London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Look at those. Aren’t they ever so glamorous? They look straight out of a magazine. The black diamond shape, the elegance of the silver threadm the volume brought by the angular pearls… What amazes me is how clear the idea was in the designer’s mind, Diana, how evident the lines, the movement were. They were dreamt to match this sublime 1920ies necklace, with a short, slightly transparent black dress and stilettos for the Harrods cocktail party. Chicissime. Makes you want to sing All that jazz!

Rox in a box
Etsy shop

From her travels in the Middle-East, Diana shares a different look on the world, amazingly bright colours and polished gems. In her hands, they come alive, tell a story -  soothing deserts, simple people with a heart of gold, met along the way and nevre forgotten, gorgeous landscapes. She has a real gift, beautiful Diana, to put together round and angular beads, making each jewel unique, calling for a touch, a carress. The kind of jewel that needs a special dress -  not a simple accessory. The kind of jewel that will make you want to throw a party and dance and jump in joy. Like this one, made for me from a few dream words and just perfect, inspired by the 1930ies style and vintage fashion. Look at those curves, those ever charming curves and you’ll just fall in love…

Rox in a box
Etsy shop

Dans le quartier historique The Rocks, on flâne d’un café à l’autre, d’une boutique à l’autre. Au détour d’une allée, on tombe sur Buttons, buttons, buttons -  une mine de boutons vintage en melanine, écorce, nacre, verre, ivoire végétale…In the historical neighbourhood called The Rocks, you can stroll from cute cafés to adorable boutiques for hours. Do try and find Buttons, buttons, buttons, such a treasure chest of vintage buttons made of melanine, wood, vegetable ivory and many very unique!

Buttons, buttons, buttons
25 Nurses Walk
The Rocks
Sydney
NSW 2000

Revisiting Kensington Palace recently, I fell under its charm all over again. Forget dusty old houses, no matter how royal. Here, historical anecnotes appear in old-style newspapers, irresistible. Drawers can be opened, books opened, secret messages found. Room after room art installation bring you to a dream world, waking up the whispers of the house, making emotions so much more vibrant. Magical indeed. Now, what about you? What have you planned for the week-end?

That’s art, baby:
* Can art. Yes. Using can-struction.

* Destructure architecture at the late evening of the V&A on Friday.

* Rediscover Munch’s paintings at the Tate.

Yummy time ahead:
* What a delicious idea: a cooking workshop dedicated to the afternoon tea.

* On Saturday, the Fifteen celebrates its tenth birthday with a fabulous street party.

Out of the ordinary:
* It’s party time on Charing Cross road this Saturday.

* Caudalie brings Bordeaux to London with a divine pop-up spa in Harrods.

* On Saturday, go vintage crazy with this kilo-sale.

* Play ping-pong in the streets of London. A fantastic (and free) idea.

* Feel like dancing with Havana rumba.

* On Sunday, celebrate Canada day on Trafalgar Square.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for more ideas day after day…

Love vintage style? You will fall for Abilu Creations. The designer, Abigail Lucy Bruford, collects the most amazing charms and makes them come alive under her skilled fingers. All jewels are hand-made, a richness of small details that will hypnotise you for hours. Impossible not to play with those and you will be asked a hundred times a day about them by complete strangers. A little nostalgic, very poetic and a touch of rock’n'roll too!

Abilu Creations

Fashion is fascinated by vintage. From iconic dresses to teacups -  you just cannot escape it.  And yet, unlike a high street item, finding the one you are after may take a little bit of hunting. Where to go? Brick Lane is the place to start but if you are looking for a specific era or a less trendy object, you are suddenly out of your comfort zone. The Seconhand and Vintage London book will save you quite some time. Whether you are after a 1930ies jacket, a Motown collector disk, amazing china or 1970ies furniture -  it has it all with even interviews of shop owners to learn all the fun anecdotes. A section is dedicated to car boot sales, auctions and charity shops worth following, another list all the names on a map, per neighbourhood. Brilliant.

And so you will see London from a different angle – a detout via a reconverted Edwardian picturehouse, another to have a look at a collection of accordions, maybe get yourself glasses worthy of Elton John or even a shop sign…

Seconhand and vintage London, £8.95

I love April skies. Indecisive, tortured. A ray of sunshine, a shower of rain, the sudden music of hail. Of course, it may lead to a certain surcharge (shirt, scarf, hood, sunglasses -  be prepared for everything. In the same day.) But as dusk approaches, clouds take a velvety appearance, get painted with even brighter colours if only for a minute, like a luxurious marble… Get your umbrella and scroll down to discover ideas for your week-end in London!

That’s art baby!
* Rediscover London through photographs of its past at the Wandworth museum

* Be amazed by Cate Blanchett, on the stage of the Barbican for a few days only.

Yummy-time ahead:
* Fall for the “Afternoon tea in the park” hampers by Bea’s . Ah, if only we also could order some sun!

* This week-end, the Southbank market celebrates India.

* Dine as on the Titanic -  the final menu is recreated at Hix for the centenary.

* A mobile tea-room – love it! Follow it in Soho.

Take the little ones along:
* A delicious idea from Carluccio’s: a biscuit workshop for bakers-to-be.

* Take them to see the newborn ducklings -  nothing could be cuter.

Out of the ordinary:
* On Thursday, shop rock’n'roll at a cute themed vintage market.

* Abracadabra, have a look at the Magic Circle Museum.

* On Friday, indulge in a free concert at the V&A, a mix of jazz and Indian music.

* Every Sunday until the end of August, the Spitafields City Farm proposes an outdoor “eco-chic” market -  worth a detour if you are around Brick Lane.

* Did you know you can swap your books on Carnaby street?

* On Sunday, to celebrate the Olivier Awards, the place to be will be the Covent garden Piazza with performances from top West End shows.

* Or celebrate Thai new year at the amazing temple in Wimbledon -  exoticism guaranteed. Or just stop by at Trafalgar square.

On a chimney mantel. Under an aged mirror, glass replaced by gold in places.
Carefully chosen jewels. A candle flame dancing.
A delicately decorated case.

What could it be?
Clic.

It opens.
A powder compact.
Rose fragranced, divine.
An enchanting lip balm.
Essential oils.

A creation by Andrea Garland.
Aromatherapist, natural products only.
Inspired by vintage boxes, jewels too.
Rings, brooches with a secret.
At Liberty.
Love it.

Andréa Garland

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?

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.