17:
For some strange reason I always end coming back to Notting Hill. I have made and sold jewellery in Portobello market, worked for a lifestyle company called Unlisted London just off Kensal rise, worked at clothing exhibitions such as The Fashion Box Sample Sale, which was recently held at Westbourne Studios, the list goes on and it all streams back to Notting Hill. And now I am back again – at Notting Hill Properties. It just highlights the diversity of culture, events and businesses in this small but electric part of town. Never a dull moment even when I am walking to work I see such a mix of people that work and live in the area. From the residents that have been here for decades, this is home to them, they live, breath and create the vibe that makes Notting Hill a worthy place to live in, to the tourists that feed off the cool London vibe and bring diversity and vibrancy to this place. And then you have those that have just moved into the area that instantly become enthusiastic about their new found home. It attracts a mix of people, whether working, living or just visiting, that will fall in love with the area and let it become part of their London life. Well it has done that to me – I just can’t seem to get away. On starting my new job I was told we would be moving office and my heart dropped. It must of showed cause it was followed quickly by a “don’t worry were only going round the corner”. Phew…so I am here to stay in my beloved Notting Hill and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
01:
London: Speed; one million miles per hour. Work; at least forty five hours per week. Play; minimum. Stress; maximum. So what makes us Londoners love this city so much? Why do we put ourselves out there on a “high alert, oh my God I am about to convulse” level for the majority of the week, queuing for the train, queuing for for the bus, queuing for the super market, even if we want to go to the loo, we have to queue up at the cash point to take out a tenner, to buy some gum, to get some change, to then queue for the change machine, get two ten pence pieces and a twenty, to queue through the toilet barrier and eventually get to the blasted place!!!! Perhaps it’s that machine gun feeling we get when we are commuting home and are packed like sardines on the train whilst our face is glued on a b.o smothered arm pit and our right hand is shoved against someone’s crotch. London is wonderful! I hear you cry, London is great! It is, I agree! But why? Why do we remain committed to a city that draws from us such vast senses of hatred and stress, who’s pavements ruin our stilettos, who’s rain frizzes our hair? The answer my dear readers is given to you forthwith; Londres, Londino, Londinion is also a magnificent city that refuses to conform, Dickensian in one blink and minimalist in another. Transvestites and lady boys socialising with Sloaneys and toffs. That is why we love London. Anything goes. You don’t need to worry about what you are wearing or how you speak, where you go or what you do as all and sundry thoroughly accept, love and admire anything that is quirky and embrace imperfection as a sign of idiosyncratic excellence. London is like a Benetton advert, all creeds and colours side by side in a unified waltz to the cinema or a jaunt to the theatre. On one end of the road is “Maroush” for a shwarma and a kofta, on the other is “Mango Tree” for phad thai and tom yum soup. A cauldron of infinite choice, by the river or by the green, old school uniforms or East London grunge. That is why we love this city and why every arm pit sniffing, crotch touching, stuffy tube delay is worth hating, so that you can feel and experience the love of a city like no other.
28:
Quick Dinner for those Notting Hill Busy Mummies Amongst You:
Tarragon and Tomato Stuffed Salmon
Ingredients
2 salad onions, finely chopped
½ x 20g pack tarragon
2 x 500g packs prime salmon fillets, skinned
3 tbsp sun-dried tomato paste
150g Frescopronti Italian Sun Drenched Tomatoes (from the chiller) or Waitrose Cook’s Ingredients Sunkissed Tomatoes, drained, plus 2 tbsp of the oil
100g Waitrose Half-Fat Mayonnaise
75g Greek Yogurt
25g pack curly parsely, chopped
Method
- Prepare and light the barbecue. Pull the tarragon leaves from the stalks and roughly chop the leaves. Lay one salmon fillet, skinned side up, on the surface and spread with the tomato paste. Scatter with the tomatoes and tarragon. Season and position the second fillet on top, skinned side down, with the thick edge of one fillet against the thin edge of the other, to create an even thickness. Tie the salmon at 3cm intervals with kitchen string to hold the pieces together. Chill until required.
- Meanwhile, beat the mayonnaise with the yogurt, parsley, salad onions and some seasoning, then spoon into a small serving dish. Chill until required.
- Brush the top of the salmon with a little oil and position, oiled side down, on the barbecue over a gentle heat. Cook for 10-15 minutes until the lower fillet has turned opaque. Brush the top fillet with the remaining oil and carefully turn the salmon to cook the bottom fillet. (To check the salmon is cooked through, pierce a thick area of the upper fillet with a knife.) Transfer to a board and cut across into thick slices, removing the string. Serve with the flavoured mayonnaise.
Recipe Courtesy of www.waitrose.com
17:
As I was walking to the office this morning the chilly air hit my face and gave me the first icy bite on my lips… autumn I thought…..golden skies, warm rustic tones and wintry woollen garments touching the skin for the first time in months. What an ideal period to start thinking about the forthcoming weeks and, if you are single, finding someone to warm your heart and share a romantic stroll thorough the leaf strewn parks of London. It is by no coincidence that the romantic comedy “Notting Hill” was set in this area. Walking to work, I noticed the picturesque buildings with each individual home and shop exuding a little personality of its own. From mansionesque, white dolls houses to higgledy piggledy cottages, it is reminiscent of wandering through a fairy tale land, lined with trees and numerous little coffee shops to hide in and steal a kiss.
Holland Park, which is just around the corner, is ideal for hiding. The ivied arch way can act as a lover’s tunnel through which one can walk and walk whilst exchanging longing glances in to the others eyes. What is he thinking? What is SHE thinking? Well, you can hide away in one of the many little coffee shops and after a mug of warm hot chocolate find out all there is to know about Mr or Mrs Right. ..And if you haven’t found them yet, believe me there are MANY choices here in Notting Hill. Yes, that is another thing I noticed whilst waltzing on my honey hazed, conquer coloured love walk to work this morning. There are lots of lovely chaps and lasses here.
So, I said to myself, with wonderful architecture, pretty coffee shops, lovely faces and romantic nests I shall definitely be moving here soon and hopefully finding a heart warming, autumn red set of lips to kiss.
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