Valentine's Day Events - Friday Favourites

Here at the Amazing Blog,

we know that the routineness of Valentine’s Day can really drain the romance from what should be an exciting and different experience. Afterall, it's a day to tell and show someone what they mean to you! So with that in mind, we gathered some of the most interesting and unusual Valentine’s Day events in London to help you create some long-lasting and treasured memories with your loved one.

First of all we have a twist on the typical, and dare we say dated, dinner date at the same old restaurant. For a truly unique evening, swimming in romance, why not try switching up the location to beautiful evening on the thames. Bateaux London Cruises are offering some remarkable dinner packages that we instantly fell in love with!

Bateaux's Valentine's Day Symphony Tower Suite  package pulls out every stop, giving you an intimate dining experience as you enjoy the London sights. Spend time with your partner in a quiet suite, where a four-course dinner is served with drinks throughout the evening. To top off your romantic meal you can go and enjoy the live band that will be playing throughout the night. The City at night is, arguably, when it’s at its most beautiful and romantic, and with this cruise you are certain to get unparalleled views, and an unparalleled experience.

Bateaux London Cruises combine high quality dining, entertainment, and the beautiful London skyline to give you a wonderful evening whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself. They daily offer cruises that create unforgettable experiences for their guests, so you know that their Valentine’s day will be even more spectacular than usual! So go and book your night here from £145 a person!

For a more cultural and regal Valentine's Day, visit Queen's House in Greenwich, part of the Royal Museums of Greenwich. The museum, which is an architectural masterpiece boasting 400 years of royal history, is putting on a Valentine's Day special called 'Making Love in the Queen's House.' The day will be full of talks and courses both inside the Queen's House and in it's elegant surroundings.

You and your valentine can enjoy a Prosecco afternoon tea while hearing from experts who will be discussing love stories of the royals who lived in the celebrated 'House of Delight.' Learn more about the house's beginnings as a 'pleasure palace' and gift from King James I to his wife Anne of Denmark, while soaking up the regal environment.

For a historical and romance-filled day out, visit 'Making Love in the Queens House.' You can purchase tickets for the event here for £25.00.

If you are looking for something a little different, try surprising your loved one by visiting Sea Life London Aquarium for their 'Sea Life After Dark' evening. Home to one of Europe's largest collections of global marine life, Sea Life London Aquarium has some amazing creatures to see, from rare sea turtles to penguins. After picking up your complimentary glass of prosecco, you and your valentine can experience the Shark Walk - a glass walkway with sharks and other marine life swimming just inches away from you!

This after-hours event is adult-only and allows you to explore the aquarium at your own pace, while enjoying the pop up bars scattered throughout. Guest Experience Advisors will additionally be on hand so you can learn all about the creatures and conservation work that Sea Life Aquarium does.

It's certainly not every day that you get to spend your evening with friends surrounded by marine life, so buy tickets for Sea Life After Dark here from £29.00.

Finally on our list is a twist on the classic night of drinks. The Charming Christabel's completely drew us in with their exciting and vibrant cocktail workshops. This Valentines Day, the company are hosting a Bejewelled Cocktail Masterclass. For a fun and flirty evening with your valentine, or even just a group of friends, join Christabel's to create your own cocktail creations.

The vibrant sessions will include a masterclass on mixing and shaking their classic 'Flirt' and 'Zinger' cocktails, we personally love their 'Flirt' cocktail which sends us back to those sultry summer evenings! If that doesn't sway you though, there is also a chance to get creative and transform your drinks by jazzing them up with glitter, sequins, rose petals and much more. We think it might be fun at this stage to create a drink that reflects your partner's personality! Your evening will also be accompanied by canapes that you can construct yourself. This is a really hands on DIY evening that has the potential to be wholly unique to you and your loved one, leaving you with memories of an experience that no one else will have.

The event is in a secret location in N1, so keep your eyes peeled and buy tickets here for £45 per person.

Friday Favourites - Valentine's Day

To quote Robert Smith (lead singer of the Cure) “It’s Friday and [we’re] in love!” Yes, today is the day when lovers all over the world will be showering their loved ones with heart-felt messages and gifts. Don't worry if you don’t have a partner, why not just treat yourself! But for those of you that will be spreading the love, we here at The Amazing Blog have compiled a few of our Valentine’s Day favourites to help get you on your way.

Let’s start by setting the mood or the ‘ambiance’ for this special date night. Ancienne Ambiance is a British luxury brand that produces luxury goods and utilises fragrances that are inspired by ingredients and techniques from ancient times. They offer an array of beautifully candles, soaps, bath salts and oils. Their products are hand-poured and delivered in elegant purple (our favourite colour!) hand-crafted gift boxes. The brand has recently introduced the Lavendula Collection, which features top quality, pesticide-free lavender which is produced in both France and UK. From the Lavendula Collection, we particularly love the soaps and bath salts which immediately fill the office with an aroma of calming lavender (much needed to calm our hectic days...). The Lavendula Beauty Gift Set in full of lots of gorgeous goodies that  include a pillar candle, three soaps, bath & body oil and salts. The set is a perfect way of giving your loved one a relaxing evening and can be found here.

Given that Ancienne Ambiance specialises in the art of luxury candle making, we must mention their limited edition Valentine’s Day, Red Eros Rose Scented Candle. This premium three wick candle is scented with the most delicious Damascan Roses. It uses slow burning beeswax and best of all has no wax dripping issues. The Damascan Roses are used in particular to make a variety of rose-scented products due to their rich, floral scent therefore this candle is sure to fill the room with a sweet and irresistible fragrance. The candle is available here for £34.

If you want something a bit more unusual, why not give your loved one a unique one-of-a-kind vase filled with allegedly a 'thousand rose petals’. Ashleigh & Burwood creates home fragrances that are meant to beautify and enhance your home’s ambience through fragrance. Ashleigh & Burwood offers the Decadent Diffuser Gift Set which includes the scent of a ‘thousand rose petals’ in an artisan-made vase with mosaic detailing, guaranteeing no two vases are ever the same. This diffuser gives off a velvety, red rose scent that is enhanced with warm subtle spices and a twist of exotic ylang ylang. Ylang ylang is found in Southeast Asia and is used to relieve stress, induce happiness and act as an aphrodisiac. The diffuser gift set is available for £22.50 and can be found here.

Next we have a sweet treat for your date night courtesy of Charbonnel et Walker. They are the  purveyors of fine chocolates and have been crafting chocolates since 1875. For Valentine’s Day they offer various gift sets for that special someone. We were lucky enough to try the Truffle Kisses box which includes the signature Pink Marc de Champagne and the new Raspberry Marc de Champagne Truffles. We were excited to try these and they didn't disappoint with their decadent champagne kisses! The truffles have a hard pink chocolate shell that unveiled a delicate, chocolate filling, which was infused with hints of raspberry and champagne perfect for a romantic night in. The chocolates are hand-made and follow a traditional recipe which is couverture (which means the chocolate has a higher cocoa butter content) giving the chocolate a unique richer and silkier taste. The boxes come with complimentary gift wrapping thus making the presentation beautiful and hassle free!  The boxes are available in store or online here for £20.And if that dose of sweetness was not enough, pick up a box of Macarons by Babette. Babette is relatively new (launching in March 2013) and they supply to various cafes around London including Le Pain Quotidien  restaurants. Le Pain Quotidien offers macarons in boxes of two or six, but Macarons Babette takes on much larger orders depending on the occasion and event. If you really want to go over the top and ‘wow’ your partner, Macarons by Babette even offers a whole tower of macarons! Whatever your needs this Valentine’s Day, Macarons by Babette are sure to have a flavour for you. You can order yours online or find a supplier here.

Lastly, we have something that incorporates everything  for Valentine’s Day. It is an all-inclusive hotel that showers you and your lover in chocolaty delights. The Chocolate Boutique Hotel is located in Bournemouth, Dorset. It  houses 15 chocolate-themed rooms. They are offering three packages for Valentine’s Day but recommended the double room package as it includes a one nights’ accommodation, breakfast, a bottle of their Exclusive Spanish Cava, their Belgian Chocolate fountain with strawberries and marshmallows to dip and a slab of chocolate with your very own personalised message.  There is also a chocolate workshop allowing you and your partner to learn about the origins and art of chocolate-making To book your night and see which package is right for you, go here.

 Whatever you and your partner decide to do tonight, we hope our suggestions inspire you!  We here at the Amazing Blog wish you a fun, passionate and decadently sweet evening!

Valentine's Day

At The Amazing Blog, what could bring us more joy than Valentine’s Day. The day filled entirely with love, chocolates, and presents. Here at The Amazing Blog we have sorted out through different chocolates, beauty items, home accessories, and events going on in London to help you pick out the best gifts and nightly activities for that special someone. Le Creuset have just come out with a stylish three piece mini heart set right in time for Valentine’s Day! These new pint-sized heart shaped dishes have a cute appeal to them. They come in three complementary colours, Cerise, Cassis, and Rose. These mini heart shaped dishes are ideal for three small dessert puddings to share with each other. You don't have to look any further than these mini heart shaped boxes to give a great impression. This is a perfect gift to give someone very special and watch their face light up when you reveal your special desserts inside each of these dishes! The Le Creuset of 3 Stoneware Heart Mini’s can be purchased on-line and in stores for a reasonable £32.

Give the gift that will help spruce up your house and also give back to others! With Fine Cell Work cushions you are not only getting a hand made cushion but you are also helping others in prison. Approximately 100 hours of work goes into each handmade product. Fine Cell Work has all different types of cushions for Valentine’s Day that could become a new asset in your home. We love the Daisy De Villeneuve – Love Hand in particular. With the bright and funky styles that this cushion is designed with, it’s a great way to add some colour in the room. These designs were hand-drawn by illustrator Daisy De Villeneuve. When you purchase these cushions, it helps rehabilitate inmates in prison because they are given the opportunity to earn money and stay out of trouble. This cushion can be purchased in stores and on line for £45, not bad if you ask me!

Always have your hands around her heart when you give her the Dia Boutique “Hold Me Tight” Necklace. This necklace is the perfect symbol of your love. With the two hands clenching onto her heart it's a romantic gesture and something she will always wear. This necklace combines a touch of humour with a romantic spin. This Valentine’s Day, give her the perfect “I Love You” necklace with the "Hold Me Tight” by Dia Boutique. You can purchase “Hold Me Tight” online or in stores for £91.37.

The smell of roses is all around on Valentine’s Day, but why does that have to end so soon? Give you loved one a gift of an exotic blend of rose petals that can last long after the roses have faded. With Senti’s Petali di Rose home fragrance, the smells of the exotic Turkish rose gives off a sense of rich elegance. The women can pamper their significant other with the delightful Cuoio e Radica that gives off a subtle Leather and Wood scent. Dr. Vranjes considered the scents that would please give off a feminine scent and a masculine scent. The Petali di Rose for ‘her’ and the Cuoio e Radica for ‘him’ is available in the Senti store or online for £49.50 for a 250ml size diffuser.John Bell & Croyden hand selected some great Valentine’s Day gift sets for both him and her. We love the Rose Garden gift box that has four fabulous beauty items wrapped up in one box. The Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Body Lotion moisturizes the skin with the perfect blend of Shea butter, rose, evening primrose, almond, and coconut oils. With the Marny’s Rose Hip Oil it keeps your skin, nails, and hair healthy while helping with signs of anti-aging. The Woods of Windsor Rose scented draw liners, give off an elegant scent of true rose petals. The last part of this gift set is the Le Petit Oliver Rose soap that will make your body soft and give off a fresh smell. You can purchase this lovely gift set for £48 online or from the John Bell & Croyden store.

We have always loved Korres products and found out they were featuring a Valentine’s Day gift set that is a ‘must-have’! The Korres Roses and Love 3-piece collection lets your body be lavished with rose scents. This gift set includes a Japanese Rose Shower Gel, Japanese Rose Body Butter, and Wild Rose Lip Butter. These three separate items provides an aromatic bathing experience while soothing the skin. The Japanese Rose Body Butter maintains the skin’s natural moisture level and releases a subtle scent of roses that linger on. With the spring around the corner, this 3-piece Korres collection will have your skin feeling fresh and smelling amazing! Korres products are available from a number of retailers such as ASOS and Look Fantastic for £20, which is a great price for these full sized products.

Chocolate is the key to everyone’s heart, especially ours. Charbonnel et Walker have been providing Britain with their handmade chocolates since 1875 and are still chocolate lover’s heaven. Their Valentine feature chocolate is their Strawberry White Truffles. These truffles make your mouth water before you even pop one in! They have a hard outside layer of white chocolate followed by a creamy chocolate and strawberry inside, topped off with a piece of real strawberry. The Strawberry White Truffle certainly got everyone in a happy mood! This piece of delicate chocolate provides the perfect mix of creamy goodness in each bite. The Charbonnel et Walker Strawberry White Truffle can be purchased for £11.95 in stores or on-line.

On Patisserie has provided their customers with a Valentine’s Day treat! The beautifully hand decorated macarons aren’t only for show but they are delicious with every bite! These are very light cookies made with a very flavorful icing filling. The Valentine’s Day box comes with 12 glittered and decorated macarons. This is the perfect night night-cap snack after spending the holiday with each other. They will be available from the On Patisserie's stall at Real Food Market Southbank for £16.50 a gift box of 12 or £10 for a gift bag of 6 pieces. You can also purchase On Patisserie's Valentine's Day Macarons on-line for £18.50.

Want to sweep your loved one right off her feet? Canary Wharf group has the perfect arrangement for a romantic and eventful night out on the town. The Valentine’s Tea Dance includes an array of vintage teas, cakes, finger sandwiches and professional instructors to teach you some dance moves to impress one another. These dances will include the waltz, tango, and cha-cha. Upon arrival there will be a complimentary glass of bubbly and a full cash bar. Dance the night away alongside with the Berkeley Square Society Band for only £12. You can purchase tickets here or call 0871 220 0260.

Be my Valentine...

And so, Valentine’s Day has arrived and people around the world are spending the day celebrating all things love related. Candle-lit tables for two, flowers, chocolates and a multitude of gifts designed to celebrate your coupledom. However, with a large percentage of the population proud 'singletons', here at Amazing PR we’ve decided to give you some fabulous ideas to make the most of Valentine’s Day – whether you’re dressing to impress your significant other or spending a night alone with some indulgent treats.

Firstly, what better way to treat yourself than with a relaxing bath? Our current favourite bath product is the amazing Peace Bath Oil by Beatitude. The deeply relaxing blend contains the pure essential oils of Ylang Ylang, Mandarin, Petitgrain, Lavender and Cedarwood. All the Beatitude products are mixed by aromatherapist Rebecca O’Connor, contain no nasties and are not tested on animals. Unlike most bath oils that leave a greasy residue these luxurious oils disperse in running water to give gentle bubbles leaving your skin feeling silky smooth. Now all you need to do is pour yourself a large glass of Pinot, lie back and relax…

Although most intensive skincare products require overnight application, if you’re in need of a quick pick me up before a night out we’ve found a product you can use as an intense treatment to smooth and firm your skin’s appearance that doesn’t involve plastering your face in thick cream overnight. For the perfect last minute skin perk up we love Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Age Mask. Depending on how much time you have (we recommend putting it on before your bath and leaving it on for a minimum of an hour) the mask’s potent botanical extracts help to restore your skins moisture and give a dewy, healthy finish. The mask also helps protect against environmental damage, perfect for removing London public transport grime! Aromatherapy Associates have a wide range of products rich in essential oils and active botanical extracts formulated to enhance your natural radiance from the inside out.

The Amazing Blog crew are well known for our slight obsession with nails, and a manicure and polish is always an essential part of our pre-date or night out repertoire. This Valentine’s Day we have chosen Little Bu’s fantastic nail polishes. Although strictly designed for children we love the water-based, wash-off collection of nail polishes thanks to their chemical-free formula and candy colours which are perfect for spring. Little Bu are available from Harrods or online here.

Not wanting to forget our favourite type of treat - chocolate has long been associated with romantic gestures and no Valentine’s dinner would be complete without it. For those of you planning dinner at home tonight, why not surprise your guests with the most deliciously decadent dessert chocolates? Squisitezza, La Sagra’s unique chocolates made with seasonal ingredients, will make your evening simply exquisite. Made with high quality authentic ingredients, La Sagra was created over a ten year period living ‘La Dolce Vita’ in Rome. Available to buy in small, medium or large, you can order them from the website here, where you can also find their amazing spring collection. They also make the perfect accompaniment for after dinner coffee.

And finally, make your lips irresistibly kissable with this year’s most fashionable and romantic colour, ruby red. A Million Kisses is a special Valentine’s lip tint from Lush that has a delicious smell of roses thanks to its main ingredient of organic rose hip oil which will leave your lips glossy, hydrated and moisturised. Wearing this deep seductive colour is sure to attract admiring glances whatever your Valentine’s Day plans! Available to buy from the website here.

Sealed delights

Not only is the weekend now nothing but a distant memory, but today is the greyest of grey days. Windy, rainy and dull-as-dishwater, a Monday like today is the worst kind of start to the week. Couple that fact with the impending Valentine's Day and there's certainly not much to be cheerful about.

Luckily for the gang at The Amazing Blog a silver lining arrived today in the form of G Desserts, just in time to dispel our grey cloud of gloom. Founded by Gillian, the conception of G Desserts came about when she discovered that her three children were having adverse effects from the additives and preservatives used in mass-produced cakes. And thus, as creators of the creme de la creme of handmade desserts, G Desserts use only the finest of ingredients and are free from both additives and preservatives. Most of the ingredients are sourced from local and regional producers in the UK, and as the cupcakes are beautifully presented in jars, the packaging is both reusable and recyclable.

While the jars were intially used as a form of portion-control, they also provide numerous other benefits; perfect for packed lunches or eating on the go, they also make wonderful wedding favours and as the jars seal in moisture they prevent the cupcakes from drying out.

Available in seven mouth-watering flavours: Strawbubbly, Simply Vanilla, Victoria Sponge, Carrot Passion, Chocolate Nutter, Lemon Passion and Red Velvet, we were lucky enough to sample the Chocolate Nutter and Red Velvet, both of which taste every bit as good as they look.

So whether you need an afternoon pick-me-up, or simply fancy a decadent delicacy give G Desserts a try - certainly the tastiest treat we've ever found in a jar!