WINTER/2015 PHOTO BY ROSS JUKES, rossjukesphoto.co.uk
Note from GC W elcome to GC! As the dark nights set in, the Christmas lights are on and the smells of gluhwein and bratwurst fill our Birmingham streets, I’m really excited to the Christmas countdown this year here at Grand Central. In this first issue we wanted to celebrate all things Christmas from wish lists to giftspiration for your loved ones. We’ve packed in ideas for beauty lovers, winter wrap ups, men’s grooming or if you are just wanting to treat yourself to a gift ‘from me to me’ (we all like those from time to time). Having managed to swerve cooking up a storm in the kitchen this Christmas, I’ve volunteered myself to set the table instead. Luckily for me (and you) White Company have some tips on laying a table fit for a feast on page 17. If you’re taking charge of dessert, check out Carluccio’s Vin Santo Syrup recipe to perk up Wishing you a merry Christmas and here’s to 2016! DANIELLE BOZWARD, EDITOR GC 02 your Panettone on page 13 or if it’s a festive tipple you’re after, you could try Omar Allibhoy’s seasonal sangria on page 19. As you will see, we have a whole host of dedicated contributors who are sharing their views and insights to keep us on trend and in the loop. We are excited to grow our family of contributors in the new year so if you’re keen to be involved, send us an e-mail: editor@grandcentralbirmingham.com.
04 Meet Our Contributors 09 15 Beauty Update Wish List for Guys 11 Becca Williams 21 19 Seasonal Sangria by Omar Allibhoy, Tapas Revolution City Style 24 Book Reviews 06 Winter Fashion Stocking fillers 08 13 Traditional Italian Panettone, Vin Santo Syrup & Vanilla Ice Cream 17 How to Lay a Christmas Table 23 Sue Perkins
Meet Our Contributors Ashley Innis, @ash_7_ Ashley is a proud Brummie who has grown up, studied and worked in Birmingham. In his role as Major Projects Links Manager for Birmingham City Council, he is involved with working on many of the major projects that are helping to change and regenerate the city centre here in Birmingham. Ashley enjoys spending time playing and watching sport, and has a love for fashion and style - so much so this has led him to venture into the blogging world where he shares his thoughts on the things he enjoys, such as Men’s Fashion, Male Grooming, Fitness and of course Birmingham. He has also been a regular contributor to the Grand Central blog where he wrote about all of the exciting things to see and do in Birmingham and at Grand Central. Debra Hepburn, @DebraJH Debra Hepburn is Managing Director of RBH Creative Communications Agency which is this year celebrating 20 years as an independent agency and has won over 100 creative awards in the last five years. Debra enjoys spending time cooking, reading and listening to music and also loves art and fashion. It was her passion for fashion which led her to establish the online fashion platform, Young British Designers (YBD) in 2010 - with her vision to discover and showcase the very best of emerging UK based design talent. Five years on, many of the designers who YBD found first are now becoming well-known names, such as Sophie Hulme, Eudon Choi, Simeon Farrar and JW Anderson. Debra herself is a London Fashion Week regular. Tereza Kohutova, @cityscapebliss Tereza is Cityscape Bliss. Originally from a tiny village in the Czech Republic, she came to study in Birmingham seven years ago. Her plan was to test the waters living in a big city and she’s not looked back once. She loves looking at the world through the lens of her camera, being a devoted cat lady, wearing shift dresses with chunky heels and blogging her life away on her blog Cityscape Bliss, where you can find everything from sneak peeks into her wardrobe to how to make your own DIY sofa. 04
Resident Orchestra at Symphony Hall, Birmingham cbso.co.uk/christmas Supported by Funded by
Winter Fashion T he exciting new array of retailers at Grand Central have so much to offer in terms of new season fashion; from the classic to the on-trend to the wholly unexpected. I’ve taken a closer look and selected a few personal favourites in-store right now. Before starting I compiled my list of ‘Winter Wardrobe Must-Haves’ closely followed by ‘Winter Wardrobe Like-To-Haves’ followed by possibly the most exciting items of all: ‘Things I Didn’t Even Know Existed But Now Can’t Live Without’. On my ‘Must-Haves’ list were ‘Everyday, Every Weather Ankle Boots’ and these I found really easily at Jones Bootmaker. The ‘Olivia’ (£89) (pictured on page 07) is part desert boot with its sandy suede, go-with-everything, hessian laceup styling yet still has enough of a chunky heel and small platform to ensure comfort whilst I run around all day. Also on my must-haves was a new Winter coat. This season splits itself into two on-trend camps: the grey or the camel. I had started off thinking definitely grey but after wandering around I found myself reaching out to camel time and time again. My favourites include a really indulgent piece at Monsoon which is a gorgeous 70’s inspired suede and shearling coat (two of my most loved luxe fabrics) priced at £399 (pictured on page 07) and, also at Monsoon, a very classically beautiful and soft, hand-sewn wool wrap coat at £249. Unlike the boots I cannot come to a firm decision but at least I have a short shortlist! Finally on my must-haves is a new luxury knit. I used to have a wardrobe full of fluffy warm jumpers but I now find myself investing in just one knit that I can layer on cooler days and 06
Orton Dress in Seaweed, House of Hackney £245 Take velvet for example. I have always loved velvet and no one is more delighted than me at it being a key trend for AW15. Velvet dresses, velvet stoles, velvet bags and velvet boots in teal….Yes, slim heeled, elegant and quite decadent velvet boots in a gorgeous rich teal with this season’s almost pointed yet softly almond shaped toe. Not a sensible buy maybe given that you can’t polish them and they definitely need to be treated with care in wet weather yet one of those buys that gives you such pleasure because they are a thing of beauty and we all need those in our lives! Teal Velvet Ankle Boots, Hobbs (£199) (pictured below). Henna Mongolian Suede Coat, Monsoon £399 that is of a quality to last whilst also feeling sumptuous and looking stylish. The White Company had the perfect pieces, from three quarter sleeved fine cotton/merino wool mix polo necks in dove grey through to sleeveless navy cable crew necks that would work beautifully with thin long sleeved t-shirts. I settled upon a Cashmere Poncho (£198) (pictured on page 08) in soft blue which was hugely flattering and so effortless for everyday layering. Like-to-haves always include for me a new Winter scarf. A scarf is an inexpensive way to add a whole new look to your existing Winter wardrobe. My choices include a 100% pure wool, softly textured long scarf in beautiful burnt orange (which matches both camel and grey coats- bonus!) from Hobbs at only £55 and an oversized grey check blanket style wrap at Joules for £44.95. 07 So, what happens next is the indescribable part of any shopping trip. It’s when you happen upon things or they happen upon you and suddenly you are head over heels in love. And finally…I discovered ‘Loved & Found’ at John Lewis. For those unfamiliar with the concept, Birmingham is the first store to welcome this new initiative. Essentially it’s a carefully curated showcase of contemporary designers, lifestyle brands and stand out pieces. One dress in particular stole my heart and became THE dress of the season for me. Forget all your soft neutrals, this dress by House of Hackney is an absolute riot of William Morris print made contemporary. The silk Orton dress in Seaweed (£245) (pictured top left) channels the 70’s high-necked pussy-bow vibe with a gently flounced skirt and long fluted cuffed sleeves. Acid limes and cobalt blues mix it up with The ‘Olivia’, Jones Bootmaker £89 The ‘Olivia’, Jones Bootmaker £89 Teal Velvet Ankle Boots, Hobbs £199
salmon pinks against a darker base to create something unforgettable. All it needs to finish it off is a pair of fabulous Teal velvet boots… If you’re looking to make a style statement this Christmas then this may well be it. Loved & Found may well be my favourite store within a store. Ever. And it’s all ours first here in Birmingham! I ended my brilliant shopping trip at Grand Central with a most welcome celebratory cup of Earl Grey tea and a slice of something heavenly and sweet at Caffé Concerto. And it was time to start compiling my next list… ARTICLE BY DEBORAH HEPBURN @DebraJH Cashmere Poncho, The White Company £198 Stocking Fillers Luxury White Hot Chocolate Kilner, Whittard of Chelsea £8 Gold Bowl, Tiger £3 Egg cup, Pylones £15 Yankee Candle Christmas Votive Gift Set, Love Aroma £8.99 Map scrapbook, Paperchase £10 08
Beauty Up Kiehl’s Powerful Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 50ml £49 One of the key elements in my skincare routine is always a product that tackles skin texture. As someone who’s struggling with enlarged pores and skin which flakes easily from the strain of changing weather, I can really see the difference after using Kiehl’s Concentrate. It makes my skin feel really smooth and foundation goes on like a dream! And there’s something magical about the apothecary vibe of Kiehl’s products, don’t you think? Neals Yard Body Elixir 150ml £30 09 L’Occitane Repair Shampoo for Dry and Damaged Hair 300ml £17 / 500ml (pump) £23 / 500ml (refill) £20 All I want from my shampoo is to achieve manageable, hydrated and shiny hair...And for it to smell lovely! I don’t want too much, do I? This shampoo from L’Occitane is spot on in delivering exactly what I’m after. I also appreciate the silicone-free formula of this product which means my sensitive scalp is in good hands. When I’m treating myself to a body product it won’t be just your usual body butter, oh no! It’s Christmas so I’m going all out. The Body Elixir has a very different texture than what you’re perhaps used to - it comes in the gel to oil formula. This means that the application is failproof (no dripping oil on the sheets), yet it delivers results of a rich nourishing oil. Winner! And have I mentioned it smells divine?
p pdate Si by Giorgio Armani 30ml Gift Set £47 / 50ml Gift Set £67 (The Perfume Shop) You know the moment when you run out of your most favourite fragrance only to find out that it has been discontinued? Oh dear me. The Perfume Shop has created an app which compares a database of ingredients in your beloved (and sadly no longer available) fragrance against fragrances currently available. Si by Giorgio Armani is a very close match to a fragrance which used to be very close to my heart - the floral sweetness with a hint of vanilla has quickly become my signature scent. Nails Inc Nailkale Montpelier Walk £14 (John Lewis) Despite the traditional presumption that holiday nails should be red with reindeer, jingles and miniature Christmas trees, the trend elves of the beauty world told me that this season is all about nudes and beiges. Montpelier Walk is a beautiful nude shade which not only looks sophisticated but it also elongates your fingers. Those glitter addicts out there might want to pop some glitter on the very tips of your nails. Snow globe is my ultimate glitter favourite this year - you have to shake the bottle like an actual snow globe to get the particles in the nail polish going! Bobbi Brown Greige Eye Pallette £52 (John Lewis) This gorgeous faux leather clad palette contains eight ‘greige’ toned eye shadows - from a bright sparkly twinkle (perfect to brighten up the corners of your eyes and just under the brow bone) to a deep foggy slate (use for a dramatic transition from a day to night look or instead of an eyeliner on your lash line). What I love about all Bobbi Brown palettes the most is how wearable all the shades are and the vast range of looks they allow you to create. ARTICLE BY TEREZA KOHUTOVA @cityscapebliss 10
Becca Williams B ecca Williams is one of six talented designers from the Jewellery Quarter supplying her jewellery inside John 11 Lewis at Grand Central. Becca makes beautiful jewellery and silverware inspired by coastal landscapes in her snug attic workshop. We interviewed her to find out what a typical day for her looks like and what it felt like to see her designs for sale in John Lewis. My day always starts with tea. My attic studio in the Jewellery Quarter is at the top of two steep flights of stairs so putting the kettle on is a must, once you’ve reached the top. The workshop itself is an oasis of old fashioned hand tools and semi-Victorian equipment. There’s no wi-fi, very little in the way of electronics and only the radio for company. It’s my little haven and I adore it. It gives me the time to concentrate on work, from making a diamond engagement ring to crafting a simple silver pendant for someone’s little girl. I spend most of the day at my workbench, a sturdy bit of MDF with a traditional semicircular cut-out in the front. This odd looking desk allows a jeweller to really lean over their work and get a birds eye view of the piece that they’re working on. If I’m not there I’m at my paint strewn desk, working on a sketch or catching up on paperwork. I ended up as a jeweller almost by accident. I’d always had an interest in art and design and intended on a creative career but I stumbled, entirely serendipitously, upon a Jewellery Design A Level at my sixth form college. I enrolled on it in my second year, as a fun distraction from writing history essays, and fell in love with the techniques that I was learning and the things that I could do with this medium. Since then I haven’t looked back and took my degree in Jewellery and Silversmithing at
I ENDED UP AS A JEWELLER ALMOST BY ACCIDENT... Birmingham’s famous Jewellery School. My jewellery is largely inspired by the natural world and the Welsh coastline that I visited every holiday as a child. It’s kind of ironic for a completely landlocked jeweller to be so captivated by the sea but I suppose that it’s my distance from it that makes it so alluring. The water is full of great textures that inspired the etching on my Estuary series and the hammering on my Flotsam silver and pearl range. I love to make work that’s simple, graceful and wearable so that people can dress it up for a night out or leave it on all week at work. Running your own business can be incredibly challenging, especially in the creative sector but it’s also ever so rewarding. Finding out that I’d been given the opportunity to stock the new John Lewis, during its first Christmas at Grand Central, was an unbeatable moment which left me grinning for days. John Lewis’ partnership with the Jewellery Quarter is such a vote of confidence in the area and the talent present in the Quarter today. I’d advise anyone interested in starting up to do their research thoroughly but, ultimately, to take the leap and have faith that, if you’re doing what you love, it will work out in the end. Head to John Lewis at Grand Central to see over 500 unique pieces of jewellery created by local Birmingham based jewellers; James Newman, Kate Smith, Becca Williams, Rhiannon Lewis, Collette Waudby and Fei Liu. ARTICLE BY BECCA WILLIAMS beccawilliams.co.uk 12
Traditional Italian Panettone Vin Santo Syrup & Vanilla Ice Cream I • • • • • n Italy, Christmas is not complete without cake. Carluccio’s at Grand Central has a range of traditional Italian Christmas cakes all produced in Italy, including delicious meltin-your-mouth Panettone. This simple Vin Santo Syrup recipe is the perfect way to add a homemade touch to this traditional cake... Ingredients (Serves 6) For the syrup: 150g caster sugar 100ml water 1 clove (whole) 1 cinnamon stick 100ml Carluccio’s Vin Santo Making the Vin Santo Syrup... In a sauce pan add caster sugar, Carluccio’s Vin Santo, water, clove and cinnamon stick. Bring to boil and simmer gently for 5 – 7 minutes Take off the heat and allow to cool. On a plate arrange a slice of Panettone drizzled with the Vin Santo syrup. Dust the plate with cocoa power and place a scoop of Vanilla Ice cream on top. Finish with a sprig of mint for decoration To Serve BUON APPETITO This year, Carluccio’s are serving this delicious Panettone on their Christmas menu, so why not pop in and try it yourself? 13
Comedy Drama Dance Opera We’re only 3 minutes’ walk from Grand Central using the Southside exit 0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p/min. plus your phone company’s access charge. 27 Pantomime Musicals
Wish List for Guys I t won’t be long until Christmas is here, the time of the year celebrated by many through the giving and receiving of gifts. We all like to receive something special at Christmas, and no matter how large or small, knowing that someone has taken the time to select a great gift makes it even more special. Some guys love receiving practical items such as socks, ties and underwear, but as I’m quite happy choosing my own, then I’d much rather something different, perhaps something a little indulgent or something I wouldn’t immediately go out and buy myself. So this year I’ve visited the shops at Grand Central and pulled together my ‘Christmas Wish list’ which contains many of the things I’d love to receive and will hopefully give you some inspiration – whether you’re compiling your own list or buying something for a special guy in your life. Daily Reviving Concentrate, Kiehl’s £36 (30ml) New from Kiehl’s, this is the perfect way to protect your skin throughout the day and keep you looking fresh and energized. Helicopter, Tiger £25 A great ‘big kids’ toy for hours of fun on Christmas Day Friction Lace Up Casual Boots, Jones Bootmaker £89 Smart enough for work or casual enough for the weekend ARTICLE BY ASHLEY INNIS @ash_7_ Roberts Revival RD60 DAB Digital Radio in Red, John Lewis £169.99 15 I love this Nostalgic 1950s styling combined with state-of-the-art DAB technology, available in a range of colours (price range £169.95 - £199.95)
Mens IKON Watch, Hugo Boss, T H Baker £429 Scotch Grain Holdall Bag, Ted Baker, John Lewis £149 16
How to Lay a Christmas Table 17
F irst things first, make sure you have enough chairs and space for all your guests. Above the table, think about creating a feature around your lighting. Try hanging one of our beautiful fir and snowberry wreaths embellished with our mini star fairy lights and glitter spiral baubles. These will add another touch of sparkle without being too domineering in the arrangement, as well as reflecting candle light. Use an elegant ribbon to tie these in place. Decide on a theme for your table. Then lay a tablecloth and placemats – we love our new beaded place mats, but our heart shape slates would also work well. Create a centrepiece to the table with our star etched hurricane lanterns and mercury tea light holders, and fill with unscented candles, a cluster of battery-operated fairy lights, or a few sprigs of Christmassy plants. Flowers always look lovely and can add a seasonal touch to your table (and the rest of the room) but keep arrangements low so they are easy to talk over. Lay out matching bowls and plates, white china sets food off beautifully and the bigger the plates the better. Place carafes filled with water, and add a sophisticated touch with our vintage linen napkins tied simply with festive ribbon. Of course, no festive table would be complete without Christmas Crackers – and we think these hand-finished offerings are rather special. To really treat your guests, why not complete each setting with a favour or sweet treat for them to take home. Think of interesting ways to personalise the place settings: use luggage labels: chalk names on slate; spell out initials in mini ceramic letters or use pretty hand written cards and our heart name place holders. You’re almost there so to finish off simply add a sprinkling of our glitter scatter stars or a few tree decorations, but be careful not to make it too cluttered, as we always say, less is most certainly more. ARTICLE BY THE WHITE COMPANY thewhitecompany.com @TheWhiteCompany 18
Seasonal Sangria by Omar Allibhoy, Tapas Revolution f you’re partial to Sangria – then you’ll love this recipe – and if you’ve never tasted the Spanish cocktail, then this festive twist on the classic is a great introduction. Just a bit of chopping and stirring, and you can whip up this fantastic drink in no time – perfect for helping the Christmas spirit flow! I Ingredients 100g Caster sugar ¼ cinnamon stick 1 lemon and its zest (peeled thickly) 1 orange (thick strips of zest) 100ml boiling water 1 tangerine 1 cup of blackberries 1 cup of raspberries 1 handful of cranberries 100ml Triple Sec brandy 500ml Spanish red wine (Rioja) 200ml lemonade 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ¡Feliz navidad! 19 Take a large jam jar – the bigger the better (or large jug) and pour in the caster sugar Add the roughly crushed cinnamon stick and a few thick strips of the orange zest and lemon zest Add boiling water to the ingredients. The heat from this will release all the essential oils from the fruits and the aromas into the syrup – the secret of sangria! Give it all a good mix around until all the sugar is dissolved Roughly chop the inside of the lemon and add that to the liquid, and then add in the segments of satsuma or tangerine Now take a cup of blackberries, some raspberries – or if you want a more Christmassy twist – add a handful of cranberries to the mix. If you have other favourite berries, don’t be afraid to include them too Add the magic, a good few glugs of Spanish brandy such as Triple Sec and then put the lid on the big jar and set it aside in the fridge for all the flavours to infuse together. Leave to chill for a couple of hours or overnight if you’ve got the time. You can do this weeks in advance to save you time when the big day comes To serve, pour the liquid into a jug of ice and then add the finishing touch, a good serving of good quality Rioja wine. Be generous with the alcohol, and finally add the sparkle with some fizzy lemonade. Then get your party hat on, your tapas on the table, and indulge in your Christmas celebrations!
tapasrevolution.com @tapasrevbham facebook.com/TapasRevolutionBirmingham Tapas Revolution offers dishes cooked with the finest ingredients sourced from small artisan producers in Spain, all freshly prepared. Dubbed the ‘Antonio Banderas of cooking’ by Gordon Ramsey, Omar’s a man on a mission to bring the joy of authentic tapas food to the UK. 20
City Style Bohemian texture is a key trend for Autumn/Winter 15, showcased by Shaianne’s fringed handbag. Add some boho chic to your AW ensemble by visiting Monsoon at Grand Central. Metallic accessories are a must this season, Emma’s metallic boots certainly add some shine to her outfit. Max out on metallics by shopping the selection at Accessorize. 21 Cam is rocking plaid tartan trousers with a burgundy pea coat. Take a leaf out of Cam’s book and combine burgundy and check. For inspiration, visit Steel & Jelly at Grand Central.
Sleeves are out! BCU student Sam Fullwood is showcasing urban sophistication at its best with this sleeveless jacket! Try John Lewis for a wide range of coats to take your fancy. Married couple Jagdeep and Kuljit Chauhan marry style with ease and just can’t get enough of @johnlewisretail We can’t get enough of this two piece from Steel & Jelly modelled by Oliver Richards. Perfect for the Christmas party! This season high necks reign, Helen Eastwood is right on trend with her faux fur gillet over a grey roll neck jumper. Fur is back! Nina Mellor says the fur coat is the ultimate winter staple and can dress up or down any outfit. For a full length fur, visit Hobbs at Grand Central’s selection of long length fur coats. Earon Mckie is working casual chic proving that black and blue can be worn together! 22
Sue Perkins ‘When I started writing this book, I went home to see if my mum had kept some of my old stuff. What I found was that she hadn’t kept some of it. She had kept all of it – every bus ticket, postcard, school report?’. Sadly a ‘recycling’ incident destroyed the bulk of her mother’s archive and Sue was left no choice but to write her story herself and the result is this remarkable autobiography. To read Spectacles is to embark on a turbulent and fascinating journey of Sue’s memories; from the side-splittingly funny to the profoundly moving. Of course many will delve into Spectacles for Bake Off gossip, and Sue does not disappoint. But, true to form, Sue is charming about everyone, describing Mary Berry as ‘one of the most extraordinary people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting’. Void of any inflated ego – throughout the book, Sue vehemently downplays her impressive catalogue of achievements, from her time as the President of the Cambridge Comedy Society and Footlights, to co-hosting 90s day time TV hit, Light Lunch, as all a bit of an accident. S 23 ue Perkins’ first book, Spectacles is a hilarious and heart-warming memoir that simultaneously delights and surprises. With unapologetic honesty, Sue reveals the ‘behind-the-scenes’ version of herself and offers an enlightening insight into her life, loves and losses. At the same time she is charmingly frank and describes the pain of infertility, heartbreak and her father’s cancer with delicate precision, and exposes her frustrations at the chauvinism and ignorance she has faced with faultless wit. There’s humour on every page but it’s not for the faint hearted either – she’s as open about her heartache as everything else and there are some chapters that shouldn’t be read in public!
Book Reviews T The Cabaret of Plants, Richard Mabey Foyles £20 he doyen of modern British nature writing has turned his attention to plants. Not exactly new, you may say, but his intention in this latest offering is to re-invigorate our nation’s once-obsessive curiosity and excitement (fuelled by the dam-burst of global discoveries in the 19th century) about the seemingly endless ways that our vegetable cousins find to live and breed, and to glory in the beauty they produce whilst doing so. Using his trademark lyricism, underpinned by his enormous knowledge, Mabey guides us through the lives of many remarkable plants and shows how our relationships with, and reactions to plants have stimulated both wonderful art and ideas and directions in which to take many branches of science. With such an exuberant and engaging teacher, there is hope that we can promote plants up from their current position of “they’re just there/how can we exploit them?” to being different, amazing and intriguing but our equals none the less… And the book itself is a beautiful object in and of itself…there’s nothing to dislike about it! Welcome to Night Vale, Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor Foyles £16.99 J oseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor are the duo behind the wildly popular Welcome to the Night Vale podcast series. An intriguing paranormal mystery set in a small desert town where all the conspiracy theories you’ve ever heard are actually true. It is here that the lives of Diane Crayton, the single mother of a shape-shifting son, and Jackie Fierro, a 19-year-old in charge of the local pawn shop, cross. Together the two women must try to solve the mystery of King City. Fink and Cranor deliver a playful mix between Stephen King and Lewis Caroll. Fans of the series will love this book as it gives them more of the compelling dark humour from the podcast, as well as answering some lingering questions. The story may be surreal but the narrative and characters are conversational and relatable. This book is engaging, funny, and absurd - a unique, clever, twisted mystery. 24
We’ve got it all wrapped up. AVAILABLE AT GRAND CENTRAL CUSTOMER SERVICE DESK.
1 Publizr