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!