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Food & Drink

The Booze Tales

Here at House of Coco we love indulging in a sparkling beverage at the end of a long day and we’re equally enthralled by the stories behind some of favourite indie booze brands. Come with us as we get intoxicated by these booze tales from around the world…

Old Curiosity Distillery, Edinburgh

theoldcuriosity.co.uk

When Hamish quit the family drinks business to travel in North America, little did he suspect that learning from a medicine man in the forest would trigger an obsession with botanicals and lead him to take a punt on a derelict glasshouse on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Moving his family out of the city, he had the vision of building a home for them on an enchanting piece of land at the foot of the Pentland Hills and a better life centered around nature. He now spends his days wild swimming at sunrise and working with some of 600 herbs and flowers grown at his Secret Herb Garden to create naturally colour-changing gins. Look out for their partnership with Marks & Spencer’s on a British Rose and British Lavender gins available up and down the country and also for dandelions, Hamish’s good luck herb.

GEM & BOLT, Mexico

gemandbolt.com

The magical realism of Mexico resonated with bohemian artists AdrinAdrina and Elliott Coon so much so they wanted to share it with the world through their own brand of mezcal. It’s a mystical feminine spirit thanks to ‘Agave’, the female deity combined with an infusion with damiana historically used by the Maya, Aztec, Zapotec culture as a heart opener. Take a sip of GEM&BOLT and be transported to a far-away, magical fiesta, saturated in colour and stories. Mezcal is thought of as medicinal by many Oaxacan people, so no excuses!

Edinburgh Gin 1670, Edinburgh

edinburghgin.com

After 12 months of experimenting with some of the 13,000 species of plants grown at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Head Distiller of Edinburgh Gin, David Wilkinson chose six botanicals fresh from the garden to go into the distillery’s 2018 gin release. Named after the year that ‘The Botanics’, as the garden is affectionately referred to, was established, this gin celebrates the importance of botanicals with its unique, fresh taste. This distillery has created a contender for its garden party Rhubarb and Ginger Liqueur – now available in handy cans for all your picnic needs.

GRL PWR SOUR, Portland

10barrel.com

We recently chatted with the unstoppable Emma McIlroy, CEO of Wildfang, the activist, feminist clothing smashing the patriarchy from Portland who told us tales of a special collaboration with 10 Barrel Brewing Co. The GRL PWR Sour beer was dreamt up, brewed and labelled by an all-girl gang. “We wanted to make a statement about women’s empowerment,” said Emma and the pineapple mint sour certainly does that with a tangy shakedown to the traditionally male-dominated brewing industry. To find out more about the creative scene in Portland and the incredible work of Wildfang, head over to the ‘Girl Boss’ series on houseofcoco.net

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Accessories

All The Influential Modern Art Your Heart Desires : The Broad, Los Angeles

Disclaimer: This #TeamCoco writer does not know anything about art. I would never pretend to and I actively shy away from Arty talk; that’s why we have our residential art guru Rachael Lindsay.

However, if you are spending any time in DownTown LA (or DTLA as the cool kids call it) you have to get a free (FREE?!) ticket for new modern art museum on the block, The Broad (S Grand Ave, DTLA). Open since September 2015, the stunning piece of modern architecture acts not not only as home to Eli and Edythe Broad’s extensive collection of influential art but also a mix of permanent and special exhibition space.

When we visited we were lucky enough to experience the permanent collection to gawp at life changing pieces of art you didn’t even know you knew or had influenced you from Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Barbara Krueger to Takashi Murakami and Roy Lichtenstein.

The special exhibition ‘Creature’ thematically displayed pieces by some of the artists in the permanent collection (notably Koons’ ‘Metallic Venus’) alongside pinch-me-I-can’t-believe-I’m-in-front-of-this work like Damien Hirst’s ‘No Arts, No Letters, No Society’ and Andreas Gursky’s ‘SH III’.

Heading back to the stunning foyer we got our timed tickets for the star attraction, Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room. As an incredibly personal installation, the lines for this are long as it is designed as a single person experience.

Lamentably, a mirror selfie in this space seems to be the main reason for most of the excitable people in the queue, hoping to nail their Tinder profile pic that says ‘Oh hey there, I’m cultured AND fun!’.

We go in, camera firmly in pocket and sit on the floor of the platform that is surrounded by water to enjoy 1 minute alone with this astonishing piece. Get in the queue early when you arrive as there was a 5 hour wait for this experience, but you can leave the gallery and come back when you are texted to do so!

Tickets are available for this incredible museum from https://www.thebroad.org/visit

They are completely free and released at the start of each month.

In addition to the art you’ll find in LA’s incredible museums be sure to check out some Street Art while you are in town. A great place to start is https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/culture/urban-art

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Arts

No-one likes the tuna here!: Taco Tuesday adventure in Los Angeles

Question! (say it like Beyonce, go on) …. On a Taco Tuesday in central Los Angeles are you going to settle for the local bar’s offering of limp, soggy excuses for tacos or go on a quest to hit not just one, but two of LA’s most gossiped about food trucks?!

Answer: Of course you are going to scour twitter to find these beacons of tortilla joy and take that all important ‘food against the sky’ shot your social media followers are dying to see.

Last week the wonderful team at Discover Los Angeles tipped us off about the trucks we had to visit and so we found ourselves heading up the queue at Korean BBQ dreamland, Kogiat their Downtown LA spot, which is just across from the incredible The Broad (seriously, go!) and the MOCA.

The truck itself looks like something out of the skateboard movies of our teenage dreams, fully metal, covered in stickers and manned by a very efficient team of chefs.

We kicked off Taco Tuesday with a short rib Taco at Kogi BBQ which, at the bargain price of $2.50 was a two bite piece of meaty BBQ heaven. The warming spice of the meat is balanced by the griddled corn tortilla and we’d wager is probably the best thing you can get change on three dollars for.

Our appetites whetted we hunted down our next taco stop; Guerrilla Tacos. You might remember these guys from our interview with head chef, Wes Avila, when he teamed up with Breddos Tacos here in London (see here for more on that). This time we’re visiting him on his home turf, in the iconic, spray painted taco mothership. You’ll always find the Guerrilla Taco truck pitching up outside a coffee shop or wine bar; marrying the street food deity perfectly with a little pick me up.

An aqua fresca and innovative sweet potato taco set us up perfectly for an afternoon of adventuring. Just full enough to trek up to the Griffith Observatory but not too full that we couldn’t entertain indulging in a sneaky little donut on the way!

If you are planning a trip stateside we’d wholeheartedly recommend checking out www.discoverlosangeles.com for all your foodie delights…you can thank us later!

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Designer

#Cocofashion: the sustainable, stylish brand you’ll want to be wearing this summer

Here at House of Coco we are always on the lookout for stylish brands making an impact in the fashion industry. If you haven’t come across Asquith London yet I guarantee once this conscious fashion brand is on your radar, you’ll be spotting it regularly in your yoga class, on the school run and in your local coffee shop.

Founded by Alice Asquith in 2002, this yoga and activewear range combines high quality with style and best of all this ethical, eco-friendly brand is not just for the yoga mat, it can be styled for a more relaxed day look. Alice who was taught to ‘make and mend’ by her grandmother has always made her own clothing, when we meet at the Asquith Eco Summit, she is sporting a stylish floral jacket she made in her 20’s and it still looks chic and timeless on her. She greets me like an old friend and wants to know what I think of the brand. I’ve got to be honest, hands up, I hadn’t come across Asquith until recently. My yoga kit is mainly dominated by Nike staples and the odd piece of Lulu Lemon however I’ve a feeling this is about to change.

The new collection is a range of wearable staples, beautifully designed with soft, durable fabrics. It’s inspired by Alice’s love of Miami and its Art Deco buildings. Pops of blue and white are scattered throughout the pieces. Asquith’s style is classic yet flattering and multi-functional, you can easily take it outside the studio. I have to be honest, I live in my Asquith Harem pants and have my eye on their jumpsuit, ideal for travelling in.

The range features two core fabrics, Bamboo and Bambor (a natural performance fabric Alice developed and trademarked). Both are ethically made in a Global Organic Textile Standard approved factory in Turkey. Bamboo is an environmentally low-impact and sustainable fabric, it’s ideal for activewear as it’s breathable, naturally anti-bacterial and wicks moisture from the body to the exterior of the fabric so it can evaporate more easily. Asquith is always innovating and looking for ways to increase their sustainability taking cues from leading fashion brands; “Stella McCartney is leading the way when it comes to sustainable fashion, says Alice. She lives and breathes sustainability with her brand. And I love her use of modern, innovative fabrics and technology and focus on a more circular economy”.

It’s evident that Alice is on mission to produce stylish pieces that are made with love and you can feel that her new collection is a labour of love. Asquith is not just about the environment, its about the people. Alice regularly visits the factory in Turkey that makes her collection, run by a strong female matriarch character. “It’s like one big family, we lunch together, swap recipes and there’s a real sense of togetherness” she says.

Asquith is a brand that produces gorgeous clothes with a conscience. For more information on the collection visit www.asquithlondon.com

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City breaks

Here’s a sneak preview of the brand new cocktail menu at the iconic Waldorf

Nestled in the iconic Waldorf Hilton Hotel in the heart of London is The Parrot, a stylish tropical hideaway with a brand-new cocktail menu bursting with a selection of tasty tipples. The bar, just a stone throw from some of the major West-End theatres is a great location for a pre-show drink.

The bar’s exotic namesake is alluded to in the interiors, from walls lined with bespoke, hand-painted palm wallpaper to lush foliage and an abundance of greenery planted throughout the space. The plush velvet seating in rich turquoise and midnight blue alongside metallic and rattan detailing draw on the opulence of the historic hotel. The bar front itself is decorated in luxurious teal fish scale tiles beneath exposed Edison filament bulbs, conjuring the moody, atmospheric feel of the speakeasy.

The Parrot’s Bar Manager, Massimiliano Terrile, has designed a menu jam packed with tropical-inspired coolers with fresh and zesty flavours to suit every taste. Team Coco was invited down to the launch party and got to sip and shimmy the night away while nibbling on some delish dishes such as Wagyu beef with pickled enoki, wasabi & pineapple and poached lobster with mango, served with edamame beans, macadamia nuts & yuzu and Quinoa with avocado, sesame, pomegranate & mango, bringing light, exotic flavours to this stylish, tropical venue. Here’s some of our favourite cocktails.

Parrot Puffer
Made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, seasonal fruits and vanilla ice cream, the Parrot Puffer is drizzled with syrup and served in one of the bar’s Instagram-worthy parrot shaped glasses.

Blossom Parakeet
Made with Auchentoshan double oak infused with plum, camomile cordial and ginger ale.

Cockatoos
Made with Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka, bitter XO, cider evaporation and cardamom syrup.

Book your table at The Parrot via www.theparrotldn.co.uk

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Girl Bosses of Great Britain

#GirlBossesofGreatBritain Boot Camp: Workout One, Love Yourself

Have you been enjoying our #GirlBossesofGreatBritain interviews? One of the key themes we keep hearing about is how being your own boss involves a lot of learning. Whether you are your own boss, would like to be or simply want to channel your inner #GirlBoss when planning your next group holiday, we can help.

Welcome to the #GBOGB BootCamp, ladies!

Each week we’ll be sharing some top tips on places to go for more inspo and might even set you some homework, if you are up for it (get those gel pens at the ready!)

Workout One: Love Yourself!

Self-help has some seriously bad rap. Don’t get us wrong a lot of it is about as accomplished and meaningful as the guy spitting some bars on the back of the bus. But self-help is not all about crystals and chakras or power poses (while these things can help if you believe in them!) but finding that place, movie, playlist or book that says something to you.

Here are three of our top sources of ‘Love Yourself’ inspo, with snippy tweet length reviews to whet your appetite:

Love Yourself Reading:

Radical Self-Love by Gala Darling

Gala is a mystical being and self love is her bag. This means whatever you want: meditation, a great squad and the power of a good selfie.

Love Yourself Listening:

Venus Fly by Grimes and Janelle Monae

Oh this song. We hear girl gangs stomping against the male gaze. That may just be our interpretation. Blooming good song all the same.

Love Yourself Watching:

Begin Again, 2013

This is an unexpected, feel good delight discovered on Netflix. Watch and see another side of Keira. Glow inside. Then watch Chef. You are welcome.

What did we miss out? Join the conversation on Twitter and tell us your secret #GirlBoss weapons…

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Fitness

Why marbella is a perfect destination for a wellness weekend

Holidays are no longer all about excess food, drink and sleep. Health and well-being are high on the traveller agenda, as bookings for wellness experiences soar. According to TripAdvisor’s Experiences Trends Report, global traveller bookings for wellness experiences jumped 69% year-over year as holidaymakers are looking for an all-round healthy break.

The Amare Beach Hotel Marbella is the perfect place to stay for a wellness weekend. They combine an amazing spa, good food and fitness making it the ideal destination for keeping active as well as unwinding. You can design your break to be as active or relaxing as you want. Team Coco opted for a combination of both.

Start your day on a chilled vibe with beach yoga. Guided by Amare teacher, Soledad Jimenez Mateos, this class is aimed at all abilities. Set on the harbour at the front of the hotel you loosen up as you’re taken through some gentle stretching, gradually moving into downward dog and warrior pose. The advantage of doing yoga by the sea is that you breathe in clean air, feel the gentle morning sun on your face and the sea breeze in your hair. The sound of the waves gently crashing on the harbour wall create a real zen moment and I quickly switched off from any busy thoughts just concentrating on the slow, rhythmic movements of my body. Afterwards I recommend you head to the hotel patio to soak up the gorgeous beach views and refuel with a healthy, fresh breakfast buffet.

If you are looking for something a little more adventurous than yoga, then canyoning in nearby Benahavis will get your adrenaline pumping. Travel through the foothills of the mountains and experience unspoiled beauty. The canyons are made up of a series of beautiful rock passages carved and sculpted by water over millions of years. There is a mix of activity including swimming, jumping and abseiling using ropes cascading down white water chutes.

Canyoning was a bit too much for me so I decided to take it down a notch and experience some of the best views of the Costa Del Sol with a hike high up into the Andalusian mountains. There’s a number of trails you can take depending on how far you want to go. This experience is a must for those that enjoy nature and want to experience a perspective of Marbella that few often see. My guide collects me early in the morning and drives up towards the Sierra Blanca. It’s a clear day, the sun is shining so I’m guaranteed some epic views. I opted for the two-hour hike starting at Juanar and heading towards La Concha. The route loops round and takes in olive groves, walnut and pine trees and halfway in we are joined by a wild goat. As we hike further towards the top of the mountain the viewpoints get even better. On a clear day you can see the North African coastline and Gibraltar.

The fresh air and brisk hike left me with an appetite, so I made my way to Amare Beach Lounge for an al fresco lunch. Set on the beach, with a casual Mediterranean vibe the menu includes some tasty tapas staples as well as fresh salads and poke bowls. I went for a selection of traditional Andalusian tapas and a glass of Albarino.

All the hiking gave me a perfect excuse to hit the hotel spa and ease any aching muscles. The spa menu is centred around mind, body and spirit. It features some real treats like the Balance Concept Ritual, which combines an innovative therapy and massage to combat stress. I highly recommend the Sleep Ritual Massage, using essential oils and a range of holistic, calming and relaxing movements your mind and body instantly feel soothed and peaceful, perfect for the end of all long day.

If you are looking for a wellness break in the sunshine, then the Amare Beach Hotel is the perfect spot, reached in just two and a half hours from the UK, with daytime temperatures exceeding 20 degrees from April to October.

Team Coco travelled to Marbella courtesy of Amare Beach Hotel Marbella. For more information visit www.amarehotels.com

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Lifestyle

Beautiful Unsuspecting Festival Proposal

You’re at a festival with some friends and your man.

Weird things happen at festivals. You hug strangers, share glitter and dance together as though you’d been practicing for years.

At Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee this weekend one unsuspecting lady, standing amongst a glistening array of bubbles, began to have strangers handing her pretty flowers and flashing excited smiles.

She had no idea what was about to happen next. It’s simply beautiful. Prepare for the happy tears.

Congratulations to you both from us all here at House of Coco!

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Food & Drink

Peanut butter machine run by #GirlBoss Doris & ice-cream parlours from the 40s : The Farmers’ Market, LA

I’m sure we’ve all been to a Farmers’ Market in the last couple of months, hell some of us will have been to one this week. So, it was with some skepticism that #TeamCoco rocked up to the Farmers’ Market in LA. Nestled next to famous shopping spot The Grove and the TV studio magic of the CBS Studios, this is an unlikely spot for a slice of vintage americana but if you take one thing from this article; this is so much more than a market.

We’re met by Maritza from the market’s team who give us a colourful tour of the market’s history and points out some of the 70-odd merchants at the site who are all small, family run outfits that are carefully vetted and nurtured by the market.

While Maritza isn’t available generally for tours she tipped us off about www.meltingpottours.com who run a 2.5 hour stroll around the market with sampling included. We’ll be back to try out their tour next time.

Any history buff will die in the presence of the stories within the market’s walls. In 1880 A. F Gilmore bought two dairy farms in what is now Los Angeles and in 1934 he was approached by two local entrepreneurs with an idea for a ‘village’ where farmers could sell their produce…

Fast forward to 2017, through silver screen legends like Shirley Temple working behind the counter of Brock’s Candies during a 1936 fundraiser, Marilyn Munroe opening a cheesecake stall (yes, really), Frank Sinatra hanging out at Patsy’s Pizza (that you can STILL visit today) and a little bit about a flying lion called Gilmore ; you can turn up, shop for souvenirs, eat great food and grab a local beer and watch live music.

We visited E.B’s Wine & Beer for a local beer flight and a live pianist, Pampas Grill for South American BBQ, Magee’s House of Nuts to chat to the market’s longest serving employee, Doris and Bennett’s Ice-Cream for an epic hot fudge sundae.

The Market is open 9am- 9pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm on Saturday and 10am to 7pm Sunday. We’d recommend heading there for early evening to soak up the atmosphere, we caught a Beatles cover band while we were there!

Find out more about Los Angeles with Discover Los Angeles:

One of the world’s most dynamic and diverse destinations, Los Angeles comprises 88 cities and is considered the cultural hub of the Pacific Rim. Home to near-perfect weather, 75 miles of jaw-dropping shoreline, more museums than any other U.S. city and an award-winning culinary scene, Los Angeles presents endless possibilities that keep its more than 45 million annual visitors entertained. For more information, visit discoverLosAngeles.com , facebook.com/LosAngelesFan, or follow @discoverLA on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

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Food & Drink

Shaking Up London’s Burger Scene: The Vurger Co

With the UK going vega-ga over Veganuary this year and veganism topping every food trend list of 2018, #TeamCoco has her ears pricked for the best vegan openings of the year. And boy, is there a special place about to open in the capital soon. We sent our very own vegan on the team, Rachael Lindsay, to try every dish in The Vurger Co’s test kitchen so that you know exactly what to expect ahead of this 100% vegan burger bar’s opening on the 24 March…

So I tried Veganuary, and it seems like I am still vegan…I astonish myself as I write this as I always said I could never do it, said I was too addicted to cheese, said that veganism was for crazies and health freaks. But then I tried it, couldn’t get over the health, environmental and ethical benefits, and here I am.

But one of the things I have found the most challenging in becoming vegan is eating out. I am a self-confessed foodie and love trying new dishes in restaurants. So it has been a big change for me to have my menu options limited. Sure, quite a few places now have vegan plates on the menu, but to have a whole menu to enjoy, that is reserved for meat-eaters.

But to my delight, there are veggie-only joints popping up all over London now, thanks to a greater understanding and appreciation of the vegan diet. One of those new openings is The Vurger Co, which is due to open later this month in Richmix Square, Brick Lane.

The Vurger Co has been a stalwart of festivals and pop-ups for a few years now, so it has plenty of fans counting down the days until the opening of their new vegan restaurant on 24 March 2018. And omnivores, don’t panic, over half of The Vurger Co’s loyal customers are non-vegan. There will be shakes, coffee, beer and wine on the menu as well as some seriously, seriously good vegan burgers.

I was lucky enough to try every single burger which will be on that menu. Each one is very different, proving how diverse vegan food can be, and each one is, I promise, ludicrously tasty.

My personal favourite is the Classic which is the vegan take on a classic cheeseburger and is filled with smoky black beans, chargrilled red peppers and drips with melty vegan cheese, some of the best vegan cheese I have ever had. I am also a huge fan of the MLT, mixing borlotti beans and mushrooms with a generous dollop of rocket, sundried tomato and walnut pesto.

The Vurger Co’s traditional bestseller is the Auberger; a smoky aubergine and chickpea patty loaded with tabasco chipotle source and red onion. And for those who like spice, the Holy Habanero is the best choice with its sweetcorn fritter, crunchy spiced almonds, homemade salsa and chilli mayo.

I took my non-vegan partner to try out the vurgers too. Having taken a trip to Burger King the day before and being a self-confessed meat burger lover, even he had to admit that these burgers were pretty damn good.

The owners of The Vurger Co are a lovely, down-to-earth couple who discovered how easy it is to be vegan on a trip to California, and decided to leave their careers in fashion buying and banking to pursue their vegan burger dream. Their enthusiasm for the food they create is infectious, and their determination to make people think of more than portobello mushrooms when vegan burgers are mentioned is something I seriously respect. And rather than feeling threatened by all of the other new vegan places opening their doors in London, they are happy to add something new into the burgeoning vegan scene in the capital.

So go along yourself and see if you love these burgers as much as I do.If you call in, tweet us which vurger is your favourite and how they compare to your favourite meat version at @house_of_coco. We can’t wait to hear what you think! For all our lovely vegan readers out there, check out our other vegan features for mouthwatering desserts, and some of the best vegan eats in Leeds: https://www.houseofcoco.net/the-best-vegan-desserts-to-get-you-through-veganuary/
https://www.houseofcoco.net/plant-based-tastes-5-vegan-vegetarian-restaurants-you-have-to-try-in-leeds/

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