Category: LIFESTYLE

Two products to make sure your skin survives the English summer

Man happy smiling sunglasses

If there’s one thing that summer in England is not, it’s hot. So, with all the dehydrating moisture in the air, thanks to the seemingly incessant summertime rainfall, your skin’s not going to be at its best. Unless you discover Lipikar products from La Roche Posay; then things’ll look up. The Lipikar AP+M Baume and Toleraine Ultra-Sensitive Moisturiser are ideal. Perfect for sensitive, very dry skin, it’s even suitable for newborns, babies, children and adults as a body balm formulation designed to reduce dryness and soothe skin. Enriched with prebiotic Aqua Posae Filiformis and Microresyl to help rebalance the skin’s Microbiome as well as Shea Butter and Nicinamide to replenish the skins protective barrier.  Then the Toleriane is a punch to the wellbeing of the skin, packed kindly inside a small, little tube. Enriched with Neurosensine to visibly reduce redness. Also contains La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, which is naturally hydrating and soothing. Has a minimalist formula that’s been stripped down to the essential ingredients. Summer skin dramas? See ya.

National Gallery London is one of the first reopening after Coronavirus after 4 July

National Gallery London Titian

The National Gallery of London is one of the first galleries opening its doors again after the Covid-19 pandemic from 8 July. Most establishments won’t reopen, except the Royal Academy’s plans on Tuesday, reopening from 9 July, with face masks compulsory. The Barbican gallery will open on 13 July while the Tate’s four venues won’t reopen their doors until 27 July. All this comes with the new need to register for tickets prior to a visit – yes, to free exhibits, as well – in addition to an enforced one-way direction and face masks recommended. Either way you look at it, it’s a blessing the galleries will reopen, especially the National Gallery, whose Titian exhibition will be available for guests to see after it was cut short by government lock down rules. Head to the National Gallery’s website to book a slot.

London’s Barbican is reopening after Coronavirus!

Barbican

From 13 July, you’ll be able to return to London’s most central arts and entertainment precinct, the Barbican! From then, its Art Gallery and Conservatory will be open, followed by The Curve on Tuesday 11 August 2020. In line with government guidelines, new safety measures will be in place including operating at reduced capacity, timed entry slots to ensure a safe flow of visitors through the space, and tickets needing to be booked online at barbican.org.uk in advance of a visit.  The reopening programme includes critically acclaimed exhibition Masculinities: Liberation through Photography; epic new installation A Countervailing Theory by artist Toyin Ojih Odutola; and the chance to explore the Barbican Conservatory.  See more at the Barbican website and plan your visit! Usual safety measures are in place when the Barbican reopens will include social distancing, limited visitor capacity, one-way routes through the building, sanitisation points and regular cleaning.

Catch up on your beauty sleep with Papinelle’s 100% silk sleep masks

papinelle sleep masks

Don’t you just want to roll out of bed every morning and look/feel like you’ve had the best night’s sleep, ever? If you’re experiencing poor sleep because of that niggly first light finding its way through the blinds at 6am or you’re just battling insomnia because of the current state of world affairs, then maybe you need to a sleep mask.  Really? A sleep mask? Yes, sleep masks are actually a very useful sleep aid. Of course, masks made from natural, breathable fibres are going to be your best bet – such as silk or cotton. You’ll be glad to know that sleepwear brand, Papinelle offers a beautiful range of 100% silk eye masks  Eye masks not only block out light and maximise your beauty sleep, but they also protect the delicate skin around your eyes. True story! If you wake up with pillow impressions your face, this can apparently result in wrinkles over a period of time.  Sleep masks are a good non-chemical alternative to medication, as it can trick your brain into thinking it’s time for the land of nod by muting distractions such as noise and light. And if anything, alcohol is more likely to disrupt your sleep so don’t bother going down that path.  Papinelle offers beautiful boxed silk sleep masks which make great gifts for those who are struggling to get a good night’s sleep. You could also pair it with Papinelle’s new range of headbands that are made with the highest quality of pure silk. Cute, right!  So if… Read More

London: Get your drinks and cocktails delivered during lockdown

Drinks drinking cheers

There’s not much to do during Covid-19 lockdown than eat, sleep, drink, repeat. So, why not do it in style? Here are four top options in London when it comes to ordering your favourites right to you, making your proclivities a lot more enjoyable. Read on… Double Dutch Producer of award-winning premium tonics and mixers, they’re pumping out Summer Spritz Packs, Isolation packs, Family Fun and Virtual Party packs, perfect for quarantine. They include everything from hand sanitiser and games to spirits and Double Dutch mixers for making the perfect G&T at home! Learn more about it here Moore House Cocktail Company  Bringing the bar to you, Moore House Cocktail Company is serving-up single 100ml bottle servings from £8.50 or 250ml bottles, easily providing three cocktails, from £16. All you need is your favourite glass, ice, shaker, and garnish. See more at their website Hattingley Valley Get your hands on the latest Hattingley 2019 Vintage Rosé, the brand’s first premium still wine. Furthermore, for a special drinks delivery and to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Hattingley Valley, the winey has launched a special mixed case of wines for £127.80, including a 40% birthday discount. Find more at the Hattingley website Mariage Frères teas No one said drinks have to always be alcoholic. The iconic French tea emporium located in the heart of Covent Garden is ensuring customers can still get their favourite teas via the online shop while its doors are closed. See more on their website

Where do you come from? Digging into your Ancestry is more than a hobby

people-mother-family-father

Boredom during lockdown got you finding new things to do? You’re not alone. Plenty of people around the world have thrown a few dollars at Ancestry and busied themselves by digging back into their family history, grandparent-deep and beyond! As interesting as a pastime as it is to take-up, though, why do we all feel the need to know where we came from and just how easy is it, anyway, to get the info we’re after? We spoke to Brad Argent, family historian at Ancestry who gave us the truth about some burning questions. Why do people want to discover their past? There are many reasons that compel people to explore their family history; curiosity about how they came to be who they are and where they are, the desire to leave a legacy for future generations, busting family myths or just looking for a good yarn about their family. Everyone has their own motivation for beginning, but we all end up finding out more about ourselves. How hard is it to uncover some long lost family secrets for others?  The secrets are there – every family has them. For some it’s as simple asking a few pointed questions when talking to the oldest member of the family, or taking a DNA test, for others it might require building a robust family tree and seeking out historical records. In some cases, it may take a private investigator to find your long-lost relatives. Discover Bond Rees: Your trusted private investigator partner, for example, and uncover the secrets of your… Read More

Everything old is new again, like drive-in cinemas

EQ drive in cinema

If there is a bright side to the pandemic, it would be the fact that old-fashioned drive-in cinemas are back on the radar.  With traditional movie cinemas closing their doors during the height of the pandemic, we saw a resurgence of fun in the form of pop-up drive-in cinemas in the strangest places, such as airport tarmacs. Yes, you read correctly. Vilnius International Airport in Lithuania put their empty space to good use and turned it into a film lovers dream by installing a drive-in cinema. Genius!  Closer to home in Sydney, there’s the Mov’in Car drive-in cinema on the rooftop of the Entertainment Quarter (EQ) car park. The initiative has proved to be so popular, it will now continue to operate through to the end of July.  Coming up in July are some old classics like Finding Nemo, The Devil Wears Prada, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Slumdog Millionaire. For those seeking something more recent, there’s the blockbuster, Parasite, Birds of Prey, Knives Out and the highly entertaining, Bohemian Rhapsody.  You can have pizzas delivered to your car, as well as wine, beers, popcorn and lollies. And as the nights get even cooler over winter, you can enjoy a mulled wine pack while you snuggle under your warm doona, watching your favourite movie on the big screen.  Bring up to 5 people in a car and enjoy a retro outdoor movie experience or enjoy a Peugeot Class Date Night in a new model Peugeot. Included in Date Night are two complimentary glasses of… Read More

We’re all killing the planet: The Waste Less Workbook will help you be better

Recycling

Try as we might, being more green can be hard. So, environmentally-friendly movements like Banish – a fast-growing Australian waste-reduction education platform and online market place – are doing what they can to make it easier! Say hello to the Waste Less Workbook, the answer Banish has come-up with to tackle our unintentional (hopefully) contribution of over 64 million tonnes of household waste each year, or the equivalent of 2.7 tonnes per person (*National Waste Report). It encourages and enables everyday Aussies to quit single-use plastic with ease, with 87% of consumers who completed the trial seeing an improvement in their habits in just one week*. Complete with an interactive guide that shows users how to recycle better, cut down on their household waste, live more sustainably and reduce their environmental footprint, it’s a first in putting the power of planet-saving into the hands of those who did it harm in the first place. While the majority of Australians recycle it’s estimated that ?10 to 15%? of the stuff we chuck is actually put in the wrong bin; this new book will aid the thought processes behind tossing stuff in the first place, eradicating waste with every toss. “Now more than ever people are wanting to change their habits to reduce their impact on the world around them but many are confused about how to start,” Banish, founder Lottie Dalziel says. “That’s why I created a step-by-step guide to make sustainable living a little bit easier.” How does the book work? The self-paced workbook covers… Read More

All about American Crew Acumen – the holistic range for men

man-in-black-crew-neck-top-leaning-on-metal-fence-3214772

Fifteen products make up the American Crew Acumen range, products for men that do more than just scrub you up. Complete with Vitamins B5 and E, they’re purposed to actively enhance your skin and hair, as opposed to just making it smell nice and look clean. “Acumen brings an element of sharpness, sophistication, and aspiration to the skin care, beard grooming and body care routine, according to its founder, David Raccuglia. “This is more than a regime. We hope to instill a ritual to elevate a man’s look and the self-assurance to get him where he needs to be.” Complete with other benefitting kickers as hyaluronic acid, ginger root extract, bisabolol and cranberry extract – which increases blood flow, helps to retain moisture and fight free radicals – it’s a truly all-encompassing range. Especially when you consider it includes everything from pomade to exfoliant; eye gel to after shave cooling lotion and another 11 products in-between. See them all at Selfridges. Find the range and follow the shower, shave, care, style journey online as you treat yourself. More at americancrew.com

Vitable is your own customised vitamin regimen – all from home

Vitamins

You’re in the pharmacy: 250 fish oil capsules, a bottle of daily B12 pills, some magnesium for regular functioning and a couple of months’ worth of vitamin C. The total? Bankrupting. We’ve all been there and if we want any semblance of normal health, it won’t be the last time. Or, will it? Enter Vitable, the customisable vitamin service by a couple of health enthusiasts who tailor consumers’ wellness regimes with personalised packs of vitamins and health supplements based on their diet, lifestyle and health goals. All via an online questionnaire, which is equal parts interesting to do as it is to find out what you “need” at the end of it, the Vitable concept is pretty unique and completed in about 10 minutes. What’re you left with at the end of it? A delivery of little pre-organised pills for your daily consumption – presented in a stylish cardboard dispenser, but individually wrapped in little plastic sachets. Shocking for the environment, but provided you use the right recycling facilities – the Redcycle initiative (Coles and Woolworths)- you won’t pollute Earth. But the end result’s a stylishly delivered box of everything you need to make you feel your best, look your finest and operate at your peak; especially if you don’t know a thing about nutrition. Head over to Vitable and at very least try the questionnaire to flirt with the idea of better health.