Hello Lovely people and welcome back to a new blog post. I hope you had a great summer and summer holiday. Here are some great tips if you are planning to go to festival camping. With the summer almost gone, this will be probably for next year. However, this might be helpful for a “normal” camping trip as well. At least I hope so because this was my first ever camping trip. I am not a camping expert yet.
Camping is a great way to experience life outside and I would love to this again. I am sure this camping list will help beginners like me prepare for their first camping trip.
So just copy this checklist and print it out if you ever go “festival”
camping or just camping somewhere sunny.
Like I said before, it is a new and amazing experience to be out in the open-air, sleeping on a nice inflatable mattress and listen to music and relax.
The only thing I forgot is to bring this time, were some warm clothes. Even in the hot summer, the nights can be very fresh and cold. So don’t be fooled by the weather forecast. It was 33 degrees Celsius in Germany and the nights were very cold.
TENT ESSENTIALS
Extra blanket – If you are cold easily
Sleeping mask
Comfortable socks
Pack of toilet paper small
Phone charger – Solar charger is the best
Tissues
Plastic bin bags
Towel – Go for the microfiber towel
Water bottle
HYGIENE
Baby wipes
Face wipes
Mirror small
Hair Brush
Dry shampoo – Baptiste
Shampoo
Small deodorant
Sun crème
Contact solution – Important if you wear lenses
Day lenses
Glasses
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Tampons – Period stuff
Disposable raisers
Plaster – For blister
Hand sanitize
Small sprite mist spray
Small moisturizer
Hairpins and elastics
FOOD PREP
Cooking set – Fuel stove (only if possible)
Plastic knives, forks, spoons
Drinks
Muesli bars and snacks (a lot)
Mix for water – syrup (to change)
Figs dried
Prunes dried
Energy drinks
Juices
MAKE-UP
Small moisturizer
Q-tips
Lip balm – Vaseline
Anything really – Depends on you and the weather, but less is better
CLOTHES
Leather jacket
Hat – Soft, easy packable
Festival dirty shoes
Sunglasses cheap
Extra underwear+ socks
Pyjama
Poncho for the rain
Trainers
Plan outfits for all the days and day of commute
Long trousers – Leggings dry fast
Shorts
T-shirts
Clothes for nights when it is cold
TIPS
Mark all your stuff with your name – more likely
to be turned at lost and found
Take a picture on your phone and set as screen
saver “IF LOST PLEASE CALL THIS NUMBER
AND NAME”
Colourful lights for at night – attach on your
bag and tent
Always check the weather
Tent not facing East
Let me know how your first time camping experience went and what are your tips? I am curious to know how you experience your first time camping. I hope you find this checklist useful.
Hello hello Lovely people here in
London and around the world. So many wonderful experience and people I met last
month that I just didn’t had the time to update you guys through my blogposts. I
know. I started the year great with posting regularly, but don’t be
disappointed. I am working on a few blogposts to catch up with you guys!
Without any further delay, grab your glass of wine and sit back to enjoy reading my blogpost about the many wonderful things I did last month.
I was lucky to participate in a project where I met so many kind and lovely people from around the world. At the moment I can’t tell so much, but when I can I will let you know how life changing this experience was for me. Stay tuned for this one!
Another fun experience was spending time with family. One of my cousin came over for a weekend with her friend and we had a blast. It was a short weekend and way too fast, but we did a lot of fun things that are now mentioned below. Thanks for that ladies !
Last month, I went to many restaurants, bars and exhibitions, so I will just put them in categories with a small review and the relevant links for you all below. There are definitely tips for you here, even if you are living in London for years. At least that is what I hope.
This is a lovely British gastro pub near the canal at Granary Square. Huge windows and a terrace outside makes this place a really cosy place for food and drinks with friends and family. I did enjoy the homemade burger with chips and the many beers that they serve.
This is the best Beigel with salty beef and gherkins in London. Who does not know them! Too be honest I forgot a bit how delicious the beigels are. I brought my cousin and friend there and it was like a stairway to heaven. I really did forget how GOOD it is and enjoyed every bite of it. I still don’t know why I do not go more often as I live here in London. Might be that it is not so close from home and the weather here in London has not been with us last few months. The Saturday that we went (Brexit Saturday) it was super sunny and chill to stroll around Brick lane and Shoreditch.
This place is great for dates. Once inside you will forget about the outside world. We had some delicious and fancy cocktails at the bar. The baristas there are amazing! This place makes you almost feel like James Bond. (for real) Definitely going back for a drink or dinner anytime soon.
While strolling around with the gang, we came across the Spitalfields Market and we went for a drink at the Grocer. Lovely casual and relax place to have some beers in the afternoon. If you are around, have a drink here. By the way many delicious foods available on this market.
This is the Wetherspoon in Camden Town. Great place for some casual drinks. This is the place to try different beers and just chill with friends or family. Also very affordable drinks and snacks, why not.
I think this a great place if you are with a large group of friends and in the summer. It feels like you are on a veranda or terrace chatting away with friends. Nice thing is you can get food and drinks from different stands.
Unfortunately, this exhibition is completely sold out. So if you did not get a change to see this exhibition, wait for my next blogpost. It was so worth to see this exhibition and I am happy I bought my ticket a month before. The day that I went it was super busy, but so mesmerizing. A designer pur sang. When this blogpost will be online, you are able to click HERE.
Check the website to see when it is open. I thought it is only a few Sundays per year open from March till end of April. We decided to stroll around the second largest conservatory to take some fun pictures with our vintage cameras. I recently bought, out of the blue, a Yashica minister 3 and a Praktica MTL3 camera to practice the use a manual camera. So much fun to use a real film again, can’t wait so see the pictures developed.
This exhibition is till June, so plenty of time to see this one. If you like the renaissance, you will like this one. This is really the baby steps of the nudes in paintings. Here you can see that the artist didn’t had much experience with nude models and it is slowly developing around that period.
I had no idea that this market was not too far from Shoreditch and Brick lane. We were strolling around and BAMM, just came across this lovely and creative market. A lot of food and drinks. We went for some sweets and we had some drinks at the Grocer. A lot of creative gifts at this market if you are looking for some unique gifts.
It is a bit far, but definitely worth a visit. Most likely in summer or at least when the weather is warm and dry, so you can sit in the park and enjoy the view. It is almost as nice as the park near the observatory in Greenwich.
I think through EVENTBRITE UK you can find free tickets to go to this comedy club in the Castle. It can be very busy, but great way to see many stand up comedy acts in just 2 hours. I think I saw around 9 or 10 in just two hours time.
Camden Town is super touristic and overpriced. We all know. Still it is fun to stroll around once in awhile. Check out the stables, food stand and just have drinks at the Wetherspoon. Always something strange and crazy to find here in Camden Town.
Almost the reason why everyone like and stroll
around Shoreditch is the street art.
Fun fact is that they change the street art once in a while. I saw some new pieces this time. Love the atmosphere in this area when the sun is up and the weather is hot.
Something I would not visit by myself, but happy I did because of my cousin. It is really an experience that M&M is trying to sell in their huge London store in Leicester square. Luckily it was not super busy as we went in the morning, so plenty of time and space to walk around the three floors that they have. Just for the experience it is super fun to see all the different colours and flavours that they have and all the merchandise that they sell. The staff is also super friendly. You can smell the M&M’s from outside the store.
This is the empty church I was trying to find for a while now and finally I DID FIND IT. It is in the City of London. Between Bank station and Tower of London. Beautiful to see an empty church in a garden in between skyscrapers. It is worth a visit in the summer, so you can walk around and see so many wonderful sights around this area.
@ St Dunstan Church
@ St Dunstan Church
So this is it for now. As I did mention, it was a wonderful March. Many thanks for the people who could enjoy it with me.
I hope you did enjoy reading my blog and I hope you got inspired to visit at least one or two places from my blogpost, even if you know them already.
MissWidjaja
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Hello Beautiful Souls,
This week, I visited something truly magical—the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit at the Natural History Museum, from 11 October 2024 to 29 June 2025. Nestled next to the V&A, the museum is one of my favourite spots in London. While often busy, ticketed exhibits like this offer a quiet escape into something extraordinary.
This was my first time experiencing this exhibit, and it was breathtaking. The photos capture moments from the natural world—places and creatures you may never encounter in real life, especially in a city. I realized I had a soft spot for cats and fluffy animals, and those images stole my heart.
The photographs I’ve shared here are my favourites. Each one tells a story—wild, tender, or quietly magical. If you’re in London, I can’t recommend this enough. It’s more than an exhibit; it’s a reminder of the wonder that surrounds us, even if it feels far away.
Hello Beautiful Souls,
As the sun shone brightly over the River Thames, I decided to treat myself to a solo lunch at the newly opened Comptoir Libanais in the Southbank Centre. Having enjoyed this vibrant chain in various parts of London before, I was excited to see what this new location had to offer. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
The Southbank Centre is always a great spot for a stroll, and after soaking in some rays and enjoying the riverside views, I was ready for a delicious meal. Comptoir Libanais, with its inviting Eastern-inspired decor and warm, welcoming staff, was the perfect choice. The restaurant was bustling, no doubt due to the excitement of its first few days, but the energy only added to the experience.
For my meal, I opted for a mezze spread, starting with the ever-popular Baba Ghanuj. This smoky, creamy eggplant dip was the perfect start, paired with fresh pita bread. Next up was the Lamb Kofta Grill. The koftas were tender and flavorful, cooked to perfection, and served with a side of fragrant rice and salad.
To accompany my meal, I indulged in an Espresso Martini. This may not be the typical beverage pairing for Lebanese cuisine, but it was surprisingly delightful and added a touch of elegance to my solo date.
Dessert was a real highlight. I chose the Mixed Berry Mouhalabia, a creamy milk pudding infused with the subtle sweetness of mixed berries. It was light, not overly sweet, and the perfect way to end the meal.
One of the perks of dining during the soft launch was the discount, which allowed me to indulge a bit more than usual. The overall atmosphere of Comptoir Libanais is enchanting, with its beautifully designed interior reflecting the charm and vibrancy of the Middle East. The staff were attentive and friendly, making the dining experience even more enjoyable.
If you’re in the Southbank area and looking for a great spot for a quick bite or a relaxed lunch or dinner, I highly recommend giving Comptoir Libanais a try. Whether you’re dining solo or with friends, you’re sure to have a wonderful experience.
Last May, I had the incredible pleasure of witnessing one of the best [British] stand-up comedy shows in the UK in my opinion. Romesh Ranganathan, the comedic genius we all know and love, brought his Hustle 2024 tour to the O2 Arena, and it was nothing short of sensational.
From the moment Romesh stepped onto the stage, the energy in the room was electric. His presence commanded the attention of thousands of fans, all eagerly anticipating the hilarious ride he was about to take us on. And boy, did he deliver!
Romesh’s brand of humour is a perfect blend of sharp wit, relatable anecdotes, and a touch of self-deprecation that makes him incredibly charming. Throughout the show, he tackled a variety of topics—from the absurdities of everyday life to the challenges of parenthood and the quirks of British culture. His observational humour was spot on, turning mundane situations into comedic gold and so relatable.
One of the highlights of the evening was Romesh’s take on the hustle culture. As the title of his Netflix special and tour suggests [yes, this one will be on Netflix for everyone to see], he dissected the concept with a mix of sarcasm and truth that had the entire audience in stitches. His commentary on the pressures to constantly be productive and the ridiculousness of some motivational quotes was both hilarious and thought-provoking.
But what truly set this show apart was Romesh’s authenticity. He wasn’t just performing a set; he was having a genuine conversation with us. His ability to connect with the audience on a personal level made the jokes hit even harder. There were moments when I laughed so hard, I cried—a true testament to Romesh’s comedic prowess.
The O2 Arena was the perfect venue for such a memorable night. The atmosphere was buzzing, the laughter was contagious, and the sense of camaraderie among the audience was genuine. It felt like being part of a massive, joyful community, all brought together by the sheer brilliance of Romesh Ranganathan.
If you ever get the chance to see Romesh live, do not hesitate. His Hustle 2024 tour is a masterclass in stand-up comedy, and it’s an experience that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
I recently had an unforgettable experience that I’m excited to share with you all: “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” at the Phoenix Theatre in London. I first heard about this play from a colleague and immediately searched for tickets on TodayTix, which is where you can find the best deals for plays and musicals. I managed to score a front-row ticket, and although I was initially apprehensive about being so close to the action, it turned out to be a thrilling decision.
From the moment the play began, I was captivated. The stage effects were nothing short of spectacular, transporting us straight into the eerie and suspenseful world of “Stranger Things.” The production was so well-crafted and genuinely scary that I found myself screaming a few times. But if I’m honest, it was worth every bit of fright. The immersion was complete, making us feel as if we were part of the series itself.
“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” runs until February 16, 2025, so there’s plenty of time to catch this incredible show. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Netflix series or simply looking for an exhilarating theatre experience, this play is a must-see.
To anyone interested in experiencing “Stranger Things” in a whole new way, I highly recommend checking it out at the Phoenix Theatre. The combination of top-notch performances, stunning visuals, and the familiar yet thrilling atmosphere of Hawkins, Indiana, makes for an evening you won’t soon forget.
