Wine a Bit

I must admit that I am hardly a wine expert, but I do have a heartfelt appreciation for the stuff, particularly that fancy one with the bubbles. My parents have always been very interested in wine, and they have instilled this in me from a young age. I am far from a wine snob, but I have vino running through my veins (not from excessive consumption, I might add).

Naturally, my first taste of red wine went something like this. Ten years down the line I am texting my dad to tell him that I actually like red. His response? "Great. How much is that going to cost me?".

In my view, wine is about relaxing and unwinding, and there is something joyous about a glass of crisp white in the summer sunshine. On that note, London Wine Week kicks off tomorrow, the capital's first celebration of wines from the world over.

At the heart of LWW is the pop-up Riedel Hub on the first floor of Kingly Court which will be home to all manner of tasting flights and events during the course of the week. It will also be serving as a rather charming city centre wine bar with an extensive selection of wine by the Riedel glass. The hub is also one of the collection points for the LWW wristband, which offers discounted wines at partnering venues across the city, detailed here.

So whether you are a budding sommelier, or simply like a glass now and again, there is certain to be something to your tastes. Here are my picks for the week:

Riedel Hub, 1st floor Kingly Court; Monday-Saturday 12PM – 9PM; Sunday 12PM – 5PM.
Buy your London Wine Week band here.
A full list of London Wine Week events can be found here.

Let's Go Atelier-To-Go!

I can only apologise for the poor Instagram-quality shots- my DSLR didn't quite work with my dress. You can check out Atelier-To-Go on Instagram & Twitter at @ATELIER_TO_GO and see more shots from the party on my own personal account at @shonawallace (Instagram) or @SWfashion_ (Twitter) 

It really was a lovely, glamourous party at the Sanderson Hotel, as sponsored by Chambord 

That fashion lot sure know how to throw a party, and ATELIER-TO-GO's official launch this Thursday was very much  a case in point.

With the great and good of the fashion press in attendance, including the wonderful Atelier-To-Go contributors Stacey Duguid and Natalie Hartley, our official launch really was a terribly stylish affair.

We sipped Atelier Martinis, sweet with lychee and Chambord, and nibbled on scrumptious burger sliders and lobster and mango skewers while mingling around iPads showcasing the wonderful new Atelier site.

With some seriously well-dressed sorts, the stars of the show had to be our gorgeous models lounging around in infinitely glamourous gowns from L'Agence and Halston Heritage.

The lead-up to the Atelier-To-Go launch was extremely hectic, so I must apologise for a lack of posts these past few days, but I think that this amazing launch was more than worth it.

I wore this Topshop Petite ivory dress, which got a few lovely compliments over the course of the evening, with my new Zara jade shoes and some H&M jewellery. I then played dress-up with the irresistible Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC clutch in purple, which was showcased at the party, with a number of guests popping it on their wishlist.

My recently cropped hair was styled with Ojon hairspray, which smells divine, and a touch of my trusty MoroccanOil while my soft Spring tan (ahem- glow?) was down to the Elemental Herbology Sun Kiss body moisturiser which I would highly recommend for just a subtle touch of buildable sunshine. 

It was so lovely to catch up with a number of Atelier-To-Go's favourite bloggers and really relax with the team- I am so proud to be a part of Atelier-To-Go and I certainly think it was worth all the hard work. 

You simply must check out the new look Atelier-To-Go site here and if you like please feel free to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and like us on Facebook. 

PS

If you were at the event, I will already have shown you my little name-check in the latest Fashion Feature, but if you were lucky enough to escape my over-enthusiastic chatter, then please do have a look at my Spring Style picks here. 

Birthday Cake, Cocktails and Comfort Food: The Drift Bar

Last night I celebrated my 19th birthday with some of my absolutely lovely London chums. It feels like just yesterday that I FINALLY turned 18, but now i'm over the hill... One step closer to being 19, The Sequel.

Like, a proper grown up.

To celebrate my birthday, I had initially planned to head to Ping! in Earls Court, but unfortunately it was full booked. Struggling to think of somewhere new and exciting to try, my lovely flatmate Harriet (of Rsplndnt and Discover and Escape) told me about this gorgeous little bar in The Heron Tower called The Drift Bar.

Harriet is turning 21 next week, and the lucky ducky is being treated to a celebratory meal at Duck and Waffle, also housed in The Heron Tower (nearest station: Liverpool Street). Anyway, while doing a touch of menu-research she spotted The Drift Bar and told me about their broad menu and, most importantly, their Skinny cocktails. As you can imagine, I was sold.

The restaurant is charming and relaxed with a constantly buzzing atmosphere, even on a bitterly chilly Tuesday night. It is full of slick City sorts and bright young things looking to have a good time without blowing the budget. 

This contemporary but cosy place is a lovely refuge from this vicious January cold, and the perfect way to really indulge. 

I am a stickler for a lovely, sweet cocktail, but i'm less fond of the inevitable calories. The Drift Bar, thankfully, offer a selection of lower-calorie cocktails ranging from the sweet but tangy Skinny Porn Star (my choice) to the Skinny Mojito. C'est magnifique!

The Princess Sparkles cocktail is a popular choice at the venue, and my reliable sources have informed me that it is, indeed, delicious. 

Another little touch at The Drift Bar is that each table is scattered with little Oyster card holders- perfect for poor little souls who have lost their Oyster card holders (moi.) I scooped up a couple, but don't tell anyone... The card holders also include a little info about the Slim or Sin offer for this month which is just fab. For £10 you can go Slim with a skinny, no-carb burger with low-cal wine or you can be naughty and Sin with a hefty, hearty burger washed down with a bottle of beer.  

The cocktails are pretty reasonably priced, cheap by London standards, but I must admit that I spent nearly as much on drinks as I did on food... So be careful! The delicious cocktails range from around £6.95 to £9.95, so great for relaxing at the weekend. 

The service was great- efficient but not rushed- and our waiter was lovely and friendly which always makes the occasion that teensy bit more special. It's a great way to spend an evening as you have time to actually enjoy your meal, rather than having it thrust upon you only to be ushered out at 9.00PM.

 (Wahaca, I love you, but please let me take off my jacket before delivering my churros and bill.)

The menu boasts a number of delightful smaller plates for sharing. From duck and hoisin pancakes through to crispy fried prawn lollipops and hearty, warming soup. I suggest you get three or four to share if there is a larger group of you. 

I'm a total squid fanatic, so I was excited to try The Drift's offering, but was slightly disappointed. The crispy squid was tender and the dipping sauce nice and hot, but the squid itself lacked seasoning and spice. I am not sure i'd order it again. It's not in the London Squid Edit 2013 (coming your way soon... not really though.)

If you can't overindulge on your birthday, when can you eh? Though every detoxing bone in my body was urging me to plump for a naked salad, the duck and hoisin flatbread was calling me, and I think I made the right choice. It was really more of a pizza and i'd be lying if I said I ate it all... It was HUGE. Unless you are really hank marvin, I would suggest sharing a flatbread if you can- or perhaps ask to take it away in a doggy bag if you can muster up the courage to ask for one! It was fantastic value for money though at £9.95 and is the perfect comfort food in this weather. I'd been craving duck for a while and this meaty concoction with a sweet, sticky sauce was just the ticket. 

They offer a number of main dishes, sharing boards, flatbreads, burgers and sandwiches so there really is something for everyone and I guarantee that you will NOT leave without a food baby. I was carrying twins. 

The lovely Nicole (of Pink Flamingo Kisses) opted for a duck club sandwich (bitchez love duck) on fruit bread which she thoroughly enjoyed, though couldn't eat it quite as elegantly as she might have hoped. 

The puddings are ridiculously naughty, but delicious all the same. At least the salted caramel and roasted plum sundae has no calories...

As it was my birthday treat, I was offered a complimentary brownie, which I had to pass on after, you know, eating a duck. I tried to swap it for a cheeky cocktail but that was not possible, sadly, so I bought myself another.

It's my birthday and i'll get drunk if I want to. 

My favourite treat of the entire meal had to be this Skinny Rose Martini which was delectably sweet. It was strong, but syrupy and rosy, it tasted like a Laduree macaroon- absolutely beautiful! 

I must admit that it did go to my head a little bit, but thank goodness for that as it provided me with the ultimate defence from the biting wind on the way home: the cosy coat of vodka. 

My sweetie pie flatmates made me a lovely Red Velvet cake (with half fat philly- coz they are cute!) and to round off my lovely evening I blew out my candles and made a wish.

What did I wish for? That'd be telling...

GOSLING. 

LFW Designer Cocktails

London Fashion Week is perhaps my favourite time of year. The atmosphere is truly electric and the talent on show is second to none.

Even if you are not one of the lucky ones clutching a handful of sought-after invitations for the SS13 shows, there will be plenty for you to get excited about when LFW comes around in just fifteen days!

The first little slice of LFW that I can't wait to share with you lovely readers is the London Fashion Week Designer cocktail selection at The May Fair Bar.

I am a little bit of a cocktail obsessive and love nothing more than a delicious concoction to sip on while on a night out. Give me a tangy, sweet cocktail and i'm a happy girl!

Imagine my excitement, then, when I caught a glimpse of these beautiful tipples, designed by some of London Fashion Week's most exciting fashion talent, all available at the May Fair hotel from the 6th to the 23rd of September.

I have, sadly, never been to the May Fair hotel, but I think this year I will certainly be paying a visit. The luxurious and stylish establishment is the official hotel of London Fashion Week (so is a good bet for some style stalking!) and their designer cocktails are just the cherry on top of some fabulous fashion week treats they have in store. Alongside hosting elite parties every night during LFW, The May Fair are also offering their Fashion Week Treats package which includes an overnight stay, breakfast, discounted beauty treatments and cocktails and cupcakes for two! If anybody wants to treat me this month, look no further. The decadent May Fair Spa has also created some express beauty treatments to revitalise those stressed-out fashion folk.

If you are simply looking for a stylish aftershow drink, you really will not beat these delightful drinkies (above). And at £13 each these cocktails are an accessible taste of Fashion Week's finest designers.

Hopefully i'll see you guys there, i'll be sipping the fruity Corrie Neilson!

For more info visit the May Fair Website or follow them on Twitter at @themayfairhotel

The London Edit: Drinkies

London, meet the rest of the world.

In just a few days all eyes will be on the humble city of London. Part of me is relieved to be avoiding the Olympic chaos, but part of me is very sad indeed to be missing out on the most exciting few weeks the capital shall ever experience.

In saying that, i'm sure that many of you will be visiting London during the games so I thought i'd give you a little insight to the city I have come to love dearly, even though i've only been here a year!

What is so very magical about London is that every district is full of surprises, there are so many hidden treasures and I firmly believe that every day in London is an adventure (oooh cheesy!).

I am not for one second claiming to be a London-er, I still love irn bru as much as the next Scot (try a Malibru if you're feeling adventurous- Malibu and Irn Bru, so wrong, but so right!), but I do feel like a know of a few lovely places in London that I would certainly recommend to you lot.

The first instalment of The London Edit relates to my favourite hobby: cocktails! (Cocktails do count as a hobby. It's called Mixology. I am aware that this is only really the creation of the cocktails, but the drinking is an art form as well. Especially when wearing wedges.)

London is full of many a lovely cocktail bar and I thought i'd edit it down for ya. If anyone has any other suggestions for me to try just drop it in the comment box (i'm always looking for an excuse for a cheeky G&T) or tweet me @SWfashion_

Even in this Olympian chaos, an indulgent cocktail is a godsend. Here are my top picks, in no particular order, natch.

1. The Experimental Cocktail Club, China Town
This is a hidden gem if ever there was one! It looks like a seedy club from the outside, simply a plain black door with no sign and no fuss, but when you get inside (after making a reservation, ideally) it's a nonchalant but stylish cocktail club with a charming retro feel. Book a table in advance and come here on a weekend for a totally relaxed but fantastic night out with the best atmosphere in London. Not one ounce of pretention and some of the most delicious cocktails I have tasted to date. My pick is the St Germain based St-Germain-des-Prés which is a zingy creative mix of elderflower, Hendricks, frothy egg white, cucumber, lime and a slight heat of chilli. This is a gorgeous cocktail experience that I would highly recommend. 

2. Aqua Spirit, Regent Street
If you're looking for somewhere infinitely chic to look out over London and simply bask in your utter gorgeousness, then Aqua is probably the place for you. The Aqua building is just around the corner from Liberty making it the perfect central bar. I only went once for the Nelly shoes party but I loved the venue. It is spacious with a dance area and, the best part, a beautiful roof terrace looking out over London. They have some delectable cocktails as well, of course, including their collection of Champagne cocktails called the "Twisted Bubbles". My pick is the totally breathtaking Rose & Li which is Veuve, rose liqueur, syrupy lychee with beautiful floating rosebuds. So sweet and delicate- perhaps a little too drinkable I think!

3. Barrio Central, Poland Street Soho/ Barrio North, Angel
Sometimes all you need is some great music, great company and a couple of drinks to have a fantastic night, and that's what I love about Barrio. It's totally chilled with no posh Mayfair crowd and plenty of normal folk! It does get undeniably busy at the weekend, but it is a fun bar with such a friendly atmosphere. The cocktails are relatively cheap for London and split into different continents for a really fun menu that will have you totally spoilt for choice- also, very apt for the Olympics, I reckon! A lot are tequila based, but I would recommend the Sakura- cherry brandy and plum liqueur- mmm!

4. Shochu Lounge, Charlotte Street 
Part of me really wanted to put Nobu Berkeley here, but I thought i'd ring the changes and mention this sexy Charlotte Street lounge. Beneath my second favourite Japanese in the capital (Roka) lies the Shochu Lounge, and it really is a treat. Plush cushioned seats surround a central bar which is crazily buzzing at the weekend! Japanese influenced cocktails are always refreshing, and Shochu has some really gorgeous offerings for a bit of a change. If you're getting  bored of your faithful Mojito, then why not try the poetic Setting Sun, a soft marriage of Kumquat Shochu, elderflower syrup and champagne, served with a zingy grapefruit twist. 

5. Lounge Lover, Shoreditch
It's all about East London this summer, but Lounge Lover is my favourite Shoreditch haunt. With a cool, slick interior and spacious tables flickering with candles and dimly lit chandeliers, Lounge Lover is such a treat! It is a little bit out the way, but if you're spending a day trawling the vintage shops of Brick Lane, I would suggest you recharge your batteries here! Read more about Lounge Lover in my review here.