Instagram - y Post in London April 2013

As some of you might know, I am reluctant to open an Instagram account because I can not bear to remember another username and password combination.

So this is my woulda been Instagram for April.

It has been a rather busy month.

 I was invited to watch Sutra at Sadler's Wells.

As it was an invite, I just turned up not knowing what it was about.

Sometimes it's better that way - no prejudging.

If my friend told me it was a bunch of shaolin monks rearranging empty boxes around one white guy doing modern dance, I would have rolled my eyes and declined the invite.

But the performance was truly innovative and the music was outstanding; the sound of the cello was sublime.

 I am sure that a cello was playing in the background when 

the universe was created.

If it comes near you - do not miss it!

I don't go to pubs very often but had a lovely dinner with friends at the lovely gastropub called Paradise in Kensal Green,
 just north of Notting Hill.  

Great food and ambiance and well worth a visit for Sunday lunch.

There were even more chandeliers of different types everywhere.

I became a British citizen this month - same day as Maggie's funeral.

Wedgewood cups for tea before the ceremony!

Queen Elizabeth greeted me into her realm, mind you I am already technically a subject.

The room is where the council holds its meetings and ceremonies.  The event ended up being a lot funnier that expected.  

The officiator wanted us to practice the oath to become a citizen and asked a person on the edge to start as we were going left to right.

He asked the person to stand and said, 
" Please say I and then your name and then 

the next person states their name respectively."

The first person stood up and said, "Hi, my name is Abdul".

"Yes hello, okay Abdul, nice to meet you but all you have to say is I not hi and then your name."

"I, my name is Abdul."

The officiator calmly explained, "So Abdul, all you have to say is I proceeded by your name. Nothing else, for instance, my name is David Atkinson so I would say, I, David Atkinson."

"Yes, sorry...I, David Atkinson, hello, my name is Abdul."

It was meant to be a solemn occasion but we were all giggling like naughty schoolchildren! (He got there after 3 more tries.)

First signs of spring - cherry blossoms blooming right in front of Lakshmi Mittal's London abode.  That house costs about £150 million pounds and it doesn't even have an outdoor pool!! 

He does have a fountain though.

I also had blooms in front of my house.

The pride of my "garden" is my yellow climbing roses.

Wanna see the rest of my "garden"?

Don't laugh.

That's all folks.

Well actually, there is my rosemary in bloom that was hidden 
in the upper pic.

Oh, can't forget my wonky hanging basket with white flowers  - 

don't worry the basket is getting replaced after we do our renovations coming hopefully soon.

I was walking a regular route in my neighborhood and past a house 
that I always look twice at.  It's the brick house center right.

Apparently, it is owned by an architect and although he fully renovated it, he kept the original cracks in the house as a tribute to its history.

Do you see the cracks on the top of the house and in the window?

Quite charming me thinks.

I was happy to go to a dinner invitation to Mosimann's and in the cab there I got this shot of Hyde Park corner. The sun was just behind and was a lovely evening for a change.

The converted church is Mossiman's restaurant in London.

It is in Belgravia which is a rather posh area of London, 

even the Waitrose supermarket has pillars darling.

And the Starbucks is in a late Georgian shopping arcade.

Having just traveled, all these little details 

I took for granted felt new again.

I was a bit early so I took a little walk around and 

enjoyed the spring evening air.

I do adore wisteria. 

I know some consider it a weed but it is always lifts my mood.

Apples are a simple and effective decorative device but if I did this 
all that would be left is worms because 
I would forget to change and get fresh apples.

Pierre Herme sure does give Laduree a run for its money.

I do adore their strawberry and wasabi flavoured macaroons.

Mosimann himself was hosting a special Italian wine tasting dinner.

I sat upstairs for the drinks reception and took pictures while waiting for my friends. I do love the filtered light through church windows.

 We sat on the table that was center left.

I tried to get another shot of the restaurant and the 

beautiful climbing flowers on the pillar.

Mosimann ( pictured downstairs ) is doing the final check of all 

the details as guests were led to dinner.

It was a 6 course wine pairing dinner and 

it was as expected, very delicious.

But sometimes these menus can be a little overwhelming and after a few dishes everything is as equally as yummy as the rest so ironically one can forget all the dishes.  

But the one aspect of the meal I took away was how delicious Taleggio cheese is when dipped into a very fruity olive oil as was prescribed by the chef. You have to try that combo!

The loos are just as decorative as the restaurant - de Gournay wallpaper.  Swoon swoon swoon.

I just wanted to hang out there half the time.

I love a proper powder room, don't you?

I am dipping my toes but don't expect too many of these just yet!

Between you and me I tried to 

take some pics at home but the dress kept shifting.

I didn't realize how hard these were and now I have a new respect for those who do this so effortlessly.

The best I could do...

I wore an Iris coloured Goat Pandora dress.  I got this because depending on the light - it can look either purple or almost black. 
I like maximizing wear and use of anything.  It is a staple dress.

They have two yearly sales and I get my stuff then as I am in no hurry!  Goat is one of my favourite brands for actual daily life;

 it's elegant, simple, and classic.

I was walking through Hyde Park on Anzac day which is a national day of remembrance for the Aussies and Kiwis.

As I am half Australian, I did note the day so I decided to walk by 
the Animals in War memorial on Park Lane.

It is one of my favourite memorials.
It is rather touching and poignant and suitably surrounded 
by blooming spring flowers.

Well, the first third of the year has just flown by hasn't it?
Wishing you all a merry May! x