Saturday 1 August 2015

Science Museum, South Kensington



If you remember, I went to Natural History Museum lates a few months back, and it seemed like the right time to revisit Exhibition Road, so I headed off to my favourite of the area, the Science Museum.

This month the focus was on Churchill and the 1940s, with a swing band at the entrance and swing dancing upstairs.

In the space exhibit, a silent disco had people raving like it was a Friday night at a club, not Wednesday in a museum. The canteen had a mini debate group crowded around a table, while upstairs we were taught how to screen print (with an appropriately themed radio tower and planes).



Tuesday 28 July 2015

Devi's, Maltby Street Market



Tucked away in a little road by the railway arches near Bermondsey is Maltby Street Market, a nest of street food stalls, restaurants and a handful of authentic antique shops, complete with creepy items in stock (pretend heads from the London Dungeon, anyone?).

We popped down on Sunday, to visit newcomers Devi's, an Indian food stall which, as well as selling delicious vegetarian food (with just the right level of spice), is raising money to build free schools for girls in rural India.

We went for the 'very good vara pau', a potato bhaji in a sweet brioche bun, oh and a chocolate brownie from the much-too-tempting Bad Brownie stand..


Monday 20 July 2015

Citadel Festival, Victoria Park




On Sunday I went along to Citadel, a new one day festival in Victoria Park, east London.

The site follows the same layout as Lovebox, but the atmosphere is much more relaxed, with vintage stalls, gypsy jewellery stands and indie music.

My favourites for the day had to be Bombay Bicycle Club, who had not one, but three surprises for the audience, showering us and themselves with streamers and glitter.

Bear's Den were amazing too, though the hot weather had me melting while I tried to watch them, at least until I had some delicious bubble tea!


Wednesday 8 July 2015

On the headphones: Anya Marina

I first fell in love with Anya Marina's music years ago, after seeing her perform at a tiny festival in my hometown. Her distinctive voice has such an intimate feeling to it, whilst her beautiful melodies have a slight rock'n'roll edge. You may not know the same, but you'll recognise at least one of her tunes from their appearances in Twilight and Grey's Anatomy.

I hadn't thought about her in years, until this week when I was searching for a similar name and she popped up! Turns out the songstress has a new record coming out, with a PledgeMusic campaign to fund it. She's already reached her target, so no pressure, but if you fancy having a little browse around, head over here.

In the meantime, enjoy this lovely number from her debut record:


Monday 6 July 2015

Calling Festival, Clapham Common



So I cleverly spent last weekend's unbelievable (even for July) heat outdoors, wearing many layers of sunscreen of course. Heading over to Clapham Common, there was Calling festival going on, with my Swedish favourites from many years ago, The Hives performing a typically charismatic and energetic set. Amazingly, they even wore their sharp white suits, so I can't imagine how hot they must have been! (Actually, I can. As singer Pelle, stated onstage, it was only fairly hot. Then The Hives played and it was VERY hot).

The highlight of the day was hotly tipped rockers Wolf Alice, who headlined the second stage with their melodic grunge-pop. Considering Noel Gallagher was about to step onto the main stage, they pulled in quite a crowd, with the centre dancing away through their whole set.


Wednesday 1 July 2015

Things to do: Rooftop Cinema



The weather has been unbelievably warm this week, hasn't it? If you aren't cowering indoors, wearing factor 50 and trying desperately not to overheat, you may want to take advantage of our all-too-short summers and try Rooftop Cinema.

With four locations around central London, the company shows a mix of classic and new releases, with seating on comfy deckchairs (waterproofs to be provided in case of sudden downpours). There's drinks and snacks available to buy, and you also get a beautiful look over London from the heights of your chosen cinema.

For more information and listings, go to www.rooftopfilmclub.com/.

Saturday 27 June 2015

Rawduck, Hackney



Quite obviously (with me being vegetarian), this isn't a post about eating uncooked birds. It is in fact, about a lovely brunch place in Hackney. Granted, there are many places that'll serve you the local standard, poached eggs, kale, avocado, but Rawduck, situated on the edge of London Fields serves it up in the freshest form with beautiful presentation.

The staff are friendly, the room is light and airy and the coffee is some of the best to be found (quite a claim, I know). There's a relaxed atmosphere, to the point where you wonder who are the servers, before releasing that the person chatting with you is also bringing your drinks. Definitely the place to go on a late summer morning.

Wednesday 24 June 2015

On the headphones: Gin Wigmore

I'm really feeling the retro vibes today with the new single from New Zealand-turned-Deep South songstress Gin Wigmore. Imagine Duffy's vocals, over a dark, electro beat and you'll be close to the sounds of her new single 'New Rush'.

Her new record, 'Blood To Bone' was written in Brixton's own Iguana Studios, with Alt-J producer Charlie Andrew and is due out this October.


Sunday 21 June 2015

Barclaycard presents British Summer Time with The Strokes, Hyde Park



More of a festival than simple a performance, Barclaycard presents had expanded on last year, hosting four stages and a small festival-worth's food stalls. It might not quite match east London's food markets, but there's plenty to choose from (including a couple of decent veggie options!).

The only downside (except for accidentally positioning yourself behind the 'treehouse' to watch the main stage) are the horrific bar queues. For a quicker turn around, head left, but still expect a long wait, so pick a bar with a good view.

Thursday's one-before-headliner Beck had the crowd dancing wherever they stood, with a surpassingly number of memorable tracks, especially those from his Futurama appearances. 

The Strokes may look tired, but they still bring energy to every fan-favourite track. Frontman Julian Casablancas struggles a little with stage banter, resorting to typically British chats about the weather, but his synthesised vocals are as powerful as ever. 


Wednesday 17 June 2015

Cahoots, Soho



The Blitz is long finished, thankfully, but deep (not so deep) underground in Soho, the spirit lives on in a secret little bar near Kingly Court, called Cahoots. The experience is almost completely immersive, with a guard to welcome you aboard, train carriage seating and a newspaper style cocktail menu.

If you're planning to sit in, you'll need to book far ahead, but visit early in the week and there may be space at the bar, where you can watch the delicious, and very inventive cocktails being made. We stuck to the standard glasses, but there was an interesting one in a tea cup, with a biscuit on the side that definitely looked worth trying..

Friday 12 June 2015

Vauxhall City Farm



It's almost strange to think that farms exist in the city, especially such a sprawling one as London, but still there are a few scattered about, bringing the countryside into the urban landscape.

For those of you who read about my trip to the Horniman Museum, you'll know how much I love rabbits, so I was pretty excited to see that they have a few at Vauxhall City Farm! As well as chickens, horses, sheep, turkeys and many others, of course.

For just £1, you can enter their miniature 'petting area', where a helpful member of staff will help you interact with some of the more friendly animals. When I visited, there was a beautiful little lamb, a flock of ducklings and, most adorable of all, a lionhead rabbit.

Find it at: 165 Tyers Street, London SE11 5HS

Tuesday 9 June 2015

Tate Britain, Millbank



Tate Britain may not be as popular as its 'modern' sister over in Blackfriars, but it's filled with inspiring artworks and thoughtful pieces from historical and current artists alike.

Current exhibitions include the pre raphaelite movement (remember that classic painting of Ophelia?), as well as Tracy Emin's bed, which, if you haven't heard yet, shows a unique insight into the artist's life in her younger years.

It's quiet enough there, that even on a weekend you can stroll around peacefully as we did, taking in each piece of work at a time. To avoid getting lost, we tried the 'always turn right' trick, but there's so many different parts to the gallery that you could be wandering in there all day.

My favourite part was the drip colour drapes, hanging from the ceiling of the central gallery. Having been left in dye, the colours were slowly soaked into the material from the bottom upwards.

Find it at:
Millbank, London SW1P 4RG


Friday 5 June 2015

Tayyabs, Whitechapel

It's rare that I'll be patient enough to queue up for food, so you'll know that I was promised something great when I agreed to go to Tayyabs, a hugely popular Pakistani Punjabi restuarant in Whitechapel.

You can book in advance, but for a truly authentic experience you simply give the server your details and then huddle around in the foyer, smelling the amazing food and examining the sweets counter carefully. You might be waiting a while, but its completely worth it. The portion sizes are decent, the food is well priced, and the food is just delicious (sorry there are no pictures, I was too busy eating..).

What's more impressive is the sheer size of the restaurant, with diners spread out over three floors, and separate dining areas on each floor. For a massive-scale like this, the service is incredibly fast and efficient, so you won't be kept waiting with your mouth watering for long!

Find it at: 83-89 Fieldgate Street, E1 1JU

Wednesday 3 June 2015

Udderbelly Festival, Southbank Centre



For anyone who's walked along the south bank lately, you might wonder why there's a giant inflatable purple cow (yes, you heard that correctly!) casually sat behind the bridge from Embankment, near the London Eye.

Those of you in the know will have already wandered in, to explore Udderbelly Festival, a pop up selection of bars, food stalls and full on theatre performances.

The main area is free entry, but you'll need to bring cash if you want to sample the food, including pittas, burgers and gluten free pizza.

Theatre shows need to be booked, with performances from comedians including Richard Herring coming up, as well as the exhilarating vaudeville circus troupe Scotch & Soda, and lots more.

Find it at: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road Coach Park, SE1 8XX

Sunday 31 May 2015

Pop Brixton



A new pop-up outdoor opened over the weekend, built from metal shipping containers for that typical East-London boxpark look. But wait. It's not East London at all, in fact, Pop Brixton is in that deep, dark area that exists south of the river..

If you've ventured down there before, you'll have already sampled many of the treats that are available from Brixton Market, some of which feature at Pop too. The containers are still filling up, but for now, there's bars aplenty, plus a mix of food stalls from the classic market ramen to meat grills and Mexican. It's quite short on seating, but there's room to stand around. Best to get down early though, many of the stalls were running out of stock by 10pm..

Top tip: the lychee vodka shots are definitely worth a try!

Find it at: 53 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ

Friday 29 May 2015

A day trip to Brighton




I've always loved the sea, so when the long weekend came around I just had to head down to the coast.

Brighton is less than an hour from London, with trains running from London Bridge, Elephant and Castle and Victoria. For the cheapest prices, book in advance and look for deals on specific train lines.

The city has a relaxed vibe during the day, with the exception of the bustling pier, complete with arcades, fairground rides and traditional seaside souvenirs.

For a more cultural side, we wandered through the Lanes, an area of art galleries and cosy pubs. The Indian inspired Royal Pavilion is definitely worth a look too, if you fancy a walk round it's gardens.

In the evening, we took a walk along the pebble beach and made a few patterns out of stones. 


Tuesday 26 May 2015

Hej Coffee, Bermondsey



It was a sunny bank holiday, so we wandered towards Bermondsey. Finding out way into the sun-trap of Bermondsey Square, we stopped at the cosy little Scandinavian coffee shop, Hej on the corner.

The staff are incredibly friendly, giving it a local feeling and the cinnamon buns (of course) are delicious, especially when heated up. The walls are decorated with contemporary art, and there's an arty mock-moose head above the fire (don't worry, it looks nothing like a living moose!).

Find it at: 1 Bermondsey Square, London SE1 3UN

Top tip: If you don't fancy the buns, try the 'everything cookie'..

Friday 22 May 2015

Meeting the Moomins, Skandium




Last weekend we paid a visit to Skandium, a Scandinavian design shop in Kensington who were hosting a special day to celebrate the release of the new Moomins film. I'm a huge fan of the Finnish trolls myself, so just had to go along and meet one in person.

 The shop itself stocks various impeccably designed furniture pieces, from sofas to light fixtures, as well as Moomin crockery, toys and Scandinavian sweets. If you're at all interested in product design, the store is a must-see, even if, like me, you'll be wishing you had your own home to fill with their products.

Tuesday 19 May 2015

Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making Of Harry Potter



Leave your pride at the door, and suspend your disbelief as you enter the Warner Bros Studio Tour. There's no shame in fan-girling as you tread the floors of the great hall, or scream with delight on your first broomstick ride.

Although the trip, and souvenirs may be a little pricey, The Making Of Harry Potter is a truly unique experience, looking at the intense workload and attention to detail that went into creating such an incredible world for the big screen.

You can sample butterbeer (although taking any home is not allowed), climb aboard the Hogwarts Express and practice your wand-waving skills, with enthusiastic staff members explaining each section, if you ask them nicely.

Top tips: Turn up at least 30 minutes early, there's a long queue to enter. The canteen outside isn't great, and is quite expensive, so it's worth eating before you head in.

How to get there: Coaches depart from London Victoria, or take the train from Euston to Watford Junction, where buses run to the studio every 20 minutes



Wednesday 13 May 2015

Comptoir Libanais, Soho



Last Sunday we wandered around Soho, looking for a place to eat that didn't have a minimum of thirty minutes waiting queue. I'm not a particularly fussy eater, but being vegetarian does limit the choices, even in a place as diverse as Soho in central London.

Luckily, we stumbled across the artfully decorated Comptoir Libanais, a chain of Lebanese restaurants with colourful themes. The food was rich, but not stodgy, a vegetarian moussaka came with the aubergine cooked perfectly and layers of creamy sauce. We tried the flavoured vodka as well, which was stronger than expected, but equally refreshing.

If you're fancying something more healthy, there are a variety of wraps, each comes with a salad, or mix things up with a mezze platter piled high with tasty dips and fresh flatbread to share.

Find it at: 59 Broadwick Street, W1F 9QH

Friday 8 May 2015

A Day Out In: Greenwich



Last weekend we took the Thames Clipper down to Greenwich village, an assortment of cute little shops and food markets, scattered about the bustling area.

Although you can find a handful of stalls by the riverside, the main food area is within Greenwich market, just round the corner from the Cutty Sark. It's definitely worth taking out cash before you go, there's a long queue for each cash point and you'll be needing it if you want to try any delicious food! 

Once we'd stocked up, we wandered over towards the University campus, where there's a green to sit in the sunshine. Not far from there is the Meantime Brewery, where you can buy a range a locally produced (if a little pricey) beers, and take a tour of the brewery itself. 

After a quick pint (or two), we strolled past the Naval Museum, up to the Royal Observatory, where you can see far across London, from the city over to the O2 Arena. 

Tuesday 5 May 2015

Plonk Golf, Dalston



If crazy golf takes your fancy, I'm sure there's plenty of places in London to meet your needs, but none as unique as Dalston's own Plonk Golf. Set in an old snooker pub (with snooker tables included), you can work your way around the cleverly designed course, drink in hand.

It's a great date location, as the bar is quiet enough to chat, and there's some comfy sofas if you want to get cosy. Some of the holes are quite a challenge though, so expect to rack up a high score on your card!

Find it at: Efes, 17B Stoke Newington Rd,N16 8BH

Thursday 30 April 2015

On the headphones: MØ - Say You'll Be There (cover)

Copenhagen native  is no stranger to fame, winning the award for 'Breakthrough Artist of the Year' at the Danish Music Awards and guesting on Iggy Azaelia's 'Beg For It'.

She's been stepping into the shoes of even bigger female pop royalty though, on this fab cover of the Spice Girls' 'Say You'll Be There'. One watch and you'll be donning your platforms and trackie bottoms, like we all know you did in your bedroom when you were ten (or was that just my friends?). Click below for a blast of 90s nostalgia..



For anyone who's missing their pre-teen heroes, Ripley's London are hosted SpiceWorld: The Exhibition until the end of May. Entry included with the general ticket price.

Tuesday 28 April 2015

Pick Me Up, Somerset House


A festival of graphic design, Pick Me Up is a great chance to check out some of the upcoming talent, as well as known artists.

Downstairs is a gallery of hand picked artists' work, while upstairs hosts stalls from designers and collectives (including my favourites, the adorably cute Ohh Deer). Some even have tables where you can draw, colour or even scratch your own art, based on their designs.

This year's focus is on screen printing, with a stall showing you the process. It's worth a look, just to see the machine in action. 



Nearest tube: Embankment 

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Fika, Brick Lane



Brick Lane may be famed for its Beigal stores, Indian restaurants and Turkish food, but there's a tiny corner that's bringing the Scandinavian cool, thanks to Fika bar and kitchen.

Named after the Swedish term for coffee break, by day it serves up strong coffees and cinnamon rolls, while by night it attracts a mixture of diners and young professionals looking for a peaceful alternative to the raring hipster bars.

The restaurant serves a mixture of nordic dishes, including Elk burgers and the classic Swedish meatballs, plus (surprisingly good!) vegetarian options. There's a good cocktail menu as well, with themed drink names and a unique presentation. All served on a wooden log platter, of course.

Find it at: 161 Brick Lane, E1 6SB


Saturday 18 April 2015

Yoga at Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium



Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium opened in London last year, to the joy of cat lovers citywide (especially those who's tenancy contracts don't allow pets!). There's a long waiting list for bookings though, as the cafe has strict short opening times to avoid overwhelming the furry felines.

As it's now open on Wednesday evenings for yoga classes, at 7 and 8pm, run by an experienced teacher from Stretch, I decided to go along and see the place for myself.

I've been doing yoga for over a year now, so it was a pleasant surprise to find the class a real challenge (it's quite energetic and you'll want a good sense of balance). It's suitable for beginners too though, and the teacher is very supportive if you're struggling. There was an exciting moment about halfway through as a cat tried to climb me during a pose!

After the class had finished, we were treated to a delicious afternoon tea, with scones, cupcakes and the nicest tea I've ever tasted.

The cats are free to roam about through the cafe, so we had some entertainment too. It's amazing how relaxed they seem, even around such a large group of visitors. Mostly they just liked to loll about, watching us eating, or run around the wheel. It's clear the staff care deeply about their happiness and do their best to accommodate them in the cafe space.

Top tip: there's only one bathroom to change in, so best to change at home first

Find it at:152-154 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 6DG



Thursday 16 April 2015

Strongroom, Shoreditch



With the weather being so nice, I've been spending my evenings with friends at pub gardens around East London. 

One of my favourites has to be Strongroom, in the heart of Shoreditch. It draws a good crowd on weekday evenings from the startup offices of Silicon Roundabout (that's Old Street, by the way), but hover in the courtyard for long enough and you should be able to grab a couple of seats, if not a space at a canopied table. 

The drinks might be on the expensive side, if you're not used to London prices (over £5 for a bottle of Kopparberg), but there's a buzzing atmosphere to make up for that, and plenty of space indoors if you're getting chilly. 

On the weekends, the outside bar opens and the courtyard is packed. Expect a queue to enter and tight security. Head over early though, for a quiet drink before a gig at one of Shoreditch's many music venues. 

Find it at: 120 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3SQ



Tuesday 14 April 2015

The Horniman Museum, Forest Hill



It was such a beautiful weekend that there was nothing to so but go outside and enjoy the sunshine.

We decided to visit The Horniman Museum, founded in 1901, which has a collection of taxidermy, including some pretty scary looking exotic creatures, plus other cultural exhibitions.

There's an amazing view from the lovely gardens outside, being at the top of Forest Hill means you can see all the way from the London Eye to The Shard, all whilst enjoying music from the nearby bandstand.

The highlight for me though, was visiting the farm section, where the museum houses living animals, alpacas, rabbits, goats and chickens. You can't pet all the cuddlies as they're not so friendly, but it's fun to watch them bounding about. Even the alpacas seemed to be in a good mood..


Saturday 11 April 2015

The Diner, Shoreditch




Almost definitely THE best place in London to go if you're feeling a little rough from the night before, The Diner, a classic American themed burger bar will have you back on your feet in no time. 

On the other hand, if you're only starting the night off, you might want to try their 'hard shakes', thick frothy milkshake a with an alcoholic twist. 

Surprisingly, there are some amazing vegetarian options, from mushroom and halloumi burgers to soy dogs, plus a range of all-day breakfast food. 

Find it at: Angel, Shoreditch, Camden 

Monday 6 April 2015

Easter traditions


It's been a beautiful Easter weekend and I've been home visiting my family. We're really keen on traditions, so as well as cooking a (veggie) roast dinner, we've been making cornflake cakes and painting hard boiled eggs. 

Once the eggs are painted, we roll them down the garden, which is on a slope luckily! The egg which goes the furthest without cracking is the winner. Unfortunately mine broke, but it was still lovely to be out in the sunshine, surrounded by daffodils in my parent's garden. 

How have you been enjoying your time off?


Thursday 2 April 2015

Ridley Road Market Bar, Dalston




A tropical themed bar in the heart of Dalston, you say? Yes, Ridley Road Market Bar may be a short walk from the concrete blocks of Kingsland Road, but it's fluorescent lighting, flamingo decorations and palm trees would have you believe you've been transported to the Bahamas. 

The bar plays everything from the cheesiest pop and serving up a selection of cocktails including delicious frozen piña coladas. On a weeknight it may be quiet, but this place packs out on weekends, with swarms of east London girls and boys partying away on the dance floor til the small hours. 

Nearest Tube: Dalston Kingsland 

Monday 30 March 2015

Natural History Museum lates, South Kensington



Once a month, the Natural History Museum, and other London landmarks (including London Zoo, the Tate Gallery and London Aquarium) open late for some evening exploration.

The museum is free entry, with bars dotted about the main hall and a couple of food stalls too. Special exhibitions, such as the new exhibit Coral Reef: Secret Cities of the Sea come at a cost (in this case, £10 if the slot is booked in advance) and do not allow drinks to be taken in.

It's a great opportunity to explore the sights without the busy crowds that weekends draw in, and there's some fascinating insights into our planet's history, from minerals to mammals. The huge blue whale that hangs from the ceiling is a definitely must see.

Nearest tube station: South Kensington

Friday 27 March 2015

On the headphones: Port Isla

The weather might have turned grey and rainy again, but that doesn't mean the summer hasn't started to creep into my veins. I've been listening to a lot of Norwich's finest exports, Port Isla.

Drawing on country and folk influences, with a catchy core rock sound, the four-piece have been touring up and down the country with everyone from James Bay to Kodaline.

Catch them live: Oslo, Hackney on March 5th.

Wednesday 25 March 2015

All Fired Up, Dulwich




Sundays were made for relaxing, and maybe a little creativity too.. That's why last weekend I went to All Fired Up, a ceramic cafe in south London.

There were some lovely Easter themed ceramics to paint, and the place was surprisingly empty of kids, except for a children's party in the back room. There's a good cafe too, selling coffees and tasty looking cakes.

Find it at: 34 East Dulwich Road, London, SE22 9AX

Sunday 22 March 2015

Broadway Market, Haggerston



There are so many delicious food markets around London, but one of my favourite places to visit on a Saturday is Broadway Market. With a range of food to suit any taste, from gluten free and organic, to meat on a spit and tempting cakes, it's the perfect place to stock up on a sunny day, then head to nearby London Fields to enjoy.

 Aside from the food stalls, the market offers a selection of vinyl records to please even the most eclectic tastes, plus vintage clothing, fair trade jewellery and a range of locally sourced produce. 

Nearest tubes: Haggerston, Hackney Central

Wednesday 18 March 2015

On The Headphones: Polly Scattergood - Miss You

Aside from sounding like a Charles Dickins heroine, Polly Scattergood makes beautiful, heartfelt music, blending raw sounds with electro pop beats. This track, 'Miss You', is the sound of her at her most vulnerable, bearing her soul with nothing but a few piano keys for accompaniment.

Tuesday 17 March 2015

Hash E8, Hackney




Hackney may be a little short on greasy spoon cafés these days, but it certainly makes up for that by serving up a range of quirky brunch destinations instead.

With a menu focused on the humble hash brown, Hash E8 has the hungry locals flocking for their full English, or on the more healthy side, kale and poached eggs with hollandaise sauce. Get down early though, there can be a long wait on weekends!

Find it at: 170 Dalston Lane, E8 1NG


Thursday 12 March 2015

Scandinavian Kitchen, Fitzrovia


In search of a less-obvious mother's day present, I decided to go visit the Scandinavian Kitchen, which resides on the backstreets of Oxford Street. Far away from the rushing crowds of tourists, there are so many beautiful little shops and restaurants that sadly are often overlooked by those on the main high street.

This lovely little grocery shop and cafe is one of them. Stocking classic Scandinavian foods, from fish to salty liquorice sweets, its the perfect place for homesick natives, or those looking for a unique and authentic culinary experience.

After choosing a gift to take home this weekend, I couldn't help picking up a couple of delicious looking cinnamon rolls too. The cafe has a good selection of pastries, as well as open sandwiches and salads.

Website: Scandikitchen.co.uk
Find it: 61 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7PP

Tuesday 10 March 2015

On the headphones: The Night VI - Too Late To Lie




It certainly feels like spring in London now. The sky is an (almost) clear blue, the sun is peering out and people have started to scatter across the parks on weekends.

With the change in season, I've been listening to a lot of Anglo-French sextet The Night VI recently. Their melancholic pop melodies are painfully addictive, particularly the haunting 'Too Late To Lie'. Soft enough for a day in the park, but not too sweet to belong in summer yet..


Saturday 7 March 2015

Escaping from the city: Epping Forest




I love the city as much as anyone who lives here, the frequent surprises, the bright lights and the constant rushing that becomes a kind of rhythm that you move to. It's nice to have a break though, especially on a sunny day when you start to wonder where the sky is behind all those tall skyscrapers!

London is really spoilt for nearby places with a little more greenery, and getting there is much easier than you would think. I went to visit Epping forest, which is barely 20 minutes away by train, then a short walk until you reach the woods.

Although you are never quite that far from the sounds of traffic, it's a beautiful place to explore, with ponds (with lots of ducks!) and stretching fields to make you believe you are miles from the concrete streets.

Nearest stations: Theydon Bois, Loughton, Epping

Wednesday 4 March 2015

Champs - Rough Trade East, Brick Lane



Part of the Old Truman Brewery buildings, Rough Trade East, a mecca for vinyl fans sits right at the heart of Brick Lane. Although it may have branched out into selling books and coffee to the (mostly bearded) customers, the staff are true music lovers themselves and are always on the lookout for the next breakthrough act. You'll see posters for the most obscure releases lining the walls, alongside all the indie label favourites.

Tonight's special performance was from Isle of Wight brothers, Champs, performing tracks from their new record Vamala. The pair's music sways gracefully from soft country ballads, to synthy 80s inspired indie pop.