Life Style

There is nothing quite like taking some time to yourself and enjoying a decadent spa day, where you can hunker down in a fluffy robe and let your only concern be whether to sauna or steam next. But with London so saturated with sanctuaries — how to decipher the good from the great? Well, we’ve taken one for the team and done the hard work for you, with a round-up of London’s most luxurious spas. Whether you’re looking for a deep tissue massage to iron out WFH-induced aches and pains, want to revive an exhausted complexion (who can blame you) or are just after some much needed “me time” in a serene subterranean bubble, the perfect destination awaits.The Recovery Room at The Bvlgari Hotel SpaBvlgari HotelThe underground, two-floor spa at the Bvlgari is terrifically luxurious: the gold mosaic...

While there had been speculation that the upcoming visit would be postponed again because of the UK general election on July 4, it has now been given the green light, making it the first state visit in modern times to take place during an election campaign.The trip, from June 25 to 27, will also be the first Japanese state visit to the UK since 1998. Despite it being more than two decades since Japanese royalty touched down on UK soil in an official capacity, Japan’s royal couple have deep ties to the UK. Emperor Naruhito, 64, and his wife, empress Masako, 60, who have been at the head of Japan’s monarchy since 2019, both studied at Oxford in their university days, when Naruhito was a young prince and Masako a fledgling diplomat. The couple also attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabet...

Everything was lavender-themed (the fragrant plant has noted soporific properties, even more powerful than reading a long blog by Dominic Cummings, or listening to an audiobook). There were to be lavender baths, lavender infusions, lavender dinners, hilltop meditation, sunrise yoga, foraging, sound healing. Yet, when my tired eyes rested on the promise of “sleep activity with an expert sleep practitioner” on the beach followed by a “herbal pouches massage” I yelped. I knew Ivo (the husband) had to come. One, his name works in Croatia, where everyone is called Ivo, and two, he was an expert sleep practitioner already but you can teach an old dog new tricks, etc, so I would take the coals to Newcastle. And I would learn how to sleep better. Source link

Aries 0904 470 1141 (65p per minute)*Taurus 0904 470 1142 (65p per minute)*Gemini 0904 470 1143 (65p per minute)*Cancer 0904 470 1144 (65p per minute)*Leo 0904 470 1145 (65p per minute)*Virgo 0904 470 1146 (65p per minute)*Libra 0904 470 1147 (65p per minute)*Scorpio 0904 470 1148 (65p per minute)*Sagittarius 0904 470 1149 (65p per minute)*Capricorn 0904 470 1150 (65p per minute)*Aquarius 0904 470 1151 (65p per minute)*Pisces 0904 470 1152 (65p per minute)**Astro line horoscopes are updated every Friday. Calls cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and will last approximately five minutes. You must be over 18 and have the bill payer’s permission. Service provided by Spoke. Customer service: 0333 202 3390 Source link

It’s no secret that losing weight is a struggle for many of us. Despite being well-informed about nutrition and healthy eating, sticking to our plans long-term remains an uphill battle. A 2021 Ipsos survey found that 43 per cent of Britons were trying to lose weight, yet the knowledge doesn’t always translate into lasting results.Through my work as a behavioural-change scientist specialising in addiction and weight loss, I’ve seen first hand the vast gulf between knowing what to do and actually implementing it consistently over time. Food is meant to be enjoyed — it connects us, allows creativity and love to be expressed, and can be delightfully delicious. Deprivation and rigid rules often backfire. The truth is that sustainable weight management isn’t just about what you eat, but about ho...

A chic bohemian hideaway in the shadow of the Shard. A 19th century Gothic Revival chapel in Putney. A Chelsea art studio that was once home to the lead singer of The Noisettes. These are just some of London’s most exclusive AirBnbs — yours to rent for £150 a night, if you know where to look. From secret lofts to unique penthouses with rooftop hot-tubs, here’s our edit of the best. The Borough artist schoolA dreamy stay south of the riverCourtesy of the Airbnb CommunityHost Natalie manages a couple of enchanting properties in London, including this chic bohemian hideaway in the shadow of the Shard. The exact location is a secret (it’s a “stone’s throw” from Borough Market) and guests have to apply and be approved for a stay. Natalie spent five years renovating what was an old workhouse dat...

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts is not just a group of four- and five-star beachfront resorts across Europe and the Caribbean; it's also a leading advocate of sustainable tourism. Thanks to its Wave of Change movement, Iberostar is quickly becoming a zero-waste champion across the travel industry. Its three pillars of responsible tourism – moving towards a circular economy, promoting responsible seafood consumption, and improving coastal health – create better holidays, and are working to reduce the impact of its hotels, while also working to regenerate and support individual destinations. It's a win-win. Ambitious long-term sustainability planWater dispensers helped Iberostar achieve its single-use plastic status in 2020 IberostarIberostar's sustainability plan is ambitious. By 2025, it wi...

The spacious 282sqm store located on the ground floor of west London’s Westfield shopping centre is now home to Emma’s bestsellers including bed frames (including divans, ottomans and Emma’s sofa bed), mattresses including Emma Original, Emma NextGen Premium, Emma Luxe Cooling and Emma Elite. The store also showcases Emma’s Select range: Diamond Hybrid, Diamond Spring, Helix Hybrid, and Smart Hybrid, giving shoppers plenty of mattress options to try and compare. Source link

Masterclasses from the Evening Standard Launch Offer: Save 20% on all Masterclasses when you use the promo code WELCOME at checkout. Offer ends 11:59pm BST on Sunday 30th June.There's an aura of mystique that surrounds the notion of being 'a writer', with publishing a novel often regarded as the pinnacle of success. However, this allure can make the dream feel unattainable, becoming a barrier that stifles writerly ambitions before they have a chance to take root and grow.This two hour masterclass with the acclaimed novelist Ross Raisin will help you overcome these doubts and allow you to put your idea into action. This masterclass is for anybody who feels a yearning to put a novel idea to paper – but just needs an encouraging nudge to get started. Through an informal combination of advice,...

Given that the weather has temporarily (we hope) pressed pause on flimsy sundresses and their ilk, why not take a sartorial swing at in-between season styling opportunities. Leopard print, which has fashion search engine Lyst has seen a 60 per cent increase since the start of the year, is emerging as the inter-seasonal wardrobe pivot we’ve frankly been calling out for. Ganni, the Copenhagen based titan of guaranteed cool, has made its blotchy leopard print a core concern. Erin O’Connor helpfully showcased its appeal at an event last week pairing her coat with a heavenly languid silk dress in a chic tobacco-shade, giving it just the right amount of punch. See also Jennifer Lawrence at Dior’s cruise show in Scotland where she leaned into the so-called mob-wife aesthetic with a leopard coat e...