January 2024 Archives

I've been looking for some of London's best hot chocolate spots over the years, and London's restaurant and cafe scene is always changing. As for hot chocolate, my favourite is the Italian-style liquid chocolate. I don't like hot chocolate that is too milky and tastes bland. I prefer the liquid chocolate variety. Today I am introducing Carpo's hot chocolate, located at Piccadilly Circus. (There's also a couple in Belgravia and at Selfridges.) 

Carpo is a chocolate, nut, dried fruit, and yogurt shop that hails from Greece. I was greeted when I walked in and offered chocolates to try before purchasing. I settled on some nut varieties. Pistachio clusters and dark chocolate were my favourite, and I also had sesame seeds with dark chocolate dipped on one side and some florentines with one side dipped in chocolate. The chocolate-covered nuts are simply devine. My main purpose, however, was the hot chocolate. 

The hot chocolate was liquid chocolate. It was good, but it's not the best I have had. This was on the slight bitter side, which some may prefer.

The sesame seed and florentine chocolates I purchased are located above, and they are definitely delicious.

I also left with a couple milk and dark pistachio clusters and a couple sea salt and caramel chocolate truffles. The truffles were not my favourite either as there's another chocolate shop that does them better in my opinion (Dark Sugars on Brick Lane). However, the pistachio clusters and sesame seed chocolate is delicious and I will be going back for more.

Earlier this month, I visited The Vyne in Hampshire, England with a friend. The estate is managed by National Trust, and I intended to visit for a walk around the estate and was pleasantly surprised to see that the ground floor of the house was also opened to visit. The afternoon was clear with some sunshine, and I visited with a friend for a walk around.

There were works being done on the grounds, so entry is via the walled garden. Despite being the middle of January and being a very cold January, I saw the daffodil sprouts in the garden.

I decided on the walk through the woodland, which starts from the other side of the lake.

At first, the walk way was nice and dry, but it wasn't long that it became very muddy and not possible to walk down, so we gave up and went back.

We went and had a look in the bird hide with the view over the wetlands.

We headed around the house, a little disappointed due to the mud. Then, I discovered the house was open so went inside to make the most of the visit. It's a nice property to explore, and I've previously been inside it, but my friend had never visited.

I've still never visited the full interior of the house as it has always been closed.

Stepping into Bancone Italian restaurant in Golden Square (located in the Soho area of London) felt like stepping into a nice restaurant or tavern in the Mediterranian. I was greeted with an olive tree in the middle of the restaurant. Bancone is popular for its fresh pasta (Michelin-awarded), which is made daily. In fact, when I entered the restaurant, a chef stood by the window rolling out pasta dough. I was in London doing a bit of January shopping, and I decided to pop by to have a taste of the pasta. There's a couple branches of the restaurant in London, and the other one is in Covent Garden.

I had to wait ten minutes or so for the restaurant to open as I arrived before noon. I decided to wait it out, and I am glad that I did as the pasta was delicious.

I ordered the American cherry cocktail, which was fruity and delicious.

For starters, I ordered the focaccia with rosemary and salt. It was good, and it mopped up the extra pasta sauce very well.

I am vegetarian, although I occassionally do eat chicken, and pasta is ideal as there's a lot of vegetarian options. I ordered the pumpkin ravioli, which came with a garlic buttery sauce and mushrooms and pumpkin seeds. The pasta was absolutely delicious.

For dessert, I had the chocolate and mascarpone; this was a chocolate tart with lime and mascarpone (cream) on the side. It was very rich indeed. It was not my favourite dessert; I am not a fan of citrus and chocolate together and I am not really a big fan of chocolate either. 

The pasta was delicious, and I've saved the restaurant to know to re-visit it if I am ever in the area again and looking for a place to have lunch or dinner. However, it does get busy. While I waited, a few groups of around fifteen other people also turned up to go inside.

In Victorian times, London's streets contained underground restrooms for the public. One of these is located at Great Titchfield Street / Foley Street near Tottenham Court Road and Great Portland Street tube stations. I worked in this area back in 2010, and there was a good Italian restaurant on the street here that I visited with colleagues a few times. I remember seeing the public restroom here and some work taking place inside, and it opened in 2013 after a couple of years of work to turn it into a cafe.

The original fittings, such as the urinals, have been transformed into a seating area and a cafe. The public restroom was built in the 1890s.

I ordered a hot chocolate and banana bread, which was recommended and which tasted good.

The cafe has a range of snacks and bites to eat for breakfast and lunch.

This is a unique cafe and worth a visit to see the quirky decor.

Welcome to my summer and autumn 2023 edition of empty products that I have used up in the past seasons. The purpose of this post is that I wanted to post products that I used up to help me remember which ones I would purchase again, and it may help others with deciding which products to purchase too.

Dr. Bronner's Organic Shikakai Soap in lemongrass lime: This hand and body soap is completely organic, and it is made from Acadia Concinna tree, which is regarded for gentle cleansing and conditioning for skin and hair. Would I buy it again? No. It is expensive for what it is, and I have other products to use up.

Yes to Coconut Hydrating Sleeping Mask: This sleeping mask is designed to hydrate your skin overnight and does not leave colour on sheets; it works overnight to hydrate thirsty skin. Would I buy it again? No, I did not really feel hydrated and felt that the mask was thick on my skin.

TONYMOLY I'm Red Wine Mask Sheet: This mask includes natural ingredients to help hydrate skin in twenty minutes. Would I buy it again? No, I did not really feel hydrated.

111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Eye Mask: The eye mask is designed to be worn underneath the eyes to remove the appearanc of tired eyes. Would I buy it again? No, the product is expensive and did not really stick to my skin in the area. I did not see any benefit.

Yes to grapefruit Unicorn Peel-Off Mask: This skin mask promises to boost glow to skin using vitamins and comes in a cute unicorn shape. Would I buy it again? No, the product had disintegrated and was not any use.

Gilcrest & Soames Essential Elements BATHE shower gel: This citrus-scented shower gel makes the bath smell delicious and lathers up nicely. Would I buy it again? It's a good product, but I have enough shower gel.

Clinique High Impact Mascara: This mascara adds length and volume to lashes. Would I buy it again? The product is okay, but I found that it had a tendency to dry out early, and I have used better mascara products.

Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge 6 lipstick: I loved the shade and moisturising lip stick in a matte muted shade. Would I buy it again? No, because the packaging failed. I liked the product, but the case snapped, and the lipstick got all over my hand bag and mainly was wasted.

lip stick: This was an off-brand lipstick in a brown shade. Would I buy it again? No, I had this awhile and binned it as it was no longer any good; off-brand or cheap brand products are not the way to go.

The White Company Flowers Shampoo: This product has a floral scent in rose and jasmine to make hair smell floral in the shower and leave it fresh. Would I buy it again? I like this brand, but I would not purchase the shampoo as I tend to use other brands.

Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush liquid glitter in purple: I loved the idea of this purple glitter eyeliner, but I found that it applied unevenly and clumpy. Would I buy it again? No.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion: This was part of the three step process skin care regime. Would I buy it again? No, the product was very harsh on my skin and dried it out. I actually had stopped using it several years ago now and found this one in my travel bag. I noticed that my skin had a tendancy to break out more with pimples when I used this product.

I Love Revolution Fixing Spray in Peaches and Cream: This make-up fixing spray has a light scent of peaches and cream. Would I buy it again? No, I have used better products for this purpose and the product was average.

BetterYou Selemium+ACE Oral Spray: A couple of sprays into the mouth daily should boost energy levels and vitamin intake to help the immune system. Would I buy it again? No, I did not find any benefit, and the product did not have a good taste, especially toward the end of the bottle.

7th Heaven Charcoal Fac Mash and Dead Sea Peel-Off: These facial masks promise to hydrate and purify skin. Would I buy it again? Th brand is okay for a cheap facial mask solution, and I would not hestitate to purchase again.

Essence You Better Work FIxing Spray: This make-up fixing spray is not scented and promises to keep make up in place. Would I buy it again? This product seemed to work and keeping my make-up in place, so I would not mind to purchase it again.

Morning Surprise Hand Cream in 'Monroe Peach': The hand lotion contains shea butter, olive oil, and snail extract. It is a lightly-scented perfume formula and absorbs into the skin without feeling heavy or greasy. Would I buy it again? I would purchase it if available, but it is a Korean product, and I already have enough hand creams. I really liked the fragrance.

Penhaligon's Empressa fragrance: This is an adult classic scent with vanilla and orange tones. Would I buy it again? I like the scent, but the longevity is the issue with this brand as I find it does not really linger for long.

Make up remover wipes: These make-up remover wipes are perfect if on the go or at a music festival. Would I buy it again? No, the product was not as wet as it needed to be to remove the make-up.

Per Una blush in rogue: This soft blusher was a light pink shade to easily blend into skin. Would I buy it again? I enjoyed the product as it helped to blend easily, but it's a Marks and Spencer's brand and I believe it's been discontinued.

Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser: This moisturising cleanser removes make-up. Would I buy it again? The product removes make-up, but I found it too oily on my skin and not great if accidentally got into my eyes.

Elf eyeshadow pallet: I received this eyeshadow pallet in neutral brown and muted pink shades. Would I buy it again? No, the product was okay but I have used better eyeshadow. This one was a little bit too powdery.

Perfume samples - Flowerbomb by Viktor Rolf: This is a floral scent that does smell beautiful. Would I buy it again? Yes, I enjoyed the scent.

Perfume samples - Daisy by Marc Jacobs: This is a floral girlish scent. Would I buy it again? Yes, I like the scent and actually have the full size already.

Perfume samples - Perfect by Marc Jacobs: This is a fresh and floral with fruity tone scent. Would I buy it again? I enjoyed the scent, but I prefer 'Daisy', so I would not purchase it again.

Perfume samples - Myself by Yves Saint Laurent: This is an orange blossom and warm woody scent. Would I buy it again? No, it was not my favourite scent.

Perfume samples - Spicebomb by Viktor Rolf: This is a warming and spicy scent and a masculine one. Would I buy it again? No, this was not my favourite.

Perfume samples - Christina Aguilera: This is a floral and fruity scent. Would I buy it again? No, this was not my favourite.

Benefit Pore Professional: This product helps to minimise the appearance of pores and should be worn underneath foundation. Would I buy it again? Yes, and I already use it.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Breathable foundation: This foundation is light on skin and allows an even coverage. Would I buy it again? Yes, but it appears to be discontinued.

Rimmel I love Lasting Finish nail polish in pink: This nail polish is in a muted pink tone. Would I buy it again? No, I did not like the product as it did not apply evenly.

Elemis Revitalise-m bath and shower gel: This spa brand scent makes the user feel relaxed in the shower. Would I buy it again? Although the brand is good, I would not purchase this product as I have plenty of soaps and shower gels that do the trick, and Elemis is on the costly side.

Collection Illuminating Touch foundation: This foundation promises to illuminate skin. Would I buy it again? I found the product too thick and not even when I applied it.

Lip gloss in cupcake: I received a glittery lip balm. Would I buy it again? No, I had to bin it as it was very gel-like and clumpy.

Emite Make-up Diamond Heart Base Primer: This base primer helps keep skin in even tone and condition to be worn under foundation. Would I buy it again? The product was okay, and I would consider to use it again as a primer depending on the cost.

Hello, readers, and welcome to 2024! Craft Gin Club is a monthly subscription box for gin lovers, and the box comes with a full-sized bottom of gin, mixers, snacks, and a "Ginned!" magazine with cocktail and food recipes featuring gin. This post features January 2024's box, which arrived at the start of the month. This month's full bottle featured gin is Cscave Gin from Wales. It is described as a refreshing and light gin that is perfect for January, and I found it to my liking. The gin is produced in the Brecon Beacons with water filtered through caverns, and the botanicals are also local. Keep reading to see the mixers and snacks I received.

Winter Lights at Canary Wharf has become a staple of the London calendar for the middle of January each year; they previously had an ice sculpting festival, but this was replaced several years ago by the "Winter Lights" festival. For two weeks from the middle of January, Canary Wharf hosts a light sculpture trail. There are thirteen light sculptures to visit this year and a few permanent light sculptures to visit, and I've been visiting every year since 2016. The event is held over two weeks and ends on 27 January. Keep reading to see the different light sculptures at this year's event.

"Les Oiseaux" - Simon Chevalier: This installation appears to mimic the movements of winged birds. It pays tribute to London's wildlife and species. The objects are a simple blacks and white colour showing the fleeting moment of flight.

"Marbles" - Gertjan Adema: This sculpture appears like a giant marble and shows motion with audio. Unfortunately, this was not working when I visited and seemed to have some electric issues.

"Elantica 'The Boulder'" - Tom&Lien Dekyver: This is a permanent installation that appeared last year and features a glowing boulder that mimics a computer or electronic chip. The natural element features a technology aspect to change reality and perception.

"We Could Meet" - Martin Richman: This is a permanent sculpture that has appeared continuously in the list. Unfortunately, it was not lit this year.

"The Peace Poem" - Emergency Exit and Robert Montgomery: There are two phrases to see, and these commemorate peace since 100 years of World War I. 

"Captivated by Colour" - Camille Walala: This permanent piece covers the footbridge, and this year it was additionally illuminated by coloured lights, which increass the perception of the artwork for the festival. The artwork is focused on perception. 

"Vessels" - Limbic Cinema: Science and technology and culture create these modern monuments that use lasers to create three-dimensional artworks in pyramids. The patterns created inside the pyramids constantly are changing and projecting.

"Bilophlia" - Frankie Boyle: The patterns in this sculpture replicate the nervous system, which is sourced through the elemnts in nature. This is the bond of the human to the Earth. The lights continue along the tube and then join up together to create a gradual glow.

"In-Between" - Daniel Popescu: Three cubes of light are situated together, and these define the boundaries of technology and nature. The cubes of light and blue with red glows.

"Submergence" - Squidsoup: This sculpture appeared previously in Montgomery Square for Winter Lights a few years ago and was popular. It's an immersive one with sound and motion setting off the different patterns and colours of the reaction.

"Kinetic Perspectives" - Juan Fuerentes: This sculpture uses motion and sound/music to depict the moving orbs of colour, and the geomtric patterns keep changing and adjusting. 

"Geist" - This is Loop: This light installation is inspired by "Th Ghost Particle". The installation features an orb surrounded by lights, and the orb changes shape and pattern.

"Idle Time" - Marcus Lyall: The installation is projected onto a building and features doodles of human figures being idle. Being idle is important to human nature and helps with well-being. The figures seem to interact or stand around.

"Light Benches": Although not covered specifically this year, these glowing benches were part of the event for several years but have now become a staple and permanent artwork at Canary Wharf.

"Bit.fall" - Julius Popp: This is on of the permanent light installations that uses water and news outlets to create cascading words using light and water.

"The Clew" - Ottotto: This rd light tunnel helps to transform a foot-bridge walkway into something more unique.

"The Wave of Light" - Those Guys Standing: This interactive installation shows 100 LED light sticks, and as visitors pass by them, the lights shown a little brighter due to the movement. This is a wave effect that is influenced by motion. The installation is held against the railings with the city lights in the background.

"Shine Your Colors" - Tine Beach: This permanent installation of coloured panels has lights that glow onto them and encourages interaction. The artwork equally looks nice in sunshine.

"Neuron" - Juan Fuerentes: This sculpture mimics the neuron connections in the brain. The sculpture has sound and movement of the LED sticks to create a three-dimension pattern effect with colour changes. It shows the neuron as an artistic being and ever-changing in pattern, shape, and colour.

"Sign" - Vendel and De Wolf: Located in Westferry Circus, this installation reminded me of a flame or bonfire with an orange glow reaching to the sky in bright orange lights. 

As always, Canary Wharf's "Winter Lights" hosts a couple of areas where visitors can get street food. This year, I opted for the Indian street food, and I had the paneer masala with rice and a delicious warming masala chai. 

Previous years of Winter Lights can be seen below:

Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2023
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2022 - cancelled
Canary Wharf "Connected by Light" 2021
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2020
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2019
Winter Lights @ Canary Wharf 2018
Canary Wharf Winter Lights (2017)
Winter Lights @ Canary Wharf (2016)

Last early November, I visited Anabella's in Ruislip. It had just opened up, and I had visited Duck Pond Market on the Sunday; Duck Pond Market is a local market that visits Ruislip on the first and third Sundays of each month. After visiting the market and buying a few items, I headed to Anabella's on Ruislip High Street. As the cafe had just opened, it was busy. I liked the decor and quirky style of the cafe. This spot is mainly for breakfast, coffee, and brunch instead of late night entertainment and meals.

So, I wanted to try a few things. At the time I visited, the menu was slimmed down. I can see that they have added more options now. I had the chai, halloumi sandwich, a pastry, and a cocktail.

The pastries sold are the same ones sold at Arens, which is a sister company. These are delicious. I had one of the vanilla Danish pastries. (You can see one of my posts about Arens here: Arens Festive Bottomless Brunch.)

The halloumi sandwich was alright, but it was a little bit too filling as the bread was thicker than the filling. I also did not like that they put an additional cheese spread in the sandwich, and this was not on the menu. (I have a little bit of an issue with texture, and the flavour ruined it.)

I really wanted a frozen margarita as I love them and can only get them in America where they are mainly sold in Mexican restaurants. However, they did not have the cocktail. Instead, I ordered the passionfruit martini.

I purchased some chocolates at the Duck Pond Market, not Anabella's. These were delicious. They came in different flavours, and I was able to mix and match the flavours that I wanted. They also look so pretty, but they tasted amazing and I'll purchase more next time they are at the market.

I liked the decor and atmosphere or the restaurant, but I found the food to be very expensive for what you received. Also, the ordering is a little odd. Visitors have to go to order at the counter and then food is delivered to the table. There was a very long queue. I can see that there's more on the menu now, but the cost is very high.

IlluminoCity Light Festival taks place around the City of London at Brookfield Properties locations around Shoreditch High Street to Moorgate. This is its fifth year, and I'd previously explored the light festival in 2021. This year features two different light installations. One of these is located near Shoreditch High Street (Principal Place) and the other at Moorgate (Citypoint). The installations have been created by collective Architects of Happiness to help brighten moods during the wintery months.

The first installation is "The Happy House" and includes a colourful lit-up house that can be explored with an accompanying soundscape created by Mathis Richet. The soundscape has to be played on an app on mobile phone, which is a shame, because it adds an immersive element if played on site. The soundscape sounds like laughing children playing with a soft drumming ambient tone which is uplifting and relaxing.

Th second installation is "Beaming" and inspired by social media. It features different emoji icons that have been lit up in different colours. People are encouraged to take photographs with the emojis and smile. 

IlluminoCity Light Festival takes place from the end of October until 27th of January.

Previous editions of IlluminoCity are below:

IlluminoCity Light Festival 2021

A few years ago, the Last Days of Shoreditch area was demolished. This was a notable place for street art and also hosted some pop ups. The little square was also famous for having one of Banksy's earliest artworks, which was hidden behind a board since 2007. When the Last Days of Shoreditch was demolished, the Banksy artwork was saved. The artwork now takes place hoisted into the air and above the entrance to the new hotel that now occupies the space.

The Banksy artwork is forever immortalised in the structure of the new hotel.

Yesteray, I visited Butchies in Shoreditch for a light lunch while I was taking a walk and happend to pass by it. Butchies is known for its fried buttermilk chicken, and it started trading in 2013 in east London. I ordered two chicken tenders and halloumi fries, which was served with chili honey. I was very impressed as the chicken was very juicy and tender and not at all dry, and the chili honey dip was delicious with the chicken and with the halloumi fries. The restaurant is in a small building off of Rivington Street (at the Old Street end of the road) and tries to recreate the street food vibes.

I recommend this restaurant and really enjoyed everything that I ordered. I must try a chicken sandwich next time too.

Hodge was a cat belonging to Samuel Johnson and immortalized in history as being "a very fine cat indeed". Hodge lived around the year 1769, and Johnson was very fond of the cat during the time when cats were not regarded highly. Johnson was a writer and is famous for the phase "when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life". He lived at 17 Gough Square, located just north of Ludgate Hill. Johnson treated his pets fondly, and he purchased oysters for Hodge himself instead of sending his servants to purchase them as he was worried that they would take a disliking to his cat and feel degraded for buying the food for a cat. When Hodge became older, valerian was purchased to ease his pain.

Hodge was described as having sable or black fur, and the cat had poems written about him/her by Johnson, who regarded Hodge as his favourite. The cat was known to climb onto Johnson and enjoy affection and purr. 

Hodge is immortalized in Gough Square by a bronze statue, which was st in 1997 by the Lord Mayor of London. The statue of Hodge is sitting next to empty oyster shells in bronze and a copy of Johnson's famous dictionary where the cat was mentioned as "a very fine cat indeed." A custom is to place coins in the oyster shells for good luck, and sometimes the cat will have a piece of ribbon tied around its neck.

The statue was modelled after the sculptor's own cat, and the height of the statue was choosen so that visitors could easily see and access the bronze cat.

The Luminaze is an installation by Emergency Exit Arts that has been sited at Wembly for a few weeks until early January. The installation is titled "We Love This Place" and uses energy-efficient neon lighting for artwork shaped as trees, living room furniture, and word art. The maze allows visitors to walk through to think about community and home. 

In the centre of the maze is an hourglass, which has 3D projections onto it with a video and audio experience about community and belonging. Different speakers talk about why they love their community.

The installation was in place until early January.

A "twelve days of Christmas" charity sculpture trail featuring "The Snowman" character by Raymond Briggs has come to London's streets in the Fleet Street Quarter on the fringe of the City of London. The Fleet Street Quarter is located around Fleet Street, Chancery Lane, Ludgate Hill, and St. Paul's Cathedral. The sculpture trail features twelve "The Snowman" sculptures with artwork related to the "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song. 

The sculpture trail was in place from the end of November until the 5th of January, and when I visited it between Christmas and New Year, it was very busy with many people out tracking them down. The trail was put together with WildInArt.

In mid-December, I visited Eastcote House Gardens for some quiet time. I took a look at the Christmas decorations that are hung up on a pine tree near the gardens over the festive season. Below are some of the photographs that I captured of the decorations.

At the end of November, I visited National Trust property Petworth to see the house decorated for Christmas. Unfortunately, only a few of the rooms were decorated as the decorations were in progress in the other rooms. The theme at Petworth for Christmas was "Christmas Colours". Each room had a different colour for the decorations. I managed to see four of the rooms decorated.

One room had red decorations.

The beautiful gallery hall had white lights and wood carved decorations to match the panelling in the room.

The next room used orange and cinnamon and other festive flavours or smells.

The chapel had three green trees which were probably set up but not yet decorated.

For more photographs from Petworth House and Gardens, see the following posts: 

Elmer's Art Parade at Petworth (National Trust, West Sussex)
A Morning At Petworth (National Trust, West Sussex): Lockdown Edition.

The colour of the year for 2024 that Pantone has chosen is Peach Fuzz 13-1023. This is a pale pastel peachy orange shade. The colour is expected to be popular in fashion, interior design, and other applications in the design field. According to the Pantone website, it is an uplifting and calming colour. It helps to enrich the mind and soul, and it is a peaceful colour. I am looking forward to seeing this colour used as it is one of my favourite colours, and the colour suits me when I wear it. 

Pantone® helps set colour trends, so expect to see the colour used in fashion, interior design, home furnishings, graphic design, and artwork over the next year. The past few years of Pantone® 'colours of the year' are listed below.

2023: Viva Magenta
2022: Very Peri
2021: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating
2020: Classic Blue
2019: Living Coral
2018: Ultra-Violet
2017: Greenery
2016: Serenity & Rose Quartz
2015: Marsala
2014: Radiant Orchid
2013: Emerald
2012: Tangerine Tango
2011: Honeysuckle

1) Pantone®. https://www.pantone.com/uk/en/color-of-the-year/2024 [1 January, 2024].