Is Oddfellows the Most Charming Hotel in Chester?

I am very pleased I discovered Oddfellows in Chester.

 

Their motto is `Dine. Drink. Dream`  and they offer a perfect dining experience, a number of glamorous bar rooms, and a first-class hospitality for overnight stay - all in an impressive Georgian-fronted, Grade II listed townhouse.

Quirky interiors are complemented by impeccable service in this boutique hotel.

 

The bedrooms have different themes to delight and inspire their regular guests.

Keen eye for detail is visible everywhere.

 

Eccentric and eclectic are the key words to describe the magnificent interiors.

And yes, I believe this is the most charming venue in Chester.

 

How to Pack Light and Still Look Chic

No matter how long is your next trip – a couple of days or a couple of months – I encourage you to pack lightly. There is no greater source of satisfaction than arriving at your destination with a hand luggage and knowing you have everything you need in there to turn heads. What`s the secret of a well-prepared traveller? It is a so-called `look at me dress`. Or a few `look at me` dresses to be precise. I am talking about the item of clothing - it might be a top and a skirt, or a jumpsuit, or shorts and a blouse combo, for that matter – but it has to exude a super-sophisticated yet carefree attitude. It needs to be made of exquisite fabric like lightweight cashmere, flimsiest of cottons or silk, and the design as well as the pattern needs to be striking enough to draw admiring glances from passers-by.

Some designers are extremely good at giving us this type of ensemble. Marni is the master of merging interesting patterns with unusual design. Versace gives us gem-like colours that stand out.

Missoni is another favourite. Here, a silk dress is coupled with plastic discs that decorate the sleeves.

And sometimes all that is needed is a see-through, flowing cover-up from Melissa Odabash worn over a swimsuit and a pair of oversize sunglasses to convey a relaxed feeling of being happy within one`s own skin. A big no-no would be to match it with tones of makeup and a carefully styled hairdo. So keep your face fresh with minimal touch-ups and your hair as natural as possible. It`s a dress that should play a central role here. 

 

Rare Burmese Ruby at Sotheby's London

I came across this amazing, extremely scarce Burmese ruby at Sotheby`s auction house in London`s Bond Street. Amid high security that included handbag scan and body scan, and furnished nicely with a Bellini, I checked out several pieces from Cartier.

 

The ruby  (see the ring, not a bracelet in the above photo) – the main attraction of the exhibition - weighs 25.59 carats and possesses uniquely deep colour – the rarest `pigeon`s blood` hue. It is named the Sunrise Ruby, referencing a beautiful poem of the same title, written by the Sufi poet Rumi.

 

Sotheby`s - one of the world's largest brokers of fine and decorative art, jewellery, real estate, and collectibles -  organise regular exhibitions of beautiful jewellery, and other items that are planned for sale either in London or in other locations.

 

The estimate for the ruby is $12-18 million.

Christopher Kane`s First Boutique – London

Christopher Kane`s first standalone boutique was opened in Mount Street, London, in time for the London Fashion Week in February this year. The traditional exterior – it is hosted in a beautiful Edwardian townhouse – retains elements of the listed building's original elevations.

This gives way to ultra-modern look once you step insight.

The designer approached a well-known British minimalist architect John Pawson to design the 4,100 square foot boutique, and the result is impressive.  

Split over two floors, it is spacious enough to host the main collection….

…..as well as a more vibrant cruise line.

You cannot help but admire the attention to detail, craftsmanship and a high level of technical skill that is clearly evident in each garment.

Three years ago, Kane realised that some of his male followers were buying his t-shirts that were designed for women, and since started producing a capsule collection for men. Today, you can find it in a designated space, on the lower floor.

This cool, minimalist space works very well because it makes you focus on clothes, rather than be distracted by garish colours on the walls.

It doesn`t mean it is boring. I like the dramatic staircase that connects two floors.

Another design feature, a floor-to-ceiling totem light fitting on the lower ground floor, makes for a beautiful backdrop to all-black pieces, artfully displayed around this central pillar.

 

Anthropologie – Affordable Luxury at its Best

Today, I discovered a fabulous lifestyle store that sells a wide range of unique products, from homeware, through jewellery, artefacts, beauty, fashion, furniture and books.

Anthropologie has been on the market since its conception in 1992 (it was founded in Pennsylvania) and over the last two decades has established very good links with artists, craftsmen and merchants all over the world.

These relationships enable the company to offer a wide range of products that you would not find elsewhere.

All carefully curated and artfully displayed.

So if you are after unusual but handy gifts, or desire a new frock, or are in need of plates or glasses, Anthropologie should definitely be on your `check-it-out` list.

They have a few retail shops in London, as well as in Guilford, Bath and Edinburgh. For convenience, you may wish to visit their e-commerce site.

Prices are reasonable - for example these gorgeous coasters cost  £8 each.

Blush-coloured shoes with fluffy pom-poms can be yours for just over £100.

The products are sourced from established as well as upcoming designers, and right now some items are on `up to 70%` sale. I bought these earrings, reduced from £34 to £22.95.

Anthropologie – I am pleased I found you!

Les Exclusifs at Chanel

 

I stopped by Chanel fragrance boutique in Selfridges to admire a collection of select fragrances called Les Exclusifs de Chanel. There are many well-known, so-called commercial perfumes on the market, like No 5, or Coco, but this is a parallel collection – comprising a number of unique scents that are highly innovative and artistically excellent. I am wearing a dress from M&S.

The names given to these fragrances – all associated with Coco Chanel`s lifestyle - are as exotic as the ingredients that each 200ml spray bottle conceal. Choose Rue Cambon 31 – a blend of iris, rose, jasmine, and sandalwood – for a shopping trip with the girls. Go for Coromandel – a glamorous mix of amber and patchouli – an ideal companion for dancing the night away – but be aware, it is quite strong! Or rejoice with 28 La Pausa (named after Chanel`s summer villa in the South of France) – it is sweet and light due to dominance of powdery iris.

There are so many options! The latest addition to the collection of Les Exclusifs – Misia – just arrived last month. All the scents are in the eau de toilette concentration. My favourite? Gardenia. But I encourage you to try them all - you would definitely be spoilt for choice.

The Wallace Collection – Chic Destination for Art Lovers

If you are in London this Easter, please check out the Wallace Collection, which is situated in Manchester Square, just a stone`s throw-away from Selfridges.

Hosted in a grand town house, called Hertford House, this national museum offers unprecedented displays of French 18th-century painting, furniture, many Old Master paintings and a world class armoury.

 

It has 25 glamorous galleries and it is a real pleasure to be so close to a multitude of gorgeous objet d'art.

The Wallace Collection has on-site French-style brasserie, located in the courtyard, which is adorned with trees and sculptures and run by Peyton and Byrne.

 

This amazing collection has been amassed by the first four Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the son of the 4th Marquess. It was bequeathed to the British public by Sir Richard's widow, Lady Wallace, in 1897.

The Wallace Collection offers plenty of educational opportunities, ranging from school tours and interactive activities, like a recent Joshua Reynolds film project, art classes for adults where one can learn to paint on silk, and free of charge lunchtime lectures, as well as longer-term workshops and studies, for a variety of audiences.

 

The venue can be hired for corporate entertaining, and exclusive private parties, including wedding receptions.

And don`t forget to pop into its well-stocked shop on your way out, for a wide selection of publications and gifts that are associated with the art displayed at the Collection.