London Life
How I spend my days
So the summer arrived pretty late this year but I’m making sure that I enjoy every day of it. I’ve got about 10 days off work which I’m spending right here in London. Figured that I’ve never been a tourist in my own city plus there’s someone special I wanted to stay besides. He’s got me to fall in love with Holland Park and it’s become our very own secret garden. A day doesn’t pass without me visiting the peacocks there, it’s so very peaceful and so good for me. If you’re visiting London this summer then make sure you get off Holland Park tube station, cross the street and enter this magical park.
Tuesday 11th June 2013 | 5 comments | Category: General, London Life | Tags: 5preview, Holland Park, pedicure, summer
The day I met you
When the sun shines over London there’s no where else I’d rather be, especially thanks to my amazing friends that go slightly mad in the sun and make my life so much fun. This was a very special day, not only because I was spending it with these lovelies but because a couple of hours earlier I had met someone very special for the very first time. You never know what the day ahead will bring and how a meeting can change so much.
Monday 29th April 2013 | 4 comments | Category: General, London Life | Tags: beingdena, friends, London, Nottinghill
Hollywood Costumes at V&A
There it was, that green dress made out of curtains which my most beloved film character Scarlett O’Hara wore when fighting to keep her Tara plantation. I would have never imagined that standing in front of that infamous dress from Gone with the Wind would have my eyes tear up. When visiting Hollywood Costume exhibition at the V&A, I realised that costumes are so much more the clothes, and costume makers are doing so much more than merely dressing actors. They are creating their characters, which we connect with long after the film credits have rolled.
The exhibition that took five years to prepare, brings together over 100 of the most iconic movie costumes from across a century of film-making, and follows the design process from script to screen. It was absolutely thrilling to see these famous costumes up close – from Judy Garland’s blue-and-white dress featured in The Wizard of Oz to the stunning black Givenchy maxi dress Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Another magical moment was passing Robert De Niro’s outfit from Taxi Driver – how very tiny he was. I could almost imagine him standing there, right in front of me. I guess what these costumes are doing is to bring back to life our most beloved film characters.
Besides being able to examine all these fantastic togs from up close, we are also allowed to eavesdrop on clips of Scorsese, Hitchcock and other “in conversation” with their costume designers. The transformative power of clothing is also explored, with Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep talking about how it gets them into character. I plan a second visit and I truly recommend that if you are in London you pay V&A Museum a visit, this exhibition is on until 27 January 2013.
Sunday 9th December 2012 | 1 comment | Category: Film and Television, London Life | Tags: Audrey Hepburn, costumes, exhibition, films, Gone with the Wind, Hollywood Costumes, Museum, Robert De Niro, Scarlett O'Hara, V&A, vivien leigh
November so far…
So far this has been the month of gatherings- here are some of the people that make my life in London a beautiful one to live.
Sunday 18th November 2012 | 3 comments | Category: General, London Life | Tags: friends
Mi casa
It’s so hard getting up this morning, all I want it a proper sleep in which seems to never happen. Life is in full speed recently and I’m having fun living it, so much that I forget all about giving myself any rest. Hang in there, in a months time you’ll be tanning yourself on the rooftops of Marrakech and then you can nap all you want.
Visited the National Portrait Gallery yesterday where the BP Portrait Awards is on at the moment. They do late night opening on Thursdays and Fridays, so if you don’t have big plans for tonight why not pay them a visit. I’m annoyed it took me so long to make it there.
Did you know I live above an art gallery? My lovely balcony looks down on all the great work by the artists. Sometimes at night I sneak in there just to have a private viewing. It’s hard not to get inspired and the whole place have a magical feel to it. Must get ready for work, have a lovely day and an even lovelier weekend. x
Friday 24th August 2012 | Leave a comment | Category: General, London Life | Tags: art, BP Portrait Awards, home, London, National Portrait Gallery
Right Here, Right Now.
It’s a bit hectic at work at the moment while I’m preparing for a duty trip to Tajikistan. There’s no better way of winding down than meeting up with friends at our favourite London pub The Elgin. Can you tell I’m a fan? He looks so damn good.
Wednesday 22nd August 2012 | 2 comments | Category: London Life | Tags: Ladbroke Grove, London, notting hill, Obama, President, pub, The elgin
Life on Portobello – brought to you via Instagram
It’s been an awesome summer. I wish it would never end.
Wednesday 22nd August 2012 | 3 comments | Category: Dena, General, London Life | Tags: Being Dena, beingdena, blog, cat, London, Matilda Lundin, portobello, stina i london, summer
Birthday
I’ve had the craziest and happiest week in a long time, days filled with laughter and love. It was my birthday on the 10th August – Leo that I am. This year it was a day that I was unsure about as it crept up on me, unsure of what to expect. There were so many mixed feelings, emotions I was afraid would haunt me. So I admit I was surprised when I woke up to flower delivery, cards and messages. Loved ones had some how decided to go that extra mile this year to make me feel special and loved- something I really needed. When I arrived to work I broke down in tears as a colleague had baked me a cake while another left me roses. After work I made my way to BBB- Beach Blanket Babylon where a very dear friend called Adrian has organized the best party for me. We had the ball room all to ourselves and danced the night away. I felt so happy being surrounded by all my amazing friends.
Adrian thanks for making this an unforgettable night. I really value the love and safety of our friendship and knowing we always be there for each other. Thank you x
Monday 20th August 2012 | 4 comments | Category: General, London Life | Tags: addefied, beach blanket babylon, beingdena, birthday, London, party
My weekend in pictures
Brought to you via instagram :)
1. Love Covent Garden on a sunny day. Did you know there’s a Moomin shop open now in aathe Market Building? I got a few more Moomin cups for my collection.
2. The first ice cream of the year.
3. One of my favourite nail polish shades this spring is Boathouse by Essie.
4. Lace top by Malou Sander tops my wish list right now (via Wild Swans)
5. Tried Bubble tea for the first time and loved it.
Monday 2nd April 2012 | 5 comments | Category: General, London Life | Tags: bubble tea, Covent Garden, Essie Boathouse, ice cream, Malou Sander, Moomin valley, nail polish, The Market building, Wild Swans
Let’s get it started…
Lovelies, I’ve missed you so here I am. Tonight I just want to celebrate that it’s spring! How I love London when the sun is shining. Hope you’ve had a good weekend. I’ve have been busy doing this:
♥ Spending time with all my amazing friends.
♥ watched King’s Speech on stage at the Wyndham’s Theatre- what a fantastic play!
♥ adopted my friend Aida’s pup, well not really! The adorable Nikki the dog has arrived in London and I aatook him for a walk in Hyde Park, something I plan to do very often.
♥ counting down the days until my handsome returns from his latest adventure, he is working on a new ssdocumentary.
♥ had lots of delicious Persian food.
♥ spent time at my favourite London boutique Wild Swans and I’m now the owner of a gorgeous leather aajacket from Jofama.
♥ and I’ve been catching up on all my favourite series: Mad Men, New Girl, Hart of Dixie and Vampire aaDiaries (yes the list goes on…).
Sunday 1st April 2012 | 2 comments | Category: Dena, London Life | Tags: boutique, Hart of Dixie, hyde park, Jofama, King's Speech, leather jacket, London, Mad men, New Girl, spring, tv series, Vampire diaries, Wild Swans, Wyndham theatre
