summer is my time for slowing down, whether at home, or away. this year i have relished short getaways to corsica and the south of france but also loved being in london when it’s quiet - i’m enjoying taking a kind of holiday at home too!

even though i try to keep things simple, summer life can still get fast paced between my creative projects, shoots and family, but it’s sport that keeps me sane! i’m a hardcore tennis addict and try to play most days.

i’ve learnt to counteract my adrenaline by biking everywhere, movies, books and long dog walks with my two lurchers bambi and rainey. afterwards i like to take them with me for some supper – a favourite summer destination is the chiltern firehouse garden where they are welcomed in style. we are also keen on the pelican, a local pub/restaurant and six portland road, another neighbourhood favourite. aside from my dogs, my close gang of girls (like family) are my dream dates - strakers is another beloved local where we meet. 

my summer reading has been ambitious and diverse. my recommendations for friends includes - ‘birnham wood’ by eleanor catton, ’time shelter’ by georgi gospodinov, ’august blue’ by deborah levy and ‘the guest’ by emma cline.

today I’m deep into an advance copy of dolly alderton’s ‘good material’ and can’t wait for the september publication of ‘the fraud’ by my favourite, zadie smith. 

i’m a recent convert to substack - and recommend signing up to ‘something to say’ by abigail bergstrom (especially poignant- and practical for aspiring writers). and liz carey’s ‘i’ll make this awkward’ is simply the kind of writing that you want to share with all your best friends immediately. I love her. 

i love london but am also a fan of a 24 hour change of scene - especially to the coast. hopping on the train to margate is a favourite destination - if you’ve never been, you’ll find the carl freedman gallery alone is worth the pilgrimage from the city. make sure you catch artist billy childish’s ‘looking at paintings’ which is on until 3rd September.  

margate is tiny enough to walk everywhere. wander around and you can admire the dazzling new art school dreamed up by tracey emin, as well as drift from bookstore to cafe to the turner contemporary. it’s a vintage fashion and foodie dream - (i loved angela’s and sargasso on the sea front). stay at the laidback but chic fort road hotel if you get the chance. they would prefer it if you brought your dog (my kind of place!).