The City

Quiet times are hard to find in this city. But when you do, you start to think. After a packed week-end, a Sunday night can sometimes bring exactly what you need. 

Recently I was advised to visit some other places in England, take the train and discover the nature. It didn't really spark a fire. I started to think why. Maybe it's because of what I'm often told...am I truly a city-boy? 

I think it's the appetite for life that makes me love cities so much. I cried after leaving New York, I feel like Paris is my second home and each day in London is worth a novel.

Walking on the pavement here, makes me wish I could read people's minds. Every person walking around here has a reason to be in this city and will probably come from somewhere else than London. At a certain time in their life, they made a decision to move to this amazing place...to discover and to learn. To live. 

But, I am leaving the city quite soon. It's not exactly England -whereto will soon be revealed- but it does count nevertheless. I'm looking forward to leaving, as it will be the first time I'll be returning back 'home' to London as well. 

XX // T.L. 

 Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist

Scary Times

Well, let's say my first Halloween was a blast! Mathilde and her flatmates organised a mixture between a Halloween and a housewarming and it ended up being an amazing success. Everyone dressed up, complimented others on their costumes and an amazing time was had by everyone...it was amazing! 

My intention was to be a blasphemous priest, who'd marry Mathilde and Margaux, the scary bride and groom of the evening. It turned out to be a great costume, a true disgrace to the priests of this world: job well done! 

My headpiece and tights = eye-catchers! 

Let's get married!

I declare you...

HUSBAND AND WIFE! 

Hope you all had a very nice Halloween!

XX // T.L. 

 Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist

Let's talk about porridge

This morning, I smelled something delicious. No, not myself, neither fresh laundry...it was porridge. Sounds disgusting, right? But it's amazing! 

Just have a look...

(photo from theginlady)

So my dear friends, tomorrow I'm gonna make porridge. I have everything you need to make it, it will be a party! It will be yummy in the tummy! 

Adding up to the porridge-crazyness...an article about porridge in 'i'...a brand-new newspaper, easy-read version of The Guardian (and free). Kate Moss apparently loves porridge too & it's VERY healthy! 

Porridge all the way!

XX // T.L. 

 Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist

What's your scary costume?

Time for some dress-up...my first official Halloween! 

A little preview...

XX // T.L. 

 Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist

Mother & The City

7.00 a.m.: this was the time I woke up to pick up my mother at King's Cross. Damn early if you ask me, but it was definitely worth it! Arriving there, I found out there was a delay, I imagined myself sleeping some more, but then a very happy-faced mommy arrived! 

We had an amazing day, with a crazy breakfast at Ottolenghi, a visit to the Gagosian Britannia Museum, Portobello Rd in Notting Hill and finally, my neighborhood...Camden. 

Delicious Ottolenghi - Upper Street

Mother Twist

Mother on a bus...a rare sight

New hat - I LOVE IT

Note to self: you look ridiculous with the hat

Looks fun, was fun. That's why I think mother thought it would be a GREAT idea to miss her train, because, taking the train you were supposed to be on...is just so boring. We were perfectly on time at the station, had some sushi (because the timing was great)...and then it happened. The goodbye, which we're not good in, especially my mother, was a bit too fast and too sudden. So after her check-in, she dramatically leaned against some random pillar looking sad...only to see her train leave. 

Conquering the hearts of the people at Eurostar (who tried to stop the goddamned train - ever heard about that? - and tried to escort her to the train...but it was too late), she got a free ticket for the next day. 

I got a phone-call (very dramatic), when I was practically home, and successfully managed to get my mother on A BUS in London, through the phone...I have to say I was very proud of her. In the end, it was hilarious. A nice gin-tonic to drink away the stress, a good bath and a nice tea...and all was forgotten. 

Next day she successfully managed to take the train, on time, after a visit that took an unexpected turn. Unforgettable! 

Mom...I love you!

Crazy never hurt a soul

XX // T.L. 

 Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist

Happiness

I was talking with my best friend on Skype before and realized that no matter if you're in London or Spain, reality is something you don't always like to be faced with. Hearing her complaints about things that needed to be fixed, made me think about my own 'struggle' to settle down in mad funky London. 

Simply put, a new start is something that will pay off, but at the same time it will test you. But when ,after all, you find yourself surrounded by happiness...you know you've made it. And every place on earth has prepared its little test for you, whether it's food or formality causing you distress...I always believe that in the end, all will be alright! 

This brings me to my philosophy on life, or part of it. Be prepared to learn from every experience in life!

It might be a hard struggle with little pay-off, or it might be a party opening endless doors for you...it will teach you something. Shit happens, but you can learn from it, you'll get wiser. 

Everything happens for a reason, is actually what I'm trying to say. 

You may find this is bullshit and believe that you cause everything what happens, but in my case, I won't ever blame myself for something bad happening, it's something that was meant to be & I'll get benefits from it...in the long run. Turn every negative into a positive, which will make the positive things even better...and your life will look very different. 

So my dearest friend: read this & hang in there...OLA QUE TAL? 

XX // T.L. 

 Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist

Primrose Hillabilly

The sweater and the hat weren't meant to be worn to stay at home though. London's weather has been AMAZING until now, and today was not an exception. A morning run alongside Regents Canal was the perfect start of the day. 

Mathilde came up with the plan to gather at Primrose Hill, just next to the London Zoo, overlooking the lovely city of London. Whenever I manage to get to these points of interest, where you get an overview of this overwhelming city, I just marvel away...

Rainbow

Means a bit of rain

But not for long though, as the sun crosses our path

London Love

BBC Tower / London Eye 

Gathering at Primrose 

Scones / 1 for each, because it's Sunday!

Places like Primrose Hill make me so happy to be in London and smile awkwardly when I think about the tuns of tourists gathering around the usual hotspots, missing out on all the hidden treasures London has to offer...but, haven't we all been there? The perfect week-end in London consists of a mixture of both, because, who doesn't love the trill of being surrounded by other fascinated eyes and open souls? 

XX // T.L. 

 Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist

Sunday's Casualties

For those of you who know me well, this sweater only means one thing: IT'S SUNDAY! This legendary RL Sweater is worn on different occasions: 

1. I'm hungover

2. I'm sick

3. I'm cold

4. I'm in for a very good day

In this case, it was option 4! 

The little hat? Let's say I just felt like walking around with a baguette under my arm today, and wearing this hat was just way more practical. 

XX // T.L. Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist

All the way to Broadway

London and its markets, it's quite a long story. From Portobello Road to Spitalfields, there's always a market to go to. Varying in its offer of course, from vintage clothes and accessories to organic food and flowers, each market has its own character, appealing to people depending on their mood. 

Today I made my way over to the Broadway Market in Hackney, where I met Emeline on Mare Street, after a great walk from the Hackney Central Overground Station through the London Fields. 

I like Hackney. A neighborhood that is upcoming, thanks to art and many innovative projects, saturated with art galleries and a crazy mix of all kinds of people. 

This market is all about food actually, there is a small corner where you might be able to find some nice vintage stuff, but I wouldn't recommend this market if that's your goal. 

The atmosphere is great, the food stalls are a feast for the eyes and the nice bars and shops in this street are certainly a big plus for the market. TIP: come late, you'll get discounts and free stuff! 

From cupcakes to sausages

Random vintage

When I say it's all about the food...this is the reason

SUN SUN SUN

Mirror mirror on the wall, bring me to the food stall

Probably the cutest one

XX // T.L. 

 Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist

High Art

Everything has been running very smoothly lately. Bank account was fixed in no time. All my modules have been approved by my university in Antwerp. Perfect, I say.

I think after today I will stay away from art for a while, as it probably won't get any better than this.

A few days ago I received this mail...

This exposition was unbelievable: it was located in an amazing house, next to Regent Park, 6 floors...literally a castle, named The Boswall House. Again, pictures will tell the story. 

Everyone was there, from Monet and Picasso to Warhol and Klein: 

The Kitchen - where you were given scones & champagne

I could see myself chilling here

One of the eye-catchers

Oh, Hi Cézanne! 

And why not add an Andy?

Between the 4th and 5th floor, I want this!

Interesting chessboard

Cut it

Something supposed to be a face & the view

Sparkles

Arty Farty

Mister Warhol, self-portrait

Very trendy "couch"

The view from the Boswall House

The stairs

Let's say this will keep me arty enough for a few weeks. A very good reason to go for Japanese Sake tonight! 

Soho, here we come. 

XX // T.L. 

 Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist

Fuck This

XX // T.L. 

 Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist

Weekend Warrior

Callooh Callay Jub Jub! 

No, I'm not drunk and neither did I just invent a new language. It's the story of my Saturday night, which was filled with cocktails, friends & secret places. 

The night kicked off when I went to Emma's place. White wine & event-searching is always a good combination. We decided that it was about time to go to the Callooh Callay Bar, a hidden hangout in Rivington Street, which is marked by the typical Chanel-logo...

When you make it to the CC...there's one drink you must take: The Mayflower. Very strong and a perfect combination of sweet & sour! Made me use my scarf as a headband. 

Charles, convinced by our happy behavior, decided to join us in the CC and have a Mayflower as well, and so did Emma. Mayflower was definitely the winner! 

Somehow, our Swedish lady found out about the Jub Jub Bar. Access to the JJB is very exclusive. But with spontaneous smiles and exotic accents, it was easy play. Even easier for Emma, since she doesn't feel the need to cover her endless Swedish legs (neither would I, if I was in her position)...but Charles & I decided to follow her. The ladies of CC kindly showed us the hidden Jub Jub...somewhere inside the CC. 

Same cocktails, but cheaper! 

The happy threesome made their way to the B@1 to finish with a last cocktail and some dancing moves. 

Then, a bagel. Inevitable. As usual, we go to the same place, which is open all night long. An old funny man and an even older woman make sure everyone gets the bagel they need. If you're lucky he'll tell you he loves you and you'll get a smile from the woman. They own that corner! They own the hood actually, with their bagels, they are the King and Queen of Bagel-Land! 

As today was moving day, I can now call myself the King of Camden Town! I am beyond happy to be in my new place. One of the reasons might be that Amy Winehouse is moving into a house around my corner very soon! Ha! 

XX // T.L. 

 Love - from, in and to - London. - The Londonist