Tea Affair

As a person who drinks more than 12 cups of tea a day (and sometimes, if I’m honest, a fair-few more than the dozen), I thought it about time that I submit my ‘Ode to Tea’ – especially given my current geographic abode…

tea –noun the dried and prepared leaves of a shrub, Camellia sinensis, from which a somewhat bitter, aromatic beverage is prepared by infusion in hot water.

Now before you all post comments about the dangers of too much caffeine, fear not – I mix my cups up with herbal varieties: peppermint, chamomile, Lipton fruit varieties, and green… oh, but that one’s caffeinated, isn’t it?! How I do love a good cuppa black with milk, no sugar.

Moving into my flat, I knew I had found home when my soon-to-be-flattie asked in her sing-song English twang, “You want a cup of tea, hun?” Oh yes, please! And it was always so comforting starting new temp jobs when on orientation I was shown to the kitchen and pointed in the direction of the cupboard full of the obligatory bags of Tetley… Having never been a smoker, I can only equate the addiction they must feel to how I react to my first cup of tea for the day. Total calm. If anyone remembers the Tetley ads in Oz where the cartoon Tetley worker comes into the scene looking pale, and then upon taking his first sip, his colour replenishes, and he sighs, “Ahhh, Tetley, that’s my cuppa tea!” Well, I’m that cartoon man… only in the flesh, and with a better hair-do and a fabric wardrobe.

For those interested, there are four main types of tea are black tea, oolong tea, green tea and white tea (in order from most processed to least). I have recently become a fan of Clipper’s Organic White Tea with Peppermint (produced in the UK, see clipper-teas.com) – it has the caffeine to give me the buzz I love, and the peppermint to aid my digestion. White tea is the least processed and has the highest levels of caffeine, owing to the fact that the blend contains buds and leaves (black, oolong and green only use the tea leaves). If you haven’t tried it, give it a go… although it’s slightly more expensive than good ol’ Tetley. I figure I’m worth it.

My mock Miu Miu

I featured Miu Miu's leather Coffer Bag a few weeks back in Gotta Love a List, you can probably take from its second mention that I really, really like it. But, not all of us can afford designer price tags, so.... what to do?

Find a cheaper alternative.

And I do mean cheaper, and not cheap. The word 'cheap' has negative connotations, and I don't want you thinking I'm sending you off to the land of polyester and vinyl. No way. I'm introducing you to one of my favourite New York High St designers, Steve Madden. A native of the Big Apple, Madden is the founder and former CEO of Steve Madden Ltd, specialising in fashionable women's shoes, and later branching out into clothing and accessories, like gorgeous handbags. I say, former CEO because he was made to resign in 2002 after being convicted of stock manipulation, security fraud and money laundering - oops! Naughty boy.

He does design lovely shoes and bags though... for which all girls must be thankful. And... as well as stores throughout the United States, and internationally (including Australia, but sadly for the Intern, absent from the United Kingdom), all his stunning designs can be purchased online at stevemadden.com.

Case in point:

Miu Miu, Leather Coffer Bag, £720.00

available at net-a-porter.com

Steven by Steve Madden, BLadyLux, US$195.00
available at stevemadden.com

That's right ladies... start shopping, for less!

Soul Food

It's always nice when you're invited round to a friend's place for dinner. Especially when the company is all girls, and the atmosphere intimate and informal... You just know by the time the corks out of the bottle that the conversation is going to resemble a therapy session - on speed. How is it that we ladies are able to manage our thoughts, talk at a million miles an hour, and listen to our friend who is doing the same, all at the same time? It's a part of being of being female that I just love.

And then there's the dinner.

While I firmly believe that we diet foremost for ourselves, we often relish the results for the impact they have on our other femme fatales... If we're honest, boys are easily pleased and most call us stupid when we start counting calories. Our girlfriends on the other hand praise our efforts, and honour our style... Get us in a room full of food, however, and the diet's out the window and a binge-fest takes its place.

Last night I was party to a lovely social gathering for four. Our host offered up healthy carrot and capsicum sticks with dip for starters, and then fresh burritos (with lots of spice to jump-start our metabolisms) for our mains. For dessert we were treated to grilled peach-halves with melted marshmallows, and a tub of Ben & Jerry's Fossil Fuel was placed in the middle of the table... At first we showed restraint, helping ourselves to a small scoop and savouring every delicious sugary-mouthful; but when our bowls were empty we eyed that tub like it was Brad Pitt on a platter... and the spoons came out again.

Gone was the ice cream and out came a spread of chocolates, ginger slice, mini brownies and Italian shortbreads - and we girls went to town!

Suffice to say we rolled out of our host's living room, and I waddled to the bus stop, feeling decidedly full but emotionally weightless. Like all good girly-get-togethers we'd managed divulge all our dirty laundry and reassure one-another of our intrinsic goodness - and consumed a few thousand calories. Really, there's nothing sweeter.

Night Ride Berlin

If you’re seeking romance, go to Paris. If you’re after nightlife then Berlin is your city.

Wild parties, techno lights, bright punk-hairdos and metal accessories are what it’s all about in Germany’s urban hub. GF and I have put our raving days behind us, but I did manage to suss out the ‘scene’ for those of my readers who still think the night starts at 2am!

First stop:

90 Grad
Where: Dennewitzstr. 37, Berlin
(closest U-Bahn, Kurfürstenstr)
When: Wednesdays from 9pm – 3am, Fridays and Saturdays 11pm onwards
Scene: Formally attracting the cream of house and techno DJs, now this is simply the place to be seen. Make sure you look like a supermodel because there is a strict door policy, and you don’t want to feel out of place when you’re being served by the incredibly stunning bar staff – especially when the drinks cost more than your airfare!

Then onto:

Berghain & Panorama Bar
Where: Am Wriezener Bahnhof, Berlin – Friedrichshain
(closest S-Bahn, Ostbahnhof)
When: Open 24hrs over the weekend, but the crowd is largest between 3-8am
Scene: Hard-core, heavy house set in an industrial-style warehouse. The crowd is young, fit and likely to scare off clubbers who simply like to waste away in the corner.


For sunrise shenanigans:

Weekend Club Berlin
Where: Alexanderstr. 7, Berlin
(closest S-Bahn, Alexanderplatz)
When: The roof opens at 11pm, but most come (or stay) to see the sunrise over the city.
Scene: Argued as Berlin’s hippest house and techno club, offering up some of the countries most renowned DJs, Weekend is the place to let loose well into the morning, and perhaps a little more street-friendly than Panorama.

And to carry you through to night again:

Bar 25
Where: Holzmarktstr. 25, Berlin
(closest S-Bahn, Ostbahnhof)
When: Club open from 11am Friday to 10pm Sunday
Scene: Right on the edge of the river Spree, Bar 25 is a restaurant, bar, club, cinema and hostel all-rolled into one – and only open during summer. The club is designed like an American-style saloon… by far the friendliest tourist option and not a bad place to enjoy the city the sights, with the lights on!

Journey to Berlin

I like to think of myself as super organised - and I am. But... sometimes I miss the forest for the trees. Let me explain.

Back in June I decided I'd meet up with a friend of mine in Berlin. She and I travelled through India for six weeks a few years back, and the experience bonded us for life: think lots of long, sweaty train trips, being spat on and groped by locals on a crammed bus, and a severe case of Delhi-Belly... We've seen each other at our worst, and best, but haven't seen each other in the flesh for almost two years. So we decided to meet up in Germany's biggest city, for some girly catch-ups, and some currywurst. All-in-all the weekend was fabulous, it was just getting there and back that tried my patience - although, I have no one but myself to blame.

Blond Moment No. 1: Booking an 0630 hrs flight out of Luton Airport

In an effort to save a few pounds (and it really was only three or four), I booked an easyJet flight to Berlin's Schoenefeld Airport at 6.30am for Saturday the 22nd September, not really thinking about the logistics of getting myself to Luton (about an hour out of London) in time for the 4.30am check-in. All last week I sought out damage control - given that the Underground doesn't open until after 5am - and came up with various options, from going to Luton at midnight the night before and sleeping at the airport, to paying through the roof for a cab, but I eventually booked myself on the 24-hour easyBus shuttle from Victoria station. My plan was to catch a 3.41am train from Clapham Junction to Victoria in time for my 4.10am shuttle, and to check-in online the day before... but then we have...

Blond moment No. 2: Missing my 3.41am train

It would be true enough to say that my organisational qualities stem from a slight case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I am definitely a creature of habit, and one of my more stringent practices is my morning breakfast routine. It doesn't matter what time I have to get up, I can't go a morning without my hot water and lemon juice (with my multi-vitamin and omega-3 tablets), followed by my cup of green tea, then my shower, then my cereal (half All-Bran, half Bran Flakes), washed down with a refreshing cup of peppermint tea. That to me is brekky, and there ain't no way around it. So on Saturday morning I woke to my alarm at 2.40am and went through the motions... until I decided to look at my watch mid-cereal, only to realise that my train was due to arrive at the station in less than ten minutes and I was only halfway through my bowl, not to mention my as-yet-untouched mug of peppermint tea! I stared at my reflection in the night window and weighed up the real possibility of missing my flight all for my bowl of bran - it was a tougher choice than you'd think. I reluctantly spooned my uneaten cereal into the bin and drained my peppermint tea, then I took flight down the stairs of my apartment building and ran like a crazy woman to the station.

Moment of Clarity No. 1: Taking a mini-cab to Victoria

Now to some this wouldn't seem the clear option at all (given the horror stories of women in London and mini-cab drivers) but at 3.38am with the station's back entrance closed and the likelihood of me making it around to the high street entrance incredibly slim, I swallowed my pride and forked out the 12 quid for a trip to the shuttle check-point. Once on-board I promptly fell asleep. An hour later I was a Luton, and making my way through security...

Blond Moment No. 3: Not taking note of any German phrases

Having been swept up in the brilliance of travelling in Germany with a local (my girlfriend hailing from Frankfurt), I completely forgot to brush-up on my please-and-thank-yous (or should I say, bitte-und-dankes). This posed a bit of a problem given that I arrived in Berlin a good three hours before my GF and had to get myself from Schoenefeld to our apartment in Ostbahnhof, via the S-bahn (overground train) and a bus. I made it, with the help of an English DJ (now living in Berlin) - and even scored mine and my GF's name on the door at an apparently ultra-hip club called Picnic...

THE RETURN JOURNEY:

Blond Moment No. 4: GF and I not reading what time the check-out was

Spending our final morning in the city doing a spot of retail therapy, for GF, not me of course, given that as yet, my health fund doesn't cover such holistic treatments, we arrived back at the Loft to find a lovely little cleaner busy at work on our sheets and pillows. Luckily my OCD had meant that I had already packed, but the abrupt shoo-out of the building left us wandering the streets of Ostbahnhof luggage in tow.

Blond Moment No 5: Back in London missing the stop at Waterloo

Having caught the slowest train from Luton into London Bridge I was rather hoping for a quick transfer on the Overground and a connecting train straight to Clapham Junction. I was told, however, that my best bet was getting a train back to Waterloo and then making my way home from there - a trip that should have taken no more than 15 minutes... But a stickler for correct descriptions I took Waterloo as 'Waterloo' and therefore stayed put on the train as it passed Waterloo East, only to realise as my train took me once again across the Thames that my instructor had obviously meant his directions to encompass all-things Loo... What followed was a mistaken trip from Charing Cross on the Bakerloo line heading North (not my desired Southwards journey) and then two train delays at Piccadilly Circus. Having landed at Luton at 1701 hrs, I didn't touch base back home in Clapham until well after 8pm. Tired, hungry and with a belly-full of airport sweets, I entered my flat and proceeded to unpack. After all, you can't let a little thing like public transport get in the way of sorting out your dirty laundry. Or is that just me?

Note: In tomorrow's post I'll give you the run down of some cool little cafes to visit and the monuments that are must-sees

Ready for the Ruggers...

With the weekend looming and my plans looking set to include another Friday night at a pub watching the rugby, I began to wonder, when did I start watching football?

I wouldn't like to think of myself as one of those girls who is completely averse to attending sporting events, but growing up in a household of four women and a dad who fancied electronics over sports I feel that I have started behind the eight-ball.

London has a huge pub culture - as I have touched on before - but the last few weeks with the Rugby World Cup on the pubs have bustling almost every night, and there have been more than a few coloured jerseys being worn by men usually attired in stiff suits and dress shoes. I have not taken to the change in outfit myself, but I have watched a few of the games... However, I use that term loosely. Where a true fan would watch and comprehend, my eyes simply glaze over the bright green field and spotted players, and then I cheer according to the directions of my fellow drinkers.

I jumped online to try and find out the date of the first RWC game for 2007, you know, to give you guys a bit of background info and make this entry more about the games and less about my ignorance... but... I couldn't seem to find that piece of information on the official site (rugbyworldcup.com). I can hear the groans of my male friends now!

I did source out some information about the game of rugby - in an effort to aid my understanding of Friday night's match (between France and Ireland, or should I write that: France vs. Ireland? Ahhh, the pressure!)

For those not in-the-know:

• Rugby (short for rugby union football) is an outdoor sport, played by teams of 15 players a side, who are able to kick and at times carry an oval ball. Note: this means visually you can differentiate between 'football' as in soccor (black-and-white-checked round ball, no hands) and rugby union football (which I am told has to be referred to as just-plain 'rugby');
  
• An adult-level rugby match goes for 80-minutes, and consists of two 40-minute halves, plus time added on for injury (don't quite get why they don't stop the clock but if any of my readers are rugby fans, feel free to comment below... actually, I'd like you to!);


• Points are scored by 'trys' or 'goals' - a try is scored when the ball is grounded (thats when the big boys run and plunge themselves into the ground near the goal posts) and it gets them 5 points... A goal is scored if the ball is kicked between the goal posts and above the cross bar. But this is where it gets a bit tricky because there are 3 ways to score goals: i) a drop goal - where the ball must hit the ground immediately before it is kicked, ii) a penalty goal - awarded when the other side breaks a rule, and then the side infringed against can try for goal from the point of the infringement, iii) a conversion - this is where the side that has just scored a try gets to go for a goal too, either by a drop kick or placing the ball on the ground. Note: A penalty or drop kick is worth 3 points, and a conversion is worth only 2 points.

They're the important bits anyway. I'm sure there's more, but if I research any further I might be turned off entirely and choose instead to spend my Friday night at home, with a DVD and some popcorn...

Travel's Where It's At

As a young girl I coveted the glossy pages of women's mags, so when it came to my career, I just knew it would have to be played out within the walls of a publishing house. I'm a firm believer in positive thinking - picture it and it will one day be...

So sitting in on the weekly editorial meeting for HB's December issue - as both travel editors were out of the office for two days - I was like a kid at Christmas, bubbling with excitement and jumping out of my chair (on the inside that is... my exterior was cool, calm and collected, I promise!).

Going through the issue was our managing editor. Basically the 'book' (not magazine) is broken into pages, and the pages into sections. Each section is managed by an editor who either writes the 'copy' (stories) him/herself, or commissions freelancers. When our ME got to Travel's pages all eyes were on me - and I loved it! I hurriedly took everyone through the 'pages,' referring to the scribbled notes I had taken down in the two-minute phone conversation I'd had with my editor that morning. Our ME smiled - I think she gathered my excitement from the cheesy grin on my face - and before I knew it we were on to the next section. What happened to 15-minutes of fame? I'm sure I only got in three...

While I have always known glossies were for me, I was never quite sure about the ins-and-outs of the editorial team. Having now interned five months in New York for Bridal Guide and three weeks here at Harper's I'm starting to feel quite at home with the different departments. The funny thing is that I had always thought I'd find my place in Features, but both internships have been in Travel, and actually, I'm starting to think myself quite lucky.

You see Travel is where it all happens. Sure in Beauty you get lots of freebies, but who really needs a dozen types of hand creams, shampoos and eye-liner pencils? And yes, the girls in Features do get to interview some famous faces, but how nervy would that get? It's far better to mingle with them at events when you're relaxed and have a champagne in hand. And don't get me started on the poor loves in Fashion - for them it's all about unpacking boxes and boxes of clothes that are way too small for the average woman to even think about wearing. But us Travel girls are the ones who are wined and dined and sent off to Tuscany for the weekend to sample a new five-star villa, or jetted Out of Africa to don a safari suit and sip evening cocktails on the edge of the Okavango River. Or at least the editors are...

Now it's just a matter of closing my eyes, taking a deep breath and imagining... the power of the mind is a great and wondrous thing.

Ladies and their loos

However common an occurrence, it always strikes me as funny when I'm out in a group and one of my girlfriends announces that she needs to use the restroom. Not because I find her bodily functions in any way amusing, but rather because without doubt her next line will be, "Do you want to come with me?"

Do I, really? Regardless of the state of my bladder it's fairly certain that I will say yes. Because this is the way of women. Men are hunters - stealth beings in a constant state of competition, who choose often to take on the world alone - and women gather. We gather together in office kitchenettes to discuss last night's television shows, the state of our home lives, a new purchase or the guy on level four who looks like he's interested. We also congregate in kitchens at house parties to discuss similar topics although this time under the guise of food preparation or dish washing. But our favourite place to cluster is the loo. For the plain and simple fact that we know the men aren't going to hunt in women's toilets, whether they want to or not.

Now if truth be told I am not one for bringing my friends to the lavatory with me unless I don't need to use the toilet at all, and am taking her there purely to purge a juicy piece of gossip... that's because I'm the kind of girl who likes to pee anonymously. But I will never pass up a restroom invitation from a fellow femme, as to do so would likely mean missing out on something interesting - and you never want to be left out of the loop!

At the weekend I experienced a case of the 'event-exodus' loo-liaison, the ones where you and your girlfriend/s need to plan a way to exit a party either without making a scene or indeed, without being seen... And just yesterday I was party to a colleague-bitch-fest in the company loo. In the latter case we organised our 'rendezvous' through facial expressions alone, employing our eyebrows like the catcher uses his fingers to communicate to the pitcher - in fact we chicks have skills those boys can only dream of.

Ultimately our gatherings take place when we're up to no good, but that doesn't mean they're going to stop anytime soon. Cave women started it (or at least I assume), and modern women will continue the trend - although now in tiled rooms, and far better dressed - until time immemorial.

London's Fashion

Fashion Week has finally hit London, so I suppose it makes sense that I devote a posting to current clothing trends... I'd like to think of myself as abreast of fashion - one look inside my overflowing wardrobe and it is clear that I have a penchant for retail therapy - but putting my own ideas down as gospel, I think not. Instead, I turned to October's issue of Harper's Bazaar, just to confirm if my thoughts were in line with my mag's fashionistas... and I'm pleased to say, a few of them were:

Here's the London-lowdown: 10 style updates to keep up with trends

10. The biker jacket

Okay, so I've tried a few styles of leather jackets on in the past few months... I went with a mushroom-coloured version from H&M, according to HB you can throw these babies over last season's shift dresses to funk up your outfit.

£150.00 Leather Crop Biker Jacket by Kate Moss (topshop.com)

9. The structured tote

This is where I can gloat a little... I've been ahead of this trend for a few years now (ahhh!). I purchased my current fave from a street vendor in NYC for $35 - and without fail, every time I take it out for a spin people comment, even guys! HB suggests investing in a classic shape and colour (did I tell you mine was black?), and 'it will look forever chic.'

£735.00 Balenciaga Large Bag (asos.com)

8. The cape coat

Not quite sure about the practicality of this one. I can imagine there will be a few of us who buy one if these for winter and end up storing it further to the back of our cupboards so as to avoid the constant reminder of being a financially-crippled slave to fashion. But... if we must, HB advises that we keep our hair and make-up modern to avoid looking like we're in costume.

£50.00 Black military style belted cape with 3/4 sleeves (dorothyperkins.com)

7. Colourful patent courts

Yay, yay, yay - I was chatting about this one just yesterday... Although it's hard to miss these bright and shinnies in the shop windows of Office, Aldo and Topshop. HB recommends teaming them with a midi-length skirt for maximum leg-lengthening effect.

£55.00 High Perspex Heeled Court Shoe (topshop.com)

6. The pencil skirt

If you wanna look ultra sexy and downright bootylicious, definitely take on this trend. I found the ultimate but-lifting style on topshop.com (ruched bum pencil skirt in black, £30) - wear a high-waisted version with a fitted shirt in the same colour for the ultimate figure enhancement.

£30.00 Satin Ruched Bum Pencil Skirt (topshop.com)

5. Black ankle boots

As far as footwear is concerned, boot is best. But for those of us not blessed with luscious long legs, team them with black opaque tights to elongate, and add a short, flirty skirt to ensure a feminine look.

£30.00 Brogued Lace Front Ankle Boot (asos.com)

4. The statement white shirt

Nothing beats a crisp white shirt. The look is classic, and comfortable, and after last seasons smocks and shapeless shifts it's time to embrace fine lines and tailoring. HB suggests updating your look by sewing on contrasting black or gold buttons to the cuffs, and the Intern advises her budget conscious friends to check out The Gap's new Classics range...

£20.00 Ruffle pintuck shirt (gap.com)

3. The waist-cinching belt

Now, I've bought a fair few of these over the past couple of seasons, and wear them sparingly... after all, there's nothing worse than feeling like you're wearing a girdle, but HB assures us that structured versions, 'make a woman's body look the best it can (by) pulling in the stomach and improving posture.'

£12.00 Gold diamante waist belt (dorothyperkins.com)

2. Wide-leg trousers

Ahhhh, I love it when you invest in a trend that sticks. In the summer of 2005, I splurged on a pair of black Zimmerman wide-leg trousers (to the tune of a few hundred dollars)... at the time I thought myself mad, but they have seen me through. My tip, spend a wee bit more - they will most likely have a better shape and this style is all about wearing a good quality, tailored fabric.

£235.00 Tibi Black wool high-waisted wide-leg pants with a pleated front (net-a-porter.com)

1. The oversize clutch

According to HB this item will be the statement piece for the season (as they say, 'the bag du jour'). And it's practical too... finally, a clutch that actually fits your money, phone, make-up and keys!

£365.00 Stella McCartney Black patent finish fabric concertina clutch with zipper detailing on front (net-a-porter.com)

Ping Pong's great, but it ain't no Yum Cha

About a month ago, I enjoyed a giggle when I signed onto my beloved Facebook and saw that I had been invited to join the group, 'I wish Yum Cha trolleys would circulate through my place of work' - which to-date enjoys 2,207 members. Yum Cha takes the Chinese-dining experience a step further by circulating ready-to-eat, tasty morsels around the restaurant thus honing the art of up-sell, ensuring happy (and stuffed) customers. Dim sum (those yummy steamed, and sometimes fried, parcels of all-things veg or meaty) are definitely the cat's pyjamas in my book, but that may be because when it comes to eating out I have managed to convince myself that if it's bite sized, food has no calories.

So setting out on Saturday night for the South Bank's hip dim sum joint, Ping Pong, with a group of friends I was ready for a good meal. With several locations over London (including in ultra-funky Soho), Ping Pong has done for dim sum, what Wagamama's did for the noodle, and they have an impressive cocktail menu to match. Although I have to say, the experience just isn't the same without those Yum Cha dollys and their trolleys.

At Ping Pong it's all about style. The impressive decor includes floor-to-ceiling windows and lots of mirrors, round tables downstairs and low couch seating upstairs, complete with mood lighting. The staff were friendly enough - although one poor waiter dropped a tray of sugary cocktails over a girl in our party which did dampen the evening somewhat. Funny how it's at these moments you can recognise who in a group has worked tables before - I shuddered as I recalled spilling the contents of a diet coke bottle into a customer's bag of Prada goodies during my time back in New York... he had handled it very well... although, if you can afford Prada, I'd imagine you're unlikely to sweat a dry cleaning bill. Our girl mopped herself off with humour and grace, and the waiter made himself scarce for the rest of the evening.

As for the food, the dishes were delightful. Fresh Asian greens, and succulent seafood with just the right about of sugar and spice, although the cocktails were a bit on the icey-side of full. If you do choose to Pong while you're in town definitely try their Honey Barbecued Pork Steamed Buns, and their Spinach and Beef Gyoza, served with ginger sauce... yum!

Ping Pong, South Bank

Festival Terrace, Southbank Centre

Belvedere Road

London SE1 8XX

tel: 020 79604160
open: Mon - Wed 12pm to 12pm/Thur - Sat 12pm to 1am/Sun 12pm to 10.30pm

dim sum dishes from 3 pounds

cocktails from 5.50