Gift Taggs

Vue Scene at Westfield

Tomorrow is the day all Jimmy Choo wearing girls have been looking forward to all year, the release of the second Sex in the City movie! As a treat for my sister’s birthday I wanted to make the day a little special, rather than a normal trip to the cinema I have brought us for the Vue Scene at Westfield.

What makes this part of the cinema so different from the rest? For start the larger reclining seats, more leg room and instead of eating the normal movie snacks they have a mini food menu. The menu has an impressive wine list (along with a selection of champagnes), mini snacks including olives and dips. If you prefer traditional snacks they offer free refills on soft drinks and popcorn!

Tags: things to do in London

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A few years ago London was invaided my the Cow Parade, I remember seeing a few of them in key locations around the city like the Harry Potter Cow in Leicester Square but, I was always annoyd with myself for not seeing more of these statues. So when I heard about the Elephant Parade I jumped at the chance to see more of these painted figures, I am aiming to see all 256 of them!

Then I read, that the reason for the parade was to raise awareness and funds to help save the endangered Asian Elephants (all the elephant figures have small ears – I have been checking), and it made me more determined to help raise awareness. So this weekend armed with my elephant hunting kit* I set off around London.

Luna

After lunch with the ladies on Friday in Westfield, I saw the first four elephants on the list including Luna (if I win the lottery I will be bidding on this in the auction). Then on Saturday I headed to the Embankment and Theatre District to see more including Flocking to the City – with the London skyline painted on to her legs.

Flocking to the City

I have been posting all the photos on Flickr page, let me know if you see an elephants on your travels, especially Cloudia as she is moving around London on a tour of her own
* My kits was the printed out parade map, google maps (on my phone) and a camera – I am shotting these elephants with a camera lens!

Tags: Elephant Parade, things to do in London

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As I mentioned on my list of favourite things for May, I am addicted to foursquare. Whenever you “check in” you can see what other people have been up to in the same area… I sort of what’s hot in the area list, and see their useful tips in the area. Some times this is something simple the the time of the last train at the tube station, or where the best seats are in a cafe, other times it is informing you of a hidden gem!

The Outsider Tart is one of these hidden gems, selling homemade American baked goods, cupcakes, brownies, and of course Woopie Pies! As well as a selection of American produce, Graham Crackers, Maple Syrup and decent barbeque sauces (which I am thinking will be perfect when the weather heats up).

Selection of Cakes from the Outsider Tart

The counter was an aladdins cave of cakes and cookies, finding it impossible to pick one, I opted for a selection of four treats,nutless brownies, marshmallow rice crispy treats (with Lucky Charms), s’mores, and an Oatmeal Woopie Pie (They have sold out of the Chocolate ones).

Tags: company spotlight, things to do in London

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I have to admit here in Chez Taggs we like the odd glass of wine, on a recent visit to South Africa the highlight of the trip was the time we spend in the Winelands. So the idea of doing a wine tour in London has always appealed.

This weekend, we decided to devote some time to visit Vinopolis on the Southbank. There are 4 different type of tour you can take we opted for the Spirit of Vinopolis tour, which included the ‘How to Taste Wine’ session, 5 regular wine tastings, a tasting notebook and special Bombay Sapphire cocktail, as well as tasting of rum, whiskey, absinthe and beer.

We started with a demonstration about wine tasting, this 20 minute talk explained to use your senses to try wine, explaining about notes, corking and legs. Then it was on to the “tour.” Included with our tickets where a number of vouchers that could be exchanged around the complex, strangely the wines we liked the most were from the “discover table” originating in Greece.

Cocktails at Vinopolis

At the end of the tour is the wonderful Bombay Sapphire bar, which looks like it belongs in a trendy boutique hotel, here we had a choice of cocktails – none of which tasted like gin! We then had vouchers for the “spirit” bars, at any stage you can upgrade your tickets to get more vouchers or even some tapas in the Wine Wharf.

If you find you like any of the wines you can buy bottles (or cases) at the Wine Merchant on site or via their website. They also have an amazing Whisky Exchange with over 1,500 single malt whiskies, and a wide selection of other spirits including over 150 Vodkas.

If you have thought of going to Vinopolis but been put off the idea thinking if is for hen parties or wine buffs, I refer you to their own explanation…

Vinopolis is very successful at de-mystifying wine by offering an experience that can be enjoyed by enthusiasts at all levels enabling them to learn in a fun and engaging way.

Tags: spotlight, things to do in London, vinoplis

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