London
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London Gems: A Taste of Argentina at Gaucho Picadilly
Last weekend was special, very special. It was my beloved husband’s big ‘0’ birthday and I was on the mission to make it unforgettable. The plan was to book a table in a restaurant that would not only serve amazing food but also have a great atmosphere for such a special celebration. We are spoilt in London for choices of great restaurants and I often rely on my favorite picks, such as Skylon, Oxo Tower or Gilbert Scott restaurants. But this time I took a chance on a new place, Gaucho – an Argentinian steak restaurant, and I was very happy I’ve done that. To be honest, I have walked…
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London Gems: 2017 Magical Lantern Festival
January is such a dreary time, especially in grey and cold London. However, if you want a bit of sparkle in your post-holidays life – head to Chiswick House and Garden for the Magical Lantern Festival. It was my second year in a row and I absolutely loved it. Check out photos and video below to see why. Magical Lantern Festival has been running in London for two years now and marks annual celebrations of Chinese New Year. This year’s theme was the Silk Road, the ancient trade route from China to Europe. Having grown up in Central Asia, I was particularly excited and curious to see how the Silk…
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London Gems: Fortnum & Mason Afternoon Tea
There are things you can do in London that are very similar to other major tourist destinations, like shopping, sightseeing or checking out latest trendy bar or restaurant. And there are experiences that are very specific to Britain and afternoon tea is one of them. You probably already know that tea is a big part of British culture and should not be treated lightly! Just Google ‘aftenoon tea London’ and you will end up with over 3 million search results! Personally, I am a huge fan of the afternoon tea. There is something very refined and classy about the etiquette of the British afternoon tea: from serving exotic tea blends in exquisite tea…
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Stylist Live 2016: A Festival of Inspiration and Creativity
If you live in the UK, you probably have come across a free women’s lifestyle magazine Stylist. From fashion and beauty to career and travel, Stylist covers all the important questions a girl may have. Every week I get a free copy at my underground station and it makes such a good companion on a busy journey to work. I heard about annual Stylist Live festival before but this year I decided to check it out myself. Plus, a four-day program of 150+ talks and workshops on everything from how to mix tea and apply a perfect make-up to how to create a perfect winter wardrobe or launch your own business looked…
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A Day in Londoner’s Life: Oxo Tower Restaurant and Shard
This was a special weekend, my hubby and I celebrated our mini wedding anniversary. To mark the occasion we decided to do something special. After all, if you don’t spoil yourself, who else will?! The two parts for our Saturday afternoon were a brunch at the fabulous Oxo Tower Restaurant on the South Bank. Oxo Tower Restaurant Located at the top of the Oxo tower, the restaurant has amazing views of the Thames River and London skyline setting a great scene for relaxed brunching. Apart from the quieter and more relaxed restaurant, there is also a brasserie and bar. We opted for a set 3-course menu, which looked and sounded amazing!…
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London Gems: Land of the Lions ‘Lands’ in the London Zoo
I have a confession to make. As an animal lover and someone who considers herself a Londoner, I haven’t been to the London Zoo until now. On a warm sunny March afternoon, I have finally set my foot on its territory and embraced the feeling of childhood. The reason for such excitement was the new Land of the Lions 2,500-square meter exhibit that just opened at the London Zoo. This breath-taking exhibit transports visitors from London’s city jungle to Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Sasan-Gir) in Gujarat, India. It provides a unique opportunity to meet up close and personal Asiatic lions and learn more about their natural habitat. Within…
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London Gems: 2016 Magical Lantern Festival
Chinese New Year celebrations may be over, but there is a secret place in London where you can relive them all over again until 6 March. Tucked away in Chiswick House & Gardens, the Magical Lantern Festival is an extravaganza of lights, culture, music and art. It takes you on a magical journey through gardens’ hidden paths exploring various themes and revealing 50 giant artistic lantern installations. Without going to China, festival visitors can explore 2000-year tradition of celebrating the arrival of the lunar new year. Something I didn’t know before coming here is that in China lantern making has turned into a true craftsmanship. Reflecting rich Chinese cultural heritage lanterns became more…
