Well isn't this just totally glorious? Vampire Weekend in a medley of faded spring colours (lemon, pistachio, raspberry!) for GQ. 'I mean, I'm always happy to engage in a dialogue about Polo shirts', says frontman Ezra Koenig. Good to know. Read/see more here. This shoot makes me long for summer clothing opportunities - I plan on dressing in gelato/sorbet tones from head to toe come July (as I do every July, obviously).
Rejoice - I have a new bike. Here's the story... I picked up an old Bobbin last summer (see here), and even though it was incredibly handsome and felt very safe, it was also big, heavy and hulking - not an easy ride up and down the hills of north London. So, I traded him (her?) in for a racer. A beautiful, slick racer from Schwinn. It's as light as a feather! Also, I love the slate grey colour and matching brown wheels, handlebars and saddle. It's taking a bit of getting used to (it feels quite strange after years of riding gigantic, clumsy Dutch bikes), but I think it'll be worth it in the long run. Much less work and a lot easier to carry up a flight of steps. Here's to riding off into sunny new horizons...
Well, that's my summer holiday uniform officially sorted, then. I've grown tired of plain and striped swimwear I think - when it comes to poolside attire, I'm opting for outrageous upon outrageous print. To be worn together for maximum blinding effect, I'm reckoning. Printed Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt and Short-Length Printed Cotton-Blend Swim Shorts, both by Dolce & Gabbana from MR PORTER. But more importantly, where to decamp to this year? A Greek island? The south of France?
An ode to ice cream and a celebration of spring. Buy it here.
Tovar's functional menswear line is inspired by traveling and the jet-set era of modern explorers. Inspired by his travels, Los Angeles based designer and founder Terence Yeung combines style and substance with a man’s suitcase in mind. I'm really enjoying the brand's spring/summer 2013 collection - in particular that forest green field jacket, with its contrasting toffee and sky blue interior. My other favourite picks include the striped shirts with their buttoned patch pockets and the blue work blazer with its striking camouflage lining. I'm also a pretty big fan of those grey linen shorts (buy here). Discover more from the new spring/summer collection here.
Friday evening: drinks at Bob Bob Ricard - my favourite restaurant in the city.
Saturday afternoon: a trip to Maltby Street Market - we bought apple juice.
Sunday morning: brunch at One Leicester Street - beautifully illustrated menus.
Read my latest piece for Cherchbi (the British leather goods company), The Country House Springtime Hit List, by visiting their journal here.
On my wish list: The Ethicurean: Recipes from a Walled Garden (due to be published in May) and Fäviken. Both books provide an insight into remarkable restaurants: The Ethicurean in the west of England and Fäviken Magasinet in Sweden.
After spending months trying to get the design of our bathroom just right, I've become more than a little obsessed with what makes a washroom wonderful. Whenever I happen to enter a new one (a friend's/restaurant's/hotel's), I can't help but notice every single detail - the taps, the tiles, the towels, the lighting... So, naturally, when the new issue of The World of Interiors arrived through our letterbox a few days ago, I was very happy to discover that the May issue is dedicated to the best kitchens and bathrooms the world over. Ah, the kitchen and the bathroom: my two favourite places, without a shadow of a doubt, simply because I like to eat lots and I like to take long baths (more than anything, really).
We spent the Easter weekend in Edinburgh, visiting family and resting our tired London minds and bodies. We tucked ourselves away from the bitterly cold weather, venturing out only to eat lunch or to buy provisions for supper. On Friday we tried horse tartare (a little strange, my young English palate has to admit) at L'Escargot Bleu and guzzled down a bottle of Gewürztraminer, before heading home with a sore head and allowing ourselves to indulge in an afternoon nap. (Also: is it wrong that I sort of love the restaurant's old wine crate and striped linen tea towel lampshades? Possibly...) On Saturday we cooked sea bass with lemons and risotto and on Sunday we obviously had to have lamb and dauphinoise. Easter heaven.
