Coffee at Common Clapham and The Jetty.

I've found my new favourite place to take myself on my dates. Common (on Clapham Common) is delightful. Last Saturday I spent a solid couple of hours trying to figure out which natural eye make-up remover to buy. In the end I decided to give using olive oil a try (and I'm so glad I didn't spend £14 now), but while I was Googling I compiled a map of all of the zero waste/bulk food and beauty stores that I wanted to visit. I figured one of them was bound to stock beauty supplies.

    

Common is only 20 minutes from our house, and is the coffee shop - bulk food store - gift shop of my dreams. It's stunning inside, full of vintage touches and semi-minimal all at once. They have a great zero-waste station and lots of eco home and gift ideas. I picked up some rice and black peppercorns, a new Georganics toothbrush, and a delicious americano. I read my book for an hour and people watched. The only negative is that it sells meat and dairy products, which does go against the whole "eco initiative" but if it gets more people in the door and going plastic free it takes the edge off a little, I guess.

    

    

I also needed a new mascara, and when I found the Zao Aloe Vera one there I was ecstatic. I had no idea they stocked cosmetics before I arrived so it was a lovely surprise. I'd actually bought it online that morning, so cancelled and picked it up on the spot instead. I'll do a beauty round up at some point in the near future and talk pros and cons of this all natural, refillable, bamboo cased mascara.

We went to watch the Lion King that evening and it was so good. The jokes were too much, I was properly belly laughing. I was also crying, into my Crosstown Doughnut, before the first couple of scenes were done. No one with a heart can tell me that Lion King isn't emotional.

On Sunday we ticked something off our list that we have been trying to do for a few months. We trekked up to Shooter's Hill to look out over London from Severndroog Castle. It's not exactly close to home (it took us a good hour ten to get there) but it was fascinating being stood at the top of the tower, looking out over the entire skyline of this incredible city. With binoculars you could see all the way out to Windsor Castle, which is mad. We stopped for a coffee in Greenwich on the way home. The Jetty is an indoor garden type of place right on the water (obviously). It's five mins from North Greenwich Station, and is a lovely place to sit for a while. You can look out over the river or just enjoy the greenhouse vibes inside. The coffee is good and they have water free toilets which is a totally new thing to me. They were a bit breezy on your bum but I'm impressed at the commitment to being eco. Again, this place sells meat and dairy whilst pledging to be eco, but it's a nice place all the same. They hold workshops and events, but it's a bit far for us to go on the regular.

I socialised on Wednesday and Thursday this week which is virtually unheard of given that we're ready for bed at 9 most nights. We hit the first So Curious event in Dalston on Wednesday, with Lauren and Jed. The theme of the evening was Conscious Creativity and we listened to great talks from Help Refugees, Raeburn and fine artist Bran Symondson, who turns AK47s into striking pieces of art (and social commentary). The G&Ts and beers were flowing, we ate some delicious peas (yes, peas) and had a lovely time. I'll most likely continue to go to these events as it was a pretty productive and informative way to spend a weeknight, and was a bargain at £5 a ticket.

And on Thursday I ate at Mildred's with Katy, and I cannot stop thinking about my teriyaki chick'n burger. It was delicious, and looked so good that other people asked what it was so they could order it, too. I love when non-London friends come to visit and we get to catch up properly.

And now we're on the train to Worcester again, for another wedding reception, and a bit of family time. Hope your weekends are wonderful and that the weather improves because it's looking a little glum right now..

Ciao xo