WHEN IN THE RUM TRADER-Drinkin Rum and Coca Cola!!!

Back to the 20s

Step back in time to the 1920s Berlin. On the corner of Ludwigkirchplatz is a blacked out window and door which leads you into a room that only fits 2 round tables. You are surrounded by 100s of bottles or Rum. Now I know nothing about Rum or any kind of alcohol for that matter but my mouth dropped when walking into this little Rum cabinet in the middle of the Berlin's west side.

20s jazz echos throughout the room and the bar tender has been transported from the era to serve you in the most civilized manner. The entire experience amazes me as you step into the bar coming from the noughties and end up in the golden era of Berlin before the outbreak of World War.

Don't worry, if you are like myself and have no idea from the uber abundance of choice, the bartender will ask you if you prefer sweet or sour drinks and will recommend something for the occasion. Every time he has been right on the money!

It is great to go here before a big dinner for an aperitif or if you feel like a night cap.

This is a must visit When in Berlin

Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down to the Rum Tradaaa
On the Fasanenstrassaaa
Workin' for the Yankee dollar



For more information see:
Fasanenstraße 40, 10719 Berlin

WHEN IN LF- The Bohemian Rhapsody of New York Fashion

Clothes Glorious Clothes!



I thought I had seen everything in the soho area. I thought I had left no fashion stone unturned. However today I walked down Spring street and came to a standstill infront of the campiest and most OTT shop window. Platforms covered in the american flag, floaty sparkly dresses and heels, even Gaga would be impressed. It felt as if I had walked back into the 70s where flairs and boho jewels decked out the shop floor through this jumble sale jungle of a store. However, don't be fooled, the most stylish of stylistas paraded through the shop, looking for retro inspired clothes.

Mock Prada shoes and cascading floating see through summer dresses brought the shop into the noughties and you couldn't help yourself but run around grabbing the must have items of this season.

I grabbed a black chiffon asymmetric dress ( Like something out of a Alexander Wang show) and paired it with a body con skirt and retro belt and felt like a million dollars. The fun doesn't end there. As you wonder over to the till you find yourself engorged by the treasure chest filled with boho jewels to jazz up you outfit.

In otherwords I went a bit ape and lost myself within the piles of silk and chiffon. The condition Purchasing syndrome took over and I couldn't control my hand at the till. ( Side affects are: lots of reaching into ones wallet and compulsive muscle spasms resulting in signatures on receipts)

I highly recommend this funky store When In New York



Clothes glorious Clothes
Dresses, skirts and hot pants
Things that I like most
purchasing when I get the chance


Jewels covered in ethnic stones
wedges so tall I could fly
O Clothes glorious clothes - Glorious Clothes!!!


For more info see:

149 Spring Street

New York, NY 10012

WHEN IN TARTINE- A few of the West Village's favourite things!

These are a few of Tartine's Favourite things!

New York loves its diners, restuarnts and cafes. Even though I have been here now for a month I still feel like a tourist in a supermarkt. My mouth stays open when I am looking around and trying to take in the the 300 different types of milk and the 250 types of cereal etc.

I feel the same way about the little delis or diners scattered around the city. You will always find somewhere to eat for whatever pleasure you feel like.

Tartine is a little brunch parlour in the heart of the West Village. Its located on a corner surrounded by what I can only describe as 'movie set' housing. The interior is a mix of Hamptonesque decor, making you feel as if you are by the sea side, brunching before heading down to the beach!

The brunch menu is approx $15 each and there is a huge selection. Anything from different styled eggs, to brioche or musli, you can pretty much have whatever you like.

In reality you get a bit sick and tired of the burger diner and meat joint so this place is a refreshing New York inspired deli with a slight european influence. Being in the heart of the west village its perfect for that little sunday stroll and an iced coffee whilst nosying around the streets, wondering ' if this was my house- what would it look like inside?' ( or maybe that is just what I do!)

Word of warning. This place is super popular so you should deffinately go earlier than later or you will be waiting in a que for about 30-40 minutes.

Beacon on brioche and Poached eggs on toast

Tea Cakes and Pancakes are what I like most
Musli, Fruits and cheezes lets us eat like Kings
This is a few of Tartines favorite things!

For more information see:
253 W. 11th St.

WHEN IN DAR CHARKIA -Hilton Who??

Aladdin's hip hidden hide out in Marrakech! 


Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to live in the lap of luxury? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wake up and smell the hint of saffron and mint mixed with the mild spice of sheer and utter relaxation? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your whole holiday taken care of before you even arrive at your destination? What would it feel like to stay somewhere where if feels as if you are in the comfort of your own home? What it would be like to have a room so unique that it makes Rosie Huntington Whitely look boring?

Well this is the place.

Dar Charkia is a hidden treasure in the heart of the bustling streets of Marrakech. Having only 6 rooms each has its own character and transports you into your own little world. The courtyard is refreshing melange of the orient peppered with colonial modernism.

Why not take tea on the roof looking over a labyrinth of roof tops, or take a dip in the plunge pool surrounded by floating tea lights, cool down by reading a book in the salon with an audience of Cameroon masks, the list could go on...

Marrakech has become a trendy hot spot and Riads are dotted around the city.
It is therefore hard to find a place with value, service and quality. Dar Charkia holds all these attributes plus more. It goes beyond the boundaries of customer service and its design highlights pure taste. The owners are so honest that they give you all the insiders tips to the city on arrival. So no need for any Aladdin moments, you are in safe hands!

The only point I would make is that you need to book now or else be disappointed- that you have to stay somewhere else!

Bugger the Marriott, we don't need the Sofitel, Hilton who? There is only one Dar Charkia and this is a must stay When in Marrakech!


I see a beautiful room, pretty flowers  too
I see mint tea  for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful Riad.



I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The brightness of day, and candles at night t
And I think to myself what a wonderful Riad.


For more information see:
www.darcharkia.com

WHEN IN RA- The Moma's answer to modern fashion

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it's RA!

Living in Antwerp opened my eyes to a far greater world of fashion. Gaga's 'little monsters' really do exist and most of them reside in Antwerp.

I heard about RA from a friend in Berlin and didn't really understand what it was about. However down the most beautiful street in Antwerp, filled with antiques, relics of another time, art and artifacts, fragile pieces and timeless classics, is a store so out of this world, you start to believe in aliens.

RA is a concept store filled with fashion from known to independent designers from all walks of life and corners of every planet. RA leaves no stone unturned, it shows all things bright and beautiful.
Brands such as Richard Nicoll to Gareth Pugh, Antwerp's new faces and art installations.You wonder through a hall way and you enter a space filled with weird and wonderful things.

The store is more like a hub for those who study at the academy and want inspiration for their work. For others it a place where you go to be surprised, and for some it is just another one of those stores with rails of modern fads. However RA is a trend setter's paradise. If you want to be different then this is the place for you.

I am not going to sugar coat pricing, as it is a fact that you are paying well above your average shopping costs however, in RA's case you are not paying for the name, you are paying for the design and a design that no one else will have.

There is also a cafe/ restaurant filled with magazines and bunk-beds! Have a coffee whilst flicking through Vogue on the top bunk surrounded by pillows!

A personal story- I bought a tutu from this store- not just any tutu but a huge, stiff net with a mustard band around the waist. I wore it to a party with a body con black dress and metallic gold brogues. Was the most outlandish, crazy, over the top, beautiful item I have ever worn!

You have got to see this place When in Antwerp!









All things bright and beautiful,
All clothing great and small,
All things wierd and wonderful,
The store RA sells them all. 


For more info see:
Kloosterstraat 13
2000 Antwerp, Belgium

03 292 37 80

WHEN IN RENAISSANCE- Michelangelo's Sistine Chaple of Clothes

Jesus, Mary and JOSEPH?


We all hate the times when we walk into a store, pick something up, try it on and then realize that the price is more expensive then our rent! The bitter taste wells up in our mouths and you wish and pray to god that the extra zero on the tag is a type mistake.

However there are the times when you walk into a store and the price doesn't matter any more. The sheer beauty of pretty things takes over and you can't help but promise yourself to eat tined soup for the next month!

Renaissance is a fashionista's party and everyone is invited.Rick Owens, Viktor and Rolf, Acne, Jill Sander, Jonathan Saunders and Joseph etc. As you can see your regular friday night in dinner party!

It is like walking into a museum of famous fashions- the huge spacious floor, showcasing the splash of colour from the rails. You are totally in awe of the size and choice.  A very exciting place for those who love the IN trends of the season. Located right next to the fashion Museum and academy, you have hit the fashion center of Antwerp.

Not only is it a store but a restaurant too, so why not have a bite and have a gander!

This is a must see When in Antwerp!


I'm just a working girl, oh baby, it's so cruel
But I'm still in love with RENAISSANCE, baby!
I'm just a working girl, oh baby, it's so cruel
But I'm still in love with RENAISSANCE, baby!

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,
I'm in love with RENA -SSANCE, RENAI- SSSANCE


For more information:  
Nationalestraat 28-32
2000 Antwerp, Belgium

WHEN IN TOM'S DELI- It's DELIghtful, it's DELIcious, it's DELIovely!

Giving the word DELOVELY a whole new meaning!

London has so much choice. There is no limit to the different kinds of fun finds to discover in the city.

I love Sunday's during the spring in London. Cherry blossom in Notting Hill, wandering down to Portabello. A scene straight out of a movie. ( hint hint- nudge nudge!)

Down the beautiful street of Westbourne Grove, where ladies who brunch go to be seen, boutiques and little avenues of colourful building giving ' Made in Chelsea' a run for its money!!

Tom's Deli is a delightful little parlour, multicoloured, filled to the brim with delicious delicacies- reaching as far as the eye can see. You feel as if you have stepped back in time, to an old fashioned diner/cafe and trying to figure out from all the choice what to have from the menu! One of the best features of this Deli is that you are located next to Portabello Road, by the antique area. The crowded experience of Portabello on a Saturday can be tiresome so having an outlet like Tom's Deli is a great way to skip the hoards of people and have a tranquil coffee and cake whilst you watch the world go by.

Their brunch menu is brilliant- gourmet styled English breakfast, eggs Benedict and beacon with sourdough muffins. Tea cakes and tapas, biscuits and Biscotti - it's all there and beautifully displayed.

This is a must visit When in London

The day is young, the skies are clear
so if you want to go brunching dear
it's DELIghtful, it's DELIscious, it's DELImma, it's DELIux, it's DELIovely !!!

For more information:
226 Westbourne Grove