Monthly Archives: January 2011

Some like it sweet

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So it’s approaching another time of year particularly productive for the retail industry. An occasion I have mixed feelings about, but an occasion notwithstanding my mixed feelings. The annual event was established in 500 AD by Pope Gelasius I, and is of course St. Valentine’s Day (after the Christian Martyr Valentine) – mostly shortened to just Valentine’s Day. Despite it’s origins Valentine’s Day doesn’t really hold any religious connections, or connotations anymore – Hallmark took over! Ha.

I don’t think the commercialisation of it makes it any less of an occasion. It is a time of love, and admiration (yes that includes self love, and admiration!). A lot of people love Valentine’s day when they are in a relationship, however when they are not avoid it like a plague. Despite not been in a relationship I like to see it as a positive thing, a time to think of those in my life who I care about, and those who care about me. Most importantly, it’s an excuse to treat (I love the word treat, if you hadn’t noticed…) myself to a few delights, I mean no-one else is going to right? So why not?!

What better way to treat one self, or someone else, than with some fine confectionary, or chocolates, and a spot of rosé champagne?

…well maybe throw in some cream cakes, and macarons, and then we are talking – this is getting a bit Sofie Coppola’s Marie Antoinette.


Charbonnel et Walker Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles

Charbonnel et Walker Crèmes Parisiennes

My particular favourite when it comes to confectionary, and chocolate just happens to be Charbonnel et Walker. I simply love their champagne truffles, and who doesn’t love crèmes parisiennes? It is simply confectionary at it’s finest.

Despite a few troubles along the way, (the original company went into liquidation in 1894) the name Charbonnel et Walker today is still synonymous with taste, grandeur, and extravagance. Throughout it’s history, the company has had Royal correlations, and to this day holds a Royal appointment/warrant (if it’s good enough for the Monarchy, it’s good enough for me!).

Established as Britain’s Master Chocolatiers since 1875, encouraged by King Edward VII who was the then Prince of Wales, the chocolatier, and confectionary house was established on the famous Bond Street, London (it now resides on Old Bond Street in the Royal Arcade, not far from the original premises). Seeing as it is 2011, and all, you can order direct from their website http://www.charbonnel.co.uk/ – you will also find department stores such as Selfridges, and House of Fraser stock Charbonnel et Walker in their food courts.

The companies’ chocolate manufacturing is done in Royal Tunbridge Wells, and it is all hand made. As you probably know I am a fan of things manufactured in this country – we should be proud of our industry, and support it as much as we can.

“Never expect people to treat you any better than you treat yourself.”

- Bo Bennett

I leave you with a picture I snapped on Monday morning (it’s not all that often I am up when it’s still dark unless I haven’t slept yet, so I had to obviously commemorate the occasion):

p.s. Whilst gin may be known as a Woman’s ruin, I am seriously thinking whisky is becoming a Lorien’s ruin – however I am massively enjoying it.

It’s a fish eat foot world

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So yes it’s been a while yet again since my last blog (not too bad though right? ;) ), I have worked at keeping myself busy. It’s the only way to stop me from losing it ha, I kid (or do I). However it is nice to keep oneself busy I think. I did however have a treat earlier on in the week when I went with Mother for a Garra Rufa fish pedicure. It was something I had wanted to do for a while.

The Garra Rufa (known as Doctor fish… doesn’t sound as good in my opinion) is a small fish which originates from Turkey, they have been used for years for their medicinal properties when it comes to skin (it is particularly good for those with skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and general hard skin). They are used to remove dead skin, it doesn’t hurt as they do not have teeth, only mouths therefore they can only use suction.

Sounds a bit gross right little fishies eating the dead skin from your feet? Well it’s all the rage, and slowly is taking England by storm. Quite late in adopting the practice, slowly city, by city the Garra Rufa fish pedicure is taking over here in Britain. The first one came to Sheffield in 2010, and since they are gradually spreading like wild fire. I believe even some branches of Selfridges have them, according to my sources (aka Twitter, so don’t quote me on that!).

I had wanted to try it for a while after seeing it in other cities, however it has only just reached my locality. I would say over all it is a far better experience than I anticipated.. I have quite ticklish feet, and I had heard it tickles – so as you can imagine I was a tad apprehensive (rightfully so). Once I got my head around the idea of fish sucking off the dead skin on my feet, I was ready to go.

I went to a local salon in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire. The salon had only just introduced it THAT day literally, and is the first in the Wyre Forest area to adopt the practice. The salon I went to is Room 7 (http://www.room7salon.com/), a small yet superlative family ran salon. Very professional service at affordable, competitive prices. My Mother goes there regularly for her Calgel nails, massages, Silhouette Dermalift facials, and other such beauty/holistic practices. The salon is meticulously clean, has a very nice friendly welcoming atmosphere, and a certain ambience that is just right. I have been there a few times myself prior for things such as spray tans, and I can say they have never let me down. Thoroughly recommended to any one in the Wyre Forest area that needs a spot of pampering!

After preparing for the treatment by having my feet cleansed, and been briefed on what to do; my feet were in the tank! At first it tickled, and I was giggling like no one’s business, however I quickly adjusted, and before long I was relaxing to a pleasant tingling sensation of the fish on my feet. It is quite a hard feeling to describe, but over all it is pleasant.

The fifteen minutes flew by, and before I knew it the time had come to say goodbye to my little fishy friends. Yes I said fishy friends. In that small time I went from “ew fish!”, to thinking of them with the utmost endearment, and considering pet names for them. Afterwards I had my feet moisturised, and I have to say… my feet felt amazing (they still do!). It wasn’t just the bottom of the feet, the top, and sides feel fantastic.

I wouldn’t say I have particularly hard skinned feet, or anything. In fact I am quite fortunate to have quite decent feet, especially for a man – even Jade (part of the family team that run Room 7) commented what nice feet I had for a man! Ha. Instantly my feet felt great, I spent that night in bed rubbing my feet together – so soft, and smooth!

It is definitely an experience I would recommend, even if you don’t have problematic feet! It’s worth it for the experience alone, it’s truly relaxing, and your feet will instantly feeling amazing afterwards! Besides, who doesn’t need a spot of pampering once in a while? I say go for it.

Cannot believe I shared a photograph of my feet, queue a million foot fetish porn site spam comments…

Drafted this blog post on my iPad (I love it!) when I was in Pret a Manager with a latte… I am in a really good mood today, had a terrific day :D (not often you hear that eh?). Right just a short entry, as I am tres tired time for me to get some well needed rest before the weekends antics unroll (bring it on!).

I leave you with a Vesper Martini (I think we’ve established I like my martinis strong), because it’s the weekend, and I’m nice like that:

“One martini is all right, two is two many, three is not enough.”

- James Thurber

p.s. Thank you for making the Facebook “fan” page reach over 100 members (101 as I type). If you aren’t a fan…. Sort it out! http://www.facebook.com/lorien.me.

One of a kind

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It’s been a long week, I apologise in advance that this entry is a tad disjointed, and inarticulate – but I must confess my mind is else where. Nothing a few cocktails tomorrow won’t solve I’m sure (I need a martini!), I am quite certain there is some medicinal quality to cocktails…

I have a confession to make. Nothing too exciting, just one of the fashion kind… This feels like a sin, but here goes; I want a OnePiece jumpsuit. It’s certainly a controversial product. It is comfort over style, and a lot of people really don’t like them – I can see why. However there are some moments in my life where I think it would be absolutely perfectly. For example the morning after an extremely debauched night out, I am going to be a little worse for wear, perhaps massively hung over – you get the picture. The last thing I want is to be uncomfortable. It would be great to just be able to throw on a OnePiece jumpsuit, instantly be in comfort, and clothed. It isn’t something I would really wear out, save journeys where no one is going to see me ha! They are a novelty, and I would love one to lounge in at home (as comfortable as my Ralph Lauren pyjama bottoms are…). They are not particularly aesthetically pleasing, but there is something about them – the lack of fashion conformity perhaps, and the massive comfort factor that just works. Would you wear a OnePiece?

OnePiece jumpsuits

So how exactly did these glorified pyjamas become such a phenomenon? I really don’t know! The Norwegian brand started one lazy Sunday morning in 2007, and has since gradually started to take the world by storm. Combining the comforts of sweatpants, and a hoodie into one garment, that resembles a baby grow – crazy right? Well it hasn’t stopped the likes of Kate Moss, and David Beckham, who have both been spotted in a OnePiece.

I am not normally one for leisure esque wear, but the OnePiece just appeals to me. We cannot be turned on all the time, and looking great – we all need down time for comfort, and rejuvenation. When I get home it’s nice to throw off my trousers, kick off my patent Kurt Geigers, rip off my shirt, and find myself in a perfect hedonistic state. It is the perfect garment just to throw on around the house, sure they look a little look a little street, but when you are home who cares? It is instant cotton comfort!

So if anyone wants to purchase a OnePiece for me, please do, http://www.onepiece.co.uk/onepiece-marius-navy-p-2538.html. I am loving this one with a spot of fair isle patterning on it! You can even buy them from Harrods.

I have been working on my New Years ‘resolutions’ lately. I have decided not to just have one, because I cannot think of just one thing in particularly that I would like to resolve to achieve in 2011. I have decided to have different short term goals through out the year, i.e. weekly, or every so many weeks, and some on going long term goals. That way I still get some instant gratification, and yet still have harder resolutions which will require more work. I think resolutions are very important, it doesn’t matter when you make them – they shouldn’t be made just at New Years. Goals are essential in life, and are essential to our development, and fulfilment in life, and we should be demonstrative of this in life. Without goals we wouldn’t get anywhere in life. After all you don’t get something out of life by doing nothing (well you don’t tend to!). What are your New Years resolutions?

“Destiny is for losers. It’s just a stupid excuse to wait for things to happen instead of making them happen.”

- Blair Waldorf

They don’t all have to be ground breaking, or particularly epic. For example one of my goals was quite neanderthal. I wanted to learn how to play the game solitaire. Don’t ask me how I have survived thus far in life without playing solitaire in my life, however it did not take me long, and I can now play solitaire. I don’t think in this day, and age there are particularly many excuses for ignorance with all the resources available to us. Thus I always try, and find out something, if I am not sure about it – after all knowledge is power, or so it is said.

One of my resolutions, which is a long term one – not an instant fix sadly. Is that I am trying to not let insignificant things bother me as much as they do. Lately I seem to be letting things disproportionately upset me, and I’m really over that. I guess I need to keep myself busy, and continually work at it. I endeavour to keep you updated with some of my resolutions, new ones, progression, and when I complete them.

Partly my own fault for having such high expectations in life, and in people. People do really seem to astound me lately though I must admit, and not in a good way. I seem to constantly be let down, so I’m trying not to expect anything from anyone…

“What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person.”

- John Green

Right, it’s Friday evening, break out the gin because the weekend is finally here! I’m off. Have a great one.

Mulberry Monday

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I hope you all had sufficiently debauched Christmases, and New Years? I know I did! Holidays are great, fun times with friends, and family, eating far too much great food, drinking too much fine wine, and just generally succumbing to sloth… it’s great whilst it lasts.

Received a little Mulberry treat I ordered for myself after Christmas today (well I need to buy myself at least one Christmas present right?), so I am declaring today Mulberry Monday. Now if only every Monday started with a delivery from Mulberry! The highlight of my morning was waiting for the UPS courier to knock on the door. I literally ripped the big white box out of his hands, manically scrawled my signature, and clutched my precious cargo against my chest as I took it inside to be opened (everyone knows part of the fun is opening new purchases!).

Mulberry card bag
Inside Mulberry card bag
Mulberry dust bag

Now wasn’t that exciting? Okay, well probably not – but I love a spot of packaging (especially such beautiful packaging). I get excited by ripping open large white boxes, pulling out a paper bag, untying the ribbon on bags, breaking the plastic seals, rummaging through fancy paper, pulling out a dust bag, and then finally examining my treasure.

Mulberry iPad case

Isn’t it beauitful? Well, I think so anyway. I am very content with it – in fact it is on my lap as I type this at my iMac. It is the Mulberry Simple iPad Sleeve in Oak Natural leather (I got an iPad for Christmas for those thinking, wait why do you have that?), just in case you are staring at the photograph thinking… errr what is it? Simple, yet elegant with it’s lovely colouring, and understated usage of the Mulberry logo. I love leather, the way it ages, and becomes beautifully worn. I also ordered a Mulberry iPhone sleeve in Oak Natural leather too, however due to a ‘stock problem’ Mulberry could not meet that part of my order (what a shame! :( ), and promptly refunded me for it – maybe I’ll get one when they are next in stock uhm… I really had to stop myself buying a Mulberry bag, they are beautiful – however I do not need another bag. One day I will get myself a Mulberry bag, I just cannot justify it right now.

I absolutely adore Mulberry. I’m not sure whether it’s the classic designs, the beautiful Postman locks, the squeal inducing perfect shades of hand finished leather, or the sheer chic ness of the brand. Every time I go on the Mulberry website (or app on my iPad/iPhone) I really have to restrain myself, I avoid Mulberry stores because I know it would be absolutely lethal to go in. Established in 1971 in rural Somerset Mulberry sought to combine ‘the craft of the countryside’, and ‘the cool of the city’, this interesting juxtaposition just works, and today Mulberry is arguably a big contender in the market. It is one of the few luxury brands to boast the majority of it’s production takes place in Britain – which I think is positively excellent, more things should be made in Britain.