‘We could spend the whole day doing things we’ve never done before…’
When Steph from Being Blonde it’s a Lifestyle Thing asked if I wanted to go The Covent Garden Hotel for brunch and to see the iconic film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, I quickly agreed. Can you believe I’d never seen it before?
Part way through the film Audrey Hepburn’s character Holly suggests ‘We could spend the whole day doing things we’ve never done before…’ It’s an idea that really resonated with me because over the past year and a half one thing I’ve really noticed is that writing my blog encourages me to try new things, sometimes step out of my comfort zone and do things I’ve never before…it made me think I should spend more days doing things I’ve never done before…
Back to the day itself…to coincide with the Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, The Covent Garden Hotel are running a series of film starring the legendary actress along with a choice of brunch, lunch or afternoon tea plus entrance to the gallery.
Next we had a choice from the a la carte menu, I went off the menu as I fancied a simple favourite of mine…
Of course, I’m all for doing things I’ve never done before but I’m still a creature of habit!
Steph was a bit more adventurous than me choosing chorizo, sauteed potatoes, spinach and fried egg. We really enjoyed our two course breakfast and catching up about blogging, up-coming travels and chatting to the restaurant manager, Lucas, who was very friendly and personable.
After breakfast we were led down to the hotel’s intimate private screening room with the offer of popcorn (sweet or salty) and drinks served at our seats. I was so excited to see the film that I’ve heard so much about but never actually seen. Our course, I wasn’t disappointed I absolutely loved the movie, which I’d never realised was so funny. Audrey Hepburn was just beautiful and I was totally swept away by the romance. I loved the bittersweet moments, the tragi-comic character of Holly Golightly and the beautiful scenes on 1960’s New York.
I said to Steph I wish there was some sort of sequel so knew what happened next!
After the film Lucas gave us a little tour of the hotel, first showing us a bedroom which showcased Kit Kemp’s signature style of interior design. Every bedroom in each hotel is different and decorated with varying colours, fabric and gorgeous oversized headboards to give a quintessential ‘eccentric English look.’
As well as the gorgeous guests’ lounge area, which was by coincidence called the Tiffany’s Library.
It was a beautiful wood-panelled room and I absolutely love Kit Kemp’s eclectic style; the way she blends different fabrics and juxtaposes old with new. Each hotel has an art and sculpture collection selected carefully by Kit, everything is just so personal and unique. I particularly loved this writing desk which would just be perfect for all my blogging needs 😉
Steph had to rush off but our cinema experience included a ticket to the National Portrait Gallery to see the exhibition. So I decided to do two things I’ve never done before, the first being actually go to the gallery (I know it’s rather shameful that I’ve never been) and the second being go to a museum on my own!
The exhibition was stunning and definitely think Audrey had one of the most breath-taking faces ever seen on screen. I was surprised to find out that she was actually born in Belgium before studying ballet in Amsterdam and moving to London in 1948 to continue her ballet training. After appearing in British films and starring on broadway in Gigi she went on to have an award-winning career in Hollywood. She starred in Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961 and it became her most iconic role. Though I’d never seen the film before that day I had read the book by Truman Capote. The film is only loosely based on the book and Hepburn’s character, Holly Golightly is sanitised from the more dubious and sexual girl of the novella. Instead she is portrayed as kooky and independent spirit, someone women of the time could identify with.
There’s no photography allowed in the exhibition but I fell in love with the movie and the beauty of Audrey so much that I bought the book that accompanies the exhibition.
The exhibition is charted through 145 portraits of the star including photos by famous photographers, images made on and off set during filming as well as family photos and archive news pictures. She was one of the most photographed actresses of her generation. She died young at 63 but was beautiful and elegant until the end and I admired photos of her carrying out humanitarian work for Unicef. What an incredible person she was.
The package of brunch, the film and entrance to the exhibition was a very reasonable £45 and it gave me a fantastic day out and the opportunity to do three things I’ve never done before.
Details for upcoming film showings can be found on the Covent Garden Hotel website.
When was the last time you did something you’d never done before? Have you seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s?Â
