Allegra Caro

5 tips for a luxury holiday on a budget

I have got a confession to make: I am a picky traveller.

Don’t get me wrong, I love travelling and I feel rather lucky about how much I managed to fly in the last 15 years—actually, more than I ever thought I would in a lifetime. However, I have never felt too comfortable about backpacking trips and hostels. I’ve always admired people who can spend their gap year wandering the globe from youth hostel to youth hostel without a second thought, but that has never been my teacup. (To be brutally honest, the mere idea of finding bedbugs on a shabby hostel scares me so much, I have recurring nightmares about it). As I grow older though, I notice these pet peeves have only increased, and this reflects in the way I organize my holidays.

To me, a perfect holiday has nothing to do with a huge budget, caviar over breakfast or flying on my own private jet (which by the way, I don’t own yet. If you do have a spare one to share though, I’ll be glad to borrow it. THANKYOUVERYMUCH), but it’s all about comfort, organization and all those nice little details that can make the difference.

So, how can you plan a five stars trip in a budget? Is it possible to travel like a Royal without bankrupting? Spoiler: It is and I am telling you how.

These are my five tips for a luxury holiday on a budget.

Be flexible with your dates

This is probably The One Ring of the tips: the tip to rule them all. In order to travel in style, being flexible with your dates can mean all the difference between a budget-friendly and a bankrupting trip. Most flight companies offer big sales during off-peak season and the same applies to hotels, including high-end and five stars ones. Whether you are visiting an exotic island or domestic destination, don’t be shy to compare fares through different websites and travel agencies. You can save up a fair amount by using your fidelity points too (Sebastian and I are always offered good discounts through Booking since we are frequent flyers).

Plan ahead all your city tours

Most companies offer huge discounts on their tours and organized events when booked in advance. Last Summer, for instance, we saved about 30% of the price on a Danube luxury cruise experience by simply booking online. And let me tell you something: champagne tastes twice better when you make a good deal.

If possible, book your dinner/lunch in advance too

There are a few things that can spoil a fun trip so fast like endlessly wandering for a nice restaurant. Walking around only to discover that every place is full and overpriced after a long tiring day is quite disheartening. (And I don’t know about you guys, but I am not any nicer when tired AND hungry.) During our planning sessions before a holiday, we usually invest time to research about good restaurants and culinary experiences, and although it may sound like a hassle, it is less time-consuming than looking for a good place on the spot. Money-wise is smarter too since you can find reasonable offers for the best places. When in Budapest last month, we chose to book in Café New York, the Four Seasons Hotel, and the Mazel Tov restaurant among others. They were all impressive value and the food was nothing but exquisite.

Make your research on designer outlets and sales

Are you into designer fashion? Then, I would recommend making a little research on your destination: the number of luxury outlets and seasonal sales available can be shockingly high sometimes. If you are going to splurge extra cash in something fabulous, be sure you obtain the best value for your money. What about vintage? If the pre-loved market is your cup of tea, do not forget to make some research too! To me, hunting for bargains abroad is one of the biggest pleasures (and I have got a nice personal collection to prove it!)

When in doubt, upgrade the experience

Please, visualize this scene in your mind: you are chilling in that wonderful sky garden at dusk after a wonderful city tour. The views are breathtaking and the day was a memorable one. You would gladly drink a good glass of wine to celebrate now but when you reach for the menu— surprise, it is like £500, plus the blood of your first-born child! Familiar with the situation? Look, we have all been there which is the reason to upgrade with extras when offered during booking. Most of the times, you will end up saving money (and avoiding a hangover due to cheap drinks too…)

What are your personal tricks when travelling in style?

Have you got any wisdom to share with me?

September 23, 2019November 13, 2019

Allegra Caro22 Comments

The best high tea in Budapest: Herend afternoon tea at the Four Seasons Hotel

There are two types of people — those who like afternoon tea and those who don’t.

Being an obsessive foodie (and although I find the term painfully cringe-worthy), there is no need to say I belong to the first group. Yes, I love my food. And yes, I have a sweet tooth too. But to be honest, that is not all about it.

To me, there is something vaguely ritual about the whole tea-time experience: the idea of dressing in your best best to share good food and a lovely conversation with someone you appreciate; the endless succession of spongy scones, coated in a decadent foam of jam and custard, immaculately presented in the finest china. Afternoon tea represents the luxury of quality time — winding down from our usual fast-pace everyday routine.

As soon as we decided to visit Budapest last month, we booked the Herend Afternoon Tea experience at the Four Seasons Hotel as a birthday present for me. We’d had a nice time there the previous Summer and were looking to upgrade the game. And guys, I am so glad we did!

Four Seasons is located a the Gresham Palace, a 1906 Art Nouveau building which offers enviable views over the Széchenyi Chain Bridge and the Danube. The palace itself is a true national treasure and it is worth a visit, even if you only go for a coffee. But let’s talk about Herend Tea.

five stars hotel tea in budapest — Me happily standing in the lobby after all the delicious food

Afternoon Tea is served every day from 15.00 to 18.00 in the hotel lobby and tea lounge, where you can listen to a live piano concert. An elegant Herend porcelain table is set with bountiful bites and a cup of Gresham Tea, setting the ultimate mood for an afternoon at the Gresham Palace. The china service is one of the most beautiful sets I have ever seen in real life, decorated with dainty colours and floral details. Next time, I would love to purchase a set for our personal collection (the hotel offers a specialized porcelain boutique for customers).

The tea selection includes white Yea Long, superior Oolong, Finest Shizuoka Sencha, Superior Gyokuro, Golden Assam, Earl Grey, Yunnan Black Mao Feng and Massala among others. If you are a tea lover, you can’t miss the chance to taste some of their available range (when in Budapest, I enjoy paying them a daily visit just for a cup of tea and to rest from shopping and city sighting).

But the absolute winner here is food. Afternoon tea is served both with a sweet and savoury offer: from Tramezzini (a bold smoked trout, mustard and dill sauce bite) to their absolutely delicious triple chocolate cake, everything was simply divine. My personal favourite? Their confit duck sandwich is to die for (and I really mean it, some days the craving is still HARD, let me tell you. Like waking-up-at-three-in-the-morning-wih-a-craving kind of hard).

Not only the food quality is fantastic, but also the quantity is very generous: Sebastian and I are both good eaters, and even so we barely managed to try every delicious piece. (As you can see in the photos, I was wearing a flowy dress that day. Thank heavens I did so: none of my trousers would have fitted afterward comfortably…)

The staff working there is truly kind and well-mannered and they would explain to you everything about the different types of snacks and drinks provided, assisting you at all times.

Finally, the price for the afternoon service is around twenty euros per person, which can be slightly increased if you choose to enhance the experience with a cheeky glass of Kreinbacher Sparkling Wine or Veuve Cliquot Rosé N.V. (and c’mon, we all enjoy the occasional champagne glass, right? Actually, every meal would be better with some champagne, if you ask me). But overall, the price-quality relationship is impressive all things considered. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying your city break, I would recommend the experience to anyone.

Are you into high tea? What is your favourite afternoon tea experience so far?

(Disclaimer: To be crystal clear here, this post is not sponsored in any way. We paid for the whole event and this post shows my honest opinion as a customer strictly.)

September 17, 2019September 17, 2019

Allegra Caro22 Comments

What to do in Budapest: Designer shopping at Andrassy Avenue

In the many years we’ve been together, Sebastian and I have started a bunch of family traditions: there is the one about the Christmas Day pancakes extravaganza and the one with my youngest sister staying with us for holiday every Summer. Three years ago, we visited Budapest for my birthday and we enjoyed the experience so much, it became a tradition of its own automatically.

Usually, we take the chance to go for a long city break, spending about three-four days in Budapest. In case you are not familiar with the Hungarian capital and its many charms, let me tell you it is worth a visit — the food is delicious, with a plethora of high-end, Nouvelle cuisine, and traditional restaurants to choose from, and don’t even make me start about the beauty of the urban landscape.

But the thing is, you can already read about it all out there, since there is plenty of information online. Instead of telling you how much I love the sunset by the Danube or writing another endless post about visiting Budapest Castle, I thought it would be much more interesting letting you know about other not well-known activities. Let’s talk shopping, for instance.

In Budapest, one of the best kept secrets is the quality and variety of the local shops: from luxury to vintage, and from handcrafted to the high street, you name it. Every year, I pay a visit to my favourite boutiques religiously, in search of one seasonal bargain or two and the city never disappoints.

Of course, this year was no exception. On the second day of our trip, we had a late breakfast at Muvesz Kavehaz in the opera district, and then proceeded to go for some window shopping at Andrassy Avenue — hello, did someone say shopping awesomeness?

Unfortunately, the Gucci and Burberry shops close on Sundays but LV, Pinko, and Michael Kors open to the public on the weekends. By mid-August many of them were still holding seasonal sales (now, that’s what I call a birthday present), which was the perfect excuse to splurge on something nice. Who can say no to a beautiful designer bag on sale, after all?

At the time, I was looking for a good quality leather bag in burgundy or wine to complete my Autumn collection so, as soon as I entered Michel Kors and saw this beauty, I was sold to it (do not worry: there is a proper bag review coming your way). I asked to the very nice shop assistant to let me try it and then I knew it was the one. Sebastian, on the other hand, said it was quite obvious the bag was going home with me based on the way I was holding it and mumbling “My Precious!”, which totally sounds like me to be fair…

Once we left the store, we had a nice long walk all through the neighbourhood. Sadly, the Opera House was closed due to some renovation works on the façade, so we skipped the planned visit and enjoyed the rest of our morning wandering around. And let me tell you that, every single time, we are amazed on how gentle and warm are people around the luxury district, specially while comparing with more popular destinations like Paris: we can only say good things about the working staff in most shops, who are really helpful and welcoming. Definitely, Andrassy Avenue does deserve a visit while in Budapest.

Shortly afterwards, we left the district for our booked tea time appointment at the Four Seasons Hotel but that is another story and shall be told another time…

Have you ever visited Budapest?

If so, what are your favourite shopping locations?

Dress: Poema (sold out, skirt version here)

Shoes: Zara (old, similar at Gianvito Rossi)

Bobby pins: Anthropologie (sold out in their website, some stock here)

Other accesories: Off brand

September 11, 2019September 12, 2019

Allegra Caro10 Comments

Buy all the 2019 fall fashion trends for less

As we slowly approach to the end of August and evening air gets crisp, we have little option but to recognize that Autumn will be here soon. The associated post-holiday blues is almost knocking on the door; however, and at the risk of sounding like a BB (Basic Blogger, in case you wonder), I shall say that Fall is probably the best season of the year. Days might be shorter, sure, but it’s a small price to pay for all the gorgeous seasonal colours popping out, cozy evenings, and even for that infamous Pumpkin Spice Latte too.

One of my favourite Autumnal activities is seasonal shopping. If you are anything like me, there is a good chance you are already checking the upcoming 2019 Autumn/Winter trends.

Although this is quite rare, I must admit most of the runway proposals caught my eye this time: 2019 will be the year when we witness a punk revival, the rise of a Neo-Rococo style (with feathers and rhinestones shoes playing major roles in the stage), and the unexpected ascension of purple to the chromatic throne. Boring was scratched from the dictionary.

Nevertheless, — and as much as we love a good old trend hunting marathon — going for an early seasonal shopping spree can leave your bank account shaking. And I don’t know about you dear readers, but I don’t enjoy feeding on can soup.

What to do then? Should we all sacrifice style at the expense of budgeting and go home, hands empty, a modern Charles Dickens orphans parody? I have written this before, and I will again — I don’t like tragedies, other than Shakespeare’s. Instead of skipping shopping altogether, I took the time to make a budget-friendly selection for you.

Now, you can buy all the 2019 Autumn trends for less.

Hurry up before they are gone!

autumn-winter 2019 trends — The **skirt** and **blouse** are available at Chicwish, earrings are Vivienne Westwood, **bag** and **shoes** from River Island, **belt** by Asos.

The French bourgeois trend

I can say without hesitation this is one of my absolute favourites this season: the 70s lady-like vibe we have seen in most European runways is classy, timeless and flattering. If you don’t trust my word, check out the evocative Fall extravaganzas by Chloé, Burberry, Balenciaga or Valentino, bringing back Chic as good as it gets. This perfect day-to-day look can be easily integrated into our existing wardrobes, as most pieces match closet basics such as trench coats and neutral palettes. (Bonus: you will probably end up looking like a modern Stéphane Audran at The Discreet Charms of the Bourgeoise.)

2019 Punk trend — The dress is on sale at **Zara** at the moment, all **jewelry** is from **Vivienne Westwood**, **cardigan** and **ankle boots** from Zara as well.

Posh Punk

Combat boots, subtle tartan strokes, and the return of rich purples and blacks are the main evidence of Punk gaining momentum in 2019. Current politics might be related to this but, beyond deepest reasons, the truth is we will see a refined version of the original style coming back to the streets this Fall. Personally, I am the biggest Vivienne Westwood ever, so this is a trend I will definitely adopt myself — piercings, anyone?

Bold florals

Who said florals are cheesy? This season, we will see a good deal of unapologetic flower patterns on the high street, mainly in the form of dark tones. Although it might not be a revolutionary idea (we enjoyed a similar spirit back in the 90s, with big moody florals printed mostly everywhere for a couple of seasons), it certainly constitutes a refreshing approach to classic patterns. Take this Chicwish dress as an example: it can be paired with a maxi-headband (Zara, once again) for a trendy, urban look and the jewel-toned accessories provide a sophisticated vibe for those living in big cities. Forget about the involuntary prairie look and prepare to demonstrate that the floral trend is not as romantic as you would expect.

And this was my inexpensive shopping guide for the top fashion trends this Autumn. I would love to hear what are your favourite trends for the season.

August 26, 2019August 29, 2019

Allegra Caro15 Comments

Does fashion blogging even make sense anymore?

Unless you have been hiding under a rock for a couple of years, there is a chance you are aware of that obsessive anathema regarding the alleged death of fashion blogging.

The rumour has been written in forums, shared, and even printed in t-shirts as a catchy slogan: “Fashion bloggers are dead!”, they say, “Long live Instagram!” This tagline might sound like seasonal news material — a form of objective information, if you please —, once you come closer though, a mild vindictive flavour can be appreciated.

For a long time and as a relatively new industry, blogging aroused suspicion and a great deal of controversy. Certainly, it took some time for the public to understand that blogging was nothing but a digital version to fashion editorials, curated by anonymous people who shared their personal approach to style. In the beginning, there was nothing aspirational about it: most bloggers were mothers, students, or corporate ladies living their lives while blogging for fun.

On a deep level though, it could be argued that it turned into sort of a sisterhood, where normal women could partake of the fun and stop feeling like “Plain Janes”.

This was the starting point from which the blogging empire ascended.

As in any other field, some bloggers started taking a more occupational direction: blog layers were endlessly edited, while outfits became more and more polished. Some started suggesting that authenticity was sacrificed at the expense of professionalisation — a topic stirring passions that would require a post of its own.

The same people (and conservative media) who criticised early authors for their lack of expertise, began resenting their new attitude. Even so, the industry was growing, with a few top bloggers gaining status as respected experts and making a six-figure income.

There was no point in denying reality anymore: fashion blogging was here to stay.

Once bloggers grew into brands and household names, blogging became mainstream. As in any popular industry, the market was suddenly saturated. Many even suggested that the cooperative spirit between bloggers vanished overnight. The same industry which gained momentum as the anti-establishment of fashion, they pleaded, morphed into the materialization of its nemesis.

This was the defining moment in which Instagram was introduced too: a simpler platform that would allow people to post their outfits without the nuisance of composing an entire article around it. Naturally, many saw it as the perfect way to save-up countless hours of writing and editing and dropped off their websites in favour of Instagram. After all, why to spend days working on a blog post when you could easily share your outfit in real-time?

Back in 2016, Tavi Jennison (who became famous by sitting front row at NYFW as an influencer at the age of 12) famously stated: “Yikes, what is the function of this blog anymore? Everything is basically on my Instagram…!”, a sentence that embodied a whole new worldview.

At that point, the question became quite obvious: was fashion blogging dead?

A recent study shows that the Millenial generation prefers social media as an advice resource and the decreasing number of style, outfits and fashion trends blogs seems to provide enough evidence. At the same time, the progressive abandonment of the term blogger in favour of content creator can’t be ignored as a clear indication of this process.

But then, should we all quit our blogs in 2019 and go home?

Personally, I am an optimist: yes, the market might be saturated and highly competitive, and yes, it might be hard to become six-figures income blogging royalty these days (pretty much as hard as becoming a dazzling movie star), but I do believe people are still interested. Nowadays, many blog readers value them as a way to unwind after a hard working day — a certain detachment from social media hectic pace. Maybe, the secret of blogging survival lies in this quality time dimension. Surely, only time will tell. As for now, let me close this article with a good wish:

Long live fashion blogging!

Cami top: Zara / Sailor trousers: Vivienne of Holloway

Sunglasses: HM (old, similar here) / Straw bucket bag: Primark (similar at La Redoute)

Other accessories: off brand

August 14, 2019August 15, 2019

Allegra Caro32 Comments

Hello August! Life update and a huge announcement

Fun fact about me — I love August to bits. It is my birthday month, Summer is in full swing, and for a little while, I feel like a child again.

Also, it has proved to be an eventful month in my life story, with a long tracked record of revolutionary changes happening. This year is not an exception, which is the reason why I am writing this post.

Sometimes, I can be quite shy about sharing day-to-day details of my life (there are other topics I can write until the kingdom come, though: how obsessed I am about this Giambattista Valli necklace, or why the hell did Netflix cancelled The OA — that was unfair game, Netflix, really…)

But how has been life like, lately?

Well, for starts our phase in Romania comes to an end. In case you are wondering, I have mixed feelings about it: on the one hand, the six years we spent here were a wonderful and enriching cultural experience I will treasure in my heart forever; on the other hand, I also feel it’s time to start the next episode of our lives. Somehow, Father Universe seems to agree, since he sent us some news that will affect our current situation.

But let’s go one step at a time.

First of all, we needed a rest

And by that, I really mean it. Sebastian’s career as a researcher can be demanding with long weekly working marathons. At this point of the year, he feels exhausted, and we take our holidays in August accordingly. Our original program included a one-week-long trip to the seaside this Summer, but a sequence of unexpected events pulled the plug on the plan. Hence, we reconsidered the circumstances and decided to visit Budapest for my birthday instead, just as we did the last two years. No need to say we are super excited about it.

At the same time, I started feeling all my potential wasn’t fully released

When I first started in my 9 to 5 new job a couple of years ago, it was OK with me. I worked hard, sure, but I was highly qualified for the position and felt satisfied, being an efficient and proactive professional. However, at a certain point I started feeling slightly stuck: the job turned quite repetitive and, in all honesty, my skills set was wasted. Also, growing opportunities inside the company were close to non-existent. At that point, I figured out I would feel happier by developing my abilities, so the next step seemed obvious.

Just as I began feeling stuck, my husband contract expired and new opportunities popped out. I will not go into further detail, but several factors aligned for us to move abroad. And here is where things turned super exciting.

We are moving to London!

Professionally, this is the most interesting option for us both — nevertheless, it is not the only reason. When I traveled as a student there back in 2010, I fell in love with London. It is such a lively place, with an amazing multicultural background where you can learn and experience so much. By nature, we are both curious people who feel much more comfortable in big cities and London is the perfect place for us to finally settle down.

And this was my life update for now. I know it was a short post but I think you deserve to know why you will be seeing some changes around here starting this Autumn. Stay tuned for more!

August 12, 2019August 15, 2019

Allegra Caro18 Comments

Why black is a great colour for Summer

Let’s talk about fashion clichés: you are not supposed to wear white after Labor Day, florals are for Spring, and black is a big no-no in the Summertime. Classics, right?

However, that doesn’t mean they are commandments carved in stone. The thing about clichés, you know, is that very frequently, they are based on old ideas and misconceptions. Even so, some of them die hard — and no, it doesn’t matter how much you try, your aunt Mary will not change her mind.

My favourite line in the rule book is probably that one about dark colours and warm weather: we all know they don’t mix well. Except, is that really accurate?

By nature, I am a curious person and, as weird as it might sound, I enjoy reading on cultural assumptions. Sometimes, from a scientific angle. (Thank you Wired for the countless hours of interesting reading!)

During one of my endless pool-side mornings a couple of weeks ago, I read an online article claiming that most of what we mindlessly repeat about colour and weather is wrong. After all, thermodynamics don’t lie (sorry, I always wanted to have an excuse to write that. Actually, this entire post is just a pretext to do so. Let’s just pretend it is not…)

But back to the topic: Which colour is more suitable for Summertime, black or white?

White is claimed to be the best option — not only it is chic but will also keeps us cool in the warmest season. Or so they say. Actually when we look at white colour, we are seeing the combination of all existing light, meaning that the sun’s rays are reflected. And yes, that is perfectly right. Although, it is incomplete information too.

The heat comes both from the sun and our bodies. When all that body heat reaches the white clothing, it gets reflected right back towards the body. Hence, when we wear white, we cook ourselves.

The best color to keep cool in the heat, it turns out, is black.

Black absorbs the solar radiation, true, but it also absorbs the body heat without reflecting it back. Hence, the helpfulness of black clothes will depend on finding a fabric that is similar to those summery white clothes. It is quite logical, isn’t it? Atmospheric conditions play a leading role: once the heat is absorbed, if there’s a little wind, the tissue will radiate it away. That was unexpected, wasn’t it?

(Actually, this whole science-nerd moment was quite unexpected too. Please, don’t tell the cool fashion bloggers out there…)

Personally, my to-go warm weather uniform on its darkest shade consists on a sheer blouse and shorts, or fine skirt that will allow air circulating. Natural fibres such as pure cotton and linen are completely awesome to keep the heat at bay. I am a big fan of investing in Summer black — actually, black for all seasons.

For this look, I went for a a boredom-proof monochromatic Summer look by simply adding an organza ruffled blouse with dramatic sleeves. The shorts, on the other hand, are quite simple which help to balance the outfit. It can be styled both with heels or flats, (which I usually carry on a tote bag in case I feel too tired after a long walk, as this was the case).

What is your personal favourite colour in Summer?

(For more articles on The Prêt-à-porter Series, you can visit this link).

Blouse (Vintage. Very similar looking alternatives available at Chicwish )

Shorts (Old Zara, current option here)

Shoes (Asos) / Bag (Deichmann, sold out)

August 7, 2019August 14, 2019

Allegra Caro26 Comments

Tulle skirt Summer uniform (and that ridiculous ice cream photo shoot)

Oh, Instagram! That wonderful platform where real-life physics do not operate — cities are covered in vibrant sparkling colours, there is a floral market in every corner, and you always get that perfect ice cream shot that screams Summer.

Last Wednesday, Sebastian and I went for a morning coffee break, and I thought it was the chance to make an attempt to get my own flawless ice cream photo. Because, what could possibly go wrong? (Lol. Like… everything?)

In my mind, we would reach the shop early in the morning — when the heat was still tolerable — and then happily take at least a dozen pictures of me making a pose with my flamboyant pink tulle skirt and appetizing gelato. Fashion editorial style. I could even take a couple of additional photos of my hand holding the ice cream in front of the shop placard to upgrade my Insta feed. Easy peasy, right?

Guys, if I could step back in time, I would slap me in the face.

Sebastian (who knows about photographic conditions a bit better than I do), tried to warn me it would not be that easy. Did I listen to him, though? Instead, I enthusiastically arranged my outfit the previous night: that new silky cami top I am loving so much at the moment, and my favourite Carry Bradshaw-ish skirt.

Yes, we left the house early in the morning. Yes, we arrived at the Italian ice cream parlor in no time. And yes, it was still closed. Apparently, for some unknown reason, you can’t get decent ice cream in this city before noon.

At that point, we started feeling that external factors were aligning against us (feel free to start calling us John Snow since we know nothing), but decided to shoot some pictures in the meantime and wait for the shop to open. Sometimes, you need to be a bit flexible with blogging after all.

And so we did: we took a few photos, made some errands too, and came back as soon as they opened. And let me tell you that, by twelve o’clock it was effing hot. Actually, scratch that — it was sun-surface kind of hot. So yeah, we felt like eating ice cream. We chose something we liked, went out and started taking phone photos of my delicious hazelnut gelato, which started melting in about one minute.

We realized we had little time before there was nothing to photograph, so Sebastian did his best to capture the moment which was… ahem… let’s say interesting.

What it should have been a flawless Instagram momentum with a chic girl enjoying a cheeky Summery treat, turned into a messy scene with a not-so-chic girl trying to do some serious damage control. The keyword here is trying.

summer tulle skirt outfit — What it should look like versus what it actually looked like…

Envision a crazy fashionista fighting to get a photo, while cleaning the mess with a napkin between shots, and laughing hysterically during the whole process. Charming.

After a few attempts, we decided that the perfect shot was not happening at ALL. Instead, we started laughing about how stupid we are because, c’mon, we’ve been doing this whole blogging thing for a while now and we should know better. So, we order a second ice cream (delicious, really) and sat down to enjoy it as normal people would.

At least, no tulle skirts were harmed in the making of this post.

So tell me, people: what’s the silliest thing you have done for a blog post or Instagram picture?

Cami top: Zara / Tulle skirt: Chicwish (old, similar model here)

Shoes: Asos / Bag: CHANEL

Earrings: Vintage (similar at Miu Miu)

Bracelet: Antique / Pendant: off brand

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019

Allegra Caro12 Comments

Five amazing women-led podcasts to empower you

“Video killed the radio star“, or so The Buggles said.

With the social media bloom and the proliferation of platforms such as Youtube, the radio seemed a thing of the past. (And we couldn’t have been more mistaken, that was embarrassing… Oops!) Against all predictions, podcasts were born and then developed into an unstoppable wave. The secret behind their success might be their simplicity, as well as their mental floss dimension — they will brush your psychic over-charge away.

Personally? I value them as luxury self-care time these days, as I need to be present, listening, enjoying some mindfulness. And yes, I used to think they were Jurassic and a bit lame too (I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier), but here I am now: I listen to them in the shower, while having my morning coffee, and — strangely enough — when washing my teeth. I am a total converse.

These days, one can find a podcast for every topic on Earth but I took the liberty of selecting five seriously amazing podcasts led by women for you. They are witty, they are badass and the epitome of #girlboss.

Do you want to know them? Here you go!

Five awesome women-led podcasts to empower you.

1.The Beauty Closet by Goop

On the first episode, I fell in love with the friendliness of Jean and Megan, who sat down with the wonderful Gwyneth Paltrow for some real talk. OH MY. You need to listen to her dissecting the essence of female identity versus gender roles, aging, and mental health on her natural, fun way. As Goop founder, Paltrow provides a unique angle to clean beauty and eating too. And yeah, don’t tell anyone, but my new mission in life is to become Jean, Megan and G.P.’s BFF. Just saying…

2. At Home With by Anne Newton and Lily Pebbles

Of course, you already know Anna and Lily, right? (If you don’t, just stop it there and google their names. Don’t even bother finishing this article. I MEAN IT.) Their catch-up-with-friends podcast format is nothing but addictive. I can guarantee you will feel at home while listening to these two chatting with successful bloggers and entrepreneurs, splashing their bubbly personalities in the process. In the way, you will learn everything about the fashion, lifestyle and beauty industries. Their biggest strength? They will make you feel as if you were having a cup of coffee with them.

3. The Goal Digger by Jenna Kutcher

Let me tell you something about Jenna: she is passionate about helping other women out. The Goal Digger is a business-oriented show, that navigates every aspect of building a project online: from Instagram sponsorships to generating a passive income. I find most of the knowledge applicable to my own blog and can only recommend to anyone interested in having a sneak peek behind the industry scenes.

4.The Influencer Podcast by Julie Solomon

This is the one I listen to when my morning coffee is not doing its thing and I really need that energy boost. I ain’t gonna cheat on you — I love Jenna to bits. She is friendly, she is bold, and she is not afraid to curse when required. Hitherto, one of my favourite episodes features the wonderful Casey Goode, who speaks plainly about how to create human connections and a long-term relationship with your online audience.

5. Unladylike by Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin

“Find out what happens when women break the rules – those unwritten but all too real bullsh*t expectations of how we should live our lives.” Catchy, right? Please, don’t expect Caroline and Cristen to be your typical political correct hosts. They are more concerned about analyzing the roots and consequences of cultural constructions such as gender, race, or class, and the length of their impact on women’s lives. It might sound deep and complicated, but their show is humorous and easy-going, covering topics all kind of topics from makeup as a confrontational statement to how to kick off high heels at work. So, if you need a boost of confidence, this is the one to listen.

And these were my five top women-led podcasts recommendations.

Are you a podcast lover too? Which ones would you recommend?

August 2, 2019August 2, 2019

Allegra Caro13 Comments

How to boost your self-confidence and feel good in your Summer clothes

Few things scream Summer quite as loudly as gingham does, an evergreen classic that comes back every June. Its sacred status quo partially originates from a simple idea: the fabric is supposed to work for just about anyone. At least, that’s what I thought when I saw these shorts in Zara last Summer.

This tale starts like any fashionista love story — a girl who falls for an item of clothing in a heartbeat and reaches for the cash desk. But love is not all wine and roses, is it? Once I arrived home, I tried the trousers immediately (I only trust the natural light in my bedroom), and was nothing but disheartened. Those shorts totally cheated on me!

Horrified, I double-checked myself in the mirror: every flaw and insecurity, showing in every inch of exposed skin. I must admit I felt so bad, I didn’t even dare to return the trousers to the shop and simply threw them in the deepest part of the closet, banished forever. Then, I forgot about their existence.

Like any other women, I frequently feel self-conscious about my appearance and Summer turns into a cyclic challenge. No matter how resilient you are most of the time, the warm season with its demands of body confidence can take its toll. I lost track of how many times my husband repeated every woman has cellulite, or freckles, or small depigmentation patches because the truth is, the only voice you can hear in such junctures, is the one in your head. And guys, that’s not a nice voice.

Over the last half a year I was in a bad place, mentally. Work stress, hormonal changes, and some insecurities related to our next destination made me feel overwhelmed at times. And I had to work my ass off to leave that dark place. Because if there is one thing I can say about myself without hesitation, it’s I am a stubborn fighter who will not give up.

So, I started thinking, what can I do to feel better? And eventually, I started applying these thoughts to my body image too. I am not going to lie — it took work and will, and I am still fighting every day. But overall? It was worth it.

So, these are my 100% honest tips on how to boost your self-esteem this Summer.

1. Distance yourself from your body-conflict one second and analyze actual biologic factors

Is your monthly cycle affecting your body shape or perception? Are you stressed or dieting? When your hormones are out of order, this affects your mood. The reason can be found on the imbalance between Oestrogen and Serotonin. Likewise, if you’re currently dieting, there’s also a chance that your brain is in starvation mode. At that point, it conserves resources for survival which can leave you less capacity to think in a flexible and objective way about the way you look.

2. Focus on your strengths

None of us is made of flaws only. Think about your best physical qualities. Are your arms firm? Have you got a glowy skin? What about your eyes or your hair? We all have some charms and they are there, waiting for you to discover them.

3. Feed to nourish

Look, we have all been there, even the skinny type ladies: emotional eating is a fact. Instead of obsessing over the perfection of all those fitness model-like influencers out there, try not to compare yourself with them. Be generous and instead of restricting calories or food groups, try to nourish. You might know already that brain-friendly foods include coconut oil, oily fish, nuts, dark leafy greens, etc. And as I previously mentioned, most of our body-image issues are related to brain starvation mode.

4. If you need professional help, ask for it

We would never judge anyone for going to the dentist, so why to judge those going to therapy? This is certainly a taboo we need to kill. If you feel a therapist might be the solution to your problem, do not hesitate to make an appointment. Mostly everyone needs professional help at some point and that’s fine.

Just to finish the story, while cleaning my wardrobe last Spring, I found those infamous gingham shorts and decided to give them another shot. The patches, freckles, and cellulite were still there, but my mind was in a better place now.

And you know what? Life is too short to care.

Blouse: Zara / Gingham shorts: Zara (last season, very similar here)

Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana (old model, alternative here)

Bag: CHANEL / Sunglasses: Zara (Old, Dolce & Gabbana option here)

July 30, 2019July 30, 2019

Allegra Caro11 Comments