Posts Tagged ‘Covent Garden’
A very merry walk with Dickens and Courvoisier
Dickens is so Christmasy, don’t you think? This year, I’m planning an afternoon on the sofa with my 5-year-old which would include the Disney version of A Christmas carol, hot apple juice with cinnamon and reindeer shaped shortbreads.
Which is why I could not resist Courvoisier’s idea of a Dickens tour around Covent Garden. You will get glimpses of his world, learn about his childhood, what a genius at marketing he was, as well as discover settings featuring in his novels… I studied Oliver Twist at uni but this is definitely much more fun! I had no idea he had his offices so close to the apple market nor that he managed a successful literrary magazine and there are plenty more anecdotes to treasure…
What is the link with the famous brand? Well, when Dickens died, several cases of the French drink were found in his personnal belongings. Re-read his novels and you will actually find many mentions of fine punch cocktails too – quite a classic drink at the time. The tour includes two recipes to try for a very festive touch. First a cold version, one of the author’s favourite: apple juice, lemon, sugar, ginger ale and a dash of Courvoisier. Just the energy you need to step out in this cold weather! On your return, there will be another treat, a mug of Steaming Bishop: port, spiced red wine, grapefruit, Seville orange juice and Courvoisier. Bishop refers to the colour of the drink, between red and purple, very similar to the dress of the clergyman.The only missing thing would be a chimney fire…
A lovely tour to put you in a cheerful mood. After all, t’is the season to be merry!
Until Dec 19, 2010 – £8/person for the walk and two punch cocktails
Want to know more about Dickens and punch drinks? Read this amazing article.
Post-it for the week-end Dec 03-05, 2010
Come on, grave that mulled wine of yours and follow me!
- Fab evening ahead @ Covent garden this Thursday: 20% off your shopping, live performance of Priscilla, Queen of the desert, cupcakes and even champagne!
- Are you a Tron fan? You have till tomorrow evening to discover the world of the new film!
- Drink a pint in front of a chimney fire…
- Have a look @ Leonardo da Vinci’s creations…
- Get yourself some Rob Ryan inspired biscuits…
- Oh wow! Galliano designed Claridge’s Xmas tree…
- Have you noticed the V&A’s magic lantern?
- Support Elton John’s fundation in a finger licking way with those adorable cupcakes…
- The queen of Hoxton opens its rooftop for a winter edition: glühwein, roasted chestnuts, warm cider and mince pies… Daily from 12noon – 10pm.
- Get all glamourous for this retro ball - what a travel in time this will be!
- Yeeeah! Banksy’s back…
- Have a laugh with this… Christmas sushi. What next, hey?
- Try a Christmas market with a difference…
- Climb in a wooden carriage et get a wonderful scare in the Old Vic Tunnel…
- A steampunk brunch? Yes, please! They will even serve alcohol infused porridge…
- Customise your Converse @ Selfridge’s…
- And a bit of shopping of course with sample sales involving La Perla, Swarovsky, Issey Miyake, William Tempest…
- Celebrate Hannukkah and have a look at the giant menorah on Trafalgar square from Monday on…
Share your program with us!
Merry Kissmas @ Covent Garden
Christmas lights have the special power of making you forget everything instantly – whether it is rain, cold, dark way too early… As soon as they are on, we sparklw with happiness and feel like a glass of mulled wine and snowflakes falling from the sky. Yep, they make us love winter.
Even if the 2010 ones are a bit classical, you will feel like a child again while walking through Burlington Arcade: time seems to be suspended with garlands of green leaves and advent wreaths. Continue on Old Bond Street - those expensive shops always make an extra effort and add elegant touches that a worth seeing. Impossible to resist the classics either: the giand bows of Bond Street, the blue arches of South Molton Street, the umbrellas on Oxford Street, the giant stars on Regent Street and the kitsch touch of Carnaby Street.
To finish on a romantic note, go and kiss @ Covent Garden. Under the giant Christmas tree hangs a bunch of mistletoe, hiding two metallic leaves. Each lover takes one, then completing an electric circuit (no danger!) which doubles the number of lights - imagine, 50 000 white and red LEDs shining at the same time! The kids love that piece of magic and will no doubt ask if they can kiss their parents on the cheek.
Bonus points go to the Body Shop who have a free workshop nearby to make you a mistletoe magnet. Little girls can ask for a little gloss and glitter. Not only do they not try to sell you their products but you will leave with samples too! Sounds like Xmas, doesn’t it?
Kissmass
Covent Garden Piazza
London WC2E 9DD
From noon to 21.00, everyday till Jan 03, 2011 unless it’s drizzling too much!
Post-it for the week-end Nov 12-14, 2010
Take a pinch of art shows, add a zest of events, a dose of parties and mix: here you go, a happy week-end on the rocks! (the weather will take care of the icy part)
- On Thursday, come and admire the Xmas lights at Covent Garden. Do bring a lover: a kiss under the mistletoe will switch on the 50,000 red and white lights of the giant Xmas tree… On Saturday, kids will get a chance to pet real reindeers.
- Panicking about the ton of Xmas shopping to do? Rush to the Country Living Xmas Fair and fill your Santa sack…
- And all that jazz…
- Where’s Charlie? @ Selfridge’s on Saturday!
- The Lord Mayor’s show is something to be seen once at least in you London life. The parade counts 6000 participants, 200 vehicle, 21 carriages… This year, Hong-Kong acrobats will jump along African warriors and hip-hop dancers. And at 17.00, tadam, fireworks on the Thames!
- Celebrities have a garage sale @ Selfridge’s…
- This way for a vintage fair…
- Come and learn to dance! We love the fact that profits will go to a charity. And you will get to try latin dances, salsa, tano and even… belly dancing!
- Love fashion? Don’t miss the Dior perfumes illustrations by Rene Gruau: Japanese inspired, funny and so glamour.
- Swoon and Know Hope are your favourites? Run to the Black Press Project!
- Forget the Joconde. Come and see more of Leonardo Da Vinci’s paintings.
- Shopping @ Westfield? Relax and keep cool on their ice rink!
What did we forget? Share your tips!
Post-it for the week-end Nov 05-07, 2010
Hi everyone! Temperatures will be dropping over the week-end (15 today to… 08 on Sunday, brrrr). Only one solution: move, visit, rush from one fun place to another!
- Start your Xmas shopping (Think it is too early? Harrods holds their Xmas parade on Saturday and Regent st lights will be switched on next Tuesday!): the Spirit of Xmas fair is a real treasure chest.
- Or shop vintage @ Lily Allen’s shop or @ the Vintage Fair.
- Learn more about fashion through drawings…
- How good are you @ hula-hooping?
- Was Titanic your favourite movie? Lucky you: an exhibition opens @ the O2 on Friday depicting life on board of the famour ship.
- Have a look at the Egyptian death exhibition @ the British Museum - the illustrations of the Book of the dead are just amazing.
- Add a pinch of Dali…
- It’s bonfire season, time for fireworks! Why not those @ the London Museum?
- Wake up early on Sunday to see this rally – cars pre-XXth century! Too tired? They will be on display on Regent St on Saturday, with the drivers wearing period costumes…
- Discover or re-discover Rob Ryan’s paper lace…
- The Thames plays the contemporary card with artworks… on the water!
- Celebrate Diwali in a Hindu temple…
- A new concept: 3D graffitis…
- Put your skating shoes on @ the Natural History Museum…
- This tree will not lose its leaves…
- Even frozen yogurts put on their winter tops…
- It is time to hunt Innocent Drinks’ knitted hat. Will you find those?
- Don’t forget to hum London on the way… or to see London with a different eye with this bubbly tube map!
Any other tips in mind? Let us know!
Poster art @ the London Transport Museum
All parents will tell you: if you are ever stuck in Covent Garden with kids on a rainy day, head straight to the London Transport Museum. Scenes of the past, interactive games for all ages, wide range of buses and trams (you can even step in a few), mini train set along the railing on the first floor… Little ones just adore the place and they can run happily from one treat to the other. Did I mention they get in free until they are 16?
Between historic explanations and childhood memories, adults are bound to find happiness there too. I love to visit for their fascinating poster collection: design, humouristic notes, thoughts of a different time… What a wonderful media!
Take this one for a start, putting urban politeness forward with a touch of irony…
… or with rhymes – you would not be able to get it our of your head:
Of course, they were meant to be advertisements - after such costly investments on the lines, the company had to convince a maximum of commuters this was the best way to travel….
It seems they quickly found the key argument for women!
More interesting still, those posters fix the memory, the history of more difficult time. If you have visited the Imperial War Museum, you already know how central slogans were during WWII they brought a whole country together (Think of Dig for Victory). Transports did they share by supporting…
… Prevention…
… the economy, as rations were tough…
… Recruitment: men were fighting and it was quite a revolution to ask women to step forward (we even got a memorial for this!)
Everyone just joined in:
Their Under Attack exhibition, on show until March 31, 2011, presents the efforts of the capital to keep the city on tracks. Did you know some of the tube stations were used as shelters during the bombings?
Don’t hesitate. You will find real gems there and learn so much while having fun!
London Transport Museum
Covent Garden Piazza
London, WC2E 7BB
£13.50/adult, free for under 16
Don’t miss their souvenir shop - perfecr for original gifts whether you are after gadgets, books, china or even just a few postcards
Hats on, guys!
My little adress book shows two great places for Ladies’ hats (here and there).
I was recently asked - what about us gentlemen? Aren’t we entitled to a little chic too?
Well, guys, this one is for you then. Whether you think of yourself as a Sherlock Jolmes or a John Steed, you should find happiness in this boutique.
Laird is tocked up with British classics as well as more modern twists to them but also vintage silk scarves, gloves, sunglasses. By the time you step out, you will feel like another man.
Looking through their website, you learn a lot about the hat field.
Say, the Bowler hat, also known as Coke hat (we, French call it the melon hat because of its shape). It was created in 1849 by Thomas and Willian Bowler for Edward Coke, younger brother to the second Earl of Leicester. Until then the story is boring enough. When Edward came to collect his order, he put the hat on the floor and jumpe on it. Twice. Not because he was mad: to test its resistance (wonder what he was expecting in the future? Bricks falling from the sky)? Satisfied, he paid the 12 shillings due. It will prove successful. In the 130ies-40ies, it became associated with bank managers. Later still, it will come back into fashion with the TV serie The Avengers.
There’s also the Baker Boy cap, originally used by baker boys, obviously then later by those delivering newspapers, riding their bikes in the early morning.
And what a funy name - pork pie hat! Yes, its shape refers to the treat, round and flat on top. It is particularly favoured… not by delis but by jazz, blues and ska artists.
Strange adventures for this accessories!
Oh, they do have top hats too, of course. Did you know they are also nicknamed chimney hats and stove pipe hats?
Don’t you love a little madeness in hatters?
Laird
23 New Row
WC2N 4LA
Post-it for the week-end Oct 01-03, 2010
Eeny, Meemy. miny, moe…
- Add a pinch of exotism with the Gauguin exhibition @ the Tate. The show is fab, trust me. A few pics tomorrow!
- Lambeth artist studios will be open to the public…
- Teenagers will just love this blast session @ the V&A…
- Prevoyez un peu de celebrity spotting…
- Learn more about the visual design of the Tube stations…
- The Punch and Judy festival is back in Covent Garden…
- Special Charlie and Lola fans!
- Yes, sport adds a little pink to your life…
- Strawberry Hill House reopens…
Join me… @ the Hyper Japan festival (there will be sushi and cosplay!)… @ the Innocent Pop Up cafe (can’t wait to taste those beetroot pierogis)… Are you planning a yummy time too?
Pssst: come and get your lunch from the mobile air stream kitchen from Monday!
Vintage Patisserie
The secret of a lovely afternoon tea is not only in the quality if its scones. It has to provide an atmosphere, take you away from your routine. You need to feel a touch of luxury, to feel transported to another time and space, to be charmed away… The moment is to be suspended in time somehow, nothing else should matter but the very moment. Though not as sacred a tradition as a japanese tea ceremony, each object does have an important place and role: the trio (cup, saucer, pastry plate), the elegant cake stand, the teapot. Whether you go for splendind china or shiny silver, this is cause for celebration, for beauty in each detail. Whether you are two or 10, it just calls for chats and confidences…
This afternoon, head to the Fashion Fete in Covent Garden. Vintage Patisserie has a little party for you there: real lawn, white laced garden tables and chairs, teapots turned into colourful vases, an extraodinary collection of vintage china, at the same time mismatched and dancing along wonderfully… You will meet Angela Doree, in 1920ies fashion, gorgeous red hair elegantly curled, smily divinely. She is so passionate it only takes you seconds to fall in love with her world. On the side is a suitcase with hats and boas to add a final touch – I haven’t seen a guest not going for those, giggling along!
For a mere £5, you can enjoy a cup of Tea Palace brew (the Lavender Earl Grey is a gem - took me right back to those memories) and a cupcake from Ella’s with their lovely sparkles signature. What a bargain!
Don’t have the time today? Not to worry - you can book a proper afternoon tea on their website. Vintage Patisserie proposes a few secret locations in London and for £35, you will get more atmosphere than a 5 * hotel could provide and more of a cocooning experience… 1920ies feel, jazz music, beautiful food, gorgeous table, plenty of dress up accessories to try on and even a gorgeous touch! How could any girl resist this? You can even upgrade to workshops, tasting experiences, personnalised cupcakes and chocolates… Have a look at this article to fall even more for it….
The Vintage Patisserie
Until 18.00 @ Covent Garden’s fashion fete, this Sunday Sept 19, 2010
Or book the experience on their website
Post-it for the week-end: Sept 17-19, 2010
.
Gosh, is that autumn already? Where did I put my sweaters, scarves, boots? This is a weather to try and find the best hot chocolate around (Try William Curley’s at his desert bar, you will not regret it! The Artisan Chocolat @ Portobello is also worth a detour). Brrrrrr, my friends! Let’s go for a jogging around London to warm up…
- Treat yourself to an elegant summer lunch @ the Miller Harris tea room…
- Or just pretend you’re in the south of France…
- Inspired by Soane, a variety of artists (including Damien Hirst, Vivienne Westwood) have given a dedicated work of art. The Soane’s museum is a little gem anyway, go and see it!
- Open houses this week-end with a number of private and/or historical houses and buildings open to the public. It will be crowded for sure!
- The design festival is also on. Such a long list of exhibitions! I can’t wait to see the robotic arms wave @ Trafalgar Square… There will also be a giant magnetic coin on Southbank…
- Walk up extraordinary stairs…
- Be a geek. Visit the V&A with this podcast…
- You are going to love Finnish designers. There’s even a pop-up restaurant planned.
- Have a toast: a new beer for London!
- Sweet tooth? Try the Agatha Christie afternoon tea @ the Brown’s hotel… or rush to Harvey Nichols to try Claire Clark’s pastries: how mot to dream of her sesame opera or her rose-raspberry eclair?
- Revise your alphabet with Eine…
- Are you a street art fan? The Londonist will now propose a map per artist…
- Don’t forget horseman’s Sunday – it’s only once a year!
You’ll find me @ Covent garden’s fashion fete: vintage, retro, fashion and cupcakes! I also plan to add a few pigeons @ the V&A… and have dinner in an interactive restaurant. How about you?
Pssst: Westfield organised a fashion car boot sale next week …
