I Married A Shaman - And Other Interesting Stories

A whiff of summers in Provence

2013-05-22T10:16:00.002+01:00

Vetiver, lavender, violets and jasmine; the all pervading aromas of summers in Provence. We would travel into the mountains to escape the heat of the French Riviera and, here, we would walk languidly along the edges of fields bursting with colour. The bees and cicadas providing the soundtrack to an endless day, full of possibilities.

I discovered a market stall selling rosemary and lavender oils distilled by Oliver Baussan - his sense of authenticity and provenance never left me and is probably the root of my passion for those sensibilities today. He went on to revive the art of Marseille soap making (another favourite of mine) and a few years later, still deeply committed to preserving the traditions of Provenace, he founded L'Occitane, my perfumer of choice. Last summer it was Verbena that turned my head. This year, with the Orient slowly walking into my life, I am wearing Thé Vert au Jasmin. Let it rain, I am somewhere else entirely!

What's your summer fragrance this year?

Images © Kiki Salon
www.misskikisalon.com

An English obsession

2013-05-20T13:45:00.000+01:00

If I seem to be writing a lot about plants and gardening at the moment, it's because our Spring has finally sprung - albeit it a month later than planned - and we're feeling a bit giddy.

Our garden is a tiny paved courtyard at the top of what would have been the stable yard to our house. To be honest though, I think that we actually sat in it less than six times last summer so, when we eventually ventured out last month, we looked upon a very sad vista indeed.

On the ground were ALL of the leaves that fell off our magnolia tree last Autumn, our Christmas tree, a dead bird (gulp) and two cigarette packets (the latter was a bit of a mystery).

Anyway, we've cleared it and are now in the process of re-planting it with the fruits of our (now) regular trips to Dark Star Plants.

Luckily, we got it all in the ground yesterday...

...because it's pouring again today! Oh England...

Images © Kiki Salon
www.misskikisalon.com

The Terrace, Harewood House

2013-05-20T11:03:00.001+01:00

The beautiful Terrace Garden at Harewood House is amongst the most beautiful I have ever seen.

It was created in the 1840s by Sir Charles Barry (who also famously designed the Palace of Westminster as well as remodelling the incomparably lovely Cliveden) and restored in 1994 to provide an elaborate framework for seasonal planing.

On a warm Spring afternoon, the scent of the clipped box and hyacinths was absolutely intoxicating...

...and provided a beautiful space in which to have a 'moment'...

...quietly contemplating the summer ahead.

Images © Kiki Salon

www.misskikisalon.com

The Palmenhaus, Vienna

2013-05-18T14:18:00.000+01:00

Nestled in the gardens of the magnificent Hoffburg Palace in Vienna, you will find the beautiful Jugendstil palmhouse which was originally used to nurture house plants and flowers for grand occasions. Today, it is the Palmenhaus brasserie, bar and cafe, and, most importantly, the venue in which we all came together to celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday last month.

It was freezing that day, so there was no better place to be than in a tropical hot house with bougainvillea petals falling in our laps. Right?

I love this place, most particularly for its food which - following several baffling days attempting to navigate Austria's heavy, meat-based cuisine - delivered a much needed zingy freshness to my body.

Check out my squid sandwich with accompanied with a sweet pineapple salsa. It may not look very pretty but it tasted divine - like a summer holiday on a plate.

The Palmenhaus is a place in which to savour great flavours, to drink plenty of wine and to spend hours discussing life - nobody rushes you in Vienna - and watching the Viennese come and go.

It's definitely on our 'to do' list the next time we visit.

Images © Kiki Salon

www.misskikisalon.com

Narcissus Poeticus

2013-05-18T13:40:00.002+01:00

Commonly known as 'Pheasant's Eye', this was one of the first daffodils ever to be cultivated. Legend has it that it was brought back to England from the Crusades by Sir Geoffrey de Fynedern, ultimately becoming the emblem of the village where he was Lord of the Manor.

These beauties, simply held together by paper and lengths raffia tied in a bow, were grown by Black Star Plants.

Images © Kiki Salon

www.misskikisalon.com

Christ Church, Spitalfields

2013-05-15T14:00:00.000+01:00

The Shaman and I share a passion for the work of Nicholas Hawksmoor, a prolific baroque architect who built six of the most important churches in London. Like that of the Shaman's, Hawsmoor's work was heavily influenced by the idea of sacred geometry which involves the use of universal patterns in designs that are intended to reflect the core of our reality. In architecture, the use of it provides the foundation of sacred structures such as temples, megaliths, monuments and churches - and other places where people congregate for worship and community. It is also the basis of a style of art that uses divine proportions; this is something that is fundamental to the Shaman for it is the central inspiration for his work: the nature of patterns, forms and their relationship with the lore of the Universe.

Our favourite Hawksmoor church is Christ Church in Spitalfields. It made sense then that, after three months of writing to one another, the Shaman (newly returned from India) and I should meet there - for the very first time - upon its steps.

And so we did; so very happy to be there for this ground is absolutely holy to us. In so may ways...

Images © Kiki Salon

www.misskikisalon.com

Scoop Gelato, London

2013-05-15T11:30:00.001+01:00

Currently my favourite place for a scoop of, you've got it, gelato, Scoop is a divine emporium of taste and provenance. Working with the finest ingredients from around the world, its creators operate more like scientists than confectioners.

Try Bacio made from a Gran Cru pure single orgin cocoa and Tonda Gentile hazelnuts from Piedmont or, of you're feeling fruity - as I so often am! - try Amarena which features a sumptuous combination of pasteurised Channel Island milk, Sicilian black cherries and crunchy meringues.

They make great coffee too! You can find their parlours in Soho (our favourite), Covent Garden and South Ken.

Image © Kiki Salon
www.misskikisalon.com

Japan, and the promise of cherry blossom

2013-05-15T11:01:00.001+01:00

I am a strong believer of the notion of placing your wishes in the Universe. It would be wrong, of course, to wish and wish for something so hard that life passes you by. No, the secret is to place your wishes in the universe and then to forget about them. They will come back to you eventually

For years and years, I have wanted to visit Japan at cherry blossom time.

So I am absolutely thrilled to hear that fiber artist, Kakuko Ishii, has just invited us to exhibit our work at the Kyosei-no-Sato Kurokawa inn Museum in Fukuoka city early next year...

...at cherry blossom time.

Image © Kiki Salon

www.misskikisalon.com

Pal Haveli; true glamour never fades

2013-05-13T18:49:00.001+01:00

He looked kind of fierce, the guy on the door. To be fair, we had been travelling across Rajasthan, all day and most of the night, in a beat-up taxi driven by a 12-year old (I jest but, seriously, our driver was so young, we think that this was his first journey out of Jaipur) and we were thinking in technicolor.

So, this is the sight that greeted us when we arrived. Immaculate and ready to welcome us to the Pal Haveli in the glorious blue city of Jodhpur.

Haveli is the term used to describe a private mansion, usually one with considerable historic and architectural importance. It was usual for guests to arrive - by elephant - through a grand entrance into the outer courtyard.

A relatively shady place to cool off from a long and arduous journey. When we visited in the Autumn of 2008, it was undergoing extensive restoration under the watchful - and very charming- eye of the current heir to the Pal dynasty.

We spent hours talking (by that I mean miming and grinning a lot) to the artisans and craftsmen who were lovingly re-painting every inch.

This is the finished door to our suite.

And every nook and cranny was slowly being filled with ornaments and artifacts that had been handed down through the generations. The haveli has been fully restored now and looks absolutely amazing. I feel another trip coming on.

Image © Kiki Salon

www.misskikisalon.com

Dark Star Plants

2013-05-12T17:38:00.002+01:00

This beautiful traditional plant nursery has been created in the restored walled garden of Rounton Grange, once the home of Gertrude Bell, an English writer, traveller, archeologist and spy who died in Baghdad, a very long way indeed from this location in East Rounton in North Yorkshire. Hers is a story you really need to know.

I didn't realise the garden even existed until a few days ago when I picked up a dark purple viola sweetly planted in a vintage cup from Dark Star's stall at our farmer's market. I'm so glad that I have discovered because, for me, this is a little piece of heaven right here, in God's own county.

Even on a cold and dismal day like today, it looked just perfect with all the promise of summer garden packed with herbaceous perennials, shrubs and climbers, annuals, biennials, hardy perennials, bulbs and herbs.

Specialising in the cultivation of dark flowers and dark foliage, its creators have inspired me to design an Italian courtyard garden this Spring and now I absolutely cannot WAIT to get started.

I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else for my plants because the experience we had there this afternoon - despite the pouring rain - was a million times better than dragging ourselves around those huge 'corporate' garden centres full of daft ornaments and uninspired, dreary plants cultivated in vast quantities in Holland.

This is a nursery for the passionate plantsman.

It is a labour of pure love and totally deserving of your attention.

Image © Kiki Salon

www.misskikisalon.com

The door, Miroslav Holub

2013-05-11T13:26:00.001+01:00

I love doors. In fact, I am absolutely obsessed by them. Here are just a few of my favourites in the heartbreakingly beautiful Marrakech, together with a lovely poem by the Czech poet, Miroslav Holub.

Go and open the door.

Maybe outside there's

A tree, or a wood

A garden,

Or a magic city.

Go and open the door.

Maybe a dog's rummaging

Maybe you'll see a face,

Or an eye,

Or the picture

of a picture.

Go and open the door.

If there's a fog

It will clear.

Go and open the door.

Even if there's only

The darkness ticking,

Even if there's only

The hollow wind

Even if

nothing

is there

Go and open the door.

At least

There'll be

a draught.

Poem by Miroslav Holub

Image © Kiki Salon

www.misskikisalon.com

The walled garden, Harewood House

2013-05-10T17:47:00.000+01:00

It is usually my task to make decisions about where to go on a rare day off. But, last Monday, as we woke up on that glorious bank holiday, the Shaman announced that he had a plan; we were to embark upon a 'magical mystery tour'. I really had no idea where we were going until we got there (come to think of it, that's a metaphor for our life together!). Harewood House, near Leeds, was our final destination and I loved it, I really did.

But, despite the very great beauty of the building and its state rooms, the place I loved most of all was the vast walled garden which has just begun to spring into action.

I stood and watched this girl quietly hoeing the soil for the longest time. She reminded me of my teenage years after my parents bought part of a field that backed onto our house. They turned over a third of it into a gigantic allotment and I remember the lovely relationship that gave us with the earth and the changing seasons.

I used to be given the gentle jobs like planting, weeding and picking raspberries. I rather liked it. For my Mum and Dad, of course, it must have been absolutely back-breaking work. I can see them there now.

I dedicate this story to my wonderful Dad who taught me so much and who has loved me so loyally. It's his birthday today. He is 75 years old and still my absolute hero.

Quiet London, Siobhan Wall

2013-05-05T15:55:00.001+01:00

The Shaman and I are off to a wedding party in a couple of hours - I love a wedding and this one is on the beach, a perfect choice for a sunny day - but, for now, I am sitting in our garden listening to the birds and leafing through Siobhan Wall's wonderful book, 'Quiet London'.

Wherever we travel, I'm always on the lookout for those hidden places that only locals know. So, if you're not so familiar with London, this book presents a wonderful collection of peaceful places to hide. Even I have discovered a few new things. I will definitely be visiting 'The Cinnamon Club' in the Grade II listed Old Westminster Library and I can't wait to go to 'Shepherd's Bookbinders' in Pimlico to check out their paper collection.

The violas in this pretty vintage tea cup were lovingly planted by 'Dark Star Plants', a gorgeous walled garden in North Yorkshire which the owners are painstakingly restoring.

Images © Kiki Salon
www.misskikisalon.co.uk

Living in the moment

2013-05-01T13:40:00.000+01:00

People wonder how I find the time to write this journal. Trust me, I wonder how I find the time too. I guess that this is what I do when I could be busy doing other things! I also sometimes - quite often, actually - wonder why I do it...

...and then someone I never met before writes to me to say something wonderful about it, usually because they've been inspired to do something differently. That makes me SO happy!

But mostly this journal is for me. It's a simple collection of the things that I observe every day; the simple beauty that make me happy. I like to look through it to understand where I was on a particular day, in my soul and in my heart. Those precious moments when I live, absolutely in the moment.

Today, I am working from home (I'm my own boss, I can do that. You can do that too). It's a wonderful day so I decided to pop across to my local greengrocers for some strawberries (at this time of year, they're from Spain and absolutely gorgeous).

He also sold me all of these beautiful plants for just £5. The 20 minutes that it took me to plant them just now, in the warm sun within the confines of our tiny walled garden, count amongst the loveliest moments of my life.

Make time, for the things that you love. And live in the moment. Always.

Images © Kiki Salon
www.misskikisalon.co.uk

Priddy Essentials

2013-04-29T16:35:00.001+01:00

I long to own a shop and, if I ever eventually get around to doing that, I would want it to take on a similar sensibility to the exquisite Priddy Essentials in my home town of Uppingham.

Established a couple of years ago by a husband and wife team - Chris and Wendy de Verteuil (a weaver and ceramicist) - their shop is a little glint of heaven, an the embodiment of everything that they hold dear. Craft, beauty and quality, all tied together with a golden thread of pure Englishness.

Their exquisite range of fragrances and toiletries includes my favourite, helibore and linden blossom, essential for an English summer.

Wendy's clean and unfussy ceramics are also inspired by the English countryside.

Whilst the clothes, made by Chris, presents a bold collection of strong, geometric shapes in exquisite natural and soft fabrics. Brilliant for layering.

The rest of the shop is given over to a curious collection of handmade items; some created by them and others by their friends.

Absolutely exquisite. Uppingham and the surrounding landscape of Rutland is well worth a visit. But, if you can't make it right now, you'll be very happy to learn that the collection can be bought direct from Wendy and Chris via their website.

Image © Kiki Salon

www.misskikisalon.com

Pho, and ice cream concentration

2013-04-29T14:39:00.002+01:00

Sitting in Pho in Spitalfields is alway interesting because there's such diversity of people coming and going.

The last time we were there, we spotted a very elegant lady - who was well into her 80s - sampling Vietnamese food for the very first time. She was completely game. There was also this little girl out to lunch with her Dad.

She asked for ice cream and, for the entire 20 minutes it took her to devour it, she was completely oblivious to the world.

A great example of the pleasure of mindful eating.

Image © Kiki Salon

www.misskikisalon.com

The Magnolias, Geoffrey Dutton

2013-04-26T17:25:00.001+01:00

Some streaked magnolia flowers in my room

Shadow her absence and her love,

Naked of leaves, curving above

The water I replenish. Each day's doom

Of falling petals brings a new bud out

From shy to sensual, all her phases

Move softly through the bare, dark mazes

Of the stems. Each day new petals fall, till doubt

Makes a clear statement of beauty dropped away.

But she and I know love and time

Are friends in all that grows, and climb

Together those dark stems, until one day

I enter this empty room and find a leaf

Green-thrusting from its furry shell,

Winging the naked stem, and well

She knows and I know flowers are not for grief.

Poem by Geoffrey Dutton

www.misskikisalon.com

Lunch at Borough Market

2013-04-26T11:03:00.002+01:00

Borough Market started off as a monthly event with just a few stalls featuring the wares of British producers. This was way before the provenance of what we eat became important.

Now, it is open virtually every day. For lunch Monday to Wednesday, and as a full market Thursday to Saturday.

These days, the market is an explosion of the colours, tastes and aromas of producers all over the UK and Europe.

Get there early to avoid the crowds and just wallow in the sure knowledge that you are surrounded by people who are super passionate about what they do.

Images © Kiki Salon
www.misskikisalon.co.uk

Neni, life is beautiful

2013-04-23T10:56:00.004+01:00

When I was a child I longed to go to Israel. This has nothing to do with my heritage, it's just because I wanted to work on a Kibbutz - even then, I could see all the benefits of a community working together towards a shared goal. Of course, I wasn't allowed to go; I was just ten years old.

I eventually made it however when a new business opportunity arose in the London agency I was working for at the time. I jumped at the chance of adventure and ended up being the agency's representative in the region for four years. That experience was a revelation to me; for the first time, I was working in a truly multi-cultural environment and the lessons I learned will stay with me forever. I look back on those years with great love and gratitude. Tel Aviv became my second home; I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing it was to work hard all day - under a glittering sun - before heading out to a beach party with friends, driving off to the sea of Galilee or discovering a great new restaurant. I went out every single night and I made it my mission to be the girl who had her finger on the pulse of what was hot in one of the most amazing cities in the world.

I miss it so much.

For that reason, it really pleased me last month when we discovered Neni as we were walking through Vienna's Naschmarkt. It was freezing and we were looking for somewhere for lunch; even though it was cold, we wanted something simple and fresh.

Of course, the name is a giveaway but as soon as I walked in, I felt as though I had returned to Tel Aviv. It was the elemental brightness that spoke to me, the quasi industrial interiors, the fact that I seemed to recognise the faces of the people that were in there and the obvious absence of tourists. The people here were cool and creative - and local.

The menu features a fusion of the very best of Jewish and contemporary Israeli food. Mostly, vegetarian, fresh, vibrant and colourful - a welcome change from the, traditionally rich cuisine of Austria. Our waiter - that's him above - was sweet, beautiful and attentive which is exactly what I came to expect when eating out in Tel Aviv and beyond.

Next time we go to Vienna, we plan to make a beeline for Neni where we will sit outside for hours and hours, just talking and watching people doing their thing on a lazy summer afternoon.

Or maybe, we'll hit Tel Aviv Beach?

Images © Kiki Salon
www.misskikisalon.com

Happiness in our backyard

2013-04-22T17:05:00.002+01:00

Whenever I miss actually living in London - and that is often - the Shaman takes me for a drive in the hills behind our house...

...just to remind me...

Spring In Helmsley

2013-04-22T16:57:00.001+01:00

We walked around Helmsley yesterday afternoon...

Lina Stores, London

2013-04-22T13:49:00.000+01:00

Lina Stores is my favourite Italian deli in Soho, especially beloved by me for its sumptuous pumpkin ravioli. Established in 1944, it had successfully retained its 'old Soho' character and I regularly stop by on my way home from work to pick up simple, authentic products with which I can make a simple supper. The scent of it, the character of it, the brusqueness of it all added up to a properly Italian experience.

So I was horrified late last year when I saw that Lina was closed for refurbishment; I was scared that another little piece of a big part of my life was about to vanish forever. I needn't have worried through.

Recently re-opened, I am delighted to report that it's still perfect. Nothing is lost.

Images © Kiki Salon
www.misskikisalon.com

The Black Swan, Helmsley

2013-04-22T12:59:00.000+01:00

I love the quaint market town of Helmsley on the south side of the wonderful North York Moors. It has a lot going for it and is typical of many of the towns we now live amongst - warm honeyed stone, red pantiles, a river running through it - there is always a river - flowers everywhere and great places to eat. One of our favourites is the Black Swan Hotel on the market square which, to my mind, is simply perfect. We went there yesterday for a classic afternoon tea.

The hotel is justifiably famous for its tearoom (it was voted the 'Top Tea Place 2010' and a 'Tearoom of Excellence' in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013) and the experience completely lived up to our expectations - trust me, I have high expectations.

Just like its more formal dining room, the Black Swan's tearoom manages to pull off a cosy contemporary setting with all of the service values of an English country house hotel. In other words, it's proper old-fashioned without being at all stuffy. This is a place we just want to keep coming back to. Oh, and he cakes we couldn't manage were placed in an elegant little box which now resides in our fridge; ready for round two.

Images © Kiki Salon
www.misskikisalon.com

Viennese coffee, the Marie Theresia

2013-04-21T11:55:00.003+01:00

What could be prettier than this divine Marie Theresia coffee?

This is a Viennese speciality comprised of a double mocha served with a lacing of Cointreau and topped with whipped cream and - oh joy - hundreds and thousands, tiny little bursts of sweetness that cannot fail to put a smile on your face.

This is how they serve it at the Café Prückel, in Vienna which is conveniently positioned just opposite the fabulous Austrian Museum of Applied Arts - the MAK.

Images © Kiki Salon
www.misskikisalon.com

Smoked garlic

2013-04-21T11:36:00.002+01:00

I first spotted smoked garlic at Borough Market, in London. That was yeas ago and I've been hooked ever since. That first purchase was grown and smoked on the Isle of Wright, a place that is now universally recognised for producing some of the UK's finest crops.

For those of you who can't make it down to London, you can buy smoked garlic from Booths, a chain of food stores that places great importance on the provenance of its products. You can also buy it direct from 'The Garlic Farm' on the Isle.

Smoked garlic is brilliant in marinades for your summer BBQs. I also use mine as a base ingredient of my mighty, smoking chillies.

Images © Kiki Salon
www.misskikisalon.com