East London

EastLDN People | Melodie Tyrer, Farm To Face

We first meet Melodie Tyrer in her cosy Leyton home; all vintage furnishings, white, rustic wooden floors, and lush green plants dotted about the living space. The whole place has a homely, earthy feel to it. As she cooks up a vegan breakfast- a medley of scrambled tofu, grilled aubergine, avocado, and a dollop of delicious homemade carrot chutney (which we later procure a jar of)- we have a nose around. It’s definitely the home of someone who is environmentally conscious. From the alkaline water filter with mineral stones, and separate bins for food waste and recycling. To the vegetable patch in the garden, and the adopted street cat wandering in and out of the kitchen.

EastLDN People, Entrepreneurs, People

EastLDN People | Michele Kirsch, Trew Era Cafe

Unless you’ve been living in a parallel universe where Russell Brand has selective mutism, you’re likely to have heard about his social enterprise, the Trew Era Cafe. Trew Era is a coffee shop staffed mainly by those in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. When I found out about it I thought “oh, hurrah. Breaking down stigma and barriers. Here’s a job I can do”. Not only because I’ve had barista training in a similar scheme, but also because I am a drug user in recovery. I also thought “we’ll be rubbish. We can’t organise our lives. Though we could probably organise a piss up in a brewery, except we can’t go near breweries, or pubs. Or in my particular case, pharmacies.

Entrepreneurs, Food, People

The Workers’ Café | Hackney

We chat to Ryan Seville, founder and member of the new work space in Hackney

For many a creative in East London, freelancing is the preferable way to work and earn a living. Gone are the days of sitting on your backside in an office full of people who you’d ordinarily avoid like the plague. Freelancing means you get to work on your terms. No big bad boss breathing down your neck, no office politics, no passive aggressive notes left by colleagues on the communal fridge, and, most of the time, the freedom to work on a variety of projects. It’s a no-brainer right?

Culture, Music, People

East London psych-rock band launch debut album at Brick Lane Psych Fest

We chat to Astral Lynx about the Brick Lane Psych Fest, and the highs and lows of life as modern day musicians.

The psychedelic genre has seen something of a comeback in recent years, thanks to the likes of Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and The War On Drugs bringing the sounds of the 60s and 70s to the mainstream. Add to that the slew of psychedelia-based festivals such as Cosmosis in Manchester and The Liverpool Psych Fest in, well, Liverpool of course, the cult following of fans clad in a swirling mass of paisley print shirts and crushed velvet flares, and you’ve pretty much got yourself a movement. Continue Reading…

Culture, Entrepreneurs, Food, People

The heart of the Pho Mile: Mrs My Le and her mission to help

Organic, local, wheat free, vegetarian. There are so many expectations that customers demand from restaurants these days in order to ensure they are getting the best of the ingredients and products sold but what if one of these desirables was ‘humanitarian’. Enter, Mrs My Le, owner of a 3 strong Vietnamese restaurant group, Mien Tay, and a fully-fledged philanthropist. Since opening her first restaurant in 2008, Mrs My Le has donated up to 40% of her profits (approx. £250k) to people, families and organisations back in Vietnam who are in greater need of money than she is. Mrs My Le’s humble and definitive view is that she would rather a child eat than her having a glamorous house in London.

Entrepreneurs, People

Oh My ‘Duvet Days’ – Emma White

Nostalgia is a sensation we’ve all experienced before whether it’s wandering down a street you used to live on or hearing a song on the radio that takes you back to a certain time and place. That flashback feeling that gets you reminiscing on your past is so stirring and is often the reason so many of us squirrel away childhood toys and photographs. Like magic, nostalgia has the power to whisk us far away and evoke emotions in us we’d forgotten we had.

In East London’s Hackney, there is a young creative who is combining the magic of nostalgia with her own style of ethical clothing. Cheltenham born Emma White felt inspired after working with ethical clothing brand Goodon’ and decided two years ago to take a chance on her own dream and started up her business called Duvet Days. Emma has perfected a winning combination of unique and fun to wear clothing by up-cycling second hand duvets and the outcome is oh so dreamy.

Entrepreneurs, People

Clues and Booze at Lady Chastity’s Reserve

Londoners you work too hard! Monday to Friday slaving away in your office, giving all your energy to the man and how does your city reward you? With cheap cinema tickets on a Monday and a side of stale popcorn. Well I don’t know about you, but I would love something a little more thrilling to do after work and I’m not talking another tedious trivia night. We want more, we deserve some ridiculous, let your hair down kinda fun and the guy who’s got our back is Ben Tucker, immersive game creator and owner of Handmade Mysteries.
Continue Reading…

Culture, History, People

Brexit- are you informed?

I write this article with a strong sense of trepidation, because I’m writing about the Brexit, and I know next to nothing about it. Luckily, I’m in the same, clueless position as a substantial portion of other voters, and funnily enough, most of us will probably end up voting.

Culture, History, People

The Immigrants of Spitalfields

Huguenots-of-Spitalfields-Map-by-Adam-Dant1

Look Up London started with spotting interesting sights then trying to cram their entire history into one hundred and fifty characters – Not easy. It’s since grown into an award-winning blog and Katie it’s founder, runs her own walking tours around the city. All with a key emphasis on raising your gaze.

Culture, People

Nice shoes! Wanna f***?

Here I go again! It’s been a while since I’ve written about my favourite topic… The French, English battle.

And today it is going to be about… SEX! “OH MY! What did she just say?!” Yes, sex, shagging, fucking… all those kinda things. There is a rumour that the French are, I am sorry to tell you, better in bed than the English. Both genders too I’m afraid. Why? Well, it’s pretty simple.

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