new beginnings

For the past 6 months or so, i have been weighed down with the decision of continuing stolen from grandma. During this time, my views on fashion blogging have shifted somewhat dramatically. It's crazy to think that this blog was started three years ago and has remained a constant passion for the majority of that time. I began blogging full of inspiration and genuine love, for self interest and career development. As an emerging stylist, it allowed me the ability to illustrate my own style, as well as documenting my abilities in a professional environment. Over the duration of three years, my blog has grown into more than i could ever hope for. I have every single person who follows, reads or has even just glimpsed at my blog to thank for that. You have allowed me more opportunities than i could have ever possibly imagined when i sat down to prepare that very first outfit post. THANK YOU. 

Lately however, my life seems to be heading in a different direction. Maybe it was my time in london, or perhaps just another one of life's little tricks, but the universe seems to be wielding a much different path for me. Stolen from Grandma has been a wonderful journey, but now i'd like to begin a new one. This year marks the beginning of many travels, undertaking study in nutritional medicine and finally the start of a new blog; the gypsy hart. The Gypsy Hart will be an exploration of travel, fashion and health. As much as i adore stolen from grandma, i also feel i have outgrown it. The Gypsy Hart will be a lifestyle blog, somewhere i can share my love for a much broader range of subjects. I want to thank everyone for their support over the years, and hope that i haven't upset anyone with this decision. I would love nothing more than to have you follow my future endeavours through the gypsy heart.

I am always regularly posting on my tumblr HERE

Love and thanks,

Claire

xxx

Dolly Model Search for Boohoo.com

A couple of weeks ago, i was asked to represent boohoo.com.au at the Perth Dolly model search. I can't tell you how much fun it was to be a part of this event. I was practically obsessed with Dolly magazine when i was a teenager, patiently waiting for the nest issue as soon as i'd bought the previous. The annual search always manages to source out the most beautiful Australian girls (miranda kerr and jessica hart just to name a couple) and this year perth managed to come out in full force. 

The girls not only strutted their stuff down the catwalk but also had some fun playing dress up's in boohoo's latest collection (making me extremely jealous of course with their never ending legs).  Meanwhile i was out in full force capturing their feminine, sweet summer style with as many photos i could possibly snap. Maybe it's just Perth's lucky sunny weather but something about boohoo's latest pieces had all the girls (myself included) swooning. 

After a good few hours and a LOT of contestants, the judges finally announced the beautiful winner. I would like to personally congratulate Samantha Garza who has been chosen as the Perth finalist for the Dolly model search! Samantha will go on to compete in the finals for the Dolly Model Search where one girl will be crowned Dolly ambassador, win a modelling contract with Chadwick Models and appear on the cover of Dolly Magazine. 

Goodbye Buckingham

Zara coat & scarf, Topshop jeans & bag

My last official day in london. Georgia and i took a trip to covent garden for the day, but on a whim decided to stop off for one last peek at the palace. I am so happy we braved the cold and decided to say goodbye, Buckingham always manages to make me smile. 

Shame Prince Harry wasn't home though, was hoping for a private tour.

photos by georgia herbert

xxx

Sweet Georgia

Vintage dress and boots, Zara coat, Thrifted bag

 Most of my time in the uk was spent playing adventurer with beautiful georgia. Eating too much, thrifting, drinking mulled wine, catching buses and getting stranded in the scottish countryside. I shot these during our time in scotland, a country full of rich greens and beautiful history.

I know for many of you, it probably seems like a bit of a whirlwind, living in london for such a brief amount of time, but in that time i learned more about myself than i had ever known before.  Much of this, i will share with you, but for now i just want to thank you all for taking such an interest in this blog and encouraging me to follow my dreams. Over the course of the next few months, there are going to be some changes to stolen from grandma. Some of these small and some large. I am definitely going to be taking a much more central role behind the lens. I know this may come as a surprise, seeing as my blog has been solely based on outfit posts, but truthfully i have never really felt comfortable being the one photographed. This blog was originally created as a platform for styling, to allow me opportunities into the industry i wanted to succeed in. Thankfully it has. Now, i'd like to continue my love for blogging by offering readers a little something different. Photography has become something of a 'hobby' for me, something i feel passionate and excited about. I hope to delve more into this art and hopefully you can join me and follow my journey. 

I may not be the one always in front of the lens anymore, but i will be working with people i believe should be. Georgia is one of those people. I hope you love her as much as i do. 

She has also started a blog of her own. Make sure you check out all her crazy antics here

xxx

brick lane recommendations

I have received a lot of emails from you guys asking for tips and advice about brick lane ever since i first posted about living there during my time in london. I have tried my best to answer as many emails as possible but for those who haven't received a response yet or for anyone else who is interested, i have put together a list of recommendations for you! 

Below is a list of my top things to do around brick lane. Favourite places to eat, drink, shop and soak in that quintessential east london vibe. I've tried to narrow it down to the things i consider a 'must' for those with time restraints but if you have anymore questions please feel free to tweet me here and i'll be happy to help in anyway i can. Enjoy!

Sunday markets

If your visiting london and wanting to make a visit to brick lane, the best time to go is a sunday. The brick lane sunday markets is when brick lane comes alive. There's vintage, music, food and everywhere you look theres someone with amazing style. Every sunday i was living here, i ventured out into the markets for incredible food, interesting finds and a whole lot of people watching.

Tea rooms - One of my favourite parts of the markets is the tea rooms! A bit like stumbling upon aladdin's cave, the rooms are filled with old antiques, clothes, handmade items and random bits and bobs. My favourite thing to do was wander amongst the busy stalls just admiring each little piece of history i came across. 

Ethiopiques - My favourite food in the whole of london. This is absolute top of my list for anyone eating on brick lane. A food stall in the building located directly across from all star bowling. Owned by two sisters, it serves ethiopian vegetarian/vegan food that is so unbelievable it will blow your mind. Georgia, rach and i looked forward to this every weekend. There's so many amazing dishes, so ask for a mixed box and make sure the wrap is included. If you make it here, make sure you let me know what you think!

Nutella Crepes - The best crepes are the ones from the street stalls in the middle of brick lane. The nutella and banana is to die for!

Where to eat/drink

Full Stop Cafe - You could say i practically lived here during my time on brick lane. Not only was it right next door to my flat (convenient right?) but it was the perfect place to just kick back and chill. I'd spend hours in here just working away on my laptop. The music's ace too.

Brick Lane Coffee - Best coffee, smoothies and salads on brick lane. Plus the cafe is decked out with comfy couches and cool lamps, great place to wind down. Make sure and try their raw vegan salad!

Hookah Lounge - Cosy bar and speciality tea house. If your big on tea and cool vibes, don't miss this one. I spent too many a night here seeking warmth from the cold and chatting excitedly with rach and georgia over their delicious mulled wine.

Indian - Brick lane is known for it's curries so we made sure to try out a few indians. The best we had was actually from the street stalls. Best idea is to get a takeaway and enjoy wandering the markets.

The beigel shop - Apparently the most famous bagel shop in london. For reference, it is the beigel shop with the yellow sign, not the white (very important!). We tried both and without doubt, the yellow signed store wins by a landslide.  Don't let the rusty exterior frighten you, i promise after you've tried one you will not regret it! Living across from a bagel shop may have been the best/worst thing ever. Your taste buds love it, but in the long run, your hips don't agree. 

Fika cafe/bar and kitchen - The best scrambled eggs on toast i have ever had! Yes EVER. 

Big Chill - Great bar, great music, great food, great people, what more could you ask for?  

Vintage Stores

As i mentioned above, the best time to go vintage shopping on brick lane is during the sunday markets. Not only is there a lot more vintage on offer, it's also a lot cheaper. My best advice is to start from the top end and work your way down, that way you won't miss anything. There's usually signs marked on buildings reading 'vintage or vintage sale' so make sure you check them out, they're filled with stalls and amazing one of a kind pieces. 

Here's a few of my favourite stores:

Vintage Basement - Actually on Cheshire street, just off brick lane (by about 30 seconds) this was probably my favourite vintage store. I found that the stores directly on brick lane tended to be a bit more pricey  so this was a good find affordability wise. Theres two levels of vintage goodness and they're all within a good price range. I go the coolest skirt from here and it was only 4 pounds. They usually have an awesome levi collection so make sure you check it out.  

Rock it - Directly on brick lane, it can get busy on sundays but they have a great selection of vintage and often have good sales so it's easy to find a bargain. 

The Vintage Emporium - A little bit pricier but for what you're getting it's worth it. I found the most incredible 1960's scalloped tops in there. If your a die hard vintage lover, it's a definite must. Plus it also doubles as a tea room, my two perfect things combined. 

Beyond Retro - An obvious but necessary inclusion, I'd heard much about beyond retro but was still amazed at the collection of vintage. Surprisingly it's all very well priced too. They have an amazing denim overall collection, plus the vibe is incredible.

I hope this helps give a little help to those of you who are looking to visit brick lane or are generally just interested! It's my first time writing one of these so apologies if i've missed anything! Let me know if it's something you would like to see more of. I shall be travelling europe in the summer so can easily put together a list for each place i visit :)

xxx