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