Instagram - y post

I don't think I am going to open an Instagram account because 
I have password and pin number fatigue.  

I  just won't be able to remember another one so here is what my Instagram would have looked like.

I never thought about posting random pictures but I do find myself enjoying random pictures on other blogs 
so I am going to give it a go.  
I thought I had a decent camera but I don't have the skills to match the potential so here goes...

This is from this winter thus far.

London doesn't always have streets full of thugs.

He looks harmless enough -

 just hiding from someone so he could go skiing?

 This winter has been brutal - 

if I live in London any longer, 
evolution will prompt me to hibernate.

Snow in Berkeley Square

North and Side side

This will be forever known as the Christmas tree massacre of 2013.

Warning - botanical violence in next picture.

Allotments in the UK make me laugh but is sweet how people remain hopeful every year.

I am guilty of taking a photo of a bird only because bird watchers with paparazzi like cameras thought it warranted that machinery.

Bird was so small they needed the type of cameras that take pics of Kate Middleton on holiday.

The bird is so small but bang in center perched on the fence.  

This was right in front of the Diana fountain in Hyde Park for those of you who are bird watchers.
I asked questions but I think I just got in the way of all the "action"!

Some buds starting to bloom in the park.

Hope.

"I promise to love you." by Tracey Emin

On my way to a lunch with friends, I came across this.  

Walking is nice because driving by, you never notice these things.

The owner of this house kindly shared with the public.

This is on the road leading to Julie's in Holland Park.

One of my favourite restaurants in London - La Petite Maison.
Great atmosphere, consistently good food, 
tapas style eating with French Provencal food is a great mix.

Everyone famous here.

I rarely drink wine now due to a misspent youth.
But I made an exception one night catching up with an old friend.

I adore tapas style eating.

La petite maison has the best burrata in London - 
pictured in background.

A Sunday staple for brunch. 

Get there early so you can eat without a reservation.

I don't have a regular thing I order - 
I eat on rotation but their pancakes have gone downhill.
Also, avoid the kedgeree but otherwise everything else is amazing.

One of the signature dishes called Meat Fruit at
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal - 
This is chicken liver and foie gras made to look like an orange. 
If you go - you have to also order the pineapple dessert - 
it is going to be THE dessert of this decade.

There is a huge revival of burgers in London.
Sign of the recession?

Tommie's Burger Joint is in Marylebone Lane - very good.
Run by Icelandics and the clientele are mostly from Iceland.
No jokes please.

Rather tasty.
Brioche bun with great meat and yummy fries. 
But small menu.

This became a habit so then we went to our local Byron Burger.
Love the bright decor.

Everything is great except for their dry and tasteless
 chips/french fries. 
They need to work on them. 

Sick of Laduree?
Then this will fill the gap.

 Those are meringue balls with different coatings.

 These are a rustic type of brioche.

Love the chandelier - it is their trademark -
 all the stores have them. 

( For those inclined to read in French.)

 Head to Aux Merveilleux de Fred

It's on Old Brompton Road in South Ken.

Also when in South Ken, never miss Gilding the Lily...

Went to the Manet exhibition at the Royal Academy.

They found some paintings from eclectic museums like one from Missouri and a lot of private collections. 
It ends the 14th of April. 

The only thing I was allowed to photograph.
I like the quote on top.
Worth going - no camera is every going to replicate Manet.

Went to a talk about life, death, and old age in the Royal Academy.
But seriously - have you noticed the orbs in the picture???

The panelists - my favorite was Daphne Self, 
the 83 year old supermodel who has been in the Dolce Gabbana ads with Monica Belluci.  
Another fun panellist was Ari Cohen of Advanced Style. 
Was not the best talk overall so I will spare you.

 I can safely say that my friends and I needed a drink after it - 
not the most uplifting talk I have been to.
They must have known to offer drinks.

The big Cinderella shoe in the shoe department in Selfridges.  
If you fit into it - you get all the shoes free.  ( Just kidding)
I have yet to buy a pair of shoes there because you get inundated with shoes that you are sick of it halfway through.

I love the Connaught Hotel - the poor cousin of Dorchester and Claridges no more! So underestimated and underrated.

A quick drink with a friend on a school night. 
I usually go to the Connaught bar at the back but now like the Coburg Bar in front better.

Got lucky and got a corner table to see all the flirting.

My first cocktail.

It was the Delicious Sour.  
Yes, it was both.

Yes, it is £15 but you get a comfy seat and unlimited amount of potato chips and olives so it actually works out.

I had an appointment in Wapping but arrived too early so went walkabout for a bit.

What the...?

This is rare in London.

I stepped on the sandy bank of the Thames.
Nice surprise - No bones.

Canary Wharf in the distance

The foundation for the warehouses.

Was so thankful for the peace and dose of nature in Zone 1!

Was a mini holiday.

Converted warehouses turned into flats - love the window shutters.

London's attempt at an atrium.
Lovely respite.

Nosy parker I am - a house in my street completely gutted.

Stripped down to the bare bones - can you see its ribs?

They don't know it but I will be updating you all on its progress ;)

But I don't feel bad because 
they are hard nosed property developers.

But these two are not so hard nosed.

The cutest dogs in the mews.

The winter is so brutal.  Saturday lunch in Mayfair- 
everyone is at home.

 Had lunch inside instead at Princi in Soho.

 Who can resist the flowers at Liberty?

 Quick stop at Brown's - love the building.

 Poppy King did a lip reading at Selfridges on Saturday.

This is the lipstick she chose for me. 

 Jean Queen by Lipstick Queen - never went to see her when I lived in Melbourne but I finally made it and she was so nice. 
She got distracted by my handbag and kept trying it on 
but I happily let her though!

I quite like my Lindy as well. It is the most useful bag.

There was a lot going on so I forgot to take a picture.
She analyzed my friend accurately and a little more in depth than myself but still all rather impressive.

So there you have it - my version of instagram.