26 Feb 2017

Weekend Notes

After another busy week, it's becoming far too easy to let the weekend fall into two, hazy days of rest, the majority of it being horizontal in front of an electronic device of some description (or more accurately, feeling a little fragile in bed, in and out of sleep after a heavy Friday night). As much as I revel in downtime, come Monday morning when you're back at the daily grind, the last thing I want to be feeling is that I've wasted away those two precious days with little more to say for myself than having yet another Netflix series under my belt. 


So, after a Friday night celebrating one of my best friend's birthday with prosecco and good food in abundance, we headed out on Saturday armed with a caffeine-fix from Pret to make the most of the day.


In an attempt to find that inner zen and do something slightly more active than wandering around cafes and shops on a Saturday morning, we headed to FRAME in Shoreditch for a beginner's yoga class. I haven't practised yoga since being at university, and in those cramped, sports-hall-style classes, I never found it particularly inspiring and deemed yoga not for me. Four years later, with an open-mind and one that is particularly over-loaded at the moment, it seemed a good opportunity to rediscover the interest I once had. The class was busy but not overly crowded, the room itself calming and amazingly taught. We left the class feeling refreshed, energised and already keen to come back for more. Whether you're looking to calm your mind or increase your flexibility, I'd recommend trying a beginner's class here to see if it works for you (and I'd be surprised if it didn't). FRAME offer a huge variety of classes in various studios over London, and I'm keen to try the Reformer Pilates and Barre classes next.


The only logical thing to do on a Saturday after a yoga class is to head to a trendy, renovated-warehouse for a spot of (boozy) brunch. Un-doing all that hard work doesn't feel all that bad in Clerkenwell Grind, and it's easy to convince yourself you're being healthy with a matcha latte and green juice on the side of your syrup-sodden pancakes.. An instagram-friendly interior and a mouth-watering menu to match, I opted for avo on toast (is it the weekend if you don't eat this at some point?) and about four drinks on the side.


All photos are my own.
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24 Feb 2017

The Handmaid's Tale

One of the only good things about commuting every day to London is that it's practically forced me to pick up books again after a long drought of opting for Netflix over literature (as much as I preach that the latter is hugely more rewarding, I just couldn't seem to switch off The OA last month..). Making use of those, often painful, hours has meant I've got through almost a book a week, and feel a lot more productive as a result. Last week, I started a novel that's been on my radar recently.. for those not familiar with The Handmaid's Tale, it was bought to my attention both by articles of it's popularity recently (see here and here), as well as it's recommendation on Lucy Williams' FMN Bookclub and noting the TV adaptation soon to hit our screens via Hulu (watch trailer here). Written in 1985, Atwood's speculative take on a dystopian society at the collapse of the government in America forms this modern classic.


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4 Feb 2017

Dress-Down Heritage

Whether you like it or you don't, the androgynous trend that follows from runway to doorway year-in, year-out is probably one you're already invested in somewhere in the depths of your wardrobe. Thinking understated, muted tones and fashionably oversized pieces (not to mention classically British with the air of just-returned-from-the-countryside about it), the most basic of JW long-sleeve tees could be classed in this category and it is undeniably easy to wear. Amidst a world of the technologically-advanced, out-there fashion and anything-goes notion, there's something refreshing in reverting to the basics. 

Not one to rock the tweed, this shirt is about as far as I'd go with the trend, and it makes that transition from Winter to Spring (jumper's too hot, t-shirts too cold..) a little less perplexing, sartorially. As the days become more mild, I'm edging away from the woolen polo-necks at the risk of overheating under a coat and scarf, but equally fearing the bare-all, goosebump-inducing short sleeve tops and dresses if the temperature dips and you're indoors. A slightly more relaxed, un-done alternative to the rigid tweed blazer (and avoiding the itchy fabric), paired with jeans you can't really go wrong. The camel, brown and beige palette of the trend is the probable explanation to it's longevity in my wardrobe, and having been a devotee of the beige trench coat for as long as I can remember, I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. Now just to find that estate in the English countryside to match..


Shirt | Mango (now in the sale)
Jeans | Topshop
Fang Necklace | Missoma
Horn Necklace | H&M 
Ring | Similar here
Bag | Similar here

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