A M B E R ❤: Amber Recommends

Entries Tagged as 'Amber Recommends'

A Fragrant First Impression

21.04.13

I received an invitation the other week from my friend Julia Sarr-Jamois to attend the opening of Shay & Blue, Ah a new bar opening I thought! Sure, and after a spot of dinner at Sake No Hana promptly jumped into a cab with MTV presenter Lilah Parsons to Marylebone. Upon arriving at 80 York Street, and entering a PR guarded candle lit door, we entered what was quite clearly not a bar but an exclusive fragrance boutique. Hit by an intense aroma of blood orange and jasmine, this curiosity style boutique was filled with beautifully branded bottles and candles.

A boutique point of view means personal passion. It means a concern for detail and craftsmanship. ‘Many perfumes smell the same… lacking in authenticity or integrity… because the strange truth is that they are anonymous products churned out in factories in their millions.‘ note the founders Dom de Vetta and Julie Masse, both renowed in the fragrance field for their quiet expertise. ( Dom was the Senior Vice President at Chanel, and the Global General Manager of Jo Malone London.)

Atropa Belladonna, Natural Spray Fragrance, Large Size 100ml Amber Rose, Scented Natural Wax Candle, 140g Blood Oranges, Natural Spray Fragrance, Large Size 100ml

Amber Rose, Scented Natural Wax Candle, 140g £35 Blood Oranges, Natural Spray Fragrance, Large Size 100ml £55

Your scent makes a first impression just as much as your business card or hand shake, invest in a fragrance that’s personal to you and make a memorable appearance. Click to Shop Shay & Blue

Where to eat in London

06.04.13

Whether you’re meeting a new client, catching up with an old business associate, or pitching a new collaboration here’s a round up of my 3 favourite places to cut deals over breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Breakfast: Daylesford Organic

‘With locations in Pimlico and Westbourne Grove, this light and minimalistic eatery is farm fresh. Set up by Carole Bamford (the wife of JCB construction founder Anthony Bamford) whose wide range of business interests includes farming, retailing, restaurants, clothing and spas. Quiet, well lit with beautiful organic food- go early in the morning when the communal tables aren’t packed there are also a few more private tables/ breakfast bars for 2 people. ‘

Eat: Boiled Eggs & Sour Dough Toast. Drink: English Breakfast Tea & Blood Orange Juice

Lunch: Ceviche

‘This eclectic and citrus clean Soho eatery is a hot pick for lunch. Serving a delicious array of tapas style bites, perfect to share and nibble on when you’re talking business. The atmosphere manages to be vibrant and cool without being too noisy and has an infectious positive energy that lingers when you leave. Founded by Martin Morales ( Ex Head of Disney Music) the meticulous interior design, music and layout comprise to make Ceviche a super cool brand ( their website is ace!) and lunch time experience. ‘

Eat: Plantain Chips, Don Ceviche & Grilled Skewers. Drink: Piso Sour

Dinner: Bob Bob Ricard

‘I fell in love with Bob Bob Ricard when it opened in 2008, and after interviewing one of the founders, Leonid, who insisted on shots of vodka, have found it difficult to stay away from this sexy, decadent hide out ever since. Nestled on the corner of Lower St James Street in Soho, this eccentric restaurant is a collection of intimate booths each with their own ‘Push For Champagne Button’. Everything is theatrical and opulent with interiors by David Collins, its the perfect place to impress and indulge.’

Eat: Caviar, Sole Paupiette & Bramley Apple Tart Drink: The Best Bloody Marys in London. Try the chilled Vodka and Pear Bellinis.

Fashion Fix: Zoe Karssen

04.04.13

A girl can never have too many high quality tees, or tongue in cheek sweaters, and right now I can’t get enough of Zoe Karssen and her playful, rock’n’roll take on varsity. Launched by Amsterdam based design duo Zoe and Quince Karssen in 2010, the label’s been gaining a cult following over the past couple of years. Mixing pop culture slang and famous fashion quotes with high school finish that screams teen crush, Karssen’s witty label is a perfect spring time wardrobe pick me up!

CLICK TO SHOP ZOE KARSSEN

Zoe Karssen D’Accord Sweatshirt £82.50

Zoe Karssen Live Fast Tee £49.50

Psssst. Have you heard of Pop Bands? Huge state side, and on every model’s wrist at fashion week, these rad little hair bands will change your pony tail/ top knot hair life forever! Now available in UK from £5. Shop Here

Pop Popband 5 Pack Inky Popband 5 Pack

Startup Spotlight: Quarterly

01.04.13

‘We spend so much of our lives connecting with people online that we forget the value of tangible interactions that happen in the real world.’

Quarterly, an L.A. startup aims to bridge that gap by allowing anyone to subscribe to influential contributors and receive physical items in the mail from them. Set up by Zach Frechette the editor of GOOD magazine he said recently ‘I want to recapture the romance and impact of a well crafted package, but tie it into existing online communities in an organic way. We think there’s a hunger for analog experiences that complement digital ones, and Quarterly is poised to capitalize on that trend.’

So what do you get if you sign up to recieve a package from say the founders of Cool Hunting or Pharell Williams? Well it could be a bag or in the words of Pharell ‘Whether it’s a book or something I just think is cool, every item I send has inspired me to feed my curiosity.’

Subscription based models such as Glossy Box and influencer led commerce sites such as Shoedazzle or the reward driven Prizeo are gaining huge traction, and I love Quarterly’s ability to add a physical element of surprise. We recently partnered with SheSaidBeauty on a 6 month #FreebieFriday promotion that enabled our customers to get a free beauty sample with their order. Customer’s loved the added extra and we loved facilitating an unexpected discovery.

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