Tea Time in Wonderland

Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

Fed up spending your evenings wrapping a mountain of presents in golden gift paper? Chill out!

- Mix your own soda on Thursday…

- Take your kids to the Scoop on Friday to sing Xmas…

- Or play Gay Bingo on Friday at Selfridge’s…

- Munch your way through the slow food market on Southbank or at the Real food market at Covent Garden, more gourmet.

- Have the kids create their own Xmas disguise…

- Or ride in a carriage at Kew Gardens…

- A little flight simulation, guys?

- Or would you prefer a pint and some table football?

- Have a look at the new Sherlock Holmes @ Mme Tussaud (and double the occasion with the Sherlock Holmes museum a few steps away)

- Listen to poetry and short stories in Hyde Park while eating mince pies…

- Grab a glass of mulled wine and listen to Xmas carols @ Covent Garden…

- Stop at St Pancras and see ice sculptures…

- Watch the Chinese Circus and dream…

- Add a little pop street art…

You’ll find me at the All of everything exhibition between two suitcases to be packed…

Fed up with the Xmas spirits, the enless chase of the perfect gift, the false beards on Santas? Would much prefer to press fast forward to your ski holidays?

Well, I have the perfect break for you – climb up to the Rooftop Alpine Lodge. Chalet atmosphere, very cosy, wooden decoration, fur on the stools, bowl of nuts with a nutcracker on the side, open fire, logs… have a look outside – the mini-terrasse is covered in snow, the trees are silvered and there’s even a mini helicopter.

You forget everything instantly. Take your shoes off, indulge with a pair of thick socks – plenty available for free when you come in.

Order a mulled wine – peppery, lots of orange notes, the best I have had in years. But be warned: you’ll feel so comfy, hypnotised by the dancing flames of the fire that there are high chances you will either spend the whole afternoon there if not fall asleep!

Mulled wine is at £4 – other cocktails (including some caramel vodka) are available. Or order some charcuterie, tartiflette, fondue to share (for £2, count £18/£20/£20).

The rooftop Alpine Lodge
2a Tabernacle Street
London EC2A 4LU


Booking: 07000 847876
Open till the end of February 2010

Fed up with Xmas shopping? A few ideas to forget all about it…

- Well first, you need energy. Carluccio’s has a special -10% on their deli this Thursday. Best of all, you’re welcomed with mulled wine and canapes…

- T’is the season to be eating finger-licking good treats! Head for the chocolate festival on Southbank.

- Don’t forget the new exhibitions: question your identity @ the Wellcome Collection or test artistic technology @ the V&A.

- More of the street art fan? Head for the Flying Eyeball.

- of course there is the pop-up of the week-end: Elton John’s clothes and stage outfits on sale, profits going to his AIDS foundation. Not whithin your budget? Try Barnardo’s vintage shop on Carnaby street to pack a bargain!

- Rediscover England with fascinating landscape pictures @ the National Theatre…

- Take the kids to a panto: there will be a toy Aladdin one @ Covent Garden on Sunday…

-… or pet an ice polar bear on Trafalgar Square….

- … or your toddlers to a Baby disco party on Saturday! Shake it, baby!

- Why not an interactive Treasur Hunt?

- a last festive note: the Tate Britain is setting up its artistic Xmas tree this Friday.

Did I forget anything? Leave me a note!

You’ll find me @ the Earth exhibition (then trying to choose from one of the gorgeous cakes at the Sketch Pop Up) and at the strange and amazing House of fairy tales

Did you make a good supply of Vitamine C? Good. The week-end should be quite busy…

- Try the late opening Thursday @ the Museum of London: live music, carol singing, creative workshops, and lovely original stalls to fill those stockings…

- Have a look at the Xmas tree on Trafalgar square

- Travel through time on Friday night – Dennis Sever house is all decorated for Xmas and can be visited weeknights candlelit- very atmospheric!

- The traditional Pudding Race takes place this Saturday @ Covent Garden. Teams will race for the benefit of Cancer Research, trying to avoir many obstacles ont their way. The take the kids to the cookie workshop! There will be Xmas carols in the afternoon.

- Enjoy Regent and Oxford traffic free on Saturday -  plenty of shopping offers and partying in the streets!

- Admire the newly opened Renaissance and Medieval Galleries @ the V&A

- Add a glamour touch and have a look at Audrey Hepburn’s wonderful dresses before they’re auctioned…

- Have your breath taken away by Jean-Francois Rauzier’s gorgeous hyperphotos…

- Head for the RAC’s new show, Earth, on climatic changes. Then stop at the Sketch’s pop-up bar – a crazy setting which also promises oysters, pancakes and champagne…

- Skate in an extraordinary historical setting – Hampton Court

- Say cheers @ this beer festival… or more elegantly @ the Smirnoff pop up bar, deco inspired by the gentlemen’s clubs.

I’ll be tasting delicious food @ the taste of Xmas. How about you?

Feeling like a little luxury in your life? Step in New Bond St, ideal after visiting Fortnum & Mason and Burlington Arcade.

If you only stop at one window, let it be Tiffany’s.

Not so much for its twinkling garlands…

…than for its exquisite paper lace scenes, elegant, refined, white turning into magical blues…

Pause for Cartier too…

Admire the competition of the garlands around the various shop windows…

Gaze in amazement at Asprey’s Xmas tree…

…and flower shops have a very British sense of humour!

And of course…

Another rainy week-end ahead… Smile! Just take your umbrella on an adventure…

Here’s to put you in the mood:

- The Portobello Winter festival starts this wednesdau and will have thematic nights every Wednesday till Xmas

- Don’t forget to get prepared for those Xmas parties and meals: celebrate Thanksgiving!

Feeling better? Here’s for the week-end:

- Head for the new pop-ups before they blow away with the fashion wind… Nes-cafe @ Liberty and the famous Parisian Colette on Brick Lane

- Need your weekly dose of street art? Hoorray! Mutate opens its doors again @ Portobello.

- Even Damien Hirst is back @ the White Cube Gallery. It’s still time to see his No love lost @ the Wallace collection

- Spendid news pictures @ The Royal Festival Hall…

- Alternatively hum Only you @ Proud Chelsea… Great pics of a young Elvis.

- Kids will find happiness in Covent Garden – there will be a real reindeer to pat Saturday afternoon. Parents will probably prefer the amazing jewel exhibition that flashes magic lights under UVs…

You’ll find me @ the Secret Cinema… and having an underground afternoon tea. What’s YOUR program?

A hot chocolate, a new scarf and gloves, and here you go. Plenty to see this week-end to get into the Xmas spirit. Not that you can really escape it!

- Start on Southbank – either with the Slowfood market (jazz themed this time) or the Cologne Xmas market…

- Oxford street launches its market this week as well…

- Want more? Head to Hyde Park for a walk and a big wheel ride with the Winterwonderland…

- Stop @ Covent Garden for the Lacoste experience or simply for the kids to enjoy candlelit stories…

- Head to Victoria station or Westfield to see the Cirque du soleil (and hopefully win free tickets!)…

- See another dimension in Trafalgar square with the ghost forest…

- Take the kids to the London children film festival…

- Want to make them gasp in wonder? Have a walk with them in the Enchanted forest @ Syon Park. Thousands of lights in the trees. £5 per adult, £2 per kids – quite cheap for the thrill…

- Skate at the Somerset House. Have alook at the program: Breakfast @ tiffany’s matinees and DJ evenings!

The Xmas spirit can be found a little here and a little there…

@ 7 dial, close to Covent Garden, less flashy lights but those suprising decorations, more Victorian, showing off the nearby Theatreland…

On the other side of town, trees are wearing their parade clothes:

So how could you resist skating @ the Natiral History Museum – so magical an atmosphere?

Little ones are not forgotten with this merry-go-round and wooden horses…

Surely, the museum must be green with envy! Or is it stuck in Halloween?

It all started last week.

London is switching her Xmas lights on,  little by little, each  one turning into a mini-party (as much for the celebration as to boost sales in the shops)…

Covent Garden chose recoving chandeliers, hypnotising…

While outside plays with blue…

Rudolph even makes an appearance…

A detour for my friend Lupin who, like me, never resists Fortnum and Masons’ displays.

A very original and elegant theme this year, the Swan’s lake…

The royal birds even remplace Santa for carrying gifts…

Very soft deco with white feathers everywhere…

Stop nearby -  the Prince’s arcade has a Victorian Xmas feeling to it…

What? You haven’t started on this shopping list yet?

Hibernate under a cosy duvet? Or fight the weather?

If you belong to the brave category:

- Not to be missed: the Lord’s Mayor show on Saturday. Not Boris, the other one, managing the City. 800 years of tradition! There will be a procession from the City to Westminster (where the Mayor will pledge allegiance to the crown): 6000 people, 202 horses, 24 marching bands… The RAF will fly past, visits will be offered through the capital and the day will finish with fireworks over the Thames at 17.00… For the occasion, shops @ Gabriel’s wharf are offering a few discounts.

- Sunday, Selfridge’s will be playing the Jumble Garage sale card, a giant one, profits going to a charity. Come and find a bargain! Entry is at £5, freee for under 12s. Cash only at the stalls.

- Marmite – Love it ? Hate it? In any case, have a look @ their pop-up shop near Piccadilly. You can even have a crumpet there. I stopped by earlier today, most of their online shop and a few limited edition. Hate the stuff but hell, love the design!

- You’ll find happiness at the Country Living Xmas show – so many stalls with original and unique ideas. I go almost every year and have never tired of it.

- Fancy an afternoon tea? Want it very British but also fashionable? Try the Howard’s – elegance, of course, but how to resist the shortbreads shaped and decorates as the milestones of London? Have a look at the pics!

Sunday, for once, I will not be rushing around the town. I prefer a quiet family afternoon, on the Puppet Barge, to enjoy a festive puppet show in Little Venice…

Now, what about you?