Blenheim Palace: The Breath taking Birthplace of Winston Churchill, current home of the 11th duke and duchess

town of where: sir winston churchill was born 

''BLENHEIM PALACE: COTSWOLDS: UK

the finest collections and gilded state rooms 

''BLENHEIM PALACE: COTSWOLDS: UK

The current Home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and a World Heritage Site.

Originally, Blenheim Palace was gifted from Queen Anne to the 1st Duke of Marlborough following his famous victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. 

The palace is situated in Woodstock, Cotswolds, which is about 8 miles from Oxford, Blenheim Palace is  a dream come true. It has housed a variety of magical upper scale weddings and served as a filming site for movies such as Harry Potter. The land boasts  over 2,000 acres of immucalate landscaped parks, lakes, formal gardens and amazing cafes.
I absolutely enjoyed my trip & it was only 45 min out of London, believe it or not. Jut catching a overground train from Marylebone station, directly takes you to the village closest to the Palace. I was taken around town by local and my uber designer friend Sophia Susasi to see all the sites Blenheim has to offer. It was elegant, natural, breath taking and a absolutely amazing experience to be surrounded by so much culture and history in the heart of the UK countryside.

fancy little burgers , tomato chutney  and chips

''BLENHEIM PALACE: COTSWOLDS: UK

UK DEsigners: Meline Katchi & Sohipa  susassi

''BLENHEIM PALACE: COTSWOLDS: UK

existing history  : home of  11th duke and dutchess

''BLENHEIM PALACE: COTSWOLDS: UK

open gardens & a moment of luxury  outdoors  

'BLENHEIM PALACE: COTSWOLDS: UK

The amazing country side of england  

'BLENHEIM PALACE: COTSWOLDS: UK

strolling  IN a fairy tale

 BLENHEIM PALACE: COTSWOLDS: UK

Meline Katchi of Industrie Footwear 

 Blenheim palace: COTSWOLDS: UK

Most amazing gardens in all of uk:blenheim palace 

the  most picturesque location: cotswolds: UK

giant human Maze :   take 30 min to run through

gardens of blenheim palace: cotswolds: UK

the Temple : Winston churchill proposed  

to his wife 'clemintine'

The Palace, offers a variety of themed tours and there are endless  State Rooms filled with historic craftsmanship, fine art and  treasures from over 300 years ago.
It is beautiful , tranquil and  was the parkland areas were created in the 1760's and the Formal Gardens were created more recently to reflect the history of the buildings and monuments. It is a absolute must visit spot by anyone traveling to the UK!

FOOD, FAMILY, COOKIES, HIDDEN WEST END OF LONDON and R & R: 2013

time for bunny coonut cookies 

cute easter baking 

We had a variety of vegetarian middleeastern meals

recepies and food done by alina katchi

It was so nice to have a Easter Break from the intensive program at London College of Fashion, although i'm not much of a cook, I was able to bake and learn some new recepies form my sister who used to be a chef. Since she came from such a serious fine dining background, she loves to do fun recepies at home. I've featured some of our easter cookies and a few dishes from dinner. Mostly vegetarian, middle eastern inspired dishes, that highlighted the seasonal ingredients of Spring. It was nice to get to see the natural sights London has to offer. Most people think it is just a fast paced city, but there is so much more it has to offer including nature walks along the river, the Chiswick House and Chiswick Gardens. The Chiswick house also has a amazing Cafe, designed by award winning architects, Caruso St John. In 2011 the Café received three RIBA awards including London Building of the Year. There are very quaint english pubs along the river that seem to flow with the cascading river that has incredible views.

spring flowers in the bloom

light pinks, oranges, and corals 

the army of coconut bunnies

Shortbread cookies with coconut fur by alina katchi

Finally grabbing a relaxing flat white

my favorite european coffee drink: Flat White

on to the  Easter dinner:

Roasted Lamb, tomato, spninich by Alina Katchi 

Easter dinner:

courgette salad with red chili by alina katchi 

The magical west end of London

 the majestic hidden london only known by locals

THE MAGICAL WEST END OF LONDON

Feeding the birds by the river

 It was fun hiking though nature to watch the tide rise and fall. Be careful here, because the tide does rise quite high and my sister and I almost got trapped on the island! We had to walk though the river with our clothes and shoes on to get to the other side! We were completely soaked in the ice water, but I guess it was a memory we wont forget?
The quaint cottages along the way to the river are preserved in their original state and have the names of the homes and who they once belonged to inscribed on the facade of the homes.

THE MAGICAL WEST END OF LONDON

Charming mid century cottages in west london

Get Inspired -Yoji Yamamoto- Fashion-space- gallery: LONDON

HEAD ON: EXHIBITION , LONDON, UK

FASHION -SPACE-GALLERY

I was absolutely stunned when I accidently stumbled upon the HEAD ON EXHIBITION held at London College of Fashion.  It was so inspiring to see  collections by Yohji Yamamoto from way back in 2004 and Yiqing Yin's red masterpiece from 2012. As I kept circling the room, I was enchanted by the innovative designs before me. 

From the head pieces to the tip toes of the mannequins, the creations showed the highest skill level of tailoring, draping and knitting.  Unfortunately, it is not open to the public so I took a variety of candid shots for the blog. The provocative work displays the partnerships and high fashion piece between milliners, such as Stephen Jones and Itoyama Designs.

HEAD ON: EXHIBITION , LONDON, UK

FASHION -SPACE-GALLERY

YOHJI YAMAMOTO SS 04 

MILLINERY BY ITOYAMA-DESIGN

YOHJI YAMAMOTO SS 04 

MILLINERY BY ITOYAMA-DESIGN

YOHJI YAMAMOTO SS 04 

MILLINERY BY ITOYAMA-DESIGN

YIQING YIN: W 12

MILLINERY BY PAUL STAFFORD

YIQING YIN: W 12

MILLINERY BY PAUL STAFFORD

AMAZING TAILORING: YIQING YIN: W 12

MILLINERY BY PAUL STAFFORD

YIQING YIN: W 12

MILLINERY BY PAUL STAFFORD

AF VANDEVORST AW 12 , LONDON, UK

FASHION -SPACE-GALLERY

FLAURA JENSEN, VANITAS SS 13

LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION ; UK

Quintessentially British: Tea Cakes & Marmalade at Fortnum Masons

 Quintessentially BRITISH : afternoon tea

Fortnum masons diamond jubilee tea station

If you are looking for the perfect cup of afternoon tea in London, you have found it! What a absolutely amazing experience I had with the London Ambassadors hosted by Fortnum Masons. What stared out as a small shop in 1705 by Hugh Mason, in St James Market, has become a Quintessentially British Staple in the heart of London.  We were whisked away upstairs to the 4th floor by our gracious hostesses, Dr. Andrea Tanner and Yvonne Isherwood  to tea salons, where her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of Cornwall as well as the Duchess of Cambridge, arrived for the opening of the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.

 It all dates back to 20 March 1720 when the East India Company delivered about 301 lbs of Bohea "Black tea" to Fortnum's. You would be surprised to know that after this introduction,  by 1784 the British were drinking about 5 million lbs of tea per year!  Tea went on to become a important ingredient for the public morale during WWI and WWII, where the government rationed it in portions making sure it would last as long as possible.  There are soo many types of tea available for you to discover at Fortnum's including; Puerh, Puerh, black tea, yellow tea, green tea, white tea, teas with origins of Assam, China and  Darjeeling. It is a great place to find out what your palette for tea consists of,weather it be a 'first flush', where the much more delicate in taste or a  'second flush' where the tea is picked a month later and has much more body to it. 

 QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH:

The beautiful decor of fortnum masons , london

 

 welcome to' the drawing room': afternoon tea

fortnum masons, london, 2013

 THE perfect cup of tea

fortnum masons, london, 2013

 selection  of elegant Afternoon cakes

FORTNUM MASONS, LONDON, 2013

 Flavours: Apricot, dark chocolate, rose and gold

FORTNUM MASONS afternoon tea

As we walked into the 'Drawing Room' there was a whimsical air of elegance in the air. The decor, afternoon tea and tea cakes were as delicious as they looked. Featuring some amazing flavors and scents including; rose, apricot, hazelnut, white and dark chocolate. We learned of how tea was once a luxury  for the upper class of Europe and become tradition in Great Britain enjoyed by every class.  After enjoying the afternoon tea form the lovely turquoise pots, we explored a few of the other floors to discover speciality and rare goodies for both women and men. Throughout the shop there are incredible works of art and the shopping areas feature many quintessential british brands and prints.  I particularly loved the luxe and colourful men's pyjamas displayed with Alexander McQueen walking sticks and graphic robes.

 There one minute, gone the next: afternoon cakes

FORTNUM MASONS, LONDON, 2013

        

majestic honey made by exclusive british bees 

FORTNUM MASONS, LONDON, 2013

Fortnum's had another surprise, that they make their own honey with the British bees nesting upon its rooftops. Of course, these  F & M bees are no ordinary bees, they gather nectar and pollinate in the lush exclusive gardens of Buckingham Palace and create honey in architecturally constructed bee hives,  unsuspecting to shoppers and tourists below. You can find out more from the 'honey experts' by clicking on the video above.

 THE BRITISH way to sleep in style

fortnum masons: men'swear

 unique gifts for unique people 

leather  pigs @ fortnum masons

 British charm: quirky & colourful ties

Fortnum masons, london 2013

 peak into london style: Paul smith socks

fortnum mason, london, 2013

  exotic perfumes & scents

Fotrnum mason, London 

Stunning display of  speciality fragrances, accessories, and exquisite ceramic tea sets, so that you can transform your home with the same charm you find in F & M's. In addition to the food hall, there is a baking section where you can learn how to bake the best pastries you have ever baked with the exotic and quality ingredients at F & M's.

 unique gifts and amazing finds

fortnum masons, london, 2013

 Fabulous colors, prints and luxury materials

fortnum mason, london, 2013

 Fortnum masons baking stations

Come cook for yourself, london, 2013

 my fellow london ambassadors

fortnum mason, london, 2013

 quirky  and vibrant tea sets 

fortnum masons, london 2013

 fabulous store front display's

fortnum mason, london, 2013

The window displays are definitely part of the Fortnum Mason charm and inviting for anybody searching for gastronomic delights exquisitely wrapped in the infamous Fortums turquoise  packaging. I loved my visit to Fortnum Masons and and truly think you will too, it is definitely a experience I will always remember.

 more FABuLOUS store front DISPLAY'S

FORTNUM MASONs, LONDON, 2013