Paradise by Way of Kensal Green

Paradise by way of Kensal Green is a spacious award winning gastro-pub and bar in the heart of up-and-coming Kensal Rise, offering all round entertainment. With its chilled out ambient music, bohemian inspired décor with high ceilings, luscious chandeliers, vintage lights, lamps and draped curtains, this is not your typical local.

 The bar is separated from the restaurant at the back on the ground floor, serving quality high end locally sourced food and wine. On the first floor the dimly lit bar and dance room, is open on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays for live music and club nights, with special events to look out for on their website. The Comedy night on Wednesday offers a nice mid-week break. The cozy terrace gardens found on both floors, decorated with overflowing plants and mosaics, allow for a nice break from the crowd and views of the neighborhood. A new addition is the karaoke room, which you can book for private parties.

Paradise is always bustling with an edgy crowd of all ages in a relaxed environment, everyone just ready to have a good time and dance the night away to electro/disco pop, with even the hipsters of Notting Hill taking the time to pass by.

 

Pastel HAIR

It's just....

so

cool

Agyness Inspirations

Wool was big in the 50s up till the 70's. Once a staple clothing material, the use of wool declined massively and it's only in the last few years that it has started making a strong comeback, with luxury fashion's new found love of formalwear and knitwear. 2012 was the year of tweed, with catwalks at Marc Jacobs, Chanel and Michael Kors all favouring it over more clumsy materials.

And it makes sense really, with the knitting trend that took over London by storm (they have gone mad for Wool parties in NY now too, with the launch of Wool and the Gang going stateside), it very much fits with the androgenous big wooly jumper and tight leggings look that Agyness Deyn was made so famous from, which she pairs well with her checked dresses and playsuits. And it makes any summery dress look that little bit more edgy, and also last through winter.

For key pieces that fit with the wool trend, just check out Wandering Mind's knitwear selection, for a mixture of tightly fitting wool jumpers and Aggy-style checked shift Dresses, for that quintessentially British effect.

Aggy in her grey Cable jumper

Belted girly jumper-dress combo

Aggy in her own collection

Agyness Deyn in Stella McCartney Wool Jumper, 2011

Model Olivia wearing Wandering Minds Dress

Wandering Minds Grey Jumper over Summer Dress

It's All WHITE

White is the best colour to show off your tan. I don't tan very well so white is actually the only colour which shows I have changed colour, mainly a reddish pink. The weather sucks here in London, but there are ways of working around this. I am not a huge fan of distinguishing between different seasons and what and what not to wear, if a dress suits you, there is always a way to make sure you can wear it the day you want to wear it, even if it is white. I really really like what Simone Rocha came out with at Autumn/Winter London Fashion week, a mixture of bold colours, focusing on white above all, and an eclectic mix of shapes with a lace finish, which can suit any season. Coupled with bulky lace-ups and long eye-covering fringes (this is not a must, I do like to see), she has ticked the right box for getitng through the end of this beautiful London summer. Wandering Minds designer Beny & Hizzin offer a Simone Rocha-esque capsule collection with whiter than white lace dresses and shorts to tickle your fancy.

Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others

Like every Londoner, I am not a huge fan of pigeons. It's nice that, the magazine that champions creativity, have just brought to my attention the work of two Photographers, Julian Charrierre and Julius Von Bismarcke, who have managed to give them a new lease of life, and colour.  The piece is called Some Pigeons Are More Equal Than Others (note: they have actually been painted, it's not photoshop, and they were not harmed during the process.

 

McDonald's Canada Campaign

The best thing about social media is the chance it offers brands to connect with their fans and consumers in an honest, direct way. Traditional marketing is stripped away and engagement is achieved without losing respect or custom in a way you just can’t get with ATL advertising.

Here, McDonald’s Canada respond to a question from one of their fans on Twitter which asks: Why do the burgers in their pictures always look better than the burgers you get in your box?
 A lot of Managers would have a heart attack at the thought of showing consumers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the way things work like this, but McDonald's have risked all by going for the blunt and honest route, and good on them. And the video has gone viral, received a huge amount of PR, and also, personally, makes me believe in the product more than ever.

Soko

Soko has finally released her debut-album I Thought I Was An Alien. Before this, she was well known for her hit single – I’ll Kill Her – released back in 2007. Her new album is really inspiring, a beautiful piece of music, mature and french and fun and cute.

On the opening track of the new album, Sokoinforms us that we will discover her through her songs, and surely enough, this is exactly what she does, all the way through, with explicit and vivid videos to fit.