Filini bar and restaurant at Birmingham’s Radisson hotel want to remind you that life is sweet so in an effort to indulge, pamper and delight you in the finer things in life for 50 days, starting yeasterday August 7th 2008, Filini’s entire wine list will be offered at half price.

The promotion will end September 25th 2008.

Offering an exclusively Italian wine list, made up of wines from the various winemaking regions of Italy, Filini showcases the grandeur of the noble grape. Featuring affordable classics to exclusive wines, gems like Tasca d’Almerita, Rosso del Conte 2004 and Conte Della Vipera, Castello Della Sala 2006/2007 will be available at very wallet friendly prices. For the duration of the promotion the most expensive wine on the menu will only cost £48.50!

Filini has carved out an enviable reputation in the Midlands for serving up contemporary, authentic Italian cuisine in chic surroundings and has recently hosted a wine tasting dinner in cooperation with Antinori Wines, one of Italy’s premier wine producers and Berkmann Wine Cellars.

Don’t miss Birmingham City University’s hottest fashion talent showcasing their debut collections on June 18th. The Graduate Fashion Show is once again the highlight of the innovative  New Generation Arts Festival, featuring 22 of the the 47 designers graduating this year. The Fashion Show promises to show some of the brightest emerging talent of today, and is championed by industry heavyweights including designer Betty Jackson, Lee Lapthorne and supermodel Erin O’Connor.

The Fashion Show forms a part of the New Generation Arts Festival, a 16 day festival that celebrates youth, diversity and the rise of digital culture.

To celebrate furniture designer George Nelson’s 100th birthday Vitra is re-editing his Pretzel Chair in an anniversary edition limited to 1000 copies. The New York based designer is famous for iconic pieces like the ‘Marshmallow Sofa’ and continuing on the food theme it was the bold, elegant lines of the back and the arm rests that gave the chair its nickname, the ‘Pretzel Chair’.

There are a total of 75 chairs allocated to the UK and orders are taken on a first-come-first served basis.

Pretzel Chair retails for £1,240 + VAT.

We’ve heard of singles nights at the supermarket (our eyes met over the Bird’s Eye Fishfingers and I knew it was love???) but an Art Gallery is a new one on us.

Both locations seem a bit stange but The New Art Gallery Walsall aren’t worrying about that. They’ll be opening their doors on cupid’s day (Thursday 14 February, 7pm-11pm) for all those lonely singletons who are looking for another who has an appreciation for the finer things in life.

The gallery’s evening of romance includes:
• Bollywood and bellydancing
• Ice breakers and games
• Live entertainment with Los Crododilos
• Glass of bubbly
• Sumptuous buffet
• Free Valentines Day gift

Tickets are £12 per person, to book in advance please call reception on 01922 654400.

OK there isn’t much on it yet but Blink Magazine’s all new fashion and beauty blog will be the place to go to find out about new season’s collection from your favourite designers and high street stores.

Keep your eyes on: http://blinkfashion.wordpress.com for more updates.

It is our first official day back at work after the Xmas break and the first of 2008. So this week we are reflecting over our year past and year to come. 2007 was a busy time for us (there is an update here on the Fused blog) and we are hoping to keep up the momentum for ‘08.

There are a few plans underway for the forthcoming months but one thing is for sure there will be more Fused’s and Blinks to come this year as well as some special edition’s and events.

Also we will be launching the Blink fashion and beauty blog keeping all fashionistas up to date with forthcoming trends and product releases.

Issue 34 of Fused magazine is here – take a look online at a selection of the articles here and look out for it at a shop, bar or venue near you…

We have 10 pairs of tickets to win as well as a gorgeous Ruby Rocks dress (pictured). If you want to enter go to the fused site to see the details.

Birmingham has a shiny new venue – The Vaults. Its a ‘Boutique Bar’ – co-owned by Russell of design agency Clusta – and is based on Newhall Hill (just on the way to the Jewellery Quarter).

It is a gorgeous underground venue with lots of little alcoves and spaces to lounge. It’s capacity isn’t huge, which is nice, and it is certainly set to be the exclusive hang out of the city.

The decor and furniture is minimal – but not in a stark way – they have kept the brick work bare and decorated it with key pieces of art.

The cellar is believed to be Birmingham’s oldest workhouse and photographer Stuart Whipps  has been commissioned to photograph it (as soon as we have those images we’ll get them online).

But if you want a peek for yourself the address is: The Vaults, Newhall Place, Newhall Hill, Birmingham. www.vaultsbirmingham.com.