Time for Tea: Soho's Secret Tea Room

Nestled above The Coach and Horses, Soho's Secret Tea Room's is a hidden gem for a perfect Afternoon Tea away from the central tourist hustle and bustle. I took Whirlygig Cinema's Katie, my sister, and our dearest family friend there one perfect sunday for a girly catch up. Safe to say it was a great success all round. We enjoyed cake, scones and sandwiches. Accompanied by an assortment of fresh tea between us.    

Traditional, vintage, intimate. A sneak peak at the secret:

BBC Radio 1 Hackney Weekend; Saturday

June: The people and the stages

Friends, dancing, and a jam packed day full of super talent. 

Radio 1's Hackney Weekend was incredibly impressive. The BBC and all the artists pulled out all the stops. Living just a 20 minute walk away from the event just added to the hype. 

The day on a high by chilling with Nick Grimshaw, Annie Mac and crew at the fabulous Jessie Ware. We then caught a bit of Deadmau5 but headed over to Leona Lewis - I unexpectedly had a lot of fun at the talented singer's show and am now a turned fan. Ed Sheeran was so much fun and owned the main stage. Swedish House Mafia had indoor fireworks. 

Jay-Z..... Jay-Z, and Rihanna...and M.I.A... AND Kanye West. What more can I say? Unbelievably amazing. The house was still buzzing by the morning and one lucky housemate got to go another day; Jealous. 

On top of all that, the toilets where spotless everyday. Happy toilets make for a happy crowd:

June: Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

JUNE - The people and the stages 

A grand excuse for drinking, dancing, friends and family

Sunday:

The weather could not rain on the Queens parade - morals where high and I seemed to muster up enough energy after Field Day to pull my Hunter's back on, zip up the Barber and venture out into London to meet my parents to experience the crowd for the River Pageant. My non-drinking day quickly turned as a glass of wine was promptly presented to me by a dear family friend. Understandably, we missed the procession after the weather turned the trip into a pub crawl - however, the atmosphere could not be missed where ever you were in the area. 

Monday:

My adrenaline pulled me through and back onto the early cider for street party at The Water Poet, Spitalfields and then on over to Rivington Street festival. We stole away from the crowds into Callooh Callay for a private cocktail through the wardrobe:

Tuesday:

I was glad to crash on the Tuesday to recover from insomnia with a house picnic and a day of watching the Jubilee Mall procession and Concert. Fresh scones, sausage rolls, cucumber sandwiches, fruit salad....

Thursday to Sunday: 

The week ended with a relaxing short trip home, and drive up to Swansea with my best friend to relax on the beach and enjoy some cocktails at her quirky local coffee/cocktail lounge, Noah's Yard:

Radio 1's Hackney Weekend catchup soon to be up up!

June: Field Day

JUNE - The people and the stages 

(about time I started to sum up the month)

Field Day was a brilliant start to the month with one of my oldest friends. We headed off after a filling breakfast (and several glasses of cider, cava, and Rose donated by a loverly girl in the queue) to catch the end of Friends. Highlights include a ride on the swings, sunshine, The Internet and many other performances in the Bugged out stage. It was magical to finally be able to see Beirut, a band very close to my heart - unfortunately the sound at the Main Stage destroyed the performance, and my head. Still  a super fun day. 

Denis Severs' House

18 FOLGATE STREET, SPITALFIELDS, LONDON

"Whether you see it or you don't - the house's ten rooms harbour ten 'spells' that engage the visitor's imagination in moods that dominated the periods between 1724 and 1914. Your senses are your guide." 

Dennis Severs 1948 - 1999

Not a museum, but a private house it is essential to zone out form the world you leave behind and immerse yourself in the whole picture which surrounds you.  The fictional Jervis family are never seen but there are signs they are never far from the half eaten apples, drinks, and fresh flowers.

We visited at the end of a busy day around London. From being in a rush all day, we clearly noticed the calming effects of the calming, atmospheric house as we left. It took a lot longer to walk from Spitalfields to Pizza East than it would have done before.

Magical. 

Kaffeine

After the Marilyn exhibition we headed just up the road for a perfect mid-morning pick-me-up. One of the very top soya cappaccinos I have ever had - at least better than my frequent pick ups at Eat or the Bonnington cafe, Nottingham Trent Uni.

The independent, Australian/ New Zealand owned cafe is the perfect escape from the madness that is Oxford street compared to any saturated coffee chain. We took ours to go before continuing our journey to the Houses of Parliament. Next time I will be taking my time to enjoy the minimalist yet inviting decor, a slice of cake and the complimentary homemade jams on every table. I hope to expand this post with this inevitable next visit.

http://www.kaffeine.co.uk/

Marilyn - Getty Images

(Photograph curtesy of Emma Rose Tully @ Daydreamer)

My London exursion with my dad last month started with my second visit to the Marilyn exhibition at Getty Images Gallery, 46 Eastcastle Street W1

The one room exhibition displays a well put together collection of photographs and exceptional outfits to commemorate 50 years since the untimely death of Marilyn Monroe. 

I'm not quite sure when my love for Marilyn started. Maybe it's just natural ambition for blonde girls with a passion for 1950's movies to aspire to the confident, curvy star from an early age. 

On a family holiday to Barcelona (quite a few years ago now), we were lucky enough that a colletors exhibition was being held in the city at the same time.  It is then at least I began to uncover the real Marilyn for myself. THAT dress from Seven Year Itch, the pill box that was by her bedside at her death - certainly a Valley of the Dolls Hollywood reality. 

I found the Getty Images exhibition haunting to some degree. Images capturing the Norma Jean without her guard amongst those where the Marilyn persona - the woman most know her as - is very much turned "on." The switch in characters was perfectly captured by Michelle Willliams in the recent film. Previous Marilyn blog features (you may not have guessed, I'm a fan):

Bingo, Oxford, Marilyn 1Xtra Live                  "It's all make believe, isn't it?"

Still, I will always be undeniable drawn to her mysteries and magic and am determined to continue making my way through her achievements. Next on the list; Bus Stop (1956) - see costume image below

Catch it quick:

Ends 23rd May @ Eastcastle street, W1W 8DX

23rd May - 1st June @ Westfields, Stratford