London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Rushing to find the very last presents, crossing options from your list. Inevitably, you end up loaded with way too many bags. Inevitably too, it seems you are going against the crowd flow. Sympathetic random thought for salmons. You ever-so-adorable high heels prove to be ever-so-unstable as gravity and the weight of the purchases try to take you down. Mission Impossible of the day: slalom through obstacles on your way as you have doubled in width, each boutique insisting on an extra bag. Pinks getting rosies, wrists getting whiter.

And then, finally, Selfridges is in sight. Your steps guide you, instinctively to the Wonder Room, all dressed in white, ceiling, floor, shelves, presents. Shelves are lit up, such luminosity you just stare at them for a while, objects looking surreal. Sudden need for white cotton sheets, cosy cushions, snow, ethereal clouds.

A whole mix of gift ideas -  some very affordable, others signed by Victoria Beckham, Givenchy, Chloe, Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood, Burberry… It may be time to revise your Xmas wish list.

Selfridges
Wonder Room
400 Oxford Street
London W1A 1A

How about doing something different before the year is over? Like, maybe, not just buy the Big Issue to have a clear conscience but stop and chat, ask whether they would like a coffee, make it just a little bit more human than erasing them from your mind after walking past. Or join an Unseen Tour, strolls through London led by homeless guides who therefore know the neighbourhoods like the back of their pocket. Even the most blasé will learn fabulous facts from them. You can also take part in a Sock Mob – volunteers go round with sandwiches and socks, chat with homeless people, try to cut through the isolation, a few minutes that can make a difference. Christmas is not just about buying gifts but sharing, even with total strangers.

The Christmas touch:
* Last week, Santas were racing through London. This Saturday, they will be skating in Hyde Park.
* See a festive movie in a deconsecrated church, all decorated for the occasion. Even better, it is for a good cause.

That’s art, baby:
* Not pop TV but punch TV.
* For the Andy Warhol fans -  the last chapter.

Yummy time:
* Your mouth will water at the only sight of this Sunday Roast.
* Warm up with a flamed cocktail at the One Aldwych. And check in on Four Square too – you will get a mini mince pie crumble with your drink.
* Test a mozzarella bar.
* Now, here is a fab idea-  an afternoon tea with a selection of mini-cocktails rather than just a normal sized one.

Take the little ones along:
* Inspired by Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, the London Museum proposes kids workshops.

Stocking fillers:
* Pop-up boutique + theatre = fun
* Add a little Beatles touch.

Hum along:
* Join the Xmas carols at the Borough Market.
* Dance, rock and twist at the Royal Festival Hall. It’s free!

A touch of magic:
* Share. At least your time and help prepare community meals.
* Don’t follow the trend, get a hula hoop and dance yourself happy.
* A stroll through London. Christmas-themed. Yep. In a kayak.

Each year, rather than adding yet another toy to the house, I take my daughter to see a musical. Girly time and fabulous memories. The Cirque Invisible, the Lion King, the Wizard of Oz. This year,  Wicked put a spell on us. The theatre in itself is already magical, a different universe. Do take the binoculars (£1, one between each seat) to better see the details of the decors and costumes. The story? A different version of Oz, each role being reversed, sprinkled with formidable humour. Quick, go and see it!

Christmas is coming to town:
* Go gift hunting on that adorable Finnish market.
* Plenty of ideas at the Chelsea Physic Garden fair too.
* On the craft side, you will find real wonders at the Merry Magpie pop-up.

That’s art, baby!
* Nothing better than 4D projection to bring life back into a building.
* Is art really rubbish?

Yummy time:
* Burger revolution.
* It is winter time and Dickens then rhymes with punch and Courvoisier.
* Still on the Dickens’ theme -  opt for the pub crawl!
* Food allergies? Go and enjoy this free from festival.

Shopaholics, beware:
* Remember Upper Street? Great news -  they are having a sample sale of unique models this Saturday, up to 50% off the original price. Just go to Upper Street Studios, 1A Clarendon Buildings, 11 Ronalds rd, London, N5 1XJ. From 10.00 to 16.00, payment by card only.

Take the little ones along:
* Especially for adventurers-to-be: a tour of the HMS Belfast with a hot chocolate.
* This adorable kids festival in South Kensington should make the whole family happy.

Out of the ordinary:
* Le Cool and Fiji Water have thought of a wonderful winter stroll along a forgotten river -  click here to see the app / map, it’s all free!
* Underground tales, this way.
* Discover London… aboard a kayak.
* Manga fans, rejoyce: this one takes place at the British Museum.
* One of the mysteries of London…

Well, this week-end, I will be sitting on a beach in the South of France with a glass of Sauternes in my hand. Heaven. If you are staying in London, here are a few ideas to make life sweeter, to tip your hat off, to travel in time… and many more!

* Dance in a very French atmosphere at the V&A.

* Have a look at a real space capsule.

* Try hoola-hooping again.

* Indulge in a Tolkien night.

* Rediscover the treasures of St Paul.

* Chiswick park turns symphonic.

* The best response to riots? A lot of love and a little art.

* London really is the home to strange but fun museums.

* Discover a secret garden in Spitafields.

* Beach souvenirs from London-on-sea.

* How would you recycle routemasters?

* Cycle through the city.

* Ping-pong and cocktails. Or vice-versa.

Psst: from August 24 to the 26th, Soho Square will be deliciously Swedish. Come and discover the sweetest pop-up, enjoy a cup of real coffee with one of the amazing traditional treats!

I have tried, again and again, to use the electronic agenda on my Iphone or Outlook. I just do not like them – too cold an interphase. Paper agendas – there is a warm touch. I stick restaurant cards in there, postcards received from friends, scribble quotes, drawings from my daughter. I can revisit the past – even years later. No geek application gives me that much.

There was a time where organizers were to be sober for work. Which meant – black and purely boring. But these days are gone. I completely fell for Filofax Apex collection, which combines elegance and realy cheerful colours. Not only are they a fashion accessory – same nice glossy finish as a beautiful nail varnish – they can be personnalised at will: calendars (One day oer page? One week per page? etc…), maps, extra index/notebook pages, post-it notes… It just adapts to you way of living and working.

It puts a little sunshine in my day. I even use the cover as background for pictures – as much for the texture than for the colours. Wonderful effect on a rainy day!

Guess what? We have two for you to win -  the blue Apex and the black Apex.
For this – follow us on Facebook or Twitter and leave a comment here on what you think of Filofax agendas. Two winners will be randomly selected on August 17.

Filofax – web site, Facebook, and Twitter page

Strolling around Carnaby street, looking for the Swinging London spirit? Fashionwise, you will find it a street from there at Peekaboo Vintage . No mass production here: each dresse has been handpicked and hunted all around the world in collection of the glamourest past. All are in pristine condition as if they had been waiting for you all those years.

You will fall in love with the place: cheeful colours, all arranged per hue, light as a butterfly wing fabric, silk, crepe, impeccable folds, clothes that do not compress the waist but flatter curves, adding caracter to the model wearing them. Suddenly, you feel like letting you hair gently dance free in a breeze, walk barefoot on a sandy beach – the bohemian chic effect.

Emily Bothwell and Michael Caunter funded the brand in 1991. Celebrities were not long to ask them for advice. Magazines followed quickly – this is the perfect fashion for photoshoots: free, different, defying time. Even Topshop asked them to find gorgeous pieces for their Oxford Street collection. Quite a success but of course so much work behind the scene, so much passion too.

The boutique, though, only opened last May. No worry about prices -  you will find cocktail dresses from £65 on. Then again, my friends, being unique is priceless…

Not in London? Try the online shop  for a festival of colours and elegance.

Peekaboo Vintage
2 Ganton Street
London W1F 7QL

Do you remember our chat, the other day about getting ready for Xmas?
Each year we do the same. Rush from one shop to another and the shopping list only seems to be getting better. Then again, there always is the option to go for a place that would have it all, from toys to deco.

Handpicked Media and Sainsbury’s recently put together a very festive event to present their latest trends. Surrounded by beautifully decorated trees and wrapped gifts, I did not care it was July anymore, I just wanted to sing Jingle Bells. I wonder whether anyone else did. Here are a few ideas to borrow from their collection:

* Forget China made toys. It is always better to give memories rathan than things and you can do just that with those adorable kids-size baking tools:

Space star silicon moulds £3.50 for 8

Kids ustensils from £2.50, heart cake tin £3 for 2

Teapot shortbread cutters £5

* It is high time to remember that cooking can be sexy,a kitchen colourful and a gorgeous shiny pan an excellent idea to contain a hamper and a family recipe:

Beautiful knife collection by Sainsbury’s, as classy and cutting as pros. From £11.

Cast iron collection, colourful and glossy which makes even frying an egg a pure pleasure. From £20.

* Stock on fun items to make smiles last longer than just an evening:

Sergeant Pepper Mill, £10

Xmas pudding bauble £2.99, assorted mug £5

Candles, £3.50

* Make your own Christmas traditions and start by giving it a brillaint silver and blue look:

There were so many ideas I should have written down – like replacing stocking swith wellies, put colourful baubles under a glass cake dome… Sainsbury’s is sure to inspire you. You might find, though, that oyur trolley is way to small for all the treasures you have found!

One thing I love about British guys – the cufflinks. In France, they would be kept for special occasions only, mostly weddings. Here, office guys wear them all the time.

A smart yet discreet detail which gives away a little of your personnality, adding a touch of fun to a very formal suit without losing its elegance. The ideal father’s day gift.

We saw those on Regent St:

The website counts 190 of those – from very classic ones to a cricket ball, a mini-Austin, monograms or a corkscrew…

T M Lewin
126 Regent St
London W1B 5SD

I love the Spitafields Market during the week, free from the buzzing designers stalls, the crowd on its way to Brick Lane for some street art or vintage accessory hunting. Mondays to Fridays, it regains its peacefulness.

On Thursdays an antique markets steps in, traveling back through time. Prices remain on the whole reasonable – quite a nice occasion to get a more authentic souvenir back rather than the Made in China ones. Sellers usually are in for a chat too, sharing their knowledge and anecdotes, calling you love, will let you take pictures as long as you ask first and throw a smile in.

Go through the boxes – it is like a treasure hunt : monocles, games from another generation… You might even add a picnic basket to your luggages !

Spitafields Antique Market
Thurdays 10.00-16.00
Old Spitalfields Market
Spitalfields
London E1 6BG

Life is full of simple joys. One of mine is reading a poem on the tube, you know those published between two ads? It’s always soothing finding one, like a little gift. I never have enough time to write them down but I found out the underground website actually lists them.

Another blog brought a smile – the authors post pictures of strangers (only guys) met on their commuting journey, add a few lines, guess their thoughts, their story. Hey, maybe you’re one of them, check it out!

Oh, if you think you’re the chap of the year, click this way.

* It’s shopping time on Carnaby Street this Thursday with 20% off.

* Love gardening? Tomato plants will be given for free on Trafalgar on Friday.

* Love is what you want, says Tracey Emin – a comforting thought.

* Find your favourite food vans at the Rye Pub – from the Choc Star to the Meat Wagon.

* The Andipa Gallery brings the language of flowers to an art.

* Nude Espresso just opened on Soho Square but forget the coffee. What you want to try is their Lamington cake, an Australian treat made of sponge cake in a layer of chocolate and coconut. Just don’t count the calories.

* Love acrobatics, martial arts, parkour? Rush or jump to the Udderbelly this week-end.

* Fortnum & Mason celebrate refined crafts.

* Tango and afternoon teas -  just jump in those dancing shoes and grab a few scones…

* Med-tea-tation with Teanamu at Holland Park -  a zen moment in a marvellous garden.

* Nothing is free in life, they say. Well wait: join those ecclectic workshops to learn a few skills for free: car mechanics, burlesque dancing, self defence…