From the moment you enter The Landmark hotel you are scooped up in a cocoon of style and luxury. This spectacular 5-star hotel, in the heart of trendy Marylebone, oozes glamour and is the ideal base to explore London or just kick back and relax.
The hotel is steeped in history and there are accents of this throughout the building, yet it feels elegant and stylish rather than stuffy.
Once you swing through the grand wood panelled entrance and up the steps, you’ll find yourself in the focal point of the hotel, the Winter Garden. This glass roofed courtyard is flanked by lush palm trees instantly whisking you to a Mediterranean oasis. Guests are dotted around soaking up the surroundings while enjoying a glass of bubbles or a bite to eat. This stunning space is light and airy, brimming with atmosphere. In each corner you’ll find sweeping staircases leading up to the rooms and suites which all overlook the courtyard.
The rooms are classic in design without being old-fashioned, cream and blue tones keep it fresh and the light from the glass roof atrium cascades through the window, across the bedroom. There is plenty of space to rest, the sofa in the window is the perfect spot to unwind and watch the guests below buzz about the Winter Garden. Throughout the room are highlights of opulence and grandeur from the crystal lamps to the sumptuous, lush fabrics. The large Italian marble bathroom features an ample tub and shower and is stocked with White Company goodies.
A table at the Winter Garden is a must. Ask the evening draws in, the stars twinkle through the glass roof making it an enchanting dinner location. The menu combines the best of British and European classics with a modern twist. The three-course set dinner menu starts at £35 and you can choose from a selection of delicious dishes. The Burrata salad is fresh and bursting with flavour. The Roasted Maize Fed Chicken Breast with Ricotta and Lemon is succulent and pairs beautifully with a crisp glass of Gavi. The breakfast menu is an abundance of hot and cold plates. Enjoy a leisurely morning starting with a Bento Box. There is the usual fare of cereals, juices, pastries and fruit but also an extensive array of tantalising delights for you to start your day. Choose from eggs cooked to your style, Belgium waffles, or for the hungrier, a full English.
Elsewhere in the hotel you will find The Mirror Bar and Garden Terrace, also great for food and drinks.
If you are looking to boost your wellness, then escape to the spa. Nestled on the ground floor you will find a blissful haven where you can indulge in some serious chill time in the jacuzzi, sauna or steam room. Make sure you book in advance one of the soothing treatments available. There is also a chlorine free swimming pool and gym for those who want to burn off that big breakfast!
For anyone looking for a hotel experience that spectacularly marries together, luxury, glamour, great food and service in superb surroundings then a stay in The Landmark will tick all those boxes.
Presentation is key when it comes to creating an unforgettable dining experience at home. Elevate your meals with beautifully crafted presentation boxes that add a touch of elegance and sophistication to every dish. Explore a wide range of presentation boxes to suit your style and make your culinary creations truly shine.
Staying home until the clubs have reopened, because there’s really no point interacting with anyone other than clubbers – they are your people? Thinking about devouring some fab food and drink whilst chilling on your sofa this weekend? We’ve got you covered.
Food
Heck Bangin’ Bites, £2.25 (189g), Tesco
Bangin’ Bites are HECK’s first foray into ‘grab and go’ – mini cooked cocktail versions of their popular 97% Pork sausages in portable pots that are tapping into the trend for healthier, high protein and gluten-free snacking options. Ideal for snacking on the sofa!
The Mighty Mushroom Co. Meat Free Burgers, from £2.50, Amazon Fresh
Plant-based doesn’t need to be boring – and these new delicious burgers (mince and sausages) are packed full of tasty umami flavour and made with up to 85% mushrooms, which are grown on sustainable Irish farms. Contains no soya, gluten-free, natural, wholefood ingredients, with no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives. Perfect for garden BBQ!
BFree Avocado Wraps, £3 (4 x wraps per pack), from Sainsbury’s
A millennial gluten free favourite, BFree have transformed the goodness of avocado into its new Avocado Wrap, super soft and only 107 cals each, they’re made from avocado, chickpea flour, rice and pea proteins. Perfect for a tasty lunch!
Häagen-Dazs, £4.99 (420ml), all major retailers
Häagen-Dazs are shaking things up once again with their newly launched DUO range. Combining two flavours in one, the DUO range is crafted to bring back the joy of summer that we’ve all been craving. It’s also perfect for sharing (but 100% not necessary)! Available in three flavours: Dark Chocolate & Salted Caramel Crunch, Belgian Chocolate & Vanilla Crunch, and Belgian Chocolate & Strawberry.
VIVIR is produced using 100% Weber Blue Agave and natural volcanic spring water and its aged tequilas, Reposado and Anejo, are also finished in American Oak ex-bourbon barrels. This results in a uniquely smooth, fresh and robust range of spirits, which has quickly won multiple awards.
You can discover the entire range of six coffee characters and chocolate flights from Artisan Coffee Co. in their signature presentation box. Tailored for the ultimate tasting experience to enjoy at home. Each box contains 18 x 30g ground filter coffee, 12 x coffee bags, and 12 x chocolate discs plus it comes with a tasting experience guide. A perfect addition to your kitchen!
If you are a chocolate fan, then you need to try Knoops 34% Milk Chocolate Flakes. These classic Knoops flakes have a balance of rich cocoa and milk, with notes of caramel. And if you add a pinch of sea salt at home then the caramel flavours are accentuated. We’ve heard on the grapevine that Jens Knoops is about to launch a pioneering new cookbook based solely on chocolate and will include savoury and sweet drinks and dishes using his famous flakes!
100% natural, the three flavours of Feel Good Drinks include Peach & Passionfruit, Rhubarb & Apple, and raspberry & Hibiscus. All are less than 27 cals per 330ml can, and 3% of every sale is donated to charities that do good for the planet.
Something Different
Moët & Chandon Experiences
Okay, so this isn’t technically staying at home, but we figured you’d be interested in hearing about these wicked experiences around the UK! Moët & Chandon have developed the ultimate refreshing cocktail with the ‘Frozellini’ slushie cocktail available from the Moët & Chandon Slushie Machine across UK venues.
Adding sparkle to the traditional Afternoon Tea there is the Moët & Chandon Afternoon Tea, which includes a selection of delicious finger sandwiches, indulgent cakes and tea, all served with a glass of Moët & Chandon champagne. And, for those seeking an indulgent coastal picnic, a Moët & Chandon Picnic Backpack has been created including delicious picnic bites accompanied by Moët Impérial.
Malina Catoiu is the brains behind Ralu Fine Art, a brand that was never a surprise because she always had a love and passion for art since her younger years.
Creative, formidable and a complete boss when it comes to chasing her dreams, Malina is a force to be reckoned with. We spent some time getting inspired by her and here’s what she had to say…
Tell us the journey that lead you to launching your brand, Ralu Fine Art…
The name of this shop comes from my first name Raluca. Until I left my country of origin (Romania) only my family called me Ralu so it is bringing history and present together.
Let’s imagine we toss a coin, on one side is the truth and the other side is the dare.
The truth about me: since childhood I had a passion for music and the field of art. I still have three big passions: playing my piano to enchant my friends and family, photography brought to light to the delight of your eyes and travelling. Contrary to my artist soul, I have chosen a career in banking for more than 25 years. In 2012 I bought my first DSLR camera mainly due to my curiosity and passion for photography. Since then I make art through my lenses as I am longing for beauty. I love to capture moments that become memories in a form of foggy mornings, crispy autumn, falling leaves, season changes, nature beauty, street impressions.
The dare part: I believe in trusting my gut as it is always right. I believe in making my dreams a reality and consistently pursue my life dreams. Since I was 24 y.o. I wanted to have my own company. When the first bank I worked for went to bankruptcy I wanted to create my own company with intermediary role import and export of merchandise. At that time I was working a lot with retail and wholesale clients and such transactions. Other offers came from banking system and I decided at that time to pursue with my banking career. But you see all this time it was something that played in my head to create my own business. In 2018 I felt is the time for me to play with my ideas and make my dreams become reality. I’ve always admired my grandma who almost all her life loved to create clothes and designed new models. I looked at her many years how many beautiful things came out of her creative mind and hands: exquisite wedding dresses, luxury costumes, classy dresses, purses, blouses and so on. I wanted to bring the history and present together and inspired by my grandma work to continue with my own story in my own style. It took me several months to brainstorm together with my husband and launch my shop in June 2019. However only from October 2019 I started to be fully engaged and take it in my hands as full time activity.
What is Ralu FineArt about? The shop idea was born from the desire to bring our planet beauty home and make our inner world inspiring in my own way and style.
During my trips I realized how beautiful our planet is and also how fragile and in great danger. So I decided that through my brand to commit to raising awareness about the endangered species and deforestation. A percentage of the sales will go as donations to different organizations to contribute to planting trees, save endangered species and other actions trying to make our world better. All my projects are shared on my blog.
You live your life following your gut, how did that served you during 2020?
During all my life I learnt that following my gut is the best thing to do when I have a big decision to make or if I’m in two minds. Call it gut or instinct, but is that moment you have that subtle sense of knowing what to do. And you cannot explain it, is not logic, is not reason, is not feeling. It involves all my senses.
I learnt to listen to my inner voice when is talking to me and improve my ability to tune with my intuition and shut down the noise around. The most important decision that I took during the last years was to shift from my full time job in banking who didn’t make me happy at that time to completely hands on my own business in a complete different industry. All I did was to align my mind with my heart and resonate with my gut and bring back the person I was in the past in my life. That brought back the passion and a big inner force.
Following my gut it meant to focus more on what made me happy and stay out of toxic situations. You know many people overvalue what they are NOT and undervalue what they really are. Following my gut made me to embrace completely my own values, my talents and my strength and once I connected that with my mind and my heart I was fully aligned with what I wanted to do. Creativity started to flow, ideas came out from nowhere. And my passion met my courage to make my dream a reality. When no one believed in me I kept going trusting my gut.
How it served me in 2020? Well, leading with my gut and following the data. I measured constantly my progress and benchmarked it to the day zero. I re-defined what success means for me and my business for this year. Before the pandemic I focused more on Europe audience being based in Luxembourg. Once pandemic came in waves gradually capturing country by country I sensed that I have to shift my marketing campaigns to other markets like US and Canada.
I’ve put down the need for things to happen fast and learnt to wait for the right moment. I believe success comes based on all those small steps done in a consistent manner. Definitely 2020 was a difficult year for all of us and how my gut helped me was to be intentional with everything I do, protect my energy, trust myself, setting realistic goals, invest in my knowledge and ramp up my resilience.
How do you want people to feel when they buy from your store?
I believe any creator, any designer leaves a part of his soul in his creations. There is so much beauty around us in the world and the shop idea was born from the desire to bring our planet beauty in our homes and make our inner world inspiring.
When designing my products I transform the beauty found into our world into unique products for the home décor for example such as blankets, throw pillows, duvet covers, shower curtains, wall art. Is like walking into a home and imagine each room how it would look like when bringing a piece of our beautiful world into our inner space.
My goal is to inspire those who see my work, make them to see new places, discover the beauty of this world and also to want to preserve it. And through my products I got a chance to make my customers feel inspired and bring this beauty and positive energy into their lives.
An example: one client of mine who bought a shower curtain told me that he was moving from the countryside into the town and he was searching those home décor accessories to bring the nature into his home to remind him of his previous place. He was happy to find my shower curtain that pulls greenery and water and rocks into a single print and he was exactly looking for such a thing. They have added ivy garland around the top, woven around the shower hooks and river bathmats to make a perfect fit into their bathroom décor.
Another example is one of my blankets ‘Empty Streets’ an urban pattern with neutral soft colors that can be nicely combined with different interior styles such as classic, traditional, modern or industrial. I’ve chosen to talk about this blanket as I find that it fits so much with the times we are living right now: the pandemic, full and partial lockdown. It makes me think of what Mehmet Murat Ildan said once: ‘Silence is the beauty of the empty streets; laughter is the beauty of the crowded streets! There is beauty both in emptiness and in fullness; there is beauty both in absence and in presence!’
I personally miss travelling and each time I take out the blanket and snuggle around the fire I remember about this incredible medieval and surreal place called Colmar in France. Plus I love to see how old and new comes beautifully together refreshing a modern antique piece of furniture with ‘Empty Streets’ blanket. A room does not need to look brand new or from the same period or era. You can bring old and new together and mix beautifully the styles.
When comes about fashion accessories and I refer here to my scarves collection, I prefer a mix of classic and modern; for me a scarf is special, a timeless accessory, a symbol of femininity and sophistication. I believe that when we feel beautiful the whole world around us changes.
The scarves’ collection is made based on nature and urban patterns, each season bringing an opportunity for inspiration with a fresh perspective. The colors for the Fall are yellow gold, brown bronze and copper. ‘L’été indien’ and ‘Autumn Leaves’ scarves have all colors from the autumn palette to create a rich, warm and earthy feel to it. For the Winter I bring an invigorating and passionate red color with the ‘Whisper of Passion’ scarf replicated from my original photo and designed with the thoughts to celebrate the classic symbol of love and beauty. Nothing says romance louder than red roses. The color is gorgeous and the silk feel amazing. I see the Spring in emerald green and purple to create an exotic, vibrant and incredibly chic look with ‘Garden’s Wonders’ scarf.
I believe in the timeless beauty of nature puts in a different perspective my own designs. Beauty stays in the details and for a touch of flair, I play with color variations and sometimes a dull gray can turn into a surprising yellow gold. Imagination and freedom of creation are my best friends.
When designing my models I transform the beauty found in our world into wearable art and I imagine the woman wearing my scarves to be full of life, have a rich, vivid and warm look. I imagine that woman to wear the world beauty wrapped around her face or shoulders, have that eye-catching look and feel the vibrations of the earth. Buying my products you will enjoy beautiful landscapes, incredible sunsets, fabulous architecture as well details of a flower, a bee or a butterfly. It is not a simple silk scarf but a lifestyle.
The best thing about my products is their vibration and their effect.
How often do you launch new products and what’s the process behind that?
I’d say 2, max 3 times a year. My business turns around a hybrid model which is a mix of made on order and stock in the house and all products are created in limited editions.
Allow me to take as an example my last collection of scarves. I replicate my scarves designs from my original photos by translating the essence of nature and urban impressions into the delightful fashion accessory gifts. Each pattern starts its life as a copy of the original photo that I refine and transform it through the magic of the digital tools to produce a first mock up. First steps in this process are for the design. I select the themes and the range of colors. I put a lot of thought and consideration when creating the drafts and the topics are set on seasons, artistic nature inspired, urban and street style. I use my own photos to create patterns and it takes up to several weeks to work on an initial draft; selecting the perfect one is not always easy.
The inspiration of my urban patterns comes from my travels from the Cycladic layout, the medieval era, Venetian mansions, Neoclassical and modern architecture. While my inspiration of her summer models comes from the seaside showcasing deep blue sea waters, beach features and sea shells.
Once I have the digital patterns done I think of the type of material that best fits to the pattern and model. I prefer to work with natural silk however you may find some items in modal textile too.
For each scarf there is a lot of care and attention given from the start of the design to the finish in production, quality checks are performed along all the process. Creative imagination and designs, skillful hands and craft-work, all these complex processes have to be in harmony to create these wonderful products.
You see in my view, silk scarves are special to me; it is like having a long term relationships with them; they are intemporal, endless accessories and nevertheless special gifts for Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
For the House of Coco readers I’d say if you do not know where to buy a silk scarf, I suggest you to familiarize yourself with small but amazing collection of silk scarves presented in my online store! You will not be disappointed!
Talk us through an average day in your life…
My day starts around 7.30 am from my bed when I connect to the social media and all the platforms I activate on, checking the activity, the feed, taking the pulse of the things, engage with the audience and start wiring up the morning posts. Around 9.30 am I decide to jump into shower, have breakfast put some music and think how I define my day.
Contrary to my life in big corporations, my day as entrepreneur has no fixed schedule during a day and my favorite place to work is cocooning on my sofa with my laptop around. However everything goes according to a plan that I create for each week, each month and each season for my marketing campaigns, for market research, fashion trends, competition, new products design and launches and so on.
Once per day I listen to a podcast of inspirational people from all over the world. Twice per week I learn new things and start to experiment, test to see what I can apply or twist for my own business. I avoid the TV and the noise, it takes from my focus; watching Netflix from time to time to clear up my mind.
Sometimes I wake up during the night because I dreamt about something and an idea came into my mind and I note it down to not forget it. Sometimes I jump into work at 10 pm because in that very precise moment my dose of creativity was released or I jump into a webinar with US or Canada. I let my creativity and my gut to guide me no matter of time of the day or night. In between all these I create my blogs stories, joke with my husband and share with him my ideas, make calls, send emails, packing products and schedule shipping for the orders, wire up my posts on social media along the day, get out and have a short walk in my garden or on the fields to feel connected with the nature, feel the peace and harmony.
Since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?
Absolutely! Finding my niche faster, a smaller and more defined niche to start with, building up my audience before launching the shop. While my business is still relatively broadly focused with home décor, lifestyle and fashion accessory products, more than 1000 products in the shop, I am happy where I am today.
The journey took longer to match my products with different segments of the market, seasons and geographical regions. Marketing is the heart for generating the leads for my business and I am still adjusting the way I run my marketing campaigns, I learn everyday new things.
The biggest mistake at the beginning was to hit everyone with my posts and emails. One of the things I learnt the hard way was that is not important the number of followers on the social media but the quality of the audience and their engagement for my posts and products. Having the right audience is one of the keys for success. I am not a market expert but I had to learn what it works and what not in the hard way.
Do one thing at the time! I had and still have many projects running in parallel and it takes time until they take off and reach maturity. It takes time to spin the wheel and figure out what it works; that of course creates additional costs.
As a solopreneur everything ends up on your shoulders and it takes longer to build a business and scale it up. The key is to find something that works for your business and your products and your audience and then to stick with it. Each day to remember what is important to do: things that push forward your business or things that keep you busy.
To date, what has been your proudest moment?
Oh I think there have been several moments along the way equally in importance that made me feel proud. First thing was acquiring my first client and see my creations being appreciated by someone that came to my website and said: ‘WOW, I want to have it. ‘ ..and me saying: Yes I’m in business! If I can do it once I can do it thousands of times.
Seeing that I make a difference in my customer’s life when I get an email from a customer who wants to tell me how much she loves my products or reading their reviews. That means the world to me.
Hitting my first anniversary in business was a big milestone to celebrate.
My products sold in 10 countries all over the world during the first year was another milestone to make me proud and celebrate.
It takes a lot of courage, passion and skills to build a business from scratch, and I think anyone who does this should be proud of their accomplishments along the way. Success in my view comes in small steps. And is important to stop from time to time and look from where you came from. Mistakes are inevitable and they are part of the journey. What is important is to learn from them and make it better next time.
Create something from nothing and trusting myself when others didn’t, getting my brand where it is today, getting positive results out of an idea that one year ago was nothing makes one of the proudest moments of my life.
What did 2020 teach you that no other year has?
That in every crisis there is an opportunity. I launched my scarves collection end November 2019 when I started to work on my business full time. Few months after the pandemic came so I had to re-shape and redirect my marketing campaigns to different countries according to how the people responded to my products. The pandemic hit different countries gradually and people reacted differently. Also I took the decision to launch new products and new scarves in the middle of the pandemic. Someone can say that launching new products in the middle of the pandemic is simply crazy. But I took the risk. There is never a better time for an e-commerce business than now when people change their shopping behaviors getting more online.
I remember a client of mine from Canada was alone in the middle of pandemic and she was feeling like getting crazy. She started to screen the products from my shop and dropped me a message how looking at my products, which patterns are rooted into nature and urban style, made her day better. She ordered one product and then came back and ordered other two products. The fact that through my products I made her feel better, it meant the world to me.
2020 helped me to connect with people all over the world, understand their feelings, their needs, and above all stay positive. People no matter of their location, need to surround themselves with beautiful things especially during these times plus they cannot travel as they did before and through my products I bring a piece of the world into their homes.
This year taught me that by being consistent in my actions I will be able to move the needle step by step. Along this year I shipped my products in 10 countries all over the world: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, France and Singapore. It is really a pleasure to know that my creations reached and continue to inspire people from so many parts of the world.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
Gosh, I love to travel and my list is full of amazing places I want to go and see once this craziness is over. I have 4 places on top of my list: Ireland for the beautiful sunsets, landscapes, seascapes, countryside, music and culture. I visited Dublin before but now the countryside and seaside of this beautiful country are in my focus Canada is on top of my list as well together with Capri Italy and Cyclades Greece. All depends on the season. It will be difficult to choose but together with my husband we will flip the coin and go.
What’s the best advice you have ever received?
Believe in my heart, believe in myself because my voice is important and my dreams matter. My grandma used to tell me: believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable. Never give up! Don’t listen to anyone but to your heart and yourself only. Don’t stop, make baby steps. Believe in yourself no matter what happens along your way.
Another lady who’s words inspired me and I fully embrace her words is Hillary Clinton:
‘Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. And, when you stumble, keep faith. And, when you’re knocked down, get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can’t or shouldn’t go on.’
It became my motto. I refuse to listen to anyone who tells me I cannot. With the risk to repeat myself I say that many people overvalue what they are NOT and undervalue what they really are. So I say to the House of Coco readers to: never accept to be bullied into silence, never allow to be manipulated and to be made a victim; to define and re-define yourself continuously as you feel you need. Embrace your value, your talents and your strengths. Put in harmony your heart and mind. Act in harmony with your true self and your heart. Accept who you are completely, make the changes as YOU consider necessary and not because you need to fit in a place or because someone else wants you to be different. Always …always ….believe in yourself. Life is short, make it worth.
Do you ever dream of visiting New York City? Do you also dream of exploring the city as a local and not as a tourist?
If the answer is positive, then ask yourself – What will you do about your bulky luggage when you have checked out, plus there hours before you have to catch a plane and you have found out a walking tour of your choice?
Multiple unique services allow you to travel without luggage problems when it comes to handling your baggage. You have to make sure everything flows smoothly while you are on a travel schedule and build the best memories.
I know we made your head spin, right? Don’t worry! There are many ways to. Things you need to see before booking a luggage storage facility that it is:
Safe
Convenient
Affordable
Now you might have a question, what about Public Lockers? Well, in the past, this was one of the ways you could store your luggage in NYC. But the world has advanced and these days, keeping baggage in places like bus terminals and stations are not preferred. You can ask your hotel’s steward about in-site luggage lockers or a storage room. Usually, guests can store their luggage free of charge. Public vaults exist, but you can only keep them for a limited period and in specific locations.
Due to the introduction of technology and companies realizing the need for luggage storage, there are websites and mobile applications that help travelers look for storage spots. Many such companies have linked themselves with Airbnb for luggage. They are also companies who let you book the storage facility by your cell phone; you can book online for a storage place for a specific date and location.
Now there are many advantages of storing your luggage with such companies:
Through GPS, they suggest the nearest storage facility.
While many companies require booking in advance, you can cancel anytime before the booking time, and it is free of charge.
Every storage organization has its own set of rules & services. Some of these are security seals, insurance against damage, loss, and theft.
Below listed is one of the famous luggage storage facilities in New York.
Vertoe
The whole process in this organization is very similar to the top services. They find suitable locations for travelers, can be a gift shop, convenience stores, or hotels that open early or shut down late, plus they can store and keep it securely.
This company is one of America’s prime on-demand storage facilities in 20 big cities with more than 300 locations. The company also covers 45+ international destinations with over 500 locations in them. You can store your luggage in NYC with them in 125 locations. They cover major transit spots like JFK airport, Grand Central Terminal, Newark Airport, and Port Authority.
Vertoe has the cheapest rates in NYC. The bags cost $5.95/day (credit card, online price), and they also have deals for groups. They are very generous when it comes to their services –
The locations are mostly open 24 hours.
They offer insurance of $5000
And also, the company provides complimentary tamper-proof safety seals.
Many other service providers nearby offer online booking through credit cards. This company is a recent player in the market; it charges around $2 an hour (per bag) for the first 24 hours. The price also covers $2000 insurance per bag.
Also, you can avail of this facility in Manhattan city. They specialize in rendering protected baggage storehouses for your lengthy and short duration storage needs. Whether you require to store your luggage for some hours, days, or weeks, they promise maximum flexibility and hassle-free services at reasonable prices.
The luggage services are quite famous in the luggage storage market. It charges $2 an hour. the largest storage networks and facilities spread across various countries like Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Brussels, and Berlin. They have a collaborative system that enables tourists/local city dwellers to store their partner stores and hotels’ baggage.
So these are some facilities where you can store your luggage in NYC. But you might have some security questions that will come to our mind while you look through these facilities like
What will you do about your valuables?
What if someone put explosives and harmful materials in the bag?
Let us answer these questions for you:
For the first question, many of these companies suggest you not leave back things like jewelry, money, or other valuable & fragile items as they are not covered in the insurance policies. For instance, if you have something like that, keep one small tote bag, and when you leave your luggage at the facility, you can keep such valuable items, electronics, and medicines in that tote bag and carry them with you.
For the second question, the storage facilities prohibit specific chemicals, narcotics, explosives, firecrackers, and toxic and hazardous materials. The staff of some companies like Vertoe can ask you to show the language. The process is super friendly and comfortable.
I hope we cleared off some of your tension. You see, these services are just not quite handy for travelers, but locals also enjoy such benefits. The locals who like to ditch their bags and give those shoulders and hands some rest also find these options more convenient. They can drop their luggage and go shopping or attend some events. Isn’t this amazing?
At the start, we told you that the only way you can explore like a New Yorker is by walking. Imagine carrying a lightweight bag and exploring the city. You might as well save money for a savory-sweet or might buy sovereigns for the people back home.
We could help you decide on the storage facility for your next visit to New York. All you need to do is pack your bags, find a convenient storage facility, and book your hassle-free trip. Oh, and rate these companies to help more travelers like you who are searching for such proficient and advancedluggage storage facilities in New York City.
It’s safe to say we’ve all travelled a lot less than we thought we might have this year. As 2020 draws to a close, why not travel through food (and drink) this Christmas with these excellent travel-themed stocking filler gifts? So many restaurants have transformed or opened up their delis or larder-style shops for delivery, allowing you to access some authentic ingredients that give you a little taste of around the world.
Think primo parmesan, top notch gnocchi and other ingredients that are essential to your kitchen cupboard but seem a little more special if they don’t come from Tesco. Sure, we might not be actually travelling to where are favourite eats lie this year but that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on the good food. Behold: House of Coco’s gift guide full of stocking fillers that will allow your fellow foodie to travel through eating and drinking this Christmas.
Bar Douro Portuguese Wine
In addition to Bar Douro’s Bottle Shop, the popular Portuguese restaurant has launched its subscription service, The Wine Club. Imagine: quarterly deliveries of some of the best wines around – from regions such as Alentejo and Madeira – and all curated by Bar Douro’s own Max Graham and renowned wine expert, Sarah Ahmed.
This is not only a great gift for any wine lovers out there but it’s also an opportunity to educate recipients on the lesser known grapes and regions of Portugal. Who needs wine tasting with six bottles of wine delivered to your door every few months?
The brainchild of ex-Theo Randall Head Pasta Chef and Restaurant Manager, Vanessa and Valentina, Fidelari offers authentic Italian pasta for you all to enjoy. With various options to order, such as pasta kits, naked pasta, as well as soups and focaccia, the duo are intent on sharing their passion for their Italian heritage and culture, both from Puglia themselves.
We’ll be asking Santa for the Cappelletti Squid Ink with ricotta and salmon pasta kit, while aspiring cooks in the kitchen are sure to love the naked pasta choices which include triangoli egg pasta and vegan spinach and red beetroot farfell.
You know how on Christmas Day, you want to open all your presents and ‘play’ with them straight away? That’s what finding this Greek Meze Party Hamper inside your stocking would be like…except it would be followed by a family fight for devouring vaarious meze dips and dishes, instead of Christmas Day breakfast.
On a serious note, this selection of Greek goodies is the perfect present for any foodie who wishes to stock up on sophisticated nibbles or wants to create the perfect antipasti board. Featuring stuffed vine leaves, kalamata olives and spicy meze dips, this tasty little hamper beats a bath bomb any day of the week.
Seeing as saffron is more expensive than gold, when weighed, we can’t see any aspiring chef having a problem with receiving some quality spice in their stocking this Christmas. Scarlet Saffron’s product is all ISO Grade 1 (the highest and best), originally coming from Iran. Grade 1 saffron has the highest flavouring, colouring and aroma and many saffron brands on the market don’t even make it to Grade 3 standard.
Packed in the UK and ensuring that only premium red strands are in the jar, anyone who’s found they’re having fun in the kitchen is sure to enjoy this gift. Who knows – maybe cooking up some Persian dishes will inspire new travel plans when we’re allowed to fulfil our wanderlust dreams again.
Parmesan is a staple in any non-lactose intolerant’s fridge these days but wouldn’t it be amazing to gift a true cheese lover a something approved by the best in the business? From the team behind Macellaio RC, Casa Costa brings you all the best ingredients from an Italian kitchen, straight to your own.
This particular parmesan producer creates four different types of Parmigiano Reggiano from four different cow breeds, with Casa Costa selecting the best of it. Rest assured, it’s going to be unique and flavoursome and the perfect stocking filler for anyone who’s been getting busy in the kitchen this year and is looking to up their ingredients game.
Get a taste of India via these authentic spicy snacks from Howdah Snacks. The perfect stocking filler, even as individual packs, thanks to the bright and colourful packaging, the brand is also releasing an exclusive Christmas Boxes to help everyone get into the holiday spirit. Box one includes two of each flavour; another option is the selection of snacks with a tea towel and saffron tea bags, while a premium stocking filler present would be the third Christmas Box, which indlues the eight bags of snacks and a classic Indian tea pot with tea bags.
Not only are Howdah Snacks Masala Dippers, Bombay Mix, Onion Bhajis and Bakarwadi Bites vegan, but giving them as a gift also gives another – as the brand operates a 1-for-1 concept, whereby for every pack of Howdah purchased, the brand pledges a free school meal for a child in need in India. If that’s not the spirit of Christmas, I don’t know what is…
Seeing as most of us have sourced staycations for our travelling this year, it makes sense to include a local food offering in this stocking filler gift guide. The Great British Porridge Co. is 100 per cent natural, gluten-free, vegan and has no added sugar – and it’s just launched a new Christmas flavour.
In the run up to the holiday season, why not gift the new, limited edition Apple & Cinnamon festive flavour? Not only is the blend of sweet and fruity flavour with the fragrant and spicy cinnamon taste an excellent combination, it’s also a great option for breakfast time, come January.
Hands up: who’s been to Amsterdam (or anywhere in the Netherlands) and immediately gone to buy a few bars of Tony’s Chocolonely? I know it’s not just me. Aside from the fun and colourful packaging, these chocolate bars are some of the best-tasting around. Did you know that Tony’s Chocolonely was founded by a Dutch company, is made in Belgium, using Ghanian and Ivorian cocoa beans. If that’s not enough travels for you, I don’t know what is.
The brand has introduced a personalisation service so you can have text and a photo of your choice printed on the wrapper. Think Willy Wonka – but better. The perfect stocking filler this Christmas, you can decide what gets printed: selfies, embarrassing moments, family photos – you can choose whether you’re going to be cruel or kind. On top of all of this, you can buy Tony’s Chocolonely guilt-free, knowing that the brand is on a mission to end slavery in the cocoa industry.
Transport yourself to the midwest with this beef jerky from Jack Link’s, a family smoked meats company, based in Wisconsin. The salty snack is made using only select rump beef, cut into thin strips, then seasoned, dried and smoked. Using only 100 per cent lean beef, this snack is a moreish one – and not ridiculously calorific either, with each serving containing less than 80 calories.
I don’t know about you guys but beef jerky reminds me of American TV programs and gas station snacks in the US and now Jack Link’s gives you a taste of that with its Original, Sweet & Hot and Teriyaki beef jerky flavours.
Another excellent thing to come out of lockdown is Hopper’s Cash and Kari online supermarket which offers you a one-stop shop for Sri Lankan and South Asian foods. The restaurant’s Jaffna Mix is a great stocking filler for anyone who’s either a fan of the London-based eatery or partial to Sri Lankan food in general.
Give the gift of a savoury mix of roasted lentils, nuts and spiced gram crisps and let yourself be taken to the streets of Sri Lanka as it’s one of the country’s most popular drinking snacks and you won’t have a beverage served without a bowl of this spicy mix.
Although it does seem that everyone jumped on the Scotland staycation bandwagon – myself included – perhaps you want to return to the Highlands and make your way to the Isle of Skye. Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky has once again partnered with Edinburgh-based chocolatier, COCO, to create a bespoke gift set that will be the perfect stocking filler for both chocolate nad whisky lovers.
The Talisker sea salted caramels contain sea salt from the Isle of Skye – in case you didn’t make it on your road trip or had plans to go that were postponed – and the box also contains a 5cl bottle of 10 year old Talisker Whisky. Don’t underestimate those caramels, by the way, they are such an indulgent treat and the perfect start to Christmas Day.
Not only is this premium coffee liqueur all the way from New Zealand – for anyone who’s missing a taste of it – but its made exclusively from fair-trade and organic roasted coffee from farms across Sumatra, Colombia and Papa New Guinea. A pretty exotic drink to get you travelling to a variety of places in your mind with each sip.
The handcrafted liqueuer is low in sugar and ABV and has no artificial flavours so is a guilt-free treat come Christmas. The coffee beans are specially roasted by hand to slightly darker than espresso, so the complex flavour is ideal for all coffee-lovers out there. Espresso Martinis, come Christmas Day?
Hands up who would rather be in sunny Mexica with tacos in one hand and a shot of tequila in the other? Well, I’m not responsible for you physically being there but, mentally, transport yourself to sunnier climes thanks to PATRÓN. The premium tequila is actually sustainably produced in the brand’s hacienda in Jalisco, Mexico. Get your hands on a custom design bottle this Christmas, which features monarch butterflies, colourful marigolds and the sugar skull, all celebrating Día de Muertos. The limited edition bottle can be further personalised at the INKD online store, if you’re looking to gift an extra special stocking filler this year.
There is nothing better than receiving a gift that is well thought out and that makes you smile. And when you receive something that gives you the chance to open many things, it feels extra special.
This is one of the reasons hampers make such great gifts. They can be aimed directly at the person and be filled with things they love. At the same time because there are a variety of items in it, the person gets to open one big present that has several others.
Hampers come in all different price points and if you are looking for hamper delivery Sydney has a top hamper company.
Today we will focus on luxury hamper ideas. So if you are looking to give a high end luxury hamper to someone here are some suggestions for you.
Luxury Wine and Cheese Hamper
There is hardly any better combination of great foods than wine and cheese. These two have been taste mates for nearly all of recorded history, and it is well known how loved they are together. In other words you can hardly go wrong with these two at the center of your hamper. You should purchase a hamper with a high end bottle of red or white wine and order a cheese that goes with your selection. For white wines select a Brie, Gorgonzola, Gouda or Goat cheese. These will not overpower the lighter taste of a white wine.
If you select a Pinot, Cabernet, Merlot or Chiraz, consider pairing it with a Gruyère, Chevres, Asiago or other aged cheese. In terms of other items in the hamper you should also have some crackers or bread to go with the duet. Add a few small French baguettes, some focaccia, or even an olive bread with your red wine and cheese. As for crackers, it is up to you to decide on hard and crispy or soft. Whichever texture you choose keep the flavors neutral so as to not ruin your wine and cheese combination.
Luxury Chocolate Hamper
Because everyone loves chocolate, receiving a luxury chocolate hamper can brighten up the most disappointing day. With this in mind you should consider giving a hamper that contains the best chocolates. Your goal should be to provide a variety of different types of chocolates to tickle anyone’s fancy. Give a great selection of finest milk, white and dark chocolates, marshmallow, popcorn truffles and chocolate pastels. And make sure that the chocolate incomes in many different styles.
There should be chocolate bars, sticks, individual candies and perhaps even a dip. Have the person who receives the hamper think that they have died and gone to chocolate heaven. Chocolate is often paired with a nice red wine so you should also add one as an accompaniment. In the end your luxury chocolate hamper will be very well received.
Gourmet Food Hamper
A gourmet food hamper might be the perfect luxury gift to indulge someone you know is special. Create a mix of sweet and savoury treats for them to enjoy. Start off with a bottle of champagne. Select one for Moet and you cannot go wrong here. Add some Belgian chocolates to excite the palate. Fill it with jars or tins of duck pâté, Alexandria olives and spicy harissa meze dip, and don’t forget the Norweigian Salmon. Rosemary crackers will make a nice place to spread the goodies and as snack finishers how about Sicilian butter cookies, or fiery Cajun spiced nuts. A total meal with a variety of delicious tastes.
Choose one or all to give as gifts and you will never have a disappointed recipient. Of course whichever hamper style you select make sure that the presentation is up to the amazing ingredients inside.
Get your diaries out: National Cake Week is next week. Yes, that’s right, 31st August to 6th September. Cake is no burger or pizza; it cannot be celebrated in one day, like these other odes to our favourite foods; a week seems only just.
To be completely honest, we didn’t think there was a specific week to celebrate eating cake…we thought that was called ‘every day’. That being said, a specific week to go extra HAM on the baked goods celebrations hardly seems like a bad thing.
Bakers, bakeries and cake pros are all coming together to celebrate all things cake. What can you expect? Exciting specials, exquisite cake art, new launches, live bake-alongs (the simple cook-along has been upgraded), recipes to follow, quizes and competitions and other tasty treats to get your mouth watering for the beloved cake.
Industry names such as Lily Vanilli, Luminary Bakery and Paul A. Young will all be getting involved so make a note in your calendar as we’d hate for you to miss out on a slice of the action. Pause for a chuckle at this totally intentional pun.
So what’s going on?
Paul A. Young’s Victoria Sponge Truffles
Master chocolatier Paul A. Young will be sorting our chocolate cravings for the week (who else better?) with, wait for it, a Victoria Sponge truffle. We love nothing more than the classic Viccy Sponge…but are definitely open to this new concept. Imagine: the gorgeous sponge cake mixed with Paul’s signature white chocolate ganache, layered with homemade raspberry jam and a classic decorative sugar top. Are you in heaven yet?
The truffle will be available to order online and to buy in Paul’s store in Camden Passage, Islington: 33 Camden Passage, Islington, London, N1 8EA.
Lily Vanilli’s Decadent Cake Art
You might be familiar with Lily Vanilli’s beautiful works of art in cake form; the artisan courtyard bakery is situated just off Columbia Road and the self-taught baker will be serving up her delicately designed and decorated pastel-coloured cakes on Sunday 6th September. Expect to see a Vanilla Peach cake, as well as a vanilla, cherry and double chocolate pretzel – umm hello. Gluten-free guests can enjoy the banana bread with buckwheat chia and salt caramel.
Find Lily Vanilli’s bakery just off Columbia Road: The Courtyard, 18 Ezra St, London E2 7RH.
Giant Fondant Fancies with Delights by Cynthia
Delights by Cynthia, a North London cake shop which caters to weddings, occasions and corporate events, will be throwing it back with bakery nostalgia this National Cake Week. Get your orders in for the giant fondant fancy from creative cake artist Cynthia Akinsanya. Made with vanilla sponge jam and buttercream (what a combo), the nostalgic treat is set to be big enough for 50 people to enjoy. The average fondant fancy comes up at about one inch squared – Cynthia’s is set to size up at 10 x 3 x 10 inches.
Don’t miss out on giant fondant fancy heaven and find Delights by Cynthia at 28 Cowdenbeath Path, London N1 0LG.
Rosalind Miller Cakes Online Class Competition
The award-winning cake designers are offering a lucky winner the chance to learn from the experts. Two of their new online classses; ‘Fundamentals’ and ‘All About Buttercream’ (this one sounds the dream) are up as prizes and cover how to bake the perfect sponge and all the essential buttercream icing skills.
If you aren’t lucky enough to win, you can find Rosalind Miller Cakers on concession in Harrods, London.
Luminary Bakery Recipes
With all these new skills we picked up during lockdown, baking could be another feather in the cap for some of you. If that’s the case, take note of Luminary Bakery’s delicious new cake recipe from the new book, Rising Hope: Recipes and Stories from Luminary Bakery. Better still, get a copy of the book and extend National Cake Week for the rest of the year. Well, something good had to be made of 2020…
Black Box Cakes Masterclasses
As if deliveries of slices of Black Box’s gourmet cake wasn’t enough, the bakery is launching Black Box Cake Masterclasses, allowing people book tutorials to elevate their cake baking skills. Available for pre-order during National Cake Week, should you choose to do so, you’ll also receive a free Cake Troubleshooting guide to help solve any mishaps along the way. Keep an eye out on their website and social channels for general cake baking tips next week too.
More quizzes, competitions and cake celebrating
Journalist and food writer Sudi Piggott will be running a Cake Week quiz on Tuesday 1st September (what better way to beat those Bank Holiday blues?) so you can test your star baker potential.
Shropshire-based Lindy’s Cakes is going to be running a live demonstration of a baking technique from her new book One Tier Party Cakes, as well as impressing us all with a demonstration of a hyper-realistic cake.
Don’t forget to enter Gloucestershire-based Vanilla Pod Bakery’s competition where one lucky winner can win a 6″ round indulgent Belgian Chocolate Buttercream Celebration Cake. Naturally, we’ve already entered.
When you think of Belgium, you likely conjure images of the most scrumptious chocolate shops, waffles laden with toppings galore, glasses brimming with beer but, most importantly, chocolate! Yes, Belgium, famous for its many wonderful chocolates, is a delight for all the senses when it comes to the sweet treat, and a trip there is sure to leave you licking your lips as you head home (hopefully with a bag of cocoa as a souvenir).
Alas, how did chocolate become Belgium’s ‘thing’? Well, it’s been a major industry over there since the 19th century and has since gained an international reputation for its produce being incredibly yummy, to put it simply! In the 17th century, explorers brought chocolate from South America which it was a sign of luxury. These wow-worthy beans were then used to rustle up steaming cups of hot chocolate in a bid to impress new visitors.
The raw materials used in chocolate production in Belgium are mostly produced in Africa, Central America and South America and using this moreish cocoa means we tourists get to taste chocolate like we’ve never tasted before. However, the eclectic, beautiful city that is Brussels, Belgium’s capital, has a tremendous array of chocolatiers, making it hard for us tourists to know where to search. So, for now, here are five of the best to get you started…
La Belgique Gourmande
If a simple bar of chocolate doesn’t quite cut the cloth then La Belgique Gourmande is likely your bag. This epic chocolatier looks like something from a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie and brings together all of the best Belgian artisan products in one spot. We’re talking pralines, almonds, waffles and more, oh and chocolate, of course!
The chocolate here is so delicious and boy is there a lot of it. You can even bag yourself a personalised vintage box to house your lip-smacking treats, and if it gets too filling then why not wash it all down with one of the 250-plus bottles of beer on offer?
Rue de l’Etuve 49-51, 1000 Brussels
Elisabeth
Elisabeth is quite the spot for some chocolate and there’s a real selection on offer at this Brussels bolthole. Wander inside and you’ll be transported to a shop abuzz with pots upon pots upon pots of chocolate, as well as same-day whipped meringues and fluffy marshmallow cakes.
You can delve into the finery of Brussels chocolate by feasting on the likes of chocolate coffee beans, chocolate spoons, praline bars and even bowls of chocolate flowers in milk, white and dark. And even if you’re stuffed, Elisabeth is so pretty and Instagrammable that you’ll be sure to get some snaps to tempt your appetite at a later date.
Boterstraat 43 Rue au Beurre, 1000 Brussels
Pierre Marcolini
This chocolatier uses some of the rarest chocolate beans and experimental flavours to create, well, miracle chocolate! You’ll find exquisite offerings including cardamom, passion fruit and liquorice.
Pierre Marcolini roasts coffee beans himself and packages them in the most beautiful boxes, meaning they’ll make sensational gifts for family or friends. If you’re visiting, give the chocolate tablets a try, £6, with classic flavours of milk and white chocolate for those erring away from experimental, to Sambirano Madagascar tablet and Cocoa flower tablet for those wanting to try something new.
Galerie de la Reine 21, 1000 Bruxelles
Chocolaterie Mary
Just over 100 years ago, something delicious evolved in Brussels, thanks to the creative passion of Mary Delluc, who opened her first chocolate shop on rue Royale, selling tea and bonbons. Heaven! Holding a Belgian Royal Warrant, since 1942, and with chocolates neatly presented in its iconic flower-patterned, or heart-shaped boxes, the Chocolaterie Mary has an appreciated and esteemed level of craftmanship found inside.
Although situated throughout Belgium, the Brussels Mary chocolates include Mary – Galerie de la Reine, Mary – Grand Place, Mary – Lombard, Mary – Royal and Mary – Toison d’Or. Walk your way around them all and the calories won’t stay on too long, whilst you snarf down a delicious day of chocky history!
73 Royalstreet, 1000 Brussels
Chocopolis
If you’ve toured Brussels but have surprisingly forgotten to buy your friends and family chocky box gifts, then fear not! Close to Central Station on Rue du Marché Aux, is the Chocopolis chocolate factory, opened in 2006. Don’t be put off if you see a large, scary elephant statue outside! Walk right into this chic little palace of taste bud tantalisation, put your credit card into the card slot and treat all your loved ones to a box of handmade delights.
This can easily be done with the Chocopolis promo bundles of Artisanal chocolates or a few limited-edition wooden casks of tasty treats. Yes, it’s a bit pricey but it will keep you in favour (and flavour) for a century! You might have to miss your train to stay awhile here!
October is one of the most exciting months of the year, with the weather turning autumnal, fashion gets cosier, trick or treating at Halloween, and Christmas is on the horizon, plus we start to eat heartier meals and enjoy more warming drinks. What’s not to love!
There are so many new food and drink products to shout about this month, so we at #TeamCoco have put together a little list of a few of our favourite food and drink new releases.
We’ve got chocolates in abundance, wonderfully gorgeous sencha teas, and a couple of cheeky bottles of booze that we’re sure you will enjoy.
Food
Cadbury Heroes
This autumn, Cadbury Heroes has undergone a special makeover in celebration of its 20th anniversary.
New Cadbury Heroes sees the iconic Cadbury-purple tin get a striking new modern make-over, redesigned to look like a celebratory birthday cake. Featuring a standout metallic top with confetti decorations, including an eye catching purple star that carries the Heroes name, the tin is the perfect keepsake to refill time and time again with your favourite sweet treats!
Priced at £9.99, available from all major confectionery retailers and supermarkets.
Montezuma’s Truffle Advent Calendar
There are 25 exciting windows each with a delicious milk, white or dark chocolate truffle behind the numbers, containing a rich dark chocolate truffle, milk and white chocolate hazelnut praline, milk and white chocolate truffle with coffee, dark chocolate with ground vanilla, and white chocolate and raspberry truffle.
Priced at £24.99, available from www.montezumas.co.uk
Thorntons Continental Winter Markets Box
The Thorntons chocolate makers have been hard at work crafting this year’s Christmas range including this Continental Winter Markets Box which brings together an assortment of unique chocolates that are rich and evocative in flavour and inspired by the traditional European Christmas market, adding a touch of glamour to Christmas.
Priced at £9.68, available from www.thorntons.co.uk and from nationwide supermarkets.
Elizabeth Shaw Ginspired Tipples with Pinkster
British confectioner Elizabeth Shaw has collaborated with Pinkster craft gin to launch Ginspired Tipples – a sumptuously fresh and fruity boxed chocolate selection to savour, gift and share – anytime and every time!
The Ginspired Tipples collection is the first boxed chocolates to be unveiled by Elizabeth Shaw beyond its renowned after dinner mint range. Included in the Ginspired Tipples is; lime and raspberry gin-soaked ganache, blackberry ganache with gin fizz, boozy raspberry crème with raspberry pieces, lemon gin truffle, and bitter sweet gin and almond.
Priced at £7 (178g), available from www.sainsburys.co.uk and in store at Sainsbury’s nationwide.
Drink
Hope & Glory® Tea at Hilton London Paddington
One of London’s grandest Victorian hotels, the Hilton London Paddington, has launched a delectable new afternoon tea offering with British artisanal tea Hope & Glory® and Belgian chocolates from Maison Pierre Marcolini.
The menu is a collection of premium teas & tisanes from Hope & Glory®, sweet treats by Pierre Marcolini, and Hilton London Paddington’s scones and savouries. The finest teas & tisanes are sourced from gardens in India, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka.
Priced at £36 per person, or £46 with glass of Champagne or cocktail. Visit www.paddington.hilton.com for afternoon tea, or www.thehopeandglory.co.uk for artisan teas.
PIMM’S No.6 Vodka Cup
PIMM’S No.6 Vodka Cup is guaranteed to delight whatever the season, especially this autumn in front of an open fire with its signature serve, the No.6 & Tonic. Originally launched in 1964, PIMM’S No.6 has enjoyed a recent revival, and is much lighter and crisper than its gin-based cousin, a perfect alternative to your usual gin PIMM’S. Priced at £114 (6 x 70cl bottles), available exclusively from Fine Wine and Spirits Merchants Justerini & Brooks – www.justerinis.com
ZeroWater Filter & The Tea Makers of London
There are 100’s of teas for every occasion, every moment and every taste, so when you find a tea you love, why ignore the most important part? Water, 98% of every cuppa is water, yet we often use tap water that is high in chlorine, fluoride and containments.
ZeroWater has partnered with National Tea Day, who work all year round to ensure that you can create the perfect brew time and time again. They’ve joined forces with the best water filter on the market, ZeroWater which removes virtually all dissolved solids and containments, ensuring your water is the purest thing to bottled water.
Some of the amazing Tea’s that National Tea Day work with includes The Tea Makers of London who create a stunning blend of teas including the Finest Japanese Sencha Green Tea. It tastes, sweet and grassy and is very popular in Japan. High in Vitamin C, it is a great tea for autumn and winter months and can help to boost your immunity.
Priced at £39.99 for the ZeroWater Filter from www.zerowater.co.uk, tea is priced from £4.50 at www.theteamakers.co.uk, and visit www.nationalteaday.co.uk to find out more about this institutional day.
Old Curiosity Christmas Gin in Partnership with Ruby Bhogal
Made with natural ingredients, the Old Curiosity Christmas Gin is distilled with ginger, cinnamon and cardamom, giving it the undeniably familiar smell and taste of the festive season. The drink also transforms from a deep red to a vibrant pink when mixed with tonic water; the perfect showstopper for any Christmas party!
The Old Curiosity Christmas Gin comes with a bespoke gin spiced shortbread recipe developed by 2018 Great British Bake Off finalist, Ruby Bhogal.
Priced at £35 (50cl), available from www.theoldcuriosity.co.uk, Harvey Nichols, Fenwicks, and Dobbies Garden Centre.
Are you looking to do a whistle stop tour of New York City but have allocated the majority of your budget to be spent on Fifth Avenue or Madison? We got you. Check out insider tips to experience the gems of the city, off the tourist trail without breaking the bank.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER:
Rather than paying and queuing for an expensive and touristy observation deck, book a table at the divine Bar SixtyFive at the Rainbow Room. Bar SixtyFive is New York’s highest terrace bar and is the perfect spot to take in breathtaking views of the city during sunset on the 65th floor of the Rockefeller. The cocktails are pricey but enjoying the city views amongst actual New Yorkers is something money can’t buy – just remember to book a window table! Try the classic Manhattan (naturally), sample the Rosé Royale or the Champagne Cocktail fit with vintage Tattinger, sit back and watch the sun go down on the city that never sleeps. If you do find that you want to spend a little more, the observation deck is a part of the attractions listed on the New York pass, along with many others.
MUSEUMS:
Channel your inner Blair Waldorf or Serena van der Woodsen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and get that snap on the steps. Head to the American Museum of Natural History directly opposite through Central Park, stopping off at Shakespeare Garden and Turtle Pond en route. You can get into the museum for free in the last hour everyday (normally a $25 suggested donation) and so it is the perfect thrifty option to get the ‘must do’ museums done.
SIGHTS:
St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan is free to get into and is completely spectacular with tall spires, choral music and thousands of candles that are constantly flickering. St. Patrick’s was built and paid for by thousands of immigrants who fled religious persecution and started a new life in the city. The feeling of perseverance and grit is emphasised when you turn off Fifth Avenue and see the neo-gothic style Cathedral stand in stark contrast to the epic sky scrapers that surround it.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE:
The subway is a great way to get around in the city. Hop on from Manhattan to Clark Street in edgy Brooklyn and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge back to the island, taking in the city in all its glory. Make sure you look left for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
WHERE TO EAT:
The Red Flame Diner in midtown (right by some amazing street art) doesn’t look like much from the outside but if you want unbelievable American fare, think fluffy pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, French Toast and Belgian Waffles, this is the place for you. Even better – the coffee is never ending. Perfect for when you are trying to sightsee, and shop, till you drop.
