LDN: It's all in the details

Deanne... takes photographs...

Some of the best details in London...

Stalls at Covent Garden

A statement door of one of the shops at Columbia Road 

The glory that is Harrods

An abundance of pastries in Portobello Road 

Pink and purple at Notting Hill 

London's beauty on a sunny day 

Vintage signage at the Portobello market 

The exquisite cafe at the V&A

Oh, the places you will go! :)

Xx

LDN: Project Pride

Deanne writes...

For our second project at the college, we were asked to produce content for our chosen magazine. My group and I chose Vogue UK. One of the pages we produced was my feature on J. Crew as it's opening its first international store on Regent Street this November.

I really enjoyed writing this article even though inspiration only struck the weekend before it was due! This was how the the page turned out. Excuse me if it seems like I'm blowing my own horn but I'm super proud of it! If you want to read the article - and please do - click below.

Xx

LDN: Score!

Deanne writes...

I'm so glad I chose to live in Notting Hill. Although it's labeled as a spot for overenthusiastic tourists, Portobello Market is my oyster on Saturday mornings. I find something new every single time I go there. Last Saturday, I found a stall that was selling prints by Stanley Chow, an illustrator for publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian. Most of them were celebrity profiles. I was so drawn to the prints because of the way they were done... very minimalistic. And I like how he can capture the persona of the celebrity so simply. No frou frou needed. 

My favorite one was his take on Audrey Hepburn. The vendor had an inkling I wanted to buy it but I told her I would think about it first. So I walked through the entire market before making a decision.

At the end, right before closing time, I found myself handing over a few pounds in exchange for this. Now it sits on the ledge of my window, framed in beautiful white. No regrets! 

Xx

Check out his illustrations: photo from Stanley Chow 

LDN: Foodie finds

 Deanne writes...

If you happen to be at the Notting Hill area, wander off a little from the obvious sights and sounds and spend an afternoon at Golborne Road where the hidden gems are located. One of the best is Lisboa Patisserie. Owned by Portugese, you're guaranteed authentic pastries from almond biscuits to coconut cakes. But if there's only one thing you have to taste, it's got to be the egg tarts. The contrast between the perfectly flaky crust and the moist egg filling is divine. I've had a couple versions from Macau and Manila but this one right here tops the list.  Writing about it is practically making me salivate.

I only had one. That was such a huge mistake.

Xx

Lower photo from timeout.com 

LDN: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Deanne writes...

It's really funny how I fawn over journalists. When I found out that Charlotte Sinclair was coming to speak at our college, my heart skipped a beat. Or two. My affinity towards her began when I looked to her works for inspiration. Sometimes, I get stuck in a rut. Writing is such an excruciating process, especially at the beginning when you're trying to find the words for the most perfect first sentence that will grab your reader. Reading Charlotte's pieces often leads me to my aha! moments because they're so conversational, witty, and fluid... just the way I hope my own pieces turn out. 

I prepared well for her talk: sat on the front row, took out my pen and notebook. It was when she was telling us her story, her writer struggles, and her process that I realized how much we have in common in terms of writing.

"I love to research and interview!" Umm, me, too!

"Every journalist approaches an article with pain." Exactly how I feel when I see a blank Word document in front of me. 

"But once you have the first paragraph, you can relax!" Is she stalking me or something? Whenever I have the first paragraph down, I celebrate. I get some chocolate. 

Throughout that hour with her, I was smiling inside. I was so glad that there was someone who could verbalize the daily struggles and triumphs of a writer. It reminded me of the quote by Michael Kenin: I don't like to write but I love to have written. SO SPOT ON. 

I couldn't contain myself so when it was over, I went up to her and had a little chat. And then I asked if I could have my photo taken with her. She replied: "Of course! In our matching coats!" Hahahaha... hopefully we have matching destinies, too. 

Xx

LDN: Treasure Trove

Deanne writes...

Sometimes, my aimless internet browsing allows me to stumble upon good finds. I forgot which website let me to it (whoever you are, bless you!) but when I heard that Assouline recently opened a permanent space in Claridge's Hotel at Mayfair, I immediately wrote it down on my "London To-Do" list.

The afternoon I did choose to tick it off was a particularly bleak one, unfortunately. It was cold and wet (Hello London weather!)... I lost my way for a bit... and I was wearing a pair of flats I didn't want to ruin. But the bookworm in me desperately wanted to get there no matter what the circumstances! After an upheaval in direction (thank God for Google Maps), I found it.

It was a literary treasure trove! So many glorious design books! I was like a little girl in a candy store. The Mondrian-style bookshelf was filled to the brim with totems on art, interiors, fashion, cocktail recipes, travels. I was spoilt with choices, I didn't know where to begin. 

Just kidding, I knew where to begin: the fashion books which were right smack in the middle of it all.

On the other side of the room were the limited edition books, the Rolls-Royce if you may, of the Assouline collection. I was attracted to the Windows at Bergdorf Goodman one, which I have been eyeing for some time now. When I asked the lovely assistant the price, I was taken aback (around 460 pounds). She probably noticed the expression on my face as she began to justify the steep tag... "All the pages are handmade and it's hand-bound... Just look at the quality of the photos, the cover... So much attention to detail!" And as I leafed through the pages, with the images jumping right out of them, I understood completely.

While the quality is meticulous, the content is tastefully curated. Ballets Russes, jewelry, cars, and even Barbie! Leona, the assistant, told me that this is where art book collectors come... Last week, a lady came and bought a vintage book on the Tiffany & Co. window displays at Fifth Avenue. That would have been nice to have.

Actually, everything would be nice to have. Someday, someday.

If you make a purchase, you get a canvas bag as well! I spent a good hour in there. And while it was rainy outside, it was beautiful in.

Xx

LDN: Fashion Photography

Deanne writes...

One of the things I love about London is that there are just so many exhibitions you can go to FOR FREE! For a crazy pricey city, it's so nice that art comes free.

I went to the Norman Parkinson exhibition the other day and even though it just took up a small space, I enjoyed it because the photos were beautiful. He's known as the father of fashion photography as he has photographed for many magazines including Vogue. Before he came along, the models were usually just sitting down looking oh so prim and proper. But he injected life into them!

Here are some of my favorite photos.

If you have a nice dress on, a good photographer is quite handy to have!

Xx