August Newsletter
Service of the month
Shopping concierge service tested out by Fabric Magazine
Post holiday blues can be tough enough without the sight of an empty fridge to add to your woes. But not this year. Taking pre-emptive action, we called in a lifestyle manager who will run domestic errands on your behalf, including shopping for groceries or waiting in for and unpacking online supermarket deliveries. Andrea Osborne runs cushion the impact, a concierge company based in Angel. After an initial chat on the phone we gave her the brief – a mixture of comfort foods and health snacks waiting for us on out jet-lagged return. We sent her our keys and a shopping list along with instructions about the foibles about of our front door. Fast forward a week, we return home and there it is: a packed fridge that fills us with a smug glow. ….
Go
Plan a winter break and get a bargain at Princes Street Suites in Edinburgh. From 1st October 2010 through to 19th November 2010 1 bedroom apartment @ £125.00 including bottle of wine and continental breakfast (subject to availability)
Out for a bite and enjoy the vampire double bill at Somerset House as part of the Film4Summer Screen (July 28-August 8). Wrap up and snuggle up and enjoy ‘80s teen schlock horror ‘The Lost Boys’ then stay on for sombre vampire chiller ‘Let the Right One In’. If you do take a picnic it wouldn’t hurt to go heavy on the garlic in the dips…
Do
something with the children. Hugely popular BBC children’s television show ‘In the Night Garden’ tours the country this summer and is in London at The 02, August 14-30
You have a good throwing arm? Test it out at UK Mobile Phone Throwing Championships 2010 We’re not sure that you will be allowed to throw annoying mobile phone users! Sat 14th August at Battersea Park Athletics Track.
You wonder where the time goes? Anna Davis of Balanced Mum in Edinburgh could help you find out. In her new course in September she’ll be covering: understanding your priorities; getting organized; getting it all done. P.S You don’t have to be a Mum…
See
Mission:Explore London is a new, innovative way for the whole family to explore the capital. Just in time for the summer holidays, Mission:Explore London includes over 1,000 missions for children to complete in central London, as well as ones that can be done anywhere in the world. Missions rang from standing in Covent Garden, pointing upwards and seeing how many people will also look up to encouraging children to use perspective while taking photographs. Having had a cursory look through the site, missions seem to be free and are aimed at making children (and their adult companions) looking at the world in different ways. While many are nominally London orientated they could take place anywhere in the world. Some good ideas here (although I am not convinced by the ‘spotting obese dogs on an estate which bans the exercising of dogs’).
If you’re coming to Edinburgh for the Festival then This is My Edinburgh is a very useful site. There’s even an app you can download for your phone which is a guide to the city and some of its well kept secrets. Of course if you want the personal touch call our Scottish Office 01506 631795 we’ll be happy to advise of where to go and what to see.
Buy
A non fattening teacake and treat yourself to bag from Gillian Kyle (I like the bag and the tasty morsel but my teeth melt at the thought of eating one.) There are cool t-shirts and aprons too.
Beautiful home decoration soft furnishings and fabrics from Voyage Decoration. We love the Cedric’s Friends Collection- perfect for the wee people in your lives.
Eat
a picnic while enjoying Glyndebourne Opera on the high definition big screen at Somerset House. Pack a picnic basket or pre-order one of Somerset House’s Fortnum & Mason hampers 0845 300 1707. Picnics range from a Cool Bag for 2 people (£40) to a portable Champagne Reception which serves 6-10 people (£225). There is no fixed seating in the courtyard so bring your own rugs, blankets and small cushions to sit on (no chairs, or portable furniture – inflatable or otherwise). Rugs and cushions will also be available to buy at Somerset House. Don’t forget thermals, sunscreen and an umbrella (says the cynic). Tickets on 0844 847 2317 or call us. Billy Budd – Friday, 20th August; The Rake’s Progress – Saturday, 21st August; Hansel and Gretel – Sunday, 22nd August.
A new personal favourite – the tiny local Spanish tapas restaurant the size of a front room! Del Parc, 167 Junction Road, Tufnell Park, London, N19 5PZ – Tel: 020 7281 5684 (booking advisory). We let the chef’s recommend the tapas we ate. We three foodies almost drooled, it was so delicious. Had it not been for the fact we weren’t the only ones in the same state, it might have been embarrassing behaviour! One word of warning – tell them to stop bringing food as the dishes kept coming. With a bottle of tasty Catalan white wine, plus starters (we’ll skip these next time) the bill came to £130 and we could barely move. Go!
Website of the Month: Recycle your clothing and be chic with it… www.clothesagency.com celebrity clothing, big name designer brands, vintage jewellery, it’s all here. Being eco friendly has never been more fashionable.
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