peanut butter + chocolate = happiness

Friends, have you heard of Spoon Fork Pig? This delectable food blog is created by two super cute girls from the good ole US of A. Coupled with awesome photography, they create crazy dishes that totally appeal to my American sensibilities. This recipe for example, combines three of my favourite ingredients - chocolate, peanut butter (!!) and ritz crackers. YUM. Something to take home to the in-laws perhaps?

Recipe here 

forget me not

It's prettier than a piece of string, no?

Stella Ring available at Need Supply

perfect present

DIY gifts can sometimes be a bit hit and miss. This leisure book however is the perfect mix of thoughtful, practical and fun! Simply buy a tabbed moleskin notebook and fill each section with your top 15...cheap restaurants, favourite movies to rent, hidden parks to visit, things to do on a rainy day...whatever takes your fancy! Ask your super savvy friends for their top tips as well and you'll create a lovely personalised black book to give your best friend.

DIY Leisure Book found on Oh Happy Day!

shaun leane

Do you remember this amazing bracelet I found last week? I saw these earrings and couldn't help but think how they would be the perfect accompaniment. A little spendy? Yes. But stunning! How do you say no?

Shaun Leane - Rose Gold Plated hook earrings, £175

today

I will mostly be celebrating my birthday.

photo via size too small

a little bit of luxury

A little bit of luxury goes a long way and when you're strapped for cash during the holidays, I've found splurging on the little things helps to put a swing back into my party heeled step. This year, I have to give thanks to the hot-sex-rock-star that IS Tom Ford because his new line of nail laquers are exquisite. Serious luxury in a pot, this super saucy 'Carnel Red'  is totally delectable with just a hint of naughtiness.

Tom Ford Nail Laquer available at Selfridges

toasty warm

Happy Monday kids. I don't know about you, but winter has well and truly hit London. It's wet, cold and windy and these beauties are what I'll be wearing to keep warm. I love the leather hands alongside the cosy wool sleeves. They will be perfect when we head up North for Christmas and a perfect little birthday present to myself!

Leather and Knit Long Gloves available at ASOS

yes

As many of you know, my birthday is coming up next week. On Tuesday in fact. And if you want to know what to get me (wink, wink), just watch me swoon over this bad ass rose gold skull bracelet. Seriously people, does it get any better than this?

Skull Bracelet found here and seen originally on the ever epic Man Repeller.

restaurant review: meat liquor

Deary me. These are some amazing burgers. The husband and I were lucky enough to check out the latest American style burger joint to hit London, Meat Liquor, last weekend and It.Was.Excellent. Dark and dirty, the cocktails were strong, the buffalo wings spicy and the burgers seriously some of the best I've had in London. There is a no reservation policy and when it gets busy it's one in/one out but definitely get yourself in town to check this place out. Amazing.

Meat Liquor, Henrietta & Welbeck, London W1G 0BA

borough wines

Borough Wines has come to Hackney! Firmly established in Borough Market, this lovely wine shop has opened it's doors just around the corner on Wilton Way. They stock a interesting list of wines in addition to my favourite, a refillable glass bottle(!) you can top up with either white or red wines from the barrel. The weekends usually finds a pop up tasting bar, so there is no excuse not to head down and check them out.

Borough Wines, 67 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG

a little bit naughty

How amazing are these dishes?! Cheeky new company Dirty Dishes creates one of a kind dinner plates that I'm sure would get the conversation started at any dinner party. At about £12 a pop they aren't the cheapest, but I think a fair price to pay for some nudity on the table!

Dirty Dishes currently available online here

happy friday!

Happy Friday friends! Goodness this week was a manic one - I am so looking forward to the weekend. The husband and I will be purchasing our Christmas tree tomorrow, it is seriously one of my most favourite activities each year. I can't wait! Hope you are enjoying getting into the holiday spirit. Here are some fun links to help. x

Stunning Christmas tree decorations from Toast

Super cute letterpress holiday cards from Hello Lucky

Is it too late to make my own advent calendar? This one is free from Oh Happy Day!

The perfect pair of party pants (the trouser kind) from Reiss

Want to learn how to make the perfect Christmas wreath? Check out this luxe class at Claridge's

today i am mostly studying

So today friends you are getting a list of Englishisms! I saw this on Facebook and thought it was hilarious. Interestingly enough, after reading them through can say they are all pretty accurate! Consider it a lesson in English translation. x

perfect cushions

So our upstairs lounge/kitchen makeover is (finally!) almost complete. We have changed the flooring, painted the walls, built in book shelves (and repainted them), ordered and received two new couches, our gorgeous kitchen table and are just waiting on the chairs, which should be delivered next week. Phew! 

I'm now looking for the finishing touches and found these great cushions from one of my favourite American imports, Anthropologie. The clothes and accessories are fab, but it is their home-wares department that I love. Full of unique pieces that aren't ridiculously expensive, I think a selection of these cushions will look perfect on our new couch...here is hoping everything will be done by Christmas!

Cushions available at Anthropologie

a secret message

Happy Monday friends! I hope everyone had a great holiday (for the Yanks) weekend. We had an amazing Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday night complete with a 20 lb turkey. YUM.

I also spent quite a bit of time getting started on my holiday shopping. I found this super sweet fortune cookie necklace and thought it would be the perfect gift for a girlfriend or wife. Each necklace is made to order and you can customise the message on the back. I love the idea of having a secret message hidden at the back of my neck while the fortune cookie at the front is abstract enough to not look obvious.

Wouldn't this be such a precious gift to open under the tree on Christmas day?!

Silver Fortune Cookie Necklace available here and seen originally on the super stylish I am a Greedy Girl.

urban oasis...yes please!

Happy Friday friends! This week has just flown by and I have a busy weekend planned with more Thanksgiving meals to eat and friends to see.

I thought I'd leave you with this stunning house featured on Design Attractor. I love literally everything about it - from the muted colour palate to the vibrant green from the garden to the to-die-for light fixtures and the gorgeous chairs. So many of these pieces are now firmly at the top of my wish list! I think it is always good to have something to aspire too and right now...this is my dream house.

Urban Oasis found here.

happy thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving friends! I hope that all you lovely people are surrounded by friends and family today, are feasting on fabulous meals and are giving thanks. I have so much to be thankful for and can't wait to celebrate with my English friends this weekend. Happy Turkey Day! xxx

z.a.r.a.

You know that fall wardrobe I've been talking about. Well...I think Zara is going to be my one stop shop. Seriously, when did their clothes get so good?

I have to say thanks to Because I'm Addicted for pointing out this great find! Wowzer.

Zara

hidden treasure

Deary me do I love this. Even if I can't have a secret passage in my own house, I love the idea of this hidden light! Hilariously the designer's name is Ben Light (ha!) and he has only made a few of these cheeky lamps so try and get it while you can.

B.LightDesign available here.

happy cows

What can I say? John Lewis does it again. I'm thinking my kitchen might not be complete just yet...this wallpaper is so bad it's good. I love it!

Marimekko Iltavilli wallpaper available at John Lewis.

camel delight

Hello friends! What a cold snap we had yesterday - I certainly wasn't expecting it. Thankfully I think I've finally found my perfect winter coat. Something to keep me toasty warm this winter.

Camel Buckle Detail Coat, Mint Velvet

happy friday

What a week! I spent Monday and Tuesday in Zurich (on business) and ended up having a lovely time catching up at dinner with old friends. I'll post some pictures of the scrumptious dinner they made me next week.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, here are some great things I've found this week!

I'm not the only one obsessed with antlers, check out these coulourful DIY versions!

This lambswool blanket looks oh so cozy...perfect for lazy days on the couch.

Spendy? Yes. But how gorgeous is this jacket?

My perfect fall outfit as worn by The Galmourai.

What I'll be making this weekend to stay warm and cozy, Yum!

finishing touches

Isn't it pretty? I couldn't resist - the finishing touch for our kitchen. Now if only I knew someone who could help install it! So close to complete...

Davey Spun Reflector available at John Lewis (who knew?!)

slowly but surely

Our flat is coming together. After lots of discussions, mood boards, and on line searching I was lucky enough to receive an email from my friends at Imagine Living with a few suggestions for our kitchen chairs! Thanks to these stylish ladies (do you remember they helped us find our kitchen table) the husband and I were finally able to make a decision and have placed an order the chairs above. Five weeks from now our kitchen will finally be complete.

Chili Chairs available from the ladies at Imagine Living

hardware

My number two look for fall, lots and lots of hardwear. Love this look from the ever rockin' Man Repeller.

To start my collection, I'm thinking about this ring...

The Dai ring from the uber glam Dannijo.

hello friends

...and i'm back! Sorry for the absence friends, things have been busy my end. Lots to update you on in due course but to kick start the week, how fabulous is this skirt from The Kooples?!  I've checking out a lot of fall fashion the last few weeks and this is definitely on my list.

I love all detailing this skirt offers, from it's lovely sheer length to the leather zip around the waist. I can imagine wearing this in the winter with think tights and boots but rocking it in the summer time sheer and with a silky tank. Yes? Yes.

Long Pleated Skirt, The Kooples

wow bikes

Have you seen of this amazing bike? The above is one of six bikes designed by artist Benedict Radcliffe in collaboration with other impressive designers, musicians and fashionistas as part of a charity initiative to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation.


Between now and the 29th Oct guests at the W Hotel in London can test ride all the bikes during their stay, but this one is by far the most impressive! The wheels are made of 18 strips of steel bolted to hold the tension that allows it to function as a wheel. It is probably the worlds first puncture proof tire...but I wonder what it would be like riding through the streets of London during a rain storm. So slippery! 


I might try to pop by and see it in the flesh before it is auctioned off on the 29th and you can see pictures and details of the other bikes here.


WOW Bike Inititative, W Hotel, 10 Wardour Street, Leicester Square, London W1D 6QF

paramount

One thing I’ve always loved about London is its constant ability to surprise me. And as someone who usually scoffs at a night out near Tottenham Court Road, I have recently been introduced to Paramount, a gem of a bar located there.

Paramount used to be a members only club, but is now open to the public on a reservation basis only. Located on the 32^nd floor of the otherwise non descript concrete block that is Centre Point, it’s art deco styling, unparalleled 360 views on London and extensive cocktail list make it a special find.

I would suggest going just before sunset to take advantage of the spectacular views of London both before and after dark. And there is a restaurant downstairs if you are looking for something more substantial than drinks. For those brave enough to try, there is also a half bottle of Absinthe on offer, served in the traditional fountain.

Definitely a place to go on a special night out.

Paramount, Centre Point, 101-103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DD

family time

Hello friends! Hope you are well.


By the time this post goes live, I'll be in an aeroplane returning from a mini family reunion in Florida. My mom, grandmother, brother and sister have spent the last few days relaxing at the beach, cooking delicious dinners and discussing and debating til our heart's content. As my family all live in different parts of the world, it is amazingly special for all of us to be together and I hope that we are all able to be together again soon.

See you back in London!

Some other pictures of our family photo shoot(!) after the break.

zetter townhouse

Happy Friday friends! Have I got a treat for you today.


Stepping inside the Zetter Townhouse you are enveloped in a world of opulent fabrics, glittering crystal and a wonderful feeling of old fashioned ramshackle glamour. I immediately imagined a bygone era when people dressed and met for cocktails before tottering down candlelit cobblestone streets to dinner.

I was lucky enough to spend a dark and miserable evening there recently, tasting the most divine cocktails and whiling away what would have been quite a dreary night giggling with a wonderful friend.

Head barman Tony Conigliaro as designed some fabulous creations. My favourite was the Twinkle, a mouth watering elderflower and champagne cocktail. Other cocktails worth mentioning include the Somerset Sour; a twist on a whiskey sour made with cider brandy, lemon juice and Breton cidre and the classic Flintlock; made with Beefeaster 24 gin, gunpowder tea tincture and dandelion & burdock.

I always seem to be drawn to venues like this; something about the glamour, the quality of service and the promise of something warm and delicious to fight away the cold and dreary winter keeps me coming back.

The ZetterTownhouse, 49-50 St John’s Square, London, EC1V 4JJ