Could it really be the end of summer? By the looks of things, we could be heading into autumn, but I will not allow this to discourage me...especially when I am packing for Berlin. This time we are staying in the west (last time in Prenzlauer Berg in the east), so I am rather excited to see how the areas differ...and with several appointments already in place, I hope to get in a bit of sightseeing and hopefully take in the view from above. Have an amazing weekend and a good start to the new week.
​Photograph credit: www.welt.de

What's not to love about an open expression, laid back style and a haircut that makes any fashionista pale in comparison? Absolutely nothing. In Toulouse I discovered this amazing face while out shopping (I did go a bit overboard with French goodies that are hard to come by back home) and I was so happy, not only for the flattering late afternoon light, but also for this streetstyler's willingness to be photographed despite the gawking pedestrians!

At 11 Place de la Daurade, facing a bustling sidewalk, is this amazing restaurant in Toulouse that offers unpretentious food, where the locals at the next table are excitedly tucking into their salads as they rattle on in French. It is the type of restaurant you want to be in, purely because it feels real and not overthought like a lot of hipster locations these days. At this restaurant, the food is generous, well-presented and most importantly, delicious. From the duck lilver starter, to the steak frites...to the hamburger that could satisfy any hungry tourist, this was cooking that made me want to stay a bit longer...which I ended up doing, accompanied by my partner in crime and an excellent bottle of red wine!

With Troye Sivan in the background, this post is being written...and it fits the mood and weather very well. It is the last part of summer and thankfully I have some streetstyle to match the mood. It is always great meeting exciting, new people who do not only have great personalities, but also a flair for fashion...this is after all what I love most when exploring a new city. The denim vest, teamed with a crisp classic white Tee (always fabulous, no matter how old you are!) and then THAT hat....wonderful...shows you that Toulouse is a place to visit...

At 17 Place Victor Hugo in Toulouse, you will find a restaurant that seems to always be packed. There is good reason why this little place is sought out by both tourists and locals. As I tend to read a lot before booking a restaurant, look at a lot of information, check the reviews and finally make a gut decision about where to eat, this process can be time-consuming, but there is method to the madness. On too many occasions, I have left caution to the wind and ended up in bad bistros, offering bad food, accompanied by bad service. In an age where food should be shown more respect (after all, animals have died in order to fill your stomach), I think it is important to source restaurants that offer both value for money and food that is well-cooked. La Gourmandine does just this. It offers an uncomplicated dining experience, while presenting food that is both delicious and hearty.
From salmon starter, to the duck, to the stew, through to the elegant desserts, everything was indeed tasty and (dare I say?), the bill was not a shock to the system. A word of advice, though...book!

My heart tends to beat a bit faster when I see a store selling men's fashion...this is sadly declining as men tend to be rather fickle when buying fashion...blame the internet or just the seasonal way most men tend to shop, but the trade has shown us that men do indeed shop differently, when compared to women, who are emotional shoppers, buying a lot more, always on the lookout for new trends and inspiration.

I understand that most men wait for sales and are easily lured into the comfort of shopping online because you don't need to leave the relaxed sofa position to buy a pair of chinos. Sadly, these one-of-a-kind stores are gradually disappearing as a result and having worked in the industry, I know that there is nothing like the personalised service you find in a small store...so, that said, it was great to come across this store on 8 Rue Baronie.

​I was also lucky enough to have this streetstyler pose for my camera, making the photo just that more personal...a wonderful store offering a great range in Toulouse...so, pop by and spoil yourself, close the laptop and ignore the confines of the internet...it is well worth it!

I have that track from Childish Gambino in my head, 'Feels Like Summer'...and this post seems fitting. Late afternoon in sun-drenched Toulouse and luck is on my side. This tropical print caught my eye and the rest of the outfit is indeed post-worthy for this blog. Love the cross-body bag, the chunky watch and of course, the print mix (did you see the shoes?). Photographers call this light the 'golden hour' because it is most flattering when photographing just about anyhting, but something tells me, this street-styler would shine in just about any light.