Celebrating my birthday on October 20th. Much appreciated would be something from my wish list of a Selfridges gift card to billiefarlow@hotmail.com. It’s been an amazing year. Thank you for your generosity! Love Billie ❤️
Tipsy ramblings…
If you haven’t been truly AROUSED in the last 3 months you should do something about it. Yes you! Choose the fuck off suite at the Four Seasons. Choose buy her a Chanel bag. Choose Dover Sole with a glass of Montrachet. Choose French kissing in the elevator. Choose LIFE ❤️
Disclaimer: If you’re a vegan you may want to skip this post.
Hello! ❤️ I thought I would share with you one of my recent culinary creations that I cooked last week for a dinner guest. On the menu? Harissa and honey chicken with couscous and tzatziki. I thought I would take you through my process, which of course always starts with great ingredients. I tend to make my recipes up based on what I like the look of in the grocers, what is in season, and the personal tastes of who I am cooking for. I bought this Label Rouge chicken from Ginger Pig butchers – truly the best chickens. Corn fed, not pumped full of any hormones or weird stuff, and full of flavour. I try to buy British produce as much as possible, but never to the detriment of flavour, so in this case I opted for this French chicken as it’s simply the best quality. I also bought some chicken kidneys with no real idea what I would do with them. I hadn’t cooked them before but thought I could use them somehow, plus they are very nutritious.
At home I spatchocked the chicken – which is when you cut the backbone out and flatten out the chicken. I almost always cook a whole chicken in this way as it means it cooks faster, and more evenly. Wearing surgical gloves to protect my manicure, I slathered the chicken in my honey and harissa marinade, the exact recipe of which is a secret. In the base of my pan (Le Creuset of course) I add shallots, garlic, peppers, thyme, and some baby carrots which I peeled and trimmed. I then trimmed, chopped, and added the chicken kidneys and a splash of wine. I was a bit freaked out by the look and smell of the kidneys but managed to be brave and prepare them. On top of this I placed my whole chicken, and cooked under a lid in the oven. I cook under a lid so the chicken steams for the majority of the cooking, making for a juicier bird. Then at the end I take the lid off to give the skin colour and flavour.
Whilst the chicken is cooking, I made the couscous and flavoured it with parsley, coriander, spring onions, olive oil and lemon, and finished with pomegranate seeds. Very herby and fragrant. Then I made the tzatziki, straining grated cucumbers and adding to Greek yoghurt with dill, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. This is a nice cooling side to have with the sweet and spicy chicken.
I served the chicken straight from the pan “family style” with the couscous and tzatziki. A fantastic gravy had formed under the chicken which was very flavourful. My dining guest said the meal was excellent and of restaurant standard (of course I announced that it’s “not my best work” whilst secretly being very pleased as I love when people enjoy my cooking). The kidneys which I was most worried about, ended up being one of the most delicious parts of the meal: Having cooked in the gravy they had a delicious pate-like texture and added body to the sauce. Below is my final result, which I was pleased with. What do you think? 😇
Santorini ✈️ Naxos ✈️ Paros ✈️ Athens
Greece is a very important and special place for me, I’ve been coming to the islands since I was a small child. This multi-leg trip was one of the best adventures I’ve ever had: From fine dining in the shadow of the Acropolis, to driving to remote villages for local food (the lamb here is sensational). Gyros at 2am after a night of dancing, beautiful beaches and lobster pasta. I love the smaller islands, and would love to return – I don’t say this lightly, but the best experiences on smaller islands (like my favourite, Paxos) is to be had in a small boutique hotel, not a big name resort. Whilst I did choose luxury hotels because of course I can’t help myself haha, I found myself gazing jealously at the €60 a night beach front bed and breakfasts with tiled floors, spiral staircases, and owners who are constantly trying to stuff you with pastries and Greek yoghurt. If I return to the small islands I would like to try a small hotel.
Athens really stole my heart, though I only stopped over for a day: I loved the mix of history, grit, and sophistication. I need to return to experience it fully. I also liked how late things open in Greece: later even than many places in Italy: gorgeous boutiques selling pretty dresses and hand made jewellery open until 11pm (yes I did buy pretty dresses and hand made jewellery at 11pm, it’s the perfect after dinner activity… other than the obvious), and it’s not uncommon to arrive for dinner at that time too. Like all travel I do with girl friends, of course I could not help but imagine how the same experience would differ with a lover. It was a Greek Tragedy to have such a romantic week with no man around to squeeze my bum and carry my bag 😂 I feel so invigorated and alive when I travel, and Greece really is the perfect destination for romance.
This stray cat has finally returned to London (for now) and very much looks forward to your invitation. Billie ❤️
Delicious Dinner Date at a restaurant in my neighbourhood that has been on my list for some time. Finally got to try it! I had to order the langoustines and the lamb chops of course (I think I could survive the rest of my life on langoustines and lamb chops, the two things I usually order if they’re available). I also loved the beef tartare. Had a beautiful chefs table experience, I love watching the theatre of the kitchen. Decided to wear this outfit by one of my favourite designers Emilio Pucci. As always, remembering to practice gratitude for good company, good food, and good times! 😍
A pleasure to accept such a generous invitation to one of my favourite cities. Feeling thankful for such a dreamy few days, just what we needed. (And yes, if you’re looking for the sucker who orders the lobster roll at a 5 star hotel, bonjour, it’s me 🏆)
Made me feel special 🙂 Thank you xx
Found this gem of a cinema that shows mostly classic films. Armed with sweet and salty popcorn and an extremely mediocre glass of Pinot (so bad I abandoned it after one sip), I decided to watch The Living Daylights, which has gone to the top of my list of favourite Bond films. Timothy Dalton is such a great Bond, and I also thought the sound track was excellent. It has everything you want from a Bond film – exciting, humorous, action packed, and sexy.
Next on my list at this cinema I’d like to watch “Licence to Kill” – Daltons second and final film as Bond, “Once Upon a Time in America” – as I’m a big fan of gangster films, and “Foxy Brown” – the first star role of actress Pam Grier. So many great films – so little time – so we better get started!
A Persian feast at one of my favourite lunch spots. I love middle eastern food! So flavourful and great for sharing. The perfect way to spend a sunny London afternoon. Grateful for this beautiful gift, and for such chilled and natural date.
If I had a car collection that was limited to 4 cars, these would be in my collection, in these exact colours.
My choices (without explanation – I will explain when I see you):
I know what you’re thinking. Billie doesn’t go to pubs. Well actually I do! True, I usually gravitate to my pretty or romantic spaces, however one of the nice things about being around masculine energy is being able to also experience and enjoy places you otherwise wouldn’t. This has lead me to enjoy pubs, however I do have some stipulations. Here is my (slightly tongue in cheek) simple pub guide.
My very subjective guide to London pubs:
First of all, I don’t mind going to a pub but only one painted in the colours on the left:
These colours mean it’s a girl-friendly safe pub that serves food and is willing to make an Aperol Spritz. Whereas pubs painted in the colours on the right won’t even put a straw in my Gin and Tonic 😤
It’s important for those unfamiliar with the London pub scene to understand that these are 2 distinct species of pub. Above on the left we have Sunday roasts, 80% seated, seasonal cocktails, bathroom with hand cream and a candle in it, and a little hook under the bar where I can hang my handbag. On the right we have pork scratchings, 80% standing, bathroom I don’t want to go in, a great pint of beer (I wouldn’t know, I’ve never had a beer), and a barman who remembers every face he ever saw.
I don’t usually give my secrets away, but here are are my favourite 3 pubs with food in London:
The Audley.
https://theaudleypublichouse.com/
The Audley is a much loved modern Mayfair pub that has has a lot of attention to detail when it comes to the look and feel of the place. It has been open just a few years (was a pub before but shut and they maintained the beautiful woodwork) but feels already like part of the community. I love the interiors and that the crowd is very mixed and it always has a nice atmosphere. Definitely girl-friendly, high-heels-friendly etc. Upstairs is a great restaurant called Mount Street Restaurant which is headed by the chef who was formerly at Cut 45 park lane. This restaurant is the least like a pub restaurant of those in this list, but I like the duality of going for a drink at the pub below then heading upstairs for a slightly more refined experience (followed by a slightly less refined experience… if you like 😘). They have some creative things on the menu like the famous lobster pie (I love it), as well as a traditional Sunday lunch, oysters (I don’t like them but maybe you do), and other British classics like Beef Wellington and Eton mess. The space also has a lot of beautiful art on display which is all available to purchase (not sure anyone has ever actually done this). If I had to pick one from the list for a drink only, this would be top of my list.
The Guinea Grill
Us long time patrons refer to this pub simply as “The Guinea”. The Guinea is not painted in a safe colour and is indeed not girl-friendly pub at the front, but the secret dining room at the back I really love. The pub is an institution and one of London’s oldest (opened originally as an inn in 1423). Although it’s in Mayfair it’s down a quiet “if you know you know” alleyway, and the crowd is not the typical Mayfair show-off crowd. They are famous for their steaks and pies, but my favourite thing on the menu are the lamb chops with potato gratin and peas with bacon and onions (it looks ugly but is so yummy and I never share my lamb chops just so you know). The dining room is a classic space, with tartan carpet and some staff who have been there forever. It’s a gentleman’s restaurant and a lot of business is done there, the crowd is predominantly male but it doesn’t really matter because you will be transfixed by my low cut top and pretty smile. I don’t think I’ve ever had a dessert there as the portions are pretty big. Hard to explain the magic of this pub without showing you myself 🙂
The Devonshire.
https://www.devonshiresoho.co.uk/
The Devonshire is in one of the unsafe colours because the main pub is extremely extremely busy inside and out. It’s so busy that you even have to reserve a windowsill to put your drink on (if you want to). This pub is fairly newly opened (by one of the same people who was behind the Guinea Grill, who left and took some staff with him). After opening nobody quite knows why but this pub became, and remains a cultural phenomenon. There is nothing overly remarkable about the main pub but on busy weeks they sell 20,000 pints of Guinness alone and it’s become known as a place for great Guinness. The Devonshire is cited as London’s most successful pub. Downstairs the crowd is mixed: 60% Soho crowd, 40% other. Upstairs however is less noisy and a truly excellent pub restaurant, with an amazing upmarket pub offering, white tablecloths and heavy silverware, as well as a roof terrace also serving food (you cant book the terrace and it’s impossible to get a table, they don’t even accept bribes trust me I’ve tried). The restaurant is so popular they release tables 3 months ahead of time like it’s a Michelin star restaurant. I really love it there – particularly the prawn cocktail made with a langoustine on top, the steaks, pies, lobster it’s all so good and they also have a super delicious soufflé for dessert that they cover in calvados and set on fire at the table.
These are my favourites – hope to share one with you or try one of yours 🥂 Kiss!
Billie ❤️
Was not enough. La próxima vez que bailemos flamenco, Chica!
Gracias ❤️
A full bodied wine and a full bodied woman. What more does a man want? Well… you can have that too 😘 Dinner at one of my all time favourite restaurants. I loved the langoustines – my favourite shellfish.
Sometimes I think of all the people in the world who could have an experience like this but they’re risk adverse. Nothing truly wonderful will ever happen to people who aren’t willing to take risks. And so I feel grateful to the risk takers and luxury lovers and the experiences we share. We found the antidote: Living life on our own terms and not giving a damn what anyone else thinks! For every person reading this who has spent time in my company, there’s another 50 who don’t have the guts. Whilst others wring their hands, we raise our glasses. Whilst others worry about tomorrow, we live for today. Some exciting moments we have on a random Tuesday afternoon… some people will never feel such a feeling in their entire lives.
We are the lucky ones. Thanks for being part of the most fantastic story! ❤️
Below: View from my outdoor work out. A special bottle to celebrate. Touchdown in a mystery location ☀️. My go-so salad that I always make at home: grated beetroot and carrot, with parsley, spring onion, a little vinegar, lemon, salt, and olive oil. It’s so good!
Below: Best attempt at looking innocent. Generous gifts. Dinner at 2 Michelin Star Kitchen Table – not the best experience – I loved it before but I wouldn’t go back. Lobster lover.
Below: Touchdown in St Andrews, Scotland. Not my most glamorous state but my goal is to turn heads not raise eyebrows! Loved this golf trip and cant wait to improve my non existent skills. Lobster again (it’s a hard knock life) ladies lunch at The Dorchester. Retail therapy (bought this cute outfit)
Below: Touchdown in Milano – a whirlwind 24 hours of sun, shopping, and secret memories. Co-pilot Billie (my main function was decorative). Putting in work, pilates class.
It’s been an eventful month or so. I had many highlights so decided to split them into 2 posts. Here is the first:
Below: French 75 (my favourite cocktail) tight jeans and heels combo. My favourite photo – The Rolling Stones – at the Iconic Images Gallery. I love silk! Treated myself to the pink set at Selfridges. Tried Kima, a new and very well reviewed Greek restaurant local to me. You pick a fish and they prepare it in 4 ways. Yes, I ate the fish heads 🤪
Below: Lingerie addiction satisfied (for now!) The Kitchen and nigiri at Niju, a new sushi restaurant by my favourite ever sushi chef (Endo Kazutoshi). Rathfinny, a really delicious English Sparling wine; made in the same method as Champagne, I was a guest at their winery in Sussex last year and loved the experience so always order it when I see it.
Below: Another sushi restaurant (a Japanese girlfriend of mine was in town so we did a lot), the private dining experience at Evernight restaurant. Loafer season is finally here. Tried on a million outfits and ended up leaving with nothing…. sometimes its like that – though not often! Delicious Mediterranean and Israeli food at a local spot that I’m keeping to myself (have to gatekeep some of my favourite local spots or I’ll never get a reservation!)
Below: Dinner at 3 Michelin Star Core by Clare Smyth – this has to be in my top 3 fine dining in London – absolutely excellent. This was my second time going but I’m cutting down on drinking so I only had 1 glass of wine and wondered if I would enjoy it the same – I did, this is such a great restaurant. Just wanted to show you how massive this red pepper is. Pretty flowers. Generous gifts.
Below: At my golf lesson. Pulpo a galega, a famous spanish tapas dish from Galicia of octopus, peeled boiled potatoes, paprika and plenty olive oil – here was my first attempt at cooking it myself. Spotted one of my favourite cars (SL280). Just reminding you how nice my bum is, though if you’ve ever experienced it in real life it’s unlikely you would ever forget.
at girls who wear glasses. Or do they…
2 months ago I finally got around to replacing my glasses which I squished less than a week after I bought them (during lockdown). I always wear my lenses, but decided the time may be right to occasionally switch things up. This time I took a friend with me to the opticians which turned out to be such a great idea as she works in fashion and really gave a great second opinion and I am so happy with the choices I made. I opted for 2 pairs, both by Tom Ford – his glasses always suit my face. An everyday pair (which also come with magnetic tinted lenses to turn them into sunglasses), and a more bold, statement pair which I’ve worn a few times recently and gotten a lot of compliments on. Those are my favourites as I’m a maximalist: More is more! One of the small and funny ironies of course is that when you put your glasses down you often cant find them… because you don’t have your glasses on so can’t see 😂
The glasses definitely give me a bit of an alter ego, especially because I noticed people react differently to me when I’m wearing them, and I also feel sexy wearing them. Maybe you like them too? If so, feel free to request!
Billie ❤️
In love with my new photoshoot with this legendary photographer who is known for shooting some of the most gorgeous black women in America. It may surprise you how many photographers don’t know how to shoot brown skin (one shoot I did I had to scrap all the images, they made me look grey!), whereas this particular photographer knows how to capture my skin tone and essence perfectly. I’m grateful for this opportunity, as Alcole Studios, usually based in America, flew to London for the day specifically to shoot only me.
I had a really strong sense of what I wanted from this shoot (outfits, and 2 locations which I scouted myself) got exactly what I hoped for. This was the most confident I have felt on a shoot. Particularly when I shoot “blogger style” (fashion outfits on the street) I am extremely nervous. The reason is of course when you shoot street photography or public spaces everyone is staring at you, and in my case you will not believe some of the comments some people have made. All positive but makes me feel self conscious. Also as the photographer I shoot fashion with is a personal friend of mine, so maybe I find it more difficult switching to model mode around her. I tend to like women who have very direct communication style (which she does as she is Russian) she is constantly saying to me “WHY ARE YOU SCARED! YOU CANT BE SCARED AND SEXY! DONT WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE LOOKING AT YOU!” and so on. Also of course typically there is an element of Guerrilla tactics with street style photography – you are often using hotels or properties without explicit permission, or have a few moments when a street is empty, so you have to shoot very quickly and efficiently which doesn’t work for me because I take 10 mins just to feel relaxed. The professional photos in my gallery are split between 6 photographers.
Anyhow, with 2 private locations and an extremely experienced photographer, Alcole Studios was a very easy shoot. What you also hope for in a photographer is that they will have a creative eye for poses and framing the photos. Many people have a flippant view of photography, but there is a big difference between a good and a great photographer, and it’s always to do with how inherently creative they are as a person. These photos the raw unedited images I could have posted right away as they were so good. I realised that some of the outfits I picked were gifts that I have received from generous suitors, so thank you for your contribution. I have immortalised your generosity in these new images – I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
