Edinburgh found us in a 70’s style hotel (unintentionally 70’s – it just hadn’t had a spruce up since ’72) with epic views of the Castle, whilst Antwerp showed us our first experience at AirB&B consisting of a private room for the night in the centre of the city, 2 minutes walk from the shops and MOMU for the Unravelled exhibit. In case you aren’t aware of AirB&B, it’s a service where you stay in people’s houses, spare rooms or apartments. It’s  generally cheaper than a hotel, plusher than a hostel and you get a cozier, more welcoming experience.

Anyhow – This isn’t online version of ‘Wish You Were Here’ with Judith Charmers, it should be a little ditty about a couple of food experiences we encountered on our travels, making our stays both rich and flavorsome .

Firstly, before I embark on a dinner review I have to tell you about Wellington Coffee on the corner of Hanover St and George st. Owned and run by Kiwi’s it offers a simple menu of coffee, scones and a few cake options. Located directly opposite the American chain of milky brew drinks with a green logo and flying mermaid, I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t tell you about Wellington’s coffee and service..

So – back to the point, which was….. Hotel Missoni. It stole our hearts with a medley of monochrome patterns whisking us into lunchtime happiness. For an extremely reasonable ‘3 courses for 16.00quid’ lunch the tasty Italian fayre gave us no other choice but go again in the evening for their pre theatre menu. Sad, yes, tasty, of course.

An attempt to ‘borrow’ some of their lovely table napkins was foiled with the realisation that my purse wouldn’t have held 1 let alone 4.

A week later whilst in Antwerp after an afternoon at MoMu we, eager for some sugar and caffeine, stumbled across a cutsie cupcake shop which provided us with all  with all the elements necessary for re fueling and recharging.

With a stunning selection of fruit tarts, cupcakes (with additional goodies hidden within) and slabs of chocolate cake, the Momade Cupcakes was a sugar oasis.

With additional muffins purchased ahead of our journey home, we walked out with smiles on our faces and crumbs on our chins.

Le Bal Cafe ( hidden gem down an alley and inside an exhibition space) was the perfect Saturday lunch spot to catch up with friends whereas The Rose Bakery ( with 6 stores worldwide) served us a brunch beyond belief on the Sunday.

Both the bakery and the cafe are run by English Parisians which means the food and service boxes are ticked at 10 mark. With organic produce, healthy and in some cases slightly less than healthy, the portions are seriously substantial. Individual crumbles with creme anglaise, kedgeree, home-made scones ( crumbly and moist), kippers and of course the obligatory eggs, bacon, tomato and mushroom were served with smoothies and seriously divine coffee.

‘Must visits’ If you are looking for a croissant alternative and need sustenance between bouts of shopping.

In the meantime, my quest for the loafer continues. Wish me luck!

The Rose Bakery: 30, Rue Debelleyme – +33 1 49 96 54 01

Le Bal Cafe: 6, Impasse de la Defense – +33 1 44 70 75 51

It’s not that I’m particular (of course I am), it’s not that money’s no object (of course it is) and it’s not that I don’t know what style of bag I want (of course I don’t – I am constantly flip-flopping between leather and canvas, shoulder of cross body) – I’ve just found it especially difficult to get a good quality bag that is fine for business and travel, that’s not too casual, not too smart and yet fits to my price point. I’d love to justify an uber bag but honestly, my budget is more blueberry than Mulberry, so it was towards the small indie brands I directed my attack.

Having found Royal Republiq in the Monocle Magazine, I raved obsessively (yes, I think raved is the word) about the brand, the simplicity of design and their value price point, but what I didn’t take into consideration was the quality which, and I hate to say this online, disappointed me to the extent that I exchanged the first purchase and have just asked for a refund on the second.

It broke my heart – seriously. I truly wanted to love the bags but when workmanship is not up to scratch on the straps or the cotton twill lining dies my hands and my pink leather purse, I have to make a stand as a consumer.

So it was with this experience fresh in my mind that I went, dyed purse in hand, to Property Of in Amsterdam hoping they could help with my plight. 40 minutes of bag browsing and one Stumptown espresso later ( free and on the house – now that’s service) I emerged with a coated cotton/linen tote. A sale item with adjustable straps and more to the point EXACTLY what I wanted.

With a Japanese edge to the styling and the genre of the bags sitting between male and female, this is not a place for a chi chi leather tote with a signature tassel or girls name. The bags are functional, simple, and carefully designed serving their purpose as a vessel for life items whilst turning the heads of those stylish folk who are clearly in the know.

So my weekend was hereby classed a success and my bag dilemma is over (for now). I am under no illusion that my questionable bag obsession will take me down another route in the near future, but for now, I have what I need, what I want and I didn’t pay silly money in the process.