I've had many favourite hang outs around the world in my life. There was a perfect little cafe in Florence, where I'd stop for a pastry and cappuccino on the way to my Italian language class every morning. No seats, just standing at the bar and trying to look all Italian (I think I failed miserably at that, but it was lovely just pretending). Pubs and bars in London where I hung out way too much (but oh what a lot of fun and so many stories to tell). A great bakery in Portland where they made the most delicious macarroons. A Starbucks just around the corner from home where I would wander regularly with my boy Luca when he was just two and a half for an afternoon hot chocolate. And beaches in Hawaii where I could have hung out forever and completely dropped out of 'real' life. So many places to hang out and not enough time eh!
But now my favourite hang out is close by. The 'barista' makes a great cup of tea and the excellent coffee is made "old syle" in a classic Bialetti espresso maker. The homemade banana and walnut cake is delicious (as are the fancy cakes on your birthday). The sofa and armchairs are leather and soft and comfy and you can sit (if you have nothing else to do) for hours with a book or magazine. There's usually some great music being played (favourites right now are Paolo Nutini and She & Him). Sun shines in through the French doors that lead onto a small garden (which is my favourite hang out in the summer time). Nobody minds if you've not long woken up and look a little rough around the edges - we're all family here! There's usually a big vase filled with flowers from the local market. In the daytime there are plenty of toys and books around to keep an army of kiddos happy, and in the winter evenings, when all is quiet, you can unwind on the big sofa, glass of wine in hand and candles glowing.
Welcome to my living room. The place I spend most of my time with my little family, and these days my favourite hang out.
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That sounds lovely! And that cuppa tea looks delicious and so do these little cakes. Its so important ot have a fave hangout. I'm still looking for mine:) Any idea for London? What's your fave hangout here?
ReplyDeleteHmmm, wonderful vibe your livingroom has.
ReplyDeletehaha! at first i thought i read italian luggage class... and i thought how cool is that?... anyway- your living room sounds perfect. can i hang out with you? besos!
ReplyDeleteThat cake looks yummy!!
ReplyDeleteI am missing a favourite hang out. Funny, I just realised that this is the first time in ages I don't have one.
that sounds like my kind of place. I wonder where you used to hang out in London. Was London pre-kids though?
ReplyDeleteLadies - Its a long time since I out hung out anywhere in London (we're talking 10 / 11 years ago now - yikes!) but there were a few bars I spent many a good night - Match, Cicada, The Light Bar and Cantaloupe all around Clerkenwell / Shoreditch. No idea if they are still around though. I worked in the City, so there were plenty of bars on my doorstep - a quick drink afterwork was often at Brasserie Rock or Corney & Barrow at Liverpool Street. London was definitely pre-kiddos! Gosh that all seems so long ago!
ReplyDeleteDit was echt in een paar minuten de wereld rond, heerlijk! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds lovely!!!!
ReplyDeleteNice photo too :)
Lovely - home is a custom made hang out place!
ReplyDeleteha, another homely hang-out. it's becoming a cv trend this week, hee hee. yours sounds lovely and warm so, hey, no better place.
ReplyDeleteWOW! You have been all over. Do you remember the name of the place in Portland? Was it called Papa Hydans. Loved, Loved that place, but also really loved a place called the Brassarie that had the greatest Jazz music and the funnest crayola crayon drawings on the wall. We went to Eindhoven a few years ago for my husbands work though didn't stay very long because we had another appointment in Maastrict.
ReplyDeleteKlinkt helemaal fijn!
ReplyDeletethis is perfect! thanks for such a nice corner! kenza.
ReplyDeletethat sounds like a perfect place to hang out
ReplyDeleteso.. when can i come over? :)
I love hearing about all your hangouts! Home sweet home is always the best!
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend!
there is no place like home.
ReplyDeletelove the way you've written the post. I can see everything.
happy weekend.
You had me at "french doors." :) That does sound like a lovely place to hang out. And you can be sure the coffee is just the way you like it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my corner hangout too. :)