Day: 23 December 2019

Fashion and Lifestyle contributor Isabella Marino reveals the Christmas charm of Monaco and takes us to the trendiest places in London this festive season.

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December is the craziest month of the year, the month that flies away in one blow. It feels like you just got back from the summer holidays but suddenly you see Christmas decorations on the street, and you realise it is soon the end of the year. The schedule gets filled with social events, gifts and outfits need to be chosen, and trips need to be organised.

Every city has its own charm during the festive season and Monaco this year created an idyllic atmosphere. Hot air balloons were soaring above Place de Casino, Hôtel de Paris transformed its patio into a fairy-tale Christmas village with the installation of five glasshouses. In the evenings, the central glasshouse played host to a pop-up restaurant for private dinners.

Local retailers opened their own pop-up chalet in Avenue de Monte Carlo.
I spent this magic month in the glamourous Principality and escaped to London during the weekend to enjoy the spectacular storefronts!

Bubble Party at One Monte-Carlo

On 12^th December, SBM organised a Bubble Party, where I enjoyed some night- shopping and Champagne. The event was hosted by all the boutiques within the luxury district of One Monte-Carlo. To set the mood, a DJ and a saxophonist were performing. I felt very spoiled by Chanel who generously gifted me a beautiful green wallet on chain.

Christmas tree charity auction for ‘Action Innocence Monaco’
For the past 15 years, a Christmas tree auction to benefit the association ‘Action Innocence Monaco’ has been organised in the lobby of Hôtel de Paris. Like every year, 37 trees were decorated and donated by leading brands and retailers in Monaco. The money raised during the auction is supporting the prevention of online paedophilia. The event has become an annual tradition for adults and children in Monaco and this year, the foundation raised over 200,000 euros, under the orchestration of auctioneer Julien Vincent Brunie of Christie’s and under the hammer of Maître Escaut-Marquet.

Xmas SOS

Like many others out there, I always end up buying gifts last minute so I will share with you my top boutiques where you will always find something if you’re running out of inspiration:

• Brunello Cucinelli: I am in love with the kids collection this year – in case you need to buy a gift for a new-born or your nephews! It is a mini version of the adult collections. Brunello Cucinelli is a great choice for a classic man or woman. Scarf and gloves are always appreciated, and the quality is exceptional.

Visit the flagship store in Avenue des Spelugues with pret-a-porter and the store inside the Metropole Shopping centre dedicated to kids.

• Hermes: We all love to unwrap the orange boxes! For women you can’t go wrong with a bangle bracelet (they can always change the size) or a scarf in silk or cashmere. For men you can always opt for a belt or a chic cashmere hat, and for a couple you could always go for home accessories.
• Sabrina Montecarlo: you can always find something nice here. People always need something for their home and Sabrina is offering a wide range of brands. The staff is very friendly and they will be able to guide you.
  Visit the pop-up chalet for tableware for the festivities and the boutique in Boulevard de Moulins for a full selection of home decoration.
• Chanel: I am personally a great fan of Chanel and if your friend or wife feels the same, then I would recommend you buy a pair of earrings, a pearl necklace or a pochette if you want to be generous!

 

Festive weekend in London

From glittering Christmas decorations and magnificent storefronts, to crowded shopping and glamourous pre-Christmas parties, there is nothing more exciting than spending a weekend in London before the festivities. This is how I spent 24 hours in the capital…

I love to promenade in Mayfair, up to Bond Street, because it is cosy, charming, people are elegantly dressed and they have the best restaurants, hotels and boutiques. My favourite hotel to stay at is the Connaught Hotelfor its convenient location, the atmosphere, bar and the cuisine by famous chef Jean-George. Even if you don’t sleep here, it is a great way to start your day with a chic breakfast or to sip on a drink at the bar before dinner.

After a fulfilling breakfast, is time to burn it off with some shopping and window scrolling! Bond Street has the most impressive flagship stores and Christmas decorated storefronts – even 5th Avenue can’t beat London. Wandering around Bond Street is very romantic, and you can breathe in the festivities. You can’t miss Cartier and Ralph Lauren mansions.

I am very passionate about Alexander McQueen, so I simply had to pay a visit to the new flagship store where, on the top floor, the fashion house is devoting an exhibition space to the archives of its different collections over the years, baptised Unlocking Stories. The aim is to inspire fashion students, exposing mood-boards, sample material and videos, to demonstrate the savoir-faire of the couturier.

I love Selfridges for shopping, rather than Harrods, which I find more confusing. The department store has the best selection of brands and not only big luxury brands, but a wide range of emerging designers from around the world. I really like the display as well.

After walking for kilometres, I always stop by my absolute favourite café in town, Ottolenghi Belgravia, for heavenly cakes and muffins. It’s located in the cute and peaceful Motcom Street. Indulge in a moist blueberry-crumble muffin and a carrot and walnut cake.

For a British-chic seafood lunch, my favourite is Scott’s in Mount Street. There’s a great crowd, from businessmen and women, to families and couples. I love to sit by the seafood bar and eat the grilled seafood platter and baked butternut squash.

London is the city with the most private members’ clubs. Arts Club is the best choice for a lunch with friends and to enjoy tasty and creative food.

One of the restaurants on my top list in the world is the exclusive private club Harry’s Bar. This legendary place is famous for its beauty, sophistication, intimate ambiance and exclusivity. The food is a culinary experience, in its own simplicity – Italian cuisine where you only eat what is fresh from the season. The holiday period is even more spectacular, with baubles filling the ceiling.

The most exclusive and famed private members’ club in the world is Annabel’s, with its lavish and expensive décor, and where women spend half an hour in the fabulous powder room to take pictures. You can spend a whole evening in this mansion, starting with drinks in one of the bars, followed by dinner in the garden or at the Mexican restaurant, and ending on the dancefloor of the club.

I’ve been invited to many birthday parties here. Every room is different and you can privatise a room to host a party with your friends, including the glamourous Rose Room for ladies birthdays and the Silver Room for gentlemen’s birthdays!

 

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There is something particularly special about cocktails designed for the colder, winter months. 

“Winter is an exciting time for delicious drinks because there are so many options,” says Nico Timmermans, founder of cocktail catering company The Buckrider. “From a hot or creamy cocktail, to the addition of spices, smoke and herbs, festive cocktails are complex but surprisingly easy to prepare.”

Monaco Life has teamed up with The Buckrider to bring you our top cocktail recipes that are sure to impress your guests – tried, tested and perfectly balanced. Make yours the best festive party this year!

 

Smoked Manhattan

A smokey cocktail is delicious but also ads a bit of drama to impress guests. You can also make this drink without the smoke.

Ingredients

60 ml Woodford bourbon

30ml Red vermouth (Carpano’s Antica Formula or Martini Rosso)

1 bar spoon of maraschino cherry juice. We use Luxardo or Amarena Fabbri.

Method

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass or a jug filled with ice, stir for about 30 seconds and serve in a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with 1 or 2 maraschino cherries on a tooth pick.

Smoke

When smoking the drink, simply ignite a small pile of hickory wood and place a coupe glass directly over them. Allow to sit while you combine the drink.

French 75

A well balanced and refreshing champagne cocktail to start the evening.

Ingredients:

40ml Gin

20 ml Lemon juice

20 ml Sugar syrup

Dry Champagne

Method 

Shake all the ingredients except the Champagne and double strain into a flute. Top with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist, or no garnish at all is also fine.

Brandy Alexander

An after dinner classic! This drink was very popular in the early 20th century. The powerful cognac cuts through this delicious creamy cocktail which also features a hint of chocolate. The garnish of freshly grated nutmeg perfectly finishes this fine cocktail.

Ingredients

30ml Cognac

30ml Cream

30ml Cacao liqueur

Method:

Shake all ingredients and double strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Grate nutmeg on top of the drink before serving.

 

Mulled wine

Picture a nice warm mug of mulled wine in front of a cracking fireplace while watching a Christmas movie. Now that we have set the mood, follow this recipe and enjoy the best mulled wine you have ever tasted!

Ingredients:

200gr Caster sugar

1 Orange (1 peel and all the juice)

1 Lemon (1 peel)

1 Lime (1 peel)

1 Vanilla pod

6 Cloves

1 Cinnamon stick (break in half)

1 Nutmeg (finely grated)

6 Star anis

100ml Spiced rum

2 bottles Red wine

Method

Set the rum and 1.5 bottles of wine aside.

1. In a big pan, add the sugar, the juice of one orange, a large orange peel (twist to release the oils first), and do the same with the lime and the lemon. Add the juice of one orange, cut the vanilla pod in half, scrape out the seeds and add everything to the pan. Also add the cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, star anis and half a bottle of red wine. Let it simmer until the sugar dissolves.
2. Bring to the boil to create a thick syrup.
3. Add the rest of the wine, let it simmer for 5 minutes and take off the heat.
4. Add the rum, stir and serve in a mug. Garnish with a twist of orange and star anise or cinnamon stick. Make sure you rub the orange twist on the rim of the mug to release the beautiful aroma while drinking!

 

Penicillin

Considered a modern classic, this cocktail was created by an Australian bartender named Sam Ross. The Penicillin combines smoky flavours with sweet honey and spicy ginger.

Ingredients:

50ml Bourbon

15ml Honey syrup

15ml Ginger syrup

20ml Lemon juice

Honey syrup: 

Mix 2 parts honey with 1 part warm water and whisk until blended. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Ginger syrup: 

200ml Water

400g Caster sugar

250g Ginger (around 2 large pieces of ginger thinly sliced)

Bring all ingredients to the boil in a small saucepan, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes. Double-strain into a jar. Keep sealed in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

For a stronger ginger flavour, grate some ginger into a small strainer and extract the juice by pressing it with the back of a spoon. Add to the syrup according to your taste, being careful not to make it too strong.

Method

Shake all the ingredients and double strain into a whisky glass filled with ice. Garnish with candied ginger or with a slice of lemon and fresh ginger. This recipe calls for a bar spoon full of a nice smokey Islay Scotch, we use Laphroaig.

 

 

Tips and explanations:

Shaker:

If you don’t own a shaker then use a kilner jar, for example, or any container with a tight lid. Simply add the ingredients with ice and shake for about 10 seconds.

Bar spoon:

A bar spoon is a long-handled spoon used in bartending for mixing.

Chilling a glass:

While you combine the ingredients, you can either fill a glass with ice and discard the ice before serving, or wet a glass and place it in the freezer.

Double strain:

To double strain, place your regular strainer in/on the cocktail shaker and hold a fine mesh strainer by its handle over your glass.