Costa de Caparica

October 2019. We didn’t know what was coming in 5 months. I am so glad I decided to go on this mini vacay. My sister was turning 30 years old and had planned a birthday trip to Portugal. I had just moved to London and thought I shouldn’t be spending money I had not yet earned yet. She convinced me to come in the end and I am so glad I did. It’s amazing what 4 days on the ocean and October sun of the Mediterranean can do for your soul. We rented a house right on the beach with Airbnb and it was perfect. Such a beautiful stretch of sand. The crowds had gone and we were greeted only by locals. This was the way to go. Loved every minute. Thanks Kate. XX

LDW

L I S B O A

Colour Theory…

Loved having lunch here.

You’ve all seen the tiles… How incredible are these??

Lisbon Cathedral.

Alfama.

Best spot for a beer. Alfama.

Laundromat, Alfama.

Lisboa, October 25th, 2019. My first time to Portugal and first European trip I took for the weekend a couple months after moving to London in August. We stayed on the coast (dreamy beach photos next post) but took a taxi into town for my sister’s birthday that day. I loved it. So different from neighbouring Spain, yet so similar. Honestly I could just roam those streets a little longer, soaking in the sea air and smell of grilled fish in the air. Ready for a glass of vinho verde at noon, a pastel de nata and espresso at 3pm, then hit the shops for some specialty tinned fish and wine! There are loads of hip restaurants in this town and hole in the wall banging fish restaurants you won’t want to miss. Really didn’t have the time to fully take it in but if you are going there are plenty of in the know guides like this one here. Can’t wait to go back!

LW

Château de Chenonceau

Château de Chenonceau kitchen quarters.

Château de Chenonceau

Château de Chenonceau

Château de Chenonceau - staff quarters.

Sometimes you get so caught up in what you’re doing you can forget about where you’ve been and what you’ve already done. This post is a little bit like that. I often refer to a part of my life as “my past life”, meaning the part of my life that I was married for a brief time and travelling often to France for holiday. It feels so long ago. Seriously like another lifetime, hence why I refer to it that way. However, there was a lot of beauty in this time of my life. Having access to this sort of travel and exploration of another culture was by far the best part. I am forever grateful for this. Whilst travelling through the magnificent Loire Valley, Chateau de Chenonceau was certainly my favourite “Chateau” of what we saw. It felt so ethereal to me, like the kings and queens and brothers and sisters of that era were still there, observing us, while we walked around and marvelled at their old quarters. kitchens, gardens, and passed lives. What I loved about this Chateau was its grandeur without being overly ostentatious. We visited Château Chambord shortly thereafter and although impressive, it did not have the same essence. It did not feel alive with stories and romanticism like Chenonceau did. These photos were taken in the fall of 2012, so although I feel they’re not my best photos, the essence still remains. If you are in Loire Valley and deciding on what Chateaus to visit, make sure to include this one. Château de Chenonceau is a love story not to be missed. ❤️

LW

The BOAT POD

The BoAt Pod is a floating podcast studio in the heart of Little Venice, in West London. Owned and operated by Sophie Callis, a DJ and entrepreneur with deep roots in the London music scene. She is taking her canal boat to the next level with state of the art podcast, radio, and DJ booths available to rent. If you are looking for a unique working environment for your radio show, podcast, or Live stream DJ sets, this is the place! I recently had the chance to experience and capture 📷the BoAt Pod ON AIR 🎙during a session of The Frost Report in collaboration with the BBC for Black History Month with Legendary DJ Jumpin Jack Frost alongside Simon ‘Bassline’ Smith, DJ Brockie, and Tania Maria Lee. You can view the conversation here.

Canal Boats Of Little Venice

Maida Vale, Regent’s Canal.

Beautiful Bike Ride on Regen’ts Canal.

Postcards from Paris

Sacre Coeur, Montmartre.

Strolling in Montmartre.

Notre Dame cathedral at night.

Spying on the neighbours.

Les Invalides.

Les Invalides.

Pierre Herme.

Alain Passard's Arpège restaurant in the prestigious 7th.

Padlocks of love on the Ponts des Arts before they were removed this past summer.

Side street views.

Dinner Breton style at BREIZH Cafe.

Île St Louis, with Notre Dame in the background.

Notre Dame

Gare du Nord.

I can’t believe the last time I was in Paris was December 2015! My sister had just moved to London a month before and I went over from Calgary to spend the holidays with her. My friend Mark and I planned a quick side trip to Paris for two nights. This was the first time staying there in a (small) hotel. I had only ever stayed in airbnb’s, so it was fun to use Mr and Mrs Smith Website to book. Hotel Verneuil was super cute and charming, and since I have stayed there they have done a massive update. This post has been sitting in the archives for so long, and needed to get out! It’s been some time so I am feeling critical on these photos but nonetheless I hope it brings you inspiration to travel again or remind you of fond memories of when you last visited Paris! A lot of people I know do not like Paris at all, but I think that it can be a fun and special place to visit for a short time. Quick trips are the best, as is having a plan. It will help you avoid stress and keep decision making to a minimum so that you can just enjoy the city and soak in the French or should I say PARISIAN culture. Santé! 🥖🧀🍷

This was was my sixth visit to the city of lights. I have managed to come up with some favourite spots over the years, although they are mostly centred in the Saint Germain area. This is a light list as it's always such a balance between trying new places and making time to visit those that you have enjoyed in the past. If you are visiting for the first time however, my advice would be to do your research and carefully choose where you decide to eat. Usually, the classic looking restaurants around any main tourist attraction are to avoid. There are plenty of good websites out there to research some great dining. Two favourites of mine for reference are Le Fooding and The Paris Kitchen. There are also plenty of bloggers/chefs out there with tremendous suggestions on their site. Try Dorie Greenspan (love her French Cookbook), and David Lebovitz. As well as all the classic cooking mags like Epicurious, Food & Wine, Conde Nast Traveller.

Here are a few of my food and drink suggestions for the 6th Arrondisment. All of these are all pretty casual dining but very good.

Avant Comptoir 9 Carrefour de l'Odéon, 75006

Right next door to Yves Camdeborde's Le Comptoir is Avant Comptoir, a spanish style wine and tapas bar with standing room only.

Poilâne & Cuisine de Bar  8 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 +33 1 4548 4249

One of my favourite bakeries to go to when in Paris and great place for a tasty and light lunch. Open faced tartines are the specialty here. Was introduced to this restaurant from this blog post by David Lebovitz. When I was living in SW London over the winter and summer I was over the moon that Poilâne has a London outpost in Belgravia. Chaussons aux pommel tous les jours! 🙃

Fish La Boisonnerie 69 Rue de Seine 75006 +33 1 4354 3469

La Grande Cremerie 8 Rue Grégoire de Tours 75006 +33 1 4326 0909

Organic and natural wine bar serving cheese and charcuterie in a rustic and casual setting.

BREIZH Café Créperie 109 Rue du Vielle Temple, 75003 +33 1 4272 1377

Pierre Hermé 72 Rue de Bonaparte 75006 +33 1 4354 4777

Everyone has their opinion on best patisseries in Paris. And then best macaron. My personal fave is the mosaic macaron with flavours of pistachio, cinnamon, and cherry from Pierre Hermé. If you are not a fan of macarons, do go for the amazing patisseries selection. The canelé I tried from here on my last visit was unreal. So good! You must go here and see just how serious the French take their sweets. :)

Afternoon tea or Apero at Le George V Four Seasons 31 Avenue George V 75008 +33 1 4952 7000

You don't have to spend a fortune staying here to enjoy its incredible luxury. (Although that would be amazing, I must say…) My way of enjoying these incredibly beautiful hotels is to spring for a glass of Champagne in the lounge. Sit and linger with your drink and take it all in. Then maybe order a second! 😉🥂