February Favourites

Spring snowdrops

It’s March and Spring is in the air! I want to share what I got up to in February with you all. Despite the winter weather it was lovely to try out a few new things…

VISIT > Petersham Nurseries

Who doesn’t have Petersham Nurseries on their places to visit after seeing it crop up on Instagram? Maybe it’s just me (and my Mum), but we were very excited to check it out last month. The conservatory is just as photogenic as we expected, crammed full of chic garden knick knacks and huge wooden wardrobes to separate themed spaces – an (expensive) hipster paradise!

WORKSHOP > Quill Calligraphy – Beginners Modern Calligraphy

I’ve always wanted to learn calligraphy and when I discovered that Quill were doing a ‘modern calligraphy’ class I couldn’t wait to try it out. I was kindly given a beginners workshop voucher from my parents for Christmas.  I got a spot on the 2.5 hour workshop on Valentine’s Day and I learnt so many techniques and tips I can’t wait to use!

PLAY > War Horse – New London Theatre

Adapted from Michael Morpurgho book’s, War Horse is one of those ‘must see’ plays, and, knowing that it’s leaving London in mid-March, I joined the scrabble for tickets. I don’t think I’ll ever get over how realistic the horse puppets are, and I really didn’t expect to have a sob over the storyline in the theatre! Without giving anything away, if the production comes to a theatre near you in future, you are in for a treat!

SHOP > Daunt Books

I’m a sucker for a cozy bookshop, the more wood panelling the better. Daunt Books fits the bill entirely. It even has an upstairs gallery, filled with even more books! I spent a happy hour or two perusing the shelves – and still have a couple of pounds left on a Daunt Books gift voucher, so I have an excuse to go back again. This could get addictive!

BOOK > The Secret History by Donna Tartt

I really enjoyed reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt last year, and wanted to see what her other books were like. The Secret History was darker, but just as absorbing as The Goldfinch. I was audibly gasping while reading it; it was creepy and surreal, not my usual kind of read, but I’m recommending it to everyone.

BLOG > 5ftinf.com – Sunday…With the Calais Jungle and the Worldwide Tribe

I’ve long admired 5ftinf’s work (I visited her exhibition last May) and she has visited the Calais Jungle, just days before the eviction of refugees at the end of February. She has a very moving account of visiting and seeing how people are living in such challenging circumstances with hope and vitality against the odds. Her blog is very well worth a read. She was with The Worldwide Tribe who do an incredible amount of work to help people at the camp and publicise what is going on there.

What did you get up to in February?