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. 

Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall : The Time and Lace

I was lucky enough to go along to the recent Louis Vuitton Pre Fall press day this week, unlucky in some respects given that I ended up falling in love with a number of truly divine pieces that I cannot quite afford... Yet.

With a 1960s aesthetic, Prefall 2013 both classic and contemporary and full of truly covetable pieces of the utmost quality. You're best looking away now if you're trying to be good on the spending front. 

What's hot? Fresh ways of interpreting lace, luxe fur detailing, boxy evening jackets and revamped frock coats with baroque lace trompe l'oeil. As ever, though, the shoes come out on top... The studded pointed courts are such a great investment piece: the perfect way to marry together gold and silver jewellery in an outfit. I am also smitten with the LV detail chelsea boots- can I have them?.. Please?

My favourite piece, though, has to be the reversible shearling and leather coat which would just make every outfit enviably chic and decadent. 

Champagne Toasting, Chestnuts Roasting

TIS THE SEASON TO DRINK BOLLY!

... And Moet, of course!

I felt that with December in swing, i'd do a little Christmassy post to get you in the mood.

the lovely Christmas tree at Chelsea's favourite hotspot

I have to admit that I am not overly familiar with the Chelsea area, but at Christmas I do find that the Kings Road really does flourish, and the real jewel in the crown has to be The Bluebird.

A former garage, The Bluebird bar, shop and restaurant is a little bit of a Chelsea institution- and, for you MIC fiends, it is a permanent fixture on your screens.

is there anything quite so festive?

 
Having dropped by The Bluebird a couple of times over summer, I was rather excited when I received an invite to the launch party of their Winter Pop-Up bar, sponsored by Moet et Chandon.

These are dangerous words when you are as obsessed with the sparkly stuff as I am.

constant top-ups of Moet are dangerous- you have been warned

The charming Winter bar stands in front of the Bluebird bar and shop quite some way up the Kings Road, and is open from the 26th November through to the 3rd of January.

With twinkly fairy lights, candles and plenty of drinks to warm your cockles, this really is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day of exercising your credit card.

these little baby burgers were beyond delicious- perhaps my favourite canape, fabulously indulgent!

In London there really are some fantastic festive events going on, but it's the little details that set pop-up events like this apart- they even give you toasty red blankets when the evening turns particularly icy!

At the launch party I treated myself to far too many canapes including these tangy mini burgers, crispy whitebait, zingy prawn and avocado spoons and creamy mushroom croquettes, all washed down with far too many glasses of Moet. 

With chestnuts roasting on an open fire, a heated outdoor area and some lovely bar snacks on offer, I really would recommend The Bluebird for a little Christmas treat.

More details here!

Rekorderlig Winter Forest Bar!

The Bar at the Rekorderlig Winter Forest Bar

Me with the lovely Rachel of The Horseferry Girl  

In the woods of Brick Lane...

A cheeky little welcome platter featuring "samples" of a number of lovely Rekorderlig ciders and a croquette which went pretty darn fast...

Rekorderlig Winter Cider cocktails on the menu- absolutely bloomin' delicious and the £5 entry includes one cocktail as well as the tasting platter- scoreeee.

My friend Nicole of Pink Flamingo Kisses opted for the Apple Pie cocktail and was NOT disappointed... Despite having a stonking cold Nicole knocked back two. Steamboat.  

I think they call this cider face... I am wearing a Topshop sweater, Topshop jewellery and teeny weeny Topshop hotpants... Not wise in November really!

Nicole and Harriet of Resplendent and Discover & Escape shared a little Daim bar swiss roll topped with a little Raspberry Mango gellee (£3.50 for a number of little Swedish desserts, or £10 for a taster plate)

If you read my previous post about the Swedish House Makeover competition by cool Swedish cider brand Rekorderlig (read it here if you so desire) , you will be aware that I was popping down to the Rekorderlig winter forest pop-up bar tucked away on Brick Lane.

I thought i'd share some pictures from this lovely little bar with you guys, because if you have the time I strongly suggest you take a trip Eastward and visit! It's seriously worth it.

It really is one of the nicest events i've been invited to and, to quote HCB, 

"I wish there was a place like this open all the time."

Wise old owl she is.

It has been open since October 26th and sadly closes it's doors on the 6th of November, so act fast ladies and gents.

While tickets are sold out online, it is worth popping by as you can pay the £5 entry fee on the door. It really is worth it.

The ticket involves a Rekorderlig taster platter, a free cocktail (or two in my case... lucky devil) and an absolutely fabulous evening with great music.

The best part is that the Old Truman Brewery has been transformed into a magical Swedish forest lined with trees, leaves and wintry lighting. I had a wonderful time and would highly recommend popping down if you have a free night this weekend.

Thank you ever so much for having me Rekorderlig! Find out all the details on the Rekorderlig UK Facebook page. 

Fashion Week Fantasy #2

1. Zara £129
2. Miss Selfridge £45
3. The Kooples £265
4. Topshop £18.50
5. Ring £6.50
6. Tom Ford Lipstick in Black Orchid

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

#companygrads

First i'd like to apologise to anyone following me on twitter/instagram yesterday. I tweeted... A lot.

But with good reason! As you will know, i've been guest editing the October issue of Company magazine (read more about it here) with seven other lovely fashion students/ graduates. For my last day as a Company grad (see related tweets at #companygrads) I went along to the October cover shoot and interview and had an absolutely fantastic day meeting our unbelievably gorgeous and friendly cover star (can I be her, please?) and lusting over some of AW12/13's most delectable high street pieces.

I just thought i'd share a few pictures with you guys but if you want to find out more (and see all the grads work), i'd suggest buying the October issue!

Let me know what you think!