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Anne Poon’s jewellery presents the concept for how to integrate the new and old materials with a refreshing & simplistic design approach. It is not just about making new beautiful things with new materials, it is more about going back to the wild vintage stores, old bead stores and reviving these forgettable, discontinued but treasurable gems. Simply because for one reason: they arouse imaginations. They deserve better, and she wants to bring these inspirations back to life.

Here, she tells us more…

When did you launch the brand and what was the reason behind it?
I don’t remember exactly when- I just started making jewellery back in 2005 as an outlet to unleash my creativity- at some point I designed so much that I just decided to launch a website to share my passion. And then the response was good and that encouraged me to keep going.

Whats your background?
My background is in Architecture and I am still practicing as an architectural designer. My past experiences have involved different building types, from high rise tower, hotel, villa to now single family custom home. Somehow it seems very different from jewellery design but indeed it shares some similarities, like understanding human scale, proportions, texture and aesthetics. It strikes a very good balance to me.

How many people are involved in the company and what are their roles?
There is no one else- I play every role from design, sourcing, making, styling, photographing, marketing and the packaging. I learn a great deal from every single aspect and I strongly believe this is very important for a designer to understand this entire process. But of course I really hope someday I don’t have to do them all!

If you could start over with the business, would you do anything differently?
I would have started my business without a full time job. Though I am still treating my business like a hobby, I have no regrets on that and intend to keep that vibe going. Or else I won’t be able to stay true to myself.

What is the hardest challenge you have faced since you started the company?
A few…I suck at marketing; this is the biggest challenge to me, I just have a super thin skin. I constantly have to remind myself from switching a designer position to a business woman position.

Tell us one fact about you that people wouldn’t know?
can’t wear my earrings cos I don’t have my ears pierced anymore. They were pierced when I was a kid and found they were super annoying from not getting infected. From time to time, people always have the same reaction when they discover I don’t have my ears pierced.

To date, what has been the highlight since launching?
The highlight has been invited to a jewellery exhibition show in Milan this February and also being interviewed by House of Coco Magazine! The Milan show was a three days exhibition with other 120 designers from everywhere in the world. It was very touching when you see your works being seriously treated like an art work in the gallery. That moment I dropped a tear and thought ‘wow, look at what you did.’

Which city do you feel most at home in, London, Paris or New York?
I don’t think I have spent enough time in the above cities to make that call, though I always crave to go back to know better. A homey feeling is another story. Besides my origin, Hong Kong, I would say San Francisco (currently my residence) feels mostly my home.

Three beauty products you can’t leave the house without?
Powder Blush, eyebrow brush and eye cream.

Style means….?
Style means just being yourself, I also feel to stay true and be able to understand yourself is very important.

Best thing about London to you?
The art & the history, AND Alexander McQueen.

Statement shoe or statement bag?
Neither, I care more a jewellery piece than bags or shoes. Sometimes I feel like I am a dude who just wants to walk out the house with an iphone and a credit card.

If you had to, what piece of clothing from your wardrobe would you wear everyday?
Jumpsuit, that’s a no brainer.

Favourite love song?
Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. It is not really a love song, but I switch my favourite love song all the time.

Best place for a coffee?
The best coffee will take place at my good friend’s place or just home-made by my hubby.

Most memorable piece of advice given to you?
Don’t listen to people’s advices; all you need to listen is your heart.

Guilty pleasure?
Spend an afternoon on a stack of art/fashion/design magazines, complement with a giant bag of the Japanese Calbee BBQ potato chips, just lie on my couch and do nothing else.

In future, how do you plan on expanding the company?
Since I suck so much in marketing & business development, I need to either find a business partner or beat myself up to work on it.

Find out more…

Website: www.annepoon.com

Instagram: @capoon

Luxury fragrance house, The Merchant of Venice, have launched the latest in their collection of scents.

Blue Tea, a fragrance which is delicate and wonderfully sweet, is a welcome addition to the brand’s long line of perfumes.

The Merchant of Venice began distributing in the UK in 2014, after a long and successful running in Italy. They pride themselves on using raw ingredients which have never been used in perfume before, and their latest addition is no exception.

Founder Marco Vidal, who still plays a very hands on role in the fragrance production, told us: “We want to maintain a certain uniqueness, and we are very lucky because this is the second fragrance with something unique in it.”

Of course, it is increasingly difficult to come up with new ideas in an industry where many of the creations overlap.

Vidal continued: “Uniqueness is very important, especially in perfumery where you have so many copies and so many things where one is close to the other.

It is very difficult to find new, raw materials.”

Do you take inspiration from other fragrance houses, we asked? “Only in marketing and distribution”, Vidal said. “I don’t look into trends and I prefer to continue in our own way.

Of course we have some brands that we like, but we do only admire how they distribute and how they display the products.”

After sipping on the brand’s own prosecco, it was time to sample the scent for the first time.

Much lighter than expected, it has top notes of blue tea leaves and nutmeg with heart notes of rose and magnolia. The musky base creates a fullness to the scent, rounding it all together into something which is quite simply poetic.

As with many Merchant of Venice products, the inspiration came from an interesting relationship, but of course Vidal finds inspiration everywhere.

“Many of my ideas come from my knowledge of the history of Venice. Also from curiosity over raw materials and the relationships which characterise the brand.”

Vidal continued: “The origin of Blue Tea comes from a special relationship with one of our clients. She owned a plantation of this blue tea, and she bought it to me and invited me to try it.

We learnt that this specific flower was interesting for its smell, which is why we developed the perfume.”

The bottle of this stunning fragrance takes inspiration from the home of the blue tea leaf. It is reminiscent of Chinese glass, which is similar in appearance to Porcelain. It is adorned with a navy blue oriental design, a red lid and red tassel, and is the perfect addition to any dressing table.

All in all, Marco Vidal’s new fragrance is one not to be missing this season. Find Blue Tea in Harrods soon, £180, and look out for another new Merchant of Venice fragrance, launching at the end of the year.

Mindy and Brian are the founders of RumJava, a brand that has a story to tell. With their love story being the inspiration to launching the business, its hard not to fall in love with them as much as you will with their product.

Here, we spent some time with Brian finding out more about how they overcame adversity, came out of a life threatening hurricane stronger than ever and what their plans are for the future…

Tell us about the journey that lead to you launching Rum Java?
Our story is a bit of a love story. Mindy and I love to travel, share experiences and make memories. Early in our relationship, in 2002, Mindy and I went on holiday together to the island of St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As we were falling in love with each other, we also started falling in love with St. John and its Caribbean culture. In 2003, we were engaged on a sailboat just off St. John and in 2004, we were married on St. John’s idyllic Turtle Bay Point.

St. John is a very special place to us. Two thirds of the island is reserved national park and, at that time, there weren’t any cell phone towers which made it a perfect place for us to truly escape from cell phones, laptops, and our very busy corporate lives. It became our special respite where we could completely relax and focus on one another.

Over the next nine years, our love affair with St John continued as we invested in property and found more and more reasons to spend time on the island. Ultimately, we decided to put down roots and we created a boutique gift and gourmet shop that also offered personalized concierge services and our very own Java’Mon coffee.Our goal was to help island visitors create memories and fall in love with St. John just as we had.

What inspired us to create our own coffee company?
During our many visits to St John, Mindy who loves her coffee, could never find a good cup of coffee on the island. To address this challenge, when we opened our store we decided to also open a coffee shop. It was a perfect opportunity to solve Mindy’s problem and we thought if she missed her coffee so much, other people would as well.

When we couldn’t find good beans to use in our coffee shop, we decided to learn how the coffee business works which resulted in us sourcing our own beans, creating our own unique coffee blends and creating our very own Java’Mon Coffee!

Java’Mon Coffee represents the combination of three passions, my love for Reggae music, our love for the Caribbean and Mindy’s love for coffee. On the island, Java’Mon Coffee was a run-away success, immediately.Given our goal to help people curate lifelong memories, we created and named coffee blends after our favourite places on the island. Soon, our coffee could be found in our shop, in hotel rooms, in local grocery stores, in local bars and restaurants and online.

So how did Java’Mon Coffee lead to RumJava?
Ironically, though Mindy has this amazing passion for coffee, I don’t drink coffee. I do however love rum. Mindy loves coffee but doesn’t drink rum.

The quest to find a way to create a cocktail we could actually enjoy together began.

We started with a vanilla rum-based espresso martini we call Mahtini’Mon. We partnered with local St. John bars and restaurants who served our Java’Mon coffee and were all too happy to serve a cocktail recipe we crafted using our Java’Mon Coffee Espresso. We cross promoted our coffee shop with the local bars and restaurants and it was a huge success. As we enjoyed our cocktail however, we noticed how much inconsistency there was in terms of both ingredient supply and in some cases the ability of bars to execute the cocktail.

One day in August 2016, we were sitting on the beach discussing the success of Java’Mon Coffee, the popularity of our cocktail, and the supply chain issues faced on an island such as St. John. We really wanted a consistent, high quality spirit which we could enjoy together and knew if we created one, our partner bars and restaurants would serve it, we could sell it in our store and we could certainly enjoy drinking it ourselves.

We began the process of learning about how to create a spirit.

We knew it had to be rum, we knew it had to have coffee, and we knew, coming from an island that is two-thirds reserved National Park, it had to be as sustainable as possible and made with all-natural ingredients. We also knew it needed to be well balanced. We wanted our rum to taste like rum so I would enjoy drinking it neat or on the rocks, but it also couldn’t be too strong or Mindy wouldn’t enjoy it. We wanted the coffee flavour to come through for Mindy but couldn’t be too strong or I would not enjoy drinking it. We set off to create the perfect balance.

We started the process by filling mason jars with a base rum and infused Java’Mon Coffee beans. We experimented with the number of beans and the length of time they sat in the rum and then added other natural flavours to achieve just the right balance.

We use high quality molasses from sugarcane grown in the Florida Everglades. After fermentation, our rum is distilled twice in a pot still with a copper column. A reclaimed, ionized water is used to lower the proof and we add freshly roasted coffee beans for at least 30 days to extract both colour and flavour. We use a different blend of beans depending on the flavour profile of the rum we are producing. The beans once extracted are dried and used for other things like making dark chocolate bars. We add other natural flavours, filter, hand bottle and hand seal. The end result is an extremely quaffable spirit appealing to a very wide demographic. RumJava is enjoyed neat, on the rocks, shaken and stirred in amazing, unique cocktails.

Another way to look at our quest to create RumJava; we wanted to create a spirit we could enjoy together while extending the range of cocktails on island by creating a one or two ingredient cocktail with a consistent supply chain and the ability to execute consistently. While we helped bars and restaurant introduce Espresso Martini’s, we also made it possible for them to offer a two ingredient Espresso Martini shot at speed bars.

And we crafted the perfect balanced spirit Mindy and I can enjoy together.

Your Instagram account is really fun, how much does social media play a part in your success?
We are so happy you find it fun, rum is fun. We want our RumJava brand to convey a certain level of sophistication yet be playful.

Our social media is purposely managed to reflect who we are, where we are from, and most importantly, the people who enjoy our RumJava. We try to build our content around our customers’ experiences, reflecting the people, places, and feelings our brand emotes.

Social media is a very important component of our strategy not just for followership or eyeballs on the brand but to help us build a culture around our brand. Many of our followers not only follow us on social media but they come see us wherever we are. The relationships, the real friendships we have built while building our brand will be with us forever. We believe it is more important to be authentic and convey the customer experience than to have refined, over-edited pictures of our bottles – its rum, it’s supposed to be fun!

You’ve overcome a lot to be where you are, most recently the devastation that Hurricane Irma caused. Can you tell us more about this and how you overcame it?
It is often said the things that don’t kill you make you stronger. Mindy and I survived 5 ½ hours of 265 mile per hour (mph) winds and it didn’t kill us, it made us stronger. Hurricane Irma really was a life changing event.

In the days leading up to the storm, we kept a close eye on the forecast and up until about 36 hours before Hurricane Irma hit St. John, she had a northerly track with winds of 135 mph. The storm track then dropped in a more westerly direction and we learned she was headed for a direct hit to the Virgin Islands.By this time it was too late to leave island, the ports, both land and sea, were closed; we boarded up our business, collected hurricane supplies and hunkered down for the storm. In the few hours leading up to landfall, the winds quickly accelerated from 135 to over 185 mph and they went up in strength from there.

Mindy and I have matching necklaces engraved with our wedding date and the coordinates of St. John.Just before Irma made landfall we were watching the news while the reporters showed the projected path of the storm.They announced the current location of the storm and it was within less than 10 degrees of the coordinates on our necklaces. Irma was headed for a direct hit on St. John and was forecast to make a turn, heading straight up through Florida where our Fort Lauderdale home would be in the most dangerous part of the storm and more importantly, two of our four daughters were also in the path of the storm.

And then it all started. We lost power, the wind, the rain, the falling trees, the flying debris, the water coming through the lights and electric sockets, the water building on the first floor, then the cracking windows and a piece of the roof breaking away. We created a safe room but couldn’t use it. The pressure was too much, the room was too hot and the unforgettable smell of the shredded trees coming in through the exhaust vents was too much.We moved a sofa near the front door, re-recorded our will, and placed our passports, phones, and some cash in a plastic bag and waited.

When it was all over, it was sheer devastation as far as the eye could see. There was not a leaf left on a tree, no green grass, and hillsides once lined with homes and thick with foliage, were barren. We didn’t have cell service and without communication we didn’t know where the storm was, where it was headed, and we feared it was on a direct path to Florida. Incredibly, we discovered a neighbour’s working cell phone with a random (but rapidly disappearing) signal and were able to get a call out to one of our daughters to let them know we had survived Irma and make sure they had appropriate plans given the severity of the storm.

We then made our way outside and walked two “island miles” over downed powerlines, telephone poles, through the shell-shocked community to our store. We climbed under the telephone pole on our roof and opened our store. Looking around we could see doors in trees, the collapsed structures, the vegetation-less hillsides and the mounds and mounds of debris where structures once stood. It was 24 hours before we saw the first helicopter pass over the island and days before we could find a reliable cell phone signal to communicate. Over the five days following the storm, we kept our store open when curfew allowed – we were all in shock and the store offered a place for people to share their stories, share hugs, let others know they were okay and simply decompress. Because of power issues, we gave away a lot of our inventory that required refrigeration. We assisted tourists in efforts to evacuate the island and finally were evacuated ourselves to Puerto Rico.

While we felt guilty leaving the island, as the next hurricane, Hurricane Jose, turned north and passed St. John, we boarded a boat bound through rough seas to Puerto Rico. The people of Puerto Rico were amazing. They rescued countless people, delivered much needed supplies, and lent a shoulder to cry on for so very many people. We left Puerto Rico three days later and with an overnight stay in Antigua, we made our way back to Florida safely but emotionally drained and sorely bruised from the experience.

Though Florida was spared from the same kind of storm we saw in the US Virgin Islands, tornadoes from the storm damaged a ceiling and five walls in our home in Fort Lauderdale – they had to be gutted. Within days of returning home Mindy’s Aunt passed away and, shortly thereafter, Hurricane Maria destroyed most of what the previous storms had not in the Atlantic/Caribbean basin, including Puerto Rico.

It was a tough month, we were shattered and felt helpless as it related to the condition of our beloved island. We lost our business and our home on St. John, and there was little we could do to help repair the island and those in need.

We set out to find a way to heal and raise money for Hurricane relief.

We decided to create a blend of coffee and named it “Love City Strong” in honor of St. John (known as “Love City”).In short order, we sold 600 pounds of Love City Strong online with all proceeds sent back to St. John through two foundations established to provide disaster recovery and hurricane relief.

As part of our plan for RumJava, we wanted to get to the UK to participate in UK RumFest and see if the market would respond positively to our range of rums. We had our stand booked before Hurricane Irma and were well past the point of cancelling our participation in the event. Mindy suggested she would support the event, but I had to figure out how to make it happen, she was simply spent. It felt like this event was the only thing we had left, the only thing connecting us to our beloved St. John. We were preparing for a Caribbean festival in the UK and we needed it to heal, we needed it to help us move on, and we needed to see if anyone in the UK loved our rum as we did. We airfreighted our rum to the UK via Rotterdam, flew to London, and hosted a launch party at the rooftop Bar Elba with Caribbean Carnival Dancers and about 75 guests. It was just what we needed. Given supply chain challenges, our rum arrived at the venue an hour before the party started and had to be carried up five flights of stairs. We were so grateful for the opportunity to be there, we picked up the rum and started up the stairs! We brought our own brand of Caribbean Culture, Rum, and Coffee to London and had an amazing kickoff event thanks to the team at Bar Elba.

We are not afraid of hard work and Hurricane Irma made us realize how strong we truly are.

We had airfreighted our rum as well as marketing banners, merchandise and everything we could muster to pull together a stand at UK RumFest to our hotel.We carried rum, banners, coffee, chocolate, t-shirts etc. back and forth from our hotel to the RumFest location. We were the first ones to arrive onsite and the last to leave. Throughout the UK RumFest weekend, we poured everything we had into interacting with consumers, telling our story, and introducing them to our version of a Virgin Islands party in the UK. As it turned out, the UK loved us as much as we loved them. We made some lifelong friends and became the highest selling brand in the history of UK RumFest (a record we continue to hold.)

When we launched RumJava in April 2017 at Miami RumFest, we won three gold medals and became the highest selling rum in the history of Miami RumFest. In July 2017, we had our first distribution order which went to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Within two months, our entire world came crashing down. Pressing on and having the experience we did at UK RumFest not only gave us confidence and energy related to the UK Market, it gave us the confidence and energy to continue the pursue our dream.

RumJava is now in 8 states within the U.S., the Virgin Islands, and broadly across the UK. We are the highest selling rum in the history of the Miami RumFest, UK RumFest, and Poland’s Rum Love Festival by an order of magnitude.

Hurricane Irma changed our lives. She reminded us how important we are to each other, how important our family, friends, and pets are, how important our health is, how big our responsibility is to our environment and future generations, and how to crystalize our thoughts, muster all our energy to press on, and fight for our dreams together. She made us more appreciative and more resilient because she showed us how easily she could take it all away.The UK RumFest will always have a special place in our hearts and minds. The friendships, the mentorship from people like Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell, the guidance, the well wishes, and the cultural revolution that has joined RumJava has given us the confidence and energy to pursue this passion; we will be forever grateful.

Who is behind the company and what roles do you all play?
Mindy and I (Brian) are RumJava’s co-founders. While we make all our investment and implementation decisions together, I am the company’s Chief Executive Officer and focused on production, operations, and market strategy. I also spend a lot of time in market working with bars, restaurants, and retailers to help position RumJava, create cocktails, menus and conduct training. Mindy is our Chief Creative Officer and is focused on design, styling, and brand imagery. Niki and Dustin Skartved lead our distillation, Nick Krasniqi is our UK market manager and Corey Siegel is our graphic designer. Mindy and I collaborate and make all decisions together from brand to flavour profile, design, aesthetic, market strategy, and investments.

What sets Rum Java apart from other rum brands on the market?
RumJava Artisan Crafted Rums are premium, coffee infused, and 100% all-natural. We have an authentic story and created a very quaffable and versatile spirit unlike anything on the market. Consumers and experts alike respect our authenticity, our packaging, and the quality and taste of our rum.

RumJava is sophisticated yet playful. And we passionately celebrate the experience of Caribbean culture, rum and coffee in every sip.

Talk us through a day in your life?
Hold hands, watch the sunrise (preferably while walking the dogs), go to the gym and at least get in some cardio and stretching and/or some hot yoga. The work day usually starts with a review of social media, primarily Instagram. We typically look at social media in the first hour of the day and this continues throughout the day, periodically, until we go to sleep. Mornings are then spent reviewing and responding to email, mostly those coming in late night from a different time zone, then it’s off into the market at around 10am. When in the UK, Nick and I make full use of the tube but walk at least 12 miles a day when we are in market. We meet with bars, restaurants, and retail partners, working to position RumJava with new clients. Typically, we are interested in how business and consumer culture meet. We spend time determining if and how RumJava fits in the environment. We also support clients who have already made a commitment to RumJava by working on drinks, menus and business metrics while conducting consumer tastings to ensure the brand is activated properly and will be successful for everyone. There are a lot of cocktails to try, photos to take and little time to eat. We are back in the hotel at the end of our day in market, most nights after 10 or 11 in the evening, and then it’s time to catch up on email related to the operation of the business…then we get ready to start all over in the morning.

What advice would you offer for anyone that is considering launching a business in your arena?
It is a tough business, do your research, and make sure you understand why you want to be in the business, your tolerance for risk, and how your product will get in the hands of the consumers. Is there something innovative about your idea or different than potential competitors? If you choose to go forward and don’t have any experience in the industry (like us), ask a lot of questions, be humble, listen to everyone wiling to give you advice but, in the end, follow sound business principles and listen to your gut.

The last piece of advice we would offer is that it is hard work and the real secret to success is a willingness to work hard.It all looks glamourous and we love every minute but it’s hard work and if you aren’t prepared, physically and mentally, it will be difficult to be successful and to develop a real understanding of the business, your consumer, and the industry.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
We love to travel and have been around the world three times. We enjoy fitness, especially hot yoga, we love to clear our minds, walk our dogs, play backgammon, and do a little limin’ anywhere there is a beach, especially on St. John or Fort Lauderdale Beach. We also enjoy getting out on the water in the US and British Virgin Islands. There is always time for a spin on the Ducati or a Chelsea Football match.

What does 2020 look like for you?
2020 is an extremely exciting year for RumJava! We have learned a great deal in the past 24 months, and you will see us very focused in 2020. We are currently sold broadly across the UK, in 8 states within the US, and the Virgin Islands. While we will continue to look opportunistically for great partners in Europe, the US, and Asia, we will be strategically focused on activation in three key markets; the UK, Florida, and the Virgin Islands. We will continue to build on relationships we have built with UK RumFest, Coca-Cola, our on and off-trade partners and wholesalers while bringing Caribbean Culture, Rum, and Coffee to some exciting new activations in London for 2020.

What does self care mean to you?
For us, self-care is about being thankful and nurturing what is most important to us – our four daughters, two dogs, and each other. It all has to start with how we take care of ourselves, what we put in our bodies, how we stay fit physically and mentally. Cutting carbs, hitting the gym at least 6 days a week, hot yoga, walking the dogs, watching the sunrise every morning we are home, and while difficult, having the courage to say no are all important to keeping us centered and the energy positive so we prepared to support each other, our family, and our businesses. We have learned the hard way not to take anything for granted and we hold each other accountable for self-care.

For our UK readers, where can they get their hands on a bottle of Rum Java?
We are in relatively broad distribution in the UK. You can find RumJava in retail both online and in some of the finest shops from Edinburgh to Cornwall as well as on-trade throughout the country. If you are shopping for a bottle online or in a shop, you can pick up RumJava at Harvey Nichols, Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt, 23 Wine & Whisky, Twisted Cellar, Gerry’s Soho, Great Western Wine in Bath, Harper Wells in Norwich, Virgin Wines, Slurp Wine in Banbury, and Amazon to mention a few outlets carrying RumJava.

Where can people find out more?
Come see and follow us at www.rumjava.com, on Instagram @Rum_Java, on Twitter @rumjava, on Facebook @rumjava on Channel 4 Sunday Brunch from time to time and on the pages of some of your favourite online and print media such as The House of Coco.

Among all the hustle loving entrepreneurs we work with on this series, we love when we meet someone who’s passion and experience has lead them to filling a crucial need gap and positively impacts the world we live in. Rodney Durso, an artist and avid supporter of emerging talents talks us through his journey to where he is today – and some advice for all our creative readers.

HOC: Great to meet you, Rodney. Tell us about your journey from your graphic design business to becoming an artist?

Rodney: My first love was advertising and design which I studied at Boston University. Through that program I also studied British advertising and TV commercial production in London for a year and worked as an intern for Spot Films near Leicester Square. When I returned to New York I returned to graphic design, and after a few years of study and freelance projects I started my own agency called Stormhouse Partners. For about 8 years I ran the agency and was Creative Director.

We had a good run and won a ton of awards, but in the end I was totally burned out. I decided to try my hand at a few new things, including teaching at Parsons School of Design, which I did for four years. I also started a Masters of Architecture and began painting.

Well it’s the painting and fine art that stuck.

HOC: Being a graphic designer by trade did you find the leap from taking a brief (from a client) to working from your own brief challenging?

Rodney: Interesting question. One of the reasons I left design was frustration with meagre budgets, impossible timelines and short sighted strategies. Painting did away with all that. However in the brand business having a creative brief actually made it very clear what was needed to solve a marketing or business problem, and that part I liked. I knew what the rules were, there were guard rails, so to speak. In a sense it was easy to measure success, and failure.

In fine art, there is none of that. There is no one and nothing to tell you what to do, which seems great, right? Well the truth is that having no boundaries can be much more difficult. In fact, being an artist, and having to create something from nothing makes you go deep. It’s super personal, I tell people it’s like looking in the mirror all day, everyday. It’s not only a monastic practice, it’s a little too self involved at time. So, there’s that. But after a time, the challenge becomes more about getting your work seen and sold. To me, that’s where the challenges now lie.

HOC: I believe you don’t create art full time as you also run ArtBridge and OffSite, how do you balance these varying demands on your time?

Rodney: I founded ArtBridge in 2008/2009 and ran it full-time for a number of years. As we developed a board of directors and expanded our staff I was able to transition to Board President and stepped back from the day-to-day. So somewhere along the way I was able to dedicate more time and space to my art making. At this point I’m in the studio three days and working on ArtBridge and other projects the other days. I’m still always pushing for new connections and opportunities for ArtBridge, and my ‘elevator pitch’ is always at the ready for anyone who’s interested.

HOC: Can you tell us more about ArtBridge and OffSite?

Rodney: I founded ArtBridge in those first years after I left the branding business. I was looking for an innovative way to get the work of emerging artists seen outside of the gallery system, which I saw as impossibly closed to new artists. The idea of exhibiting art on construction scaffolding around the corner from major Chelsea galleries was pretty bold. Art that the galleries would never consider was all of a sudden printed and installed at 100x a few blocks away on the largest building in Chelsea! It was pretty exciting for those first artists. In fact that was exactly 10 years ago, and we are about to stage a 10 year anniversary exhibit on London Terrace Gardens, the same place we hung our very first exhibit on West 23rd Street and 9th Ave. It was a few years later we started Off Site Art (OSA) with Veronica Santi in Italy when L’Aquila was destroyed by a terrible earthquake. The idea of creating a sister organization not only to carry the same mission but wanting to help L’Aquila on it’s way back seemed important and something we could help with. (Editor’s note see www.offsiteart.it for more!)

The idea of bringing new light, color and life back to L’Aquila’s city center after such a disaster was something we knew we had to do, and for the last several years, Veronica and her team have done quite an amazing job. In fact, the ArtBridge/OSA partnership is one of our most successful projects to date and OSA is now looking at projects in other Italian and European cities. We’re also talking to art advisors about possible inclusion of an Off Site Art project in the 2019 Venice Biennale.

HOC: Why, in your opinion, is it so important to link the public to art?

Rodney: Good question. The gallery system is changing, some say it’s dead. I’ll just say it’s less important that it was 10 years ago. There are so many online opportunities and other ways to see art, but here in Chelsea there are still plenty of galleries. Or look at Instagram, and how that has changed the public’s access to art. The point is that we need as many channels as possible to get people in front of art, and I think Public Art is one of the most important ways to get that done. Art in the public realm is uplifting to the daily pedestrian experience. Seeing art on your way to work, or anytime you’re walking is a treat, and it’s especially important in an urban environment of concrete and steel, for example. Color, shape, line, and light in an artistic form enriches are minds, makes us think, and stimulates. It’s a very different experience for our brains and nervous system then just looking at billboards, or such.

HOC: For our creative readers, what advice would you have for them to grow their artist practices and get their work seen?

Rodney: It’s so multi tiered. There are so many options and ways to grow your practice and get your work seen, you have to really follow the path that not only feels right for you, but one that you get some joy from. It’s always going to be work to get your art out there, but if it feels like drudgery you’ll never succeed. Pick a channel that you can push on that brings you some joy as well.

For me, with my design and branding background, I love the brand and promotion aspect. I like posting on social media, I like designing postcards, and books of my work. I love a photo or video shoot that promotes my work, but that’s me. I also need to see new work, I need to be inspired all the time, or I get sluggish with my work.

Being in NYC, I’m a bit spoiled. Running out to a gallery or museum in the middle of the day can change the direction of my art, or inspire me into some new idea, and then I’m back in the studio and working again. I would also really suggest doing studio visits with friends and other artists. I do a newsletter every few months and I always include an interview with another artist. This keeps me connected to my peers and reminds me that it’s not “all about me”. In fact we’re working on the next newsletter now, so check back soon to see who’ll be next.

HOC: What artwork that you’ve created means the most to you and why?

Rodney: I spent a few weeks at the American Academy in Rome in May 2016 as a visiting artist and was deeply interested in the ongoing presidential campaign back in the US at the time, but being in Italy gave me a very different perspective. Italy has had its issues with crazy political leadership, and the similarities between Italy’s Berlusconi, and the then candidate Trump, were too similar to ignore. From that perspective I created a series that, although it gets a lot of attention from galleries, no one actually wants to own and hang in their home. I totally understand that, the work is hard to look at for very long. The series is called Disconstructing Trump and here is a bit from my curatorial statement:

“Watching Trump being interviewed — I began to photograph the TV screen with my iPhone and using the high-speed, (multi-shot function), I took about 300 photos in less than 10 minutes. With those images I began to build collages that, to me, capture Trump’s multiple personalities. In these works,

I believe, his true conflicted and disturbing nature begins to be revealed. At once contradictory, creepy, binary, multi-layered and unsettling, I’ve only started to reveal the real persona. Dismantling, cutting, disassembling, rearranging then reassembling this imagery is the essence of Disconstructing Trump!”

(Editor’s note, to find out more visit www.rodneydurso.com/artworks/disconstructing-trump )

HOC: Who / where do you get your inspiration from?

Rodney: The inspiration comes from the usual sources; anxiety, fear, pain, love, rejection, uncertainty, anger… you know, the regular stuff of life. But more seriously, I do think that I channel all of these emotions into my work.

To start my work I have a process. I start by putting on my messy painted jeans, and a couple of layered old t-shirts. I have a pile of painting clothes that I leave in the studio. Then there’s always strong English tea, like P&G, or Yorkshire Gold, or sometimes I’ll have a coffee instead.

Then there’s the music, and it’s got to be loud. One of my favorite albums to start my work with is Paul Weller’s “Wildwood”. Something about those first guitar lines and songs — Sunflower, and Holy Man and then Wildwood — that get me into that headspace and ramped up to create. It’s one of my favorite records ever. Full stop. Once I’m into my work I can switch it up and put on BBC, or NPR — the kind of American equivalent.

At other times, my inspiration comes from new materials, or news stories, or the need to complete a commission. Having a timeline, a deadline always gets me working. Not necessarily inspired, but moving and making work.

With my background in marketing and design, I still believe that art is just a product at the end of the day. A very personal one albeit, but a product nonetheless. So sometimes we can’t rely on inspiration alone to get us making work, we have to have multiple methods to push us forward.

HOC: If you ever have a creative block / funk; how do you get yourself out of it?

Rodney: That’s a very timely question, as I’m just now coming out of a block, or I like to think of it as a much needed break. I think creative output comes in bursts or cycles and I’ve learned to respect the way it works. I think these in between periods are needed resting points for the creative mind. I find that when I’m not working, I need to take in, or sponge-up art and inspiration. Last night I ran up to the Guggenheim after work to see the Hilma af Klint show, and wow, it really jolted me with new ideas about color and scale.

I would say that any input whether visual, or musical or even travel can inspire new work, so when I’m not actively creating, I’m taking in ideas for whatever will come next.

HOC: The ’10 years ago’ challenge is all the rage on insta at the moment, what advice do you have for the 2009 you?

Rodney: My best advice for the 2009 me would be stay focused!.. or more specifically, to make a plan with more specific goals. Ten years ago, I was doing too many things and chasing too many dreams. I think I would have been a little less crazy if I had stuck to maybe one or two ideas instead of three or four. In the end, it’s all good, I’ve created a successful nonprofit organization with both domestic and international projects, and started to make headway in the artworld. My interest in branding and design is also alive once more and I’ve begun to do projects again in that realm.

I guess the truth is, as a creative soul, we are restless and always looking for the next thing. I’ve come to terms with that part of me and I’ve got a lot of gratitude for my sometimes childlike excitement for whatever’s next.

We’re sure you’ll love to find out more about Rodney’s work – see the links we’ve thoughtfully scattered throughout the interview and go to RodneyDurso.com and follow @RodneyDurso

With over a thousand sapphire-shored islands to choose from, Croatia’s coastline is the riviera of central Europe. Fringed by the crystal waters of the Adriatic, its rugged coast is made up of pebble beaches and sandy coves, its islands rich in romantic dalmatian architecture with their pretty walled towns and ancient stone villages with their green shuttered windows. Add fantastic local wine and a bounty of fresh-caught seafood, and it’s little wonder these islands are so popular with visitors. Yet despite numbers growing year on year, this expanse of coastline still boasts some islands that remain relatively under-the-radar – here are #teamcoco’s favourites.

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1. Vis

The furthest island from the mainland, Vis has its remote location to thank for preserving its authentic dalmatian charm. A key outpost in the Adriatic, a strategic location meant that it was off-limits to all foreigners until 1991, as it was used as a Yugoslavian naval base. While the tourism industry has admittedly blossomed since then, this pretty island still has a sense of being caught in time, escaping the over-development that has consumed other destinations. It was this old-world feel that made Vis the ideal setting for Mamma Mia 2, filmed here in 2017. The historic tumbledown old town of Kut, with its creamy stone, cobbled streets and bursts of bougainvillaea and the fishing boat filled harbour making a picture-perfect backdrop.

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2. Brač

Brač (pronounced brach) boasts a more rugged beauty than other islands. With its soaring rocky outcrops and carpets of green olive groves clinging to the slopes, it is home to the highest peak on the Adriatic islands – Vidova Gora. Despite its proximity to Split, the island tends to be often overlooked in favour of the glitz of Hvar. Yet this less well-trodden island offers an insight into authentic Croatia – from the sleepy capital of Supetar, to the villages and vineyards that dot its interior and the traditional white stone towns and rocky beaches that scatter the coast. The most visited site on the island is Zlatni Rat or Golden Beach, a spit of sand that sticks out into the Adriatic, considered by many to be one of Croatia’s best beaches – it is very crowded in the summer months.

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3. Dugi Otok

Translated as ‘Long Island’ this stretch of land is located off the Dalmatian coast, to the West of Zadar. Arguably one of Croatia’s best-kept secrets, the island makes for a more mellow alternative to its more famous sister islands to the south. One side of the island is green with small hamlets scattered along the coast, while the seaward side is made up of rugged cliffs that descend into the ocean below. But the island’s main draw, besides its tranquil nature, is the Telascica Park on its southern tip, with its saltwater swimming lake, pretty wildflowers and walking trails.

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4. Šolta

While the island of Šolta might be one of the closest to Split, tourism on the island has been slower to develop than elsewhere. Although it is developing, the island still revolves predominantly around the historic production of olive oil and its famous honey. With pretty little villages, charming beaches, family-run agriturismo’s where visitors can sample the local olive oil, honey and grappa. With a host of bays accessible only by boat, it’s a paradise for yachties and both its beauty and proximity to the mainland have attracted many second-home owners from Split.

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5. Kolocep Island

At just 20 minutes by boat, Kolocep Island makes for an easy day trip from the city of Dubrovnik. Covered in a forest of dense pine, citrus and olive trees, with only two historic settlements and no cars allowed on the island – an island getaway to this smallest of the Elafiti Islands is like taking a step back in time.

For more information on Croatia visit: https://croatia.hr/en-GB/trip-ideas/Full-life

The Mediterranean party scene is as much a part of a superyacht charter holiday as secluded hideaways, boutique shopping and thrills on high-powered water toys, and although you can easily host your own private party aboard your luxury yacht or on a beach, the bars and clubs of your destination are as much a part of the local flavour as the galleries, museums and other tourist attractions.Another great company is bvi yacht charters. The world’s top DJs flock to the Mediterranean for the largest parties and festivals in the world and quite often new talent and rising stars will appear at these 10 Mediterranean party destinations.

1. Ibiza, the Balearic Islands
It will come as no surprise that the Balearic Islands in Spain have a long established reputation as the party capital of the Western Mediterranean and it is unlikely to change anytime soon. Mixed in with the traditional architecture and high-adrenaline fun along the sandy beaches is a roaring night scene that doesn’t need to wait until the sun goes down to get the party started.

Ocean Beach in Ibiza creates a fantastic pool party atmosphere right beside the waterfront so that you never miss those gorgeous sunsets as you dance to live music and sip a heavenly cocktail prepared by one of the friendly staff.

While you’re in the area, follow in celebrity footsteps and head to Playa d’en Bossa and the Sa Trinxa bar for music from local legend Jon Sa Trinxa.

2. Porto Montenegro, Montenegro
Setting standards high since its opening in 2010, the Porto Montenegro Yacht Club offers the height of luxury in an area known for its boutique stores, lavish spas and top of the range accommodation.

Whether you are stopping by for a day and want to soak in the atmosphere or host your very own sparkling affair, Porto Montenegro has everything for a simply unforgettable superyacht charter.

3. Porto Cervo, Sardinia
Home of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta which took place earlier this month, Porto Cervo knows how to cater to the luxury yacht charter crowd with fine dining, lavishly decorated surroundings and music to get you on your feet and dancing through the night. The world’s top DJs regularly take part in events in the area and the burgeoning nightclub scene will always have something to offer visitors to the area.

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda located at the edge of the marina is the first place to kick off your evening with exquisite meals along the pool-side terrace and a great selection of drinks at the bar. Sottovento and the Billionaire’s Club are two other alternative venues that have a long-established reputation in the nightclub scene, but half the fun of a holiday away from home is making your own discoveries far from the well-beaten track – and this seaside town will not disappoint.

4. Hvar, Croatia
After a long day among the natural treasures of the Dalmatian Coast, sit back with some smooth Jazz at the Central Park Club in the town of Hvar. Located only meters away from the port of Hvar, Central Park Club is conveniently close to your luxury yacht and has a fantastic variety of cocktails and options for dinner while you’re entertained by the band playing blues or swing.

The landmark of St Stephen’s Cathedral is surrounded by nightlife options: restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs all add to the scene and in the summer months the parties can last all night long. Epitomising this ‘out until the break of dawn’ mindset is Pink Champagne, a club that opens its doors from 2 am until 6 am and is open every night throughout the summer months. Sit aside an watch the action from the VIP area or get on the dancefloor and bang your head to the beats with several resident DJs keeping your night on track.

5. Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos needs no introduction among the party crowd, but visitors to the island might not be aware of the extent to which Nammos Beach Bar goes to serve guests arriving by luxury yacht: Along with an exclusive transfer service, they will organise parties on board your superyacht and deliver food directly for those times when you’ve done too much in the day yet still want a sample of the local lifestyle.

The island itself is divided into a more sedate beach lifestyle up north while the southern shores are dedicated to all adrenaline-rushing pursuits – the perfect place to try out all the superyacht water toys. During the day, the burgeoning tourist industry pampers visitors with luxury goods, bespoke boutiques and spas and for lunch there is plenty of tapas bars, cafes and restaurants to choose from.

6. Aiya Napa, Cyprus
The rugged coastline of Cyprus has been a popular tourist destination for decades and its bar and club scene has built up around a tourist industry catering to the younger generations.

The Castle Club is considered by many to be Aiya Napa’s best venue for techno, trance, hip-hop and R&B and you and your guests can experience the VIP treatment away from the crowds up in the luxury lounge of Arena 5.

Pepper Bar Lounge is another great setting for a night on the town: their cocktails are legendary, the music is smooth and the servings of sushi are not to be missed.

Nearby Nissi Beach is known to host foam parties and an assortment of bars for a loud and lively night on the tiles. Return in the daytime and capture the picture perfect sights of one of the most stunning beaches in Cyprus… but be sure to arrive before 10 am because this attraction is no secret.

7. Cannes, France
Following the Cannes Film Festival, one party melts into the next for a season of sizzling entertainment. Exclusive bars such as Le Baoli offer a sophisticated atmosphere with a dress code to match, while charter guests looking for a more informal evening that’s just as high end will appreciate Gotha Club, which has been frequented by Paris Hilton and Leonardo di Caprio in the past.

8. Port Hercule, Monaco
The French Riviera almost seems like one non-stop party from the first day of the Cannes Film Festival until the final moments of the Monaco Grand Prix, and Monaco welcomes visitors with open arms. Days of music festivals can fill your charter holiday in this location alone, with Jazz nights, R&B and contemporary pop filling the evening air.

The heart-pounding year-round night life gains even more energy during the summer months, when Port Hercule witnesses the action of the Monaco Grand Prix. Visitors to the area will be spoiled for choice for where to spend the evening, although La Rascasse, Jimmy’z and Zelo’s Restaurant, Bar & Nightclub are local institutions well worth your time.

9. Saint Tropez, France
Another famous party spot along the French Riviera, Saint Tropez adds to the summer events through its thriving party scene. Of the most lauded is Les Caves du Roy where the intricate and vibrant interior sets the stage for a night of drinks and dancing to the beat of the best music in St Tropez.

If Saint Tropez proves too crowded at the time of your visit, nearby Ramatuelle and Pampelonne has a great selection of clubs and places to dine. Nikki Beach and Club 55 take the top spots for party-goers searching for an electric night in beautiful beach-side locations.

10. Paceville, Malta
Majestic and mystical, Malta has all the beauty of ancient times as well as a firm head in the here and now: St Julian’s district in Paceville is central in Malta’s party scene and tourists have an assortment of entertainments to fill the moonlight hours. The aptly named Twenty Two nightclub is located on the 22nd floor of the Hilton Hotel, Malta‘s tallest building. Whether you sit back with a cocktail listening to music form the 80s to the present, or take to the dance floor, you will be surrounded by finery arguably unmatched anywhere else in the region.

Match your Mediterranean party holiday with the perfect superyacht to meed your needs: Whether you are looking for a sailing yacht with a Jacuzzi or a 50m/164ft+ motor yacht with all the spa facilities for rest and recuperation from a big night out, the friendly brokers at Charterworld
can assist you. Contact CharterWorld today for more information, or peruse the Mediterranean superyachts for charter.

Think that gastronomy in Denmark is just exclusive to Copenhagen? Think again. For people in the know, the Northern Jutland area is THE place to visit to take advantage of some of the best food that Denmark has to offer.

North Jutland is beautifully situated at the very top of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula. With its charming towns, stunning landscapes and powder-soft beaches, this island in the far north of the country is Denmark’s most northerly region, where Danish design and architecture meets pristine nature and then there is the food (more on that later!)

Jutting out dramatically into the sea, North Jutland is renowned for the special light it produces and has attracted artists both in current times and historically to paint here. It has more hours of sunshine than the rest of Denmark and has the most beautiful landscape which is made up of lush forests, quirky streets, sand dunes and endless white sand beaches.

Be happy

We started our Danish adventure in Aalborg which has been undergoing quite the development over recent years. It has been named as Europe’s happiest city, with a survey citing that Aalborg’s residents are the ‘most satisfied’in Europe. We stayed at the Hotel Cornwall Hvide Hus, a modern hotel with incredibly cool décor situated in the heart of the beautiful Kildeparken which is renowned for being the home of elegant sculpture which are nestled alongside the impressive fountain.

Singing trees?

As well as these impressive pieces of art, there is also the rather magnificent Park of Music. This initiative sees artists planting a tree to commemorate their visit in Aalborg. There is, however a twist. Some of the trees are accompanied by the artists’ own music and can be activated by the park’s visitors by pressing a button at the foot of the tree. From Beyoncé to Prince to Take That and Sir Elton John, you can meander around the park whilst creating your own symphony.

Award-winning architecture

Aalborg, with its impressive waterfront and quaint buildings blend seamlessly with the award-winning architecture and cosy cobbled streets. It is Denmark’s fourth largest city and is widely considered to be one of the most significant cultural hubs in Denmark.

What is GastroNorth?

As part of our Danish gastronomy adventure, we were invited to dinner by Mads Stenstrup, one of the pioneers of GastroNorth, a new foodie initiative made up of several gourmet restaurants throughout the Northern Jutland region who wants to showcase the regions unique culinary style and has ten restaurants who are part of the Gastro North collaboration. Their aim is to enhance their skills, draw international attention and hopefully secure the region’s first Michelin star soon.

Restaurant Textur

The fabulous Restaurant Textur who has recently received three stars in The Danish Dining Guide 2018 was our first port of call and was my favourite evening meal of the trip. Textur is one of the top restaurants in North Jutland and their kitchen is headed up by renowned chefs Dennis Juhl and Frederik Østera. The restaurant aims to curtail food waste and has a strong seasonal focus. Utilising local ingredients, we enjoyed an epic tasting menu with paired wines with amazing dishes like pan-fried Skagen fish with a salsify and ramson sauce, Danish potato, oyster and caviar and Sirius cheese, berry puree and roasted rye bread. All of which were complimented by corresponding wines and ports.

The restaurant only has 8 dishes on the menu at a single time and this changes every other week. Their aim is to focus more on the dish, utilising local produce seasonal ingredients throughout their menu.

The most authentic Italian restaurant in Denmark?

La Laconda dei Liberati is another restaurant that is part of GastroNorth and is the most authentic Italian restaurant in Denmark. It is situated in the historic Brix Court in the centre of Aalborg. We were served a plethora of delicious dishes cooked by renowned Italian chef Carlo Liberati such as grilled octopus, potato with a squid ink and grilled red pepper, beef tartare, buffalo mozzarella cream and sous vide egg yolk with a refreshing lemon delice with citrus fruit sorbet to end the meal.

The décor of La Laconda is as authentic as the cuisine. It is decorated with Italian square tiles from the 17th century and carefully selected ceramics providing a true Italian rustic style. Even the paving stones in the pretty courtyard are Italian and have been laid by Italian pavers, providing Aalborg with a little piece of Italy in the heart.

Mirror Mirror

Despite only having a few hours to explore the city, we were able to visit the fantastic Kunsten Museum of Modern Art. The building can only be described as an architectural icon made of white marble. It was designed by the world famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto in collaboration with Elissa Aalto and Jean-Jacques Baruël. We were lucky to see the innovative exhibition ‘Eleven Less One’ by Michelangelo Pistoletto which features a series of broken mirrors. The artist did a live installation where he smashed up the mirrors at random revealing a myriad of colours.

We also visited the Utzon Museum, the Nordic centre for design and architecture. The current exhibition celebrates the life and work of prominent Danish architect Jorn Utzon who was the architect behind the Sydney Opera House as well as several important buildings throughout Denmark.

The House of Music

Visitors to Aalborg need to play a visit to ‘The House of Music’ which is one of the most prominent music venues in the city. The building (which is located on the edge of the Limfjord – the body of water that splits North Jutland in two) is incredible and is one of the most impressive and ambitious architectural projects throughout Denmark. The design was conceived around the idea of creating synergy and sharing of expertise and its curved auditorium was built to maximise the optimum acoustics for live music performances for both symphony orchestras and contemporary music. This highly complex acoustic concept was developed in conjunction with Tateo Nakajima.

Stunning Skagen

The second destination of our exploration of North Jutland is the beautiful town of Skagen which is just over an hour’s drive. Intriguingly, there is very little traffic on the road which makes for a speedy and very stress-free journey. Skagen is Denmark’s northernmost city and it is a small town with beaches and a busy fishing port nearby. The white sandy beaches are stunning with the crystal-clear waves crashing on the shore. It is renowned for nearby Grenen, where two seas meet – the Skagerrak and the Kattegat. Both of which flow into North and the Baltic sea respectively. On a cloudless day, you can see the point where the two seas meet. Grenen is one of the most iconic attractions in Denmark and it attracts over 2 million visitors annually.

Bohemia and beauty

Skagen is described as ‘part artistic bohemia and part natural beauty’ which is why many of the most prominent Danish artists made this their home since the 19th Century. The painters which includes Anna and Michael Ancher, Holger Drachmann and Peder Severin Kroyer were all fundamental members of the Skagen painting movement from the late 1870s through to the turn of the century. Attracted by the glorious coastline and the unique light, the Skagen artists found much inspiration from this ‘blue light’ – a translucent light that merges the sky and the sea.

Nautical cool

There are several hotels in Skagen, but we stayed in the Hotel Plesner, a cosy yet understated hotel with serious nautical vibes. Situated near the harbour, it was designed by Ulrik Plesner who was one of the members of the Skagen art movement. With little details like the navy and white striped wallpaper and the cluster of suitcases in living areas are all supercute affording a cosy vibe.

Seafood extravaganza

Staying in a fishing port could only mean one thing – seafood! What better way to try some of the local seafood and produce than a visit to the acclaimed Restaurant Pakhuset on Skagen Marina where you can enjoy the freshest and most delicious seafood dishes whilst overlooking the bustling marina such as fish soup with saffron and herbs, pan-fried plaice and prawns and cod with mussel sauce, kale and Danish potatoes.

Let’s explore

Exploring Skagen can be done on foot, but it is handy to have a car to visit Grenen where you can be escorted to the very northern tip of Denmark by landtractor as well as exploring the sand-buried church and the ‘wandering’ dune of the Råbjerg Mile which is the largest migrating dune in Denmark. We would definitely recommend a visit to the superb Skagen museum which is the fifth most visited museum in Denmark where you can see important works of art by members of the Skagen art movement. The building itself was designed by guess who? Ulrik Plesner. You can even pay a visit to the Ancher house which has been preserved in time with some of the most stunning interiors and artefacts.

A glimpse of the past

We also ate at the historic Broendums Hotel which is one of the most historic hotels in the region. Famed for being ‘the place’ for the Skagen artists to wine and dine, Broendums is a quaint hotel with fabulous décor with an exciting menu which offers seasonally-inspired dishes that are made from locally-sourced ingredients. Dining in this charming restaurant is like taking a step back in time thanks to its elegant décor and wall art. Paying homage to the artists love of wine (I know I should have gone to art school!) Broendums has an extensive wine list featuring wines from ‘old school’ vintages from France, Italy, Spain and beyond.

Michelin dining

Just a short drive away from the Marina is Ruth’s Hotel which was included in the Michelin Guide 2018. It offers two dining options. Classical French dining alongside Nordic cuisine. Diners who opt for ‘Ruth’s Gourmet’ can choose delicately put together dishes which are created by Chef Peter Frydkjær with inspiration from local commodities. Expect to see dishes like Flounder from ‘Hyttefad’, mackerel and roasted lemon sole on the menu.

North Jutland cuisine

The region of North Jutland is renowned for the most delicious fresh produce such as seafood, vildemose potatoes, cheeses and more. These delicious North Jutland specialties are based on traditional regional dishes and recipes handed down through generations providing unique opportunities for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.

Why visit North Jutland?

If you are looking for unspoilt coastal views, stunning architecture with artworks a plenty and thoughtfully cooked local cuisine then a visit to Skagen should definitely be on your travel bucket list. There is truly something for everyone – for art lovers, history buffs, those that want a relaxing break and above all else, foodies! If you come to the North Jutland area thinking that Danish food is synonymous with bacon, pickled herring and Danish blue, you will certainly leave with a completely different perception.

New Nordic cuisine isn’t just having a moment, it is here to stay and a visit to the North Jutland region is THE place to experience it.

It is a myth that mold only affects old homes, but the truth is, Mold can grow anywhere, even in the items you use daily in your life. Mold has become a common problem in most commercial buildings and homes. They spread quickly to other interiors of your house as they are light in weight. Unknowingly, you also sometimes help in mold transportation to different parts of your home through the clothing. If you have a persistent mold problem that you can’t clear on your own, It will be wise to hire experts from Water Mold Fire Restoration of Philadelphia who will help you deal with molds fast and effectively.

How Do Molds Enter Your House?

Molds mainly develop in a moist, humid, and damp environment. So, it Mold can start in the kitchen, bathroom, or your basement and transfer to other rooms in your home. Although not every mold is dangerous, it can turn into a health hazard if left untreated. Black mold is easily visible to the naked eye. For effective removal of molds, it is crucial to distinguish the different kinds of molds in your house.

Here we will give you a detailed description of three types of molds that you can identify quickly and secure your house before the situation gets worse.

Types of Molds

  1. Stachybotrys:

Stachybotrys is also called Black Mold because of its color and high level of toxicity. This mold type is dangerous as it releases toxins, which causes allergic reactions. The Stachybotrys is also the primary mold species you are likely to encounter in your home. This mold can also be dark green or black and has a slimy texture.

Where do Stachybotrys grow?

Stachybotrys is often found in areas with high levels of humidity. To grow, this Mold will require cellulose material like cardboard, wicker, paper, or hay. Stachybotrys mold grows in humid areas like bathrooms or basements of commercial buildings. Also, if there is any leakage or water damage, it is easy for this mold to grow in the leakage area.

  1. Aspergillus:

Aspergillus mold is another type found hidden in houses. This mold is a family of about 180 species of molds and was first discovered by an Italian Priest named Pier Antonio Micheli in 1729. When it begins to spore, the mold is white and then changes the color to green, black, brown, and yellow depending on its species. The mold has long pores in the shape of a flask which forms a thick layer. Aspergillus spores spread through the air and are found more indoors than outdoors. This Mold can cause serious health issues like cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, or fatigue.

Where does Aspergillus grow?

Unlike Stachybotrys, the Aspergillus is mainly found in warm and humid climates, in other words, it grows in areas rich in carbon, like rotting leaves, and compost piles. Aspergillus mold also thrives in decomposing vegetables and high-starch food like potatoes and bread. This mold spreads fast through areas with relatively low-nutrient areas like doors, pillows, damp walls, and windows.

Aspergillus molds can open attacks on the respiratory system of human beings. People who are primarily exposed to this mold can also experience asthma attacks.

3) Cladosporium :

Cladosporium is a common type of mold found in homes. The Cladosporium mold has 40 documented species and about 180 more unnamed species. This type of mold is quite prevalent and is difficult to identify sometimes. The uniqueness of the mold is that these pores can grow at any kind of temperature. Cladosporium mold is primarily black and green. When compared to Aspergillus, it is less dangerous and has fewer effects on health. You should note that Cladosporium is also said to be a significant cause of Asthma attacks.

Where does Cladosporium grow?

Cladosporium molds can be found anywhere in your house. Most of the species of this mold prefer a temperature between 65 F and 82 F. You will find this mold at the back of toilet tanks, any painted surfaces, or air ducts.

As a homeowner, you have probably come across this types of mold. Don’t try to treat any kind of mold on your own because you will be fighting a losing battle. Contact a professional who will diagnose the problem and recommend a solution.

The vacations of the rich and famous are every person’s dream: five-star hotels to sprawling villas, yacht cruises in the islands, and 24-hour parties on the most beautiful beaches. Every summer we live vicariously through the jet-set crowd enjoying the scenery from the blogs. What if a Kate Moss worthy getaway wasn’t so far out of reach? Those lusting to color their feed with postcard images look no further than this guide!

A-list vacation here we come.

SAIL LIKE PRINCE HARRY AND TOM CRUISE IN CROATIA:

Croatia has been the sailing destination of royals for decades. The Adriatic in particular has built a reputation over the years as a place where A-listers can enjoy themselves in complete privacy among the historically charming islands. The invention of social media however began to show Croatia in a different light.Each island has a very fun side to them. Explore the Adriatic on by sea!

Airfare: Depending on where you will start your sailing vacation, between late-July and August the average flight to the main ports is ₤240. If you fly to an unpopular port like Pula or Rijeka your charter may be cheaper than if you were to leave from a popular port like Dubrovnik.

Accommodation: You don’t need a 30m yacht for you to have an amazing sailing vacation. Surrounded by the azure Adriatic Sea, a yacht charter in Croatia is the best way to enjoy a week-long vacation in the sea, with meals on board and multiple island stops! Stop dreaming and go sailing!

Activities: Your yacht charter will have an itinerary that maximizes the time you will spend both on the boat and on land. Your options are endless, vacation your way. Imagine enjoying breakfast and a quick dip in the sea while on your way to Korcula Island. End the day in Budva enjoying the sunset from Ricardo Glava Beach!

PARTY LIKE RICCARDO TISCI IN IBIZA:

It’s no secret that Ibiza has been the party destination for models and actresses, fashion icons and musicians alike. Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci celebrated his 40th birthday on the White Isle and among his party guests were Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Jared Leto and Joan Smalls just to name a few. You too can party all night from the beach to the club in Ibiza without depleting your savings account.

Airfare: On average flights from London (all airports) to Ibiza during the summer months is ₤275. Book your August holiday vacation flights between mid-June to September for the best deals. You can even snag round-trip tickets for ₤160!

Accommodations: The most expensive part of your vacation will be accommodations. The cheapest hotels are from 123€/night but the prices can quickly get to 375€/night. The best plan would be to stay on the lookout for the least-expensive weeks to visit and go from there!

Parties: The highlight of your vacation won’t put a dent in your wallet, beach parties! Since Ibiza is known for its raging beach parties, all you have to do is make it there. Entry to the most legendary clubs on the island, Amnesia and Pacha, are 30€ but it will be worth every cent once you set foot inside.

ENJOY CANNES LIKE NAOMI CAMPBELL

Supermodel and fashion icon Naomi Campbell is known for many things but what trumps all is her ability to have a great time. The model enjoys travelling and Cannes has been one of her favorite destinations so much so that she threw her star-studded 40th birthday party on the island. This four-day extravaganza included guests Maison Margiela’s John Galliano, model-bff Kate Moss and make-up artist Pat McGrath. Plan your next birthday trip or vacation with your friends to the island!

Airfare: Flights for Cannes stay around ₤200 from September to mid-April. In general, the best rule is to book flights in advance for Cannes since this destination is hectic year-round. Keep in mind the Cannes Film festival is held annually in May, so flights prices are inflated.

Accommodations: Similar to Ibiza the accommodations in Cannes are a bit pricey. This lush location is home to the some of the most upscale hotels in the French Riveria. Despite this you can book a hotel room in a 4-star hotel for 97€/night.

Activities: Spend time on one of the most revered coastlines in the world. Post an iconic beach flick in the French Riveria and see how much your ego is elevated! After getting that golden glaze, hit the town. This historical city holds so many secrets along the colorful streets. From La Chunga, restaurant- turned live music bar, to Gotha Club, there are so many nightlife options. Choose your poison and bring your stamina… you’ll dance the night away.

The autumn season always gets our wanderlust going, so while Londoners huddle in front of roaring fires, warming their hands on hot cups off cocoa; we’reescaping the city for a cheeky 36 hour weekend in Split, at none other than the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split of course.

How do you spend 36 hours in Split in the middle of autumn? Let #TeamCoco babe, Hannah Tan-Gillies, show you how.

Friday

Split is a great weekend destination because it is only a 2 hour flight from London Heathrow. After landing in Split airport, make your way to Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split, which is only a short 20 minute drive away! We arrived just in time for the debut of their new wing, and stayed in one of the stunning suites.

With panoramic sea views, you’d be hard done to find anything better on the Dalmatian coast. We made our way to the Casper Grill for some fabulous Croatian cuisine. Be sure to try the Grgić Pošip wine, it is truly delicious and the sommelier will even give you a short history on Croatian wine.

Saturday

We kick off Saturday morning with a hearty breakfast at the Fig Leaf and a hefty seeing of the stunning coastal views at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split’s sprawling terrace. Diocletian’s Palace, is just short 10 minute drive from the hotel and is the best place to catch up on some of Croatia’s truly interesting history. Our guide, Dino Ivancic, led us through the winding underground catacombs, each one revealing a new chapter in Split’s history. Including a few familiar spots that Game of Throne’s fans will surely recognise.

There are so many other idyllic little islands on the Dalmatian coast that you can discover. Channelling Goldie Hawn circa Overboard, we hopped on our own yacht and sped through the azure waters on the Apennine Peninsula. We docked on the island of Brac where we climbed to the highest peak of Adriatic, where you can see as far as the horizon will allow. The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split has their own private bay area on the beach, with a staircase that leads straight up to the hotel.

In the evening, make your way back to the Fig Leaf for some truly delectable Croatian fare, live music, exciting performances, and more cocktails — obviously. During our stay, we even got treated to some fabulous fireworks!

Sunday

Before leaving the hotel, we each spent some time in the amazing Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split Spa. The 2000 metre spa has just come out of a recent refurbishment and reflects; and offers up some fantastic treatments so you can get some well-deserved relaxation. Try the full body massage, and spend some time finding your inner zen in the spa’s indoor pool.

Prices at The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Split start at 90EUR a night. For more information visit Radissonblu.com.
Want more tips on how to spend a fabulous weekend in Croatia? Then do check out Croatia.hr