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My London: Kirstie Allsopp
By Belinda Buckley, ES Magazine Last updated at 00:00am on 21.02.05
Kirstie loves takeout sushi
Where do you live and why?
In North Kensington. I'm a true West London girl as my parents moved to Kensington when I was 17 and, when I first left home, I rented around here.
How long have you lived there?
In this house, six years; before that I bought in Battersea but got stuck there with negative equity.
What was the last play you saw in London and did you enjoy it?
I generally don't have sufficient suspension of disbelief to enjoy theatre. I did go to see a friend's play, Two Step by Rhashan Stone (Olivia Williams' husband) at the Almeida in September.
What advice would you give to a tourist?
Take a tour on an open-top bus, buy a mini A-Z and go on the London Eye. The obvious stuff really is great, like Madame Tussauds and Tower Bridge.
Name five shops you rely on.
Hair & Tanning Rooms on St Helen's Gardens, W10, they're brilliant. It's a bit snotty to say but I get my shoes from Christian Louboutin, 23 Motcomb Street, SW1. They're the sexiest shoes - you can wear them with an M&S outfit and look a million dollars. I go to Thomas Heneage, 42 Duke Street, SW1, for art books. Lidgate on Holland Park Avenue is the best butcher's, and Bliss is the best place for cosmetics.
How do you get around town?
By bus or in my Audi A3 --I love my car.
What was the last CD you bought?
My taste in music is considered fairly appalling, particularly as I buy CDs from garages. I've just got Hot August Night II by Neil Diamond from a service station bargain basket. Before that it was the Katie Melua album.
What's in your wardrobe?
I've been much more excited by fashion of late - the ladylike thing is so me. I love everything by Tracey Boyd and ditto Megan Park. Then there's a blue velvet jacket from DKNY and a Jackie O-style coat by Mulberry.
Do you have a favourite pub?
I'm not really a pub person and I live in an area once controlled by the Victorian Temperance Movement, so there are very few pubs between Latimer Road and Ladbroke Grove. I don't like standing drinking so I like to go to Lucky Seven on Westbourne Park Road or Woody's.
What were the last books you bought?
Molly Watson's In The Pink and Plum Sykes' Bergdorf Blondes. I go to Waterstone's on Notting Hill Gate when I can, but mostly I pick up books at airports and stations.
Which fragrance do you wear?
Agent Provocateur.
Where were the last three places you went on holiday?
Scotland last September; before that Kerala in India with my mum, and New York to see friends and shop. I stayed at 60 Thompson and loved it. I am so desperate to have a holiday now, but I can't because I'm filming.
What have been your most memorable London meals?
For my best friend's birthday the other week six of us got properly dressed up and went for an old-style night out in the West End: we met for drinks at Windows on the World, then we went for dinner at George on South Audley Street and on to Annabel's after that. At the other end of the scale, I eat a lot at Penk's on Salusbury Road - it's really good and cheap. The best meal I've had at home of late was a sushi delivery from Itsu.
What do you miss most when you're out of London?
Everything. Mostly sleeping in my own bed, my friends and the diversity and quality of the food you can buy. What are your home comforts? Pure linen sheets from the Volga Linen Company, decent coffee, my dog, Floris bath essence, E4 and DVDs of The West Wing.
What are your extravagances?
Expensive and sexy shoes; presents for my godchildren and getting the same clothing in several colours.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
I'd restrict traffic wardens so they could only issue 30 tickets a day. And I wouldn't extend the congestion charge zone. I used to like Livingstone, but now I'm so disappointed in him.
What is your life philosophy?
Live, love, laugh.
What are your current projects?
I've published my first book, with Phil Spencer, How to Buy A House, and we're filming series eight of Location, Location, Location and series three of Relocation, Relocation concurrently around Britain.
