It's the most wonderful time of the year. There's not much I enjoy about the British winter apart from seeing London lit up with all the Christmas lights. This year, Dior has taken over Harrods giving it a festive gingerbread-themed makeover. Alongside giving all the store windows and store facade the Dior treatment, they also have a temporary exhibition made entirely from gingerbread. It's a must-see!
The Fabulous World of Dior is a free exhibition open to the public. You are brought to a set of escalators travelling down to the lower ground of the store. Surrounding the escalators is something straight out of the entrance of La Galerie Dior in Paris. A very aesthetically pleasing rainbow of miniature versions of the brand's classic bags, gowns and shoes in block colours.
At the bottom of the escalators, you are stopped by a large curtain which is soon pulled back to reveal an incredible gingerbread depiction of 30 Montaigne, Dior's flagship store in Paris. The real-life version of the building carries a lot of history being the place Christian Dior opened his first atelier and store in Paris, just off Champs-Élyseés. Christian Dior's shop then expanded from 30 Montaigne to pretty much the entire block. In the gingerbread version, there are cut out windows showing various ateliers and seamstresses made from, you guessed it, gingerbread.
I loved the window with the J'adior slingback and how they incorporated the gingerbread to set the scene. I also loved the staircase in the middle window which on every level had families and people spread out on the landing. The tour guide mentioned the staircase railing was made from sugar. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture to share but it's amazing. It was incredible to see the art and skill that went into not just beautifully decorating the gingerbread pieces and scenes but constructing it too. As an exhibition from Dior, would you ever expect anything less?
The rest of the exhibition followed similarly, carrying that wow factor. Behind the main masterpiece was a garden containing miniature garden-inspired dresses twirling in a snow-like scene. It was something small and simple but paired with the whimsical classical music that follows you through the exhibition, it was stunning. If you've been to La Galerie Dior, you would recognise quite a few of the gowns.
The last gingerbread scene you see before you are guided to the exit are gingerbread characters playing in the snow. There's one scene of a parent and child building a snowman in the snow - which just so happens to be a Dior gown!
The exhibition is a piece of Christmas magic located in the heart of Harrods. It's a small but mighty exhibition showcasing three of Christian Dior's favourite buildings – 30 Montaigne, Granville and La Colle Noire – made from gingerbread. The winter wonderland brings some of the Dior magic to the UK, which it hasn't seen since the incredible V&A showcase back in 2019. There is also a Dior cafe located on the ground floor where you can buy some Dior-inspired gingerbread treats. Personally, I'd skip that and head to the Harrods bakery and treat yourself to one of their cakes instead.
Love, Aoife
The exhibition is ticketed (but free) until Jan 3rd.
It's the most wonderful time of the year. There's not much I enjoy about the British winter apart from seeing London lit up with all the Christmas lights. This year, Dior has taken over Harrods giving it a festive gingerbread-themed makeover. Alongside giving all the store windows and store facade the Dior treatment, they also have a temporary exhibition made entirely from gingerbread. It's a must-see!
The Fabulous World of Dior is a free exhibition open to the public. You are brought to a set of escalators travelling down to the lower ground of the store. Surrounding the escalators is something straight out of the entrance of La Galerie Dior in Paris. A very aesthetically pleasing rainbow of miniature versions of the brand's classic bags, gowns and shoes in block colours.
At the bottom of the escalators, you are stopped by a large curtain which is soon pulled back to reveal an incredible gingerbread depiction of 30 Montaigne, Dior's flagship store in Paris. The real-life version of the building carries a lot of history being the place Christian Dior opened his first atelier and store in Paris, just off Champs-Élyseés. Christian Dior's shop then expanded from 30 Montaigne to pretty much the entire block. In the gingerbread version, there are cut out windows showing various ateliers and seamstresses made from, you guessed it, gingerbread.
I loved the window with the J'adior slingback and how they incorporated the gingerbread to set the scene. I also loved the staircase in the middle window which on every level had families and people spread out on the landing. The tour guide mentioned the staircase railing was made from sugar. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture to share but it's amazing. It was incredible to see the art and skill that went into not just beautifully decorating the gingerbread pieces and scenes but constructing it too. As an exhibition from Dior, would you ever expect anything less?
The rest of the exhibition followed similarly, carrying that wow factor. Behind the main masterpiece was a garden containing miniature garden-inspired dresses twirling in a snow-like scene. It was something small and simple but paired with the whimsical classical music that follows you through the exhibition, it was stunning. If you've been to La Galerie Dior, you would recognise quite a few of the gowns.
The last gingerbread scene you see before you are guided to the exit are gingerbread characters playing in the snow. There's one scene of a parent and child building a snowman in the snow - which just so happens to be a Dior gown!
The exhibition is a piece of Christmas magic located in the heart of Harrods. It's a small but mighty exhibition showcasing three of Christian Dior's favourite buildings – 30 Montaigne, Granville and La Colle Noire – made from gingerbread. The winter wonderland brings some of the Dior magic to the UK, which it hasn't seen since the incredible V&A showcase back in 2019. There is also a Dior cafe located on the ground floor where you can buy some Dior-inspired gingerbread treats. Personally, I'd skip that and head to the Harrods bakery and treat yourself to one of their cakes instead.
Love, Aoife
The exhibition is ticketed (but free) until Jan 3rd.
Peter Carl Fabergé is renowned for his collection of Imperial Easter Eggs. A collection of 50 stunning eggs made with incredible craftsmanship that can fetch an eye wateringly obscene amount when sold. But there’s more to the goldsmith than his collection of egg-shaped gifts made for Russian royalty.
Inside the exhibition
Items made by Fabergé combined fiercely expensive jewels and stones with less expensive materials such as enamel (a technique fusing metal and glass).
Fabergé was a brand clearly designed and catering for the wealthiest who could afford the simplest of items but had plenty of money to afford an extravagant version. A lot of his clientele were royalty in some form- you’d have to be to afford the price in that era. A crystal Coronation vase was purchased for £430 which is worth about £4.8 million today. Similarly, a collection of silver bowls indented with a design cost the owner £250 but it now worth about £3.8 million today.
Fabergé also made a lot of animal figurines for the royal family. The placard explained some of them had been made purely for its artistic value than anything else. While I’m not entirely sure I can appreciate the value of a French bulldog made from Bowenite with diamond eyes, the level of detail was impeccable. You could pick out every hair and wrinkle on the dog, something that is not easy to do when you're carving stone. My favourite figurine on display was a snail. It was smaller than my fingernail but my oh my was the level of detail outstanding.
Final Thoughts
Peter Carl Fabergé is renowned for his collection of Imperial Easter Eggs. A collection of 50 stunning eggs made with incredible craftsmanship that can fetch an eye wateringly obscene amount when sold. But there’s more to the goldsmith than his collection of egg-shaped gifts made for Russian royalty.
Inside the exhibition
Items made by Fabergé combined fiercely expensive jewels and stones with less expensive materials such as enamel (a technique fusing metal and glass).
Fabergé was a brand clearly designed and catering for the wealthiest who could afford the simplest of items but had plenty of money to afford an extravagant version. A lot of his clientele were royalty in some form- you’d have to be to afford the price in that era. A crystal Coronation vase was purchased for £430 which is worth about £4.8 million today. Similarly, a collection of silver bowls indented with a design cost the owner £250 but it now worth about £3.8 million today.
Fabergé also made a lot of animal figurines for the royal family. The placard explained some of them had been made purely for its artistic value than anything else. While I’m not entirely sure I can appreciate the value of a French bulldog made from Bowenite with diamond eyes, the level of detail was impeccable. You could pick out every hair and wrinkle on the dog, something that is not easy to do when you're carving stone. My favourite figurine on display was a snail. It was smaller than my fingernail but my oh my was the level of detail outstanding.
Final Thoughts
The goals I’ve set myself are based around things that make my happy and what I aspire from my life. A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog post on all the things I’m leaving behind in the previous year (Over it) but this year, I wanted to get off to a positive start and all the things I want to look forward to.
I know that some people like to split their goals into different categories such as Personal, Health, Finances, Career and Lifestyle etc. I didn't approach my goals following that structure but I think they naturally fall into at least one of those categories anyway. I went for ones that are easy to achieve and are focused on doing things that make me happy.
What's on my vision board:
01 // Create more aka blog regularly
I say this every year but this time it’ll stick. What has me so confident? Well, blogging has always been an outlet for me. And, now that I’m working in an industry that can be very dry, blogging has also become a place of refuge of positivity, creativity and more importantly, colour! It’s a place for me to immersive myself and stay connected to a world I’d like to professionally jump back in to when the time’s right. I'd also like to experiment with different mediums and use video more.
02 // Work on building a career & increase my income
One of the things I'd like to focus on this year is my career. I want to work out where I see myself this time next year and in five years time, think about my goal and my end game. Do I want to continue in the job and the industry I'm in or do I want to take on a new career path? I know that I'm happy in the industry I work in but not so happy in the area I'm in. Another factor that ties into that is finances. I’d like to increase my income this year and end the year on a higher salary with potentially another income stream.
03 // Become a Pilates pro & be brave enough to use the rest of the gym
After the endless promises I've made about blogging regularly last year, which I sort of kept but also not really, I'm aware of jumping the gun with some things. However, I feel like I've already completed half of my goal. I joined the gym last summer and have been attending the Pilates class twice a week religiously ever since. I really enjoy it and can already notice a difference in where I hold tension and my posture. Now, I just need to venture past the studio and use the actual gym bit.
04 // Travel more
I know travelling is a little harder these days what with a pandemic and endless testing but I really miss going abroad, exploring new places and experiencing life. I know I could easily book a flight, get the right tests and checks so I can fly but it all seems like a lot of hassle. Plus, I don’t want to risk catching the virus or passing it on to someone. I did a couple UK-based vacations last year, but I'd like to make it past the borders at some point and ideally somewhere warm like Milan, Venice or revisit Nice.
05 // Have more confidence in myself and go on more solo outings
One of the things I’d like to focus more on this year is taking myself out on dates and adventures alone instead of waiting for a friend to be free to come with me. If I think of all the things I put off because I didn’t want to go alone and all my friends were busy, I have missed out on so many incredible things. I always say this but London is such a great place with so many things to do that you could never tire of, and if I don't go because I'm not confident enough to do it alone, how can I make the most of life?
What's on your vision board for this year?
Love, Aoife xo
The goals I’ve set myself are based around things that make my happy and what I aspire from my life. A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog post on all the things I’m leaving behind in the previous year (Over it) but this year, I wanted to get off to a positive start and all the things I want to look forward to.
I know that some people like to split their goals into different categories such as Personal, Health, Finances, Career and Lifestyle etc. I didn't approach my goals following that structure but I think they naturally fall into at least one of those categories anyway. I went for ones that are easy to achieve and are focused on doing things that make me happy.
What's on my vision board:
01 // Create more aka blog regularly
I say this every year but this time it’ll stick. What has me so confident? Well, blogging has always been an outlet for me. And, now that I’m working in an industry that can be very dry, blogging has also become a place of refuge of positivity, creativity and more importantly, colour! It’s a place for me to immersive myself and stay connected to a world I’d like to professionally jump back in to when the time’s right. I'd also like to experiment with different mediums and use video more.
02 // Work on building a career & increase my income
One of the things I'd like to focus on this year is my career. I want to work out where I see myself this time next year and in five years time, think about my goal and my end game. Do I want to continue in the job and the industry I'm in or do I want to take on a new career path? I know that I'm happy in the industry I work in but not so happy in the area I'm in. Another factor that ties into that is finances. I’d like to increase my income this year and end the year on a higher salary with potentially another income stream.
03 // Become a Pilates pro & be brave enough to use the rest of the gym
After the endless promises I've made about blogging regularly last year, which I sort of kept but also not really, I'm aware of jumping the gun with some things. However, I feel like I've already completed half of my goal. I joined the gym last summer and have been attending the Pilates class twice a week religiously ever since. I really enjoy it and can already notice a difference in where I hold tension and my posture. Now, I just need to venture past the studio and use the actual gym bit.
04 // Travel more
I know travelling is a little harder these days what with a pandemic and endless testing but I really miss going abroad, exploring new places and experiencing life. I know I could easily book a flight, get the right tests and checks so I can fly but it all seems like a lot of hassle. Plus, I don’t want to risk catching the virus or passing it on to someone. I did a couple UK-based vacations last year, but I'd like to make it past the borders at some point and ideally somewhere warm like Milan, Venice or revisit Nice.
05 // Have more confidence in myself and go on more solo outings
One of the things I’d like to focus more on this year is taking myself out on dates and adventures alone instead of waiting for a friend to be free to come with me. If I think of all the things I put off because I didn’t want to go alone and all my friends were busy, I have missed out on so many incredible things. I always say this but London is such a great place with so many things to do that you could never tire of, and if I don't go because I'm not confident enough to do it alone, how can I make the most of life?
What's on your vision board for this year?
Love, Aoife xo
I can't believe I can finally say I've graduated! I. Aoife Caitriona. Have. Graduated!!!!
I was so nervous and scared in my first year of uni especially as I moved to a new town and knew no one there. If I could send a message to my past self, here's what I would say...
Dear Aoife,
You are about to embark on one of the biggest journeys you'll make in life; University. And you'll smash it! I know this because you graduated today with first class honours and in true style, at the top of your class with 76%. And you won best student on your course!
I am so proud of everything you have done to take advantage of this opportunity and follow through on your dreams. You never once gave up on your focus or what you're passionate about. Oh, and those Jimmy Choo's you're lusting after? You got them and strutted across the stage looking like a woman who's got her sh*t together. Just a heads up, you're almost there!
You will have the most adventurous three years of your life. Sorry, that was the nicest way I could phrase it. I won't sugarcoat anything but you'll spend your first year feeling alone (but receiving your first piece of blogger mail!), second year living with a psycho (and spending all your money on train tickets home) and third year *finally* feeling confident in yourself.
All those nerves you are feeling are completely normal but find excitement in them. That feeling of loneliness you feel I'm sorry to say is one you'll get used to but it get's easier. Use that time to create. To blog. To film content. To have fun and make friends. The last one might take a little while to do but at the end you'll have a gang of girls who'll stick by you.
Nothing in life comes easy but you've been working hard all your life. Just remember to enjoy it and live in the moment! Make the most of the not-so-good times and turn them into a positive. Be passionate and stay true to yourself.
Love, Aoife xo
* * *
I have never been prouder of myself for not only completing university but graduating with first class honours and at the top of my course! I'm not much of a boastful person but I'm going to give myself this moment to celebrate my achievements.
The day itself was wonderful and it felt great to finally be able to celebrate. I wore a stunning baby blue Reiss dress with the pair of Jimmy Choo's I promised myself I'd wear when I graduate on my feet. We travelled down to Portsmouth for the ceremony and to take pictures before finishing the day at The Ivy in the Lanes in Brighton.
Some of my favourite moments at university:
- Getting dressed up to go to the Chancellor's ball at Portsmouth Guildhall in first year. This was my first official outing at university and we went with the magazine society. My friend and I dressed up for the event and kept ourselves entertained by creating stories for the people in the pictures placed along the Guildhall's corridor.
- Taco night with my flatmates in third year. We made our own fresh salsa and put the leftovers in a tub in the fridge. Despite it being in a somewhat airtight container, the fridge stunk of onion for the next week. Even the red velvet cakes we baked had a weird onion aroma.
- Going to the gym for the first time. During first year, I would go to the gym in my friend's building. I went a little hard in one of the sessions and my body ached the next day. I sent a very dramatic text to another friend complaining I couldn't move and go on anymore; she still hasn't let me live it down.
- Appearing on BBC Radio 4's Today show. I only managed to say about ten words but hello, I spoke on national radio!
- Getting an internship at Marie Claire and then working as a freelancer. Some of you may know working at a fashion magazine has been a dream since I picked up my first issue of Glamour. I started off as a summer intern and was asked to come back to help over Black Friday. I loved the team I worked with and I learnt my value as a professional here too.
I can't believe I can finally say I've graduated! I. Aoife Caitriona. Have. Graduated!!!!
I was so nervous and scared in my first year of uni especially as I moved to a new town and knew no one there. If I could send a message to my past self, here's what I would say...
Dear Aoife,
You are about to embark on one of the biggest journeys you'll make in life; University. And you'll smash it! I know this because you graduated today with first class honours and in true style, at the top of your class with 76%. And you won best student on your course!
I am so proud of everything you have done to take advantage of this opportunity and follow through on your dreams. You never once gave up on your focus or what you're passionate about. Oh, and those Jimmy Choo's you're lusting after? You got them and strutted across the stage looking like a woman who's got her sh*t together. Just a heads up, you're almost there!
You will have the most adventurous three years of your life. Sorry, that was the nicest way I could phrase it. I won't sugarcoat anything but you'll spend your first year feeling alone (but receiving your first piece of blogger mail!), second year living with a psycho (and spending all your money on train tickets home) and third year *finally* feeling confident in yourself.
All those nerves you are feeling are completely normal but find excitement in them. That feeling of loneliness you feel I'm sorry to say is one you'll get used to but it get's easier. Use that time to create. To blog. To film content. To have fun and make friends. The last one might take a little while to do but at the end you'll have a gang of girls who'll stick by you.
Nothing in life comes easy but you've been working hard all your life. Just remember to enjoy it and live in the moment! Make the most of the not-so-good times and turn them into a positive. Be passionate and stay true to yourself.
Love, Aoife xo
* * *
I have never been prouder of myself for not only completing university but graduating with first class honours and at the top of my course! I'm not much of a boastful person but I'm going to give myself this moment to celebrate my achievements.
The day itself was wonderful and it felt great to finally be able to celebrate. I wore a stunning baby blue Reiss dress with the pair of Jimmy Choo's I promised myself I'd wear when I graduate on my feet. We travelled down to Portsmouth for the ceremony and to take pictures before finishing the day at The Ivy in the Lanes in Brighton.
Some of my favourite moments at university:
- Getting dressed up to go to the Chancellor's ball at Portsmouth Guildhall in first year. This was my first official outing at university and we went with the magazine society. My friend and I dressed up for the event and kept ourselves entertained by creating stories for the people in the pictures placed along the Guildhall's corridor.
- Taco night with my flatmates in third year. We made our own fresh salsa and put the leftovers in a tub in the fridge. Despite it being in a somewhat airtight container, the fridge stunk of onion for the next week. Even the red velvet cakes we baked had a weird onion aroma.
- Going to the gym for the first time. During first year, I would go to the gym in my friend's building. I went a little hard in one of the sessions and my body ached the next day. I sent a very dramatic text to another friend complaining I couldn't move and go on anymore; she still hasn't let me live it down.
- Appearing on BBC Radio 4's Today show. I only managed to say about ten words but hello, I spoke on national radio!
- Getting an internship at Marie Claire and then working as a freelancer. Some of you may know working at a fashion magazine has been a dream since I picked up my first issue of Glamour. I started off as a summer intern and was asked to come back to help over Black Friday. I loved the team I worked with and I learnt my value as a professional here too.
01 // Work out what you value.
02 // Find out how to wake up happy.
03 // Go with the flow.
I hope these tips have helped. How do you like to start the day?
01 // Work out what you value.
02 // Find out how to wake up happy.
03 // Go with the flow.
I hope these tips have helped. How do you like to start the day?
01 // Negative people
02 // Procrastination
04 // Ignoring yourself (where's your self care routine, hun?)
05 // Underestimating yourself
Love, Aoife xo
01 // Negative people
02 // Procrastination
04 // Ignoring yourself (where's your self care routine, hun?)
05 // Underestimating yourself
Love, Aoife xo
02 // Time management is bullsh*t. I think one of the hardest things I’ve had to learn is working and getting my work done between the set hours of 9 to 5:30. I’ve been told this is normal when you’re working. I've also been told that as a journalist, managing time is a regular challenge but you've got to work it out somehow.
03 // Make time for yourself. At university, we went from having all the time in the world to manage studies when we wanted and for extra curricular. As a newly working graduate, a big chunk of your day is spent working. One thing I’ve learnt is to make an effort to set aside time to work on myself and my wellbeing. I reserve Sundays as my "special" time to do whatever I want. It normally involves tidying my room, reading, watching Netflix and not really socialising.
05 // This is just the beginning. I have a habit of stating the glaringly obvious but this is just the beginning. We have our whole world in front of us and how exciting is it to think of all the possibilities where we could end up. The first job we get isn't going to be the last and we're going to switch paths all the time. As daunting as it is settling into working life and having all these responsibilities, it's truly exciting to think about the future.
02 // Time management is bullsh*t. I think one of the hardest things I’ve had to learn is working and getting my work done between the set hours of 9 to 5:30. I’ve been told this is normal when you’re working. I've also been told that as a journalist, managing time is a regular challenge but you've got to work it out somehow.
03 // Make time for yourself. At university, we went from having all the time in the world to manage studies when we wanted and for extra curricular. As a newly working graduate, a big chunk of your day is spent working. One thing I’ve learnt is to make an effort to set aside time to work on myself and my wellbeing. I reserve Sundays as my "special" time to do whatever I want. It normally involves tidying my room, reading, watching Netflix and not really socialising.
05 // This is just the beginning. I have a habit of stating the glaringly obvious but this is just the beginning. We have our whole world in front of us and how exciting is it to think of all the possibilities where we could end up. The first job we get isn't going to be the last and we're going to switch paths all the time. As daunting as it is settling into working life and having all these responsibilities, it's truly exciting to think about the future.
It's my 100th post on Aoife Caitriona! To mark the occasion, I thought I'd do a Get To Know Me tag but in the style of Vogue's 73 questions. Enjoy x
It's my 100th post on Aoife Caitriona! To mark the occasion, I thought I'd do a Get To Know Me tag but in the style of Vogue's 73 questions. Enjoy x
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