Tag Archives: design

A Night of Fashion at The Westbury Mayfair Hotel

It’s not every day you walk into a hotel lobby to be greeted by a pair of models sashaying towards you in opulent evening wear. But when the hotel you’re visiting is The Westbury Mayfair, a luxury five star hotel near Bond Street, nothing less should be expected. Continue reading

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The Great Architectural Bake Off

If I had to pinpoint two things I’ve got from my dad, it’s how to stuff massive amounts of sugar in my gob, and a love of architecture mixed with urban planning. So when I caught wind of The Great Architectural Bake Off, I nearly galloped to Fitzroy Square. Continue reading

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“Back to the Classics” with Afternoon Tea at The Langham

Newly appointed Executive Pastry Chef for The Langham London, Andrew Gravett, showcases classic recipes with seasonal ingredient, lighter textures and distinct flavours with his new Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood. Continue reading

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Win a £150 Gift Card from Pocket High Street for Valentine’s Day

I’ve teamed up with the folks at PocketHighStreet.com again to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a £150 gift card to spend at the best independent shops in London. Continue reading

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Win a £150 Gift Card from Pocket High Street

Daunted by the task of Christmas shopping? Hoping to avoid the same old big box retailers this year and find prezzies that are as special and distinctive as your friends and family whom you’re buying for? Have I got a gift for you! I’ve teamed up with the folks at PocketHighStreet.com to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a £150 gift card to spend at the best independent shops in London. Continue reading

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Chocolate Week Afternoon Tea at The Langham London

The Langham London’s Executive Pastry Chef, Cherish Finden, has done it again, this time round with a special – and especially chocolaty – afternoon tea for Chocolate Week. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #59

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

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The Langham Children’s Afternoon Tea with Hamleys

Mia – a tikichris contributor, Cordon Bleu trained pastry chef, and mother of a toddler – visits The Langham London with her three-year old son for the launch of its new Children’s Tea with Hamleys – and gives it “triple … Continue reading

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Good Stuff #58

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

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Madam Butterfly at ENO

A tearjerker of a show, thanks in large part to a profoundly sympathetic performance of soprano Rena Harms, English National Opera’s staging of Madame Butterfly delights the eyes as much as it moves the hearts of its audience. Continue reading

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Wiener Demeanour: Galleries, Art and Design

Schönbrunn Palace … St Stephen’s Cathedral … the Belvedere … the Albertina … even a cursory list of Vienna’s top attractions packs the sort of artful wallop that would delight even the pickiest of culture vultures. And by all means as many of these (and so many other) places should be included in any sightseeing itinerary of the historic Austrian capital. But that doesn’t mean visitors to Vienna must relegate themselves to an urban escape set only in the past. Continue reading

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Cork Report | Obrigado

From ancient oak forests south of Lisbon to state-of-the-art processing facilities near Porto in the north, tracing cork’s route from the tree to the finished product turned out to be a fascinating journey across Portugal. Continue reading

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Cork Report | Bringing It Back Home

So impressed were we with our cork tour of Portugal that Kemey and I wanted to bring back home with us a more substantial than usual souvenir as a keepsake. Before we knew it we were making plans to clad an entire wall of our house with cork tiles. Having now lived with the tiles in place for several months, our choice seems more and more sensible and aesthetically sound as the days go by. Continue reading

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Easter Afternoon Tea at The Langham London

Hop(p)ing for a happy Easter? You’re guaranteed a delectable and playful one with the limited run Easter Afternoon Tea offering by The Langham London’s Executive Pastry Chef Cherish Finden. Continue reading

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Cork Report | So Much More to Bark About

Obviously, cork stoppers are by and far the most likely application for cork. But – as a sustainably harvested crop that’s naturally fire retardant and insulating (thermal and acoustic), flexible, hypoallergenic, and impermeable to liquid and gas – there’s plenty more being done with it. Shall we have a quick look? Continue reading

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Infographic: Iconic Furniture in Film and TV

Check out this fun infographic put together by the furniture experts at Oldrids and featuring some of the most famous furniture from the movies and on TV. Set design plays a massive role in creating the look and atmosphere of … Continue reading

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The Magic Flute at ENO

Mozart’s fanciful The Magic Flute is on now for a limited run at the London Coliseum with a spectacularly staged production from the English National Opera. I had the pleasure of attending a performance last week and very much enjoyed … Continue reading

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wonder.land at the National Theatre

wonder.land: it’s a tale we all know well, this time reexamined through the prism of our 21st century addiction to the digital doings on our gadgets’ screens and good old fashioned teenage malaise. Continue reading

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Holiday Inn Express Launches Next Generation

I enjoyed my Ealing sleepover. I got some work done in a spacious room that I was able arrange to large extent how I wished. I had some awesome pizza delivered to my room. I slept like a baby. Continue reading

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Namibia

This was my first time in Namibia, but not the greater southern Africa region. I’ve been heading down to this gorgeous part of the world since the mid 90s (and even lived in Mozambique for about a year) – always encountering enthusiastic folks insistent that I get to Namibia but never quite being able to take them up on their advice. But now I’ve finally made it, and I can see what the fuss had been all about it. Continue reading

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Wasokan, Notting Hill: Europe’s First Authentic Japanese Kimono and Matcha Shop

It’s not a likely occurrence that a visit to the launch of a retail space in Notting Hill turns to talk bringing more harmony to the people of Europe. But that was the sort of chat I had with Noriyuki Ikeda at his new kimono and matcha shop, Wasokan, on Westbourne Grove. Continue reading

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Coverture Launches Emma Greenhill: A Winning Way to Wrap Up!

Maddie Salters pays a visit to Coverture & The Garbstore in Notting Hill for the launch of Emma Greenhill’s Matchmaker line of scarves. A colourful, pop-art window greets guests at Coverture & The Garbstore, a Notting Hill transplant that has … Continue reading

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New for Paris: Frank Gehry’s Louis Vuitton Foundation (OneTravel)

Opened October 2014 in the Bois de Boulogne public park on the western edge of Paris, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is the city’s newest art museum and cultural center – and is making waves more for the building itself than … Continue reading

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Good Stuff #45

Good stuff? Great stuff! And so much of it I’m having trouble keeping track and sharing the best of it in a timely manner. But don’t let my inadequate ability to blog efficiently get in the way you having a wonderful time. Have a look a this list of 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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Good Stuff #42

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the lowdown 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. Jean-Pierre Braganza Limited Edition Sunglasses for … Continue reading

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Barcelona Brief: Ah-Inspiring Hotel Arts

The highest building in Barcelona? It’s the five-star, 43-storey Hotel Arts. At the top floor of this seaside beacon of luxury is 43 The Spa. For rarefied pampering with a view to match, the spa’s signature 43 Sea Experience allows the body to unwind while the mind and spirit soar. That guests can have a gorgeous al fresco lunch several floors down just minutes after … or a stroll the beach … or hit the far humbler but nonetheless inviting neighbourhood bars in nearby Barceloneta … or hop the Metro/hail a cab for more decidedly Barcelonan delights adds dreamy depth to such splendorous me-time. Continue reading

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Taking it Easy with an Overnight Spa Break in Bath

Easter week, Kemey and I made a quick overnight trip to Bath for a bit of rest and relaxation with a dash of history and scaled down but nonetheless urban ease. Both of us had been to Bath before but ages ago and not together. We had so much fun during our brief stay in this compact and attractive city. It’s a great place for couples and super easy to get to from London. Of course, more time to explore Bath and the bucolic countryside nearby would have been ideal, but our overnight visit proved to be an amply replenishing pause before having to head back to the London grind. Continue reading

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Eastern Exchanges at Manchester Art Gallery

I had a splendid afternoon crashing the press preview of the newly opened Eastern Exchanges: East Asia Craft and Design exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery yesterday. More than a few standout pieces – as well as a chance to peek at a couple of other shows now on and to have a look at the gallery’s impression permanent collection – made my northward daytrip well worth the time on the train. Fans of design would do well to follow suit before the show closes at the end of May.Continue reading

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Big Night Out at Balans, Westfield London

Balans is on a mission to revamp its eateries with its Westfield London outlet being the first to receive a spruce up. An invitation to drop by for a look and meal at its updated “Soho Society” digs resulted in a tasty night out for Kemey and me – made all the more pleasant by outstandingly prompt service. 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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Win a 600g 50 Flavour Christmas Gift Box from Jelly Belly

Love Jelly Belly gourmet jelly beans? They make a great gift for Christmas! Here’s your chance to win a 600g 50 Flavour Jelly Belly Gift Box featuring a special Christmas Design sleeve that’s a UK web exclusive! Continue reading

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A Model Citizen in Amsterdam (The Tiny Traveller)

Remember when my little ‘3D Me’ went to Amsterdam? Well here’s more on that story from my mini travel buddy – business journo, travel writer, city blogger and “model citizen” Josh Ferry Woodard, from his new blog Tiny Traveller: When … Continue reading

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The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood

The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood historic home of the afternoon tea – and one of the most stylish venues I’ve yet to encounter in this town – The Langham London has collaborated with leading luxury brand Wedgwood to launch a new afternoon tea featuring a special menu of delectably dainty creations by Executive Pastry Chef Cherish Finden (one of my London foodie heroes!) inspired by and to be served alongside Wedgwood specialty teas in bespoke “Langham Rose” Wedgwood teaware. Launching across all The Langham and Langham Place hotels and ahead of The Langham London’s 150th anniversary in 2015, new tea offering is available now. Continue reading

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Speed Date an Engagement Ring Designer with F&L Designer Guides

Here’s a first: a “Speed Date a Designer” event “to help you meet and get inspired by a collection of independent, friendly and imaginative engagement ring designers in one fun evening.” Got questions about “popping the question” and want to make sure you get everything right when you do? This unique opportunity hosted by F&L Designer Guides might be a perfect for you, potentially saving you loads of time and money. Continue reading

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Win a £50 Voucher for Circus Cocktail Bar and Cabaret, Covent Garden

A cocktail bar, restaurant and cabaret, Circus offers a Pan Asian dinner menu alongside an enticing cocktail menu. Designed by British Tom Dixon, the surrealist interior is the perfect setting for wild cabarets, with actors performing on tables and vanishing in between courses. Following dinner and the performance, the West End venue turns into a dance space. Fun place, right? Thanks to a team up with online restaurant discovery guide, Zomato, I’m offering one lucky reader a free voucher worth £50 to spend at Circus. Continue reading

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