myself for that ignominious walk. (And totally feeling like a winner by getting all those #blairwaldorfvibes. Thanks Zara. We have had our differences but you really amended things with this beauty.) But back to the topic…

I don’t blame him, though. As a matter of fact, I totally see his point.

In case you have been a social media user for some time now, you might have experienced a certain Déjà vu just before the summer death: you are still wearing sandals while enjoying the last few days of your vacation but suddenly, your Instagram feed is full of girls enjoying their first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. Temperatures are still over 30°C and scarves look like medieval torture instruments, but the Fall obsession is real. Every TV ad, internet pop-up, and tweet is solely focused on this.

By the time October arrives, you are bored of Autumn style—all the dull knitwear, tedious ochre and brownish tones, and Hypster hats. To sum up: you are sick and tired, praying for December to come so it’s over. Rest assured, you are not alone.

Disclaimer: The next confession might make you leave this blog and never come back, screaming in horror. Even so, I’m going to roll the dice and tell you my darkest secret. Ready? (Hitchcock music coming in three, two, one…)

Against all odds, I love autumn.

Horrific, right? I live in fear my family will find out, proceeding to disinherit me at once. Probably, after posting this, a raging mob will raid my apartment at midnight, armed with pitchforks and torchlights.

I know what you are thinking: “Allegra, dear. You started the post quite reasonably. And now you come up with this?” Well, I could apologize and blame all those films glorifying the autumnal season in New England. But instead, I prefer to tell you why despite all I wrote before, Autumn is still my favourite season (and yes, that’s a total cliché).

Reasons to love Fall

(even in the Instagram age)

01. Autumn Picnics

Everyone enjoys going for a picnic in July, right? Well, here goes my second confession today: I HATE it. Not only do I get sunburns easily and hate mosquitoes with a passion (I consider them to be my personal nemesis), but also my thermoregulation is close to non-existent. In Autumn, on the other hand, you can sit on a blanket under a tree with your thermos flask full of tea and a book, enjoying the landscape.

02. Outdoors Cinemas

I am rather peculiar about this too. I promise I am good person, though.

For most people, Summer is the outdoors season but very recently, I’ve enrolled an outdoors cinema where movies are shown from March to November. As a result, I’ve watched some of my favourite films in a garden, with a cozy blanket over my knees and a cup of tea in my hands. And let me tell you—there is something undeniably poetic in listening the words “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again” by an autumnal bonfire.

03. Fashion

And I am not referring to earthy colours and knitwear only. September is the date time for New York, London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. Pinterest blooms with thousands of seasonal pins, and the new season collections are finally out. Besides, you can use black monochrome outfits and darker lipstick again with zero judgement from other people (welcome home Rouge Noir! We missed you so much).

04. Netflix pre-Halloween marathons

Many people might have their say about admitting this on a style blog, and it won’t make me look like the most sophisticated person ever but to be fair, I don’t consider myself very chic. So who cares, really? I LOVE horror movies and to me, October is the perfect time to plan endless home evenings, catching up with AHS or any of your favourite horror classics in Netflix. Yes, I just broke the fashion bloggers rule by saying that. Don’t worry, I will return my badge to the fashion police…

05. Landscapes

I left my favourite part for the end, as I usually do. Please, if you can, take the chance to have a walk after work, or maybe just go in the weekend. Enjoy every single seasonal colour. There’s something about all those red, gold and rust tones that deserves to be contemplated once a year.

In the Instagram age, seasonal clichés have certainly doubled and at some point, we have all gone a bit extra with the number of seasonal pictures we over-share with our friends and family. However, our personal preferences and tastes (whether we’re speaking about autumn walks, that very-much-hyped beauty brand, or photos of cute kitties) should be respected at all times. At the end of the day, they are a part of our identity too.

Coat: Zara / Blouse: Zara (last season, similar here) / Headband: Zara

Bag: Metamorphose (vintage piece, similar style at Dune)

Skirt: H&M (sold out, alternative at & Other Stories)

Boots: Deichmann (alternative at Aldo)

November 14, 2019November 15, 2019

Allegra Caro25 Comments

What I’ve learned after one year of blogging: the good, the bad, and everything in between

They say time flies when you are having fun but the last twelve months slipped away so fast, I wonder if they even existed.

Fortunately though, I published my first blog post ever last November and since then, I have updated this site regularly, which means I enjoy the rare privilege of a detailed year record. Isn’t that something? I mean, I am the girl who doesn’t even manage to catch up with her Bloglovin’ reading list!—just imagine updating a website rigorously. But twelve months, fifty-five posts and an unutterable number of chocolate cookies later, I am still here (and so is this blog).

This year, I feel like I’ve written about every topic on Earth: from social prejudice to style advice, and from travel adventures to my experience visiting Vogue House. Surely, there will be many other topics to catch my attention but nevertheless, the most interesting part of this whole blogging trip is the lessons you learn on the way.

So let me keep this short and sweet, and introduce you to those modest pieces of wisdom I have treasured during my experience as a blogger.

01. Willpower Obstinacy is everything

Blogging, you see, can be quite a commitment: for many people, it might be only a hobby, but it does require discipline and a shocking amount of time from you. To be completely honest, I don’t even look at it as a hobby anymore but as my creative outlet, side hustle, and ultimately, as something that sparks joy in my life. Most of us would possibly agree that, if anything makes you feel that way, you’ll probably want to stick to it. No matter how challenging it is.

As reluctant as I am to admit this publicly, I’ve never considered myself a person with huge willpower. However, I am stubborn to an extent most people would find embarrassing. Let me give you a very concrete example.

When I was about ten years old, a classmate told me that girls couldn’t wear trousers. At that age, the mere mention of the words “you can’t” acted as a trigger for me. So, I did the only sensible thing: for the next three months, I refused to wear nothing but pants to the school. THREE MONTHS. I wish I was joking: my family still refers to this anecdote as The 1993 Trousers Debacle.

The point is, obstinacy is my blogging fuel—it keeps me going when I am too tired to plan the editorial calendar when I think it’s not worthy, when I feel I am not good enough. If like me, you haven’t the biggest willpower, obstinacy will be equally effective.

02. And so is honesty

People who are still active blogging readers are interested in inspirational content—that’s right—but not as much as they are interested in relatable content. In my first year of blogging, my stats show a prevailing success of those posts providing an honest angle, both in terms of page views and likes. Two of my most celebrated articles featured my sincere approach to an average blogger routine as well as my thoughts on the future of blogging. In both cases, the reactions were strikingly positive.

The conclusion is definite: we might enjoy a bit of healthy guilty-pleasure content (with a pinch of crazy fashionistas flying in their private helicopters to the next shooting location in the Himalaya), but at the end of the day, we all value down-to-Earth blogs.

03. Post about the things you care

You can tell when someone is writing about something just for the shake of it and for most of us, it’s a deal-breaker. Putting your readers off is the last thing you want to do because, before you realize, they will be hitting the back button and never looking back. To avoid that, you really need to figure out what is your passion. Are you a baker at heart but you keep posting about fashion trends? Time to stop it. Now. Just stop typing. I mean it.

04. Always be you (all the other roles are taken)

Please, learn this by heart and then write it on a post-it and stick it to your forehead, so you remember every time you look in the mirror: Let your personality shine.

As I mentioned before, most readers can tell when you’re randomly posting about something you don’t care but they also can tell when you are faking it. Look, I get you—with a blogosphere full of clones who will dress, pose and write the same exact way the temptation of blending in is strong. But believe me, in the long-term, it will do more harm than good to your blog. People like to feel the person behind the screen. YOU are the main reason they will come back to your site once and again. So remember this young Padawan: Fight the dark side of the Force!

05. Don’t forget to have fun

You might be ambitious. You might work very hard to transform your side-hustle into your own little business, becoming the ultimate #girlboss. You have all my sympathy and respect for that. But let me tell you something: If you leave fun out of the equation too soon, you will burn out in no time.

I assume the reason you are investing all your —probably scarce—leisure time in your site is because you love it. That’s the main fuel for most bloggers. So you need to be sure you keep the flame alive. Have fun while writing and if you need it, take a step back to evaluate your true motivations.

Are you blogging for the six figures income and over-night success? Then, and I am very sorry to be the one bursting your bubble. Blogging, you see, doesn’t work like that. Just like in any other business you need to be passionate and also very patient. But if you love it, if you are enjoying the whole process, it is totally worth it.

On the other hand, if you really love what you are doing, you will get the necessary motivation to make the most of it. And this is what it is all about, isn’t it?

November 11, 2019November 7, 2019

Allegra Caro30 Comments

The Knitwear Edit: Why we all need statement jumpers this season

Certainly, not me! I’ve always thought it’s funny how people find fall fashion a bit depressing, really. They see it as the beginning of a long soulless season when style must be sacrificed in favour of the weather demands. Goodbye sundresses, hello old coats. As for me? Nothing could be further from the truth.

As a matter of fact, I find dressing in summer challenging: yes, you have all those beautiful light dresses but depending on the hot temperatures (and remember that I am Spanish, so I know a thing or two about that) any outfit easily ends up on a sweaty mess. Chic, right? I have lost track of the times my perfectly planned summertime outfit had to be replaced by some random natural cotton dress which would allow me to breathe and not to bake in my clothes…

Cooler weather, on the other hand, leaves some room for creativity. There is that awesome trench coat you love so much and the occasional playful pattern; there is the softness of velvet and the statement coat you can’t live without.

But knitwear is what really makes me squeal of delight.

The second October hits and the weather chills a bit, I devote myself to the sacred mission of unpacking the jumpers: all that gorgeous cashmere, angora and chunky wool sadly packed away during the warmest months. Also, it’s time for my yearly wishlist!

Two days ago, Sebastian frowned at the sight of my (always expanding) knitwear pile but said nothing. Then, he found me sitting in front of the laptop, happily adding about 40 sweaters to my shopping cart. “Just to be clear”, he stated with a concerned tone, “you’re not shopping ALL of that, are you?” I simply looked at him, Regan McNeal style bloodshot eyes, and gave him a quick yet unconvincing “Just researching for the blog” reply, which seems to be my personal motto these days. Actually, I repeat “Just researching for the blog” (or J.R.F.T.B. from now on, if you please) so much, I am afraid they will use that as my epitaph… But I digress here.

The whole point is, knitwear can be not only a sartorial need but also FUN.

Everyone from couture designers to high-street brands seem to agree since this season is full of statement pieces. Forget about your neutral colour old-school jumper: Autumn and Winter will be dominated by jewel tones, rhinestones, lace, textures and more!

But do we really require statement sweaters this season? In my humble opinion? We do. Maybe, one of the reasons why most people loathe autumn fashion is its apparent monotony—its hardly arguable tedium. Maybe, all we need is introducing a stroke of colour, an unexpected twist.

Since I truly believe fashion—above all the things—should be fun, I am sharing some of my favourite seasonal knitwear today. All the statement styles and all the budgets. No matter if you are a Chloé fan or a New Look lady: I have you covered.

The Knitwear Edit

Jewel tones opulence

Zara Christopher Kane Gabriela Hearst

I tried to convince myself that I was looking at these three beauties as a part of the J.R.F.T.B. process but let’s be honest: we all know they will end up in my closet sooner or later. I mean, rich colours, rhinestones, and velvet? Who could resist that? Surely, not this girl! I guess I will have to figure out a way of smuggling these into my house while dodging the attentive surveillance of Sebastian (a.k.a. Hercule Poirot). I should start watching Peaky Blinders to get some fresh ideas…

Feminine neutrals

New Look Zara McQueen

This Fall, neutrals are not boring anymore. Just look at these astonishing specimens. Sometimes, the use of simple elements such as an interesting neckline, some cute ribbons or a frilly cuff can make all the difference between plain and stunning. Personally, I rarely go for neutrals when it comes to knitwear but this year may be the exception. Both the New Look and McQueen pieces can be easily added to your professional wardrobe with zero effort: try pairing them with some nice tailored trousers or a nice statement skirt. Plus, they are classics so they will add value to your collection in the long-term too.

Embellished beauty

Dolce & Gabbana Self-Portrait Red Valentino

I have left my favourite sweaters at the end of this post. What can I say? They are nothing but pure perfection. I love every single detail in them: from the amazing silk flowers to the bell-shaped sleeves. And although I know their price tag may look a bit intimidating, I firmly believe the number of times you will wear something made with high-quality materials will balance the cost-per-wear. Sometimes, it’s not only about the design but also about the piece’s lifespan.

This is all for today’s post. As for now, I will add a few more striking pieces to my shopping chart (feel free to send me any links you consider relevant).

After all, I am just researching for the blog, right?

Jumper: Stradivarius (last season, similar here) / Shorts: Old Zara (New version)

Bag: Michael Kors / Tights: Calzedonia

Boots: Deichmann / Scarf: Natura (similar at Burberry)

November 6, 2019November 6, 2019

Allegra Caro20 Comments

Five Beauty Essentials for the Perfect Autumn look

If you are a frequent blogs reader or an active Instagram user, you have probably noticed the Fall season content tidal wave out there.

Suddenly, it seems everyone is obsessed to share their seasonal joy these days. And you know what? I am OK with that. Because in terms of Autumn, I am a total groupie: I love a good bonfire, a nice long walk in the crisp air and all those gorgeous outfits flooding my Instagram news section.

Most people associate Autumn with rich colours, soft velvet, and golden leaves, and although I am all about burgundy tones and that infamous pumpkin latte, to me Fall season is connected to deep scents, earthy eye shadows, and a bold lip. Seasonal beauty looks are my favourite part about the whole thing.

In general, I consider myself a very organised person, which means that by this time of the year I have sorted out most of my products and I am ready for the long-awaited Autumn game. This year, though? Not so much.

When we first moved to London two months ago, the removal firm lost one of our boxes. Unfortunately for me, most of my makeup collection was in that box. And let me tell you something: that hurt. Like, on a worst-nightmare-of-a-beauty-lover level. All my awesome Nars eye shadows and MAC lipsticks gone. FOREVER. (Yes, I am breathing inside a paper bag while writing this.) I am quite sure this is future therapy material—I know, I know: Drama Queen Alert. #firstworldproblems—but in the meantime I tried to keep calm, take a deep breath and then I made a list of the absolute five Autumn products I can’t live without. I am still crying over all the lost products (they did serve honorably and surely deserved better), but I had to prioritise my needs and go for a little shopping trip.

Since we all love a good shopping haul, today I am sharing with you the top five beauty products for a perfect Autumn look.

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The Chocolate Bar Palette

Oh, Too Faced! You really cracked the code with this one, didn’t you?

When this delicious palette was first launched back in Spring 2013, it was meant to become iconic. Its 16 chocolate scented eyeshadows are infused with 100% cocoa powder, nourishing the skin and releasing antioxidants. But what I truly love (and guys I am not exaggerating when I say I like it so much, this is my to-go choice a good 90% of the times) is the exquisite spectrum of velvety and shimmering Autumnal tones—from rich browns to decadent plums, every Fall colour is represented here. An absolute essential if you want to indulge yourself.

Christian Louboutin Beauty Velvet Matte Lipstick in Djalouzi

I have written in this site about the opulent Velvet Matte lipstick before so, you won’t be surprised to hear me say this is one of my Autumn must-haves. Djalouzi is a stunning oxblood tone intensely pigmented and with a non-drying matte finish. The luxurious vial-shaped packaging adds value to an already brilliant product. Obsessed with all things crimson during Fall? (Hi there. I feel you, soulmate!) Then this is your winning bet.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Liquid Concealer

Do you believe in miracles? Usually, I would say I don’t but this product made me a believer overnight (and I am being quite literal: it took about two days for it to become my ride-or-die concealer). At this point in my life and being a thirty-something lady with a permanent dark circles genetic situation over here, I am far from easily impressed when it comes to the concealing department.

Regular concealer? Checked. Caffeine serums? Checked. Bathing in the blood of a unicorn sacrificed under the moonlight? Checked too. No, my dark circles won’t go away. Notwithstanding, this product really honours its name—it’s magic! Not only does it vanish my stubborn dark circles and the occasional blemish, but it also plumps my skin slightly leaving a subtle velvety feeling to it that I simply adore.

Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils

Because to me, dramatic lashes are the key to any Fall look, I return to this mythical YSL mascara every year. Are you into pro-vitamin and Morocco oil products? Do you fancy a bit of colour to match your seasonal makeup? Are you looking for a product that prevents any smudging, clumping, and flaking? All of the above, maybe? Good! Yves Saint Laurent has you covered. I am not prone to be tempted by luxury or high-end products when it comes to my lashes but this one is an exception. All I can say is that it is worth every single penny.

Chanel Coco Eau de Parfum

As an extra, I want to include a fragrance in this list. I know most people will not consider perfume as a part of a beauty look and they are probably right. As for me, your scent is the final touch to any look, which is the reason why I am including it in this post.

Described as a luxuriant composition with contrasting notes of mandarin, jasmine, Ylang-Ylang and patchouli, Coco is one of those perfumes you will always go back to. I only started using it last Christmas but it quickly gained a permanent status on my signature perfumes list. It is classic without being too heavy and although the scent does stay with you, it won’t make you dizzy. It feels nice on the skin but I do enjoy spraying it directly on my clothes or the tips of my hair, where it stays nice and fresh all day long. Also, it is more mature and sophisticated than my other Chanel love, Coco Mademoiselle (which might be a better option for Spring).

And these were my top five beauty products for a perfect Autumn look.

I would love to hear about your favourite seasonal beauty products too: perfumes, lipstick, eye shadow… you name it! Let me know what are your absolute Fall essentials or the last additions to your beauty collection.

November 4, 2019November 4, 2019

Allegra Caro12 Comments

The best Satchel in all the land: Michael Kors Mercer Gallery Leather Satchel

Do you believe in soulmates? Personally, I don’t but I do believe in bag mates.

Bag love is totally a thing: when you find the one, you know it. In my opinion, it is pretty much a long-term commitment—if you are lucky enough to choose the right piece, the relationship may last a lifetime. And I am being quite literal here. This cutie is nothing but solidly made!

My love story with the Michael Kors Mercer Gallery Medium Leather Satchel began last August. During my annual birthday trip to Budapest, I went for a shopping spree at Andrassy Avenue. Once I entered the local Michael Kors boutique, I spotted the Mercer immediately. It was love at first sight. Do you know when your average romantic comedy girl sees her love interest for the first time, the time slows down and all of a sudden, she hears Tom Jones music playing in the background? (Ok. Maybe not Tom Jones. But it is MY romantic comedy, right? I shall have my sip of absurdity, thank you very much.) That’s how I felt, anyway.

Continuing with the burgundy theme I have adopted lately and which I don’t plan to put aside any time soon—if you were expecting me to stop this monochromatic madness once Fall is over, you’re going to feel very disappointed. Sorry about that…—I had to go for the oxblood colour option, obviously. It is classy, it is timeless, and it elevates any Autumn outfit instantly.

The Mercer Gallery Medium Leather Satchel is a luxury handbag specifically designed for the twenty-first century cosmopolitan busy girl. As a matter of fact, it’s one of my go-to choices for mostly every occasion: from long weekend plans to hectic working days packed with endless business meetings. In these pictures, I am wearing the middle size and let me tell you that I feel like I found the Mary Poppins bag. For a satchel of its size range, its capacity defies physics. It is THAT good. Generally, I’d never expect something this stylish to be also functional, but Michael Kors cracked the code with the Mercer bag.

The interior is divided in three sections: a zipped compartment with pockets for your more sensitive personal belongings (wallet, phone, keys and the such), and two more for the rest of your stuff. Believe it or now, I usually carry a cardigan and an emergency scarf since the extra room is so generous. The zipped space includes a key leash. No more digging through your bag to find your keys! Genius.

Being the kind of person who will carry everything but the kitchen sink with her, I am truly amazed about how much you can fit in this bag. On a regular day out, I can easily fit my wallet, ebook, phone, keys, transport card, makeup pouch, emergency manicure set, flats, cardigan, umbrella, headphones and snacks in the Mercer satchel. Not bad for medium size, right?

Oh, and did I mention you can monogram it too? I learned about this option too late, but will definitely go for it when I get my next Michael Kors. (Hello, Nouveau Hamilton! I am looking at you, gorgeous thing…)

Definitely, this is one of the best additions to my bag collection so far, and I am sure more Michael Kors goodness will arrive to my closet soon. (But I can’t promise it won’t be bugundy too…)

What is the latest addition to your own bag collection?

Blazer: Axes Femme (sold out, alternative here) / Bag: Michael Kors

Skirt: Zara (old, alternative here) / Shoes: Primark

Cashmere scarf: Thrifted (similar at Burberry)

October 21, 2019October 21, 2019

Allegra Caro10 Comments

5 style lessons I learned in my first 5 weeks as a Londoner

Let me quote a universal piece of wisdom: Time flies when you are having fun.

Last Thursday, it was five weeks since Sebastian and I moved to London. And in all honesty? I still can’t believe it. I feel like we just arrived last night although we managed to do a lot during this hectic period: arranging our legal residence permits, unpacking all our belongings, and organizing our new apartment took some time and energy. (Please, feel free to send more ginseng, thank you.) However, I am glad to report most details are fixed and we are ready to become proper Londoners now.

Over the first few weeks, we took the chance to explore the city and start experiencing that famous London lifestyle. From trendy street food markets to majestic art galleries, and from cozy tea rooms to vintage stores—London never stops surprising you.

One of my favourite things about being an expat is discovering the local fashion style: Tokyo taught me everything about chic, while Budapest certainly deserves to be acknowledged as the new capital of shopping. It was rather ineluctable to learn something valuable from Londoner street fashionistas too.

Throughout my now five weeks of living in London, I have probably learned more lessons about style than ever before in my life. Today, I want to share them with you.

So, what have I learnt so far?

1. Sh#& Rain happens: Get yourself a statement trench

If you are remotely familiar with the British weather, you might know it is rainy. Like, cats-and-dogs kind of rainy. You’ll get used to carrying an emergency umbrella with you at all times and even start wondering how was life before that (or how did you look with neatly arranged straight hair, for the matter). But that’s OK because you will also learn to love a nice trench coat. Actually, I already loved them before we landed here, but my affection has gone deeper ever since: Hobbs, Burberry, Mulberry, Céline… the options are endless! You might certainly think a statement piece is expensive but here is where the second lesson hits.

2. The best fashion finds often come from charity shops and vintage stores

No, I promise I didn’t drink an entire bottle of prosecco before writing this (maybe later, but let me finish this post first). Many charity shops in London receive designer donations. Checking their branches regularly improves your chances to find a treasure in the shape of a Prada handbag or a pair of Chloé trousers. So far, my Max Azria collection—fan girl here!—has increased dramatically. I truly recommend paying a visit to stores around Knightsbridge, Notting Hill, Marylebone and Kensington areas since they often receive the best stock in town.

3. Chelsea boots are life (and you can’t change my mind)

We all know how important it is to dress sensibly, but too often we don’t pay enough attention to footwear. London is not only a city but a huge one, even with the brilliant public transport network you will walk quite a lot. No need to say wearing the wrong shoes can easily spoil your day. (Please, raise your hand if you learned this lesson after years of poor and painful decisions too. Heels on cobblestone pavement? What could possibly go wrong?) When we first arrived, I would only carry some replacement flats in my handbag but then, as the weather started cooling, Chelsea boots became a natural ally—they are comfy, they are stylish and the epitome of British style. What else could you ask for?

4. Blazers are not for office only

Look, I have been there too—limiting blazers to the office ecosystem is very tempting. But, believe it or not, they can be fun too. One of my favourite things about Londoners and their style sense is the way they incorporate blazers on a weekend outfit without losing that effortlessly chic vibe. On a personal note, I love a good slip dress & blazer number but the options are countless: adding a nice pair of jeans, or even a knit dress can fix those Saturday brunch outfit plans. And speaking of knitwear…

5. When in doubt, just throw an oversized jumper

As simple as that. It doesn’t matter if we are speaking about a lazy at home Sunday or an office Monday morning, really: most of the days a note of wool can make all the difference and save your outfit. Reuniting a great quality collection has been in my fashion to-do list FOREVER (when I started that list back in the day, commercial transactions were still paid with wooden tokens and we used to adore volcanoes… good old days!), but coming to London has been the push I needed. Cashmere and Scottish wool are wonderful high-quality materials that may add value to your existing wardrobe. Plus, they will keep you warm during the long cold months.

And these are the five foolproof style lessons I learned over my first month in London.

Fashion Find Alert: This Must-Have Fall Skirt Is More Affordable Than You Think

The very moment September hits, I start hoarding all things burgundy.

There’s no denying my Autumn closet is mostly monochromatic: from the deepest shade of mahogany to the richest currant tone, every single burgundy hue is represented there. And while I am always happy to test other tones in the seasonal palette—mustard, forest green, and gingerbread are some of my favourites—I owe my loyalty to burgundy.

For some reason, I find this colour to be universally flattering: It looks great on almost everyone, but also looks great with mostly everything. It is the ace in the matching-outfits card game. Think a second about it—burgundy pairs well with forest greens, navy blues, rich browns, jet blacks, and even some shades of pink! To be frank, it never stops to amaze me how much wear I get out of it.

Hence, it is no shocker I fell in love instantly with this must-have Fall midi skirt.

But let me tell you the story from the beginning.

When we first landed in London four weeks ago, my luggage was packed with sundresses, perky shorts, and sandals. Unfortunately, I didn’t consider that the weather here in London was “slightly” cooler than the 35 ‎°C we were experiencing in Timișoara at the time. (And by that I mean my legs turned blue on the first attempt to leave the house in shorts. You can call me Smurfette from now on.) As a consequence and until our belongings arrived seven days afterwards, I found myself with nothing to wear. Fun times, right?

Obviously, I did the only sensible thing: Shopping!

After a couple of hours at the closest mall, a nice pair of leather trousers and some decent knitwear made it to my shopping cart. Then, I went to Primark looking for inexpensive velvet hangers and was absolutely amazed when I spotted this glorious satin skirt (I know! Who could have guessed?). It was the perfect wine shade and the fabric felt surprisingly nice to the touch.

I have always been an advocate for stocking up on the items you know you’ll wear on repeat. Once you know your style inside and out, you can easily recognize those items you’ll wear to death. In the past, for instance, I have told you about my personal obsession for slip dresses and this totally extends to satin skirts too (I am a total sucker for delicate fabrics). In my experience, the price range for decent quality pieces goes from 30 to 60£ or more. This beauty was less than 15£ though! C-R-A-Z-Y. Since I could already predict I would restyle it countless ways (for cool Autumn evenings, I love to layer satin and silk with a good chunky sweater and ankle boots, while a nice blouse and blazer is my to-go choice for office), I didn’t give it a second thought.

Because let’s be honest here: there’s nothing that gets me more excited than finding a luxury vibe item with an affordable price tag. This perfect satin midi skirt not only delivers that decadent expensive look, but it’s also burgundy. Win-win situation here!

After a few weeks of anticipation, I finally decided to wear the skirt and guys, I am so glad I bought it. For our first visit to Notting Hill (the first of many to come, surely) I went a bit over the top by pairing the skirt with a lovely high-neck sheer top, and the most comfortable Mary Janes on Earth. To finish things off, I am wearing Dior Rouge in Fifth Avenue, my beloved Gucci belt, and the newest addition to my bags collection: the Michael Kors Mercer bag!

Once we took some pictures in the neighbourhood, we moved to Portobello market for brunch and I couldn’t believe the number of compliments I received on my skirt. In all honesty? I felt like a million dollars.

I am a firm believer in the Anna Wintour philosophy of mixing-up designer and inexpensive pieces. It gives your outfit some flavour and you prevent the risk of looking like a living brand advertisement. So now you know: when looking for a versatile skirt to add your Autumn closet a bit of glamour, pay a visit to the closest Primark shop. It will only cost the price of a Costa latte and muffin. You’re welcome!

What is the last amazing fashion find you have made?

Skirt: Primark (available in stores only, pink version here)

Sheer Blouse: Asos (sold out, similar at Nordstrom) / Belt: Gucci / Bag: Michael Kors

Mary janes: Deichman (sold out)

September 30, 2019November 12, 2019

Allegra Caro11 Comments

So, here we go: this is my November 27th, 2019.

08.00 a.m. (My apartment)

08.30 a.c. (After coffee, FYI)

09.00 a.m.

10.30 a.m.

11.15 a.m.

12.30 p.m. (The Royal Arcade, Old Bond Street)

A) Wait for the rain to eventually stop, so we get some privacy while we work (at greater risk of missing the scarce daylight we’ve got to work with)

B) Acting plainly stupid and trying to work with a crowd looking at us

13.30 p.m.

15.00 p.m. (Fait Maison, Gloucester Road)

19.00 p.m. (My apartment again)

20.00 p.m.

09.00 p.m.

10.30 p.m.

And this was my Wednesday, 27th of November 2019.

How was your day?

This blog was born with a single core value: to be honest with my readers at all times.

You can believe me when I say my first reaction was nothing but confusion. Mainly because:

A. My Instagram is a small account that (luckily) receives zero hate.

B. I don’t consider my content to be exclusively focused on outfits.

C. You can easily see I wear my clothes more than once and I am very far from a serial shopper.

To me, fashion is all about individual expression and I think that’s something wonderful.

Taking good care of your existing pieces, so their lifespan is extended

Cutting down on your shopping habits and getting only the things you love

Choosing clothes that are better quality and more durable

Shopping second hand or vintage

Supporting ethical brands of your choice

So, the next time anyone feels tempted to judge me for posting outfit photos online, please make me a favour and just unfollow…

So, how do you manage to keep your blog running when you are busy or unable to focus? These are the most valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way.

01.

Create batch content

02.

Keep an editorial calendar

03.

Set your alarm

04.

Stop procrastinating

05.

When too sick to work, do the fun part

I don’t blame him, though. As a matter of fact, I totally see his point.

Against all odds, I love autumn.

Reasons to love Fall

(even in the Instagram age)

01.

Autumn Picnics

02.

Outdoors Cinemas

03.

Fashion

04.

Netflix pre-Halloween marathons

05.

Landscapes