Word is out about The 2008 Black Tie Halloween Ball at The Millennium Conservatory. Rumour has it; it is set to be one ‘hell’ of an evening, with a fabulous guest list with some of London’s most eligible..  The event has been being organized by Dinner Dates one of London’s top social networking companies which prides itself on organizing some of the best events for potential to meet.  Alongside dinner parties a number of other exclusive events are also organized Henley Royal Regatta and Cowdray Park Polo, weekends away, spectacular balls, gallery and museum visits, theatre, sporting activities like shoots, tennis and riding, holidays and opera. The Halloween ball is rumored to be one of the most fabulous of evenings, so if you’re after a suitor or just a bit of eye candy….this is one not to be missed

For more details or to book tickets please go to www.dinnerdates.com

Just Oriental

Tucked away below the spacious Just St James is their sister restaurant Just Oriental. Peter Gladwin’s informal restaurant offers an extensive range of Pan Asian food from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, China and Japan which includes a wide selection of sharing dishes such as mixed seafood and vegetable tempura or crispy aromatic duck. Other choices that are well worth sampling include their varied choice of aromatic curries and the steamed black bream.

Although described as buzzy and vibrant, the overall décor is stylistic rather than cosy, and the seating arrangements seem slightly awkward.  The recessed lighting too makes this basement space appear very dimly lit – so much so that at times it’s almost difficult to see what your eating. Yet, the restaurant still manages a unique and laid back atmosphere.

Just Oriental, like Just St James, doesn’t miss out on anything, with not only lunch and supper available but also a food service at the bar if you have just come for a drink.  The Lounge Bar specialises in interesting cocktails with a choice of an easterly or westerly twist, and is a great place to go with friends after work. 

Although the food and service are not as good as the sister restaurant, the portions half the size and the waiters half the speed, the food is also half the price and for a quick bite for lunch or supper, it certainly won’t put a hole in your wallet.

Just Oriental 19 King Street London SW1 020 7930 9292

Qeelin

 This October sees Qeelin, the luxury Chinese jeweler, extending their portfolio of stores still further.  They will be showcasing a range of unique jewellery from all across the world at an especially designed boutique in the Wonder Room at Selfridges.  Inspired by Dennis Chan, designer of Qeelin, the shop-in-shop will be keeping with their Asian theme highlighted in their other boutiques in Hong-Kong, Paris and since August 2008, in Beijing.

Qeelin is the brain child of Dennis Chan and Guillaume Brochard and was launched in 2004.  Both wanted to synthesize the richness and opulence of Chinese heritage and the French style in the jewellery.  Its name is cleverly derived from the Chinese characters for male (qi) and female (lin) and aims to symbolize harmony, balance and peace.

With ancient Chinese culture for inspiration, the collection is centred around Wulu, an oriental lucky charm, Tien Di, the symbol of everlasting love, BoBo the facetious panda, Coeur de Lotus, the symbol of prosperity and Ling Long, bells in the echo of tenderness.  Among their more popular pieces are a diamond-encrusted panda pendant, called “BoBo,” which means precious in Chinese, and the Wulu rings. 

With its mix of traditional symbols and modernity this luxury jewellery brand has a strong band of followers in the Far East but it remains to be seen whether it will gain popularity here.  The new creations are now on show, so you can check them out for yourself at the Qeelin space if you think a contemporary interpretation of classic might appeal. 

Love-Worn

Based exclusively online, Love-Worn is the latest thing to emerge from the endlessly talented PR turned vintage purveyor Arabella Gubay.  Gubay has put an end to those tireless mornings spent scavenging markets for hidden vintage gems and brought it all to your home with her new website.

Chanel, Dior, Pucci, Balenciaga, Gubay hasn’t missed out any favourites and Love-Worn’s aim is to entice not only those who go weak at the knees at the thought but also those who have little time to hunt for these names yet given the opportunity could  be as easily seduced. 

Gubay’s love for vintage is reflected in her choice of website title, mentioning that it “just seemed an eloquent way of describing the reason behind many people’s affair with vintage.  I think there’s a character to vintage, a patina with age that cannont be emulated no matter how hard the high street tries.”

Yet, if the thought of wearing something second hand fails to appeal, Gubay is keen to point out that vintage does not have to mean retro and that online you will find unworn accessories by Lanvin, Mulberry, Chanel and many more.

With illustrations by Anna Simmons, a fast-rising illustrator from Royal College of Art, Love-Worn is a delight to browse through for even the most disinterested shoppers amongst us.

 www.love-worn.com   

Charity Retail Trust Launches “Born to Shop” Charms

The principal charity of the retail sector has collaborated with the range Born to Shop to create four different charm designs.  The charms have been created to work with anything from handbags to mobile phones and the designs include miniature handbags and shoes in either purple or sparkly pink. 

House of Fraser, Harrods and Beales have signed up to stock these collector’s item charms and Browns of York is soon set to follow.  

Retail Trust is aiming to educate both the shopper and retailer with the suggested donation of £1 going to the Retail Trust.  Of the responsiveness, Nigel Rothband, CEO of Retail Trust states, “we are convinced they will charm shoppers into supporting our work.”

 Retailers will be stocking the charms from mid November.