Cambridge Prepsters

As I was cycling home through the lamplit cobbled streets of Cambridge tonight, two things occurred to me:
1) how grateful I am to live in such an amazing place (though this isn’t anything particularly revelationary; I have the same thought pretty much every time I walk past Kings College or along the Backs) and;
2) just how preppy my wardrobe has become since living here (again, my style had always tended this way, but I realised it had reached a peak as I was riding past one of the town’s iconic outfitters – generally aimed at the town’s Tory Boys and Nobel Prize-winning professors alike – and thought just how much I fancied the crested blazers styled with raspberry chinos in the shop’s window. I’m fairly sure these are not normal sartorial urges to be having).

I’m not entirely sure whether it’s the magnificent ancient architecture (all dreaming spires, 500 year old libraries and Hogwarts-esque dining halls), the collegiate environment, the truly incredible history or just the sheer volume of clever, well-bred individuals that reside here during term time, but the town has a remarkable impact on the way in dress. While in London I’m all about black skinny jeans and sky-high heels, in Cambridge I come over all preppy and no ride on my Pashley is complete without a dandy outfit to match*. For example on the weekend (ie. when normal people wear something akin to sweat pants), when I was doing nothing more demanding than a trip to the farmer’s market in town and a coffee/cinnamon bun date with my dearest friend S, only my favourite schoolboy blazer would do.

Wearing: Vintage Sportsgirl blazer, Karen Walker frilled tuxedo dress, world-weary Marc Jacobs boots and Louis Vuitton scarf

So if you do ever pay a visit to the glorious place that is Cambridge, please feel free to bust out your preppiest outfit (shiny brogues, preppy oxford shirts and sharp tweed and/or crested blazers all welcome). And because I’m too cold and camera-shy to stand around taking photos for any longer than the two minutes required for the above photos, here’s some more inspiration for the Cambridge preppy look…

Clockwise from left: The Sartorialist, unknown editorial, Jak & Jil

Do you ‘location dress’ according to where you live, or am I the only crazy chameleon in the room here?

Love, Miss B xx

* The same phenomenon happens to me when I travel, when I seem to unconsciously mimic my surroundings.

Grapevines and Sunburnt Hills: The Barossa Valley, South Australia

To mark Australia Day today (a special wave to all my Australian readers!!), I thought I’d share a few more pictures from my recent trip back to Australia.

Whenever I’ve travelled any distance in Australia, I’ve been constantly reminded of the awe-inspiring diversity of the spectacular landscape there; from tropical azure reefs to beautiful rainforests, from arid red deserts to white sandy beaches, sunburnt plains to luscious green hills, bustling cosmopolitan cities to tiny outback towns (population: 12). It always will be one of the things I most appreciate about the country in which I grew up.

On my second to last day there, all I wanted to do was take a trip to one of the magnificent wine regions for a last dose of Australiana before hopping on the plane back to ‘Ol Blighty. The Barossa Valley, less than an hour’s drive from the city of Adelaide, is universally accepted as one of the world’s best wine regions. All the big names are here, as well as countless tiny, but wonderful, boutique wineries; if you’ve ever had a good Australian wine in your life (if not, I suggest you rectify this immediately!), chances are that it’s from precisely this spot.

But more than a wine-lovers paradise, it is simply the most breathtaking landscape. The leisurely drive around around the valley feels like a moving postcard, with the landscape changing every few minutes from flat roads flanked by lush emerald vineyards as far as the eye can see, to red earth, to rolling sunburnt hills and native scrub, to tiny German-settled towns perfect for a spot of antique foraging or a feast of local produce.

There’s just something about this place that reminds you to have a change of pace. The air feels different (somehow warmer and cleaner), the trees sway on winds that seem as lazy and syrupy as the gorgeous wines produced here, the native birds and butterflies flit happily about, and the countryside seems to just ask for you to throw down a blanket, spread it with a picnic of local gourmand delights, and lie back and just gaze at the fluffy clouds through a canopy of green vines for a few blissful minutes.

Do you have a place you love to go for a change of pace or a beautiful scenic day trip? I’d love to know!

Love, Miss B xx

London’s Best Afternoon Tea, pt. 2: Cocomaya

Cocomaya is one of those places that had been on my “London: To Visit” list for a good year (well, it is a long list…). The collaborative project of Serena Rees (Agent Provocateur’s founder), Joel Bernstein (former head of concept at Liberty) and Walid al Damirji (accessories designer), I knew it had to be good.

So late one frosty winter’s day recently - when only a glittering chocolate box of a place would do to lift the spirits – my friend Kiki and I took ourselves off to Connaught St for some sugary soul-restoration. You won’t miss it; against the London’s inky twilight, from the outside it stands out like sparkly treasure box.

What originally began as an artisanal chocolate shop, Cocomaya now has a bakery in the neighbouring shop, where they sell the most divine tarts, cakes, bread and salads (or, as I prefer, to take home for the most perfect brunch the following morning). Though you can take tea or eat in either shop, it’s the chocolate shop I really adore. There, the tables are strewn with tiers of sugary treats and flowers in silly vases, and glass cabinets hold sets of antique china and plates and plates of handmade chocolates (made on-site; the smell of cocoa wafting from the back room whilst you sit is sheer heaven). It’s unashamedly over the top kitsch, but in the most glamorous, gilded way. In other words, it’s exactly as you imagine your posh, eccentric relative’s dining room should look.

As for our own afternoon tea? Kiki had a gorgeous quince and almond tart, and as I had skipped lunch in anticipation, I started with a white mulberry tea and pumpkin, ricotta and seeded tart (the lightest, fluffiest quiche I have ever had). Though obviously any good intentions we may have begun with were then quickly offset by the hot chocolate (which is really just rich, molten dark chocolate with a hint of milk – so the small version will more than satisfy) and handmade chocolates (in garden mint, rose geranium and chilli) which followed.

The best part about this jewel of a place is that it’s tiny, and the service is therefore attentive and friendly (something which is rarely a given when going for tea in one of the large hotels, for example), they don’t mind you lingering for hours on end over good conversation fuelled by those delicious wafts of cocoa, and will happily bring out more tiny golden cups of that special hot chocolate to fortify you against the frosty, grey streets outside.

So tell me lovelies, what do you look for in a place to linger in for hours on a wintery afternoon?

Love, Miss B xx

Cocomaya, 12 Connaught St, London W2 2AF