Birmingham Post

Beauty Style: Christmas Gift Sets

BODY SHOP The Body Shop has a long tradition of fantastic Christmas gifts, and this year is no exception.

Post Style: Louis Vuitton and the Art of Christmas ; Louis Vuitton Might Be One of the World's Most Exclusive Designer Brands, but There's More to It Than Just Handbags - the Company has a Lengthy History of Artistic Collaborations, and This Year's Christmas Windows Are a Case in Point. Post Style Editor Caroline Foulkes Reports From Paris.

It's November 15, a little over a month until Christmas, and the only lights shining on avenue Montaigne come from lampposts. Unlike the Americans, who began decorating their department stores back in September, and the British, who seem to have decked the halls with boughs of holly when it's barely in bloom, the French seem to be taking a more relaxed attitude to the holiday season. Fly out of Birmingham airport, and the Christmas decorations are up. Fly into Charles de Gaulle, and it seems ...

Post Style: Lv and the Art World

Thanks to its founder, the forward thinking and innovative Louis Vuitton, the company has a long history of artistic collaboration. During the 1870s, Vuitton and his son Georges often visited the photographer Nadar, who introduced them to a number of then-unknown artists, including Monet, Renoir, Pissaro, Sisley, Cezanne, Degas and Berthe Morisot. Father and son were among the first to view Impression: Sunrise, the Monet painting that inspired the name of the movement henceforth known as 'Imp...

Post Style: Tinsel Town ; with Dreary Nights Ahead, Now Is the Perfect Time to Bring a Touch of Glamour Into Your Life - Especially When It's Inspired by Hollywood. Lifestyle Editor Lisa Piddington Teams Up with Beatties to Bring Out the Screen Goddess in You

The winter months desperately need the added attraction of a spot of sparkle, so be devilishly decadent with shimmering crystals, sexy backless dresses, fur wraps and serious heels. Think silk, chiffon, satin, bows and ties - we're talking retro femininity that's truly gorgeous. Inspired by the great and good of Hollywood, this is a look that's as sexy as it is girlie - the perfect opportunity to get out the dressing up box.

Post Style: The Story Goes ...

Sharon Osbourne is one of 15 celebrities who have written a short story for the Selfridges/Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) Christmas storybook. The book is aimed at raising funds for the charity which helps to provide specialist teenage units for young adults with cancer, leukaemia, Hodgkin's and other related diseases. So far the TCT has eight units, in London (two sites), Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle and Manchester. It is anticipated that the concentration of medical expertise in ...

Post Style: Brilliantly Birmingham ; a Well Chosen Piece of Jewellery Can Make Any Girl's Christmas. Over the Next Four Pages Post Style Editor Caroline Foulkes Looks at Two of the Best Places to Buy Modern and Antique Baubles, Bangles and Beads That Will Fit Perfectly Into Santa's Sack

If there's one thing almost any woman in the country would be glad to find in her Christmas stocking, it's a beautifully crafted piece of jewellery. And seeing as we live in one of the country's foremost cities as far as jewellery is concerned, it would be a travesty to ignore the regional independent craftsmen out there, creating exquisite individual pieces in favour of the kind of ring, brooch or other item of bling that can be found on any high street across the country. And with the Fifth...

Post Style: Gem and Us

Thanks to the flights of fancy of fashionistas the world over, vintage and antique jewellery has come back into vogue big time. But while the high street is packed full of copies, there's nothing beats the real thing, as your wise old granny will tell you. Yet if granny's jewellery box is strictly off-limits - or long since divvied up by fashion conscious granddaughters - what is a girl to do? Why, head for the auction house, m'dear, with Him Indoors in tow.

Post Style: Glam Rocks ... ; the Boys Get Nostalgic As They Delve Into the Archives to Find the Origins of Glamour

Question: what aspect should every home have? Answer: one that really makes a difference. Indeed, 'chez vous' should demonstrate something wonderfully escapist, something so utterly revolutionary that it changes your life. Or... something that simply pushes the feel good factor to the max. Confused?

Post Offers: Right Royal Value Stocking Fillers

Post Style has teamed up with Wolsey to offer every reader 30 per cent off items at the new Wolsey Store in the Pavilions Shopping Centre, Birmingham Wolsey, the menswear brand has affordable top to toe gifts for the men in your life this Christmas. With socks and scarves from pounds 5, Wolsey offers a fabulous range of clothes and gifts for men in its new flagship store in the Pavilions Central shopping centre. For a limited period, the store is also offering two special deals**: Buy a lambs...

Dining Style: On the Grapevine

There is no better way to celebrate an occasion than with a glass of sparkling wine, but there is no substitute for the real thing, Champagne. The British love affair with the wines of the region has a long history, and at present, we remain the largest consumer outside of France. The UK market, however, is dominated by some 20-30 'Great Houses' who buy in grapes from growers, make and blend the wine, age and bottle them, and then sell them under their own label. The key to their success is t...

Dining Style: Chorizo and Feta Cheese Tortilla

INGREDIENTS 6 eggs 100ml milk 250g potatoes 150g cooking chorizo

Dining Style: Five of the Best in Birmingham

JESSICA'S 1 MONTAGUE ROAD, EDGBASTON - 0121 455 0999 HHHHH

Dining Style: Take Me to the River ; Despite Having Competitors in the Region Which Offer Better Food for Roughly the Same Cost, the Riverside Inn Is an Ambitious, Hardworking Village Pub, Says Alison Davison

Years have passed since I first visited the Riverside Inn. A charming village pub by the chugging river Lugg, it had come highly recommended by Ken Adams, now chefpatron of the Waterdine, then of Oaks in Ludlow. Along with other Ludlow chefs, it was a favourite port of call for Sunday lunch. Back then, the head chef in its busy kitchen also happened to be Steve Reynolds, who went on to take over the Stagg at Titley and pick up the first Michelin star for a pub in the UK.

Post People: Charity Run

Andy Partington, Branch Manager for Markel (UK) Limited and President of the Birmingham Insurance Institute, completed a challenge in a charity run in to the office from his home - a distance of 13 miles. It was all in the cause of his presidential charity the heart unit of the Birmingham Children's Hospital. He raised a total of pounds 8,500.

Post People: Ronnie Foster Birthday Bash

Charity fundraiser Ronnie Foster celebrated her birthday in style with a party at Bar One, Ten Colmore Row recently. More than 200 guests partied the night away with champagne and canapes. Pictures/Steve Fisher

Post People: Brooke Smith Associates/Csj Planning

The region's property, development and business world gathered at the Birmingham City Museum & Art Gallery to celebrate the official launch of a major new planning presence in the area. Martin Kingston QC of No.5 Chambers was the guest of honour. After ten years of successful business, Birmingham based town planning and development consultancy Brooke Smith Associates has merged with CSJ Planning Consultants from Bristol to create one of the larger independent planning practices in the country.

Post People: Army Golf Day

Soldiers from the Territorial Army swapped their guns and tanks for golf clubs and golf buggies when they joined force with more than 30 West Midlands businesses in a golf tournament. The day was organised by SaBRE (Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers) to thank local employers who have supported the Territorial Army over the last year. Despite the rain and gales the day was enjoyed by all.

Post People: Poppy Ball

The 41st Birmingham Poppy Ball in aid of ex-services organisations was held at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel. This year the event was organised by David and Maggie Jakes and their committee, who welcomed guest of honour Lt General Rob Fulton - Royal Marines, Commodore Luke van Beek and Commodore Bill Covington - Royal Navy. The evening was well supported and raffle prizes included a fabulous cruise for two to the Mediterranean aboard the superb Ocean Village, donated by Victoria Travel.

Post People: Mccann Erickson Cancer Research

McCann Errickson looking pretty in pink as it raised money for cancer research Birmingham-based McCann Erickson was looking pretty in pink as it raised money for Cancer Research UK.

Post People: Redrow Charity Ball

Nearly 200 staff of Redrow Homes (West Midlands), sub- contractors, suppliers and their guests attended the charity dinner in aid of the company's nominated charities, Cancer Research UK and the Compton Hospice in Wolverhampton. A total of pounds 4,000 was raised through ticket sales, raffles and auctions and Redrow contractors and suppliers donated prizes such as Red Letter Days, TVs and fine wines. Each charity will receive pounds 2,000 each.