Elemis Day Spa

Image courtesy of www.vanityfair.com

The onset of winter is appearing and you’re starting to feel a little under the weather, so why not pick yourself up at one of London’s top spas where you will be treated with warmth and a rejuvenating treatment or two.  Escape the mundane at one of these spas:

The Sanctuary – www.thesanctuary.co.uk
One of London’s best known spas, The Sanctuary opened its doors in Covent Gardens over 30 years ago, originally a place of relaxation for the Royal Opera House female dancers. This women’s only spa contains an Atrium Pool complete with swing, the Koi Carp Lounge or Snooze room and Spa Restaurant for a light snack, along with dozens of treatment rooms.  Spa days promise to relax, revitalise and rejuvenate guests, and for those who would like to recreate the experience at home, there is a range of luxurious Sanctuary products on offer. 

Elemis Day Spa – http://www.elemis.com/dayspa/
The Elemis Day Spa, located off Bond Street, is for men and women wishing to escape the pressures of every day life.  The spa has a vast menu of luxurious treatments using therapies from Bali, Tibet, Japan, Morocco, Thailand and Polynesia. There are no saunas, pools or Jacuzzis only sumptuous treatments.  You will find yourself escaping to an exotic land complete with ‘Jasmine Lulur Therapy’, ‘Hawaiian Wave Four Hands Massage’, ‘Aroma Stone Therapy’, and the 4.5 hr ‘Balinese Ceremony of Reverence’, all in the comfort of your own suite.  

Kuno Tierra – http://www.kunotierra.com/
A boutique London spa, Kuno Tierra has two locations hidden in Chelsea and the West End and is a celebrity favourite.  This spa has a Middle Eastern theme with a modern approach, using pure, pharmaceutical grade ingredients in their treatments.  The ‘Brightening Oxygen Facial’ is one of the most popular treatments resulting in moisture levels increasing by 85% to leave your skin glowing. For an extraordinary experience, it is worth indulging in the Princess Pamper spa package.

Adam Street Private Members' Club

Adam Street Club is an oasis within central London. Located in the below street level vaults between Covent Garden and Embankment, this private member’s club provides a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere complete with restaurant, bar, library, meeting rooms and dance floor.  It caters to the self-employed, creatives and entrepreneurs providing a workspace by day and an entertainment venue by night. 

The ambiance is very much one of laid-back, cool with creative agents, journalists, writers and freelancers making this place their office.  There is plenty of networking going on at the bar and a selection of cocktails on offer, including the club cocktail, the Oliver Twist.

In the restaurant, the mood is slightly more formal as modern British dishes are served.  It is open to the public for lunch and is a great place to entertain friends and business partners.  For a more relaxed atmosphere, food is also served in the bar area.

Events are held within the club throughout the week and on Friday and Saturday nights a DJ adds his tunes to the party mix.

For entrepreneurs, freelancers and writers, the Adam Street Private Members’ Club is a great place to get some work done, meet new people and have some fun. 

Memberships are upon application and there is a joining fee in addition to the annual subscription.  www.adamstreet.co.uk

Paul Gauguin-Tahitian Women on the Beach

The Gauguin exhibition which opened today at the Tate modern is a must see for all art enthusiasts. The exhibition features paintings and drawings from around the globe, promising a colourful journey into the life and Post Impressionist work of Gauguin, the artist. Gustave Arosa, Gauguin’s guardian and owner to a large collection of art works introduced Gauguin to the world of art at an early age, which ignited his passion for painting. Gauguin became multitalented in several art forms including painting, sculpture, printmaking and ceramics. He later left a lucrative career as a stockbroker after the great market crash in 1882 to pursue his love of the arts.

In 1891 he completely abandoned his family to satisfy a thirst for global travel in far off exotic lands and distinguish himself as a professional painter. Gauguin resided mainly in the South pacific on a remote part of the island where he engrossed himself entirely in the studies of island life, its culture and its inhabitants of Polynesian women. It is here that Gauguin’s most famous works were born. On May 19th 1903 Gauguin died of a heart attack due to drug related issues in the Marquesas in the French Polynesia.

Gauguin’s paintings are rich with exotic undertones coloured with a palette of deep ocean blues, tropical flower pinks and passionate crimsons.

When you view his vast collection of works you will be immediately transported to that calm and peaceful place in the island sun where life is simple and sensual.

A must see in the capital the Gauguin exhibition is showing at the Tate Modern from September 30th – January 16th the best way to shake off those autumn leaves!

London Fashion Weekend

London Fashion Week has now ended and the models have headed off to Milan for the next series of catwalk shows. If you were unable to attend the shows and are more concerned about your wardrobe for the coming months than Spring 2011, then venture out to Somerset House for the Vodafone London Fashion Weekend. The show opened last night with a limited number of tickets on sale for fashionistas eager to get their hands on special finds.

London Fashion Weekend showcases over 100 top designer labels including Ducie, Sass & Bide, Mawi, DKNY Jeans, Beatrix Ong, Pauric Sweeney, Juicy Couture, Angel Jackson, Twenty8Twelve, Olivia Rubin, House of Harlow 1960, French Sole and Donna Ida – all at incredibly discounted prices, up to 70% off! This is your opportunity to buy stunning designer accessories, jewellery and ready to wear, the hottest trends for A/W 2010 at a fraction of the price.

Over the weekend you can view catwalk shows, have your hair done by a Toni & Guy stylist, a make over by Elizabeth Arden or chill out with a glass of champagne! The show takes place Thursday 23 September – Sunday 26 September and tickets cost from £12.50 – £37.50.

Image courtesy of www.vendenty.com

Pineapple Dance Studios

With ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ back on our TV screens, it is likely that you are getting dance fever and can’t wait to get on the dance floor. If you are feeling a bit rusty or would like to expand your repertoire, head down to the famed Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Gardens.

Founded by Debbie Moore in 1979, Pineapple Dance Studios offer 30 dances classes a day and over 200 classes a week, providing the widest variety of dance classes in Europe covering all levels from absolute beginners to professionals. You will be spoilt with choice with classical ballet, street jazz, contemporary, hip hop and lindy-hop to Egyptian and Bollywood on offer, all taught by top-class renowned instructors.

The studios have become a famous fixture in central London and offer fabulous facilities where many of the west end shows, singers and bands rehearse, and auditions to the shows take place. You might even spot Kylie Minogue or Madonna rehearsing in one of the 10 studios.

Pineapple Dance Studios have also risen to fame with their recent reality TV show. There is also a clothing line so if you don’t make it to the classes you can at least buy the t-shirt!

For further information visit www.pineapple.uk.com

Hakkasan Restaurant

Hidden in the basement, off a back street near Tottenham Court Road, Hakkasan is a pleasant surprise when you do eventually find it.  This elite central London restaurant and bar offers exquisite food and a sublime ambiance. 

As you descend the dimly lit stairs to the reception, you are greeted by a friendly team of hostesses that lead you to a table in the intimate setting of dark wood and modern décor mixed with traditional Chinese motifs.

The first Chinese restaurant to be awarded a Michelin Star, Hakkasan does not disappoint. The Dim Sum is one of the best in London with a superb selection of tasty dishes and inventive cocktails. 

Hakkasan is an enjoyable experience and perfect for special occasions or business meetings, though you will need a reservation to ensure you get a table.

Pop Up Cinema - The Cineroleum

Who would have thought a petrol station could be entertaining?  Well this summer a hand-built pop up cinema, the Cineroleum, has transformed a derelict petrol station on Clerkenwell Road into a cinematic experience. 

Reflective of the trend to showcase films in unusual places, the Cineroleum has been built by young artists, designers and architects using primarily donated and found materials.  The unique interiors include curtains made of roofing insulation, wooden flip-down chairs from scaffolding boards and a discarded screen from the National Theatre.

You can expect to see off-beat classics including Barbarella, Rebel Without a Cause, Night of the Living Dead, Metropolis and more.

The latest in a growing trend of pop up culture, the Cineroleum is only open until 12 September and tickets are selling out fast, no wonder at only £5 per person.  Visit www.cineroleum.co.uk to book your tickets.

Hummingbird Bakery Cupcakes

As you stroll down Portbello Road en route to the famous Portobello Market, you may find yourself outside of the Hummingbird Bakery.  The queues outside of the Notting Hill bakery are a clue to the popularity of this American owned establishment.  It’s colourful and fun décor is inviting though be warned seating is limited especially on weekends.

The concept behind the Hummingbird Bakery is to bring authentic and original American style cupcakes, cakes, pies and cookies to London.  The Red Velvet cupcake is the most popular ‘deep red vanilla cake with a light taste of chocolate, topped with cream cheese frosting’ – who could resist.  And for the chocolate lovers the Chocolate Devil’s Food Cake is an absolute must.  All cupcakes are made with natural ingredients and free-range eggs, so they must be good for you!  Perhaps not so healthy but incredibly tasty are the decadent frosted brownies, pecan pie, Mississippi mud pie and chocolate chunk cookies!

 The Hummingbird Bakery has expanded, with new locations in Kensington and Soho, so if you are out enjoying your day in London why not stop for a delicious treat. 

For all you die hard fans, you can now recreate the experience at home with the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook.  Visit www.hummingbirdbakery.com

Ping Pong Emirates Stadium

In the spirit of the upcoming London Olympics 2012, the mayor and Sebastian Coe are keen to get the city of London active.  Ping! is the perfect solution with 100 ping-pong tables placed around the city, young and old can enjoy the lost sport of table tennis.  The tables are free to use and bats and balls are supplied.  Ping! is located across London from Soho Square to Westfield Shopping Centre, Tate Britain to the British Library and St Pancras International to Heathrow Airport, Terminal 3.

The project is supported by Sport England’s Innovation Fund and is the brain child of Colette Hiller of the Sing London arts group.  Ping Pong is an irresistibly fun game and is a superb way of gaining mass participation across the city.  It is a sociable game that also allows for a bit of stress release and some laughter.  

In addition to the ad hoc games, a series of master-classes and competitions have been set up such as ‘Passport to PINGland’, ‘Literary Ping Pong Quiz’, ‘Smash The City’ and ‘Sing n Ping’.  Celebrities and artists are also getting involved in the challenge;   Boris Johnston, Charles Saatchi and wife Nigella Lawson, Damien Hirst, Tracy Emin and more. 

Pick up your bat, the tables are only here until 22 August!

London Olympics 2012 - 2 Years to Go

Two years today, the London Olympics 2012 will kick off with the Opening Ceremonies.  To announce the 2 year countdown and celebrate the achievements so far, Sebastian Coe, LOCOG Chair and London Mayor, Boris Johnston along with top athletes Sir Chris Hoy, Michael Johnson and John Amaechi were at the various venues of the Olympic Park.

The anticipation of the London Olympics 2012 is growing especially now that progress on the venues construction is evident.  The Velodrome is almost complete and will finish ahead of schedule.  Sir Chris Hoy was the first person to cycle in the Velodrome followed by Mayor, Boris Johnston riding Hoy’s bike and in the Basketball Arena, former NBA star John Amaechi was shooting hoops.

Olympic gold medallist, Michael Johnson demonstrated his sprinting skills on a temporary track that was placed in the Olympic Stadium which is well under way.  Michael raced against local school children, most of whom beat him to the finishing line, not something that happens often!

The excitement is building and the London 2012 Olympic Organising Committee are encouraging the UK public to start planning for the games now.  Residents in the UK can register their interest in buying tickets for the various events on the London Olympics website.

A volunteer programme has been launched requiring up to 70,000 ‘London 2012 Games Makers’.  Today the Mayor launched the ‘London Ambassador’ programme which will require 8,000 volunteers to meet and greet visitors to the capital.

To get in on the action at this once in a lifetime event and for further information, visit www.london2012.com