My Glamorous Weekend in Athens

It was a Tuesday morning; I was wearing my Hunter boots, 2 layers of knitwear, a coat and a scarf. The weather in London was experimenting with my patience once again (5 weeks of non stop raining!) and when I saw the picture of one of my Greek friends being at the beach, and getting tanned, I immediately booked my tickets to Athens for that Friday. 

I arrived at 23:00 p.m. at the airport and when my friend, Linasaw me wearing my winter clothes she said that I must be crazy as she was wearing a dress and her beautiful Pradasandals. Soon, I felt the temperature and I putted on my Acne summer dress (purchased 1 month ago, you can imagine my anticipation for wearing it!) and in 40 minutes I was in PARADISE!

Around 00:00

We arrived at one of my favourite club restaurants in the world, the Island! This bar restaurant doesn’t look like any other place! Located by the sea, when entering through the Cycladic type of doors, you feel that you have just landed into a Greek island. JUST BEAUTIFUL!

We ate delicious food, danced all night (literally as we left the  Island when the sun was up again – typical of us), had a lot of champagne and overall we had an unforgettable time with my Greek friends while I was celebrating the beginning of summer!

12:00 (yes this is the time that I woke up – no comments) Lina brought me breakfast in bed so that I could quickly get ready for the beach and some tanning!

14:00 we arrived at the beach! Finally, the sun and the sea! I think I couldn’t ask for anything else. Oh wait I need champagne!

 Here it is! Now I am on top of the world!

22:00 Now a second fabulous night out is calling! We are going to Bellini Aperitivo that Lina had told me that it is the so hot-right-now place to be in Athens! Well I said that The Champagne for Life Lady must definitely check this one out!

This place is simply great! The minute I entered it I felt a great vibe from the crowd that seemed to be having fun chatting over Bellini’s. As I headed to the bar to order a Bellini, I couldn't keep my eyes off the Monroe and Hepburnportraits on the wall! My Bellini was great but because I got jealous of Lina’s Rossini, my second drink was this delicious strawberry based champagne cocktail. I can promise you (as you know I am quite an expert!) that this was the best Rossini I ever had in my life!

Bellini Aperitivo was considered to be our starting place for the night but because everybody were having fun and more friends were coming, we decided to stay longer and indulge ourselves with some pizza to complement our champagne cocktails. The pizza was also amazing! I fell in love with this place and told Lina that we should go there again the night before my return to London. I met the people who own the place as well, and because they could see how much we were enjoying ourselves there, they were so kind to offer us complimentary Bellinis and Rossinis. HEAVEN ON EARTH!

End of Part I

Bubbly Kisses

The Champagne for Life Lady

"Can We Still Be Friends"; the book I have with me in Cannes!

When I found out that Alexandra Shulman published her novel "Can We Still be Friends" I got very excited; the party at Sotheby's for the celebration of Vogue's editor fictional debut was the icing of the cake, or in my world the fresh aromatic strawberry into my bubbly champagne. I cannot remember the hours I wasted into my closet trying to figure out the fashion choice for the event but I can remember that I ended up with a vintage chiffon corset dress bought ages ago from one of my favourite stores, called Rellik mixed with Enamel and Brass earrings, Bottega Veneta Clutch and elegantly curled hair. Everyone was at the event; from Mario Testino to the inspiring Ben Elliot.

Alexandra Shulman and Mario Testino

Tatler editor Kate Reardon and Net-A-Porter founder Natalie Massenet

I remember spotting Christopher Bailey in a grey silver-ish suit making him extremely charming and Sibylla Phillips chatting with Mario. Note: Sibylla's lipstick was to die for. As the time was passing I overheard Rolland Mouret discussing fashion with Natalie Massenet while I couldn't get my eyes off the dress of Nigella Lawson which was Ah-mazing! Vogue-Novel-Champagne paved the way to a great event but Alexandra's reflection of happiness will be something to remember. The verdict for the fictional debut of “Can We Still be Friends” will be made soon, since I just started it here in Cannes but from a Shulman I always expect the best. 

Bubbly Kisses (still from the Cote D'Azur)

The Champagne for Life Lady

Passion for Cinema

In May all the cinema lovers know that Cannes Film festival is around the corner. Hurrah! The most glamorous and prestigious Film festival will be held in Cannes from 16th to 27th May 2012.

This year the Festival is going to turn 65! The festival definitively still boosts the film industry worldwide and while maintaining a strong connection to its past, the world's most important film festival is always ready to take on board new and original concepts. The secret of longevity!

I will definitively not pass to this most awaited event and attend the Opening ceremony and walk on the “red stairs”! 

Until then...

Bubbly Kisses

The Champagne for Life Lady

I am in Love with House of Angels!

They are angelic, sensational, fabulous, extremely talented and the ultimate Champagne for Life Ladies. Their name is House of Angels and I cannot stop listening to their tunes. 

My obsession with this band started when Champagne for Life sponsored a charity event, the Hestia Experiencia. The moment these “Angels” came on stage, the crowd went “nuts” and immediately begun dancing and singing along, like there was no tomorrow. I was actually one of them and I couldn’t believe that I would have such a good time in a charity event. House nonetheless is one of my favourite types of music.

When Lisa-Marie Bowman started singing marvelously “I can’t wait for the weekend to begin” I literally thought that I had gone to heaven and that this “Angel” was my musical salvation.

All 4 ANGELS are spectacular. Lisa-Marie is the ultimate “soul sister” that knows how to rock the stage with her hypnotizing voice. Lindsay adds a naughty groove to the House of Angels show with her sax sounds. Phoebe is the magic behind the decks. This angel knows how to make people dance into her rhythms. And last but not least, there is the amazing performer and violinist, the lovely Roxy Pope. I had no idea, how much the violin adds to House music. 

It is the most entertaining house band ever! I honestly, cannot wait to see them again tomorrow and every month performing live at the London's Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel for a bit of Saturday night House Music fever.  

And as House of Angels suggest and I strongly believe as well, “Let’s Party, For Heaven’s Sake”.

Bubbly Kisses

The Champagne for Life Lady

This is for all the Louboutin Lovers across the world!

Christian Louboutin shoe Loversfrom all around the globe, I think it is time to unite ourselves and our enthusiasm and run to London’s Design Museum immediately (ok! when you have time, I mean) since the exhibition has already opened its doors. I am enjoying celebrating his 20 years of career! You may think I am over reacting a bit - Imagine how I will celebrate my 20 years as the Champagne for Life Lady. Your guess is correct with lots and lots and more than lots of champagne! But champagne is not the main subject here but Louboutin is! Although, FYI Christian did create in collaboration with Piper Heidsleck a one of a kind stiletto champagne glass – definitely the most revolutionary champagne glass ever made that all Loubi addicts will want to include in their collection!

The exhibition started on Tuesday May 1^st and will last until 9^th of July displaying designs from the designer’s personal archive celebrating his unique, beautiful, extravagant and theatrical creations. The audience will have the chance to see at first hand what inspires their favourite designer. In addition, apart from the red soles, they can have the opportunity to visit a special section of the show remembering the Fetish Exhibition that was shown in Paris back in 2007 in collaboration with the famous artist and filmmaker David Lynch.

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The launch of the exhibition took place on April 30^th with Mr. Louboutin attending the event and saying that it was worth a whole year of planning this show and that he is very pleased with what he sees. So as the magician Christian created something bedazzling for our eyes I think I will run as soon as possible and maybe take some pictures for the people that cannot travel to London and see it at first hand.

Bubbly Kisses

The Champagne for Life Lady

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White Fantasy

It all started when a friend working in Louis Vuitton told me “White is the new black dah-ling”! He continued by adding “dressing in monochrome is a must; especially if you choose a minimal layering to your clothes…Trust me”. As I was crossing Bond Street I was thinking whether I could pull off this trend or not. Color experts claim that white is evoked by “light that stipulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings”. Yes I did my wiki research but still I wasn't sure. White seemed to me so old...until I remembered the Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2012 runway.

 As I was looking at Kate Moss walking smoothly around the carousel in a masterpiece white dress I got impressed with the superiority and elegance that white color can give. A quick sip of champagne - and a glance at the vase on the coffee table full of white pearl necklaces - helped me realize that although I absolutely loved her dress my eyes were catching only her face; beautiful eyes and full of mystique attitude. I know Kate is the model ÜBER ALLES, but can a total white look make every ones face look this radiant, your silhouette and your feminine gestures? Yes it can. I already tried it! Since you are the Michelangelo of your life, in your palette you should include white (at least for some occasions). After all, you want to show to everyone what is best on you; your face that will radiate your personality!

Bubbly Kisses

The Champagne for Life Lady

Champagne and Food?

Whenever we go for dinner with my friends, we always have to deal with the question, which wine should we order? Oh what a dilemma! I am being ironic here actually, as my friends have the idea that since we are going to eat fish we should definitely go for a white wine. Well, I say why don’t we go for Champagne since we are having it later either way? 

source: http://www.hiphipgingin.com

P.S. 1/  Champagne goes very well with many food dishes because bubbly wine is generally more versatile than still one (I guess a sophisticated excuse to drink more champagne)!


P.S. 2/ Also, in France they drink champagne as an aperitif and digestif (Oh they have the right to drink it all day, they invented it after all).

Bubbly Kisses

The Champagne for Life Lady

The Power of Positive Thinking!

You are waking up, after an uneasy sleep (bad thoughts have conquered your mind).

It’s raining and you feel that you don’t want to go to work.

You start making your coffee but with a clumsy move, the cup is on the floor, broken and the coffee is all over you. (hopefully, on your black satin lingerie and not in your working couture)

The clock is ticking and there is no time to make another one.

Next, you enter the shower but the water is so cold because you forgot to turn on the boiler.

To sum up, it is the worst start of the day that you can imagine and so you assume that the rest will be like this; unlucky, full of stress, bad feelings and thoughts.

Yes, it happens, but there are some tips (that actually work!) that will transform these rainy days into sunshine!

·      Smile!

·      Stay away from negative people that will end up one day depressing you

·      Surround your environment with positive people

·      Take problems and transform them into opportunities

·      Believe in you… in the actual power of you

·      Try to do something new everyday (ex: take another road on your way to home after work)

·      Be an optimist… good things will come no matter what

·      See the good in everything… be an eternal optimist!

·      Be grateful… appreciate what you have

·      And remember that you create your life and so…

·    Just smile, relax, have fun and drink champagne!

This is exactly what I do!

Bubbly Kisses

The Champagne for Life Lady

1st Vogue Festival 2012

If you are not one of those in the know, you wouldn't be able to describe what was going on in the London scene last Friday and Saturday. At Dover Street Marketyou could see the season's fashion do’s, Browns was like a flee market (really I haven't seen it more packed), La Bodega Negrawas smelling of Chanel no.05 and fashion parties with champagne fountains at (many) Battersea lofts were writing history...the first official Vogue Festival was a reality and I was officially invited.

At day one, Friday the 20th, after hours of research on what to wear, I arrived at 09:40 at the Royal Geographical Society for registration purposes and then at 10:00 amongst the crowd I was watching Alexandra Shulman interviewing the so-hot-right-now Christopher Bailey. His statements were to the point but when he said “I'm looking for people with cultureand passion that comes with a smile on their face”, I really fell in love with him. Later the beloved Lucinda Chambers - fashion director of Vogue UK - was on stage giving some great business tips and confessing that at her early years she wanted to be a married secretary. Later the so-stylish Matthew Williamson combined in one phrase the words, garbage bag - Browns - fashion. Genius! As I was freshening up my make-up (hopefully without being noticed) Domenico Dolce was expressing his gratitude to Stefano Gabbana. 

Christopher Bailey

Christopher Bailey and Alexandra Shulman

Matthew Williamson

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Cabbana

Lucinda Chambers and Stefano Gabbana

It was about time to go home - change outfit - had lunch and a glass of champagne with Lucy at The Kensington Hotel and then back to the Festival because Stella couldn't be missed. Stella McCartneyis like a role model to me and actually I waived my head arguably with Kate Hudsonwhen she said to her “I never felt restricted in your clothes”. Fact. Since it is already in her blood to be followed and not to follow she proved to be a great public speaker. “Don't try to be something that you are not,” she said to Kate and then she continued by noting that “I am not aware how much I inspire others” without being cynical but just real. After Stella's amazing interview I went with the girls for more champagne at The Botanistenjoying making them giggle with my insider jokes about bad fashion choices. Then we got serious when we started speaking about the evolution of fashion.

Stella McCartney and Kate Hudson

Stella McCartney and Kate Hudson on stage

09:00 Day two was even better. It started with Diane Von Furstenberg - The legend. Here is the history, Diane Von Furstenberg created the legendary wrap dress and boom she made it to the cover of the Wall Street Journal at the age of 26! Literally, loved her when she said, “Be the woman you want to be. This is why I put a mirror on my ad campaign”. And then, the climax of the festival was definitely Tom Ford at the afternoon session of the festival. He made statements such as that he loves quality in everything and he also stated, “When I moved to Paris, I walked around the city and cried because of its beauty”, just WONDERFUL! Following, other fashion stars took over the stage like the gorgeous top models, Natalia Vodianova, Lily Cole, Jordan Dunn and Eva Herzigova.

The number of people who get interested in laguiole steak knives increases every day.

Diane Von Furstenberg on stage

 Tom Ford on stage

Tom Ford backstage

 Natalia Vodianova, Lily Cole, Jordan Dunn and Eva Herzigova on stage

photos are taken from http://www.vogue.co.uk and some from my iPhone

Overall, it was a fantastic experience that concluded with lots of champagne. Big statements were made during the festival about life, success, fashion and colors. Mine is just to the point..."Champagne for Life".

Bubbly Kisses

The Champagne for Life Lady 

Fashion, Literature and Champagne!

Champagne for Life was delighted to be involved in an exceptional evening at the Penguin headquarters on the Strand hosted by Jane Shepherdson (Whistles CEO) and Alexis Kirschbaum (Penguin Books Editorial Director). Guest speakers included Rosie Arnold, Deputy Creative Director of BBH, Beeban Kidron, Director (Including Oranges are not the only fruit) and Lynn Thomas, Surgeon Captain and Highest ranking female officer in the Navy.

These three women were there to talk about their lives and careers to date; all very inspiring but what is one meant to wear to an event of 80 brilliant women who are both stylish and intelligent?

Caroline Issa and Lara Bohnic

Jane Shepherdson and Erin

O’Connor 

Not to be outdone I decided on the canary yellow dress by Maje that came with an extraordinary cape attached... All very fashion forward! This Champagne for Life Lady is brave and rather foolish! I ignored the Captain America wolf calls from builders as I proudly strutted out, cape waving in the wind. I felt like a super-héroine!

As we sipped champagne, I heard awe-inspiring tales from extraordinary women Rosie Arnold, Beeban Kidron and Lynn Thomas. I listened with wonder and desperately wanted to leap up to join them.... Ladies, ladies, be my mentors!

Rosie Fellner

Beeban Kidron, Lynn Thomas and

Rosie Arnold

When questioned as to what prestigious job I had and what was a champagne for life lady,  I could at least tell them that every time I drink champagne and photograph my bill, money is raised for charity (a strong incentive to drink as much as possible!).

I think I had almost redeemed myself and a few looked impressed, until I eagerly opened my goodie bag to swig at the designer water; pity it turned out to be bubble bath! 

Not my type of bubbles!  A hasty exit was needed...  

Bubbly Kisses

The Champagne for Life Lady