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Sunday 29 April 2018

La Di Da Secret Pop Up Warehouse Party: Gin Cocktails & Secret Passwords

For those of you who follow my Instagram stories, you will have seen what I got up to on Thursday evening. For those who don't, let me share my adventure with you!




I was invited to a secret pop up warehouse party hosted by La Di Da Magazine. I was invited by email and told to enter via a specific entrance with a black door. Once there I would be greeted by a man dressed in black and he would ask me a question. To answer this, all guests had to memorise a secret password phrase to gain entry.





From here we were lead to the NEXT store in a private section upstairs from the store. As the store is newly opened, this area of the 'back' of the store is still unfinished and sporting plasterboard. Despite the industrial, undone feel, the space had been transformed to the perfect party space. Furniture from NEXT was cleverly placed with distressed rugs, textured throws and beautiful occasional tables.




On arrival I was greeted with gin in a teacup. I repeat, gin in a teacup!  A pop up bar and DJ Stephen Love kept the vibe high and the drinks were just delicious. The bar was the handywork of Durham Distillery who distil all of their gin locally. The drinks kept flowing with different variations of drinks using some of their different flavoured gins!


Gorgeous teacups by The Vintage Tea Party

Catering was provided by The French Oven and was divine! The table was scattered with rose heads and the food was the perfect addition to the gin cocktails. Gorgeous finger food and gin, what more could you want on a Thursday evening?! 





Later on in the evening, once NEXT was closed to customers we were taken downstairs and told we could pick any item we'd like from the store as a gift. 

*OVERWHELMING CHOICES* 

The pressure of having to pick something you'd love from NEXT was intense. Limited on time, overwhelming range of gorgeous products and trying to pick the perfect thing was a lot to process! We were all frantically wandering round the empty store with disbelief. 




Fuelled with gin and food, I had a really good look around and spotted a few different key pieces which I liked. We were allowed to try items on and so I found the changing rooms. Not to be dissapointed, gorgeous, light space with velvet seating, gold drop lighting, plants and much needed huge mirrors. 





I ended up opting for a vertical stripe, classic 1950's style tailored, belted dress. This piece gives me nostalgia of the British Summertime, spent on beaches and eating ice cream. It's perfect to wear for professional occasions with its tailored cut but the belt offers the option to make it a looser silhouette ruching he top section over the belt to create more of a relaxed style!





After the gifting, we were then treated to more gin goodness. The Metrocentre train was also on hand for tipsy train rides. Just when you thought the surprises were finished!





Before leaving, each guest was given a goody bag filled with treats from NEXT & Durham Distillery which I will certainly make the most of. Thank you so much La Di Da for the invite and for hosting such a fabulous event!