City Laboratory is a sustainable and environmentally friendly educational community center, which includes a café, open event space, eco-innovations, a hydroponic garden, an educational garden, a gallery and a DIY outdoor playground for children.

I had been living in Brooklyn Heights for some time and Long Island Restaurant has been closed for as long as I could remember. Then one day, the sign was lit up and not long after the new owners had resurrected the spot with the promise to the previous owners the name and sign never changes. Order "A Martini" from the menu. It's divine. As are the french fries. They're double fried.

The smell when you step in says it all.

I love this building and always visit if I’m in the area to look at their great window displays, travel up in the beautiful wood paneled lift and wander down the creaky oak staircase. The exterior and interior woodwork is from two old Men-of-War ships, the flooring made from their deck timbers. I normally head straight to the fabric department to see what new seasonal prints they have in, though only buy a metre’s worth so not quite sure what I’ll ever make from them. My most treasured prints are those designed by Grayson Perry of polluted factories, teddy bears, knuckle-dusters and hand grenades. They also sell oversized gift coins produced by the Royal Mint and packaged beautifully in a velvet pouch, which appeal to my love of all things out-sized.

Delicious food, good coffee and beautiful location with lovely view of the rice fields.

The Future Perfect is my favorite place to shop for furniture / interiors, or pick up a small gift for a friend. They have a perfect mix of beautiful and strange objects, some of my favorites include the Animal Butt Magnets, Shrigley Salt & Petter Shakers, and the Bank in the form of a Pig.

Oh, La Cite. Most every café in Florence is a quick exchange of coffee and money. However, I love nothing more than snuggling into a comfortable couch with a warm beverage in hand. La Cite provides a cozy atmosphere where you can spend endless hours relaxing with one of their paper back books. In addition to it’s laid back vibe, you can find live music, book readings seminars, screenings and performing arts at this literary café. This city within a city is covered in art and serves the best hot chocolate in the city.

Very friendly neighborhood coffee shop with a tasty simple brunch menu. You can find me there Sunday morning reading.

A spot that I've gone to time and time again for shoots for it's amazing architecture and greenery. Place image not by me

The building seems to be an ode to 'Fondation Beyeler' and the garden is by the great Piet Oudolf. You can walk around the estate even if you don't want to enter the museum. 

Best brunch I've had in Amsterdam :) Love their bloody mary, and negroni.  Also great for dinner! It's owned and run by Australians so it's super laid back and beautifully designed.

A very good choice of art books and artistic gifts