Let’s try again shall we

let’s try again shall we

Getting into writing regularly has definitely proven trickier than I had thought. But, I’m determined to keep going, if only because my mum would be on my case if I didn’t.

On the last Monday of August, I got to see Haim perform at Victoria Park and it felt like the perfect ending to hear them belt ‘Summer Girl’ into one of the few dry days we’d had in a while. It reminded me why I love late summer so much - a mix of continued excitement, growing nostalgia and, ultimately, welcomed goodbyes. Fortunately, the lyrics of the song give that all away with a feel good chorus that somehow matches the gloomy fate of summer’s eventual end and made its farewell a little bit easier. Fast forward three weeks and the temperature in London seems to be moving back into solid single digits and I’m not mad about it. I’m equally as much a fan of the winter as I am of the summer time (perhaps more so) and keen to convert anyone that feels otherwise. Maybe I’ll take up piano lessons like I’d been thinking of all summer, September simply inspires that feeling.

I’ve been getting back into my literary roots and strolling to the nearest park to read outdoors (weather permitting). Of course, I would remember how much I love walking in London at the end of the summer. Earlier in August, I was given ‘A Song of Stone’ by Iain Banks and, while I don’t think it’s one I’d recommend to everyone, Banks is up there on my list of great authors. His first book, ‘The Wasp Factor’, is like nothing you’ll probably ever pick up. Completely unexpected, entirely troubling and kind of a must read.

I’ve also been inspired by well-curated spaces recently. Grocery Post on West End Lane, Jogging in Marseille, my own home. I owe that feeling in part to my sign - a taurus - which I blame for my voracious appetite for things. As much as I love clothes and shoes and things of that nature, I’m also a great believer in the value of stuff as it implies the essence of personhood. NB: See how I made that sound way less materialistic than it seems? It’s not so much the possessing of said “thing” than it is how well I feel a manmade thing can cyclically come back round to encapsulate the little ways we show each other, “hey, that’s a bit of me.” It may not be the perfect way or even close to the best but it sighs an imperfect breath of life into a room.

Ironically, I don’t have much to share this week on the subject of clothes or things to buy in general. Trust, I’m building a myriad of wishlists for you all to come soon!

the latest.

ON EATING OUT

August was a restaurant heavy month. In an attempt to be a little more healthy and a lot more financially responsible I’m dedicating September to scaling back on eating out (it’s a work in progress). In the meantime, I’m still obsessing over Bubala - both Soho and Shoreditch - and have added Leo’s on Chatsworth Road and Carboni’s in Paris to my ever growing list of restaurants to visit. For my more carnivorously inclined readers, go to Berenjak or Masgouf (don’t ask how I know) for the the perfect Middle Eastern.

I’d planned on sharing my thoughts on Oranj, off Brick Lane, with you all but two insanely disappointing visits left me longing for a nice bottle of orange - maybe from E5 Bakehouse or Bottle Apostle - and going to a friend’s instead.

Dear friend, Love… is an affectionate dive into my thoughts. A monthly newsletter chronicling any and everything from fashion and design to culture, travel and more, I present the fragments of my universe, with love.

love Didi