Queen of Hoxton, the queen of cool East London rooftop hangs, is welcoming the return of its winter Alice in Winterland pop-up, which took TeamCoco babe Hannah Tan-Gillies down the rabbit hole (in this case up) into the wonderful world of Lewis Carroll’s fantastical tale.
A firm fixture in London’s nightlife calendar, the fabulously immersive Alice in Winterland pop-up is appropriately over-the-top and transforms Queen of Hoxton’s rooftop garden into a world of mind-boggling possibilities. After climbing the spiralling staircase, guests are rewarded with a special drink – and can only guess whether they shall shrink or grow, as they enter a red and white circus tent – filled with floating teacups, cards and everything else you can imagine.
Here, you can meet the White Rabbit, explore vibrant visual displays, get a glimpse of the Cheshire Cat, peek into the keyhole and explore a world where nothing is quite what it seems.
To celebrate the pop-up, Queen of Hoxton has also launched an appropriately ‘mad’ cocktail menu which offers a few jaw-dropping potions to tantalise your tastebuds. We loved the ‘Wonderland Winter Warmer’ which was a warm, bubbling spiced rum and sherry concoction, perfect for drinking around the rooftop’s fire pit. ‘Alice’s Awake Potion’ is the pop-up’s version of an espresso martini, complete with a salted caramel twist, while the ‘Always late After 8’ is a dangerous blue-green vodka and crème de menthe blend.
The ‘Jam Jar Jabberwocky’, a blend of Kopparberg Gin, apple and lemon juice and topped with ginger beer is as easy on the eyes as it is on the palette while the ‘Mad as a Hatter Mule’ blends portobello and blueberry gin for a sensationally delicious take on a Moscow mule.
The Alice in Wonderland pop-up also offers a short but satisfying menu which includes the Wonderland Burger, Queen of Hearts Katsu Burger and Mad Hatter’s Vegan Burger – all wonderfully hearty – and perfect for a night out in winter.
So, grab your watches and take a trip to Winterland where you can go on a truly mad tea party – unlike anything London has ever seen.
Over the course of the last 18 months, lot’s of people have used the slower pace of life to their advantage by finding out where their passions truly are and for Michelle Davidson, she turned that passion in to her pay check.
Here, we delve behind the brand, One of a Kind Designs, and get to the heart of what makes Michelle the force to be reckoned with that she is today…
Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand, One of a Kind Designs
I think everyone would agree that the last 18 months have been a little bit odd to say the least, and like many of your readers who are ‘solopreneurs’, I started painting furniture as a hobby. In fact, it all started with a beautiful Victorian wooden chair that I had acquired, with lofty plans for a grand transformation. A chair became a chest of drawers, a writing bureau, a drinks cabinet and, frankly, anything else I could get my hands on!
I never dreamt that one year later I would be selling my furniture on my own website, having attended the first ever UK Furniture Painters Business Academy Conference or have my story published in an international lifestyle magazine! It’s been a whirlwind of a year.
Not long after picking up my first paintbrush, I knew that I had found my passion! I discovered my love for creating unique designs with vintage furniture and around the same time I also realised that I was not alone in my passion. I started to get lots of interest on my personal social media pages when sharing my transformations and I thought that there may be an opportunity to work on other people’s household projects.
It quickly grew into more than that as people have come to me looking for inspiration, or for me to help them realise their own vision. From then on, it seemed that there was a market for creating bespoke vintage furniture.
Before long I was considering the real impact of my work. I was rescuing beautiful furniture that was often destined for landfill and turning it into something that would be loved and treasured for many more years. This was eye-opening for me.
My mission now is to provide an alternative to mass-produced, fast-furniture, which is often made up of poor quality materials making it just another aspect of our wasteful, ‘throwaway’ culture, and if I can inspire others to do something similar, I will have achieved something wonderful.
How did you discover your passion for creating bespoke furniture?
By accident actually. I was looking for a new creative outlet. Over the years I had tried tapestry, dress making, candle making and as much as I still love to do all those creative hobbies, once I picked up a paintbrush and saw the effect that I could have on an old piece of furniture, I was sold!
I love taking an often unwanted piece of quality vintage furniture and transforming it into a statement piece for the modern home. These pieces are full of history and character. What I do doesn’t take away from that, I am conscious of the nature of the piece and whether it is a restoration project or I paint and decorate it, my goal is for the piece to be loved and used for many more years, rather than it being left to ruin.
How do you want people to feel once they purchase your furniture?
It’s actually remarkable how emotive a wonderful piece of furniture can be. I have had customers tell me that opening up the packaging and taking off protective bubble wrap to get to their piece reminds them of childhood Christmas mornings. You can’t quantify that emotion or put a price on it, the excitement is unique to every individual, to see their vision realised and the feelings that it creates is something very special.
I want people to be impressed and love the piece as much as I have loved creating it. I want them to feel proud of their decision to choose a sustainable way to furnish their home, recognising the positive impact that decision has had.
I have met so many people who never knew that painting furniture was even an option. This has opened their eyes to being able to get a creatively bespoke piece of furniture to their exact specifications, you can’t get that on the high street.
I pride myself on working closely with clients, listening to what they require and using my professionalism and creativity to exceed their expectations. I love seeing the excited expressions on their face when we are discussing colours and designs, then the happiness when they receive their piece delivered direct to their home.
Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?
No, everything has happened exactly as it should have. I’ve made mistakes and learned from them. I have learned that I need to trust in myself, my ability and the processes I go through. I am a big advocate of just putting one foot in front of the other, it doesn’t matter how small those steps are, if they are a positive action, they will get you to where you need to go.
Tell us more about your interior style at home…
It’s a work in progress! We moved into our family home 8 years ago and everything needed refreshing. I was pregnant with our twins at the time, so we kept a simple design at first, cream walls and cream carpets throughout. Now we are taking it room by room, injecting our personality into our home. Last year we completely renovated our kitchen, it now fits what our family needs – a large cooking area, dining area and comfortable seating area for those infrequent quiet moments! It goes without saying that my business has infected the whole household and my twins have their own pieces, painted by their own hands in their bedrooms, I wouldn’t say they are immaculate finishes but they are certainly unique and loved by my two crazies!
If you to describe your brand in three words, what would they be?
Wow, can I use nine words please:
Unique, sustainable, creative, personable, friendly, inspiring, passionate, transparent and quality.
What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to launch a business?
Focus on a few things at a time, don’t stretch yourself too much or you will get overwhelmed. The first year is tough, but if you do it right by working smarter, not harder, the rewards are exhilarating. Trust your instincts, ask for support and be open and honest. People need to know and trust you so don’t be afraid to be yourself.
How would you describe your personal style?
I’m not an extrovert, my style suits my mood and my diary, I love to dress up all glam and head out on date night, but I also love my ‘slouchies’. Most of my casual wear is paint splattered and I’m okay with that, it’s who I am now.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
I have 7 year old twins, Murray and Isla, 4 cats and a dog, a 20 year bank career and a new business. Life is busy. Each day I try to build in self care, it’s so important. If I don’t function well, everything else suffers. I feel more focused and in control if I can meditate first thing in the morning. I also enjoy getting up early to walk the dog before everyone else is about. I have the most amazingly supportive husband, we definitely share the house work and childcare. I work for a bank during the day and the evening and weekends are my One of a Kinds Designs time.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
It’s massive. Social media has opened up my business to groups of people I could never have dreamt of reaching without it. It gives small businesses like mine a platform from which to shout about our business, showcase what we can offer, reach and engage with customers and build relationships.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
Great question! I love to travel and I have a few favourite places that I would love to visit again including Lake Garda in Italy, South of France and Croatia. I went on my honeymoon to Egypt and my husband still teases me that I didn’t go into the Great Pyramid at Giza so that could make it on the list. I’m not really a sun worshipper so one destination that I would love to visit is Scandinavia and Russia. The scenery, culture and architecture would be amazing.
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
Practice makes progress, this is a big motivator in our house. It’s about continuing to put one foot in front of the other. My husband always says ‘A march of a thousand miles begins with the first step’, I like that.
What’s next for you and the brand?
To share my passion for refinishing furniture. I want to teach others. I run online courses and workshops and I offer 121 programmes as well.
What does self care mean to you?
Looking after yourself by doing what you need to do when you need to do it. It’s about being attuned to your body and mind so that you recognise when you need to take action for yourself. For me this can mean a walk, meditation, yoga, or spending time with my husband and family.
Where can people find out more?
If you head to my website www.oneofakinddesigns.co.uk you will see my furniture collection. There is also information there on the training courses and workshops I offer.
I am also on Instagram and I have a Facebook page and two groups which you can join to learn more about what I do or to learn to paint furniture yourself.
We live in an era where the “authentic” is prized above all else in our voyages of discovery, while the logistical challenges of international travel have meant that “slow travel” is at the top of the agenda once more.
In order to truly discover the destinations we wish to explore and gain an understanding of the culture beyond the tourist traps and the chain restaurants, you should look to venues and spaces where tourists rarely venture.
One stellar example of this is the bingo hall, which you can find in towns and cities all over Europe and The Americas. Here is why you should stop by a bingo parlor on your next vacation.
1. Meet the Locals
One of the best reasons to visit the bingo parlor, whether you are traveling in Madrid, Manchester, Milan, or Miami, is that you are going to be able to mingle with the locals and be far away from the tourist traps. Bingo has always been a community pastime, with the bingo halls that line urban neighborhoods representing a perfect opportunity to socialize and get to know the community you are traveling through, rather than just sticking to your bubble.
2. You Can Experience Bingo Before You Go
Naturally, you might be nervous about your first bingo experience in a foreign city. If so, you can try international bingo online, which allows you to play real-money bingo in English, German, Russian, and Portuguese. You can also play scratch cards online that are based on bingo and themed around different cultures, such as Ireland or France. This can help you get to grips with the game and ensure you arrive prepared.
If you’re looking to save a buck or two on your travel experiences, the bingo hall is the place to be. Instead of dropping stacks of cash at some VIP nightclub, you can enjoy a raucous and more authentic night at a local bingo hall. It is well known that the food and drink available at bingo halls tend to be dirt cheap, while the price of entry is almost nothing and the games go on all night. What’s not to like? If you’re serious about saving some of your hard-earned cash on your travels, bingo is one effective way to do it.
4. Master the Basics of a Language
No matter where you are going or how long you are staying, learning a bit of the local language will pay dividends for the rest of your life. If you want to learn the essentials of a language in a low-stakes setting, try a local game of bingo. At the very least, a bingo game will be a fabulous crash course in how to say numbers in a foreign language, while the non-touristy nature of the setting means that people might be less inclined to switch straight to English when you speak to them. Give it a try and you might be pleasantly surprised at how much you learn.
These are some of the reasons to hit up a bingo parlor on your next travel odyssey. Go against the grain and make some truly unique memories.
We’re all about women doing big things here at House of Coco and we love hearing about local success stories, especially right in the heart of our hometown of Yorkshire. So, when we heard about two young mums from Bradford who have created a luxury unisex children’s wear brand in their own home that is already filling children’s wardrobes of A-list celebrities such as P Diddy, Kylie Jenner, and Snoop Dog to name but a few, we couldn’t wait to put the spotlight on them.
In 2018 Natasha Formoy and Chantelle Etienne both 32 and childhood friends worked from Natasha’s home alongside their full- time jobs to create the children’s clothing brand, House of Juniors – aimed at children aged 5-16
Natasha and Chantelle met at school and soon discovered they both had a passion for fashion and business. Remaining friends, they spent time building the brand whilst working as full-time social care workers and bringing up their children. The entrepreneurial duo joined forces with now head designer, Kamila Ogrodnik, 26, who, alongside Natasha, focused on developing the brand’s design and has since become a partner in the ever-expanding business.
Natasha said, ‘When we first started the brand, we had to convert the downstairs of my house into a workspace because we didn’t have the funds for a warehouse or office. At one point, every room in the house was overflowing with clothes.’
Before developing House of Juniors, Natasha spent years researching the children’s fashion market worldwide, visiting trade shows in Europe, and gaining insight into how rival brands have become so successful in the marketplace. It was at these trade shows Natasha built invaluable relationships with suppliers from the manufacturer of fabrics to garment producers.
In 2018 House of Juniors were chosen to showcase their products at Mini Mode, the official children’s runway at London Fashion Week, where they walked amongst brands such as Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld. On the back of the success of their catwalk, they were awarded a campaign with Harper’s Bazaar, and this became a turning point for the creative duo.
Chantelle said, ‘We were selected to walk in the show alongside brand such as Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld. To be chosen was a huge honour and a massive achievement for our brand. What made it more special for us instead of using professional London based professional models, we brought kids down from Yorkshire, which, along with the amazing clothes gave us a real point of difference.”
The turning point for the children’s designers was when the daughters of American rapper, P Diddy aka Diddy posted an image of his twin daughters, Jessie, D’lila wearing the brands signature fur coats on his Instagram. From that moment, the brand skyrocketed, with a spike in sales and thousands of new followers on the House of Juniors Instagram.
The fashion entrepreneurs then reached out to other Hollywood A list stars such as Chris Brown, Snoop Dog and Kimora who also posted photos and videos of their children wearing pieces of their
fashion line. More recently their iconic girls pink fur coat was seen in Stormi’s wardrobe on a recent post on Kylie’s Instagram.
Natasha said, ‘The demand for clothes has been insane since Diddy posted his daughter wearing one of our fur coats. The power of social media has been such an important part of creating awareness for our brand. It was surreal to see the clothes designed by two mums from Yorkshire being worn by the children of Hollywood celebrities. It was these posts that helped take the business to another level. The most surreal moment had to be when Kimora Simmons messaged us on Instagram, inviting us to work with her in LA!
Chantelle added, ‘We have seen our pink coat in Stormi’s wardrobe on Kylie’s Instagram and we are hoping it will make an appearance in this season of keeping up with the Kardashians!’
Since these celebrity endorsements, demand for sales has been worldwide, mainly in America, Europe, the Middle East and parts of Russia.
As with any business, Coronavirus has had a significant knock-on effect on the Brand’s development and growth as the supply chain quickly ground to a halt. Before Coronavirus hit the UK, House of Juniors had already produced two collections available worldwide. The pandemic gave them the time to work on their third collection, which will be available to purchase soon.
Natasha commented, “It was a huge struggle when the pandemic hit as we didn’t have access to our suppliers based overseas. However, we have used the time wisely to develop the range and now there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
What is next for the House of Juniors? After a rise in sales and exposure, they have recently partnered with sports brand PUMA to produce a creative commissioned design collaboration that will reach stores soon across the UK, France, Germany, Ireland and America. This collaboration aims to involve children in the actual design process and really embeds the idea of being unique. The success of this has pushed House of Juniors to create an adult collection just for the Puma collaboration, so don’t worry, your children won’t be the only ones looking stylish!
Now the pandemic is easing, House of Juniors are itching to get themselves to the USA to explore retail opportunities that they were offered before and during Coronavirus but have not been able to explore fully due to the travel restrictions. Chantelle says their long-term goals and dreams for the brand are to gain worldwide exposure and success, along with having representation in large luxury retail stores such as Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. They are also aiming to have a huge on-line presence. Their ultimate goal to be compared to the brand OFF WHITE, but for children.
With these long-term ambitions from the owners of House of Juniors, you will be sure to hear about them. Keep your eye out for big things to come!
Diamonds pass through many hands before they reach the consumer. However, the part of the diamond sourcing process that is most concerning to buyers is the way diamonds are mined. This is why conscientious shoppers invest in ethically sourced diamonds. Learn more in our Brilliant Earth review, where we delve into the diamond sourcing process and ethical considerations.
What are ethically sourced Diamonds?
The definition of an ethically sourced diamond has been mined according to fair humanitarian practices. In other words, the mine doesn’t engage in child labour, there is no forced labour, miners get paid fair wages, and they have a safe working environment. Additionally, diamond sales can’t fund civil wars.
Now that we’ve defined ethically sourced diamonds, let’s look at a provider of these types of diamonds, Brilliant Earth.
Who is Brilliant Earth?
Brilliant Earth is a provider of ethically sourced diamond jewellery, lab-grown diamond jewellery, and gemstone jewellery. The company was founded by Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossberg in 2005 with the mission to provide exceptionally beautiful jewellery.
Brilliant Earth states that they are “more than just another fine jewellery company.” They justify this statement by explaining that their goal was to be a company that reinvented the way jewellery was sourced, made, and sold.
“Beyond Conflict-Free” is the term Brilliant Earth uses to describe the sourcing of their diamonds. In this Brilliant Earth Review, we will look closely at what they mean by “Beyond Conflict-Free” to determine whether this term has the same meaning as ethically sourced diamonds.
What Does “Beyond Conflict-Free” Mean?
In Brilliant Earth parlance, “Beyond Conflict-Free” refers to diamonds whose sourcing meets the following criteria:
The diamonds have not been used to finance rebel movements.
The mine where the diamonds originate from protects its workers from human rights abuses. Additionally, the mine maintains safe and responsible labour practices.
The source mine works to minimize environmental degradation during the mining process and supports community development.
Brilliant Earth believes that jewellers who offer only “conflict-free” diamonds are restricting themselves to the Kimberley Process definition of conflict-free diamonds, which in their view does not require enough of its suppliers to be deemed ethical. The Kimberley Process only requires that diamonds not have been used to finance rebel movements, whereas Brilliant Earth requires that their suppliers adhere to a more robust set of criteria. Furthermore, let’s consider that the definition of ethical is refraining from engaging in activities that harm people or the environment. It’s safe to conclude that Brilliant Earth’s strictures make them more of a supplier of ethically sourced jewellery than companies that only adhere to the Kimberley Process. Therefore, based on its “Beyond Conflict-Free” mandate, Brilliant Earth can be deemed a provider of ethically sourced jewellery. However, we can’t help but ask how Brilliant Earth guarantees that their diamond suppliers meet their criteria.
How Does Brilliant Earth Certify that Their Diamonds are Ethical?
We’ve established that Brilliant Earth wants its diamonds to come from sources that adhere to a robust set of ethical criteria. However, we can’t just take their word for it. We need to know how Brilliant Earth can guarantee that their diamonds do come from ethical sources.
According to their website, Brilliant Earth requires that their suppliers be able to track and segregate the diamonds they provide by origin. In this way, Brilliant Earth can ensure that the diamonds come only from the specific mine operators who follow their “Beyond Conflict-Free” criteria. This means that they should provide the exact route a diamond travelled from the moment it was sourced to the second it came into Brilliant Earth’s possession.
In their commitment to only selling diamonds from suppliers that conform to the “Beyond Conflict-Free” criteria, Brilliant Earth only deals with specific mines in Canada, Russia, Botswana, Nambia, and South Africa.
Additionally, in some cases, they utilize the GIA Diamond Origin Report to trace diamonds from their source. The GIA gathers and examines the physical measurements, imaging of the diamond as a rough crystal and spectroscopic data. They then assign a unique identification number to the rough diamond, which can be used to scientifically match a polished diamond to the rough cut it came from.
Summary
Brilliant Earth is a provider of ethically sourced diamonds. Ethically sourced diamonds are mined in a way that ensures that both people and the environment come to no harm. However, Brilliant Earth wants its diamonds to conform to more than just the standard definition of ethical diamonds. They have a specific set of criteria, which they call “Beyond Conflict-Free.” This criterion enhances the standard definition of an ethically sourced diamond to ensure that, in addition to not harming people and the environment, the mines also make concerted efforts to develop the community. Brilliant Earth guarantees that their diamonds are ethically sourced by requiring that their suppliers track and segregate their diamonds by origin. In this way, they can trace the exact route every diamond took to get to them.
It’s no secret that travelling can clear your mind and boost your spirit — so it’s no wonder that in the first quarter of 2020, UK residents made 13.9 million visits abroad. However, it can be tricky to find the perfect city break for you, which is why we’ve picked our four favourites for inspiration.
Whether you’re a beach bunny, or you love the slopes, you’ll find the right city to visit in our fun guide. We’ve even got top tips for applying to move there if you’re looking for a permanent change of scenery. Just read on for everything you need to know.
1. Singapore
With fantastic culture and spectacular technology, Singapore is the perfect destination for those who want a stimulating trip. This city really does have something for everyone — spend a day relaxing on the pristine beaches, sample Michelin Star cuisine in one of the many excellent restaurants, or take a trip to the high-class Orchard Road shopping centre.
If you’re looking to move permanently, this could be the right city for you. With over 2.16 immigrants, there is a thriving multicultural population. If you want more information on permanently moving to Singapore, check out this page that helps you fill out an application for a PR here in Singapore.
2. Moscow
This gorgeous city is steeped in culture, perfect if you want an unforgettable trip. You can explore one of the many ornate Russian Orthodox churches, check out the iconic St Basil’s Cathedral, or even take a sleeper train to St Petersburg and watch the Russian countryside fly by.
The Russian capital is also filled with history — as well as several grand museums and the Kremlin, there is also an opportunity to experience history up close and personal by visiting Lenin’s Mausoleum where the controversial leader is preserved for visitors to see. For lovers of architecture and culture, this is the perfect city for you.
3. Canberra
If your trip to Australia just involves Sydney, you’re seriously missing out. One of the most interesting things about the Australian capital city is that it was entirely planned, rather than developing organically like most major metropolitan hubs.
This destination is perfect if you want to combine relaxation and education. Visit the National Library of Australia, the Museum of Australian Democracy, or the Australian National Gallery to get your culture fix, before relaxing under azure skies by one of the many open-air swimming pools or parks. It’s no wonder than Canberra remains such a hidden gem.
4. Dar es Salaam
This Tanzanian coastal area is a gorgeous city, perfect for travelers who want their dose of sun and sea without visiting the same old areas over and over again. It’s particularly known for clear sandy beaches, great for snorkeling or sunbathing. It also has an excellent seafood trade, perfect if you have any foodies in your group.
The city is also full of exciting things for tourists to do. One of the best ways to break up your stay is to take a safari into central Tanzania and look out for the huge range of animals native to the country — including hippos, elephants, rhino, and lion.
Enjoy Your Trip
Now that you know about these four underrated cities you’re ready for an unforgettable trip. Whether you want to immerse yourself in culture, explore history, try out a range of high adrenaline activities, or just have an enjoyable time sunbathing on unspoiled beaches, these four cities provide the perfect opportunity for you.
Anastasia Zanadvorova is the founder of Mipholgia Jewelry, originally from Moscow, she now resides by the beach and it was finding peace here that inspired her to launch her brand.
A free spirit, Anastasia is more than a jewellery designer, she’s a creator with heart and an inspiration to aspiring designers. We spent some time with her to find out more…
Tell us the journey that lead you to launching your brand, Miphologia Jewelry…
Since I was a little girl I always aspired to be in the jewelry industry and found a great passion in creating art that I could make wearable. I’ve gained great experience in working for other brands which only increased my desire of making my own unique brand. Step by step I started developing my very own personal style and gained compliments from my surroundings. Jewelry is my form of artistic creations and each piece of Miphologia is based on inspiration I gained from history and Miphologia.
How often do you add new products and what’s the process behind this?
Miphologia has recently launched its latest line at the end of 2020. My plan is to introduce a new line of jewelry every six months that would be added to the existing bestseller pieces. To keep my personal style accessible for my clients I make sure to combine innovative ideas and classic designs.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an entrepreneur so far?
Every day is a challenge as Myphologia is my very first business. It is what I had always dreamed of and therefore every minor detail matters to me as my intention is to always make it perfect.
Who’s involved in the brand and what roles do they play?
Apart from the energy and support I continuously receive from my loved ones and clients, most of the work in design, packaging, logistics and customer care is done by me. I can proudly say that it is my independent journey.
Our readers love to travel, you were born in Moscow and you are well traveled. What destination is at the top of your bucket list?
I spend most of my time between Spain and France. As an adrenaline lover I prefer destinations for water sports like the Indian Ocean or French Alps for skiing. My latest preference is the south of Portugal – amazing wile white sand beaches and cliff campings. And my next destination will be South America and Asia.
In your opinion, what sets you apart from other independent jewellery brands?
The entire Miphologia brand is based on my character – my favorite green is used for the packaging, the jewelry is simple yet classy and creative and I also make sure to be very involved in styling the photo shoots.
It started as my artistic hobby and I am deeply grateful it had also interested enough people and turned into my business. Everything about my brand is personal and my clients have shown it is personal for them as well.
Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?
I am beyond grateful for the life lessons and experience I gained and am still learning, though if I could advise young aspiring business owners I would suggest to think before doing and plan and organize in advance. All the small mistakes can be highly costive.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Myphologia jewelry is a social media based business. I gained initial acknowledgment online and social media plays a main role in expanding our clientele.
One of its main advantages is that I can be anywhere in the would and still manage my brand.
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” — Albert Einstein
What advice would you offer to aspiring jewellery designers that want to launch their own brand?
My advice for aspiring jewelry designers is to understand that marketing is the most fundamental foundation to make your business successful.
Stay true to yourself during the ups and downs you experience and do your best to enjoy the journey.
What’s next for the business?
My next steps will focus on exploring my creativity and continue producing the desirable products my clients so very appreciate. .
What does self care mean to you?
Self care to me is living life to the fullest and enjoying every minute. Find something you love and never feel like you are obliged to work. Take care of your passion in life and get out of your comfort zone.
The Moscow Mule has become one of the most popular and sought after cocktails in the USA. Traditional Moscow Mule is made with vodka, lime, and ginger beer is approximately 80 years old. The Mule gives you a good warmth occasioned by the spicy Ginger to make it suitable for colder days. To make it more enjoyable, the Moscow Mule is served on a metallic copper mug with ice. The following are the best Moscow Mule you can find in the US.
The Merican Mule Moscow Style
The Merican Mule is specially crafted in the Moscow Style. The Merican Mule Moscow Style is made with Vodka, tequila, bourbon liquor, and tropical rum with enough Ginger. The Mule is enriched with top-quality spirits with an ABV of 7%.
Blue Marble Moscow Mule
The Blue Marble is an established brand that makes hard drinks and ready-to-drink cocktails, including the best Moscow mule. The Mule has a concentration of 15% ABV with a well-balanced taste and flavor. Insist on drinking it on a copper mule mug or a high glass with added ice. The recipe is quite simple, and you can make your own at home, with the key ingredient being Vodka.
The Chicago Mule
The Chicago Mule from the Chicago Distilling Company is a special rendition of the Moscow Mule. The Mule is made with Vodka and spicy ginger beer and has an ABV of 10%. The Chicago Mule is available in a 200 ml can, which is easy to carry and drink from anywhere.
Five Drinks Co Moscow Mule
The Five Drinks Co is a Moscow Mule, just a little different. It is mellow with yellow color and a pleasant smell. Unlike other Mules, this does not have the carbonation effect but is full of different flavors.
TGI Fridays Moscow Mule
The TGI Fridays Moscow mule is made with a malt base with an ABV of 5.9%. It has a rich ginger beer flavor with little alcohol flavor. It is a perfect Moscow Mule for people who prefer less alcohol.
Monaco Moscow Mule
Another Moscow Mule in the US is the Monaco Moscow Mule by the Monaco Craft cocktails. The Mule is a perfect combination of Vodka, ginger beer, carbonation, and sweeteners. The Vodka used on this Mule is six times distilled and then mixed with ginger beer. It has an ABV of 9%, and you can add ice to it for a smooth taste.
Fling Rye Whiskey Mule
The Fling Rye Whiskey Mule is another Moscow Mule in the USA from Boulevard Brewing. It is a perfect combination of Ginger, lime, and whiskey with an ABV of 9%. The Fling Rye Whiskey is such a soft drink made with all-natural products and gluten-free ingredients.
Conclusion
The Moscow Mules are making waves in the US and have emerged at the top of the most sought after Mules in the US. The mules as still frosty and delicious whether you serve it in copper mugs or drink it from a can. As you can see, not every Mule is made with Vodka. There are Moscow Mules made with whiskey, while others with cane sugars and fermented malt.
If you’re sat firmly on your seat on the ‘new year new me’ train then we salute you as December turning into January is a great time to embark on new missions, as a new metaphorical life chapter begins.
And one such change could be the coffee you drink. Perhaps you’re looking for that same buzz you get from your local coffee shop, but from the comfort of your own home? Or maybe you’d like to devote yourself to a new bean or a lighter roast? If you want to roast your coffee on your own you have to check Coffee Bean Roaster for the best coffee roaster to choose.
We’ve delved into a handful of coffee brands which are doing wonderful things. From Chimney Fire which began in a garden shed, to Exhale’s healthy coffee, championing beans from Rubiaceae cherries that are simply bursting with antioxidants.
Whatever your pour, it’s never too latte to try a new type of coffee (see what we did there?) So here are ten of our favourites for you to try in 2021…
Chimney Fire Coffee
Chimney Fire Coffee is a speciality coffee roaster based in Surrey, and their ethically sourced coffee beans are simply amazing. Despite only being a team of six, this intelligent group are extremely passionate about their coffee, from Founder Dan Webber to Head Roster Elizabeth Furth.
Try their Peru Coffee, or Ethiopia Tega and Tula, or opt for the January Discovery Coffee which has notes of tomato jam, orange and dried organic dates. Plus, even more of a reason to try, £1 of every 1kg bag of Discovery Coffee is donated to Re-Cycle.
chimneyfirecoffee.com
Exhale Coffee
If you’re on a health kick this year then Exhale Coffee is a cup in the right direction. Exhale have packed their pour with beans which have big health benefits, with one cup of this coffee containing the same antioxidant power as 12 punnets of blueberries, 55 oranges of 1.2kg of kale, making your coffee addiction a little more guilt-free.
Exhale’s speciality coffee has been crafted for health and you don’t have to sacrifice taste when changing to this wholesome brand. And to appease your inner eco-warrior, Exhale also coin waste to be a “dirty word” and they deliver their coffee in plastic free packaging, with a mission to triumph in ethical sourcing and organic farming practices.
Exhale is the brainchild of founder Alex, a former accountant who has “obsessively researched” health and coffee, and how the two can be a match made in heaven. Exhale coffee is something you simply have to try this 2021.
Exhalecoffee.com
Balance Coffee
Balance Coffee describe themselves as “the brand born in lockdown that gives back,” and they certainly do just that. Balance Coffee are on a mission to deliver high-quality coffee to doorsteps, which is an innovative and much-needed concept amid the lockdown pandemic. Most importantly, the coffee is sensational and from first opening you can smell the delicious beans. Rich in flavour, it’s your perfect morning fix and what’s even better is that you’re contributing to planting new trees by buying it – bonus!
Plus, as well as offering moreish coffee and their coffee subscription service, Balance Coffee has created an online Balance Barista School. Founder and coffee aficionado James Bellis says: “With lots of people now joining our online coffee subscription, we launched this educational content hub to help anyone improve their coffee making at home”.
balancecoffee.co.uk
Brown Bear
This high-quality coffee brand is a must-try, and especially their Mountain Blend.Your palette will delight in rich tastes and a smooth texture, and 5 per cent of sales is donated to Free the Bears charity, protecting vulnerable bears across the world – cute! The sweet and malty flavour will see you supercharged for the day, and the packaging is super cool too!
Brownbear.co
Yallah
Cornwall-based Yallah roasters produce some seriously amazing coffee. Try their Las Cotorra which comes from a farm of the same name in Chiapas, Mexico. This delicious coffee has notes of cocoa, cashews and cream.
The name Cotorras is from a species of bird from the region, where a protected forest houses many plant and animal species. Also, on the Yallah menu is an Ethiopian origin blend from the Worka Smallholders producer. Roasted on a lighter side, the notes of pineapple, apricot and jasmine could accompany your dessert!
yallahcoffee.co.uk
Manumit
Manumit produces quality roasts and have a dedicated team whose motto is ‘For Freedom not Profit’. Rigorous research is done to create solid relationships with their coffee farmers. You can taste the passion of Manumit in their blends. Try Global Justice, from Brazil, with tastes of chocolate, toffee and citrus. Another is Pearl Mountain which has floral notes of hazelnut, chocolate and truffle. For decaf fans, try their Rwandan lime, chocolate and caramel. Manumit deliver to shops, work and places of worship. You can’t hide from this UK favourite.
manumitcoffee.co.uk
Square Mile Coffee Roasters
Multi-award-winning company Square Mile Coffee, founded in 2008, have 25 coffee professionals at your service! Their website shows a map with links to where their coffee houses are in London and, like many of the roasters, they sell great merchandise too.
This company will post you The World Atlas of Coffee 2nd Edition or a great sample coffee pack to lure your taste buds. Perhaps their most popular is the Amaluza is Loja, which is an Ecuadorean coffee combining fruits such as figs and apricot and a sweet and creamy addition of hazelnut. Kick back at break time and turn up the Ecuador music compilation and really enjoy the moment.
squaremilecoffee.com
Maude Coffee
If there’s one thing you should do this year, it’s try out the Rwanda roast from Maude Coffee. The taste is a delicious concoction of milk chocolate, lime and caramel; perfect to have if you’re out of chocolate and crave the taste! The beans are washed and go through a decaffeination process that uses CO2 to extract all the caffeine. With that and the use of charcoal and water, the cup of coffee is chemical free and all by-products recyclable and natural. Ticking the boxes is what we crave and another popular UK choice.
maudecoffee.co.uk
D’NISI
When this company won the Best Café with on-sight Roasting ‘Crema’ award in Scotland’s 2018 Café Awards, they adopted their motto: “The heart of our brand is our coffee, and we are passionate about it.” And at this popular café, where coffee is micro roasted in-house, popular quenchers are Flavoured Latte, blended with syrup and textured milk, Macchiato Caldo and Mochaccino with chocolate. Delicious!
dnisi.com
Taylors of Harrogate
Travelling back south from Scotland and here we have an independent family tea and coffee company dating back to 1886, which is still a huge favourite for their coffees in 2021. With the motto: “People are at the Heart of our Business” Taylors of Harrogate source the best coffees and teas from over one million farmers and workers in 24 countries.
Having switched to 100 per cent renewable gas and electricity and using solar panels and carbon neutrality you can trust that sitting back in your armchair with a cup of one of their delights will be an experience. Try the Lazy Sunday. A sip of this coffee fills you with smooth milk chocolate and citrus, while other favourites include Hot Lava, Praline Especial Brazil, Cacao Superior Colombia and Rich Italian.
taylorsofharrogate.co.uk
Rave
Rave coffee really gives you something to rave about. Not only do their unique bags pop with colour, but what’s inside is a total treat too. These guys create blends by mixing single-origin coffee, giving it a more complex flavour than a single estate alone.
Try their Italian Job blend which works a treat for espresso lovers. It has a bold taste of dark chocolate flavours and walnut. Other must tastes are the Colombia Villamaria Natural No 103, and Guatemala El Morito No 97. Rave mix the fruity, citrus and floral notes well, with nuts and spice. Sounds good enough to us!
Matryoshka is a great way to keep a small child busy for a long time. And also – to study the basics of mathematics, literature and history. How? Our blogger Katya Khasanova reports.
Matryoshka is that old Russian wooden toy that still arouses genuine interest in children even now, in the 21st century. In fact, the matryoshka can not only be viewed, disassembled and reassembled. This wonderful toy can be a good tool for preparing your child for school.
Exploring family ties
Many adults are still confused about the concepts of “cousin”, “son-in-law”, “father-in-law” and “father-in-law”. Matryoshka dolls will help the child figure out who is who in a large family. Take apart the nesting dolls, have the child give a name to each, and then compose a puzzle. For example: “We have a big matryoshka Masha in one family and another big Olya in another family. These nesting dolls are sisters. Masha has a daughter, Ira, and Olya has a son, Vova. Who do you think Ira and Vova are to each other? Who is Vova for Masha? Who is Olya for Ira? “
Study the history of toys and the life of people in Russia
Why are there so many nesting dolls, why are they dressed that way (unusual for us), why are they made of wood? These questions are an occasion to discuss the life of peasants in Russia, to tell that at that time the families had many children, the child could have, for example, 8 brothers and sisters, but the jeans and sweatshirts we were used to. Women wore headscarves and long skirts, men wore shirts and caftans. To tell you that the favorite material of the peasants was wood, it was easy to find, it was easier to work with, it could not deteriorate for a long time, which is why houses, carts and toys were made of wood. Tell us in simple and accessible language about all this, show how it was expressed in nesting dolls, I am sure the children will be delighted with the immersion in the world of history!
We study painting and Japanese nesting dolls
Together with the children, carefully examine and disassemble the patterns on the nesting dolls. How did the artist paint the berries or flowers? How did you paint your scarf or apron? Search the internet for pictures of other nesting dolls. Let the child analyze for himself how (what colors, what details) do they differ from each other? Compare the photographs of Sergiev Posad, Semenovsky, Vyatka, Polkhov and Tver matryoshkas. What features do each of them have? How are they all alike? Why does one nesting doll have a loaf in their hands, and the other has a balalaika? Find photographs of Japanese nesting dolls, compare them with Russian dolls, find differences and common features, and try to guess what are the reasons for the differences. This activity will help children develop critical thinking, analytical skills and teach how to prove and substantiate their point of view.
Matryoshka dolls in mathematics
Here are examples of the simplest tasks that a future student can cope with:
Arrange the nesting dolls from largest to smallest and vice versa.
Give each matryoshka its own number in order. Show odd or even nesting dolls.
Make up a set (that is, find and select all matryoshka dolls by attribute) of boys nesting dolls, nesting dolls in kerchiefs, blue-eyed nesting dolls, nesting dolls with red on their clothes.
Find a nesting doll that belongs to both the blue-eyed team and the team where everyone has red on their clothes.
As you noticed, these tasks not only help to develop logical thinking and reaction speed, but also prepare the child for the topic “Sets and subsets”, train the skills of classifying objects, including numbers into even and odd (in this topic, many first graders have difficulties), teach to use the basic mathematical terms “decrease” and “increase”. It is necessary to train these skills every day, gradually accelerating and getting used to working within a limited time. But, you see, it’s much more fun to do it with nesting dolls.
Nesting dolls to develop imagination and creative thinking
Take all the nesting dolls that you have, find on the Internet photos of the most beautiful ones that the child will like. And now the child (with the help of your prompts and leading questions) should try to come up with and tell a story with nesting dolls. But in this game, it is important to consider the following:
Each nesting doll in history must have a first and last name (if you want, you can also have a patronymic). It is advisable to use old Russian names such as Matryona, Evdokia, Euphrosinia, Vsevolod, Dobrynya).
It is necessary to at least briefly describe the appearance of each nesting doll (clothes, details, objects, facial features.
It is necessary to describe the character traits of each matryoshka (kind, hospitable, cheerful, sad, harmful).
Matryoshka dolls of different sizes should participate in the story: small, medium, and large. When we talk about a family of nesting dolls, we must indicate the type of their relationship (who, to whom, whom it belongs to).
There must be positive, negative and neutral characters in the story. It should also be clear where the main characters are, and where the secondary ones are.
There should be both the words of the author, and the thoughts of one hero, and the dialogue of the heroes.
Something has to happen to the characters, there has to be an active plot.
The narration should go according to the following plan: the beginning (introduction), the introduction of the characters, some actions of the event, the conflict (the main event that changes everything), the solution of the problem, the ending (the end).
First, think over an approximate plan of the story with the child, explain in simple words, disassemble and remember the types of heroes, types of kinship, ancient names, what dialogue and the words of the author are, what the plot should consist of, make a cheat sheet-draft of the future story. When the child tells, record the story on the recorder, then retype it, reread it with the child again, check if you have taken into account all the points, if there are any speech errors, discuss how you can correct mistakes or how to supplement the story.
This task develops imagination, creative and logical thinking, teaches to speak and prepares for writing essays, gives initial knowledge of literary theory, teaches you to work with different styles of text and with different types of speech. Imagine, practice and get ready for school with matryoshka dolls!
