Christmas in Covent Garden

Somebody tell me why this was left until January 4th before being done? Very tempted to celebrate Christmas all over again tomorrow ;). Got some movies to tell you about, perhaps some reviews and an absolute bucket load of recipes. Stay tuned.
xx

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Yes, I seem practically to be living here this December. Let's just say the appetite for fairground rides, mulled wine & Christmas magic is insatiable (so much so for my pre-25th Scrooge mood - we all knew it would catch up on me eventually). 
If you haven't been, go. And definitely ride the star flyer. Your eyes will sting, your hair will be ravaged & the wind will pinch your cheeks... but the view is absolutely breathtaking. 
xx
P.S. 54 hours of 2012 to go!
http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

Seasonal Surfeit

One of the best things about Christmas time, in my opinion, is the ready availability of overly indulgent, rich, luxurious and lip-lickingly delicious food, both in and out. I know there's always something special on the hob/in the fridge around my house (even leftovers are a treat in December!) but should we choose to eat out, many-a-seasonal-special on menus as well. And what with birthday celebrations, Christmas dos, family meals, dinner dates & girly catch-ups, there's a plethora of excuses to overindulge too. 

On the flip side though, one of the worst things about Christmas time is probably the ready availability of overly indulgent, rich, luxurious and lip-lickingly delicious food (!). I've been eating no less than a little piglet (I literally have a muffin top to show for it) and silly as it sounds, I'm quite looking forward to eating slightly more moderately (hey, let's not push it okay?) once the Christmas goodies, and spirit, have run out. Yes, I know how out of character that sounds for me but... a picture paints a thousand words: 

That, in case you're ogling, drooling and curious, is the Gnocchi al Quattro Formaggi I had a few nights ago at a little Italian called Zinco. I.e. hot, fresh, oven baked Gnocchi in a bubbling, creamy four cheese sauce of fontina, mascarpone, mozzarella & parmesan. As if one cheese simply wasn't lavish enough for Christmas. Mmmmmmmmmmm. Look at it. Just look at it. So extravagant (and I daresay, calorific!) I think I'm gaining weight just eyeing it up. 
Word of advice - get in the door before you embark on your post-Christmas detox. It really is one of the better Italians I've had in a long while. 
xx
Zinco, 89-91 High Street, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1LN

A Change of Pace

I love Autumn - it’s my favourite season. Along with the changing colours and weather, there's a real shift in both momentum and mood too. From long lazy summer days we find ourselves suddenly in the midst of the pre-Christmas rush and bustle, with kids back to school and routine back in full-swing. My favourite thing about Autumn though, has to be the fact that I can wrap myself in gorgeous, comfortable, snuggly clothes at the same time as feeling the warm, watery October sun on my face. I've had a manic, but good start to my week; yesterday, full moon, known according to the Hindu calendar as Sharad Poonam, marked harvest festival - the completion of the nine night festival of Navratri. It's soon Diwali, then Halloween, followed by Guy Fawkes… and, finally, of course Christmas. My countdown is most definitely on, a countdown for late night shopping, mid-shopping hot chocolate stops, gift-buying and gift-wrapping and many-a-late-evening spent tucked away in one of London's cafes, watching the Autumn rush. Happy Wednesday to you all. xx