LA GRILLADE. LEEDS

This restaurant is an absolute favorite of mine. When dining out, especially in today's world of 'branded' and 'famed' establishments, one can be hard pushed to find somewhere where every element of the meal lives up to the  imprint made by the last morsel or sip... enter La Grillade.

Being a self-confessed food lover (the hours I spend in the gym to counteract my ever-bulging eyes and well fed thighs are justification to this statement) I cant help but over-indulge in the comforting french food this place has to offer...

 

Mussels to start (with endless amounts of bread to soak up every last drop)

 

Fillet steak (rare, of course) with traditional french fries and green salad

  

The best cheese board in the world (and if you're nice to the waiter you can sample every single one before you commit to choices)

I can never leave without having the creme brulee, and a mouthful of everyone elses sweet-tooth choice too, does it really need to be said?

Just go and EAT! I hear Alan Bennett makes a regular impression on the seat of his chair here too.

BLACK. WHITE.

No matter what season we're in, or about to submerge our bodies into, there is one thing I cannot prize off myself; monochrome. Here are some of my recent favorites that have startled my eye...

Whether its a simple floral print, geometric stripes, block coloring or jewelry I really think the right pieces can be a timeless stable to any wardrobe. Nothing in life can be black or white, except maybe your trousers...

images from various sources

HARVEY NICHOLS, EDINBURGH

By using everyday mundane items and turning them in to something extraordinary, one can see their true beauty and design worth. The central everyday object, such as the tree and the car, are made up of smaller related items like the pencils and the horses which when are put all together make a fantastic visual impact. 

The big idea behind these intricate works is that the 'vamping' up of these smaller items into the larger central iconic piece symbolizes the 'understated classics' in fashion. Staples that are otherwise ignored until you make them into something spectacular, but none-the-less shouldn't be forgotten, as without them the whole thing wouldn't be anything...

photos by me.