In Honour of World Gin Day

As you may or may not know, today is World Gin Day and as such, I thought I'd share with you a few little things I won from the lovely folk at Harrods and Hendrick's.  The competition was in aid of the launch of The Great Gatsby - Harrods also had a 1920s themed pop-up bar around the time the film was released.  After answering a quick question on Al Capone, the prizes were mine - all mine!  Ahem.  I didn't really know what I'd won as I was enticed by the words 'Hendrick's Cocktail Kit' and looked no further - I then subsequently forgot I'd won.  So when two boxes blazoned with "Harrods" turned up, I was quickly reminded.

 

Ripping open the boxes (well not really ripping, I'd just done my nails) I was amazed to see how much stuff they'd sent...

 

A teapot and four cups and saucers

 

A bottle of Hendrick's (of course), a Nuance cocktail shaker with a beautiful Streamline Moderne shape and a bar spoon (which I have needed for a long time)

 

 

Cocktail bitters traveller's set from The Bitter Truth

 

 

The Classic Cocktail Bible by Allan Gage, The Hendrick's Cucumber Companion (a book on how to prepare various cucumber garnishes) and a pack of playing cards

 

 

 

Field Guide to Hendrick's, two copies of the book Etiquette for Gentlemen and the Radio 4 dramatisation of The Great Gatsby

 

 

Thank you very much to Hendrick's and Harrods, I shall have a most pleasant World Gin Day with all of these goodies.  Cheers!

A Rummy Old Day at the Launch of Mr B.'s 'The Tweed Album'

This post is a little out of chronological order, but it was such an enjoyable evening, it has jumped the queue a little.

We at the Vintage News, are great fans of Mr B. the Gentleman Rhymer , having seen (and interviewed) him at many events over the past few years (and even more so because parts of the video for ‘Chap-Hop History’ are filmed near my house!)  As such, I was delighted to be going to the launch of his third long-player ‘The Tweed Album’.  As is befitting of an album titled such, the launch was at the London branch of Walker Slater.  The venue was perfect for the launch, as Walker Slater has a fine range of tweeds in their London and Edinburgh establishments (incidentally, the front cover of the album was at shot the Edinburgh branch).

Even though we only saw him a few days before (at Vintage Nation), I was impressed that the set played was different.  One song I’d not heard before but particularly enjoyed was the shoe-gazing medley, also a big hit with the rest of the attendees – it certainly was unbelievable (sorry).  The launch was also an opportunity to have a nice catch up with Fleur De Guerre and meet Beatrix Von Bourbon (who was wearing the most gorgeous Terry de Havilland shoes).

A few people complimented me on my jacket (including one of the designers for

Walker Slater surprisingly) and I then proceeded to tell said people that it was a small boy’s jacket from the ‘80s.  I really should just have said thank you, I blame Hendrick’s.  

Hendrick's were the sponsers of the event
and ready suppliers of a few fine G&Ts.

Please excuse the awful photo of me, but it’s the only one of what I was wearing.  At least you can catch a glimpse of Beatrix’s shoes!  Apart from the album, Mr B.’s club tie was also on sale.  It features a silhouette of Mr B. and did not look out of place amongst the selection on offer.

I’d been listening to ‘The Tweed Album’ for the last couple of days so I was quite amused when ‘Curtsey for Me’ and ‘Edward’s Dilemma’ were performed, knowing full well their suggestive lyrics.  The album, starting as it does with the bold claim ‘I Invented Hip Hop’ meanders through various interpretations of Chap-Hop.  ‘A Rummy Old Day’ sounds to me very summery and brings to mind the music of the early naughties.  ‘Nicknackatory’ has a particularly catchy chorus and ‘Tinkerty-Tonk’ closes the album with a lovely lilting melody.  After a couple of weeks, the track that keeps popping into my head has to be the first of two Bullingdon related ditties; ‘They Don’t Allow Rappers in the Bullingdon Club’ (I think we need to get someone at Oxford to verify if this is the case!)

I’ve not listened to Mr B’s past albums in as much detail as ‘The Tweed Album’, but I can safely say that it is more of the sort of chap-hop finery that we have come to expect from everyone’s favourite gentleman rhymer.

Do let me know what you think about 'The Tweed Album' or any other Mr B albums in the comment section. Happy listening!

Sadie x

A Delightful Evening of Peculiar Dining

Sorry this post has been a bit late in coming, but I've had an awfully busy weekend which you will be able to read about in due course.

I was looking forward to the return of Hendrick's to the Brighton festival, as last year a large portion of my birthday was spent sipping their gin-based delights outside their Horseless carriage.

When we were invited to attend one of the many events Hendrick’s was hosting at their Library of Delightfully Peculiar Writings, one particular event stood out to us.  Along with lectures about the literary history of gin as well as few on more specific topics, there was to be a literary feast orchestrated by the culinary architects,  Bompas & Parr.  We were lucky enough to interview Sam Bompas before he was whisked away to add the finishing touches to the feast.   

We were able to have a look inside the dining area, which was set off by a beautiful crimson glow.  Along with the dining tables, one side of the room was dedicated to a tank of sorts which enclosed a breathable gin cloud. 

Adorning the shelves and cabinets that lined the walls were all manner of ephemera and curiosities that would have seemed more at home somewhere like the Last Tuesday Society’s Little Shop of Horrors  (incidentally, the society hosted a couple of events at the Hendrick’s Library).

The outside green (well Astroturf, but who’s telling) was open to the public and was as beautifully decked out as the dining room.

Jo (one of the Hendrick’s hostesses) was kind enough to supply us with a myriad of gin based beverages throughout proceedings.  It turns out I’m less rubbish in front of the camera if I’ve had a couple, at least that’s the story I’m sticking to...

Although we weren’t there for the entire meal (quite sorry we missed the exploding desert!) we had a very good time and look forward to Hendrick’s coming back next year.   If you would like to find out where Hendrick's will be unfurling their library next, have a look at their website, it’s rather good.