My sister and business partner, Ariadne, and I had never even heard of De Beauvoir until an estate agent suggested it.
We have a big, fluffy dog, Pepito, and moved just after the first lockdown when Notting Hill didn’t feel quite green enough.
We grew up in New York and love big cities, but we love the familiarity of living in such a small neighbourhood.
What’s great is that De Beauvoir is this homey, super-quiet area sandwiched just moments from the bustle of Dalston, Canonbury and London Fields.
Best eating and drinking
Towpath cafe on the canal is a dream and so quintessentially De Beauvoir. It opens seasonally in the spring and serves the most delicious food.
They’re dog-friendly and everyone is happy to stand in line because you can have a drink while you wait.
Our mom is Venezuelan and I still can’t believe we have Arepa & Co down the road.
That’s our comfort food via Deliveroo when we’re being really lazy; my favourite is the one filled with chicken, avocado, plantains, and black beans, it’s so good.
For pubs, the Scolt Head and Compton Arms always have a nice crowd.
Where I work out
I’m a regular at Pilates HQ next to Angel station. I’ve been having one-on-one classes on the reformer machines, which is perfect for me as I have back issues and travel a lot. I come out feeling really stretched.
To commune with nature
I don’t walk along the canal with the dog that much as it’s so busy with cyclists and runners that I’m terrified of getting thrown in!
Victoria Park is a decent walk away and it’s one of the most amazing parks in London, there are so many little hidden areas within it. For a quick dog-walk nearby we head to Rosemary Gardens.
And then there’s Shoreditch Park, which has an incredible view of the City skyline.
My sister and I always say how the shiny modern buildings emerging from the grass feels post-apocalyptic, like we’re in a Star Wars film or something.
For a culture fix
I love going to the movies, so we alternate between Odeon Luxe or Screen on the Green in Islington.
I’m also a big reader so I’m often nosing through books in Waterstones and Upper Street Bookshop.
Grocery shopping
We’re really spoilt for choice. I love to cook so at the weekends I’ll walk to Broadway Market with Pepito and buy meat from Hill & Szrok and fish from Fin and Flounder.
We do the bulk of our shops at The De Beauvoir Wholefoods, which is good for fresh veg and pasta.
The De Beauvoir Deli reminds me of a typical New York deli — they have the best bone broth and soups.
Getting around
I’ve become obsessed with the bus, I love sitting up top. The stop on the corner of Northchurch and Essex Road gets me to exactly where I need to be: King’s Cross, Victoria, Green Park.
I’m claustrophobic so the Tube freaks me out, but the Elizabeth line from Liverpool Street to Heathrow has been life-changing. It used to be a bit of a headache, and now it’s 40 minutes.
Something you only see in De Beauvoir
A lot of young actors and celebrities going about their business incognito.
Dream street
The part of Northchurch Road going towards St Peter’s Church. It’s this pretty, tree-lined street with wonderful little houses. When we’re walking the dog at night in winter and people’s lights are on it looks so picturesque.
What’s the catch?
They’ve really closed the area off to cars, so you can walk everywhere and it’s quite pedestrianised, which is fantastic, but it means once you’re in, you’re in. To get into our road by car is like a 15-minute detour.
In three words
Charming, friendly and small.
The Carolina Irving & Daughters x Remy Renzullo collection will launch on March 7 at ci-daughters.com.
Schools
State primary schools including Hackney New, Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic and Queensbridge are rated outstanding by Ofsted, while De Beauvoir and Hoxton Garden are rated good. For secondary education, Waterside and City of London academies are rated good.
What it costs
Buying in De Beauvoir Town
Average house price: £2,272,768
Average flat price: £566,230
Renting in De Beauvoir Town
Average house price, pcm: N/A
Average flat price, pcm: £2,740
