Happy New Year

Good luck for 2013

 Wishing everyone a Happy New Year & the best of luck for 2013

Horseshoe: Trakehners can Jump

Attend : Milestone Hotel

Champagne Afternoon Tea : The Milestone Hotel, Kensington

 I can't think of a better way to spend a post Christmas afternoon than taking a relaxing festive afternoon tea.
 Whilst everyone else was out battling to the sales to do yet more shopping, I took in the quintessentially English interiors of 'The Park Lounge' at The Milestone Hotel on Kensington Court.

 The Grade II listed building dates back to circa 1880, and the hotel today is named after the original cast iron milestone that still stands in it's original position beside the establishment.

 
The festive champagne afternoon tea menu kept all the important tradition of finger sandwiches but served with a festive twist;

 Mini squares of Christmas cake, and miniature mince pies were served alongside freshly baked scones, only bought to your table at request to ensure they were freshly baked, served with clotted cream and homemade jam.
   Finger sandwiches included a new take on a classic; round cut chicken sandwich rolled in chopped almonds.

 I loved the wooden paneled interiors of this hotel, the beautiful vintage caricatures adorning the walls. The restaurant, Chenestons, looked amazing and I'd love to go back and dine in the adjoining oratory area.

 The Milestone is like finding a hidden gem of tradition amongst all the ultra slick modern hotels in London. Located opposite Kensington Palace it feels stepped in history and definitely opulently English.

 The Milestone Hotel : Website
 1 Kensington Court
 London
 W8 5DL

Instagram : Opulent Scrawls

Instagram profiles now have a web presence showcasing photos in full screen displays.

View my profile at : www.instagram.com/opulentscrawls
Or follow me on Instagram : @opulentscrawls

Must try : Champagne

Champagne : Gold illustrated bottles

 Gold illustrated bottles appear to be a continuing trend in limited edition Champagne. Both Perrier Jouët and Piper Heidsieck currently have beautifully illustrated champagne bottles for their rare vintages.

 Piper Heidsieck's 'Rare' is very limited and made in tiny quantities compared to some of the big house vintages. The 2002 vintage is only the eighth vintage to be released in the past 30 years.
 Housed in a beautiful baroque inspired, gold grape vine tiara adorned bottle (created by Parisian jeweller Arthus Bertrand) this is a Champagne that certainly lives up to it's name.

 Perrier Jouët's 'Belle Époque Florale Edition' is the first ever limited edition bottle of Perrier Jouët's Belle Époque Cuvee. Emille Gallé's infamous 1902 original bottle is reinterpreted for the first time by Japanese floral artist Makota Azuma featuring stunning gold coloured florals.

 Piper Heidsieck Rare : Sold at Whiskey Exchange
 Perrier Jouët Belle Époque Florale Edition : Perrier Jouët Website

Bathroom Interior : Modern French Vintage

Bathroom Style

 I've just finished decorating the bathroom. I wanted to keep the look modern, but still calm, fresh and quirky.  I've called this style 'Modern French Vintage'.

 Originally inspired by the bathroom at 'Majeka House' in South Africa, and then further by the clean, modern vintage look seen in hotels like '20 Degree Sud' in Mauritius and 'The Jalousie Plantation' in St.Lucia.

Wallpaper : Cole and Son 'Flamingos / Contemporary Restyled'
Tiles : Topps Tiles 'Metro'
Lantern : Oliver Bonas
Candles : Sandy Bay @ QVC
Mirror : Cooke & Lewis Lozenge Cabinet
Porcelain Apothecary Jars : 'Brissi' on Westbourne Grove

 Bathroom: Before & After

Louis Vuitton's Writing Room

Writing Collection : Louis Vuitton

After re-inventing the art of travel, Louis Vuitton have turned their hand to re-vitalizing the art of writing, a refreshing change in this current technology obsessed day. The label announced a new writing collection inspired by literary greats and their own heritage of trunk closures.
 I'm obsessed by this Louis Vuitton envelope with embossed detailing:

In the Louis Vuitton writing collection, notebooks and paper products feature alongside luxury pens & pencils, including small trunks to hold your writing equipment.
 The collection launches at Louis Vuitton's writing room : 'Le Cabinet d'Ecriture Louis Vuitton', a pop up shop at 6 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, France on December 13 2012.

Louis Vuitton : Website

Attend : Hotel Chocolat Rabot Estate

The Hotel Chocolat Rabot Estate : Soufière, St Lucia

 Hotel Chocolat are the only UK company to own a cocoa estate. The 140 acre Rabot Estate is located near Soufière in St Lucia. The location is in the unique 'Cocoa belt' that spans the earth between 20 degrees north and 20 degrees south of the equator.

 The estate is home to a boutique hotel, and a restaurant 'Boucan', set amongst the rainforest and sun-dappled cocoa groves. Both have awe-inspiring views across to the world famous Pitons.

 The Boucan restaurant and bar feature a menu inspired by the cocoa growing around. They call it 'Cacao Cuisine'. Toasted bread comes with chocolate dipping sauce & cacao tip butter.
 Main courses include 'The Boucaneer Fish & Chips'; local fish in Piton beer and cacao tempura with potato fries. The 'Tomato, Chilli & Cacao Ravioli' is homemade pasta pockets spiced with local chilli and Rabot Estate cacao nibs.

 The estate also put on a 'From Tree to Bar' tour - here an agricultural worker walks you round the working estate, explaining their work with Reading university to genetically profile the trees at Rabot estate. There's a chance to graft your own Cacao tree which is then planted in your name, 18 months later this very tree will be used in the production of Hotel Chocolat's chocolate.

 Fascinatingly you also make your own bar of Hotel Chocolat chocolate. Starting out with just dried Cacao nibs and a Pestle & Mortar, this is turned into a chocolaty liquid just by continued grinding and grinding. Cacao butter and powdered sugar are then added and ground more, before pouring the mix into a mould.

 Boucan restaurant also has a gift shop; I purchased Cacao nibs and a nib grinder, for seasoning salads and other dishes, along with some pure cocoa sticks which will be used to make hot chocolate.
 You are also then presented with your freshly made Hotel Chocolat 65% dark chocolate bar. Believe me, it tastes amazing!

The Hotel Chocolat - Rabot estate website
Hotel Chocolat - Shop website

Jalousie Plantation : St Lucia

Jalousie Plantation, Sugar Beach, St Lucia - Viceroy Hotels

I'm enjoying staying at The Viceroy Sugar Beach hotel, formerly Jalousie Plantation, in St.Lucia.

The hotel is situated in stunning rainforest surroundings in a UNESCO world heritage site. The famous Pitons, two volcanic spires rising side by side from the sea, are either side of the resort.

The classic French colonial style individual villas are nestled into the lush rainforest, with large wrap around terrace and plunge pool with views towards the sparkling Caribbean sea of Piton Bay.

 
A full review and photos will follow, but here are some shots from around the villa.

Sugar Beach : A Viceroy Resort
UNESCO : World Heritage List

Dom Pérignon : David Lynch Limited Edition

Dom Pérignon by David Lynch : Limited Edition Creator

 Dom Pérignon continues to collaborate with 'creators' to ensure the house's legacy of experimentation continues.
 The latest creator to work with Dom Pérignon is American filmmaker, television director and visual artist, David Lynch. Famed for his dreamlike imagery, mystifying and surrealist elements, the co-lab David Lynch for Dom Pérignon bottle design doesn't disappoint.

Dom Pérignon : Website
Available at Roberson Wine

Colour : Copper

Copper coloured interior accents

A new trend in interiors; 'tones of copper'
I love the idea of a simple, fresh, white based room with accents of copper - from a industrial style copper pendant light, to a little candle in the corner. The copper ikat fabric could make interesting lighting effects when used as a blind.

Scent Candle London : Tom Dixon Eclectic
Solid Copper Ceiling Tile
Vision Ikat Copper : Wilman Fabrics
Industry Pendant : Habitat

P.S : Posts have been a bit thin on the ground recently as I've been doing up my bathroom, re-tiling, wallpapering, re-decorating and the rest. Hopefully it'll be finished this week so photos should be up towards the end of the week.

Make : Christmas Cake

Christmas : 8 weeks to go...

So, this weekend is the time to make your Christmas cake. I published the ingredients last weekend, so hopefully you've had time to go out and gather them.
Now, the cake recipe is in the 'Make - Guides & Recipes' section of this blog.

Click here for 'Make - Guides & Recipes'

Attend : Maison Louis Vuitton Launch

Louis Vuitton : Men's made to order shoe service launch

On Thursday night, I attended the launch party of Louis Vuitton's made to order shoe service.

Exclusively available at the London flagship store, 'Maison Louis Vuitton' on New Bond Street, this bespoke shoe service offers up an incredible 3,000 variations of personalized shoes - ensuring every detail from shape, to leather, to finishing can be chosen by the customer.

 The newly unveiled bespoke shoe room also allowed customers to complete their look, with a belt made to order in the exact same finish as the chosen shoe.

 The Maison laid on an incredible night, with displays from Louis Vuitton's own artisans. A highlight was meeting one of only two craftsmen who individually hand stitch Louis Vuitton's soles using the traditional Goodyear, Norwegian and Blake methods.

 Another artisan showed how individual coats of colour are applied layer upon layer to the leather, creating that rich, deep colour and sheen.

 Of course, being Louis Vuitton, the Dom Perignon champagne was free flowing. The accessories area was turned into a fully stocked bar mixing classic cocktails.
 Martinis were served by a suave bartender from Baroque at The Playboy Club, perfectly shaken and finished with a twist of lemon.

 I also managed to get my hands on the new Electric Ankle boot in calf, a black shiny, buckle and lace up boot that I've been lusting after for a while now - I'm really looking forward to wearing these...

 Other highlights included shoe shiners from Burlington Arcade who were on hand to polish up guests shoes, expert packers were available to demonstrate how to pack the perfect trunk. A true night of pampering for all guests, including the dogs. (I didn't manage to get a photograph of the pearl necklace wearing Pug!)

Maison Louis Vuitton
17-20 New Bond Street
London
W1S 2RB

Make : Christmas Cake

Christmas : 9 weeks to go...

 Christmas cakes are best made eight weeks before they are needed; maturing a rich fruit cake gives a much better taste. Next week is the ideal time to get it made.
 I love making Christmas cake as it really kick starts thinking about Christmas. I follow Delia Smith's classic Rich Fruit Cake recipe, from her classic book 'Delia's Complete Cookery Course'
 To be prepared here are the ingredients that I'll need to get this weekend:

 I love a cake that has taken real time and effort to make, the fact that you can attend to it over the weeks to give it a 'feed', and that ultimately you can be creative decorating it. The fact that everyone can share it at Christmas is even better.
 Over the coming weeks I'll be showing my progress and I'll put the recipe into the 'Make' section of this blog.      

Black Storm : Kitchen Aid

My new gadget : Kitchen Aid Artisan Mixer

 I've wanted a Kitchen Aid for a very long time. My want has, of course, been further heightened by 'The Great British Bakeoff'. At last I've taken the plunge and bought one.
 I chose the Black Storm Artisan Kitchen Aid with glass bowl.  

 It looks amazing in my kitchen: seen here with my Marcel Wanders glass cake stand, which will be filled with homemade bakes very soon.

 So the first bake I attempted in my new Artisan Kitchen Aid had to be my 'signature' Mini Victoria Sponges. I found using the machine to be so effortless, and it mixes so quickly and efficiently.

The quickness and efficiency of the Kitchen Aid was it's initial downfall though. I have made the mini sponges countless times by the old fashioned wooden spoon method.  I guess over time I have mastered the exact consistency of the mix, and the correct amount of mixture to put in the baking tray.
 With this new extra fluffy, extra airy mix - less is definitely more, and I'll have to control the amount of mix better next time, this will create more uniform rise.

 The Mini Victoria Sponges are so delicious and light. The cream whipped up in mere seconds (rather than the 5 minutes it used to take by hand)

 Black Storm Artisan Kitchen Aid : Kitchen Aid
 Marcel Wanders @ Marks & Spencer :  M&S
 

Must try : Champagne

Newly discovered Champagne

 Discovering some new Champagnes; 'Beau Joie' - a copper armor clad bottle of a Champagne, and the new trend of White label Champagnes - 'Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial' and 'Lanson White label'.

'Beau Joie' is a relatively newly launched Champagne, and yes it's mainly about the show off bottle; a copper wrap that is claimed to keep the Champagne cool out of an ice bucket, but really I think it just looks incredible.

 On the actual Champagne side, it is a 'grower' Champagne, and a 'zero dosage', both of which are emerging trends in the Champagne market (as I discovered at 'Battleground Champagne')

The other emerging trend is the new 'White Label' -
 Moet & Chandon were first of the mark with 'Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial' designed to be drunk over ice from a balloon glass. Exclusively available poolside, so I've yet to find this in a shop
 'Lanson White Label' is described as fresh, zesty and refreshing - a more informal style of Champagne, again recommended to be served in a wine glass rather than a flute, it's more suitable for day drinking (I like!) and ideal for the addition of fruit, to further enhance the flavors.

 Hopefully I'll write more when I've tried them!

Links:
Beau Joie Champagne
Moet & Chandon
House of Lanson

Tea Tuesday : (Well, Coffee today...)

Coffee : Poker Chips Espresso set

 A change from the normal 'Tea Tuesday', today it's coffee. An Espresso in a Poker Chip set that I purchased in a beautiful interiors boutique in Mauritius.

 The set is by 'Bruno Evrard Création', a French family company specializing in the creation of 'arts of the table'.

Espresso Set : Bruno Evrard Création

Town Hall Hotel : East End Deco Hotel

A refurbished Council Town Hall : Town Hall Hotel, London E2

 I recently stayed at 'Town Hall Hotel' in Patriot Square, London E2. This is a grand hotel, very modern but also very true to it's Edwardian and 30's Deco roots.

The building was originally opened in 1910 in the stylish Edwardian era, when Britain as a country was at the height of it's power. The council could afford to spend out on fine architects and craftsmanship. The hotel has successfully kept and showed off this unique style.
 Further building was added in the 1930's - another stylish era where Britain trail blazed a stunning design aesthetic.

The Rooms:

 The hotel has mixed modern with vintage in such a tasteful manner - the rooms are a unique blend of one off pieces of vintage furniture, sat back with glass, metal and high sheen white finishes.

 I stayed in a 'Signature Suite' - an enormous, high ceiling room with wooden fireplace, and antique furniture. Then, unusually - a built in, made to measure glass and white 'pod' containing sleeping area, bathroom, kitchenette and storage.

 This mix really works, the room feels homely and comfortable and is still slick, modern and stylish - it has separate areas that work individually from each other, but it is all still held together by the modern 'pod.

 Another unique feature is the quirky details that are scattered around the hotel. From hanging rugs with antlers, to unique sculpture all set against the original design aesthetic. I spent a lot of time just wondering around the corridors, discovering new things...

Overall, a truly unique stay.

Town Hall Hotel
Patriot Square, London. E2 9NF
Website : Town Hall Hotel
Phone : +44 (0)20 7871 0460