Autumn/Winter Trend: Cosy Knits

This week from 15th to 21st October it’s National Knitting Week, what better way to celebrate than with a cosy sweater? Chunky jumpers to fine knit cardigans and even sweater dresses, this season’s knitwear really ups the style stakes with animal and bird motifs, slogans and interesting embellishments. These are my favourite picks from the highstreet/online: 

   

Top Row ~ Sugarhill Boutique Fox and Friends Sweater, £48 ~ Miss Selfridge Leopard Jumper, £37 ~ Dorothy Perkins Purple PU Trim Slash Neck Tunic, £22 ~ Dorothy Perkins Nude Bobble Heart Jumper, £32 ~ Yumi Embroidered Duck Cotton Cardigan, £45 ~ Next Oversize Animal Heart Sweater, £30 

 

Middle Row ~ Dorothy Perkins Bronze Bird Embellished Jumper, £32 ~ River Island Pink Love Print Chelsea Girl Jumper, £20 ~ Zip Shoulder Top by Wal G, £20 ~ Next Pearl Shoulder Top, £32 

Bottom Row ~ Topshop Knitted Necklace Jumper, £45 ~ Wal G Zip Detail Jumper, £23 ~ Ted Baker MIIKO Elbow Patch Sweater, £129 ~ Oasis Sequin Shoulder Jumper, £35 ~ Yumi Flying Ducks Jumper Dress, £50

Sorrento Summer

Sorrento port and coastline

Last summer I visited the Italian capital, Rome. In August this year I returned to Italy this time to the popular tourist resort of Sorrento. I knew very little of Sorrento before my visit but to be completely honest I wasn’t expecting it to compare to the energy and excitement of Rome. I found while in some ways it met my expectations in others it far exceeded them. 

The Fauno Bar in Sorrento's main square, The Piazza Tasso

Statue of St. Anthony, Patron Saint of Sorrento

Sorrento is a small, picturesque little town covering less than three square miles. It combines classic Italian architecture and narrow cobbled streets with chic boutiques and modern apartment blocks. Although it’s right on the coast, there are no real beaches to speak of, just a very rugged coastline and a handful of man-made lidos and sun terraces. It’s surrounded on three sides by lush green hills dotted with olive groves and vineyards.  

Sorrento Gorge

A typical street

International flags welcoming visitors

Melon & Lemon flavoured slush

The pace of life is much more sedate than in the capital; like in Spain people take a siesta in the afternoons so most of the shops and museums close from around 1 to 5 o’ clock in the evening. Coming from a city where you can shop every day from 9 in the morning until 8 or 9 at night this caught me off guard at first but I soon adjusted to the more relaxed way of life. I spent a lot of time simply meandering, exploring the town, discovering local shops and hidden treasures, enjoying leisurely lunches and then returning to the hotel in the afternoon to catch up on some reading by the rooftop pool. 

The town really comes alive at night, there is a vibrant café culture with countless restaurants, bars and gelaterias serving up a delicious array of Italian dishes, drinks and the most amazing desserts. After dark the streets are abuzz with artists, musicians and some of the most creative and imaginative street entertainers I’ve ever seen. 

View from the hotel's rooftop pool

The gardens

 



Sorrento is so easy to navigate on foot, guided tours (at least the two I tried) tend to be either very brief or repetitive. A three-hour open top bus tour I went on on the second day went into such tedious levels of detail about olive harvesting methods every time we passed a grove that I found myself tuning out  twenty minutes in and just enjoying the scenery. Luckily Sorrento is just a short coach journey from Naples and the historic city of Pompeii so I spent a day exploring the ruins and joined a guided tour of the ancient streets, the bakeries and the famous Villa dei Misteri (or Villa of the Mysteries). Pompeii is so vast I was only able to see a tiny part of it, I’d like to return one day to see the bath houses and the small amphitheatre in the far south eastern corner of the city. 

An ancient bakery in Pompeii

Columns surrounding the Forum

A Pompeiian street

Intricately carved stonework

While I was in Sorrento I also took the opportunity to visit the nearby island of Capri. I made the mistake of choosing a small (though very pretty) open top boat for the journey that completed a circle of the entire island, bobbing and swaying constantly in the currents as it went. If I were to do it again I would opt for either the ferry or the hydrofoil which cost just over 13 euros for a return ticket. Capri itself is a favourite destination for the well-heeled and stylish, designer boutiques line the streets and porters driving golf buggies tote expensive monogrammed luggage from the harbour to the island’s exclusive hotels. I found the main square and shopping streets a little claustrophobic, but I did enjoy exploring the tiny winding paths that snake their way around the island’s homes and eventually lead to the highest point of Capri with its spectacular panoramic views.

The rugged coastline of Capri

A pebble beach

One of the pathways that lead around the island

View over Capri

Cherry blossom

Overall I would say if you’re looking for a relaxing break in luxurious surroundings then you can’t go far wrong with Sorrento. It’s perfect if you enjoy shopping, eating out and soaking up the local culture. Sorry this post is so long overdue, hope you enjoyed reading about my summer adventures anyway.     

Birthday Goodies

Last week it was my birthday and I just couldn’t wait share some of the lovely gifts I received from my friends and family. Among the pressies I was treated to were a pair of tweed shorts from Miss Selfridge, a dramatic Accessorize collar necklace, candles aplenty –including a pink union jack Colony candle, a Yankee tart burner and a tea light stand with adorable teapot snuffer- pens, pencils and stationary (I can never have too much stationary), indulgent bath and body products and lipgloss from Bare Escentuals, ballerina slippers and a pair of lovely floral mugs. I also was given shopping vouchers, copious amounts of chocolate (which I promptly demolished) and this a-mazing white chocolate and raspberry cake! I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for making my birthday so special.

 

Shoe of the Week: Aldo ‘Ozbun’

I am currently obsessed with these ankle boots from my personal shoe Heaven, Aldo. I absolutely love everything about them: the fabulous Autumnal rust suede upper, the buckle detail, the gold embellishment and yes, even the vertiginous heel -which I’m sure would be the wrong side of comfortable after a few hours on my feet. Still I can’t help but be drawn to these gorgeous boots.

If you’re as tempted as I am they're available now on Aldoshoes.com/uk for £130.

~ Photo credits Aldo ~