Chilly Chuuuunes!

 

Wondering how to celebrate this Christmas week?  Why not try Somerset House's Club Nights?  They're not just any old club nights.....they're on the ICE!!  Big name DJs and iconic clubs, including Ministry of Sound provide the soundtrack for open-air partying.

It's a very atmospheric place to grab a mulled wine and sip cocktails galore before (or probably more sensibly, after) taking to the ice.  Sessions are in hourly slots from 20.00–21.00, 21.15–22.15 and 22.30–23.30.  Tickets are a hefty price of £17 but I reckon its worth it - what better way to get festive, catch up with friends and don those skates to show off those moves on the ice (or not!)?!
 

Drink and be Merry!!

As it is the season to be merry, I thought I'd share a quick and easy recipe for Christmas in a glass - delicious mulled wine full of Christmassy spice and a kick of sloe gin!  This one is courtesy of BBC Good Food with a few McWhinney tweeks again!  The big day is in less than a week so relax, grab a glass and GET FESTIVE!!!

Ingredients:

- 2 bottles of red wine (Good ol' Jamie recommends recommend Chianti or another Italian red wine)

- 120g demerara sugar

- 2 cinnamon sticks

- 6 cloves

- grated nutmeg

- 1 orange, sliced (or whole with the cloves studded into it)

- 1 dried bay leaf

- 60 ml sloe gin

- peel of lemon

- 1 whole vanilla pod, halved (optional)

Method:

1. Put the wine in a saucepan with the orange, sugar, bay leaf, spices, lemon peel and vanilla
2. Heat gently until all the sugar is dissolved.  Taste to see if you want the wine sweeter, and add more sugar to taste.
3. Take the saucepan off the heat, and stir in the sloe gin
4. Strain into heat proof glasses and serve - drink and be merry!

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear"

Now I know we're all still weak at the knees over Michael Bublé's (or Bauble as I like to call him) Christmas crooning sending us into festive oblivion BUT here is a musical number that's a little different to brighten up your Christmas lead up!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and what better way to celebrate than with a glass (or 5) of mulled wine, a cheeky mincey p (or 6) and a festive screening of the 1947 original of Miracle on 34th Street?

After the success of their previous film screenings, Midsummer Night Screen are getting festive and taking over The Nave for the second time this year to host a 1940’s themed evening of cinematic festivities on Wednesday, 21st December. With mince pies, mulled wine, hot mulled apple cider and mistletoe galore accompanied by DJs playing 1940s records before the film kicks off at 8:30pm, I’m not sure there’s a better way to get into the festive spirit?!

All profits will be going to Crisis to support their Christmas meal scheme for the homeless. Tickets are £6 in advance and £8 on the door. 

I thought getting cosy, getting merry and getting festive all for a good cause was definitely something worth shouting about!

Tickets are available here!

Bitchy and the Beast!

Oxford and Regent Street all to ourselves!

Picture credit: André Atty

It's that time of year again, and Oxford Street and Regent Street will be completely vehicle free this weekend (10th and 11th December).  Although the cars will be gone, shoppers seem to flock in their thousands to peruse the shops for some last minute gifts, so I would recommend either going early or late.  So go forth and shop til you drop!

Christmas Wednesdays!

Columbia Road is hosting a late night Christmas shopping fiesta, every Wednesday until Christmas.  All the independent boutiques stay open from 5-9pm every festive Wednesday!  So get away from the chains, bright lights and big crowds of the West-end, and head East as an alternative solution to last minute shopping.  The unique, one-off shops offer anything from vintage clothing and home-ware to contemporary artwork and jewellery.  With seasonal drinks, food and music galore, your festive wishes should all be fulfilled!

Pick of the Bunch of London Christmas Markets

Although most of us can’t afford to pack up our bags and jet off for an impromptu trip to scour the genuine Christmas markets of Berlin or Scandinavia to shop and drink Gluwein to our heart's content, London does a pretty good job of bringing traditional German festivities (and more!) to us!  I thought I’d share my pick of the bunch of London Christmas markets in plenty of time so that you don’t miss out!

Although many of the markets are overpriced, there is the opportunity to find (or haggle) a bargain for a unique pressie.  For traditional Christmas markets selling a selection of food, jewellery, decorations and handmade gifts head to:

• The Southbank Christmas Market is set against the backdrop of the River Thames, with over 60 little wooden huts lining the bank between the London Eye and the Southbank Centre stuffed full of everything you would expect to find at a German market with plenty of Gluwein available to warm you up (although it is at a price of £4.50?!) 

• Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland (until January 3^rd 2012, Tube: Hyde Park Corner, Free) – includes festive rides, stalls and crepes galore!

• National Maritime Museum Christmas Market (Thursday 8^th December, 6-9pm) has stalls selling unique gifts and food (including Christmas cakes and puddings).  The evening will also be accompanied by a brass band and carolers (it doesn’t get much more festive than that?!)
  
  
• Petersham Nurseries Candlelit Christmas Carols and Market, (Richmond, 7^th & 14^th December, 6-9pm) Petersham Nurseries have transformed their Victorian Greenhouse into a Christmas extravaganza complete with festive food and drinks.  In the atmospheric candlelight, Christmas trees and gifts, including angora winter warmers, candles and decorations, will be on sale while the Petersham Opera choir serenade shoppers with carols.   
  
  
  For Something a little different, head to:

• The Barbican Duckie Christmas Market (10-30^th December) The Barbican foyer will be transformed into an ‘indie’ Christmas bazaar selling anything from artwork, food, home-ware, clothes and potions.  There will be a ‘posh car boot sale’ where anyone can apply for a stall and also bohemian workshops and pop-up performances.
  
  
• Southbank Centre Real Food Christmas Market (December 16th-23th) Festive food market with seasonal gourmet grub such as chutnies, wild game,  mince pies, Christmas puddings and mulled wine.  Good for foodie presents!
  
  
• National Theatre Dazzle (until January 8^th 2012) Jewellery market showcasing designers from all over Europe, aiming to promote and reveal new and exciting talent.  The scale of the market allows for a range of styles, prices and items!

Now Bring Us Some Figgy Pudding!!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the time of year has arrived for Christmas pudding making!  The McWhinney’s donned their aprons and made ours yesterday and I thought I’d share the recipe with you!  We use Delia with a few tweeks here and there, the main one being the amount of booze included!  We often keep ours for a whole year before eating them, and they are still just as delish!  Remember to make your Christmas pudding wish while stirring – all of mine have come true!!! 

Serves: 2 puddings in 2 pint (1.2 litre) basins, or four in 1 pint (570 ml) basins 

Ingredients:
*      225g shredded suet
*      110g self-raising flour, sifted
*      225g white breadcrumbs, grated (or word processed) from a stale loaf
*      1 heaped teaspoon of mixed spice
*      1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
*      ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
*      450g soft brown sugar
*      225g sultanas
*      225g raisins
*      575g currants
*      50g mixed peel – finely chopped whole candied and citron peel if available
*      50g almond, blanched, skinned and chopped
*      1 apple, peeled, cored and grated
*      Grated rind of 1 orange and 1 lemon
*      4 eggs
*      6 tablespoons brandy (Delia says rum, but I think brandy is much better!) 

Method: 

1.     Put the suet, flour, breadcrumbs, spices and sugar in a bowl, mixing in each ingredient thoroughly before adding the next.
2.     Gradually mix in all the dried fruit, peel and nuts and follow these with the apple and the orange and lemon rind.
3.     In a different bowl, beat up the eggs and mix in the brandy.
4.     Empty this into the dry ingredients and stir very hard indeed – Remember to make your Christmas pudding wish here!
5.     Mix until it falls from the spoon when tapped sharply against the side of the bowl.
6.     After mixing, empty the contents into 2 (or 4) greased pudding basins and pack the mixture into them right to the top.
7.     Cover each basin with a square of greaseproof paper, with a square pudding cloth on top.  Tie these round the rims of the bowls with string.
8.     Steam the puddings for 8 hours – keeping an eye on the water to make sure it doesn’t boil away.  When cooked and cooled, remove the paper and cloths, and replace it with fresh foil.
9.     Store in a cool, dry place and, when ready to eat, steam for 2 hours.
10. Pour over some brandy, light with a match and carry to the table while lit for an extra Christmas spectacle!

 

Run Santa Run!

Stuck for something to do tomorrow?  Why not don your white facial hair, polish your boots and dig your Santa costume out for the London Santa Run!  

Although Santa is depicted as a man with ‘a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly’, our perceptions are about to change!  More than 2000 Santas will be running 6k around Battersea Park as part of a festive fun run, designed to raise money for Disability Snowsport UK, a national charity that helps people with disabilities experience the thrill of snowsports.

 There is even a prize for the highest fundraiser and goody bags for those who raise over £250.  Entry fee is £20 (which includes a Santa suit you can keep) – imagine the years of fun that could provide?! 

For more information on last minute entries or for details on how to cheer on our favourite festive man then click here.

There is also a Santa Fun Run on Sunday 4th December around Greenwich park with a variety of charities participating and a choice of either 5k or 10k runs.  For more information, click here.

Happy Advent!!! =>>

Here's a little snippet to mark the start of Advent and to brighten up this grey day!!  Enjoy and start the celebrations!!

Let there be Light!

Picture Credit: Deadmau5

In order to launch the release of their new phone (the Lumia 800), Nokia intend to illuminate London’s skyline by hosting a multi-media extravaganza involving a seriously impressive light show.  The 800 windows of the Millbank Tower will act as the backdrop and canvas for the super-high-tech 4D light projections.

To accompany the spectacle Deadmau5 and TEED (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs) will play sets throughout the night.  Deadmau5 will perform 2 exclusive remixes created especially to accompany the extravaganza.

It is completely free thanks to good old Nokia, so people can view the half hour performance from the North and South side of the River.  It all kicks of at 8:30pm – it’s going to be big!

Recipe of the Weekend - Thai Green Curry!

This is seriously tasty and super easy recipe for Thai Green Curry. The recipe is a sauce for green beans in Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals, but I altered it by adding prawns or chicken to make a deeelish curry! Although I do love a bit of Jamie, his 30 Minute Meals definitely do not take 30 minutes unless you’re a Michelin starred extraordinaire. However, because this is only one small bit of his meal, tweeked a bit to make it a main meal, it really does only take about half an hour (or less). So cook away and let me know what you think!

Ingredients

∗ 2cm piece of ginger

∗ 2 fresh red chillies (I always use a much smaller amount because I’m a wimp!)

∗ Optional: a few fresh kaffir lime leaves

Thai Green Curry

∗ Bunch of fresh coriander

∗ 4 cloves of garlic

∗ 1 stick of lemongrass

∗ Small bunch of spring onions

∗ Sesame oil

∗ 300ml of chicken stock

∗ 200g fine green beans

∗ 400g tin of light coconut milk

∗ Lime juice

∗ Soy sauce

∗ 300g cooked prawns (or chicken if preferred)

Method:

1. Put the slicer attachment into the food processor (also works with the normal attachment).

2. Peel the ginger and put it into the food processor, with the chillies (stalks removed), lime leaves and most of the coriander.

3. Crush in 4 unpeeled cloves of garlic. Halve the lemongrass and discard the outer leaves, trim the spring onions, and add both to the food processor. Blitz to a paste, adding a good drizzle of sesame oil and a good few lugs of olive oil as you go.

4. Tip the curry paste into a hot saucepan and stir in the chicken stock. Trim the green beans and add.

5. Turn the heat up under the saucepan. Shake the tin of coconut milk then add and stir in. Bring to boil, add the cooked prawns, then turn down and leave to tick away.

6. Taste and correct the seasoning with lime juice and soy sauce, cook for another minute or so if you want a thicker sauce, and serve with rice.

Hey presto! Easy, quick, delicious meal!

BFI - Brilliantly Festive Ideas?

Last week, my brother introduced me to the BFI Southbank Benugo wine bar, and I’m seriously glad he did!  With a hotch potch of massive armchairs and retro sofas, it has a really relaxed but buzzy vibe and the wine’s pretty tasty too! 

In addition to delicious drinks and cosy armchairs, the BFI has a pretty festive line up organised!  As well as their usual features, their ongoing ‘Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! The MGM Musical’ festival is showing upbeat, feel good post-war MGM classics, including The Boy Friend, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers and Meet Me in St. Louis.

The Christmas line up includes festive favourites such as It’s a Wonderful Life, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Lost Christmas, a modern day Christmas interpretation with Eddie Izzard.  Christmas and Eddie Izzard!? What more could you want?  To take festivities to the next level, take a stroll along the Southbank Christmas market after your drink or film and soak up the seasonal spirit (more on this later!)

Ruffle your feathers!

I think it is safe to say that following the wonder of Frozen Planet, our ‘completely normal’ obsession with Sir David Attenborough has gone too far, and is here to stay.  What other 85 year old do you know would travel to the Arctic regions?! 

After some casual research into the man who seems to be the wisest, most knowledgeable person to have ever lived, I found this amazing video of the Lyre Bird.  During mating season, the Lyre Bird mimics songs of other birds and sounds that he hears around him, including a camera shutter and a chainsaw?!  Don’t believe me?  Check.it.out.

                          

Sunday Winter Warmer!

Last Sunday, in an attempt to convince myself that a white Christmas was just around the corner despite the balmy weather we’ve been having, I decided to make Boeuf Bourguignon.  It was deeelish (though I say so myself) and the perfect winter warmer, so I thought I’d share the recipe (and my little tips) with you. 

Do not do what I did and only read the recipe all the way through after you start making it at 7pm because it takes 2 ½ hours to cook in the oven!!!  Don’t be alarmed by this though, because the cooking part that actually involves you, is pretty easy!  My recipe of choice was Mary Berry’s, not only because she has the friendliest face ever, but because her recipe is quite simple and easy to follow.  So give it a whirl, good luck and let me know how it turns out!

Ingredients:

*      2 tbsp sunflower oil

*      I kg (2 lb) braising/ chuck steak, fat trimmed and cut into 5cm cubes

*      250g (8 oz) thickly sliced smoked bacon, rinds removed, cut into strips

*      12 shallots

*      30g (1 oz) plain flour

*      300 ml (1/2 pint) red Burgundy – have the rest with it!

*      150 ml (1/4 pint) beef stock

*      1 bouquet garni – herbs to the rest of us!

*      1 garlic clove, crushed

*      salt and pepper

*      250g (8 oz) button mushrooms

Method:

1.    Trim the fat off the meat (this can take a while).  Preheat oven to 160°C.

2.    Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole.  Add the beef in batches, and cook over a high heat, turning occasionally until browned on all sides.  Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside to drain on paper towels.

3.    Add the bacon and shallots and cook gently, stirring occasionally until the bacon is crisp and the shallots are softened.  Lift out and drain on paper towels.

4.    Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.  Gradually blend in the wine and stock and bring to a boil, stirring until thickened – this is easier to do with a whisk.

5.    Return the beef and bacon to the casserole; add the bouquet garni and garlic and season with salt and pepper.  Cover and cook in a preheated oven at 160°C (325°F, Gas 3) for 1 ½ hours.

6.    Return the shallots to the casserole, add the whole button mushrooms, and cook for 1 hour or until the beef is very tender.

7.    Remove the bouquet garni.  Taste for seasoning, serve and enjoy!

What a picture!

World Press Photo of the Year 2005 - Tahoua in northwestern Niger, August 1, 2005. © Finbarr O'Reilly

The Royal Festival Hall is hosting their annual World Press Photo Exhibition which showcases the best photojournalism of the past year from around the world.  I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but it finishes on Tuesday 24th November and its free so will be getting down there asap!  As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so I definitely think it is worth a gander, especially judging by the amazing pictures from previous years.

Pakistan Floods - Daniel Berehulak - Dadu, Sindh, Pakistan - Getty Images

Late night shopping with a twist!!

Tonight, Carnaby Street is hosting a 'shopping party' from 5-9pm. Walk via Regent Street to see the Christmas lights before heading to the iconic Carnaby Street to make your bags heavier and your purses lighter! With almost all of the shops, restaurants and bars offering 20% discount combined with goodie bags, live music and free drinks from their pop-up bar, I thought it was a pretty nice treat worth sharing!

Fact of the Day!

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain!

IKEA - The Land of Dreams

Ever dreamt of spending the night in IKEA?  I know I certainly got a twinge of jealousy as I watched the cats in their advert having free range of the wonderland that is IKEA.  Imagine how many hotdogs and delicious IKEA biscuits you could stuff in during a whole night?!  Well now you can live the dream - IKEA Lakeside is hosting their Big IKEA Sleepover on Sunday 27 November, 8pm–8am!!

Not only can you take your pick-of-the-bunch furniture-wise while spending a night in their new bed department (Goldilocks, eat your heart out), there will also be night-time entertainment too!!  What more could you ask for?! 

To be in with a chance of attending this fantastic event, you need to like IKEA’s facebook page and apply.  The first 100 winners, will be greeted with a steaming mug of cocoa – mini dime bar dunking anyone?

Bit Awkward?

Beat the Monday Blues!

Here's a little clip to brighten up your mundane Monday!

Holidays are coming...

I genuinely think this new John Lewis advert is the best thing since sliced bread.  Especially in the aftermath of our disappointment over the M&S Christmas adverts, which usually leave us with that warm Chrimbo excitement tingle and now leave us wanting to hurl the nearest thing at the television to see which x-factor wannabe we can hit!

Anyway, enjoy!!

Music: 'Please, Please, Please let me get what I want', was originally recorded by the Smiths, and has been rerecorded by emerging artist Slow Moving Millie.

Fact of the Day!

Until the 1960's men with long hair were not allowed to enter Disneyland!

#fotd

To Infinity and Beyond!

My sister told me about NASA’s amazing Twitter account that not only keeps you up to date on NASA news but also circulates an ‘image of the day’ (#iotd).  These include satellite images of the earth, moon and beyond – introducing us to parts of the universe that we have never seen before, while showing familiar phenomena in a whole new light.  For example, the above image of August’s tropical storm gathering energy over the Atlantic Ocean in 2011.

This particular photo blew my mind.  This orbital panorama shot, taken in 1984, captures Bruce McCandless, ‘free flying’ 320 feet away from his spaceship, thanks to what NASA call a ‘Manned Manoeuvring Unit’, but to the rest of us is a jetpack.  This is the furthest distance that an astronaut has ever travelled from the safety of his ship and we get to see it!  Amazing!

Image Credits: NASA

The Bare Necessities

Last week, I came across Curb, an amazing company that brings advertising back to basics by specialisng in natural, environmentally friendly publicity.   Through using crops, grass, sand, sun and even snow, Curb has identified outdoor, sustainable media as a viable option for creating innovative and amazing designs to get people talking about their clients.  I think they’re pretty darn spectacular, so take a look and let me know what you think!!

 

Shredded Wheat

The National Trust