An obvious example would be that of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai which completely transformed the way designers construct hotels, or other developments like the Vallagio Mall in Doha, Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, SkyBar in Beirut and others alike, all of which capture the lavish Middle Eastern culture which arguably benefits the economy of a city. 

In 2009 Crystal Club transformed into Merah which, let’s be honest now, seemed like a venue continuously hosting an after prom party. Needless to say the nightclub failed to become the success it had first anticipated. So now from the people behind the thriving Luxx club, Project London has been introduced to replace Merah. With TV screens, blue lighting and world renown DJ’s hitting the decks, could the third club be a charm?

London is globally recognised for its bespoke mixture of Tudor, Elizabethan, Georgian, and Victorian architecture. But just like anything else, trends in architecture are evolving albeit slower than other industries. Bricks and mortar seem to be a thing of the past; glass is taking over! Now don’t get me wrong, I for one love the combination of traditional and modern architecture as it makes for an interesting city. That said however, when a beautiful classic construction, that of which’s design transports you through time, gets torn down to build a contemporary glass structure resembling the office blocks in Canary Wharf, in a road flaunting classic buildings, one wonders what developers are thinking. What will London eventually look like? Will this historic city lose its distinct character that has helped make it what it is today? 

Hunting for the latest designer t-shirt label? Take a look at Les Benjamins. LB is a new UK based luxury casual wear brand specialising in t-shirts. At present, they only cater for men and as most men complain about the cut of t-shirts not being what they want it to be (comfortable yet flattering), LB merges urban wear with an avant-garde tailored fit. You be the judge ... 

A few who think they know me believe that I only consume skinny caffè lattes and cranberry vodka. And yes, those may be my vices, but those who truly know me, know that I’m a bit of a health freak especially when it comes to my nutrition. So I thought to share a few things I swear by:

          * Lime Juice   (my morning routine)
This is the first thing I consume as soon as I wake up. I always have my trusted Starbucks cold beverage tumbler ready! I juice half a lime (one lime if it’s small) into it, sprinkle in a teaspoon of Truvia or Pure Via (but if you prefer use regular sugar or honey) and then fill the tumbler with room temperature water and I’m revitalized to start my day. 

          * Acai Juice (my weekly ritual)
Blend with blueberries, raspberries and strawberries and you’ve got yourself a super antioxidant right there! Add some sugar if you prefer your beverage sweet. Drink this once a week and see how you feel. [Obviously don’t try this if you’re allergic to berries.]

          * Guarana (my instant boost)
London’s fast paced environment sometimes drains the best of us and we lack energy. If you think espresso won’t do the trick, anything containing Guarana will most certainly keep you alert and Guarana Antarctica is my supreme saviour.

As a child I remember waking up to the sound of the Kings Troop Royal Horses strutting down from St John’s Wood, making me dash to the window to catch a glimpse (a sudden sense of nostalgia when I think back). So I’m deeply saddened to hear the news that the St John’s Wood Barracks is moving to Woolwich, Greenwich to make way for yet another prime residential development. The 5.5 acre land situated in Ordnance Hill, NW8, was reportedly purchased for £250 million and has planning permission to build 133 homes on site. 

                             Here’s my final salute to the SJW Barracks ... Here’s to the end of an era!                             

As my weekdays usually consist of me rushing from one area to the next trying to juggle a million and one tasks that need to be completed, there are a few boutiques that make my time stand still regardless; Jimmie Martin in Kensington Church Street being one of them.

The energetic amalgamation of colours used with the graffiti and prints on their antique inspired designs, truly makes their creations stand out amongst others in the industry. Here’s a few of their work that I’m in love with: 

Looking everywhere for something to ignite the creative side of my brain, led me to come across an ad campaign I designed a few years ago. And I feel it’s awfully fitting to post this since the anniversary of Saint Valentine is approaching.