3 Weeks In Heaven

Welcome back everyone!

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I went on a three week holiday to Spain with my family. We had the most incredible time and were so unbelievably lucky with the weather. I think there was only 2 slightly cloudy days out of 21, not too shabby! We've been coming to Mallorca for quite a few years now, always staying in and around the same area.

Pollença.

I've become really fond of the place due to how much time we have spent there, so I thought I would do a little post on some of my favourite places/things to do! If it's your first time visiting Pollença then you'll probably spend a lot of your time in the Old Town. It's honestly like something out of a movie. The side streets are filled with little independent shops and restaurants that I happily spend hours browsing and eating in. Here goes...

1. Calvari Steps

The steps really are a must, but I'd definitely recommend going up them on a cloudy day as in the blazing heat it can get a little unbearable. That being said, the struggle always becomes worth it the second you reach the top. The view of the town and the mountains surrounding it are stunning. Once you're up there you're greeted by a lovely little church and a shop that sells cold drinks and ice cream, the perfect reward after sweating your way up 365 steps!

2. Numero Ocho

This is a restaurant located right slap bang in the centre of Pollença square and I am quite frankly obsessed with it. As a family we tend to only eat out in the evenings and this place has the perfect vibe for that time of day. They have loads of tables on the square so it's nice and cool and the people watching is always incredible. Oh and the food? Something else entirely. If you ever go there then PLEASE get the blackened tiger prawns to start, you won't regret it! Oh and they also do a mean Aperol Spritz. It's actually owned by a lovely Scottish guy called Paco and he has a very good knack at remembering faces because he always comes over to our table and asks how we're doing (even if he isn't working and is enjoying a family meal himself). The staff are so lovely too, most of them are also Scottish as Paco has a restaurant up north in the U.K. so he uses the same staff during peak seasons which I think is such an amazing opportunity for them!

3. Finca 49

This year was actually the first year we visited Finca 49 because it isn't in central Pollença or Puerto Pollença, but on the main road between the two. It's a gorgeous traditional farmhouse that has been refurbished beautifully and makes for a perfect dinner spot. We found out that it's actually owned and run by a lovely family from the U.K. who recently made the brave decision to uproot their lives and try something different. I can honestly say the two hours we spent there were nothing short of magical. Seated in the lovely court yard area surrounded by stunning plants and lanterns - I  felt like I was on a film set. The nachos and chicken enchilada's were to die for, so i'd definitely recommend those if you ever pay this place a visit. 

4. Puerto Pollensa Beach

Now, I won't lie, it seems whenever we go on our family holiday we spend 80% of our time in the villa by the pool. But there will be the odd days that we manage to drag ourselves out to the beach - and we always have a lovely time. The beach in Puerto Pollença has become our go to as it's the closest to where we stay and has everything you could possibly need. There's a ton of small shops and restaurants a long the beach front for whenever you get hungry/thirsty. We normally head down relatively early in the morning and don't leave until like 7/8pm at night. You'd think it would get boring but surprisingly it really doesn't seem to phase us. I always find too that I tan way better on days that I spend at the beach over days at the villa. It's definitely something to do with having the constant breeze hitting you from the sea - it's like being fanned constantly!

5. Cappuccino 

This place has been a favourite of mine for soooooo many years now. Until this year we only ever went to the Cappuccino restaurant in Puerto Pollença but we managed to give the one in Palma a go and they're both as amazing as each other. The vibe is always unbelievably chilled, they always have Café del Mar playing and the food/drink is divine. My favourite cocktails have to be the frozen strawberry daiquiri and the Aperol Spritz! In terms of food, I'm obsessed with their California sushi rolls - they're so filling so don't ever be fooled into thinking you could stomach a side too because I tried twice and failed miserably.

6. Tudor Dawn Sunset Boat Trip 

There genuinely isn't a word good enough to describe how amazing this boat trip was. My dad actually booked it last year as a surprise for my mam's birthday but sadly the weather ended up being pretty grim so we decided to give it a miss. Luckily this year though, the weather was perfect and I can honestly say the experience was nothing short of a dream. We sailed out of the port for a good 40 minutes which was so much fun before anchoring right beside La Fortaleza which is this gigantic luxurious estate. We knew before arriving that parts of ITV series The Night Manager were actually filmed there which made looking at it even more intriguing. The boat owners, Simon and Susie made for amazing hosts, providing us with paddle boards and snorkel kits for when we were out in the water, followed by some amazing tapas food. Sailing back into the port made for a perfect ending too because we were directly facing the sunset. I honestly could not recommend doing this enough if you're in or around Puerto Pollença, it was definitely a highlight for my entire family.

7. Barbara Backenköhler 

Some of you might agree with me, some of you might not, but whenever I'm up and about early whilst on holiday, breakfast always seem to be a bit of a let down. In most restaurants in Pollença the only thing on offer in the early hours is an array of pastries (not that pastries are a bad thing, but they do get kinda boring after a while). I think it was last year that I stumbled across this adorable little cafe, I only stopped to look into the window because they have a really lovely blue bike that sits outside whenever they're open. It's really small inside with a little patio at the back which is lovely to sit in on days when its not too hot. And guess what they do? AMAZING BREAKFASTS. We're talking pancakes, granola, smoothie bowls, avocado toast and everything in-between. What more could you want!? The staff are also really lovely, I got such a shock when we walked in this year to be greeted by a lady with a strong Scottish accent! They also bake the most amazing cakes - they really do look too good to eat.

I hope you enjoyed this post!

Love, Lana Skye x 

Photo Credit: Lana Skye Caven. 

New Found Brand Love | Odernichtoderdoch

Hello lovelies, welcome back!

As I'm sure most of you will be aware, back in January I spent just under a week in Berlin, Germany.  

While I was there, I visited Bikini Berlin which is regarded as..

"An oasis in the heart of the city, an urban hub and social universe."

My main ambition was to search for any dominant trends in terms of visual merchandising in the various different stores on offer. There were so many brands that I had never heard of before, so of course this resulted in quite a lot of shopping taking place. Throughout the centre of the mall were various different pop-up stores, it was in one of these spaces that I discovered potentially the cutest brand I have ever come across. Odernichtoderdoch. 

It's safe to say that I got just a little bit over excited. They specialise in home accessories and stationary and I am a complete addict in both of those fields so things weren't looking great for my bank balance. I remember saying thank you to the girl serving me after I had paid and she replied saying; "No, thank you!"

Oops! 

Due to being abroad I had to consider the weight of whatever I was purchasing, meaning I sadly had to avoid the various mugs and bowls they had on offer. This meant however that I could go wild in the prints section. 

I BOUGHT SO MANY!

The majority on display clipped to my wire grid are from them, such as the pink and white geometric 'Turn Your Dreams Into Plans' one. 

 I also bought their 2017 postcard calendar which is perfect for my wire grid too! I do have another much larger calendar big enough for me to make notes on but this one is perfect for simply clarifying dates. Each month has its own unique design so I get a little surprise every month which I love!

I also bought 3 larger prints to go above my bed in my room at university. I was only going to get two but when the sales assistant made me aware of a deal if I got all three I simply couldn't resist. 

As well as everything else, I also bought a cushion cover. One side is baby pink with a really cute white love heart in the centre and the reverse side is white with black doodled lines all over it. 

I'm completely obsessed with my room after pinning up everything I bought. Thank you Odernichtoderdoch - you're the best! 

Check out their website by clicking here!

Their website is initially in German so be sure to change it in the top right hand corner depending on where you're from.

Love, Lana Skye x 

Photo Credit: Lana Skye Caven. 

My Thoughts On: Tommy x Gigi Spring 2017

Welcome back everyone!

 Long time no see, I do apologise for my longer than expected break but I promise I'm now back!

In a recent seminar we discussed the significance of fashion week in the various locations it takes place and why certain designers choose to showcase their work in certain cities over others. Interestingly, Victoria Beckham decided to display her A/W17 collection in New York earlier this month even though she's a Brit at heart - a clear indication that she feels her designs will appeal more to the American market or that she wishes to really push her brand internationally.

The main topic of conversation however, surrounded the Tommy Hilfiger x Gigi Spring 2017 show, the second collaboration the pair have released in a relatively small space of time. Instead of showcasing at NYFW like most other designers, Tommy decided to take his spectacle to the Los Angeles hot spot, Venice Beach. In my eyes, he is trying to slowly but surely get his collaboration with Gigi on the same level as the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show's that are known for their extreme extravagance. Hilfiger mirrored them to the point where he even arranged for all of the models to be flown out on private plane named 'Tommy Air'. They were all kitted out in Tommy x Gigi bomber jackets ready for the awaiting paparazzi after departing the flight. The similarity to VS is ridiculous in this respect.

Logo's were a dominant theme within the see-now-buy-now collection, playing heavily on the American theme. This was contrasted with a variety of floaty bohemian dresses that were phased in towards the end of the show. I'm not particularly a fan of the clothing on offer from this collection due to how heavily branded it is, but what I do love is the experiences Tommy is consistently creating throughout his time working with Gigi. He isn't just settling for a standard show space in the middle of Manhattan. Instead he is choosing to push the boat out, giving people a reason to socialise post-show instead of rushing off as soon as it ends. 

What do you think of the collection? Let me know in the comments below!

Love, Lana Skye x 

Photo Credit: Google Images. 

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Photographic Styling: The Editorial Shoot

Welcome back everyone!

I've been away for a little while, recovering from my New York City jet lag, but I'm now back and better! I travel to Berlin in Germany tomorrow so there will be lots of posts coming your way surrounding that, but I wanted to end my NYC streak by sharing the final shots from my last Photographic Styling shoot of the Fall semester. Our brief was simple - we had to choose a Spring 2017 trend that was apparent across the fashion week catwalks. After creating trend reports individually, myself and my group decided upon the 'sheer' trend that has been rearing its head across the globe. Although this trend took centre stage within our shoot, we also managed to incorporate various others, including mis-matched earrings and extreme highlight. To complete the brief successfully, we were required to get full length, cropped, beauty and accessory shots. 

We decided to shoot at 'Coney Island'. This was a brave move on everyones part as it was early December so definitely not beach weather in Brooklyn. With the weather conditions in mind, I just want to point out how amazing our model Annabella Campagna was. We were shooting for a solid 4 hours, most of which she was in very minimal clothing, but she worked it like a pro and this shines though in all of the photographs. 

Enjoy!

This shoot was definitely one of the highlights from my time in New York. We all worked amazingly well as a team and our professor loved the final outcome - so it was a win win situation for everyone involved!

Love, Lana Skye x 

Photo Credit: Lana Caven, Melissa Mehrtens, Olivia Campagna, Alexandra Bernabei, Holley Klein.

Model: Annabella Campagna.

Location: Coney Island, Brooklyn. 

Exploring NYC: The Cooper Hewitt Design Museum

Welcome back!

I'm slowly but surely getting through my New York City bucket list. One of the things I just recently ticked off was a visit to the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum. One evening last week me and the girls caught the subway to the Upper East Side to see what all of the fuss was about. 

One of the main things that attracted us to go was the fact that it classes itself as an interactive museum. I completely understand that certain things are fragile and therefore showcased only to be looked at, but I get so bored of having to walk past things that are literally screaming to be touched. 

I think my favourite aspect of the museum was the immersion room. In there we took on the role of wallpaper designers, projecting them full scale on two huge walls using the digital tables in front of us. It allowed us to explore patterns and colours that instantly changed the ambience within the room. We definitely got a bit carried away creating our own designs, not noticing the queue that had formed behind us until after we'd had about twenty minutes of fun. 

Another section I loved was the Process Lab surrounding Citizen Design. In there we were all given the opportunity to design whatever we liked in order to benefit the community around us. The whole process was divided into steps, the first one being each of us picking a value we ourselves or our community care about significantly. They ranged from creativity to family making it so difficult to pick only one! We didn't complete the whole process as the museum was due to close which was a shame, I'm sure we'll be going back soon to try it out properly!

Love, Lana Skye x

Photo Credit: Myself.

Exploring NYC: A Lovely Five Days Off

Welcome back!

Due to Rosh Hashanah falling across both Monday and Tuesday of this week and me also having Friday's off, I've had five full days to do as I please. The weather on Friday wasn't the best, but me and a couple of the girls decided to spend the afternoon in Chelsea. After braving the horrible wind and rain (you know that really light kind that makes your hair go mega frizzy!?) we went for brunch in one of my all time favourite places to eat in the city - Bubby's. I came across this little gem when visiting The High Line with my mamma last year and would be happy to eat there every single day. It's that good! I went for the Market Omelette and a Pink Lemonade - both of which are to die for. 

On Saturday we all felt as though we could do with a bit of retail therapy. We've trekked up and down Fifth Avenue so many times already, so for a change of scenery we decided to explore the streets of Soho. The shops here are absolutely incredible, there's such a great mix of high end and high street. We spent time lusting in Acne Studios and Alexander Wang, but didn't get around to actually spending until we reached the huge Zara store on Canal Street. Luck was definitely on my side as a coat I had been planning on buying for over $200 was priced wrongly and I ended up bagging it for under $100. We all got hungry so decided to head to The Butcher's Daughter. Their motto is that they treat fruits and vegetables like a butcher would meat. Most if not all of the options on the menu were vegan which made for a nice change - I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed my meal. After this, we decided to catch the subway to Fulton Street and explored the newly opened Westfield shopping centre. We finished off our lovely Saturday with a Sprinkles cupcake sitting on the marble steps inside Brookfield Place - another of my favourite pit stops in the city.

On Sunday we did nothing but chill so we felt refreshed and ready for following day. We all woke up bright and early to catch a coach to the land of cream cheese, Philadelphia. It was a very spur of the moment thing so we didn't have a clue what we were going to get up too. I think we were all surprised to see just how spread out Philly is. Were so used to being in New York where you can get to pretty much anywhere within half an hour. Most of our day was spent in the King of Prussia Mall before heading to Shake Shack (because we haven't had enough of their burgers already).

We were all pretty tired on Tuesday so we had a lazy morning before heading out to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side of New York. We had a look round before heading up to the rooftop to get some Instagram worthy shots. We ended up being there until it closed, so we decided to head to Pinkberry to grab some frozen yoghurt before heading back to The Met steps for that iconic Gossip Girl shot (if you know, then you know!)

Love, Lana Skye x 

Photo Credit: Myself.

Text Credit: The Butcher's Daughter Website.