Menu blackboards at Fernandez & Wells, Somerset House, London





Dreamy Corridor, Somerset House, London


Tim Walker Storyteller, Somerset House, London = Great


Ice Skating, Somerset House, London



Random Santa Fever Outside Holborn Station, London



More Porridge Musings from Kaffeine, Great Titchfield Street, London


Melody's Echo Chamber


Actually, it looks like Melody's Echo Chamber's Chambre.....including a beautiful guitar!!


Oscar Niemeyer 1907- 2012


Neoballet: Life! At The Place Theatre, London, November 2012

Rose Bakery At Dover Street Market Goes 'Brighton Rock' Crazy


Ralph Lauren's Teddy Bear Xmas Window, London


Old London Atmosphere...


Exciting: Manet Exhibition Coming To Royal Academy Of Arts, London January 2013


Kensington Palace In Fading Light, London


Recently Watched Movie = Valentino The Last Emperor



Another Great Blackboard From Kaffeine, Great Titchfield Street, London



Porter Quilt by Meg Callahan


Discovered Meg Callahan's work via Dwell magazine. They did a little Q&A which got me interested. For more info on Meg Callahan click here.


The "Cabbage Lamp"

A family friend makes these lamps in his garage in L.A. Apparently they're inspired by the Savoy cabbage....


by day...


by  night....

Currently Reading



Delfina Delettrez at her Paris home, from Harper's summer 2011

Checking out the latest issue of World of Interiors, which is a fashion special - and includes a feature on Delfina Delettrez' Paris apartment - I realised that there had been a far better feature on the same apartment last summer in Harper's. The World of Interiors spread is too anonymous. I never bought the magazine before. And I find it weirdly unpopulated. The spreads of Delettrez' apartment are fascinating; but she's missing - the same applies to all the spreads in the issue. It's like a tantalising hint of who lives there. Whereas this summer 2011 Harper's feature, which also uses a different photographer, showed Delettrez in the apartment and brings the  home much more to life. 







Recently Watched Movies



10 Great Places To Eat In Paris

People often ask me for tips on eating out in Paris - and enough times, that it's kicked me into posting this list of my favourites. They're all on the casual side. I like to relax when I'm eating. And to really linger; no rushing. So, in no particular order, here are my 10 Favourite Places To Eat In Paris (most of the pic credits: my 8 year old daughter): 

1. Le Loir Dans La Théière




Always worth the heavy queue. Great atmosphere. Amazing cakes. If you like cheese, order the St Marcellin Chaud, which I eat every single time I go here: it's that good. 

3 Rue des Rosiers, 75004. 

2. Tea Follies 

Fell into this 'bistro-resto' recently and really liked it. The chef is visible from the restaurant, working her magic in the kitchen. Easygoing feel to the place; relaxed service. I can recommend the Salade Chevre Chaud. 

6 Place Gustave Toudouze, 75009

3. Le Pre Aux Clercs

One of those lovely old world charm Paris places, off Rue Jacob, serving always-good omelettes, frites, salade verte, oeuf cocotte with salmon and so on. Last time there, on a shelf near where I was sitting, there was a faded Brigitte Bardot book, that probably got put there in 1970 and nobody every thought to move it. 

30 Rue Bonaparte, 75007

4. Au Grand Turenne 

Unfussy bar/ brasserie close to Merci, where they do the best French onion soup I've ever had in Paris. The sort of place where people sit outside with a coffee and chain-smoke. 

27 Boulevard du Temple, 75003

5. L'As Du Falafel 





Deep in the heart of Jewish Marais, this place serves the best falafel outside of the Middle East. Generous helpings. You can eat in which is fun because of the lively atmosphere. But it's best to queue up and buy from their take-away window and then enjoy getting in a total mess when you actually eat the stuffed pitta. 

34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004

6. Le Comptoir des Belettes




This neighbourhood-y place, a short walk from the foot of the Sacre Coeur, was opened by two women, with a vision to serve excellent tartines. And that they do. It's a cute little place. The tartine with Reblochon and prunes is exceptional. 

37 Rue Lamarck, 75018

7. Rose Bakery 




For fresh delicious salads, soups, cakes and a dash of London in Paris, it's worth visiting Rose Bakery on Rue des Martyrs (I like this location best because it gives you an excuse to enjoy the mouth watering treats on offer up and down the entire street). 

46 Rue des Martyrs, 75009

8. Rosa Bonheur




In Spring/ Summer, this is a great laid-back place to pick up a snack lunch (or picnic) and an excellent cup of coffee. Never been there at night, when apparently the music gets cranked up and it's packed and jumping wild. 

Parc Buttes-Chaumont, 2 Alle de la Cascade, 75019 

9. Merci Café




Part of Marie-France and Bernard Cohen's immaculately styled and executed philanthropic emporium, Merci, the café serves a simple, delicious lunch at street level, in a space which celebrates old movie charm. If you're not hungry, take a tea or coffee in the Used Bookstore café next door. And if you want a more serious lunch, head to the restaurant downstairs in the store. 

111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003

10. Café Charlot 

A white tiled New York meets Paris place, on a really nice street, opposite the Marché des Enfants. More about people watching perhaps, than anything else. But if you are in the mood for a simple lunch, done well, with delicious frites, this is for you. 

38 Rue de Bretagne, 75003



Inspirational




Death: A Self Portrait at the Wellcome Collection = Unexpectedly Uplifting



Fernandez & Wells South Kensington = the best F&W yet


Light From The Middle East at the V&A = Interesting Show


Conran Shop Xmas Windows, London W1


Skyline, Marylebone Road, London W1


Barbican Centre, Random International: Rain Room


London W1, With Beautiful November Light


(Real) Reindeer On Marylebone High Street, London W1


Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel = Super Inspiring


Xmas Lights Over Selfridges London


Rewatched Three Colours Blue = Still One of My All Time Favourite Movies