Bonjour Londres! Where To Find the Best of Paris in London

Because, if you can't be a Parisenne, you can be a fake French-Londoner, sans beret.

London truly has it all. And that even means a little bit of Paris too. The city of romance is full of charm, history, tradition, amazing food, fashion, wine - the list is endless. Paris is certainly fetishised through the lens of Instagram, and has its flaws of being dirty and expensive, but the city somehow remains magical despite all its faults. And in a world obsessed with perfectionism, isn't that part of the charm?

Chiltern Firehouse, Marylebone

It's no secret that I am a bonafide lover of Marylebone. And if you happen to follow me on Instagram, you'll more often than not see my frizzy hair and wide-toothed grin sitting gingerly at Chiltern Firehouse, a luxury boutique hotel down the ever-stylish Chiltern Street.

To catch a seat in the restaurant is near enough to impossible (Sienna Miller's and Princess Eugenie's clan seem to take up all the reservations), but the dreamy, cosy and undeniably chic courtyard is just as nice, if not better due to its intimacy and twinkling lights.

If you're not in full Christmas mode just yet (I'm a little disappointed in you though, I'll admit), then the cobbled courtyard is just your place. With it's black and white seats and awning, a roaring fireplace and dappled waiters in waistcoats, this charming spot tucked away from the bustle of the city is straight out of a New York fairytale. 

The Secret Parisian Gallery, Mayfair

Dreaming of an autumnal escape to Paris? Can't stop thinking about strolling around the Jardin des Tulieries, post-espresso and pre-Sezane shop? Ain't we all. But if, like me, your hometown ties are reigning you in and a Eurostar ticket is out of reach, there's a little pocket of Paris in Mayfair that can substitute for the meantime.

Monocle Café, Marylebone

Just past the luxury independent boutiques that line Chiltern Street, Marylebone, you'll find Monocle Café sitting proudly under the rust brick. A spin-off of Monocle, a global affairs and lifestyle magazine, this compact café is a cosy corner to read, work or relax. And in today's fast-paced world, where better to slow down than in here?

Where to See the Best of Autumn in London

F. Scott Fitzgerald wasn't one to mince his words. And his famous quote, "life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall," is most true when exploring the city of London. Tourists flee back home and nature's true golden colours finally shine through. Us city-dwellers love the frosty mornings and crisp afternoons, and welcome in the arrival of conkers, log-fires and mince pies. It's a true spectacle and one I'm sure you're happy to witness as much as me.

I've put together a list of pockets in London in which best to see the capital in its most picturesque form. Whether you're a Londoner in search of seeing the best of the city, or a tourist wanting to snap the perfect autumnal Instagram, there's an area here for everyone to enjoy. Just keep a brolly at hand...

26 Grains, Covent Garden

Though undoubtedly trendy, 26 Grains in Neal's Yard, Covent Garden, still manages to be unassuming and welcoming. There are few foodie hubs in London that put good food before style and aesthetic (here's looking at you Farm Girl), so when testing out one of the city's most instagrammed, I was pleasantly surprised.

And where better to kick-start your weekend than somewhere that is infamous for its delicious porridge? Count me in!

Sundays At Columbia Road

Excuse the hyperbole, but Sundays in London are the best. It's almost as if the city workers, bankers and businessmen stay in bed all day for all of the young families, artists and creatives to roam free around the city. It's the day where food and flower markets lure us out of the warmth with their bittersweet smells and the perfect time to explore somewhere new in the capital's quiet charm.

I usually work on weekends, but I made sure to book a couple of Sundays off come September (my favourite month in London - goodbye tourists and hello autumnal colours!) to enjoy the city I call home. Since Columbia Road Flower Market only runs on Sunday mornings, we headed to Bethnal Green bright and early to grab the freshest bunch.

Here We Are, Burberry

"They provide a portrait of British life, in all its nuances, both exceptional and mundane, beautiful and harsh," said Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative Executive Officer of Burberry on the many beautiful photographs housed in the Here We Are exhibition. Featuring over 200 works by photographers Alasdair McLellan, Dafydd Jones, Bill Brandt, Brian Griffin, Shirley Baker, Jane Bown, Martin Parr, Jo Spence, Ken Russell, Charlie Phillips, Karen Knorr, Janette Beckman and Andy Sewell, the exhibition is a celebration of British life and reveals the inspiration behind the latest Burberry collection.

On an Indian summer Sunday, my sister and I headed to Old Sessions House in Clerkenwell, the site of the exhibition, to dose ourselves up on art and culture. Isn't that what weekends are for?

Morty and Bob's, London Fields

The east end of town always favours quirky, off-the-beaten path spaces. Nothing is glamourous, too clean or pretty, in fact it can often be a little grimy. But that's part of the charm of the newly-gentrified areas of Hackney, Dalston and London Fields. They're flooded with young businessmen and creatives, and its bohemian inhabitants are what shepherd in a wave of beatnik cafés, restaurants and creative spaces. So I guess you could say this is where all the "cool stuff" is. 

On a sunny but slow Sunday afternoon, my friend Sarah and I headed to Morty and Bob's upon the news that Palm Vaults was closed for the week (we've been trying to go for ages!). But if we knew just how good this place was, we would have headed here first. A spot like this should never settle for second best.

Brunch at Tom Tom's, Belgravia

"Let there be brunch!" - declared everyone who has ever delved into the world of the late-breakfast, early-lunch delight.

Quite simply, there's nothing better.

On an unusually sunny day in London, my old school pals and I got together in Belgravia for a round of alfresco brunch at Tom Tom's. 

Easter at Kew

I come from a long line of nature lovers in my family.

Every year we spend our summers in Zermatt, Switzerland to gaze at the majestic mountains, exotic alpine flora and wild animals. Add to that the fresh, clean air and that mighty Matterhorn view and you can probably picture quite the postcard perfect scene.

So it's quite a wonder as to why we don't always make the most of the natural beauty that's on our doorstep. Thus, for Easter, we headed to Kew Gardens for a dose of all things flora and fauna (though sadly, I don't think anything can compete with my precious Zermatt).

Press For Champagne, Bob Bob Ricard

It's a truth universally acknowledged that champagne on your birthday is mandatory.

Naturally, to follow this cardinal rule and to celebrate my 19th birthday in style, my sister and I headed to Soho's iconic English-Russian restaurant Bob Bob Ricard for a glass of bubbly. 

A Birthday in Bath Part 2

I fell head over heels for the Georgian architecture in Bath. Symmetrical, weathered and classically simple, Bath is saturated with picturesque architecture in every corner. So on our second day we headed out into the cold to feast our eyes on just that. 

A Breakfast in the Sky

You know that feeling when you're headed out and you know it's going to be awesome?

That's exactly how my sister and I felt when we skyrocketed ourselves to the Darwin Brasserie in the 'Walkie Talkie' building, a few weeks back.

A Notting Hill Brunch

Brunch anywhere is a good idea, but in Notting Hill, it's always extra special.

There are plenty of options for a good brunch in this West London neighborhood, such as Egg Break, Farmacy, Bodyism or Granger & Co.

But Farm Girl is forever a go-to choice with it's Liquid Gold Tea, Pumpkin Porridge and Coconut BLT sandwich.

The Faux Fur Coat, Shoreditch

It must seem that I begin every blog post with an anecdote about the weather, but it's seriously bitter here in London this winter. I know, it's nothing compared to the blustery snowstorms of Iceland or the arctic winds of Norway, but I quite literally turn into an icecube in any temperature below 10 degrees.

So naturally my fluffy Mango coat has been my best friend.

And it was the perfect winter warmer for a blogger coffee date of shooting with the wonderful Jazmine from Jazzabelle's Diary, whom I met in Shoreditch earlier this week.

How I Would Spend 48 Hours in London

I may live in London, but I still play a tourist in my own city. I am endlessly visiting new neighbourhoods, wandering around markets, testing out the latest coffee shop (it's a hard life).

Similarly whenever I travel to a new city I always enjoy getting lost in the streets since it makes me feel as if I genuinely live there, even if for just a short space of time.

And while London's landmarks are definitely a must-see for any tourist, I'm a firm believer that you get to see the true heart of a city when you mingle with the locals.

Who finds the hoards of tourists at Piccadilly Circus fun anyway, even if you are one?

So how I would choose to spend 48 hours, your typical 'city break' visiting time, may be a little different to others on the web, you'll most likely feel like a true Londoner when you return home if you wish to complete it (and I highly recommend you do).

Dinner at Padella, London Bridge

Who doesn't love a good Italian?

If you genuinely don't, I have just the restaurant that will most certainly change your mind.

Welcome to Padella - a new Italian fella on the block in Borough Market, Southwark.

10 healthy cafés in London that you need to know

With all those one-too-many mince pies over Christmas and the New Year diet plans, it seems like the perfect time to share my favourite London haunts for a healthy detox. London is littered with all things quinoa, kale and courgetti with cafés and restaurants opening up every month dedicated to just selling these. The foodie scene has seriously taken off and Londoners are loving it (but hey, pizza and beer is still a Friday night go-to). I'm always up for testing out new places to eat in London, so it's no wonder some of the below cafés are some of my favourites, but others I still need to try out for myself. So here you have it, 10 healthy cafés you need to know about...

Christmas Date at No. 197

My sister's birthday is always a little teaser of what's to come at Christmas. We head to a restaurant we love, order up their mighty Christmas menu and scoff it all up.

Not quite the humble masterpiece my mum serves on Christmas Day itself (but nothing will ever compete with that...*I know you're reading this mum!*)

So today we ventured to No. 197 Chiswick Fire Station, since we were so impressed from the time we visited before. With pink velvet sofas and cacti in abundance, how we could not give it another go!