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HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES FASHION CULTURE LIFESTYLE

The Wedding Issue

JULY 2013

EDITOR’S LETTER Welcome to our 2013 Wedding Issue, full of beautiful ideas for your special day.

We have an interview with Margaret Taylor, artist, Founder of The Margaret Taylor Collection and Nick Bradley, Cox & Kings Travel Ltd. We also have features on Planning Your Wedding and Setting Up Home.

We also have some ideas for make-up for the big day and our special Honeymoon Travel supplement, as well as fabulous ideas for your wedding day from our Directory of Leading Brands. Until the next time...

Enjoy! www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com Picture Credits: Front page image courtesy of VWDC by Charlie Brear www.charliebrear.com 1920.2 CATROUX BEADED LACE Fabric: Catroux beaded lace over soft satin / Colour: Ivory / Description: 1920s style dropped waist beaded lace dress with cowl back http://www.charliebrear.com/products/1920-2 Honeymoon supplement cover image courtesy of Carrier www.carrier.co.uk 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.

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VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Day after day, stone after stone, their eternal quest is for perfection, a quest that for more than a century has ensured the continuation of the Van Cleef & Arpels spirit and allowed all who select a piece of jewellery from the finest collections to become the wearer of one, or several of the most beautiful diamonds in the world. www.vancleef-arpels.com

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NICKI MACFARLANE Beautiful, timeless children’s occasion wear from the designer of the bridesmaid dresses for HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. Nicki Macfarlane offers a bespoke service or a stunning ready to wear collection - all handmade in England and available across the UK. www.nickimacfarlane.com

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HARRIET WILDE Harriet Wilde is a British independent footwear label, established in 2008 by the designer Ruth Shaw. When she was looking for shoes for her own wedding she found the task of buying shoes quite daunting. Having always bought designer or unique and mainly vintage finds she was suddenly faced with the idea that she would have to compromise her style. She thought, “Why can’t wedding shoes be beautiful and stylish?” Ruth thinks they should be so she set about establishing a luxury contemporary brand of shoes, with a vintage feel that would not make any compromise on style. www.harrietwilde.com

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REAL FLOWERS Bespoke florists specialising in hand tied arrangements filled with perfumed flowers and aromatic herbs. The Real Flower Company will create glorious arrangements unique to your style, venue and above all budget. Our professional florists will ensure beautiful scented flowers for the most memorable wedding day www.realflowers.co.uk

HERITAGE STATIONERY In this digital age, there is still a demand for communicating in the traditional way with high quality personalised stationery. Heritage Personalised Stationery offer a uniquely personal one to one service across our entire range of personalised stationery, we produce high quality stationery, in both flat and thermographic raised print. www.heritage-stationery.com

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Planning Your Wedding Every bride wants a perfect wedding day, yet achieving that can seem as if you are planning a military operation! Not to mention the potential costs involved.

Before you start it is worth thinking about the overall day and what you want to achieve, there are key elements in every wedding and whether you are on a budget, or have a more money available it is very easy to become overwhelmed with the sheer scale of the detail.

When talking to couples about their wedding day, their overall desire is to: ‘Have a beautiful day surrounded by our friends and family that people will remember’ When planning your wedding it’s worth keeping that simple message in mind!

As well as detailed checklists it is helpful to keep an overview of the whole process, a bit like the role of a project manager in an office one of you needs to have a sense of the big picture.

When we created our Vintage Wedding Planner http://www.vintageweddingplanner.co.uk/ we divided it into the following: Before Stationery Hen & Stag Spas & Beauty Gift Lists 8

Bride Bridalwear Shoes & Accessories Hair & Make-Up Jewellery & Tiaras Groom Groomswear Shoes & Accessories Jewellery Wedding Speeches Wedding Party Mother of the Bride Best Man & Ushers Hair & Make-Up Bridesmaids,Flowergirls & Pageboys Shoes & Accessories Jewellery & Tiaras The Place Venues Food Flowers Cakes Cars & Transport Photographers / Videographers Table Decoration, Favours & Confetti Entertainment After Honeymoon Dry Cleaning Specialists Bouquet Preservation Unique Memories Each of these categories can be broken down into smaller checklists, but as an overview this is a good place to start.

Sources of inspiration Half the fun of every event is the anticipation, planning your special day, or your honeymoon, should be enjoyable, and sometimes in the rush to organize things we miss out on the exploration of alternatives and the ‘what ifs’.

So before you commit to anything, just revisit the thought, how can we ‘Have a beautiful day surrounded by our friends and family that people will remember?’ www.vintageweddingplanner.co.uk 9

CHARLIE BREAR VWDC by Charlie Brear is the selected design house for the international, style- aware bride.

An abbreviation and evolution from the heritage label The Vintage Wedding Dress Company, VWDC is Charlie Brear’s own-designed collection. A colour palette of ivories, champagnes, offwhites and creams is accented with antiqued gold and molten silver beading. www.charliebrear.com

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LITTLE BEVAN Little Bevan produces enchanting special occasion outfits for all ages for weddings, prom parties, christenings and first communion. The style is understated and elegant, available in fresh & pretty colours in silk, satin and our signature silk organza, the clothes inspired by the luxury of English vintage designs. www.littlebevan.co.uk

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JON AND MICHAELA Jon and Michaela have a relaxed and reportage style to their wedding photography. Both are available to shoot on the day to capture all the moments from bridal preparation to the first dance and evening shots. All photographs are presented on disc for unlimited printing and contemporary handmade photo book albums are also available. They cover London, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey and Middlesex. www.jonandmichaela.co.uk and www.michaelagreene.co.uk - baby and child photographer

FIONA CAIRNS A Fiona Cairns hand crafted wedding cake creates life-long memories. Taking inspiration from details in the wedding flowers, dress or colour scheme, the team will design and craft a cake unique to the couple and their special day. www.fionacairns.com

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GRAYS & FEATHER Grays & Feather presents wonderful, award winning bubbly from around the world. G&F also supplies The Bubble - the world’s smallest bottle of fine sparkling wine. As wedding gifts or favours, The Bubble is available as an individual gift for each guest or in a 14” hamper (holds 12 Bubbles) for each table. Or combine 2 in a 12’’ hamper with chocolate, candles, wedding cake or other mementos as unique keepsakes of the special day for the bride, the groom, bridesmaids, the best man, mother of the bride or new step-mother. http://www.graysandfeather.com

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IN WATER FLOWERS In Water want your wedding flowers to be gorgeous, well planned and spectacular. After more than 10 years in the business as one of London’s top wedding florists we have a huge portfolio of designs from simple wedding bouquets to elaborate table centres. Our team of wedding experts would love the chance to meet you and discuss your requirements. We can create bespoke contemporary flower designs, or more traditional flowers. www.inwaterflowers.co.uk

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Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Margaret Taylor, Artist, Founder of The Margaret Taylor Collection, for an exclusive interview Why did you to start designing and painting Tile Murals?

I started to paint onto tiles in 1999 because a farmer with a butchers shop on his premises, wanted a mural painting in the area open to the public. He said that he would like a tile mural, as the one someone had painted for him before had worn badly and the paint had come off. I went away and did my homework. I was able to reassure him that I could complete a mural that would be indelible. I bought a kiln, china painting paints, and began a mural of his rare breed cattle in his field.

Unfortunately, before I finished the mural the farmer sold his property. I advertised the tiles in a newsletter dedicated to the rare breed cattle, had many inquires, and sold the mural plus extra decorated tiles to fit the area required by my new customer. As a mural artist I now had a new skill to add to my repertoire, and I loved working onto china and tiles.

Where do find your inspiration?

The inspiration for my artwork comes mainly from the natural world. All weather conditions are inspiring. Extreme and dramatic or tranquil and calming the landscape in front of you stimulates all your senses, with sheep, cattle or just the simple undulating fields against a sky of azure blue or steel grey. Fog and mist add a mysterious atmosphere making the familiar unfamiliar. Snow and ice transform acres into a sparkling wilderness, and one of my biggest challenges to paint.

When a customer tells me what they want in a picture or mural, I find inspiration in seeing the world through their eyes.If someone commissions me to do a piece of artwork they always have a healthy interest in their natural surroundings.

Every picture tells a story, the evidence is documented in this article and on my website.

Can you describe for us how the process works?

Tile and china painting. The process is straightforward, the application is painstaking and time consuming. I do not charge by the hour, I agree a price with my customer before embarking on a commission. This contract between artist and client means that a mutual trust is accepted from the beginning.

I keep in close contact with my customer via telephone and they send me their relative source material e.g. photo’s using the postal service or sending emails and jpg’s if they have a computer.By the time I have all the information and prepared a sketch for discussion, the client knows me well enough to give the constructive comments I need to understand their ideas and requirements.

The next task is to paint onto the tiles or china, and before firing them in the kiln at very high temperatures I will again consult my customer for comment. Each firing will take 12 hours to complete. The very high temperatures ensure that the paint is fused into the surface of the china. I have fired many murals ten times to achieve the correct luminosity and depth of colour.

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What have been some of your most interesting commissions?

Just the other day, I had a telephone call from one of my esteemed customers. Over the years he has commissioned oil paintings, tiles, and a very large serving plate adorned with a painting of one of his very elegant cows. This gentleman has a deep respect and understanding of his animals and the natural world around him, it is always a pleasure to work for him. My ideal clients are people who know what they want, and feel relaxed enough with me to explore all possibilities of achieving their goal.

I have just completed a commission for a lady who wanted two bespoke mugs for her husband, she was delighted that I gave so much attention to detail. My examples demonstrate that no task is too small, and my customer’s wishes are paramount.

One other commission I should mention, because it demonstrates the possibilities for the use of hand painted tiles, was a piece of work I undertook for Natural England. Tiles were required depicting “Stoke Unicorn� a prize Longhorn Bull. The painting was mounted onto a wooden framework with brass plates to be used for engraving the names of winning recipients.

How could a mural become a unique wedding gift?

I believe my products are ideal for any celebration or anniversary. I was once asked to complete a mural for behind a well known range cooker, to be a birthday present from a husband to his wife. However, it was to be a surprise, so I could only contact the husband. When the tiles were finished this gentleman managed to send his wife away for the night and hired tilers to put this very large birthday present in place before the next day. Fortunately, she loved it.

A wedding gift of a hand painted china fruit bowl, with a design to suit the happy couple. The celebration day commemorated for this generation, and generations to come, a modern day heirloom. If a guest wanted to commission a modestly priced gift, then how about two bespoke cups and saucers or mugs.

If the Bride and Groom wanted to add to their collection, there would be an option to have other pieces of china painted to celebrate future anniversaries. Imagination is a wonderful thing, and an imaginative gift with a personal message lasts forever.

What makes a perfect weekend for you?

The easiest question for me to answer. My ideal weekend would involve taking photographs of wild flowers, butterflies and landscapes and time spent with my family, cats, dog, and chicken. Drinking lots of good coffee at home or in a cafe is always a treat.

Going to a very early service at Church on Sunday morning, listening to Radio 4 and watching a classic serial on television makes for an ideal weekend. www.themargarettaylorcollection.co.uk/

BY ELISE

By Elise freshwater pearls are selected for their colour, luminosity and iridescence. The colours range through a wide spectrum of soft cream and champagne to the bronze and brown. The pearls are usually chosen for their baroque nature where the texture and shape provides for a developed sense of style, fashion, fun and above all enjoyment. www.byelise.com

MOLLY BROWN LONDON Molly B Couture’s bridal gift suite is a sophisticated and stylish collection of Bridal Jewellery which will complement that all important dress beautifully. Their fine collections house luxurious, romantic pieces that will remind you of your most treasured moments for the rest of your life. www.mollybrownlondon.com/couture/

CHH DESIGN Caroline’s homeware and gift collection is conceived for modern living and celebrates life through colour and design. In a return to traditional skills, highest quality porcelain and bone china is intricately hand painted in her dynamic and original designs. The range constantly evolves with new and sophisticated pieces, all stunningly gift boxed. www.chh-design.com

LINLEY Weddings call for romance, love and hearts a plenty and British design company Linley has created a collection of gifts encompassing all three. Choose from stunning homewares perfect for gift lists, or perhaps special presents for bridesmaids and best men. www.davidlinley.com

FEATURE

Setting up home

T

oday when people get married most arrive in the joint home with their own collection of personal belongings, including furniture. If couples have been living together they may already have an established home. Despite this, starting married life however can be an opportunity to create a new style of living.

Selecting a colour palette One of the frustrations if you are renting a property is the lack of choice in wall dĂŠcor, most of us have learnt to our cost the time and effort in re-painting a wall prior to moving out! If you own your property, you have more choice in choosing to create statement walls. Creating a colour palette that runs through out the property can be one of the most enjoyable parts of setting up home, it allows you to take an overview of how you would like your home to develop.

Choice of colour schemes may be also be an interesting point of discussion with your partner, if you naturally like vibrant colours and your partner prefers browns and beige, or more muted colours, there needs to be agreement about how to incorporate both palettes, so that you both retain a sense of identity with the property.

Your choice of colours can inform your Wedding Gift List, and it can also help with your own buying choices. There are many sources of inspiration, and we list some at the end of this feature.

Personal Space As mentioned earlier as well as personal colour choices, it is also important to create your own personal space, when space is at a premium, this may be something as small as a home office desk, or if more space is available your own room, or den for your partner.

Furniture One of the key areas in setting up home is comfortable furniture and mistakes can be costly in terms of your own comfort either sitting, or sleeping. Two important considerations are to try it out and measure! Don’t be embarrassed to try out the bed, think about the space you both need to lie comfortably. It is also important to check your measurements, that sofa that looks stunning in the showroom may not be able to fit up your uber-cool staircase!

For the rest of the furniture in the early days, think about what you really need for your practical uses, this is something that can be added to as your family develops.

Linen and Bedding Again an important area of investment, no wonder it is a popular item on wedding lists. This is one area when invest in the best really is worthwhile, having beautiful table linen can make a meal very special. You know the joy of hotel bed-linen why not treat yourself to the best you can afford, or include it on your wedding list.

White Goods Many properties have white goods supplied, but if not research thoroughly until you find something is reliable and durable. If you live in a hard water area as many of us do, always think about protecting these goods from a build-up of lime-scale.

Kitchen Gadgets Make a list of what you actually need, and more importantly will use regularly, like every other area of the house think about a colour scheme. This is an area where wedding lists can be really useful. In Mary Berry’s Cookery Course (see review later in this magazine) there is a really helpful list of Basic Equipment.

China & Glass Whilst it may be wonderful to have expensive china there is the practical consideration of day-today usage. So why not have something special for dinner parties, but also have a more practical collection for day-to day use. Always think about the availability of replacements. Having colourful statement pieces can also lift a collection. Glasses can be contemporary and modern, or more traditional, what we love about contemporary glass is the range of designs that are available for vases, bowls and other tableware.

Gardens Increasingly people want to ‘grow their own’, or create an attractive outside space. If you have lived in an apartment or flat pre-marriage, this may be a new opportunity for you, eating ‘Al Fresco’ is a special pleasure when we do have those rare sunny days. Unfortunately this can become an area when all sense of practicality disappears out of the window! Faced with a huge choice in Garden Centres on the first sunny weekend it is quite possible to spend a small fortune on barbeques, tables, chairs, swing hammocks, sit-on mowers, gazebos etc. not to mention a bewildering assortment of tools! In the case of the garden, less is often more, but it is always worth investing in well-known brands that will retain their quality. Ask the gardeners in your family for their recommendations, but as a starter think about a spade, fork, rake, trowel and fork set, secateurs, garden-shears, sweeping brush, watering can/hose and if your garden is large enough a mower. A lovely wedding gift could be a special garden seat, or gazebo.

Clutter One of the challenges of moving two into one can be clutter, what you or your partner might personally see as essential may not have the same meaning for your partner. This can be an ongoing source of potential conflict; so perhaps in the warm romantic glow it may be a good idea to negotiate some ground rules where you both look realistically at what you really need on your journey together. The reality is that if you don’t you will continually have to pay for extra space, or storage, or to move it in the future. All the feng shui books talk about clearing your clutter, ‘One of the aims of enhancing your creativity is to encourage chi to move harmoniously through your home and avoid situations where it stagnates, as stagnant chi is the antithesis of creativity.

One of the things that makes chi stagnate is clutter’ The Feng Shui Bible, Simon Brown Therefore think carefully about storage, think about what you would like to display and what you would like to store out of sight, but even out of sight it should be well organised and easily accessible.

One of our favourite quotes that sums this up is, ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.’

William Morris

Resources Throughout this magazine there are fabulous sources of inspiration from members of the Hot Brands Cool Places Directory http://www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com/ Books At the Water’s Edge - Sally Hayden Happy Home-Everyday Magic for a Colourful Life - Charlotte Hedeman Gueniau A Space of My Own-Caroline Clifton-Mogg Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic Inspirations Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Interiors - My rooms, treasures, and trinkets Pale & Interesting: Decorating with Whites, Pastels and Neutrals for a Warm and Welcoming Home - Atlanta Bartlett

LSA INTERNATIONAL With their unique aesthetic and enduring quality, LSA International is an innovator in contemporary porcelain and mouthblown glassware. With over 250 new pieces released each year, make your selection from their coveted range of drinkware, serveware, and decorative accessories. www.lsa-international.com

DESIGNERS GUILD Discover Designers Guild’s new Serpahina Spring collection. With an entirely new colour palette of muted chalky tones to herald a new mood that inspiration is drawn from the 1920’s as characterised by F Scott Fitzgerald in the Great Gatsby. Also fabulous new collections from Christian Lacroix ‘Carnet Andalous’ and William Yeoward’s stunning ‘Astasia & Monsoreto’ collections. www.designersguild.com

GEORGE SMITH George Smith is an exclusive furniture and fabric manufacturer with showrooms in London and Harrogate. Their range of sofas, chairs, chaises and stools come in a variety of classic designs to suit both contemporary and traditional tastes. George Smith furniture will provide its owner with an unparalleled degree of comfort and beauty attainable only through the finest craftsmanship available. www.georgesmith.co.uk

PULLMAN EDITIONS Pullman Editions designs and publishes original, exclusive limited-edition posters which capture the enduring appeal of Art Deco. Their posters are newly-commissioned artworks featuring summer resorts, winter sports and automobile legends. Evoking memories of holidays and experiences, their posters make super, original gifts for special occasions. www.pullmaneditions.com

INTERVIEW

LOAF Antoinette Bed priced from £795 (for a double) Loaf’s hugely popular French-inspired Antoinette bed is made of sustainable solid oak which has been hand-carved by skilled craftsmen with a gorgeous weathered finish.

Upholstered in a neutral cotton/linen fabric.

Antoinette has the benefit of being longer than the antique versions along with all of the chic and none of the squeak of an original!

Sprung birch included.

slats

for

extra

comfort

are

Margot bed priced from £745 Loaf’s new Margot bed is inspired by an antique French beauty.

Loaf has given the solid oak a weathered finish and the rattan is super-practical.

Bobbin bed is priced from £645 for a double New for 2013, this show stopper looks a wee bit like an old metal bed but is in fact solid wood.

Loaf’s Bobbin bed is finished in a calm off-white heritage paint colour before being buffed with wax, it smacks of old school charm in a busy world.

Available in double, kingsize and superking.

Loaf stockist details: www.loaf.com / 0845 468 0723

ELLA JAMES LIVING Shop at www.ellajamesliving.co.uk for pretty gifts and inspiration, a gorgeous selection of delightful wedding gifts, or to dress the table for any wedding. www.ellajamesliving.co.uk

DANGLY HEARTS Dangly Hearts is a small, dynamic company handcrafting high quality heart themed textile gifts from our studio in the New Forest. Using pure linen and cotton we create pretty gifts, with a vintage feel, that suit all occasions.

Many items can be personalised to order with names and dates. www.danglyhearts.co.uk

ROBERT WELCH A wedding gift from Robert Welch Designs is truly unique – all items are designed in-house at our studio in the beautiful Cotswold town of Chipping Campden. We offer a personalized gift list service. www.robertwelch.com

SOPHIE AND SCARLETT Sophie and Scarlett is a exciting new website packed full of designs for children from 0-12 years, we have a wonderful selection of dresses, costumes and accessories, perfect for any wedding or special occassion. www.sophieandscarlett.co.uk

BOSTON & BOSTON Boston& Boston are in the middle of the busy wedding season at the moment. They key summer time for nuptials lasts from May to around September…although we also love a good Winter Wedding.

Wedding accessories double as great wedding gifts and to get you started we have placed our wedding accessory choices in the sale so you save a great big 30% off! Choose from silk pocket hanks and cufflinks from denisonboston to the most delicate pearl earrings from Melissa McArthur and the eternal LOVE necklace from Sam Ubhi.

We’ve also thought ahead and chosen a beautiful range of new wedding accessories ready for the new season……Due in September. www.bostonandboston.com

DENISON BOSTON denisonboston has been supplying mens accessories, ties, hanks, cufflinks etc for over 10 years to the Men’s wedding market. Defining the look of a generation, denisonboston of Brighton, England, is the award-winning accessory brand for the modern man. Influenced by the English Gentleman’s sense of style and combined with 21st Century Modern Design. www.denisonboston.com

REVIEW Mary Berry’s Cookery Course – Mary Berry Synopsis: Learn how to cook or improve your skills in the kitchen with Mary Berry’s Cookery Course. With delicious recipes from soups, starters and mains to bread, puddings and cakes, you can master the foundations of cooking and build your culinary repertoire under the guidance of Mary Berry. Learn how to cook Mary Berry’s favourite recipes with ease and find out how Mary gets her roast chicken skin so crispy and how she ensures her apple pie doesn’t have a “soggy bottom”. Mary also offers advice on ingredients and how to keep a well-stocked pantry as well as teaching kitchen techniques such as whipping egg whites to guarantee perfect results every time. www.dk.co.uk/ Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict Each chapter starts with a “Master Recipe” with clear step-by-step photos and detailed descriptions of how to make each stage of the dish. The recipes are Mary’s favourites, and show you how to get great results each time, the book is divided into Soups, First Courses, Eggs, Fish, Poultry and Game, Meat, Pasta and Rice, Vegetables and Side Dishes, Salads, Puddings, Cakes and Biscuits, Bread. In the front of the book there is a really useful list of basic equipment, a summary of techniques and a glossary of cooking methods and techniques. We love this book, it is a wonderfully reassuring and helpful cookbook, it is like having Mary Berry in your kitchen! A perfect wedding gift. Highly Recommended!

The Hand-Stitched Home - Projects and Inspiration for Creating Embroidered Textiles for the Home Caroline Zoob.

Synopsis: The Hand-Stitched Home: Projects and Inspiration for Creating Embroidered Textiles for the Home is an inspirational book by the embroiderer and textile designer Caroline Zoob.

Full of beautifully photographed projects and ideas, from a simple flower on the edge of a chair cover to more intricate window treatments, this book will prove invaluable for anyone wanting to add elegant embroidered touches to modern, airy decorating schemes. She advises how to seek inspiration from threads, buttons, picture frames, scraps of lace or old greetings cards. The book is then divided into five main chapters that include a wide variety of projects, such as making pictures and window-dressing. The book concludes with a practical section that covers stitches and techniques, templates and suppliers.

Whether you are an experienced sewer or taking up your needle for the first time, The Hand-Stitched Home will inspire you to create beautifully decorative pieces for your home. www.jacquismallpub.com/the-handstitched-home Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict This is a beautiful book and a fabulous source of inspiration for anyone setting up home. With exquisite designs The Hand-Stitched Home will show you how to create stunning creations that can be used throughout your home and will become your own heirlooms. We loved it!

Highly Recommended!

ANCIENNE AMBIANCE Hand-poured luxury candles with exquisite fragrance oils inspired by ancient times, natural beauty, jewellery & gifts. Ancienne Ambiance produces superior quality goods in the UK, presented in beautiful packaging. “The most beautiful perfumed candles to burn in your home� VOGUE www.ancienneambiance.com

OSKIA OSKIA’s Bedtime Beauty Boost is packed with radiance-enhancing nutrients and natural actives to promote soft, smooth skin and a glowing complexion. It’s a absolute must for ensuring you’re looking your best on the big day. www.oskiaskincare.com

FLORACIOUS At Floracious our mission is to create highly effective natural skincare using only the finest quality, natural raw materials. We take potent plant ingredients and 100% natural essential oils and blend them by hand to bring you a truly luxurious, beautifully scented and highly effective skincare range. www.floracious.co.uk

Look perfect on your big day with our beauty round up Crabtree & Evelyn Uplift your senses with Crabtree & Evelyn’s new Conditioning Hand Wash Collection launching in July 2013.

Crabtree & Evelyn has drawn on its hand-care expertise to create a new collection of Conditioning Hand Washes. Designed to gently cleanse and condition the skin, each hand wash is infused with delightful fragrance and is the perfect complement to Crabtree & Evelyn’s UltraMoisturising Hand Therapy for soft, clean, beautiful hands.

The collection comprises eight new hand washes across Crabtree & Evelyn’s Floral, Botanical and La Source ranges. Each hand wash releases a sensuous aroma, which diffuses into the air whilst you lather.

The delicate floral fragrances infuse skin with the delicious scents of an English Garden whilst the botanical cleansers refresh and revive.

Each Conditioning Hand Wash is luxuriously lathering and pH balanced to be gentle on hands. Follow with award-winning Hand Therapy to soften hands and lock in moisture.

The array of hand washes in beautiful jewel-like colours can be used to perfectly co-ordinate with your home. Choose from the delicate green tone of the Lily Conditioning Hand Wash to the deep crimson of Pomegranate, Argan & Grapeseed.

Stockist information: www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk | 0800 111 4406 Clinique New High Impact Waterproof Mascara RRP£16.00 For women who want dramatic lashes that last all day, despite humid weather, busy schedules, or vigorous workouts, Clinique introduces NEW High Impact Waterproof Mascara.Tailoring the technology of the award winning High Impact Mascara, Clinique delivers a dynamic way to waterproof your style for 12 hours of fresh lashes.

NEW Long Lasting Lipstick in Runway Coral RRP £16.00 Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Runway Coral made its debut during New York Fashion Week. Models donning the vivid coral shade fluttered down the runway at Karen Walker’s Spring/Summer 2012 show. The vibrant, sophisticated hue adds a pop of colour to any fresh face and embodies the fresh, fun feeling of Summer.

Fresh Bloom All Over Face Colour £25.00 Just as the name states, Fresh Bloom Allover Colour offers wonderful versatility, sheer coverage and a beautiful finish for the entire face—all in one easy-to-use palette! http://www.clinique.co.uk/ Stockists: 0870 034 2566

Estée Lauder Invisible Powder Makeup has colour that looks unimaginably clean and pure, giving skin a high-resolution finish. Like slipping on the finest silk shirt, this new generation of texture is exceptionally silky, yet ultra-light and ultra-breathable for a barely there feeling. Available in a range of true-to-life shades from the lightest to the deepest, the result is flawless, luminous and naturally perfected looking skin.

Visible Invisibility This high-performance powder makeup allows light to shine through the formula, enabling reflection and refraction of light off skin for a modern, luminous finish and skin-awakening effect that won’t settle and never appears cakey. The talc-free, crystal clear gel formula base ensures pigments remain extraordinarily pure and rich in colour.

Invisible Powder Makeup’s double-sided applicator was specifically developed to maximise product performance and customise coverage.

Wear it alone, on top of foundation or for the most optimal makeup look, layer it on top of Invisible Fluid Makeup. Removes easily with any cleanser or try Estée Lauder Take It Away Total Makeup Remover.

Stockist Information: 0870 034 2566 or www.esteelauder.co.uk Elemis Beauty of Travelling The Elemis Beauty of Travelling collection holds all your beauty essentials to keep skin healthy and glowing. Whether you’re jetting away to tropical climates for an indulgent honeymoon or a romantic city break, treat yourself to these award winning Elemis favourites.

Skin Nourishing Shower Cream and NEW Skin Nourishing Body Scrub are ideal to soothe and nourish skin after sun exposure while Papaya Enzyme Peel dissolves dead skin cells revealing a smoother brighter complexion.

Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is clinically proven to increase hydration in the skin up to 45% and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by up to 78%. Exclusively available for the summer, don’t miss out on your ultimate beauty travel collection! http://www.elemis.com/

Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Nick Bradley, Cox & Kings Travel Ltd, for an exclusive interview What first attracted you to international travel?

I’ve always had the wanderlust, but I suppose it was when I was 18 and first old enough to travel that it all started – I caught the Ostend Ferry and travelled to Yugoslavia. At that time I was fascinated with the Eastern Bloc and travelled to countries such as the Soviet Union, and East Germany too.

I wasn’t interested in communism, just what was behind the Iron Curtain. I have always liked places off the beaten track. For me, travel is about authentic, exotic cultures and experiences.

I’ve now travelled to nearly 150 countries around the world.

What changes have you noticed over the years in travellers’ choices of destination?

The world is getting smaller. People are getting more adventurous. There is a greater choice of flights. More obscure destinations are easier to get to and, of course, the internet has helped people discover more of this.

For example, Uzbekistan and Ethiopia are now two of our most popular destinations – ten years ago people would barely have visited these places.

Where would you recommend as a honeymoon destination?

The Seychelles are the most beautiful, tropical and idyllic islands, and not too mass market. Alternatively, Mozambique and its Quirimbas Islands have great beaches, which you could then combine with southern Tanzania for a safari in the spectacular Selous Game Reserve or Ruaha National Park. That way you get to do beach and relaxation, as well as some adventure, culture and wildlife.

What is next on the horizon for Cox & Kings?

In the near future, we are planning to introduce Ghana, Benin and Togo, Republic of the Congo, Gambia and Senegal as new destinations in Africa.

We are also excited to be introducing a number of small-group tours dedicated to single travellers, featuring many of our most popular destinations.

These tours will enable single travellers to explore fascinating parts of the world, with like-minded people and complete peace of mind.

INTERVIEW

What are some of your most magical experiences when travelling?

My best experiences have always been where there are fewer tourists. For example, some of the most hospitable and friendly people I have come across are in the Middle East, which is sadly not necessarily the same image that gets portrayed in the media today.

One of my best experiences was in Syria back in 2000, going round with a taxi driver for a week. The driver then invited me to his home to meet his wife and children – amazing hospitality.

Unfortunately, due to the political instability in the current climate, it’s often not recommended to travel to such regions at the moment. But these are countries so rich in culture and history – I do hope people can begin to experience and enjoy them once again in the future. It is so important to read up on a country’s history before travelling and to respect their cultures and customs.

I also love markets – the smells, sights, seeing the local people going about their daily business, the fruit and vegetables.

Chichicastenango market in Guatemala is a great example of this. Another excellent market is the camel market in Keren, Eritrea.

Africa, to me, is incredible. In particular, Namibia with its wide open spaces, the colour of the landscapes, the wildlife, the red sand and the green grass, the lack of people, as well as the thousands of stars that light up the night sky.

If you could only choose a one-way ticket to one destination where would you go?

This is really tough, as there are so many places I enjoy. I think it would have to be Madagascar. It is a huge, unspoilt, forested and mountainous country with lovely, palm-fringed, white beaches.

There are also rainforests with a plethora of wildlife, including chameleons and lemurs. The people are friendly and smiling, with an interesting mix of African and Asian cultures.

I would be happy to spend the rest of my life there, as there is such a variety of landscapes and things to see, from the tropical beaches to the outstanding wildlife. www.coxandkings.co.uk

Book your Honeymoon!

Over the next few pages we have a wonderful selection of places to go for your perfect honeymoon.

COX AND KINGS Cox & Kings is the world’s longest established travel company, offering high quality group tours, private journeys and tailor-made holidays to many of the world’s most fascinating regions. Our luxury holidays range from the lavish to the adventurous, and are planned by experts. www.coxandkings.co.uk

CONDÉ NAST JOHANSENS Searching for the perfect wedding venue or dream honeymoon destination? Condé Nast Johansens, from the publisher of Condé Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Vogue, has been recommending a unique collection of the world’s very best luxury hotels, venues, spas and villas for over 30 years. And their free Venue Finder Service means that you can leave the venue search to the professionals, leaving you free to think honeymoons and dresses! www.johansens.com

GLENEAGLES Gleneagles Hotel is a truly unique experience – a luxury honeymoon break with a historic 5 star hotel with a magical air... crackling fires, twinkling lights, and the finest Scottish hospitality.

In a beautiful setting in the highlands of Scotland, Gleneagles is the ultimate retreat. www.gleneagles.com

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CARRIER At Carrier, we have more than 30 years of experience creating luxury holidays. Our holidays are personal, bespoke and tailor-made to the desires of each holidaymaker, and we leave no stone unturned and no detail overlooked, a perfect honeymoon choice. www.carrier.co.uk

BAILEY ROBINSON Bailey Robinson is a British based luxury travel company. It is renowned for its tailor-made journeys around the world, African safaris and holidays to some of the finest hotels and luxury resorts in the Indian Ocean, Caribbean, Latin America, South East Asia, Europe and North Africa, perfect for a honeymoon destination. www.baileyrobinson.com/

BOVEY CASTLE From the moment you arrive at Bovey Castle, you will instantly know that this is the venue for your wedding. As the only five-star hotel and country estate in the county, Bovey Castle is the unrivalled location for a Devon wedding in a Dartmoor setting. Wedding packages at Bovey Castle start from ÂŁ99 per guest. www.boveycastle.com

EXPERIENCE TRAVEL GROUP Experience Travel is the UK specialist in tailor-made holidays to Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, The Maldives and Indonesia. We craft holidays & adventures, tailor-made for you. www.experiencetravelgroup.com

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

EXCLUSIVE ESCAPES Exclusive Escapes provide you with wonderful villas and boutique hotels all exclusive to them.

All their villas offer a ‘hotel-service’ with welcome hamper, daily maid cleaning and car hire. In 2013 Exclusive Escapes expands its coastal programme to include top-of-the-range seafront townhouses on Kas Peninsula www.exclusiveescapes.co.uk/properties/kas-island-villas-meis

CELTIC MANOR A wedding day should be perfect and at The Celtic Manor Resort we will do everything possible to make sure that you and your guests experience and enjoy that perfect day. The facilities here are amongst the finest in the world. Whatever the size of your wedding party, we can offer a suite that will suit your needs. www.celtic-manor.com

MOSAIC HOLIDAYS Explore and discover, relax and recharge, or why not do both! Mosaic Holidays understands how precious your holiday time is and offers a vast array of resorts, hotel styles, excursions and experiences to suit all tastes. www.mosaicholidays.co.uk

BLUE AND WHITE LOCATIONS Blue & White Locations aims to create and showcase the most comprehensive collection of luxury properties available to rent from around the world. We help you find the chicest luxury ski chalets and villas for your holiday by bringing them together under one roof and presenting them in style on our website: www.blueandwhitelocations.com

HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com