HBCP The Summer Issue

HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES FASHION CULTURE LIFESTYLE

JULY / AUG 2011

The Summer Issue

EDITOR’S LETTER This month we are celebrating summer, even though we have been fortunate enough to enjoy early spring sunshine, and all this year’s bank holidays it is usually with the start of the school holidays that most of us feel that summer has arrived.

Normally in our summer magazine we try and include a thought provoking feature about doing things differently and this issue is no exception. Our feature this year is about nutrition and we have selected a fascinating collection of books from well-respected authors.

We often hear about the lack of female representation at senior levels in organisations, and we think we know why! Many very talented women have left corporate life and are now very successfully running their own businesses, and in this issue we have a wonderful and varied collection of inspiring interviews from such women.

Also in this issue we have wonderful examples of places to go, and products designed to help you and your family enjoy the summer. What ever you are doing this summer have a wonderful time! www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com Front and Back Cover Images courtesy of Banyan Tree / Quintessentially Travel www.quintessentiallytravel.com Images throughout the magazine supplied by the various companies, or publishers featured.

Please Note All information about products and services are supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about all events, products, or news items.Inclusion in this magazine does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site. The views and opinions expressed by interviewees and other contributors are theirs alone and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Hot Brands Cool Places.

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SMALLABLE Dedicated to kids between the ages of 1 month and 12 years old, SMALLable is the fashion and design online concept store bringing together over 200 brands and 5000 products hand-picked from across the globe. www.smallable.com

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INTERVIEW

Fast, fun Dining

Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Juliette Joffe, Co-owner of Giraffe (www.giraffe.net) for an exclusive interview What was your inspiration for Giraffe?

My husband Russel and I wanted to create a place that was accessible to everyone.

It was important for us to provide a relaxed dining environment where people could drop in any time of the day for a bite to eat. We have created a menu that reflects that, featuring breakfast and brunch dishes and an extensive burger range, big salads and large dishes that are perfect for sharing.

The perception of Giraffe is high-octane fun, how to you keep the brand energised?

We constantly work to maintain our standards.

We take note of new trends and evolve to ensure we continue to be at the forefront of fast casual dining. Our Bath branch for example has a new industrial contemporary look with communal dining tables, funky artwork and a spacious and bold bar area, which is ideal for afterwork cocktails and weekend get-togethers.

Our latest venue in Soho is geared towards a more adult audience. We’ve gone for edgy sophistication complete with a late-night lounge bar. We’re open early in the morning untill late providing an all-day dining option for the 24hour party people of the area.

You work closely with friends and family, what is your recipe for combining work and play?

Communication is key. It works because we trust each other; we each have a role and are ultimately working towards the same goal.

What are you most proud of in your career? Do you have any ambitions left?

I am proud of the success of the Giraffe brand and how it has grown. We now have 38 sites around the country in addition to five franchise branches in three major airports.

Opening at T5 was a real achievement as it shows Giraffe as a major player in airport dining which adds another string to our bow. I’ve been living my dream since we opened our first site in Hampstead in 1998, which was to grow a successful business, and now I only want it to flourish even further.

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You have been involved with a number of start-ups, what advice would you give to people looking to plan an exit strategy?

We didn’t have an exit strategy when we launched our first concept Café Flo and we don’t have one for Giraffe. My passion is the business now.

My advice for any start-up however is to get your facts and figures right, write a good business plan and remember that location is key. Do your market research if you’re going to succeed.

Finally, if you are going to fulfill your dreams be prepared to work hard.

What is your favourite form of escape?

Blue skies, sandy beaches and the summer sun like everyone else.

Family is also very important to us. We get together on a regular basis to enjoy a meal with our children and grand children. www.giraffe.net

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FB COLLECTION Founded in Rio de Janeiro in 2005, FB Collection is now the go-to brand for innovative, luxury beachwear and accessories. The range is stocked in some of the world’s finest stores including Selfridges, London; Le Club 55, Saint-Tropez; Eden Rock, St Barths and select One and Only hotels. Following the success of FB Frescobol and Trunks, in the following season FB Collection will be launching exclusive ranges of linen shirts and panama hats. www.fbcollection.com

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BLINK BEACH Blink Beach’s collection creates an exclusive, stylish, yet wearable look and is now one of the leading online holiday boutiques. Perfect for those who want to look great on and off the shore! www.blinkbeach.com

ELLA JAMES LIVING Ella James Living is a range of stylish gifts and decorative accessories . The collection is inspired by travel , vintage finds and a desire to bring a home to life through beautiful objects which are interesting to the eye. www.ellajamesliving.co.uk

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INTERVIEW

Beautiful Beginnings

Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Alison Gale, Founder of Funky Moose for an exclusive interview You founded your business in 2005, how has it evolved over that time?

We have evolved in so many ways. We have grown from offering just a handful of products through to over 2000 gorgeous items for babes, young children & families. We have moved our offices out into the Wiltshire countryside in to a converted barn and opened our lovely showroom.

You are a family business, what is the secret of working successfully together?

Ummmmm…….still a tricky one some days!

One of the key things is to be able to divide up responsibilities so we are not trying to do the same thing and to make sure everything gets actioned.

In the past, we’ve always tried to talk about the ‘serious’ business stuff at home in the evenings, but it was always so hard as we were always so exhausted & chasing the boys around, so now we take a couple of hours out & sit in the showroom during the day to do that.

Sounds a very simple and obvious action, but it’s all too easy to get bogged down in the day-today work in the office and not get the chance to step back.

When you are selecting pieces for Funky Moose what makes you know they will fit with your brand?

We love products that are at the top of their segment – in both terms of their quality but also in their design qualities, education value or plain ‘coolness’. We only sell products that we have used as a family or would like to use, as it’s important to us that we feel committed to a product and happy to recommend it. If I can picture them sat in our showroom, then I know it’s a winner.

We’ve also got three boys under 8 and a wider testing gang’ who are always more than willing to roadtest any new potential product and give their view.

The long summer holiday is often a challenge for parents. What do you recommend for happy playtimes?

Running your own business is a real challenge and taking holidays together always a luxury. During the summer holidays, we are lucky in that we can decide who goes to work at the barn and who goes to work at home with the boys(!). We are lucky to live a beautiful area and get the boys outdoors running around and exploring as much as possible.

During the summer holidays, we try to ensure that we have time together as a family in the early evening for cycle rides, kite flying and even dashes down to the beach if we can.

What are your plans and hopes for the future?

We hope that our business continues to grow and that there remains a place for independent retailers on the high-street and online. At some point in the future, we would be to re-locate the business and family further West and within walking distance of the coast.

We’d also love some chickens – Dorothy and Margo.

What makes a perfect family holiday for you?

We spent New Year in Bavaria and it was magical. Part of the inspiration for the trip was our 5 year olds love of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. So off to Neuschwanstein Castle and Rothenburg de Tauber we headed. We also had snow galore which was just amazing.

Hoping to grab some time in the summer just camping & chilling with the boys. Spending some time under canvas with no distractions other than a couple of card games and mugs of hot chocolate, perfect. www.funkymoose.co.uk

FURNITURE DIVAS Add a stylish statement to your garden this summer with this new range of Eco Designer Deckchairs by Furniture Divas. Each deckchair is handmade in England and comes with high eco credentials www.furnituredivas.co.uk

New Children’s Book

INTERVIEW

Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Nadia Shireen, Children’s book Author for an exclusive interview What prompted you to start writing and illustrating children’s books?

I’ve always been interested in words and pictures, and picture books are really the perfect medium to explore the relationship between the two. I got here after a few diversions along the way, involving a law degree and almost a decade working as a sub editor on various magazines. Along the way I was always doodling silly animals. Now I’m over 30 I’m officially classed as an adult, which is pretty scary – so instead of having a proper job I’ve decided to draw hairy things for a living.

When you are feeling creative describe how your day might pan out?

Hmm, well in an ideal world it would start off with a brisk walk on Hampstead Heath while listening to some improving intellectual podcast, followed by an hour or so of worthy sketchbooking.

Then I would go home for a healthy, organic lunch before settling down to work at my desk, where I would studiously ignore the internet until teatime. In reality, it goes something like this: I drag myself to my computer, go online, draw a bit, have a cup of tea, make some bad jokes on Twitter, eat some fish fingers, draw a bit, have a nap, draw a bit, have a shower, go online, watch telly, pass out.

You studied for a MA in Children’s Book Illustration, what did you gain from the course?

I gained an understanding of the importance of observational drawing and also realised how much I still have to learn. There have been and still are so many astonishing illustrators out there – it’s really inspiring, though it does also make me feel like an imposter. I have huge respect for picture book practitioners now.

What are your hopes and ambitions for the future?

I just want to keep drawing and coming up with good ideas for stories. I’ve had a proper job and I don’t particularly want to go back to it. But the picture book world is tough and competitive, so if I can stay afloat I’d be really pleased. I also want to improve my drawing and gain confidence in using other materials. I want to have a go at painting, printmaking and I’d love to try some stopmotion animation. I also want to do a bit more drawing from life – it’s really gone off the boil since I’ve left college, to my shame. I’d also like to have a go at writing something a bit longer, maybe a short story.

What do you enjoy about promoting Good Little Wolf?

It’s lovely to hear from people who’ve enjoyed the book, especially if they aren’t close friends or family!

Describe your perfect holiday escape.

I adore trees, mountains and lakes so somewhere that would involve that kind of landscape.

I’d also like open fires, music and delicious food. Maybe some kind of wood cabin in Alaska or something? Saying that, I’d have no objection to a sandy beach and glorious blue seas. I went to New Zealand with my husband a couple of years ago and loved it – it manages to combine just about every landscape under the sun. I like the idea of solitude in the wilderness, but I’d want the ability to teleport over friends and family if I got lonely.

Buy Good Little Wolf from www.amazon.co.uk

NELLIES “Nellies London Artists create sensational children’s parties!” Mums & dads can hire one of Nellies London artists to create their child’s creative party! Nellie is an experienced and successful children’s party designer who has organised events for many celebrities over the years. She’s also has a range of exciting, creative and affordable DIY party packages www.nelliespartyshop.co.uk

FUNKY TOTO Funky Toto designs and hand-makes beautiful yet cool children’s clothes including dresses, skirts, vests, shorts, t shirts, trouser, tunics and leggings. All the garments are made in the UK using the highest quality cotton and double knit jersey. www.funkytoto.co.uk

INTERVIEW

Home living

Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Claire Krier Founder of Idyll Home for an exclusive interview What inspired you to set up Idyll Home?

A lack of unique and stylish home accessories that you can buy online. Although there are lots of nice shops out there (mainly in London) there are not many selling online, and so I wanted an online business that could reach everybody.

What makes a product right for Idyll Home?

I tend to choose simple understated pieces, often with a bit of an industrial or ethnic edge. Original pieces too that I haven’t seen in other shops or handmade pieces.

If you were setting up home again what would be your ‘must-have’ items?

I would definitely want one of our reclaimed elm table and bench sets, they are so simple and just the right amount of rustic, and being reclaimed wood make you feel good too!

What are the most popular items that you sell?

At the moment our recycled plastic polymats are selling quicker than we can re-stock them. The John Robshaw cushions are also popular and the reclaimed wooden coathooks.

You have just celebrated your first anniversary, what have been the highlights of the last twelve months?

Being featured in the interiors magazines is always a thrill , it feels great to get noticed by people within the industry. Going to Maison et Object trade show in Paris was amazing so many gorgeous products I am looking forward to that again in September.

If time and cost were no issue and you could go anywhere in the world to source items where would you go?

I would love to go to India and see the artisans working in Rajasthan and explore that region.

What is your favourite form of relaxation?

I don’t get to do that much these days!! Being a working Mum there isn’t much time, I would love to lie on a beach somewhere warm right now, or maybe a yoga retreat or a horse riding adventure. www.idyllhome.co.uk

VOYAGE PRIVÉ With exclusive discounts of up to 70% on 4 and 5 star hotels and holidays, Voyage Privé offers its members great travel at unbeatable prices. It’s free to join, so register now and start receiving their email newsletter, packed with inspiring travel offers for the UK, Europe and beyond.

Join free now at www.voyage-prive.co.uk

TECHNOGYM Twenty five years ago Technogym founder and President Nerio Alessandri designed the first piece of Technogym equipment.The company has grown to become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of state-of-the-art fitness equipment, renowned globally for its advanced design and technology. The group has also supported the last four Olympic Games, is the official supplier to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and other prestigious sporting partnerships. www.technogym.com / 0800 316 2496

Each year in our summer reading we try to suggest ways of thinking differently, and for this year’s theme we have selected Nutrition.

There is increasing evidence of the importance of understanding the impact of what we eat on our lives and future well-being. In this fascinating collection of books the authors examine how and what we eat from a number of different perspectives. Each book is well researched and will help you examine what you eat and the impact on your body, including our final book, which suggests how to provide healthy eating solutions for children.

Summer is a great time to start focusing on what you eat, and although many of us don’t get the long holiday breaks that we used to enjoy, there is something about sunshine and the opportunities to eat outside that can encourage us to eat healthily. Also we often resolve to take more exercise, and if you can set the good habits now they are more likely to last through the autumn and winter periods. A perfect place to start is by reading Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung. As an excellent introduction to doing things differently, it also encourages us to really treasure every moment.

Mindful Eating, Mindful Life, Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung Synopsis: Losing weight and maintaining a healthy body is not simply a matter of exercising more and eating less.

It is the awareness of the present moment, the realization of why we do what we do, that enables us to stop feeling bad and start changing our behaviour. With Mindful Eating, world-renowned Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh and Harvard nutritionist Dr Lilian Cheung show us how to end our struggles with weight once and for all.

Offering practical tools, including personalised goal setting, a detailed nutrition guide, and a mindful living plan, the authors help us to uncover the roots of our habits and then guide us as we transform our actions. Mindful Eating teaches us how to easily adopt the practice of mindfulness and integrate it into eating, exercise and all facets of our daily life, so that being conscious and present becomes a core part of our being. Mindful Eating not only helps us achieve the healthy weight and well being we seek, but it also brings to the surface the rich abundance of life available to us in every moment.

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict This is one of the most thought provoking books we have reviewed this year. As mentioned above, it offers many insights into why we do what we do, and encourages us to be deeply aware. In an all-encompassing approach, the book focuses not just on weight control, but how to be mindful about what we eat, how we move and how we live. The final chapter focuses on a Mindful World, and how through individual and collective effort we can make the world a better place. As summed up by the authors, ‘Savor every moment, every breath, every meal, every

relationship, every action, or non-action, every opportunity to maintain your well-being and the well-being of our world.

An absolutely fascinating and life-changing book, very accessible, full of wisdom and thoughtful advice. Highly Recommended! www.hayhouse.co.uk Nourish - Jane Clarke Synopsis: Eating a good, balanced diet is the single biggest contribution you can make to your own health and that of your family. Food is a truly empowering force and yet, sadly, many people are both ignorant of its benefits and scared and intimidated by its potential impact.

This approachable and informative volume from Jane Clarke, takes us through the ages of our lives – Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood, Middle Age, Retirement and Old Age. Each section explains what is going on in the body, shares challenges and joys, informs us which foods are best, what to focus on in our diets and the beneficial effects we can expect. Quick and simple ideas will help you or a member of your family feel better right now.

Nourish places as much importance on eating well as on Jane’s clinical expertise; delicious and simple recipes that incorporate all of Jane’s good advice show that it is easy to love food, eat well and stay healthy.

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict Jane’s approach is to examine the nutritional needs of every member of a family, through a typical life stage-the prime years of adulthood, pregnancy and new life, feeding growing children, middle age, cooking for teenagers, and the over 60s.

At the end of the book there is a collection of her favourite recipes and a small resource guide to her favourite suppliers.

This is a beautifully produced book, sensitively written, and very relevant to all ages. Highly Recommended! www.amazon.co.uk The Core Balance Diet - Marcelle Pick Synopsis: Have you struggled to lose weight despite counting every calorie and exercising to exhaustion? The Core Balance Diet is a breakthrough plan, developed from thousands of treatments by women, for women. Designed to restore your body’s equilibrium and return you to a healthy, sustainable weight this book will help you: • Learn simple lifestyle changes and smart nutrition choices that will show you how to tune in to your body • Adopt a customised two-week programme geared at restoring your Core Balance and shedding those toxic, stubborn pounds once and for all • Enjoy delicious recipes made from whole foods that give your body the support it needs to heal and won’t leave you hungry • Explore underlying issues and emotional patterns that may be getting in your way www.hayhouse.co.uk

FEATURE

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict This book is built around identifying what may be causing a core imbalance; Marcelle Pick has created a quiz built around six major core imbalances. Having identified the core imbalances there are chapters focusing on each imbalance and helpful ways to support and help heal it. There are also custom plans and recipes and as with the other books there is the advice of always working with a medical practitioner.

I Wish I Hadn’t Eaten That - Maria Cross Synopsis: I Wish I Hadn’t Eaten That is a book for those of you who, despite your best efforts to eat well and exercise regularly, still experience niggling health problems that just won’t go away.

In this book, Maria Cross identifies twenty common health problems that afflict those she describes as the ‘perfectly healthy but not very well.’

Do the following sound familiar? lack of energy...acne...weight gain...food cravings constipation...poor circulation...diarrhoea...insomnia bloating...poor memory and/or concentration frequent colds...mood swings...aching joints premenstrual syndrome...mild depression period pain...dry skin and/or eyes skin rashes...headaches...water retention Just like a nutritional therapy consultation, this book takes you through a step-by step process to help you identify what, from a dietary perspective, might be causing your symptoms.

It then gives you the skills to use simple dietary alterations to overcome these symptoms for life-changing effects, so that you can achieve your ultimate goal: total wellness.

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict In a different approach to nutrition, Maria Cross identifies 20 common health problems and takes you though a step-by-step process to help you identify what, from a dietary perspective might be causing your symptoms.

She then suggests simple dietary alterations to overcome these symptoms. Having identified the most common symptoms including lack of energy, aching joints, food cravings, insomnia, and more, the book then helps you to work on these through nutritional means, as well as helping identify what the cause may be.

Importantly, as Maria states, ‘All the advice given in this book is based on the assumption that you have already seen your GP and advised him, or her of your health issues, and are currently taking no medication’ www.hayhouse.co.uk

Amanda Ursell’s Baby and Toddler Food BibleAmanda Ursell Synopsis: The list of what foods to introduce to your child and when can be daunting, especially in this day and age when everything from food safety to allergy issues dictates certain rules.

Written by the UK’s leading nutritionist, Amanda Ursell, while she was caring for her own baby and toddler, everything in this book has been tried and tested by a busy, working mum! It includes: • weaning • what to feed your child from 6 months to 1 year, and year by year until 4 years • fussy eating, and how to handle it • allergies and intolerances • whether shop-bought baby foods are OK • top nutrition for mums on the go • 200 easy, nutritious recipes.

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict Following an introduction in which she explains why it matters what and how we feed our babies, Amanda then examines what babies need nutritionally, and tries to answer many questions raised by mothers trying to provide the best possible start for their children.

There is a very helpful section on weaning babies and comprehensive collection of very nutritious recipes for feeding babies and toddlers. Highly Recommended! www.hayhouse.co.uk Special Note: Please read all the information from the authors about taking advice from medical practitioners, Hot Brands, Cool Places have not tested any of the recipes. All information is supplied to us by the individual publishers, or agencies acting on their behalf.

The views and opinions expressed by the individual authors, or their representatives are theirs alone and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.

KIDS PLAYROOM Kids Playroom is a family run business with an emphasis on good quality traditional toys made from sustainable materials. Having children we understand the importance and value of play and we carefully select all our toys to encourage children to use their imagination. www.kidsplayroom.co.uk

ELEGANT RESORTS Elegant Resorts promise a holiday experience ‘beyond luxury’, as experts in providing tailormade luxury travel. For over twenty-three years this British company has been providing bespoke holidays to the world’s finest hotels and resorts worldwide, from luxury ski chalets to tropical island retreats. www.elegantresorts.co.uk

INTERVIEW

Inner Sanctuary

Hot Brands Cool Places talked to Sarah Morgan, Founder of Health Matters 360 for an exclusive interview What inspired you to set up Health Matters 360?

About 10 years ago I faced my own very scary health matter, when I was diagnosed with early cervical cancer. This coincided with me also hitting a burn-out both physically and emotionally, due to stress. It was only after I had lost my good health that I came to appreciate how precious health is and how important it is to take care of yourself.

I decided that I wanted to rediscover my own health in the most natural way that I could, so I set out on a very personal journey of discovery.

I saw many health and wellbeing professionals - some good and some not so good – but what really surprised me was the overwhelming amount of information that is available, much of which is neither practical or sustainable and in many cases conflicting.

I came to a realisation that the most powerful combination for creating good health is getting the right balance of physical, nutritional and positive mind matters. It is when you create this joined-up approach that you can find your own natural balance for optimum health.

I set up Health Matters 360 to give people a really powerful place where individuals could work with the very best health and wellbeing coaches/trainers, to support them in an integrated intelligent way that allows people to manage their own health and wellness for the long term in their everyday life.

We are delighted to be able to offer both individuals and organisations the benefit of our integrated 360 degree approach, which helps them achieve the best results in the shortest time - for long term sustainable health.

It’s the start of a working day. What would make it a perfect day for you?

I’m an early riser and enjoy sharing a healthy family breakfast each day, before dropping my son at school. I then undertake some gentle exercise to invigorate me before I start work with the Health Matters team.

The perfect working day would consist of a team creative thinking session to develop an exciting new health hub programme; an inspiring educational workshop for the NHS, which means spending time with our amazing group of patients whose progress and attitude is so motivational; and a meeting with a company suffering from workplace sickness to spread the message about Health Matters 360’s influence in the corporate world.

At the end of the day I make a point of spending some really important family time before supper and then wind down with some gentle relaxation/meditation before an early night.

What are the key actions for working parents to help them stay healthy?

Make sure they take some time for themselves – be it walking, exercise or just some quiet time. Also it’s important not to skip meals, no matter how much you have to do - always have some seeds/nuts/snacks in the car/handbag so that you can manage blood sugar levels with the right type of foods. Drink lots of water and also take the pressure off by realizing that sometimes you just can’t do it all. Remember that saying ‘no’ to one thing sometimes means saying ‘yes’ to yourself.

How do you see the Health Matters 360 brand developing?

We are very excited at the feedback that we have received so far about the positive impact that we have had in changing people’s lives both at an individual and a corporate company level. We have also had some great feedback from leading journalists endorsing the fact that we really do offer something very unique.

We are also working towards developing the HM360 brand within communities, the NHS, the corporate world and indeed wherever we can make a difference in helping people lead happier healthier lives.

We have an aging population, how can people prepare for a healthy retirement?

I believe that one of the most important things that we can do to prepare for the aging process is to educate ourselves about our own bodies.

By understanding what makes us tick, we can take greater care of ourselves and in doing so, can expect to lead longer, healthier and happier lives.

There are so many people either at or beyond retirement age, who are still hungry to get the most out of life and it is never too late to take a look at our lifestyles and how they can be improved.

Our entire ethos is geared towards sustainability and longevity, and we promote lifestyle changes that can be easily maintained, no matter how busy you are.

We are, in effect, preparing our clients of today for a healthier tomorrow, the legacy of which should lead them towards a long and healthy retirement.

One of the biggest challenges for many people is the motivation to change their behaviour, how do you encourage people to be more healthy?

We are ideally suited to those with a history of yo-yo dieting as we provide an alternative sustainable solution that people can easily balance with their daily and often hectic lives. People often come to us out of a desire to change, but what we find can be most difficult is maintaining that motivation and sustaining a healthy lifestyle.

We advocate a life in balance and everything in moderation, rather than excluding things from your life.

This makes for a much more sustainable lifestyle and when people start to see and feel the difference that our approach has on them, that is very motivational in itself. Results are a key driving force and the simple truth is – what we do works!

Where is your perfect escape?

We have just returned from running our first overseas “health hub” at The Rou Estate in Corfu – it really is a very magical place and even though I was working… what a working environment it was!

Generally my perfect escape is to be with my family and friends in an inspiring, beautiful, natural place that is tranquil where I can really feel my own life balance and appreciate my renewed health and vitality. www.healthmatters360.co.uk

This month we are focusing on how to pamper and nourish your skin.

Summer Beauty Round-up 3-Step Introduction Kit Skin Type 4 It’s easy with Clinique’s 3-Step Skin Care Introductory Set. Just 3 minutes, morning and night, to see clear, smooth, radiant skin in about two weeks. Cleanse, exfoliate, moisturise.

Dermatologist-developed to meet your skin’s needs and custom-fit by Skin Type.

Works gently, each step enhancing the next. This set includes: 50ml Liquid Facial Soap 100ml Clarifying Lotion 30ml Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. www.clinique.co.uk Every day is different with sp@home Escape the mundane and weave the new Sp@ Home range into your morning, noon and night routine.

As a new day dawns, your 5 minutes of ‘me-shower time’ is more pleasurable, whether you need energising, nourishing, or just pure indulgence. As the day rolls on, spritz Quiet Mind in your room and apply Temple Balm to soothe away those stresses. Boost your tired feet and aching body with Instant Refreshing Gel and nourish your hands with beautiful aromatic Hand Lotions.

Available from timetospa.co.uk, nationwide spas/ salons, selected John Lewis, Debenhams and Harvey Nichols stores or mail order via Elemis Customer Care on 0117 316 1888 www.timetospa.co.uk

The Body Shop introduces Extra Virgin Minerals™ an innovative range of 100% pure mineral ultra-blendable foundations available in three formats.

Extra Virgin Minerals™ Cream Compact Foundation A new generation compact foundation, Extra Virgin Minerals™ Compact Foundation is the first of its kind to come with a built-in brush, plus it has an integrated mirror for maximum convenience Extra Virgin Minerals™ Liquid Foundation SPF30 For a light to medium coverage with a delightfully fresh finish, this foundation is ideal for those who prefer liquid foundation.

Also available Extra Virgin Minerals™ Loose Powder Foundation SPF 25 and Extra Virgin Minerals™ Loose Powder Foundation Brush www.thebodyshop.co.uk Aveeno® Moisturising Creamy Oil with Sweet Almond 300ml Combines the concentrated goodness of naturally active Colloidal Oatmeal and Sweet Almond Oil to moisturise like an oil and absorb like a cream.

Aveeno® Body Wash 500ml Bath & shower wash, recommended for daily cleansing of dry and sensitive skin. Protects and maintains skin’s hydrolipid film and its natural pH. Available from www.boots.com

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