West London's Hottest Roof Terrace: Pergola on the Roof, White City

West Londoners, allow me to introduce you to your official summer hangout - Pergola on the Roof in White City...

Now, I must start this by saying I have heard about this nowhere, seen no advertising and can't claim that any little secret squirrels told me. I learned about Pergola on the Roof the old fashioned way - I drove past it. Naturally anything that involves flowers, a rooftop and the chance to bite into one of London's most delicious burgers is a place I'd like to be. So Mr. FFG and I made plans to block out a few weekend hours to check this place out. 

Let's start with the basics. Pergola on the Roof is a popup roof terrace with bars, food stands and plenty of outdoor seating. It's set under, you guessed it, a Pergola, and replaces what I presume used to just be an old car park. Clever people, these geniuses that decided to use this space in the old TV centre as a sun worshiper's paradise. There are four restaurants on offer: Patty & Bun, Rabbit, Lecoq and Salt Yard. There's rose, white and red wine available, and let's not forget the bubbly. There's even a few "lounge" type areas for those less interested in eating and more interesting in socializing with a glass of spirits in hand. 

Sadly, this roof terrace is only a popup, as mentioned. It will be around until August 29th, so there's plenty of time to get your fill. However, I must urge you to book a table! We showed up around 12:30 in the afternoon, without reservations. Although we were let up, there were no tables available. A couple kindly allowed us to perch on the end of theirs. While this is a great place to stand around with friends, tables are always preferred, right? 

Mark my words - Pergola on the Roof will fill up and sell out of tables ASAP. Once this gets out (consider it out, now), it will be damn near impossible to score a seat. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Info:

Pergola on the Roof

Multi-Storey Car Park, Television Centre, Wood Lane, W12 7RJ

Nearest Tube: White City

Open Wednesday-Sunday.

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Style Update: Silks from Sarah & Sorrentino

Allow me to introduce you to a brand that's already making headway, is favored by some of the top stylists in the world and is earmarked as THE next name to know. This is Sarah & Sorrentino, a fashion duo responsible for some of the most lush prints and luxurious silks I've ever laid eyes on. But more so than anything else, this is a brand that has the ability to transform the wearer with one touch of the fabric. Yes, I do believe this silk is magical.

Now, I need to go ahead and admit that I already knew I'd love this brand after hearing that one of the founders, Sarah Pasricha, cut her teeth at Ralph Lauren. This post isn't long enough to list the names of great designers that have started their careers with my number one man. But here we are, worshipping one of them. 

I had a chance to try on some Sarah & Sorrentino last weekend for the first time and I knew immediately it was something I wanted to find a way to feature. Coincidentally, I had also just finished watching the second season of Grace & Frankie, and was feeling inspired by Frankie's boho chic gypsy fashion. So, what you see here came about as the result. I wanted to wear everything, all at once, and upon doing so I felt like the most spoilt woman alive. If only there was a way for me to give every woman on earth a Sarah & Sorrentino Kimono. I do believe it would change lives, change emotions and change the general outlook of an entire generation of women. Too much? I don't think so. Fashion does have the power to transform, and some pieces do so in an inexplicable manner.  

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Outfit du Jour: It's all about coordinates

Shop The Post:

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Chelsea's in Bloom (and we have the pictures to prove it)

Oh, it is officially my favorite time of year in London. It's that time when we all start hoping that there's a summer ahead. The newspapers start writing stories with headlines like "hottest summer ever ahead," and "it's going to be a scorcher." And we all pray for such an outcome, only to either end up complaining about it being a total rain out or complaining it's so hot that we're all wishing air conditioning was in every home in London. Hey, we have a thing about talking about the weather. It's cultural. But, there's something else that comes this time of year... flowers... so many flowers... and they pop up first in Chelsea for the Chelsea Flower Show. Only, the good people of London like to share in the festivities and, in Chelsea, there's an actual competition upon retailers when it comes to translating the trend. The result is true flower power in the form of Chelsea in Bloom and it looks a little something like this ----

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Shoe of the Month: Aquazzura ‘Wild Thing’ Sandals

Aquazzura ‘Wild Thing’ 105mm Sandals in White

Also in Red | Black Suede | Black leather | Light Grey

Blue | Green | Navy | Clementine | Pink

Cognac | Gold | Khaki and Cornflower blue

In a lower 85mm in Red | Black | Blue | Rose Gold | Cognac & Deep Red

In a 50mm block heel in Black | Red | Turquoise | Cognac | Biscotto and Grey

Budget version in four colours here | here | and here

We need to talk about the shoe that you surely haven't missed if you are a heel-lover like me. The red version of the Aquazurra ‘Wild Thing’ sandals basically flooded Instagram last summer and apparently, we are still not over the pair. There is no end in sight for the fame of the best fringe sandals on the market as they are now part of the current collection. A lower 85mm version has recently been introduced and a block heel for a more practical use (something I know nothing about).

The white version moved into my closed a few months ago, these and a black pair exclusively to FWRD are actually the only version that comes in leather, all the million other version listed above are made in suede. The flirty, super high sandals easily fall in the ‘goes with your whole wardrobe’ category as they are the ideal skinny sandals - without boring you to tears. So no need to repeat myself how well these go with everything from jeans and culottes to all of your skirt lengths, you are good as long as you don’t fully cover the precious sandals. I can’t claim these to be the most comfortable pair of mine, so make sure you don’t suffer without the waves of Uuhs and Oohs that these gather. A truly a joy packed, fun pair, but that is what Mr. Edgardo does best.

I had the privilege of meeting the man himself at Harrods a few months back and did not hesitate on the chance of having him sign my new shoes! I’ll have a phenomenal shoe designer sign my soles over rockstars signing my chest any day of the week. Call me boring but this is my catnip.

Comfort: 3.5/5

Not the coziest shoe on the market, but that’s a bit of a given. The heels stay well on, despite being mostly skinny ties with a stiletto heel. There is not much support not any signs of a platform, so you’ll feel it first in the cushions of your feet. 

Quality: 4.4/5 

The shoes are beautifully made, with a over all smooth beautiful leather finish. The tassels look expensive - details like this is a obvious giveaway for the quality, which in this case is super. The only minus is that the straps that wrap your heel is very unsupportive so they tend to ‘hang’ a bit in the sides.

Purchase price: Gifted in April 2016, however these retail for £490 from the Aquazzura store in London.

All the styles are priced the same at £490. Matchesfashion and Farfetch has a good selection at the moment, for US based readers I recommend checking Barneys as the also carry some exclusive colours.

Sizing: Runs true to size.

I bought these in a 37, my usual size. If you are in between sizes, I recommend going down half a size as these can’t sit loose on your foot.

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