The bedroom….where the magic happens, a space where you’re likely to spend your most intimate moments and the place for getting your 7 to 8 hours. Indeed, our bedrooms are where we spend at least a third of our lives, and as such it’s only natural to want to turn it into a relaxing, luxurious and elegant escape – think5 star hotel worthy. So follow these 5 IDEAL tips to make your bedroom feel more luxurious and look more expensive.
AN ELEGANT BED FRAME / HEADBOARD
Make your bed a statement piece and a chic focal point with a elegant bed frame. Since your bed is probably the largest piece of furniture in your room and the first thing that grabs your attention when you walk in, adding a luxe-looking frame can really increase the luxury factor in your bedroom.
Some elements to think about when choosing a bed frame are the material,height, shape and style. A striking four-poster bed will add a touch of sophistication and glamour to your room, while a bed frame that has a unique headboard can upgrade your room from average to expensive looking in an instant.
VANITY MIRRORS
Mirrors, used as an extra design element, have a way of adding style and elevating the most ordinary bedroom. If you want to add a dash of drama to your room (as well as make it look more expensive) a vanity mirror is an excellent addition – like the kind used by Hollywood stars. If you do decide that you want Affordable Quality Hollywood Mirrors for your bedroom, you can likely find a variety within different price ranges. They are a surefire way to add some glamour to your room.
STATEMENT LIGHTING
Statement lighting can amp up the luxury factor at the flick of a switch. Hang a glamorous chandelier or a unique statement piece or try a mixture of ceiling fixtures, and table lamps or pendants. This gives you the opportunity to play around with different lighting and create a different ambiance depending on the time of day. Another idea for bedroom lighting which will glam up the room instantly is installing mounted wall-hung lights – as far as we’re concerned, this type of lighting instantly adds the wow-factor to any room.
SUMPTUOUS SHEETS & PLUSH PILLOWS
After a long day, there’s nothing quite like falling into a comfy bed with sumptuous soft sheets and plush pillows. Indeed, the bedding you choose can make or break the entire look of your bedroom. You don’t have to spend a fortune on the very best Egyptian cotton sheets, the secret is to find that thread-count sweet spot and avoid cheap microfiber sheets like bedbugs. Investing in some gorgeous quality linen is worth it for the sleep alone and if you’re on a budget, you could always wait for some premium sheet sets to go on sale.
Throws and cushions are also important as texture can transform a bed from sleepy to seriously sexy. Think about what a 5-star hotel bed would look like, and the extra lengths they go to to emit a feeling of luxury and comfort, and you might get an idea of the effort needed for a fabulous bed.
A NOTICEABLE NIGHTSTAND
Nightstands or console tables are one of those things that can tend to fade into the background. However, they can be used to make a statement and in turn make your room look more expensive. Choose a piece with storage space so that you can avoid clutter which takes away from the beauty of the room.
In a world where technology is constantly evolving, the way we build is changing too. Architects and project managers are able to make more informed decisions about the structure of the building, taking into account many different factors — including climate, materials and overall building use. We’ve teamed up with Oasys, experts in building design software, to bring you this IDEAL guide on three of the worlds most advanced buildings.
DUBAI: BURJ KHALIFA
The Burj Khalifa, commonly referred to as the Burj Dubai, is the tallest structure in the world at an astonishing 2,722 ft. Starting construction in 2004 and finalising the project in 2008, many decisions had to be made to ensure that this neo-futurism structure was able to serve its purpose, acknowledging that it would be a free-standing building and understanding the hot climate it would be situated in.
The entire city of Dubai relies on desalination plants to retrieve sea water and turn it into fresh, this is then pumped to skyscrapers, such as the Burj Khalifa, through a series of underground water networks. When the water hits the Burj, it is distributed to every corner of every floor on every level. However, with 163 floors, this can become a complicated process, which shows us just how special the Burj Khalifa actually is in terms of design.
The four architects of the structure decided that using one pump would be dangerous, as forcing water high up would take extreme pressure, which could then lead the pipes to explode. To counter this problem, they came up with a plan to help the water flow up the building in different stages.
From tower basement, water flows up to a reservoir station on the 40th floor, which then continues to a series of 200,000-gallon tanks until it reaches the top of the building. As the water reaches the top, the water then travels back down under its own weight — it is said that 946,000 litres of water are supplied per day which also helps the building stay cool in the hot climate.
Considering that Dubai is in the desert, ensuring that the building remains cool is essential. Therefore, another water supply — an ice-chilled water system which is the first of its kind to be used in the Middle East — has also been implemented to enable substantial energy savings.
TAIWAN: TAIPEI 101
Next on our list is a platinum certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) build which was once the tallest building in the world before the Burj Khalifa surpassed it in 2008 — but the Taipei 101 did not only compete in height. Up until 2016, the structure had the fastest elevator on the planet, which could travel from the 5th to 89th floor in 37 seconds!
However, Taiwan is home to a mixture of edifices, from traditional builds, like Fort Provintia, to ultra-modern constructions, like the Tuntex Sky Tower which looks as though it belongs in Batman’s Gotham City. But what makes it so spectacular? Starting construction in 1999 and ending in 2004, the Taipei has 101 floors (if the name had not given it away) and is 1,666 ft in height — but the environmental factors that took over its design has changed the way we build for good.
As Taiwan proves to be a hotspot for natural disasters, from earthquakes to typhoons, architects must design with this in mind. When it comes to Taipei 101, the structure can withstand high winds of 134 mph, which is due to the model prioritising resistance through the use of curtain walls, protected glass and high-performance steel. The walls can provide heat and ultraviolet protection by blocking external heat by 50%.
The building consists of 36 columns of steel, eight of which are known as mega columns which have 10,000 pounds of concrete per inch. Within Taipei 101, there are outrigger trusses every eight floors which connect to the columns within the exterior to ensure secure resistance from probable natural disasters in and around Taiwan.
CALIFORNIA: APPLE PARK, CAMPUS 2
Noted as one of the most influential companies in the world, tech-giant, Apple, has recently moved premises. Worth a staggering $234.7bn, the company, which is now one of the biggest on the planet, was able to invest a further $5bn into a new building and move its tremendous workforce into a circular futuristic structure. The new office-space, which opened in April 2017 midway through construction, is made up of 175 acres — and is even bigger than The Pentagon.
What makes this building so unique is that the entire roof is made of solar panels, which has allowed it to become one of the most efficient buildings in the world in terms of energy saving. The solar panels are capable of generating 17 megawatts of power (75% during peak daytime) and the company has aims to make the complex entirely powered by renewable energy in the future. Another four megawatts are powered through the use of biofuel and natural gas within the complex, using Bloom Energy Servers which are popular within the Californian region, with Google, Yahoo and Wal-Mart using them, too.
The use of natural heating, ventilation and air control (HVAC) has been highly prioritised for the design of this structure. To achieve this, air is allowed to flow freely between the inside and outside of the building, which can help assist for nine months of the entire year — highlighting the importance of such features in the DNA of design.
As technology advances, we are likely to see more projects unveiled that will balance the aesthetics of design with the vital features they need to survive. For example, London is set to have 13 new skyscrapers by 2026 — we know that these will be designed to uphold the ethical requirements for a modern-day structure.
There is plenty of demand for organic food across the UK today, if insight from traders which were reported on by the Daily Telegraph is anything to go by. According to the publication, sales of organic products have jumped by seven per cent between 2016 and 2017. Supermarket giant Tesco also recorded a 15 per cent increase in organic food in 2016, with Waitrose stating that they documented a five per cent increase.
Looking at these statistics, Paul Moore, the chief executive of the Organic Trade Board, commented: “Shoppers perceive organic to be healthy, tasty and are deciding that it is worth the money. The organic message is becoming better understood, and all the evidence we see is it is increasing partly because of the young audience coming into the market.”
Despite so much demand for organic food though, organic agriculture only accounts for one per cent of cropland across the globe today. With so much land available, would it be beneficial to take the necessary steps to become an organic farmer? We’ve teamed up with Lycetts, a specialist provider of agricultural insuranceto bring you this IDEAL guide on organic farming.
THE CURRENT SCENE FOR ORGANIC FARMING
The Soil Association acknowledges plenty of benefits when it comes to the practice of organic farming. There has been an average increase of 50 per cent in wildlife found on organic farms and 30 per cent more species found on average on organic farms when compared to those recorded on non-organic farms. These figures make for particularly good reading when you consider that the percentage of British wildlife has dropped by 50 per cent since 1970.
Pesticide use would also decrease by 98 per cent throughout England and Wales if all farming in these nations were to be conducted organically, the Soil Association goes on to claim. More than 17,800 tonnes of pesticides were used throughout British farms during 2015 and 43 per cent of British food was found to contain pesticide residues by government testing during the same year.
How does the organic farming landscape look at the moment though? According to the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs’ Organic Farming Statistics 2016 report, the nation had a total area of 508,000 hectares of land which was farmed organically in 2016. In the same year, the total number of organic producers and processors stood at 6,363 — up 5.1 per cent from 2015.
Cereals, vegetables — including potatoes — and other arable crops are the three main crop types grown organically across the UK. When it comes to cereals, barley had the largest total organic area at 12,900 hectares, followed by oats (11,600 hectares) and then wheat (10,900 hectares). When breaking down other arable crops, fodder, forage and silage had the highest total organic area at 5,400 hectares. The next most popular was maize, oilseeds and protein crops at 1,700 hectares, followed by sugar beet with a total organic area of 100 hectares.
Regarding livestock, poultry is the main type that is farmed by organic means across the UK. In fact, poultry farmed organically has seen a rise of 10 per cent in 2016 to reach more than 2.8 million birds. This number is significantly more than the 840,800 sheep, 296,400 cattle and 31,500 pigs which make up the next three most popular types of livestock currently farmed organically across the nation.
It’s not all positive when reading the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs’ report, however. While making up a substantial space, the total area of land which is farmed organically across the UK dropped between 2015 and 2016 and has also declined by 32 per cent since its peak in 2008. All three of the main crop types grown organically have seen declines since the latter years of the 2000s too, while the number of producers is down by 35 per cent since 2007.
HOW TO GET INTO ORGANIC FARMING
Intrigued to try organic farming yourself? Before you look to get involved in the practice, it’s wise to first understand more about the concept. Organic farming is a type of crop and livestock production that is designed to optimise the productivity and fitness of diverse communities involved in the agro-ecosystem. Livestock, people, plants and soil organisms are all covered within this holistic system, with the primary aim to develop enterprises that are both sustainable and harmonious with the environment.
Traditional farming and organic farming differ significantly, especially due to the following procedures being in place for the latter:
Any genetically modified crop or ingredient is banned.
The routine use of antibiotics, drugs and wormers is banned.
Artificial chemical fertilisers are prohibited. Instead, organic farmers are encouraged to develop soil which is healthy and fertile by growing and rotating a variety of crops, making use of clover to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and adding organic matter — compost, for instance.
There are severe restrictions on pesticides, with organic farmers instead looking to wildlife to provide a helping hand for controlling disease and pests.
Be sure to note that you must register with an organic control body before you produce, prepare, store, import or sell any organic products too. This process involves the completion of an application, an inspection being carried out and then steps being taken to make you a certified organic farmer. The entire procedure can take two years to complete — at the end of which you’ll receive a certificate from an organic control body (CB) to prove you’re registered and passed an inspection. You will be breaking the law if you claim that a food product is organic if it hasn’t been inspected and certified by a CB.
Once you have your certificate, keep it safe as it will be your proof that you’re a certified organic farmer. It’s only valid for one year as well, though renewal will simply involve a CB inspecting your farm and then updating your records if the inspection is a success.
You can learn about how to meet EU standards where organic farming is concerned through this link — this resource is also handy for discovering the numerous funding options which are available to assist you in your efforts to convert to organic farming practices.
Your skin is the first thing people notice when they meet you, and it is the first thing you see when you look in the mirror each morning. It can mean that it hits confidence levels hard when there are problems that arise, which affect the overall health and appearance of your skin. There are many reasons people might experience bad skin, such as acne, urban air quality, and stress. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways of solving your skin issues. In fact, there are some trusted tips and tricks to follow, which will leave your skin looking glowy, feeling smooth, and radiating confidence in no time.
DRINK LOTS OF WATER
Before you look at what else is affecting your skin, you should always assess how much water you are drinking. While water is known to improve your general health, it is also famed for giving people glowing skin when they drink enough. This is due to the hydration it brings, which can stop dry patches and pallid complexions from creeping up on you. If you stick to your recommended 6-8 glasses of water each day, you will start to see the difference in the space of a few short days.
TACKLE UNDERLYING PROBLEMS
Often, drinking lots of water won’t be enough for people who have underlying problems that could be affecting their skin. For example, stress has been known to contribute to more spots and redness, while lots of people also suffer from a range of dermatological problems. For older women, thread veins are something that affects the appearance of skin and impacts confidence, and this can occur all over the body. When you have an underlying condition, it is worth seeking help from a health professional, who can help you take steps to solve it.
GET ENOUGH SUNLIGHT
Throughout the winter months, you may notice your skin getting worse from being cooped up indoors and away from the cold weather. This can lead to more spots and larger bags under your eyes, as well as a loss of tan. During this time, sunlight is your ticket to making sure your skin improves, which you can get by spending as much time as you can outside when the sun is there. However, you may need to wait until summer to see the true benefits, where your skin can soak up the Vitamin D it needs from a being spending a few short moments outside. It is worth noting that you should always wear sun protection to lower your chances of getting skin cancer.
ESTABLISH A GOOD SKINCARE ROUTINE
It could be that you are doing all the above, but your skin isn’t shining in the way you want it to. This usually means your skincare routine is to blame, thanks to the harsh chemicals that could be affecting your skin. For a few days, take a step back to learn about your skin type, before finding products which have natural ingredients in them that will help your skin, rather than damage it.
If your kitchen cupboards are full to the brim and your home just doesn’t seem big enough to accommodate all your possessions, then you’re not alone. British homes are now the smallest in Europe according to a survey from the University of Cambridge published on the BBC, so it’s little wonder that so many of us struggle to find adequate storage space.
But even if you’ve got limited cupboard and crowded countertop space, there are still plenty of ways to make the most of the room you have. A few smart solutions will help you to maximise the space you have, meaning you’ll have a clutter-free kitchen that’s easier to keep clean and cook comfortably in. With that goal in mind, here are 4 IDEAL ways to make the most out of your kitchen.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT APPLIANCES
When choosing a new appliance, consider whether a smaller or multipurpose model will suit your lifestyle, as these can save huge amounts of space. For example, washer-dryers and fridge-freezers are a great option when you’re struggling for floorspace, while slimline dishwashers are just three-quarters of the width of a standard model.
It’s also a good idea to look into integrated rather than freestanding appliances. These are installed within your kitchen units, usually behind a matching cupboard door, helping to create a more streamlined and spacious feel to your kitchen. Consider looking in to built-in fridges, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines and more — these integrated microwaves from Belling are particularly handy if you want to maximise worktop space.
However, when it comes to cooker hoods, you’re better off opting for a visor or canopy design. Although not as stylish, these compact hoods are installed beneath a cabinet, allowing you to maintain the area’s optimum storage space.
MAXIMISE EVERY INCH OF CUPBOARD SPACE
The key to using your kitchen cupboards efficiently is to find ways make the space go further, while still keeping everything you need easily accessible. Small adhesive hooks are a great way to maximise the wall space inside your cupboards, and they’re ideal for storing smaller utensils and mugs. Adding more shelving to your kitchen cupboards will also make it easier to store crockery, pans and tins. This way, you won’t need to stack items on top of one another, meaning they’re still easy to reach when you need them.
If you live in rented accommodation and installing permanent shelving is off the cards, then a shelf insert is a great temporary fix. These cabinet shelving inserts from The Holding Company are expandable, so you can adjust them to suit cupboards of any size.
USE AWKWARD SPACES CLEVERLY
Almost every kitchen has awkward spaces. But if used cleverly, these nooks and crannies can provide valuable storage in a smaller kitchen. If you have any narrow gaps between cupboards or appliances, then these make a great place to install a slim pull-out cupboard or wine rack. Or, if your home is rented, these in-between spaces can be a great place to store long, slim items like tin foil, wrapping paper, cling film or baking parchment.
If you have a difficult to access corner cupboard or unit in your kitchen, then try find ways to make this space more accessible. Hooks mounted to the top of the cupboard will provide a way to hang pots and pans without the need to stack them in piles. Or, if your corner cupboards are particularly deep and spacious, you could consider installing folding pull-out racks, or a lazy Susan. This will make it much easier to access items when you need them – meaning no more rummaging around for an elusive pan or rolling pin at the back of the cupboard. Installing open plan shelving into awkward corners can help, too.
BUILD STORAGE VERTICALLY
Adding storage space to your walls and ceiling will help you to keep your countertops free, allowing you more room for cooking and food prep. Keeping essential items off your worktop will also help to make your kitchen look clean and tidy.
So, instead of keeping your knives in a wooden block on the worktop, try storing them on a wall-mounted magnetic strip instead. This will not only keep them out of the way, but they’ll stay sharper for longer too. You can even use the same method in place of a countertop spice rack; simply keep your herbs and spices in labelled metal tins, and store these on a magnetic strip when not in use.
If you’re really short on cupboard space, but have a high ceiling, then a hanging overhead rack could be the solution. This will allow you to store pots, pans and utensils out of the way, and you’ll be able to see what you’re looking for at a glance. Just make sure your rack is securely bracketed to the ceiling, and that your ceiling is strong enough to support the weight when fully loaded.
You may not know that, as well as inventing underfloor heating and the calendar, Romans pioneered the holiday and enjoyed taking a break now and again like we do. Likely to be an effect of the ever-expanding borders of the empire, Romans were the first civilisation to travel for pleasure, with some breaks for the very wealthy lasting for up to two years at a time. While technology has certainly come a long way since Roman times, today’s travellers have it much easier than even those of just a few years ago.
Once upon a time, arranging a get-away with your local travel agent was the only way to sort out a holiday. But now, most people are opting for digital platforms instead; more convenient, more efficient and often more cost coffective. Indeed, research gathered by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) shows that more than three quarters of UK consumers now book their holidays online.
With this in mind, and with the help of Cottages in Northumberland, a holiday lettings agency offering accommodation across north-east England, including cottages in Seahouses, here are 4 IDEAL ways that technology has made booking a holiday easier than ever before.
VARIETY & CHOICES GALORE
Choice is a huge factor in booking a holiday; nobody wants to be limited when it comes to that coveted week away. The rise of holiday lettings agencies and travel comparison sites like skyscanner and trivago means that we have as many holiday destinations and accommodation types as we can click a mouse at.
It’s also no secret that Airbnb has been one of the biggest changes to the travel and hospitality industry. Through this innovative site, booking somewhere to stay which suits your style preference, location choice and budget has never been easier. Also, with the rise of last minute booking apps, you can even stay in fancy 5 Star Hotels for less.
No longer are people limited to hotels or apartments in a single agent’s portfolio; online you can find, compare, book, and pay for a coastal cottage or luxury city apartment with just the touch of a few buttons.
ONLINE TRAVEL INSPO
Remember when you went on holiday as a kid and there were those ‘packaged tours’ you resented? Why can’t we just use our own minds to decide on better, more bespoke activities, your young mind screamed. Well now, there is no need to rely on organised excursions on holiday. Instead, we read blogs and reviews from fellow travellers, follow successful ‘Instragrammers’ for inspiration, and arrange our own transport and tours via local guides to explore hidden gems off the beaten track and quench our thirst for discovery.
TIME SAVING & FLEXIBILITY
Sometimes you just want to get the job done, and booking online lets you organise your hotel, flight and transport within just a few minutes. If you know what you’re after, that is. No longer do you have to spend a Saturday afternoon in a travel agents’ queue, trawling teletext or checking availability over the phone. People can book from the comfort of their home or even out and about, day or night.
What’s more, it gives us the ability to be totally flexible with our bookings and organise a last minute adventure in a matter of minutes. Many, if not all, booking sites are available around the clock, which means that no matter where you are in the world, you can always book-online whenever you want, on whatever whim you want.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO PLAN
Speaking of time saving, we also don’t have to spend hours before our holiday, face in a Rough Guide or Lonely Planet, researching ‘must see sights’ and figuring out where you might want to eat. If you’re in a foreign city and have a hankering for a certain type of food or want to find somewhere specialising in the local delicacy, it only takes a few seconds to look the ideal restaurant up on google.
Also, that useful Google Translate app also means that you don’t have to spend ages thumbing through the pages of your foreign dictionary to ask locals a question, you can communicate more ably and enjoy a more enriched experience at the press of a button. Indeed, with a phone in your pocket, you can venture into a foreign place with no plan and just go with the flow. The perfect kinda holiday, we think.
Wedding rings which roll rebelliously off the beaten track are having a moment right now. As much as we love the standard crystal-clear diamond stone, gorgeous gemstone rings are well and truly going through their shimmering second in the sun.
With thanks in part owed to Kate Middleton’s iconic sapphire, Jessica Simpson’s ruby and a host of other celebrities showing off their stones on the red carpet, brides are breaking away from tradition and truly expressing themselves in colour. If that’s not enough to convince you, then maybe this will; 5 IDEAL reasons to choose a coloured stone engagement ring.
THEY ARE UNIQUE
In a room full of identikit diamond rings, a coloured stone will really stand out. And believe it or not, many coloured gemstones are actually rarer and more exclusive than white diamonds. While it may surprise some, gemstones come in a wider variety of colours and hues than common knowledge traditionally dictates. Unbeknownst to most, sapphires don’t just come in blue; the stone in fact covers the whole spectrum of the rainbow. The only colour this versatile stone doesn’t come in is red, but don’t worry, rubies, which vary from dark reds to vibrant pinks, have got that colour palette covered.
THEY ARE GENERALLY CHEAPER
It used to be the norm to fork out two to three month’s salary on a ring, and not blink an eyelid about it. However, the modern age has seen people getting more sensible in this respect. Indeed, wouldn’t that money be better spent on a deposit for a house, having babies or a once in a lifetime honeymoon? For financial reasons, young couples are now spending an average of £573 on their engagement rings, significantly less than in the past, and since coloured gemstones have a much friendlier price tag, they’re a great ‘budget’ option, if saving money is your thing. Equally, as coloured gemstones cost less per carat than diamonds do, you’ll be able to get more bling for your buck, if size and shine is more what you’re about.
Speaking of cheap rings, if you like affordable jewellry, tungsten carbide rings are a cost-effective choice for brides and grooms looking to save money on their wedding bands. Tungsten Carbide is a dense, heavy metal and is very resistant to scratching, meaning that it keeps its finish for much longer than other metals. The colour of the metal itself is a dark gun metal grey, however, for a more traditional, elegant wedding band finish, you can get it plated in yellow, rose gold and more.
THEY CARRY MEANING
Other than stating ‘I love you’ and offering a symbol of everlasting love, diamonds don’t have much going for them. If that’s not enough for you, consider consulting marriage counselling. Joking aside, gemstones each have their own symbolic meaning, setting them apart from a more traditional ring choice. According to the ancient Egyptians (who incidentally came up with the idea of a wedding band, so they’re something of experts on the matter) the ring finger has a special vein running directly to your heart and whichever gemstone you choose will bring a certain unique form of energy to your marriage.
Go for aquamarine, which symbolises courage and communication, and you’ll be able to talk through those trials and tribulations – the foundation of every good marriage. Decide on a moonstone and your love will last a lifetime and endure life’s many twists and turns. Or opt for ruby and encourage passion; perfect for those wanting to keep the fire alive long after tying the knot.
IT’S MORE PERSONAL
A personal, unique and custom-made engagement ring with a gemstone has far more individuality than a standard, store bought diamond ring. As coloured gemstones can hold more meaning to you personally and as a couple, they’re a great choice for celebrating your own unique love. When considering your options, think about having the colour of your birthstone or opt for the month you’re getting married in, or the month you first met or even proposed in; all viable, special ideas. Selecting a stone with significance to you is certainly appropriate for such a special day and lifelong commitment.
NO ONE WILL KNOW THE COST
While we’re firm believers in your love being in no way qualified by the size and price tag of your stone, some people might see significance in that notion. The great thing about coloured stones is that you can buy something really fabulous-looking and most people will have no idea how much it cost. Explained succinctly by jewelry expert Joanna Hardy to the Telegraph; “this is a big selling point for people who perhaps don’t have as much to spend on a ring and don’t want others to know exactly what they’ve spent on it.” And if you didwant a bigger gem on your hand, it’s eminently possible because of their more accessible price point.
It’s been a decade since Liverpool was named European Culture capital in 2008 and as fans of the city, we’re not letting this anniversary go by unnoticed. And neither is Liverpool who is marking this milestone with an ambitious list of over 40 events and festivals in and around the city.
In ten years a lot has changed, but the cultural scene is more thriving than ever. With a creative energy and youthful, anything goes spirit, Liverpool is becoming a mecca for young go-getters with big ideas and the balls to break away from the capital’s overbearing grip.
Whether you’re a regular looking for a few new hidden treasures, or you’re a first timer looking to experience the very essence and energy of the famous city, you’re bound to find something that piques your interest. So with that in mind, here are 8 reasons Liverpool is the IDEAL place for a city break
THE FLOURISHING FOODIE SCENE
Here at IDEAL we love our grub, and as such a city’s foodie scene is first thing we look up if we’re visiting. On this count, Liverpool doesn’t disappoint. Once considered pale in comparison to some of their imperious Northern neighbours, the restaurant scene here gets more exciting – and more recognition – every time we visit. With an influx of independent restaurants and pop up eateries, the latter of which (according to the chair of Liverpool Restaurant Association) is proofof the city’s “interesting, vibrant and innovative” food and drink scene, there’s something for all tastes here. We love Wreckfish on Slater Street, which is one of the most successfully crowdfunded restaurants ever. It’s open all day, with simple yet refined classics cooked consistently and confidently every single time.
THE AMAZING ARCHITECTURE
Liverpool is one of the best places in the world for architecture. It’s a city that straddles the old and new with a thriving cultural vibe playing out against the backdrop of old industrial and historic buildings. From its world famous docks to civic monuments, some of the structures in the city date as far back as 1500. There are 2,500 listed buildings and 27 of these are Grade I. For serious architect aficionados, The Royal Institute of British Architects offers a 2 hour walk, led by an expert, giving an insightful look into Liverpool’s past, present and future buildings, and spaces that make the city so unique.
THE CULTURE
For culture vultures looking for their fix, Liverpool is the ideal destination. Art wise, there’s a mix of traditional art galleries like The Walker, which houses one of the largest art collections in the UK outside London, to spaces showcasing new talent and pieces on the edgier end of the spectrum, like The Fact, Open Eye and Bluecoat.
Many of the city’s best museums and galleries are located in and around Albert Dock, the heart of Liverpool’s historic waterfront. Here you’ll find The Tate, The International Slavery Museum, The Planetarium and the Maritime Museum.
Liverpool’s cultural scene is ever changing and constantly evolving, and one place showcasing this is The Invisible Wind Factory.Set in a former factory on the docklands, it’s the place for immersive, high concept theatrical productions and live music. It’s definitely worth checking out what’s on here before your trip.
THE BEATLES
As if you didn’t know that Liverpool was the birthplace of four musicians with sweeping mop hair who got more than a little bit famous during the Swinging Sixties. If you’re a fan (and if you’re not, well….) go to The Cavern Club – the Beatles played here nearly 300 times, helping it become one of the most famous live music venue in the world.
ALL THE FESTIVALS & EVENTS
There seems to be a new festival popping up nearly every month in Liverpool, and we’re certainly not complaining. From the renowned Liverpool International Music Festival to Liverpool’s Food and Drink Festival, and the city’s Vegan festival, highlighting the joys of a plant based diet, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to festivals and events.
To mark the ten years since Liverpool won Capital of Culture year, more than 40 events and festivals will take place in and across the city region this year. We can’t wait to raise a glass to Liverpool at Three Festivals Tall Ships Regatta & The Bordeaux Wine Festival (25-28th May).
THE SHOPPING
Located right by the iconic waterfront, Liverpool ONE is arguably the best place to shop in the city for major brand names. It’s a contemporary open-air shopping complex which is home to more than 170 famous high street stores, fashion brands, cool independent boutiques, cafés and restaurants.
Away from the waterfront you’ll find Lark Lane, which has an electic mix of art galleries, vintage boutiques and antique shops. It’s the cool, bohemian part of town with loads of cute restaurants and bars, so if hipster is your thing, hop on over here.
If you still have any money left in your bank account, then head over to Cavern Walks, a boutique shopping centre in the heat of Liverpool where you’ll find all the high end designer names like Saint Laurent and Stella McCartney. You can file for bankruptcy at a later date.
THE NIGHTLIFE
Liverpudlians are proud of their city’s nightlife, both for the quality and variety. From the infamously boozy Baltic Triangle to it’s burgeoning speak easy vibe, whatever kind of night you’re after there really is something for every taste.
For inventive cocktails, according to those in the know, the best late night bar around is Motel. For gin lovers, you’re spoilt for choice as Liverpool has its very own gin made from the finest ingredients found in the quayside. Drink it at The Botanical Garden in the Baltic Triangle for chilled out vibes and a dance. Or if you’re really serious about juniper juice, you could book yourself on a gin tour with The Gin Journey. Just make sure you book yourself a taxi for afters.
For tequila lovers, hidden under the streets of Liverpool city centre you’ll find El Banito, an underground tequila bar which boasts one of the largest tequila collections in the UK. Oh, and for the aforementioned speakeasy vibe, go to 81 LTD.
Self proclaimed cultural hangout Camp and Furnace is the ideal place for music fans while Heebie Jeebies is a boozy late night bar and courtyard with live bands. For those lovers of beer made craftily, there’s Dead Crafty, with 20 rotating taps and over 100 bottles. We also love The Everyman Bistro, underneath the Everyman Theatre, which launched the careers of many a famous face including Bill Nighy and Julie Walters.
THE BEACH IS SO NEAR
If you’ve overindulged the night before, nothing clears your head quite like the fresh sea air. Since Liverpool is a port city, it’s not far from the beach. Head to New Brighton beach, relax for the day, eat some fish and chips and watch the sunset over the Liverpool skyline, as a great way to bring the sun down on your trip to this wonderful, welcoming and wild city.
Short, snappy menus are all the rage in the capital these days. Minimal choice, minimum fuss, one dish, one cuisine, bish-bash-bosh and you’re out of the door, full and happy.
There is another way though. Whisper it, but sometimes, we actively like a bit of choice. Sometimes, just sometimes, putting your faith in fate, praying to the gourmet gods and relying on luck to line your stomach is a risk.
Enter The Happenstance….
Idea
This groovy restaurant of the ever popular Drake and Morgan group, nestled into the culinary mecca of Paternoster Square, has a rich and diverse clientele and a menu to match.
Foot weary tourists and families seeking refuge from trudging around St. Paul’s rub shoulders with ladies doing lunch and business folk conducting deals. This rich tapestry leads to a menu of range and reach.
Location
Cast your gaze out of large, sun-inviting windows and you’re greeted with a stunning view of St. Paul’s Cathedral in striking distance. Pop-up food stalls enticingly serving the niche food of which Happenstance’s menu pays homage – Turkish lamajhuns, wild fish burgers, Vietnamese street food – line the street outside. It’s an inviting area to spend the day imbibing and instagramming.
Atmosphere
The place has a boisterousness and buzz lent by the happy chatter of the working lunch. Tourist footfall explains the mass-appeal menu. The stylish outdoor terrace is fantastic for soaking up the sun and there is also a pleasant, more relaxed café/bar area for those wishing to rest and recharge, but not fill themselves up for the afternoon’s traipse.
Food
As you’ve probably surmised by now, there is a great range of the classics. Anyone could find something they like here, and vegetarians are well catered for, always a big plus in our book.
To begin with, we enjoyed crispy squid, which was just that – crispy and squid – but well cooked and certainly not of the packet or freezer. Just as the dish should be and very tasty indeed.
A chorizo scotch egg was fantastic – yolk in the middle offering the ooze you’d hope for, a chorizo coating with bit of gentle heat, and rich, vibrant bravas sauce. The Spaniards on the table adjacent seemed to agree that this was the real deal.
The Wagu burger offered that hint of luxury and depth which normal beef just doesn’t come close to. If anything, we’d have appreciated a slightly less well-done patty – we always err on the side of pink – but the blame falls on us for not asking. Chips were excellent and felt like a chef’s knife had been involved rather than a freezer bag.
Seared tuna salad with papaya salad racked up further air miles. It felt very much a lunch dish, all lightness and zip.
The Eton Mess suited the summery, light theme, with the addition of fresh mint bringing a little punch to the party. The afagato was so boozy we left merry and unsteady – no complaints here!
Drink
The wine list was accommodating and reasonable, with choices between £19 and £40. With summer in our step, we asked to be guided towards something bright and sunny. A French rose at £29 was produced and was an inspired choice. With over 60 wines available to choose from, there really is something for everyone at Happenstance. If you’re a Londoner looking to unwind after a long day at the office, we suggest coming here for a cocktail or two – they do a good Pisco Sour.
Must try
The scotch egg the highlight – an assured piece of technique which had pleasing heat and seasoning.
Why go
The perfect choice for an inclusive lunch, where no one will go hungry and everyone will leave happy. Don’t rely on chance – put your trust in Happenstance!
What does the future look like for fashion and tailoring? Designers are constantly coming up with innovative new ideas and manufacturing processes that will reshape the fashion industry as we know it, and it looks like shoppers are set to benefit. From sustainable initiatives to technological inventions, with the help of CT shirts, retailers of the morning suit, we reveal 4 IDEAL innovations influencing the future of fashion.
COLOUR CHANGING FABRIC
Is ‘the dress’ gold? Or is it blue. It’s black! Nope, we’re not talking about that viral photo. Instead, we’re celebrating the not-too-distant end to buying multiple versions of the same suit in different colours. A thing of the past, indeed, as colour-changing fabrics are here to shake up the fashion industry. The research behind it is ever advancing and there are a few ongoing projects developing the idea, all harnessing different scientific skills to reach, ultimately, the same end results.
One of the projects, explored by scientists at the University of Michigan, is looking at incorporating tiny crystals that react differently depending on the wavelength of light. This affects the crystal’s formation and how they look in terms of colour to others. Other research, carried out in Montreal, is investigating how electricity from human movement can power electric fabric to change its colour. It appears that the research is a long way from reaching our high streets, but when it arrives, we’ll be tickled pink. Or blue. Or purple.
SUSTAINABLE FABRICS
There’s a huge problem with the fashion industry today, and it’s sustainability. Fast fashion, where trends come and go more swiftly than you can try them on, results in too many clothes ending up as landfill. And no, that’s not our nickname for TK Maxx.
However, efforts are being made to make fashion more sustainable. 2018’s Global Change Awards saw five ground breaking innovations who are striving to create a waste-free fashion industry. From reusable fabric, which when heated makes buttons and zips fall off so the fabric can easily be used again, to fabric made out of crop waste, the future of fashion will focus on the environmentally friendly.
SELF HEALING FABRICS
Have you ever spent loads on a piece of clothing, only to catch it on something sharp (a cartoonish, protruding nail perhaps) and damage the material? The latest technology in textiles is addressing this issue through the development of self-healing fabric. It works by coating regular fabric in a special solution that, when ripped, is able to melt back together at low temperatures. Other research has founded that E. coli bacteria has self-replicating properties and this is being explored in order to discover if it can be used to knit broken fabric back together. Both promising developments for clumsy clothes fans.
WEARABLE PAYEMENT GADGETS
Wearable payment gadgets are something that researchers and corporations are spending a lot of time exploring. For anything that quickens the act of capitalism deserves as much money thrown at it as possible. Of course, we already have the ability to pay contactless with a smart watch or phone but that’s just not enough. After all, who wants to move a limb to facilitate splurging? Not us.
MasterCard, have teamed up with fashion designer Adam Selman to explore the idea of inserting a microchip into clothing, perhaps in the sleeve of a jacket or into a bag — allowing you to pay for items with even less effort. Hackers everywhere take note.
Looking outside and seeing rain lashing against the window rarely puts people in a good mood, but can gloomy weather really brings us down? The answer, quite simply, is yes,
If you feel the onset of low mood on a dreary day, it’s not your imagination. Research has shown that when it’s dark and miserable outside, it has a negative effect on your mood and emotions. A lowering of moods during winter has apparently been recorded as far back as 1845. Now named seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the condition is a type of depression that happens to sufferers at certain times of the year — most notably autumn and winter.
So what can you do if your mood starts to drop when the weather outside is frightful? With the help of Fulton Umbrellas, an industry leader and premium supplier of clear umbrellas, here are 5 IDEAL ways to balance your mood during bad weather.
SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Rain negatively affects our social lives and according to experts, can risk leaving us feeling isolated, frustrated and downbeat. If it’s raining heavily and consistently, we’re more inclined to cancel plans to physically meet our friends and family, or have them cancel on us, which could leave to a less fulfilled social life. Human contact is fundamental to our mental well-being; without it, a number of pathologies including depression and social anxiety can affect us. So next time it’s raining, make plans to meet up with your friends and family, somewhere safe, warm and indoors.
EXERCISE
Did you know that rain can actually cause pain? We’re not joking. When it rains the reduction in atmospheric pressure means bodily fluids can move from blood vessels to tissues, causing pressure on the nerves and joints. This can lead to increased pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Also, during colder months, our bodies are forced to work harder to keep us warm, which includes raising our heart rates. This means that more energy is diverted to achieve this aim, causing us to potentially feel lethargic when the temperature drops.
The answer? Exercise more. Not only will your body thank you for it but, as mental health organisation Mind state, getting exercise is a contributor to sound mental health. What’s more, this scientific study found that getting active holds ‘the promise of better mental health outcomes’.
LISTEN TO THE RADIO
If the weather is gloomy outside, simply turning on the radio could make you feel better. According to the Radio Advertising Bureau (declare a conflict of interests, perhaps?) listening to the radio makes people happier and boosts levels of energy. As we’ve already mentioned, we are social animals, and even listening to radio presenters interacting with one another can make us feel part of something, which in turn helps to generate happiness. Furthermore, according to the Discovery Channel, listening to music causes the brain to release dopamine, a feel-good chemical which instantly makes us feel elated.
LET SOME LIGHT IN
When the weather is bad, it can be tempting to crawl into bed and turn the lights off, re-emerging from hibernation when the skies have cleared. However, light can boost serotonin which in turn elevates mood. So, in the words of a certain omnipresent someone, let their be light. Even if it’s cold, take yourself outside for a short stroll. You’ll be exposed to UV rays which can help boost your mood. If that’s not sufficient exposure to the good stuff, consider light therapy, where you’re exposed to artificial light which mimics natural outdoor light.
MAKE THE MOST OUT OF THE SUNSHINE
Did you know that the closer you live to the equator, the less vulnerable you are to the effects of SAD? Sunshine gives our morale a much needed boost by raising the level of a certain brain chemical called serotonin — believed to regulate our mood, anxiety and social functioning. Oh, and less sunlight means your body generates lower levels of vitamin D — essential for good health and a subsequent happy mindset. Therefore it’s important to look for ways in which you can increase your exposure to sunshine. To help your body get plenty of sunlight, save up for a winter-sun holiday and spend as much time outdoors as you can.
For such a useful piece of furniture, it’s surprising just how many people don’t know what a console table actually is. *googles term*. Nope, it’s not the surface of your old Playstation used to balance the odd cuppa on. Whilst most people have them in their homes, the console is a furniture piece that is often overlooked and taken for granted.
But not only does the size of a console table give it a whole range of different purposes, they’re also perfect for homes of demanding compact necessity as well as larger spaces requiring a little minimalism. Whether you’re looking for inspiration to spice up your console table, or you simply need some advice on where to put yours, here are 4 IDEAL places to use a console table in your home.
WARM & WELCOMING
Introducing a console table to your hallway or the entrance to your home makes great interior design sense for a number of reasons. Firstly, having a space to keep important items such as your house and car keys, post and letters, as well as other miscellaneous stuff that comes through your front door, is simply really useful. You’ll also find that having a console table in the hallway provides the perfect pedastool for a stylish lamp to brighten the area up, as well as giving you space to display beautiful family photos that people will see the moment they enter your home.
In short, positioning your oak console table in the hallway can make such a difference to the overall look and feel of this part of the home, especially when it’s traditionally a functional space that lacks character and style if not decorated properly and as such, simply passed through.
ENHANCED ENTERTAINMENT
The majority of homes have a television in the living area, and this provides the perfect opportunity for a bold focal point to bring some character to the room. Whilst the most obvious choice for holding the television may be a stylish TV stand, this is where a console table can come in very handy, as it’s multipurpose and carries great versatility.
Using your console table to hold the television is ideal for saving a substantial amount of space, whilst also keeping the room neat and compact. With so many different console table designs available, with added shelving and drawers, you can find the perfect design to suit your requirements and make the perfect choice to enhance the entertainment features within the living room, games room or even bedroom!
WORKING WONDERS
Having a home office is a luxury lots of people would love, whether that’s to work from home or to simply have a dedicated space to complete some ‘life admin’ tasks. It can become a task and a half having to balance bills and numerous pieces of paper in one place, staying organised at the same time, which is why it’s really good to have an area in the home to dedicate to this.
Whether you have the space for an office, or you literally have a small area of the kitchen to work with, by adding a console table to this space you can give yourself some essential surface real estate to hold your laptop, computer and paperwork, whilst still keeping the room looking stylish and neat.
BEDROOM BEAUTY
One of the most popular uses for a console table within the bedroom is to provide you with a practical space for getting ready. Much like a dressing table or vanity desk, a console table is perfect for adding some storage to the room, whilst keeping the style and character clear and consistent. You can dress your console table with a chic mirror, some personal touches such as ornaments and photos and even some fresh flowers to brighten up the area. Job done.
With Coachella kicking off this weekend in California, one thing’s for sure – festival season is officially here! Whether you’re looking to go all out and spend a couple of days camping and partying away, or opting for a one-day affair, make sure you’re looking and feeling your best.
Celebrity make-up artist, and EcoTools brand ambassador, Justine Jenkins has shared with IDEAL her go-to guide for staying ahead of the pack this festival season – from this year’s biggest beauty trends, to the essentials to pop in your makeup bag.
GO GLITTER
Glitter is a must have during festival season. The perfect time to mix up your go-to looks, festivals are an ideal occasion to get creative with your makeup. But remember to be kind to the environment, and choose a biodegradable glitter brand like Eco Stardust, as traditional glitter is made from plastic. My two ultimate essentials for applying glitter are either an adhesive gel or a thick balm, along with a small brush.
Apply the balm or gel wherever you want to sparkle, then dip the tip of the brush into your chosen glitter and apply a little at a time until you reach your desired look. If you want to try an alternative to glitter, use a metallic foil leaf or tiny stars that you can stick on your face and body.
NEVERY SAY NO TO NEON
As the recent fashion weeks have shown, neon colours are set to be huge this summer and will work brilliantly for a festival look. Neon oranges, blues, greens and yellows were all over the catwalk, and they look great against sun kissed skin. Whether you’re opting for traditional powder eyeshadows, or UV paints and gels, mix and match the colours for a varied look, with blue on the eyes, and orange on the lips. If you want more of a subtle neon look, try placing one dot of colour in the centre of your lower lash line.
BIG & BOLD COLOURS
There’s no better time to be big and bold with colour that at a festival. Get creative and use different coloured eyeshadows on your eyelids and lower lash line. Experiment with different colours, and don’t worry too much about matching colours – the idea is that they don’t match at all, so the bolder the better!
MULTI-TASKING PRODUCTS
Multi-tasking products are always a must at festivals. Using the same product on your lids, cheeks and lips will not only save on time, but also essential outfit space in your bag. A great multi tasker is a natural moisturising lipstick, which you can dab on your cheeks and lips, and smooth on your lids for a glossy, naturally healthy look
LIP TINTS AND OILS
Lip tints and oils are one of the biggest beauty trends of 2018, so this festival season, ditch the matte lipsticks and give a bright tint or stain a go instead. As an added benefit, you won’t have to worry about reapplying, as they wear down naturally leaving a lovely flush of colour. They also keep your lips moisturised, leaving them looking glossy and kissable for hours without reapplication.
BE PREPARED
Be smart at festivals, keep hydrated and always take provisions for all weather, whatever the forecast. SPF is of course essential, and pack a waterproof mascara, or a waterproof coat you can squeeze in your bag in case you get stuck in a downpour. A natural make up setting spray like Lily Lolo Make Up Mistwill also keep make up fresh and last longer.
It’s Songkran this weekend, so here’s a recipe from Singha beer and Andy Oliver, head chef at Som Saa, one of the most acclaimed Thai restaurants in London to celebrate.
This is a mouth-watering classic Thai red curry recipe with a twist; winter melon and crispy tofu making it the perfect autumnal vegetarian meal. It is best served as part of a shared Thai meal along with jasmine rice and paired with a bottle (or two) of Singha beer, the original beer of Thailand.
Singha’s blend of sweet, earthy and spicy flavours to compliment the spectrum of tastes in Thai cuisine, which makes it the perfect beer for food enthusiasts to pair with all Thai curry recipes.
Serves: 2-4
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
Ingredients
150g of vegetarian red curry paste (no shrimp paste), ideally homemade
450ml of thick fresh coconut cream
300ml of simple vegetable stock
A little coconut oil – optional extra
150g of firm tofu, torn into bite sized pieces
2 tablespoon of palm sugar
1 pinch of maldon sea salt
3 tablespoons of light soy sauce
5-6 fresh or frozen makrut lime leaves
1 cup of morning glory, cut into 3 inch lengths
250g of winter melon, daikon or even butternut squash peeled and cut into irregular large bite sized chunks
2 Thai apple aubergines, each sliced in to 6 pieces or 2 tablespoons of picked pea aubergines
2-3 long red or green chillies, sliced at an angle
1 large handful of picked Thai basil leaves
Method
To braise the winter melon and cook the tofu
Add winter melon to a pan and covering with cold water, add a generous pinch of salt and bring to the simmer
Allow it to simmer until just tender to the point of a knife (around 10 – 15 minutes). Drain and set aside
Now cook tofu by tearing it into bite sized chunks, and frying it in a deep fat fryer at 180C (or shallow frying in a pan on a medium high heat and turning it once)
When golden and crispy remove the tofu onto some kitchen paper
To make the curry
Add half the coconut cream to a pan and place on a medium high heat, option to use a splash of coconut oil here too
Allow the cream to boil rigorously until it becomes shiny and oily
When it does, add the curry paste and stir in to ‘fry out’ in this oily cream for 4 minutes on a medium heat
When the paste smells less raw and more fragrant and the oil is showing on the surface, add the seasonings – palm sugar, soy sauce and salt
Stir for another minute before adding the pea or apple aubergines, the cooked winter melon (or squash), vegetable stock, remaining coconut cream and tear in the makrut lime leaves
Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes before adding the sliced chillies, fried tofu and the morning glory. Again, simmer for 2 more minutes
Now taste – it should be rich, fragrant and both slightly salty and sweet from and just a little shiny on top
Finish by stirring through the Thai basil leaves and serving
We love sandwiches of all shapes, sizes, creeds and colours. In fact, it’s impossible to pick a favourite, so we’ve chosen ten! Here are 10 of the best sandwiches in the world and the IDEAL places to eat them.
Po Boy
Take a pillowy French roll with ultra-thin crust, fill to the brim with deep fried oysters and shrimp. Add a generous spread of Creole mayonnaise-based remoulade sauce, spicy with the kick of mustard, some crisp greens and you’re good to go. Once the food of Mardi Gras, but now found all over America, any time of year, the Po Boy is one of the top sandwiches in the world.
Eat in New Orleans, U.S.A
Banh Mi
A by-product of French colonialism, this Vietnamese sandwich seems on a mission to take over every high street on the planet. The charm lies in the unique baguette, a crisp and crunchy exterior, without being toasted, forms the husk, with a soft crumb in the middle and plenty of space for filling. Traditionally, a mix of pork belly and pork and liver pate form the backbone, with sharp pickles, spicy sauce and coriander completing the glorious mash-up. One for the vegetarians too, the Banh Mi is equally good with omlette.
Eat in Hanoi, Vietnam
B.L.T
Three iconic words and a simple, perfectly balanced grouping. The bacon must be well done, streaky and salty, the tomatoes must be whole slices – not cherry, certainly not ketchup – and the lettuce must be cold and crisp. Wonderfully refreshing and moreish – the B.L.T is a lunchtime office classic.
Eat in London, England
Pastrami and Rye
A New York institution, the Pastrami and Rye is a classic sandwich served in kosher Jewish delicatessens throughout the city. It is large and indulgent, savoury and sharp, and just perfectly balanced. In the best versions, the beef is cut thick, retaining its juices, with a peppery crust and classic accouterments of super-size gherkins and hot yellow mustard. If we were to pick one sandwich on this list, it would probably be this one.
Eat in New York, U.S.A
Left-over Roast Dinner
A rather catch-all listing, but you know exactly where we’re coming from. The best bit of the British Sunday Roast is surely the following day, where slices of yesterday’s meat, be it beef, chicken or pork, are wedged between slices of bread and enjoyed with whatever condiments you can find the fridge. Our favourite would have to be leftover, rare, roast beef, paired with rocket, a few shavings of parmesan and a handful of English baby tomatoes. Oh, and the bread should be buttered, mayo’d AND dijon’d. The sandwich feels both generous and economical – we love it.
Eat in your family home, following a delicious roast cooked by your mother
Open Sandwich
The Open Sandwich covers a multitude of one slice offerings, but we’re specifically talking about the Smorrebrod here, the Danish classic. It feels light and addictive, with the best versions juggling sweet and sharp pickle flavours with grace. Expect to find pickled herring, horseradish cream and cornichons most commonly. Dense rye-sourdough is also essential, playing the perfect foil to all of those competing sour notes.
Eat in Copenhagen, Denmark
Ploughman’s
A Ploughman’s Lunch isn’t immediately obvious as a sandwich – more a collection of fantastic British cheeses, ham, a few pickles and salad items, all on a wooden board. The pleasure is in the assembly and the variety which this leads to – one can indulge in a number of different cheeses over the course of the meal. Common knowledge dictates that we English should follow the Dane’s lead and simply use one slice of thick bread, piled high with the other treats.
Eat in a cosy country pub, Britain
Croque Madame
Decadent and unashamedly French, the Croque Madame translates as Mrs. Crunchy, but the crunch isn’t the most striking thing about this sandwich – it’s the richness and luxury that hits you first. Gruyere cheese and a generous amount of béchamel sit atop a slice of bread, with second layer of delicious ham and another slice of bread completing the sandwich. As if that wasn’t enough, on top is a fried egg, still runny, creating a feeling of real opulence in every bite. Incredible.
Eat in Paris, France
Bocadillo
Defiantly minimalist, the Bocadillo is the humble yet majestic sandwich of Cataluña – the appeal coming from the absolute premium quality of the one ingredient nestled inside the baguette. Butter is eschewed in favour of a small rubbing of olive oil. The bread is then simply furnished with a cut of superb Jamon – that’s all and that’s the magic. Equally magnificent in its clarity is the Spanish Omlette Bocadillo, the best using potato and (though hotly contested) onion, with the egg still slightly runny to provide moisture and a certain unctuousness.
Eat in Barcelona, Spain
Torta Ahogada
The final sandwich on the list hails from Mexico and is a spice and meat lover’s delight. Usually incorporating both slices of cured pork and a chili laden mincemeat, with plenty of hot sauce to boot, this is not a sandwich to eat wearing a white t-shirt. Position yourself next to fan, order a corona and tuck in!
