Tried and Tested: Elemental Herbology

As I have incredibly (and super annoyingly) sensitive skin, I am always looking out for natural, yet effective, products - not as easy as you may think!  I was recently sent some Elemental Herbology products to try out (available at ASOS and Space NK).  I fell immediately in love with the British brand’s sleek packaging, but also their mighty fine ethics; the communities who provide their ingredients are supported, alongside their environment, by the company and their partners.  I was looking forward to giving them a whirl.  

The brand’s founder, Kirsty Cimesa, is a qualified acupuncturist, with a background in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Kirsty aimed to find a way of rebalancing skin that is taxed daily by the environment, hormone levels and lifestyle.  Jam-packed with nutrients, essential oils, vitamins, antioxidants and bioactive ingredients, this high-performance, luxurious skincare range really does deliver.

My skin really began to look radiant and clear after sticking to a routine of cleansing twice a day with the ultra-nourishing Purify and Sooth Cleansing Balm, using the light, hydrating Calendula Damask Facial Moisturiser in the morning and the deeply hydrating Facial Soufflé at night.  Twice a week I also applied the Cell Food serum at night which helps your skin repair by boosting the production of collagen and elastin (and Laaawd knows, we all be needing as much of that sweet goodness as possible these days!)

“We believe in looking after your skin both inside and out. I am proud of everything that we put into our products, and proud of what we leave out. Made in England, we support the responsible harvesting and production of all raw materials and ensure our products are 100% free from synthetic fragrance, artificial colour, mineral oils, sulphates, parabens and preservatives. Live life, live Elemental Herbology!"  Kirsty Cimesa.

When the products eventually ran out (they wonderfully last rather a long time) I begun to test out some other products; ones with unpronounceable names I’d been sent, some I found sitting in my bathroom cabinet that I can’t even remember buying…  I regret to say, and as the children and horses I currently frighten on the street daily will testify, I have a red rash across my chin from using a very drying cleanser and a far too rich day cream.  It’s penitently obvious I must immediately return to my Elemental Herbology routine pronto, anything else would be just Kelemental! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist…) 

 

TLC LOVES... ELEMENTAL HERBOLOGY:

The Launch of The Grill at The Dorchester

Last week I was invited to the launch of The Grill, the recently refurnished and stunningly re-imagined restaurant at The Dorchester. 

Before myself, and the beyond gorgeous (inside and out!) Emily Johnston of Fashion Fois Grois, attended the much-anticipated party (and more to the point, sampled the delicious menu!) we were both blissfully pampered at the Carol Joy’s salon.  We were both treated to voluminous blow dries (Emily assured me “the higher the hair, the closer to God”) and manicures (in a room which could actually compete, and possibly win, against me in an Essie Polish count!) in this hidden oasis. 

Once in my dress (I wore a pale pink Huishan Zhang dress which unzipped at the front to make an unusual crop-top dress), I joined Emily at The Grill ahead of the other guests so we could have a look around the sparkling new venue, see the detail of the new design, and meet the team on their first night.  

First established in 1931, The Grill quickly became an iconic, ‘go-to’ venue for the finest grill food in London with regular customers including royalty, statesmen and celebrities alike.  Now with a timeless yet vibrant new interior, courtesy of French interior architect Bruno Moinard, the restaurant and its charming staff are ready to welcome in a new culinary chapter, under the reign of Head Chef Christophe Marleix, Alain Ducasse’s protégé.

An amazing, hand-blown Murano glass chandelier hangs prominently in the centre of the room (right) adding some serious, majestic drama.   Another special and defining feature of the room are its pivoting wall panels which rather theatrically manage to create an entirely different ambience and mood by transforming the light from day to night.  Thus, the restaurant not only provides a romantic, cosy venue for dinner, but also the perfect light and bright breakfast location too.    

We were utterly spoilt with various, mini dishes from The Grill, including yummy scallops, utterly delicious fish and chips (a must!) and little pots of their signature blue lobster chowder and several different flavours of sweet soufflés (the rum and raisin is OFF the scale… I maaaay have had two... Ok three, but in my defence, they were really freaking small, OK?!...)  If these dishes were anything to go by, trust me, this restaurant is one to check out - and it will certainly be seeing a lot more of me! 

Below:  With Matthew Williamson's Communication's Director Rosanna Falconer.

Below:  With Louisa Preskett and Marissa Hermer.

SHOP TLC's LOOK:

Musical Moment: #BandAid30's 'Feed The World'

Last weekend Sir Bob Geldolf once again rallied the pop and rock troops and re-recorded the charity single, ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas,’ thirty years after it was first released.  This time the musical stars, including Bono, Chris Martin, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding and (*scream) One Direction, hope to raise enough money to tackle the horrendous Ebola crises currently ravaging West Africa and which has already claimed over 5000 lives.  The heart-breaking footage shown at the beginning of the music video is certainly enough to get us all donating... 

Buy the song. Stop the virus. #BandAid30 

And please text 'AID' to 70060 to give £5.00 towards the cause. 

'Inside Rolls Royce' - A trip to the Goodwood Factory

I cannot tell you just how excited I was (and just HOW jealous my poor father was!) to be invited to explore the Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood, ahead of their exciting exhibition, ‘Inside Rolls-Royce,’ that opens to the public at the Saatchi Gallery tomorrow.  

An epically sprawling, yet peaceful structure designed in 2003 by Nicholas Grimshaw (who also designed the Eden Project), the factory is a brilliant, natural extension of it’s environment, invisible from the road and air, with a roof made of living plants and plenty of natural light pouring into each and every room.  

Upon entering the building, you are immediately met with co-founder Henry Royce’s moto displayed across the entrance; 'Take the best that exists and make it better: when it does not exist, design it,' - advice still very much adhered by the current designers and engineers at Goodwood. 

After a quick lunch and presentation from Marc Mielau (right), the Head of Marketing at Rolls-Royce, where we heard lots more about the upcoming exhibition but also about the luxury car company’s history, we set off in our beige Rolls-Royce attire (less Burberry, more biology GCSE lab coat!) to commence le grand tour.  

With 1500 employees, 20 Rolls-Royce cars are made each day in what I saw to be the most immaculate of factories.  On utterly pristine white floors (no grease or oil in sight!) each Ghost and Wraith (the more girl friendly of all the designs) go through 16 stations for 45 minutes a time, and the Phantoms (enormous!!) have 11 stations, each lasting for 2 hours a time.   It seemed an almost surgical process, as I witnessed incredible amounts of precision and care taken at each stop along the long assembly line.

Below (L-R):  What goes on (factory) tour... With Kit Lee, Ella Catliff and Charlie May.

With so much to see, and such little time, our more than wonderful guide June thankfully knew her audience, so we spent less time having the inner workings of all the car engines explained to us, and FAR more time spent in the design arena...

With cars well known for their heritage, as well as their sleek and ever-evolving design, detail is everything at Rolls-Royce.  Forever pushing boundaries, there is no challenge too small for this company to tackle for their clients and it was fascinating hearing some of the more particular bespoke requests!  

From hand painted stripes on cars (performed in the factory using squirrel haired brushes by a single artisan and his steady hand – WOW! Imagine THAT pressure?!) and customized, non traditional paint jobs (once to match a lady’s much-loved red setter dog, another her pink Chanel lipstick - above!) to hand stitched embroidery, in-built microwaves (for hand towels, duh!), champagne chillers (naturally!), detailed wood, diamond (yup!) and mother of pearl door (below left) designs and twinkly lit, fibre-optic star light head liners (below right). This factory really can, rather effortlessly, make your every fantasy car wish come true!

Above:  Large, super soft and colourful leather hides hang, ready to be stretched, then traced and eventually lazer cut in particular patterns for various car seats.  

I did not find it particularly surprising, given the absolute treasures inside, to find that as our tour finished there was a giant rainbow outside, its end landing at the exact foot of the factory...

After the tour I was allowed to take a Rolls-Royce out for a wee test drive… It's a tough job buuuut...

Below (L-R):  My (brave) passengers/Charlie's Angels for the afternoon; Camila Carril and Sarah Mikaela.

Driving through the beautiful countryside roads of Sussex in quite possibly the PIMPEST car possible was pretty extraordinary!  I was a little nervous at first, although smaller and sportier than the Ghost and the Phantom, the Wraith is still considerably bigger (and just a taaaad more expensive) than the lil’bumper car I roll around town in!  Soon, I was completely in the swing of things and only wished the drive had lasted longer (or my family, who were terribly worried for the CAR’s safety) had seen me! 

After such an amazing afternoon, I am really looking forward to attending the ‘Inside Rolls-Royce’ exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery later this week, ahead of its world tour.  With complimentary entry, the public can expect a multi-sensory journey, spread across nine rooms, giving an amazing insight into the world-renowned engineering, design, craftsmanship and remarkable lengths required to create the world’s pinnacle super-luxury car.  I am particularly excited to visit the room where you can, for a brief time, transform into the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy (the ethereal statuette that adorns the front of every Rolls-Royce) on a video wall in a beautiful light particle animation.

‘Inside Rolls Royce’ at the Saatchi Gallery: 13 November until 16 November.

Digital Detox

Lest We Forget...

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them..."

'For The Fallen' - Laurence Binyon (1914)

Caroline Diani's Santa Barbara Home

Caroline Diani, of DIANI Boutique, was born in Kenya (where our fathers, both keen rugby players, became great friends), was raised in England and now lives in Santa Barbara’s Mission Canyon.  Married last year, in Monique Lullier, to her actor/musican/photographer husband Jeffrey Doornbos, an original member of The Blue Man Group, the couple’s house is nothing if not stunning.  Their understated elegance, effortless blend of driftwood, white walls and African touches, is a dose of Pinterest heaven.  

“I was born in Kenya, grew up in England and live in Santa Barbara. I travel often. I’m a buyer for my boutiques and web store.  My inspiration for trends comes from observing people in the cafes and on the streets of LA, Paris, and NYC. I’m a wannabe vegan. I’m a die-hard fashionista. I’m crazy about my dogs. Routine drives me nuts. Painting and drawing makes me smile. I’m a photography addict. My happy place is on my paddleboard. I heart chocolate covered almonds, and tequila.” 

I, on the other hand, heart Caroline and her house... Oh ok, and tequila.

All photographs courtesy of the talented Lee Lacyd.

Artisan Chocolate Masterclass at Alain Ducasse, at The Dorchester

It’s not often I get invited into the kitchen (my friends and family feel safe in the knowledge that the best thing I make for dinner is reservations!) so to find myself in the famous kitchen at The Dorchester, in a stark white apron with a glass of champagne (is that not normal?!) was really amusing for everyone I know.  I am not a great cook, and if I’m honest, I eat to live, not live to eat.  I usually eat out at restaurants or, in direct contrast, forage amongst the kitchen cupboards and fridge, picking ferally at whatever I may have acquired at recent supermarket dashes that isn't a magazine or chewing gum…! 

So what convinced me to step into the kitchens of Alain Ducasse?  One simple, yet powerful word… Chocolate.

Five years ago Alain Ducasse, the king of French fine dining, alongside Nicholas Berger, Alain’s head pastry chef, decided to make chocolate - but not just any chocolate.  Positioning themselves as craftsmen, the men managed to preserve the tastes and characteristics of each bean, using traditional vintage machines and time-tested methods, eventually resulting in the 2013 opening of the first bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturing facility in Paris.

I was invited by Nicolas Berger, Exécutif Chocolatier at La Manufacture de Chocolat, to an exclusive, hands-on master class where I was to uncover the secrets behind artisan chocolate-making.  Using the finest chocolate imported directly from La Manufacture in Paris, I accompanied Nicolas in creating a range of indulgent puddings (a tarte fine au chocolate and the restaurants signature, and incredible, soufflé) and several bars of chocolate.    

I am not going to lie, the creation of the chocolate puddings was agonizing. I am well known for my incorrigible sweet tooth and it took every ounce of maturity and restraint in my body to stop me from launching myself into the giant pans of melted chocolate.  I gave the rolling, stirring, piping and decorating a go (embarrassingly, yet unsurprisingly, my varying attempts stood out like sore thumbs amongst the others), and learnt the best methods to melt, mould and work with chocolate. It had indeed been an incredibly interesting afternoon, but lets not kid ourselves here… the best bit was undeniably sitting down in Alain’s beautiful restaurant afterwards, alongside Nicolas, and devouring the fruits of our labour with dark chocolate ice cream.  Heaven.

 “Everywhere in the world there are tensions—economic, political, religious. So we need chocolate.”    Alain Ducasse

Places for chocoholics on this workshop are now available to purchase and will be taking place on the 7th of February and 7th of March 2015.  £150.00 pp. 

Competition: Muru Jewellery's Dreamcatcher Eternity Necklace

I love wearing my long, gold vermeil Dreamcatcher Eternity Necklace by Muru, a London based jewellery company which draws inspiration from exotic cultures and mythologies.  I usually layer my Dreamcatcher, traditionally used by Native American tribes who believed the symbol to trap negative energy and help you achieve your dreams, with other favourites.

If you would like the opportunity to WIN a gorgeous Muru Dreamcatcher Eternity Necklace of your own (RRP. £94.00) follow ‘thelondonchatter’ on Instagram or Twitter, using #TLCComp. The winner will be contacted later this week - Good Luck!   

Hello There: Rosie & Twine

I was very spoiled on my birthday this year, when a fresh faced Rosie dropped by my home with this gorrrrgeous jam jar bouquet.  Rosie has started 'Rosie & Twine,' a subscription flower company in SW London which delivers beautiful, fresh, British flowers weekly, fortnightly or monthly to your door. Errrrrm… Sign me up (daily?!)  

Each bouquet sold also sees £1 donated to the Friends Of The Honey Bee campaign, providing a better future and further bio-diversity to support bees all across Britain.   

The service is currently available in  the following postcodes:
SW1, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW18 and SW19 and as a launch treat for us all, Rosie is offering a 20% discount code off subscriptions to celebrate: OPENFORBIZ.