STYLEMYCOFFEE X TODAY MY COFFEE // INSTAGRAM WINNERS

Hey there, remember me? *This is where I insert the gritted teeth emoji followed by a pucker up kiss* it certainly has been a little quiet over here – yep sorry about that – and you could say I've been AWOL but I couldn't wait to pop back to share all the coffee joy and announce the winner of our first #StyleMyCoffee X #TodayMyCoffee Instagram giveaway with the lovely Stylonylon.

I've definitely been keeping the coffee industry afloat over the last months and after taking a peek at all the beautiful snaps you've been sharing from around the world, it seems you guys have too! We decided to narrow it down to four pics from each hashtag and then we could pick the winning two.

So after scrolling through over 1200 coffee pics on the #stylemycoffee hashtag these four definitely caught my eye!

Top left: I love this snippet from everyday life, a perfectly captured moment from @helloquietx //       Top right: How soothing are these pale pastel colours from @ruthlgarner // Bottom left: Love the colours in this pic and a good topknot from @sheisfaith // Bottom Right: Loving this little coffee heart from @katgotthecream

Julia narrowed down her beautiful #todaymycoffee selection to these beauties:

Top Left: I love the simplicity and contrast in this image from @designhunter_uk // Top Right: This cafe is so dreamy from @thesefourwalls // Bottom Left: This flatlay scene is so tempting from @catesthill  // I'm still yet to try one of these coffee drip mugs and this one from @melwiggins is a treat.

It was so hard choosing only eight from so many beautiful images and we are thrilled at having people as far as Chicago to Berlin to Australia join in on with our coffee hashtags. To make it fair we each chose from the others shortlist to get the two final winners for our first giveaway and I'm excited announce... *drum roll please*... that @sheisfaith and @catesthill are our #stylemycoffee X #Todaymycoffee 01 winners! Congratulations :)

Winners

Do you love coffee?  This month we're teaming up with two great brands to give you another chance to win some lovely artisan products. All you need to do is share your coffee inspired snaps on Instagram using the hashtags below. 

The Giveaway

(with prizes from Three Sixty˚Coffee and Mon Pote)

Joining forces with the fab @todaymycoffee run by @stylonylon (to celebrate our shared caffeine in photos passion!) we will be running a competition on Instagram under our two hashtags #todaymycoffee and#stylemycoffee.

At the end of July we will each feature our top four favourite pictures and choose a winner each. The prizes will be a beautiful ceramic mug from Mon Pote and a bag of artisan roasted coffee from the lovely peeps at Three Sixty˚ Coffee. So get tagging your best caffeine shots and come along for the ride!

To take part: Follow @stylemycoffee and @todaymycoffee and hashtag your coffee pics #stylemycoffee and #todaymycoffee – have fun!

We'd love you to join us and spread the coffee love. Good luck! x

#STYLEMYCOFFEE X #TODAYMYCOFFEE GIVEAWAY 01

I’ve been sitting on this little project for a while now and squirrelling away behind the scenes, adding to it slowly bit by bit, but I thought it was about time I announced it officially and shared my new project, which like me, is all about the coffee.

If you follow me on Instagram, or are a regular reader of the blog, then you’ll know how much I get a kick out of caffeine and although it’s not ideal to be on a constant coffee high, I just can’t help but enjoy this long standing fix of mine. So I thought it was time to start celebrating the coffee in my life and create a new Instagram account dedicated to combining my love of style, travel and my morning caffeine fix, and so @stylemycoffee was born.

One of the first things I do when visiting a new city or travelling, is make a note of where I can get the best flat white or coconut milk latte, and I will go out of my way to find a space that is well designed and aesthetically pleasing to enjoy the moment in. There’s nothing better than seeing a beautifully presented cuppa and I'm so excited to be starting a coffee lovers community with my new hashtag #stylemycoffee. Yep I want to see all your ace coffee photos, whether at home, on the go or in your local coffee house, and so far I’m thrilled that there is already nearly 800 images tagged by you lovely lot and if you want some inspiration take a peek at my dedicated coffee pinterest account. 

The Giveaway

(with prizes from Plum & Ashby and Drip app)

Joining forces with the fab @todaymycoffee run by @stylonylon (to celebrate our shared caffeine in photos passion!) we will be running a competition on Instagram under our two hashtags #todaymycoffee and#stylemycoffee.

At the end of May we will each feature our top four favourite pictures and choose a winner each. The prizes will be a beautiful ceramic mug from Plum & Ashby and 5 coffees worth of credit with Drip app. So get tagging your best caffeine shots and come along for the ride!

To take part: Follow @stylemycoffee and @todaymycoffee and hashtag your coffee pics #stylemycoffee and #todaymycoffee – have fun!

I can't wait to showcase some amazing artisans and makers to give you lovelies a chance to grab yourself some interior goodness, and Julia and I have some fab plans to grow our lovely new community.

A EUROPEAN CITY BREAK // TRAVEL

Add caption

This week has flown by so quickly that I'd almost forgotten to share our exciting news! On Saturday morning I'll be setting our alarm super early and heading on a mini adventure to spend three days in Brussels with my boy and mum, to celebrate all things good and explore the fab city as invited by Accor Hotels.

We'll be travelling on the Eurostar, much to F's excitement, who can't wait to 'speed under the sea' and explore a new European city. While he's practising his train sounds I've jotted down some must see places and coffee hang outs to feed my addiction.

Image via I Love Yeti

I can't wait to head over to the cosy eclectic interior of I Love Yeti and taste their homemade flat naans and bowl breakfasts. Also I've been dying to lounge in the ultra chic Living Room, which oozes design, ceramics and beautifully presented teas *swoon*. Not to mention the infamous Change Your Lifestyle, otherwise know as CHYL. This cafe, meets beauty, meets shop is an oasis of green in the city and a hot spot for the cool and health conscious. My mum is already excited about the prospect of pampering and a potential reflexology session, while I'll happily hang out with F under their green draped ceiling.

Image via Living Room

I must admit I've visited Brussels once in my long gone university youth, but the city was a blur from  hazy nights out, hangovers and a slim student wallet. So I'm thrilled to be returning to this beautiful metropolis and rediscovering its style and charm!

If you have any recommendations then I will be using Instagram and Snapchat #wildandgrizzly during my stay and would love to hear your top travel tips of places to explore. 

Have a great weekend. 

x

COOL KIDS GUIDE TO PARIS // TRAVEL

Apart from welcoming March, today is also National Plan a Solo Vacation Day... I know right! As much as I'd love to jet off into the sunset for some quality me time by a pool, it's not quite the same with a kid in tow. Saying that travelling with little ones needn't be a chore if you know where to hang out.  

I love taking European city breaks with my boy, so instead of making solo travel plans I've pulled together a cool kids guide to Paris, where you can channel your inner glam while being surrounded by the smalls.

EAT 

When it comes to eating with kids we know that it’s never the easiest of undertakings, what with picky eaters and too many choices. So I’ve made it simple with these three perfect places to eat.

• Do you love pastries and cool ceramic tiled floors with children’s parks within arms reach? Then you'll love this little cafe attached to the Broken Arm store, with super friendly staff and a decent latte *yay* you’ll be happy to have found this pit stop.

• Did someone mention crepes? If you fancy dining in a chic modern wood panelled room in the middle of Marais then this is for you. Breizh Cafe is known as being one of the best Creperies in Paris. Located on 111 Rue Vieille du Temple, this is the perfect place to enjoy a vast range of crepes, savoury and sweet, and they're so delicious they've even popped up in Tokyo. 

• It's busy, it's loud and the kids will feel right at home! You'll see hoards of people queue outside this small and unassuming falafel house, but don't be fooled by its appearance, crowds flock to Rue des Rosiers in the heart of Le Marais to snap up lunch at the popular L'As du Fallafel. Seating is a bit of a squeeze but worth every bite, and if in doubt get take out and eat al fresco.

PLAY

When you think of Paris you don’t necessarily think playgrounds and parks, but this city has some secret gems hidden up its sleeve that are well worth finding.

• Does your child love adventure? Then they will LOVE this! Heading to the highest point in Paris, the superb parc de Belleville will blow your little ones minds. With awesome views of the city, a multi-faceted climbing wall and pirate ship, this is definitely top of my cool kids list. Just be sure you plan your route and head to one of these Métro stations for easy access: Pyrénées, Belleville and Couronnes. 

• If you fancy a gentler approach to the play, then why not take a relaxing stroll along the Jardin du Luxembourg and watch them push vintage sail boats across Grand Bassin duck pond, while you sit back and soak up the sun. Be sure to take €3.50 along for 30 minutes of sailing fun.

• Want to combine coffee and cake with a little play on the side? Then this cute little playground, Square de Temple, situated along Rue Perrée is the perfect picnic spot. 

SEE

Oh the culture! Do as the Parisians do and show your kids the creative side of Paris with these cool cultural spots that will keep your kiddo entertained for hours. 

• Want to impress your little one then head to the Palais de Tokyo where you can sip coffee to your hearts delight, let them run up and down concrete ramps – we know how much they love that sort of thing – and get stuck into some modern art at Little Palais. Just a hopskip and a jump from the Eiffel tower, the best approach to the building is from the bank of the Seine along Avenue du New York or jump off at Alma-Marceau Metro. When you've filled up on art you can ooh and ahh at cool timber structure in the kid’s area then take some snaps in the Foto Automat... say cheese!

• Want to see where the French hang on a Sunday afternoon? Well take a short stroll down Saint Martin Canal and make the most of the pedestrianised Sunday. Families spill onto the street and the tiny playgrounds dotted along the banks will entertain the littlest of people, while you eat ice cream and skim stones like Amelie. Also there’s a cute Park at the end of the canal where ladies meet to do Thai chi and kids can go wild. The nearest metro is Republique and will take you to the start of the canal walk.

• OK this one is a bit of a given but where else can you ride an escalator in what feels like a giant marble run, up the outside of a building? Not to mention the huge selection of art over several floors, a dedicated Children's art learning space, cool design shop and roof top restaurant. Yep the Centre Pompidou has it all, but the cafe is a little on the pricey side.

SHOP

We all know Paris is home to some of the best fashion houses and is steeped in design history, but these are the best stores for all your mini fashionista needs.

  

• Want a store with a difference then head over to Centre Commercial Kid’s over on 22 Rue Yves Toudic, a place that combines cool kids fashion with art and second hand bicycles. Offering the best of French, Danish and English design for all the family.

• If you love to shop and have kids then this is the place to be. Filled to the brim with the latest styles, cool accessories and colourful products you can spend hours browsing the shelves of Bonton located at 5 Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire. It even has its own Photo Booth and props for fun snaps with the kiddo. 

• Combining history and beloved books the  Shakespeare and Comapany Bookshop is situated at 37 Rue de la Bûcherieon on the left bank and is the most famous bookshop in Paris, plus it has the cutest kids section up the rickety stairscase. The whole of the interior screams Narnia meets Harry Potter and will delight curious small minds. Leave the pushchair outside if you want to take a good look round though. 

Image via The Hoxton

STAY

Whether you want to rent a flat and live like a local or relax in the comfort of a hotel, the city is full of hidden gems! We often use Airbnb when we travel as it's so much fun exploring different neighbourhoods and discovering local delights on our morning stroll, if your are using Airbnb you can use this link to get £25 off your first stay. Otherwise check out these super stylish hotel stays! 

• This minimalist apartment in the heart of Marais is slick as they come, compact and ultra modern with two beds suitable for three people. 

• This quirky and colourful apartment in Marais/Beaubourg is full of Parisian charm. Perfectly located next to the Centre Pompidou!

• The Hoxton is known for being one of the hippest hotel stays, whether it's London, Paris or Amsterdam, you know you're going to be sleeping in style! We love the gorgeous interior and outdoor space in the heart of the city. 

• Hotel Mareuil is a perfect family friendly hotel, clean, comfortable and in a fab location situated between Le Marais and Republique. The staff go out of their way to make your stay special and the adjoining rooms are perfect when travelling with more than one child. You can read about our stay here.  

So there we have it, our Wild & Grizzly cool kids guide to Paris. I can't wait to add to the collection as we take our next adventure in Berlin. I hope you've found this useful and don't forget you can pin the top image to your Pinterest to keep this handy guide.

Lori x

Want more? Check out this Gluten Free Guide to Paris or our latest family stay at an Airbnb

*This post contains affiliate links.

STYLE IN YOUR CITY // A GOOD CUPPA

It's been two weeks since we launched our new series Style In Your City, which showcases your life. That's right we want to create a community celebrating all the things you love about where you live. I really enjoyed reading your posts and seeing all your stylish photos over on Instagram. My favourite post from the last fortnight was by These Four Walls, I loved how Abi takes you for a stroll up her neighbourhood street.

This week we're focusing on a good cuppa. As you know I am a bit addicted to caffeine and I really look forward to my first sip of the day. It seems that I couldn't have chosen a better city to live in with such a vibrant cafe culture, full of exciting pop up restaurants and quirky spaces.

Click to read more

WHY I HEART COPENHAGEN // THE TALE OF THREE CITIES

Travel to Copenhagen
As much as I love Bristol – and I do – there are other places that hold my heart and make me weak at the knees. You know, the ones that make you swoon. Well I thought it would be fun to share one of my favourite travel destinations with you, have you guessed it? Yes that's right, Copenhagen and yes I am wearing double denim *shhhh*.

When I was studying my design degree at university, it made sense that I hopped over to visit our Scandinavian friends and use Copenhagen as place to inspire my dissertation. That seems a lifetime ago now, but I still have fond memories of exploring the different neighbourhoods with their beautifully coloured buildings and houseboats along the canals. Obviously back then I was (very) young and pre-child so the adventures are laced with hazy memories of late nights out and long lie ins. 

I've always wanted a reason to go back and visit the city with fresh eyes, so when we took F on his first holiday abroad I knew it had to be Copenhagen. 

So if I had to share three things I love about about Copenhagen, what would they be?

Yep that's right! Pastries as big as your head. If you're a fan of food (like me) and love eating out then Copenhagen is the place to be. What better way to start your day than with some freshly brewed coffee and a warm pastry, and not just any old flaky pastry, but a Danish pasty made with all the tasty goodness that makes you go mmmmmmm for all to hear. We stayed in a small well designed apartment right in the heart of Nørrebro and our street was eclectic by day and bustling by night, with people eating al fresco or drinking a glass of wine tucked under a blanket.

Every morning we would walk over the river to the most amazing farmers food market – a must if visiting the city – which houses over 60 stalls selling everything from fresh coffees to olive oil, sweets and even organic skin care products. We'd sit on the stools with our pasties and coffees in hand, and watch the locals drop in on their way to work.

We found some great bars and eclectic cafes, like the Laundromat where you can watch people doing their washing while enjoying some tasty food, or Granola situated in the coolest street and Halifax where the burgers are delicious!

The second reason I love this city is the design. The architecture, the products, the graphics, the art all just oozes cool. I am a huge fan of Scandinavian design and what better place to see it than the capital which houses some fab finds of the home. We loved checking out the Dora design store, not to mention Hay which sell these cool colourful trays.

There are two museums that should be on everyones to do list, especially if you have kids. The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and SMK are both architecturally wonderful, house beautiful art and even the lunch is served on brilliantly designed plates Now let's just take a minute to coo and ahh over little F....

Bikes. Bikes. Bikes. Yep the whole city is full of them and it's great. In fact it makes getting round the city a breeze and there are so many cool designs to look out for. If you have a little one you can get around with them tucked up in a cargo bike and if bikes don't take your fancy then the city is super easy to explore on foot. 

So yep that us, we love Copenhagen! There's probably so much more that I could share about this wonderful city: the beaches, the parks, the flowers, the friendly people, meeting Father Christmas... the list goes on. I hope I've inspired you to visit and if you're looking for a fun scandi adventure then this is the city for you.

This post is my entry in the 'tale of three cities' competition ran by Accor hotels. You can see some of the other entires by checking out the #3cities hashtag on twitter. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get to see my 35th Birthday abroad rather than at home on solo parenting duty.

**I'm so excited to find that we are a finalist in the #3cities competition. If you are able to RT this link it counts as a vote for us to win and we'd be super grateful!!**

A SAN FRANCISCO BREAKFAST

 The weekend started like most, with us venturing out for breakfast in the search for good food and strong coffee, as I'd been out dancing and *ahem* drinking the night before I was keen to fill myself up with goodness. A friend had recommended I try the newish kid on the block, Bakers & Co, knowing that I would love it and it didn't disappoint.

Click to read more