There’s a reason why they say ‘diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ because if you’re looking for just that one, truly memorable, splash out gift this Christmas, you certainly can’t go wrong with some jewellery.
So, whether you’re looking for a unique keepsake to give your bestie, a special gift for mum, or pulling out all the stops and getting yourself a little bougie Christmas present, our Fashion Editor Hannah Tan-Gillies has rounded up all the most luxurious jewellery finds so you can give the gift of sparkle this festive season.
3.Sapphire Huggie Earring and Green Onyx Baguette Ear Charm by Monica Vinader available at https://www.monicavinader.com/
4.Purple Sapphire and Tahitian pearl and diamond ring by Ri Noor available at https://www.rinoor.com/
5.18K Gold Vermeil Urania Muse of Astronomy Necklace by Common Era available at https://commonera.com/
We really love Anna Lou of London’s quirky charms, that offer endless personalisation opportunities. These playful pieces pack so much personality and come at very reasonable price points too.
Aurum is bringing Icelandic style to your jewellery boxes this Christmas, giving us plenty of winter jewellery inspiration. We particularly love the modern and sculptural designs that combine natural inspiration with fantastic forms.
Monica Vinader celebrates real women by making them feel individual and confident every day with jewellery that empowers, uplifts and endures using only recycled gold vermeil, sterling silver and sustainably sourced natural gemstones, diamonds and pearls.
We love Common Era’s narrative-led pieces which take inspiration from Greek history and myths. Each piece is handcrafted by master artisans in a Responsible Jewellery Council-certified atelier. The brand also only uses gold and silver that certified and at least 90% recycled, with only conflict-free and natural gems.
We love Common Era’s narrative-led pieces which take inspiration from Greek history and myths. Each piece is handcrafted by master artisans in a Responsible Jewellery Council-certified atelier. The brand also only uses gold and silver that certified and at least 90% recycled, with only conflict-free and natural gems.
We love Suciyan’s sculptural statement-making pieces, which are more akin to works of art than accessories. Arman Suciyan works in 925 sterling silver and precious gems and all his pieces are handmade in Istanbul, where he runs his atelier.
Flore Quo’s innovative bags are Made-in-Italy and have interchangeable ornaments to suit any occasion, representing a fusion of fashion and jewellery, uniquely as one. Not to mention, you can literally go to all your Christmas-dos and never have to repeat a clutch!
Having great skin is the best investment you’re ever going to make this festive season. So, if you – your mum or bestie – are looking for new, high-performance skincare products to add to your Christmas wish-lists then we’ve got you covered. Because we’ve rounded up some of the best skincare finds that our editors swear by, so you can ‘glow, glow, glow,’ this Christmas.
The Dr Michael Prager Day Oil is based on a combination of Argan Oil, Shea and Macadamia, which for centuries have been used for skin repair and sun protection. Dr Prager’s most popular formula is stabilised by luxurious floating gold flakes which are rich in antioxidants to help to improve the circulation of the blood just beneath the skin, resulting in a brighter and healthier looking complexion – and we are super obsessed.
The Jack Black Power Peel is a fast-acting, one-step exfoliating peel that resurfaces, clarifies and helps to firm and brighten skin. Glycolic and salicylic acids combined with natural fruit acids work to reduce the appearance of pores and smooth fine lines, so it’s an ideal gift for those looking for a skin refresh.
SAKRID believes all good things come from making the right choices, saying no to questionable products and using the best ingredients and we’re all for it. SAKRID’s range of hair and body products contain absolutely no harmful or questionable ingredients, with zero compromise on performance. As a result, they are naturally vegan, halal, organic and always cruelty free. All SAKRID products are handmade in the UK using the best natural ingredients. It’s the perfect gift for all your vegan friends.
Newly launched Cultured (created by REN Co-Founder, Rob Calcraft) brings us the Biome One Cleansing Balm, and we’re already adding to cart. A beautiful lightweight balm formula, the Biome One Cleansing Balm cleanses the skin while respecting the skin barrier and, just as crucially, your microbiome. Perfect for daily cleansing and the removal of makeup and urban pollution, this will make the ideal gift for your busy, go-getting gal pals.
Treat someone that deserves some me-time to three nourishing handmade body oils, complete with a sumptuous GAIA gift box, to attend to the body and mind’s every need over the busy Christmas period. This is a wonderfully packaged gift that will surely delight even the most discerning skincare fanatic.
8. Delo Rx ‘Radiance & Rejuvenation’ Cleanser by Dr. Stefanie Williams Dermatologist available at https://delorx.com/
9. Flawless Future Skin Food Supplement, Skin Accumax and Skin Vitality Food Supplements by Advanced Nutrition Programme available at https://www.advancednutritionprogramme.com/
The Delo Cleanser is high-performing cleanser, perfect for those with sensitive skin, while the LIHA Idan Oil is a magic, cold-pressed oil that will cure all your winter skin woes. Use this for absolutely everything from a body oil to leave-in hair conditioner, or if you are feeling indulgent, slathering it head to toe before bed and rinsing off in the morning for truly silky fragranced skin
Advanced Nutrition offers skincare that goes beyond the skin. We especially love the ‘Flawless Future’ Set which was designed for problem-prone skin, this duo works to clarify complexion, whilst supporting overall skin, hair and nail health.
Environ’s Healthy Skin Set is the perfect gift for those who want beautiful healthy-looking skin. It offers a complete skincare routine of powerhouse formulations, designed with essential vitamins and antioxidants to boost your skin health.
We love Emma Hardie’s gifting collection, which offers super effective botanical products in fantastic festive packaging. Meanwhile, Ethosa’s Waterless Shower Set is kickstarting a waterless revolution and is a perfect gift for those looking to minimise their carbon footprint, while Face Halo’s Glow Kit removes your makeup and dead skin cells while also reducing land-fill (win-win!)
We also love the Bad Habit Daily Fix Lip Oil, which is packed full of juicy, lip-loving ingredients to save our winter-time lip woes. Because we’re all about conscious consumerism, we’re also huge fans of Nailberry’s nail polish range that delivers great colour payoff without any harmful nasties. Q+A is another all-natural, cruelty-free and vegan-friendly beauty brand we can’t stop raving about, because of its effective formulas that don’t break the bank.
Also, for those looking to rejuvenate their skin while sleeping, Sensory Retreat’s self-heating Eye Masks do wonders for those tired eyes and are also an absolute treat to use.
Worth over £400, Face The Future’s first limited-edition skincare box ‘All About You’ is the perfect all-out gift for skincare enthusiasts this Christmas. It includes an edit of 9 full size products for the ultimate self-care routine that puts you first. This limited-edition skincare box includes 9 full size products from OSKIA, Avant Skincare, Mesoestetic, Votary, Weleda, Unlike, Proto-col, Image Skincare, and Ultrasun.
Creature of Habit’s Anywhere, Everywhere Balm is a great multi-purpose product, as the name suggests this balm can be used quite literally anywhere… and everywhere! Soften rough, flake, sensitive skin, take flyaways, add a nourishing balm to lips or even as a lid gloss over eyeshadow. This multipurpose balm is free from essential oils making it a particularly effective way of treating irritated and sensitive areas of skin and is a perfect gift for beauty newbies.
19. LookLit LED light Face Mask by SwearBy Skin Swearbyskin.com
In line with the big CBD wave, Cannuka’s concentrated Skin Balm soothes all skin types with rich hydration and powerful yet indulgent ingredients to help calm and correct dry skin and is super effective. Cannuka’s unique combination of Manuka honey and other natural ingredients create a rich moisturizer that warms on contact to nourish and protect — from head-to-toe.
For those looking to take their at-home skincare regimens to the next level, SwearBy Skin’s LookLit LED Mask. LED light therapy is a painless treatment that triggers your skin’s natural healing abilities and can tackle many complexion issues like fine lines, breakouts and hyperpigmentation, and SwearBySkin’s Face mask means you can look cute while masking too.
Multi-maskers rejoice because The Faace has launched a new triple threat set of face masks which features all three of the cult collections for the ultimate skincare pamper pack which includes a full sized Period, Tired and Sweaty Faace mask.
As we fast approach the season where everyone goes bonkers and panic buys random items from the shelves, we’ve decided to plan ahead. Yes, that’s right we are on a mission to buy the very best advent calendars this year and not get caught out on 1st December.
We’ve put together a pick of five advent calendars for you to check out including the obvious chocolate one, a mega beauty advent calendar, a CBD lovers’ choice, a most fascinating liquorice option, and a delightful beer calendar. Enjoy!
Montezuma’s Extraordinary Chocolate Advent Calendars, £9.99 each, from Montezuma’s
Back again to mark another joy-filled festive season, the iconic Absolute Black, Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Advent Calendars have landed within this year’s Montezuma’s Christmas range. With three decadent options to choose from and made from the finest quality organic beans, combined with rich organic milk and finished off with 100% recyclable packaging, these advent calendars will certainly do the trick to make someone’s Christmas. Great for kids and big kids alike!
The Amazon Beauty Advent Calendar 2021 features 24 full or deluxe-size products from beauty brands such as Foreo, Max Factor, John Frieda, Elemis, Neal’s Yard and L’Occitane worth nearly £260. What’s not to love!
OTO 12-Day Journey of Calm Advent Calendar, £299, from OTO CBD
This special selection of award-winning skincare favourites (worth £599), alongside new and exclusive products, will leave your complexion glowing, revitalised and restored. Whether you’re gifting it to yourself, a loved one, or even sharing it with family at home, this one-of-a-kind calendar will take you on a journey through the best of OTO’s premium CBD experiences. Including both full-size and miniatures of a range of high strength pure CBD OTO products, as well hand selected gifts and surprises from the whole team, OTO promises an advent calendar like no other.
Liquorice & Beer Below…
Lakrids by Bülow 24 Days of Unique Taste Advent Calendar, £45, from Lakrids by Bülow
The Danish brand, Lakrids by Bülow advent calendar provides a sweet twist to a classic chocolate advent calendar as they bring their famous chocolate-coated liquorice, with 24 days of unique taste experiences.
This Christmas there is a selection of all-time favourites, including chocolate, liquorice and fruity flavours along with some brand new delicate tastes, all in a beautifully packaged and fully recyclable box. Plus, every day contains 2 pieces of liquorice, so you can share!
Beavertown Brewery Advent Calendar, £55, from Beavertown
Sip into Christmas with Beavertown’s fridge-packable Beer Advent calendar that cleverly breaks down into 5 fridge-packs, so you can keep the element of surprise, and the beers as cold as a Rocketdeer’s nose. With 24 new and returning Beavertown beers, plus a limited-edition glass, Beavertown’s calendar is the perfect treat for counting down the days in the lead up to Christmas.
“Everybody loves to make a wish,” that is the simple yet totally inspiring concept behind Flying Wish Paper, the brainchild of Artist/Mum/Entrepreneur Julia Lambie.
Julia launched her company – from focus group to finished product — in less than one year. Impressive, but not surprising given her unique concept, incredible business sense and can-do attitude about life, work and everything in between.
“Flying Wish Paper is a wishing activity kit to celebrate and inspire,” Julia says as she explores why her product has resonated so strongly with customers from all over the world. “The process of manifesting a wish is always a fulfilling and inspirational experience.”
Here at House of Coco, manifesting your own personal success is something we truly believe in as a brand. And so, in this interview, we sit down with Julia to discuss the mottos that inform her life, the biggest challenges and pleasures of being your own boss, and her personal journey to make her own wishes come true with Flying Wish Paper.
Tell us about the journey that led you to launching your brand Flying Wish Paper…
My journey began from jealousy. For 25 years, I worked in advertising helping other companies bring their products to life. I discovered that I wanted to do the same for myself.
In 2007 I organised a focus group to review three product ideas: a kitchen gadget, a guitar accessory, and a wishing kit. And the winner was…flying wishes!
With my background in project management and print production, I was able to develop this new concept in only six months. Flying Wish Paper debuted at The National Stationery Show in NYC with just a few designs and a handful of prototypes. It got attention and was on store shelves in less than one year.
I had two bits of early, unbelievable luck. First was being featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Second was a CNN marketing and business show. The national coverage gave Flying Wish Paper exposure, bragging rights and credibility with buyers.
And so began the sweet story of my husband, two daughters and me in our living room, turning on a good movie and assembling wishing kits for shipment. After the first year, I was happy to hire a warehouse.
Describe your product line and how long you’ve been in business.
Flying Wish Paper is a wishing activity kit full of inspiration and power. Write your wish on the special paper, light it and watch as your wish flies to the heavens. “Write it. Light it. Watch it fly!” Kits are available in two sizes and 50 designs.
At the beginning 13 years ago, the concept was new to the marketplace. That was a big hurdle to overcome, but the activity is now a common and popular concept. Wish Paper is a feel-good product, and we all need that positive energy now more than ever.
This activity is inspired by an old tradition which was started by a company in Italy, Lazzaroni (lazzaroni.it). They sell an Amaretti cookie that is wrapped in a special paper. One eats the cookie, then shapes the wrapper into a tube, lights it on fire and makes a wish as it flies up into the air. I developed my own paper and packaged it with a few accessories to make a kit (alas, no cookie).
It’s a fun, whimsical brand. Who’s your ideal customer?
Everybody loves to make a wish! Sometimes it’s just for fun, like the bride making witty (or dirty) wishes at her bachelorette party. Birthdays are big and holidays are huge. Others like making wishes on Christmas morning, or at the table with family and friends. Sometimes it’s a sombre experience, like remembering a loved one. Often, it’s just a private, personal message sent into the universe.
What’s the process before adding a new kit to your collection?
Because my product is ‘paper’ and 100% made in the USA, I can react quickly to trends. I look through so many magazines, walk through a lot of gift stores and talk to buyers, travel, and scroll through Instagram to see what styles or themes are popular. My client base is diverse, so my product line includes a large variety of unique designs to choose from.
How do you want people to feel after using your kits? Empowered, inspired, entertained, energised, hopeful, lucky, and connected to the universe.
If you were to describe your style in three words, what would they be?
Playful, positive, and pretty.
What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to become an artist?
Do it but have a business plan to back it up. Being a poor artist doesn’t have the same ‘je ne sais quoi’ as during the renaissance period. Find a community or a mentor because all artists need this kind of business and personal support.
How would you describe your personal style?
Aesthetically, I operate in the ‘classic’ zone. My home and office are mid-century modern. I can look at a well-organised shelf all day long and be perfectly happy. I can’t get enough tone-on-tone, black and white, simple lines, or shades of blue. Add a ruffle (button-up blouse, toss pillow or potato chip – any ruffle will do) and I am good to go.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
I work from home, so focus is my superpower, but frenzy is right on its heels.
As the owner and only employee, my hands are on EVERYTHING. I have pages and pages of things to do. I’m a morning person so I jump right in. My day starts with a call to my warehouse to review assembly and orders for the day, then I whip out my list and do my job.
Working alone, it’s easy to lose track of the hours I sit on this chair. (My record is five straight hours by the way.) I’m careful to create distractions: eating lunch with my husband, working out, or FaceTime with a friend.
I easily work a full forty every week but it’s a mix of 12 hours one day, 2 hours the next. My approach is to power through and then enjoy large chunks of time off. Oh, and very important – I never work weekends.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
I consider social media ‘an important hobby’ compared to my old-school style of picking up the phone and just talking to someone. Flying Wish Paper is such a personal product, and it’s important to maintain personal relationships. The type of person who buys my product relishes this kind of interaction…and social media doesn’t provide that.
Individual customers create a lot of content around ‘making wishes’ and I repost many images and videos. There’s undeniable value in social media and I love to create content. It’s fun, but it’s secondary. Foremost to the success of a brand is a great product, a unique message and strong customer service to support it.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
My husband and I are going back to Italy as soon as we can. We’re not getting any younger, and those cobblestones get harder to navigate with every passing day.
There are many things I want to do again: walk through The Hall of Prisoners at the Uffizi, drink a limoncello martini in Sorrento, buy a new pair of red leather loafers in Rome. And so many things to do for the first time – eat pizza in Naples, learn how to fry zucchini blossoms in Siena.
Remember, the original inspiration for Flying Wish Paper comes from Italy – so I feel very connected to this place.
After that, my first trip to Japan – which has a strong culture attached to paper fortunes, known as Omikuji.
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
I have two, and they will get you through anything.
“Don’t Dream It, Be It.” This goes way back to my teen years in the late ‘70s, a favourite lyric from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Like most teens I was insecure and unworldly back then. These words continue to push me outside my comfort zone.
My other motto is “It Never Hurts to Ask” – Many times along the way, you’re going to need help. If you are brave enough to put your needs or desires in front of someone (or out into the universe, for that matter) often the answer will be…YES.
What’s next for you and the brand?
I’m keeping it simple. I own this category, so I just want to embrace design trends and push market growth.
I’m going to seek out brands to partner with for custom designed kits. I’ve created wishing kits for Urban Outfitters, Anthropology, Sonia Rykiel Design House, Make A Wish UK, and Paper Source. I’m coming for you, Desigual! (Remember, it never hurts to ask.)
What does self-care mean to you?
I believe self-care begins with mental health, and whatever you need to do to keep your head straight. The rest is cake. No literally, cake! Everything in moderation works well for me.
Nothing boosts your mental health like a relaxing at-home scent. In fact, our ideal mid-week pick-me-up is a nice warm bath, scented candles, glass of wine and a good book. Certain scents send signals to our limbic system, which is linked to memory and emotion, helping alter your mood and evoke positive feelings too. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite fragrances so you can take your at-home fragrance game to new, relaxing levels too.
Rituals Cosmetics has relaunched its Classic Home Collection to promote its ‘Art of Soulful Living’ concept and we are obsessed. The full range comprises mini fragrance sticks, regular fragrance sticks, fragrance stick refills and candles in six of Rituals’ most popular fragrances: Ritual of Jing, Ritual of Hammam, Ritual of Ayurveda, Ritual of Sakura, Ritual of Karma and Ritual of Mehr. Each fragrance boasts a unique set of healing properties – and are all very sustainable too.
Ilaros Candles is a new 100% sustainable soy wax candle brand that should definitely be on your radar. This brand uses a unique blend of eco-Soy wax, essential oils, fragrances and natural cotton wicks. The Dubai-based brand only makes its rarefied candles in small batches. The entire range is cruelty-free, vegan and phthalate free – which means they look and smell as good as their very minimal carbon footprint.
Acqua di Parma is now offering its beautiful Italian-inspired scents beyond the home with the launch of its Car Diffuser. This beautiful leather object was launched in partnership with Poltrona Frau and combines purity, high-performance materials and unique scented compositions.
The car diffusers can be filled with nine fragrances from the Acqua di Parma range: Luce di Colonia, Buongiorno, La Casa sul Lago, Oh l’Amore, Aperitivo in Terrazza and Profumi dell’Orto from the ‘Italian Moments’ collection and Arancia di Capri, Fico di Amalfi & Mirto di Panarea from the Blu Mediterraneo collection.
They are now available now exclusively in Harrods.
Performance bag Ogio makes some of the world’s most ingeniously-designed, well-made and technologically advanced adventure backpacks that is perfect for hiking novices, backpacking enthusiasts, frequent travellers and adventure fanatics alike.
Ogio, official supplier to the Formula 1, prides itself in making personal storage products that blend high-octane performance with style. Our Fashion Editor Hannah Tan-Gillies tried out the Ogio Alpha 20L Backpack, which comes in a selection of bright and vivid colours.
This mid-sized backpack is coined as the ultimate everyday companion and is ideal whether you’re packing for a weekend camping trip or embarking on a more intense climbing expedition.
At 20 litres, the bag has just the right amount of room to fit all the essentials. It has rapid access exterior pockets that can be used to stash keys, phones, wallets safely and easily. The backpack has two rows of MOD Webbing, which complement Ogio’s MOD Hard Case or Soft pouches, so you can easily customise your Ogio storage option to suit your needs.
As a testament to its commitment to developing products that last, this backpack was constructed with premium 600D Recycled polyester fabric and a ballistic bottom that meet high-level fabric performance and durability specifications.
It also features adjustable shoulder straps with an additional sternum strap to assist in weight distribution. The bags have also been equipped with Aquatech waterproof construction and Exo Shield protective exteriors to keep your belongings safe no matter what elements you are braving.
You can also use this versatile backpack for short weekend trips away, as it comes with a luggage pass through and dedicated 15’ laptop pocket with padded tablet sleeve, equipped with a Reactive Suspension system that ensures all your gadgets are protected from impact.
Ogio is so confident in the quality of its products that all backpacks come with its very own lifetime warranty. The brand also has a 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed policy or they will send you your money back. No wonder Ogio has been coined as the ultimate adventure backpack – it’s totally life proof.
This Father’s Day don’t default to socks and shaving kits, instead remind your dad just how much he is appreciated with one of these premium spirits. The perfect gift for dads who love a tipple.
Pink Pepper Gin Gift Box-Book
A truly unique Pink Pepper Gin Gift Box-Book designed so that the inner box flattens out and is re-folder to form six pages showcasing the cocktails and a guide to the perfect G&T – the outer box refolds to create a hardback cover leaving you with a stunning cocktail recipe book and a bottle of Pink Pepper Gin
This premium blended Irish Whiskey boasts one of the highest malt contents in the blended whiskey category at 46%, providing a smooth complexity. Grace O’Malley’s Blended Irish Whiskey launched in the UK in March 2021, making it a lovely new brand to gift to dads this Father’s Day.
Audemus Spirits, the innovative spirits brand behind Pink Pepper Gin, is launching Umami Gin in the UK. This latest creation takes the definition of gin and expresses it very differently to what gin aficionados will have tried before, through infusion unique ingredients (incl. Parmigiano Reggiano and capers) to create a savoury – or umami – flavour.
Recipe: Combine 30ml of Mr Black Coffee Liqueur and 25ml of Chase Vodka. Top with milk or milk alternative e.g. oat or coconut and serve in enamel mug over ice. The kit will make 4 White Russians – and the Mr Black will make as least 10 more tasty coffee cocktails!
It’s that time of the year again when the only things that seem to be on our minds are cute fluffy bunnies and an endless supply of chocolate Easter eggs. With lockdown still very much in place, you might be looking for some impressive meal kits or delightful hampers to cheer up yourself or your nearest and dearest. We’ve done all the hard research work so you don’t have to, below are our top recommendations to make sure you bring some sunshine into your at-home Easter experience.
PAUL Bakery
For those with a sweet tooth, they are an ever-reliable option having established themselves in 1889. They have an eggsceptional Easter range with the likes of a family-sized celebration carrot cake to their Easter bunny bundle box with adorable bunny-shaped individual Fraisier cakes. They offer a noon cut-off time for next-day orders, so it’s ideal for those looking for last-minute Easter gifts.
Proof
If you want even more sweet options, then do check out the fabulous offerings at this bakery. The variety of Easter-themed treats are unrivalled from the likes of hot cross buns to mini egg profiterole kits to their multicoloured Easter shag cake (which does resemble my hair currently).
Benares
For a show-stopping Easter roast with a difference, look no further than this iconic Michelin-starred restaurant. This tandoori gosht is a ginger and fennel spiced roasted crown of lamb which is stuffed with quail egg pulao. It is served with delectable rogan josh gravy, saag aloo, garlic naan, cumin raita, Punjabi onion salad, and chilli and mint chutney. It serves a minimum of 4 people and requires 48 hrs notice. They also have a very innovative eggs of India menu for Easter with the likes of organic duck egg masala bake.
London Stock
Talking of luxury dining experiences, you should check out Head Chef, Nico Fitzgerald’s luxurious three-course Easter meal box. It’s about championing British produce and bringing fine-dining to an at-home environment. Duck liver or mushroom parfait served with cherry jelly? Wellington of beef or hay-baked celeriac? If the sound of these dishes is making you salivate, make sure you check out their website as soon as possible.
Galvin Bistrot & Bar
Easter is all about BBQ and it does look like we are heading into a period of BBQ-friendly weather conditions. Galvin has the perfect meat box with the likes of Côte de Boeuf, half-rack BBQ pork ribs, beef burgers, and hot dogs as well as a wide selection of sides like tomato & basil salad and couscous salad. One thing to remember, this is top-notch restaurant quality produce you can’t find at your local supermarket.
Smokestak
If you love your BBQ meats in a rich, smoky style, then Smokestak is the website you should be hitting up to order your festive meat feast. Smokestak owner David Carter’s Ole Hickory wood-fired smoker is used to smoke everything right in the heart of Shoreditch for up to 15 hours over kiln-dried English oak. The items are then vacuum-packed and sent overnight to ensure the food doesn’t stay in the restaurant for a day more than is necessary. Their Easter menu includes the likes of native breed pulled pork and beef brisket with pickled red chilli.
Bocca di Lupo
They have an inspired feast based on spring animals. There are four courses with the likes of babe, Easter bunny, spring lamb, and speckled Jim. The main event (spring lamb) consists of honey marinated boneless leg of lamb, roast potatoes & onions, lettuce & lemon dressing. The kit also comes with a bottle of Lambrusco to ensure celebrations start in style.
Aquavit
This Nordic powerhouse has just launched a brand new DIY kit for Easter weekend. Most of the dishes you’ll struggle to find supplied anywhere else include the likes of Gubbora, a traditional egg and anchovy salad with rye bread, and the pictured signature Semla, which is filled with almond and Chantilly cream. You need to order by the 30th of March to get this kit delivered before Easter weekend.
Gelupo
If you don’t have time for a lengthy 3-course meal but still want to celebrate Easter with a high-quality dessert treat, then check out the Italian Easter offering from the finest gelato parlour in London. The Colomba offering is the springtime equivalent of a Christmas panettone. This gelato is inspired by the indulgent, fluffy classic Italian cake that is made with made top-quality flour, farm-fresh eggs, sugar, and butter sprinkled with nuts.
The Last Piece Bakery
Finally, we can not end without recommending an independent, small business that we know and love. There are no boundaries to their baking influences from gooey American-style ombre cookies to delicate, Arabic-influenced milk cakes. Their beautiful creations in particular their hampers to celebrate special occasions like Valentine’s day and Easter are much-loved by Londoners and beyond. Do check out their Instagram for some hunger-inducing photos.
It may be a while until we get the chance to properly hug our mums again, so we’re pre-planning what to get the most important woman in our lives for Mother’s Day.
This year, we’re pulling out all the stops and splashing out — because if there’s anything we learned in 2020, it’s that nothing is more important than family.
This Mother’s Day, we’re all about the luxury gift set, filled with some of the finest culinary sensations and bottled spirits that the UK’s foodie scene has to offer.
The Botanist Gin Tin Planter Set
Why not combine your mum’s penchant for gardening with a bottle of Botanist Gin? The Botanist Gin has launched a Tin Planter Gift Set, made with special packaging that can be reused as a planter to grow herbs, just in time for Mother’s Day. So, not only can you grow your own garnish, but also help towards reducing waste too! The set also comes with a pack of rosemary seeds and a bottle of The Botanist hand-crafted gin.
Click here to buy The Botanist Gin Tin Planter Set
Ésophy x Metaxa Chocolate and Spirit Pairing Gift Set
Indulge your mum’s sweet tooth with a luxury spirit and chocolate gift set by artisanal Greek chocolatiers Ésophy and Greek amber spirit brand Metaxa. The gifting set pairs delicious homemade Greek chocolates with rich flavour profiles from Metaxa 12 Stars and Metaxa Private Reserve.
The Metaxa flavours include Orange and Balsamic, Cardamom and Fig, Winter Spices and Spicy Apricots and come with a selection of delicious pairing chocolates.
Click here to buy the Metaxa 12 Star Pairing and here for the Metaxa Private Reserve Pairing
Cointreau Limited Edition Bottle
Add a dash of elegance to your Mother’s Day margaritas with a limited-edition Cointreau Bottle, designed by French interior designer Vincent Darré. The limited edition bottles offer three different designs telling the story of the maison and is available in Harvey Nichols.
Click here to buy Cointreau Limited Edition Bottle
A Mother’s Day Hamper from Brixton Cornercopia
Support local businesses with this lovely Mother’s Day Hamper from Brixton Cornercopia. Brixton Cornercopia opened five years ago in Brixton Village and features a range of handcrafted products. Every item in the hamper has a story to tell and produced by independent makers in the local area. You can choose from two hamper options which comprise chocolates, flower seeds, candles, preserves, and bath salts.
Click here to buy the Mother’s Day Hamper from Brixton Cornercopia
With restrictions in place across the nation, you may be worried that Valentine’s Day will be a wash out this year, even though you live together. But we’re here to confirm that love isn’t cancelled! So, get ready to celebrate in style this V Day with our top tips. We’ll explore how you can show your significant other you care from the comfort of your own home.
Surprise them with a thoughtful present and card
Firstly, why not surprise them with a thoughtful Valentine’s present and card? There are plenty of options on valentines day to suit all budgets including valentines helium balloons, valentines cards, charming cushions, tasty chocolates, personalized prints, and much more. You could also order a funny or sentimental card online and write them a nice message inside to show them how much you care.
Get outdoors and exercise together
If you’re keen to get out of the house for an hour or two during the day, then you could pick a scenic route for a walk, run or bike ride. It’ll boost your mood to get some fresh air and exercise, plus these are fun activities you can do together other than binge-watching Netflix!
Cook up a feast in the kitchen
Another great way to enjoy some quality time together at home is through some delicious home-cooked food. Plan a romantic meal for two with a starter, main and dessert that you’ll both enjoy. If you’re a self-confessed disaster in the kitchen – don’t worry. There are plenty of simple recipes you can follow online that are quick and easy to make, as well as truly tasty!
Enjoy a few of your favourite drinks together
If you usually head out on the town to celebrate Valentine’s Day, you could set up a spot at home where you can enjoy a few drinks and a natter. Set the scene by lighting a few candles and putting some good music on in the background to get you in the party spirit. Then, pop open your favourite bottle of vino or have fun making cocktails!
Set up a pamper afternoon
If you’d love nothing more than to head to a spa for some rest and relaxation, bring the spa to you! You could set up a pamper afternoon at home for the two of you to enjoy together. For instance, you could do revitalising face masks, give each other a foot rub, or run your significant other a nice warm bubble bath. You could even get some champagne and afternoon tea treats to tuck into in your dressing gown.
Hopefully, this has given you some inspiration on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home this year!
