Once upon a time I went to my friend Kitty’s 21st birthday party in one of the private rooms in Portobello’s First Floor Restaurant. And found it completely magical. I’d been meaning to go back and have dinner for ages and a couple of nights ago I finally succeeded.
The food is great (European/British) with wonderful old fashioned things like potted shrimps and fantastic puddings- the chocolate fondant with creme anglaise and strawberry compote was particularly popular at my table!
But it’s the eccentric, faded grandeur of the interior that really makes this place stand out. It has a bohemian romanticised Portobello atmosphere, with grand candelabras and dramatic dripping wax sculptures that blend the romantic and the kitsch. It feels like Miss Havisham’s after the cleaner’s have been round and done a half-hearted job. (That’s a compliment by the way!)
I also loved the feeling of being high above the Portobello Road and looking down at the colourful,crumbly shop fronts in the eerily quiet street.
The only tiny drawback is that people seemed to speak in very hushed tones, when we wanted to talk loudly about insulin murders without being overheard or putting our fellow patrons off.
Apparently they also do a really great weekend brunch but I think this joy of a restaurant is best seen by candlelight!
We loved how cute new pop sensation Marina (the Diamonds are apparently the fans) appeared on T4, where Alexa Chung made her name, wearing a Mawi Double Strand Amulet, Cameo and Gemstone Necklace from the S/S10 collection. It’s got a really vintage, eclectic feel but it looks totally modern on her.
Lately the Mawi studio (and the Mawi girls) have had more than our fair share of mornings after. If you’re feeling similarly worse for wear these crazy optical illusions I stumbled across will be particularly cruel.
It’s virtually impossible to believe these strangely addictive images are not moving…
We love bibliophile hand-bag designer Olympia Le Tan’s witty designs based around first edition covers. They’re the sort of pieces that would start a million conversations and that you would treasure forever and (reluctantly) give to your great-granddaughter!
With her uplifting, irreverent take on accessory design, she could be the next Lulu Guinness. Read more about her on Dazed Digital.
January seems to have gone on forever, and I just can’t wait for February! I’m so sunshine starved that last night I actually dreamt about a blue sky!
Spring fashions are also looking like the stuff of dreams too. After the shoulder pads, studs and moody palette of Autumn/Winter’s Balmania I’m welcoming spring’s fever for prettiness with open arms.
But to keep flowers fresh think beyond vintage-inspired floral dresses. London Underground-saviour ‘Stylist’ magazine have got florals on the brain too- here are their ideas:
I’ve already got my hands on one of the Topshop vintage-style printed bras which is so pretty I’m almost tempted to attempt the terrifying ‘underwear as outerwear’ trend, and I adore the Mawi Rose necklace. It’s perfect for this season and would look amazing with this Spring’s muted pastels but it’s such a classic piece you’d wear it season after season. (Valentines Day is just around the corner- time to start hinting…)
Spring/Summer 2010- Heirloom Collection- Triple Strand Rose Printed Pearl Necklace £365
