Here’s the latest from our resident zoologist and London based editor, Justine Aw.
Last night we attended a “Rumble in the Jungle” at the Barbican Centre, a celebration to mark the launch of Feasting with Bompas & Parr, the brand new cookbook from the dynamic duo of jellymongers Sam Bompas and Harry Parr, which follows their successful Cocktails and Jelly. Of course, to take it even further than the last - this cookbook plays music when you open it! (See the video on the next page… )
The celebrations included a steaming cauldron of tropical Guinness punch, a Ziggurat of Flavour, an array of exotic cocktails and some incredible botanicals such as the super shiny Pollia Condensata Berry and Sechuan button, which give an almost electrical sensation! An unbelievable feast for all senses for sure - take a look at all of the fun and more on the next page!
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The last thing i expected for Black Friday, was to be curled up on the couch sipping a “Southern Fried Cocktail” while Bucky, the NOTpuppy, lay at my feet chew/squeaking a chicken leg dog toy. But here we are - and it’s amusingly delicious and bizarre!
Backtracking a bit - if you remember April Fool’s earlier this year, Torani (i thought jokingly) said that if enough people wanted a Chicken ‘n Waffles flavored syrup, they would “make it real”… and they DID! A bottle of it just arrived today along with waffle mix, a dog toy chicken leg (clearly sending fried chicken would be too crazy), and recipes! I must say the smell is unique - the flavor is powerful - and it tastes better than expected mixed with bourbon and root beer… though i would suggest going a little lighter than suggested on the Torani Chicken ‘N Waffles Syrup. Take a peek at the fun bundle on the next page - as well as Bucky enjoying the chicken leg!
P.S. if you’re looking for other crazy flavors to spice things up, they also have Bacon, Pumpkin Pie, Caramel Apple, Butter Rum, Choc Chip Cookie Dough, Cupcake, Gingerbread, Red Velvet Cake, Kiwi, Toasted Marshmallow, and so much more.
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Here’s the latest from our London based editor, Justine Aw.
Tonight we enjoyed the Silver Room Supper Club dining experience from Pedro Solorzano and executive head chef David Rood of Mayfair’s Hush. The dining experience consists of a new line of ‘spirit-based dishes coupled with daring cocktails’. This evening was all about rum, with a trio of dishes designed to complement rum-based cocktails.
The new menus will be available on Tuesdays starting next week and include evenings based on calvados, rum, gin, vodka and whisky! See more pictures on the next page!
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Absolut Tune is the latest from Absolut… a sparkling fusion of Absolut vodka and crisp white wine. While i’ve only just started experimenting with this unique combination… the packaging is definitely noteworthy. Quite a sidestep from the iconic Absolut bottle shape this champagne like bottle has a very Tord Boontje-esque double layered, flowery pattern to it… the caged cork glass bottle has two layers of plastic on it - one with a gold on blue, and the top layer with a matte/pearly white lined with gold that peels back ever so dramatically. Take a peek at the packaging details (and a few drink recipes) on the next page!
P.S. See if you can find the gears, fish, tentacles, peacock feathers and more tucked away in the intricate designs!
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While exploring Tent London today ~ we were instantly smitten with Budapest designer, Molnár Réka’s Moringa line of fun nature inspired kitchen goods. First drawn in by the adorable Fox Tea Towel, which actually makes use of the way a tea towel naturally hangs… and then won over by the color changing mugs!!! The Mushrooms grow and the rain drops disappear when you add a hot drink! And the leaves and bushes disappear to reveal birds and bunnies and more!
Since we unfortunately couldn’t see these mugs in action while at the fair - we had to buy them and bring them home! And they are so amusingly magical in person, we made some videos (to go with the many other detail shots and booth shots!) for you to check out on the next page!
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While at Selfridges early this week, we encountered these stunning limited edition Gordon’s Gin Ten Green Bottles designed by Conran ~ there will be 1 million bottles, available throughout the UK from October at the standard retail price and an additional 200 special edition bottles, presented in hand-stitched fabric wraps and presentation boxes along with an A3 print available exclusively at Selfridges. Then tonight, we found ourselves at the Conran Shop’s “village fête” of a celebration party for the collaboration - complete with a look behind the designs, fun silly games and activities set up throughout the store, and Gordon’s Gin cocktails of course! It’s fun to see that each of the 10 patterns (some more sneakily than others) incorporates it’s number into the design… take a peek on the next page at the event, the bottles, the inspiration… and more!
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Brought to you by San Pellegrino. Enter now for a chance to be one of five winners of a FIAT 500. Plus, you could win great Italian-inspired prizes in S.Pellegrino’s Live In Italian On The Go Sweepstakes. 

When San Pellegrino approached me about sponsoring a post capturing what to “Live in Italian” means to me~ I couldn’t help but reminisce about my amazing time in Milan for grad school… and how much I learned about passion, patience, living life to the fullest, and enjoying beautiful design, delicious food and drink, and stunning landscapes ~ from rolling lush mountains to lively seaside spots. And with the summer coming to a close around us, it seemed like the perfect time to indulge in some picnic getaways ~ no matter where you are! From the romantic bicycling picnic in the city ~ to the luxurious drive to a secluded picnic spot ~ to picnicking in the park with the kids ~ or even an evening camping picnic… take a peek on the next page at some of the perfect products to make it a special one!
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The latest from London-based editor and resident zoologist, Justine Aw.
We love seeing the use of antiquarian-inspired images that reference natural history engravings; and pairing these designs with packaging seems to be on the rise (e.g. recent release of Zubrowka’s beautiful illustrated packaging). So we were very excited to see the latest from Stranger & Stranger, the team behind the recently featured wine packaging as they created this stunning packaging for The Entertainer, a limited edition blended Scotch whisky from Compass Box.
Taking inspiration (and flavor combinations) from the turn of the 20th century, the beautiful packaging created in collaboration with London artist Peter Blake, takes a similarly beautiful and quirky antiquarian approach and includes so many details we love. It’s got London architecture, complex geometry, and all sorts of wild creatures from moths and butterflies to lionfish and octopi! The limited edition packaging and whisky are extremely limited, but currently still available at Selfridges (and online here). More photos of this gorgeous packaging on the next page!
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