A Frosted Fairytale: London At Christmas

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

London at Christmas is always extra sparkly and magical, there are so many fun things to do and pretty places to explore if you know where to look for them, even more so during December when the festivities are in abundance. I had tickets for a magical performance of The Nutcracker by the English National Ballet, and I knew I’d likely end up stopping off at my favourite cake parlour too, so I was looking forward to a whimsical, frosted fairytale adventure!

Baby It’s Cold Outside

I chose to wear my favourite pink bow jumper from Ted Baker which is cashmere soft and embellished with pretty pearls and gems, as well as my pretty pink coat from Miss Selfridge last year (similar here). It was super chilly so I popped on my snowy white pom pom hat from Accessorize, which I think looks so cute and wintry! I also took along my pink Ted Baker bag which has the prettiest bow detail and I just adore it.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Christmas trip to London if I didn’t find myself back at Peggy Porschen; the fanciest little cafe in all the land! Their glittering winter parlour had been decorated so elegantly making it look like a frosted wonderland, with a display of gorgeous white floral blooms, entwined with delicate glistening fairy lights. Peeking through the windows were snow topped mountains scenes and shimmering trees adorned with pastel baubles and Christmas cookies. The whole display looked even prettier and more magical in real life, and made you feel liked you’d been whisked away into an enchanting snow-filled winter fairytale.

We had decadent hot chocolates adorned with the sweetest little reindeer and charming snowman designs. Aren’t they just the cutest?! I’ve actually been lucky enough to pay a visit to Peggy’s twice over Christmas this year, the first time we had snowflake hot chocolates and starry snowmen cupcakes which were adorable! I love how every visit is always unique there, even if you go multiple times during one season with the same display and seasonal menu, there is always something new and equally as beautiful to try, and my photos come out different every time.

This time we shared a slice of the Cosy Cashmere Christmas Cake, which was iced with a cable knit style frosting and sprinkled with little pearls and iced snowflakes. It had a lovely almond flavoured sponge layered with sweet coconut buttercream. I’ll admit I’m not a huge lover of coconut but I was actually pleasantly surprised with this one, it was really light and not overpowering and complimented the flavours of the sponge, giving it a subtle but delicious marzipan flavour.

We also shared the Christmas Cabin Speculoos Cupcake which had an amazing caramelised cookie butter centre (think Lotus Biscoff ~ my favourite!) It was topped with swirls of spiced buttercream frosting, and decorated with a little gingerbread cabin and a mini meringue kiss. The whole design was so cute and charming, and paired with the festive flavours it made it Christmassy perfection.

Sitting pretty on their shelves were the most precious array of cookies and confectionery. I just adore the wonderfully cute and creative designs for their iced Christmas cookies, with a range of adorable blushing snowmen, dreamy pink ice skates, cosy cashmere knits and pom pom hats, enchanting gingerbread cabins, and sparkling snowflakes. Each tied with a luxury pink satin ribbon which makes them extra special.

I couldn’t resist popping into the Too Faced Carnaby Boutique whilst I was in London as it’s just the dreamiest, girliest little boudoir. I would highly recommend popping in and paying a visit as it’s their flagship store, and only stand alone store worldwide! Which means you can often find collections and treasures that are yet to come to the UK online or in department stores, Sephora exclusives as well as Too Faced online exclusives. I couldn’t resist picking up a couple of sparkling items from their brand new Pretty Rich collection and I’m a little bit in love with their Christmas gift bags, featuring an adorable festive design of the brand’s resident pooch Clover, decked out in adorable reindeer antlers.

I’d had tickets booked for The Nutcracker Ballet which was a production I’d always hoped to see one day, so I was super excited to finally experience it in the theatre of dreams. The London Coliseum has richly decorated interiors and ornate luxury detailing which makes it look like an actual royal palace! It’s such a stunning venue which exudes Edwardian elegance, so it was the perfect setting for The Nutcracker.

Gracing the theatre’s atrium was the most magnificent Christmas tree made out of pointe shoes, all donated and decorated by the English National Ballet’s very own ballerinas. The garland of ombre pink ballet shoes went from a magenta pink, to a soft rose and then a blush ballet pink, all entwined with fairy lights, delicate pink tulle and dainty roses. It was truly breathtaking and without a doubt the prettiest Christmas tree I’ve ever laid eyes upon!

On a sparkling Christmas Eve in a frost dusted Edwardian London, Clara and her enchanted nutcracker doll discover a magical world, where she battles the Mouse King and meets a handsome stranger. As the air grows colder, Clara and her valiant Nutcracker take a hot air balloon ride across London to the glistening Land of Snow where her adventure really begins.

The performance was utterly magical, and whisks you away into dream-like fantasy land full of frosted delights. It was so perfect watching the ballerinas twirl with their magical glittering snow white tutus, underneath a cascade of falling snowflakes. I adored Clara’s transformation into the Sugar Plum Fairy as she danced with the Prince, which was so elegant and romantic. The story is a perfect Christmas tale and the English National Ballet’s performance made for a wondrous Christmas treat.

I hope you’ve been having magical month of December full of sparkling fairy lights and sugar-plum dreams!

Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest