Birdy - The Voice of an Angel

In case you missed her at the Tabernacle last week, here's a glimpse of what this fair-skinned, honey-voiced, 15 year old musical prodigy sounds like. Her name is Birdy and you have no choice but to fall in love with her and her heavenly voice. You will be amazed how such a little body and shy girl can utter such bold sounds. Check out her mini YouTube interview here:

Born and raised in Southampton by musically-gifted parents, Birdy started playing the piano and singing at age 7. She made her music debut on YouTube and the rest is history. Check out the rest of Birdy's videos here. Her rendition of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love" and the xx's "Shelter" will send shiver down your spine.

You can also download her amazing debut album here.

Like Heaven on Earth

Last Friday, I decided to head down to Richmond for some zesty adventures, where I feasted on the most divine food and did so without an ounce of remorse. Heavens, Good Friday never tasted this good. Believe me, there's something so exciting about indulging oneself in pure gluttony on a day many use for penance and abstinence. I did none of those two things as you can probably tell, but instead tasted the forbidden fruit of Petersham Nurseries, and enjoyed every bite of it, as if it were my last supper.  

The concept is simple. Centered around the English gardening tradition, this cosy and welcoming family-owned haven offers simple, fresh and homegrown cooking, shabby chic fashion for the home, and a great variety of plants and flowers, all in a magical and whimsical setting, at the base of Richmond Hill, just a few miles outside of London. 

And what amazing food. There was fresh home made bread and olive oil, unctuous risotto, fresh John Dory and guinea fowl; creme fraiche ice cream and homemade crumby/chewy fig biscuits; and the most interesting and creative juice recipes I'd ever seen or tasted. 

Petersham Nurseries is kind of like a concept store, but instead of clothing, home decor and cafes, it's a restaurant, teahouse and gardening store, with a section for home decor. It truly is a stunning little slice of paradise. Like heaven on earth.

If you're lucky enough to get a table at the restaurant, you won't regret it; the whole experience is worth the trip. I recommend booking a month in advance if you have a particular date in mind. As the weather gets warmer, availability will be harder and harder to come by!

Take the district line to Richmond station, and it's stone throw away:

Petersham Nurseries

Church Lane

Off Petersham Road

Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7AG 

Marni for H&M - Coming to an H&M Near You

Pinch me. I can't believe it's finally happening, zesties. Are you as ecstatic as I am for the biggest fashion-for-all event of the year?! The Marni for H&M collection is only one week away from hitting the H&M store near you on March 8th. Prepare yourselves for a battle of the high-street-meets-designer fashion victims.

The collection perfectly embodies the modern woman. It is at once playful and serious; dramatic and calming; breezy and warm. I love it. I love it all. And even Sofia Coppola agrees.

See here the short film she produced capturing the ultimate cool factor of the Marni for H&M collection.

Marni for H&M hits select H&M stores Thursday, 8th March

Stores open @9am
There will be massive queuing so make sure you get there early!

Zesty Birthday Dinner

Today is my birthday and my boyfriend is taking me here.
If you're familiar with Ottolenghi, you'll know that Nopi is the latest yummy addition to Yotam's divine London culinary repertoire. 

Roasted aubergine, spiced yoghurt, dukkah, coriander

Seared scallops, pig’s ears, black bean and ginger sauce

Pork belly, caramelised Nashi pear, grape mustard jus

Caramel and roasted peanut ice cream, chocolate sauce

I can continue.

Jealous much?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!


Nopi Restaurant
21-22 Warwick Street
London W1B 5NE

The Ultimate Healthy Snack Extraordinaire

Don't you find that you crave more sugar in the winter than you would during other seasons? I don't know about you but all I want to do is wolf down pounds and pounds of sweets and chocolates to keep me warm during the work week. And lately I've been fighting the urge to bite into that 4pm birthday cake at the office while all I want to do is stuff my face silly with carbs. Weird? I don't know. I think we all need the sugary fuel to get us through the day in the cold, dreary London winter days.

It's hand picked, all natural, little drops of fruity sunshiny goodness called Urban Fruit that have kept me going these past few weeks. It's a simple concept, really. This London-based simple food company hand picks fresh fruit from lush flowery trees when they're at their ripest, peel them, cut them into strips, bake them gently and voila! With no added sugars and additives and with 200 calories a pack that will last you through two snacks, I have found my 4pm sugar-binge alternative! Mango, Pineapple, Cherry, Strawberry & Apple, take your pick.

Find your healthy snack sugar-binge alternative at Whole Foods Kensington

Cleanse Away 2011 - Glow in 2012

It's nearly the end of the year - and as expected you're exhausted. Your skin feels gray, drab and it looks almost yellowish. You feel an urge to cleanse away all impurities that have managed to nestle themselves into your pores over the last 12 months. You want to brighten up again and start fresh. There's a simple solution for that - the facial cleanser. Now I know that most of you are attached to your regular go-to's when it comes to cosmetics and beauty products, and that when in doubt, nothing beats an express run to the Duty Free counter at Heathrow airport before catching a flight. I get it, I do it too. But no more. With my thirties fast approaching, I've decided to stop neglecting my skin and making it a priority for 2012.

I've recently been recommended a cleanser by a dear friend of mine whose grooming tastes I blindly trust. I tried it, bought it and never went back. The amazing Shu Uemura Skin Purifier is a rich and delicate oil, which rinses and purifies your skin to leave it looking smooth and glowing. After a long day of stress and makeup, simply use a couple droplets of water to foam up the oil and massage your skin, eyelids and lashes gently with your fingertips, soaking up all the makeup and dirt accumulated during the day. No need for extra makeup remover, no need for cotton swabs. Job done.

 Check out Shu Uemura's tutorial here:

Choose the Classic for normal skins, Aloe Vera for normal or ageing skin, and the Fresh for oily or blemish-proned skin. 

Visit Space NK, Liberty or the flagship Neal Street boutique to get your Shu Uemura Cleanser, and for £28 you'll be one step closer to a balanced and glowing 2012.

The Staves - The New Wave I Crave

The Sound of The Staves is nothing short of extraordinary. No joke, it is by far one of the most blissful sounds I've heard on earth - at least in 2011. A combination of the Dixie Chicks, Enya and the Corrs, their vocals are clear, crisp and honey-like. And if you lend your ear to their enchanting harmonies, acoustic loveliness and fairy-like melodies, you'll fall in love with them as well. The three sisters, Jessica, Camilla and Emily from Watford, UK, are bringing Hippie back with their smooth songs like Mexico and Facing West, from their undiscovered 2010 EP - one of my proudest 2011 zesty discoveries.

 Check out their Myspace and book your tickets to their UK gigs here!