February 2017 – Elna Smith

Nostalgia

This time last year we were billeted at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel before we returned to London, and I meant to write a review of our visit but life gets in the way, and other plans happen. I finally got to finish the draft I wrote last year.
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So when it comes to a hotel, the lobby needs to be the showpiece. As such, when I enter a hotel I always observe every detail in the foyer so I don’t entirely miss the impressive entrance hall they have so cleverly crafted. Continue reading “Nostalgia” →

February 28, 2017 by Elna Categories: History & Travel, Up Close & PersonalTags: One of Manila's Grand Hotels, One of the best hotels in Manila Bay, Review of our stay at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, Review of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, The best resort hotel in Manila

Fashion & Aesthetic Revelry

My background in the fashion industry made me appreciate fashion for what it is – subjective, fleeting and temporal. I have to admit, being a Christian has a lot to do with how I view fashion, and everything else for that matter. I don’t follow or keep up with the latest trend. I am more of a classic dresser and don’t dare try new vogue. I like softly draped dresses, frill skirts, silk tops — clean, feminine and uncomplicated clothing. I hardly buy clothes but I like to buy fabrics and take them to a dressmaker for made-to-measure clothes. Continue reading “Fashion & Aesthetic Revelry” →

February 24, 2017 by Elna Categories: Fashion & AestheticsTags: Fashion and Aesthetics, Happy Andrada, John Herrera, LFW2017, London Fashion Week AW17, Thoughts on fashion

Gingerbread Tower Bridge

This should have been posted a couple of months back, around Christmas time, but life gets in the way and other plans happen. Over the years I try to make different gingerbread figures based on some iconic buildings in London like Big Ben, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, etc.
Continue reading “Gingerbread Tower Bridge” →

February 17, 2017 by Elna Categories: Baking & CookingTags: Christmas Gingerbread, Gingerbread, Gingerbread recipe, How to make London Tower Bridge made of Gingerbread, London Tower Bridge Gingerbread, The making of Tower Bridge Gingerbread1 Comment

Afternoon Tea with Mom at St. Ermin's Hotel

It was a great blessing to have Mom with us for Christmas last year. She and I were able to go out for tea during her brief visit, and we had a wonderful tea-time in a marvellous setting. But before I’m quite there, allow me a little leeway to dwell upon Mom. At least I hope you will.
Continue reading “Afternoon Tea with Mom at St. Ermin's Hotel” →

February 11, 2017May 20, 2019 by Elna Categories: Tea Rooms & RestaurantsTags: Afternoon Tea, Afternoon Tea at St. Ermin's Hotel, Afternoon Tea Review, Afternoon Tea with Mom, Afternoon Tea with Mom at St. Ermin's Hotel London, Edwardian Hotel London, Historic Hotel London, One of the best afternoon teas in London, Quintessential British Ritual, St. Ermin's Hotel, St. Ermin's Hotel London

A Baking Life

I recently had a chat with a friend of mine back in the Philippines who is a public school teacher. After exchanging pleasantries, we talked about our parents, and because we haven’t talked nor seen each other for years, the conversation just naturally turned into sharing stories that made us both laugh in reminiscence of the good old days of our childhood. I then asked about her job, and she went on for a good fifteen to twenty minutes telling me about her lesson plan for the new school year, her boisterous students, and her classroom walls filled with maps, student work, pictures of far-away places, and large sheets of colored paper with quotations and proverbs. Continue reading “A Baking Life” →

February 2, 2017 by Elna Categories: Baking & CookingTags: Bethesda Baptist Church Kensington London, Bethesda's 150th Anniversary, Bethesda's Baptist Church150th anniversary celebration, Buche de Noel, Cake in a shape of a Georgian Building, Christmas Pavlova, Church Building Cake, Church Cake decorated with Fondant, Purple and white vanilla sponge cupcakes, Red Velvet Cupcakes, Sugar-free gingerbread cookies, Tina Ansen, Tina Ansen 50th birthday, Tina's 50th birthday cake