Thursday 11 February 2016

ANNOUNCING: The Chocolate Quarter


If I was set with the task of writing the happiest story on the entire planet, it would probably start with a new shop filled with chocolate opening near my home. So hopefully that puts into perspective how happy I am to announce that The Chocolate Quarter is open for business in Birmingham’s own Jewellery Quarter. YES.
In the name of public interest I had to investigate and do some sampling, you know. For research.
This lovely home grown family business will boom in the JQ which is slowly but surely becoming a new hot spot. Just in time for Valentine’s day, the luxury chocolatiers have loads of offers, heart shaped velvet chocolate boxes, liqueurs, bespoke romantic hampers and insanely good deals for your loved ones. OR, if you’re single (hey), then you’re in for an even bigger treat because you don’t have to pretend to want to share.






The space has a comfy seating area for you to sit and drink your mega rich hot chocolate that they make from their house bars in front of you. There’s a corner dedicated just to nostalgic sweets, and they have a wide array of biscuits, fudges and “inclusion bars” (they even let you vote for new flavours).

I bought – and demolished – a mini box of chocolate covered coffee beans and a little box of handmade chocolates. Choosing was freaking hard, but my favourite flavours were “The Londoner caramel & stout” which was Guinness in a truffle, “Genoa basil Chocolate ganache” and the “Boston peanut butter & raspberry jelly”. But there are simpler more classic flavours too: praline, champagne, and caramel.

Head over to the Jewellery Quarter this Valentine’s day for a bespoke gift, and I seriously advice you follow them on Twitter and Facebook for regular competitions and updates.


Peace out, I’m slowly slipping into my cocoma. 








Friday 22 January 2016

TREND EDIT: Spring 2016


You don’t have to work where I do to be up to date on upcoming fashion trends, and even though post-Christmas our thick winter coats are only just emerging, shops are now in a Spring 2016 soft launch, with the on-sale sequin playsuits and bodycons put on the “last chance to buy” rail.

Trend forecasting has always been one of my favourite interests as an aspiring buyer; that camel ribbed turtle neck you think is an impulse buy, has actually been put there after a series of premeditated decisions up to three or four years prior to your purchase. The colour could’ve been influenced by the economy, the material by climate, the length by sheer natural cycle. But for this post, instead of looking too far in to the future’s trends, I’m going to highlight my favourites of Spring 2016, the fashion house trail blazers and the high street implementers that bring those trends to our wardrobes.

WHITE OUT


Think Olivia Pope and well... Kim K, with the clean colour palette that’s followed on from the summer. 
(Calvin Klein SS16//Whistles SS16)

NAUTICAL



Every 2 years or so, stripes in red blue and white come back on to the rails, but this year I am really enjoying the Ralph Lauren-esque vibes.
(Max Mara SS16//Karen Millen SS16)

ATHLEISURE


I remember 2013. Sportsluxe came around yet again and as with every other time I was so disinterested, but everything I have seen this year has been absolutely amazing. Stripes, mesh inserts and unstructured silhouettes.
(Alexander Wang SS16//Jaeger SS16)

VINTAGE REDUX


This is one of my favourites purely for couture theatre’s sake, and not so much for functionality, but everything is embellished, pussy bows and Lamé. It’s so OTT, you just know Topshop is going to slay it.
(Gucci SS16//Miss Selfridge SS16)

SLIPS



The full length version of a silk nightie-come-dress is categorically not for a woman with boobs or bum, but there is an abundance of cami tops so everyone can enjoy this sultry trend.
(Celine SS16//Topshop SS16)