Chic break

As much as I absolutely adore London and seldom venture elsewhere, the sweltering 34-degree heat and a string of sleepless nights have left me utterly drained.

After what can only be described as a truly upsetting and difficult few months, I decided that a change of scenery might help. Packing minimal clothes, I left sweltering London in shorts, only to land in pouring rain.

I took a short flight to Germany to visit family and explore new cities. In the photo above, I’m in Munich, where I initially arrived in a white blouse that became transparent in the pouring rain. With limited options, I rushed to the nearest Zara and bought a striped sweater for €17, which I hadn’t planned on spending. About an hour later, the sun came out, and I visited a beautiful church. Unfortunately, I left my £139 Ray-Ban glasses on a bench and they were never seen again.

Unbelievably, Stuttgart required me to wear a scarf and jeans. After some internal debate, I finally decided to pack my favourite soft, baggy denim. With new shops and markets to explore, I found everything to be quite expensive, especially food. For instance, I paid 8€ for a beer in Munich and 5€ for a punnet of strawberries in the market square in Stuttgart-Centre.

The Christmas museum in Rothenburg was incredible, featuring more teddy bears than tourists. I couldn't resist purchasing a new furry friend to take home with me. I also enjoyed a local delicacy called a "snowball" while admiring the life-sized Nutcracker statues and the vibrant architecture.

Maximilianstrasse is a renowned street in Munich known for luxury shopping, as seen in the picture outside Hermes. The familiar brands and recognisable shop fronts create a vibe reminiscent of Bond Street, albeit quieter. Fashion transcends languages, and an appreciation for individual style is both recognised and noted. The red shoes I wore turned quite a few heads, but when I unveiled the gold pair the following day, I truly lit up Marienplatz. I noticed many people pointing at my feet and taking photos of my shoes.

A holiday or break is a perfect opportunity to hit the reset button. It's mid-July, but stores are already clearing out summer merchandise as the freshness of autumn approaches.

Upon returning to London, I encountered a weather warning for floods and torrential rain. It seems I brought back more than just my bear from Germany.