Saturday, 26 February 2011
Monday, 4 October 2010
Crystal Palace one of the greatest little-known neighbourhoods - Lonely Planet
5. Crystal Palace, London, England
Navigate here by the Eiffel-like radio mast: this lofty southeast spot is worth finding. The namesake palace burned down in 1936 but its legacy park still hosts a maze, a stage and the world’s first dinosaur models, controversial in the 1850s and now good to picnic near. Outside the park the area is more contemporary, with gloriously cosy cafes, a world of restaurants and some independent oddments including a jungly reptile shop and sell-everything vintage market. But best is the view: stand atop Westow Hill and the whole city spreads out below. Go by train from Victoria or London Bridge directly to Crystal Palace Station; or join the Green Chain crew and walk from the Thames.
If there was ever any doubt as to how great the 'Palace is (our new home for the past few months, when house prices predictably pushed us out of our previous, more central location) then it's just been tipped by the Lonely Planet as one of the greatest little-known neighbourhoods in the world. I love it here - for the snug pubs and restaurants, the random, quirky retro furniture shops, the bookshop on Twitter, and for the amazing view of most of London just outside our window. Also - where else do you get to live near dinosaurs?
Photos: the view from our bedroom window, pork pies at The Mansion, dinosaurs in the park, and Crystal Palace Antiques
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Oxford Circus ghost tube photos
Monday, 28 December 2009
Love Pie
Monday, 30 November 2009
PPQ's designer beer glasses
As part of the work we’re doing with my client BitterSweet Partnership (set up by Molson Coors to ignite women’s love for beer and dispel some of the common myths surrounding it) we’ve collaborated with PPQ’s Amy Molyneaux to design a new range of beer glasses.
BitterSweet’s research showed that 31% of women thought beer glassware is ‘ugly and manly’ – so Amy has designed four new glasses to serve beer in to bring a bit more style into the drinking experience. You can view the designs at www.bittersweetpartnership.com/glassware
We’re encouraging people to go to the site to vote for their favourite most popular shape and pattern will be put into production on a trial basis in 2010. As a thank you, everyone who votes will be given the chance to win their own glass and win ASOS vouchers to spend on PPQ clothing. I can’t enter though!
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Avoiding potential wedding headaches
Yesterday we picked our wedding rings up from Hatton Garden - hence the photo. They've now been hidden away, as the groom-to-be is more than aware that I'd wear mine around the house, given the chance (the very reason my wedding dress is in the care of my parents).So there’s six weeks left to go! People keep asking me if I’m stressed or nervous, and have to say I’m not…yet.
However, I’ve just seen the results of a new survey which was conducted by the makers of migraine treatment Imigran Recovery http://www.imigranrecovery.co.uk around common wedding stresses and fears among brides to be.
They found nearly half of brides feared illness, including migraine, insomnia, acne or cold sores had the most chance of ruining their wedding day, ahead of family arguments, their partner not turning up, and stumbling over their vows.
Having suffered from all of those illnesses at some point, I’d have to agree. I’m very lucky that I’m not a frequent migraine sufferer, unlike 15% of adults in the UK, two thirds of which are women. Some tips for frequent sufferers around managing migraine in the run up to your wedding day include:
• Reduce the risk of an attack by trying to stick to your regular sleeping pattern. This will help you relax and recharge your batteries ahead of the big day.
• Control high stress levels by taking time to discover what is worrying you and try to change your behaviour to reduce it.
I’m also very lucky as my parents have been helping out a lot with the wedding, which is taking lots of stress off. Fingers crossed the only thing I’ll have to worry about on the day is not crying through the whole ceremony!