Notting Hill Carnival

Snapshots from the biggest street festival in Europe.
Wish I could share the smell of the jerk chicken...

Italian grocery shopping

Franchi/Castroni in Prati, Rome (above), is my favourite food shop in the world.

I came across this blog post by Colorado-based travel writer Lisa Bergren (@theworldcalls), on how to grocery shop in Tuscany. My favourite tip: "If there are plastic gloves, wear them to feel the fruit! Otherwise the Italian mamas will scowl at you…"

Then Elettra Fiumi (@EFiumi) told me: "Bread in Tuscany is a religion. Know how to ask for the best ("basso e cotto bene a legna") and know where to find it."

I guess I need to make a trip to Tuscany soon.

Coming Home

All the little things that make a home feel like home.


nest of stools from the 1950s by heals london. purchased for £15 at a vintage fair


year-round deck chair - seller told me this is from the 1960s. still trying to find out who designed this. paid £95 for it at a vintage fair.

cushions from suan lum night bazaar, bangkok

repurposed shoe rack from perigot paris (lugged back to london via the eurostar), magic carpet from a market in muscat

a good clock and weather forecaster, wooden dog magazine rack... prop from a wallpaper* photo shoot)

books, plus 2005 tie diary from good friend stan

more books

black wooden vase from zara home, on 1960s chrome and glass dining table.

paula navone rug, sferra cashmere throw

ikea bedbench x2

bedside nook - tibetan singing bowl, lotus photographed at jim thompson house in bangkok

on the bathroom shelf - ratty radio, lucky triple-8 aruba car registration plate, franck sorbier candle

savon marseille - all black

room service menus, housewarming card from good friend michelle

High Hanging Fruit

Everyday, I never leave home without a fresh-blended fruit and veg smoothie. It's something my dad made us drink as we were growing up, and that habit has stuck on till today.

This morning's combo: strawberries, apple, cucumber, celery, a dried apricot, and three big scoops of fig, date and grains yogurt.







I always think it's a good idea to line the system with fruit and veg, before all the fun stuff gets eaten throughout the day.

What's your morning routine?

Welcome back

Long time no see. My first post in five months, and first from my blackberry. Still figuring out how I can post photos directly from BB.

Having been introduced to Apartment Therapy by good friend Jenni, I feel inspired to restart this blog.

It'll be all about my quest for all things luxurious, practical and relevant.

I look forward to sharing more.