Page 67 – A Little Bird

16th October 201925th October 2021

Penguin Classics narrated by Andrew Scott, Simon Callow & Jeanette Winterson

We’re revisiting Penguin Classics thanks to their wonderful new selection of audiobooks. 50 titles have just been released with 50 more to come next year, each narrated by a different actor. Listen to Fleabag’s ‘hot priest’ Andrew Scott read Dubliners by James Joyce and Games of Thrones star Natalie Dormer reading A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolfe, plus plenty more titles narrated by Jeanette Winterson, Rory Kinnear, Emilia Fox, Simon Callow, David Harewood etc. Available to download from Audible, Apple Books and Google, these are just the thing for autumn commutes, and would make a good gift for English students.

16th October 201925th October 2021

Liberty’s Beauty Advent Calendar is out now with top beauty products worth £610

It feels utterly mad given that we’re only half way through October, but this year’s beauty calendars are already on sale – in fact CULT Beauty launched one this year and it has already sold out. Our favourite is from Liberty and you’ll need to be quick if you want to bag one. 2019’s edition contains 18 full-size products at 7 samples worth over £610. Wrapped up in Strawberry Thief print drawers, full-size products include Votary Facial Oil, Diptyque Baies 70g candle, Omorovicza mist, Byredo rose hand wash, Skin Laundry face masks, Dr Sebagh’s Pure Vitamin C Cream, NARS blush/bronzer duo, Le Labo Tonka perfume, Sam Mcknight Lazy Girl dry shampoo and more. On sale from 16 October 2019 in store and online. £215 with free delivery. libertylondon.com

16th October 201917th October 2019

Win a copy of Elton John’s autobiography

Despite being well versed in Elton John’s story we nonetheless laughed our way through his new autobiography, Me. Written with ghostwriter Alexis Petridis (the Guardian’s rock and pop critic) there’s an absurd and amusing anecdote on just about every page. There’s the time he threw oranges at Bob Dylan for being rubbish at playing charades, ‘or so I was informed the next morning by a cackling Tony King. That’s not really a call you want to receive when you’re struggling with a hangover.’ Nor is a call informing you of the previous night’s spending spree, ‘in my case I’d bought a tram. Not a model tram. An actual tram that had to be shipped from Australia and could only be delivered by hanging it from two Chinook helicopters.’ Then there’s the Aston Martin he painted the colours of Watford FC only to have to ‘fess up to Prince Philip who asked, ‘You live near Windsor Castle, don’t you? Have you seen that bloody idiot who drives around that area in his ghastly car? It’s bright yellow with a ridiculous stripe on it.’ ‘Yes, You’re Highness. It’s actually me.’ Told with warmth and comical self-awareness, it’s an excellent read. We are happy to have two copies of the hardback that was published by Macmillan on 15 October to give away to our readers. Just enter the competition via the form below:

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10th October 201927th October 2021

VIP Access to Pomellato Jewellery Sample Sale

Pomellato was founded in 1967 with the novel idea of prêt-à-porter jewellery, accessories that could be worn where and whenever the owner liked. Often featuring bold coloured gemstones in extremely wearable designs, the company is now one of Italy’s leading international jewellers. Our favourites include the Nudo rings which come in an assortment of colours, and look wonderful on their own or stacked in contrasting colours.

So we’re thrilled to say that we’ve teamed up with French Sample Sale Company Arlettie to give A Little Bird readers VIP access to the Pomellato sample sale (if you can’t see the invitation below, click here). VIP access is from midday – 8pm on Wednesday 16th October (and you can always join the general public on Thursday 17th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th October too). Happy Shopping!

10th October 201927th October 2021

Alex Gore-Browne’s Woodstock Pop-Up

Anyone happening to find themselves in the Cotswolds next week should stop in to Alex Gore-Browne’s pop-up in Woodstock that promises to be every bit as pretty as the invitation, hand-made by collage artist Ruby Kean. Find her signature knitwear in Italian cashmere and merino wool and rumour has it there’ll be a limited-edition Christmas jumper too. Plus bows, collars, cuffs, eye masks and ruffly hair scrunchies. Also collaborating in the pop up are Willow Crossley, Edit 58 and Grace Wears (it’s the place to try on her fab silk palazzo pants).

9th October 201925th October 2021

Yoga Therapy at The Life Centre

World Mental Health Day is on 10 October. For anyone struggling with anxiety, stress or depression we’d recommend The Life Centre’s mental health courses. They run a weekly Yoga Therapy Clinic at their Islington – and it costs just £35 for a 90 minute one-to-one session. There are also longer courses you can sign up to this autumn like their Mindfulness & Self Compassion course (16 October – 20 November 2019 in Islington) with Isabell Britsch and Yoga & Breathwork for Anxiety & Stress (6 November – 11 December 2019 in Notting Hill) with Laurent Roure. We’ve been practising yoga at The Life Centre in Notting Hill for years and are trusted devotees to their teachers.

9th October 201927th October 2021

Homewares to covet this autumn

Give your home an injection of colour and character as we embrace the season of boxsets and cosy kitchen suppers:

CROCKERY

It doesn’t take much to give your evening meal or breakfast ritual an oomph.

Corolla floral plate £90, Cabana Magazine:

Made in Puglia, Verdura artichoke plate (one of many vegetable-themed designs) – we love the ric rack trim, £21 Conran Shop:

Porcelain ‘bread’ plate £45 from Luke Edward Hall, Liberty:

Blue flower ceramic bowl £27.99, Penny Morrison:

Pair of hot chocolate mugs £55.50, Summerill & Bishop:

Mix and match colours or go for one bold statement. Wonki Ware, from £17 Conran Shop:

BEDLINEN AND CUSHIONS

We have about six weeks before party season kicks in so make the most of the time you have in bed now; it’s amazing how tempting a gorgeous quilt or new cushion can make a freshly made bed.

Magnoli counterpane 280 euros, Caravane:

Indigo king duvet cover £109, Camomile London:

Handmade to order velvet cushions £42, The Little House Shop:

Large handblock linen cushion £285 Pentreath & Hall:

Floral quilt £115, Urban Outfitters

BRIGHTEN UP WALLSPACE

You don’t need to revamp your whole home; pick a wall or small room like the bathroom and paper just one wall, or brighten up the whole place with these reasonably priced framed prints and mirrors.

Cotton threads mirrors, from 48 euros, Caravane:

We adore this playful wallpaper (£140/roll) from new brand Cocoon Home:

Graham & Green has a fabulous selection of framed prints, from £45:

STATEMENT PIECE

A stunning rug or centrepiece in a room.

Choose from a rainbow of colours and three shapes. This side table style looks fabulous. Lowdown Locker £349 Molly Meg

Handwoven Sundaze Rug (130cm diameter), £348 Anthropologie

Mary Katrantzou rug, from £3237. This one is a slow burn; if you order now you can have a lovely springtime delivery. The Rug Company:

LET THERE BE LIGHT

There is nothing cosier than a room with the right lighting. Atmospheric candles, low pendants and glass filtered light.

From one of our favourite brands of scented candles, Cire Trudon, come these gorgeous unscented taper candles (in many hues), £18 for pack of six. Amara:

Matilda Goad also has some wonderful candles (hers are ribbed), which come in a choice of five colours. £42 for pack of six.

These Pop lights comes in 11 different colours (we like this pink the best), £60 Artefact:

Who can resist such a beauty, again in other colours and sizes. Glass Paola pendant, from £495 Hector Finch:

And let out your inner 70s with this tiered fringe pendant, £79 Trouva:

9th October 201925th October 2021

What’s On this Half Term

Make the most of being in London this half term with these 5 fun things to do with your children:

1. Storystock Fairytale Day at Kings Place

We’re great fans of Storystock, the travelling circus of stories that pops up at festivals and various London locations during half terms and school holidays. Catch their magical Fairytale Day on 19th October at Kings Place in Kings Cross. There’s Arabian Nights at 11.30am and 1.30pm for ages 5+ and Goldilocks at 10am and 11.15am for ages 6 months – 3 years. Plus lots of wonderful dressing up and stories. Book ahead, storystock.co.uk

2. Leonardo da Vinci: Masterpieces of Motion at Windsor Castle

Bring the genius of Leonardo da Vinci to life with this immersive show for young people. Masterpieces of Motion will combine curation, dramatisation and dance set against the backdrop of Windsor Palace’s State Apartments. Six dancers (choreographed by Edwin Ray, one of Matthew Borne’s leads) and actors will respond to the world of Leonardo through movement, storytelling and poetry. Plus the chance to see six original drawings that inspired the performance up-close. Ages 7+, 25 October – 3 November 7pm-8.30pm. rct.uk

3. Beasts of London at the Museum of London

Fleas, rats, lions and pigeons…explore the history of London from Roman times up to the present day through the animals that live here. An immersive experience for all ages, the animals’ voices might sound a little familiar – Kate Moss, Brian Blessed, Angelica Bell and Stephen Mangan are just some of the Londoners involved in the show. Open until 5 January, museumoflondon.org.uk

4. Fairytale Trail at the Southbank’s Literature Festival

Catch lots of free events at the Southbank as part of London Literature Festival this October. We love the sound of Anasi Rhythms, a Ghanaian drumming workshop inspired by a cheeky spiderman, plus Baba Yaga, a new take on the Russian folklore. There will be lunchtime storytelling sessions, dance, play and music and the Fairytale Trail runs all week. 21-27 October southbankcentre.co.uk

5. Olafur Eliasson at the Tate Modern

Olafur Eliasson (b.1967), Your uncertain shadow (colour), 2010, HMI lamps (green, orange, blue, magenta), glass, aluminium, transformers, Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary Collection, Vienna, Photo: María del Pilar García Ayensa/ Studio Olafur Eliasson, © 2010 Olafur Eliasson

Our top pick of London’s current exhibitions for a family outing. There’s so much that will appeal to children – an enormous moss-covered wall, a rainbow cloud of drizzle, a long fog-filled corridor and even tiny ones will appreciate the sensory elements. The whole show is immersive: play with your shadows on the wall and with your reflection as you pass through a fractured mirror-tunnel. Get there as soon as it opens and book a timed ticket ahead – under 12’s go free. Until 5 Jan 2010 tate.org.uk

9th October 201927th October 2021

Boltholes made for two

We’re signing up to Kip – a clever new travel company from two former i-escape.com colleagues. You pay a small membership fee (£10 per year) which gets you access to their hand-picked selection of self-catering hideaways – all of which are in the UK and sleep just 2-4 people. Think seaside studios, eco cabins and remote cottages in lovely locations: on the edge of Loch Lomond, for example, or on the easygoing St Mary’s in the Scilly Isles. Prices start from £50 per night, though most are around £100. We asked owners’ Liz Simpson and Sarah De-Vere-Drummond to pick out a favourite place and they chose the Crofter’s Cottage on the Isle of Skye for ‘proper off-grid escapism surrounded by jagged mountains, heather-strewn heathland, lochs, glens and black-pebbled beaches.’ Sign up now – to celebrate their launch all new members will get a year’s free membership when they sign up in 2019.

9th October 201911th October 2019

London’s Tastiest Sandwich

We used to work in King’s Cross and the best sandwich we could find back then was the £1 cheddar on granary in Boots but the lovely new sandwich bar Sons + Daughters, from the team behind Pidgin, has changed all that. The 28 cover restaurant in Coal Drops Yard, which opened in September, is all sleek lines and comfy banquettes. The bread is from Paul Rhodes Bakery and the fillings present a challenge to all but the largest appetites. We have heard good things about the muffin served at breakfast with creamed Burford Brown eggs, S+D breakfast spice, smoked tomato and American cheese – with the option of adding smoked Swaledale bacon and Swaledale sausage – but at lunch we went for the ultimate prawn sandwich. It’s served on granary with soft Cornish prawns, S+D mayo, crispy shallots, Napa cabbage, shiso and even a layer of prawn crackers.

We were also keen to try the soft serve ice cream sandwich (dulce de leche this time round) so only managed half of our prawn number. The second half of it made a delicious teatime snack. Our friend took on the chicken sandwich: Swaledale chicken, crunchy chicken skin, pickled cucumber, the perfect amount of miso mayonnaise, soy-cured parmesan and crisp gem lettuce all served on white bloomer. There are salads for anyone avoiding gluten and there’s also a Sons + Daughters GO van on the terrace above the shop, serving a reduced menu if you need to race back to your desk at lunch. The sandwich bar is open until 10pm so cocktails are available but if you like a sweet and salty non-alcoholic drink, we would recommend the vanilla laced miso milk.

8th October 201927th October 2021

VIP access to Mary Katrantzou Sample Sale

Our Instagram feed has recently been strewn with the most beautiful images of Mary Katrantzou’s latest fashion show. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Temple of Poseidon in Athens, the models emerged through a cloud of mist – and this wasn’t only for the press either. There was a second fashion show to raise funds for a children’s charity. This is the eleventh year of business for the Greek-born Katrantzou who studied at Central Saint Martins and built her brand in London. Along the way she has picked up fans such as Michelle Obama and Cate Blanchett and her colourful, beautifully made clothes have earned her a well-earned place as one of London Fashion Week’s top designers.

So we’re thrilled to say that we’ve teamed up with French Sample Sale Company Arlettie to give A Little Bird readers VIP access to the Mary Katrantzou sample sale (if you can’t see the invitation below, click here). VIP access is from midday – 8pm on Wednesday 9th October (and you can always join the general public on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th October too). Happy Shopping!

8th October 201910th October 2019

CULT: Friday night art gatherings

We recently signed up to CULT, a brilliant new series of monthly art gatherings that aim to open up the arts to a younger, non-specialist audience. Held on the first Friday of every month at 6.30pm, gather round a painting or exhibit in one of London’s permanent collections – next up is the Elgin Marbles on 1 November – previous months have included Rothko’s Seagram Murals at Tate Modern, Titian’s Bacchus and Ariadne at The National Gallery and Francis Bacon’s, Three Studies at Tate Britain. Run by Lucy Chiswell (formerly Assistant Curator at the RA and now Curatorial Fellow at the National Gallery) the gatherings usually number about 10 people and involve a short talk from Lucy followed by a discussion which you can join in or just listen, and last about half an hour. Best of all they are informal and open to anyone in their 20s or 30s and from any professional background – oh and they’re free too. Sign up here.