Grey Goose opens Boulangerie François in Soho

Calling all vodka and foodie lovers... From Thursday 28 November until Saturday 30 November Grey Goose  is to open Boulangerie François, a special artisan bakery situated at 136 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1.

In recognition of the brand founder and Mâitre de Chai François Thibault’s historical decision to create ‘a luxury vodka with taste’ in the Cognac region using Picardie wheat and spring water naturally filtered through Champagne limestone, Boulangerie François will celebrate the finest French ingredients that Grey Goose is crafted from.

Visitors to the Boulangerie will be able to try the freshly baked ‘Grey Goose Pain’ made from soft winter wheat used to create Grey Goose vodka as well as delicious confitures. The confitures are made from the brand's flavoured vodkas, Pear Confiture (a mellow-sweet pear jam made using Grey Goose La Poire), Orange Confiture (a bright zesty orange jam made using Grey Goose L’Orange) and Lemon Confiture (a soft bittersweet lemon marmalade made using Grey Goose Le Citron).  

It's a pop up not to be missed - the interior design of the Boulangerie will feature an eclectic mix of intriguing, artistic impressions, striking items of décor and curated artefacts which reflect Grey Goose's take on the traditional boulangerie experience.

Specially commissioned pieces will be on show, such as the ceiling illustration shown here, which will highlight parts of the story.

And what's great about this is that the bread is all free of charge, visitors are asked to make a donation to benefit Elton John AIDS Foundation the long-term charity partner of Grey Goose.

greygoose.com

New label of love... Undercover Glamour

After years of trying on countless bras and attending boring traditional fitting sessions, I find the idea of bra shopping an unexciting hassle. So when I chose my wedding dress, which is strapless and backless, you can imagine one of my biggest concerns was firstly, how could I possibly wear a bra and secondly, where on earth would I be able to get it from!

However, everything changed when I discovered Undercover Glamour, literally my new label of love and the ultimate shopping destination for any girl looking to solve an underwear wardrobe dilemma. I can honestly say, as soon as I saw the brand's online selection of stick on bras, I immediately felt completely reassured and am delighted that I can now wear my wedding dress with confidence.  

Undercover Glamour offer several different styles of stick on bras of which I tried The Silicone Party Bra and The Party Bra. My verdict...  impressed doesn't even cover it! They both provided a very natural shape, felt supportive (despite being very lightweight) and most importantly felt 100% secure (you don't want to have to worry about your bra falling off)! 

The Silicone Party Bra is Undercover Glamour's silicone strapless and backless bra. The bra cups simply stick on to your chest and mould around your shape. I have to say, this one was definitely my favourite of the two - with subtle extra silicone padding on the bra cups, I felt like I had a natural enhancement and what's brilliant, the cups move with your existing shape completely naturally (and they feel real too). You also don't have to worry about lines... I tried on several different tops and as the bra cups seamless, no-one would be able to tell I was even wearing anything. 

The Party Bra is Undercover Glamour's fabric strapless and backless bra which creates a desired rounded look to your bust. It too was easy to stick on and was very comfortable to wear. It will be the perfect bra to wear with all my strapless tops and dresses on my honeymoon or an ideal choice for my bridesmaids.

The one thing I would point out is that when selecting sizes, they do come up small and as there is no back, I would recommend going up a size. (For example, a 32C is the same cup size as a 34B and a 36A). 

So, for all those girls out there who have struggled to wear backless dresses and strapless tops, or have worried about their shape, I honestly think these bras will change your wardrobe and give you the freedom and confidence you need! And, if it couldn't get any better, they are washable and the adhesive simply regenerates itself! What's not to love...

Buy yours here: The Silicone Party Bra - available in an A to E cup in Nude and Transparent £10.99

The Party Bra - available in A to D cup in Nude, White and Black £12.99

Happy shopping and do check out the brand on Facebook here!

Hollywood Director Nicolas Winding Refn directs Grey Goose Fly Beyond Film

So if you, like me, are a film and a vodka fan, you will be interested in Grey Goose's latest campaign - FLY BEYOND. Set to launch on the 28th October, Fly Beyond will tell the remarkable story of how the brand's creator François Thibault defied expectations in France and throughout the spirits world to create a super premium vodka with taste. 

At the intimate event held last night at The Hospital Club, Grey Goose launched the campaign with a screening of its cinematic advertorial film directed by award winning Hollywood director, Nicolas Winding Refn (who directed Drive & Only God Forgives to name but a few).

Refn has worked with Grey Goose to bring to life the epic story of the making of Grey Goose and the extraordinary journey of its creator François Thibault, trained as a Cognac Maître de Chai (cellar master). Through stunning imagery and storytelling, the film showcased the field-to-bottle provenance of Grey Goose and the challenges faced by François in his quest to create The World’s Best Tasting Vodka. It brings to life the compelling and remarkably TRUE story of one man's vision and how he succeeded against all the odds to create the extraordinary. Indeed it was the very nature of the story which appealed to Refn who from the start saw it as the "story of Francois, the man with a dream, who fought against all odds and in the end won."

The screening was preceded with an interview hosted by actress Lucy Russell, (renowned for her starring role in Eric Rohmer's L'Anglaise et le duc) in which Francois candidly spoke of his vision to create a super premium vodka with taste in the heart of Cognac, using soft wheat from Picardie and the extraordinary opposition he faced in bringing his vision to reality:

“In the beginning, I was considered a maverick, even an eccentric, for trying to make vodka in historic Cognac, France, from wheat no less. There were many naysayers and sceptics, and all were waiting for me to fail, but I knew I could prove them wrong and create a product that tasted unlike anything available,” said François Thibault. “I’ve worked hard to create a spirit of outstanding quality and character. It is the world’s best because it is made like no other and feels exceptionally smooth in a dry martini or in other cocktails.”

The cinematic advertorial clip will be shown in 96 art house cinemas across the UK from Monday 28 October, but you can have a preview here. 

greygoose.com 

My Favourite Bridal Boutiques

Wedding dress shopping is probably the most fun but also stressful part of the wedding for the bride! I have so far been to Jenny Packham, Philippa Lepley and Sassi Holford to try on dresses and it's fair to say, have fallen in love with one dress at each of them!!

For me, it was trying on the dress that made the whole experience seem so real, stepping into a wedding dress for the first time is an amazing feeling. I think seeing my Mum in tears and having my sister and bridesmaid there also added to the emotion. I suddenly felt so grown up!!!!!

Choosing the dress style is the first step...  I was lucky in the fact that I have always known the shape that best suits my body... Of course nothing stopped me from trying on the meringue dresses, but I have always wanted a classic, elegant and simple style dress. Yet where I am stuck is with the detailing and the question of lace... lace or no lace... here lies my dilemma!

The experience in all the bridal couture boutiques was unrivalled... I booked in for a bespoke appointment where I had a one on one private consultation and I have to say, it was a really special  way to enjoy the occasion. Whether you do have a couture dress made or buy a ready to wear, I would recommend any bride to be book in for this experience. 

Toronto International Film Festival - The Best Parties with Grey Goose & Soho House

If you are into films, then Toronto International Film Festival is THE place to be! Every year thousands of film-lovers flock to the Festival to wittiness the latest flux of Oscar-claibre films! But in-between the screenings and compelling dramas, it's one hell of a place to party!

For the fifth consecutive year, Grey Goose have hosted the most spectacular parties, mainly in partnership with Soho House Toronto, to celebrate the best in film and the achievements of some of the most talented filmmakers.

Over the week, Grey Goose hosted parties for the premieres of Parkland, Michael Sugar, Horns, You Are Here, Can A Song Save Your Life, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, The Invisible Woman and Don Jon to name but a few!

As always, the parties were attended by an array of high profile guests whom enjoyed a selection of bespoke award season cocktails that were specially curated by Joe McCanta, Grey Goose's Global Brand Ambassador. 

As it's Friday... you don't need any excuses... start your weekend in style with the Torontini cocktail...

TORONTINI 

A sophisticated cocktail with Grey Goose at its heart complemented by rich, honeyed fruit and notes of liquorice.

Ingredients:

50ml Grey Goose

50ml fresh apricot juice

20ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

15ml maple syrup

5ml apricot brandy

Dash of absinth 

Method: 

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake and double strain into a martini glass. Garnish with orange zest. 

greygoosetaste.com

Maje - the go to destination for stylish originality

I love the French label Maje... with a Parisian style sensibility, the collections are effortlessly chic and wearable.

Founded by Judith Milgrom, a Moroccan-born designer and self proclaimed 'lover of bohemian, feminine fashion', Judith is a fashion child who has applied the knowledge she gained from her mother and grandmother, to produce a striking brand that is synonymous with cool-girl chic.  

I love the combinations of fabrics and textures used as well as the attention to detail. My favourite pieces in the collections though are always the leathers! From the leather trousers, skirts and jackets to the winter coats with leather panels, the quality is always exceptional and deliciously soft!!!!! Season after season, Maje manage to get it just right.

 

Whilst the brand is by no means cheap, it's definitely a place to shop in for investment pieces where you can be confident that you are buying something original and stylish.

www.maje.com

Brissi Boutiques

Brissi is one of my favourite boutiques to shop in not only for luxury treats for my home but also for lovely gifts for friends. I love their signature style, fusing classic and modern styles to create elegant and timeless products. 

The boutique has a wide range of quality home furnishings... elegant sofas, armchairs, unique chests,  a wide selection of chic mirrors, lighting fixtures, dining accessories, as well as gorgeous present ideas including  cake stands, photo frames, candle arbres, crockery, vases  etc! and all at amazingly affordable prices.

There are four stores around London, Notting Hill, King's Road, Marylebone High Street and Northcote Road... you can also shop online. I recently ordered a few accessories which arrived beautifully packed and the next day!

A gorgeous boutique and a great place to have a wedding list too!!!

http://www.brissi.com/

Red Dog Saloon

Introducing THE DEVASTATOR... 3 x 6oz patties, 200g pulled pork, 6 rashers applewood smoked bacon & 6 slices American cheese!!!!! If you think you can take this bad boy down, then you've got to check out Red Dog Saloon... nestled in Hoxton Square, this American style rib shack boasts some of the best hickory smoked ribs and wings in London!

For anyone brave enough to take on The Devastator and embark on your very own Man vs Food moment,  then the challenge is simple... you have 10 minutes to eat the burger, side of fries and milkshake... if you are victorious, you earn a spot on the wall (and a t-shirt ha ha)... fail and well, you've just eaten 3,000 calories for nothing!!!!! 

It's not for the feint hearted, but there is a great selection of other treats to choose from including sthe delicious pulled pork made in their imported award-winning smoker or smoked blackened salmon, bar-B-Q chicken or selection of salads... it really is the ultimate meat feast and definitely gets my vote!

And to top it all off - why not ask the lovely manager to try one of the tequila slammers - a combination of tequila, sambuca and chilli... 

http://www.reddogsaloon.co.uk/

Bling Rings From Monica Vinader

I've always been a sucker for statement jewellery.... and have fallen in love with these gorgeous rings from Monica Vinader which are part of the new Baja Collection. They are a great way to accessorise any outfit.

Available in a variety of colours, these art deco inspired 18ct gold plated rings, can be worn on their own or stacked together with different colours to make your own look. I also love these other ones in the same collection...

Prices start from £100

http://www.monicavinader.com

Eat Ento

It's a bug's life!! 15-17 August will see the launch of Eat Ento... the Insect Fine Dining Pop Up restaurant, supported by Grey Goose Iconoclasts of Taste, a pioneering project which champions new movements in food and drink.

Ento is the brainchild of four graduates from the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London who have a unique vision, ‘to introduce insects to the Western diet as a delicious sustainable source of protein.’  Promoting a message of forward looking sustainability, Ento and Grey Goose will host an unforgettable one-of-a-kind dining experience encouraging guests to challenge cultural taboo by sampling fine insect cuisine. In some ways, the challenges Ento face are not dissimilar from those trying to get consumers to buy sushi a few years back!

I am really looking forward to sampling the four course menu which is set to include dishes such as honey caterpillar and grasshopper medallions, which are known for their creamy pistachio nut flavour and will be served alongside wild mushroom ravioli, girolles and black truffle. The menu will be accompanied by a selection of delicious Grey Goose cocktail including the Ento inspired ‘Entomology’ cocktail. 

  

Tickets for Eat Ento are priced at £75, and can be purchased online via greygoosetaste.com with all proceeds going to Ento in support of their vision.

If you aren't able to visit the pop up, you can still try the 'Entomology' cocktail which will be served for a limited time in September at the Covent Garden Cocktail Club, priced at £9.

Unique Wedding Favours

It's always tricky finding wedding favours that are unique and personal to you. For me, I want something that's traditionally Kenyan and so I recently scoured the local markets in Nairobi and have decided that these lovely beaded Massai bracelets would work perfectly for the girls!

Other lovely ideas are the local kikoys that come in a multitude of colours and can really add colour and interest to your tables. They are not only very fashionable, but also unisex... although they can be rather pricey if you have to be large quantities.

You don't have to go to Kenya though to buy the kikoys... check out the selection here.

Now what to get for the boys... any suggestions?

Zorbing!

So... this weekend I went to a friend's hen do and went zorbing!!!! I had seen it done down hills and on lawns etc, but never in water... it was SO much fun! 

I was worried about feeling claustrophobic but it was fine and once you are in, you soon forget... you are having to concentrate quite hard just to stand up!!!

I literally climbed into what looked like a plastic sheet which was pumped up with air and sealed before walking off into the lake... and then the fun began... would honestly recommend this to anyone!!!!!! I was rubbish... A few glasses of champagne prior am sure didn't help!

Literally nothing much to say other than epic! Such fun times!