Lifestyle - House Of Coco Magazine

Lifestyle October 5, 2017

Coco Business Inspiration : Tarte de Fleurs

Established in 2010 by cake artist Elizabeth Manukyan. Tarte de Fleurs is a cake company fully dedicated to creating delicious, unique and stunning cakes for all occasions.

Given how much of a sweet tooth we have here at House of Coco we just had to find out more about this brand…

When did you launch the brand and what was the reason behind it?
I launched Tarte de Fleurs in 2010. The whole inspiration, behind the brand, came when I stumbled across a site with art cakes and I was amassed to discover that these beautiful creations were all edible. I felt the urge to challenge myself and create my own sugar masterpiece. Though Cake decorating started as a hobby, it quickly became not only a passion but also my profession.

What’s your background?
My background is in art and fashion design. I have a BA Hons in Fashion Design and management and an A- level in Art – Sculpture.

If you could start over with the business, would you do anything differently?
Hence I already had this opportunity. I originally started the business in my hometown in Bulgaria. However, five years later, when my family and I moved to the U.K., I had to re-launch the brand again. During this launch I discovered that I do not need to try and do everything on my own, like I did before. Instead I used the skills of those around me and professionals in different areas to achieve better results and to save time that I can use to focus on baking and designing process.

What is the hardest challenge you have faced since you started the company?
In 2013 one of my clients ordered a wedding cake and she wanted it to resemble that of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s. The actual baking and decorating took me three sleepless days, to create it. At the end I had the happiest bride ever and a huge boost of new skills and confidence.

Tell us one fact about you that people wouldn’t know?
Simply put – I’m a perfectionist! Each time anyone orders a cake I give my best to find the perfect match. This is only revealed to the customer once they receive their bespoke cake. The process before the actual baking is very complicated and long. The request is lodged; this initiates a first draft handmade sketch. At times the sketch can take a few days to create. This could be because the customer requests a design entailing two very diverse and contradicting themes, for instance a birthday girl who loves both fairy tales and army tanks.

To date, what has been the highlight since launching?
The highlight since launching, in the U.K., is that every single customer I have had during the first year here has returned for another order. This recognition is my proof that Tarte de Fleurs is moving in the right direction.

Style means….?
In my opinion, style means different things to different people. I love the challenge of designing a cake that is as unique as the person receiving it. I work closely with the customer, to create the perfect style cake for them.

Best thing about London to you?
London is very metropolitan and allows me to meet diverse people, which ultimately lead me to learn about new cultures, traditions and beliefs.

Most memorable piece of advice given to you?
My mother once told me that when you work hard and love what you are doing, the success would follow inevitably…well she is certainly right!

In future, how do you plan on expanding the company?
I’m planning on opening a luxury cake shop, where customers would always be welcome to come and meet me, taste my creations and discuss, in person, their ideal cake design.

Find out more…

https://tartedefleurs.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/TartedeFleurscakes

https://www.instagram.com/tartedefleurs

Girl Bosses of Great Britain September 19, 2017

GirlBossesofGreatBritain: Passion, Determination & the X Factor with Leah McKenzie

#SpoilerAlert ! This interview contains unbridled enthusiasm and passion for life, we fear it may be contagious…

This week, House of Coco caught up with super ‘slashie’ Leah McKenzie on her passions, plans and how on earth she does it all!

HoC: Hey, Leah, welcome to House of Coco. We know you as a lady of many talents – tell us a little about your passions!

Leah: I have one passion in life and that is living life! Everything goes into that, I think we are so lucky to be able to have such an amazing experience, even in dark times. When the time is right we are all thankful for this opportunity to experience things like food, culture, arts, music, love, laughter, joy and even things like pain and sadness, its all part of this amazing experience.

HoC: We completely agree and we can see your passion for life spilling through to your work from presenting and acting to X Factor’s BootCamp! How did you build your portfolio career?

Leah: I have always known that showbiz is definitely my destiny! From a young age when I became aware of my self, my intellect, my talents and emotions, I realised a wanted to be a showbiz star; an actress, singer song writer, a presenter, a TV personality.

To get to where I am now I’ve done both paid and unpaid work and also made sure I was constant with all my social media’s, to the point where people would say I post way too much but I felt this method was right for me as I have so many sides to show! I want people to see and understand my growth, I believe that is why people are interested in me as they see I am real and authentic, my journey is serious and also raw to the core and I want to share this with people all over the world.

HoC: Talking of you at a young age; what advice would you have now for a younger you?

Leah: If I could talk to a younger version of myself I would first of all explain to them how important it is to get as much training as possible because when you’re given a gift it’s raw like a diamond in the rough. But when you start to shape it up and polish it, you get to appreciate its beauty.

Also I would tell them to be themselves, be true, dress however they feel to dress, speak how they want to speak and follow their dreams with the right intentions and never, ever give up. Like all the Greats have said; you work hard, lose sleep, you stress, you cry and scream but you never, ever let that stop you going because one day that door will open for you and it will be right for you.

If it’s your destiny and you it want THAT much it will happen for you.

HoC: Inspiring stuff, we love it! So what’s on the cards for the rest of 2017?

Leah: I would like to have an EP out, and my TV show ‘Leah McKenzie Loves Life’ doesn’t matter if it only has a few hits… haha, I’m sure it will have loads!

I would also like to establish a company that can help other British artists to excel. Not just artists in music but all creatives. I think the word ‘Creatives’ breaks all the barriers and there is no boxes; anyone is a creative as long as what they are creating comes from within.

To be honest, I’m open to see what else the rest of this year has in store. It’s been full of so many great surprises!

HoC: Sounds like a busy couple of months ahead; how on earth do you squeeze it all in?

Leah: Being a boss is one of the most challengingly things to do especially when you have a young family, like me. When you’re so driven like I am, I have ideas galore but trying to prioritise and make them happen is so challenging. I have failed many times. I have started things and not completed them and it has been a learning curve. What I’ve realised, as I’m becoming older and more mature, is if you start something you HAVE to finish it.

You need to be organised, write your ideas down and execute them one by one and just make it happen. I don’t really socialise that much, even though my Instagram portraits I’m a really bubbly sociable person as that’s work for me! When I’m not working, I’m at home working on myself and trying to make this happen. Consistency, willpower and determination is what drives me; even if you fail, just get up and keep on marching.

HoC: We can respect that hustle! Please tell us you allow yourself some R&R time too? How do you unwind from all the craziness?

Leah: If I’m lucky enough to go holiday, I like to escape to a beach!Ahhh, the sun, sand and sea (and a few vinos!) and just happy vibes…. If I’m in England, I love to go for strolls in the park and just be around nature. I don’t like to think about work or money on my days off, I just want to walk, have a laugh and be in fairyland. I do love going to the gym but even that I see as work so when I’m trying to relax I try not to do anything like that!

HoC: Give us some gossip; you’ve got to tell us what the X Factor bootcamp was like, is it anything like what we see on TV?

Leah: It was so amazing, the whole experience was fantastic. It is a lot like what you see on TV but at the end of the day people have to understand that X Factor is an entertainment show, it’s there to entertain!

We do see the funny characters going through [to the next round] for our entertainment and also see some amazing singers go through. I will say that on and off screen I had a fantastic time and the production team were great, I met some amazing artists and the opportunity was fantastic. I would definitely recommend it to anyone that enjoys singing. You may not want to be the next big superstar but just go for the experience and they make you feel like super stars……..until you get dropped and sent home, haha!

HoC: It’s been such a pleasure to meet you, Leah, and we’re super excited to see what you get up to next. How can we keep up with your adventures?

Leah: I’m on all the social channels; find me on instagram @leahmckx, twitter @LMMWORLDXX and Facebook is ‘Leah McKenzie’

I’m one of the little fish trying to make it in the big pond. I’m sure I will grow and succeed on this journey but we all need support! The little people that need your support will appreciate that ‘like’ or ‘follow’ so much more than Drake or Rihanna. So come on guys, get following!

Beauty September 14, 2017

#CocoBeauty: Sönd

Sönd is a new anti-ageing skincare range specifically for sensitive and dermatitis-prone skin. House of Coco’s Beauty Writer Rachel McAlley is currently testing and trialing three of the products from this new collection in the UK.

Harnessing the incredible natural power of silica, Sönd is a four-fold breakthrough skincare system that boosts collagen production and strengthens skin’s elasticity, firming the skin, while also treating the common, and often debilitating concerns of eczema and psoriasis.

Founded in 2015, Sönd debuts in the UK market this winter after three years in development with a team of German scientists and backed by independent research*.

The active substance silica, which we already have in our bodies when we are born, plays an essential therapeutic role in maintaining our overall health. From a beauty perspective, silica makes the skin ‘glow’. Collagen consists largely of silica as we age, the supply of silica in our bodies is exhausted and in turn, reduces collagen production.

Sönd uses a dual approach to ensure that the delivery of silica, in its pure mineral form, is as effective as possible. Due to its ability to form stable bonds with oxygen, silica creates bonds between protein molecules, which are responsible for the skin’s natural ability to retain water, critical for skin repair and skin renewal.

Silica boosts hydration in the skin, is a natural anti-inflammatory and increases the elasticity of blood vessels; improving the delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to the skin’s cells.

The three Sönd products we are trialing at House of Coco include;

Sönd Energising Mineral Supplements, Energise + Activate. Priced at £28 for 60 capsules (taken daily; one capsule twice a day).

The mineral supplements are formulated with high-strength mineral silica, magnesium, vitamin E and calcium. The result replenishes your skin with essential collagen-forming silica to improve the health, function and appearance of your skin from within.

Sönd Hydrating Face Spray, Hydrate + Refresh. Priced at £24 for 100ml.

The hydrating spray provides instant and long-lasting hydration, the face spray is a lightweight and refreshing moisture boost that’s gentle and soothing on sensitive or irritated skin. An aqua-based infusion of high-strength silica that’s quick to apply, it’s a simple everyday essential for healthier skin on the go.

Sönd Gentle Daily Cleanser, Cleanse + Calm. Priced at £22 for 100ml.

The daily cleanser is there to cleanse and calm the skin through its gentle but effective cleansing cream. Shea and Cocoa butter lifts off impurities without stripping away your skin’s essential moisture, while extracts of chamomile and marigold will soothe and calm your skin for a healthy glow.

The benefits of using Sond Cleanse + Calm are immense, with chamomile and marigold added to soothe irritated skin, it is suitable for sensitive skin and leaves the skin feeling cleansed but not tight or dry. The cleanser dissolves makeup and lifts off grime plus it is paraben free and artificial fragrance free.

*Derma Consult Concept GmbH.

All products by Sönd are available online, just search for Sönd Skin.

Beauty September 11, 2017

#CocoBeauty: Fenty Beauty Launch

Cosmetics were taken to another level for the House of Coco team at the launch of Fenty Beauty by Rihanna.

Harvey Nichols, the UK’s exclusive stockist of Fenty Beauty opened the doors to the general public on Friday morning to a frenzy of excitement from all corners of the world. Rihanna was releasing her first ever collection of beauty products and the anticipation was immense.

With over 90 products in the Fenty Beauty range there is literally something for every skin tone.

Before she was BadGalRiRi: music, fashion and beauty icon, Robyn Rihanna Fenty was a little girl in Barbados transfixed by her mother’s lipstick. The first time she experienced makeup for herself, she never looked back. Makeup became her weapon of choice for self-expression—a way to radiate her ever-changing mood—and it powered a fearless take on beauty that helped her become the boundary-breaking icon she is today.

Rihanna was inspired to create Fenty Beauty after years of experimenting with the best-of-the-best in beau- ty—and still seeing a void in the industry for products that performed across all skin types and tones. She launched a makeup line “so that women everywhere would be included,” focusing on a wide range of tradition- ally hard-to-match skin tones, creating formulas that work for all skin types, and pinpointing universal shades.

Fenty Beauty products are designed to feel lightweight, even as they deliver buildable coverage that effortlessly layers, to ultimately “make skin look like skin.” Most importantly, Rihanna creates makeup to inspire “Makeup is there for you to have fun with,” she says. “It should never feel like pressure. It should never feel like a uniform. Feel free to take chances, and take risks, and dare to do something new or different.”

Let’s talk about the products. Created by Rihanna with her vision that’s always ahead of the game, Fenty Beauty redefines the rules with light-as-air formulas that love to be layered—in a global lineup of shades designed for all. Fenty Beauty is 100% cruelty free.

So much choice from the brand including Pro Filt’r Foundations, Match Stix, Killawatt Highlighters, Blotting products, Accessories and plenty more.

Match Stix, £21

Killawatt Highlighter, £26

Invisimatte Blotting, £24

Available exclusively at Harvey Nichols across the UK.

Beauty September 6, 2017

#CocoBeauty: Beauty Pick Me Ups

The end of the summer is nigh! So, let’s splash out and treat ourselves to something wonderful from the world of beauty. No matter what the weather, here at House of Coco we always see glorious sunshine, especially when we’re investing in new hair products, skincare or cosmetics. Bring on the beauty counters; we’re coming to get ya!

Our first must-have pick me up is by Khadi, an Ayurvedic Face and Body Oil. The face and body oils are packed with aromatherapy oils and are an excellent skincare alternative to lotions and creams. They are absorbed quickly and transport nurturing ingredients directly into the skin providing intense skin care and protections without feeling oily. Our stand out favourite from the 8 oils in the collection is Viola, which contains Violet, Vanilla, Liquorice, Vitamin E, Wheatgerm Oil and Almond.

Khadi Ayurvedic Face & Body Oil is suitable for normal skin, is available online from Pravera and is priced at £11.90 for 100ml.

Pick me up number two is by Clarol, a new way of treating acne, and the Clarol Sebopure works by targeting sebum (oily skin). Sebopure contains a natural plant active derived from Wild Mustard Leaf Oil called Pixalia™, this works on the skin by decreasing the amount of serum produced while at the same time keeping sebum pure and clean. It does this by neutralising the oxidisation process and preventing bacterial build-up. Sebopure also increases the skin’s natural moisturising deposits called glycerides, aiding the skin’s elasticity and smoothness while protecting from breakouts.

Clarol Sebopure is suitable for oily or combination skin, is available online from Clarol and is priced at £12.95 for 50ml.

iz Beauty of London and the collection of berry nail colours are our third beauty pick me up here at House of Coco Magazine. As talk is of the weather and we are moving between summer and autumn we need a pick me up that helps us seamlessly stroll between the seasons, iz Beauty of London achieves this perfectly. We adore the three berry shades including the rich burgundy of Front Row, raspberry-hued Upper East Side, and the cherry-stained Made in Manhattan.

Iz Beauty of London berry shades Front Row, Upper East Side and Made in Manhattan are available online from iz Beauty of London and are priced at £6 each for 6ml.

Staying with a hand and nail focus for our next pick me up, Merci Handy’s dainty Hand Cleansing Gel’s are now available from Selfridges Travel Beauty Destination within their London store. Merci handy will have you saying goodbye to any unwanted bacteria and hello to hydrated, soft and nourished hands. With three brand new scents recently launched including Flower Power, Coco Rico and of course our favourite at House of Coco, Hello Sunshine.

Merci Handy Hand Cleansing Gel is available on the high street from Topshop and Selfridges (London) and online from Merci Handy, each gel is priced at £2.90 for 30ml.

Hair pick me ups include the Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray, which features a ‘blow dry in a bottle’ blend of ingredients that lift and volumise the hair with a light-weight, non-greasy formula that actively fattens the hair shaft for a visible improvement in hair thickness. Excellent detangling properties and protection against breakage make this multi-tasking product a hair styling staple. This iconic thickening spray boasts Keratin, Niacinamide, Green Tea Extract, Caffeine, and Vitamin B5 all working together to naturally thicken, exfoliate dead skin cells, anti-oxidise, stimulate hair follicles, and improve luster and frizz. With the added Mineral Rich Natural Sea Salt and Lifting Polymers giving effective lift, texture and unparalleled volume in the hair.

Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray is available online from Boots or Nanogen and is priced at £9.95 for 100ml.

Our final and most unusual pick me up, literally will pick you up! AQUIS essentials Lisse Luxe Hair Towel is perfect for wrapping up your hair when wet and offers a gentle way to dry your hair. Lisse Luxe may sound like the name of an exotic artiste, but she’s the perfect towel for normal hair. The Lisse Luxe excels at curly hair, fine hair, damaged hair, and any hair that needs gentle treatment. AQUIS Hair Towel is made of Aquitex, a modern innovative fabric woven from ultra-fine fibers to create a lightweight material with superior water wicking capabilities that is gentle on your hair.

AQUIS Lisse Luxe Hair Towel is available online from Aquis Hair, it comes in five colours including Ivory White, Desert Rose, Cloud Berry, Chevron, and Stormy Sky, each individually priced at £30.

Beauty August 9, 2017

#CocoBeauty : Hot Brow News

At House of Coco it’s all about the eyebrow, we seriously love our brows. We’re into big, defined, statement brows because they shape our face and can make or break a look. It’s all about experimenting with colour, style and finish so that our brows are movie star perfect whatever the occasion.

We have combined a super strong list of our favourite products to help with your every need when it comes to eyebrow perfection. And, we are lucky to have been sent a complete guide to eyebrow do’s and don’ts from Sparkle PR.

The Do’s

DO match your brow colour to your roots. This is the most effective system to achieve a natural look and frame your face.

DO go professional from time to time. With all the great gadgets and grooming tools available, most of us have taken to DIY brows at home. However, from time to time it is worth visiting your local salon or threading counter for the professional touch. They can also advise on cleansers, serums, and gels to aid brow beauty.

DO always take a step back to admire your work. When grooming your brows it’s important to keep taking steps back from the mirror to check your work is even.

DO invest in good products. Liners and mascaras are makeup bag wonders ensuring brows are on fleek at all times!

DO experiment with tools. It’s worth trying out new tools, you may find the only tweezers in the world to conquer unruly brows, and by investing in a new brow brush it can make all the difference from messy to neat in just one sweep.

The Don’ts

DON’T take inspiration from TOWIE! Brows 5 shades darker than your hair colour is never a good look on anyone. Get your #browsperation from the catwalk not from Essex.

DON’T bleach your brows. No matter how blonde or fair you are a bleached brow will always wash you out and take away all definition.

DON’T over pluck. It’s always useful to draw your desired brow shape on with a pencil so you can use as a guide when plucking. Otherwise it is easy to get pluck-happy.

DON’T go product-free. Whilst the natural look is fully promoted, a little bit of love and attention before leaving the house will go a long way when it comes to your brows.

House of Coco’s Eyebrow Product Guide

Bioderma, Sensibio H20 Wipes
Priced at £6.99, available from Boots

The Bioderma dermatological wipes Sensibio H2O are enriched with an active micellar solution perfectly compatible with the skin: its fatty acid esters, the constituent elements of micelles, are similar to the phospholipids of the skin cell membranes and naturally help rebuild the skin’s hydrolipidic film. Thus, Sensibio H2O dermatological wipes guarantee a perfect cleansing and/or make-up removal for sensitive skin and eyes and an excellent tolerance and comfort.

Skin Shop, Dry Eye Gel
Priced at £7.95 for 15ml, available online from Skin Shop

Skin Shop’s Dry Eye Gel is a light natural eye ad brow gel that contains a plant extract of Cardiospermum. The gel delivers the anti-itching benefits anti-dryness effects of the Cardiospermum extract without irritating the delicate skin around the eye. Dry Eye Gel has been tested on dry skin sufferers and is an extremely gentle and light and non-greasy formulation suitable for very sensitive, itchy and dry flaky skin around the eye and in the eyebrows. This product is a clear, light, non-sticky gel that’s quickly absorbed and is perfect to be worn under eye and brow make-up as a primer. Dry Eye Gel is vegan and FREE from SLS, MI, paraben and perfumes.

Rubis, Eyelash & Brow Anti-Aging Serum
Priced at £49.99 for 10ml, available online from Rubis

Fresh from Switzerland where it’s taking the beauty world by storm, the new Rubis Eyelash and Eyebrow Anti-Aging Serum has a groundbreaking formula to improve and lengthen eyelashes and thinning eyebrows. This new serum has a unique formula rich in panthenol, and biotinoyl GHK, shown to stimulate growth, improve the thickness and length of eyelashes, while the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and plant proteins helps to ward off the thinning effects aging may have on eyebrows.

Rubis, Gold Tweezers
Priced at £32, available online from Rubis

The Rubis Classic Rise Gold is a high-quality cosmetic tweezers that facilitates comfortable, precise use. They are stainless steel Rose Gold plated with slanted tips for ease of use. Rubis only work with top-quality surgical steel, which is acid-proof, antimagnetic and rustproof. Thanks to these outstanding material characteristics, the Rubis tweezers retain their perfect functionality for many years.

Know cosmetics, No Bare Brows
Priced at £18, available from Superdrug

Know Cosmetics which recently landed on our shores from the US have launched the multi functional No Bare Brows. The double-ended pencil includes a universal brow colour and invisible taming wax. There is also a sharpener and brush within the lids for convenience. This universal 4 in 1 eyebrow shaping kit transforms your brows from bland to beautiful to create brows that wow!

Lord & Berry, Must Have Fibre Brow Gel, Tinted Brow Mascara
Priced at £14, available online from Lord & Berry

Designed for hydrating and enhancing eyebrows definition. Its texture naturally tints the brows and tames unruly brow hair. Thanks to the presence of nylon fibres in the formula it gives a thickening effect whilst delivering a noticeable improvement in eyebrow hair structure. Must Have is formulated with Hydroviton® PLUS that leaves the brows beautifully conditioned. This brush-on gel dries to a natural look finish for instantly perfect brows.

Lifestyle August 9, 2017

#CocoCountryside : A Room With A View

MINI has teamed up with VisitEngland and Visit Wales to offer money-can’t-buy overnight stays in a specially equipped MINI Countryman and here at House of Coco we think it’s the cutest, most inspiring collaboration we’ve seen in a while.

MINI’s biggest car will be equipped with a special rooftop tent to provide an exclusive ‘Room with a view’ in areas of outstanding natural beauty that are normally off limits to the public.

Members of the public are being given the chance to stay in one of three of the UK’s beautiful locations: Durdle Door on the world famous Jurassic Coast in Dorset; the stunning Cheddar Gorge with a backdrop of dramatic cliffs in Somerset, and the majestic glacial mountain range of Snowdonia in Wales.

MINI has launched the experiences in response to a rise in domestic tourism: new research commissioned by MINI from OnePoll shows nearly half of us are more likely to go on a spontaneous break in the UK than we have been in the past decade.

According to VisitEngland, Brits took 44.7 million domestic holidays in England (trips of at least one night) in 2016, up 2% on 2015 and the strongest performance since 2013. From January to April this year (2017) Brits also took a record 11.4 million holiday trips in England.

Further findings from OnePoll reveal just under half of Brits (48%) prefer a ‘staycation’ as they feel the UK has so much to offer. In particular, nearly three in five of us (57%) state that views and scenery is the reason given for visiting the coast, while 43% find holidays at home far less stressful than going abroad and 37% say a key benefit is being able to drive to their preferred UK holiday spot.

In a staycation like no other, guests will get to experience the wonders of the UK, by entering a ballot to win a ‘money can’t buy’ experience; sleeping in a specially designed luxury roof tent by AUTOHOME, atop the MINI Countryman in a site specifically chosen for them. Guests will be fully immersed in nature and its surroundings – sleeping in comfort under the star-lit skies, and waking up to a breathtakingly beautiful sunrise.

The MINI Countryman vehicles will also allow guests to explore further. Bespoke itineraries will be created for each site including fun-filled local activities such as coasteering, caving, abseiling and visiting attractions nearby. Guests will also be able to enjoy local produce through campfire dining.

The locations on offer include: sleeping atop a cliff looking down on the stunning beach and vista of Durdle Door in the world famous World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast in Dorset; a stay by the majestic, carved, glacial mountains of Snowdonia, where you could have breakfast looking over the stunning Ffynnon Llugwy lake, or a visit to the truly epic, Lord of the Rings style vista of Cheddar Gorge in the Mendip Hills in Somerset. Lucky winners will be able to tell their friends that they woke up in one of the greatest natural wonders in Britain.

To be in with your chance of winning a free night on www.mini.co.uk/roomwithaview simply go online and enter your details. There are limited spaces and the winner will be picked through a prize draw. Information of each site, suggested itineraries and more information on other camping experiences can be found online on this site.

So, it’s time to pick your adventure, travel down the path less trodden, and explore just how much England and Wales have to offer.

Beauty August 2, 2017

#COCOBEAUTY: It’s all about the legs!

Here at House of Coco, you can typically find us on the move and sometimes it does feel like we are spending so much time on a plane, it feels that we have joined the team of the hardworking flight attendants! Whilst all this travelling to far-flung places is incredibly exciting, it can play havoc on our beauty routine (hello dry skin and puffy legs!) What’s a girl or guy to do?!

Step in former Telegraph Beauty Editor and founder of Legology, Kate Shapland. It is fair to say that no-one in the beauty world knows legs better than Kate who launched her range of leg care beauty products back in 2013. Having tried almost every product under the sun, Kate wanted to create a high- performance leg care solution that specifically targeted cellulite, diffuse heaviness and tightness, and tone and hydrate the skin. Enter Legology.

The staple product from the Legology range is the Air Lite Daily Lift for Legs which is ideal for frequent travellers as it lightens heavy legs by relieving that nasty fluid retention that can make your legs feel puffy and tired.

Having tried this after a recent journey, I can attest that my legs did feel lighter after applying this in upward circular motions which is aided by its clever cooling ‘Thermo-Lite sensation.

The Air Lite Daily Lift promotes lipolytic drainage and circulation-stimulating benefits that are continuously working after you have applied them. Its pioneering properties contains Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract to reduce puffiness and caffeine to boost circulation.

It also has toning and tightening properties which are very much welcomed if you have less than perfect pins! You don’t have to be a frequent travellers to take advantage of this, this can be equally useful for anyone who is on their feet all day too.

For me, the delicious scent of this product is the cherry on the cake, quite often a product can be amazing, but falls short in terms of packaging and scent. For Air Lite Daily Lift for Legs, thankfully this isn’t true. Every thought has been considered, the citrus scent ‘Capri Crush’ takes you to an Italian lemon grove in summer and the packaging is modern and chic.

Within the Legology range, you can find other complementary products such as EXFO-LITE which is a high-performance scrub that delivers both on keeping your legs contoured and silky smooth. It fuses an exfoliating classic, sea salt with Himalayan pink crystals which acts as a diuretic with a touch of Amalfi lemon peel for a gorgeous uplifting scent.

I have got my eyes (and legs) on the Sun-Lite Sheer Lingerie for Legs which will hopefully encourage me to get my legs out before the summer is over. It’s a cooling tinted cream with just a hint of pearl to add a subtle touch of shimmer which is great for fair-skinned ladies like me. Kate herself as described this product as ‘invisible tights’, ideal for those days when you want to go bare-legged but need a touch of colour.

Kate went from working as an award-winning journalist to her own boss and is heavily involved in all aspects of the brand, from the formulation of the products through to the packaging. The hero product Air Lite Daily Lift for Legs was so popular upon launch, it sold out within one month at Liberty.

Legology have launched an exclusive package for Summer 2017 called ‘The Killer Legs Kit’ which is a handy curation of all of the most popular products, which is ideal for taking on holiday or to check out the products for yourself.

If you are looking to for some ‘Lite’ relief, look no further than Legology! Either buy directly from legology.co.uk or from Space NK, Liberty London or net-a-porter.com.

Lifestyle August 1, 2017

#CocoCars : RANGE ROVER AND MAGNUM PHOTOS CAPTURE THE WORLD’S GREATEST LANDSCAPES

Here at House of Coco it’s no secret that we love Land Rover as a brand. Not only because they always push the boundaries in the automotive world but because they launch cars that are just too damn sexy. Our Editor-in-Chief Laura Bartlett has been driving a Range Rover for some time now and she said that the car inspires her to go to new places, try out new things and get inspired by the world around her. We salute Land Rover for always inspiring us to travel more as a team, especially with their latest collab.’ Sixty years after Magnum Photos co-founder George Rodger first drove a Land Rover 8,000 miles through the Sahara desert, the two iconic brands have partnered on the second in a series of photographic works, titled ‘Ultimate Vistas’.

Land Rover and acclaimed Magnum photographer Michael Christopher Brown have revealed a set of stunning landscape photos taken from unique vantage points in North America, reached using the refinement and capability of a Range Rover.

In the second of the ‘Ultimate Vistas’ series, Land Rover worked closely with the world-renowned Magnum Photos agency to showcase some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

The images reflect the variety of backdrops surrounding Portland and Seattle, from the mountainous peaks of volcanoes to dozens of inlets and islands along the coast, and the brightly-coloured Skagit Valley.

Since it created the luxury SUV sector almost half a century ago, Range Rover has achieved more than one million sales and sits at the pinnacle of the Land Rover family. The original Classic model made its debut in 1970 and over four generations the luxury SUV has represented the ultimate in design, desirability and capability.

From behind the wheel of the Range Rover, photographer Michael explored the urban and more remote parts of the Northwest, seeking the best spots from which to shoot beautiful landscapes. Using the unparalleled capability of the luxury SUV, Michael drove through snow at the peak of volcanoes, crossed sand dunes to reach coastal vantage points and climbed rocky hillsides for privileged access to incredible vistas.

The trip started in Portland, Oregon and headed north into Washington State, with the crew climbing the active volcanoes of Mount St Helens, Mount Rainier and Mount Baker. It’s nearly 40 years since Mount St Helens volcano erupted, taking 57 lives and destroying hundreds of square miles of forest, bridges and homes. The volcano has been dormant for ten years, but is still classed as active.

Michael’s crew then stopped off in Seattle before venturing along the coast, catching ferries to the sparsely-inhabited San Juan Islands.

The entire expedition was completed in a production Range Rover 5.0-litre V8 Supercharged with 510 PS which transported Michael, his crew and all their equipment.

Michael’s work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine and National Geographic. His ability to capture insightful images of critical moments with just an iPhone has recently led to his involvement with the social platforms of Time and the New York Times.

An avid traveller, Michael has produced bodies of work about Libya and the Congo, and was the first journalist into Cuba following the lift of US trade embargoes in winter 2015.

Michael said: “I’m often driving off-road to go mountain biking, snowboarding or hiking and having a vehicle that can handle confidently a variety of road and off-road conditions is key. I always have a plan for a shoot but it’s important to remain open to other possibilities and the Range Rover allowed us to do that. Often the best pictures happen on the way and way back from a shoot. And while on the shoot, sometimes if I just stop what I’m doing and look around there are often unexpected, serendipitous surprises!”

Chef's Table August 1, 2017

Chef’s Table: Conor Toomey

The Isle of Eriska is delighted to announce the appointment of Conor Toomey as Head Chef. Conor will commence in his new role on the 17th July.

Toomey, originally from South Africa, will be joining the island from Amberley Castle where he was Head Chef. Conor has previously worked as Michael Wignalls’ Sous Chef at the Latymer Restaurant which held two Michelin Stars and as Head Chef at Storrs Hall and Amberley Castle where he achieved 3 AA Rosettes.

Conor said of his new role ‘I am thrilled to work in a hotel with such an outstanding reputation for its food and the opportunity to use fresh island produce. Foraging will continue to be a big part of what we do as well as using the kitchen gardens and greenhouses to create seasonal dishes. I look forward to continuing where Paul left off.’

He chats to us here at House of Coco and tells us more…

Tell us a bit about yourself and how/why you became a chef…
Having grown up around the industry, food has always been a passion in my family, I suppose cooking was almost inevitable. I love the constant learning curve and the people in the industry

What excites you about the new challenge at the Isle of Eriska?
Being a more remote location you have a fantastic opportunity to be creative with the local larder, allowing for great creativity

What is your aim for your time at Eriska?
I think to continue pushing the food and product further, there is such a great history in the place for both food and service, so to push that forward is a great opportunity.

Do you have any plans for moving the dining experience at Eriska forward?
I think the dining experience is quite well established, I will definitely bring my personality to the restaurant.

With the extensive facilities providing produce for the larder what is your favourite part of the kitchen garden facilities?
That’s quite tough, I love the whole larder both wild and cultivated, the chance to grow what we want and pick it what we want is awesome.

Are you keen to implement foraging as part of your menu?
Definitely, only a fool wouldn’t. It is incredible

Do you bring a flavour of your South African heritage to your cooking?
No I don’t think so much as in typical flavour, I think maybe the openness to different styles and cuisines perhaps, as South Africa is a melting pot of cultures and flavours.

How do you plan to use the on-site smokehouse?
Definitely the salmon, wow, we pick it up 10 minutes from here and it tastes incredible, oils are good. Just a fantastic tool to have

What is it that makes a dish special?
Memory I think, smell and taste are as strong as anything to create memorys or recall memories, if you can make some think… that reminds me of..? Or if it inspires a memory, you always remember a good meal, so I suppose finding that.

What is your favourite dish and ingredient at the moment?
Tough one, always mushrooms on that list they are so versatile and then I suppose game.. fish, so hard I love good products. Everything of a good quality excites me.

What is your favourite part of the island?
I don’t know yet, so much to explore

Book a table with Conor and sample his delightful dishes www.eriska-hotel.co.uk