Viva Mexico!

The past two Tuesdays I have been repeating my self and enjoyed great Margaritas and mexican market food in a buzzing, vibrant basement i Covent Garden. The restaurant Wahaca is cheap and fun and the food is tasty with a spicy kick. The chef Thomasina Meiers have created a chain (only two so fair) with supercool personality and modern mexican food. I have loved it from the beginning, but recently I seem to have become almost addicted.
I even spent my gift voucher in Books for Cooks in Notting Hill to buy the cook book, which is a amazing.


Chandos Place, Covent Garden.
www.wahaca.co.uk

Vintage Friday in Notting Hill

Yes Portobello Road might be crammed with tourists on Saturdays, and big chains like All Saints might pretty soon rule the old marked street, but Friday mornings browsing through the vintage and second hand stalls under the bridge is still something else. I especially love looking at the quirky people who come to sell an eclectic mix of every thing from scarfs to old costumized furs. When stylish and funky girls have been going through their wardrobes for unwanted items, thrown them in suitcases and gone to the market, it is worth checking if you can pick up something unique. Perhaps the laid back chick bohemian market style will rub of on you.
I went the other day and got a feeling that this must be the summer where I am only going to wear old pretty flower dresses and shield myself from the sun with a romantic lace umbrella. ...or not.
That is the thing about flea markets and vintage shopping, you are allowed to dream and play with different personalities.

If I were in N. Y. today...

I would eat a gigantic piece of cheese cake from Eileens Cheesecake.
Fluffy, creamy and just the way a cheese cake should be.

www.eileenscheesecake.com
17 Cleveland Place

I LOVE NEW YORK!

Despite volcano ashes my new book has made it to the British shores and my home today.
And I know that my English friends and followers can't read it, but I will still like to share my love for New York with you.

So in my up-and-coming entrees I might seem a bit obsessed with NY.

If I could only be there to day, which is as you all know impossible. I had planned to go in a couple of weeks, but the planned interview will now be an email chat.
Not the same.

If I was in New York today, I would celebrate my book launch with a Mojito in Hotel Delamo in Williamsburg. Possibly the most secret, stylish and fab bar I have ever been to.
I love that place. Thanks Charlotte for taking me there. We will have that kebab on Bedford Ave. soon.


82 Berry Street St at North 9th st. Williamsburg.

The silver lining in the volcano cloud

As some of my best friends are stranded in Florida and Denmark leaving a trail of cancelled events, I have been looking for the silver lining in the volcano clouds.
I should have been having brunch today with my good friend. But like so many other Brits she and her family are stranded in Paradise a.k.a Miami. And I should have been shopping, eating, hanging out, and catching up and so much more with one of my best Danish friend. It sucks.
On the other hand a volcano eruption and a strange ash cloud it’s no body’s fault and when your schedule is being turned upside down there is room for the unexpected.
To find that silver lining you don’t have to use our eyes. Just tune in your ears. The place to be this gorgeous sunny weekend is by the river in Richmond or in Kew Gardens, where planes usually spoil these idyllic London villages by the Thames.
No planes in the sky = total bliss!

Ps. This might cause a political awakening in these suburbs. Please move Heathrow airport or at least stop making any more runways!

Shopping is art!

Sorry to repeat myself. I know it's only been a few days since I last mentioned the new Anthropologie on King's Road. I did welcome it a bit reluctantly mostly because it's no longer something special to go to the shops in the states.
But now I love it.
I took my daughter there today and she explored every corner and even went back to say goodbye to the nice girl by the entrance. (She was American and very charming).
The displays in the shop are amazing. Full of story telling, earthy vibes and lots of colours. The little gallery right by the entrance is a nice touch and adds some art experience to the whole shopping event. Some of us have long considered shopping an art any way.
Take a look a the birds on display at the moment.

"I want the wall paper".
My daughter.

Delicious deli!

Kensal Rise has become my new little local neighbourhood. Both business and pleasure have been taking me to this corner of London several time these past couple of weeks. I have a friend, who lives there, and one, who used to. They both tell how the area has developed into a pretty charming place with a good cinema, a branch of the Diner chain and delis.
Minkies Deli close to the station is a perfect place to hang out. It’s a little bit like sitting in an urban green house. But instead of plants and flowers you are surrounded by delicious cakes, organic biscuits, chocolate and sweets wrapped in retro design.
So I was extremely proud of myself that I only consumed a juice and a bowl of lentil soup yesterday. I am sure that was just an exception!

www.minkiesdeli.co.uk

Spring has sprung!

Well, this can’t come as any surprise. But I still feel so thrilled that I just have to shout it out loud. For some reason it always seems to come as such a pleasant surprise.
Petersham Nurseries – along the river just outside Richmond – is a perfect place to spot the spring. Enjoy the vibrant green, yellow and blue colour of spring and settle down in the sun among the greenhouses in the café. Have a veggie soup and fresh mint tea… and finish it of with a flourless chocolate cake or my favourite an almond poppy seed cake. Or an orange chocolate cake. Or perhaps one with beetroot… oh it is just to damn difficult to choose.

petershamnurseries.co.uk.

Alice in... whatever land!

Alice in whatever land, sighed my good friend the other day. I think she has had enough of all the Alice in Wonderland stuff that has caught the world of fashion since the release of Tim Burtons film.
But I still think is has added a terrific mad and playful style to every girls wardrobe. Just go vintage shopping at the ever popular vintage store Beyond Retro off Brick Lane and see if you can resist buying a baby doll pink tulle skirt or a big red hair bow...

www.beyondretro.com

Circus shopping

An cosy armchair has been on top of my wish list for years. I finally caved in an bought a big one from IKEA.
And what happens... two days later I happened to pass this great antique shop CIRCUS in Kensal Rise.
Just look at the two nice chairs staring at me from the windows.
It's a shop with lots of rarities and worth popping by again.

Circus 60, Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Rise, London, NW10 3JH

Urban anthropologie

I interviewed the author of the Shopaholic books Sophie Kinsella and just like me she has mixed feelings about Anthropologie coming to London last year.
It has after all been a favourite haunt in New York for years and travel and shopping become less unique when you can walk into the same shops around the world. But then again... too much of a good thing is never enough. So I am actually thrilled that the vintage & shabby chic shop chain (sort of like a Urban Outfitters for bohemian grown ups) has now opened a second shop on Kings Road. The location the old green Antiquarius building with all its ornate ironworks and stained glass is the perfect backdrop for the all the print, flowers and colourful clothes and homeware.

Anthropologie
Regent Street and 131-141 King's Road
www.anthropologie.co.uk

Easter = chocolate!

It's easter and then there is really just one thing to say.

CHOCOLATE!!!


Head for: Roccoco Chocolate shop on King's Road, the divine Melt on 59 Ledbury Road in Notting Hill or the old fashioned The House of chocolate on the Green in Richmond.
My daughter has wanted a dotted chocolate shoe for month. Today just might be her (and my lucky) day...

www.rococochocolates.com
www.meltchocolates.com
www.houseofchocolate.co.uk