little venice

This has been a somewhat momentus weekend. I finally moved into the real world and settled into my new home. I've been living incognito for the last two months but now I can safely say I'm a real London worker. I promise to show you round my new abode once I've decked it all out with my finery and fresh flowers. For now though, I'd like to show you a little part of London that I explored today for the first time. And it definitely won't be the last time either, and I think you'll agree with me. 

Having had a breakfast fit for a king, me and one of my favourite people went on an adventure to Little Venice. Starting in the beautiful Warwick Avenue (I had Duffy singing in my ear the entire time) we meandered the streets lined with beautiful white houses and dreamt of owning one, one day. 

    

    

My aunt had told me this area was a must see so I took her advice and went running for the hills. She was so right; it is beautiful, particularly under the Indian Summer sun we experienced today. 

            

Walking under bridges and strolling the tow paths we took in every nook and cranny. 

                    

   

   

   

We watched couples walk hand in hand and old friends giggle over cups of hot tea. We even spotted a model in the middle of a photo shoot. 

   

   

Heading further towards Paddington we stumbled across these fellas. 

                   

                   

Why so stern looking?! Lighten up lad! 

                   

My little friend was camera shy so I can't reveal who it was, sorry. Maybe another time. Anyway, back to our wanderings. 

   

   

   

We spotted this bar and thought it would be perfect on a warm summer evening. Might be kidding ourselves if we're to visit this year now. 

Satisfied with our little outing we headed back and bought ice lollies to eat in the park. A perfect start to my real life in London. 

More to follow.

L. 

   

white lyan

Firstly I apologise for the slight hole in blog posts- my weeks seem to have filled themselves up and time is flying by. Plus the weather has been turning so I've felt the need to cocoon away to hide from the rain. 

Anyway, I'm back and have the perfect little place to share with you. Having worked a little bit with White Lyan in Hoxton for Black Tomato, the boys had invited me over one evening to experience the place for myself. This was an offer I was not going to shirk at. Innovative cocktails, great music and that irresistible slice of urban cool found in Hoxton- I was not going to miss out. 

So Saturday night I grabbed Sophie and we headed to the bar. Hopping in our wonderful Uber Car (get on this brand, if you haven't already- they're the best) we whizzed through the bright lights of Shoreditch and found ourselves in the quieter neighbourhood of Hoxton Street. Having driven up and down the road a million times, we eventually found the bar- we had been standing outside it for a good 10 minutes but were just completely blind. Anyway, we were here and boy were we in for a treat. 

            

Iain (who I had been dealing with) was quick off the mark to settle us in and talk to us about the concept of the bar. This place doesn't use ice, citrus or additives. Drinks are kept cool in fridges and freezers and don't expect to find anything with a label on, other that Mr. Lyan's home concoction. The boys work throughout the day creating the drinks so when it opens in the evening there's no waiting around for shaking and stirring. Perfect for that relaxed vibe you want. 

                   

    

First off we were given a pallet cleanser which was some wonder blend of jasmine and other delights (I literally can't remember but it was delicious). We were then left in the capable hands of Rob, who mixed up cocktails according to our pallet. Sophie likes fizz (what girl doesn't) and a bitof sweetness. 2 minutes later she had a tall glass of what can only be described as chocolate champagne. Weird, but she loved it and sipped soothingly at it for a while. Rob spritzed the glass with essence and it smelt incredible. One happy girl down, one to go. 

                  

                  

                 

   

I like gin and citrusy drinks with a hint of sweetness. Rob whizzed up a 'Purple Paint'- he literally painted a dark purple syrup around the inside of the glass and then poured in the purple liquid. It was sweet and floral. Perfect. It tasted a little like Christmas in a glass. Deeeeeelish. 

   

   

The boys at White Lyan are fantastic, they explained their concept to all of their customers and you can tell they really love what they do. Banging hip hop and disco music blares out and dancing on the tables is encouraged. Bye bye stuffy cocktails bar, there's a new baby in town. 

    

                       

Sophie and I had a great time giggling over all our recent gossip, sipping on the most innovative drinks we've had in a while. We both decided the bar was a little quiet tonight but was still the perfect place for an evening of fun. Perhaps Friday night is White Lyan's leading night. I guess that means we'll just have to take another visit soon! 

I promise to write about something else shortly!!

Happy Sunday

L. 

what allot of fun

I escaped London this Friday and headed home for a weekend in the country. I love London but I miss the green and comfort of home; clearly I'm more of a bumpkin than I first thought. As the train shot through the countryside I waved goodbye to the grey and welcomed the green and luscious Cotswolds. There really is nothing quite like England, hey. 

Saturday morning was a rainy one but mum and I wanted a little trip out so headed to an antiques place in the heart of the Cotswolds. I think this must be mum's favourite place because she goes here a lot. A LOT. we rummaged through all kinds of trinkets; I spied some excellent lighting which I want for my future house and mum and I both ooed and ahhhed over an old fashioned beach tent. Thankfully for dad we resisted and came back home with goodies to eat instead. 

Feeling revived we met up with Derek and Diana for a trip to the allotment. Now D&D are like second parents to me. They live just down the road and the amount of times I find them in our kitchen, drinking tea- or more likely with a bottle of white open- are uncountable. I love them and always make time to seek them out when I'm back for a fleeting moment. I've heard so much about their allotment over the years but never been to visit, so once the rain had cleared, we hopped on down. 

   

   

   

   

Mum and Di digging for gold. 

   

   

Where's Peter Rabbit? I was told not to ask for him. 

   

Just like Peter though, I snuck into Derek's shed. Shhhhhh! 

                  

    

                  

   

   

                 

                 

   

What a lovely sight! 

                  

Di and I left Derek and mum to discussing fruit trees whilst we went for an explore through the rest of the allotments. 

                  

    

    

                   

   

                  

   

   

Mum joined us and I caught a moment of deep discussion between the two ladies. 

   

It probably went along the lines of:

Mum: "So when are you next popping round for a glass or two?"

Di: "Tonight too early?"

I joke, they didn't actually this time, instead they sent us packing with goodies to eat and share. 

             

    

I love sweet peas so Di gave me the bunch to have in my room for the remainder of my weekend at home. 

             

A perfect weekend at home, but back to London now to carry on the life of a twentysomething in the city.

Enjoy your Sunday! 

L.