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Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

Friday, December 9th, 2011

With so many people to buy for and only 2 weeks left until the big day, you might want to take a look at some of the luxurious and stylish gift ideas Quintessentially Insider have put together in our Christmas Luxe List.  Fingers crossed a few of these little beauties will be finding their way under our tree this year!

Cox Cookies and Cakes: The Cook Book
With a foreword by Sir Elton John and David Furnish you know that the 75 recipes inside the pages of Cox Cookies and Cakes are going to be flamboyant, glamorous and decadently good! This is your chance to have a slice of Soho style and sauceiness in your own kitchen.
Priced at GBP 16.99

Grey Goose Deluxe Gift Box
Stuck on what to get a certain sartorial gentleman? Why not try this stylish gift box complete with a recipe for the classic Grey Goose Martini? Containing a 70cl bottle of the world’s best tasting vodka, this is the ultimate gift for martini lovers this Christmas.
Priced at GBP 33.50

Cosmetics à la carte
What could be a better gift for someone special this Christmas than beauty? Cosmetics à la carte offer custom blended make-up to suit your skin type and tone, even recreating a favourite discontinued lipstick should you desire it or inventing a re-formulation for allergy sufferers. This bespoke service is perfect for those who struggle to find make up which is both luxurious and comfortable. What’s more, Cosmetics à la carte also offer step-by-step practical lessons in make-up application, teaching you how to apply your personalised makeup. Perfect!
Starting Again Make-up Lesson Priced at GBP 180

Elizabeth Galton Studio
Offering bespoke jewellery from a number of talented designers, Elizabeth Galton Studio is the perfect place to buy a unique piece for someone special in your life. Let them know your requirements and they’ll find the perfect jeweller to make your piece. Alternatively, pick from the range of unique pieces they have on offer. Our favourite? The stunning Ana de Costa Emerald Ghandi Earrings.
POA

Molton Brown Fine Fragrances
Described as ‘An Artisanal Journey in Fine Fragrance’, the five fragrances of the Molton Brown ‘Navigations Through Scent Collection’ have been inspired by journeys through the ancient spice route, and are a perfume lovers dream. Our favourite scent is Lijiang, a floral, musky scent that captures the light, delicate softness of Chinese silk and crisp tea.  And as all of the fragrances are delightfully unisex, this is one present made for sharing!
Fragrances start at GBP 55, GBP 60 and GBP 65.

Cooper Oporto Ladies City Bicycle
From the people behind the classic Mini Cooper, comes the elegant, stylish and simple Cooper Oporto. The ultimate way to travel about town, the chic spring white frame and classic Brooks leather saddle will delight any style conscious cyclist. Simply tie a bow to the basket and you have the perfect Christmas surprise!
Priced at GBP 949.

Biscuiteers  Vintage Christmas
This vintage styled Christmas tin from the Biscuiteers contains a mouth-watering luxe collection of beautiful biscuit decorations. Filled with 16 intricately iced sparkly stars, jingle bells, gorgeous baubles, and stripy candy canes, each biscuit comes with a gold ribbon allowing you to hang it on the tree – if they make it that far!
Priced at GBP 38.50.

Carol Joy at Urban Retreat
Enter the wonderful world of Carol Joy with this incredible facial created exclusively for the Urban Retreat at Harrods.  The huge benefits of pure oxygen, cold laser, hyaluronic acid and pure collagen fibres are luxuriously combined with Diamond Dust and Golden Millet Oil to give exceptional results.   This is the ultimate pampering gift to give to someone special or to yourself.
Retreat with Carol Joy is priced at GBP 250.

Mount Street Deli Gift Hamper
This year’s range offers a luxurious selection of artisan produce and wines from the Mount Street Deli, The Ivy restaurant and Annabel’s Club, including a GBP 3000 limited edition Annabel’s hamper. All hampers are packaged in classic wicker baskets, complete with leather straps, making them a wonderful addition to any household.
Priced at GBP 150.

Merry Christmas from Quintessentially Insider!

The brightest star of all

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

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This Christmas, the brightest star isn’t to be found in mangers, or on Christmas trees, but at the Comedy Theatre. Keira Knightley, arguably the most famous actress in Britain today, has chosen to make her stage debut in a new version of Molière’s The Misanthrope. Some of the critics had sharpened their knives, preparing themselves for an early Christmas turkey, but the truth is that she’s actually very good, if hardly stretched, in the role of a vain, backstabbing American film starlet, willing to do anything to further her career.

But the chief appeal of this new version of the play (in a witty translation by Martin Crimp) is the way that it allows its protagonist, the modish playwright Alceste (superbly embodied by a spiky, confrontational Damian Lewis) to rail against modern society in a compelling and witty way, whether it’s squaring up against the theatre critic Covington, who has delusions of being a playwright (a very funny Tim McMullan) or criticising the populist politician ‘with his flat, bland mask of pity’. Naming no names…

Thea Sharrock’s direction is pacy and inventive throughout, and this proves to be a clever and thoroughly modish way of keeping 17th century satire relevant for a new age and generation. If you can get tickets, this is well worth your while.

Comedy Theatre, Panton Street, W1. www.themisanthropelondon.com

We’re dreaming of a bright Christmas

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

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Walking down a crowded high street looking for that perfect dress has never been easy. This season’s obsession with all manner of embellishment- be it studs, sequins or shoulder pads- has made it all the more difficult to decide what to wear for that all important Christmas party.

Roland Mouret- a favourite designer of Victoria Beckham- who previously sent shock waves through fashion circles everywhere with his iconic ‘Galaxy’ dress may just have created this season’s ultimate party number.

Modelled by supermodel Heidi Klum at the launch party earlier this month, the Rainbow Project looks set to be a massive hit. More risqué than his usual collections, these thigh-skimming, brightly coloured numbers are certainly a departure from Mouret’s typically demure designs and are sure to make an impact as well as appealing to a younger audience. Of his new pieces, which come in colours such as hot pink, turquoise and mango, the designer himself has stated that ‘this collection is for young girls. The colours are really fresh, it’s a fresh attitude’.

Whilst the new dresses don’t come cheap- they are priced from £850- on the plus side you won’t even have to battle with the Christmas crowds to secure one of these coveted items- the range is available exclusively online at www.netaporter.com.

Getting Away For The Holidays?

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

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Looking for a last minute Christmas or New Year’s escape? It’s still not too late to book a holiday and ensure that this festive period is completely stress free. The following ideas will enable you to enjoy your festive break to the full and enjoy the wide range of specially planned activities without having to worry even for a second about whether the turkey will defrost in time to feed your fighting family.

THE GLENEAGLES HOTEL

This Christmas, The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire will be hosting a three day all inclusive package where the finest Scottish cuisine will be served throughout. You can be sure that all family disputes will be completely avoided with a range of activities laid on to keep everyone too busy to fight. For the children there are ice skating lessons with former Olympic coaches on a specially built rink, cooking classes and of course trips to see the elves and Father Christmas. Adults can enjoy the charity casino, gourmet tastings of whisky, wine and cheese. There will also be Ceilidh dancing on boxing day- a Scottish tradition no festive stay would be complete without. And if you can’t make it up at Christmas, there’s a fantastic Winter Warmer special at £199 a night offered until March. See www.gleneagles.com for more details.

BARCELONA

Barcelona is becoming regarded as one of Europe’s hottest destinations at any time of the year – yes, even in the depths of winter – and it’s not hard to see why, with its great nightlife, fantastic Gaudi architecture and ever-present vibe. This New Year’s Eve promises to be a spectacular night of revelry and merry-making. Our top tip is the new W Barcelona, part of the globally renowned W Hotels Chain, which will be holding a suitably decadent evening’s entertainment at the Eclipse Bar for all true connoisseurs of the ultimate stylish evening. Find out more at www.starwoodhotels.com.

CASTELLO DEL NERO, TUSCANY, ITALY
Castello del Nero Hotel and Spa is a member of the Small Leading Hotels of the World, and offers the highest standards of luxury in historic surroundings. The cities of Florence and Siena are both nearby and are spectacular places to visit during the winter, when they are less crowded but as beautiful as ever.  The grandeur of the building is enhanced by the frescoes and crests which decorate the rooms. Each of the rooms overlooks vineyards and olive groves which abound with local wildlife such as pheasants, deer and wild boars. Christmas spent here will be a great opportunity to relax; if you feel you need some extra relaxation then visit the spa, which is designed by global spa specialists ESPA and offers the latest holistic treatments which use nourishing marine treatments, hot stone therapies and pure essential oils. See www.castello-del-nero.com for more details.

A Christmas ghost story

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

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As Christmas approaches, the seasonal treats are many and varied – they include extravagant presents, lots of eating and drinking, carol singing and, for many, a good old-fashioned ghost story. Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is probably the most famous of these, but there is a great tradition of a festive story that should both enthral and scare in its tale of dark goings-on in the long winter nights.

Hampstead Theatre have now provided a classy December offering in the form of Darker Shores, a new play from Michael Punter. Set in the Victorian era, it revolves around two men, the sceptical academic Gabriel Stokes and the possibly fraudulent American psychic Tom Beauregard, and their dealings with a mysterious haunted house in Sussex, The Sea House, in which all manner of sinister goings-on are said to have occurred. Stokes is a sceptic, but will some loud crashes and strange apparitions change his mind?

Well acted by Tom Goodman-Hill (a late replacement for The League Of Gentlemen‘s Mark Gatiss) as Stokes and Julian Rhind-Tutt as Beauregard, Punter’s play oscillates between chills and unexpected hilarity, as numerous witty one-liners keep the comic relief coming. It never becomes truly terrifying in the way that the play of Susan Hill’s novel The Woman In Black is, but if you want an entertaining evening in the style of MR James’ ghost stories, you could do far worse.

Until 16 January. www.hampsteadtheatre.com

Designer delights perfect for a sophisticated sweet tooth

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

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Following a highly successful venture with Christian Louboutin, the luxury Parisian patisserie, Ladurée, has joined forces with Italian fashion house Marni. This time the two brands have produced a limited edition gift box of chocolate macaroons together. The box has been decorated with flowers and polka dots, two signature symbols of the Marni brand, and particular favorites of owner, Consuleo Castiglioni. They are also offering specially customized versions of the gift set with a selection of their other delicious flavours which include Orange Blosson, Pistachio and Licorice.

Some might argue that the gold sheets which wrap the macaroons individually is a flamboyant extravagance too far, but we think this designer collaboration will make the perfect Christmas gift for the chic, the brand conscious, and of course, the chocolate lover.

Available from December 1st 2009 in Ladurée shops in Paris, London, Dublin, Tokyo and Switzerland.

www.laduree.fr
www.marni.com

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