the weekend is here

Friends! What are you doing this weekend? Tonight we are heading to the much anticipated Boom Boom Club and I can't wait for my early morning Yoga in the Park session tomorrow - want to get as much sun time as possible. The husband and I are then heading to a special brunch at Ring Here to check out Clara's latest installation before dancing the night away at a salsa club to celebrate a friend's brithday. I'll be working at Hildreth St Market all day Sunday so pop along and say hi if you can. Hope you are all enjoying this glorious sun as much as we are!

Here are some random and fun links to check out...

Hilarious note card from the long lost Unicorns

Totally inappropriate but too funny card about religion

If you're out and about in Brick Lane, check out the Stolen Space Gallery who is celebrating 200 years of Warner/Chapel music with 10 pieces of amazing graphic design work interpreting lyrics from classic songs

Am still searching for the perfect winter coat, but have managed to find this perfect little blazer instead

The photo today is by Bruce Mozert circa 1938...I'm becoming obsessed with vintage black and whites.

x







To book an appointment to see the new installation at Ring Here

hildreth street market

Friends! Do any of you live in Balham? If so, please come by and visit me this Sunday at your new local market! The husband started Hildreth St Market earlier this year and this weekend marks the official launch of its monthly status.

Obviously I'm super impressed with the husband's ability to once again convince a council to take on a street market (did you know he started Venn Street Market in Clapham as well?) and in an effort to get more involved with the sourcing of local food and supporting of local produce and farmers, I am now helping out as market manager.

Hildreth St offers a great array of fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, meats and cheese, sweets and hot foods to taste as well as delicious coffee, wine and cidre. There will be a special Christmas market mid - December as well. Be sure to mark your calendars!

 So far the market as gone down a treat with the local community, so well in fact, that residents are pushing the local council to take the market weekly! So do come by and check it out or just pop by and say hi - I'll be there from 8:30 - 4 this Sunday.

Hildreth Street Market, Balham SW12

boom boom

This week is flying by and I'm excited to say, we have an excellent night planned on Friday! Deep inside the Old Vic tunnels a cabaret to end all cabaret's is running for three nights only. Hosted by the famed Jonny Woo and featuring a dazzling array of artists, the Boom Boom Club should be fantastic!

There are two shows a night after which the cabaret turns into a club until the wee hours of the morning.

Tickets are available here but I'd suggest you buy them quickly as the late night shows have already sold out.

Boom Boom Club, Old Vic Tunnels, London SE1 7XB

oh.yum.

There is something about Autumn that makes me want to get back into the kitchen and fill our home with warm lovely smells. These cider doughnuts look AMAZING and I'm happy to say aren't nearly as bad as they look. Baked instead of fried and dipped in a reduced apple cider I'm happy to say that I'd enjoy these beauties guilt free. Let the Autumnal baking commence!

Cider Doughnuts found via King Arthur Flour blog - recipe here.

ends for books

I was checking out my friend Alana's blog, InteriorPOP and it got me to thinking about books. We built in two large shelves in our lounge about six months ago and I still haven't quite finished the difficult job of decorating them.

I'm always on the lookout for interesting pieces to add and this rhinoceros book end is definitely a talking piece! Would you want this on your bookshelf?

Rhino bookends from Graham and Green

paul catherall

Hello friends. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. The husband and I enjoyed this lovely Indian summer up North and are on our way back from a glorious three days in Yorkshire. I'll post some pictures of our trip later this week.

As to London news I'm sure you are all aware the Affordable Art Fair is just around the corner. There are two shows this year and I've recently discovered artist Paul Catherall who will be showing (and selling!) his wares at both. I am very tempted to pick up at least one of these stunning prints. His colour-block prints of iconic London city scapes would look fab in anyone's home.

and it's friday...

What a week. I can definitely say this hasn't been the best - and I will breathe a huge sigh of relief once today is over! The husband and I are heading up North this weekend and plan to spend Saturday exploring the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. After a hard week, getting outside and away from the city is sometimes the best thing to do. What are you all up to this weekend?

To celebrate Friday, I thought I'd leave you all with some fun things I've found recently.

Perfect for Autumn and my favourite comfort food - grilled cheese and tomato soup - in one!

Loving this new Etsy shop - am struggling to decide which winter coat to get...

Long but interesting article about capital punishment in the US by the fabulous New Yorker

Lusting after this (ridiculously expensive) iPhone cover by Pipetto

Happy weekend all!

Imagine from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

who is a little bit ocd?

Found! My perfect kitchen friend. This hilarious chopping board is a must have for all the OCD chefs in the world. Ruler lines and a protractor have been etched into the board allowing perfectionists a way to perfectly sized portions. I don't think I could ask for anything more.

Available at Selfridges and seen originally on The Style List

fancy schmancy brolly

After living in a place as rainy as London, I have become fixated on finding the perfect umbrella. And yesterday, I think I found it! Available at both the Tate Modern and British Museum's online shops, these colour change brollys start off dry in a somber black and white before developing into a brightly coloured cityscape once they get wet. Wouldn't it be amazing to stand out in a sea of black umbrellas with something so special?

Available here and here.

doggy style

Maybe it's an American thing, but from time to time, I craaaave a good old fashioned hot dog. And now you lucky kids down South can grab one every Saturday at the new Dogfather Diner Stall at New Cross Road Market. There are a variety of dogs available; tailored for UK tastes there is The Slum Dog - a curry dog with saag aloo and onion bhaji flakes. Or for something more classic, try the popular Mexican Elvis - a classic chilli dog. The dogs are 100% beef, kosher and halal so don't feel guilty - just enjoy!

Dogfather Diner - New Cross Road Market, New Cross Road, SE 22

all rolled up

How cute is this? Designed by Bless the classic Longchamp bag gets a new twist. It makes me smile to look at it and I think it could double as an excellent travel pillow(?!). Of course it's limited edition - get yours while you can!

Bless Le Pliage Bag originally seen on i am a greedy girl

colourful colorado

 How gorgeous are these colours? I finally managed to convince the husband to try camping (proper camping, in the mountains!) when we were in Colorado and we had such an amazing time!

We drove up in a borrowed truck and spent the day canoeing around a peaceful lake with a cooler full of beer, chatting and catching up with some very dear friends. That night we cooked dinner by campfire and watched in awe as the Colorado skies lit up at sunset.

The display didn't finish when the sun went down, as darkness fell we were transfixed by a lightening storm that took place within those huge clouds. The moon was almost full and rose through the darkness - an incredible night.

We spent the rest of our trip hiking, mountain biking and generally enjoying the beauty of being outside in Colorado. It was a great start to our US adventure.

Some more pictures after the jump!

These stunning pics taken by the lovely Mr Sam Miller. x

Not where we were supposed to be...but still at the top!

Resting before tackling the downhill.

The husband!

Maroon Bells, Aspen Colorado

Beautiful lake at the top of our hike

beer in hackney

I am sure I wax lyrical about why Hackney is amazing often enough...but just one!more!thing!

London Fields Brewery. Need I say more? Started by business partners Jules Whiteway and Ian Burgess (who already runs Climpson & Sons coffee shop on Broadway Market), this brewery opened in August. They are looking to provide beers - not ales - to local homes and pubs and you can bet I'll be first in line.

Located just off London Fields, they are joining an ever growing group of local traders and suppliers who are constantly enriching this area.

London Fields Brewery, 374 Helmsley Place, London E8 3SB

mid autumn festival

Friends! We had such a feast last night. Our wonderful friend Eva invited us round to her super cute flat to celebrate the Chinese Mid Autumn Festival. It's become a yearly tradition for us (old flatmates) to eat Eva's traditional Chinese dishes and celebrate the beginning of fall. We had a great time, cozy and warm, talking about what a wonderful start to autumn we have had. I hope you have enjoyed the first few weeks of September too!

back to school

Hello friends,

Wow! It's been some time since my last post. It always amazes me how quickly the time passes and I've spent these last few weeks of summer in a haze of travel fun and impromptu family visits.

Whilst it's been nice to get away, it now feels like it's time to get 'back to school'. The air is crisp, students have again overtaken my bus stop and it feels right to settle in for the winter. I'm excited to get back to blogging as well - I've managed to stock pile so many things I am excited to share with you all!

So welcome back and enjoy. I'll get things started with pictures from my trips to Colorado, California  and Ibiza!

xxx