Monday 24 April 2017

Brunch at Sketch Parlour

Brunch at Sketch Parlour
9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG


We visited the Sketch Parlour for brunch. The menu had a good variety of choices and the food was very yummy. Service was amazing, probably one of the best in London.





The desserts were lovely - I had one of the best Victoria Sponge cakes ever!


The venue is very vibrant with great atmosphere and lovely décor. I would definitely come back for dinner, lunch, etc as well as brunch. It is such a nice and welcoming place

 
 

Sketch also has 3 other eating areas, each with distinct and lovely décor.  The toilets are  definitely worthy of a few photographs! Will definitely go back!









Sketch Style


For the brunch I teamed up mu Michael Kors cardigan with J Brand jeans. Louis Vuitton backpack and scarf as well as Ralph Lauren shoes completed the look







Thursday 20 April 2017

Baby's Second Birthday

 
Happy Second Birthday, baby!
 
My little girl turned two last week. It's not my usual type of blogging but the photos are so cute, I can't resist!
 
 
We decided to go for a small family only party but we still wanted her to feel very special and make her birthday memorable. So what is special to a 2 year old? Popcorn, snacks, lots of balloons, cookies, a few Peppa Pig presents,  her closest family and a special cake which has her favourite character from "In the Night Garden" - UPSY DAISY!!!  
 
 
 
We got a gorgeous cake made in "In the Night Garden" theme, which has her favourite character, UPSY DAISY. The cake was made by Auntie's Cookies (https://www.facebook.com/auntiescookies), who I met on Instagram! We blew lots of In the Night Garden balloons and set the table with snacks, etc.
 
We bought plastic cutlery, happy birthday banners, paper plates/napkins and cups from Amazon and called it a day regarding the decorations. It's amazing the things they have and at such reasonable prices! Those party stores are silly prices by comparison
 
 
Party food consisted of popcorn, gem biscuits (of course!), crisps and some yummy traditional Middle Eastern cookies made by my mom (my grandma's recipe)! My mom also made yummy rice pudding seen below.
 
 

 
..she was literally sitting by the cake to cut it!!
 


Cake was a hit and baby managed to lick the knife before I pried it out of her hands!!

 
Happy Birthday, baby. You’ve made the last two years total magic.

Just in case you want baby's look for your birthday party here are the sources:

Baby's Birthday - Get the Look



1. Banners and plates from Amazon
2. Balloon from Amazon
3. Cake ordered from Auntie's Cookies
4. Peppa Pig gift wrapping paper from WH Smith
5. Upsy Daisy dress from Amazon


 



Tuesday 4 April 2017

VENICE 2017

Venice 2017 Story


I only stayed for 2 days in this stunning city and as I have been to Venice before to see all the beautiful places, I decided to do a chilled out visit this year (with a 2 yr old!!)










 
 








 
 
 
 
 



Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute



Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to go inside due to our tight schedule, but this basilica is an icon of Venice. It is a magnificent white church, probably as beautiful outside as it is inside. With stunning views of St. Marcos Piazza, this is a glorious Baroque building which contains works by Bellini, Tintoretto and Vecellio amongst others


Ponte di Rialto

This is the  oldest bridge in Venice with stunning views of the city. On the way up and on the bridge, there are many stalls and shops where .you can buy lovely souvenirs, though take care to buy authentic Made in Italy items not the cheap Made in China replicas (Yes it is very sad that there awful items are on sale in Venice!)  If you buy Murano glass items try and get the shopkeeps to provide you with a certificate. Most authentic Italian shops will do this and to be honest as soon as you pick up the item you can tell the differences in quality!





Shopping in Venice

There are literally a thousand things to buy in Venice (not including the usual Designer stuff)
They have some beautiful carnival masks, jewellery (especially cameos and murano glass!), murano glass items, porcelain dolls, etc) But be VERY CAREFUL you buy authentic Venetian products rather than Made in China crap - seems a lot of these cheap souvenir shops have cropped  upo everywhere on Venice selling really cheap things with  very poor quality!



Mommy, please!



My little pretty buy from Venice


Piazza San Marco


The main square in Venice in Italy. The square is house to Basilican San Marco, Doge's Palace, the Clock Tower and the Belfry. I wish they would do something about the pigeons and seagulls though!!!
 
I wouldn't try the food in the restaurants on the piazza - they have good location and ergo not good food. Generally you find more authentic cuisine in the back streets. Same goes for souvenirs!










 
Basilica di San Marco 

 
March is probably the best time to go - there were hardly any queues. You do not pay for entering but there are additional charges to go upstairs or visit the altar. The basilica itself is beyond stunning - I felt like I have walked inside a gold bar! It truly reflect the magnificence of Venice in the Renaissance period. The mosaics are flawless. Must see attraction in Venice though make sure you are wearing the correct attire!
























Santa Maria del Giglio (Zobenigo) 


The exterior is breath-taking. We did not go inside, but the outside is well worth a good long look. The statues are exquisite on the church and the piazza is a nice relaxing place to chill in. Also if you are a shopper, there is a shop of nearly new designer wear carrying Chanel and Hermes opposite the church!

 
Venice Gondola Rides

Do not forget the romantic gondola ride in Venice. It's expensive but sooo well worth it!





Venice Style
 
 
As I was only there for two days during warmish March I decided to go with conserving my outfits:

 
Day 1:
Mango Dress
Zara Embroidered jacket
Mulberry bag
Soludos espadrilles


 




 
Day 2:
Chanel top
J Brand Jeans
Zara embroidered jacket
Mulberry bag
Chanel espadrilles