I’ve been on the road quite a bit lately; darting around here and there, meeting friends and making the most of the English summer. When I’m on the go I love to zone out and get lost in my own little world of music. Here’s what I can’t get enough of at the moment…
London
I’ve spent the last three weekends shooting up to London and every trip has brought with it new places, new sights and new adventures. This weekend I met a friend for a shopping spree in High Street Kensington. We started the day with breakfast at Le Pain before heading out into the sunshine for a splurge. A couple of hours later and in need of some respite, we grabbed a salad from Wholefoods and enjoyed the sun in Kensington Gardens.
I then spent the afternoon soaking up the rays with a couple of G&Ts at the bustling Camden Lock. What a great place to be in the sunshine, buzzing with people, pubs and every type of food stall you can think of. Eventually I dragged myself away and headed back to Balham for an evening of cocktails and tapas at Harrison’s.
Sunday morning we drove over to Pimlico for brunch at the ever lovely Daylesford Organic Cafe and then whiled away an hour perusing the many floors of Peter Jones. I left London laden with bags, a dented bank account and a smile on my face. Thanks for having me!
The Royal Crescent
May
May has the potential to be my favourite month of the year. Sure it has a little bit of a competitive advantage what with its two bank holidays, but it’s a month which isn’t content to sit on the sidelines. It’s a month where change happens. Spring begins to merge into summer and in turn our lifestyle shifts ever so slightly to embrace the change in season; new clothes, new routines, new plans. This year May certainly pulled it out the bag when it mattered, treating us to two gloriously sunny bank holiday weekends. I think it’s been the trickiest month yet to whittle down my top three moments…
- Cuckoo Fair
Round and round and round and round for five memorable minutes on Ivy’s first carousel ride. My smile was as big as hers and it’s the best £2 I’ve probably ever spent! Sunshine, churros, pork baps, cider and all the family there together. - 24 heures ensoleillées à Notting Hill
A very french feeling few hours getting to know this beautiful spot. Sunbathing in Kensington Gardens, dinner at The Mall Tavern, drinks at The Scarsdale Tavern, more drinks and live music at Sopranos, breakfast at Le Pain, a morning at Portobello Market, frozen yoghurt from FRAE and a stroll around some amazingly beautiful west London terraces. - Bank holiday in Balham
Sitting in the sunshine, watching passers by and making my way through the cocktail menu with one of the bestest of friends.
Roll up June which brings with it a 26th birthday (eek) and two full weeks dans le sud de la France. Let the good times roll for us all.
Portobello Road
Walking around Notting Hill in the sunshine with its candy coloured terraces and bustling Portobello market made for a pretty great start to my Saturday. It was the first time I’ve properly explored Notting Hill and I owe thanks to my ‘tour guide’ for sharing some of her favourite parts and places of the area with me. I’m more than a little won over!
Let the sun shine
I love it when a plan comes together. I spent yesterday afternoon catching up on the last 7 months with a good friend. The sun had his hat on, we had our sunnies on, and all the time in the world to kick back and soak up the Friday feeling in Kensington Gardens.
Anyone for a cocktail?
Last night’s cocktails at Sub 13 were damn good; there’ll be plenty more Caipirinhas on the cards this summer.
Sunday brunch
Yesterday we went for Sunday brunch at Granger & Co in Notting Hill. I couldn’t resist the toasted rye, avocado, lime & coriander, whilst my sister went for the soft boiled organic eggs & sourdough soldiers and Stu for the bill’s BLT. An hour later I stepped out into the sunshine wishing I lived nearby and plotting my excuse to return again soon.
Earls Court
London was lovely today; a cheerful mix of hazy sunshine, pastel blue sky and the buzz of tomorrow’s bank holiday. These sunny days are still so few and far between, that it feels like such a treat to feel the warmth of early summer upon your skin.
Saturday afternoon
Us three girls – Mummy, Lot lot and Ivy – popped to the park for a quick run around before bed time this afternoon. We headed home a bit prematurely for one little troublemaker, who just loves the park so much she insisted on throwing a tantrum all the way home.
