Tales From The Chair - February
Your monthly round up of everything I’ve been discussing and discovering straight from the salon chair . . .
Local
Part Green Grocer, Fishmonger, Butcher, Bakery and Deli, the Farm Shop at The Fat Badger has opened bringing a taste of the countryside to Richmond Upon Thames!
North East
On my most recent trip to the Motherland I got to spend a bit of extended time at the coast, finally made it to Regualar Jo’s (definitely worth a coffee stop here if your’e coming to visit in Tynemouth for a facial!) and enjoyed a delicious brunch at Foda in Monkseaton (still dreaming about that Turkish Toast!) - highly recommend both!
Brunch at Foda
Skincare Faves
One of my favourite budget skincare brands BYOMA just launched a cleansing balm and cleansing oil - woohoo! Always my go to cleanser choice over anything that foams, the Melting Balm Cleanser/60g comes in at a pocket friendly £14.99 while the Milky Oil Cleanser is £13.99/100ml. Both turn milky on contact with water and emulsify really well to remove from the skin, my only complaint is that I’m finding them a bit stingy around the eyes (possibly due to the rosemary oil? added as an anti-oxidant) so probably best to use a separate eye make-up remover.
Image Credit : Byoma
Beauty Bits
I only paint my nails once in a blue moon as they’re regularly at the ruin of hair colour but while having a nosy around lifestyle store Bellwoods in Whitley Bay, I came across Ashe London vegan nail colour.
Founded in 2021, their pretty palette of limited colour collections launch seasonally. I plumped for a beautiful burnt orange shade ‘Ashbourne’.
Nail varnishes are £15 with 10% of profits going to support 2 selected charities - Cianna’s Smile for those living with sickle cell anaemia and Bloody Good Period helping to put an end to period poverty.
Image Credit: Ashe London
Style Spy
I find Insta to be a great source of many a foodie/fashion find and that’s how I happened upon 32 The Guild, an independent ladies wear store based in Northampton offering an edit of clothing, footwear and fragrance. ‘Everyday Luxe’ is their mantra, encouraging the wearing of beautiful garments daily instead of saving them for best. Their ReGuild selection offers an edit of pre-loved pieces from premium designers so you can grab yourself a sustainable bargain!
Follow along on Insta for clothing to covet @32theguild
Image credit: 32 The Guild
Design Details
Largely inspired by nature, decorative Artist Hattie Eavis creates bespoke hand painted murals and artistic details to fabic lampshades, ceramic tiles and furniture.
Image Credit: Hattie Eavis
UK Travel Inspo
Farmstead Lodges is a new, rustic hide away in the Suffolk countryside.
A collection of 8 luxurious self-catering cottages, all with high spec kitchens, open plan living rooms and en suite bathrooms. Each has a private veranda and outdoor bathtub.
Image Credit: Farmstead Lodges
Image Credit: Farmstead Lodges
The Farmstead is the perfect staycation destination if you are looking to hunker down, recharge and relax in a tranquil haven.
There’s a guide to pubs and restaurants nearby and plenty of scenic local walks including Rendlesham Forest , Minsmere Nature Reserve and the Suffolk Heritage Coast nearby.
A special offer is currently running on bookings made before 31st March 2023 - Stay 3 nights and first night is free. Offer details here.
In The Know
Image Credit: Instagram @loupe_uk
Loupe is a brand new digital travel and lifestyle platform launching in 2023.
So new, the website isn’t quite up and running yet but their instagram account @loupe_uk is already full of eye catching content giving a taste of what’s to come.
Led by a team of former Condé Nast Traveller editors, Loupe looks at the UK through a fresh lens and will cover not only a tightly curated collection of the best places to stay and eat as well as things to do, but it will also have a keen eye on fashion, culture, wellness, adventure and design.
Loupe will look at the UK with the same wonder and curiosity as further-flung destinations. Not only building an editorial, booking and shopping platform, but also a community championing the UK hospitality industry and the best British producers and manufacturers, with a marketplace that will connect the most exciting brands to the most engaged buyers.
Stay in the loupe by signing up to the newsletter here.
Film & TV
I recently re-watched The Phantom Thread and remembered how much I had enjoyed it first time round at the cinema!
Set in post war, 1950’s London it centres around high society dress maker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and the fashion empire he has built with sister Cyril, dressing royalty and the social elite. The ultimate bachelor, many women have come and gone from Reynolds’ life until he meets Alma (Vicky Krieps) who becomes his muse, lover and eventually his wife. This is not a classic love story though, their relationship is toxic and touches on issues of insecurities and control until ultimately they find an unlikely solution to keeping the romance alive.
Watch it for the nostalgic glamour of 1950’s London and the stunning grade I mansion townhouse setting in Fitzroy Square (which reportedly went on the market in 2018 for a cool 15 million!)
Currently Reading
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason. God I am loving this novel! It’s laugh out loud funny and heart breakingly sad in equal measure. Depression, joy, marriage, divorce, dysfunctional family dynamics, love, friendship and humour, its all entwined within these pages.
Image Credit: Daunt Books
Over To You
Emma visited Apricity low waste restaurant in Mayfair recently and gave it a big thumbs up.
Lord knows I love a Sunday roast recommendation and Millie suggested The Fox and Pheasant ‘a little country pub tucked away in a corner of Chelsea’ - one to add to the visit list! The Landlord? English Singer/Songwriter James Blunt.
Alex was looking positively glowing on a recent trip to the salon and let me into the secret of what she was wearing on her skin - Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Cream
If you own a dog then just take a look at the new Fermoie fabric dog bed cushions that Palomas Products have launched - so gorgeous! The stripes are my favourite! Thank you Millie for sharing.
Thanks for reading, I hope you discovered something new and intersting!
Hx