January Weekend Escapes

To finish the month of January of getting fit and health, there is nothing like a bit of fresh air, so we look a look as some of the best weekend retreats around Britain. These are some of our ‘ heros of hotels’  and weekend escapes around Britain.

The Pig, near Bath

A personal favourite the Pig near Bath boasts beautiful grounds and lovely spacious traditional rooms. www.thebathpig.com.

Crab and Lobster 
Sidlesham, West Sussex (01243 641233; www.crab-lobster.co.uk; from £120). The 350-year-old pub overlooking Sidlesham Quay makes a perfect retreat for the weekend. The dining room has a great menu and one room even has a telescope for surveying the marshes.

Park House 
Bepton, West Sussex (01730 819000; www.parkhousehotel.com; from £125). A country house hotel that feels like a family home. On the grounds, you can play tennis on a grass court or golf on a private course, walk on the Downs or enjoy reading one of the many a book in the drawing room.

The Pig, New Forest, Hampshire

Robin Hutson, the man behind the hotel is one of the country's most inspired hotelier. Bedrooms are Snug, Cosy and Spacious. There are lots of things todo as it has a outdoor tennis court, bicycles and long walks.  The food is homemade from the fabulously fresh garden – a favourite.

Pheasant Inn 
Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria (01768 776234; www.the-pheasant.co.uk; from £133).  If you fancy a trip further north, then the Pheasant Inn is a good stop off. There’s a timelessness about this ancient post house, a great old-fashioned bar, with panelling and oak. The 19th-century huntsman John Peel was a regular.

27 Hambleton Hall 
Hambleton, Rutland (01572 756991; www.hambletonhall.com; from £205). This beautiful Victorian house is set on the edge of Rutland Water with superb views.

Scotland

Some of my favourite escapes can be found in Scotland and if you get chance to visit, we recommend these fabulous weekend retreats.

Kinloch Lodge 
Sleat, Isle of Skye (01471 833277; www.kinloch-lodge.co.uk; from £130).  This is a place for Foodies, home to Lady Claire Macdonald, one of Scotland’s best-known cooks. It is a beautiful old fashioned white country house with 8walls hung with family oils and comfortably muted rooms. Cookery demonstrations are laid on too.

Knockinaam Lodge 
Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway (01776 810471;www.knockinaamlodge.com; half board from £250 for two). It is  worth a visit just for the fact it was used by Churchill for secret wartime meetings with Eisenhower. The Victorian hunting lodge stands in a beautifully secluded setting overlooking its own cove. It also has stylish rooms and a Michelin-rated restaurant.

Airds 
Port Appin, Argyll (01631 730236; www.airds-hotel.com; half board from £245 for two).  This was an old ferry inn on the shores of Loch Linnhe, where most of the comfortable rooms allow you to enjoy thrilling views. It has been done up exquisitely and thoughtful extras include wellies for guests to wear on muddy walks.

If you have a few days to escape and enjoy treking, then why not visit Pyg in Wales. The Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd (01286 870211; www.pyg.co.uk; from £80) is old-fashioned and  welcoming. The climbing inn has been in the hands of the same family for more than 60 years. It is simple, sweet and the family ensures hearty cooking to the simple, spotless bedrooms. Open weekends only in January and February.

Let us know which of these escapes you enjoy!

Written by Rosie May Reddington

London Style

From the dandies of the Restoration to the King’s Road punks of the 1970s and the fashion bloggers of today, London has always had its own eclectic style. But what exactly is it that makes it ‘London’? And who embodies it today?

Whether it is Helena Bonham Carter at the Oscars, Alexa Chung wearing loafers in New York or Vivienne Westwood shaking up the King’s Road, London style is unique. It’s about individuality - and it always has been, whether that be for clothing, jewellery or accessories.

London has always been a place where fashion is an expression of who you are. Think of the mods and the rockers, instantly identifiable by their attire. Or further back, the Restoration and the subtle line walked between the well-dressed gentleman, the colourful dandy, and the free-spirited bohemian.

It’s the same today. If you were mysteriously planted in a London borough, chances are one of the first hints would be the clothes around you. Is it the suits of the City, the geek-chic of the Soho media firms, the classic polo style of West London or the alternative dressing of the East? One thing that defines London is its lack of a cohesive ‘look’. But it definitely has a ‘style’. So, with so many different tribes, all donning a unique uniform, what ties this eclectic aesthetic together?

Look at any street style blog or feature on London and you see it - the quirk, the, eccentricity the Britishness at the heart of all of us. We may not have the glossy hair and killer heels of New Yorkers, the chic neutrals of the Parisians or the designer labels of the Milanese. But we sure do have personality.

Alexa Chung, often held up as the pin-up girl for London style, said it nicely in Time Out: “As British girls, we lean towards being a bit more messy, a bit more undone and maybe a little more eccentric.”

fasionista.com compares it to New York’s ‘normcore’ –  a plainer, more streamlined aesthetic that Vogue links to a pared-back Celine-esq look – saying that the street style of London Fashion Week adopted a “more classic yet dramatic sartorial approach.”

It’s not the glamour of Milan or the craftsmanship of Paris, or even the classic elegance and innovation of New York. It’s something different. When Gareth Pugh announced his return to the event for AW15, he acknowledged the place London had in his development.  "London is where everything began for me," he told vogue.co.uk. "My creative family is here, our story is here. So I'm thrilled to acknowledge such an important milestone on home ground. At heart this is a creative decision - it feels timely and true to the spirit of the work.”

And its not just the designers and the bloggers. It’s Tilda Swinton pairing teal harem pants with a metallic blazer to a screening of We need to talk about Kevin; Helena Bonham Carter in full red tartan to pick up a CBE; Emma Watson switching between red carpet high fashion and on-campus casual; or Cara Delavigne in sheer Burberry Prorsum one evening, and jeans and Converse the next. In London, we know how to mix it up. Vintage with new season, home-made with couture-made, slogan Ts with a battered designer leather jacket, riding a Boris bike in an evening gown.

It’s about looking put together without having been put together – showcasing the self within the style. And of course, we wouldn't be against some Lolo & Galago jewellery topping the whole thing off.

What does London style mean to you and how do you express it? Let us know with comment or photos.

What’s Hot in 2015 – Spring Trends

It's the start of 2015: out with the old and in with the new, so we took look at some of this Spring’s leading trends to see what to work with our luxury jewellery.

Shirtdresses – Yes ladies, they are back and DVF must be happy as her dress designs hit the catwalk. This classic shape with drop waists, colours and slits to add an edge are a front runner this Spring time. (Altuzarra, Charlotte Ronson, Rebecca Minkoff). 

Gingham – This is a big trend that you will see on the high street in every form. From small to large, bloc to lines Gingham is a key player this Spring in the trend stakes.

Michaelkors.com

Off the Shoulder Cuts – this style has been out of fashion for a while, but as we know fashion is cyclical and the one-shoulder cuts are back. ( Ralph Lauren, Jill Stuart, Tanya Taylor). An elegant look, although they don't favour pendants, bangles can be a great addition to accentuate the asymmetrical look. 

Trouser Suit- A take on the traditional trouser suit, the new style comes with twists and finishing touches. The belts of Celine were cowbells, the suits of Chanel with shimmering pinstripes. The glam trouser suit, is a key item this season but a cropped trouser touch is essential.

Denim Dazzlers- The same is true of denim. It is fine to wear denim top to toe as we saw last year, but it's all about the fringing, lace, embroidery, faux fur, as denim continues to dazzle in the Spring time. www.burberry.com

Florals- The floral trend has made Spring a bit fresher. Bold and beautiful, abstract and small, florals are feminine and a trend which will link into the Summer Bohemian look. Flower Power is here to stay, and for that we're glad - our Autumnal jewellery collection works perfectly with it.

Saintlaurent.com

London’s Luxurious Dining Experiences… at a good price

Ah, London. How recently its status on the World food stage was mocked, and how we now have any cuisine we could wish for at our finger tips. 

Interestingly, despite the plethora of Michelin starred restaurants in our capital, prices are typically much lower than other destination cities. Shouldn’t we be taking advantage of this? We’ve done a bit of research to do just that and come up with a list of wonderful venues with mouth-watering food that, we believe, come at very good value.  

Texture

Scandinavian food may not come first to mind as high cuisine, but Michelin-Star winner Texture in Westminster combines modern European eating with Icelandic ingredients for exceedingly fresh, simple dishes that just ooze quality. And the best bit? Accompanied by a truly extensive Champagne bar. 

The Sample Lunch menu is just £24.99 for 2 courses – you can choose delicacies such as ham hock and fresh Norwegian salmon. 

The Greenhouse

The owner of not one, but two Michelin stars, The Greenhouse boasts bold dishes with high levels of flavour, all set in the tranquillity of a garden that will make you forget you’re even in the big smoke.
£35 for 2 courses sees you able to choose wonderful concoctions such as the Paimpol Bean (Shitake, Potato, Coconut and Corriander) and Duck with fig and oh-so-delicious ceps. 

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon is a charming restaurant with an incredible décor – Japanese inspired interiors overlook the kitchen as you food is prepared. But of course, you’re really only there for the food, which doesn’t disappoint. The set lunch and pre-theatre menu come in at £31 for 2 courses. Punchy, but with food envisaged by the man who has a total of 25 Michelin stars to his name, it’s a very fair price to pay.

Tea at the Ritz

Local to London and haven’t been? You need to. Tea at the Ritz is an institution, a rite of passage for any Londoner. And it also happens to be a most wonderful experience. You really won’t eat in a finer room, with rich carvings and decorations harking back to a more glamorous era whilst a grand piano sings. Service is impeccable, as is the food. And here’s the best bit – there’s no end to it. Cakes, warm scones and the tastiest sandwiches you can imagine. At £50 per person for the experience, it’s the most expensive on our list, but in our opinion, also the most fun. After all, this is an experience, not just tea.   

   
 

The River Cafe

Located in Thames Wharf, the River Café is a beautiful blend of modern interior design and fresh Italian cooking. Proud owner of a Michelin star, the River Café is currently offering its winter set lunch menu, finishing 20^th March – starting at £28 for 2 courses, or you can go all out with 4 for £42. You’ll be offered a wide choice of options such as Slow cooked pheasant, Sweet venetian sardines or – brace yourselves – Chocolate Nemesis.