Swanky London venue, The Kensington Hotel, which opened in April 2009 following a £20 million pound refurbishment, has launched an exclusive package to tempt food lovers to the capital for a festive weekend of shopping and fine dining. 

Set across a line of Regency-style townhouses, this stylish 150 room pied-a-terre is located in the heart of South Kensington. 

You’ll feel as if you’ve wandered into a giant jewellery box as you cross the velvet-lined entrance hall to reception and marvel at the elegant period drawing rooms complete with bay windows, working fireplaces, luxurious fabrics, parquet floors and original art.  In fact you might not want to leave at all until you remember that the hotel has teamed up with the Michelin-starred Tom Aiken’s Restaurant to offer guaranteed dinner reservations (almost impossible at the best of times let alone in the festive season) during your stay plus a signed copy of the esteemed chef’s new cook book so you can attempt to recreate his masterpieces back home. 

The package starts at £419 (plus VAT) for a two night stay based on two people sharing and also includes a full English breakfast and three course dinner on one night at Aubrey, the hotel’s modern British restaurant.  An itinerary of local markets, food fairs, food halls will also be at your disposal should you require a little inspiration. 

Your bill at Tom Aiken’s isn’t included and you do need to book two weeks in advance but we think you’ll agree it’s still a damn fine deal! 

The Kensington Hotel, 109-113 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 5LR, +44 (0)207 5896300, www.doylecollection.com

With the party season upon us, many will be furtively hunting the streets in search of that festive head turning frock or flicking through their favourite glossies looking for inspiration while gazing enviously at the gorgeously clad stars.

So, this season avoid that familiar sinking feeling that steals over you when you realise three girls are wearing the same not so ‘unique’ high street number, by paying a visit to Dress Me Up at Topshop in Oxford Circus.  In the run up to Christmas the likes of Kate Moss, Dita Von Teese, Sophie Dahl, Peaches Geldof and the fabulous dress designer Christopher Kane have donated dresses to be hired by you, all to raise money for a good cause.

This is any fashionista’s dream – the opportunity to strut your stuff save in the knowledge your wearing a one-off and in hiring a dress you will also be raising vital funds for Help the Aged and Age Concern.  A celebrity dress such as the Nanette Lepore animal print mini-dress, previously worn by Scarlett Johansson could be yours for two nights for just £40.00,

If the thought of handing back the dress of your dreams after just 48 hours fills you with dread, the entire collection goes on auction after Christmas, giving you the chance to bid for your ideal dress.

So, stop flicking through the glossies and get down to Topshop to get your hands on one of the stars coveted dress, which can be rented until the 23^rd December for two nights for £40.00, from the lower ground floor of the Oxford Street Topshop.  For more information visit the Topshop website at:

http://www.topshop.com

Those fearing the consequences to the line of their party frocks from those calorie laiden Christmas staples of egg-nog and mulled wine will be pleased to learn the secret of Chelsea’s party girls. 

Before heading upstairs to it’s super secret VIP lounge, The pre-Raffles brigade head out early to Sushinho, King’s Road’s award-winning fusion eaterie.  In addition to its healthy Japanese Brazilian cuisine, the restaurant’s mixologists are now serving up a delicious new selection of cocktails that are high on luscious ingredients but low on calories!

Going down a storm on the circuit is the Cherry Tea Martini, a beguiling blend of green tea, cherry vodka and Campari.  And better still, it contains only 90 calories – almost half that of a regular
Martini leaving you shaken, stirred and ready to strut your funky stuff on the dance floor as opposed to smuggling a booze baby under that body-con Herve Leger. 

And whilst it probably won’t count towards your five a day, the Cucumber Sour is a refreshing combo of cucumber and Hendricks Gin with a touch of Midori, weighing in at a positively saintly
140 calories – way less than a round of cucumber sarnies.   … young Royals take note! 

For sheer guilt-free indulgence, Sushinho’s Skinnyberry – that’s rye whiskey, cranberry, lime juice and fresh raspberries – will set you back a mere 86 calories (about the same as a pot of LA celebrity favourite, Pinkberry fro-yo as it goes) whilst a trifling 90 calories is all that stands between your pancake flat abs and a Sangria Sparkler, a fabulous mix of dry red wine, brandy, orange liqueur and soda water.

Sorry girls, your secret’s out.?
Sushinho, 312-314 King’s Road, London, SW3 5UH, 020 7349 7496, www.sushinho.com

It has been an exciting week for the fashion-forward students of St Andrews. FS:X, the St Andrews Charity Fashion Show, has now launched the first edition of The FS Magazine, available to read online, featuring the latest photo shoot and dropping hints as to where this year’s landmark event will be held.

The magazine is a creative collaboration between members of the FS Committee, who have worked to make the first issue a condensed version of everything the event embodies. With this year’s creative concept, ‘A Fashion Playground’, the contributors were free to indulge in their favourite elements of the fashion world, producing articles on subjects from Street Style to the economics of the industry.

The photo shoot features a group of the chosen student models in an urban playground, mixing childhood games with an industrial backdrop. Although the location of the show remains undisclosed, students flocked to buy the coveted table tickets when they were released on Friday, with 850 seats snapped up in well under an hour. With a keen audience already guaranteed, the question on everybody’s lips is, where will it be? Stay tuned.

To read and download The FS Magazine, go to www.standrewsfashion.co.uk/magazine

Bordello is not only a euphemism for brothel but the home of some of the most interesting hosiery and lingerie.

Based in the East End, director Michele Scarr wanted to bring back old style glamour to her store. Her hosiery selection is therefore designed by Bebaroque tights and is full of quirky, mischievous twists which give it an inimitable quality.   Using either Geisha design embellishment or pink tassles, the effect is distinctive and adds an elegant edge to the stockings.

The most popular to date are the tattoo tights, which are adorned with ornate hand drawn tattoo images and are so delicate that they almost look like lace.  However, this antique quality is counterbalanced with their modern style.  The Tattoo tights are also now available in 80 denier so that they’re warm and strong while at the same time á la mode.

Starting from £27 they are available at Bordello

55 Gt Eastern St London

EC2A 3AP

020 7503 3334

www.bordello-london.com