Tag Archives: Birmingham

Lorien Loves Lanvin Trainers

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Some of the best things in life come in blue boxes. For instance Tiffany & Co’s robin egg blue, Smythson’s nile blue and in this case Lanvin’s forget-me-not blue. Founded by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889, Lanvin is France’s oldest ‘maison de couture’. Today Lanvin is under the creative control of Alber Elbaz and Lucas Ossendrijver and is still one of the best fashion houses in the world.

I have a confession to make. I have an ‘e-savings’ account to help me save up for things I want; it helps with my terrible self discipline. I transfer any spare money over and when I am ready to make a fashion purchase I transfer the amount back into my current account to buy whatever I have my eye on. I find this helps me balance my money better and realise how much I am spending. Well it works for me . So seeing as my ‘e-savings’ account had reached a certain figure I decided to buy myself something off my wishlist; Lanvin trainers.

Lanvin trainers

Lanvin’s trainers have gained quite a cult following and it is easy to see why. Somehow they encapsule the perfect balance of smart and casual. Team them with some tailoring, or with your favourite pair of jeans and you are good to go. I picked my pair up from Harvey Nichols Birmingham. I was served by Mark (thank you) who is consistently one of the most helpful sales associates I have ever encountered (and patient – I did spend a long time discussing pretty much every shoe there). The hardest decision was which Lanvin ones to get; most people get the suede and patent leather toe cap combinations. I opted for this textured suede pair and coated toe cap pair as they are a little more unusual and I rather like the colour combination. Lanvin trainers make the perfect stylish yet comfortable shoe which is perfect for this transitional season weather.

Lanvin trainers

Food: Sunday Lunch at Aalto, Hotel La Tour

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The best part of Sundays? …no one will judge you if you dine out for lunch. Sundays I usually find myself in Birmingham lunching and it is these little indulgent lunches that really round off an excellent (or not so in some cases) weekend and leave me feeling ready to take on a new week. Lets face it you are not exactly going to find me at a ‘Toby Carvery’ but one of the many things I love about Birmingham is it has a wealth of quality food establishments which are exceedingly good value. Hotel La Tour invited me to try their Sunday lunch menu at their restaurant Aalto – which was very fortunate for me as they were next on my list of places to try for Sunday lunch anyway.

I have probably commented on this before but one thing in particular I adore about Hotel La Tour is the welcoming atmosphere. Hotel La Tour encompasses both sophistication and a warmth which a lot of high end hotels lack and it is this ambience which conduces to an outstanding experience. Hotel La Tour still has that edge of formality but the way in which it operates with attention to detail (and to individual customers) makes it all very personal at the same time.

My starter: Dorset crab with apple salad and croutons

My main: Roasted sirloin of beef, Yorkshire pudding and gravy

My dessert: Chocolate tart with vanilla ice cream

The Sunday lunch menu is 2 courses for £18.00 or the very tempting 3 courses for £24.00 (I know which I would go for). Which for food of that quality and a city centre luxury hotel is extremely great value. There were six starters, six mains and six desserts to choose from – so there really is something for everyone.

I found the Dorset crab particularly mouthwatering, the apple salad really complemented it well and the apple really bought out the flavour of the crab. The serving size was decent for a starter and actually surprisingly quite filling. When it came to mains despite some other very tempting options I was swayed by the traditional beef roast; I mean who does not love a proper Sunday roast? Well apart from vegetarians I suppose… Aalto do justice to the roast; the beef was perfectly pink and check out those Yorkshire puddings! Despite finding myself very full by this point I still had to have a dessert (naturally) and much to my amazement I finished every morsel of the gorgeous chocolate tart. I thought at first perhaps it might be a bit rich from looking at it; but I found it went down easily and had a certain fluffiness to it. In my opinion it is worth eating at Aalto just for the chocolate tart alone. I may or may not have washed this down with some Italian wine…

The staff as always were very attentive. Hotel La Tour, Alvah (the bar) and Aalto are some of my favourite haunts in the city centre – particularly on Friday nights for champagne, cocktails and bar snacks (you MUST try Hotel La Tour’s gourmet take on the Welsh rarebit) with the best friend. So if you are thinking of somewhere to go this Sunday for lunch, go on treat yourself – you will not regret it!

Hotel La Tour
Albert Street
Birmingham
B5 5JT

0121 718 800

Shopping: Marc by Marc Jacobs Bag

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No great stories begin with ‘and I left my debit card at home’ (at least none of the fashion kind) and so it was earlier today armed with my debit card I found myself in Harvey Nichols Birmingham stroking a lonely looking Marc by Marc Jacobs bag. After much deliberation – okay I lie, about five minutes I decided that the aforementioned bag needed to come home with me (yes it really needed to) and so I handed over my debit card and jubilantly walked off to dinner clutching a Harvey Nichs bag containing my new baby.

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This bag is by Marc by Marc Jacobs; a diffusion line by Marc Jacobs which was started in 2001 and has since become a style staple for the modern man. The bag is made from high quality Italian leather and has a great full grain to it and it has the signature ‘M’ across the front flap as well as a little leather plaque detailing embossed with ‘Marc by Marc Jacobs’. It has a single leather handle as well as a cotton strap with leather components. When you lift the front flap there is a pocket and the zipped internal main compartment which has three slip pockets. The hardware is brushed brass and the brand name is on the zip pull. It is a very spacious and versatile bag, I think I will find myself using it a lot for work – very practical and stylish.

The back of my MBMJ bag

My Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, under the flap

What do you think? Are you a fan of Marc Jacob’s MBMJ diffusion line? Have you bought a new bag lately? Tell me about it!

Christmas Afternoon Tea at Hotel La Tour

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An afternoon devoted to the pursuit of indulgence is a perfect afternoon if you ask me. So naturally when Hotel La Tour invited me to try their new seasonal Christmas afternoon tea of course I reluctantly obliged (okay not reluctantly at all) and dragged my friend John Dalziel with me. Hotel La Tour is a 4 star hotel in Birmingham city centre situated a stone’s throw away from Selfridges and is fast becoming one of my favourite places to go in Birmingham whether it be for a coffee in their more casual Café Ezra, dinner in their formal restaurant Aalto or chilled out cocktails and champagne in their bar Alvar. The hotel prides itself on being a modern venue with a classic atmosphere and unlike most venues which claim such Hotel La Tour actually delivers.

Christmas Afternoon Tea at Hotel La Tour Birmingham

I adore afternoon tea (I have had it twice before at the hotel) and Hotel La Tour’s seasonal interpretation only added to it. As well as the traditional smoked salmon, ham and mustard finger sandwiches there is the delectable addition of cranberry and brie (always a winner in my eyes) – which were quickly consumed over a glass of mulled wine and sips of earl grey tea. One of the more peculiar but brilliant touches is the addition of miniature ‘pigs in blankets’ with a mustard dip; to me pigs in blankets will always remind me of Christmas as a child and I must admit this nostalgic touch made me smile.

The scones were particularly light and fluffy, far too moreish when consumed with slathers of strawberry jam and clotted cream however I always find the sweets at the bottom the most exciting part of any afternoon tea. The highlight for me had to be the miniature cranberry flavoured eton mess meringues which were covered in metallic edible glitter so that they resemble a Christmas bauble. I am not usually one for Christmas cake but to not be a spoil sport I did try it and found it pleasantly quite moist and tasty. The chocolate yule log masquerading as a Christmas pudding was particularly another favourite of mine – it was perfectly rich and I am always a sucker for anything chocolate. I found the mandarin tart provided a great contrast to the other desserts and had a distinctive delightful orange taste and the white marshmallows on top complimented it perfectly.

If you are in Birmingham over December or heading to the German Christmas markets I highly recommend popping in for Christmas afternoon tea or even a chilled eggnog!

Hotel La Tour
Albert Street
Birmingham
B5 5JT

0121 718 800

A Month in Snapshots VII

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I have had a bit of a blog hiatus lately, however I am back! …and what better way to come back than with my latest installment in my A Month in Snapshot; where I show you what I have been up to lately with a collated selection of iPhone ‘snapshots’ from my Instagram account (my username on there is @kaleidoscopeboy if you want to follow me on there).

From the first world problem of deciding what shoes to wear to a party (Louboutin won naturally), to hot chocolates on the King’s Road, drinks out on the town in Birmingham, Starbuck’s red cups, Charbonnel et Walker treats, strolls down Harborne high street, wearing a polyester bodysuit (only on Halloween ), going to Cartier to buy my love ring, Friday nights drinking port, H&M’s Maison Martin Margiela collaboration, the delights of a wedding, espresso martinis, consuming far too much food at dinner parties, lunch reservations in town, cuddling in front of the fire in my favourite cashmere jumper, shopping until my wrists are sore from bags, toast the roast at Malmaison, Chanel’s Little Black Jacket exhibit at the Saatchi gallery, scoffing macaroons (always), afternoon tea at Hotel La Tour twice, cheeky catch ups over Moët in the Selfridges Birmingham gallery, spending time with my Grandma, skipping through leaves (okay not skipping, but I wanted to haha), reacquainting myself with my winter wardrobe, avoiding rain and just generally reminding myself why I love life.

I never thought I would say it but I am rather looking forward to Christmas. Yes the c-word! The festive bug has hit…

What have you been up to lately?

A Month in Snapshots VI

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I am becoming increasing alarmed at how quickly this year is going; and even more alarmed that this is my sixth monthly snapshot post. The past few weeks it has noticeably become more Autumnal with leaves falling all about, the temperatures dropping slightly and for the first time in a long time it has been cold enough to dip into my knitwear and coats (much to my joy). We have also had a fair bit of rain (well I guess this IS England) – it seems I re-stocked up on Collonil just in time.

It was my birthday yesterday and I had a lovely meal at Fusion Brasserie in Worcestershire with my family – I really recommend it to any fans of Italian cuisine. I will be celebrating that a little more this weekend with more champagne and carnage no doubt… I would like to thank my friends and family for my birthday wishes, gifts and generally making my day rather pleasant.

I love to eat out, food is one of my preferred indulgences. I eat out quite a lot particularly on the weekends and the past few weeks have been no different. Particular dining highlights in the past month include; Fusion Brasserie (as mentioned above) in Worcestershire, Bodega in Birmingham (an old favourite!), Sabai Sabai in Harborne (great value tasty Thai cuisine), Hummus Bros in Soho (a unique concept based around you guessed it; hummus), The Orrery in Marylebone (I loved the dressed dorset crab and parfait foie gras) and Hotel La Tour‘s restaurant Aalto in Birmingham (the char-grilled pork chop is sublime).

Now for my adventures lately… where to begin? Of course the usual debauched nights out in London and Birmingham, gin flowing, champagne bubbling, steak at 5 am, avoiding the rain and having a gossip whilst soaking up culture in The National Gallery, shopping along Sloane Street and Knightsbridge, inspirational comments on toilet doors in nightclubs, frowing at Style Birmingham Live with Shopping in Birmingham (and it’s MANY after parties), catch ups over Moët Rosé with one of my best friends, further adventures at BMAG, discussing french and etymology with a certain someone, going to see The Perks of Being a Wallflower in cinema (really recommend), drinking champs with excellent company at Mile High in Marco Pierre White Birmingham’s Laurent Perrier bar, running around Birmingham in Louboutins, having tea in an Edwardian tea room and just generally loving life.

There is a change in the air and it is a good one…

So tell me what have you been up to lately then? Comment below!

A Month in Snapshots V

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Has it really been five months since I first started doing these monthly snapshot posts? Apparently so… It is fascinating how so much can change in five months and how much everything despite this manages to stay the same – for better or worse I suppose. This month I have tried to push myself out of my comfort zone a lot more than usual and the results have been mixed however the experience priceless. One thing I have definitely realised is despite the highs and lows life is truly beautiful.

I have cavorted around Madrid in the sunshine drowning myself in gin, tasted wine and port at Loki in Birmingham, spent far too many nights out in central London, enjoyed late summer sun with champagne and friends, replaced morning coffee with espresso martinis and eggs benedict at Bank Birmingham, stayed in a hotel resembling a mental institution, found myself on the Kings Road quite a lot, been to the touring Pharaoh: King of Egypt exhibition at BMAG, leisurely walked around Notting Hill playing at being a tourist (such a beautiful part of London), got nostalgic over ice cream, saw far too many sunrises (not from waking up early either), been told the life story of far too many taxi drivers, danced in a nightclub ‘pool’ in my pants, clambered over scaffolding at ridiculous A.M., found myself far too excited over truffles in the Harrods’ confectionary hall, cuddled up in bed on colder evenings wrapped in cashmere with my Kindle and chocolates and met a lot of new wonderful people.

So what have you been up to the past month?

A Month in Snapshots III

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That time again already? Apparently so! I cannot believe how quickly this year is going. So this is my edit of the past month in Instagram snapshots – as always feel free to follow me on Instagram (my username on there is kaleidoscopeboy).

This month I have made the effort to be more spontaneous, and I have said ‘yes’ when I perhaps before would have said ‘no’. There is something about being outside your comfort zone, and just going for things that I feel develops you as a person. Biting the bullet, and just going for it once in a while really makes you feel alive.

A lot of last minute trips to London town, frolics in Paris, Givenchy moments, running around in Jimmy Choos, Lovebox festival, scoffing my face at Ladurée, cocktails in Birmingham with one of my best friends, watching the sun set on the balcony at home, champagne at Dean Street Townhouse, adventures in Knightsbridge, Bayswater, drinks in Pimlico, lunch, and breakfast in Clapham, moments in Notting Hill and fun in Fulham (I like to mix it up), catch ups at Euston with a certain blonde, dinner at Malmaison Birmingham, and many exciting things on the horizon.

Malmaison Birmingham

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Nestled in the trendy hot spot of Birmingham city centre that is the Mailbox, opposite Harvey Nichols Birmingham (great for a post shopping cocktail!) is Malmaison’s Birmingham branch. It is a bit of an old favourite haunt to me, and where I first fell in love with my favourite cocktail; the Vesper martini. It is one of my go to restaurants, bars, and hotels. I love the Malmaison chain, and their quirky playful contemporary styling. I have stayed, drank, and lunched at Malmaison many times over the past few years – I love the Mal Burger.

So when Malmaison Birmingham invited me to stay with them, and attend their European wine dinner with Johnny Walker (who is the director of wine, and spirits for Malmaison) I jumped at the chance. Last Friday I checked myself into my spacious chic room at Malmaison, and relaxed before throwing on my Jimmy Choos, and heading down to dinner.

I took my friend Tom with me, and we were greeted by canapés, and glasses of Balfour Brut Rose (the closest thing England has to it’s own champagne). The atmosphere was chilled, and sophisticated. The conversation intelligent (mainly, and absolutely hilarious), the different wines flowing, and the food was delicious. Our host Johnny Walker (not to be mistaken for the whisky haha) talked us through the six different wines we had, and I actually found it quite an informative, and an interesting evening. It added a complete different element to actually know in depth about what I was drinking.

The five course menu was a perfect mix for the taste buds with terrine of smoked salmon with crème fraîche, pan fried guinea fowl with confit leg risotto, and cranberry jus, a good measure of Elmhirst, and Wigmore followed by the tantalisingly sweet Tokaji poached peaches with biscuit cuillere. Followed of course with some strong coffee before more drinks. Excuse the iPhone quick snapshots, I was enjoying myself far too much to consider any ‘serious’ photography.

Terrine of smoked salmon with crème fraîche at Malmaison Birmingham

Pan fried guinea fowl with confit leg risotto at Malmaison Birmingham

Tokaji poached peaches with biscuit culler at Malmaison Birmingham

As for the wines we continued with the Balfour Brut Rose, moved onto whites with some Friendly Grüner Veltliner, another white wine which I have sadly forgotten the name of, then onto the reds with Erse Etna Rosso, Chateauneuf du Pape La Bastide Saint Dominique, and naturally Royal Tokaji Late Harvest as a dessert wine. Quite a mix! My favourite was the Balfour Brut Rose, but I am drawn to anything sparkling, followed by the Etna Rosso which was lovely, and light, oh, and I have quite a sweet tooth for which the Royal Tokaji hit the spot. Afterwards I somehow ended up in the Malmaison bar… needless to say the next day I hit the Malmaison restaurant for breakfast, and coffee with my old favourite; Eggs Benedict.

Thank you Malmaison Birmingham for having me, and especially Zara for inviting me! x

Balenciaga iPhone and iPad case

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One of my favourite parts of owning technology is dressing it. I am a fiend for cases for my electronic devices. I do not like to limit myself to just one case. You do not limit yourself to just one pair of shoes do you now, so why should your tech pieces share the same fate? I like to have a few so that I can mix, and match as required.

When I was in Selfridges Birmingham earlier today I decided to buy the Balenciaga Tablet iPad case in black, and the matching iPhone case; the Balenciaga smart phone pouch. Balenciaga’s designer Nicolas Ghesquière is responsible for the sophisticated understated style that is represent of Balenciaga.

Balenciaga Smart Phone Pouch/iPhone case

What I love most about these two item is they have the best parts of Balenciaga DNA; the hardware, the tassels, the buckles, the zips, and the stupendously soft lambskin leather that Balenciaga is famous for. The demure nature of Balenciaga pieces appeals to me greatly – unless you know the brand you would not know it was Balenciaga. The only place either item say Balenciaga is subtly on the inside. You can really feel that the leather is high quality with both pieces made in Italy.

Matching Balenciaga iPhone, and iPad case

Lorien.Me

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

Tag Archives: Birmingham

Lorien Loves Lanvin Trainers

Food: Sunday Lunch at Aalto, Hotel La Tour

Shopping: Marc by Marc Jacobs Bag

Christmas Afternoon Tea at Hotel La Tour

A Month in Snapshots VII

A Month in Snapshots VI

A Month in Snapshots V

A Month in Snapshots III

Malmaison Birmingham

Balenciaga iPhone and iPad case