Review: Jewel Bar, Picadilly.

Last Wednesday, I was invited to a fun networking event at the Piccadilly branch of Jewel. Having previously been to the Convent Garden venue I knew I was in for a treat.

Jewel bar is a hidden treasure situated in the heart of Central London. Just a stone’s throw away from Piccadilly Circus station it’s perfect for some impromptu drinks after work. An easy central location to get to, you can be on the tube and on your way back home in a blink of an eye.

Arriving at Jewel, I was struck by the sheer luxury of the bar’s décor. All chandeliers and decadent deep velvet drapes you feel you have been transported to the times of Moulin Rouge. Dim lighting and candles ensure that whether it is six o clock, or twelve thirty late at night you feel you are ready for a glam evening out.

Jewel Piccadilly spans over three floors, each with its own luxurious theme. The lower floors include the grand Jewel bar and the chic bar Blanca, whilst upstairs is the Moroccan inspired Ruby room, Sapphire bar and the luxurious Velvet rooms.

We spent our evening in the Blanca bar. All in white the décor has a chic and cool feel, reminiscent of a Spanish bar. White drapes swoop from above, while ornate mosaics sparkle in the light of dimly lit tea lights to create a relaxed, yet stylish atmosphere.

As we knew there would quite a few of us attending the evening we booked a seating area so we could ensure we would have some much needed space. An intimate bar booth suited us perfectly; plush white sofas and small stools for us to gather round and natter- plus being so conveniently near the bar was an added bonus!

While most of us drank white wine, I did see some luscious looking cocktails. My friend had the “bramble”, beautifully presented in a long tall glass with fresh fruit, it looked and tasted (I had a sneaky try) delicious.

The pricing is quite expensive (£8 for a cocktail) but if you go after work like we did there is a 5-8 club where there is a discount of 50% for wines and £4.50 for cocktails- perfect for a few (or in our case rather a lot) after work drinks.

The bar staff were friendly and helpful and were happy to advise what drinks would work out cheaper- a bottle shared is cheaper than a glass? Sounds good to us! The table service could have been better as they seemed confused when we asked for more glasses for our table, but overall the staff were efficient and helpful.

All this drinking left us feeling pretty famished and in need of some food. We opted for the rustic package of finger food consisting of tasty potato wedges, toasted pitta breads with houmous, tzatziki and taramasalta dips as well as herb-marinated olives. I personally loved the baby-back ribs; covered in a smokey glaze they were extremely tasty- if a little messy!

I would recommend Jewel Bar to any fellow Londoners in search of stylish drinks out on the town. With its glam interior and central location it’s perfect for after work drinks. Alternatively a party or large event would work well at Jewel, as you can easily book a table, food and pre-arrange table service for a fab evening out.

I would definitely like to return to Jewel, perhaps next time at the weekend to get my groove on at the club and to explore Jewel’s sparkle further.

My review for This Little Lady went to London, check out her site:

  http://www.thislittleladywenttolondon.com/london123/review-jewel-bar-piccadilly/ 

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Winter TV round up

Ohh dear, again I have seemed to neglect my poor blog, slap wrist.

Whilst I have been heinously busy, both at work and play. Having just left my wonderful internship at Wahanda (more on that and the messy xmas party later!) Writing lots of health & lifestyle articles., I have now written overall nearly twenty articles for the site (*gasp*...some zany, some wise...take a peek at http://www.wahanda.com/! ) Also I hope to upload some of my faves up on here, but maybe not the full twenty as I don't want to overload you!

I have also been a busy bee socially, dressing up in nothing less than bright red wigs, and gallivanting round the country to see my fave uni pals. Not forgetting seeing the small band We are Scientists, you may of heard of them?, in Bristolian city. Much to say, it was great to explore the country, (coming from a girl who spends her life downn south in the London area).

Anyway, I have noticed a trend to my sometimes hectic schedule, I love my Sunday slouch days, cuddled in my PJs and duvet wrapped around me, my sister and I are sucked to the sofa like nobody's businness. Really I think humans should hiberate at winter, save the blustery and cold days inside snuggled up inside.

More to the point winter evenings are saved by, you guessed it TV's jam packed schedule. I'll be giving a round- up of the hits on the box that have filled up my winter evenings....

Downton Abbey
   

Finished a few weeks ago, I will truly miss this piece of period in my Sunday evenings. Written by Julian Fellows, it has been a suprising hit for ITV. With shocking storylines, like the gay butler (ooh- er) it differed from the usual period drama. 

Centred on who will go on to own Downton Abbey, the series tribulates the highs and impending contraints for the artiscoracy. Having to marry for money, to secure their future, rather than love being a prominent problem for Lady Mary.  

Even including the feminist movement "votes for women"  it follows a servants desire to make a career for herself, rather than living a life serving others. What I liked was the kindness between the upstairs, artisocracy and the downstairs servants lives, they truly seemed like a family in it together. Whether this is realistic, perhaps not, but it makes pleasant viewing. My favourite character being the kindly Mr Bates, a suprising love interest his caring and modest manner makes him a man women sympathise with and adore.

All I can say is, thank god they are making a second series so we can have more Downton Abbey joy to complete our Sunday evenings, and more importantly to find out if  Mary will ever marry Mathew!

The Only Way is Essex

Love it, or hate it The only way is Essex is a strangely compelling programme. If you were a fan of The Hills, the glam psuedo reality programme that followed the lives of Lauren, Audrina et al in the Hollywood Hills you may love the Essex version. Granted a little less glamourous, the characters and dramas are pretty similar, the main character is even named Lauren! Full of laughs, vajazzles and pink velour, not to mention nana's pat's sausage plait and hilarous sayings such as Shuuut uppp, this is one not to miss.

"I'm soo Jel- are you Jel?!"

The Apprentice

I look forward to this time of year with anticpation. Wednesday evenings revolve around who Lord Sugar may point his finger at, stating"you're fired". This year, I must say the contestants seem younger and let's just say, alot more bloshier than previous years. Cue Paloma- a sure fire winner who left due to her unbelieveable arrogance and plain rudeness in the boardroom. Not to mention badger- aka Alex (resembles the furry creature) who seemed quite personable, till he got in the firing line and started screeching!

One of my favourite episodes, is the task of advertising and marketing a product, (pretty much because I'm always shouting out ideas at the tv thinking I can do better), was amusing to say the least. Both went for the cheesy voiceovers and advert, the type you have not seen since the 1950s, and hopefully will not grace our screens again. Octiclean displayed prominent sexism, which just had advertising execs tittering in the audience. Not a way to impress top advertisers with your skills.

On the other hand, the other team with their product "Germinator" did no better, producing a product that looked more like something you would use to clean your car, than to rid germs in the kitchen!

Really, without blowing my own trumpet, I think a bunch of us creative graduates could come up with something better than that in an afternoon, without even having years of marketing expertise.

So far, it has been pretty disastrous but there is glimmers of potential in Stella, Liz and Chris...even if he was responsible for the "Germinator" castrophe at least he bought something to the table!

Oh, yes and without doubt do not miss out on the debate after the show (BBC2) with Comedian Dara O Brien  and numerous guests it provides countless laughs on the failings of the weeks task, and draws attention to funny moments of the show. 

  "You're fiired"

The X Factor

The show on everyone's lips, The X Factor season is in full swing. From the kooky, (and that's being generous) Wagner to the gorgeous Matt Cardle it is the show not to miss. Both on Saturday as well as Sunday evenings it is taking over our weekend winter evenings. With the judges constant bickering, and controversial results (Fix Factor!) probably created by Cowell himself to keep the media and everyone talking about his show.

Anywho, big name guest performers, including Kylie, Take That and WestLife keep the show high profile. I also think it is one of the years when the talent has been spot on, Cher Illoyd, with her rapping and orginial performances and Rebecca with her spine tingling vocals- you can hardly pick out the show's winner.

Only, I do know Katie and at least Wagner should go; and they do just before the semi- finals.

Good riddance to Wagner and his bloody earrings! (apparently from Acessorize if anyone fancies the look...hmm think I'll sit this one out!)

   

(500) Days of Summer- A cute and quirky spin on the traditional love story.

The title is fitting, it was indeed 500 days of Summer, I at first thought the fool that I am, that it was referring to the 500 days of summer the season, but alas on second thoughts there is only 365 days of the whole year...soo this is not possible.

Alas no, my dear readers it's referring to the 500 days with which he spends with the aptly named girl Summer. Further pun in store for you, which I won't say yet, as it ruin it for you.

The film first starts off with this is a "a girl meets boy" story, by a narrator with an overly familar voice- anyone know were he's from? Anyway, the film tells us that although it is a "girl meets boy" story it does not take the conventional path most romances do.

The story revovles around the two main characters, Summer, played by Zooey Deschanel and Tom, Joseph Gordon Levitt. Both emit a quirky quality to the film, Zooey with her natural good looks and tinkling voice, and Joseph with his his irrestible shy charm viewers may remember from the teen hit 10 things I hate about you, albeit now he's now all grown up. All I can say I was admiring his great acting, who am I kidding, his great looks throughout the film swoon.

Anyway, their gender roles are reversed as it's Summer whos the commitment phobe, and Tom who believes in true love and soulmates (this just makes us adore him more). So we watch with pain, as Summer states she only wants "something casual", refusing him even to name Levitt her boyfriend a few months down the line. I felt like screaming, well if you won't Summer I bloody will!

Anyway, that's kooky Summer for you- can't commit, which we found later in the film is because her parents divorced when she was young.

Reflecting, the film mostly is an romance, delivering the mass audiences what they expect, a sweet, cutesy, if quirky romance. The kind of romance you only see in films.

The film tries very hard  not to be the run of the mill blockbuster romance, with it's kooky take on life- for example the couple shouting penis loud in a park- and the narrative techniques of the film add to this effect. From the start there is a third person narrative, overseeing the action which makes it feel almost less realistic, more that we as the audience are observing the human relationship from afar and it's pros and cons.

The funny cartoons, of Summer and Tom are an artistic embellishment to the film, they add to the kooky nature of the film and overall the humour. They also help the audience detach itself from the traditonal "girl meets boy" story, however they, like the spilt narrative, peter out once the story is in full swing. As at first, the narrative jumps back and forth from when he (Tom) was happy with Summer, and then onto the darker despairs of their relationship. This is another attempt for the film trying to escape from the conventional love story by not conforming to linear narrative of the bam meets girl- bam- has relationship bam- has argument bam- breaks up with girl/resolves issue.

However, towards the end there is not as much twoing and froing, as just as the story is reaching it's climax- the possiblity of Tom winning back the love of his life, emphasis on possiblity, the film reverts back to the conventional structure of a love story. This emerses the viewer into the story, right at it's pinnacle.

 Unfortunately however, he does not manage to win back his love, finding out that the commitment phobe is now a fully fledged wife to someone else. Oooh harsh, the audience can identify with the unfairness of the situation. Whilst when with him, Summer would not even call Tom her boyfriend she has now peformed the ultimate commitment; of marriage.

The viewers always knew, due to the non linear narrative of the film, that they would break up. But I always thought they would get back together however, it was not to be. What follows is his despair, him quitting his job (at a cards writing company, something I think would actually be quite fun!), but then picking himself up, smartening up his act and fulfilling his dream career of being an architect.. phew!

So really it wasn't all bad, he lost Summer the supposed love of his life but is on his way for career success. Just as he is going to his interview for the dream job, the annoying narrator kicks in again, and he mets a beautiful girl.

You never guess what her name is....it's Autumn.

Cue pictures of leaves and trees. Told you I would save the cheesy pun till last, the end of Summer and now a new beginnging: Autumn.

A Good (and clever) Watch

Overall looking back I thought this film was a clever take on the boy- meets- girl tale, similar to indie flicks like Juno. However, the only thing I did find was that I couldn't help but be annoyed with the perfectly pretty Summer, how dare she say she only wanted something "casual" then spend every waking moment with him, seeming suprised when Tom calls them a couple. Jeez. And then the unspeakable moment at the end, when she ditches lovely Tom for some blonde geezer we don't even see get to see the face of! She attempts to make friends at the end, all the while seemingly flirting and tossing her sleek locks...god damn it. Poor boy, no wonder he was confused.
Also, did kinda cringe at the cheesy pun at the end, a bit much don't ya think? Viewers never know if Tom will finally find his true soulmate and be happy in love:; if only they just added a few family/marriage photos at the credits I would have been duly satisifed.

This would have given hope to viewers that true love does exist, but then again wouldn't this only be conforming to the traditonal love story? And, boy this film sure doesn't want that....

Rating- 4/5

An Education.

What a film. It sure was an education. Based on a true story, of Lynn Barber's hedonistic sexual days in 1960s London. The film should be shocking, verging on pedophilic. Instead Nick Hornby captures the excitement of Jenny (playing the character of Lynn) when she is taken into the bourgeois dazzling world of her older man.

The glamour. The clothes. The places. The disposable (it seems) money available. No wonder Jenny finds herself taking time out of school to experience life, to escape the tedious middle class suburbia, enthralled by the glamourous and exciting life the older sophiscated man promises.

However, I found myself shouting at the screen, but what about your studies? What about your dream Oxford? Doesn't she know that this will all come to her in a few short months, if she works hard now? Ahh, the benefit of hindsight. It doesn't help that her otherwise strict parents who before she met this man, stopped her from playing her french records too loud, now let her galvant off with an older, unknown man. Surely not? But yes, they are sadly taken in by this charming, wealthy (it seems) man and let him take young Jenny wherever he pleases.

Cut to a trip to Oxford, to apparently meet C.S Lewis (yeah right) and the beautiful trip to paree. Ahh I must say I loved that scene, Carey Mullighan sporting a beautiful chic haircut, looking all sophiscated and lovely. To die for. But this is not the point, the point is Jenny's dream of Oxford is now looking further and further away.

The fact that her parents are even taken in by this man, leaves no boundaries for poor Jenny. They consider, perhaps not Oxford, the otherwise life long dream, perhaps marriage with the older wealthy man. This is when the context of the 1960s comes to play, I was shocked but this is what it was like for young women in the 60s. Not like today, the choice was marriage or a select few to University and Oxford. The fact that the female teachers seem at first not to be an inspiration for Jenny, also is part of why she is led astray. Why work so hard, go to Oxford if all you can be is an unfulfilled school teacher, "reading about ponies". Little does Jenny know that this will gradually change, and women as time goes on will become just as successful as men.

Towards the end, Jenny becomes engaged to the older man. Yet, little does she know he already has a wife and children just down the road, and consquently reguarly picks up young girls.

The dream is shattered. Jenny's life seems destroyed. No more prospects, no more Oxford, not even marriage.

However, all is not lost Jenny goes to her loyal school teacher who has always admired her, and she helps Jenny re- do her last year. Surely Oxford will still not let her in, bearing in mind she has been expelled from her all- girls school? But, she achieves the dream and the closing shot is of her riding through Oxford University on one of those old fashioned bicycles with a basket!

A brillant and captivating film, full of the glamour and naiveity of the 60s. The restraints, and the final well deserved freedom.

Lynn Barber went on to be a successful journalist, and I have enjoyed reading about her in the Daily Mail, where she has recently revealed her promiscous terms at Oxford where she chose to bed men to decide if they were good enough to date! Consquently she did find her future husband, of 20 years or so, so perhaps it proved to be rather a good method ;)