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Travel To Enjoy From Your Armchair – The Destinations Bringing Travel To You

Transport Tuscany to Your Kitchen With Live Cooking Classes and Wine Tasting with Tuscany Now and More

​Bring a taste of Italy to the table and learn to cook​ ​Tuscan​y’s favourite ​comfort food and ​taste Italy’s best wines through digital cooking and wine tasting classes from Tuscany Now & More’s Instagram account.

​The ​special series will be available through Tuscany Now & More Instagram account @tuscanynowandmore​ and will include expert pasta making, cooking and wine tasting. ​​Following the first live session on Sunday 29th March, a masterclass pasta course from ​Chef Francesco Maruccelli​, ​Resident Chef at The Estate of Petroio​ is now available on Tuscany Now & More’s InstaStories​. With a list of ingredients also available online, the easy-to-follow video showcases traditional Tuscan dish, Pici Al Pomodoro. The next cooking class will be Tiramisu ready for Easter weekend!

​Tuscany Now & More will continue with classes ​every Sunday ​throughout the Spring and Summer. ​Ingredients and wine choices will be posted each Wednesday. ​All classes will also be available in the Tuscany Now & More Instagram stories, for anyone that cannot tune in live.​ ​

Enjoy the magic of Tuscany from afar and be inspired at home to try your hand and some classic Italian recipes #italycomestoyou.​ Follow @tuscanynowandmore for updates.​

Live 360 Footage of the Mountains with Courmayeur Mont Blanc

Courmayeur Mont Blanc is situated on the Italian side of Mont Blanc (the sunnier side!) and is a traditional yet sophisticated resort full of history and charm and surrounded by spectacular scenery. Only here, do visitors have full access to Skyway Monte Bianco, a 360 degree cable car which transports people up 3,500m up the Mont Blanc. Courmayeur Mont Blanc has granted us all online access to their exclusive webcam. We can now see live footage of the resort, our favourite ski slopes and the SkyWay experience from the comfort of the comfort of our home. If you simply can’t get enough of mountain life, comforting Alpine favourites are also available for you to recreate at home.

Visit www.courmayeurmontblanc.it

Mindful Colouring with MarBella Collection

MarBella Collection is now offering mindfulness colouring-in of images of their three beautiful hotels and their surroundings, including their new property MarBella Elix opening Summer 2020 in Parga. Let your imagination run free and dream of travel in stunning Greek nature.

In the current climate, whisking yourself away to your dream location for a spot of yoga on the docks or paddleboarding on the calm sea feels like a distant dream. But with MarBella Collection’s new mindfulness colouring, they’re bringing these dreams to life and to your own home. Colouring books for adults emerged as a trend early last year and now there are colouring books for practically any interest – and travel shouldn’t be left out of that. Take a step away from your home working desktop and into a true travellers dream that’s personalised by you with your favourite colours, painting the picturesque surroundings of Corfu and Parga. Download the colouring sheets from www.marbellacollection.gr

Get Ready for the First Ever Derry Girls Tour

With season 3 of smash hit Channel 4 show, Derry Girls on the horizon and predicted to land on our screens by May, now is the perfect time to squeeze in a new series – and look forward to a visit to the set later this year. Hastings Hotels, Northern Ireland, has unleashed a brand new tour package experience devoted to the show, where fans and to-be fans can watch now, travel later. Brush up on your knowledge now and get ready to walk in the footsteps of Erin, Michelle, or even the wee English fella later at key locations from the series such as the Guildhall and Dennis’s Wee Shop.

On this tour you will get to see where key scenes took place during a Walled City Walking Tour where visitors can walk through the life of a true Derry Girl and hear about life in the Bodside during the troubles from an expert local guide. The tour finishes at the famous Derry Girls Mural where guests can take a selfie and be pledged as a Derry Girl, or boy. Derry Girls is available on Netflix and All4.

Get Fit From Home with Quinta do Lago’s Live Fitness Classes from The Campus

As millions of us now sit at home, sequestering ourselves to help stop the spread of coronavirus, we need now more than ever an easy, quick fix, for keeping fit. If you’re looking to run away from your desktop disasters or children tantrums you can release tension with Quinta do Lago’s brand new virtual classes. Now live streaming, you can experience the same high-performance facilities as top athletes Rio Ferdinand and the entire Irish rugby team who have used The Campus. So jump up, put your indoor trainers on, turn up the heat and imagine you’re training at the heart of Portugal.

The Campus is a state of the art sports facility with beginners’ clinics, private professional coaching and sunshine all year round. They offer fitness classes and activities which can be done by the whole family. The Campus offers a wide array of fitness classes from Barre Fitness to Express Boxfit and Yogalates. Check out www.quintadolago.com

Longevity Wellness Worldwide’s Playlist – Wellness Soundtrack for Working from Home

The normal work day has taken a different form, bringing its own pressures and tensions. As a result, Longevity Wellness Worldwide has introduced a new work from home playlist to help de-stress and relax. A leader in spa, health and integrative wellness services, Longevity’s new playlist brings the relaxing and nurturing atmosphere of these three wellness hotels in the Algarve right to your door.

Longevity Wellness Worldwide’s has curated a playlist that includes a range of music from relaxing summer songs that recreate the Portuguese holiday experience; to spa relaxation music; and to Portuguese artists, including Bernardo Sassetti, Salvaor Sobral and Luisa Sobral. Visit the instagram @longevityalvor for more information.

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Health & Fitness

SPEND SUNDAY 29 MARCH WITH DEEPAK CHOPRA: LIVE GLOBAL MEDITATION LED BY THE GURU AND THE WELL

This Sunday 29 March, THE WELL – a wellness members club in New York and Deepak Chopra, the world-renowned self-help guru, will join forces to unite the world through a free live streamed global meditation event, bringing millions of people together. During these times of uncertainty, this is just what the world needs!

THE WELL and Chopra share the belief that when enough people come together with the same intention — in this case, to help and heal the world — positive results follow.

Together, they expect to bring together millions of people from their individual homes in countries all around the world, uniting us in a powerful and meaningful experience during these times of uncertainty and heightened anxiety. When many of us can’t go outside, they want us to “come together to look inside.”

Deepak is a renowned doctor, author and self-help guru. His books and mediation teachings have made him one of the best-known figures in his field. He is also the founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism.

“During this trying time, when so many of us are isolated from one another, we’re proud to partner with THE WELL to create a connection across the globe,” says Tonia O’Connor, CEO of Chopra. “At Chopra, we’ve always been deeply committed to empowering the world with healthy habits designed to foster greater joy and well-being. With this live event and our free meditation challenges, we are supporting the need for everyone to stay home and connect through meditation.”

“I’m honoured to partner with Chopra to connect people from all around the world during this uniquely difficult moment in time,” says Rebecca Parekh, CoFounder and CEO of THE WELL. “THE WELL seeks to empower people to take greater agency for their health, helping them understand their well-being from a whole body perspective. It is my hope that H(OM)E will remind people of the ways in which we are so deeply interconnected and that to care for our whole selves means to care for our whole society.”

Tune in for a moment of connectivity.

For more information and to sign up, please visit: https://the-well.com/stayhome.

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Brunch

Wellbeing Recipes with International Flavours

We are living in a strange world at the moment, one where we are now housebound for the foreseeable future to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Here in the UK #TeamCoco are bringing you new ways to enjoy travel without having to leave the safety of your own home, and what better way to feel worldly than to experience new recipes with international flavours.

We have added a few of our favourite wellbeing recipes for you to try at home while in lockdown, for the days when you need some much needed self care.

Yakult and Yuki Gomi – Udon Noodle Salad with Ginger and Carrot Dressing

Taking inspiration from ikigai, the Japanese concept which encourages us to find richness in our lives – our “reason for being”, Yakult have teamed up with Japanese chef and teacher Yuki Gomi to create some simple and nourishing recipes so we can all enjoy the joy of Japanese food at home.

Ingredients (serves 2)
150g Dried soba noodles, 6 Plum tomatoes, 6 Stems of broccoli (boiled or steamed), 6 Sugar snap peas (boiled or steamed), 50g Red cabbage, ¼ cup Edamame (boiled), 1 cup Mixed salad leaves, ½ tbs Peanut oil, 1 Medium carrot, 1 Small red onion, 1cm Peeled ginger, 80ml Olive oil, 50ml Soy sauce, 50ml Rice vinegar, 1tbs Mirin, 1tbs Honey
Optional
Sesame seeds, Spring onion, Chives, Shiso leaves, Coriander, Cress
Method
Bring a pot of water to the boil and cook the noodles for 6-8 minutes. While the noodles are cooking, add a cup of cold water to the pot 2 or 3 times. This will improve the texture of the noodles. Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water to stop them cooking further. Mix with oil and place them in a bowl for serving. For the dressing, add the carrot, onion, peeled ginger, olive oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin and honey into a food processer. Liquidise until smooth. Slice the tomatoes into bite size pieces, and add these and the salad leaves onto the noodles. Pour the dressing over, just before serving.
Yuki’s Tip
For garnish, use sesame seeds, thinly slices spring onions, herbs (chives, shiso leaves, coriander) and cress. Cooking time depends on the noodle brand. Please refer to package’s instructions for specific timing. You can use sunflower, peanut or olive oil.
Visit www.yakult.co.uk

Essilor.co.uk – Sweet Potato and Spinach Quesadilla

Looking for ways to help maintain healthy eyesight? This South American themed recipe from eye health experts Essilor.co.uk is eye wateringly tasty and has all of the essential nutrients to promote good eye health.
Sweet potatoes and spinach are both essential sources of vitamins and minerals that promote eye health. Packed with beta carotene, the body converts beta carotene in sweet potatoes into vitamin A, a nutrient that helps prevent dry eyes and night blindness. Beta carotene and vitamin A also may help reduce the risk eye infections.

Ingredients (serves 2)
1 sweet potato, 2 tortillas, 100g spinach, 1⁄2 jalepeno chilli – chopped, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 garlic clove (crushed), 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, salt and pepper for seasoning.
Method
Pierce the sweet potatoes and cook in an oven at 200 degrees for 50 minutes, or until soft. Let the potatoes cool and scoop out the inners. Heat some of the oil in a large skillet and add the garlic, heat for 1-2 minutes until brown, add the sweet potato flesh, spinach, jalapeno and cumin. Cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally, season accordingly. Spread the filling on one half of each of the tortillas and fold shut, brush with oil on each side and cook on a hot griddle pan for 3 minutes or until brown.
Recipe from Essilor.co.uk (www.essilor.co.uk)

The Good Plates – Monkfish, Chickpeas, and Walnut Gremolata

Chef and mental health ambassador Andrew Clarke has created The Good Plates recipes in conjunction with nutritional therapist Ian Marber, designed to help maintain positive mental wellbeing.
The below Mediterranean recipe was created for David Lloyd Clubs’ The Good Plates, an interactive dining experience pop up where the interiors, food, music, and seating layout were all designed to complement positive mental health.

Ingredients and Method
The Monkfish
600g Monkfish on bone, skinless. Warm unsalted butter or olive oil. Salt and pepper. Steam at 51c for 25-30 mins, pat dry and rub with oil or butter, season with salt & pepper, finish on hot charcoal grill basting with oil or butter, rest and keep warm.
Chickpeas
300g dried chickpeas (soaked overnight), drained. 1 onion. 1 carrot. 1 celery stick. 1 leek. 6 cloves garlic. 1 red chilli. Bouquet garnis (rosemary, thyme, bay). 100ml extra virgin olive oil. Put all contents in saucepan, fill with fresh water, bring to boil for 10 mins, reduce to simmer, cook for 1.5/2 hours until soft (make sure always covered with water), cool down and store in the liquid, season when cool.
Whole Roast Chickpeas
200g of drained chickpeas. 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. 1 sprig rosemary. 2 cloves garlic. Salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste. Warm olive oil in pan with rosemary and garlic over a medium heat, add chickpeas and increase heat, cook for a minute or two until they have firmer texture, season with salt, pepper and lemon juice, keep warm.
Chickpea Puree
300g of chickpeas and just enough of the cooking liquid to cover. 50ml extra virgin olive oil. 1⁄2 1 lemon juice. Salt & pepper to taste. Put all ingredients except the salt & pepper in blender, blitz at high speed until smooth puree, add more cooking liquid if not blending well, season and keep warm.
Pickled Baby Onions
200g pomegranate molasses. 50ml merlot vinegar. 200g baby onions. Roast onions over fire or coals until skins blacken, once cooled remove charred skin, warm molasses and vinegar, pour over onions and keep warm.
Walnut Gremolata
50g roasted walnuts. 25g parsley. 1 lemon zest. 1 garlic clove. 50ml walnut or extra virgin olive oil. Salt to taste. Roughly chop walnuts and parsley, put in small mixing bowl, grate lemon zest, finely grate in garlic, add oil and season.
Assembly
On large plate put chickpea puree in the centre, monkfish can sit on top, put roasted chickpeas over monkfish (allowing any to naturally fall off), dot pickled onions over and around, finally top with gremolata and serve immediately.
Visit https://bit.ly/39fBxhR for more recipes from The Good Plates

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Brunch

Yaasss, It’s Pancake Day Tomorrow!

Do you have all the ingredients to make your own pancakes at home, are you buying in ready-made pancakes, or heading to a mate’s house for Shrove Tuesday treats?

Whatever your decision, we’ve got the low-down on how to enjoy this one-day pancake feast whether at home alone, with your fam, or with your besties.

Traditionally, way back when people fasted in the run up to Easter, shrove Tuesday aka Pancake Day was the day to feast before Lent, it’s when people emptied their cupboards of flour, eggs, sugar and milk and anything that was going to go off, and turned into either savoury or sweet pancakes.

We love pancake day at #TeamCoco, I mean, who doesn’t?

Manuka Honey Pancakes with Melora

Our favourite culinary day of the year is the perfect opportunity to get creative in the kitchen and show off your flipping skills, and Melora has got you covered. With their delicious range of convenient Melora Manuka Honey Squeeze bottles, Pancake Day will be a doddle.

If you have a sweet tooth but are also ingredient conscious, you could try rolled oats pancakes topped with one of the tasty Melora Manuka toppings!

Ingredients for oat-based pancakes:
100g rolled oats, ground to create oat flour, 1 ripe banana (approx. 90-100g), 90ml Unsweetened Almond Milk (can use Oat Milk too), 1 tbsp Melora Honey & Manuka Squeeze, 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 tsp Vanilla Extract, 2 tsp Baking Powder, 2 Medjool Dates finely chopped

Method:
Grind 100g of oats in blender. Add the banana, almond milk, Manuka Honey, apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract and baking powder. Blend for 1-minute until combined. Leave mixture to thicken for 5 minutes. Finally stir in chopped dates so they are evenly distributed. Spoon ladle of mixture (enough to make 6 pancakes) onto non-stick pan. Cook on a low-medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Add your favourite Melora Manuka Squeeze and you’re ready to devour.

Melora’s bottles come in a variety of flavours including Honey & Manuka, Honey & Lemon, Honey & Blueberry, Honey & Cherry and Honey & Ginger.

Available from www.melora.co.uk, currently 1/3 off £7.99 (Usually £11.99), for 400g.

The Ultimate Pancakes with Hotel Chocolat Pecan & Salted Caramel Chocolate Spread

You already know what type of pancakes you are making, and all you want are endless chocolate filled deliciousness on your plate. Then look no further than Hotel Chocolat, and pick up their Pecan & Salted Caramel Chocolate Spread for a simple, yet completely indulgent Shrove Tuesday treat.

Available from www.hotelchocolat.com, priced at £6 for 160g.

Simple and Classy Posh Cow Butter Pancakes

If you are thinking that your pancakes should be classy and unfussy tomorrow then you need to call into M&S and pick up some brand new Posh Cow Butter.

You can opt for savoury with the Posh Cow whipped with Smoked Sea Salt Butter, or you can go sweet with the Posh Cow whipped Blossom Honey & Cinnamon Butter. Simply make your pancakes with your favourite recipe, and when finished, stack them and add lashings of Posh Cow Butter – then delve right in!

Available from M&S stores across the UK, priced at £2.80 each (150g).

Japanese Soufflé Pancakes with Aldi

Try your hand at cooking fluffy and delightful Japanese Soufflé Pancakes – that don’t fall flat. Top with Raspberries and Whipped Cream.

Ingredients:
2 x Eggs (separate yolks and whites), 1 ½ tbsp whole milk, ½ tsp vanilla extract, 30g plain flour, ½ tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp caster sugar, vegetable oil, icing sugar, whipped cream, raspberries, mint leaves.

Method:
Add the milk, egg yolks, vanilla and 1 tbsp of caster sugar into bowl. Beat with large whisk until thick, smooth and creamy. Sift the flour and baking powder, fold into yolk mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites until they turn pale white. Slowly add 2 tbsp caster sugar, whisking as you go. Continue to whisk until egg whites are glossy and hold a stiff peak shape when you remove whisk. Put frying pan with the 4 crumpet rings, on the lowest heat possible. Lightly coat the pan and rings in oil and leave to heat while you continue making mixture. Using metal spoon, lightly fold whisked egg whites into yolk mixture, folding gently ensuring to keep a light, fluffy texture. Gently pile 3 tablespoons of mixture into each ring. Leave to cook for 5 to 6 minutes until pancakes have risen and firmed enough to be able to carefully flip over in the ring. Cook for a further 3 to 4 minutes and then ease the pancakes out of their rings – run a sharp knife down the sides if you need to loosen. Plate, dust with icing sugar and serve with whipped cream, raspberries and mint leaves.

All items available from Aldi. Alternatively take your pick of different pancakes to make at home with Aldi’s Traditional Pancake Mix (89p), or go American style with the American Pancake Mix (£1.29), for the ever-so-fluffiest of pancakes.

A Rewarding Pancake Day with OLIO The Sharing App

If you want to do something rewarding this pancake day, as well as eating pancakes of course, then the UK’s favourite sharing app OLIO is encouraging British households to strip their cupboards of the food they know they won’t eat and share it with neighbours who might.

If you take it back to basics, Pancake Day is all about food waste – stripping the home of food that isn’t going to be eaten so it didn’t end up in the bin for Lent.

According to waste reduction charity WRAP (www.wrap.org.uk) the average British family throws away £730 worth of food a year, amounting to £14 billion of household waste a year.

Tessa Clarke, co-founder of OLIO, explained: “If you think about it, Pancake Day was the original zero waste day for many households. Nowadays, we’re all guilty of keeping unwanted food in the back of the fridge or the cupboard until it goes off and has to be binned. Why not use Pancake Day as the day to do a thorough clear-out and reduce food waste within the home?

“Those unwanted tins of butterbeans, the forgotten lemons in the fruit bowl or even the half bag of coriander in the fridge may not be useful to you – but they could be to somebody close by!”

OLIO has over 1.7million users across 49 countries who, to date, have shared over 3million portions of food. 50% of listings are requested within the hour, while 75% are requested within 24 hours.

Visit www.olioex.com to find out more, or download the OLIO app on your mobile.

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Arts

Valentine’s Vibes at the Cinema

Ever been to the cinema on Valentine’s Day? Yes, we all know about the chocolates, flowers and a lovely meal out, but have you ever taken your beau to the cinema on 14th February?

This may be the perfect opportunity to enjoy the relaxing vibes of the big screen by spending an evening at the cinema tonight.

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s, Galentine’s, or just a night at the movies, check out what’s showing tonight at the following theatres.

SHOWCASE – showcasecinemas.co.uk

Showcase are not only showing a mahoosive range of films tonight including the anniversary re-release of 1990’s most emotional film Ghost, and the classic 1980’s film The Lost Boys, but you can also pick up a limited Swapcorn box to share with your love. A huge Valentine’s-inspired box of popcorn split right down the middle so one of you can enjoy sweet and one salty – it’s the perfect date night treat.

VUE – myvue.com

Vue are showing the classics The Lost Boys and Ghost, alongside a multitude of the latest movie releases. If you venture to one of the newly renovated Vue’s you may be lucky to get the comfiest seats of all time.

EVERYMAN – everymancinemas.com

Everyman Cinemas are showing at selected cinemas the newly re-released Ghost and the classic 1980’s movie When Harry Met Sally. So, if you’re looking for sofa luxury with hot food delivered to your seat then Everyman is for you.

CINEWORLD – cineworld.co.uk

Cineworld is offering movie fans the opportunity to watch either Ghost or The Lost Boys in the VIP screen. Complete with private bar, reclining seats, and private screen, this many just be the luxury your beau deserves this evening.

ODEON – odeon.co.uk

Odeon IMAX is offering some unusual movies to watch this valentine’s but you’re almost certainly going to need to pre-book your seats because these screenings sell out fast.

If you can’t get into an Odeon IMAX then the Odeon are showing all the latest big-screen movies, so you’ll be able to catch a blockbuster whatever you decide.

Happy Valentine’s Day y’all!

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Beauty

Coco Crush: Top 6 Beauty Picks

I don’t think we say often enough how much we absolutely adore beauty products and hair care products here at #TeamCoco HQ, but we really do, and when there are new launches, product upgrades, and beauty insights to share then we are on it!

So, sit down, grab a glass of something fabulous and enjoy browsing the latest beauty picks that we have compiled for you to enjoy this February.

Re-Gen, Serum, Cream, Oil, and Oil Continuous Spray, priced from £2.99 – £8.80, from Asda, Amazon, Bodycare and more

Now is the perfect time to replenish your skincare routine, try something different and stock up on some new products for the months ahead. With the harsh winter months still upon us, it’s important to give skin the TLC it needs to stay hydrated and protected from damage.

The Re-Gen collection offers nourishing, intensive, non-greasy, products to improve the condition of the skin with scars, marks, and blemishes. All products leave the skin feeling and smelling refreshed.

ICONIC LONDON, Triple Threat Mascara, Sheer Blush, Glow Bundle, priced from £18 – £36.40, from iconiclondon.com

The latest products that ICONIC LONDON has launched include their trailblazing Triple Threat Mascara, Sheer Blush, and Glow Bundle. All these beauty products are trend-led, high quality and 100% cruelty free.

TRESemmé, Day2 Professional Haircare, £4.99 each, from boots.com

The Day2 range comprises of six products, from dry shampoo to a nourishing mist, each expertly developed to tackle all woes and worries for all hair types.

Each product in the range leaves hair looking and feeling, healthy, hydrated and restored with volume. From tight curls to damaged and thin, hair is gently cleansed, refreshed and re-styled without a drop of water, meaning bad hair days are no more!

Oh Mumma, Luxe Subscription Box for Mum and Babe, priced between £22 – £25, from ohmumma.com

Each personalised subscription box has 5-7 handpicked beauty and lifestyle products for new/expecting mums and something for her little one’s ever changing needs. Products are tailored to a mum’s beauty profile and baby’s birth/due date.

Funderm, WAS BAD Anti-Pimples Gel Treatment, was £28 now £23, from funderm.com

WAS BAD is the ultimate on-the-go invisible anti-pimple treatment gel, with visible results, for problematic breakouts and blemishes that can be such a b#@$*. Thanks to Funderm’s innovative formula with clinically proven, active ingredients and the Prebiotic & Probiotic complex, your skin will look pimple-free and purified.

This delicate oil-free gel combines clinically proven active ingredients such and wondrous dead sea minerals to unclog pores, exfoliate dead skin cells and control sebum. The cutting-edge formula works around the clock to clear pimples and blemishes, soothe irritated skin and restore its delicate microflora back to full health.

Dr Bronner, 4-in-1 Baby Mild Organic Sugar Soap, £20.49 (700ml), from drbronner.co.uk

This wonderful soap combines sugar, organic white grape juice and organic coconut-olive-hemp oils to create a creamy castile lather that keeps skin nourished, hydrated and smooth. Great for washing hands, face, body and hair, the Baby Unscented option is extra gentle so perfect for little ones and those with sensitive skin.

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Accessories

Valentine’s Gifts For You

It is the month of love, and what better way to celebrate than asking your Bae to treat you to a little special something.

So, if you are looking for a new luxurious skincare for your lips, romantic breakfast in bed, a gorgeous floral fragrance, a tasty sweet treat, a delicious liqueur, a box of luxury bath-time truffles, a pretty heart-shaped houseplant, a pretty scarf, or even a stunning bouquet of roses, then we’ve got you covered.

Apoth and Co., Lip Care Trio, £14 each, from apothandco.com

A lip care trip designed for the perfect lip care routine; an exfoliating lip scrub, a hydrating lip gel mask, and a moisturizing lip balm to help with the perfect valentine’s pout.

Forman & Field, Breakfast in Bed Hamper, £54.95, from formanandfield.com

More than just breakfast in bed, this gorgeous hamper is a statement of romance. Included in the hamper are Forman’s Grade One Smoked Salmon (200g), Peter’s Yard Crispbreads (200g), Chapel Down Brut Reserve (75cl), Pear & Lemon Conserve (225g), and Paddy & Scott’s Morning Coffee.

Leighton Denny, LD LIGHT & DARK Eau De Parfum, £43.50 (70ml), from LD-boutique.com

Essential oil blends of pepper, myrrh and incense offer a warm, welcoming, unique fragrance. Heart notes of gardenia, jasmine, lily and rose stimulate confidence, attraction and desire. Merged with top notes of mandarin, grapefruit, peach and white pepper this blend will mesmerise. This irresistible fragrance is exotic and intoxicating, triggering instincts of allure, attraction and distinctiveness and leaving an exhilarating, hypnotic scent trail ideal for valentines.

Smith & Sinclair, Bae Mine Boozy Gummies, £15 per box (+ £1 per valentine’s sleeve), smithandsinclair.com

Smith & Sinclair, kinky creators of cocktail confectionery, have applied their signature adult twist to its original grown-up Alcoholic Cocktail Gummies with limited-edition Valentine’s Day sleeves to personalise with a naughty or nice message!

Chambord, Black Raspberry Liqueur, £8 (20cl), from all major supermarkets

The Chambord 20cl bottle can be gifted by itself, or if you are celebrating at home, can be incorporated in to a wide range of delicious cocktails – the perfect way to impress your valentine.

The Chambord Royale (15ml Chambord to 125ml Champagne or Prosecco), puts a saucy twists on traditional flute of fizz and will kick start your Valentine’s Day beautifully.

Yorkshire Soap, Bath Truffle Gift Box, £15 (for 6 boxed truffles), yorkshiresoap.co.uk

Drop a bundle of luxury into your bath this Valentine’s Day with one of the moisturising bath truffles by The Yorkshire Soap Co. Handmade using cocoa butter and sweet almond oil, the truffles are an the ideal addition to a romantic evening at home on 14th February.

Root, Valentine Hoya Kerrii Houseplant, £4, from root-houseplants.com

You can rely on a small single rooted leaf to make a very big statement this Valentine’s Day. The Valentine Hoya Kerrii is a slow growing, perfect heart shaped semi-succulent plant with bright green leaves that grow from a vining stem.

Aldi, Shades of Love Bouquet, £29.99, Aldi stores

Aldi’s Shades of Love Bouquet has Valentine’s Day sorted for your beau, the ombre bouquets contains 100 carefully selected, Fairtrade roses and is available in-store from 12th February.

BEULAH London, Kamala Pink Blush & Soft Pink Heart Scarf, £120, beulahlondon.com

This Kamala scarf is made by one of Beulah’s impact partners in Nepal. By purchasing a scarf, the wearer is helping to provide vulnerable women with sustainable employment opportunities to help them break the cycle of poverty. Made of 70% wool and 30% silk. Spotted on the Duchess of Cambridge while in Wales recently. What a royally wonderful valentine gift this would be! For something a little bit more unique, head to ManlyManCo.com.

Manly Man Co

Looking for something a bit more manly, look no further than ManlyManCo.com. Whether its beef jerky roses to make your man smile or he’s more of a bacon man, this is the place to shop for all of your manly Valentines gifts.

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Lifestyle

Top 10 Travel Safety Tips for Solo Travellers

Whether travelling for business or pleasure, it’s important to be prepared, not only making sure the simple things are covered such as remembering where you have hidden your passport or booking travel insurance, but also considering your safety in transit and at your destination.

The number of global travellers increases significantly each year and small changes in the approach to a trip can make a big difference for work and play. We got the inside information from experts in the travel security sphere for their top tips on how to stay safe when travelling.

Anna-Liisa Tampuu, Founder of SheTravel comments, “The modern world has transformed the way in which we work and travel. More often, business and leisure trips take us to destinations where the culture and traditions differ from our own, sometimes to remote locations which carry higher risk to personal safety. The key to safe travel is knowledge and research of the destination, maintaining situational awareness and understanding the environment.”

SheTravel has created a women only network for modern business travel, allowing its members to share information, destination guides and key tips to aid safe travel wherever the destination. By not only giving tips and advice but also creating a platform for women to ask questions and find advice from the community this is creating an open and safe forum for women who travel.

However, safety whilst travelling is not just a key concern for women but relates to anyone who travels whether they are backpacking, staying in 5* property or a corporate traveller.

We also got the inside information from Global Secure Accreditation (GSA) a company which is spearheading a new revolution in security in the hospitality industry. Working alongside the security teams at key hotels around the world it has introduced the world’s first truly independent system of hotel security accreditation. It has been established and operated by highly experienced former senior UK police officers, counter terrorism specialists, UK military and international security experts.

We asked David Wood, Managing Director of GSA to share his quick and simple top 10 tips on security when travelling, whether you are male or female, here is ten step accessible guide to keeping safety a priority when travelling, wherever your destination.

You might just find yourself adding something surprisingly simple into your hand luggage for your next trip!

• Dress modestly and appropriately to blend in, this doesn’t have to be excessive but just be aware of the cultural nuances of your destination

• Carry rubber doorstops to put under hotel room door and any adjoining door to prevent access from the outside if you feel you need an extra level of security

• Place chain on room door at all times

• Copy passport and keep paper and electronic copies with you or in a suitably safe location

• Do your homework, understand the culture, dress code and rules for the country you are visiting and be aware that these may differ for males and females

• If possible, request a room above ground floor, near the lift but away from stairwell/emergency exit

• Use an app-based taxi service which tracks journey, predicts price and takes money direct rather than cash. This then makes your location known and avoids the possibility of detours in a location you may be unfamiliar with

• Ensure others know your travel plans and are aware of your location

• Always buy your own food and drinks

• Be discrete about where you are staying and discussing your room number in a public forum

For further information visit gsaccreditation.com or shetravel.co.uk

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Adventures

wake up here: Anantara Iko Resort, Mauritius

Nestled on the serine south-eastern coast of Mauritius you will find Le Chaland Beach, an unspoilt stretch of golden sand lying alongside a rich, deep turquoise ocean that is home to Anantara Iko Resort.

This sun kissed island in the Indian Ocean is magical and doesn’t disappoint. It lived up to everything I expected, unblemished shorelines, natural wonders, culture and a dash of luxury courtesy of Anantara, a new deluxe five-star resort that successfully combines authentic Mauritius with high end sustainable chic.

Just 100m from the beach and enveloped in a lush green nature reserve, this secluded hotel has made a conscious effort to blend in with its stunning surroundings and where possible use sustainable initiatives to preserve the natural environment. The resort successfully brings the beauty of the outdoors indoors using lots of locally sourced materials around the property. Recycled volcanic stone combined with a scattering of driftwood crafted by local artisans, touch everything from the reception, bedrooms and restaurants. At the heart of the resort is the spectacular 30-metre ozone-based infinity pool which uses fewer chemicals and is more efficient than a regular pool. Other eco touches include solar technology for water heating in all the guest rooms, water is reused for irrigation and cleaning and the food waste goes out to local farms.

Each of the 164 stylish rooms and suites are spacious and sophisticated with clean lines and minimal décor enhanced with a splash of ocean blue and wood making it feel warm and welcoming. Wake up and take in the views of the Indian Ocean or flourishing tropical gardens direct from your day bed on the balcony. For me the measure of a hotel is in the bathroom and I loved the large double sinks and rain shower but the jewel in the crown was the free standing bathtub that dominated the room, perfect for a long soak at the end of the day. Eight luxury Pool Villas will be available to book from April 2020.

Anantara is a foodie’s dream, under the watchful eye of Executive Chef, Didier Jacob the resort offers multiple dining options that reflect the island’s rich cultural heritage. Taste the authentic flavours and influences of Mauritius at one of the amazing five restaurants. For me, staying at Anantara was a real culinary experience. I got to jump into the Island’s foodie culture and savour cuisine with French, Indian and Creole influences. A huge highlight was the private dining offer where you can indulge in something a bit special with your own bespoke menu, personal chef and private butler. The hotel set up a private table on the beach where I got to soak up the remarkable setting, outstanding views of the ocean and enjoy some delicious dishes under the stars.

It’s easy to relax at Anantara, kick back and get into the Mauritian vibe. The team of attentive staff quickly make you feel welcome and go all out to make sure you enjoy your stay. Reset and reconnect at the onsite spa where you can unwind with a range of therapeutic treatments including traditional massage therapies, detox treatments and hammam wellness. My energy levels are always high and at times I struggle to wind it down a notch so retreating to the spa was a great way for me to switch off and slow down. I soon loosened up with one of the signature massages and a few days into my stay I was back for the hammam treatment, I left feeling relaxed yet invigorated.

There’s plenty to do on this south east corner of the island, if you don’t want to relax on the beach or by the pool. Just 15 minutes’ drive away is Mahebourg, a cute picture postcard town with a pretty harbour and vibrant, bustling market, perfect for exploring. Don’t leave without swimming in the Indian Ocean, take a catamaran trip to get a unique view of this beautiful island, catch the sunset and go for a swim before heading back to shore. Mauritius is steeped in history and the hotel hosts campfire chats on the beach after dinner with their resident ‘Man in Mauritius’, Marcel Noe, who brings to life the island’s historic battles between the British and French. Enjoy the anecdotal tales delivered with knowledge and passion while roasting marshmallows over the fire. A little further away is Black River Gorges National Park, famous for its waterfalls, vistas and hiking, and for the more adventurous, quad biking and zip lining.

Whether you’re a beach lover, culture and history buff, nature enthusiast, foodie or sporty adventurer, Anantara has something for everyone and I can’t way to go back. Mauritius you really were something special!

A stay at Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort costs from £335 (390 Euros) per room per night on a half board basis. For more information visit www.anantara.com

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Beauty

The french skin care secret you need to know about

Ever noticed that French women have gorgeous skin? I am yet to meet a French woman who doesn’t glow like they’ve just had a facial. For years I put it down to good diet and genetics until a recent trip to the Mont-Blanc region. While I was there, I visited Les Thermes Spa in Saint-Gervais and here I discovered the secret to great skin.

Since 1807, the thermal baths in Saint-Gervais, Mont-Blanc boast the benefits of spring water, a natural resource that runs from the Mont-Blanc mountain range. The Saint-Gervais thermal spring waters are high in sulphur and have acquired minerals and trace elements during their millennia-long journey through the alpine underground meaning they’re bursting with benefits that support healthy, radiant skin. For nearly 6,000 years, these natural spring waters have run beneath the rocks of Mont-Blanc before springing to the surface at a temperature of exactly 39 degrees.

Located at the foot of the Mont-Blanc, in a magnificent 10-hectare tree lined park Les Thermes Spa uses thermal water famous for its healing properties to treat skin complaints, heal, restore, soothe and balance the skins epidermis. The French are ahead of the curve when it comes to skincare, it’s part of their culture with French girls and boys practicing good skincare habits as early as age 10.

The Spa has a clinic, made up of medical professionals such as dermatologists, ENT specialists, Physiotherapists and General Practitioners that use the thermal water and its numerous healing properties to treat skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, scarring as well as asthma, tonsillitis, and burns.
I got to spend the afternoon at Les Thermes and experience the spa and thermal baths. The spa programme takes you on a wellness journey through relaxation workshops, saunas at different temperatures, steam baths and several indoor and outdoor pools all using thermal water and each delivering a unique sensory experience.

The ground floor at Les Thermes is inspired by the water’s journey through the depths of the earth combining an indoor and outdoor zone where you follow a sequence of hydro experiences taking in plunge pools, hydro pools and a warm jacuzzi. The outdoor setting is spectacular, pools and sauna cabins are flanked by lush gardens and greenery with breath-taking views of the mountains. This relaxing environment awakens all the senses yet has a calm vibe that comes from being in such a beautiful location. Upstairs in the spa, you’ll find light and sound booths, a relaxing herbal tea room and steam rooms. This floor is dedicated to sensations and represents water throughout the seasons using light and sound. The spa also offers a range of massages and treatments with thermal water at the heart of each one.

After a couple of hours experiencing the hydro pools and thermal baths, I emerged feeling recharged and relaxed. I immediately noticed the difference in my skin, normally after swimming or going to the spa I suffer from tight, itchy skin but mine felt soft and after a day my eczema appeared less red. The skin care range at Les Thermes compliments the treatments and because our skin is unique, they have their own dedicated area to diagnose your skin type and help you find the products best suited to your skin and needs. The team of advisors take you through their skin care range which uses 100% thermal water combined with alpine plant extracts. My skin can suffer from breakouts and I’m reluctant to try anything new in case it irritates me, but I loved these products. After just two weeks using the cleanser my skin had fewer blemishes and friends commented on how well I looked. Their 24h Hydrating Serum healed some small patches of eczema and left my skin plump and glowing with that ‘je ne sais quoi’ air that French women effortlessly rock.

House of Coco travelled to Saint Gervais courtesy of Savoie Mont-Blanc www.savoie-mont-blanc.com
For more information on Les Thermes, Saint Gervais visit www.thermes-saint-gervais.com

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