Hannah Lynn Tan

Fitness November 9, 2023

How to find your zen at the Baraza Resort & Spa Zanzibar

Located on the beautiful stretch of the Bwejuu – Paje beach in the South east coast of the island, named one of the world top 30 islands, Baraza Resort & Spa is like your own private little slice of paradise. There are only 30 palatial villas, each one with its own private plunge pool and an indulgent amount of space for guests to really immerse themselves in the sheer grandeur of it all. Team Coco got the chance to escape the chilly London winter and find some sun (and our zen) with the Baraza Resort & Spa.

We tried their Yoga retreat package, a 6 day retreat that combines a wonderfully inclusive series of Hatha yoga sessions and some truly rejuvenating massage treatments at the world-renowned Frangipani spa. There is no better to find your center than at the Baraza Resort & Spa. So if you’re feeling the need to renew your sense of calm in one of the world’s most beautiful luxury resorts— then here’s how.

700am

Wake up to a light tropical breeze in your own palatial villa, and casually stroll along the resort’s many stunning courtyards, and eventually finding a spot by the beach, where you are serenaded by the gentle crashing of the waves of the Indian Ocean. Here’s where our morning practice begins.

745am

Our yogi, the truly charming Sree greets you with a big smile on his face, and prepares the setup for this morning’s Hatha Yoga Practice. Get ready for some OHM.

845am

Make your way back to the Livingstone Terrace restaurant for a lovely buffet-style breakfast. Everything here is locally sourced, and is a mixture of Swahili and international cuisine. Do try the dried coconuts dipped in honey, and partake in some bespoke smoothies — or maybe even a watermelon juice.

11am

Head over to the world-renowned Frangipani spa, where your lovely therapist will lead you through yet another palatial courtyard and into, what I consider to be the world’s most beautiful relaxation room. The Frangipani spa’s therapists are all impeccable, and you can literally feel all of your worries will melt away.

12PM

Catch some sun and take a dip in your own private plunge pool. After all, you need to make the most of your stunning private villa. So reading your favourite magazine (House of Coco obviously) and playing some tunes is definitely recommended.

1pm

Catch a private Swahili cooking lesson with some of Baraza Resort & Spa’s top chefs. We learned how to cook Chicken Dhansak, following the recipe of one of Zanzibar’s most iconic personalities, Farouk Bulsara, aka Freddy Mercury.

4pm

Finish off the afternoon, with a cup (or five) of Masala Tea. This unique spiced tea was a definite favourite during our visit, and is also a very calming concoction.

7pm

Treat yourself to a glass of Dawa at the Dhababu Bar & Lounge, a local cocktail that mixes gin, cognac, lemon, and honey. The locals call it ‘medicine’ and it surely hits the spot after a serious day of relaxation at the Baraza Resort & Spa. Head over to the Sultan’s Dining Room for a fabulous meal. Here you can enjoy a menu that showcases the best of the island while being serenaded by the music of the Taarab band.

From relaxing Pranayamas to Yoga Shala meditations, you will definitely leave Zanzibarwith a whole new level of calm. One that can only be achieved amidst the breathtaking natural scenery of the Baraza Resort & Spa.

The Yoga Retreat Package at Baraza Resort & Spa is a 6 day all inclusive luxury package that begins a €3569 for single occupancy and €2353 for double occupancy (per person sharing)for a Two Bedroom Garden View Villa in the low season, and €4711 for single occupancy and €3067 for double occupancy during high season. For more information visit www.thezanzibarcollection.com

Fitness November 9, 2023

Eat Your Way through Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the epitome of what California is all about. The palm-tree lined boulevards of Beverly Hills, the colourful houses of Venice Beach, the art-deco buildings of DTLA, the glitzy shops on Melrose Place, are all parts of what make Los Angeles unique.

One thing about Los Angeles that really stands out, is their passion for health and wellness. Yoga on the beach, organic smoothies, and cold-pressed juices are all the rage in LA, and is probably one of the reasons they live such chilled-out, happy, and healthy lives (that and maybe the perpetually sunny weather too) Team Coco shoes you how to eat your way through LA – in the cleanest and greenest way possible with our top foodie picks in the City of Angels.

Best Girl
Located on the stunning art-deco building of the Ace Hotel DTLA, Best Girl is the perfect spot in the neighbourhood for a power lunch. Best Girl is named after the first film screened in their gothic Spanish theatre way back in 1927. The spectacular interiors serve as the perfect backdrop for their even more spectacular menu. Headed by the Michelin Star Chef Michael Cimarusti, who is known for championing sustainable seafood, Best Girl serves both fresh seasonal fare and also all the classics. Try out their Avocado “Alligator Pear” Toast – which is honestly one of the best Avocado Toasts you’ll have on the West Coast.

Love & Salt
Love & Salt is a fantastic low-key Manhattan Beach restaurant by Chef Michael Fiorelli. Their food philosophy is that food only needs two ingredients to be great — love & salt; and this philosophy can be tasted throughout their gorgeous Italian inspired menu. Their cozy atmosphere, and curated but approachable wine-list, make Love & Salt truly enjoyable culinary experience. No bells and whistles, just good, clean, well-made food. Try their Freehkilicious Salad, a five grain, five herb salad that became my instant favourite; and also the California Endive Salad. Yummy food — without all the empty calories!

Cafe Gratitude
Located on the super cool Venice Beach, Cafe Gratitude is all about serving earnestly good Vegan fare. Everything on the menu is named after a positive affirmation. The Kale Cesar said is called “Dazzling,” the Raw Pesto Kelp Noodles is called “Liberated” while the Daily Dessert Special is called “Remarkable”. You are then invited to order by saying; “I am Dazzling,” “I am Liberated” or “I am Remarkable” – so you leave Cafe Gratitude with both a happy tummy and a happy heart.

visitcalifornia

Lifestyle November 9, 2023

Ford Focus: What is Your Focus?

Last week TeamCoco got the chance to discover Ford’s latest installation set on the beautiful banks of London Bridge. The giant six metre high and thirty meter long installation displayed the PRIDE flag loud and proud over Potter’s Field during Pride weekend, and is part of a touring exhibition by Ford in anticipation of the launch of the new Ford Focus. According to Edmund Rogers from Ford’s GLOBE Group, which is an employee resource group for sexual orientation,

“Ford has a strong history of supporting LGBT rights, and Pride, so we’re very proud to be flying the flag in support of Pride 2018.”

After a lovely dinner at The Ivy London Bridge with Ford, we got the exclusive chance to experience the installation ourselves, which was a marriage of incredible artificial intelligence, interactive design, and sheer scale. The installation’s interactive LED letters spell F-O-C-U-S, and uses artificial intelligence to communicate with its audience and ask them the question that we often find ourselves asking – “what is your focus”. Visitors are then invited to send through some photos, videos, and other social content relating to their focus, and the letters will then present a short personalised video for all of London to see.

We obviously jumped in at the chance to get our focus displayed all over Potter’s Field. So, after a quick chat with the artificial intelligence, which was a lot more pleasant and a lot less black mirror than what some people might think. The artificial intelligence took 200 hours to train in order to understand and respond to its users in four different languages. We got to watch our own customised Focus video — care of Ford of course. Not only is this exhibition a clever and innovative way to explore artificial intelligence, it also shows Ford’s commitment to listening to its audiences, and a fantastic show of support for the LGBT Community.

The exhibition is also supported by a range of Ford vehicles, inviting audiences to explore the range of new technology available in the new Ford Focus. London is the second stop on a five leg European City tour.

Adventures November 9, 2023

Wake up Here: Is La Sultana the most stunning hotel in Marrakech?

Walking along the busy thoroughfare of the Imperial Kasbah quarter — right by the main tourist attraction of Saadien’s Tombs — you wouldn’t guess that you’d be walking past one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, the La Sultana Marrakech.

Marrakech is an aesthetic dream but there is so much more to this magical city than meets the eye. Once you enter the arched Bab Agnaou gates of the old city, you are immediately bombarded with a visceral plethora of sights, sounds, and smells. It is as exhilarating as it is exotic, and once you get to the heart of the Medina, it becomes clear that this city functions on a set of rules that is unique to anywhere else in the world.
From the outside looking in, you’d wrongly assume that the La Sultana Marrakech would be just another Riad, once inside however, and you’d immediately see that you were mistaken. One step into the hotel’s lamp-lit gilded alleyway and you are instantly transported to a time of sultans and princesses. Instantly enveloped in an air of opulence and luxury that will embrace you until check-out.

Inside, you are led through an arched hallway that opens up to the hotel’s grand courtyard. The awe-inspiring space is home to the hotel’s heated outdoor pool and also serves as the breakfast area and as one of the hotel’s dinner venues. It is filled with a myriad of tropical flora and opens up to a large seemingly open-space skylight which draws just the right amount of sunshine in.
The hotel is divided into five riads, the brick-covered Riad Almohad which is housed in the main courtyard, the pink byzantine-style Riad Scheherazade, the Riad Saadia, Riad Sabaa, and the Riad Bahia where we stayed. The hotel has 28 bedrooms and suites, and each one is a reflection of various historical motifs that work to stunning effect. The golden bathrooms are a thing of glory, and it is almost impossible to resist spending an evening enjoying a relaxing bath in this beautiful space.

We had dinner poolside at La Table La Sultana, as a ‘sintir’ player serenaded us in the background. Diners at La Sultana are spoiled for choice and have the option to choose from its French or Moroccan menus. The hotel has a philosophy of ‘Terroir Cuisine’ which showcases 100% locally sourced organic ingredients, and you can certainly taste the difference.
The staff at La Sultana are absolutely faultless. From the moment you check-in, when you are greeted with Moroccan mint tea and dates on the roof, to check-out when you are given a little gift to send you on your way, the staff make you feel like royalty. If you ever get the chance to visit La Sultana, we can assure you, it’ll be an experience unlike anything else in the world.

Accessories November 9, 2023

Superstar Sunnies: All the Best Sunglasses for Spring

Here at House of Coco, we know the value of a great pair of sunglasses. And with spring finally bringing in some welcome sunshine, a fabulous pair of sunglasses should be on everybody’s shopping lists for the season.

Whether you are lounging on the beach in the Maldives, or enjoying a warm après ski in the Swiss Alps – a good pair of sunnies is an absolute must for any stylish jet-setter. Not only are sunnies the perfect finishing touch for any ensemble, they also serve as the perfect travel companion no matter where your destination. From Oliver People’s feminine yet angular styles, to Céline’s modern take yellow frames, House of Coco rounds up the best Superstar Sunnies of the season, to help you pick our your new favourite pair just in time for your next holiday.

Swarovski Clear Sunglasses £120
Sener Besim S3 in Nero/Graphite £1076
Oliver Peoples Rassine in soft rose gold & Magenta £255
Grey Ant Iemall $370
Céline Yellow Sunglasses £320
Ace & Tate Frances in Poppy £98
Moncler Gold sunglasses £300
Ace & Tate Vivian in Rose Gold £148 www.aceandtate.co.uk

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

The Green Room’s Dog-Friendly Bottomless Brunch: The Best Brunch Spot for Dogs and Dog-lovers alike

Last Sunday, Team Coco and Team Coco pup Charlie-dog tried out The Green Room’s dog-Friendly bottomless brunch at the National Theatre. A casual neighbourhood diner set amongst the stunning concrete landscapes of Southbank, The Green Room’s bottomless brunch is the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon — heatwave or not!

The result of a collaboration between the National Theatre and local social enterprise Coin Street Community Builders, the Green Room is a light-filled dining space set in the middle of an urban oasis. Featuring recycled props from National Theatre shows and a charming sustainable garden maintained by the Bankside Open Trust and community and theatre volunteers; the Green Room balances unfussy contemporary design with the warmth of your local neighbourhood diner. Their Bottomless Brunch offers two to three course menus with the option for either bottomless Proseccos or bottomless Bloody Mary’s. Perfect if you’re the type who prefers the hair of the dog, (no pun intended) to cure last Saturday night’s hangover.

Upon entering The Green Room, you are immediately greeted by the smiles of its friendly staff, and your pooch is greeted with his or her own dog bowl to refresh from the heat. Indoor and outdoor spaces blend seamlessly not just to for diners to revel in the fresh air of British summertime, but it also allows your pooch to wander and explore the Green Room’s generous open spaces. While the bottomless brunch offers two to three course options, you’d be hard done to choose with all the great choices on offer. For starters, we tried the extremely indulgent bacon mac and cheese fritters, the spicy buffalo wings with blue cheese dip, and the Crayfish taco. The Crayfish taco was particularly excellent for London’s current sweltering weather, combining zesty flavours and fresh seafood. For mains, we dug into the Double duck burger — which is even better than it sounds! A combination of smoked duck breast, duck bacon, and maple mustard dressing, the double duck burger is a great and hearty choice for anyone who’s worked up their weekend appetite. Finish off with a salted caramel & chocolate tart — and rest assured that you’ll be going home with a happy heart and a happy tummy.

While the Green Room’s bottomless brunch menu was truly fantastic, what truly made our experience memorable was its friendly staff. Our waiters Ryan and Lucy were not only great with us, but also to Team Coco pup Charlie; bringing the “friendly” to the word “dog-friendly”. Finally, before leaving The Green Room, our Charlie also got treated to a little burger of his own, resulting in what we presume to be the best day of his puppy life. (Charlie definitely gives The Green Room five stars) So, if you’re looking for places to spend an idyllic summer afternoon, check out The Green Room’s bottomless brunch, and don’t forget to bring a furry friend along with you!

Afternoon Tea November 9, 2023

Coco Eats: Asian-inspired Afternoon Tea at The Westbury Mayfair

For a low-key Lunar New Year celebration, our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies visited The polo Bar at The Westbury Mayfair for an afternoon of pastries and scones, with an Asian-inspired twist.

We skipped the hustle and bustle of crowded China town and headed over to lush Mayfair for a new kind of Lunar New Year Celebration. Because this year, The Westbury Mayfair ushered in the ‘Year of the Rat’ in true style with an afternoon tea experience with an Asian-inspired twist.

While The Polo Bar retained its quintessentially British elegance, The Westbury Mayfair didn’t skimp on the Asian treats throughout the Afternoon Tea experience. We began with some champagne and two mandarin oranges (which are a symbol of wealth and prosperity in Chinese cultures). This was followed by a series of sweet and savoury treats with all the culinary savoir-faire that The Polo Bar has become known for.

We highly recommend the Tea Quail eggs, which combine umami mayonnaise with green tea, red shiso, and croustade. These savoury bites come in crunchy edible egg cups which makes for the perfect mouthful. The Polo Bao ‘char siu pork’ steamed buns are another highlight and will satisfy even the most discerning Chinese Food lover. The finger sandwiches, of which our favourite was the smoked duck breast with hoisin sauce – are also equally delectable.

On the sweeter side of things, we also recommend the Pineapple Tart, which is made with freeze dried pineapples, delicately wrapped in 20-carat edible gold leaf. The Mandarin & Chocolate Cake is equally delicious and is made with black tea mousse and mandarin gel.

The pièce de résistance, however, has to be the Matcha Mousse; which is made with Melaka Mousse, Matcha almond sponge and Matcha Meringue. To top it all off, this sensational dessert also has Matcha ‘moss’ and hazelnut ‘soil’ which is home to an edible chocolate bonsai tree.

The Asian-Inspired Afternoon Tea is accompanied with a selection of loose leaf teas from Whittards. These include a coconut tea, an oriental English breakfast tea, and our personal favourite a lychee tea. ‘Bobba’ fans can also enjoy an authentic cup of ‘Bubble Tea’ with a generous serving of pearls too. The Asian-inspired The Westbury Mayfair is available every weekend from 12 noon to 6pm.

THE WESTBURY MAYFAIR

City breaks November 9, 2023

A Photo Diary of Macao: Asia’s most unique Destination

Every corner of Macao is bursting with life; a visceral explosion of sights, sounds, flavours, and aromas. Nestled between Hong Kong and China, and with a unique Portuguese heritage; Macao is so much more than the glittering hotels and casinos it has become known for.

From its unique ‘Macanese cuisine’, its carefully preserved Portuguese architecture, its enchanting coastal charms, and the effortless charm of its people; Macao is a place that’s unlike anything else in the world. If you’re still looking for reasons to hop on a flight (and a ferry!) to Macao – check out our girl Hannah’s Visual Diary of this truly unique destination.

www.visitmacao.co.uk

London Heathrow to Hong Kong, Economy Return from £645.72 including tax (low season) Cathay Pacific now offers a choice of three routes between the UK and Hong Kong, and onwards to over 190 destinations globally. These include five flights daily from London Heathrow, and daily flights from Gatwick Airport and Manchester Airport. For further information, visit www.cathaypacific.co.uk or call 0800 917 8260.

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

5 stylish restaurants to know if you’re spending NYE in London

With the arrival of the proverbial chill that comes along with winter, and the increasing frequency of classic Christmas tunes on the radio; Londoners prepare for the most joyful, and stressful, time of year — the holiday season.

We all know the very specific anxiety that comes with the weighty responsibility of booking a restaurant for your NYE dinner. Regardless if you are booking a restaurant for your friends, family members, or even your old high school mates you haven’t seen in over a decade; one cannot escape the pressure to get it right. After all, it’s not every year you get to ring in a new decade. So, if you are the one tasked with the weighty responsibility of booking the venue for dinner, then we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up some of London’s most best NYE parties, so you don’t have to.

Cora Pearl

There’s champagne a plenty at Cora Pearl’s five course Parisian cum British New Year’s Eve Party. This lovely gem in Covent Garden was inspired by a Parisian courtesan and offers a fantastic whisky-cured salmon, and Cow curd agnolotti to ring in the new year.

www.corapearl.co.uk/nye-party

Norma

Norma is a little Slice of Sicily right in Charlotte Street. Here you can enjoy its incredible seafood menu. We recommend the truffle-stuffed whole pumpkin and the pork chops in marsala sauce.

www.normalondon.com

Roast

A truffle feast, fireworks, and a magic show – what more do you need for the perfect NYE dinner? Not to mention – some pretty epic views of the Thames.

www.roast-restaurant.com/new-years-eve

The Goring

This classic Belgravia spot – is perfect for a more private NYE affair. The specially crafted 6 course NYE menu is perfect if you and your significant other are pushing the boat out to welcome the new decade.

www.thegoring.com

Margot

Margot’s one-night-only NYE menu includes Scallop Carpaccio, Lobster-stuffed ravioli, and some roast beef. Need we say more?

www.margotrestaurant.com

Accessories November 9, 2023

Marielle Kangasniemi shows how Bagpad is all about loving handbags and the environment

Any self-confessed bagaholic is familiar with the age old dilemma of taking care of their prized designer handbags. It is exactly this brilliant bit of insight that inspired fellow handbag lover, Marielle Kangasniemi, to create Bagpad.

The idea for Bagpad is simple. Originally inspired by the iconic Hermès Birkin, Bagpad is a specially sized and customisable product that supports the interior of your handbags, maintaining its shape, and also reducing moisture damage. Besides being an absolute must for handbag lovers the world over, Bagpad also provides a longterm solution to keeping the shape of your handbags, while reducing plastic waste.

We catch up with Bagpad Founder, Marielle Kangasniemi, and talk all things Bagpad, her collaboration with One Ocean Foundation, and about the biggest challenges and triumphs she has faced as a GirlBoss.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, what inspired you to start Bagpad?

I’ve always to do something on my own, I just needed to find the idea. So after I finished my masters in Fashion and Luxury Brand Management at Istituto Marangoni, I knew I wanted to do something within fashion and luxury. I’ve also always had a passion for handbags, so I decided to combine my passion with my knowledge and came up with this unique solution that didn’t exist before. Now when you think about it, it’s such an obvious thing that all handbag lovers need.

The iconic Hermès Birkin Bag is the inspiration behind the bagpad, as this is a bag that really needs support when it’s not in use. So the first bagpad was made to fit the Birkin bag, but now we offer bagpads to fit any designer handbag. The bagpads can also be personalised with monogramming and we offer fun patches for decoration too. It’s the perfect gift for anyone who has a handbag.

How important is sustainability to Bagpad? Could you’ll us more about your collaboration with One Ocean Foundation?

Sustainability is one of the core elements of Bagpad, as the whole idea was to create a long-term solution for keeping handbags in shape and reduce the use of plastic. What’s currently in use is bubblewrap, plastic bags, or tissue paper? We know that plastics are the most common form of trash in landfills, and the most dangerous form of pollution. The ocean is filling up with garbage, so in order to help, we are in collaboration with the One Ocean Foundation, which raises awareness about the urgency to resolve problems plaguing our marine ecosystems. They create specific projects to help safeguard marine life, and also perform beach cleanups throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Every individual can contribute to saving the oceans through simple but virtuous actions.

At Bagpad we are very committed to do our part to save the planet, and so we use biodegradable packaging and recyclable materials. Plastic in itself can be harmful to the leather and interior of the bag, as it might transfer colour, start ‘sweating,’ or even scratch the leather, which is why we use only premium materials that are especially suitable for designer handbags.

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What steps can we take to become more conscious consumers?

Always choose the more long-term solution. Even if you can’t find a completely sustainable and Eco-friendly product, it’s better to choose the one that lasts longer, even if it might cost a bit more. There is already so much waste in this world, so any conscious decision to reduce the use of plastic is for the better.

It’s also important to take care of what you have so that it lasts longer. That’s why it’s important to take care of your handbags. They are meant to be used for a long time and if you take proper care of them they can last decades.

There are many ways to take care of handbags, but the most important one is to keep them filled when not in use. This prevents the leather from creasing and helps the bag to keep its shape. Our bagpads also protect from excessive moisture to keep the bag in perfect condition.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?

To find time to do everything! I wish I could clone myself so that I would have time to do everything and be everywhere at the same time. It’s challenging but also very exciting to work with all aspects of the business. I learn so much everyday and I feel so grateful for having this opportunity.

Another thing that can be tricky is figuring out the marketing strategy. There is so much going on in social media and consumers are exposed to so much marketing all the time, so it can be difficult to stand out. You really need to know who your customers are and where they spend their time. Luckily our product is unique and customers can really see the value in it.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?

If you have an idea or a chance to start something on your own, just do it! You can dream however much you want but if you never start, you will never know. Don’t be scared of setbacks, they help you grow and push you in the right direction. There is always help available and especially London is such a great environment to start a business. I’ve met so many inspiring people here and you never know who you’ll meet, there’s always someone who knows someone. Expanding your network is key!