Tag Archives: life

Sri Suwoon is the Thai gem hiding in Pimlico

Discovering an excellent independent Thai restaurant hidden alone in the quiet residential streets of Pimlico was a bit like finding treasure – I was pleasantly surprised, yet uncertain about who else knows it’s there. You probably wouldn’t find cosy two-floor restaurant, Sri Suwoon, if you weren’t looking for it (or without Google Maps). It appearsContinue reading “Sri Suwoon is the Thai gem hiding in Pimlico”

El Parador is the veggie-friendly tapas joint you’ve been searching for

When a friend suggested we dine at an “insanely good” (his words) family-run tapas restaurant in Mornington Crescent, I didn’t need much more convincing. Giving it a hasty Google a couple of hours before visiting, I was excited to see that El Parador was winning in the reviews too – always rated at four out ofContinue reading “El Parador is the veggie-friendly tapas joint you’ve been searching for”

Party to the sound of live music at Piano Works

Pop your dancing shoes on and have some song requests ready for Piano Works, the warehouse bar with an exceptional live band in Farringdon. It’s not often you walk into a bar and everyone is dancing and singing at the top of their voices, but that is what you find on a Friday at 9pmContinue reading “Party to the sound of live music at Piano Works”

A night of mayhem at Bogan Bingo

Bingo has shaken off its granny rep in recent years thanks to the likes of Rebel Bingo and Musical Bingo et al, and with live comedy game show Bogan Bingo it takes another entertaining and rowdy turn. Presented by a couple of awesome bogan (derogatory Aussie term for an uncouth, poorly educated person) bingo callers, the focusContinue reading “A night of mayhem at Bogan Bingo”

On cloud nine with candy floss and ice cream in Covent Garden

After the hype of ice cream cookie sandwiches (Blu Top, Chin Chin Labs) and ice cream macaroons (Yolkinmacice), now Londoners can get soft serve ice cream – basically posh Mr Whippy – served in a candy floss cloud, thanks to new dessert cafe Milk Train. Located just behind Covent Garden, Milk Train offers three flavoursContinue reading “On cloud nine with candy floss and ice cream in Covent Garden”

A chocolate lover’s paradise: Said in Soho

Word on the street is that Said serves up one of the best hot chocolates in London. It’s true. A cup of heavenly thick, rich molten chocolate, it is best devoured with a spoon. The taste of pure, melted, quality chocolate comes through with every mouthful – and between them it’s so satisfying to dip and swirl a spoon in theContinue reading “A chocolate lover’s paradise: Said in Soho”

Bar spy: The Blind Pig, Soho

You might have walked right past The Blind Pig before without batting an eyelid. It’s one of those unmarked speakeasy-style Soho bars hidden behind a secret door. The mystery! Search for an optician’s sign, and below it, a door with a knob resembling a pig’s head. Got it? You’re in, if you’ve made a booking thatContinue reading “Bar spy: The Blind Pig, Soho”

Can you keep a secret? Weekend film club at The Soho Hotel

There’s nothing better than kicking back for a movie on a Sunday afternoon – except, perhaps, doing it in style. Think comfy leather seats, free popcorn, and drinks delivered directly to your seat… Intrigued? A well-kept secret is that The Soho Hotel runs a fantastic ‘Weekend Film Club’ where you can watch the latest releasesContinue reading “Can you keep a secret? Weekend film club at The Soho Hotel”

Rock climbing in Bermondsey

A quick Google before we set off to The Arch Climbing Wall revealed bouldering to be “a form of rock climbing that is performed without ropes or harnesses.” *GULP*. What had I signed myself up for? I reassured myself with the fact that I’d be joining a group introduction session (£20) at one of London’sContinue reading “Rock climbing in Bermondsey”

Where The Pancakes Are: Hackney’s latest pop up

Guilt-free pancakes on Pancake Day? #Winning! Where The Pancakes Are – which specialises in serving up healthy pancake stacks made with gluten-free buckwheat flour and fresh, organic ingredients – has popped up for a quick stint in Hackney before its permanent central London residency later this year. The brainchild of self-taught cook and mum of two PatriciaContinue reading “Where The Pancakes Are: Hackney’s latest pop up”

Add a handmade touch to Christmas gifts

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I’ve been busy crafting handmade gift tags and Christmas tree decorations – and I wanted to share the idea. The ornaments – a great way to add a personal touch to a gift, or to a friend’s tree – are made from salt dough; a simple mix ofContinue reading “Add a handmade touch to Christmas gifts”

A blissful Ayurvedic massage at Ayurveda Pura

The feeling of hot oil being trickled all over your body is like no other. The only comparison I can make is that of a chunk of Galaxy caramel slowly melting in your mouth. Mmm. It is in an ayurveda abhyanga (sorry for throwing these two words at you so soon – I’ll explain inContinue reading “A blissful Ayurvedic massage at Ayurveda Pura”

Cosy up for Pillow Cinema

When the cold, dark nights draw in, there’s nothing better than snuggling up indoors to watch a movie. The makers of Hot Tub Cinema have timed their latest invention – Pillow Cinema – correctly then, as they invite Londoners to settle in for movie nights complete with comfy beanbags, pillows, blankets and snacks, at theContinue reading “Cosy up for Pillow Cinema”

A day in beautiful Bruges

Romantic cobbled streets, narrow lanes, little bridges and canals greeted us as we arrived in the charming little medieval city of Bruges. It was easy to see why Bruges is often known as the ‘Venice of the North’ after ambling the canal paths, and it felt like we’d stepped back in time as horse-drawn carriages navigated theContinue reading “A day in beautiful Bruges”

A day in the life of a guide dog trainer

It’s distressing to consider the thought of losing your sight, vision, or sense of balance – when I’ve got a mild ear or eye infection I’ll moan and groan – but for some people, living with visual and auditory impairments is a part of every day life. Today is World Sight Day, a day that draws attentionContinue reading “A day in the life of a guide dog trainer”

Icing with the experts at Biscuiteers

When you hear the word ‘biscuit’ what’s the first thing that comes to mind? A digestive? A cookie? Perhaps a good old HobNob or gingerbread man? I’d always thought of the humble biscuit as a comfort food, something to satisfy my sweet craving or to dunk into my tea, but when I discovered Biscuiteers, aContinue reading “Icing with the experts at Biscuiteers”

Escape Rooms: will you make it out in time?

It’s not often that you find yourself locked in an underground chamber near London Bridge on a Friday evening. But at Escape Rooms, the latest real-life escape room game after HintHunt and clueQuest, that’s exactly what happens to you — as you’re challenged to escape Pharaoh Khufu’s chamber within 60 minutes. If you fail toContinue reading “Escape Rooms: will you make it out in time?”