QUINTESSENTIALLY | Newsletters | UK Newsletter 13.12.04

If the thought of battling down Oxford Street on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon fills you with dread, then let Quintessentially provide a soothing salve to your seasonal shopping headache. We offer incredible bespoke stockings, personal shoppers, exclusive shopping nights and a whole range of other services designed to make your life as easy as possible. Just email any request, however leftfield or obscure, to askQ@quintessentially.com.

Have a good week.

CHRISTMAS CRACKED

We know our job is to make your life that much easier and with this mission in mind we've put together the following lists - all you need to do is e-mail askQ@quintessentially.com with your requirements and we'll do the rest.

Christmas Food From Turkeys to Hampers

Top Ten Great Christmas Gifts for Children

Father Christmas and Visits With Santa

Unusual Christmas Presents

Top Ten Christmas Stocking Gifts For Men and Women

Christmas Cards

Christmas Trees And Wreaths

Christmas Without Hassle

Christmas Lunch

OCEAN'S 12 SCREENING

With a dream cast of George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta Jones and Matt Damon, Ocean's 12 looks set to be an even bigger smash than its predecessor, Ocean's 11. Although it's not officially released in the UK until February 2005, we have an exclusive screening on Thursday 16th December. Taking place at the screening room at Warner Brothers, 98 Theobald's Road, WC1, there will be a reception at 3.15 pm followed by the screening at 4 pm. For further details, including price, email events@quintessentially.com

NEW YEAR AT FLORIDITA

Floridita London celebrates its first New Year with a spectacular Tropicana Party from 7 pm to 3 am. Live bands will be playing the very best in Latin music. The dance show 'Salsa Cubana' will be performing on stage and Miss Kelly Marie will be DJing with a late night Funky House set. Dinner tickets are GBP 150 pp and Canape tickets are GBP 59 pp including a cocktail upon arrival. For more information and bookings please email restaurants@quintessentially.com

CHAMONIX CHALET

We've found the most incredible chalet in the valley of Chamonix, a mere 2 minutes from the lifts of Les Houches and it comes with its own indoor swimming pool. Designed and built in the traditional fashion, the chalet sleeps 8 and has a sauna, indoor spa, fitness room, massage room, heated boot rack and Mont Blanc facing terrace. There are also flat-screen televisions and DVD players in every bedroom. This sort of luxury doesn't come cheap, but it is available over Christmas and New Year. To find out more, email travel@quintessentially.com

ALADDIN ARRIVES AT THE OLD VIC...OH YES IT DOES!!

Little needs to be said about this production, aside from the fact that Sir Ian McKellen is fulfilling a lifelong dream by playing grand pantomime dame, 'Widow Twankey'. This promises to be a rip-roaring night out. Also announced to appear are Roger Allam (Les Miserables, Democracy) as Abbanazar, Maureen Lipman (Thoroughly Modern Millie) as Dim Sum and Sam Kelly ( TV's 'Barbara' and 'On The Up') as The Emperor, so the cast is brimming over with comedy talent. To be one of the first to boo, hiss and cry out "he's behind you" contact suellen@quintessentially.com and surprise your family for Christmas. We have 10 tickets for Thursday 6th January and the Saturday matinee 8th January for this sold out show in rows E and F at GBP 65 plus VAT.

KIM CATTRALL SPECIAL QUINTESSENTIALLY EVENING

Put the 8th February in your diary, because it promises to be a super-sexy gala event complete with the great Kim Cattrall. She'll be on stage in Whose Life is This Anyway at the Comedy Theatre, W1, and the event will benefit the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. You'll be able to watch the play then join Kim for dinner afterwards at The Criterion, W1, and take part in a stunning auction. We are co-sponsoring the event with InStyle and it promises to be 2005's first truly hot ticket. But we only have 50 tickets available at GBP 425 each, or 2 corporate tables for 10 at GBP 6000 (+ VAT). The deadline for booking is this Thursday, so contact suellen@quintessentially.com.

SONEVA FUSHI

Soneva Fushi is a beautiful gem of a resort in the stunning Maldives. If you spend 14 nights in a Crusoe Villa - complete with its own private pool - you'll get 3 of the nights free. The price is GBP 3846 per person and is for the hotel and transfers only. All travel must be completed by the end of January 2005. To find out more, email travel@quintessentially.com

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL

The perfect present for the true whisky connoisseur, Johnny Walker Blue Label Scotch is blended from a range of the finest and rarest casks. And its quality has meant its being lauded with all manner of gold medals and awards. To make this extra-special, Quintessentially members will be able to have the bottle personally engraved with the message of their choice. The Blue Label costs GBP 125 per bottle, inclusive of engraving as well as postage and packing. To order, email askq@quintessentially.com

INTELLIGENCE SQUARED SEASON TICKET

Intelligence Squared is a consistently excellent and thought-provoking series of debates, with some of the finest speakers in the world. Next year's line-up includes 'Zionism today is the real enemy of the Jews', 'Rococo Rules OK?' and 'Nuclear Energy must power our future'. Always thought-provoking and insightful, and frequently controversial, these debates are not to be missed. And you can now buy an Intelligence Squared Season ticket for just GBP 75; you'll get a ticket to the first 5 debates in the series and a glass of wine before each one. Email info@intelligencesquared.com or log onto www.intelligencesquared.com for a full list of debates or call them on 0207 494 3345.

TITINA PENZINI PARTY

Acclaimed jewellery designer, Titina Penzini is opening her first European store in London's Westbourne Grove. Titina has created jewellery collections for Lanvin, Chloe and Christian Lacroix and her jewellery is sophisticated and funky; she incorporates natural earth elements including gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones, feathers, seashells, coral and pearls. To celebrate the opening of her new shop Quintessentially members are invited to an exclusive shopping evening on Wednesday 15th December from 6.30 pm - 8 pm. This is the ideal opportunity for men to buy their wives or girlfriends something truly original. Champagne will be served and there's a prize draw with the chance to win a beautiful piece of jewellery. The event is to be held at 52 Ledbury Road, London W11. Please e-mail events@quintessentially.com

COCOON

Situated on the former site of L'Odeon at 64 Regent Street, W1, Cocoon promises a mouth-watering array of South-East Asian dishes. Dishes are meant to be shared, family-style, and great care has gone into the choosing of the finest ingredients. Thai curries sit next to Japanese sashimi and Chinese dumplings in a pan-Asian riot of flavour, texture and smell. To book, email restaurants@quintessentially.com.

THESPIAN THINGS

Our theatre staff had the magical opportunity to fly with Mary Poppins in previews and we encourage all ages (this isn't just for children) to get tickets as soon as possible by calling 0870 850 9191. Once the reviews are out on Thursday, the tickets will disappear. For a special VIP evening contact Suellen or Jonny; this will include the best seats in the house, a private complimentary bar and canapes (made by Cameron Mackintosh's own brother), programmes and a VIP concierge, all wrapped in a special wallet. All this for GBP 170 (+ VAT). They're not cheap, but would make a wonderful Christmas present. Contact Suellen or jonny@quintessentially.com.

SIGN UP NOW FOR FEBRUARY THEATRE GALAS

On 3rd February, there will be a special Gala performance of Acorn Antiques, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, starring Julie Walters. You'll get cocktails and canapes before and during the interval of this sensational cult show (benefiting the Master Class) for GBP 100 / 135 for tickets and performance. Or take the VIP package for GBP 250 (+ VAT) to include an exclusive dinner for 70 afterwards at our favourite restaurant OSIA with members of the cast. Contact suellen@quintessentially.com.

On 9th February, The Royal Court Theatre is having their annual gala with performance of Wild East. There will also be a party with a Russian theme (think caviar and vodka). Tickets cost GBP 175 for the entire evening. Contact suellen@quintessentially.com.

BENEFITS

Belen Echandia handbags are an accessory lover's dream. Benefits/Shops and Services/Shops/United Kingdom/London - Belen Echandia Y.shop is dedicated to helping men and women feel more confident about the way they dress. Benefits/Shops and Services/Services/United Kingdom/London - Y.Shop

Reuben Alexander designs and sells beautiful menswear that captures the essence of all that is British. Benefits/Shops and Services/United Kingdom/Shops/London - Reuben Alexander

The Keyholding Company insures you'll never be locked out again. Benefits/Shops and Services/United Kingdom/Services/London - The Keyholding Company

Art et Maison bridges the glamour of the New York loft space with the flare of cutting-edge Italian design. Benefits/Shops and Services/USA/Shops/New York - Art et Maison