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London Life Lately

02/27/20 | art, Delicious Eats, life lately, London, Real Life

The past few weeks in London have been exceptionally busy and I am not just speaking about Fashion Week.  As I mentioned in my January 2020 newsletter I want to attend more events in and around my new city and I have been doing quite well on that goal recently.  Here are a few of the things I have recently been up to: 

(1) Dinner at Mayfair’s IT Restaurant         I was invited for a dinner and the tasting menu let me try so many dishes paired with first a welcome cocktail, Gin smash with lime and basil, and then a crisp and refreshing Northern Italian white wine. Our group had nearly a dozen dishes and my favourites were the Tartare di zucchine, mandorle e basi (Courgette tartare, almond, basil), the  Carrè d’agnello con melanzane (the Rack of lamb with aubergine) and the  olive oil ice cream is not to be missed! It was a lovely evening at Mayfair hotspot It London and it was clear why the chef has a Michelin Star – I highly recommend a visit and you can check out their website to make a reservation! 

IT Restaurant in MayfairMenu at IT Restaurant in MayfairPasta at IT Restaurant in MayfairKelly at IT Restaurant in MayfairIce Cream at IT Restaurant in Mayfair

(2) Lauren Baker Art Evening        A few weeks ago I took the train after work to East London for an event at Lauren Baker’s gallery. The evening was put on by Fiena Member’s Club, a group I have recently joined here in London, and it was great to meet so many other accomplished ladies while sipping on cocktails and touring Lauren’s studio. The artist herself actually toured us around explaining some of her pieces and my favourite was the one I am posing with below called, “Ultimate Frequency”.

Kelly Donlin and Lauren Baker Art Lauren Baker Art Neon Sign Lauren Baker Art Selfie Lauren Baker with her Art in Her StudioLondon Blogger Kelly with a piece from Lauren Baker  (3) Brunch at Aubaine      Aubaine is a restaurant that has been on my London to-do list since I moved to England nearly two years ago and I am not sure why I did not dine there earlier. Better late than never though! Mark and I had an absolutely scrumptious brunch at the French hot spot and I did not mean to be difficult but I am glad we switched our reservation to the location in Selfridges – the flowers are amazing.  I started with burrata – one of my favourite dishes – and then salmon sashimi salad with avocado, soybeans, and matcha rice crackers topped with a ponzu dressing, scrumptious! 

Aubaine Selfridges Setup

 
(4) A Night at the Museum         A day full of chocolate, roses, and romance is not quite up my boyfriend’s ally but I still wanted to do something fun on February 14th and suggested we spend it at the museum.  The Natural History Museum (which was on my bucket list) put on an event where a ticket gained you after hours admission to the museum, a beverage, guided tours, special exhibits and a complimentary ticket to the ever-popular Wildlife Photographer of the Year. We had a great time even though I could not convince my boyfriend to take part in the salsa classes or the photo booth but maybe next time!  If you want to read more about the event you can find details here. 

 

Night at Natural History MuseumValentine's Night at Natural History MuseumWildlife Photography at Natural History MuseumNight at Natural History Museum - Photo ExhibitNight at Natural History Museum - Dino ExhibitLondon Blogger at Night at Natural History Museum

(5) Getting Nutty        To kick off Valentine’s Day I went to a storefront just off the Shoreditch high street which beloved nut butter company Pip & Nut had turned into their  ‘Love Lab’.   I was there the night before it opened to the public and had the chance to send a loved one a Valentine, pose with a giant tub of peanut butter, and even make my own customized Sparkles and Shoes crunchy Pip & Nut peanut butter!

 

Pip and Nut Love Lab - ShoreditchPip and Nut Love Lab - ChampagnePip and Nut Love Lab - JarsPip and Nut Love Lab - Mirror SelfiePip and Nut Love Lab - SquirrelPip and Nut Love Lab - Sparkles and Shoes

 

What do you think of this recap of London Life Lately?  

 
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Comments

  1. Lori says

    February 29, 2020 at 12:16 pm

    I love all kinds of nut butter – especially almond! I will have to check out Pip & Nut, I have never heard of it before!

  2. Emma says

    February 28, 2020 at 9:05 pm

    Wow, that olive oil ice cream looks insane! I will have to make a reservation at IT Restaurant soon – looks perfect for a birthday celebration with a small group!

  3. Tammy says

    February 28, 2020 at 7:32 pm

    Wow. This looks like a lot of fun. At least you are enjoying your London experience. You met your boyfriend there so you two can experience the best of London together. I especially love your 1st outfit.

  4. Casey says

    February 28, 2020 at 6:14 pm

    Some of those dishes look so tasty that I want to be right there with you. So yummy.

    What was your favorite?

    Too funny the Sparkles and Shoes peanut butter, how clever and a nice and different gift. I hope they do well.

  5. Liza says

    February 28, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    I am tired just reading it…wow you have been super busy and this all looks like so much fun!

    Love the purple boots too. Would have gone with the purple flowers or purple lights and some of your events.

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

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