We are moving!!

We have been a bit quiet (which is apparently very unlike us), but only because we are moving...over to Tumblr. 

Why, do I hear you ask? 

Simply because we were recommended that the site is better for sharing photos. 

So we are just moving our things over in Tumblr, decorating, adding our finishing touches to it and making it nice and homely for all of you!! 

We thank you for your patience and ask you to continue to do your thing and most importantly:

Keep Calm and Be Twinspired

Love, Amor, Pyar, und Liebe, 

Sukhman and Hernoor

and a dog. We love dogs!!

Portobello Road

Home to all things vintage and antique (not forgetting the Hummingbird Bakery), Portobello Road Market is the place for all your non high street buys.

Sukhs and I decided to take advantage of this fine day by visiting this famous market in search of a few vintage items for The Great Gatsby nights at the Hyatt Hotel in London.

I think we would look really cute driving this car but £6000?! Isn't that how much the new Fiat 500s are?

Joey from friends-this is what it means to be nonchalant. 

Ya damn right!

Good place for vintage teapots, saucers and mugs and also sells random things from the times when Brittania ruled the waves. 

Although a few things did catch our eye, we didn't buy anything- (not even a cupcake from the Hummingbird Bakery would you believe). Actually, Sukhs bought some a few bits and bobs and a really funky oyster card holder.

If only payday was on a Tuesday.

Next stop for our vintage inspired look-Spitalfields Market!

Don't just be inspired, be twinspired

Hernoor

Re-live the roaring 20's at The Hyatt Regency, London

Oh hello Leo. 

To celebrate the release of The Great Gatsby, The Montagu at the Hyatt Regency in London is hosting 'The Great Gatsby Night's' every Thursday this May.

Live jazz music, a 1920's inspired three course meal and a chance to win a three night weekend stay at the Grand Hyatt New York! This is an event not to be missed.

Something tells me the release of the movie is gonna see a revival of the flapper trend on the catwalk. Bobbed hair, feather boa's, colourful bow ties and striped jackets are all gonna be making waves this summer. Mystic Meg ain't got nowt on me!

Apart from the 1920's fashion and the fact that Leonardo Dicaprio is in the movie (he is too cool for school),  I'm excited to see Big B in it aka Amitabh Bachchan! This is big news for Bollywood. An actor like Big B working alongside Leonardio Dicaprio ain't no joke! You go Big B!

Anyway, if anyone else is excited about this and The Great Gatsby Nights at the hotel then check out the link for more info:

http://london.churchill.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/greatgatsbynightsintheMontagu.html?src=agn_ecm_em_outlet_cmpgn_LONCH_en_20130426_hope27_O-31583904

I am so excited about this and will definitely be going. Time to get me some vintage clothing and accessories!

Who would have thought it? From Sholay to Mohabbatein to The Great Gatsby. What a ledge.

Don't just be inspired. Be Twinspired. 

Hernoor

If you love Waffles, you will love The Waffle House

If you are a Waffle Lover, you need to check this place out! The Waffle House is based in St.Albans by a small river (kinda looked like a canal if I'm honest) and is a really nice place for  waffles :) 

It has a really cosy house/cottage-like interior with wooden beams and a real blazing fire in the fireplace! I could have ordered (but obviously not have eaten) everything on the menu because it all sounded too good to be true! They had savoury waffles and sweet waffles - score!! I love waffles, so I ordered and ate both a savoury and sweet one followed by probably one of the best hot chocolates I have had to date. 

Tomato and Cheddar Cheese Waffle!!

Butterscotch Sauce, Pecan and Whipped Cream Waffle!!

Look at all them Waffle-making machines

Nice and frothy

Slabbed flooring, wooden beams and a little fire - nice!

All the milk, eggs and flour used is organic so if you are into all of that, this place would really be ideal. Writing about The Waffle House is making me hungry and I really could do with that Tomato and Cheese one right about now :(

Dont' just be inspired, be Twinspired, 

Sukhman

Alchemy Festival @ Southbank Centre: Talvin Singh and the Not So Silent Movies

So last week I went to see Talvin Singh and Roopa Panesar at the Southbank Centre in London, which is host to the annual Alchemy Festival which celebrates the music, dance, literature (and food!) from India, UK and South Asia.

At the festival.
Me and Bollywood-we're like peaches and cream. 

The event titled 'The Bombay Talkies' was a really fun and interesting display of live musical scores to two classic silent movies of Indian Cinema. 

The silent movies were projected on a large screen behind the musicians. There was cello, drums, bass and violin and of course Talvin Singh on the tabla and Roopa Panesar on the sitar. The way these instruments brought these silent movies to life was pure genius! It just goes to show how 'instrumental' (excuse the pun!) music is in adding to the drama of the storytelling.  

We didn't get to see the first movie ('Raja Harishchandra') because we were a teeny tiny bit late but the musicians played the original score so that would have been something to see. 

The second silent movie 'Devi' had Sharmila Tagore (Saif Ali Khan's mum if you don't know!) as the main actress and her acting as a women possessed by Kali was made all the more convincing with the live score, especially the sitar. Watching this film made me realise how forward Indian Cinema was at that time because the acting and the cinematography was all on point.

Overall, it was a uniquely clever and impressive event! In other words 'kya baat!'

Don't just be inspired, be twinspired!

Hernoor 

Afternoon Tea: A memorable experience at Radisson Blu Edwardian Leicester Square Hotel

This was (again) a very last-minute idea. To be honest, I booked this the night before and was sure of this place for two reasons; the food on the menu looked really appetizing and it was fairly priced for Afternoon Tea.  This place is a 5-7 minute walk from Leicester Square station and tucked away nicely down a quiet avenue, free from the congestion of human traffic and club promoters (which is now a familiar site of Leicester Square).  The restaurant is finished with a marble floor, cream leather seats and each table is set with a small potted green plant, giving the place a contemporary and stylish look. This is an ideal place if you are looking for a chic and intimate environment without feeling the pinch on your pocket.  

Check out this link if you want to book a table: 

http://www.radissonblu-edwardian.com/london-hotel-gb-wc2h-7hl/gbpastor/hotel/dining/leicester

I've always had a thing for that type of plant!

The service on the day was impeccable and on-point. The waiting staff were really friendly and attentive (without being intruding). I was literally astounded with how quick the tea came out once we had ordered it! I think it was just under ten minutes and the really lovely staff member confidently explained what was in all the sandwiches. She came back after fifteen minutes to check if we required anything else. The jam came out in small little pots which I liked because they looked really cute! Just a heads up for anyone who isn’t a fan of raisins and sultanas – these were in the scones! But because everything else was amazing, I didn’t mind sitting there picking them out with my knife. I definitely wouldn’t be doing this if I was in The Ritz, so that gives you an idea of how you can just feel right at home in this restaurant. (Mind you, the scones at The Ritz were raisin-free). We were there for about two hours and during this time, three different staff members  all treated us with exceptional service making us feel really welcome. The portions of food were just the right amount for us but if you want to take any of it home, they do let you pack the food. 

Perfect Portions!

I was impressed with everything from the moment we walked through the door. We walked away with good vibes from this restaurant and it ticked every box from service, quality of food and ambiance  Dining isn’t just an experience for the palette – for me it should include all the senses and so I appreciate restaurants which play background music, especially on the piano. This restaurant had music tinkling from the overhead speakers which added to the already chilled out atmosphere. This is a really nice place to unwind with two people or even a group of friends. I will be going back here again, especially since they mentioned that the seafood is a speciality of this restaurant. 

 Overall, we just had a really good day :) 

Our experience of this restaurant has left a lasting impression, which is always a good thing. They did good. They did really really good. 

Don't just be inspired, be Twinspired :)

Sukhman 

Mughal India Exhibition: Art, Culture and Empire

If you are a fan of the Art, Culture and Empire of Mughal India, then this exhibition is definitely worth your time. Head down to the British Library on Monday 1st or Tuesday 2nd April 2013, as these are the last days of the Exhibition. 
Click this link for further information regarding this exhibition: http://www.bl.uk/mughalindia/

We happened to visit this exhibition twice; the first time on it's opening night way back in November and quite recently too. It took us around two hours to read everything on the information blocks and inspect the artefacts at our own leisure. 

The opening night of the Exhibition, when we both fell in love with that huge poster. 

The dress of the Royal women of Mughal India are an inspiration to us 

The exhibition analyses the rise and fall of the Might Mughal Empire as well as taking a look at the lives of the King's, their wives and their pass-times. The gift shop was a highlight for us because there were books on Sufi poetry, books with recipes from the Royal court and really nice postcards with Royal Mughal Women on it. We spent a good half an hour in the gift shop and felt right at home surrounded by pens, bags, books and jewellery inspired by this important period in India's history. If you too are like us, then we would highly recommend you guys check it out quick-time! 

Don't just be inspired, be Twinspired!

Sukhman and Hernoor

Afternoon Tea: Catching up at Criterion Restaurant

  'Timeless Opulence in the most spectacular Dining Room in London' - words taken from website below
http://www.criterionrestaurant.com/

This is Criterion Restaurant, and I came here to catch up with a friend over Afternoon tea. Check out the elegance of this place! It is exquisitely designed - not pretentious at all but almost subtle in it's elegance in comparison to The Ritz.  Having said that, I don't get the choice of the chair colours - burgundy and mustard - these chairs look like something out of the 1970's and clash with the Neo-Byzantine architecture.

Check out that ceiling!

As soon as I walked in, I got a feeling that the architecture was influenced by 'Russian elegance' of some sort and after researching about the history of the Criteron, I found out that the restaurant was influenced by a 'neo-byzantine' style of architecture i.e. mosaics  archways and marble - we learn something everyday people! As described on the website of the restaurant, 'Lush extravagant and utterly compelling, the interior seduces you with the glint and wink of gold and marble. Look around and absorb the gilded ceiling, the grand windows and imposing arches, the fascinating recesses and mirrored walls.' They definitely took the words right out of my mouth. 

Check out the menu for Afternoon Tea:
http://www.criterionrestaurant.com/sites/default/files/Afternoon%20tea%20Menu%202012%20September_0.pdf

I really became a fan of the box in which the little jars of tea came presented in. I thought it was a really nice idea for us to get an idea of which tea we wanted to drink by getting a whiff of the aroma.

So I went for a '2nd Flush Assam' because I like the full-bodied earthy flavour.  Check out this link for further information about 'flushes of tea'
 http://twinings.co.uk/about-our-tea/twinings-tea-tasters/second-flush-
assam-tea-twinings-tea-tasters

'2nd flush Assam' and a little-lemon-flavoured-yellow-creamy-pot-thingy. I thought it was a palette cleanser but since no-one explained what it was, I ate it all (because it was actually really tasty).

One cupcake?! Nah mate. 

I had a really good catch-up with my friend but I was actually disappointed with the quality of the food and service. The tea came out almost an hour and a bit after we ordered it  and the scones were really hard to slice, almost rock hard. The selection of desserts was not great and there was only one cupcake between the two of us! How can you share a cupcake? Come on! It wasn't even that busy on the day we went but for some reason, the waiting staff seemed to be really unattentive. It is possible that maybe they were having an off day of some sort. 

Thumbs up for the interior, the box in which the tea came in and the creamy-yellow-lemon flavoured-pot-thingy.  I have heard that this is a nice place to have dinner, so I will be trying that too one day soon.

Disclaimer: This is simply my opinion of the restaurant based on my experience that day in February. Its April today so perhaps things have changed since then. Life is about hearing what people have to say about something and ignoring them anyway, or something like that!!

Don't just be inspired, be Twinspired :)

Mucho Te Queiro, 

Sukhman 

The Land of the Rising Sun: Japan (1)

So we thought we'd share a few of our travel experiences on this blog too i.e. places to stay, things to see and do, things to eat and not eat but all from our perspective because everyone knows that four eyes are better than two! Keep your eyes peeled for posts on the following: Cancun (Mexico), Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt), Rome (Italy), Seville (Spain) and Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan (India). 

We'll start with our most recent trip to Japan.