Hello everyone! As promised, I've got another article for you today, to cement the fact that I am making an earnest return to the blog. I thought I’d give you a little update on some of what I’ve been up to since I’ve been away. As you may know, I used to live in East London, in the hipster paradise of Victoria Park Village. As much as I loved living there, I’m thrilled to have moved to a fantastic area of North London, with a flat directly opposite Finsbury Park (the Highbury and Islington side).
Our flat is just off of a busy, slightly dodgy main road, and looks a bit rough around the edges. However, walk to the other end of the street (Wilberforce Road) and we have one of the best café/deli/wine bars in north London, which I had to try out as soon as we moved in.
Fink's Salt and Sweet is an absolute gem. The décor and furniture is minimalist and Scandinavian inspired.
The menu is great, from Hansen & Lydersen salmon, to house granola with berries and yogurt, to flavoursome crunchy chicken salad sandwiches on sourdough. We chose the chicken sandwich, along a toasted English muffin topped with bacon jam and Sharpam Rustic Cheese, accompanied by a well presented latte.
I love the peppermint green crockery they use, which contrasts nicely with the grey furniture. The portions are a little small, so I would order a few things and share them between you.
There will be many more North London themed blog posts coming soon, especially as I live amazingly close to Upper Street in Angel, which is famous for having the most restaurants, shops and bars on one street in the whole of London. Boris Johnson lives there too, although I’m yet to bump into him as I leave the office.
We have gradually put our stamp on the new flat and it's turned from a house into a home, however cliché that may sound. These days in London, its hard for the average graduate to afford to live in a super modern, high tech flat, so there has to be some compromise. By filling the place with ornaments and plants, it makes it so much nicer to live in. Here are a few things that have made a difference...
Pictures and cookbooks
Real life chilis!
Paperchase have been doing the loveliest postcards recently, which cost 60p each. I bought a few and stuck them in £1 frames from Tiger, to make a cheap yet effective wall display. Similar things from Urban Outfitters can cost 10 times the price. Disclaimer: I am not, and never will be, an interiors expert. I just like pretty things.
An effective and inexpensive way to make any room nicer is to fill it with flowers and candles. One of the best places in London for those is of course, Columbia Road Flower Market, which is the cutest little street between Hoxton and Bethnal Green. It is always, always packed out with people from all walks of life, on Sundays, both browsing and buying. I recommend turning up either at 8am, or alternatively around 1.30pm or 2pm, when you can get some bargains. We managed to get a bunch of roses and a bunch of lilies for £5 all in – so much cheaper than ordering from Interflora.
Mary Berry Jug, £8 in the sales
How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are, available HERE
I’m quite into the whole Parisian chic thing at the moment, as you can see from my reading materials etc. I know I'll never be a true Parisienne, but one can dream, right?
Coco Mademoiselle perfume, Chanel
Milkshake tumbler (used to hold makeup brushes/pens), Ikea £1.50
Lantern, Ikea, £2
I have a few little nooks in my room which I don’t like leaving bare, so I used an Italian Chianti wine bottle as a mini vase (I just liked the label), and added some candles and a lantern.
Star Lantern, Ikea, £2
Monogram Candle, Oliver Bonas, £4, similar HERE
These are all simple ways of cheering up a flat without breaking the bank.
That's all from me for today. Up next: I'll be reviewing a new, 'secret' cocktail bar in the heart of Soho, west London. I drank a cocktail from a ceramic wellington boot... but more on that next time! I'll also be doing a beauty based post soon too, I promise!
Love,
Yaasica Lucia XXX
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