1 — Whether staying in or braving the cold outside, cashmere socks are an investment in the detail that will reward time and time again. Neutrals shades of grey, navy, black and cream in two different lengths have all basis covered.
2 — Seek antioxidants and the protective properties of matcha. Aimé matcha queen, Rhea, gets hers from Kuro Coffee in Notting Hill village (their pastries are an added bonus and worth the visit too), Foreign Exchange News (opened just a year ago at 22 Leinster Terrace, Bayswater) or Japan House in Kensington High Street where you can also purchase higher quality ingredients and accessories to make your own at home.
3 — It's also time to enjoy the short season of blood oranges. Make a simple syrup by juicing 2 blood oranges and peeling their zests into a saucepan. Add 100 ml of water and 115 g of caster sugar. Simmer on a medium heat for a couple of minutes. Leave to rest for 15 minutes and remove the zests. Add to mocktails or substitute for grapefruit juice in a cheerful Paloma with Tequila and lime juice, topped up with soda water.
4 — Cosy up to good stories well told by listening to The Curious History of Your Home podcast. Historian Ruth Goodman surprises us with well documented and extraordinary facts about everyday objects. Time travel from Ancient Egypt to China, via Victorian England in these half hour tales.
If more time is available, the recent release of the Day of the Jackal series has ignited interest to rewatch the original 1973 thriller for nostalgic images of Paris and these iconic Citroën cars. Meanwhile, a polished production and impeccable wardrobe for Eddie Redmayne and Ursula Corbero make for an edge-of-your-seat viewing in the newer version. We are really honoured to have provided Jesse Kamm's Sailor Pant in Bill Blue and Aimé's own Benson Shirt for cool outfits of the lead character.
5 — Embrace joyful and exhilarating celebrations of The Lunar New Year that is coming early in 2025. The year of the Snake starts on 29th January and dynamic, creative and wise days can be expected under this mythological emblem. Watch the awesome Lion dances in London's Chinatown on Saturday 1st February or follow the Parade from Trafalgar Square on Sunday 2nd.
Look forward to the release of a new edition of the bible of Chinese cooking China: The Cookbook in an intense and beautiful red cover.