AskHat.com

Do it Do it

2011-04-04T23:42:00.002+01:00

Dear AskHat

I don't know if you will be able to help on this one but having recently bought our own home the time to DIY is approaching. Is it possible to do a short course in basic DIY skills such as using a drill, putting up coat hooks, shelves, utensil racks, that sort of thing or am I destined to thumbing through manuals and leaving the plaster walls looking like teabags?

Failing that how does one find a good, reliable handy man who won't balk at doing all of the minor jobs above and cam get them done before hubby returns from work and feels he has given away his manhood?

I'm in North London, N10 but am happy to go Central. Don't feel too pressured, I've been informed the DIY season doesn't begin until March.

Westendmum

Now, I know it may appear to be April - but as March was such horrible weather no-one is doing any DIY until April...and the delay in posting is nothing to do with getting my VAT return in instead of blogging...ahem.

I've found a few places that might suit Westend mums's dilemma.

This course from Chelsea Arts is designed more for people telling other people what to do (so very Chelsea)...but great for de-jargonising your relationship with builders and tradesmens:

http://www.chelsea.arts.ac.uk/shortcourses/54074.htm

At the Builders Training Centre you can do a two day course in basic practical skills for maintaining your home. It's in Croydon, so you'd have to brave South London (bring your passport) but sounds like the right kind of course. No web address but here is the phone number.

020 8649 9340

If you would rather get someone in who knows what they're doing instead, I have used the lovely Steve before - as have about 15 of my friends. Thoughtful about his work, reliable and very pleasant to be around - I highly recommend him. Good with children and diy averse spouses.

http://www.sdm-interiors.co.uk/contact.html

There are always books - and there is always a raft of weird american how-to videos on you tube - but they might be better for bedtime reading/fodder for bad jokes or tool time tim impressions...

Let us know how you get on with your ~~March~~ April DIY'ing.

love
Askhat xx

Heeeeere's AskHat

2011-01-05T14:47:00.004Z

Well I'm back - having shamefully not posted for almost 11 months...would that be almost the same age as my daughter? Anyway - I'm not taking all the blame for disappearing - it is called Askhat and I can only really blog if I've got a question to answer. And frankly the kind of questions I've had to ask, or to answer recently have involved breasts, poo and sleep (lack of) and I don't think you all wanted to know about that. If you do - just ask and I can bore you rigid for hooooours...

Anyway - hello again dear friends, and I hope to post something useful/interesting soon.

love

Askhat x

Oh baby baby

2010-01-20T16:19:00.000Z

I am delirious with lack of sleep, my face looks like a reject from madame tussards and I am walking like a zombie with piles...Yes I have had a baby. This is the first time I have been alone since Friday when I went into labour, and it feels very weird. I am twitchy without the addictive smelling small person in the room , who is being walked around by the husband and his v happy to be (grand) parents while I am supposed to be catching up on sleep...errr so I thought I'd go on the internet instead.

I have so far discovered the following:

Labour REALLY hurts...
Breastfeeding is not straightforward or as easy as it looks in the lovely pictures
I had forgotten just how peculiar I am when short on sleep
Hospital food is better than you think
Midwives and doctors at St Thomas's Hospital are fabulous
It's true that your own baby is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen.
A man who manages to find you lovely slices of cucumber when you are in labour and that's all you fancy eating is worth holding onto.

Normal (ish) service will resume soon.

askhat xx

Twitter time

2010-01-04T16:36:00.003Z

Hello AskHat,

I am trying to be all multi-media ...please could you tell me how to embed a Twitter/email link into my blog? I would like to do this without having to use one of those ugly/naff Twitter buttons.

Thank you

That's Not My Age http://thatsnotmyage.blogspot.com/

The very lovely that'snotmyage (did you see her mentioned in Stella mag BTW) emailed me with this cry for help the other other day, bemoaning the clunky twitter sign she had on the website. I had a little investigation, and found that you can choose from about 16 different options - including the choice of using the royal we, or me, for you followers. It is still a naff twitter button, but about a third of the size of the one tnmya is using at the moment. The link is below, for anyone else who's had trouble linking through to twitter - but any information on better/bespoke versions gratefully received as always...

http://twitter.com/goodies/buttons#

Burrito time

2009-10-27T10:36:00.005Z

I was asked recently by local and twitter buddy Maradoll for some good Mexican food recommendations, after she was given a quesadilla that was called a burrito, in a local eaterie. Now, my own experience of Mexican food is mostly of eating bad food at Cafe Pacifico's in Langley St, after a lot of tequila - in the days when I and my friends thought that was cool, so not exactly up to date...
As Maradoll is a San Fran foodie, who knows her stuff, the pressure was on and I knew I'd have to call in some help on this one. The cavalry arrived in the shape of my Latino ex-pat friend Jason, who carefully wrote me a list of Mexican eateries that live up to his expectations in London. It's a very short list, and untested by me - but I trust Jason, knowing his good taste. As always, if you have any suggestions to add - please do.

Benito's Hat (Must be good with a name like this): One branch in Goodge St and looks tasty - Burritos are the recommendation here: http://www.benitos-hat.com/

Tortilla : Two branches - one in Angel, one is Southwark. Again, Jason recommends the burritos: http://www.tortilla.co.uk/

Mestizo: This is Jason's recommendation for the full meal deal...it's not cheap, but Jason says it is good. It's day of the dead celebrations here from the 27th Nov until the 2nd of Nov, so could be a good time to visit. http://www.mestizomx.com/

Wahaca: This recommendation comes from Liberty London Girl - who has such impeccable taste in all things, that I'd be mad not to add it. Plus, Tomasina Meirs who set this small chain up, is an ex winner of Masterchef - and I think you all know about my obsession with that! Http://www.wahaca.co.uk/

And as for the tequila...all I can recommend for that is don't drink a whole bottle in a night.

Askhat xx

Masterchef obsessional

2009-10-14T11:15:00.003+01:00

So, I am addicted to MasterChef Professional. I can't decide whether I like it better than the usual Masterchef, but I am enjoying being incredibly scathing when the contestants can't do something simple like joint a chicken (like I can ..cough cough ahem) or cook their green beans properly. I am also mildly obsessed by CHEF Michel's rolling eyes and Gregg Wallace's unlikely dimple. Anyway - what that led onto was thinking about my favourite cookbooks, and the writers who I rely on again and again to do something interesting from the organic veg box. So in that vein here are my list of most loved and stained cookery books:

Anna Del Conte - Applecake and Artichokes - this book is lovely and my favourite discover from it is a warm salad of cauliflower with a pinenut and anchovy dressing. Worth it for that alone.

Nigel Slater - Real Fast Food got me through uni, then my little bro stole my copy. A lovely colleague replaced it for me and I haven't let it out of my hot little grasp since. This book, and Appetite are the regular weekday dinner inspirations - lentils with spinach and lemon and everyday soup being top stained pages. His roast chicken is the husband's favourite way to do a roast and I'm certainly not complaining.

Simon Hopkinson and Lindsey Bareham - Roast Chicken and Other stories. A slender volume, and very partial to offilish items, but some favourites including my chosen way to do roast chicken, as well as vinegar chicken which is an elegant fast dinner.

The Times Calender Cookbook - Katie Stewart. This one is out of print, but was one of the first cookbooks I used as a child. The falling apart paperback that my mother owned, was swapped for her mother's hardback when her mother died and I actually wailed when I discovered the paperback had been sent to Oxfam. The following Christmas I was given a hardback copy of my own and it has been in solid use ever since. Great for simple classic baking and general childhood nostalgia.

Rick Stein's Food Heroes - a few really loved recipes - our favourite is Lamb Naverin - a very good dinner party special.

English Food - Jane Grigson - the best recipe for yorkshire pudding I've ever used. Worth it for that alone, as well as the fascinating historical recipes.

That's all for now - but do let me know what recipe books you can't live without - or what you think of Gregg Wallace's patented fork technique...

Fashion for over forties

2009-09-21T16:56:00.003+01:00

Now I've got a few years before I need to put myself in this category...but only a few (sob). So I like to keep a weather eye on what my (slightly) older compatriots are doing in the style stakes and from what I see my tears may be unnecessary. In fact, when I saw the fabulous http://thatsnotmyage.blogspot.com blog I thought I'll need those extra years to get my style up to scratch. TNMA's blog is tackling the satorial street style of the over forties, in the same way the hip scenesters are for the young folk, to great acclaim.

Keep up with the big girls and boys here: http://thatsnotmyage.blogspot.com who are at london fashion week all this week.

Focus pull

2009-08-27T22:19:00.002+01:00

Hmm, so you may have noticed that the useful drinking, eating and general stuff posts stopped a while ago...
Well, m'lud I'm afraid I got myself with child, and didn't really want to do anything for three months.

But I'm back now - with a bit more energy and a mildly obsessive interest in well priced, stylish maternity clothes and good non alcoholic drinks. So I'll be back very soon with some good tips (I hope) but in the meantime am off to go camping, while I still only take up a single mattress...

Askhat x

Partisan London delights part 1

2009-03-06T11:30:00.012Z

Dear Askhat.com,

I want to check out London--any suggestions on where to go or not to go?

Yours,

Karen, San Francisco

Dear Karen,

Blimey! Now this is a bit of a wide open question on first glance, but I do know you are a writer, so I'll try and get some literary delights in, but frankly this is a perfect chance to list some of my favorite London things! In fact, I'll have to split this post otherwise I'll give away all my favorite places in one go. So I'll start with food/drink and entertainment - culture, shopping and oddities as well as places to avoid to will follow soon...

Food:

Canteen (any branch) http://www.canteen.co.uk/

I love this modern british all day restaurant. Friendly staff, lovely designed spaces and the simple but wide ranging choices make this a winner for me. Pop in for a bacon sarnie in the morning, or a pie of the day at lunchtime or a toasted muffin and pot of tea tea for teatime!

Morgan M: http://www.morganm.com/

This is my very, very favorite and extremely special restaurant. The chef used to work at Admiralty at Somerset House, which I have a soft spot for on account of it being where I met the husband, on an ice rink. Anyway we had such an extraordinary meal at Admiralty that when I heard the chef had moved, I stalked him. Obviously. So when he opened his own place, in Islington, we went there for the husband's birthday. It was fantastic - each course a delight, the matched wines just right and the ambience and service incredibly special. If you're in the mood for a wondrous splurge then this is the place.

Patisserie Valerie and Konditor and Cook :

http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk/
http://www.konditorandcook.com/

Pat Val is a Soho stalwart - windows of elegantly tiered cakes to ooh and ahh over and the home of many a gossip filled, calorie laden half hour. Pat Val wins on the proper French pastries and old fashioned waitresses. I personally prefer the cake from Konditor and Cook (it's the only place I've bought a cake for a family birthday if I didn't have time to make my own) but there aren't so many sit down versions of K and C...

Drinks and Dancing

Claridges Bar. (Bond St tube) http://www.claridges.co.uk/

Now this I love, partly because the staff are SO charming, and partly because the glorious art deco toilets are marvellous. I began a rather elegant hen night for a friend, at the bar here, and by the time we left the delightful bar man had given us all one of the Claridges velvety red roses and fended off the overexcited hotel guest who'd tried to give us his room number. The drinks are good too, but that's not the main reason for going there for me. Wear your best "oh this old thing" understanded glamour, grab a table and watch the eurotrash and mayfair locals while drinking a perfect champagne cocktail.

Also does a great afternoon tea

Gordon's wine bar (Charing Cross) http://www.gordonswinebar.com

Whatever your intentions are, I've never ever left here and not been roaring drunk. Great fun in summer and winter and unlike anywhere else.

"Ain't nothing but the blues" Kingly Street, W1B (nearest tube Oxford Circus)

Don't go here if you want to stay sober, avoid strangers or have an aversion to standing so close to strangers that you can smell the soap powder they use on their underwear. Do go here if you like live blues music, enjoy meeting new people and discovering the special time shift which a good night has - of turning 10 pm into 3 am in a mere nano second.

Rivoli Ballroom:

This is a place rather than a night and with it's red and gold decor, properly sprung dance floor and ladies powder rooms you'll feel like you're in a film. And the Rivoli has been on screen more often that most - music videos, films, photoshoots and tv series have all used the Rivoli's athmospheric glamour as a backdrop.Nights include swing dancing, salsa and all kinds of dressed up, super ott nights which are great for imagining yourself in a different era.

Classic Pub:

I like a pub with a fire. I like anywhere with a fire really but for a classic pub I think you need one. Also wood panelling and slightly ropy looking bar stools and an old man and a dog in a corner. Now most god pubs have become gastro pubs, which are nice, but not the same, so trying to give you a classic pub is hard. So here are two good options - and dear readers , do please add your own suggestions.

The Angel, Rotherhithe. http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=263

A pub with a view over the river thames, in a slightly unsalubrious part of London and a whole heap of history (the mayflower left from hereabouts) has got to be a london classic. Fire? Check. Wood Panelling? Check. Tiny rooms, tiny balcony over river and large beer garden on the riverside? Double checked...

The Coach and Horses, Greek St:

This is a true Soho pub - a mix of anyones, no-ones and well knowns all squashed in together to have a drink. The fun is in the crowd - don't expect bar snack, or great drinks but enjoy the people watching.

I know there are lots more that I'll remember as soon as I've posted, but hopefully these will do for now.

Yours in Londonness,

AskHat

Kings Cross for Foodies

2009-02-20T14:29:00.004Z

Dear Askhat.com,

I'm meeting an friend, an elegant film lawyer, for supper next week. We need to be around Kings Cross and don't want to go anywhere too fancy but neither do we want a dive. Can you recommend some suitable places to eat that are easy on the pocket, but stylish enough to impress?

Love

Askhat's Dad

Dear Dad,

You're in luck - the new King's Hall/Guardian/general regeneration of Kings cross has thrown up some interesting places and here are my top tips for a relaxed night of dinner and conversation:

Spanish Tapas

Camino - 3 Varnishers Yard, Regents Quarter, King's Cross, N1 9FD: www.camino.uk.com

Gastropub

The Norfolk Arms, 28 Leigh Street, Bloomsbury, WC1H 9EP: www.norfolkarms.co.uk

Eco Gastropub with super-locally sourced food.

Konstam, 2 Acton Street, King's Cross, WC1X 9NA: www.konstam.co.uk

If you did want to push the boat out - then the place to be would have to be the St Pancras Grand in the station itself. Home of the longest champagne bar in Europe - the food aint bad either and it would be a glamorous place to meet and eat if money is no object...

Old fashioned glamour

St Pancras Grand, St Pancras Grand
St Pancras International
Upper Concourse
London
NW1 9QP

http://www.searcys.co.uk/stpancrasgrand/109/restaurant/

Hope this helps,

Love

Askhat.com

Baby it's cold inside...

2009-01-19T13:02:00.003Z

Yes - as the old song goes - it's cold outside, but what it doesn't mention is that it's also pretty parky inside as well - especially if you work from home. No-one's going to see you, but I always stick to my rule of getting properly dressed. However, being properly dressed can leave you feeling chilly, and layering up at the laptop is a key skill (although nothing seems to keep my hands warm - indoor typing gloves anyone?). So, for extra cosiness - an overgarment is required - and I have been on a two year (at least) search for the perfect item. Dressing gowns don't work - you don't feel professional, even if you're fully dressed underneath and a coat indoors - just wrong. Big cardigans are good - but so far, I've never found one quite big enough that isn't too bulky as well...and then I found the cardigown...

Ladies and gentlemen - it's soft, it's warm, doesn't constrict your movment, it's long but not too long and is part angora! Suffice to say, I'm now in homeworker heaven and even better, I got my cardigown half price in the sale. Mine was from Hush, but Toast, Pyjama Room and the White Company have similar(ish) items.

And don't forget your feet - cold feet make the rest of you feel chilly too - and I favour falke slipper socks over the ubiquitous uggs. They may make you look like something out of asterix and obelix, but they do keep your tootsies toasty.

http://www.hush-uk.com
http://www.thewhitecompany.com
http://www.toast.co.uk
http://www.pyjamaroom.com/

http://www.lastfootwear.com/product.php?id=87&catid=-1&scatid=-1

Askhat.com

I'm dreaming of a wifi Christmas

2008-12-01T12:06:00.002Z

I used to work at a office based in Soho, and had a very enlightened boss who when it got to December, would let my department take our lunch hour at any time, so we could do our Christmas shopping in the non peak times. It was bliss - you could pop out at 11 and get a few presents and there would be no-one else around. Times have moved on, and I've never had it so easy since. However, recently my shopping woes have been put in perspective. I have a lot of friends with small children - and if you think it's hard to do your Christmas shopping solo, but tied to nine-to five office hours, imagine trying it with a large wailing, wriggling bundle as well. Thought so....

So what are the alternatives? Internet shopping is easy, but can be very - well - boring, dare I say it... Amazon or John Lewis online is fine, but it's not the same as rootling through those little shops you keep secret, finding the perfect thing for that difficult to please friend or relative is it? But all is not lost - now some of the best and quirkiest items are on the web - and here's a line up of my top websites to shop at when you can't get out of the house...

Ho ho ho

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/

http://www.etsy.com/

http://www.littlebabycompany.com/default.asp

http://www.retrosixty.co.uk/index.html

http://www.coxandcox.co.uk/

http://www.toast.co.uk/

http://www.pedlars.co.uk/

local questions for local people

2008-10-15T19:29:00.002+01:00

As this is a blog - I thought I should really reference some of the blogs that I get my questions answered - at least some of the local ones! So this isn't really a question - but hopefully you might find these blogs of interest too:

http://brockleycentral.blogspot.com/

http://transpont.blogspot.com/

http://thedeptfordgirl.blogspot.com/

http://www.weebirdy.com/

and this one - I just like...

http://www.ninakatchadourian.com/languagetranslation/sortedbooks.php

Next post will be about the daily emails that really do give you info you want - worth signing up for...

askhat

Kitchen crisis

2008-09-26T12:18:00.002+01:00

Dear AskHat,

Where do I buy a new tap for the kitchen sink from? Ours is either full on splash or off..nothing inbetween! (you know about things like taps don’t you?!!)

D

Dear D,

Taps are surprising expensive, and I assume you want a mixer tap? If you're going to change it you could go wild and get either a quooker tap as well - which replaces the need for a kettle (and is eco friendly) or one that gives you filter drinking water as well or a spray tap, which you can use to wash down the sink etc as it has a removable head. Try some of these places below - as well as the usual John Lewis, Band Q etc who are often a v good place to get these things from. Avoid magnet /mfi etc as they are wildly overpriced and you might find something good at a local buildings merchant - we've got two good ones near us - sids bathrooms, and he olby which are used by pros and diy'ers alike...

http://www.tapstore.com
http://www.heolby.com/
http://www.quooker.com/
http://www.sink-shop.com/category-71-Pull_out_Spray_Taps.aspx

Shopping for dirty stop outs

2008-08-27T13:50:00.006+01:00

In my misspent past, I might have occasionally spent the night somewhere that wasn't home...and then had to go to work the next day. Despite working in Soho (home of the walk of shame surely) it was very difficult to find anywhere that opened before 10am to buy something to wear to the office - where I was expected at 9.30am! In those days, Topshop (ever after known as slapper shop)was the only option, but here's a list of weekday opening and closing times for various useful shops that can save your blushes. After all, if the evening's going well, why not pop into one of them on the way home - and give yourself a few more hungover minutes in bed in the morning!

In order of earliest opening:

Primark:

mon - friday: 8.30 -9

Topshop:

mon -weds, friday: 9 -8
thurs 9 -9

H&M:

mon -weds, friday: 9 -8
thurs 9 - 8

John Lewis:
mon -weds, friday: 9.30 -8
thurs 9.30 -9

Selfridges:

mon - friday: 9.30 -9

Liberty:

mon -weds, friday: 10 -7
thurs 10 - 8

Reiss:

mon -weds, friday: 10 -7
thurs 10 - 8

Cos:

mon -weds, friday: 10 -8
thurs 10 - 9

Zara:
mon -weds, friday: 10 -7.30
thurs 10 - 8

Harvey Nichols:

mon-fri: 10-8

Any other clothes shops with particularly useful opening hours?

Other types of shops will follow...

askhat

A reader asks...

2008-08-25T20:28:00.004+01:00

Partying in 40's style...

Dear askhat,

I wanted to ask you if you could ever came across what would make a great location for a 40s theme party. Somewhere a bit homely / shabby / retro and not too expensive. I am trying to organise a party and struggling to find the perfect spot. I realise I might have to compromise as what I want probably doesn't exist but still... Wanted to have the party next month but at this rate it might have to be later in the year.
All suggestions welcome.

Love

K.

Dear K,
What about the Rivoli Ballroom, just opposite Crofton Park train station in SE4 - very cool, totally 40's/50's and I don't think it's horribly expensive. The main hall is very big, but apparently they have a half size one too at the back and the bar is fabulously well priced. Talk to Bill @ The Rivoli on 020 8692 5130. No website of it's own, but lots of pictures on other people's websites...

Hoxton hall is another possibility as well. It's got a range of rooms, again for hire and not fearfully expensive. The website is:

http://www.hoxtonhall.co.uk

For more tongue in cheek 40's - and not much work for you, try the Bloomsbury Bowling alley. It's not as shabby, or as realistically atmospheric, and it will probably be much more expensive by the time you factor in drinks etc. Their website is:

http://www.bloomsburybowling.com

I hope this helps - and if anyone else has any suggestions, please do add them.

askhat

In the beginning...

2008-08-18T16:07:00.000+01:00

There was a girl, who had a brain that retained useless and obscure information. As she grew up the useless information became less useless, and more useful and after a while friends, and friends of friend would ring her and ask - "where's the nearest postbox to gt malborough st" (answer on poland street) "What time does x shut", and "where's a nice restaurant near london bridge that isn't the garrison?". All these questions, and many more have been answered, so now it's time for more queries...

The answers will be subjective, and Londoncentric, but hopefully useful and/or interesting. I'll try and answer any question.

fabhat