carpedigi

[carpedigi]

Biking under freezing conditions has its advantages 🚲 ❄️ (at Hammersmith Bridge)

[carpedigi]

Not bad London. Not bad at all. (at Lambeth Bridge)

[carpedigi]

An alley, a historical PUB, decent food and great conversation. It was a fine idea for lunch. The Dove, the pub in question, features the smallest bar room in the world according to the Guinness Book. It is said that some famous writers and Charles II were also regulars. In good company then. 👍🏽 (at The Dove, Hammersmith)

[carpedigi]

It’s beginning to look like Christmas 🎄 @claridgeshotel 💖 (at Claridge’s)

[carpedigi]

No filter fall colors 💛🍁🙌🏾 Best cliche ever. (at Ravenscourt Park)

[carpedigi]

Not only do they make amazing spectacles 👓 they also have this cute little burning stove to warm up the store 💛 (at Cubitts)

[carpedigi]

Mind the light or Oh the crispy and cold afternoons 👌🏽❄️ (at London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham)

[carpedigi]

Things you don’t want to miss when you visit Brasil 🇧🇷 but miss terribly when you are not there 🔙 Fresh papaya juice 😋 (at Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro)

[carpedigi]

Charming Ipanema. Great food. Great ambience. Delicious live music 🎶 @restoipanema (at Restô Ipanema)

[carpedigi]

Getting Older and Healthier

I was talking to a friend the other day about how long it takes a woman - body and soul - to get back on her center after having a kid. We figured two years at least. I say, even if you lose the weight one usually puts on when pregnant (normally the only apparent change) there are so many other things to consider! You are sleep deprived, drained and exhausted, under crazy hormones. Not to mention the new responsibility of taking care of a new born. You feel so off centered it is hard to explain to someone who hasn’t been there yet.

My youngest just turned two and there are a few things I have started doing to feel better:

- Less meat in my diet. I still eat the occasional fish, chicken or red meat but only if my body really craves it. If not, I eat veg instead. 

- I have substituted my milk intake for almond “milk”. I have reduced considerably my yogurt intake and am trying to eat less cheese which is the hardest dairy to let go for me. I feel much lighter, with more energy. 

- I was never a white sugar fan but am trying to eat less sweet things in general. I have a good quality dark chocolate bite if I need something. A spoon of honey does wonders also! 

- I have started drinking this vegan protein powder by WelleCo in the morning (add almond milk and banana), replacing my breakfast all together. Again never a fan of protein powder but found this one to have a great taste, only good stuff in the formula, no dairy. Results so far: more energy, less need for coffee and sweets through the day.

- I am taking a capsule of apple vinegar in the morning.  It is supposed to contribute to an efficient digestion, lipid metabolism and maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. I used to drink (horrible taste) but a friend told me about the capsule and voilá!

- I also take two capsules of turmeric, one before lunch and the other before dinner. Among the benefits: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, improved brain function and many others. I chose this by Pukka but definitely many other brands available as long as you check the concentration and main ingredients.

- Baobab powder, 2 to 4 teaspoons mixed with just about anything. A natural powder that is high in fibre and rich in Vitamin C. It supports a healthy immune system, energy release and skin! My choice was this one by Aduna.

- Finally my chocolate of choice, always dark, as dark as possible. I keep trying new brands and just tried this Raw Halo which I really liked.

I feel better and lighter, with more energy these past few weeks. Next step is to increase my daily walking and cycling and hopefully be a very healthy old lady!

[carpedigi]

So this happened @dominiqueansellondon 😳😱😋➡️ Blossoming Hot Chocolate! (at Dominique Ansel Bakery London)

[carpedigi]

Guilty Pleasures Under £60

I don’t know about you but my mind operates under a compensation unspoken rule where once now and then I treat myself to something special. Like the crispy delicious croissant from the French bakery around the corner I am having right now!

This is a selection of ideas for gifts just as special as my morning treat. Some a bit more expensive than others, all under £60. It is definitely not the price per se, rather more so about the pleasure involved. Of course you can get the same things from different brands and/or shops. But these are not called GUILTY pleasures for nothing!

True Grace candle in Fig, £35. You won’t regret spending your money on any True Grace product. Their candles are lovely, ranging from very fresh to very smoky scents.  Their Gardenia No78, specially made to celebrate Vogue’s 100 anniversary, and still found in some bespoke shops is also to live for.

Santa Maria Novella soaps, specially Mandorla and Tabacco Toscano, under £30. If you get a chance to visit the store in Firenze the experience will be complete! If not they have shops in London, I like the Piccadilly best. They sell online in the US here. 

Hot chocolate from SAID or Paul’s, under £4 for sure, little bowls of true cacao love. 

Visiting Liberty London to buy Dear Polly by Vilhelm Parfumerie, travel size for £60. The only two areas of Liberty that I really enjoy are the Beauty Hall with all of the niche brand perfumes and Home with all of the candles and infusers. So there you go, an amazing scent!

Loungewear essentials or what I describe as soft clothing! A nice super soft t-shirt by Sunspel, the centenary British brand. Men’s much cheaper than women’s (get a smaller size to save bucks, just saying!). £35, in cool grey, men’s.

 YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

[carpedigi]

"Never, never, never give up." Prime Minister Churchill as he stands outside the Parliament. Still famously cranky. (at Parliament Square)

[carpedigi]

Westminster Hall, the oldest building of The Palace of Westminster or the Houses of Parliament (11th century), central in British history, still stands strong and magnificent. One of the most fascinating visits I've taken here in London. (at Houses of Parliament)

[carpedigi]

Winter is coming and the long list for best hot chocolate in town grows longer 👅 Said not only has amazing hot chocolate but also great ambience, music, location and chocolate abound to go 🍫 🏃🏽‍♀️ (at Said london)

[carpedigi]

Up with the trees. Amazing walk about through the green at Kew Gardens. Great London on a sunny day. (at Kew Gardens)

[carpedigi]

Despite the very gloom and cloudy 13 degrees of today we had this beautiful day last week. Throwback happiness then. (at Regent Street)