London baby!

On arriving in London, after 25 hours of transit, my sleep-addled brain really wasn't able to compute that this is quite definitely the furthest I've ever been from home and I was finally in London. A place that's I've only ever dreamed of visiting, was finally a reality. 

Europe has always been at the top of my Bucketlist, which is admittedly filled mostly with travel destinations (thrill-seeking activites gives me the hives and threesomes are much too generic). I hate to admit it, but up until my late teens, Europe for me really only consisted of England. Not from a lack of geography lessons, but rather from an unadulterated, overwhelming and nerdalistic love for English history. Yes, I'm that person. 

So, for me, to be able to visit London was unbelievably nerve-wracking. What if it didn't live up to my expectations? What if I didn't live up to its expectations? What if I fell in love with the city only to never return? How will I explain that to my parents? 

To be able to walk on the white-terrace decked streets, to be able to take the tube, to visit suburbs that are distinctly like Privet Drive and to be able to visit the Tower of London. It was a dream come true and a spoonful more!

x karen

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shimmer shimmer.

Bec & Bridge jumper

Practicability never really played a strong role in my outfit choices, but then again, I rarely had to contend for snowy Stockholm weather either. Practical would be bundling myself in layers of cashmere and leather; but my version of practical is wearing a half-sheer jumper that has just the right amount of shimmer in the low-lit bar next to Berns. 

x karen

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Le Boy

 

Nothing very bad could happen to you there. How Holly Golightly feels about Tiffany & Co is exactly how I feel about Chanel. Sure, it's nothing but an expensive delusion (or pretension)- but my theory is that you haven't lived until you splurge on something so obscenely expensive that your hands shake as you're handing over your credit card. Or is that too #sh!tfashiongirlssay to live by? 

Diamonds might be forever, but so is the Chanel Boy Bag. A modern and slightly more masculine take on the classic 2.55, it was hard to resist, especially when you're standing inside of the Chanel boutique on Rue Cambon and you're being informed that there is less a handful left in Paris. When luck is on your side, to have arrived within days of the lastest drop at Chanel, who am I to spit in the face of Lady Luck and not purchase Le Boy?

So, the second addition to my Chanel collection has proven so far to be much more versatile than my Jumbo 2.55 in Raspberry (a colour that I still love after all these seasons). The Boy has been something that I've been lusting over since it was first introduced, and to have it in my arms and call it my own? My range of emotions really weren't built for it- because after the euphoria of purchasing it wore off, all that was left was a numbing sense of disbelief. Quite akin to when I saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time or that one time I squeezed into  a pair size 24 J Brand jeans (what the hey!). 

But once that sense of guilt, disbelief and vague dislocation lifts away; you're still left with the most perfect bag this side of creation. Which really is a win on any day of the week. 

x karen

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take me to the seaside

Bondi Beach, Sydney.

There is nothing I love more than spending my day by the beach with good company. That's the best thing about spring, the weather isn't so unbearably hot that you can't even fathom the idea of wearing anything except loose muscle tanks and whisper thin skirts but you can start to lose the layers that have somehow become an inherent part of who you are over the winter. It's always great to leave the office and all responsibilities behind and just to relax by the beach with good food and good friends. 

 x karen

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15 minutes eternal

Isabel Marant Etoile skirt | St James top | Mister Zimi leather jacket | Senso boots | Chloe bag

I've been having the most amazing time on my holiday, I actually have barely thought about

blogging. Previously, I was so sure that I'd use this amazing opportunity to take lots of exotic photos

but really, I've just been trying to soak up as much as I can.

After a gruelling 24+ hours, I finally made my way from Phuket, Thailand to Japan's Narita Airport. 
The change in climate is such an adjustment, along with the difference of the society in general.
I just came back from going out for a wander around Shinjuku and the cold was very
confronting, especially since I've spent the last 10 days in nothing but One Teaspoon shorts and 
Bassike tanks. 

I'm missing the more temperate winters of Hong Kong, my first destination, so I decided to get my act 
together and post these photos from when I was lucky enough to catch the Andy Warhol: 15 Minutes Eternal 
exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. It's in commemoration of the 25th year of his death. I can't

say that I've always been a Warhol fan or knew any of his works besides the rudimentary

ones that most people are exposed to. However, after seeing the exhibition I feel that I have a 

greater understanding of the principles behind his work and it was interesting just to see the way

in which his paintings and sculptures developed over time. I don't think I'm lying if I said 

that this was probably the most memorable experience that I'm taking away from Hong Kong

(especially since I've been twice before). Well, the Exhibition and my Celine experience-

although they were on the same day so really, its the same thing. 

I promise to post some more photos soon, in the meantime, I'll be on instagram- @thechicndamned.

p.s. if you find yourself crossing paths with the Andy Warhol exhibition, thank yourself by going there-

and then you can come and thank me later!

x karen

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