Can you tell my face was red when I wrote this? A few weeks ago in Milan I was laughed at for ordering a cappuccino at suppertime. I replaced my order with a latte and they laughed even more! Apparently the Milanese only drink milky coffees (cappuccinos, lattes) at breakfast and prefer a tiny espresso after supper. To be honest, I find espressos a bit strong so I asked for an espresso with loads of milk. Blank stares!

The enormous roaster inside the window was a good start

This week, I’m feeling a little less embarrassed because I discovered Allpress on Redchurch street with my friend Mark. I mentioned my Milanese experience to them and they introduced me to my first “flat white” — or “flattie” as it’s known in its native Australia and New Zealand. The enormous roaster inside the window at Allpress was a good start. Sure enough, the “flat white” they suggested made from the finest of beans was exactly what I was asking for (but couldn’t get) in Milan.

I didn’t know initially why I liked the “flat white”, it’s less foamy than a cappuccino but stronger than a latte, with a double dose of espresso, it’s basically a double espresso topped up with textured heated milk (milk from the bottom of the jug (no foam)). In the past I’d head up to Monmouth in Borough Market for a good drip coffee (they roast and sell some of London’s finest coffee beans) but it may be a while before I have to go again… I’ve been sucked into the underworld of the Australian coffeehouse and the “flat white” coffee.

The Flat White coffee store (they initially introduced the “flat white” concept to London) and Milkbar both based in Soho do a good “flat white”. Kaffeine (has one of the few Synesso Espresso Machines in London and does a great “flat white” too). A quick skip across Oxford street to Fitzrovia where Lantana located near Goodge Street station / Tottenham Court Road does a brilliant one. All four places are within walking distance of Oxford street and Topshop but a quick hop on to the tube to Liverpool street and then down Redchurch Street to Allpress is my fave experience. Allpress do alot more than a great “flat white” coffee, there’s a great communal table, fluffy white scones, and a Green Goddess sandwich; a poached egg, jamon, salad leaves and green herby mayonaisse stacked on ciabatta bread. The whole experience is adorable!

Flat White map of London

Flat White: 17 Berwick Street, Soho, London W1F 0PT (tel: 020-7734 0370)

Milk Bar, 3 Bateman Street, Soho W1D 4AG (tel: 020-7287 4796)

Kaffeine, 66 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 7QJ (tel: 020-7580 6755; www.kaffeine.co.uk )

Lantana, 13 Charlotte Place | Fiztrovia | London W1T 1SN (tel: 020 7637 3347, http://www.lantanacafe.co.uk )

Allpress Espresso, 58 Redchurch St London E2 7DP  (tel: 020 7749 1780; http://nz.allpressespresso.com )

Japanese model Tao Okamoto‘s well cared for worn in leather Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 bag… it gives this outfit a luxe feel. Keeping any mess organised and well out of sight, this carry-all is the kind of leather piece I’d hope my granddaughter would wrestle off me when I’m about 80 (having no children yet, I may well have to wrestle with someone else’s grandkids, but hey). Regardless, it’s the little touches like the customised chain which Tao Okamoto has added herself that makes it extra personal and brings this bag to life.

I fall in love and can’t help myself and generally it involves the smell of horse things

Without sounding too jolly hockey sticks, my hope in this post really was to celebrate old leather, like the beautiful old leather bag squirreled away at the back of the wardrobe, or vintage leather bags that keep that special leather smell. If you know me, you’ll know from my Goddess books if you’ve ever read them that I understand the pressure put on us all by society to spend loads of money on beautiful branded stuff and you’ll also know how conflicted that makes me feel, but I’m human and sometimes I fall in love and can’t help myself and generally it involves the scent of leather and horses and has nothing at all to do with logos. Whether new or vintage, for me it’s all about that horse leather smell.

Wait… hold on… I have to tell you this quickly, most of the world’s bestselling fragrances have vanilla as an ingredient in them (like bestseller Thierry Mugler Angel). It’s the sweet smell of happiness; baked goods, babies and bubble gum and most (guys and gals) adore it, that’s why they sell so much. Well saddles and linseed oil and horse things are my vanilla, … horse leather smells of the old world where things are handmade and each strand of cotton thread is wax covered (helps the thread expand and fill the needle holes, keeps the seams together for aaaages!). Well I love the smell of the leather and the wax and you can still smell that in vintage stores. Does that make any sense to you?

I recently discovered that a well made leather bag is not a million miles away from a well made leather saddle, same thread, wax, technique etc. and both need PLENTY of care. Leather needs basic, on-going, regular nourishment, not a one-off splash of something expensive when it’s too late. I use this

Have you ever heard of Carr & Day & Martin Belvoir Tack Cleaner wipes? Expensive? Not at all! A pack of fifteen lasts the year and you’ve change from five pounds. Their pH neutral formula doesn’t rot stitching and doesn’t dry out leather. I am totally SMITTEN. One wipe will clean and nourish two bags (test a small hidden patch if you’re iffy). Our lovely old leather bags so full of nicks and bumps, each telling of a different experience. Do they deserve our care?