September stuff

Here are some nice things which are getting me through the onset of SAD which threatens to creep up on me at this time of year. When BST ends its often quite traumatic... and I need material things to get me through the cold, dark nights.

1. Valentine Warner's "What to Eat Now"
I love him, I love him, I love him. From his name to his fruity voice and boyish good looks, and that adorable gurn when he bites into his own creations, HE IS THE PERFECT MAN. My elder sister met him once at a party and got so flustered she couldnt utter a word. His wonderful first book, What to Eat Now, is truly the antidote to the end of summer blues. His beautiful writing will carry you through  to the spring -- "Cooking by seasons makes it clear what I have to work with," he writes, "using choicest ingredients far fresher than insipid imitations hurried along under a distant sun."

 My other sister says we are kindred spirits - we both have a deep affection for mackerel, mushrooms and anchovies (things she retches at the sight of) - and his writing about creamed spinach is living proof of this, creamed spinach being my all time favorite vegetable. He admits he once cut his tongue licking the blender blades. Unfortunately for me he is already married.

2. The Sprouted Kitchen
The newest addition to our cook-bookshelves. I made the red lentil and sweet potato soup the other day. It was amazing. This is a great one if you're trying to cut down your meat intake. If you haven't already, go and check out their website. Possibly the most beautiful food blog around, and the most beautiful cookbook around for that matter. Sara's southern Californian style will transport you away from the rain-lashed world outside and into a world that is sunnier, healthier, just, well, better.

3. Baths.
Its that time of year again. ahhhhhhh

4. Some ankle boots
Russell and Bromley do some great ones. I think their classic ones have been around for about 20 years now. All the notting hill girls sport them on a daily basis -- they're pricey for high street, at £175, but they last years, which is more than I can say for Topshop's offerings. I have just bought a pair, one of their new styles for autumn. Now, I buy a new pair of ankle boots around the same time every year and by April they are trashed, worn out, good for nothing except the bin. This year THINGS WILL CHANGE. I trust these boots. I really do. They have some nice Marant knock-offs in there too, along with every other shop on the high street. Christmas list?

5. Going back to University.

Its been a while since I had a jager-bomb, or picked up a pen for that matter. I plan to do both in the coming weeks, in that order. If you're in London this weekend though, head to Franks for what will be the best end of summer party around. They close this weekend until next year, so get there for an amaretto sour or five and look upon this view while the sun is still saying its last goodbyes. Unless its pissing with rain that is.

The dying days of summer

The other day we went on a family outing to Queen's Park farmer's market for the first time. This is a favourite shopping spot for the up-and-coming Queens Park set - Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue, and her trendy media-type neighbours can often be found among the courgette flowers and homemade spelt fettucini.

We actually bought some of that, and had it with some homemade pesto. Who are we.

 I loved the farmers market, although at points it was eye-wateringly expensive ("£4.50 for a  TINY loaf of bread?" "alright I'll do it for £4"".....great....."), the vegetable stalls were a dream - lovely and muddy, just how I like it. We made a salad....

... With fresh peas picked that morning. Usually if you buy fresh peas from the supermarket you regret it and wish you'd gone for Birdseye, but these were super sweet. I threw in some toasted pecans for crunch and protein, along with some cucumber and celery.

 We bought some berries too, and ate them with mint picked from our garden, which always stays cool and shady even on the hottest days... which are getting cooler by the minute.

The website for Queens Park farmers market is here, it opens every Sunday in a primary school playground. I think it might've actually been my dad's old primary school - fun fact for ya.