I want one!

Quite simply a must for every work space....

A

The dead dolls club

A few weeks ago Claire and I spent a night at one of the Dead Dolls Club's Stew Nights. What a treat! Dressed up in tweed and furs for the themed Stew Night we found our way in to the depths of Hackney to a rather dubious looking building. Inside however was a speak easy style den with chef, dj, decor and food galore. A feast not only for the belly but also for the eyes! Venison and chocolate stew...who knew? Amazing! We had a great time-thanks Dead Dolls! A

The New York Highline

While we're on the subject of random parks, I also walked the Highline while I was there (for those of you who don't know, it's a disused railway track that has been transformed into an inner-city park). I know it's ancient now and everything (although saying that the New York cabbie hadn't ever heard of it!?) but I hadn't done it before and it was amazing! So thought I'd do a little blog on it to show off my lovely pictures. We walked it at dusk so the greys of the concrete buildings looked amazing against the illuminated shrubbery, sounds poncy but it really did! We also came across this little tiered area (wooden bleachers if you like?) where people could sit and watch projections on the wall - so lovely! There were also some really nice installations along the way too. Who'd have thought there'd be so much to see! cx

New York's pop-up indoor park

I've just returned from a research trip to New York for the day job, and while I was there I took a little trip to Nolita and the Lower East Side to check out the boutiques. I stumbled across this totally random place and it took me a while to realise what it was, and even then I had to ask the cafe girls a question or two. So it ended up being an indoor park, who'da thought?! A pop-up indoor park, complete with fountains, benches and perfectly preened hedges. People are invited to lounge on the (faux) grass and ponder over a ricotta and nutella wrap (don't ask) or a slightly more normal fruit juice. There were about 4 or 5 different cafe stalls to choose from as well as some random game where you had to throw beanbags into some little holes. I guess the fact that it's indoors defeats the whole point of a park but it's a nice use of otherwise unused space nevertheless... cx

East London Design Show: Rosanna Gethin

I also quite liked Rosanna Gethin's designs which included decorative puzzles, small tables and wall hangings. Everything is made from recycled materials too so she gets extra brownie points...cx

East London Design Show: Make Do & Draw

I went to the East London Design Show today to try to find some potential designers' products that could be featured in the pop-up. The show wasn't filled to the rafters with amazing product but there definitely was some really lovely bits. I came across Make Do & Draw who are two young girls with architectural backgrounds who design and create bespoke dolls houses (which can even be based on the same spec as your house!) They also have some really sweet little decorative pieces. I loved the fact that the girls were sitting there crafting as customers looked on - definitely one of the highlights of the show! cx

A chilly one at Netil 360

Last weekend Claire and I spent the evening getting blown about a rooftop in Hackney town. The rooftop was no ordinary rooftop however, in fact, if Carlsberg did rooftops....you know the rest. Netil 360, on the edge of London Fields, is indeed a rooftop bar and a half, embracing the wintery London weather with fur coats, tee pees and yurts provided to help one and all battle the elements. We had an amazing time, even though it was a rather breezy cold night to say the least! The festival atmosphere, live bands, game stew and mulled cider kept us on form, we definitely recommend this place! Can't wait to go back! A

 Images courtesy of Nick Matthews.