August 2007 Archives

Vivenne Westwood held a very select reception to launch the latest in a series of stunning fragrances from the Vivenne Westood range last week.

‘Let it Rock’ not only smells fantastic but comes in the customary designer westwood bottle and I have no doubt whatsoever it will be a huge hit in December and will find its way into many a Chirstmas stocking.

Dawn Hugh (Vivienne Westwood), Paul Knowles (Gregory Abrams Davidson LLP)

Kerry Spencer (YQ Magazine), Zoe Vaughan-Davies, Tom Mason (YQ Magazine)

Cool retailers Microzine in Bold Street launched their latest venture, Microzine Deli last week in association with the Pickled Walnut Fine Food Company and drinks provided by the Purple Wine Company.

The stylish deli offers a selection of food specialising in locally sourced and organic produce.

Caption: Christine Colvin (Eventa Management), Vici Ladeji (Eventa Management), Gary Millar (Parr Street Hotel)

It was nice to catch up with my brother on leave from his tour of duty in Afghanistan, he currently has a couple of weeks of well deserved R&R (rest and recuperation!).

I managed to get a couple of hours with him before he flew to Italy for a couple of weeks with his adorable girlfriend.

When I speak to Ian and look at the pictures from a war zone – with so many innocent people including children caught up in such soul destroying conflicts – it makes me realise how lucky we are in this country – even with grey skies and currently seemingly perpetual rain and a forgotten summer.

Teresa Bickley and Owain Williams (Restaurant Manager, Blackhouse Grill)

Blackhouse Grill in Chester is owned and operated by one of my clients Living Ventures – www.blackhousegrills.com – 0870 4012137 - Last week I held a networking table at the restaurant. Located in a prime site in Chester the Blackhouse Grill superbly mixes chilled surroundings with sophistication and excellent quality food.

The grill based menu is vast and the Lobster is to die for. With a welcome break in the poor run of weather we were able to have our pre-dinner drinks in the expansive outside eating area, which was an added treat. All in all, a fabulous night and I will definitely be back soon.

AUGUST is regarded as the graveyard shift for networking events with so many people on holiday.

So it was with some trepidation that the Chamber organised a Platform Lunch at Il Forno, on Duke Street.

They needn't have worried as over 80 people enjoyed a delicious meal prior to listening to the speakers.

Terry Ann Hickey (Mersey Skills Network), Bryan Adams (PH Creative) and Andy Mantova (Smart Storage) with Chamber Deputy Chief Executive Carole Crosby at Il Forno

Congratulations to Candy McCulloch, daughter of one of my best friends Lorraine, who celebrated her 21st birthday on Sunday.

Drinks at the house, provided by mum and dad (with a little help from two Living Room bar tenders) – then onto a themed party bus to a party in Leeds where the theme was ‘Saucy’ As you can see from the pictures the girls certainly made an effort with their costumes.

Imagine how happy the AA man would have been if that particular bus had broken down on the motorway!

Congratulations and a very happy birthday to Candy – and to the guys who accompanied the lovely ladies – how lucky were you!

Candy McCulloch and Nadine Khan (right) and (left) Candy's friends in themed 'saucy' costumes

Nadine Khan, a very happy looking Jermaine Pennant and Candy McCulloch

Jermaine Pennant and his friend ... with Candy's friends

Candy (4th from left) and her friends

Lorraine McCulloch, Mimi McCulloch, Candy McCulloch and Ian McCulloch

Candy blowing out the candles on her 21st birthday cake

Natalie Imbruglia called into Radio City recently and was interviewed by Glen Hunt…

Natalie told him that she has a new passion in life and that's riding horses - asked, "when was the last time you rode a horse" once she stopped laughing with a cheeky glint in her eye, she said it was a couple of weeks ago in Windsor Park on a horse called Mr. Jingle. Maybe if Aintree racecourse were listening, they might want to invite Natalie along to the next ladies day. www.radiocity967.co.uk

Her new album, "The Singles Collection" is released Sep 10th and her new single "Glorious" is out Aug 27th

On Friday, I called in to the Town Hall to catch up with a very talented photographer and friend of mine, Jim Connolly, who was showcasing some of his outstanding portraits in the glorious surroundings of the main ballrooms.

Jim has a unique eye for what will make an interesting artistic shot and I never cease to be amazed at what he catches through his lens.

I don’t know anyone else who captures quite what Jim does.

He is a genius and his work always amazes me.

Kath and Mike (Bride and Groom)

This weekend has been a very busy one and a very enjoyable one, with plenty of celebrations.

On Saturday I was a guest at the wedding of Katherine Gittins and Michael Aistrop. I have known Kath since she was about 18 months old and she has blossomed into a beautiful, intelligent, lovely woman. Her mum Glen, has been one of my best friends for over 26 years, so it was very touching to see Kath and Mike tie the knot in Hoylake. They make a wonderful couple, they clearly make each other enormously happy and I wish them all the love and happiness for their future together.

Mike, Terry and Pauline

It’s a hard life in PR land …. On Wednesday I had a meeting at Est Est Et Albert Dock with Paul Knowles and Cathy Webster from Gregory Abrams Davidson LLP, where our main objective was to choose 3 cocktails for the Gregory Abrams Davidson staff summer party which they are holding at Est on the Dock.

Cathy Webster (Gregory Abrams Davidson LLP) and Paul Knowles (Gregory Abrams Davidson LLP)

Well having ruled out a few that we thought did not quite fit the bill for the party, we finally came up with a stylish Cosmopolitan for the ladies, a signature Basil Grande, and a summer favourite Mojito… It really is a tough job having to taste cocktails (but someone has to do it and it might as well be me).

The party is a summertime thank you to staff for their loyalty and support and I really do think that more organisations would benefit if they showed their employees the same level of TLC.

A couple of glasses of wine, and thirty minutes of cocktail tasting later, I wondered up to the opening party of Majur, a fabulous new Indian Restaurant in Duke Street, which specialises in ‘healthy’ Indian options.

A great night, superbly organised by Joel Jellen and his team at Ubiquity (or if you want to wind him up – call it Iquibiquity –but don’t tell him I said that!). A great crowd, fabulous atmosphere, stylish venue and I am sure it will do very well!

Traditional Indian dancing

Karen Oliver, Johanne McAndrew and Julie Lau at the opening party at Majur

The party spills out into the Plaza