World Catwalk: Destination Manila

Weekend shopping in Robinsons Galleria Mall, Manila, seems to demand a uniform of the giggling Filipinas. The uniform goes a little something like this: colourful t-shirt, shorts/leggings, flat pumps. And so I set about finding those who wore it best...

One of my favourite outfits came from Jean Pedreno, who did biker on the bottom with simple black shorts and boots, then switched it up with girly sunglasses and a blast of pink on top. Filipinas (from my observations in Manila, and in Dubai) tend to dress simply, keeping accessories to a minimum and applying Coco Chanel's tactic of taking one thing off before leaving the house. Jean proves that the latest arm-party craze isn’t a must and opts for sunnies and a watch instead…

From Tokyo, With Love (and shopping tips!)

There seems to be a unanimous answer whenever you ask cabin crew heading to Asian destinations “What are you going to do when you get there…?”

SHOPPING.

Followed by a close second. SLEEPING.

In Tokyo, despite the shopping appeal, I’ve spent most of my trips roaming around in search of cultural brain stimulation to make sure my grey stuff doesn’t vegetate due to the routine nature of my job. Temples, cherry blossom hunting, sushi bars, people-watching in Harajuku, ryoken, public baths… Doesn’t leave much time for shopping now, does it?...

Don’t ask how I managed it, but on my last Tokyo trip, post-elation on discovering cherry blossoms in Ueno Park, and before rushing back to the hotel (a trip which takes over an hour on the train), I took a stroll through the nearby city area to see what I could find. Some weird plastic food displays, the weirdest kinds of manga, and lots of teeny banzai trees later, I came across a small chinaware shop, tucked between a ramen restaurant and a shop selling a weird selection of DIY hardware and outdoor clothes…

This is Tokyo.

Strange. But true.

Enticed by the floral chintzy printed rice bowls carefully heaped outside, I unknowingly wandered in to Japanese homeware heaven. Yep, actual heaven. Teapots, teacups, rice bowls, bentos and everything else that the average tourist-filling-their-home-with-foreign-stuff would sell their grandma for.

World Catwalk: Destination Copenhagen

I confess that I didn’t do my research before I set off for Copenhagen (nothing new there then). I had a rough plan to visit the famous Tivoli Gardens, the world's second oldest amusement park (apparently), and, quite frankly, that was about it.

To be honest, sometimes it’s nice to enter a city with no preconceptions, no expectations and then be pleasantly surprised (I had a similar experience in Hong Kong – read about it here…). Copenhagen achieves the impossible in its ability to be beautiful, even in the rain. The falling drops simply bring out a moody, almost magical atmosphere in this calm Scandinavian haven.

As far as my World Catwalk is concerned, I was intrigued by the street fashion in Copenhagen because it seemed to be a little different from most other cities. Like the odd wacky-fashion kid in class, or that one in the office (face it, you know who I'm talking about), she’s the one who shocks you by stepping in with interesting combinations that are unexpected and a tad weird, but on the whole, enviably cool.

On my first walk around the city, I took in the sights of the Tivoli Gardens, and for the most part I didn’t spot too many stylistas amongst all the touristas. What I did notice though, was a recurring theme of very yummy mummies! I’m sorry, but I draw the line at tearing Mother away from Baby whilst I snap their style but I will report that the streets of Copenhagen were full of svelte, stylish, poised mums, pushing prams in heeled boots and swishing big bouncy blonde hair around – making me feel a bit frumpy yet simultaneously inspired. Hats off to glam mums everywhere – I’m sure it’s not as easy as you all make it look!

I stopped for dinner in the superb Nimb Brasserie, a restaurant on the border of Tivoli Gardens. It was there I spied Seul Ki, from Korea, who was looking perfectly quirky in her printed tea dress with dainty collar and plimsolls. I’m not sure how anyone achieves skin as luminous and perfectly porcelain as Seul Ki’s, but regardless of the mechanics as to how, this amazing combination of flawless skin and floral print, is refreshingly simple yet stylish.

Finding Maccheroni

You know that earliest part of the day when the clouds are light and pink, and the air is fresh and the wind is just enough to make your eyes bright? I don’t get to see it too often as I’m always in my bed at that time of the day… but on a trip to the truly beautiful, postcard-perfect Roma, I experienced it midday. Pure loveliness. 

I was forecasting sunshiney, gelato-friendly weather, but instead this intermedium of daybreak and dusk was following me around town – and conveniently creating an amazing backdrop for my photos. How nice.

My mission on this one-day venture was to find really tasty Italian food. Yummy pizza, amazing gelato and blogworthy pasta. No mean feat when my available time extended to an afternoon and early evening (must get back and sleep before working the flight back the next day).

I started my search, as I’m sure many do. Lonely Planet guidebook firmly grasped in one hand, map in the other, camera over one shoulder… and some sniggering locals behind the other I’ve no doubt. Laughing, and rightly so, at my comedic over-enthusiasm. I might as well have been walking around with a neon sign saying ‘TOURIST’ plastered to my head with a Big. Flashing. Arrow.

Anyway, me and Lonely Planet Guidebook (LPG), hit the streets of Roma. Wandering in amongst the beautifully architectured streets in Trastevere, down shy cobbled lanes, and past rows and rows of scooters, their slim parking spaces surrounded by decorative drapes of pretty flowers. And all the while, with this dawny-dusky sky overhead, giving the buildings a sort of burnt glow, and adding warmth to all the colours around me. It was the perfect antidote to the busy flight I’d worked just hours before.

Do I really have to leave tomorrow?

Cobbled streets, trattorias, motorbikes, really bad parking... yep, I'm definitely in Rome.

About an hour into my meandering, I gave up on LPG. 

Much as I love their handy tips, I fancied the idea of chucking the map and just taking myself wherever I felt was the right direction.

That sort of thinking obviously led me straight to a little gelateria for my sugar fix. My obsession with all things dessert-related called me in to visit Alberto Pica. That’s the name of said restaurant/gelateria, by the way. Not some handsome Roman. Just for the record.

As my good friend Laura might say, YUMOLA.

World Catwalk: Destination Ghana

Ghana is like a painting.

One of those paintings where you can’t quite figure out what it’s supposed to be, but you like it anyway… its many colours, textures and fabulous patterns draw you in and make you forget that you’re supposed to be figuring it out in the first place.

Just a brief walk along the dusty streets is an experience in itself here in the country’s capital.

Buses whiz past packed with people squeezing their bodies out of the windows to catch the breeze.

Women in bright, patterned clothes carry everything and anything on their heads and talk / chat / run / argue / carry children at the same time.

Stalls selling barbequed plantain serve up this delicious cross between potato and banana and wrap it in pages torn from a jotter, so you don’t burn your fingers…

People laugh loudly, talk loudly, and love to make jokes.

People make things, make music, make fun…

It really is a jolly place from where I’m standing. But then that’s perhaps a silly statement, as most places seem pretty jolly from where I’m standing in my little red hat, with my manicured nails as The Trolley Dolly!

I was reading a pro-tourism publication here in Accra, Ghana and I was inspired by what was said of the nation’s unfailing belief that ‘tomorrow will be better than today’. I like love this hopeful, resilient sentiment.

As you pass all the brightness of the city’s building success, you see the real meaning of this statement when your pretty picture is scratched by the image of real poverty. One man leads his blind mother amongst the heaving smoky traffic, another sits in a wheelchair at a traffic signal, with a big smile, missing his legs. And children with no shoes come to the windows of your car, putting their hands to their mouths, asking for any spare Cedis (Ghanaian currency).

As I walked amongst this bizarre network, it didn’t really cross my mind that this might pose as a backdrop for one of my World Catwalk features. Even if I wanted to take a few pictures, most of the women here are suspicious of the camera and I’m not about to start a row in the middle of downtown Accra. Would you?!

To my surprise, as I went in search of a restaurant, two stylish ladies walked onto my World Catwalk radar. 

Without thinking, I casually walked ran over and introduced The Trolley Dolly, explaining that their cool style had caught my eye. To my further surprise, they were from London, and yes, they wouldn’t mind me featuring their outfits in World Catwalk… job done.

Natalie was keeping up with the bright theme that skips through Accra by teaming a multicoloured print tee with super fresh turquoise skinny jeans, rolled up to reveal a bright beaded anklet. Top marks for the Raybans and sweet pink lipstick. And the holiday hat is the cherry on the cake!

View From A Tuktuk...

So, here I am in Bangkok again. Destination of choice for extremely cheap shopping, extremely good massage, and extremely yummy mango. Oh, and did I mention, extreme numbers of tourists, travellers, and of course Thai people, making this one of the busiest, most blindingly buzzing cities I’ve visited.

I’ve been to Bangkok more than 10 times – and despite the heat, the dirt and the constant haggling for anything from a boat ride to a banana, I usually use Bangkok as my down time.  Time to get scrubbed, massaged, manicured, pedicured and quite frankly, royally pampered for about 10 quid (50 AED).  Many of the temples, palaces, buddhas and interesting sightseeing-y things lie unseen, as I am usually far too wrapped up (sometimes literally) in my favourite spa to be tempted outside.

But it is in fact outside, on those grubby streets, where you get a peek at the real life of this very unique, very intriguing city.

Stalls selling strange food, massage parlours that look like laundry rooms, old women cleaning noodle bowls behind tiny restaurants, young girls cooking meat on sticks, wrinkly old men hacking coconuts, helpful police officers that know how to say hello in any language, young guys sitting on motorbike taxis drinking coke waiting for customers, tuktuk drivers shouting over the noise of their engines… It makes for some very colourful photographs and some clever manoeuvring around the city to avoid being ripped off by sly salespeople who can spot a tourist from a mile, no matter how well you pronounce sawadikaaaa.

And hence this mini photo diary was formed. 

I’ll call this, ‘View From A Tuktuk…’ a mere glimpse of a city that might take more than a lifetime to capture fully.

Clearly a football fan...

I love the garish colours and the pink taxis...

Our tuktuk driver found my incessant photo-taking rather amusing...

Carrying laundry on a motorbike taxi - no problem.

World Catwalk: Destination Bangkok

Despite Bangkok regularly cropping up on my schedule, it has taken me several months to gear myself up for a ‘World Catwalk Bangkok’. Partly due to the fact that when I imagine explaining my little blog to anyone whose English isn’t close to perfect, I give myself a migraine, and also partly (read mostly) because most of my time there is spent on a massage couch.

This time I ‘sacrificed’ some of my massage time and went sightseeing - shock!
I took in the little streets that line the higgledy-piggledy edges of the Chao Phraya river, hopped on a boat to take a short cruise and marvelled at the beauty and shimmering detail involved in The Grand Palace. I had a fabulous day exploring the well-tromped tourist trail.

Not only did I exhaust my poor camera with all the wonderful sights en route, but I also had the chance to catch some very stylish daytrippers. I can’t really judge the style of the Bangkok fashion pack from this kind of outing so in future I will try to make it to Siam Square (apparently the place to be for fashionable-people-spotting) and report back on my observations...
In the meantime, these three street styles stood out in the crowded capital.

First on my camera roll was the beautifully chic, perfectly put-together Praewpilin who was taking a walk with her man. And to be honest I can’t think of a better outfit for a day soaking up Bangkok’s history and culture with your other half.
By choosing a simple white tee, Praewpilin starts with a blank canvas for her striped ankle-skimmimg flares and sleek grey bag. Minimal accessories allow shiny hair to take centre stage and she’s even achieved the unachievable – a panama hat that doesn’t look try-hard. Perfection!

The next stylish street walker to cross my radar was the delightful Guo Junyao from China.

World Catwalk: Destination London

To describe London's style is as if to ask Kim Kardashian to stop taking pictures of herself and posting them all over the internet. That is to say, it's entirely impossible.
There are a truck-load of perfectly-fitting adjectives that spring to mind and with London being home to so many nationalities, backgrounds and cultural sects, you really do have a whole world of fashion contained within one citysphere.

London's answer to Burj Khalifa...?

The capital city lives, breathes, perspires style. The 'London Look' (as coined by Rimmel/Kate Moss) is unique. Daring. Chic. Futuristic. Eclectic. Punk. Classy. Multicultural. Traditional. Evolving. Retrospective. Exciting. Involved. So many contradicting terms, so many individual takes on the meaning of what it is to be fashionable.
That is why this post is likely to be the first of many World Catwalk features from London... Every time I visit (on average, once a month), I always see so many well-dressed candidates for the World Catwalk crown so you can expect more of the below. Hope you enjoy!

Gushing complete... The real reason I came to London was in fact to lunch with my dear friend Helly (who also happens to feature below, she is one of THE most stylish people I know), and I had no intention of (read: no time for) doing shots for my regular 'World Catwalk' post. However, upon getting lost somewhere between London Bridge Station and Bermondsey Street, these street style darlings crossed my radar...

Sairah's outfit was the first thing I saw upon stepping onto the train platform. The floral scarf caught my eye with its playful fringing and summery splashes of coral and turquoise. With a (clearly very on trend) denim jacket and flowing maxi dress, this is an example of modest hijab worn with both pride and panache. Sairah, your style is simply gorgeous!

Gorgeous colours, and amazing skin - great combination!

World Catwalk: Destination Sydney [PART 3] and THANK YOU!

I never like to start anything with an apology, but... Sorry this is a day late.
I've been busy studying and training for a new chapter in my lovely airhead, sorry, of course I mean, airhostess career... Business class awaits!
Currently my brain is close to melting point, so full of posh cheeses, wines and cocktails I feel like my grey matter is equivalent to a rather tipsy afternoon tea. And my poor hands are tired from taking notes on chauffeur driven transfers, fabulous seats and possibly the most amazing lounge service I can imagine. If only it was all for me... Oh well. One can dream! And what better way to start today's post than with a dream. For me, it's a little dream of luxury, and the finer things (read: better salary!). Even though sometimes, the roughest diamonds are the most beautiful and true happiness can stem from the most unexpected sources. Amen.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get shallow! The above really has not much to do with the following outfits. In saying that, these street style posts are providing me some happiness from some unexpected sources so I guess there's the tenuous link...

Before I do any more fashion rambling, I'd just like to say a huge thank you to my lovely little group of followers.
As a blogger who is new to the scene, it's so nice to see genuine interest from other talented bloggers from all over the globe, and I didn't realise my writing could lead to an exciting network of hopefully will-be friends. You guys are the best - thanks!

And now, to the rambling.
This is the last post in my trilogy of World Catwalk: Destination Sydney street styles. I hope you have enjoyed the previous entries and if you're intrigued or missed out, you can click on the 'World Catwalk' tab at the top of this page, or simply click HERE for Part 1 or HERE for Part 2.

Today starts with Amel, originally French-Algerian, who is sporting one of my favourite looks of the year. The colour blocked blazer. These things aren't called blazers for nothing - I like the fact the word 'blaze' is in there because that's exactly what this hot peppery pink does. It shines! And makes an otherwise understated outfit something modern and exciting. I also love Amel's luxurious jewellery statements which are not too bling for a daytime get-up, but shiny enough to show a bit of it-girl cool. Trés jolie, ma cherie!

What a blazer... what a backdrop! I love Sydney's amazing architecture... and the handbag too!

World Catwalk: Destination Sydney [PART 2]

So I'm hoping you all thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's instalment in my little World Catwalk Sydney series!

As I mentioned HERE my day of street style hunting was a lot more fun than I thought it might be despite the rain, and I discovered so many stylish girls, hence why this is the first World Catwalk post I've split up to allow full street style digestion. Oh yes.

To continue with showcasing some of said looks, here are the lovely ladies who allowed me to snap them for The Trolley Dolly, this lovely little creative space blog of mine...

On the lower ground floor of Westfield shopping centre, there lies a scattering of painfully cool vintage stalls, boutiques and find-weird-stuff-here businesses that sell one-off wardrobe updates, interesting interiors and generally too much stuff for me to ship home in my suitcase. Booo.
However, it's not all bad... the place was so full of stylish people I genuinely didn't have time to snap them all! Two of these stylish people were Michelle and Julie.
I chose to feature Michelle (LEFT) and Julie (RIGHT) because this pair of shopping friends looked so relaxed and comfortable in their outfits that it added an extra element to the look.
Blazer, platforms, velvet, studs, socks-with-shoes, knits... these girls cleared out the fashion cupboard with their list of trends and then they go and act all surprised when I stop to tell them how great they look! Modesty, too?! That's not very Anna Wintour now is it? It really was a pleasure chatting to these lovely girls!
Michelle's blazer is so stylish the way the colour is slightly masculine with the shorts. I also love the combination of grey socks and purple shoes. Genius!
Julie's eye-catching blue velvet skirt reminded me of the Olsens and their/my love for nods to distant decades. I on the other hand, am not quite smart enough to imagine it with a striped knit (original thinking points go to Julie).

Style with a smile... Michelle (left) and Julie (right) look great!

Enjoying the winter colour combo

World Catwalk: Destination Sydney [PART 1]

So this is the weather I was expecting... (which came a day later!)

And this was the day World Catwalk happened - umbrellas at the ready!

I had almost given up on the idea of walking around Sydney, camera tucked away in my little baggie, and umbrella clutched close. I really was another raindrop-in-my-eye away from turning around and just marching right back down Pitt Street. Back to the cosy Marriott bed with all its varieties of pillow, fluffy duvet appeal and hot tea (with lots of sugar please).

After a 9 hour overnight flight from Bangkok, I really had to use all the power of my tired little mind to force myself onto the high street on the hunt for stylish Sydneyettes.

I performed my old trick of assuming things about a city. Assuming that, as it is a rainy day, no-one will have bothered their behinds to dress stylishly or perhaps even have bothered to venture out at all… I personally can think of many more exciting things to do than slosh my way round sodden streets on a Sunday morning… Really must stop thinking about those Marriott pillows – this is not healthy!

And once again, my assumptions were proved wrong by hoards of shoppers all piling in and out of the collection of shopping centres and department stores that busy one end of Pitt Street in central Sydney. These little retreats from the rain provided the perfect backdrop for my World Catwalk activity. And I’ve never had such an easy day of it!

Could I stick my neck out and say that Sydney is home to some of the world’s best street style? Well, according to The Trolley Dolly that is… and I’ve not yet set Mr Nikon (yes, I have named my camera) free in London, Paris or New York. But really, this was an individualist fashion-fest with some of the coolest girls I’ve seen.

You know, I didn’t get the feeling that these girls were wearing their clothes by way of grabbing attention/scoring points. The general vibe was more, “hey, I pulled this cool skirt out of my closet this morning, and I teamed it with the next thing that I happened to lay my hands on.”

Relaxed, cool, upbeat and friendly – Sydney girls.

Unleashing my inner geek, I took some notes whilst taking my snaps. Just a jumbled scribble of popular themes, micro-trends if you will, that popped up most commonly. So here’s my example of perfect handwriting. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I was tired... is that a good enough excuse for 'INDIVIDUAL' and 'INDIVIDUALIST'?

And so to the part I always take longest to get to (sorry folks) – the stylish people!

I’ve actually decided to split this story over a couple of blog posts as there are quite a few to show you all!

World Catwalk: Destination Madrid

Beautiful Madrid...

Spanish girls use their smile as an accessory.

It sounds simple (and I admit, pretty cheesy), but it seems to me to be an extremely effective way of making any outfit look cuter, funner (yes, I know that’s not in the dictionary), quirkier, even trendier.

The confidence that underlies the posture and expression of the Spanish girls I saw in the streets of Madrid, was fun to watch!

I strolled along Grand Via (pronounced Grand 'Bia' by the Spaniards, which, along with their lisping really threw me off) and the little streets leading to it, noticing that the girls seemed to have fun bouncing in and out of the different shops, deciding what to buy next.

Note: The same cannot be said of the staff inside said shops. I was disappointed, but not altogether surprised by the attitude that came steaming off Zara’s assistants like fumes… well, have you ever been into Zara and not  been looked up and down like you just landed at Paris Hilton’s birthday party in your pyjamas?

Oops, sorry. Personal rant over, promise.

Back to the sunny Spanish girls who inspired me with their street style!

The first was the beautiful Arlim (actually from Peru), who shyly showed us a very pulled-together look with her aviator sunglasses, cool scarf and to-die-for boots. I loved everything about this outfit – absolutely everything!

World Catwalk: Destination Moscow

Let me ask you, what springs to mind when you hear the words "Russian” and “fashion"?
For me, it's all giant fur hats, military boots and overbearing overcoats. Well, given their climate, that's not an unreasonable guess, is it?
When it comes to the men of Moscow, my ideas are pretty much spot on, but their overcoats aren't so much overbearing as they are snugly fitting and apparently comfortable.
For the ladies however, my guess really couldn't be further from the mark. Allow me to recall my encounter with style a la Moscow...

Kenyan Cuddles

A little hand clasps mine...

Tiny shared shoes belong to tiny abandoned feet

Not long ago, on a trip to Nairobi, Kenya, I spent a little time visiting a home for abandoned babies and children of imprisoned women.
The Nest (click HERE for the website) made for a very interesting day in my travels.

World Catwalk: Destination Milano

Sitting on the train from Malpensa airport, bound for Stazione Cadorna, I psyched myself up for a very fashion-focused day of trend-spotting in one of the style capitals of the world. We always hear the hype about London, Paris, Milan, New York… so I really was expecting the ladies of this beautiful city to blow me away with their Monica Bellucci-esque Italian glamour.

Perhaps it was to do with it being an overcast Thursday which started with drizzle and dullness, or maybe it was due to the fact I was on the hunt for stylish folks too early in the afternoon, but there was a distinct lack of glam, and an abundance of casual converse! My Monica Bellucci had turned into Avril Lavigne.

I decided I needed to see more of Milan’s unique street style. And so I walked. I walked through the small back streets and office areas, strolled past cafés queued out the door at lunchtime, meandered around the tourist-thronged Duomo, and into the shopping areas past boutiques stuffed full of beautiful clothes and wonderful, wonderful shoes. All the while, scanning for this stereotypical chic, Italian style.

KonichiWOW

There is something about Japan.
Its pride.
Its people.
Its beautiful landscape.
Its quirky little obsession with manga and all-things-cartoon.
Its beautiful ladies who paint their faces so prettily.

I could keep going, as the land of the rising sun has impressed me on countless occasions, but I wanted to cut to the chase, here are my "Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Japan".

Reason 1: The Japanese ARE the politest people on earth (see also Reason 3).I love the fact that in everything the Japanese do, manners and etiquette are involved.

Slippers off at the door, please

The Great Es-Cape...

Prior to my trip to Cape Town, I'd heard great things about the place, and the flight there...
"It's beautiful" said one.
"The food is amazing", cooed another.
"The flight is easy" added one more.

I was excited to see for myself if what had been said was true, so here's my account of a journey that proved all of the above to be understatements.

Lost In Translation Part 2

It would seem China is full of funny/weird/completely random things.

I couldn't contain myself on discovering this very funny, and entirely unappetising menu (in the Marriot of all places)!
Look closely...

Maybe I should have tried one of the 'Hairy Crab Recommendations'... but I'm sorry, I'm just not brave enough (and I'm quite sure my stomach isn't strong enough!)...

Love from laughing Dolly x

Introducing The Trolley Dolly...

Hi everyone!

My name is Nadia, a magazine Beauty Editor in the UK for 5 years, now turned air hostess, travel writer and photographer, based in sunny Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

I decided to write this blog as a way of expressing my (slight) obsession with beauty, in the most general and not always conventional sense of the word; whether that be in the people, places or even the products, I experience.

My aim is quite simple – I wish to write about real beauty, real people and really good products. Whether it be a city review, an interview or an amazing find, I am not sponsored, nor do I answer to an Editor or anyone else, so you can expect reliable information and honest opinions from someone with experience in the field.

When it comes to product posts, don’t expect a catalogue of average items simply because they are shiny and new. Something I’ve noticed to be missing online is realistic, intelligent comment on those everyday essentials such as cleanser, moisturiser, foundation, and all the other beauty basics we depend on. That's one of the reasons I created The Trolley Dolly, so let me know if you find my posts useful, and keep in touch with feedback - I appreciate all and any!

For more news and instant updates, follow me on Twitter, Instagram (thetrolleydolly) and Tumblr 

Subscribe and enjoy!

P.s. Photographs and posts are my own, therefore copyright follows suit. Thanks!