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FOOD/ Alma de Cuba (2014)
The tagline for CuriousAlice is “Fashion. Food. Fun. What else?” Food is one of my passions so I always intended to incorporate it at some point but hadn’t found the right fit…until now. Alma de Cuba is a restaurant/bar inside an old church in the centre of Liverpool and is without a doubt one of the most beautiful venues I’ve ever had the pleasure to dine in! And it just kept getting better (apologies for the picture quality – the gorgeous moody ambience didn’t mix well with any of the three cameras I had with me!)
To Kick Things Off…
In a South American themed venue, what else would you start with except a Caipirinha?? Mine was strawberry and coconut flavoured and was delicious (although perhaps better suited to an after dinner drink, a fruity cocktail would’ve been superb). I took the cutest pic of it next to my vogue box clutch (coming soon in another post) but the damn thing won’t load, so you’ll just have to imagine the frothy creamy pink greatness yourselves! To start we ordered goats cheese fondue and roasted red pepper soup which were equally as yummy.
Moving On…
Main course – Wow! I had honey and pepper sticky ribs with coconut rice, Mr Alice ordered Hawaiian chicken skewers that came with the same coconut rice and a side of skin on fries (our personal fave). I don’t know what else to say except the variety of tastes at our were immense! Portion sizes were very generous and the finder bowl at the end was a great and much needed touch after those ribs.
The Grand Finale…
This marvellous looking creation is a coffee! A Cafe Cubano to be precise – a wonderful mixture of steamed milk, coffee, spices and rum topped off with a fruity biscotti. I’m a long time fab of liquor coffees and this one rocked my world.
These desserts were so nice I almost forgot to take pics (hence the bit marks, hehe). Mr Alice had the chocolate orange tart with contrieau ice cream, which was light and delicately flavoured and a perfect finish to his meal as he was getting a little bit full. My beauty was a Malteser parfait. I had one of those ‘just when I thought this meal couldn’t get any better’ moments…one of THE best desserts to ever meet my tastebuds!! I had to sip the shot before each mouthful to enhance the flavour and it clearly did so. We had a custom made chocolate parfait at our wedding breakfast which was exceedingly good, but this creation was on a whole other level.
We spent time in the bar downstairs too which was had a cool party vibe (the DJ had just started pumping the choons as it was after 10 on a weekend night), having visited a couple more bars afterwards we concluded it was easily the best choice in this area for a good time (and a good selection of rum if you’re partial as we are!). The only words of caution would be this – watch out for the floor. The floor is immaculately shiny and quite slippy which I found out to my detriment when I went to push myself away from the table and my foot slipped and slammed into the solid wood partition 😦 …still in pain as I type 2 days on but didn’t kill my buzz.
I had a fantastic experience – if you’re in Liverpool and don’t make it here, you’re missing out! http://www.alma-de-cuba.com
Once again apologies for the picture quality, it really doesn’t do the place justice! But onto more exciting things to come from next week on CuriousAlice – more winter florals, college/uni wardrobe staples, some super glamorous evening wear and so much more (including more food, yay!). Get in and let me know what you think of CuriousAlice’ food posts!
Stay Stylish
J xx
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FASHION/ Dark Florals
And so the transition from S/S to A/W begins…whether we’re ready or not it seems! As the weather is still a bit up and down I mixed two of my favourite summer buys (white jeggings and silver pool sliders) with my favourite new purchase, the floral kimono. Florals are a winner for every season but the dark background makes it durable in the winter months, whilst the delicate pink print means it’s totally fine to wear now as well.
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The kimono is sooo silky and fabulous feeling, you kind of just want to swish about in it! Coupled with the metallic shoe it’s a great outfit for a casual evening out and could be dressed up further with a heel and a statement necklace if you so wished. As the weeks progress I’ll be swapping the white bottoms for vintage wash or black jeggings (I don’t wear jeans often as they don’t fit me well, sore subject) and the sliders for ankle boots or loafers. Depending on where I’m going I’d probably also swap the crop for a longer top. A lot of the items shown are either in the sale or a total bargain which shows that style doesn’t have to cost the Earth and that our high street/British e-tailers are pretty awesome at helping us look good for less!
The kimono is part of a range of items in the same print from Dotty P’s – joggers, vest tops and dresses, so it’s possible to turn the look into a fab co-ord or cute dress depending on what you’re most comfortable in. It just so happens that most of the outfit is also DP, pure coincidence (but I do shop there A LOT so not shocking I guess!)
Jeggings – Dorothy Perkins (you can also find blue and black versions by typing Eden into the search box at the top right of the page) http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?refinements=Colour%7b1%7d~%5bwhite%5d&searchTerm=Jeggings&storeId=12552&productId=14884369&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33053
Floral Kimono – Dorothy Perkins http://www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/product/clothing-203535/tops-t-shirts-1974337/kimonos-3009724/green-and-pink-floral-kimono-3228086?bi=1&ps=20
Crop Top – Boohoo http://www.boohoo.com/day-tops/zara-slash-neck-crop-top/invt/azz54190
Pool Sliders – Dorothy Perkins (also available in other colours in store and online) http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchTerm=Sliders&storeId=12552&productId=15461212&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33053
So availableAnd I have to say a huge thanks to Lee Myers for shooting my look! You can see more of his work here http://www.leemyersphoto.co.uk
I’ve been working super hard this week on new posts to share with you all – a special collaboration with Little Bird Boutique, recreating celeb style and some yummy Food posts!
Stay Stylish
J xx
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FASHION/ My Emmys Best
It wasn’t my intention to do celeb style posts three times on the trot, but I completely forgot it was the Emmys last night and didn’t want to leave it all to my weekly style round up on Sunday! Like I said yesterday, I usually have a certain expectation of how I want to stars look on a traditional red carpet, however I don’t think my favourite choices completely reflect that opinion this time! Also, I’m not hugely familiar with a lot of the American stars names (*hangs head in shame as types*) but I don’t think that matters when. It comes to style!
Scarlet Fever
Red was definitely THE colour on the carpet. Can be tricky given that it’s the same colour as the carpet, but I these dolls have sussed it! I really like the higher hem and print on *insert name here* dress (great opportunity to show off shoes!) and the little train at the back keeps the interest as she walks away. Same with Guiliana’s gown, she looks just as good (in some cases better) as the stars she interviewing for E!…make sure you’re on your own ‘must see looks of the week’ when you film Fashion Police this week G! Heidi’s dress is ridiculously simple which is it’s charm – the draping over her bangin’ body and the colour does everything it’s supposed to and she is model perfect to me. I picked Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) because she represents the younger attendee and highlights how hard it can be for a non-adult to dress for these events – a formal gown can age them, so what else do they do? This is a good compromise as it combines the formal with the youth in the large maxi skirt and crop top,mans she just about pulls it off. My only slight critique would be that the crop top she’s picked is perhaps a little too casual with the skirt, and a different shape/material could have nailed it better for me.
All White Now
There’s lace, there’s chiffon draping, there’s a hot man on the arm! Sophia Vegara is very consistent with her red carpet looks as she know what asset to highlight (waist and cha chas) and always picks a gown that does it well. Some may say this is dull, I think it’s clever as she always looks great! Lucy Liu just looks ethereal and gorgeous, end of. Camilla’s dress could’ve bordered on indecent with the sheer panels but the clever lining makes is classy (although it may have look even better if it’d gone all the way down and now stopped at the knee) even better is that she compliments Matthew really well by making him look good but not overshadowing him as the star, and props to him for ditching same old black for the lush midnight blue tux. Best dressed couple?
Something a little different
Another sexy black look, just not sure who the lady wearing it is! She’s obviously a bit edgy checking out her fab tatts and has managed to stay true to herself by showcasing them via the shoulder detail and keeping conformist in a subdued material and longer length dress. The cut around the front and back are quite individual and it look fab. The floral gown next to her *insert name here! this is getting silly now* is nice as it’s always different when a pattern pops up on the carpet – Lucy Liu did a similar things a few seasons back and I think there’s always a place for it without it looking awful. The last pic is meant to be of the yellow dress, I do like Julia’s look but I can’t help but think it would have been better suited to one of the slightly more demure VMA looks of the day before…thoughts? But the yellow is popping, fabulous and a little different up close when you see the detailing (and yes, I don’t know who she is either!)
Who were your hot pics for Emmy style? Let me know!
Stay Stylish
J xx
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FASHION/ My VMAs Best
I think, when it comes to music awards, we all kind of expect something a bit more than we would from any other red carpet. I personally like to see a bit of edge, a bit of sex appeal, perhaps a bit of shock value (*cough cough* Amber Rose). I like to see the shock as much as I’m sure those who do it set out to get the attention, but they’ll only be fodder for the Fashion Police for me! My best dressed lovelies are definitely bringing the edge, the sex and the glam in spades though….
Bringing Sexy Black (yeah)
It’s the cut, colour and fabrics used that gives these looks their edge – pleather and silk are sexy feeling fabrics and the added flashes of flesh just amp that up. Although Jourdan’s look is very similar to Miley’s she’s doing sexy in a more demure way – the fabric tones down the edginess (but creases a lot more, school girl error) and the skirt is making her pose a little more elegant, no spreading her legs and sticking out her tongue! That’s perhaps the difference in their professions and the fact that Jourdan’s a mama.
Sexy and I Know it…
That’s really what these dresses (and the facial expressions of the women wearing them) are screaming right? And I couldn’t agree more! It defies belief that la Lopez is standing next to girls almost 20 YEARS her junior and looks just as smokin’ hot. I’m seriously hoping that it’s in the name, I won’t look that bangin’ unless I hit the gym a bit harder but the face may stay in tact…I got asked for ID in a pub a cole of months ago, that’s the same, right??
Old Skool Workin’ it
These ladies still manage to look edgy/sexy without flashing quite as much and look just as fab. The neon colour pops with black mean they automatically stand out against the carpet and all of the darker/metallic coloured outfits on show, and Gwen mixes hers up more with the studded accessories (belt, shoes and jewellery- they’re not massively clearly in this pic). Jordan’s look is so demure it could almost be put on for other events and not be offensive, particularly as it’s pure white, but I like that she’s taking a risk by her standards and doing a plunging neckline with the thigh slit and slicked back hair. She never would’ve done that before when she was a little bigger and not as confident, clearly she’s taking a tip from her BF Jason and giving it some “wiggle wiggle wiggle”.
Queen Bey Y’all
Honestly – I didn’t like the outfit Mrs C wore down the carpet, it was too much material and didn’t do a great deal for her curvy figure in my opinion. But these two looks, woomph there it is! The oxblood colour looks gorgeous with her skin tone and is going to be one of THE colours to be seen in this A/W (yay!) and the jewelled bodysuit she performed in just screams “stop what the hell you doin’ and put your eyes on me”. Well deserved wins all round.
One for the Boys
Music award dress can be awkward for men- they seem to only have the option to wear a proper suit and look very formal, or wear jeans a tee and try to not try and look a bit trampy (*cough cough* Wiz Khalifa). So seeing Nick go for a suit but totally funk it up with the blue tartan print jacket is an awesome compromise! Adding in the tougher footwear he looks smart yet edgy and very dapper. I salute you Jo bro!
Get in touch and let me know if you agree with my best dressed looks and what yours were by tweeting me @IamJennyChat or Instagram thisisjennychat
Stay Stylish
J xx
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FASHION/ Weekly Style Round Up
Neon Lurve
Ri Ri be bringing it! The look manages is typically Rihanna- attention grabbing and with the colour and a bit grunge with the jewellery, but the mixi length makes it feel a classier whilst the monochrome heels/clutch keep it all about the dress. I feel compelled to source a high street version of this look for a future post! The shoes are courtesy of the Kardashian Kollection via my fave Khloe’s Insta page. Sadly I think they’re only available in Oz…c’mon girls, bring the goodies to us stylish lovelies in the UK!
Rosie Rosie Rosie….
I don’t recall a time when I see a picture of this girl and not pash on her outfit. This week she’s turned it out in day and evening style. Much like my VB appreciation a few weeks back RHW’s daytime look is classically simple and ridiculously easy to put together, giving hope to ladies everywhere that maybe landing a hotty like Jason Statham could be almost possible too?? Her orange evening look is just gorgeous and flattering to her skin tone, the darker accessories give a nod to the transitioning weather but it would work equally as well with gold if you wanted to keep a more summery feel (or even clash it with another bright colour if you’re feeling brave!)
What’s the story Kelly?
So Missy O is bringing out her own line…quite frankly I’m wondering why it’s taken her so long! I really like the rationale behind the name, Stories, as every piece of clothing should have a story behind when/where you wore it and hold great memories. My sentiment exactly Kel! I hope is is going to be available in the UK as I have my beady eyes on a couple of polka dot pieces.
NYC Style
Carrie Bradshaw’s back y’all! I know she’s really SJP, but when she brings it she will always remain CB to me. I like the clashing prints put together in a tonal way and demure shape dress which is a great way to do the trend without feeling like you’re being too out there and wacky. The pic of the MIC ladies is more evidence that you can still make an effort with your airport/travel look and be comfy doing so! Really like Fran’s co-ord (but not the cap, sorry lovely but it hides your gorgeous hair!) as it keeps the holiday vibe going until you get home. Binky’s combo is a real winner for the transitional weather at the minute so would totally work here right now – the darker colours and 3/4 sleeve shirt are a semi nod to the autumnal feeling weather, and the short shorts/wooden heels are a definite reminder that the sun is still shining through the chill! As is the sniff on texture of the shirt. Utility shirts are everywhere on the high street for A/W so Binks is well ahead in the style stakes (of course) I’m planning to invest in a cream one for my back to uni/workwear looks.
Definitely some looks that are provoking some ‘recreate the celeb style’ posts in the future methinks…..Enjoy your Bank Holiday weekend everyone!
Stay Stylish
J xx
About Me
I’m Jenny, nice to meet you. I’m a thirty-something who likes fashion, holidays and wondering about life. A lot.
