I've moved on...
...to a different domain. Why, what were you thinking? The truth is, I just woke up one day and decided it's time for a change—a metamorphosis, if you will; or, in layman's terms, if Britney can shave her head, then maybe so can I? Nevertheless, it's been a rather handsome 10 years of talking to you, and thank you for putting up with all my moodswings and terrible dad jokes. Fear not! The hormonal imbalance and jokes are more terrible on CUBICLE, see you there.

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_02

Dishoom London: an homage to the now-fading Irani cafés in Bombay

Lamb Samosas

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_04

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_01

Dishoom Chicken Tikka and Garlic Naans

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_05

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_07

Vada Pau

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_08

Mango Kulfi on a stick and Pineapple and black pepper crumble

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_09

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_10

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_14

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_13

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_15

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_16

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_18

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_19

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_20

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_23 (1)

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_21

ParknCube_DishoomLondon_27

Trenchcoat – H&M Trend. Bag – Kurt Geiger ‘Deuce’. Grey jeans – Urban Outfitters. Shoes – Topshop. Plaid Shirt – Uniqlo Mens. Grey cardigan – Barbour. Watch – Sekonda.

We fit right in, Joanna and I, at Dishoom, inspired by Irani cafes that existed in abundance in Bombay at the turn of the 20th Century, those which welcomed practically everyone regardless of social class or occupation. So we fit right in, because alongside memories of wealthy Bombay businessmen dining next to the struggling rickshaw-puller and the whore, there was us, two girls that knew no more than the ABC’s of Indian cuisine, asking the waiter what samosas look like. To those seasoned Londoners who add to the national statistic of curry being one of Britain’s most popular foods, our choices may seem unusual, but apparently Dishoom prides in being, not an Indian restaurant but, a Bombay Cafe. Everything is designed to share and each person is recommended to order 2 – 3 dishes. The food come in concise portions, each rich in flavour and character, or in other words, DI-SHOOM.* Interiors designed by Russel Sage (who’s also done Zetter Townhouse, The Hospital club…), I’m transported straight into an exotic world that is also oddly nostalgic despite the fact that I’m the dunce that doesn’t know what samosas look like. Don’t let the hype/commercial reputation (their other branch is in Covent Garden theatre district) deter you, especially the Shoreditch branch with the beautiful courtyard already littered with sofas and benches, I’ll be out there with a Bollybellini come July. For now, try the bottomless spiced chai, Behl and the Pineapple and black pepper crumble as dessert.

*Bollywood version of Ka-Pow!

ParknCube_LondonSpring_01

ParknCube_LondonSpring_02

ParknCube_LondonSpring_03

ParknCube_LondonSpring_04

ParknCube_LondonSpring_05

ParknCube_LondonSpring_06

ParknCube_LondonSpring_07

ParknCube_LondonSpring_09

ParknCube_LondonSpring_10

ParknCube_LondonSpring_12

ParknCube_LondonSpring_13

ParknCube_LondonSpring_15

ParknCube_LondonSpring_16

ParknCube_LondonSpring_19

ParknCube_LondonSpring_20

ParknCube_LondonSpring_21

ParknCube_LondonSpring_22

ParknCube_LondonSpring_23

ParknCube_LondonSpring_27

ParknCube_LondonSpring_25

Shirt – Iris & Ink (the Outnet). Skirt – YesStyle. Shoes – Vintage Ferragamo. Bag – Kurt Geiger. Belt – Vintage LV. Thank you Kit for helping with the outfit shots!

The first few days of Spring, when you can make any sarcastic, over-exaggerated remark and funnily to some extent it will be correct, and for once you get to be a legitimate smartass. (Woo!) This is literally the most sun we’ve had the whole damn year, it’s so beautiful, I am like literally dying – normally this would be classic case of ‘I don’t think she knows what literally means but just nod and smile’but in April, it’s all technically true! The sun is stronger by day and hanging around much longer; the trees are in full blossom and it’s finally starting to prove the apocalypse wrong. And in my own defense, the last bit is always true, no? Anyhoo. Following up on the previously expressed thoughts regarding my love/hate relationship with London, the sun really is a catalyst. It’s like coming home and finding brownies – it calls for a good snogging-on-the-couch session, which is what the above set of photos is, lucky you.

All photos from Angels, the Costumiers | (First photo a view of facility, not of sale)

The Angels have decided that 25,000 pieces of clothing and accessories was getting a bit too much for playing the harps on big white clouds so they’ve decided (again) to have a garage sale for us mortals. I’d first read about the Vintage sale in December 2008 when Susie showed off her grabs, and since then I’ve been curious about how, when again and WHY NOT ME. Well, this Saturday 6th of February me will definitely happen, and here’s a shoutout for you too.

The Angels Retro sale will be buy-the-bag, where a medium (quite a generous size, I hear) sized bag will cost £20 and a large £50, with an entrance fee of £5. This means you can stuff a military overcoat and a handful of 1950 blouses and walk out having lost just one pink paper with the Queen’s face (obviously depending on stuffing talent), what vintage store in London can offer that? They’re informing that the sale will feature pieces from the 1950s to the 1990s, including an extra room with high-quality military and civilian uniforms. Now imagine how a military geek like myself might’ve reacted to that last bit.

For those not familiar with Angels, they are the hands behind the pastel corsets of Marie Antoinette (2006), the threads of the silk kimonos for The Memoirs of A Geisha (2005) and so many many more. Read more on their history and details of the sale here.

So, see you near the helmets?