August Newsletter (in case you missed it)
Service of the Month:
Are you taking time off in the summer? How will it affect your business? Maybe we can help you have a better time and relax properly while you’re on holiday. Have a look at our Business Holiday Checklist or give us a call to see how we can help you get the most from your break.
GO
Somewhere completely random and amazing! If you want to go away and don’t mind where, have a look at Secret Escapes. The website features bargainous hotel deals both in the UK and abroad but you need to be quick as each offer only lasts a few days. When you view a deal, you get general information on where it is and what you’ll be getting but you won’t know exactly where you’re going until you’ve booked. If you can’t bear secrets, a quick search on Google will probably give you a good idea of the secret identity! As we type, Secret Escapes includes 70% off a Central London 4* hotel, a holiday in Sardinia and a 5*spa holiday in Crete.
To the Olympic Park using the Pier to Park service. Ok, so this isn’t one for getting a break from the Olympics but it is a fantastic way to get there. Woods’ Silver Fleet and Water Chariots will be running a water transfer service between London piers and Olympic Park for the duration of the games. The luxury river taxi will transport up to 12 people to the Games in a luxurious manner; you’ll arrive in style surrounded by Matthew Hilton interior design, limited edition Damian Hirst artwork and Swarovski Crystal settings. It certainly beats pushing your way onto an over-crowded tube. Details are available from Silver Fleet by email or by calling 020 7759 1900.
DO
Treat yourself to a gorgeous maternity dress for that wedding or formal event. No one wants to spend a fortune on a maternity dress which they will only wear once or twice but that doesn’t mean that expectant and breastfeeding mothers can’t look fantastic. The clever people at Hire Expectations have created a stunning range of dresses available to rent for that special occasion. A gorgeous gown made by the likes of Isabella Oliver, Butter by Nadia and Crave can be yours for a while so you and your bump can be belle of the ball!
Remember to check the latest travel information before you attempt to go anywhere! Rush hour Tubes will seem like a luxury if you try to travel during peak Games times so keep an eye on Get Ahead of the Games and TfL updates and plan your journeys carefully. Both have Twitter accounts for easy access to up to date information; @GAOTG and @TfLOfficial. Each Tube line also has a separate Twitter account which is also worth checking out.
SEE
The sights of the Notting Hill Carnival. The biggest (and best?) street fair in Europe will be hitting the streets on 26th and 27th August, transforming trendy Notting Hill into a stunning display of colour, music and Afro-Caribbean culture. We defy you not to be swept up in the party atmosphere as the steel bands play their way through W11, accompanied by hundreds of brightly- dressed costumed dancers and entertainers. Calypso, Steel Drum and Samba will feature on the playlist from 9am to around 7pm both days. Sunday is Children’s Day, while Monday will be geared more towards adult visitors. Make sure to check out disruptions to roads and public transport before you set off
The theatre adaptation of childhood favourite, The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Those of us of a certain age will remember being read this story when we were tiny and may even read it to our own children today. The show is at at the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, why not introduce it to your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins, neighbours….any excuse will do! Tickets normally cost £12.50 and £15.50 but best available tickets are currently on special offer at £10.
BUY
The Princess bed you always dreamed of! Sadly, you are probably too big to enjoy the furniture small girls dream of but you can provide it for your own little Princess. You cannot go wrong with this wooden sleigh bed from The Teeny Tiny Wooden Toy Company. If a pink bed isn’t your child’s cup of tea, there are tons of excellent wooden toys and gifts available on the website. We love the retro games and dominoes.
This amazing, limited-edition Strawberries & Cream bell tent. At £495, it might not be cheap but it is the only way we will ever consider camping! Summer has been a bit of a washout so far but forecasts suggest that we may get a mini-heat wave yet and we can just picture ourselves sitting in this fabulous tent, surrounded by sumptuous cushions and soft throws, sipping a drink and enjoying our countryside surroundings. Maybe…
EAT
On the Thames with Jamie Oliver. The much-loved celebrity chef has teamed up with Silver Sturgeon to offer a range of lunch, dinner or afternoon tea on board one of the most luxurious Thames cruisers. As well as enjoying some delicious British food, diners will be treated to musical entertainment and views of iconic London landmarks. What better way to mark such an iconic year in British history? Private tables can be booked for a more romantic experience. The Fabulous Feast cruises will run every weekend from Friday 7th September until Sunday 30th December and advance booking is essential.
Great vegetarian food at the Gate Restaurants in Hammersmith and Islington. Anyone who has ever tried to eat out as a vegetarian will be all too aware of just how difficult it can be to find great food. The Gate have recently opened their second vegetarian gastro-pub in Islington (yay!), where the food is so good that even the most dedicated meat-eater will be satisfied (Andrea will report back)
