Tuscany has something for everyone. From its historic towns, thermal spas and world class wines, it’s the perfect destination with something to suit every holiday need. Here are a few reasonsS:
First class wine
Visit the nearby wineries of Montepulciano, Montalcino, San Gimignano and the Chianti region to sample their famous wines.
Proximity to many must see Italian cities
The beautiful cities of Florence, Arezzo, Siena, Pisa, Lucca and Pistoia (the 2017 Italian Capital of Culture) all known for their magnificent fine art, medieval history and architecture
Foods
Tuscany is known for its fine local produce. Nearby Pienza boasts exquisite Pecorino cheese while premium Tuscan Olive Oil is produced from the many olive groves.
Hospitality
Italians are warm and friendly people who want you to have the best experience in Italy. Everyone you meet in Tuscany will be happy to help, whatever you need!
Stunning views
Tuscany is blessed with wonderful scenery which are best enjoyed over a long lunch – the perfect way to soak up outstanding panoramic views and magical landscapes.
Hilltop towns
Tuscany boasts so many hidden gems including the stunning hilltop towns that are a must see, including Cortona, Pienza, Perugia, Montepulciano, Trequanda, Radicofani. Or an etruscan town as Chiusi or Anghiari – famous for its battle painted by Leonardo da Vinci. If you need some hiking boots to tackle the hills visit Gearweare website.
Thermal spas
Tuscany has a collection of spa resorts which offer a range of treatments to relax, revive and rejuvenate including those at Rapolano, Chianciano, Montepulciano, Saturnia and Bagni San Filippo.
Outdoor activities
from mountain biking to horse-riding and hot air ballooning to hiking there is so much to do for those seeking action.
Great dining out
wonderful restaurants serving delicious Tuscan cuisine are in abundance – it’s impossible to eat badly! Why not try “Pici all’Aglione”, a delicious dish of hand rolled pasta and juicy tomatoes? Meat lovers must try the meltingly tender Chianina steak, full of flavour and best served rare.
Learn a skill
Improve your Italian, brush up your painting skills, or learn how to cook delicious Tuscan dishes from those who know best.
Where to stay?
If Tuscany is on your list this year, then why not choose Cignella. Perfectly situated to enjoy all that Tuscany has to offer and nestled in the hillside, the Cignella Estate enjoys incredible views across the Tuscan landscape. The spacious and airy villas and apartments have lovingly been renovated from their former use as a traditional Tuscan farm to offer modern and extremely comfortable accommodation. With quality appliances, ample lounge and dining areas plus an outside terrace there is plenty of space to relax, play and enjoy meals. Locally sourced paintings, furniture and soft furnishings keep the style authentically Tuscan and welcoming.
We’ve asked nutritionist Cassandra Barns to give use the lowdown on how pollution messes with our skin. She also reveals 5 foods (including chocolate) that help pollution proof our skin
Pollution and skin ageing
Our skin is an expression of our health and our environment. When we’re tired or unwell, it can look grey or dull. And when we’re exposed to lots of toxins and free radicals – and don’t have enough antioxidants to ‘mop them up’ – one of the results can be faster skin ageing.
So what are the sources of these skin-damaging toxins and free radicals? Smoking is one of the major culprits, of course. But another key factor is pollution – the chemicals that we’re all exposed to every day, in the air we breathe, the substances that come into contact with our skin, and even in our food and water.
What are free radicals?
Rust is an example of free radical damage that happens in our external environment. In the body, when there is an excessive amount of free radicals around, this can damage to cells and proteins that make up the body’s tissues – including our skin.
What are antioxidants, and what can they do to help?
Generally speaking, antioxidants are substances that react with those free radicals, stopping the chain of damage that can occur. Vitamins C and E in our foods have this direct antioxidant activity.
There are unique substances found in plant foods that are said to have antioxidant activity. Particularly important are the polyphenols. There are many individual types of polyphenols, from anthocyanins that give brilliant red, purple and blue colours to fruit and vegetables, to flavonols found green tea and cocoa.
All of these antioxidant substances together work towards protecting our cells and tissues – including our skin – against the damaging effects of free radicals and pollution.
How do I get enough antioxidants?
So one of the primary ways to support our body’s antioxidant defence system is to consume plenty of plant foods – especially vegetables and fruit. As well as providing vitamin C, they are literally brimming with those all-important polyphenols, as well as other types of antioxidants.
Here are some of the top antioxidant-rich foods that can help fight free radicals. Some might surprise you.
Green tea
Green tea contains catechins, which have demonstrated pretty impressive abilities to fight free radicals. A specific catechin called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is thought to have the most potent protective activity.
To get the most out of your green tea, go for matcha. Matcha tea is a high-quality powdered green tea used in Japanese and Chinese tea ceremonies. It’s made from only the fresh leaf tips of the tea plant, which are shaded from the sun to increase the chlorophyll and nutrient content. A study carried out at the University of Colorado found that the content of the EGCG in a cup of matcha can be over 100 times greater than that found in a standard green tea.
Purple, blue or dark red fruits and vegetables
Berries are among the big hitters here, including blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, and so on. Their colours indicate the presence of anthocyanin antioxidants – ‘cyan’ in the word anthocyanin means ‘red’. Then think of cherries, plums, red cabbage and purple carrots – all of these also provide anthocyanins.
Beetroots have a fantastic purple-red colour too. They are also high in antioxidants but primarily a different type, called betalains.
Orange and yellow vegetables and fruits
Think carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, pumpkin, peaches, apricots and papaya. All of these are rich in carotenoids, another type of antioxidant. In fact, the carotenoids may be particularly protective against sun damage to the skin (although, of course, eating orange veg is not a replacement for topical sun protection). Green vegetables also contain carotenoids, as well as a wealth of other nutrients.
One important thing to note about carotenoids is that they’re fat-soluble. That means they will only be absorbed efficiently when you consume them with fat. So roasting your carrots or sweet potato in coconut oil, or tossing your greens with butter or ghee after steaming is ideal.
Spices – especially turmeric
Spices and herbs have perhaps the highest antioxidant activity of any foods. However, their impact tends to be lower because we only eat a very small amount of them compared to vegetables and fruits. Some of the best examples include cinnamon, cloves, star anise, oregano, rosemary, basil, thyme and parsley.
But turmeric in particular stands out, thanks to its content of curcuminoids – pigments which give this super-spice its bright yellow-orange colour. Curcuminoids have shown particularly strong antioxidant activity. Curcumin, the most widely studied curcuminoid, may even directly reduce skin aging – including preventing moisture loss and protecting against wrinkles [3]. You can get your daily dose of turmeric by including it in home-made curries and other Asian-inspired dishes – but make sure to buy a top-quality organic turmeric powder or fresh root if you want to reap the full antioxidant benefits.
Dark chocolate
Although chocolate in general gets a bad rap, this is mainly because the average chocolate bar is high in sugar and contains only a small amount of cocoa. The cocoa bean itself (called cacao in its raw form) is actually a good source of nutrients and is rich in antioxidant flavonols. In fact, in a study published in 2010, cocoa and dark chocolate came in the top ten of a list of the 100 richest dietary sources of polyphenols!
So the higher the percentage of cocoa in your chocolate bar, the more flavonols you’re going to get – ideally go for 85% and upwards, although 70% can still be beneficial. And for the ultimate antioxidant boost, go for organic, raw chocolate, which is becoming increasingly popular as we’re clocking onto all of its potential health benefits.
Why choose organic?
There are two primary reasons to go organic when buying your antioxidant-rich foods.
Firstly, non-organic food production uses many more pesticides, fungicides and artificial fertilisers. These are chemicals that may be harmful for our health with long-term exposure, and are among those very substances (pollutants) that may have skin-damaging effects.
Secondly, organic foods may have a higher antioxidant content too. A team of experts led by Newcastle University has shown that organic crops are up to 60% higher in a number of key antioxidants than conventionally-grown ones. The study, published in the prestigious British Journal of Nutrition, also found that there were significantly lower levels of pesticide residues and toxic heavy metals in organic crops [5].
This is a great indication that choosing foods produced to organic standards are better for our skin and overall health.
London is full of tried, tested and true burgers. If you fancy a burger, you could easily spend your time and your money frequented places like Honest Burger, Patty & Bun and even MeatLiqour. Or you could live little and try Big Fernand which is one of the city’s new-ish burger joints. Big Fernand opened back in March 2015 and specialises in “hamburgés” – burgers made with a pronounced French accent of course.
IDEA
The idea behind this endeavour is pretty obvious – it’s created for people who love burgers. The guys here prepare homemade French burgers cooked as you want, from raw to burned. The burgers are topped with a winning combination of French unpasteurised cheeses and home-made sauces, all wrapped up in a robust, secret-recipe “pain de mie” bun that won’t collapse in your hand.
Location
BigFernand is located in the heart of Fitzrovia on Percy Street. Nearest tube stop is Goodge Street.
The Atmosphere
We like it. Not only can you walk right up to the counter and order, but it’s also a comfortable place to eat. However, the only thing we found slightly strange was the split-personality décor. Downstairs is your typical burger joint – a counter, wooden table etc, however upstairs looks like a French Bourgeois inspired living room that should be serving tea and french pastries.
The Burgers
We were initially a bit sceptical of a French Burger joint, after all burgers aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of French cuisine. However, like with nearly everything they do, they have thrown some classic Franco-Flair at it, and turned this American classic into something that is a bit more refined and dare we say more classy.
The burgers at Big Fernand have a French twist and a certain je ne sais quoi (clichéd we know) that is down to many components. From the artisan buns made in London using a French baker’s secret recipe, and the class meat and unpasteurised French cheeses, to the freshly chopped herbs and home-made sauces created by Chef Thomas Boutin that have some serious zip to them, the burgers here are perfectly formed – not to big, not too small and they don’t sag or fall apart.
Build your own Burger
Just as kids get excited when their parents take them to the Build-A-Bear Workshop, adults will get excited at the prospect of the “atelier hamburger” at Big Fernand. It literally means hamburger workshop and you can make your own burger, deciding on which meat you want (beef, lamb, chicken and veal) which cheese and which condiments.
Top Tip
If you go for one of the burgers already made on the menu, please do not mess around with it. No it wouldn’t be better with a different kind of cheese, or no cheese or with a different kind of sauce. It’s excellent as it is.
Why Go
We’re not saying the burgers at Big Fernand are the crème de la crème of burgers in London (Honest Burger we’re looking at you) but they are certainly up there and you’ll be happy if you go.
Is your home looking a little boring? Do you sometimes sit in your room and wonder how you can bring some life into your home? Do you want to incorporate a little more of your own personal style into your rooms? Well we are here to help. We’ve asked the experts at AIDA, one of our favourite shops in Shoreditch who offer an array of quirky brands, from distinct vintage influence through to modern and contemporary styling, to share their top 10 tips on how to give a unique touch to your home.
Be Yourself
The most important consideration when decorating your home is that the aesthetic reflects your personality. You’re not creating a show home, you are creating a sanctuary for yourself and your loved ones – so whether you’re juggling a career with young children, or working on your dream fashion collection whilst also working a 40 hour week, your space should fit with your lifestyle.
Be A Collector
The objects and trinkets you pick up when you’re travelling are the items that can make your home unique. Objects can tell a story, and having a visual reminder about that party holiday in Ibiza, or romantic Moroccan trip last year can transport your mind after a stressful work day and act as a talking point when entertaining.
Curate and Rotate
When curating the AIDA home range we saw so many beautiful, well designed and inspiring pieces. Tempting as it is to have everything on show, sometimes less is more. Rotate your favourite objects and put the others in storage until you are ready for a seasonal change.
Invest In Classic Pieces
I am a big believer in saving for the perfect piece rather than settling for something that’s not quite right. Buying into a classic brand or style will last a lifetime and may even become something that appreciates in value and can be passed down through your family.
Listen to William Morris
‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.’ William Morris knows best – enough said.
Support Local
There are so many extremely talented, passionate designers and craftspeople in the U.K. Pop along to local design markets and source up-and-coming makers; not only will you end up with a unique item, but you will most likely be able to speak directly to the designer too. It feels good to be part of a community that supports creatives and helps to fund innovative and sustainable manufacturing on your doorstep.
Don’t Be Afraid Of Colour
Although the trend for monochrome interiors is not going anywhere fast, it’s still nice to inject a bit of seasonal colour and pattern into your home. You can do this simply and easily with artwork or interesting textiles without having to make major decorative changes. At the moment we are brightening our walls with Claudia Borfiga’s graphic screen prints.
Indulge Your Five Senses
Smell, Touch, Taste, Sight and Sound.
Immerse yourself in an environment that pleases all of your senses. There’s nothing like kicking your shoes off and letting your feet sink into a textured rug or breathing in a scent that takes you to another place. Cosy throws, your favourite aromatic candle, great music, art and food – enjoy life at home.
Take Your Time
There is so much fun to be had looking through interior blogs, following designers and makers on Instagram and scouring unusual shops to find that perfect piece for your home. What you buy will likely become part of your day to day scenery, so take the time to find things that will enhance your life and that you’ll love looking at every day.
Enjoy
It’s your interior and your home, so have fun with it. The person who really has to love it is you.
Achieving your fitness goals doesn’t rely on exercise alone; what you eat is crucial too. Your food needs to provide the nutrients that give you energy and allow you to perform at your best, as well as to restore your muscles and help you recover after a workout.
Of course, eating fresh foods – especially lots of fresh vegetables and fruit – is an important part of this. But there are also a few healthy ‘staples’ that every fitness lover should keep in their cupboard. They can help you make a quick healthy meal when you get in from a workout, or a nutritious snack to eat on the go, and provide lots of those energy and muscle-restoring nutrients. With this in mind, Nutritionist, Cassandra Barns gives green light to essential cupboard staples for all those fitness fanatics out there!
Tinned beans and pulses
Beans, lentils and chickpeas have a lot going for them as a store cupboard staple. They’re a great mix of carbohydrates and protein, both of which are needed to restore your muscles after a workout. They’re a good way to quickly and easily add some extra protein to salads, soups, stews and even stir-fries, and are a particularly important source of protein if you’re vegan or vegetarian. To make a quick meal or snack, mix drained lentils with a peeled and sliced avocado, diced spring onions, halved cherry tomatoes, olives and chopped ham (optional), drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and ground black pepper.
Porridge oats
If you work out early in the morning, a big bowl of oat porridge can make a perfect post-workout breakfast. Nairn’s Gluten-Free Porridge Oats (£1.99) provide slow-releasing carbohydrates to help replenish your muscle glycogen (the energy stored in your muscles) and are a good source of magnesium, which may support muscle recovery and relaxation. Stir in chopped nuts, raspberries or sliced strawberries, and cinnamon. Porridge can also be a good ‘emergency’ supper on the odd occasion you come in really late from a workout and don’t have time to prepare a meal.
High-protein pasta
We’ve already seen the benefits of getting your carbs and protein together in the form of beans and pulses. Well, now you can get this combination from your pasta too. Clearspring’s Green Pea and Quinoa Pasta (£2.89) provides 21 g of protein per 100 g compared to around 12 g in standard wheat pasta and only 8 g in brown rice pasta. This makes it fantastic as part of a meal for refuelling after a workout. Use it in place of any ‘normal’ pasta.
Tinned sardines
These should be in everyone’s cupboard, but particularly if you’re into your fitness. They’re a great source of protein for restoring your muscles and building strength. They contain lots of omega-3 fats, which may help with reducing inflammation – particularly helpful if you’re sore after a workout or want to recover faster. (Note that tuna provides protein, but not the beneficial omega-3s!) Sardines are also one of our best non-dairy sources of calcium – if you eat the soft bones. Calcium plays a vital role in muscle function and energy as well as keeping our bones strong.
Oatcakes
“Oatcakes make a perfect pre-workout snack: try them with a teaspoon of peanut butter and a few slices of banana. Nairn’s Rough Oatcakes (£0.99) provide easy-to-digest carbohydrates that are released in a controlled way, giving you sustained energy rather than causing you to crash in the middle of a workout. They can also be great to carry with you for post-workout refuelling if you know you’re not going to eat a meal for a few hours.”
Fermented foods
Believe it or not, intensive exercise can have a negative effect on your gut health. So eating foods that are rich in easily absorbed nutrients and are gentle on the gut can be particularly helpful after a workout. This is where traditional fermented foods come in, as the fermentation process can increase their nutrient levels, as well as making them easier to digest. Two great store cupboard staples are miso paste and umami paste. Try Clearspring’s Japanese Umami Paste (£4.49, www.clearspring.co.uk), which is made with organic, natural ingredients – soya sauce, cultured rice and spices. It can be used directly as a dip or condiment with a few oatcakes or carrot sticks, or added into stews, stir-fries or sauces. It’s a great way to quickly and easily add flavour and a nutrient boost to your food – perfect when you come in late from a workout and don’t want to spend hours preparing a meal.
Nut or seed butters
Nuts and seeds are good sources of restorative protein and healthy fats. They’re rich in minerals too, including magnesium and calcium that support energy, muscle function and bone strength, and zinc for the immune system. Nut or seed butters (which are simply nuts or seeds ground to a creamy paste) make a fantastic tasty, filling snack when combined with complex carbohydrates such as oatcakes. Rather than peanut butter, go for almond, walnut, cashew nut, hazelnut or pumpkin seed butter, as they have a better nutrient content and a superior profile of healthy fats. But because they’re so delicious, it’s easy to overdo nut butters – keep it to a teaspoon or two at a time rather than half the jar
Mixed nuts and dried fruit
This combo makes another great on-the-go snack – ideal when you’re coming out of work on the way to the gym, or after a workout to tide you over until your next meal. You get the benefits of the protein, healthy fats and minerals in the nuts combined with the energy-restoring carbohydrates in the fruit. Save money by buying a big bag to keep in your cupboard and dividing it up into smaller servings to carry with you.
Manuka honey
Honey is not just sugar! Honey can also have healing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Manuka honey – which is produced by bees that pollinate the manuka bush – is renowned for its antibacterial activity in particular, and has become a popular natural remedy for coughs, sore throats and other mild infections. This can be particularly relevant for athletes and fitness fanatics, as intensive exercise can temporarily suppress the immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to coming down with a bug. Manuka honey can be added to a homemade green smoothie to add sweetness, stirred into natural yoghurt or porridge with some nuts and seeds, or just taken off the spoon. But keep it to a teaspoon at a time, as it’s still high in sugar.
Pea protein powder
Protein powders can be a great way to top up your protein intake. Whey protein powder is a popular choice with gym-goers and athletes, of course. But pea protein is a winner too. It’s suitable for vegans (who are often in particular need of extra protein) and those with a dairy intolerance. It’s more filling than whey protein. And because it has a neutral flavour and high tolerance to heat, you can add it to warm or hot foods such as soups, stews and porridge to give them a protein boost, as well as using it in shakes and smoothies. All in all, a great store cupboard staple! Try Nature’s Plus Pea Protein powder (£22.50) an organic pea protein that’s free from sweeteners, sugar and artificial additives.
TV chef Rachel Allen shows us how to create great food that’s both good for you and delicious
Rachel Allen’s shares her recipe for pan-grilled chicken breasts with lemon and marjoram aioli and roast cherry tomatoes.
Top Tip: For the roast tomatoes, try to get hold of cherry tomatoes or small tomatoes that are still attached to the stalk. These look good and the stalk can be cut with scissors into portions before cooking. If the tomatoes are off the stalk, you can cook them whole or cut in half.
Ingredients
4 chicken breasts#
3 tbsp olive oil
For the roast cherry tomatoes:
About 20 small or cherry tomatoes
Olive oil, for drizzling
Sea salt and ground black pepper
Lemon and marjoram aioli:
2 cloves of garlic, finely crushed
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
175ml sunflower oil
50ml extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp chopped or dried marjoram
100ml chicken stock (or water)
Method:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F), Gas mark 6. Place the tomatoes on a baking tray (if they are cut in half, place them cut side up), drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the skin is a little blistered and the flesh soft on the inside. Take out of the oven and keep warm until serving – they will sit happily for up to half an hour in the oven with the heat turned off.
Place a cast-iron griddle pan or a frying pan on a high heat and allow it to get quite hot – it should be just smoking. Rub the chicken breasts with the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Place the chicken in the pan skin side down and cook for 4 – 5 minutes or until the one side is a deep golden colour or has good scorch marks (if using the griddle pan). Turn the chicken over and reduce the heat, continuing to cook for 8 – 12 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (it should be opaque in the middle).
Meanwhile, make the aioli. Place the garlic, marjoram, egg yolks, lemon juice and mustard in a bowl. Place the oils together in a jug and pour into the egg yolks very gradually in a very thin stream while whisking constantly. Continue to add the oils, whisking all the time until all the oil has been added and the aioli is thick. Transfer the chicken to a warm serving dish and keep warm.
Deglaze the pan by placing the roasting tray on a medium heat and pouring in the stock (or water) and using a whisk to dissolve the delicious juices stuck to the tray. Bring up to the boil, then pour into a jug and allow to sit for a minute for the tart to float up to the top. Spoon off the fat. Reheat the liquid if it has cooled down completely, pour into the aioli gradually, whisking constantly.
To serve, place the chicken breasts, whole or sliced, on warmed plates, spoon some sauce over the top or around the edge and place a portion of cherry tomatoes on the side.
Serves 4, preparation time 40 minutes)
Ecover has teamed up with chef and mother of three Rachel Allen to launch its ‘Eat Clean, Feel Good’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the hidden ‘nasties’ in washing up liquid.
Say goodbye to the streaming eyes, runny nose, sneezing fits and the general puffy-face misery of hay fever
For many of us, summer is the time to don our flirty floral dresses, slip on our sandals and prettily plait our hair. However, your stunning summer look can easily be ruined by one thing: hay fever.
According to the NHS website, one in five of us suffer from hay fever: that’s why many of us spend the warmer weather with streaming eyes and a running nose. With this in mind, we’ve put together this handy guide packed full of everything you’ll need to handle your hay fever this season.
Antihistamines
A hay fever sufferer’s best friend during the summer is their trusty pack of antihistamines! When a hay fever sufferer comes into contact with pollen, histamine is released. The body recognises the pollen as a threat and releases the chemical in order to minimise the effect it can have, usually resulting in streaming eyes and sneezing. Taking an antihistamine blocks the effects of histamine which in turn prevents pollen causing a reaction in the body.
Antihistamines are most commonly found in tablet form, although there are nasal sprays and creams available too. They’re relatively cheap to buy: use online pharmacy sites like Medicines2U and stock up on them now so you don’t run out!
Tissues
Walking around with streaming eyes can not only attract some strange looks from others, it can result in a makeup disaster! Keep on top of your tears by carrying a packet of tissues around with you, so you’re prepared for when hay fever strikes. Avoid buying aloe vera infused tissues as the scent could cause your eyes to run even more.
Sunglasses
They may not be the most obvious item when it comes to relieving hay fever symptoms, but a pair of wraparound sunglasses are actually really effective when it comes to protecting the eyes from pollen. Not only can they relieve your symptoms, they’ll look great too!
Amanda Elias, beauty expert and founder of Bravura London shares with IDEAL her top tips for a skin-friendly Summer
One
The first thing you want to think about is sun protection; the sun is the main cause of premature ageing which can leave your skin dull, dry, wrinkled and with hyperpigmentation (brown spots). Most London dermatologist‘s advise to protect all exposed skin with a broad spectrum SPF (protects against both UVA & UVB) of at least 30, preferably a mineral SPF which acts as a sunblock to instantly block the sun’s rays. Look for a product that’s waterproof and don’t forget your lips, ears and the back of your neck. Re-apply frequently.
Two
You may know about cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising your face but do you spend as much TLC on your body? Ensure you exfoliate at least twice a week and if possible, slather yourself daily (after your shower) in your favourite body lotion.
Three
Do you find your skin flushes when you get hot? Keep a refreshing water spray or toner spray at hand to spritz your face and neck when you feel yourself overheating
Four
Avoid wearing perfumes on your skin; when the sun hits the areas of skin that contain perfumes it can cause irritation. Fragrance your hair by spraying your hairbrush then brush through your locks, every time you swish your hair you’ll be surrounded by a beautiful fragrance.
Five
Sun and lip gloss aren’t a good combination, remember the days of people baking in the sun covered in baby oil? Same thing. Get yourself a good lip balm that contains an SPF, you can get plenty that have colour or line your lips with a lip pencil then top with a clear SPF balm.
Six
Parched skin after too much alcohol and sun? Intensely nourish your skin with an oil such as jojoba oil, this non-comedogenic (won’t block your pores) oil is more of a wax and is close to your skin’s natural oil. For sun burnt skin, help the healing process with pure aloe vera gel and apply 3-4 times a day.
Seven
Don’t forget to hydrate yourself, to keep your body functioning properly and to aid in the removal of toxins from our body it needs to be well hydrated so be sure to drink 2-3 litres of liquid (sadly this doesn’t include dehydrating substances such as cocktails and coffee) per day.
You can transform your skin from dull to fabulous this summer with Bravura London’s amazing cruelty Free Skincare range. Check it out here: Bravura London
Road trips are a fun way to see the world. Air travel is great, but flying from one destination to the next means that you miss a huge amount of fun in the middle. It’s like eating a Victoria sponge cake minus the jam and buttercream. Sure, the sponge tastes OK, but the best bits are missing!
Most people don’t travel from one continent to another via car. It would simply take too long. In this instance, air travel is a sensible mode of transport. Flying from A to B is quick, relatively inexpensive (unless you upgrade to First Class), and convenient, but if you want to take the scenic route, a road trip is a lot more enjoyable.
Road Trip Essentials
To extract the maximum enjoyment from a road trip you need three things:
If any of the above are lacking, your road trip will be sadly diminished. You might still have fun, but it won’t be the trip of a lifetime. For the purposes of this article, let’s take a look at the first requirement: vehicle.
Rentals vs Own Vehicle
There are hundreds of different vehicle options available for hire if you prefer not to take your own, from basic car rental all the way to van lease Mode of transport is a personal choice, but if you have a long trip planned and you’re traveling overseas, it is sensible to hire a vehicle. Rental vehicles come with comprehensive insurance, are well maintained, and road legal. If your rental vehicle breaks down, you can request a replacement and continue with your trip. It’s a lot better than being stuck in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, with a vehicle that is beyond economic repair and no alternate means of transport.
Transport and Accommodation
You will need accommodation while you are on the road. Some people choose to book their accommodation on the hoof, using sites like Airbnb. Others prefer to be super organised and book hotel rooms for every night of their trip. However, both of these options give rise to a degree of inflexibility, as you will have to follow a predetermined route. One other option worth considering is hiring a camper van. You then have the freedom to wander off the beaten track and stay anywhere you like.
Different Types of Car
Assuming you’re not keen on the idea of trundling along in a slow but steady campervan or skipping showers for a week, let’s take a look at cars you might wish to hire for your trip.
The larger the vehicle, the more expensive it will be to hire. BMWs or Audis are fast, comfortable, and luxurious, but not cheap to run. A hot hatch such as a Mini Edinburgh looks sexy, is cheaper to hire, and is great for a Mr. Bean-style trip along the French Riviera.
However, if you really want to enjoy a trip of a lifetime, rent a prestigious sports car, pull on your designer shades, and act like a celebrity.
It’s not every day that we get offered a new job. Sure, we might be secretly looking for something else, but it takes a lot of nerve to actually go for it. After all, there are so many considerations to take into account. Many jobs demand a change in lifestyle. The commute, the hours, and the change in pay are just a few of the reasons for this. But ultimately, timing is everything. Are you really ready to take that leap?
Bye Bye Bad Boss
If you really hate your boss, it’s no wonder you’ve been looking for ways to escape! Of course, personal relationships are tricky to manage in any workplace. There is no guarantee that your next role will be free of bullying bosses. Don’t forget that there are ways you can manage the difficult working relationships you’re currently experiencing.
If you are a union member, chances are there is someone you can talk to that will help you with any kind of workplace dispute. Start there, but try your best to step back from your personal feelings as much as possible. Most HR departments will encourage you to try to resolve your differences together in an informal way. This can be very uncomfortable, but sometimes it’s all that is needed to get your boss to back off.
If your boss is guilty of any inappropriate workplace behaviour such as bullying, sexual advances, discrimination, or inappropriate demands, your HR department must take it seriously. Don’t walk away from your current job until you have exhausted every avenue to manage this relationship. If nothing else, you need a good reference at some point.
Financial Woes
Most of us feel that we’re not paid enough for our jobs. You may also be having trouble managing your personal finances right now. Finding a better-paid job could definitely be on your radar. However, you may find yourself in more difficulties if you leave your current job right now.
Mortgages and other loan applications often demand that you have been in your employment for at least a year. If you move job now but need to renew your mortgage soon, this could be a problem. The main reason for this is the probationary period you’ll be under for the first 6 to 12 months of your new job. Your new employer can simply terminate your job with no notice during that time for no reason. Job security is essential here.
Don’t forget that you know the ins and outs of your current company. You don’t know if a new company is hitting financial difficulties that will see lay-offs as soon as you start your job. Do your homework and check their returns before you accept the job. Make sure you’re aware of the probation period and negotiate it down to as little time as possible. Also, as tempting as it is to take a holiday between ending one role and starting the next, consider the difference in pay dates too.
Commuting Hours
Nobody likes a commute. If your new job is going to increase the time you are travelling this should raise some concerns. It will eat into your home life as well as your personal time. Most employers don’t consider your commute as part of your working hours, but you should. After all, you can’t do much for yourself sat in traffic driving to your job. Perhaps you’ll need to move house as well as companies?
The new commute may cost you more money too. You might even need to buy a car, or change at a different station on your way in. Parking charges will undoubtedly be different. Then, of course, is the cost of lunch. If your new company is out of the city centre, you may have to eat in their canteen, or travel into town each lunch hour – more travel!
Promotion Opportunities
If you’ve been at your current company for a while, you know you’re due for a promotion. Starting with a new company could put you out of the promotion running for a long time. Is there room for career growth at this new company or would you have to change companies yet again to get that boost? You may also want to consider if there is ample opportunity for you to shine in this new role.
Friends
If you’ve made some good friends over the years from your most recent employment, it could be quite tough to let them go. Perhaps you’re quite a sociable character, and you’ve never had trouble meeting new people. But if you’re quite shy and struggle to make quality friendships, be a little more wary about leaving. We all need a lot of support, especially when we’re starting somewhere new. Think about how you’ll settle in. What is the new office layout like? Will there be a mentorship program available or social activities to get involved with?
Flexibility
Let’s face it, things change. Chances are you’ve been hunting for another job because your current one simply isn’t flexible enough to help you through those changes. Is your new one going to be flexible enough to let you live the life you want? Kids get older, and so do parents. There may come times when you need to be able to work from home to act as a carer. Can you do that in your new job?
Benefits
Of course, one of the most attractive things about a company is the benefits package they offer. Have you fully taken advantage of your current one? Do you know exactly what pension you’ll get, bonuses, or other allowances with the new one? It’s worth doing your homework here because all those extras can add up to a substantial value.
Changing jobs will always have advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes it’s best to tough it out where you are. Other times, you’re absolutely right to jump ship. Try a pros and cons list to see where you would be better off.
London’s latest rooftop hotspot, Aviary, ten floors above Finsbury Square, offers breathtaking views of the capital’s iconic skyline, sensational cocktails and internationally renowned DJs for a vibe that’s more Café Del Mar than City of London.
This alfresco ‘room with a view’ features the sort of furniture and soft furnishings seen in the pages of a glossy interiors magazine – picture sink-in sofas, scatter cushions and vintage lampshades while fire pits, lit at night, ensure that chilling under the stars comes without…well any chill. Here are five reasons to flock there this summer:
SUMMER SIPS
Aviary’s summer sips are as delicious as they are instagrammable. Shaken and served by some of London’s finest mixologists, contemporary concoctions come in copper tankards and pineapple sharing serves. For a cocktail with a caffeine kick, Aviary offers one of Europe’s first on tap nitro espresso martinis, alongside frosé – a frozen blend of rosé wine, Belsazar rosé vermouth and strawberries, made for sultry nights. There’s also a great range of chilled white, red and rosé wines, craft beers, including brews from ETM’s Long Arm Brewing Co. and zero proof cocktails.
THE SOUND OF SUMMER
Globally established DJ and producer, Jez Pereira is responsible for the music at Aviary, providing a line-up of some of the world’s hottest DJs including Rosie, CiCi Cavanagh and Nico. Expect an intoxicating mix of soulful lounge beats, 1970s funk & disco and contemporary house, Wednesday – Friday evenings.
DAY-TO-NIGHT DINING
Food is taken as seriously as Aviary’s liquid libations with a week-day lunch menu that’s big on seasonal British ingredients and responsible sourcing from whole bone-in wild fish through to rare breed steaks. Come evening, it’s all about bar bites – think lobster tacos, prawnish pasties and beef yakitori.
WEEKEND HIGHS
Weekends at Aviary feature an impressive brunch with live music. Classic egg dishes and maple bacon butties sit alongside the more adventurous pulled beef belly with American cheese, potato and confit duck egg skillet and a king scallop crumpet with seaweed butter and hollandaise. Sugar cravings are sated with a fried Nutella and marshmallow sandwich, or French toast with blood orange and crème fraiche.
SKY HIGH PARTIES
Aviary’s terrace is available for partial or exclusive hire as are the three Palm Rooms, on the ninth floor below and complete with a private terrace. Whether a summer soirée, business breakfast, weekend brunch or product launch, elevate your event at Aviary.
The rooftop terrace at Aviary – an uplifting alfresco experience with added altitude.
Rolling into the bright and sunny East London studio at 8am on a Tuesday morning, I was welcomed by Percy and Reed’s lovely Senior Stylist Taylor. With over 10 years experience in the business, plus a fab burnt orange shade of lippy and covetable blonde choppy bob of her own, she immediately put me at ease. Next up, I was presented with a colourful tray of proper coffee and a Tunnocks Tea Cake to breakfast on while Taylor got to work on a full head of highlights.
Before the transformation…
The Percy and Reed salon is refreshingly warm and inviting with rustic wood paneled walls (an regional feature – the building was once a banana trading stall of Spitalfields Market) and none of the sterile feel that some hairdressers have. Quirky vintage looking furniture, a selection of cool giant afro wigs on display and a strong collection of tongue-in-cheek fashion prints on the wall with sayings like ‘Pissing Everywhere isn’t very Channel’. give the feeling of a charming, fun and slightly Ab Fab personality to the place. Taylor explained she was going to use L’Oréal product Smart Bond (the equivalent of the brilliant Olaplex, for all you Bleach heads in the know) to protect and repair my locks while the bleach got to work. An ashy toner was then applied and left to work for 10 minutes. I was particularly impressed with Percy and Reed’s own styling products that were used on my hair The ‘Wonder Treatment Oil’ containing Camilla Oil to give shine (I usually don’t use oils due to my fine hair, but Taylor explained the molecules are finer than those used in Argan Oil so it doesn’t weigh your hair down or look greasy. She was right. Plus ‘The Perfect Blow-Dry Spray to give texture and volume.
After an expert trim and Blow Dry (one of the best I’ve ever had) the end result was a gorgeous beachy blonde tone with a (shockingly) healthy shine and glow – which I’d thought pretty much impossible for my bleached out barnett. This is why we go to hairdressers. I’ll definitely be back for more glowing shiny hair…. and Tea Cakes.
It is common to overhear your employee’s plea for Friday to arrive, bringing in the weekend, however, this could be a sign that your employees are finding their work life stale and no longer enjoy coming in anymore. This could be down to the company’s culture, or lack of one, therefore, we are providing tips on how to create a more positive working environment for your team.
Listen to Your Employees
No employee wants to feel as though they are just a number. Every member of staff wants their voice to be heard, which is why you must listen to your employees at every opportunity. From holding face-to-face meetings to brainstorming sessions, give your employees an opportunity to air their opinions and ideas, so they can play a part in the company’s future.
What’s more, you could develop an employee survey from insightlink.com, which will help to identify any problems affecting job satisfaction or personal performance, so you can take the necessary steps to improve internal processes.
Hire the Right Employees
An engaged employee will work ten times harder than a member of staff whose heart just isn’t in their job. While the culture you create will determine company morale, the staff you hire can also determine the workplace atmosphere.
For example, a lazy member of staff could encourage others to procrastinate, which could be a slippery slope. Also, mismatched values could lead to communication issues or conflict, which you might be unable to change through training. It is therefore essential to hire committed, hard-working employees who share the same values as your organization.
Encourage Employees to Take a Break
It is important an employee finds a balance between their professional and personal life. Try to create a system that allows you to track an employee’s task list, so a member of management can identify if they are taking on too much. If they are, you might realize the time has come to hire a new member of staff, which will help to reduce a person’s workload.
Also, if you believe someone is working a little too much or deserves a break, tell them to step away from their desk or, if you are feeling generous, you could give them the day off. Not only will the break help boost employee morale, but it will allow a team member to recharge their batteries, so they will be more productive once they return to their desk.
Create a Fun Environment
The workplace doesn’t have to be dull and boring. Don’t be afraid to paint the walls in bright colours, add some fun chairs into the mix or hang some stunning artwork. You could even ask the team to help you decorate the office, so you can create an environment that people enjoy coming into each day. These improvements might make your employees start looking forward to Mondays.
There are so many ways you can transform company culture, and the best way to do so is by listening to your staff and making the necessary changes.
Okay, so you’ve started your business and it’s actually gone reasonably well, so far. There have been no major problems, a few hiccups here and there, but you’ve managed to cement your startup into the market and it’s performed well. However, there will come a time when the nature of the business world will force it to grow to a new level, and you will have to do things that you’ve probably never done before in order to facilitate this growth. If you really want yourbusiness to play with the big boys, you need to be able to hold a successful business meeting; fortunately for you, if you’ve never done that before, then you can find a few hints and tips on how to do so below.
Prepare the room beforehand
First of all, you should prepare the room beforehand. It will not look professional if you are still setting up once the people who are to attend the meeting start to file in which is why it is essential, if you want your meeting to be a success, that you cover all the bases thoroughly prior to when you open your doors. This includs:
Searching out the locations of all the electronically outlets in the room so that you don’t look silly trying to find a place to plug in the devices you are to be using during the meeting.
Ensuring that if anybody was in need of an outlet, that you would be able to cater to their needs.
Making sure that the table at which everybody in attendance is going to be sat at is long enough to fit everybody in ( you don’t want anybody to be forced to sit on the floor).
Checking that each and every person in the room has everything that they need laid out on the table before them, i.e. a notepad and pen.
Setting up all the visuals that you need, like boards to write on or an electronic board to use interactively.
Ensuring that refreshments, such as tea, coffee, water and possibly even snacks, are made readily available to all those who get a bit first or hungry during the course of the meeting.
Define your message
But the preparation for the event isn’t just about making sure that the room is up to scratch, you have to prepare yourself as well. A crucial aspect of this is that you have define your message beforehand to ensure that you don’t walk into the meeting and proceed to start babbling on about nonsensical aspects and elements.
Accordingly, it’s important to refine your management meeting optimisation strategy, which can include sharing a brief run-through of your message prior to the meeting. This lets management members gather any relevant information and formulate questions.
Practice your points
You need to practice every single piece of detail until it reaches a point where it is coherent, concise and confident. In dealing with these points respectively, you should: practice your speaking skills until you are producing your chosen speech without falling over your words, you should aim to summarise each point that you make down to three to five points in order to retain focus throughout, and you should be able tospeak without reading from paper as this exudes confidence.
Don’t let nerves get the better of you
The most important aspect in preparing yourself for the event is to ensure that you don’t allow for all the work you’ve done beforehand, not only in preparing for the meeting but the work you’ve done generally with your business, go to waste because of nerves. If nerves induced by public speaking are a plight that you suffer with them, then you canovercome presentation nerves before the event by attending training courses in Presentation Skills. This kind of training offers up a relaxed, yet professional, environment for you to overcome your nerves and should be sought if you feel that they could hinder you at any point.
Be the hostess with the mostess
And then it is time to put your preparation and practice to work during the meeting. First and foremost you need to be welcoming host; even in the first point of contact a lasting impression can be formed which is why you need to make sure that the impression you leave in each person’s mind is one of confidence and professionalism; you should also point out all the refreshments that you have made available to diffuse any tension that may arise in such a strictly professional environment.
Be timely
You should start no later than five minutes after the scheduled start time even if everybody has not turned up: holding back on the start time because of somebody else could be construed as a sign of weakness on your part. And once you have started you should not allow anything to deter you from the presentation you have gone over so meticulously in your head — not external forces, such as an interruption from elsewhere, or even yourreddening face.
Speak confidently and clearly
Don’t use filler words such as ‘erm’, ‘well’ and ‘like’ at all during the event, even when you feel as if they are bursting to jump off of your tongue and always be open to questions being thrown your way; if any questions come at you that catch you off guard and stop you from thinking of a suitable answer then just try to remain truthful and do not let the pressure induce a lie out of you. And once the ordeal is over, breathe a sigh of relief (although you shouldn’t actually let anybody see you do this), say goodbye to everybody, thank them for coming and shake their hands firmly.
Dress to to impress
And remember when hosting a meeting you should always seek todress like an absolute boss. You should wear clothing that connotes the fact that you are in control of the situation and exudes professionalism, yet still makes you feel comfortable and confident enough to perform the ceremonies of the event. The most important thing to remember, however, is that you should never go into a meeting unprepared, yet at the same time you never overthink the situation, neither before or during. Over-thinking can lead to chaotic scenes in the meeting room, so if you ever do find your mind slipping that way just take a few deep breathes and pull it back the way you want it to go.
The Groovy Food Company, an award-winning British brand committed to sourcing and producing natural foods that taste delicious and nourish the body’s overall health and wellbeing, share this delicious ‘Lemon Chicken with Omega Cool Pesto’ with IDEAL.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
Lemon chicken:
4 free-range chicken breasts
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
2 tbsp The Groovy Food Company Omega Cool Oil
1 tbsp The Groovy Food Company Agave Nectar Amber and Mild
Sauce:
200g baby plum tomatoes halved
2 cloves garlic crushed
1 tsp The Groovy Food Company Agave Nectar Amber and Mild
1 tbsp The Groovy Food Company Omega Cool Oil
240g dried linguine
Omega Pesto:
Large bunch of fresh basil
½ clove garlic
50g almonds
30g Parmesan
Lemon juice to taste
60ml The Groovy Food Company Omega Cool Oil
Fresh basil for serving
Method:
Place the halved tomatoes onto a baking tray then scatter over the garlic then drizzle with the oil and agave, season with salt and pepper then roast in a pre-heated oven set at 150°C/gas mark 2 for around 30 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Marinade the chicken breasts in the lemon juice; zest and oil then leave for a couple of hours for the flavours to develop.
Season and seal skin side down in a hot pan for around 3 minutes until golden turn over then glaze with the agave, transfer to an oven set at 200°C/gas mark 6 for 12-14 minutes or until cooked through.
Place the basil into a mini blender along with the almonds, garlic and lemon juice and oil then blend until you have a loose consistency, add the parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cook the pasta according to the packets instructions, drain then stir through the pesto and serve with the sliced chicken, tomatoes. Finish with another grating of Parmesan cheese and some fresh basil.
