Gaining Balance

With our lives busier than ever, usually in the fast lane, getting some balance between that fast pace and calm while gaining what you want from life, can be a challenge.

Life coach and author, Marina Fernandez Julian, explains how gaining that balance doesn’t have to be as difficult as you may think.

How to Maintain and Sustain Balance

Half of you might like to set goals, the other half don’t and might look for different ways to influence your life. And perhaps what we have in common, is that we all want congruence between what we say we want to do, and what we do; a somewhat alignment of the whole were things are easier, there is less noise in our heads and our outside reflects our inside. We want Balance, and for that a good foundation is necessary.

“Clarity on what we want, what is essentials for us and what is not negotiable, backed up by supportive and sustainable behaviours that match our intentions, are the basis of a good foundation,” says Marina.

Knowing what you want and what is essential in your life allows you to make choices that give your life direction, making the journey easier and more straightforward. Knowledge gives you power, inner knowledge sets you on fire. When we have no clarity, the opposite happens.

No clarity = vague destination. Vague destination = difficult journey

Identifying your essentials

Explore what is essential for you and how you can ensure you build those essentials into your life when deciding. Essentials are the elements of your life that are important and have meaning for you. Your values are the source of your foundations – they will always be with you no matter how long or short the journey you’re on. They represent the factors you’re not ready to compromise on.

Somebody said, “It is not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” This is because when you know what matters to you, it’s easy to make choices. If you don’t value something, you won’t choose it. Think about a simple career choice. Because you value your independence, you’re far more likely to be attracted by having your own business or working as a contractor because both offer you autonomy and independence.

Go a little deeper a get some clarity, be specific. What matters to you? Is it financial security? Creativity? Doing meaningful work? Though it doesn’t have to be work-related, of course. Your values can influence where you choose to live or the way you take care of yourself.

Consider what attributes someone needs for you to want to share your life with them? I’m not talking about money or super- facial things like how they look, but their principles and values. What is essential to you and what couldn’t you live without? Write it down.

For me, a key essential, for example, is loyalty and generosity. My husband and friends are loyal, generous and love their families.

“A key essential for me is loyalty and generosity. My husband and friends are loyal, generous and love their families,” says Marina.

Looking back, I now realise that if I’d had more clarity about what I wanted in my life and what was essential for me, I could have made my life a lot easier when making decisions, putting less effort, and getting better results. That was something I learned to do much later in life.

Making decisions is easier when you know what you value.

The Non-Negotiables

Do you know what is non- negotiable in your life? Non-negotiables are those things you are not prepared to negotiate over under any circumstances. It’s about setting boundaries. Boundaries show others where you stand and help to raise your self-esteem by making it easier to put yourself (or what is important to you) first. They clearly communicate what you are and are not prepared to do as well as helping you stay organised.

When you don’t have boundaries in place, your life can get crazy. One client of mine had nine meetings every day. Others read their emails in bed, others worked so much they couldn’t get to the loo and some skipped lunch because they were too busy to eat. All these overworked people allowed this to happen because they hadn’t set any boundaries and didn’t know what a non-negotiable looked like for them.

Fortunately, today things are different for these clients: they limit meetings, make time for lunch (and the loo), and no longer read work emails in bed. As a result, their lives have improved substantially. All of them reported to me that once they’d set boundaries, their life became easier, and they were less stressed. At last, they felt as if they had control of their lives, rather than the other way around.

Any time you set boundaries based on your non-negotiables, you take a risk. If you decide that starting work before 8am is a non-negotiable, you must accept that you might lose clients who want meetings earlier in the morning. That’s a good thing though, because you won’t feel compromised or pressurised to do anything you don’t want to do freeing your head from noise and guilt. Of course, you can change your non-negotiables any time, so they always fit with your current lifestyle and needs.

Download supportive behavioural programs

Of course, nothing changes if nothing changes. We often run our lives on autopilot allowing our old behavioural programs to run our lives, yet we expect to see a different. So, what are the habits I need to develop to be the person I want to be? Pay attention and rewrite your subconscious program by downloading new models of behaviours. Reading a book once or going to the gym once won’t change our life, creating a new habit will and repetition is key and what will manifest the experience. How can I sustain these behaviours? Practice repeatedly, until it has become a new habit adding self-compassion, love, and kindness.

Empowering Actions

Clarity about what you want and the decision to make it happen are the essential tools for living the life you desire. Without those two elements in place, your journey becomes unnecessarily difficult. When you remember that it’s YOUR CHOICE, you can take responsibility for yourself and your life.

Write a list of your essentials and non- negotiables. This will give you a clear picture of how you want your life to be. It’ll also help you set boundaries that will simplify your life and ensure others respect your time and priorities.

Add to this by downloading supportive behaviours overwriting all the other behaviours that you don’t feel part of anymore. Start taking action; do things that empower you.When it comes into installing new behaviours, there is not a short cut other than repeating it continuously until you don’t have to think about it anymore.

And then, one day after a lot of commitment, practice, and perseverance you stop thinking about this. You notice that things are happening…. you are putting less effort, feeling less guilt and noise in your head. You are blooming, have plenty of energy and you are enjoying life more. You are in congruence with yourself, you are balanced.

“Don’t ask me what the world needs.
Ask me what makes you come alive,
go and do it because what the world needs are people who have come alive.”
Howard Thurman

If you would like to work with Marina, you can email her via her website below or check out her book, Balance, living a life true to yourself, available in Amazon.

www.marinazestforlife.com

Light as a Feather

Light up your life, with these swanky nature-inspired lights and lamps

McQueen II Chandelier by Luxxu

Beautifully dramatic, the McQueen II is born from nature’s elements making it an exquisite collection as demonstrated with this stunning piece. An homage to the late fashion designer and his bold statements, the McQueen II brass chandelier features handmade brass leaves and is finished with Swarovski Crystals. A savage beauty that is the ultimate expression of luxury.

£32,000 Available at Covet

Eichholtz La Cafe Table Lamp in Gold

An eccentric creation by Eichholtz. Elegant nickel finish on this table lamp which is inspired by a modern cage design. Add elegance and style with this unique metallic accessory to complete your indoor living space. Complete with a black shade and intricate detailing inside the cage, adding to the realist nature of the piece. Also available in other metal finishes.

£565 Sweetpea and Willow

Odette Swan Wall Light

Love the idea of soft ambient wall lights gently glowing, but feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of fitting them? It’s fair to say it does cause some upheaval. But, what if you could achieve the benefits of wall lights without the inconvenience of re-plastering and redecorating afterwards? Meet Odette. This gorgeous black feathery swan light may look serene and sophisticated on the surface, but she’s a deceptively simple plugin lamp underneath it all. And stunning!

£159.99 Dowsing and Reynolds

Gold Peacock Table Lamp

Add a touch of stately grandeur to your décor, with this stunning Gold Peacock Table Lamp, which comes complete with a regal teal velvet shade. Whether you prefer a colourful and eclectic look, or a more pared down style, this Peacock Table Lamp is the perfect way to add a golden glow. The peacock base is beautifully detailed and has an antique gold effect finish.

£118 Audenza

Oyster Pink Mini Feather Lamp

Sure to make the perfect accent to any modern interior, treat yourself and your home to some miniature Hollywood glamour today. To transform your bedroom completely why not have one either side of your bed? The soft lighting will make for the perfect ambient bedroom lamp.

£1900 Sweetpea and Willow

La Volière Bird Cage Table Lamp

The La Volière Bird Cage Lamp Tall by designer Mathieu Challieres, has a delightful copper cage featuring small faux birds made using polystyrene and dyed goose feathers. Handcrafted in France, this piece will be the centre of attention as each light is unique.

£405 Beaumonde

A Shepherd’s Retreat

Fancy the idea of escaping the city bustle and delving in to the English countryside for a night or two? Then The Merry Harriers may be just the little secret hideaway that you’re craving. Verity Craig visits this exquisite business set in the Surrey Hills.

Editor’s Pick!

Nestled along a pretty Surrey road amongst the woods, sits The Merry Harriers; a country pub that has expanded its use by the current owners.

Occupying both sides of the road in Godalming, with ample parking and all the amenities you could wish for a comfortable stay in ‘the stix,’ this independently owned business has used its land and beautiful setting, to create what is more of an ‘experience’ rather than just a night away.

Upon my visit, my husband and I were invited to stay in one of the fun ‘shepherd huts’ that overlook a little pond, set away from the pub on the other side of the road. On a crisp January weekend, one of our first thoughts was ‘lets make sure we take lots of warm clothes to wear in the shepherd hut.’ There was no need, for just as there is ‘glamping’ aka as high-end camping, this was shepherd hutting at it’s most luxurious!

Inside these well-built and beautifully designed huts, is a wood burning fire stove, under floor heating, a kitchen and a fully-fitted bathroom complete with a power drench-head shower and hot water.

The fit out of the shepherd huts, is ‘hygge style;’ the Scandinavian décor that incorporates minimalism and modern cosy. Warm blankets and sheep rugs adorn the homely spaces, with marshmellow’s on sticks and hot chocolate in jars, giving it that cosy winter abode feel.

All the mod-cons are also on hand; a Smeg kettle and fridge, a Nespresso coffee machine, TV with Netflix and Amazon TV…and thankfully, WIFI. So all you need to do, is sit back, relax, toast your marshmellow’s (on the fire pit outside is optional), and take in the Surrey Hills view!

Dogs are also welcome, and although we didn’t take ours on this trip, we were told about the lovely doggy welcome pack pooches receive upon their arrival by a fellow guest.

In the evening, we dined across the road at the country pub that was bustling with locals while the open fire was burning; most in their wellies and Barbours! A truly British experience.

The next morning, having enjoyed a peaceful nights’ sleep in our shepherd hut and a delicious cooked breakfast (over the road again), we were excited to embark upon our next adventure… llama trekking.

When the current owners took over The Merry Harriers, they inherited not only the land (which is where they rather ingeniously created the shepherd hut area, and some garden cottages), they adopted the existing llama’s who lived on the field behind the pub. Rather than just keep them as a nice viewing point for customers and families, showing true entrepreneurial spirit, they decided to offer ‘llama trekking’ for guests to enjoy all the year round.

After a quick talk from our lovely guides about what llama’s like and dislike, and what you should and should not do with them (there’s more to it than one imagines), we were off…llama trekking in Surrey.

Through the white frosty paths and out in to the large woods of the Surrey Hills, ‘Lorenzo’ (our llama for the morning) guided us novices (my husband and I) with grace and good behaviour thankfully!

As we walked with our friendly fellow- llama trekkers, and all our magnificent creatures on leads, there was something quite awe-inspiring about being at one with nature all around us…and by our sides.

We walked for a couple of hours with our llamas, feeding them all the way, and stopping halfway to enjoy a magnificent view at the peak of a hill, before returning back down (allowing the llama’s to roll around at one stage in a large sandy area!)

As our stay came to an end, it was tinged with sadness as this was a truly one-of –a-kind experience, but with a smile as we drove away recalling how wonderful it had been, and discussing what an incredible business this was hidden away in this beautiful part of the UK (close to London and not too far from the South Coast.)

Hygge Holiday Stays at The Merry Harriers
3 Nights B&B, Two course lunch, Three course dinner with Vann Lane Gin Winter cocktail and Hygge Welcome Pack –in room Blanket, luxury hot chocolate, marshmallows and Hygge book
Inn & Garden Rooms from £480
Llama View Room from £540
Shepherd Huts from £675
https://merryharriers.com/hygge-holiday/

Healthy or a Hindrance?

Chances are, each year, from when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, you vow to make more health conscious dietary choices. So, how is it going so far? After a few dietary alterations, you may feel that you’re on the right track regarding what you do and don’t eat. But the question is… are you?

Cat Ryan investigates.

The Health Food Mirage

Given the sudden rise in consumers’ dietary consciousness, food companies have quickly moved to woo more people into buying their brands. While there are legitimate health foods on supermarket shelves, there’s also an army of food items masquerading as healthy options. Unknowingly, customers rack up their home shelves with what they believe are healthy, wholesome food options.

Here are a few food items to keep an eye on, with tips on how to.

1. Whole Wheat Bread

Bread is a must-have in most homes, as well as for a healthy diet. While many brands carry the tag ‘whole wheat‘ or ‘wholemeal‘, many aren’t actually baked using whole wheat. If it’s genuine whole wheat bread, you’ll see terms in the ingredients such as whole wheat, 100% rolled oats, or whole grain corn as the first ingredient on the front packaging. Terms such as Wheat Bread or Country Wheat can give an impression of being healthier, but may not be any healthier than conventional white bread, so do read what you are buying when it comes to your favourite loaf!

2. Dried Fruit

Dried fruit can be a great healthy additive to porridge, salads, or certain desserts. There are, however, certain varieties that may feature undesirable ingredients such as sugars, artificial colours, trans fats, or even hydrogenated oils. When looking for healthy dried fruit options, always check the ingredients list and nutritional information on the pack. Look out for brands that feature any of the above mentioned contentious ingredients.

3. Diet Fizzy Drinks

An undoubted fad favourite for many over the years, diet fizzy drinks have been at the centre of many a health debate over the years.

First introduced in 1958 for people living with diabetes, marketing strategies have since touted these so-called diet drinks as a lower-sugar option for people trying to cut back on their weight. Some brands, however, use sweeteners, colours, or even other types of sugar, to enhance the taste of their product.

There’s currently a lot of conflicting information on the benefits of diet drinks, but fundamentally, they don’t add more nutritional value than their original counterparts. Instead, it is suggested to try alternatives such as fruit-infused water, fresh homemade lemonade, or iced tea.

4. Organic Food

The term “organic” has slowly lost credibility and is now viewed as more of a marketing tool.

Food manufacturers have a field day touting their products as organic to us consumers, despite these same products often containing numerous additives; but they don’t mention that, conveniently.

The advice is, to always check the packaging to get a sense of whether the food is genuinely organic. True organic foods often have shorter shelf-lives (due to a lack of preservatives) and may even have a few traces of insects, indicating the food was grown and processed using less harsh methods. Don’t let the insect signs put you off- simply wash the fruit/vegetables; it’s what you can’t see that may be worse for you ie chemicals. Farm shops can be the best place to purchase truly organic produce.

5. Breakfast Cereals

Your favourite box of morning cereal probably has lots of enticing words such as “sugar-free,” “low-fat,” or “whole-grain.” But if you take a careful look at the ingredients list, you might find a few extra ingredients including sugar, artificial flavours or colours, and even refined grains. The front packaging can make several health claims, but the ingredients list may paint a different picture. As they say, always read the label.

6. Spotting Potential Fakes

The thing about wholesome, healthy foods is they don’t need to parade themselves as being healthy. Processed food, on the other hand, needs all the PR it can get. When you’re out and about doing your grocery shopping, always be wary of catchy phrases or tags that try to draw you in.

One example is ‘water.’ Fancy some vitamin water after a workout? While claiming to be enriched with vitamins and minerals, it can also come with some harsh sugar additives, particularly fructose. Meanwhile, perhaps some baked crisps sound like a healthier option over their fried counterparts? Not quite. Baked crisps may have less fat than fried crisps, but they still contain high salt levels. As a rule of thumb, anything with slogans such as “enriched,” “fat-free,” “heart-healthy,” or “all-natural” probably could use a bit more scrutiny.

Getting Around the Issue

When it comes to health food items, promises always come easy but typically fall way short. If you want to ensure a healthier diet for you and your family, one of the simplest ways is to opt for less-processed food items. Instead, go for nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, legumes, healthy fats such as olive oil or avocados, and good-quality proteins such as soy, beans, seafood, or lean beef. If you must snack, have a piece of fruit or make your own snacks at home. DIY granola bars, graham crackers, baked banana chips, and strawberry oat squares are a few examples of healthy, homemade snacks that aren’t a hassle to whip up.

Conclusion

It seems some food companies are willing to compromise genuine health standards for greater margins. Today, there are food enterprises that are comfortable doing whatever it takes to push more of their products, even if it means using less-than-sincere marketing tactics. Like wolves in sheep’s clothing, some food manufacturers put up a facade to unsuspecting customers. Keep a wide eye on what you’re buying to avoid falling prey to duplicitous products.

Festive Steals!

The sales have already begun…and yet, our party feet haven’t yet had their finale for Christmas!

We visit some of our favourite stores offering the best reductions, perfect for your Christmas or New Year party wardrobe.

Silk Celine Gown

This stunning 100% silk, ivory dress oozes glamour and elegance. It’s sure to turn heads wherever it parties with you!

Was £1,250. Now £875

Harrods.com

Jenny Voo Velvet gown

In this seasons on-trend velvet, this striking long length gown features a hidden back zip, and has a plunging V neck with hidden mesh detail, moulded cups and a plunge v neck back.

A subtly sculpturing dress.

Shown here in Sage, but also available in English Rose and Emerald Green.

Was £330. Now £280

Selfridges.com

Off-White Hoxton Court Heel

Designed in versatile off-white, with a detail contrast zip and point-toe these Hoxton heels are made for having fun in the most sophisticated way.

Was £195. Now £75

Reiss.com

Cameia Satin Wrap Dress

This pink vibrant animal patterned dress, will be a perfect wardrobe staple for both winter season and the summer!

Was £99. Now £69

Monsoon.co.uk

Whistles Black Velvet Dress

Cut to flatter in an A-line shape with tiers, this maxi dress by Whistles complements bold accessories with its plain canvas.

Was £99. Now £69

Johnlewis.com

Sandro Metallic Quilted Bag

Small and neat, yet striking, this little wallet bag comes with a removable chain and is presented in gold metallic.

Was £109. Now £87.20

Selfridges.com

Happy Harrods Christmas

Harrods, the world’s leading luxury department store, has brought the magic of Christmas to store once more this festive season with “Witness a Spectacle”; an enchanted wonderland of unrivalled retail theatre and extraordinary Christmas experiences to bring families and loved ones together.

Harrods can exclusively unveil the world-famous Brompton Road Christmas window display, created to get visitors in the mood for a season of celebrations with a spectacular feasting table that stretches along Brompton Road, featuring displays from some of the world’s most renowned beauty, home and accessories brands, from Miu Miu to Bvlgari, Carolina Herrera and Tiffany & Co. Each window glistens with festive sparkle, with an immersive twist that allows spectators to scan QR codes and watch the table displays come to life.

Harrods, Brompton Road – Tiffany & Co Christmas Window

Everything is larger than life this Christmas at Harrods, especially at the renowned Hans Crescent entrance, which this year has been transformed into an astonishing 15.5m tall CHANEL N°5 state of the art installation, paying tribute to the centurion anniversary of the world’s most iconic fragrance. The celebrations continue with 16 CHANEL-dressed festive windows, whilst inside the store, visitors can take part in an exclusive ‘Finding N°5’ treasure hunt, with chances to win exclusive prizes and shopping experiences.

Harrods is known for being the home of the extraordinary at Christmas, delivering astonishing experiences, an unrivalled selection of brands and gifts and world-leading hospitality all under one roof. This festive period is all about bringing people together to experience moments of joy, and Harrods is delighted to announce another season of exceptional retail theatre and adventure, including the Spectacular Family Trail, an enchanting journey for families to make together through the store, uncovering tales of a British icon and finding clues with the help of Harrods experts. There will be prizes for completing the trail, and Rewards customers will be entered into a competition to win extra special prizes, including family tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatre show in London’s West End, as well as cash rewards.

“Visitors can take part in an exclusive ‘Finding N°5’ treasure hunt,”

The Spectacular Family Trail is an enchanting journey for families to make together through the store

Harrods looks forward to welcoming visitors for a spectacular season of festive theatre and exceptional experiences.

The Christmas ‘Shelfie’ Has Arrived…

You don’t need to delve too far on Instagram or Pinterest before you’re presented with the shelfie. Over the last few years, styling shelves has become somewhat of an art form; from colour coded bookcases and artistically styled alcove shelving in the living room to single open shelves in the kitchen and utility room, interior enthusiasts everywhere are smitten with curating the perfect shelf.

The beauty of this particular trend is that your decor can mirror the season with little effort – the simple rearranging of a few ornaments, the addition of fresh foliage and you’re almost there.

As the festive season approaches, Armac Martin share some effortless ways to style a kitchen shelf with a round-up of sophisticated Christmas shelf styling tips.

No. 1 – Choose Your Colour Scheme

When it comes to your colour palette, three is the magic number. We love white, green and gold; the aesthetic is timeless and the placement of a few elegant metallic accessories ties in beautifully with these luxury brass shelf brackets (by Armac Martin.)

No.2 – Create a Focal Point

Begin by creating a central focus point you can build upon; this works best with your largest ornament or decoration. In the kitchen, open shelves may double up as being both decorative and functional to accommodate storage and so items like chopping boards or bowls are a great option to place in the middle.

No.3 – Think Symmetrical

Balancing each side of the shelf with an object of equal height on the opposite side will bring symmetry to your shelves. Opt for a mix of shapes like your favourite recipe books and candles to keep the styling personal.

No.4 – Create Visual Triangles

We mentioned ‘three’ is the magic number, and this rule applies to creating visual triangles with your ornaments and accessories too. Choose three pieces in the same colour or texture and place these on different shelves to naturally draw the eye to create a triangle formation.

No.5 – Warm Welcome

If your shelves sit pretty above a worktop, consider creating your own hot chocolate or coffee station for when family and friends visit. In keeping with the theme of your shelves, neatly place all the things you’ll need – a plate of mince pies is optional, but sure to be welcomed!

No.6 – Bring in the Season

A few natural flourishes like a festive foliage garland or vase of twigs are all you need to give your shelves a subtle nod to the season. From sprigs of spruce to pinecones, embrace the rustic look and make it a Christmas tradition to go foraging in your local area.

No.7 – Light It Up!

Lastly, there’s little else that says Christmas like lights. A simple string of fairy lights draped across your open kitchen shelving will create a truly cosy ambience. We recommend opting for warm white for a wonderful winter glow.

To discover our range of Shelf Brackets, click here.

Have Yourself a Very Sustainable Christmas!

We select our favourite sustainable gifts for everyone…even the pets!

For the home-lover…

Short Pyjama Set

Organic cotton luxury short pyjama set in a hand painted botanical sage green design. Beautifully and stylishly made by luxury organic company, Made Your Day.

£85, madeyourday.co.uk

For the keen eco-warrior…

Sustainable Home Book

This is a clever, practical tip book for homeowners keen to make their living spaces more eco-friendly. Presented as an easy-to-follow catalogue, it features 17 projects designed to make homes sustainable, following the lead of environmental-based movements, such as veganism and zero-wasting. Techniques and tips are supplemented with 200 plus minimalist images which allow greater accessibility for readers. The author runs the blog and Youtube account Snapshots of Simplicity and is co-founder of the sustainable packaging company The Green Team Network.

£18

http://www.ohcurio.com

For the workaholic…

Soothing Slumber hand-poured vegan wax melts, of lavender, tonka bean, grapefruit, sustainable coconut, and rapeseed wax.

Soothing notes of lavender mingle with grapefruit, bergamot and eucalyptus on a base of sugared vanilla and musk to create a meditative scent that quiets and mellows the mind.

£14

Llum Studios

For the much-loved dog…

Sustainable Harris Tweed Bardsey Dog Bed

Handcrafted in the LISH London studio with Yorkshire lambswool fleece, this Harris tweed has been woven by crofters in their own homes in the Outer Hebrides. With the corduroy piping cut and made by hand, it gives this dog bed a luxurious finish that any human will be envious of!

£289

LISH London

For the bird-loving kids…

The Mini Bird Pizza Kit

This mini version of the already popular Make a Pizza for the Birds Kit comprises two wooden disk pizza bases, a mini sack of mixed bird seed and a beautifully illustrated British garden bird spotter card. Kids and birds can eat their pizza together!

£7.50

The Den Kit Company

For the phone addict…

Sustainable Iphone 11 Case in Sunset Flower.

This soft to touch sustainable iPhone 11 case is 100% biodegradable.

Range of colours to choose from which inspired by nature to celebrate the beauty of our planet and the prints offer fashionable eco alternatives to regular phone covers.

£34.99

Wearth London

For that special cat…

Raised Cat Bed COCOON on Black Steel Legs

Original, elegant and high quality raised cat bed COCOON. 100% made in France from recycled cork with powder-coated black steel legs for a touch of the industrial look.

The purr-fect bed for a very loved cat!

£259

Fabio The Cat

For that lover of London…

Brick Sixty London Brick Candle

It is local geology that helped create the red bricks of Hampstead Heath. Here lay clay, rich in iron and the perfect blend of silt and sand for brick-making. This warm-scented candle echoes the red London bricks fired from iron-rich earth, with added warm spice for the perfect winter scent.

£24

Ocean & Bee

For that healthy chef…

The ‘Merry Christmas’ Greens & Greeting is an ideal way to send an extra special Christmas gift.

It’s a letterbox-friendly gift, Christmas card and plant pot in one! Just like a traditional greeting card, there’s a festive design on the front and space for a personal message on the back. But this clever little product contains everything needed to grow delicious and nutritious microgreens right inside the ‘card’. There’s no extra packaging needed either, as it goes straight in the post with a stamp on the back.

£6.99

Shroot

For that lover of vintage fashion…

Tickets to Goodwood Revival,

Friday 16th – Sunday 18th September 2022

The Goodwood Revival is the world’s biggest and most glamorous second-hand event; an immersive celebration of a less disposable world where “make do and mend” was a way of life, rather than a casual slogan. Staged entirely in the period of 1948-1966, the historic racing meeting is also home to a Dig for Victory Allotment, vintage Car Boot Sale and Make-Do and Mend area with workshops galore.

Tickets from £64. Young Persons ticket (age 13-21 years) from £32. Children under 12 go free. Tickets can be purchased via goodwood.com or by calling the Ticket Office on 01243 755055.

…And for that person who needs some extra love and strength this Christmas.

‘Divinely Protected’ Locket, by Loft & Daughter

A unique and inspired take on a traditional Tibetan locket. Hanging close to the heart on a chunky rolo chain and inscribed with the secret message ‘I am safe, divinely guided & protected’, this beautiful talisman serves as a daily affirmation for anyone needing strength and love.

Ethically handcrafted by fair trade certified artisans and made using recycled silver or gold.

£129

Loft & Daughter

Ethically Conscious

COP 26! It’s all we’re hearing about at the moment, and with good reason. With this important conference on everyone’s radar, we the consumer give thought to how we can contribute to combating climate change. In fact, there is a lot we can do to ensure that we are making smart and educated purchasing decisions. When it comes to fine jewellery, buyers can find beautiful products from brands that strive to make environmentally and socially conscious decisions. Below is a list of three jewellery brands you can put your trust in.

By Livia Primo Lack

Annoushka Fine Jewellery

Annoushka Fine Jewellery is a brand who’s beautiful designs are synonymous with elegance. Over the last few years, the brand has been working towards becoming a more circular business. In conjunction with Positive Luxury, the company behind the Butterfly Mark which is a unique symbol awarded to luxury lifestyle brands in recognition of their commitment to creating a positive impact on our world, Annoushka pieces are now made from recycled gold. With this commitment, the brand has aligned itself with the UN Sustainable Development Goal number 12, which is concerned with responsible consumption and production.

Recycled gold that is already in circulation holds the same value as newly mined gold – but has far less of an impact on the environment. As well as this, in July of this year, the brand launched their first collection using 100% recycled gemstones, suitably called the Love & Commitment Collection. This is a series of bridal jewellery and engagement rings designed to make women feel beautiful and powerful on their special day.

One of a kind 18ct white gold Ethiopian opal earrings, £14,500.

www.annoushka.com

Ellis Mhairi Cameron

Designer Ellis Mhairi Cameron is a Scottish jeweller that creates sculptural gold jewellery inspired by her Scottish heritage. Passionate about the history of the Highlands, the ancient buildings and rugged seascape, Ellis takes inspiration from the many artefacts that have been found buried within her homeland. A great believer in “slow fashion”, all Ellis Mhairi Cameron pieces are created by hand in her London studio. With transparency and accountability at the core of her brand ethos, her designs are cast in 100% recycled gold from British suppliers, based in the UK.

A Registered Fairtrade Goldsmith and an Ambassador of Fairtrade Gold herself, Ellis works with a small selection of reputable and reliable gemstones suppliers, ensuring that all the stones she uses are traceable to source. A firm believer that personal aesthetics are ever-changing, she also encourages her clients to rework their inherited fine jewellery pieces to breathe new life into them so that they can be enjoyed again and again.

Mixed shape pink diamond scatter ring,
£2,295 by Ellis Mhairi Cameron

https://www.ellismhairicameron.com/collections/scatter-rings/products/li-3mm-mixed-shape-pink-diamond-scatter-ring

Elizabeth Moore

Manhattan-based jewellery designer Elizabeth Moore creates wearable designs that empower women, channel time-honored craftsmanship, and puts sustainability at the forefront of her brand. Over the years, as the brand has increased in collections and admirers, Elizabeth has made sustainability the heart of her client experience. She is conscientious about ensuring that each aspect of her business places great importance on ethical choices, to produce beautiful pieces made with ethically sourced materials by professional jewellery craftsmen.

Using diamonds that are exclusively licensed under the Kimberley Process, each stone is polished at Certified Fair Trade Facilities. Her gemstones, of which the majority are recycled and repurposed, are locally sourced, such as Montana Sapphires, Oregon Sunstones and Kingman Turquoise. Elizabeth Moore proudly ensures that all her pieces are handcrafted in Manhattan, standing behind the quality and craftsmanship of her local master jewellers.

Recycled yellow gold and turquoise Heart pendant,
£518.74, by Elizabeth Moore

https://elizabethmoore.com/collections/heart-collection/products/turquoise-heart

Stylishly Tough

Introducing the Morgan plus four CX-T, the Morgan built for overland adventures

Morgan unveils the Plus Four CX-T, a car with adventure and fun at its core. A vehicle with capability not yet witnessed on a Morgan sports car, it opens up the possibility of routes, landscapes and destinations inaccessible by Morgan cars until now.

The Morgan Plus Four CX-T is inspired by Morgan’s well documented history of competing in all-terrain endurance trials. As early as 1911, Morgan sports cars were competing and winning in trials competitions, and this spirit of adventure has been key to shaping the Morgan brand ever since. The more adventurous journeys that are frequently undertaken by Morgan customers all over the world have further fuelled the desire for Morgan to imagine the Plus Four CX-T.

Following the launch of the Plus Four in 2020, Morgan partnered with Rally Raid UK, renowned creator of Dakar race cars, to jointly design and engineer the Plus Four CX-T. One of the aims of the project is to demonstrate the capability and durability of Morgan’s new CX-Generation platform, along with the Plus Four upon which the CX-T is based.

Just eight vehicles will be built, priced at £170,000 plus local taxes and supplied in full overland specification, with each customer having the opportunity to work alongside Morgan’s design team to specify their own CX-T. Every Plus Four CX-T is built at Morgan’s factory in Malvern, Worcestershire, before undergoing the final preparation and setup at Rally Raid UK’s own workshop facilities. Morgan’s design and engineering team have worked alongside Rally Raid UK throughout the programme to define the concept, specification, technical attributes, and aesthetic of the model.

Technical details

The exterior of the Plus Four CX-T is designed to maximise luggage and equipment carrying capacity, and provide the occupant protection necessary for extreme environments. Simultaneously, Morgan has ensured that its visual design reflects this capability and purposefulness.

Most prominently, the rear panel of the vehicle has been replaced with an equipment rack, with unique side body panels designed to be reminiscent of the classic four-seater Morgan.

The rack houses two ruggedised and waterproof Pelican luggage cases, a Zarges aluminium tool/storage box, two Rotopax 11-litre containers and two spare wheel/tyre assemblies. Additionally, for those who venture further off the beaten track, recovery equipment is mounted on the exterior of the car within easy reach when required. All exterior mounting systems for all storage and equipment have been painstakingly engineered to be tough and easy to access when needed.

“The Plus Four CX-T uses a BMW X-Drive electronic differential with bespoke software,”

The external protective exoskeleton can also be adapted to carry leisure equipment such as bikes and surf boards, to compliment the lifestyle activities of the owner, while the removable side screens can be mounted onto the roof of the vehicle, allowing them to be carried unobtrusively in case of a change in weather conditions.

Rally Raid UK undertook a complete study of the standard Plus Four vehicle to determine the possibilities for the conversion. This study included durability assessments of the platform, drivetrain, and suspension systems.

The suspension has been designed to be expedition ready: tough and fit for purpose. Durability, and a drive-over obstacle clearance of 230mm, has been achieved using modified Plus Six wishbones. These widen the track and allow for the extra arc of movement required to achieve the desired suspension performance. The wheel arch apertures have also been modified, allowing the suspension to compress deep into the wheel well, providing maximum traction and stability.

EXE-TC coilover assemblies with internal bump stops are used, these have been developed by EXE-TC specifically for the vehicle. These assemblies are born from off-road competition, and are calibrated to provide the ideal balance of compliance and durability.

In addition to the main suspension hardware, the lower suspension arms contain bespoke bushes which further increase durability. The combined suspension package is optimised to undertake journeys never before attempted in a Morgan sports car, while ensuring composure and comfort during any excursion into the back country.

A five-piece underbody protection system – comprising an engine guard, rear chassis guard, mid-section shield and rear undertray – helps to protect the chassis and important components from damage when driving in extreme conditions. The car is also fitted with a full bespoke exhaust system with rear side-exit that improves the departure angle and contributes to 230mm of ground clearance.

The Plus Four CX-T uses a BMW X-Drive electronic differential with bespoke software, calibrated and tested specifically for the application. Switches inside the cabin allow a choice of three modes to be selected depending upon the driving conditions; each mode varies the degree of differential lock that is applied. Selecting ‘Road’ mode fully opens the differential, while ‘All-Terrain’ mode applies approximately 45% lock to the rear differential, allowing some variation torque distribution between the rear wheels. ‘All-Terrain – Extreme’ mode fully locks the rear differential, providing equal torque to both rear wheels. The two All-Terrain modes are designed to be used when tackling rough surfaces and low-traction conditions. The final drive ratio has also been shortened to account for the larger diameter tyres and suit all-terrain usage.

The Morgan Plus Four CX-T is the second of two special projects being produced by Morgan in 2021, with the first being the Plus 8 GTR. The introduction of the Plus Four CX-T also coincides with the announcement of Model Year 22 updates to the Plus Four and Plus Six, and helps to inform technical and aesthetic advancements for Morgan’s current and future range of vehicles. The Plus Four CX-T is on sale immediately, with all vehicles due to be built before the end of the year.

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