2009 - Bigger and Better!

Its 9.23 on Friday morning and I'm racing up the steps of Notting Hill tube station with the determination of a cheetah after antelope (except its me after a coffee to cure the dull ache of last nights cosmopolitans!) juggling oversized handbag, blackberry and scarf that seems determined on strangling me as I go.

Dashing into Pret a Manger I take a mental stock of readily consumable breakfast items; yogurt - too messy, croissant - need to fit into dress for Christmas parties, egg and cress sandwich - done!, and skid to a stop in front of the counter. "Double skinny latte please...." and then its 9.27 and I'm off at a gallop down the mainstreet, ignoring with all my will-power the gorgeous pair of vintage Chanel heels in the shop window that have been taunting me all week and into work. Sliding nonchalantly into my seat at my desk at 9:29:30 I pick up my ringing phone and start the days work....not even puffed!

Nursing my coffee I ponder over the previous evening which was a cocktail night at Rinky Dink on Clapham High Street, a truly chic little cocktail bar where you can't say no to two for one until 10pm on Thursdays! Fitted out with big comfy black leather couches, purple papered walls that remind you of being in a burlesque club, and black crystal chandeliers, its my favourite girly place to be. The night sparked me to think about how to vamp up 2009, although 2008 was truly fab! I have got into a bit of a rut and (although I do enjoy myself ) seem to be visiting the same haunts, doing the same thing, and (although it pains me to say as I do love a good Cosmo), drinking the same cocktail day in day out. Although I appreciate a good night life as much as the next girl, there must be more to London than what we've uncovered already... more eclectic little boutiques, better cocktail bars and clubs, and things to do outside of our nightlife that are.... what's that word.... oh yes... enriching!

After conversations about how our weeks away on the beaches of Spain, Greece and Ibiza don't really count as travelling and sightseeing, and how we are all sick of spending £5 (about $12NZ) on a glass of wine at any given pub, club or bar, I come to the conclusion that future trips away need to be an experience, weekends need to be spent doing new things and actually venturing out of the house during the day (I am a semi-nocturnal creature) to see what London has to offer that doesn't require a LBD (little black dress), a visit to the hairdressers and a mammoth headache.

Don't get me wrong, I'll be keeping my nightlife... a young girl has to party! But watch this space for comings and goings in London, my discoveries of exciting new places to be and things to do... and of course where to party!