A coffee with Coco’s Tea Party and The Elgin Avenue
21st July 2017
Two of our favourite lifestyle and fashion bloggers, Coco’s Tea Party and The Elgin Avenue recently holidayed in Menorca with a suitcase full of Joules clothing (see their favourite pieces here and here). On return we sat down for a coffee with both Ella and Monica to discuss the oh so amazing snaps they shared and learn a little more about them. Here’s what they had to say…
Ella Gregory, Editor and Founder of Coco’s Tea Party
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’ve been blogging for close to 11 years now. I started Coco’s Tea Party in September 2006, when I was 16, as a way to express my love for fashion. And it’s been my full-time focus for six years. When I’m not blogging I can usually be found watching trashy reality TV (I love The Real Housewives), listening to country music or taking a long walk through Richmond Park (my favourite spot in London).
How would you describe your holiday style?
My holiday style is quite bohemian. I like to incorporate lots of colour, print, texture and embroidery into my look. But I pull it all together with timeless classics – like white jeans, stripe T-shirts and simple sandals.
What do you never go on holiday without?
My laptop. Which is horrible to admit, but I find it really hard to completely switch off and always do a little bit of work when I’m away. Aside them I always make sure I pack a good book and lots of SPF.
How do you mix day and evening dressing on holiday?
I don’t like to make a big song and dance of getting dressed for the evening, when I’m on holiday. I try to look for pieces that can easily be dressed up or down – like the Bardot top – and pack lots of costume jewellery to accessorise with. Also, red lipstick can make anything almost look evening appropriate!
Any tips on taking holiday photos worth framing?
Think about composition and the framing of the image. I was recently in Antigua and took lots of portrait shots through palm leaves, which gave my photos an artistic quality.
Monica Welburn, Editor and Founder of The Elgin Avenue
Tell us a bit about yourself
Founder of The Elgin Avenue blog, a lifestyle site designed to help you to navigate a stylish, happy and inspired life I also co-host the Let’s Discuss podcast with my great friend Ella, founder of Coco’s Tea Party blog.
After four years in London, I now live in a beautiful corner of the English countryside with my boyfriend Oli. There are rare few things I love more than waking up to sunshine streaming through the windows, and enjoying a cup of coffee in bed. Preferably with a pastry too!
How would you describe your holiday style?
Polished and Mediterranean (I hope!). My family have a home in Menorca, and I am half Italian, so I’ve always been inspired by the style of Mediterranean women! I love colours and prints, mixed in with classic items to root a look.
What do you never go on holiday without?
A very well-thought-through suitcase! I tend to mix travel with work and so I need a mix of hard-working outfits, and all of my technology. I use zip pouches and duffel bags to divide up my items. I’ve become very precise with how and what I pack.
Other than that I love to stock up on magazines, notebooks and SPF.
How do you mix day and evening dressing on holiday?
I think methodically about what I am packing, and most items I travel with can work from day to night with a few styling tweaks.
Sometimes it’s as simple as a red lip colour which can transform a look from daytime to evening. I love to add statement earrings to a look too – they can change a style in an instant.
Any tips on taking holiday photos worth framing?
It may sound a little strange but try to think in thirds. There is something very appealing to the human eye about things being in thirds, so if you are trying to take a photo of something, try to centre it in the middle third of your frame. You can go back and crop your image afterwards if it isn’t perfect the first time.
That, and shade is your friend! Often we think that bright sunlight will create a beautifully lit photo when in fact it is too harsh and casts shadows. A photo in the shade is much more flattering.
Where is your favourite holiday destination?
Menorca and New York.
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