Some of the #TeamCoco girls are serious when it comes to vodka, they would even class themselves as vodka connoisseurs, so for those of you who are only just hearing about this wonderful day to celebrate all things vodka, here is a round up of general info to get you in the mood for a little vodka based cocktail or two!
Stats
National Vodka Day falls on 4th October annually. It runs across the world not just in the UK, National Vodka Day has been running since 2009 when it launched in United States.
In Russia, 31st January is Russian Vodka Day.
More vodka is produced in Poland and Russia than anywhere else in the world, this area is known as the vodka belt and also includes Ukraine, Belarus, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Events
This National Vodka Day is being celebrated at London Cocktail Week with international mixologist Joe McCanta who will be mixing some vodka cocktails especially for the event. Joe is an expert on taste and brings together a passion for great cocktails made from the freshest ingredients and the creative skill of a master mixologist. Joe has delivered master classes at trade shows including London International Wine Fair, and he has worked alongside world-famous chefs, including Alain Ducasse, Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay.
Joe says; ‘’My favourite vodka-based cocktail will be Vodka Martini, it’s the best cocktail for tasting the actual spirit and expressing the flavours. It’s a classic authentic cocktail which has stood the test of time, which makes it the perfect drink for any occasion. And to end the night it has to be the Espresso Martin, it’s rich, indulgent and deliciously smooth ’’.
Launches
October 4th sees the world famous vodka brand GREY GOOSE reintroduce an all-time favourite back into the UK. GREY GOOSE La Vanille is due to make its revival at London Cocktail Week amidst much anticipation and excitement. The essence of GREY GOOSE La Vanille is the discerning spirit for any cocktail, from an early afternoon GREY GOOSE La Vanille Spritz to a late-night GREY GOOSE La Vanille Espresso Martini cocktail, there is a perfect serve for every occasion.
GREY GOOSE La Vanille is due for national release into top bars across London and parts of the UK, and available to purchase from Amazon and Ocado from mid-October. RRP £40.
Retail
We are loving the vodka based lines at Hotel Chocolat, with their collection of Cocoa Vodka Liqueur made with 70% full bodied dark chocolate, lashings of fresh cream and vodka (priced at £25), and the dreamy Salted Caramel Cocoa Vodka, with a whole cocoa bean inside each bottle and a hint of Maldon sea salt, oozing caramel, cocoa and English vodka (priced at £25). Available from UK stores or online from Hotel Chocolat.
Cocktail Recipes
London Cocktail Club has very kindly put together two of their fave all-time vodka based cocktails for us to try at home. If you are visiting London and fancy trying one of these cocktails then head over to Liverpool Street for the London Cocktail Club’s vodka focused venue.
As avid travellers here at House of Coco magazine, when we stumbled across PLŪKT tea and their tea sachets that are perfect for travel, we were hooked. Their tea is popular amongst our team which lead to intrigue, just who IS behind this brand?
The brand has introduced the world to herbal teas from the meadows and forests of Northern Europe and PLŪKT proudly call themselves the pioneers of Nordic tea culture.
We spent some time with the founder Mara Lieplapa to find out more…
Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching PLŪKT…
My family always encouraged to follow my own path, try as many things as possible and use my talents. So this entrepreneurial mindset was encouraged from early days, also in school we received lots of support to starting our own student businesses. So my first one was when I was 14 years old – I made grain pillows (all organic and from natural materials) which could be warmed up and later on used to relief joint pains and headaches. Also then the motivation and mission was quite similar to that of PLŪKT – bring joy, comfort and build something meaningful and beneficial. When I started university I was actively looking for my own business idea – attending all the conferences I could possibly attend, taking part in student competitions, trade shows, events, gatherings. All the places where I could meet entrepreneurs, have inspiration and contacts. I also used every opportunity to do exchange studies (in Sweden, Austria), so I gathered quite some international network, too. I had a chance to attend exchange trip to China where I visited their local “Silicon valley” in Beijing. I was amazed by all the startup ecosystem and innovations they are building. However, a few blocks away there was this very traditional tea market there. And suddenly all the dots and questions connected – what if I could create a Nordic tea culture by building brand which acts in a startup-like manner? It would allow me to connect my love for nature and purpose with fast-growing, innovative startup ecosystem. In fact, my mother has a wide knowledge of Northern European herbs and I thoughts that this is a resource that we already have in order to start a science-based company. After coming back, we started to create branding and design for PLŪKT. I was then 21 year old.
Also, I have always been passionate about international environment so it was my mission to build export-oriented brand. Today, PLŪKT exports 70% of products.
Being a sustainable brand is at the forefront of what you do, why was this important to you?
I grew up in a family where both parents are related to environmental sciences and nature preservation. Since we were kids, my sibling and I were always taught to take care of nature, find our peace and passion there. We spent incredible amount of time in nature. It seemed such a common sense back then, but in reality it was a privilege knowing how many people in the world have never seen such natural wilderness that we experienced from early age. Of course, this respect for nature has been within me since then and while I was looking for my business idea I had this ultimatum – I want to build something that benefits people and nature. Not to build just another thing in the world which will end up somewhere. I wanted to show the love for wilderness and nature through PLŪKT, at the same time raising awareness of biodiversity in Northern Europe and why it matters to preserve it. PLŪKT branding and design reflects exactly that. People fancy it and they are loving the message. I believe people don’t want to hurt something that they love or fancy, therefore there is a hope that they won’t harm nature either.
How do you want people to feel when they drink your tea?
First of all, joy, pure joy. I want them to feel connected with their authentic self, take it as a moment for themselves or for something that has high meaning in their lives. We are all so busy being busy that oftentimes do not prioritize enough the beautiful authenticity that lies within each and every one of us. We hope that PLŪKT tea time encourages to open up to ourselves for exploration. We love to see people taking PLŪKT with them to their favourite activities – be that a hiking trip, a travel, an on-the-go morning while living “big city life moment”, yoga class, meetup with friends and most importantly when surprising someone with this nourishing gift. Just like in nature, no two flowers or leaves are the same, so aren’t people. Wildlife inspired us to build authentic brand, therefore we hope that people feel this connection with nature while having a cuppa.
Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?
I would be louder (as in, less shy). Being rather an introverted person, I would oftentimes be seen as “the quite one” while in reality I had so much to say! Ultimately, it turned out into PLŪKT. As a young entrepreneur, it was always a challenge to gain recognition, gain respect and oftentimes society labeled “the loud ones” as those who are most impactful and have achieved something in their lives. Meanwhile, I was building PLŪKT in solitude and up to date am still cherishing the fact that my actions speak louder than words.
Also, I wish I have learned to ask for help and advice much more earlier. It would have saved me lots of time and some money, too.
Who’s involved in the business and what are their roles?
Co-founder Līga is responsible for all the science behind herbs and tea. She is our tea Master and holds the knowledge of benefits of herbal teas and comes up with new tea blends. She is also my mother and we make a good team, however we are not the typical family business. We encourage and are constantly looking for new talents to join our team. We have superpeople for social media, hard-working and accurate ladies working in manufacturing. And let’s not forget those over 30 family-owned farms who are supplying certified-organic herbs from wild meadows and forests.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
I wake up at 6-6:30am. I do a quick workout and stretching for about 20 minutes to get my body going. On Sunday nights I make a schedule for the upcoming week, however I am leaving Mondays as very flexible. I notice that on Mondays there are so many events suddenly coming up that can change the whole plans in instant. First part of the day is very productive for me so I work on the long-term plans at this time of the day. I have relatively late lunch, around 2pm, but I always eat wholesome and rich breakfast. Perhaps my favourite meal of the day. In the afternoon I love to change my working environment and choose to work from home, from a café or coworking space. Since I started my MBA studies in Finland, I have been traveling between Finland and Latvia quite often. And honestly, the more I am on the go, the more I get done because there is no time to overthink or expand too much in your texts. In office, it might feel otherwise. Afternoons are for meetings and lighter tasks. I would do some project visualisations, mood boards and creative activities. I end my work day around 4pm. Then I go for some hobbies – hiking, climbing, running, dancing or going for a cake with friends. Give a call or face time my family. Have a dinner and some me time, which could include reading, journaling, visualization and just thinking. I leave some room for spontaneity and if I notice a nice concert or event happening right now, chances are that I will go for it. Often I have late evening Zoom calls with business partners in US or likewise very early ones with partners located in Asia. I love this dynamics.
Do you plan on expanding the range in the future to offer more than tea?
We are already experimenting with different cold drinks where PLŪKT tea is used as a basis. Also we work on tea ware collection and development of other accessories relevant to tea.
What do you do when you are lacking creativity?
I get very active and sporty. I have always had so much energy and when I don’t feel creative I just know that my energy has been piled up for a while and just asks for release. I love climbing, hiking, running. Part of my love will always belong to dancing which was the second option of mine when I was thinking of career path. Oftentimes if I really need to come with something, but nothing amazing is coming up I go with “done is better than perfect”. The thing is, through these 3-4 years with PLŪKT I have learned to trust myself a lot and I am sure that creativity will come as soon as I start working on the task. I love what I am doing so naturally I want it to work out as good as possible. One thing I can tell for sure, tasks regarding administration, bureaucracy etc. definitely are decreasing my levels of creativity and therefore I schedule days just for these ones, so they would not interrupt creative parts of the business too much.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
A lot, most of the media has deepened their connection with our story through social media.
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
“If you sell the excitement, you sell the jet.” I remember hearing this in one of the conferences about 5-6 years ago. I was thinking to myself – yeah, resource-wise, I really don’t have much to offer at the moment as a student. But I do have a time, enthusiasm and energy! Sometimes that is all it takes to go from 0 to 10, especially when lacking motivation. Getting excited for how much you have done already and enthusiastic for the upcoming journey. It is charming and this kind of energy attracts.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is on your must visit list?
Since I can remember, Nepal and hiking Everest basecamp has been on my bucket list. And fortunately this is another dream that will come true later this year! Now my next dream destinations are Cancun in Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea and Chile.
What does self care mean to you?
It means saying “no” to things that are not of use AND are not bringing me joy. These days it is easy to get lost in all the requests and needs of others. Self care is remembering to prioritizing your values and your time.
Self care is taking time off without waiting for breakdown. It is about scheduling your hobbies, quality time with friends and family just the way you schedule your daily work tasks.
One of my personal favourite self care activity is baking cakes and making pastries in combination with a hike later in day.
Where do you see the brand in the next 5 years?
Still ad the pioneers of Nordic tea culture and hosting international tea mastercups in our tea house in Madona region, Latvia. We are a recognized player in tea world. By then, Nordic Black tea – caffeine free alternative to black tea made from wild Fireweed herb – has become the thing and becoming the standard in tea world. I see that there are over 300 certified organic farms joining our supplier network in order to protect biodiversity of Northern Europe.
A young country with an old soul, welcome to the best kept secret of the Balkans
The tranquil emerald waters of Boka Bay catch flecks of gold as the sky puts on a show of burnished orange, pinks and violets. The early evening air heavy with the scent of salt from sea and butter from bakery, the only sounds being the clinking of champagne glasses and the slow, low beat of jazz from a yacht being prepared for an evening sail. Serenity. I take a sip of my mimosa and take in the brooding mountains, their rugged silhouette breaking up the dazzling waters below and hypnotic light show above. This is no unpredictable event, no twist of fate or great kismet on my part. This is a regular evening at Regent Porto Montenegro.
A Different Energy
The atmosphere, the energy here, it’s different. You know that feeling when you’re meeting up with friends after a long period of absence? You know, the warmth, the familiarity, sharing in-jokes as you uncork the wine and settle in for an evening of updates and anecdotes? That’s Regent Porto Montenegro. Behind the elegant, Venetian-Renaissance architecture is a tight-knit team of creative, diligent staff, committed to ensuring that your stay is as exceptional as it is relaxing. Sure, the overriding experience is one of luxury, but the approach is that of the warm aunt making cocoa for her guests at the end of a long day. The substance exceeds the style, no mean feat given the style is, well, off the scale.
Where is it?
Regent Porto Montenegro sits proudly on the waterfront of Tivat, its grand Italianate facade looking out onto the 460-berth super yacht marina and snow-tipped mountains beyond. Located 15 minutes from Tivat airport and with a flight time just shy of 3 hours from the UK, Regent Porto Montenegro is an excellent choice for anyone looking for luxuries most often found further afield, but with a substantially shorter flight time. Those looking for something a little more rustic can take a short 4 mile drive to Kotor, the UNESCO World Heritage site boasting narrow streets of charming stone buildings, ancient churches, and many, many cats. Additionally, Perast, and it’s mysterious Lady of the Rock (a little church with a big history), can be reached in under 30 minutes. With an abundance of walking, hiking, and cycling routes available, Montenegro is more than gleaming yachts and designer shopping. With average coastal temperatures of 28C in the summer and a pleasant 17C in the spring, the climate here offers the perfect vacation weather for sailing fanatics and sun-worshippers alike. I’m not sure what else I could ask for, but I’ve no doubt if I could, the staff would have it to me in two shakes of a lambs tail.
A Masterclass in Design
A proud tribute to their Venetian roots, Regent Porto Montenegro pays homage to its Italian history whilst creating a new, contemporary style of it’s own. Designed by Tino Zervudachi of MHZ, the interiors are stylish and uncluttered, allowing the sweeping views to do all the talking. Thoughtful, yet comfortable, the public areas of the hotel boast electrifying Italian style with the comforts and luxuries synonymous with many of the super-yachts moored outside. If Venetians made cruise ships, this is what they would look like.
The crisp, clean craftmanship spills out of the hotel interior and into the perfectly manicured gardens, outdoor seating areas, and many, many infinity pools on site. The beautifully refined Beach Club features cabanas curtained with crisp, white linen, and a multitude of pools directly overlooking the marina and bay beyond. If sundowners and good conversation are more your thing, Onyx Bar, with it’s delicate water features and fragrant shrubbery faces out to the west, meaning you can enjoy your Aperol beneath one of those trademark Montenegrin sunsets.
What about the rooms?
With the palm lined bay to the front and majestic mountains to the back, each of Regent Porto Montengro’s 175 rooms, suites, and penthouses evoke a feeing of quiet luxury. The accommodation is spread across three wings, each with its own distinct flavour: Venezia plays tribute to Montenegro’s nautical past, whilst the Regent Pool Club Residences feel more reminiscent of the Italian Riviera. The dazzlingly diverse views of both land and sea mean you could stay a dozen times and experience a different vista on each occasion. Views aside, the quality of the interiors remain uniform across all classes of room. Irrespective of whether you’re staying in a room or a penthouse, the beds are marshmallow soft, the linens impeccable, the bathrooms unscrupulously clean. For those staying with family, the penthouses offer ample space for excitable children and tumbling tots, whereas couples may prefer the discreet luxury of a suite complete with oversized rainforest shower and deep ceramic tub with an optional bath butler service.
Whilst some rooms include cooking facilities and refrigerators, the comprehensive room service menu means you don’t have to leave the comfort of your bed for breakfast or quit sunbathing on your balcony if you get a bit peckish. Lovely jubbly.
Food & Drink
Not many hotels boast a restaurant that could survive and thrive as a stand alone entity, but Murano at Regent Porto Montenegro is certainly one of them. Headed up by Chef Marko Zivkovic, Murano is quietly creating impeccable dishes with an attention to flavour and flair synonymous with the quality and grandeur of the restaurant interior. With a focus on Adriatic seafood and local, seasonal ingredients, this is the closest you will get to Michelin Star quality dining outside of a Michelin Star restaurant. The dishes pack a punch whilst retaining simplicity, the balance of land and sea harmonised on the plate. The dining room, with its high ceilings, chandeliers, and opulent Murano glass artwork is the perfect setting for a three course feast, whereas the outdoor seating in the Italian Garden provide a more relaxing al-fresco option for the warmer months.
For a more casual affair, Gourmet Corner is the go-to restaurant for a breezy lunch or afternoon treat. The sweeping glass counter filled with all manner of cakes and pasties is impossible to resist (trust me, I ate four in one sitting), the menu offering light bites such as creamy croquettes and peppery steak sandwiches. If it’s a tipple you’re after, the Library Bar, reminiscent of an old London gentleman’s club, can serve you a dram of classic malt or shake up a custom cocktail whilst you sink into one of the many sumptuous wing-backed chairs. Alternatively, the expert mixologists at both The Onyx Bar and Pool Bar offer an array of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails alongside a variety of light bites. You are in no danger of going hungry here.
A Little R&R
Step out of the second-floor elevator and you’re greeted with the drifting scent of eucalyptus and camomile from the world-class spa facilities. Here, relaxation is serious business: whether you’re indulging in a Finnish sauna, Turkish Hammam, or custom massage treatment, your serenity is their priority. The therapists act with a sense of care and calm, drawing from the gentle, nurturing energy that seems ever present throughout the building. With a selection of treatments available, including Ayurvedic massage, rose infused facials, and revitalising body scrubs, you’ll be floating back to your room for the best night’s sleep you’ve had in recent memory.
If you’re already fully de-stressed, the spa is also home to a 20 metre indoor pool and oversized mosaic-lined hot-tub, each with awe-inspiring views of Boka Bay. If you fancy a bit of fresh air, you can slip outside to the secluded infinity pool on the second floor balcony. The perfect place to quietly drink in that sunrise.
Insider tips
While the bay view rooms are fabulous, don’t dismiss the mountain facing rooms on the opposite side of the building. The mountain views are magnificent, especially during the cooler months when they’re topped with snow. Try both for a unique travel experience.
There are numerous luxury boutiques on site, including Dior, Rolex, and Zimmerman. Bring your chequebooks.
Try the ceviche at Murano. More importantly, book Murano before the rest of the world finds out about it, so you can brag that you got in before the waiting list.
The indoor hot tub at sunset is a special experience indeed. The mosaic glows during the golden hour, and the spa is generally quite empty as most guests are at dinner.
Take a day trip to Perast and visit The Lady of the Rock. You don’t need to be Catholic or indeed religious to enjoy the architecture and story of this unique spot. If you think on, book a table at Conte for lunch afterwards.
How to book
Bookings can be made direct with the hotel here. Accessible and inter-connected rooms are available upon request.
Regent Porto Montenegro is located at Obala BB, Porto Montenegro Village, Tivat, 85320, Montenegro.
Telephone: +382 (0) 32 660 660
The nearest airport is Tivat, less that 5km from the hotel. You can also arrive via Dubrovnik and Podgorica airports, each one located about 90 minutes drive away.
You only need to turn on your TV for two minutes to hear about what’s going on in Ukraine, but we rarely get to hear about how that affects people that live their or their livelihoods. For one business owner, she managed to use the negativity it as a way of giving back to the place she once called home.
Here, we talk to the founder of Coco Moka to find out more about her plans with her activewear brand, how knowing that her family are safe is her priority and what her plans are for the brand for the next five years…
Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand Coco Moka…
I was born in Ukraine, Chernihiv after I finished University in Chernihiv with a specialization in two subjects Psychology and History, I moved to Finland to study International business and Marketing. In Finland I enjoyed nature, and learned about sustainability and recycling. Finland has the cleanest water you can drink from the tap, clean air, they have nature everywhere. They take care of their country and want to pass it on to the next generations.
During the Erasmus program in Finland, I came for a year to study Business and Marketing in Ireland. I still recall it as one of the best years of my life. Unfortunately, I developed an allergy during my time in Ireland and I got a rash on my skin from wearing synthetic clothing.
After I completed my studies in Finland, I moved to London to study a master’s degree in Business Psychology and after a few years studying and working in London, I came back to Ireland. In Ireland I worked in the tech industry specialising in digital advertising sales.
All during which I was looking for activewear which would not irritate my skin. During the pandemic, I decided to create activewear for myself because I could not find on the market anything like the performance activewear which would be suitable for people like me.
This is when Coco Moka was born. Coco Moka was created to solve two problems. I wanted to have activewear which would help to reduce skin irritation. Also, I wanted to make sure that the creation of activewear was not polluting our planet. We use OceanBalance fabrics to create our activewear. For every 2 kilograms (4.4. pounds) of OceanBalance™ yarns to produce sustainable fabrics, the environmental benefits include conserving five days of drinking water for one person and reducing the consumption of oil-based products by 3.785 litres.
You provide activewear for sensitive skin, why was this important to you?
When I developed my skin sensitivity, I did not know what to do about my irritated skin but I later realised that improving the quality of my life was up to me. I began by eating healthily and getting active with sports, however most sportswear would irritate my skin.
This inspired me to create my own line of luxury activewear, made of silky and smooth fabrics that would give me the feeling of a second skin. I kept this idea with me for many years, but I only started actively working on it during the pandemic.
I researched different fabrics until I found several types of eco-friendly materials which were soft like silk, yet flexible and durable for performance sports activities.
How do you want women to feel when wearing your clothes?
I want them to feel confident and beautiful. I want to help them enjoy sports with comfortable and eco-friendly clothing. I want women to find something that works for them. When women are wearing Coco Moka, I want them to enjoy the feeling of silky fabric on the skin. We focused on a few main values when we were working on the pillars of the brand. I wanted to make sure we created activewear so women could find quality, design and sustainability.
Slow and ethical fashion is at the forefront of what you do, can you tell us more about that?
Slow fashion is a key value of our business. I will give you some examples of why it is important.
“Fashion accounts for around 10% of greenhouse gas emissions from human activity, but there are ways to reduce the impact your wardrobe has on the climate. Annually, apparel manufacturing releases around 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gases.” (as quoted from BBC‘s article by Christine Ro*)
We are keen supporters of slow fashion which aims to reduce the textile waste clogging our landfills. This means our production schedules are slower and get produced in smaller batches, meaning that we have zero waste designs.
When I am running out of stock, I let my clients know that it will take a few weeks for us to produce the item that they are looking for.. This gives me confidence that with time consumer behaviours will shift more from mass-market towards slow fashion.
Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?
Yes, I would do many things differently. I know so much more now. I have learned a lot. I continue learning every day. I made mistakes but that is a part of the learning process.
I know now which designs are selling better and so I would invest more into some designs and less in others. I understand more now about the power of branding and brand awareness and focusing on building consumers’ trust. I understand better where I can find Italian eco-friendly performance fabrics we are using for our collections. How to find and be accepted by market places, how to work with different social media channels. It takes time and effort to learn what works and what doesn’t. I am still in the beginning of the long journey of building a brand that will stand the test of time.
However, I was very lucky to find a mentor who had already created her own fashion and activewear business, from a very small investment. I was working on the brand together with my mentor who helped me learn faster about the world of running an activewear business.
Collaboration with my mentor saved me a lot of time and investment. I worked with my mentor to source and test the right fabrics, design samples of the collection, produce the collection, find suppliers and distribution channels.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
I have to say I am very lucky. I truly believe and follow what Marc Anthony said: “ If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. “
I wake up early and start my day with gratitude, I thank the day for giving me an opportunity to live it fully and create something useful.
I am a coffee lover, I am not only drinking it but I wear it. We use in our collection one type of fabric made from recycled coffee. So in the morning I will have a cup of coffee and I will spend time looking out at the beautiful nature from my window in Dublin before I open my emails and start working on the tasks I have outlined for the day.
I love sports, but I became active and a bit more athletic later in my life. Last year when I turned 40 I made a promise to myself that from now on sport is a part of my routine, the same way as brushing teeth every morning.
I do not follow an exact schedule when I exercise. I do not prefer specific times like in the morning, lunch or in the evening. It depends on how busy my schedule is and when I have a free slot to do it. But I make sure I do 3-4 times per week some type of activity, walking, cycling, jogging, hiking, or following video classes at home.
During the day, in the evening and sometimes during weekends I work on operational and strategic tasks. As it is still early days in the business,I do take care of many aspects of it myself.
The most exciting part of the day, which I will never call work, is when I work on creating the new collection. I gather ideas together, make some sketches, choose fabrics, colours eetc. For my next collection I have collaborated with a talented Ukrainian illustrator Ksen Kryvonos, www.ksen.design who is based in Amsterdam and is working with me on the next project which has been in the works for almost a year and a half. Through her illustrations my vision of this collection is brought to life. I like to collaborate with different people to bring diversity and different talents to the brand.
During the time, when we worked on establishing the brand we were focusing on building the brand identity. My business partner Olga Garajeva and I collaborated with brand identity Ukrainian designer Daria Solomenko @darkdonna. We had many meetings during the time we worked together on creating the brand identity to reflect, through visual representation, the values of unique and luxury fabrics, sustainability and European design.
Sometimes, unfortunately not as often as I would like to, I participate in the photoshoots. I love photoshoots because I can see how happy models are when they wear our outfits. I feel satisfied and happy when I see models wearing my products and truly enjoying it.
Unfortunately, since February 24th my day changed, I woke up to the news about the war in my country. My family just evacuated from Chernihiv, Ukraine and they did not want to leave in the beginning, until the city was completely destroyed. I flew to Poland last week to meet them for the first time after the war started. Now they are safe and staying with me in Ireland.
During the past month I had to rethink and re evaluate many things in my life. I saw very clearly what was important and how fragile life can be.
While I was focusing on helping my family and my country I was leaning on collaborations with my mentor Elena Gromova @elena_gromova_fashlab and creative director Olga Garajeva @olgagarajeva and a digital agency who helps with our social marketing.
They helped to finalise the new collection and organise our last photoshoot which will be available in the beginning of May.
How long does it take you to work on a new product and what’s the process behind that?
It usually takes a long time, around 6 – 8 months. The process starts with imagining the look and feel of the product, then I find visually something similar that inspires me to create a sketch and discuss it with my mentor.
She helps me to understand if what I imagine can also be practical for women who will wear it. Sometimes I can see beautiful designs in my head but when I think about it, the outfit will not be practical.
After I decide to proceed with the design I choose fabrics, accessories if needed and we send it to the pattern maker. Based on the simplicity or difficulty of the product the sample can take from a few days to 5-6 weeks. It will usually take 3 tries of the sample to get to the final product.
After we approve production, it takes us up to 6 weeks, sometimes even longer to produce a collection. This is a slow fashion process and we make a continuous decision to work with slower production times. We have to plan in advance our stock level, taking into consideration production time is longer than in mass-market.
We just finished working on the second collection. We made soft see through skirts from plisse fabric, which you can wear on top of shorts or leggings and combine it with different tops and jackets. You can wear skirts on top of shorts or leggings together with a jacket, walk to the gym and come back looking stylish before, during and after your workout.
But I had one product which I created very quickly. In March I made a simple recycled organic T-shirt. I used my own paint to print it over the T-shirt to support Ukraine. I made two designs with slight variations of the print. I shared sales of this product to support humanitarian efforts back home.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Social media plays a very important part of building any business, but fashion and active wear businesses it’s even more important. We are only at the beginning of this journey and we understand it will take some time and some investment to build a successful brand presence on social media.
Different channels have different nuances: what will work for Instagram will not work on Twitter. Brands should not ignore TikTok and get there even if they think the audience is too young for them.
We have a strategy for each channel and are working on slowly building organic presence first. We want to start with building a community who are interested in what we do and want to follow us because they want to know more about our brand. It takes time and we are willing to work on it until we succeed.
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
I like this quote “Don’t stop until you are proud”.
What does self care mean to you?
Self-care means to me to be healthy physically and mentally so I can focus on what I love to do and spend quality time with important people in my life.
Where do you see the brand in the next 5 years?
I want Coco Moka in 5 years to have a B Corp Certification. I am building the business process with the questions in mind about how the brand will benefit customers, communities and the planet.
I want the brand to be recognised as one of the leading brands that provide luxury quality outfits for people with sensitive skin.
I want to reduce the negative impact fashion production has on our planet.
I will continue to focus my efforts to help Ukraine in humanitarian aid. I made an initiative to help the community where I offer a 60% discount on all products for Ukrainians who left the country because of the war and moved to Europe.
What’s better than travelling? Travelling for free! Adventure travel company WeRoad has arrived in the UK and to celebrate the government’s removal of travel restrictions is hiding free holidays, worth up to £2,000 each, across the capital.
As UK travel restrictions are lifted on Friday, February 11 at 4am, WeRoad is giving ten adventurous members of the public the chance to win a ‘Golden Ticket’, the equivalent of a group adventure holiday of their choice.
A trusty WeRoad Travel Coordinator will be guarding the tickets and will only reveal the secret central London location when the clock strike’s 04:00 on 11 February. The location of the once-in-a-lifetime free trips will be posted on their Instagram account and the first ten people to find them will win them.
And that’s not all: the next 10 people who just miss the cut will win a £1,000 voucher to one of WeRoad’s group holidays in the form of a ‘Silver Ticket’. In total, the company will be dishing out £30,000 worth of holidays.
It comes as WeRoad announces its official launch in the UK, after first kicking-off in Italy in 2017. The brand is headed up by Milan-based Paolo De Nadai, Fabio Bin and Erika De Santi, with the WeRoad concept starting out offering group trips for solo travellers. Since then, the innovative travel company has brought together more than 30,000 solo travellers from Europe.
Travel Coordinators are a key part of the overall experience, and their 600 strong team are passionate travellers, all equipped with the necessary knowledge to give you a truly holistic and unique experience in your chosen destination.
Erika De Santi, Co-Founder & International Expansion Director, said: “Innovation is an integral part of our DNA at WeRoad, and we strive to disrupt and rewrite the existing status quo within the travel industry. Our unique direct to consumer brand experience aims to provide prospective WeRoaders with a life-changing travel experience, designed and delivered by our fantastic Travel Coordinators.
She continued:“As a brand we want to help bring together like-minded people with similar interests, joining a vibrant community of passionate travellers who want to share an unforgettable adventure together.
“We’re very excited to officially launch in the UK and with travel restrictions being lifted on February 11th, we’re giving people a helping hand to get out there again and go on a once in a lifetime adventure. To celebrate our launch, we’ll be giving lucky Brits the chance to win a ‘Golden Ticket’, which is the equivalent of a group adventure holiday of their choice.”
The trips on offer are numerous, whether it’s heading on a safari in Tanzania, hunting for the Northern Lights in Finland or island hopping in Mexico and the Gili Islands, WeRoad has organised group adventures to 180 long and short-haul destinations across nearly all the continents.
Its holidays are made up of 90% solo travellers, mostly aged between 18 and 35, looking to travel the world (without all the time-consuming planning), forming lifelong friendships along the way. Small groups of 8 – 15 people are fully immersed in new cultures, eating local cuisine and staying in guest houses, a truly authentic experience. Groups are matched based on their age and what kind of trip they’re up for – a relaxing escape or pulse-raising adventure. Couples and groups are also welcome.
In addition, it’s not just the amazing locations that people can visit that make a WeRoad trip such an unforgettable experience, it’s the people who really make the holidays so special. More than highly specialised tour guides, Travel Coordinators are there for the same motivations their fellow travellers are – to form new friendships with like-minded solo travellers while exploring the world.
Best of all? You barely have to lift a finger: all trips are specially designed to meet all WeRoaders needs. All anyone needs to do is arrange their flights, which aren’t included in the price of the holiday, because WeRoad doesn’t want to force travellers to depart from an inconvenient airport or end up with inefficient layovers and impossible connections.
Nordic Nutrition offers a new approach to nutrition, health and wellbeing. Founded by Sonia Wahlroos, a Finnish born Nutritional Therapist, specialising in Women’s Health, Fertility, Sport and Exercise Nutrition, she’s a real powerhouse. With a strong background in sports, she has been teaching different body and mind methods for over a decade. Her experience is unparalleled when it comes to nutrition and we couldn’t wait to delve deeper.
Here, we chatted to Sonia to find out more…
Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand, Nordic Nutritionist?
I have always been interested in healthy lifestyle, nutrition, sports and holistic methods to improve your wellbeing. Nordic Nutritionist was founded almost 11 years ago but at a beginning it was a different name, as I was working as a personal trainer and Pilates instructor while completing my degree. The reason I got so interested about nutrition is the endless opportunities in the field: you can be work at the clinic environment, lecture, writing book, creating a brand or tool to support one’s health. This is very important to me that my work has continuity and challenges and entrepneuship definitely tick those boxes. Work is also very rewarding: It is wonderful how you can heal people’s health concerns only through the diet and of course seeing how enormous impact it can have in one’s life.
After the last 18 months and the rise in people working from home, have you seen an increase in people wanting to work with you to focus more on their health and nutrition?
Absolutely, especially after the first lockdown I got loads of requests but unfortunately, I was unable to help as I had just had my third baby and homeschooling my eldest. However, lot of them started with me slightly later and I personally think that when the first lockdown was on, most of my clients needed mental health support, not a strict diet or comprehensive programme because we were already so overwhelmed what was going on in the world. I do hope that the interest stays high and now when life is slowly starting to become normal, people don’t give up all those wonderful health related improvements that they made.
How do you want people to feel when they work with you?
Firstly, I want them to achieve their goals, whether it is losing weight, balancing hormones, improving insomnia, or correcting deficiencies as they need to feel they have accomplished what they wanted. Secondly, while working with me I want to teach them about healthy eating and what is suitable for them, so that they have knowledge and strength to follow diet that support their personal health and they are not any more prone to fall into fad diets that rarely works for long term.
Learning to maintain the results it is very crucial, not just the journey how to reach the goal. Besides nutrition therapy, incorporating orthomolecular supplements can also support optimal health and address specific nutrient deficiencies.
Of course I always want they are having a good time during the sessions; feeling t that they are being listened, supported and respected.
Looking back since launching your business, is there anything you would do different?
Absolutely! I would build a clear, realistic 5-year business plan and hire a business mentor. Also I would set much stricter boundaries to myself: at some point I was working all the time (I had home office and I was studying from home) and eventually I felt I had lost completely work- life balance. You can and you must push yourself time to time but for a long term its is not professional or good to your or your business to burn yourself and at the same time trying to help others to live better & healthier life ☺
Another thing is that I should have asked help for those areas that I was struggling and using too much time. I am not very technical savvy and yet I was trying to build my website on my own. Just madness. Learning to outsource more was then and probably today my biggest challenge.
Tell us more about what inspires you…
I am visualist: I adore beautiful buildings, homes, people and of course food. I have always travelled a lot and I have to say that is something that really makes life great: hopping on a plane and seeing new places, cultures, food and people. Little adventures always fresh up your mind and soul.
As a mother of three, of course my kids are huge inspiration as well! Being mum is the best thing in the world.
If you to describe your brand in three words, what would they be?
Holistic, sustainable, personal
When did you first become interested in nutrition and how did you go about educating yourself enough to be able to launch Nordic Nutrition?
I have backround in fashion, but my family has been in health and wellbeing industry since I was little girl, so wellbeing, exercising and eating healthily has always been part of me. In my early twenties I was working as a Pilates instructor and Pt and when we moved to London in 2010, I sign in for a year Nutrition coaching course that really made me passionate about nutrition. I completed a Nutrition therapist degree in 2014 and after I specialized in Sports Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. When you work in the field, it is never ending learning process and I am constantly building my knowledge and therapeutical skills.
It is not about how much you know; it is mainly understanding what your client is after and how you can help them best possible way. We are very unique, and one size does not fit all.
I am actually doing my second degree of Nutrition Therapy, as I wanted to have bachelor’s degree and deepen my Nutrition Therapist skills.
What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to launch their own wellness business?
Be systematic, focused and driven to one thing at a time. Give enough time to each project and accept obstacles as it is part of the journey. I am so grateful I have always been quite open to new things as that has really strengthen my understanding how I want to run my business. There isn’t only one right way to run business or become successful. Trust yourself and be unique.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
I am waking up at 6am and then helping my boys to get ready for school while drinking my morning combo: lemon water with probiotics and strong oat milk coffee. We leave the house bit after 7 am and if it is my working day, I head to Pilates or a gym for an hour before starting my workday. After my training I shower quickly and have porridge or omelette with some fruits & green juice.
Around 9 am I am checking my emails and spending some time to replying on them. I try to be consistent and always get back to everyone in 24h as that is part of the good client- therapist relationship. Depending on a day, I may have client sessions, consultations, studying, admin work or business planning which at a moment takes a lot of my time. I have some exciting changes coming up next spring!
The day goes normally way too quickly and often I am having my protein rich lunch around 1pm. Afternoon goes similar way and around 4.30 I am normally heading back to home and “jump in” to help my nanny with kids. Homework, hobbies, the basic family life. After kids have gone to bed, I may still check my emails as it’s helping me to prepare the next day. To relax, me and my hubby may watch a good series from Netflix or heading out for a dinner with friends. As we are both entrepreneurs, our schedules are flexible, but hours can sometimes be very long.
But, when you are doing what you love, it doesn’t feel a sacrifice and when kids are off from school, I am always able to spend some time with them as well.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Very little. I started my business at the time when social media was mainly for socializing and marketing happened via magazines, good contacts and building a strong network using various methods. However, I hope I would have been more active in past five years, as now I am finding quite hard to start utilizing it as a marketing tool. But it is necessary if you want to build the brand bigger and I am currently looking for a part- time employer, to mainly support me with social media marketing.
You’re very well traveled but which place really has your heart?
Very hard to pick one place but top three I can do. I am from Finland, Helsinki and the city has its own very special vibe. It is a capital, but still like a small village with great restaurants, Scandinavian architecture, and lovely people. I highly recommend visiting around midsummer, it is magical!
I also love South of France. We bought a house there few years ago as we wanted kids to have a place where they can spend summers and play freely in the nature. Especially when you live in the city, it is important that they have this balance and touch to the nature.
But… I do have a big crush on New York. I love the city, people and how the place never sleeps. I am a city girl and finding that the buzz that the NY has,
inspires and motivates me in every single way. The last time I visited NY was when I was 7 months pregnant in November 2019 and the energy that the city has got me completely mad: I walked hours every day, went museums, had long dinners, and yet felt happy and relaxed when we came back to UK. We have a plan that when kids move out (still 20 years to go), we move there for a while.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
Oh, several places: with the family Australia and Safari at the Kruger Park. I spent 4 months at the Cape Town 15 years ago and loving the light, people and outdoorsy lifestyle. With good girl friends I highly recommend Florence.
Next year I am having a big birthday and I am hoping to go for a road trip to California or to Chiva Som Thailand with my mother or a good friend. My husband is not a persn who wish to receive treatments and vegan food for days ☺
After Covid I feel my bucket list has become quite a long!
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
To be honest, I never lack motivation towards my work or life in general. I do feel tired, stressed, anxious and unfocused time to time, but being unmotivated is not really my thing. There is so much to do, see and choose from!
I love what I do and when it comes to work, exercising or eating healthily, it is just so strongly part of me that all happens naturally. That is holistic wellbeing, something that I am teaching to my clients: aiming to create a healthy lifestyle that support their life, their wellbeing goals and this way motivation follows naturally.
What’s next for you and the brand?
I am launching an online course series in spring 2022, which will be very exciting and new to me. After years of working irregular hours and being on short maternity leaves, I am finally ready for new chapter as my daughter goes to nursery.
Also, I hope I can find a great person to work with me!
What does self-care mean to you?
My primary selfcare routines means regular exercising, eating good food in calm environment, getting some fresh air, sleeping enough and spending time with family, friends and of course on my own, in right balance. Secondary self-care methods are more like treats; massage, special trip to somewhere, going to hairdresser, manicure or having a luxury to read a book for hours. As mentioned above, creating routines that supports your wellbeing daily is much more sustainable way to look after yourself than one off massages or things that externally brings relaxation or happiness for a short term.
I am offering a free 20- minutes chat to everyone who are keen to hear more about my services or would like to discuss about their health concerns or goals with me.
Here at House of Coco, there is never a shortage of amazing hotels to tick off the bucket list. For our return to travel, we chose one of the most spectacular hotels in the world, Hotel Heureka, right in the heart of Venice’s oldest districts to escape the crowds.
Situated in the centre of traditional Venice, in the Sestiere of Cannaregio, Hotel Heureka combines the comfort of a boutique hotel, the intimate atmosphere of a private home and the mystique of a 16th-century Venetian palazzo. With just 10 exquisite rooms each with their own distinct personality, visitors feel as though they are guests of a great Venetian family – ideal for a grand return to Europe. Reopened in 2017 after a major renovation, as you wander the exquisite halls you can almost make out the chatter and music of a party that would have taken place in Venice’s heyday, hundreds of years ago, mask in hand.
The interior layout of the hotel’s palazzo is organised around a ‘portego’ – a typical Venetian passage – leading into the atrium, the main lobby area, and the private garden beyond. We wandered over to the bar every evening and enjoyed different cocktails, from the classics to the hotel’s signature serves in the cool air of the outside terrace. We chose to relax and unwind in this tranquil haven rather than in St. Mark’s Square and other touristy hot spots. The open-air, spacious feel continues on the other levels of the hotel, with a Piano Nobile on the first and second floors surrounded by bold patterns and artfully placed fabrics designed by Lacroix and Rubelli.
After a day exploring all that Venice has to offer we settled in for one of the best night’s sleep of our lives in one of the chic and decadent suites, each like their own art gallery. The design-led hotel is located on the gentle waters of the Madonna dell-Orto canal and lulls you into a deep sleep amongst plush pillows each night. Breakfast was served surrounded by fine artworks in the drawing-room and on one of the days we enjoyed our first cup of tea beneath the leafy trees of the private garden. Mouth-watering pastries were followed by steaming coffee, juices and delicious cheese and fruit.
There is plenty to explore directly from the hotel. Close to the ornate front door, you can venture into the oldest Jewish Ghetto in the world, the bridges over the cerulean Grand Canal, museums, hole-in-the-wall bars far from the tourist trail, lively cafes, art galleries and world-class restaurants. With no cruise ships in the city currently, there has never been a better time to visit and enjoy the slow-paced anticipation of the city as 2021 draws to a close and 2022 is ready to welcome visitors with open arms.
Where to eat
Osteria Alla Staffa on Calle Ospedaletto is arguably one of the best traditional restaurants in Venice. Small, cosy and delicious. We chowed down on plate upon plate of Venetian-style pasta and as the waiters reminded us, this is not the place you come for pizza, much to the puzzlement of many American tourists. The restaurant offers mid-range pricing and offers a cracking local wine list, poured by a very knowledgeable team.
Where to drink
Down one of the most beautiful canals in the city lies Vino Vero owned by husband and wife Matteo and Mara. Vino Vero opened in 2014 and was the first wine bar in Venice solely dedicated to natural wine. You can guzzle wines by the glass and sample artisanal Cicchetti whilst watching the water taxis speed past on the way to the lagoon and eavesdrop on local conversation and gossip.
With the world finally opening up and the UK lifting significant restrictions in October 2021, Hotel Heureka has stood the test of time in a city that has constantly reinvented itself, welcoming each visitor like the guest of honour. The juxtaposition of the old and new in both the city and the hotel gave us hope that things have to change slightly before getting better. If you are looking for somewhere to seek solace after months of uneasiness, you’ve found it!
Hotel Heureka prices are €230 for a Deluxe Room, €460 for a Junior Suite and €1,200 for the Heureka Suite. Prices are per room and include breakfast à la carte, service and VAT.
The world is opening up and we’re all feeling a little relieved at not having to cook every single meal for ourselves anymore. However, if you’re feeling a little shy about rejoining normal life but you still want a bit of a break from cooking, we’re putting ByRuby on your radar.
ByRuby is the brainchild of founders Milly and Ruby, who create nourishing, home-cooked food – in the form of a frozen ready meal. All the nutritious value and healthy elements, without the strain of having to be responsible for cooking it all. Ruby, a Leith’s-trained chef met Milly, her creative co-founder, and the two hit it off straight away about wanting to create something food-lovers would appreciate but made eating at home that little bit less stressful.
Another day, another virtual sit down, Amira Arasteh chatted with both Milly and Ruby about their business, their outlook on healthy eating and the brand’s sustainable and ethical efforts.
How is the business faring right now?
Milly: We’re really busy right now, which is great. The last three months held the best sales for us so it’s really exciting. We’ve had some great accounts come on – wholesale accounts – and had some interest from bigger brands, so it’s busy but good. It’s also really encouraging to have had good feedback; we think more people have used our services while being at home and have really appreciated eating something both nourishing and tasty. We’re really lucky that our business has thrived during lockdown so we’re really thankful for that.
Now things are starting to open up and people will go out to eat, how are you feeling about the business?
Ruby: I think we will always have that presence in stores so that will help.
Was that something you thought about before designing your business model?
Ruby: Kind of. We started off at Finn’s of Chelsea, a food shop and deli. Milly used to own it with her Aunt Julia. So we started it there, in a retail space, so we had useful feedback from them. We then developed it as an online business and growing it online but still having the retail connection. We had a few inbound enquiries from independent farm shops to stock our ready meals. So we thought, “let’s do both!” We hired a sales manager to focus on wholesale and retail shops and we envisage having a 50/50 split.
I think it helps people recognise the brand and for us to become more of a household name. I think that will help moving forwards with staycations too; our meals stay frozen for 48 hours so you can take a box on holiday and have all your food cooked for you on holiday. Especially if you’re in the remote countryside and you don’t have the takeaway element or restaurants. That’s an angle we’re going for, directly to the consumer.
Milly: I think, as a consumer myself, what I think about is the ease of knowing I have a healthy lasagne to heat up in the freezer that the whole family will enjoy. I think that’s why our products tie in so well with farm shops. I think people’s shopping habits are going to change; people know they can buy online, so the in-store shopping experience has to be that bit more lovely. We’re focusing on working with these lovely, independent farm shops, where the customer service is key. Our product is just tasty, honest food – no additives or preservatives.
For many, working with the bigger name supermarkets is the goal; is there more of a personable quality working with the smaller businesses? How has it been, as a small business yourself, working with another small business?
Milly: It’s worked really well. We’ve realised there are certain shops where our product thrives and we need to be in the right stores. It’s simply about the customer base and what they care about. Our customer really cares about the provenance of their food; that it’s not full of salt and sugar; that it helps to make their lives easier. Most of the people we provide food for are really busy and just need a little help. Looking at things like supermarkets, there are some we’d like to be in – Booth’s in the north of England have amazing produce and a lovely ethic behind them. The same goes for somewhere like Ocado, who have just opened their B-corp shop; we’d love to be a B-corp one day.
How would you go about selecting the retailers with whom to work? Particularly if you didn’t feel aligned with them?
Milly: It is rare because are main aim is for our views to be aligned. Also, our product is a bit more expensive and you pay for quality. Sometimes shops say our meals are too expensive but that proves that that shop’s customer isn’t a fit for us.
Ruby: Because we have a high-quality product, the shops we work with have the customer base who are willing to spend more on good quality ingredients. I think the price eliminates any issue.
Milly: But also, in our strategy over the next few months, we are looking to slightly reduce our price points. We want to be a premium brand but also remain competitive with other brands. COOK is one of our competitors but their price point is slightly lower than ours so we want to make our prices a little more in line with others on the market.
How do you deal with competition?
Ruby: I think it’s really important to keep some sort of difference. By maintaining a higher price point, people need to know that our ingredients are organic and free-range. COOK’s ingredients aren’t. That’s one of the main differences. We don’t use any additives and preservatives in our food and COOK often does. So I think it’s just trying to make sure we can scale but keep that difference. We want to make sure we continue using 100 per cent natura ingredients but also be able to bring the cost down to reach a wider audience.
Milly: Ethically, that’s something Ruby and I both believe in. We both eat in a flexitarian way; a lot of vegetarian food but a balanced amount of meat and fish. We’re all about eating less but good quality. It’s also a marketing thing: we need to show the customer what we, as a brand, are about. Lots of these pre-prepared brands are run by men but it’s interesting to see us being run by two women. I think Potage is run by women but it is rarer. Also, with us, everything is made by Chef Ruby.
How would you outreach to certain consumers who see this kind of brand as a privilege? How would you encourage the middle man to make the swap from a supermarket’s own brand to yours?
Milly: I think that’s definitely a point but there’s also people who order a takeaway as a ‘once-a-week’ treat – and our food is cheaper than a takeaway. Our angle is for our food to be your treat meal – except it’s all natural produce and nutritious. Also, because it’s frozen, it helps economincally, because you can keep it if you change your mind and decide to eat out. As someone who cooks regularly, having a ready meal is a treat for me. We’re trying to encourage people to treat themselves in a more healthy way. We can’t compare ourselves to a £2 Tesco ready meal but it’s a great idea to have in the freezer for when you don’t want to cook.
You mentioned you eat a balanced diet, including meat and fish. What are your thoughts on the documentary Seaspiracy?
Ruby: Personally, I haven’t feed it but I did watch Cowspiracy. I think it comes back to making you know where your meat and fish is coming from. We always sure our produce RSPCA-credited. It’s about spending a bit more money on a better-sourced, better quality prodcut and eating it less.
Milly: I haven’t seen it yet but it’s on my list. But, a lot of this comes down to overconsumerism and wastage. I think they’re more main issues in the UK; how disposable people are with their food. That’s something we really believe in and feel strongly about; we literally have no wastage in our kitchen. If we do change a receipe and there’s excess, we send it to a charity called Harvest Bundle. Instead of mashing our potatoes, we bake them and take the insides out, using the potato skins for staff lunch. It’s little things like that, we really hate wastage.
I think that’s how consumers need to change and a lot of that comes down to education about food. We’re working with a charity called Magic Breakfast and they help children who wouldn’t get breakfast in schools. As we grow, we really want to focus on teaching children how to cook. If your parents don’t know how to cook, you never learn.
How much of your range is vegan?
Ruby: 50 per cent of our range is vegan or vegetarian. We wanted to keep the menu flexitarian and ensure that everyone has high quality dishes to choose from.
Have you thought about doing cooking masterclasses or workshops?
Ruby: That’s definitely something we’d love to do in the future. At the moment, we have a small team of ten people, so it’s not feasible right now. But definitely something we want to do, as we grow. We also want to make sure we have an outreach on social media, with regular recipes.
Milly: We’re starting a blog too. I think that kind of thing is really useful, offering top tips and insight.
Ruby: We also have a cookbook coming out in June. It’s all about championing your freezer; using it to make your life easier. I think a lot of people see their freezer as a home for frozen peas. But it’s great for encouraging batch cooking and thinking ahead.
Milly: It will be really practical. Every recipe will have how to make it, how to freeze it, how to reheat etc.
Do you feel like batch-cooking has fallen apart a bit because of working from home?
Milly: I think people have really relished in cooking during lockdown. I think people have been focusing on shopping locally and taking care of the origin of what they’re buying.
Would you like to work with snack brands who are similarly aligned with your views?
Milly: It’s always nice to collaborate with brands who hold a similar ethos as ourselves. We try to make sure we work with British, local producers who care what goes into their food and have the same quality control and standard as us. I think collaborations benefit all partners. We’re working with a brand called Nix and Kix, a flavoured sparkling water brand.
What are your favourite meals from the brand?
Milly: My favourite meal is the chicken pie. It’s absolutely mega. It’s like a hug if you know if you have it in the freezer. Such a British classic but the perfect night-in meal.
Ruby: I think mine is the miso ramen but I think that’s because of the work that went into making it. It’s vegan but you wouldn’t know it was because it’s packed full of favour. It’s a great lunch dish.
Tiina Asujamaa is the founder of swimwear label, ASUYAMA. A designer, visionary and ultimate boss, Tiina has taken the fashion industry by storm. With a company ethos to be proud of, she not only makes women look and feel amazing in her designs but she makes sure she is doing her bit for the planet.
This brand is one to watch so we spent some time with Tiina to find out more…
Talk us through an average day in your life?
Oh wow, it really changes and depends! Currently I’m pretty much only working, its getting busier again as the spring time is getting closer in Europe. Its nice though after the off season in the bikini world, to be busy again! Average day is doing admin work – emails, social media, sending orders and at the moment preparing our upcoming Pop Up Store in Helsinki and also working on opening ASUYAMA designer collection at Wolf & Badger, our first online platform outside our own webshop to stock our swimwear!
You opened your first store at 22, what an amazing achievement. How did you do this so young?
I’ve always been a Doer. If I want something, I’ll go after it and just try to do it. What’s scares me most in life is regretting later on in life for things I wish I would have done but didn’t. So, I always try to do things that interest me or I feel passionate about. My mom had her own clothing store when I was a teenager, so I used to help her with her store and instead of studying, I would learn things there, since from very young age I always had a passion for fashion and a dream to own my own boutique. So the idea of my own store I had since probably 15 years old, but at the age of 22 I felt like I was ready! Funny to think now because I was so young and literally knew nothing, but as I prefer, I learned while doing and also learned from all the mistakes! Haha.
Have you had to pivot during the pandemic and if so, how?
Really had a pivot moment in the sales when the pandemic first started! Was great, everyone were online shopping like crazy! But winter time was hard for us, since no one was able to travel and go on their normal winter holidays, we really felt it with the sales and a drop off engagement.
Luckily back feeling inspired and excited for the spring time and upcoming bikini season more inspired than ever.
Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?
Theres always things you could have done differently and better! Now with more information and knowledge, yes for sure I think theres a lot I probably should have done differently, but then again I don’t want to spend too much time worrying the whats ifs and should haves, what’s done it’s done and I will take those learnings and use the new knowledge for future. Like I said, I do learn the best by doing.
Your garments are to be worn from the beach to the city, how do you want women to feel when they wear your designs?
Nothing makes me happier than a person who feels amazing in something I’ve designed. My background is in styling, so I’m very particular in the garment fits and proportions. You can make a woman’s body look so much better with the right proportions and fit in the clothing or swimsuit. Most of the swimsuits and bikinis also double up as tops or bodysuits and can be worn from beach to city looks and I want to make designs for women to have effortless and stylish pieces to wear! If you feel good in a piece of clothing you wear, it will show, and that is what I am after in my designs. To have women SHINE and feel good!
What has been your proudest moment since launching the brand?
I can be pretty hard on myself and in the moments when I should be proud I often feel I could be doing more. But I’m learning to be more patient with myself and also give credit to myself, as I would have give to any other person! But if I must say a moment, I would say the moment I received my first order in our webstore, it’s a moment I never forget. I cried for 10 minutes, haha. It was a moment where I felt like all the hard work and effort was worth it and I was just happy to feel I was on the right path.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
The world really. I don’t have just one destination, but as many as possible. I’ve always felt most alive when traveling to a new destination, so this pandemic hasn’t been the easiest, but at the same time very needed. It will be all so much more amazing after we get to travel again!
First destination would probably be Australia since my boyfriend is Australian and lives there. Also I really miss Bali and my friends there so will definitely travel there to catch up and work! Really craving some island and tropical vibes so Maldives is big on the list. I Also really want to visit Galapagos Island and do an African safari for wildlife in the near future.
To any aspiring designers, what advice would you offer them when just starting out?
Do your research. You can never be too lazy with this one! But I also believe if you’re passionate about something, you will find the time for it. Trust YOUrself, there’s million designers in the world, but don’t let that stop you. Even if you have the smallest idea but don’t know how to get started, don’t worry. You will get there and you will learn as you go. Surround yourself with creative, positive and same minded people – it’s amazing how much creativity you can inhale by just being in the presence of the right people. Enroll in school or a course, there you will meet people with same interest as you!
What does self care mean to you?
Self care is EVERYTHING. The more self care the more you’re connected within yourself and take no bullshit from the outside. Learn to love or even like yourself and your life will get so much easier and better. For me, self care is slowing down, really taking the time to do things that make me feel better – yoga, meditation, eat healthy and listening to my body and energy, saying no, that’s important. I practice self care daily and I feel just now in older age I’ve really gotten good at it
So, you’ve left it too late (again)! Not all is lost, just get online and order some of these fabulous belated Valentines gifts.
It doesn’t really matter what day of the year it is because it’s always wonderful to send someone a gift to let them know that you love them. Even, if you are sending a little something to your mum, dad, best mate or your lover, these little treats will go down a storm.
Skandinavisk, Sense Candle Gift Set, £49, Skandinavisk
Three candles are included in this gift set, and each has a special meaning of love. Rosenhave is Danish for ‘rose garden’, and Nordic rose gardens are precious places. RO is Scandinavian for ‘tranquillity’ bringing peace and calm from the kingdoms of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. LEMPI is Finnish for ‘love’. In Finland, there is an old saying, ‘Love doesn’t have to be perfect, but genuine’. In other words, this is the perfect belated Valentine’s gift.
Rose-filled bath bomb, a simple yet perfectly romantic gesture. Plus, the muslin cloth, tag, and raffia can all be composted, a sign of love to both the planet and your special person! Above all, this makes a wonderful gift.
Cheddar Gorge Cheese x Wimbledon Brewery, from £5.95 (190g), Cheddar Online
The tasty Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company’s Wimbledon Brewery Copper Leaf Cheddar is a gentle mellow traditional cheddar combined with the extraordinarily delicious Copper Leaf Ale – a real match made in heaven! Therefore, need we say more?
This delectable wine is delicate pink in appearance, with soft summer berries and floral notes on the nose. Made from a blend of estate-grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, Gusbourne’s Rose has a crisp freshness and is presented in a special gift box, making this the ideal belated Valentine’s gift.
Not just for Valentine’s, this new sustainable, crystal-cut bottle of gin is at the heart of the Scottish distiller, Eden Mill’s mission to be completely carbon neutral by 2025. Moreover, this is an excellent gift of love to your special person, and the planet!
Buck & Birch, Wild Night In Hamper, £24.95, Aelder Elixir
The hamper contains one of Buck & Birch’s award winning liqueurs, a wild cocktail for two, a recipe card for a mouth-watering meal and a host of foraged ingredients. In conclusion, you will create your own homemade masterpiece.
Are you into wellness and wellbeing? Read more here…..
