Vintage Socialite's Diary - Christmas Edition

I realise I preface about 90% of my blog posts with this, but... I can't believe it's been nearly two weeks since I last posted! So much has happened, most of which I can't tell you, yet; but I've had such a good time doing lots of fun things. I'm feeling genuinely happy again - a great way to end the year.

This will be the last edition of my Vintage Socialite's Diary, because the events I'm going to promote are going to take any elegant, vintage-wearing sort up to 2011 in style. These are all in London, so if you're elsewhere in the country, make sure you check out Vintage Secret's events page, which now has contributors from around the UK (and looking for more, so if you would like to represent your area, get in touch with Naomi!).

Firstly, if going out isn't your scene, or even if it is, but you like something more civilised and unbelievably elegant; try a St-Germain Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Park Lane Hotel this December. This delicious Tea is served in the stunning surrounds of the Art Deco Palm Court at the hotel.

The whole thing is themed around the sublime taste of St-Germain elderflower liqueur, and to start, you're served a festive cocktail containing St-G, vodka, fresh pear, apple and cinnamon. It was absolutely divine! Next, the food: finger sandwiches with smoked turkey and cranberry, honey-baked ham and piccalilli, and egg mayonnaise with baby rocket, then warm tartlet of smoked haddock with soft quail egg and hollandaise (decorated with gold leaf!) and a milk roll with salmon and dill mayonnaise. The pastry of the tartlet was so soft and fresh, I managed to drop half of mine into my tea. Classy as ever, me!

There were fresh scones served with spiced cranberry and apple jam, as well as clotted cream and to finish up, warmed cakes: white chocolate and pear Yule log, lemon polenta cake with pistachio cream and homemade traditional Eccles cakes. I picked a delicious Earl Grey tea (once I'd polished off my cocktail!), served on lovely Deco-esque china.

Honestly, I know I would say this, but I can't remember a more delicious Afternoon Tea, so if you're looking for something amazing to do this Christmas, to treat someone else... or yourself after a hard day's shopping - go for this one! You can do any of the usual suspects all year round - this is only available this December. Here's the blurb: The St-Germain Festive Afternoon Tea at the Park Lane Hotel will be served throughout December 2010 (3pm-6pm weekdays and 2pm-6pm at weekends) in The Palm Court and costs £42 per person. To book, call The Palm Court on 020 7920 7328 or visit www.palmcourtlondon.co.uk. Certainly an indulgence, but worth every penny - I could barely move from food over-consumption afterwards!

And if you've never tried St-Germain, I encourage you to pick up a bottle for Christmas - it's delicious with mixers and to make an elderflower martini - try it with gin and muddled mint and grape - heavenly!

On to the soirées - the event of the year is undoubtedly the Chap Magazine's Second Grand Anarcho-Dandyist Ball, which takes place next Saturday 4th December. Subtitled the 'Night of 1,000 Waistcoats', there is no better excuse to dig out your most graceful gowns and black or white tie!

There is a fantastic band lined up, Mr B. The Gentleman Rhymer, and dancing and entertainment galore. Tickets are selling lightning-fast, and it is likely to sell out (especially after starring in Time Out), so please, please buy your tickets soon or you'll be disappointed! They cost £20 from TicketWeb.

The following weekend, Saturday 11th December sees the New Sheridan Club's Christmas Party - Back to the Futurists.

Taking place at the Punch Tavern in Fleet Street, this will be as louche as always, with some seriously creative outfits, as well as some very chic ones. The theme is retro-futurism, and guests are encouraged to be as avant-garde as possible. This video is providing inspiration to many!




It costs only £5 to non-members, which is refunded if you join on the night... something highly encouraged as you'll be allowed to take part in the legendary Grand Raffle. There will also be some amusing parlour games and lots of drinking. Hurrah!

Strangely (or perhaps not as it's known that the same creative ideas can strike several people at the same time), there is another event with the same theme coming up, this time on New Year's Eve. The White Mischief Eve Of Tomorrow Ball takes place on the 31st December, in a mysterious central London location.

I'm guessing from the photo above that they sent me, that Vicky Butterfly is doing her new Snowglobe act (I think someone told me she was doing one!), but here's the official lowdown...

London in the 1930s. The First World War is a distant memory and the Second World War is yet to trouble our dreams. This is the dawn of technological consumerism: electricity, the telephone, movies, radio, TV have all made their mark. We stand on the shoulders of Edison and Tesla; of Logie-Baird, of Einstein and Kellogg and Fleming.

You are invited by Ronald Frend’s Electric Corporation, a shadowy company that has risen to international prominence, to the global launch event for a host of products and services that demonstrate the shape of things to come.

Tonight sees the unveiling of a mysterious new invention that promises to revolutionise communications forever. It is December 31st, the date in the year that most symbolises our hopes for the future and a bright new tomorrow. Join scientists and starlets alike and marvel as we welcome you to THE EVE OF TOMORROW.

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A SPLENDID, SUMPTUOUS, SECRET CENTRAL LONDON VENUE

The magnificent stone and marble entrance of our secret Central London location leads on to period Art Deco interiors that evoke the forgotten grandeur of days-gone-by while hinting at the decadent future to come. The venue details will be revealed by electronic mail during the week running up to the party to those who have purchased their ticket.

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THE VERY BEST IN PERFORMANCE, MUSIC AND SIDESHOWS

The night will feature cabaret, contemporary circus, roving performance, live music and art installations across several rooms – plus DJs playing electro-swing, vintage jazz, rock’n'roll and more until the early hours. An interactive game element will invite guests to unlock the secret of the Eve of Tomorrow.

Expect to see: a Big Band performing today’s hits in the style of yesterday; robotic waiters; anachronistic prototypes of modern inventions; liquid nitrogen ices and other delicacies of tomorrow; dancing girls; illusionists and acrobats who defy the laws of nature. VIPs will be handed a currency to invest in the more bizarre business opportunities. Enjoy a New Year’s breakfast; cabinets filled with dieselpunk and futuristic artefacts; machines which predict the future; and the world’s first pinball machine!

Looks splendid, non? If I do anything big, it will be this. Tickets are selling fast, so make sure you visit the White Mischief site and get yours now!

Hope all my readers are doing fine and keeping warm! Back soon.

Fleur xx
DiaryofaVintageGirl.com