Soho is known for its pulsating energy and risque vibes. It is a district with many firsts, including its name, first documented in the 17th century. There are now several Sohos worldwide. It is the birthplace of Mod fashion, a statement against earlier generations’ austerity, and The Rolling Stones performed their first live performance in … Read more
During the late 1800s, Italian immigrants sought to escape poverty and civil war in their native country and settled in the UK in their thousands. Some were wealthy, but most were poor, and the community established London’s Little Italy in Clerkenwell. They set up as ice cream makers, restaurateurs, confectioners, and shopkeepers. As the Italian … Read more
Police have recorded a UK wide record level of reported rape offences, fuelled in part by a 10% annual rise in rape in London. ONS data reveals that in the 12 months to September 2022, the official figure of 63,136 cases of rape is the highest on record and accounted for 37% of the 170,973 … Read more
Long eyelashes are a symbol of beauty. They make eyes appear larger and more attractive. In the past, eyelash extensions have been invasive and have a long and punishing history. In Roman times, short eyelashes indicated excessive sex. Longer ones were a sign of youth and virtue. Women used burnt cork to darken their lashes, … Read more
We can trace the origins of lip fillers back to the 1900s, when doctors injected fat transfer into lips deformed by tuberculosis. When that did not work, they tried liquid paraffin, another failure. The 1960s and 70s saw short success with silicon before being quickly scrapped for health reasons. The 90s saw considerable progress. However, … Read more
Acupuncture originated in China over 3,000 years ago. Zhenjiu is the Chinese word for acupuncture. Zhen means needle, and jiu means moxibustion, which involves burning moxa wool on a needle’s end. Acupuncture promotes physical and emotional well-being by stimulating the nervous system. Since the 1970s, popularity has steadily grown in the UK. Different practice styles … Read more
Korean corn dogs are popular street food in South Korea, where they often refer to them as hot dogs. The similarity to the American corn dog stops at a sausage on a stick. The filling, batter and coating are different. The batter uses rice flour to add bounciness and crispiness. They sometimes add potato, cheese, … Read more
Initially, a buffet described a piece of furniture from which the French served food. The buffets we know today trace back to the Swedish Smörgåsbord, a buffet of small plates with bread, cheese, salted fish, and eggs. You take a small portion from each dish and later return. It is more restrained than the free-for-all … Read more
The ancient hunting cry, ‘so-hoe,’ is said to be the inspiration behind the name Soho when the area was a royal hunting park for Henry VIII. After a cholera outbreak in 1854, the gentrification moved away. It allowed immigrants from France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Hungary, and Russia to move into the area. Soho evolved into … Read more
Board games are a fantastic way to unite people for fun. Add good food and drinks, and you create an occasion filled with casual conversation and a little competitive spirit. Board game cafes in London are often at the heart of a community and offer a socially inclusive hub to play your favourite games with … Read more