Jems Of London

"The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about"

O Canada!

O Canada!

Christmas time brings up images of large meals and family. You clearly don’t have my family, in fact me and my mother have gone to such extreme lengths to escape we now bugger off to Whistler, Canada. As much as I would love to sit round a table listening to the Queens speech and Eastenders christmas special waking up at 8am and hitting the ski slopes somehow has more appeal. Just look at the view!

Not only is the skiing amazing, the mountain huge (you get to go on Blackcomb mountain as well) but the food is to die for! My top places to go and this is my 8th year there so I know my stuff, Mongoli Grill- go at lunch to avoid cuing and flirt outrageously with the grillers to see their tricks. Araxi, for the best gourmet food in whistler, especially check out their wine selection. 

Canada is very famous for Ice hockey, so this year we decided to head down to Vancouver to watch it, Go Canucks! Oh wow, if you are bored of football players clutching ankles and having tantrums on the field and actually rugby cauliflower ears don’t do it for you….this is the sport for you. They fight as long as they take their gloves off and ram each other into perspex panes around the rink. It is adrenaline full and for the ladies….Mr. Ryan Kesler

I spent a ridiculous amount on his jersey and it’s not a ‘cheap’ day out but if you ever get the chance to watch it please go because it is amazing. Now I just need to find a bar in London that plays the matches, watching off youtube isn’t really the same.

I will do a fashion blog soon, I found the most gorgeous online boutiques in my many hours of procrastination this was mainly so I could make a post that included that photo.

J xx

Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsmen

It’s that time of year. Party time, so imagine the excitement when I got invited to a private showing of Grayson Perry’s new art show at the British Museum. 

Grayson Perry, Turner Prize winner, transvestite slightly mad but slightly brilliant artist has created a wonderful collection for the British Museum. His own pieces of work, including his renowned tapestries and ceramics are installed alongside those of unknown men and women throughout history from the British Museums own collections.

The show focuses on his own childhood adventures with his teddybear Alan Measles. It won’t be to everyones tastes during the talk when it was described to us the meaning behind his pots and sculptures i had to stifle a giggle when I thought what my father would say…”I could give a lump of clay to a baby and they could create ‘art’ on this level, never take art advice from a man in a dress”. Although I have to say I was strangely surprised with how much I enjoyed the show, although this may have something to do with the free champagne. 

It wasn’t just the art show that was well put on, as I climbed those brilliant stone stairs to the main foyer of the British Museum I was met by the beautiful sounds of The English Arts Chorale, they performed a spectacular programme of dramatic seasonal music. More importantly for me I was also met with old fashioned carts filled with mulled wine, hot doughnuts and hot chocolate. This was all before I had even entered the building! Inside I was met with a pyramid of brilliantly christmasy golden champagne flutes and cinnamon and mandarin juice. The food was artistic in its own right, canopies mounted on glass boards filled with spiced oranges, mini glass snowflakes and other christmas conceptions. Sorry, why was I here again…Oh yes the art show.

Honestly I would recommend going, it’s actually very interesting and does make you think about the past and present. I had an amazing night, and what a cultural experience!

Mistletoe and Wine.

It’s the season to be jolly. In other words office parties, winter balls and lots of social gatherings. These are the top 5 dresses that will bring winter cheer, and hopefully more than a peck under the mistletoe.

 Pixie Lott Xmas Picks- Lipsy 

Pixie Lott is quickly becoming a fashion guru. Her line for Lipsy was pretty impressive so if she’s putting her name to a winter wardrobe listen up. Affordable, sexy and very glam.

Gold is always in and this beautifully cut bandeau dress will emphasise curves, but cover the bulge…so go ahead and eat that last mince pie. 

 This dress oozes sex kitten but throw on a jacket, lower the heels and you have a glamorous dress. This is my top pick for New Year.

 Lipsy Bandeau Dress, £65.00, www.lipsy.co.uk

 Waffle Strapless High Low Maxi-Love

   

This dress is perfect for christmas. Naughty and nice all rolled into one. The long back creates elegance, while the front is a cheeky reminder that New Year is right around the corner.

This dress nips at the waist creating an hourglass figure and the waterfall front helps elongate legs. 

 This dress is the frosting on the christmas cake…

Love Waffle Strapless Dress, £45.00, www.topshop.com

   Ruched Jersey Dress- Halston Heritage 

The most expensive on the list, but doesn’t it just Mistletoe glamour. This is the dress you wear to impress. Think massive christmas trees, crackling fires and you looking beautiful.

 The middle panel flatters the stomach while the sweeping material up to the shoulder elongates the torso. Asymmetrical draping is going to be big. This material flows beautifully and is soft to the touch. Simply exquisite if you have the money-simply buy it. 

 Oh remember to stay away from red wine and gravy!

Halston Heritage Jersey Dress, £285.00, www.asos.com


  Agnes Raspberry Crepe Dress- Carin Wester

Lets face it Christmas Day is about ripping open presents, doing that awkward thank you face and eating a slap up meal. This is the perfect dress for just that.

Beautiful raspberry colour is bang on winter style jewel tones and will look amazing in christmas photos. 

This dress also allows you to eat as much as you like without the embarrassing belt removal. 

This loose crepe dress may seem casual-throw on a faux fur jacket and that christmas walk will suddenly be your runway. 

CW by Carin Wester Crepe Dress, £80.00, www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk

 One Shoulder Print Dress-Miss Sixty

This dress is all about the colour. Massive print flowers, and asymmetrical one shoulder will set you apart from the crowd.

Buy this dress if you want to be seen this season. The floaty material keeps it feminine. While the bold pattern adds an edge.

This is the dress to go clubbing in.

Miss Sixty One Shoulder Dress, £63.00, www.very.co.uk

Mahiki ‘Chelsea Night’ Monday

I don’t know if its luck, fate or just the draw of Mahiki’s large cocktail selection that brings the Made in Chelsea crew in my vicinity. Mahiki is gaining celebrity support, and becoming the ‘it’ place to be seen. Hence the battling with photographers at the end of the night.

I would call this one of Mayfair’s finest, inside is a tropical paradise, with tropical drinks to match. Most famously the Treasure Chest, but be careful these may look like they have your five a day but they are anything but good for you! Ask Frankie Cocozza (seen sipping on one before the coke incident).

Monday Mahiki would be the night I would chose to go, mainly because its guaranteed to be busy. Recently the Made in Chelsea boys are to be found there. Firstly banter is not their strong point, asking Jamie “are you the guy from TOWIE?” did not go down well. If they’re not sucking on cigarettes (Marlborough Lights of course), they are flirting outrageously with pretty girls and drinking copious amounts of alcohol. 

Unlike other celebs (Alexandra Burke) they will spend time to talk to you and allow you to take a photo with them…This by far has to be the best one I took-incidently Spencer, you owe me a drink after you dropped my rum filled pumpkin.

Piste Off!

Ashish is designing for Top Shop and this time its for my fave sport skiing!

This collection contains clever word play, funky prints yet all with functionality needed to keep dry and warm on the slopes. The leopard print skiing outfits are not only uber stylish but the pockets and hoods will come in handy for iPods, lip balm, sunscreen. 

My personal favourite from the collection is one I will be wearing on and off the slopes,

This top is £55 but with its soft fleece like feel, its fashionable and practical…an offer I can’t refuse! Check out all the designs on www.topshop.com 

High Fashion to High Street

                                

This is it…

17th November 2011, Versace hits H&M and fashionistas can own a slice of high end fashion. 

Their not going to make it easy, 14 different coloured bands will be given to the first 280 in line. Trust me, if you want it bring a tent because these pieces are simply beautiful and will be in high demand. 

If you can’t make it to the shop the of course it’s all available online and I personally will be strutting around in these beauties;

               

After all it is Christmas, the season of giving…and I have been very good.