Kenny Muhammed

At the moment I have the incredible fortune to be in Cartagena Spain, in the Murcia region where my husband is working. And it so happens there is the fascinating Manifesta 8 contemporary European art biennale on here since yesterday!

I visited one of the Murcia venues yesterday, an old derelict post office in the centre of the elegant, slightly crumbling city, and was particularly taken by a video work featuring beatboxer Kenny Muhammed, born NY in 1968. He musically interpreted the prayers of several artists for their work in the future and Kenny had me riveted. He made every sound of what sounded like 6 simultaneous tracks!! 

I had the most beautiful moment afterwards, wandering the streets, when I ran into him, stopped him to check it was him, and yes it was. A charming man of huge talent. Check him out. He has an album coming out soon and I will be dancing with my pregnant belly to it in the coming months!

Roderik Henderson

Last night my friend Sabine and I went to the Sony World Photography Awards here, and saw a selection of winners from 2009. One of the photographers work we fell in love with was that of Dutchman Roderik Henderson.

On show were only these two of his award-winning series "Transvoid", a series of people waiting in their cars where he lived in remote British Columbia Canada. They are exquisitely intimate and nostalgic somehow, the gleam of an elderly lady's silver tooth in the moody light, fixing one portrait for me with the final perfect touch.

Kandulski cakes

Ooh la la, I do have to admit to having quite a sweet tooth! Thomas and I discovered, thanks to our friend Kurt, another delicious place to satisfy one's sweet cravings, near Heiligensee, the place we will have our shamanic wedding in the woods north of Berlin.

The Polish, award-winning Café and Konditorei Kandulski serves the most divine selection of incredibly indulgent cakes and pâtisseries - Torten in the traditional sense - amongst other delights.

Open 7 days a week, they are located at:
Habichtstraße 14
13505 Berlin-Konradshöhe

Telefon: 030 - 9221 7682

Tom Shot jewellery

Designer Thomas Schwender's Tom Shot boutiques in Mitte and Prenzlauerberg are treasure troves of contemporary jewellery made from materials sourced in Germany, France and Italy. His handmade, small run collections feature accessories made with those looking for something innovative, beautiful and original in mind.

Tadshikische Teestube

My dear friend Lilli introduced me to this enchanting Russian teahouse, the Tadshikische Teestube . Located inside the Palais am Festungsgraben, it's a tucked away secret that I was thrilled to discover. You can sip teas from the world over, nestled cosily on cushions and there are Blinys and other snacks to keep your belly sated. But it's the room that I adore - malachite green walls and wood carved columns, with luscious textiles on the floor.

One word, it is essential to make a booking as this place is frequently PACKED!

Am Festungsgraben 1
Hinter der Neuen Wache (Unten den Linden)
10117 Berlin Mitte
030 204 1112

Open Mon-Fri 17.00 - 24.00
Sat, Sun 15.00 - 24.00

Hohgant Knitwear

I discovered this gorgeous Swiss knitwear label Hohgant the other day in one of my favourite stores in Berlin Andreas Murkudis.

Hohgant, the brainchild of Danish born Hannah Strøm Liatowitsch, is a label of knitted clothing for babies and children up to 6 years of age. The designs are exquisitely simple and colourful and knitted by a team of Swiss women in the alps.