London's Christmas Windows: a Virtual Tour

December is in, it's official; 

Christmas is here.  

Indulging oneself with advent chocolates, 

shopping & reckless spending 

is no longer considered taboo. 

Nor is gazing at {fat} men in red...

Selfridges' Christmas Windows

The theme: oversized objects of desire
(ex. a gigantic YSL clutch)
overlook Christmassy settings full of mini Santas. 

The feel: It's like being a 2 year old in Christmas Wonderland;
you want everything you see.

The highlight: the delicious gingerbread London display,
made from biscuits and caramel.

Fortnum & Mason's Christmas Windows

The theme: traditional, retro displays 

of Christmas time in the ideal 50s family. 

The feeling: It's like watching an old feelgood Christmas movie: 

warm & cosy.

The highlight: the perfect housewife
rushing out of her kitchen with her pudding. 

Liberty's Christmas Windows, 2013

The theme: inspired by Christmas crackers,
Liberty's displays are fresh & colourful.

The feel: It's like drinking a refreshing cocktail,
while watching the snow falling.

The highlight: The rubber duck inside a fine porcelain cup.

Harrods' Christmas Windows, 2013

The theme: Harrods Express wagons display
the 1900s version of a very, very glamorous Christmas.

The feel: It's like watching The Great Gatsby,
while munching on caviar and sipping champagne. 

The highlight: the macarons' pyramids in almost every display.

Click here to see more photos of London's Christmas windows displays.

Game of Crowns at Kensington Palace

Did you know that this Christmas 

you can be crowned Queen (or King) 

and sit on the throne of a real London palace? 

Where? 

Right at Kensington Palace in Hyde Park

(the royal family's home)! 

How?

You will earn your crown and sit on the throne 

after playing fun, traditional games 

and visiting a beautifully decorated 

Kensington Palace. 

Impressions? 

The ambience was regal, 

the games were old school but fun, 

the palace is worth visiting, 

the staff was very helpful. 

  

In a nutshell:

 a nice way to spend a (festive) family day out.

Practical Info

Kids go free. 

Adults' entrance is £15.00. 

Open from November 30 to January 6, 

from 10:00 - 17:00. 

For more information about Game of Crowns, please click here

Disclosure: We were invited to try out the Games.  

Wording & views my own.

London's Museums: the Tate Modern

It's probably the most famous museum 

in the world. 

It's possibly the most interesting museum 

in London. 

And it's certainly the place to see quirky art 

and the most iconic/dramatic chimney 

in Europe.

Meet Tate Modern 

Set in a former power station on Thames's south bank

just opposite St Paul's cathedral, 

Tate Modern is just 14 years old 

(it first opened its gates in 2000). 

Since then it has attracted ~40 million visitors, 

and it's no wonder 

it's one of UK's top three attractions. 

The best way to begin your visit to the Tate Modern 

is to cross the Millenium Bridge 

which is one of the best spots 

to see London's skyline.

Inside Tate Modern 

The numbers: 172 artists, 620 artworks, 6 floors. 

The artists: Picasso, Dali, Matisse, 

Turner, Bacon, de Chirico, Monet, 

Miró, de Saint Phalle, Vézelay, Rothko.

To name a few.

The art: impressionism meets video art, 

arte povera neighbours pop art, 

while surrealish shakes hands with cubism.

The visitor: you will be impressed, that's for sure,

although some of the artworks  

may initiate thoughs like 

"Would I put that in my living room?"

Ellsworth Kelly, Mediterranée , 1952

Tate Modern Facts 

Admission is free, except for special exhibitions.

Tate Modern is open until 22:00
on Friday & Saturday
(perfect for a date-night).

Have a cup of tea, grab a lunch
or plan a romantic dinner at Tate Modern restaurant
(it has great views over the river & St Paul's).

With three gift shops
it's a bit hard to resist shopping.
Favourite buys: the Tate Modern prints
and kids' artsy gadgets & books.

For more info, visit the Tate Modern website here

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The Victoria & Albert Museum