Sunday Funday Part 2

After finishing at Somerset House (we took in the Museum of Water too) we headed down to the Southbank for the opening weekend of their Festival of Love.

Let's talk about love! Over the next two months and in celebration of the Same Sex Couples Act, there will be a series of free events, talks, pop-ups, installations, poetry reading down at the Southbank...all that and more! We headed down for opening weekend.

Apparently the Ancient Greeks had over 30 different words for different types of love, but they've chosen 7 kinds to focus on:

Eros: Romantic and Erotic love
Ludus: Flirting, playful affection
Philia: Shared experience
Philautia: Self-respect
Pragma: Love which endures
Storge: Family love
Agape: Love for humanity

 We had a saucy poem read to us...you could pick the blush level from 1-10. Obviously I went for 10! It wasn't that saucy if I'm honest but it was pretty cool and we were given a short poem to take away with us.

Artists drew dating profiles for people. They were incredibly talented, whipping them up in about 15 minutes. You told them what you're into and what you were looking for in a partner and they incorporated it all into the picture. I was the very last person so mine wasn't as detailed as the ones above but I still loved it.

The Tunnel of Love was kitschy, saucy fun. Red lit, there were pictures of hearthrobs lining the walls, pop playing and a wall to leave your notes for anyone you'd spotted that you fancied.

One of the big installations outside..not quite finished yet but soon will be I'm sure.

Lastly over to the Heartbreak Hotel for all the broken hearted!

This hotline had a Barry White type voice inviting me back over to the Tunnel of Love!

I'd seen on Instagram when someone had visited the Museum of Broken relationships last year but never got around to going so was really chuffed that the Festival of Love had got it back in the Heartbreak Hotel.

Filled with objects that people have donated that symbolise the end of a relationship and accompanied by an explanation, it is a rare look at how someone can come into your life, change your world and then eventually that love can be over. I was impressed by how many same sex relationships were included and found the whole idea fascinating. I wonder what I would put in from some of my old relationships. What would you?

Reading some of the confessions was both heartbreaking and hilarious!

The Festival of Love runs until the 31st August and is great fun for all ages...obviously check the activities first!

Sunday Funday

Some Sundays, I want to spend the whole day in bed drinking tea and watching films. And other Sundays there is so much I want to do and explore in my beautiful city of London. So if you're stuck for some ideas, here's what I got up to last Sunday.

Originally, I wanted to go for brunch at M1lk in Balham, as I'd seen something about it recently and was eager to try it out for myself. When we arrived however, there was a big long queue out into the street, it was really busy and most people were being squashed together at tables outside, and while it was sunny it wasn't exactly hot. It was unfortunately a huge turn off, I had a sulk and demanded we leave our spot in the queue and find somewhere else.

Luckily I quickly thought of The Exhibit, a multi-purpose venue that's probably my favourite spot in Balham. I've been there for an engagement party in the bar and birthday parties in the private screening room, and have of course eaten at the Diner...but never brunch. So we headed over there, and while there was a steady flow of people looking for their Sunday brunch fix, it was not packed and the staff were able to be attentive.

Me pretending I'm not hungry!

We both went for the Veggie breakfast. It was actually delish! Quorn sausages, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, hash browns, scrambled eggs, beans (in a pot!) and toast...seriously yummy!

The Diner at The Exhibit does laid back Americana so so well with their jukebox and huge canvases of remote US diners plus you should see some of the deals for food during the week! 2-4-1 ribs on a Thursday... 2 courses and a cinema ticket for £15.90 on a Tuesday and Wednesday plus loads more!

After filling our bellies we headed down to Somerset House to see the Return of the Rudeboy exhibition, which is free. Dubbed "London's most stylish new exhibition" by GQ magazine, it was created and curated by Dean Chalkey and Harris Elliot and explores Rudeboy fashion, which originated in Jamaica in the late 1950's. Bespoke briefcases, luggage and hat boxes mix with huge portraits of London's modern 'Rudie's, all possessing a sharp sartorial style and a backdrop of sweet reggae music plays. Oh and there's a Rudeboy barbershop on Thursdays and Saturdays!

Who recognises the man in the middle?!

Pretty much how I imagine my mum dressing in the early Eighties...

I knew quite a few of those photographed.

Mr La Touche..an incredibly tall and lovely apprentice hat maker. Seen here in one of his signature hats although he is currently Mr Hatless, having given up hats for a while to raise money for charity! Click this link to sponsor him.

The always charming and stylish apron maker Nigel Ruwende.

The very flyy Martell 'Mr Flyy' Campbell, designer and blogger alongside his sister Donya-Patrice Campbell. What a stylish family!

Me checking out my good friend and celebrity stylist Ayishat Akanbi. There were only a few girls in the exhibition so I was very proud of her!

 The exhibition looked at presentation and clothing, but it was more than that, it showed so much of a culture that I come from, looking at ideas like 'Sunday Best'. I only wished it was bigger!

Our day wasn't over after all this...but I think I'll save the rest for a separate post!

Cocktails and Candles at Levant

Drinking Bahrs, eating bread and watching belly dancers at Lebanese restaurant Levant. It's hidden off Wigmore street in central London. I spent way more than I should have...

The Anomaly Screening

Just a quick one from earlier this week when I attended a gala screening of 'The Anomaly' at the Ham Yard hotel in Soho.

I'm wearing a vintage blouse that I picked up at the Fairfax Flea market in LA for $15, a H&M leather skirt and Zara heels.

The Anomaly is directed my old friend Noel Clarke and stars himself, Ian Somerhalder, Luke Hemsworth and Brian Cox. Out in cinemas today! #SupportBritishFilm