15.09.2010- Shoes, shoes and more shoes

September 23rd sees the launch of the much anticipated shoe galleries at Selfridges on Oxford Street. Re-imagined by architect Jamie Fobert, the new space is home to several designer 'apartments' where you can browse shoes designed by Christian Louboutin, Prada, Chanel, Gucci, Jimmy Choo and Fendi. Complimenting these beautifully envisaged boutiques are the designer rooms, which house the creations of designers including Rupert Sanderson, Nicholas Kirkwood and Isabel Marant. The galleries are completed by exclusive footwear concessions from high street favourites including River Island and Topshop, as well as go-to shoe shops including Office and Kurt Geiger.

As if that wasn't enough to whet your appetite, Fobert has also incorporated a restaurant into his design. Aubaine, the contemporary French bistro, takes up residence alongside the most extensive (and expensive) shoe department in the world, and, to celebrate the launch, the head pâtissier has created a limited edition ballet shoe madeline, which sounds too cute for words. The windows of Selfridges on Oxford Street have also been transformed to further showcase the shoe-mania:

Pretty cool, no? I'll be sure to have a good nosey when I'm next in Selfridges, as the space sounds like it really does have to be seen to be believed. You can find out more about the shoe galleries by visiting selfridges.com.

And, as if you needed further proof that shoes really are worth worshipping, Sadler's Wells today announced that Shoes, a dance piece based entirely on our obsession with footwear will be transferring to the West End early next year. The production, directed by Stephen Mear, has received some outstanding reviews, and one of my best friends Liz went to see it last week; she really enjoyed it, so I'll definitely be booking to see it soon.

What do you think of the Selfridges shoe galleries? Will you be visiting? And will you be seeing Shoes?

(Image credit: Selfridges on facebook.)

11.05.2010- Always in this twilight...

Florence and the Machine's latest single Cosmic Love, is one of my favourite tracks from the album Lungs and I'm so happy it's the final single to be taken from the record. The video has just been posted on florenceandthemachine.net, and it is epic! Have a watch and see:



A-MA-ZING.

Also, for those of you who couldn't get tickets or live outside of the UK, this Friday (14th May), Florence's gig from London's Hammersmith Apollo will be streamed live from 9pm GMT, go to the website for more details.

Finally, Florence has created a window display for Selfridges, for a project called Sounds Of The Mind, which is a celebration of the power of lyrics. Other artists participating include Hot Chip, Dizzee Rascal and Marina and the Diamonds. Here is Florence's window, based on Cosmic Love:

I can't wait to get myself to Selfridges to have a look at all of the other windows.

(Video credit: florenceandthemachine.net, Image credit: Andrew Meredith via facebook.)

15.12.2009- A frosting filled Christmas!

The lovely cupcake connoisseurs over at LOLA's Kitchen have created a Christmas collection to make your mouth water this festive season. As well as developing a new seasonal ginger sponge, which is available along with all of LOLA's delectable existing flavours, they have been hard at work concocting some adorable cupcakes to make this Christmas even sweeter than usual. Two new cupcake collections, the 'HO HO HO' and 'Snowflake' boxes encapsulate everything that we love about Christmas. The red, green and white iced cupcakes that feature in the HO HO HO box are beautifully decorated with intricate, hand-created images of the season. The Snowflake range is frosted with white and chocolate buttercream icing, lovingly decorated with crushed candy canes, sparkling stars and, amazingly, edible glitter! These fantastic festive creations would make the perfect gift for friends, colleagues and family alike. You can even treat yourself without feeling too guilty, as all of LOLA's cupcakes are also available as 'Tinys', bite-size portions of cake-heaven which are certain to banish those festive stresses. And, for someone like me, who isn't the biggest fan of Christmas pudding, these Christmas crackers would be the perfect way to polish off Christmas dinner.

Be sure to pay a visit to LOLA's Cupcakes to indulge in some cake shaped Christmas cheer, they are available in London at Harrods Food Hall and in Selfridges, Oxford Street, where they have just opened a 'Cupcake Bar', which sounds like my idea of heaven on earth. Alternatively, visit lolas-kitchen.co.uk to order online for delivery to London postcodes or to find out more.

(Image credit: lolas-kitchen.co.uk.)

02.10.2009- LOLA's!

These cakes from LOLA's Cupcakes are simultaneously the most adorable and delicious things ever! Baked freshly every morning and lovingly decorated with everything from tiny butterflies and flowers made out of icing to classic chocolate sprinkles, LOLA's Cupcakes operates exclusively in Harrods and Selfridges in London and through their website.

Their online store showcases the full range of masterpieces they create on a daily basis, and even allows you to custom-order your own cake(s) for any occasion. Perfect whether you're planning a special party for a friend or loved one, or want to treat yourself to a taste of edible happiness!

(Image credit: LOLA's Cupcakes.)