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Harriet Hoff makes some recommendations to impress your co-workers at this year’s office Christmas party

Tis the season to be jolly… Well, I should hope so with all that mulled wine and sherry floating about the office party. Time to drag out the glam crew and get acting like you’re off to a Hollywood premier (even if it is down the local for a festive pint with your work buddies).

1. If you’re feeling the pinch from Santa’s sack then dazzle with some new OTT earrings… Chandelier diamonte earrings, £12 from Accessorize.
2. Feeling like Santa’s already dropped his load? Then fill your beautiful new sack with more readies for a night on the tiles… Jewelled clutch £55 from Accessorize.
3. Keep the winter chill off and still feel like a movie star in this faux fur jacket… £45 from www.asos.com
4. Big girls don’t need to hide behind the christmas tree, be big and proud in style, this boned bustier will keep all your gorgeous curves in place and have all the office hunks at your feet. Bustier £50 from Evans.
5. Stuff buying everyone presents when you can be the Christmas present in this hot little number. Gold bow dress £95 from French Connection.
6. Add a little bling to the Christmas charm, charm bracelet available from New Look… Part of the ‘Gold by Giles’ collection.
7. Go all out glamour in this ‘look at me’ red party dress, you’re sure to get all the attention. Jessica dress £85 from Monsoon.
8. Go shake your rump in these hot hot hot satin trousers… Olivia trousers £55 from Monsoon.
9. Dancing feet will be sore feet but hey they’ll look damn good in a pair of these metallic courts, £40 from www.shelleys.co.uk

Now go get silly drunk and fall over in front of your boss… but do it looking fabulous!

A perfect festive family outing gift-wrapped for your enjoyment at Brighton Dome

Everyone loves a festive trip to the ballet and this year we are delighted to welcome the captivating St Petersburg Ballet Theatre back to Brighton Dome with another spellbinding programme.

The Nutcracker provides timeless seasonal entertainment for all ages: instantly recognisable live music, exquisite sets, sparkling costumes and faultless dancing from world-class soloists combine to create an evening that memories are made of. A visit to the Land of Sweets, a meeting with the Sugar Plum Fairy and an encounter with the sneaky Rat King make sure that you get swept up in the festive spirit and carried away with this fairytale.

“More than excellent…dancing of sheer beauty matched by the costumes and scenery”

Judith Monk, Musical Opinion, March 2007

This year, for the first time, we have two special gala evenings – featuring the stars of St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre in a medley of the very best moments from the classical repertoire. With a programme of classical ballet gems, this is sure to be the perfect evening out for ballet lovers everywhere.

In Swan Lake, Princess Odette is transformed into a swan by evil magician Rothbart. Prince Siegfried falls in love with the beautiful princess, but Rothbart conspires to keep them apart. This classic tale of thwarted lovers and happy endings boasts some of the best-loved moments in classical ballet.

Brighton Dome, 01273 709709, www.brightondome.org

The Nutcracker
Fri 21 Dec, 7.30pm
Sat 22 Dec, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Sun 23 Dec, 2.30pm
Wed 26 Dec, 5pm

Stars of the St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre Gala
Thu 27 Dec, 7.30pm
Fri 28 Dec, 7.30pm

Swan Lake
Sat 29 Dec, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Sun 30 Dec, 2.30pm

Booking Details

Ticket Office
Tel: 01273 709709
29 New Road, Brighton BN1 1UG
Open Monday-Saturday, 10-6

Jo heads to the big smoke to see and be seen at the London Chanel catwalk show

Naomi Campbell

Earlier this month saw the biggest fashion event London has seen for a good few years – it was of course the first ever UK catwalk show by Chanel designer, Karl Lagerfeld. My old pal JD (he’s French) had two tickets and asked me if I would like to join him – result!

But what to wear? I don’t own any Chanel (perfume doesn’t count) so I donned my best Banana Republic hounds-tooth frock and Primark boots! The rain was pouring down as we arrived at the venue – an old French school just a stone’s throw away from Victoria – but thankfully we were greeted at the door by a bevy of handsome men carrying Chanel umbrellas.

We were then ushered past the clamouring paparazzi into a pristine white anti-chamber where the Chanel hospitality began. We were served the most exquisite champagne, cocktails and canapés made in the shape of the famous interlocking Chanel Cs. JD and I challenged each other to talk to as many celebs as possible – he beat me hands down, he had interviewed most of them previously! We chatted to Lily Allen – looking resplendent in Chanel, spotted Emma Thompson, beautiful Harry Potter star Emma Watson, Rupert Everett, Naomi Campbell, Yasmin Le Bon, Jasmine Guiness – I could go on… All of course had one thing in common – yes you’ve guessed it they were all wearing the double C!

After eating more truffle dipped cheese straws than I really should have, we made our way into the huge show and were seated (opposite Natalie Imbruglia and Sharleen Spiteri) on gold chairs – the backs of which were fashioned into Chanel clothes hangers. The show began and was accompanied by live music from catwalk star and ex-girlfriend of Pete Doherty, Irina Lazareanu. After stepping into the limelight in a black evening gown and biker boots, she took to the microphone accompanied by Sean Lennon on the piano.

Top models including Agyness Deyn strode the runway in knee-length skirts or blouson culottes, tweed jackets, thick black tights, simple pea coats – all wearing the most amazing Chanel accessories.

Before we knew it the show had ended, and Karl did a lap of honour swapping kisses with the great and good. The lights then went down, DJ stepped up to the decks and the after-show went into full swing. We ate more food, drank more champagne, stared at the ridiculous height of Claudia Schiffer and left in a Chanel taxi clutching goody bags! Magnifique!

Jo Brooks is director of Brighton-based PR company JBPR Ltd
01273 622555, www.jb-pr.com

Sandra Omo contemplates Christmas presents to oneself

My countdown to Christmas has been so slow lately because am still stuck in the common confusion of what to buy for my loved ones and especially for myself. Come on guys, don’t say I’m selfish, tell me what other time do we have to give ourselves gifts apart from Christmas? This is the thing I like most about this period; it is the only time you can legally lay claim to the right to be loved. Even the law respects this. This is the reason I do not blame people when they say Christmas is not about celebrating Christ but love. Well let us look at it this way. The Bible says that God is love. If we celebrate love are we not equally celebrating God? Ha ha, I bet you never thought about that.

“I spent hours looking around and buying gifts for others but still could not find what I like”

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