sprout surprise

 

 

a wonderful weekend with visitor from sproutland - Kate arrived from Brussels on friday and we've spent our time eating, drinking and shopping!  i picked her up from Spanky and we popped upstairs to the champagne bar for a couple of cocktails and some brunch (tho this was a regrettable choice as it had dire consequences of food poisoning for Kate!) and she gave me lots of lovely pressies for my birthday. 

we headed over to Covent Garden for boot shopping, then to Carnaby Street where we admired the fab out of this world christmas decorations.  a quick hop-skip-jump over to Greek Street and a visit to the Modern Toss Seasonal Nik Nak Hut for a giggle at the hilarious prints on view.

 

sadly saturday was a complete write-off and we had to cancel our plans to head south for a film-character-themed birthday party because Kate was struck low with food-poisoning and spent the whole day reliving friday's food (and not in a good way) while i was on nurse-duties.  thankfully, by sunday the patient was fully recovered so i decided to take her on a grand tour of mattressland (it didn't disappoint as we spotted 2 mattresses on route) and trendy Kensal Rise with its delicious cafes and lovely shops. 

 

we stopped for brunch at Gracelands on College Road and then walked the length of Chamberlayne Road, popping into brand new boutique love kr run by the lovely Paula and full of beautiful and luxurious garments, scarves, bags and handmade jewellery.  i fell in love with her amazing white kid-leather counter/bar which had been made by her friend bombarock who specialises in interior couture.  Paula made us feel very welcome and we came away with some lovely scarves and Kate also bought an amazing graphic print dress by  me & thee  - which looked especially fab next to my Jayson Lilley Trellick Tower painting when she modelled it at home.  shame we aren't going to the party tonight so she could show it off!

 

 

 then we walked down to the end of the road to spot this great window display and headed home. what a lovely day...and we still have tomorrow before she heads back to Belgium!

Chamberlayne Road...the hippest street in Europe according to The Telegraph's article here today - ha ha!