Sunny in London

A Florida girl's guide to finding SUN and FUN

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Apres London- 3 Reasons You Need to Go!

Curious where the super hip people spend their time in London? If so, Après London is certainly a hot spot you need to put on your list. And I have three reasons why, Sunny friends!

Reason #1- Go to Apres London for the Cool Crowd!

Apres London
Yeah. A Lamborghini doesn’t lie.
Apres London
Mr. Sunny and I were invited to experience Après London and went Friday night. We arrived at 5:30pm and immediately noticed the ultra cool vibe. Because it’s steps from Selfridges, it attracts their after work crowd. They pour in quick and look damn fashionable.
Apres London ReviewAside from regular tables that can be reserved, Après London has an outdoor VIP area for those gorgeous sunny days. And, there’s a private room on the first floor.
Apres London
Downstairs features more of a club atmosphere with amazing music.
Apres London
I didn’t snap a picture for you because it was packed with people. Yep, downstairs is where the early party starts on a Friday for Londoners living the glam life.

Reason #2- Go to Apres London for the Food

The menu is simple. The food is fabulous.

Mr. Sunny was thrilled with the Vietnamese style hot wings with nuoc cham dipping sauce.
Apres London Review

I loved the juicy and flavourful Mini Grilled Lamb Kebabs with Tzatziki and Warm Pita Bread.
Apres London ReviewWe shared the Beer Battered Pickled Onion Rings. Mr. Sunny, the ever-faithful beer bandit, loved these! We’d both order them again. 😉
Apres London ReviewNext, we each had sliders. Mr. Sunny munched on the Cheeseburger Sliders (3 steak burger patties on brioche buns, smoke apple wood cheddar and caramelized onions and grilled tomato).
Apres London ReviewApres London ReviewMy Halloumi Sliders (Grilled halloumi on brioche buns with roasted red peppers and harrisa relish) were really, really lovely.
Apres London ReviewApres London Review

Reason #3- Go to Apres London for the FUN Cocktails

Aside from great bar food, Après London has a fun, edgy cocktail menu. We tried the:

–  Pushkin (named after a rabbit not the 19th century poet). Pear vodka, apple liqueur, apple, pineapple and lemon juices, pear puree and spiced caramel syrup.
– Pink Panther. Vodka, Mozart white chocolate liquor and watermelon.
– Kool Aid. Beefeater Gin, Tovaritch Vodka, lemon juice, sugar and topped with soda.
– Long Blonde and Good-looking. Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka with apple juice, passion fruit apple, lemon and peach.
– Space Jam. Beefeater Gin,  Apollo 11 Pink Grapefruit Liqueur, grapefruit preserve and lemon and egg white.
– Ultimate F***ing Bloody Mary. Chase Smoked Belvedere Vodka, tomato juice, lemon, Lee and Perrins, chili flakes, Tabasco and mushroom pickling brine.

They are featured in order here (clockwise) …
Apres London ReviewAnd here’s a drink close-up shot of the Space Jam, Pushkin and the Long, Blonde and Good-looking.

Apres London ReviewApres London, Final Thoughts:

If you’re looking for trendy crowds and a great party scene, Après London is your place. I absolutely would recommend it for birthday drinks, or just a place to let loose after a tough work day.
Apres London ReviewThere wasn’t an attendant in the loo during the time I was there. It’s my only suggestion for Après London. The ladies’ room needed to be a bit more tidy and restocked with supplies. Other than that, Après London is a place Londoners and visitors who appreciate a club vibe and good food should go.

With a giant wall mural of Frank Sinatra, how could they go wrong?Apres London Review

Apres London is at 31 Duke Street, Marylebone, W1U 1LG. You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

 

Our experience at Apres London was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This did not influence our opinions.  

 

A Cocktail Masterclass with 3 Americans at a French Bar in London

It sounds like the makings of a bad joke… What happens when 3 American girls walk in to a French bar in London for a Cocktail Class?

There’s no punch line. We just had a knockout good time.
La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
I met Selena from Oh the Places We Will Go! and Jess from Love and London at 6:00pm in my favourite Chelsea hotspot.

Alex, the La Brasserie beverage boss, welcomed us with champagne and wine to ease our bartending newbie jitters.La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London

He said we could step behind the bar whenever we were ready. We were all a bit on the rocks about shaking our money makers. La Brasserie attracts an ultra posh crowd. So, we were keen not to embarrass our Yankee selves.

Selena and I nominated the Big Apple Beauty to take the first shot.

Cocktail Masterclass Angel #1-

Jess selected the Wild Berry Martini. She poured and rocked the juice behind the bar.
La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
We realised we were watching a natural. This New Yorker’s drink was fantastic!La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London


Cocktail Masterclass Angel #2-

I decided to take the next cocktail lesson. I chose to make the Passion Fruit Martini.
La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
I made a lame attempt to reenact Tom Cruise’s scene from Cocktail. Unfortunately, I spilled a stream of alcohol down my arm.
La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
The staff was forgiving. They magically made sure my drink was delicious!

La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
They even surprised me by dimming the lights and presenting me with a sliver of birthday cake when I finished. Totally cool.

La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
Cocktail Masterclass Angel #3-

When the sultry Selena stepped on the bar scene, she really juggled the sauce with ease.
La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
Damn this Texan sure knows how to hold ’em!
La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
Her southern self picked the Brasserie Julep. And the Texas tea she made would bring any cowboy to his knees!
La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
However, everyone watched in awe as Alex truly owned the night. He worked his magic and made the La Brasserie Martini with Oyster. It’s La Brasserie’s signature drink.

La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London

Photo courtesy of Jess, LoveandLondon.com


He’s a skilled drink sorcerer who moves better than Jagger. He moves like lighting!
La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass LondonLa Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass LondonLa Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass LondonLa Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
As you saw, the drink comes with an oyster on the rocks. And guess who was picked to eat it?
La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
As a girl raised on Florida beaches, I had to represent. The Sunshine State was in La house! That’s right. I ate the oyster. And I liked it!
La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London
I would highly recommend La Brasserie’s Cocktail Masterclass. It makes for an outrageously fun evening with friends.

The photo opps are endless. The ambiance is sophisticated, yet fun. Finally, the staff is eager to make the evening entertaining. You’ll definitely leave in proper good spirits! La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass London

The La Brasserie Cocktail Masterclass is offered every Sunday evening at 6:00pm. It is £10 per person. Don’t miss the Inter-bar Cocktail Competition on Sunday 18th May 6 – 8pm. It will be judged by Kellie Shirley, actress & comedian of Eastenders & The Office fame, La Brasserie owner Peter Godwin & Matthew Steeples of The Steeples Times.

You can follow La Brasserie on Twitter and Facebook.

My class was complimentary for the purposes of a review. This did not influence my opinion of the evening. However, a few of the delicious drinks most likely influenced my ability to take focused, straight pictures. 

A London Blogger’s Weekend in Hawaii, Mexico and…

At the close of yet another sunny weekend,  I wanted to give you a little peek at a London blogger’s life.

My Friday night started with an Internations event at Kona Kai.

London Bloggers Kona Kai

515 Fulham Rd, London SW6 1HD

It took me 90 minutes to get to Fulham because I live in North London.

Although the whole place was reserved for this expat organisation, I struggled to meet people. The venue and drinks, however, were fantastic.

London Bloggers Kona Kai InternationsA bartender even gave me two free ones. It definitely influenced this London blogger’s opinion of the club. 😉

However, since I was making little progress in meeting people, I left after one hour.

Saturday more than made up for this flop. Mina from Kings Road Rocks invited me to join her at Catherine’s birthday bash at La Bodega Negra, a Mexican restaurant. Catherine writes Lux Life: A Lifestyle Blog and is very, very cool.

London Bloggers La Bodega Negra

9 Old Compton Street W1D 5JF

I didn’t take many pictures inside La Bodega Negra because it was packed.  And, well, I had way too much champagne to attempt a focused shot.

Catherine co-hosted the party with club promoter Diego Bivero-Volpe. Damn, can they throw a loco party!

In the early evening it ended, but Mina and I discovered the bar downstairs. Check it out if you go there!

On Sunday morning, I realised how stupid it was to drink champagne with tequila.

London Bloggers La Bodega Negra

It hurts me just to look at that picture now.

Somehow I managed to make it to the London Blogger Brunch that Catherine organised in Marylebone for 11am.

London Bloggers The Providores

109 Marylebone High St, London W1U 4RX

I thoroughly enjoyed my food and time with 13 other London bloggers. At these events the chatter and connections run deep. Cheers to Catherine for throwing an epic party and hosting a fabulous brunch in less than 24 hours!

The Providores gave each of us complimentary porridge. Many bloggers ordered the French toast stuffed with banana and pecans with grilled smoked streaky bacon and vanilla verjus syrup. I had the hot-smoked salmon, two poached eggs and spinach on caraway toast with yuzu hollandaise. Yummy!

London Bloggers The ProvidoresAfter brunch, I took a stroll down South Molton Street.

London Bloggers South Molton Street
Next I headed through the Theatre District.
London Bloggers Theatre District (1) London Bloggers Theatre District (2) London Bloggers Theatre District (3) London Bloggers Theatre District
And of course, I ended up in my favourite hood, Covent Garden.

In less than two weeks I have a big birthday. I plan to spend the whole day wandering this area again. Any suggestions on where I should have dinner? Any restaurants need a London blogger’s review?

London Bloggers The Ivy

London Bloggers The Ivy(Could I be any more cheeky or shameless?) 😉

I decided to take a slow walk down Monmouth Street to visit my super favourites: Kiehl’s, Caudalie, Hotel Chocolat, and Monmouth Coffee Company. Too bad the last one was closed because it was Sunday. 🙁

London Bloggers Monmouth Street

And, if you’ve read Sunny in London before, you know I can’t resist the original Neal’s Yard Remedies in Neal’s Yard.

London Bloggers Neals Yard

I caught a sneaky photo of these two because I have never seen a pizza this big in my life. Had I not just polished off brunch, I would’ve sat down and invited myself to help them…

London Bloggers Neals Yard

This pub was showing a popular sports game, but since I still had a Big Bodega hangover, I steered clear.

London Bloggers

Then, I finally made my way to the Piazza, which was filled with its usual suspects and something new…

London Bloggers Covent Garden

I couldn’t quite figure out what the big media circus was all about. Maybe you can tell me?

Despite Friday’s disappointment, my London blogger’s weekend was filled with sun and fun. Have you been to any of these places, Sunny friends? Where do you suggest I celebrate my birthday on April 26th? It’s a Saturday, so I want it to be outrageous!

Nicholson’s Pub Crawl London: Exchanging a Shoe for a Kwak?

BEER. How many of you would give up a shoe for a great glass of beer? Last night I watched, completely mystified, as my husband proudly handed over his shoe to a bartender so he could gulp a Kwak. Yep. A Kwak. And it was all in the name of the first official Sunny in London pub crawl!

We purposely started my own Nicholson’s Pub Crawl London at The Porcupine because I frequented this pub often during the semester I interned at NBC News- London Bureau. It was just steps away from my flat and the bureau.

Porcupine Pub London

My husband ordered a San Miguel, and I enjoyed a small Rioja. Ok, I’ll confess right now that I don’t fancy beer. But, it’s hardly acceptable to live in London and not partake in the pub culture.

The pub is located just outside the Leicester Square tube station on Charing Cross Road and Great Newport Street at the edge of Chinatown.

Porcupine Pub London

We also ordered some nibbles, a Scotch egg and fried calamari. The menu at the pub is fairly standard: Fish and Chips, Burgers, Homemade Chicken Kiev, Shepherd’s Pie for Two, Steak and Kidney pie, etc.

Porcupine Pub London

The next stop on our Nicholson’s Pub Crawl London involved a quick trip through Chinatown to De Hems Dutch Café Bar on Macclesfield Street.

De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar

This delicious spot is a favourite of my husband and his mates. It dates back to the 17th century, and according to its website, it takes its name from a Dutch seaman who bought the pub in 1890.

De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar London

De Hems features an intense specialty Belgium and Continental beer menu. Pay attention to the picture below. It doesn’t list prices- it’s alcohol percent level…

De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar

I stuck with my Rioja, and my husband decided to give a “kwak” at something different. He asked the bartender if it still held true that you had to surrender a shoe for the special brew. Once it was confirmed, he handed over both his right Merrell and his money in exchange for this stunning replacement slipper and his drink.

De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar London

It is served in a wooden glass holder specifically designed with a rounded bottom, which enhances the flavour of the beer. The shoe serves as collateral for the pub to guarantee that customers won’t run off with, or as the British say “nick”, the glass and holder.

De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar London Kwak

De Hems not only features the standard British Nicholson’s menu but also features Dutch food, heavily influenced by Indonesian cuisine due to the Dutch colonization of Indonesia. Such food items include chicken sate and spring rolls.

De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar London

Once my husband finished his Kwak, he made the shoe/holder exchange and we were off to our third Nicholson’s pub, Marquis of Granby on Rathbone Street. I continued my evening’s date with Rioja, and Mr. Sunny switched back to San Miguel.

The Marquis of Granby was a popular hangout for the NBC crew members and local postal workers because it’s located near the old bureau and a local postal sorting location.

Marquis of Granby Pub London

I thoroughly enjoyed my mini Nicholson’s Pub Crawl London. If you visit their website, they offer “Ale Trails” in Soho and Oxford Street, Theatreland, Piccadilly to Westminster, Historic to Blackfriars, The Financial District, and London Bridge to Tower Bridge. You also can get a free Ale Trail T-shirt by using their collector’s leaflet and getting six different stamps from six different pubs. If you visit the site, you can also download their Autumn Ales Tasting Guide.

I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the Shoe-Kwak exchange and what ideas/suggestions you have for future Sunny in London pub crawls!

For more on amazing pubs in London, we highly recommend this book that we purchase each year…
The Good Pub Guide 2016

How to Climb the O2 like a Rockstar

Climb the O2? Most Americans don’t even know what Londoners mean when they say ‘the O2,’ much less know it’s a London attraction that even locals visit. Maybe that’s because it’s one of the newer iconic buildings in London. Maybe it’s because the O2 has had several names in less than the two decades it has existed.

During the 2012 Summer Olympics  and Paralympics in London, the building was called the North Greenwich Arena due to sponsorship issues with the games. It was originally built to celebrate the year 2000 and was first named the Millenium Dome. When became sponsored by the telecommunications company O2 (which happens to be my mobile phone provider) in 2007, the name changed to the O2.

When I did a livestream video on my Facebook page, my American friends were quite curious about the attraction.

Climb the O2 Review Up at the O2 Things to Do when Visiting London

Climb the O2 Review Up at the O2 Things to Do when Visiting LondonIn summary, after the Manchester Arena, it has the second-highest seating capacity for an indoor venue in the UK. In 2008, it surpassed Madison Square Garden for the busiest music arena.

Aside from its use for concerts and changing name through the years, the O2 also offers an adventurous activity called Up at the O2. In comparison to the London helicopter ride I took, I felt the views were better at the O2 ‘summit.’ Perhaps not quite as spectacular as The View from the Shard, but then again, you are talking about a big difference in height. I really loved my climb the O2 experience and have some advice for anyone considering this attraction in London.

Climb the O2 Review Up at the O2 Things to Do when Visiting London

Climb the O2 review Up at the O2 Visiting London guide of things to do

Climb the O2: Advice

1. Plan on wearing their shoes. If you’re OCD like me, definitely bring a pair of socks. You can see what they give you in the first photo of this blog review.

2. Choose and prepare your photography equipment ahead of time. I managed to squeeze my iPhone 6, a GoPro Hero and my compact digital camera in to the two pockets of the jacket.

Climb the O2 Review Up at the O2 Things to Do when Visiting London

It was tight, and I wouldn’t recommend it. I took the cameras without covers so they would fit. Luckily, I had some Kleenex in my purse. I wrapped it around the two cameras hoping they wouldn’t get scratched during the climb. It wasn’t smart, but it did work.

3. Plan on wind. It was a relatively nice day in London. On the ground, the weather was perfect. As I predicted, at the summit the wind was significant. If you plan on filming video for YouTube or doing a livestream broadcast on Facebook like I did, bring a good quality lav microphone. You can see what a difference it made for my sound in the video below.

4. Be in shape. The first set of stairs is fairly easy. But the actual incline is pretty steep. You aren’t going to be able to count the climb the O2 experience as your daily workout. However, if you have a bad back or trouble with your knees, this London attraction isn’t for you.

Climb the O2 Review Up at the O2 Things to Do when Visiting London

Climb the O2 Review Up at the O2 Things to Do when Visiting London

5. Plan for a manicure after you climb the O2. The only way you can get to the top and back down is by using your hands. Every 5-6 feet you need to shove your cable attachment through some gears. It’s not easy, but eventually you get the hang of it. Nails with a pretty paint job won’t make it through that. It’s best to have a spa appointment booked after you are up at the O2.

Climb the O2: Fear of Heights

I feel you can enjoy the Climb the O2 attraction if you are afraid of heights. It’s one of my fears but I didn’t have a single issue or moment of doubt during my trip. The guide we had, Carolina, may have had something to do with this too. She’s worked there three years and is amazing.

Climb the O2 Review Up at the O2 Things to Do when Visiting London

We had a swift but thorough safety training first. She took time to make sure each of us understood the process too. Carolina also made sure we all had photos before, during and after we did the Climb the O2. In fact, she took one with each person’s camera. This is mine.

Climb the O2 Review Up at the O2 Things to Do when Visiting London

Climb the O2: Londoners Do It

Surprisingly, nearly everyone on my climb was from London. Usually when you go to attractions, you pretty much see Americans and other foreigners. One gentleman said Climb the O2 was on his list of ’50 things to do before I turn 50.’ What a cool idea!

Climb the O2 review Up at the O2 Visiting London guide of things to do

 

Climb the O2: Watch on YouTube

I can write about what’s involved and how much fun it is Up at the O2. However, I think you’d probably appreciate it more if I show you…

My Climb the O2 experience was complimentary for the purpose of a review. You can see in the YouTube video how much fun I truly had. You can also read about their excellent reviews on TripAdvisor. They also offer sunset climbs, twilight climbs and private climbs.

If you’re an American visiting London, make sure to bookmark my Guide for Americans Visiting London on the blog, which has reviews for hotels, restaurants, attractions, afternoon tea, events and more. I look forward to reading your comments about the tips in the video and answering any other questions you might have about the American expat experience in London, or perhaps ideas for an NFL in London trip. Oh, and if you are planning a journey here, be sure to pin this to your London trip board. Of course, you can always share it with friends on other social media too.

Climb the O2 review Up at the O2 Visiting London guide of things to do

 

Top Ten Blog Posts of 2015

As the end of 2015 approaches, we’re all thinking about what we accomplished during the year and the goals we have for 2016. Rather than publish a list of what’s coming up, I think it’s a great time to say thank you to readers and Sunny friends, and once again if you’re wanting help creating a blog, head over there and find out all the tips and tricks.

Along the way you’ve asked really insightful questions and made thoughtful comments. At the close of the calendar year, I want to reflect and say thank you for your engagement.

Through the year I’ve written about Things to Do in London, the Expat experience and advice for Social Media. During this time, several posts really resonated with blog readers. To close 2015, I am posting a list of the year’s top ten blog posts to recap the highlights for you.

Top Ten Blog Posts of 2015 Sunny in London Blog Reviews

Top Ten Blog Post Favorite: #1

It seems the most epic afternoon tea in London for readers is the one where we visit Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Proving to be the blog’s favourite hotel of the year, One Aldwych totally rocks readers with their epic afternoon tea, which can be served gluten free. This Covent Garden location celebrates the best of the British with its unique afternoon tea that beautifully blends youth with tradition.

Things to Do in London at Christmas One Aldwych Hotel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea

Top Ten Blog Post Favorite: #2

When Americans, or anyone for that matter, visit London they always want the inside scoop on where they can find the best pubs.

It’s never an easy question, but Mr. Sunny and I feel that the Kick Arse Irish Pubs in London blog post gives everyone a chance to see unique pubs in Central London. However, we advise you post pictures of these pubs on social networks if you want to have memories of your Irish pub crawl the next day. 😉

After a night of pints, you never know what you’ll see. So, you’ll want to have proof the next day that it could’ve been a tree…

 

irish-pubs-in-london-piccadilly-circus-pub-crawl

Top Ten Blog Post Favorite: #3

Everyone said a holy gospel for Mr. Sunny this year when they read about his battle with ghost chilli sauce. Even Man vs. Food champion Adam Richman advises people to tread carefully with this food feat fantasy.

Sunny in London readers know that Mr. Sunny is a beer loving, chicken wing eating man’s man. So, it was no surprise that he took the challenge at O’Neill’s Pub in Muswell Hill.

How well did he fair?

Hmmm. Should I say on a wing and a prayer? 😉

irish-pub-in-london-oneills-muswell-hill-church-wings-ghost-chilli

Top Ten Blog Post Favorite: #4

Visiting London is no joke. The pound sterling against the American dollar hasn’t been great for decades. For this reason, I warn those visiting London and even people living in London about how to stay safe in the international city. Nothing rains on your trip parade more than having your valuable items stolen.

The 5 Crime Prevention Tips for Visiting London post in which I interviewed the Metropolitain Police ranks as one of the highest read blog features for 2015. Whether you’re local, an expat, or a visitor, this one is a great read to help you move about the town with safety.

Crime Prevention Tips for London

Top Ten Blog Post Favorite: #5

Expat life posts were hot on the blog too this year. It seems people are very curious about the differences between life in the US vs the UK.

Having been in schools on both sides of the pond, I published a blog post about the differences in our educational systems.

Naturally, it sparked debate from both English people and Americans. What are your thoughts about what happens in schools in the two places?

british-vs-american-schools-differences-US

Top Ten Blog Post Favorite: #6

Attraction reviews are always popular with Sunny in London readers. You can certainly take a bus tour when you visit. However, it seems far more interesting to take the ‘When in Rome” approach and see London via the River Thames. For centuries it was the passage for all things to do in London.

Today, a boat tour of London along the River Thames still provides what I think are the best scenic views of national monuments on a sunny day.

city-cruises-things-to-see-in-london-sunny

Top Ten Blog Post Favorite: #7

With the release of Spectre this year, everyone was feeling like James Bond in London.

Back in the Spring, Mr. Sunny and I prepared for the adrenaline rush of spy-tastic fun with a ThamesJet Experience on City Cruises.

He was a bit more relaxed than me and still managed to capture everything on film for you as our boat did a 180° degrees rotation at lightning speeds on the water in Canary Wharf…

speed-boat-ride-city-cruises-london-thamesrush-thamesjet

And, we put together a high-speed YouTube video of that experience for you too…

Top Ten Blog Post Favorite: #8

There aren’t many bloggers who have to ‘man up’ and walk in to a room full of naked male athletes to cover a story.

But, in the name of getting you the hottest, most exclusive news on the blog, I took one for the Sunny team and took this challenge during my visit to the Jacksonville Jaguars Training Camp back in August.

an-exclusive-inerview-nfl-games-in-london-player

As I sat sweating from the Florida summer heat and embarassement of being a female in a professional football team locker room, I interviewed Toby Gerhart about the NFL in London experience for players.

We chatted about everything from sports to afternoon tea in this blog post. Of course, the team won when they came to London later in the Autumn.

Top Ten Blog Post Favorite: #9

It’s not often that a person anticipates excitement for waking up at 5:00am on a weekend day off. However, this is exactly how I felt during the days leading up to the Morning Gloryville two-year anniversary party.

If you aren’t familiar with this regularly occuring rave event in London, then this is a post you need to read. Or better yet, you can quickly watch the YouTube video below to get a sense of how it happens.

On the last Wednesday of each month, and occasionally on weekends, there is a rave held in a random location in London.

It’s to promote morning exercise and is drug-free. The one I attended had Fatboy Slim as a guest DJ. Not bad, eh?

Top Ten Blog Post Favorite: #10

Finally, the blog year closed in the most magical way for London.

Again, I set my alarm at 5:00am on a weekend to make a mystical journey. For a limited time around Christmas, Warner Bros (AKA the ‘Harry Potter Studio Tour’) is decorated for the holidays.

Hogwarts in the Snow features the huge castle model covered in snow, and the studio also decorates the Great Hall and many sets for the holidays. People who look closely during the tour will see Christmas Pudding in real flames and the even the Goblet of Fire!

If you can’t make it across the pond to see this shimmering studio, then you will want to catch the highlights in the YouTube video below.

Those are the Sunny in London blog posts that rocked 2015. It was a great year for many reasons. I appreciate every reader, social network follower and blogger friend I made along the way.

However, the biggest shout out needs to go to Mr. Sunny. He’s eaten cold food countless times while I took pictures for the blog, suffered some lonely nights while I typed away on my laptop, and set up and took down my Softbox Studio Lighting Kit in our flat every time I needed it.

There’s a very special reason 2015 was important to us personally too. In fact, without it the blog wouldn’t even exist.

I’m going to let the suspense build as I take a tiny blog break for Christmas.

However, 2015 will end with a surprise I have been keeping since January in a blog post that literally took 20 years to write. I have left clues about it along the way.

Can you guess what the final Sunny in London blog post of the year will feature? Newsletter subscribers have the scoop. If you’d like to get a copy and also see what’s planned for 2016, it’s here.

Indian Summer Cocktails at One Aldwych Hotel

What should you do when you just aren’t ready for summer to end? Treat yourself to some luxurious Indian Summer Cocktails at One Aldwych hotel!

After returning from a one month holiday in my home state Florida, I wanted to do something really fun with Mr. Sunny. Our first date night upon my return to London kicked off at the hotel’s award-winning Lobby Bar, which we have been to many times.

We were invited to try the Indian Summer Cocktails made with Brecon Botanicals Gin. Once again, we were thrilled with another One Aldwych experience.

indian-summer-cocktails-one-aldwych-hotel-covent-garden

Why?

If you could capture all the beautiful sun and heat which melts your bones on a gorgeous summer night, it’s in these glasses.

An Indian Summer is a period of unseasonably warm weather that occurs in the Autumn. These sexy cocktails make the liquid translation perfectly- even if there may have been a bit of rain the day we enjoyed them 😉

First, Mr. Sunny and I sipped on the Uncle Pepper and Summer Splash. Because he’s not a pepper fan, he claimed the Summer Splash as his cocktail for this round. But, I was able to sneak a little sip of the Summer Splash.

indian-summer-cocktails-one-aldwych-hotel-covent-garden

Aside from Brecon Botanicals Gin, his drink has Aperol, Cherry Heering and olive infusion, rhubard and ginger syrup, fresh lemon juice, Angostura bitters and a splash of Pedrino. It’s served in a chilled coupette glass.

indian-summer-cocktails-one-aldwych-hotel-covent-garden

Next, we had the Bugs Bunny and Bittersweet Flakes.

I grabbed the chocolate treat. It has Brecon Botanicals Gin, Averna liquer, rosemary and bergamot syrup, bergamot juice and a splash of Pedrino. It’s served in a chilled old-fashioned glass.

I’m going to tease you a bit here and not tell you what’s in the Bugs Bunny. You’ll just have to pop in to the Lobby Bar yourself for a round of Indian Summer Cocktails. But here is a picture…

indian-summer-cocktails-one-aldwych-hotel-covent-garden

One Aldwych asked which one we preferred, as they’re always keen to receive feedback. We both voted the Summer Splash. Between the ultra sleek glass and the silky smooth texture, it is the winner this time to us.

When I explained that it was the Lavender Cloud which caught my attention most in their recent Bloom Gin Flight, I learned that they were both created by the same mixologist at the Lobby Bar.

Sounds like I have found my liquor making mate, eh?

    When I asked the bartender where on earth they learned to make these magnificent cocktails, he laughed and simply said he did a course in bartending, like those at melbourne rsa. Well, whoever taught him was a genius, the creativity, glamour, and gorgeous flavor of each cocktail were all fantastic!

      indian-summer-cocktails-one-aldwych-hotel-covent-garden

      One Aldwych hotel’s current flight of gin showcases Brecon Botanicals Gin.

      I love that the hotel keeps their Drinks menu seasonally fresh and invites me to share them with you. My first visit to One Aldwych was to review the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired afternoon tea back in February of this year.

      I noticed while Mr. Sunny and I were enjoying our cocktails that several Lobby Bar tables were filled with this afternoon tea selection. So, I made sure to inquire about its status.

      If this is something on your London List of Things to Do, you had better book now! They are nearly full for weekend reservations for the next few months. Please don’t put this on your Autumn agenda without calling first to book.

      To read and see more about this five-star Covent Garden hotel, you can click on the reviews and videos I created below:

      – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea
      – Bloom Gin Cocktails: Sippin’ Gin and Juice at One Aldwych Hotel
      – 7 Secrets of One Aldwych Hotel
      – One Aldwych Hotel Stay (YouTube video)
      – Dinner at Indigo Restaurant
      – The Coolest Pool in London (YouTube video)

      The fact that our cocktails were complimentary has not influenced my review of One Aldwych hotel, except to reconfirm that every experience I have had there is five-star. In fact, during my holiday in Florida I saw a doctor to whom I was a patient when I lived in the state. During our conversation about living in London, he said the past two times he visited, he stayed at One Aldwych, and it was remarkable! I wasn’t surprised. However, I was thrilled to hear this, especially since I recommend the hotel so much for the NFL in London Games to Americans.

      If you visit their reviews on TripAdvisor, you will see that all of my reviews linked above match those of other travellers and Londoners who have been hotel guests for a holiday, dinner or drinks.

      What’s your end of summer drink? Do you change with the season or have a standard sipper no matter what the time or occasion?

What’s Funny from Mr Sunny- Blog Pictures Gone Wild!

Do you love your husband or boyfriend’s sense of humor? If you read this blog often, you’ve had a chance to see that Mr. Sunny is certainly funny. I adore his sense of humor, except for when he’s in charge of the Sunny blog pictures.

What? You didn’t know this?

That’s because it’s a well kept Sunny in London secret that is finally being revealed.

While it’s true that Mr. Sunny always tells me the best place to stand for blog pictures with regard to lighting and angles, he has a tendancy to snap some sneaky pictures of me that create surprises when I sit down to edit pictures at home.

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If you’re a blogger, you have probably discovered that readers value content more when it’s personal. That means a blogger needs to include pictures featuring him/her at events, using products and enjoying experiences. Having a photographer on hand isn’t always an option, so frequently you rely on other bloggers, your significant other, or the random passerby on the street.

You hope that these standby photographers capture the moment the way you want to depict the story and do your best to coach them.

I was always grateful to have Mr Sunny, a former camera man for NBC, as my back up guy. Until I saw this picture…

Riding the Emirates Cable Car London

It’s from the day I blogged about the Emirates Cable Car in London. It also marks the day I discovered his sneaky sense of humor. Notice all the spikes surrounding my head?

Not cool.

There were quite a few other pictures from that ride which place buildings directly above my head. A bit disturbed by these projectiles, I began reviewing other blog pictures taken by my husband. It seems the sneaky humor actually started back in 2011 when I still lived in America and visited London for the first time since the days we worked at NBC together.

Here’s a quick picture he took of me on my mobile phone to send my family.

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While every visitor to London needs a picture with that landmark, you don’t necessarily want Big Ben projecting out of your head.

But that wasn’t all. On that same day of me playing tourist in London, he snapped this lovely London Eye picture of me.

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We had a little chat about blog pictures, and I hoped that the monument above my head party would end. I guess I gave the male sense of humor too much credit, because here’s what happened at Christmas…

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blog-pictures-sunny-in-london-funnyThat’s me trying to acquire some nice blog pictures during the holidays. On a beautiful, sunny day in London, we went for a stroll along the Embankment and through Covent Garden. During that time, I had wanted a few photos of us together and me separately to send my family.

Thank goodness I made sure to check his photography before we walked away. After he received a good verbal smackdown on the bridge, I at least left the photo crime scene with this…

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A few months passed and all seemed well. However, in the beginning of Spring, we had a fantastic boat tour on the River Thames and I found THIS…

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That’s right. Centered just above my head is the Tower Bridge! Now if I was a field goal kicker for an NFL team, this placement is probably golden. However, for blog pictures, it IS NOT! (I do have to thank Mr Sunny though for it, because it gave me the idea to create an NFL in London- American Visitor’s Guide for the blog!) 😉

Since I did remember to check my pictures after the boat trip, I made sure to advise Mr. Sunny on the final pictures of the day. Here’s the near miss I had with Big Ben when we docked…

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When we returned a few weeks later for the speed boat tour, I made sure to remind him that I wasn’t going for the Steel Medusa look on the blog. That was especially important on the day of filming my first adventure video.

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However, that being said, when we got on the speed boat and took off for our ride, here’s what he did…

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Dammit!

Taking all of the above into consideration, I do have two little sneaky secrets of my own.

First, it’s actually the placing of a monument over my head that created one of my favourite blog pictures to date.

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That’s from my trip to London in 2011, and I give Mr. Sunny tremendous credit for staging me in the center of The Mall with Buckingham Palace above my head in the distance. It’s what I use for my blog’s cover photo, biography and media kit.

Second, when I saw this hilarious YouTube clip from comedian Jason Manford about how to avoid suprises with money with regard to internet shopping and men, it made me feel really lucky.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3f4E6Q8vNY

If the biggest issue Mr. Sunny surprises me with is monuments sprouting from my head on camera, life is certainly Sunny.

For more quotations and experiences from Mr. Sunny that are pretty damn funny, take a read through these…

– An Irish Pub in London (in a Church) with Wings Hotter than HELL!
– Why Mr Sunny and I Battled at Inamo Restaurant
– The Shard- The Best Sunny Day in London Experience
– The Mr Sunny Pub Crawl of How to Avoid Shopping at Selfridges

What seems to trigger your male/female ‘debates’? Does your husband, boyfriend or significant other have annoying habits that are funny too? Is it through sneaky, harmless pictures like mine or does he surprise you with big things like spending money online through internet shopping?

* This is a sponsored post from Barclaycard

Sippin’ Gin and Juice- One Aldwych in Covent Garden

What happens when you combine gin, flowers and a swanky hotel in Covent Garden? You end up with flight of cocktails at the Lobby Bar at One Aldwych just off of the Strand.

This is exactly how I spent an afternoon last week on a glorious sunny day in London.

You may remember last summer when I tried gin for the first time. I learned about why gin is such an important part of English culture and found the perfect mixture for a gin and tonic. This time of year is perfect to push aside my standard staple of red wine, as vino is a bit heavy in the heat, and hit the gin. Lightly, of course.

In fact, this is the caution I received from my father’s friend last year when I conveyed my new fondness for gin:

‘You better be careful with gin. It’s nice. But, it’s known for sneaking up on you and kicking you in the face like an elephant.’

Does this pretty drink look like it could do that to you?

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When I was invited to test the One Aldwych Hotel BLOOM Gin Flight that is exclusive to their Lobby Bar, I was eager but cautious.

I already knew I loved this hotel. First it’s in Covent Garden, which is my favourite neighborhood in London. Second, I had a blast at their Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired afternoon tea.

The hotel is simply gorgeous. You can read my One Aldwych Hotel afternoon tea review to see fantastic pictures of the interior. What I love most is how beautifully the sun hits the Lobby Bar from every angle. The space is open, airy and colourful.

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The building was constructed in 1907 and was first the home of The Morning Post newspaper. After twenty years, the paper moved elsewhere, and the building was occupied by several other companies. In 1998 its current resident, One Aldwych Hotel, debuted.

The mixologists at the Lobby Bar really know how to shake things up. I had my first taste of their talents when my bubbling cocktail arrived for the adult themed afternoon tea I attended previously.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea One Aldych Hotel Charlie Cocktail

Their current drinks menu indicates that BLOOM gin ‘has a slightly sweet taste which is created by a blend of honeysuckle, chamomile and pomelo’. Assume each cocktail below has this as its first ingredient.

One Aldwych Hotel Lobby Bar- The Lavender Cloud

Out of the four gin drinks, I la la la loved this one the most. It’s a swirl of rhubarb liqueur, black raspberry liqueur, honey infused with lavender and fresh lime juice. The drink is topped with bergamot foam and served in a chilled martini glass.

one-aldwych-hotel-lobby-bar-covent-garden-bloom-gin (1)

Surprisingly, lavender was the only item I was looking forward to in the drink. Not one of the other ingredients appeal to me. Yet, even after four cocktails, it made a lasting impression for taste with me.

One Aldwych Hotel Lobby Bar- The Blooming Tea

This ‘tea’ tosses around apricot brandy, ginger and lemongrass cordial, Kamm & Sons, camomile tea and fresh lemon juice. You’ll find it in a chilled coupette glass.

While I do love lemon and camomile, the inclusion of ginger didn’t get me too excited. However, it is a smooth drink with a little citrus kick.

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One Aldwych Hotel Lobby Bar- The Smoked Flower

Mixed with Mezcal, grapefruit liqueur, elderflower cordial, agave nectar and fresh lemon juice. This Mexican infused gin drink comes in a chilled Martini glass.

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One Aldwych Hotel Lobby Bar- The Almond Bouquet

Not only does this drink have a sexy summer name, but also it has almond! With a mostly Italian heritage (and a British grandfather), I thought this would be a clear winner with my taste buds.

A chilled coupette glass captures the mix of Amaretto liqueur, fresh pineapple juice, syrup, fresh rocket and fresh lemon juice.

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These cocktails are £13.50 each and are available until July 14th. While they all scream summer fun, there seems to be one that’s standing out as top for the gin crowd. Sunny friends, I would love to know which one sings the most to you.

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The Sunday Telegraph named the One Aldwych Hotel Lobby Bar as one of the top five hotel bars in the world. You can read their fantastic reviews on TripAdvisor here.

Testing the BLOOM Gin Flight or the Chocolate Factory inspired afternoon tea is something to put on your list of things to do in London if you’re a visitor or a Londoner. The themed afternoon tea is available at least until the end of 2015.

Make sure if you’re heading to London for a first visit or the NFL in London games that you subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly newsletter and read the First Time Visitors to London Guide on the blog too!

Oh, and I assure you that after sampling all four cocktails cautiously, I left One Aldwych Hotel with this view and not of the ceiling. Drink gin responsibly, so you don’t get a sneaky kick in the face from an elephant!

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UPDATE: (July 17, 2015) For more about One Aldwych Hotel, you can see other Sunny reviews:

– 7 Secrets of One Aldwych hotel (A Review)
– One Aldwych Hotel Covent Garden (YouTube review)
– Coolest Pool in London (YouTube video of the hotel’s pool)
– Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea

Is Heathrow Airport Duty Free Worth It?

Greetings Sunny jet-setter friends! This is the time of year when we start our international summer trips. Personally, I cannot wait to take a holiday! This year I have even been thinking about flying via private jet! You see, a friend of mine told me that there are some fantastic private jet deals on the Jettly website so I have been doing some research to find out more. I love flying, there is something so amazing about taking to the skies. So anyway, you’re probably wondering, is Heathrow airport duty-free worth it?

To help you with this question, I went on a duty free adventure at Heathrow on my way to the US last week. This is what I found….

Heathrow Airport Duty Free- Should You Buy Jack?

No, I mean, really buy Jack… When it comes to a few popular adult beverage options, this is how it goes…

First I checked out a bottle of Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey.

Heathrow Airport = £24.99 (on offer for a £9.13 savings) This is around $42.Duty Free Heathrow Worth It

At a US airport you can get .75 litres more for $41.00.
Duty Free Heathrow Worth ItAt WineAnthology.com it is $24.99 for 750ml, excluding shipping.

Next, I compared a bottle of Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial, 75cl.

Heathrow Airport = £32.99 (advertised as a £15.91 savings). This is around $55.
Duty Free Heathrow Worth It

US Duty Free = $79

 

Amazon.co.uk- MOET & CHANDON Rose Imperial Champagne

If you like champagne like me, you’ll probably want a few bottles. So I also compared the Veuve Clicquot Non-Vintage Rose, 75cl.
Duty Free Heathrow Worth It

Heathrow Airport = £32.99 This is around $55.

US Duty free is = $79

Amazon.co.uk- Veuve Clicquot Champagne Rosé

Heathrow Airport Duty Free- Adding Up the Scents

Another popular Duty Free purchase is perfume and cologne. So, here’s a few labels for you to see.

Prada Candy Natural Spray, 50 ml.
Duty Free Heathrow Worth ItHeathrow Airport = £45.40. This is around $76.

The bigger size of 80ml was £60.60 (an advertised sale price of £15.15 less). And this equals around $101.

US Duty Free 80ml = $93

 

Amazon.co.uk- PRADA CANDY EAU DE PARFUM

A classic scent you may want to get your international hands on is Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum Spray (100ml).
Duty Free Heathrow Worth It

Heathrow Airport = £76.60. (Advertised as a £19.20 savings). This is around $128.

US Duty Free = $124

Amazon.co.uk= £117 ($185)
Thierry Mugler’s Alien Eau de Parfum (60ml)
Duty Free Heathrow Worth ItHeathrow = £43.25. This is around $72.

To smell like a legal ‘Alien’ in the US duty free shop, you’d spend $99.

And if you want to smell like an Alabama tart, you can pick up ‘Fantasy Twist’ a la Britney Spears.
Duty Free Heathrow Worth It

Heathrow Airport = £33.65 for 100ml. This is around $56.

US Duty Free = Not found

Sephora.com = Not found.

Heathrow Airport Duty Free- Smoke if you got ‘em

Heathrow = £90.00 for 3 cartons of Marlboro Gold. This is around $151.
Duty Free Heathrow Worth ItUS Duty Free = $37 for 1 carton of Marlboro . Three cartons would be $111.
Duty Free Heathrow Worth It

At a Sheetz petrol station in Pennsylvania = $61.08. Three cartons would be $183.24!

The ginormous ‘Smoking Kills’ warning on every pack of smokes in the UK… PRICELESS!

Heathrow Airport Duty Free- Money Bags

For kicks, I checked out my fav affordable bag designer, MichaelKors.com at Heathrow Airport.

This tote bag is £200.00. This is around $336.
Duty Free Heathrow Worth It

The Heathrow Airport duty free shop lists it as a £40 savings from Knightsbridge.
Duty Free Heathrow Worth It

You can find a similar bag for $297-$358 at Macys.com.

This handbag is £941.65. This is around $1,584.
Duty Free Heathrow Worth It

Again, this duty free shop indicates it’s over £180 cheaper than Knightsbridge.
Duty Free Heathrow Worth It

Duty Free Items- Last attempts for Souvenirs/Gifts:

There are also the items that are extremely difficult to get in your destination. This means duty free could be your last chance to grab those country’s treasures and prices might not matter too much…

Duty Free Heathrow Worth ItDuty Free Heathrow Worth It

 

Sunny friends, what do you think? Does this change your outlook on Duty Free? Will you leave earlier for the airport the next time you have an international flight to save a few dinero at Duty Free?

*US Duty Free prices were taken at the Detroit, Michigan Airport (DTW). Exchange rates were calculated on May 26 at the daily rate of $1.68 = £1.00

If you’re visiting London for the the first time (especially the NFL in London Games this Fall), see the blog’s Guide to London for Americans Visiting the First Time.Or you can subscribe to Sunny in London emails. I’m happy to help Americans find their way here faster, so please share this post if you or friends are travelling to London. You can read more about the expat experience on the blog. Be sure to see the review of an international shipping company, which includes a discount for you.

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If you’re planning a visit to London, the Sunny News YouTube channel has regular updates of advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, and a shopping guide.

https://youtu.be/d8G79FbJKN0

THE ESSENTIAL FIRST TIME GUIDE TO

American-guide-to-London

HARRY POTTER

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YOUTUBE

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