London: Tea Time in Wonderland

I feel like colouring the sky with the highlighters I keep at work, don’t you? Meanwhile, we can always paint the town red…

* Every Thursday in October, taste beer in a micro-brewery.

* (Re)discover Brixton village, who has its own currency.

* There will be dancing on the squares.

* Art shine in neon colours.

* Get your bike out -  there is a cake tour on!

* Step into a magical world.

* Learn a little something about a legend of Brick Lane.

* Get a slice of Boris.

* Harrods adds a Swedish touch to Xmas treats.

* Even if you are not planning to marry, go and admire those sublime vintage dresses.

* Calling all the honeys…

* You can love knitting AND be a bit of a rebel.

* Oh, that should really get you dancing  if you are a Tina Turner fan.

Pssst: Lazarides is lauching their second artistic edition in the Old Vic Tunnels. The theme will be the Minotaur and this should also be quite a gastonomic experience too. Have you got your ticket yet?

Part of the London Design Festival, the installation by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec at the V&A really is worth stopping by – this is the ideal way to see a museum a different way. Or angle. The room is sumptuous architecture wise -  very church like, long with high ceilings – yet the two Bretons brother succeeded to give it a touch of tenderness. On the ground is a matress like carpet, very comfy, elevated on the left and right, offering a palette of blues like pixelised sky. It looks incredibly inviting and visitors waste no time, quickly take their shoes on, first sit, then lay down whithin a couple of minutes. Kids happily race each other, roll around, jump, try all kind of pirouettes. A great way to absorb everything the room has to offer, noting details while dreaming away.

Well done to the creators -who have worked with Issey Miyake, Ligne Roset, Alessiand so many more. By making this space less sacred (the shhh, don’t make a sound instinct) they reminded us there are a thousand way to learn and they need not be boring.

Textile Field
V&A
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Until Sept 25 2011, free

Every year, the London Design Festival proves fascinating with creativity. Go and see the greenhouse made entirely of Lego in Covent Garden, the timber wave at the V&A, see this museum under a different angle, wonder whether Alice would have loved this impressive dress, and wow at some Svarowski in St paul.

Hibernate? You don’t have the time, there are so many things to seee:

* This week-end also is the Open House one. For some places, tickets needed to be booked well in advance but many other addresses will be accessible easily. Like this one.The whole program is this way.

* Indulge in a Russian brunch.

* Go to Burlington Arcade to see how smart a tux can be.

* See a film on a rooftop with a view on the Thames. You might want to grab a blanket but it is always a nice experience.

* Honey, I have shrunk the art.

* Rediscover Annie Lennox  through her costumes, souvenirs, political campaigns.

* Follow the tube.

* Learn to sew in a fab café.

* Be charmed.

* Dance on African music.

* Fan of William Curley, the best british chocolatier? Pre-order his new book on his website and you will receive it signed with a dedicated message.

* Get fruit foraging in London.

This sublime Georgian house hides rich staircases and painted ceilings that would make any noble Parisian pale with envy. Although this is now a private members’ club, it does open its doors to private events. if you ever get an invite don’t miss the opportunity to come and admire it!

Home House
20 Portman Square
London W1H 6LW

We fell in love with Kate Jenkins – this genius artist crochetted with infinite patience supermarket classics with a fun twist. Rush to see this and take the kids along!

Kate’s crochet market
Rebecca Hossack Gallery
28 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia,
London W1T 2NA
Free, until Sept. 24 2011

I keep looking at my Filofax -  September? Summer has gone so fast.  Only one solution can balance this: shop. New work clothes, bags, accessorie, killer shoes. Autumn leaves will not slow me down. Alernatively, try those ideas to keep a sparkling mood!

* Make yourself all beautiful at this gorgeous vintage evening.

* Enjoy a crafty night market.

* Meat balls are the new trend and frankly, our mouth waters at the thought of those.

* Our youth video games music will be played by a classical orchestra on Southbank -  a great way to rediscover them.

* Start knitting and be part of a work of art at the Tate.

* Discover the smallest cathedral in London.

* Try those miniature games on Southbank for the biggest fun.

* Marvel at these childhood inspired posters at the London Transport Museum.

* Have mojitos and pizza aboard a double decker.

* Try urban gardening.

* Those nails of your could be masterpieces, you know.

* See London from above. Through fab drawing here. While sipping a cocktail here.

* We all have stoped at cafés just to use their free wifi. Well. now, we can go for a pint too.

* Mary Poppins might have been right about a spoonful of sugar but these days it is all about a spoonful of London honey…

Pssst:
* Be on the lookout -  Terry Pratchett will stop in London to talk about his new book in October. Tickets will be on sale soon.

* Harry Potter fans will want to book those tours organised by Warner too -  you will get closer to the sets.

* Is you company installing of those free hives? let us know! We’d love to write about it.

* Already dreaming of your next holidays? Have a look at www.AFerry.co.uk. This website is a fab way of finding the best ferry prices to France, Ireland and even Holland. Have a look here for ferries to France, my home country.

Well, this week-end, I will be sitting on a beach in the South of France with a glass of Sauternes in my hand. Heaven. If you are staying in London, here are a few ideas to make life sweeter, to tip your hat off, to travel in time… and many more!

* Dance in a very French atmosphere at the V&A.

* Have a look at a real space capsule.

* Try hoola-hooping again.

* Indulge in a Tolkien night.

* Rediscover the treasures of St Paul.

* Chiswick park turns symphonic.

* The best response to riots? A lot of love and a little art.

* London really is the home to strange but fun museums.

* Discover a secret garden in Spitafields.

* Beach souvenirs from London-on-sea.

* How would you recycle routemasters?

* Cycle through the city.

* Ping-pong and cocktails. Or vice-versa.

Psst: from August 24 to the 26th, Soho Square will be deliciously Swedish. Come and discover the sweetest pop-up, enjoy a cup of real coffee with one of the amazing traditional treats!

Instinctively, I always enter the Victoria & Albert through the front door.
On the Exhibition Road side, though, the facade is gorgeous too and even proposes a few sculpted benches.
The walls still show scars from the Blitz -  part of the history the museum has prefered to retain as such.

V&A
Exhibition Road
London SW7

When I’m tired, I snack. And I feel pretty tired at the moment. And so I have become addicted to pop-corn. I can’t escape it, it is everywhere!

At work, I fall for Tyrrell‘s crunchy treats (yes, yes do more than just crisps).

Before heading to a long meeting, I find energy in Meltcafe‘s wasabi ones. I hope it makes me look fiercer too.

My best reward would be Joe & Seph’s gourmet versions. My favoutite remains the caramel, macchiato and whisky.

There’s also one to put in your handbag: Wild Trail does bar ones, with pieces of apples, apricot…

Next on my list is this Shoreditch cinema‘s interesting jazz corn.

Any advice? Let me know! Meanwhile…

* A new way to recycle: fridges put together as a cinema screen.

* Celebrate Friday with a free music concert at the Scoop.

* Take a beer masterclass.

* Anish Kapoor reflects the City.

* Go and see the Spitafields Market new sculptures.

* Spring clean and declutter those shelves.

* Did you know it is mango season? Here is where to find the best ones.

* Pretend you are Mozart. Yes, in the street.

* Southbank will celebrate too, it is a whole party next week at Borough Market.

* Baranis will be joining too. There will be petanque, delicious treats and a themed cocktail.

* Maille is opening a pop-up in Spitafields. Boutique by day and underground restaurant at night. Made even bubblier by the excellent Mrs Marmite Lover.

To celebrate the unification of Italy – 150 years – Peroni had a wonderful idea with the Somerset House: put forward the spirit of Italian fashion throught the work of 6 legendary names. Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Missoni, Prada -  a beautiful way to redicover the evolution of their image through time, the style of their campaigns, the trends that influenced us but also their association with the greatest photographers.

Each world has been thought as a cocoon of transparent fabric under the elegant arches. Inviting light versus a dimmed, honey atmosphere. Walls play on transparence, unhencing the silent ballet of visitors. The inside path is angular, reminding the maze of the Italian streets, alowing you to spy on the next cubicle.

We admired with a hinch of nostalgia key dresses and shapes and skillful models such as Isabella Rosselini, Madonna, Kate Moss who reflected perfectly the Italian way. A gaze, a movement, a pose. Even in their most traditional roles, Italian women show a clear, frank, decided attitude. Such character! I remain fascinated by the light and lines of each picture. Let alone the sculptural look of some dresses.

Salvator Ferragamo opted for accessories instead – art works, realy. Look at that gloss, the fluidity of the folds:

Before entering each universe is a written note by each designer, bringing a personal touch and bouncing back on their inspiration or childhood influences, the adventure of a campaign. A rare insight into their world. The excellent curator Andy McDowell, who had lived many years in Italy, added his interpretation under each piture too. Have a look at the projected catwalks too to compare the past and present of each brand. A beautiful exhibiton for fashionistas, photography fans or lovers of all beautiful things…

Somerset House
Masters of  Style
Strand
London WC2R 1LA
Until August 14, 2011 -  £6