I’ve talked a lot about my stay in Paris to celebrate my birthday (Read my Birthday in Paris), today it’s all about London!

Although I’ve visited this European capital several times - including during my hen’s night one month before my Solo Wedding in Santorini (for those who don’t know yet I married myself in 2017 after my fiancé broke off our engagement) - I’m always happy to come back again whether it’s by plane or Eurostar.

And as every time, the party lasts several days, so many things to tell you ...​​

Of course, my friends are indispensable in my life and even more during these moments so unique that I organise as much for them as for me.

However, I would like to say a big thank you to Milan, friend and manager of Elba Bar, who took good care of us. Being able to celebrate my birthday while admiring the city from this rooftop bar, which has a splendid view, and sipping delicious cocktails, will remain an unforgettable memory.
Having become addicted to pina coladas, this place became my lair in London.​

To pursue in this friendly and festive mood, Circolo Popolare was the perfect Italian restaurant. Recently opened, its relaxed and magical atmosphere with all these little lights everywhere, matches perfectly with its authentic and refined cuisine.
​
I’ve done a lot of things in my life but I’m still surprised in many ways, and when the whole team of the restaurant comes to sing me Happy Birthday in Italian, I melt like mozzarella on a pizza ...

​With these wonderful days, basking in the city's parks is pure delight, the Regent's Park for example.
This 166-hectare (410 acres) royal park is one of my favourites with its lake, numerous bridges, flowers and Primose Hill where you can relax and admire the city...

Or Hyde Park, a 142-hectare royal park opened to the public in 1637 joined with the 111-hectare Kensington Gardens.

Here you’ll find many statues, sculptures and monuments, including the Lady Di Memorial Fountain, a large oval granite fountain where families can come and wade. But also, the Albert Memorial in memory of Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, husband of Queen Victoria, measuring 47.5 metres high.

It’s also in this park where the Kensington Palace is, the current residence of Princes William and Harry (with their wives and children).

I’m glad that I’ve chosen the Park Grand Paddington Court Hotel to stay, a great location with a friendly staff and a good breakfast buffet. No doubt that I’ll stay there again next time.

Not far from there is Baker Street, does it remind you something? And yes, this was where lived the famous detective Sherlock Holmes in the novels of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The Museum in his honour restored the house the way he lived with his objects of everyday life. A small townhouse with 3 levels, the first with Sherlock's room and his office, the second where Dr. Watson and his housekeeper Mrs. Hudson resided, and the last level staging the famous prisoners and cases of the detective.

Get ready for time travel!

It's already time for dinner and let’s continue in this nostalgic atmosphere by going to Covent Garden Market at Buns & Buns.
​
A souvenir from Picadilly Circus on the way is highly recommended (you'll notice that Chris Hemsworth is gazing at me hahaha).

I saved the best for last.

Although I’ve organised many adult only parties in the past, and especially for women, some will recognise themselves! I never had a show for me, it was time to fix that ...

I chose one of the most incredible shows of the moment to honour me: Magic Mike Live!

Inspired by the two movies Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, which take place in the world of male striptease, Channing Tatum wanted to offer an alternative / suite to the movies by choosing to highlight the talents of each dancer (watch the following video). I must say that Channing is not part of the show.

This show for over 18 combines good music, a spectacular performance and a great sense of humour, reinforced by Adonis bodies, unicorns (it reminds me of my article Unicorns) and an unexpected staging. In addition to London, this show is also in Las Vegas and Berlin.

The temperature rises very quickly in the room, no way to be bored, and when it's over we want more (it reminds me of something hahaha).

However, that evening the show wasn’t complete, unfortunately half of the dancers were ill. "The show must go on" then makes perfectly sense!

I’d like to say a big congratulations to the team that night, the artists but also all the people behind, you have achieved an incredible performance!

We had free cocktails and free tickets as compensation, which is extremely generous and appreciable.
​
I’d also like to thank Emma, C​ustomer Services Manager, for her kindness and outstanding professionalism.

I'm going back to London in a few weeks and I can’t wait to see the show in its original version!!

And what are you waiting for to take your tickets?? 😉
 
(The following video is for adults only)

London it's also Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, the Tower of London, Madame Tussauds, Riverbank and the London Eye (the Ferris wheel), Westminster ... And shopping on Oxford Street… I promise you’ll discover more in another article, until then, a video at the end of the article to make you discover or rediscover the main sights of London.
 
A reminder: no article next week, I give you more time to read during your vacation.
​Next article: August 10, 2019!
 
Have a good summer and remember to stay hydrated!
 
Love & Water,
L.

This is another year, time flies, not so long ago I was just a little girl looking for fun and discovery ... In fact, I haven’t changed!​

Last year I happily celebrated my birthday in Santorini and talked about the stressful journey I had just experienced to freeze my eggs (Read again Article Gift of Science).

I am a July’s baby, so summer and the beach are necessarily my elements.
However, this year I chose two European capitals to blow my candles with dignity: Paris and London!

Why twice? And why not?? Who said that it was necessary to stick to a single party, I celebrate my birthday as many times as my friends wish to celebrate, and I have lots of amazing friends!!

So, for this new unforgettable evening, my friends have chosen a fancy place, beautiful and terribly romantic: the Bubble Bar with its terrace on the roof of the famous Moulin Rouge!

By the way, remember I already told you about it in my article Christmas in Paris.

Ambiance guaranteed, the perfect place to quench your thirst and dream in good company.

Well, the day after a party is usually painful, and in these conditions I need comfort and my favourite address is: Ytime Paris (55 rue des Archives in the Marais).

With its big teddy bear and Californian (or Australian) atmosphere, I take a bath of tenderness and light, and I revive myself with matcha latte and cookies.

We owe this beautiful place to Yazid Ichemrahen (Teddy's Dad), a talented pastry chef with an international reputation. And don’t be fooled by his handsome fashionable look, he’s a sensitive and fierce man.

Originally from Epernay in Marne (yes this is the region I talked about in my article Champagne), he grew up in foster care, experienced loneliness and violence, but it’s also at that time that he discovers his passion for pastry, a dream that led him to the light.

By the strength of his courage and determination, he worked with the greatest chefs and in 2014, he became World Champion of Frozen Desserts.

Since he’s a consultant, created his brand Ycone, and has just opened his second Ytime boutique in Paris (12 rue du Poteau in the 18th), and others to follow very quickly.

This concept store is his identity, passionate about surfing and escape. Cookies and brownies remind him of his childhood with his aunt and uncle. Ytime for the generation Y, his generation (he’s 27) and thus a healthy selection of salads, poke bowls, smoothies to consume on the spot or take away.
​
And because it's summer, take advantage of this beautiful sun to relax with a picnic on the banks of the Seine, happiness ...

The search for excellence always, fresh products, top quality, and no less than 200 tests to find the cookies to his liking.

He still has so many dreams in mind, he doesn’t wait for success, he runs after!
​
Thank you Yazid for this beautiful meeting, you are the perfect example that we must fight for our dreams, and you are a great source of inspiration for me and for so many others ... The best is yet to come for you, good luck!

​When I'm in Paris, I like to walk around aimlessly and enjoy the magic and romantic atmosphere that only exists here.

There are always incredible exhibitions in Paris, and there are 3 at the moment that I liked a lot:
• Tutankhamun - The Pharaoh's Treasure, until September 15, 2019 at the Grande Halle de la Villette
• Helena Rubinstein - The Adventure of Beauty, until August 25, 2019 at MAHJ
• Maison Van Cleef & Arpels - Bird Paradise at the Ecole des Arts Joailliers

 Don’t worry I’ll talk about it more in future articles ...

Tomorrow July 14 will be the French national day, and my article last year paid tribute to the firefighters and especially to the firewomen (Read Article Superwomen).

There will be many fireworks organised everywhere in France, and I love that, so I give you at the end of the article the Paris fireworks 2018.

No article next week, during the summer holidays, I publish only twice a month, but believe me I'm preparing a very exciting article with my birthday in London!

Next article: Saturday, July 27
 
Love & Freedom,
L.