Blog

Business English, English communication, Online Meetings, Perfect Cuppa English, Professional English

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Great to be published in the Focus UK magazine, sharing my article in this latest edition on language & communication in online meetings for their international community. Always love receiving my copy as some fascinating topics to read about! Read the full article...

“I don’t have time to work on improving my English” I hear this a lot & I get it. Time is short & it’s difficult to motivate yourself. You might already be at an advanced level, but don’t know how to refine your skills....

21 Sep

Vocabulary Strategies to maximise learning

English online, Learning Strategies, Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria Rennoldson, Vocabulary

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“I don’t have time to work on improving my English” I hear this a lot & I get it. Time is short & it’s difficult to motivate yourself. You might already be at an advanced level, but don’t know how to refine your skills....

Many of my clients tell me that understanding different accents in the UK can be really hard for them, even if they are an advanced speaker of English or have lived in the UK for many years. Accents can be different from what you...

11 Jun

Strategies to Understand English accents

English accents, English online, Online Meetings, Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria Rennoldson

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Many of my clients tell me that understanding different accents in the UK can be really hard for them, even if they are an advanced speaker of English or have lived in the UK for many years. Accents can be different from what you...

This article on Decoding British English was written by Victoria Rennoldson, founder of Perfect Cuppa English, & was first featured by Welcome Home London, a tailor-made London relocation service with an exclusive video previewing service & dedicated app. The nuances of British English are not obvious and...

04 Jun

Decoding British English: British communication styles

British Culture, English language, London Relocation, Perfect Cuppa English, Welcome Home London

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This article on Decoding British English was written by Victoria Rennoldson, founder of Perfect Cuppa English, & was first featured by Welcome Home London, a tailor-made London relocation service with an exclusive video previewing service & dedicated app. The nuances of British English are not obvious and...

I often get asked about why taxi drivers say certain things & to explain their phrases. So I decided to ask David ‘The Captial Cabbie’, who leads tours of London in his black taxi cab, for his insight into ‘Taxi speak’, i.e. how cabbies...

23 Apr

A guide to London taxi language

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British Culture, cabbie language, English language, London, Perfect Cuppa English, Taxi speak, The Capital Cabbie

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I often get asked about why taxi drivers say certain things & to explain their phrases. So I decided to ask David ‘The Captial Cabbie’, who leads tours of London in his black taxi cab, for his insight into ‘Taxi speak’, i.e. how cabbies...

Victoria Rennoldson, Founder & Director of Perfect Cuppa English, was interviewed recently by the Language Professionals’ Networking group about her path to launching Perfect Cuppa English,...

06 Apr

Interview: Victoria Rennoldson, Founder

British Culture, English language, Language Professionals Networking, Online course, Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria Rennoldson

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Victoria Rennoldson, Founder & Director of Perfect Cuppa English, was interviewed recently by the Language Professionals’ Networking group about her path to launching Perfect Cuppa English,...

The world is a difficult place right now and yet Mother’s Day is still coming this Sunday 22nd March in the UK, and now more than ever we need to celebrate our mums. What’s the significance of the date, and why is it not...

16 Mar

British Mother’s Day: how to celebrate & traditions

British Culture, London Relocation, Mother's Day, Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria Rennoldson

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The world is a difficult place right now and yet Mother’s Day is still coming this Sunday 22nd March in the UK, and now more than ever we need to celebrate our mums. What’s the significance of the date, and why is it not...

Victoria Rennoldson, founder of Perfect Cuppa English, recently wrote an article for property company, French Touch Properties, as an expert writer with her top tips on building effective connections with British contacts, whether they are team, clients or suppliers. Read all about Victoria’s effective connection...

19 Feb

Article: Top tips for effective connections with the British

British Culture, English language, French Touch Properties, London Relocation, Perfect Cuppa English

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Victoria Rennoldson, founder of Perfect Cuppa English, recently wrote an article for property company, French Touch Properties, as an expert writer with her top tips on building effective connections with British contacts, whether they are team, clients or suppliers. Read all about Victoria’s effective connection...

Perfect Cuppa English has a team of high-calibre, highly qualified & professional trainers, and we love it when you can see your progress & gain confidence in communicating in English. This month I am introducing Alex to you, one of our English trainers in...

10 Feb

Meet the Team: Alex

British Culture, English language, London Relocation, Perfect Cuppa English, Perfect Cuppa English team

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Perfect Cuppa English has a team of high-calibre, highly qualified & professional trainers, and we love it when you can see your progress & gain confidence in communicating in English. This month I am introducing Alex to you, one of our English trainers in...

It’s in the name of my business & the drink that powers me through my days, so it’s not surprising that I finally got round to writing about a perfect cuppa, which was published as an article for FOCUS in their recent refreshed-look magazine. Best enjoyed...

10 Feb

Article: English Afternoon Tea traditions

British Culture, English Afternoon Tea, FOCUS Community, London Relocation, Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria Rennoldson

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It’s in the name of my business & the drink that powers me through my days, so it’s not surprising that I finally got round to writing about a perfect cuppa, which was published as an article for FOCUS in their recent refreshed-look magazine. Best enjoyed...

British fashion designers have always been known for their unique style & approach. I asked Adele Pearce, founder & designer of luxury scarves at Stole and Boa, to share her insights into key British designers, where to find the best of British style in London &...

19 Nov

British Style, Design & Shopping

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Adele Pearce, British design, British style, London Shopping, Perfect Cuppa English, Stole & Boa

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British fashion designers have always been known for their unique style & approach. I asked Adele Pearce, founder & designer of luxury scarves at Stole and Boa, to share her insights into key British designers, where to find the best of British style in London &...

Samar Shams, immigration legal expert & Partner at Spencer West, shares with us the latest insights on Brexit & implications for international people in the UK around this time: The government’s new policy paper on immigration after a no-deal Brexit seems to have been...

16 Sep

A no-deal Brexit guide for EEA families

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Brexit, Expat London, immigration, Samar Shams, Spencer West

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Samar Shams, immigration legal expert & Partner at Spencer West, shares with us the latest insights on Brexit & implications for international people in the UK around this time: The government’s new policy paper on immigration after a no-deal Brexit seems to have been...

Very pleased to share my latest article – a Q&A column which was published as the lead article in the FOCUS magazine, autumn edition. Read all the answers to common questions I get asked by my clients who’ve relocated to London, for example about the weather,...

09 Sep

Article: Answering common questions for relocating families

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British Culture, Expat London, FOCUS Community, Life in the UK, Perfect Cuppa English, UK Q&A

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Very pleased to share my latest article – a Q&A column which was published as the lead article in the FOCUS magazine, autumn edition. Read all the answers to common questions I get asked by my clients who’ve relocated to London, for example about the weather,...

Summer is a key time for relocating families, and I’m sure you may know people who are moving to London at this time. So I asked Harriet Rowlands, an independent property search consultant, of No Place Like Home property finders to share her top...

04 Jun

Top Tips for Families Relocating to London

Expat London, Expat Relocation London, Families Relocating London, Harriet Rowlands, No Place Like Home, Perfect Cuppa English

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Summer is a key time for relocating families, and I’m sure you may know people who are moving to London at this time. So I asked Harriet Rowlands, an independent property search consultant, of No Place Like Home property finders to share her top...

We all know it doesn’t get more English than an afternoon tea & a lot is written about this very English tradition with countless guides about where to go in London to experience the best. So, in celebration of National Tea Day 2019 &...

17 Apr

Recommendations for English Afternoon tea in London

British Culture, English Afternoon Tea, Expat London, National Tea Day, Perfect Cuppa English, The English Cream Tea Company

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We all know it doesn’t get more English than an afternoon tea & a lot is written about this very English tradition with countless guides about where to go in London to experience the best. So, in celebration of National Tea Day 2019 &...

If you are already learning with Perfect Cuppa, you’ll know the difference our trainers make. Our select team work with me to deliver your English & Culture courses across London & even across the world, via Skype. The team is high-calibre, highly qualified &...

13 Mar

Meet the Perfect Cuppa team: Simon

British Culture, English language, Expat London, Perfect Cuppa English, Speak better English

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If you are already learning with Perfect Cuppa, you’ll know the difference our trainers make. Our select team work with me to deliver your English & Culture courses across London & even across the world, via Skype. The team is high-calibre, highly qualified &...

Raining cats & dogs? Mad as a hatter? In a pickle? What do all these English idioms & expressions mean & where do they come from? Even advanced & native speakers of English find idioms a challenge, and they can differ across the English-speaking...

13 Mar

Article: English Idioms & Expressions

English Idioms, English language, Expat London, FOCUS Community, Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria Rennoldson

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Raining cats & dogs? Mad as a hatter? In a pickle? What do all these English idioms & expressions mean & where do they come from? Even advanced & native speakers of English find idioms a challenge, and they can differ across the English-speaking...

I was recently published as the lead article in the Christmas special magazine for FOCUS expat community, sharing my insights & ideas for modern British Christmas traditions. Read my top tips here & hope you enjoy trying them out! Wishing everybody a very happy festive season!...

23 Nov

British Christmas Traditions: Traditional & Modern

British Christmas, Christmas Traditions, Expat London, FOCUS Community, Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria Rennoldson

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I was recently published as the lead article in the Christmas special magazine for FOCUS expat community, sharing my insights & ideas for modern British Christmas traditions. Read my top tips here & hope you enjoy trying them out! Wishing everybody a very happy festive season!...

Continuing the theme for World Teachers Day on 5th October 2018, I am introducing Marion to you, one of the English trainers in our small, select team working with me to deliver your English & Culture courses. This team is high-calibre, highly qualified &...

04 Oct

Meet the Perfect Cuppa team: Introducing Marion

British Culture, English language, Perfect Cuppa English, Speak better English

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Continuing the theme for World Teachers Day on 5th October 2018, I am introducing Marion to you, one of the English trainers in our small, select team working with me to deliver your English & Culture courses. This team is high-calibre, highly qualified &...

The British are crazy about their dogs & there are quite a few British dog idioms, so here’s Perfect Cuppa’s guide to some you might hear: Puppy love You might remember this as the famous hit written by Paul Anka in 1960. According...

04 Oct

Guide to English dog idioms

British Culture, Expat London, Perfect Cuppa English

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The British are crazy about their dogs & there are quite a few British dog idioms, so here’s Perfect Cuppa’s guide to some you might hear: Puppy love You might remember this as the famous hit written by Paul Anka in 1960. According...

College is not just for kids. If you’re ready to go back to school, this city is a great place to learn, being full of museums, libraries and galleries to help with your research. From sociology and politics to mathematics and media, there are...

04 Oct

Invest in your learning: taking a course in London

English language, Expat London, Perfect Cuppa English, Speak better English

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College is not just for kids. If you’re ready to go back to school, this city is a great place to learn, being full of museums, libraries and galleries to help with your research. From sociology and politics to mathematics and media, there are...

The Perfect Cuppa English team have been expanding! This month for World Teachers Day on 5th October 2018, I am introducing Kate to you, one of the English trainers in our small, select team working with me to deliver your English & Culture courses....

04 Oct

Meet the Perfect Cuppa team: Introducing Kate

British Culture, English language, Perfect Cuppa English, Speak better English

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The Perfect Cuppa English team have been expanding! This month for World Teachers Day on 5th October 2018, I am introducing Kate to you, one of the English trainers in our small, select team working with me to deliver your English & Culture courses....

British social etiquette common questions and answers Diana Voxerbrant is a straight talking Swede with a passionate Polish heart, and a proud multinational Londoner. She’s a writer at The Story Desk and runs Sultan Decorators in Muswell Hill. Follow her on Twitter or Insta....

24 Jul

British social etiquette questions

British Culture, Diana Voxerbrant, Expat London, Perfect Cuppa English, The Story Desk, Victoria Rennoldson

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British social etiquette common questions and answers Diana Voxerbrant is a straight talking Swede with a passionate Polish heart, and a proud multinational Londoner. She’s a writer at The Story Desk and runs Sultan Decorators in Muswell Hill. Follow her on Twitter or Insta....

British, English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish? I’m often asked what the difference is between English & British identity, and why such a small country has so many individual identities, languages, dialects & accents. So, what are these identities and why does it matter? Find out in...

28 Jun

Nationality & Identity in the UK

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British Culture, English, Expat London, FOCUS Community, Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria Rennoldson

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British, English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish? I’m often asked what the difference is between English & British identity, and why such a small country has so many individual identities, languages, dialects & accents. So, what are these identities and why does it matter? Find out in...

I was very pleased to be featured in an interview with Runneth London, where you can find out why & how I set up Perfect Cuppa English, and how I live my day with family & life commitments. Hope you enjoy learning more about me...

26 Jun

Interview with Founder, Victoria Rennoldson

Entrepreneur, Interview, Perfect Cuppa English, Runneth London, Victoria Rennoldson

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I was very pleased to be featured in an interview with Runneth London, where you can find out why & how I set up Perfect Cuppa English, and how I live my day with family & life commitments. Hope you enjoy learning more about me...

Last month I had an article published with my insights into British English as a language and how I feel it differs from other types of international English, whether in everyday or business situations. Specifically, I wrote about the way British people can sometimes...

30 Apr

Decoding British English

British Culture, English language, Expat London, FOCUS Community, Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria Rennoldson

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Last month I had an article published with my insights into British English as a language and how I feel it differs from other types of international English, whether in everyday or business situations. Specifically, I wrote about the way British people can sometimes...

Continuing our series, we hear from Pascale from Paris, France about her surprises when she moved to the UK. If you’re living in the UK, or have lived here previously, what was your image of the UK before you came? Did you experience any surprises...

25 Apr

Interview: British Cultural Surprises for the French

British Culture, Expat London, Expat Relocation London, Perfect Cuppa English, Spring

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Continuing our series, we hear from Pascale from Paris, France about her surprises when she moved to the UK. If you’re living in the UK, or have lived here previously, what was your image of the UK before you came? Did you experience any surprises...

If you’re living in the UK, or have lived here previously, what was your image of the UK before you came? Did you experience any surprises about the reality of British life, people or culture? Momoko from Japan, one of my clients, shares here her...

22 Mar

Interview: British Cultural Surprises for the Japanese

British Culture, Expat London, Expat Relocation London, Perfect Cuppa English

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If you’re living in the UK, or have lived here previously, what was your image of the UK before you came? Did you experience any surprises about the reality of British life, people or culture? Momoko from Japan, one of my clients, shares here her...

Following on in the series, this month I am introducing Huw to you, one of the English trainers in our small, select team working with me to deliver your English & Culture courses. This team is high-calibre, highly qualified & professional and we love...

14 Feb

Meet the Perfect Cuppa English® team: Introducing Huw

British Culture, English language, Expat London, Huw Pritchard, Perfect Cuppa English

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Following on in the series, this month I am introducing Huw to you, one of the English trainers in our small, select team working with me to deliver your English & Culture courses. This team is high-calibre, highly qualified & professional and we love...

Very excited to be featured recently on Mums in the wood with my article about British communication styles in business. Hope you find it interesting & useful! My business, Perfect Cuppa English, is founded on the idea of supporting expats to understand how...

14 Feb

British Business Communication Styles

British Culture, English language, Expat London, Mums in the Wood, Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria Rennoldson

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Very excited to be featured recently on Mums in the wood with my article about British communication styles in business. Hope you find it interesting & useful! My business, Perfect Cuppa English, is founded on the idea of supporting expats to understand how...

Thank you for all your support for Perfect Cuppa English®! I am very excited to announce that our courses have become so popular in the last year, that we have now have a small, select team working with me to deliver your English &...

29 Jan

Meet the Perfect Cuppa English® team: Introducing Michael

British Culture, English language, Expat London, Michael Brooman, Perfect Cuppa English

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Thank you for all your support for Perfect Cuppa English®! I am very excited to announce that our courses have become so popular in the last year, that we have now have a small, select team working with me to deliver your English &...

KBE? OBE? CBE? What do these honours mean & how do you receive one? Very pleased for my article to be featured in the “Best of Britain” section in the latest edition of FOCUS, the magazine for expats, writing all about the New Year’s...

17 Jan

The Queen’s Honours List & how to receive a title in the UK

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British Culture, Expat London, FOCUS, Perfect Cuppa English, Royal Family, Victoria Rennoldson

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KBE? OBE? CBE? What do these honours mean & how do you receive one? Very pleased for my article to be featured in the “Best of Britain” section in the latest edition of FOCUS, the magazine for expats, writing all about the New Year’s...

In September, I was very pleased to have my article featured about the British Royal Family in the magazine for FOCUS, a community run by expats who support expats moving to the UK. I wrote about how succession works and who can be called...

15 Jan

The British Royal Family: top questions & answers

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British Culture, British English, Expat London, FOCUS Community, Perfect Cuppa English, The Queen, Victoria Rennoldson

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In September, I was very pleased to have my article featured about the British Royal Family in the magazine for FOCUS, a community run by expats who support expats moving to the UK. I wrote about how succession works and who can be called...

We have a General Election here in the UK on 8th June & I am being asked many questions at the moment about our electoral system, the parties & what might happen, especially in relation to Brexit. So I am very pleased to share...

17 May

Interview with Liberal Democrat candidate, Elaine Bagshaw

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British Politics, Elaine Bagshaw, Expat London, General Election 2017, Lib Dems, Liberal Democrats

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We have a General Election here in the UK on 8th June & I am being asked many questions at the moment about our electoral system, the parties & what might happen, especially in relation to Brexit. So I am very pleased to share...

Charlotte Ellis, co-founder of Vela Flowers, is our guest blogger this month. She runs an online British Florist, where you can order the best seasonal flowers via post very quickly & simply. Here she shares her tips on British flowers inspired by the English countryside, and...

19 Apr

Guest Blog: Blooming Wonderful Spring Time

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British Flowers, Charlotte Ellis, English countryside, Spring, UK day trips, Vela Flowers

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Charlotte Ellis, co-founder of Vela Flowers, is our guest blogger this month. She runs an online British Florist, where you can order the best seasonal flowers via post very quickly & simply. Here she shares her tips on British flowers inspired by the English countryside, and...

So “Article 50 Day” is today, Wednesday 29th March 2017. After everything seemed to go so quiet at the end of 2016, it now seems we are finally facing the reality of leaving the EU. The mood is quite dark, and I have seen...

29 Mar

Article 50 Day: I am British, a Londoner AND European

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Article 50 Day, Brexit, Expat London, London is Open, Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria Rennoldson

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So “Article 50 Day” is today, Wednesday 29th March 2017. After everything seemed to go so quiet at the end of 2016, it now seems we are finally facing the reality of leaving the EU. The mood is quite dark, and I have seen...

Kath Sloggett, founder of Runneth London , is our guest blogger this month. Kath is a career coach and she regularly helps people return to work after a career break. In this article, Kath shares her expert tips on how to stay up-to-date during...

16 Mar

Guest Blog: How to Stay Up-To-Date During a Career Break

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Career Break, Career Re-entry, Expat partner, Kath Sloggett, Relocation, Runneth London

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Kath Sloggett, founder of Runneth London , is our guest blogger this month. Kath is a career coach and she regularly helps people return to work after a career break. In this article, Kath shares her expert tips on how to stay up-to-date during...

I was recently interviewed by Entreprenursery for their Founder series of interviews with working parents and entrepreneurs. We chatted about why and how I launched Perfect Cuppa English, my top tips for fellow entrepreneurs and what motivates me. Entreprenursery is a new concept in...

13 Feb

Interview: Why I launched Perfect Cuppa English, Victoria

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British Culture, English language, Entreprenursery, Perfect Cuppa, UK

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I was recently interviewed by Entreprenursery for their Founder series of interviews with working parents and entrepreneurs. We chatted about why and how I launched Perfect Cuppa English, my top tips for fellow entrepreneurs and what motivates me. Entreprenursery is a new concept in...

Noémie Jean, founder of Eclectic Minds, is our guest blogger this month and writes in this article about how to feel at home and settled as an international person in the UK. After living in the UK for 14 years and having taught many...

01 Dec

Guest Blog: Curiouser & curiouser, French living in London- Noémie Jean

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British Culture, Eclectic Minds, Expat London, expats, French in the UK, Noemie Jean

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Noémie Jean, founder of Eclectic Minds, is our guest blogger this month and writes in this article about how to feel at home and settled as an international person in the UK. After living in the UK for 14 years and having taught many...

Last month was National Tea Day, and I celebrated by finding out more about my favourite drink at the oldest British tea house, Twinings. This fascinating shop, museum and tasting school is really worth a visit at 216 Strand. Find out my top 5...

05 May

Tea tips from the professionals, Twinings

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216 Strand, 90th Birthday, British tea, Earl Grey, The Queen, Twinings

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Last month was National Tea Day, and I celebrated by finding out more about my favourite drink at the oldest British tea house, Twinings. This fascinating shop, museum and tasting school is really worth a visit at 216 Strand. Find out my top 5...

Very excited and pleased to be featured on Mums in the Wood with my blog about Modern British Etiquette! Why do the British say and behave in certain ways? Read on to find out more… http://mumsinthewood.com/guest-articles/modern-british-etiquette-real-life-victoria-rennoldson-founder-perfect-cuppa-english/ Confused by how the British say one...

03 May

A modern British etiquette: Unspoken British rules & customs

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being British, British weather, English culture, Pavement Etiquette, Queueing, Transport etiquette, Weather talk

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Very excited and pleased to be featured on Mums in the Wood with my blog about Modern British Etiquette! Why do the British say and behave in certain ways? Read on to find out more… http://mumsinthewood.com/guest-articles/modern-british-etiquette-real-life-victoria-rennoldson-founder-perfect-cuppa-english/ Confused by how the British say one...

A perfect cup of tea, prepared the English way: it’s actually quite a hard thing to find, especially if you’re new to living in the area! Here are my real Londoner’s tips about where to enjoy a very English tradition in St John’s Wood,...

27 Jan

St John’s Wood Perfect Cuppas

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A perfect cup of tea, prepared the English way: it’s actually quite a hard thing to find, especially if you’re new to living in the area! Here are my real Londoner’s tips about where to enjoy a very English tradition in St John’s Wood,...

Looking for something to do locally with the children? Avoiding cold and wet playgrounds? Here’s some inspiration with my ideas about what to do and where to go! http://www.hampsteadmums.com/blog/indoorfamilyfun

27 Nov

Indoor fun with children

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Looking for something to do locally with the children? Avoiding cold and wet playgrounds? Here’s some inspiration with my ideas about what to do and where to go! http://www.hampsteadmums.com/blog/indoorfamilyfun

A local insider’s guide to the perfect cup of tea in Hampstead with the family: discover the best places to go: http://www.hampsteadmums.com/blog/perfect-cuppa-with-kids

18 Nov

Perfect Cuppas in Hampstead

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A local insider’s guide to the perfect cup of tea in Hampstead with the family: discover the best places to go: http://www.hampsteadmums.com/blog/perfect-cuppa-with-kids

I was very excited to be featured recently in an interview on local website and facebook site, Hampstead Mums. Find out more about me and my business here http://www.hampsteadmums.com/blog/perfectcuppaenglish How long have you lived in the Hampstead area? I’ve lived in and around the...

18 Nov

Interview with Victoria Rennoldson, Perfect Cuppa English

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