Even Pinker!

Having never considered myself fashionable, I am so pleased to see that I was part of one of the strangest developments in this seasons fashion world. A complete fluke, but still I'm claiming it.

A few weeks ago I wrote this piece professing my love for the Whistles Carrie Skirt only to see a full two page spread in this weeks Grazia Magazine on the most tweeted/blogged about item of the moment?




 
The article shows a sneak peak of the two new colours that will follow, ramping up this season's colour blocking trend.

As I am reluctant to let go of my leg friendly 80 denier black tights, I've been pairing this pleated skirt with a cropped mohair black jumper (also from the shop of the moment) and some killer Kurt Giger patent leather courts. I'm working up towards sandals for a summer long look.... but it may be some time till I'm at peace with my cankles.

The Beautiful and Damned

Imagine the scene, it’s a cool Saturday night, you slip in from the street and give your name to the hostess, one last check in the mirror then descend the marble staircase. Moving through the stone clad corridors, bathed in furtive red hue the swinging sound of the Charleston grows louder as the twang and slap of the double base wafts through the air. Enter the basement, don’t look back…just indulge.

The 1920s is a decade that draws plenty of fascination today, especially with the latest American export,  Boardwalk Empire making even the most hardened sauvingon blanc drinker, long for a straight bourbon. 
As Hemingway named them, "The Lost Generation” would dance and drink their worries away wanting to forget the horror of World War I and have some fun away from the prying eyes of the law.


Back in the modern day, against the backdrop of protests in London, it was the perfect escape for latest generation X.

As the fabulous Art Deco Bloomsbury Ballroom swirled with an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement, in the shadowy light emitted from small candle lit tables dotted around the room, the sport of people watching was buoyant and endless. Right from the off, guests are transported back to the clandestine atmosphere and inherent fun of a New York Speakeasy with a secretive feel.

The room can hold up to 600 revelers and by the end of the evening was definitely a sell out event, each and every one of us decked out in our best versions of such a renowned fashion period.

Girls upped the glamour factor in fringed flapper dresses, dropped waist gowns, stoles, boas and the obligatory headband. With styles ranging from hen party style tat to die hard vintage fans draped in antique silk and lace there was a place for everyone, keeping the ambiance light and fun. Our male counterparts did not disappoint a few opting for the Americana Al-Capone-esque spatz, stripes, Trilby's and Tommy Guns, with others keeping the stiff upper lip style of Lloyd George alive.  

Cocktails play a big part of the night. This does make the service a bit slow and expensive, but the entertaining and authentically dressed barmen make the experience of ordering a drink a fun and visual experience. The novelty of slurping a gin fizz from a china tea cup and saucer makes it worth the wait. A limited but creative cocktail menu is tucked away inside the covers of books keeping the hidden prohibition feel alive, the rest of the moonshine on offer is of a high standard and is plentiful, and is certainly better tasting then the ‘bathtub gin’ of the era.

While the girls enjoyed the dressing up box fashion show, cocktails and cupcakes...the boys were well catered for  with whisky, a saucy burlesque show and a large roulette table set up for some serious gambling though money is fake, (you're given a $100 chit when you arrive), it’s the perfect accessory for a flapper to snuggle into her garter for safekeeping.

With doors opening at 8pm, entertainment starts at 9pm and the underground party not being rumbled by the fuzz till 2am, making the £15 entry fee acceptable. It does make for a long party, with cocktails checking in at on average £7 and certainly matching bootleg liquor in strength, being able to pace it is certainly a required skill. Over the course of the evening, feathers adorned the floor and cigarette holders were abandoned as quickly and carelessly as our inhibitions, reenacting and embracing the hedonistic spirit of the age in every sense.

See more pics: click here 

Prohibition is organised by the Bourne and Hollingsworth Group vist the Prohibiton website for more details

Nail It

It’s not often that I find a nail polish that accessorises with anything, much less an item of clothing or in this case to the colour scheme on my blog! While out and about on my daily lunch time mooch I passed the  Barry M  stand in boots and could not help but be drawn to this Flamingo Pink nail varnish beaming out at me

It's a fluro bright, slightly creaming-pink colour with a cream finish, which makes me wish I was eating candy floss and flirting with a fairground worker (in order to obtain free candy floss, of course)


It’s a bargain at £2.99 or 2 for £5 at Boots

Try out the other pastel summer shades to work the colour block trend, the Mint Green shade is equally delicious and works particularly well, with this super comfy ice cream shade cotton tee from Whistles , accessorised with a mojito (or on my budget, some spearmint polos).

The only way to do Mint -Tee

Right enough of this food chat, I'm off to chase down that Mr Whippy van...

A right sconeful

I have eaten so much cake lately, I worry there will be an intervention soon....don't get me wrong, I firmly believe there is no such thing as too much cake, (I even subscribe to the theory that I am one of the lucky few who has a second stomach specifically for cake intake) but maybe it's time to see what life is like without the dizzying sugar highs?

When the need for a quick and satisfying baked good hits, cheese scones tick the box every time. 

The thought of a long baking session on a school night (followed by rounds of arduous washing up) is hardly attractive, which is why this super speedy recipe is perfect. From locating my emergency butter (yes, I hide a block of unsalted in the fridge - what of it?) to burning my tongue on that first bite (totally worth it) less then one episode of 'enders dripped on by. 

Fred, lord of the bake off

Shopping list:


225g/8oz self raising flour
pinch of salt
55g/2oz butter
40g/1oz mature cheddar cheese, grated
150ml/5fl oz milk

Make it happen: 

Baking in a 80's dream sequence...

Heat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
Mix together the flour and salt and rub in the butter.
Stir in most of the cheese, leaving enough behind to top the scones later and then the milk to get a soft dough.

Turn on to a floured work surface and knead very lightly. Pat out to a round 2cm/¾in thick. Use a 5cm/2in cutter to stamp out rounds and place on the baking sheet. Lightly knead together the rest of the dough and stamp out more scones to use it all up.

Brush the tops of the scones with a little milk. Bake for 10 minutes until well risen and golden, remove from the oven and working quickly sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, place the tray back in the oven for a further 5 minutes or until the cheese has browned. 

Cool on a wire rack....or smother with butter and eat until an artery bursts. 

Cheese Cakes.

There are no eggs in this one, perfect for anyone like me who is usually missing one vital ingredient. 

This recipe has used good old plain Jane cheddar. For a spicy treat, add 1tsp of Cayenne Pepper to the flour. For a more golden glow and different taste use half cheddar and half Red Leicester. 

So Bohemia like you....

Slipping through the narrow door and down the fragile, suspended metal steps, I felt like Alice stepping through the looking glass.....
My initial visit to Lounge Bohemia started in a rather strange way, tentatively I approached the bar and was given an interrogation about my booking – quoting my own name and then realising it had been booked under another (my then 'date', now long suffering boyfriend) I was accused of double think by the perfectly groomed O’Brian - like bar man. Quickly restoring his confidence that I was not a spy or a liar, my initiation test was complete.

This, I have discovered since (and through various online reviews of opposing points of view) is the standard treatment of Lounge Bohemians patrons. However, persevere with this 'interesting' (okay, pretentious) approach, navigate your way through the more bright and shiny bar temptations of Shoreditch to the dark door wedged between a newsagents and a kebab shop and I guarantee, you will be rewarded.


This weekend, almost a year on I revisited this hidden gem to (thankfully) find it completely unchanged.


As you are directed to your seat, (often, a Swedish style arrangement we were sharing our table with 2 other couples) be ready to release the inner beatnik. Brown leather sofas, tweed chairs, simple tables and concrete floors all add to the Eastern Berlin vibe with the adage of sheepskin rugs providing some comfort and softness. The walls are lined with Czech newspapers, all bathed in the transient smoky orange glow emitted from low level, mello llighting. Miles Davis hummed in the background while the distinctly off beat vibe of this establishment prevailed in every detail.


The 60s décor gives the lounge a clean, streamlined look, while a low ceiling, series of alcoves and table service provide an intimate atmosphere

The cocktail menu is hidden in the communist era literature littering the tables. Flicking through the aged yellowing pages you will find an extensive choice of world beers, whiskys and spirits. Let down by short and standard champagne offering which was disappointingly sold by the bottle only with no Cava or Processco alternatives (maybe that's just me....) However any shortsightedness in this department is blown away by an orginal and creative (if a little pricey) cocktail offering.





Golden Delcious - Apple Martini

The expert mixologists took care of our order, after a slightly longer than expected wait they were delivered . A Lychee Martini, which tasted distinctly like Palmer Violets (to the delight of of my dinner partner for the evening) was coupled with a fresh Lychee on the side. The Apple Pie Martini delivered a strong alcohol kick which was soon soothed by the cinnamon and buttered brown sugar apple aftertaste. The men folk opted for Margaritas one regular and one premium, I am assured that they could tell the difference, but only just and it's probably not worth the extra few coins. The dandelion and burdock float brought back warm memories of childhood summers but with adult, boozey undertones - a wonderful idea but perhaps better suited to post dinner drinks...day time drinkers might want to opt for the the Bohemian Iced Tea for two served in a classic 60s teapot with cups and saucers but retaining the obligatory prole vodka hit.
 

In a neighbourhood as over populated and over used as Shoreditch, it’s easy to see how a bar such as Lounge Bohemia keeps it’s edge. The strict reservations only policy coupled with the 'no suits' dress code,  even for just a short time, you are in with the in crowd.

Play by the rules, book in advance and don't be put off by the slight nihalistic attitude of the staff and you will be in for a night to remember.

Lounge Bohemia

1E Great Eastern Street EC2A 3EJ

By appointment only: 07720707000

In the Pink....

Last week, like the prodigal dieter I returned to bootcamp with my new mantra in mind –‘This summer Green Peace WILL NOT try and roll me back into the ocean' (repeat to fade while on the treadmill)


 While I successfully made it to two classes and some extra gym sessions the motivation brought about by splurging on a new gym kit (including a very bright magenta bag) did not last as long as I'd hoped. Also I do not look good in 'running leggings'. 


In the hope of soon being as slinky as the Cadbury's caramel bunny I've started stockpiling Spring break clothing.  This is proving an expensive but effective form of motivation...largely because I keep spending my lunch money.


This weeks inspiration comes in the form of Whistles Carrie Pleat Skirt 



Carrie Pleat Skirt £95, Whisltes



Sadly, not my actual knees...or waist

Channeling Carrie-Chic while stomping around East London has never felt so good. Unfortunately, my very own 'Mr Big' had his own opinion on the particular shade of neon, I believe it was something along the lines of me resembling an escaped mental patient and not being seen in public with me.

Looks like this one will have to be reserved for‘brunch with the girls’.

 

As a girl blessed with ample ‘child bearing hips’ (sadly, not a compliment on my youthful fertility) I had initially feared that a combination of gym skirt pleats and a thin waist band might not go far in helping me disguise any lumps and bumps but oh, how I was wrong! It glides over any wobbly areas and only needs the simple addition of a plain t-shirt and some serious jewelry to set it off perfectly. 
 

The Carrie Pleat Skirt is in stores now, priced £95 

All images courtesy of Whistles.com