HIGH IN STYLE January 2016

HIGH IN STYLE the sophisticated way of living

JANUARY 2016

CHIC PASTELS CALM INTERIORS - SOFT HUES FOR YOUR WARDROBE WINTER BEAUTY - CREATIVE BUSINESS

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Welcome

to the January issue of HIGH IN STYLE!

CHIC PASTELS When planning this January issue I thought about having a common theme running throughout. Pantone’s 2016 colours came to mind as my starting point. Hence we are embracing soft pastels this month. I love pastels for their simplicity and elegance.

They are calming, clean and timeless. From chic pastel interiors, home and wardrobe must-haves to makeup essentials, we take you on a journey full of inspiration.

Our January issue wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Paris and healthy mid-week recipe.

Happy reading!

Karolina xx Karolina Barnes editor in chief

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content homes chic pastels Interior designer Becki Owens shows us how to do soft hues the right way and in style.

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interview bringing colour into your life We talk to the creative director of Eva Sonaike about her mission to bring colour into our homes and wardrobe.

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vintage treasures Finding vintage treasure can be quite a challenge.

Karen Knox from Making Spaces gives us tips on where we can start the hunt.

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cover Designed and images provided by BECKI OWENS

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content shopping 28 The Twig’s lifestyle Wrap up warm with these stunningly stylish blankets and scarves from Twig’s UK.

fashion 34 little treasure uncovered

This month we highlight Amelia Jane London young and dynamic creative duo to watch.

40 pantone hues

See our fashion editor’s Pantone hues picks for your wardrobe that will take you seamlessly into Spring.

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content beauty winter’s beauty fixes 48 Pamper yourself through these cold and dark days with our top beauty picks.

travel paris at valentine’s 56 Make a quick weekend escape to Paris and experience the city at the most romantic time of the year.

“open up & inspire” becoming a creative entrepreneur 68 We talk to Nadia Newton, the owner of Penelope Hope shop and discuss how she decided to make her dream of running her own business a reality.

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PARTY WARDROBE

COLOUR & PATTERN

COOL CONFIDENCE

SPARKLING BEAUTY

NORTH WALES

BECOMING AN ARTIST

FESTIVE CANAPE TIPS

LONDON’S TREAT

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD

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OUR MAGAZINE ON APPSTORE

coming soon GET NOTIFIED HERE.

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chic pastels words by Karolina Barnes, photography by Becki Owens

Interior designer Becki Owens transformed an old rustic open plan kitchen diner into a fresh, bright and inviting gathering space. The cabinetry is painted in white while the walls are kept in light neutral too.

Calacatta marble worktop and splashback add sophistication and style. “One of my favourite elements are the glass globe pendants. For little warmth I added wood cutting boards, fresh flowers and kilim rug.�

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“I often keep my design clean and neutral but I love to make a statement with light. Beautiful light is a show piece in a room. It’s like a piece of art!”

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The formal dining room is again kept very neutral so that the Capiz chandelier can be the star of the space. Becki used it as her starting point in her design. Its iridescent, beachy feel created a great focal point.

“The round mirror is placed to reflect the light of the chandelier.�

The rest of the room boosts understated elegance that is light and airy.

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Becki Owens is based in Orange County, US and her signature style is about creating simple, clean and elegant interiors. “I love using soft pastels in my design work. They create a calm and relaxing feeling in the home while adding subtle colour”.

Designer’s Tip “The key to using soft pastels without feeling too precious is to use them as accents, or to ground them with dark colours and a modern edge.”

For any design project enquiries and full interior design services, please contact Becki at Becki Owens.

BECKIOWENS.COM 13

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Bringing colour to life Eva Sonaike is a London-based lifestyle company using African prints and African inspired textiles to create beautiful fabrics, and individual luxurious accessories for home dĂŠcor, fashion and interior design.

We talked to the founder and the creative mind, Eva Sonaike herself, about how we can all inject some colour into our homes and wardrobe too.

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“If you’re afraid of bold colours, start slowly.

Start with accents first!”

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1. Your business mission is to “Bringing colour to life”. What do you think colour can do to a home or wardrobe?

For me colour is an integral part of my life and I apply it throughout. In my wardrobe, as well as my home. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love wearing black (sometimes) and have white walls in some rooms in my house, but I think a little bit of colour can make a big difference on how we feel about ourselves and how we are seen by others.

Colour psychology demonstrates what impact different colours can have on our mood and emotions. Certain colours make you happy, others relax you, whilst other colours can bring out anger.

If you use colour successfully in your home it can have a big impact on how you feel. For example, I recently redecorated my bedroom in white, soft grey and lavender. I have a very light grey accent wall behind my bed, the rest of the room is painted off-white and I use lavender accents, such as pillows, a fluffy throw and lamps on my bedside table. The room is so calming and relaxing, which has a great impact on my sleep and my overall wellbeing.

2. Living with colour / or wearing colours requires some confidence. How would you advise someone you loves colours but is little bit hesitant about using colours in their live? Any tips?

Start slowly. I know that colour can be daunting, so start with accents. Invest in a great pillow, throw, vase or ornaments to start with and then work your way up. You will see how you feel with a little bit of colour around you.

If it is for you, think about maybe changing your wall colours or invest in a great piece of furniture and take it from there. If it is not for you, leave it there and enjoy your colourful accent.

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3. What do think many people do wrong when it comes to using colours in their home?

First of all, they get afraid, because they think using colour in your home means blue walls, a green sofa and yellow carpets. You can do that if that’s what you want, but I personally wouldn’t do that. I actually have to turn the question around and say what people do right!

I have seen may houses belonging to people who were unsure about colour where the owners set accents with beautiful ornaments, accessories, whilst having a simple colour scheme of taupe or whites. I love that and it works perfectly. Not everyone is as brave as Jonathan Adler and creates bold and colourful schemes within their homes.

People should think about their personality and what they want to achieve within with in their space. Combine all of that and then decide on a colour scheme.

Designer’s Tip Don’t just go out and buy what you like, without thinking of the overall theme/colours first.

The ‘mix and match’ look is not easy to achieve, you still have to have a plan to get it right.

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4. How can someone use colours in a chic and sophisticated way?

Again, that is really down to personal taste and preferences. In my opinion chic and sophisticated is ‘less is more’, so invest in some god quality statement pieces and let them speak for themselves. I saw an amazing blue velvet armchair recently, which I want to combine with my pink Ara cushion. The two pieces are quite a statement together and look chic and elegant as part of a simple setting.

If you want to add more colour, think about using a monochromatic scheme. A monochromatic scheme is based on one colour but in a range of values from light to dark. This is a great way to start with as you are using colour, but are not overpowering your space with too many choices.

SPECIAL OFFER: Eva is offering all HIGH IN STYLE readers a FREE COLOUR GUIDE full of great tips. Download your copy here.

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Vintage treasures Interior designer and stylist, Karen Knox from Making Spaces, gives us great tips on where to find the best vintage treasures! words and photography by Karen Knox

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HOUSE CLEARANCES, JUNK SHOPS These are always great places to find amazing pieces. You just have to keep popping in, get chatting to the owners and give them an idea of the kind of stuff you’re interested in. I’ve got a few contacts now who keep me in mind when sourcing certain items. I drove past this stunning Greaves and Thomas mid-century chair outside a house clearance premises and quickly signaled right to park up. I didn’t buy it for pennies by any means, but you’d be hard pressed to find something of this quality for twice what I paid for it. Lots of house clearance companies and vintage dealers also run Facebook groups or eBay selling accounts, so follow them online to keep in the loop with stock updates.

LEARN MORE HERE 21

GUMTREE AND FREECYCLE I’m always on Gumtree sifting through the furniture section. It’s great as you can search items that are within a set mile radius. I found these 1930’s drawers in a local listing. All they needed was a quick wax and the knobs changing and they look gorgeous as a nightstand in this bedroom redesign. Cost - £10. My client was thrilled as was I. 22

CHARITY SHOPS Get out there. Find somewhere that has a few charity shops on the same street, giving you better chance of sourcing something special. This Gallery wall is made entirely from charity shop finds I sourced in one afternoon. Cost - £10. The mid century dressing unit was £70 from Poverty Aid. A “used furniture” charity shop. Find out where your local charity furniture shop is and take a trip.

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VINTAGE FAIRS The easiest and quickest way of finding good quality vintage items. You will pay a little more for them, but you’re saving time and money on the sourcing, collection or a courier. I found my burgundy Anglepoise at this year’s Vintage Home Show in Leeds. And I’m glad I bought it from here as I got to meet the seller, have a chat about all things vintage and design. Plus I had a great day out which I’m reminded of every time I switch my lovely lamp on.

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eBay The best thing about eBay is being able to source something specific. You can save your search, meaning you get email alerts when something you’re looking for is listed.

It gives you better chance of getting in quick with a Buy It Now. Alternatively, like me, just keep looking. I was searching for some knockout mid-century drawers for our bedroom and came across this stunning piece of furniture. Cost - £120. I paid an extra £60 to get them couriered to Leeds. Worth every penny in my opinion. Similar pieces of new furniture were selling for upwards of £500.

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SIDES OF THE ROAD Believe or not, this desk was fly-tipped. I couldn’t stop the car fast enough when I drove past. An original teak veneer 70’s school desk. After a couple of hours bringing it back to life, it sold super quickly to a vintage lover down in Cornwall.

MAKING-SPACES.NET

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NEVER MISS ANOTHER ISSUE

HIGHINSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO 27

The Twig’s lifestyle

shop we love

We talked to Susan Lacey from “TWIG UK” to tell us more about her unique online store.

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1. TELL US WHAT THE CONCEPT OF YOUR STORE IS? Our home and lifestyle collection is all about celebrating colour. I design the range to draw out the enhancing qualities of colour to balance and add harmony to interiors. I find inspiration in the colours found in nature and translate that into our collections. Whether that’s with soothing shades or hues that pack a real punch I like to combine colours in unusual combinations and find discovering new palettes really exciting. I hope it’s those original and surprising combinations that give our customers a new design choice for their homes.

2. WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR TREND YOU SEE? Metallics have been around for a while now, but rather than fading I see the copper look so popular right now translating across homewares into texture. I expect to see more sumptuous fabrics and papers entwined with the richer shades of ginger this year as people experiment with the warmth of copper in new ways.

3. HOW DO YOU DEFINE STYLE? I think style is very personal. I don’t think it’s always necessary to follow trends or try to hard. Style is really about confidence; it should be effortless and natural. I hope that’s what we try to do at Twig - help our customers discover a love for colour and give them confidence to use it boldly in their homes.

“Our collections are inspired by the colours of nature.”

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Our

EIGHT favourites

FROM twiguk.co.uk

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ELOISE TEAL THROW, £110

ELOISE QUINEL THROW, £110

LOTTIE CITRUS CUSHION, £55

SULPHUR SCARF, £39

FINN CROCUS THROW, £110

ELOISE QUINELCUSHION, £55

LOTTIE CROCUS SCARF, £39

FINN STORM SCARF, £39

TWIGUK.CO.UK 31

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10| 6| 2|

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7| 8|

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COLOURS of the month 4|

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5| 1| Silk Natural Curtain Company, 2| Rome&Giuletta, Dedar, 3| Funky Maze, Robert Allen, 4| Wild Silk Sky, Zoffany, 5| Rattan, Clarke & Clarke, 6|Salone marble, Mandarin Stone, 7| Trezzini, Harlequin , 8| Anouska Plain, Harlequin, 9| Calacatta viola marble, Mandarin Stone, 10| Mirador, Clarke & Clarke, 11| Poetica, Harlequin, 12| Peony Linen, sofa.com, 13| Antina, Osborne & Little, 14| Dreaming Ice Blossom, Romo

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rose, lavender sky blue & ABSTRACT ABSTRACTART, ART, BO CONCEPT BO CONCEPT

NINA CAMPBELL VELVET CUSHIONS

SOFA.COM ZEPPELIN SOFA

VOGA.COM CHAIR PORTA ROMANA TABLE LAMP

BAZAAR VELVET RUG 33

little treasure uncovered

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amelia jane london words by Karolina Barnes, photography by K.Barnes and Amelia Jane London

We talked to the owners, Alice and Olivia Minns, of Amelia Jane London about their luxury winter wear online store. I think that this young and dynamic brand is the one to watch. Their products are fun, practical yet stylish.

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1.

What is the concept for your store?

Amelia Jane London is an online fashion boutique set up in 2013 by London sisters Alice & Olivia Minns. The concept of the store was to provide affordable luxury winter wear and fun accessories for girls like ourselves, who want to stay warm in the UK while remain stylish at the same time. Our signature product, the fur pom pom beanie hat, rose to popularity and we then developed further collections to complement these. The past two years have been a crazy whirlwind of hard work, fun and new exciting opportunities.

As it stands today we have over 100 stockists of our collection worldwide, and have expanded our lines to include scarves, riding hat silks, fluffy accessories and our brand new Mongolian lambswool gilets, scarves and collars. High points so far have been an invitation to showcase our brand at London Fashion Week, seeing some of our favourite celebrities wearing AJ, stocking some our of favourite online stores and London boutiques such as SpoiledBrat.co.uk, Soho House’s “Barber & Parlour” and SilkFred.com, and attending the British Fashion Council Awards.

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2.

What is the most popular product or trend you see?

A trend that we have definitely noticed this year has got to be Mongolian Lambswool. With designers such as Matthew Williamson and House of Holland both producing this for their AW15 shows at LFW, we loved to see some of our favourite designers producing something that we were also working on for warmth and fun this winter. Our striped scarves have been best sellers for us from this collection and we have loved to see people get as excited about it as we got when designing it! I think fluff is going to stick around for next AW too, and we are working on our own new collection as we speak. We also created a limited edition collection of sparkle hats, with glitter running through them, this winter, and these have been one of our best selling products so far.

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3.

Have you got your own individual style or do you follow trends?

We definitely have our own style which is fun, fluffy and girly.

We are lucky in that we have similar enough tastes to work together, and this is reflected in our own collections. We love mixing up the pom poms on our hats and scarves to go with our outfits, but sometimes keeping it simple with a classic pair of jeans, boots and a plain top, with a fluffy gilet in cream to add some warmth and style. Style is definitely something that works different for each individual and its interesting to see some of the fantastic bloggers that we have worked with styling our pieces in very different ways to create different looks.

AMELIAJANELONDON.COM 39

Pantone 2016 hues ...that will seamlessly fit into your Spring wardrobe

words and images by Flavia Young and Alexandra Miro

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ALEXANDRAMIRO.COM

ALEXANDRAMIRO.COM

SCARF, CUTULI CULT, £185

COAT, BAUM UND PFERDGARTEN, £126.50

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ROLL NECK CASHMERE, DUFFY, £94

ALEXANDRAMIRO.COM

ALEXANDRAMIRO.COM ATOLLO CASHMERE, DUFFY, £82.50

RIBBED CREW NECK, AUTUMN CASHMERE, £125

ALEXANDRAMIRO.COM 42

ALEXANDRAMIRO.COM

BRACELET, BAM-B LONDON, £57.50

CAPE JACKET, DEREK LAM 10 CROSBY, £288 JEANS, MOTHER LA DENIM, £100

PREEN LINE

LOW HEEL PUMPS, UZA, £50

FRAN PINSTRIPED TOP, VELVET, £77

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MORE DETAILS HERE

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EDIT

MORE DETAILS HERE

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MORE DETAILS HERE

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Winter Beauty Fixes

“Pamper yourself through these cold and dark days.� words and photography by Nicola

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While I watch friends push through their comfort zone in pursuit of January health goals, I'm all about pampering myself through these cold, dark days.

The shift between a blanket-laden sofa and bitter outdoors takes its toll on delicate skin. Layer these beauty finds under your Winter woollies and your hair and skin will thank you later. A good quality nourishing oil and rich cream can make a marked difference in days.

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Parched cheeks

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Dry, crispy locks

Sunday Riley’s Juno Face Oil, £70 My Winter skincare regime is more luxe than usual, with oily cleansing balms, treatment serums and hydrating masks. The addition of a luxurious face oil is non-negotiable and and I like to call Sunday Riley’s Juno oil ‘The Glow Giver.’ Antioxidant-rich, it’s high in natural retinol, omegas, essential amino acids and natural anti-inflammatory agents, which combine to leave skin feeling velvety soft with added radiance; not a dry patch in sight.

Label M’s Honey & Oat Mask , £15.75 If central heating and icy winds leave your locks feeling stripped and crunchy, a weekly mask will help restore your hair health. No need to wait around for hours or ruin pillows with an overnighter; Label M’s Honey & Oat Mask works in just 3 minutes. Royal Black Honey, Oat Oil, antioxidants and protein protect from damage and hydrate where needed for soft, swishy hair. Restrict to mid lengths and ends as this is super rich. PS the honey scent is swoony.

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3.

Crocodile shins L’Occitane Milk Concentrate with Almond Milk , £38 We’ve all been there and know the drill. Scaly shins ain’t sexy and should be slathered with a sumptuous rich body cream nightly to restore silky smoothness. Weekly exfoliation is key in addition to two minutes of moisturising before bed. If you’re anything like me, a divinely scented product will help encourage you to do this on repeat and L’Occitane Milk Concentrate with Almond Milk is the best all rounder I’ve tried. Of course you should include your arms, but knee-down tends to be the driest point.

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IN FEBRUARY ISSUE

OUT ON 16th February 2016 51

valentine’s beauty Master the Valentine’s beauty with our 6 top picks.

BECCA Afterglow Palette, £34 Highlight your best features with this slimline palette to-die-for.

NARS Killer Heels Lipstick Set, £29 Make your lips a centre stage with this lipstick set specially curated by the photographer of the moment, Steven Klein.

NARS One Shocking Moment Cheek Studio Palette, £45 Contouring and bronzing in one.

A complete set to creating a perfect complexion.

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AESOP Body Cleanser, £31 Wrap yourself in a fragrant foam of floral and spice scents as you cleanse and hydrate your skin.

BOBBI BROWN Naked Pink Collection, £125 Achieve the effortlessly pretty look on with this set that Set includes Highlight Powder, Lip Colour and a Face Blender Brush provided in a chic go-everywhere bag.

OSKIA Rose De Mai Massage Candle, £34.50 Easy your stresses with this massage oil candle. Simply light and drip a small amount on your skin.

Excellent for nourishing dry skin areas.

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tried & tested

La Mer words and photography by Karla Cihak

If you are a regular reader you know by now that I’m obsessed with skincare. I like to experiment and try new lines at whatever budget.

Over the years I have realised that, especially in winter, it is very important to cleanse your skin in order to keep it well hydrated and nourished. As we are entering the coldest month of the year, I’ve been using La Mer products.

They are very gentle and don’t irritate or dry my skin. After application my skin feels soft and smooth on touch.

I use the Cleansing Gel which is calming yet very effective in removing makeup. Its foam-like texture leaves my skin infused with precious nutrients, moisture and energy. Afterwards, I apply the Treatment Lotion which is hydrates my skin. I sprinkle a small amount on my fingertips and press into my skin.

Then I apply the Eye Balm Intense which I gently massage around my eyes. It visibly reduces puffiness around the eyes.

I complete my routine with the application of the Moisturizing Cream.

It comes with an applicator. I don’t tend to rub or spread the cream.

Instead, I pat small amount between my fingertips and gently my press onto skin.

I’ve been using these products for a few weeks now and am very happy with it. I can highly recommend it to anyone with more mature / aging skin.

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valentine’s minibreak

paris

words by Karolina Barnes, photography by Kali Tulett

Spend a romantic weekend in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Paris is said to be the global centre for fashion, art and gastromomy and delivers high on each of them.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOTEL EMILE

stay in Hotel Emile address: 2, rue Mahler, 75004 Paris, France, Tel: +331 4272 7617

The newly opened Hotel Emile is a small intimate boutique hotel located in Paris’s much sought-after Marais historic district. The interior is decorated in elegant and contemporary style. The hotel stay includes breakfast and free wireless Internet.

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dine Frenchie address: 5 - 6 Rue Du Nil, 75002 Paris, France, Tel: +331 4039 9619

Named after a nickname given to the head chef, Gregory Marchand,

by Jamie Oliver while he was working at Fifteen Restaurant in London, Frenchie is a contemporary establishment with emphasis on great French dining experience underpinned by passion for quality and authenticity.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRENCHIE 59

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do The easiest way, especially for families with kids, to see some of the city’s landmarks is by going on a river cruise and discover the City of Light from water. Of course, a trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without the obvious visit to the Eiffel tower. If you’re brave enough go all the way up and view the city’s breathtaking landscape for unforgettable experience.

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do Another not-to-be-missed experience is the visit to the Louve. You can admire its stunning exterior architecture and inside you’ll be transported in history dated back to the prehistoric time. From sculptures, objets d’art to paintings, drawings, and archaeological finds, the Louve is one of the most visited museums in the world for a good reason. While there, don’t forget to visit the famous painting of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

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Valentine’s dinner date Why not treat your loved one to an intimate home cooked meal this Valentine’s Day? Stuck on what to cook?

Don’t worry as Head Chef of Michelin starred Bohemia restaurant, Steve Smith, shares his tips on arranging the perfect Valentine’s dinner date..

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1.

DRINK PINK

2.

CREATE AMBIENCE

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DON’T FORGET THE NIBBLES

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APHRODISIAC DISHES

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SWEET AND SAVOURY

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DON’T STRESS

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INDULGE IN CHOCOLATE

At Bohemia Bar we serve a variety of Lanique based cocktails.

It’s the perfect drink for Valentine’s due to its pink colour and rich and floral taste as it’s made from a secret recipe that uses Attar of Rose! Try a signature serve of Lanique over crushed ice with fresh lime juice, or add it to Champagne or Prosecco for a twist to your fizz.

We like to create a sense of occasion at Bohemia so have low-hanging pendant lights suspended over the dining tables, perfectly illuminating our exquisite plates of food. Create ambience with dim lighting, background music playing and using your best cutlery!

Plan ahead and don’t forget appetisers to begin the evening. You don’t want to make yourselves too full, but it’s always nice to have a few nibbles on offer.

Try to include aphrodisiac dishes such as oysters which are very popular on Valentine’s menus and they pair really well with Champagne. February is the perfect time to serve oysters.

Lobsters and chocolate are two items which are instantly thought of when it comes to a Valentine’s dinner so why not try combining the two? At Bohemia we serve Butter Poached Lobster, Cauliflower and White Chocolate, with Sorrel & Caviar.

After a fancy starter try to keep the main course simple but also impressive. Go for pan-fried fish or steak served with a colourful side dish. Remember - presentation is always important.

For Valentine’s, chocolate is a must on a menu as it makes the perfect elegant dinner dessert, especially when served with dessert wine. Simply go with a nice box of chocolates or try your hand at making chocolate mousse or a Black Forest gateau.

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winter salad words and photography by Jemma Andrew-Adiamah

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READY IN 40 MIN

kale & roasted winter vegetable salad Kale is undergoing a bit of a reinvention at the moment. It’s ‘in’, it’s sexy, it’s on trend. This dark leafy green is the thing that apparently everyone should be eating and I would have to absolutely agree, I love it! Even though I’ve eaten kale before it became the ‘holy grail’ in the healthy living world up until recently it’s never really been my first choice. Usually, spinach would be my number one all-round dark leafy green for my smoothies, curries, stews… everything. But not anymore, I’ve fallen head over heels (I agree a little strong!) with kale..

ingredients

FOR THE SALAD

FOR THE DRESSING

1 butternut squash 1 swede 4 cups red or brown rice 6 cups curly kale 1 cup pecan nuts 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds 1/3 cup feta cheese juice of 1 lemon

juice of 1 lemon 3 tbsp tahini seasonings

method Preheat the oven to 190 degrees, prepare and chop the swede and butternut squash and roast in a little coconut oil until cooked through.

Meanwhile, cook the rice as per the packet instructions, drain and allow to cool.

Take the kale and pour the lemon juice and massage with your hands. Mix together the ingredients for the dressing.

In a large bowl mix all of the salad ingredients together and pour over the dressing.

Serve as it is a main or as a side.

Enjoy!

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“Just go for it and never look back!�

Nadia Newton

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“open up & inspire�

Nadia Newton words by Karolina Barnes, photography by Nadia Newton

We talked to the founder, Nadia Newton, of Penelope Hope, about her journey to becoming a fabric designer and shop owner based in Guernsey.

1. How did you get to where you are now?

Growing up I was artistic and creative but also dyslexic, so found some subjects at school quite challenging. My mum helped nurture my creativity, being an arts and textiles teacher herself. In fact, it was my Mum who bought me my first sewing machine when I went off to Art College and years later; it was the same machine I used to bring to life the first Penelope Hope prototype cushions.

After A-Levels I completed an Art Foundation Course and specialised in Fashion Design. I was going to continue and do a degree in Fashion Design but change my mind and enrolled to do a four year BA (HONS) Retail Management Degree instead. This was a great course as it covered so much of the business side of retailing and running a company.

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The third year involved working within the retail industry- I luckily got an amazing job in the Lingerie Design Department of Marks & Spencer Head Office. I got to design a silk nightwear collection that got made and sold in stores across the country- and I was only 21! This certainly fuelled my desire to work in design.

I went back to University to finish off my degree and came away with a First Class Honours. I then worked for Marks & Spencers again in Buying & Merchandising and then moved on to work for Specsavers in Retail Marketing. I took a career break at this point to have my three children and starting dreaming up my business plans!

I always has dreams of doing something really creative and running my own business. I used to make clothes and corsets in my teens and twenties and did think I might set up my own fashion label but then once I got married and we bought our own home, I started making blinds, curtains and cushion covers and loved looking through interior magazines. It was then I realised I was more interested in the Interior Industry than Fashion and felt there was a gap in the market for a bold and bright fabric and cushion brand.

I have subsequently completed several re-upholstery courses, studied Textile Print Design at Central St Martins and enrolled on many online design-related courses to further my knowledge and skill.

With the support of my family I decided it was time to take the plunge and set up my own business doing what I love. It has taken a lot of hard work, late nights and constant learning to get to where I am now but I’m very excited about the future and where Penelope Hope is heading.

2. Building a brand with children around is very challenging. How do you manage business and family life?

Admittedly it’s a huge juggling act! My older two are at infant school and the youngest is at nursery 4 days a week. I drop them to school, head to my studio and then at 3pm I run up the road to pick them up again and I’m back on Mummy duty until bedtime. I don’t begrudge the long hours (and late nights) I spend working on Penelope Hope as it’s my passion and I’ve been desperate to put my energy into something I truly believe in and love doing.

My kids mean the world to me, they have brought so much laughter and purpose into my life and I’m pleased that now they can see me in another light than just the Mummy who cooks them tea and cuddles them when they hurt themselves but also the Mummy who designs the most awesome colourful cuddliest cushions!

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3. What are your tips for other mums wanting to start a business alongside bringing up children?

I would say to anyone to trust your instincts and to just go for it. A lot of well meaning people will discourage you or try to put you off but if you’ve got the fire in your belly and ready to put some hard work in then just go for it. You won’t look back. Bringing up children is hard but it shouldn’t stop you pursuing your own career path. I do sometimes wish I had set up my business before having children. However, if I’d done that I wouldn’t have had some of the career experiences I’ve had which has made me who I am today.

PENELOPEHOPE.COM

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HIGH IN STYLE

Karolina Barnes editor in chief KAROLINA BARNES

Flavia Young fashion editor

Nicola T beauty editor

LUXE-LAYERS

STRAWBERRYBLONDE BEAUTY

Karla Cihak beauty editor

Jemma Andrew-Adiamah food editor CELERY AND CUPCAKES

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