All of a sudden, it's party season! Where has this year gone? It's been a blink and you'll miss it one for me, but we're on the home straight to Christmas now, my favourite time of year. I love the frantic last minuteness of Christmas, rushing about in the freezing cold, trying to see everyone before the year is out, as if the calendar moving into a new year means we'll never see anyone ever again. It's madness! The pressure we put ourselves under for Christmas, but I love it. It's part of the rhythm of life and always having something to look forward to. As soon as the new year is here, all I'll be thinking about is new season, white jeans, my feet seeing the sun, and quick but fun holidays with friends. Here are a few fun things I've done in the past week.
Bottega in Shrewsbury
My friend Sam Brightmore, owner of the fantastic lifestyle and fashion boutique Bottega in Tarporley in Cheshire has finally decided to start sharing a bit of the Bottega magic outside of Tarporley. She's opened in the gorgeous market town of Shrewsbury and Bobby Dazzler and I went to see her pre-opening last week. Sam is a magician, what she can do with a space is incredible. Just 3 weeks previously this fantastic shop was a bathroom showroom - yes! I know. She opened on Tuesday the 19th of November and you must visit her if you live nearby or are passing through, it's well worth the time. Bottega, 16 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, SY1 1XB, phone 01743242006 and for the purists visit the original in Tarporley, Bottega, 67 The High Street, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 0DP. The Tarporley boutique was featured in this week's Sunday Times Style Magazine. The picture was taken in the famous Birdcage Cafe at the rear of the boutique (I try to resist the brownies when I visit and fail every time).
Kelly Hoppen's Book Launch
I was invited to the launch of Kelly Hoppen's new book Design Masterclass by gorgeous Yasmin Mills, thrower of fabulous parties. It was held at the Belgraves Hotel and quite how I have never been into this fabulous spot I don't know. I drive past it daily but had no idea how great it would be inside. The interiors are right up my strasse with a fantastic sexy 70s vibe. But back to Kelly, if you can measure the success by the heat in the room, then the launch was a massive hit. I could barely breath for the heat coming off all the fabulous bodies crowded into one room. Alan Carr, Melissa Odabash, Gaby Roslin, Gok Wan, Victoria Beckham, Natasha Corrett, Maria Hatzistefanis, Duncan Bannatyne, they were all there. I wore my J Brand Leather Leggings (they are my Winter staple) with my black Splendid Polo Neck Jumper.
The Hunger Games Catching Fire Preview with Lucas Hugh at the Electric Cinema
A movie! And not just any movie, but a super hot viewing of The Hunger Games Catching Fire thrown by Lucas Hugh, the London based designers of the futuristic sportswear worn by Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson in the training sequence of the movie. I met up with my good friend Emily Johnston from the fabulous blog Fashion Foie Gras (she wrote last week that IDA jeans will give you an amazing ass) and we were well looked after with snackettes provided by Honestly Healthy, Jax Coco and Pop the Website. The film was high octane and action packed with mind-blowing special effects bringing the second of The Hunger Games trilogy to life.
Isabella Blow Fashion Galore Exhibition
I was a huge fan of Isabella Blow and was shocked along with the rest of the fashion world when she died. Her legacy is her love of fashion and the talent she discovered and nurtured, her sheer enthusiasm for the new and different and her approach to life. Her enormous fashion archive was rescued at the 11th hour before going to auction by her friend Daphne Guinness and is now preserved forever. I took Bobby Dazzler with me to the exhibition of her fashion life and realised too late that I should have given him a bit of background on Isabella Blow. Loudly he kept referring to her as the designer (mainly of Alexander McQueen) and while I tried to explain to him in hushed tones who Isabella was and her role in the fashion world he started to get it and said 'well you should have told me, I was about to ask if she was here'. I've learned my lesson for next time! Following are pictures of some of the exhibited pieces.
The Nth Degree Lunch at Hakkasan
I'm a member of The Nth Degree Club, a private dining networking club which launched last year. I never have time to go to events but every time I do squeeze one in, like last week's lunch at Hakkasan, I wonder why I don't just make the time. It was fantastic! It was at Hakkasan so the food was amazing, but I also met loads of people that I know I can do business with. Sometimes it's false economy to stay in the office answering emails - taking the time to get out there, speak to new people and make new contacts is key. www.thenthdegreeclub.com
To read more from Donna's Diary click here.
