Too cool for school

If my school had been anything like School of Life in London, I would have stayed in school and not bothered to make it in the world. Apart from being a quirky bookshop with a inspirational collection of clever how to do it books and philosophy books the school offers seminars, talks, dinner conversations, how to bake a bread, poetic bicycle rides across London and much more. I love that they sell gigantic Post It notes, “Lonely Planets guide to the Middle of Nowhere” and brilliant quotes from big personalities for sale.

I once did a political course (one night) on how to make a difference and learned a lot. Especially that it requires much more than one night.

School of Life, 70 Marchmont Street. Tube: Russel Square. Tel: 020 7833 1010www.theschooloflife.com

Quel Cirque

Oh la la... Merci in Marais is so fab. It’s so much more than just a shop. It’s like entering a supermarket of ideas and inspiration. Hidden in big warehouse rooms you can browse and find cool furniture, notebooks, clothes, tableware, flowers and even mix your own perfume. The café is a book lover’s paradise with shelves stuffed with second hand book for swapping and buying. Part of the profit is for charity. Like I said it’s so much more than just a shop.

By the way: My friend and I fell in love with these letters from old shop signs. They are like art pieces, which the prices also indicate.

11 boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris. Tel: 01 42 77 00 33. Métro: Saint Sébastien-Froissart (8) www.merci-merci.com

Christmas in Paris

No I haven’t mixed up the dates. And all though I am unusually slow to get started this year, I realize that January is now ruling our calendars. But I have just come back from Paris. And here is a city that knows how to have a good time and more importantly knows that it is a bad idea to rip all the Christmas spirit out of a city at the time of the year when we are all prone to the January blues. So I was very delighted to see Christmas decorations sparkling over the rainy Parisian streets and I enjoyed drinking Vin Chaud, which is still on the menu a lot of places.
Merry Christmas Paris!

Hot ginger & happy new year

Belated happy New Year to everyone.
I seemed to have been neglecting my blog for a long time. But a nasty food poisoning can put you of eating and especially dining out for a long time. It’s of course unfair to judge all restaurants because of one bad experience. So I am back in the game. I couldn’t live without going out despite it being both super cosy and trendy to stay in. Started the New Year with the beautiful film Nine at Electric and a very winter warm treat at the Kitchen & Pantry in Notting Hill the other day - ginger steamer – hot water, fresh ginger, honey and lemon.
That will warm you up while everybody is talking about the big chill and worst snow in 20 years in UK.

Kitchen & Pantry - 14 Elgin Crescent , W11 2HX