London Ice Sculpting Festival

Once again, the London Ice Sculpting Festival is set to make a spectacular return to Canary Wharf from 11 - 13 January 2013; one of the world’s premier business, leisure and shopping districts, Canary Wharf is hosting one of London’s favourite winter events for the fourth year running.

Creating magnificent sculptures from glistening blocks of ice, the Festival will feature teams from around the globe. 

The annual Festival is FREE and visitors have the chance to see highly talented sculptors from the UK, USA, France, Hungary, Bulgaria, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, Latvia, Belgium and Portugal as they compete to be crowned the 2013 Champions. 

There will also be an alpine themed Winter Market. 

Here are a few memories of last year's festival:

Are you ready?

Share with us some of your photos on Twitter and Facebook and tell us which sculpture is your favourite this year! 

Guy Fawkes Night

If you are coming to London next month the celebration of November 5th is a must.

Now you are wondering what’s going on here that night... right, we have lots of bonfires burning!

On the night of November 5th, throughout Britain, we commemorate the capture of Guy Fawkes with bonfires and fireworks, and by burning an effigy of Guy.

Who is this Guy? Boutique London Lets has found this interesting, informative and funny video which explain the entire story.

Nowadays, Bonfire Night is not only celebrated in Britain. The tradition crossed the oceans and established itself in the British colonies during the centuries. Today, November 5th bonfires still light up in far out places like New Zealand and Newfoundland in Canada.

Here a list of fireworks displays across London... have fun! 

After this night on fire, we would love to hear from you with some amazing fireworks' and bonfires' photo to publish on our Facebook and Twitter page! 

Affordable Art Fair Battersea 25-28 October 2012

The Affordable Art Fair  is returning to London this Autumn next  Thursday.

The concept is simple and unique: an inspiring and friendly atmosphere in which you can find thousands of original paintings, prints, sculpture and photography all under one roof. The work of young, emerging artists hangs alongside some of the biggest household names, provides a chance to snap up a future masterpiece.

Let Boutique London Apartments guide you through this unique event.

History:

In 1996, Will Ramsay opened Will’s Art Warehouse in southwest London to bridge the increasing interest in contemporary art and the London gallery scene.

This was only the beginning.

The first fair was launched in Battersea Park in October 1999 and over 10,000 visitors took advantage of the ease of buying affordable prices and user-friendly approach.

Nowadays the Affordable Art Fair has become something of a global phenomenon. It takes place in Amsterdam, Bristol, Brussels, New York, Milan, Singapore, Hamburg, Mexico City, Rome, Seattle, Stockholm and Hong Kong. Globally, over 1 million people have visited an Affordable Art Fair, buying over £155 million of art.

Ben Allen, Dirty Sexy Marilyn

Never been to an Affordable Art Fair before?

. Workshops and activities at the fair

The theme for this autumn’s programme is Paper, Scissors, Rock, which explores a different medium each day – from printmaking to sculpture and painting to collage.

. Talk the Talk

A programme of free and informal talks and tours on everything from finding really affordable art to creative techniques and insider info.

. Kids and Creche

Free Kids’ Activity Packs aplenty to hand out which are filled with a range of arty activities to keep kiddies aged 4-11 entertained.

Chris Forsey. Evening Approaches

Check how to buy a ticket and opening times here.

October Plenty 2012

October Plenty is a harvest festival celebration of the bounty of autumn and is a fusion of old customs with modern street theatre. 

It’s held each October outside the Globe Theatre on Bankside in London and takes place whatever the weather, free of charge. 

October Plenty mixes ancient seasonal customs and theatre with contemporary festivity, joining with historic Borough Market, Southwark.

The October Plenty events & highlights through images:

. The Corn Queene 

Photo thanks to Demotix

. The Berry Man

Photo thanks to TheLionsPart

. The Procession

Photo thanks to Demotix

.The Play

Photo thanks to Paris.franz

. The Story Orchard

Photo thanks to William Baeks

. The Apples

Photo thanks to TheLionsPart

This year it will be on Sunday 21st October .

Boutique London Lets has a number of apartments for rent in this area, so travelling to and from central London shouldn't be too much trouble. In this way you can visit the festival to enjoy these sights and more, welcoming autumn in London at a unique harvest celebration.

Click here for the event website.

Dinner with kids in fancy London restaurant? Top 10 family-friendly restaurants in London

Do you love the idea of traveling with your children, but worried about managing mealtimes?

Food for Kids

At Boutique London Serviced Apartments we believe that an important part of  your travel experience is dining in local restaurants and enjoying local food. 

When it comes to go out with kids, child friendly and themed restaurants for kids are the ideal solution.

The fact that you travel with your kids doesn't mean that you have to give up and eat in uninteresting, poor-quality kid focused restaurants.

Whatever your favourite cuisine you will find something to suit the whole family.

Here are the top 10 family-friendly restaurants in London:

.Giraffe 

Check out the beach-style cafe area with a ‘fast and fresh’ menu or the Brekkie Bar for when the kids are getting impatient. This is a fantastic restaurant to enjoy an early morning breakfast, quick lunch or relaxing dinner overlooking the runway.

. Rainforest Cafe 

It's a distinctive jungle themed venue offering fun nights out amongst alligators and tropical fish.

They also organise lots of children's activities. 

. Sticky Fingers 

Co-owned by ex Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, Kensington's Sticky Fingers is, full of yummy mummies and buggies at lunchtime – rock and roll made palatable for the under 10's. It serves up the usual American fare of ribs and burgers with a kids menu.

. Sam's Brasserie & Bar 

Here there is something for everyone, from local office workers to parents with children.

They have plenty of books and colouring-in to keep your little ones entertained.  

. Blue Elephant

You can choose from a variety of unique dishes, from the past, present and future of Thailand’s gastronomic culture. 

Although there is no kids menu, there is entertainment and face painting to keep the kids entertained.

. Locale Cucina Italiana

Locale strives to bring its customers a true Italian food experience.

It has children's menus to keep your little ones happy and healthy.

. Julie's

Julie’s has been referred to as the rock chick of the restaurant world. 

Julie’s is delighted to offer parents a Sunday lunchtime crèche for children from 2 years - 12 years old. Open from 1.00pm until 4.00pm. Dine in a relaxed and stress free atmosphere knowing that your children are being cared for, entertained and amused by our fully qualified crèche staff.

. The Belvedere

It is a mix of British and French cuisine on a brasserie-style menu. This is a really great restaurant for families and kids eat for free between 12-3pm for every full priced adult meal purchased.

. Le Bouchon Bordelais

An authentically French restaurant where the kid’s menu is free on weekdays before 7pm and there is a free Sunday crèche for kids aged 2-9 years.  

. Wagamama

It is a great japanese restaurant and noodle bar where you can find mini japanese dishes for your kids.

London Cocktail Week: 8-14 October 2012

When it comes to events in London, Boutique London Lets knows what's the best.

That why London Cocktail Week should be number one on your list of things to do during your stay in London next week. 

In the meantime, have a look at our article on what’s on this weekend in London – while you are waiting to drink a cocktail you can eat a delicious meal at London Restaurant Festival. 

Enjoy and don't forget to share your experience with us on our Facebook and Twitter page. 

The 2012 London Restaurant Festival

Here at Boutique London Lets we love eating out and we are very curious about what's on the plate this year at the 2012 London Restaurant Festival.

What is it:

The 2012 London Restaurant Festival is designed to raise the profile of establishments involved and acknowledge the pleasure and sustenance given to all by London’s extraordinarily diverse range of restaurants.

The festival will comprise of two main elements: Events and Festival Menus and unlike other Festivals, the London Restaurant Festival is not a singular, one-location event for which a single ticket can be purchased. It is an umbrella festival under which a host of activity and individual events take place.

Where:

All over London

When:

The 2012 London Restaurant Festival takes place from 1-15  October. 

Photo by EuropeBeta.com 

What's on:

- Saturday 6 October Tapas Tour

- Sunday 7 October Kitchen Influentials

- Monday 8 October  The Big Debate at The Tabernacle

- Monday 8 October Swedish Wild Meat Breakfast  With Magnus Nilsson

- Tuesday 9 October Eat Film III & IV 

- Wednesday 10 October Eat Film 

- Thursday 11 October Eat Film III & IV

- Saturday 13 October Street ThEATre 

Buon Appetito!

Black History Month: 1-31 October 2012

Every October, people across London and the UK come together to celebrate Black History Month.

The annual season highlights and celebrates the achievements of the black community in London and beyond.

It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in February and the United Kingdom in October.

Let Boutique London Lets guide you though this big event: 

History:

Black History Month had its beginnings in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week". This week was chosen because it marked the birthday of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick  Douglass. Woodson created the holiday with the hope that it eventually be eliminated when black history became fundamental to American history.

Black History Month was first celebrated in the United Kingdom in 1987. This establishment of Black History Month is generally attributed to the work of Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, as well as the Greater London Council.

Where and What's on:

In the Southwark council, Black History Month has been recognised for over 20 years with a month long programme of exciting and inspirational events and workshops.

Every year throughout October people, schools, libraries, groups and organisations host events and get involved with the celebration of black history.

Celebration is the theme for Black History Month 2012. Incorporating the games, the Jubilee, and independence day celebrations, the programme aims to look at the influence of these celebrations in relation to black history/heritage and culture.

You can find more about Black History Month events here and have fun!