Festive Fun at Dean Street Townhouse

Dean Street Townhouse Welcome

 

There are few things more spectacular to me --than Christmas in London!  Every year, my inner child laps up all the festive fun via my adult self.

 

Dean Street Luxury

Whisky Weekend in SCOTLAND

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Brodie Castle

 

Every Lord should have his own castle. Mine is on order. (I have several more payments to make...) Going to Scotland was like going home for me, as I am originally from New Scotland. My first destination was The National Trust's Brodie Castle. If you are looking for a fairy tale Scottish castle, look no further...

 

The new 'Brodie' of Brodie Castle?

Working In Paris!

Safe Haven in The Eurostar Lounge

They say every job has its perks. Sometimes we have to look a little harder to find them --and believe me, I've had those jobs.  However, with my current job, I get to go to Paris every month. (...and the perk is revealed in one simple sentence!) 

Paris is one of my favourite cities in the world.  (What's not to love? Great food. Wonderful shopping. Beautiful architecture. A magnificent history --Let ME eat cake!)

After my car collections me at 05:00 (Obscenely early!), I crawl into the Eurostar AMEX Lounge at St Pancras International, where I am immediately comforted by friendly staff, a sophisticated

ambiance and enough fresh croissant to make even Marie Antoinette blush.

GUY FAWKES Celebrations In RYE

Bon Fire Mob

Not very often in life are we presented with a true 'stepping back in time' experience. One of those rare moments where you have shivers of excitement as you are confronted with pure sensory over-load. Rye, an ancient town in East Sussex, England, is the perfect backdrop for the most amazing Guy Fawkes pageantry.

Enjoying HALLOWEEN

Harvest Tree Season: Elgin, Scotland

 

I know I am supposed to love summer, hot beach weather, wearing shorts & sandles, etc... and although its all fine, October is MY month.  First of all, we have Canadian Thanksgiving to celebrate --bring on the roast dinner with all the trimmings!! Then we have the joy of watching the seasonal colours pop into a festival of  bright oranges, vibrant yellows and rustic shades of gold.

Pumpkin Glory

 

Like most people of my generation, when I see a pumpkin patch, I am instantly reminded of Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin. What a classic film. I watch it every year, along with Sleepy Hallow (Have you been watching the new series based on this story?), Hocus Pocus and all the other Halloween must-sees. My 'internal child' never tires of these films.   

HUTONG and BENARES: For Dinner

View from Hutong at The Shard

 

So I have been dying to go to the shard for ages! Finally, when a friend of mine from LA was in town a couple of weeks ago, he suggested we dine at Hutong. If I wasn't already delighted by the mind-blowingly splendid views of London (The most beautiful city in the world!) from the 33rd floor of The Shard, I was floored by the exquisite flavours of "Northern China" we experienced over dinner.  I let my friend Fernando guide me through the menu, so I can't begin to tell you what we ate.(Sometimes I am such a food tourist.) But I can tell you, every dish was a culinary adventure not to be missed.  

 

Artistry/Dinner at Benares

 

As if going to Hutong wasn't being spoiled enough, we also went to Benares in Mayfair for the most outstanding Indian food.  I have to hold my hand up and tell you, I don't know a great deal about Indian food, so again I was guided through the menu. But again, I was overwhelmed at discovering new, rich and complex flavours. I am told Benares is Indian food at its best --I can believe it. I must also add, the service was outstanding. The waiters were one step ahead of the game at all times --true professionals. It was one of those rare occasions where everything worked: Food, Venue, Service. Benares is a masterpiece.    

AUBAINE for Dinner

The Foodie Oasis

 

Where better to head for a leisurely mid-week dinner with friends than uber-charming Heddon Street?  Tucked just off of Regent Street, it offers a wonderful selection of bijou restaurants, cafes and bars: Aubaine, The Living Room, Strada, Tibits, Strawberry Moons, Piccolino, Momo, Below Zero, and La Locando all call Heddon Street home. (One of my favourite places for a late dinner after the theatre.)

The Breakfast Club Brunch

Breakfast Club

 

So today was the wettest, most grey off all London days.  When faced with the options of TV/sofa-suffering (Imagine an afternoon of Murder She Wrote and back-to-back episodes of Charmed) or meeting a friend in Clapham for brunch; the choice was obvious. We decided to meet at The Breakfast Club on Battersea Rise.  A chain of retro-styled restaurants that hark back to all things 80's cool.

THEATRE: Regents Park Open Air Theatre "The Sound of Music"

Regents Park Open Air Theatre

If you are looking for a magical way to spend the last few days of August --Go to Regents Park Open Air Theatre!  I do it every year without fail, and every year is just as wonderful as the previous year.  This experience never disappoints or grows old...

Coronation Festival Gala

Buckingham Palace

For those of you who know me...I'm not a festival-goer by any means.  It's just not my thing. (The idea of being covered in mud, camping under the stars, communal showering -or not showering at all, all whilst hanging out in a farmers field sends shivers through me..).  However, when I was offered tickets for The Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace --I though, just maybe I could be converted to festival living..

GRAND TOUR: Nova Scotia, Canada

CABOT TRAIL - Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

I dare you NOT to be romanced by the above picture! It's impossible.  For the past two weeks, I have been holidaying on the breathtakingly beautiful island of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. For those of you not familiar with Canadian geography, Nova Scotia is on the Atlantic Coast of  Canada, North of New England in America.

Royal Celebrations: London

Regent Street Celebrates

London celebrates -again!  Both Regent Street and Piccadilly are dressed to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Queen's Coronation. It is hard to believe a year has passed since the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.  The UK was a thrilling place to be this time last May/June.  All sorts of royalist nostalgia and general love and admiration for our Queen came to the surface.

Bob Bob Ricard for Dinner

The Booth

Last week, I met with my friend, Amandine, for dinner.  Both of us were in the process of finishing a fairly busy week, so I was relieved when she suggested we go to Bob Bob Ricard on Upper James Street.  Sinking into one of the deep leather booths was completely comforting --and signaled the beginning of a lovely evening, filled with good food, impeccable service, and loads of chatter on our part.

Mint Polo Afternoon

Polo In The Park

Who doesn't love an afternoon milling in a crowd of beautiful people, sipping Pimms and watching the Polo? The weather was borderline uncivilised but the afternoon was lush nontheless.

Lord Frewbe's Maiden Voyage...

Duke of York Market

So lets get this blog started with all the things I love, begining with a good old fashion market.  The Saturday market in Duke of York Square is not too be missed.  Every stall is designed to tempt you with the most gorgeous world foods, cheeses, olives, pies. cakes ...you name it. The best way to start your weekend. The rustic sausage rolls alone make it a destination spot for me -YUM!