CRÈME DE LA CRÈME: Low Cal Cocktails? Helllll-o

So it's no secret that LFW begins next week kick starting with Vogue's Fashion's Night Out tonight - I'll be in the scrum at the Chanel manicure booth as I want to test out the new denim colours! And I'll be sampling the free drinks of course, although I doubt anything will top the dee-licious LOW CAL Russian Standard Bloody Mary I had recently...

If you're more about Fashionable Nights In at the moment (what's with this windy weather?) then I don't blame you. Make your own canapés, get the cocktails flowing and invite your crew over. Here are some very sexy cocktail recipes to be enjoyed, indoors (or outdoors, weather permitting) with friends.

RSV Bloody Mary

How to make an RSV Bloody Mary
45 ml/1.5 fl oz Russian Standard
90 ml/3 fl oz Tomato juice
15 ml/0.5 fl oz Lemon juice
4 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
3 dashes Hot Sauce
Salt and pepper to taste - and of course celery!

Fountain of Youth

How to make a Fountain of Youth
35ml / 1.7 fl oz Russian Standard
40ml / 2 fl oz Pomegranate juice, freshly squeezed where available
20g / 0.7 oz thinly sliced ginger

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice, double strain and pour into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a piece of ginger, pass a mint leaf around the glass rim.

Gingertini
How to make a Gingertini
50 ml / 1.9 fl oz Russian Standard
15 ml / 0.5 fl oz Dry Vermouth
Lemon Twist
Slice of fresh ginger

Combine ingredients, including ginger, with crushed ice in a mixing glass. Stir well, strain and serve in a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with ginger.

x

CRÈME DE LA CRÈME: Texture Up

If you, like me, have spent the summer sporting light tennis dresses, bright pastels and feline sunglasses then prepare yourselves for a fashion 180. Autumn is intent on dowsing us in layers of heavy wool, sheer fabrics and detailing. Key word: texture. And it’s not just about the tactile materials but their composition as well.

Materials embellished with beads, studs and sequins as well as ornate brocade, chiffon and fur characterised the Autumn-Winter catwalks. Chanel employed a military and androgynous theme to its show, the models stomping down the runway in quilted jumpsuits, chunky wool knits and tweed jackets teamed with army boots to create a look that transcends the tailored, classic tweed suit of last season. In place of pastels, a variety of black, white and pewter greys flourished with a hint of burgundy and Christmas tree green.

The collections of Givenchy and Louis Vuitton were in a similar vein. The former showed structured translucent chiffon, adding velvet skirts, leather bombers and beautiful jewelled collars to the ensembles. The panther motif imprinted on the skirts encapsulated the fierce yet sophisticated dominatrix look evident throughout the collection. I can’t wait to see how these intricacies manifest themselves on the high street. Marc Jacobs had similar ideas for LV, with an abundance of layering and panelling. Knee high stockings under organza skirts, leather belts, embossed brocade blouses and sequined dresses adorned the catwalk.

Miu Miu, a personal favourite of mine, employed the same techniques of mixing materials yet in a subtler way, creating a more feminine look which harks back to the 1940s. The silhouettes were sleek yet intricate texture remained prevalent: embellished flowers, velvet shoulder pads and mink cummerbunds decorated the pieces. I particularly loved the chunky glittery shoes, and I will definitely be drawing my inspiration come Autumn from this elegant collection.

And we're back...

I've been prancing around South America for 4 months on buses and boat - Sophie T has been living the high life of a young profesh in LDN.

Sorry for the hiatus. We're back in the loop now!!

XOXO

Notice. Period.

The notice period is a time of mixed emotions.

Since handing in my resignation I have felt ecstatic, relieved, weird, nervous, excited, fidgety. My boredom levels have reached new heights whilst my work ethos has drooped like a deflated balloon. I can’t possibly pretend I need to go to the post room anymore. So I do this instead.

my 2011

Happy New Year!