Sunday 15 September 2013

September 2013 Instagramy Post - Part 1

The turn of season has come.
Even inanimate objects are polite in Britain,
summer never overstays its welcome.
The first foggy morning of the season seemed atmospheric 
and very Bronte-esque but that very morning 

Pumpkins or is that squash has come out already.



Due to my new area, I got on the wrong train like a bloody tourist but went past the Battersea power station and had a good look at it from an angle that I rarely see it in. 



It is finally being developed after being left dormant for 30 years
It is going to be a modern complex of shopping center/flats 
because God knows London needs more shops 
and more unaffordable accommodation.




I have relied on Mr CSW more than usual and 
hitched rides on his Vespa.
That is me taking a picture commemorating our survival on 
the Hyde Park Corner roundabout.

I have been dreadful catching up with friends due to my new commute but did manage a lunch at Royal China which is London's best dim sum. I love the lanterns.


I had time to kill before going to the theatre so went to Hatchard's.
I love their staircase, even the stair runner gives me a sense of calm.
They have such a great selection of coffee table books which 
I have banned myself from buying.
I don't know how this book passed me by as I had my wedding breakfast in the room that is on the cover of this Oliver Messel book.

Opposite Hatchard's is one of the places 
I would loooove to live in London.
Not only for the architecture but it has an amazing pedigree.
If its walls could talk!

It's the Albany just off Piccadilly. 
You'd never think there was a courtyard foyer behind the street.
Via
I had a friend who lived there in the 90's but had to subsequently sell it and I haven't been since then.  
Flats rarely come up for sale though...

The building below is the Bafta Building on Piccadilly.
Went to a party that hired the space but if you ever watch a movie there, be warned that they won't let you out until every single credit is shown and you see "The End". 

Jamie Oliver's pop up hot dog stand in Piccadilly is taking food porn a little too seriously in his menus.
I opted for my new reliable pre theatre dinner at Shoryu and had the Hokkaido curry ramen with a skillyfully boiled egg.
A little bit of sun and Londoners take advantage of it.
The play was at the Gielgud.
Private Lives is a classic Noel Coward play.
I wasn't going to see it but my friend's daughter is in it so I went.
I saw it 10 years ago with Alan Rickman and didn't think any production could be topped but this one was even better than that one!  It has had glowing reviews.
The set
Toby Stephens and Anna Chancellor had explosive chemistry and Anna Louise Plowman who is in real life married to Toby Stephens play his stage wife as well brilliantly! 
Anthony Calf was also a great supporting actor.

The decor inside is also beautiful.

Mr CSW kindly picked me up and took me back home on the Vespa - we never use the car within London.
We went over Tower Bridge which is more beautiful at night.
Sorry for the blur but we were moving and I couldn't hold up London traffic.


Meanwhile I am learning to appreciate my new village...
It has a certain English village feel to it and is rather pretty with all the detached houses dotted around the common.

It's an up and coming area so I like the pub's placard as housewives willingly join husbands as it is subliminally channelling aspirational  Osborne and Little wallpaper.

Via Or is that a reach?

North Cross Road and its Saturday market 
is a mini version of Portobello.


But with much better popcorn.

Cinderella lost her diamante flip flop.
If any of you out there know her, tell her it's in my 'hood.

Walked by an open house selling a fixer-upper three bed house 
and I couldn't resist having a look.


There were a lot of people scouting the property.
There seems to be a mini housing boom at the moment.

No shopping for me after the trauma of decluttering but couldn't resist a browse through Tiger.

For those of you unfamiliar with this store, it is a Swedish store and almost like an Ikea but with no furniture but so many bits and bobs at a cheap price.


I don't need ribbon but still thought about getting some.
No purchases for me, in fact one morning I even lined up to get up a free cup of a new brand of coffee! 
Yes, I love a freebie me! 
Hope your September is treating you well so far x

61 comments:

  1. September is not too bad for me so far, thank you, but not quite as adventurous as yours yet.

    OMG you drive round London on a Vespa! How cool (and practical in a 'roundabout' way) is that!

    Love the look of your new village!

    Have a great week xx

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    1. Good to hear you are having fun- I think it is going to be a good autumn! I don't but Mr CSW does and it does save time on travel because you can beat part of the traffic. Here is to a good remaining September xx

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  2. no. 1 on my next trip over is a visit to tiger. i read about it months ago, and know i will drop a bundle there because i love: paper things!

    xo

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    1. Oh I will get you a whole list ready of places for you to visit and shop! There is a place in Dulwich that has great little antique shops as well I think you would love. I am a sucker for paperie as well :) xx

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  3. Naomi, you make this so easy for us. All the fab pictures and descriptions.
    Your new neighborhood look homely and friendly .
    Your wedding breakfast room looks like it´s from a storybook castle! Wow.
    September so far has been extraordinarily wonderful over here, in every possible way.
    Wishing you a great new week too!!!

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    1. Well not too fab but I feel a bit like a tourist of late in London with the move and seeing new things and experiencing it differently. The new area is very friendly and I am found my way there and just as I love it I bet it will be time to move back :) Here is to a fab autumn everywhere! Have a lovely week x

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  4. I can't get past London-On-A-Vespa, that looks like so much fun! How I would love to see that play, and good job not shopping for anything, de-clutter trauma will do that to you!
    I feel like we have a real slice of your life, thanks for the pics and the witty commentary. My September has been pretty calm and no Vespa, but I wouldn't get on one with MrBP anyway, he'd crash and kill us both for sure!

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    1. Yes it is fun because it can be like a video game and every time we arrive Mr CSW always calculates how much time we saved by not driving. But there is a lot of road rage as well...But the ride over the bridge was great even for a jaded Londoner like me. No vespa for you then! Biking pictures in Canada instead? ;)

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    2. I love those from-a-vespa pics too!

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  5. I love how you wander, ponder and take it all in.
    A lady after my own heart x

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    1. So you like loiterers scratching their head then eh?! x

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  6. Cannot believe you actually ride a bike to work. I would have to do my makeup and hair once I arrived there. I love your neighborhood and, yes, incredibly it's very English!

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    1. Well I hitch a ride where I can and yes I do get helmet head but the stress of public transport offsets it. Walking is the best option in London!

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  7. what a delicious post!

    Tower Bridge, Noel Coward, Hatchards (yes, you're right, the sense of calm is very present at Hatchards) and an English Village Green (are you in Englefield Green? that looked very familiar.......who-we-are-in-RL went to University There - not on the green itself, a Bank Holiday and Bedtime New College as we used to call RHC, Univ. of London).

    such fun.

    love your blog.

    *almost* feel homesick.

    ;-)

    _tg xxx

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    1. SE22 it is. I love the knowledgeable staff at Hatchards and all the signed copies of books there. Private Lives is just a fab play and wish I saw the Liz Taylor and Burton one. Thanks so much TG but any time you feel homesick just look at the gray skies in my pics. sigh. xx

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  8. loved this post! Haven't heard of Tiger...Enjoy the new village x

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    1. Ta FF! You would love Tiger - they have got oodles of fun colorful things you didn't know you needed x

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  9. What fun darling!! I'm going to add Hatchards to my "London notes" for next time. Moving into a new neighbourhood, no matter what city/country takes getting used to. Wish I'd seen the Noel Coward while I was in London. Next time, going to book before we get there! Have a great week! xx

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    1. Let me know in advance next time you are in town ok?? Found a two cafes where they know my order now so it is getting a bit more comfy for sure. You must book shows because the shows of late have been such quality and I have never regretted one show in the last several years. Hope you safely back? xx

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  10. Thanks for such great pics, Naomi!
    I love seeing your pics of my hometown - I miss it so much, but feel I can keep up with it through your blog!

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  11. Your village looks like something straight out ot Midsommer Murders which I'm ashamed is one of my fave shows....even though my husband says that it makes me prematurely middle aged! I'm not though as that pub looks fab! Rx

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    1. I am ashamed to say I have never watched it! I think you must be wise but not prematurely middle aged :) x

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  12. Your trip around Hyde Park roundabout reminds me of the first (and only) time I navigated it. I was in a client's manual drive Mini (old style one). It was also a left hand drive as she was European. They lived in a house in a street near Harvey Nick's and after I asked her for a street directory (she had none, I had to use my pocket A-Z to navigate), and asked her what the clutch was for (mental blank, I can drive manual), I set off, straight out into the traffic and then around the round about. Most terrifying thing I've ever done. It's up there with crossing a street in Hanoi for adrenaline.
    I think that was a great spotting of the O&L wallpaper with the pub sign. Is the pub super chic inside? Love the book porn (not so much the Hot Dog porn). That room on the front of the Oliver Meissel book looks so beautiful - what a lovely place to have your wedding breakfast.
    I just can't believe that Battersea power station has sat empty for so long - it's such prime realestate. xxx

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    1. Actually, the Hot Dog names reminded me of the waxing place I went to for a long time in Melbourne. They would name all the different bikini line waxes eg "Leave it to Beaver" etc. Cringe. I could never remember the name of what I would have, and used to be terrified that I was going to have something done that I didn't want!! In the end the stress was too much and I changed salons.

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    2. Ha! Were you like Chevy Chase driving around the arc de triomphe roundabout?! roundabouts with more than two lanes should be banned I reckon...But that combo with no sat nav, left drive, mini is crazy - the only thing you were missing was a cocktail in your right hand.
      No the pub is not gastropub so that placard was a rouse. Battersea power station has made money for quite a few people even sitting empty. the last two people who owned it made a fortune without even developing it! I don't know if it was the same place but I saw similar signs in Melbourne and there are a few here and it is off putting for sure! xx

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  13. Replies
    1. It is very good indeed and they have amazing pork buns.

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  14. Thanks for allowing me to travel across the pond through your lens!
    xo
    Sharon

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  15. haha cinderella has the same flip flops I do... maybe I'm cinderella ? =P
    thanks for the walk :)

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  16. Naomi, This was fun. Love seeing all going on in London. Your new hood looks quite charming! You have the space of country living, but are still central? Nice.

    I saw the posters for that play when we were in London and it looked so good. You were lucky to get to go. Must be great. I do love Alan Rickman though..

    Have a great week!
    xxKim

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    1. It is charming and the weird thing is that its in zone 2 but the transport links are weird due to the plague there were a lot of plague pits in south london hence the reason why a lot of the tube lines don't run so you have to catch the overground train which just slows things down a tad...Have a great week Kim xx

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  17. I just love those Instagram-y posts !!! thanks Naomi...the tone of your writing makes me smile at every paragraph ! September has not started to treat me well as I am just recovering from a bronchitis but it ll get better !!!....I am missing London so much so waiting for part II of ur september issue (post) :) thank you for sharing and hugs to Mr CSW (what was that again ????) and his vespa.... xxxxx from HK

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    1. Oh no! It must be all that humidity and change of weather in HK...You are acclimating I think. I will try and get some familiar pics for you then. The Vespa is starting to act up but then again it is almost 8 years old...xxx from London

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  18. You're always giving so many good tips for London, I'd love to go back and visit every place you talk about :-)
    xoxo

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    1. Yes you must visit London and feature one of our spots on your blog too! xx

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  19. Always love everything with London, you lucky girl who gets to live there!:) xo Caroline

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  20. Great post! I miss London :)
    x
    Nina

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  21. Dim Sum, Hatchard's and Messel - count me in! I can't wait to get back down, I love London so much.
    Battersea is so Brutalist, I can't wait to see what they do with it.

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  22. Oh did my reading up on the Meridian clock - fascinating stuff, I'm keeping that as a sticky on my desktop and going to think about it some more.

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    1. London is waiting for your arrival! I do wonder what Battersea is going to be like - the traffic is already dreadful but with all the flats. oy vey. I hope the meridian thing helps with your sleeps!

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  23. You make me pine for London like nothing else. I love the look of your neighborhood. How long are you staying there? I've done London by motorcycle many times, but you need nerves of steel.

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    1. I am sure you make wherever you are a lot of fun!! Yeah it's ok but transport is killing me. I am used to walking everywhere so cramped trains are not fun. But hoping I move back in a month even tho it won't be finished I would rather camp at home with no hot water to be frank!

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  24. what a dream to live in London! Spent time to achieve softboiled egg its a science theres good article on web, as of now its the only recipe on yhe fridge! that was total O &L wallpaper! Lol I really want a vespa or smartcar.

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    1. Stay in Cali! I swear that I would choose weather at present. Yes there is a lot to do but I could easily sit by a pool. Perhaps that's why I am here bc I would be a beach bum otherwise :)

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  25. You have a Vespa? Fantastic!!! I want one...what color?

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  26. Mr CSW has a silvery one. Old now tho. He had the 1950's one but always in the garage getting fixed...

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  27. Thank you for the ride around London! Your photo of the ramen has made me hungry...:)

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    1. More than welcome - I wouldn't mind some of that now!

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  28. Congrats on the new digs and location. Sounds like quite an adventure! The cover of the book-with your wedding breakfast location-gave me chills. Pure gorgeousness. I would love to see photos of that. :) Perhaps I'm just in a wedding mood!
    xx, Heather

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    1. Yes you're all loved up over there in Cali! The room was lovely and there was another side room and maybe I will try and rustle some pics for you xx

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  29. I love the pictures of Tower Bridge! You are so lucky. I had never heard of the store called Tiger. I should tell my mother to visit. She is going to London in two weeks. XO, Jill

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    1. I will try and get pics with the bridge lifted up for the boats to pass through. Tiger is great fun but rarely does one leave without getting something so tell your mum to beware! xx

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  30. Love that room on the cover of the Oliver Messel book- so fancy. First I've heard of Tiger. No doubt one will be opening here soon. x

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    1. Well Mr Messel was very theatrical and he designed some fabulous rooms. Everyone loves Tiger! First time I left that shop without buying something - hope it lasts!! x

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  31. 130-car car crash???? And 6o people were injured and taken to 6 different hospitals? I don't think there are 6 different hospitals in my country.:D Oliver's food porn is slightly in bad taste, huh? Get the pun?:) Ok, I'll admit, it wasn't the best one.:D And how many people were at the open house - isn't this supposed to be the time of recession?? Where do people find the money to buy a house these days?!

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    1. Yep, I think it was Heathcliffs doing...yes very poor tast lol! I know don't get me started on house prices girlfriend!

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