The Rookery

It's always nice when new places pop up on your doorstep - you have no excuse not to check them out. So when I caught up with a friend this week, we decided it would be good to reckie The Rookery. It started badly when I had tube problems as being January and depressing, someone had decided to throw themselves under a train. Then we realised we were each waiting at different tubes. For the record, Clapham South is definitely nearer than Clapham Common.

I arrived needing a drink desperately, it was a shame to discover that for January and a Tuesday night, it was actually quite busy with few staff, so it took a little longer than planned to get that much needed alcohol. That said, there was the perfect rich chardonnay for a chilly evening - and points, it was served by the carafe (a couple of glasses each) AND they lovely waiter let me taste it first to check it was what we were looking for - extra points!

The food is reputed to be seasonal and simple - which is rather accurate. I tried the lentil, butternut squash and feta dish drizzled in harissa whilst my friend tried the fish and chips. Mine was packed full of flavour annd just what I felt like when i was exhausted and cold (I sat all evening wearing my friend's cashmere cardy around my shouldrers - a result of the tiredness) but said friend felt that her portion was a little on the stingy side. I was inclined to agree. I don't think fish and chips is meant to be that dainty.

The downside was that we waited for a while for our food given that they were understaffed for the volume of customers and diners. At least we then had a chance for a catch up. The kitchen also reported at first that they had run out of apples to make an apple crumble for pudding. Good to know that they prepare it all freshly from scratch (hence the delay in dishes arriving). The waiter despite this looked after us well offering complimentary alternatives but all turned out well in the end when he produced a crumble free of charge (and the original apple requested).

So I will go back. It's a good in-between location for Clapham South and Clapham Common - perfect for drinks and dinner, nicer than the existing places. The bar snacks also sound divine so I must try them!

69, Clapham Common South Side, London, SW4 9DA
www.therookeryclapham.co.uk
020 8673 9162

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Hermès Samples Sale and much more!

It's that time of the year again: sample sale here we come! Although this month is more focused on bridal sample sales, Hermes keep high the flag of luxury fashion sales.

Phillipa Lepley

Sat.-20 Jan. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Bridal gowns & accessories - 48 Fulham Rd., SW3 6HH (020 7590 9771).

Sassi Holford

Sat.-21 Jan. Mon. & Thurs.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues. & Wed., noon-8 p.m.


Bridal gowns - 74 Fulham Rd., SW3 6HH (020 7584 1532).

Hermès

13 & 14 Jan. Fri., 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- The Music Room, 26 S. Molton Ln., W1K 5AB (020 7629 8199).

Need to say more?

Claret Showroom

Clothing and accessories by designers Winter Kate, Madeleine Thompson, Alice McCall and

16-19 Jan. Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 
Where: 73 Uverdale Rd., SW10 0SW.

Brown Bride

22 Jan. Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.


12 Hinde St., W1U 3BE (020 7514 0056).

Gina Foster


26-28 Jan. Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 


 5 Kensington Church Walk, W8 4NB (020 7937 7611).

Hats and fascinators galore

 Enjoy!

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Trainers, oui!

HNY ladies & gents!


TE greets you to a new exciting year of shopping frenzy, fashion trends and oh so much more.


My new year entry must be dedicated to my most recent treasure, the ultimate find in the kingdom of shoes. They are comfy, they have a heel and they abso-f-ing-lutely ROCK.


So, let's begin from the start.


In the last few years we have seen various fashion designers team up with sports brand: the Stella collection for Adidas, Yohji Yamamoto again for Adidas etc. Basically Adidas went all out and did some hard-core fashioning-up.
So no surprise when for SS11 shows the fashion designers took over some of that juicy slice of market, made up of those crazy people wanting to look fashionable EVEN in the gym. TE does not frequent gyms but the idea of looking fashionable there is very appealing, it might actually motivate TE to go to said gym (...ahem...). Reversing the flow from sport to fashion and delivering us with a new trend: the sport luxe. 


Of all said sport luxe items, one really stands out for TE, the Isabel Marant Bekket trainer - stunning in the blue/ red combination:

These beauties have an internal (hidden!!) sole of 5cm and they are the coolest thing to wear with skinny jeans, since the invention of biker boots that is. Of course.


TE however had to scratch that itch and just didn't have 435£ lying around so, whilst walking the streets of Paris hand-in-hand with wonderful hubby, how could TE resist the temptation walking past these:

Sold by one of TE's favourite shoe shops in Europe (yes, it's *that* good), Ann Tuil kindly relieved TE of a mere 180eur for these gorgeous trainers. Oh TE has not parted with 180eur more joyfully.
They are sooo comfortable you can walk all day, very warm and with the 5cm bumper they give you just that bit of extra bounce. Weird when first tried on, TE was re-assured by several sales assistants and the husband that no, they don't look weird on and they are totally cool.
In Paris all those effortlessly chic french girls are wearing them, TE is completely smitten.
The shop sells online, although apparently only to addresses in Paris - get yourself a frenchie friend soon gals :)
http://www.anntuilshopping.com/


Happy start to the year and whatever you wear be fearless!


Yours faithfully,
TE




www.trisori.com