Archive for ‘Luxury’

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November 19, 2012

Bensons Townhouse, Whitby

I’m feeling very relaxed and happy with life this morning, mostly because I’ve just returned from spending the weekend in the most amazing Bed and Breakfast I may ever have had the good fortune to visit.

Image courtesy of Bensons Townhouse

Bensons Townhouse is an imposing Grade II listed  Georgian property with a fascinating history that has been wonderfully renovated by the current owners, Jonathan and Sarah Barnes. It is rated as five star accommodation by Visit England, the only B&B with this rating in Whitby. On our arrival, Jonathan came out to meet me and my husband at the car-park and showed us to our room and then Sarah produced the perfect cup of tea and cakes for us to enjoy in a comfortable pair of leather sofas; the ideal way to start relaxing.

The house is impeccable; elegant, grown-up and tastefully finished. Glittering chandeliers and ornate mirrors provide a beautiful contrast to the muted walls (think Farrow and Ball colour palette) timeless, classic furniture and period features. We stayed in Room 2, the smaller of the two rooms, which was perfectly appointed and with a king sized bed so comfortable, I’d still be there now, given the choice… When I think about the sanctuary I’d like my bedroom at home to be, I now have a frame of reference. Basically, I want to transport the bedroom from Bensons Townhouse, lock, stock and barrel back to Leeds. With its high ceiling, period shutters and air of tranquility, it was perfect.

 

Bedroom one. Image courtesy of Bensons Townhouse

Every little luxurious detail was carefully thought out, from the Yorkshire tea and flask of fresh milk on the hospitality tray, to the wine and chocolates waiting for your arrival. The bathroom was immaculate, with the whitest, fluffiest towels, two sinks and lots of lovely toiletries. We had a flat-screen TV (which sadly got used to watch Match of the Day – some things never change…) and an Ipod docking station next to the giant, goose-down-duvet-covered and incredibly comfortable bed. I’m really in love with that bed, can you tell?

Despite the perfect and very stylish feel to the whole place, that does not mean it is intimidating. Far from it. The welcome we received was really warm, and we felt comfortable and relaxed straight away, which is so important to us when we only have a short time to enjoy the peace and luxury of time away from our usual responsibilities.

Of course, one of the most important parts of staying in a Bed and Breakfast has to be the breakfast itself and here, Bensons Townhouse also excels. Served in an elegant dining room, a range of cooked options, together with an extensive variety of cereals, fruits, juice, toast and croissants were available, and everything we had was excellent. My husband said that his full English breakfast, using locally sourced ingredients,  was one of the best he’d ever had. I had scrambled eggs with bacon and an English muffin, which was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented with chives and roasted cherry tomatoes. It’s easy to see why they’re already in possession of a Breakfast Award from Visit England. Thankfully, on Sunday we were blessed with a sunny clear blue sky and so were able to walk off some of the calories on a coastal stretch of the Cleveland Way National Trail afterwards!

In the past, I’ve avoided staying in Bed and Breakfast accommodation, preferring the relative anonymity of a hotel over feeling like I might be imposing on someone’s private home. However, this stay has made me re-think this completely. It was a little like staying in the tiniest boutique hotel, with the warmest, kindest hosts imaginable – even my husband’s charity Movember moustache didn’t phase them! It feels really clear to see through the work Jonathan and Sarah have put into the property, the attention to detail and the attentive customer service that this is a labour of love for them and as a guest, that makes for a superb experience.

Glittering chandeliers: image courtesy of Bensons Townhouse

After what amounted to a perfect weekend, I was terribly sad to leave, and am already trying to work out when I can make a return visit. If you’re planning a stay in Whitby, look no further than Bensons Townhouse. I honestly believe it to be flawless.

 

NB: I know this reads like a sponsored post, but it’s not. I was a regular paying guest and just asked afterwards to borrow a few photographs as my own didn’t do the place justice. I simply had a great stay and wanted to share that with you all! 

Posted in Design and Culture, Home, Luxury, Margot Loves..., Travel | 3 Comments »

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November 16, 2012

Cox and Cox Bud Vases

One of the good things about de-cluttering is that I am finally finding space to display beautiful things. Like these delicate little glass bud vases from Cox and Cox that I was kindly given from the lovely folk at NotOnTheHighStreet.com.  I’ve had them a while, but because of their fragile nature and small stature, I’ve resisted putting them out on display. Firstly because I was worried about breaking them, but also because they’d get lost amongst the clutter! Small things need space to shine and I’ve finally got that, after lots of work tidying up.

I have a set of eight, two each of the four different colours shown in the photo; Atlantic Deep, Dark Olive, Soft Mole and Iron. I think the colours are perfect for this time of year and they all look great against the plain grey walls of my bedroom or in my sitting room by the fire.

I love having little displays of seasonal flowers on my bedside table and on the fireplaces in my bedroom and in the sitting room, and these jewel coloured little vases will be perfect for bringing a bit of sparkle to the room over the winter, before they are used for tiny posies of the first spring flowers. They look especially lovely placed alongside candles, so the flickering glow of the light reflect the colours and bring a bit of warmth to the colder months.

Cox and Cox Bud Vases. Photo from Notonthehighstreet.com

If you could bear to part with these, they’d make a great gift for someone, either the whole eight in the box for Christmas or a couple wrapped up as a little thank you gift. I’ll be keeping mine in my bedroom, where I will be able to appreciate them at their fullest, lined up along my bedroom fireplace…

With many thanks to NotOnTheHighStreet.com for sending me these lovely vases to review. 

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October 29, 2012

Anya Hindmarch for British Airways: A Little Luxury.

Have you ever turned left on entering a plane? I haven’t. Not for me the luxuries of First Class, sadly. It has to be said that I’ve not been on a long-haul flight (the only time I think upgrades are really worth it) since 2006, when I flew to New York. I was in the second trimester of pregnancy and so spent the entire flight either walking around to stave off the threat of DVT or going to the loo. Given that, a First Class ticket would have been something of a waste of money!

Luckily for me, I do know people who turn left on entering the plane, and not only are they fortunate, they’re also kind enough to share their goodies with me. Now that I’m in the throes of saving up, I’m trying very hard not to spend money on luxury things, but I do love a bit of luxury (and who doesn’t?) so this really does help make up for my economising.

If you travel First Class with British Airways you are fortunate enough to receive a lovely Anya Hindmarch bag, filled with REN skincare goodies. REN skincare is a great brand and creator of my favourite Rose Otto bath oil. Inside this kit, which is structured like a little framed doctor bag and utterly lovely, is everything you could need to emerge after a long haul flight feeling as fresh as a daisy. Well, nearly… I’m sure the flat beds in First Class help with that too! Alongside the all-important sleep mask and ear plugs, you get the following things: Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel, Vita-Mineral Day Cream, Neroli and Grapefruit Hand & Body Cream, Biominetic Lip Balm (all by REN) and a toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash. So very lovely.

Now, I don’t have any long distance travel plans in the near future, but I am going away to Whitby for a couple of days in November to stay in the fabulous looking Bensons Townhouse, which was all booked and sorted before I made my decision to save up for a bigger trip! I’ll be taking this perfect little travel bag of luxury with me and will very much enjoy a brief interlude from my economising…

Posted in Beauty, Design and Culture, Home, Luxury, Margot Loves..., Travel | 6 Comments »

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October 3, 2012

Space NK and leaving beauty boxes behind.

I had a subscription to one of the beauty boxes until recently. Each month, I’d get a pretty box filled with a selection of sample beauty products posted through the letter box. And for a while, it was great. I love to get exciting post, and this was a little treat just for me. But after a while, the lustre wore off the whole thing. I heard rumours that beauty bloggers were getting different products to the rest of the subscribers, purely so they could act as free PR for the companies, and then another rumour about a ‘premium, invite-only’ box, that the company were going to just make available to a select few people. Quite how they were going to decide whose £12 a month was the most deserving of this premium line, I don’t know, but it seemed a little bit of ‘us and them’ behaviour to me. Of course, these were just unsubstantiated rumours, and I’m no beauty expert, but I decided to leave.

The other thing that I really realised about the experience is how much I love to go into stores and play around with products before buying them. Even getting the samples in the post wasn’t really the same, because part of the fun for me is chatting to the staff and learning more about the products that way. So, I’m back in the stores, trying things out, and enjoying the great customer service you often find with beauty brands.

One of my favourite places to do this is in Space NK. I like that they have a range of different brands, and that the staff in my local branch all seem to be really passionate about what they do and what they sell. Maybe they’re on commission, it doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that I always feel as though I’m being treated well and leave the store with a happy feeling.

At a brilliant card holders’ event recently (where I had my hair straightened) I came away with a incredible free bag of lovely goodies, after spending enough money (on gifts and for other people, so not spending money to get freebies, which is really bad maths!) and I really don’t think it would have been bettered anywhere else. I have favourite brands elsewhere (Liz Earle and Neal’s Yard Remedies for example), and favourite brands in Space NK (Eve Lom, Darphin, Caudalie, Diptyque to mention a few) and there is room in my life for them all! I’m enjoying the process of choosing things in store again, and I don’t think I’ll be going back to a beauty box subscription any time soon.

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July 25, 2012

Lomi Lomi

Recently, I had the best massage of my life at Lomi Massage Leeds. I’ve taken a while to write this post because I wanted to be sure of myself before I wrote about it. You see, the massage therapist is a dear friend of mine and I wanted to be sure that I was writing about the massage and not just being kind because of how fondly I think of her. I’ve thought back on it for a while now, and I’m reassured. It really and truly was the best massage I’ve ever had. And I’ve had a lot. I’m even qualified in Swedish massage myself, and I believe wholeheartedly in the power of massage for mind and body, so this is high praise indeed from me.

Often, when I have a massage, I spent far too much time thinking ‘Relax, relax, relax for heaven’s sake. You should be RELAXED by now. Why aren’t you relaxing?…’ Then, I start thinking of my to-do list and all hope is lost. Obviously, this means that by the end of the massage I’m not feeling much better than I was at the start. Having studied massage myself too, I kind of know what I’m looking for, and what I’m expecting, which can mean that if it fails to live up to my expectation, I’m terribly disappointed. This sometimes can happen if it feels as though the practitioner is merely going through the motions as if by rote, without really being genuinely involved in what they’re doing.

Jo’s calming personality and true belief in what she is doing mean that you have a real trust in her and that in itself allows you to relax almost right from the start. I know that it helped that we weren’t strangers, but I do believe that you’d feel that way from the start regardless. She’s simply one of the most grounded, kindest and positive people I’ve ever met. The secret location (a hidden cabin in the leafy Chapel Allerton area of Leeds) also helps, as you feel a little disconnected from the world for a while, which feels perfectly suited to the experience. She also works from Bivouac in North Yorkshire, another beautiful location.

Lomi Lomi  is different to the Swedish style of massage more commonly practised. It originates from the Hawaiian islands and is based in the spirit of Aloha. Simply put, this means universal love and it creates an atmosphere of open-hearted acceptance and kindness that you can feel from the minute you arrive. This massage is a wonderful way to be nourished and nurtured, and to take some time out of your regular routine for your mind, body and soul. The long firm and intuitive massage strokes flow over and under your body and you drift off into a real place of peace. As the massage began, I cried. At the end, I cried. I know this sounds odd, but they were not sad tears, but a sign of the much needed release of built up tension and anxiety. I felt so much better afterwards. More at peace with myself and with the world. This feeling continued long after the massage ended and thinking back to it, I return to a calmer state of mind.

Lomi Lomi massage is a beautiful, nourishing and powerful experience. I hope to repeat it again very soon.

 

PS: I want you to know that this isn’t a sponsored post in any way. I paid for my massage, and I wasn’t asked to write a blog post about it. I just loved it, and wanted to share that with you. Especially if you’re looking for a massage yourself…

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June 29, 2012

Fragrance: Eau Dynamisante

It’s been a while since I’ve written a fragrance post. In fact, it’s been a while since I’ve been for a play in the perfume departments and beauty stores so I’ve not found any new ones that I’ve liked. Instead, I’ve been using up all of the different perfumes I’ve already got, in some attempt to save a little money. After all, new perfumes are not always best. Most of my absolute favourite perfumes are older classics.

Take Eau Dynamisante, for example. Created in 1987 by Clarins, this is described as a ‘treatment’ fragrance for both men and women by Clarins, and therefore is missed from some perfume reviews. Most notably for me, it’s missed from ‘Perfumes: The Guide‘ which is my fragrance bible. This is perhaps because it’s designed to be worn all over the body as an aromatherapy type treatment, rather than ( in the words of the immortal Coco Chanel) ‘where you want to be kissed’.

I don’t consider Clarins particularly when I think of perfume in the way I would with companies such as Guerlain, who have moved from perfume into skin care and make up. I always think of Clarins as predominantly a skin care company and yet this fragrance has been a success for over 20 years.

The scent is reminiscent of a traditional Eau de Cologne to me, with herbal elements and spicy, citrus and woody (Patchouli, Thyme, Lemon, Petit Grain) notes. It’s got a clean and uplifting feel to it, and really does make me feel invigorated when I smell it. A great fragrance to wear during the day. Clarins make a whole range of body products in this fragrance too. What a treat it would be to use them together. Perhaps I will be venturing into that department store soon after all…

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June 25, 2012

Cycle Chic: Sawako Furono helmet

Even though I’d rather cycle with the wind in my hair, unhindered by any kind of head protection, I don’t live in the bucolic idyll I’d like to, so I do ususally wear a protective helmet, especially when riding in traffic. It’s also mandatory for any kind of event, and I’d expect my kids to wear one so it’s only right that I practice what I preach to them.

After I bought my beautiful Pashley Princess Sovereign (recently christened Lucinda) I really wanted a helmet that felt more in keeping with her feminine style. My old helmet, borrowed from my husband, wasn’t exactly fitting the bill. Thankfully, I’ve recently discovered the beautiful helmets made by Sawako Furono. An architect by training, she designed the helmets to be a stylish alternative to the usual, masculine headwear we’re usually presented with. When I’m riding any other bike, I’m more than happy to wear my old helmet, but on the Pashley, this feels like a better option. I’m not letting my beautiful new bike down with a rubbish old helmet!

My beautiful new bike helmet

The helmets cost about the same as a high-end cycling helmet of any brand, but are produced in very limited numbers and in beautiful colour options. They are one size, with an adjustable dial at the back. For a brief second when I tried it on, I thought it was too small, but thankfully I was wrong and once I’d opened the fitting up at the back, it fitted perfectly and is really comfortable to wear.

A close up of the Liberty-esque print.

I bought my helmet from Cycle Chic, although you can also buy them directly from Sawako Furono’s website. Cycle Chic have a range of other helmets as well as other great panniers, clothing and accessories.

I suppose you’re going to want to see what it looks like? Oh, go on then…

Posted in Barbara Loves..., Cycling, Running and Exercise, Design and Culture, Fashion, Home, Luxury, Margot Loves... | Leave a Comment »

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May 1, 2012

Call Lane Social: Tiki Hideaway

Last Thursday I braved the rain to join other Leeds based bloggers at Call Lane Social’s Tiki Hideaway to learn how to make a tiki cocktail and spend a little time pretending we were in the sunshine of the South Pacific!

Call Lane Social opened in 2010 and was awarded ‘Best Newcomer’ in the 2011 Bar and Club awards, but I think that what makes it really special is tucked away upstairs; a little slice of Polynesian heaven in the form of Leeds’ first and only Tiki bar.

Tiki bars became popular in America after soldiers who served in the South Pacific during World War Two began creating their own Polynesian themed bars once they returned home. These usually have vibrant fabrics and thatched walls and serve elaborate rum-based cocktails like the one we made, which had the glorious name of Amputated Zombie.

We were given the chance to step behind the bar and learn to create the Amputated Zombie, mixing several types of rum and freshly squeezed juices, topped off with an alcohol-infused sugar cube which was set on fire! Not only does this give the whole process a brilliant air of drama, the caramelising of the sugar adds a depth of flavour to the cocktail too. I had lots of fun doing this and I really recommend you give it a try if you ever get the chance. I even managed to mix the drink up in its shaker without tipping it all down my back, which I’m rather proud of. I have to say that I left the ‘setting-the-cocktail-on-fire’ part to Andy, the professional mixologist. I know my limits! Our second cocktail, a gorgeous lime and ginger infused drink, was named in honour of the Emma from the wonderful ‘The Culture Vulture‘ website, who organised the event for us. This one, we made in the glass instead of using the shaker, which was less dramatic. Until we set that one alight too, with a mixture of honeycomb and chocolate. Brilliant…

Here is our friendly and knowledgable mixologist Andy Gilpin, who shared with us a little of his knowledge about the differing rums and their varying tastes. I was really interested in learning about how the balance of flavours, rather than the alcoholic content, is what makes a great cocktail. The Amputated Zombie we made proves this – although it contains no less than three different types of rum and is undoubtedly potent, it has a gorgeous taste and is much easier to drink than its name suggests.

With thatched walls, laidback music and great attention to detail in the decor, Tiki Hideaway  feels a million miles away from Leeds and would be the perfect place for a private party or a few exotic drinks with friends.  It’s open Thursday – Saturday night from 9pm, and if you did want that private party, you can book it from the early evening until 9pm on those nights. It’s such a great place and I’ll definitely be back. I hope to see you all there…

Posted in Design and Culture, Food and Drink., Home, Luxury, Margot Loves... | 4 Comments »

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April 27, 2012

Neal’s Yard Remedies: Bee Lovely hand cream review.

I have been using the Neal’s Yard Remedies Bee Lovely hand cream for a few days now and I’m really impressed with it. I have to say, I’m not surprised at all. I’ve been a fan of the company for a long time and love their Melissa and Garden Mint and Bergamot hand creams. In fact, at the moment, my daughter is using the Melissa cream to prevent her little hands from getting dry (lots of hand-washing going on!) and she loves it too.

The Bee Lovely hand cream is being sold to raise funds for three charities involved in supporting the bee population, which as I wrote about the other day, is in serious need of help. It’s a cause that I completely support, but I really wanted the product to be great too and thankfully, it is.

Its a pale cream colour, and is slightly thicker than the other Neal’s Yard Remedies hand cream we have. It has a glorious orange smell, courtesy of the essential oil and, although it’s quite thick, it’s really easily absorbed into your skin so it doesn’t leave a greasy feeling afterwards. It’s got sunflower and brazil nut oils in, to help create the softness, as well as the all-important honey!

I have been using it a couple of times each day and I’ve really loved it. Over the period I’ve been using it, I’ve definitely noticed a softening of my skin and the removal of some drier areas across my knuckles and between my fingers. Although that could be because I’m applying it so often; I’m addicted to the smell…

76% organic, with no parabens, synthetic fragrances or odours, mineral oils or other chemical nasties, this is another winning product from Neal’s Yard Remedies and I really rate it highly. So, I do recommend you either go along to your local branch of Neal’s Yard Remedies (where you can also pick up other Bee Lovely information) or have a look at their online store to buy your own tube of Bee Lovely hand cream.  Either way, please do also sign their pesticide petition and help them to save our bees!

Posted in Barbara Loves..., Beauty, Bee Project, Ethical and Environmental, Gardening, Home, Luxury, Margot Loves... | 1 Comment »

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April 20, 2012

Rome: Moses Fountain Hotel review.

We stayed in a fountain in Rome. Not in the watery bit, obviously, but in the Moses Fountain Hotel. It’s a monument with a fountain in it, built in 1585-1587 (under the guidance of Pope Sixtus the Fifth) as the terminus of the new Felix Aqueduct (Acquedotto Felice)  to lengthen and older III Century Roman aqueduct.

The rooms are built into the top areas, originally the fountain keeper’s workshop and apartment. The aqueduct still works and the noise is a dim, comforting hum in the evening. The main Fountain is divided into three arches, with a sculpture placed in each. In the central space is a sculpture of Moses by Leonardo Sormani and Prospero Antichi, showing to his people the water that miraculously sprang out from the rocks in Sinai desert during the Exodus.

It’s  the first time I’ve ever stayed in a building that other tourists were taking photographs of! Can you see the little balcony on the left? That’s one of the rooms! Ours was on the other side…

Located quite close to Piazza Barberini, and a short walk from the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, the hotel is in a district that, although busy during the day, especially because of its proximity to several Government buildings, is pretty quiet at night. Perfect for us, as we were after rest as much as sight-seeing. I love waking up in a city when I’m on holiday there, and so the morning sounds of people going about their everyday business in the morning were a great pleasure to me after a long, quiet night of sleep in a gorgeously comfortable king sized bed.

Our room, named the Velvet room, was beautiful. Lots of space, contemporary, comfortable fixtures and fittings, and that giant bed made for equally giant smiles of happiness the minute we set foot into it. Add to that the Etro toiletries, complementary mini-bar, dressing gowns, Nespresso machine and flat screen tv and we were in hotel heaven.

With only six rooms, and no standard concierge or reception desk, the Moses Fountain is a little like staying in the home of a great friend. After you’re initially met and shown around by the lovely staff, you’re given a key to the main door and left to your own devices. I appreciate that this not be the best option for everyone, but for us it was great. We don’t need lots of concierge services anyway and are happy to to let ourselves in and out.  It’s possibly a good point to note that there is no lift, so you need to be happy and fit enough to climb a good few stairs.

Breakfast was served on a tray in our room each morning. We had giant bowls of cafe latte, freshly squeezed juice, a variety of different breads and salads. Each day there was also as a little bag containing various biscuits and crackers to take away with us for elevenses, should we need them!

I loved our stay at Moses Fountain. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a spot of quiet luxury amid a busy city, who doesn’t mind not having some of the ‘traditional’ hotel services and who enjoys having a unique experience when they travel!

Posted in Home, Luxury, Margot Loves..., Travel | 3 Comments »

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