Capital One Aspire World, The Conclusion

It has now been 3 months since I first got my Capital One Aspire World card and it's time to share with you my thoughts after using it for everything from attending Milan Fashion Week in January to my birthday shopping and all my daily buys.
I can honestly say the Aspire World card has made my life so much easier. Unlike a lot of other credit card companies, they make it super simple to track your spending – either logging in to their website or via the iPhone app. Sending payment is just as easy and whenever there was the slightest 'problem' someone from the Capital One customer service team got in touch promptly and were always extremely helpful and polite, which is rare these days.
And so I will continue to use my dear black card for my day to day buys. Whether it's grocery shopping or topping up my Oyster card or enjoying a spot of shopping at Mr Porter (top left), having brunch with friends at Balthazar's (top right), taking my family for tea at the Wolseley (bottom left) or going out for drinks at Café Royal (bottom right).

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Living in London with Capital One Aspire World

As you will remember, I already posted about my first experiences with my new Capital One Aspire World card during my stay in Milan for fashion week. And I thought it was only fair to talk about my thoughts after using it for two months.
The truth is I am extremely pleased with the entire process. As I mentioned last time, the Aspire World card gives 5% cashback every month for the first three months. This sounds great in abstract but is even better in reality! On my first month I got £50 cashback, which is pretty amazing because I essentially paid that much less than I actually spent!
It is also extremely easy to pay back your monthly balance. If, like me, you choose not to set up a direct debit you can either pay over the phone – to the very helpful and nice customer services team – or you can do it yourself online. Also online you can keep track of your expenditure and balance. But even better is the Capital One iPhone app! You can literally check your account anywhere, anytime. For someone like me who often forgets to check these things at home the Capital One app is a life-saver!
After Milan and the great first experience with the cashback I came to the conclusion that it was actually better to use my Aspire World card for all my daily payments – whether it is a dinner, drinks, takeaway, a new pair of shoes or jeans, a new book or magazine or my weekly groceries. If you keep your debit card usage only for taking cash out you'll find this system pays off!

Here is a bit of what I've been up to with my "black card".
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Steak & frites at Electric House – Late night dinner at Duck & Waffle

My new Nike Free Run +3 – My new Nudie Jeans

Drinks at Soho House – Domino's Pizza takeaway

An Extraordinary Theory of Objects, by Stephanie LaCava – Vogue Paris

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Champagne Protocoles by G.H.MUMM: IX Making a toast with Champagne

I think I first became fascinated with champagne when I read The Great Gatsby for the first time. That is probably the reason why I always feel like a special occasion is not really such unless it includes champagne but at the same time I have come to also think of it as an everyday indulgence.
And so I am happy to participate with G.H.MUMM – one of my favourite champagne makers – in their 'Champagne Protocoles' program, which helps us to learn to appreciate champagne fully by discovering new facts about the drink as well as the Dos and Don'ts for a gentleman in different situations. You can check out all the previous chapters here. And make sure to get the G.H.MUMM Protocoles App on your iPhone to check all the chapters on the go.

IX Making a Toast with Champagne

The term 'toast comes from medieval times, when the person to be honoured was actually given a “tostée”, a spiced, toasted piece of bread left at the bottom of a wine glass that all the guests had shared. Here's a few things you should know about toast etiquette:

75. When and who should raise the toast?
Even though we are used to raising a toast at the beginning of a meal, when we receive champagne as an aperitif, this hasn't always been the case. Personally, I prefer doing it during dessert. The host should be the first to raise a toast (and the first to be served a drink), followed by the person being honoured, if there is one. The rest of the party may then take turns at raising their glasses if they wish to add a few words.

76. The right moves

77. Should you clink glasses?

78. Finding the right words
When it comes to public speaking, just like with eveningwear, less is always more. A toast must be to the point and never too long, too boring or too contrived. It is a way of sharing happiness and good news, it's about being positive and giving thanks. Some people are great at pouring their hearts out. Personally, I like to convey what I mean with a meaningful look and a 'cheers!', 'salud!' or 'chicn chin' if I'm home in Spain.

79. Responding to a toast
Raising a toast is pretty straightforward but what do you do if you're the lucky one everyone's toasting to? Stay seated, smile and enjoy your toast. You will get to raise your glass and thank the host after he's finished. Or, if like me, you like to keep things chic and simple just return the toast with a 'thank you'.

80. Occasions for a toast
Even though toasts at weddings, birthdays, engagements or New Year's celebrations are a bit of a cliché everyone likes those moments you share on special moments. Especially when the speaker really puts something personal into his words. Personally, I love toasting to friendships, to celebrate that it's Friday or simply to seeing someone you had missed.

81. Avoid the pitfalls
It's easy to avoid ruining a good toast. Do not drink to your own health, a toast is about being generous! Save your first sip of champagne until the glasses have clinked. Never raise a toast with an empty glass or a glass of water! And always remember to clink your glass with everyone present, a toast is an occasion to share with others, so enjoy your contact with them.

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Milan Fashion Week with Capital One Aspire World

A good credit card is everyone's must-have, especially when you travel. I had been looking for the one best suited to my needs for a while now, which is why I was happy to find out about Capital One's Aspire range. There is a different type depending on your needs, your income, your credit history...
Over my stay in Milan for fashion week I had the chance to try out their Aspire World credit card, which was the best time to do so as it's always a fun trip but one that needs careful planning of the expenses. What really made me go for it was it's 5% cashback (up to 100) for the first three months and 1.25% unlimited cashback after that – who wouldn't want cashback for their spending?
You can use Capital One's website to help you decide which card fits you best.

I like to always stay at the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan not only because it's the top hotel in the city but because it is also where most of the industry people stay over fashion week. Because hotels usually charge you as you check in – as a deposit they then return – and then again at check out Capital One's card was the perfect accessory so I didn't have to worry about crazy charges on my current account. All my room service, the hotel's chic breakfast and cheeky night caps were also charged to my room and, hence, to my Aspire World card.

Also, when in Rome Milan... good food is a must, especially after long days of running between shows and appointments. I used my black card – as I like to refer to it – to pay for my amazing dinners. If you're ever in town, make sure you visit Giacomo Arengario – exquisite Italian food and the most incredible views!
If you're looking for something more relaxed, the Brera neighbourhood is beautiful at night and you can find cute little places like Fiori Chiari Plates where you'll find great food.

There are endless places in Milan to have a break during the day. I took my Aspire World card on many of them – a chilled but chic lunch at the Bvlgari Hotel, Aperol spritz aperitivo at (my favourite) Corso Como 10 or food and coffee at any time at the Armani Bamboo Bar at the top of the Armani Hotel.

All images @fashionfrankly on Instagram

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