Hox on the Locks

I’ve long been a fan of The Hoxton Hotel and when my lovely friends Jaime and Jason hosted their wedding reception in the Hoxton Apartment, it made me like it even more.

I started following Hoxtown to stay up to date with all their news and events and it was here that I saw a competition that was begging to be entered.

To mark the 1^st birthday of The Hoxton, Amsterdam, the Hoxton ‘jumped ship’ for two weeks to a Regents canal boat here in London. The competition prize was a stay on this boat – I won! A few Wednesdays ago, I eagerly packed my bags and invited my friend Laurel.

Before heading to the boat, we enjoyed a delicious dinner in the Hoxton Hotel (‘Hoxton on Solid Ground'). The food there is so great -  sometimes naughty, always hearty. I had a fabulous piece of cod with samphire. We walked off supper and headed to the boat which was moored in Gainsborough Wharf in Haggerston. It was furnished similarly to the hotel with beautiful linen wallpaper and the sort of muted, stylish accessories a bright-colour-lover like myself imagines for her future, far more sophisticated self.

The boat had a projector, but after a big dinner, it was all we could do to stay awake for deck-side champagne (a hard life, I know) before snuggling in to the amazingly comfy bed.

In the morning, I happily worked ‘from boat’, enjoying my little breakfast in the sun. It really floated my boat.

I mean, I don’t really want the extra competition, but Hoxtown are always offering cool prizes like this – so make sure you check the site – you have to be in it to win it, after all.

Redemption at Last

Vegan, sugar-free, wheat-free, alcohol free? Surely Shoreditch-based restaurant Redemption must also be fun-free? Nearing breaking point on my diet wagon, I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and headed there for a mid-week dinner with a similarly well-intentioned friend. 

I was very pleasantly surprised - my alcohol-free cocktail was really fresh and delicious, as was my veggie sushi. The Bliss Balls were very tasty too. It's perfect for the times when you're desperately trying to be 'good' without being a hermit. After all it's no good being all thin and clean-eating when there's nobody else around!

Pop in and experience it for yourself - your body will thank you for it.

Redemption Shoreditch
320 Old Street
EC1V 9DR 

Copenhagen City Break

When I told friends I was off to Copenhagen for a mini break, the recommendations for restaurants, activities and places to stay came flying in. As it turned out, Copenhagen is popular for very good reasons – and it’s an easy city to fall in love with – clean streets, gorgeous, friendly people and healthy transport (over half the population ride bikes to get to work).

I’ve been to Stockholm before, so felt fairly prepared, but yes, this wonderfulness comes with a fairly hefty price tag, and although flights and accommodation were more than reasonable, what I class as ‘fun activities’ such as dining out and drinking were much pricier than London, so we ended up spending quite a bit. I don’t regret it at all though, because we had an absolutely incredible time and got a tantalizing taste of how great Scandi life can be.

Here’s a city guide to help you with your Copenhagen trip.

A STYLISH GUIDE TO COPENHAGEN

THINGS TO DO

Before you do anything else, buy yourself some booze at the airport. But not too much of it. We made this unnecessarily expensive mistake.

Get bikes! It’s really the only way to travel. We got ours from Copenhagen Tourist Info in the main train station. They were cheaper than the city ones.

Tivoli Gardens was amazing – an incredibly stylish amusement park where you can easily stay the whole day. The gift shop was excellent, the rides included a nice variety of high up and blood-curling and calm relaxation.

Hang out by Copenhagen Harbour. You can also swim there if it’s not too cold – so nice. Havnefronten Islands Brygge T23713189

Visit Christiania, the city’s hippie hang-out. I didn’t enjoy it at night (sure it was fine, but it felt dodge) but during the day it was really fun – live music and a full gathering of the city’s hot young things.

Go shopping in Prag, an awesome haven of vintage, reasonably-priced clothes and accessories. I got some excellent parrot and chandelier earrings. It was hard for the boyf to drag me out.

Louisiana, an art gallery about an hour and a half out of town is meant to be incredible but we ran out of time! Next time.

PLACES TO STAY

We stayed in Frederiksberg– posh, suburban and quiet, without being too far from the action. We stayed in this AirBnB – such a lovely flat, thanks Julie! It was right next to a Lidl so we stocked up for cheap breakfasts and snacks.

These places all came recommended by friends but were fully booked when we wanted them:

Axel Guldsmeden Hotel

Hotel SP34 

My mates Lynne and Neil stayed in this AirBnB and loved it. 

FOOD

Radio – a fabulous restaurant run by a chef who used to work at NOMA. You choose from a narrow selection of dishes. Each one was more exceptional than the last - you really can’t go wrong. Try not to stare at the waiter

Pate Pate – gorgeous food in the trendy Fiskebaren area. Get oysters and the Burrata if it’s still on the menu

Hansens Gamle Familiehave – nice traditional food, hearty fare with a home-cooked vibe

Granola – we didn’t make it here, sadly, but it comes highly recommended by everyone who’s been

Kadeau – another recommendation we sadly didn’t have time for – a 20-course tasting menu dinner

DRINKS AND GOING OUT

Salon 39 – exceptional cocktails. I had one that was basically a very adult icecream and another, which was like a lemony, biscuit-coated dream…

Kødbyens Fiskebar – trendy fun, big tyre tables, great cocktails

Tivoli Gardens is open until midnight and it’s so pretty. There are bars inside. They have fireworks which you can see outside of the gates too.

Sunny Tivoli Gardens

An amazing fairytale journey through the world of Hans Cristian Andersen

Loved this light

Even the bar was gorgeous

Giraffes coming out of mirrors - what more could you need?

Liked this guy

Caught the fireworks!

Amazing food in Radio

More amazing food in Radio

Great bikes

My new fave shop

Chilling on Copenhagen Harbour in my BHS cossie, vintage jewellery and Ray Bans. 

Darbaar

I was invited to the opening of Darbaar, a new Indian restaurant near Moorgate in London.

We grabbed a blue cocktail and had a wander around. The interior is really welcoming – warm and ornate without being overly flashy. We had the opportunity to try lots of the food – it was delicious – prawns in a coconut curry sauce, stunning samosas and some gorgeous spiced chicken were my favourite dishes.

There was a stunning private dining room that would be perfect for events. I think Darbaar would be the perfect place for a mid-week dinner in the city; I’m sure they will do incredibly well.