Interiors focus - The Swan @ The Globe

The man and me finally got round to going for a meal at the Swan @ the Globe last week and it was AMAZING! So much so that a light lunch turned into the full monty (when the bread is that good it is always a positive sign). I actually had to lay down on a bench to recover afterwards as I had no choice but to over indulge... honestly! Anyway, apart from the food, service, the stunning view (and wonderful company of course), I fell in love with the gorgeous decor. It was a mixture of rustic charm, sumptuous fabrics and ingenious design features. See what you think...

Love these wall lights! They are by Ingo Maurer and are firmly on my wall of want, along with many other of their designs! Mydeco.com (a fab interiors website) tells you where you can buy them...be prepared to fall head over heels.

What a view.

Bring back Sherlock!

I have been loving the new Sherlock Holmes series on BBC1, but just as I was starting to become addicted it was over  - only three episodes long! But fear not, the beeb have confirmed today that a new series is on the cards – yeah! The show was brilliantly updated for the modern age with a dry, witty script, brilliant casting, gorgeous London back drops and oodles of style. Apparently the Belstaff coat that Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) wears throughout the series already has a mile long waiting list.

For those who did not catch the show...tune into iplayer before it is too late (6 days left in counting)… promise it will be worth your while. Check out this trailer for a teaser…

Boris' Bikes

Whether you love him or hate him, you’ve got to give a big thumbs-up to Bozza's new bike scheme. So far reviews from registered members have been pretty positive (casual users will be able to enjoy the ride soon, so keep an eye on the TFL website for user guides). Sure there have been a few niggles but I think this is a grand idea, which will make quick journeys around town a lot more fun. Not sure if I'm brave enough to navigate London traffic just yet but I will definitely be making use of them to zip around the south bank at weekends…will make carrying my veg from borough market all the more easier! Check out the docking stations and start planning some trips thanks to this fab googlemap by Time Out.

Soho Standoff...who will win...new or old??

Old School London - Dinner + Theatre (+ Rain)

It's very easy living in this city to forget the wonderful experiences that are on your doorstop. That's why the man and me decided to take it back to basics this week and have a true London experience - dinner and a play. There are so many fab plays to choose from all year round, but for us it had to be Arthur Miller’s All My Sons at the Apollo theatre (running until Oct 2^nd), with David Suchet and Zoe Wanamaker in the starring roles. It was quite simply stunning, totally engrossing and brilliantly acted – Zoe Wanamaker was especially outstanding.

To help digest the powerful play (and a big bowl of pasta) we took the scenic route to Waterloo through Whitehall. Typically the heavens opened, threatening to drown my ‘only worn on special occasions’ vintage Prada's - however being a pro, I had my trusty flats with me. It was also the perfect excuse to jump into St Stephens Tavern, a gorgeous old pub opposite Big Ben, for a sherry to warm the cockles. Oh I love London when it’s grey!

Festival Fun... Vintage at Goodwood

When I first heard about Vintage at Goodwood (13^th-15^th August) earlier this year I remember thinking what a genius idea, this is my kind of festival! Dreamt up by the brilliant Wayne and Geradine Hemingway, the festival celebrates ‘5 decades of British cool’ by combining the best of music, fashion, design, dance, art and film from the 1940s – 1980s. It has a real ‘Best of British’ vibe with a respectful nod to the 1951 Festival of Britain albeit with a contemporary twist. This is a weekend long event in the style of old British camping holidays, where you can just pop along for the day or pitch up for the duration. There are options to suit all budgets from camping to glamping (i would opt for the gypsy caravans myself). Check out their amazing site as there is far too much happening and it would be rude for me to try and summarise. Happy Camping!

The V&A Library... my favourite place in London??

I have been a book lover from an early age, encouraged by a family that devour books to the point that the book shelves are now three deep and the latest read is carried around like a cherished pet until completed.

For that reason there is nowhere I would rather be than a library – the smell, the history, everything about them fills me with joy! London boasts a wonderful selection all across town, however for me it doesn’t get much better than the National Art Library at the V&A. They have an unbelievable selection of design, art and craft books that have to be seen to be believed. As it is a reference only library all books need to be viewed within the reading rooms, which are just gorgeous, like something out of a film (why can I only think of the library in Disney’s Beauty in the Beast right now??). For years I dreamed of being a member without realizing it was actually a public library and easy enough to join online. It was the perfect escape from the summer crowds when I visited the museum earlier today and the perfect place to write this blog!

Tucked up at the bottom of the stairs leading to the library, there was a structure titled Ark by Rintala Eggertsson Architects, Norway. This was part of a mini exhibit showcasing 7 architects structures that are asked to ‘examine a notion of refuge and retreat’. I can best describe the 'Ark' as a magical, mobile, tree house of books! Once inside, you’re surrounded by the colourful, decorative spines of thousands of books and at once you forget the chaos of the museum outside. So much so that I climbed to the very top, picked a book at random and curled up in one of the enclosed, cushioned seats. Unfortunately the structure can only hold 4 people at a time and I felt pressured into leaving 20 pages in. Well worth a look though!

Grace Kelly exhibition @ the V&A - A true style icon

I finally got round to seeing the Grace Kelly exhibition at the V&A today and I wish I could say that it was worth the wait. Don’t get me wrong, it was wonderful to see some of her designer clothes and film costumes up close, but I felt the space was too small to let the clothes really shine - especially as the summer crowds have now hit the museum. The absence of her gorgeous wedding dress also left me feeling a little unsatisfied (i believe it is tucked away in a museum in her home city of Philadelphia). A lot of visitors were disappointed with how worn and threadbare some of the clothes were, but I actually liked that! It gave them life and showed that they were enjoyed when worn (i especially liked her scuffed 'Kelly' Hermes handbag). The museum also documented how Grace would recycle her film costumes in ‘real life’ and was never afraid of being seen in the same outfit twice, which I thought was very refreshing. I didn’t come away feeling I had learnt anything new about Grace Kelly, but at a reasonable price of £6 a ticket I think it was good value. If anything it prompted me to go home and watch Rear Window, to enjoy her talent and breathtaking beauty on screen. Now why wouldn’t you recycle your film costumes if they were as gorgeous as that?! 

One of many ball gowns worn by Grace Kelly (and the only one I was able to photograph... no cameras allowed!)

Holiday fun!

This week I am looking forward to taking a much needed holiday. But instead of jetting off to foreign climes, the man and me have decided to use this time as a culture catch up and make the most of the wonderful things this city has to offer. So watch this space for a jam - packed week of activities! Lets hope the weather holds up...

Science Museum Lates

One of the best things about London has to be the museums and what could be better than an adults only, alcohol friendly, fun-loving night at the Science Museum?? On the last Wednesday of every month the museum hosts its 'Lates' night which allows visitors to wander the floors, drink in hand, to the funky sounds of the in-house dj's. Every month has a different theme and as Wednesday's was 'the science of food' I just had to pop along. The much loved regular activities such as the silent disco (i love listening to people sing when they wear headphones) and the science based pub quiz were accompanied by themed events; musical vegetables, potato stamping, liquid nitrogen banana DIY (they make for great hammers, which the men loved!) and comedy based food shows.

This was an awesome night of fun and it was free! Can't wait to find out next months theme.