London: Tea Time in Wonderland

I love, in the British language, the expression Paint the town red. Fits London so well. This colours is already pretty iconic but oh, my, in this pre-Valentine-day period, it seems it is the only one around…

That’s art, baby:
* Rediscover the Sunday times mythical pictures at the Saatchi.
* Get your own pop-up London. To get it from Amazon, click here.
* London artist add a touch of blues to the capital.

Yummy time ahead:
* Pssst -  get your coffee at Salt and get a breakfast treat free this week, from Thursday to Sunday.
* Taste the Chelsea Physics Garden’s honey.
* Liquorice and sweets fans, rejoyce.
* It’s the last straw (almost) in Soho.
* The new fun way to eat cake is here.
* Gospel, brunch and a view.

Take the little ones along:
* Sing along the Gruffalo.
* At the Somerset House, the kids craft workshops will be about mirrors and marble effects.
* Kids have their own festival on Southbank.

Love, love, love:
* You probably do not know her yet. Lili Bé is one of the most talented froggies I know and she illustrates London and life with a smile. In French, but still, take a look at those limited edition posters and tell me you do not fall for it. I would love to have this a a bag too. Don’t you?

Out of the ordinary:
* The end of the world is getting nearer.
* Let your heart beat for flamenco.
* Find love heart sweets irresistible? Well, at the Jewellery school on Sunday, you can make you own charm one.

An Argentinian dream with Midnight Tango. Such a glamourous, seductive dance. Dresses seem to be flying around the dancers. And when the music speeds up, so does your heart, and so do the heels on the stage. Exceptional skills, not only of  Strictly Come Dancing’s Vincent and Flavia but of the whole troup. Do go and see it.

That’s art, baby!
* Knitting obsession.
* Step back in David Lynch‘s world.
* Redefine art.
* A poetic page.

Yummy time ahead:
* A special one for meat lovers.
* A suivre, donc! Try Pierre Hermé‘s new macaron: Jardin enchanté (Enchanted garden). Lime cream, a heart of cherries, a touch of Espelette chilli to wake up the tastebuds. There will be a different edition on the garden theme every month – do not miss any!

Love, love, love:
* Add some glitter with Tatty Devine on Thursday.
* 50 romantic ideas in London.

Take the little ones along:
* Get those roller skates out and spend a disco time with the family.
* Re-celebrate the Chinese New year.
* The Somerset House too has craft workshops for kids this week-end

Royal London:
* Discover Queen Elisabeth II’s life through Cecil Beaton’s pictures of her. At the V&A until April 22, 2012.

So British:
* The best pubs in London? Click this way. Cheers.
* This week-end, your pint could also be rock’n'roll.

Out of the ordinary:
* Daniel Radcliffe fan? Meet him Thursday evening.
* Walk through Dickens‘ world (free, no need to book)
* Street art gets colourful with Jimmy C.
* London plays the high tech card (yeah, it seems we have a budget for that)
* Saturday, see the best slices of Bollywood movies.
* Meet the London clowns and tip your hat to Grimaldi.
* Follow the street art. Litterally.
* Tropical extravagance at Kew Gardens.
* After the Chinese New Year, the Russian one. This will be on Sunday and on Trafalgar.
* Snowdrops are already blooming at the Chelsea Physics Garden.

Ah, how lovely to walk through Shoreditch again, such a familiar neighbourhood but with the constant surprise of street art. Keep your eyes open (and down) – there are still some of Pablo Delgado’s miniature works around… What are your plans for the week-end? None yet? Then scroll down…

That’s art, baby:
* Pretend you are Mime Marceau.
* This ice-sculpting festival should be pretty cool.
* Let’s be serious – Sky News and the Somerset House have put together an impressive collection of pictures.
* A colorful and fun exhibition that should delight curious minds -  at the London Transport Museum.
* find your luck at the Wellcome Collection.
* Love the glass sculpture at the entrance of the V&A? Why not go and see what else the artist can do?
* And from the first floor of your double decker…

So British:
* Warm up in front of a lovely chimney fire in a pub.
* Or listen to classic albums there.
* Or enjoy a traditional treat.
* Get to know everything about gin with this craze walk.

Take the little ones along:
* And rediscover Quentin Blake.

Yummy time ahead:
* Cheers to you!
* Dine in a cinema.
* Fancy a squirrel pie?

Out of the ordinary:
* Take those ice-skating shoes and dance.
* White your thank you cards at Tatty devine.
* Lord of the rings will take you through the night.
* Sing a cappella.
* Sip a drink in a tipi on a London roof. You read that right.
* Try this Pay what you want guided walk.
* And now, you can even personnalise your soup tin.

After a few days in India, the British rain had quite faded my cheerfulness.

A visit at Carom painted my day in bright colours. This bar, right in the heart of Soho, mixes the most exotic cocktails with ginger, rose, litchee, cumin, jasmin, lemongrass… Sun in a glass. Let me warn you -  there is no stopping at one either so do come with (many) friends to sip through quite a selection. My favourite -  love at first sip – remains the Bangalore Cooler,in which fresh cardamom is crushed then mixed with whisky, pear, maple syrup. A little marvel and a wwonderful occasion to taste an Indian whisky too – Amrut. Golden, warm, fruity. I ordered a bottle online on my way back home -  say it all.

And if you’re looking for a festive time -  ask about their cocktail masterclasses. How wonderful to see the bar from the other side, learn a few tricks, invent your own signature cocktail. Mine was a dance of saffron gin, rose syrup, lime and orange juice. A liquid Turkish Delight. I was so taken in the atmosphere I was slightly disappointed not to see any palmtrees in the street…

The Christmas touch:
* Beware, Santa invasion!
* Be generous too! Bring your unwanted gifts at the Etsy grotto. They may well make the happiness of another kind heart.
* A Christmas tree by Lanvin? Wow.

That’s art, baby:
* East Berlin steps in Shoreditch.
* Rediscover Dickens.
* Space Invaders invasion at the Outsiders.

Yummy time:
* Fancy a pint of cider?
* Add a slice of Caraibean in your winter.

Take the little ones along:
* A wonderful atmosphere: the Somerset House organises free storytelling under the gorgeous Tiffany Christmas Tree.
* Skate for free at the Scoop -  slide along!
* Nostalgic moment: a Muppet Show movie.

A touch of magic:
* Moomins arrive in Covent Garden.
* For gentlemen who prefer to wait the very last minute to do their Xmas shopping -  book now!

To celebrate the unification of Italy – 150 years – Peroni had a wonderful idea with the Somerset House: put forward the spirit of Italian fashion throught the work of 6 legendary names. Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Missoni, Prada -  a beautiful way to redicover the evolution of their image through time, the style of their campaigns, the trends that influenced us but also their association with the greatest photographers.

Each world has been thought as a cocoon of transparent fabric under the elegant arches. Inviting light versus a dimmed, honey atmosphere. Walls play on transparence, unhencing the silent ballet of visitors. The inside path is angular, reminding the maze of the Italian streets, alowing you to spy on the next cubicle.

We admired with a hinch of nostalgia key dresses and shapes and skillful models such as Isabella Rosselini, Madonna, Kate Moss who reflected perfectly the Italian way. A gaze, a movement, a pose. Even in their most traditional roles, Italian women show a clear, frank, decided attitude. Such character! I remain fascinated by the light and lines of each picture. Let alone the sculptural look of some dresses.

Salvator Ferragamo opted for accessories instead – art works, realy. Look at that gloss, the fluidity of the folds:

Before entering each universe is a written note by each designer, bringing a personal touch and bouncing back on their inspiration or childhood influences, the adventure of a campaign. A rare insight into their world. The excellent curator Andy McDowell, who had lived many years in Italy, added his interpretation under each piture too. Have a look at the projected catwalks too to compare the past and present of each brand. A beautiful exhibiton for fashionistas, photography fans or lovers of all beautiful things…

Somerset House
Masters of  Style
Strand
London WC2R 1LA
Until August 14, 2011 -  £6

As at Liberty, give up the lift to discover the hypnotising architecture of the Somerset House stairs…

Somerset House
Strand
London WC2R 1LA
Free entry, temporary exhibition usually have a fee.
Great place in the summer as kids can run happily through the fountains in the courtyard.

Al Weiwei had already intrigued us at the Tate Modern by filling the Turbine Hall with sunflower seeds.

No one knows where the artist is today – the guess is: political prisonner. Makes you shiver.

An even better reason to discover his latest work in the Somerset House courtyard. Quite contemporary against the neutral stone buildings.

Those 12 bronze faces represent the animals of the Chinese zodiac. The level of details, form veins to minute teeth, proves quite fascinating. Inspired by the ones decorating the fountains of Yuanming Yan, a former Imperial palace in Beijing, they bring a nice irony. Meant for an elite, they will now delight the most ecclectic crowds.

Those are free to come and see, just aside the fountains now reopened for the summer. If you come with kids -  just plan a change of clothes, they happily rush in!

Somerset House
Strand
London WC2R 1LA
Until June 26, 2011 – free. More works can be seen at the Lisson Gallery.

What a week! I have cheered spring, friendship, the royal wedding to come, the wonderful Irish people, summer collections and treats from the South of France… Tell me, what will you celebrate this week-end?

- It’s St Patrick’s! Why not try Chin Chin Lab‘s special ice cream for the occasion? The Black Velvet mixes Guinness, Monmouth espresso,Whiskey, & Chocolate Cake!
- Cakes and sushis unite for the best cause this Friday…
- Bee happy! This pop-up willl be honey sweet from jellies to cocktails!
- Pet Shop Boys in a musical – strange but it does look pretty good…
- Spot the difference…
- This week-end, the Slow Food Market is all about cheese and wine… Café On will be there too with their gorgeous macaroons.
- Why wait for the desert to enjoy cupcakes?
- The Somerset House turns artistic…
- Love skate-boarding? Take note of that one…
- The Grant Museum reopens..
- Bea’s launches a Mad Hatter party…
- One of Hyde Park’s little secrets…
- Wouldn’t that go well with a sophisticated coffee?
- How about trying the Nomad Cinema?
- You can now enjoy Lily Vanilli’s cakes at Drink, Shop & Do before jumping in a Eurostar!

Pssst: For the royal wedding, get yourself a tent…

December brings an amazing collection of ice rinks. What a choice! Will you go to the London Eye for the view, to theNational History Museum before strolling through the Albertopolis, to the Tower of London for the historical touch, at Hampton Court for the fab background, at Westfield in between two shopping sprees,  at Winter Wonderland surrounded by colourful rides, or amidst the towers of Canary Wharf?

We joined the early session at the Somerset House: Breakfast with Tiffany. At 08.45 to 09.45, we were still half asleep but it is quite lovely to enjoy the ice with a handful of skaters only… The staff is adorable and will rush to help if like me you had quite forgotten how bad you are at that sport! No noise from the outside world, just laughs and music -  just like in a dream.

Kids can train on a separate space, weighed down by a fun penguin. You will see a few parents borrowing those, but it is only to hum, show the children how it works, of course.

The session costs £18.50 and includes entry for an adult and a child, a hot chocolate, a cupcake, and ô joy, a glass of champagne… all served in the joined café with a view on the rink. See, thwe crowd are coming in now, gosh, what a traffic! At least, you are having a bubbly time…

Don’t forget to stop at the Tiffany boutique, all wrapped in elegance… for a few jewels but also more affordable treats including chocolate lollipops.

You will not resist a glimpse inside the presents on the side -  a window allows you to spy on a poetic scene, surrounded by mirrors reflecting the watchers…

Put on you skating gear, there is another session next Saturday. Alternatively, try one of their DJ nights!

Breakfast with Tiffany
Next session: Dec 18, 2010
Somerset House
Strand
London WC2R 1LA

At the moment @ the Somerset House, René Gruau’s illustrations for Dior…

Xmas tree? Check. Cards, wrapping, ribbons? Check or postponed to the very last minute. Party time? Let’s go!

- There’s a touch of magic @ Kew Gardens…

- Visit a historical house decorated for Xmas…

- Play hide and seek @ the Pyrus Art Gallery…

- Xmas afternoon tea, anyone? Or maybe one with a zest of madness?

- Street art stuck behind bars…

- Hop, another Xmas fair, very much into design, that one… and another one there…

- Even the Somerset House has its own…

- In search of vintage gifts? Try this pop-up shop…

- Choccie time on Southbank!

- (Or cookie time for guys – cool gift!)

- Boris Bikes for everyone!

- Hate December? Have a reindeer pie.

- Grab a coffee and listen to carols under the Trafalgar Norvegian Xmas tree…

- Be generous…