We all know that if you are tired of London, you are tired of life. That is so true - there're always new things to explore. Almost always when in London I stay in Islington, so I'm familiar with Camden Passage. This pedestrian alley is a little bit off the beaten track but full of fascinating independent businesses - boutiques, cafes & restaurants. Here's one of them called SMUG.

SMUG was opened 8 years ago by design guru Lizzie Evans. She grew up in Islington so it was natural for her to open her business here in North London. In the shop they sell everything from homeware to furniture and accessories. There's also a cafe downstairs, which makes it really pleasant to browse.

SMUG in English usually means self-satisfied and superior, but Lizzie had an old illustarated dictionary and the traditional definition means 'to smarten up' or 'to transform', so she found it a good name for a shop full of beautiful things.

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Kaikkihab on kuullut sanonnan, että jos ihminen on kyllästynyt Lontooseen, on hän kyllästynyt elämään. Pitää niin paikkanasa. Lontoosta löytyy joka kerta jotain uutta katsottavaa ja koettavaa. Islington Pohjois-Lontoossa on tullut tutuksi vuosien varrella. Niinpä myös siellä sijaitseva Camden Passage on tuttu kuja. 

Aavistuksen syrjässä pääreitin varrella sijaitsevalla kodikkaalla kävelykadulla on paljon kiehtovia pikkuputiikkeja, kahviloita ja ravintoloita. Yksi tälleinen on nimeltään SMUG.

Desing guru Lizzie Evans perusti SMUG-liikkeensä 8 vuotta sitten. Islingtonissa kasvaneelle Lizzielle oli luonnollista avata oma putiikki juuri tässä kaupunginosassa. Kaupassa on niin paljon kaikkea ihastuttavaa pikkutavaroista huonekaluihin. Alakerrasta löytyy myös pikkukahvila.

Englanninkielessa SMUG tarkoittaa omahyväistä ja ylempiarvoista, mutta Lizzie löysi vanhasta kuvitetusta sanakirjasta, että sana tarkoittaa myös jonkinlaista viisastumista ja muuntautumista. Mikäpä olisi parempi nimi kaupalle, joka on täynnä kauniita tuotteita.

SMUG

13, Camden Passage

Islington, London

"The interesting thing about London is that there are always stylish surprises around every corner."

-Natalie Massanet-

Have you been to Islington, London?

Over the years I have several times intoduced or at least shown some pics of Islington. It's been my favourite place in London for more than 10 years now. It's like own little town inside the massive metropole.

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(FI) Vuosien varrella olen varmasti useampaankin otteeseen kertonut Islingtonista tai ainakin näyttänyt kuvia siitä. Tämä kaupunginosa on ollut lempparipaikkani Lontoossa jo yli 10 vuoden ajan. Se on kuin pieni oma kaupunki jättimäisen metropolin sisällä.

The atmosphere in Islington is lively. Camden Passage is absolutely something not to be missed while in Islington. It's a small alley with antique shops and other boutiques. During the weekends street stalls are set up here selling a mix of antiques and collectables, including jewelry, toys, clothing and books. 

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(FI) Islingtonissa on mukavan elävä ja vilkas ilmapiiri. Camden Passagea ei kannata missata. Se on kapea, pieni kuja pullollaan kivoja antiikki kauppoja ja muita putiikkeja. Viikonloppuisin kujalla on myös ulkona myyntipöytiä ja tarjolla on sekitus antiikkia ja keräilykohteita, mm. koruja, leluja, vaatteita ja kirjoja.

Islington started as a small village with parish church, a manor house and cottages around green. Then it became a overcrowded north London suburb, but during the last couple of decades it'a been a neighborhood with high-class status. There are now plenty of trendy gastropubs, wine bars, restaurants and boutiques. In my opinion Islington has it all. Basically there's all you need.

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(FI) Islington oli alunperin pieni kylä, jossa kirkkoa, kartanoa ja mökkejä ympäröi viheriö. Siten siitä tuli ahtaasti asutto pohjoislontoolainen lähiö, mutta parin viimeisen vuosikymmenen aikana siitä on kehittynyt korkeatasoinen kaupunginosa. Sieltä löytyy lukuisia trendikkäitä gastropubeja, viinibaareja, ravintoloita ja kauppoja. Mielestäni Islingtonissa on kaikki oleellinen ja vähän enemmän.

  

The main streets in Islington are Upper Street and Essex Road. The later one is more residential while Upper Street is full of fascinating interior decor, fashion and beauty stores, and there's Ottolenghi as well. Perfect place to stop for coffee/tea and delicious meringues as well as for a proper lunch.

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(FI) Islingtonin pääkadut ovat Upper Street ja Essex Road. Jälkimmäisessä on enemmän asuntoja, kun taas Upper Street on täynnä ihastuttavia sisustus-, muoti- ja kosmetiikkaputiikkeja. Niin ja siellä on myös kuuluisa Ottolenghi. Loistava paikka pysähtyä nauttimaan kuppi kahvia tai teetä ja suussa sulavia marenkileivoksia. Paikassa voi myös syödä ihan kunnon lounaan.

Islington might not boast as much green space as some of London's neighborhoods, but there are some nice parks. One of my favourite park is the small Islington Green, which is located in the beginnins of both the Upper Street and Essex Road and makes a triangle in between these two streets.

The other nice and quiet park is behind St Mary's Church. The pics above are both from there. It's funny how London is blooming all year round, isn't it?

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(FI) Vaikka Islingtonissa ei olekkaan niin paljon viheralueita kuin joissain muissa Lontoon kaupunginosissa, löytyy sieltäkin kivoja puistoja. Yksi oma suosikkipuistoni on Islington Green, joka sijaitsee muodostaa kolmion Upper Streetin ja Essex Roadin alussa.

Toinen mukava ja rauhallinen puisto löytyy St Mary -kirkon takaa. Yläpuolella olevat kuvat ovat sieltä. Uskomatonta mutta totta - Lontoossa kukkii koko vuoden ympäri!

The borough is also home for Arsenal football club.

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Arsenal jalkapalloseura on myös täältä päin.

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Next time in London take the northen line tube to Angel and have a walk in Islington.

More about Islington here!

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Seuraavalla kerralla kun olet Lontoossa, ota musta 'northern line'n' metro Angeliin ja tee pieni kävelykierros Islingtonissa.

Lisää Islingtonia täällä!

Islington

You might have noticed that while in London I always stay in Islington. It's in North London, east from King's Cross. Full of trendy interior & fashion shops, bars and restaurants. Take the tube to Angel and walk up Islington High Street, continue along Camden Passage, head up Essex Road, take left on to Cross Street which joins Upper Street, home to Islington favorites.

So everything is in Islington!

Atelier Abigail Ahern, Aria, Ottolenghi, Carluccio's, Penhaligon's, Almeida Theatre...

Late Lunch In London

 Had late lunch at Ottolenghi on Upper Street in Islington.

Ottolenghi is famous for its cakes, and also for its salads spiced with oriental flavors.

My choice was

Char-grilled salmon with za'atar yoghurt,

char-grilled broccoli with chili & garlic,

mixed green beans with fennel, crispy kale, fennel seeds, anise seeds, dill & pink peppercorns.

More about Ottolenghi clic here and here.

The whole day was a bit rainy and windy. It all made me wanted to stay inside, but got tickets to a jazz concert at Royal Academy of Music, so the tube to Baker Street. 

The concert was marvelous! It was dedicated to Billy May and conducted by Mike Lovatt. The musicians were the students of Royal Academy - they played absolutely gorgeously. The jazz version of Brahms' Hungarian Dance no.5 was phenomenal!

What a great evening! 

Cote In London

 Been having lunch at Cote in London for a couple of times. It's a great place for lunch - they have day's menu with starters, main courses and desserts to choose, and a la carte menu as well. 

My choice today was from the day's menu: 

Tuna cake with herb mayonnaise

Sea bass with creamy leak and roasted  grated vegetables 

Dark chocolate mousse with cream

My choice today was the one in Camden:

32 Parkway, London NW1

The other one I've been to is located in Islington:

4-6 Islington Green, London N1

Only in England!

Gorgeous, isn'y it?

It was in front of a house next to Regent Park.

London Calling

 Arrived to Luton Airport last night, took the train to St Pancras, continued by Northern line to Angel and arrived to Islington.

Today the sky is grey but it's not raining, it's a bit windy but that doesn't matter. Let's go out to the patio. 

 Let's pass the mosaic art work there...

 …and take the steps up...

 …to the rooftop terrace.

 There's a nice view to St Mary's Church.

 You can see lots of roof tops there.

 On the other side of the terrace there's another kind of view.

Let's sit for a minute...

…and breathe the London air.

This is London!

London Calling

 Arrived to London yesterday afternoon.

The flight was delayed 1,5h - not a big deal.

This view is from our living room window in Islington.

Looks so nice and green!

 Dinner with friends in Gallipoli on Upper Street.

The place is small and cosy.

The food is delicious!

Ordered lots of small plates which we all shared.

My favourites are grilled halloumi 

and the vine leaves stuffed with 

vegetables and pine kerns.