5 LITTLE GEMS FOR THE SUPER BUSY, UBER-METROPOLITAN YOUNG PROFESSIONAL (THAT I WISH I WAS)

• Voucher Cloud Slightly less frequent torrent of irritating emails than those jokers at studentbeans- although you can’t argue with 40% off at Yo!Sushi…
• I know this great little place… Just fantastic.
• Dinner Deals Make her think you’ve really splashed out
• TimeOut Whole pages dedicated to cheap and free events and activities = Christmas come early for stingy students like me…
• Design My Night Rooftop bars, hidden hotspots, bars organised by beverage- g&t for me- and VALENTINE’S ideas, including ‘anti-valentines’ nights. Brilliant!

Credit to Lucy Tobin’s Ausperity (Heron Books, £7.99) for some of these jazzy ideas. Top marks to you, don’t shoot the messenger etc etc. Happy Sunday!

DO: THE ALTERNATIVE LONDON WALKING TOUR

Where better to start for my first ever post than sharing with you the best date I have ever been on (I arranged it, sure). How better to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sun (disclaimer: sun not guaranteed) than strolling around the culturally-soaked artistic hub that is London’s east end, with your very own guide.

In a group of around 15 (small enough to stick together and feel acknowledged, big enough to make friends), we were amiably herded from Spitalfields market to Brick Lane and back in a loop strategically planned to show off the finest and most current street art in the area. Our guide hopped from canvas to canvas, painting a picture of the history of East London and its most influential residents. He explained the techniques and stories behind the wonderful paintings and figurines we came across- many of which represented cryptic political viewpoints. The artists included seemingly omnipresent Banksy, and ‘Stik’- whose controversial yet beautifully simple work has been commissioned by celebrities including Elton John (see: http://www.stik.org.uk).

In two hours we glided through the sights and scents of buzzing Moorgate, Shoreditch and Hoxton- stopping for snacks and market trinkets at the multicultural stalls along the way. One of the best things about our sunny afternoon of art was that it was a pay-what-you-like situation, literally making it worth every penny you.
So, if you’re looking for something cheap, insightful and a little different to fill a lazy afternoon with then I can’t recommend these guys enough. What’s more, they also hold cycling tours for those who fancy going even further into East London and its history, and workshops on double decker buses for the budding artists among you. Check out their website (below) for descriptions, timings and contact details. http://www.alternativeldn.co.uk/

HELLO

Welcome to my humble blog (pretending I haven’t entertained the idea of becoming an internet phenomenon). As a mostly penniless hopeless romantic and general busybody, I seem to have unknowingly built up a mental database of fun places to go, things to do and more. Most of this is based in what I believe is one of the greatest cities in the world, the lovely London, but as a Manchester-based student my escapades have extended a little further north, too.
I’m a self-confessed wannabe of the champagne lifestyle - albeit one who’s slightly less inclined to confess her lemonade budget. This, combined with mild hyperactivity and low boredom threshold means I’ve spent many a weekend ambling through London in search of little-known themed bars and quirky activities.
And so, if you’ll permit me to be your guide, begins our little tour of the hidden gems of London and beyond (with a couple of recipes, gift ideas and miscellaneous musings chucked in for good measure). Thank you for reading!