B-Fabulous with Beauty Drink

London Fashion Week is a marathon. 

Having been a part of the much awaited week of events for the last few years I’m accustomed to running around in 6 inch heels, regular meltdowns and severe lack of breath when a piece of material accidentally snags [been there seen the consequences].

When partaking in such hectic events, it’s so important to stay hydrated and nourished to battle any fashion faux-pas instances that may be headed your way. Enter the new generation of drinks from Beautyin.

As the official life-generator for backstage at London Fashion Week, believe me I guzzled gallons of this stuff, these Brazilian made Beauty Drink bottles are piled high and mighty. With no sugar, low levels of sodium and no preservatives in them- the Beauty Drink phenomenon is bound to sweep the capital, and what’s even better- one bottle contains a measly 12 calories!  

My current favorite happens to be the Lychee & White tea flavor.

Doused in Vitamin D, E, B6 which is wonderful for promoting serotonin production [happy hormones!], niacin, Calcium and Collagen Protein [the good stuff for your skin!]- it is impossible to go wrong with one of these bottles. And what’s more they’re pretty to look at!

There are a whole bunch of flavors including raspberry, blueberry & acai, nectarine & red tea and hibiscus, acai & grape to name a few.

Go on readers- pick up a bottle of beauty drink at select retailers, including Selfridges, now.

Drink healthy, feel fabulous and look good while you’re doing it! 

Kettner's Konfidential

Soho’s greatest secret has recently been exposed.

Hidden in the depths of London’s ‘alternative’ dining district- Soho- hides one of London’s heritage sites home to authentic Georgian town house style dining. Kettner’s, reknowned as London’s glamorous portal, has some impressive stats that include surviving four kings and a queen, the blitz, several booms and more than a few busts [ha!] as it was first opened in 1867 by Auguste Kettner [a tried and tested conversation starter at the bar- if I do say so myself.]

Feeling a little enthralled by all things historical and heritage, I decided to throw on some heels, chuck in some marcel waves and head down to the institution that is Kettner’s to sample it’s famous drinks list over on Romilly St. Transported through the gorgeously glamorous time portal into a Georgian affair you’re met by the maitre de who guides you through the antique dining rooms to begin your elegant feast.

Captivated by the extensive list of champagne, my date and I went for the half a dozen Irish Oysters accompanied by Shallot Vinaigrette. Six exquisitely tasty oysters arrived at our table, chilled for maximum flavour freshness- definitely a winning option when sampling the drinks menu.

Feeling every so giddy, those bubbles are most certainly not as innocent as they look, we decided to skip the main course [much to my disappointment as judging by my plate watching from neighbouring tables- it looked delicious!] and head straight for dessert.

And there it was.

A crumble so buttery and deliciously naughty, accompanied by hot piping custard served in the sweetest little pouring device.

Heaven.

I can’t recommend Kettner’s enough! Having been before, I can definitely vouch for the food being absolutely delicious. So whether you’re after a quick catch up bite with friends or a romantic evening out with your special somebody- Kettners Soho is the place to be!  

The Pantone Party.

This season sees a whole new take on the pantone colour of 2013- Emerald.

What was once known only as a coveted gemstone that contains a variety of the minerals beryl, chromium and vanadium [yes I just wiki’d that.] now colours the hues that grace the shelves of our favourite stores. As the fash pack swarm in armed with skinny latte’s in preparation for the looming LFW next week, it’s the perfect time to splash the pantone colour of the year across your wardrobes. 

Here are a few of The Little Londonist’s favourite pieces:

Back to school has never been so fashionable with this detachable peter-pan crystal embellished collar number from No. 21 that you can steal from here. 

  

This swing dress asos beauty that you can collect here

These peg legged pirate inspired trousers that'll cinch in your waist while elongating your legs- warning: how ever comfortable flat shoes may appear, save yourself the oompa look and go for the heels! The higher the better! Find them here. 

Strut your stuff into next season in these weapons of mass destruction from the new AW13 collection from ground breaking designer AZZEDINE ALAÏA that you can get your fashion mitts on here. 

My fashion follicles tingled at the discovery of this number from Manchester based fashion house Glamorous. Rock it with biker boots and a leather jacket, or go all Jackie-O and slim line pumps and tweed blazer it- it is impossible to look bad in this creation! Find this and other designer steals here! 

Splash this across your wardrobe guys! 

Drive me Jivara

The recent change in weather has, quite frankly, made me miserable.

 My denim cut-offs and SPF 30 have been, temporarily, stowed away to make way for a colorful collection of sweaters and umbrellas to see me through this depressing transition between summer and autumn that London is currently experiencing. Don’t get me wrong, I love the crunch of Autumn leaves as much as the next person but it is this baffling ‘in between’ weather that has caused me to be desolate.

Craving a pick-me up, I headed to one of my favorite restaurants in London to encapsulate myself with what can only be described as the dessert of a lifetime. Ladies & Gentleman, I present to you...

                        

The Jivara Bomb.

And believe me it is The Bomb.

Upon ordering, a milk chocolate, hazelnut praline and rice krispies ball of a concoction that sits so elegantly on an unassuming plate arrives at your table. Look at her all unassuming...

As if butter wouldn't melt!

Oh but it sure does! The wonderful waiter leans over to pour a cascading waterfall of chocolate over her to reveal what can only be described as a smooth mousse like ice cream to be enjoyed with your surrounding river of chocolate. 

Dreamy.

Although the recommended wine on the menu is the VORS Pedro Ximénez “Noé” Gonzalez Byass Jerez, Spain, I prefer to go for the Laurent-Perrier Rose Champagne. 

The bubbling connotations of the champagne complement this dessert choice perfectly and are the perfect round-up to a truly phenomenal meal [take my word for it and order the Fresh Water Prawn- it’s scrumptious!]

Choose from two London locations, Hanway Place & Mayfair, and beat your end of summer blues by heading down to Hakkasan London to enjoy the Jivara Bomb. 

The Book Club

TBC no longer stands for to be confirmed, the Fash pack have coined the term and have launched a new category of vessels to hold our daily essentials. Gone are the days of the single function tote, rucksack and satchel and sweeping in from ‘far far away’ comes the book clutch.  

Floating somewhere in between the dimensions of a satchel and clutch, the book clutch borrows the covers of your favorite classic story tales and emblazons them across the front of your carrier.  

My personal favourite happens to be this little carrier I came across on online seller forum Etsy.com which you can find here

A Little Princess was one of my favorite books growing up, and most of my childhood was spent swanning around with my partner in crime, otherwise known as my sister, trying to convince our family that we were in fact princesses. While the reality of the situation may have hit us rather unceremoniously [prince charming that nincompoop is probably stuck up a tree], I will without doubt be practicing my princess wave with this badboy hanging from my arm!

 Another of my favorites happens to be this uber sleek book clutch of All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy that you can purchase here 

See...those lessons in school were true- Books ARE cool!