HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES TRAVEL CULTURE LIFESTYLE
Summer Living Issue
AUG 2014
EDITOR’S LETTER Welcome to our latest issue, as we move from summer into early Autumn, there are still many wonderful places to stay in this issue and we also have delightful ideas from our children’s brands. We have fascinating interviews with Sue Slater, Co-Founder of Capture & Keep and Rupert Welch, MD of Robert Welch Ltd. In this issue we also review some fabulous cookery books and a delightful collection of children’s books. Enjoy! www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com Picture Credits Front Cover Courtesy of Maison Talbooth http://www.milsomhotels.com/maisontalbooth Other 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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MAISON TALBOOTH Step back, relax and indulge at Maison Talbooth. Twelve individual bedrooms, day spa, outdoor pool (heated to a sizzling 85Ëšall year), hot tub, pool house and tennis court. Guests dine at the award winning Le Talbooth restaurant beside the river Stour, just a minute away by courtesy car. www.milsomhotels.com/maison
POWDER BYRNE Powder Byrne is the luxury holiday company for parents. And kids. With over 30 years of experience creating bespoke family getaways to the world’s top ski and sun destinations, we’d love to put together the perfect holiday for you. www.powderbyrne.com
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NUMBER ONE DART MARINA Number One Dart Marina is an exquisite home in a breath-taking location by the River Dart in Dartmouth, Devon. A stunning combination of views, luxury and style, within a few steps of Dart Marina Hotel & Spa, see more at www.dartmarina.com/numberone
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THE PIER The Pier stands proudly overlooking the picturesque harbour and the confluence of the Stour and Orwell rivers. Long established in Harwich, the hotel boasts four stars with two rosettes for cooking. The Harbourside on the first floor of The Pier, is renowned for using locally caught seafood, much of which is landed in the harbour opposite. Head Chef, John Goff takes much of his influence from the sea so Harwich lobster and crab are nearly always on the menu served whichever way you’d like. Stay over and capture the ambience of this delightful old town, a night in The Mayflower suite, complete with telescope is a must! http://www.milsomhotels.com/thepier
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HARBOUR HOTELS Drenched in natural beauty, history and culture, the Harbour Hotels collection offers views and surrounding areas that can rival any Mediterranean destination. With hotels dotted along the south coast, the Harbour Hotels Collection boasts four incredible waterside havens, all with one thing in common simply breath-taking views – and a boutique Dorset seaside hideaway. www.harbourhotels.co.uk
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KESGRAVE HALL Step back, relax and indulge at milsoms Kesgrave Hall, a contemporary 4-star hotel with 23 fabulous bedrooms ranging from standard through to the ‘top grade’. Plenty of theatre can be found in the restaurant overlooked by the Engine Room, with head chef Stuart Oliver championing all that is great about Suffolk produce. www.kesgravehall.com
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BOVEY CASTLE Bovey Castle is a five-star hotel set within a 275-acre private estate with its own championship golf course, offering guests the unpretentious grandeur and sumptuous dĂŠcor of true English luxury on Dartmoor National Park www.boveycastle.com
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Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Sue Slater, Co-Founder of Capture & Keep for an exclusive interview What inspired you to start Capture & Keep? After trading for 4 years with our other business Touch on Silver, we decided to start another jewellery company that had a faster turnaround and delivery capability. Our belief behind the company was that we always ‘capture the moment’ with our photographs...why not capture the moment on personalised engraved charms and keep the memory forever! We create individually personalised jewellery to commemorate that Special Event in your life by personalising charms and making them individual to you. Capture & Keep Personalised Engraved Jewellery has been born out of our love for personalised jewellery and being able to ‘Capture the moments and Keep the memories’. How has personalized jewellery changed since you first started? We have seen a huge growth in the men’s jewellery market, particularly in bracelets and necklaces, together with traditional men’s accessories. We have also noticed the growth in sentiments and keepsakes rather than just having a name, initials and date. What are the most popular events that are celebrated? Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and birthday with a growth in the wedding jewellery department. Do you have any personal favourites in the range? Men’s Leather Bracelets and Collar Stiffeners as the message is so private. We also love our Personalised Name Birthday Necklace with the CZ sparkly heart. Our Birth Day Celebration Bracelet is wonderful detailing all the important information of baby’ birth. How do you see your business developing? We constantly keep our eye on new themes and trends and then either further develop products or add new ones to our range. Our aim is to continue to provide a friendly, efficient and personal service. What makes a perfect summer holiday for you? As my children have all left home, we love to go long haul and explore this big old world as there really is so much to see and do and take in so many different sights and cultures. http://www.captureandkeep.co.uk/
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RIVERSIDE LIFESTYLE Riverside Lifestyle is one hot brand cool place - it empowers you in spirit and mind – take a visit to the gorgeous self catering cottage in Hampshire positioned in 7 acres of blissful countryside and next to the River Dever (but never too far away from a pub or some retail / cultural therapy!). Smell, taste and enjoy Riverside’s lavender and olive oil scented luxury bath accessories or their award winning artisan foods including the scrumptious jams, marmalades and chutneys and mega trendy bucket of natural olive oil crisps. (the perfect gift btw!) Riverside Lifestyle offers something for everyone - it gives you something creative, original and indulgent every time. Visit www.riversidelifestyle.co.uk
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WHITE RABBIT ENGLAND White Rabbit England is a luxury childrens’ brand founded in 2001 by sisters Charlotte Thompson and Victoria Sullivan. We design and manufacture lighting and interiors for the nursery and special gifts for little ones. Our award winning White Rabbit lamp represents perfectly the uniqueness and quality of both the design and manufacture of everything we do to create heirlooms of the future. “Designed by us, made for you, keep forever” www.whiterabbitengland.com
LITTLE LUCY WILLOW The exclusive luxury children’s furniture and accessory company that prides itself on designing unique collections of beautifully crafted furniture. Designed and built to the very highest standards here in England, our furniture is always in stock. Committed to quality, our furniture has a variety of colour and bespoke options and comes with a reassuring 10-year guarantee. www.littlelucywillow.co.uk
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MY HEART AND HOME Time for bed sleepy head! We offer a beautiful range of traditional cotton nightwear and a charming selection of keepsake gifts, rag dolls and teddies for little ones. New styles now in stock. www.myheartandhome.co.uk
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RUFUS RABBIT Rufus Rabbit, the funny bunny whose gorgeously packaged baby gift range was lovingly created by Anna Danielle, co-owner of the family firm The Little Dog. Dedicated to creating quality gifts with a service to match, Rufus Rabbit always goes the extra mile to create a smile! www.rufusrabbit.co.uk
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AURALEY Beautiful designer nightwear for girls and boys ages 2 to 8. The acclaimed signature is luxurious sustainable fabrics, tailored styling, gorgeous trim and embroidery, while always maintaining exceptional comfort. A piece from the Auraley collection is a wardrobe staple makes the perfect gift. www.auraley.com
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BRAMBLE ROSE Bramble Rose creates beautifully embroidered keepsakes, clothing and extra special gifts for babies, children and weddings. Using high quality fabrics and designs, you can choose from personalised blankets, drawstring bags, dressing gowns, rag dolls and commemorative teddies. Whatever the occasion and whatever the gift, you can be sure you’re giving someone something special they’ll want to cherish forever. Visit www.bramble-rose.co.uk or call us on 07846 232 816.
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INTERVIEW
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Hot Brands Cool Places spoke with Rupert Welch, MD of Robert Welch Ltd. for an exclusive interview. What was the original inspiration behind the Robert Welch brand? Robert Welch Designs was founded by my Father in 1955 when he set up his studio in the Old Silk Mill, Chipping Campden, and it is his design DNA which remains at the heart of the company today - that is why his signature is our trademark. His philosophy was to create beautiful, functional, but affordable products which remained true to their materials, and he endeavored to develop a shape and line for each that transcended fashion. What are the implications of being the guardians of a heritage brand? It is important to stay true to the original design ethos; to work with that legacy but still forge ahead. There is potential to either get stuck in the past or to be so forward thinking that you disregard it, but the two are not mutually exclusive, one can inform the other. We have recently catalogued the archive collection, which contains a wealth of significant information. As such we are just really beginning to understand the story of the brand. Now this material is accessible to us, the history of Robert Welch Designs will become an integral part of our future story. We’re lucky to have such an authentically interesting tale to tell. What will be featured in the exhibition this year? The exhibition is divided up by decades, and focusses on inspirations and innovations. By leading the viewer through various product stories, and bringing the 60 year history of the company right up to date with some pieces from the latest ranges, the main feature will be good design. How do you find inspiration for new designs? Design can be the outcome of accidental effect, but more often than not, inspiration comes from our natural surroundings; we are lucky enough to be based in the beautiful Cotswolds, providing us with a wealth of natural influences from which to take inspiration. This is evident in the flowing curves of many of our cutlery patterns. What are your plans for the future? In the next few weeks we will be launching a new collection of kitchen accessories as well as additions to our cheese and steak knife ranges. These new products have been designed with the same attention to form and function as the award-winning Signature knives and utensils, and we are really proud of the results.Over the next few years our main goal is to promote and increase our brand’s global presence. We have a growing customer base in the USA and our aim is to work on consolidating this as well as attracting new customers from all over the world. What makes a perfect holiday for you? Holidays are definitely a time to relax for myself and my family. Our perfect destination would have a peaceful beachside location away from hustle and bustle. http://www.robertwelch.com/
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TOUCH ON SILVER Individually handmade personalised jewellery to last a lifetime - have the hand and foot prints of your loved ones, including your pets, miniaturised and embedded in pure silver to treasure forever in a unique piece of personalised silver jewellery! www.touchonsilver.co.uk
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ATTICUS & GILDA Atticus & Gilda is a children’s nightwear and accessories brand launched in 2013 by Conchita Scott and Lucy Gaiger . Both from a costume design background they met while working on Phantom of the Opera and have worked together many times since,latterly on Mamma Mia! Many of the trimmings you will find on the accessories are from past productions and will contain a little piece of theatre history. 30% Sale on all their gorgeous nightwear until September 1st plus free post and packing. Code SALE http://www.atticusandgilda.co.uk/
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HANDMADE HAMMOCKS Handmade Hammocks is a dynamic rural business based in the Scottish Highlands at GLENMORE near to AVIEMORE in the heart of the CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK. We specialise in hammocks of all shapes and sizes with hammock chairs and the most delicious hammock cushions to match. Handmade Hammocks also produces its own wooden hammock stands made from wood that bears the FSC mark as coming from sustainable sources, as well as a variety of suspension accessories to cover all eventualities. All products are fairtrade - purchased at source on the basis that the workers who produce them earn fair pay and work in clean and healthy working conditions. www.handmadehammocks.co.uk
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INNTRAVEL Inntravel specialise in Slow holidays, which reveal the lesser-taken path and offer a truly individual holiday experience. From carefully crafted self-guided walking and cycling holidays, to inspiring winter snow holidays, uncover hidden corners and authentic local experiences along the way. www.inntravel.co.uk
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FOOTPATH HOLIDAYS Personally owned and run by Ian and Suzanne Newman, Footpath Holidays has been providing high quality walking holidays in Britain since 1983. Holiday options include guided walking as part of a group, self-guided holidays based in a single centre and selfguided holidays moving on each day and having your luggage transported. Every year Footpath Holidays organises a number of ‘tailor-made’ itineraries e.g. walks associated with pilgrimage routes, James Herriot’s Yorkshire, Daphne Du Maurier’s Cornwall, or the Arthurian Legends. http://www.footpath-holidays.com/
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SUFFOLK COTTAGE HOLIDAYS Whether you are looking for contemporary chic or classic comfort, Suffolk Cottage Holidays’ stylish, luxury cottages are the very best in Suffolk. In the heart of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, our coastal and countryside cottages are set in some of East Anglia’s finest locations. www.suffolkcottageholidays.com/
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REVIEWS Patisserie Maison: The step-by-step guide to simple sweet pastries for the home baker -Richard Bertinet Synopsis: Patisserie, the art of the maître pâtissier, is the most admired style of baking in the world and requires the highest level of skill. In this new book master baker and bestselling author Richard Bertinet makes patisserie accessible to home bakers. With creations including lavender and orange eclairs, gateau Saint Honore, tarte tropizienne, Paris brest and cassis kir royal mousse, Patisserie Maison opens up the world of divine sweet creations to novices as well as more experienced cooks. http://www.eburypublishing.co.uk/editions/9780091957612 Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict Utterly delicious! The photographs of these delightful recipes will have you rushing to the kitchen to re-create these fabulous biscuits, sponges, meringues, tarts, eclairs and other classic desserts. Richard Bertinet has created the essential guide to the most gorgeous and sublime desserts! Highly Recommended! Roast Lamb in the Olive Groves - Belinda Harley The Paxiots remind us of something that, deep down, we always knew: that food is better, when it is truthful. Synopsis: On the sleepy and beautiful Ionian island of Paxos, the local people still follow the old ways. They cook from simple, ancient recipes, handed down generations, in which good ingredients are allowed to speak for themselves. Much of their precious food knowledge is in danger of disappearing …the islanders catch octopus, and cook it; prepare a whole lamb for the spit at Easter; and roam the hillsides, gathering salads of peppery weeds. Roast Lamb in the Olive Groves shows how you can make simple things wonderful: a carpaccio of scallops with basil and lemon ‘tears’; seared discs of fresh tuna with chilli, poppy seed and fresh dill; vanilla-scented galaktoboureko and rizogalo, ‘rice pudding that has gone to heaven.’ Belinda Harley has been inspired by these traditional dishes to create fresh, new recipes that are dazzling and inspiring for modern cooks to serve at home. http://www.hardiegrant.co.uk/ Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict Roast Lamb in the Olive Groves is part conversation and part collection of recipes, sharing the joy of local knowledge and the recipes for delicious food. This is a beautiful book, from the evocative title and atmospheric cover to the delicious and mouth-watering recipes inside, this book will take you on a wonderful journey of culinary delights. Highly Recommended! 26
The Recipe Wheel by Rosie Ramsden Synopsis: Rosie Ramsden has invented a whole new way of planning meals: it’s called The Recipe Wheel. She takes one simple, core recipe – like risotto – that sits at the centre of its own recipe wheel. From there lead spokes or threads to new, more developed recipes – select your perfect dish by occasion, budget or time. Each wheel is like a mind map, bringing flavours together and encouraging the reader to mix and match, adding to their own creativity and cooking skills. A basic roast chicken inspires dishes like chicken, mango and cashew nut curry; white bread goes into beetroot panzanella or butterbean, garlic and thyme on toast. Get creative with risotto with Barley risotto with chestnut and savoy. A simple sponge cake becomes three-tier vanilla raspberry cake, and custard is transformed into rhubarb treacle creme brulee or peach and amaretto trifle. It’s a completely original idea – the book is illustrated only with the recipe wheel graphics. This innovative cookbook, from an exciting new voice in cookery, turns the idea of the traditional recipe book on its head. http://www.eburypublishing.co.uk/ Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict This is an ingenious and creative concept, taking core recipes and illustrating how many different options can be created. A wonderful resource for all busy people looking to create imaginative recipes. The Street Food Journal: An A-Z - Sophia Augusta (Illustrator) Synopsis: The Street Food Journal published by Laurence King in partnership with Magma in August 2014 is an exquisitely illustrated journal packed full of 26 food sketches and cuisine facts; a truly tasty A-Z. This is the notepad that lovers of food and travel have been waiting for! Containing mouthwatering illustrations from lands near and far, The Street Food Journal collates cuisine from familiar countries such as; churros from Spain, the burrito (helping to clear up the difference between tacos and burritos once and for all) and the empanada - to the more exotic and obsecure; the Japanese dango, kenkey (the dish of Ghana and the Ivory Coast) and Acarajé - which was bought over to Salvador by African immigrants and has never left! This pocket-sized journal is as versatile as it is beautifully illustrated and would make a welcome addition to any food or travel lover’s collection. http://www.laurenceking.com/en/the-street-food-journal-an-a-z/ Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict If you have ever scribbled notes on a napkin during a meal, you will love The Street Food Journal, which provides you with the perfect solution to record all your creative thoughts.
DOODLE BY STITCH Personalise your home with unique washable textiles from doodle by stitch. Create, wash out and design again! The award-winning range includes our tablecloth, placemats and bunting, all perfect for lunches with friends and family or celebrating special occasions with a personal message. www.doodlebystitch.com
QUALITY COTTAGES The tight knit family business based in North Pembrokeshire represents over 300 fabulous holiday properties throughout the most stunning coastal, countryside and mountainous regions of Wales. Quality Cottages was the first company to be awarded a gold medal for services to self catering holidays in Wales. http://www.qualitycottages.co.uk
QUALITY UNEARTHED Something a little different... unusual holiday accommodations such as Treehouses, gypsy wagons, off-grid places, or cool glamping abodes are our passion. And these alternative, ecologically sensitive holidays are something more of us are seeking out. Increasingly we want things in life that are authentic and unique and our choice of holiday accommodation is reflected in this. www.qualityunearthed.co.uk
QUALITY VILLAS Quality Villas was established back in 1986 by Margaret Rees, the current owner, with a handful of villa properties. Today, with the same attention to detail and regard for only offering the best and most sumptuous properties, all enjoying a ‘wow’ factor of some sort, there are close to 500 villas in the portfolio. www.qualityvillas.com
BEACON PARK BOATS Beacon Park Boats is a family-run business offering luxury narrowboat holidays on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in the Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales. Alasdair and Sarah Kirkpatrick combine their love of design, craftsmanship, boating, engineering and hospitality to give you the very best in canal boat holiday experiences. https://beaconparkboats.com/
WILDERNESS COTTAGES Wilderness Cottages offer a variety of self catering holiday properties throughout Scotland. These range in size from small cosy cottages, ideal for honeymoon couples and romantic holidays, or larger holiday cottages to sleep from six to twelve. From remote crofts to stays in luxury apartments we have properties to suit all tastes. Many cottages are open all year, have log fires and make pets welcome. http://www.wildernesscottages.co.uk/
REVIEWS Kids’ Birthday Cakes- Karen Sullivan Synopsis: Kids’ Birthday Cakes Step by Step is a delicious guide that takes the stress out of baking unforgettable birthday cakes to wow your child, whatever their age. Choose your child’s cake from a delectable array of over 50 show-stopping cake designs, from animal cakes to sports cakes and toy cakes. Would your kid go crazy for a circus cake with matching circus animal cake pops, or would they prefer a dinosaur egg cake with miniature egg cupcakes? Whether you are making birthday cakes for girls or boys, there’s something for everyone. Every cake design has visual step-by-steps making the birthday cake creating process stress-free, plus you’ll be provided with themed cupcake decoration ideas and be shown how to make cake pops. You’ll also be able to plan ahead with handy tips on how long the cake will take to make, build, bake and decorate so everything will be ready in time for your child’s party. With Kids’ Birthday Cakes Step by Step you’ll be able to add the perfect finishing touches with cake-decorating techniques such as piping, moulding figures and using fondant icing, taking your child’s birthday cake from average to awesome in no time. http://www.dk.co.uk/ Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict Making your child’s birthday cake can either be the most special event, or the most frustrating occasion! In Kids’ Birthday Cakes Karen Sullivan will help you make it the former. Beautifully illustrated with detailed instructions to make the most imaginative cakes this book is an absolute delight! Highly Recommended! Where Bear ?–Sophy Henn Synopsis: From a major new picture book talent comes a deceptively simple and exquisitely illustrated picture book about a little boy and his bear and finding a place called home. Exploring friendship, camaraderie and discovery and told with humour and warmth, this is a story to capture the heart of its reader. http://www.puffin.co.uk/ Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict This is an utterly adorable book, beautifully illustrated, perfect for bedtime reading, our junior reviewers loved the story! Highly Recommended!
The New Small Person - Lauren Child Synopsis: This brand new picture book from the hugely talented Lauren Child, about the arrival of a new sibling will undoubtedly strike a chord with children and parents alike. Told with Lauren Child’s trademark wit, humour and style, this muchanticipated new picture book won’t disappoint. http://www.puffin.co.uk/ Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict Lauren Child is one of our favourite authors, in The New Small Person she has created a thoughtful and charming way to get the message across to young and old readers about the impact of a new arrival. A wonderful story for family reading. Our junior reviewers absolutely loved it! Highly Recommended! Evie Brooks in Central Park Showdown – Sheila Agnew The second book in the Evie Brooks series Synopsis ‘It’s funny that I can miss Ireland so much and love New York so much at the same time.’ New York City finally feels like home to Evie Brooks. She’s swept up in the life of the Big Apple – helping Scott with all kinds of exotic animals in his veterinary practice, going to Central Park with friends, starting at an American school, maybe even getting her first boyfriend… But with the unexpected arrival of the father she’s never met, Evie’s life is thrown into turmoil again. Not only has she to contend with a new woman in Scott’s life, but now she has to face the prospect of a custody battle. Can Evie’s friends rally and convince her father to withdraw his application for custody? http://www.obrien.ie/central-park-showdown Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict We loved Marooned in Manhattan and Evie Brooks in Central Park Showdown is a fabulous follow-up by Sheila Agnew. A great story for young readers.
SYKES COTTAGES Give yourself something to look forward to with a holiday from Sykes Cottages. With over 4,000 self-catering holiday cottages throughout the UK and Ireland, you’ll be spoilt for choice when planning your 2014 getaway. To find out more, visit our website or give us a call. www.sykescottages.co.uk
ABERCROMBIE & KENT VILLAS Abercrombie & Kent Villas offer a wide range of luxury villas throughout Europe, from French chateaux to Tuscan farmhouses. As well as beautiful properties, we can also help organise the finer things that make your holiday complete with everything from private chefs to local hosts to help you make the most of your stay. www.abercrombiekent.co.uk
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