Sparkles and Shoes

A Fashion, Travel, and Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • Fashion
    • My Style
      • Spring Style
      • Summer Style
      • Fall Style
      • Winter Style
    • Really Love My …
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Style Icons
    • Trending
  • Travel
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
      • Southern Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Indonesia
      • Qatar
      • Russia
      • Singapore
      • Turkey
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Monaco
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Scotland
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Turkey
      • Vatican City
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Caribbean
      • Central America
      • US: East Coast
      • US: West Coast
    • South America
  • Lily Harper
  • Favorites
    • Beauty
    • Delicious Eats
    • London
    • My Wedding
    • Sparkle Sessions

London Life Lately

02/27/20 | art, Delicious Eats, life lately, London, London Eats, London Museum, MICHELIN Guide, Museum, 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?

Signature

Subscribe

« The Muhammad Ali Mosque in Cairo
Navy Stripes at the Museum »

Related Posts

  • London Eye and London Aquarium from the Westminster Bridge.A London Walking Tour From The Locals
  • Funfetti Cake Batter Popcorn 01Funfetti Cake Batter Popcorn
  • Sparkles and Shoes - Easy Funfetti Cake Batter Dip RecipeEasy Funfetti Dip
  • Black and White Borough Market Outfit at RoastFeeling Festive at Borough Market

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 founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Newsletter

WHERE I SHOP

Amazon

Anthropologie

J. Crew

Minted 

Sephora

Target

Walmart

Zappos

Archives

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Fine Print

Sparkles and Shoes is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own.

© Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes, 2012-2022 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Get the latest

Receive Sparkles and Shoes right to your inbox!

Connect with me

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 · Designed by High Note Designs, LLC

Copyright © 2025 · Tasteful Theme on Genesis Framework