London: A Week in LLG, from Primrose Hill to Columbia Road to Fairground and Busaba Eathai

So last week was a bit of a bugger on the getting things done front, hence lack of blogging. Juggling of multiple balls has never been my strong point, (I tend to run around in circles, not knowing where to start, and consequently getting nothing done) and, when I finally got around to looking at my schedule upon my return from Paris on Tuesday night, I realised that there were nearly thirty AW14 press days happening on Wednesday, and again on Thursday.

So that was a fun week. I didn’t manage sixty appointments, but I got twelve done each day, which is pretty good going. There’s a lot to be said for wearing trainers. (And I got to see Bob, when I popped into Varg PR. Ostensibly I was there to see Day Birger et Mikkelsen but, you know, Bob…)

Emily came over on Wednesday after press days, and we went through the inbox until 10pm, and then on Thursday night I took my old assistant, the wonderful Katie Rose, to see the Ballets de Monte Carlo perform Lac at the Coliseum. Having seen the company perform in their atelier in Monaco, it was a privilege to see them on a big stage, in this stunning production. (Their tour continues in Lyon and in Paris. Details here.)

Saturday I did precisely bugger all. And it was ace. I picked up the small wriggling one from my sister’s and took it for a run in Regent’s Park (above).

Yes, I did running. At intervals, but running nonetheless. Sunday was the most ravishing day. Look at this sky over Primrose Hill.

I had extracted the fat rat from under my duvet

and watched it dig holes, (spot the dog in the picture below),

whilst I admired my new Nike x Liberty Roshe Run Crown print trainers, which I managed to purchase in the five minutes it takes to get from the ground floor of Liberty up to the press day area on the second floor. I LOVE them.

And, miraculously they are available in all sizes at the moment – I’m a 38.5, and usually wear a 39 in trainers, but found these quite loose and went for a 38 in the end. They are very, very lightweight and because the upper isn’t stiff, they will fold flat for travelling.

Trainer admiration done, we put the roof down on my car, and headed up to my sister’s flat.

We do love each other.

Then it was off East to Columbia Road flower market.

I bought armfuls of pink roses, and clouds of scented narcissi for a work project.

I’m wearing my new J Brand leather legging jeans. They are hands down the BEST thing I’ve been given in a very long time. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Then we drove up the Kingsland Road to Fairground, a new pop up three storey restaurant space in a disused Seventies office block. With an emphasis on disused. It reminded me of all of the buildings in which we used to hold illegal raves in the 90s…sign of the times that I am now eating in the kind of places in which I used to dance all night.

Fairground is the new project from the founder of Street Feast, and will be open for the next ten weekends, hosting street food, restauranteurs, thinkers and entrepreneurs over its three levels.

We were there for a Busaba Eathai takeover to celebrate Thai New Year – the Songkran Festival. Executive Chef Jude Sangsida has developed new dishes to commemorate Songkran, inspired by a recent month long trip through his homeland.

We ordered som tam – green papaya salad, one of my favourite things, the pork Massmaman curry, the vegetable curry, chicken satay and sticky rice with coconut cream and mango.

This is my face after eating a chilli

Stuffed full, we crawled back down the three flights of concrete stairs back to the car, and back to North London, where my sis snapped me waiting for her on the wall by her flat.

Thank you to Busaba Eathai for hosting us both for lunch at Fairground, 260-264 Kingsland Road, Haggerston, E8 4DG

Style notes:
Edun frilled cotton parka (years old)
Nike X Liberty Roshe Run trainers £75
J Brand leather pants (gift)
Tamara Salman Minerva laser cut handbag (gift)

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