Category

Sweden

Category
Arts

Why your next trip should be to North Jutland in Denmark

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.

by
Keep Reading
Belgium

How to achieve a good work-life balance 

With almost a third of UK workers feeling that they have a poor work-life balance, it’s becoming an important issue to address. Not only does it affect our relationships and home life happiness, but it can also take its toll on our mental health. Read on as we investigate the best way to manage a good work-life balance and take some tips from other countries.

The current situation

The general consensus appears to be the adults in the UK are overworked. Maintaining a healthy balance between home and work life seems to become more difficult as we get older, with statistics showing that the younger the employee, the less likely they are to identify work-life balance as an important part of their job. The task of juggling a family alongside a job is also difficult for many to manage with statistics revealing that 75% of working parents suffer stress and anxiety as a result of their work-life balance management.

Although some businesses aim to operate at maximum capacity, this can take its toll. Research found that as a person’s weekly hours increase, so do their feelings of unhappiness. Of course, this is no surprise. Even for those who don’t work long hours, there is still the issue of ‘switching off’ and disconnecting from what’s happened at the office. In fact, one third of European workers said that a bad day at work affected their personal life.

As we work more, we find that we have less time to spend with those we love, less time to focus on accomplishing goals that aren’t work-related and less time to pursue our hobbies and dreams. But, many of us feel as though there’s nothing we can do about it.

How do people manage in other countries?

In comparison to our western European counterparts, Britain has the worst work-life balance. What can we learn from our foreign neighbours?

It seems as though workers in other countries have more free time to spend outside of work. In Belgium, employees have an average of 8.6 hours of free time per day compared to their 7.4-hour work days, and Netherlands are enjoying the shortest working week at only 30.3 hours. Denmark only spend 6.6 hours at work each day with 8.8 hours each day to spend how they wish, and Austrians are encouraged to start the weekend early with 3pm finishes implemented around the country. Many Germans are able to relax on a Sunday too, as stores are regulated so that they close on Sundays. All of these extra hours add up it seems, with Britons working 325 hours more per year than workers in Germany.

Unlike UK workers who often work with only half an hour to an hour break per day, foreign employees are encouraged to take multiple breaks throughout the day. The Spanish are famous for their midday siestas which began as an effort to sleep through the hottest period of the day in warmer climates. Although new laws mean that shops have to remain open without a break for naps, some workers still follow the siesta tradition. Or, they take long coffee and lunch breaks with colleagues — something that is widely accepted by employers. Finland also take on the approach that long breaks are good for everyone, and their workers enjoy extra-long lunch breaks that are one to two hours long! If you visited Sweden on business, you’d probably be invited to join them for ‘fika’ — this is a late morning coffee that offices pause to enjoy at around 11am.

Other regulations that help maintain a healthy work-life balance include:

  • Belgians are able to take a full month off work to coincide with school breaks.
  • Spanish workers have a holiday allowance of 30 days.
  • France introduced a law in 2017 that gave workers the ‘right to disconnect’ from after-work emails.
  • Swedish workers enjoy 16 months of paid family leave

What can we do?

Although we can’t change the regulations of our workplace, there are some things that we can do to help manage our work-life balance.

Enquire with your employer about splitting up your break. Research has proven that taking regular breaks can improve your productivity, and it therefore could be something that they will support. Split your hour break up into half an hour and two 15-minute breaks to decrease the amount of time spent at your desk at one time. Get some fresh air or spend time talking to family on the phone, taking a small action like this could reduce your stress levels.

A long commute can lead to stress and depression according to one study. This is one reason to propose flexi-time at your office, where you can skip the traffic at each side of your day and do something more productive. Of course, this isn’t an option for everyone. You could make your commute feel more productive though, by listening to a podcast or audio book that can reduce the stress of rush-hour traffic. Alternatively, going to a gym class near to your work can mean that you miss the bulk of the busy traffic and allows you to fit some exercise into your day as well!

Although it can be difficult, restrict yourself on checking emails when you’ve finished work. Think of the long-term issues that mixing home and work life can have and aim to check your emails only for ten minutes on an evening instead of an hour. This is the same for working overtime, unless entirely necessary, make sure you are sticking to the number of hours that you’re contracted to. This can not only affect your mental health but can lead to employers expecting this behaviour at all times.

Make sure you’re using your annual holidays to recharge and spend time with family. We’re all guilty of using our holidays to run errands or do something that we’ve been putting off, but this isn’t always helpful for our work-life balance. Although we need to do this now and then, annual leave should be used to recuperate, relax and enjoy time away from the office so try to focus on this.

As we can see, the current situation is not great for UK workers. But, there are some small changes that you can make. From splitting up your break to making the most of your holidays, being conscious of finding a good split between the office and spare time is the first step to improving your work-life balance.

This article was brought to you by CT Shirts, retailers of men’s dress shirts.

Sources

https://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/third-workers-poor-work-life-balance/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/w/work-life-balance

https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/countries-with-best-work-life-balance-in-europe

https://www.cityam.com/268119/eat-sleep-work-repeat-why-uk-has-worst-work-life-balance

by
Keep Reading
Beauty

GIRL BOSSES OF GREAT BRITAIN: A CATCH UP WITH THE QUEEN OF BLOW DRIES

How do you stop your business from drying up? According to Duck & Dry’s Yulia Rorstrom, you make sure it can be duplicated time and time again. We spoke to the founder and entrepreneur about making her business work all over the captial.

“I am always nervous. It is really hard to predict success.” Duck & Dry founder, Yulia Rorstrom, opens up about finding each and every one of her launches just that little bit nail-biting. You’d think her reaction to new projects would be the opposite with four years’ worth of glistening business decisions under her belt, but her modesty just leads me to admire her more. This is not the first time I have met her, and every time I do I am taken aback by her bundles of knowledge and passion. She is remarkable, really.

Soon after Yulia’s first blow-dry bar opened on the much sought after Kings Road, London, it became clear she was destined for big things. We dubbed her the Queen of the Blow Dry, not for effect (at least not only for that), but because she just is. She knows all there is to know about blow dries and up-dos, plus how to make good money from them, and all of that comes despite a background in a completely unrelated field.

Yulia started her career when she graduated from the London School of Economics. She began as a management consultant (and a very successful one at that), advising commercial banks and insurance companies. It wasn’t until a business trip to Japan, a country that had totally nailed the then-unheard-of concept of the blow dry bar, that she realised there was a gap in the UK beauty market.

“It really inspired me there”, she said. “They have a really high concentration of salons per square meter, and I hadn’t seen anything like that before.” Each of the salons had bags of character and personality, Yulia remembers, whether that was due to the interior design, the stylists’ uniforms or the music they played.

Yulia’s journey continued in the USA, where she noticed that similar bars had a real buzz about them. She continued: “When I went, the girls were really excitable and happy to hang out and chat. It was their weekly spot before going out and that kind of buzz and energy was lacking in London. I decided I wanted to combine the two with a strong distinctive brand and a great experience. I thought, I’m just going to go for it and try it out.”

Having seen the wonderful salons Yulia has created over the past four years, we are lucky she bought the concept to the UK, but she is the first to admit it was a scary career jump over to the world of beauty.

She said: “When you’re setting up a business, especially in an industry that you’re not familiar with, you might spend a lot of time thinking about the big picture – the brand, the experience you want the client to have, interiors and look books. What you don’t spend as much time on is the day to day operational grind.”

She continued: “That’s tough at first because you’re not prepared for what it’s going to bring you. Everything from suppliers and staff to clients and landlords. All of that stuff is not particularly sexy or glamorous, but it’s what makes up the business and takes up 90% of your time”.

It was that operational grind, and creating a business model which was actually going to work (whilst holding down a full time job, may we add) which took the entrepreneur by surprise. The business model Yulia created is about expanding the brand and making it work time and time again. She said: “My business model needs a lot of people coming through the doors: visitors, tourists and businesses. We need to capture both regulars and one-offs.”

With stores in Chelsea, Soho, Spitalfields and Oxford Circus, Duck & Dry is now spreading like wildfire; it is interesting to note how Yulia and her team have ensured these people are constantly going out of their way to visit.

Perhaps it has a lot to do with her love for, and knowledge of, the capital which has informed many of her business decisions along the way. “I’ve lived in London for 15 years and I have a very good feel for the city. The places I pick are very iconic. Carnaby, for example – the ‘Welcome to Carnaby’ sign. I saw it when I was at school and now I have a shop there!”

Yulia and her team adapt their concept to suit the demographic of each one of these iconic areas, and to suit the character of the commercial units they fall in love with. The Chelsea store has a town house feel, and Carnaby Street branch is part of a concept lead store in collaboration with Sweaty Betty and Farm Girl Cafe. The Oxford Circus store plays on the fact that you’re surrounded by Fitzrovia and the West End (there are many galleries in the area, so it has a fitting New York loft feel), and the Spitalfields store has a bit more edge thanks to its central market location.

This Spitalfields store is Yulia’s latest venture: a gem hidden within the famous market which opened its’ doors in September. The original brick work has all been retained, but brand colours have been used alongside lots of wood and lots of marble. It has been a huge success so far, but since each pocket of London is very diverse, it was very difficult to predict whether it would be. “I’m not a pessimist but I’m pragmatic”, Yulia explains. “I set expectations lower and I don’t just assume people will find out about my new ventures. I do lots of social and campaigns to give everything a push.”

She continued: “We do a bit of everything, from cocktail nights to gallery takeovers.” To date, Yulia has enjoyed collaborations with the likes of Adidas, Barbie, Boden and Batiste (to name a few), and it is one of her dreams that the list will never stop growing.

The recipe seems to be working a treat: choose your locations wisely, don’t just expect your ventures to work and push them on social ’til you’re blue in the face. Do you have a favourite store, we asked? “Chelsea was my first, so I have a certain attachment to it. But it’s not my favourite. That’s like choosing a favourite child!” Spoken like a true businesswoman.

Head to the new Duck & Dry Spitalfields store now, or stop by Duck & Dry Oxford Circus on 16th October for a free Elan Cafe hot chocolate with every blow dry.

by
Keep Reading
Denmark

9 Amazing Reasons to Visit the Northern Europe

Northern Europe often gives off the impression that it’s a remote quiet part of the world given its small populations and cold weather that sometimes could border on the extreme. The truth is, it’s a beautiful area that is rich in culture and history – a true gem of a travel that’s off the beaten path compared to usual European destinations like Rome, Paris, or London. If you’re itching for a different kind of European experience, consider going on northern Europe tours that will introduce you to another beautiful side to the continent. Here are 9 amazing reasons that will convince you to bite the bullet and start planning your Northern European getaway!

1. Visit the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark. Satisfy your thirst for Viking knowledge by witnessing first hand five actual Viking ships that were discovered in the Roskilde Fjords found around the city.2. See the first ice hotel in the world in Kiruna, Sweden. Time your vacation around the winter Snow Festival to make the most of Sweden’s wintertime activities.3. Attend a festival in Tampere, Finland. This city located in between two lakes is popular for holding so many cultural festivals – from theater to film to music and nearly everything in between.4. Walk through the streets of Aalborg, Denmark. This Northern Europe harbor was very prominent during the Middle Ages. At present, it is home to half-timbered mansions along streets that are picturesque in the daytime and become party central at night.5. Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland. This nature reserve might not be European in the strictest sense, but it does have its connections to it through its Norse heritage. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa where you can relax and get all warmed up amidst the coolness of the environment.6. Discover the richness of history in Vilnius, Lithuania. The capital city has ancient churches and the famous Old Town, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.7. Take a tour of the Stifsgarden royal palace in Trondheim, Norway. This is quite possibly the largest wooden building in the entire Northern Europe, and is worth a visit for the socio-economic history of the Trondheim and the River Nidelva which flows through it.8. Soak up the fantastic scenery in Uppsala, Sweden. The city has a decidedly slower pace of life, which is the perfect complement to its amazing scenic areas and parks. Uppsala may be smaller than other Swedish cities, but it has a life worth witnessing all on its own!9. Stroll through the world’s best preserved medieval town in Tallinn, Estonia. On this side of the world lies the Old Town, a city that has never been raided or pillaged in all of its history.The result? A beautifully preserved town that you can explore to have the most genuine experience of what medieval life was like.

Clearly, there’s more about Northern Europe than meets the eye. If you are set on discovering more about such an amazing part of the world, read more about Northern Europe to have a better idea of what awaits you when you get there!

by
Keep Reading
Australia

#GirlBossesofGreatBritain : Changing career paths & falling in love with whisky with Alwynne Gwilt, Brand Ambassador for Balvenie

One of the greatest joys that #TeamCoco get out of interviewing great business women is the motivation that you don’t have to have it all planned out and that following your interests and getting your hustle on can get you to amazing – and unexpected – places.

Today’s interviewee Alwynne Gwilt started out listening in to police scanners for scoops at a national newspaper in Toronto and is currently a brand ambassador for Balvenie whisky based in London. Along the way she shifted her aversion to whisky from the spirit that gave her terrible hangovers from drinking on the beach at uni (!) to a love of the beautiful, nuanced and exciting spirit she knows it is today….

HOC: Hey Alwynne! We especially love speaking with businesswomen with interesting and varied backgrounds and yours certainly is – what brought you to the UK from Canada?

Alwynne: So my background is very different to what I do today… I started working in broadcast journalism in my home country of Canada when I was 16 and then went off to study broadcast journalist. I had the full intention to sticking around the journalism industry for the rest of my career and started working for national newspapers in Toronto and then moved to the UK in 2007 with the intention of staying for just a year. I’d moved over on a freelance contract and, at that time, being paid in Canadian dollars but living in London wasn’t the smartest way to do business!

I promptly got a job in financial journalism which is not my background at all. I ended up at an Insurance Magazine just before the crash and it was crazy and lavish – it was like ‘let’s go to Paris for lunch!’ very strange and such a different journalism world to Canada where that’s DEFINITELY not allowed…

HOC: Sounds pretty crazy! And where does the whisky come in?

Alwynne: Long story short, in this insurance company, I ended up going along to a whisky tasting in Soho as so many people in the financial world drink whisky. I was very anti-whisky and thought it was this horrible, disgusting liquid and I really didn’t want anything to do with it.

At this event I was totally blown away! It’s so great to look back and remember that moment when I was really taken aback – it doesn’t happen that often in life! I left the tasting and decided I wanted to get a bottle and it kind of went from there with friends buying me interesting whiskies for my birthday, I really got into it.

A couple of years later, I decided I’d had it with the investment world and decided to go freelance. I remember going to a food blogging workshop, and this was back in 2011 when nobody really had a clue what a blog was. I didn’t want to become a blogger – I was a journalist! – but when I got chatting to a food editor at The Guardian he recommended that that I needed to start a blog, so that I could start pitching articles about whisky. So I started a test blog called ‘Gwilty Pleasures’ – a riff on my surname – all about food, drink and travel just to try it out. I took a break from work and headed to Costa Rica for a few months and while I was there I formalised this idea I’d had in my head to blog specifically about whisky. When I came back, I started Miss Whisky (MissWhisky.com) and that’s really where it all kicked off!

HOC: Is the whisky industry the boys club I’d imagine that it is?

Alwynne: Not really! When I started my blog there weren’t any females writing specifically about whisky in the UK market but there have always been females involved in the creation of whisky. Industry people always ask me if it was intimidating getting involved as a younger female and do you know what, I always found the industry so welcoming. The only reason I ended up learning so much, so quickly was because I’d meet people at a show and when I followed up with them they said ‘yeh, sure why don’t you come and visit?’ . I never felt that I wasn’t part of the club and no-one wanted to talk to me. I think, from my journalism work, I have a brain that’s interested in so many things and I love to ask questions, I think that was appreciated!

HOC: Before we go any further – I have to admit – while I enjoy a whisky cocktail from time to time – I have no idea what is the difference between a whiskey with an ‘e’ – and one without!

Alwynne: I help you with that! With an E is generally Irish and American and pretty much everybody else doesn’t use an E and there’s various debates about why that came about. One story is that, back when Dublin used to produce more whisky than Scotland, they decided to put their stamp on the spirit and add an E – clearly marking which whiskey was the spirit of Dublin.

HOC: Ah that wasn’t as complicated as I thought! What’s happening in the whisky / whiskey industry at the moment and what should we look out for?

Alwynne: We’re seeing a proliferation of start ups, like we’ve seen in gin. Now when you go to a bar you see the gin list and have no idea where to begin – I don’t even bother trying to keep up with it! But the reality is that whisky takes a lot longer than gin so it’ll take a few years for things to really change.

There’s more and more whisky companies coming through which is interesting and we’re seeing lots more family owned businesses. There’s also some great things happening in world whiskies. Like a few years ago when people got really excited about Japanese whiskies, there are loads of places to look out for. Tasmania and Tawain and India and Africa…. it could easily get a bit overwhelming!

HOC: What a dream – combining travel and interesting whiskies! Where’s the most amazing place you’ve visited in the search for great whisky?

Alwynne: It’s funny but one of the first distilleries I visited was Balvenie in Speyside when the then brand ambassador brought some bloggers to see it! It was such a memorable visit, in the heartland of the Scottish whisky industry – there’s around 50 distilleries in that area. I really fell in love with Scotland through my blog when I’d pootle around the west coast to visit distilleries. I never got to drink anything on site though, as I was driving but I’d be taking my little bottles to get samples to drink in my hotel! Scotland reminds me of Canada, it’s very open and people are super friendly – really welcoming and the landscape is incredible.

The Mackmyra distillery in Sweden is so fascinating. It’s in the woods and is gravity fed which means that no energy is used. The whisky is matured in war time bunkers underground! You drive into the distillery and there’s all these signs almost warning you about a nuclear disaster. It a former bomb creating space and now they use it to store their whisky?! They’ve also got a female master distiller – Angela D’Orazio. They are really cool.

I’m dying to go to Tasmania, there are 8 distilleries there which you wouldn’t expect and it’s like a mini Scotland in the way the land sits – lots of mountains and water… There are so many beautiful stories. For the people who work at these places, this is their way of life and they don’t always realise the impact that their work has down the line, often on a far flung country. It’s fascinating when you think about all this spirit that has been maturing in warehouses goes all around the world and all the time and history and knowledge that goes into it. It’s really quite beautiful.

HOC: I always remember that Parks & Recreation episode where Ron gets to visit the remote Lagavulin distillery on the isle of Islay and gets super emotional…

Alwynne: YES! I was so excited when I saw that episode. I’m a big fan, I bought my other half a t-shirt that said ‘This is LITERALLY the best t-shirt’! Haha!

HOC: If someone fancied themselves a Ron Swanson (!) and wanted to try getting into whisky, what advice would you have for them? I’ve found it’s too often passed off as a ‘man’s drink’, whatever that means and it can seem intimidating for women?

Alwynne: So strange, I mean why is a certain flavour thought of as ‘manly’, whatever that means?! In fact, flavours are the key to finding a whisky you like. I got two of my best friends into whisky and I had it in my head that they’d only like the lighter ones as they’d never really tried whisky before. But, after some experimenting, it was the peaty, punchy ones they loved. They’d always prefer savoury food over sweet and loved smokey flavours – why wouldn’t that be the drinks they’d prefer as well? There’s so many ways to enjoy whisky – some great cocktails out there and some great options to try at home, which is becoming more popular.

HOC: Whisky can be seen as an expensive thing to get into, do you have any tips for House of Coco readers?

Alwynne: That can be true but there’s a lot of time and work that goes into whisky as opposed to other spirits and you’re not likely to get through a bottle too quickly! Generally, independent bottlers like That Boutique-y Whisky Company will be great value and really high quality – they release great bottles with really funky cartoony artwork. In all, there’s a growing trend to drink less but drink better and people are spending a bit more on spirits.

It’s always worth keeping an eye out at Christmas on places like Aldi! Every year, they bring out old whiskies insanely cheaply. Last year, for the first time, they’d bottled an old Irish whisky… I’m usually so late to the party on new releases but, for the first time ever, I read the article on the day this whisky became available. I discovered it was available online so snapped up two bottles I was dubious as it was so reasonable priced and it was so good. Two days later I came back home, after few cocktails, and bought two more bottles online before it sold out!

HOC: It must be so strange for you, looking back on your career and where you’ve got to…?

Alwynne: Definitely! I mean, I’ve now been a full-time employee of Balvenie for a year and a half and before that spent time working across the William Grant brands. I still have my blog, Miss Whisky, which is so important to me as it’s my roots!

It’s been a very different career path than I expected. My dad has been very happy, he’s got a lot of whisky over the years! One of the best things was when I did the opening tasting at the Victoria Whisky Festival in Canadawhich is right by where my Dad lives so he got to come along. It was one of those moments of thinking – ‘this is the most random thing!’ When I left home at 17 for journalism school, this is not where I thought I was going but it was so nice to almost bring it home….see, it all makes sense now! I totally knew what I was doing the whole time!

With that inspirational thought, we went off on a tangent about in-the-know bars in Seoul in South Korea and how Netflix could commission a series like ‘Nailed It’ based on making cocktails. But it would likely be a bit too messy!

To find out more about Alwynne’s work head to her blog MissWhisky.com

by
Keep Reading
Girl Bosses

Women Worldwide : Raising Consciousness with Little Cirkus

Little Cirkus offers designer children’s products and a unique range of skin and hair products that contain only vegan and organic ingredients. Everything is produced in Sweden and the company was founded by ultimate Bossbabe Anna Aro Ring who launched the company after she became a mother.

Devoted to a healthy lifestyle, it was no shock that Little Cirkus would be a brand all around toxin free skincare. Here, we chat to Anna to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Little Cirkus…
It all started with a dot on my son’s cheek. A dot that became a big wound which spread. Me and my husband visited different dermatologists in Stockholm, and got several different referrals and cream prescriptions. After seeing Sweden ́s foremost dermatologist and they neither could find out what it was, and how we could overcome it, it aroused curiosity out of frustration that nothing helped. Read through a lot and realized that I did not find the completely clean and non-toxic product that I was looking for, nor packaged in a nice bottle that is happy to stand in the bathroom, I realized I had found a hole in the market that needed to be filled.

It’s really worrying to think that before launching your brand, it was hard to find child friendly products with no toxins. How did you start researching how to launch them yourself?

Once I decided to develop a skin and hair care series, I started working with knowledgeable people, which has been the key to everything. Lorentz, our son, became guinea pig and after year of development we landed in the products that are now sold by Little Cirkus.

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?

Both yes and no. I think it is impossible not to make small mistakes, from them I have learned a lot. I don´t think you can throw yourself into a new market and believe that you can do everything, you have to be humble.

But sure, some investment I might have been able to wait with, but on the other side, Little Cirkus haven’t been what it is today if I had not done the misses I made.

Your products are all vegan friendly, do you also follow a vegan diet?

I´m quite devoted to a healthy lifestyle, and after I started Little Cirkus I have become more conscious. Both in terms of food but also what we feed the skin with. I would say that today most people are quite well informed that there is a connection with what you eat and your wellbeing, but I think many forget that even what we put on the skin also feed our internal organs.

I have been a vegetarian for long periods of life and if there is a vegetarian option I prefer it, but I absolutely could not live a life without including a spaghetti with seafood and a bottle of wine, so I´m not a freak. I have a playful approach, not a dead serious one.

How do you plan on expanding the range in the future?

There are several products in the pipeline and we received several requests from our customers – Little Cirkus best products developer!

Very recently we released a bar soap which is our first product with scent. Another sought after products is sunlotion, the dream would be to develop a sun cream that was completely non-toxic!

With being a mother and an entrepreneur, how do you create a healthy work / life balance?

I don´t  Being an entrepreneur is one of the things that I love the most, but you need to be on top all the time. So finding that balance is incredibly challenging. Working as an entrepreneur is a way of life, you are never 100% free, the job does not end – YOU are the business.

But then in it there are incredible opportunities, and that I love!

A rule has been to put away all the work from when we pick up our son from kindergarten until he falls asleep, then I can work late in the evening instead. It creates more quality time for the whole family! But good how difficult it is!

Before launching your business, what career did you have?

I have worked for several years in television and radio production, mainly as editor and project manager. Then I worked as editor-in-chief of a design magazine before I became a mother.

What does 2020 look like for you?

New products and new markets. It feels incredibly fun and exciting that we have gained such great interest outside Sweden´s borders! And of course continuing to do what we do best, make organic and vegan skincare for our babies.

What does self care mean to you?

To not be too hard on yourself and allow yourself to take a minute break here and there. You can ́t be perfect, and it’s so important to think to yourself with a clear mind, without being a mom or entrepreneur. Enjoy something you like, maybe a manicure or a bath. It ends up being better for everyone in the family when you are happy and balanced.

Follow Little Cirkus for more…

by
Keep Reading
Food & Drink

#CocoDrinks: Cadello Hits The UK

With an Asian and Italian heritage, a smooth recipe that took more than three years to develop and the inspiration that arose from Venetian masked balls, Cadello is released in the UK. A brand unlike any other that you have seen before, its premium spirit claims to define a category of its own, and we at House of Coco can’t wait to see it on a drinks menu around the UK’s top bars and restaurants.

Cadello serves up a spirit as magnificent as the wealthy merchants of Venice and masked balls that came to be the inspiration behind this brand. Providing a distinct and singular experience, this spirit is crafted with eight carefully selected ingredients, which unveil flavours of coffee, chocolate, star anise and vanilla, with hints of caramel, hazelnut, mint and toffee. The ingredients are infused in grain alcohol and then distilled separately, before being carefully blended into French Oak barrels with coffee beans, to age into a spirit that encapsulates the perfect depth, complexity and smoothness.

Cadello is perfectly smooth and can be simply enjoyed on its own to allow a full sensory experience of the flavours mentioned above. A spirit that is pleasing at any time of the day, Cadello works well as an aperitivo, digestivo and a delicious addition to any cocktail. Fashioned by top bartenders in Zurich, London, Paris, Scandinavia, Germany and Mumbai, Cadello offers a wide range of cocktail recipes; satisfactory to everyone’s tastes.

Why not try the Cadellotini? Cadello’s very own spin on the much-loved Martini. This cocktail was created by Goethe Bar in Zurich and includes Cadello, Vodka, Frangelico, Cherry Liqueur and Espresso. If that’s not to your tastes, then why not combine Cadello with fresh lemon juice, Tio Pepe Dry Sherry Fino and Ginger Syrup to create the Fizzy Fiddler. A cocktail created by award-winning bartender Chloé Merz-Salyer.

Priced at £30 for 50cl, available online from Honest Grapes.

by
Keep Reading
Fashion

Designer Spotlight : Rosbyappearal

”IT ALL GOES BACK TO A COUPLE OF YEARS FROM NOW. I WAS WORKING AT A PLACE I DIDN’T WANTED TO AND I REALLY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING NEW…”

Those words were by Phillip Rosie, founder of Rosbyappearal. A brand that we were keen to find out more about. Here’s what he had to say…

When did you launch the brand and what was the reason behind it?
I launched the brand in the end of July 2017 and the reason i launched Rosbyapparel was that I felt that todays brands always looks at the commercial concept of clothes instead of the people that wears them. Your first impression is the most important one, so to be able to reflect your personality in the style and clothes you’re wearing has always been very important for me. Instead of being a part of todays trend, YOU make it.

Whats your background?
I was born in Helsingborg Sweden in 1989. Since a very young age I have always been interested in art and how designers incorporate it into everyday life, this lead to my passion for designing later in life.

In my first weeks of kindergarten when I was 6 years old I understood quite fast that this world could be cruel. I had a hard time fitting in and making friends with the other children in my class, this lead to me being an outsider and not long after I became an easy target for bullying. This went on for some time, it wasn’t until I went to high school that I started being able to stand my ground and develop the foundation that would later become my personality. I started getting friends and my social life took a step for the better.

Being in a group of friend and having fun felt amazing, but it was now I started to see how mistreated other people in my surroundings where. I decided to become the one to stand up towards the bullies when the ones being prosecuted couldn’t.

You might think that I wish to make my school years disappear, funny thing is I don’t look back at it in anger, I’m glad that I got to be the target so others didn’t, it was thanks to the horrible actions of others that many years later made my vision of Rosbyapperal so clear. An idea was born, to help as many people as possible when they cant help themselves. A lot of men and women have great difficulties expressing themselves, they might feel that they need to follow the stream and go for a fashion trend that might not fit them personally.

If Rosbyappearal could help others being more true to themselves and not something that other people wants them to be, that would bring me great joy.

How many people are involved in the company and what are their roles?
Right now it’s only me, the idea was that me and one of my best fiends was supposed to start this together but he’s really great in making music so he decided to go for his dreams. From time to time i get some help from people around me with making music for the commercials, models for the photo sessions and when i get stuck in some crazy idea I have great people around me that are always there to brainstorm with me.

But besides that it’s only me.

If you could start over with the business, would you do anything differently?
Yeah, I would probably take a step back from it at certain times, just to be able to appreciate the hard work i pour in to this company. It’s not always about working, sometimes you just have to be in the moment to be able to enjoy the journey.

What is the hardest challenge you have faced since you started the company?
Teaching myself how a business works, day and night filled with boring information about facts and figures to be able to start. Luckily I have great support all around me that helps when I find something difficult and to keep me on track. I think it’s important to understand that i knew nothing about having a company, designing clothes or to manage the economical side of a business, i had to work hard and study to be able to start Rosbyapperal. The and the idea of what Rosbyapperal could be in the future was the best motivation someone could ask for. Thinking back to what i initially thought that this company could be and seeing what it is today makes me confident that were moving in the right direction.

Tell us one fact about you that people wouldn’t know?
I’ve been a dancer for 10 years now, starting with linedance when my father took me to a dance lesson. After that it’s been a lot of different styles, hip-hop, popping and locking, latin styles and bachata.

2018 is here, where do you plan on taking the brand?
In 2018 i really want to explore Europe, give Europe a taste of Rosbyapparel and spread our story to help people really be who they are. I want to bridge the gap between the people and make this brand more of a community than a place where you buy clothes. I want us to be the first steppingstone in minimising the gap between different styles and ages. I want Rospbyapparel to be a part of your everyday life. I want Rosbyapparel to be the real you.’

To date, what has been the highlight since launching?
The biggest highlight has been the massive response from people all around the world. I think it’s amazing that people with different backgrounds, ethnicity and culture can relate and see themselves in our brand.

Which city do you feel most at home in, London, Paris or New York?
New York, the urban atmosphere in some parts of the city just hits me where my heart is.

Three beauty products you can’t leave the house without?
I don’t use any products, the only thing I bring with me is a smile…

Just kidding, if I’m going on vacation I always bring hairspray, volume powder and perfume.

Style means….?
To express yourself truthfully. Never portray yourself as something you’re not, let the clothes be an extension of who you are.

Best thing about London to you?
Never been to London so I couldn’t say, but if I were to guess probably your music scene, Buckingham palace and the fashion.

Favourite love song?
That must be a classical, ”I don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith”

Best place for a coffee?
Sitting outside of a coffeeshop in Rome.

Most memorable piece of advice given to you?
If you find something you love to do, you never have to work a day in your life.

Guilty pleasure?
Singing in the shower.

If you could spent 24 hours anywhere in the world, where would it be?
It would’ve been amazing to have a 24 hour long release party with the community and followers, it would be amazing to party where we can meet the people and hear their thoughts on how we can make this brand better together. Sounds like a great time don’t you think?

In the future, how do you plan on expanding the company?
At this time I have the great privilege to work with a lot of different influencers around the world, hopefully we will expand the network of influencers so we can reach out to more people. We are also working very hard on making new connections with the fashion world, we are trying to make Rosbyapperal into a household name.

Find out more…

www.rosbyapparel.com

Instagram:

rosbyapparel

Facebook:

rosbyapparel.com

Twitter:

rosbyapparel

Looking forward to see you all very soon!

Keep on Rockin!

by
Keep Reading
Fashion

Metal Dresses Steal the Limelight!

Although I normally love capturing more conventional fashion as you know only too well from following my little lifestyle blog (that’s assuming you do follow me on a regular basis and haven’t just rocked up here by accident after mis-typing another search engine query), that doesn’t mean I’m blinkered to other aspects of a truly dedicated fashionista’s life, which have the potential to be beautifully shot. And while leafing through the pages of a certain fashion publication the other day (very glossy, very fashion-y) whilst on a train, I happened upon some stunning images of Delhi-based fashion designer, Rimzim Dadu’s metal-inspired dresses.

Some Actual Information

Dadu is renowned for her ambitious and daring use of materials which other fashion designers would shy away from; yes, including even Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood for my money. So, yeah, we’re talking pretty far out there, in a good way. Plastic, acrylic, paper and now textiles woven with steel wires; no material is off limits for Dadu, as she strives to – in her own words – make “my women to look strong.” Her unique creations lends heavily from her own cultural reference points, and describes how she enjoys ‘deconstructing’ traditional Indian attire and then sets about reimagining it with an even bolder sense of symbolism; yet never losing sight of the background and inspiration behind the original piece. And the resulting metal and steel wire sarees are nothing short of amazing to look at, empowering any woman who has the confidence to wear Dadu’s unique designs.

Americans Make Loads of Steel Buildings! Who Knew?!

And this got me thinking just what other designers have experimented with steel and metal as a material. Apart from MGM when they were designing the Tin Man’s outfit in The Wizard of Oz. My search (obviously) led me to the internet, and like everyone who’s ever used the internet in the history of, well, the internet, I became instantly distracted and lost an hour of my life I’ll never get back. Yeah, have you ever tried typing the words ‘steel’ and ‘style’ into your browser and see where it takes you. I even wound up on the American pre-engineered steel building systems website Armstrong Steel, which services the denizens of Colorado with all their steel-constructed units needs. Seriously fascinating stuff, actually. Did you know that some churches are even built from steel in America?!

Swedes and Dutch Love Their Metalwork Too

Anyway, I finally got back on track and discovered that only last year Swedish fashion designer, Naim Josefi had showcased his bespoke steel dress on the catwalks of Stockholm’s fashion week. I learned that the designer collaborated with Swedish precision strip steel manufacturers, Voestalpine Precision Strip AB (who might be kinda like a Scandi version of Armstrong Steel??) to create his stunning steel dress. Apparently the metal material can be used for various other applications, such as razor blades, scalpels and something called valve flaps.

A bit more delving revealed that in 2015 Dutch designer, Iris van Herpen fashioned ‘wearable’ clothes from a steel mesh polished in swirls, for a supposedly ready-to-wear collection. To wear, where, I’ve absolutely no idea. Maybe a fancy dress party, judging by the OTT quality of the actual item. Oh, and finally I discovered an Italian company which specialises in the manufacture of metal-infused fabrics. Brass wire, stainless steel, pure copper wire, the works, are meticulously woven into materials for dresses to be made out of.

by
Keep Reading
Fashion

5 Coolest Hotels In The World You Must Visit

Here at House of Coco, we spend a serious amount of time swooning over the coolest hotels in the world. But what exactly is it that takes a hotel from standard to chic? Whether it’s an ultra-hip location or sheer isolation, adventure or high-end architecture, #TeamCoco is always on the lookout for unique hotels with that extra-special edge. From boutique desert boltholes to arctic tree houses, here are five of the coolest hotels in the world…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhCI3UoHKdg/?utm_source=ig_embed

Scarabeo Desert Camp, Marrakech

We love authentic experiences, even more so when they’re coupled with a touch of luxury – so when we saw Scarabeo’s Desert Camp, we knew we were in glamping heaven. Just 15 tents stand among the desert dunes outside of Marrakech – each decorated with bedouin-rugs, oriental fabrics and local artwork for an irresistible old-world desert explorer vibe. # TeamCoco ’s top tip – opt to be picked up in a vintage sidecar from the airport to really feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcG-QtiFCrG/?taken-by=sonevajani_

Soneva Jani, Maldives

Sliding from the roof of your villa right into the waters of the Indian Ocean, you’d be hard-pressed to imagine a cooler hotel room. If your very own water slide isn’t enough (who are we kidding – of course it is) the villas at Soneva Jani also offer retractable roofs for stargazing, direct lagoon access and there’s an alfresco beach cinema. With a barefoot island feel alongside super-luxe touches, we think this might be the Maldives at its most magical.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgrEcUtFEHY/?taken-by=treehotel

Tree Hotel, Sweden

You’re never too old for a treehouse in our book, particularly when that treehouse is one of seven avant-garde design rooms suspended above the forest deep in Swedish Lapland. From the otherworldly ‘UFO’ to the most recent minimalist ‘7th room’, each may be different, but all are designed to immerse guests in this incredible arctic landscape. Husky safaris, zip-lining and northern lights chasing are just some of the activities on offer if you can bear to leave the uber-cool refuge of your treetop den, that is.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bgu15KBlqhq/?tagged=amangiri

Amangiri, Utah

An oasis of luxury in Utah’s alien desert landscape, Amangiri’s minimalist design, otherworldly surroundings and trademark Aman opulence are what make this hotel truly iconic. Ultra exclusive suites (some with private pools, swoon) open out onto the wind-warped landscape, red-rock cliffs and endless sandstone desert. There are plenty of desert activities on offer, but in a setting, this serene #TeamCoco recommends sitting back and simply soaking up the scenery from the pool or spa.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BT1uOvflKop/?utm_source=ig_embed

The Ace Hotel, Palm Springs

This hipster hangout is housed in a former motel, transformed by Ace into the place to see and be seen in Palm Springs (the ultimate playground for LA weekenders). By day you’ll find the rosé flowing, music playing and the Instagram set by the pool, enjoying the stunning mountain backdrop and preparing to continue the party late into the night. Rooms have a chic, desert-Hollywood aesthetic, while vintage magazines and a retro photo booth complete the old-school cool vibe.

by
Keep Reading