January 2025 Archives

Happy Chinese New Year. This year, I went to Bang Bang Oriental Food Hall, which is located in Colindale in northwest London. This venue is the largest Asian food hall in London and has a large selection of different Asian cuisines with a seating capacity of 450 people. The food hall does get very busy with queues and needs to have more seating in my opinion as there isn't a lot of room compared to the number of vendors.

The food hall hosts many community events and Chinese New Year activities and events. There is a restaurant in the ground floor, and the upper floor contains a patisserie and many restaurants from different parts of Asia, and visitors can find street food and delicacies from different regions in China, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, India, and other locations.

The building is a stunning reflective one, and it shares with a supermarket.

First, I tried a mango juice with some fresh mango, although the photograph was deceiving as I expected more mango slices. The cafe selling the drinks sold desserts too, and it was called citropia cafe. 

I went to Hakka for my meal, and the portions are enough for at least two people. The stall sells home-made southern Chinese food, and I had the bang bang chicken extra spicy with noodles. (The spice I could not taste, but I never find Chinese cuisine to be spicy.) The noodles were good, but chicken cooked in Chinese cuisine I never find as tender; it's always chewy and boiled. (I don't consume meat besides chicken, so perhaps I should have gone for a vegetarian option.) 

For dessert, I went to Harune Korean Kitchen. I had the bing soo, and this is a dessert made of condensed milk and frozen into shaved "ice cream" and topped with mango slices and sauce. I had the mango flavour, but there were other flavours as well.

Before I left, I went back to citropia cafe and had their fresh watermelon juice.

Next door is an Asian food supermarket, and I went and had a look, although it was packed due to visitors purchasing items for Chinese New Year.

This month starts the year of the snake, one of the twelve animals in the Chinese lunar year based on the story about the animals. 

Last week, I visited the annual event at Canary Wharf known as Winter Lights, which place in January to bring some colour and light into this depressing time of the year. The event kicked off in the third week of January and ends the first full weekend in February so is a little bit later than previous years. I have been visiting this event since 2016, and I always enjoy seeing the different light sculptures. This year, there are twelve temporary ones. Keep reading below to see the sculptures in the 2025 installment of Canary Wharf Winter Lights.

I grabbed a pistachio hot chocolate to enjoy while I went to see the light installations. The weather was not nearly as cold as the previous week, so I was warm enough.

"Evanescent Droplets" by Atelier Sisu. Inside the fountain at Cabot Place are giant bubbles or balls that light up and change light and colour set to soundscape. 

"Positive Spin" by Liz Harry and Kazimier Productions. This is a machine that is inspired by the arcades and spin machines, and each button stops th machine to show a different positive message to the viewer.

"Lightbenches" by LBO Lichtback. These light benches are part of the permanent collection and are interactive; they change and cycle through the different colours.

"Bird Passing By" by Luminariste. This light sculpture shows a skeleton or bones and features a bird-like shape made of lights that flies through the sculpture, the bones lighting up.

"Illusion Hole" by UxU Studio. This artwork is located in the dock and gives the appearance of a whirlpool or black hole.

"bit.fall" by Julius Popp. This permanent light installation is made using water that cascades down and forms a word taken from media and news sources.

"The Clew" by Ottotto. This red light sculpture is part of the permanent art at Canary Wharf. It's located on a bridge and encourages people to walk through it.

"Aj Vana Be" - Benedikt Tolar. This sculpture is made of stacked bath tubs with glowing lights that sync to music. The artwork brings to the attention the need to protect and conserve water sources.

"Stitching Light" by Rahul Abdin and Oitij-jo. This series of lit-up artwork is about real life stories from Bangledshi women who came to England, and the series of illustrations demonstrates the stories. It is created using fabric from clothing.

"Wave" by Squidsoup. This group have hosted many of their installations at previous events, and they always bring in the crowds to see the interactive and picturesque light installations. This one was high above heads with colours changing in waves in all the colours of the rainbow.

"Circa" by Limbic Cinema. This sculpture was displayed last year in a different format. The sculpture brings together our association with the natural light and darkness and cycles.

"Shine Your Colours" by Tine Bech. This permanent installation was created for th summer lights that was part of a series for a couple of years. For the winter light event, they are illuminated.

These light trees were on display as a bonus and appeared in previous years.

"Error" by Vendel & de Wolf. This spinning cycling light sculpture speaks about the unknown and has an eerie quality about it. It appears to spin and looks good against the skyline.

"We Could Meet" by Martin Richman. This permanent art installation is made with acrylic rods and changes colour and frequency throughout the day.

"Elantica The Bounder" by Tom and Lien Dekyvere. This sculpture is part of the permanent collection and is made from disused circuit boards.

"Captivated by Colour" by Camille Walala. This bridge artwork is part of the permanent collection and the colours illuminate.

"Artificial Humans" by Atelier Haute Cuisine. This art light installation was created by AI generator as an experiment to create a light art installation and these illuminated humans were the result. The figures all are in the same pose and appear to be looking down at their hands and remind me a little of zombies.

"Mirage" by Atelier Sisus. This immersive artwork changes colours and demonstrates the relationship with social media based on our own individual perceptions or where we stand in relation to the sculpture, which can viewed at different angles and positions as the viewer interacts with it.

"PORTAL" by Licid Creates. This is a huge doorway or portal that stands 13 meters tall, and the lights inside glow and slightly change colour, and the mirrors reflect more light. It is highly interactive and encourages people to step through it.

I visited Emelia's restaurant for fresh pesto pasta and a spicy margarita. I had a salted caramel hot chocolate before I headed back out, though this was a bit too milky and not strong enough to please me. The margarita and pasta were delicious.

Previous years of Winter Lights can be seen below:

Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2024
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2023
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2022 - cancelled
Canary Wharf "Connected by Light" 2021
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2020
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2019
Winter Lights @ Canary Wharf 2018
Canary Wharf Winter Lights (2017)a
Winter Lights @ Canary Wharf (2016)

Family-owned grocers Partridges at Duke of York Square (Sloane Square) is closing its doors at the start of next month. They are continuing to run their Gloucester Road shop, and they plan to open some smaller shops across London. The shop will be taken over by the leaseholders Cadogan, and they plan to kep the shop as a grocery with an inspiration to Partridges. I have enjoyed visiting this shop, even though it is on the expensive side, as they always sourced unique and good quality items and was a perfect place to buy little gifts. 

Partridges is used by the royal family, and after Elizabeth II, the shop continued its royal warrant via King Charles. I will miss popping into this shop, which has been in operation here for over 53 years. I mainly visited when I was in the area, such as to see the Chelsea Flower Show and the displays. I bought a delicious Partridge branded gin and tonic (I bought the full-sized gin last year), and they had a large selection of American products. 

Street artist David Shillinglaw's artwork is inspired by tribal, abstract, and pop art. His work is always very colourful and features different colourful and simplistic imagery in a collage. When I was visiting Camden in October, I discovered a new mural by the artist in an archway. The artwork features different imagery that is inspired by its location in Camden.

More posts on this blog with David Shillinglaw's work is located here:

David Shillinglaw in Salisbury
David Shillinglaw New Mural at Zetland House
Street Art: David Shillinglaw
Street Art Round-Up to July 2015
Malarky Returns to Create Street Art on East London Shutters

Earlier this month, four large-scale lobster sculptures by pop artist Philip Colbert featuring his lobster characters "Lobsteropolis" appeared in Duke of York Square to celebrate his exhibition "The Battle of Lobsteropolis" in Saatchi Gallery. The exhibition features the lobster characters in different settings against technology and a future fantasyscape. The lobster sculptures will be in display until 24 February and feature different styles based on famous art.

The above sculpture is inspired by Andy Warhol.

The above sculpture is inspired by Japanese artist Victoria Miro.

I'm not sure which art the above sculpture is inspired by.

The above sculpture is inspired by Van Gogh.

When I was in Winchester last November, I headed over to Josie's cafe to enjoy pancakes for breakfast. Josie's creates a fluffy stack of pancakes by using their own recipe, and they look absolutely delicious. I ordered a stack of two with berries and ice cream and maple syrup, and they were very filling. I could not even eat them all.

I also ordered a chai latte, but it was the worst chaii latte that I have ever had and tasted of warm milk only. (Yes, I did inform and they kindly re-made it, but I concluded that they just did not know how to make it.)

The cafe has a relaxed vibe and is a popular spot with locals.

Street artist Dr. D creates artwork disguised as advertising boards and signage, and these artwork signs can go unnoticed unless you are really looking. The artist often puts up these pieces, which have political and social messages. I photographed a new artwork by the artist last year, and it is located near Shoreditch High Street Box Park in a spot that has often had the artist's work.

I also photographed the "HMP London" prison sign, which was located on Sclater Street in an abandoned building for years.

For more work by Dr. D on this blog, see below:

Street Art: Dr. D

A few years ago in late September, I visited the Brockhampton estate in Herefordshire. The estate is managed by National Trust and contains an orchard of plums (or damsons) and is noted for its fruit-growing. It's also one of the most picturesque National Trust properties with its moated house and small gatehouse. When I visited the property a few years ago, only part of it was open as we were in lockdown at that time. My most recent visit was in August, but I had not gotten around to posting it, and I always need something to post in January too. These posts bring memories and anticipating the warmer weather to come.

The property contains over 1,000 acres to explore, and it was also the site of a former village. The timber-framed house dates to the 1100s, although the gatehouse is medieval.

I explored the top of the gatehouse.

The rooms were open with each one depicting a different era.

The hall was the most impressive with a viewing gallery, and I remember from the last visit that bats live in the house.

I explored the upper floor.

The below room was dedicated to the first world war, and it had information about local men who served in that war.

During the lockdown, some of the rooms on the ground floor were shut, including the pantry or storage room off of the kitchen.

Being an orchard, they would have made their own cider, and the best was saved for special days.

The orchard was flourishing with its bounty. Apples and plums were growing and ripening.

All that remains of the old village (except for the house) are the remains of a stone church next to the house.

I also had a walk around the moat, and I came across a pasture of sheep. A couple of them decided to scape the fence.

Before leaving, I had a look in the second hand bookstore and had a black cherry ice cream.

For my previous visit, Brockhampton Estate Lockdown Edition.

The "Garden of Lights" light trail near Newark, Ohio celebrates the story of "Alice in Wonderland" with various light sculptures, tunnels, and other intractive light sculptures dotted around the grounds. I visited just before Christmas when I was in Ohio, and the trail will be in place until the beginning of March in 2025. It was a cold evening, and we were the only visitors present when we arrived, but a couple of other groups did show whilst we were there. The location is near Newark in Frazeysburg, which was home to the Longaberger basket company, which was a local success story when I grew up in the 1980s and 1990s but which declined rapidly after the death of the founder and one of the first crisis of expendable money that came to be in the 2000s.

The event is based on the story of "Alice in Wonderland", so the grounds are transformed into this magical land. 

The sculptures were themed around the story and characters and started from the beginning as a book, leading to the other events in the story.

Look up to see the Cheshire cat.

Some of the lights were synched to sound, and others based on movement or footsteps.

There was also the longest light tunnel in the USA present.

I enjoyed this light trail and had a good time. It was a little bit costly to visit, but I see the price has now come down. The trail is in place until early March.

When I was in Ohio last month, I visited the Chatty Cat Cafe located in Colony Square Mall in Zanesville, Ohio. The cat cafe launched in February of 2023. The cat cafe allows people to meet and play with the resident cats with the hopes of getting them adopted. All of the cats had wonderful personalities and got on well in the cat cafe. Many were curious and wanted affection and some play time, which I gladly gave. I needed to clone myself because they wanted so much attention and were demanding it. I would have gladly taken a couple of them home with me too, but I have my Maine Coons, and I don't think they would appreciate any competition. 

I had a peppermint hot chocolate, which was delicious. These are allowed to go into the cat cafe area, but we were told to watch out as some of the cats want to eat it too. Food was not allowed inside.

I also got a couple of macaroons, and these went zipped up in my bag. One cat was loving all over my bag; whether he/she smelled the macaroons or my cats remains unknown.

Th cafe has photographs of their cats and names of them.

I first met little Sarah, and she allowed a lot of cuddles and even demanded more.

Th cats were very friendly with social personalities and demanded play and affection. 

There were a couple chilling out; maybe they had enjoyed play time already.

I played with them using a string toy, and they loved it. Multiple cats tried to play with the toy.

I absolutely loved the cats and enjoyed the experience, and the peppermint hot chocolate was also delicious.

For the past few years, the City of London has hosted a few light sculpture installations (at Principle Place and CityPoint), and the scultpures were in situ from the middle of October until the 6th of January. The two installations are titled "Glow" and "Trumpet Flowers" and are interactive with light and sound. They have been created by Amingo&Amigo, which are an art agency from Australia. 

"Trumpet Flowers" plays jazz trumpet music when the viewer interacts with it, playing different trumpet sounds. The trumpet flowers also light up when played and transform colour. The more people that interact with it, the better it sounds as a jazz band. 

"Glow" is similar in design, and it plays fourty different sounds when interacted with, and the more people that interact with it, the better it sounds. It also transforms the lights into different patterns and colours.

Previous editions of IlluminoCity are below:

IlluminoCity 2023
IlluminoCity Light Festival 2021

Welcome to the autumn 2024 edition of the beauty and skin-care products that I have used up over the autumn of 2024. I wanted to showcase the products that I have used so that I can remember which ones that I would purchase again and recommend. I was able to use up many products over the autumn, so keep reading below to see what I thought of the products.

Bath and Body Works body shimmr mist in 'crisp orchard leaves': I love the brand and some of the scents produced, and this autumn scent left a shimmery shine to my skin when applied. The scent is fruity and reminds me of fresh apples, and I loved it. Would I buy it again? Yes, I love the brand.

Kiehl's skin-strengthening super serum: This serum promises to help aging skin and boost texture and radiance. Would I buy it again? This was only a sample, so I did not see any results, so I wouldn't.

Aussie protection serum: This hair serum promises to protect hair when using a straightener or curling iron. Would I buy it again? No, the product was too oily and made my hair fall flat and look greasy.

Bath and Body Works hand soap in 'Pink Peach Blossom': I love gthe brand, and this hand soap was foaming and smelled like fresh peaches. Would I buy it again? Yes, peaches is one of my favourite scents.

H2K Harrogate body lotion: This body lotion contains vitamin E and can be used on the body or hands for moisture. Would I buy it again? No, the lotion felt a little too thick and did not absorb.

The White Company moisturizing lotion for hand and body: This hand and body lotion has a pleasant grown-up and relaxing scent. Would I buy it again? I have a lot of hand and body lotion, but I would consider to buy this.

Fab First Aid Beauty hydration lotion for dry skin, suitable for sensitive skin: This lotion is easy on the skin and hydreates dry skin and can be used on hands, face, or anywhere else on the body. Would I buy it again? I would consider to buy the product again.

Jane Iredale in 'forever pink' lipstick: This lipstick matches skin colour with the lipstick and makes it appear natural. Would I buy it again? Yes, I did buy a full size.

Sisley anti-age: This serum promises to reduce wrinkles and add moisture to skin. Would I buy it again? I would consider to buy this product again as it absorbs into skin.

Baby Lips balm: I bought this ultra-hydrating lip balm in a pink colour, and this product really hydratd my lips and made them feel ultra-soft, and it also addd a pink tint to my lips. Would I buy it again? Yes, but I would choose a different shade. The product made my lips soft.

Pumpkin Purifying 24k Mask by Tool Cool For School: This facial mask is in a gold colour and promises to hydrate skin. Would I buy it again? No, the product does not work at all. It is a novelty item with gold peel. It had no benfit.

Ctaphil oily skin cleanser: I used this skin and makeup cleanser on my skin, and it promises to be good for skin that is oily. I don't suffer from oily skin. Would I buy it again? The cleanser did not really effectively cleanse my face nor the make-up, so I would not purchase it. Perhaps someone who has oily skin would benefit more from this.

Nail colour in mint green: I received this mint green nail polish. Would I buy it again? No, the product was a waste of money because the nail colour did not dry.

Beauty Made Easy Vegan lip balm: This lip balm is a vegan product and promises to make lips soft. Would I buy it again? No, I didn't see anything special about this product in the results.

Bath and Body Works hand soap in 'Sparkling Watermelon' I love the brand, and this watermelon-scented hand soap smelled lik fresh watermelon. Would I buy it again? Yes.

Clinique mascara: This little travel size bottle of mascara is from the Clinique brand. Would I buy it again? No, I think there are better mascara products.

Liplicious lip gloss in vanilla cupcake: This sticky lip gloss has a scent of vanilla cake. Would I buy it again? The product is too sticky and takes moisture off my lips, so I would not buy it.

Victoria's Secret lip gloss in watermelon: This is a watermelon-scented and high gloss lip product. Would I buy it again? The product is too sticky and takes moisture off my lips, so I would not buy it.

Cowshed moisturising hand cream: This hand cream is absorbed into the skin and does not feel too heavy. Would I buy it again? I would consider to buy this product again.

DKNY perfume 'Be Delicious': This apple-scented perfume is playful and comes in an apple-shaped bottle, and it smells like a Red Delicious apple Would I buy it again? Yes, I loved it, but I would consider the longevity on the product is not the best.

Benefit Frat Boy blush: This is a sample size of the brand's blusher with a vintage scene. Would I buy it again? The product was a little too bright in colour for my skin.

A few months ago, I went shopping in Uxbridge and decided to have brunch at ChaiiWala. This is an Indian restaurant cafe that serves Indian cuisine. I had the Desi Breakfast with chickpeas, chai, and a grilled sandwich. Overall, the food was okay but I was expecting something spicy. I asked for additional chili.  

The chai was good, so I would go back for that. I just wish the rest of it had had more flavour and spice.

Mr. Doodle or The Doodle Man is a high profile Kent-based street artist who has been doodling street art for the past several years. His work is widely-recognised, and he has worked with some large brands. I first noticed his work in Wembley several years ago (circa possibly in 2014) where he transformed some of the concrete into doodles in the newly-refurbished area. 

The most recent doodle street art by Mr. Doodle has appeared in early October of 2024 near Chalk Farm between Chalk Farm and Primrose Hill on the bridge. The artwork covers both sides of the bridge, and each panel of steel includes various doodles by the artist in black and white with yellow highlights.

Additional work by Mr. Doodle on this blog is listed blow:

Early 2016 Street Art Round-up
Ashford Snow Dogs

Located near the village of Charm and not far from Millersberg in the Ohio Amish country is Guggisberg Doughty Glen Winery and hotel. The winery is set amongst fields of vineyards and contains some nice views in a secluded area. I visited the Ohio Amish country when I was in Ohio in the middle of December, and I had a drive around to see some snow-covered hills and went to a few places before stopping at the winery.

We had had some snowfall overnight, and the trees looked beautiful in the snow, and the back roads are picturesque when driving through the area.

We stopped at the Guggisberg Doughty Glen Winery. The snow had melted by then, but some parts of the county did not get as much.

I had tastings of some of their wines. These included their dry white "Misty Meiner", the "Laughing Blush", a rose blend, the "White Catawba" (a sweet white wine), a strawberry, and the Concord (a sweet red wine). 

My favourite was the White Catawba, so I had a glass of that and enjoyed it in their room with nice views.

I was offered a free cookie on the way out. 

I remember visiting this hotel and winery several years ago when they had the cookie tour of the Amish country hotels, but they have not done this event in the past several years.

For the past couple of years, the Fleet Street Quarter in London has hosted a sculpture trail featuring twelve winter or festive-themed sculptures. Last year, these twelve sculptures were based on the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas". This year, the penguins were the stars of the trail. The sculptures aim to bring visitors into the area and also raise money for charity WWF (World Wide Fund) to help environmental consrvation causes.

Th sculptures were in place for eight weeks over the festive period and can be accompanied by an audio trail so visitors can learn about the sculptures. The sculptures are created by Wild in Art.

The previous trail at Fleet Street Quarter are located below.

• Walking with The Snowman

Each festive season, the courthouse in downtown Cambridge, Ohio becomes a festive centrepiece with its own light show set to Christmas music. The light show is a treat for all children and adults and has taken place for many years now. When I was in Ohio last month, I visited the light show. This was not my first visit, but I always enjoy seeing it and experiencing some of the festive magic of the season. I also combined this with a shopping trip and to see the Dickens Victorian Village figures also scattered around the town.

Different Christmas and festive tunes are played, set to music. The courthouse lights up with different colours. There was a mixture of modern and traditional Christmas songs, and there are songs for the children as well.

More information on this blog from previous years can be seen below:

• Dickens Victorian Village 2024
• Dickens Victorian Village
• Cambridge Courthouse Light Show

The Dickens Victorian Village in Cambridge, Ohio is now in its nineteenth year and brings people to celebrate in the town during the festive season. Figures of people dressed in Victorian clothing and doing activities of the English Victorian period are depicted with a festive theme are located along the streets in downtown Cambridge, Ohio. I've been to see them a few times; previous photographs can be seen in the link at the bottom of this post.

Cambridge also has a lot of interesting shops, restaurants, and bakeries to visit and spend money in.

Some of the figures are singing carols. Others depict festive shopping, afternoon tea, royals, selling apples, serving beer, lighting street lamps, school children in school, and chimney cleaners.

During some weekends, they have horse and carriage rides and trolley rides, and they also have some sessions with Victorian-themed afternoon tea. Each night, the courthouse in the middle of the main street has a sound and light show with festive tunes projected onto the building. 

There is a welcome centre to see how the figures are made and to play dress up.

More information on this blog from previous years can be seen below:

• Dickens Victorian Village
• Cambridge Courthouse Light Show

Pantone®  has chosen Mocha Mousse (17-1230) for the colour of the year for 2025. This shade is a natural and earthy tone, and according to the Pantone® website, it is a "comfort" colour. Each year, the company launch a colour to influence choices in industries such as design, interiors, fashion, and more. I am not sure if they missed the mark this year with a "dated" beige colour, but they have introduced a few colour schemes with this colour.

Pantone® helps set colour trends, so expect to see the colour used in fashion, interior design, home furnishings, graphic design, and artwork over the next year. The past few years of Pantone® 'colours of the year' are listed below.

2024: Peach Fuzz
2023: Viva Magenta
2022: Very Peri
2021: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating
2020: Classic Blue
2019: Living Coral
2018: Ultra-Violet
2017: Greenery
2016: Serenity & Rose Quartz
2015: Marsala
2014: Radiant Orchid
2013: Emerald
2012: Tangerine Tango
2011: Honeysuckle