Les 100 Ciels Blog

This March we’re celebrating International Women’s Day and we want to take this opportunity to recognise brilliant women, past and present, who have made an impact on all our lives. With an all-female playlist, these songs are for women about women, so be ready to hear them roar! From Aretha Franklin to Lady Gaga, Les 100 Ciels has revisited the archives with empowering and inspiring tracks from motivating singers who convey positive messages through the power of music. These talented singers will leave you feeling ready for anything!   Click here to listen on Spotify: Aretha Franklin – Respect Beyoncé – Run the world (girls) Katy Perry – Rise Cyndi Lauper – Girls just want to have fun Rihanna – Diamonds Lady Gaga – Born this way Destiny’s child – Independent Women Kelly Clarkson – Stronger Madonna – Express yourself Alicia Keys – Girl on fire

Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, is upon us and we are really excited to get our frying pans out and have pancake flipping sessions around the kitchen! It’s the one day in the year where no one can judge you for eating an entire stack for breakfast…. we think. Historically speaking, Shrove Tuesday was the last day to use up eggs and fats before the fasting for Lent began (40 days before Easter). This year we will be celebrating the day with sweet and savoury options, varying from crêpes to American-style pancakes, plus a variety of delicious toppings!   Sugar & Lemon crêpes  Ingredients 125g plain flour 1 pinch salt 1 egg 1 tbsp melted butter 300ml whole milk Butter, lemon and sugar, to serve   Method Sift the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre of the bowl and add the egg, some melted butter and milk. Whisk the ingredients all together to form a thin batter. Heat a small frying pan and add some butter to prevent the mixture from sticking. Pour in the batter and cook at medium heat for one or two minutes, flipping the crêpes with a spatula ...

Looking for the most exciting exhibitions happening  in London right now? With the end of winter and arrival of spring comes a calendar full of exciting cultural events, from art to photography and beyond! It might still  be a little cold and dark, but our guide to the best events, will leave you itching to get out and embrace all that London has to offer.   Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams (2 February-14 July) The Victoria & Albert museum is going big this month with their latest exhibition: “Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams”. The biggest exhibition held since “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty”, the V&A will showcase over 200 rare Haute Couture garments, 500 exquisite jewels, gowns and photographs tracing the history and impact of one of the most influential couturiers of the 20th century. If you haven’t grabbed your tickets yet, do so now as they are selling fast! Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RL Bedrooms of London (8 February-5 May) The Foundling museum, in partnership with The Childhood Trust, is presenting “Bedrooms of London”, a new photography exhibition by Katie Wilson, highlighting how themes such as poverty and wealth sit so close together in a vast ...

With the cold weather grasping us, it is hard to believe that spring is just around the corner. But fear not, we are bringing the best of this Spring / Summer season  trends to carry some heat back into your wardrobe. SS19 collections show distinctive trends such as creamy neutrals, neon colours, animal prints and much more! The silhouettes are soft, the colours bold and the textures outstanding. Take inspiration from our favourite fashion trends seen on the runway and get ready to be out of those winter coats and stepping into the freshness of spring! Bold shades Neon is back in full force, either as a single color or color block with various bright tones. A popular trend in AW18 it is back again in a new form for the spring season. The shades are just as extreme but the fabrics are now lighter, moving between woven and breathable fabrics across both clothing and accessories. A bold statement but definitely a SS19 wardrobe must-have.   Nude colours In stark contrast, catwalks have also been clear on a favourite soft hue for this new season: beige. A number of fashion brands have exhibited head-to-toe nude looks creating an elegant and ...

Patchwork is a traditional craft with a long history, developed as a way to reuse fabric snippets, instead of throwing them away. Fashion has reignited a love for this technique and made patchwork a key feature in their collections, bringing together the contrasting effects of modern style with intricate examples of needlework skills and techniques. Examples of patchwork have been recovered dating back to 3400 BC, during the Egyptian reign in the tombs of Pharaohs. Even army armour was originally made of heavy fabrics sewn together to form a rigid protective layer. For a long time, patchwork was regarded as a female pastime, used simply to design bed covers and cushions. However this over-simplification of the art of patchwork misses the fact that this technique has been handed down over years, centuries and even generations. It is an art form and also narrates the stories of women’s lives though stitching, colour and embroideries. In the last few years, fashion has embraced this technique, with lots of designers making patchwork a key feature in their collections. Colourful, brave and bold fabrics have been paired in just one piece, giving life to any outfit. Patchwork designs also grew in popularity for their ...

From haggis to kilts, we’re celebrating all things Scottish this week. Roberts Burns night is an annual festivity celebrated on the 25th January, to commemorate the life and literary works of Burns in a night of eating, drinking and merrymaking. Over the years, it has also become a landmark of Scottish pride, and an opportunity for restaurants and bars around the UK to offer everyone a chance to soak up some Scottish culture. Born in 1759, Robert Burns was a world-renowned poet and lyricist who shaped the Romantics literary movement. Inspired by the works of Alexander Pope, he shaped 18th and 19th century poetry in the UK. Burns’ most famous works include, “Auld Lang Syne” (1788) which is sung all over the world at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s. But what’s the best way to celebrate this night? A home-cooked haggis dinner with friends or a more formal supper is among the options. Traditionally, guests are meant to read out loud the famous “Address to Haggis” poem before they can start eating their meal. A traditional menu (usually haggis) is then served alongside whisky, wine or ale and entertainment for the night includes bagpipe playing, renditions of Burns ...