Marylebone Summer Fayre (London)

With the summer in full swing, we get to experience not only a good weather in London but also – occasionally – some groovy entertainment right on our doorstep. Today was the day of an annual Marylebone Summer Fayre – a traditional village-style-fete that offered street craft and fashion stalls, children`s activities, fanciful food and delicious drinks.

Hosted by the Howard de Walden Estate, and in its 11^th year now, the celebration of a local community and local businesses is getting bigger and better as the years pass by.

Today, many prestigious restaurants and retailers offered discounts; an authentic farmers` market was set up; and the visitors enjoyed special prizes at a popular tombola to help make the day truly memorable.

Eclectic up-and-coming acts performed on a music stage, and some residents took to the streets for dancing lessons, or to applaud those brave enough to throw some shapes in front of a large crowd.

As well as showcasing the best of what Marylebone has to offer, the event acted as a platform to raise funds for this year`s charity - Kids Company. The organisation is well-known in London for providing help and advice to vulnerable children.

The weather wasn`t as favourable as one would hope for, bringing quite heavy rain just after midday, but it did settle later on, allowing us to walk around and enjoy this thoroughly good day out.

Carluccio`s Live Opera Evening (London)

Yesterday, my husband and I went to Carluccio`s for a night of delightful recital of live opera and for equally delicious food. And we were not disappointed. Our starters included sweet and sour peppers and almonds, mixed olives, spicy salami, homemade olive focaccia, `caponata` Sicilian stew and bread balls with parmesan, pecorino and capers, served with a tomato sauce. A refreshing prosecco added a vibrant note to a great selection of our antipasti.

And then the opera singers (left-to-right on the photo) – Paddy Ashcroft, Hannah Kirk, and Nina Morton – started their performance, accompanied by a pianist – Peter Bailey. Their repertoire was broad and exciting. They expertly delivered pieces from Carmen ( Bizet), La Traviata (Verdi), Le Nozze Di Figaro (Mozart) and many more. Paddy Ashcroft excelled in Brodsky`s Be My Love, Nina Morton shone in Rossini`s Cat Duet, while Hannah Kirk outrivalled everyone else with her brilliant rendition of One Fine Day from Puccini`s Madam Butterfly.

A rich-flavoured but tender braised lamb shank was served with a celeriac and carrot puree as our main course, followed by a delicate set cream with coulis and fresh raspberries. 

And the performers came back with a tailor-made programme that – this time – included light-hearted and uplifting tunes from Paganini, Strauss and Bernstein`s West Side Story. Their voices almost shattered our wine glasses, and ensured the frenzy of excitement and long-lasting rounds of applause from the diners.

 

What an amazing night!

Young Designers` Sample Sale Heralds the Sale Season

As the summer sales come to London`s high street, I visited the Music Room, a popular venue space, just off Oxford Street. Here, a few young designers gathered together to offer a `one-day-only` sample sale.

Straight away I headed for samples from Meli Melo. Established in 2005, and led by creative director Melissa Del Bono, this British brand specialises in handbags, tote bags, clutches, backpacks and accessories with distinctive Italian flair. All are made from high quality leathers. Their leather tassel duo sells for £50 right now, so can you imagine my jubilation when I discovered a collection of small snake clutches priced at £30 each. This took me back to happy times, when I was pursuing snake beauties in Indonesia.

My next stop was by Three Floor - founded in 2011, the label is renowned for well-constructed, structured silhouettes in statement colour palettes. I bagged this cobalt and nude colour dress for….£20! Seriously…..this could only be THE bargain of the season.

Before rushing back to the office to earn more money for these amazing goodies, I was taken by the vibrant colours of Kat Maconie shoes.

She set up the label in 2009, and just 6 years later, the shoes are now stocked in twenty countries and in leading department stores. The designs on offer at the Music Room were selling either for £50, £70 or £100, depending on style.

 

Arts and Antiques Fair in Lublin (Poland)

The last weekend of each month is reserved in Lublin, a picturesque city in eastern Poland, for a characterful arts and antiques fair, and I was lucky enough to experience this phenomena. Some traders had elaborate displays, like these fabulous, larger-than-life chandeliers.

Others displayed their wares on a pavement. Some traded in proper antiques, while others were selling objects that were dubious to say the least….not old enough to be classed as antiques and of questionable quality and provenance. However, the crowds loved it all and what might be seen as an unattractive junk by one person, may ignite another person`s imagination and become a real treasure.

I bought these massive earrings – the eyes close and open, depending on the movement of my head. I am certain these were taken from an old-fashioned doll. The earrings may not be the most glamorous of accessories I possess, but I like the oddity and uniqueness of my find.

 

The trade fair is conducted in two locations, a bigger and more prestigious is located in Lublin`s Old Town, and smaller, more quirky items are sold just a short distance away, close to the main, pedestrianised street called Krakowskie Przedmiescie.

 

What I particularly liked was a sheer number of stalls and abundance of artefacts on offer.  And a jolly atmosphere that underpins the charming and easy-going nature of Lublin`s residents.