Brush off your January Blues

Brush off your January Blues

Congratulations, you have made it to 2020! Doesn’t that have wonderful ring to it? Good things are going to happen and you’re going to treat yourself to some fun things to do. Let’s keep the delight of Christmas wonder and positivity going into January. Winter Lights  Location: Canary Wharf Website: canarywharf.com/arts-events The award-winning Winter Lights returns to Canary Wharf in January for a sixth year running from the 16th January to the 25th January. Canary Wharf will be transformed by over 25 spectacular installations, leaving the dark winter evenings aglow. The spectacle will showcase light art and interactive installations by some of the most innovative artists across the globe working in light art today. Cirque du Soleil at Royal Albert Hall Location: Royal Albert Hall,Kensington Gore,London,SW7 2AP Website: www.royalalberthall.com Running from the 12th January to 01 March 2020.This year, the world famous Cirque du Soleil returns to the Royal Albert Hall with the show Luzia. See incredible acts by talented artists, including contortionists who twist their body into astonishing shapes, scuba diving clowns and trapeze artists who fly as rain falls around them. Book your tickets now to experience this world renown show first hand. Ice Skating at Somerset House Location:Strand, London WC2R 1LA Website: somersethouse If you missed your chance to go skating during the Christmas period, fear not because Somerset outdoor ice rink is open to the 12th January and in my opinion is the best time to go as there will be less people to worry about. Now in its 20th year, this popular icy experience is set against Somerset House’s stunning neoclassical facade and is open all day and well into the evening....
Christmas Markets Galore

Christmas Markets Galore

It is only November, but the Festive season is in full swing and I don’t know about you, but I am fully embracing it. The festive lights, the mulled wine and all the late-night shopping. One of the best places to get all your Christmas present and feel very festive is going to Christmas markets which Europe is famously known for. Lucky for us, England offers some of the most magical Christmas markets and I have put together a list of the Top five must visits Christmas markets this year!    Bath Christmas Market  Dates: 28th November – 15th December Website: bathchristmasmarket.co.uk/   Opening hours differ Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be open from 10AM–7PM, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays will be open longer 10AM–8PM while Sundays will be open 10AM–6PM. Bath is probably one of the best know and most popular Christmas Market in the UK , it is the largest Christmas shopping event in the South West. This year there will be over 150 chalets stalls , all selling high quality artisan products and home made British goods. The market itself covers the streets around the Bath Abbey, this is accessible via train or car. Set among the romantic roman cobbled streets it’s easy to tell why the Bath Christmas Market is so beloved. Birmingham Christmas Market Dates: 7th November – 23rd December Website: www.thebfcm.co.uk/ Open daily from 10AM-9PM, the Birmingham city market is known as the Frankfurt Christmas Market, as it is one of the largest authentic German Markets outside of Germany and Austria. This year there will be over 180 chalets stalls offering a wide range of artisan products, don’t miss...
Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes!

Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes!

Cupcakes, who doesn’t love them? The perfect sized little treat, and this week, on the 10th November, it just so happens to be National Vanilla Cupcake day! What a great excuse to have a cheeky little cupcake or two!  I have put together a list of where to find some of the yummiest and  beautifully decorate cupcakes. They all do vanilla flavour of course, but be sure to try out their ‘ambassador’ cupcake. Each bakery has one and it’s normally , the most popular cupcake for each respective bakery. Flavourtown Location:771 Fulham Rd, Fulham, London SW6 5HA Nearest Tube: Parsons Green Website: https://www.flavourtownbakery.co.uk/ If you’re looking for award winning cupcakes, then Flavourtown has got you covered. They started back in 2013 with one objective, to make the finest cupcakes London had ever tasted. Two locations and a handful of awards later they may have achieved their goal! They have now added amazing vegan and gluten-free options to their in-store and online menus. Cupcakes that taste so good you’d never be able to tell they were missing butter, dairy , eggs and wheat. Be sure to try the ‘Posh Peanut Butter Cupcake’ which won the Great Taste Gold award 2016. Made with a peanut butter and choc chip sponge cupcake base, frosted with a peanut butter mousse then dipped in dark chocolate and sprayed gold- Yum! If cupcakes are too small for you they also have a range of cakes, brownies, pies, cookies…you name it! Crumbs and Dollies Location: 1 Kingly Court ,Carnaby ,London ,W1B 5PW Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus Website: www.crumbsanddoilies.co.uk If you’re looking for cupcakes then this is your place, they are open...
Pumpkin Patch Picking

Pumpkin Patch Picking

Ahhhh Autumn, that means crispy leaves, darker night and the return of the pumpkin season. On the 26th October it is National Pumpkin Day, and we have put together a list of some Farms where you can pick your own pumpkin in time for pumpkin pie and Halloween. Also, it’s a great fun for the whole family and very Instagram worthy. Priory Farm Location: Priory Farm, Sandy Lane, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 4EJ Website: https://www.prioryfarm.co.uk/whats-on/halloween/ Pumpkin Picking Dates are 12th -13 October and 19th -20th October 10AM-16:30PM (Lunch between 1-1:30PM) Entry is £2.50 and then the cost of the pumpkins.  Take a tractor ride out to Priory Farm’s pumpkin field and choose your Halloween table topper. Depart from the Discover walk entrance open from 10:30-4:30PM. Closer to Halloween, other events take place at the farm, including a spooky trail, and a pumpkin carving experience in a witches’ cave. Perfect for all ages! Secretts Farm Store and Shop Location: Secretts, Hurst Farm, Chapel Lane, Milford, Surrey, GUB 5HU. Website:   http://www.secretts.co.uk/pumpkin-week-2017/ Pumpkin Picking Dates are 26th – 31st October. Free parking brings your own bags and £1.50 entry, which covers the cost of the tractor ride to and from the pumpkin field. There are no card facilities. Open from 11AM – 3PM. Come down to Secretts Farm for their annual Pumpkin Week where you can take a tractor ride out to the pumpkin field to pick your goodies, then let the kids play in the tractor and haystack play areas, or get their faces painted. There’s also a special pumpkin refreshment menu available with pumpkin curries, soups and cakes, as well as...
Pasta la vista

Pasta la vista

People choice of comfort food varies but one things for sure there is some kind of pasta that makes the cut every time. Whether it is a big bowl of spaghetti Bolognese or a carbonara or a classic lasagna there is a pasta go to for everyone. On the 17 October is National Pasta day and that is something to celebrate if you ask me. Now because there is so many options for pasta, there are also countless restaurant serving those choices, but I have found the creme de la creme of pasta bars in London. Padella Location:  6 Southwark St, London SE1 1TQ Nearest Tube: London Bridge Website: www.padella.co Padella is one of the most popular restaurants in London, and the easiest way to tell is by the constant queue outside. They work on a first come first served basis but it’s worth the wait. Created by two friends Tim and Jordan, they dreamt about opening their own pasta bar after being inspired by a trip to Italy. They really have brought a touch of Italian magic to their dishes, with freshly hand rolled pasta and delicious sauces.  After braving the que be sure to try the classic pappardelle and beef shin rage. The Cheese Wheel Location:West Yard, Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AF Nearest Tube: Camden Town Website: www.camdenmarket.com/food-drink/the-cheese-wheel You have probably seen a video of pasta being made in a giant cheese wheel, after it took the internet by storm. Well if you’ve seen it on your phone and now you can experience yourself at The Cheese Wheel where they make your cheesy dreams come true. The stall douses fresh hot pasta in...
Eat your Dessert first

Eat your Dessert first

The nights are getting dark early, the leaves are being to turn brown and fall, and the signs of fall season is here. The colder days brings the craving of comfort food, hot chocolate with marshmallow, baked treats and yummy desserts. Its all brings us another great National Day, on the 14th October its National Dessert day! In London you have been spoilt for choice with sweet treats on every corner but here are a few recommendations of a few dessert musts! Chin Chin Labs Location: Camden, 49-50 Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AF Website: https://chinchinicecream.com/ Nearest Tube: Camden Town Chin Chin Labs have three locations around London and each store has a personalised menu, giving you even more reason to visit them all. At Chin Chin they have taken Ice cream to the future, the only place in London to hand churn ice cream with liquid nitrogen. At their stores they have created something completely unique and delicious, playing with flavour combinations that result in show topping creations. Most of their desserts are ice cream based but they also are very well known for their hot chocolate that comes which blow torched marshmallow top. Their main goal was to have fun, and for the customer to experience that joy with every bite, I can safely say they have achieved that goal. Bubblewrap Location: Bubblewrap, 24 Wardour Street, Chinatown, London, W1D 6QJ Website: https://www.bubblewraplondon.com/ Nearest Tube: Leicester Square You’ve probably seen these bubble waffles on your social media feed before, they are very Instagram-worthy with their bubble exterior and delicious looking toppings. At Bubblewrap they specialise in bring this...