Valetine's Day Gift Guide - For Her

Valentine's is near....the day of celebrating LOVE. Some couples take it easy with chocolate, flowers or a romantic dinner night. I actually prefer it the easy way, because I think you should show everyday how much someone means to you, but for those who want to make their darling's day I have some lovely gift ideas

1. Silver Heart Ring Pandora ₤45

2. Rose Gold Ring by Roberto Marroni ₤705

3. Miu Miu Round Glitter Sunglasses ₤185

4. Miu Miu Crystal Earrings ₤115

4. Pink Yves Saint Laurent Leather Clutch ₤580

5. Love Disc Rose Gold Bracelet by Astley Clarke ₤375

6. Sexy Black Bra ₤35 &  Slip ₤21

7. Prestat Chocolate Fine Chocolate Heart Box ₤9

8.The Allure Of Beauty Book ₤32

9.Rose Duet Candle Limited Edition ₤42

If you have time, why not organise a weekend city trip or a wellness weekend?

Happy Valentine!

Italy meets Sweden...

Swedish Sticky Chocolate Cake

...what I really love about living in London is that I get to know so many different people from so many different countries. Their habits, their point of views and of course their traditional dishes. Last weekend we had an Italian and Swedish dinner with Bruschetta, Risotto and Sticky Cake. 

Mushroom Bruschetta

202 London

Sunday brunch...who ever invented breakfast + lunch = brunch is genius. I love it, brunch is so lazy (in a positive way) and relaxed. I could literally brunch the whole day. This Sunday we met at 202 London in Notting Hill for brunch. 

202 London is a kind of concept store where fashion meets trendy café. We had to queue for about 20 minutes but it was definitely worth it. The eggs florentine were super delicious, as well as the bagel with wild smoked salmon and cream cheese (is that breakfast or lunch?). 

The 202 Club Sandwich with roast chicken, bacon and egg was absolutely mouth-watering. For dessert we tried the buttermilk and ricotta pancakes with creme fraîche, maple syrup and fruit compote. Delicious! 

The service was really friendly and pleasant although it was busy. The ambience is lively and the people are sophisticated. Once you are done with your delicious food have a look downstairs and browse through fancy cloths, books and furniture...A really nice place to eat, shop and relax.

202 London
Westbourne Grove
London W11 2SB

Tagliatelle con tartufo bianco e funghi

Mhhhh I love truffles, but who doesn't? Pasta with olive oil and fresh tartufo on top...delizioso! Well, it is quite expensive to buy a whole truffle, especially the white ones. But luckily the flavour of truffle is so intense that truffle oil or cream (but only those of high quality) are a suitable and delicious replacement.

Recipe: Tagliatelle con tartufo bianco e funghi

Serves two people

300 g tagliatelle

100 mushrooms

80 g crema al tartafu bianco

olive oil

salt and pepper

basil

Bring a pot of water with 1 tbsp of salt to boil, meanwhile wash the mushroom and slice the mushrooms thinly.

Heat up some olive oil in a pan and add the mushrooms, fry them until they are gold-brown.

When the pasta is cooked (al dente) put them together with the delicious truffle cream in the pan and add some basil, salt and pepper. Ecco fatto!

Lanka Green Tea Chocolate Cake

Is there something better than a lazy afternoon with girl's chit-chat and Lanka green tea chocolate cake?

Lanka Bakery is a small and super cute café close to Finchley Road.

Well, we enjoyed our delicious cake at home, thanks to a special beloved one who was so nice to surprise us with this lovely cake...in front of my door steps. Thanks!

That was an absolute perfect girls afternoon and the unexpected guest (green tea cake) made it even better!


Lanka
9 Goldhurst Terrace
London NW6 3HX

AnaCapri

A place where Italians feel at home - Un posto dove gli Italiani si sentono a casa.

Yesterday we went to a really nice Italian family restaurant in Marylebone. A friend of mine discovered this lovely place a couple of days ago and was absolutely delighted with it. It is not one of those super fancy Italian places where you spend a large sum of money for a simple plate of pasta, it's an authentic, cosy and welcoming restaurant. The service is very friendly and of course...Italian. While we had a look at the menu, they brought us fresh carrot and celery sticks, olives and toasted garlic bread. The menu offers everything the Italian heart desires. A big choice of antipasti, pasta, fish, risotto and meat. Everything is super keen, especially for the big size and good quality you get.

The food was perfectly cooked, the pasta al dente and super tasty. For dessert we had profiterole and Tiramisu, which was very, very delicious and homemade. Congratulazioni a Giovanni!

Well, I can only recommend that place. We will definitely go back...it's the perfect regular haunt! I'm already looking forward to our next enjoyable evening at AnaCapri.

Tutto era delizioso e ci vediamo presto!

AnaCapri

10 Dorset Street

London W1U 6QR

Brick Lane Market

Brick Lane Market is a traditional market in East London with a big choice of vintage clothes, furniture, bric-a-brac, bargain food and edgy people. You feel like in a complete different world as soon as you are in East London (Shoreditch). The houses look different and people are dressed ways edgier and less fancy. On Brick Lane Market you find clothes, furniture and food stands on the street as well as in small indoor halls and shops. My favorite clothes and accessories shop is The Laden Showroom, they have a big choice of different independent fashion labels for every style.

If you love vintage cloths, cheap & good food and music you should definitely visit Brick Lane Market. Opening times are sundays from 8 am to 3 pm.

Calzone @ Brick Lane Market

Fashion Store / brick Lane Market

January showpieces

Here are some of my favourite January accessories, some are real bargains and others presents from loved ones. 

The bracelet is from forever21 and was a real bargain for under £5. Enhancing every LBD!

The infinity ring and the heart bracelet are from Kurshuni, I didn't know the brand before but they have really nice and affordable jewellery. Super graceful!

The burgundy glazed leather miu miu clutch was a present, it has the perfect size for nights out, looks super chic and matches with every outfit. LOVE it!

Zara is a real bargain paradise right now, everything is reduced! I got this studded camouflage slippers for £30 instead of £60, they are super comfortable and can be worn by day and night.

Enjoy your shopping tour!

Princi

Princi is the perfect place for all Italian food lovers. The Italian brasserie is located in the heart of Soho and offers hot & cold Italian snacks. The long glass counter, the marble stand-up tables and the trickling water wall give the brasserie an unique Italian flair and timeless elegance.

The glass counter is filled with delicate Italian specialities. They have everything, from tiramisu over mini spinach and ricotta croissants to focaccia. At the end of the long glass counter they have a big choice of salads and hot food as cotoletta alla milanese, lasagne or melanzane alla parmigiana. Literally everything, I always need hours to decide what I want but usually I go for the olive-tomato pizzette, mini spinach-ricotta-croissants and some cake to follow.

the long glass counter, filled with Italian delicacies 

Last summer they opened a pizzeria next door where they serve authentic Napolitana style pizza, a few pasta and meat dishes and antipasti. Breakfast is served until 11.30 am and is very good. To get a table you need patience, Princi is always full, no matter if you go at 9 in the morning or 11 in the evening. Prices are quite affordable.

Princi
135 Wardour Street
London W1F 0UT

pizza, piadine and focaccia 

Crostata di Fragola

my favourite croissants!

Tiramisu

view of  wardour street