Style Birmingham Issue 34

JUNE 2013 ISSUE 34 £2.95 WHERE SOLD

It’s back and It’s better than ever! Look InsIde for aLL you need to know about thIs year’s fashIon-fabuLous sbL extravaganza!

h a r v e y n i c h o l s. c o m

THE NEW BREED W I T H A LI C E + O LI V I A , M A RC BY M A RC J AC O B S A N D M A R I A B L A C K J E W E L L E RY

“When a woman wears a dress really well, I describe them as an actress of fashion” Roberto Cavalli

ISSUE 34

C ON T E NTS

STYLE FOR BEAUTY 036 Beauty news summer means a whole new palette of gold, bronze and gleaming skin

STYLE WITH 07 Rihanna the music superstar unveils her latest fashion collaboration 010 Celeb get the look want to look like a Hollywood star at high street prices?

012 Five minutes with Abi Phillips we meet the Hollyoaks actress and rising music star

038 Hello sunshine we unveil this summer’s best sun protection and sexiest self tans 040 Jenny Longworth, manicurist to the stars meet Jessie J and Alexa Chung’s nail artist 041 Club Tropicana new summer makeup is full of hot shades of juicy pink and sheer coral 043 Hair trends don’t let sun and sea dry out your hair. Here’s how to keep tresses looking their best

015 Sam and Billie Faiers what happened when the TOWIE girls invaded Birmingham…

019 Style chart sharp separates and the coolest accessories of the season

026 Label we love The Butterfly by Matthew Williamson collection at Debenhams is full of instant summer classics

STYLE FOR WOMEN

STYLE FOR MEN 044 Style news summer weekend away, wedding, party or office, check out our new season style agenda

046 Hot trend a neutral palette and plenty of attitude will see you through summer 047 Summer weekendwear mix earthy textures and tribal prints with pops of bright colour

011 Dare to bare legs take centre stage this

050 Gadget geek fabulous gadgets, ideal gifts for

summer, as hemlines go micro-mini

summer, travel and holiday

022 Fashion news ready for a new summer wardrobe? Let us help…

024 Beyonce hits the UK her tour over, the superstar teams up with H&M for summer style

027 Summer dresses three key trends, in

STYLE SOCIAL 060 News round-up from bars to charity balls, if it’s on in the city, it’s in our report

three gorgeous dresses

062 Food and drink news time to break out the

031 Swimwear special beachwear is a style

barbecue, and taste-test some new summer wine

statement this summer, in sexy shades of hot pink and cool khaki

034 Festival fun where a boho vibe meets serious summer style, that’s festival fashion

064 Weather girl Lucy Kite loves we sent our fave presenter to try the city’s newest restaurant

WEEK

END 053 WEEKEND food, music, fun and adventure: this special 23page section is all you need for the perfect summer weekend

066 Food festival ready to try some delicious treats, all local, all fresh, all new?

068 What’s on check out these fun dates for your summer diary

072 Competition your chance to win, win, win!

073 Food reviews dining out this weekend? Check out our reviews first …

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FRONT COVER IMAGE courtesy of Dune stylebirminghammag.com

ISSUE 34

p u b l i s h e d b y Publishing Ink Ltd. m a nag i n g d i r e c t o r Andrew Riley sa l e s m a nag e r Vanessa Allan e d i t o r Sarah Drew Jones e d i t o r i a l a s s i s ta n t Farhana Nazir c o n t r i b u t o r Kim Stephens d e s i g n Mark Sargent, Damian Bennett

p u b l i s h i n g i n k l t d. fifth floor white house 111 new street birmingham b2 4eu e m a i l info@publishingink.co.uk t e l e p h o n e +44(0) 121 631 6101

www.publishingink.co.uk

All information is correct at the time of going to press.

Please note that prices for items are subject to change so may vary from those mentioned contact individual stores for definitive pricing information. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, without prior permission. We make every effort to ensure that firms and organisations mentioned are reputable, however, we can give no guarantee that they will fulfil their obligations in all circumstances. Contributors’ opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or of Publishing Ink Limited. Any material submitted is done so at the owner’s risk, and the company can take no responsibility for the safe storage or return of such material.

© publishing ink 2013

FOR THOSE SPECIAL OCCASIONS...

MOSS AT PLUS BRATZ . CHAR WALLAH . EVANS . H&M HOBBS . LAURA ASHLEY . L’OCCITANE M&S . PHB . WYSTERIA LANE

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style celebrity

style celebrity

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ull ine f l r e m ith a sum ing w a n d, t l s s r I ll bu iver els, a for R e n h o i h g ct k y- h i olle and s ond c c r e a s e de d her wimw e d, s ttitu veile r a n t i u o R s and h le Ri na h a keab ihan rome a R h t c s r i o a n unm erst ol mo t h at c sup s, co t n i Musi r p e -dy e of ti

e R i Ri-R

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style celebrity

From swimwear and shorts to little black dresses and classic jackets, Rihanna’s new summer collection is her best yet

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style celebrity

When Rihanna’s first capsule collection hit River Island stores earlier this year, it sparked a frenzy of buying and waiting lists as long as the Barbadian singer’s famous legs. Now she’s back, with a summer range that’s stamped with her own brand of edgy cool.

The collection boasts all-new designs, plus clever reinventions of some of the stand-out favourite pieces from her first line. Several of those original designs became collector’s items: a navy hooded jumpsuit sold out in minutes online, setting new records for celebrity fashion ranges and their desirability. This time around, the clothes are cool and fun, with lots of wear-anywhere items that will be perfect for holiday.

Ready for prints charming? Ri-Ri’s vision for summer dressing is all about lightweight fabrics and a laidback festival mood, with a statement tie-dye print dominating the collection on jumpsuits, tops, shorts and dresses. There’s a vibrant monochrome floral print, on pieces that are designed to be mixed and matched with neutral separates: team with faded denim for a just-back-fromLA look.

One of Rihanna’s signature pieces is the maxi dress, and there are several to choose from in the new line. They pair well with the highlight of the collection: the star’s first foray into swimwear. Crocheted bikinis and striking one-piece swimsuits are sure to be bestsellers, so get your order in early. We

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love the beach-meets-bar accessories too, and the new shoes collection which, in true Ri-Ri fashion has a harder, more fashionforward edge and contrasts well with the floaty dresses and pure white tees.

Co-designed with Adam Selman, Rihanna’s summer range is inspired by the designer items the singer loves, plus the one-off pieces she gets to collect as she travels around the world. Of her creative process, Rihanna said: “I just wanted stuff that I wanted to wear because at the end of the day that’s what got me into designing seeing things on the rack that were great, but that could have been a little more me.”

Part of the design journey was about making sure the fashion worked in real life: no catwalk disasters or wardrobe malfunctions here. “I made a piece for everybody in my crew, we all have different body types and different tastes - some are braver than others,” Rihanna said. “I think like that because that’s how women in the world are. We’re all different, we like different things, we have different occasions and different moods. Maybe they could have been a little longer or shorter, or have a little more sex appeal or a little less. I wanted to make clothes for fat days: stuff that I want to wear. I was being selfish. Hopefully, my friends and people who shop at River Island will have the same taste.”

R U O

H R E

S E O ER

in now5, s i 1 n ctio from £60. e l l o £ s er c . Top from m d es um an ’s s er Isl dress a n an Riv 0, Rih re at m £5 sto ns fro jea issue

M M SU

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STYLE EXPERT

GET THE LOOK Golden Globes host Amy Poehler keeps it classic in showstopping scarlet teamed with discreet gold bangles.

Heels, £55, Red Herring at Debenhams, and bracelets, from £7, Topshop

Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence is so sexy in a deconstructed dress. We love this one by McQ Alexander McQueen £715 at Harvey Nichols, and heels, £85, Dune

A-lis t g lamour at hi gh str eet pr i ces: what ’s not to l ove?

Subtle black sequins and ear cuffs show that Emma Watson is a true fashionista.

These lookalike earrings are £75 from katie-rowland. com, and Markus Lupfer sequinned top, £198, Harvey Nichols

Channel the glitz and gloss of supermodel Irina Shayk with this gorgeous dress, £75 at Wallis, topped off with chandelier earrings, £12.50 at Dorothy Perkins

Sometimes, less is more. Freida Pinto channels the Hollywood greats in a timeless red lip: Clinique High Impact Lip Colour in Red-y to wear, £16.50

We love that Django Unchained star Kerry Washington has embraced this summer’s microtrend for structured clutch bags. Now you can buy into it too, with this one, £45, Accessorize

Parks and Recreation actress Rashida Jones adds quirky accessories to her look with fresh green heels and a chunky ring: steal her style with Jimmy Choo sandals, £550 at Harvey Nichols and ring, £12, Debenhams

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha actress Zhang Ziyi opts for a collar necklace for understated glamour.

Recreate the look with this one, £16.50 by Diva at Miss Selfridge

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STYLE WOMEN

Cuff, £12.50, Miss Selfridge

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Grecian, £50, River Island

Dress, £299, Hobbs

Clutch, £170, Michael Kors, Daniel Footwear in The Mailbox

White heels, £85, Dune

Fearne, £79, Monsoon

ZOE SALDANA

KIRSTEN DUNST

DARE TO BARE L e g s ta k e c e n t r e s ta g e t h i s s u m m e r , a s h e m l i n e s g o m i c r o - m i n i . D i t c h b o d y c o n i n fav o u r o f l o o s e ta i l o r i n g f o r a s o p h i s t i c at e d , fa s h i o n - f o r wa r d f e e l

Alexander McQueen box clutch, £895, Harvey Nichols Heels, £55, Office

Watch, £45, River Island

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STYLE EXPERT

FIVE S M I N U T .E. .

WITH

I’m a performer, songwriter and actor and I enjoy all of these roles. I love performing my songs, but I also love writing them.

Performing a song is so much easier when you’ve written it as you really feel the lyrics and know what they’re about! I’ve started to also love acting but the musical side is definitely more my passion.

It was incredible to land a job on Hollyoaks.

I submitted a song I’d written for another character on the show and they created the role of Liberty Savage for me. I really enjoy acting. It happened so fast, was very last minute, and I’d had no training beforehand so it was extremely scary at the start!

But I have an amazing time there and have met some really lovely people.

and career path but it is difficult because I love so many types of music! I’m recording an album and have had loads of offers to do other really exciting things, so watch this space. I’m also writing with Rob Davis who wrote with Kylie Minogue, so there’s lots going on right now.

I’m still in Birmingham a lot of the time, and it’s where I have all my downtime. I have a lot of memories of the city, some good, some bad, as everyone does with their hometown. I go to the gym most days, whether it’s a work or rest day – it feels like I’m always there! – and I like to see my family and boyfriend Gav. I’m pretty chilled on days off. You need to make the most of being quiet in this industry, because when you’re quiet, you’re really quiet, but when you’re busy you’re non-stop!

“I’M JUST GOING TO BE ME AND WHATEVER HAPPENS, HAPPENS!”

How would I describe my music? It’s acoustic, and that’s simply because I love acoustic guitars and I love harmonies. I wouldn’t say any one artist has been a big influence on me. There is a lot of acoustic artists whose music I appreciate but my music is different to all of them!

ABI PHILLIPS T he B i r mi n g h am-b o rn Ho llyoaks ac t r e ss, 19, is als o a tale nte d s in g e r- son gw rite r and c o mmitted a n t i-b ully i n g campaig ne r, and h er e sh are s h e r e xc iting plans fo r 2 013

I really love Ellie Goulding’s music because she writes all her music on guitars, but produces them to be almost like dance tracks and I love that she has the choice between the two! It’s the same with Alex Clare, and I really love John Mayer. But I don’t want my career to emulate anyone else’s: I’m just going to be me and whatever happens, happens!

You can’t compare yourself to other people in this industry because it’s hard enough to get out there and make it as it is. Besides, I want to be original!

TV talent shows don’t appeal to me. I think the people who appear on them are often very talented and I don’t blame them because I know how hard it is to make it in the business. However, it does make things really difficult for people who write their own music and want to break into the industry in their own way. Mainstream radio stations tend to only play what they know sells so it’s harder than ever to get radio play for new and original music. I would say I wouldn’t audition for that type of talent show now, but never say never!

I’m trying to make a small difference and do some good. I’ve started an anti-bullying campaign called ‘It Gets Better’, so at the moment I’m visiting schools, talking to the children about my experiences and giving my best advice, and I’m performing at all the schools I go to. I was bullied when I was in school, and after I appeared in Hollyoaks, I became the target of some horrifying abuse online, too. As far as campaigning goes, I’m also planning to start working with a few animal charities because I’m totally mad about animals.

This year is about choices. I’m starting to actually decide on a preferred genre of music

STOP THE BULLYING: ABI’S CHARTER 1. Bullying is unacceptable behaviour. Don’t be persuaded to join in.

2. If you are being bullied, stay calm and confident and if you feel under threat try to remove yourself from the situation (even if you don’t feel it, don’t let them see that it’s affecting you).

3. Speak to someone like a family member, teacher or friend as soon as possible. Don’t suffer in silence. They will support you.

4. Save any evidence you can - texts, emails or any web materials.

5. Remember there are lots of organisations out there to help you, such as ChildLine, the NSPCC, Beat Bullying, Bullying UK and local charities. You do not have to deal with it alone.

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IT’S ME TIME.

EAT, DRINK, SLEEP AND RELAX IN BIRMINGHAM.

E TYL S E OT AM Q U INGH ING BIRM BOOK A EN VE WH RECEI TARY TO LIMEN P OF COM LASS NE G G MPA A H C

EAT, DRINK, SLEEP AND RELAX IN BIRMINGHAM. Mal life. Divine dining, daring cocktails, super-slinky interiors and a Spa which is the perfect place for a little inner city peace. Malmaison Birmingham located in the Mailbox next to Harvey Nicholls is the boutique city centre home away from home. Escape to the big city

STYLE BIRM

for some much needed me time.

The Mailbox, One Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1RD

0121 246 5000

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birmingham@malmaison.com

visit malmaison.com

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Kipling summer 2013 collection soon available at House Of Fraser.

House Of Fraser Corporation Street Birmingham

199x133mm_basic.indd 1

House Of Fraser 244-250 New Row Telford

10/06/13 13:01

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STYLE EXPERT

to Birmingham before and love it every time we visit.

Sam: We get a lot of feedback from fans on Twitter, and this time around, Birmingham seemed like a popular request for our pop up boutique.

How would you describe your style, and how does it differ from one another?

Billie: Although I do love Converse, leggings and a comfy top, my style is more smart and polished. I wear a lot of bodycon looks and pencil-cut skirts and dresses, just because they suit my hourglass shape better.

Sam: When I’m running errands I prefer comfort to anything, so I’ll slip into a pair of Converse, or simple flats. But for a night out, I’m really into smart trousers and pointed pumps at the moment; I really like the glam but sophisticated look right now.

looked really orange for some reason, and it revealed more than I cared to show!

Sam: I can’t recall anything recently, but when I was younger I went through a tomboy phase, and used to own a Nike Athletic jumper that I thought was pretty cool, although it probably wasn’t!

I also remember not being allowed to have those ghetto gold crown necklaces that everyone seemed to think were cool back then, so my mom got me one in silver.

What are you looking forward to stocking at Minnie’s Boutique for spring/summer 2013?

Sam: We’re getting in really lovely pastel colours at the moment, a lot of printed denim and pretty summer tops.

They’re the kind of pieces that looks great with a pair wedges.

“BIRMINGHAM SEEMED LIKE A POPULAR REQUEST FOR OUR POP-UP BOUTIQUE”

STYLE MEETS…

SAM AND BILLIE FAIERS B ud d i n g b us ine s swo me n and the nati on’s favour i t e si b ling s fro m h it TV show The Only Way i s E sse x , Sam and B illie Fa i er s ar e a savvy duo. Fo ll owing th e suc c e s s o f thei r M i nni e’s B out i que p o p up in B irming h am Pavi li ons, the g i r ls ta lk to Sty le ab out s ibli ng quar r els, fa sh i o n d isas te rs and the futur e How did the idea for Minnie’s Boutique come about?

Billie: We always had the idea that we wanted to open up a women’s clothes shop, and I suppose it’s something every girl dreams of. After appearing in TOWIE, fans were constantly asking us where we got our clothes from, so it only felt right to open up our own boutique.

The success of Minnie’s has been huge, and we’re hopefully looking to open up our second shop this year.

Sam: The response to Minnie’s has been phenomenal; on our opening night we had over two thousand people turn up, and to be able to have our own business so young is just amazing. We had to start from

Tell us about sibling quarrels – do you argue much when working together?

Billie: We don’t argue as such, but we do have little sisterly fights. Like, for example, if new stock comes in, or we’ve been out to a buyer’s meeting and I pick something but Samantha wants to wear it first, then we’ll argue over who gets first dibs! Oh, and we’ll also argue when modelling our stock on the website about who gets to wear a particular look, but now that we don’t live together, the arguments aren’t as bad!

What’s been your worst fashion disaster?

Billie: I remember when the show began, I was once wearing a blue dress that was very seethrough, and I got papped in it.

Although I had a tan, my legs

What’s your favourite lounging around outfit?

Sam: Pyjamas!

Billie: We’re stocking some really nice tracksuits at Minnie’s at the moment, called Gywnedd tracksuits; the fabric is so good that we even wear them out.

I don’t mind a onesie, either, because they’re so comfortable.

What’s next for Minnie’s Boutique?

Sam: At the moment, we’re looking to continue our pop up shops around the country, because they’ve been so successful. We’re also working to make the website bigger and better, as well as opening up our second shop in Lakeside Shopping Centre. A third store could possibly be in the works!

scratch, as we’ve never had a family business before, so it was daunting but worth it.

Minnie’s pop up boutique has already been to Southampton, Liverpool and Sheffield, so what made you want to come to Birmingham?

Billie: Our aim is to visit all the main shopping centres around the country, and we’ve both been

L-R Mother Sam Wells, Sam Faiers, Billie Faiers and Aunt Libby Low

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STYLE EXCLUSIVE FASHION

STYLE BIRMINGHAM LIVE AW13 IS BACK WITH HOSTS EMMA WILLIS AND RYLAN CLARK G e t your tic k e t fo r an un mi ssable day of fashi on, beauty and s hop p i n g i n B i r mi ng h am c ity c e ntre at Style B i r mi ngham Li ve AW 13 on Sat u rday 2 8 Se p tember at Town Hall .

See Town Hall as you’ve never seen it before at the jaw dropping catwalk show hosted by model & presenter Emma Willis and reality TV star Rylan Clark - see the latest Autumn Winter collections before hitting the shops to buy the looks for yourself!

Plus: Style on the Side with Emma Willis & Rylan Clark - Deliberate the latest AW13 trends with Emma and Rylan as they give their reactions to the season’s key looks and invite the audience to join in with a fashion themed Q&A following each show.

Stylish Goody Bag – Pick up a goody bag bursting with treats from The Mailbox and Harvey Nichols at the flagship luxury store.

Offers & Events – Access to amazing offers from city centre stores and restaurants, as well as in store events and promotions.

See The Show: Ten at Bullring – Ticketholders can also apply for a FREE reserved seat to watch The Show: Ten at Bullring, celebrating ten years of fashion and style in the heart of the city with a stunning AW13 catwalk show (T&Cs apply – see ShoppinginBirmingham.com for details).

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Plan your perfect day of style and shopping with a choice of tickets and a show time to suit you.

CATWALK TICKETS - £15 Ticket includes a seat at the catwalk show, access to amazing store offers and events, plus at goody bag courtesy of The Mailbox & Harvey Nichols.

VIP TICKETS - £25 Ticket includes a premium seat at the catwalk show, access to amazing store offers and events, a preshow glass of bubbly at the Virgin Trains ‘First Class Lounge’ within Town Hall where ticketholders can enjoy a DJ and stylish treats including chocolates and beauty demonstrations, plus a goody bag courtesy of The Mailbox & Harvey Nichols.

Style Birmingham Live AW13 show times are: 10:30am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm, 3:00pm & 4:30pm Book your tickets for the award winning Style Birmingham Live AW13 at

stylebirminghamMAG.com

Join us for a week long

‘CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENTS’ throughout the city centre from

1-5 JULY 2013 Pick up an Independent Guide from around the city centre to discover over 100 independent stores, boutiques and restaurants on offer, whilst being entertained by ‘Mardi Gras’ style jazz artists every lunchtime from 12-2pm

AT// S H O P EEAT S H OPP/ /REL /RREELA LAXX EAT / SHO AX

I NDDEEPPE N D BBEEIND IN E NDE BE D EENT EPEN NNTT

YO UR GU ID E TO YOU R GUI DE TO BI RM IN GH AM’S BE BIR MIN GHA M’S IN DE PE ND BESST T IND YOUR GUIDE TO BIRMING HAM’S EPEDENTS TS NDEEN NTS BEST INDEPEN

ShoppingInBirmingham

@ShoppingInBham #COI13

Bournville College has opened a pop-up unit in the Mailbox, Birmingham’s premier shopping, lifestyle and restaurant location.

The pop-up unit will see a variety of events taking place, including breakfast seminars, cocktail and wine tasting evenings, ladies’ days and much more.

Please see below for details of upcoming events.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Business Breakfast Event - Twitter for Business Thursday 20th June, 8-10am Guest speaker: Sam Davies - Zoober Digital Training Sam Davies from Zoober Digital Training will discuss the benefits of using Twitter for business.

Cost: £10 Refreshments will be available Book by contacting Catherine Hepton on catherine.hepton@bournville.ac.uk or 0121 477 1390

Wines of Argentina- Wine Tasting Thursday 20th June, 5-7pm An introduction to wines of Argentina, the common grape varieties and key quality points to look for when purchasing wine.

Cost: £25 Book by contacting Bournville College on 0121 477 1300 or info@bournville.ac.uk

Styling for Success - Fashion Show with a Difference Tuesday 25th June, 6-8.30pm An overview of the latest fashion trends and how they can be adapted to suit your body shape.

Cost: £20 Refreshments will be available Book by visiting http://stylingforsuccess.eventbrite.co.uk

Ladies’ Day Saturday 29th June, 12-4pm This event is all about you ladies. Hair and beauty tips, accessories galore, crafts and more served with bubbly and strawberries.

Cost: Free Book by visiting mailboxlife.com/tickets

Business Breakfast Event - PR for SMEs Thursday 4th July, 8-10am Guest speaker: Steve Dyson - Dyson Media Ltd Steve Dyson, an award winning journalist, editor and the owner of Dyson Media Ltd will deliver a masterclass in PR tips for small businesses.

Cost: £10 Refreshments will be available Book by contacting Catherine Hepton on catherine.hepton@bournville.ac.uk or 0121 477 1390

Talk. 0121 477 1900 | Write. info@bournville.ac.uk | See. bournville.ac.uk/project-emerge Visit. Project Emerge, 6-12 Wharfside Street, The Mailbox (Level 3), Birmingham B1 1RD

STYLE EXPERT

RIES ESSOAL C C A I SPEC

THE

ST Y L E C H A R T

1.

I f i t ’ s h o t, i t ’ s h e r e : t h e m u s t - h av e s w e ’ r e o b s e s s i n g a b ou t r i g h t n ow

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If you buy only one piece of jewellery for holidays, make it a statement necklace that will work on beachwear as well as big nights out.

Necklace, £25, Topshop.

2.

Counting down to a beach body? Let there be no two-piece trauma this year: cutaway swimsuits are a key(hole) trend: this one’s £45, Butterfly

by Matthew Williamson for Debenhams.

3.

Cartier? Tiffany? No, just good old reliable Accessorize. These lovely stacking rings, £7, not only look amazing but will go with everything this summer.

4.

Flat sandals are a summer essential, and at just £14.99, this cutesy metallic pair from H&M is affordable enough to get them in other colours.

5.

7.

8.

Next-big-thing shoe designer Joanne Stoker was a hit at London Fashion Week with her quirky, almost architectural designs.

She’s collaborated with Dune for a new collection: heels, £145.

6.

How we love a little lime in our life. Go citrus crazy with pops of acid green and sharp yellow to dress up summer basics. Palermo clutch, £99 by Pied a Terre at House of Fraser.

9.

Dip-dye on a straw trilby?

We like your style, M&S... and at only £9.50, this could be the bargain of the summer.

Got a swanky event to glam up for? Invest in a white bag: this season’s coolest micro-trend.

Michael Michael Kors studded shoulder bag, £260, Harvey Nichols.

Structured bags are still big fashion news, and so sweet with shorts and sandals. This crossover style, £22 from Next, is a keeper.

10.

See the world in glorious technicolour: or at least, your frames can. These on-trend blue sunglasses, just £2 at Primark, are fun in the sun.

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An auction of Vintage & Modern Wrist Watches Monday 15th July at 11am

A stainless steel automatic gentleman’s Rolex Sea Dweller bracelet watch issued by COMEX. Estimate £25,000 - £35,000

www.fellows.co.uk Fellows Auctioneers | 19 Augusta Street | Birmingham B18 6JA | 0121 212 2131 London Office (Valuations By Appointment Only) | 2nd Floor |3 Queen Street | London W1J 5PA | 020 7127 4198

FELLOWS AUCTIONEERS At the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is Fellows Auctioneers. Founded in 1876, it is one of the UK’s oldest and most respected firms of auctioneers and valuers.

Although long established, it adopts a forward thinking philosophy and has embraced new technologies so that buyers can bid at auction from the comfort of their armchair at home or ‘on the go’ using a mobile device.

Fellows hold monthly sales of Antique & Modern Jewellery suited for both the keen collector and the modern day fashionista seeking out a designer bargain. Compared to internet auction sites, the quality of pre-owned jewellery items that come up for sale is significantly better and with specialist valuers in-house ensuring only genuine items go up for sale – buyers have that additional piece of mind.

These monthly sales typically feature over 600 lots of glittering jewels that will hopefully compliment the summer sunshine (if we are lucky enough to get it), or at least be a close substitute for the sunshine should the clouds decide to stay. So whether you are looking for

a late 19th century diamond necklace, set with dazzling diamonds or a named piece from designers such as Cartier, Tiffany & Co or Chopard – the Antique & Modern Jewellery sale will most certainly excite.

If you’re like most people, you will have sometimes dreamed of having the perfect gleaming watch on your wrist – Fellows Vintage & Modern Wrist Watches sale might just have the piece that you are looking for at a fraction of the retail price. Often featuring highly collectable vintage watches for the avid collector as well as contemporary classics for those of you that are not into vintage. You can find regular appearances from brands such as Breguet, Breitling, Cartier, Chopard, Gucci, Omega, Tag Heuer, Rolex, Patek Philippe to name a few!

Fellows have also increased the number of Vintage Jewellery & Accessories sales they hold to 6 per year, where buyers can find a wide range of beautiful items from Victorian paste jewellery and memorial jewellery to designer clothing and accessories from highly collectable brands such as, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Jimmy

Choo. For real vintage lovers, the sales regularly feature beautiful Victorian garments and a great selection of high quality fur coats.

If you feel guilty about any potential purchase, you can also clear out your designer wardrobe and jewellery box by selling some of your pieces at auction – just pop along to the auction house for a free valuation.

Fellows Upcoming Specialist Auctions: • Fortnightly sales of Watches & Jewellery • Antique & Modern Jewellery on Thursday 11th July from 11am • Vintage & Modern Wrist Watches on Monday 15th July from 11am • Vintage Jewellery & Accessories on Monday 5th August from 10am • Antique & Modern Jewellery on Thursday 15th August from 11am.

Buying at auction is easy – view the catalogues online to see what’s coming up. You can then attend in person, bid on the Fellows website or take part in live online bidding.

Visit www.fellows.co.uk for all the details.

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STYLE WOMEN

GODDESS

FAS H I O N N EWS

alert

Bringing you the very best of the gorgeous summer fashion, from must-have bags to soft leather sandals

S U N SH I N E S E ASON

One-shouldered dresses are a micro-trend to love for summer.

The right mix of elegant and fashion-forward, this animal print one from Wallis, £60, looks like a designer version five times the price.

Boden may get a bad rap for mumsy macs and floral patterns but their skinny jeans are impossible to beat, for a slim but flattering fit and wide range of wearable colours. The new summer range has fantastic shades of sunshine yellow, teal and coral to choose from, each £49: boden.co.uk

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Engineered print t-shirt dress, £149, Pied a Terre, House of Fraser

LOVE, WANT These fine leather bags from Hobbs - £99 white, £249 blue – are investments in your wardrobe.

Avenger watch, £175, Police (all good jewellers)

Gant sunglasses, £100, gant.co.uk

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style women

23

t lus

LIST

NEW IN Delicately pretty, these covetable pendants from Thomas Sabo in Bullring will add a light summery finishing touch to any outfit, from tees and shorts to a special day dress. Leaf pendant, £119, rose gold, £200.

Chicest carry-on ever: Louis Vuitton small four-wheel suitcase, £2,020.

DRESS DOWN Dorothy Perkins goes cute and casual for summer, with a new collection that influenced by long, lazy days hanging out in the park. Mix printed tees with floaty maxis in tropical patterns, and edge with studded sandals: top, £26, shoes £40.

GETAWAY GIRL

STOP PRESS

Counting the days until takeoff? Then you need to check out the holidaywear, new in at Harvey Nichols. Animal print is a key theme, and sandals are bejewelled and comfortably flat for sightseeing by day and dancing by night. We heart this Cool Change beach coverup, £155, and Sam Edleman embellished sandals, £145.

Topshop’s high summer collection is hitting stores right now, and is full of pure, pristine white and pops of primary colours. Think cutting-edge midi length skirts, prom dresses, cropped leather jackets and fun-to-wear mini dresses in cute prints: we love.

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STYLE FASHION

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STYLE FASHION

25

BEY

BEAUTIFUL S w i m w e a r i s t h e s u p e r h e r o o f t h e n ew B eyo n c é f o r H & M s u m m e r c o l l e c t i o n , w i t h f r i n g e d , pat t e r n e d a n d b l o c k c o l o u r b i k i n i t o p s a n d b r i e f s p r i c e d at j u s t £ 3 .9 9 e a c h . R a c e y o u t o t h e q u e u e . . .

i s s u e 3 43

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style fashion

Jacket, £45

Tote, £65

Floral dress, £60

Maxi, £85

Maxi dress, £68

Vest, £45

Swimsuit £33.60

Necklaces from £30

Sunglasses from £22

Sandals, £45

Yellow maxi, £120

L ABEL WE LOVE L o v e d b y c e l e b s , M at t h e w W i l l i a m s o n i s c r e d i t e d w i t h i n v e n t i n g ‘ b o h o c h i c ’ . T h e B u t t e r f l y b y M at t h e w Wi l l i a m s o n c o l l e c t i o n at D e b e n h a m s i s f u l l o f i n s ta n t s u m m e r c l a s s i c s Since Matthew Williamson first burst onto the scene at London Fashion Week in 1997, his eclectic and instantly recognisable designs have become bestsellers. Known for clashing prints and patterns – everything from Aztec to botanic – and a love of floaty, flattering tailoring, Williamson has a fan-base that includes Birmingham girl Cat Deeley, Sienna Miller, Kylie Minogue, Cheryl Cole, Kate Moss and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Jacket £70, sequin top £20, trouser £55, shoes £75

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The Manchester-born designer is a big supporter of the British high street and his diffusion line for Debenhams, Butterfly by Matthew Williamson, was a huge hit from the first collection. Strong on jewellery and accessories, the line has a

fashion-forward emphasis on pieces you can wear season after season. The new summer 2013 collection is no different, with stand-out patterned maxi dresses for special occasions, gorgeous embellished sandals for holidays, and luxury tailored jackets and shorts in stone, navy and chartreuse.

Our heroes? Statement necklaces that will instantly glam up a tee and chinos, and cute sunglasses with a tiny silver butterfly motif that look high-end designer and right on trend for summer. The new Butterfly range is set to fly off shelves, so snap your fave pieces up now.

Heels, £70

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STYLE FASHION

TAKE THREE

S UM M E R D RESSES

T h r e e k e y t r e n d s , i n t h r e e g o r g e o u s d r e s s e s . We a s k e d H a r v e y N i c h o l s P e r s o n a l S h o p p i n g

NAUTICAL

COLOUR BLOCK

AZTEC

M a n a g e r C O N S TA N T I N E T Z I A M B A Z I S t o a c c e s s o r i s e t h e s e k e y l o o k s f o r s u m m e r

3. By Malene Birger jersey dress, £110

1. MSGM print dress, £320 Wear with: Sophia Webster neon fringe sling backs, £460, McQ Alexander McQueen razor wrap bracelet, £65, and Red Carpet Manicure LED gel polish in The Perfect Pair, £12.95.

2. Helmut Lang draped dress, £290 Wear with: McQ Alexander McQueen laser-cut leather clutch, £295, Sam Edelman sandals, £85, and Butter London nail varnish in Jaffa, £12.

Wear with: McQ Alexander McQueen studded back suede ballet flats, £215, Michael Michael Kors striped tote, £260, and OPI nail varnish in The Spy Who Loved Me, £11.

• All items featured are available at Harvey Nichols Birmingham, in store or via Click & Collect. Want more tips on your new season wardrobe? Visit Constantine and the Personal Shopping team in store or call 0121 616 6008 to book an appointment.

issue 34

LOUISE

ELENA

MARK

MARK & ELIZABETH

KATHERINE

29

STYLE SOCIAL

Cropped tee £15, and maxi skirt £40, both River Island, bag £18, Dorothy Perkins, wedges £27.99, New Look, bracelets £6 each, River Island, sunglasses £4.99, New Look

Leather jacket £65, tee £18, platforms £60, trilby £15, and backpack £30, all River Island, leggings £12.99, and bangles £5.99, both New Look

MODEL STUDENT Me e t Kat herine Sa lt, model and phi l o sophy s t u d en t a n d new ‘face’ of The Fort Shoppi ng Park

Tee £20, and Rihanna jacket £120, both River Island, jeans £24.99, New Look, trainers £20, Dorothy Perkins, necklace £5.99, New Look

Birmingham-based Katherine Salt is balancing a busy modelling career with studying for a master’s degree in philosophy. On a mission to encourage women to be bodyconfident, here she tells Style Birmingham why it’s time to stop stressing about other people’s opinions.

I’ve been modelling for just over a year year, and I have already experienced first-hand how photographs can be manipulated, which sets a bad precedent for young women.

I used to believe body confidence was achieved through looking your best and that this would make me happy, but it’s about accepting who you are and about being comfortable in your own skin and accepting yourself flaws and all!

Growing up, I was always self-conscious about my height, my skin and general appearance. Basically, I was the same as every other teenage girl with a list of complaints as long as my arms, and I’m nearly 6ft so they’re pretty long…

If I could send a message to my younger self, it would be calm down! Stop stressing about what everyone else thinks about you.

Take every opportunity as it comes.

I want to inspire young women to stop obsessing over the way people look, or what they see in the media. Dress for yourself and choose whatever you feel comfortable and confident wearing.

Be adventurous. The most important part of dressing yourself to feel confident is finding things that make you feel good and not being afraid to wear them.

I’m inspired by strong women who have a passion and follow it. Right now, I’m studying for an MA in Philosophy: Health and Happiness, and it means learning about the real meaning of wellbeing, be it emotional, physical or spiritual.

Katherine appears in The Fort Shopping Park’s new summer campaign. All items shown here available at The Fort.

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Rotunda Birmingham

31

STYLE FASHION

Tiger print swimsuit, £25, scarf, £12.50, bracelet, £12

ESCAPE TO THE SUN

B e a c h w e a r i s a s t y l e s tat e m e n t t h i s s u m m e r , i n s e x y s h a d e s o f h o t p i n k a n d c o o l k h a k i , e d g e d u p w i t h b r a i d s, b e a d s a n d e xo t i c p r i n t s

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style fashion

Tie-dye bikini top, £14, and briefs, £12, floral kimono, £25, boots, £60, ring, £8

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33

Tassel swimsuit, £26, bracelets, £10

All available at Next issue 34

STYLE FASHION

Model: Top £14, shorts £4, earrings £5, tote £7, all Primark

34

FESTIVAL FUN

Ta k e i n s p i r at i o n f r o m C a l i f o r n i a’ s i c o n i c C o a c h e l l a f e s t i va l , where a boho vibe meets serious summer style

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style fashion

Top, £25, Fatface

Jacket, £59, Marks & Spencer Denim playsuit, £40, Miss Selfridge

Jumpsuit, £29.95, H&M

Embellished shorts, £45, River Island Sandals, £45, Butterfly by Matthew Williamson for Debenhams

Necklace, £16.50, Dorothy Perkins

Sandals, £29, Monsoon

Wellies, £30, Fatface in The Mailbox

Flower headband, £2, Primark

Rucksack, £32, Accessorize Sunglasses, £12.50, Next

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36

STYLE BEAUTY

B E AUT Y N EWS S m o o t h s k i n , a g o l d e n g l o w, b r e e z y c o l ou r s a n d f r e s h f r ag r a n c e : w e l c o m e to summer!

STYLE MEETS… AERIN LAUDER My mission is to help women look natural, refreshed and on trend, while keeping their beauty routine easy and mistake-proof.

It should be effortless. I’m fortunate to have learned so much from a lifetime in beauty, as a member of the Estee Lauder family.

I’m inspired by my everyday life. Flowers, travel, art, fashion, fabrics and even my children’s toys: anything that I find interesting. All my products are enhanced with a unique floral infusion that is designed to calm the mind and skin.

For me, summer has always been about the beach, and it’s where I’m happiest, inspired by the sea and the shells along the shore. My summer collection, Shell Color, has natural colours and a multi-purpose cream to use on body and hair, for a touch of subtle luxury.

AERIN, from £22, Selfridges

GLOSSY GIRL

Summer calls for a lighter lip colour, so switch to a non-sticky gloss in a sunshiney shade. We’re obsessed with the new Guerlain Gloss D’Infer Maxi Shine lipgloss £22, in 20 luscious, lip-plumping shades.

GLOWGIVER

Healthy, glowing skin like Diane Kruger’s is the holy grail of beauty. Tom Ford Illuminating Primer, £50, is the closest we’ve come to finding it: think Photoshop for the complexion.

summer scents

Matthew Williamson’s teamed up with Benefit Cosmetics to create a new palette inspired by the decadent 70s: The Rich is back, with four eyeshadows, a mini They’re Real!

Mascara, cheek powder and lipgloss £26.50, available from mid June.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess SkinScent, £45

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LUST

LIST

Tom Ford Sahara £100

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STYLE BEAUTY

HEALTHY

NAILS

Did you know we touch our eyes on average 200 times a day? That’s a lot of opportunity for irritation and infection.

Clinique’s pioneered the first nail polish that’s been approved by dermatologists and ophthalmologists. A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skins, £12, comes in 12 shades.

LE

ST Y

TANGERINE DREAM

S LOVE

Orange is a key colour right now, and so fun with a summer tan. MAC’s new All About Orange collection bursts with hot coral and vibrant peach shades but stays this side of wearable. On counter in June.

Crème de la Mer’s raising awareness for World Oceans Day 2013 on June 8 with a new 100ml limited edition, £275 at Harvey Nichols.

Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Serum boosts cell turnover to keep skin looking radiant: £59, dermalogica.com/uk

Warm Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica Youth Regenerating Cream on your fingers and pat on for best results: £45, kiehls.co.uk

Face feeling dry and tight? Carita Lagoon Cream is a fast-track to firm, supple skin: £72.50, carita.co.uk

For velvety-soft skin all day, add zesty Origins GinZing EnergyBoosting Moisturiser to your morning routine: £23, Boots

BEACH READY Bikini prep is easy with Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control, £36, which has hazelnut oil to give an immediate lifting effect. Stubborn wobbly bits? Try Shiseido’s Advanced Body Creator: Super Slimming Reducer, £53 (House of Fraser) which claims to reduce the appearance of cellulite by up to 70 percent after two weeks. Darphin’s Perfecting Body Scrub, £29 will prime skin for selftanning, and Nars Body Glow, £44 at Selfridges, is a sexy finishing touch.

POWER PRODUCTS

Skin’s summer story is all about a youthful sheen. These hydrating heroes will deliver the goods

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STYLE BEAUTY

LUXE LINE Crème de la Mer’s launched its first anti-ageing suncare collection: The Reparative Face Sun Lotion SPF 30 £85, The Reparative Body Sun Lotion SPF 30, and The Face and Body Gradual Tan, £65 each.

ANTI-AGER Estée Lauder’s new DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection AntiOxidant UV Defense SPF 50, is a powerful all-day-long UV base.

KATE’S PICK Ms Moss admits this is her go-

TAN MAXIMISER

to tanner: St Tropez Bronzing

Enrich your colour and tone skin with

Mousse, £30.64, Boots. Sweep

the gorgeous Lancaster Tan Maximizer

on with the mitt for a perfect

Rich Firming cream, £25, Selfridges.

all-over glow.

HELLO

SUNSHINE

A s K at e M o s s b e c o m e s t h e n e w fa c e o f S t T r o p e z , w e u n v e i l t h i s s u m m e r ’ s b e s t s u n p r o t e c t i o n a n d s e x i e s t s e l f ta n s

TIME SAVER

EXTRA PROTECTION

No time? For instant bronzing,

Protect lips, ears, scalp and other

spray on Anatomicals Me Tarzan,

areas prone to

You Jane, £6.99, Superdrug.

burning with Sisley Super Stick Solaire

RADIANCE BOOSTER Build a natural-looking tan with St Tropez Everyday Gradual Tan body lotion, £14.50, Selfridges.

for Sensitive SPF30, in colourless or tinted, £67.50.

OIL-FREE

SENSITIVE SKIN Natural sunscreens are less

Origins Faux Glow, £17,

irritating to the skin than

is a peppermint-scented

chemical agents: we love

instant self-tanner that won’t clog pores or streak.

PREP PERFECT A fave brand of dermatologists, Institut Esthederm’s UVinCellium Bronzant Spray, £42.50 in Space

Mychelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield SPF 28 Coconut £21.50, Selfridges.

NK, prepares skin for sun issue 34

exposure and locks in moisture

stylebirminghamMAG.com

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STYLE BEAUTY

a mini Camden under one roof! You can’t beat a good curry in Birmingham, so that’s always the top of my culinary hit list when I come home.

Fresh and almost monochromatic nails will be massive this summer. Think sleek, chic and grown up when it comes to your nails this season. Long, tapered and square is the must-have shape, and white is my must-have shade. An accent of neon will also be hot: pink, lime green and orange are my favourites. I’ll be sporting Revlon’s White on White on my hands and Fluorescent Neon Nail Duo on my toes.

I loved the shocking pink nails I created for Antonio Berardi. I used Revlon’s Pink Glow from their neon nail art range. This teamed with the cool grey fabric from the collection is the epitome of the spring/ summer 2013 nail trend. I also loved the tie-dye nails seen at House of Holland. I love nail art that’s not too fussy and more about texture or effect.

STYLE MEETS...

JENNY LONGWORTH Na i l a rt i s t to Rih anna and Jessi e J, B i r mi nghamb or n Rev l o n ambas sad o r Je nny L ongworth ti p s z e sty ne o n as summe r’s hottest hue inte rv iew: Fa rhana Nazir I’ve always been artistic and into make up. I started getting my own nails done when I was about 14 (I was a serial nail biter, would you believe). The very first nail bars had just started to pop up in Birmingham and no one even knew what nail extensions were back then.

D’Vine nails at The Swan Market was the place that inspired me to take it up myself, so I did a nail course in the evenings. It was never the intention that it would become my full time career!

It’s just another day at the office for me now. It’s super fun and no two days at work are ever the same, which means it never gets boring. I’ve visited some amazing

places, flown on private jets and been to some crazy parties that I’m sure I wouldn’t have if it weren’t for my job. I have met and worked with the most interesting people, not just celebrities. Everybody’s obsessed with celebrity, but for me the most exciting people are the legendary stylists, designers and photographers. These are the people that I truly admire. I remember standing in David Bailey’s bathroom thinking, how did a girl from Yardley end up here?

Birmingham has changed so much since I left. I always visit the vintage store, Cow, and The Custard Factory in Digbeth to grab some great vintage bargains that are often overpriced in London. I love the Oasis Market in town and pray they never knock it down. There are some really cool alternative shops, independent t-shirt designers and cheap jewellery: it’s

If you are going to use one product and one product only, then oil has the best benefits. Moisturising and nourishing also gives instant radiance to nails, and regular manicures are a must: nail filing is like a regular trim is to your hair. Neat cuticles discourage picking and painted nails encourage us to take care.

If you can’t afford the upkeep try Revlon’s Cuticle Softener. This gel-based formula moisturises, whilst its exfoliating beads slough away dead skin on the nail plate. Finish with a coat of Revlon’s Nail Brightener to add a lustrous, healthy glow to the nail.

I love the Revlon Nail Art Expressionist duos. They come with a base colour and a nail art brush at the other end so you can create your own designs. I also love the Revlon Nail Art Moon Candy duos, which have rich base colours and a holographic leaf topcoat for an out of this world effect. The Brilliant Strength range of colours is also genius: they’re like a manicure in a bottle, with a formulation that boasts built-in strengtheners, base and topcoat.

This year, I will be hosting the VIP nail bar at Isle of Wight Festival together with Revlon. My team and I will be on hand to tend to the nails of all the artists.

I am designing some exclusive nail art designs based on the Isle of Wight theme: their artwork is very Art Nouveau with a bit of a psychedelic 70s twist.

Clean teeth are so important to me. I probably spend ten minutes brushing and flossing! I always use Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant to wash my face, as it brightens my skin and feels like it really cleanses deep down. I love Guinot Crème Hydra Beauté for a super fresh daily face moisturiser, but once or twice a week, I use Decleor Revitalising Face Oil. Sisley Nutritive Lip Balm is also one of my hero products and is the only lip balm that seems to work for me. Before bedtime, I double cleanse by removing make up with Decleor Brightening Cleansing Oil and then wash again with their foaming cleanser, before applying their Aroma Night Balm.

Revlon Nail Art Expressionist and Revlon Nail Art Moon Candy, both priced £5.99, are available in Boots.

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FROM LEFT: Rihanna; Cara Delevingne models summer’s white-hot nail trend; Jenny at work on Jessie J’s nails

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STYLE BEAUTY

ESTÉE LAUDER G. Glowing Shimmer Block, £8.99, Superdrug

Nars nail polish in Versaille, £13.50, Harvey Nichols

YSL Marrakesh Sunset Palette for eyes, £42

Estée Lauder Pure Color Sheer RollerGloss in Succulent and Squeeze, £17

Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Color in Hot Raspberry, £19

CLUB TROPICANA

Tom Ford Skin Illuminator, £46, Selfridges and House of Fraser

Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Escapade and Pink Haze, £28

S u m m e r b e au t y i s a l l a b o u t a l i g h t ly b r o n z e d g l ow a n d h o t s h a d e s o f j u i cy p i n k , s h e e r c o r a l a n d gleaming gold

Estée Lauder Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée in Heat Wave, £30

Roberto Cavalli Acqua EDT, £32, Harvey Nichols

MAC Powder Blush in Hot Nights, £19

MAC nail lacquer in Fiestaware, £10 issue 34

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STYLE BEAUTY

A RELAXING HAVEN IN THE CENTRE OF THE CITY L e P e t i t S pa at Malmais o n B i r mi ngham i s the go-to r etr eat for tho s e i n n eed of a b re ak fro m a h ecti c schedule , di scover s Far hana Na z i r Guilty of spending far too many hours slouched in front of a computer screen, when I was offered the chance to experience the Holistic Back Face and Scalp treatment at Le Petit Spa, I knew my overstrained muscles were in for a well-deserved treat.

Situated within the glamorous Birmingham Malmaison in The Mailbox, Le Petit Spa is a peaceful haven tucked away in the bustling city centre, perfect for those staying at the Mal, or anybody looking to rid themselves of the stresses associated with daily life.

Upon arriving at the spa, I filled out a short medical form, followed by a quick tour of the amenities, before changing into a comfortable robe and slippers and being shown to the relaxation room. Sipping on herbal tea to begin unwinding from a busy day, I flicked through magazines until my super-attentive spa therapist, Lis, came to collect me.

Taken to a tranquil treatment room, Lis sat me down to talk through the treatment and discuss the product options available to me, along with any concerns I had before the treatment began.

Once prepped, Lis began the 14-stage Holistic Back Face and Scalp treatment, all the while ensuring that I was comfortable with what she was doing.

The treatment I opted for consisted of a facial cleanse, skin analysis, deep cleansing back exfoliation and massage, facial and scalp

issue 34

massage, and is the perfect option for those suffering from tense shoulders, strained neck muscles and upper back pain, as I was. Le Petit Spa exclusively uses natural Espa skincare products, and opting for the hydration range, my skin was left feeling intensely moisturised and looking luminous.

Lis attentively noted particular areas of concerns throughout the treatment, and ran through them with me at the end, advising me of the best way to avoid the recurring symptoms of which I had complained.

Although the entire treatment was an indulgent and highly recommended experience, I particularly enjoyed the powerful back massage, and felt the tension-free after-effects for up to a week after the treatment. The only point to note, and particularly if you have freshly washed hair, is that the scalp massage will leave your hair feeling slightly greasy, so bringing a hat may help.

If you’re looking for a luxurious experience without spending a fortune, and one that is worth its duration and lasting effect, the Holistic Back Face and Scalp treatment is an ideal option to consider; one I may just incorporate into my monthly pampering schedule.

The Holistic Back Face and Scalp treatment at Malmaison Le Petit Spa costs ÂŁ70, and lasts for one and a half hours. For bookings, call 0121 246 5008.

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style beauty

1. PRIMP AND PROTECT

10. USE SPF

Damp hair can

It’s not just your skin

break easily and

that needs a high

needs extra care, so

SPF. The Aveda

take a wide-toothed

Suncare Protective

comb or vent

Hair Veil, £20.50, will

brush to the beach.

keep hair and scalp

Hairbrush £4,

protected for up to 16

Marks & Spencer.

hours, and it’s waterresistant, too.

2. PACK A MASK Pop on a rich hair mask

9. MAKE WAVES

after swimming and the

For telltale beachy waves,

heat from the sun

Aveda Pure

will help your

Abundance Hair

hair absorb the

Potion, £19, will

ingredients. Malibu

punch up the

C Miracle Repair,

volume and

£1.69, is an easy-

texture of

to-pack sachet:

your hair

sallyexpress.com

without making it

3. CLEANSE WELL

crispy: aveda.

Beat the frazzles with a

co.uk and

moisturizing shampoo.

House of Fraser.

Royal hairdresser Richard Ward’s new all in one cleanse and conditioner, PURE, £26 (QVC), has botanical extracts that

10 FAST FIXES FOR SUMMER TRESSES

D o n ’ t l e t s u n a n d s e a d ry ou t you r h a i r . H e r e ’s h ow t o k e e p i t s o f t, s h i n y a n d l o o k i n g i t s b e s t

For a sexy summer evening look, slick on Show Beauty’s fragranced Hair Treatment Oil and pull hair back into a loose ponytail or plait: £50 Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.

COLOUR Don’t let the sun fade your colour. Phyto Golden Highlights Gloss, £20, is an at-home treatment that boosts

won’t strip hair.

4. PARE DOWN

8. SUNKISSED

and intensifies the natural shades in your

5. FIGHT

hair: feelunique.com

FLYAWAYS Hot days,

6. ADD

travelling and high

MOISTURE

humidity can all

A great

lead to frizzy hair.

conditioner

Apply Liz Earle

is vital in

Botanical Shine

summer. Use

Nourishing Hair

Ojon Rare

Oil, £15, to damp

Blend Deep

hair before blow-

Conditioner, £29 at Boots,

drying to tame the

each time you wash for

tousles.

instantly softer hair.

7. SPRAY ON SHINE Summer can leave hair feeling coarse and looking dull. Spritz on the lightweight Kiehl’s Deeply Restorative Smoothing Hair Oil Concentrate, £18 (kiehls. co.uk) to revitalize in seconds.

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ST YL E NEWS Translating the trends, so you don’t have to...

ARE YOU WEARING...

JACK & JONES?

IN THE SHADE Ray-Bans a little out of your budget right now? Check out the new sunglasses at Burton in The Fort Shopping Park.

From only £12, the collection is vintage Americana-influenced and on trend.

This Danish label is new to the UK but set to become a wardrobe staple. Denim is at the heart of the brand, but there are also casual shirts, tees and sweaters that mix a pared-down Scandinavian vibe with soft fabrics and muted colours, making it perfect weekend-wear.

Tees from £12, shirts from £32, sweatshirts from £35: find Jack & Jones in House of Fraser.

edito

C H O r’s ICE Gucci trilby, £275

Polo Ralph Lauren striped polo shirt, £115

RO

MIC

D

N TRE

Summer shades are white, navy and pastels, right? Not for S/S ’13. The catwalks were packed with a very elegant dove grey, seen at Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Prada and more. Paired with tan leather accessories and shots of pattern and florals for contrast, it’s a trend that’s both wearable and classic. issue 34

Jimmy Choo sandals, £295

• All available at Harvey Nichols in The Mailbox

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S

LOVTYLE ES Cool and effortlessly contemporary, this Emporio Armani stainless steel chronograph watch is £299 at Selfridges.

NEW KIT Heading to the great outdoors? You don’t have to sacrifice style. We rate the laidback signature of Fat Face and its commitment to hardwearing clothes you’ll actually want to wear. These chino shorts are £38 and striped throw-on sweater, £25.

ROLL IT H&M in Pavilions has a new collection of summer chinos that’s the closest to perfection we can find on the high street. In a wide range of colours, these wearanywhere cotton trousers are a slim-fit, will look better with age, and are an incredible £14.99.

PACK LIGHT Good quality swim shorts are a holiday essential. The super-fine fabric used by Vilebrequin means you dry out faster: lobster print swim shorts, £175 and floral, £150, Harvey Nichols.

NEW

IN

The perfect summer jacket: lightweight enough for warm days, handy when it rains (and it will): £69, Marks & Spencer.

HIDE AND SLEEK Only the very best quality leather will do when it comes to statement accessories.

Think of it as an investment: finishing touches sometimes speak louder than your whole outfit. We’re coveting this Mulberry iPhone cover, £80, and Ralph Lauren wallet £85, both Selfridges.

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Vintage round lens glasses, £15, Asos Hat, £15.99, Zara

Crew neck jumper, £28, Next

Alexander McQueen shirt, £325, Harvey Nichols

Mismo leather-trimmed canvas washbag, £145, Mr Porter, mrporter.com

THE WEEKEND AWAY EDIT

No mo re ove r-packi ng. From the summer sli pper to the p e rfe c t c h ino, our ti ght edi t of har dwor ki ng pi eces wi ll s ee you ki cki ng back i n style Contrast fabric blazer, £250, Ted Baker

Sky Blue Chino Trousers, £95, paul smith.co.uk and Harvey Nichols in The Mailbox

House Of Hounds Alfred Slippers, £65, Topman

Hugo Boss leather weekender, £425, House of Fraser and Hugo Boss in The Mailbox

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From left: shorts, £35, shirt, £38, shirt, £35, jacket, £70, all Rocha.John Rocha

CALL OF THE

WILD

S u m m e r w e e k e n d w e a r m i x e s s a fa r i n e u t r a l s , e a r t h y t e x t u r e s a n d tribal prints with p ops of bright colour

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style men

From left: jacket, £70, cardigan, £65, shirt, £35, jeans, £40, shoes, £60, jacket £75, polo, £25, chinos, £35, hat, £20, bag, £35, shoes, £55, all J Jeans by Jasper Conran

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Jacket, £75, tee, £18, shirt, £38, trousers, £28, all Rocha.John Rocha

All available at Debenhams Birmingham

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GADGET

GEEK G r e at g a d g e t s f o r n e w s e a s o n s h o p p i n g

FIND YO U R R H Y T H M The Scosche Rhythm is a lightweight pulse monitor that attaches to your forearm. Thanks to its Bluetooth technology, the device can be controlled wirelessly through a smartphone or tablet application, so you can monitor pulse, calories burned, distance, speed and pace. You can also have your own personalised home page, route mapping and work out summary tailored to your workout schedule. Priced at £99.99 in yellow and pink from the Apple Store.

W E L L CASED Treating your dad to a new iPad mini for Father’s Day? Check out the Cygnett range of six iPad Mini cases to complete the look. Sleek and durable, the Cygnett iPad Mini Cases are £24.95 from Cygnett.com

POCKET SIZE A new, compact stylus for use with smartphones, the Bamboo Stylus Pocket is ideal for iPad and Android tablets on the go. The extendable stylus fits easily into any pocket or accessory case, but is still big on functionality. Perfect for flicking through emails, taking handwritten notes, or capturing ideas whenever inspiration strikes: the Bamboo Stylus pocket is essential for any busy gadget-geek. The Wacom Bamboo Stylus Pocket is £29, from Wacom.eu

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D U LY N OT E D Strange name, but a simple concept. The Booqpad combines an iPad case and notepad into one. Designed symmetrically for right and left handed users, each Booqpad comes with a blank, 50-sheet A5 notepad.

From £54.99, booquk.com or booqeurope.com/eu/stores

W E AT H E R C H EC K No more relying on the weather forecasters. The Urban Weather Station allows you to monitor the environment for the temperature, CO2 levels, humidity, air quality and acoustic comfort. You can use it indoors and outdoors, and the data is compiled and displayed in a user-friendly app, so you can predict when to go camping, play golf, picnic or eat alfresco. The Netatmo Urban Weather Station is available from netatmo.com, from £139.

STAND UP The Kaimata is a universal tablet stand that is compatible with the iPad, Kindle, Samsung Galaxy tablets, Acer tablets, and ASUS tablets. Acting as a great storage device and stand for reading the football scores whilst in the office, this stand cradles the tablet/e-reader whilst giving users access to a number of different viewing angles. The Maroo Kaimata is £39.99, from Amazon.

W H AT A M A R V E L Even the most confidential data is safe in the hands/terrifying claws of Wolverine and Spiderman. These two characters make up the Marvel Universe range, available with a capacity of either 4GB or 8GB. Unique to the Dane-Elec USBs, the Marvel Classic range includes free licensed Marvel content. This includes a month’s subscription to more than 10,000 Marvel digital comics, an extensive Marvel image gallery and exclusive wallpapers for Windows, Mac and Linux devices. The Marvel Classic Range is £11.99 each, from Amazon.

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S t y l e B i r m i n g h a m M aga z i n e , n ow ava i l a b l e t o v i e w F R E E o n yo u r i P h o n e , i Pa d o r a n d r o i d d e v i c e

T o d ow n l oa d s i m p ly e n t e r s t y l e b i r m i n g h a m M AG .c o m / m aga z i n e i n yo u r b r ow s e r @ S t y l e B h a m M AG

S t y l e B i r m i n g h a m M aga z i n e

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END

START YOUR WEEKEND WITH STYLE BIRMINGHAM

R E A D R E V I E W S O F T O P C I T Y R E S TAU R A N T S , D I S C O V E R T H E C O O L E S T B A R S , B O O K T H E B E S T E N T E R TA I N M E N T, P L A N A N I G H T AT T H E T H E AT R E , B E I N S P I R E D T O C O O K AT H O M E A N D E N J O Y T H E M O S T E X C L U S I V E E V E N T S BIRMINGHAM HAS TO OFFER

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A TASTE OF

SUMMER

F r o m f o o d f e s t i va l s t o c o c k ta i l s , T h e M a i l b o x i s s e r v i n g u p a s u m m e r t o s av o u r !

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Summer jazz It’s back! This year, The Mailbox will host a number of jazz performances as part of the Birmingham International Jazz Festival from Friday July 5th to Sunday July 14th. Starting at 12.30pm each day, check out live music from the likes of the Digby Fairweather Quartet, Grace Lancaster and The Will Johns Band Quartet on Level 7 outside Red Peppers.

COCKTAIL HOUR We do love a summer cocktail. Fresh, fun and deliciously decadent, there will be plenty of new cocktails and classic favourites on offer at the likes of Harvey Nichols Espresso Café, Malmaison, Miller & Carter, Bar Epernay, Bar Room Bar, Bar Estilo, The Oriental and more, as The Mailbox launches its Cocktail app this summer..

Join the fun by sharing tales and posting pics of your favourite cocktail on the facebook app or on Twitter (use #mailboxcocktails hashtag). Look out for the menu which showcases some of the cocktail highlights from a selection of bars and restaurants. Even better, take part and you could win a £50 restaurant voucher or £100 to splash on dining or more cocktails at The Mailbox!

TRY A TASTE OF

THE MAILBOX

In the mood for something different? Throughout July, Taste of The Mailbox will see a host of fabulous eateries showcasing sampling menus and the very best food and drink on Level 3.

There will be special offers and great deals over three days: Friday July 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th, from 12 noon to 4pm.

Love steak? On Friday July 5th, the amazing steak restaurants of The Mailbox will compete in a Great British Steak-Off competition, where their sizzling cuts will be judged by a panel of foodie writers and experts.

If you like to tempt your taste buds with new cuisines, search out the Taste of The Mailbox Sampling Cart, which will be popping up across The Mailbox this summer. You’ll be invited to try complimentary bites from the new summer menus of The Mailbox restaurants; perfect if you’re looking for a little gourmet inspiration!

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STYLE HEALTH

ADVANTAGE EDGBASTON PRIORY CLUB

Relax with a glass of wine in the brand new Club bar

Foll owi ng a multi-m i l l i on p ou n d r edevel opment, the legenda ry E d g ba s t on Pr i ory C lub i s wher e hi story meet me et s s tat e-ofthe-art faci li ti es and s o m uc h m ore Sparkling new indoor squash courts

ECP high performance player, Emily Smith in action issue 34

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Club offers courses for complete beginners that will get you mastering the basic techniques and on court enjoying matches in just six weeks.

The Club has also doubled the size of its fitness suite which now offers stunning panoramic views over the grounds and the very latest equipment and technology to enhance members’ fitness programmes. A brand new exercise studio will increase the number and range of classes on offer from the controlled yoga and Pilates through to high energy boxercise and body combat. And for those members seeking a personal approach, the Club’s personal trainers can create a bespoke programme tailored to each member’s lifestyle and fitness needs.

But there’s so much more on offer at the new Edgbaston Priory Club than state-of-the-art sporting facilities.

The new clubhouse has been designed to offer bespoke areas in which to relax and unwind. You can choose whether to watch a match in the sports bar, enjoy a delicious meal with friends in the bistro or unwind with an ice-cold glass of white wine on the outdoor terrace overlooking the outdoor pool.

A new private room catering for 120 people, perfect for both club events and private functions, together with an events lawn are set to enhance what is already a vibrant social scene for members whilst the Club’s new multi-media facilities enable members to mix fitness with business.

This summer sees the eagerlyawaited opening of Edgbaston Priory Club’s new clubhouse, following a multi-million pound refurbishment, offering members of this historic club the very latest racquet and leisure facilities, luxurious changing rooms, a stylish bar, bistro and outdoor dining area together with one of the most enviable social scenes in the city.

Hidden within 14 acres of beautiful grounds, just five minutes from Birmingham’s busy business and shopping quarter, Edgbaston Priory Club enjoys a special place in the history of racquet sport. Lawn tennis itself was invented just a stone’s throw away from the Club and over the years, many legends of the game – Billie Jean King, Bjorn Borg and Maria Sharapova to name but a few – have graced the courts.

This latest investment in Edgbaston Priory Club’s facilities will not only ensure the Club can continue to attract high profile racquet tournaments, such as the Aegon Classic, to the city but also offers its members, for generations to come, one of the very best sporting and social environments in the region.

Edgbaston Priory Club is certainly going to be one of the most sought after places to keep fit, relax and unwind. Membership places are limited so reserve your place while you can. For details of the membership packages available visit edgbastonpriory.com, call 0121 440 2492 or email reception@edgbastonpriory.com

The fitness suite

DID YOU KNOW? • The rules of lawn tennis were drawn up in Edgbaston, back in 1874 and are now housed in Birmingham City Archives.

• The first Wimbledon ladies singles winner, Maud Watson, came from Edgbaston, and today a trophy bearing her name is presented to the winner of the Aegon Classic.

• The new centre court at Edgbaston Priory Club is named after life member, Ann Jones, who won Wimbledon in 1969, two French Open singles titles, and reached six other Maud Watson Grand Slam singles finals.

After retiring, Ann played an active role in the women’s game and it was she, with the support of the LTA, who brought the Edgbaston Cup, now known as the Aegon Classic, to the Club in 1982.

SPECIAL

OFFER

Edgbaston Priory Club is delighted to offer Style readers a 25% reduction on the entrance fee if you join before 31 August 2013. Simply quote EPCStyle13 to claim the reduction.

Members can now enjoy playing tennis on 32 courts, offering a variety of playing surfaces, including a new six-court indoor tennis centre, ensuring play whatever the weather! There is also a new four- court squash block with glass back walls and viewing balconies, improving the playing experience and bringing the number of squash courts to ten.

And you don’t have to be a lifelong tennis or squash player to take advantage of these new courts. The

Tennis star Maria Sharapova celebrates winning the Maud Watson trophy

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PLAY THE GAME AT

BROADWAY CASINO Ca lli n g all h ig h ro lle rs ! Her e’s what happened when S T Y L E B I R M I N G H A M sp e n t th e ev e ning at Ve gas-i nspi r ed B roadway Casi no, r i ght here on B irmi ngham’s B roadway Plaza The moment you walk through the entrance at Broadway Casino you feel like you’ve been transported out of Birmingham and straight onto the neon-lit Strip in Las Vegas. Forget any preconceived notions you may be harbouring about casinos: there’s an exciting buzz about this place, from the super-friendly team that greets you at the door to the sleek designer decor.

We were taken to our first stop, the aptly-named Manhattan Suite: pink neon, chrome, large comfy sociable sofas and a beautiful circular open fireplace provide an air of sophistication, in our view, unrivalled by any other city casino. Manhattan offers a superb variety of cocktails and other drinks: we enjoyed sipping Cosmopolitans by the open fire, which was a great way to relax before the evening’s fun.

Following our drinks we were then taken to the Mirage Fusion Restaurant, at the back of the casino. Open plan, the restaurant allows you to dine with elevated views all over the bustling casino arena, making it a wonderful spot to relax, dine and enjoy the atmosphere

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of the whole casino floor. The menu choice is wide and varied, offering cuisines from Italy, Thailand, China and India so you’re spoilt for choice.

We feasted on crispy aromatic duck, succulent and cooked to perfection, followed by Singapore noodles with chicken, prawns and vegetables, and chicken in black bean sauce, which was all fresh, delicious and beautifully presented. Dessert was a towering chocolate pyramid, a yummy combination of white and dark chocolate mousse nestling on a cocoa sponge. We followed this with a double espresso to sharpen the senses for the gaming ahead!

If you’ve never visited a casino before or have and not found the courage to give it a go then Broadway is the perfect place to experiment. They offer advice and coaching on all casino games which is really helpful to our visit. We played both blackjack and roulette, and it was a thrilling night with plenty of challenges and fun!

Our tip? Stay sensible, stick to your budget and quit while you’re ahead!

BROADWAY CASINO: DID YOU KNOW? You no longer need to be a member to gain entry to Broadway Casino The New York-inspired Manhattan Suite is available for private event hire You can enjoy four different cuisines in the restaurant – Italian, Indian, Thai and Chinese Enjoy the buzz of the gaming floor wherever you are with the option for casino hire The Manhattan Bar is open from 7pm 3am every night and entry is free

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WIN

… a meal for four plus a bottle of house wine, and a £10 gaming voucher per person To enter, simply answer this question: Where is Broadway Casino situated?

• New York • Broadway Plaza, Birmingham • Broad Street To enter answer online at stylebirminghamMAG.com (terms and conditions apply, please see website for details).

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N E WS RO U NDU P All the news from around the city

Bollywood 100 in Birmingham

Part of the city-wide celebrations marking 100 years of Indian cinema, head to the open air Bollywood 100 mela at The Arcadian on June 22 to soak up the energy and excitement.

Featuring colourful Bollywood dance performances by some of the best dancers in the West Midlands, including live performances by Bollywood’s Got Talent winners and several delicious food stalls, it’s an event not to be missed. Visit sampad.org.uk/ bollywood100inbirmingham for more information.

COCKTAILS AT

NUVO

Bringing a suave and sophisticated edge to socialising, Nuvo Bar in Brindleyplace is more than just a post-work drinks stop. Reinventing a classic summer cocktail with an exotic edge for Style, Nuvo presents the passion fruit daiquiri.

With seasoned drinkers beginning to tire of traditional cocktail menus, The Jekyll & Hyde’s eccentric mixes are perfect for the experimental drinker. The Fluffer cocktail is a candy shopinspired concoction of marshmallow vodka and lavender and honey syrups, topped with toasted meringue and popping candy.

ingredients

method:

50ml Bacardi rum

Blend together all ingredients, and once a consistency similar to a smoothie is reached, pour into chilled glass using a circular motion to create a layered effect. Garnish with passion fruit.

15ml passion fruit juice 10ml passion fruit syrup 1 scoop of crushed ice ½ passion fruit to garnish Chilled martini glass

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Digbeth Dining Club

If you’re a foodie after something different, Digbeth Dining Club should be high on your must visit list. Offering a range of mouth-watering eats from local street food vendors, including Platinum Pancakes, The Mexican Bean and Jabberwockey, head to Spot*light (opposite Air nightclub) every Friday for a distinguished culinary experience. Digbeth Dining Club runs from 5.30 pm to 10.30pm every Friday, with different street food vendors featuring every week. Visit digbethdiningclub.co.uk for weekly menu updates.

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BrewDog Birmingham

Fed up with drinking supermarket brand beers and want your hops, malt and barley to go the extra mile? Purveyor of the finest beer drinking experience, BrewDog is Birmingham’s latest haunt at the top of every craft beer enthusiast’s list. Artfully mixing an interior of exposed metal girders with the native sounds of Birmingham’s iconic heavy metal bands, and the best craft beers from around the world, beer night is set to get very exciting.

Brewdog.com/bars/Birmingham

Paint Night

Fancy flexing your artistic muscle whilst indulging in delicious food and drink? Make Paint Night your next socialising stop, where you can take part in a two-hour guided painting session whilst enjoying a tasty bite and a tipple.

Taking place at Locanta restaurant in St. Paul’s Square and Portofino restaurant in the heart of the Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter until December 2013, tickets are £25 and can be purchased at paintnight.co.uk

Metropolis: Reflections on the Modern City

Capturing visions of the modern global city by some of the world’s most exciting artists, Metropolis: Reflections on the Modern City brings to Birmingham Museum stunning work by 25 contemporary artists of the highest international standing. A major showcase of artwork jointly collected by Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the New Art Gallery, Walsall, the exhibition has been developed in partnership with Ikon Gallery, as part of the £1 million Art Fund International initiative. Ends June 23. bmag.org.uk

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity golf day

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is calling keen golfers to take part in their annual golf day, which takes place on July 26 at Blackwell Golf Club. The event will see participating teams take to the fairways for a bit of healthy competition and a great day of fundraising.

Kicking the day off with a hearty breakfast, the teams will head out for a ‘shot gun’ tee off, competing for a range of prestigious prizes across the 18 holes, with one team crowned the Midlands Air Ambulance Golf Day champions. The day will finish with a threecourse dinner, awards presentation and a charity raffle. Individuals can play for £142.80, while teams of four can sign up for £474.

For more information, call 0121 585 4400, email golf@ ebcgroup.co.uk or visit ebcgroup.co.uk/charitygolf

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FOOD & D R I N K N E WS PICNIC AWAY Take a leaf out of the Italians’ book and eat alfresco as much as the weather allows this summer. We love the new hampers from gourmet brand Carluccio’s: simply order your preferred choice, collect and head off to the great outdoors! Each picnic hamper is priced at £45, serves two, is generously packed full of regional Italian dishes (think juicy artichoke and olive salads, savoury tarts, fruity puddings, chocolate and wine), freshly made on the day and comes in a reusable cool-bag. For details, go to carluccios. com, follow on twitter @Carluccioscaffe, or call the Brindleyplace restaurant on 0121 633 9262.

ON THE GO

RADISH AND QUINOA TABBOULEH WITH PISTACHIOS AND HERBED CHICKEN This summery dish was created by Serves: 4 nutritionist Lowri Turner, who says: Preparation time: 15 minutes “Quinoa is a whole grain, similar to rice, Cooking time: 30 minutes but it has a higher protein content and a lower GI (glycaemic index), meaning it releases its energy slowly. So, rather than white pasta or rice, both of which are high GI, quinoa makes a much better base for a super-healthy but still filling salad. Quinoa is pretty bland, though, so adding herbs and an ingredient like flavoursome radishes, really peps it up. This salad can be made in advance and will keep in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. It’s ideal for packing in a lunch box or for a fast lunch at home. Serve it with grilled chicken coated in herbs to really pack a punch flavour-wise.”

You’ll need:

What to do:

200g/7oz quinoa

To cook the quinoa, place in a saucepan with the water, bring to the boil and simmer with the lid in for 15-20 minutes till all the water has disappeared.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool. When cool, add radishes, tomatoes, herbs, lime juice, pistachios and salt and pepper. Set aside.

600ml/18fl oz water Juice of 2 limes 12 radishes, quartered 12 baby vine tomatoes, quartered 2 handfuls each fresh chopped parsley, mint and coriander 1 handful shelled, unsalted pistachios, toasted in a dry frying pan.

Salt and pepper Seeds from 1 pomegranate (optional) 2 chicken breast fillets, skin removed or 200g halloumi cheese, sliced 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper 2 tbsp chopped parsley

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Heat a griddle pan. Slice each chicken breast into two, lengthwise. Then place each between two pieces of cling film and use a rolling pin to hammer out till ½ cm thick. Rub with olive oil and season. Arrange the chicken slices in a single layer on the pan (you may have to do this in batches if your pan is small). When stripes appear on the underside of the chicken (2 – 4 minutes), turn over to colour on the other side. Sprinkle with parsley and slice into thin strips.

To serve, pile the quinoa onto a large serving plate, scatter the chicken over the top and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds if using.

No time for toast? Grab a biscuit bar instead. We taste-tested the new Biscuit Breaks from Nairn’s Oatcakes, which are gluten free and packed with wholegrain oats, in two flavours, Oats & Syrup and Oats & Fruit. Find them in Tesco, Waitrose and Asda, priced at £1.50.

SNACK ATTACK Counting calories is hard work, so make snack time easier with a Tasty Little Numbers’ milk, white or dark chocolate bar at a welcome 100 cals each, 60p, from One Stop Stores or amazon.co.uk

SUMMER WINE

The lovely Zalze Chenin Blanc 2012, £7.99 at Waitrose and Ocado, makes for perfect summer drinking: crisp, fruity and bursting with fresh notes. Enjoy with barbecued steaks, garlic ciabatta and hearty potato salad.

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Say it with chocolate for this year’s Father’s Day: this chocolate cake is £9 at Marks & Spencer.

RARE DROP

The Whisky Shop on Great Western Arcade Street has The Glenlivet Quercus, a collectible single cask whisky of which only 250 bottles were made: £200.

STYLE THE BBQ Villeroy & Boch’s in-house stylist Sylvia Oakley’s top tips for the perfect summer barbecue

Serves: 4-6 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

THAI-STYLE RICE SALAD WITH CHICKEN, APPLE AND MANGO You’ll need:

What to do:

A large bunch of coriander

Trim the coriander by removing the very ends of the stalks. Remove a handful of leaves and set aside for a garnish. Roughly chop the rest of the leaves and stalks and add to a food processor. Trim the lemongrass by removing the tough outer leaves and then roughly chop the inner stem and add to the processor, along with the shallots to the food processor, along with the ginger, garlic, chillies, fish sauce, sesame oil, lime juice and zest.

Season with a little salt and pepper and process until smooth. Stop the motor to push the paste down the bowl once or twice to ensure it is evenly processed.

2 lemongrass stalks 2 shallots, chopped 2-3cm piece fresh root ginger, chopped 1 fat clove garlic, crushed 1-3 red birds’ eye chillies, roughly chopped (to taste) 2 tbsp fish sauce 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil Juice and zest 2 limes Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 large chicken breasts, skinless and boneless 250g brown rice 2 large or 3 medium Pink Lady apples, cored and chopped into bite sized pieces 1 ripe mango, flesh chopped into bite sized pieces 3 tbsp salted peanuts, roughly chopped (optional)

Make three or four deep slashes through each chicken breast to allow the marinade to penetrate more easily, taking care not to cut all the way through. Spoon half of the coriander paste onto the chicken and spread all over, rubbing it in well. Set aside on a plate in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Whilst the chicken is marinating, cook the rice according to the packet instructions (it should take around 25 minutes in boiling water.) Drain well and stir through the remaining coriander paste whilst it is still warm. Lay the chicken breasts in a food steamer and cover with a lid. Steam gently for about 12 minutes until cooked all the way through - use a sharp knife to cut each breast at the thickest point to check there is no pink and cook for a further minute or two if necessary.

Allow the chicken to cool for a few minutes before shredding into bite sized pieces. Stir through the rice along with the apple and the mango. Pile onto a serving dish and scatter over the peanuts, if using, and garnish with the reserved coriander leaves. Serve whilst still warm or cool and chill in the fridge until you are ready to eat. Best eaten within 24 hours of making.

“Nothing welcomes summer more than throwing the first barbecue of the season for friends and family. It’s important to remember that a barbecue should be relaxed, friendly and inviting and this should be echoed throughout your styling. I like to use mismatched tablecloths (gingham is particularly on trend at the moment) on all the surfaces in my garden. Pretty up your BBQ table whether it be in a garden, on a patio or even a rooftop by adding some flowers – I save old jars and tin cans for this and wrap decorative ribbon or washi tape around them. Utilise herb pots by adding seaside windmills to them to create a fun and playful atmosphere.

Keep the outdoors theme running through by using clean earthenware plant pots for storing cutlery: it always generates compliments from my guests. If you like the country/vintage style, add bunting to your outdoor area – if you’re lucky enough to have trees, drape the bunting around the trunk or if you have a balcony, drape in between the railings. If your BBQ goes into the evening, add coloured lanterns and place tea lights in old jam jars around the garden edge.

A lot of people shy away from using real china at a barbie. If you don’t trust your friends and family, opt to use interesting platters to display the food on your table. As it’s outside, plain white tends to work best as you’ve already got several colours running through your garden. Try and create some height with these displays and use foods that incorporate vibrant colours and a mix of textures.”

HOLIDAY HEALTH Pre-empt tummy troubles while you’re away with these two little miracle-workers.

Bach Rescue Liquid Melts, £6.65 from Boots, will keep you calm and bloatfree on long journeys, while ActiMint Acti-Biotic tablets will boost friendly bacteria in the gut, keeping you safe from stomach upsets: crunch two after meals (£5.95 for 60 tablets from Holland & Barrett).

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^ y s c e u L Lov. . . F OOD ^

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I T V w e at h e r p r e s e n t e r L U C Y K I T E f o r e c a s t s s t y l e i n t h e c i t y

I’m here to tell you about my Wednesday night with a porn star which I’m still dreaming about 24 hours later. It also involved a big chunk of meat, and the most mouthwatering chocolate mousse I’ve ever tasted. Not your average Wednesday for most Weather Presenters but that’s what you get when you enter the exciting new addition to Birmingham’s Summer Row, Fleet Street Kitchen.

So back to that porn star, it was of the cocktail variety incase you wondered and it’s how my evening with my friend Andrew began. Swiftly followed by a bottle of Spanish Rioja passionately recommended by our enthusiastic waiter whose knowledge of the menu was impressive to say the least. So much so he virtually chose my dinner for me. Useful for anyone who lacks decision-making skills in restaurants.

Before I talk food I just want to set the scene because the décor at Fleet Street kitchen with its tilted wooden shutters and clean, fresh feel is another reason to visit. I arrived after a busy day at work and immediately felt very chilled.

Andrew said he felt like he was on a boat but I think that had more to do with the cocktails he’d drunk!

So back to the food and we started with Seared Scallops with pan fried chorizo and Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes. Both were lovely, the scallops are melt in

your mouth perfection and I loved the kick of the chorizo.

Then to the main and if you’re vegetarian I’d stick to sipping your porn star. Yes there are a few vegi options but this place is all about the meat. It would be criminal not to try the steak here it is mind blowingly delicious and that comes from someone who isn’t a big meat eater. From farm to table is the motto which means the meat is local, fresh and you get

“THE STEAK WAS TASTY, TENDER AND HUGE” the best possible cuts. It even gets the equivalent of a hot stone massage before it lands on your plate from their custom made Barbacoa grill, the first of it’s kind to be installed in a UK restaurant. Basically it’s like an indoor charcoal bbq, a traditional very healthy method of cooking meat and fish in Northern Spain. The steak was tasty, tender and HUGE. I had the 8oz Herford fillet and Andrew tackled the 10oz fillet on the bone!

Somehow we managed to squeeze in some naughty puds too, crème brulee and chocolate pudding surprise filled with white chocolate chunks and served with vanilla ice cream..

YUuuuummmmmmmmmmm just about sums them up.

At this point Andrew and I needed rolling out of the restaurant but

another option would be to head down rather than out where you’ll find Downstairs at Fleet Street. This is a hideaway bar, with live music, classy floor to ceiling artwork from a local graffiti artist and perhaps most importantly it’s only open to over 25s… which of course rules me out (ahem).

x x y Luc For reservations for lunch and dinner, please call: 0121 236 0100 or email: fleetstreet@summerrow.com Fleet Street Kitchen, Fleet Street, Islington Gates, Birmingham, B3 1JH

If you would like Lucy to review your business then contact us info@publishingink.co.uk issue 34

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O N E D E S T I N AT I O N THREE VENUES IN THE HEART OF THE CITY

F O R F L E E T S T R E E T K I T C H E N F O O D R E S E R V A T I O N S T : 0 1 2 1 2 3 6 0 1 0 0 E : F L E E T S T R E E T @ S U M M E R R O W. C O M A L L O T H E R I N F O R M A T I O N P L E A S E C O N T A C T T : 0 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 6 6 1 E : E V E N T S @ S U M M E R R O W. C O M

APRESBARS.COM

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CBD FOOD FESTIVAL C o l m o r e B u s i n e s s D i s t r i c t ’ s F o o d F e s t i va l i s b a c k f o r 2 0 1 3 and promises to be bigger and even better One of the city’s top food and drink festivals is back for a third year in July. Taking place on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th July in Victoria Square, the CBD Food Festival showcases the fantastic culinary and beverage offering in Birmingham’s commercial quarter, Colmore Business District (CBD).

Thistle Birmingham City

Menu tasters will be served by 27 venues, priced from £1.50 to £5. Participating venues range from fine dining restaurants, hotels, pubs and bars to coffee shops, bakeries and delis. Many of the participants are independent businesses in CBD. Confirmed venues include Metro Bar & Grill, Purnell’s, The Old Contemptibles, Opus at Cornwall Street, Edmunds Lounge Bar and Urban Coffee Company.

New participants for this year include Ginger’s Bar, Purnell’s Bistro, Home Deli and Yorks Bakery Cafe.

For the first time this year, the festival will present voucher booklets with offers that can be redeemed at food and drink venues in CBD from the date of the festival to autumn 2013.

The Jekyll & Hyde

The festival is organised and funded by the Colmore Business Improvement District. CBD board director and managing director of Opus, Ann Tonks, said, “The last two festivals have been hugely successful, attracting thousands of visitors, and we’re delighted to be back for 2013. The festival has raised the profile of Colmore Business District as not just a great hub for business and professional services, but as one of the best areas for food and drink in the city.

“The festival will offer a wonderful range of international and home cuisine, savoury and dessert options as well as coffees, fine wines, champagne, real ales and cocktails. We’re very keen to encourage visitors to come back to the District to visit the venues and are excited about launching

our first voucher booklet which will present a range of great offers.”

The festival will present a packed entertainment programme, including CBD’s highly popular cookery and beverage demonstrations from top chefs, mixologists and baristas in the District. Venues presenting on stage this year include Purnell’s, Opus at Cornwall Street, JoJolapa’s Bar & Restaurant, Saffron, Asha’s Contemporary Indian Bar & Restaurant, Ginger’s Bar, Purnell’s Bistro, The Jekyll & Hyde and Six Eight Kafé. Visitors will also be able to enjoy live music as part of the Birmingham International Jazz & Blues Festival, which CBD will be participating in for the fifth year.

Spontaneous outdoor theatre acts, in the form of giant lobsters and cheeky seagulls, have provided much entertainment in the previous two festivals. There will be more outdoor theatre this year, which will include very different characters and shall remain a surprise for visitors! There will also be performances from CBD’s choir, Colmore Chorus, made up of people working in the District and trained by the renowned Birmingham Opera Company.

CBD Food Festival event manager, Tahreen Kutub, said: “Colmore Business District is a beautiful part of the city with a rich, diverse and highly impressive hospitality sector that is full of character. We’re proud to be showcasing this at our third festival, which promises to be bigger and even better this year! The event is open to all, there is no entry fee and the extensive range of menu tasters are priced very competitively. I’d encourage everyone to attend to taste the delights of the District.”

Organisers - Ann Tonks and Tahreen Kutub

For further information on the CBD Food Festival, visit www.colmorebusinessdistrict.com.

Jojolapa cookery demo

Edmunds Lounge Bar Live Music - Tipitina issue 34

Opus and Purnell’s cookery demo

Colmore Business District’s choir - Colmore Chorus www.stylebirminghamMAG.com

Back for 2013 Friday 12th July - Saturday 13th July 11am to 7pm in Victoria Square

Enjoy a superb range of delicious menu tasters from a host of food and drink venues in Birmingham’s commercial quarter, Colmore Business District.

Taste the flavours Listen to live jazz and blues Enjoy outdoor entertainment www.colmorebusinessdistrict.com Follow us on Twitter: @ColmoreBID

T’S WHA

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ta k e a l o o k at o u r p i c k o f t h e b e s t m u s i c , t h e at r e a n d e v e n t s i n t h e c i t y. E d i t e d b y Fa r h a n a N a z i r

K E NDR ICK L AMAR O2 Academy Birmingham, July 8

ST RIC T LY C O NF IDE NT IAL Symphony Hall, July 24 A follow on from the hit BBC One show Strictly Come Dancing, notorious judge Craig Revel Horwood has written and directed Strictly Confidential. Starring Lisa Riley, Artem Chigvintsev, Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite, the show will give audiences the chance to peek inside the Strictly world through live music, song and breathtaking dance routines. Tickets are from £25 to £39.50 and can be purchased from thsh.co.uk/event/ strictly-confidential

The name behind the smash hit Swimming Pools (Drank), 25-year-old Kendrick Lamar is a musical force to be reckoned with. Riding high from the success of his critically-acclaimed, second studio album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, the 2012 BET award winner for Hip Hop Lyricist of The Year returns to the UK once again, after completing a sold-out UK tour. Tickets are £25 and available to purchase from o2academybirmingham.co.u

T IFT MER R IT T

I N T H E MO OD FOR SOME T H I NG MUSICAL? O u r p i c k o f t h e b e s t g i g s i n t ow n

IBIZ A CARNIVAL The Institute, August 3

B O B R UCE Glee Club Birmingham, June 25 Currently touring with her debut album Before I Sleep (Mercury Records), Bo Bruce fell into the spotlight after coming second on the acclaimed TV show, The Voice. Drawing on extraordinary life experiences and a turbulent upbringing, Bruce has collaborated with the likes of Snow Patrol and Sia Furler (Titanium) on the album.

Tickets are £10 in advance and can be purchased from glee.co.uk/ birmingham, the box office or by calling 0871 472 0400.

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Bringing Ibiza to Birmingham for one night, Ibiza Carnival is set to feature some of the world’s most prominent and renowned DJs, playing the best tunes from the legendary party island.

A specially constructed outdoor terrace will host the night, headlined by the likes of Jonathan Ulysses, Danny Rampling and Brandon Block playing Ibiza classics. Tickets are from £17.50 to £21. Visit mamacolive.com/ theinstitute for full event listings and to purchase tickets.

The Institute, July 6 Hailing from North Carolina, Tift Merritt, along with her longtime band, has created a niche brand of music in the form of sonic short stories coupled with strong performances. Drawing comparisons to the likes of Joni Mitchell and Emmylou Harris, Merritt has a strong influence over the alt-country music scene, and is currently touring with fifth studio release, Travelling Alone, and Night, a collaborative album with classical pianist Simone Dinnerstein.

Catch her soothing vocals and mellow melodies in Birmingham this summer. Tickets are £15 and available to purchase from ticketmaster.co.uk

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END GISELLE Birmingham Hippodrome, June 19-22

CA R O US EL New Alexandra Theatre, July 16-20

Spanning several highly charged emotions with a beautiful balletic performance, Giselle centres on the lovelorn tale of Loys and Giselle. Both deeply in love, their romance is set on a tragic path, when upon discovering the truth about her lover’s identity, Giselle dies of a broken heart.

With music by one of the 19th century’s great ballet composers, Adolphe Adam, Giselle is considered one of the classical ballet greats, along with Coppélia and Swan Lake. David Bintley and Galina Samsova’s stunning production pays homage to the classical spirit and steps of the original.

Tickets are from £15 to £47 and can be purchased from birminghamhippodrome. com, the box office or by calling 0844 338 5000.

Carousel brings an exhilarating musical theatre experience to Birmingham, courtesy of BMOS Musical Theatre Company taking to the stage for the first time in 90 years. The story revolves around ladies’ man and carousel barker Billy Bigelow, whose romance with mill worker Julie Jordan promises to take the audience on a romantic thrill ride, punctuated along the way with classic hits such as If I Loved You, June Is Bustin’ Out All Over and the iconic You’ll Never Walk Alone. A guaranteed treat for musical theatre lovers, tickets are from £12.90 to £18.90 and available to purchase at atgtickets.com or by calling 0844 871 7677.

DRAMA Q UEEN

O u r p i c k o f t h e b e s t at t h e t h e at r e

TH E BO O K O F M US ICALS The Old Joint Stock Theatre, June 20-23

JOH N RO B I N S ED INB U RG H PR EV I EW Hare and Hounds, July 11 A potent combination of likeability and quickwitted charm make John Robins a distinguished stand up comedy star, and after appearing at Edinburgh Fringe since 2005, Robins is set to bring his unique storytelling comedic magic to Birmingham. Having appeared on 8 Out Of 10 Cats: Deal Or No Deal Mash-up and Russell Howard’s Good News, catch comedy’s best kept secret at the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath this summer. Tickets are £6 for non-members, £5 for members, and can be purchased from hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk

If you’re a musical theatre fanatic, The Book of Musicals promises an evening of classic and new musical hits currently ruling the West End. An intimate production from The Old Joint Stock Musical Theatre Company, expect highlights from The Book of Mormon, Wicked, Chicago, Miss Saigon and many more. Tickets are £12 and can be purchased from oldjointstocktheatre.co.uk, the box office or by calling 0121 200 0946.

T HE C O M E DY O F ER R OR S MAC, Cannon Hill Park, July 11-12 Fancy an open-air theatre experience? Outdoor production experts, Oddsocks interpret Shakespeare’s classic tale of two sets of identical twins that were accidentally separated at birth, and the drama that unfolds when they are reunited later in life, with a dash of slapstick humour. Tickets are £16 and available to purchase at macarts.co.uk or by calling 0121 446 3232.

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MO ST LY JAZ Z , F U N K A N D SO U L FEST I VA L July 5-8, Moseley Park Bringing some of the biggest names to Birmingham, Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul festival returns to Moseley Park in July. The three-day urban festival celebrates household names in jazz, funk and soul music, with his year’s headlining acts including Bonobo, renowned R ‘n’ B singer Candi Staton and Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, alongside many more. Once the party in the park ends, carry on great music at the weekend’s buzzing after parties in the Hare and Hounds pub, Kings Heath. Tickets are from £35 to £85 and can be purchased at mostlyjazz.co.uk/tickets

BRINDLEY PL ACE F ILM F ESTIVAL July 8-14, Brindleyplace

O U T AND ABO U T Our pick of the best f e s t i va l s i n b i r m i n g h a m

Following last year’s success, Brindleyplace film festival returns this year boasting a ‘momentous movies’ theme. The free, one week event will show some of the greatest movie hits, with daily screenings from 6pm on weekdays and 11am and 2pm on weekends. Guaranteeing a great day out with friends and family; vote for your favourite movie to be included in the final film schedule at brindleyplace.com/event/ brindleyplace-outdoor-film-festival

D RAG ON B OAT FEST I VA L 2 0 1 3 June 22, Brindleyplace Currently in its fourteenth year, the Dragonboat festival returns to Brindleyplace this summer to see 22 teams from various businesses across the city compete for charity. Raising funds for Help Harry Help Others, competing teams will take part in a series of races along the canal from Pitcher & Piano, in Brindleyplace, to the winning post at the NIA. Other entertainment on the day will include a performance by Chinese lion dancers, live music, a craft market, street entertainment and much more. To register a team, or for more information, visit brindleyplace. com/2013/02/dragonboat-festival-2013

B E F ESTI VA L 2013 July 2-6, AE Harris Factory Bringing together Europe’s theatrical talent, BE Festival is Birmingham’s only international theatre festival offering an alternative and engaging experience. Audiences are given the opportunity to watch four 30 minute long shows every night, and the opportunity to dine with the performers during the intervals. Alongside electric performances, festival goers will be able enjoy exhibitions, workshops, discussions, live music and delicious food, as well as countless networking opportunities with theatre professionals from around Europe.

For performance listings or to book tickets, visit befestival.org

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BASS F EST IVAL 2013 June 11-30, various venues around Birmingham A month-long celebration of Black and urban music, BASS festival returns to Birmingham for an eighth year this summer. Themed around the genre of soul music, various venues across the city will host parties and intimate sessions with the likes of Terri Walker, Ms D, Shakka, KOF and Monique.

In celebration of the festival, pop up radio station 87.7BASS FM launches on June 2, broadcasting highlights throughout the festival, including the nationwide ‘Soul Acoustic’ tour, and an Amy Winehouse tribute event.

For venue information and event listings, visit punch-records.co.uk/tag/ bass-festival

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s t y l e b i r m i n g h a m M AG.c o m

Fo r t h e l at e s t n e ws o n fa s h i o n , s h o p p i n g , e at i n g , p l ay i n g a n d s tay i n g

P l u s e xc l u s i v e c o m p e t i t i o n s a n d o f f e r s @ S t y l e B h a m M AG

S t y l e B i r m i n g h a m M aga z i n e

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A HIS AND HERS SPA DAY AT HYATT REGENCY BIRMINGHAM’S AMALA SPA WORTH £390!

Re la x and unwind to g e ther i n style at Amala Spa i n B i r mi n g ha m ’s Hyatt R egency hotel

Spend a full day indulging in luxurious treatments at the 4-star Hyatt Regency Birmingham hotel’s Amala Spa, where you and your partner will be treated to a Lux massage, Hydramemory facial and express manicure and pedicure in the therapy suite.

A mouth-watering lunch will be served on the day, and you’ll have open access to the peaceful tea lounge for a breather between treatments, as well as use of the hotel gym and 16-metre pool.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply answer the following question: What star rating has the Hyatt Regency Birmingham been awarded?

A: 7-star B: 4-star C: 5-star Enter online at stylebirminghamMAG.com or send your answer, full name, address and telephone number to The Amala Spa His & Hers competition, Style Birmingham, Publishing Ink, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New Street, Birmingham B2 4EU by the closing date of July 15, 2013. Terms and conditions apply.

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A TASTE OF MEXICO AT CHILACAS F ie ry f lavours and a fus io n o f old favour i tes wi th n ew i d e a s, C h ilacas h as b roug ht authenti c M exi can c u i si n e t o t he c ity, as Ta ra Tome s di scover s Birmingham boasts a wealth of global cuisine and has, in the past few months, welcomed a little taste of Mexico in the form of Chilacas. Playing on the current trend of street food, Chilacas has brought a simple, yet tasty establishment to Brindleyplace.

Tucked away in a corner, the independent restaurant has a very cool and laidback vibe, which is a refreshing change in a city that welcomes chain restaurants with open arms. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by straw hat-wearing cool kids in their early 20s: for a moment, one could have mistaken Brindleyplace for Shoreditch. However, Chilacas takes all of the pretence out of eating out.

The colourful personality of the staff extends to the interior: with fun graphics on the walls and a vintage feel to the furniture, you feel like you’re walking into a traditional Mexican cantina. Chilacas’ mission stands bold on the walls: “Capturing the energy, flavour, fire and passion of Mexican street food. Enjoy... the revolution.”

Moments after stepping through the door a welcoming waiter took us to our seats and explained the short

and simple menu. If you’re indecisive then this is the restaurant for you: it’s all about burritos, tacos and nachos. They’re living by the “stick to what you’re good at” approach to dining and it works for them... they’ve nailed these Mexican classics and they’re not scared to rely on them. There won’t be any ‘seasonal’ menus here: this is just simple and honest food.

We were given the special treatment and received table service but for the average customer, Chilacas adopts the ‘Subway’ method to ordering. At the counter you choose your ‘style’ (burrito, tacos or nachos) and then it comes to the fillings. There’s a fantastic choice of chargrilled chicken, shredded spicy beef, slow-cooked pork or roasted vegetables.

Choosing between them is difficult, because they all look and smell fantastic. Once you’ve made the very difficult decision, it’s on to the sauce: garlic and herb, pico de gallo, roast chipotle or (if you’re feeling brave) hot habanaro. In addition to this, your dish gets loaded with a host of lime-flavoured rice, refried beans, salsa and salad. Oh, and don’t forget the sidedishes: tortilla chips with various toppings and roast vegetables.

The two of us struggled to choose so opted for ‘fully loaded’ nachos to start: a bulging basket full of salsa, sour cream, cheese and other Mexican delights. That probably would have been enough to fill us up but feeling greedy and tempted by the fantastic aroma in the restaurant, we ordered a beef burrito and pork tacos as a main. Everything was cooked to perfection and it had just the right amount of spice. After a long day at work, it was the ideal way to refuel and bring those energy levels up.

Just in case the spice was not enough to revive us, we were convinced (by our very lovely waiter) to sample some teapot cocktails. There are four on offer, all as equally as strong as each other. If you’re not good with high alcohol levels, perhaps avoid them.

If, however, you want to get into the Mexican spirit, get your hands on Tequila Sunrise, Tequila Ching, Rum Pachenga or Vodka Woocha. As well as the great taste, the old school teapots and mugs made the drinking experience even more fun. And then, to get us on the true party spirit, we were handed sombreros, which we wore with pride.

First impressions suggested that this was solely an ‘eat and go’ kind of establishment but the awesome staff, fabulous food and very strong cocktails kept us there for almost two hours.

Chilacas is a very ‘fuss-free’ restaurant: no pretence and a simple menu. Even better, the prices made us look twice...its fast food without the processed and calorific content. Even better, it offers takeaways and, very handy for weekend dwellers in Brindleyplace, serves from its old school van parked outside until the early hours.

Chilacas, The Waters Edge, Brindleyplace, Birmingham.

Tel: 0121 643 2707

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A NIGHT OUT AT PICCOLINO AND ENJOY THE NEW OUTDOOR TERRACE

To ce le brate th e launc h of the new alfr esco d i n i n g t e r rac e at Pic c o lino B i r mi ngham, Style i s o f f e r i n g you and your frie nd s the chance to have a nig h t out on us!

Piccolino, located in Brindleyplace, offers fantastic Italian dishes, complemented by an extensive Italian wine list and outstanding choice of cocktails – including a summer favourite, Elderflower Bellini, a delightful mix of Belvoir elderflower and prosecco.

To be in with a chance to win, simply answer the following question:

The new 40-seat heated terrace has an outdoor lounge with stylish seating and a cocktail bar that means you can eat and drink outside, whatever the weather!

This cool competition prize will see you enjoying a unique alfresco dining experience, while taking in the bustling atmosphere of Oozells Square.

Enter online at stylebirminghamMAG.com or send your answer, full name, address and telephone number to The Piccolino Birmingham competition, Style Birmingham, Publishing Ink, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New Street, Birmingham B2 4EU by the closing date of July 15, 2013.

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How many seats does the new alfresco dining terrace have?

Terms and conditions The prize consists of a £200 Club Individual card to be spent at Piccolino Birmingham. The outlined prize cannot be altered and there is no cash alternative. The prize is not valid with any other offer or promotion. The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 years and over, except employees of Individual Restaurants. Individual Restaurants reserve the right to withdraw or amend this prize at any time. The judges’ decision is final. Only one entry per person.

Data Protection: By entering this competition you agree for your details to be used by Individual Restaurants who may wish to contact you with further offers and information, by post and email.

Your details will be held in the UK in databases owned by Individual Restaurants. stylebirminghamMAG.com

EMMA WILLIS

RYLAN CLARK

THE FASHION & SHOPPING EVENT OF THE YEAR SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER AT TOWN HALL - TICKETS FROM £15 WWW.SHOPPINGINBIRMINGHAM.COM ShoppinginBirmingham

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CAPTURE THE SUMMER SPIRITS WITH A COCKTAIL AT THE MAILBOX Whether it’s a Bellini at Malmaison or a Chanel No.6 at Harvey Nichols, The Mailbox boasts a selection of sumptuous cocktails and signature drinks just waiting to be discovered.

With over fifteen restaurants and bars including Bar Estilo, Red Peppers, Bar Epernay, Miller and Carter and The Oriental, The Mailbox is the perfect place to relax with a cocktail this summer.

www.mailboxlife.com

#mailboxcocktails

Fancy £100 to spend on cocktails at The Mailbox?

Upload a photo of your favourite cocktail for your chance to win!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER: 1 2

Like our facebook page: facebook.com/MailboxLife Upload your photo to our #mailboxcocktails app or post it to Twitter or Instagram including #mailboxcocktails in your post