Birthday Celebrations at The Mango Tree

Melissa's birthday marks the end of birthday season, and as it came around mid-March, I was a tiny bit relieved. After 23 birthday events, eight cakes, countless bottles of champagne and two hospitalisations, I was looking forward to a time out from celebrating.

Melissa was spending her actual birthday with the new man travelling Asia, so the week before hand, we were headed over to Mango Tree. But before we left it was time to give Melissa her gift. Pippa and I had figured this out months ago, and had been beavering away the last few days to get it finished in time for Melissa's fake birthday. We had bought her 21 presents, one for every year of her life. From Mac, to Starbucks coffee, to a plastic Monsters Inc spoon and bowl, her birthday hamper was filled with everything that reminded us of Melissa. We giggled our way through the unwrapping and a rather emotional Melissa was thrilled with each and every one.

After presents, it was time to get ready, and a quick snap accompanied by some incredible lemon meringue cupcakes, before zipping in a car across to Mango Tree.

We met Jack, Gemma and Harriett in the bar of the 5 star Thai restaurant situation in London's Belgravia, where we welcomed by the friendly and incredibly knowledgeable staff. Both the bar and restaurant ooze Asian sophistication and we were quickly transported into a world far away from London's Victoria. We gladly took cocktail menus and were sufficiently confused and blown away by the extensive list of original and classic mixes. Spying a blue lagoon, I was quickly contented, and we were all happy customers when an array of rainbow liquors arrived for us. Toasting the fabulous 21 years of Melissa, we were quickly and efficiently sat at our table not a minute passed nine, shortly followed by the vast menu. 

We snacked on the most delicious prawn crackers while mulling over our menus. Thai food has never been my favourite, but even I was dazzled by the delicious array of dishes on the menu.

 I eventually settled on a talay pad cha. A classic. 

Ok, so I had never heard of it before either. But wok fried scallops and squid with peppercorns and kachai root? I was sold. 

Our food arrived in perfect timing to soak up the cocktails and wine and we quickly tucked in. My dish was one of the greatest things I ever eaten. And helping myself to Jack's Jasmine rice it was the perfect amount of flavours and textures, if a little too spicy for my usual taste. But this only heightened the taste and we all agreed our food was flawless. We passed on dessert, and were almost the last people in the restaurant by the time we said our goodbyes.

When my group of friends get together it's almost impossible to tear ourselves away. Regardless of how long we have been apart, from a day to a few weeks, we always have so much to talk about and conversation and wine will always flow in equal measures.

But with cupcakes awaiting us at the apartment the girls and I merrily piled into a cab and headed home.

For information and Reservations at The Mango Tree: http://www.mangotree.org.uk

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Spring Sunshine and a little celebration

It's rare for me to find myself with an almost-clear weekend ahead. But with the promise of blissful sunshine and a schedule with only a handful of things to do on it, I was looking forward to some down time. I don't get to spend enough time in our gorgeous apartment, and we certainly don't get to spend enough time out on the balcony. So as the sun began to set, it was the perfect opportunity to catch the last of the rays with some of my favourite reading.

The next morning I woke to some incredibly exciting news. I had been accepted into the internship programme with the fashion department at The Independent and would be spending a few weeks there over the summer.

Ever since I can remember I've wanted to be a writer, I loved writing as a child and was forever scribbling in books. It was much more recently that I decided I wanted to work in fashion. There's a lot of stigma around the kind of person you have to be, or become, to work in fashion but through my experience the majority repel all of these stereotypes indefinitely. So to be gaining experience with The Independent is something both exciting and incredibly nerve-wracking. But it is also recognition of the last four years of studying, interning and working in the industry and a really exciting step… so it would have been rude not to have started the day with a cosmopolitan.

Pippa returned mid morning and eager to join in the celebrations. We lapped up the sun drinking, blogging and drinking some more. Since it's just been Pippa and I in the flat we've become like conjoined twins. When I first moved to London, Pippa was the first friend I made. Our rooms were next door to each other in the flat and every homesick tear, hungover breakfast and late night movie we shared together.

We spent two blissful days enjoying the sun with little obligation, only popping inside to get another bottle or recharge the Beyonce megamix, giggling hysterically at nothing at all and making lists of hilarious things we need to never forget. I won't however, be publishing those.

I've got a new dream dress. It was a steal I saw my favourite blogger thelondoner wearing on her birthday and I fell in love instantly. Torn between sophisticated black for evening wear, and impractical but bold white for summer days, I eventually went with white. The material is light but the boning in the sweetheart neckline provides structure and support where you need it. The off the shoulder sleeve adds to this too and the scuba skirt adds a girl-next-door innocence. It's the perfect dress for flirting with summer, and is available from the oh my love store, or via ASOS. 

Sadly our weekend of fun had to come to a close, and while I headed to work, Pippa chained herself to her computer as the smell of Monday began to waft into the air. "Dinner?" Pippa text me no more than twenty minutes after I had left the house. Of course I wasn't going to turn down that offer. 

I rushed home and we headed over to The Phene. While it's frequent spotlight on Made In Chelsea may tarnish this place with a brush dripping in snobbery, this couldn't be further from the reality. The Phene is homely and welcoming and the heated garden covered in fairy lights is the perfect setting for date night or a catch up with the girls. We started with our favourite grape juice, before quickly ordering. I chose a Sunday roast while Pippa opted for the Seabass. We arrived quite late on a Sunday and many dishes were unavailable. This was no problem to us, and the staff were so apologetic and accommodating, making my roast especially for me. 

Dinner arrived exactly how I like it and we were quick to tuck in. The menu is simple, but executed with delicious expertise. Too full for dessert, we quickly migrated to the garden to enjoy the last of our wine and sit among the beautiful setting. With a big interview ahead for the following day, Pippa and I returned home for an early night. 

The following day I had the biggest interview of my life, for an internship position at the esteemed Giorgio Armani. Petrified but prepared, I made my way to the sixth floor of the building and awaited my meeting. The offices are as sleek as the women who grace their floors and I was immediately intimidated. I've always thrived off my nerves but with this interview I was convinced I would crumble.  So when I heard the press co-ordinator saying they'd love me to start next monday as she extended her hand to shake mine, I couldn't quite believe it. While my passion has always been in journalism, I'm eager to gain some PR experience, and in a luxury fashion house nonetheless.

Monday is now 48 hours away and the nerves are beginning to kick in. There is so much conversation around fashion internships being paid or unpaid, but it is a right of passage anyone serious about a career in fashion has to go through and I promise to keep you updated as to what I'm doing.

I couldn't wait to share my news with my beloveds, and raced home to tell Pippa, who was almost as excited as I was. "LETS CELEBRATE" she said, boots already on. And where better than my favourite place on earth? Sushisamba is the natural choice.

We enjoyed a french martini overlooking the incredible London skyline and toasting to the coming weeks. It is so easy to take everything I have now for granted but I've come such a long way from the shy young girl dreaming of a career in fashion two years ago, to the occasionally outspoken and determined young professional about to begin one of the most competitive jobs in the industry.

It's difficult closing certain chapters of your life, and that's what all the girls and I appear to have done this week. But its time to begin a new one, and I can't wait.

The dream dress can be found here:http://www.ohmylovelondon.com/papa-dont-preach-cream-off-the-shoulder-skater-dress
All information on The Phene: http://www.thephene.com

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