Monthly Archives: October 2010

Through the Looking Glass, and Oxford

Last week I was fortunate enough to attend an event called, ‘Through the Looking Glass’. A Wonderland themed party celebrating the sales launch of Fleet Milne Residential’s Bristol branch. Nothing like a private party with YOUR name on the guest list; now is there? The party was organised by the lovely Sam Dowling of Rewired PR (winner of Outstanding Small Consultancy, CIPR PRide Midlands Awards 2009). It was a really good night, including a very Mad Hatter, a magician, free drink (hell yes!), free nibbles, and great company. Did I mention free drink, and nibbles?! I am always one for free nibbles (how can you say no?), amongst the nibbles included gorgeous canapés, bruschetta pieces, and gorgeous, gorgeous, cupcakes. After polishing off far too much free wine, eventually buying a bottle ourselves, and a few cocktails we left the event goodie bag in hand (naturally), hopped in a taxi and hit town… fun night!

Tara Tomes, and I (photo courtesy of Fleet Milne's FB page)

A photograph from the night which I found on Fleet Milne‘s Facebook page, it is of Tara, and I. I wasn’t particularly looking my best that night (the Paul Smith shirt had yet another outing, what can I say? I love it!), but it was an excellent night (my glass was never empty), and I absolutely heart Tara – so I thought I would share this photograph with you. Tara was the one who invited me in the first place, she is a dear friend, and we need to go for coffee soon (by coffee I mean champagne, she’ll understand me

Tara Tomes, Lorien Adey (me), and Amy Newbery

These two above photographs were snapped on my iPhone. First one, Tara Tomes, Amy Newbery, and myself, Tara, and Amy are two of my favourite girlies, and always an absolute delight on a night out. The second snap shot is of Joy Stefanicki, and I.

In attendance (and as photographed above) was the fabulous Joy Stefanicki (of Joyous Communications), who was in the Apprentice this year, in 2002 she won Birmingham Young Professional of the Year award, and she is certainly a face you know, or to know in the West Midlands. Unlike much of the other female contestants when she was on the Apprentice, Joy acted with dignity, and although she wasn’t on the show long, she didn’t compromise herself at all. She is really a lovely woman, and certainly knows how to have fun (I do recall a certain Joy bringing the shots in at one point later on that night!). I would not hesitate in saying she is an absolute delight to know, always provides intelligent, witty banter, and is a really sincere person (her Joyous Acts only further agree with this).

The venue used for the event was The Vaults in Birmingham, a darling little place on the edge of the Jewellery Quarter. It is a beautiful Victorian building with a lot of history. I was first introduced to it be a close friend earlier this year, it is absolutely charming, with the booths, and corridor, and main bar – it has a certain ambience to it. I have heard the Restaurant is good too – cannot comment on that myself, I haven’t personally strayed from the bar! Definitely a place worth visiting, and the bar staff are charming also.

However the next day was a Wayfarer day, quelle horreur, vino eyes are awful!! Thankfully I wasn’t feeling too delicate, as I had a little trek to Oxford the next day. Everyone who knows me knows I am in love with Oxford, it is a beautiful city, and I am very fond of some people I know there. I had an amazing time, got to spend time with close friends, make new friends, and over all fun. Went to the o2 Academy Oxford that night, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (go check out), Annie Mac amongst other things – what more could you want? Was a generally debaucherous, and sick night. I didn’t get to sleep till some ridiculous time the next AM naturally, regardless was an excellent weekend.

I was rather sore the next day, and a tad worse for wear after a few days consecutively drinking, but my was it worth it. Thoroughly fun weekend, and met some excellent people over the course of it (a certain someone managed to put a giant smile on my face), and at The Vaults I got to meet a few people I have on Twitter – which is always an interesting experience ha. If you don’t follow me on Twitter you should rectify that immediately http://www.twitter.com/kaleidoscopeboy.

Right, I am off, it’s nearly half three in the morning, and I have things to do (oh, and I suppose I should throw some sleep in there too)!

The New Bright Young People

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The Bright Young People, a name attributed by the press to the young, wealthy, and fabulous socialites, and aristocrats in London during the 1920s (I was clearly born in the wrong decade!). They were some of the originals celebrities so to speak, they sparked tabloid scandals at the time unheard of (these days just look at OK! …enough said?) I don’t think at any point in recent history have a group of people ever been so excessive – excess is an understatement. Champagne brunches, cocktail lunches, treasure hunts at night through central London, gigantic ballroom affairs, the glitz, the glamour, fancy dress and all the stupendous moments of complete, and utter hedonism. It was fabulous times, and the Bright Young People may have only ruled London, but to them it felt they ruled the world. This fine group of affluent, ridiculous (ridiculous is a great quality to be), and fabulous people soon diminished in the fall out of world war – but their legacy survives to this day, and no I’m not on about Park Avenue Princesses.

What you didn’t think I could make this post without some Cecil Beaton photography did you? I love this photograph of the magnificent late Brooke Astor – a true icon to the world.

We (yes us) are the new Bright Young People. That may seem a bold statement to make, but it is a new age, we are in a new era. We are the conscientious Bright Young People, an evolution of ultimate hedonism to an almost philanthropic society. A logical progression, we care for the world, we have a conscience, and we act upon it. We still lunch when we can (preferably with lots of Veuve), wear our best clothes for no reason other than because we can (as if we need a reason!), and we sure as hell know how to have a good time. Not on the same scale as the original Bright Young People admittedly, but change is a positive thing. We are fabulous on a smaller scale, but we still incite the glamour, be it dressing up to go fetch groceries, or sipping dry martinis in hotel bars on the weekends. Patrick Balfour hasn’t got anything on us! After all, it’s not what you do, it’s how you do it – sometimes the thought can mean so much more than the action itself.

We may not be the jet set constantly off to St Moritz, or St Tropez, or own an army of Blahniks (just remember money doesn’t equate to class either!), but we’re a revolution – a generation of fashion conscientious, socially aware people who like to inject a bit of glamour into our everyday lives. Personality means so much more than money, if we had anyone’s money, we’d still be richer than them – we are rich in ways some people cannot begin to understand, or measure. Whilst we may not be drowning in Dom Pérignon (sadly), we are incredible in our own ways. We live our ordinary lives, but we still have the sparkle, and glamour. A darling friend of mine who we shall refer to as S, has proved to me, you can still be fabulous whilst doing the ironing – it is 2010 after all (anything is possible)! So here is to us, the beautiful new Bright Young People who own the world, not just London! We may not have a section in the tabloids, but we collectively make a positive difference to the world.

I’ve had a fabulous day, I had a fabulous, fabulous birthday lunch (I’m known for my lunching!) with some superlative friends – really enjoyed myself. I am truly lucky to be able to surround myself with such lovely people. Despite all this bitter weather we had had recently today was lovely, enjoyed lunched outside (even got a chance to wear RayBan Wayfarers )!

Remember life is what you make it, and we are the new Bright Young People. Or in the words of Mae West;

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

Wise words!

To Barbour, or to not Barbour, that is the question!

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That question has been on my mind for a while, and I think I’ve finally decided to Barbour! SO yes, the answer is to Barbour. The family owned company is over a 100 years old, and is an epitome of country side life. It was started by John Barbour in 1870, and since remains family owned, and has done nothing but thrive.

Never before have practicality, and style being so joined. The company states it’s core values as, “heritage, durability, fitness for purpose and attention to detail.” – it successfully meets all of these, and has become an iconic emblem of British fashion. It doesn’t have a Royal Appointment for nothing!

The most iconic Barbour item is it’s quilted jackets, they have barely changed in the past god knows how many years, why? …because they work, they are an unchanging classic. There is something about them that just works, and has inspired many a copy, to this day, look on the high street to designer brands, and you will find many replica Barbour esque jackets.

Ted Baker £130

Lavenham Barbour jacket
Lavenham £120

Topman Barbour jacket
Topman £80

Marks & Spencers £59.00

River Island £49.99

I love the Topman one, how it uses the style, but uses wool, as opposed to the more traditional nylon. I ordered the Ted Baker one online, it came in the post – just tried in on:

Me not looking overly attractive today in the Ted Baker Barbour jacket

Cannot say it really does it for me, it keeps trying to turn up at the bottom – which is irksome, so I shall be returning it.

Next time I hit Selfridges, I’ll check out the Barbour department, as I want a Barbour Barbour jacket! Not satisfied with an “esque”, I want the real thing. Perhaps the Mens Heritage Liddesdale Quilted Jacket? Not entirely sure on colour, or style yet – I shall have a browse.

Barbour – £99.50

The Barbour jacket is a classic to the extent it is not just a fad, not an impulsive buy you can only wear one Autumn/Winter – it’s the perfect jacket for years to come. A Barbour is never out of style, and if looked after should last years. It is well worth the investment, and if you Barbour jacket needs a spot of TLC, service is what Barbour are known for (they provide services for fixing/mending Barbour items).

The quilted jacket reminds me of the quilted Chanel 2.55, here’s a photo for the ladies (queue swooning, and pining):

Chanel 2.55 £1,200

It’s a gilet, gilet, gilet, gilet world

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Gilet (or body warmer for the slightly less articulate, or anal retentive…) madness is taking over, the gilet is no longer just for the countryside – city, by city, gilets are taking over England. Surviving the test of time, gilets are back, and possibly bigger than ever. Despite wanting one for the past few winters, I was apprehensive – this year I finally gave in, and purchased myself one, and it looks like everyone else has! There are a bit love, hate, but it’s undeniable they are back with force, and a good investment with the weather we have these days!

GENTLEMENS

Polo Ralph Lauren £295

Barbour gilet
Barbour £179

Jack Wills gilet
Jack Wills £98

Aubin & Wills gilet
Aubin & Wills £98

NEXT gilet
NEXT £45

Marks & Spencers gilet
Marks & Spencers £39.50

LADIES

Ralph Lauren £160

Jack Wills gilet
Jack Wills £98

Crew Clothing Co gilet
Crew Clothing Co £80

Joules gilet
Joules £55

Marks & Spencers gilet
Marks & Spencers £49.50

NEXT gilet
NEXT £45

There is a gilet for everyone’s taste, for men I am more a fan of the classic gilet. I purchased the Jack Wills one, it’s a reasonable price, good fit, and the detachable hood is convenient – oh, and did I mention the flannel lining is divinely warm?

For the ladies things get a tad more interesting, look at that gorgeous M&S one, right on the shearling trend this season, and that NEXT one looks very haute.

p.s. I got some new glasses the other day:

Mon anniversaire, Paul Smith Paisley, and Champagne Cocktails

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I haven’t updated in a while, simply because I have had massive site issues (thanks to my host they are now fixed, touch wood!), oh, and I’ve been busy – it has been my birthday after all. So yes, I am just that little bit older, wiser (I hope, but who am I kidding?), and apprehensive about the next year of my life. I had quite a respectful birthday, well respectful by my standards anyway (I am known for debauched behaviour…). It was a pleasant intimate affair with close friends – also got to catch up with some lovely people before hand at All Bar One, and Pub du Vin (especially my “twin” TT)!

En generale I am not a fan of birthdays, they remind me of how little I have achieved in my life so far, and make me think about things one shouldn’t think about. I suppose I find them quite depressing, and they make me feel awfully lonely. A Lorien that is lonely, is an awful Lorien indeed. I’m an affection parasite, I need affection, and love – but I suppose unlike a parasite I also have a lot of love to give. Guess no-one wants it hey?

We all know that moment in life when we finally get what we want, whether it be those Louboutins, you’ve painstakingly saved for, or just those few moments with that certain someone. Was it worth the hype, the anticipation, the saving, the preparing? Most of the time, yes, but sometimes it only leaves you wanting more, or wonder if that’s really what you wanted. I am having one of those moments, I got what I wanted, now it’s just left me feeling empty, and craving more. With, “more”, not in sight, I am admittedly at a bit of a loss uhm… I know what I want, but I don’t think I deserve it – guess I shall have to work on that one right? I am just tired of trying to make things happen, but I suppose I should be thankful, because when they do, they are quite special. If anything, I am just left dazed, and confused. Whilst I am cryptic blogging (I just cannot help myself), I might as well mention one thing I hate about social networking. You see things you don’t want to see, or know, and it can be quite upsetting. I guess I am just a bit emotionally fragile at the moment! Man up Lorien, I know right?

…Kaleidoscopic [kuh-lahy-duh-skop-ik]; essentially more, or less meaning ever changing. That is what life is, ever changing. It is what I am, what we all are; ever changing. Other than death, and taxes (sadly had to include that one) there are very few certainties in life. I am a kaleidoscopic boy in a kaleidoscopic world (better than a material girl I guess ha!). In such an uncertain life it is difficult to find a purpose, instinctively our main purpose is survival – but where do you go from there? Do you lead a conventional life of university qualifications, a semi detached house, a job behind a desk, maybe an estate car, a wife, or husband, perhaps even children? Or do you break the mould, and do things your way?

However I have come to the conclusion that it is not what you do that matters, it’s how you do it. Success does not always equate to happiness, I think many people forget that. They can go hand, in hand, but a lot of the time that’s not the case. Happiness has a lot to do with your attitude towards life, it is after all a state of mind. We all have our own versions of happiness, some of us are easily pleased, others I don’t think will ever be happy. Either way you have to learn to appreciate even the minutest things in your life, only that way can ever be truly, well even slightly content (now if only I could follow my own advice…).

I have made a tradition of getting a new shirt for my birthday courtesy of Daddy. The result is I drag him for hours around the city, going back, and forth between department stores, and boutiques much to his distress, trying things on, and generally taking my time – as I am quite fussy with my shirts, and then it’s awkward to find one that fits me well. Luckily I found one quite quick this year. It is a bit of a risk, but I fell in love with this loud PS by Paul Smith number.

It is a bit of a risk, yes, but I think it suits me, and I am sure I pull it off. I am a patterned fiend (stripes get a tad mediocre), and I love a spot of paisley! Love the colours in it too, it’s very fresh, and the paisley looks almost contemporary? Perfect fit too, one thing I love how Paul Smith – all my Paul Smith shirts are amazing fit (as if I haven’t gone on about Paul Smith enough in this blog ).

As you can see I wear it with the sleeves rolled up – I am just not a fan of long sleeves, and I like my arms free. It amazes me how something such as rolling your sleeves up can transform an outfit, it’s an instant progression from semi casual to formal in one swift move. It’s a little bit different, and a little bit crazy – but that’s just me (don’t pretend you don’t know I’m crazy). It is a very unique piece, with the print exclusive to Paul Smith, the only other time it is used is in some of the plain mainline Paul Smith shirt’s this season, as a swatch of print on the cuff.

So yes, I had a rather nice birthday, night out with close friends, and I made some bubbly cocktails before hand (naturally this is me after all)! Nothing like bubbly, wild hibiscus flower, and syrup, with Chambord, now is there?! Then the next night I had an intimate night in with some fine wine, and superlative company.

I am not feeling very attractive this week, not that I normally feel attractive on a normal week – but I am sure you get what I mean… just one of those weeks. Most of the time I look reasonable, but this week just seems to be an epic fail, but I haven’t been feeling very happy, and I’m sure that reflects in my looks too! I’m avoiding mirrors, and cheese cake just to be safe.

Right I’m off to sulk (notice only sulk, I don’t have time to fall apart, not today – I am a man on a mission (not sure what my mission is yet…)) on my chaise longue with my darling sugar glider Louis, and a book perhaps (probably my iPhone too, we’re inseparable you see). I leave you with a celebratory glass of Moët:

I’ve certainly had enough myself recently . Bisou!

It isn’t what I do, but how I do it. It isn’t what I say, but how I say it, and how I look when I do it and say it.
- Mae West

Lorien.Me

My affaire de cœur with life, fashion, and anything that may fascinate, or astound me.