24 Hours in Warsaw - And An Inglot Makeup Haul!

War is the darkest of thieves. It leaves behind a path of loss, despair, resentment and destruction.

Being a city that has seen more than its fair share of the aforementioned, one might expect and understand Warsaw to be bitter, grey and resentful. But despite its tremendous losses sustained in the World Wars, this city is a beautiful bubble of hope, light and colour.

By the end of World War 2, 85% of the city had been destroyed in targeted attacks by Nazi Germany. 
I think it’s difficult, if not impossible, to imagine your city with only 15% of it left intact.

This picture shows the same location in 1938 and again in 1945.

Post-war, difficult decisions were made as to how to rebuild the city, and the Medieval old town area reconstructed almost entirely on their original plans. The rest of the city was built with a newer, Soviet-influenced design.

Walking around the new Warsaw, one of the latest destinations on our flying network, it seems to be an ambitious city, buzzing with energy, education and prospect. You get the feeling the place is breathing, the people want more and many businesses are investing in what is a bright, emerging market. 
I can't imagine the city as it was post-war. On this day I see open-air galleries, crowds of stylish young professionals, concept cafes, and street artists entertaining on the cobbled walkways.

As I wandered the sights in a somewhat sleep-deprived daze, I did think it would make a beautiful backdrop to some dreamy retro fashion shoot. I’ve posted a few of my favourite places here…

10 Bright Ideas For A Winter Weekend in Lyon

Airport codes are silly and confusing. Especially when you plan your working duties (i.e. sightseeing) around the wrong one. 

I was enthusiastically planning my trip to LYS.

Lisbon. Portugal? No?

No.

Lyon. France?

Yes.

So there I was in Lyon, with a loose travel guide to the city thanks to a whatsapp conversation with my sister and a timeout article screenshot on my mobile. I had less than 24 hours to explore so I got to it.

Following my surprise trip to Lyon, here are my tips to enjoying your stay in southside France… in winter. Enjoy!

Happy New Year: 4 Resolutions For 2014

Okay, so I can't claim to have taken a blogging sabbatical. I have instead been busy earning a promotion over the last six months. Free time has been taken up primarily with writing reports, sleeping and eating. And occasionally I squeeze in my so-called social life. A little while ago, I was offered the permanent position of senior flight stewardess for the world's no.1 airline.  Hard work having paid off, I can now return to my first love - travelling the world, and consequently, writing about it.

With 2014 underway, the usual resolution rigmarole has hit me. Being a girl who loves a gimmick, I do like making resolutions. It goes in with my other indulgences, such as stationery, writing lists and packing. Don't judge.

So here are my resolutions.

World Catwalk: Destination Sao Paulo, Brasil

It was my first time in Sao Paulo, first time in Brasil and first time in South America altogether, so last week I was supremely excited to get myself out of bed, and into a brand new city to explore.

As with most first-time destinations, my ideas of Brasil were clouded with stereotypes. From music videos, magazines and the like, you get the idea that the girls are going to be beautiful, and the people are going to be dancing on the street wearing green, yellow and blue. From newspapers and movies, you imagine that on every turn your life will transform into a Denzel Washington ‘Man on Fire’-style kidnap thriller. 
In an interview regarding Sao Paulo, artist Tracey Emin recently said of the city’s crime-rate issues, “you can’t wear a f*&king watch”. And I’d have to agree. I mean, I literally had to scope the place out every time I wanted to whip out my camera for a quick shot. I deliberately dressed down and my mobile phone stayed out of sight for the entire trip having been pre-warned of venturing alone by hotel staff, crew, locals… so, pretty much everyone then.

The constant apprehension of one’s own safety somewhat tarnishes what is an otherwise pleasant place with people who seem to hold no airs and graces, and who are refreshingly down-to-earth compared to Dubai.

Getting into town involved a train/metro connection and then I was slap-bang in the middle of Republica (pronounced Hepublica, apparently). I found myself mixing with market shoppers, rasta-style Marley fans and tons of post-high-school types discovering themselves with the help of too much sun and Cachaça.

Whilst doing what sightseeing I could, I tried to soak up some of the atmosphere and style of the city, without looking like a complete tourist. The half Lebanese-half Scottish mix helps but my hilarious attempts at Portuguese might have betrayed my true identity – “tudo bem!”

The somehow continental feel of the streets was splashed with sticky sun and old/new architecture combines the city’s history alongside its recent developments. A Miami-like palm-lined approach leads to the Sao Paulo Cathedral Sé Metropolitana. It stands majestically in front of a square filled with a cocktail of cultures and calamities; beggars, Brasilians and tourists alike flock to say their prayers.

I scanned said square, hoping to find some blogworthy street style a la Sao Paulo, but I found myself struggling somewhat. There was way too much lycra, lots of 90s throwback tributees and too-tight t-shirts were pressing their way around too many tanned Paulistas. Colour was everywhere, but not in that cool I'm-a-hot-blooded-Latino way I was hoping for. It was more of a brightest-thing-in-my-wardrobe-caught-my-eye-this-morning look.

Despite my slight disappointment, I kept a lookout for any surprises that might just be waiting to feature in The Trolley Dolly’s World Catwalk… and then I bumped into Sabrina with her lovely friend Rodrigo (pronounced Hodrigo) and with the help of Rodrigo’s translation, I got to know that there definitely is some street style in Sao Paulo, but of course I was in the wrong area for it. Oh well, there’s always next time.

Sabrina’s outfit caught my eye with its accessorised simplicity. In contrast with the world’s recent fashion weeks, I love her ready-to-wear realness – printed tee tucked into a belted maxi skirt. It’s a look I really should work harder to pull off as it’s perfect for Dubai. Add to that bright red nails, lots of eyeliner and quirky accessories. Don’t you just love it? I do.

World Catwalk: Sydney Jan 2013

I’ve learned so much from my constant travelling in all the corners of the world. I’ve seen so many beautiful sights, I know my way around the major airports with my eyes shut, I can (usually) find a yummy meal wherever I land, and I can say hello and thank you in over 15 languages.

But of all the lessons learned, possibly the most valuable is realising my self-confidence is the most important travel companion I could ever take with me.

I find this particularly true when I set off along the city streets in search of stylish ladies for The Trolley Dolly’s World Catwalk street style feature. Without my self-confidence, I would falter at the thought of approaching the tres fashionable, explaining my little blogging project and taking pictures in the middle of busy streets in some of the world’s biggest cities.

As I stomped Sydney’s sidewalks in the baking Aussie sun, I felt that self-confidence replaced by an irritating nervousness that sometimes creeps up on me. Enter my silly fear of chatting to people I don't know and the shyness I feel asking to take their picture for a blog called The Trolley Dolly.

But, like a passing cloud of smoke, I wafted the apprehension away, replaced it with a somewhat forced self-confidence and carried on regardless.

I’m so glad I did, as I went on to meet three of the nicest and friendliest of my World Catwalkers.

First of all I spotted sisters Amanda and Carol from Brazil. The two put me to shame in their bright, summery outfits (compared to my black trouser/white vest/black All Stars combo).

I became a denim shirt convert after spying Amanda’s clever layering trick and if I thought I could pull off a little tropical jumpsuit, I would be considering that too!

Love the sparkly shoes!

The World On A Wall...

My job has taken me across continents, and to corners of the world that I never thought I would peek around, and I feel so lucky, every time I step off the plane and smell the scent of a new country, a new city and some new adventure.

That’s not to say that I don’t quite often smell the scent of freshly washed hotel linen, and dive under the duvet for the best part of 24 hours (oh yes, it is possible to sleep for 18 hours… in case you too will be stopping off in Lagos, Nigeria!)… but most of the time, on my first visit to any destination, I love to walk. What I love about walking around a city for the first time, is seeing all those sights you’ve seen in books, magazines and brochures, pop up around an unsuspecting turn, and to find quirks and scenes in that city that no amount of pictures can quite capture.

Since I first started flying, I've always been intrigued by the street art that appears so diversely and so frequently, wherever I set foot. And this post is just a glimpse of what I call, ‘the world on a wall…' I hope you like the pictures I've been lucky enough to take on some of my many stopovers.

For me, it’s a gallery of spray paint talent, raw art, and everyday messages. It’s something of an international language as each decorated stone portrays a story, a feeling or just an individual’s love of colour. Interpret as you will…

Bondi Beach, Australia

Dining With Dolly - Zucca, London

The nature of my work and the constant travelling it brings, demand that I can’t always eat at home and to be honest, I’m (usually) perfectly happy to eat out, try something new and taste something fabulous. When that happens, I’d like to tell you about it so you too can all stuff your pretty faces.

Along with a short brief on where/what, I’ll end with my review in 5 words.

Yes, really, just 5. So you can skip my self-indulgent wittering, and head straight to the end unless you're interested in my wee visit ;)