A treat of an evening.....

Wow January has passed in a flash, but before we fall into February I am sharing one more post from my activities over the festive season. An annual tradition for me for many years is to see The Nutcracker Ballet, whether in New York of London, I always try to get to see a performance. This year I managed to get tickets for the English National Ballets performance at the London Coliseum, where I booked to take a friend for their 50^th birthday. (they had never been to the ballet and I was able to put a big tick against a wish on their bucket list)

To make the evening even more special I surprised them with starting the evening in The Savoy for drinks before moving onto The Ivy Grill Marketplace in Covent Garden for dinner. This was my first time at this restaurant and I loved it, ambience is gorgeous and the food was delicious. It was the perfect prequel to a delightful evening at the ballet.

The Savoy this year was a decorated opulently in pinks and silver and was just beautiful. The tree in the foyer was sponsored by the jewellers Boodles and was very pink but oh so pretty.💗

The interior of The Savoy was as equally as beautiful in greens and silver with a real art deco style and just quite magical.






The Ivy Marketplace was equally as gorgeous in a colourful cacophony of baubles, wreaths and a stunning tree outside in the courtyard which complemented the large baubles and mistletoe decor of Covent Garden.
This did nothing to distract how delicious the food was, a perfect venue for pre-theatre or a special dinner.

After a very lovely supper it was a short stroll to The Coliseum, where we were swept up in the magic and sparkle of a Christmas Ballet.
No matter how many times I have seen The Nutcracker I never grow old of it and it is a delightful treat to watch and see the delight on my friends face. 
The Nutcracker featured lots in my Christmas 2016 - from the fabulous Nutcracker Soldiers outside Liberty's that I walked past most days, to Candles burning on the fireside and tags on the tree I have lots of lovely memories to add to 2016's Christmas album and look back on in future years.

Nutcracker New Year!

Happy New Year to all.... I hope 2014 brings you health, happiness, love & luck in large amounts!. I'm not a huge fan of New Year and can usually be found under a duvet on the sofa with a good book, however this year I not only went out, but to different locations!
Early New Year's Eve was spent in the beautiful Royal Opera House in Covent garden watching the Nutcracker.

I have seen this ballet over the years in many forms and is one of my holiday traditions. The royal ballets version was magical and delightful, enhanced by such sumptuous surroundings, beautifully stunning from start to finish.  A simple story bought to life on Christmas Eve culminating in the dance of the sugar plum fairies... pure joy, all set to Tchaikovsky's magical score .

From the baubles and sparkle of Covent Garden I headed east to a friends flat in docklands where he was hosting a roof party, complete with barbecue (yes lashing rain & howling winds werent really condusive to this) and a rooftop view of the London landscape and its fireworks.
I had fun, it was great to see old friends I havent spent time with for a very long time and a very different way to see in a new year.

London really pulled the stops out for yet another fabulous firework display.... sit back & enjoy, even the weather couldnt but a dampner on such a fabulous set and backdrop.

May I take this opportunity to say thankyou for joining my journey of 2013 either on my blog, via twitter or Instagram, its been a joy... your comments, tweets have made me laugh, and i have made some new friends this year...i wish you all a fabulous 14.