9th August 2015
art direction PARK & CUBE graphic design SHINI PARK styling and photo assistance SIMON SCHMIDT
created for bPay by Barclaycard
created for bPay by Barclaycard
Wearable technology
Five favourite contactless weekend spots
One step closer to eradicating the bag altogether
When it comes to wearable technology, I‘d like to think that my bra is so far the most high-tech contraption I wear – I mean, making it seem like there‘s actually something there!? Pure magic. Sure, my phone is basically an extension of my right arm, but when I do want to switch off and enjoy the weekend in the city with my needy man, I find that there‘s nothing better than fastening a digital wallet on your sleeve and opting for a tiny, tic-tac sized bag with a face on it. Soon I will stop carrying bags altogether and morph into a dude, and that will still be fine because I already like wiping my hands dry on my jeans.
Here’s five of my favourite weekend spots, sponsored by bPay by Barclaycard, although I’ve always wanted to put this together since the dawn of contactless, so I’m glad it’s now a much more widespread form of payment. bPay is available to anyone with a UK-registered Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card, and can be topped up via the app manually or set it to auto refill. Perfect for Admiral Lazy over here, so join the club.
Blazer – Hofmann. Sweater – Hoss Intropia. Skirt – Tata Naka. Hat – H&M
Electric Cinema + Barbour & Parlour Kitchen
64-66 Redchurch St, Shoreditch London E2 7DP
Anywhere that supports a couch potato lifestyle is a plus in my book. Part of the Soho House Group, each screen seats up to only 50 viewers. Each plush armchair is complete with cashmere blankets and enough recline to nap during boring scenes. Pick up a drink and upmarket ‚snacks‘ at Barbour & Parlour kitchen, to enjoy during the movie. Quick contactless payments means darting in and out for seconds. I mean, cocktails + Magic Mike XXL = YES.
Shirt – GANT. Culottes – Kirsty Wade. Bag – Coccinelle. Scarf – MiH. Boots – Chloe
Play Date
Majority of museums in the UK are free (best trait of the city), so museum-hopping is a perfect cheap-date strategy.
Start with the Museum of Childhood to jump-start the morning with colourful vintage toys, then hop to the Barbican Food Hall for lunch. The V&A and British Library have killer shops. The Wellcome Collection on Euston road is my personal favourite. Finish at the Serpentine overlooking a perfect English sunset in Kensington Gardens.
Rough Trade East
Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Ln, E1 6QL
From Sugababes to Iron Maiden – this is my London go-to for records and CDs when Spotify just won‘t do. Digging up old Disney Fantasia records is a personal favourite pasttime.
£139
Newgate Watches
Newgate Watches
For Those About to Rock
AC/DC
AC/DC
£24.99
bPay wristband
bPay wristband
£350
Michael Van Der Ham X Lunettes
Michael Van Der Ham X Lunettes
£59
The Conran Shop
The Conran Shop
Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath Rd, London E2 9PA
One of the most underrated, under-promoted museums in the city. Revisit your childhood and awaken curiosities amongst vintage toys and centuries-old child-education. One of my favourite museums in London since discovering it nine years back.
Top – Nike x Sacai. Trousers – Zara. Bandana – ASOS.
£35
Lipstick Queen
Lipstick Queen
£14.99
bPay sticker
bPay sticker
The bPay sticker is perfect for those that cannot part with their phone. Mine is stuck inside my phone cover.
£350
Marni
Marni
£80
Est by ES
Est by ES
wearable technology
Emirates Air Line
27 Western Gateway, London E16 1BW
One of the very few ways to see London from high up, without hitting up one of the towers in the city or a flight with a Western approach. Stellar views of Canary Wharf and the O2. Best seen at sunset, and even better on a rainy day. Use as transport method to cut across the river for a day out at Greenwich (where the second Thor movie was shot).
Scarf, Coat – Est by ES. Bag – Gucci. Dress – ASOS.
Coat, skirt – Versus. Trousers – Zara. Belt – Louis Vuitton.
wearable technology
While not necessarily the most attractive ‚weekend destination‘ (in fact, I personally recommend avoiding like the plague from the minute TGIF starts, straight to Sunday-stumble-home), the London Underground, or ‚the tube‘ is undoubtedly the best place to go contactless. No more fumbling at the gates for your Oyster card and causing a domino effect down the escalator, or waiting in a queue to top-up at the machine and then having to take retirement.
I‘m still a sucker for paperback, especially history books on World World II.
Outliers
Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell
Ardennes
Antony Beevor
Antony Beevor
£19.99
bPay fob
bPay fob
£29.99
London Transport Museum
London Transport Museum
Jacket – Topshop. Skirt – Tata Naka. Trousers – Glamorous
Pitta Chips
Soffles
Soffles
Tonic Water
Botanic Lab
Botanic Lab
£24.99
bPay wristband
bPay wristband
£635
Tata Naka
Tata Naka
Counter Albion
45 Redchurch St, London E2 7DJ
Hip, little sister of Albion Cafe a few doors down, this is also my second home when the going gets a bit stuffy at home and I need hot ginger ale on tap. Great lunch service, contactless – naturally, and heathy snacks between meals. Venture into the roomy back room for a seat under the skylight.
Also love…
Pret – Starbucks
Let‘s be honest, nothing else defines ‚on-the-go‘ city-gal than Pret or Starbucks. The latter just introduced a new summer drink called Caramel Coffee Jelly, which I‘m officially addicted to. Similar addiction applies to Mango & Mint Quinoa bowl at Pret, although slightly more difficult to find.
Your blog is da best!!!! love the layout :D
http://www.vonnydu.com
Oh wow!! Incredible post! I’m so inspired and speechless now!
http://lartoffashion.com
Oh wow!! Incredible post! I’m so inspired and speechless now!!! :)
http://lartoffashion.com
love the layout of this post, amazing photos!
Rachel // Style Soup
Your blog posts are incredible. Stunning photography, and amazing layout. I feel like I’m reading a magazine each time! You’re making me aim higher with my blogging standards!
http://www.luxamundi.co.uk
What a beautiful article and photos! Thank you for sharing!
X
Miri
http://currentlywearing.com
great post. I love wearable technology.
It’s interesting that the UK are finally doing things like contactless when places like Korea have been doing it for years.
http://www.nineteen-ten.com
Lovely Pictures!:)
Lisa
xx
Joy Della Vita Travelblog
Beautiful post!
Hi Shini, I’m a new fan who’s fallen in love with your blog and your wicked sense of humour.
I don’t think I’ll ever give up paperbacks, though WWII stories are too painful to read. I’ve heard many of them in real life from survivors.
I love your blog so much!! x
Marveling-Mind
Wow just when I think you have outdone yourself you pull anotherone out of the bag. This is such a cool post!
http://www.itsallbee.
I’m not sure I’d wear the bracelet but I like the sticker for the phone. Especially since my phone goes everywhere with me.
& I love these guides. Even though you’re working with Bpay, it always gives me ideas on places to visit in London.
TFM BLOG
incredible composition!
http://carissainez.com
Your blog truly is art. You’re so inspiring!
Say what, we’re paying by wrists now! We’re in the future. Great bit of content, Shini.
Buckets & Spades
Love your posts. You keep outdoing yourself! Great photos!
http://theavantguardian.com
How odd, this seems like a device straight out of ‘Back to the future’ ! Odd but very practical it seems ! I would have loved to have that when I went to London, the oyster card system has yet to be perfected in my opinion. Last time I spent my entire stay freaking out every two hours when I couldn’t find it anymore or making sure it wasn’t folded in a weird way in my pocket. Turns out after three days it was completely ruined !
On a sidenote, I am totally in love with the shoes in your first outfit as well as with the pink shirt ! Just beautiful !
xx, Charlie
http://charlieleschroniques.blogspot.com/
Flippin heck lady! This is one awesome post. I use contactless a lot these days but only via the ol’ debit card. Feels like I’m not shopping though which is so dangerous! Love the bpay sticker though, that’s so handy!
Fucking amazing.
oooo swoon – this is mega!
also love the fact you have acdc in there – woman after my own heart!
I have said this before but I am gonna repeat this: you are one of the best most inspiring bloggers out there! I love love love the magazine layout!! Oh Shini – stop being so awesome!
As if your blog couldn’t get any better, you are my graphic design goals for sure haha. Before you know it we’ll all be paying via telepathy…but this seems pretty futuristic already ;) beautiful photography and I can’t wait to get my hands on a contactless card, let alone this wristband of magic!
x
Emma » Paris by Friday
Such an amazing post!! Seriously looks like an editorial magazine! <3
Your layout & photos are perfect!!! xxx
Dude, Shini. *jaw dropped* this is the best post I’ve seen. I’m actually considering going contactless as it makes city-dwelling that much easier. I’m always that annoying person that pays by card and has to type in the pin haha. Finally, contactless means you can get a bigger bag of popcorn, right? x
I love the entire concept Shini! :) I love all your looks and the lifestyle that your photos portray makes me want to be just like the subject! I love how you were able to incorporate this bracelet seamlessly to embody such class and luxe. Amazing talent you have! Congrats on this post! It’s beautiful!
Wonderful list and absolutely flawless photography, as always. x
Wow, you sure are luck to be able to carry such a small stylish futuristic wallet. I wish I live in London! :(
I really like the layout! And that wristband is to-die-for!
http://www.peppermintswing.tumblr.com
absolutely in love with your blog. really like that it feels like reading a magazine!
love from london x
lynn | http://nexttolondon.blogspot.co.uk/
that wristband is really cool. makes life easy
malinda
http://www.malindaknowles.net
I so so love your blue outfit, especially the shirt with that gorgeous shade of blue!
Thanks for all the tips, I really need to go back to London again, it’s been way too long :-)
XO,
Izzy
http://www.nearnoise.com
This is so much more than a blog post. It’s an experience and an amazing one.
P.S. Loving The Haute Pursuit’s new website, great job Shini :)!
I didn’t know that most museums in London were free! These seem like such great places to visit. The Emirates Air Line seems like a fairly new addition to the city? I have to say this again, I really love your blog :) it’s so sleek and awesome and whenever I come visit your site, your work inspires me to try new and better things for my blog!
Smiles,
Rufina
http://www.rufinapark.blogspot.com
Love the magazine layout! Looks so Vogue like :)
xx,
Marie
http://www.livriot.blogspot.com
http://www.livriot.blogspot.com
Wonderful outfit. I LOVE it so much. You look gorgeous as always.
http://www.lingerietheory.com
Love the orange handbag! Great style chica.
XO, Jessi
mywhiteT.com
Completely and utterly in love with post; the layout details and images are on point! Wearable technology always seems so futuristic but you manage to really bring it back down to reality. That would be an absolute lifesaver on the Tube!
♡ veena | seveninchstilettos.com
twitter/instagram: @veenamccoole
I love your style, photos are amazing and perfects details… Im you Fan now:)
I love your style, photos are amazing and perfects details… Im your Fan now:)
Your layout is just amaaaaaaaaazing, and the way you put everything together! It feels like reading a magazine (except it doesn’t, because your copywriting is WITTY and useful and humourous in the right way unlike every magazine I’ve ever read), and better yet, you can just CLICK THROUGH to all the bits and bobs that pique your interest! You’ve absolutely nailed this blogging thing, really you have.
:)
p.s – contactless seems amazing. I’d really like one of these because I’ll take any excuse to leave a cumbersome handbag at home. Freeing!
Flora
Ooh such kindness. BTW You have a beautiful blog <3
Yay! I love all your outfits in this post. Too gorgeous. <3
xx,
Lucy Van Dean | Instagram
I loved this post!
http://www.killthemwithchic.com
Loving this magazine layout :)
I just came across your blog and I love it!
The layout is brilliant and so different from what’s out there at the moment.
http://www.classicoytser.com
THIS POST IS INSANE. Every time I come back it is better and better. I honestly cannot keep up with how good it is. Sophie xxxx
http://www.fashionnomads.com
i like your dressing and style. i hope i will be good looking like you when i wear on this Christmas: Star Lord Jacket
Your is very beautiful with awesome layout.
You look Awesome having fun. Really good to see this post.
thanks for sharing us.
Very informative post I really like it. Happy to hear about it more.