Style Theory: A few 'postcards' from one of my favourite cities. Barcelona is utterly charming, beautiful buildings, fabulous restaurants, cafes, bars and shopping, the sea and a spectacular afternoon tea...

Placa Catalunya

Boots: Topshop £79
Scarf: Uniqlo old
Bag: Aurora London £64.50 

I bought these gorgeous and incredibly comfortable Topshop boots. Not exactly a Spanish buy but I could not resist them... I walked around the city all day in them and they were genuinely so comfy and made the transition from day to evening look so easy..

El Nacional  

The most stunning concept - 4 areas - a meat restaurant, a fish restaurant, tapas and a fast deli restaurant as well as 4 separate bars all housed in a spacious, beautifully designed building. We popped in post-shopping for a couple of cocktails and it was gorgeous, it is not cheap but pretty breathtaking and really worth a visit.

Then onto what has become my favourite restaurant in Barcelona Teresa Carles, it is a vegetarian restaurant and serves the most delicious pasta and salad dishes..

Then finally onto a beautiful new hotel for rooftop terrace drinks The Cotton House hotel, a 5 star hotel, colonial in style, modern in function and utterly breathtaking decor, each member of staff were so welcoming, friendly and the barman mades the most fabulous cocktails, well worth a stay or a visit...

Cotton House Hotel

The next morning it was a walk along the beach, a coffee then onto a cool, food/clothing market Palo Alto Market for a couple of Aperol spritzs and some delicious snacks..

Palo Alto Market

At Caravan Made the best pulled pork roll and sweet potato, goats cheese, rocket and pomegranate sandwich I have ever tasted (yes, it works together) 

Then on to the most exciting event, my sister runs a business serving cream teas for small groups on her rooftop terrace called Rooftop Teas. She makes everything by hand from delicate smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches on gluten free bread, to rose scented meringues, light scones with clotted cream and jam, cupcakes and spiced mince pies for Christmas. All served with endless Cava, mulled wine and speciality teas...pure heaven. Her rooftop is stunning with views to the sea and over the mountains, a little oasis in middle of the city furbished with flowers, grass and twinky light strewn pergolas. 

She had arranged an event for journalists and bloggers so I was there to help, I say 'help' in the loosest form as I don't think I was much help, but I certainly participated in eating and drinking..it all tasted amazing and the company was great. Here are a few snaps 

photos via FranciscoBlanco

Needless to say it was a huge success, everyone loved it, not a scrap of food was left. Well done Angela, I have no idea how to managed to make it all yourself and host and make it all look sooo amazing!

Check out her Instagram account @RooftopTeaBarcelona also her travel Instagram LasCallesdeBcn for ideas of what to do in Barcelona, she know the best places for kids, family friendly restaurants, best hotels etc..well worth a look..

Then it was a quick dash to El Cortes Ingles and Passeig du Gracia to buy a coat from Maje and this gorgeous top from my sister for Christmas!! 

&Other Stories £65

Casa Batllo, Passeig du Gracia

Home first thing next morning to happy chaos.. I adore spending the weekend with my little sister, such a good laugh in a beautiful city, the perfect mix...

For more info on Barcelona check out Las Calles De Barcelona,

Next, I promise a Christmas Gift Guide, I am heading to London tomorrow for some serious research and hopefully to start my Christmas shopping.. starting to panic!

Hope you are all well, have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Are you doing mostly online this year? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxxx

10 Reasons to Visit Barcelona in the Autumn - Guest Travel Post

Ph Las CallesdeBcn

Travel Theory: Barcelona is one of my favourite cities in the world, firstly because my sister and husband live there, secondly because it is so vibrant, beautiful, interesting, sunny, accessible and has both city and beach in one.  I have invited my little sister Angela, who writes the travel blog LasCallesdeBarcelona, to write a post about Barcelona. She has given you 10 reasons to visit Barcelona in the Autumn..with impeccable taste and a penchant for the nice things in life, Angela knows the very best restaurants, cafes, bars, beaches and roof terraces in Barcelona..come join me on a picturesque journey through Barcelona in Autumn....

Ten Reasons to Visit Barcelona in the Autumn:

1. Strolling along the beach becomes a pleasant experience again.

The crowds & the heat have faded and Barcelona is left with that cooler but almost perfect heat. You can walk along the beachfront & maybe even stop to soak up the sun. The beaches feel cleaner & quieter and you feel like you have Barcelona back to yourself again. The walk from Barceloneta to the W hotel is relaxing & beautiful with a guaranteed coffee stop at the end in Gallito.

2. New Autumn Fashion 

The messy sale racks full of old season´s clothes are gone and the shops are freshly decked out with the A/W 2015 colours of deep wine and cool mustards. We can move on from summer dresses and sandals and invest in tailored, thick coats and beautiful block heeled boots, head to Passeg De Gracia for high street shopping at it's finest. Then finish off an afternoons shopping with a cocktail at the beautiful restaurant and bar El Nacional,  located on Passage De Gracia, the interior is as amazing as the drinks...

3. Chocolate and churros  

One of Barcelona´s best and most indulgent traditions is chocolate and churros. And seeing as it´s not summer anymore, you don´t need to worry about getting into a bikini! So indulge in some delicious sugary doughnut style pastries with thick hot chocolate while sitting on a terrace in the late afternoon sun. One of my favourite places to do this is on the terrace at El Cercle in the centre of town.

4. Hotels are cheaper

Of course they are!...and the sun is still out so it´s the perfect time to visit, stay in luxury for a couple of nights and wander the backstreets of the Gothic Quarter in a much more bearable heat. Try the comfort of the gorgeous new boutique, Margot House on Passeig de Gracia or the hip Yurrban Hotel, with its stunning rooftop terrace and 360 views of the city.

5. Parks and Woodland

The Fageda in Catalunya is the most beautiful place to visit in the autumn. Fageda (which refers to the Beech trees) is a forest in a national park located just over 100km (1.5hrs drive) from Barcelona. The dappled light coming through the autumn beech leaves is incredible and with horse and cart rides for the kids and picnic spots, it´s worth the daytrip.

6. The smell of roasted Chestnuts on the streets

When the evenings get darker & a little colder, they´re accompanied by the warm, comforting smell of castañas (chestnuts) & sweet potatoes being roasted on street corners. A little white pack of these in your hands makes wandering around the city a really romantic and cosy experience. The backstreets of the Born or the Gothic Quarter are perfect for these moments. And when it´s time to stop for a glass of wine, there are plenty of twinkly-lit small bars to keep you warm.

7. Eating outside on a terrace 

The humidity and searing heat has left the city, and the locals head back out to the terraces to eat lunch, drink coffees or beers and chat with friends. Be impressed by the terrace & 25 euro menu at the luxurious Cotton House Hotel or enjoy fresh fish by the sea at Agua.

8. Music and film Festivals

Not only is September home to the biggest festival the city has, La Mercè, but autumn brings the Sitges film festival to its many fans as well as the city´s famous Jazz Festival.

9. Ski season starts

Cosy hotels, drinks by the fire, happy but tired legs. The ski season starts around the end of November and with La Molina only 2 hours away by train, it makes it easy to do a day trip skiing with friends or family. Try Grandvalira in Andorra for a bigger resort and plenty to do, or Baqueira for a touch of luxury. Get the skibus from Barcelona to La Molina from 38 euros (adult day ski pass included).

10. The autumn light

When you step outside on a sunny autumn morning in Barcelona, it´s hard not to be taken aback by the light falling through the trees and onto the street below. It´s beautiful, photo-worthy and makes you appreciate nature even if it´s just for a moment.

(Photos courtesy of Pinterest / web & @lascallesdebcn)

Follow's Angela's blog LasCallesdeBarcelona for more ideas of where to stay, where to go and where to eat in Barcelona. My favourite hotel is one of Angela's recommendations the Condes de Barcelona, love the rooms, the pool and the roof terrace for evening drinks..

Also follow LasCallesdeBcn on Instagram for some stunning shots of Barcelona and insider information every day..

Have you ever been to Barcelona where is your favourite place to visit? I will definitely be going over this Autumn for a spot of shopping, eating and roof terrace drinking. As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, 

And thank you so much Ange for your blogpost..I am booking my flights this evening xxxx

The W Hotel Barcelona

Until next time, Frances xxxx

Summer Inspiration

Costa Blanca

Style Theory: I am in need of some Summer Inspiration, I have looked at last years clothes and think they need a styling refresh so here are a selection of my favourite outfits and images from Pinterest that I will use to inspire my summer style this year..

Stripe Dress

Black Dungarees

Round Sunglasses

Levis Shorts

Stan Smiths 

W Hotel Barcelona 

Adidas Superstar trainers & baggy distressed jeans

Button through denim skirt

Denim dungarees with sandals

Light blue flared jeans 

Salt Bar Barcelona

Aigua Blava, Costa Brava

Distressed white jeans and striped shirts

Dark denim flares and heels

White boho tops and levis 501s

White boho dresses

White boho tops and short

Yellow tops, strappy sandals and hoop earrings

My summer inspiration in a nutshell, it is going to involve a lot of white boho tops, denim in it's many forms (dungarees, shorts, button through skirts and jeans) and strappy sandals with a touch of yellow thrown in to add a splash of colour and of course and big dose of Barcelona and Costa Blanca...

How is your summer wardrobe shaping up? What styles are catching your eye, who is your summer inspiration?

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time, Frances xxx

ph via Pinterest, LasCallesdeBarcelona, Sincerely Jules, Pandora Sykes, Happily Grey