London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Hunt down the last few gifts on the list, write the last few cards, hug your favourite colleagues at work, have a nice time, see you next year, comparison of festive plans, who will travel the largest number of km in the shortest time, at least there is no snow this year, no chaos, what a relief, a last card on the way out, forgot to do some for the neighbours, must do that before I go, fill a suitcase, not enough space, empty the suitcase, grumble,  get a bigger one, sit on it, chuckle, in a nutshell: speed up to be able in a few hours to slow down and relax. A merry Christmas to you all!

: We wish you a merry Christmas:
* Quick, a few days left to have a look at this life-size Advent calendar.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, there is shopping left to do:
* Cup of tea, anyone?
* A few places for late/last minute shopping, inclusing on the 24th.

Yummy time ahead:
* Add a little exotism to your last minute preparations and have a Turquish coffee. And maybe a cake. Or two.
* Eat smart. For lobster, click this way, we promise it will not break the bank.
* Fed up with the cooking spirit? Have a break. and a champagne brunch.
* Quick – note in your 2012 agenda your Monday appointments: delicious ramen.

That’s art, baby:
* Apocalypse at the Tate Britain.

A little touch of magic:
* Look out for leaves on the pavement. Between autumn and spring.
* Marvel at one of the most beautiful synagogues in London.
* Royal Mail will launch Roald Dahl stamps in January -  preorder them, they will be gone in no time!

I ♥ London:
* Fall in love again with the city.
* Well done! Fans of the inspiring blog Tired of London, tired of life will be delighted it will soon be followed by a book beginning of January. Well done to the gentle author!

Spending a few days or hours in Paris always feels like a wonderful waltz. Already know the classics? Here are a few more ideas to take a bite of this beautiful city:

* Haute-Pâtisserie is not all about macarons. You will even find savoury twists such as this salmon mille-feuilles in Fauchon. A little horseradish in the cream, grilled sesame seeds, a slice of luxury.

* A minute walk from there is the adorable Maille boutique – old fashioned type of shop, wooden counter… This is a foodie even with countless types of mayonnaises and mustards – saffron, dried tomatoes, ginger and orange… all at very affordable prices.

* Even if you do not have the time to visit the Opéra garnier (though the decor is absolutely fabulous, note it down for a future citybreak), do stop and glance at its richly sculpted roofs and omes.

* My favourite Metro station probably is Art et Métiers, which has a platform dressed in copper and presents through ship type windows, minitaure historical inventions.

* Cross the Seine via the Pont des arts bridge. The view is gorgeous, no matter the weather or the time of the day. I am always amazed at the quantity of locks left by lovers on its side. Hundreds! well, you might as well leave one too…

* Step in a bookshop and get this book – romantic touch and French kiss combined. Oh, and yes, it is in English.

* Look out for street art – plenty in the city!

* Marvel, in Le Marais, as the door knobs. Quite something.

* Still in Le Marais, stop at the Cloître des billettes (22 Rue Archives  75004 Paris) which often has free art exhibitions under its arches.

* In Fragonard, you will find an incredible Mimosa fragrance -  a mere 13€ to carry the scent of summer on you.

* Have a café gourmand (coffee with a selection of  miniature deserts) at Le Tambour. This bistrot is an extraordinary mixtre of detaisl from the past, many inspired by the Métro (41 Rue Montmartre  75002 Paris).

* Remind the kids that art is fun and take them to the fountain aside the centre Pompidou – they will love the colourful creations by Niki de St Phalle. Or take them to the Musée en herbe who is specially thought for little ones.

* On Sunday mornings, go the organic market on boulevard Raspail. One of the best in Paris, it offers fantastic products and seasonal soups, tarts… Everyone takes the time to chat there. Go to the métro Sèvres-Babylone, it is only a two minutes walk away.

* Forget Ladurée and go to Pain de Sucre for jewel cakes. Floral or abstract art inspired decoration, extrardinary tarts, home made sweets, crystallised coriander leaves… Try the Folie Douce (mango, lime and pineapple marmelade,  almond and orange blossom cream), the Champcella (lime cream, caramelised apple, rosemary cream), the Ephémère (coconut cream, blueberry marmelade, meringue biscuit with coconut and hazelnut).

* Try something more original and elegant than champagne -  the Boudoir serves gorgeous absinthes and will make you travel in time.

I love this confused season -  Halloween mixed with Christmas. I can almost imagine Santa trying trick or treating to fight the recession and get a few more gifts for his stock. I saw today that Oxford Street will be switching its lights on soon, November the first, one party down, time for the next. Sounds like we should all have a few more chocolates to find the energy!

* Hop, pop-corn and movie on Trafalgar. Do bring a blanket.

* American Apparel is sure to make you sprint towards your new wardrobe with prices starting from £1…

* Go an extraordinary banquet.

* American football fan? Stop at Trafalgar Square and cheer.

* Look out for pub cats.

* Try this photo challenge alonge the Thames.

* Marvel at the multitude of artistic travels and installation that make the Bloomsbury festival.

* Celebrate Diwali -  particularly at Dishoom with their family activities on Saturday!

* See London unroll in front of you in digital.

* Add a spoonful of sweetness to your life with this London honey made on Bermondsey street. Chérie City had a chance to taste it.

* One apple a day… Oh well, make it plenty of apples in one day at the Borough Market.

* Pop-ups are not dead. They just turned into vampires…

* A cash machine speaking cockney? Yes! On Roman Road. Brilliant.

* The National Portrait Gallery plays the sexy card.

* Prepare your anecdotes for Halloween.

* Gold stars to be awarded for those preferring walking to public transports?

* Looking for a cute present? One can never tire of the Biscuiteers seasonal shortbreads – have a look!

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Well, that’s it. I have taken my woolen scarf out. I’m chilled to the bones. And I had so much hope for a lovely Indian summer. Wave if you know a pub that would already have lighted its chimney and would serve grogs.

Don’t forget…

* Friday evening, celebrate Malaysia on Trafalgar.

* Come and listen to the waves crash on Euston Rd pavement.

* Look out for Ludo.

* Cheers, my friends!

* Beware -  gorillas around!

* Greenwich market plays the green card.

* Admire Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels.

* Hello Kitty plays hide and seek in Liberty’s delicate fabric.

* Try Oh La La Bakery‘s strawberry tarlets with a little lemon zest. They are just divine.

* Amazing opportunity – the Royal Opera House will be selling some of their costumes at affordable prizes…

* Yummy German treats this way – forget the diet.

* Celebrate Eid, the end of ramadan, with a twirl of festivities on Trafalgar Square.

* Festive apple day this way.

* Tea, vintage cups and cute cakes, right here, on your doorstep.

* A dose of whisky, another of music, mix, enjoy.

* Open day for the whole family at the famous Wiltons Music Hall.

Malarky paints the town, well, not red but in a firework of creativity. The guy clearly dreams in technicolour. For those, look around Boundary St.

Holywell Lane car park, Shoreditch, London

This week, London’s universe was turned upside down. There were flames and rioters. There also were strong communities and amazingly brave people. You may not have been there -  you may have been far away watching the news on a TV screen, or following the events on Twitter but your heart was with the city. Whole neighbourhoods will carry the scars of a few nights of madness. Still, walk in the centre and it is difficult to believe that anything happened at all, nothing has changed there. Surreal but this is London too -  her many lives, her many ways, her absorbing trends and events alike, just getting stronger from it all. So make the streets your own again. Go for a stroll, support the victims, join a riot cleanup, admire King’s Cross new station, adopt a Make tea not war slogan. Just… Keep calm and carry on loving London.

* Yes, you can be a fashionista and have a sweet tooth: cake pops are even cuter at Topshop.

* Comedy, yummy food, fashion and live music this week-end at Cystal Palace – quite a feast!

* Street art creations spread like mushrooms.

* Discover one of Trafalgar Square’s little secrets.

* Read aboard this floating library.

* Cheer the participants of this swimming marathon in Hyde Park’s lake.

* Urban gardens are always so charming.

* Imagine for a few seconds that you are in Morocco.

* Fancy a surreal evening? Try this pizzeria.

* Until now, stars have been launcing their perfume. Justin Bieber went a step further and has his own ice cream at Harrods. I heard a teenager comment that was pretty cool -  no pun was intended.

At least on Floral Street. The artist Tim Fishlock had this strange idea a few years ago. You will need sharp eyes for this one as it is pretty discreet – look close to the Ted Baker shop.

Pssst: Cherchez également dans Soho, les murs y ont des nez. Look out for another eccentricity in Soho: noses.