Category Archives: London

Innocent Drinks and the Art of Good Taste

I’m a fan of Innocent Drinks. The London based brand makes some of the tastiest juices available on the supermarket shelf. I reckon its orange juice is the best on the market, and I really like those veg pot meals too. Flavour’s the main reason I’m all for Innocent, but I’m even more enthusiastic than usual about how Innocent does its thing because there’s no added crap to any other the products. More and more, it’s getting harder to buy food and drink that’s not loaded with additives and preservatives for longer shelf life or a shinier look. I applaud Innocent Drinks for keeping its products and its message simply – and for being able to do it on a grand scale. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Lea Bridge Road

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Stress Free Dinner Parties Achieved with Food at 52 Cookery School

Planning to host a dinner party or would you like to build up your confidence before the next time you do? Consider attending Stress Free Dinner Parties course Food at 52 Cookery School near Old Street. It’s one of the school’s many courses designed to help ordinary people with ordinary kitchens cook and eat better. I sat in on the full day course and found it to be fun, enlightening and delicious. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Reflections

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New Cocktail Menu at Grand Union Bars

A couple of weeks back I was invited along to sample the new cocktail menu at Grand Union. I Unfamiliar with the London based group of eight bars (and possibly growing) but intrigued when I took a quick look at the drinks I would be offered to try. I’m happy to report I was not disappointed and found GU’s Farringdon bar to be a smart and cosy spot to keep in mind the next time I’m out and about and hankering a drink. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Clerkenwell Road

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The English National Opera does Puccini’s La bohème: 29 October to 14 December

One of the opera world’s favourite love stories and probably Puccini’s most celebrated work, La bohème returns this autumn to the London Coliseum with a “stylish and acclaimed production” inspired by photographs of the 1930s Paris Left Bank. A four-act … Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: July with the Promise Foundation #Yimby

I hope you’ve enjoyed viewing this past month’s batch of images for my London Daily Photo series. Each day in July, I turned my camera toward the good work of the Promise Foundation, a charity with the aim of providing support through mentoring to young people at a time in their lives when their decisions can have long-term effects on their future. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Promise Found

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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Hey Häagen-Dazs, Gimme Five! #realornothing

Häagen-Dazs is my go-to ice cream. Honestly, much of the reasoning behind my preference is that I know the shops nearest my flat are going to have it in their freezers. Still, given the choice, I tend to buy Häagen-Dazs as I reckon it’s usually the yummiest option (no matter where in London I’m shopping). So, I enjoy it for its flavour – and its nice creamy texture – but the cool thing about Häagen-Dazs products is that their made without any yucky stuff. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Could You Make a Difference in a Young Person’s Life?

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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Good Stuff

Good Stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Pieminister – Brew Dog Pies British … Continue reading

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Royal Childhood Exhibition at Buckingham Palace (OneTravel)

Buckingham Palace has now opened its State Rooms to visitors for the 2014 summer season. An annual occurrence, the opening presents an excellent opportunity to tour one of the world’s few royal palaces that’s still in use as a royal … Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: A Former Mentee Becomes a Foundation Employee

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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Stacks Poutine at Birthdays, Stoke Newington Road, Dalston

In a Canuck-ibly delicious kitchen collaboration with Birthdays bar in Dalston, Stacks Poutine presents a gourmand’s salute to one of Canada’s most satisfying creations along with a line up of other equally nosh-worthy bites. Poutine, in case you haven’t had the pleasure, is a dish of Quebecois origin consisting of fries, gravy and cheese curd. It’s mega yum and the Stacks version yields a damn fine example. Here are some notes from a recent foray through its menu. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Sisters Working Together for Change

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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Christmas in July? Good Stuff!

Ho ho huh? Here’s a bagful of seasonally premature Good Stuff to stuff keep in mind as 2014 rolls onwards to a hopefully very festive end. With many major brands (and those wishing to be so) hosting sneak preview shows every July to highlight what’s on their nice lists for Christmas, it’s a fun if odd time to be on the consumer end of media. Anyway, I’m never one to turn down an invite to a party – even if I’m not sure if it’s half a month early or late. So, deck the hall and all that jazz as I share some of the more notable Yuletide prospects I came across this past month. Enjoy. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Promise and Tulip Catch up

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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Sickboy: Make It Last Forever at The Outsiders London, Greek Street

Maybe it had just been awhile since I had enjoyed the pleasure of viewing much work by street artist Sickboy, but his latest offering, Make It Last Forever on view now at The Outsiders London in Soho, seemed to pop with vibrancy while providing plenty of personal symbolism to ponder. Continue reading

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Hyper Japan 2014, 25-27 July at Earls Court Exhibition Centre

Returning to London today through Sunday 27 July is Hyper Japan, the UK’s “biggest celebration of Japanese culture, cuisine and cool.” I popped round for a quickie investigation earlier this afternoon. Here are some highlights from my visit to this annual bonanza of banzai. Continue reading

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Lovely Sunday Lunch at The Latchmere, SW11

Following a major reno, The Latchmere pub on Battersea Park Road has recently reopened under the guiding hand of the Renaissance Pubs group to offer a comfortable and attractive venue (think: Victorian minus any twee fittings) for all those pubby things we like to do as Londoners. Kemey and I paid visit a couple of weekends ago for one of our most favourite of pubby activities – Sunday lunch! – and were more than pleased with our experience. Here are some of the highlights. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Tulip Siddiq, Parliamentary Candidate and Promise Foundation Mentor

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Mentors Mingle and Share Ideas

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: A Mentee Explains What She’s Gained from Having a Mentor

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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BOGOF Bubble Tea at Yao Yao Cha, Earlham Street WC2

From now until the end of August 2014, when you purchase any regular drink at Yao Yao Cha simply mention “tikichris” and you can get another one of equal or lesser value for free. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: A Mentor and Mentee Recap a Great Year

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Josephine Shares the Year’s Results

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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Get it Fast and Fresh at Vapiano Soho

Not the first (and probably not the last) Vapiano outlet to open in London, but the new Wardour Street location of this global restaurant group with its fast casual take on serving freshly made Italian cuisine was worthy of a visit and my recommendation. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Building Meaningful Relationships Through Mentoring

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Mentor and Mentee Embrace

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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Good Stuff

Good Stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: A Mentee Welcomes Guests to an End of the Year Celebration

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: QPCS Steel Drum Band Member

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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Win a G&T Experience for Two at The Polo Bar at The Westbury Hotel

A month or so ago I had the pleasure of sampling the new gin and tonic menu at The Polo Bar at The Westbury Hotel. Created by Tanqueray mixologist Tim Homewood and Polo Bar manager Elias Yiallouris, the new G&Ts are part of a “Botanical Brew Experience” collaboration between Tangueray No. TEN gin and Fever-Tree tonic water. All feature the quadruple distilled gin and the premium tonic along with an intriguing array of fresh ingredients. And – just in time for the height of summer – here’s a chance for one lucky reader and a guest to do what I got to do and sample a couple of these fantastic drinks for free. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Here Comes the Band

The Promise Foundation is inspired by Promise Campbell, who at the age of twelve benefited greatly through a relationship with a mentor leading her to achieve things far beyond her own expectations. Continue reading

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