OUT OF OFFICE February 17, 2010 FASHION STILLS AT SOFITEL ST JAMES In honour of Fashion Week, Sofitel St James’s is hosting a photo exhibition, a poignant vision of the fashion world through the lenses of famous fashion snappers who have captured unique instants from the secretive world of haute couture, including behind the scenes shots at Dior, Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier [...]
The good times are rolling again February 17, 2010 IT’S been a rough couple of years for restaurants, many of whom – beginning life bright-eyed and bushy-tailed – were stopped in their tracks by the credit crunch. High-gloss French restaurant Ambassade de L’ile and swanky Japanese restaurant Aaya were two casualties, along with Nobu’s sister restaurant Ubon in Canary Wharf. But it’s a far cheerier [...]
She’s far more than just a (legal) blonde: a star is born February 16, 2010 MEETING Sheridan Smith, the 28-year old star of the smash hit Legally Blonde: The Musical, is rather like a game of hide and seek. Or, as it turns out, a treasure hunt. For the former star of such television gems as Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of?Crisps and Gavin and?Stacey, has gone awol. [...]
Planning is key to finding a good nanny February 16, 2010 THE most important thing is planning the process very carefully, and leaving yourself lots of time to make a good selection. Tricia Pritchard of the union for educational professionals, Voice (www.voicetheunion.org.uk), which represents nannies, says that all too often people make the wrong decision because they rush it. “The nanny from hell scenario is very [...]
OUT OF OFFICE February 16, 2010 FLAMENCO FESTIVAL AT SADLER’S WELLS The crПme de la crПme of Spain’s flamenco talent should not be missed during this two-week festival. The maestros of the dance form, including the world-renowned company Nuevo Ballet EspaЦol, will be in situ alongside the famous Eva Yerbabuena performing her latest show, Lluvia (Rain) – inspired by the poetry [...]
The best way to get around town February 16, 2010 THE Italians have known it for decades, and there was a moment in the Sixties when the British youth cottoned on too – when it comes to motorised transport, there is nothing cooler than a scooter. It took the Japanese to turn this convenient, two-wheeled style statement into something sleek, modern and ultra-dynamic – the [...]
How City high achievers are tapping into fresh energy February 15, 2010 I’M lying in a citrus-scented room near Spitalfields market, a moist herbal mask over my face and eyes. Tinkling oriental music is playing, and a woman in a white, clinical uniform is seated in front of a big orange screen at the front of the room, with a microphone affixed to her head, encouraging us [...]
INNER PEACE LEADS TO PRODUCTIVITY | OTHER RESOURCES IN LONDON February 15, 2010 The Art of Meditation at the Bishopsgate Institute Modern living is crying out for meditation, a tool that can help you develop a relaxed, alert and focused state of mind and bring about a gentle transformation of emotional experience. This course will introduce the practice of meditation and explore ways of integrating its benefits into [...]
Missing the mark in museum land February 15, 2010 AUBREY, the restaurant of The Kensington Hotel, is named after Aubrey de Vere, who I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you was a middle-ranking medieval baron and chum of William the Conqueror. He netted himself the estate of Kensington after the Norman Conquest, according to the Domesday book. Back then, the estate was [...]
THREE OTHER KENSINGTON RESTAURANTS February 15, 2010 BABYLON Sitting seven floors up atop the Kensington Roof Gardens, Babylon has some pretty splendid views out over West London – and indeed over the gardens’ flamingo pond – to distract you from its stonkingly expensive menu. There’s jazz on Thursday evenings. The Roof Gardens, 99 Kensington High Street, W8 5ED. www.roofgardens.virgin.com. CASA BRINDISA There’s [...]