oh so pretty

Stunning. Why are the prettiest things always so expensive?

Via Miss Moss, this hunk of gorgeousness can be found here.

lost in london

Lost in London is a new magazine aimed at us city kids who are looking for aspects of the country in our crazy city-filled lives. If the features are as strong as the cover, this soon might be my most coveted reading.

too many things, so little time

Is it just me, or does there seem to be a huge amount of fun, new places to check out in London?! Club nights, supper clubs, underground bars, the list is endless. Here are some of the places I'll be checking out this summer...

The Baby Bathhouse, 125 Church Street, N16

Recently opened in Stoke Newington is The Baby Bathhouse. Decorated with skeleton wallpaper and gilded birdcages, this bar promises prohibition era-style cocktails alongside classic American favourites like mac and cheese. Amazing? I hope so.

The Clove Club, Dalston

Private dining club, good food, good music and good fun. Yes?

The Candlelight Club, a secret location

A venue completely lit by candles, a 1920s speakeasy, a one-off bespoke cocktail menu...what more do you want?

can pots be beautiful?

I think yes. Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa believes that in a modern kitchen key items are used time and time again. And I know that with our vast pots collection, I tend to go for the same two cheap Ikea pots every time! So with that concept in mind, Kukasawa created these three pots - beautifully designed, insane quality, and something to use every day. I can't think of anything I want more in my kitchen.


Alessi

restaurant: cay tre

If you've run the gamut of Vietnamese restaurants on Kingsland Road, you might have missed Cay Tre - successfully located off the main drag on Old Street, it pulls action from Hoxton Sq and has built its reputation based on the super stellar food.


Surprisingly, they have recently opened a brand new restaurant in uber snazzy Soho and after my meal last week, I'm sure it will be just as successful as it's East London sibling.


Vietnamese food is about fresh flavours and exciting combinations and Cay Tre delivers on both. I went with a group of hungry girls so therefore able to try a vast amount of food. Highlights included the gỏi cuốn  - spring rolls bursting with mint, prawns and coriander and cà tím nướng - delicious grilled aubergine topped with ground pork and a tangy sweet and sour sauce. Anyone who visits has to try the Mekong catfish - made to order table-side, it's full of dill, peanuts and noodles and a surprise favourite was the curried soft shell crab, an unctuous dish that oozed flavour with every bite of crunchy crab.


The service was good, the wine list reasonable and I've been told they will soon be serving cocktails. Definitely not a place to miss.


Cay Tre Soho, 42 Dean Street, London, W1D 4PZ

a trip up north

Hello friends and happy Tuesday! What did you do this weekend? On Friday, a group of friends saw the world premiere of Third Star - epic film, stunning photography, amazing soundtrack and a shocking but riveting ending, definitely worth checking out.

On Saturday morning, the husband and I traveled by train to Yorkshire to spend a few days with my new in-laws. We went for a lovely long hike through the country, ate amazing food, and discovering Fountain's Abbey - beautiful ruins from an Abbey first built in 1132. I am loving the National Trust properties and have plans to visit many more over the summer.

More pictures after the jump.

toms

Have you seen the new summer collection from Toms? Fluro green and lace! Amazing with cut off denim shorts and a loose white tee. Lazy brown and white strips! Ideal with a little white dress. Comfortable, stylish, and just so darn cute. Am totally coveting these perfect summer shoes.

third star

Are you going to see Third Star? It's out on Friday in London and I can't wait! Adam Robertson, who both starred in and Associate Produced the film, is a good friend of ours and it's been amazing to watch the amount of work he has put in to getting this film made over the last (many) years. And now we get to see it on the big screen! Amazing.

I was lucky enough to read the script years ago and am still struck by the power and emotion Vaughan, who write and produced the film, managed to capture in the story he told. I know things change from script to finished product so I'm curious to see how the movie compares to what played out in my imagination!

Third Star opens on May 20th in London at the Empire Cinemas in Leicester Square and opens in New York in June. Spread the word and tell your friends as the success of this low budget film is dependent on everyone going to see it!

More information about the film, cast, crew and where the move is playing can be found here.

vintage delight

Aren't these amazing? Taken by renowned photographer Melvin Sokolsky in Paris 1963 for Harper's Bazaar 'Bubble' spring collection.

something to sit on

Stools?

Or chairs...

In our effort to finish decorating our kitchen I may or may not of become a bit over eager and pushed my lovely husband into posting our kitchen table and chairs up for sale online. And surprisingly - they have sold! While in theory this is great news, in practice it means we need to quickly make some final decisions about what is going to replace them. These are my favourites so far, what do you think?

Haus, 39 Morpeth Road, Victoria Park, London E9 7LD

Fragile Design, 14/15 The Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AA

Metro Retro, Seabrooks Farm, Church Lane, Little Leighs, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 1PG

restaurant: riding house cafe

When you're shopping in town, are fed up with the crowds and just want to sit down to a nice glass of wine and light snack, where do you go? If like me, you've struggled to find the perfect spot, you'll love the Riding House Cafe.

The decor is spot on; a big warehouse like space that is dominated by a huge bar and a long communal table on the right whilst on the left is a smaller space full of cozy, bright orange banquettes. The menu is interesting - they have small, medium and large tasting plates, the normal selection of classic mains you'd expect to find and as an added plus, they do brunch! There is a more than decent selection of wines by the glass and the cocktail list is full of interesting sounding concoctions. 

I've been lucky enough to try out their food on three separate occasions over the last few weeks and let me tell you, it's worth checking out.

cured sea trout, jalapeno, creme fraiche

chicory, pear, radish, gorgonzola

And for brunch...

chorizo hash browns, mushrooms, poached egg

eggs hussard - ox heart tomato, ham, spinach, hollandaise sauce

Riding House Cafe, 43-41 Great Titchfield St, London W1W 7PQ

for the boys

I don’t know about the boys in your life, but my other half is a cycling nut. He is not only a super enthusiastic rider, but is constantly trying to convince me that cycling is THE only way to travel around London. And while I enjoy the leisurely ride on the weekend, his fast-paced, taxi-racing, light-jumping, daily-commute mode of travel is still a bit much.

Regardless, I love how excited he gets when he beats his own personal best home; he is adorable when he boasts about beating whoever was silly enough to try and pass him on the road and even I can’t wait to see his new bike that’s coming home later today.

So for all those cycling boys out there, here is some awesome stuff just for you. And for the ladies who love them, a little something to help us cope with the multiple bikes in the flat (we have 4!), the scuffed walls and the endless gear.

A beautiful fixed gear:

Jeans from Rapha; they are cut with a higher back so bums stays hidden, they’ve added a reflective logo on the inside leg which is visible when you roll the leg and they are made of fast-drying, durable and stretchy fabric to make cycling easier.

The DZR shoes are also great; basically made to look like normal walking shoes, they include a hidden clip in on the bottom sole. They are easy to walk in, comfortable and much more practical than carrying around a spare pair of shoes to change into.

And for that lovely weekend ride, to enjoy at the park, for a special night out...

Bike - Single Speed
Jeans - Rapha
Shoes - DZR
Bike Wine Rack - via Cup of Jo - SwissMiss

peach & grey

Aren't these dresses utterly delightful? The colours are pale and dreamy and they somehow simultaneously make me think about cycling through the south of France and partying on a beach. I'm coveting each and every one. Damn you Need Supply.

midcentury.modern

I know it's just the beginning of the week, but I'm already looking forward to the weekend! On Sunday, we are going to the Mid-century Modern fair to check out their eclectic collection of vintage, antique and modern furniture.

There will be up-cyclers, reclaimers and modern design along with mid-century dealers selling American British and European classics. We're hoping to find some interesting one off pieces to finish off our upstairs lounge.

Tickets are super cheap and I think it will be a fun day out. See you there?

sunday film club: soho hotel

I don't know what the weather has been like where you are, but in London we've had two full days of rain. Whilst rain isn't usually my favourite weather, sometimes listening as the rain comes down, opening the windows and smelling the fresh air, and watching as the big drops hit our windows makes me feel safe and cozy. On days like these, what I want most is to curl up on a big sofa and watch a movie - which makes Soho Hotel's Sunday Film Club just about perfect.

We went recently with friends and had a scrumptious time. You go in the mid afternoon and are treated to a three course lunch, we had a cheeky glass of wine with ours, before being shown into the hotels' private screening room for the film...they even provide the popcorn!

It's a great and luxurious way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon, I think I'll book tickets again soon.

photos from the Soho Hotel

Soho Hotel: 4 Richmond Mews, London W1D 3DH