Alcohol: a guilty pleasure?

I am not in denial about my ridiculous addiction to glossy magazines.  To me they are an escape from the real world.  For an hour I can pretend to be a part of this wealthy, exciting, celebrity world in which my priorities are this season’s prints.  However, not only do these magazines give the best fashion advice but also some valuable life lessons in the form of witty, intelligent instalments from some talented writers.  In this month’s ELLE there was a quirky article written by April Long on the importance of alcohol for a healthy social life in which Dorothy Parker, twentieth century satirist, was quoted saying:

                ‘Three be the things I shall never attain: envy, content and sufficient champagne’

Naturally, this got me thinking: is this necessity for and reliance on alcohol true to my life?  Along with most people I want to say no but I cannot.  Alcohol is a vital part of my social life and without a social life I am not myself.  Being sociable is necessary for me personally to lead a healthy fulfilling life, however I am not denying the pleasure of one’s own company on the occasional basis (especially if this private time is accompanied by a large glass of cabernet shiraz).  Of course I do not find it completely necessary to consume vast amounts of alcohol whilst seeing friends, sometimes we replace cocktails with caffeine but that will be another blog entry entirely.

I, along with the majority of the British, female population, have been on my fair share of crash diets which all deny you the pleasure of alcohol (as well as every enjoyable food type known to mankind).  The removal of carbs, from my life, I can handle but nothing can replace that first sip of wine after a long, stressful day or that cheeky mouthful of a well -made cosmopolitan in a stylish bar.  I cannot deny the ultimate pleasure of fitting into those size 8 jeans but I’m not sure that taking away that one vice is really worth it.  I am a steady size 10 but I do fluctuate between 9 and 10 stone and I can easily say that I was not my happiest at my lightest.  Ultimately I can agree with April when she comments that ‘there is such a thing as being too restrictive’ and there is no reason why drinking a responsible amount of alcohol has to be a guilty pleasure; as long as it remains responsible and doesn’t fall into the category of binge drinking then I believe alcohol is a healthy pleasure which can help you enjoy a sociable lifestyle.

Miller and Carter Preview 31.03.2011

The Mailbox is a renowned venue for class, sophistication and high quality service and tonight’s event was absolutely no exception.  I was lucky enough to be able to attend Miller and Carter’s preview opening as an intern of HasslimannTaylor PR company and I has the most amazing evening being treated as a V.I.P alongside my best friend, events management enthusiast, Emily.  Here are my thoughts about the evening and the restaurant in general:

So we entered the stylish restaurant to be invited in with two smiling faces offering us complimentary champagne, which we took with no reservation.  Having never been to an event like this we decided it best just to sit at a table before we went trying to mingle which would no doubt result in embarrassment and regret.  So we sat, and immediately a well turned out, polite waiter approached us with a plate of medium-rare fillet steak, which I took in mass amounts and Emily, a long term vegetarian, bashfully accepted the mini potato on the side.  The steak was just as a steak should be: a juicy, succulent, cooked to perfection, beautiful steak.  This continued for the four hours we were at the restaurant with a vast array of the best food and wine Miller and Carter have on offer.

After discovering Emily’s vegetarianism the waiter apologised profusely before rushing to the kitchen and returning with a platter full of vegetarian delights: burgers, soup, and other nibbles.  And even I, a self-confessed meat addict, was really impressed with the vegetarian options.  This was a reallymoving addition to the already brilliant evening.

Two bottles of champagne, a cosmopolitan and a glass of merlot down, all complimentary of the restaurant, Emily and I were sat feeling very content with ourselves and ready to be let out in the world to rave about this new restaurant in the heart of Birmingham city.  A contemporary, stylish restaurant with polite, yet friendly staff, and food you will remember for a long time.  I would recommend the white chocolate cream profiteroles as an orgasmic ending to your evening at this restaurant who obviously know the secret of a great steak house.  I can’t fault my evening and will be back next time I have an excuse to!