Kopar

After a long day that included a lengthy coach journey to hunt down the absolutely incredible Northern lights, an extensive meander through the centre of Reykjavik to familiarise ourselves with our surroundings

we’d inflicted upon ourselves a state of food deprivation.

 The Nordic people are extremely friendly, so when asking them “where can we eat our weight in delicious food” they all seemed to sing from the same hymn sheet. 

A restaurant called Kopar was the hot two syllable word on everybody’s lips. Famished and quite frankly desperate, we chucked on a pretty outfit, strapped on a pair of boots, not totally appropriate for trudging in the cold weather but whatever! 

Fur Gillet from The Kooples which you can find here 

White and Gold leaf blouse from here

Black Skater Skirt and Studded Boots from Topshop which you can grab here 

Salivating at the thought, we headed over to taste this heavenly dining experience that the Icelandic people raved about. It’s safe to say they weren’t wrong.

Kopar is a treasure to Reykjavik. The unassuming restaurant sits proudly on the marina in the centre of the city, overlooking the string line of boats placed on the harbour.

The restaurant embraces the true rustic edge that Iceland has over the rest of its Nordic counterparts. Luckily upon pre-warning, we’d managed to call up a few hours before and book a table- however warning travellers this restaurant gets seriously busy on a Saturday night!

We shuffled through the bucolic settings to our table and came face to face with our beautiful view for the night

Stunning isn’t it!

Kopar prides itself on using the freshest ingredients that are sourced from local products, both from land and sea, to create an adventurous menu to be sampled by all.

 A glass of Montalto Famiglia from Sicily for me and a round of Violet Mojito’s for my companions we were itching to try the food!

Trawling the menu over seeded butter and a fresh bread basket, never a bad thing, we’d decided on our first [wo]man vs food round.

Lightly fried spicy crab cakes that lay so innocently on a power-packed fluffy remoulade and sweet ‘n’ sour lemon sauce.

Creamy Goat Cheese parcels and Honey Salad accompanied by Rucola, the sweetest candied walnuts and contrasting sour pears.

Oh sweet Cheesus.

With round one being such a success we couldn’t possibly cheat out on round two!

A fanfare Lobster and Crab risotto packed full of delicious flavours enhanced by a shellfish sauce and fennel salad for me. Jaw droppingly amazing.

And a Zucchini “Spaghetti Style” with chick pea balls accompanied by freshly sourced white beans, cherry tomatoes and grapes crowned with hefty shavings of parmesan and basil.

Needless to say- the plates left the table significantly emptier than when they arrived.  

Que mandatory “I’m so full” remarks and “I can’t possibly eat anymore” comments... while skimming over the dessert menu. Enter round 3...

Soft Daim Cheesecake with tangy raspberry sauce, skyr sorbet and sorrel. Skyr, unbeknown to myself, is an Icelandic cultured yoghurt that is somewhat of a specialty in Iceland.

 It’s fresh and zingy which complements the softness of the daim cheesecake- definitely a recipe that I’ll be recreating!

For good measure we also opted for the brownie and after-eight ice cream laced in a coconut caramel sauce. While the brownie could’ve been slightly more gooey, the after-eight ice cream was bloomin’ fantastic!

Full and significantly high in spirits we took a stroll around the harbour and joined the Nordics to dance the night away Icelandic style! 

Aðila! 

Iceland- Day 1

“I want to visit [fill in the gap] before I die!” is something that I hear all too often.

Plans are made, conversations over empty & rattled bottles of wine are had and hypothetical travel itineraries are thrown out into open air. It was upon one of these nights a few months ago that my trip to Iceland was booked. 

Like any pre-booked event, I had 4 months to prepare and the night before is when I found myself chucking all of my not so warm belongings into an industrial sized suitcase for my trip to the land of Ice. Luckily my friend H, who’s a regular ski bunny, assisted me in pulling together a warm and toasty wardrobe to keep me warm as I descended into the land of Santa.

3 hours and a strangely equal time zone later...

I landed in Iceland.

Fresh faced, dreams of Christmas in my eyes and a fur headband to keep me warm [really just a vague attempt to make my ski jacket look chic in Iceland as the hole in the headpiece is not so warming.]

After a battle between the bureau de change and myself, we headed towards The Hilton Reykjavik Nordica- our home for the next few days. The truth is, we primarily chose the Hilton because it’s a short 15 minute walk from the city centre but is still far enough to enjoy the scarcity and space that Iceland refreshingly provides to a London City girl- but it really is so much more than that.

The staff are ridiculously friendly and always at your beck and call should you need anything to enhance your trip. 

The general decor of the hotel is very minimalist and modern but brings a hint of homeliness with the strategically placed open fires and bar areas[ happy hours daily from 5pm-7pm for my friends that like to have a regular holiday tipple]. 

The rooms are extremely clean and simplistic which did just the trick seeing as we were barely present in our rooms [Reykjavik gallivanting is key in a trip to Iceland]. The on-site restaurant is called Vox and serves up a scrumptious balance of local well cooked foods heavily influenced by the local culture. The hotel boasts a wonderfully simple vibe improved by the vibrant crowd that this hotel attracts. 

Hunger Looming, we meandered down to the Hotel Lobby for some fantastic wine by an open fire accompanied by the Hilton Nordica’s delicious High Tea menu [forever a Brit.] 

Much to my surprise, Iceland apparently doesn’t produce its own wine but the imported stuff tastes just as good by an open flame. A delicious stand of meat infused sandwiches, the Roast Beef was a personal favourite, and desserts, the white chocolate mousse with berries is a must, appeared in front of us and disappeared in under 5 minutes- hungry we were.

Significantly wined and dined after an almost 24 hour day, we retired to our hotel rooms to sink our tiresome heads into the plump pillows that adorned our beds.

Having successfully taken over the hotel bars and eatery, we’d need a snooze to conquer Reykjavik the following day... 

Jump to it!

After the heartbreak I experienced last year I decided to prepare. The countdown to Christmas 2012 was in full swing, presents were purchased aching to be wrapped, the tree was up shining in all its glamour and then it hit me... I’d forgotten to purchase my annual Christmas jumper!

Christmas jumper’s are somewhat of a tradition in my house and to say we go slightly overboard would be an understatement. Christmas is all about the traditions- the milk & cookies by the fire, the constant aroma of Mulled Wine spices that circulate the house and one overly fervent Christmas jumper in which to tear open presents in.

So as the countdown to Christmas finally begins [29 days and counting] I bring to you my dear readers this season’s finest Christmas jumpers: 

1. This beauty from Asos will have all the reindeers green with envy. Wear with a chunky scarf, a bobble hat and a skater skirt for laid back luxe. 

Asos- £32.00

2. I've recently regained a love for Rokit- a goldmine of vintage treasures, Rokit holds the best little finds that you won't find anywhere in main stream stores. Definitely one to raid for those Christmas Presents!

Rokit- £22.50

3. The season to snuggle up and be warm has never felt so good when in this ultra fine but surprisingly warm number from Markus Lupfer. Keep the winds at bay with this beauty!

Markus Lupfer- £256.54

4. Just incase you bump into Santa, get a bout of stage freight and are unable to reiterate your words- purchase this glorious number from Miss Selfridge. Skinny J Brands and Chelsea Ankle boots- done and done. 

Miss Selfridge- £25.90

5. For the uber enthusiastic season lovers [like myself], there's no getting around that this bad boy will fill you with Christmas cheer.Get into character while Christmas shopping in this elf jumper.  

funkychristmasjumpers.co.uk- £39.99

'Tis the season readers!

Back to School with Chin-Chin Labs

Chemistry has always fascinated me. Although my theoretical capabilities at the periodic tabled, psychobabble subject always fell slightly further than short while at school- I never lost the excitement that overwhelmed me 3 times a week when I got to shimmy on my uber chic Lab coat and measure in copious amounts of HCL and H20 [still got it.]

Given my thrill for all things test tube’d and smoke producing, you can imagine my excitement when I happen to come across this secret little gem. Chin-Chin Labs is Europe’s premier Nitrogen Ice-cream Parlor. 

Combining some of the most unique and quite frankly delicious flavours, the apple pie marshmallow ice cream was a personal favourite; Chin-Chin Labs gives visitors that nostalgic feeling of being in a world of magic and orchestrated mystery.

Upon selecting your flavor combination the, oh so helpful, ice-cream magician selects an array of measuring jars and test tubes- pours them all into a large mixer while you stare on jaws to the ground. The addition of the liquid nitrogen has on-lookers clapping like a seal, as bounds of white smoke emerge from this cauldron like piece of apparel- note to self: must put this on the Christmas List.

What emerges is the smoothest and flavorsome ice cream with rippled elements of the originally selected flavour. As if that wasn't enough, choose from a mixture of gourmet toppings for serious ice cream envy. We’re not talking about the sprinkles and chocolate sauce of the world- oh no my dear friends- choose from a delicate list that includes truffle crumble, crunchy honeycomb and candy pieces to name a few.

As the holiday season jingles on the way, Chin-Chin Labs are welcoming the Christmas spirit with a cheeky homage to all things Mulled wine and seasonal pie related. The temperatures may be plummeting, but it's never the wrong time to visit the overly cool Chin-Chin Labs. 

Harry Gordon's Bar

My connection with Selfridges is that of a steady long-term relationship.

When times are good they’re really good, we may argue every now and again when I have to queue to demand his time or his service is sloppy but all in all I know I can bank on him when times are rough [or I’ve left gifts to the last minute!] and he will rarely lead me astray [floor plan memorized to a T.]

After whizzing around the store collecting a plethora of canary yellow bags and artfully balancing them on each shoulder, it was time to stop and refuel. My usual haunt, Hix, seemed to be bursting at the seams and in an attempt to spicing up the variety in my life- I went in search of a new oasis in which to quench my thirst and lift my spirits [lift and pour straight into a glass that is.] 

    

Tired with feet singing from the pain that taking my new moccasins out for a spin caused, in the distance swung a glimmer of hope.

Enter... Harry Gordon’s Bar.       

The bar is small in size and very understated, so it didn't blow my mind at first- but as any lady will know- the feet pain will not wait.

Thankful for finally finding a seat, the bags were dropped swiftly to the floor and I was ready to work my way one by one through each of the innovative cocktails. Our colorful attired friend came bounding over accessorized with a smile, and was absolutely delightful in helping us with cocktail selections.

Upon attacking the complimentary savoury popcorn [tomato and mozzarella flavoured- a cheats pizza in a small bite of air] we made our selection and the battle began:

Round 1: The Naked Blush and The Old Fashioned. [No prizes for guessing which was the male and which was the female choice!]

The cocktails were strong but definitely well disguised and smoothly mixed so we glugged away- only later feeling the true effects as the volume of our conversation went from 4 to off the scales as the measure on the glass got fainter.

Post shamelessly requesting consistent top up’s of the magical pizza popcorn, our amazing waiter did what we were all hoping he would and tipped the bag into a fish bowl sized vessel and left us scavengers to incessantly pick.  

Round 2: The House Gin Fizz and The Sparkling Belle- both of which were absolutely scrumptious! 

Someone else clearly caught the shutterbug too...

After sampling a good selection of the cocktail menu, I think it’s fair to say that I underestimated Harry Gordon’s Bar. The staff are extremely helpful and chatty, it’s not as noisy or busy as a few of the other eateries in Selfridges and the cocktails were delectable!  

A definite must visit!  

The Lippes Service

I first came across Adam Lippes line- ADAM upon searching for some feel good cottons to throw under a blazer or a leather jacket when I’m dashing out of the door [time keeping seems to be a prominent issue in my life].

Cotton happens to be one of those materials that people often associate with unfortunate school PE uniforms or that hideous outfit that your mum once dressed you in to match your sister at the annual Christmas party [the emotional scars are still, evidently, very much visible]. So a designer that manages to put the cool factor firmly back into this throwback material, automatically gets put in the good books for me!

From the originally launched cotton’s line, ADAM, Mr Lippes showcased his versatile approach to simplicity and has resonated itself into a ready to wear women’s wear line, Adam Lippes, that is suitable for every occasion be it lunch with the girls or dancing the night away at London’s elite spots.  

The pre-spring 2014 Lookbook continue with the reoccurring theme of simplicity with clean cut silhouettes juxtaposed with complex fabrics. My favorite from the collection is this beautiful white number...

And this incredible printed long-line jacket come coat

which is also carried through into this number 

To be honest, the whole line is pretty fantastic! 

Visit www.adamlippes.com to view the entire collection.