Ruby Goes to the Pub and Other Weekend Highlights

A few highlights from out-and-about at the weekend.

A stroll down the mighty Golbourne Road, past the very beautiful Trelik Tower

A chicken escallop bap in the Porto

A Citroen DS driving by us, off Portobello road

Fantastic vintage children's wallpaper in Curvature on Kensington Park Road

Tom's for coffee on Westbourne Grove

and Ruby's first trip to a pub, for Sunday lunch and a Guinness, at one of our very favourite places, The Paradise, Kensal Green.

Beautiful Clothes from France

If Ruby hasn't been lucky enough, with all the wonderful things our friends and family have bought her, we've just received another wonderful set of clothes, from the Zimmer Family. Thank you so much Christophe, Valentine, Camille and Charlotte. We love them all and I particularly love our fabulous rubber giraffe.

Maggie Jones

I love Maggie Jones, probably my favourite restaurant in London, and an absolute treat to be there for a special, 30th birthday, meal for our dear friend Mark. Also there were Sophie, Stephen and Chris.
The food, as always, was superb. I had venison terrine to start, followed by Jugged Hare for mains. The first time I'd eaten hare and was absolutely delicious.

Caught my Eye

A couple of things that caught my eye on Saturday afternoon.

Books

I love Books and was very excited to go to the Taschen book shop sale on Friday morning and pick up these little bargains

A book about Japanese tin robots
A slim volume about the brilliant painter, Martin Kippenberger
But this was something I've wanted to buy for a long time, and at 50% off, I couldn't resist it. An enormous tome devoted to Stanley Kubrick. A landmark book which analyses all his films in minute detail, it's now definitely the favourite film book I own.

I have 2 New Year resolutions, read more books and eat more fruit. This is the book I'm reading at the moment. Haruki Murakami's book about running. I've liked his books before and as I'm a keen runner, thought this would be up my street.

Now this is an awesome book, which I really can't put down at the moment, from my favourite film writer, David Thomson.
After the Murakami, I can't wait to start this book (arrived today and is a Secret Santa Christmas gift), Alex Ross's 'The Rest is Noise', which is a survey of 20th Century music.

Ruby Meets Andy and Georgi

Georgi and Andy came to stay on Friday and meet Ruby for the first time. It was fantastic to see them both, with Georgi, just as adorable as ever and continuing to mature into a wonderfully good natured and loving doggie.

Ruby seemed to put Georgi in her place and made her understand that she's no longer top dog in this house. Georgi accepted her lesser status with a couple a good licks to Ruby's face. I think they're going to get on very well indeed.

Inauguration

I raced home yesterday afternoon, to be with Ibolya and Ruby to watch President Obama's inauguration, live on TV, and see in with them, what we all hope will be, the dawning of a new era and a new chapter in history.

Saturday

Our original plan for Saturday was to be at my sister's for our long postponed Christmas family get-together but Hugo developed chicken pox on Friday which meant we couldn't go. Instead we:

Had a leisurely morning, in the lounge, whilst the cats and Ruby slept

Went to Westfield for a bit of shopping

Had some coffee and cake

Caught the bus homeAssembled an Ikea cot for Ruby's room and listened to Last FM. Very happy with the cot.

Ruby kept me company and looked just great in her rocker on the rug.

Ibolya and Ruby had a rock together, in the Eames rocker

Dinner was an M&S Meal for 2 for £10 special

and then I went to the Brook Green Hotel for Mark's 30th birthday party.

More Visitors

Ruby has had a full schedule of visitors over the past few days, all meeting her for the very first time. On Thursday evening we were joined by Rita, Friday lunchtime by Kylie, Friday afternoon by Helen and her son Joe and Friday evening by Rupert and Helen.

Everyone was very generous and spoiled Ruby with gifts. Her wardrobe is fast filling up with stylish new outfits and clothes.

These were from Rupert and Helen, from our favourite Children's shop at Westfield

Ruby looks so gorgeous in this beautiful hat from Helen and Jo


And we can't wait to take her out in this chic little jacket from Rita, chosen by her girls; Lauren and Jasmine.