Canape of the week: Roast Chestnut at All Stars Lane

The Champagnista Girls could not be more pleased to introduce their new columnist, Miss Conde Nasty herself, social butterfly and finger food lover.

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Well, I will let you into a secret; I will judge your event by your canapés. The art of a good canapé is a complex one. And, without wanting you to imagine me as two ton Tabitha who somehow managed to nepotise herself a job in this undeniably look-ist industry, something I’m very obsessed with trying. And I have some criteria:

1. Size: the whole point of canapés is that they’re bite sized aka two bites, max. Anymore and it holds up conversation or you risk, I dare to say it, talking with your mouthful. Not chic.
2. Eatability-while-holding-a glass-of-champagne-and-an-oversized-handbag. I’m no juggler so no complex dunking, sauces or spoons. Also note: debris. Am I left with said spoon, toothpick or shell? What am I supposed to do with that now?
3. Taste: we need some substance behind that style.
4. Originality: isn’t that what fashion is about anyway?

So for this week's canapé of the week:


Canapé: Roast chestnuts
Drank: Elderflower julep gin cocktails
Where: All Star Lanes launch, Brick Lane

I’m all up for injecting a bit of seasonality into the canapé scene. A girl can definitely have too much tuna sashimi; it’s winter guys so give us something to warm the cockles. And to be fair the black lace tight du jour doesn’t offer much protection against the elements while waiting for the bus home (yes bus, there is a reason why you’ll see a gaggle of assistants loitering suspiciously close to the kitchen exit at events, we don’t get paid enough to support a designer habit and to eat. Something’s got to give and frankly it’s not going to be my Marc Jacobs).


So I was quite excited to find roast chestnuts doing the rounds at the launch of Americana-tastic All Star Lanes on Brick Lane. Chesnuts roasting on the open fire and all that smaltz. It got me bad. Real bad, that is until I contemplated eating one.


Now maybe I had a deprived childhood, without the chestnuts roasting anywhere near me, but I admit I didn’t have a clue – skin and all or skin off. The empty bowl next to the heaving bowl of chestnuts should have been a clue, but no I bit whole. Never again – I’ll stick to my sashimi.

Miss Conde Nasty

OMG i am in love with DVF

OMG I am in love with a dress that I am looking to buy at the Cocosa.com sample sale next Tuesday. I am literally drooling as I type.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a DVF (Diane Von Furstenberg to you sados who dont know- shame on you) fan of epic propotions. I love the way her clothes fit my figure and hides my imperfections.

So when I was sent my email promising me a DVF dress at sample sale prices i nearly collapsed. The dress that i have my eye o- Pilar wildrose print dress- is a gorgeus little number that i know will perfectly capture the romantic mood of this season’s runways.

With its abstract wild rose print, delicate blush colours and tiered ruffles, it’s a pretty perfect addition to my spring wardrobe and with a RRP of £470.00 i am excited to be able to buy it for just £159.00!

So i guess it is get on your marks, get ready, go....

Champagnista M

Sergio Rossi for Puma

When M and I were in Paris for la semaine de la mode, I had to suffer one of the most shameful fashion moments of my life: at the end of the Paule Ka after-party, I was taken on the side by the camera crew that was covering the party and asked if I could show them the content of my bag. And here I thought I had managed to maintain the perfect fashion facade all night long in my silky dress and patent KG baby-doll shoes...

No luck, I had to empty my Paddington under the eyes of a very glamorous TV fashionista and unveil my Adidas after-party ballerinas, which I have been wearing for the last 3 years against wind and showers, and whose soles are more punctured than a Swiss gruyere...

London Fashion week is coming soon, and I cannot afford to live through another similar moment, so I am looking for a replacement. Looking for comfortable after-clubbing shoes is always a bummer, first because I am so used to wearing heels that it is actually when I switch to flats that I start having cramps, and second because they are so boring and ugly most of the time.

Blessfully, Sergio Rossi is launching a new breed of trainers in collaboration with Puma: the 'Chic-Sneak', a sexy high-heeled sneaker shoe in a killer heel with such a well-balanced instep curve the weariest Choo-adept will forget all inhibition.

The Chic-Sneak comes in a bridle and in a lace-up version, and will hit the stores for Haute Couture Week in Paris. 12 pairs will be made in a 'Colette Blue' version for the Colette Parisian stores in case you are looking for this little extra-exclusivity.

Champagnista V

For the love of my shoes...

For the love of my beloved shoes, why are London pavements out to get all my heels. Everytime i adorn a pair of my favourite of the day 4 inch heels i somehow end up getting the heel caught in a pavement crack which then results in nicking on the heel. What makes me furious is how the shoe is ruined- it is done in such a way that it turns my expensive heels into cheap shoe express look a likes.

Ohhhhhh this is something that angers me greatly, and i am sure i am not the only fashionista who curses the cracks that taint the heel of our beloved Choos. Considering that work is always been done to improve the pavements of London, they seem to never actually have be improved at all. So I would like to say out loud and proud- "come on blue collar workers stop whistling at the girls as they walk past, pull up your jeans and get to fixing those pot holes and cracks!"

Otherwise what is a girl to do? live in her uggs, invest in a pair flat ballet pumps- i dont think so. I plan to just find the best cobbler in town to bring back to life my beloved heels so i can continue to strut like a catwalk model straight into another crack in the pavement- damn those holes!

Champagnista M

ps/ plan b can always be the heel-less shoes- mmmmm thats an idea!

Fashion Valentine

My flatmate's thirtiest birthday is coming up (and I will try to not get too drunk this time around because last year I ended up kissing him on the balcony and then spent the next three weeks wishing that I could disappear in the curtains every time I would see him) and he is now swearing in the sofa in front of the computer screen wishing he had a girlfriend to organize it for him. The plan right now is to find a dedicated Valentine and dump her just before the 14th of February... Anyone interested? He is gorgeous!

I don't really care for Valentine's day, I find it pretty overrated, commercial, and unnecessary. I have never felt the urge to plan a night out for it when I was in a relationship, and the only time I ever had a proper Valentine, it was because my very dear 'sex snack' took me out last year (dammit, have I been single that long?) and we could both laugh about it... and enjoy it without emotional overloading. If anything, love if there is love I believe should be celebrated every day, not one day a year with flowers, expensive dinner and fake roll-up eyes.

Now I am saying that, but Agent Provocateur seem to have a different take on it, judging by the latest film they released on their website, entitled 'Love me Tender... or Else', directed by Photographer Greg Williams, and starring Rosie Huntington-Whiteley... Which I believe might be the reason for the only real piece of clothes in there, which looks very much like a Burberry trench coat, judging by the check lining. Brief brief on the short film: Rosie is at home dressing up for her Valentine, he calls to bail out... Still at work for another long hours says he.

...

Is this the excuse you use as well to not meet with the boyfriend?

...

Anyway, she comes to his office in very lacy underwear (and my god these hold-ups! Ok, I will agree to a Valentine dinner to any man who offers me these hold-ups at the beginning of the night... well if I don't mind using them to create some sort of impact on him afterwards...), and a gorgeous trench coat (actually would prefer the trench coat dear Valentine but can do both!) to cover herself up until she walks to his desk. Where apparently she ties him up, half blind-folds him, loses almost everything down to her silky brief (although, boys, don't get too excited because the film remains quite classy and suggestive) and at the very climax of her lapdance, sends him 'to the tapis' with a well-aimed punch in the face. Well that leaves a sorry handicaped and hurt Valentine in an empty office enable to complete his work, but since he left himself be tied up, he has only himself to blame.

I just showed the film to my flatmate and it cheered him up. Not sure he will absolutely go for the girlfriend's idea...

Champagnista V

http://www.agentprovocateur.com/

Living La Vida LA...

Hello Champagnista readers!

From across the Atlantic pond

Firstly, I would like to thank darling Champagnista M, whom scarily proclaimed, on my introduction post, that our friendship is going on its seventh year! I am, in fact, a proud native New Yorker, born and raised. Champagnista M and I began our friendship the first time I lived in London, whilst I was studying at uni.

We met at a fabulous Soho club and then found ourselves eating Kung Po Chicken at 4am in Chinatown (you all know those nights). When I moved back to London after completing uni in the states, she became a partner in crime and we have been international friends ever since.

My first contribution to this great site comes to you from fabulous, sunny, and extremely warm California….Hollywood Hills to be specific, where I am living the life and loving it! I am staying in a Spanish style house just below Mulholland Drive where I sip my Mojito as I sunbathe knowing that my nearest and dearest- my NY friends- are freezing in the snowy dreary weather in Manhattan- Ahhh so is life!

So Champagnista’s allow me to say wit confidence, that forget getting your news of LA from watching an episode of the Hills, because I will be your one and only know it all, reporting on all things great including LA fashion (I have arrived just in time for award season- so gowns galore-yay) and the hot places to be and be seen in this sunny city of LA- that is at the moment having a mini heat wave- yay!

Oh before I go, allow me to tell you about my latest escapade (because I simply must share) - I spent my first night here at Helen Mirrens nephews home, a friend of my uncles who is also extremely charming and British….I must first admit that while many of you are keen on men with American accents, I love nothing more than the charming British one.

After the house party I then went out for sushi and to a club called Apple, one of the latest hot spots in Hollywood so do take note and danced the night away with a yummy cocktail in hand.

So it is on this note that I bid you fare well until next time when I will enlighten on the most fantastic things that Hollywood has to offer a fashionista without breaking the bank! (Ps-some of which might involve trainers, a dog, and sunglasses!) Look forward to the beginning of a great friendship with Champagnista.com.

Loving you from LA,


Danielle
x

Blog flashing no photo

Once again, I will introduce a post by saying how sorry I am for not having written in the last few ... God in the last two weeks: I think it is the first time I abandon our baby this long!

I have just been swamped at work, but when I say swamped, I mean in IT hell, because I am pretty computer autistic and I had to deal with a lot of computer things recently, and dealing with them again and again and again until finally, I managed to understand what I had to do, got unblocked and could turn the page.

Nothing much to report at the moment: I have not really had the time to follow fashion news as I wished, and my love life is as flat as a crepe, which is a total pain because 1. my feet are always cold in bed 2. there are days when I really need a hug and 3. I really absolutely desperately need to get laid!

I know, it is not a pretty word in the mouth of a young lady, but I have never pretended to be one. Well young yes, but a lady... Which reminds me that my ex-flatmate is coming back from his trip around the world in February, which is just dreamy because he was the perfect sex snack: fun, handsome and not at all involved emotionally... Now this is quite a good prospect! All the more because since the Christmas conversations I had with my ex and previous emotional blips, I am not impatient to fall back in love with a man: the fall is always abyssal!

Actually I think I might be turning into a feminist...

When did it happen, might you ask after all the marshmallowesque lines I wrote on Champagnista?! What made her cross over to the dark side of the moon?

Well I did a shoot last Sunday.

Hmm.

Nude.

A nude shoot.

Where I modelled naked in a glorious minimalistic flat on the 35th floor on the Lauderdale Tower in the Barbican center. On top of my Giuseppe Zanotti silver stilettos, which made the view on London just a little bit higher and a little more exciting.

Oh, when I say 'modelled', don't get me wrong, it was a real women shoot... Joanna Paterson, the photographer, came up with an interesting artistic concept to make this architectural space, all in edges and pure lines, rounder and more feminine, by introducing nude women all in curves and softness in this frame. Not that I am all curves either... I actually would not have minded having a little more weight on the breasts once I had taken off my deceitful wonderbra.

The first few minutes were incredibly scary.

As professional as photo crews can be, people are only human, and the first look they will bear on you will be appraising and critical. And all you can think of at this point is 'oh my God, can they see the drop of sweat running from my left armpit to my waistline?'. Cold sweat might I add. I was not all that warm...

...hot...

Past this point, the artists' eyes focus, they start going somewhere beyond your body, and you feel yourself unfold, slowly, very softly, like a crinkled blossom opening quietly into an ever so unknown world.

How can I put this exactly?

It felt like... a rite of passage somehow.

It feels like I am more of a woman for having done this now.

My own element.

I will warm my feet myself from now on, but it will not keep me from having a snack when my adventurous ex-flatmate comes back... Counting the days from today!

Champagnista V

Being Politically Correct, fashionably!

As of 5pm (London time) today Michelle Obama becomes not only the First Lady of America, but the First Lady of colour in the White House- wow I hear the world gasp. Well that’s definitely an “about time” moment but I am afraid that is not the first I am going to talk about today. I am instead going to discuss her being one of the "the first” women in the last couple of years who have been hailed not for just being the wife of a President/Prime minister but instead for having a great fashion sense worthy of a mention in fashion magazines.

Never since Jackie O' have we witnessed such great fashion sense from the women of politics. It was after witnessing the likes of Margaret Thatcher’s rather old-before-my-age fashion that we all came to accept that these where women who seemed to be happy to choose having brains over looking good.

Come on I know you agree with me! 10 years ago if a woman who was involved in politics, whether on their own or because of their husbands, they were always viewed as boring, dowdy and quite frankly invisible individuals. They barely graced the fashion magazines, and they never even got any column inches in a low down rag unless it started with the words ”the wife of..." – because it seemed that their name was not worth a mention.



Nowadays we have got Carla Bruni (the wife of French President Sarkozy) and Michelle Obama (soon to First Lady to US President Obama) gracing the pages and sometimes covers of well known magazines like Elle, InStyle and even (shock, horror) Vogue.

Things have sure changed. I even find myself wardrobe watching their outfits and trying to emulate some of their fashion sense. Saying all that I must still say that Jackie O' is still the reigning queen of fashion when it comes to the most fashionable politician's wife, but Michelle and Carla are certainly in the same league and who knows they might in the future come out on top- just not right now!



Oh by the way I should give a mention to our dear Cherie Blair – England’s ex-Prime Minster’s wife- because although she certainly was no style icon, by God she did try, and like Hilary Clinton (wife of Ex-President of America Bill Clinton) we give her A* for at least attempting- because in fashion there is room for second place!




Champagnista M



PS- 5PM LONDON TIME- BE SURE TO JOIN THE REST OF THE WORLD IN WATCHING AMERICA MAKING A STAMP IN ITS HISTORY!

Champagnista OFFER OF THE WEEK

When in fear,put your best Choo forward!

I am a fashionista who prides herself on being one of the few people who does not scare easily especially after having dealt with some of fashions scariest editors- who have nothing on Devil Wears Prada’s Miranda Priestley. So last night I was invited to experience the “scariest attraction in England”- a two part attraction called the London Bridge Experience and The London Tombs, I thought oh this should be a walk in the park.

Arriving late, I had thought that like many fashion parties I have attended before where no one actually turns up on time that arriving a tad late will be fine, but instead I found out that I had missed the boat. When the invite had said a 6pm start, they had meant a 6pm start, and not a 6.35pm arrival. Apologising profusely to the PR girl, she was nice enough to smile and assure me not to worry. She then ushered me towards other shame faced late comers. As the four of us shuffled our feet and sipped our house red wine, we only ended up waiting just 10 minutes before we were approached and told to put our wine glasses down and grab our handbags. They had decided that even though there were only 4 of us they would take us around the venue anyway so we could sample what was offer.



As the tour began I found myself learning about London Bridge’s history. Every few minutes I kept expecting someone to jump out of the shadows and scare me- so I found myself getting more and more disappointed when it did not happen. Room, after room I found myself stifling giggles at the theatrics of it all instead of experiencing the fear I had expected. As the history lesson continued, I found my mind wandering to what I wanted to have for dinner that night. When we reached the end of the London Bridge Experience, I was stifling a yawn. Not because it was boring, but I guess I had expected to be scared right out of my Choo’s. Coming to the end of the tour with my heart beating at the same rate as when I sleep and with no sweat moustache on show i was slightly dissapointed.

Before the four of us headed towards the exit sign we where suddenly given the option to either continue down the exit or to take the other door which led down to the London Tombs. Deciding to take the bull by the horn I made the decision for our rather small group and said “take us down to the tombs”. We went down, where we were handed a hard helmet a luminous jacket and told some rules that I must admit I barely remember because by this point I was raring to go. Before entering the tombs we all had our picture taken- big cheesy smiles and thumbs up.

Entering the tombs, situated under the London Bridge Experience, I felt confident enough to lead the pack. I had no idea that the tombs we were going to see where the real tombs of the bridge because if I had known I might have been singing a different tune that would have found me cowering at the back of our little group rather than leading at the front.


The next 10-15 minutes in the tombs are a bit of blur, but I know one thing for sure, I felt like I was in a bad horror movie. I have never screamed so much in a very long time. It was most definitely an adrenalin pumping experience that at one point had the 4 of us whimpering in the corner refusing to go on. I never thought I would see the day I am cuddled up next a stranger and holding on to them for dear life.

Of the whole experience there was one point where I had an I-am-a-fashionista-get-me-out-of-here moment. It happened as I led the pack through the dark passages and for some reason I thought that I saw an exit door, and for that spilt second I felt relief, so I ran towards it and attempted to open the door only to realise that it was padlocked. Thats when I found myself screaming “nooooo” as I shook the door to no avail. It certainly was the moment that I realised that the London Tombs had broken me. Not in a bad way, oh no, in definitely a good way. They had succeeded in scaring me to the point of no return. I had gone from the confident; some might even argue cocky, fashionista who thought of the whole thing as childs play- oh how wrong was I. I had entered the venue thinking that no loud boo was going to scare me. Well I now bow my head down in submission and concur with Living TV’s Most Haunted, The London Tombs are most definitely the scariest attraction in England next to white stilletos.





LAST WORDS: Well I just have one tip to give the big heads at the London Bridge Experience and The London Tombs, for better affect I suggest that you take the visitors photos after they have gone through the London Tombs experience rather than before because I can assure you those are the photos that people will queue up to buy because that will be a photo that will speak a thousand words - “I was so scared I nearly wet myself”.

Champagnista M




Want to go? Then take note of the following:

Adult: £14.95
Child: £10.95
Students: £11.95
Family (2 adults, 2 children): £45

For more information please visit: http://www.thelondonbridgeexperience.com/
2-4 Tooley Street London, SE1 2SY 0800 043 4666

To drool or not to drool, that is today's fashion question!

I know that I have before praised the fabulous website COCOSA.COM as the must join fashion site for any self respecting fashionista but i must again shout from the rooftops that i am loving this trendy site.

I beg you to seek mmbership to this invite-only site because what they are offering is in my book as valuable a gold dust. Imagine being able to buy fashion's best must have pieces at prices that scream "cheap" and do not exhaust your credit card.

Since joining I have waited patiently for the Betty Jackson sample sale to start. I was sent constant count down emails from Cocosa.com just incase i forgot- like i would- and it felt like they were teasing me.

So anywho, today is D-Day, the Betty Jackson sample sale is on, and what is in offer has me drooling...

I am loving these Sailor pants that i am tempted to buy as their RRP is £129.00 but Cocosa.com members are pay £55.00

Loving this 100%silk dress that screams to be owned by yours truely. RRP at £392.00 but i will get to snag it for £155.00- now the question is, should I?

The same dress as above but in navy blue, this beautifully cut dress is super yummy. It tempts me to get the dress in both colours- i mean why not right?

So it is on this note that I beg you-champagnista.com readers- to advise me, as i am weak and i must admit find it hard to say no when it comes to beautiful creations- so thank you Betty Jackson and an even bigger thank you to Cocosa.com for pulling the strings of my weakness- shopping. Now i need to decide whether to just drool, or to bit the bullet and just buy.

Champagnista M

InStyle Shows you how to be fashionably international

I had to share with you my delight with InSTYLE's February 2009 issue. It had a feature on what one should have as part of their international staple wardrobe when visiting certain fashion capitals- a brilliant idea for the fashionably challenged. You know who you are- you are the one who does not know that you should make slight changes to ones wardrobe when visiting various fashion capitals.

Ok, I am being a bit harsh, which i shouldnt be because, believe it or not, I was once unaware that such a fashion protocol existed and because of this I am going to pass on what i was taught by a fashion editor i once worked for, that when travelling one must always remember:

Paris demands a touch class- think Chanel purse, Hermes scarf-,

Milan makes a bit of bling a necessity- think Versace, chunky jewellery and fur coats-,

New York City will prefer that you compliment American classic with European flair- think Ralph Lauren with a touch of Burberry- and lastly

London is all about individuality- think a bit of brick lane vintage trends blended in with Giles.

Lastly, please find the feature I am referring to below for those without the £3.80 to spare (i understand that the credit crunch has meant giving up beloved magazine subscriptions) and also for those who do not subscribe like moi, (with a bit of commentary naturally!!!):

Champagnista M

Golden Globe Fashion Show

Every fashionista worth her salt will admit to watching the Golden Globes not for the who won "best actress" award, who really cares about that but the acting world right? We instead sit on our sofa with our best friends and popcorn to watch, criticise and drool at the fashion show that is the Golden Globe Awards.

Everytime I watch the beautiful creations swan down the red carpet i think to myself "i would love to own such a gown". I have always wanted to own a gown, even though I have no where in particular to wear it accept maybe around my own home sipping chilled champagne and dancing to ABBA's Dancing Queen. Mmmm did I really just say that, ok I have revealed enough of my Single Female Habits- I would instead like to share with you some of my favourite dresses that in the last few years have graced the red carpet at the Golden Globes awards:

OKAY I KNOW IT IS QUITE CHEEKY TO START OF WITH THIS DRESS. WHY YOU MIGHT ASK, WELL IT IS NOT A GOLDEN GLOBE DRESS (IT IS AN OSCAR DRESS FOR THOSE WHO SHOULD BE ASHAMED THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW)- BUT HELEN MIRREN IS PUSHING 70 BUT SHE STILL MANAGED TO LOOK AMAZING- MORE SO THAN HER YOUNGER COUNTERPARTS!

GOLDEN GLOBES 2006- ALL I CAN SAY WOW HOW DID SHE MANAGE TOPULL OF THAT COLOUR! AN AMAZING FLOWY DRESS.

THE DESPERATE HOUSE WIVES LOOKING FABULOUS AND AS FAR FROM DESPERATE AS YOU CAN GET!

GOLDEN GLOBES 2006- I MUST SAY IT WASNT THE DRESS THAT I OOOOHED OVER BUT THE GORGEUS BRONZE COLOUR OF THE DRESS.

GOLDEN GLOBE 2005- I LOVE THIS ENSEMBLE WORN BY GLEN CLOSE BECAUSE IT SUITED HER FIGURE AND AGE PERFECTLY- BRAVO!

GOLDEN GLOBE 2003- IF I HAVE HER FIGURE AT HER AGE I WOULD SO WEAR THAT DRESS!

CATE BLANCHETT ALWAYS LOOKS SO POLISH NO MATTER WHAT SHE WEARS- SHE IS A GREAT MODERN DAY STYLE ICON- WELL AT LEAST IN BOOK!

LOVING THE COLOUR WORN BY REESE- THAT IS A GREAT YELLOW.

Champagnista M

Start counting the days- London Fashion Weekend is drawing near...

With only eight weeks to go until the event, and tickets are now on sale for London Fashion Weekend- on March 4th – 8th 2009 at The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington.

Not only will London Fashion Weekend SS09 be set in the same grounds as London Fashion Week – but for the first season ever, the LFWend catwalk will be in the official London Fashion Week catwalk venue meaning it will be bigger and more sophisticated than ever!



There are new catwalk designers confirmed to take part, who will join hot British talent which last season included Luella, Matthew Williamson, Graeme Black and Aganovich in the trend-setting show choreographed and styled by Rose Forde, giving the public a chance to experience the LFW atmosphere first hand. Some lucky visitors may even be sat in the very same seats as Fashion Week VIPs such as Anna Wintour, Naomi Campbell or Erin O’Connor!

This season, there will there be a brand new free Fashion Clinic feature at the event, giving style lovers the chance to be part of talks and demonstrations by some of Britain’s top designers, stylists, fashion editors, authors, make-up artists and hairdressers, at hourly intervals throughout the event as well as having the opportunity to ask them questions and advice during the session!

There will also be an exciting star-studded auction in association with Miele’s Fashion Prize and Sparks charity where visitors will get the chance to bid for celebrity designed creations.


London Fashion Weekend Shoppers will also be in a mad rush to snap up one of the limited edition LFWend bags designed exclusively by Richard Nicoll on behalf of the Environmental Justice Foundation, as well as being in with the chance of getting their hands on a self-signed edition by the designer himself if they are one of the first in the queue!

With over 150 designers exhibiting at the event, this season you will see a great mix of classic London Fashion Weekend designers (last season Lulu Guinness, Michael Kors, Collette Dinnigan, Twenty8Twelve, Sass & Bide, Ben de Lisi and Designer Studio featuring Prada, D&G and Roberto Cavalli were showcased), as well as a fab selection of up and coming London designers who will be offering a number of stunning one-off pieces and new season designs at the show. Up and coming labels include Belle & Bunty, Jacey Withers, FINSK, Missoma and Elizabeth Lau to name a few.

Still interested?Then be sure to visit http://www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk/ where you can also purchase tickets or ifyou prefer you can also but then via the booking line on 0871 230 1558.


Champagnista M

For more information you can contact- please contact Caroline Reader on http://uk.mc282.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=carolinereader@hotmail.co.uk or call 0777 928 0799

My First Love...of 2009

All who know me understand that i am not easily separated from my oversized sunglasses, they are my first love next to my always available lipgloss.

The pair that i currently adorn are massive square black sunglasses that add that extra ommph to my outfit, and as much as i love them i have seen another pair that could easily rival my beloved sunglasses. They are this seasons Miu Miu oversized sunglasses.

These sunglasses are so yummy that I can envision myself ,strolling into work in a cosy trench, a warm coffee in hand and some giant sunglasses that hide all manner of sins. They are the type of sunglasses that can even be worn in the low winter sun while you strut down Oxford Street. Ohh yes i am in love with these beautiful show-stopping Miu Miu sunglasses, and my explanation to my bank manager when I finally sucumb and end up buying these expensive eye decorations, "But Mr Bank Manager they are what we in fashion call a spring investment". I think he will buy it, especially when i batter my girly eyelashes and recently glossed pout in his direction- well here is hoping!

Champagnista M

Sheer is back!

When it comes to what we will be wearing in 2009, there are trends that we will think "ohhh yes please" and others that we will think "oh, i don't think so".

Instead of bombarding you with whats hot in 09, i will instead tell you of one trend that has caught my interest, the trend known as 'loving your sheer'. Sheer fabric is back as one of hottest 2009 fashion trends. Having been given the nod from celebrities who are happily embracing the trend, it will not be long before we are all adorning this brave trend.


So how would you wear it? Well don't worry, it's not all about tight, see-through tops, and dresses that scream 'look at me' as we saw in the 1990s- a decade i vaguely remember- thank God right? If you take a closer look at the Spring / Summer 2009 runway collections you'll find sheer fabrics used in a multitude of ways: tight sheer pieces, layers, and the much sought after delicate, feminine draping.

If you would like to grasp this Sheer trend with your well manicured hands then take note: think sheer skirts and pants/trousers and pair them with more modest bloomers or boy-shorts rather than a skimpy thong and you'll keep the look elegant. This is because elegance really is the key to wearing the sheer fashion trend this year. While it was last at its most popular in the 1990s, it is back with a vengence in 2009, so lets do it right this time round.



Champagnista M

When Fashion Dreams come true

Happy New Year everybody!

I love 2009!!! If you put aside the freezing cold, the people who all look like they are hibernating within themselves in a city of sleep-walkers, and the end of holiday late-sleeping, the beginning of the year is a time for renewal and fresh starts!

I am not talking boring resolutions, no no no: new years’ resolutions only serve to remind me how weak-willed I am, so it has been a few years since I have taken any.

But there is a little something called Fashion sale, which is the key to a much more exciting renewal: wardrobe resfreshing!

In short and fast because I need to go and buy gloves and a scarf, or two or three: I’d be quite happy to pile them up at the moment.

Two words: luxury superstores! Harrod’s, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges have an amazing selection of designer clothes, and the discounts are to die for. I bought a Diane Von Furstenberg dress for £130 at Harrod’s, dress that I had been eyeing and checking out every other week for the last two months, and that I ended up buying in black instead of the original red version I wanted, but it is still FITted. Harvey Nichols have lots of AW08 clothes at discount prices, but they also sell a few SS08 leftovers at unbelievable prices, so if you are not afraid of wearing last season outfits this summer, have a look: some designer clothes are timeless style pieces.

Selfridges finally: it is a strange store because contrary to its very organized competitors, everything that is on sale at Selfridges is stacked in a completely anarchical order. It is a maze, a mess, a puzzle, you don’t know where to look or what to look at, so that when you have the luck to find something good in your size, it seems like a proper miracle, and you understand the banners that hang from the ceilings everywhere to their full extent: ‘I didn’t find it, it found me’.

First a £90 Moschino silk and organza dress found me, and it put a very wide smile on my face, but when I went to the shoe lounge and discovered my dream stiletto boots (same style than the ankle boots above, but closed-toe, mid-calf platform boots with silver stilettos in patent black, £700 at Giuseppe Zanotti, 80% off at Selfridges), I thought I would keel over. I believe I kissed the salesman when he brought me the other foot. I had strutted in these shoes for 45 minutes a few months back when the Giuseppe Zanotti AW08 collection had just come out, because I have a friend who used to manage one of their stores and who allowed me to try them on… I almost cried when I had to take them off, I thought I would never wear them again, so to actually OWN them!... These boots are the coolest, most beautifully designed, most perfectly balanced, most original and of the best quality in the world: they put all boots, booties and ankle boots to shame. There is NO comparison.

And ok, I have gone a little overboard in terms of budget, but each and every single article I bought was a true find, a true sale, and will last me for years. Not to mention everybody –men and women- gag at these boots and since I am quite shallow and self-centered, it is a real pleasure and a marvellous self-confidence booster: which is really priceless, isn’t it?

Champagnista V

Budding Burberry Fashionista

Isn't she beautiful?

Do not be mistaken, I am not quite ready for kids yet. Although there are designer clothes for kids that are so incredibly cute at the moment (like the Burberry military dress above), it almost makes me want some (designer clothes, not kids!... well... maybe a tiny one, a girl, if it comes with a mini Burberry trench and a Dior frilly dress).

For those who were wondering, this is my little Champagnista wizzle: she is almost two years old, she is my goddaughter, and a never-ending source of love and inspiration. And she is a rising fashionista, so beware!

Champagnista V

Want to know what's fashion's best kept secret in 2009?

I have recently been offered membership to fashion's best kept secret- Cocosa.com. It is a fantastic website that offers fashionistas the chance to enjoy cherry-picked designer fashion at special prices - imagine JONATHAN SAUNDERS Salvin dress priced at £850.00 but Cocosa members get it for £199.00- i mean wow right.

Cocosa is an invitation-only fashion destination offering its members exclusive access to an array of private sales, each running for a limited period and brimming with an unrivalled selection of luxury brands. They give you behind-the-scenes access to the kind of dizzying designer discounts that only fashion insiders have previously enjoyed. These are sales you literally can’t afford to miss.

Behind the scenes of Cocosa are experienced team of buyers who hand pick only the most covetable fashion and accessories whether you seek a classic investment pieces, seasonal wardrobe top-ups or just a little treat. Cocosa is the club every style-conscious individual wants to join. So this Champagnista is definetely glad to be a member- i mean come on its been a while since i flexed my credit card!

Champagnista M

IMAGES AND SOME TEXT COURTESY OF COCOSA.COM

Another Sex and the City Movie in the pipe line? Are they mad!!!

Oh Come on guys, are you really going to make another SATC movie? I mean isnt that what people call "beating a dead horse"? I was definetly one of those never-miss-an-episode-come-what-may-girls but really what more is there to say? Charlotte has finally had her own baby, Samantha has come to realise that Smith was indeed a zygote, Miranda finally got that stick out of her arse long enough to realise that Steve was as good as it gets and Carrie finally married her Mr Big- I mean come on the name John was never going to stick, i never heard them utter it once in the movie- so what more is there to say?

It is on this note that i can share with you an alternative ending to the 6th season that i came up with when the last episode rolled and we where left wondering what would happen to the girls, an here it is:

Die hard SATC fans do not take it so literally, I have a lot of time in my hands and hence why i have time to think about it! Maybe a movie could be made after all. I would watch it.

CARRIE-> > Gets back with BIG only to find her self-pregnant by the Russian who she left back in Paris. Not knowing what to do she decides to tell BIG who immediately dumps her but not before telling her that he barely does serious relationships let alone another man's baby. Adding, 'i knew i should never sold my house in Naper'. Carrie ends up having to sell her precious shoes to a pawnshop to raise money for her baby and become the once dreaded single mother status. The Russian never finds out.

MIRANDA-> > Due to Steve's mother living with them stressing her she spends a lot of time at work and is barely at home. Steve struggles with chores, Brady and home life without Miranda whose constantly working, soon finds comfort back in Debbie’s arms. Miranda doesn’t find out about the affair until Brady is in High School and by that time Debbie has given Steve 2 love babies. So shocked she has a nervous breakdown, leaves her job, the family home, Brady with Steve and Debbie and moves in with her sister in Philadelphia. Forever muttering "men are d***s". Never heard from again.

SAMANTHA-> > Ends up meeting Smith's Mum who is a reincarnated Bunny. Hates her on site and a war is forged between the 2 women. Smith finds it all too stressful and dumps Samantha who then swears off younger men and ends up back with the younger 70 year old who by this time only has 3 Good years left tops. Samantha smiles and takes comfort in the knowledge that she will be very rich in 3 years time and secretly makes plans to start a high class brothel on the upper east side using her little black book of f**k buddies as potential clients.

CHARLOTTE-> > Harry and Charlotte get their Chinese baby who they name Ling and love her unconditionally. Soon trouble invades their relationship when Harry refuses more kids finding Ling to be hard work. In frustration Charlotte joins a running group were she bumps into Trey. Soon enough she tells him her problems and before you can say "you are married" sleeps with Trey. Regretting it she ignore his calls and resumes life with Harry and Ling. 3 weeks later she is pregnant with Trey's baby- been a while since Harry has slept with her. Deciding to pass the child of as Harry's she succeeds until it is born and a very nosy Bunny comes back on scene when she finds out about her sleeping with her precious Trey. Making sure she bumps into Charlotte she looks very closey at the Waspy looking baby and stright away spots the unmistakable McDougal dimpled chin.

MINOR CHARACTERS:> >

Aiden: still happily married, but hears about Carrie's single mother status and feels lucky to have escaped this self-destructive woman.> >

Natasha: Marries Richard Wright (Samantha's past man) another promiscuous man with commitment issues- she sure picks them.> >

Antony and Stanford: Antony ends up God father to Ling and with Carries best friend Stanford 2 dogs and a house in Southampton. Stanford never gets that inheritance from his grandmother just the Channel suits.> >

Burger: Ends up working at Barnes Noble still dreaming of that next novel but has had writers block since the 'scrunchy' incident> >

The Russian- ends up back with his wife and never returns back to NY were his second child lives- unknown to be a future celebrated artist.> >

Brady- Grows up and marries Ling, Charlottes Chinese baby. Charlotte is dismayed, as she raised her as a good Jewish girl.>

By Champagnista M

New Year, New Start?

Being the other side of 20 now seems so old- especially entering yet another year, and realising time tick tocking away. My last few posts have acknowledged our entry in 2009, but I am feeling the age(OMG i fear being an old unmarried maid), and i cannot believe that it was 9 years ago that we all celebrated the millenieum with such gusto and excitement.

So is 2009 going to be new year that will give me a new star? Well as old age creeps up on me I must admit that I hate saying out loud my age because it makes it a reality but I cannot stop myself- "I am now twenty **".

It is this realisation that has strongly confirmed for me that life sure does move at a frightening pace. It is scary that my twenties are nearly over and that I will be soon be entering my 30's kicking and screaming.

I remember once upon time when I had my 20's all mapped out. I was going to be working my dream job (renowned fashion journalist) by 24 and married by 26 to the perfect investment banker and by 27 I would have been hearing the pit patter of tiny feet and by the time 30 came round I would be proudly boasting my achievements; Fashion editor of well known glossy magazine, married to a successful man and mother to two well rounded children. Instead, I am still climbing the fashion ladder, marriage is unlikely to happen in my 20's unless I meet my future husband now and as for my future children well to be perfectly honest I am not even sure if I even want them anymore.

My life plan has therefore gone through some hitches that I had not foreseen back when I was a bright eyed 20 year old full of optimism and life. Now I am a cynical city hardened 20 something who is not looking forward to regularly booking my botox injections to retain my youth in the next 2 years so I can continue living my Bridget Jones lifestyle with flair.

So new year, new start? Maybe, just do not get me any cats!

Champagnista M

Still loving Brick lane in 2009?

As the 1st day of 2009 draws to a close, most of us have entered the year with hopes, dreams and wishes that we hope to fulfill over the year. New Year resolutions have been made, alcohol has been sworn off, finding the love of your life has been wished upon by nearly every singleton (including you boys too), and all sins of 2008 forgotten. So why not start the year with our best fashion foot forward and let me be the first to confirm that as fashion evolves in 2009 Brick Lane will continue to be the place to find fashion treasures of all types...

Brick Lane possesses that rare quality of being able to mingle age- old tradition (Jewish and Bengali Settlers) with new and stylish fancies. It is a diverse community, which has, and continues to play, an intricate part in Brick Lane’s fashionable rise up into the world of fashion.

Brick Lane fashion landmarks are two Rockit shops. The bigger of the two stock men and women's vintage and the other one only stocks women's wear that are more feminine and frilly and ideal for SJP wannabes. In between them, is The Laden Showroom, which sells young London designers along with a range of accessories. This place is a great for Celeb copycats because the entire clothes rail is a picture of a celebrity who owns that garment. Thus be on the lookout for Cat Deeley tops, Beckhams’ baseball caps and Kylie mini skirts.The aptly titled Public

Beware on Dray Walk sells collections by a team of Japanese Designers who make exclusive women's clothing and shoes. Once you enter, beware, as you will leave armed with the funkiest robes in town but also with a much lighter back pocket. Around the corner on Hanbury Street is Absolute Vintage, who among their wider range of clothing and accessories, stock over 1000 pairs of vintage shoes.

Let's not also forget the designer sample sales that take place in Brick Lane. The best being 'Fashion Car Booty Sale'. It hosted an exhibition of artists work in converted cars alongside a sample sale consisting of Fashion East designers such as PPQ, Zakee Sharif and labels such as Jens Laugesen, Markus Lupfer, Blaak and House of Jazz.For the more financially blessed, great shops are only a Prada purse throw away. These include Beyond Retro on Cheshire Street, a warehouse with the biggest stock of vintage fashion in the area and Max M's shop that sells designer sunglasses from the 80's alongside one-off designer pieces and jewellery. Max also has a warehouse around the corner, which sells only vintage clothing at affordable prices.

So in 2009 is the new chic still going to be Brick Lane instead of Bond Street? If you were to ask any dedicated Fashionista, they will tell you that they were already aware of Brick Lane's existence long before the fashion world came knocking and looking for the raw and individual talent that Brick Lane is now synonymous for!

Champagnista M