YOLO Journal: London Family Black Book

We created this post in partnership with YOLO Journal.

I live in Battersea, South London, with my husband, our two-year-old daughter Bobbie, and a black labrador named Aoife. Most mornings start early with a walk through Battersea Park, then the toddler and dog drop-off before the working day begins. It’s a routine that feels equal parts chaotic and grounding, and I’ve come to love it.

By day I run With Nothing Underneath, the shirting brand I founded in 2017 after years as a stylist at Vogue and Tatler left me convinced that a well-made, well-priced women’s shirt simply didn’t exist. It started from one shirt, roomy enough to move in, smart enough for anywhere, and has grown from there. B Corp certified, independently run, designed around the reality of actual life.

Becoming a mother has made me slower and more attentive to London in equal measure. I notice things differently now, such as which parks have the best playgrounds, which cafés don’t mind a buggy, which corners of the city feel genuinely made for small people. There’s a whole parallel London that opens up when you’re moving through it at toddler pace: low to the ground, easily distracted, suddenly interested in pigeons and puddles and the exact texture of every wall you pass.

London has always inspired me, from its neighbourhoods to the way the light changes in October, the particular energy of a city that never quite settles. But with Bobbie in tow, I’m discovering it all over again. More slowly. More closely. And, if I’m honest, more joyfully than before.

Il Molino is our local café. We are here every morning as a family before heading off to work/nursery etc. and we are very loyal—couldn’t go to a different coffee shop.

For brunch at the weekend, we love the Pear Tree Café in the middle of Battersea Park: yummy food and room for toddler and dog to roam—everyone is happy.

Everyone loves a pub trip—drinks for us and chips for Bobbie. The Latchmere is our local and we are concerningly friendly with all the team there. 

Another favourite is Colbert in Sloane Square for delicious French food if you're in the mood for steak tartare and a banana split this really is the place.

Pizza Express is a family favourite – it's a British pizza chain that cannot be beaten – IYKYK! 

Battersea park ice cream trucks are unrivalled when it comes to a Mr Whippy. 

A little local date night has to be Archway. It's a great restaurant in the archways of the trainline, and an ex-River Café chef doing seasonal plates—it's vibey and intimate with a great wine list. 

As Bobbie is only two, she loves Battersea Park Zoo—the lemurs are a particular hit, ditto the meerkats!

The National Army Museum in Chelsea—it's the best-kept-secret indoor play space! The Natural History Museum and Science Museum is also a hit, for older kids but still fun for toddlers to go and see all of the animals and play in the sensory area.

On a Saturday morning we like to go to the Northcote Road, where my husband and daughter go to the delis and cheese shop to pick out treats—trialling the cheese tasters is Bobbie's favourite part, naturally.

On Sloane Square, the weekend food market is also great fun, as are the fountains that the children love to play in.

We live in Battersea, so are spoilt with the best park in the city on our doorstep. With a labrador and a toddler, I don't think we could live anywhere else! Our friends all live locally so it really is a village—the dream. 

I generally do not shop a whole lot for her—we have a lot of hand me downs from friends or I pick up vintage bits. (I love Lamb London on Instagram.)

For special occasions (or when Granny is buying!), my favourite clothes stores are Trotters on the Kings Road, which is heaven—so are Pepa London and Papouelli, both of which are neighbours to WNU on Elizabeth Street. They have adorable dresses in Liberty print and the best frilly socks and Hampton shoes.

Another favourite thing to do is to go to Battersea Bookshop in the iconic Batterea Power Station (a stone's throw from WNU headquarters) to buy books with Bobbie. They've got such a great selection, are so knowledgeable and we love the Julia Donaldson collection.

The windows at Fortnums are always so special and fun, not to mention the tea and ice creams inside... 

While I haven't checked it out myself, I hear The Goring is fabulous for children with a dressing up box in the bedroom and an actual Shetland pony that can come for visits! We are dying to go. 

For a weekend in the country, we recently stayed at The Pig hotel in Dorset with both dog and toddler, and it was wonderful—the family suits are so well set up, and all the team were delightful.