The hotel’s most striking feature is its commanding lobby with its marble floors, giant pillars and cathedral height ceilings, which give the space a surreal feeling of peace and tranquillity in a clear juxtaposition to the hustle and bustle of the city outside.  Starting from the lobby and filtering all the way through the public spaces and guest rooms, the hotel has a timeless art deco elegance updated to reflect modern times.

With 368 rooms, including 63 suites, with the smallest room being a capacious 600 sq ft, the hotel is a giant in all respects, but thankfully manages to retain a sense of intimacy and exclusivity. The rooms are nicely appointed with light woods and cream furnishings, the epitome of understated luxury, with just the right amount of contemporary gadgetry. The large windows offer sublime views of the Manhattan skyline, some looking directly over Central Park and beyond. Rooms come with a separate dressing area and large marble bathrooms with deep-socking baths that fill in 60 seconds.

The hotel’s proximity to Central Park creates an ideal pairing between one of the city’s most iconic features and one of its most luxurious hotels. This was particularly true on our visit, which featured a wedding in the Leob Boathouse in Central Park. The wedding party was staying at the Four Seasons and all had views from their rooms of Central Park to constantly remind them of the event.

The hotel staff went out of their way to ensure that the preparation for the wedding was as memorable as the event itself: floral arrangements arrived in the bride’s room on the morning of the wedding, a bottle of champagne was on ice for the couple on their return from the ceremony, and the hotel’s house car, a Maybach, was offered to transport the bridal party to various events throughout the weekend.

The hotel is also ideally positioned for the city’s most luxurious shopping experience with Fifth Avenue, Barney’s and Bloomingdale’s all a mere credit card’s throw away, as well as being convenient for the mid-town business district and expertly equipped for the business traveller, despite having to pay for WiFi in the rooms.

As one might expect, The Four Seasons New York excels with its dining options, the showpiece being L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon from legendary chef Joël Robuchon, which recently achieved the prestigious accolade of 2 Michelin stars in the 2012 Michelin guide. Breakfast is served in the magical setting of The Garden restaurant with its enchanted forest feel.

The crowning glory of the hotel must surely be its service levels – from the attentive doormen to the 30 minutes’ pressing service, someone is always on hand, making sure that every whim and desire is taken care of.

The combination of its location, glorious views, service excellence and comfort levels make The Four Seasons New York a true giant in the hotel world, and deservedly so.

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From the Bon Vivant Blog

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Poppies and Lilies provide Lifestyle Management and Wedding Planning Services.

After I fought my way through the summer crowds on Oxford Street, I walked into the most beautiful haven of stillness.

The Wallace Collection is one of the most comprehensive collections of furniture and paintings from 18th Century France ranking along side the Musee de Louvre in importance for furniture from this period. There are 5,500 peices in total from the 15 – 19th Century, mostly from the 18th and 19th Centuries however also including some UK pieces.

I love most art galleries apart from what they contain within them, for the simple reason that they exude this certain stillness and the Wallace Collection certainly doesn’t disappoint. And as I gently made my way around those 18 months ago I couldn’t help but fall in love with the venue and artefacts.

It is a treasure of furniture, paintings and trinkets, wtih a couple of pieces actually hand made for Louis XVI

It really is a treasure and a wondeful way to pass a few hours also enjoying their tea room and book store.

Rembrant self portrait c 1637

John Hoppner 1758-1810;

Gilt Bronze c.1770 possibly Jean-Louis Prieur

Venerred with tulipwood and purple heart c.1776 Martin Carlin

Oak veneered c. 1783  Jean-Henry Riesener

The most stunning piece for me was an almost identical replica of a desk made for Louis XV – simply divine. Not quite the same impact as when I walked into the V&A having no idea I would find Michelangelo’s sculpture of David there (one of my heros) and my jaw nearly hit the floor for a good minute – much to the amusement of the heavily laden with camera equipment gentleman to my left. But almost.

c. 1770 Jean-Henry Riesener

The fireplaces are also just gorgeous and dotted about in nearly every room which is a real delight.

The staff are really friendly and the tea room is beautiful, offering a welcome place to put ones feet up.

The book is well worth taking home, at £15 is very sensibly priced and will give you greater insight into the works at home.

Entry is free and there is a pot on the cloakroom counter for donations.

The Wallace Collection is found in Manchester square just round the back of Selfridges – nearest tube, Bond Street. W1U 3BN

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Poppies and Lilies provide Lifestyle Management and Wedding Planning Services in the Home Counties and London. Also Virtual PA services.

Heat the oven to around 180C and then drizzle some oil and balsamic vinegar over the peppers.   Add to the oven and leave for about 10-15 minutes.

Towards the end of that time, add some goats cheese and return peppers to oven and watch the cheese melt. When you are ready, remove from oven.

Add some parma ham before serving.

This is also really yummy with brie and a splash of red onion.

With thanks to simple speedy snacks blog.

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Poppies and Lilies provide Lifestyle Management and Wedding Planning Services.

Ingredients:

- Bag of carrots (1.5kg)

- 1/3 a medium baking potato or 1 and 1/2 – 2 small new potatoes

- Honey (3 tablespoons)

- Garlic granules, splash of

- Fresh ginger, lump of (medium size lump)

- Fresh coriander, 2-3 good splashs of

- 2 tbsp of Low-fat natural yoghurt or cream/ or soya yogart

- 1.5-2 litres of water

- 1 litre Chicken or vegetable stock / or use fried red onion and garlic

- sprinkle of paprika or mixed spices (optional)

Cooking:

1. Turn the oven on to 180C. Cut fresh ginger into small peices. Prepare corriander (remove from stalks).

2. Peel the carrots and potato and drizzle with honey. The potato just gives it that extra thickness and different texture somehow. Place in a dish and into the oven for 30 minutes. (If you don’t want to use stock in this receipe now you can fry some garlic and red onions which will add to the flavour instead.)

3. Remove carrots and potato from oven and place into pan.

Next add the stock or your mixture of red onion and garlic (and here you would want to add in about a litre of water as well). Bring to the boil and then allow it to simmer gently for 5-10 minutes (longer if you wish).

4. Now place the mixture into a blender.  Add the splash of garlic granules, ginger and coriander and yoghurt. I also like a teaspoon of honey here.

5. Blend thoroughly – and then return to pan and heat as required or place into container and into fridge for storage.

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With thanks to simple snacks blog

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Poppies and Lilies provide Lifestyle Management and Wedding Planning Services.

Ingredients:

- 3 cups non fat dry milk powder
- 1 and ¾ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 and ½ cups cocoa powder
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- ¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon of corn starch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

To make:

1) Roughly whisk and mix together all ingredients in a large bowl.

2) Then transfer the mixture into a food processor – in small batches. Whisk your first batch until smooth and well combined and then place in another container. Take your second batch and repeat – placing into the container when you have finished. When you have finished all the mixture should be in the separate container.

3) You can store this (any extra) mixture in a sealed container in a dry and dark place.

4) To make a cup of hot chocolate, put 1/3 cup of mixture into a mug and mix with half hot water and half milk or soya milk/rice milk.

5) Top with a few marshmallows and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

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With thanks to Kris in the Kitchen’s blog.

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Poppies and Lilies provide Lifestyle Management and Wedding Planning Services.

The drift bar and restaurant in the Heron Tower at 110 Bishopsgate has introduced some hot and flaming dishes that were popular in the 1970s. Its Flambé menu offers Beef Stroganoff (beef fillet sautéed, creamy mushroom sauce with a hint of mustard, flamed with cognac), Scampi Mornay (scampi served in a creamy cheese sauce and also flamed with cognac) and Steak Diane (minute steak pan-fried in a rich creamy sauce with mushrooms, gherkins & hint of mustard & flamed with cognac) for the mains.

Meanwhile, Crêpes Suzette (pancakes with fresh oranges, lemon juice & sugar, flamed with Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao) and Banana Flambé (caramelised bananas with sugar & butter and flamed with cognac) can be ordered for dessert.

Starter, main course and dessert costs £29.95 and £45.95 if paired with Flambé cooking matching cocktails. I had a generous mug of “Flaming your Thai” (5 year plantation rum, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, pink grapefruit, orgeat, egg white, orange bitters & flaming lime) to kick-start my appetite. The cocktail was really good and for once I wasn’t complaining that the amount of drink in my glass was so insignificant.

I chose Beef Stroganoff for my main course and it came paired with “Cobbled together punch” – spiced & chilly mulled wine and plantation dark overproof rum 73%. The beef was juicy and I could really taste the rich flavour of the cognac cutting through the creamy mushroom sauce. The cocktail was without flames, but it was so spicy, it was almost fiery and went down very well with the meat. All the cocktails can be purchased separately for £7.95 each.

The Flambé dishes are always made by a dedicated chef at your table so you have to book 24 hours in advance. Bon Appétit! : Tel: 0845 468 0103

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Poppies and Lilies provide Lifestyle Management and Wedding Planning Services

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The quality of service is the first thing that always strikes me when I arrive in the United States from Europe, and I was even fortunate enough to be treated well by the immigration officers on this visit. I’m not saying that travelling is less enjoyable in other countries, but there’s something special about the friendliness and helpfulness of staff on the other side of the pond. It almost has another dimension, not really possible or achievable in the good old continent.

I had the luxury to experience the height of this special treatment during my two-night stay at the 5-star Elysian Hotel in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighbourhood, which actually is – roll the drum – a tip-free hotel. Tipping is expected in most places in the States and my American friends often like to remind me that that’s how the service personnel make most of their money. But tipping graciously is something that we don’t know how to do properly in Europe (or we don’t do it at all), so in America I often find myself at a loss about how much and when to tip. I’m told that it’s necessary even when the service is not great. Imagine my relief when I found out that this hassle is non-existent at the Elysian and the hospitality there seemed genuine without tipping expectations.

Architect Lucien Lagrange designed the newly-built 60-storey and 188-room Elysian hotel, which opened in December 2009, and with Chanel, Dior and Art Deco inspired design, brought ultra-luxury and style to Chicago’s fine dining and even finer living scene.

Its heated courtyard is unusual for the States and more reminiscent of European hotels, but the sheer height of the building and spaciousness of the rooms (average accommodation is 890 square feet) reminds you of the fact that you are in North America.

I absolutely loved the art pieces, specially commissioned for the hotel by interior designer Simeon Deary’s team. The beautiful foyer with huge chandelier and two striking sculptures that resemble Greek fauns is a perfect place for special occasions, and, indeed, there was a wedding photo-session in full swing when we first entered the hotel.

The platinum and champagne coloured suites and Chanel jewellery inspired lighting soothe the nerves after a day spent shopping in the very near Magnificent Mile strip of Michigan Avenue. You don’t even have to go that far for Marc Jacobs though – its boutique is on the ground floor of the hotel.

There’s a decent size balcony and fireplace in every room and the television that can be switched on in the mirror in the bathroom is best enjoyed while soaking in a tub. The Roman bathhouse-themed Spa & Health Club features sauna, steam rooms, Jacuzzi and offers a wide range of treatments from beauty and massages to a barber suite for men.

The gym is very well equipped while the Pilates and Gym studio offers a few classes as well as private training. The beautiful mosaic tiled swimming pool is positioned slightly awkwardly – you have to cross the gym and the spa reception area – but it’s worth the effort.

You don’t need to leave the hotel if you want to treat yourself to an amazing dinner. My Chicagoan friend Elizabeth told me that the Balsan bistro does the best burger in town (she said she couldn’t even talk to her husband while eating it), and truly, the Wood Fired Burger with cheddar, rosemary, red onion and fries was definitely one of the most delicious burgers I’ve ever had ($15). Run by Chef Danny Grant, Balsan has strong ties with local producers and sources seasonal ingredients from 65 local farms for the ever-changing menu.

The RIA restaurant next door, also run by Chef Grant, is more of a sophisticated and formal dining experience. It was awarded two stars by the 2011 Michelin Guide and the prices are steeper than at Balsan. However, every Sunday night you can experience the best of both restaurants for a bargain price of $29 per person when RIA is closed and Balsan does a special set menu. We had Winter Lettuce (endive & walnuts), Tuna Crudo with blood orange and scallions, Suckling Pig with pearl onion and baby carrot, Lobster and Scallop with fennel and citrus butter, with Caramel Profiteroles in chocolate sauce ending our great fine dining treat.

The Elysian is definitely worth its name – in Greek mythology the paradise for souls of heroic and virtuous nature was called the Elysian Fields. The Elysian Hotel also offers 52 private residences for people who wish to stay there permanently. They must not only be of heroic, but also of a wealthy nature, as most of the residences are worth more than $1 million

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Note added 3rd Feb: in response to tweet from Elysian Chicage, thank you very much, this was actually from the bon vivant blog, amended slightly. Thanks so much.

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Poppies and Lilies provide Lifestyle Management and Wedding Planning Services in the Home Counties and London. Also providing Virtual PA Services.

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Found on the blog of Food to Go, who says that the receipe has come from Alice Medrich ..

“Adaptations for this corker of a receipe from Alice Medrich for chocolate brownies are abound on the internet and my version here is really just a slight adaptation still using the fabulous original – just with a hint of mint take on it … …

Ingredients:

- 140g unsalted butter

- 250g sugar

- 75g unsweetened cocoa powder

- 1/4 tsp of salt

- 1/2 tsp of pure vanilla extract of vanilla powder

- 2 large eggs cold

- 75g plain flour

- 24 mint fondant chocolate thins (or 2/3 box of after eight)

Cooking:

1. Position a rack on the lower third of the oven and heat to 170C.

2. Oil and then line the bottom of a 8×8″ square tin with parchment paper – leaving a overhang around the sides

3. Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa and salt in a medium heatproof bowl and then place the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir from time to time until butter is melted and the mixture is blended – and hot enough so that when you put your finger in you want to pull it out quickly. It will probably look a bit gritty (below) but it smooths out with the addition of eggs and vanilla etc.

Remove the pan (and bowl) from the heat and set aside until the mixture is only warm not hot.

4. Now gently stir in the vanilla with a wooden spoon and then add the eggs – 1 by 1 – stirring vigorously after each one. Vigurous stirring is key here. When the mixture looks thick and shiney (below) – add in the flour bit by bit  and stir in with a wooden spoon after each addition until you can’t see the flour any longer …

when the last bit of flour has been added – then beat enthusiastically with a wooden spoon – for 40 strokes

5. Now spread half of the mixture in the lined dish – lay down the chocolate mint squares and cover with the other half of the mixture

6. Bake for 25 mins – if you decide to do this without the mints bake for 30 mins – the mint raises the temperature of the chocolate.  Take out oven and leave to cool.

7. When cool lift the parchment and transfer to a cutting board. Take off the parchment and cut into 16 or 25 squares depending on how big you want the brownies

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Via Alice Mehrich and the Food to go blog

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Poppies and Lilies provide Virtual Assistant and Wedding Planning Services.

“Good Skin Care – By Victoria Bond -

Make-up will only look good if your skin is in great condition, this is what I tell all my clients. Good skin care is vital but not the only contributing factor. Drinking lots of water, fresh air, good diet and plenty of sleep will keep you young and fresh.

The Rules

1. Always remove make-up before bed, the skin needs time to rest and repair and lets face it keeping it on is just plain skanky!!

2. Use a good cleanser – My favorite is Bioderma only available from French pharmacy’s (and ebay) this is a very gentle water like cleanser favoured by Make-up artists and models. It can also be used to correct any make-up mistakes you may make. I also like Ren no.1 purity balm, DHC deep cleansing oil and Liz Earle cleanse and polish.

3. Ex foliate - at least once a week – this gets rid of any dead skin cells prevents pores from becoming blocked and leaves an all round clean feeling. Dermologica microfoliant this is gentle and will suit all skin types.

4. Moisturise – Essential for happy hydrated skin. These creams won’t make you look younger but they will keep your skin supple and make-up ready. I like Darphin and Decleor both are oil based and really work. They also do oils and balms which are lovely at night and can really improve skin in six weeks.

5. Eye Cream – If you are over twenty five an eye cream should also be part of your regime. Remember to use a tiny amount about the size of a grain of rice and pat gently from the inner corner to the outer corner. Using too much eye cream can have the reverse effect and cause ageing so be careful this is a very delicate area. Sublimage by Chanel is expensive but amazing.

6. Face Masks – Just once a week its nice to give your skin a bit of extra help, look at you skin and see what it needs? Is it blemished? try Ren Clear calm anti-blemish mask. Do your Pores need minimising? Try Ren Pore min detox mask.Does it need a quick fix? try Sisley express flower gel face mask this mask nourishes and brightens in three minutes. Now we all have three minutes in a day.

7. Sunscreen – protect your skin even in winter I have a factor 50 on all year round. La Roche Posay do a lovely light fluid for the face in 50 which is great.

8. Don’t forget your lips there’s nothing worse than chapped lips. Keep them kissable with creme de la mer lip balm, Carmex or my fav Lanosil (tit cream).

Stay happy, healthy and abide by the rules and I promise you skin will be amazing in six weeks time!”

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See more at www. victoriabondmakeupartist.wordpress.com and www.victoriabond.co.uk ~ available for weddings & special events

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Poppies and Lilies provide Lifestyle Management and Wedding Planning Services.

1. Funkhy Fedora

Great with casual wear & jeans

2. A Trilby

The slightly smarter answer to the Fedora – looks great with tailored, more structured outfits, – seen below looks superb with a mac also great with jeans and shirt/blouse. Made out of various fabrics, looks fabulous in straw for summer and the brim is smaller than the fedora, meaning you get a sharper turn up at the back.

3. A Beret

The ultimate chic and stunning in velvet – will look great all year round

4. Wide Brimmed Statement Hat

For a summer party or event try a wide brimmed hat as the ultimate style statement – very much in vogue at the moment

5. Bucket Hat

Very popular also at the moment – it doesn’t have the crease down the middle that the fedora or tribly has and gets its name because it looks like a bucket – very easy to wear with lots of different outfits. Popular with women and men. Looks great with jeans below.

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Poppies and Lilies Provide Lifestyle Management and Wedding Planning Services in Oxfordshire, the Home Counties and London. Also Virtual PA services.

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