Festivefreude

Happy New Year! Wish your NYE photo looked like Cindy Crawford’s? You’re not alone…

Posted on January 2, 2013 by D in Fashionfreude, Festivefreude | Leave a comment

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Happy Christmas one and all. Now take me somewhere hot before I dissolve

Posted on December 28, 2012 by D in Fashionfreude, Festivefreude, Homefreude | Leave a comment

Just before Christmas I said I’d post about my homemade holly wreath. There was a whole painful saga behind it: from discovering you had to pay £20 for a wilting wreath at homebase and B&Q through multiple holly-gathering missions and torturous sessions with gardening twine and secateurs as I wrestled the holly into some sort of circular form. Anyway, it’s a little too late for it to be of any use, but I have to post it given the blood (literally), sweat and tears that went into it. So here is the homemade holly wreath in all its glory:

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The shopping list:
Two bags of holly, pilfered from local church yard
One wire coat hanger (a genuine wire wreath circle would be better, but as this was an effort at a thrifty Christmas decoration, I used the hanger. Not ideal as there is not much for the wire to grip onto and the holly slides around).
One pack glitter pine cones, £3.99, B&Q. Half to three quarters of a pack used.
Plant wire, £2.99, hardware stores

Festive Kirsty moment: Making a mini Christmas tree scene

Posted on December 21, 2012 by D in Fashionfreude, Festivefreude, Homefreude | Leave a comment

Earlier this week, in a completely as yet unheard of move, I got all festive on a few baby Christmas trees from Tesco and did THIS:

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I’d seen the idea on a design blog and loved it – and making decorations at Christmas always makes me feel so much more festive than buying it (don’t get me wrong, I love to buy shit too of course).
My theory is that precious time + effort = maximum enjoyment of result (and a bit of that festive smugness that old Allsopp feeds off all year round).

When I started out on this mini project I didn’t anticipate it would cost over 50 quid, take eight journey to almost 20 different shops looking for mini trees (shocked to find the last place I looked – Tesco – was the place); price comparison on baby baubles; hunting for LED lights that were golden not blue-ish… but the way I see it, next year I’ll only have to buy the green stuff.

Whaddya think? Next post: Homemade holly wreath.

Merry Christmas!

THE BREAKDOWN
Trees: £3 each, Tesco
Planter: £18 (bit pricey, but it’s surprisingly difficult to find an indoor window box), local florist
Moss, £2, florist
Mud, £3.29, Homebase
Lights: £4.99 from Robert Dyas (make sure to get ‘soft white’ otherwise they will look blueish and dreary.
Baubles: £3, 50% off @ Urban Outfitters. Paperchase do similar @ £4.

Le Highland fling: Chanel hosts Metiers d’Art show in snowy Scotland

Posted on December 10, 2012 by M in Fashion News, Fashionfreude, Festivefreude | Leave a comment

No one can ever accuse Chanel of doing anything by halves.

For their latest venture, Karl & ko thought it would be a fabulous idea to hold the Metiers d’Art show (aka pre-fall) at a ruined castle in Scotland (where Gabriel Chanel spent much time in the 1920′s with her lover the Duke of Westminster, horse riding and trying on his tweed suits etc…)

Where Karl goes, the fashion elite enthusiastically follow.

350 industry insiders descended upon a snowing Linlithgow for the open-air spectacle featuring fire baskets, bagpipes, and a little boy named Hudson.

Karl’s three-year-old godson almost stole the show with his ‘blue steel’ runway pose – but as this is the third time he has walked for the iconic label, he’s practically a veteran anyway.

Guests were given a Chanel blanket and a tumbler of whiskey to warm up before being treated to around 60 looks celebrating the craftsmanship of the small ateliers owned by the brand.

Think Mary Queen of Scots-meets-Courtney Love 90′s grunge and you get the picture.

Could it be more perfect?

Scroll down for video…



Check out the show…

Kate Bosworth gets her sing on for Topshop’s Christmas campaign

Posted on December 4, 2012 by M in Fashion News, Fashionfreude, Festivefreude, Filmfreude | Leave a comment

Topshop has hired actress Kate Bosworth as the face of their new Christmas campaign.

In the video directed by her fiance Michael Polish, Kate re-enacts the famous piano scene from The Fabulous Baker Boys starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

While her voice isn’t likely to win any awards, we think she looks pretty darn hot and love the sultry rendition of Winter Wonderland, available to download on iTunes.

The sequin dress was designed by Kate in collaboration with the High Street chain and will be available to buy early next year.

Kate said: ‘This project brings together two important aspects of my life: cinema and fashion.

‘I have always been a fan of the Topshop brand and it has been an honour to work with Sir Phillip and the team. I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as we did making it.’

Watch the ad and tell us what you think…

A Royale Aperitivo: We get our drink on (and get a little shaken and quite stirred)

Posted on November 28, 2012 by F in Fashionfreude, Festivefreude, Foodfreude | Leave a comment


With Christmas fast approaching, the drinking party season is ON.

Last night we braved the freezing London rain and headed to Brick Lane for a Martini party at cute off-the-wall venue Back in 5 Minutes.

The private room and restaurant – a newish venture from the team who launched ‘the disappearing dining club’- is hidden behind designer boutique Ante and provides the perfect cosy haven away from the plummeting temperatures.

Kudos to Martini for booking the spot – we felt like we’d walked into someone’s house party. Vibe = stylish but relaxed, a table of cheese, meats and slow-cooked shoulder of pork (read:happiness) dominated one entire corner and there was a Martini Royale drink station where we were challenged to make the perfect cocktail.

How hard can it be?

Ok, so we lost the competition but thankfully, the copious amounts of alcohol helped with our pride – shaken, stirred and slightly dented.

Gori the barman prepping the table for us to make our own cocktail

A stern secretary-type lady was busy in the corner of the room tapping away at her typewriter…Intrigued, we went over where she handed us a piece of paper containing bitesize pearls of wisdom:

‘Luck isn’t rolling a six dice.’

‘Luck is plucking up the courage to talk to the stranger that caught your eye on the train – and discovering they are your soulmate.’

‘Luck is an attitude.’

Food glorious food: meats/cheese and bread yummy

Ff tells her about the time, many moons ago, when we put on our best blagging hat and headed over to Hyde Park determined to get tickets to a Blur gig (which we did, of course).

How’s that for attitude and luck?

Time for another drink wethinks…

Back in 5 Minutes, 221 Brick Lane, E1 6SA

How to make the perfect Martini Royale:

Fill a large wine glass with plenty of ice

Pour 70ml Martini Bianco (half way up)

Add 70ml Martini Prosecco (top up)

Squeeze and drop a quarter of q fresh lime

Stir and garnish with fresh mint

We know what we’ll be drinking this Christmas season – what will you be drinking?

Cheat’s guide to getting a Markus Lupfer jumper for £25 (being 14-years-old helps)

Posted on November 28, 2012 by M in Fashion News, Fashionfreude, Festivefreude | Leave a comment

Not just for kids: Donna Air & Markus Lupfer for Debenhams

So we spent the morning checking out the press day for Donna Air & Markus Lupfer kids’ collection for Debenhams and we have decided we can definitely (maybe) squeeze into the largest size – for 14-year-olds…

Where else can you bag one of these babies for £25?

Totes worth not breathing for the day…

Get into the festive spirit with a Penguin motif

£25 you say…of course we can fit into a size 14(year-old)

Ice skating? Let the festive season begin!

Posted on November 28, 2012 by D in Fashionfreude, Festivefreude | Leave a comment

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The ice skating season is here – and we have tested out literally every rink in London.

Somerset House is undoubtedly the most romantic. Beautiful, historical building and good quality skates – none of your plastic welly boots here, making it easier to bust out your best moves. Excellent mince pies – mulled wine a touch too sweet. Unrivalled new addition of christmas shopping boutiques: quirky little stores selling British products, from sexy fedoras to pigeon lights and designer jewellery.

Tower Hill is for the history nuts. A little way out of town, and by day not as twinkly and romantic as Somerset House, but skating in the moat of the Tower Of London is an experience not to be missed.

Greenwich is perfect for riverside views – travel there by boat from Westminster for a full date experience (wine available on board).

The Natural History Museum provides a stunning London backdrop – unmatched anywhere in the world – and nice local restaurants on Brompton Road.

For skating while you Christmas shop, check out the (tiny) rink on Kings Road. It’s small, but you can pop to Joseph, Heals, All Saints and Peter Jones within minutes of finishing up.

Hampton Court – ok, we take that but back about the Natural History Museum backdrop – skating at Henry VII’s palace might just trump it.

Let the festive season begin!

Get your Christmas jumper on! Net-a-Porter unveils festive range of knitwear

Posted on November 18, 2012 by M in Fashion News, Fashionfreude, Festivefreude | Leave a comment

As Christmas approaches, we start reverting to 5-year-old behaviour, singing festive tunes and squealing with delight at the mere thought of tree-decorating.

So you can image our excitement when Net-a-Porter unveiled their exclusive range of holiday jumpers.

Tibi penguin sweater, £355

Basically, it’s festive fun and fashion. We didn’t think it was possible to combine the two and still retain any kind of cred but if Net approves, it must be ok.

So channel your inner Sarah Lund (just in time for the new season of The Killing no less) and invest in some holiday spirit.

Our faves are Tibi’s penguin knit and Markus Lupfer’s Santa jumper.

Markus Lupfer Santa jumper, £270

Check out the range here

If you can’t handle the festive season (grinch), Net has a Chinti & Parker monochrome giant letter cashmere sweater on offer  as a pretty cool alternative. Choose from a selection of initials for the personal touch.

 

 

Lady Gaga and Naomi Campbell turn into Disney characters for Barneys holiday campaign

Posted on November 12, 2012 by M in Fashion News, Fashionfreude, Festivefreude | Leave a comment

As Harrods unveiled their stunning Disney-themed Christmas windows last weekend, Barneys New York were determined to get a slice of the action.

The department store across the pond will be revealing its new Madison Avenue holiday campaign on Wednesday  - complete with animated film starring Lady Gaga (above), Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Campbell, Carine Roitfeld, Bryanboy and Anna dello Russo among others.

All the celebs were required to sign off on rights to likeness and its artistic interpretation – which probably explains why Anna Wintour is missing.

Also catch Minnie Mouse in Lanvin, Snow White in Nina Ricci, Daisy in Dolce & Gabbana, Goofy in Balmain and Mickey Mouse in a Balenciaga sweatshirt.

Mark Lee, Barneys ceo, told WWD: ‘Disney represent magic and Barneys New York holiday needs to be part magic and part surprise.’

It sounds adorable and we can’t wait for the big reveal.

Scroll down to watch the cartoon…

 

Stripes are like, so in right now: Naomi Campbell, Carine Roitfeld and the Cheshire Cat

Carrie-couture: Sarah Jessica Parker joined in for some fun

Fashion meets vermin: Minnie Mouse attends the Paris shows

Getting papped: Annna Dello Russo puts Minnie out of focus

Frowistas: Bryanboy, Suzy Menkes and Lady Gaga

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