Tag Archives: harry potter

May 15, 2018

Filed under Geek Girls Guide To

Having Afternoon Tea in London is on many people’s bucket list. Traditionally, it was always “Tea at the Ritz.” Although, judging by Instagram posts, Sketch seems to currently be the place to go. With its millennial pink decor and space-aged toilets, you can see why it has become so popular. In London, there is no shortage of places to have afternoon tea, and a lot of them have an interesting twist.

Ordinarily, I might be a coffee drinker. However, that doesn’t stop me from enjoying a good afternoon tea. Whilst traditional afternoon teas are fun, As a fangirl, I love quirky versions. Especially those linked to a fandom, designed around a book or film. With this in mind, here is a list of six afternoon teas I want to try.

Places for Fangirls to have Afternoon Tea in London

Sherlock Holmes Afternoon Tea at Taj — Sherlock Holmes Afternoon Tea
Photo Credit Taj 51

Sherlock Holmes Afternoon Tea at the Taj
(Not available in May)
The Taj offers several interesting tea experiences, but the one that interests me the most is the Sherlock Holmes themed one. Designed around Arthur Conan Doyle’s books the menu features sandwiches named after Holmes stories. Namely, Hound of Baskerville (Roast beef filling) or The Five Orange Pips ( Smoked salmon and orange flavoured horseradish).
Cutter and Squidge’s The Potion Room
Available from the 3rd May to 30th October
This summer, Cutter and Squidge have transformed into “The Potion Room” offering a wizard-based afternoon tea. Even though, the experience isn’t linked to the Harry Potter books or movies. It clearly takes inspiration from the wizarding world and famous witch school. One of the highlights from the menu is the Hubble Bubble drink served in a cauldron.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea at One Aldwych
When Charlie and the Chocolate Factory returned to the West End stage a few years ago. The nearby hotel One Aldwych designed an afternoon tea based on the classic Roald Dahl novel. Food from the book provides the inspiration for the menu. By creating such delights as bubblegum pannacotta to blueberry cake pops and of course a lot of chocolate!
Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at The Sanderson
Available from the 2nd May to 26th September
Arguably, one of the most famous tea parties in literature has to be the Mad Hatter’s party in Alice in Wonderland. This summer you too can venture down the rabbit hole at The Sanderson Hotel. Their Alice themed afternoon tea features desserts includes Queen of Hearts cookies or a chessboard gateau.
Theatre Not Afternoon Tea at the OXO Tower
The iconic Oxo Tower on the banks of the River Thames, offers an afternoon tea, with a definite twist. The emphasis is on pairing cocktails and cakes (but they do offer a non-alcoholic version for children). The Theatre Not Afternoon Tea takes its inspiration from not one but several West End stage shows. For example, cakes are inspired by iconic shows including Hamlet, Wicked and the Lion King.
Tale as Old as Time at The Townhouse
Sold Out
Finally, the Tale as Old as Time afternoon tea at The Townhouse. Originally created to coincide with the release of the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast. This tea has been incredibly popular, that they are continuing to still offer the experience. Unfortunately, it is currently sold out, although you can sign up for updates via their website.

Places for Fangirls to have Afternoon Tea in London

Geek Girls Guide to Halloween 2017 in London.

WB Studio Tour
What is more Halloween than Harry Potter? The WB Studio Tour just outside London will be celebrating the Dark Arts all throughout October. With the Great Hall decorated with floating pumpkins, recreating the Halloween scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. On top of that over the Halloween weekend, they are hosting Hogwarts after Dark, a Halloween feast in the great hall.
Halloween Edible Cinema
The Edible Cinema offers a different movie adventure, rather than just experiencing the movie via your visual and audio senses, they add the elements of taste and smell. For Halloween, they are staging a showing of Beetlejuice at several the Everyman Cinemas around London. The tasting menu features numbered boxes to be opened throughout the movie to heighten your experience.
Supper Club UK presents The Red Wedding
The Supper Club UK is hosting an interactive dining experience based on the Red Wedding from Game of Thrones. On the 31st October, they will create an immersive dining experience based on the eventful wedding feast. The evening will include a five-course meal, music, and actors recreating the iconic feast.
The Walking Dead Maze at Thrope Park
As part of their Fright Nights at Thorpe Park for 2017, they have added an attraction based on The Walking Dead. Featuring two mazes (one indoor and one outside) fans of the zombie apocalypse programme can experience several scenes from the show facing off against the un-dead and Negan. The park also has a feature based on the SAW movies.
Hitchcock Themed Afternoon Tea
If you are looking for something a little less scary, but still with a Halloween twist. The Royal Lancaster Hotel has a Hitchcock Themed Afternoon Tea. Alongside the traditional finger sandwiches and scones, they are serving sweet treats based on classic Hitchcock movies like Cursed Blackbird Macaroon and Psycho Marbled Lollipops.

My Hacks

If you are looking for a Halloween party or club night, check out Design My Night, they have tons of listing for the Halloween weekend in London, from Silent Discos to a prison-themed pop-up called Alcotraz.
For ideas of Halloween actives with children, LondonTown.com has a list of family fun over half term. Including, pumpkin carving and sleepover in a museum.
If you are not in London for Halloween but want to add a scary element to your stay, Visit London has a list of 13 Spooky things to do in the capital from Jack the Ripper walking tours to Haunted pubs.

Geek Girls Guide to Halloween 2017 in London

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August 4, 2017

Filed under Geek Girls Guide To

I love reading travel blogs, dreaming about all the places I would love to visit. What I love even more is reading tips from locals about their area. My favourites are tips for Disneyworld by Floridians (one day I will go back). I am a Londoner, I was born here and still stay in the same area. For all the wrong reasons London has been in the news a lot lately. I want to start writing about all the great things in this city.

Geek Girl Guide

London is an amazing place to be a geek girl! I thought I would put together some tips and tricks from a local for other geek girls visiting the city. Everyone knows about the historic buildings, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and more modern attractions like the London Eye or Shard. I love to explore the geekier attractions!

Dozens of television shows and movies are filmed in London, from Jason Bourne to James Bond, even the recent Wonder Woman film featured a few scenes in the city. It is easy to find these locations on your own. However, you can take an organised tour (both bus and walking) around some of these locations. A quick search online can show you all the options from specialist tours for fans of Harry Potter to places include in British Rom Coms.

London isn’t just about film locations, the city has many museums and exhibits with a geeky twist. Currently, there are also several temporary exhibitions perfect for a fangirl. The Star Wars Identities at the O2, a journey into Sci-Fi at the Barbican. and at the end of the summer, the British Library will showcase their Harry Potter collection of manuscripts and props.

London also hosts several conventions. In May over the same weekend, two of the convention centres in London held cons. MCM London in the east and Heroes and Villains in the west of the city. Last summer, Star Wars Celebration was held in the city. Still, to come this year are London Film Convention and the Vampire Ball.

Escape Games (or Escape the Room scenarios) are all the rage at the moment, with locations popping up all over the world. Whilst these, in general, are fun for a geek girl, there are several in London that have added to the geekiness by adding a pop culture theme. Including one set in a wizarding school or another based around the disappearance of Sherlock Holmes.

Even going to the cinema in London can be an adventure. Secret Cinema has taken to film going to a new level. They recreating the fantasy world from the movie, resulting in an interactive experience rather than just watching a film. Or how about a movie marathon? The Prince Charles Cinema regularly has all-nighters including Marvel Phase One and Harry Potter marathons.

What is your favourite fangirl thing to do in London? Do you have a London themed Bucket List? What would you like me to write about in the Fangirl Guide series? Let me know in the comments below.

Five Favourite Fictional Teachers

As The Nerdy Girlie & Super Space Chick are taking a break from Fandom Friday, I thought I would use the chance to catch up with the prompts from October 2015. I originally thought it would be easy to pick my favourite fictional teachers. I adore a lot of teen drama television programmes like, Smallville or My So Called Life. But I couldn’t think of any teachers from these programmes.

Rupert Giles (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

via GIPHY

Do Watchers count as teachers? I know Giles worked in the school library, and wasn’t really a teacher. But he was a trainer for Buffy and a mentor to the other members of the Scoobies Gang. Over seven seasons, whether Giles was a member of the Watcher’s council or the owner of the magic store. He was always loyal to Buffy.
Yoda (Star Wars)

via GIPHY

The first time we meet Yoda he was teacher to Luke, but in the prequel films and Clone Wars, we saw Yoda sit on the Jedi Council. Teach the younglings and mentor Jedi Masters and Padawans. So in a way Yoda was the Jedi Masters’ Master.
Remus Lupin (Harry Potter Series)

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Of all of Harry’s teachers at Hogwarts, Lupin was my favourite. I have a soft spot for the Marauders. (I am still hoping for a Marauder’s book or movie). Lupin was one of many father figures that came into Harry’s life. During his time at Hogwarts, he became a teacher and mentor to Harry Potter and his friends.
Roland “Prez” Pryzbylewski (The Wire)

via GIPHY

Prez was useless as a police officer, he was controlled by his father in law. He did not suit field work but did managed to find some success on the office listening in on the wire. But it wasn’t until the fourth season of the show, when he began working at the school that he found his place. Prez tried to help the kids stay “off the corners.” Ultimately drugs ended up affecting each member of the gang.
Mary Margaret Blanchard (Once Upon A Time)

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During the first season of Once Upon A Time. Mary Margaret was Henry’s school teacher, she was even the one that gave him the “storybook.” During this period I loved he haircut and clothes, if I ever became a teacher she would be my style icon for my work wardrobe. In the current season, it looks like Mary Margaret will be going back to teaching. So I am looking forward to seeing more of her amazing outfits.

Thank you The Nerdy Girlie & Super Space Chick for creating Fandom Friday check out their blogs for more information. Or follow the #fandom5 or #5fandomfriday on Twitter.

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September 28, 2016

Filed under General

Read at Midnight’s Pokémon Go Book Tag was all the rage over the summer. Combining bloggers love of the game and reading. As I am so behind on my blogging, I am fashionable late at completing this tag.

For my starter Pokémon in Pokémon Go, I picked a Charmander as I loved his character in the TV show. Especially when he went through his moody teenage Charmeleon phase.
As for the book that started my love of reading, I adored the Meg & Mog or Amelia Bedelia when I was extremely young, but the series I adored reading were either the Judy Blume books or those by S.E. Hinton, especially The Outsiders.

I still don’t have a Pikachu! I keep hoping to find one in a 2KM egg but even those are getting harder to find. I think I spotted on the radar last week when we were in Hyde Park but have no luck finding him in the vast area.
The classic book I love to re-read is The Great Gatsby, this book is both a love story and insight into New York during prohibition.

As a Londoner, I was tempted to change this from Zubats to Drowzees, they are everywhere in the city!
Years ago it seemed every single woman was reading The Bridget Jones Diary. They were all claiming they are just like Bridget Jones. I tried to read the book and found the character was rather annoying. In the following years, I had to put up with a sequel and the movies. Now yet again Bridget Jones is everywhere and still annoying me!

Has anyone caught I Ditto yet? I have read several possible theories on how to catch one online. But it looks like these Pokémon have not yet been released in the game.
I do love the I Heart… series, I know they are just are cheesy, and a little predictable. But I love the mixed to comedy and name dropping of places in different cities.

If I had space I would love to buy this Snorlax Bean Bag, it would be perfect to use when I read.
I guess the series I would love to read if I had the time would be the Discworld books. I read one book from the series a few years ago, but they are so many more to read. Plus I would have no idea what order to read them in!

When I started playing this game I seemed to find several Gastly each day. Since then they have disappeared so I am yet to evolve my Haunter to a Gengar.
I tend not to read scary books, horror is my least favourite genre. However, several books have kept me up all night reading, the most recent one being Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.

Nidoran♀ was the first Pokémon I went hunting for after spotting the outline on the radar. Since then I have yet to find another one. So my poor Nidorino is missing his mate.
The obvious answer for me to this question is Babs & Dick, but they are in comics. Do graphic novels count towards this book tag? I am assuming they do!

Image if they allowed you to ride your Pokemon in the game if you selected it as your buddy. I would love to ride my Ponyta.
One book I love for several reasons is Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is also one of my favourite movies, although the ending of the movie is completely different.

Eevee is still one of my favourite Pokémon and I am still hoping to catch a few more so I can have a Jolteon to complete my Eevee set.
I love that J.K. Rowling et al wrote another Harry Potter book, but I am not sure where else this series can go. For a long time, the Star Wars Expanded Universe books were my only hope of seeing the further adventures of the Skywalker family, so I will always love seeing a Star Wars spin-off series.

We are lucky to live within walking distance of the River Thames and so our Pokewalks involve catching several Magikarp a day – perfect for trying to get those 400 candies.
The series that I found awesome also centres around the River Thames. I originally started reading Rivers of London as it was an urban fantasy set in London. But quickly, began to adore the characters and I love that I recognise so many places from the books.

I am hoping they don’t rush introducing the legendary Pokemon as this will mark the end of the game, plus my Pokedex is far from being complete.
Social media seems to overhype several book series at the moment, the ones I am looking forward to reading The Red Queen books.

Of course the legendary Pokemon I would love to own is a Mewtoo. Like this Pokemon, the collector’s edition I am coveting is the Harry Potter Illustrated Edition. I wish they would hurry up and publish the complete set.

All I seem to be getting at the moment is 5KM eggs and they contain duds – if I hatch one more Meowth or Slowpoke!
I never seem to be in the loop about new novels, I always discover books months after everyone else. So I have no idea about this question.

One great thing about London is the go-to Pokemon Go hangouts – which always have several lures going. It’s amazing to see dozens of people playing the game all getting excited when an interesting Pokemon appears in the game.
I used to have several auto-buy authors but in recent years this list as slimmed down, now I guess I auto-buy series like Star Wars or any graphic novel that features Batgirl.

Do you remember the early days of Pokemon Go when we would always see the server down screen? Now I have to put up with pidgey running away.
Obviously, the book I am eagerly waiting for is The Winds of Winter!

The Pokemon Go Book Tag was the brainchild of Read at Midnight, and the images included in the post at her’s.

DISCLAIMER
Pokemon Go belongs to Niantic and Nintendo.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I will earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link.

Five Winter Films

Similarly to the five summer films I talked about a few months ago, these are the five new releases I am looking forward to seeing in the cinema this autumn and winter.

Rogue One
Obviously, the first film on the list had to be Rogue One. I have mentioned several times before how excited I am about this film. As a young Star Wars fan I always wondered about the rebel agents that stole the plans to the Death Star. Now finally I am going to see their story on-screen.
Doctor Strange
I love the MCU and Sherlock, so as the kids say it’s “a non-brainer” that this movie has been added to the list. Marvel have always produced more than traditional superheroes movies, Winter Solider is a political thriller and Ant-Man is a heist movie. It will be interesting to see what direction this movie will take the MCU.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Where do you start this movie? A chance to re-enter the Harry Potter universe. Getting to met new characters and amazing creatures. Stunning visual effects all seem to spell out a magical film.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
I have to confess I have yet to read the Miss Peregrine series of books. However, that hasn’t stop me from getting excited about this movie. I adore Tim Burton, he is one of my go-to directors, so I am expecting his unique style in this movie.
The Magnificent Seven
Growing up, I used to always watch movies with my dad, he played a massive part in shaping what movies I love. My dad’s favourite genre was westerns as I result I have fond memories of watching the original Magnificent Seven and it’s sequels with my dad, So in honour of him I am going to see this movie and hope they don’t mess it up!

What films are you most looking forward to seeing this autumn and winter?

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August 1, 2016

Filed under Currently, General

currently july

Currently Knitting… This month I finished my Denim Sky Cowl and loaned the completed cowl to Ling. So she could to display it on the Whimzy stall at Yarningham Wool Festival in Birmingham.

A post shared by princessdeia . London (@princessdeia) on Jul 20, 2016 at 3:18am PDT

Currently Reading… I am still re-reading the Harry Potter books. I paused from the original series briefly this weekend to read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Currently Watching… I have re-discovered my love of the Gilmore Girls. When Netflix began streaming the show at the start of the month I immediately started to binge watch it. It had been a few years since I watched this programme and it was lovely to re-visit Star Hallow and my old friends The Gilmore’s.
Currently Playing… Like the rest of the world, this month I became obsessed with Pokémon Go! I also joined in the Pokémon Q&A on Epicfied blog, me and other geeky bloggers talk about our experiences as Pokémon fans.
Currently Loving… Trailers!
San Diego Comic Con was last weekend, after all the big announcements the internet for flooded with trailers for upcoming movies. One of my favourites was the trailer for the new Wonder Woman movie.

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June 30, 2016

Filed under Currently, General

currently june

Currently Knitting… At the start of the month, I finished my Boomerang Shawl. Shortly afterwards I cast on my version of Denim Sky Cowl in shades of amber and dark brown.

Currently Loving… My obsession with bookstagram has been taken up a notch recently, as I discovered Litsy. This app combines instagram and goodread to produce a platform to review books, share you favourite quotes and beautiful photos. Litsy is currently only available on iOS.
Currently Reading… As the new Harry Potter book, The Cursed Child is being published at the end of July, This summer I thought I would re-reading the original novels, finishing the first two in June.

A post shared by princessdeia . London (@princessdeia) on Jun 12, 2016 at 2:47am PDT

Currently Watching… My television viewing this month has been all about Game of Thrones. As well as watching the amazing season six, I began to re-watched season one to five.

WARNING SPOILERS

Currently Feeling… Nostalgic!
Re-reading am amazing book series and re-watching one of my favourite television shows. Has made me reminiscing about the first time I read about Harry Potter going to Diagon Alley or the first time I watched the Battle of Blackwater. Now I want to re-read the Game of Thrones books and re-watch all the Harry Potter films.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I will earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link.

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Places for Fangirls to have Afternoon Tea in London

Geek Girls Guide to Halloween 2017 in London.

My Hacks

Geek Girl Guide

Recommended Reading

Five Favourite Fictional Teachers

Five Winter Films