Wednesday 4 November 2009

Mews in London



One of my favorite things about being in London are these funny little side streets and alleys that are called mews. I always feel like I am in Victorian London and on purpose walk through the mews,imagining myself some damsel (in corset and big petticoat) that has hidden with her secret beau to steal a kiss among the cobble stone mews and a full moon night. One evening I was taking a black cab and the cabbies, most of the time are quite friendly. He explained to me that the Mews were once the stables where the wealthy kept their horses. Now, no longer used as stables they are often prime property, very expensive and for the very posh.

I delved further into my research and this is what I found:
Mews is a chiefly British term formerly describing a row of stables, usually with carriage houses below and living quarters above, built around a paved yard or court, or along a street, behind large London houses of the 17th and 18th centuries. The word may also refer to the lane, alley or back street onto which such stables open. It is sometimes applied to rows or groups of garages or, more broadly, to a narrow passage or a confined place. Today most mews stables have been converted into dwellings, some greatly modernized and considered highly desirable residences.


The term "mews" is not used for large individual non-royal British stable blocks, a feature of country houses. For example the grand stable block at Chatsworth House is referred to as the stables, not the mews. Instead the word was applied to service streets and the stables in them in cities, primarily London. In the 18th and 19th centuries London housing for wealthy people generally consisted of streets of large terraced houses with stables at the back, which opened onto a small service street. The mews had horse stalls and a carriage house on the ground floor, and stable servants' living accommodation above. Generally this was mirrored by another row of stables on the opposite side of the service street, backing onto another row of terraced houses facing outward into the next street. Sometimes there were variations such as small courtyards. Most mews are named after one of the principal streets which they back onto. Most but not all have the word "mews" in their name. This arrangement was different from most of Continental Europe, where the stables in wealthy urban residences were usually off a front or central courtyard. The advantage of the British system was that it hid the sounds and smells of the stables away from the family when they were not using the horses.

Mews lost their equestrian function in the early 20th century when motor cars were introduced. At the same time, after World War I and especially after World War II, the number of people who could afford to live in the type of houses which had a mews attached fell sharply.[citation needed] Some mews were demolished or put to commercial use, but the majority were converted into homes. These "mews houses", nearly always located in the wealthiest districts, are themselves now fashionable residences.

Winston Churchill's bad habits


Winston Churchill is said to have been a heavy drinker. He drank a bottle of champagne for lunch, a bottle of champagne for dinner and then he drank whiskey sours in between. On top of that, he smoked ten cigars through out the day. Furthermore, he lived to be to a ripe old age of 91. Mind You? I was so impressed with Churchill's bad habits that I thought I'd dedicated one whole blog to him alone.

Tuesday 3 November 2009

Parks of London: Sunday St. James Park

St. James Park is one of the many parks in London. It is also one of the Historic Royal Parks. London has eight royal parks: Bushy Park, Richmond Park, Hyde Park, The Green Park,Greenwhich, Kensington Gardens, Regents Park and St. James Park. London is a very green city, because of the constant rain the parks are lush with wildlife, flora and fauna and many animals.

With it's Royal Political and Literary Associations St James Park is at the very heart of London and covers about 58 acres of land. It has a beautiful lake, pelicans, rare birds and a charming fairy tale inn keepers house in the middle of it.St.James is also home to the MALL,the event for many ceremonial parades and national events. From St.James Park you can see the crossing of the gaurds that takes place every day at 10 am.

I had fun just taking photos in autumn. Seeing the many birds in the park. The leaves are changing. There's a brisk feeling in the air, but it's not too chilly yet, just cool enough to wake you and make you feel alive. St.James Park borders Buckingham Palace on one side,(if you begin your walk there) and then on the other side it borders Winston Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms. If you walk about 5 minutes heading towards the Admiralty Arch you'll see Trafalgar Square and the famous National Gallery. London is a great walking city. But, more than that, it has amazing parks. For me, autumn is the best time to visit, not too cold and not too hot. Just perfect for lounging on the grass, reading a book on the park bench, all bundled up in your gear with a cup of hot tea from your thermos you are set. A stroll in the park in the morning hours is great to wake you up get you started on your day. Here's a few of the 100 photos I shot on one sunny Autumn afternoon. I love autumn, it's my favourite time of year!

















Some Important Links:
Historic of St. James Park.

For Walks in the Park.


A Guided Walk: Gun Powder, Treason and Plot. The Story behind Guy Fawkes Day.

____________________________________________________________________________________
Events in the Park

05 Nov 2009
Guided Walk - Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
St. James's Park (Victoria Tower Gardens)
Discover the truth about Guy Fawkes and the plot to blow up parliament over 400 years ago.

1-2pm

Places are limited so booking is essential. Contact the St James's Park office on 020 7930 1793 (Mon-Fre 8am-4pm).

Walks will last about 1 hour and are aimed at adults with a general interest. Please come dressed for being outdoors.


MORE ON RICHMOND PARK IN THE NEXT SABRINAS LONDON DIARIES

Fashion in London, Part 2: Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize

To me, accessories, is what makes an outfit! It's what makes an outfit stand out, pop with pizazz, sizzle with style. You can have the most gorgeous
suit that you bought from Versace or Armani, but ah do you know how to accessorize. Accessorize,now there's the rub.


A great way to accesorize is just look at yourself before you walk out the door.
Look at yourself real hard in the mirror and ask what does this outfit need to make it shine? A diamanté brooch on the lapel of a plain black jacket. A leopard scarf tied nonchalantly.A sparkly jewel in the hair. An orange tie worn with hot pink shirt. A jazzy belt. A mysterious purple fedora.A fuzzy beret. A lacy Victorian umbrella. Classic wayfarer sunglasses. Some cool shades cat! Anything in leopard. A little bit of bling is not a bad thing. Grandma's pearl earrings. A mobile phone. A charming dog on a leash. A guitar. To me, those things are accessories that we add to our being and add to our style. Those small little details that add to your uniqueness and individuality. But in the end, it's all about the charm.It's all about how you wear it and how you own the choices about your own personal style and wear it with grace.



A Gorgeous Smile. A Yellow Purse juxtaposed with a Blue Sweater. Chiara looks laid back, carefree and fun. This girl has more style than the law allows! She was also the most gracious and charming girl of all.


Her mobile phone, her beret and her great spirit is her accessories today. It was so much fun to photograph this Italian girl !

The fedora hat, the crazy wild electric blue pants. This boy's a rock star and has the charisma to boot. The black bow. The loving gaze. This couple has so much attitude! I Love it !


This young lady is really smart a professor of Darwinian Econonomics. Her quirky style is attractive and slightly conservative. The intellectual glasses, the hot pink fluffy scarf offset with the grey sweater, and then her cute black dog. He's what makes the outfit! I loved them! Taken in St. George's Inn Park.


The black sunglasses. The black cap. The braggadocio pose makes him about town and the coolest cat around.



The red paisley scarf that brings out the warm colours in the collegiate jacket.( This is my favourite jacket and I've worn it since my college days in Vermont. I've worn it so much that the lining is gone.)The orange fan on the lapel of the jacket that echoes an orange turtle-neck. The brown Italian leather mini-backpack that is practical and de rigeur for my lifestyle.But, it's my camera that's my best accessory. This whole outfit has become part of my uniform. I'm putting my creative energy into writing these days. Hey It's me, the blogger!


Some these photos in my Fashion Blog Series ( Parts 1,2, and 3) were taken when I was on a pub crawl. My first one at that. We hit 3 or 4 pubs within walking distance and had a pint or in my case drank a glass of wine. It was so much fun goig up to strange people and asking them if they would like to participate in my Fashion Blog.I met so many nice, fun and interesting people!It's what I call getting tipsy with a purpose ( LOL !)


Thank you everyone who contributed to this blog!

Enjoy!

SABRINA

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