Countdown to Christmas 2012

Love it or loathe it, with Halloween and Guy Fawkes well behind us, the gallop towards Christmas has well and truly begun. Personally, this is my favourite time of year, so even if you're feeling a bit more Scrooge than Santa hopefully this run-down of all the fun we'll be having in Fulham over the next month will get you into the spirit.

December sees party season really kicking off in earnest, and this year there are PLENTY of options to choose from.

If you just can't wait until the advent count down begins, you can get into the spirit early with Tales Under The Tree at Barts. This location is the perfect cosy hideaway for mulled wine, warm cider, carols and of course a bit of Christmas culture with the speakeasy's book club. Once story time is over, join the regulars in Secret Santa and an Xmas team photo. It all kicks off from 7:30 on November 28th.

Next up,  on Saturday December 1st, the Brompton Bar and Grill have teamed up with Bloodshot Vodka to host the Bad Santa Brunch. Your £10 ticket will keep you entertained from 12-5pm, with DJs, live acts, a christmas gift market, and a very merry Christmas feast followed by carols in Santa's grotto. Don't forget the dress theme: anything that glitters and glows.

The Brompton Bar & Grill
243 Brompton Road
London SW3 2EP

If you're looking for a truly kitsch Christmas, there's only one place to be and that's celebrating Buon Natale with Bunga Bunga. Throughout December, there'll be karaoke carols, turkey pizzas, fiery Italian mulled wine and potted Christmas tree cocktails to get you feeling festive - plus guests can send complimentary cheesy Christmas postcards to their friends - much better than the usual M&S fare!

Throughout December

Bunga Bunga
37 Battersea Bridge Road
London SW11 3BA

It may be pretty frosty outside, but that's all the better when you're visiting Elk Bar's Winter Wonderland. They've transformed their garden into a veritable mini Lapland, replete with icicles, Christmas trees and even a few of Santa's reindeer friends. They'll be serving up a special festive menu from the smoke pit (the venison Deer Porker sounds delicious) to be washed down with some wintry cocktails such as the Butterscotch Schnapps Hot Chocolate. Sounds like an ideal way to ease yourself into those cold December nights.

Elk Bar
587-591 Fulham Road
London SW6 5UB

If memories of last year's office party have got you off the sauce throughout December, there are plenty of low-key festive options in the borough for shoppers and culture vultures alike.

I can't think of a location more suited to traditional Christmas cheer than the beautiful Fulham Palace. They've got a full schedule of events to look forward to including a pantomime performance of Sleeping Beauty on December 9th, a Carol Service in the Chapel on the 14th and kids can visit Santa in his Grotto on the weekend of 1-2nd December. The grade-1 listed Palace also provides the perfect picturesque backdrop for a traditional Victorian Christmas, from 7pm on December 11th. There will be carols, 19th century songs and a traditional Mummer's Play - the forerunner to the pantomime. Good, old-fashioned fun for all the family!

For some unique last-minute gifts and a much more civilised shopping experience, pop by the Andara Christmas Fair being hosted at The Durrell on December 17th. From noon to 9pm, entry is complimentary, and inside you'll find a carefully curated selection of beautiful gift options from up and coming businesses, ranging from handmade home accessories, to gorgeous jewellery, fashion, lifestyle and pantry items.

And finally, if even the thought of the C word is making your skin crawl, you can still pass a perfectly pleasant evening without being subjected to fairy lights and over-sung carols. Del Aziz are continuing their Thursday jazz  and bossa nova evenings, for example. Settle in with one of their legendary tagines and listen to the warm and soft tones of Mel Pashova as she sings jazz standards mixed with a hint of Latin on December 6th, or perhaps take in some authentic Brazilian flavour with Jandira Silva on the 20th. On the 13th, Helen Burnett graces the stage with a mix of recognisable and lesser-known jazz tunes, whilst for some post-Christmas cheer you can pop in to see Josephine Arthur on the 27th. Her voice has been described as like 'bathing in chocolate' - the perfect thing to enjoy with Del Aziz's beautiful selection of desserts then!

Del Aziz
22-32 Vanston Place, nr Fulham Broadway
London SW6 1AX

Absolute Pilates in Parsons Green

There are a wealth of fitness fads in SW6 where you can try to beat the bulge, whether you are a bikram yogi or powerplate princess there is so much choice it's hard to know where to begin. Pilates is something that I have always loved and one of the few exercises I actually enjoy and look forward to, however it's not the most instantly effective method and requires patience and lots of practice. 

I was apprehensive about trying Absolute Pilates in Parsons Green as one previous session elsewhere with a reformer had left me sore and unable to sit down for days, however the boutique little studio on Heathman's Lane soon became my regular post work pit stop. The studio has a spa like quality with a comfortable lounge area, glossy magazines and relaxed atmosphere. The staff and other members were really friendly and welcoming which made a refreshing change to some of the other die hard 'clubby' feel places in the area. 

I started with the beginners sessions and was really impressed by Tom the instructor, he was gentle and calming, always eager to help in a non patronizing way and really explained the ethos and practice behind pilates on reformers. This ranged from the 'wide' breathing to the importance of protecting our muscles and backs in every day movements. 

Having grasped the basic concept I attended an intermediate class and was instantly taken aback by how hard it was, but how slim and toned everyone else in the class was (always a good sign). The range of movements were extremely testing and before long I was sweating and my muscles shaking from a series of planks and squats on the reformer. It was then I realised why all the other people in the class were in such good shape, it's a real workout! Luckily for me the instructor of this class was not only embarrassingly attractive but also very helpful and discreetly helped me where needed without making me feel like a fitness fraud.

I stick by my statement that Pilates is one of the only forms of exercise I actively look forward to and Absolute Pilates is no exception, it's the perfect combination of stretching, toning, fat burning and relaxing. They also offer spinning classes, private sessions and massage - all tucked away in peaceful Parsons Green.They offer a free trial session so book in to a beginners class and see what you think!

www.absolutepilatesplus.com 
020 7731 3704
info@absolutepilatesplus.com

Murder in Notting Hill

All Hallow’s eve seemed like an appropriate time to travel back in time to solve a mystery decades old. So, whilst most people were downing cocktails and  dressing up as sexy pumpkins, Jimmy Saville and a host of other ghoulish things, the ARP of Notting Hill and Knighstbridge took to their trusty steeds (by which I mean their bikes) and set off into the cold night with murder on our minds.

                The guys at Bikeminded teamed up with the fantastically innovative Exquisite Folly once again to take us on a cycle tour of Notting Hill with a spooky twist. Transported back into wartime London, we were interrupted on one of our air-raid rounds by an Inspector and his bumbling sidekick. Much to the annoyance of our lead warden we were invited to the scenes of three mysterious deaths, all of which had mysterious parallels. Why was a patriotic pensioner found shot dead at the bottom of the canal by Kensal town? How did a young volunteer find herself crushed beneath the buildings at St Charles hospital? Why did the wounds found on a beautiful car crash victim not much the events of the accident? Why on earth were they all carrying cyanide capsules and just what ghoulish spirit inhabits the old war rooms at the Tabernacle?

                The cycle tour was entertaining, interesting and as always, highly innovative. Exquisite Folly has a very small cast who also had to try travel with us from location to location, all the while maintaining their characters, ensuring our safety and battling traffic, all of which they did admirably. The story was engaging and perfectly constructed to make use of local landmarks and the conditions of the season (bitingly cold!) Goodness knows how much meticulous organisation went on behind the scenes to make it happen but Bikeminded pulled it off again – a fabulous concept and a great way to get people into cycling.

For more details of upcoming Bikeminded events visit www.bikeminded.org

For more information on Exquisite Folly you can visit their site here.

Back to Wax

Having abandoned waxing in my impoverished, straight-out-of-uni days in favour of chronically slow, painful but, most importantly, cheap hair removal with my not-so-trusty Braun epilator, I had long been on the look-out for an inexpensive wax bar in Fulham. There are loads of flashy options out there, but the prices always far exceeded what I had been used to paying at my small-city university (isn’t it always the way) and I’m afraid I balked at paying £40 at more for a leg wax when I knew I could do it for free, if painfully and imperfectly, at home.

But home hair removal is a pain, isn’t it? The wax strips don’t work, epilation is painful (and patchy), and shaving and veet creams are just too short-term. Going to a salon is quick, easy and despite the pain you feel like you’re being pampered, and when you get into a good natter with the beautician time just flies. I was reminded of all the beauties of salon waxing when I visited the Wax Bar Fulham last week. 

Haseena, the warm and chatty beautician, has been practising around Fulham for almost a decade and a few months ago set up her cosy salon on Jerdan Place. Tucked away above a male grooming parlour, stepping off the cobbles it’s a mini sanctuary from the bustle of daily life. A real wax enthusiast - Haseena also teaches beauty students locally, so she’s a bit of an expert – my legs were as bald (and soft) as a baby’s bottom before I knew it. The environment was warm, clean and cosy and Haseena is incredibly easy to get along with, as well as being very professional. She makes sure you’re comfortable, gives you lots of friendly advice on aftercare and generally makes you feel pampered. Wax Bar Fulham also offers eyelash and eyebrow tints, so Haseena can cover many of your beauty needs in one appointment.

Best of all, the prices are incredibly reasonable – a full leg wax is just £25 – and for SouthWestSix readers your first appointment is 25% cheaper again! Just quote the code SW601 when you make your booking. For a full price list visit www.waxbarfulham.com.

Wax Bar Fulham

1^st Floor

19 Jerdan Place

Fulham

London SW6 1BE

To make a booking you can get Haseena’s contact details here.

Getting the chop with Geronimo

Geronimo Inns have popped up thick and fast around Fulham and Chelsea. Our favourites include The Surprise, The Chelsea Ram and The Builders Arms, all of which offer a cosy country pub vibe in the heart of South West London. With over 20 pubs dotted around London they each have their own personal style whilst remaining deep rooted within their local communities. They say that when they are considered as a core part of the village, they know the pub really works. 

We were thrilled when Ray, the Director of food for Geronimo invited us to a bloggers evening to witness the 'carving' of an 11 month old Cornish reared lamb, not one for the faint-hearted but a lamb lovers dream. Not usually a massive fan of Lamb I was fascinated to hear Ray's words of wisdom on preparation, cooking and the various cuts and their different tastes. Clearly passionate about butchery and organically sourced produce Ray seemed somewhat disheartened about the demise of quality local independent butchers and butchery as a practice in the UK. 

                                                   

In Fulham we are lucky to have a couple of fantastic butchers, Randalls on Wandsworth Bridge Road is a favourite with the locals and prides itself on its superb service and expertise. Antonio Carluccio was quoted saying it was "one of the best butchers in London". 

During the show and tell session we heard about Geronimo's passion for its food, and it became evident that the heart of the company's ethos is in its stomach. Talking and drinking underway we began to tuck into the morsels of food that were being handed around, including liver and kidneys, which were surprisingly delicious!

We were really blown away by our main course, a boned leg of lamb stuffed with lentils and capers served with mayonnaise potatoes, pearl barley and red cabbage - the perfect dish on a cold winter's evening. Geronimo is hearty comforting food at its best, perfect for a long lunch at the weekend with a round a bloody mary's or two, and if lamb's on the menu, order it! 

Super Suda Thai

We're both massive fans of Thai cuisine, so forgive us for a moment if we venture out of South West London and review something a little further afield. My only excuse is that I often walk through St Martin's Courtyard on my lunch break (lots of SW6wers work near Covent Garden/Leicester Square, right?) and had long wanted to check out Suda Thai.

It's a large venue, with a bright, airy, contemporary and fun interior and a very extensive menu, so I had my fingers crossed for something out of the ordinary Thai fare. Starting with the crab and chicken 'firecrackers', I certainly got my wish. This twist on the humble crispy wonton had lots of interesting flavours and was served in an appealing set of preserve jars on a metal rack - I'm a sucker for good presentation. Sarah's starter was an interesting sea bass dish, served on a bed of crispy salad, with clean and fresh flavours.

Washed down with a crisp bottle of Fault Line Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, so far so good with the starters. The next course, however, was slightly a tale of two main courses. I had the Choo Chee Pla (sea bass in a red curry sauce, for those of us who don't speak Thai!), which I really enjoyed. The flavours were at once rich, intense, yet light and fresh - just as great Thai should be. However, the Krapao Gai (chicken with thai basil and spicy chili) was unfortunately a little plain. It is a classic Thai dish and it definitely wasn't bad, but the flavours were much more flat than they are when this dish is served at its best.

Nonetheless, there were plenty of smiles all round when it came to dessert. Both Sarah and I opted for the banana fritters (sometimes an oldie is a goodie) and these were exemplary. A large portion with a crispy batter and just the right amount of honey, and a refreshing dollop of vanilla ice cream, was just the thing to finish off the meal.

Suda Thai is definitely a good option whether you're in that part of town for an evening or theatre, or simply fancy a flavourful lunch out with colleagues. The menu is extensive and I'd definitely recommend opting for one of the more adventurous dishes. The service was really friendly, although quite casual (several different people waited our table throughout the evening), but I thought that lent to the informal and buzzy atmosphere.

SUDA Thai Cafe Restaurant
St Martin's Courtyard
off St Martin's Courtyard
Covent Garden
London WC2E 9AB

SW6 Fright Night

The evening's are getting darker, the temperatures have plummeted, and although summer never really arrived, winter is most definitely here. But, instead of getting depressed and hibernating, the run up to Christmas gives us lots of opportunities to party. First up: SW6 gets all spooky for all hallows eve. Here's a run down on some of your options for the freakiest day (make that week) of the year.

The folks over at Bikeminded RKBC are putting on another one of their much acclaimed cycle tours on Wednesday the 31st itself. This time they've teamed up again with Exquisite Folly theatre and invited us to solve a creepy mystery in their wartime whodunnit, whilst cycling around Notting Hill by moonlight. If the last cycle theatre tour I went on is anything to go by, this should be an entertaining and original way to spend Halloween itself - the acting is always surprising and engaging, and it's a fantastic way to explore the borough, whether you're an expert on your wheels or a teensy bit wobbly. Just don't forget your costume! Tickets available here. The early bird price is just £5, going up to £7 is a few days time.

The Brompton Bar & Grill have teamed up with Bloodshot Vodka to offer a suitably gory "Bloodshot Brompton Brunch" on Saturday the 27th October, from 12-5pm. With a personal 'bloodbath' on each table (it's a DIY Bloody Mary Bar, so much less hideous than it sounds!!), live music, top DJs and all sorts of delicious and devilish snacks available, the £10 ticket is worth every penny - plus there's plenty of time to continue the party afterwards! Bloodshot eyeball eggs, anyone?

The Brompton Bar & Grill
243 Brompton Road
London SW3 2EP
www.bromptonbarandgrill.com

Once you're suitably warmed up, there are plenty of options to give yourself an authentic fright night. Notting Hill's supperclub, for example, can always be relied upon for a decadent party. On the 26th and  27th, guests are invited to visit their Disco Slaughterclub, where the whole venue will be turned into a haunted house, full of spooky surprises and gory scenes. Explore if you dare, or simply lie back on your bed and let the disco maids and butlers serve you the "bloody corpse" menu whilst you dance to the beats of DJ Sancho Panza (Friday) and Femi Fem (Saturday). Tickets are available here

Supperclub
Halloween: 26th-27th October
12 Acklam Road,
W10 5QZ
http://www.supperclub.com/

If the journey to Notting Hill makes you quake in your boots, Maggie's Monster Mansion is a ghoulishly great options (sorry!) closer to home. Staying true to their 80s theme, Maggie's is promising a 'hair raising halloween fancy dress party with a retro twist'. Hosted by Beetlejuice, there will be ghostly girl dancers, deadly decor, toxic cocktails and a "Dead and Buried" dress code to match (No prizes to guess which recently deceased celebrity will feature most heavily!).  Entry is £20, and the night goes on until 3:30am.

MAGGIE’S
Saturday 27th October 2012
10:30pm – 3:30am
Entry £20
Maggie’s, 329 Fulham Road, London, Greater London, SW10 9QL
www.maggies-club.com

If you're still not inspired, the Barts Gruesome Twosome might get your beetlejuices flowing. Champagne will be the poison of choice at the Bart's Yelloween Party, on Saturday the 27th October. In association with Veuve Cliquot, this promises to be a decadent evening of dramatic décor  creepy costumes and fantastic fizzy deals.

On the night itself, head back to SW3 for an evening of twisted tales and spooky secrets. The Barts Book Club have hooked up with Roger Clarke, the author of 'A Natural History of Ghosts' for a reading, shocking tales of history's most gruesome hauntings and some bedtime stories certain to give you the shivers. With a Waterstone's voucher for the guest with the spookiest story to tell, you could give yourself nightmares all the way through November. 

BARTS GRUESOME TWOSOME

Barts
YELLOWEEN
Saturday 27th October 2012
FREE
6pm-1:30pm

TWISTED TALES AT BARTS
Wednesday 31st October
FREE
6pm - 1:30am

www.barts-london.com



If good old fancy dress and some devilish deals on Halloween grog is more your idea of a night well spent, the celebrations at Elk Bar could be just the ticket. Kicking off the festivities early, you can get the Green Candy Floss mojitos in for just £2.95 this Thursday, whilst the best fancy dress costume wins a bottle of champagne - guaranteeing that frightful feeling will last well into Friday morning! If you can handle it, head back on Saturday 27th for the big event. This time, your costume skillz could win your a £50 tab, and with a whole host of cocktail and shooter specials, free entry, and DJs from 8pm, the night will not only be great fun, but wickedly good value.

Elk Bar 
587 Fulham Road
London SW6 5UA

If the only thing giving you nightmares is your love life, Halloween at the Bluebird can help you find romance amongst the cob webs with their Halloween themed Speed Dating night. With plenty of punch and other spooky treats, even if you meet more Frankeinstein's than Prince Charming's you're guaranteed a great night. Tickets are £25 each, and include a complimentary glass of bubbles. Grab your entry now by emailing emilyb@danddlondon.com before they sell out!

The Bluebird
http://www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk/
350 King's Road
Chelsea SW3 5UU

Lastly, but definitely not least -you can always rely on The Jam Tree for a good party. Their Halloween bash is taking place on Friday 26th October, when DJ Greggy G will be on the decks for an evening of house music, frightening fancy dress and ghoulishly good drinks. Entry is free all night and the beats go on until late... Definitely a brilliant start to a big weekend

The Jam Tree
541 Kings Road
London SW6 2EB

Whatever you get up to, we hope you have a great night! Let us know how you get on....

All change...Fun New Faces for SW6

The last month has seen an array of new openings popping up on the leafy streets of SW6. Never to be outdone by its neighbouring boroughs, Fulham is constantly evolving and bolstering its street cred with a host of new haunts and hangouts. We love to suss out and sample an exciting new opening, all in the name of research naturally, and these new establishments have got our SouthWestSix seal of approval. 

Ping

So this one is not technically in SW6 but has been talked about until the cows come home so has squeezed onto the list. A re-design of the old Miss Q's site, the underground restaurant/bar/club has a scruffy chic decor and a unique focal point of three ping-pong tables. The cocktails are delicious and the pizza is glutinously indulgent, but you don't need to worry about the millions of calories because after dinner you can burn off the cheesy goodness with a game of ping-pong. Very kitch and very themed, the service still needs some attention but the concept is fab. 

The Brown Cow 

                                      

The Brown Cow is the newly opened younger sister of our local favourite The Sands End. Perfectly positioned on the Fulham Road between Parsons Green and the desirable Munster Village, it’s a local which is bound to become instantly popular. The cosy and relaxed gastro pub will offer a range of real ales and lagers, a seasonal menu and of course their famous scotch eggs. 

Boma Green 

     

Opened by the dishy duo behind Boma on Wandsworth Bridge Road, Boma Green is the new Kings Road kid on the block. Offering a creative cocktail menu, the front bar area is a lively and fun place to meet for drinks, whilst the back restaurant feels intimate and low-key. We would love there to be more places like this around SW6 and so hope this one is here to stay! 

DukeBox 

                                          

Knock us down and we’ll come back ten times stronger. This is certainly the case for the business- savvy brains behind PUBLIC. This non defeatist attitude paves way for their latest venture, DukeBox. Bound to be sexy and bound to be frequented by royals and the Made in Chelsea cast, it will be mere weeks before Fulham Road’s latest nightclub graces the social pages of the Evening Standard. We are heading to the opening party and will keep you posted...!

Babycham at Maggies 

                      

80s inspired and wonderfully naff boutique nightclub, Maggie’s, is bringing Babycham back with the launch of a bar dedicated to the ultimate 80s tipple, The Babycham Bar. From 80’s anthems and walls covered in Thatcher paraphernalia to waitresses dressed in leopard leggings and permed wigs, the Babycham Bar is another fantastically naughty notch on Maggie’s neon bedpost.

On Virgin Ground

Whoops! Who ate all the bruschetta...

For someone who fancies themselves a bit of a foodie - if only for the amount I eat, as opposed to any real  expertise - living within easy reach of the World's End is definitely a plus, as the last year or so has seen a range of openings, switcharounds and more on the restaurant scene. When Rosso Pomodoro shut, it left many of its fans disappointed, and the site lay empty for quite a few months... seemingly the recession's ubiquitous calling card, the empty shop front, had finally hit Chelsea. So it was as much relief as curiosity that I felt on seeing the builders move in to develop the World's End latest Italian venture: Terra Vergine.

Inspired by the Abruzzo region of Italy, the emphasis is on quality, natural and pure ingredients. The menu is diverse, although not too long, following the traditional structure of starters and pasta (normally a first course in Italy), followed by a selection of meat or fish dishes, and sides chosen separately. They definitely sit on the pricey and more sophisticated end of the spectrum, although the dishes are not overly complex or adventurous - the emphasis is on quality.

Sitting outside on one of August's rare sunny afternoons, I was certainly struck by the freshness of the vegetables adorning my bruschetta: set off with a crisp white wine, and a good dose of sunshine, I definitely felt a blissful Mediterranean vibe. Having whet our appetites, a generous helping of garlic and white wine seafood linguine (packed full of our sea-dwelling friends) and some lobster spaghetti managed to transport us almost completely - only the rattling of the number 11 bus going by managed us out of our reverie. Rounding off with a traditional Italian affogato (amaretto, espresso and vanilla ice-cream), we'd enjoyed a meal as good as you'd find anywhere on the Italian coast. However, we'd also spent a fair few pennies. Whilst Terra Vergine is not Chelsea's priciest Italian, it's not your cheapest option either. Definitely one for a date, rather than a wallet friendly option for a group of friends. It will be interesting to see how it fits in amongst the many other Italian options in the immediate area.

Terra Vergine
442 Kings Road, London SW10 0LQ

Dates for your diary: late August & September

The weather's perked up (for now, at least) and it seems at long last a slice of summer may have arrived. Here's our run down on the top Fulham events that will help you make of the Bank Holiday and beyond.

Take in some basement bar blues in the infamous absinthe bar at the elegant Brompton Bar and Grill, this Thursday 23rd of August. In collaboration with Nova Music, the wonderful Heard and Story will be performing a soulful mix of jazz, blues, soul and funk. With performances at 10pm, and 11:45pm, entrance is free, meaning many more pennies and pounds for champagne, and absinthe... if you're brave enough.

Drink, dine and dance the night away in style with a weekend of Carnival Chaos at supperclub, Notting Hill. There are 3 nights of top DJs, risque entertainment, and dining on decadent day beds, on Friday. Saturday and Sunday, and tickets from just £15. This is definitely the classy way to finish a day at Carnival. For more info and to get your tickets click here.

Get a double dose of culture, and enjoy the balmy late summer evenings (fingers crossed) and take in a movie at the beautiful Fulham Palace. The Nomad Cinema is bringing their 'Love in the garden' series to Fulham's most historic and picturesque venue throughout September, with open air showings of the classic Casablance on September 6th, Romeo + Juliet on September 13th, and The Artist on September 20th. Tickets start at £8.50, and don't forget to pack a picnic! For more details and tickets click here.

Many of you will have already been to one of the amazing Dayzed and Confused rooftop parties at Broadway House. We thought they might be done for the summer, but due to popular demand they've squeezed in one more event on the 8th of September, promising more balearic beats, plenty of champagne and a true holiday feel. With their two beautiful roof terraces high above SW6, Broadway House is an ideal location for a day long party, and not surprisingly tickets are selling out fast. Make sure you grab yours here.

Close your eyes, take and bite and you could (almost) be in Morocco. The tagines and Mediterranean fare at Del Aziz, in Fulham Broadway, are gorgeous, and taste even better when accompanied by live music. Thursday is the night to drop in for an evening's entertainment, and supper on the cobble stones, as each week a different artist treats diners to an eclectic mix of world music. This Thursday Aimee Penman treats us to easy listening pop, whilst on the 30th Helen Burnett shows off some vocal jazz. Artists featured in September include Josephine Arthur (smooth and classic jazz) on the 6th, and Jandira Silva (bossa nova) on the 13th.

Comedy Chops is the fab monthly comedy night hosted at The Hurlingham pub, and after a summer hiatus the session on September 6th promises plenty of belly laughs. There are usually 3/4 acts, live music and plenty of food and drinks deals to boot. The entertainment starts at 7:30, so sit back with a drink, tuck into their traditional pub grub, maybe have a game of ping pong (my favourite thing to do at the Hurlingham) and prepare to have a good giggle.

If, like us, you've been feeling just a little inspired by the Olympics, but this late onset of summer has caused you to somewhat overindulge, Lush Escapes may have just the thing for you. On September 2nd they're hosting a 'Raw Food and Yoga for Athletes' workshop in Parsons Green. From 10:30am you'll enjoy a blissfully relaxing day full of stretching, smoothies and scrumptious raw food recipes and nutrition lectures to help kickstart your training programme the healthy way. Hosted at the beautiful Cupcake Mums, the session costs £95 and tickets are available here.

If your business is hosting an event this September, or you think there's an event you think our readers would like, don't hesitate to drop us a line.

Pilates with precision

For some people, it's not exercise unless they're panting, dropping in sweat and aching all the next day. As far as I'm concerned, that all has it's place, but sometimes it's the minuscule things that make all the difference.

Housed in a little brick mews just off the Munster Road, The Pilates Room is a compact but really well equipped studio that offers both group and private pilates sessions 7 days a week. Group sessions are in really small class sizes, the maximum I ever had was of 4 people, and you'll use a range of specialist equipment - the chair, cadillac, and reformer bed - as well as the floor, pilates rings, bars and ropes to stretch whilst reducing the impact on your joints.

To a casual observer, pilates can seem like a pretty lazy excuse for "exercise". Apart from the scary torture-rack style beds you practice on, the movements are gentle, slow and controlled. But as I learnt through my several sessions at the studio, that's exactly why it's so tough. With pilates, it's all about the precision. When the moves are done properly, you're moving with control and balancing just so, you REALLY feel it in the muscles. Although sessions at felt too 'easy' to have an impact at first, the instructors have got an eagle eye for the slightest clues in your posture that you're not doing the moves exactly right, and the smallest adjustments make all the difference. After 5 or 6 sessions my stomach and thighs really did feel 'sculpted', and I could really feel the difference as I learnt the minutiae of the postures. Pilates is definitely not as easy as it looks!

Although pilates will never be the only form of exercise I do (I like a good sweat occasionally!) it was amazing to notice my body stretching further, and just the smallest of stomach muscles emerging, as I continued to attend classes. The sessions at The Pilates Room offer loads of personal attention, essential for beginners, as you do need be very precise with your practice to reap the benefits, and I hadn't been able to practice on the chair or cadillac at other studios I had visited, so that was great to do. Sessions are quite expensive, but what pilates studio isn't. This gets a thumb up from me.

The Pilates Room
9 Filmer Mews
75 Filmer Road
London SW6 7JF

The Pilates Room also has a Putney studio located at 22 Upper Richmond Road, London SW15 6TG

Flossie & Bumble get local at The Sands End

Next Thursday sees our favourite local pub, The Sands End supporting its neighbours by hosting the Flossie & Bumble pop-up sample sale in its function room. An array of cute local businesses will be offering some bargain booty for local residents. From bespoke jewellery to home wares and cupcakes, there will be something to suit all SW6 shoppers. 

                                               

Businesses in the pop up sale will include;

Rebs and Sas started Two Little Tarts a few years ago and it has grown from strength to strength; from pretty cupcakes to imaginative birthday ones to stylish wedding cakes, there is nothing these two gorgeous blonde girls can’t do! www.twolittletarts.co.uk

Andara was created by the lovely Sophie and Tiff, their smart and unique gifts and home wares are hand printed and are made using traditional techniques with the emphasis on beauty, comfort and style. www.andarahome.co.uk

Laura amazingly makes all the beautiful exclusive jewellery herself for Harry Rocks. Her designs add style and glamour to any outfit. www.harryrocks.com

Too Food was started by the lovely dedicated foodie, Sarah Baxter, whose aim is to give you the opportunity to buy the very finest food from around Europe and to accomplish her mission of offering food lovers something special. www.toofood.co.uk

Henry Little is a distinctive quintessentially British children’s brand filled with beautiful chic clothes for your little ones, designed by the creative Henrietta.www.henry-little.com

Flora McKillop London is my other business for leather handbags and accessories, all made by myself and designed with a pinch of British Eccentricity. www.floramckilloplondon.co.uk

It starts at 5pm next Thursday 16th August- hope to see you there! 

Discovering Alice's Kensington Wonderland

There really is no better way to discover the most picturesque spots of Kensington and Chelsea than by bike. This weekend I let Alice, and the Exquisite Folly Theatre Company, take me by the hand on a cycling tour through a West London Wonderland in their interactive interpretation of Lewis Carroll's classic tale.

The fun started in the grassy riverside location of Cremorne Gardens, before we followed Alice and her slightly dotty new acquaintances through a selection of Chelsea's most beautiful green spaces, Brompton Cemetery, quirky mews locations before eventually finishing up in Holland Park. In such idyllic scenery, it's easy to get drawn into the story, and the cast members were fun, dynamic and playful - each playing several different, and charmingly barmy roles, and encouraging the audience to get involved in the action (watch out you don't lose your head!).

The interpretation was set in the 1930s, and the company took advantage of the quaint locations and added authentic costumes, chintzy tea sets and lured us in with plenty of tea cakes, fudge, juice and tarts (of course). We met a wonderfully uptight colonel, a totally sozzled sailor, the butler with the world's largest grin, and a marvellously impetuous Queen and her deluded and self-important King, amongst others. Alice and Woger Rabbit were our constant companions and guides, and the cycle volunteers played their part excellently shepherding a large group of novices around the borough on what was a busy Saturday afternoon.

The whole production was fantastic, and felt delightfully raw and improvised at times, with lots of amusing ad lib interactions with pedestrians and a wonderful commitment to recreating a different world, even when the action was taking place in public parks to the stares, and confused questions, of passers by not in on the show! It was such an innovative way of getting the whole family on their bikes, and exploring the best of the borough. Full marks to Exquisite Folly and Bikeminded RBKC. I can't wait to see what they put on next.

For more details on Bikeminded initiative, and to find out about upcoming events, check out their website here.