Flat White

The coffee girls latest spot was, Flat White located at 17 Berwick Street, just off Oxford Street in Soho. This is a shot of the outside:

Flat White
17 Berwick St
London W1F 0PT
Underground: Oxford Street

What did I order? A Flat White (decaf of course). What is a flat white? Its basically a cappucino/latte it just has a shorter more velvety foam on top and the milk is steamed at the bottom of the pitcher...its all coffee science stuff ya know (wink wink). It was tasty and the foam art was beautiful as you can see from the picture below.  I also ordered toasted banana bread (nut free) and it was ok, not great, but not bad either, but for £2.25 I expected more...

decaf flat white AT flat white.

This inside was cozy and the staff were nice.  There was a grown man (a customer) who decided to throw his coat on mine while we were having a conversation about germs.
I of course quickly moved my coat from my right to my left side. Who does that? weirdo. Anywho, they had no bathroom/water closet/toilet... so after an hour or so we had to jet.

This is the sister cafe of the Milkbar also in Soho.

Cheers to more coffee,
WMMc

Fleet Street

I finally explored Fleet Street. It only took me a year. I've been down it once in a mini cooper, but never on foot until recently with Tiff.  Here are some of our findings...

We exited Temple Station and saw the Swissotel where they have an afternoon tea with treats in the shapes of iconic London landmarks. Then we wandered up hill to Fleet Street.


First Stop: TWININGS TEA - as in their first tea shop...yep, it's been open a LONG time...  Our goal was to try some different teas in the tea bar, but due to Christmas deliveries it was closed...BUMMER.

22 Fleet Street

Next Stop: 
Ye Olde Cock Tavern where we found Red Apple Limited Edition Bulmers Cider.
LOVED IT! They also have good humous and chips.

Next Stop:
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese - We wondered in and it smelled really bad so we left and went back to Ye Olde Cock Tavern.

Then we stopped for a quick far away shot of St. Brides Church, its tiered spire inspired the tiered wedding cakes that we know and love today...

Its the dark pointy thing in front of St. Pauls Dome in the middle of this picture. The picture was taken standing right outside Ye Olde Chesire Cheese.

Cheers,
WMMc

Lash Tint

Nothing says Merry Christmas like a good lash tint. Yep! I died my lashes. Actually while my friend Tiff was visiting me in London we both did and we both liked the results. She even said she'd probably keep doing it.  I even have a picture for proof. HA!

Gina Conway Aveda Salon on 199 Kings Road in Chelsea - Ask for Joe. (Nearest Tube: Sloane Square)

Merry Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I'll be celebrating in Buffalo, New York. The place of Christmas miracles.

I'm kidding of course, but I'm telling myself that to make it seem more delightful.

My husband is from there so I knew eventually I'd spend at least one Christmas in that magical land of snow and bitter cold temps.

Will I be shoveling the sidewalk? Heck No.

I'll be inside listening to his grandmother tell cool stories while I'm eating pepperoni and basket cheese unless its in the morning and then I'll be eating banana bread.

Have a good one everyone!

I recently spotted these guys in Selfridge's on Oxford Street - The green one almost took a nose dive into the escalator steps.  They were adorable.

Spotted these cool lights (bikes) during a day trip to Oxford.

Happy Birthday To My Man

Happy Birthday Mike McCooey Jr.!

Here are a few pictures from his surprise party at the Hillgate Pub in Notting Hill:

Birthday card about dog poop and a random glove on the table

Birthday Decor

Carrot Cake Cupcake from Hummingbird Bakery located in Notting Hill

Left to right: Me, Mike, Colin, Becca, Dan, Jessica, also there but not in picture Ryan and Kristin H.

I love you,
Wendy

Jesus Christ...sign...

While sitting in the Trafalgar Pub on King's Road in Sloane Square the other night Tiff and I noticed this odd sign... Taking a picture of it was a must...

I honestly don't think Jesus would have this style of handwriting... just a thought...

Bus 9

You gotta love the old school double decker buses! 

I actually rode in this one with my friend Tiff on our way to Harrod's

So Cool!

Underwear on Bus 31

Ummm... Please keep track of your underwear while on the bus...
If these are yours you can find them on the upper deck of Bus 31 to Camden Town... HA!

random underwear on the upper deck... eeek!

Filming in Progress!

Yet another reason why I love my neighborhood

spotted on December 15 on Westbourne Grove

Notting Hill is an area favoured by filmmakers as places where their characters live and work.  In the 60's version of Alfie, Alfie's flat was at 29 St Stephens Gardens. And in Notting Hill, Hugh Grant lived at 280 Westbourne Park Road. Sadly, the blue door has now been replaced.

Belgravia Christmas Market

The Crew

A few pictures from the Belgravia Christmas Market (a one day market)

It's just not Christmas without Reindeer!

cute kids singing Cmas Carols at the market...the kid in the red coat in front NEVER sang a word. He reminded me of Ralphy from the Christmas story...

 Merry Christmas

Again?

Another sad sad sign... Geez. I'm not sure these are necessary. 

Peggy Porschen Cakes

Sunday my friend and I met up with some friends at Peggy Porschen Cakes before we wandered through the Belgravia Christmas Market.  We were told "look for the big pink building" sure enough I spotted it a .25 of a mile away (insert smile here) We walked in and thought it was adorable.  I tried their Banoffee Cupcake and a decaf cappuccino while my friend Tiff tried their caramel tea that they have specially made for them (all of their teas are specially made for them) We were both VERY pleased with our picks.
Would I go back? Definitely!

Peggy Porschen Cakes

116 Ebury Street
Belgravia, London SW1W 9QQ
Tel +44 (0) 20 7730 1316

Opening Hours:
Mon to Sat from 9am to 6pm
Sun from 11am to 5pm

Cheers,

WMMc 

Mozart sighting?

If you've read my blog much you will notice that I love finding "dots" all over the city.

This one is my latest find and I'm pretty happy about it!!  

Belgravia/Chelsea area near Elizabeth Street and Pimlico Road.

Mozart... Age 8... Such a slacker...

Cheers,
WMMc

Monmouth Coffee Company

Monmouth Coffee Company

27 Monmouth St
City of London WC2H 9EU
020 7379 3516

Underground: Tottenham Court Road

Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

As I was wandering around Covent Garden the other day in the snow I decided I needed some coffee to warm me up so I checked out Monmouth (they use to roast their own coffee beans in the basement of this store).  I walked in and was surprised at how small it was, but how well they managed everything within such a small place.  All the food looked very tasty, the staff seemed happy, and the place was very well lit. They even had some cute church like benches/booths in the back for dine in.

I decided on a ham and cheese croissant, but was a little disappointed when they told me that they couldn't warm it.  For my coffee I went with a decaf cappuccino both for takeaway. I paid my £4.70 and was later given the smallest to go coffee that I had ever been handed (think not much bigger than an espresso shot size).  I looked at it and then back at the lady and said, "Is this it?" she smiled and said, "Yes".  Soooo note to self if I go back there I will more than likely dine-in with hopes of receiving a bigger portion.  Since both were good I'd probably go back.  Geez, London is expensive. 

Cheers,

WMMc

Dear Student Protesters...

Dear Student Protesters,

You Idiots! You obviously learned nothing from all the protesting in the 60's... Vandalism will get you no where.  There is a right way and a wrong way to protest. And you are wrong. No one is going to listen to you, wait, no one is going to care what you have to say when you are doing these foolish things to get attention. Are you twelve?

How dare you disgrace these beautiful Lions in Trafalgar Square. They are one of my favorite things in London and you have spray painted every one of them with words that show nothing but ignorance. Do you really think by spray painting the word "F**K" on them that you would win your battle over tuition fee increases?

Kids see this graffiti you idiots.  Now someone that has nothing to do with the tuition increase gets to stand out in the cold and clean off your spray paint. What did this spray painting prove? Other than the fact that you are an idiot?  Did you ever see a former president out there spray painting their message on iconic landmarks? Did you ever see Ghandi with a can of spray paint in his hand writing F**K on things?  You are not Banksy so please step away from the spray paint can.

One thing is for certain the protesters that spray painted Trafalgar Square definitely need some schooling.

Shame on you.

Cheers,
WMMc

Christmas Crypt?

Illumini Underground Christmas

Posted 22 Dec 2010 on www.youngandpoor.com

Fancy experiencing an alternative Christmas experience to the usual? Come and visit this underground grotto. The venue is a dark church crypt, with alcoves and arched ceilings, the fantastic setting and atmosphere, for an alternative Christmas experience.

The walls are lit with bright colourful projections and effects guide the way, passing illuminating artworks that will dazzle and amaze guests of all ages. Hidden deep inside, Is Illumini’s very own Father Christmas ready to greet everyone.

Children can participate in workshops during their visit, making their own festive gifts to take home with them.The whole event is free including children’s workshops, making it a fantastic family fun day out with a difference, at what can be a very expensive time of the year for people, especially families.

Opening night will see a full grotto experience, with illuminating art works by individual artists and Illumini’s Santa. During the course of the evening, there will be performers all working with light, including fire performances, illuminating juggling, dancers, singers, light shows, ice carving, by The Ice Agency, create-your-own light graffiti (and watch the results projected onto the building); and enjoy a glass of mulled wine or warm yourself with hot soup. There’ll be free glow sticks and surprises for children.

Free entry, Thurs 2nd-22nd Dec 2010, 11am-7pm, The Crypt, St Pancras Church, Euston Rd, NW1 2BA

Cheers,
WMMc

Union Jack Dresser

The other night we were walking by Jensen and Ballantine this really cute store in Notting Hill not far from the tube station and I saw this dresser in the window. Now that is some serious Union Jack love.

can be found at Jensen and Ballantine

Charlie's Portobello Road Cafe

Charlie's Portobello Road Cafe

59A Portobello Road, Notting Hill W11 3DB
Underground: Notting Hill Gate

Monday morning 6 fabulous coffee drinking friends and myself checked out Charlie's Portobello Road Cafe around the corner from my place in Notting Hill.  I had read about it in someone's blog and thought I'd check it out. You'd think with it being so close that I would have already been there... Nope! Not until this past Monday.

I arrived, walked into this little alley/cove type hideaway and there it was simply adorable. Once I walked through the french doors I noticed the adorable rustic wood tables, chairs, a cute upstairs, the long list of items for offer on chalkboards, and a very nice staff (which isn't always easy to find in London).  This is how nice they were...We were there for 2.5 hours only had one large coffee each and a few had a muffin and they never said a word.

That's my group in the back wearing all the coats.

They even have a frequent coffee customer card so of course I snagged one of those because I'll be back!  Did I mention my very large cappuccino was only £2.25 that's pretty rare in London as well. That's a deal!  I even ordered Decaf and actually got Decaf (again rare).

See you again soon Charlie!

Cheers,
WMMc

Christmas Lights in London

As I have stated before I don't really like Christmas, but I do LOVE the decorations and the festive energy that it brings...  So of course I have been snapping pictures here and there as I roam the city...  Here are a few of my latest Christmas favorites:

Reindeer located in Covent Garden

REGENT STREET

HARRODS RIGHT BEFORE IT GOT REALLY DARK

HARRODS ONCE IT WAS REALLY DARK

AND OF COURSE OUR BLOW UP CHRISTMAS TREE!

I'll share some others before Christmas is over.... so stay tuned!

Cheers,
WMMc