The best shopping street in the world

When TravelSupermarket asked where my ideal place to shop around the world was, I didn’t pick New York’s Fifth Avenue, or even further afield with Hong Kong’s The Landmark. I chose to rep a shopping street that's closer to home in London.

I love the accessibility of designer shops on Bond Street as well as high street shops on Oxford Street. Below is an infographic that contains some interesting statistics on some of the best shopping streets in the world. I also added a piece on why I'd recommend London's Bond Street to visitors and shopaholics.

Tell me where is your favourite shopping street in the world?

Bianca x

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Coconut oil hair shine from The Body Shop

My Mum and I had previously used coconut oil for hair, but I gave up on using after a while because constantly having to melt in down before using it was a lengthy process.

I've used almond and argan oil in my hair too and they were great for hair stands but I needed something to treat my scalp.

I've heard good things about using coconut oil on dry scalp so after washing, drying and styling I applied small amounts onto my finger and then rubbed the oil into spots across my head.

 

Coconut oil hair shine is £5.50 at The Body Shop, I got 20% with my loyalty card.

Once you've swirled the oil around and onto your finger it transforms from a wax-like texture to a soft oily substance. Compared to other coconut oils I've used, this is easier to control as it is hydrogenated. Most are really hard at room temperature and need to be melted but this is perfect for immediate use. It hasn't completely prevented dry and flaky scalp but it has helped to clear some trouble areas. I'd say it's good for smoothening hair and adding shine.

What it says on the tin: This solid oil turns into a balm in your fingertips. It smoothes hair and adds shine.
- Conditions
- Smoothes
- Adds shine
- Washes out easily

PROS:

It can be applied to the hair before you wash it as a treatment or to smoothen rough and dry edges after styling.

A small amount goes a long way. I thought the tin was too small but there more than enough inside to at least a year.

If I am going natural and curly it tames curls and defines.

It penetrates the hair shaft to treat dry and flaky scalp.

CONS:

In hot weather it could melt and turn gooey.

It's not completely pure coconut oil. If you are trying to reap the benefits pure oils this isn't the one, it also contains parbens which some people try to avoid.

Be careful how much you apply because it can make you hair look greasy.

Have you tried coconut oil for your hair? What do you recommend for dry scalp?

Bianca x

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Wishlist: Monki picks

Monki favourites by bee2010 featuring
1. Malou singlet, £12
2. Raphaela necklace, £12
3. Minne trousers, £20
4. Karen sunglasses, £8
5. Novali dress, £20
6. Brighton tee, £15
7. Wren sandal, £35

I don't know if you have noticed but the Monki website has been revamped. It's easier to browse around the clothing and accessories categories now, I spotted a couple things I'd love for SS13. I normally don't buy clothing with a lot of print in it but I was really drawn to these pieces. The Novali dress is my top pick, it's the perfect combination of smart/casual and I think it would look great paired with the white sandals. I haven't bought any kind of peplum outfit yet so I'd have to give this a try on first. If there was only one item I could get my hands on, it would have to be the Brighton tee because I love a raglan jersey they are so comfortable and ideal for everyday style. I can imagine pairing this tee with red lipstick or pale pink trousers or boyfriend jeans. If I get round purchasing any of these I'll be sure to do an outfit post.

Tell me what are your favourite SS13 high street picks? 

Bianca x


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#WorldWideWardrobe

Up for a challenge? Travel Supermarket have launched a great competition that combines travel and fashion. The travel site are giving fashion bloggers the chance to win a holiday and an outfit of choice.

To enter you have to do is create a blog post featuring an outfit within the budget of £200 for one or more of the following places enjoying various activities:

- Sightseeing in Paris
- Clubbing in Ibiza
- Shopping in London
- Cocktails in New York
- Partying at a Full Moon Party in Thailand

Enter all five categories to be in the running to win all holidays, or just one or two, to be in with a chance of winning a holiday to that destination.

I have chosen to enter Cocktails in New York, Clubbing in Ibiza and Partying at a Full Moon Party in Thailand.

I used Polyvore to put my three outfits together:

Cocktails in New York

Cocktails by bee2010 featuring
Mesh T Shirt All in One - Topshop £38
Nly Shoes Camael - Nelly.com £37.95
Evie Neon Oversized Envelope Clutch - Boohoo £15
Adia Kibur 2 Layer Chain Necklace - Shopbop.com £33.75
TOPSHOP Lips in Brighton - Topshop £10
Total - £134.75 

I imagine there's nothing more fabulous than sipping cocktails in the city just like Carrie Bradshaw and co, so for this occasion I'd wear an all-in-one and amp it up with some bright accessories. A jumpsuit is ideal for relaxed glamour, I chose this one because the mesh insert at the front and split detail at the back, give an otherwise plain one-piece subtle sex appeal. I added a chain necklace as a neutral accessory but for the rest I thought the outfit needed a pop of colour to match the bright lights of the Big Apple so I picked out a pair of sunshine yellow strappy heels and a clutch to match. I finished off the look with some pink lipstick to contrast the yellow shade.

Clubbing in Ibiza

Clubbing by bee2010 featuring 
Black fringed backless boxy crop top - River Island £25

bambam Neon Aztec Print Shorts - New Look £45

FUN Gladiator Flat Sandals - ASOS £45

20 pack bracelet - H&M £3.99

Fringe Cross-body Bag - Victoria's Secret £24

Total - £97.99

I'm pretty low maintenance when it comes to getting ready to party, that's why I love clubbing on holiday. You don't have to dress up in heels, apply tons of makeup or fuss with your hair. Of course you need to make a lil' effort and for the hedonistic paradise that is Ibiza it's all about mixing comfort and style together. With that in mind I chose a fun and flirty crop top with fringing detail and paired that with some jazzy shorts. I don't think I could get any with wearing these denim shorts anywhere but a festival or in Ibiza, they are just perfect for summer. Comfortable footwear is esstential while raving so I opted for some sturdy gladiator sandals in metallic. Another must-have is a cross body bag, without one of those you can't throw your hands in the air, so that was an obvious choice for me.

Partying at a Full Moon Party in Thailand

Partying by bee2010 featuring leather sandals
Sweet Stud Clutch - Nastygal £32

Hope Sunglasses - Monki £8.52

Layered disc earrings - Dorothy Perkins £4

Black bustier bikini top - River Island £16

MOTO 50s high waist hotpants - Topshop £28

Lace Cut Out Shoulder Beach Cover Up - ASOS £25

FIGARO Cross Strap Sandals - Topshop £45

Total - £158.52

Thailand is one place I'd love to visit because it's a create combination of a beach and cultural holiday. I've heard great things about the Full Moon Party in Thailand it's an ideal setting to rock some light pieces. For this occasion I'd wear a monochrome outfit. Given the hot temperature a kaftan seems appropriate, I chose the cut-out cover up from ASOS as it looks super light, I added a bustier and high waist hotpants for underneath as I think those pieces best suit my shape. The chosen accessories chosen complement the black and white palette, I especially like the sweet stud clutch as it has a chain inside so it can be worn across the body.

I've entered loads of travel competitions recently because I'm so desperate to getaway, I think this has to be the one of the best so far because goes beyond answering one question and it's interactive.

As a part of the entry process you have to nominate five bloggers that you think will be up for the challenge using #worldwidewardrobe on Twitter or Facebook. My fabulous five are:

Trinawears
Let's Get Lippy
Sophia Bella
PopGoesFashion
ChanniChic

If you want to make an entry see more at: http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/holidays/worldwide-wardrobe/

Tell me what you think of my three outfits, feel free to leave a comment below.

GOOD LUCK! 

Bianca x

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Trending: Monochrome SS13

The black and white combo is super hot for the SS13 season. I've seen so many pieces on the high street that I'm tempted to buy but I think I'll wait for the weather to pick up before I go on a spring shopping spree.

I've been keeping a eye out for monochrome seen on celebs, in stores and across fashion blogs. Here are my top picks.

I was a fan of Beyonce's Osman jumpsuit that she wore to this year's Grammy Awards. I think chunky blocks of monchrome on this outfit appear easier on the eye compared to narrow horizontal stripes or checkboard patterns that you see on other pieces. I spotted a dress from ASOS similar to this style, I've included it on my Polyvore board below.

Photo: Getty Images

Another celeb fave is Rochelle Humes' ka-yute babydoll dress that she wore on a night out in London. Even though this dress is probably maternity but I love it. It's nice how she is rocking the monochrome trend without being too over-the-top. Less is more peeps.

Photo: Rex

My high street favourites for the colour constrasting trend come from my Polyvore board. It's nice that there's so much variety with this trend. It seems like there's is something for everything shape and size plus monochrome accessories make a good pairing for bright clothing, I shall invest for the summer.

Monochrome ss13 by bee2010 featuring a longsleeve dress

ASOS longsleeve dress, £31 / Striped dress / Vesper Dresses checkered dress, £59 / Longsleeve dress / Oasis sheer shirt / Striped tote bag / Stretch bracelet / Dorothy Perkins , £9.26 / Buy Monochrome Scallop Top from the Next UK online shop / F&F Monochrome Cut-Out Saddle Bag

Tell me how will you wear this season's monochrome trend?

Bianca x