If you go down to the woods today . .

How breathtakingly beautiful is this??!

Renovated from an old 9 x 14 foot hunting cabin this dreamy little studio was created by Sandra Foster and is situated in the Catskill mountains outside of the state of New York.

There is no bathroom or kitchen and no central heating making this little shelter uninhabitable in Winter,

 however there is a quirky little sleeping loft, only accessible by ladder, should the fancy of a mid afternoon cat nap entice.

The interior boasts an impressive collection of flea market finds and pieces salvaged from yard sales, a labour of love just bursting with character.

all image credits: Trevor Tondro for The New York Times

You can read the full article about Sandra and how the studio was created in this link from the New York Times, click here

Also check out Sandra's blog myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.co.uk

Blog crush . . . Penny Bloods Black Book

I discovered the blog Penny Bloods Black Book a few days ago and it has quickly become a firm favourite of mine!

Written by East London based artist Penny Blood, this blog is her definitive guide to Londons' best places to eat, drink, shop and do.

Crammed with suggestions on breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots, gastropubs, bars, places to take afternoon tea, markets, cinemas, bookshops and boutiques, this blog is a little black book bursting with original ideas shining a spotlight onto Londons' hidden gems.

Check it out, you will never be short of inspiration for things to do again!

www.pennybloodsblackbook.com

Anthology magazine

If you have not yet had the pleasure of flicking through Anthology magazine then it is definitely worth tracking a copy down!

Launched in 2010, this shelter and lifestyle magazine covers home decor, travel, design, entertaining and culture.

Born out of a belief that 'print is not dead' and that readers still want something real which they can hold in their hands rather than read from an electronic device, Anthology is packed with inspirational features and beautiful photography with each issue centred around a particular theme.

Since this publication is reader supported, adverts are limited meaning you don't have to sift to the halfway page before actually reaching a feature 

(such a refreshing change!)

The current issue, no.6, focuses on the handmade at home and includes interviews with artists and designers, a travel story to Amsterdam, a peek inside some homes around the globe, as well as DIY craft and recipe ideas.

Anthology is published quarterly as follows . . 

Winter (January-March)

Spring (April-June)

Summer (July-September)

Fall (October-Dcember)

and is available only at Anthropologie stores 

(London and Edinburgh) and 

Loop (London) in the United Kingdom

or by subscription 

www.anthologymag.com

Shu Uemura Art of Hair

After hearing rave reviews about Shu Uemura Art of Hair I decided it was time to chance parting with some hard earned cash and see what all the fuss was about.

Dubbed as the 'Rolls Royce' of hair care, Shu Uemura comes with a fairly hefty price tag to match.

This gentle radiance cleanser (£31 for 400ml) is designed to effectively draw out impurities and build up on the scalp without stripping the natural oils.

I found that the first wash provided very little lather, but by the second I had a nice foam which left my hair feeling very clean without weighing it down.

The fact that this product is labelled as a cleansing 'oil' is quite misleading because it is not heavy or oily in the slightest.

The shampoo is rich in precious onsen inspired ferment (drawn from volcanic sources) known in Japan for its purification virtue.

It has a very pleasant fragrance.

Paraben and silicone free, this shampoo suits all hair types - gentle on colour, cleansing on oily hair and calming on flaky scalps.

I would definitely buy this shampoo again.

I also purchased the Full Shimmer Illuminating Treatment mask (£39.50 for 2ooml)

This mask is designed to add vibrancy to coloured hair as well as impart optimal shine and a glazed touch from roots to ends.

The inclusion of musk rose provides fatty acids and vitamin A which help to prevent colour fade.

I have to say I found this mask to just be OK, nothing special and as a result I would not purchase this again, there are better masks out there in my opinion.

The shampoo however was great!!

shuuemuraartofhair.com

Happiness Forgets

'High rent cocktails in a low rent basement'

On the West side of Hoxton Square, residing beneath a Thai restaurant you will find Happiness Forgets, a cocktail bar with a difference.

No gimmicks, no secret passwords, no try hard styling and 'no wallies' as the door policy states.

This bar just is what it is and does not try to be anything other.

Put together on a shoe string maybe but the service of the staff and the craftsmanship of the drinks show that Happiness Forgets takes quality seriously. 

images : happinessforgets.com

Open Mon-Sat 5.30pm-11.30pm

happinessforgets.com

Spitalfields Bar at Hawksmoor

I am a massive Chocoholic, FACT! 

So you would be forgiven for thinking that I might have been upset to hear that I would not be receiving an egg from my beloved this Easter

  WRONG! 

not when what I received instead was a night out at Spitalfields bar at Hawksmoor (woop!)

image: thehawksmoor.com

Tucked away in the basement of the Spitalfields branch of Hawksmoor on Commercial Street E1, the bar although recently opened has all the traditional charm of an old school establishment.

a dimly lit, cosy space awaits, candles flicker, reflecting against antique mirrored wall tiles casting dancing shadows, laid back beats accompany delicious cocktails and superior bar food.

We sampled this little lot (click to view)

I would recommend them all!

 hot dog 

shortrib french dip 

wings

spare rib nuggets

shaky Pete's ginger brew

marmalade cocktail

image : timeout.com

    image: squaremeal.co.uk

Reservations can only be made if you intend to eat here as well as have drinks, otherwise you can chance bagging a table for drinks only.

With food coming in at a fraction of the price you would expect to pay in the main restaurant but still of a high standard and with brilliant service this is a great date night/group gathering venue.

Our love for Hawksmoor just keeps getting 

stronger!

thehawksmoor.com

Tel. 020 7426 4856
Reservations: spitalfieldsbar@thehawksmoor.com

Vortex Jazz Club

Last night we headed to Dalston in North West London to see a gig at the Vortex Jazz Club.

image:geograph.org.uk

In the walls of Gillet Square, the Vortex sits within Dalston Culture House, a four storey cultural and arts workspace.

The jazz club has been going for over 20 years, with live performances seven nights a week from young local talent to world class artists playing everything form jazz to contemporary folk and world music.

Last night Gang Colours were headlining, Mr R went to see them a few weeks ago and immediately said he wished I had gone too, so when they released a second date he snapped up tickets right away.

I swotted up listening to the album before hand and liked their chilled out sound, which suited the venue perfectly, very intimate with around 12 small candle lit tables clustered around the stage, art hanging from the walls and a small amount of standing space by the bar - super cosy.

Gang Colours were great, but another highlight was actually discovering the support act Greenwood Sharps his hypnotic set was amazing!

You can listen below. . .

greenwoodsharps.com

myspace.com/gangcolours

vortexjazz.co.uk