North East Archives - Page 4 of 12

The Alchemist Newcastle Launch Party

Ok Voyeurs, this is the big one, the one you’ve been waiting for. For months you’ve been reading the pre-launch hype about the latest bar / restaurant offering to take up residence in the brand new Grey’s Quarter at Intu Eldon Square and now The Alchemist is finally here. I was lucky enough to get pre-launch VIP access so got a chance to have a little nosey round the huge ground floor unit but the official launch party went down on Thursday March 30th.

A truly magical invite landed on our doorstep inviting Bo and I to the VIP launch party, accompanied by a box of matches, all was revealed when a lit match was run over the invite, which promised a night of adventure and alchemy. I planned my outfit weeks in advance but obviously didn’t wear it because I’m a ‘fly by the seat of my pants’ type of gal. I did however, enlist the help of MAC at House of Fraser, Intu Metrocentre to help me create a negative space eyeliner effect as a nod toward The Alchemist’s flair for the dramatic. So, when the night rolled around, Bo and I made our way to The Alchemist fashionably late, natch.

The building has two entrances, one inside the shopping mall and one street entrance – it’s way more impressive from the street entrance and feels less like a mall restaurant from that side. Once inside, the first thing I notice is that The Alchemist is an entirely different beast when it’s packed to the rafters with thirsty peeps. When it’s empty, its eye level curiosities and wall murals seduce you with their gothic magic but when the place is full, these become invisible leaving the bar and it’s residents Alchemists to do the work.

Launch night meant a free bar, at least until 21.30 (which meant the bar area was five deep until exactly 21.30) so whilst it took around 15 minutes to get our first drink, everyone seemed to be in the same boat. Obviously staff at The Alchemist were keen to show off their (b)artistic flair and cocktail making skills so a live Zoltar machine was on hand to assess your personality and assign a matching cocktail which would then be made for you at the bar.

If you’re a fan of spectacular and peculiar cocktails then The Alchemist should be on your radar. With an array of tools including copper pans and Bunsen burners in order to brew your chosen drink to perfection, bar staff are encouraged to ‘prepare with flair’ so you can expect foot high flames, sparks, and seemingly eternally foaming potions. Prepare to wait a little longer for the magic though, it’s not something that’s knocked up in the time it takes to pull a pint of Amstel or pour a simple Amaretto and cranberry. Waiting times for drinks at The Alchemist have faced criticism on social media, however if you’re ordering two or three of their more exotic cocktails, then you just have to suck that up – especially when it’s packed out at its 400 capacity.

We took up residency at a table that gave us a great view of other people’s cocktails being prepared meaning we got to experience the theatre of The Alchemist without the wait – nice. Once the place quietened off a little and the masses moved on, the personality of The Alchemist comes out, you start to notice the nods to Geordie tradition, like the stuffed magpie sitting proudly atop a shelf.

Personally I haven’t sampled the food available at The Alchemist but they do offer menus from brunch right through to dinner and have an extended seating area outside for days when the sun is shining and you want to trade the darkness for sunshine.

So, is it worth a visit? Yes. The Alchemist is somewhere you should visit if only to make up your own mind, it’s definitely a hot ticket and certainly for months to come it’s going to be THE place to be seen. The cocktails aren’t your usual run of the mill Cosmopolitans or Porn Star Martinis, they really are something special, and they’re worth waiting for. The interior decor is cool and the touches of copper sing out through the gothic colour scheme, so go, order something awesome and revel in the theatre that The Alchemist brings to the Newcastle bar scene.

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Glorious North East, The Lifestyle Edit

The Alchemist comes to Newcastle

It’s been a long time coming but The Alchemist is finally ready to open its doors to the people of Newcastle. Taking up residence in the newly revamped Grey’s Quarter of Intu Eldon Square, The Alchemist has certainly had a buzz about it for what feels like a very long time.

I got the chance to have a snoop inside of this gorgeous (very dark) venue to find out exactly what you can expect from Newcastle’s latest, and most hotly anticipated bar….

The dark, gothic surroundings are par for the course with The Alchemist, the Newcastle opening marks the ninth Alchemist in the UK and each follows the same design plan. The Alchemist’s strong selling point is the magical cocktails its molecular mixologists create. Claiming to be masters in the dark arts of mixology and demons in the kitchen, each cocktail is prepared with presentation in mind and a devilish dash of theatre.

The 6600 square foot space will operate as an all day venue offering food, drink and their famous alchemy cocktails to visitors to the city of Newcastle. You’ll already know that The Botanist has seen huge success since its opening in the city and Living Ventures Group, the former parent holding company of The Botanist and current parent holding company of The Alchemist, are hoping the new addition can capitalise and improve on that success.

Inside theres a nod to the secrecy of the prohibition era, but not like a traditional speakeasy, more like a den of iniquity. The Alchemist explores everything that is dark and mysterious and invites guests to relish in this enchantment. With its Deathly Hallows-like logo hanging above the door on the external entrance, it certainly looks magical.

Inside it’s much the same, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped inside the Ministry of Magic with its huge skull and butterfly mural and floor to ceiling back bar filled with curiosities. It’s a huge space divided in to zones; there are booths for cosy dining and tall bar tables for cocktail nights. Swathed in dark walnut wood and gold all bathed in soft, dim light, The Alchemist is certainly a destination bar for the city.

Ahead of The Alchemist’s official launch, magical invites were sent out with a secret panel which had to be heated with fire to reveal details of the launch event – a great indication of what’s to come no doubt. Capitalising on the unknown, the people behind the Alchemist have generated a buzz only seen in Newcastle before the launch of The Botanist. I have no doubt that the Alchemist will be inundated with visitors from the city and further afield – I’ll be at the official launch event next week to bring you more from the place when it’s in full swing!

With so many awesome bars and restaurants opening in Newcastle, it looks like this already awesome city just got better……. and a little more magical.

Pixie xo

Internal images by Head Photography.

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Glorious North East

Murad: The Secret of Connected Beauty

When it comes to skincare, I’m something of a slut. I flit from brand to brand taking the pieces I like and cobbling them together in some sort of self curated regime. My skin is changeable, sometimes it’s oily, sometimes it’s dry and other times it’s a bit of both – hence the sluttery.

What I know deep down but have completely suppressed, is the fact that good, healthy skin, is a reflection of not just what you apply topically, but how you live. Every aspect of your life directly affects cellular hydration, and that’s the basis of the whole Murad skin regime.

I visited Murad at House of Fraser Intu Metrocentre this week to discover more about the range that explores the connection between skin, body and mind – something they call Connected Beauty. What struck me immediately, is how clinical the Murad counter is. In a beauty hall filled with prestige and luxury brands such as Tom Ford, Chanel and Acqua Di Parma, Murad stands out as being cosmeceutical. With a stark white counter and clean, simple packaging, the brand needs no gimmicks to convey its message.

I was introduced to Murad skincare expert, Rachael (she’s worked with the Queen’s personal doctor), and given a skin analysis using a high tech facial scanner. The machine scans for skin concerns and prioritises them in order of their appearance. This wonderful, awful machine also has the capability to fast forward time and give a projection of how skin may appear on the future. Horrific but also very fascinating.

After completing a basic questionnaire about my health, lifestyle and skin concerns we established that my primary and secondary concerns – fine lines and brightening – could be improved with a glycolic peel and a selection of Murad products for home use.

If you didn’t already know, House of Fraser has a suite of treatment rooms hidden away at the back of the store, it’s a calming, tranquil oasis that could be a million miles away from the busy shopping mall. The Murad room is bathed in soft light and there are a range of products on display. As Rachael begins the process of the glycolic peel, she explains that this will brighten and tighten my skin, but may give rise to a little temporary redness.

The process starts as you would expect, with a deep cleanse, and once the peel is applied, my eyes are covered with a weighted mask whilst my shoulders, arms and hands are massaged. The whole treatment takes a little over an hour and is incredibly relaxing – not at all what you would expect from a glycolic peel. There’s no tingling sensation, no pain and personally, I have no redness afterwards although this varies from person to person. At the end of my treatment I’m left thinking (almost out loud) “don’t stop!” Yup, it’s that good.

Rachael makes observations about my skin during the treatment and asks about my diet, lifestyle and stress levels, all of which have an impact on skin. She advises the use of retinol on an evening to encourage cell turnover and renewal, and gives me a batch of “youth activating” smoothie recipes (none of which require the purchase of any Murad products).

I’m also given an awesome goodie bag with a selection of Murad’s hero products and a promise of a follow up in four weeks to see how I’m getting on. The philosophy is clear, treat the skin concerns from both the inside and the outside and you’ll see improvement. It’s doctor led skincare with a focus on healthy, nourished, strong and protected cells.

As I leave the counter, I’m reminded to “eat your water” by consuming a balanced diet, exfoliate regularly, and to “be kind to your mind” by cultivating emotional self awareness. Rachael hands me a card that she’s hand selected for me as she bids me adieu, it says “Focus on your ultimate goals and not the steps getting there.”

If you’re looking to switch up your skincare then Murad is a good place to start. Good solid foundations, a strong clinical basis and completely cruelty free; the brand is made up of products which aim to address common skin concerns with a suite of off-counter treatments available using clinical grade ingredients. My experience with Murad was great and it certainly got me thinking about internal, external and environmental factors which could be affecting my skin. Well worth a visit , even if it’s just for the scary skin assessment….

Pixie xo

I visited Murad at House of Fraser, Intu Metrocentre’s and was treated to a glycolic peel which normally costs £55.

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Glorious North East

MAC launches Makeup Parties

I’d be willing to bet that each and every one of you reading this owns at least one MAC product. Whether it’s the iconic Ruby Woo lipstick (the perfect matte red, seriously, try it) or makeup bag staple Strobe Cream, there’s no doubting MAC is a favourite amongst Makeup Artists, Models and yes, regular people the world over. The brand’s infamous Vival Glam collaborations have even been known to stop traffic.

If you’re a makeup lover, you’ll have experienced the frustration of fighting through the swarms of teenagers who monopolise the MAC counter on a weekend and you’ll understand the joy of finding your perfect Mineralise foundation shade. Yes, MAC really is THAT rollercoaster, but when you hit your stride and find YOUR hero products, you’ll sharpen your elbows and become a counter pro.

If you’re ‘makeup curious’ in that you love the thought of creating looks but aren’t really sure how to experiment, or are intimidated by the huge choice of shades and finishes, then a select few MAC counters have a little trick up their sleeve that was tailor made for you……

Enter the MAC Party. Cue fanfare and streamers because this one has been a long time coming. The basic concept: Grab up to 8 of your best gals, head on over to the MAC counter and you’ll have 2 MAC Makeup Artists who’ll give you expert tuition on how to create the perfect face using MAC products and brushes. That’s right Voyeurs, MAC just played their ace card.

I was invited along to MAC House of Fraser at Intu Metrocentre to get the skinny on the MAC Party concept and to find out what other counter services MAC offer their clients. I met Makeup Artist Josephine who treated me to ‘Makeup in 60 Minutes’, one of the counter’s most popular services, whilst we chatted. Because my usual look is an uber bold lip and minimal eye, we opted for the reverse; a bold eye with a dewy base and nude lip. As Josephine got to work she told me that staff are super excited about the imminent launch of MAC Party as it’s long overdue and gives artists a chance to work collaboratively with clients to create something really Bespoke and wearable.

Whilst we’re chatting, Josephine preps my face with Mineralise super light foundation in NW20, a shade so perfect it’s barely detectable, with a pop of ‘Softly Does It’ cream blush across my cheekbones. In a few easy steps, we have the perfect base that’s set in place with a rose scented fixing spray.

While she gets to work on creating a deep blue eye look, Josephine tells me that MAC Party has been designed as a more in depth, tuition based service. So rather than rocking up for a special occasion and having a Makeup Artist create a look for you, this is all about learning how to create a super effective look for yourself. It’s still a hands on service, a Makeup Artist will demonstrate on your face in front of the mirror and then you recreate it – with support obvs – simples. Aren’t they worried it will negate the need for a makeup service? Absolutely not says Josephine; you can never learn enough about makeup. With new techniques, trends and products turning over faster than the seasons change, she thinks that this is a service that equips and empowers MAC clients to learn more about what works for them and is a great way to push colour boundaries. I’ve got to say, I’m with her on that one.

Josephine has been with MAC for long enough to know that my signature shade is Heroine, that I’m always lingering around the blue or purple lipsticks and that I’ll push the envelope when it comes to colours so I don’t hesitate when she suggests a combo of blue liner and blue mascara to highlight my green eyes.

With the rise of online makeup tutorials and younger girls looking to makeup as a career choice, we talk about how MAC Party could help younger teenagers to achieve this and also boost confidence. My almost teenage sister is the perfect candidate for this – and at £25 per person (which is redeemable against products) it’s not out of reach for the younger market. Makeup lovers in this age group save their pocket money to splurge on cosmetics and if they’re getting a lesson in how to apply it at the same time, everybody’s winning right?

In exactly 60 minutes, I’m done. Using a blend of shades Get Physical and In The Shadows, Josephine has created the perfect dramatic, blown out eye look in a rich, royal blue. Sound scary? It’s really not, the blue makes my green eyes pop and it’s surprisgly easy to wear as a day or evening look as it blows out into a muted copper hue (this is where MAC Party comes in handy as it teaches you how to wear shades you might not normally consider).

Got a special occasion on the horizon and want to take the hard work out of the prep? ‘Makeup in 60 Minutes’ is the perfect solution, not only will you leave with the perfect face based on your brief, but you’ll also be given a crib sheet with every product used for reference.

There’s also an express makeup service which focuses on one particular aspect of makeup, think killer eyes, or the perfect base and contour and then you top up with the bits you’re best at. MAC Party is the special one; girls nights out, Batchelorette parties, birthday parties, basically any reason you can think of to get a group of friends together to bond over skincare and makeup. It’s the service you never knew you needed, until now.

When I come to leave, I’m given a box containing sample sizes of everything we’ve used today and a few little extras (Matte Royals lipstick anyone?) to experiment with at home.

Try it out for yourselves Voyeurs, its makeup, it’s personal and bespoke to you, whether it’s a natural, barely there look, or a bold, heavy made up look that you prefer, MAC’s expert Makeup Artists are there to help and advise. All counter services are bookable at a cost which is redeemable against products so think of it like this, if you know you were going there to buy a product, why not book a service anyway?

And with that little gem, I bid you goodnight….

Pixie xo

I visited the MAC counter at House of Fraser Intu Metrocentre and was given a complimentary Makeup in 60 Minutes service which costs £55. MAC Party is available at selected stores only and is bookable at this store by calling 0370 192 5043

Categories: The Archives, The Glorious North East, The Lifestyle Edit

Join the Tapas Revolution at Grey’s Quarter, Newcastle

If you’ve wandered through Newcastle city centre recently you’ll have no doubt noticed some big changes. Whether it’s the difference in the skyline, or the influx of great new retailers, the rate of response to our needs as customers of this awesome city is uber fast. We’re a nation of shoppers who enjoy lunch with friends and drinks on a Saturday afternoon and Newcastle has acknowledged that and answered the call in a big way….

Anyone who spends time in Newcastle will know that Intu Eldon Square enjoyed something of a resurgence in recent years with a new floor space addition to the mall. A victim of its own success however, this left older parts of the mall looking dull in comparison and well, a bit boring. Not any more, the once tired Monument entrance is now the bustling Grey’s Quarter packed to the rafters with awesome eateries and bars which stay open long after the mall has closed.

Tapas Revolution is the latest in a string of restaurants to take up residence in Grey’s Quarter; the brainchild of Spanish TV chef Omar Allibhoy, it’s one mission is to serve true, authentic Spanish food, ethically sourced direct from Spanish farms and suppliers, with no middleman. As part of the big re-brand, I was invited along to brand new Spanish restaurant Tapas Revolution to experience a little Spanish living with a tapas and beer pairing evening

“There’s a great restaurant and bar scene in Newcastle and I can’t wait to get involved in the buzz happening here and bring a little Spanish twist to the city. Tapas Revolution in Eldon Square is my version of the lively and bustling tapas bars in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. We can’t wait to open our doors!” Omar Allibhoy

Omar’s menu takes inspiration from family recipes that he grew up with and Spain’s culinary culture of sharing, socialising and eating. When we arrive he talks us that in Spain, beer is paired with food rather than wine or cocktails and that’s because the flavours marry well to compliment each other. Beers by Estrella Galicia (natch.) are paired with each course of tapas to accentuate the flavour of spices, I’m not a beer drinker at all but I get it, real Spanish beer with authentic Spanish food, it just works.

“My passion for Spanish food is really at the heart of everything I do; my earliest memory is of watching my Mum in the kitchen cooking crème caramel. She was a great baker but a terrible cook so I took over the helm as soon as I was old enough. When I came to the UK I was shocked by the lack of Spanish restaurants and how rarely anyone I spoke to cooked it at home. I decided it was time to do something about it and so my Tapas Revolution began” Omar Allibhoy

Estrella Galicia tapas Revolution newcastle

Me and fellow North East Blogger Elle Blonde arrived to a super warm welcome and a round of opening cocktails spiked with chilli to ensure we stayed focused and awake. Armed with tasting notes and a stack of Estrella Galicia beers, we were treated to Spanish tortilla, Iberico ham (some of the most expensive ham you can buy and I can vouch for how awesome this is, it’s what I cram my luggage full of when I visit Mama Tenenbaum in Menorca), patatas bravas so good you could forget you’re in a shopping mall in Newcastle and paprika smoked octopus so divine that I had to go back for thirds. Yes, thirds.

Tapas and beer pairing is like a re-awakening of my conscious mind, to me beer is beer, but after reading and absorbing the tasting notes, you really taste the top and mid notes in each beer and understand why each one is paired with a certain taste. For the tee-totalers amongst you (that’s me too) there’s an Estrella 0.0% which is completely alcohol free, and a damn good dupe.

“Tapas is more than food, it’s part of our everyday culture: food and life are always best shared.” Omar Allibhoy

I get the Spanish lifestyle – Mama Tenenbaum has it down to a fine art now and she’d definitely approve of Tapas Revolution, she’s quick to lambast the places that don’t quite hit the mark. From the hanging Serrano hams to the open kitchen, the preparation and service is exactly as you would expect in Spain. Even the tables are set up so the restaurant can receive large parties ready to socialise with really great food as the facilitator to conversation.

Whilst we’re chatting I notice two very important things: 1. Elle Blonde and I both have seriously strong shoe game, and 2. The breakfast menu is to die for. Boasting Ranch and Florentine Eggs, Churros and Bacon Brioche, I make a mental note to return in the AM.

The quality of the food served at Tapas Revolution is second to none, in fact, it’s probably the only ‘real’ tapas restaurant in the city, Omar takes great pride in sourcing only the very best, authentic ingredients, meats and spices for his dishes and it pays dividends. With another five restaurants and a list of celebrity clients as long as his flowing locks, Omar Allibhoy is the real deal.

It’s not just beer on offer at Tapas Revolution, with a huge range of unusual cocktails and rare gins (no surprise there, gin is HUGE in Spain) on the bar menu including my favourite Mahon gin, Xoriguer (another thing I always bring back from Menorca), all served in a traditional balloon glass, exactly as they do in Spain. Kudos Tapas Revolution, I’m really looking forward to bringing Mama Tenenbaum along to taste a little piece of authentic Spain whilst she’s here in the U.K.

Pixie xo