48 HOURS IN HONG KONG BY JASMIN HOWELL

There is something which draws me to big cities - I love the hustle and bustle, the sounds the sights and Hong Kong is no exception.

Zimmermann Hydra Broidery Playsuit via Designer Forum | Lack of Color 'Spencer Boater' hat 

Location, Hotel Icon, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

I've returned to Hong Kong for only my second visit and I feel even more in love with this cosmopolitan city. I'm working on a new passion project, that sees me experience some of the best sights, sounds, tastes and style my favourites cities have to offer in just 48 hours.

If you have any Hong Kong tips - please send them my way either via instagram / twitter @friendinfashion or EMAIL me. I'd love to include all your favourites as well!

I can't WAIT to share more of this, and all of my travel tips with you soon - be sure to stay tuned for more coming really soon.

This trip, I stayed on the Kowloon side, in the amazing Hotel Icon. Icon by name and also by design. The rooftop pool is an absolute high-light with magnificent views across Hong Kong.

The location was perfect - right in the heart of the action and only from Hong Kong's biggest shopping mall - Harbour City! Valentino and Balenciaga were at the top of my shopping list.

Much love to my amazing French makeup artist and photographer who spent a gorgeous balmy evening running around the streets of Hong Kong.

Make up | Ana Makeup HK

Photography | Marion Tessier Photography

Follow the adventure on instagram @friendinfashion

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MIAMI'S CALLING

It’s your last chance to win a trip to Miami for you and three of your friends!

Keep reading to enter...

As I’ve shared in previous posts (here), Miami is one of my favourite cities in the world and I know you will love it to!

A unique blend of sun, sand and nightlife, my friends at VOGUE eyewear are giving you the chance to win the ultimate Miami experience with their Summer House contest.

It’s simple to enter and up for grabs is an unforgettable, week-long

vacation in a luxurious house for you and three friends in Miami, the magic city.

TO ENTER

All you need to do is sign up for VOGUE Style Miles (HERE), and indulge in some gorgeous Miami inspiration - it's as easy as that.

And naturally you'll need to look the part, so I've selected two more of my favourite sunglass styles from the VOGUE 'texture collection' to give you a little style inspiration.

STYLE TIP – COLOR BLOCKING SHADES

To create a head-turning summer-ready look, colour block bold shades, with a colourful playsuit or dress.

If you prefer a more classic look, then tortoise shell frames are guaranteed to mix and match easily with any summer style.

Don't forget to sign up to VOGUE Style Miles to enter this once in a life time competition.

Competition ends November 13 2015, 11.59pm.

Best of luck.

I'M WEARING
Blue VOGUE eyewear shades with Alice McCall playsuit

Tortoise VOGUE eyewear shades with Lover white dress

FOLLOW THE ADVENTURE ON INSTAGRAM @FRIENDINFASHION

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#FOREVERWANDERING

'Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open'...

For me, travel is the most magical luxury in the world.

To experience different cultures, different places, different worlds, has proved priceless, and is my biggest source of inspiration, personally and professionally.

These photos were taken while I was exploring beautiful Bali. A place that I'm continually drawn to. 

You can see more of my last Bali trip over on youtube (HERE)

I'M WEARING

Mossman dress

by jasmin fine jewellery

FOLLOW THE ADVENTURE ON INSTAGRAM @FRIENDINFASHION

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3 SHOE STYLES YOU NEED FOR YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY

For me, it's all about the shoes (always)! Which is why I wanted to share with you the 3 shoe styles you must pack when travelling to your next sunny destination...

Deciding which shoes to take is always a struggle when it comes to packing my suitcase - I want to take all my favourites, but it isn't always practical packing a suitcase full of shoes!

That's why I've narrowed down 3 essential shoe styles that will have you covered for your next summer holiday.

1. WELL HEELED

I'm definitely a high-heel girl, but when it comes to holiday style, practically always wins, so opt for styles with a thick, block heel, like these glossy navy FLO heels.

I prefer a block heel, (which you can expect to see a lot of this season), because you have the extra height, as well as additional support, comfort and ease when exploring. 

Nothing worse than a stiletto caught in cobble stones!

My tip - try navy as an elegant alternative to black for summer. 

2. POOL TO BAR

It wouldn't be a summer holiday without sandals! I recommend packing a style that can easily be slipped on and off like these blue and white LANEY sandals, which just so happen to be ridiculously comfortable. 

My tip when searching for the perfect sandal - avoid too many straps, wraps or buckles. This will help you avoid unnecessary tan-lines, and also make it quicker and easier when making the move from beach to bar. 

Simply slip them off when you're ready to go for a dip, then back on when it's time to retire for a cocktail.

Easy, breezy. 

3. ON THE GO

In between flights, transit, and running to catch your next cab/train/boat - you need a shoe that is chic AND comfortable. Introducing the moccasin.

Eternally on trend, a pair of moccasins is the perfect travel accompaniment. I love to wear mine with cropped trousers when out and about. Moccasin's also have the ability of instantly dressing up a pair of denim cut-offs.

Versatile and fashionable, I love the LYNDI driving moccasins in navy.

Wear them with white for a gorgeous preppy travel-look.     

And there you have it - 3 key styles that will have you stylish and chic for your next va-cay.

GET THE LOOK

FLO block heel via Wittner

LANEY sandal via Wittner

LYNDI moccasin via Wittner

Shot on location at Six Senses Yao Noi

FOLLOW THE ADVENTURE ON INSTAGRAM @FRIENDINFASHION

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WHEN IN NEW ZEALAND…BUNGEE JUMP!

A few highlights of my recent adventure to the North Island of New Zealand. 

I experience a terrifying bungee jump off Auckland bridge, a sea plane adventure to Waiheke Island, and a thrilling helicopter ride to the top of Mount Tarawera Volcano.

Thanks to Flight Centre and Tourism New Zealand for such an incredible experience!

#NZMUSTDO

Thanks to Sean Scott for the epic capture of me bungee jumping off of Aukland bridge.

Follow the adventure at @friendinfashion on instagram

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I'M ON A BOAT

Cameo playsuit | Backstage Clothing crop top |
by jasmin fine jewellery

I've had the good fortune of staying in some pretty unique and incredible places around the world, but never one quite like this...

Picture this, sunshine beaming, water glistening, flying into a stunning Sydney Harbour, then heading straight onto your own luxury boat.

Last weekend, after some careful searching through Airbnb, I found my own luxury boat to hire.

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this truly unique experience, which has left me wondering why I've never stayed on a boat before - such amazing fun!

If the sea isn't for you - you may enjoy my other luxury wish-list Sydney properties [HERE].

I'd love to know WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE.

Follow the adventure at @friendinfashion on instagram

Photos / RAZ

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SEASIDE

Triangl bikini, by jasmin fine jewellery, Hammamas towel

The cure for anything is salt water - tears, sweat, or the sea.

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TRAVEL DIARY: LOS ANGELES

           
Greetings from LAX // palm trees & sunny skies // an opulent stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel // cruising Roberston Blvd in style // quick visit to Tiffany, wearing Esther Boutique knit

a day at Huntington Beach // poolside at the gorgeous Viceroy Santa Monica // Venice Beach skate park

LA hangs with my girls Bijouterie & Live Love LA // Hollywood Blvd // shopping up a storm in Opening Ceremony // lovers // dinner & cocktails at The Ivy 

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Dreaming of a European Summer

Images: Bersa, Oscar Falk, courtesy LUNDLUND

These images capture my imagination and fill my dreams as I contemplate the European leg of our travels. Who knew travel could be so glamorous!

At this stage Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, Norway and the UK are all packed into the 5 month itinerary (which really doesn’t seem long enough to explore all the sights, sounds and fashion of these beautiful countries). I also plan to visit Egypt, Japan and return to New York and LA before heading back home to Australia.

When it comes to travel, I love taking each day as it comes - if I like a place, I stay, if I’m ready for the next adventure I move on. Although this is my dream of travel, reality soon kicks in, (planes don’t pick you up when and where you want, hotels aren’t just waiting for you when you decide to check in) and I’m back to planning an itinerary.

If you had 5 months to spend travelling Europe where would you go, and what would you see?
I’m hoping you have some travel hotspots I can pinch.

X

P.S. I’m now on formspring.me, so if you have any questions, send them through

Border bound

Today we said goodbye to Los Angeles. We had such a great time in LA, such an exciting city! We were lucky to be in town around Academy Awards time, there was a great buzz to the place.

This morning we hired a Corvette and spent the day cruising along the coast, passing through Orange County and Laguna Beach, observing some of the most luxurious homes I have ever seen.

Tonight we arrived in San Diego (gas lamp quarter) and tomorrow, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, beaches and other attractions.

I'm wearing:
Zara blazer
Forever 21 skirt

X

P.S. A big thank you to Neekoh of Live Love LA who was kind enough to arrange a blogger catchup yesterday in LA. It was great to catch up with some fabulous LA based bloggers: Wrecked Stellar and Style with Benefits for brunch and a spot of shopping!

XX

G'DAY LA

After a mammoth 14 hour flight, my fiance and I arrived in LA yesterday - and what a day it was...

We met some locals who showed us around Beverly Hills before checking in to our fabulous hotel - the  Shangri-La, Santa Monica . We were greeted by a team of lovely staff, each more than happy to help with some of LA's must see's and do's, great for us out-of-towners.

I love interiors, so our art deco inspired room is simply amazing, what's more a peek out of one of the many windows which encompass our room, reveals the most spectacular views of the gorgeous Santa Monica beach, which is but a stones throw away from our hotel .

After an afternoon of shopping along 3rd Street Promenade (a great shopping precinct), we headed down to the Staples Centre to take in a truly LA experience - a basketball game - LA Lakers vs Indiana Pacers. With Jack Nicholson and Ryan Gossling in sight, we enjoyed an evening of fun and entertainment, not to mention a Lakers win.

Today we are off to Venice Beach, some more shopping, the Hollywood tonight for dinner.

New year, new adventure

Happy new year everybody!

Here are a few happy snaps from our new years eve celebration. We endured a scorching day of 41 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit), so this cotton dress, which i picked up from a designer sample sale for only $20, was perfect for the warm evening.

This week has been a bit manic for me, apart from all of the celebrations, my fiance and I have also been busy packing in preparation for our round the world holiday.

Our first stop will be the United States, arriving in Los Angeles on March 2. We are planning to stay in either Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, but can't decide? I would happily welcome any suggestions.

From LA, we have two months to visit the following US cities and sites - much of which we hope to do by car, so we'll have many more stops along the way:

San Diego
San Francisco
Yosemite
Las Vegas
Grand Canyon
Miami
New York

This will be our first time to the USA and I absolutely can't wait. My dear US friends, please feel free to share your suggestions on any must sees and do's. Or even better, if I stop by the city you live in, I'd love to catch up for a drink!

Finally a big thank you to Kaira from SWEET CALI4NIA who featured me as her blogger of the week - you can check out my interview here. I'm also working with a fabulous local designer at the moment, and I can't wait to share her gorgeous designs with you very soon. Be sure to stay tuned :)

X

P.S. Thank you for your lovely comments, I love your feedback and will be visiting each of you very soon.