Marshall Society: Winter Ball 2011

Ah, the end of Michaelmas term is nigh and the beginning of the end-of-term celebrations kicked off with the Marshall Society Winter Ball.

The Marshall Society is the economics society and obviously one would expect it to be both in budget and really spectacular just because economists can budget well and understand the value of things, right*...? :P

*Alas, we learn about the smoothing of consumption over the life-cycle. Basically, this means that we should borrow against future income when we're students to spend on things now because it makes us happier. Sounds like a great idea to me!

Unfortunately I missed the start of the Ball because I went to a Bankers' Skills session (not the most useful thing I've ever been to considering that it was uber basic and I knew most of it) but I'm sure I didn't miss out on the fun ^_~

Yummy!

Black + white = <3
I really liked the chiffon ribbon at the back of each chair to the extent that I may have turned into a ribbon thief that night

There was an open bar that I was fairly quick to take advantage of (but NOT abuse :P) and the magician was MAGIC! I was in awe of how he managed to do what he did! Other activities included the salsa (which was an absolutely fail for me) and Truly Medley Deeply - probably my favourite act ever. And to think, they were performing in the Trinity May Ball 2010 queue (as in, to entertain the guests as they queued up) but secured a spot on our main stage in 2011 (albeit at some random time in the early hours of the morning)...who knows how successful they'll become? :D

In terms of outfit selection, I went for a pleated, wide-leg, halterneck jumpsuit for a more casual take on the dress code (not sure if it was black tie!). It certainly kept my legs warm :D

Jumpsuit - Lipsy (from asos) | Belt - charity shop | Coral-shaped necklace - Kara Ross | Black pumps - KG by Kurt Geiger

Faaabulous, darh-ling! The jumpsuit was so practical - it even included an opaque body to prevent excess exposure xD

All in all, a faaabulous time was had - although I discovered a massive chocolate stain down one leg when I got home: this must've been from the chocolate fountain (which I abused) - d'oh!


MW x

PS - nothing particularly silly, just something fun:

No poles were hurt in the taking of this photo.

Uno Michelin Star: Numero Deux

Sometimes, even I am in awe of how lucky I am.

(about a month ago...)

MW: Boyf, it's your birthday nexy weekend... Where do you wanna go to eat? I'll pay :) *MW secretly hopes that it won't be too posh for her student budget*
Boyf: I dunno MW, you choose.
MW: Hmm...
Boyf: BTW, don't be silly, I'll pay.
MW: Woohoo~

Hence, I landed on:
Aspleys, a Heinz Beck restaurant (one Michelin star) chez le luxury 5* Lanesborough hotel.

We booked for Friday as there was a fixed price meal deal on and it was just the sparkliest and most extravagant hotel/restaurant I have ever been to.

When I buy a house, I want chandeliers in my dining room!

Even though it was supposed to be a three-course meal, each meal had a "Chef's surprise" amuse-bouche. It was certainly a very welcome surprise!

A mini burger with pate instead of beef - yum! The contrasting textures were just incredible, and the little cubes of carrot were actually carrot puree - a lot better than cooked carrot cubes but I found it a little excessive xD

Then, proper starters: home-made melt-in-mouth pasta with bitter asparagus and mackerel salad. The pasta was just beautiful - didn't look particularly appetising but don't judge a meal by it's colour combo!

A mixture of breads. The paper thin crisp bread was delicious. I had so many helpings of it.

Then, another chef's surprise before the main. BUT I FORGOT TO PHOTOGRAPH IT and have since forgotten what it was... (This was about 3 weeks ago...)
Nevermind, our mains were: scallop and saffron risotto (fact of the day: saffron is more expensive than gold) and an Iberian pig shoulder with pig suckling wrapped in bacon (ie. lots of different parts of a pig piled ontop of each other xD)

The scallops were the sweetest things I've ever had. Seriously orgasmic. Such a pity there was only 2 :(

This is the second time we've had pig shoulder (the first was at the Athenaeum in the Hotel Mayfair). Such a succulent cut of meat. The suckling pig was basically ALL FAT - we left all of it, but the crispy bacon was lurvely.

Moving onto the dessert amuse-bouche of coconut and chocolate foam with a slice of caramelised banana... This was wasted on me a little bit because even though the delicate flavour of the coconut was aromatic and I can eat banana dipped in nutella all day long, I just didn't enjoy eating a mouthful of... foam, really.

The flower petals were a nice touch, but a bit bitter. Not sure if I was supposed to eat them...

Dessert proper was an ice-cream and sorbet collection and chocolate selection.

The ice-cream was a bit underwhelming: I was expecting a trio (or more :D) of ice cream and sorbet but it came in a champagne glass, dolloped ontop of each other and already quite melted :( The best bit about it was the long, burnt sugar stick coated in chocolate (at the back) and the sesame toast. So so so delicious.

The chocolate selection was better - fresh raspberries and chocolate is always a big hit with me, and the thin log of chocolate had a hidden surprise inside it! ^_^

Pistachio mousse piped into an empty chocolate frame coated with yet more pistachios - genius. A mouthful of dark chocolate brownie and fresh raspberries - heavenly.

Last but not least, a selection of petit fours (I had no idea what they were until I read someone's fine dining blog xD). From the bottom: soft almond biscuits, plain chocolate button, strawberry... thingy, lemon curd on a crisp-on-the-outside cake-like base and cappuccino chocolate.

Warning: the cocktails at the Lanesborough were toxic. It was basically all alcohol, no mixer which was quite difficult to drink without nibbling on something sweet immediately afterwards!

It was a lovely meal though: the atmosphere was very grand and not very packed' the music (although not live) suited the chilled out old-age romance setting. Furthermore, as we'd booked beforehand, we sat on an elevated platform away from the main seating area (under the chandeliers). The waiters were very Italian (Heinz Beck has a 3 Michelin star restaurant in Rome) and it was sometimes a little difficult to catch everything they said, but service was impeccable - maybe up to the point of excessive politeness and bordering on a bit intrusive...

Obviously everything was beautifully decorated and the vintage glamour theme was very cushy.

The classy toilet shot: embellished dress - Almost Famous | shiny leggings - TK Maxx | leopard print kitten heels - Faith

~*~

Naturally, with our faces, there were some funny moments.

"Go on, take the photo of my food..."

 ~*~

Mirrored cabinets.  On me: blue snakeskin clutch - Sam Ubhi | ceramic watch - Klaus Kobec | silver bracelet - Tiffany's | infinity scarf/snood - H&M (since lost!!! Nooooo). On him: black suit - Aquascutum | white shirt - TM Lewin

 

 

 

Overall, I had a faaaabulous time, darlings!

MW x

London Fashion Weekend A/W11

Ahem.

So... the plan to take loads of photos over the internship failed.
Sorry.
Was a bit preoccupied with work.

BUUUUT now that I'm back at uni, it's time to pull the proverbial finger from my bum, and where better to start than London Fashion Weekend? ^_^

So... let's get going then.



~ the location ~

Somerset House.
Beautiful.
A pity the catwalk "Showspace" in the middle of it was a bit of an eyesore but a marquee would never do if it poured down with rain.

Spiralling up beautiful photos on an old staircase - inspiration for the home!

Sat on the massive screen where each pixel was practically a light bulb.

Dress by Biba | Cardi by Biblico (I think?) | Shoes by Faith | Bag by Luella

~ the catwalk ~

(this is an extra that you pay for and tickets are actually limited! - ie. there isn't a massive amount of seating)

The catwalk was hosted by Grace Woodward (a judge on Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model; I'd never heard of her) who was a bit scripted and kept on plastering ads at the audience. Like, non-stop. Granted, it was a sponsored catwalk but after the event, it made me want to buy Tony&Guy/Elizabeth Arden/more companies' stuff less.

I do believe the catwalk consisted of Jaegar, the Great British Winter, Rive Gauche, Osman and... someone else. (Sorry, someone else)

1. Either Jaegar or the Great British Winter or both.

She was Phil's favourite model. I asked for her number after the show. Jk.

(Mustard, mustard, mustard... I love the mustard brogues on that lovely chap.)

2. One of the designers who is awesomely futuristic.

A geometric wedding dress to cover all those unwanted bulges! (The only good line by the host)

 3. Rive Gauche.

(the only look worth noting from Rive Gauche, apart from the uber shiny men's suit a la Ralph Lauren AW11 for women... Basically, if you want to pull of this look, wear black and navy clothes with a sleek cut. Boom, done.)

 

4. Another designer.

I lurve the long tassels. Reminds me of a vintage Chanel in a charity shop that I saw in a magazine a few years ago. Yes, my memory rivals that of the matriarch elephant.

The vibrant blue streak with a zipper waist! Soooo functional! One piece that can be split into two. Ingenious.

The catwalk looks were put together by a stylist whose name may or may not have been Missy. She was pretty cool and not pretentious nor scripted (although her bow-hair a la Madmoiselle Gaga was... interesting).

The nice stylist is on the left.

~ the shopping ~

So, one has to pay to shop at LFWeekend.
It's unsurprising as Somerset House is probably not the cheapest place to rent in central London (and that's saying something!) and to be honest, the clothes are pretty cheap.

I went on the Sunday - the last day - and I do believe that this is when bargainistas really thrive. Prices may have been reduced two, three, four times on Sunday (especially in the afternoon) and shopholders are open to negotiation (unfortunately I found this out very late on...). After seeing £20-30 Twenty8twelve dresses and buying a dress reduced from £425 to £30, I have to admit I swore not to buy anything til the next Fashion Weekend. (Swearing didn't work, by the way)

I haven't got the whole of my LFW haul with me at uni but may wear what I have to formal sometime... ^_~

The collection of clothing ranges from the top uber duber fashion houses to really old vintage gear. I didn't take many photos of the shopping areas - was too busy browsing :D (and the boyf was too busy playing poker on his Blackberry)

Holly Fulton. Exquisite. Even better than on style.com.

The hub for more high-end-high-street-priced names.

Wow. The rosette shorts and the patent white wedge with wings juxtaposed with hot pink tights. Just, wow. (near Juicy Couture)

Tired after a day of holding all the new things we bought - and it doesn't all belong to me!
He earnt some serious brownie points for patience that day.

~ Out-takes ~

"I'm too embarrassed to stand in front of the adverts to have my photo taken despite really really wanting to~"

 

Waiting for the catwalk to commence. Holy shamoly.

Spotted something unpleasant on the catwalk.

Dem bitces are takin' up ma catwalk space!

Oh wait, we look like that normally! He is wearing: shirt by Charles Tyrwhitt | Jeans by Levi's | Watch by Breil Milano (from meee :D) | vintage belt

And to conclude that wonderful Sunday, we ate at a favourite Chinese restaurant just off Liverpool St station with some friends. Deeeelish :)


MW x

Playing Catch-up [Part III] - TCPS Garden Party

[TCPS = Trinity College Photography Society]

I'm involved with TCPS not because I'm uber-duber-keen-on-photography but because the 4 committee positions are held by friends. Nevertheless, we banter (to use the term loosely) about photography and I ask them for advice on how to maximise the utility derived from Elmo (wow, I have missed writing economics essays :P).

I didn't get any proper posing shots but there are a few of me eating (as always) and playing croquet!

Vintage jacket - Parallel by Emanuel Ungaro | Dress - TK Maxx | Shoes - Bhs | Freshwater pearls - eBay

Myself and Tess

Croquet is a lot harder than it looks, but I blame my lack of luck on the non-flat grass :D (Does croquet actually count as a sport? :S)

Also, thanks to the TCPS committee members for organising and especially to Catherine Gu for making Gu-esque chocolate brownies. Yummmmmm!

Yummmmm ^_^

MW x