Cecconi's

Andrea and I had a girly afternoon yesterday with shopping and giggles around Bond Street, then a celebratory lunch in one of our favourite Mayfair hang out spots, Cecconi's,

Al fresco brunch on the canal

sent from my iPhone

Easter lunch at Cecconi's

Cecconi's in Mayfair

Little House, Mayfair

With my Mum arriving on Friday, we left Sean in good hands for the night

I wore my lucky jeans (always had a blast when wearing them, hence calling them that!) and my new over the knee stiletto boots that Bear got me for Christmas

Champagne is served in crystal glasses in the private club, Little House - love it!

A cheeky ciggie outside on the corner of Curzon Street, which is also good for people watching

We always have a right laugh when we get together, and Friday was no different!

We had booked a table for six, for Andrea, David, Kat, Tim, myself and hubby. I had my usual breaded veal which is delish!

We later moved to the lounge area by the log fire to have so post dinner drinks 

Pretty steady on our feet me thinks, as we came home after midnight:-)

Mount Street Mayfair

Today Kat, Andrea and I  had a mixture of oysters, griddles prawns and dressed crab - seafood at it's best :-)

Scott's, set on Mount Street in the heart of Mayfair, just between Louboutin and Balenciaga - it simply just can't get any better than that :-)

It offers exceptional seafood and if you haven't tried this one before, you dont' know what your missing! Be prepared for a fairly hefty price tag, but it's so worth every penny! 

Me and my girls loves to come here for not just the food but for the uber friendly doorman, the stunning Oyster bar and having your glass refilled with bubbles without you even noticing LOL

The art deco décor  is inspiring ,and you are always bound to do some celebrity spotting. (today we sat next to TV cook and kitchen goddess Nigella Lawson and her very famous husband - head of global advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi)

Its a decadent place and I can happily spend all afternoon doing this with my girlies (which I did LOL!) 

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

Alfred Dunhill

Pit stop at the garden bar at Alfred Dunhill

Champagne at Cecconi's

Sent from my iPhone

Locanda Locatelli tonight!

We went to Locanda Locatelli for Bear's birthday last year, February 2011

Manicured nails in Chanel's "Rouge Noir" for tonight ( my own - no tip/acrylics!)

Today I've been to the salon for a blowdry and a manicure, and now I'm getting dolled up as we are going for dinner with our friends David and Andrea.

Co-incidentally its both of our 1st wedding anniversaries this weekend (yes we married on the same weekend last September, and honeymooned in the same resort in the Maldives!) and we will be celebrating it at the Italian Michelin starred restaurant Locanda Locatelli.  Read about our last visit there here  

Friday with friends

Dinner and drinks at Summerhouse with David and Andrea who are now expecting their second child :-)

Mandarin & Mari Vanna

On Tuesday night we went for a night out with my brother and Diamandis.  The evening started off with drinkies at The Mandarin Oriental

Erik had told us to arrange for a baby sitter that night, and had booked a table at the brand new Russian restaurant, Mari Vanna in Knightsbridge, as it was my delayed birthday celebration.

I loved it immediately as it was so charming and authentic with all the ornaments and old photographs, and clearly it's a successful concept as they have also one restaurant in St Petersburg as well as one in New York.

 

There were mainly the stereotype wealthy Russians there, but the waiters were very welcoming indeed and showed us their wide selection of Vodkas as we arrived.  We all tried a traditional Russian dish (chicken kiev, beef stroganoff, dill dusted boiled new potatoes and courgette fritters with smoked salmon etc) to get in to the spirit and let me just say, it was our first visit but definitely not our last! 

Super sushi

Today Sean and I and met up with my very dear friend Viv, seen here in her very nice silver coloured Hunter boots :-)

We went to our favourite lunch spot Itsu in Notting Hill which is their very trendy flagship restaurant  (much different to all the other small Itsu's around London) with a very good selection of low carb dishes should you not want the rolls with rice etc..

It's so good to introduce the little one's to this very light and nutritious food, and here is some of what we ordered:

smoked salmon & seared tuna 

Crab crystal rolls

Spinach in sesame sauce

Chef's special scallops wasabi green peas

Vietnamese chili prawn

Inside Info

Earlier this morning we went for breakfast at my favourite cafe, Entre Nous on York Street, W1> They serve the most yummy and fresh salads you can get in Marylebone!

What's the most romantic spot in London? 
In the Avenue Gardens (in Regents Park)
There are water fountains and so many unusual trees and flowers and its constantly replanted throughout the year. And in the early Spring the whole area is filled with cherry blossom.

What would you do if you were Mayor for a day?
 Extend cycle lanes and build new safe ones

If I could change anything about myself I’d… have more patience. It would help me a great deal in my attempt of trying to become the best mum I can possibly be.

My partner laughs at me.. As I always prepare and put a carton of long life milk before we travel anywhere, so that I can make myself a milky cup of tea first thing on our return

What are your favourite home comforts? Our perfectly soft Hungarian goose down pillows and our bed which has an integrated flat screen TV that retracts in to the bottom of bed frame at the touch of a button in just a few seconds.


The most expensive thing I’ve ever frittered money on is... when I was a singleton and turned 30, I celebrated and splashed out on a first class ticket with Virgin Atlantic (where they actually call it "Upper Class") to Miami, which could have bought me at least three if not four designer handbags– but yes, it was worth it if you want to know! LOL

My greatest weakness is... Swedish crisps undoubtedly rose champagne

Which London shops do you rely on?
 Starbucks at the bottom of my street, Waitrose for my groceries and Selfridges for anything else.

Not a lot of people know this but I’m very good at... geography and pointing out countries and their capitals.

The best day of my life… was becoming a mum. It’s my proudest moment ever!

My “happy place” is... In Sweden on my Mums hammock chair on her wooden deck terrace

When I'm feeling down I...shop for me or for my son, or listen to music

My favourite place in Britain is: Loch Lomond in Scotland - it’s where Bear and I first travelled to together, and it’s breathtakingly beautiful and so romantic

The best thing my parents ever taught me: is being grateful, and good manners. People always used to say to me growing up that I’m very polite.

Favourite pub in London: The Grazing Goat. Perfectly located behind oxford street, AND with crawling distance home. They do great burgers and insanely good espresso martinis, perfect after spending the day shopping in town.

It's official - we are engaged to get married!

Bear and I have been together almost 5 years now and on Friday evening  the took me out for a *special night* 

The outfit for the evening

We went to Michelin starred Galvins, on the 28th floor at The Hilton Park Lane - my beef was amazing - the most succulent and tasty I have ever had

Bear chose Brill with mussels

And then... Bear presented me with this huge(!) and so so beautiful vintage looking (just what I wanted) cushion-cut diamond, surrounded by bead-set diamonds,  and 'popped the question.'!

It is the perfect ring and I am over the moon 

The setting, meal and whole evening was just right, against the backdrop of the London skyline

And of course, my favourite - rose champagne helped with our celebrations

Lovely touch from the chef and staff at the restaurant - now we are looking forward to our Big Day and becoming a married couple on the 30th of September! :-)

Breakfast at the Grazing Goat

This morning Bear and I indulged ourselves with a quality breakfast, coffee and reading the papers at the Grazing Goat, after dropping Sean off at nursery. Just as last Wednesday we have a couple of viewings lined up today locally. And with my Mum coming over yet again tomorrow , I am feeling very excited and positive :-)

Happy Wednesday, folks!
XX