How much would you pay for a purrrrfect cup of coffee?

It is official. The world has gone mad for coffee. You only have to look down your average high street and count the number of coffee shops to see that we have embraced the concept of caffeine on tap. There is something to suit everyone – from espresso to latte and just about every flavour imaginable.

 

The rather excess price of our favourite tipple has even become accepted. We used to baulk at the thought of paying in excess of £2 for a cup of coffee – or at times, a cup of froth with a hint of coffee flavoured brown liquid hidden below. But not anymore.

 

So what would you consider expensive for a coffee? How much would you be prepared to satisfy those caffeine cravings? How about £50? What?! I hear you cry as you choke on your steaming mug of instant. But I kid you not.

 

A cup of coffee, claimed to be the most expensive in the world, as just gone on sale for £50 a cup. It is brewed with a blend of Jamaican Blue Mountain and the exclusive Kopi Luwak bean. If you think the cost is unpalatable read on, it gets worse. The Kopi Luwak bean is collected from cat droppings and sells for a reported £324 a kilo. No, don’t look at your calendar, it’s not April Fools Day, this is for real.

 

The coffee has been blended by coffee expert David Cooper. The Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, is made from beans eaten and expelled by the Indonesian civet cat that lives on plantations across south-east Asia. Workers collect expelled beans from the plantation floor, wash away the dung and roast them.

 

Has that got the taste buds going? If you are tempted to try it out pop down to the Peter Jones department store in London’s Sloane Square during April. You will be able to choose from the usual range of coffees, including espresso, which also sells for £50 a shot.  All proceeds are being donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

 

 

Sally Ormond

Editor

The SaVVy Club^®

 

 

London Social Events Club – The SaVVy Club is London‘s First Boutique Events Club offering Stylish, Exclusive, Memorable Events for professional individuals.

Read Full Post »

“What’s the time Mr Wolf?”

What’s the time Mr Wolf?”

“What’s the time Mr Wolf?” – do you remember playing that game? You see we were already displaying a preoccupation with time even at Nursery school. It is an obsession that never seems to leave us. During those idyllic childhood days, time seemed to last an eternity especially when waiting for birthdays or Christmas.

As we matured, time seemed to accelerate; we all kidded ourselves that we had loads of time to revise before our exams. Now, as responsible adults with busy lives, suddenly time seems to have vanished altogether. There is never enough of it. So where does it all go?

Take my life for example. I like to keep busy which invariably leads to over-committing myself to the point of screaming uncontrollably, disappearing into the garden only to be later found quivering in a pathetic heap under the rhododendrons. I am a full time mother, freelance copywriter, writer, Open University student, charity volunteer and PTA Treasurer. My basic day involves trying to drag myself out of bed, trying to drag the boys out of bed, making packed lunches, making breakfast, feeding the dogs, encouraging the boys to pack their school bags, which usually ends up with me searching under beds and in cupboards trying to locate those ever illusive shin pads.

Then I need to get the boys to the bus stop in time to catch the school bus, return home to my desk and start work (pause for deep breath), make lunch, eat lunch, back to my desk, collect first child from school, begin first child’s homework whilst ironing/dusting/hoovering/bathroom cleaning, then the second child arrives home and the homework cycle starts again this time whilst cooking tea before rushing out to that particular evenings club. I finally return home to feed husband who has now returned from work, return to the office to commence that day’s study quota before collapsing on the sofa, glass of wine in hand to catch a bit of TV whilst husband snores in the arm chair.

Of course, I also have to fit dog walks, PTA meetings, voluntary work and gym visits in there too. Just as well there are 472 hours in every day! Aren’t there?

Time management is one of those skills that we all need, but where do we find the time to learn it? We are often advised to sit down, make a list of all the things we do in a day and the time spent doing them so we can identify where we are wasting time – great. But when are we supposed to have the time to sit down and write said list? Of course some of us are naturally talented in the time management arena.

Being a mother invariably means that you have honed those multi-tasking skills which help you claw back precious minutes during the day. I can often be found replying to emails with phone tucked under my chin talking to a client whilst ironing with my left hand, loading the dishwasher with my right and listening to my youngest son read with the ear that doesn’t have the phone pressed against it.

In an attempt to enhance my skills, I have trawled the internet to find some handy hints. Other than signing up to a course (that is of course if you have the time to attend one) or purchasing a rather over-priced book one could adopt the following ideas:

Write a ‘to do’ list

Yes, I know we all laughed at our mothers, grannies or batty aunts who used to litter their houses with lists, but I think they had something. I have a whiteboard in my kitchen where I can write down what I need to do over the week.

Since doing so I have never forgotten anything – well, other than the odd occasion when I have actually forgotten to write it on the whiteboard. At the end of the week, I simply wipe it clean and start again.

Prioritise your list – Don’t procrastinate!

Even if the most important job is your least favourite – get it done! You will then have the time to do the things you enjoy.

Plan your week

Ah, this is where my whiteboard comes into its own. It is situated on the wall beside the kitchen table. Therefore I see it every day!

Carry a note book

Hmm…not entirely convinced about this one. Personally I do carry a note book, but as a writer I have always done so as you never know when that blinding flash of inspiration is going to hit.

But I suppose if you are out and about and you suddenly remember something that you should have put on your ‘to do’ list, if you write it down there and then you’ll remember to include it in your schedule.

Learn to say no

Ok, this is one I do have to learn. I am constantly over committing myself. But if I want to remain sane and delay the onset of wrinkles and grey hair I shall just have to learn.

So there you go, now you can prioritise, say no and enjoy spending more of your time doing the things that you want to do. Alternatively you could just get yourself a 24 hour PA, a cleaner, gardener and nanny!

The SaVVy Club’s members enjoy a unique calendar of bespoke social events organised just for them. They can enjoy the company of fascinating people and relax in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.

Read Full Post »

The Square Mile Tour

The elaborate peal of St Paul’s signalled the start of our historical tour of London’s Square Mile. Of course London itself covers many square miles but we were only interested in the one that houses the City of London which, at one point in time, was surrounded by the old Roman city walls.Ken began our magical mystery tour inside St Paul’s itself (once we had fought our past a very dedicated wedding photographer!).

It was like stepping back in time as we left the bustling city behind us. The soft lighting created an intimate atmosphere as we marvelled at the mosaics and intricate stone carvings as delicate choral music filled the Cathedral. But soon we were outside again to begin our three hour tour. Ken led us all like the Pied Piper as we hung on his every word weaving our way through the streets of London.

Our next stop was the Merryll Lynch building under the careful eye of a very large security guard. As we left the guard behind us Ken led us to a small green area called Postman’s Park (just off King Edward Street). A sheltered area within the park houses a wall dotted with hand-lettered tiles commemorating ordinary people who lost their loves trying to save others; a wonderful little public memorial celebrating the lives of people who would otherwise be forgotten. Our first lesson was on how to spot a Rogers or a Foster building.

By the time we reached The Barbican and the old Roman wall that nestles within its shadow, we had become quite adept at identifying the architects of the buildings that we passed. Then it was time for a refreshment stop and some deliciously chilled champagne enjoyed in the shadow of Shakespeare.

Through more alley ways and back streets, we emerged by the Bank of England where Sir John Soane, forever immortalised in stone, watched us as we continued on our journey towards Leadenhall market, passed the ‘erotic gherkin’, the Lloyds building and then on to Fenchurch street station. Spotted in the surrounding stone and glass was the neo-gothic Minster Court Offices looking more like something from Gotham City – although there was no sign of Batman! As we made our way along side Trinity House, the stunning view of an illuminated Tower of London signalled that our time travelling architectural journey would soon be coming to an end.

As we crossed Tower Bridge our destination, Butler’s Wharf, shone like an oasis with its lure of a well deserved meal. What an experience. This was a truly unforgettable look at some of London’s finest architecture led by a true expert in his field.

Sally Ormond

The SaVVy Club’s members enjoy a unique calendar of bespoke social events organised just for them. They can enjoy the company of fascinating people and relax in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.

Read Full Post »