To enter, all you have to do is create a Pinterest board for either one of the personalities, and select clothes and accessories from harrods.com to create a full look that reflects their lifestyle and personality.

The competition opens this Friday, 18th May, and will run until Sunday 27th May. Entries will be judged by an expert panel including fashion journalist for the Independent, Harriet Walker; fashion blogger Kristen Knox, aka the Clothes Whisperer; and sportswear GMM at Harrods, Stewart Mancey. The team will be judging entries based on style, individuality, suitability for the personality and practicality.

Cycle chic blogger, Lady Velo, creating her Pinterest board

And what’s the prize? Well, two lucky winning entries will receive a £150 Harrods voucher, a fantastic goody bag, AND have their winning look photographed by a renowned fashion photographer, to be featured in Absolutely and Harrods Magazine.

Kristen Knox, ones of the judges of ‘Style the Cyclist’ says:

“We look forward to receiving some innovative and inspirational style ideas for city cyclists from some of the most creative fashion minds out there. The ‘Style the Cyclist’ competition is a fantastic opportunity for stylists or anyone with an interest in fashion to showcase their talents. In addition to the great prizes, getting their winning outfits shot and styled for a prestigious fashion spread would be a great addition to someone’s portfolio!”

Councillor Nick Paget-Brown, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea says:

“As our Bikeminded campaign shows, there are many people in London who look fantastic when cycling around, however we want to encourage even more people back into cycling in the borough. We are delighted to have teamed up with Harrods to give our competition entrants access to some of the most innovative and creative designers around, and look forward to proving that you can look stylish and fashionable on two-wheels.”

Full details of the competition and how to enter can be found at www.bikeminded.org/events/style-the-cyclist – and don’t forget to check out more on the Bikeminded campaign too!

From 16th to 18th May 2012, the Parallax international contemporary art fair will feature over 2000 works from over 200 artists, both emerging and well-established, that hail from over thirty countries from across the globe – from India to Tunisia, Morocco to Costa Rica. This makes Parallax the largest “curated” international artist art fair in Europe and whilst many of the artists featured may have a strong following in their home country, they are yet to be known internationally.

Feel by Hysterical Minds

The fair will feature some diverse pieces, from surrealist-like paintings and sculpture, quirky pieces of fish and even blades of grass. One of the highlights is a 10-foot high anti-war memorial with sculpted bronze dogs and skulls; another is a video piece about child brides by young British Asian artist, Shammi Begum. Catriona Robertson will be displaying her ceramics encased in bubble wrap – these reflect the various issues of exhibiting works of art, as well as referencing her earlier experiences at fairs when her pieces were precariously displayed, leading to breakages.

Tickets for Parallax cost £2, with 50% of this being donated to A21 charity. More on the Fair can be found at barlowfinedrawings.com/parallaxaf.html.

Parallax AF
11am – 7pm, Wednesday 16th May
11am – 8pm, Thursday 17th May (jazz nite: 6pm – 8pm)
11am – 5pm, Friday 18th May
Chelsea Old Town Hall
King’s Road
SW3 5EE

Nearest tube: Sloane Square

I revisited the venue recently as, although it’s been listed on this site since the beginning (of the site, not of venue, of course!) it has undergone some expansion in recent years. This has served to both provide extra capacity as well as add some additional elements (some of which you may be pleasantly surprised to learn about – I certainly was!) that although relatively new, have really kept true to the spirit of The Troubadour.

For those of you that perhaps don’t know it, what is The Troubadour? Well, it’s something of a historic venue in Kensington and Chelsea; having opened in as far back as 1954. In that and the subsequent decade, it wasn’t just known as a cafe – its basement club attracted a number of very famous names from the rock ‘n’ roll world, including Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Charlie Watts (pre-Rolling Stones), and Robert Plant and Jimmy Page from Led Zepplin.

Today, the Troubadour still very much plays host to live bands in its basement room which has been expanded to more than double the previous capacity and can now fit 120 people. The basement room curves right round on itself, so you can sit (or stand!) yourself right in the thick of the action, or tuck yourself away somewhere a little quieter – including in the two private little alcoves towards the back. When you head down to the basement, do also take a look at the artwork hand-drawn right onto the walls that depicts some artists that have previously played here.

Image by @studio 1 Park Royal, www.studio1parkroyal.com

What else goes on at The Trouabour these days? There is of course still the coffee house and restaurant on the main ground floor (also with an expanded capacity) that has retained so much of its original vibe with its unique decor – take a look at the assorted wonderful items hanging from the walls and ceiling, and definitely check out the beautiful wood-carved, brightly coloured front door.

There is a separate wine shop, Troubadour Wines, that sells a very fine selection of wines from across the world and which holds frequent wine tasting events. It also has its own wine bar – separate to the main part of the Troubadour cafe, perfect for a relaxed glass or two.

Image by @studio 1 Park Royal, www.studio1parkroyal.com

The Gallery on the first floor is a spacious room that’s available for private hire (exhibitions, parties, dinner events, seminars) and which also hosts a range of classes and events, such as yoga every Monday.

One thing I was surprise to learn about was the serviced apartment for rent – The Garret – that’s on the second floor of the building, and what surely must be a great little accommodation find for London.

Another great surprise is The Troubadour’s hidden garden at the back, which very much feels like the garden of a private residence – there are no garish gas heaters and overly bright spotlights here! Instead, there are cosy little nooks and crannies and assorted seating amongst the luscious flowers and plants. On my visit, it was a dreadfully dreary day (thanks to the crazy April showers we’ve been having recently) but I can imagine the garden would be an absolutely fantastic place to come for a drink and a bite to eat in the height of summer.

Image by @studio 1 Park Royal, www.studio1parkroyal.com

If you haven’t ever been to The Troubadour or it’s been a while since your last visit, I would highly recommend that you swing by soon to re-acquaint (or acquaint!) yourself with one of the area’s – and London’s – most famous venues and find out what it has to offer these days.

The spectacular Olympic Velodrome (picture at a London Prepares test event)

Kensington and Chelsea is participating in the Olympics as one of the venues (Earls Court Exhibition Centre) is located here, and there’s also some events taking place in Hyde Park, just outside the area. The Olympic Torch Relay will also visit the area on 26th July, the day before the Olympics opens.

We’ve written up a little guide to Kensington and Chelsea and The Olympics – take a look!

See you at The Olympics!*

* Not literally, of course. I’m not participating!

Bikeminded has recently announced a very exciting summer programme of cycling tours that will take place in the Kensington and Chelsea area over the next few months, kicking off this Saturday, 14th April with a Film Tour.

The Bikeminded campaign is run by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea with the aim of getting more people on their bikes – as well as helping them discover hidden areas of the Borough and teaching them about its history.

The Film Tour will visit locations that have appeared on the big screen, from crime films such as the 1950s Blue Lamp to James Bond. Starting with a two and half hour tour this Saturday, there are additional tours later this month and in May.

There will also be a two-hour Music Tour (taking place on three dates May and June with two tours a day) that will re-visit the haunts of the hippies and rockers of the 1960s, the punks and reggae artists of the 1970s, the synth popstars of the 1980s and the stars of today.

Rounding off these events is an Alice in Wonderland Tour (five tours taking place on dates in July) that will also be part of the InTRANSIT Festival. The Tour will be an immersive and interactive theatre experience with the White Rabbit and Alice weaving a journey through park spaces and hidden corners of Kensington and Chelsea.

Councillor Paget-Brown, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea says:

“We are delighted to announce such an exciting and varied Bikeminded summer cycling tour programme, which we hope will appeal to people in the borough and beyond, and encourage them to join us in experiencing the pleasures of cycling.  We are lucky to live and work in such a vibrant and cultural part of London, and through these cycling tours we aim to bring our streets and their stories alive through film, music and theatre.  There’s no better way of experiencing the sights and sounds of Kensington and Chelsea than on two wheels, and this summer we want everyone to get involved.”

To book a place on any of these tours, please visit www.bikeminded.org/events/bike-tours and for more information on Bikeminded, visit www.bikeminded.org.

FILM TOUR
Saturday 14th April - 14:30 – 17:00
Saturday 28th April - 11:00 – 13:30 and 14:30 to 17:00
Saturday 12th May – 11:00 – 13:30 and 14:30 to 17:00
Saturday 26th May - 11:00 – 13:30 and 14:30 to 17:00

Tickets cost £7 per person

MUSIC TOUR
Saturday 5th May - 11:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:00
Saturday 9th June  - 11:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:00
Saturday 7th July - 11:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:00

Tickets cost £7 per person

ALICE IN WONDERLAND TOUR
Wednesday 18th July – 19:00 – 21:00
Thursday 19th July - 19:00 – 21:00
Friday 20th July - 19:00 – 21:00
Saturday 21st July - Matinee for families – 13:00 – 15:00 and 19:00 – 21:00
Sunday 22nd July – 13:00 – 15:00

Tickets cost £8 per person

The newest Spaghetti House held its grand opening at 9 Kensington High Street last Friday, 30th March, attended by the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea as well as a number of other local dignitaries. This new venue brings many of the old Spaghetti House favourites to Kensington – from its rustic breads and antipasti as starters, to its great pasta dishes including the “artigianale” (hand-crafted artisanal dishes) choices. There’s also a number of pizza options, salads and traditional Italian mains, for times when something other than pasta fits the bill.

The very first Spaghetti House opened on Goodge Street in 1955 by North Italians Simone Lavarini and Lorenzo Fraquelli, who had left Italy in 1947 searching for work and had met at another famous Italian London institution, Bar Italia in Soho, in 1948. From just one floor at this first venue, the restaurant quickly expanded to four floors, followed by more Spaghetti Houses opening across London. Today, there are 12 restaurants, and Spaghetti House is looked after and nurtured by Simone Lavarini’s grown-up children.

Head down to Spaghetti House to explore their inviting new Kensington venue, and indulge in some delicious Italian dishes!

Spaghetti House
9 Kensington High Street
W8 5NP
www.spaghettihouse.co.uk

As part of the A French Musical Journey from Couperin to Boulez series at the Institut français, the renowned Psophos Quartet will be performing works by Ravel, Debussy and Chausson on Tuesday 27th March.

The Quartet is comprised of Eric Lacrouts (violin), Laurent Manaud-Pallas (violin),  Cécile Grassi (viola) and Guillaume Martigné (cello). Created in 1997 at the Lyon Conservatoire supérieur de musique et de danse, the Psophos Quartet is laureate of the Osaka International Competition and the Vittorio Gui International Competition of Florence and London. They currently perform each year in the greatest music halls and at the most prestigious festivals of the world and are a favoured partner of composers such as Nicolas Bacri and Marc Monnet, regularly performing their new works.

Tickets cost £15 (concessions £12, students £8) and can be booked online.  More information about the concert can also be found on the Institut français’s website.

Win tickets!

Look us up on Twitter (@kenandchelsea) and find this message -

RT for a chance to win 2 tickets to Psophos Quartet 27 March @ifru_london http://ow.ly/9JI1N #classical

and retweet it to enter the competition!

Four Strings on Four Instruments: Psophos Quartet
8pm, Tuesday 27th March 2012
Institut français
17 Queensberry Place
SW7 2DT

On 29th March 2012, The Gore Hotel and The Folly Mixtures will be hosting a fabulous night of Burlesque entertainment alongside a sumptuous three course dinner.

The discreet Tapestry Room at The Gore Hotel will be the very fitting venue for the evening, with its two rooms that are decorated with luxurious tapestries, rich soft furnishings, gilt mirrors and two period fireplaces.

The Folly Mixtures will kick off proceedings with a group performance, popping back between each dinner course with solo performances before a grand finale concludes the night.

Tickets are now on sale and cost £45 which includes a welcome drink, a three course dinner and the show. Please contact Kerry on 020 7590 6700 or on events@gorehotel.com for reservations and other enquiries.

A Night of Burlesque
7.30pm, 29th March 2012
The Gore Hotel
190 Queen’s Gate
SW7 5EX

Gondolas by the Salute by Edward Seago

Evening Étretat by Eugène Boudin

Edward Seago painted from a young age, inspired by the 19th century Norwich painters. As his reputation grew, so did his “celebrity”, with his work often famed to attract crowds. Eugène Boudin, meanwhile, was influenced by the 17th century Dutch masters and was encouraged to paint outdoors (en plein air) after meeting Dutch painter Johan Jongkind. It was in 1857 that Boudin met Claude Monet who spent several months working in Boudin’s studio; they remained lifelong friends and Monet paid tribute to Boudin’s early influence.

Director of Trinity House, Simon Shore, says:

“Both of these works by Seago and Boudin, are perfectly suited to the wonderfully elegant and relaxed atmosphere created at the BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair. Trinity House is delighted to be part of the fair again which promises high quality art and antiques for buyers and browsers from the UK’s leading experts.”

Trinity House is an international art dealership, specialising in Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern British and 19th century works that is based in London, New York and Gloucestershire. More information can be found at www.trinityhousepaintings.com.

The BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair will allow visitors to purchase top quality art and antiques from the UK’s leading experts. The two Trinity House paintings can be viewed at stand B20.

BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair
21st – 27th March 2012
The Duke of York Square,
Chelsea
SW3 4LY

As part of the national Fairtrade Fortnight 2012 (27th February to 11th March), the Kensington & Chelsea Fairtrade Campaign is to host two stalls at Whole Foods on Kensington High Street in early March to help raise awareness of and promote Fairtrade in the Borough.

The two stalls will be held on Saturday 3rd and Saturday 10th March from 11am to 4pm and will feature samples of Fairtrade products and information about Fairtrade; you will also have the opportunity to sign up to the campaign.

This year’s Fairtrade theme is “Take A Step” which has the aim of getting 1.5 million steps in support of Fairtrade by the end of the year. More information about the national campaign can be found at step.fairtrade.org.uk. Despite the current tough economic climate, sales of Fairtrade products are ever increasing – in 2011, sales rose by 12% to reach around £1.32 billion, according to the Fairtrade Foundation.

The Kensington & Chelsea Fairtrade Campaign aims to encourage local businesses, community groups and shoppers to support ethical and fairly traded products. Although 22 of London’s 33 boroughs have been awarded Fairtrade status, our borough is unfortunately not one of them. In order to be awarded Fairtrade status, Kensington and Chelsea needs to undertake a number of steps, including establishing a campaign steering group with representatives of a range of community and business interests, winning Council support, and meeting five goals for awareness raising and availability of Fairtrade products and information

There are, however, a number of of businesses in Kensington & Chelsea that already offer Fairtrade products, including Whole Foods and Luscious Organic on Kensington High Street, Tea & Coffee Plant and Portobello Wholefoods on Portobello Road and the Oxfam shops in the area. The Cooperative, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Pret a Manger, Starbucks, EAT and Crusssh also all support the campaign.

Support your the local Kensington & Chelsea campaign by coming down to Whole Foods on the 3rd or 10th March, and do also check out the campaign online at www.Facebook.com/fairtradekc and rbkcfairtrade.blogspot.com.

Take A Step in 2012 for Fairtrade
11am to 4pm, Saturday 3rd and Saturday 10th March
Whole Foods
63-97 Kensington High Street
W8 5SE