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Staying Creative & Inspired Through Travel

Getting away always inspires me.
Photo of woman wearing yellow boho peasant top & retro sunglasses in French field
Photo of woman wearing yellow boho peasant top & retro sunglasses in French field
Photo of woman facing away wearing yellow boho peasant top & Levi 501s in French field
Photo of woman facing away wearing yellow boho peasant top, Levi 501s & Converse plimsolls in French field
Photo of woman wearing yellow boho peasant top, Levi 501s & Converse plimsolls in French field
Photo of woman wearing yellow boho peasant top & Levi 501s in French field
Photo of woman wearing yellow boho peasant top in French field
Photo of woman facing away wearing yellow boho peasant top & Levi 501s in French field
Photo of woman wearing yellow boho peasant top, Levi 501s & Converse plimsolls in French field
Star Mela Veri Emb Top in Mustard* | Levi’s 501 (Vintage) Jeans | Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Ox Plimsolls in White | Ace & Tate Heather Sunglasses in Latte* | Felice Dahl Första Cuff Bracelet in Gold* | Mantra Strength Necklace & Lotus Charm in Gold*

I’ve escaped the city to stay with friends in the French countryside. Montmelard where they live, is a small commune in Saône-et-Loire, about half an hour from Mâcon. As I write this I am surrounded by fields of Charolais cows and a menagerie of animals that my friends own, including two cats, a dog and two horses. It’s heavenly here even if the weather has been a bit on and off. I’ve started each day with a long walk in the forest with my school friend Hat (we met over fifteen years ago) and their dog Blanche. After working up an appetite we enjoy coffee, croissants and freshly laid eggs from their two chickens back at their house. The clean air and fresh food have been working wonders for me, and I feel much more energised since arriving.

I really felt the need to get away from London for a little while and seeing my friends was such a great excuse. Travelling really helps me stay creative and inspired. I love to discover new places, try new foods and generally experience a different way of life. It all contributes to finding out what suits me and makes me genuinely happy. I’ve been experiencing a much simpler way of life here, that doesn’t mean quieter, my days have been full. I’ve visited brocantes, on the hunt for pieces for my friends to resell, I’ve run around after their beautiful children, cooked meals with them, visited local markets, and generally embraced the slow internet connection. It’s reminded me that constantly checking my emails and Instagram account is not essential, life goes on and you don’t miss out if you only check them once or twice a day.

I brought this beautifully embroidered peasant top from Star Mela along with me. It seemed so appropriate as the brand’s owners Amanda and Kirstine are also inspired by travel and develop their collections with the idea of being able to throw a few pieces in a bag at a moment’s notice and still look good wherever you may go. I’ve found that it has worked really well out here, it’s a soft, lightweight cotton that is comfortable in the heat as well as later in the day when it’s not as warm. I love to add a bit of boho to my style in the summer, and wearing it with my Levi’s and Converse it still feels very me. It’s a warm mustard yellow which is something I’ve not tried before but have seen a lot in shops since Chloé featured a similar shade in their Spring/Summer collection back in 2015. It felt a bit daring at first but is actually quite easy to wear.