Handpicked Media event | cheriecity.co.uk

London, Pubs

Young’s House of Happiness

January 17, 2017 by cheriecity

Blue Monday – officially the most dismal day of the winter season – is always a tough slog, but what could be better than to spend it with cake, comedy and cosiness?

Yesterday, I ended a challenging day on a hygge high at the pop-up Young’s House of Happiness. Taking over two floors at Finch’s in Moorgate, the pub became a temple of relaxation with some fun treats.

According to a happiness survey conducted by Young’s Pubs, Brits tend to find joy in simple pleasures such as going on holiday, good food or freshly-washed sheets. In fact, a restaurant or pub is known to be the nation’s happiest place outside of the home, so it made perfect sense to congregate in the pub to banish the January blues.

It’s not often that you can go around the pub in your slippers, but we were given some lovely, soft slippers to keep our feet comfy while leaving our shoes at the door for a free shoe shine. After a warming cuppa, I settled downstairs for a 15-minute ‘happiness burst’ with Laughology.

Funnyman Dave Keeling regaled us with witty observations on happiness and offered up some quirky life advice. As ever, us Londoners were a tough crowd, but within no time he had us hugging and massaging the shoulders of our neighbours (yep, that really happened).

Tasty sharing platters kept us fuelled up, as well as a DIY cake decorating station where you could graze on indulgent brownies and pound cake, embellished with sprinkles and velvety chocolate sauce. For those in search of something harder, there was complimentary Rum Apple Punch and Whisky tasting with Chivas Regal and The Glenlivet.

Of course, a keystone of hygge is mindfulness, so there was the chance to let our creativity flourish with letter writing, complete with a cute red post box, and colouring books. Add to that professional shoulder massages, tea blending and chatting corners and it was a perfectly uplifting and sociable evening.

Young’s House of Happiness was great start to the week and the rest of January feels much more manageable after this mid-month pick-me-up. I’m now tempted to return again soon to see if the survey’s claims that a Sunday Roast or proper fish and chips are the key to a Londoner’s happiness are spot on.

Photos by Young’s Pubs and Chérie City

Beauty

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Launches With A Bang!

January 30, 2012 by cheriecity

Last week saw the spectacular launch of Spicebomb, the new men’s fragrance by Viktor & Rolf at an exclusive Handpicked Media event. We all had a New Year catch up over drinks at the Charlotte Street Hotel, but unlike most launch evenings, there were no samples or campaign imagery to be seen.

The Director of Viktor & Rolf fragrances introduced Spicebomb, but was quickly intercepted by two dashing ‘secret service agents’ wearing head to toe Viktor & Rolf. We were immediately escorted out of the building and taken a few blocks away from the hotel to a deserted NCP cark park!

We all piled into an industrial car lift, up to the top floor, to a darkened room with just two large screens. The first screen showed the Spicebomb campaign video, shot by the wonderful Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin featuring American model Sean O’Pry.

We all turned to face the next screen and within a few seconds, there was a huge explosion, releasing the Spicebomb scent and a shower of silver confetti – what a way to make an entrance!

The party then kicked off with handsome waiters bringing out Champagne, Martinis and molecular canapes while we spritzed on Spicebomb from the grenade-shaped bottles, presented on solitary plinths.

Spicebomb was created for Viktor & Rolf by Olivier Polge, the renowned perfumer behind Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Eau Mega and other future classics such as Balenciaga Paris and Dolce & Gabbana The One For Men.

True to its name, Spicebomb opens with a bang – sweet, sparkling and fresh with an underlying woody spiciness. It brings together two opposing accordings – fiery and and icy. Warmth comes from a seductive heart of chilli and saffron with the masculine roundness of leather, tobacco and intoxicating vetiver. The bite of the fragrance is down to zesty bergamot and grapefruit with cool notes of elemi and pink pepper.

Spicebomb is sophisticated, incredibly stylish, sensual and intriguing. The sweetness gives it a unisex appeal and it’s the perfect counterpoint to the heady, gourmand Flowerbomb.

The cool, theatrical launch event was a perfect reflection of the vision of Viktor & Rolf, the masters of illusion and fantasy.

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb is priced from £45 for 50ml to £60 for 90ml eau de toilette, and the full collection includes a deodorant spray, aftershave balm and shower gel.

Spicebomb is available now exclusively at Harrods and nationwide from 7th March.

Photos by Karen Hatch

Beauty

An Introduction to ila spa Skincare

January 9, 2012 by cheriecity

Some natural beauty brands go so far as being nourishing and highly effective, but with ila spa, the connection goes a little deeper. It’s the first brand that I’ve really connected with, in terms of its history, philosophy and soul.

My love of ila spa products started slowly when I first tried the rose collection a year ago and since, I’ve become a fan and believer in the karmic element of the brand.

Founder Denise Leicester

Inspirational founder Denise Leicester is a qualified nurse, aromatherapist, yoga teacher and yogic healer, who combines her knowledge and experience of the medical, holistic and spiritual spheres. She was moved to create ila spa, as there were few natural products that were 100% organic and committed fully to the practice of healing energy.

Reflecting the harmony of spiritual and natural elements, ila spa was named after the Hindu Goddess of Truth and the sanskrit word for Earth.

The Story of ila spa

The first 12 months of ila spa’s beginnings were spent travelling the globe, researching and sourcing the finest ingredients, followed by creating a sustainable infrastructure with ethical farmers and growers. This continued support and mutual reliance on global communities has led to viable industries where traditional methods are valued.

Ingredients from Around the Globe

The high quality organic ingredients that go into ila spa products are sourced from communities in India, Pakistan, Brazil, Morocco, Tibet and Bhutan. Processing the raw materials is done traditionally by hand, without the interference of electricity or chemicals. For example, rose petals are distilled slowly and naturally, yielding a small quantity of the purest oil, which is used in the ila spa rose collection.

The finished products are then securely sealed and sent to the ila spa barn in the Cotswolds to be packaged and sent out, ready to be used and loved.

The Products

One of my favourite things about ila spa products is the vibrant, eye-catching colours and luxurious gold card-lined packaging, contrasted with simple white and gold heavy glass bottles. The visually pleasing packaging is inspired by the mounds of spices and pigment found in India, particularly during Holi Day.

At a recent Handpicked Media event hosted with ila spa, we were treated to a selection of products to take home and try.

Incense for an Aroma of Purity and Peace

These incense sticks are luxurious and calming with a more appealing scent than any I’ve tried before. Denise recommends burning the incense when meditating to help concentration and clarity of the mind.

Bath Salts for Inner Peace

These luxurious bath salts include a fragrant blend of Himalayan salt crystals, Damascena rose otto and sandalwood. After a long soak in the bath with the salts, my skin always feels incredibly soft and the aromas help clear the head and unwind tense muscles.

Body Balm for Feeding Skin and Senses

This rich, thick body cream is made from Damascena rose otto, wild-grown argan oil and bees wax. The natural rose scent is not too sweet and the body balm is a luxurious treat, especially at night when you can slather it on, cocooning your body and waking up with fresh, plump skin.

Fragrant Candle for Inner Peace

This invigorating candle features notes of tuberose and rose. The scent is slightly sweet, fresh and light but with an enveloping warmth.

Advice from Denise

Denise told us that the best way to enjoy ila spa products and to really relax is to make your evening bath a spa ritual. Before getting into the bath, make a warming drink and place it by your bedside, so you don’t have to disturb your buzz with boiling the kettle!

To boost your body’s natural defences against the winter chill and just to relax, Denise suggests slicing and crushing up some fresh ginger and mixing with freshly squeezed lime juice, honey and boiling hot water. The ginger adds a real kick and gives you a warm glow, which helps relax the body before sleep.

ila spa Express Facial

When used in massage by a professional therapist, ila spa products are incredibly potent and have surprising results. I tried an ila spa Rejuvenating Rose Indulgence massage at Grayshott Spa and I was so relaxed that I had an unusual ‘out of body experience’.

My second ila spa treatment was an express facial at the Handpicked Media event and I could feel the healing energy flowing through myself and the therapist as she placed her hands on key areas of my head and upper body.

Selected spas across the world use ila spa, including Four Seasons, Chiang Mai, Grayshott Spa and Gielly Green and all therapists are trained to perform treatments according to ila spa’s healing philosophy. I fully recommend an ila spa treatment, as you benefit not only from the therapist’s expertise but also the healing properties of the products.

ila spa is one of my favourite beauty discoveries of all time and I look forward to seeing the brand thrive and spread good karma and energy through skincare.

For more info and to buy online, visit: www.ila-spa.com

Beauty, Hotels, London

Aveda Summer Drinks at The Soho Hotel

July 18, 2011 by cheriecity

Last week, Aveda invited Handpicked Media bloggers to try out their new summer products over champagne and canapes in the ultra-swish Terrace Suite at The Soho Hotel.

On arrival, I was coaxed straight into the stylist’s chair where the dashing Olivier took control of my wayward tresses. We decided to keep the wave in my hair, but make it more polished with a bouncy blow-dry.

Olivier used Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother to tame and moisturise my hair before blow-drying. Within less than ten minutes, my hair was super shiny and volumised at the crown with loose cascading curls.

Aveda has been my hair care indulgence since my late-teens and few brands have been able to match it for quality and results.

We were kindly given Aveda’s new Inner Light Mineral Tinted Moisture SPF 15 to take away. Every colour was there for us to experiment with and I colour-matched my skin, finding that my perfect shade was 02/Beechwood for fair skin.

This summer, I’ve been converted to tinted moisturisers instead of foundation, as they cover the skin evenly and don’t tend to cling so much to dry patches.

The tinted moisturiser has a medium, smooth texture and gives good coverage. It left my skin feeling fresh, dewy and luminous. For problem areas, just build up the coverage with some concealer.

At first, I was concerned that it might just sit on my skin, but it absorbed well and won’t cause any breakout problems, as it’s oil-free and non-acnegenic.

A new range for summer holiday hair is the Aveda Suncare 16-hour UV defense and recovery system. Start with the Aveda Suncare Hair and Body Cleanser, follow with the Protective Hair Veil before stepping into the sun. At the end of a sun-filled day, treat your hair to the After-Sun Hair Masque, which nourishes and repairs hair with a restorative blend of tamanu oil, organic shea butter, coconut and palm oils.

We were given the Aveda Protective Hair Veil to try out, but since it rained non-stop all weekend, I’ll have to pray to the sun gods before giving the verdict on this one. It does feel lovely though and has that delicious Aveda scent. Just looking at it makes me want to escape to the sun; if you get there first try out the Protective Hair Veil and report back!

See Aveda’s new summer products at www.aveda.co.uk

All photos by Chérie City.