The Real Arabian Nights - Last day!

As our fun short adventure in Africa drawed to a close my boyfriends and I's last day was exploring the beautiful Les Jardins De La Koutoubia and enjoying the weather before drudging back to the grey dark United Kingdom.

I decided to wear my angle cut white t-shirt with my brushed gold spiked necklace, purple tartan scarf, tan satchel and pink espadrilles. This is one of my favourite summer outfits and I can't wait until the UK finally gets the sun back!

Before leaving we went back to the market one last time to grab some moroccan pastries, another tagine and a Chanel style scarf for myself which I LOVE (expect it in most forthcoming outfit posts). We also visited a highly rated vegetarian and vegan restaurant just off the square where we had butternut squash, spinach, blue cheese and pumpkin filo pastry spring rolls on a bed of summer vegetables, which was easily one of the best meals we had all week which we wished we'd discovered sooner.

And that was it for my adventure, next stop.. Rome!

Michelle

♥

What I wore
White angle cut t-shirt - ASOS
Purple tartan scarf - Vintage
Brushed gold spiked necklace - Ebay
Tan satchel - Primark
Pink Espadrilles - H&M

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(All Images taken by myself with some edited via Instagram and PicFrame)

The Real Arabian Nights - Day #3

Tuesdays adventure was dedicated to an excursion up in the mountains in Ourika Valley.

As it was one if the hottest days I decided to wear my white rose and lace detailed tunic dress with leggings, white studded shoes accessorised with my tan satchel and Disney Couture Mawi necklace. After what I got up to its safe to say the shoes didn't get out alive as you can see here now complete with rust!

As we made our taxi ride up into the mountains we stopped to take panoramic pictures of ourika village and buy a mini tagine to take back! We then went on to the gardens where they produce skin and beauty products and learned all about the famous Morrocan Argan oil and the effort that goes into creating the magic oil, which was super interesting.

We then stopped to have a camel ride which I seemed to get a little too happy about.. (you can watch a video of it on my Instagram) and eventually made our way up the rock mountain and stopped to have lunch by the river which was quite picturesque and throughly increasing my sunburn (excuse my boyfriend stuffing his face ruining the landscape ;)

After a super heavy lunch we then stupidly and precariously made our way up the Rocky Mountain (and when I say 'precariously'.. there was literally zero path -gulp-) to see the waterfall which was stunning.

It was such an exhausting day of walking overall that once we got back to the hotel it was a matter of crashing ready for our return home the next day.

Michelle

♥

What I wore
White pink rose and lace dress - Topshop
(now not so)'White' silver studded slipper shoes - Newlook
Tan satchel - Primark
Minnie mouse necklace - Disney Couture Mawi Collection

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(All Images taken by myself and edited via Instagram and PicFrame)

The Real Arabian Nights - Day #2

Day 2 started quite slow with a relaxing session on sun loungers on the rooftop of our hotel, taking in the amazing views and just chilling enjoying the fact it was a Monday morning!

As it was a little cloudy, I decided to wear my second darkest outfit so there was no fear of heat exhaustion and wore my leopard print maxi dress with gold and silver tribal inspired necklace, black and orange much loved converse flip flops, tan bag and white jewellery to accompany it.

In the afternoon we ventured to 'Maison de la Photographic' which featured a collection of photographs taken back in the 1800's picturing the people and landscape of Marrakech.

For a late lunch/early dinner we went to a place round the corner from our hotel called 'Un Dejeuner a Marrakech' which was recommended as a place to eat on our hotel map and was amazingly presented, very high standard and well priced. A big problem with Morocco is that some of the food you cant/don't want to trust for fear of illness so when you find a place like this (although you end up paying double normal prices) its a welcome relief.

I had a japanese inspired escalope of chicken in an almost Terriyaki sauce with creamed potatoes and tempura aubergine, followed by a dark chocolate mouse with crispy chocolate base. Alongside soft drinks it was 177 dh (£14) per person which you would easily pay double in London for so It's easy to say I was pleased.

We then headed back to our hotel for an early night as we had a long day ahead of us as we booked an excursion for the following day!

Two more days to go until we're home! How was your Monday?

Michelle

♥

What I wore
Leopard print maxi dress - Miss Selfridge

Silver and gold tribal necklace - Matalan

Orange and gold sandals - Converse

Tan satchel - Primark

Black cardigan - TU Sainsburys

Cat-eye sunglasses - Vans off the Wall

Cream heart ring - Accessorize

White and Swarovski crystal watch - Phosphor

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(All Images taken by myself and edited via Instagram and PicFrame)

The Real Arabian Nights - Day #1

As I detailed from my New Years Resolution list for 2014 I intend to visit as many places as possible, starting with the first booked on the list; Marrakech!

After our 4 hour flight to our hotel we were greeted with the famous mint tea and an amazing 3 course dinner including tagine, pastilla and Moroccan pastries so our trip started pleasantly.

With our first full day starting sunny, and with it being good weather but still quite cool I decided to wear my black maxi dress, pink pearl and chain detailed scarf, golf and silver aztec necklace, pink crochet espadrilles, tan satchel and dark green cat eye glasses as I knew the heat wasn't enough for me to regret my dark palette.

We decided to have a look round the 300 year old leather making district in Medina, Marrakech and then head off into the modern area of Marrakech; Gueliz to compare the two. 

Although the leather making area of the city was interesting with a lot of history, these photos cost me and my boyfriend nearly £10 (so I'm making good use of them here!) as we were bombarded by people showing us around saying they weren't guides and then asking for money at the end of our grudgingly taken 'tour'. This is a trick we were warned of before stepping out into Marrakech but it was quite easy to get swept up in the moment, something we were weary of soon after.

In the new part of Marrakech it was alot more westernised with shops and bars, of which I bought a T-shirt in a an oh-so cultural Zara! 

Also in the district we ventured to the 'Rue Yves Saint Laurent' a garden designed by Yves Saint Laurent which was stunning and tranquil, and a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.

After a long trek around walking over 6 miles it was time to hit the pillow.

Stay tuned for more updates on my little adventure!

Michelle

♥

What I wore

Black maxi dress - TU Sainsburys

Pink chain and pearl detail scarf - Topshop

Black, gold and silver necklace - Matalan

Black cardigan - TU Sainsburys

Pink crochet espadrilles - H&M

Tan satchel - Primark

Dark green cat eye sunglasses - Vans off the Wall

  

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(All Images taken by myself and edited via Instagram and PicFrame)

Beanie Bling OOTD

A couple of weekends ago my boyfriend and I met up with my brother and his girlfriend at king cross station to take a trip to the zoo for her birthday. I nabbed a coffee from the stations Patisserie Valerie (how I didn't get tempted and buy a cake I will not know) and then headed on down to the tube. 

Although the weather was much to be desired we pursued the 3 hours of walking around the zoo and looked at pretty much everything, my particular favourite part was the aquarium as I love all the bright colours and intricacies of the delicate fish, my least favourite part was the lion jumping at the window which I managed to get on video -gulp- (which you can watch on my Instagram @thoughtsofashell)

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For the trip I decided to wear my current favourite grey jumper dress with my longline tartan shirt and my new blinged out beanie which I bought in the sale at H&M, I wish I could by the House of Holland version of this but this was the next best thing.

What did you get up to at the weekend?

Michelle

♥

What I wore
Dark grey jumper dress - H&M

Long line tartan shirt - Miss Selfridge

Padded jacket - Barbour

Patent heeled boots - Dr.martens

Bejewelled Beanie - H&M

Rose gold coloured skull bracelet - ASOS

Swarovski crystal watch - Phosphor  

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(All Images taken by myself and edited via Instagram and PicFrame)