We were in London recently for Bruce Springsteen which was great. Stayed near the watch house in Marylebone and thought it was lovely thanks for the tip. Their pour over coffees were quite interesting if complicated
I managed to get last minute tickets to the Pet Shop Boys on Friday for just £4 more than face value. I thought it was great. The video footage to Go West was incredibly moving. Also, there was a woman in the audience covered in lights - the effect was like a disco Carmen Miranda. Joyful.
Joyful as ever. Thank you. And joy-inducing. And such fab links to items and places to covet and visit.
I’m trying to find a word for what you do, it eludes me as yet. Sourcer? Or Sourcerer?! It’s a gift as well as the actual way with words business, and a skill in itself, as I’ve embarrassingly frequently noted. I’m not sorry.
I’m in Tuscany, with Vin Santo and Cantuccini, with sweat and smile, pausing responsibility of any kind for a few magical days. After which I will Get a different job, Make that orecchiette recipe again, Oh and get the new Meera Sodha book to pore over, and…and the rest.
Thank you so much. I wish you happy days too and what heaven to be in Tuscany with cantuccini. And to get a new job! You're on the up, it sounds like to me. Forza Julia!
Thank you so very much. You’re sensing the new era, indeed. I obviously have said enough for you to glean this, which is odd and comforting simultaneously!
Oh lovely stuff here. But please, India, do a post on how not to have panda eyes. I’m horrified when I look in the mirror and see I’ve been out and about with ghastly smeary eye make up. Best eyeliner, mascara, shadow to avoid smudges which aren’t at all like smokey eyes?
You need to prime your eyelids and then whatever you're currently using will stay put. You can't do this with foundation or concealer - will just slowly slide off. You want a dedicated product whose only job is to be grippy. Urban Decay's one has existed for a very long time and is fantastic. Other end of price scale, Hourglass. Most liners now set in place (not kohls), so that's fine. Waterproof mascara if you feel it would help - but try the primer first.
I love everything about this post. The tips and recommendations are spot on as usual (I'm very excited about the imminent arrival of your Beauty Edit book), and it makes me feel happily nostalgic for my previous life when I worked in London. I commuted from Manchester—that bit wasn’t great—but I loved the buzz and regularly stayed at Durrants, which to me felt homely and a bit like staying with friends. I only wish I'd been quick enough to get tickets for The Pet Shop Boys. I'll have to dig out my LPs and revisit my 80s big hair look instead. By the way, if you haven't already heard it, Es Devlin's Desert Island Discs is worth a listen. Thanks again for the perfect post.
That's so kind - thank you very very much. That is quite a hefty commute! Yes, Durrants like staying with your favourite aunt who sometimes doesn't get all the hoovering done but never mind because she's so nice. Didn't know about ED's Desert Island Discs, so thank you for that also.
Bliss. Love those egg cups! And that gorgeous dark blue velvet sofa in the hotel…. Beautiful. I’d never thought of hair extensions for thinning hair - what a good idea! Sounds like the best mini break. I am doing something similar in a week or so, but off the beaten track in Devon for a short stopover with my daughter, after dropping my son at a camp. ⛺️ 🥰
Hope so. I’m off to the Duchess of Devonshire’s former country pad. 😉 Sounds grand. I’m just a visiting minion, obviously. Actually going for the grounds/arboretum there, although I’m sure the house is lovely too. Even if iff to rains I’m sure it’ll look wonderful. 🙂
Just utterly gorgeous. I am feeling so inspired now. Honestly just reading your posts make me feel a sense of glamour. I love your make up suggestions more than anything. I know I’ve said it before but honestly i think almost all the make up that I love over the years has been as a result of a suggestion by you! By the way the description of that scent sounds wonderful - and I’m always looking for good coffee, so that’s a lovely recommendation too. Thank you as always!
Oh India! I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your posts (even all the delicious links, which are usually impossible or punitively expensive for Canadians like me) — a little bit of glamorous chat but loads more articulate, lol. I love a treat day. That hotel looks just perfect too. We were in London and Oxford and Burford last August for two weeks, having a bit of “culture” and then dropping our oldest for a summer course at Oxford and if the gods are kind, he might do an M.A. there in September 2025 and I will be combing your archives for all these tidbits! Also Ministry of Time has been my favourite summer read (21st c. satire! A delicate skewering of Empire! A sexy love story!) — thank you, and I spread its gospel all the time and reassure folks, as you did, that the timey-wimey stuff is not an obstacle. Anyway. Big love from a summery breezy night in Toronto where for once it’s not an inferno and I’m roasting a chicken to eat cold later tonight! Xoxo
What a lovely message, thank you so much. I'll make sure I do something about Oxford before September 25! I'm so pleased you loved M of Time - me too, for exactly the reasons you mention. Still a bit in love with Gore. One of my kids was just in Toronto and sang its praises at length.
I know, wonderful. Though I was wondering what my dogs would make of London - think older two (including the one we had in London) might find it a bit much.
We were in London recently for Bruce Springsteen which was great. Stayed near the watch house in Marylebone and thought it was lovely thanks for the tip. Their pour over coffees were quite interesting if complicated
I managed to get last minute tickets to the Pet Shop Boys on Friday for just £4 more than face value. I thought it was great. The video footage to Go West was incredibly moving. Also, there was a woman in the audience covered in lights - the effect was like a disco Carmen Miranda. Joyful.
How absolutely lovely. I do love your enthusiasm. Looking forward very much to the courgette recipes 😀
Try. Cake@lrbshop.com
Joyful as ever. Thank you. And joy-inducing. And such fab links to items and places to covet and visit.
I’m trying to find a word for what you do, it eludes me as yet. Sourcer? Or Sourcerer?! It’s a gift as well as the actual way with words business, and a skill in itself, as I’ve embarrassingly frequently noted. I’m not sorry.
I’m in Tuscany, with Vin Santo and Cantuccini, with sweat and smile, pausing responsibility of any kind for a few magical days. After which I will Get a different job, Make that orecchiette recipe again, Oh and get the new Meera Sodha book to pore over, and…and the rest.
Happy Weekend, India. I wish you Happy Days.
Thank you so much. I wish you happy days too and what heaven to be in Tuscany with cantuccini. And to get a new job! You're on the up, it sounds like to me. Forza Julia!
Thank you so very much. You’re sensing the new era, indeed. I obviously have said enough for you to glean this, which is odd and comforting simultaneously!
Oh lovely stuff here. But please, India, do a post on how not to have panda eyes. I’m horrified when I look in the mirror and see I’ve been out and about with ghastly smeary eye make up. Best eyeliner, mascara, shadow to avoid smudges which aren’t at all like smokey eyes?
You need to prime your eyelids and then whatever you're currently using will stay put. You can't do this with foundation or concealer - will just slowly slide off. You want a dedicated product whose only job is to be grippy. Urban Decay's one has existed for a very long time and is fantastic. Other end of price scale, Hourglass. Most liners now set in place (not kohls), so that's fine. Waterproof mascara if you feel it would help - but try the primer first.
Thinly.
Will do.
I love everything about this post. The tips and recommendations are spot on as usual (I'm very excited about the imminent arrival of your Beauty Edit book), and it makes me feel happily nostalgic for my previous life when I worked in London. I commuted from Manchester—that bit wasn’t great—but I loved the buzz and regularly stayed at Durrants, which to me felt homely and a bit like staying with friends. I only wish I'd been quick enough to get tickets for The Pet Shop Boys. I'll have to dig out my LPs and revisit my 80s big hair look instead. By the way, if you haven't already heard it, Es Devlin's Desert Island Discs is worth a listen. Thanks again for the perfect post.
That's so kind - thank you very very much. That is quite a hefty commute! Yes, Durrants like staying with your favourite aunt who sometimes doesn't get all the hoovering done but never mind because she's so nice. Didn't know about ED's Desert Island Discs, so thank you for that also.
Apologies! Es is on This Cultural Life (which I love) not DID! That’s age talking …And you’ve described Durrants perfectly. 😊
Ah ok - even better. SUCH a good programme.
I agree. Much better.
Bliss. Love those egg cups! And that gorgeous dark blue velvet sofa in the hotel…. Beautiful. I’d never thought of hair extensions for thinning hair - what a good idea! Sounds like the best mini break. I am doing something similar in a week or so, but off the beaten track in Devon for a short stopover with my daughter, after dropping my son at a camp. ⛺️ 🥰
Oh they are AMAZING for thinning hair. Devon - how wonderful, plus it should be HOT by then.
Hope so. I’m off to the Duchess of Devonshire’s former country pad. 😉 Sounds grand. I’m just a visiting minion, obviously. Actually going for the grounds/arboretum there, although I’m sure the house is lovely too. Even if iff to rains I’m sure it’ll look wonderful. 🙂
Just utterly gorgeous. I am feeling so inspired now. Honestly just reading your posts make me feel a sense of glamour. I love your make up suggestions more than anything. I know I’ve said it before but honestly i think almost all the make up that I love over the years has been as a result of a suggestion by you! By the way the description of that scent sounds wonderful - and I’m always looking for good coffee, so that’s a lovely recommendation too. Thank you as always!
You are so welcome! And thank YOU for such kind words.
Oh India! I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your posts (even all the delicious links, which are usually impossible or punitively expensive for Canadians like me) — a little bit of glamorous chat but loads more articulate, lol. I love a treat day. That hotel looks just perfect too. We were in London and Oxford and Burford last August for two weeks, having a bit of “culture” and then dropping our oldest for a summer course at Oxford and if the gods are kind, he might do an M.A. there in September 2025 and I will be combing your archives for all these tidbits! Also Ministry of Time has been my favourite summer read (21st c. satire! A delicate skewering of Empire! A sexy love story!) — thank you, and I spread its gospel all the time and reassure folks, as you did, that the timey-wimey stuff is not an obstacle. Anyway. Big love from a summery breezy night in Toronto where for once it’s not an inferno and I’m roasting a chicken to eat cold later tonight! Xoxo
What a lovely message, thank you so much. I'll make sure I do something about Oxford before September 25! I'm so pleased you loved M of Time - me too, for exactly the reasons you mention. Still a bit in love with Gore. One of my kids was just in Toronto and sang its praises at length.
Loved this post! X
Thank you!
Our dog bounds up enthusiastically to greet “ old people “ but eventually realised they remind her of us .
I do love a useful make up tip : make up just seems to be one of those things that gets better and better .
Hahaha, yes, exactly re. dogs. Makeup is like handbags - you're never too old for whatever one you fancy.
Wtf, why do I find that cork trivet so appetising?!!
Excellent. I knew I'd find my trivet people in the comments.
What a lovely description of a fab few days- living vicariously is FUN!🎉Your mention of scent made me wonder….what chance of a perfume post?
Perfume is so subjective, plus incredibly hard to write about, and I'm not good at it. But I hope you're following Luca Turin, who is a genius at it.
Fab post as always. I’m off to Geilly G next week to be snipped back into shape - heaven.
I followed my stylist there without knowing anything about it but it's such a great salon.
Love the hotel recommendations. Particularly NoMad - they take dogs!
I know, wonderful. Though I was wondering what my dogs would make of London - think older two (including the one we had in London) might find it a bit much.
Agree with you. I have taken my schnauzer to Greenwich Park (that is not a euphemism) but am too nervous to take her on the tube.