Autumn in London
As I was saying in one of my previous posts, autumn is my favourite season because there are so many exhibitions, concerts, movies and shows to see. In order to make it easier and save you some time I have a compiled a list of lovely things to do in the following few months- if you live in London.
Opera (Royal Opera House)
1. Manon- one of my all time favourite ballets (in November)
2. The Sleeping Beauty- a classic (in October, November and December)
3. The Nutcracker- no Christmas without this enchanting ballet (on Christmas time)
4. La Traviata (October till January 2012)
Exhibitions
1. Postmodernism at the V&A
2. Degas and the ballet at the Royal Academy
3. OMA/Progress at the Barbican
4. Leonardo da Vinci at the National Gallery
5. Ryan McGinley at Alison Jacques gallery
Theatre
1. Hamlet at the Young Vic
2. One For The Road at the Young Vic
Movies
1. Wuthering Heights
2. We Need To Talk About Kevin
3. Sleeping Beauty
4. My Week With Marilyn
5. In Time
6. Drive
7. The Help
8. Like Crazy
9. The Debt
10. The Ides of March
Misc
Have a lovely afternoon tea at the Kensington Palace Orangery or chez Le Chandelier.
Visit the Hampton Court Palace.
Have cocktails at Vista Bar.
Listen to a classical musical concert at the Barbican or to one of the many concerts by candlelight at St Martin in the Fields.
Hire a bicycle and go for a ride in Hyde Park.
Visit Kew Gardens and admire the beautiful autumn colours from a treetop walkaway.
Falling for fall
While some may be sad because summer is officially over, I for one feel very excited about the beginning of a new season. This is not only because living in London makes it almost impossible to grasp the difference between summer and autumn but the following months will be filled with lovely events and wonderful walks in the park. However, for those who feel frightened by the perspective of gloomy days that lay ahead and the inevitable fading of their tans, I have decided to give a you a few reasons to put a smile on your face.
First of all, fall means Fashion Week. You don’t necessarily have to attend and sit in the front row in order to get in the mood and celebrate a month of creativity. You could only get your camera and take photographs of the amazing people who are going to make the streets of New York, London, Milan and Paris look more beautiful than ever. This is also the perfect occasion to surround yourself with ideas and inspiration from those who love beautiful clothes. But before Fashion Week, there is another event not to be missed: Fashion’s Night Out. There is one week left until one of the most delightful nights of shopping with friends, stylish people from everywhere and the world’s famous fashionistas. For every capital hosting this event, you will find a map and lots of information to download and if you want to know my suggestion, keep an eye on your favourite shops, brands and people just to make sure you’re heading to the right places first. Because there is going to be so much to see and do. As for me, I will be here so come say bonsoir.
Another event I am going to attend is the Beauty Editor’s Day organised by Bazaar at Selfridges on September 29. This won’t be a first time for me so I can assure you it is a lovely gathering for beautiful ladies.
For rainy afternoons, there is no better place to be than the Royal Academy especially starting with the 17th of September for the Degas and the ballet exhibition. Another favourite of mine is the Richard Young gallery in Kensington. And since you will be in the neighbourhood, get a book with you and go read in the Chelsea Physic Garden, one of the hidden treasures of London.
I also love autumn that much because there are so many movie premiers, plays and concerts. For starters there is Almodóvar’s new movie- The Skin I Live In- that I have absolutely loved, so if you haven’t seen it by now, you should. I am also looking forward to We Need To Talk About Kevin and I have a feeling it is going to be an exquisite movie. If you need more ideas on what is going around this month, check Time Out’s list here.
Most important than all, fall is simply a wonderful time. There is a dreamy and poetic atmosphere that we should all enjoy and not let the pace of the city take it away from us. Go for long walks and admire the colours that sometimes can leave one as speechless as a Monet does. Read, write, dream and enjoy all the beauty around you allowing yourself to feel happy just for being. And if you are looking for something that you will never forget, go for at least a weekend in Paris, in October. When you will sit in Jardin du Luxembourg, unable to walk or talk, maybe even think, you shall know what I meant by saying this is only a preview:
For Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower, as Camus used to say.
P.S September also has a special meaning for me because it was on 9/9/2009 when my best friend and I moved to London. And next week we will be celebrating 2 years of this magnificent city in style.
